Knock, knock, knock. Someone rapped on the door of the Blue Avenger's captain's cabin.
"Come in," Alger said in a deep voice. He had just slipped away to practice his singing.
A sailor opened the door, glanced back, then entered hesitantly under the urging of several companions. He struck his left breast with his right fist in salute.
"Praise the Storm!"
After Alger returned the salute, the sailor put on a sheepish smile.
"Captain, the lads have been hearing terrible roars at night. We think a Sea Monster might be following us, or something unclean might have latched on to the ship...
"So could we return to a busy port first and have a professional take a look?"
It took all Alger's strength to keep his expression under control. He drew several deep breaths before saying thoughtfully,
"I understand how you feel. We'll sail toward Lindes Harbor, resupply there, and stay for a day."
"Yes, Captain." The sailor excitedly struck his left breast with his right fist again. "May the Storm be with you."
"May the Storm be with you." Alger watched his subordinate leave and closed the door.
Then his face darkened.
Was my singing really that awful? I went so far away to practice every time... How could they still hear it?
No... This probably wasn't my fault. It had to be the Ocean Songster's ability!
It was said that different Ocean Songsters produced different effects with their songs. Some used beautiful singing to disrupt an enemy's spirit, leaving them dazed or distracted, or to boost their own explosive strength. Others imitated thunder to intimidate their foes. Still others relied on chaotic, grating songs to irritate enemies until they lost their reason...
*And I might have taken that third kind a step further. My voice carried farther and