[Salamander]

      The humans' howls of fear exhilarated Muto, prompting them to carry on the assailment. They wedged their teeth into the cracked hull and pried off a panel of barnacled wood. The nails came loose with a sickening creak, causing another torrent of water to fill the ship. They reeled back and crashed their tail into the opening, easily splintering through the weakened wood. Several support beams crumbled, and the berth deck above began to fracture dangerously. Several crewmen still hiding in their hammocks cried out in alarm as the floor was ripped out from under them, leaving them dangling above a black and tumultuous sea. As they scrambled to safety, Muto attacked again. The human’s squeals were only adding to their irritation. They crammed their head through breach they had created, roaring as they thrashed and tore at anything they could get their teeth on. They latched onto another beam and wrenched it from its place. Pulling back, they watched in satisfaction as more of the ship collapsed in on itself. While the main deck and most of the cabins remained relatively unharmed, the two bottom decks were all but destroyed. The ship could still escape if the gods blessed it with wind. Both land and daylight were not far off, and Muto could not pursue them into either.
        Water was rushing in fast, enough so that much of the hull was completely flooded. By this time the crew had at least managed to man the cannons, which were being fired aimlessly into the depths. Muto dodged them easily, but was nevertheless uneasy. Luckily, they had a solution to the problem. With some difficulty, Muto fit half their body inside the flooded hull, awkwardly piled upon wooden debris. Their lower body and tail still drifted in the sea below. The humans couldn’t quite fire upon their own ship, now could they? The dragon lifted their head though a rift in the ceiling and glanced around, considering how to continue their assault. They were about to target the captain’s quarters, when they heard rapid footfalls coming from the stairs. Muto turned and tilted their head in bewilderment. What human would possibly be so reckless?