Fleet

The morning of July 2, the first year of Sigmund I's reign

Off the coast of Giant Island, at the northernmost tip of the Southwest Peninsula.

A thin mist shrouded the sea like a veil. The rising sun cast golden light across the glittering water, illuminating a sizable mixed fleet slowly sailing out of the harbor.

Dozens of ships of various sizes, their masts standing tall, cut through the calm waves in a relatively loose formation, heading northeast toward the waters around the Iron Islands.

This fleet had not departed from Carnford's traditional home port, Amber Bay. Thanks to the glorious victory in the recent Tyrol campaign, Carnford now had complete control over the northern coastline of the Southwest Peninsula, including Giant Island.

The fleet for "Operation Hannibal" was launching directly from a newly built temporary anchorage on this legendary island, said to be the burial place of the bones of ancient giants.

The choice of this departure point was the crucial prerequisite that made the rescue operation possible.

If the Southwest Peninsula had still been under Sauron control, Carnford's rescue fleet would have had to depart from Amber Bay farther south, make a long voyage along the dangerous coastline, and round the entire protruding tip of the Southwest Peninsula.

Not only would that have increased the voyage by two or three times, with a round trip possibly taking five to ten days, but more importantly, Sauron could launch an attack from any point along the coast during the long journey. The fleet would have remained constantly exposed to enemy threats, making the rescue operation almost impossible to accomplish.

Now, however, the route ran straight from Giant Island to the Iron Islands, greatly shortening the voyage. If all went smoothly, the fleet was expected to reach the waters surrounding the