Scramble

At the bow of the flagship Northern Wind, Brendan stood like a reef, his sharp gaze sweeping in an instant across the chaotic battle unfolding over the waters of the Iron Islands.

The harbor defenses were on the verge of collapse, the defenders struggling bitterly in pools of blood; out on the sea, the remnants of the Iron Islands navy were entangling that massive Sauron Flagship in a tragic, suicidal charge, trying to open a path for the reinforcements; and farther away, still more Sauron warships were gathering, attempting to close in.

The situation was desperately critical. They had to decide at once!

"Pass the order!" Brendan's voice was like a sword drawn from its sheath, cutting through every hesitation. "All transport ships and medium warships, turn immediately and make for the harbor at all costs! Get the people aboard!"

"'Northern Wind,' 'Sea Lion,' 'Sturdy Shield,' follow me to meet the enemy! Stop those Sauron ships and buy time for the evacuation!"

"Yes, my lord!"

Signal flags flew out swiftly, and the sound of horns cut through the clamor of the sea.

The enormous mixed fleet immediately split in two! The smaller, shallower-drafted transport ships of the Grimm Merchant Guild and several medium armed merchant ships, under the sailors' strenuous handling, billowed their sails and shot forward like arrows loosed from the bowstring, ignoring the scattered arrows and stone shot flying from near the harbor as they desperately charged toward that burning pier! They had only one mission—to take people aboard!

Meanwhile, the three strongest warships of the Carnford navy—the Northern Wind and the others—were like three enraged male lions. Their massive hulls carved huge arcing wakes across the surface of the sea, oars flying in unison as they adjusted course and pounced straight toward the main force of the