Burning planks and broken masts floated on the sea. The fleet the Bloodsail Brotherhood had been so proud of had become a heap of floating debris.
Sailors in Golden Sail Merchant Guild uniforms steered small boats through the wreckage, hauling people out of the water with long hooked poles.
Pirate or ally, anyone still breathing was rescued first.
Sea Wolf slowly approached aboard his flagship, waving toward Veylin on Leviathan. His bellow cut through the din.
"My lord Baron! We won! Those bastards are finished!"
Veylin stood on Leviathan's broad head, the sea breeze stirring his black hair.
"Captain Sea Wolf," Veylin said, "search for and rescue everyone in the water, especially skilled craftsmen. We need labor."
"Understood!" Sea Wolf answered loudly, then turned and roared at his men, "You heard him! Get moving! Take them alive, especially carpenters who can repair ships! The Baron needs them!"
Veylin sank his consciousness into the water and issued new orders to the three enormous beasts.
Clear the seabed and recover the intact Alchemy Cannons and any usable ship keels. These were valuable spoils of war, the foundation for rebuilding the isles.
With the destruction of the Bloodsail Brotherhood's main force, the dark clouds looming over the Southern Isles were torn apart.
Meanwhile, in every corner of the isles.
"The signal! It's the victory signal!"
A Namian scout rushed down from Sea-Gazing Cliff, waving a red flag.
Inside the cave, Gideon sprang to his feet.
Behind him, more than a dozen members of the Raging Tide Knights' Order all reached for their sword hilts.
"For the Gray Marsh Fief!" Gideon drew his longsword, pointing its blade toward the light spilling into the cave.
"For the glory of the Raging Tide Knights' Order!" the knights roared in unison.
At that same moment, the fires