As a naval officer of the Blue Flame Kingdom and commander of Moonstone Harbor's defense fleet, Colonel Aisling Windchaser considered herself brave and worldly.
Now, however, she realized how little she knew.
The weather was bright and calm that day, and Aisling had taken her fleet out on a routine escort patrol.
The mission was simple: follow a fixed route around the waters near Moonstone Port, departing in the morning and returning in the afternoon. It was a routine patrol conducted every three days.
Her fleet consisted of two light frigates, the Sea Swallow and the Trade Wind, and four coastal patrol boats.
In the peaceful northern waters of the Blue Flame Archipelago, that force was enough to handle any trouble that might arise... whether a small band of pirates or the occasional sea beast gone berserk.
If they encountered an enemy they could not handle, they could retreat to the harbor, hold their position, and signal the Kingdom for reinforcements.
The Blue Flame navy's main base was only a day's voyage from Moonstone Port.
Thus, the Moonstone Fleet's outing was relaxed and pleasant. When the Petrel's lookout spotted a fleet flying a strange Double-Headed Eagle Banner appearing on the horizon ahead, no one aboard gave it much thought.
The Petrel's signalman even worked his signal lamp with practiced ease, sending a friendly inquiry and warning.
Only as the two sides drew closer did the elves begin to realize something was wrong. Wasn't the other fleet's formation a little...
The Petrel's signalman sent another inquiry to the fleet with the massive warship.
The answer the elves received was a sudden blaze of fire along that giant ship's broadside, a thunderous roar, and the rain of death that followed, screaming through the air.
Force was the best language.
Aisling Windchaser now