The pirates of the Stepstones were not particularly surprised by the Triarchy's sudden betrayal. After all, they had been fighting for years, and the hatred between them had long since taken deep root.
Given a chance to finish the other side off, neither would show mercy. So the pirates quickly reached an understanding with the mercenaries aboard the Pattirios fleet and joined forces against their enemy.
On the battlefields of this world, everything could change just that suddenly!
Enemies who had been fighting to the death moments earlier now retreated together into the small forts at the bow and stern, sheltered behind the pirates' oak shields.
The Purple Fleet's three-masted sailing ships were hailed as the most advanced vessels in the world not only because of Braavos's superb shipbuilding techniques, but also because of the excellent fighting forts at either end.
These forts could shelter archers, allowing them to unleash heavy volleys against approaching vessels. They also protected the small catapults installed inside from being easily destroyed.
Taking these forts during a boarding action inevitably came at a steep price. They were also the key to the Purple Fleet's many victories against superior numbers.
"Longbowmen, light your arrows! Loose!"
The mercenary commander immediately ordered the longbowmen to switch to flaming arrows and shoot at the sails of the Triarchy vessels approaching from the left. Soon, a number of the Triarchy's ships were ablaze.
But the Triarchy warships on the right continued firing their giant ballistae from a distance, sending enormous bolts screaming toward them.
Some punched straight through the planking, sending splinters flying. Others struck fittings aboard the ships and caused chaos. A few even came close to piercing the forts.
The Triarchy had developed these giant ballistae specifically to fight House Targaryen's great dragons. Apart from those built by