The fire at sea lasted only half an hour. The smoke cleared, the wind died down, and the sea grew calm again.
After the naval battle, exhausted sailors and soldiers lounged against the deck. Some were grieving, some dejected, and some simply grateful to be alive. Not one of them rejoiced in the victory.
The oppressive atmosphere weighed on Rowan. Resting his hands on the railing, he gazed out at the seawater streaked with blue and red and let out a long breath.
When the final bombardment ended, Rowan had felt a brief surge of joy at their victory.
But winning the naval battle had done nothing to change his mood.
What Rowan felt was closer to relief. He could feel the shackles weighing on him being stripped away, layer by layer, yet another heavy burden had settled onto his shoulders.
For a leader, death was a heavy shackle. Rowan could not throw up his arms and cheer after a victory.
In the naval battle they had just fought, Rowan had lost more than thirty sailors and soldiers.
"Make proper arrangements for the families of the fallen soldiers and sailors. The Norwington Family will give each household a hundred gold coins in compensation," Rowan instructed Leonard.
Leonard hesitated, then dutifully said, "Young master, the customary payment is only twenty gold coins."
"Do as I say," Rowan repeated, his tone grave and leaving no room for discussion.
Warmth filled Leonard's heart. He nodded and returned to the cabin to compile a list of the fallen soldiers.
Jaina had been standing behind Rowan all along. She was glad that he and his fleet had won this naval battle.
The righteous side had defeated the evil pirates of Freehold. That should have been cause for celebration. Yet Rowan's reaction reminded her so much