Chapter Summaries

Kul Tiras's officers debated how to fight the Iron Tide Fleet, and Rowan warned that Lord Ashvane's plan could expose the coast if the battle went badly. Daelin ordered Rowan to prepare seven Iron Warships within a month to help open the approaches to the Inland Sea, leaving Rowan desperately seeking a way out.

• Flynn Fairwind warned that the Iron Tide Fleet might be luring Kul Tiras's forces into an open-sea battle, while Kainings argued that they needed to strike.
• Lord Ashvane proposed evacuating coastal towns and concentrating defenses around the Inland Sea while the fleets fought offshore.
• Rowan warned that a defeat at sea could force the defending fleets to abandon the coast, but he could not suggest a better plan.
• Daelin ordered Kainings's First Column to assist Lord Ashvane, Flynn's Second Column to reinforce King's Bay, and the Tide Fleet and Fourth Fleet to defend Drustvar and Stormsong Valley.
• Daelin told Rowan to prepare seven Iron Warships within a month and asked him to send the Grand Archmage to Boralus, while Rowan pleaded for more time.

Zuluhed accompanied Talanji and Zul to Bwonsamdi’s Necropolis, where he negotiated a fair trade with the loa of death before Talanji presented Bwonsamdi with what he wanted. At sea, the Kul Tiras Fleet pursued and attacked the Iron Tide Fleet, but eerie soul-filled fog convinced Halliwell that they had entered a trap.

• Zuluhed sensed thousands of troll souls moving toward Bwonsamdi’s Necropolis as Talanji and Zul led him there.
• Zul and Talanji prepared Zuluhed with wood ash for a ritual, and Bwonsamdi appeared to speak with him alone.
• Zuluhed negotiated a fair trade with Bwonsamdi, after which Talanji and Zul appeared inside the Necropolis and Talanji offered Bwonsamdi what he wanted.
• After seven hours of bombardment, Kainings ordered the Kul Tiras Fleet to pursue the retreating Iron Tide Fleet.
• Lord Ashvane ordered the Kul Tiras Fleet to fire, sinking twenty Iron Tide warships without a reply.
• Gray sea fog filled with the wails of souls covered the battlefield, and Halliwell told the Tidesages they had walked into a trap.

A supernatural sea fog trapped the combined fleet offshore, prompting Rowan to reconsider his plans and rely more on his own forces. At King's Bay, Lashius turned Lillard against Rowan by warning that Rowan might use David's mistreatment to target him.

• Brannon told Lord Ashvane that the fog threatened to trap the combined fleet at sea, and Lord Ashvane ordered the fleet to conserve supplies and prepare for a prolonged struggle.
• Rowan suspected the Zandalari Trolls were behind the fog, recalled Leonard and David from King's Bay, and told Byron that they needed to rely on their own forces.
• At King's Bay, Lashius and Santos divided the coastal defense zones between their units.
• Lashius met Lillard, learned that David had joined Rowan's family after being treated unfairly, and suggested Rowan might target Lillard over the matter.
• Lillard agreed with Lashius that they should make Rowan suffer and take him down a peg.

Leonard and David’s Steam Fleet was rejected from joining the defense at King’s Bay, then turned back toward the battle after Rowan ordered it to return to Morris Harbor. At King’s Bay, Lashius and Santos debated how to confront the Iron Tide Fleet as the battle stalled.

• Lillard rejected Leonard’s request to join the combined fleet because the Norwington Family’s fleet was not part of the Regular Navy.
• Byron arrived with Rowan’s order for the Steam Fleet to return to Morris Harbor, and David agreed to leave the Inland Sea.
• After hearing cannon fire, David turned the fleet around to wait for the outcome of the naval battle at King’s Bay.
• Lashius urged Santos to attack the Iron Tide Fleet, and Santos decided to take the initiative.

Rowan convened an Inland Sea economic meeting and argued that the Norwington Family should control prices and put its people first despite the risk of angering other families and guilds. The meeting ended with the attendees enthusiastically supporting his position.

• As wartime shortages drove prices up, Rowan worried that falling living standards would undermine the workers and Morris Industries’ shipbuilding plans.
• Kande backed Rowan’s call to regulate prices and prioritize daily necessities, while the Textile Association president warned that doing so could antagonize other families and guilds.
• After the attendees debated the risks, Rowan asked why they worked for the Norwington Family, and they answered that they sought the family’s and their own interests.
• Rowan declared that the family’s interests depended on its people and that, in wartime, it could forgo business but must not lose their support.
• The meeting hall applauded Rowan’s speech, and Kande clapped along enthusiastically.

Illucia decided to visit Morris Town and demand an explanation from Rowan for the Norwington Family’s losses. After the Combined Fleet held King’s Bay, Lashius plotted with Lillard to withhold reinforcements from a pirate fleet approaching the Inland Sea, targeting Rowan’s interests.

• Lusen complained that Rowan’s economic measures had cost Boralus merchants and families money, while Illucia admired Rowan’s willingness to carry them out.
• Illucia canceled her lunch with Moss and planned to go to Morris Town, telling Lusen she wanted an explanation from Rowan.
• Lashius and Santos’s fleets fought the Iron Tide Pirates at King’s Bay, suffering heavy losses but ultimately holding the bay.
• A scout told Lashius that a pirate fleet had entered the Inland Sea and was heading toward Harbor Camp.
• Lashius told Lillard to pretend he had not seen the pirate fleet and clarified that Lillard must not send reinforcements.

After King's Bay's victory, Byron's group headed back to Morris Harbor while Mark's Iron Tide Fleet entered the Inland Sea and seized the chance to raid supply ships. The Third Fleet commanders blamed one another and sent Lillard to hunt the pirates, with Lashius promising him a restored rank if he succeeded.

• Byron defended the soldiers who fought at King's Bay, and David, Ellen, and Leonard urged the fleet to return to Morris Harbor.
• Mark and Nakas suspected the Third Fleet had let the Iron Tide Fleet into the Inland Sea to target Norwington Family factories, then learned supply ships were nearby.
• Mark ordered his pirates to seize the cargo ships carrying supplies and weapons for King's Bay.
• Santos berated the officers for allowing the pirates into the Inland Sea, and Soren tried to blame Lillard for the breach.
• Lashius proposed that the Tide Fleet and Lightning Strike Fleet search together, and Santos ordered Lillard to lead the pursuit.
• Lashius promised Lillard he could regain his rank after defeating the pirates, and Lillard pledged to follow his instructions.

The Norwington Family fleet fought Mark’s stealth fleet in a night battle on the Inland Sea, and the two forces collided in a desperate close-range fight. As Nakas attacked David and Byron struck at him, Leonard took command of the fleet.

• Leonard and David spoke about missing home beneath Azeroth’s converging moons before they noticed the stealth fleet approaching.
• David and Leonard alerted the Norwington Family fleet, and Ellen went to locate the enemy ships as the fleet prepared to fire.
• Mark recognized the family’s new steam warships and ordered his Gut-Hunter Fleet to spread out and attack despite the heavy cannon fire.
• After losing three ships, the Gut-Hunter Fleet rammed the family’s ships, and David ordered the crews to abandon the cannon decks and fight.
• A troll attacked Byron with daggers, while Nakas vanished into the shadows and struck at David; Byron answered with Judgment.

Byron, Leonard, and David fought Nakas aboard the command ship, but the Troll assassin escaped their attacks and targeted the wounded David. Meanwhile, Ellen boarded a pirate warship to stop its cannons from firing on the Families' Flagship, but Mark confronted him as he reached the Cannon Deck.

• Byron's burst attack failed to catch Nakas, so he fell back to supporting Leonard and David.
• Leonard and David cornered Nakas, but he countered their attacks before Byron struck him and his spidersilk cloak pulled him out of reach.
• Nakas recovered and attacked the wounded David, aiming to weaken the three Warriors one at a time.
• Ellen boarded the pirate warship and stabbed Mark, but Mark entered a berserk state and drove Ellen toward the cabin.
• Ellen used Dust of Disappearance and Backstab attacks to wound Mark, then rushed to the Cannon Deck after its cannons fired.
• Ellen hid among the ammunition crates, but Mark called after him as he searched for the rogue.

Ellen fought Mark on the cannon deck while the flagship bombarded the enemy ships, and Nakas battled David, Leonard, and Byron aboard another warship. After successive cannon volleys killed Nakas and left Byron mortally wounded, David and Leonard tried to save their friend.

• Mark confronted Ellen on the cannon deck, where Ellen tried to reach the cannons and Mark fought to stop him.
• Ellen wounded Mark, but Mark endured the injuries and swung his greatsword at Ellen as he tried to escape.
• Byron spotted an approaching fleet, and the group was surprised by cannon fire from a warship targeting them.
• Nakas fought David, Leonard, and Byron, deflecting their attacks before cannon volleys battered the deck.
• David and Leonard pushed Nakas into the path of the cannon fire, and David killed him with a greatsword.
• Nakas stabbed Byron in the chest before dying, and Leonard began treating Byron as David called for him.

Lashius and Lillard delayed aiding the Norwington fleet until most of its ships had been sunk, while Illucia arrived in Morris Town to confront Rowan over price changes. The chapter ended with Rowan learning that the Inland Sea fleet had suffered devastating losses and several people, including Byron, Leonard, and David, were missing.

• Lashius told Lillard to wait before reinforcing the Norwington fleet, and Lillard ordered his fleet forward after nineteen of the twenty-three warships had sunk.
• Illucia arrived at Morris Harbor and toured the steel plants and warship construction with Lusen before meeting Rowan and Jaina.
• Illucia demanded an explanation and compensation for losses caused by the Norwington Family’s price adjustments, but Rowan refused to settle the matter on her terms.
• Ellen arrived wounded and reported that the fleet had been attacked in the Inland Sea.
• Rowan ordered Jaina to summon Grand Archmage Rhonin and meet him at the harbor, then learned that Byron, Leonard, David, and the soldiers were missing.
• Jaina held Rowan’s trembling hand as he struggled with the news of the fleet’s devastating losses.

Rowan and the Archmages teleported two Iron Warships to the battle’s aftermath, where they found the fleet destroyed and Byron near death. After Rhonin’s Time Magic exposed Lillard’s deliberate delay, Jaina killed him, Rowan subdued the Third Fleet, and ordered it to Morris Harbor while planning to hold Lillard’s superiors responsible.

• Rhonin and Jaina teleported two Iron Warships from Morris Harbor to the surviving Norwington warship, where Lillard confronted David and the wounded sailors.
• Rowan learned Byron had apparently died, but Rhonin found the Holy Pact had preserved Byron’s heart and froze his body to protect his remaining life.
• Jaina questioned Lillard about his failure to aid the fleet, and Rhonin used Time Magic to reveal that Lillard’s ships had remained idle for an hour.
• Jaina killed Lillard after the images exposed his delay, while Rowan ordered Commander Mobius to fire a broadside that silenced the Third Fleet’s twelve warships.
• Rowan ordered the Third Fleet to Morris Harbor and vowed to pursue the superiors responsible for the delayed rescue.

Ellen and Rhonin brought the gravely injured Byron to Haimo Town, where the Druid Broll began treating him. Broll’s healing showed promise, but he asked everyone to dig a hole and gather plants, leaving Rhonin and Ellen unsure what he intended.

• Ellen and Rhonin arrived in Haimo Town and searched for Broll, whom Rowan had recruited to treat Byron.
• Martin sent a message to Broll, who raced through the wheat fields in cheetah form before shifting into an Elf.
• Rhonin and Ellen brought Broll to Byron, and Broll examined the Paladin’s injuries and the Holy Pact protecting his heart.
• Broll cast Nourish as Rhonin released the freezing spell, and Byron’s eyelashes trembled.
• Broll asked everyone to dig a hole and gather flowers and plants, alarming Rhonin and Ellen.

After reassuring Rowan that Byron would recover, Rhonin discussed the consequences of detaining the Third Fleet and killing Lillard. At Morris Harbor, David urged William to defect to Rowan’s Second Fleet, and William agreed to take the risk.

• Rhonin told Rowan that Broll was confident he could treat Byron, easing Rowan’s anxiety.
• Rhonin warned Rowan that the Third Fleet at King’s Bay would retaliate, and Rowan said he would use any means necessary to uncover the truth.
• William resumed command after Lillard’s death, and the Third Fleet’s soldiers worked at the Morris Ironworks before sharing a generous dinner with the locals.
• David urged William to join the Second Fleet, arguing that its Iron Warships would make it difficult for the Third Fleet to threaten them.
• William worried Lord Ashvane might punish him after the war, but he ultimately accepted David’s offer and decided to take the gamble.

Jaina secretly visited Boralus to ask Daelin to defend Rowan, but he refused and told Rowan to bear responsibility for his actions. Back at the workshop, Rowan pushed ahead with industrial expansion and playfully kissed Jaina, who chased after him in embarrassment.

• Valeera refused to help Jaina sneak back to Boralus because Rowan had asked her to keep watch, and Jaina admitted she understood that Rowan wanted to protect her.
• Jaina reported the inland sea battle to Daelin and asked him to defend Rowan, but Daelin said he would pretend she had never visited and refused to intervene.
• Daelin told Jaina that Rowan needed to accept responsibility and advised her to tell him that ruthlessness was a superior's greatest asset.
• At the workshop, Rowan approved plans to distribute machine blueprints and urged Copper Hammer and his son to put night-school apprentices to work on basic manufacturing.
• Rowan teased Jaina and kissed her, then ran as she chased him with flames gathering in her hand.

Santos questioned Lashius’s motives after Lashius urged him to pressure Rowan and reclaim the fleet detained at Morris Harbor. Their confrontation ended without an agreement, while Lashius resolved to wait for another chance to undermine Rowan.

• Lashius visited Santos and advised him to report the Inland Sea battle and demand that Rowan return the detained fleet.
• Santos suspected Lashius had manipulated Lillard and was trying to provoke a conflict with Rowan.
• Lashius denied mixing personal grudges with military affairs, then accused Santos of cowardice and claimed Lillard had let the Invisible Fleet pass.
• Santos slammed the table and warned Lashius to stay out of the Third Fleet’s internal affairs.
• Lashius left the confrontation intending to wait for further opportunities to target Rowan.

Talanji forced Harlan to commit the Iron Tide Pirates to a major offensive against Kul Tiras by threatening to make Zandalar their enemy. In Boralus, Lucille helped counter rumors about Lillard’s death, while Rowan’s teasing with Jaina left their relationship as playful as ever.

• Talanji warned Harlan that Zandalar would turn against the Iron Tide Pirates unless they launched a meaningful attack on the Kul Tiras Navy.
• Harlan reluctantly agreed to put a large-scale offensive on the agenda, and Talanji credited Zul and Zuluhed’s advice for her success.
• Rowan learned that Lucille had been working to address public rumors about Lillard’s death, and he arranged to send her a hundred thousand gold coins in thanks.
• Ellen realized he had spoken too openly about Lucille’s care for Rowan in front of Jaina, while Rowan tried to redirect the conversation.
• Rowan took Jaina’s hand and joked about his faithfulness, making her blush and earnestly pull away.

Rowan decided to send the Norwington Family fleet into the Outer Sea to fight the Iron Tide Pirates, despite Jaina and Leonard urging caution. The commanders pledged their loyalty, and Jaina asked Rowan to leave the fleet behind and live peacefully with her once the war was over.

• Twelve Sailing Warships received Steam Power Engines in Morris Harbor and began their trial run under William's command.
• Rowan argued that the family had to venture into the Outer Sea to gain resources and fight in the Fourth Pirates Extermination Campaign, while Jaina and Leonard objected.
• Rhonin supported Rowan's plan, and General Mobius, Leonard, David, William, and the other military commanders pledged their lives to his cause.
• After the meeting, Rowan and Jaina walked along Morris Harbor's newly cemented streets as Jaina asked him to stop building fleets after the war and live peacefully with her.
• Rowan promised Jaina that they would leave together once everything was over, and she leaned into his embrace.

Rowan prepared to reinforce King's Bay after the Iron Tide Pirates routed its defenders, while Illucia teased him before leaving Morris Town. At King's Bay, Lashius and Santos faced the collapse of their defenses and the absence of the Fourth Fleet.

• Ellen told Rowan that Number Zero and Number Seven were unavailable, and Rowan ordered preparations to reinforce King's Bay.
• Ellen returned money from Lucille, and he and Rowan joked about Rowan's relationships.
• Illucia confronted Rowan, flirted with him, and left Morris Town after reminding him he owed her money.
• The Iron Tide Fleet routed the defensive line north of King's Bay, forcing Lashius and Santos's forces to withdraw into the bay.
• Lashius demanded to know why the Fourth Fleet had not come south, while Santos considered retreating to the Inland Sea before both men fell silent.

William and the Norwington fleet prepared to ambush pirate ships approaching Sentinel Camp while Amos evacuated the garrison. The pirates were closing in, and William ordered flares launched to begin the fight.

• Iron Tide pirates landed near Sentinel Camp, intending to steal supplies, kill the soldiers, and burn the camp.
• William returned to Sentinel Camp and told Amos that he had lost patience with the Third Fleet's leadership.
• Ellen reported that twenty pirate warships and over a hundred pirates were approaching the camp.
• William halted the evacuation loading and had Leonard move Amos's ammunition crates onto the Norwington warships.
• Amos declined to let his exhausted soldiers join the fight, and William ordered the flares launched.