Chapter Summaries

The Iron Warships destroyed the Water Rat Gang fleet attacking Sentinel Camp and captured its captains, Kuchi and Rondo. Rondo was left wondering what unknown power had defeated his fleet.

• Kuchi and Rondo debated whether to attack Sentinel Camp or retreat after a barrage killed dozens of pirates.
• As the pirate ships turned to withdraw, four Iron Warships pursued them and Ellen taunted the pirates into turning to fight.
• The Iron Warships fired hundreds of cannon shots and destroyed the pirate fleet without suffering significant damage.
• Ellen and Leonard captured Kuchi, while Rondo was taken prisoner and recalled how helpless his fleet had been against the ironclads.
• Kuchi angrily rejected the food offered in his cage, and Rondo concluded that something unknown had defeated his fleet.

Rowan spared the captured pirate Rondo on condition that he recruit others from Freehold, then joined the King's Bay military conference and pushed for an immediate naval battle. The conference ended with Rowan's Second Fleet designated as the vanguard, while Lashius decided Rowan was a political threat and planned to report him to Lord Stormsong.

• Rondo confessed that he had committed crimes but wanted to live, and Rowan offered him a chance to find other Freehold pirates in exchange for a possible reprieve.
• Rowan entered the King's Bay military conference as commander of the Second Fleet and agreed that the Combined Fleet needed to sortie into the Outer Sea.
• Lashius proposed sending an advance force to probe the enemy, but Rowan rejected the plan as a trap and refused to let his fleet become a sacrifice.
• After a heated dispute, Rowan volunteered the Second Fleet to lead the Combined Fleet's attack against the Iron Tide Fleet the next day.
• Lashius realized Rowan had gained influence through the confrontation and resolved to warn Lord Stormsong that Rowan could become a major threat.

After learning that Kuchi and Rondo’s fleet had been annihilated at Sentinel Camp, Eudora and Jori weighed their worsening position against the Combined Fleet and the Norwington Family’s new warships. Rowan’s fleet sailed out of King’s Bay, setting the stage for another naval battle.

• Greythooth found surviving Water Rat Soldiers, and Eudora learned how Kuchi and Rondo’s fleet had been destroyed at Sentinel Camp.
• Eudora and Jori discussed Halliwell’s betrayal and the Iron Tide Pirates’ lack of reinforcements, while Jori warned that Norwington warships had already sunk Mark’s invisible fleet.
• Eudora insisted the pirates could still defeat the Combined Fleet, but Jori feared the Norwington Family’s new ships would erase their advantage.
• A Gray-skinned Rat People reported that the Combined Fleet had sailed out of King’s Bay.
• Rowan recalled how Lashius had forced him to commit the Norwington warships to the vanguard, and he planned to have Lashius imprisoned after the battle.

Rowan led the Iron Battleships into battle against Eudora’s Iron Tide Fleet, confident that their superior weapons and armor would decide the fight. The Rowan Fleet’s opening barrage devastated the enemy’s formation, while Eudora’s return fire failed to damage the steel-plated ships.

• Rowan urged Jaina to take cover, and she asked whether their elders had protected them the same way when they were young.
• Rowan reassured Jaina that their fleet could not lose, then ordered the soldiers and gunners to their stations as the Iron Tide ships appeared.
• Rowan asked Jaina and Rhonin why the enemy ships had only just appeared on the horizon, and learned that Azeroth’s mages already knew the world was spherical.
• Rowan ordered the Combined Fleet to spread out, then signaled four Iron Warships to fire a volley of 120 cannons at the Iron Tide Fleet.
• Eudora ordered her fifteen ships to target the Iron Warships’ cannon decks, but their steel armor and defensive runes absorbed the barrage without damage.
• Eudora stared at the unharmed Iron Warships and called them “steel sea beasts.”

Eudora ordered Jerry’s Wavebreaker Squad to attack the nearly indestructible Iron Warships, while Rowan advanced his fleet under their protection. Jerry’s lightning dagger damaged Rowan’s ship but also exposed the attackers, and the chapter ended with Jerry captured and the dagger in Rowan’s hands.

• Eudora recalled the terror of the sea beast as the Iron Warships resisted cannon fire, then ordered the Wavebreaker Squad to breach their hulls.
• Rowan ordered his fleet forward, while Santos and Lashius advanced their columns and Rhonin and Jaina prepared to guard the ships.
• Jerry led thirteen Water Rat hull breakers beneath an Iron Warship and discovered its keel and hull were made entirely of steel.
• Jerry’s Siren Trident shattered against the armor, so he used a lightning dagger stolen from the Temple of Akunda to carve deep gouges into the hull.
• The dagger’s electricity spread through the water and ship, and arcane magic teleported Jerry onto the deck, where David knocked him unconscious.
• Rowan picked up the lightning dagger and handed it to Rhonin.

Eudora launched a desperate frontal assault on Rowan’s fleet, but the Iron Warships and Steam Warships quickly isolated the Giant Rat and battered the Rodent Fleet. As the battle turned against her, Eudora aimed her Blunderbuss at Rowan and fired.

• Eudora ordered the Behemoth to charge Rowan’s ships while the Rodent Fleet followed behind.
• Rowan directed his fleet to divide the battlefield and intercept the enemy ships, but the Giant Rat surged forward with the power of the Zandalar King of the Wind.
• The Giant Rat rammed an Iron Warship, and Iron Tide soldiers, Water Rat Hunters, and Two-Headed Monsters boarded as Jaina and David fought to hold them back.
• Mobius ordered the Iron Warships to ram the Rodent Fleet, sinking six Sailing Warships before William and Leonard cut off the survivors with their Steam Warships.
• With the Giant Rat isolated and defeat closing in, Eudora raised her Blunderbuss and shot at Rowan.

Eudora detonated the Iron Tide Pirates’ cannon deck, but Rhonin’s shield protected Rowan’s warship and the blast decided the battle. As Rhonin moved to capture the badly injured Eudora, Zuluhed rescued her and fled toward shore.

• Rhonin attacked Eudora with homing Arcane Missiles, driving her into the sea as Rowan continued directing the battle.
• Eudora shot at Rowan, then surfaced and detonated the cannon deck, causing a massive explosion.
• Rhonin shielded Rowan’s warship from the blast, while the Iron Tide Pirates outside the shield were devastated.
• Rowan ordered the survivors to search for Eudora as Jaina rebuilt the Sea Elemental and David killed the pirates who refused to surrender.
• Rhonin found Eudora injured behind wreckage and tried to seize her with Telekinesis, but the Sea Elemental blocked his spell.
• Zuluhed emerged from the sea, grabbed Eudora, and raced toward shore, prompting Rhonin to fire an Arcane Blast.

Yazir treated Eudora and healed Zuluhed after their dangerous rescue, while Zuluhed and Zul debated how to handle the Iron Tide Pirates and the crisis in King's Bay. Talanji chose Zul’s plan to trap Rowan in the mist-shrouded waters, leaving Zuluhed concerned that Rowan might discover the Island of the Damned.

• Yazir laid the unconscious Eudora in a glowing pool and healed Zuluhed’s shoulder with saliva from Krag'wa, while Zuluhed gave Yazir dried dragon flesh.
• Talanji praised Zuluhed for the rescue, and he explained that Harlan Sweete had concentrated the Iron Tide Fleet near Guardpoint Ridge while leaving King's Bay vulnerable.
• Zul and Zuluhed argued over whether warning Harlan Sweete had undermined Zandalar’s plans, but Talanji redirected them toward stabilizing King's Bay.
• Zuluhed and Zul warned Talanji that Rowan’s warships and his Archmage allies threatened the pirates, and Talanji ordered that Rowan be captured alive.
• Zul proposed trapping Rowan in the mist-shrouded waters, and Talanji approved while Zuluhed silently worried that Rowan could find the Island of the Damned.

Rowan’s fleet destroyed Eudora’s Water Rat Fleet and began turning the battle at King’s Bay against the Iron Tide Pirates. As Talanji drew Captain Jori to her side, Zul and Zuluhed prepared to confront the Iron Battleships, each pursuing his own aims.

• Rowan ordered Mobius to send the Steam Fleet against the Iron Tide Fleet’s right flank while the Iron Battleships cut off the Rodent Fleet’s retreat.
• The Steam Fleet and Iron Battleships destroyed the Rodent Fleet, and the Giant Sea Elemental drowned the Iron Tide soldiers who fell overboard.
• Zuluhed offered Captain Jori a chance to serve Talanji, and Jori chose to become her weapon after Harlan abandoned the fleet.
• Talanji promised Jori greater rewards after the war, while Zul told him to focus on driving the Combined Fleet back into the bay.
• Zul sent Zuluhed to face the Iron Battleships, and Zuluhed accused Zul of scheming before they parted to pursue their own ends.

Rowan’s fleet attacked the Iron Tide Pirates’ ships, while Rhonin drove Zuluhed back aboard the enemy flagship. Rowan recognized Talanji and Zul behind the ship’s magical defenses and saw a chance to capture or kill both Zandalari leaders, but Talanji’s mysterious ritual remained underway as the chapter ended.

• Rhonin attacked Zuluhed with Arcane Magic, forcing him to flee back toward the Iron Tide Pirates’ ships.
• Rowan ordered the Iron Battleships to bombard the eleven enemy warships, and Jaina struck one with a Giant Sea Elemental’s wave.
• A gray-black magical barrier blocked Jaina’s attack, and Rowan spotted Talanji and Zul aboard the protected flagship.
• Rowan continued the bombardment, sinking seven sailing warships while Rhonin pursued Zuluhed and Zul rescued him.
• Zuluhed returned to find the black mist weakening and saw Talanji praying before a shrine, leaving him doubtful that their defenses could withstand the human Archmages.

Talanji received Rezan’s power and joined Jaina and Rhonin in a clash of divine energy, while Zul attacked Rowan aboard the Iron Warship. After Number Zero confronted Zul and both plunged into the sea, Talanji’s ship began escaping, but Rowan ordered a full-speed pursuit.

• Talanji called on Rezan and gained his power, dispersing the black mist as Jaina and Rhonin transformed to fight beside her.
• Zul leaped onto the Iron Warship and attacked Rowan, but Mobius, David, Ellen, and Number Zero confronted him.
• Zul recognized Number Zero, who asked whether he belonged to the Zanchul Council before they fought and plunged into the sea.
• A Devilsaur energy projection pushed Talanji’s ship out of cannon range, and Rowan ordered the Iron Warship to pursue it.
• Mobius ordered the Iron Warship to charge, while Zuluhed urged Talanji to hold steady as the tides accelerated her fleet.

Rowan pursued Talanji and Zul into the open sea while the Combined Fleet fought the Iron Tide Pirates in King's Bay. Lashius ordered his ships to retreat, Leonard attacked him, and William failed to persuade him to send reinforcements as the fleet returned to port.

• Rowan led four Iron Warships through the Iron Tide Fleet and pursued Talanji and Zul toward the open sea.
• Captain Jori's fleet attacked the Combined Fleet, and Leonard and William urged Santos to fight on to protect Rowan's fleet.
• Lashius's contingent retreated, opening the Combined Fleet's defenses and giving the Iron Tide Pirates an opportunity to attack.
• Leonard boarded Lashius's flagship, accused him of abandoning the fight, and wounded him with a greatsword before Lashius's guards subdued and imprisoned Leonard.
• William asked Lashius to reinforce Santos, but Lashius refused, ordered the fleet to return to port, and directed William to seek Leonard's release through a military tribunal.

Rowan pursued Talanji and Zul into the Outer Sea, believing the Zandalari fleet was not yet a threat to Kul Tiras. Talanji redirected her ships toward the Drustvar Battlefield and used loa-powered devilsaur phantoms to strike Rowan’s warships, but Rowan ordered the chase to continue.

• Jaina challenged Rowan for abandoning the battle at King's Bay, and he argued that Talanji’s power suggested the Zandalari Empire was a greater concern than a lone witch doctor.
• Rowan concluded that the Zandalari fleet’s main force would not attack him yet and ordered his warships to keep advancing without firing.
• Talanji recognized Rowan as a dangerous pursuer and ordered Zuluhed to steer toward the Drustvar Battlefield to buy time.
• Talanji summoned Rezan’s power to send devilsaur phantoms beneath Rowan’s warships, shaking them with an underwater attack.
• After Rowan’s ships steadied and Mobius reported that Talanji’s fleet had pulled away, Rowan ordered his fleet to pursue them.

Lord Arthur and Lucille remained unable to break the Iron Tide Pirates’ defenses at Snowforest Harbor, while Lucille denied her feelings for Rowan. After Talanji and Zuluhed reached the harbor waters, Rowan had Rhonin teleport him and Jaina there to face the pirates.

• Lord Arthur complained that the Iron Tide Pirates’ turtle-shell shields had stalled his Fourth Fleet, and Lucille agreed that Rowan’s new fleet might have broken the deadlock.
• Lord Arthur pressed Lucille about her feelings for Rowan and urged her to marry, but she denied liking him and left in frustration.
• Talanji’s Sailing Fleet reached Snowforest Harbor after losing four ships, and the loa’s power left Talanji drained and visibly aged.
• Zuluhed watched the unconscious Talanji and decided to follow his heart as the Iron Tide Fleet faced the Fourth Fleet near the harbor.
• Rowan asked Rhonin to send him to Snowforest Harbor, and Jaina joined him before Rhonin teleported them both there.

Rowan and Jaina visited Lord Arthur at Snowforest Harbor to discuss joining forces against the Iron Tide Pirates, and Rowan explained how his four warships had reached the area. Jaina and Lucille confronted each other over their feelings for Rowan, leaving their rivalry unresolved.

• Rowan and Jaina met Lord Arthur at the Harbor Fortress, where Rowan clarified that they had come to discuss the Iron Tide Pirates rather than trade.
• Rowan told Lord Arthur that his four warships were at Icefield Beach and described their voyage and victories against the pirates.
• Lord Arthur asked about Rowan and Jaina's engagement, and Rowan declared that he would be delighted to marry Jaina.
• Jaina found Lucille upset outside and tried to speak with her about Rowan.
• Lucille challenged Jaina's reasons for believing Rowan loved her and vowed not to give him up, while Jaina warned that she would not accept him marrying two women.

Talanji recovered from her near-fatal overuse of the Loa’s power after Zul used sacrificial Blood Magic to break her divine protection. She learned that the protection could become a dangerous restraint, while Rowan’s return forced her party to leave the waters off Snowforest Harbor.

• Zul returned and rebuked Zuluhed for allowing Talanji to abuse divine power, then ordered Yazir to bring him a healthy human pirate.
• Zul used the pirate’s blood in a ritual that drained the man and restored Talanji, while Zuluhed covered up the sacrifice.
• Yazir burned the pirate’s desiccated corpse and returned to the cabin, where Talanji had awakened.
• Zul told Talanji that he had broken her divine protection so Zuluhed’s tide magic could heal her, and Talanji remembered Torga’s warning that the protection could become shackles.
• Zuluhed told Talanji that Rowan had returned and that they had to leave the waters off Snowforest Harbor ahead of schedule.

Rowan led the Iron Warships and the Fourth Fleet in a decisive assault on Raul's Blacktooth Fleet, overcoming its defenses and capturing Talanji after Valeera shattered the flagship's divine barrier. With Talanji in their hands, Rowan saw a major prize in the princess of the Kingdom of Zandalar.

• Talanji urged her teacher to pursue one final gamble against Rowan and Kul Tiras.
• Rowan charged the Iron Warships into the Blacktooth Fleet, while the Fourth Fleet joined the attack and destroyed the pirate vessels around the flagship.
• The flagship's divine protection resisted Rowan's ramming attack and cannon fire, so Rhonin tried to find a way to break the barrier as the pirates retreated.
• Valeera pierced the barrier with a burst of electrical power, allowing the Giant Sea Elemental and three Iron Warships to attack the flagship.
• Rhonin engaged Zul, while Zuluhed transformed into a wolf spirit and tried to escape with the unconscious Talanji.
• A dagger struck Zuluhed, and Jaina pulled Talanji back onto the deck, leaving Rowan with the captured princess.

Rowan interrogated the captured troll princess Talanji in Snowforest Town’s filthy dungeon, hoping to learn the location of the mist-shrouded waters. Talanji resisted his taunts and recognized that he was keeping her alive for information.

• Rowan doused Talanji with icy water to wake her and tried to provoke her into losing her temper.
• Talanji demanded that Rowan kill her, then criticized human conduct and defended her actions in the war.
• Rowan ordered Ellen to search Talanji’s pack and found personal items, medical supplies, and skincare products but no weapons or equipment.
• Rowan asked Talanji to reveal the exact location of the mist-shrouded waters, explaining that rescuing the Combined Fleet could decide the battle near Guardpoint Ridge.
• Talanji mocked Rowan for abandoning his attempt to provoke her and questioning her about the war instead.

Rowan forced the captured Talanji to reveal the location of the mist-shrouded waters, giving him leverage in the war, then prepared a celebratory meal with Jaina and Lucille. The chapter ended with Jaina and Lucille competing for Rowan’s attention as he tried to cook.

• Rowan threatened to send Talanji’s head to Lordaeron, and she agreed to reveal where the mist-shrouded waters were.
• Rowan ordered Jenny to take Talanji to a cell and pack up her ruined cosmetics, while Talanji wrestled with her doubts about him.
• Rowan celebrated capturing Zandalar’s princess by planning a meal with catfish, and Lucille prepared the fish while Jaina watched.
• Jaina and Lucille refused Rowan’s request to wait in the sitting room and both insisted on helping him cook.
• Jaina told Rowan he could choose only one of them.

Rowan and Jaina shared a meal with Lucille before reaffirming their love and plans to marry, while Lucille watched them embrace from the shore. The next day, Rowan joined a military council that decided to investigate the Misty Sea, and Lord Arthur privately asked him to reconsider Lucille’s feelings.

• Jaina and Lucille competed over the food at Rowan’s dinner, and Jaina declared that she and Rowan would be busy getting married.
• Rowan told Lucille that he loved Jaina, and Lucille wished the couple happiness.
• Rowan and Jaina walked along the shore, promised to wait until she came of age, and embraced beneath the moonlight as Lucille watched from behind a reef.
• Rowan, Talanji, and Lord Arthur discussed a chart locating the Misty Sea near Kul Tiras, and they decided to sail toward the Crimson Forest the next day.
• Lord Arthur asked Rowan to reconsider Lucille’s feelings, but Rowan refused to become a cheating bastard.