On the Blackwater Rush, the ships of the Volantene "saviors" cruised into the royal warships. The channel was narrow, turning the fighting into ramming actions and head-on clashes.
Landing was not easy. The waterfront had become scorched earth. The Lannisters had burned every building and driven everyone inside the Mud Gate. Charred masts and sunken ships littered the riverbank, preventing ships from approaching the long stone quays.
"Are those the Great Sept's crystals?" Governor Rhaen Hayne asked. Bright sunlight shone on the seven crystal towers of the Great Sept of Baelor, making them sparkle.
"Yes, my lord."
"Excellent. Westeros is a wealthy city. The Great Sept and the Red Keep must have plenty of gold and gems. It is hardly unreasonable for us to collect a little interest for our help." The exiled governor of Tyrosh was exceedingly greedy. Storm had all but bankrupted him, and he hated Westeros.
"They've rammed her!" The Lyseni might have been poor warriors, but their sailors were good. Two Lysene ships plunged into the Lady's Shame together, smashing her to pieces from bow to stern with tremendous force.
Then the Lysene ships backed away, and river water surged into the great holes they had made. The Lady's Shame broke apart before the Lyseni, spilling crowds of men into the river. The living struggled to survive, the dead floated silently, and anyone wearing heavy plate armor or mail sank straight to the riverbed, alive or dead, never to move again.
Some lucky Lysene and Tyroshi ships lowered their gangplanks, and archers and swordsmen poured in a disorderly mob onto the narrow strand between the cliffs and the river.
"These people of King's Landing really don't know what's good for them." The Lyseni had brought exiles, Tyroshi, and other slavers, hoping to make a fortune. Their