Close-Quarters Combat

"Captain, the human ships have arrived."

Harkel laughed. "How many?"

"The scouts say at least two hundred, Captain. Some of their vessels are merchant ships, and others are converted fishing boats."

Just then, several shells came hurtling over, throwing up sprays of water across the sea.

"Their shells can't reach us, sir. But they're already within our range!"

"What a pity. I was hoping to cross blades with the Alliance's Seventh Fleet." Harkel sighed. It seemed to be the first time she had sighed in days, disappointed at the lack of a worthy opponent. Those Crimson Crusade ships might have been somewhat interesting, but what were those things she saw in the distance? Didn't the Alliance have one or two decent ships stationed at Southshore?

In that case, they would pay for their arrogance.

"Prepare to fire. Aim every cannon at those ships." Harkel gave the order with a cold sneer at the human warships. The soldiers were loading shells and calculating their bearings. All that remained was to light the fuses.

"Captain, look!" A crewman pointed frantically at the sky. Harkel turned her attention that way. She had thought the enemy had an air force, but all she saw was snow filling the heavens.

"Snow?" The captain of The Witherer froze. It was not the season for snow...

"Behind us—it's Lord Meryl!"

Harkel frowned and immediately ran to the other side of the deck. The mage floated above the sea, enveloped by wind and snow, muttering some spell. Every word he uttered made the air grow sharply colder.

What was he doing? He was casting a spell on the Forsaken fleet! Harkel had had enough of the dovish ways of Veronalara and Meryl. No one could stop her from taking revenge on the Alliance now. Meryl could not be