AN: I know it is too early, but please do reviews encouraging people to read the book, especially if you yourself you enjoy it,
~~~~~~~~
The enemy had prepared well though, their ships bore large painted symbols across both sails and hulls, allowing their archers to distinguish friend from foe despite the darkness.
It seems they snuck up on them using the cover of darkness, and now they were trying to surround the fleet of 114 ships, this number was deduced from the 6 ships already damaged and burning.
But the enemy ships were 80 and they had already lost 4 ships now, so they were doing well in taking the suprise elements to its full advantage.
As for the large symbols on their ships, It was an intelligent precaution, without it half their arrows would’ve found allied decks instead especially since it was pitch black darkness, the moonlight did help abit, but it was not enough for this night battle.
Aethon watched another explosion of fire bloom across the sea from Velaryon ships, this made him remark saying “…They’re well organized unlike pirate, this must be the Triarchy, how foolish.”
They were far more organized than he’d hoped and it seems their captain was very strategic and experienced.
He reached the treeline moments later and there curled comfortably beneath enormous pines lay Smaug.
The dragon barely reacted as Aethon approached, only one golden eye slowly opened as he said “You’ve terrible timing, I was having a nice nap.”
Aethon climbed onto the familiar scales saying “The enemy’s attacking.
Your naps are least of my concerns.”
The dragon sighed dramatically but he finally pushed himself upright obeying Aethon, the earth trembled beneath his weight while he stretched both wings lazily before preparing to complain once more saying “What exactly is—”
Before he could finish his sentence he heard the screams and even from here he could smell the faint trace of smoke, there was more to it though, beyond the trees the sea burned as ships fought desperately beneath the moonlight.
Smaug stopped speaking seeing this as a slow grin spread across his enormous jaws, “…Ah.
So that’s what’s happening, it’s about time someone embrace my flames while I watch them dance.”
His golden eyes gleamed with unmistakable excitement, obviously nobody danced when on fire, but to him their screams and struggles looked like a performance to emphasize his power, still he further commented saying “I was wondering why someone had the audacity to interrupt my sleep.
I blame them after all, not you Aethon, climb properly.”
He lowered himself slightly and Aethon secured himself.
Far out at sea aboard the Triarchy flagship, Captain Nyessa Xarion stood upon the quarterdeck calmly issuing orders.
Her long crimson hair danced wildly in the sea wind while an old scar stretched from the corner of her forehead down across one cheek, disappearing beneath the collar of her armor.
She was tall and broad-shouldered, she carried herself with the confidence of someone who had spent most of her life commanding men older than herself, which few women were capable through personal strength alone.
Another messenger rushed toward her saying “Captain!
Our left flank has forced three Velaryon ships to withdraw!”
“Good.
Maintain pressure.”
Another arrived almost immediately saying “The center reports heavier resistance than expected.
They’re to continue advancing in a breakthrough on the first line.”
“No prolonged engagements!
We inflict maximum damage, then withdraw, deliver the message and make the signal.”
She looked across the burning sea with conviction, this wasn’t her first battle, she had fought the sea snake many times.
Ordinarily she was a pirate who often raid this area, it explained why she knew it so well on a tactical level, but one day the Velaryons showed up and massacred her crew including her lover, this happened 6 winters ago.
Anyway she moved to join the Triarchy and make a name for herself through grit so she can one day inact revenge.
This battle though wasnt the revenge she had planned for, they were outnumbered so the plan wasn’t to win, it was just to hurt the sea snakes fleet, and she wanted to hurt the Velaryon’s so bad so she can somewhat ease her pain.
As long as the Velaryon’s also lost a considerable amount of ships such that the Snea snake himself can’t sleep, that might satisfy her for losing everything in her pirate life.
That loss had motivated her to become a captain, so this her position right now.
Still she was aiming for the position of admiral of the whole fleet, her time in the Triarchy has opened new doors for her, and now she’s ambitious, in fact she was hoping their current admiral would die so she can replace him.
The admiral however was at the very center of the fleet flanked by 7 ships as protection while he issued orders.
Anyway the sudden midnight strike was designed to bloody the Sea Snake’s fleet before the Triarchy assembled its true invasion force, so heavy casualties were expected, even 30 ships in losses were acceptable even if they only survive with 10 ships, as long as 30 ships are burned, all will be well and they will be rewarded like heros. Find the original chapter at NovelPing.
Every Velaryon ship sunk tonight would save several more during the campaign to come on top of that, so she refused to waste those sacrifices as she said “Signal the right flank.
Continue using fire arrows.
Don’t allow them time to regroup.”
“Aye!”
Another runner disappeared and for several minutes everything unfolded according to plan, losses mounted on both sides though.
The Sea Snake fought fiercely, but surprise had granted the Triarchy exactly the advantage they’d sought.
Then a scream erupted from the forward lookout saying “D–Dragon!”
Every officer froze hearing this, even Nyessa looked upward.
At first she saw nothing but then a menacing shadow crossed the moon and her eyes widened.
The dragon descended like a falling mountain, before anyone aboard could react and Its jaws opened.
An enormous torrent of blazing fire swept across the sea as in that moment six Triarchy warships disappeared beneath the inferno almost instantly.
The screams of their crews barely lasted before being swallowed by roaring flames.
Nyessa felt the blood drain from her face as she said “…Gods.”
Her fingers slowly tightened around the railing as she continued “So…The reports were true.
Today I receive my deserved glory, today I kill a dragon!”
~~~~~~~~
AN:
LINK IN PROFILE
~~~~~~~~
Read