Dawn broke over the northern sea in a violent blaze of silver and gold.
Before the smoke from Thorne-Crow’s retreating flagship could settle over the fog banks, the harbor horn of Void Lotus Isle sounded three deep, resonant blasts.
One hundred and seventy-two warships slipped their moorings simultaneously.
At the head of the battle line sailed the Void Sovereign, its massive dragon-prow slicing through the swells like an iron plow. Elder Sterling stood on the forecastle, flanked by Sera Thorne and Mina Vance, their Saint-grade auras locking the ocean into a smooth, glassy highway.
“The Inquisitor thought he could sing at our windows and sail home for breakfast,” Sera said, her hand resting on the pommel of her Tier 8 Storm-Pike. “He clearly does not understand our collection policies.”
“Mist-Bell Reef lies forty leagues north,” Elder Sterling replied, pointing his broadsword toward a jagged ring of coral islands. “It serves as the Void Lotus Sanctuary’s primary forward staging depot. Four supply barges and six armored warehouses are moored inside the lagoon.”
Mina stepped up to the rail, her frost-lotus blossom rotating above her palm. “The reef gets its name from an ancient acoustic warning formation. A massive bronze bell sits on the central pinnacle, enchanted to ring across forty leagues whenever enemy vessels approach the shoals.”
