Konowa roared his fury as two hundred musket balls ripped through the coming dawn. His ears rang with the concussion of the blast as his vision temporarily blurred and the unmistakable stench of black powder filled the air. Orange and red flame billowed from the muzzle, lighting up the sea. The small boat reared up then slammed down in the water, sending up a huge spray. Rakkes disintegrated in a thick red-black mist. Muskets crackled to life as hammers struck flint and powder flared. More rakkes fell, their cries defiant as life was once again torn from their lungs.

Farther out to sea a false dawn tore a hole in the darkness as the starboard-side guns of the Black Spike fired a broadside at the island. Cannonballs rumbled overhead like boulders crashing down a mountain. Konowa instinctively ducked even though the barrage was a good twenty feet above him.

The shoreline exploded in gouts of flame and smoke as sand, water, rakkes, trees, and everything else was pummeled and flung into the air. Debris thrown up by the barrage began raining down on them and splashing in the water all around their boat. Jurwan leaped from Konowa’s shoulder and scampered to the back of the boat, where he jumped onto Chayii and dove into her quiver of arrows.

A dazzling white light burst above the island, elongating shadows to grotesque lengths. Konowa shook his head, opened and closed his mouth to clear the ringing in his ears, and took a quick look to his right. He was unable to see Visyna, but knew she was close by. Her magical skills in weaving the natural order in aid to his men had proven valuable on many occasions. Her light would help them now.

Cannon and musket fire erupted from the other four boats. Shouts rose up and oars bit into sand and came to rest.

The Iron Elves had landed.

THREE

The first black arrows from Her elves whistled from somewhere deeper among the trees. The Iron Elves were ready. Thick oak planks, another item borrowed from the Black Spike, swung up to shield the soldiers and crew. Wood and arrows splintered, sending lethal shrapnel everywhere. Men screamed. Two tumbled overboard into the water, their cries abruptly silenced under the waves.