New Battles.h.i.+ps

It wasnt long before the northern fleet was close enough to the Deepblue to open fire, their long-range artillery capable of striking even the top of the tower. The seven wars.h.i.+ps spread out in the standard naval formation of a large row, and from this distance one could barely make out the duergar on board loading their weapons. However, the grand mages werent fl.u.s.tered at all; the Deepblue was extremely stable and had a number of powerful defensive arrays; artillery sh.e.l.ling wouldnt be able to leave more than a scratch. The only way to take over the place would be to send an army on sh.o.r.e to occupy it from within.

However, that was easier said than done. Done with his war against the reapers, Richard had bolstered the Deepblues defences greatly. Even if the Far North sent ten full regiments, they wouldnt return alive. This fleet had two to three regiments at best, at which scale they would simply be walking to their own graves.

Lets have a bet! How many hits do you think my baby will take to sink one of those metal sh.e.l.ls? Blackgold suddenly exclaimed.

Wont sink anything. I bet your baby will explode in three shots. I bet one.

YOU

Blackie, you numberdumb! Youre still alive? a clear voice resounded from the fleet, interrupting Blackgolds rage. The grey dwarfs expression warped strangely in response, but he ran to the edge of the platform and stared down at the bridge of the flags.h.i.+p to find a familiar face.

Stormhammer! Why dont you just sit in your cave and look for honest work forging metal? Are you sick of life? Blackgold shouted at the face that resembled his own.

Stormhammer laughed, I came to see you. I heard that youre muddling along in the Deepblue, and youre even a treasurer? To think you were the same kid that couldnt tell the numbers apart, what hammer made you smart? Anyway, have you seen these babies under me? Theyre my masterpieces, how are they? Leave the Deepblue and come back before your masters find out how many mistakes you make in your accounting, or they might just feed you to the sharks.

Stormhammer spoke so quickly that Blackgold was left confounded, not knowing where to begin his response. However, the other grand mages took this as a sign of acquiescence instead.

The treasurer of the Deepblue had been a failure at mathematics!

The gun maniac quickly recovered, but rage clouded his face as he jumped up and down, "I'll show you my baby's power! Prepare to fire, aim at Left, right whatever, aim at anything but the flags.h.i.+p!"

The moment Blackgold started screaming out orders, the others retreated to the other corner of the terrace. The fanatic had been trying to combine dwarven gunpowder with the reaper energy cores for a while now, and after initial successes be had immediately decided to go as big as he could. He called his new design the megacannon, but every test run had simply blown up his laboratory.

A hand suddenly patted Blackgold's shoulder, deep voice rumbling out beside him, "If that baby of yours really sinks one of His Grace's wars.h.i.+ps, I think you'll have to work your entire life to repay him."

The grey dwarf turned around in shock, finding Irons.h.i.+eld standing behind him. This legendary warrior was almost as famous as Richard's original followers now, and having proven his loyalty though the war with the reapers he had a position of trust that many envied. However, it wasn't the man's presence that shocked Blackgold, "This fleet is Richard's? Then why is the Frozen Court's flag flying there, and why are they in formation?"

Irons.h.i.+eld flashed a sinister smile, "Because

some

brats don't know their places and want to stir things up. There aren't any more idiots in the three empires, but the others might not be convinced just yet. Just leave this to me."

"No! I mean, Your Excellency that one duergar there is my brother, Stormhammer. He doesn't know anything but forging, he definitely isn't the one commanding this fleet. Please"

"Stormhammer, huh Alright, I'll see to it." Irons.h.i.+eld leapt off the platform and flew towards the s.h.i.+ps, his aura frightening most of the duergar and orcish cannoneers into aiming right at him. However, he ignored them and called out, "Whoever is in charge here, get the h.e.l.l out!"

A large orc walked out onto the deck and floated up, "My name is Bladefury."

Irons.h.i.+eld looked down at the sain and smiled, "His Grace ordered this fleet from the Shadow King, it isn't a toy for you to play with. Do you think you could afford to even repair the damages to a single one? I could sell your entire tribe into slavery and make less!"

Bladefury immediately bared his fangs, "How dare you?!"

"How dare

I

? Did the Shadow King tell you to fly the Frozen Court's flag all the way here? Did he tell you to approach in battle formation? Did he tell you to aim your cannons at the Deepblue? Or maybe it was you that did it."

The questions left Bladefury stunned for a moment, but the orc then puffed his chest out, "Does it make a difference?"

"Of course. His Grace mentioned that the transfer could be a little rocky, and he gave me full authority to kill whoever made trouble. If the Shadow King was the one who ordered it, then, His Grace will go destroy his life."

"HOW DARE YOU RIDICULE HIS MAJESTY?"

"Ridicule?" Irons.h.i.+eld burst into booming laughter that resounded through the bay, the force behind it shattering the orc's eardrums, "Your king is only a legend, and he hasn't fought a battle in decades. Even I can take care of him!"

Bladefury suddenly started swaying before cras.h.i.+ng down onto the deck, his guards rus.h.i.+ng over only to find he wasn't breathing. Everyone on board froze up in shock.

Irons.h.i.+eld coldly surveyed the fear-stricken fleet below, "Proceed with the transfer, and don't you dare damage His Grace's battles.h.i.+ps!"

Stormhammer stared at Bladefury's corpse for a moment before turning to Irons.h.i.+eld and shouting, "You actually killed him! Aren't you afraid of war?"

The grey dwarf suddenly felt immense pressure on him as Irons.h.i.+eld stared him in the eye, feeling like he was being crushed by a mountain. He was nearly forced to the ground, but he gritted his teeth and pushed against his creaking bones to stay up.

The legendary warrior nodded, withdrawing his aura immediately, Not bad. Courageous, not stupid, and much stronger than the stupid orc. Heres some information, for your brothers sake. His Grace has no time to deal with the Far North, but if your court wants to dig its own grave, he wont mind disposing of your parliament building.

But we have powerful legends

Like the Shadow King? With his power, he would be ranked number ten if he wanted to follow His Grace. There are a total of nine legendary powerhouses in front of him already Actually, no, it should be eleventh. Theres a saint he wont be able to defeat.

The grey dwarf was rendered speechless by this response.