Three Must Decide.

Part 29 Wide River of Drathan.

Chapter note. the first 3 chapters have introduced you to the Three. Each faction is controlled, to a degree, by a real life person so decisions have to be made.

Hidden consequences.

Any disruption brings in others.

Decisions..

Ehmet had to decide on his defence as no king would simply allow a unexpected fleet to dock. they also had to decide if they would wait and see what the Grand Duchess fleets intensions were or strike and ask questions later.

Read on to see what they have decided.

Rear Admiral Kiby walked steadily around the main Deck of his Flag ship, it was mid morning and he had made sure that his routine would see him walking for an hour around it. Not to inspect the ship and its crew but for exercise although he liked the way it kept people on their toes. There was nothing wrong with reinforcing discipline in anyway possible with out being to harsh a task master. During that time he walked alone and made it clear he was only to be approached if absolutely necessary, other wise all maters could be delt with by the officers on duty.

They had entered the estuary that lead to the river which was Bronze Gates channel of commerce and flowed right past its docks the day before and they were only now entering the river proper. From there it was two days and the Saxifrage would lead the fleet with just two of the smallest vessels of Lord Godbolts vessels going before her to scout the waters. Those waters where veiled in a light mist, fishing boats and trading ships quickly set new courses when the largest ship they would have ever seen was revealed.

Kiby was concerned, not because he thought there could be anything able to stop the Saxifrage from reaching Bronze Gate but at how he and his crew will perform. When the time came it would be their first action. Even thought he and his ship had sailed all the seas you could expect to encounter in the time she had been launched and they had landed her marines at the battle of Peregrine run they had not had reason to bring the might of the ship against a force. Vessels ran from them at first sight so he began to dought a challenge would come before they reached the city itself. While he carried on his walk he wondered if anything would be prepared for their arrival at Bronze Gate. Twelve ships had left Peregrine Run, they had been approached by two official vessels but while under the alliance their answer of moving forces to aid the Crown Prince seemed to have been enough. Now they were days away from Bronze Gate and Kiby wondered who would see them and be able to reach Bronze Gate before them. 

Later that morning he received the answer when his lookout in the crows nest saw riders heading at speed  up river. They would be aware of their coming.

That evening when Lord Godbolts came to the Saxifrage with Cindra Stand The Grand Duchesses Warden, they set their course. they woudl continue up river using the alliance as cover right up to the city if possible. Lord Godbolts would lead the True Order out on to the docks. They doubted it woud be that simple, they were not expected and they were quite clearly a force and the King of Drathan would have a day to prepare for their unexpected presence. He was old but no fool he would be prepared for any eventually. His Swards would be ready, when they would have to face them was the question.

All of the rest of that day and on in to the following mid morning they made their way up river with no incident expect that by the time the sun breached the horizon it was clear that they were now the only ships riding the great rivers water. The King of Drathan knew they were coming and that was soon confirmed by an informant seen riding hard along the rivers bank. 

8 war ships filled the channel with the Saxifrage front and centre the transports behind ready to follow what ever path could be made for them. Those ships were forced closer together as they reached one of the last turns in the river where it narrowed as its made its way through the land scape. coming round that bend Kiby and Lord Godbolts, both standing on their flag ships finally met the defence gathered against them by the King of Bronze Gate. Clearly the king was not one for taking chances dispite any alliance and why would they. The Grand Dutchess fleets was not expected and was one of war.

Lord Godbolts stood at the bow of his ship, he had desired to lead the fleet but there was no drought that the Saxifrage was in the right place at the head of their fleet and Maston Kiby should command the mighty vessel despite his inexperience. He was a capable pilot and when it came to a fight his crew and the leaders among them were reliable allies to The True Order.

The preparations had been finished a few hours before and now just as he had considered ordering lunch rations to be handed out he saw the first of a fleet of what looked to be merchant vessels filling the channel before them as they had rounded the great rivers bend, He called for his telescope which was handed to him by his Captain and as he passed its lens from ship to ship he could see that they had been hastily prepared to defend the city. No sign of anymore capability to bring the fight to them than by closing on the fleet and boarding them. there were certainly enough ships to suggest that was possible but on closer inspection it was clear that most of the crews on the ships were armed civilians supported by what could only be a cohort of the famed Bronze Gate Crown Swards on each vessel. 

There only hope was to overwhelm them with numbers if they could close on their fleet but Lord Godbolts was confident that even if the ships before them out numbered them by 4 to one with fighters concealed below the decks that his True Order aboard their purpose built war ships, with ballista and archers castles fore and aft that their enemies efforts would be hope less. 

Lord Godbolts gave back his telescope and called the orders. Archers jogged steadily to their positions on his flag ship and both the ballasts, giant artillery cross bows were armed. As his crew prepared he spent a moment observing The Saxifrage, could see her 4 Ballasts being armed, her crew as ready as his and seeing her high sides set against the merchant vessels she sailed towards he wondered how their enemy hoped to over come that mighty ship. He was confident and only hoped that their casualties would be minimal and the action swift so they could sail on to Bronze Gate with out further delay. 

The Saxifrage sailed on supported by her banks of ores, head of their wedge formation headed directly down the centre of the river and the numerous enemy ships which blocked their way by spanning the river in lines.