Admiral Willis Dagher stood on the quarterdeck of the hundred-gun man of war Justice. The sun was rising ahead of the vessel. A brisk, chilled wind blew in strongly from the northwest. Waves lapped against the hull and parted as the bow plowed onwards through the Sunset Sea. The battle standard of the Ferenese Republic flew proudly from her stern. Around the mighty ship floated fourteen more Ferenese vessels - six one hundred-gun men of war and eight seventy four-gun ships. Together they were the Republic's primary strike force, ready to engage any foe that dared threaten them. Sailing ahead of the Ferenese squadron were thirty sleek, swift, ironborn longships. All were vessels of the fearsome Iron Fleet. King Victarion Greyjoy's flagship, the Iron Victory, sailed at the head of the fleet, leading the way eastward, with the kraken of House Greyjoy emblazoned on her sail. Behind the Ferenese warships sailed two dozen more vessels of various sizes and rigs. All of them were transport ships, laden down with troops, supplies, horses, artillery, and ammunition. Six smaller warships - three brigs and three schooners - escorted the transport craft, sailing in a defensive screen around the convoy. Ten ironborn longships sailed with the transport convoy, ready to deter any attempted attack by pirates, sellsails, or hostile warships. Dagher knew that protecting the transports was essential to this mission. If enough equipment was lost or captured, then the Republic risked failing to gain a foothold on the Westerosi mainland. Such misfortune could doom the expedition. Fortunately, as of the last report, every ship in the convoy was intact.
A thin gray line appeared on the northeastern horizon. Willis drew his spyglass, focused its lens, and saw that the coast had entered visual range, about twenty miles away. He could also faintly make out the keep of a castle situated near the shore. The castle, Willis knew, was the fleet's destination: the coastal fortress of Seagard. Back at Pyke, old Maester Kenyl had educated Willis on Seagard's history. The fortress was built centuries ago, to protect the nearby town and coast against ironborn raiders. A tall bell tower, known as the Booming Tower, stood in the town's center. Whenever ironborn vessels were spotted approaching the shore, the Booming Tower's bell would sound. The townsfolk would retreat for the castle at the bell's sound, and Seagard's defenders would prepare for battle. The Booming Tower had last sounded nearly twenty years ago during Grejoy's Rebellion. Willis had no doubt that the old bell would toll its tune again today. House Mallister, loyal to the late King Robb Stark, owned the castle, and also possessed a small fleet of six longships and two war galleys.
"We're nearing the coast, sir," said the voice of Captain Merrel, the Justice's officer in charge. The Captain had come up behind Willis unexpectedly.
Willis lowered his spyglass, then briefly eyed the sailors working the deck before turning to Merrel. "Very well," he said. "Signal the fleet to stand by. We don't know for certain what awaits us near the shore."
"Aye aye, sir." Merrel ordered the necessary signal flags hoisted aloft. The other thirteen warships acknowledged the message by raising the same flags, then lowering them. Ahead, the Iron Fleet appeared to be preparing for battle. Wondering what for, Willis drew his spyglass and focused on the waters ahead of the ironborn vessels. Moored near the town's wharf was the defense fleet that Maester Kenyl had mentioned. Their sails were being raised, along with their banners. Willis expected to see them flying the silver eagle of House Mallister, but the defense fleet wasn't flying those colors. Instead the twin, blue towers of House Frey flew over the vessels.
House Frey is loyal to the Iron Throne, Willis thought as he stowed his spyglass. They are foes. "Captain, signal the fleet to prepare for battle. We're in for a hostile reception."
"Beat to quarters!" Captain Merrel shouted.
The marine bandsman sounded his drum rapidly. Every man aboard jumped into action at the alarm. Sailors and marines moved with purpose across the man of war's decks. Gunports were opened. Cannons were loaded and run out. Armaments were carried up from the hold. Signal flags were hoisted aloft. Within three minutes, the entire Ferenese task force was ready for combat.
Willis returned his attention to the Iron Fleet. The eight Frey longships were engaging the ironborn longships, loosing arrows at their foes. The Iron Victory had come alongside one of the hostile warships, clearly making an attempt to capture it. Another Frey vessel was attempting to make a mad dash through the Iron Fleet. The two Frey war galleys were rowing out to meet the invaders, aiming their reinforced, ram-toting bows at the ironborn longships. One ironborn vessel, the Sea Bear, was rammed amidships by one of the galleys. Unfazed, the Bear's ironborn crew abandoned their vessel and clambered aboard their attacker. A melee erupted on the galley's main deck. Not five minutes later, the Frey galley slowed to a stop, defeated and captured. On shore, the Booming Tower's watchmen sounded the immense bell, whose note carried across the bay.
The fleet was now less than a mile away from the coast. Willis ordered the fleet to reduce sail and steer southeasterly to avoid grounding. He then noticed that a lone Frey longship had escaped the Iron Fleet and was steering straight towards the Justice's port beam. Were they seeking refuge? Willis decided that was doubtful. The longship wasn't slowing her pace, nor was she flying a white banner of surrender. The Admiral heard Captain Merrel shouting orders at his crew.
"She's not in range yet!" Merrel roared. "Hold until they get close."
Willis watched as the longship closed to within one hundred yards of the Justice. He knew that the Frey vessel had no chance of defeating the Ferenese vessel, though he admired their bravery. If any of the longship's crew survived today's events, he would offer them amnesty.
"Fire!" barked Merrel.
The Justice's port guns all belched smoke and let out a deafening roar as they discharged. The ship rolled noticeably to starboard when the cannons fired, but quickly righted herself. Though most of the shots splashed into the sea, Willis watched the Frey longship get struck no less than seven times. Her mast and figurehead were both shot away. Three holes appeared in her bow, one of which was right above the waterline. Within minutes she began to founder as her crew abandoned ship. A few men clung to wreckage as their ship sank out from beneath them.
"Poor bastards," Merrel muttered. "They never should've challenged us."
"Indeed," said Willis, seemingly not concerned.
The battle ended shortly after the Frey longship's sinking. All seven of the remaining hostile warships had been captured by the Iron Fleet. The ironborn lost only one ship, and the Ferenese fleet hadn't even been scratched. Willis ordered the fleet to anchor. With the enemy defeated at sea, it was time to go ashore. Perhaps Seagard's Frey defenders would be less willing to fight now that their fleet was in shambles. Then again, one always felt invincible from behind the walls of a castle, even when under siege. But who commanded the forces of House Frey at Seagard? Willis looked forward to finding out for himself.