Morin ran above deck. "Water is rushing in, I'm sure we'll stay afloat if that is the only hole we have. But their light cruiser is already much faster than us, they have us outgunned and the holes will slow our speed down even more. Basically, we are screwed."

Rhyanna and Pyxis both nodded.

"Our only chance here is to make it shore. Full speed southeast." Pyxis commanded. "Order all cannons to return fire. Maybe it will help slow them down. Have one cannon dedicated to hitting them above deck. If we can knock out their wheel, we can at least steer away from them."

"I'll order all archers to fire flaming arrows at them. Perhaps we can slow them down more if they have to put out some fires as well. Maybe we'll get lucky and burn down a sail as well." Rhyanna added.

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Siemowit approached Douji above deck. "What's going on?" Siemowit asked Douji.

"We have intercepted an Arkanian Galley stocked full of Soldiers. I believe its an invasion force. If we can sink them here, you land lovers will never have to soil your blades." Douji said without emotion.

Siemowit seemed disappointed at the remark. "Soiling a blade isn't such a bad thing" he said.

Douji smirked and walked back to the wheel, putting his attention back to battle at hand.

As Siemowit turned to walk away, the Yinn was struck by a flaming arrow. In a blink's time, his fur burst into flame. Siemowit screamed with pain. Somehow keeping his wits about him, Siemowit dove off the edge of the ship into the ocean. With the flames extinguished, he swam back up to air.

"Damnit, throw me a rope!" He screamed.

The only thing that was headed to Siemowit was not a rope. It was black and round and made of steel. An Arkane cannonball. By sheer luck, or unluck by Siemowit's standards, the cannonball hit Siemowit directly. With a quick splatter, this Marauder Lieutenant lived no more.

The returned fire and the flaming arrows did indeed slow down the Marauder light cruiser, but not enough to stop their ruthless attack. For the next 15 minutes, the Arkanian ship took fire and returned as much as they could. By the time land was visible, they had already begun to sink.

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Everyone abandon ship!! Jump overboard and swim your way to land!! We will regroup there!" Pyxis ordered.

Soldiers by the dozens poured overboard. Knights stripped off their armor so to avoid drowning. Many jumped off losing their weapons in the process. It was then Rhyanna realized that even if her army made it to shore, many would be weaponless and weakened. The Marauder vessel had crippled them drastically.

A large group of soldiers crowded to the edge of the boat preparing to jump when cannon fire hit them directly. Bodies and parts of bodies blew into the air. Blood thinned by sea water covered many of those left on the ship, including Mayor Rhyanna. Shell shocked, she stared at the scene around her. Then she realized that the noise had stopped. "Have they stopped firing?" She thought to herself. But the scenes of battle continued but with no noise. Rhyanna had lost her hearing. In a panic she searched for Pyxis. "He was standing RIGHT with me" she thought. His bladed scimitar covered with strange coral design was on deck, but not him. She grabbed his sword and leapt overboard into the water.

Reaching shore she saw her forces in the woods ahead seeking cover from the continuing bombardment of cannon fire. Dragging the sword with her she saw Morin. Pleased she smiled. His returned look was anything but comforting. His mouth moved, but no sound came out. She could not make out anything he said. Frustrated, she yelled.

"Where is Pyxis? He'll want his sword, where is he? I can't hear ANYTHING!"

Morin only shrugged. Pyxis had not returned.

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Douji smiled at the sight of the Arkanian Great Galley sinking.

"Victory. Stop the bombardment of land. We can not reach them if they made it to woods. I am sure reports of cannon's fire this close to land has alerted headquarters, but if not we'll make our way back."

Douji again grinned evilly. Another victory under his belt.

"Where is Siemowit?" He asked.

(end battle of day 1)