“Why are those ships gathered in that bay?”
When she turned, Tenzi’s eyes narrowed. “Those are Ri Starian vessels. It’s rare to see them along this coast.”
Broland’s father had emerged from the cabin and was climbing to the quarterdeck. “Ri Star? What are they doing down here?”
The Ri Starian ships raised anchor and began drifting toward deeper water as the Razor and the trailing armada sailed past. Tenzi called for another sailor to take the helm while she dug out a tube with glass on each end. She pointed it toward the ships and looked through the tube, watching the Ri Starian ships sail out of the bay.
With shock, she gasped. “Flash cannons! They plan to attack!”
“What?” Broland mumbled as he turned toward the approaching fleet.
A flash of green fire and a puff of smoke billowed from the lead Ri Starian ship. A boom followed, and a projectile struck the trailing ship of the Torin armada, sending a blast of splinters into the air.
“This is bad,” Brock’s tone was grim. “Queen Olvaria has thrown her lot in with the Empire.”
Broland cast his mind back to what his lore instructor taught him about Ri Star. Among the other notes, of which there were few, one thing had remained firmly entrenched in his memory. Ri Starian ships were the fastest in the world. In addition, they were now armed with flash cannons.
Another Ri Starian ship fired, its projectile also striking the trailing Torin ship, this time near the waterline. The wounded ship rocked, tilted to one side, and turned toward shore, but it was too late. The ship was slowing and sinking while sailors and passengers scrambled for the lifeboat.
Broland stared in transfixed horror as he watched the ship sink with the enemy fleet sailing past it. He suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. Enemy ships were in pursuit, armed with flash canons and gaining on them. The Razor might be their next target.
Note from the Author
I hope you enjoyed An Imperial Gambit and that you look forward to book four in the Wardens of Issalia series, set to release in Spring, 2019.
For the inside scoop on my writing, notifications of new releases, and alerts about various fantasy book giveaways, sign up for my author newsletter at www.jeffreylkohanek.com.
Best Wishes,
Jeffrey L. Kohanek
Books by Jeffrey L. Kohanek
Runes of Issalia
The Buried Symbol: Runes of Issalia Book 1
The Emblem Throne: Runes of Issalia Book 2
An Empire in Runes: Runes of Issalia Book 3
Runes of Issalia Boxed Set
* * *
Heroes of Issalia: Runes Series+Rogue Legacy
* * *
Rogue Legacy: Runes of Issalia Prequel
Wardens of Issalia
A Warden’s Purpose: Wardens of Issalia Book 1
The Arcane Ward: Wardens of Issalia Book 2
An Imperial Gambit: Wardens of Issalia Book 3
More coming in 2019…
An Imperial Gambit (Wardens of Issalia Book 3) Page 28