The Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan

Author:Anthony Ryan [Ryan, Anthony]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Horror, Dark Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Epic, Sword & Sorcery, Fantasy, Adult, War
ISBN: 1101987855
Amazon: B016JPTQ68
Goodreads: 25972177
Publisher: Ace
Published: 2016-07-03T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

Hilemore

“Hard a-port!” The Viable Opportunity heaved over with a groan of protesting ironwork as the hull strained against the swell. They were already at full ahead and it was no time to reduce speed. A bare five seconds after making the turn the salvo of Corvantine shells slammed into the sea no more than thirty yards distant. To starboard the Contractual Obligation wallowed adrift and burning, smoke billowing from her wrecked upper works to drift across the Viable’s path, providing a welcome smoke-screen in the process. Despite the poor visibility the Viable’s guns continued to fire at every target within range.

Hilemore watched as Mr. Lemhill ordered the pivot-gun into action once more, the crew crouched and hands clapped to ears against the now-familiar flash and boom. Their efforts had clearly borne fruit judging by the sudden appearance of a ball of flame amidst the swirling smoke ahead, though he couldn’t identify the target or the damage caused. It was their seventh successful hit of the action, a more frenzied engagement than Hilemore had ever known, lasting just under twenty minutes since the first Corvantine salvo had claimed the Mutual Advantage. In that time he had seen the Contractual Obligation take a dozen hits before falling out of line, and two more frigates suffer a similar fate before the mingled fog of cannon-smoke and burning ships had frustrated all attempts to follow the course of the battle. From the continuing roar and whistle of shot, however, it was clear the matter remained undecided.

Regardless of the confusion, he knew with some certainty that they had crossed the Corvantine line of battle, perhaps the only Protectorate vessel to do so. Captain Trumane had steered a winding course amongst the fast-moving shadows of the enemy’s fleet, ordering all guns to fire at any target that presented itself and exploiting the Viable’s speed to the full. “See if we can’t shake ’em up a bit, eh?” Trumane had said. “Give the rest of the fleet a chance.”

Hilemore remained uncertain how much of an advantage they had won for their comrades. There had been two huge explosions only minutes ago, lighting up the haze with the kind of energy that could only result from the exploding magazine of a cruiser. Though he tried to push the grim suspicion aside, instinct told him they had to be Protectorate vessels. The Corvantine ships were so fast, matching the Viable in many cases, and the accuracy and rapidity of their gunnery bespoke years of training. This was a trap, he knew. Long laid and well-planned. And we strolled right into it.

“Enemy cruiser dead ahead, sir!” Ensign Talmant reported from the speaking-tube. His earlier fear seemed to have evaporated in the urgency of battle and he spoke in a clear, strident voice.

Hilemore and Trumane went outside to train their spy-glasses on the smoke wreathing the sea beyond the bows, a tall shape soon resolving into view. Like many of the other Corvantine vessels, she had no paddle casements though her lines were markedly less sleek than those of their newly built ships.

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