Surface- Lost Islands Region

Free Lands- Island of Ordstead

The clash of metal and magic drowned out everything as the battle at the heart of the island continued between the pirates of the Pirate Lord and the Second Legion and the Emperor of the Empire of Night. The Second Legion had blunted the initial attack, but due to their superior numbers and levels, they were slowly pushing the Second Legion back. Their only saving grace was another Cohort from the beach had landed and had been on the way to the port when General Ironbark here to reinforce them. The Cohort had slammed into the pirates flank and caused massive casualties before being pushed back and linked up with Jacob right flank.

"Sir, they outnumber us two to one, their average level were in the high sixties to low seventies. We need reinforcements or we have to fall back." the Commander next to Jacob called out.

Jacob turned and frowned at the Dwarf who wilted a little bit under Jacob stare, "Relax Commander, it always looks worse then it really is. We need to rest and reform the units already on the line. So this is what we are going to do, give me all the Berserker types you can scrape up, you are going to relieve the center Commander. We are going to buy you time to switch out with the Dawn Guard and give the pirates a bloody nose.' Jacob told the Dwarf who saluted and scurried off. Jacob turned to Ashley beside him. The Elementalist glared at him. 'Once we carve out a little pocket, hit our flanks with any AoE spells you guys have on cooldown. I want their attention on us." Jacob told the other Immortal who frowned but nodded as she organized the other Immortals.

"What about us?" Rose asked as she studied Jacob as he activated his self Buffs before he activated Meditation to regen everything.

"This will be a brawl. Lilly and you are not built for brawls, you are built for speed and killing things quickly. You won't survive going into a charnel house. The Berserkers coming with me can hit hard and have high health regen rates for a short period of time. We only need to buy them a minute to switch and recover. If you want to help, provide some cover fire with the Mages." Jacob told the Angel as the Berserkers started crowding around him.

Jacob turned to the warriors around him, "You all know what we are doing. It's a huge risk and we all won't make it back. We need to buy a minute of time for the units to switch out. One minute with every pirate attacking the mainline will be focused on killing all of us!! A Berserkers wet dream!! After that minute is done, we fall back. No heroes people." Jacob ordered as the twenty men and women hefted weapons, downed potions, are readied themselves to die if necessary.

Sebastion glared at the Imperials that his people were fighting. No wonder they had been able to conquer so much in so little of time. If their other armies were as professional as this one, Sebastion didn't know of any other army that would be able to stand up to them except one with overwhelming numbers. The only advantages his people had were numbers and levels, but one of those advantages was slowing being whittled away.

"We have to fall back. We are losing too many. If the captain's reports are correct, we have lost almost one thousand dead or critically wounded. We should fall back to the fortress and prepare for a siege." Bricksby advised as he pushed his way through Sebastions' personal guard. The old pirate was one of the few that could do so without being hassled.

"No, we stay and continue to press. They are about to break, I can feel it. Once they break we make for the port and let these Imperial dogs lick their wounds." Sebastion replied with a sneer.

"You are going to get these people killed. Call off the attack boy and we can still win, it will just take time." Bricksby emplored him.

Sebastion glared at the old pirate, "We stay and---" Before Sebastion could continue Bricksby backhanded him.

"You stupid boy. I have destroyed more ships and killed more people in the last decade then you have in your entire life. My power and position, I attained on my own without assassins from the Slavers Union to help. I am leaving and taking my men with me. If you wish to stay and foolishly die, stay. I will live." Bricksby stated before spitting on Sebastion and pushing through the guard again. Several hundred quickly followed him as other captains followed the old pirate.

Sebastion glared at the old pirates back, he would deal with the man later. Before he could order another wave of troops forward something happened near the center of the battle. A man in pitch black and blood-red armor with about two dozen other warriors jumped in front of the middle of the Imperial line and started slaughtering his pirates. They were turning it into a death ground where any pirate that stepped to close died almost instantly. Large magical spells quickly flanked the group of attackers in slaughtering his men.

Horns sounded behind the Imperial line as the unit that had been holding the center began moving back and more black armored Legionnaires filled the void as the steel covered warriors moved back. Sebastion screamed in frustration and yelled in encouragement for his men to press the attack, but no one willingly was getting close to the warriors creating a circle of death and destruction. Pirates were getting pushed at them from behind as those in the back tried to get to them, while the ones in the front tried to get away from these warriors and what seemed to be a sure death. Jacob was slowly walking backward while Moonlight was almost a blur sheering through limbs and weapons alike as Jacob fought all out to keep the pirates at bay while he covered the retreat of the berserkers. Encouraging shouts sounded from the mainline as the mages added their considerable offensive abilities almost on top of Jacob as someone grabbed the collar of his backplate and dragged him behind the Imperial line to the laughter of the Legionnaires.

"You gave your word lad not to---" Thorgron stated but Jacob interrupted the Duergar.

"I agreed not to take any unnecessary risks. We needed to rotate units on the front line out. We need to rest and reorganize everyone. So Captain, reorganize the Dawn Guard, they will be going back into combat in five minutes on the left flank and pulling the Cohort there off the line." Jacob told the Duergar who nodded begrudgingly before saluting and moving off. Suddenly horns sounded and the pirates fell back disorganized and bloody. The Cohort immediately started to reorganize. Wounded were pulled back, water and food were quickly distributed as the Geomancers quickly moved forward to create another small ditch and an earthen berm.

A runner came up the road from the port heading directly for Jacob and the few command staff around him, "Sir. General Ironbark sends word, the port has surrendered. He is organizing two Cohorts and they will be here within thirty minutes. The remainder of the Second Legion has started landing at the port as well. Casualties were minimum at the port, less than a hundred dead but almost three hundred wounded. Do you have anything to relay back to the General?"

"No, nothing Private. Send well done and we could use the reinforcements as soon as possible." Jacob replied before saluting the man and turning back to the Commanders in front of him. Ten minutes later the pirate forces turned and retreated down the road. They left behind all their wounded which numbered in the hundreds, with all the wounded the Second had between the fight here and at the port, they were given low priority for the healers.

Surface- Lost Islands Region

Free Lands- Island of Ordstead

Fortress of Vremburn

"You stupid old man, we could have won that battle. Why did you pull your forces out?!?!" Sebastion yelled at Bricksby as he entered his private rooms.

The older pirate ignored Sebastion and his ramblings, "Your choices have ruined us. I supported you because I thought you would be best for our people. However, your relationship with the Slavers Union compromised your judgment on more than one occasion. I have talked to my men and they agree with me, we plan on surrendering to the Empire, we will no longer fight for you or your masters."

Sebastion sneered at Bricksby, "Once I respected you and feared you. You are just a coward that is turning my men against me old man."

"I could care less boy what you think. Either way, I am done with this fight. I will not die for you or the Slavers Union." Bricksby replied before leaving the room. Sebastion signaled one of his men to come in and whispered some commands to him but another couple of Captain entered the room.

"We know Bricksby is leaving. He has spread the word to the other Captains and crews. Most of the older Captains and their crews are leaving with him. If you attack him while they are still within the fortress you will face a civil war. Don't do it. Let him and whoever else wants to leave, do so." Captain Cunnings stated as his hand rested on the rapier on his side.

Sebastion considered the unspoken threat before nodding his head, "If he and others want to leave and surrender to the Imperials, they can do so. I will not raise my hand against them. I still intend to fight them though." Sebastion told them. Captain Cunnings bowed slightly before turning and leaving.

Surface- Lost Islands Region

Empire of Night- Island of Ordstead

Port

"All told, we have just over one hundred and fifty dead between fighting for the port and the battle outside the port. We have two hundred with light wounds that will be ok within three days. We have another two hundred and fifty that will take at least a week or more to heal up. The facilities here are more extensive than those on the island of Andport. There is a Healing Hall with the accompanying healers and support staff. They don't care who they work for as long as they get paid." General Ironbark stated as they walked along the streets of the town. It was larger than the port at Andport and the accompanying facilities as well.

"How many ships did we lose?" Jacob asked Commander Treadwill who was acting as the liaison for the naval forces.

"We lost three Light Triremes, their crews mostly survived though and were picked up by other ships. Every vessel that took part in the assault on the harbor was damaged to various degrees. The Barracuda and the Dauntless both took multiple shots from the defenders. The shipwrights say they can have both vessels fully repaired in two weeks. That leaves the Unbroken and her consorts as the only fully operational ships battle-ready." Commander Treadwill reported.

"Reinforcements from the mainland should arrive within the next week. What do we know about the Fortress of Vremburn and the garrison there?" Jacob asked as he looked at Stacy.

"It can house up too ten thousand men, it has enough supplies to feed them for six months and they have a small cove where they can land supplies and more men," Stacy replied as she reviewed some information on her interface.

Jacob nodded his head as he considered the information, "So worst case scenario we still have to face about eight thousand five hundred men left on the island that don't want us here. At least..." Jacob mused as horns sounded from the outer wall earning a curse from Jacob as he and Ironbark took off at a run.

Less then five minutes later they were at the palisade wall looking at a large contingent of pirates that were throwing their armor and weapons in two piles before walking over to another area. One older pirate was at the base of the wall looking up at all the Legionnaires eyeing all the pirates. "Hey, do you have anyone up there that can make decisions?" the older pirate asked.

"YEAH, why are you here Pirate?" Jacob called down.

"We surrender unconditionally. Will you spare our lives?" the pirate called back.

Jacob looked at Ironbark who shrugged his shoulders in confusion. Usually, surrenders happened before or after a battle, not out of nowhere like this. "Get some Cohorts out there, make sure all their weapons and armor are confiscated. Commander Treadwill get some transports to the dock, we will transport them to Andport and house them there for the time being.' Jacob told the two men who immediately left to get everything done. 'Alright, your surrender is accepted, if this is some plan to infiltrate the port we will show no mercy and will kill you all. If you are truly surrendering, your lives will be spared." Jacob called down to the pirate who nodded immediately before turning to join the other pirates.