Pulling his broadsword from the chest of a dying mercenary, Captain Alden watched blood pool across the planks. The crimson liquid dripped steadily through the grating into the hold below. The infantry formed a tight perimeter around the mainmast and pushed the sailors toward the railing. The boarding action functioned as a brutal and efficient success. The oceanic mercenaries possessed no training for close quarters combat against soldiers clad in runic steel.
A sailor dropped his curved blade and fell to his knees. He raised his empty hands to beg for his life. The surrounding crew followed his lead and surrendered their weapons to the Ashguard forces. The clatter of falling steel echoed over the sound of the crashing waves.
Alden stepped over a fallen mast and cornered the mercenary
