Aiden stood on the forward deck of the *Iron Lily*, the lead ship in his growing fleet.
The vessel had once hauled grain up the river. Now it carried Blackvein crystal cannons bolted to reinforced gunwales and flew the imperial banner from every mast.
Behind it trailed six more retrofitted ships and two captured Korran transports. Not enough for a full invasion, but enough to hurt.
They sailed south along the coast, showing the flag. Aiden's orders were simple: blockade Korran-aligned ports, escort friendly convoys, and remind every merchant in the region who controlled the sea lanes now.
The wind carried salt and the faint ozone smell of charged crystals.
"Signal the *Steel Wake*," Aiden said. "Maintain formation. No stragglers."
Captain Renn, a thick-shouldered man with burn scars on his forearms, relayed the order. The fleet moved in tight order, guns run out, ready.
Their first real stop was Port Vaelis, a neutral city-state known for its shipyards.
