The Gulf of Grief is a large gulf leading into Slaver's Bay off the southern coast of Essos. For the past 3 months, the gulf has been blocked by the Imperial Navy under the command of Admiral Thorne. Using the new ship of the line ships, she blockaded the Gulf, preventing Slavers Bay from continuing their slave trade with the other Free Cities such as Myr, Lys, and Tyros, as well as the Far east.
In the span of 3 Months, dozens of ships have been boarded and captured, freeing thousands of slaves and arresting dozens of slavers. The new the Masters' Alliance which encompassed not only Astapor, Mereen, and Yunkai, but also the cities of Mantarys, Elyria, and Tolos, had created a fleet which was made up of purchased merchant vessels converted into military ships.
They used this fleet to try and break the blockade 2 times so far, both times they failed losing a total of 200 ships while the Imperial Navy only lost 5.
Admiral Thorne was standing on the deck of her flagship called the 'Imperial Fury' which is a massive First-rate ship that weighed 2,000 tons, was 55 meters long, had a crew of 1000 sailors, and contained around 140 guns. It was a massive behemoth of a ship that had sunk 32 of the 200 enemy ships so far.
Alongside the Imperial Fury were 3 Second rates, 10 fourth rates, 20 fifth rates, and 50 sixth rates for a total of 83 ships. When compared to the Masters Alliance fleet its size was lacking, but it more than made up for it in its technology and firepower.
She was facing the direction of where Slaver's Bay was at to watch for any incoming enemy ships. As an Admiral, normally one would find her in a cabin doing some paperwork or just relaxing until the enemy showed up, but she found that to be boring and preferred to stand amongst her men whom she has earned the respect and loyalty of since her appointment as Admiral.
Standing next to her was Vice Admiral Garrick, a man whom she appointed herself after he proved himself in both the battle of the Rhoyne river, and the Battle for Volantis.
Taking her gaze from the horizon, she turned to her right, "Garrick," she called. "Ensure every ship is ready for another attack. I have a feeling there going to want to try and break through a third time."
"Aye, Admiral," responded with a nod before briskly departing to delegate the orders. He ordered a sailor to hoist the Solid white flag which is used to call attention from all ships in the fleet to signal a general message or upcoming order. In addition to this, a bell was also ring prompting several other ships to ring their bell to get the attention of those ships that were far from the flagship.
After the solid white flag came the Solid green flag which signaled the rest of the fleet come to 100% readiness and prepare for a potential battle. Once the green flag was raised, the rest of the ships followed suit while Garrick returned to Admiral Thorne's side to update her as she was looking through her telescope.
"The fleet has received your orders Ma'am and should be ready within the next 4 minutes." informed Garrick. This was the time limit that they were trained to meet in order to increase their response and readiness in case of emergencies.
Thorne put down her telescope for a second to look around and see majority of the other ships already raising their green flag in response to her orders which indicated that their ship was ready for action.
"Good, because the enemy are already making their move again," she replied handing the telescope over to Garrick who took a look himself.
He saw the Master's Alliance fleet approaching with slaves tied to the Bow of the ship to try and decrease the morale of the Imperial Navy.
"What utter savages." Garrick said out loud as he saw slaves tied up looking malnourished and already on the brink of death.
He handed the telescope back and clasped his hand together in prayer, "I pray that the sea spare these poor souls and offer them retribution against these slave masters." he murmured, his voice heavy with sympathy. He didn't worship any god, instead he worshipped the sea and wanted to be a sailor for as long as he could.
Admiral Thorne's expression hardened as she took the telescope back from Garrick. Her eyes narrowed on the approaching ships. The Master's Alliance fleet had been using these despicable tactics ever since the blockade started, tying slaves to the bows of their ships, using them as human shields to deter the Imperial Navy from engaging in battle. Thorne had seen this strategy before, but she knew her duty and could only avenge those who suffered during this war so that the remaining slaves could be free.
"These slavers believe they can manipulate our humanity," she said, her tone cold. "But they forget, we have no mercy for those who trade in human misery."
She turned and raised her hand, signaling to the signal officer on the deck. The officer immediately called for the red flag, indicating that the fleet was to prepare for battle.
"Ready the guns, and man the sails," she commanded. "Let's show these master's what freeman can do against tyranny."
The sailors cheered at her words for a quick moment before swiftly springing into action, uncoiling ropes and adjusting the sails. The cannons were prepped and primed, their massive barrels pointing toward the enemy. The ship rocked slightly as the wind picked up, and the crew members tightened their grips on the ropes, waiting for Thorne's signal.
Vice Admiral Garrick stood by her side, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Admiral, do we strike first, or wait for them to come closer?"
Admiral Thorne thought for a moment before she responded, "I think this time we will strike first," she said raising her sword in the air. Within the space between the two fleets, storms began to gather, and the waves rose higher. Lightning lashed out across the sky, casting an eerie glow upon the raging sea. The power of magic was evident, and this would be her first time showcasing it in front of the enemy. "After all, they've already been warned twice."
Garrick nodded and turned to the gunners. "You heard the Admiral, men. Prepare to fire on my command!"
The sailors waited anxiously, their fingers eager to fire the cannons and their eyes followed the storms which began to form. The enemy fleet, seeing these storms appear out of nowhere, knew that the Imperials had to be the cause of this and tried to turn around, but they were in her domain now and didn't have time to escape.
The storms began to hover over the Masters fleet, lighting striking the decks of a few ships, water sprouts rising from the sea like monstrous tendrils, lashing out at the ships and dragging them down. The sight was nothing short of terrifying.
Admiral Thorne's voice rang out, amidst the chaos. "Fire!"
The cannons of the Imperial Fury roared in unison, and the first salvo ripped through the air with a deafening boom. The blast echoed across the water as the massive, iron balls tore through the air, striking the hulls of the closest slaver ships with brutal precision.
The force of the cannonballs sent plumes of water high into the air, and the first line of ships in the Masters' fleet, a few converted merchant vessels, were sent spiraling to the depths with a catastrophic explosion.
The Imperial fleet followed suit, their cannons tearing into the slavers' ships, sending another wave of destruction through their ranks. The wind whipped around them, and the storm that had been summoned by the magic of the Imperials grew even fiercer. Dark clouds swirled above, casting the battlefield in a sinister shade of black and gray. It was as though the sea itself was on the side of the Imperial forces.
"Look at them scatter," Garrick muttered under his breath, a mixture of awe and disdain in his voice. "They thought they could break our blockade with these tricks."
"They underestimated us," Thorne replied, her voice cold and calculating. Her eyes tracked the chaos on the water. "They thought we would hesitate. Now they will learn what happens when you challenge the might of the Imperial Navy and stand against his Excellency."
As the Imperial ships advanced, the Masters' fleet attempted to fight back. They fired their own catapults and ballistae, but nothing they fired hit as it was hampered by the storm.
In the end, the Masters sent 400 ships to try and break the siege, but none of them returned leaving thousands to drown. It was another easy victory for the Imperial Navy which suffered zero losses and dished out maximum damage.