"Captain! Ships on site, 50 of them can be seen on the horizon!" Meanwhile on the leading dromon ship on the United Southern Kingdom navy, they were the one who spotted the formation of the enemy.
"Raise the flags and inform the back. Stop the rowing and wait for orders."
"YES CAPTAIN!"
…..
"Proceed as planned and the vanguard fleet should rush first. Let the captains do what they need if other variables comes into play!" On the flag ship of the first fleet, the Vice-admiral made the decision as was discussed yesterday.
…..
As the two sides saw each other, they immediately rushed to the enemy after a short preparation and formed a attacking formation.
With only half an hour of distance, with almost 50 men on board in every ship on both fleet oared their ships to the fullest. As the seas was surprisingly calm like the Gods turned quiet as they watch a play.
With only 200 m both armies watched the opposing side quickly approaching them.
"Fire the Ballista!" Captains on every ship of the USK shouted and the huge arrows were released immediately to the enemy, not to sink the ship but to target the one on board.
"INCOMING!"
Soldiers on board who saw the incoming projectile immediately ducked or raised their shields. Letting luck and fate decide their lives.
"Ahh! Help me!"
"I'm hit!"
"Brother save me!"
"BRING ME BACK TO LAND!"
Not all arrows were successful. Some of them severely missed their target, or just punctured the hull of the boat. Some were successful even punctured two or more soldiers at the same time.
As the ships of the Cecilion empire has no long range heavy weapons, the captains could only order the oarsmen to row harder till the range for bowmen.
Though the casualties was just a miniscule it did put a heavy cloud on the Cecilions.
After a few minutes, all the bowmen stood and prepared.
"RELEASE!" Both fleets ordered and a rain of arrows dropped down. With no strong winds, the arrows accurately dropped on it's target. The armies on both side was also prepared and raised the shield to covered their heads, making clanging sounds, from time to time some unlucky guy would be hit.
The oarsmen didn't stopped and the ships were fast approaching for collision. As well as the Ballista of the USK never stopped their firing, as the distance was already close resulting more casualties on the opposing side.
The USK Dromon's bow was equipped with bronze ram specialized or ramming the enemies weak side. making them looking forward with boarding.
The Cecilions ship though not equipped with a ramming bow but something else.
"Use the dragon's breath!"
BOOM!
Within moments of collision, they fired a mixture of liquid, like napalm, on the enemies ships resulting for it to immediately burned. Soldiers who were in front of the range or even the men who were just near were burnt to crisps, most of them jumped out of sea.
"AHHH!"
"Get away from me!"
"I'm on fire! I'm on fire!"
For a moment, chaos erupts, but the ships didn't stop and collided just as planned.
"Everyone, pick your weapons and board!!"
All hell broke loose, since they want to get away on their burning ship, they immediately boarded the enemy's side.
Limbs were cut, blood were splattered, men screamed, some fell in the water and lives were taken.
As more and more ships collided, it was it was now a do or die festival.