The Invaders (Brotherband)

Synopsis

Hal and his crew are chasing Zavac. However, due to a massive storm, they are forced to stop and resume the chase later. They then camp at a bay Hal named Shelter Bay for a few weeks, where they repair their ship, add the Mangler, a giant crossbow, a hull fin for extra maneuverability, and train under Thorn. Afterward, they go to a small Skandian village to stock up on supplies while asking about Zavac's ship the Raven. Meanwhile, Zavac and his crew take over a small trading vessel and search the strongbox, where they find emeralds. Zavac demands to know where they have come from. The leader of the trading fleet reluctantly tells that the emeralds came from Limmat, and names the location. Zavac goes to Limmat, tricks the soldiers garrisoned there, easily takes over the town, and forces the miners to work even harder to give Zavac emeralds. However, a girl named Lydia manages to escape using a small skiff.

While Hal is going back to Shelter Bay, he thinks he sees Wolfwind and sails south for a day. While heading back they find Lydia, who tells them about a pirate attack. Hal thinks it may be Zavac so he continues back to Shelter Bay. Wolfwind, led by the Skandian Svengal, finds them but ends up helping them. The next day, they start sailing to Limmat, and when they arrive, they see Zavac's ship. Thus, they hide in the marshes where they find the town's remaining soldiers, led by Barat, in hiding.. Hal forms a plan with the locals to take back the town in 5 days. They are able to take back the town and kill many pirates, but Zavac slips away, burns two of his ships to prevent pursuit, and cripples Wolfwind, forcing the Heron to turn back and help Svengal and his crew bail water and dock in the bay.

While Barat gives a victory speech to the townspeople, claiming all the credit for himself and not the Skandians, Thorn and Stefan free an imprisoned pirate to serve as their guide to follow Zavac, and leave on the Heron with Lydia.