The Seven Isles Route

How can a ship survive its first voyage? How can seven islands establish dependable mutual-aid shipping routes? And how can a fleet led by five partners, each commanding their own crew, stand against blockades and storms? In the early stages, the five-on-five battles take place aboard a single ship, on narrow piers, or on reef islands. Later, each of the five commands a warship or support vessel with its own sailors, using coordinated tactics to fight the Sea Alliance fleet.

The supply ship was seven days late. The well water on the reef island had begun to taste salty.

Lin Zhou poured the water in the wooden bucket back into the well, then scooped up another mouthful. He hoped there was something wrong with his tongue, but his younger sister, Lin Wan, was already lifting the empty bucket beside the well.

"Don't tell Mother," she said. "At least wait until today's ship comes back."

A faded blue flag hung above the harbor. Every year around this time, the Sea Alliance's supply ships came into port beneath it, their holds filled with flour, medicine chests, and fresh sailcloth. Today, the wind held the flag taut, but only a few little fishing boats dotted the sea.

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.