Under the cover of night, a small boat silently drifted downstream, without lights or oars, anchoring quietly at the riverbank.
In the darkness, Winters crossed the river dike towards the small boat, with Mason and Bart Xialing following behind.
In the distance, there were faint flashes of light to the north and northeast.
These were signals from Bishop's Castle on Magit Island and the "Castle" battery at the southernmost point of New Town.
Both fortresses were currently in enemy hands, supporting and protecting each other.
Below the castle battery on the riverbank, the wreck of a barge was faintly visible.
The part of the hull above the waterline was almost entirely burnt away, leaving only a charred hull lying lifelessly in the muddy bank, like a decrepit tombstone.
Among the seven New Army warships, three suffered the same fate.
