Mid to Late 112 AC – Summer Isles, Omboru
Ser Galaenys Qargaris POV
The smile on his face was broad, broader than his wife's hips, he was sure, as he felt the cool air pushing on his face. The dragon, Mīsaragorn, suddenly changed direction and he tightly gripped on the handle of his saddle and he felt the strap that fastened him onto his saddle tighten around his waist as they flew sideways.
He let off a ripple of joy out of his mouth as he let go of the handle, trusting the strength of the strap – even if it failed and he plummeted to his death, he'd die a happy man! He loved flying more than he did fighting – and he glanced towards his front and he laughed heartily at the way Trytas was flush to the saddle and clung desperately onto the spikes not far from either side of him.
The man could skin a man with nary a thought, could break his ribs and the bones in his hands, yet, here he was, as frightened as a lamb was before a growling wolf.
"Don't you dare laugh at me Qargaris!" Trytas bellowed but against the wind it was nought but a whisper and the sight of the side of his face, pale as snow, made him laugh even louder. The foul curses he was blessed with, such foulness that would make even the dead blush, only made the whole thing sweeter!
They soon enough landed and Galaenys was quite disappointed with that fact.
He really did loving flying! He'd flown several times, accompanying the Prince to the Summer Islander Jalla and to a few others like him in the Isles, this being the second time he'd flown to Omboru, and he loved every moment of it.
He saw the Prince with his hand on the great dragon's face and he turned away, looking towards the Summer Islander, the fourth in their party, and saw that he was shaky but still firm of feet…unlike Trytas he thought amused as he glanced towards the man who was bow-legged like a satisfied woman.
He walked towards him and saw clearer that he was still pale of face. Trytas turned to look at him, a scowl forming on his face. "Men were not meant for the skies."
He snorted, barely able to withhold it from turning into a laugh, and it made Trytas scowled further as the man glared angrily at him. A glare that he'd seen prisoners weep for mercy yet all it did for him was make him smile more.
"Careful, you brute. You're insulting the Prince and the young Princes."
He saw the Summer Islander shake his head though he could see the trace smile on his face.
Trytas scoffed, drawing Galaenys' attentions once more, and he growled moments later as he stood straighter, his angry glare positively murderous now. "They're dragons. They don't count." He narrowed his eyes at Galaenys and he was ready to make a threat but the Prince spoke from behind Trytas before he could.
"I do not have wings, Trytas, nor do I think I'll be sprouting them any time soon." The Prince said and they turned to face him. "Ease up on him, Ser Galaenys."
"Yes my Prince." He said with a bow of the head though still smiling amused at the whole thing. Trytas sent him one last angry look before he turned to the Prince.
He walked towards the head of the dragon and the dragon eyed him with his great big green eyes. He bowed from the hip as he stood still a fair distance away.
"Thank you great Mīsaragorn for flying us well and safely." He said sincerely.
He'd pet the dragon like the Prince did but he'd rather not lose his arm.
He knew very well that the dragon only really tolerated them because of the Prince. Even the dragonkeepers were tolerated only because the dragons knew they gave them food and even dragonkeepers were not allowed to touch them, not without the riders present.
He heard a scoff and he knew who it was without even turning…or hearing his voice. "And they say I'm the crazy one…" Trytas said with obvious mocking in his voice but it was no matter to Galaenys. Not when the dragon snorted and closed his eyes as the dragon laid down his head to the ground and Galaenys felt greatly satisfied that his words of praise and respect were accepted.
He turned around feeling greatly pleased about himself and he saw the Prince smiling at him with amusement before he shook his head and looked towards the distance. "It won't be long before they're here."
A great tang of excitement coursed through his veins. It wouldn't be long now before the war began. Less than a week, now.
The last of their 'non-essential' people, a term that the Prince made up, had gone to Elamaerys now, leaving them with an army of twelve thousand men, three thousand sailors, four thousand volunteers – blacksmiths, shipbuilders, healers, a few farmers and so on – and 'the Ghiscari administrators' who were to administrate the Ghiscari cities and teach the slaves how to govern their cities and lands.
Hundred and a fifty ships, the majority of which were Corinthian Carracks and half of them mounted with Jar-Bolt Scorpions.
They were ready. They have been ready for a long time. The spearmen were seasoned fighters now, working impeccably in units, only now they had to pass the test of true combat. The knights were in the best condition since the Basilisk Isles whilst the footmen, the cavalry and the bowmen were all well trained too.
Yes, they were ready, and soon, they'd finally be at war!
The Summer Islander, Sodhabhas Qhaxos, kin to the Prince of this isle, inclined his head grandly "I saw the horses being prepared during on the circling passes. Less than ten minutes, I estimate."
The Summer Islanders didn't quite like to find a dragon landing in their gardens. He looked to Prince Aegon, a wry smile forming on his face. The Prince respected boundaries of these peoples…all save for Jalla.
He didn't exactly know why but he decided the reason was because the Prince wanted to show Jalla that Wallano may be Jalla's but that he was not the man who not in control of Corinth and its lands, showing that it was the dragons who truly ruled when they were here.
He liked that reason quite a bit. And he never really liked Jalla anyway. The only Summer Islander who had a permanent dour face. Cunt. Dour cunt. Pah! As if his 'sad' story was reason enough to be such a dour cunt…
It wasn't long before they were found in the open field by curious natives, some of whom made to approach them but they stayed away when Mīsaragorn reared his head and set his eyes upon them and instead, only a few and some of the children, the ones brave enough anyway, came a little closer and waved at them.
Galaenys waved back at them. He liked the Summer Islanders. Good people.
A party of a dozen horsemen rode for them with a few unmanned horses and he recognised one of them. As did the Prince. The men stepped off of their horses and approached them before they came to a stop in front of them and bowed their heads with their right hands placed on the centre of their hearts.
"Greetings, Dragon Prince. May Peace be upon you." Balhas Qhaxos said in the Summer Tongue to the Prince, a language that Galaenys knew enough off to get by.
"Greetings, greatest of the Crow Warriors." The Prince said with an incline of the head and the Summer Islanders smiled at the greeting before the dark-skinned man turned to the rest of them, his gaze lingering for a moment longer on Sodhabhas before he set his eyes on Galaenys with a smile.
"And greetings to you too, warriors of Corinth." And they too, he, Trytas and Sodhabhas returned the greetings to the men before them.
"Our Prince is having a feast prepared for you." The dark-skinned man laughed as he gestured towards Mīsaragorn. "Your dragon may come too for there is space for him and a feast too for him to have."
"He has fed but he will come with us too." The Prince replied with a smile and a nod and the Summer Islander warrior smiled in acceptance and soon enough, they were on their way to the holdfast of the ruling Prince of this island, Mīsaragorn flying above their heads.
He looked around as they travelled the path towards the holdfast, a considering look forming on his face. He was not of the same mind as the Prince on this.
He did not think they should approach these Summer Islanders, good warriors they may be. Their army and the army they'd take from the slave masters was more than enough. The Prince said he agreed but he also said having a larger army was better than a smaller army in return, especially when the army by the presence of allies that could be trusted not to betray you to the enemy you were fighting.
On that, the Prince had a fair point.
The Summer Islanders hated Slaver's Bay. Many of their people, even still now, were taken by slavers and it was not unheard of for entire villages to suddenly disappear…and there were was truth that some of the Summers Islanders, those who referred to 'The Shameless', an obvious name to their nature, secretly aided in the enslavement of Summer Islanders.
In any case…the Summer Islanders were partly at fault at that, for the slavers running amuck on their Isles and the traitors too, he thought to himself as he eyed the men who were conversing with Prince Aegon.
They were a good people, true, and they did have good warriors as well, but they were also a people who collectively lacked a certain fire within them and, he thought as he looked around, seeing sights of lush trees and colourful plants, this land was part to blame too.
He agreed with the idea that the land was just as much of import in fashioning hard men as the father was. The North was an excellent example in this.
Few they may be, but they were a hardy people and the feat they accomplished, keeping their Old Gods when the rest of the lands had succumbed to the Andal invasion despite dozens of attempted invasions and wars, wars they won despite being outnumbered even if the Andals wouldn't ever admit it – the fact the North kept their tree gods was enough to tell him that the North definitely won their wars – and much of that could be lain at the feet of their harsh land.
A harshness that these people never suffered…would never suffer.
Their faith too, made them softer than they ought to be. But also, he thought, the lack of iron and bronze also made them weaker than they ought to be.
But importantly, the main reason he thought they were weak, was because they were a fractious lot despite their shared lands, tongue and culture, something that was aided by their ways of war which was queer to the rest of the Known World.
Settling wars through tourney-like combat, nonfatal combat involving no more than a score of men? That was no way to build a kingdom. Or defend it. It was not surprising that only a few times in their history were they united, despite being as old and seafaring as Valyria itself.
All of that aided in his thoughts that they weren't the best of allies to have, despite the mutual hatred of slavers and Slaver's Bay their people had with his own.
He did not think Prince Aegon could successfully entice these warriors to fight in a war like they were set to wage, a total war where they took no prisoners, took no hostages.
He glanced towards the curious faces of the Summer Islanders around them as they rode into the main square of this town on their way to the holdfast.
No, he thought, it was not in their nature to fight a war like this, even if it was for the greater good of the Summer Isles…of all.
They were greeted with salt and bread when they arrived the holdfast and not long after they came to sight the Ruler of this isle, Balal Qhaxos, a portly old man with a kindly face that was not yet marred with the lines of age despite his more than fifty nameday age and he greeted Prince Aegon with the traditional of those who were of equal rank to him and Galeanys and the rest bowed their heads slightly and greeted the man with the respect that he was due.
Soon enough, they were surrounded by a feast of food, food that made him salivate by smell and sight alone, and once the curiosities – curiosity such as where the dragon had gone despite the open field not far from their location having been prepared for the dragon being left unoccupied, a curiosity the Prince had answered that he was nearby but keeping watch – was settled, they dug into the feast.
He truly loved the Summer Islanders and their food…
Spiced rum lathered fish, apricot and amber fish stew, sticky and stuffed goat, honey-roasted peacock…and so many wines!
Wines he unfortunately was forbidden of drinking too much lest turn drunk but he grieved his way through with a pot of giant prawns.
Conversation had flowed, though much of it was between the two Princes, with the Omboru ruler questioning a great deal on Elamaerys, which many amongst the Summer Islanders were listening intently on.
"Ah! How I wish I was three decades younger!" Balal Qhaxos lamented before he gestured wildly around "I could have led this new age of exploration, following the footsteps the great voyages of my ancestors before finally passing them into the great unknown beyond the seas!" the portly ruler turned to his sons.
"You are young enough, my sons, you shall have to do it in my stead!" the man said with a laugh and Galeanys was amused to see only a few of his many sons were interested in the idea.
"There is still much to be discovered." Prince Aegon said with an incline of the head. "Though we found Elamaerys, we do not know of the lands beyond the seas around it excepting that of the East of the land. Mayhaps on the other side, the path to the Yi-Ti lay only a few weeks journey away."
"You truly believe a path that xamaynos the world can be found?" Bhadhos, the eldest son of Balal questioned curiously. The man had used a Summer Tongue word that he did not recognise.
"You mean circumnavigate?" Prince Aegon asked and Bhadhos nodded.
"Yes. xamaynos means…the closest Common word would be serpents but it does not explain it fully. Circumnavigate is mayhaps the closest true meaning to the word." Bhadhos further explained.
Prince Aegon nodded his understanding "I see and yes…I do believe a path exists and mayhaps not in my lifetime but my people will find it." Prince Aegon then smiled at them before he said with a chuckle "Unless one of your sons or descendants beats my own sons and grandsons to the achievement."
Balal laughed but the glint in his eyes made it clear that there was some great desire there "My descendants will find a way first!"
The rest of the feast was merry but finally, they were alone with Balal Bhadhos and a few of the Crow warriors, Balhas included, three other sons of the old ruler.
"So, Prince Aegon." Balal began with an intensity in his gaze as they sat on opposite sides of the table, his gaze flickering towards Sodhabhas for a moment before he returned to look at Prince Aegon "You mentioned a matter of import you wished to discuss with me." Balal gestured towards the Crow warriors.
"With them."
Balal looked at the Prince with fiercely scrutinising eyes. "You seek war." He said, not quite accusing but not friendly either.
"I seek justice." The Prince said as he leaned forward a little, the flames of the fire dimming a little, surprising everyone at the table though Galaenys realised that it was likely the Prince's doing. "When a crime is committed against you, are there not laws that bind and judge men for their actions?"
"There are no laws that justify nor cover what you seek." Balal said with a dismissive wave of the hand before he eyed Prince Aegon "You would seek…justice…against an entire continent? That is madness."
"Not against an entire continent." Prince Aegon gestured away with a flick of his fingers. "Only to bring a few to justice who ordered the enslavement of my people." The Prince met Balal's gaze. "Justice that would these few face the consequences of their despicable actions." The Prince said with great gravity in his voice as he stared directly into the eyes of Balal.
"Not a continent. Just a few. A few would be enough to warn away others, a few for the sake for an entire people. My people." The Prince extended his arms.
"And you think warring against a few, like those in Myr" Balal said knowingly before he continued "as you suggest would cease this?" Balal said with a scoff before he shook his head. "The Essosi are cursed, Prince Aegon. You may destroy one band of slavers, five others take their place."
What Balal was saying was not wrong. However, with the destruction of Slaver's Bay, a great source of the slave trade, mayhaps the most important source in all of Essos, it would go a great way in breaking apart the slave trade.
Not completely but significantly. And if the free people of Slaver's Bay stand strong as was the hope of Prince Aegon in the years and decades to come, mayhaps, one day, it can be destroyed in the Free Cities.
Of course, the Summer Islanders were not to know that, not yet, he thought as he looked towards Sodhabhas who was keeping a neutral face.
Prince Aegon wanted to see how much support he could gain from them first before he made any of these men aware of his true plans.
"That is true." Prince Aegon easily agreed. "The problem of the Essosi is far beyond what you or I can solve in five lifetimes, let alone in our single lifetime however…" The Prince said as he leaned forward, his voice quietening.
"This war it is about destroying the image that they invulnerable. To correct them on the false notion they do not suffer consequences of their transgressions against my people…our people if you joined me." The Prince gestured with his hand as he met the gaze of Balal before he looked towards the sons and then to the Crow warriors.
"In a language these barbarians who think themselves otherwise understand fully." The Prince cocked his head as he smiled grimly at Balal.
"You know of my war in the Basilisk Isles. Of what it brought to these Isles." The Prince leaned back a little, his arm perched on his right knee. "How many raids have these Isles suffered in the years since? How many raids has there been since word had spread I left these Isles for Elamaerys?"
He could see the Crow warriors muttering to one another and he saw the exchanged look between two of Balal's sons. They'd learnt from the Summer Islanders amongst them that there has been an uptick in raids again.
An all time low number of raids since the destruction of Basilisk Isles was now no more. It didn't help, according to the Prince that the war in the Stepstones had ended too, making corsairs seek employment elsewhere…such as taking slaving contracts.
Prince Aegon continued. "These raiders understand strength and only strength. I intent to show them the strength of my people so that they know the gravity of acting against my people ever again."
Balal made a noise of displeasure before he spoke up, looking at the Prince with a hard gaze. "What do you propose then? That I send men with you on this war of yours? How does that solve my problem? The problem of our people?" Balal asked not unkindly but not friendly either.
Balal continued. "This war of yours with the Myrish…They are a very small part of this issue." Balal shook his head. "The slave raiders are from all of Essos. They serve Slaver's Bay. Qarth. The Free Cities. Even as far as Yi-Ti, do these raiders serve." Balal stared into the Prince's eyes. "How does one small war with the Myrish bring an end to these raids?"
"It does not." The Prince conceded with a nod of the head. "But" he said as he looked towards the Crow warriors. "It will aid your men. Get them the experience of war they need. To learn how they fight" the Prince said with a clenched fist. "And importantly, it will show that the Summer Isles can send armies to fight."
Balhas scoffed "We do not need to learn how they fight."
"Everyone needs to learn how the other fights." The Prince denies "Even myself. Even you. Or have you not learnt of the lessons passed down learnt from the Slaver Wars?" the Prince posed to them. "Did you not learn the importance of steel and bronze when your ancestors faced them? When your spears proved not enough?"
"So that is what you propose? That I grant you my warriors for your war so that they can gain this…experience?" Balal stepped in with his questions.
Prince Aegon turned towards Balal.
"Yes. And when Myr is defeated and humbled by our swords, with your men by the side of my men, I will aid you in your raider problem should you seek to find justice against your enemies." Prince Aegon leaned forward as he spoke further.
"Think of it. With my aid, you could humble some of the worst transgressors, those in Slaver's Bay, and secure a peace that will leave these Isles raider-free, casting your name in the same veins as that of Xanda Qo!"
One of the sons of Balal had a severe look of want on his face, one that spoke of a desire of glory. The other men were not as affected by the Prince's words whilst Balal was unmoved by the reference to the woman who many still revered on these isles.
The Prince spoke with great gravity in his voice. "Two years ago, four villages on the Crescent coast was plundered of its people."
The Prince continued. "Before then" he gestured towards Sodhabhas. "Another pillaging saw to it that thousands of were taken from this very isle, thousands that I helped return home."
"And for that, your people will always be welcomed on this land." Balal said and there was gruffness in his voice when he'd said so.
Prince Aegon inclined his head
"May the friendship between our peoples be eternal." He espoused before he grew graver still. "And before my rescue, the times in which your people have been preyed upon has been uncountable. In your own lifetime, Prince Balal, two and twenty separate instances of slavers preying on your shores are known about."
The Prince's voice went low, dangerous, as he spoke further. "Your people, ever since the Essosi appeared and showed you of their existence – and in turn informing others of your existence – have suffered slavers plaguing your shores." Prince Aegon's gaze swept across the faces of the men as he continued.
"This is the chance to set forth the final chapter of the Slaver's Wars, the chapter that brings forth true peace, not this peace that is bitter for many."
The Crow warriors sat up a little straighter at that, something that Balal had noticed and he met the Prince's gaze as he'd spoken with a sharp note to his voice.
"We must think on this."
"Of course." Prince Aegon said with an incline of the head as he stood up and moments later, Mīsaragorn roared, capturing their attentions and a dark silhouette of the dragon appeared to grow larger.
"We'll await a swan ship with your answer." The Prince said before he looked towards them and their party all quickly rose to their feet and made their way towards Mīsaragorn who landed not far from them.
The journey back took several hours, a journey in the dark that saw him marvel at many of the stars, and only a few moments after they landed and set their feet onto the ground, Sodhabhas had spoken up to the Prince. "My great-uncle will refuse."
Yes…it was a waste of time.
"My Prince may have been better served in telling them the truth about the war." Sodhabhas added.
"It wouldn't have changed anything even if he knew the truth, Sodhabhas." Prince Aegon said to the Summer Islander before he continued.
"And yes, yes he will refuse." Prince Aegon agreed as he turned to Sodhabhas "But we know now that there are those who are amongst him that see things…differently." The Prince said as one of the guards appeared with a torch, a torch that the Prince took hold off and he gestured them to walk with them.
"The Crow warriors and the sons, my Prince?" Trytas asked and after the Prince nodded "But how does that change anything? We are to leave in a week's time."
"It doesn't." Prince Aegon said as he glanced to Trytas and then Sodhabhas before setting his gaze onto Galaenys. "I never intended to gain their warriors for our cause. Our men are enough for this war. If I needed them, I'd have been truthful about the war with Slaver's Bay rather than let them believe otherwise.
No, I wanted their support for after we take Slaver's Bay."
Galaenys eyebrows climbed. "The Crow warriors and the Qhaxos sons are connected by blood to many of the Princes of these Isles." The Prince paused as he looked to Sodhabhas "Tell me, Sodhabhas…do you think my words had an positive impact on your kinsmen and the warriors?"
Sodhabhas was quiet for a moment before he spoke. "Yes. The issue of raiders is a big one amongst the Crow warriors and historically, there have been many Crow warriors who chose their path as a consequence of losing family to the raids." Sodhabhas paused for a moment as he eyed the Prince.
"After we take Slaver's Bay…my Prince believe they will help us even if Prince Balal will not?" he asked of the Prince.
"With the right incentives…yes." Prince Aegon said before he added.
"There will be Summer Islanders in Slaver's Bay that we can send back on our campaign. People who will be reunited with their families who had thought them forever lost." Prince looked grave for a moment as they all saw the displeased expression on Sodhabhas' expression as they begun to understand the Prince's scheme.
"Aye, it is distasteful to use such tactics and pressure to gain support but it will be needed."
The Prince looked away from Sodhabhas as they continued to walk and moments later, the Prince continued. "The people we liberate after our retribution is finished, will face a great many challenges in the years to come. Having the Summer Islanders support Liberty Bay during that time will somewhat ease those challenges." The Prince glanced back at them as he spoke.
"It also will set grounds for alliance between the Summer Isles and Liberty Bay once we depart, especially since both peoples will have something the other needs. Iron, copper and tin for the Summer Islanders and a great many items for Liberty Bay to help grow their industries and their wealth."
The conversation after that had come to a standstill and it wasn't long before they all split away to their own abodes.
The days that came afterwards had come and gone quickly and before they knew it, it was time to finally depart for war.
He stared at the sight with a prideful look on his face.
Thousands of men were arrayed at the docks, docks that were filled with a hundred and fifty ships, warships, stocked with supplies and armour and Jar-Bolts, ready to be boarded and set sail for their destination.
Corinth was now a ghost town, empty of all people, ready to be taken by the dour cunt Jalla. This was the last time they'd ever set foot on this Isle. Some were regretful about that but Galaenys cared not for Corinth. Not since Elamaerys.
No, he thought as he looked back to the town in the distance before he swept his gaze across the thousands of armoured men, men who whose quiet voices melted into one another as they waited for the Prince to arrive, he would not miss this place.
Before he could think anything else, a loud and shocked murmur grew amongst the men, a murmur that was shattered with a roar ripped through the air and he turned to the direction of the sound.
Sunlight split and broke against gleaming black armour, black armour that covered the chest, the neck and much of the dragon's serpentine face, and the dragon's wings, wings the span of ships, helped the dragon glide down the bulking form of Mīsaragorn.
The ground shook as the dragon landed, a low growl escaping its throat and Galeanys caught a form on the back of the dragon, the Prince, who rose to his full height atop of the great dragon, his body cladded with the red and blue of his branch of the Targaryen branch of the family, looking like the very Conqueror himself.
"MEN!" The Prince bellowed, his voice traversing far and wide and Galaenys did not doubt even the farthest away man could hear the Prince loud and clearly.
"YOU KNOW WHAT THIS DAY IS. YOU HAVE TRAINED FOR IT. YOU HAVE BLED AND SWEATED FOR IT. YOU RAGED AND ANGERED IN WAIT FOR IT.
AND NOW THAT DAY ARRIVED. THE DAY HAS BEEN COMING EVER SINCE WE LEARNT OF THEIR CONSPIRING AGAINST US!" The Prince bellowed from atop Mīsaragorn and he cut his arm across as he continued.
"TODAY AND EVERY DAY AFTER IT, ALL OF THE KNOWN WORLD WILL KNOW THE MIGHT AND FURY OF OUR PEOPLE WHEN WE TEAR DOWN ALL THAT OUR ENEMIES CHERISH BRICK BY BRICK AND CORPSE BY CORPSE!" The Prince bellowed in a furious roar, a roar that made his blood course faster in his veins, a feat that he seemed to share with many as men began to shout their agreement back to the Prince.
"ARE YOU READY, MEN OF CORINTH? MEN OF ELAMAERYS? ARE YOU READY TO LET THE WORLD WITNESS WHAT IT MEANS TO ANGER US?!" the Prince roared as he unsheathed his sword and raised high into the air above his head.
The very ground shook as thousands of men stamped their feet and roared their ayes and yeses in a delirious fury, a fury he as he too unsheathed his sword and roared in unison, a collection of roars that made the very ground tremble.
A tremble that would follow them, following them into their war, and shake apart the foundations of all that their enemies held dear.