"Don't take it seriously, it's all lies."
King Balon said this after Osha the Wildling left.
"We are going south, but definitely not to serve the little king obediently. There is only one goal, to make this war longer."
"Three years, five years, ten years, until they bleed dry, like beached whales."
Asha understood.
Her father wasn't choosing sides, but rather making the weaker party continue to fight, continue to tear the Seven Kingdoms apart.
Now it's the Iron Throne, later it might be Renly.
King Balon showed a hint of regret, "There are still too few kings in the Green Lands, only two."
In the era when the Andal kings each ruled Westeros, the longships of the ironborn could plunder freely and occupy all the coasts. No single kingdom could match the longship fleet.
Euron stared at his elder brother's crown, made of driftwood, not black iron.
Since the Age of Heroes, the Grey King, beloved by the Drowned God, chose the "Driftwood Crown" to display the power granted by the sea. The subsequent Rock King, Salt King, and later High Kings of the Iron Islands all inherited the tradition of using driftwood as their crown.
But after Urragon the Thrice-Drowned broke the taboo and slaughtered the captains participating in the Kingsmoot, the Driftwood Crown was ended along with the Kingsmoot.
That was five thousand years ago.
Later kings were no longer chosen by all the captains and priests together, but inherited by the eldest son of the old king.
The crown was also changed to be made of black iron.
Now, the Drowned God-blessed King Balon not only wants to practice the Old Way, but also restore tradition?
Looking at the magnificent and huge Driftwood Crown, Euron's voice trembled, "Your Majesty. Where did the driftwood on this crown come from?"
According to tradition, after each king died, the Driftwood Crown he wore had to be broken and thrown back into the sea. His successor should make a new crown from driftwood from their home island that had just washed ashore, and could not inherit the crown of the previous king.
Of course, it's impossible to inherit it now, the ancient Driftwood Crowns have long since vanished.
Balon Greyjoy knew Euron's thoughts, "Driftwood from Pyke, just washed up today. Thanks to the supreme Drowned God, who granted me such a spectacular crown."
Euron excitedly raised his hands, "The holy Drowned God has given a sign, the Iron Islands will surely regain their glory!"
The Drowned Men under her uncle's command loved to spread superstitious stories. Asha guessed that within a few days, she would hear about this "sign" from everyone on the island.
"Asha."
Hearing her father's call, Asha immediately looked up and met his gaze with determination and respect.
King Balon began to announce the plan, "You will lead twenty longships into the Mander River to lure the Shield Islands fleet to pursue. Be sure to choose the fastest longships. And I'll send Dagmer Cleftjaw with you."
I'm a bait? Asha let out a light, spoiled hum, "Alright, for Father's plan, this little woman will just have to run around everywhere."
King Balon replied flatly, "You are my daughter, and also my son."
Asha froze for a moment, then quickly tried to calm her violently beating heart. Theon was still alive. However, could Ser Theon, who was loyal to the Iron Throne, still be considered King Balon's son?
Asha's mind immediately raced with thoughts.
"Victarion." King Balon had already turned to instruct his second brother.
"You are the main force of the operation. Silently approach the Shield Islands, wait for the fleet to leave port, then launch a surprise attack and capture the castles. Afterward, set an ambush at the mouth of the Mander River and wipe out the Shield Islands fleet in one fell swoop."
The Lord Commander of the Iron Fleet nodded silently; he never refused any battle.
"By then, the entire northern coast of the Reach will be completely open to us." King Balon looked at his youngest brother.
"Euron, you take the longships of the various captains and 'exchange' goods, slaves, gold, grain. Pay them the Iron Price, and let the people of the Green Lands have a good taste of the Old Way."
The priest replied, "May the holy Drowned God bless our swords."
"And the Redwyne Fleet."
Balon Greyjoy clearly hadn't forgotten this powerful opponent.
"Paxter hasn't sent troops to King's Landing for the sake of his two sons. But against us, the Redwynes are probably itching for a fight."
"And now, the fleet from King's Landing has gone south, towards Storm's End."
King Balon gave a cold laugh.
"Once the Redwyne Fleet moves out, Asha, Victarion, Euron, all the longships stop their actions and run south, luring the enemy to pursue."
"Then notify the little king, and have his fleet continue south to eliminate the Redwyne Fleet with us."
Asha couldn't help but frown.
The Iron Throne's only request was for the Iron Fleet to stay put, but her father was wearing a crown and having the fleet attack the Reach.
After all, it was invading enemy territory, and her father was willing to accept titles and appointments.
The Iron Throne would most likely tolerate it.
But having the Iron Throne send out a fleet to wage war against the Redwyne Fleet, which wasn't an enemy.
The hope wasn't great, was it?
But King Balon said, "Either they come over and fight the Redwynes off the coast of the Arbor or Dorne. Or we go over, the longships sail all the way to the Stormlands, lure the Redwyne Fleet there, and see what he does."
If the Redwynes absolutely refused to leave their home base, then they would plunder the entire Reach.
But he knew Euron's ambitions were surely greater.
"In any case."
King Balon instructed seriously, "Neither side is good. You must preserve your strength and seek opportunities to weaken their forces, especially their fleets."
"The Drowned God blesses."
"Hopefully, after a naval battle, the fleets of Redwyne and King's Landing will be completely destroyed."
How was that possible?
Victarion looked into his elder brother's eyes and understood the deeper meaning.
Euron Greyjoy spread his arms like a pair of wings: "The fury of the ocean will eventually erupt, and the great Drowned God will gain authority in the Green Lands!"
"What Is Dead May Never Die," Victarion chanted, and King Balon and Asha responded almost in unison.
Afterward, the few of them left the study.
King Balon sat quietly before the brazier and didn't speak for a long time before finally saying, "You all leave too. Go sleep with women, go to the feast, get drunk, do whatever you want, just don't be an eyesore here."
The few guards inside and outside the study immediately withdrew, leaving this floor of the tower for the King to enjoy alone.
The study became even quieter.
The sound of wind and rain outside was incessant, the surging waves below the sea pounded against the reef cliffs, and the swaying, twisting rope bridge made a faint sound.
"Valar morghulis."
King Balon of the Iron Islands spoke a phrase in High Valyrian from the continent of Essos.
Then.
He lowered his head, and under the firelight, his face suddenly transformed into that of a slave serving Balon.
Balon Greyjoy was taken out from a hidden compartment behind the seat. The old man had lost all his vitality, his mouth and nose filled with foam, his limbs twisted, his skin pale, and he hadn't even had time to develop rigor mortis.
The slave supported Balon out of the room and onto the violently swaying suspension bridge.
Amidst the raging sea and storm.
Balon fell into the sea below, and a huge wave immediately swallowed him.
It didn't cause the slightest ripple.
Finally.
The slave changed faces and went to the feast to fulfill his duties.
-----------
Machine Translation by: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Read 777+ original & fanfic translations in English, Español, Português, Deutsch, Français, or Русский at: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Join our Discord: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------