Pyke, the main castle.
In the smoke-filled great hall, Balon Greyjoy sat on the Seastone Chair, carved from dark, massive rock. Around him were his chieftains and captains, slaves ran back and forth pouring wine, and the hall echoed with the music of fiddles and drums.
Three burly men performed the Iron Islands' traditional finger dance, a series of short-handled axes thrown and circulated among them. The rule of the game was for participants to catch or dodge the axes without moving a single step. The game was called the finger dance because it usually ended when someone lost a finger, or if they were unlucky, even two or all of their fingers.
King Balon, thin as a rail, wore a moldy sealskin robe, his unkempt gray hair falling over his shoulders. He raised his flinty eyes and looked at his son, whose face had turned ashen because no one had paid him any mind when he arrived.
"You're late, Theon."
Theon apologized with a hint of displeasure: "Forgive me, Father."
He glanced around his father. On his father's left sat his two uncles, and Asha Greyjoy was seated on his right, a position that undoubtedly showed his father's favoritism towards her.
Theon sat in the empty seat next to Asha, leaning forward and lowering his voice to whisper in his sister's ear, "Didn't you say this was my welcome feast? And you took my seat, that should be mine."
Asha had changed into a pale green wool sweater. Although the fabric and workmanship were not exquisite, it clearly showed her slender figure.
Hearing her brother's voice, Asha looked at her wide-eyed brother, and her sister's gaze, as if looking at an idiot, instantly filled Theon with rage.
She looked very innocent: "Brother, you must be mistaken. Your feast and your seat are both in Winterfell."
Theon gritted his teeth: "Are you playing with me again?"
Asha looked at Theon's flushed face, and she was very happy: "Do you want wine or ale, Theon?"
With that, Asha also leaned closer to Theon and softly whispered, "Or something else?"
Theon straightened up, moving away from Asha's closeness, and snorted coldly, saying, "Every word you say is a lie."
After a pause, he couldn't help but ask again, "You said you were married and pregnant with a child, was that also a lie?"
"That's true."
Asha leaped up. She extended a hand towards one of the burly men performing the finger dance and shouted, "Raff, fetch it!"
Hearing Asha's shout, the burly man spun around, and an axe flew from his hand. The axe sliced past torch after torch, its spinning blade glinting coldly, and Theon almost suffocated.
Asha caught the flying short-handled axe in mid-air with a thud, plunging it into the long table, splitting Theon's plate in half and splattering grease everywhere.
The corners of her mouth turned up: "Good brother, let me introduce you, this is my husband."
Reaching into her top and pulling out a dagger, she continued, "This is my baby."
Everyone burst into uproarious laughter, only Theon sat there stunned, it sounded as if everyone was mocking him, and the best response he could think of was to force out a few nervous smiles.
"My brother, after ten years as a little wolf in Winterfell, do you think you're the prince of the Iron Islands just by coming back? You don't understand anything, you don't know anyone, why should others fight and die for you?"
Asha's gaze at her brother, though seven parts mockery, also held one part joy of reunion, one part disappointment, and one part anger and hatred towards Stark (please try to imitate this look).
Theon only saw his sister's mockery, and he said stiffly, "Because by law, I was born the prince of the Iron Islands."
Did Asha think that living in Winterfell for ten years made him a Stark? Although Duke Eddard allowed him to grow up with his children, he was never truly one of them. Everyone in Winterfell treated him as a hostage to ensure his father's good behavior, and even the bastard Jon Snow received better treatment than him.
Duke Eddard tried to play the role of a father every time, yet he always reminded himself that this was the very person who brought bloody slaughter to Pyke and forced him away from his home. When he was young, he lived in the shadow of Stark's stern face and the greatsword Ice, and his wife was even more distant and suspicious of him.
Theon's blood rushed, and he spoke again angrily: "Winterfell was my prison, and the blood of salt and iron still flows in my veins."
Asha leaned back in her chair, raised a horn cup, took a sip of wine, and slowly said, "Did you only learn the laws of the Green Lands in your cell in the Green Lands? Have you forgotten our own rules?"
Theon's face hardened as he stared at the shattered plate… Thousands of years ago, King Urragon of the Iron Islands, the Bloodhand, said: The Drowned God makes men, and men make kings. Every captain is a king on his own ship, which is why the Iron Islands are also called the Land of a Thousand Kings. Once they have seen their king defecate over the ship's rail, or turn green in a storm, they will no longer kneel to a so-called king, so they must be strong.
Looking at Theon, who sat there motionless, Asha chuckled and said, "I heard you're running errands for the heir of Winterfell this time, messenger brother?"
Hearing this, Theon became furious: "I'm not running errands, I'm the one in charge this time, the terms they offered were my suggestion!"
After hearing his explanation, Asha still laughed, and Theon found her laughter infuriating.
Asha said with some exaggeration, "It sounds like that little wolf is very obedient in front of you."
Theon ignored Asha's tone, and he raised his head and said, "That's right, he listens to me, I've gained his trust, he treats me like his brother."
Asha first snorted, then burst into laughter.
"You!"
Asha's laughter sounded like excessive mockery to Theon, and his face turned green and then red, like a chameleon.
Asha's laughter didn't stop. She covered her stomach with one hand and grabbed Theon's shoulder with the other. He angrily yanked his shoulder, but his sister's hand was strong and he couldn't shake it off.
King Balon smiled as he glanced at his daughter, who seemed to be laughing so hard she was about to gasp for air, then rose from the Seastone Chair.
"I will announce the plan. Gather in my study after you finish your drinks."
With that, he turned and left, followed closely by two personal guards, and his two brothers also immediately rose and followed.
Theon tried to get up and follow, but he was held firmly by his sister's hand. He said angrily, "Let go of me!"
Asha released Theon, and she also patted her brother's shoulder: "Oh, Father has waited so many years, what's a little more waiting, especially since you've already solved a problem for him."
Although Theon didn't want to bother with Asha, he was still somewhat confused and couldn't help but ask, "What problem did I solve?"
Asha's smile turned wicked: "Of course, it's letting the little wolf who obediently listens to you hand Winterfell over to Father for safekeeping, my good brother."
...
...
Crab Claw Point, Whispering City.
Today was the day Sir Impa, the commander of the Thorn Legion, was to be knighted. According to the ceremony, she had kept vigil last night before the warrior statue of the Faith of the Seven.
Leaving the sept, Impa, dressed in a white tunic, walked barefoot towards the knighting site, a display of her humility.
The sept in Whispering City was not far from the main castle. After walking for a while, she saw the wooden door of the main castle, carved with swamp marigold.
Impa suddenly remembered her first time coming here to meet the lord, and she unconsciously flexed her toes.
Impa exhaled, lifted her chin slightly, and began to walk.
...
In the great hall, Greene Kleber's gaze swept over Brienne of Tarth (Chapter 88), the beauty among the onlookers. He could sense that she was merely an invited guest this time, and he secretly regretted it.
The beauty values her promises, so she came, but her heart is with Renly, and Lord Green does not make things difficult for people.
A commotion came from a distance, and Greene looked over. Impa was slowly approaching. Lord Green remembered past scenes and, looking at this straightforward female warrior, the corners of his mouth curved into a smile.
After the officiant's chanting ended, the hall became quiet, and Impa knelt on one knee before Greene, lowering her face.
With a swish, Greene drew his longsword and rested it on Impa's right shoulder.
He slowly began, "In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave."
The longsword moved from the right shoulder to the left: "In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just."
The longsword returned to the right shoulder: "In the name of the Mother, I charge you to protect the weak and the innocent."
The longsword fell to the left shoulder again: "In the name of the Maiden, I charge you to protect all women."
The longsword from left to right: "In the name of the Smith, I charge you to be strong."
The longsword from right to left: "In the name of the Crone, I charge you to be wise."
The longsword from left to right: "In the name of the stranger, I charge you to fear no sacrifice."
Greene withdrew his longsword and said, "Rise, Sir Impa."
Impa rose, and Brother Zali approached with a kindly face to anoint her with holy oil.
"Child, congratulations, may the gods bless you."
Ser Mason Baker, the witness, spoke: "Sir Impa, you need a surname of your own."
Impa first nodded in thanks, then looked at the usually steady Ser Mason with expectant eyes.
Mason smiled and nodded, then, with slightly stiff movements, approached the Bishop of Crab Claw Point, who was about to leave: "Brother Zali, we might as well discuss the site for the new sept."
Brother Zali was forced to hurry his steps because of Ser Mason, and Impa opened her mouth as she watched them leave.
Greene walked over, his eyes smiling: "Impa, Mason is quite busy, I can help."
Greene thought for a moment and said, "Thornes, Amparo Thornes."
...
The next day, Greene, accompanied by the newly knighted female knight, began to inspect the western part of Crab Claw Point. At the same time, under Greene's military order, the elite soldiers and various military equipment of Crab Claw Point began to secretly gather at the newly built military port in the northern part of Crab Claw Point. The military equipment and soldiers would be fully assembled within three months.
...
...
Red Keep, Prime Ministers Tower.
In the study, Tyrion Lannister was sprawled on the table, looking very tired.
Tyrion had to admit that he had truly underestimated his cousin Lancel. With his "assistance," Jacelyn Bywater quickly ascended to the position of Commander of the Gold Cloaks. As Tyrion's reward, Lancel Lannister was "promoted" to Gold Cloaks Deputy (equivalent to Deputy Commander of the Gold Cloaks), which was a very worthwhile deal.
Tyrion couldn't help but smile. His sister Cersei became much easier to deal with once she found the right person… He was actually very interested in how Lancel convinced his sister… Poor old brother Jaime.
He wondered again, did his sister truly naively believe that Greene and Lancel were the same kind of sword in hand?
Next, besides food, it was time for war preparations and diplomacy.
Greene was not around, and Tyrion occasionally missed him, but he felt relaxed in body and mind… Well, the Vale was a good place for retirement.
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock sounded, and after receiving a response, Varys, in a pale purple robe, glided in lightly.
"Good day, Prime Minister Tyrion."
Tyrion lazily left the table and leaned back in his chair, smelling the scent of lavender.
He grinned: "Please sit, Lord Varys."
After Varys sat down, he pulled a parchment from his robe sleeve and said, "The first secret report: the captain of the royal warship White Deer intends to weigh anchor and set sail in three days to pledge allegiance to Lord Stannis."
Tyrion chuckled: "Is it also a poor child forgotten by Stannis in King's Landing?"
After a pause, he sighed: "We have so few ships, to ensure the loyalty of the other captains, I have no choice but to be ruthless… I think they need to witness Joffrey's justice."
His eyes flickered, and he added, "I need to keep my good nephew busy, otherwise pray will not tolerate it."
Varys smiled and nodded slightly, then made a mark on the paper.
He continued, "The second secret report: Ser Horas and Ser Hobber of House Redwyne bribed a gate guard and plan to sneak out of the city the night after tomorrow. The twin brothers will disguise themselves as oarsmen and leave on the Pentos ship, the Moongazer."
Tyrion mused for a moment, then said, "My sister's guests want to slip away? If my sister loses these two rare guests she specifically kept, I'm afraid she'll go mad."
He looked at Varys: "I will personally arrange this matter, and you need to keep it secret from the Queen Mother."
Varys bowed slightly and said, "As you command, my Prime Minister."
He made another mark on the paper and said, "The third secret report…"
"The fourth secret report…"
"The fifth secret report…"
"The last secret report…"
...
After listening to Varys's secret reports, Tyrion climbed down from his chair and walked over to get the wine jug and an empty wine glass.
Tyrion poured a glass of wine for Varys, who had been reading secret reports for half the day.
"Lord Varys, I always feel that you are well-intentioned towards me. I am quite curious, why are you so good to me?" Tyrion asked, handing over the wine with a scrutinizing look.
Varys smiled faintly: "Lord Tyrion, you are the Hand of the King. The Lord Steward serves the realm, the King, and you, do they not?"
Tyrion grinned: "Were you equally attentive when serving Jon Arryn and Eddard Stark?"
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