Pyke, main castle.
In the smoke-filled long hall, Balon·Greyjoy sits in Seastone Chair carved from a dark boulder. There are leaders and captains under his command everywhere, slaves running back and forth pouring wine, and the hall echoes with the music of violins and leather drums.
Three burly men performed the Iron Islands traditional Finger Dance. A series of short-handled axes were thrown back and forth between the three people. The rule was that the participants caught or avoided the axes, but were not allowed to move half a step. The reason why this game is called Finger Dance is because it usually ends when someone loses one finger. If you are unlucky, you may even lose two or all fingers.
King Balon was as thin as a stick, wearing a moldy sealskin one-piece robe, with long unmanaged gray hair hanging down past his shoulders. He raised his flint-like eyes and looked at his son, whose face turned livid because no one was paying attention when he walked over.
"You're late, Theon."
Theon apologized in a slightly dissatisfied tone. "Please forgive me, father."
He glanced around his father and saw his two uncles sitting on his left. Asha·Greyjoy was placed in Right Hand. This position undoubtedly showed his father's favor for her.
Theon sat in the empty seat next to Asha. He leaned forward, lowered his voice in his sister's ear, and said, "Didn't you say this was my welcome banquet? Also, you took my seat, that should be my seat."
Asha changed into a light green woolen sweater. Although the fabric and workmanship were not exquisite enough, it showed off her slender curves.
Hearing his younger brother's voice, Asha looked at his brother with wide eyes. His sister looked at him like a fool, which made Theon furious.
She looked innocent. "Brother, you must have made a mistake. Your banquet and seats are all at Winterfell."
Theon gritted his teeth and said, "Are you kidding me again?"
Asha looked at Theon's flushed face, and she was very happy. "Do you want wine or ale, Theon?"
With that said, Asha also approached Theon and whispered softly, "Or do you want something else?"
Theon straightened up, moved away from Asha, snorted coldly, and said, "Every word you said is a lie."
After a pause, he couldn't help but ask, "You said you were married and pregnant with a child. Is that also a lie?"
"It's true."
Asha jumped up, stretched out a palm toward a big man who was performing Finger Dance, and said loudly, "Ralf, bring it!"
Hearing Asha's cry, the burly man turned around in a circle, and an ax flew out of his hand. The sharp ax passed through one torch after another, and the rolling blade flashed with cold light. Theon almost suffocated.
Asha caught the flying short-handled ax in the air, slammed it into the long table with a bang, split Theon's dinner plate in half, and splashed grease everywhere.
The corners of her mouth raised. "Good brother, let me introduce you, he is my husband."
Reaching into her blouse and pulling out a dagger, she continued, "This is my baby."
Everyone burst into laughter. Only Theon sat there blankly. It sounded as if everyone was laughing at him. The best response he could think of was to squeeze out a few nervous smiles.
"My brother, who has been a Little Wolf boy in Winterfell for ten years, do you think that as soon as he comes back, he will be the prince of Iron Islands? You don't understand anything or anyone, so why should others fight and die for you?"
Asha looked at his brother with eyes that were partly mocking, but also partly filled with joy at reunion, partly disappointed, and partly filled with anger and hatred towards Stark (please try to imitate this look).
Theon only saw his sister mocking him, and he said bluntly, "Because according to the law, I was born to be Iron Islands's prince."
Does Asha think that after living in Winterfell for ten years, I became House Stark's person? Although Lord Eddard allowed him to grow up with his children, He has never been one of them. Everyone at Winterfell regards him as a hostage to ensure that his father is safe. Even the illegitimate son Jon·Snow is treated better than him.
Lord Eddard always tried to play the role of father, but he always reminded himself that the other party was the one who brought bloody killings to Pyke and forced him to stay away from home. When he was a child, he had been living in the shadow of Stark's stern face and the Ice giant sword, and his wife was even more alienated and suspicious of him.
Theon's blood surged, and he spoke again angrily, "Winterfell is the prison that imprisons me, but the blood of sea salt and steel still flows in my body."
Asha leaned back in his chair, raised his horn cup, took a sip of wine, and said leisurely, "Did you only learn Green Lands's laws in Green Lands's cell? Have you forgotten our own rules?"
Theon stared at the broken plate with a straight face... Thousands of years ago, Iron Islands's Urron Redhand king said: Drowned God Create a man, create a crown. Every ship The captain is the king on his own ship, so Iron Islands is also called Land of Ten Thousand Kings. Once they see their king shitting beside the ship's rail, or turning blue in the storm, they will no longer kneel down to the so-called king, so they must be tough.
Looking at Theon sitting there motionless, Asha chuckled and said, "I heard that you are running errands on behalf of the Winterfell heir this time, messenger brother?"
Hearing this, Theon was furious. "I'm not running errands, I'm the leader this time, and the conditions they offered were proposed by me!"
After listening to his explanation, Asha still smiled. Theon felt that her smile was so irritating.
Asha said with some exaggeration, "It sounds like that Little Wolf is very good in front of you."
Theon ignored Asha's tone. He raised his head and said, "Yes, he listens to me. I have won his trust. He regards me as his brother."
Asha first sneered, then laughed.
"You!"
Asha's laughter made Theon sound extremely mocking. His face turned green and 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 hand. He shook his shoulder angrily, but her sister's hand was strong and she couldn't shake it.
King Balon smiled and glanced at his daughter who seemed to be laughing so hard that she almost lost her temper, then Seastone Chair stood up.
"I want to announce the plan. After drinking, gather in my study."
After saying that, he turned and left, followed by two personal guards, and his two younger brothers immediately got up and followed.
Theon wanted to get up and follow, but he was firmly grasped by his sister's hand. He said angrily, "Let me go!"
Asha let go of Theon, and she patted her brother on the shoulder by the way. "Oh, my father has been waiting for so many years, it doesn't matter if he waits a little longer, not to mention you have already helped him solve the problem."
Although Theon didn't want to pay attention to Asha, he was still a little confused and couldn't help but ask, "What problem was solved?"
Asha's smile became very evil, "Of course, Little Wolf, please obey your words and leave Winterfell to your father for safekeeping, my good brother."
Crackclaw Point, Whispers.
Today is the day when Thorn Legion Commander Amparo was awarded the title of knight. According to the ceremony, she had spent the night in front of the statue of the Warrior that Seven believed in.
After leaving Sept, Amparo wore a white short coat and walked barefoot to the conferment site to show her humility.
Sept of Whispers was not far from the main castle. After walking for a while, she saw the wooden door of the main castle with Marsh Marigold carved on it.
Amparo suddenly remembered the scene when he first came here to meet the lord, and couldn't help but flex his toes.
Amparo exhaled, raised his chin slightly, and took steps.
Hall, Gryn·Crabb's eyes swept across the beauty Brainy Tarth (Chapter 88) among the crowd of spectators. He could feel that she was only an invited guest this time, and he secretly regretted it.
Beauty values commitments, so she came, but her heart is with Lan Li, Gryn Lord will not be troubled by others.
There was movement in the distance, Gryn looked over, and Amparo was coming slowly. Lord Gryn remembered the previous scene, and looked at the upright female the Warrior, with the corners of his mouth slightly curved.
After the MC finished singing, the hall became quiet. Amparo knelt on one knee in front of Gryn and lowered his face.
With a bang, Gryn pulled out the long sword and placed it on Amparo's right shoulder.
He spoke slowly, "In the name of the Warrior, I ask you to be brave."
The long sword moved from the right shoulder to the left shoulder. "In the name of the Father, I demand justice from you."
The long sword returned to the right shoulder. "In the name of the Mother, I ask you to protect the weak and innocent people."
The long sword fell to the left shoulder again. "In the name of the Maiden, I ask you to protect all women."
Long sword from left to right. "In the name of the Smith, I ask you to be perseverant."
Long sword from right to left. "In the name of the Crone, I ask you to be rational."
Long sword from left to right. "In the name of the Stranger, I ask you not to be afraid of sacrifice."
Gryn took back the sword and said, "Get up, Amparo knight."
Amparo stood up, and Septon Zari came over with a kind face and anointed her with holy oil.
"My child, congratulations to you and may the Gods bless you."
Witness knight Mason·Baker said, "Sir Amparo, you need a surname that belongs to you."
Amparo first nodded in thanks, and then looked expectantly at the always steady Sir Mason.
Mason smiled and nodded, then with a slightly stiff movement he approached Bishop Crackclaw Point who was about to leave. "Septon Zari, it's just time for us to talk about the location of the new Sept."
Septon Zari was forced to hurry because of Sir Mason. Amparo looked at their leaving figures and opened his mouth.
Gryn walked over, with a smile on his face, "Amparo, Mason is quite busy, I can help."
Gryn thought for a moment and said, "Thorns, Amparo·Thorns."
The next day, Gryn took the newly canonized female knight and began to patrol the west of Crackclaw Point. At the same time, under Gryn's military order, Crackclaw Point's elite soldiers and various armaments began to secretly assemble towards the newly built military port in the north of Crackclaw Point. The armaments and soldiers will be assembled within three months.
Red Keep, Tower of the Hand.
In the study room, Tyrion·Lannister was lying on the table, looking very tired.
Tyrion had to admit that he really underestimated his cousin Lancel. With his "assistance", Jacelyn·Bywater quickly took the position of Commander of the Gold Cloaks. As a reward from Tyrion, Lancel·Lannister was "promoted" to the rank of adjutant of Gold Cloaks (equivalent to deputy commander-in-chief of Gold Cloaks). This is a very good deal.
Tyrion couldn't help but smile. His sister Cersei became easier to deal with once she found the right person... He was now very interested in the process of Lancel convincing her... Poor brother Jaime.
He thought again, does his sister really naively think that Gryn and Lancel are the same shuriken?
The next step, besides food, is to prepare for war and diplomacy.
Gryn is not here, and Tyrion misses him occasionally, but he becomes physically and mentally relaxed... Well, Vale is a good place to retire.
Boom, boom, boom.
There was a knock on the door, and after receiving a response, Varys, wearing a lavender robe, slipped in lightly.
"Good day, Tyrion Hand of the King."
Tyrion lazily left the table and leaned back on the chair. He smelled the fragrance of lavender.
He grinned. "Please sit down, Master Varys."
After Varys sat down, he pulled out a piece of parchment from the sleeve of his robe and said, "First secret report, the captain of the royal battleship White Hart plans to pull anchor and set sail in three days, and take the ship to serve Lord Stannis."
Tyrion laughed and said, "Is it also the poor child that Stannis forgot in King's Landing?"
After a pause, he sighed, "We only have a few ships. In order to ensure the loyalty of other captains, I have to be ruthless... I think they need to see the justice of Joffrey."
His eyes moved slightly and he added, "You have to let my good nephew have something to do, otherwise Seven his old man will not be able to stand it anymore."
Varys smiled and nodded slightly, then made a mark on the paper.
He continued, "Second tip, Sirs Horas and Hobber of the Redwyne family bribed a certain gate guard and planned to sneak out of the city the night after tomorrow. The twin brothers would disguise themselves as rowers and leave on the Pentos boat Moon-Runner."
Tyrion pondered for a moment and then said, "Does my sister want to slip away? If I lose these two special guests, I'm afraid I will go crazy."
He looked at Varys: "I will personally arrange this matter. You need to keep it secret from the Queen Mother."
Varys bowed slightly and said, "As you command, my Lord Hand."
He made another mark on the paper and said, "The third secret report..."
"The fourth tip..."
"The fifth tip..."
"The last tip..."
After listening to Varys's secret report, Tyrion climbed down from the chair and walked over to get the wine bottle and empty wine glass.
Tyrion poured a glass of wine for Varys who had read the secret report for a long time.
"Sir Varys, I always feel that you are kind to me. I am very curious, why are you so kind to me?", Tyrion handed the wine with scrutiny.
Varys smiled slightly, "Master Tyrion, you are Hand of the King. Aren't the people Master of Household serves the kingdom, the king and you?"
Tyrion grinned. "You also served Jon·Arryn and Eddard·Stark so thoughtfully?"