Under the azure sky, Daenerys, clad in black leather armor, stood atop the tower of Beauty Harbor. Her crimson cloak fluttered in the howling sea breeze, and her violet eyes gazed at the faintly visible Flaming Heart Banner on the horizon. 💔♤ 🍩♗
She was surrounded by Mason Baker, Samwell, Borona, Foley, and others.
Ser Mason said, "The intelligence is accurate. Stannis's army has been defeated by the Lannister; it was a crushing defeat."
A flicker of contempt crossed his eyes. "These are the remnants of the Warrior honor."
Daenerys withdrew her gaze and said, "Why are they here instead of resting on Dragonstone? Could it be...?"
Sir Mason nodded and said, "Yes, you guessed correctly, Your Highness. Perhaps these desperate cowards wanted to find a place to vent their frustrations, or perhaps they had their eyes on Mermaid Harbor all along, whatever the reason..."
He gave a cruel smile, "They chose the wrong place."
Foley's rough voice rang out. "Sir Mason, could they just be putting on a show again (Chapter 249)? Would Stannis's defeated army dare to invade Crabb?"
Foley's words were tinged with doubt, but his fierce-looking face was full of anticipation.
Sir Mason glanced at Foley and said, "There used to be two or three, but today at least ten warships have arrived."
Foley chuckled and said, "Sir, we can't let Lord Gryn's reputation be diminished."
Then, everyone turned to look at Daenerys, including Ser Mason.
Daenerys raised an eyebrow; she knew the Crabb the Warrior who hadn't joined Gryn in the Vale campaign were eager for battle.
The atmosphere intensified after news of the legendary victory reached the Crabb Territory... She had to admit that she herself was somewhat affected.
Not only Stannis's remnants, but also the soldiers defending Crabb's home base needed an outlet for their pent-up emotions.
" Crabb has a neutrality agreement with Stannis, and Crabb will not breach it unless..."
Daenerys's gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Ser Mason, and she said, " Stannis's men broke the agreement first."
Sir Mason said, patting his chest, "Your Highness, there is no difference between the remnants of the battlefield and bandits. I believe they will not disappoint you."
Just then, a messenger's urgent voice rang out. "Sir, a flag for resupplying to the port has been raised across the harbor!"
Daenerys raised an eyebrow and turned to Ser Mason, saying, "Do they really think Crabb didn't see their ill intentions, Sir?"
Sir Mason's face flashed with anger. "I think Stannis's army hasn't gotten used to being a remnant; perhaps they still think Blackwater Bay is Stannis's backyard."
Daenerys looked back at the sea, her gaze sharpening slightly. "Perhaps they still believe in the banner of Baratheon."
She asked, "Sir, how do you plan to play?"
Sir Mason replied, "If enemy ships enter the Mermaid Harbor's perimeter, they will be warned with ballistae first."
Daenerys's purple eyes flickered slightly, and Ser Mason continued, "If they ignore our warnings and continue their advance, I think we can then rightfully wage war, since they have broken the agreement between Crabb and Stannis."
Daenerys nodded slightly and asked the captain of the guard at Mermaid Harbor, " Foley, tell everyone about the enemy fleet."
"Their flagship is a 200-oar ship, and the others are 100-oar ships, about... twelve or thirteen in total." After saying that, Foley looked away.
After a pause, Daenerys asked Ser Mason, "Is there any way to stop their ships?"
She added, "The lives of the Crabb Soldiers are more precious than those ships. If it requires the blood of the Warrior to pay for them, then there is no need to regret the planks."
Sir Mason's gaze shifted downwards, where rows of white houses stood.
After a moment of silence, he spoke up, "We can feign fear and run away to lure them off the ship."
He pointed to the square north of the port and continued, "The squares near the port were originally 'pockets' that Lord Gryn deliberately left when Mermaid Harbor was built. They are all suitable for surrounding and killing invading enemies, who will become lambs to the slaughter."
He paused for a moment, then added, "But letting the enemy in will cause considerable losses to the port."
After a moment of silence, Samwell cautiously spoke up, "Your Highness..."
Daenerys looked over and said, " Samwell?"
Samwell glanced at the tense expressions on everyone's faces, and seeing this... Daenerys smiled and encouraged him, "Do you have any suggestions? Please speak up, I'll listen."
Encouraged Samwell smiled shyly and said, "I don't have any great ideas. I just... I just... um... the repair costs for those stone houses should be a few hundred Gold Dragon, and with other things... I think it'll come to about a thousand or two thousand Gold Dragon in total."
He nervously licked his lips and continued, "From what I understand, a 100-oar ship is worth at least 10,000 Gold Dragon, and a 200-oar ship is worth at least 30,000 Gold Dragon. Their value lies in their long construction time."
He moved slightly closer to Daenerys and lowered his voice, saying, "If we could seize... no, capture one, that would be... very good."
After finally finishing speaking, Samwell's cheeks had turned bright red.
Daenerys smiled and nodded, saying, "I think we've made a decision. Thank you, Samwell."
The sunlight was blinding, and Daenerys squinted slightly, saying, "It's up to you, Sir."
Sir Mason bowed with his hand on his chest, then strode away with Foley and the others.
After everyone left, Daenerys asked the question that had been bothering her earlier, " Samwell, do you know why Ser Mason chose ballistae when warning the enemy ships? Wouldn't catapults have a longer range?"
Samwell scratched his head and said, "Your Highness, it's because of the accuracy. The stones launched by the catapult... no one can guarantee where they'll go. They might hit the ship, which would be tantamount to starting a war."
Thank you for your guidance.
Daenerys then asked, " Samwell, do you know what 'pocket' is that Sir Mason just mentioned?"
Samwell nodded and said, "Your Highness, the stone houses around the square are connected... You can think of them as a wall..."
"Ballista warning! Prepare!"
At the commander's order, the soldiers of Mermaid Harbor began to operate the ballistae with great tension.
The two soldiers adjusted the angle of the crossbow together, and then... squeak~ squeak~ squeak~ the crossbow string was slowly pulled tight, and then the other soldier put the thick crossbow bolt into the quiver.
"Ballet launcher warning, fire!"
The soldier released the crossbow string, and with a thud, the bolt whistled forward.
On that day, the more than 600 Stannis survivors who landed at Mermaid Harbor were ambushed by Crabb, and it is said that they were riddled with arrows by more than 1,000 Crabb Longbow.
Meanwhile, Foley led more than 700 Blue Cloaks onto the ships docked in the harbor. After a fierce battle, Crabb captured eight 100-oar ships and several hundred oarsmen and sailors.
The other ships, aided by the 200-oar flagship which was not docked, retreated in disarray toward Dragonstone.
Gryn Crabb leaned back in weirwood in the Eyrie's main hall, holding in his hand the list of Vale nobles to be escorted to King's Landing.
These are "spoils of war" that demonstrate King Joffrey's military achievements, and Lord Gryn examined them closely.
The holidays are almost here, and I've been so busy that I got home too late. Sorry, I'll catch up later TT