Divine Authority and Royal Authority

Aurane Waters laughed heartily. "What a thoughtful answer."

After a pause, he stamped the deck beneath his feet, swept out a large hand, and called aloud, "This one, then. From this moment on, the Sweet Cersei is yours, Captain Seaworth."

Allard Seaworth touched his chest. "At your command, Lord Aurane."

Aurane laughed again and started walking. "Let's go."

As he passed Allard, he paused, reached out to pat him, curled his lips, and said, "Give Lord Crabb my regards, my captain."

With that, he patted Allard's shoulder again.

Watching Aurane's arrogant back as he departed surrounded by his men, Allard could not help secretly curling his lip.

A bastard from High Tide without the slightest reputation had actually become commander of the Royal Fleet. Allard could not think of anything more absurd.

"These ships ought to be riding the winds and waves upon the open sea." Before stepping onto the gangplank, Aurane suddenly sighed. After a pause, he added, "Come on. You've worked all day. You need wine and women as your reward."

Standing at the railing along the edge of the deck, Allard looked down at the laughing crowd as they left, contempt flashing through his eyes.

Not long after joining the Royal Fleet, someone had quietly told him that only after drinking wine personally poured by the commander would he truly count as one of them.

Allard had pressed for the details with a Silver Stag...

The commander did indeed pour wine for his subordinates himself, but the man had to kneel before him, holding out the wine cup in both hands until it was filled.

Remembering this, Allard could not help curling his lip again. What Royal Fleet was this... Aurane behaved exactly like a pirate chief from across the Narrow Sea.

Aurane had mentioned his liege