The formal assembly of the fleet of the Seven Kingdoms of old

Rewind to half a month ago, in mid-February of the 99th year of the Conquest calendar, at Blackwater Bay, the morning mist was like a veil being lifted by a pair of giant hands, slowly retreating into the depths of the Narrow Sea.

As the first rays of sunlight swept over the volcanic peak of Dragonstone, Daemon was already standing at the bow of the Blackfyre, the scabbard of his Blackfyre pressed against the dragon carvings on the ship's side. The seawater his fingertips touched still carried the chill of early spring, but this chill was quickly dispelled by the "torrent of color" spreading across the sea.

The North fleet first appeared on the eastern horizon, converging from north to south. The white mermaid pattern on the blue-green sails of White Harbor was particularly eye-catching in the morning light; it was the symbol of the House Manderly.

As Daemon gazed at the sturdy ships, he suddenly recalled that summer afternoon in White Harbor during his voyage last year, bidding Stark to the the North: Theomore Manderly led him and Brandon Earl across the docks piled high with silver mines, telling them that "the ships of the the North, though not as magnificent as those of the Reach, can withstand the icy waves of the Long Night." Beren Dustin, who was still in Daemon's party at the time, chimed in, saying that when he returned from his studies at the Citadel, he would have the star charts engraved on the hull of his own ship.

However, at this moment, beside Manderly's fleet, the House Locke's ships were flying their family's flag with two crossed bronze keys on a purple background with white stripes. The oak carving on the prow was the "bronze key" that Benjen Stark, the wife of Lord Edric's brother Lysa Stark, loved most. This reminded Daemon of his visit to Winterfell, when he remembered Benjen Stark mentioning that when his Lady Locke married into Winterfell, she had specially commissioned craftsmen to carve this design on her dowry ship, which had now become a symbol of the the North Fleet.

Further away, in the south, the fleet was gathering, and on the black sails of Flint Flint's Finger family, a stone hand with gray, white and black stripes fluttered in the wind.

However, the Flint family's ships always seemed to carry a rough, salty smell, which reminded Daemon of the House Bren of the Crab Claw Peninsula —when they first met at the Dyre Den, the former Count Bren's robes also had this smell.

The House Mormont's ships on Bear Island were the easiest to spot; the black bear patterns on their green sails looked as if they were about to leap off the cloth, and a long, narrow sword-shaped ornament was inserted diagonally at the prow, the bear head carved on the rounded tip of the hilt gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

It must be the shape of Mormont's Valyrian steel sword "Longclaw," a family heirloom of the Mormont. In the North legends, this sword once severed the claws of White Walkers. Now, stuck in the bow of the ship, it seems to be calming the waves and storms along the way for their Bear Island longship as it crossed most of Westeros to reach Blackwater Bay and join the the North fleet.

The other side of the sea was soon filled with a different scene: the fleet that had joined up with the ships in the Vale today now sailed in with a touch of the heavy bronze and oak of the House Royce.

The black sails of the Three Sisters were the most striking. On the blue and green sails of the Marquess Sunderland's flagship flew a banner with the image of three black-haired women in wavy patterns. Daemon gazed at that banner, and the memory of the oath they had taken together at the Sisterton during their previous cruise suddenly became clear:

After he made his vow, the Marquess Sunderland excitedly grasped his hand and said, "From this day forward, the ships of the Three Sisters will be yours." The Earl Borrell, Longthorpe, and Torrent nodded in agreement, their clothing branded with coats of arms corresponding to their respective sails.

Now, the ships of the three Earl followed closely behind. The white sails of the Longthorpe family were embroidered with silver fish, the blue sails of the Torrent family were adorned with pearls, and the grey-green sails of the Borrell family featured a spider crab with its legs outstretched. The sails of the ships gathered together, just as dazzling as the basket of pearls they had presented to Daemon and Gael at Sisterton Wharf years ago.

The ships of the House Royce of Runestone gleamed with the cold light of their bronze runes. The "Lamentation" sword engraving on the hull reminded Daemon of the snow at Moon Gate Keep: Earl Yobert House Royce had once held that sword and said, "Our House Royce's rune greatsword will protect the fledglings of House Arryn from any threat that would offend the honor of the Vale." Now, with the rune engraved on the bow, it looked as if it were meant to deflect the ballistae of the Narrow Sea.

The ships of the House Grafton in Gulltown carried the scent of oak. He remembered that last year at the shipyard restaurant in Gulltown, Lord Grafton pointed to the newly built ships and said, "These ships can sail all over the Summer Isles." At that moment, those ships were carrying archers from the Vale, with green-feathered arrows piled up like small mountains on both sides of the ships.

The other Vale coastal lords, including House Malcor of Old Anchor, House Wycliffe of Candle Arch, House Pryor of Pebble, House Corrett of Coldwater, House Lynderly of Snakewood, and House Waynwood of Ironoaks, also dispatched ships from their own ports, hoisting their family crests and long sails to join in the grand event.

As the midday sun shone on the center of Blackwater Bay, the Crownlands fleet finally raised its sails, like a torrent of Old Valyria silver and Targaryen black and red.

The black sails of the Royal Fleet at Dragonstone are embroidered with three-headed red dragons, and the dragon head statues on the prows, resembling the heads of Vermithor, seem poised to unleash bronze flames of Bronze Fury at any moment.

As Daemon gazed at the ships, memories of the Dragonstone dungeon in the ninety-seventh year of the Conquest calendar suddenly flooded back: when he escaped from the prison and jumped into the sea, the Royal Fleet of Dragonstone seemed to be returning to port at the same time, and when Rhaenys rode Meleys to rescue him, the silver sails of the Velaryon Fleet of Tidehead Island were gleaming in the distance.

The House Velaryon's silver ship is still at the forefront. The new seahorse-striped sails on the "Sea Snake" seem to be even larger than last year's. Corlys House Velaryon said a few days ago that "this sail can borrow the winds of the Narrow Sea." At this moment, the east wind is billowing the sails, propelling the silver ship forward.

The Crab Island fleet of the House Celtigar arrived, carrying the smell of rust. The red crab-patterned flag flew aboard Bartimos Celtigar's flagship. Daemon recalled the "duel" on the Crab Island beach in the ninety-eighth year of the Conquest calendar: Colin Celtigar defeated Myles and his men with the agile swordsmanship of his sailors. At the time, his uncle, Earl Bartimos, later laughed at a banquet, saying, "We Crab Island are more stable on the ship than on land." Now, Colin stood at the bow, holding the scimitar given to him by his uncle, his gaze fixed firmly ahead.

The House Bar Emmon's Sharp Point fleet and the House Massey's Stonedance fleet followed closely behind, their sails embroidered with their red, blue, and green triple spirals and silver meander leaping blue swordfish, just as vividly as the heraldic banners that Daemon had seen fluttering above their castles during his previous tour of the Crownlands.

The afternoon breeze suddenly carried a mixed scent of sea salt and rose, as a fleet of ships from the Stormlands approached from the south.

The House Baratheon's golden stag banner gleamed brightly in the sunlight. On Borros Baratheon's flagship, besides the Crowned Stag, were carvings of the "Stormbringer" battleaxe. Daemon recalled the banquet at Storm's End: Borros, drunk, raised his cup and said, "Ships of the Stormlands can withstand the storms of the Narrow Sea." Now, those ships were sailing against the wind and waves, and archers on both sides of the hull had their arrows nocked.

The House Tarth's ships carried the scent of lavender. Tarth Earl stood at the bow, his white armor gleaming in the sunlight. He remembered the oath Earl Tarth had sworn on Tarth last year. "May the shield of Tarth forever protect our friends." Now, that shield bearing the Tarth crest hung on the ship's side, as if guarding the entire fleet.

House Estermont's Greenstone fleet and House Connington's Griffin's Roost fleet followed closely behind. Roland Clinton stood at the bow, holding the sword he had lost to Daemon in the tournament. Daemon recalled that after the tournament last year, when he saw Roland and Borros off, they jokingly said they would beat each other at sea next time. Now his ship was alongside Baratheon's ship, as if fulfilling their previous promise.

The Stonehelm fleet of the House Swann carried the biting sea wind. Lord Swann, Johanna Swann's uncle, stood at the bow, the black and white swan coat of arms fluttering in the wind.

Daemon couldn't help but recall that after rescuing Johanna from the slave ship last year, she had privately told Daemon, "If you wish, the ships of Stonehelm can escort you and serve you from now on." Although Daemon did not agree to her horrific revenge plan, the ship had still arrived at the call of the Iron Throne, and the ballistae on the ship's side were already pointed forward.

As dusk approached, the fleet from the Riverlands slowly sailed in from the south. The blue and white striped flag of House Mallister of Seagard was the most eye-catching. The flagship of Lymond Mallister was adorned with the carving of the "Silver Eagle with Spreading Wings." Daemon recalled that after the Burning of Lannisport last year, Lymond Earl had led a fleet to help in the search for the scattered Ironborn, saying, "The Silver Eagle of Seagard stands with you." Now, those ships were carrying archers, and quivers were piled up on both sides of the hull.

House Tully's riverboats followed closely behind, their sails embroidered with trout, reminding Daemon of the banquet at Riverrun: Lord Grover Tully had said, "Our ships of the Riverlands, though not as powerful as those of the House Velaryon and Redwyne, are still able to supply the Seven Kingdoms with provisions." Now, these Riverlands lords' ships, laden with Riverlands beer and bread, were supplying the Joint Fleet.

Moreover, the archers from various families in the Riverlands on the fleet were all ready to go. Under the leadership of Tully, who relied on the majesty of the Conciliator, they formed and integrated a fish weirwood longbow team.

As for the fleet in the Westerlands, it gleamed with gold in the twilight. The House Lannister fleet had suffered a devastating Burning of Lannisport last year. Although the House Lannister were wealthy and powerful, Lannister fleet was still severely weakened in the short term, and they could only rely on the fleets of their vassals to fill the gap.

The Farman family's Fairy Island fleet was the most conspicuous, with three identical silver boats embroidered on their silver sails. This reminded Damon of what Earl Farman had said during his visit to Fairy Island last year, "The ships of Fairy Island can catch up with the fastest iron longships." Now, those ships were carrying heavy infantry from the Westerlands, their armor gleaming coldly in the twilight.

The House Reyne's Castamere fleet, carrying the aroma of red wine, had a new generation of Red Lion, Castamere's heir, Cyren Reynes, standing at the bow, holding the greatsword Red Lion, which he had lost to Daemon in the tournament. It reminded Daemon of the day they parted, when Cyren said, "Next time, I will protect you with my sword at sea." Now, his ship was sailing alongside the House Farman's ship, as if fulfilling a promise.

As the last rays of sunlight touched the sea, the fleet of ships from the Reach finally arrived, like a sea of green and gold.

Grapevines were embroidered on the green sails of the House Redwyne of Arbor. Earl Redwyne stood at the bow, holding the bow that had once hit a target three hundred paces away. This reminded Daemon of the tournament at Rose Field: Earl Redwyne had talked with those around him about how "the arrows of Arbor could pierce the fog of the Narrow Sea." Now, those arrows were piled up on the ship's side, their green feathers gleaming in the twilight.

The Oldtown fleet of the House Hightower carries an ancient aura, with vassals such as Costayne of Three Towers, Cuy of Sunhouse, Bulwer of Blackcrown, Mullendore of the High Hermitage gathered under the banner of their lord, "The Burning Tower."

The flagship of the Earl of Hobert Hightower was adorned with the carving of the "Hightower." Daemon recalled the astrological discussion between the Earl Citadel Oldtown and the Maesters: Hobert had said, "The ships of Oldtown can carry wisdom on voyages," and now those ships carried the star charts of the Citadel, guiding their fleet.

The Highgarden fleet of House Tyrell carried the scent of roses, and the golden rose flag flew aboard Lord Mathos Tyrell's flagship. This reminded Daemon of the tournament at Rose Field Plains, where Lord Mathos had boasted to everyone that "our Reach ships can carry provisions across the Seven Kingdoms." Now, these ships were indeed carrying wheat and wine, providing supplies for the Joint Fleet.

The fleet of Shield Islands followed closely behind, their sails embroidered with shield patterns, reminding Daemon the lords in the Reach last year who said, "The ships of Shield Islands can withstand any sneak attack." Now, those ships were lined up outside the fleet, like a moving shield wall.

Daemon stood at the bow of the "Blackfyre," gazing at the thousands of sails spread out on the sea. Glutton hovered high in the sky, their jet-black dragon wings sweeping across countless sails, with Dreamfyre and Grey Ghost following closely behind. Pale blue and light gray Dragonfire gleamed in the twilight.

He recalled the bloody battle on that nameless red plain before his time travel a hundred years later, where he fought to the very end, seemingly all alone, dying with the Blackfyre in his hand.

He recalled his escape to Dragonstone a century ago when he first arrived there two years ago, and how he rode Glutton under the moonlight, dancing with Daemon Targaryen riding Caraxes;

Recalling those days of his Seven Kingdoms tour last year, from Crab Claw Peninsula to the Vale, from the Riverlands to the the North, from the Westerlands to the Reach, from the Stormlands back to King's Landing, his followers offered their loyalty, their knees, their weapons, swearing to him, "From this day forward, my sword will wield for you!"

Now, those promises have transformed into a thousand sails before us. Wolves and mermaids of the the North, eagles and runes of the Vale, dragons and seahorses of the Crownlands, stags and griffins of the Stormlands, trout and silver eagles of the Riverlands, lions and silver ships of the Westerlands, roses and grapes of the Reach —the emblems of the Seven Kingdoms converge on the sea, like an unfolded chart of Westeros.

The east wind billowed the sails, the waves lapped against the hull, and the dragon's roar echoed in the sky. Daemon, gripping the Blackfyre, suddenly understood:

This was no ordinary gathering; rather, it was the convergence of the soul of Westeros, the Wall of Steel he had built over the past three years with the call, trust, and promises of the royal family.

As dusk deepened, the sails of the Joint Fleet gradually merged into one, resembling a rainbow spanning Blackwater Bay.

Daemon gazed at all this, his fingertips tracing the dragon pattern on the scabbard. He recalled Alys Rivers' words, "The White Walkers lurk in the Long Night night," and Baelon's words, "The Joint Fleet is the shield of the Seven Kingdoms." Suddenly, he felt the brand on his shoulder no longer burn—

Because he knew that the thousand sails before him at that time might be the strongest shield temporarily protecting this century of peace, and perhaps also the sharpest sword for him to fight against Long Night and the Triarchy in the future.