Strategy in the harbor
The stars and moon were hidden behind the clouds, and the waves of the Narrow Sea pounded against the ship's side, the salty spray condensing into fine frost flowers in the night.
Colin Celtigar stood at the stern of the "Raging Waves," watching the captured slave ships trailing long wakes behind them, following closely like tamed beasts. The crimson and black dragon patterns on their sails still gleamed with the chilling sharpness of the ambush under the dim light.
The fleet had passed Corlys's rest stop at the Grand Duchy of the Stepstones and was speeding toward Dragon's Roost Port. On the deck, the lieutenant was repeatedly checking the interrogation records and the slave register. Each page of parchment contained secrets that could shake up the Westeros coastline and needed to be delivered to Prince Daemon as quickly as possible.
As the first rays of dawn pierce the horizon, painting the distant coastline golden red, the outline of Dragon's Roost Port becomes clearly visible in the distance.
The makeshift lighthouse on the dock was the first to light up, and then, a whole array of lights, like stars, bloomed one after another in the harbor, illuminating the rows of docks and busy figures within the port.
As the fleet slowly entered the channel, the Dark Blade Guard, who had been waiting at the dock, immediately mounted their horses and galloped toward the naval base. The dust they kicked up drew a rapid arc in the morning light. They had to report to Lord Daemon Blackfyre, who was preparing for the expedition at the base, as soon as possible that Sir Colin had returned in triumph and brought back crucial intelligence.
At this moment, inside the naval base, Daemon and Crahas were standing next to a newly upgraded frigate.
The ship's stern steering gear was optimized according to Little Horas.'s blueprints; the hardwood-wrapped iron pulleys gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
The rudder was firmly secured to the reinforcing beams, the ballast stones at the bottom of the ship were reduced by half, and the draft was significantly reduced, making it more suitable for shallow waterways around archipelagic areas such as the Stepstones and the Summer Isles.
"How did the sea trial go?" Daemon reached out and ran his hand over the reinforced plating on the hull, feeling its solid texture.
Crahas' eyes showed satisfaction. "Yesterday's test voyage showed a 40% increase in turning speed, making it as agile as Ironborn longship in the reef area, and the range of the heavy ballistae is also 50 yards longer than before."
By this standard, the upgrades to fifty warships can be completed within three months, enough to support our expedition to the Summer Isles.
He then pointed to the distillation devices on both sides of the ship, "This is an improved version developed by the artisans of Myr and the scholars in the harbor. It can produce two barrels of fresh water every hour, which is only enough for the crew to barely replenish their supplies. However, since we can resupply at the Stepstones, we don't need to dock frequently, even when crossing the Summer Sea."
Daemon nodded, his gaze shifting to the training ground not far away.
Criston Cole is training a naval landing squad with Willie Fell. Willie and he, along with his former follower Alaric Dondarrion, have all served alongside Prince Daemon in the Battle of Stepstones, the Battle of Cape Wrath, and the Burning of Grey Gallows, and are highly experienced.
The new recruits stood on wooden frames simulating ship gunwales, holding short swords and shields, their movements were perfectly synchronized, and their crossbow shots were remarkably accurate.
"Rupert and Berna have a good eye for talent," Daemon laughed. "These new recruits from all over Crab Claw Peninsula will surely be the backbone of the expedition in three months."
"Your Highness, Princess Gael has sent someone to report..."
A servant hurried over and handed over a roll of parchment. "The salt-tolerant rye from the newly reclaimed land in the central region has been dried. Young Master Rickard and Sir Lucas have inquired whether to allocate five thousand piculs of rye to the naval base as planned, as provisions for the expedition."
Daemon unfolded the parchment; the handwriting was neat and indeed Gael's. At the end, she had Johanna, who had accompanied her on the walk that day, draw a small dragon pattern in the shape of Dreamfyre.
"Granted," he said, handing back the parchment. "Immediately have Rayford personally lead a team to take inventory. Make sure the food quality is guaranteed; provisions are the lifeblood of the expedition."
The attendant acknowledged and left. Daemon turned to Crahas: "Speaking of which, Colin's fleet should be returning today. According to plan, they ambushed the Iron Islands slave ships south of the Stepstones, hoping to bring back useful intelligence."
Just as Crahas was about to respond, a commotion arose from the distant dock.
A scout rode up at breakneck speed, dismounted, and shouted, "Your Highness! Lord Colin's fleet has returned! They've rescued nearly two hundred slaves and captured a close confidant of King Gorne of the Iron Islands. We have important intelligence to report!"
Daemon and Crahas exchanged a glance and strode toward the dock. In the distance, they could see five fast ships slowly approaching the shore, the dragon patterns on their hulls gleaming in the setting sun. Slaves, supported by sailors and servants, disembarked one after another. Although they looked exhausted, they could not hide their joy at regaining their freedom.
To Daemon's surprise, these slaves did not look like natives of the Summer Isles at all, but rather indistinguishable from the people of Westeros. Many of them did not even look like lowly coastal fishermen and farmers, but rather like minor nobles or merchants from relatively good backgrounds.
"Your Highness!" Colin strode forward and bowed. "The ambush was a resounding success. We captured four slave ships and rescued over two hundred slaves. However, these slaves are not native to the Summer Isles, but rather commoners abducted by the Ironborn from the Riverlands, Westerlands, and the the North. Most of them are not commoners; almost all of them speak fluent Westeros Common Tongue!"
Daemon frowned slightly and walked up to a slave, who immediately knelt on one knee. "Your Highness, I am the second son of a baron from near the Sunflower Hall in the Reach. A month ago, I was kidnapped by the Ironborn of the Iron Islands on a merchant ship sailing on the Sunset Sea. On the way, they first took me to the Summer Isles, where I was fortunate enough to witness them colluding with a local tribe to set up a supply point on the western side of the islands, preparing to transport slaves to Slaver's Bay for an extended period!"
Another Riverlands slave added, "The Ironborn also said that the slave owners in Slaver's Bay gave them a lot of weapons and told them to continue expanding their 'supply channels' after six months, once the routes to avoid the Joint Fleet's patrols were stable!"
A cold glint flashed in Daemon's eyes.
The Ironborn's ambitions far exceeded expectations. They not only wanted to control the triangular slave trade between the Iron Islands, the Summer Isles, and Slaver's Bay, but also wanted to unite with Slaver's Bay to replace the Triarchy in the slave trade.
This slave transport route, which traversed the Sunset Sea and avoided the Joint Fleet's patrols, further linked the threats to Westeros with the power of Essos.
"Bring up Gorne's trusted men," Daemon said in a deep voice. "Also, have Larys and the maesters from the medical center come over first."
"Leave these slaves whereby, once they have recovered, those who wish to stay will be incorporated into the Marine Corps, and those who do not wish to stay will be sent back to their places of origin."
Crahas stood to the side, his expression grave. "Your Highness, since the Ironborn have already established supply points in the Summer Isles, it means they have long been established there. It seems our expedition to the Summer Isles must be brought forward."
"That's right," Daemon nodded. "We can't let them run rampant in the Summer Sea, the Summer Isles are our springboard to Slaver's Bay, and the Sunset Sea is the lifeline of the west Westeros. Since they have the audacity to plunder the subjects of the Iron Throne, they must pay the price of being punished."
Inform Rayford to expedite the preparation of provisions; instruct Rupert to intensify his cooperation with Berna in training the allied forces of the Crab Claw Peninsula princes, Lyonel temporarily replace Rupert to strengthen the training of new recruits under the Crownlands;
Crahas, you are responsible for planning the specific expedition route, with the primary objectives of rescuing slaves and destroying supply depots, while also ascertaining the attitudes of the various tribes in the Summer Isles.
As night deepens, the lights of Dragon's Roost Port illuminate the docks, terraced fields, and workshops in a warm yellow glow, just as they always do.
Daemon stood on the high platform, looking down at the bustling crowd. Gael noticed his solemn expression and gently walked to his side, holding a cup of warm ale in her hands. "The slaves have all been settled. The maester is treating them; most have external injuries and malnutrition, and are otherwise fine."
Daemon took the beer, took a sip, and looked towards the sea to the south. "The Iron Islands colluding with Slaver's Bay to set up a supply point in the Summer Isles is one thing, but daring to extend their reach to the subjects of the Iron Throne is quite another. This is no small feat."
However, this also gave me a legitimate reason to conquer them and intervene in the Summer Isles.
Gael leaned on his shoulder, her voice gentle. "I believe in you, and I believe in Lord Crahas and Colin; we will definitely be able to take over the Summer Isles."
From the distant hills came the deep roar of the Glutton dragon, intertwining with the clear howl of Dreamfyre, guarding this rising land.
Daemon gripped Gael, his conviction growing stronger. The storms of the Narrow Sea never ceased, ambition and conspiracy intertwined, but as long as he had loyal followers, an ever-growing navy, and the protection of the Dragonfire, he could cleave through the storms, plant his Black Dragon Flag across every inch of the Summer Isles, and completely sever this sinister shipping route that spanned the Summer Sea.
At this moment, inside the naval base, Crahas was working through the night, drawing up an expedition plan on a nautical chart. His pen traced the outline of the Summer Isles, highlighting the secret supply point on the west side as the primary target.
An expedition sweeping across the Summer Sea and the Summer Isles has quietly begun amidst the lights and night of Dragon's Roost Port.