A Choice of Routes

Crab Island's morning air was thick with the smell of the sea. Sunlight streamed through the castle's arrow slits, casting mottled shadows across the long breakfast table and illuminating the smile-filled face of Count Bartimos Celtigar.

He personally filled Daemon's cup with wine, the crab sigil on the silver ewer gleaming in the light. "Your Highness, I hear that, like Lord Sea Snake, you are quite interested in 'long voyages'?"

Bartimos spoke with precisely the right amount of curiosity, as though he were merely making casual conversation. "The world across the Narrow Sea is truly a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers abound. Before King Maegor I claimed the Iron Throne, did he not also attempt to build a great enterprise there?"

Daemon speared a piece of smoked cod with his silver fork, a barely noticeable curve touching his lips.

Sure enough, this old crab couldn't hold back. He was starting to probe me with Maegor's example.

To prevent the future Dance of the Dragons, I would need every bit of strength I could use, whether good or bad...

Daemon promptly set down his utensils, wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, and calmly met Bartimos's gaze. "The count is correct. I do intend to cross the Narrow Sea and make something of myself. Westeros may be vast, but the world does not end there."

Bartimos's eyes lit up at once, like a crab spotting prey. He hurriedly pressed on, "When does Your Highness plan to depart? Do you require ships from House Celtigar? We have trade partners in Braavos and Myr. We can pave the way for Your Highness."

"The time has not come," Daemon said blandly. "For now, I should finish my tour of the Seven Kingdoms first."

The warmth on Bartimos's face did not diminish in the slightest. He began enthusiastically describing the customs and landscapes along the Narrow Sea, from the luxury of the Free Cities to the mysteries of the eastern continent, as though he had personally measured every inch of that land.

Gael ate her breakfast quietly, occasionally looking up at Daemon with trust in her eyes.

Mysaria, meanwhile, remained on guard throughout, especially whenever Bartimos's daughters tried to approach Daemon. She would always position herself between them without drawing attention.

The afternoon sun grew scorching, and Crab Island's beach was covered in golden sand.

Daemon's followers had gathered there of their own accord to test their martial skills. Rayford Rosby, Mys Rivers, Jarman Waters, Lubert Crabb, and the others stood on opposite sides, surrounded by Celtigar servants watching the spectacle.

Glutton and Dreamfyre lay dozing on distant reefs. Their enormous bodies cast broad shadows, lending even greater grandeur to the contest.

"Come on! Let me see whether you've improved these past few days!" Rayford stripped off his outer garment, revealing his lean arms as he beckoned to Mys.

Mys accepted with a smile and drew the longsword his opponent had given him. The two exchanged blows, the crisp clash of steel ringing across the beach.

Gael and Mysaria sat beneath a sunshade, chatting as they watched and occasionally crying out at a particularly impressive move.

Just then, Bartimos approached with a youth. The boy looked sixteen or seventeen, tall and straight-backed in black leather armor, a longsword at his waist and eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

"Your Highness," Bartimos said with a smile, "this is my nephew Colin. He has been skilled with bow and horse since childhood, and his swordsmanship and spear work are passable. He is also a fine sailor. Would the young talents following Your Highness be willing to do me this favor and give him a chance to show what he can do?"

Daemon nodded. Rayford immediately sheathed his sword and gestured for Colin to proceed. Colin did not stand on ceremony. He drew his blade, its point aimed directly at Rayford.

After only a few exchanges, Rayford was already struggling. His experience was clearly inferior to Colin's. He excelled more in group fighting alongside others than in this sort of one-on-one contest.

Colin seized an opening, flicked his wrist, and sent Rayford's sword flying from his hand.

"My thanks," Colin said as he sheathed his sword, his expression unchanged.

Rayford scratched his head in frustration.

Seeing this, Mys immediately stepped forward. "I'll have a go at you!" Mys was clearly stronger than Rayford, and his longsword whistled through the air as he swung it. At first, he truly suppressed Colin.

But Colin's footwork was more agile, like a fish weaving through ocean waves. He always avoided Mys's attacks at the last possible instant.

After several rounds, Mys's weaknesses gradually began to show. Colin seized the chance, suddenly leaning backward as his sword swept past Mys's throat, while Mys's blade stopped above Colin's head.

"You lost." Colin's voice was calm and flat. Mys's face instantly reddened, and the hand gripping his sword trembled slightly.

Jarman Waters, the one-eyed bastard of the Buckwell Household from Staghorn Castle, was about to step forward when Daemon raised a hand to stop him.

"That was already very good." Daemon walked to Mys's side and patted his shoulder. "How many days have you been using a longsword? If you had used a hammer, the outcome might have been different."

Mys's expression eased somewhat, and he smiled sheepishly.

"Lubert, you go." Daemon gestured. Lubert drew his longsword and gave Colin a standard knight's salute.

Their match was even more exciting. Lubert's swordsmanship was steady and solid, while Colin was nimble and swift. Their blades collided in a rapid patter like rain.

In the end, Lubert exploited Colin's eagerness to win. A feint deceived him, and with a turn of his wrist, Lubert's sword rested against Colin's shoulder.

"I lost." Colin conceded without hesitation. Lubert sheathed his sword and offered him a hand up.

Unexpectedly, once Colin had steadied himself, he picked up his sword again and looked at Daemon with blazing eyes. "Prince Daemon, I humbly ask to exchange a few moves with you."

Bartimos's expression changed. Before he had even recovered from the joy of seeing his nephew defeat two men in succession, he was plunged into shock at seeing his nephew defeated by that hated "half-Wildling" from House Crabb of the Crab Claw Peninsula.

Then the old crab was so frightened by his nephew's audacious words that his legs trembled. Afraid the prince might order the Black Dragon in the distance to burn the island in anger, he hurriedly tried to rebuke him. "Insolence!"

But Daemon took the sword from Lubert's hand and smiled. "Very well."

The two stood in the center of the beach, sea wind stirring their robes. Colin attacked first, his swordplay fierce and filled with unyielding determination.

Yet Daemon's swordsmanship had been perfected since his previous life. With the slightest movement of his body, he effortlessly avoided every one of Colin's attacks. The longsword in his hand seemed alive, every strike perfectly timed.

In only three exchanges, Daemon caught Colin's wrist and gave it a light flick. Colin's sword flew away, landing in the sand with a clang.

Colin stood frozen, his face darkening as unwillingness flashed through his eyes.

He bent to retrieve his sword and gripped it again. Everyone thought he was about to fly into a rage from humiliation. Bartimos's heart nearly leapt into his throat. Yet Colin merely dropped to one knee and raised his sword high. "Colin Celtigar wishes to follow Prince Daemon together with this sword until death! I beg Your Highness to take me in!"

Daemon looked at the determination in his eyes, then at the dumbfounded Bartimos beside him, and accepted the sword. "I accept your fealty." He handed the blade back to Colin. "From this day onward, follow Lubert. He will teach you what you need to learn."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Colin answered respectfully, a smile finally appearing on his face.

Only then did Bartimos recover his senses. He quickly put on a fawning smile. "To witness Your Highness's superb martial skill and have my nephew join Your Highness's service—even if I died now, it would be worth it!"

At dusk, another banquet was held in the castle's great hall.

Bartimos still eagerly served food to Daemon and Gael, then asked as if casually, "Your Highness, your next destination should be the Vale, correct? From Crab Island to the Vale, there are two possible sea routes. One follows the Crab Claw Peninsula through Crab Bay to Gulltown. The other follows the edge of the Vale through Runestone, Ironoaks, and Old Anchor..."

He paused before adding meaningfully, "However, I have heard that Prince Baelon's second son, your namesake cousin Daemon Targaryen, does not have a very pleasant relationship with his wife from Runestone..."

Daemon naturally understood what he meant. This old crab had not given up. He wanted to urge Daemon to win over House Royce, regents of the Vale who were at odds with Daemon Targaryen, and have him directly contend for the Iron Throne.

But Daemon had little liking for Rhea Royce's "unexpressive" face, and he knew even better that every member of House Royce was as stubborn as the rune-bronze armor of their house. Once they made a decision, they would never easily change it.

"Gulltown is closer," Daemon said lightly. "I hear its port commerce is flourishing. It will be worth a look."

Bartimos froze for a moment, then immediately resumed his smile and said respectfully, "Your Highness is right. House Celtigar's ships may not compare to Lord Sea Snake's fleet, but they are among the finest in the Seven Kingdoms. We guarantee that Your Highness and the princess will have a comfortable and pleasant voyage."

Daemon nodded and said no more. He knew Bartimos's schemes would not end here, but so long as he held the initiative firmly in his own hands, this old crab would not be able to stir up much trouble. And his journey through the Seven Kingdoms still had to continue.

Outside the window, night deepened over Crab Island. The waves striking the reefs sounded like an endless ballad, slowly flowing alongside the ambitions and schemes upon the island.