Ch. 162Bloody battle in Echo Bay

Daemon Blackfyre and the Joint Fleet defeated the Triarchy’s ambushing force in Echo Bay, capturing its commander and destroying or taking all three ironclads. The fleet secured the passage and sailed onward toward the Stepstones, where Daemon hoped to win the final victory and return to Gael.

  • Corlys Velaryon ordered the Joint Fleet to break the Triarchy’s iron wall while Baelon, Daemon, and Daemon Targaryen led the dragons against the ironclads’ ballistae and attackers.
  • William Manderly rammed through a chain as Velaryon sailors cut into an ironclad’s hull and allied archers pinned down its crossbowmen.
  • Daemon Blackfyre charged the flagship after Glutton shielded Vhagar from poisoned bolts, then fought and killed Redib Introlokos.
  • The Joint Fleet sank or captured all three ironclads, while Tyland Lannister kept the Golden Lion’s soldiers out of the battle.
  • Corlys said the fleet would hold Echo Bay and planned to propose a Governor of the Stepstones after victory; Daemon shared Gael’s honey cake with Daemon Targaryen as the fleet sailed onward.

Ch. 163The nooses of Grey Gallows, the red rocks of Bloodstone Island

The combined fleet captured Grey Gallows and Bloodstone Island, driving out the Triarchy forces and securing the Stepstones’ eastern gateway. A letter revealed that Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr planned further attacks, and the Archon began gathering poison, ships, and sellswords for another campaign.

  • Prince Baelon assigned Daemon and the fleet commanders to attack Grey Gallows and contain the Triarchy forces near Bloodstone Island.
  • Daemon and the fleet burned Grey Gallows’s piers and pirate ships, defeated its defenders, and found the bones of Stormlands subjects beneath the gallows.
  • The combined fleet attacked Bloodstone Island as Corlys led silver ships around the reefs to cut off the Triarchy’s supplies.
  • Daemon and Daemon Targaryen destroyed the island’s defenses, while the Triarchy soldiers surrendered or fled and the fleet captured the island.
  • Rayford found a letter revealing plans for poison and Myrish reinforcements, and Baelon ordered garrisons left on both islands before the fleet returned to Blackwater Bay.
  • The Archon of Tyrosh ordered Lys, Myr, and the Disputed Lands to provide poison, ships, and sellswords for a renewed attack.

Ch. 164The Crabfeeder strikes

Daemon and his allies fought Craghas Drahar and the Triarchy’s fleet in the Stepstones, capturing the Crabfeeder after a fierce battle. When Tyroshi reinforcements arrived, Baelon ordered the combined fleet back to Bloodstone Island to regroup, leaving the wider war unresolved.

  • Corlys spotted the Triarchy’s fleet approaching Bloodstone Island, and Daemon, Baelon, and their allies prepared to fight.
  • Baelon divided the dragonriders’ forces while Daemon attacked Craghas’s flagship with Glutton and Grey Ghost.
  • Corlys rammed Craghas’s flagship with the Sea Snake, and Daemon Targaryen used Caraxes to disable the Lysene ships threatening it.
  • Daemon fought Craghas aboard the burning flagship, wounded him with Blackfyre, and took him prisoner.
  • The Grey Gallows alarm announced a Tyroshi fleet and sellswords, so Baelon ordered the combined fleet to withdraw to Bloodstone Island and regroup.

Ch. 165The purple-and-orange-haired "King of the Narrow Sea," a mad battle song amid the clatter of divining bones

Racallio Ryndoon and his Tyrosh fleet attacked the Joint Fleet at Bloodstone Island, exploiting its weakened defenses and trying to free Crahas. Daemon, Baelon, Corlys, and their dragons fought back as Racallio launched a full assault, leaving the battle underway.

  • Rayford Rosby reported that Racallio Ryndoon was approaching Bloodstone Island with at least forty Tyroshi ships, and Corlys identified him as the madman known as the King of the Narrow Sea.
  • Racallio mocked Daemon and revealed he knew the Joint Fleet was short on supplies, then sent swift ships through the western reefs to attack its supply route.
  • Daemon ordered Glutton to burn the swift ships, while Racallio fought with twin swords, sang bawdy songs, and used his crew's devotion to keep them attacking.
  • Tyroshi sellswords used wildfire to attack the prison cabin holding Crahas, and Grey Ghost burned the attackers before Racallio demanded the dragon in exchange for his withdrawal.
  • Daemon refused Racallio's demands, and Racallio ordered his fleet to attack as Baelon, Corlys, Daemon, and their dragons took up battle positions.

Ch. 166The mad "King of the Narrow Sea"

Daemon and the Joint Fleet defeated the Tyroshi fleet at Bloodstone Island, capturing Racallio Ryndoon and learning that Dorne planned to reinforce the Triarchy and attack the Stormlands. Daemon ordered preparations for the coming threat and left the fleet ready to strike the remaining Triarchy forces in the Stepstones.

  • Daemon used Glutton and Grey Ghost to overcome Racallio Ryndoon, while Daemon Targaryen and Corlys helped defeat the Tyroshi fleet.
  • The Tyroshi fleet surrendered, and Daemon captured Racallio after stopping his attempt to die by Blackfyre.
  • Corlys found a letter revealing that Obara Sand and five thousand Dornish troops planned to aid the Triarchy and launch an attack on the Stormlands.
  • Daemon ordered ravens sent to King's Landing and Storm's End, directed Borros Baratheon to return with the Stormlands fleet, and called on the Joint Fleet to clear the Stepstones quickly.
  • Baelon ordered the fleet to rest and repair at Bloodstone Island for three days before attacking Grey Gallows, while Daemon prepared for the war to continue.

Ch. 167The "Prisoners" of Bloodstone Island

As the Joint Fleet repaired its ships on Bloodstone Island, Daemon questioned Racallio and learned of a coming Dornish attack and further Triarchy reinforcements. After receiving word that Obara Sand planned to join the Triarchy remnants at Grey Gallows, Daemon and his allies prepared to intercept them while he flew toward the island.

  • Corlys Velaryon's shipwrights repaired the Sea Snake's ram while Jarman Waters directed the archers in preparing dragonglass-coated bolts.
  • Daemon ordered Jarman Waters to move Craghas Drahar and Racallio Ryndoon from the ship's holding compartment to Bloodstone Island's prison.
  • Daemon questioned the prisoners, and Racallio revealed that five thousand Dornish led by Obara Sand and ten Triarchy ships were preparing to support the fight against the Joint Fleet.
  • Colin Celtigar reported that Obara Sand planned to reach Grey Gallows in three days, and Baelon and Corlys agreed on a fleet plan to trap the Dornish and attack the Triarchy remnants.
  • Daemon sent ravens to King Jaehaerys and Duke Boremund Baratheon, then flew toward Grey Gallows on Glutton with Grey Ghost as the Joint Fleet prepared for battle.

Ch. 168Battle in the Gallows Fog, Serpents Among the Reefs

Daemon and the Joint Fleet attacked the Triarchy remnants at Grey Gallows, freeing their captives while fighting off Dornish ships. A captured letter revealed that Obara Sand had taken her main force to ambush the fleet’s supply ships, so Daemon raced toward Bloodstone Island to warn Rayford as Daemon Targaryen and the Westerlands ships pursued her.

  • Daemon Targaryen and Daemon split their forces: Daemon Targaryen went to stop the Dornish ships while Daemon attacked the pirate cave and its ballistae with Glutton and Grey Ghost.
  • Daemon burned the ballistae and fought the holdouts while civilians trapped in the cave watched for rescue.
  • Caraxes and the Westerlands ships engaged the Dornish fleet, and Daemon used Glutton and Grey Ghost to disable a fleeing ship before Velaryon sailors captured its crew.
  • Corlys found a letter revealing that Obara Sand had taken her main force to Cape of the Broken Arm to ambush the supply ships commanded by Rayford.
  • Daemon sent Daemon Targaryen and the Westerlands ships after Obara, ordered Corlys to clear Grey Gallows, and flew toward Bloodstone Island to warn Rayford and divert the supplies to Crab Island.

Ch. 169An ambush shrouded in doubt, a serpent's elusive shadow

Daemon and the Joint Fleet defeated a surprise attack by Tyroshi sellswords, Triarchy forces, and pirates, discovering that Obara Sand had used a few Dornish ships as bait. The fleet secured its supply ships and prepared to strengthen the Stepstones’ defenses, though Daemon was left with the uneasy feeling that he had forgotten something important.

  • Daemon used Glutton and Grey Ghost to disable three Dornish fast ships while Rayford Rosby’s crew captured sailors who jumped into the sea.
  • Caraxes revealed a much larger force of Triarchy ironclads, and Daemon Targaryen reported that the Dornish ships had been bait for the sellswords and pirates.
  • Daemon assigned Rayford to protect the supply ships, Corlys Velaryon to block the pirates, and Daemon Targaryen to fight the Tyroshi forces as the Joint Fleet engaged the attackers.
  • The dragons, Velaryon ships, and Redwyne Fleet defeated the enemy forces, while the supply ships reached the island defenses safely.
  • Daemon and Corlys learned that the Triarchy had paid the sellswords and pirates, but that Obara Sand had manipulated them as part of a broader scheme.
  • Prince Baelon arrived with news that ten Royal Fleet ships had been requested as reinforcements, and Daemon ordered stronger island defenses while remaining troubled by a sense that he had forgotten something.

Ch. 170Smoke over Cape Wrath

After the Joint Fleet organized the Stepstones’ defenses and postwar governance, Daemon learned that Obara Sand had attacked the Stormlands at Cape Wrath. He flew with Glutton and Grey Ghost to reinforce the Stormlands, leaving the chapter with a new battle underway.

  • Daemon reviewed the battle’s wounded, prisoners, and supplies before joining Prince Baelon’s council aboard the Royal Standard.
  • Baelon and the assembled lords assigned defenses, trade duties, supplies, and reconstruction work across the Stepstones.
  • A Stormlands messenger reported that Obara Sand’s fleet was fighting Borros near Cape Wrath and that Dornish soldiers had raided villages near Stonehelm.
  • Daemon blamed himself for forgetting Vaegon’s warning and ordered his ships prepared to leave for Cape Wrath.
  • Daemon Targaryen stayed behind with Caraxes to help Baelon defend Bloodstone Island while Daemon departed on Glutton with Grey Ghost and Velaryon ships.

Ch. 171Clouds of doubt over Cape Wrath, a gathering at Mistwood

Daemon investigated the suspiciously quiet waters off Cape Wrath, discovered that Obara Sand was using small raids to conceal her weakened position, and joined the Stormlands' young lords at Mistwood. He planned a strike on Obara's base at Grey Gallows, leaving the group ready to act at first light.

  • Daemon found evidence of Dornish raiders and helped Roland Connington capture three ships, then learned that Borros Baratheon had been wounded and the raids continued around Cape Wrath.
  • At Mistwood, Daemon reunited with Borros and the Stormlands' young nobles and heard that Obara Sand had withdrawn to Grey Gallows with about thirty ships and two thousand sellswords.
  • Daemon reasoned that Obara was buying time after the Triarchy's defeat, and Michael Mertyns confirmed that House Martell's main army had not moved toward Cape Wrath.
  • Borros proposed cutting Obara's supply line, and Daemon offered three Velaryon silver ships and dragon support to help attack Grey Gallows.
  • Borros ordered the group to prepare to move at first light, while Daemon and the Stormlands' nobles raised a toast before the coming battle.

Ch. 172The burning of Grey Gallows

Daemon and the Joint Fleet destroyed Obara’s supply ships and forced her to abandon Grey Gallows, securing the Stormlands’ maritime frontier. He left a small force to guard Mistwood and sailed with the main fleet back to the Stepstones, where the Triarchy threat remained.

  • Daemon led the Joint Fleet from Mistwood toward Grey Gallows, while Lorent, Theogood, and Willie scouted ahead and found Dornish supply ships escorted by Tyroshi mercenaries.
  • Daemon ordered Roland to attack the mercenary ships, House Velaryon’s ships to sink the supply vessels, and Glutton and Grey Ghost to burn the sails and disable Grey Gallows’ ballistae.
  • Stormlands fighters boarded the mercenary ships, House Velaryon’s ballistae sank the merchant ships, and the fleet captured or killed the enemy crews.
  • Obara ordered her soldiers to retreat from Grey Gallows after her supply line was destroyed, and Daemon stopped Glutton from pursuing the fleeing Dornish.
  • Rayford Rosby reported that Byron Swann had secured Stonehelm and the Red Watch villages and that Prince Baelon had stabilized the Stepstones’ defenses.
  • Daemon left Michael Mertyns and Robin Beesbury to guard Mistwood and took the main force back to the Stepstones to prepare for possible Triarchy reinforcements.

Ch. 173Undercurrents in the Narrow Sea, Crisis on Bloodstone

Daemon led the Joint Fleet back to Bloodstone Island, defeated the Tyroshi fleet, and uncovered a Dornish plot to attack the island. He ordered the defenses reinforced as the Archon of Tyrosh began assembling a larger coalition for another counterattack.

  • Daemon ordered Jarman to tighten security after Crahas stirred up prisoners and bribed guards on Bloodstone Island, then led an ambush against Tyroshi scout ships.
  • A captured Tyroshi captain revealed that fifty swift ships and the Broken Blade Mercenary Company had cut off Bloodstone Island's supplies, so Daemon hurried back with the fleet.
  • Daemon stopped Crahas's prison riot, and Racallio offered to persuade the mercenaries to surrender if Daemon defeated the Tyroshi fleet.
  • Daemon, Colin, Roland, and Racallio split their forces to break the Tyroshi blockade and intercept Dornish ships, capturing commander Marcos and securing the surrender of the Tyroshi fleet and mercenaries.
  • Rayford reported that Obara and the Dornish Sand Snakes had colluded with Tyrosh to attack Bloodstone Island, while Gael sent Daemon a letter from King's Landing.
  • Daemon ordered reinforcements for Bloodstone Island and defensive preparations at Cape Wrath, while the Archon of Tyrosh sought ships and support from Lys and Myr for a final counterattack.

Ch. 174The final war council

Prince Baelon’s war council agreed to attack Tyrosh, and Daemon proposed a fleet-and-dragon assault aimed at capturing Archon Selos. The Joint Fleet prepared to sail at dawn in three days while Selos ordered Tyrosh’s defenses mobilized, unaware of the fleet’s plans.

  • Baelon reviewed the Joint Fleet’s victories across the Stepstones and rallied the council to take the fight to Tyrosh.
  • Corlys Velaryon outlined the forces available to both sides, while Daemon Targaryen and Racallio Ryndoon explained Selos’s precarious rule and the unrest in Tyrosh.
  • Daemon proposed drawing out the Tyroshi fleet, striking from the reefs, and attacking its command ships with Glutton, Grey Ghost, Caraxes, and Vhagar; Racallio agreed to help persuade the mercenaries to surrender.
  • The council set the attack for dawn in three days, and Daemon received a letter from Gael urging him to stay safe and remember her charm.
  • Selos learned that the Joint Fleet appeared to be heading for Tyrosh and ordered every fast ship to defend the harbor and the mercenaries to hold the reefs.

Ch. 175The Archon of Tyrosh's "Doom"?

Daemon and the allied fleet prepared to attack Tyrosh, using captured intelligence and dragons to counter the Archon’s wildfire defenses. As the fleet approached the harbor, Archon Selos prepared an ambush, unaware that the allies had already begun locating the wildfire jars.

  • Daemon reviewed the fleet’s preparations, received honey cakes and a letter from Gael, and joined Baelon’s war council to plan the assault on Tyrosh.
  • Corlys warned that Archon Selos might have hidden wildfire among the harbor reefs, and Daemon proposed using Grey Ghost to locate the jars before the dragons burned them.
  • Daemon’s forces captured Tyroshi scouts carrying a harbor defense map that marked the wildfire jars, and he ordered Corlys to use it to adjust the fleet’s hooks.
  • Baelon sounded the fleet’s departure, and Daemon, Daemon Targaryen, Baelon, and Rhaenys led their dragons toward Tyrosh while the allied ships followed.
  • Glutton attacked a Tyroshi fast ship as the fleet reached the harbor approaches, while Corlys’s ships began clearing the reefs and Grey Ghost marked their positions.
  • Archon Selos prepared to detonate the wildfire and unleash five Lysene ships, unaware that the allied fleet was already countering his trap.

Ch. 176The day's end beneath the sunset

The Joint Fleet attacked Tyrosh, shattered Selos’s defenses, and set the harbor ablaze as the Archon fled to the Bleeding Tower. The Tyroshi nobles seized the tower, but Baelon held off deciding the city’s future until Selos was captured, leaving the battle won but the conflict unfinished.

  • Baelon ordered Daemon Targaryen to break the chained ships, Daemon Blackfyre to destroy their scorpions, and Corlys Velaryon to cut off their reserves as the Stormlands and northern fleets attacked.
  • Daemon Targaryen broke the Tyroshi chains with Caraxes, while Borros Baratheon and other Stormlands fighters boarded enemy ships and Daemon Blackfyre burned the scorpions with Glutton.
  • Vhagar attacked Selos’s command ship, and Selos escaped by boat to the Bleeding Tower as his forces surrendered to Racallio Ryndoon.
  • Baelon ordered the Joint Fleet to burn Tyrosh’s harbor and shipyards, while Daemon Blackfyre freed Westerosi merchants held hostage and Tyroshi nobles rebelled against Selos.
  • The nobles seized the Bleeding Tower and offered to hand over Selos; Baelon ordered the fleet to extinguish fires and aid the wounded before settling Tyrosh’s affairs.

Ch. 177An ending at dawn

Tyrosh descended into riots as its nobles and citizens turned on Archon Selos, while the Joint Fleet held back from occupying the city. Selos died setting fire to the Bleeding Tower without harming nearby residents, and Baelon and Daemon began arranging a new archon and peace talks as dawn broke.

  • Tyroshi nobles plundered Selos's residence, citizens rioted against him, and mercenaries and pirates held their positions under the Joint Fleet's watch.
  • Baelon ordered the fleet to keep its forces ashore while Corlys and Rhaenys observed the unrest, and Rayford told Daemon that Racallio was helping protect civilians and slaves.
  • Erryk Vance brought Selos's family and attendants to the harbor and explained that Selos had distributed his treasury's gold to the people before remaining behind in the Bleeding Tower.
  • Selos ignited wildfire within the tower and died, leaving the surrounding districts unharmed; Daemon and Baelon witnessed the blaze and heard Selos's request for a peace-minded successor.
  • After the riots subsided, Baelon chose the exiled Erio as a candidate for archon and arranged peace talks with Lys and Myr, while Daemon resolved to pursue protection rather than revenge and prepare to return to Gael.

Ch. 178Tyrosh after the war

After Tyrosh’s defeat, the city paid the mercenaries and pirates to leave while freed slaves chose where to go. Daemon and Daemon Targaryen explored Tyrosh as peace talks began, and the chapter ended with a preliminary agreement and Daemon reflecting on the challenges ahead.

  • Marcos Vance paid the mercenary captain and pirate chiefs their ransom, and they left Tyrosh.
  • Racallio Ryndoon helped freed slaves choose whether to join him, become mercenaries, or travel toward Westeros.
  • Otto Hightower and Leonno Strong arrived to assist with peace negotiations, and Baelon began talks with the Tyroshi envoys.
  • Daemon Targaryen persuaded Daemon to visit Nightingale Alley with Erio, where Grey Ghost frightened away a would-be robber.
  • Daemon and Daemon Targaryen returned to camp after enjoying the alley’s music and mead, and Corlys, Otto, Leonno, and Taimond reported a preliminary peace agreement.

Ch. 179The final meeting, the voyage home to King's Landing

Baelon and the envoys finalized a peace treaty ending the war over the Stepstones, and the Joint Fleet prepared to return to King's Landing. Daemon read Gael’s letter about their future betrothal as the fleet sailed from Tyrosh, leaving him eager to reunite with her.

  • Baelon finalized the treaty giving the Stepstones permanently to the Iron Throne, imposing reparations and trade terms, and arranging support for Tyrosh under Archon Erio.
  • Baelon gave Racallio Ryndoon a safe-conduct pass, and Racallio sailed for the Summer Isles with his followers and the slaves who chose to go with him.
  • The Joint Fleet packed up and prepared to leave Tyrosh, while Daemon received Gael’s letter about their betrothal and wedding plans.
  • Baelon and Corlys agreed that Tyrosh and the Stepstones were secure enough for the Seven Kingdoms to recover.
  • The Joint Fleet and its dragons departed Tyrosh for King's Landing, with Daemon looking forward to returning to Gael.

Ch. 180Dragons return to King's Landing

After the Joint Fleet defeated the Triarchy at Tyrosh, Daemon returned to King's Landing, where he reunited with Gael and his family. The fleet's arrival began a period of peace, though Otto's ambitions, the dangers beyond the Wall, and the aftermath of the war remained unresolved.

  • Daemon received Gael's letter, which described their planned betrothal and wedding and the gifts she had prepared for Grey Ghost.
  • Rayford Rosby relayed Larys's reports about peace envoys in King's Landing, brighter auroras beyond the Wall, and Otto's attempts to influence the fleet's command.
  • The Joint Fleet sailed into Blackwater Bay, and Gael flew out on Dreamfyre to greet Daemon with warm honey cakes.
  • King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne welcomed the returning fleet at the Red Keep, where Daemon reunited with Gael, Rhaenyra, and his family.
  • At the victory feast, Daemon reflected on returning home and resolved to make his future Old Valyrian wedding on Dragonstone unforgettable.

Ch. 181A display of majesty before the council chamber

King Jaehaerys and the assembled nobles gathered in the Small Council chamber after the fighting in the Stepstones. Borros Baratheon and Daemon Blackfyre arrived, bringing the council’s key figures together as Daemon reviewed reports on the Triarchy’s remnants.

  • King Jaehaerys presided over the council as Baelon, Viserys, Daemon Targaryen, and the ministers gathered around the table.
  • Borros Baratheon entered with young Stormlands nobles and took the seat carved with a crowned stag.
  • Daemon Blackfyre arrived with Larys Strong, Rayford Rosby, Jarman Waters, and his guards, while Grey Ghost followed beside him.
  • Daemon accepted Larys Strong’s intelligence scrolls about the Triarchy’s remnants and sat beside Grey Ghost as the council prepared to begin.
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