Indulging in Beauty
Snowflakes drifted down from the leaden sky, landing on the vast, desolate land.
Snowflakes fell on a fortress under construction. Though called a fortress, its walls were only about a person's height, built of irregular stones and mud, and there were only a few watchtowers and houses.
Since Brandon Shipburner burned all the ships belonging to Winterfell, the western North has had no contact with the southern duchies, and has also been freed from the harassment of the Iron Islands.
Since they couldn't plunder on open ground, this fortress on the Stony Shore was guarded by only about a hundred men. Their mission was to send ravens and messengers to Winterfell to warn it in case of an attack.
However, at this moment, wisps of smoke rose from the fortress, which could only accommodate a hundred or so people, and tents stretched across the entire hillside, where an army of several thousand men was stationed.
As for the original garrison of the fortress, those who dared to resist were stripped naked and hung on the stone wall outside. Blood flowed down the spears that pierced their lower bodies, and quickly congealed into black scabs in the cold wind.
The Ironborn of the Iron Islands conquered this place; they liked to use this method to flaunt their power and brutality.
However, Schavan Portley, one of the commanders who led the army to its initial victory, was not entirely satisfied.
He approached the army's commander, Victarion, who was also King Balon's brother.
As the commander-in-chief, Victarion naturally had the right to occupy the largest stone room. The room was warm and cozy, heated by the fireplace, and Victarion's hand wandered inside the clothes of the mute maid beside him.
This was the woman Euron had given him. She wasn't the most beautiful woman he had ever slept with, but she was the one who understood him best. So much so that Victarion broke the rule that women couldn't be brought on voyages and disguised himself to bring her with him.
When Victarion heard that Savin had arrived, he quickly withdrew his hand and told the woman to hide.
"Lord Portley."
"Victarion."
After exchanging brief greetings, Chavan sat down directly opposite Victarion.
Just as Sha Wen was about to speak, he suddenly sniffed hard and said with some confusion, "Why does this smell like a woman?"
"The cook who started the fire must have left it behind. What's the matter?" Victarion was a little embarrassed and quickly changed the subject.
Without much thought, Portley said, "Excuse my bluntness, but I don't think we should Euron's opinion too seriously."
"Oh?" Victarion's eyes instinctively glanced into the inner room, where the mute maid was hiding.
"We could have taken this impoverished place two days ago, but Euron insisted on landing in a secluded spot. But what danger is there in the Sunset Sea now? Redwyne Fleet is far to the south, and Jon Snow of Casterly Rock has no way of knowing about our movements. I think Euron is just scared out of his wits by that bastard. We're still several days away from Winterfell, and we didn't bring much food. What if we can't take Winterfell for a long time?"
After hearing Shavin's concerns, Victarion nodded seriously, agreeing that Euron was being overly cautious.
For the Ironborn, who live by plundering, the most important thing is to win quickly and decisively!
However, he had been indulging in pleasure these past few days, so he hadn't thought too much about it, only saying that he would talk to Euron.
"In that case, let's rest for a bit and set off before dawn tomorrow. Damn it, I bet Winterfell has received the Raven sent from here by now." Having received the promise, Sawam left the room.
Victarion thought for a moment. Euron was being far too cautious in his choice of landing site. They had deployed a third of the Iron Islands ' fleet, and apart from Redwyne Fleet, they were practically unmatched. The key was to find a way to quickly and decisively capture Winterfell and take the hostages.
Thinking of this, Victarion decided to go and emphasize the matter to Euron, but just as he was pondering, the mute maid appeared beside him without him noticing.
She snaked around to Victarion's front, looked into his eyes, and slowly crouched down between his parted legs.
"Never mind, it's the same as going later."
Euron's room was right next to the stone house in Victarion. Although he was there, his attention was on a flock of Raven.
The flock of Raven were hot on their heels, closely following a Raven that was noticeably smaller than themselves, and the distance between them was rapidly closing.
Soon, the larger Raven flew faster and quickly caught up with their prey.
Black feathers drifted down, and the Raven that had been chased as prey was quickly devoured in mid-air.
One of the largest Raven, carrying a bronze communication tube, flew back toward the Stony Shore.
Before long, the Raven flew back to Euron's side. Euron opened the communication tube and saw that it was indeed an alarm and a request for help from Winterfell.
Jon Stark, let's see how you're going to stop me this time.
Jon was standing in the dock below Casterly Rock, wearing Valyrian steel armor captured from Euron's Silence.
The craftsmen decorated the Valyrian Steel Armor with gold and porcelain to make it white, and painted a white wolf's head with Ghost eyes on the chest. If Ghost were sitting next to Jon, it would be as conspicuous as a statue.
Back when he was on the Silence, Jon didn't have time to fully appreciate the advantages of the Valyrian Steel Armor. However, once he put it on, he discovered that it was not only more durable but also lighter.
That's not the most amazing part. The most amazing thing is that the Valyrian Steel Armor combines the flexibility of chainmail with the defense of plate armor. When it is not being hit, it is soft armor, but when it is attacked, the scales on it will automatically harden due to the linkage structure, which is quite amazing.
Jon had conducted numerous tests in private, and even the sharpest steel swords and spears could not leave a single mark on the armor.
Wearing this invulnerable armor boosted his confidence considerably. Jon was going to set off today to stab Euron in the ass!
He knew that it was impossible for his army to rescue Winterfell; the only feasible course of action was to find Euron's hiding place and intercept his ships.
Brynden quickly approached Jon: "My lord, our soldiers are ready, a total of 1,100 men, all elite archers and crossbowmen as you requested, plus 300 cavalry."
"Alright. A little over a thousand should be enough," Jon nodded and said.
Although the Iron Islands had a large number of soldiers, Jon noticed that most of them were not wearing armor, and the Ironborn Iron Islands not skilled in fighting in formation.
Jon planned to sacrifice the male wizards and then freeze the coast, trapping the Iron Islands fleet in ice and forcing them to disembark and fight him on land.
Brynden also discovered something else: although their armaments were readily available, Jon still had the armory produce a batch of enormous saws at a rapid pace.
Brynden didn't know what Jon was going to do with the saw, but he didn't ask any further questions. After all, Jon never fought according to any rules.
Even if he brings a bunch of pigs, he must have his reasons.
At that moment, Jon's squire Robert Frey came to Jon's side and said, "My lord, the lady has arrived."
Jon turned his head and saw Margaery walking down to the dock, accompanied by her handmaids Falia, Loras, and Sola.
The dock was cold and damp, Jon, naturally reluctant to leave his pregnant wife there, went to her.
"Jon, let me go with you!" Before Margaery could speak, Willas pleaded.
"That won't do. No one is more suitable to guard Casterly Rock than you. You need to stay and protect Margaery and your nephew," Jon said with a smile.
"But those pirates have designs on my mother, how can I stay here in peace?" Loras said with great dissatisfaction. Jon noticed that he was even wearing that beautiful suit of armor.
Loras's armor was adorned with intricate patterns, a testament to his title as the Knight of Flowers.
Jon walked up to Loras and said, "This isn't the first time we've fought the Iron Islands. There will definitely be more battles to come. I promise you, the next time we face those pirates, I'll take you with me."
"Alright, I trust you. Be careful yourself." With that, Loras stepped aside to give him and Margaery some space.
Margaery's figure remains slender and well-proportioned. Although she is less than two months pregnant, she is not yet showing any signs of pregnancy, but her overall demeanor has changed dramatically.
The air of a noblewoman gradually replaced the naivety of Maiden, and the aura of a matriarch began to emerge.
"What? Your husband hasn't even left yet and you're already missing him?" Jon teased.
"Pretty much," Margaery said with a touch of pride. "The main thing is to let the child see his father's heroic bearing before going to war."
"Then I will definitely dismantle the Ironborn's Seastone Chair and use it as a crib for our child."
"Very well, then I'll have to trouble you, Your Highness."
Soon, Jon's fleet set sail. Margaery, standing atop Casterly Rock, watched the Black Sails sail north, Tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. Falia, standing nearby, rushed forward and asked, "Madam! What's wrong?"
"I don't know, I just can't bear to part with him," Margaery said, shaking her head and wiping away Tears.
Jon led more than twenty sailing ships from Casterly Rock away from the dock, Alester naturally witnessed.
He was now quite certain that Jon was definitely not a loyal subject to be relied upon.
He has already written to Stannis, informing him that Jon Snow's unauthorized deployment of troops must be severely punished.
It would be best if I could die on the way to the supposed rescue of Winterfell.