Steward of Dragonstone
Hundreds of warships almost filled the harbor of Lordsport. The ships swayed slightly in the wind, and if they were not tied with ropes, they would almost drift with the current.
The Iron Islands soldiers on the warships weren't much better off; the higher-ranking ones lazily lay there sunbathing, while the lower-ranking ones absentmindedly brushed the deck.
The battle on Harlaw Island dealt them a devastating blow. With over 30,000 men forced to flee with only 3,000, even the most ruthless thugs would have considered retreating under such circumstances.
If we add to the Bay of Severed Heads " they created with the lives of eight thousand people, some people have already begun to feel resentful about Balon's claim to the throne.
If both attempts to claim the throne fail, the Ironborn of the Iron Islands will not give House Greyjoy another chance.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the Kingsmoot Hall in Pyke was also frozen, like cold blood, and everyone felt as if a huge stone was pressing on their chest.
Originally, the House Goodbrother and House Harlaw sat next to Balon, but now the House Harlaw's seat is vacant, and nearly a third of the leaders and patriarchs who came to attend the meeting in the hall are gone.
This is a truly devastating blow!
Among these Iron Islands nobles, none feared more than Lord Gode Gubole of Great Wyk.
From any perspective, Jon's next goal is his own territory—large enough to enslave a large enough number of people.
Great Wyk is practically a carbon copy of Harlaw Island, how could he not be terrified?
Asha was just as afraid as him. To gain some sense of security, she even brought half a dozen of her most trusted crew members with her when she came to the meeting, two of whom she had even slept with.
Asha is starting to feel increasingly uneasy.
During the two wars, he lost two uncles, and Euron was present when both of them died!
If that were all, it wouldn't be so bad. She knew that her father, Balon, valued sibling relationships very much, but to this day, Balon hadn't shown any reaction whatsoever.
Moreover, it's unclear when exactly, but Balon began to trust Euron exceptionally, and the two became inseparable.
"Could what they're saying be true?" Asha suddenly recalled a rumor that had been circulating in the Iron Islands at some point—that Euron was a patricide.
If he really does have magic, then my father----
As Asha was thinking this, she suddenly heard the announcements. "His Majesty Balon has arrived—Prince Euron has arrived!"
Asha saw that the man calling the names was the patriarch of the House Drumm. Although he respected Greyjoy, he did not respect him as much as Sawane Botley, who had died at the Bay of the Cape.
Balon and Euron walked one after the other, and everyone stood up. Asha's eyes followed the two men's movements; Balon felt a very strange connection to the Euron.
Euron was clearly following Balon, but it felt as if Balon was Euron's shadow.
Everyone looked at Balon as he slowly ascended the throne.
Asha looked at her father, then at Euron. She truly had no idea what Euron was going to do next. Was he going to destroy the House Greyjoy?
Just as she was filled with unease, Balon suddenly spoke up, "I have decided to relinquish my Seastone Chair." He paused, and before anyone could react, continued, "I will submit to Stannis."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent. The sound of wind blowing and waves crashing came from outside the window, and the hall seemed to be empty.
The fact that no one had expressed any opinion to persuade Balon to continue leading the Ironborn to independence for a long time already spoke volumes about the thoughts of the noble lords.
"Your Majesty, we are willing to fight to the end for you." A voice, clearly lacking in confidence, came from the corner.
"Yes, Your Majesty, we are the Ironborn! We are the children of the Drowned God." Another voice rang out, but its tone was not as impassioned as its words.
However, Balon did not heed their advice and instead had Euron send a message to King's Landing, indicating that the Iron Islands were willing to submit to the Iron Throne.
All of this was Euron's decision, of course. He knew that if he continued to push the war forward forcefully, internal problems would inevitably arise. But at the same time, he also knew that Jon was not only after him, but also after the Iron Islands.
He also saw the rift between Jon and Stannis.
He believes that paying some price now in exchange for time to gain control of the entire Iron Islands is entirely worthwhile.
Finally, after everyone agreed to submit to the Iron Throne, Balon declared that all the lords should bring their soldiers to Pyke in case Jon acted rashly or desperately.
Because of the cruelty Jon displayed in the Battle of the Bay of Severed Heads, the Iron Islands lords all believed it was very likely that the same thing would happen, so they brought their elite soldiers and even their families to Pyke.
They were equally aware that if Jon conquered Pyke, none of them alone could unite the others to fight against Jon.
And it's even more impossible for them to scatter and guard their own little plot of land.
----Lord Stark and His Majesty Stannis, we have been defeated, without dignity and without excuse.
Stark's sword sliced through the Iron Islands, our warriors perished in the belly of fish, our longships were lost—even the raging waves of the Drowned God forsaken us, the reefs swallowed my generals. I have no one to send, no ships to fight, no face to call myself king again—
Pycelle read the letter of surrender from the Iron Islands, a relaxed expression appeared on almost everyone's face.
The usurper Balon has surrendered, and the Seven Kingdoms are once again united. From this day forward, Stannis is finally a true Protector of the Realm.
Davos was also happy, but he was still a little uneasy. Balon's letter seemed to have some sinister intentions. He put Jon's name first and Stannis's name last, which was an obvious attempt to sow discord.
Davos only hoped that there wouldn't be any rift between Stannis and Jon.
Oberyn could naturally see the trickery in the letter of surrender, but he was more concerned about Jon's extraordinary thinking in attacking the Iron Islands.
He was able to absorb the servants of the Iron Islands into his own army. Three thousand people came to the island, and when they left, the number was nearly ten thousand. Armies usually dwindle as they fight, but his army seemed to grow larger with each battle.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! From this day forward, the Seven Kingdoms are united once more." Pycelle congratulated Stannis, admitting that the victory had come much more easily than they had imagined.
"Excellent, Your Majesty! Peace has been brought to the Seven Kingdoms," Oberyn said. Stannis glanced at him but said nothing.
After a long pause, Stannis suddenly spoke up, "It seems Jon's achievements are still very significant. Even in his letter of surrender, Balon expressed greater fear of this Duke of the Westerlands."
Hearing Stannis's words, Davos's heart tightened, and he quickly said, "Your Majesty, Jon is your Duke of the Westerlands."
Stannis, ignoring Davos, spoke first, "I intend to have Jon serve in King's Landing's Landing. What do you think?"
He scanned the crowd with his deep blue eyes. Davos frowned, Adrian was indifferent, Pycelle and Oberyn exchanged knowing glances, and Varys remained expressionless.
Davos knew that Stannis had become suspicious of Jon. He now only hoped that Jon would not refuse Stannis's offer of service because of his status as the Duchy's Lord, otherwise the rift between the two would become undeniable.
Just as he was pondering how to persuade Stannis, Oberyn suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty is wiser than anyone else. I wonder what position Your Majesty intends for Lord Jon to hold?"
"General of Dragonstone," Stannis began, expressing his hope that Jon would bring the Casterly Rock Fleet with him.
He could only accept the fact that Jon had once again reaped the greatest credit. The position of steward of Dragonstone was practically tailor-made for Jon. First of all, Dragonstone was very close to King's King's Landing, making it convenient for surveillance.
Secondly, Dragonstone is also the Targaryen's stronghold, and Jon would never make peace with the Targaryen under any circumstances. It is reassuring to leave Jon on Dragonstone.
Everyone knew that Stannis was now extremely suspicious, so none of them intended to stop him.
Seeing that the Small Council had approved the motion, Stannis instructed Pycelle to include the matter in a later proposal, and to have Jon Snow King's Landing Jon's Landing once the Iron Islands situation was settled.
Davos felt this was inappropriate, but he didn't know how to bring it up.
At this moment, Varys spoke up, "Your Majesty, gentlemen, I may have some good news."
As he spoke, he handed a letter to Stannis, Oberyn, Davos, and the other Hand of the King, all of whom turned their attention to the thin letter.
Stannis glanced at it and then handed it to Pycelle, indicating that he should read it aloud to the crowd.
It turns out this news came from Daenerys' side. The nobles of Volantis, Qarth, and New Ghis are all dissatisfied with her, and some have even called for war.
"My lords, it seems the gods are beginning to favor us," Varys said, looking at the crowd, while Stannis's tightly clenched lips seemed to relax a little.
"The orphan of a wicked dragon, abandoned by the gods from the start," Stannis said quite casually.
Davos, however, was somewhat displeased. Being in King's Landing, he naturally had firsthand access to many things.
For example, the Targaryen princess possessed dragons, but she extensively liberated slaves in Slaver's Bay, which aligned with Westeros's values. However, Davos felt uneasy that his own king was suffering because another king had done something righteous.
However, he quickly convinced himself that Stannis was the Protector of the Realm of Westeros, and his jurisdiction over such a distant region was neither that far nor necessary.
Soon after, two letters, one addressed to Jon and the other to the Iron Islands, were sent from King's Landing.
Stannis instructed Jon to prepare to accept the surrender of the Iron Islands.
Stannis demanded that each family in the Iron Islands send their heirs to King's Landing as hostages.