Theon froze for a moment. He had not expected Balon to ask his opinion; he had thought he was only there to watch.
In truth, after spending some time back in the Iron Islands, he had already understood where he stood.
He had been away from the Iron Islands for too long. His standing here was lower even than that of an ordinary captain serving under Asha Greyjoy. Speaking rashly would only anger his father further, but in the end, he still stepped up to the map.
"Viserys is not a man who compromises."
Theon began hesitantly. His voice was quiet, but his tone was deeply cautious. "Across the Narrow Sea, in Essos, he used the same method against every city-state that refused to surrender to him: destruction."
"Lys, Volantis, New Ghis... none of them had any room to bargain with him. Now he is taking the same stance toward the Iron Islands."
"So you agree with Asha? You want to surrender to this Viserys fellow too?" Victarion asked with a frown, his tone grave. Inwardly, his opinion of Theon sank even lower.
"Who do you think Viserys is? Aegon the Conqueror?"
His voice was loud, edged with suppressed anger, as he continued, "The Ironborn never bend the knee to anyone. The Drowned God's people heed only the call of the sea, not some king sitting on the Iron Throne across the water in the green lands."
"Uncle, let me remind you again that he has dragons," Asha interrupted once more. "And not one, but thirteen. The largest even has three heads, just like the sigil of House Targaryen."
"Dragons?" A cold smile curled Victarion's lips, his tone as stubborn as ever. "Don't forget, dragons bleed too. They grow old, and they die. During the Targaryens' Dance of the Dragons,