Thick smoke swirled above the square, and flames danced across the tower and the surrounding buildings, crackling as they burned.
Liu Qian's gaze swept over the kneeling Hal and the familiar head in his hands.
Then he looked again at Hal, who knelt in a pool of blood, drenched from head to toe.
The brief silence weighed like a boulder on the hearts of everyone kneeling there.
Only the crackle of flames and the sea wind's mournful whistle through the ruins broke the silence.
Liu Qian considered the situation.
Hal might not have intended to surrender to him from the beginning. Only after seeing Liu Qian's troops surround them had he bowed to the inevitable.
Still, Liu Qian needed men right now. Having someone familiar with the waters of the Stepstones join him would clearly help with his future conquests.
Liu Qian spoke with authority. "Good, Hal. You've done well. I accept your allegiance, and that of your brothers on Cleftjaw Island."
He did not reach for the revolting head. He could not even be bothered to spare it another glance.
Tilting his head slightly, he instructed Jorah Mormont beside him, "Ser Jorah, hang this head in the highest, most conspicuous spot in the fort. Let all of Cleftjaw Island see that the age of Kago the Shipbreaker is over."
"Yes."
Jorah answered in a low voice, his face expressionless.
He stepped forward, pulled a spare length of thick hemp rope from his belt, and deftly looped it around Kago's hair and lower jaw before tying it in a firm knot.
Then, as though carrying an ordinary piece of cargo, he turned without expression and walked toward the tallest flagpole beside the tower.
Kago's head swung in his hand, dripping blood that left a broken red trail behind him.
Liu