Seeing that Redd agreed, Daemon felt a little calmer, and then changed the topic, with a little "embarrassment" on his face. "It's just... these surviving Driftmark ships and soldiers are leaderless and have low morale.
If left unchecked, mutiny or banditry may occur.
As a prince, I have fought side by side with Corlys Earl (he emphasized). Due to circumstances and reasons, I should temporarily reorganize them. After returning to King's Landing, His Majesty and Rhaenys will decide their ownership.
I wonder what Mr. Redd thinks?"
This is one of his true purposes.
Although these dozens of ships are dilapidated, they are the foundation of the Driftmark fleet, and the sailors are also experienced sea veterans.
If he can take it into his own hands, repair and supplement it, it will be an important capital for him to reorganize the "Blackwater Bay Fleet" and even infiltrate the Driftmark Navy.
Redd How could you not see what he was thinking.
But he really looked down upon these broken ships and remnants of soldiers.
With its roots in the East, it needs elite forces that can play a role in ocean-going and high-intensity confrontations, rather than these old-style ships that have been demoralized and require heavy investment to restore combat effectiveness.
Giving it to Daemon can not only be a favor (although Daemon may not appreciate it), but also cause more discord between Daemon and House Velaryon (mainly Rhaenys) over the fleet ownership issue, distracting their attention.
"What the prince said is reasonable." Redd said calmly, "Let the prince take over the management of these ships and personnel for the time being.
I am not familiar with the naval affairs of Westeros, and I have no intention of getting involved."
A hint of joy flashed in Daemon's eyes, and he said quickly, "Master Redd understands the righteousness! Then I won't be polite."
I immediately arranged to take them to Driftmark to stop for renovations. After all, the facilities there are complete, and it is convenient... to inform Rhaenys of the bad news and discuss follow-up matters."
He deliberately mentioned Rhaenys not only to test Redd's attitude, but also to hint at the legitimacy of his "communication" with House Velaryon.
Redd nodded and said no more. Seeing this, Daemon hurriedly bowed and left, and couldn't wait to integrate the remaining Driftmark ships and personnel.
In less than half a day, Daemon had initially taken control of the situation. With dozens of broken ships and hundreds of Driftmark sailors with low morale, they raised their sails and left the Dragonstone dock, heading towards Driftmark in the northeast direction.
Standing high on the Dragonstone castle, Redd looked at the fleet of ships going away and said to Mysaria beside him, "People are watching Daemon's movements in Driftmark, especially... his meeting with Rhaenys.
In addition, check whether there is any... special 'cargo' or 'passengers' on board Daemon.
He reacted too quickly this time and was too eager to integrate the fleet, probably not just for the sake of those broken ships."
Mysaria took the order, "Yes, master. We have spies in Driftmark and will pay close attention."
At this moment, in a tightly guarded narrow storage room at the bottom of the Daemon flagship cabin bound for Driftmark, a pirate prisoner with a bruised nose and swollen face and a shackled body was huddled in the corner.
He was "accidentally" discovered by Daemon from under a floating ship plank when he was cleaning up the battlefield and searching for survivors. He is a small leader of Tormund's core fleet.
Daemon immediately realized his value - this person knew many secret transaction details (at least in part) between Tormund and Corlys, and may have even met the middlemen they contacted.
Daemon did not hand him over to Redd, nor did he plan to bring King's Landing back to Viserys. He had a more "clever" plan.
He wants to bring this living mouth together with his confession (of course the confession that has been "processed" and guided by him),
As a "gift", it is given to Rhaenys·Targaryen--Corlys's widow, Driftmark's current de facto mistress.
He wanted to tell Rhaenys that her husband Corlys was not completely innocent. He had an affair with Tormund, the pirate brother who owned a sea dragon and caused great trouble.
There is indeed a shady connection (he will cleverly play up "cooperation" as "forced" or "blinded", but the connection is true).
And he, Daemon, had the evidence, but out of his "friendship" for House Velaryon and his "respect" for Rhaenys,
It was decided to hand over the evidence to her privately instead of making it public, which would make House Velaryon embarrassed or even convicted.
In this way, he not only showed favor to Rhaenys (I helped you cover up your husband's "stain"), but also took advantage of House Velaryon (I know your secret),
In exchange, he can also ask Rhaenys to support him in integrating the naval power left by Corlys, and even stand on his side (or at least remain neutral) on the issue of possible future succession to the throne.
As for the pirate prisoner? After "explaining" all the things that "should be explained", he will naturally die "accidentally" without any evidence.
The authenticity of the confession will be judged by the grieving and angry Rhaenys herself - in the pain of losing her husband and worrying about the family's reputation, she would probably rather believe the "version" provided by Daemon.
Daemon stood on the bow of the ship, looking at the silhouette of Driftmark getting closer and closer, with a cold and calculating smile on his face. The death of Corlys was both a disaster and an opportunity.
He wants to take advantage of this disaster to seize as much power as possible and pave a bloody stepping stone for himself on the road to Iron Throne.
And Rhaenys and House Velaryon will become an important and fragile link in his game of chess.
The outline of Driftmark gradually becomes clear on the sea level, like a giant beast crawling on the sea.
Different from the volcanic rock landform of Dragonstone, the coastline of Driftmark is mostly steep cliffs and deep-water harbors.
The towering House Velaryon Castle--"High Tide"--stands on the highest point of the island, overlooking the busy port and huge shipyard below.
In the past, the kingdom's most powerful fleet was parked here, with masts like a forest and flags flying, full of the majesty and vitality of a maritime hegemon.
However, at this moment, when Daemon led the scarred and lifeless dilapidated fleet into the port, it only attracted shock, panic and deathly silence.
The ships on duty at the port saw the tragic situation of this "fleet" and the flag representing the prince from a distance. They did not dare to stop it and were full of doubts, so they could only quickly send people back to the castle to report the news.
Daemon ignored the suspicious looks at the port. He ordered the fleet to dock at the outermost berth and strictly ordered his soldiers to control the remaining Driftmark soldiers and not allow them to go ashore or have contact with the locals at will.
He took a small number of elite guards, escorted the pirate prisoner with his head covered and shackled, and headed straight towards High Tide.