Inside High Tide, the atmosphere had already become solemn and uneasy due to some fragmentary, contradictory and shocking news received in advance (from the scattered clippers or ravens that escaped).
Rhaenys·Targaryen--Mrs. Earl, Velaryon, is currently sitting at the head of the family council chamber.
She is over forty years old, but time and the upkeep of aristocrats have kept her dignified and majestic. Her long black hair is pulled into a strict bun, and the depths of her purple eyes suppress the stormy waves.
She had already learned about the disastrous defeat and heavy losses suffered by the United Fleet, but the information returned was unclear about the specific situation of her husband Corlys.
Some said they were missing, and some said they were seriously injured, which made her anxious, but she had to force herself to stay calm and stabilize her family and territory.
When Daemon·Targaryen, her ambitious son-in-law who always had a delicate relationship with her husband, barged into the meeting hall without notice, Rhaenys's heart sank suddenly.
She saw the heavy, sorrowful but slightly different expression on Daemon's face, as well as the embarrassed prisoner being escorted by the guards behind him, and an ominous premonition flooded her like ice water.
"Daemon?" Rhaenys stood up and tried to keep her voice as steady as possible, but the slight trembling revealed her nervousness, "How... how are you doing with the fleet? Where is Corlys?"
Her eyes eagerly glanced behind Daemon, hoping to see her husband, but there was nothing.
Daemon took a few steps forward, knelt on one knee (a slightly exaggerated etiquette), with a look of great pain on his face. "Rhaenys... please forgive me."
These words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Rhaenys's heart hard.
Her body swayed, and she held on to the back of the chair before she could barely stand still. Her face instantly turned pale. "My condolences? You... what did you say? Corlys He..."
"Aunt," Daemon raised his head, tears seemed to be shining in his eyes (it was hard to tell whether they were true or false), "the anti-bandit operation encountered a catastrophic disaster.
The pirate leader Tormund is not only cunning and cruel, but he has also tamed a terrifying sea dragon that has never been seen before!
Corlys Uncle took the lead and commanded decisively. We originally had the upper hand...
But who would have expected that Tormund used some evil means to summon a giant beast from the deep sea that could rival a mountain!
Natural disasters are coming suddenly, storms and tsunamis are hard to stop...
In order to cover the retreat of Mr. Redd and I, as well as part of the fleet, uncle Corlys personally led the flagship 'Sea Snake' to break the rear. Unfortunately... he was swallowed by a huge wave... and died heroically for his country!"
He poured out the words he had prepared long ago in a tone full of "sadness" and "respect", portraying Corlys as extremely tall, and blaming the failure on irresistible "evil" and "natural disasters".
Rhaenys Listening, I felt like the world was spinning and my ears were buzzing.
Martyred for her country? Swallowed by huge waves? She couldn't accept it! How could the man who had been with her for many years, controlled the Seven Kingdoms ocean, and was called "Sea Snake"... die like this?
"No... impossible..." she murmured, mist and incredible anger quickly accumulated in her purple eyes, "Corlys How could he...Tormund!
That dragon! And that giant beast! What the hell is going on?!"
"Aunt, please look." Daemon promptly signaled the guards to drag the pirate prisoner forward and tear off the black cloth on his head.
The prisoner's face was full of fear and scars, and his eyes were distracted.
"This person," Daemon pointed at the prisoner, his voice turned cold, "is a small leader under Tormund, who was captured by me in the chaos.
He confessed that Tormund and uncle Corlys... had been in contact for a long time."
"What?!" Rhaenys's eyes suddenly widened, and his anger was instantly replaced by surprise.
"It's not collusion!" Daemon quickly "corrected", but his tone was meaningful, "According to this person's account, Tormund had secretly contacted his uncle many years ago.
In exchange for some maritime intelligence and not taking action against the Velaryon merchant ships, his uncle would turn a blind eye to some of his... activities.
Maybe my uncle was deceived, maybe he wanted to obtain information about pirates for better elimination, or maybe... he had other considerations.
But no matter what, there is indeed contact between them.
The fact that Tormund is so familiar with our movements this time and even set up an ambush in advance may have something to do with this."
He cleverly confused "collusion" and "contact", rendering Corlys's secret relationship with Tormund, which may be for family interests or intelligence purposes, into a "stain" that may be used to teach others.
It is also hinted that Corlys's tactical mistakes (or "heroic interruption") may be related to intelligence leaks.
Rhaenys If struck by lightning, his face turns from white to blue.
She understands that her husband, Corlys, is by no means a pedantic person. For the benefit of the family and the navy, it is not completely impossible to maintain a certain degree of "tacit understanding" or exchange information with certain figures in the gray area.
But if this matter is confirmed, especially when Corlys has just "married his country" and his body is still cold (perhaps there are no bones at all), it will be a devastating blow to House Velaryon's reputation!
King Viserys is already suspicious, Daemon and Otto·Hai Tarth are even more eyeing...
"This person is talking nonsense! Sowing discord!" Rhaenys shouted sharply, but even she could hear the lack of confidence in her voice.
"Calm down!" Daemon said again "sincerely", "That's why I didn't make this man and his confession public, let alone bring King's Landing back to His Majesty!
I know very well that this matter is related to my uncle's good reputation and to House Velaryon's century-old reputation! I will bring him here and hand him over to you privately for your disposal."
His words shaped himself into a good relative and ally who "takes the overall situation into consideration" and "protects the family". He handed over the choice and the "handle" to Rhaenys.
Rhaenys stared hard at the trembling pirate prisoner, then looked at Daemon with a "sincere" face, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
How true are Daemon's words? How false are they? How did Corlys die?
Is the prisoner's confession true, or was it forced or induced by Daemon?
But no matter what, Daemon has this witness and the so-called "confession", which is a knife hanging over House Velaryon's head.
Daemon had a panoramic view of her struggle and fear, and sneered in her heart, but her face was even more "sad" and "considerate":
Corlys's uncle unfortunately died. Driftmark and the Kingdom's navy are leaderless, surrounded by tigers and wolves outside.
If you are not talented, I would like to share your worries for the time being.
Those Driftmark ships and officers who came back with me are all my uncle's old troops and can be seen as loyal, but now everyone is in a state of panic and someone needs to rectify and appease them to avoid changes.
I also need support for the preparation of my Blackwater Bay fleet... If my aunt is trustworthy, I am willing to help her to stabilize the situation and tide over the difficulties together.