Chapter XII Theon V
The journey from Seagard to Pyke was quick thanks to Lord Mallister's sturdy ships. The old eagle of Seagard wasn't the best company, but he had experience fighting in several wars, and was an able politician, Theon could only hope that the old lord could accompany them to Driftmark afterwards, and be made aware of Sea Lion. But Mallister could be a king's man for all he knew, and since Stannis wasn't an option anymore, god only knew where his loyalties lied.
Ser Wylis was much better company than Lord Mallister in terms of social interaction, the fat mustached man being jovial at all times, and loved cracking jokes. He wasn't the most reliable politically, but he had good knowledge of the free cities and the way they operated, which greatly interested Theon. That man could be useful for what came next.
But as he saw the towers of Pyke loom in the mist, he knew that to go to Driftmark, he needed to get in and out of this island in less time that it took Robb to anger all of the North, which wasn't going to be an easy task. What would his supposed father say when he'd disembark with an escort of a hundred armed men, a fat Greenlander and escort from a family that slew his brother? He could only imagine.
At least Lord Mallister would be staying aboard his galleys in case anything went wrong. Not like Theon expected him to do otherwise, he gave the Mallister lord the life expectancy of the Mountain in Dorne if he ever set foot on Pyke.
Theon watched as the galley docked on Pyke's harbour and men started descending from the ship, with a banner of truce.
"We're ready." Ser Wylis signalled.
Theon nodded and followed the Manderly man off of the ship and onto Pyke's docks. The return of the Kraken, he thought, let it be a short one and be out of here soon.
He spared a look at the harbour, already bustling with activity, but not the usual fishing or trading fleets, no. There were longships from every major house of the Iron Islands, from the Harlaws to the Farwynds. Time was indeed ticking, and running out very fast.
Suddenly, as he made his way towards the castle, a man stopped him. Theon eyed him up and down, he was tall and skinny, with a long beard intertwined with bits of dried seaweed. He was garbed in robes of green, grey and blue, the colours of the drowned god.
"Uncle." Theon stated matter-of-factly.
"Nephew." The man acknowledged. Theon stood silent, and so did the man, seemingly waiting for a question of some sort.
"I suppose the parley shall be held in the castle then?" Theon finally broke the silence that had been weighing on them for a good minute.
Damphair looked surprised. "Parley? Is that what you call meeting your father for the first time since the Greenlanders took you away?"
"I've been sent by the Warden of the North to discuss an alliance with the Lord Reaper of Pyke. Nothing more." Theon crossed his arms, angered.
"So do you pray to the wolf gods now?" Damphair snickered.
"No." Theon answered bluntly. He was an atheist anyways, and cared little for any faiths. The Seven, the Old Gods, the Lord of Light, the Drowned God, he didn't care for any of them.
"Good. Kneel."
Theon could see where this was going. Well, it didn't hurt for him to get a baptism of some sort, not like he would care later on anyways. He quickly knelt in front of his uncle, who poured seawater on his head and mumbled a few words.
"Do you remember the words?" Damphair called out to him as he tried to focus on something other than the cold water running down his spine.
"What is dead may never die." Theon answered, nearly rolling his eyes.
"What is dead may never die, but rises again stronger and harder. Stand." His uncle commanded. Theon breathed a sigh of relief, and rose up to him, looking his uncle dead in the eyes.
"Now that this little ceremony of yours is done, may we go to Pyke? I fear we are pressed by time, and there are matters I must attend to."
Damphair gritted his teeth at the near insult but instead of lashing out, he just nodded. Theon saddled his horse, and nodded to Ser Wylis, who stood confused, as both started trotting towards the castle.
"Why did you kneel to that man?" Ser Wylis asked.
Theon shrugged. "Doesn't hurt to. If a bit of saltwater on my face and back is what helps us make these negotiations bear fruit, then so be it."
"You think your father will accept the alliance?"
Theon's small smile died and he sighed deeply.
"No. But I'll do my best."
The Manderly heir nodded and didn't talk for the rest of the way, as Theon slowly made out the features of Pyke's large castle. The party quickly made its way through the portcullis as Greyjoy banners floated in the air around them, the courtyard now bustling with activity as their arrival had caused quite the stir.
A man with a grey beard and dark eyes welcomed them upon their arrival.
"Theon Greyjoy." The man said sombrely. "Your father the Lord Reaper of Pyke awaits your arrival. He summons you to the dining hall."
Theon nodded and gestured Ser Wylis and a few of his company to follow.
"Alone." The man said angrily.
"These men come with me under a banner of truce to parley. They come with me."
"Your father agreed to parley with you only, not with the Greenlanders."
"Fine, they do not come with me into the dining hall, but they get to stay outside in case my father gets any ideas."
The man grit his teeth angrily but finally nodded. Great, this was off to a great start. Theon hoped he'd let Manderly do the talking but it now seemed as he was going to try to reason with Balon Greyjoy of all people. Absolutely fantastic.
Theon made his way down the castle's corridors and into a great hall, where Ser Wylis and his guards left him. Theon gulped as he pushed the doors of the dining hall, where the man he could only assume was his father stood motionless, watching the fire in his hearth.
"How long has it been? Nine years?" the old man called out, his voice resonating through the large room.
"Ten." Theon answered.
"A boy they took, what are you now?"
Theon shrugged. "An older boy. Less stupid I'd hope."
Balon didn't react.
"Hmm. Ten years, then Stark has had you as long as I. Are you one of them now to come as an envoy to me?"
"One of them? No. But not one of yours either."
"So, you deny being a Greyjoy?" his father shouted.
"I do not deny being a Greyjoy. I deny being what you are."
"What I am?" Balon laughed. "And what am I?"
"A man that's about to make the biggest mistake of his life."
"A mistake! Hah!" Balon scoffed. "I've made countless mistakes throughout my life, but what I am about to do isn't one of them. They really have turned your mind against us, haven't they, these Greenlanders? You talk like them and dress like them now. See that armour you have; did you pay the blood or iron price for it?"
"Paid the same price as the price you paid for your Iron Fleet."
Balon slammed a fist on the table, seething with rage, but Theon did his best to stay calm, he was getting to enjoy this.
"You!" Balon pointed his finger to Theon. "You come here with your Greenlander friends, a fat man and a hundred armed guards because you were probably pissing your breeches thinking about coming to face me! You come with a kinslayer to my shores and now you dare insult me?"
"I didn't insult you. I answered your question. Now let us quit this family reunion and talk about what needs to be addressed and let us parley." Theon answered sternly.
Balon only laughed more.
"Parley? So, is that why you return to Pyke after all these years? To be the wolf's emissary and lapdog?" Balon scoffed. "The emissary of the Stark who managed to convince the realm dead men were real."
"They are." Theon stared at him angrily, remembering the dead man in the cage above the walls of Winterfell as he headed there for Robb's wedding. It wasn't a vision you could just forget, and he was fairly sure he pissed himself when he saw the man, or what was left of it. "I've seen one."
"Mummery! Northern mummery! The Stark is manipulating his old friend and the realm to reinforce his own position and strengthen the North!" Balon screamed out.
"His old friend is dead. Stannis is king now." Theon didn't know that, but it was bloody likely considering the lack of news coming from King's Landing.
"Good!" Balon snickered. "Only one more left to go. Now I am curious, what does the Stark wish from you?"
Theon grit his teeth. He knew this wasn't going to go anywhere.
"You've heard of Tywin Lannister's rebellion?" Balon nodded. "Robb Stark, Ned Stark's heir is marching on Riverrun with a host of ten thousand. With Tully's forces they will have routed the Lannisters by now. This leaves Tywin isolated from the Westerlands, and Stafford Lannister will have to go defend the Golden Tooth. The Westerlands is now a place free to reave at will. Kayce, the Feastfires, Lannisport, and most importantly, Casterly Rock."
Balon stared at him for a moment.
"Casterly Rock has never fallen." He stated bluntly.
"Aye. Well there is a first time for everything." Theon answered. "Think of it father, the glory you will get when the Greyjoys will be the first to take and sack the Rock. Your names will live on through generations. And there will be gold, lots of gold, loot and salt wives."
"So that is the Stark's plan, send you to convince us to attack the Westerlands?" Balon laughed softly.
Theon sighed. Of course, the man was too blind, too focused on revenge. No, he wouldn't be able to sway him.
"Should I tell him you refuse?" Theon finally answered.
Balon's laugh died instantly.
"I will not be ordered to do anything, boy!" Balon screamed, making Theon take a step back. "The Stark thinks he can order me around like a dog! Well I won't be ordered to do anything. No, I am the Greyjoy, Lord Reaper of Pyke, King of Salt and Rock, son of the Sea Wind, and I will take my crown as Urron Redhand did five thousand years ago! Then I'll carve myself a kingdom, not in the Westerlands, no. Lannisport is a poor target, reaving it will be nothing new. Kayce, the Feastfires, Fair Isle, Casterly Rock. Good targets, yes, but Tywin Lannister is a cunning man, he'd never leave these targets undefended. No. I will carve my kingdom elsewhere."
"You're an idiot." Theon told him bluntly.
Balon stood up from his chair. Slowly, but calmly, he closed in on Theon.
"Repeat. What. You. Just. Said."
"You're an idiot if you think attacking the North will work."
"And what would you know of anything?" Balon screamed at him. "I will have my revenge on Eddard Stark and I will take his kingdom for myself."
"So, you think you cannot hold Lannisport, but you can hold the largest of the kingdoms?" Theon scoffed.
"An empty kingdom. The Stark's forces are at Riverrun. I will reave his coasts, take Bear Island and the Stony Shore and carve myself a piece of his kingdom, and then he'll feel the wrath of a Kraken!"
Theon just laughed. "Oh, you fool! You utter, utter fool! Robb Stark has ten thousand men with him, Ned Stark still holds many more North! And what do you expect to reave there, tell me? Wood, more wood and perhaps even some furs of the lone deer you find? I'm sure these will be worthy prizes, much better than the mountains of gold of the Westerlands!" Theon then looked at Balon, who was seething with rage. "I told Stark it was a mistake to send me here, that you wouldn't attack Casterly Rock because you were too craven to, you'd prefer attack small villages in the north, ones that aren't defended of course."
"You call me craven! You of all people call me craven!"
"I do! I, Theon Greyjoy, do hereby accuse you of being a craven, too scared about assaulting Casterly Rock because if he does, then Tywin Lannister will give him a big spanking because he was a naughty boy!"
Balon made a move to hit Theon, but Theon parried it before it could go anywhere important.
"I'll disinherit you. You aren't worthy of the title of heir to the Iron Islands." Balon seethed.
"Go on. I don't care. Give it to Asha and see how loyal your bannermen will be. Or maybe give the Islands to the Reader, he'll do a better job than you. Or Victarion perhaps? He's a half-wit but he wouldn't hesitate one second to put himself in front of danger if it meant riches and glory."
Balon made a move to hit Theon again, but once more, Theon made a move to parry the strike, stopping his father's hand from hitting anything but air, but Balon carried on talking regardless.
"Once I'm done with the North, I'll burn every single keep I find down to the ground and salt the earth so that nothing may grow there ever again." Balon raged. "I'll destroy Winterfell, I'll take your father's head and I'll crown myself with his bones. What is dead may never die."
"What is dead will stay dead." Theon answered, lowering Balon's hand slowly. "And you'll soon find out that the direwolves had sharp teeth and claws. Your ironborn will be slaughtered, and when he'll be done with you, the Stark will come for those shitty islands, and he won't be as nice to you as he was last time." He smiled.
"Get. Out. Of. My. Sight." Balon screamed. "Run back to your Greenlander friends. From now on you are no Greyjoy but a Stark! Never dare to come back to Pyke again!"
Theon just smiled, unnerving his father even more.
"I didn't plan to." Theon finally answered, opening the door and motioning Ser Wylis to follow him. He spared one last look at Balon Greyjoy, who had pure hate in his eyes, before slamming the door to the dining hall.
"Ser Wylis." Theon turned to the Manderly lord, who immediately caught his eye.
"Yes, Lord Theon?"
"We need to leave this island. Now. Have your men saddle up and be ready to ride for the harbour as fast as possible."
Ser Wylis didn't have to be told twice, as he sprinted down with him to the courtyard and quickly saddled up. In less than ten minutes they were out of Pyke castle and running down to the harbour.
"I take it the negotiations didn't go well?" Ser Wylis shouted as they ran down to the harbour.
"That's what happens when you call your father a craven and an idiot."
"You did what?"
"I told him the truth. That he was a craven for attacking Casterly Rock and an idiot for wanting to attack the North."
"He wants to attack the North? But we've…"
"Prepared for it, and there's nothing of value. But my father is blinded by desire for revenge, and he won't be satisfied with it until he's burnt down Winterfell and executed Ned Stark."
"And you?" Ser Wylis frowned.
"I'm not my father. Let's get out of here."
Ser Wylis nodded as they entered the harbour, where several armed men were blocking the road.
"Shit." Theon said.
"We're under a banner of truce, they wouldn't dare." Ser Wylis said.
"You're talking to the people who think reaving and pillaging is a good and sane way of life." Theon answered.
"Fair enough. Stand ready."
The men in front of them unsheathed their swords and Theon's blood drained from his face.
"Get to the ships!" Ser Wylis called as he thrust his horse forward. "Greyjoy, follow me!"
Theon nodded as he thrust his own horse after Lord Manderly, unsheathing his sword and cutting down any man on foot trying to stop him. Quickly he found himself on the docks but boarding with the horses would be too tedious. As he calculated ways of getting aboard, Ser Wylis made the choice for him.
"Fuck the horses, we'll board on foot!"
Theon nodded and followed the Manderly knight, who was surprisingly agile for his weight, defeating several opponents with ease. Theon on the other hand was really, really bad with the sword. As long as he was on a horse sprinting through people, that was alright, but in close combat, that was another story. Still, he made his time with the engineers worth it as he managed to parry several strikes from one man before slicing his throat, and turning to another. He cut down three men before he found himself on the deck of Lord Mallister's galley.
He watched as the harbour was now filled with Manderly and Mallister men fighting to board the docks as archers on board the vessel strafed the attackers with arrows. It took ten agonizingly long minutes for the last men to be dragged aboard, but soon enough Pyke was only a distant dot on the horizon. The ironborn had tried to block the harbour of course, but their longship was no match for Mallister's galleys, who forced their way through with ease.
Still, they'd lost twenty men out of a hundred, losses that were definitely not needed, especially not when at war. All these resources for nothing, Theon thought, please tell me there will be some good news soon.
As if on cue, a voice called Theon out.
"Lord Theon, your hawk has returned, and it bears a message."
"Thank you."
Theon headed down towards his cabin, where indeed Hedwige was posted, an unopened scroll laid on the table, bearing the sigil of the Martells. A message from Dorne then, he thought as he carefully opened the scroll. As he read, a small smile started forming on Theon's lips, and then a laugh. He laughed until small tears started forming on his cheeks. Well, although this certainly made things easier for everyone else, but for him, it would only be the beginning of a long journey. And he was really looking forward to it.
Much shorter chapter this time around. Theon tried, but it was doomed from the start. Now he can go off on his main objective: Yunkai. Next chapter we head towards Torrhen's Square as Theon returns from Pyke and Ned convenes the lords after recieving several news from all over the realm.