Return of the Redfish

Edmure POV

The wind ruffled my hair as I ate an orange. Hundreds of ships surrounded my own. Well, it was lord Paxter's ship, but mostly my men were on board. The weather was excellent, the sun warmed me, and the wind was refreshing, yet I was tense. The Iron Islands aren't far away, and I predict that before we reach them, we will be intercepted.

"You are worrying again, Edmure," Patrek said next to me.

"I am not. I am anticipating."

"Anticipating what?" Patrek asked.

"Ships on the way!" A voice was heard through the ship.

"This," I said and then turned to the one shouting. "How many?"

"Scores."

"Give me that," I took a far-eye from him and climbed the mast for a better view. "Seventy to eighty warships, my guess would be on Iron Fleet."

"Victorion Greyjoy, huh?" Patrek commented.

"Most likely," I agreed before walking to Lord Paxter, who came out of his cabin. "Lord Paxter, order the other ships to surround the fleet. I don't want any of them escaping."

"Already on it," Lord Paxter took a cage with a colorful bird inside and set it free. "Once the other captains see the bird, they will know what to do."

"Good, look for a large ship with a ram. It should be Victorion's," I told him. "It is better we face him rather than any other ships."

"My ship is biggest with most men," Paxter Redwyne agreed. "It will bring honor to my house to defeat Victorion Greyjoy personally."

"He is a tough one, I don't doubt your skill, but it would be better to leave him to me," I said. "My Valyrian sword will cut through his armor without a problem."

"I know my abilities well, Lord Tully. He is all yours."

Our fleet dwarfed theirs. While our sails covered the sea in various colors, the Iron fleet covered the sea in only black. Soon, the sea will take on their blood's red. After dressing myself in my full plate armor and fastening my sword and dagger, I walked to the front of the ship and looked for my prey.

"There he comes. It seems that Victorion wants to take on the biggest ship, too," Patrek said, pointing to the ship coming straight for us.

"Archers prepare," Lord Paxter yelled, "Draw, aim, loose."

"Shields," I cried, "Shields up."

After our arrows hit their ship, it was our return to receive some back. It was a greeting between us, as only a few men got shot. As we both approached, I backed down and embraced for collision. The Iron Victory hit us fast and hard. The Ironborn jumped on our ship quickly, but they saw my sword first.

My sword moved faster than the Ironborn, cutting through their armor. Yet, it was only the beginning, as one after another of them jumped to kill me. My shield blocked their axes and sword, but my shield didn't last long before it was dented and finally broken. After I lost my shield, I had to go on the defensive and block attacks with my sword.

"There's your shield," Patrek shoved a shield into me as he stabbed the one I was blocking with my sword. "You always lose yours."

"You know me well," I replied and kicked one man who was after Patrek and cut down the other who tried to kill me. "Stay back. There comes Victorion."

It wasn't hard to notice him. He stood above the rest, walking towards us. His massive steel axe chopped down everyone who tried to stop him. He looked like an armored bull. He was breaking the men in front of him. That was until I stood before him.

"You are the fish, aren't you?" The man was as tall as I asked.

"Yes, I am the fish that will devour the Kraken," I answered and stabbed him without waiting for anything.

He blocked my sword with his shield as I blocked his axe with my own. He was physically stronger than me, but I was sure I was the smarter one. As we stood at a standstill, Victorion pushed me back a little. I dropped my sword, quickly took my dagger, and went for his eyes.

He had no other choice but back off. I used it and bashed my shield at his head before stabbing my dagger at his left shoulder. I left the blade inside him. Picking up my sword before Victorion could do anything, I once again stood before him. Maybe he was angered, or he usually is reckless. He threw his shield at me.

I bent down to dodge the shield and then used my shield to press close to him. While he batted my back with his axe shaft, I stabbed his legs with my Valyrian sword. As I was about to stab him again, he punched my sides. Even though my armor defended me, it still hurt like hell.

"You are a brave one. I will give you that," Victorion said and rushed at me again.

Once again, I blocked his axe with my shield. At least I tied as his axe broke it, and I was pushed back. He tried to reach me with his axe, now that I have no shield. Yet my sword had a longer reach, so I stabbed him into the chest and then pushed my sword with all my body through his armor and ribcage.

Victorion headbutted me when I came close enough. I let go of my sword that was now stuck inside him and fell to the ground with my head ringing. When I came to it, I saw Victorion raising his axe again, but he was too slow. I managed to roll out of his reach and stood up.

"You were a brave one, too," I said before I kicked his hand.

Victorion didn't have the strength to hold on to his axe, so he dropped it. With all my power, I grabbed his steel axe and swung it at his head. Through the helm, the axe went, splitting his skull into two with his brain matter splashing on my face.

The battle was almost over when I got the blood and brain out of my eyes. The Ironborn were defeated, it wasn't a surprise as we had more men, and with their leader dead, their morale quickly fell. Seeing me covered in blood, those still alive decided to jump into the sea.

"The Redfish has returned for your sorry asses," Patrek announced next to me.

"Clean the deck, and burn the Iron-born ships," Lord Paxter yelled.

The whole battle of the fleets was getting to an end. The Redwyne fleet surrounded the Iron Fleet and filled them with fire arrows, firstly burning their sails and then boarding them. Few ships managed to escape, but it was an overwhelming victory.

…

The Iron Islands showed themselves not long after the battle of the fleets. We didn't have a chance to rest, but everyone knew we needed to push forward, so no one complained. While other ships split to sail to the other islands, lord Paxter and I sailed to Pyke. Lordsport would be the most challenging battle.

There wasn't a particular plan in charging into Lordsport. While we still didn't reach the land, the men let loose arrows at whatever they could hit. I knew that the first encounter was most important. I needed to pierce through their defenses if I wanted to set the town aflame fast.

"Prepare the horses," I ordered as we landed.

Every ship had half a dozen of horses for knights. Rain was with me, too, so once we landed, I ordered the archers to support us while knights pushed through the defenses and the rest of the men set their position to invade the lands safely.

"Your shield, my lord," One of the men gave me his shield.

It was already the third one I had today. My arm had become quite numb from using it so much. After the battle, I would need to see a healer to see if I had not cracked my bone or something. I hopped on Rain and waited for the boat to get closer.

"It is too risky to lead the men, Edmure," Patrek advised.

"Once we pierce the defenses, I will fall back," I promised.

"If something happened to you, I would have to flee to Essos or face your wife's wrath," Patrek said. "So, don't die."

"Heh, you too," I replied, and just as the boat hit the ground, I jumped to the front.

Rain, my faithful old companion, carried me to the land where I faced the first man standing before me. My lance sent him flying as it did to the next one. Rain pushed forward, knocking down anyone trying to stop me. My lance only broke at the fifth man. Then I drew my Valyrian sword.

Dozens of knights followed me close behind. Soon we broke through, and it was time to rely on the rest of our men to set their positions and support us before we were overwhelmed. Lord Paxter didn't disappoint me as he quickly came to help us out. As I promised to Patrek, I fell back.

When most of the men came to the land, I ordered them to start storming Lordsport. The town didn't last long on the onslaught of thousands of Greenlanders and was soon set ablaze. I showed no mercy and ordered the ones running to be killed before they reached the castle of Pyke.

"Lordsport is ours, my lord," Lord Paxter reported.

"Good. Set up the camp and prepare to siege Pyke. The Seastone throne will be destroyed soon enough."

I didn't rush to storm Pyke. The men were already tired and not prepared to storm the castle. Even though I didn't want to waste time, I knew when to slow down. First, we needed to secure a camp, then built trebuchets to destroy the walls. I will not risk my men's lives needlessly.

"Patrek, take some men and secure the town, tell everyone that if they wanted to live, they better stay in their houses. Make sure to discipline our men if they start robbing and raping, we are not Ironborn, and I will not tolerate this kind of behavior."

"It will be done," Patrek said. "After seeing you split the head of Victorion Greyjoy, not many will dare to defy your orders."

Finally, after a long day, we could rest. The men quickly brought out the supplies from the ships and set out to build trebuchets. Paxter took control of organizing the operation while I went to a healer to check out my arm and see that none of the cuts I received would be infected.

I started to regret leaving Edmund back at Casterly Rock as I took off my armor. My arms barely had the strength to hold on to my plate and chainmail. I could only drop it all to the ground and leave it here for now. It was too burdensome to set it neatly somewhere.

As I walked to the healer, I thought of the past. It has been ten years already since I came to these islands and earned my title. It was such a long time, yet I could still taste the blood and flesh in my mouth. It never left me.

"Lord Tully," The healer greeted me when I arrived.

"My left arm is numb," I informed him. "And my back hurts quite a bit."

I only noticed the pain in my back once I removed my armor. The healer started touching my arm and back, checking where it hurt. In the end, it wasn't anything serious, but the healer advised me to take at least a few days of rest. I agreed as it would take time for trebuchets to be built and for the siege to begin.

I will ensure the Iron Islands don't forget my name this time. I will make have a fear reaving. They will not set foot in our lands for centuries to come. Balon Greyjoy will regret setting his sight on the Greenlands. This time not only will his crown be crushed. I will execute him personally.

A.N. Thank you for reading, and as always, If you want more, up to five advanced chapters, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852.