—The Iron Islands—
Pyke…
Onboard the Great Kraken, the ironborn forces were engaged in vicious naval warfare with Sunset Sea Flotilla's Western Maritime Division. The surrounding vessels spin broadsides to each other – unleashing a barrage of cannon fire once in range, thundering and screaming as several crew members race along the length of the decks. But before long the Iron Fleet and Argilac's Royal Fleet are drawn closer – close enough for attackers to swing on ropes, cross from ship to ship. The ironborn, however, were relentless marauders at sea. Instead, their war galleys and longships dropped armored gangplanks on their enemy's ships to lock them into place whilst their sharpshooters blasted a few royal sailors mid-swing before they could board.
Dozens of people rush towards each other, swords and axes clashing and flintlocks firing. Many people are killed instantly. More men are running over the gangplank.
Daemon rushes past many adversaries to reach the port, climbing up the Victory's starboard side. Soldiers loyal to his brother swarm across, attacking him and ironborn alike. Ducking his head, he swings Stormbringer – disemboweling one and lacerating another. He takes a momentary advantage of a short break in the action to see the Great Kraken nearby.
"Almost there."
Fighting his way through many obstacles before him, Daemon spots two familiar figures locked in combat with mariners.
"Broden! Major Hardyng!"
Both men finish off their respective adversaries before turning.
"Prince Daemon!" Broden exclaimed.
Petyr panted. "Some colonists and inmates broke us out. Captain's getting the Falcon's Flight ready for departure."
"We're not leaving yet."
"We're not?"
"No," Daemon points to the Great Kraken. "We need Asha Greyjoy alive. The Talons are already on her and her men are losing ground. If she falls, so does the Iron Islands and Riverrun itself will follow suit without this alliance."
"You're crazy, you know that?!"
"Among other things!"
Broden and Petyr looked at each other before giving the other a faint nod in acknowledgment, turning in different directions with a contingent of escaped convicts and the Falcon's Flight crew to begin preparations. Before disappearing, Petyr turned around to Daemon.
"Hey, Prince. You better take care of yourself out there… for Sharra's sake and nothing else."
"Understood, Major."
The sound of cannon fire rips through the air – coming from all sides. Cannonballs hit the shore; explosions devastate Lordsport's infrastructure; men cry out in anguish.
Daemon dips for cover before rushing from one corner to another as he races for the docks. But even as his path grew ever closer, the harbor was crawling with royal sailors and ironborn marauders each battling for control of Lordsport. Whoever controlled Lordsport would control all of Pyke's harbors – giving their fleet time to resupply, arm their troops, and repair damaged vessels.
The sailors and ironborn charge; the clouds begin to darken the skies. And then it began to rain torrentially.
"Steady your ground, mates! Remember – we are the Royal Navy!" hollered one of the mariners.
Daemon pushed and shoved his way past the crowd to reach the harbor and leaped off the side to one of the nearby longships, grabbing onto the cargo nets before climbing his way up unseen. Just as he climbed his way onto the deck, he can see a flurry of ironborn and sailors trading blows and firing shots at one another. And just in front of him stood the Great Kraken – where Asha Greyjoy and her brother Harwyn engaged in a vicious duel with a Talon marauder sent to kill Asha!
"Shit!"
With no time left to waste, Daemon rushed forth—shoving his way past through a crowded dock, dodging, spinning, and weaving apart from cutting down enemy personnel obstructing his path. Swords, axes, and guns were drawn.
Onboard the Great Kraken, Asha and Harwyn attack the Talon marauder with ferocious vigor, each with their unique styles: Asha parries, glissades and disarms with lightning-fast and perfect form; while Harwyn uses his axe, fists, and physical brutality to survive – but the losses of their ironborn guards begin to mount. Wielding two blades at once, the Talon had moved with lightning precision on the amidships. His moves are incredible; he is fighting two of House Greyjoy's best at once, flipping into the air, outmaneuvering them at every turn.
"Bah! Stand still!" Asha exclaimed with frustration.
The marauder grinned. "Twice the pride, double the fall. My clients will reward me for bringing them your heads," he said.
"What is dead may never die!" shouted Harwyn.
"But rises again harder and stronger!" Ashe echoed.
The duel continues as the ironborn leaders each seek to gain the advantage over this would-be assassin, but it had been rather apparent that both were having a great deal of trouble against him. Up until this point, all their guards were dead – as were the Talon's escorts. Asha moved again to the left and Harwyn to the right, but their blades had become ensnared by the Talon marauder, and both were swiftly disarmed before being kicked to the ground.
"Damn you!" Asha cursed.
Twirling both his weapons in each hand, the Talon marauder stood above Asha and Harwyn, looking down on them with confidence yet arrogantly. "A valiant attempt, but in the end… futile. The Talons send their regards." Raising his twin battleaxes high in the air to finish off the Greyjoy siblings, the Talon found his attempt to slay them interrupted by the sound of gunfire – one, two, three… all in rapid succession.
The Talon found his armor pelted and dented by small lead balls whizzing through the air, but there had been no signs of any penetration; nothing too serious, though it was enough for him to acknowledge another contender was getting in the way of his target.
"What the…?" Asha looked back in confusion.
Hoping on to the Great Kraken, Daemon had tossed aside his unloaded flintlock pistols and unsheathed Stormbringer. Feels like a suicide run, but if this Talon wins… the ironborn will be leaderless. I need to keep Asha Greyjoy safe. I need this alliance. "Looks like I made it just in time," he announced.
"You were in the cells!" Harwyn choked. "How did—?"
"Save that for next time. Just know that I'm here to help. That's all. I'm not letting you face the Talons alone."
"Talons?" Asha inquired as she steadily rose to her feet.
"Group of bounty hunters from across the Narrow Sea. Said to be the best– owing no allegiance to none except the highest bidder. All I know is that my brother hired them… and placed a price on all our heads. If you die, so too will the Iron Islands, your people, your culture… your way of life."
"That… I refuse to happen!" Harwyn strained.
The Talon smirked. "So… Prince Daemon Baratheon. Finally decided to come out of hiding."
"I was held up," Daemon assumed the knight's dance. He hadn't even noticed that Asha was glancing at the Valyrian steel sword he was wielding.
Once the three were at each other's throats had now stood side-by-side against their common enemy. Asha, Daemon, and Harwyn charge at the Talon and a great fight ensues.
"I've been looking forward to this."
Asha snarled. "You will not take us without a fight, assassin."
"Try if you must. It matters now."
The Talon marauder lunges at the trio, and they step back.
"Your moves are sloppy, Lady Greyjoy. You're growing weary. I can see it… too predictable. You'll have to do better if you want to live."
As the battle proceeds, Asha and Harwyn are tired. Daemon, still fueled by raging levels of adrenaline, moves just as fast if not faster than the Greyjoys. His strikes become more accurate, focused, and stronger with each blow. The Talon smacks Harwyn aside to intercept Asha's charge; grunting she came at him, armed with both blade and axe, moving acrobatically despite her fatigue – and the Talon was aware of it, but they did not anticipate Daemon joining in.
Daemon, noticing the distraction Asha and Harwyn were providing, spun and kicked the Talon marauder in the face, sending him backward.
The Talon marauder, however, noticed that the rebel Prince was slowly getting better at swordsmanship. It was as if he were learning whilst fighting at the same time. And the civil war has been a harsh, cruel teacher. "You're good at this, boy. 40,000 gold dragons… I can see why the price on your head is the highest. I wonder – perhaps we should ask for a raise given your—"
Daemon interrupted with a headbutt, cracking the Talon's nose.
"You talk too much for an assassin!" Asha snarled.
"Indeed," the marauder agreed. "Perhaps it's time we end this charade!" Slamming his battleaxes on the main deck, the Talon's drive became more aggressive and swifter as he leaped head-on at his opponents, catching Asha and Daemon completely by surprise.
They fight around opposite sides of the deck, swords clashing. Out of the corner of Asha's eye, she sees a discarded flintlock. If the weather hadn't made its way down the barrel, the gunpowder could be of use –timing and accuracy would be sorely needed to defeat this one, presumably if the gunpowder weren't wet and didn't misfire. Breaking off from the attack, Asha went for it. She figured the rebel Prince would prove quite the distraction… momentarily.
Seizing the advantage gained from his momentum, the Talon charged Daemon and shoved him back, forcing the young Prince to regain his composure to counter another assault. Their fighting becomes even more intense and ferocious. Finally, with one swing, the Talon brought one battleaxe down to pin Stormbringer before swinging his other weapon upwards towards Daemon's head. He was fast! The young Prince narrowly shut his eyes and moved his head back to avoid the hit, but…
"GAAAH!"
Blood spraying on the Great Kraken's deck, one of the Talon's battleaxes scored a direct hit – leaving a bloody scar across Daemon's left cheek. It was a small one, but thankfully not as deep. He came close to losing his head if he hadn't shifted his posture.
"Mmm. You're faster than I thought," the Talon commented. "Still, a job's a job. The Talons send their regards."
'Send your regards…' The same line one of you used on me at Wayfarer's Rest. Not this time! Despite the burning and stinging sensation in his cheek, Daemon raised Stormbringer and attacks the Talon with Harwyn rejoining the fight. Together their duel intensifies as the rebel Prince rains blow after blow, dodging and missing. In an act to regain the upper hand, the Talon elbows Harwyn and kicks him away – which unfortunately leaves him exposed to Daemon's sideways kick to the chest.
The Talon surprisingly felt the momentum of the kick driving him backward despite wearing body armor. It would seem the latent Baratheon strength is starting to crawl its way to the surface. The Prince hadn't even begun to use his real power yet.
Finally, in one last energized charge, Daemon disarms one of the Talon's battleaxes and locks blades with the other – both trying to break the deadlock. But before either combatant could budge an inch, the Talon felt something pressed against the side of his head; his eyes shifted to his right to see Asha pointing a flintlock pistol at the only spot where he was vulnerable.
"Dodge this," Asha smirked.
BANG! Asha squeezed the trigger and shot him at point blank range, sending the lead ball through the thinnest part of the Talon's helmet and out the side of his skull. Death was instantaneous as the force of the blast sent the Talon marauder hurling to the ground. Staring down at the would-be assassin, Asha wiped her nose, panting heavily as Harwyn regained his footing and moved to regain his footing.
"Sister… Look! Argilac's fleet. They're retreating!"
Asha turned to see the Iron Fleet pursue the Royal Fleet's Sunset Sea Flotilla and Maritime Division out of Ironman's Bay; control of the Iron Islands had been decided: House Greyjoy remained standing and delivered a decisive blow to King Argilac's war effort to stamp out dissent. The ironborn all cheered and raised their weapons triumphantly in the air, all whilst their leader stared at the wounded rebel Prince who had strangely come to her people's aid.
As Daemon sat down and held one hand to his bleeding cheek, Broden and Petyr arrived on the scene with more of their crew. Their newest teammate, Baelor Farrin, came to assist as well. Nearby, the Falcon's Flight was sailing closer to the Great Kraken for retrieval.
« …The day is yours, but they will seek to retaliate… »
Damn voice in my head giving me headaches. Ow! Damn, this hurts! Daemon shook his head. Baelor tore a piece of cloth and applied it to the Prince's cheek to stop the bleeding.
"So that's—"
"A Talon, yes."
Broden examined the fallen Talon. "We assume there's more of them, each one deadlier than the last."
"Yes," Petyr nodded. "We encountered one of them at Wayfarer's Rest. Ser Rodrik Stark ran into one at his main camp near the Whispering Wood."
"Are you always this popular?" Baelor inquired.
Daemon shrugged. "Pretty much," he sighed.
"You must live an interesting- Oh shit…"
"What?"
Baelor pointed to the number of ironborn slowly encircling the group, some of them start pointing accusing fingers and cursing; sensing danger, Daemon slowly stood back up, ready to defend himself if necessary. Harwyn steps up with an intimidating display.
"Your brother sent his men to kill us and drive us out of our homes. Destroy our way of life. Yet you continue to elude us. Give me one reason we shouldn't throw you overboard."
Asha pushed her way through the growing mob. "The weapon he wields is Valyrian steel. Stormbringer," she announced.
A murmur washes over the ironborn, but unlike earlier resentment or suspicion, it is disbelief. Even Petyr, Broden, and Baelor couldn't even believe their ears of the blade Daemon was wielding. They heard the stories of Stormbringer's forging, the weapon wielded by Daemon's legendary ancestor King Daveth I Baratheon… nearly all of Westeros had believed the Valyrian steel sword was lost nearly 120 years ago during the Great Fire of King's Landing… a disaster that took six days to bring under control, but had destroyed the Andalosian Museum of Natural History and Science as well as killing over 12,000 people—including Queen Argella I the Historian.
Now seeing the weapon up close…
"You came seeking an audience with me, mainlander. Very well then. You've earned the right."
Finally! Daemon rose and eyed the Lady of the Iron Islands. "As I tried to explain earlier… I've been running all over half of Westeros assembling a coalition to overthrow my brother. I came here to invite you to join us."
Asha is momentarily ruffled by this, then she laughs. "You came all this way for that? Well, I'll say this for you; given what's happened here, you've got the balls to defy your family by coming to us for help."
"Neither of us are beating Argilac alone, Lady Asha. You know that. This invasion was only just the beginning."
"And who is partaking in this alliance you're gathering?"
"I need the Vale's support, but they need the Riverlands – who in turn need you. The Greyjoys possess one of the largest fleets in the kingdom. Mine is on the other side of the continent, but yours is within striking range of Lannisport – where my brother's army is resupplying their troops laying siege to Riverrun."
Asha shook her head. "Which is why I turned down an offer for a seat at parliament. Briala was always a good diplomat," she sighed. "So, you want our help for the Tullys so the Arryns can help you. Disrupt Argilac's operations and cut off their supply lines by sea. But I need something from you as assurance."
Oh, for fuck's sake… "Then… let's discuss terms."
—The Vale of Arryn—
Gulltown…
The Motherhouse of Maris had been besieged by one of the Talons reinforced by various hill tribes, ramming against the heavy doors to force entry. Sharra along with the other septas and orphans were huddled in one corner, praying and silently crying for salvation. The young Arryn was still unable to stand due to her sprained ankle, but all she could do was simply comfort those unfortunate.
Captain Jasline merely held her sword in both hands firmly, ready to kill any who would come through that door.
After three more rams, the Motherhouse doors swung open to reveal the Talon and hill tribes strolling in, weapons raised and finally ready to end this conflict whilst the battle raged outside. The assassins were aware the rebel fleet had already begun to dock and disperse its maritime soldiers to secure Gulltown. The Talon leading these uncivilized savages needs to kill Sharra Arryn and flee to safety – anyone else would be considered expendable.
"Well, you've certainly had a habit of giving the Talons a rather troublesome task, Lady Arryn. Spread out, boys!"
The hill tribes lunged forward. They were numerous, but Captain Jasline held her ground – determined not to let anyone get past her. A Black Ear snatched up a long-handled battleaxe and attacked, but Jasline moved faster. Her sword was raised to catch the Black Ear's axe on the downswing and shifted sideways to disarm and slay him; one of the Stone Crows tried his luck at the action and a spark flashed blue-white as steel met steel with a rending crash, and Jasline again killed another hill tribesman.
"None… shall get past me!"
One, two, three, four, five… Sharra watched in astonishment as Jasline moved swiftly and fought with such determination. This woman fought tooth and nail to protect the innocent regardless of her safety. Joining the other septas and orphans in prayer, Sharra hoped the gods would hear their call and allow good to triumph over evil. Black Ears, Burned Men, Moon Brothers, Stone Crows… Jasline was exhausted fighting them all off until none but the Talon himself was left standing.
"Well, well," the Talon chuckled, "I underestimated your resourcefulness. However," he gripped a flaming torch, "I have a job to do. And you're in my way!"
The Talon thrust the flaming torch at her face. Jasline shifted sideways to avoid it, but her cloak was too sodden with blood to burn. Flames crept across the stone pavement and woolen carpet. No sooner than she did the Talon had already sprung to his feet and drove at her, blades in hand. Jasline stood between him and Sharra, ever persistent in not letting any get past her. The blades kissed and sprang apart and kissed again. The Talon was faster than Jasline anticipated as he landed several precise cuts on her arms, shoulder, and back leg. She stumbled and swerved but remained standing. The records mentioned a stalwart defender sworn to protect those who mean more to them. Just like Ser Brienne of Tarth, the first woman to be knighted in this country, this wench may even give me a challenge for a time. The Talon moved to bring his flintlock pistols to shoot her, but Jasline smacked his hand aside – disarming him in the process.
The fire had begun to spread and was creeping up to the curtains. Sharra and the septas hurried to get the orphans away from the walls as the Motherhouse began to steadily burn. "Come, children. Come. Stay close," Sharra commanded. The orphans were quick to hurry to their liege lady while the fight raged on. "This way," she urged, "and slowly. We mustn't run, or that man will notice. Captain Jasline will protect us."
High, low, overhand, both the Talon and Jasline rained down steel upon each other. Left, right, backslash, swinging so hard that sparks flew when their weapons came together. The Brotherhood of Winged Knight soldier kept up the fight. Before long, the Talon noticed that Sharra and the others were trying to escape and ran for them, but his advance was again thwarted by Jasline.
"Stay away from Lady Arryn! Your fight is with me!"
"Damn you, wench! Get out of my way!"
Step and slide, strike and step, step and strike, hacking, slashing, faster, faster, faster… until breathless.
Jasline took a slow deep breath, her eyes watching him closely. "You will not threaten my lady."
The Talon drove her across the room, drove her into the walls. She stumbled once over one of the hill tribesmen's corpses she hadn't paid attention to, and for a moment he thought she was done for, but she went to one knee instead of falling and never lost a beat. Her sword leaped up to block a downwards cut that would have dug deep into her neck and then she cut at him, repeatedly, fighting her way back to her feet. Whenever he moved to get to Sharra, Jasline would thwart the Talon's advance until it drove her to the brink of exhaustion.
"Captain Jasline!" Sharra shouted.
"I'm all right, Lady Arryn!" Jasline reassured her. "Just stay away from us! I'll be with you shortly!"
Grunting, the Talon came at her, blade whirling and spinning acrobatically and suddenly Jasline struggled to keep steel from the skin. The Others take him, and Argilac as well! I will not let him harm Lady Arryn! She was steadily becoming more exhausted as the fight dragged on, and the Motherhouse burning all around them with Sharra, the septas, and orphans struggling to find a way out was no significant help either. Her eyes closed, her knees were starting to give way and a chill crawled up her spine.
The Talon dipped down to avoid an overhead swing and kicked Jasline's legs out from under her and she fell to the ground. Crawling up on top of her, he raised a dagger high in the air and drove down, but his wrist was caught by Jasline – gritting her teeth as she tried to keep him at bay. They rolled, kicked, and punched before the knife dug into her armor and bit into her right shoulder. The pain was blinding.
"As I told your lady," the Talon smirked, "the Talons… send their regards—" His tirade was interrupted by Jasline slamming a stone boulder into his face and pushing him off her. Once again, the two combatants were back in square one.
Jasline was all dirt and blood, her armor askew, her face red. And the Motherhouse rang with the sound of clicking. As the Talon turned to see, a barrage of gunfire rang through the air. Sharra turned to see a legionnaire of mariners setting their musket rifles and taking aim. The rifles report with a BANG – thunder and smoke rip the hot air; the barrage forces the Talon to bite the stone pavement before falling limp.
Sharra and the others coughed as Jasline sheathed her blade and ran over to them.
"Are you all right, my lady? Are you hurt?"
"I… I'm fine, Captain," Sharra replied, though she wished her ankle was so sprained. It hurt badly. Once she dusted herself off, she turned to the doorway to see who had come pouring in.
"Admiral. Target has been neutralized," one mariner reported. "All other hill tribes in the surrounding area have either been rounded up or fled. Gulltown is secure."
Inside strolled in Ser Jacaerys. "Good. Search the bodies for anything we could use—starting with that one," he pointed towards the fallen Tallon. He then noticed Sharra and the others. "And get the medical corps here. Tend to their wounds."
"Admiral Jacaerys?" Sharra was surprised.
"We heard Gulltown's alarm bells offshore and came as fast as we could. Are you hurt?"
"Just a… sprained ankle. Among other things. But it was Captain Jasline here who saved all our lives."
Jasline saluted. "Just doing my duty, Lady Arryn," she replied.
"If it weren't for her, we'd all be dead now. Have your men tend to her wounds first."
"My lady—"
"Please, Captain. I insist."
Jasline sighed wearily and did not protest further as more men arrived on the scene.
"The people. Are they—?" Sharra asked.
"I think it's safe to say that the war found them," Jacaerys interrupted. "Nevertheless, most are in shock. But Lady Arryn, let me remind you that the Vale cannot stay isolated forever. Even if today is won, they'll just keep coming until you are dead, and the Vale is forced into submission."
I… I know. Sharra shook her head as she was raised to her feet by the city guard.
"So, what is your response to all this?"
Sharra glanced outside. Her eyes observed the wounded, sick, and frightened. The damage inflicted to Gulltown's infrastructure was minimal, but it was the sight of the dead being piled up and fallen city guards being buried that made her decision final. "Captain Teagan," she said.
"Yes, my lady?" the Brotherhood of Winged Knight officer acknowledged.
"Spread the word from Gulltown to Coldwater. Tell every noble house in the Vale exactly what's happened here. We've suffered Argilac's insults for too long. It's time for us to join the fray."
—King's Landing—
Red Keep…
King Argilac stands atop the throne room overseeing a mural of Westeros painted on the floor. His arms were crossed, folded, his face hardened and stern. He had been hearing rumors of a stalled northern advance on Riverrun had been halted and his armies were stuck. Not surprising; Riverrun has enough granaries to withstand a siege for a few years, but his forces were much larger and better equipped. This measly pact of rebels wouldn't be able to last long against that kind of firepower forever… not with Lord Gerion Lannister and his son Ser Loreon capturing several strongholds from Harrenhal.
His thoughts were then broken by the arrival of his new Master of War, Ser Stefon Parne.
"Well?"
Stefon cleared his throat and adjusted his collar. "I am pleased to report that our campaign in the Riverlands is going well, Your Grace," he stated. "Our scouts have informed me that our forces report decisive victories at Lychester and Darry."
Good, good. "More rebel blood has spilled across the land. This pleases me, Ser Stefon. How soon can my armies do the same to Riverrun?" Once Riverrun falls, they will have no choice but to surrender… Not that they will be getting any mercy anytime soon. Their heads will soon be mounted on my walls.
Before more could be said, a messenger ran in and handed Stefon a rolled-up parchment, gave a quick bow, and quickly left the throne room before either Stefon or Argilac could demand answers. Not wanting to waste any more time, the Master of War loyalist broke the wax seal and opened it up before his eyes traced over every word. As his eyes glanced downward, Stefon began feeling uneasy.
"Well?!" Argilac demanded impatiently.
"Your Grace…" Stefon gulped. "I have just received word… The Sunset Sea Flotilla's Western Maritime Division has been pushed out of the Iron Islands. The Talon we've hired to lead our troops has been killed; Lady Asha Greyjoy still lives. They've been… they've been defeated."
"WHAT?!" The king was fuming and began stomping down the steps before getting up close. "How could a band of lowly ironborn manage to repel one of our formidable naval vessels out of Ironman's Bay?! Answer me now or so help me…!"
"They found that your brother – Prince Daemon, on Pyke. It seems he's been building an alliance between the Vale, North, Riverlands, and the Iron Islands as well."
Daemon?! Why you little…! "AND YOU LET THAT BOY GET AWAY?! Redirect our invasion forces and concentrate their efforts directly onto Riverrun! Instruct Lord Gerion that his men are to give no quarter to the enemy!" He turned towards the map. "DESTROY THEM ALL AND BRING ME THEIR HEADS!"
With an angry stomp, Argilac began smashing anything within reach – forcing Stefon to make a quick retreat before he was next on the chopping block. Argilac did not tolerate failure or excuses; but Gerion Lannister was a patient, calculating man.
"Again, His Grace failed to heed my advice," he murmured.
"But… our losses at the Iron Islands—"
"Were insufficient," Gerion observed a map of the continent. "It would seem we've underestimated the resourcefulness of young Prince Daemon. He seems to be just as tenacious as his brother, if not more persistent. And if he forms this 'coalition', he will have the army he seeks. The country will then be split in two."
"Then… you have a plan?"
"Did you think I'd be in my position now if I didn't have a plan? This is the war I'll be remembered for. 'The Clash of Antlers', the maesters are calling it. My legacy. Do you understand what that means?"
"General?"
"It's what you pass down to your children and your children's children. It's what remains of you when you're gone." Gerion picked one war piece on the map. Yet even Samson knows that his men would be crushed in a day if he moves now. And Prince Daemons is still young. He'll convince the boy to hold his troops back and simply wait. Doesn't matter. We're still in a good strategic advantage if it comes to attrition. "General Stefon."
"Yes, my lord?"
"Send word to my son he is to show no quarter."
Chapter End
Author's Note: Chapter 15 has been concluded with the Iron Fleet beating back an assault from Argilac's navy; Asha Greyjoy and Daemon Baratheon have briefly put aside their difference to win their first major victory in the civil war. Now, as they discuss plans for an alliance, how will this affect the outcome? With the Talons and hill tribes driven from Gulltown, it seems Sharra Arryn is putting her foot down and decided to mobilize the Vale's military for a long march to join up with the rebels in the Riverlands. And what is Gerion Lannister up to? Stay tuned to find out more.
Guest #1: good luck to the rebels