KILLIAN

A Greyjoy's home was on the sea, with the it's salty breath hissing on hardened cheeks. Life for those on the Iron Islands was hard and gruelling, everyday was a struggle. A struggle that they had always faced with honour and strength. That wasn't the life for Killian Greyjoy. He sought the adventure of the sea but not the hardships of the islands they called home. He wanted life to contain that uncontrolled excitement that was rarely found on the harrowed faces of the Iron born.

The disgraced son of Balon Greyjoy found what he needed once he had stolen a worthless ship from his father's fleet. How he managed to sail the ship alone across to Ironman's bay was even a mystery to him. The god of the waters must have been on his side. It was that tale that he told the Prince of the Narrow Sea. Salladhor Saan couldn't miss the opportunity of a Greyjoy in his ranks and had taken the young man under his wing with open arms. The life of a pirate suited Killian all too well and by the end of that year he had already secured a promotion to Captain with his own ship. The Jolly Roger. That had been ten years ago.

Westeros had recently been in a time of unrest due to the untimely death of the King. It had been a hard time for pirates when ships had no coin to transport their goods. The Royal Wedding however, had brought all manner of cargo ships across their way and after a successful taking he thought it only proper to celebrate in the usual fashion…

'Salladhor will not be amused to see you wasting time like this when you should be sailing across to the Free Cities.' Smee whined anxiously twisting the red linen of his head scarf through his hands.

'Let the Pirate Prince know…I'm sure…he will gladly join me…' Killian said absently as the tavern girl's lips kissed teasingly at the nape of his neck as she began to unlace him. 'Are you going to stand there and watch?'

'Captain, I honestly think we should go…you should go.' The older yet more innocent man's eyes widened as the girl started to unlace herself and he quickly put a hand over his eyes.

'Your answer can be found in that one word Smee. I'm the Captain and I say when we leave.' His statement was finished with a sigh of pleasure as her hands caressed across his chest.

'I say you leave now,' Salladhor smirked from the doorway and gestured for Smee to go with a small pat on the man's back. 'You can have your fun once you secure the prize from Pentos.' He pulled Killian back from the bed, the ex Greyjoy fumbling with his trousers as he struggled to hold them up.

'You disappear into King's Landing for some unknown purpose and come back speaking of a prize across the sea, that will earn us the biggest reward in gold that a pirate has ever laid eyes on?' He scoffed, not bothering with the buttons of his shirt. The Pirate Prince had come back with gold practically glinting in the sweat of his eyes.

'Exactly, you'll be a good man and collect the prize that will have been dropped off at the dock and then you can wet your appetite on more than just a tavern girl,' Saan promised but as he spoke he moved to the bed in Killian's place. 'Now off you go. Oh and the package…you can look but not touch' He batted his hand for him to leave with a smirk.

'Whatever this 'package' is it better be worth my time. He has just sneaked his way into the woman I paid good money for!' Killian grumbled as sauntered up the gangplank. He was proud that Saan had chosen him to accomplish the task but that didn't mean that he would enjoy doing it.

'He hasn't really been too specific on the details has he Captain?' Smee offered following behind him in hope that the previous occurrence had been forgotten.

'He hasn't told me anything! For all I know I'm collecting a three legged pig that's been blessed by the Seven.' He sighed and sidestepped around a man rolling a barrel across the deck. This was home for the accomplished pirate. It was rumoured that the man loved his ship more than women but that one had never been proved. The skies were clear and the waters were calm, so he barked orders to set sail immediately. He didn't want to wait for the bad weather to strike.

Unfortunately for him the decent weather didn't last. The rest of the journey to the Free Cities had been gruelling to say the least. With each passing storm that hit them Killian became more irritable about the whole affair. Still, he hadn't been made the Captain for no reason. Under his experienced command his crew had pulled through the waves expertly. When they arrived in Pentos it was if the entire ship sighed with relief.

'You have till noon before we set sail once again,' Killian announced before his crew wandered off. He was met with groans but he waved them off. 'Quieten down you whining sea bastards! My objective was to pick up a package from Pentos and return as soon as the weather permits. If anyone wants to complain then complain to Saan when we dock back at Blackwater.' They all stopped then and shoved and pushed each other off the gangplank and into the bustling market.

'Captain Greyjoy do I have to look after the ship again? Its just I've never been to Pentos and…' Smee asked tentatively from the bottom deck looking up at him from his place at the helm.

'I do not trust the slimy dock traders here. You'll stay here, there's nothing you're missing trust me,' He answered with a dastardly grin and started into the port. 'I'll bring you back a souvenir Smee!' He called back with a hearty laugh.

Pentos had many wares to offer. The harsh, thick and accented sellers shouted at him from behind their stalls offering all sorts of unwanted items. He had turned down the carved statues of every god that could be named, a luck pendent apparently crafted from dragon glass and wine imported from all corners of the land. If he had the coin to spare he would have bought the wine but Salladhor was holding back on the pay until after this mission. At the end of the port was the slave market that still thrived in the Free Cities. He was about to turn back knowing he had come too far when a man grasped his shoulder.

'You be Saan's boy?' He asked his bald head glistening with the sweat of the sun. The man reeked of fragrant oils that almost overcame the assortment of slaves behind them. Almost.

'I am Captain Greyjoy, a member of the Pirate Prince's fleet aye.' He nodded looking about for the prize that he might possess to be taken back to Westeros.

'I have his shipment for ya if you would come with me.' He beckoned him with a finger over to the slave pen. Killian didn't understand, why was he heading toward the slaves? They were forbidden back in Westeros. Did Salladhor want him executed?

'I hope you are not trying to sell me a slave knowing that I cannot accept.' He said gruffly following behind him. The man didn't answer him immediately but led on to where a figure sat tied to a post. A sack was placed over their head and was slumped uselessly against the tight bonding.

'Not a slave Captain but a prisoner. You will be escorting this prisoner back to Salladhor Saan as requested by the…' He stopped himself before he said anything more. Killian raised a quizzical eyebrow at the man before reached forward to remove the sack. Long golden curls greased with dirt and blood fell from underneath; wet with the humid air of the sack. The gagged woman was beautiful despite the swollen and blood crusted nose and lip. Her blue eyes still shone with fiery tenacity as she stared up at him.

'I have been given no information about this woman. Can I ask that of you?' He asked the stranger his gaze still on her.

'A bastard tainted with the magic of the Undying. That is all you need to know,' The bald man kicked the woman to make her stand. She groaned slightly through the gag as he bent her arms back to unhook her bonds from the post. 'She's all yours Captain…well she's Saan's anyway. See that she gets to Westeros alive.' He gripped her by the hair and pushed her toward him. The prisoner stumbled into him but jerked away as he moved to touch her. Not having time for games the pirate reached out for her and pulled her close.

'Listen closely now, this journey can either be smooth and peaceful for you or it can be the worst that you will ever make. It all depends on how you treat your dear Captain and you will address me as such while aboard my ship do you understand?' He threatened and her glare had a flicker of defeat as she continued to look him straight in the eye. 'Now when I remove this gag I want you to tell me your name and then we can be on our way.' He pulled it down and she retched a little, spitting out flecks of blood and spit before looking once more back up at him.

'Go to hell you pirate bastard!'