The Winter King
Chapter 24: Iron Isles Ablaze
When dawn crack over the eastern sky, Harry took his ten thousand men and immediate marches to Seagard. It was only about an hour away from the Twins. When they got to Seagard, House Mallister bannermen were position at the port gates. Harry was in the front with Brise who was walking along with him.
Harry stops as Brise brings raises her fist. The men stop.
"They're most likely scared. Even though we sent messengers it's best we speak to them before coming in." Harry said as Brise nods her head. Harry walks forward with a few bannermen to the city guards. Harry walks forward.
"I am Lord Commander Harry Stark of House Stark," Harry said. "Requesting permission to enter your city," Harry said.
"Lord Jason Mallister has granted permission for you to use our ports. We also wish you good fortune in burning the Iron Isles." The guardsmen said.
Harry nods his head.
"Tell Lord Mallister that he no longers has to fear the Frey's. They have been dealt with and the family has been cut from stem to root. Their rise will never happen again." Harry said.
The guardsmen look at each other.
"When did this happen?" They asked.
"Last night. The North sacked the Twins in the middle of the night." Harry replies.
"We'll tell our Lord immediately." They said. One of them left as Harry nods his head and he immediately ventures inside the port. Brise gestures her hand forward and the men quickly went inside the city.
Harry walked through the port taking not that life wasn't so bad in Seagard. You can always tell by a city just by walking around it if it was in decay or flourishing. Food appeared to be well. Seagard relied on its navy power to keep the Ironborn away. Making them expert sailors. Seagard also had a lot more fish in the market than most places in the world. Due to the simple fact, they sailed both in the blue fork and the Ironman Bay.
Harry reached the bay to see his warships arriving. The sigil of House Stark was all over them.
"Make sure the men load up well. Have the ships prepare for battle as well." Harry said. Brise nods her head.
She immediately walks forward to the docks as the ships were coming in.
The men slowly started loading on the ships as they ships were prepared to make sail to the Iron Isles. Harry knew he couldn't wait on attacking the Iron Isles. The moment the Iron Isles hear the North was back in the Riverlands and at War with the Iron Throne again, they would re-attempt to seize the North. That is why, before any news reached the Iron Isles, the North would sack and burn the Iron Isles. Harry was going to cast fiendfyre all over the Iron Isles to prevent any future rebellions. Harry, however, wasn't cruel and knew burning people alive was something he could do. That's why they were going to kill every able man they could before burning the Iron Isles. Harry didn't know much about the civilians of the Iron Isles, but he was sure they believed the life of piracy was good for them.
Harry hated war. The innocents were always the first to die. Yet in this case, a region was his enemy. Enemies to the Northern Kingdom. Harry remembers all too well, how powerless Robb felt when the Ironborn began taking their forts and castle. Raping their woman, killing the men. Eating and drinking their food and refusing to share any with the captives.
Jon didn't know any of that. He was safely in Castle Black during the second rebellion. Harry, on the other hand, help remove the Ironborns from the North. It took two years to remove all of them. Yet it was so hard to fight them, as Harry was also fighting for territorial control from the Bolton's. During that time, he was facing a two-front war. Well, he was facing a three-front war. He faced the Bolton's for the North. The Ironborn and their rebellion also for the North. Then the Lannister's and Frey from the south.
It took him three years of choking the life out the Bolton's to defeat them. The thing about the North, was unless you understand the weather of the North, then the very land can become your enemy. Lord Eddard Stark, taught all his children how to survive in the North. How to use the terrain for you instead of it being used against you.
Harry missed him greatly. He was a father to him. Treated him well, welcome him to his family. Even honoring him by granting him the Stark name. Harry may have been able to start his own house with his own name. The Potter name. Maybe even with the Peverell, his ancestral name. However, he wouldn't be a great house like the Starks, or the Tullys, Arryns, Tyrell, or Lannister. Granted he wouldn't have minded being a vassal under House Stark.
Perhaps Lord Eddard Stark knew the war was inevitable. That he knew war between the Starks and the Iron Throne would erupt. The tension was getting worse long before Harry arrived at the Starks. Lord Eddard Stark did what he did to keep the peace. Most likely because he didn't want to see his sons marching off to war. Yet he must have known the war would have happened.
Perhaps he named Harry a Stark because he saw Harry was a Stark without the blood. And in case his sons couldn't continue the legacy of the Starks, Harry would.
Harry rubs his finger with the Resurrection Stone. He was tempted to call upon Lord Eddard Stark and speak to him again. To ask him the questions and to seek his wisdom.
Yet Harry did not. Lord Eddard Stark was dead. Harry shouldn't disturb the dead. No matter how badly he wanted to see his surrogate father again. He knew better than to awaken a spirit that was sleeping. He wasn't like the middle brother who would abuse the power of the dead. He would respect the law and let the dead rest.
Harry was about to climb on board the last ship when he heard a voice shouting at him.
"Wait." A guardsman of House Mallister said coming up to him. Harry turns around to speak the man.
"Lord Mallister wishes to have a word with you." The guardsman said.
Harry nods his head and waited as Lord Jason Mallister comes riding forward. His guardsmen were behind him.
"Lord Stark." Lord Mallister said as he approached Harry.
"Lord Mallister," Harry said as he bows his head in respect. Lord Jason Mallister bows his head in turn of respect.
"I must offer you my apologies. When the Lannister's came and threaten to sack my city I surrender without a fight. I humbly ask for your forgiveness." Lord Mallister said as he gets off his horse and kneels before Harry. Bowing his head in shame.
"There is nothing to apologize for, Lord Mallister. You did what was best for your people. You may have surrendered, but you did not side the Frey's when they demanded you to. Besides, that was merely a couple of weeks ago, no?" Harry said.
Lord Jason Mallister stands up. "Let me make amends. Allow my fleet to join you in battle."
"Will you be coming or is someone else going to be going in your stead?" Harry asked.
"My son will be leading our people. Patrek Mallister, he is young, but he needs to learn how to defend our people from the Ironborn one day."
"After today, the Ironborn will never again pose a threat. However, you do raise a valid point. The Seagard's are excellent sailors and the Northern Kingdom could use men of your experience to lead our ships." Harry said.
"A new tradition?" Lord Mallister asked.
"Finding men to sail waters and navigate them is tricky. Finding men to command such a fleet is also hard. You say your son needs to learn how to lead and defend his people. I couldn't agree more. You have kept faith with the Tully's and in turn kept faith with the Northern Kingdom. We will not forsake you, nor will we forget about you. Your people are expert sailors. Not as good as the Ironborn but still good never the less. House Mallister could profit greatly if they help the Northern Fleet."
"Under House Tully I expect." Lord Mallister said.
"That is true. I do not wish to disrupt the balance between your liege and Lord. I'm sure Lord Edmure Tully will not object. Yet if you wish to discuss it with him you may. I'm sure Jon would not object." Harry said.
"Jon Snow? He's King of the North."
"Yes, he is. He had royal blood running through his veins. As well as the blood of the Starks. I trust you heard his true lineage." Harry said.
"I heard the rumors. However, I find it hard to believe. Jon Snow the son of Rhaegar Targaryen. Though it makes sense, as part of the royal bloodline, Jon Snow would be able to restore the Iron Throne back to common sense and not this stupidity we've been seeing." Lord Mallister said.
"We have a Master of Ships," Harry said. "Ser Davos Seaworth. He knows his way around the sea and understands naval warfare. I trust your son won't mind taking orders from him." Harry said.
Lord Mallister nods his head.
"How soon can your ships be ready for battle?" Harry asked.
Lord Mallister looks at his Master at Arms as he whispered into his ear.
"A day my Lord." Lord Mallister said.
"We can't wait that long. We have to sack the Iron Isles now. If you have men able, you're more than welcome to board my ships. But we're leaving at once to sack the Iron Isles." Harry said.
"We can make haste and join half the fleet with yours during midday my Lord if you are willing to wait for my Lord." The Master-at-Arms said.
Harry paused to think carefully.
Then he shakes his head.
"No. As we attack the Iron Isles, your ships must head north to our borders. Make sure no Ironborn are heading that way. I have no doubt the many will be heading north, east and south. My ships can cover the east approach. Send your ships north and watch our lands for any signs of the Ironborn. I'm sorry, but timing is everything here. We cannot wait for your ships to get ready. The moment they hear we're in the Riverlands, they'll be venturing North. Defend our homelands, and we'll sack the Iron Isles." Harry said.
Lord Jason Mallister was thinking carefully. Then he nods his head in acceptance.
"We'll watch your homelands and protect them." He said as he turns to his men and has them start making preparations.
Harry turns and climbs on board his ship. The ship slowly takes off and heads to the Iron Isles.
A total of three hundred ships were heading to the Iron Isles in full force. The attack would be without warning, and it would be without mercy.
While the Direwolf sigil was painted on the front sails, Harry also made sure that he also carried the flag of the Starks behind him. The flag was hosted behind them as the helmsmen steer the ship towards the Iron Isles.
The Northern Navy had three classes of warships. Both were warships, the Brigs, small and fast were mostly ships that patrolled the Northern Kingdom's territories. They served as scouts as they were renown for their speed. They also served as large merchant ships. They reached a hundred and ten feet in length alone.
Then there were the heavy frigates. The heavy frigates alone reach three hundred feet in length. They were strictly military. Created to serve as the backbone of the Northern Fleet and its main naval military power. As well as escorts to others ships align with the Northern Fleet. They were more than twice as big as brigs and just as fast as them as well.
Then came the man of wars. Or the galleons as they were properly called. These ships were big. Reaching five hundred feet in length alone and more than fifty feet in width. They were primarily used for transporting troops or raw goods around. Needless to say, these massive ships made pirates wary of attacking them.
To give the Northern fleet a real fighting chance at defeating other naval power, and because gunpowder didn't exist in this world, Harry added a ten-foot battering ram to the bottom front part of the ship. However, the Galleon's didn't have the speed to use battering rams and their mere size alone made them almost impossible to fight in certain areas in Westeros. There also weren't many Galleons in the first place. Barely twelve.
There was one thing Harry did add as he tried to make improvements to Northern Navy. A five curved blade propeller. Harry made sure all his ship had one behind the rudder. Steam ships were hard to make and would require a lot of time and energy to invest with a lot of failures. Electricity hasn't been discovered or was even know how to use and Harry didn't even know how to begin with, that. Magic was also out the question as he was sure his magic would only last so long before it fades away. However, there were two elements Harry could use. The wind and water currents. All the masts and parts of the ships had air holes allowing air to travel inside the ship towards the main mast where below a spinning shaft had been placed that attach to the propeller allowing faster water speeds. To give them a boost, Harry set it up so water could slip a few inches into the hull. The rapid currents would increase the propeller to spin even faster. What was better, Harry made sure to set it up that ships can quickly move forward or backward.
Perhaps it was because of his field trips during his younger days at the museums of ancient warships that allowed him to make such a fine fleet. Perhaps it was because he was British that he was proud of making such a great fleet.
"Iron Isles sighted!" the crewman shouted.
Harry was brought out of his train of thought and steps forward to see the Iron Isles were indeed in sight. He could only imagine the terror that was about to grip the Iron Isles. It has been almost twenty-five years since the Iron Isles was attacked. Not since the days of his surrogate father made Balon Greyjoy bend the knee.
Harry heard that a Euron Greyjoy become the new King of the Iron Isles. After he murders his elder brother Balon Greyjoy.
It did not matter, after today, the King of the Iron Isles would be no more. The Ironborn for once would finally understand what it means to have their homes burn and taken from them.
They finally got in range and the archers released a volley of arrows upon the inhabitants. Harry climbs into a boat and prepares with his men to sack the island. Pyke was the largest island and the first to be burned. Harry could see the people of Lordsport preparing to defend their island.
They were brave but foolish. From what Harry could see, they were using aged weapons and poor armor.
Harry jumps on the docks and quickly the battle ensues.
The men screamed as they charged forward. Harry's shoulder tackles the first man before shoving his sword into the second. His men starting pouring into Lordsport and quickly overwhelm the population. Harry could also see many ships were being made and by the looks of things, the Ironborn was building a massive fleet.
"Burn their ships." Harry orders as he brings his sword up to block a blow that was meant for him before stabbing his sword into his attacker.
His men showed no mercy. They began grabbing torches and setting everything on fire. The people suddenly realized everything was burning and they didn't have the men to defend their homes. So they took off heading towards Castle Pyke.
"Do not let them get away. Chase them." Harry shouted as he takes off after him. His men followed them.
Hundreds of his men were starting to come onto the island. All the islands were under siege.
Harry didn't understand the minds of the Ironborn. They were enemies of the world. No one was their friend or ally. They had a low population. Yet were gifted sailors. So why would they so foolishly take on the world when they didn't have a chance at winning? It was like they were asking themselves to die.
Harry didn't know their culture and didn't want to understand their culture. He sure it was dishonorable and despicable. Something he could never do or become a part of.
Two rebellions. The first one force Balon Greyjoy to bend the knee. The second one caused Balon Greyjoy to lose half his men and forces. Yet he still tried to take the mainland.
Lady Catelyn Stark was right.
It wasn't possible to make peace with the Greyjoy's or the Ironborn.
Harry couldn't risk it, and the North would not tolerate it. They would not allow a third rebellion to happen.
Harry was climbing up the hill after the people when he suddenly spotted something heading towards them.
"Shields!" Harry shouted as a volley of arrows was unleashed upon them.
Harry noticed that the arrows weren't just aimed at the incoming Northern Army, but also at the Ironborn's own people.
Harry looks up and sees a tower facing the south had lots of archers. Harry pulls out his wand and fires a blasting curse at the base of the tower. The base exploded with such forces, stones were flying everywhere. Then the tower slowly started coming down. The arrows stop and Harry knew the people trap inside that tower would fall to a horrible death. They would not survive.
Harry waves his wand at the gates and the gates and door open allowing Harry and his men to storm Castle Pyke.
Ironborn started coming out to meet them, but it was clear they hardly ever train themselves how to fight. They swung their swords like brawlers and thugs. Not as warriors. Their armor was also in poor condition.
When Harry stabs his sword through one Ironborn, his Valyrian Steel blade went through with almost no resistance. Which shouldn't have been possible. Even though Valyrian steel was the strongest metal in the world, even it shouldn't have cut through so easily through the armor as it should have.
The Ironborn quickly fell as Harry enters the throne room. A dozen of the Ironborns was standing ready for a fight. One Ironborn had driftwood around his head like a crown and he was holding a sword like he meant business. He also had an insane look in his eye.
Harry charged forward with his men following. The Ironborn tried to fight, but they didn't have the men or the skills to fight. They quickly fell as Harry's men were not only better equip, but had the numbers on their side, as well as the training.
Harry met the Iron Isles King with their blades crossing. They met and Euron Greyjoy swings hoping to slice Harry's belly. Harry instead meets his blade and brings it up, then he steps forward and quickly stabs the Iron Isles King in the gut. He gives Harry a look of disbelief and it showed on his face. Blood began to trickle down the corners of his mouth. He then attempts to stab Harry through the neck but Harry withdraws his sword and blocks the blow. He shoves the sword aside and Euron Greyjoy falls backward in hopes to regroup. Harry, however, wasn't going to time to regroup and swings his sword in an attempt to slice him open from neck to belly. Euron Greyjoy raises his sword to block the blow and the moment the swords made contact with each other, Euron's sword shatters. The blade breaks in two.
Harry moves in for the killing blow but he quickly turns to see an Ironborn attempting to stab him from his blindside. Harry parries the blow before shoving his sword into his gut. Harry quickly drops the dead Ironborn as he turns his attention to Euron Greyjoy. Only to see Euron Greyjoy fleeing from the battle.
Harry gave chase. His men who were able were quickly finishing off the Ironborn and follows Harry.
Harry enters a room which had to be the Salt Throne. An elderly man was standing there. Harry walks up to him.
"How dare you attack the Iron Isles. You will answer for this crime and the Drown God will.." whatever Aeron Greyjoy was going to say he couldn't finish. For Harry just separated his head from his body.
One of his men looks outside the window.
"My Lord, Euron Greyjoy is escaping." He reported.
Harry quickly flung himself to the stairs with his men following him.
Harry quickly runs down the stairs and sees another port that was untouched by the North's attack. Harry could see hundred of ships leaving and heading south immediately.
Harry immediately cast some fire for his men to lite their arrows aflame.
"Fire at will," Harry shouted as his men open fire.
Harry pulls out his wand and fires a blasting curse upon the ships. One ship exploded sending its sailors flying everywhere.
Harry kept firing blasting curse after blasting curse destroying the ships. The ships seem to have realized the dangers of staying in port. Before they could make any sense, they immediately head out to open sea. Many of them crashing into each other in their haste of getting out.
Soon they were out of range.
"How many ships escape us?" Harry asked.
"At the least, fifty ships. At the most, maybe a hundred." His lieutenant replies.
"Everyone return to the ships, I'm going to burn the Iron Isles to ashes," Harry said. They all return to their ships. As the ships begin drumming to signal all the men to return to the ships. Harry climbs into the boat and the Starks began withdrawing from the Iron Isles.
Harry stands on the ship as the boats began to load up again. Harry waited until the last of the boats were loaded up. He looks at the Iron Islands and the Island Pyke before bring out his wand and casting Fiendfyre upon it.
The Fiendfyre immediately destroyed what settlements that haven't been destroyed by the North's earlier attacks. It soon stretched across the lands and reached Castle Pyke. The castle stood in a proud moment, in an attempt to resist the incoming fire. However, it was too much and the castle began to crumble and the stones started to turn to ashes.
Harry directed his Fiendfyre to all seven Iron Isles. Burning them so badly, the lands themselves reduced to ashes.
Harry ends his spell and looks at the carnage. The fire was still blazing on the island making it almost impossible for anyone to land or settle down again. Harry didn't end the fire or put it out. It would serve as a reminder of what happened to those who dare challenge the Northern Kingdom.
Meanwhile, nearly a thousand miles south, in the Stormlands, Daenerys Targaryen fleet began to arrive in the Stormlands and enter the ports within the Stormlands.
Author Notes: I hope everyone enjoys. The Iron Isles have been sacked and retribution is at hand. Not many chapters are left. I hope everyone enjoys.