(Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire nor its characters. Those all belong to George R. R. Martin, aside from my OC.)
(Ironman's Bay, The Iron Islands)
Blessed with favorable winds, they had managed to make good headway toward Harlaw in just a few days. Erlend has chosen to sail ahead of the fleet much to the dismay of his men, who insisted on sending at least a dozen ships with him.
Their worries were not unfounded, the Ironmen while notorious, were some of the best sailors this continent had to offer. Unfortunately for them, no matter how skilled they were, there was little they could do with how outnumbered they were.
As a swift breeze ruffled his hair, Erlend allowed his magic to run free, his aura covering their surroundings as he looked for any stray vessel. To those looking at him, it seemed as if he was deep in thought.
They had yet to spot a single Ironmen ship at the moment, the sea felt eerily empty.
After a bit of thinking, Erlend had instructed his Officers to capture as many variations of the Ironborn ships as they could. He was no expert in ship-building, but he understood that despite their lack of many redeemable traits, the reavers knew how to build some of the best ships in the World.
Perhaps his shipbuilders might be able to replicate them or improve on them so that his fleet could put them to use. Both the Western and Eastern Royal Fleets could greatly benefit from having more flexible and swift vessels.
His observation was interrupted by the footsteps of an incoming figure who bowed his head.
"Horton, I take it you have news?" Erlend asked.
"A report from Yohn, he encountered a dozen Ironborn ships on their way to Grey Garden from Orkmont, your Majesty," Horton said.
"Their goal being what exactly?"
"It was to convince Harras Harlaw to throw his backing towards Victarion Greyjoy as heir, they assumed Rodrik Harlaw would follow suit if his nephew did so."
"They want Harras and Rodrick to support Victarion against their kin!" Erlend let out an amused snort at that.
"They claim the boy is a fool and incapable, citing his mother's recent instability," Horton replied.
What little Erlend knew of Maron was that he was a compulsive liar and prone to cruel japes according to Theon. Though the man was an unreliable narrator and more than likely was the victim of pranks by his elder brother.
"They try to get him to support Victarion by insulting his cousin and his aunt. I assume the extra ships were meant as a warning."
Here they were in the middle of a war for their very survival, and the fuckers still had time to scheme against each other.
Horton nodded, "They were instructed to threaten Harras if he refused." He said.
Erlend snorted at that, a dozen ships were good and all but it wasn't going to frighten any sensible Lord. Then again they were likely counting Harras being too young to understand his position, his father had died in the battle with the Redwynes.
That was probably another thing they should've taken into account, Erlend wouldn't be surprised if the young Harlaw didn't hold Victarion responsible for the death of his father.
"Has Yohn managed to capture any ships?"
"three longships, the rest were destroyed during the battle. Our men were more than a little enthusiastic and didn't think about capturing the ships until it was too late." Horton looked annoyed at that.
"It's fine Horton, soon we'll be swamped with more longships than we know what to do with."
"Indeed your Majesty."
"How's Jasper?" The young Redfort heir like his father has chosen to remain with Erlend rather than go with the rest of the Valemen to Orkmont.
"He's not taken to sailing well, the poor lad is still feeling like 'shit' according to his own words."
"I wish him luck, the seven know I wouldn't want to be in his position at this moment."
Horton chuckled at that, whatever pity he had for his son was outweighed by his amusement at the predicament Jasper found himself in.
More than likely the old man saw it as retribution for his heir's consistent fooling around with servant girls and brothels.
Erlend wouldn't be all that shocked if word got out that some of those servants were heavy with child.
Heir and their inability to keep it in their pants, hopefully, Edmund won't be as stupid once he hit puberty, otherwise Rhaenys would castrate his poor boy.
…
It seemed Horton did not care for the fact that there was a heavy chance his heir would beget a bastard.
They continued to discuss the affairs of the Riverlands and Vale's recovery from the clan's incursions. Erlend had made sure to rebuild what could be and provide financial support for what couldn't.
It had played a key role in cementing his position within the Vale and the loyalty of his Lords. Naturally, there was some opposition to his rule, headed primarily by Anya Waynwood, though she chose to be far more subtle about it, the ambitious lady wanted her cousin as Lord Paramount of the Vale.
Erlend had no interest in humoring the Waynwoods. The Vale would become a key pillar for his dynasty and he would be damned if he allowed it to be under the control of someone not of his blood.
Their discussion of the two kingdoms would be interrupted by shouts of alarm that rang throughout the ship.
The Ironborn had finally arrived. There were about fifteen longships. One of his men signaled for the rest of the Flotilla to warn them of the incoming danger.
The deck was filled with men as they rushed to put on their equipment and get into positions. Just in time as the Ironborn closed in.
His men rained down arrows from above onto the Ironborn who attempted to board the ship.
The reavers faced heavy casualties as they failed to gain momentum in boarding his ship. Their leather armor did little to protect them from the rain of death falling upon them.
Eventually, as his men ran out of arrows, a few of the braver Ironborn managed to board the ship which was now surrounded by longships from both sides.
This didn't change the fact that they were falling faster than flies, as his better-equipped and disciplined men cut them down as soon as they got on deck.
Erlend did not stand there for long as he unsheathed his sabre and joined the battle. Casually blocking their attacks and cutting them down where they stood. Cut, Slash, Block, it became more akin to a rhythm he followed as Ironborn fell one after the other.
Old Horton was engaged in his own battles, with his son Jasper fighting alongside him, it would be poetic if not for the fact that they were covered with the blood of squid.
As Erlend turned elsewhere he saw his men struggling against a large man, with a bull-broad chest and fierce glare. A Kraken sigil lay on his chest, the armor was made out of steel rather than leather.
A noble, likely one of the Greyjoy brothers.
Noble or not, Erlend did not care to see his men slaughtered, as he joined in the fight by blocking a killing blow. Putting the bulky reaver's attention fully on himself, who looked annoyed until he spotted the crown on his head.
"So… you're the fucker these Greenlanders have been singing praises to since the silver-haired cunt made a mess of things," He spoke roughly.
"Am I supposed to know you?" Erlend deadpanned, not intimidated by the Greyjoy.
The man looked annoyed at that, "I am Victarion Greyjoy. Victor of the Battle of the Arbor, and the future King of Salt and Rock."
Erlend maintained his deadpan as he stared at the dead man in front of him, "Pity… I had hoped to meet your deranged brother."
Victarion roared in fury as he lunged towards Erlend with his Axe, Erlend simply dodged as he spun and slashed at the squid, Victarion managed to barely block his slash, as the shield itself cracked from Ardent's attack.
Backing off, both men circled each other, one looking wary while the other unfazed, as if he was on a stroll rather than in a duel of life and death.
The men around them seemingly coming to a consensus dared not interrupt their duel, as they fought each other instead.
They moved in earnest, Erlend would thrust and probe here, threw a feint there, testing the Greyjoy wherever he could, and a few strikes ended up catching the squid by surprise as his shield broke apart. His armor was marked by Ardent's slashes, looking worse for wear.
Even still, they had been at it for quite a while, Erlend was somewhat impressed by the persistence of this man, unfortunately, he was a little too late in parrying a slash from Ardent.
Victarion gasped in pain, as it happened before he could react. Gritting his teeth in pain, he did his best to continue, swinging his axe at his opponent, trying to cut him down.
Erlend countered the tiring squid with ease, a direct contrast to the weary Ironborn, who found himself losing balance as Erlend surprised with a direct kick to his leg.
Before the self-proclaimed future King could steady himself, Erlend sent a punch right to his jaw, a crack could be heard, as the man howled in response.
Trying to get his bearings, Victarion tried to see through the haze that was beginning to cover him, only to see the smug face of the Mudd King, "Night. Night." was all that was said before Erlend slammed his fists on his head and sending him to the dreamlands.
Erlend looked around to see the battle finishing up, a few dozen Ironborn corpses littered the deck, with a few Bannermen joining them. A grim sight for those who had not already witnessed war.
His men had rushed down towards the adjacent longships, killing any stragglers they could find.
His flotilla had taken care of the rest of the Ironborn ships on their own.
A few longships had attempted to escape once the outcome of the battle became clear, unfortunately for them, his ships were equipped with scorpions that made quick work of them.
Letting his voice be heard by his, "PILE THEM INTO THE DAMAGED LONGSHIPS AND BURN THEIR BODIES, FUCK THEIR DROWNED GOD, FUCK THEIR OLD WAY!" He roared for all to hear.
His men cheered in response to his order and slaughtered the remaining Ironmen who looked aghast at what would become of their corpses.
Erlend began to hum a familiar tune, not caring a wit for the fate of his enemies.
'Let's see them join their drowned god now.'