Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 120 Go to Dragonstone to find Rhaegar?

Euron spread out a sheet of sturdy, slightly rough parchment, a type of paper unique to the Iron Islands, made from a mixture of seaweed and other seaweed, which was better able to withstand the damp sea breeze. He dipped his brush not in ordinary ink, but in a deep, dark purple ink, said to be made from the ink sac of a deep-sea squid mixed with wine, which would give the writing a unique fragrance.

To Ashara,

His handwriting is sharp and fluent, with an unrestrained tension, just like him.

The winds of the North Sea howl all day long, yet they cannot blow your image away from my thoughts. Since our parting at Starfall City, your eyes, like the clearest stars, often appear in my mind in this lonely night sky. The stones of Pike City are cold and hard, but only memories of you can bring a trace of warmth.

"The eyes of the Seven Kingdoms are now focused on Harrenhal in the Riverlands, where a tournament touted as the grandest in history is about to take place. I have decided to go, not entirely for glory or reward, but because it is the perfect opportunity to let the voice of the Iron Islands resound throughout Westeros once more. My spear may well be put to the test here."

"However, for me, this trip would only be complete if you were with me. Therefore, I sincerely invite you to join me at this grand event. Imagine you standing on the stands, the sunlight gilding your figure; that sight will surely surpass the brilliance of any martial arts competition."

"If you agree, we can arrange to meet at Harrenhal. At that time, no matter how noisy the stadium is, I will make sure to find you first."

"May the sea breeze carry your reply soon."

Euron Greyjoy, on Ironwind Isle

He put down his pen, waited for the ink to dry, carefully rolled up the letter, tied it with a dark silk thread, and then took a small piece of warm black sealing wax, carefully dripping it onto the seam. The seal was pressed down; the design depicted the sea monster of House Greyjoy, summoning Maester Qyburn and instructing him to deliver the letter to Starfall, Dorne, using the fastest and most reliable raven.

A few days later, Ashraf's reply was received.

The sea breeze seemed to carry a touch of warmth from the letter from Dorne. Euron opened the letter, sealed with the Starfall emblem, and Ashara's familiar and elegant handwriting came into view.

In the letter, she first responded to Euron's longing, her words tinged with a girlish reserve and affection. Then, she shared important news: "Brother Arthur (Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning) is currently a guest on Dragonstone, practicing swordsmanship and sparring with Prince Rhaegar. The sea breeze of Dragonstone, though different from that of Pyke, has its own unique flavor, forging the will."

When mentioning Euron's participation in the Harrenhal Tournament, her writing becomes increasingly delicate and tender: "My feelings are quite complex upon learning of your decision to go to Harrenhal. On one hand, I am genuinely happy for you and look forward to seeing you win your glory in front of everyone, making the Iron Islands' name resound throughout the land. But on the other hand, swords have no eyes, spears are merciless, and my heart cannot help but hang in the balance for you. I wish you to fight hard, but even more so, I wish you a safe return. Glory may be dazzling, but only peace can give us a shared, long future."

At the end of the letter, she extended a personal yet weighty invitation: "Since you've decided to head south, why not go ahead and detour to Dragonstone? Here, you'll find the invaluable guidance and experience of your best rival, Brother Arthur, and the most outstanding companion—Prince Rhaegar, a kind and humble man who greatly admires brave warriors. Training with them here will undoubtedly benefit you greatly, providing the best possible preparation for the Battle of Harrenhal. Moreover—"

She paused meaningfully, as if hinting at an unspoken truth: "Prince Rhaegar is, after all, the Crown Prince, the future King. Getting to know him beforehand will undoubtedly be of great benefit to you and to the future of the Iron Islands."

This letter not only carries the girl's concerns, but also cleverly weaves together a web of personal connections and political maneuvering, awaiting Euron's response.

Euron Greyjoy's fingers tapped unconsciously on the rough stone table, Ashara's letter lying open beside him. He wasn't focused on the scenery before him, but rather his gaze pierced through the thick stone walls of Pyke, reaching towards the distant Dragonstone and the legendary, perfect prince Rhaegar Targaryen.

Rhaegar Targaryen's reputation was impeccable throughout the Seven Kingdoms. He did not rely on the authority of the Iron Throne, but rather on his own brilliance to win widespread adoration from nobles to commoners.

Rhaegar Targaryen was renowned for his tall, handsome figure; his silver hair, inherited from the Targaryen family, shone like platinum in the sunlight, and his deep, dark purple eyes seemed to hold ancient wisdom and an unyielding melancholy. He was a master of martial arts, yet preferred quiet and solitude, often immersing himself in books and music. His harp playing and songs were said to be so beautiful and moving that they could bring tears to the eyes of even the proudest noblewoman.

However, beneath this perfect facade lurks the "shadow of the Summer Hall".

Rhaegar Targaryen was born on the same day, 259 AC, the same day the tragedy of Summerhall occurred, during the reign of King Aegon V.

His eldest son, Prince Duncan, and his close friend, Lord "Tall" Duncan, captain of the Kingsguard, died in this seemingly childish fire. This fateful coincidence, like an eternal curse, led Raga to always believe that he was "born in sorrow," adding a tragic hero's touch to his melancholic temperament.

Ashara's invitation echoed in his ears. It was a rare opportunity to forge a friendship with the future king and train with the Sword of the Morning and the prince himself on Dragonstone. This was undoubtedly a shortcut to the heart of Westeros's power.

But Euron's thoughts went deeper, because the future he "knew" was the complete opposite of the bright prospects before him. In that clear picture, Rhaegar Targaryen, the seemingly perfect prince who had everything, would ultimately be the one who lost everything.

Is it worth it to befriend a doomed loser and invest in a future that is bound to collapse? Euron's eyes gleamed with a sense of weighing the options.

Should we use this "prophetic" knowledge to stay away from the vortex and protect ourselves?

We should still get closer to him; perhaps we can glean something valuable from him, even in defeat?

Euron weighed the pros and cons and risks, and finally, he picked up his familiar dark purple ink pen and wrote a reply on the rough seaweed paper. He first accepted Ashara's invitation, but it would be impolite to go so abruptly, so he asked Arthur to write beforehand to seek Prince Rhaegar's permission. If Prince Rhaegar does not mind, I will change my itinerary and go to Dragonstone first.

However, in the latter part of the letter, his writing revealed an undeniable concern and longing: "However, what troubles me is your journey to Harrenhal. The journey from Dorne to the Riverlands is long, and the Seven Kingdoms are not entirely at peace. I cannot bear to see you subjected to any potential risks. Therefore, once the matter at Dragonstone is settled, I hope you will allow me to personally travel south to fetch you, and we will journey together to Harrenhal. Only in this way can I ensure your safe journey."

The letter was delivered immediately by a raven.

Soon after, Ashara's reply arrived on Ironwind Isle on the warm breezes characteristic of Dorne. Joy radiated from her words:

"I was overjoyed to learn that you were willing to go to Dragonstone. I am even more grateful for your concern for my safety and for your willingness to travel a thousand miles to welcome me. Reading this warms my heart."

"I have received a reply from my brother on Dragonstone. Prince Rhaegar warmly welcomes your upcoming arrival. My brother has also mentioned you to Prince Rhaegar, not only because of our engagement."

She then changed the subject, allaying his concerns and revealing her own future travel plans: "However, you need not worry too much about the journey to Harrenhal. I will not be traveling alone, but with the princess of Dorne and our prince—yes, the two we both know: Prince Oberyn Martell (The Red Viper) and his niece, Princess Arianne Martell. With the entire Dornish entourage accompanying His Highness, safety will be assured. We may meet you at Harrenhal; it will surely be an interesting journey."

Upon receiving the reply, Euron prepared to leave the Iron Islands.