Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 134 The Sapphire of Tass – Brienne

The afterglow of the setting sun painted the outline of Tass Island with a warm golden edge as the fleet slowly sailed into the harbor.

Tass is also known as the "Sapphire Island," not because there are many sapphires on the island, but because of the azure waters around it.

The sea was calm and still, its deep blue swallowing up all traces. The three ships and nearly a hundred lives seemed to have never existed, the sea concealing its secrets with its eternal silence.

Princess Elijah's emotions gradually calmed down only after her feet touched the solid dock of Tass Island.

The suffocating fear that had been followed by the shock of its reversal was now intertwined, and finally, one could catch one's breath.

The terrifying yet magnificent image involuntarily replayed in her mind—giant tentacles, leaping whales, and the "King of the Near Sea," a creature that obeyed commands like a guardian deity of the deep sea. Recalling the ancient legends of the "Son of the Drowned God" circulating along the Iron Islands and the coast of Westeros, an unbelievable yet perfectly plausible guess took shape in her mind.

Princess Ilya hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't suppress her burning curiosity. She walked to Euron's side, her voice much softer than usual, tinged with a cautious probing: "I was just asking," she paused, seemingly realizing she had offended him, then said apologetically, "Those sea monsters—they seem to understand your will. This must be your secret, right? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried—"

Euron turned his head, the setting sun casting a halo around him. There was no offense on his face, only a smile that seemed almost serene.

"It's alright," Euron's voice was calm, as if he were talking about something ordinary. "It's an innate talent. The Greyjoy family are descendants of the Grey Sea King from the Age of Heroes, and I seem to have awakened some of the family's bloodline's talents, born with the ability to communicate with and command the inhabitants of the sea." He paused, his gaze fixed on the vast ocean that had swallowed their enemies and protected them, his tone filled with absolute confidence. "Otherwise, knowing there was an ambush ahead, why would I have led you all into it if I wasn't confident in protecting you? From the moment they decided to ambush me on the high seas, they were destined to die in the sea."

Princess Elijah smiled and nodded, recalling her brother Oberyn's assessment of Euron: "So young, yet a prodigy! If you are his friend, he will be a sincere and lovely friend; if you treat him as an enemy, he will be an extremely dangerous one."

As dusk settles over Tass, jagged rocks and lush forests together guard the ancient castle, Twilight Hall.

Euron and his party, led by a waiter, stopped in front of the heavy doors of the hall.

In accordance with the ancient and sacred traditions of Westeros, they received bread and salt from their hosts and tasted them solemnly. At that moment, their rights as guests were established, and within this hall, they were guests protected by a sacred covenant.

They were received by Selwyn Tass, the patriarch of the Tass family, Earl of Twilight Hall, and ruler of the entire island, who was revered as the "Star of Twilight".

The lord was tall and kind, with the marks of time and a deep, unyielding sorrow etched between his brows. He stood there, as composed and resolute as the Hall of Dusk itself, yet deep within his eyes, as he looked at the guests, lay a sorrow that only those who had experienced profound loss could understand.

His children suffered many misfortunes—his daughters Alyssa and Arianne died in infancy; his son Garrardon, on whom he had placed his hopes, was also taken by the merciless sea at the age of eight. Now, Brienne, his only surviving child, has become the entire hope and support of the Twilight Star, and the sole heir to the castle.

The doors to the Hall of Twilight slowly opened, and when Count Selwyn Tass's gaze passed over Euron and landed on the pale-skinned, noble-looking woman behind him, a hint of surprise flashed across his face—Princess Elia Martell's visit was clearly not announced in advance.

But he quickly regained the composure and courtesy befitting a lord, turning his surprise into a warm smile. "Your Highness, your presence greatly enhances the splendor of Twilight Hall." He bowed solemnly, then looked at Euron with equal enthusiasm, "Mr. Greyjoy, welcome."

After exchanging pleasantries, Earl Selwyn, with a hint of barely perceptible pride and a complex expression, turned and introduced, "Please allow me to introduce you to the most precious treasure of my life—my daughter, Brienne."

A young girl stepped forward in response—Brainy Tass.

Incredibly, Brienne Tass, born in 273AC and only 8 years old, stood about 1.7 meters tall, resembling a sapling just beginning to sprout. Her short, blond hair, however, resembled withered straw under the autumn sun, appearing somewhat frizzy and fragile. She had a large frame, broad shoulders, and a physique already showing the solid outline of a futuristic warrior. Her face was round and rough, covered with small freckles, but her eyes were large, clear, and bright blue, now curiously observing the guest before her with the innocence and straightforwardness characteristic of her age.

Tass Island was not a wealthy place, and Earl Selwyn had always disliked extravagance. Therefore, the nameday banquet did not invite many guests from all directions; most of those present were local nobles who had a long-standing relationship with the Earl, and members of other families from the Stormlands.

The purpose of this banquet was simple: to inform all the lords and their respective fiefdoms that the heir had been chosen and would be Brienne Tarth.

As part of the Stormlands, the Isle of Tars has always been loyal to Storm's End, and the Duke of Storm's End is also the lord of the Isle of Tars. Therefore, the Duke of Storm's End, Robert Baratheon, who is present at this banquet, is naturally the most distinguished guest.

Inside the main hall of the Twilight Pavilion, the firelight flickered on the stone walls, illuminating the figures of the guests.

Euron's gaze swept across the crowd and he quickly spotted two familiar faces: the honest Balf and the "regretful" Miss Victoria Daniels standing beside him, her face full of reluctance.

Upon seeing Euron, Balf immediately raised his glass in a gesture of greeting, flashing a gruff smile. Victoria, however, turned her head away unceremoniously, her bright red lips pursed in displeasure, clearly still seething with anger.

As Euron approached, Balf lowered his voice and explained with a mischievous smile, "Hehe, don't take offense. A few gentlemen asked about this girl's identity earlier, and I casually mentioned that she was your concubine—it seems that joke went a bit too far." This immediately earned him an even fiercer glare from Victoria.

The commotion also attracted the attention of the most boisterous guest in the center of the hall. Duke Robert Baratheon of Storm's End was drinking heartily from a huge goblet, mead dripping from his beard. When he saw Euron, his copper-bell eyes lit up, and a loud laugh immediately drowned out the noise of the hall.

"Ha! Little sea monster! You've finally arrived!" he shouted, stretching out his thick arm to pull Euron close, and loudly introducing him to the curious nobles around him, "Come and see! This is the lad who defeated that newly crowned, arrogant little lion Jaime Lannister three times back in Lannister Harbor! A clean and decisive defeat, haha, truly gratifying!"

This introduction caused Brienne of Tarth, who had been standing quietly to the side, to widen her azure eyes in astonishment. She stared incredulously at Euron—this boy, who didn't seem as muscular as she had imagined, had actually managed to defeat Jaime Lannister, renowned for his handsome looks and swordsmanship?

Robert's excitement was fully ignited. He patted Euron on the back forcefully, his breath reeking of alcohol and his fighting spirit: "Come on, kid! Talk is cheap. Let's have a match and see just how good the swordsmanship that made that Lannister brat get humiliated really is!"

Fortunately, just then, the music started, announcing the start of the ball. A bold noblewoman stepped forward with a smile and took the arm of the lecherous Duke.

Robert's attention was immediately drawn to her. He laughed and grabbed his female companion's waist, instantly forgetting the idea of ​​the competition. He then joined the boisterous crowd with his not-so-elegant dance steps.

>