Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 312 Recognition – Strength and Identity

Sailing days are not just about monotonous waves and sails.

When the sea was calm, young Greyjoy warriors were practicing swordsmanship on the deck, and the sound of blades cutting through the air caught Ashara's attention.

Under the watchful eyes of several Ironborn, a mixture of curiosity and prejudice, the seemingly gentle lady from Dorne calmly walked over and borrowed a longsword for practice from one of the warriors.

At first, the Ironborn were benignly watching with amusement. But the next instant, as Ashara flicked her wrist, her sword tip swirling in a sharp, swift flourish, all their relaxed expressions vanished. Her movements weren't the powerful, heavy slashes the Ironborn were familiar with, but rather a fusion of Dornish agility and the precision inherited from the Dane family.

Her steps remained steady on the swaying deck, as if dancing in the desert. The sword flashed, sometimes swift as a scorpion's sting, sometimes dense as a sandstorm. The ordinary longsword seemed to come alive in her hands, its trajectories both beautiful and deadly. She displayed not just skill, but a fighting art ingrained in her very being.

The deck became eerily quiet, with only the hiss of swords cutting through the air and the sound of waves crashing against the hull.

The Iron Islands men, who had initially looked down on them, now held their breath, their eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment, which gradually turned into heartfelt admiration.

Euron appeared at the ship's side at some point, arms crossed, a knowing yet proud smile on his lips, quietly watching his wife win the first real respect on this sea that belongs to men, in the most direct way.

Euron already knew that Ashara could use a sword, and was very skilled at it, so he wasn't surprised.

But the other Ironborn always tended to view women as weak and vulnerable, forgetting that Ashara Dayne's brother was none other than Arthur Dayne, the renowned "Sword of the Morning" who was famous throughout the Seven Kingdoms.

Under the sunlight of Starfall City, it was her legendary elder brother who laid an extremely solid foundation in swordsmanship for her, instilling the Dane family's understanding and elegance of the sword into her instincts.

After she met Euron, the astute Euron, having observed her movements and talent, concluded that the heavy, forceful swordsmanship of knights was not the best path to showcase her strengths. He saw the agility and speed inherent in her, a quality belonging to Dorne. "You are more like water than iron," he once told her, "the swordsmanship of a water dancer might suit you better."

So, in the courtyard of Sunspear, on the voyage to the Iron Islands, Euron, originating from Braavos and emphasizing speed,

She was carefully taught the essence of the "Water Dancer" sword technique, which emphasizes balance and precision.

Asara combined her unpredictable footwork, unexpected thrusts, and the technique of using an opponent's force against them with her original Dane swordsmanship, creating a unique style of swordsmanship.

Sure enough, this light yet deadly swordsmanship seemed tailor-made for her.

Asara displayed astonishing comprehension; her swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds in a short period, as if she had broken free from some invisible constraint. Her already fierce attacks now possessed an even more fluid and unpredictable quality, like mercury flowing across the ground.

Ordinary warriors were no match for her now. In the battle on the deck, she defeated several skilled Ironborn with her rapier, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

However, deep down, Euron taught her swordsmanship hoping she would have the ability to protect herself and see a wider world with him. But his truest wish was that the twin swords in his hands would forever be her strongest bulwark.

"I practiced swordsmanship to give you more freedom," he once stroked her hair, his deep voice like a vow, "but protecting you will always be my first priority. I would rather the seas of these seven kingdoms dry up than see you forced to stain your own blood."

Asara deeply cherished Euron's protective intentions, but she became even more focused and diligent in her sword practice. She wasn't resisting his protection; on the contrary, she wanted to prove through her sword that she was not merely a vine clinging to the strong, but a towering tree capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with him. Her acceptance of his protection stemmed from love and trust, not weakness or need.

This brilliance of independence and resilience quickly won her her first important follower—Asha Greyjoy.

Greyjoy, a woman of fiery temperament and a strong belief in power, saw in Ashara the ideal she had always held: true strength comes from within. She almost immediately became Ashara's most steadfast supporter and friend, and the two women's sparring matches on deck became a striking sight on the fleet's northward journey.

Even the usually stern and unflappable King Coron showed a rare hint of approval for his daughter-in-law. Though he didn't publicly praise her, his usually tightly pressed lips relaxed almost imperceptibly for a moment when he saw Ashara deftly sheath her sword. His old subordinates, familiar with his temperament, understood that this was the highest form of expression of the King of the Iron Islands' high satisfaction.

Within a short voyage, Ashara completely won over the Ironborn, who might have initially harbored doubts, with her swift swordsmanship, her radiant beauty like the Dornish sun and stars, her composed demeanor in dealing with people, and the profound knowledge she casually revealed about history, navigation, and even handling various affairs. She didn't deliberately flatter them; she simply presented herself naturally, and like water dripping on stone, she quietly earned the heartfelt respect and genuine affection of the entire Greyjoy family.

The third day of the voyage.

On the spacious deck, facing the biting, salty sea breeze of the North Sea, Euron held a simple yet profoundly meaningful ceremony.

He addressed all the members of House Greyjoy and his crew, his voice steady and clear, drowning out the roar of the waves: "Dagmore," his gaze fell on the old captain, whose hair was slightly gray and whose face was etched with the marks of time, "You followed my father into battle, and served me faithfully from my youth. Your loyalty and sweat are etched into every plank of the Greyjoy fleet, and your courage and wisdom are the Iron Islands' treasure. All that you have given over the years, I, Euron Greyjoy, have never forgotten."

He paused, then turned his gaze to his imposing father beside him. King Coron remained calm, meeting his son's gaze with a slow, solemn nod, granting him silent yet most powerful authorization.

Euron looked at Dagmore again and declared loudly, his voice like the sound of a gavel: "Here, in the name of the Drowned God, by the blood of House Greyjoy, and with the consent of my father Corren, King of the Iron Islands, I bestow upon you a surname! From this day forward, you and your descendants will bear the name Greyjoy, becoming members of the Iron Islands nobility, sharing the glory and responsibility of the Seastone!"

Upon hearing this, the deck fell silent at first, then erupted into a tsunami of cheers and the booming of swords striking shields.

This is an unparalleled honor for the Iron People who regard family and honor as their very life.

Even a seasoned captain like Dagmore, who had spent his life battling storms and swords, and was accustomed to life and death, felt a jolt upon hearing the announcement. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, which had seen countless storms and enemy movements, were now blurred with a sudden surge of tears. He opened his mouth, but his throat seemed to be blocked by something, too overwhelmed with emotion to speak. In the end, he simply bowed deeply, almost touching his forehead to the deck, expressing his unwavering loyalty and boundless gratitude in the most ardent of ways.