Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 317 The Long Summer is Approaching

As the longship slowly sailed into the rocky bay of the Iron Islands, the salty sea breeze seemed to carry a hint of the steely, chilling aura of the Greyjoy family.

Tyrion Lannister stood on the rocking deck, gazing at the gray and rugged island before him, a hint of reluctance flickering in his uneven eyes.

The wonders he had witnessed at sea these past few days—whether it was the gentle sea cat Marina, the steel-scaled saw sharks that sliced ​​through the waves, or the deadly venomous sea snakes—were far more interesting than the opulent halls of Casterly Rock and the endless family meetings. He had almost become enamored with this unbridled, unknown, salty atmosphere.

But all journeys have an end.

The ship gently glided against the simple dock, emitting a dull creak that jolted Tyrion out of his reverie. He took a deep breath, suppressing that inappropriate sentimentality and focusing his attention back on shrewd calculations.

"It seems it's time to say goodbye," he said, turning to the Greyjoys beside him, a familiar smile playing on his lips.

With a slightly sarcastic yet sincere smile, he said, "I need to go back and discuss the serious matter of opening a bank with my father."

He emphasized the word "discuss" with a hint of amusement, as if he could already foresee Lord Tywin's cold face and the inevitable power struggle in their conversation. With that, he turned sharply, his slightly clumsy yet resolute figure walking step by step towards Casterly Rock under the leaden sky of the Iron Islands, his mind already calculating how to transform his turbulent ambition into undeniable figures and power in the books.

Euron waved goodbye to him, also telling him that their reunion was not far off, and that he would soon visit King's Landing.

In the hall of Pike Place, a huge stone fireplace crackled with flames, dispelling the damp chill typical of the Iron Islands nights.

The long table was laden with grilled fish, blood pies, and steaming seafood soup, and the air was filled with the aroma of spices and ale—all signature dishes of the Iron Islands.

Ashara Dayne sat beside Euron, her pale fingers resting somewhat awkwardly on the rough wooden cutlery, a stark contrast to the unrestrained dining manners of the Greyjoy family members around her. This was her first time setting foot on this island known for its hardness and coldness, and also her first time being surrounded by so many "sea monsters."

This awkwardness did not last long.

Euron, keenly aware of her discomfort, broke the ice with a clever topic about Dorne's summer red and the Iron Islands' sea monster wine, Dunyu. Ahanis, the eldest sister-in-law, helped hold Daren, offering advice on how to manage a husband, which prompted Balon to slam his fist on the table and the whole room to erupt in laughter. The lively Asha then shared a funny story about one of her uncles falling into the sea after his first drunken episode, eliciting laughter from everyone. Sitting next to Ashara, her mother, Lady Sansa, quietly explained the origin of each dish.

With the subtle guidance and warmth of her family, Ashara's tense shoulders gradually relaxed, and a genuine smile appeared on her lips as she began to blend into the lively and vibrant family dinner.

Just as the banquet was reaching its climax, Maester Clygon, carrying a scroll of letter, quietly approached the head of the table and whispered his message. He brought news from the Citadel in the south, and that a long summer was approaching in the Seven Kingdoms, and that winter would end completely in the spring.

The news caused a low murmur in the hall. Euron hesitated for a moment, thinking of the hundreds of Dornish prisoners who had arrived with him. Since winter was coming to an end, there was no need to rush to send them to the Wall while the roads were still difficult in the cold.

"In that case," Euron's booming voice drowned out the murmurs, "let these Dornish guests spend this short winter in our Iron Islands. We can send them north next spring."

He paused, glanced around at the family members present, and chuckled, "Of course, the Iron Islands don't support idlers. The salt fields need strong laborers, and the mines will always need hard workers. Before spring arrives, they'll have plenty of work to repay our bread and salt debts."

After the dinner.

The hustle and bustle and warmth of Pike Place City were left far behind, and the lights of the dock gradually shrank into a few blurry spots on the dark sea.

Euron, Ashara, Lisa, Dagmoth (who has just acquired a surname), and Daren, held in Ashara's arms, embark on their journey back to Ironwind Isle.

A cool night breeze ruffled Asara's hair as she gazed at the dark, boundless sea, pondering how to cross it. She saw Euron already at the edge of the rocks, where the waves crashed. He didn't shout, but simply patted the surface of the water gently, as if silently conveying a message.

After a moment of silence, the sea surface rose silently not far away, and water flowed down from both sides of the smooth behemoth like a curtain.

A colossal beast, known as the "Sea of ​​the Nearshore," emerged under the moonlight. Its form was entirely different from the others that had appeared before. Its massive body had smooth lines, and its skin shimmered with a soft, mother-of-pearl-like luster in the cool moonlight, making it appear exceptionally docile and serene. It slowly approached the shore, lowering its head, which was covered with wondrous patterns, like a naturally formed floating bridge.

"Come on up," Euron said, stepping onto the broad, sturdy back first, then turning to reach out to Ashar. Lisa followed with practiced ease, while Dagmer, as he climbed up, still couldn't hide a hint of awe in his eyes—every time he came into contact with this behemoth, he felt deeply aware of his own insignificance and the weight of this honor.

Once the four were firmly planted, the "Sea Near the Sea" began to move steadily and almost silently. It broke through the dark blue velvet surface, stirring up tiny, phosphorescent waves. The sea breeze gently brushed past their ears, and the outline of Ironwind Island gradually became clear in the night, like a sleeping sea beast. This moonlit voyage felt less like traveling by ship and more like being gently carried by the ocean itself, returning to their own reefs and castle.

Under the moonlight, the "Sea of ​​the Nearshore"—the colossal beast Euron called the "Red Slayer"—glided smoothly across the inky blue surface. Asara stood on its broad, land-like back, the night wind ruffling her long hair, while the moonlight involuntarily shone upon the surrounding sea shrouded in darkness.

She remembered the letters Euron had sent her earlier. In those sea-breezy words, he explained why he had moved away from the main castle on Pike Island, choosing to live alone on the smaller, more secluded Ironwind Isle. The description on the letter was concise and calm: "The journey was fraught with howling winds and hidden reefs, making navigation difficult."

Back then, as she leaned against the balcony reading those words, all she could picture was an ordinary sea route with slightly rougher waves. Only now, standing atop the "Broken Red" and traversing this waterway whose menacing outlines were revealed by the moonlight, did she truly understand what those nine words meant.

Below, black reefs, like the fangs of a lurking sea monster, loomed intermittently amidst the rolling white waves. Even with the immense power of the "Red-Clad Beast" calming the waves, the eerie underwater shadows and the dull thuds of the waves crashing against the reefs were enough to send chills down one's spine. The gale here seemed to be restrained by an invisible force, forming deadly eddies that tore apart anything that tried to pass. She simply couldn't imagine how an ordinary wooden longship could find its way through this labyrinth filled with howling winds and deadly reefs.

The knowledge that had once remained on paper now transformed into a palpable, salty, and pungent pressure. She involuntarily took a deep breath, her fingertips clenching slightly.

Euron's voice rang out from the side, tinged with a knowing smile: "I wasn't lying to you, was I? Now you understand why I need 'Red Cut' as my footing!"

Ashara nodded, her gaze still fixed on the perilous sea.