Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 369 Island of Women - Descendants of Nymeria

The air in the operations room was heavy and oppressive, broken only by the rustling of Euron's fingertips across the nautical chart. His figure was as tall and straight as a mast, his shadow winding across the chart as if already looming over the Emerald Isles.

"The Summer Islands are dotted with numerous small islands, and our forces are scattered." Eulen's voice was cold and clear. "This time, we will divide our forces and attack, like claws closing in, making it difficult for them to defend themselves from both ends."

His finger pointed heavily on the sea between Valano Island and the northern Ries.

"Once war breaks out, the nobles of Valano will not sit idly by; ships will surely attempt to flee north or seek aid. King Balon—" Euron looked at his brother, "your Wrath of the Grey Sea King," leading twenty longships, will block this route like an iron chain. Not a single plank will be let go, nor will any foreign fly be allowed to enter!

"Yes, sir!" Balon replied in a low voice, a fierce glint in his eyes. Balon did not resist his brother Euron's orders because of his status as the King of the Iron Islands, as Euron was the chief planner of this expedition, and Balon trusted his wisdom.

Euron's finger then slid south, landing on a wider body of water.

"Dono Sucliff of Salt Cliff, Beller Blacktes of Black Tide, Edwin Ramirez, Victorion Greyjoy—" His gaze swept over the two island lords and the former pirate leader, "You are responsible for sealing off the line from Summer Sea to Nath Island. Same mission: no entry, no exit! I want to make the Summer Islands completely isolated."

"Yes!" The two island lords and Edwin Ramirez solemnly accepted the order.

His fingertips fell toward Zal Island in the south.

"Prince Jalabar, you are working with Rodrik Harlo of Harlo Island, with your sights set on your homeland, Red Flower Valley and Sweet Lotus Valley. You must take control of both valleys as soon as possible, raise the banner of your rebellion, and at the same time spread your title as King of the Summer Islands throughout all the islands."

"Understood!" Rodrik Harlow pounded his chest. Prince Jalabar nodded solemnly, took a deep breath, and his eyes were resolute.

"The town of Tantou, which guards the gateway to Zaler Island, is to be conquered by Lord Geud Gubler of Great Wick Island."

"Oppenloo Island will be dealt with by me personally leading the 'Zhiyuan' and twenty longships."

"The shipyard in Kagoshima is of paramount importance. Lord Dunstan Zoko of Old Wake Island is entrusted to you. Make sure you take control as soon as possible."

"Women's Island and the other scattered islands," he said, turning his gaze to Obaya Shad and Nymeria Shad, and Elin Oakwood of Oak Island, "are responsible for cleaning them up, leaving no future troubles."

Each command, like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, flew precisely towards its respective target. The massive Iron Islands fleet, at these commands, transformed into several deadly torrents of steel, poised to plunge upon the unsuspecting Emerald Isles.

The figures of the sisters Obaya Shad and Nymeria Shad carry a Dornish aura that is quite different from that of the Ironborn.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

They are the illegitimate daughters of "Red Viper" Oberyn Martell. Their appearance in the expedition lineup was not part of Euron's original plan, but rather a later addition.

Obaya Shad was slightly older, with a robust and muscular build, her muscles bulging powerfully beneath her leather armor. She was born to a prostitute from Oldtown during Oberyn's youth, when he was studying at the Citadel. She never cared about her birth or appearance, dedicating herself entirely to forging herself into a pure warrior. Her skin was dark from years of sun exposure, her face resolute, even somewhat rugged, lacking traditional beauty. A well-forged spear rested at her side, and the whip at her waist resembled a lurking serpent.

Nymeria Shad, on the other hand, presented a completely different image. Her mother was a noblewoman from the free city-state of Valantis, a lineage that endowed her with an elegant figure and an almost mysterious aura. She was strikingly beautiful, possessing eyes as dark and deep as the night, and a long, glossy black braid cascading down her back. Beneath this beauty lay a deadly danger; dozens of gleaming throwing knives were densely packed around her slender belt, indicating she was a master of the weapon.

They are here not because of their appearance or fighting ability.

It was for Women's Island.

North of Valano Island lies a solitary island called "Island of Women," its outline appearing and disappearing in the sea mist. In much older, almost forgotten times, it was known as "Abru."

This island carries a heavy memory.

In the distant past, when the shadows of Valyrian dragons darkened the sky, the great warrior queen Nymeria led countless surviving Rhoynar women and children, like leaves driven by a storm, to this island seeking respite. Their weary footsteps trod its beaches, and their tears mingled with its salty waters.

Later, Queen Nymeria made the historic decision to assemble a fleet of thousands of ships, set sail again, and search for the promised land that destiny had promised, eventually settling down on the banks of the River Dorne.

However, not everyone was willing to face the unpredictable sea and the unknown future again. Several thousand people, perhaps too exhausted, or perhaps having developed a attachment to the land that had temporarily sheltered them, chose to stay.

Their descendants, like resilient vines, have thrived on this island to this day. Therefore, the inhabitants of "Island of Women" today all have the blood of that legendary queen flowing in their veins; they are all descendants of Nymeria.

Years later, the Queen of Dorne, ruler of Dorne, never forgot these distant relatives who had been separated from their homeland. She sent messengers across the sea to the island's queen, sincerely inviting them to return to the land their ancestors had ultimately chosen—Dorne.

The island's queen gave a gentle yet firm reply—she thanked her for her kindness but stated that her people had long been settled there and had no intention of relocating again.

Although the return did not materialize, a bond based on shared blood and history tightly connects Sunspear, Dorne, with this isolated island. The two sides have maintained friendly relations and courtesy exchanges, and this friendship has never been severed despite the vicissitudes of life.

Obaya Shad and Nymeria Shad were sent to the Isle of Women by Prince Doran for several years when they were young. That secluded land not only sheltered them but also honed their martial arts skills. The female warriors on the island, who carried on ancient traditions, imparted their unique fighting techniques to them—Obaya's cunning and ruthless whip techniques and Nymeria's unerring throwing knife skills both bear the distinctive fighting mark of the Isle of Women.

Arranging for them to land on the island is a continuation of the thousand-year-old bond between Dorne and the island.

Their task was to ensure the safety of Summer Isles, an island with a special connection to them, as the Iron Islands fleet swept through Summer Isles like a storm of steel. They needed to either avoid being drawn into the war or join the Iron Islands, rather than becoming enemies. On the other hand, if the expedition succeeded and Summer Isles were reunited, Prince Doran hoped to use this bloodline and old friendship to persuade the Queen to lead her people back to Dorne. Even if the Queen ultimately refused to leave, they had to ensure the status and future of this direct descendant of Nymeria in Summer Isles, maintaining the bond between Dorne and the island across the Narrow Sea.

Obaya Shad and Nymeria Shad embark on a voyage to the Isle of Women once again after many years. But this time, they are no longer apprentices in need of protection, but rather messengers and mobilizers.

Holding Prince Doran's token, they will meet the island's queen, gather the female warriors who have inherited the blood of the Loyna warriors, let the ancient banners wave for a new uprising, and make the power of the Isle of Women a force in this war of conquest.