Chapter 201: The Ironborn's Sorrow, Ravaging the Westerlands

In the beginning, when the Iron Islands fleet set sail from King's Port, the docks of this small fishing village were crowded with cheering throngs, people dreaming of the Old Way, dreaming of the glory of conquering the North, and dreaming of bringing back bondmen and salt wives from the North.

Asha Greyjoy still remembered that on the day of departure, the Ironborn raiders sang songs of the ancient conquerors, Aeron Greyjoy delivered a passionate speech aboard the longship *Drowned God*, and Iron Fleet Commander Victarion, aboard the longship *Iron Victory*, performed the finger dance from afar with *Bloody Drinker* captain Dagmer Cleftjaw, while Asha's uncle, the "Reader" Rodrik Harlaw, held a book in one hand and prayed devoutly.

Everything felt like yesterday; after the disastrous defeat at the Heatwave River in the North, the main warships of the Iron Fleet were almost entirely wiped out, and the fleets of the various noble lords of the Iron Islands also suffered heavy losses, while cold rain fell from the sky. The people on the docks of King's Port watched the defeated Iron Islands fleet return with cold, indifferent gazes.

The unruly Ironborn worship strength, despise weakness, and do not easily forgive the defeated. No one would pity a fleet that returned in such a crushing defeat.

Asha, Iron Fleet Commander Victarion, and Aeron Greyjoy huddled on the prow of the *Slave*, listless amidst the sea breeze; every crewman was like a drowned dog, cold and hungry.

When the ships returned to Pyke, they had stopped for fresh water at Ten Towers on Harlaw, the family seat of Asha's uncle, the "Reader" Rodrik Harlaw. Asha's mother, Alannys, had been estranged from King Balon for many years and had lived at the Reader's Ten Towers, having become mentally unstable in recent years.

Asha, having survived the disaster, ran to Ten Towers.

As soon as Lady Alannys saw her daughter Asha, she immediately grasped Asha's hand, "Asha, have you brought my little darling Theon back?"

Asha not only failed to bring back Theon, but her uncle, the "Reader" Rodrik Harlaw, had also failed to escape the North and had become a captive of the Starks.

The war was simply too cruel for Lady Alannys; back when King Balon launched the Greyjoy Rebellion, Alannys's two sons died in the fighting, and her only surviving son, Theon, was taken as a hostage by Eddard Stark.

Years later, when King Balon was crowned again and sent troops to attack the North, Asha did not know if the Wolf King had executed her younger brother Theon, nor did she know if her uncle Rodrik could return to the Iron Islands alive.

Asha naturally could not tell her mother Alannys about such a situation, so she could only lie, "Theon went to a very distant place and began a great voyage."

Asha, Victarion, and Aeron Greyjoy arrived at the great hall of Pyke.

The surviving captains and lords were blocked outside the hall.

King Balon, wearing a driftwood crown made of weirwood, sat upon the Seastone Chair.

Victarion, like a grieving bull, recounted to King Balon the disastrous defeat at the Heatwave River, as well as the Northern army's recapture of Warhorse City in the Rills, Stony Shore Castle on the Stony Shore, and Blacksmith City at Sea Dragon Point; King Balon's face twisted with rage.

King Balon's sharp gaze met that of the Drowned God priest, Aeron Greyjoy, who stood to the side.

"Aeron, did you not say that the Drowned God would guide us to conquer the North? You said there would be a great victory at Moat Cailin to guide us, so why has my army suffered such a crushing defeat in the North?"

Cold sweat crawled across Aeron Greyjoy's forehead, "The bastard Jon Snow's wildfire, and the Wolf King's magic dragon, destroyed the Iron Islands fleet at the Heatwave River. We failed to sacrifice more enemies to the Drowned God, causing the Drowned God to be displeased, and thus the Drowned God could not protect us during the battle in the North."

"However, I believe that the Ironborn will soon be able to make a comeback under the leadership of King Balon. What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger."

King Balon took off the driftwood crown from his head, "When I wanted to be crowned king, the Drowned God sent a piece of weirwood. Weirwood is the god worshipped by the Northern savages; Aeron, did you not say this indicated that the Drowned God wanted us to conquer the North?"

Aeron Greyjoy said, "Indeed. One failure counts for nothing."

Balon snorted, "I am not so confident. The Wolf King's magic dragon, the flying wolf, is growing larger and larger; he has two more magic dragons at Harrenhal, seven griffins growing, and Winterfell is hatching more giant eagles. After the disastrous defeat at the Heatwave River, the gap in strength between us and the North is growing ever wider."

Subsequently, King Balon's fierce gaze turned toward Victarion.

"What exactly happened? We set out with so many longships, you once captured Salt Spear and several wolf castles at Sea Dragon Point, why did you fail to destroy the North Coast Fleet?"

Victarion lowered his head and said, "The Wolf King's bastard, Jon Snow, kept avoiding battle to preserve his ships; he hid all the ships of the wolf castles in the upper reaches of the Barrow River, and the Iron Islands fleet's offensive was checked at the wolf castle Dawn Watch at the mouth of the Barrow River. I had no choice but to abandon the attack on the wolf castle Dawn Watch in the Barrowlands and sail up the Heatwave River to attack Moat Cailin."

King Balon clenched his hands into fists, "The Barrowlands, the Barrow River... it seems you led the Iron Islands fleet into a grave."

Asha said, "Father, the North Coast Fleet has suffered almost no losses. The Wolf King has assembled the armies of the North, the Riverlands, and the Vale in the Riverlands. If the North Coast Fleet reaches Seagard, the Wolf King could very well cross the sea to attack the Iron Islands and sweep the islands with iron and fire."

King Balon rose in anger, "I will not stay on the islands and sit waiting for death. This time, I will personally lead the fleet to sweep the Riverlands and take my revenge."

Asha said in astonishment, "Father, we have lost too many longships. My *Black Wind*, the Iron Fleet's flagship *Iron Victory*, *Bloody Drinker*, *Drowned God*, *Bookish*, and *Glory of the Old Way*—these famous ships were all destroyed in the flames of war. We have also lost Dagmer Cleftjaw, Lord Botley, and my uncle Lord Harlaw. It would be most unwise for the Iron Islands to continue provoking the Wolf King."

Victarion also said, "The Ironborn must have their revenge, but we must first build enough ships to rebuild the Iron Fleet. The matter of revenge can be delayed for a while."

Aeron Greyjoy said devoutly, "The Drowned God will protect us and watch over us to complete our revenge. What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger!"

King Balon said wearily, "All of you, leave! I want to be quiet for a while."

Victarion and Aeron left, and only Asha remained.

Asha said worriedly, "Father, has there been any news of the Wolf King executing Theon during our expedition?"

King Balon shook his head, "No. Now that the Iron Islands fleet has suffered a crushing defeat and the Wolf King's forces are strong in the Green Lands—even the Lannisters find it hard to contend with the wolf pack—I estimate the Wolf King will keep Theon well, in preparation for the future when the Wolf King's army occupies the Iron Islands, so he can use Theon to carry out his wolf-like rule."

"Wolf King Eddard adopted so many wards because he coveted their inheritance rights. Without a doubt, Theon is the ward with the most utility in the Wolf King's eyes; he would never be willing to kill Theon!"

Asha said, "Theon is likely staying in the Riverlands. Perhaps we should send someone to find Theon and bring him back?"

King Balon said gloomily, "Theon was taken away by Stark when he was ten. He grew up in Winterfell and long ago became a member of the wolf pack. Now that Theon knows the Iron Islands attacked the North in force without regard for his life, he will only be more loyal to the Wolf King."

"I have completely lost Theon as a son. Victarion is useless in a crisis, and Aeron Greyjoy only knows how to mutter about gods. Asha, you must shoulder the heavy burden; you are the future heir to the Seastone Chair."

"Actually, I kind of miss Euron Greyjoy. If Euron Greyjoy had been in charge of this expedition to the North, the Ironborn would never have fallen for the tricks of the bastard Jon Snow and the Wolf King at the Heatwave River."

Ser Kevan arrived at Deep Den, the family seat of House Marbrand, with the Westerlands Army. Ser Kevan rode a white horse, and beside him, the Golden Lady wore an ivory silk gown and rode a lion.

Count Damon Marbrand of Deep Den led his soldiers to welcome Ser Kevan. Damon Marbrand had gray hair, his plate armor was glazed in green, and on his breastplate was the burning tree of House Marbrand.

Damon Marbrand's aunt was the birth mother of Lord Tywin and Ser Kevan, so Ser Damon was Lord Tywin's cousin and was fiercely loyal to the Lannisters. Count Damon's son, Addam Marbrand, commanded scouts under Lord Tywin and was one of the bravest and most skilled knights in the Westerlands.

Upon seeing the Westerlands Army behind Ser Kevan, Count Damon Marbrand shielded his eyes with his hand and estimated the number of troops.

"Ser Kevan, the force you have brought is too small."

Ser Kevan said, "Lord Tywin assigned me six thousand elite troops. Along the way, many lords, knighted landed knights, free riders, and wandering warriors have joined us, and now the force under my command has reached over eight thousand. As I march north, more Westerlands soldiers will join us."

Count Damon Marbrand said helplessly, "That is still too few. Bronze Yohn's Mountain Legion has already controlled every mountain peak north of the Tumblestone River. The rockborn of Skagos, the Black Ears, Moon Brothers, and Stone Crows of the Mountains of the Moon, the cave dwellers and night runners from the Frostfangs beyond the Wall, and the savages of the Northern Mountain Clans—each is more barbaric than the last. They snatch women and children, and burn villages for grain and livestock."

Ser Kevan frowned, "The Wolf King's army actually snatches women and children?"

Count Damon Marbrand said, "What did you expect? Ever since Lord Tywin sent the Brave Companions, the Mountain Gregor, and Amory Lorch to burn and pillage in the Riverlands, this battlefield has become even more insane, and the retaliation has come so fiercely. The people of the Riverlands hate the Westerlands, and for the savages from the North, beyond the Wall, and the Mountains of the Moon, snatching women and children is as natural as eating and breathing."

"Everywhere there are tears, everywhere there is scorched earth, everywhere there is blood. Wolf King Eddard has the support of the Riverlands, the North, and the Vale; his territory is far larger than the Westerlands. King Joffrey is surrounded by Stannis in King's Landing, and the news coming from King's Landing is more terrifying than the last."

"Ser Kevan, sometimes even I cannot help but start to wonder, can we really win this war?"

Ser Kevan said, "I can tell you with great responsibility: the Lannisters have already won the support of the Reach and the Iron Islands. The Lannisters will win this war."

Count Damon Marbrand was not convinced. He said, "The Reach has abandoned its support for Renly, but House Tyrell of Highgarden has not sent troops to reinforce the Westerlands, nor have they sent troops to attack the Riverlands. Highgarden has chosen to continue its standoff with Stannis at Bitterbridge."

"As for the Ironborn of the Iron Islands, according to news from the North, the Iron Islands seem to have suffered a defeat in the North, the Iron Islands fleet has suffered heavy losses, and Iron Fleet Commander Victarion has already fled back to the Iron Islands with the remnants of the fleet."

Kevan was shocked, "That is unlikely."

Count Damon Marbrand shrugged, "In any case, it is true that the Seagard fleet is ravaging the west coast of the Westerlands. Logically speaking, Seagard is so close to the Iron Islands that if the Iron Islands were winning victory after victory in the North, the Seagard fleet should be staying in the Riverlands to guard the Riverlands coast."

"What is worse is that the Mountain Legion has helped more of the Wolf King's army cross the mountains and enter the Westerlands. According to news sent by raven, the lands of House Banford at Hollow Hill and the lands of House Westerling at the Crag have all been attacked; these castles could be captured by the Wolf King's army at any time."

"The Westerlands army is already struggling against the Mountain Legion, which excels in mountain warfare, not to mention the skinchangers who ride shadowcats, goats, and saber-toothed tigers through the mountains."

In the Golden Lady's eyes, golden light flickered, and the lion beneath her let out bursts of roars.

"Leave the Northman skinchanger to me!"

At Golden Tooth in the Westerlands, Duke Tywin looked at the letter delivered by the Maester with an expressionless face, though his heart was bleeding.

Beside him, Jaime, clad in gilded armor, asked curiously, "Father, what does the letter say?"

Duke Tywin said with suppressed anger, "The Iron Islands fleet suffered a crushing defeat at the Heatwave River in the North; many Ironborn leaders and captains have been captured by the North."

Jaime said gloomily, "The Ironborn are truly useless; we shouldn't have spent so much gold to form an alliance with them in the first place."

Duke Tywin said helplessly, "I had originally hoped that after the Ironborn captured Moat Cailin, they would force the North to withdraw their troops from the Riverlands. Even if the Ironborn couldn't do that, they should at least have pinned down the North at Salt Spear and Sea Dragon Point. Now, instead, the Wolf King Eddard has easily defeated the Iron Fleet, and the Wolf King will soon arrive at the Westerlands with his Giant Eagle Legion and Magic Dragon."

Below Golden Tooth, the Wolf King's army set up camp along the River Road, stretching for dozens of miles with battle flags flying; Jaime saw the twin towers emblem of House Frey, the broken chain giant emblem of House Umber, the rampant bear emblem of Bear Island, the crescent falcon emblem of House Arryn of The Vale, the leaping trout emblem of House Tully, and the Ice-River Wolf Emblem of House Stark of Winterfell.

The nobles of the Riverlands, The Vale, and the North, with their various emblems and banners, had appeared on the lands of the Westerlands outside Golden Tooth.

At this moment, the enemy was truly at the gates.

Thanks to Talking Nonsense, Lin'an Farmer, and I Don't Know What ID Is Good for the monthly tickets sent; thank you for your support!

Work is too busy, updating is too exhausting, and my body is struggling to keep up; I will be updating at a relaxed pace these few days, I ask for the understanding of all my reader majesties.

(End of this chapter)