Chapter 229: The Wolf King's Victory, the Threat of Crow's Eye

The light of dawn scattered the darkness, bathing Harrenhal beside the Gods Eye.

Wolf King Eddard and Daenerys became the heroes of Harrenhal; when Daenerys landed on the sky above Harrenhal riding the Magic Dragon Drogon, and Wolf King Eddard landed riding the Magic Dragon Rhaegal, the Magic Dragon Koi, the flying wolf, and Viserion roared in unison, and the people shouted the names of the Dragon Queen and the Wolf King.

After the battle of Harrenhal ended, the Direwolves, bears, Terrorbirds, and Magic Dragons held a feast on the walls, in the courtyards, and on the training grounds of Harrenhal, using the corpses of wights and Giant Bats.

The Brotherhood Without Banners and the local craftsmen of Westeros immediately began repairing the ballistae, artillery platforms, and catapults on the walls to prepare for the next battle; nurses bandaged the wounded, and people shared wine from skins and bread, enjoying the victory of having survived the disaster.

Wolf King Eddard and Dragon Queen Daenerys desperately needed this victory, as it united their followers.

Previously, within Harrenhal, the Golden Company, Stormcrows, Second Sons, Unsullied, Brotherhood Without Banners, and Beast-Face Army loyal to Dragon Queen Daenerys liked to gather together, while the soldiers and Knights of the North's Winter Wolves, the Vale Falcon Army, and the Riverlands Tri-River Army loyal to Eddard also preferred to stay with the Wolf King's subordinates.

Now, baptized by their shared battle, whether they were mercenaries, the Wolf King's soldiers, or the Unsullied, craftsmen, and Smith of the Brotherhood Without Banners, all clearly realized that the undead were their common enemy, and the relationship between the Wolf King's and the Dragon Queen's subordinates had become much closer.

During the battle, Quaithe, Moqorro, and the Red Priest Thoros of Myr were responsible for using spells to ignite longswords coated in Wildfire.

After the battle, the wine-and-meat-loving monk Red Priest Thoros of Myr, who was loyal to Wolf King Eddard, prayed before the holy fire together with Quaithe and Black Flame Moqorro, who followed the Dragon Queen. Quaithe leaned into Thoros's ear and told a joke, making Thoros burst into loud laughter.

Tyrion, Bronn, The Hound, and others mingled with the commanders of the Golden Company; Tormund Giantsbane played dice with the Stormcrows commander Daario Naharis; Sansa and Arya, together with Missandei, led soldiers from all over the world to pray to the Old Gods before the Weirwood Heart Tree in the Godswood.

Daenerys looked at the corpses of Giant Bats covering the ground and said gloomily, "The only regret is that we failed to kill any ice dragons."

Wolf King Eddard's regret was that he had failed to control an ice dragon.

When Wolf King Eddard was riding on the back of the Magic Dragon Rhaegal to face the ice dragons, he had tried to use the power of a skinchanger to control the ice dragons Meraxes, the Dragon of Bronze Vermithor, and Dreamfyre, but he had failed in the end.

When Eddard used his mind to try to control an ice dragon, he felt as if he had fallen into the belly of an ice dragon; a layer of frost covered his temples and scalp, and the cold nearly caused him to faint.

The excruciating pain brought by the cold nearly made Eddard lose control of the Magic Dragons, giant eagles, and griffins, so Eddard had to give up the idea of controlling the ice dragons.

In fact, failing to control the ice dragons was within reason; after all, Eddard could currently only control wights, and the gap between controlling wights and controlling ice dragons was as vast as the gap between an imp and a giant.

Daenerys scanned the wights lying on the ground.

"Are these wights dead for good?"

Eddard nodded, "After the cleansing of Wildfire and Dragonfire, the wights are dead for good."

Daenerys was somewhat worried, "My brother Rhaegar, Viserys, and my beloved husband Khal Drogo, they all escaped riding Giant Bats. Can fire kill a Death Knight?"

Eddard said, "Dragonfire perhaps can. I noticed that when you rode the Magic Dragon Drogon to attack Bittersteel, the two-headed monster Maris, and Myles Toyne, you showed mercy to Rhaegar, Viserys, and Drogo."

Daenerys said sadly, "They are my kin, after all! Besides, even if I rode a Magic Dragon and shouted for Dragonfire, ordering Drogon to attack, I might not necessarily hit them; those Death Knights of the Golden Company from last night escaped just the same."

Especially Rhaegar; Prince Rhaegar had died in battle before Daenerys was born; he died at the Trident under the warhammer of his nemesis Robert Baratheon. It was only after Rhaegar was resurrected that she saw this legendary eldest brother.

Daenerys remembered Rhaegar under the moonlight of Harrenhal last night; his melancholy deep purple eyes and god-like beauty broke Daenerys's heart.

Daenerys said, "When I was in Meereen and first heard that my eldest brother Rhaegar had been resurrected by Cersei and the necromancer and reduced to a dark slave, the anger in my heart burned; I only wanted to kill my way back to Westeros as soon as possible to severely punish these enemies who used Dark Magic to enslave Rhaegar, and at the same time, kill Rhaegar to let his soul rest in peace."

"However, when I faced Rhaegar, I couldn't bring myself to do it. Worse still, when I arrived in Westeros with my great army, the necromancer resurrected my second brother Viserys and my husband Drogo as well."

"I hatched Magic Dragons in the flames; the three Magic Dragons Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal are my children, and it was precisely for my beloved Khal Drogo, my brother Viserys, and Rhaegar that I named them. Must I let my beloved ones turn to ash under Dragonfire and die forever?"

Eddard said, "Death Knights are servants of the Great Other, puppets; they have lost their own will. Without a doubt, the magical power that manipulates the life and death of Death Knights is a form of Mind Control."

Daenerys said, "Without a doubt, the necromancer Ogbeta is the one who manipulates the magic and controls the Death Knights."

Eddard said, "The necromancer Ogbeta possesses powerful and evil strength, but he is merely a tool of the Great Other, just as the Red Priestesses and Red Priests are tools of the Lord of Light R'hllor."

"If we can defeat the necromancer Ogbeta and the army of the dead, and destroy the Dark Temple in King's Landing, perhaps we can lift the curse on the Death Knights."

Daenerys began to grow excited, "If the curse is lifted, will Rhaegar, Drogo, and Viserys be able to have self-awareness and survive?"

Eddard took out an Obsidian Dagger.

"If you strike an Other with an Obsidian Dagger or a Valyrian Steel Sword, the Other will instantly shatter like glass. We have struck Death Knights with Obsidian Daggers and arrowheads; the obsidian shattered, but the Death Knights remained unharmed, which proves they are not Others, but undead."

"After the curse is lifted, whether the Death Knights will turn to ash along with the dark power that drives them or recover their own will and continue to live, no one knows; however, we must admit that it is possible for the Death Knights to survive."

Daenerys was as excited as a young girl; she kissed Eddard on the cheek.

"In that case, at least Rhaegar, Viserys, and Drogo have a glimmer of hope. Let us work together to defeat the enemy and lift the curse of the Death Knights as soon as possible!"

That noon, Eddard had lunch with Catelyn, Robb, Sansa, Arya, his ward Theon, and Domeric; they enjoyed roasted trout, cheese, and donkey meat. Sansa wore a pink silk gown, Arya wore a brown brocade gown, and the Direwolves Lady, Grey Wind, Night-Walker, and Nymeria stood guard nearby.

Robb smirked at Sansa, "Sansa, have you fallen in love with Ser Loras? Many attendants say you have a crush on Ser Loras."

"You might as well marry Ser Loras."

Sansa blushed politely, "Ser Loras and I are just friends. Robb, you are about to marry Margaery; you should ask Ser Loras more questions so you can understand Margaery better."

Eddard told Robb about the marriage proposal from Highgarden; having learned that he would likely marry Margaery, Robb had been thinking about Margaery of Highgarden these past few days.

Originally, Eddard had worried that Robb would refuse this marriage; after all, Margaery had once been married to Renly Baratheon, and at that time, Renly Baratheon was still King. And House Tyrell, as soon as they saw Renly Baratheon's cause failing, immediately abandoned him; after Renly Baratheon fled to Riverrun for refuge, House Tyrell unilaterally annulled the marriage between Renly Baratheon and Margaery through the High Septon.

That Robb was willing to marry Margaery at least proved that Robb had matured a great deal; he already understood the importance of political marriage to an alliance.

Arya said, "Bran and Rickon will soon be following Jon to Harrenhal; our family can finally be reunited."

Catelyn was somewhat worried, "Will Jon Snow be in danger bringing my sons Bran and Rickon? The Riverlands are attacked by ice dragons and Giant Bats from time to time."

Robb said, "Mother, don't worry! When Jon was Warden in the North, he already proved his ability; he can protect his younger brothers well."

A smile hung on Theon's face.

"Jon still needs to prove himself; after all, he hasn't fought against the undead. Yesterday, I personally slaughtered several wights and even fought with Bittersteel for a while."

At this moment, Maester Norman walked in, clutching a letter in his hand.

"Wolf Prince, a raven has arrived from Seagard, bringing news from the Iron Islands."

Everyone's eyes turned toward Theon; the smile on Theon's face vanished, and he began to grow nervous.

Catelyn said excitedly, "Could King Balon have attacked the Riverlands again? Seagard is the firm shield of the Riverlands against the ironborn!"

Maester Norman shook his head, "No, the ironborn have not attacked for the time being. Lord Jason Mallister of Seagard says in the letter that the Iron Islands have changed kings; Euron Greyjoy launched a sneak attack and defeated the Iron Fleet, he deposed his eldest brother Balon, and now, Euron has donned the Driftwood Crown and sat upon the Seastone Chair."

Eddard was not surprised; he had long expected that the aging Balon would be no match for Euron. The only thing Eddard cared about was how many sea monsters had died in this civil war.

Theon was somewhat uneasy; his Adam's apple bobbed.

"Euron Greyjoy must have murdered my father; he is a Kinslayer."

Robb placed a hand on Theon's shoulder, "Theon, I am very sorry."

Maester Norman explained, "Euron seized the Seastone Chair but did not harm Balon. Theon, your father Balon, your sister Asha Greyjoy, your third uncle the Iron Fleet Commander Victarion, and that Aeron Greyjoy have all knelt and sworn allegiance to Euron Greyjoy; no one has been harmed."

Theon felt slightly relieved, but immediately frowned.

"As long as my father is alive, it is absolutely impossible for him to kneel to Euron. Could there be a mistake in the contents of the letter?"

Maester Norman said: "Lord Jason Mallister of Seagard writes in the letter that many fishermen in the Iron Islands are spreading rumors that Euron, in the naval battle where he defeated the Iron Fleet, summoned a sea monster, and even more ironborn are saying that Euron, on Old Wyk, in the Grey King's Hall, used the ribs of Nagga to resurrect the sea dragon Nagga."

"Nagga feeds on sea monsters and sea beasts and can swallow an island. If Euron possesses the ability to summon sea monsters and resurrect Nagga, then it is no surprise that he used magic to control King Balon, Asha, Victarion, and the Damphair and others."

Theon widened his eyes, "The ribs of Nagga are nothing but stone; it is impossible for Euron to resurrect Nagga, and it is also unlikely he possesses the ability to summon sea monsters from the seabed."

Eddard said: "Theon, this is the age of the resurgence of magic, with magic dragons dancing and the undead running rampant, what else is impossible? Euron has roamed the East for many years; he has been to Valyria, and on his Silence, he keeps many sorcerers. His previous attacks on the Three Sisters and Crab Isle were all for magic horns. Is it any wonder that Euron possesses magical power?"

Eddard had originally hoped that Euron's return to the Iron Islands to seize power would cause the golden krakens of House Greyjoy to turn on each other, further weakening the strength of the Iron Islands, but he had not expected Euron to seize control of the Iron Islands so easily.

Theon pondered for a long time, "I understand, Euron must have controlled my father, my sister, and my uncles just like an undead sorcerer controls undead wights."

Eddard said: "Theon, rest assured, Euron has snatched away your father's Seastone Chair. According to right, after Balon's passing, you are the heir to the Seastone Chair. I will, at the appropriate time, send troops to attack the Iron Islands to win back the Seastone Chair for you."

Catelyn looked at Eddard in shock.

"Although the Iron Islands suffered a crushing defeat in the last Battle of the Heatwave River, the Iron Islands are a kingdom composed of the sea, islands, and longships; the Iron Islands fleet rebuilds very quickly."

"Now that Euron may possess sea monsters and Nagga, such an enemy is far more dangerous than the previous King Balon. With what shall we contend against an Iron Islands fleet that possesses sea monsters and Nagga?"

"As long as Euron does not attack the Riverlands, the Westerlands, and the North, we should thank the gods and praise the gods. You still want to take the initiative to provoke Euron? We should immediately reorganize the defenses of the coastal regions and prepare to meet Euron's sea monster fleet; if necessary, we can dispatch magic dragons."

Robb frowned, "The Riverlands are guarded by us and Lord Hoster, and the Westerlands have Ser Brynden the Blackfish. After Father went south, the North has always been governed by Warden Jon. If Jon goes south at this time, will Euron take advantage of the void to attack the North?"

Eddard said: "Do not worry, after Jon Snow goes south, Wyman Manderly of White Harbor will succeed to the position of Warden."

Catelyn said awkwardly: "Lord Wyman is a good man, but can he be a match for Euron?"

Arya said: "Lord Wyman is so fat that everyone calls him Lord Eel. Have no doubt, if Euron were to eat Lord Wyman, it would certainly give Euron indigestion."

Eddard said: "Lord Wyman may be fat, but he is a clever man."

"Moreover, Lord Wyman, together with the Acting Castellan of Winterfell, Rodrik Cassel, the advisor from Beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder, the Night's Watch's Benjen Stark, and the Old Bear Mormont, will shoulder the burden of the North's defense."

"Our coastal cannon batteries at Wolf Castle have all been completed, and the cannons will enhance our defensive power. If Euron brings his sea monsters and fleet to attack the North, the armies of the Riverlands and the Westerlands will set out directly to attack the Iron Islands proper."

Catelyn worried: "The Riverlands are separated from the Iron Islands only by Ironman's Bay, but at sea, we are no match for Euron. I am still worried about the North being attacked."

Eddard comforted her: "No need to worry excessively; I do not believe Euron will attack the North."

"After Euron returned to Westeros, his first stop was the Three Sisters, where he snatched the magic horn from the temple of the Sistermen. At that time, Euron's fleet was within a stone's throw of the wealthy White Harbor, yet he did not choose to attack White Harbor."

"The second stop was Crab Isle, where he snatched a sea monster horn from Lord Celtigar's castle. At that time, Euron was very close to Dragonstone, Driftmark, King's Landing, and Duskendale, yet he likewise did not plunder the wealth of these islands and towns."

"The third stop was the Iron Islands; if the news is true, he resurrected Nagga in the Grey King's Hall."

"It is very clear that Euron likes to attack places that possess magical power. The North belongs to the land of the Old Gods; what could he find there?"

Catelyn said: "Where do you think Euron might attack?"

Eddard turned to Maester Norman.

"Maester Norman, write immediately to Lord Mace of Highgarden, Lord Leyton Hightower of Oldtown, the High Septon of the Starry Sept in Oldtown, and the Conclave of the Citadel, warning them that Euron Greyjoy may bring sea monsters, Nagga, and the Iron Islands fleet to attack Oldtown."

"Have Archmaester Marwyn write to the Conclave of the Citadel. Although he is at odds with the archmaesters of the Citadel, he is a member of the Conclave after all, and Marwyn's warning will make the administrators of the Citadel take it seriously."

Maester Norman had studied at the Oldtown Citadel for many years and had deep feelings for Oldtown. He said in surprise: "Wolf Prince, why do you think Euron will attack Oldtown?"

Eddard said: "Because the Citadel possesses the richest collection of books in the known world. There are many ancient scrolls, magic books, and the skeletons of many magical beasts, magic horns, and the like."

"As one of the wealthiest noble families, the history of House Hightower can be traced back to the Dawn Age, and they have collected many treasures. Lord Leyton has not stepped down from the Hightower for decades, hiding with the mad woman Malora to study magic books."

"These things will lead Euron to Oldtown. The Reach has the Shield Islands and the Arbor Fleet, which were originally as solid as a rock, but in the face of sea monsters, they are hard to resist."

Sansa touched her chest, "I heard from Ser Loras that Oldtown is the most beautiful city in Westeros. Loras's mother, Lady Alerie, is the daughter of Lord Leyton Hightower."

"Have Loras write a letter to warn Lord Mace and Lady Alerie so that Highgarden will take the threat of Euron more seriously."

"If Oldtown is attacked by Euron, it will be a disaster! The Citadel and House Hightower should be made to transport all their valuables to Highgarden for refuge."

Eddard said: "Highgarden is not safe either. Once the ironborn fleet captures the Shield Islands, they can sail up the Mander River and threaten Highgarden."

Sansa thought for a moment, "Then let Oldtown transport the books, magic horns, and other valuables treasured by the Citadel and House Hightower to the Riverlands or the North; we are relatively safe here."

Eddard smiled, "Sansa, you are truly too naive. Since they are valuables, how could they easily hand them over to us?"

Quaithe, Thoros of Myr, and the Black Flame Moqorro gathered around the holy fire, watching the orange, yellow, and golden flames that constantly leaped and changed from different directions.

These followers of the Lord of Light, R'hllor, all possessed the ability to prophesy the future through fire.

Daenerys said: "Quaithe and the Black Flame Moqorro are both very powerful followers of the Lord of Light. It was precisely with their help that my fleet had smooth sailing all the way and successfully arrived in Westeros."

Eddard and Daenerys walked before them. Eddard said: "What have you seen?"

Thoros of Myr said: "I see crows circling under the sky of the Eye of Death, and a dark tide submerging the lighthouse and the library by the sea."

Crows circling the Eye of Death clearly refers to Euron; the lighthouse is likely the landmark building of Oldtown, the Hightower; and the library most likely refers to the Citadel. Eddard became increasingly convinced that Euron was going to attack Oldtown."

The Black Flame Moqorro said: "I see the swordsman of the dawn reborn in a place of darkness."

Quaithe, wearing a red lacquer mask, said: "I see flames and storms battling under the southern sky, and the earth is full of suffering."

Eddard looked at the eyes beneath the red lacquer mask.

"What do you think this represents?"

Quaithe said: "I think this refers to the fire demon of the Stormlands. Wherever the fire demon walks, the land is scorched. The fire demon is a dangerous tool of the Lord of Light. Melisandre summoned the fire demon at Summerhall. The fire demon is currently helping Stannis fight the undead, but Stannis and Melisandre may have forgotten that the fire demon possesses its own will."

"The fire demon can use corpses from the battlefield to create fire slaves. Such a powerful creature is a very dangerous thing once it breaks free from control."

Thanks to 20230209235819731 for the monthly ticket, thank you for your support!

(End of this chapter)