Chapter 31

They pulled into the island, notorious for pirates and vile thievery, an hour before the storm—Sweet Sister Island in the Three Sisters.

Translation: They docked at this island, infamous for pirates and petty theft, an hour before the storm hit—Sweet Sister Island in the Three Sisters Islands.

But we need to keep same meaning, not add extra words. Let's try: They pulled up to this island, known for pirates and petty thievery, an hour before the storm arrived—Sweet Sister Island in the Three Sisters Islands.

We need to keep single line.

He believed that, per the red priestess's word, they could sail smoothly all the way to White Harbor, but she told him their easy passage would end here and they should wait a bit.

Translation: He thought, according to the Red Witch, they could sail smoothly all the way to White Harbor, but she said their smooth voyage would end here; they should wait a while.

He wanted to question her, but that would imply he already silently trusted her earlier judgment, so he swallowed his doubts and landed on the island as she advised.

Translation: He wanted to question, but that would signal he already silently trusted her earlier judgment, so he swallowed his doubts and landed on the island as she advised.

Anyway, there couldn't be a worse island.

Translation: Anyway, there couldn't be a worse island.

"My lady, aren't you going to change clothes?" Melisandre still wore her red robes.

Translation: "My lady, shouldn't you change clothes?" Melisandre still wore her red robes.

He himself had already changed into ordinary merchant's clothes, matching his plain face, which was perfect. His retainer, Ser Gendel, who walks with a slight limp, perfectly plays the part of a sailor and shiphand in this rough‑hewn commoner's guise. Their most valuable "gift," Sansa Stark, is wrapped in a nun's habit, showing only half her face; as long as no one questions why a nun is aboard a merchant ship, she'll likely pass. The only concern is the red‑robed priestess of R'hllor from Lys—her copper‑bright hair hangs loose, matching her red robe; if she steps onto this filthy island awash in feces, mud, corpses, and stinking fish, everyone will notice her. Even her eyes are red.

Breakdown: He himself had changed into ordinary merchant garb, matching his ordinary face, simply perfect. As his attendant, Sir Gande, who limps slightly, this ordinary rough fellow completely in his element played a sailor and shipworker, equally perfect. Their party's most precious "gift," Sansa Stark, was wrapped in a nun's clothes, showing only half her face; as long as no one wondered why a nun would be on a merchant ship, she'd likely pass. The only worry was this red-robed priestess of Rhllor, her bright copper hair completely loose, paired with her red robe; as soon as she set foot on this filthy island, everywhere dung, mud, corpses, stinking fish and shrimp, nobody would fail to notice her. Even her eyes were red.

We need to keep concise but include all info.

Let's produce: He had changed into ordinary merchant attire, matching his plain face—perfect. As his retinue, Sir Gande, who limps slightly, this ordinary rough fellow utterly in his element played a sailor and shipworker, equally perfect. Their party's most precious "gift," Sansa Stark, was wrapped in a nun's habit, showing only half her face; as long as no one questioned why a nun would be on a merchant ship, she'd likely pass. The only concern was this red‑robed priestess of Rhllor, her bright copper hair completely loose, paired with her red robe; the moment she stepped onto this filthy island, awash in dung, mud, corpses, and stinking fish and shrimp, no one could miss her. Even her eyes were red.

We need to ensure we didn't add extra info not in source. The source said "priestess of Rhllor" which is "priestess of Rhllor". We'll keep that.

"Ser Davos, what are you afraid of?" Melisandre asked.

Translation: "Ser Davos, what are you afraid of?" Melisandre asked.

"My lady, I have many fears. The lords of the Three Sisters are notoriously fickle; if they discover us, they will not only ruin the king's cause but also endanger those we have sworn to protect." He glanced at Sansa, who had always behaved well, polite and demure.

Translation: "My lady, I fear many things. The lord of the Three Sisters Islands is ever fickle; if they discover us, they will not only ruin the king's cause but also endanger those we swore to protect." He glanced at Sansa. She had always behaved well, polite and demure.

"Ser Davos, you're overthinking; you've already been spotted. You'd better think up an excuse now." She spoke with a confident, teasing air—clearly another vision she had seen in the flames, which left Davos feeling helpless.

Translation: "Ser Davos, you're overthinking. You've already been spotted. You'd better figure out what to say now." She wore a confident, teasing smile. This was clearly another thing she'd seen in the flames ahead of time; thinking of it, Davos felt powerless.

"You?" he noted her wording, "Doesn't that include you?"

Translation: "You?" he noted her wording, "Doesn't that include you?"

"Not me and Ser Gendel." She glanced at Sansa. "Their target is the captain and Miss Sansa."

Translation: "Not me and Ser Gande." She glanced at Sansa, "Their target is the captain and Miss Sansa."

"We've been discovered?" Sansa exclaimed. "They'll kill us!"

Translation: "We've been discovered?" Sansa exclaimed, "They'll kill us!"

"Or worse, be sent back to King's Landing." Melisandre chuckled, looking at the girl's frightened, tear‑stricken face, paused briefly, then soothed, "Trust Ser Davos; he'll see the task through."

Translation: "Or worse, be sent back to King's Landing." Melisandre chuckled, looking at the girl's frightened, tear‑stricken face, paused slightly, then soothed, "Trust Ser Davos; he'll see the task through."

"Let's go, Ser Gendel," she said.

Translation: "Let's go, Ser Gande." she said.

"Yes, my lady, where are we headed?" Ser Gendel asked.

Translation: "Yes, my lady, where are we headed?" Ser Gande asked.

"Winterfell." She turned to him, then gave a wry smile, "If the earl catches you, I must let Winterfell know this news, mustn't I? Before that, we're heading to an inn." The latter part was addressed to Ser Gendel.

Translation: "Winterfell." She turned to him, then gave a wry smile, "If the earl captures you, I must let Winterfell know this news, right? Before that, we're heading to an inn." The latter half was addressed to Ser Gande.

This is a cruel joke, Davos thought. But he had to admit she had a point: if he couldn't persuade Lord Borrell with his clumsy tongue, their only hope of saving their lives and fortunes lay in Winterfell. The Starks would not allow their kin to be humiliated so close to home—but that hinges on conditions such as White Harbor still owing fealty to Winterfell and Winterfell retaining strong power, though in truth it is as weak as King Stannis himself. He preferred not to dwell on it.

Translation: This is a cruel joke, Davos thought. But he had to admit she made sense: if he couldn't persuade Earl Bolton with his clumsy tongue, their only hope to save their lives and fate was Winterfell. The Starks would not allow their kin to suffer humiliation so close to home—yet this rested on complex assumptions, such as White Harbor remaining loyal to Winterfell and Winterfell retaining strong power—though in truth it was as feeble as King Stannis. He didn't want to dwell on it.

"When will they come?" he muttered, tongue‑tied. If the earl's men have already spotted us, how long can we prepare? Davos never thought of himself as quick‑witted or nimble; his stammering mouth can only utter plain words, lacking humor or grace—essentially a simple farmer. Whenever faced with difficulty, he needs to mull things over long before arriving at a mediocre plan. He has long accepted that he is an unremarkable man, and the gods should not entrust great negotiations to him.

Translation: "When will they come?" he felt his tongue tie. If the earl's men have already spotted us, how long can he prepare? Davos never thought himself quick‑witted or nimble; his stammering mouth could only utter plain words, lacking humor or grace, essentially a simple farmer. Whenever faced with difficulty, he needed to ponder long to devise a mediocre plan. He had long accepted he was unremarkable, and the gods should not entrust great negotiations to him.

"They're already here." She kept that smile, then strode straight off the ship. Ser Gendel glanced at them, then at Melisandre, and finally decided to salute them and turn away.

Translation: "They're already here." She kept that smile, then strode straight off the ship. Ser Gande glanced at them, then at Melisandre, and finally decided to salute them and walk away.

Damn it!

Translation: Damn it!

"If I were you," she said, suddenly turning her head as she disembarked, "you'd fasten your cloak. The rain's going to be heavy later."

Translation: "If I were you," she said, turning suddenly as she disembarked, "you'd better fasten your cloak. The rain later will be heavy."

Then she left, as ever, shrouded in mystery.

Translation: Then she left, as ever, an air of mystery about her.

Sansa quickly pulled a cloak over her nun's habit and fastened the buttons. Davos, though half‑skeptical, still draped the cloak over himself.

Translation: Sansa quickly pulled on a cloak over her nun's garb, fastening the buttons. Davos, though half‑skeptical, still threw on his cloak.

Two minutes later, he and Sansa were seized by the earl's incoming guards. Fortunately, the soldiers didn't put any shackles on him or tie him with rope; he felt this was entirely out of respect for Miss Sansa.

Translation: Two minutes later, he and Sansa were seized by the earl's guard and dragged away. Fortunately, the guards didn't clap him in irons or bind him with rope; he felt it was entirely out of respect for Miss Sansa.

He thought it best not to speak to the soldiers or try to gather information.

Translation: He thought it best not to speak to the soldiers or try to gather information.

No one else would know his identity; perhaps to them he just looks like a smuggler captain escorting a young lady. As long as they don't search him, the king's warrant and the Hand's badge would expose him.

Translation: No one else would know his identity; perhaps to them he was merely a smuggler captain escorting a noble lady? As long as they didn't search him—the king's warrant and the Hand's badge would expose him.

He was shoved by the guards down a street mixed with excrement and mud; at the crucial puddles, makeshift planks had been laid, and Miss Sansa carefully lifted her skirts as she walked. He remembered stepping on the second plank when a sudden downpour began. Hearing the guards ahead and behind mutter curses, he pulled the hood of his cloak over his head. The soldiers offered no objection.

Translation: He was shoved by the guards, walking through streets awash with feces, urine, and sludge, where key puddles were covered with makeshift planks; Miss Sansa carefully lifted her skirt as she walked. He recalled stepping on the second plank when a sudden downpour began. He heard the guards ahead and behind muttering curses, so he pulled up his cloak's hood. The soldiers offered no objection.

Davos followed the soldiers across a black basalt bridge, past a rust‑streaked iron gate, beyond which lay a seawater‑filled moat spanned by a drawbridge. The murky sea water lapped against the castle's stone foundations—this he could see only after wiping the rain from his face.

Translation: Davos followed the soldiers across a black basalt bridge, past a rust‑streaked iron gate; beyond lay a seawater‑filled moat, a drawbridge spanning it. The murky water lapped the castle's stone foundations—this Davos only saw after wiping rain from his face.

Inside, the light dimmed at once, and two soldiers began to frisk him. He kept a wary eye on the others, ready to warn or resist if they moved against Sansa Stark. He could not tolerate seeing his charge dishonored here.

Translation: Inside, it instantly grew dim, and two soldiers began to search him. He watched the others warily; if they moved against Sansa Stark, he would have to warn and resist. He could not tolerate his charge being humiliated here.

He willingly surrendered his weapons—two daggers.

Translation: He willingly surrendered his weapons—two daggers.

They searched the poor King's Hand's pockets and found a pouch of gold coins, a pouch of silver coins, and a pouch of copper coins. If Davos recalled correctly, the gold pouch held twenty gold dragons; the silver‑copper pouch was less clear in his memory, perhaps six silver stags and twelve copper stars. Besides the money, they also turned up other items: a rolled‑up piece of parchment hidden close to his body inside a pouch, and a hand‑shaped sigil. Though they might not read the letters, someone would tell the earl what the inscription said, which Davos still remembered from having read it many times: "King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, King Stannis Baratheon's writ of authority: Commanding the Hand of the King, Lord of Rainwood, Ser Davos Seaworth to decide solely on matters concerning the king and the North, to affix his seal to all contracts and agreements reaching the king, that this be valid as witness." It also bore Stannis's signature and the king's gold and red wax seals (the gold a crowned stag, the red a flaming heart), plus Davos's own Hand of the King seal—white beeswax, impossible to forge.

Let's break: They found in the poor Hand of the King's pouch a bag of gold coins, a bag of silver coins, a bag of copper coins. Davos, if he didn't misremember, thought there should be twenty gold dragons; the bag holding silver and copper coins, he wasn't quite sure, but he recalled possibly six silver stags and twelve copper stars. Besides money, they of course also turned up other things: a rolled‑up piece of parchment hidden close to his body inside a bag, and a hand‑shaped seal. They might not read the writing, but someone would tell the earl what it said; Davos still remembered it, having read it many times: "King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, King Stannis Baratheon's warrant: Order the Hand of the King, Earl of Rainwood, Ser Davos Seaworth to decide solely on matters of the king and the North, affix seals and documents and forward them to the king, valid as proof." Above it bore Stannis's signature and the king's gold and red wax seals (the gold a crowned stag, the red a flaming heart) and his own Hand's seal, made of white beeswax, leaving no room for forgery.

We need to keep concise but include all info.

Let's craft: They searched the poor Hand of the King's pouch and found a bag of gold coins, a bag of silver coins, a bag of copper coins. Davos, if he didn't misremember, thought there should be twenty gold dragons; the bag holding silver and copper coins, he wasn't quite sure, but he recalled possibly six silver stags and twelve copper stars. Besides money, they also turned up a rolled‑up piece of parchment hidden close to his body inside a bag, and a hand‑shaped seal. They might not read the writing, but someone would tell the earl what it said; Davos still remembered it, having read it many times: "King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, King Stannis Baratheon's warrant: Order the Hand of the King, Earl of Rainwood, Ser Davos Seaworth to decide solely on matters of the king and the North, affix seals and documents and forward them to the king, valid as proof." Above it bore Stannis's signature and the king's gold and red wax seals (the gold a crowned stag, the red a flaming heart) and his own Hand's seal, made of white beeswax, leaving no room for forgery.

We need to ensure we didn't add extra. It's okay.

He warned the soldiers not to open the leather pouch, lest moisture ruin the ink on the parchment inside. The soldiers glanced at each other, then carefully carried the money pouch, the leather pouch, and the daggers into the inner chamber.

Translation: He warned the soldiers not to open the leather pouch, lest moisture ruin the ink on the parchment inside. The soldiers glanced at each other, then carefully carried the money pouch, leather pouch, and daggers into the inner room.

There he took off his cloak and hung it on its designated hook; the money pouch and daggers were placed on a nearby tray, while the leather pouch was carried up to the seated earl.

Translation: There he took off his cloak and hung it on its nail; the money pouch and daggers were placed on a nearby tray, while the leather pouch was brought up to the seated earl.

The earl sat slumped in the dim hall, yawning continually, looking listless. Only when the soldiers presented the leather pouch did he rouse himself slightly, take out the document, first glance at Sansa, then turn his gaze to Davos.

Translation: The earl sat high in the dim hall, seeming low‑spirited, constantly yawning. When the soldiers presented the leather pouch, he only then roused himself, took out the document, first glanced at Sansa, then at him.

"I never imagined I'd catch such a big fish here," he said. His shoulders were broad and sturdy, his nose red and swollen, his head balding, his hair already white.

Translation: "I never imagined I'd catch such a big fish here," he said. His shoulders were broad and solid, his nose red and swollen, his head balding, his hair already white.

"I only meant to seize Sansa Stark and a minor rebel captain of Stannis's; I never expected the captain to be the King's Hand—I've never entertained a King's Hand here before. Did Stannis steal the little demon's wife?" he asked.

Translation: "I only meant to seize Sansa Stark and a petty rebel captain of Stannis's, never expecting this captain to be the King's Hand—I've never entertained a King's Hand here. Did Stannis steal the imp's wife?" he asked.

"No," Davos replied. "After fleeing her wedding, Lady Sansa made her way to Dragonstone. I was charged with escorting her back to Winterfell."

Translation: "No." Davos said, "Miss Sansa Stark fled her wedding and came to Dragonstone; I was ordered to escort her back to Winterfell."

Davos saw no sign of any welcome.

Translation: Davos, however, saw no hospitality.

"Even if a Stark woman is priceless, does she really need the King's Hand to escort her personally?" he said, glancing at the writ, shaking it. "Are you here to make a pact with Stannis?"

Translation: "Even if Stark women are priceless, they don't need the King's Hand to escort them personally?" He glanced at the warrant, shook it, "Are you here to make a pact with the Starks?"

"Yes." "I'm not sure yet," he murmured, acknowledging the chance of failure. "We need to see what Winterfell is like."

Translation: "Yes." "I'm not sure yet," he murmured, acknowledging the chance of failure, "We need to see Winterfell's situation."

"There's nothing to see in Winterfell. Bolton has already marched his army out of the Salt Pans; once he reaches the North, Winterfell will likely fall. Even if this girl returns home, she may not be safe."

Translation: "There's nothing to see in Winterfell. Bolton has already marched his great army out of Saltpans; once he reaches the North, Winterfell will likely fall. Even if the girl returns home, she may not be safe."

"That's not my worry." "Winterfell has been under Stark rule for thousands of years; I believe it will be the same this time."

Translation: "That's not my worry." "Winterfell has been under Stark control for thousands of years; I believe this time is no different."

"If my history serves me right, Bolton has taken Winterfell at least twice and burned it down twice as well."

Translation: "If my history serves me right, Bolton has at least twice stormed Winterfell and burned it twice."

"That's likewise none of my concern, but though I am Stannis's King's Hand, I cannot help defending the Starks. 'They still belong to the Starks, at least for now, or my information is cut off.'"

Translation: "That's likewise none of my concern, but although I am Stannis's King's Hand, I cannot but defend the Starks." "At least for now they still belong to the Starks, or perhaps my information is cut off?"

"Rest easy—Winterfell still belongs to the Starks for now. But how long it can hold out, I don't know." He lifted his cup and took a deep draught.

Translation: "Rest easy, Winterfell still belongs to the Starks—for now. But how long it can hold, I don't know." He raised his cup and drank deeply.

Lightning flashed through a hole in the wall, illuminating the hall; only two seconds later he heard the thunder.

Translation: Lightning flashed through a hole in the wall, lighting the hall; only two seconds later he heard thunder.

"My lord, how did you know we had arrived at your port?" Davos asked.

Translation: "My lord earl, how did you know we appeared in your port?" Davos asked.

"I don't know myself. Someone merely passed along a message saying he thought Sansa Stark might show up in the Three Sisters, so we should keep an eye out and forward any news to him. He even secretly promised a generous reward." The earl chuckled, "This is my port; I've set watches, so naturally we'll get results."

Translation: "I don't know. Someone merely passed along a message; he judged that Sansa Stark might show up in the Three Sisters Islands. Let us prioritize the search—if we get word we can forward it to him. He also secretly promised a bounty." The earl laughed, saying, "This is my port; I have men watching, so naturally we'll get results."

"Who?" Davos thought, feeling foolish for asking such a question.

Translation: "Who?" Davos thought himself foolish for asking that.

Hehe, there's no problem saying that. This person is Xiao Zhitou; after Lai Sha Tu Li died, he rules the valley.

"How does he know?" That's another stupid question.

He thinks Shan Sha Ta Ke might return to the North by sea, but ships always have to dock, so I guess all the lords along the coast received the same letter.

Are you preparing to send her to Lord Bei Li Xi? he asked.

Onion Knight, our Three Sisters Islands have never liked northerners, but we also have no good feeling toward valley people. As for that Xiao Zhitou, does he really think he's the ruler of the valley?" He then lifted his cup again and took a big gulp.

Lord, Miss Shan Sha is just a young girl; she left her homeland and has been a hostage for a long time, and she also endured the deaths of her parents and brothers; she belongs to Winterfell, you should let her return safely. This is a matter of justice.

Miss, did you kill our King Qiao Fo Li? he asked.

No, not me. I don't know who did it." Shan Sha quickly replied.

Very well. Under my roof, I will not tolerate anyone who violates guests' rights. You will not be sent back to the capital. We will not allow a beautiful maiden to marry a dwarf; the dwarves on our islands have always been thrown into the sea to feed the fish—this only stopped after the monks arrived, but it never should have stopped.

In that case—" he was interrupted.

Ser Dai Fu Si, the person you should be concerned about is not her, but yourself.

Me? He looked toward the earl.

"I will let her go. Not only that, I will also send people to escort her all the way. Did you see the ship with the red wolf-head flag at the harbor? That is her sister, the Queen of Love and Beauty, the ship of Ser Melisandre."

He did not understand.

"You sent Sansa Stark back to Winterfell as a gift; obviously I can do the same. I hope Winterfell can import more porcelain from White Harbor; if I can send this girl back, she will surely agree to my terms. Oh, right, I beg you to keep this secret for me, not to tell your sister." He said the latter sentence to Sansa Stark.

"I swear I will keep your intention secret." she said.

"Very well. We once forced your father to swear an oath—that's an old story—and now we force you again. I hope you can keep your oath like your father did; no matter what, we have always admired the Stark family's honor, so do not ruin it." Sansa could only nod in agreement.

"My lord, you said Winterfell couldn't hold out for long, so why do you still expect Melisandre to increase your porcelain distribution share?" Davos wondered.

"Business is business. If she succeeds, I benefit; if she fails, I lose nothing. But if I send her back to King's Landing or give her to Littlefinger, my business would be over immediately." He answered, but he obviously didn't want to dwell on this, so he then asked him: "Will your king pay a ransom for you?"

Davos felt quite frustrated. Stannis is not a stingy monarch, but his treasury has been exhausted, with no gold or silver to ransom him.

"I came with the intention of an alliance with Melisandre, and you, my lord, should absolutely not harm her guests for the sake of business." Davos felt this statement was shameful.

"Harm? No, I won't harm you; at most I'll send you to King's Landing. Moreover, I know what a 'guest' is."

That would be no better than killing him. "King Stannis is a just man." He felt he had to issue a threat, but he fully understood how weighty that threat was.

"Is he still king? He has been defeated, and a defeated person is no longer king. As for your talk of justice, ha, he is just—when he served as Master of Ships, he let me watch helplessly as he hanged my friends, and he even threatened to hang me too if I dared to use a night lantern to give the ship a false signal. Hah!"

"No, my king has not been defeated. The Iron Throne may look strong now, but they are nothing to fear." He felt weak and powerless, "King Joffrey is dead, the alliance formed by the marriage pact with the Riverlands has naturally dissolved; as long as the North remains under the Starks, the North will never bow to the usurper on the Iron Throne." He continued, "Furthermore, my king has blockaded King's Landing's foreign trade; as soon as King's Landing falls into chaos, the deep hatred between Dorne and the Lannisters will naturally cause turmoil as well. In short, the current Iron Throne is far from as stable as you imagine. We still have a great chance." Sansa has already fled; can they still blockade King's Landing?

"You're wrong, Ser Davos. You forgot that King Joffrey still has a brother." He said.

"That child, that child is still young……" How old is he, again?

"He is old enough to enter a marriage pact to maintain the Iron Throne's relationship with the Reach." He turned to Sansa, "Miss, I will arrange my guard to escort you safely to Winterfell. But you also need another oath: that you have never been to Sweet Sister Island."

"Thank you, my lord earl, you are truly kind. I likewise swear."

Before leaving, she said nothing else, merely giving him a guilty glance.

Davos felt helpless.

"Onion Knight, as I said before, no royal hand has ever been received under this roof. So today I will treat you as an honored guest; I will serve you bread, salt, and other tasty food, and prepare a room befitting your status. But come tomorrow at sunrise, I will have the guards send you to my dungeon; I hope that by then you will not cause a scene, accusing me of plotting against guests and violating your rights, alright?"