When Wright and Odahviing arrived at the western coast of the city walls, the Iron Islands were launching their second siege against Bear Island's fleet.
The entire nation was already at war, and attacking other human armies during this time was considered an act of treason. Seeing Sansa and Geralt below, using magic to kill the Iron Islanders attempting to board their ships, Wright, who had come with the king's orders, no longer held back. He commanded Odahviing to breathe dragonfire onto the attacking crowd.
The ships of Bear Island were packed together, and Sansa, fearing that her dragon's roar might damage the ships, continuously used ice magic and four flying metal arms to attack the enemy, while Geralt stood beside her, sword in hand, protecting her. Sansa dealt with the distant foes while Geralt handled those close by. The two worked in perfect unison, slaying countless enemies, but those closing in on them were the most numerous. Once they took down the two, the other mages would be no threat.
As the bodies piled up and the two were nearing exhaustion, Odahviing swooped down from the clouds, breathing dragonfire that shattered the ice, leaving a long gap in the frozen sea. The Iron Islanders standing there were either burned to ashes or had fallen into the cold ocean.
Wright landed beside Sansa, and several red sword strikes flew through the air, leaving behind severed limbs. Seeing the crescent-shaped red arcs fly overhead from the ship, the Iron Islanders immediately dropped their weapons and surrendered.
The breach in Pike's walls, shattered by Wright's dragon roar over twenty years ago, still stood there. Some young people had heard stories of Wright from their mothers, who spoke of him as the executioner who had stripped the Iron Islanders of their independence and dignity. He was the enemy of the drowned god, a demon.
The surviving crew on the ships began to cheer. After a brief celebration, they descended from the decks, gathered the weapons discarded by the Iron Islanders, and escorted the prisoners toward the shore.
Dozens of nobles gathered around Wright, and through Jorah's account, Wright understood the situation.
This group had evacuated from the Shadow Tower, with the Mormont family from Bear Island relocating with all their wealth and fleet southward. Along the way, they were joined by House Glover of Deepwood Motte and the House Dustin of Barrowton.
When they reached the western coast of Moat Cailin, the Iron Islanders stationed there warmly helped them moor the ships, only to launch a surprise attack that very night. Fortunately, a few mages had accompanied the fleet, and the battle took place on land, where the tall and fierce Northerners repelled the first wave.
Afterward, the Iron Islanders used this excuse to say that the Northerners had killed their people, rallied nearly all the Iron Islanders, and launched the second battle.
"Lord Wright! I'm Dunstan Drumm! I helped you fight at Tyrosh City years ago! This is all a misunderstanding!"
Wright completely ignored the bound Ironborn noble kneeling before him and instead grabbed a few lower-ranking noble officers, taking them aside for questioning.
The young officer, facing Wright and the Northerners who looked ready to kill him, turned to see his silent, dead companions lying nearby. He truthfully revealed the reason behind the Iron Islanders' attack.
The Iron Islands harbored a deep grudge against the Seven Kingdoms, resenting Robert for crippling them. With Renly issuing a nationwide call to arms, several great nobles had discussed that since the Others could not reach the Iron Islands, they couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.
Lords had to bring their own food and weapons to participate in the war, and the Iron Islands, long oppressed by Robert's policies, were financially struggling. They had brought only twenty days' worth of supplies, hoping that the Crown would provide them with more, or else they would find an excuse to withdraw to the Iron Islands.
After they arrived and set up camp on the western coast, the war between the Northerners and the Others at the Moat Cailin stronghold made the Iron Islanders fully understand the gravity of the situation. With the arrival of reinforcements from the various duchies, the Iron Islanders no longer dared to request supplies from the Crown. Fortunately, after enduring the cold and hunger, they were finally able to meet the Bear Island fleet, which brought a large shipment of goods.
What followed was simple—an attack aimed at plundering, with all the blame placed on the Others.
"Ser Jorah! I, Dunstan Drumm, as the current head of House Drumm, formally present the Red Rain sword to you! Please forgive the crimes of House Drumm!"
Dunstan, seeing that Wright ignored him, shouted repeatedly to Jorah.
Jorah approached, lowered his gaze, and then patted the bear-head hilt of his longclaw sword: "The Red Rain sword is now the property of Lord Wright. My family does not lack for money. If my son wants one, I'll simply go to Tyrosh to buy him one!"
The Mormont family was no longer the impoverished, marginal noble house it once was. Thanks to its business dealings with the Wright, Eddard, and House Hightower, its wealth now ranked fourth in the North, behind only House Stark, House Bolton, and House Manderly.
However, Jorah couldn't bring himself to buy a new Valyrian steel sword. One was enough for a family. More would be a curse, just as the Lannisters' example showed.
Jorah's eldest son, the strong and tall black-haired Kyler Mormont, who had just turned sixteen, helped his mother, the still graceful Lynesse Hightower, who was nearly forty, to approach.
"Lord Wright, Dunstan publicly insulted me by suggesting I sleep with all their lords. This not only dishonors me but also insults House Mormont and House Hightower!" Lynesse used her family's influence to drag Dunstan's crimes.
"That wasn't me!" Dunstan looked up at Lynesse, denying vehemently.
Kyler raised his foot and kicked Dunstan in the mouth, knocking him to the ground with a mouthful of blood: "We all heard it come from your mouth!"
Wright stood with his arms crossed, watching them from the side. Regardless of whether the matter was true or not, it seemed that the Mormont family wanted to put Dunstan to death.
"Jorah, are all the nobles here?" Wright counted the number of kneeling nobles again. There were just over a hundred, fewer than half of the Iron Islands' noble list.
Looking at the surrounding northern soldiers still tallying the prisoners, Jorah wasn't sure where the others had gone. "They might have fallen into the sea."
At that moment, Sansa and Geralt arrived beside Wright. Sansa's sleeves were empty, her metal arms were held by Geralt, who was wiping the blood off them with cloth.
"They're all dead! Lord Sawane Botley of the Iron Islands was torn into five pieces by me, and Heras Harlaw's head is still on the ship. Outnumbered, we focused on killing the richly dressed leaders during the battle," Sansa, wearing a white mask, said in a calm tone, as if she'd just killed a few chickens.
"I also killed a few nobles, but I don't recognize their banners," Geralt added from behind.
No matter how the battle started, after so many Iron Island nobles had died, someone would have to take responsibility. Sansa wanted to step up and take the blame, and Geralt, not wanting her to bear the burden alone, also took some of it upon himself.
"And I too, killed my fair share!" Anna Mormont stepped forward, followed by other northern soldiers who spoke up one after another.
Wright looked at Jorah. "Didn't you send any ravens out, or receive any from the Moat Cailin?"
Jorah replied, "When we were at Bear Island, we sent ravens across the North, but not a single one has returned during this entire journey."
Wright reflected on the terrain in his mind. Ravens sent from Bear Island could only fly east. If none had returned, it meant that the White Walkers had taken control of most of the North and killed every living thing along their path.
They hadn't received any messages while sailing on the icy sea, and they didn't know that the Iron Islanders' actions had already committed the most severe form of treason. No noble in the Seven Kingdoms would dare to plead for their lives.
Wright looked at the tense faces around him and smiled, "The king has long ordered the Seven Kingdoms to enter a state of war. Any attack on humans in Westeros is considered treason, and the only fate awaiting the Iron Islands is death."
"Wonderful!"
The nobles maintained their composure, while the soldiers below began cheering and celebrating as they collected their spoils.
"In a couple of days, the Vale cavalry will arrive. You can hand over the prisoners to them, and you'll be responsible for defending here. Official documents will be sent once Robb signs them." The Iron Islanders were taken away, and Wright also made arrangements for them to set up defenses on the spot.
"Robb Stark will sign?" Upon hearing the name, Sansa's heart began to race.
When Sansa spoke, Jorah and the others also turned to look at Wright.
Wright slowly nodded. "Eddard died during the Battle of Moat Cailin. The current Lord of the North is Robb Stark."
Sansa didn't cry out loudly; instead, tears silently fell from beneath her mask. Her metal arm was still in Geralt's hands, and he hurriedly removed her mask and wiped the tears from her face with his sleeve.
A few days later, the Vale knights arrived and took the Iron Islands prisoners. Sansa also shared the Three-Eyed Raven's prophecy with Wright. Wright decided not to return to Moat Cailin for the time being and, along with the two, headed north to Wolfswood to search for Tyene.
---
Hundreds of years old trees were felled and transported away. Every few hundred meters along the long wall, large groups of craftsmen were boiling water using firewood. Buckets of hot water were brought up the wall and poured into long troughs made of wooden planks, waiting for them to freeze.
The craftsmen and soldiers worked to widen and raise the wall, while the nobles gathered to watch the king carry out the execution of the Iron Islanders.
"Dragonfire!"
As Renly read aloud the charges, Peytvahaaz unleashed a blast of dragonfire at a pile of living people, then quickly extended his tongue to consume fresh roasted meat.
"Ah~~~" The screams mixed with the sound of bones cracking. The giant dragon eagerly devoured both flesh and bone. The northern, Riverlands, and Westerlands nobles, who had suffered from pirate raids for thousands of years, raised their longswords and cheered excitedly.
"Baratheon!"
"Long live the king!"
After over twenty years of long-term sanctions, the Iron Islanders had provided Renly with a flawless excuse, allowing him to execute all the Iron Island nobles.
Not only the nobles, but also some knights with titles were sent to the dragon's stomach. The remaining ordinary soldiers were not allowed to pick up their weapons again; they were instead sent to work as craftsmen to repair the fortress.
Renly shouted: "I declare that all Iron Islands territories will be reclaimed by the Crown! Old Wyk Island is granted to House Mormont as compensation for their losses. The other islands will be awarded to those who fought bravely in this war!"
There was another round of cheers. The Ironborn had always taken their territories by force, but now, they could legally take their land. Only the old, sick, and women and children were left on the islands. Those receiving land only needed to send a few troops to take control.
Jorah and his wife, Lynesse, were very pleased. The King had solved their shipping troubles and compensated them with Old Wyk Island, a small island located in the heart of the Iron Islands. While it had little to offer in terms of resources, it was sheltered from the storms and ideal for ships to dock and transfer cargo. Once the war ended, the Bear Island fleet could grow once again.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Jorah knelt on one knee and accepted the official decree for Old Wyk Island from Renly.
"I speak for House Hightower in thanking His Majesty!" When Renly helped Lynesse to her feet out of courtesy, she softly brushed her fingers across his palm.
But this tactic had no effect on Renly. Behind him, Ser Loras, the captain of the Kingsguard, remained expressionless and unmoving. Having worked with Renly for years, they communicated without the need for words—one simple gesture was enough to understand each other's intent. To outsiders, there seemed to be no sign of any personal relationship between the two.
Renly smiled kindly. "Lady Lynesse, as a bridge between House Hightower and House Mormont, I hope you will assist Jorah in developing the western seafaring trade after the war."
"I will not fail His Majesty's grace," Lynesse said, deliberately letting the fragrance of her breath waft toward Renly's face.
Renly responded with a warm, friendly smile as he sent the couple back to their place in the ranks, while his thoughts turned elsewhere.
He and Wright had often discussed the internal cancers within the Seven Kingdoms. Now, under high-pressure policies, the Iron Islands had brought about their own downfall. Next on the list was House Hightower.
Renly couldn't help but admire House Hightower's outstanding legacy, as each generation produced exceptional talent. Their influence stretched across the North, the Westerlands, and the Reach, infiltrating trade networks and growing their power.
The Hightowers were far from foolish like the Ironborn; they were cautious in their dealings, leaving little to catch onto. Renly and Wright couldn't simply burn them with dragons. Instead, they planned to elevate House Hightower's status in trade, then watch as they fell hard.
Woooo~~
A scout team, riding warhorses, entered the gates of the Castle Black stronghold in the north.
The sound of horns in such a military stronghold had become commonplace. During this time, the horns were blown several times a day.
Ser Loras drew a long sword with a blood-red blade and handed it to Renly. Renly raised the sword high. "This Valyrian steel sword is called 'Red Rain'. It once belonged to Dunstan Drumm, but now it is the Lord Wright's war prize. Jon!"
After Robb became the Warden of the North, he had grown a small mustache above his lip. Seeing Jon daydreaming, he slapped Jon's back.
Stumbling a couple of steps, Jon turned to look at Robb. "What's going on?"
"The King called you!" Robb kept signaling Jon with his eyes.
The surrounding nobles smiled at Jon, who snapped back to reality. He adjusted his armor, fixed his gold shoulder cloak, and walked up to Renly.
Renly said, "Jon single-handedly halted the charge of the wildling horde, protecting the safety of Sauron and the prince. Lord Wright has asked me to present this sword to you on his behalf."
The people present later heard about the battle. Without Jon's intervention, the wildlings, along with the wights, would have overrun the ranks, and no one would have survived. There was no objection to giving the sword to Jon, only regret. The sword was Wright's war prize, and as Wright could forge his own Valyrian steel weapons, the regret was that no one else had received one from him.
After finishing the execution of the Ironborn nobles and gifting Jon with Red Rain, Renly and the nobles moved toward the meeting room to discuss the election of the Commander.
Woooo~~
Another horn sounded. Renly, still chatting with the nobles, looked up at the top of the keep. Two horn blasts meant wildlings were attacking. But with the wights having wiped out all the wildlings beyond the Wall, where could they have come from? Everyone stood still, anxiously waiting to see if the final horn would blow.
"Surely not, not the wights now?"
"At this hour? We haven't even had breakfast."
"The wights don't eat breakfast!"
Woooo~~
"Gods damn it! Everyone prepare for battle!" Renly swore loudly, disregarding his royal status.