He is not like his father, Daemon, who does whatever he wants.
He will not be perfect if people criticize him.
Corliss was furious, but he resisted the urge to roar.
He knew the young man in front of him was right.
Although the facts did not stand up to scrutiny, they were in front of him.
"Very good. You are very brave."
Corliss laughed in anger.
"Thank you for the compliment. Your daughter is beautiful."
Aemon sheathed his sword and staggered back to his seat.
Who doesn't know how to speak harshly?
If you have the guts, drive him out of Driftmark Island, and see how this war will be fought without his army and Seagull Town.
Laena stared at him with shame and anger, her heart beating wildly.
She had been kissed in public, and her fiancé had died. What would happen if her reputation got out?
Aemon shrugged, indicating that he could do nothing to help.
He has already been killed.
Could he have chosen a more inopportune time?
Corliss clenched the driftwood throne with both hands as he watched his daughter flirt with Aemon, his anger growing.
The former son of the Sea King of Braavos was mediocre and stupid. Corliss wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. But first, he had to figure out how. He should wait until there were fewer people around so he could use a duel as a legitimate excuse. There were too many people present today; killing him rashly would only lead to gossip.
The servants came to collect the body.
Rhaenys put down her wine cup and said softly, "Corliss, he should have a funeral."
Corliss heard her and knew she was reminding him.
"The meeting is over, and we'll talk next time."
With nowhere to direct his anger, he strode out of the Nine Flights Hall.
The others saw him and followed silently behind.
The Velaryon family walked in front.
Laenor clung to his lover and occasionally glanced at the headless corpse covered with white cloth.
He was a little sad.
After being together for several years, how could there be no feelings?
"Don't look," he said.
Joffrey pulled him back and suddenly glanced behind them.
Laenor was scared to death.
Aemon sat in a chair with his family sword, Sorrow, leaning against the table. He stared at Joffrey and moved his lips.
Joffrey understood.
"Do you want to duel with me, too?"
"Go, Laenor."
Joffrey's face turned pale, and he pulled his lover away and ran.
Aemon saw this and laughed.
If he had looked like a golden lion when they first met, now he looked like a frightened orange cat.
That's it.
Everyone left one by one, and Laena buried her head and walked the fastest.
Aemon did not chase after her but instead fiddled with the family sword, Sorrow, which was leaning against his leg.
The Valyrian steel longsword is fast.
Its sharp edge cuts through cervical vertebrae like fresh cheese just out of the oven.
Rhaenys stayed behind and passed by her nephew. She said softly, "Not bad, but too straightforward."
"As long as you are satisfied."
Aemon remained calm.
To him, beheading the son of the former King of Bravos was no different from hunting a hare or killing a member of a mountain clan.
If there was any difference.
The guy was full of energy, his blood spurting out three feet high.
"I'll accompany Laena. She was frightened by you today."
Rhaenys was somewhat relieved and patted her nephew's shoulder.
The Targaryens need such a man.
...
Half a month later...
There was a big meeting every three days and a small meeting every two days on Driftmark Island.
As the initiator, Corliss worked out a battle plan.
It was similar to what Aemon had deduced.
He sent a letter to the Prince of Pentos, asking him to purchase valuable materials in large quantities to lure the pirates of the Three Women's Kingdom into the Strait.
The coalition forces on Driftmark Island moved out of the strait and migrated to Crab Island.
Crab Island faced the Strait, which was more conducive to an attack.
Lord Bartimos Celtigar, the Lord of Crab Island, set out first to prepare tents and supplies for the coalition forces.
Several huge dragons took off together.
...
Crab Island, Crab Roe Castle.
The dragons landed one by one, and three young dragon riders climbed down.
Aemon stretched and groaned.
"Your Highness, thank you for your hard work."
Bartimos ordered the castle gate opened and came to greet them warmly.
"It's not hard. It only takes half an hour to ride a dragon."
Aemon relaxed.
Laena and Laenor followed one after the other.
The latter rode Seasmoke and brought his lover, Joffrey.
Led by Bartimos, the four of them entered the magnificent castle with pale red exterior walls.
Aemon was slightly surprised upon entering.
The Celtigar family, one of the three ancient Valyrian noble families after the Doomsday, is extremely wealthy.
The hall was covered with precious Myr carpets and pure gold chandeliers inlaid with blue gems.
The walls are adorned with Volantis glass, and the mirrors are clear and shiny.
Gold and silver utensils, as well as jeweled wine glasses, could be seen everywhere, and a faint aroma of wine lingered in the air.
"Your Highness, what would you like to drink first?"
Bartimos asked politely.
He asked the same question of Laena and her brother.
"You really know how to enjoy the magnificent renovation of the castle,"
Aemon said with a smile.
Although his Riverdale Castle was made of precious materials, the decorations were lacking.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two sides went about their business.
Laena stole a glance at Aemon, then went upstairs to rest.
Ever since the "duel incident," she had been hiding and rarely appeared in public.
"Let's go inspect the fleet."
Laenor smiled awkwardly and found an excuse to take his lover out.
Aemon rolled his eyes.
Everyone was busy, making him look like a dangerous person.
"I'm free. I'll show you around."
Bartimos was very considerate.
"Thank you."
Aemon was bored.
His army was in Seagull Town, and Horton and the others had returned by boat to deploy troops.
Once the Velaryon fleet gathered at Crab Island, the two sides would be poised against each other.
Aunt Rhaenys didn't come. She rode Meleys on patrol
"According to Lord Corliss's decision, this battle will be launched in the Port of Pentos. It's a blessing in disguise."
Bartimos talked as they walked.
"The strategy has been discussed, but it's not very pleasant.
With his hands behind his back, Aemon said calmly, "My army is stationed at the Port of Caslome. No matter how many pirates from the Three Kingdoms attack, I will share half of the spoils after the war."
"You can get more."
Bartimos lowered his voice.
He has read ancient Valyrian books since childhood and admires the Free Fortress Empire, which was once dominated by the family of forty dragon Lords.
Dragons are the only remaining magic in ancient Valyria, and they are his deeply held faith.
Compared to the dragon blood stolen by the Velaryon family, the young prince before him is undoubtedly of a more legitimate origin.
He is not under the royal family's control.
"What do you want to say?"
Aemon frowned.
"I am thinking about you."
Bartimos hurriedly replied, "Princess Rhaenys and Miss Laena won't fight. The Velaryon family has assembled only 5,000 naval troops, and at most, the young dragon under Sir Laenor's crotch."
"You, with two dragons and 15,000 troops, have twice the number of coalition forces."
Who are the people fighting against the pirates from the Three Kingdoms?
The Velaryons, the Celtigars, the Gravesons...
They are all maritime families that rely on ports.
Unlike the Royce family and other inland lords, they can easily summon a large number of vassals to serve.
Before Aemon arrived, the total number of coalition forces on Driftmark Island did not exceed 10,000.
Rhaenys and Laena, the two women, can hardly ride dragons to fight, and Laenor is the only dragon rider.
Aemon's arrival doubled the strength of the coalition forces.
This is also why Corliss readily accepted the new ally when Aemon mentioned the alliance.
His Royal Highness is too powerful.
Whoever stands with him will be able to sweep the land.
If you stand with him, others will have to be careful.
After listening to Bartimos, Aemon asked back, "Do you want me to fight for power and profit?"
"No, just take what is rightfully yours."
Bartimos replied politely.
Aemon was silent for a while.
Seeing this, Bartimos seized the opportunity and said, "Pentos is very rich. We can ask for more compensation for your army's losses."
It was a tempting and reasonable proposal.
After a long while, Aemon sighed and said, "Lord Bartimos, you are very eloquent."
He was almost persuaded.
However, he kept in mind the true meaning of this battle:
Defeat the pirates of the Three Women's Kingdom and restore Riverdale's construction speed.
Take this opportunity to build a reputation and use it as a stepping stone to King's Landing.
Finally, his goal was the Eyrie.
A famous battle that could be won quickly should not be sacrificed for petty gains.
It would slow down progress.
"Let's see what treasures the Celtigar family has."
Aemon changed the subject.
Bartimos was stunned for a moment, then understood. "Please," he said.
Everyone says that the Velaryon and Lannister families are the richest, followed by the Hightower family of Oldtown.
From what Aemon saw and heard along the way, the Celtigar family is just as wealthy.
They're rich!
Bartimos was generous and took Aemon to see various collections.
Among them was a warehouse filled with fragrant, old wine.
If it were sold, the money would be enough to buy any noble castle.
Suddenly, Aemon caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye.
On the red satin-covered wall hung an axe with a cold glow.
The axe was four feet long and shaped like a Viking battle axe.
Its handle was made of an unknown material that looked like wood but was not wood and looked like gold but was not gold. It had a luster that had been precipitated over the years.
The axe itself was made of pure steel with ripples on its surface.
Aemon could clearly see that it was Valyrian steel.
It was an axe made of Valyrian steel, as wide as a palm and three fingers thick.
"It's called 'Crab Claw,'" Bartimos said. "It's a Valyrian steel axe inherited from the ancient Valyria period."
Bartimos took off the heirloom and handed it to the other party.
The panel prompt sounded: "Discover an item containing magic; gain magic essence +10."
Aemon concealed his joy and examined this magical weapon.
It was unexpected that the Celtigar family had another Valyrian steel weapon.
However, the steel was small, only an axe.
"This axe is not suitable for the battlefield. It has been enshrined in the family castle for generations."
Gloating, Bartimos said, "In contrast, Lord Corliss's family once had a Valyrian steel scimitar, but it was lost in battle."
Corliss made nine voyages in search of "heirlooms."
But that was like looking for a needle in a haystack, and it ended in failure.
"It's a good axe. The material of the axe handle is unprecedented."
Aemon returned the axe without much nostalgia.
Any Valyrian steel weapon is a heirloom for the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms, and they would never sell them, even if they were starving.
"I won't give it to anyone."
"This axe has a surprising origin. There is something from the same period that you must see."
Bartimos smiled mysteriously.
He put the "Crab Claw" away and took a sealed box out from under the red silk.
Click!
The box opened, revealing a broken, brownish-black horn.
---------------
You can read +100 advance chapters on my Patreon
Patreon(.)com/izan24
•TIER 1 you'll get +15 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
•TIER 2 you'll get +40 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
•TIER 3 you'll get +60 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
•TIER 4 you'll get +100 ADVANCE CHAPTERS