Isle of Tarth, south coast.
A dozen warships are anchored, with a canvas with a naked woman hanging from the mast. The goddess of lust of Lys. It is also the most commonly used symbol of the pirates of the Triarchy.
"Kill!!"
"..."
On the golden beach, the shouts of fighting echoed.
Lord Cameron, wearing heavy armor, rushed to the front of the battle line. Half a month ago, the Tyroshi mercenaries in the Stepstones rioted and swept across the lower half of the Strait like locusts. Tarth, being rich in resources, naturally became a target for looting.
"Hold on, don't let them land!" Earl Cameron ordered with a murderous look on his face. There are not many soldiers on Tarth, no more than a thousand. The Tyroshi mercenaries on the opposite side are of a similar number, and they adhere to the guerrilla tactics of quick looting and escape. It has been tried and tested in the past.
But this time, they kicked an iron plate.
Boom—
Suddenly, the towering mountains with waterfalls on the island trembled, and a huge monster as big as a mountain flew out. It was covered with bronze scales, and it shone with a metallic luster in the sun. It flew very fast and arrived nearby in an instant. Its huge body blocked the sun and cast a shadow over the entire beach.
"Dragon!"
Someone found the dragon. Unfortunately, it was too late.
"Hiss—"
Vermithor roared, and the dragon flames surged. In an instant, the dragon flames like copper water rolled and poured out, forming a line that splashed on the golden beach.
"Ah!!"
"Run away, get back to the ship..."
The Tyroshi mercenaries were scared and rushed into the sea without any armor. Vermithor hovered in the sky, and the dragon flames swept across the tidal coast. The Tyroshi mercenaries were like headless flies. As soon as they fell into the water, they were engulfed by the dragon flames. With a sizzling sound, thick smoke came out, and the seawater solidified into a layer of gray-black residue. The moment they landed, they were destined to cut off their own way back.
"Charge!" Lord Cameron was extremely excited, swinging his sword to beat the drowned dogs.
It was noon. The one-sided war ended hastily, and Lord Cameron, who was immersed in the dragon's support, was still a little reluctant.
Boom—
Vermithor fell to the ground and ate several charred Tyroshi mercenaries. One of the advantages of dragons is that they are not picky eaters.
"Lord Cameron, how many people and ships were captured this time?" Aemon, wearing a red cloak, calmly walked through the charred battlefield. He had seen it no less than ten times in the past half month. There were always some people who were blind and thought that small-scale looting could escape the dragon flame.
Lord Cameron wiped the blood off his face and looked at him with respect: "Your Majesty, there are five medium-sized warships, sixteen small sailing ships and rafts, and a total of more than 180 people were captured." Common small-scale looting forces, warships and rafts quickly fought and decided. Usually the number of people is between 500 and 800, the strength of an ordinary mercenary corps.
With reference to these, Aemon formulated a fishing law enforcement tactic. Attract the Tyroshi mercenaries to land, and then ride the dragon to burn them. The ships anchored in the sea could be preserved.
"Pick the captives with arms and legs intact and lock them up together." Aemon had another use for them.
"Yes, Your Majesty." After half a month of guarding, Aemon's majesty was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and Lord Cameron regarded his words as an imperial decree.
"Get ready, set off for the Stepstone Islands tonight." Aemon's voice changed.
Lord Cameron was stunned and a little excited: "Your Majesty, are you going to send troops?" It is said that the former Tyroshi Lord was killed by his subordinates' rebellion, so that the Tyroshi mercenaries were completely crazy. In just half a month, the entire Triarchy and the disputed land fell into chaos and war.
Tyrosh was the first to bear the brunt. The Myrish people took advantage of the chaos and sent troops to it. For a time, Tyrosh became a place of four wars. On the contrary, the Stepstone Islands were unattended, with only some insignificant pirates hiding.
"Lead 300 people and take all the captives away." Aemon ordered. Ravens had been sent early to call for support from a thousand Second Sons and a thousand royal navy. Calculating the time, it was almost time.
The captured ships were left behind and sailed back to Gulltown and King's Landing to serve as warships. These were good ships with resources behind them, and the shipbuilding technology was advanced beyond the times. The Velaryon fleet under the Sea Serpent was the foreign ship that was constantly replaced during the nine voyages.
King's Landing.
The Red Keep, the Parliament Hall.
"The Triarchy is in complete chaos. What should we do about it?" Viserys said solemnly. The Tyroshi mercenaries were looting like crazy, and the people along the coast of the Stormlands were brutally violated. The Crown was also affected, and the throat had to be blocked. This was no small matter, and they couldn't just sit back and watch.
Rhaenyra sat below the Hand of the King, with her hands on her knees, and didn't express her opinion.
"Your Majesty, I suggest reinforcing the Isle of Tarth and letting Prince Aemon deter enemies from all directions," Tyland was the first to speak.
"Prince Aemon's mission is to assist in the defense, and Tarth does not have the ability to deter the Triarchy," Otto's face was expressionless, as if everyone owed him eight million golden dragons. Under the constant pressure of Alicent and Earl Hobert, he was finally retrieved from the dungeon of Moon Gate Castle.
Everyone present vaguely remembered how miserable Otto, a respectable man at that time, was. His hair was disheveled, his face was caked with dirt, and his tattered clothes were stuffed with straw just to add a little warmth. His whole body exuded a stench that was comparable to a stinking ditch that had been blocked for ten years. The first thing he did when he saw the king was to throw himself at his legs and ask for food. The beggars in King's Landing had to throw half a piece of black bread to the horrible appearance.
Because of this, the sense of oppression that Otto had cultivated for many years disappeared. Instead, he was terrified and afraid of Aemon. After all, no one wants to end up like him.
"Ahem." Tyland coughed lightly and hesitated in a low voice: "The Tyroshi mercenaries are invading everywhere, and the Stepstone Islands are unmanaged. Why not let Prince Aemon take over?" "There are systematic defense buildings left by Prince Daemon on the island. If the kingdom occupies this place, it can also effectively guard against the Sea Snakes and Dorne." It must be said that he is a minister with real talent and practical work. He has a long-term vision and controls the timing just right. What's more rare is that compared with other people in the royal meeting, the Lannister family has a unique aggressiveness.
"Uh…" Viserys hesitated for a while and said perfunctorily: "This is a really good idea. Let's talk about the rest." Tyland was embarrassed and lowered his head.
"Your Majesty, we can wait a little longer," Grand Maester Mellos spoke slowly and methodically, "Attacking Tyrosh from multiple sides will make the Sea Snakes exhausted, which is beneficial to your long-term rule."
Viserys frowned immediately. Weakening powerful ministers and consolidating royal power is a solution, but it cannot protect the people along the coast.
At this time, Otto said again, "Your Majesty, if you can't bear the suffering of the people, you might as well order Lord Baratheon of Storm's End to send troops."
"Lord Baratheon has embezzled and has not yet given a reasonable explanation to the royal family," Rhaenyra said lightly.
"What do you think, Princess?" Otto stopped thinking about defending himself and asked back.
Viserys turned his head after hearing this, and also wanted to see what his daughter thought. As the heir to the Iron Throne, she had to consider these things.
Rhaenyra said calmly, "I agree with Lord Tyland. From the Sea Snake occupying Tyrosh, the pattern on both sides of the Strait of Myr has changed, and the Stepstone Islands can be recovered to prevent potential wars in advance."
"What do you think?" Viserys nodded slightly and glanced at the other ministers.
Otto bowed his head and said nothing, while Mellos put his hands in his sleeves. Hand of the King Lyonel was taciturn, his brows sometimes furrowed and sometimes relaxed.
The happiest person was Tyland.
"Thank you, Princess." Tyland was full of smiles, glad that someone finally discovered his talent.
Seeing this, Viserys knew what was going on.
"Well, issue an edict to inform Aemon that there is a chance to take back the Stepstones."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"..."
The ministers in front of the king responded one after another. Everyone should pay attention to one point: the king said "take it back", not occupy it. Without saying a word, the king had regarded the Stepstones as the territory of the Seven Kingdoms.
Rhaenyra smiled knowingly. She liked her father's subtle changes.
The rebellion was over and the meeting began to adjourn. When the ministers stood up, Linman suddenly said slowly: "I think we can send a letter to the Sea Serpent to let it return to the embrace of the Iron Throne, and we will give some help." He was still immersed in the king's first question.
"Lord Linman, we have finished our discussion," Tyland whispered, and helped him up and walked out. Linman was puzzled, thinking that it was a waste of his good idea that he had thought of for a long time.
Stepstone Islands.
At noon, the sun was particularly dazzling.
"Put down your weapons!"
"Kneel down, or we will kill you all."
"..."
In front of the gate of Dragonblood Castle, the Second Sons, each wearing armor, shouted and tied up the remaining pirates like dumplings.
Outside the tidal reef beach, dozens of ships were anchored, large, medium and small. Among them, twenty brand-new warships were flying the three-headed red dragon flag symbolizing the royal family, and the three-point flag of the dragon symbol eagle of the regent.
Aemon's order was several times faster than the will of King's Landing. The Second Sons and the Royal Navy hurried over and took over the Stepstone Islands.
Boom—
A bronze dragon broke through the thin clouds, and its huge body enveloped the entire Bloodstone Island.
"Land!" A warm voice sounded. Vermithor circled the island, then folded his wings and landed outside the stone-like Dragonblood Castle.
Aemon got off the dragon's back and took the lead to look around: "Is this Daemon's castle?"
Bloodstone Island is one of the two largest islands in the Stepstone Islands. There is a mountain range running east-west on the island, with caves of varying sizes carved out on it. Dragonblood Castle is built on the mountain. The gray-white castle is only three stories high, and a tall and thick wall is built around the mountain. It is more like an impregnable fortress than a castle.
"Your vision is average, but it will belong to me from now on," Aemon grinned.
The flag on the top of the city was lowered and burned, and two new flags rose slowly. The three-headed red dragon flag of the royal family, and his three-point flag of the dragon eagle. The former represents that the Stepstone Islands are officially included in the rule of the Iron Throne, and the latter represents his claim to this place.
The sun is still scorching. Before two o'clock in the afternoon, the remaining pirates on Grey Gallows Island were destroyed. Greyhorn Castle on the island also raised a new flag and was incorporated into Aemon's territory.
Aemon was on Bloodstone Island, ordering his men to search the caves.
"Your Majesty, I have captured a group of guys who claim to be pyromancers," Rune Guard Captain Koen Corbray came over, his handsome face very serious.
"Oh, pyromancers?" Aemon became interested.
Soon, a group of red-robed figures with their hands tied were brought up.
"Your Majesty, when we caught them, they were refining a dangerous substance called wildfire," Koen reminded carefully.
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