The war in the Stepstones got off to a good start. The demon dragons were unharmed, Rhaegar's fleet suffered minimal losses, while the Myrish fleet was littered with wreckage, its casualties almost complete.
Black smoke rose into the air, like ugly eyes on the sea, weeping tears.
The pot-bellied tyroshi merchant ships were like swaggering wild boars, lying across the sea. Soldiers happily steered small boats to search the wreckage of the Myr fleet, salvaging valuables and finishing off any survivors.
Life and death, victory and defeat, Rhaegar felt that war was the best artist.
Rhaegar rode the giant dragon down onto a tyroshi merchant ship. When the demon dragon spread its wings, the world would darken.
All three dragons landed on the merchant ship, their scales emitting dazzling light, and the demon dragons looked around with composure.
Rhaegar also took off his black dragon helmet, revealing bright silver hair and purple eyes. The Silver Dragon emblem on his black scale armor glittered in the sun. At his waist hung a great curved scimitar with a dragonbone hilt, its dark blade bearing the unique ripples of valyrian steel.
Rhaegar carried the scent of blood, courage, and victory. His eyes burned like raging flames, full of endless energy, ready to conquer mountains, oceans, and land.
"Congratulations, Prince, you have won another great victory on the battlefield!" Ser Thalassar came forward and said, respectfully and admiringly.
Rhaegar looked around and saw only the admiring gazes of the soldiers. They were still young, but already weathered. Victory alone earns trust and loyalty, especially for an army. Here, there was only one voice, one piece of steel. A single word could determine life or death. Soldiers needed to obey, and commanders needed to lead soldiers to live and win. The swift and brutal victory also filled the soldiers with pride; they were a victorious army, a triumphant force.
"Provide whole cattle and sheep for my companions; they'll also make do with roasted fish. I request that soldiers who performed exceptionally or foolishly in this battle be recorded. I will have the military judge, Ser Brynden, handle them one by one. Also, bring up the surviving captives; I want to question them myself!" Rhaegar said, wanting to exercise the victor's power.
"Yes, Prince!" Ser Thalassar said.
Rhaegar did not micromanage but focused on the big picture, the main points. His time was precious, and being overly diligent was not a good strategy. Clear rewards and punishments, ample food and troops, and winning more splendid victories for the soldiers—these were Rhaegar's principles for leading an army.
Rhaegar's soldiers also had a red and black list: the red list recorded merits, and the black list recorded shortcomings. One was for rewards, the other for punishments. Even minor merits were rewarded, and transgressions were also recorded. Ser Brynden, the military judge, was in charge of this, and he was known for his fairness.
Rhaegar stood among the crowd, surrounded by young men and boys who were like newly forged sharp swords, radiating bright and keen light. Their age, hair, and badges made them easily distinguishable.
The older ones included the fearless Barristan, the stern-faced Lord Jason with brown hair and blue-grey eyes, the red-haired Ser Brynden, and Ser Oswell Whent. The younger ones were Bronze Yohn and the eldest son of House Corbray.
A line of mercenary captives was brought forward. They were the few lucky ones who survived, but falling into the hands of the demon dragons, it was uncertain whether it was a blessing or a curse.
"What is the name of your mercenary company, and why are you here? My companions are still hungry!" Rhaegar pointed to the three demon dragons, who were devouring roasted beef. The demon dragons' appetites were terrifying. Hearing this, the Silver Emperor's icy gaze, like molten gold, fixed on the mercenaries, especially with torn black and red beef still in its mouth.
The scene on the ship looked terrifying: ferocious dragons and a butcher prince wielding a huge scimitar. Dragons were known for their man-eating habits. Rhaegar's three dragons, however, had not yet developed a taste for human flesh.
"We are mercenaries from the Myr Longbow Company, here to aid the Lysene exiles and pirate kings. The Lysenes have been recruiting mercenaries, offering three times the usual price!" the mercenaries said, mustering their courage. In their minds, Rhaegar looked handsome and gentle, but he was also the Butcher of the Stepstones, riding giant dragons to savagely destroy mercenary ships and men. The mercenaries trembled with fear.
Three times the price, no wonder some people took the risk. Rhaegar had an estimate in his heart. This Longbow Company should not be a famous mercenary group; the most famous and well-trained were the Golden Company and the Second Sons. However, the Lysenes might not have the financial resources for them. Compared to his own soldiers, the three daughters preferred to use slaves and mercenaries, and the Disputed Lands had plenty of such mercenaries.
The main thing was Myr's attitude; the Myr government was still ambiguous, like Tyrosh, neutral but not restricting private exchanges. Myrish Mercenaries could still come to the Stepstones to fight. Tyrosh secretly supported Westeros due to an ancient feud.
"Does your mercenary group have any heirloom items, ancient ones?" Ser Thalassar asked fiercely. Everyone knew of Prince Rhaegar's collecting or archaeological hobby. Ser Thalassar, as a sycophant, didn't miss this opportunity to show off. However, this Myr mercenary group was indeed poor, with not much money or ancient artifacts.
Rhaegar asked a few more questions, then had the mercenaries escorted away. Even if the Longbow Company was completely annihilated, the billowing black smoke would still attract attention.
The Lysene exiles and pirates had no subsequent forces joining them. The Three Daughters had developed separately, and besides, the exiles had fled Lys in disgrace, so their funds must be limited. While besieging and ambushing reinforcements could slowly choke them off, it would be too costly and clumsy, not the best decision.
"Let us drink to Prince Rhaegar's wise decision!" Ser Thalassar opened a bottle of wine. Worthy warriors, drink with the Prince!
Besides the famous knights and heirs, there were also the outstanding sailors and archers from this battle.
Barristan, Brynden, Bronze Yohn, Lord Jason, and others also raised their wine cups!
"Cheers!" Rhaegar raised his cup, drinking the celebratory wine with his warriors. This was the wine of victory and honor.
"Long live King's Landing!"
"Long live the iron throne!"
"Long live the spearbreaker!" The soldiers cheered, their voices capable of shattering the clouds. The victorious fleet began to advance towards Crown Prince Aerys's position.
After drinking, Rhaegar had an even bigger plan!
A dragon has three heads, and a crab has two claws. Now that he had won a battle in the east, it was time to go further west. Rhaegar would use the demon dragons as pincers, striking from both sides, to cut two openings in the Stepstones.
The initial battle went so smoothly mainly because it was a surprise attack. The Myr mercenaries stumbled into the encirclement, unprepared for fighting dragons. If Bloodstone had been on high alert, it wouldn't have been so easy!
Speed was of the essence in war. Rhaegar intended to wage a second battle today, to seek out the Tyrell fleet.
"Ser Thalassar! Ser Barristan! Ser Brynden! Yohn! My dragons have eaten their fill, and I shall head to the western battlefield to rendezvous with Ser Mace Tyrell of Highgarden. You must not be greedy for battle; immediately retreat and merge with my father, Lord Tywin, and his forces, continuing to advance! Wait for my message! Do not blindly engage in battle; your greatest task now is to link up with the main forces." Rhaegar commanded, while calling for his well-fed demon dragons.
"Understood, Prince!" The commanders shouted their agreement. The Prince's voice was like steel, and his orders were like steel! Rhaegar's commands were relayed layer by layer.
Rhaegar mounted the Silver Demon Dragon and vanished into the sky again. No riding a dragon while drinking, no drinking while riding a dragon. Fortunately, he hadn't drunk much and could digest it quickly.
Rhaegar began to fly in the sky, flames burning in his palm, searching for news of the Redwyne Fleet.
Until Rhaegar flew over the westernmost part of the Stepstones, a combined fleet of The Reach and Dorne began to appear in the flames. Ser Mace represented Highgarden, and Prince Lewyn represented Dorne.
Rhaegar rendezvoused with the fleet. The Arbor fleet began to sail into the blocked waterways, clearing obstacles.
The pirates, who had long been restless, began to act, confronting the massive fleet.
As the pirate ships roared and the flames of war ignited, when they looked up, the pirates suddenly saw a dark shadow swoop down.
"It's a dragon! Run!" The pirates, whose emotions had not yet settled, received a huge fright.
Silver fire, purple fire, and black fire began to surge, the flames reaching the sky.
Dragons battled in the wild, their fury scorching the earth.
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