Inside the great golden tent on the banks of the Blackwater Rush, flames lit the candles.
The brazier beside the table gave off heat, while the dragons rested deeper within the tent.
Great Lord Stannis Baratheon pointed at a parchment map of the Seven Kingdoms and said, "The Ironborn fleet was weakened once during Balon's last rebellion, but its foundation remains."
The western coastline of Westeros was jagged and twisting, like fighting snakes.
The Riverlands and the Westerlands lay closest to the Iron Islands, but every land along the western coast had been raided by the Ironborn.
Great Lord Stannis had the right to speak on the Ironborn. Back at the Battle of Fair Isle, he and Lord Paxter Redwyne attacked from both sides and destroyed most of the Iron Fleet between the mainland and the islands. Yet the Ironborn had now recovered their strength.
"Balon is a madman, and Crow's Eye seems even madder than him," Prince Oberyn Martell said.
Dorne had suffered fewer Ironborn raids, but that was not because the Ironborn had shown mercy.
Rather, Dorne had always been a poor land, and its southern coastline was full of whirlpools and reefs, making it difficult for ships to approach.
"The Ironborn pulling their fist back from the North is not simply for the Seastone Chair," Gendry said, looking at the long western coastline of Westeros.
"This Crow's Eye is more dangerous than Balon," Great Lord Stannis said. "According to some merchants, he is the most vicious pirate in the world, and he has not returned to the Iron Islands in many years."
"Balon has sons and daughters. How can his brother take the throne before them?" Great Lord Mace Tyrell asked.
"The customs of the Ironborn are different from those of the Green lands. Crow's Eye is stronger than his nephews and nieces. If a Kingsmoot is called, he will win," Gendry said, looking at Mace.
"Then our table will have a new player," Mace said, not taking it too seriously. "But will this Kraken truly be so dangerous?"
"He will attack The Reach first, Great Lord Mace. I have already warned you to strengthen the defenses of Oldtown and the Shield Islands," Gendry told Mace.
"How dare he? How dare he raid our Reach?" Mace said, his face flushing red.
"If I have guessed correctly, Crow's Eye should also possess some ability to command wind and rain. If he can change the direction of the wind, combined with the Ironborn longships, the pace of his attacks will be impossible to guard against," Gendry said.
The Storm God seemed to be some kind of evil god, and the Storm God's gifts were surely paid for with blood sacrifice.
"We truly have seen the wind change, whether by magic or by trickery, Lord Mace," Ser Barristan said. "Otherwise, how could Volantis's great allied fleet have carried so many men from Slaver's Bay all the way to the Blackwater Rush?"
"Change the wind?" Great Lord Eddard had instinctively been about to object, but when he thought of the dragons that had appeared, such an ability suddenly seemed possible after all.
To the lords of Westeros, they had never expected dragons, Kraken, and Others to appear all at once, three black swan events together.
But now that one black swan had appeared, the other black swans seemed possible as well.
Mace rubbed his fat hands together. "My son Willas is still at Highgarden, and Garlan will soon bring most of the soldiers back to The Reach. Besides, the Redwyne fleet still has two hundred warships. If the Kraken dares come, I will line the Roseroad with the stinking corpses of fish."
"Dig deep ditches and raise high walls. Do not fight rashly at sea. Wait for my support. If necessary, abandon whatever can be abandoned. Keep away from the sea, and you will be safer," Gendry commanded.
"Yes, Your Grace." Mace nodded.
Gendry looked at Mace. He had said everything that needed saying. If the lords of Oldtown and the Shield Islands still refused to give up their baggage, or went out to fight recklessly at sea, they would be seeking their own deaths.
"Your Grace, naval battle is dangerous. Would it not be safer for Great Lord Stannis to lead the royal fleet in support?" Ser Barristan asked. This was also the opinion of many lords.
"There can be no change of commander in this matter," Gendry said. With Crow's Eye's many schemes, Gendry could not rest easy.
At present, the Iron Throne held the advantage in troops, but its forces had also been divided into several groups.
"Prince Oberyn." Gendry looked again at the Red Viper.
Mace could not help pricking up his ears. Surely the King would not send Dornishmen to The Reach. That would be a humiliation beyond measure.
For thousands of years, The Reach, the Stormlands, and Dorne had often fought one another. Put these soldiers together, and before long there would be brawls.
"Dorne will obey your arrangements," the Red Viper said lightly.
"Dorne's naval strength is rather weak, but the Dornish Arm is close to the Stepstones. Dorne's spearmen can provide suitable support in the Stepstones, to prevent the Iron Fleet from passing through."
Ever since Queen Nymeria burned the ships, Dorne's fleet had essentially fallen to nothing. Only the Orphans of the Greenblood still had boats, but those were riverboats at best.
Gendry had heard that Kraken had also appeared south of the Stepstones and overturned ships. But for Crow's Eye's fleet to take such a long detour to King's Landing would be a madman's idea. Crow's Eye was a cunning man.
"As you command, Your Grace," the Red Viper said loudly. This mission was not too heavy for Dorne. At most, their Longspearmen would wait at ease for an exhausted enemy.
Great Lord Mace also breathed a sigh of relief.
Dorne was a rotten stretch of land, but even rot had its advantages. Few people were willing to cross layer upon layer of desert to conquer Dorne.
"Is Your Grace worried the Kraken will rush through the Stepstones to attack King's Landing?" the Red Viper asked.
Gendry nodded. "It is possible, but highly unlikely. If I have guessed correctly, Crow's Eye would prefer to wait for me at Oldtown or somewhere out at sea."
"That settles matters in The Reach and Dorne for now," Great Lord Stannis said. "The Oldtown fleet and the Redwyne fleet should prioritize caution and wait for the King's support. As for the Riverlands."
"I will station troops beneath the Golden Tooth, command the soldiers of the Riverlands and The North, and seek an opportunity to enter the Westerlands," Eddard promised.
"Great Lord Stannis will remain to guard King's Landing. At the same time, I have already sent men to clear Harrenhal. Whether we march west or north, we cannot do without Harrenhal as a main base." Gendry's gaze swept over everyone present. The first battle would be the decisive battle. The war against Crow's Eye would be extremely brutal.
All the military forces had already been assigned. Great Lord Eddard Stark and Lord Roose Bolton would go to the Riverlands, bringing Edmure to gather the remnants of the Riverlands forces, leading the "Winter Wolf troops" to meet Robb's cavalry.
In fact, a small fleet on another line had already departed. Jon and Ser Davos were heading north to The Wall, toward Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, to seek news of the King-Beyond-the-Wall.
Ser Garlan Tyrell and Lord Paxter Redwyne would return to The Reach. The Reach's army and fleet would form a shielded defense.
As for Gendry, he would lead parts of the armies from the Stormlands, the Vale, the Crownlands, and the lands across the Narrow Sea such as Myr and Tyrosh as reserves.
"Since Your Grace has commanded me to remain in King's Landing, I will be the backing for you all," Great Lord Stannis said to everyone.
"My lords, this is the moment when the fate of Westeros is decided. The Kraken, the lion, and the Others in the North. We must be ready for every one of them. May the old and new gods protect us," Gendry said, rising to his feet.
"May the old and new gods protect us."
"May the old and new gods protect us."
Gendry rubbed the "Firebinder" ring on his finger. He seemed to hear the horns of battle, the sea surging, the Kraken stretching out its arms to devour ships.
The Kraken and the dragons would one day fight to the death.
Taking by force and bitter toil. Which would be the true victor?