章 24: The Kraken’s Last Stand
Robb Stark
Pyke
After his father had returned with the royal fleet, the lords had gathered to strategize the assault on the Iron Islands.
His father also brought some grave tidings, revealing that Prince Aegon had been captured by Euron Greyjoy and was now sailing to Skagos. He also revealed that Maekar had sailed to Skagos and, with the help of the Manderlys, planned to rescue the prince.
Arthur Dayne had been furious with Monford Velaryon for not sending more ships with Maekar, but Monford claimed he did not believe Prince Aegon was in Skagos and insisted he was in Pyke.
This had caused them to expedite their plans.
Lord Tywin had arrived a day later, and they laid out their strategy for the invasion of the isles.
Arthur Dayne and Barristan Selmy would lead the Crownlands forces to Harlaw. The armies of the Riverlands, led by Lord Edmure, and the armies of the Westerlands, led by Lord Tywin Lannister, would target Great Wyk and Saltcliffe. His father would lead the Northern forces, with a small contingent of knights from the Vale, to Old Wyk and Orkmont. The royal fleet would blockade the isles and destroy any remaining ships, ensuring that the ironborn had no means of escape.
The assault on Old Wyk had been fierce, with the Northern forces and knights from the Vale storming the rocky shores under the leadership of his father. The castle of House Drumm was a formidable fortress, and once it fell, the island would have been theirs.
As the battle began, he found himself face-to-face with Dunstan Drumm. It was a battle he would never forget, as he and his father had fought side by side against Dunstan and his fearsome warrior, Erik Ironmaker.
He fought old Dunstan while his father faced off against the giant of a man that was Erik Ironmaker. The old ironborn lord surprised him with his agility and strength for his age, but eventually, the old lord's movements grew more desperate, and his strikes got wilder. Robb saw his chance and lunged forward, striking at his side. Dunstan fell to the ground, dead.
With that they took Old Wyk and Orkmont and then headed to Pyke.
Now he stood on the deck of the ship he commanded, his gaze fixed on the imposing island of Pyke and its formidable castle. The waves crashed violently against the rocks below, sending sprays of salt water high into the air. It was a grim and forbidding sight, a fitting stronghold for the ironborn.
His hands went to the hilt of the sword he took from Dunstan Drumm, Red Rain. He had offered the sword to his father after the battle at Old Wyk, but he had returned the sword to him and told him to wield it.
He could not wait for Maekar to see it; he would be so jealous.
They had all converged on Pyke for the final assault. He knew it was going to be a difficult battle—winnable, yes, but difficult. Their first objectives were the castle of House Botley and the town of Lordsport. Only after securing these would they siege Pyke itself and finally bring an end to this rebellion.
"It's time," he muttered, seeing the signal from his father's ship. He would have to lead the Stark men himself, as his father had injured his leg during the battle for Old Wyk.
The first wave of men was sent to secure the shores. Boats were lowered into the choppy waters, filled with grim-faced soldiers ready to face the ironborn defenders. The sea churned around them as they rowed towards the shore, shields up and weapons at the ready. The ironborn were waiting for them in defensive positions to repel the invasion.
Arrows flew through the air, and the clash of steel rang out as the first wave of men made contact with the shore. The initial skirmish was brutal, with heavy casualties on both sides. The ironborn fought with the ferocity of cornered animals, but their forces were relentless, slowly pushing their way inland.
With the shore secure, he led the rest of the Stark men to the shore, with Lord Dustin and Ryswell leading the rest of the northern host. He could see Jaime Lannister leading the Lannister armies to Lordsport. The Kingsguard had been sent to Casterly Rock when the rebellion began, and he had joined them at Seagard with his father Lord Tywin.
"Push forward!" he shouted, raising Red Rain high. "For the North!"
The battle to take Botley and Lordsport was fierce. The ironborn fought with a ferocity born of desperation, but the combined might of the Crownlands, the Riverlands, the Westerlands, and the North was overwhelming.
He charged into the fray, Red Rain gleaming in his hand. His new moniker, the Bloody Wolf, fitted well with his new crimson sword.
He was the first to enter when they breached the gates of Botley, leading the men through the chaos. The battle was brutal. Red Rain claimed many foes, and they were able to push deeper into the castle, and finally, the ironborn surrendered.
His armor was splattered with the blood of his foes. Once more, he raised the red sword into the air and proclaimed victory. The men around him celebrated, with the chants of "Bloody Wolf!" filling the air.
He was living up to his new name.
With Botley Castle and Lordsport taken, they moved on to siege Pyke. The siege was relentless, with Lord Tywin wanting to end the conflict quickly and began a relentless assault with siege weapons he brought with him. It looked like the old lion wished to repeat the rain of Castamere here in the isles. The air was filled with the thunderous sound of siege engines as they battered the walls.
The main watchtower was soon shattered by a well-aimed trebuchet strike. With a final, resounding crash, the walls gave way, leaving a large opening for their armies to assault the castle.
He, like before, was at the forefront of the assault. Determined to live up to his new name, he began cutting his way through the ironborn defenders with ruthless efficiency.
To his surprise, he ended up battling alongside Jaime Lannister. They led a group of Stark and Lannister men through the castle to the throne room.
"Forward! For the North!" Robb shouted, his voice carrying above the din of battle.
"To me, men of the west!" Jaime called out, rallying his own.
Stark and Lannister men together pushed deeper into the fortress, the ironborn falling before them. As they neared the throne room, the resistance grew fiercer. The ironborn made a desperate last stand, but he, along with Jaime Lannister, fought with unwavering determination.
They reached the heavy wooden doors of the throne room and, with a coordinated effort, forced them open.
Inside, Balon Greyjoy sat defiantly on his throne, surrounded by his remaining loyalists. The room fell silent as they entered, their swords drawn. Stark and Lannister men poured in behind them, quickly subduing the ironborn guards.
"Balon Greyjoy, your rebellion ends here," he declared, his voice echoing through the chamber.
Balon's eyes narrowed, but he made no move to flee. He knew the fight was over.
Jaime stepped forward, his sword pointed at Balon. "It's over, Greyjoy. Surrender."
With a resigned sigh, Balon Greyjoy stood from his throne, the weight of defeat evident in his posture. He looked around at the soldiers who had captured his stronghold, then back at them. "I yield," he said, his voice a mixture of bitterness and acceptance.
The men cheered, the sound reverberating through the battered halls of Pyke. The rebellion was over; they had won.
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.
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The siege had ended with the occupation of the castle and the ironborn surrendering. Many had tried to escape by sea, but few managed to get past the blockade. The victory was complete, yet the talk among the armies and lords was not of their triumph. Instead, whispers and murmurs revolved around the absence of Prince Aegon. Many, including Lord Monford, had believed the crown prince to be in Pyke, not in Skagos as his father and cousin insisted.
Now the question on everyone's mind was whether Maekar would find Euron in Skagos and, if he does, will he be able to save the prince and the queen from the madman's clutches.
He made his way into the throne room where the leaders of the armies, along with other lords, had assembled. He had been told they had received an important missive from the mainland.
As he entered, he saw Lord Tywin, Lord Edmure, Arthur Dayne, Barristan Selmy, Jaime Lannister, and some major lords from the five kingdoms.
His father was nowhere to be seen, but Lords Ryswell, Dustin, and Flint were present.
He walked over to join the northern lords but was approached by Lord Tywin halfway.
"You have made a name for yourself, Robb Stark. My son sang praises of you," Tywin said, his voice calm and measured.
"Thank you, Lord Lannister," he replied, his tone respectful.
Tywin's gaze shifted to the sword at his hip. "I see that you have claimed a new sword as well—a crimson blade for the Bloody Wolf. Fitting," he commented.
He nodded, noting that Tywin's eyes did not leave Red Rain.
"Did you know how House Drumm came to possess such a sword?" Tywin asked, his voice taking on a hint of intrigue.
He shook his head, curious.
"It once belonged to House Reyne," Tywin revealed, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Robb's eyes widened in surprise, understanding the weight of Tywin's words.
Tywin continued, his voice taking on a more direct tone. "It would be fitting for that sword to return to its proper place. I could offer you a substantial sum for it. Name your price, and I will see it paid."
He hesitated, the weight of the sword at his side suddenly feeling heavier. Before he could respond, they were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. His father entered the room, limping slightly.
"Father," he greeted, moving to support him.
His father nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze shifting to the assembled lords. "My lords," he began, his voice steady despite his evident pain. "I have received word from White Harbor."
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to his father, who had the missive in hand.
Arthur Dayne asked, "What is it, Eddard?"
Father handed the scroll to Ser Arthur, his expression grave. The Kingsguard read the message and then dropped to his knees, shock evident on his face.
Father spoke, his voice heavy. "My nephew, Prince Maekar, found Euron Greyjoy on Skagos. He confronted him and triumphed, rescuing Prince Aegon from certain peril. However," he paused, the weight of his next words evident in his somber expression, "he also found Queen Elia... she did not survive."
The room was filled with stunned silence. Jaime Lannister quickly left the room, unable to contain his emotions. Barristan Selmy looked like he was struggling to hold back tears. The other lords began to leave, allowing the Kingsguard to grieve in private.
Barristan then asked, his voice steady despite the sorrow in his eyes, "What of Prince Aegon? Is he well?"
Father's face was grave as he responded, "The prince is not in good condition, but he is alive."
"And Prince Maekar?" Barristan asked.
"He is safe and sound, currently in White Harbor," Father replied, his tone steady. "Prince Aegon, along with the queen's remains, are being transported to the capital as we speak."
"Thank you, Lord Eddard," Barristan said quietly.
Father nodded and motioned for him to follow him out. As they walked, his father limping slightly, he asked, "Is Maekar...?"
"He is fine, son. But we have other problems," his father said.
"What is it?" Robb inquired.
"Asha Greyjoy is nowhere to be seen. According to the ironborn, she left with a small fleet weeks ago," Eddard explained.
"And what will happen now?" Robb asked.
"Balon will die. He is to be sent to King's Landing. The king has stripped House Greyjoy of their lands and titles and has ordered us to kill or send Theon Greyjoy to the Wall."
"Who will rule the Isles now?" Robb asked, his curiosity piqued.
"The king will decide. Lord Lannister made sure many houses were snuffed out, and many ironborn have died in this needless conflict. They will not recover for a long time," his father replied.
"We will leave in a few days. Begin the preparations," he added.
"Yes, Father," he replied. He wondered what would happen next, especially what his cousin would do. He was sure Maekar would find a way to leave for the south even if his father and uncle would be against it.
'Interesting times, interesting times indeed,' he thought.
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Read up to chapter 34 here :
p.a.t.r.eon.com/Illusiveone (check the chapter summary i have it there as well)
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