The salty wind brushed through Thor's hair as he stood at the bow of the creaking ship, gazing toward the endless horizon.
The waves shimmered gold under the morning sun, and gulls cried above as the vessel cut through the open sea.
For reasons unknown, he had an excited smile on his face, heart racing for what to come. This was what he wish all this time.
Adventure.
He longed for it, not only here but even in his previous world. He wish for adventure, a change from his stagnant life style.
However, almost immediately after coming to this world, he was intertwined with the matters of the Starks and the candidacy of the throne.
"Whatever, all that is behind of me. Now, I shall go on an adventure unlike any." He muttered to himself, his eyes find nothing but only endless ocean all around but that was fine, this was just the starting of the journey after all.
Yes, he was finally moving towards east.
He had planned to fly across the Narrow Sea and reach Essos by himself, but the Odin had favoured him that day. A ship bound east had been preparing to depart from the port, and Thor, with a smile and a few persuasive words, had found himself aboard.
Not for free though, he had no money to give however, he exchange his services. He accept to help them in the journey.
He was no sailor, he know about their profession even less, however, he was willing to learn and he had time.
The sailors were a rough yet cheerful lot—men of the sea who laughed easily and cursed even easier. They looked at Thor with curiosity at first. His strange clothing and broad shoulders drew whispers, but he quickly won them over with his easy grin and willingness to lend a hand.
"You've got arms like an ox," said one of the sailors, a short man named Coren as they hauled a heavy fishing net together. "What'd you do before boarding this ship? Wrestle bears?"
Thor laughed heartily. "Aye, something close to that! Though bears are better company than most men I've met on land." He recall hunting the bear back in North.
The sailors roared with laughter. Even the captain, a weathered man named Merek with a thick gray beard, cracked a smile. "If you can work half as well as you jest then you'll be welcome on my deck."
Thor proved himself soon enough. When the sea turned restless and the wind blew hard, he hauled ropes, tightened sails, and kept spirits high with his booming laughter. When the crew fished, he joined them—his strong hands pulling up nets with ease, his golden hair glinting in the sunlight.
"By the Seven," Coren said one afternoon as Thor lifted a struggling tuna from the deck. "You make it look like child's play."
Thor grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "In As—" He stopped himself mid-word. "In my homeland, we fish for creatures thrice this size."
The crew chuckled, shaking their heads in disbelief. "Aye, and I suppose you catch them with your bare hands too?" one joked.
"If the gods will it," Thor said with a wink.
The journey went smoothly for several days. The sea was calm, and laughter filled the nights as the men shared ale and tales under the stars. Thor listened with interest to their stories about the lands of Essos—of cities like Braavos, Pentos, and Myr. Each sounded full of wonder and chaos alike.
Soon he was a part of the conversation. Sharing what he could to the lively atmosphere.
So he share something from his homeland as well.
"Yohohoho.... Yo ho ho...
"Yohohoho... Yo ho ho....
"Together brothers...."
"YOHOHOHO...YO HO HO
"YOHOHOHO...YO HO HO
Gather Up All of the Crew,
It's Time to Ship out Bink's Brew.
Sea wing blows,
to where who knows
The waves will be our Guide.
O're across the ocean's tide
Rays of sunshine far and wide
Birds they sing of cheerful things,
In Circles Passing by.
Bid fare well to weaver's town
Say so long to port renownd
Sing a song, it won't be long
Before we're casting off!'
Cross the Gold and silver seas,
The Salty spray puts us at ease
Day and night, to our delight,
The Voyage never ends
Thor can't remember the last time he had this much fun, truely, politics didn't suits him. He could never feel this free in King's Landing.
But peace at sea never lasted long.
It was Coren who first spotted the dark speck on the horizon. "Ship ahead!" he shouted, squinting into the sun. "Coming fast!"
The crew rushed to the deck's edge. Merek brought out his spyglass, his brow furrowing deeply. "Pirates," he said grimly. "Black sails. They'll be on us before sunset."
The mood turned heavy immediately.
Thor for a second felt cold shivers down his back. Didn't he just sing a Pirate song ?
'What the hell ODA... what are you cooking ?'
Or was it his divine nature.
He only hope it was just a coincidence.
The sailors scrambled to ready what few weapons they had—rusted swords, fishing spears, and crossbows. Thor's eyes narrowed as he watched the black-sailed ship draw closer. It was larger, faster, its flag marked by a skull and crossed daggers.
"Have you fought pirates before?" asked Coren nervously as he handed Thor a spear.
Thor twirled it in his hand, testing its weight.
"...Yeah," he after contemplation, replied, recalling Thor fighting vikings in the Middle Ages.
The pirate ship soon came alongside them. Hooks were thrown, ropes latched, and the clash of steel echoed over the waves. The pirates, wild and shouting, leapt aboard with blades flashing.
"Defend the ship!" Captain Merek roared.
Thor charged forward without hesitation. He swung his spear like a storm, knocking one pirate off the deck with a single blow. Another lunged at him with a curved sword, but Thor sidestepped, grabbed the man by the collar, and hurled him into the sea.
He had two thought about summoning Mjolnir but that could be too flashy. At least right now he doesn't seems like he need to call his partner.
Coren and a few sailors fought beside him, though their strikes were clumsy and desperate. Thor took blows meant for others, his fists cracking into jaws and ribs. Even without Mjolnir or his lightning, he moved like a tempest—unstoppable and fierce.
A pirate tried to sneak behind him, raising an axe high, but Thor caught the man's arm mid-swing and twisted it until the bones snapped. "You chose the wrong ship to raid, friend," Thor said with a grim smile before kicking him into the water.
The fight raged on. Blood stained the deck, and the smell of salt mixed with iron. One of the pirates set fire to a sail, but Thor tore down a bucket of water and doused it before the flames spread.
And this battle was just starting.
…
Little did Thor and others in the ship knew that it wasn't just one pirate ship which was their problem. In the waters of Narrow Sea, there are many pirates but only one Pirate fleet which truely controlled the waters.
And if they were to lose a pirate ship, the man who consider himself the Iron King, will know about it.