But Gilbert Farwynd said in a deep voice, "Old Dunstan, it's not that I don't trust your son's ability, but this matter is really important. After all, Elin Oakhart is crucial to whether we succeed this time. Him alone keeping an eye on Elin Oakhart might..." He then showed a distrustful expression and said in a deep voice, "Perhaps it would be safer if Gales and I went together."
Everyone felt that Gilbert's approach was mature and steady. Although Donnel was furious, believing that Gilbert's actions were insulting him, he had no choice but to agree to go with the Farwynd father and son to Pyke town to monitor Elin Oakhart, given the general approval.
According to the plan, the fleet began to disperse, secretly approaching the waters near Pyke. By the evening of the next day, they gathered together, using the cover of night to approach a small cove near Pyke town.
"Damn it! That Elin Oakhart really is problematic, the fleet hasn't been diverted at all!" Sylvi Stonetree looked at the signal given by the person responsible for monitoring Pyke from the distant mountaintop, her face incredibly grim, and cursed.
Old Dunstan said in a deep voice, "Sylvi, don't let your hatred cloud your judgment. It's still early, and the agreed time hasn't arrived yet."
Old Dunstan's words calmed the restless emotions around them, but this calm was only temporary. As time passed, not only Sylvi Stonetree, but also the other lords grew restless.
After all, what they were doing now was a matter of losing their heads. Asha Greyjoy had been looking for excuses to deal with them for years. Once the news leaked, she would have an excuse, and with her personality, she would absolutely not let their families off.
Just as their impatience had reached its peak, they all simultaneously saw the distant mountaintop flicker with fire, sending them the signal they desired.
"Depart!" Old Dunstan suppressed his habit of making a speech and gave a very brief command.
The impatient rebel fleet quickly rowed out of the small cove and headed towards the town below Pyke.
Soon they saw the town and the lighthouse next to it. The signal on the lighthouse flashed exactly as Elin Oakhart had indicated.
Pyke's town had expanded more than twofold in the past two years under Asha's directives, and the dock was three or four times larger than before, stretching two leagues along the coastline. Such a large dock could easily accommodate two hundred longships.
Normally, Asha Greyjoy's Sea Hag fleet would be docked there, but now, apart from a few fishing boats, not a single longship could be seen.
Furthermore, due to Asha's series of prohibitions, activity in the town had ceased early. All houses had their doors and windows tightly shut, and no one dared to venture out, as the punishment for those who had violated the Forbidden Forest (forbidden forest) last time had not yet ended, and some had even died in the mines. Therefore, no one dared to disregard any of Asha's directives.
The lack of town residents' obstruction also benefited the rebels. When their ships, arranged by Elin's men, docked, the warriors on board passed through the town unimpeded and rushed towards Pyke Castle.
According to Elin's assistance, he would have his men deal with the guards on the outer walls and towers during the night. After they passed through the walls, they were to rush directly into the main keep. Only by occupying the main keep could they completely eliminate Asha's remaining men in the castle within a short time.
Elin indeed dealt with the guards on the city walls and towers as agreed. When they rushed to the city gate, they could see Elin's men standing next to a pile of corpses, guiding them to the main keep.
The lords led their men forward without hesitation. As the main keep's gate drew closer, they felt victory was within their grasp and became increasingly excited. Even when crossing the long bridge leading to the main keep, they no longer cared about revealing their presence, shouting various cries as they rushed into the fortress.
However, when they rushed into the fortress, they were all stunned by the sight before them, stopping and looking around, for they found no one in the castle—not even guards, let alone servants.
Just as everyone was wondering what was happening, the outer walls, towers, and other buildings within the castle behind them were all lit with torches, illuminating the entire outer wall of Pyke. In the areas lit by torches, rows of heavily armored warriors stood neatly, and among them, Asha Greyjoy's figure stood out prominently.
However, those who had turned back from the main keep to the fortress gate now had their gazes fixed not on Asha, but on Donnel Drum and the Farwynd father and son standing beside Asha.
At that moment, a warrior brought Elin Oakhart out and directly beheaded him in front of everyone.
Everyone now understood that they had fallen into a trap.
"Enter Pyke! Defend Pyke to the death! We haven't lost yet!" Old Dunstan shouted loudly.
Everyone understood that rushing out now was impossible. Even if they could break through, judging by the fires burning at the dock, their ships were probably lost. Now they could only defend Pyke to the death and negotiate with Asha using Pyke as leverage.
So, those who were still outside the castle quickly retreated inside and sealed the main keep's gate, moving everything they could to block the door.
Before these people could recover, someone checking Asha's movements from a castle lookout window suddenly pointed at the sky and shouted loudly, "Up there! There's something in the sky!"
As the shouts reached inside the castle, everyone rushed to the windows and looked up at the sky.
Because there were no clouds to obscure the sky, the moonlight easily illuminated everything in the sky. Everyone clearly saw a group of gigantic flying monsters rushing towards them from afar.
"Dragons! They're dragons!" Someone immediately shrieked in horror, and everyone panicked.
When those flying monsters reached Pyke, they did not swoop down to attack the people in the castle. Instead, they flew over Pyke, but as they passed, some objects that looked like clay pots fell from the sky.
Green flames bloomed within Pyke like an opening flower. Even from the dark sea in the distance, this beautiful flower could be clearly seen.
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