When the procurement caravan of House Whent, filled with trepidation, finally arrived at the heavily guarded, wind-swept port of Pyke, the cold reception or harassment they expected did not occur. Instead, they received an unexpectedly grand welcome.
Euron Greyjoy personally appeared on the docks. Draped in a dark sealskin cloak, he wore a kind, approachable smile on his face.
"With salt, bread, and guest right as witness," his voice cut clearly through the sea wind, citing the oldest and most sacred tradition of Westeros. "Guests from afar shall receive fair treatment and courtesy in the Iron Islands."
This gesture greatly eased the nervousness of the caravan members.
After partaking of bread and salt, the procurement team was led to the Great Hall of Pyke. Though the furnishings were rough, abundant food and a warm fire had been prepared.
During the feast, the family steward cautiously brought up their core procurement need—they wished to purchase a batch of high-quality Arbor red wine for the Tourney at Harrenhal.
Hearing this, Euron's smile deepened slightly. He agreed readily. "Indeed, there are still many fine vintages from the Arbor in my cellars. It would be my honor to add luster to Lord Whent's grand event." His straightforwardness almost made people forget the origin of that wine.
However, the scene that followed was truly surprising.
After the feast, Euron didn't take them directly to the warehouse to count stock. Instead, he led them to a stone chamber overlooking the sea. On a long table inside, four decanters of different shapes and matching crystal goblets were already arranged in order.
"Before deciding which batch to buy," Euron raised his hand, his posture as elegant as a southern duke rather than an Ironborn leader known for reaving, "why not taste the options I have to offer?"
Then, rather than leading them to a damp cellar, Euron elegantly signaled his attendants to bring in four carefully crafted small oak barrels.
Each barrel was branded with a clear mark. Not the golden grapes of the Arbor, but the ferocious Kraken totem of House Greyjoy. They were distinguished by different colors, appearing both unique and full of Ironborn dominance.
"Since you've come to the home of men of the sea, you naturally must taste our own hospitality." A hint of a smile played on Euron's lips as he personally picked up a wine ladle.
He first scooped from the barrel branded with a White Kraken. The liquid was a clear, pale amber. Poured into the cup, the aroma was fresh and sweet. "This is the 'White Kraken'," he introduced easily. "Its strength is mild, its sweetness full, like sea breeze mixed with honey. It is most loved by ladies and children; even those unused to drink can enjoy it freely."
Next, he scooped from the Blue Kraken barrel. The color was a familiar ruby red, identical to the standard fine vintage of the Arbor in everyone's memory. "As for this 'Blue Kraken'," Euron said, "it originates from the most classic recipe. Its texture, color, and flavor are exactly the same as the high-quality wine you tasted on the Arbor in the past. It is a reliable old friend that will never go wrong."
The third barrel was branded with a noble Purple Kraken. As the wine was poured, the color was deeper, almost a magnificent violet. Before tasting, a rich and complex fruity aroma rushed forward—the sweet depth of ripe fruit carrying an imperceptible hint of spice. "'Purple Kraken'," Euron's voice held a trace of imperceptible pride. "Upon the ancient foundation, it adds layers of unexpected charm. The fruit notes are more layered, the aftertaste especially lingering. After drinking, the finish seems to wind a song of the sea around your throat."
Finally, he walked to the barrel branded with a Golden Kraken. When the liquid poured out, it presented a flowing, brilliant color like liquid gold, so rich it almost seemed viscous. The aroma wasn't just fruit or oak, but an extremely harmonious, penetrating complex fragrance, as if condensing the essence of sunlight, the ripest fruits, and top-tier oak barrels.
"And this," Euron's voice became low and solemn, his eyes shining with the light of true appreciation, "is the 'Golden Kraken'. Every drop requires the strictest selection and the most patient waiting. Its brilliance, its elegance of aroma, its mellowness and complexity of taste far surpass the 'Purple Kraken'. It is a treasure bestowed by the Sea God, produced in scarce quantities, prepared only for honored guests who truly understand and are worthy of it."
Four distinct fine wines lined up, from fresh to mellow, from familiar to transcendent, silently speaking of the Iron Islands' formidable depth and ambition.
The members of the procurement team exchanged glances. With prudence and professional skepticism, they took the crystal goblets Euron offered. They were seasoned veterans who had traveled north and south, dealing with all kinds of goods year-round. They had honed sharp eyes and precise "Golden Tongues"—a talent for instantly assessing the true value of goods.
They tasted in order. When the clear "White Kraken" slid over their tongues, surprise flashed in the eyes of several experienced stewards. The wine was indeed as Euron described: mild strength, perfectly balanced sweetness and smoothness, without the cloying nature of cheap sweet wines. Even the pickiest noble lady or child would surely love this elegant drink.
Next was the "Blue Kraken". As the liquid went down, the responsible stewards nodded slightly in unison. This was exactly the familiar, classic flavor of top-tier Arbor red wine in their memories: full body, balanced acidity, and the mellow finish brought by aging in oak barrels. This wine perfectly replicated the glory of the Arbor. Its quality was impeccable, a reliable choice that would never go wrong at a feast.
However, when the deep liquid of the "Purple Kraken" swirled in the glass and the rich complex aroma filled their noses, their expressions shifted from approval to genuine appreciation. A light sip, and richer layers blossomed instantly in their mouths, as if bestowing more magnificent flesh and soul upon the solid skeleton of the "Blue Kraken." The aftertaste became longer and more complex, carrying a tempting mystery that made one unable to resist another sip.
Finally, everyone's gaze focused on the cup of liquid gold, the "Golden Kraken". It didn't need tasting; its brilliant color and penetrating luxury aroma had already declared its extraordinary nature. The moment the nectar truly touched their taste buds, the experienced buyers almost held their breath. It possessed all the virtues of the "Purple Kraken" but elevated them to a whole new realm: a texture as smooth as velvet, flavor so rich it wouldn't dissolve, every aromatic element reaching perfect harmony and peak, with an aftertaste so long it seemed to reside permanently in memory.
The tasting concluded. The stone chamber fell into a near-stagnant silence. Only the faint crackle of burning wood in the fireplace and the eternal murmur of waves outside could be heard.
These seasoned buyers exchanged looks, seeing disbelief, shock, and an uncontrollable excitement in each other's eyes. Their minds were clear: What Euron Greyjoy showed them was far more than simple spoils from the Arbor. What he possessed was a complete, mature, and astonishingly high-quality brewing system—a formidable capital capable of overturning and redefining the landscape of fine wine in the Seven Kingdoms.
Euron broke the silence. His voice was steady, carrying an all-knowing understanding. "Well?"
The family steward slowly opened his eyes, which had been closed to savor the aftertaste. There was no longer any doubt or disdain on his face, replaced by a near-reverent admiration. He took a deep breath, as if trying to keep the finish of the "Golden Kraken" in his lungs forever. His voice was slightly hoarse with excitement.
"Compared to the best red wines the Arbor used to produce..." He paused, then spat out two decisive words. "Far superior!"
He looked at Euron with burning eyes, his tone becoming incredibly solemn, as if declaring an imminent fact. "In my humble opinion, My Lord, your 'Kraken' series of four wines—each one precisely targets different needs and statuses. Their exceptional quality—no, their era-transcending quality—will undoubtedly replace the Arbor to become the only praiseworthy top-tier brand on the banquet tables of Westeros nobles. A new era is coming."
These words were no longer just an evaluation; they sounded like a prophecy. It declared that the throne of the Seven Kingdoms' fine wine was about to change hands.