Dawn tore through the night veil over the Dornish coast, the burning sunlight igniting the tops of the crimson cliffs.
Euron Greyjoy stood alone beside the ferocious figurehead of the Zhiyuan. He did not look back at the majestic Sunspear behind him, nor at the blurred yet familiar figures on the shore. His gaze, like tempered steel, was cast firmly upon the vast emerald waves waiting to be conquered.
Euron slowly raised his right arm, paused briefly in the air, then swung it forward fiercely. There was no passionate war cry, no lengthy mobilization, only a clear, cold command loud enough to spread across the entire flagship, cleaving the silence like a battle-axe: "Set sail! Target: The Summer Isles!"
The command was like a stone thrown into a still lake; ripples spread rapidly through the entire fleet.
The creaking of anchor capstans, the boom of sails filling with sea breeze, the synchronized slapping of long oars cutting into the water... countless sounds wove together into a magnificent symphony of departure.
The gray juggernaut Zhiyuan turned its prow first, breaking the calm surface of the harbor. The Wrath of the Grey King followed closely. Together with over three hundred warships, like a herd of awakened giant beasts, they began to move slowly and unstoppably, carving countless white wakes on the sea surface, converging into a boundless moving forest marching south.
On the reef by the shore, Elia and Ashara stood side by side, the sea breeze fluttering their long hair and robes.
Ashara held Alexander in her arms. The little one seemed to sense something, waving his small hands and babbling toward the departing fleet. Elia gently held Rhaenys and little Caesar close.
They did not shout, only waved quietly, their gazes following the increasingly distant Golden Kraken banner until the massive fleet shrank into a blurred shadow where the sky met the sea.
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Inside the war room of the Zhiyuan, the atmosphere was heavy and focused.
On the thick oak table, a huge chart was fully spread out, finely depicting the contours of the Summer Isles like a string of scattered emeralds. Every bay, reef, channel, and major town was clearly marked, detailed far beyond ordinary charts, thanks to the secret channels of Jalabhar Xho, the Prince of the Red Flower Vale.
Euron Greyjoy stood at the head of the table, his figure appearing exceptionally upright in the halo cast by the hanging whale-oil lamp. His fingertips pressed lightly on the archipelago about to be swept by war, his gaze sweeping over Balon and several core island lords gathered around the table.
Victarion, Asha, and Floyd sat behind, listening in. Euron intended to cultivate their ability to command the fleet.
"Gentlemen," Euron's voice was low and steady, clearly reaching everyone's ears in the closed cabin. "The fleet is in position, the prey is ahead. Now, let us finalize the strategy for conquering the Summer Isles."
He turned to Jalabhar Xho, the Prince of the Red Flower Vale, who stood quietly aside, looking both nervous and full of expectation.
"Prince Jalabhar," Euron's voice softened slightly, carrying a guiding tone. "No one here knows your homeland better than you. Tell us first about the situation in the Summer Isles—every beach suitable for landing, the weakness of every fortress, the key points of troop deployment, and those relatives of yours."
Everyone's eyes instantly focused on the exiled prince.
Prince Jalabhar Xho took a deep breath and stepped forward. His finger, trembling slightly with a mix of homesickness and thirst for revenge, pointed to the coastline of the largest island on the chart.
"The Summer Isles," Jalabhar's voice carried an exotic rhythm, echoing in the quiet war room, "are composed of over fifty islands of varying sizes, like a string of emeralds scattered by the gods in the Summer Sea."
Jalabhar's finger first pointed to the northernmost island with the largest outline. "To the north is Walano, the largest and most important. Our capital, Lotus Port, sits on the east coast of this island; it is the heart and gateway of the archipelago." His finger traced the eastern coastline of Walano. "In addition, there are two key locations on the island: Last Lament in the north, and Tall Trees Town in the lush rainforest of the interior."
Then his hand moved south, landing on the island in the middle. "This is Omboru, situated between the three islands, like a bridge connecting north and south. Its geographical location is crucial."
His fingertip rested on the southernmost island, a trace of deep personal emotion entering his voice. "The southernmost is Jhala, my homeland." He swept over two distinct depressions on the island. "Here are two valleys: the Red Flower Vale in the north, the land ruled by my family for generations; and the Sweet Lotus Vale in the south, famous for producing the most fragrant lotuses and spices. Ebonhead is built on the west coast of Jhala, guarding the vital passage to both valleys."
Jalabhar spoke with focused expression. "Besides the three main islands, there are smaller islands that, though small, require our attention and may even be key."
"Like here, the Isle of Birds." Jalabhar looked around at everyone, ensuring they understood the weight of this small island, before saying, "Although not among the three major islands and small in area, it is renowned far and wide for possessing the best and most efficient shipyards in the entire Summer Isles."
Prince Jalabhar's tone carried emphasis. "Our archipelago's pride, the Swan Ships, with their streamlined hulls and huge white sails—seven out of ten are born in the docks of the Isle of Birds. It can be said that it holds the maritime lifeline of our archipelago."
"The prince ruling this island resides in what is called the 'Pearl Palace,' located at the best bay facing the sunset on the Isle of Birds. It is not only his palace but, to some extent, the heart of this island of craftsmen."
The Iron Islands lords remained expressionless and unmoved.
Prince Jalabhar added a sentence: "He and I have a blood feud!"
The island lords nodded one after another. Put that way, they understood instantly! They would destroy him first when the time came, or hand him over to the Prince to kill slowly.
Euron asked softly, "How are the military forces of the Summer Isles distributed?"
Prince Jalabhar gathered his thoughts, pointing to several key locations. "Troop distribution... The most concentrated is naturally the capital, Lotus Port, on Walano, where the main force of the standing army is stationed. Next are Last Lament in the north and Tall Trees Town in the interior; like two wings of Lotus Port, they are also heavily guarded." His finger moved to Jhala in the south. "At the estuary of the Sweet Lotus Vale, Ebonhead acts as a gateway; its forces cannot be underestimated."
Prince Jalabhar sighed with a hint of helplessness. "As for the other small islands, although they have no regular garrisons, almost every island has inhabited settlements. They are familiar with the terrain and can be conscripted to resist if necessary."
Euron listened patiently to the end, then suddenly changed the subject, asking a deeper question. "Although you have been away from the Red Flower Vale for a long time, you were, after all, the Prince of the Red Flower Vale... There, in your family's old lands, are there still people we can use? Even just a few brothers who remember you and are willing to take risks for you?"
A gleam of hope flashed in Prince Jalabhar's eyes, quickly covered by the dust of time. "There are indeed a few brothers who went through life and death with me, sworn to be loyal to my father's bloodline. Only..." He shook his head, his tone bitter. "We haven't been in contact for many years. The world changes; I don't know where they are now, or if they are alive or dead."
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Euron's face. He said:
"It doesn't matter."
"Tell me their names, addresses, and their appearances and characteristics. Then give me a token they would recognize."
"I will find them."
Prince Jalabhar looked up sharply, his eyes full of disbelief. He opened his mouth but was momentarily speechless. "..."
He didn't know that after Lisa took over and greatly expanded the "little birds" network of the former Master of Whisperers, Varys, this invisible net had long covered many corners of the known world. Euron had been eyeing the stepping stone of the Summer Isles for a long time.
Even the seemingly remote Summer Isles, plagued by pirates and slavers, had long been infiltrated by Lisa's eyes and ears.
Euron's offer to find people now was both a genuine need for internal coordination to reduce resistance and casualties during the conquest, and also a subtle reminder and deterrent—he was explicitly telling Prince Jalabhar: No matter where you are, no matter how secret you think people and things are, they are within my control.
These lightly spoken words made Prince Jalabhar feel a bottomless chill and awe far greater than any harsh warning.
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