Amidst the cheers of his men, Loga led the five ships back, laden with spoils.
This raid not only completely resolved their survival crisis but also ignited Loga's ambition; as expected, on the high seas, only by plundering others could one achieve sudden wealth.
His gaze crossed the surging Narrow Sea, looking toward the continent of Westeros on the opposite shore. He had heard that it was currently embroiled in internal strife, which for him might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Upon returning to their base, Loga fulfilled his promise and distributed eighty percent of the loot among his men.
Overjoyed, the pirates immediately set up a bonfire in the center of the camp, laying out wine and meat to celebrate the great victory.
After having a few drinks with everyone, Loga returned to the leader's tent and summoned Fermon and other core subordinates to begin verifying the losses and gains after the battle.
Regarding personnel, they had set out with eighty-six men but returned with a total of one hundred and fifty.
Among Loga's original crew, eighteen had died in the attack, and the remaining sixty-eight returned. The other eighty-two were stray pirates from other islands who, moved by Loga's strength and generosity, volunteered to submit to him.
In terms of resources, Loga now had two additional large Dornish warships, which, combined with the original three rowboats, made a total of five ships.
The plundered fresh water and dry rations were enough to sustain the one hundred and fifty men for a month. Only in terms of finances, after giving away eighty percent, only over three thousand silver stags remained in the accounts, which converted to just over ten gold dragons.
This amount of money made Loga frown. One must know that in Westeros, a complete set of high-quality armor—including mail, greaves, a gorget, and a helmet—would cost eight hundred silver stags, or four gold dragons.
Calculated this way, the wealth he, as the leader, had gained from this great victory was only enough to buy three and a half sets of high-quality armor, which was truly a bit embarrassing.
However, this was Loga's own choice. At the moment, his foundation was not yet stable, and only by being willing to spend money could he earn the sincere support of his subordinates.
Moreover, besides cash, he also had hard assets like warships, weapons, and armor. Thinking about it this way, the sense of disappointment in his heart lessened considerably.
"Pick some who performed exceptionally this time and prioritize giving them the weapons and armor we seized from the Dornishmen."
As the candlelight flickered, Loga gave the order to Fermon in a low voice. Having just ascended to the position of leader, it was a crucial time to win people over. Doing this would both reward those who had contributed and make it easier to continue expanding the team later.
Fermon was now Loga's deputy. Seeing Loga bring everyone such great profits right after taking power, he was already completely convinced and naturally followed Loga's orders without question.
Soon, as if thinking of something, Fermon took the initiative to ask, "By the way, Loga, what are our plans for the future?"
Loga didn't answer immediately but let his gaze fall on the sea chart spread out on the table, his fingertip lightly tracing the location of The Stepstones. After a long while, he looked up and said, "Plans? Naturally, to leave this place first."
"Why?" Fermon's eyes widened in confusion. "It's not easy to occupy a base in The Stepstones. Staying here allows us to rob merchant ships and collect tolls. If we leave, where will we settle?"
A cold glint flashed in Loga's violet eyes. "If we don't leave, are we supposed to stay on this barren island and wait to die? Or wait for the Dornishmen to assemble an army and wipe us all out?"
Although this raid was a great victory, Loga knew in his heart that they had won purely by luck.
Had the Dornishmen not just suffered a defeat with low morale and been negligent by underestimating the enemy, his small number of men would never have been able to break through the stronghold on Gray Gallows Island.
But winning once by luck didn't mean they could win every time. The Dornishmen were backed by the entire Kingdom of Dorne. Once they recovered and sought revenge, his one hundred and fifty men wouldn't be enough to fill the gaps between their teeth.
Therefore, leaving The Stepstones now to avoid the brunt of the Dornishmen's wrath was the most prudent choice.
Moreover, Loga already had a plan in mind.
"Then where are we going?" Fermon still couldn't understand. To pirates, a fixed base was their foundation; leaving this place would make them like rootless duckweed.
Loga naturally understood his subordinates' concerns and knew that after a successful raid, these pirates were only thinking of finding a prosperous place to squander their wealth on wine, meat, and prostitutes.
He didn't intend to thwart their desires, but before that, he had to make them see a path further ahead.
"I've heard that on the continent of Westeros across the Narrow Sea, the Targaryen Family is having an internal conflict."
Loga looked at Fermon and the others, speaking slowly, "The Targaryens, who possess true dragons, have split into the Black Party and the Greens. The civil war is escalating, and the ultimate winner will become the master of the entire continent."
"We are pirates; how can we miss such a grand opportunity?"
His voice carried a hint of seduction, each word striking their hearts: "To win the war, both parties are desperately recruiting soldiers and horses."
"If we bet on one side and help them win this war, just think—not only will you gain countless treasures, but you could also receive titles and even become lords of a region, passing your territory down to your descendants for generations!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of everyone in the tent lit up instantly, and their breathing became heavy.
To these pirates who lived on the edge of a blade, wealth was certainly important, but titles and lands were luxuries they hadn't dared to dream of.
"Then what should we do? Which side should we bet on?" someone asked urgently, unable to contain their excitement.
"Calm down, I already have an idea in mind."
Loga signaled for everyone to be quiet and beckoned to the attendant outside the tent. "Bring in the Shipwright I rescued earlier."
The attendant retreated and, a moment later, led the Driftmark Shipwright rescued from the Dornish stronghold into the tent.
"leader."
The thin Shipwright entered the tent. Seeing Loga sitting on the chair surrounded by his trusted subordinates, his eyes were full of humility, and he bowed slightly.
"I heard you're from Driftmark and once repaired ships for Lord Corlys Velaryon?" The candlelight reflected on Loga's face as he asked directly.
"Yes, leader. My name is Kendal Waters. I used to work at the shipyards of Driftmark, repairing ships for Lord Corlys's fleet year-round."
The Shipwright introduced himself with a respectful attitude.
Corlys Velaryon, known as the "Sea Snake," was not only the head of the Velaryon Family but also a renowned navigator and sailor in Westeros.
In his early years, he had sailed to the Eastern Continent nine times, earning immense wealth and making the Velaryon Family the richest in Westeros. To a Shipwright from Driftmark, such a great figure was naturally a household name.
He just couldn't understand why Loga was suddenly asking about Lord Sea Snake.
"It's good that you know him." Loga nodded, while in his mind, he was searching through his memories of the Dance of the Dragons.
He remembered clearly that at this moment, Corlys Velaryon was serving as the Master of Ships, loyal to Queen Rhaenyra of the Black Party, and was about to engage in a full-scale war with the Greens who occupied King's Landing.
Driftmark was not far from The Stepstones. Corlys's fleet traveled between the Eastern Continent and Westeros year-round, inevitably passing through The Stepstones' waters. Over the years, they had been plundered by pirates many times, so he must have harbored a deep-seated hatred for the pirates of The Stepstones.
Thinking of this, Loga's eyes narrowed slightly, and his tone deepened:
"Kendal, I need you to make a trip to Driftmark for me and gather some information..."
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