Chapter 100 - 99 - Decisions (I)
Daemon naturally learned what had happened and looked at Hubary with a more satisfied expression. Here was a determined man. Something he appreciated. However, upon learning there were still other restless pirate groups, the Rogue Prince’s face turned cold.
Touching his stomach and still feeling the pain in his ribs, Daemon did not care whether his wounds would reopen. After a week of recovery, his wounds had already improved a little, though only a little.
Any sudden movement could cause the wound to reopen and start bleeding again. In this world, where blood transfusions did not exist, losing blood was one of the most fatal things that could happen to someone on a battlefield.
"I will deal with the remaining insolent rats; you should stabilize things here," Daemon said, putting on his clothes. As he pulled on his shirt, he slowed his movements and kept talking. "My brother will arrive in two or three weeks. We must pacify the whole of the Stepstones and resume blockading the sea route of the Free Cities."
Honestly, Daemon was not worried about Lys. What could a city of whores with a small army and even fewer ships possibly do? He was worried about another free city, Volantis.
It is the oldest and proudest of the Nine Free Cities. Volantis is one of the largest, richest, and most powerful of these city states, and, despite the depopulation caused by ancient wars, it remains the most populous.
That place was not only home to the Old Blood, members of the Valyrian minor nobility, but also home to the largest religion in the world, the Red Faith. Should either of the two choose to get involved, things would truly become troublesome.
Even set against Braavos, Volantis remained extremely powerful.
"The sea blockade will be back in place within a few days." Hubary promised in a determined, cold tone. Learning that Viserys, the greatest contender for the Iron Throne, was on his way left him thoroughly excited. This was the future king. A single word from him could make him a knight, or even a noble.
Seeing that Hubary did not hesitate to say such a thing, Daemon grew even more pleased with this crude, ugly pirate. The man was truly useful, unlike most of the rebellious pirates he had at Bloodstone.
Daemon secured his wound properly with a few more bandages and, with Hubary’s help, put on his armor. The black armor was intact, save for a hole located at the rib area. It was where the arrow had struck.
"Remember to kill anyone who dares say a word." With his helm upon his head, Daemon said in a cold tone. "Kill anyone who hesitates, kill anyone who does not dare answer, and kill anyone who dares argue. I only need soldiers who can follow orders."
"Yes, my prince." Hubary felt no fear of Daemon, only happiness at following the right man at this moment.
Daemon wasted no more time and left the cabin. It was perhaps the first time he had left the cabin since being wounded in battle over one of the islands of the Stepstones.
Looking at Caraxes, Daemon did not hesitate to climb into the saddle, but, had anyone looked closely, they would have seen that his movements were far slower than usual. Beneath the armor, a flash of pain crossed Daemon’s handsome face.
"Sovegon, Caraxes." Daemon said in High Valyrian. He had to end the fighting extremely quickly to minimize further damage to his wounds.
Caraxes, knowing his rider was wounded, took flight in a far gentler, more graceful manner than he usually did. Had Maekar been present, he might have admired the bond between Daemon and Caraxes. The dragon and his rider seemed as though they had been born for one another.
Only Maekar and Bahamut could be compared to such a bond.
That day, Caraxes flew over the islands with Daemon in the saddle and burned two pirate groups. Red flames rose into the sky; the smell of burnt human flesh and ash spread even to the small islands nearby.
This made the restless pirates fall quiet once more. This time, more submissive and far less arrogant. They understood. Whenever it came to a mutiny or rebellion, pirates would not be facing other pirates as they were accustomed to but an adult dragon and his red flames.
At that point, the pirate fleet Daemon wanted began to take shape. The pirates grew far more organized and showed much less resistance. This was due partly to Hubary, a pirate with standing, and, on the other hand, fear of Daemon and his demonic dragon.
However, even though the prototype pirate fleet was ready, without Daemon to patrol the Stepstones, gaps remained in the blockade. This was unavoidable. Fortunately, Maekar patrolled the Narrow Sea more frequently, shortening the intervals of his rounds from two hours to one.
This meant Maekar was patrolling twelve hours a day. Fortunately, he and Bahamut could rest along the coasts of Essos. And, being at sea, food was never in short supply, especially fish.
However, three days later, Daemon, who had been resting, was woken by frequent knocking at the door and instinctively grabbed Dark Sister from beside the bed and rose.
"Prince, an urgent letter from the scouts at Grey Gallows." Hubary’s urgent voice sounded from behind the door. The pirate did not mind Caraxes’s head resting close by him.
Daemon opened the door and saw Hubary’s solemn expression, which left him curious. The pirate was a calm, pragmatic man; it was rather rare to see him show such a solemn expression.
Without saying a word, Daemon took the letter from Hubary’s hands and looked at the entirely red paper with a touch of curiosity. He turned the paper over and saw the wax seal. Upon seeing the image on the seal, the Rogue Prince’s expression changed.
It was a heart wreathed in flames.
Breaking the seal and opening the letter, Daemon’s expression softened. Fortunately, it was not a warship requesting permission to sail through the Narrow Sea, but a ship carrying red priestesses bound for King’s Landing. As for the reason, Daemon was not the least bit surprised.
It was not the first time, nor would it be the last, that the Red Faith was sending priestesses to King’s Landing and Westeros. Attempts to spread the Red Faith across Westeros were almost constant.
Unfortunately for the Red Faith, these pilgrimages to win over believers had never truly succeeded. Not to mention a new god competing for religious power, most people in Westeros held fear and distrust toward the Red Faith.
After all, burning people alive was not exactly a practice viewed favorably in the eyes of most people. Though the Faith of the Seven engaged in equally terrible things, it was accepted by the people of Westeros.
Daemon could even guess why they had chosen this particular moment to try to win people over. In difficult times, spreading faith was much easier. And, though this war would not reach the mainland, it would still cause a great deal of harm to the common people.
Without men to harvest the crops, run businesses, and handle other matters, many people would go hungry and face even greater hardship.
After thinking it over for a moment, Daemon showed a calm look and turned to Hubary. "Let them pass. Send a raven to King’s Landing, informing them of the Red Faith’s visit."
Although it was somewhat risky, Daemon did not want to make an enemy of the Red Faith at this moment. Not to mention there was no real harm in allowing the Red Faith to reach King’s Landing. Either way, it would be Jaehaerys’s problem, not his.
Thinking of the Old King’s face, Daemon showed a sarcastic smile and returned to his cabin. He had already given the order; Hubary would carry it out.
Seeing the prince return to his cabin as though the Red Faith were no concern at all, Hubary showed a look of helplessness. Had it been up to him, he would not have truly allowed the Red Faith to pass through; that seemed like an unnecessary risk to take.
But, knowing Daemon’s personality, Hubary simply accepted the order.
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House of The Dragon:The Rise of the Emperor of the Seven Kingdoms
Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos
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Game Of Thrones: The King’s Court Wizard