The Iron Throne of Ice and Fire

Asha stood quietly on the balcony, her posture upright, her eyes looking down, the voices were noisy, but three-quarters of the rows of benches were empty, only her mother's family - the members of Harro were present.

Asha pursed her lips, only a few of the iron chiefs invited by her uncle came, she did not doubt the loyalty of those who refused the invitation to the Greyjoy family... She, the original heir, lost the Seastone throne, and now Euron has become the king of the Iron Islands. Faced with such a situation, they will naturally fall into hesitation and confusion.

Under the two crossed giant silver sickles, there is a high-backed chair, which is the exclusive seat of the chief of Ten Towers.

Uncle had left long ago, because he never liked the noisy atmosphere.

Asha walked in the familiar corridor, every step brought memories of the past. At this moment, her mood became much more relaxed. For her, Ten Towers is more like her real home than Pike City.

When she first saw the Ten Towers City, her uncle told her affectionately that it was built by his grandfather's grandfather. She was young and ignorant at the time, and felt that this was not a city at all, but ten castles tightly squeezed together.

She clearly remembered running up and down here breathlessly, chasing happily along the city wall walkway and the closed corridor bridge... remember fishing leisurely by the long stone pier... remember immersing herself in her uncle's rich collection of books day and night, unable to extricate herself. .

The book collection tower is the thickest among the ten towers, with a unique octagonal shape, built of large cut stones. The stairs were cleverly built in the thick wall. Asha quickly climbed up and soon came to her uncle's study.

At this moment, my uncle was leaning over the table by the window, surrounded by parchment scrolls, and several heavy books with leather covers and copper and iron buckles lying around him. Beeswax candles as thick and long as a person's arm were inserted in exquisite iron candlesticks, burning quietly on both sides of the seat, emitting soft light.

His hair and beard were both brown, and he always liked to trim his beard short and neat. Unknowingly, the years passed quietly... Uncle's beard has gradually turned gray.

Asha closed the door and said, "Uncle, what book is so important that you have left the guests behind."

Uncle is neither fat nor thin, neither tall nor short, neither handsome nor ugly. He is an ordinary person with no special features except his preference for books.

However, for most people in the Iron Islands, reading is a quirk, not something that iron people should do.

Rodrik Harrod raised his eyes from the pages and said, "Maester Marwyn's Lost Book, he claimed to have found three pages of Signs and Omens, which were various visions written by the virgin daughter of Aenar Targaryen before the Doom of Valyria. Well, Asha, does Lanny know you are here?"

Lanny is the nickname that her uncle gave to Asha's mother, and he is the only one who calls her that.

"I haven't seen her yet." Asha moved a stack of books off the chair with a swift movement, and then sat on it steadily.

Rodrik glanced out the window, the moonlight was like water, quietly shining on the undulating sea surface.

"It's dark, so soon? I haven't noticed it yet. Well, Asha, you're late, we've been waiting for you for many days."

Asha leaned back in her chair lazily and said, "The Crow's Eye is very cunning. He seems to have anticipated my return and left many eyes. I need to avoid them."

Rodrik looked at his niece carefully and said with a slightly serious expression, "Well, there are also Lannister eyes. The merchants in Lannisport are trying to find out your whereabouts."

Asha shrugged nonchalantly, "The lion may be afraid that the Crow's Eye will burn their port and ships again."

During the Greyjoy Rebellion, under Euron's cunning strategy, the Iron Fleet successfully attacked Lannisport. The raging fire burned many ships in the port, causing a heavy blow to the Lannister fleet.

Asha stretched her long legs under the table, flipping through a book at hand, and said, "I'm so hungry, oh, and thirsty, a refreshing glass of malt, uncle."

Rodrick pursed his lips and said seriously, "You know I don't allow eating and drinking in the study, it's harmful to the books..."

"...It's harmful." Asha laughed.

Rodrik frowned, his voice was somewhat helpless: "You just like to provoke me."

Asha laughed again: "Oh, my uncle, don't be so wronged, you know, I am like this to everyone. Well, let's not talk about me, how are you recently?"

"Not bad. My eyesight is getting worse and worse. I have sent someone to Myr to get a pair of glasses to help reading."

After that, Rodrik stared at his niece for a while, and then said: "What do you want to do, huh, Asha?"

Asha closed the book with a "bang" and said: "Was my father murdered?"

After a pause, Rodrik slowly said: "Your mother believes it was murder."

"What about you?"

Rodrik shrugged slightly, and said calmly: "The rope bridge broke, and Baron fell to his death. When the storm came, the bridge in Pike City was not stable... At least that's what we know."

Asha drew out the dagger, cleaned the dirt under her nails, and said: "Crow's Eye has been gone for three years, and just came back on the day my father died."

Rodrik frowned: "To be precise, it was the next day. When Balon died, the Serenity was still at sea, at least that's what they claimed. Even so, I also feel that Euron's return was too... timely. , so to speak..."

"I wouldn't say that!"

Asha inserted the tip of her dagger into the table: "There are only forty longships moored under the city, and these are far from enough to drive Crow's Eye away from my father's throne."

After a pause, Rodrik said unhurriedly: "I sent out an invitation, in your name, for my love for you and your mother. The Harlow family has arrived, plus the Stonetree family and Womack family, and part of the Mirui family..."

"They're all from Harlo Island." Asha put her hands on the edge of the table, looking up and laughing.

Rodrik sighed: "Theon is wearing black clothes. You are indeed Balon's only heir... You don't like to hear what I say, Asha, but I must confess, you cannot sit on the throne of Seastone." , no woman has ever ruled an Ironborn."

"I have an uncle."

"Your father and brothers, I am not Greyjoy."

Asha pulled out the dagger stuck on the table and said: "For me, Ten Tower City is in charge of my dear uncle, and I own Harluo Island."

Rodrik sighed again: "My relatives are loyal to me. Once a war breaks out, I can use their troops and ships... If you want to use war to win the position of Seastone, someone may call your name. I don't doubt it, but the cry won't be too loud, and when the crow's eye calls, some of those drinking in my hall will join in. I say again, don't sail into this storm, your fight. There is no hope."

Her uncle's advice failed to convince Asha: "How can you know there is no hope if you don't give it a try? After all, I am first in line and should be Balon's heir."

Rodrik spread his hands: "You are still a willful child. Think of your poor mother. You are the only one left in Lanny. If necessary, I will burn the Black Wind to the ground and leave you behind."

Asha took a step back with a slightly exaggerated movement: "What, you want me to swim to Pike City?"

Rodrik's hands left the book, leaned back on the chair, and said: "Swim across the vast icy ocean for a crown you can't keep. Asha, your father had more courage than reason. The ancient road was once applicable to The Iron Islands, because we were one of many small kingdoms. It's a pity that Aegon the Conqueror ended the separatism. Why did Balon turn a blind eye? The ancient ways died with Harren the Blackheart and his sons."

"I understand."

Asha loved her father, but she would not deceive herself. Balon was brave, but blind and reckless in some ways. He was not a good leader.

After a pause, she continued: "You mean, we have to be slaves of the Iron Throne for the rest of our lives?"

Rodrik stared at her for a while and then spoke slowly: "The continent of Westeros is in war for the Iron Throne. Crow's Eye told the Ironborn that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for expansion, and he would lead them to obtain large tracts of green land. "

Asha sat back in her chair and grinned: "Uncle Euron's proposal sounds good. I may consider it when I sit on my father's throne."

Looking at her uncle who sighed again, she said seriously: "If there are rocks on the starboard side and a storm on the port side, the wise captain will turn to the third way."

Rodrik's eyes narrowed slightly: "Tell me, where is the third way?"

Asha straightened up, her voice filled with unwavering determination: "I will become the first queen in the history of the Iron Islands."

"The history of the past is written in ink, and the history in front of us is written in blood." Rodrik continued to persuade: "We originally had one king, and then five. Now there are only crows, noisily fighting for the king named West. Luo's body. Asha, stay with your mother. I'm afraid she doesn't have long left."

Asha moved in her chair: "My mother raised me and taught me to be brave. If I give up my father's crown, I will always think about what it would be like if I didn't give up, and complain all day about the sea and stone. The rights to the position should belong to me according to the rules..."

After a pause, she said again: "Uncle, do you know where Crow's Eye went with Ironborn?"

Rodrik shook his head: "I don't think anyone knows Crow's Eye's true plan. He once told me to go to Pyke Island and surrender my allegiance..."

Asha shrugged: "Crow's Eye is well aware of the importance of Harlaw Island in the Iron Islands. Isn't he jumping around in anger?"

"He seemed to be in a hurry and ignored me. If Crow's Eye refuses to let you go, I will be loyal to him on the condition that I do not harm you."

Asha stood up: "I protect myself. Uncle, I am the daughter of King Balon, Asha of the Greyjoy family. I am a sea monster, and I want the position of sea stone."

"You are just another crow, screaming for carrion." Rodrik closed his eyes tiredly, paused, opened his eyes and said, "Maybe your brother can help you become the queen."

Asha spread her hands: "Ha, my brother, the Prince of Winterfell, is now obediently serving as... the great Night's Watch on the Great Wall."

"You need a loyal 'Wolf' more than another sea monster. Captain Asha, maybe Theon Greyjoy is your third way." Rodrik waved his hand and continued: "You go, I want to continue reading Maester Marwin's works."

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Woo————Woo————Woo————

Under the dim light of dawn, the deep and long military trumpet of Kleber sounded.

On the high viewing platform, Green Kleber sat in the main seat, surrounded by the nobles who stayed or lived in Salt Pan Town, including a small number of river lords and knights.

On both sides, there were much lower viewing platforms. The main spectators on the right were ladies and noble ladies, and on the left were merchants and their families.

Green looked at the formation of more than 3,000 Kleber longbowmen, where the soldiers would demonstrate the famous Kleber archers of the Seven Kingdoms.

When Green arrived at Salt Pan Town, he felt their uneasiness about the war. In order to appease their hearts, the kind lord specially arranged today's scene.

Green originally wanted to arrange a real volley of arrows, but unfortunately... the venue restricted his plan.

Green turned his eyes to the other side, where the two hundred valley knights (Chapter 398) wearing shining armor were ready, and the first scene was their "performance".

At this time, the MC sang: "Glory to Knight Kleber!"

As his voice fell, the long military trumpet sounded again.

The knights raised their lances one after another, and the tips of the lances flashed dazzlingly in the sun. Then... they drove the tall horses under their crotches and began to move forward slowly.

The sound of horse hooves gradually became heavy and powerful, as if the earth was trembling.

Amid the exclamations of the spectators, the formation of two hundred knights gradually accelerated, like a surging steel torrent.

The silver armor shone in the sun, and the marigold flags fluttered in the wind. They seemed to be galloping on a real battlefield.

When approaching the viewing platform, the knights suddenly changed their formation, divided into several teams, and began to perform complex and precise interweaving and detours, with lances intersecting and sparks flying.

The sound of horse hooves, the collision of armor and the shouts of the knights intertwined to form an exciting war movement.

The cheers of the audience became even more enthusiastic, and finally... the knights gathered again and formed a tight circle.

They raised their spears and shouted in unison: "Long live Lord Green! Long live Crab!"

The demonstration ended, and the knights slowly rode away amid the cheers of the audience.

Not long after the valley knights left, the short and fat master of ceremonies appeared in front of the viewing platform: "Glory to the Crab longbowmen!"

Woo---woo---With the low sound of the military bugle, three thousand Crab longbows neatly and skillfully drew arrows from the quivers behind them and put them on the bowstrings.