Skyrim System In Westeros

The disorganized Ironborn gradually regrouped under the command of Lord Sawane Botley.

"Ironborn, halt and organize a counterattack!"

Sawane Botley felt as though he were on a roasting spit. Although the leaders of various houses orchestrated this raid, he had been the one to issue the final command to attack.

If they successfully plundered Lys and killed the First Magister(ruler of the Magister conclave), it would be a great triumph. But if they failed, the Ironborn might suffer little compared to the consequences awaiting him from Robert Baratheon: at best, exile to the Wall with his entire family, and at worst, execution.

His two grown sons, along with their retinues, had also fled to this location. Upon seeing their father organizing a counterattack, they quickly stabilized morale and supported his efforts.

Sawane Botley said to his sons, "It wasn't easy to become Lord of the Iron Islands. I'm not going to let a few wretches bring me down!"

Harren Botley pointed toward the western part of the city. "Now isn't the time for that! My fleet is engaged with the navy, but they're too numerous. We must board the ships and break through!"

Sawane Botley retorted, "Absolutely not! If we retreat now, what will the Ironborn think of me?"

The two began arguing over whether to stay or flee.

Asha quietly said to Theon, "There are too many warships at sea. Without ships, even if we win this battle, we'll be trapped in the city and starve to death."

Theon glanced at Asha, and the two whispered briefly before Theon stepped forward.

"Lord Sawane, this attack on Lys was a result of Harras Harlaw's deceit. We can testify to this! Right now, the most important thing is preserving the strength of the Iron Islands."

Sawane Botley looked at the son of the former lord and said helplessly, "Do you think I don't want to? But this battle must be fought."

His sons, overhearing Theon, realized this could be a way to deflect responsibility from their father. They subtly began dispersing the gathered troops while loudly talking amongst themselves to mask the conversation.

Seeing their actions, Sawane Botley understood Theon's words held some promise or strategy. He moved closer to Theon and asked quietly, "What's your plan? At the Oldtown council, all the lords were present. What good will your testimony do?"

Theon, sticking to the plan he and his sister had devised, whispered his proposal.

Sawane Botley, though a mediocre leader, had been loyal to their father. During Balon Greyjoy's rebellion, he had been captured by Robert's forces — a fate he could not have avoided. Now, with the other houses showing him little respect, Theon and Asha hoped to break through while aiding him.

Sawane Botley asked, "Will this work?"

Theon replied, "Bone hand and Harras Harlaw are mortal enemies. Baelor Blacktyde now follows the Seven and opposes raids."

Sawane Botley mused, "They are indeed among the stronger houses."

Theon continued, "I can't guarantee their full support, but I can act as a mediator. You'll need to promise them benefits. The key lies with you, my lord. You must rally more support. Harras Harlaw has offended many people. Sacrificing him for disobeying orders ensures everyone else can continue living as they are."

After some deliberation, Sawane Botley began leading the Ironborn forces westward to break through. Messengers were dispatched to gather scattered Ironborn throughout the city.

Meanwhile, Lysene forces returning to the city battled the invaders in the northern district. Unaware of the distinction between pirates and Ironborn, they attacked anyone they encountered, already clearing a large area around the harbor.

The scattered Ironborn forces within the city reassembled into two groups: one led by Lord Sawane Botley moving westward, and another, led by an unknown commander, advancing toward the harbor while setting fires in the northern district.

Theon and Asha moved with the crowd, their eyes scanning for the banners of various houses.

---

The self-proclaimed Prince of the Narrow Sea, Salladhor Saan, led his pirates into the eastern part of the city.

He entered the Magister's council chamber himself, leaving his pirates to wait outside.

Salladhor Saan was a prominent figure in Lys — a smuggler, merchant, banker, and mercenary all rolled into one. He thrived in this environment.

The Magisters regarded him as a notorious rogue who combined smuggling, illicit trading, usury, and piracy. They never expected him to come to their aid in such a critical moment.

"Honored Magisters, my mercenaries have already engaged the enemy within the city."

Reports from soldiers in the towers had already informed the Magisters of two factions clashing in the city before the navy's return. Familiar with Salladhor's dealings, they permitted him entry despite the uncertain situation.

One of the Magisters asked, "We appreciate your assistance. What is your next move?"

Salladhor Saan, fingering the ornate buttons on his coat, replied, "I've lived here for nearly twenty years. To mount this rescue, I spent all my wealth and called upon every mercenary I know. But your navy has burned my ships."

The Magisters deliberated briefly, deciding this was no time for stinginess. After concluding their discussion, one addressed Salladhor Saan:

"We will order the navy to cease burning the mercenary ships in the northern harbor. Those vessels are yours. Additionally, you will be paid ten gold coins per mercenary."

"Thank the Magisters for their generosity!"

Salladhor Saan stood dutifully to one side, waiting for the scribes to prepare the document.

The scribes handed him the signed and sealed paper. Salladhor Saan glanced at it, smiled, and remained standing without leaving.

The Magister frowned. The price was settled, and now that he had the document, he wasn't leaving? Demanding more was out of the question. They shouted toward the door:

"Guards!"

A few guards pushed the door open and entered.

"Escort this mercenary out."

The guards drew their weapons and approached.

Salladhor Saan raised his hands, smiled, and turned toward the door. As he reached the threshold, he glanced sideways at the Magisters out of the corner of his eye.

"Kill them!"

The guards sprang into action, rushing toward the Magisters. Their cries were futile. The guards' blades fell swiftly, and the fight was over in moments.

Blood stained the floor of the council chamber. A few guards hauled away the stripped corpses.

Most of Lys's soldiers in the eastern city had gone to reinforce the walls. Meanwhile, some pirates, disguised in soldiers' armor, had caught the guards outside the chamber off guard, slaughtering dozens. Now, more pirates had taken up the guise of city guards.

Salladhor Saan barked an order: "You, come here. Take this document to the tower and have the soldiers signal the navy. Every pirate ship in the harbor is now ours. Tell them to stop the attack."

When the pirates emerged from the hall, carrying a dozen severed heads, Salladhor Saan led his "guards" toward the northern harbor.

A subordinate asked, "Captain, aren't we taking the money?"

Salladhor Saan replied, "That money will only come after Lys claims victory. After today, we'll never return here. And as for today, the armor and weapons you're wearing — those are yours to keep!"

The fleets of Volantis and Lys had been bitter enemies for centuries. Small skirmishes at sea were frequent, and the hatred between them was irreconcilable. When Lys was attacked by an unknown force, its navy was ordered to retreat and defend the city. The Volantene fleet followed at a distance, waiting for an opportunity. That opportunity came when Lys's navy was engaged in battle with two opposing forces. The Volantene admirals, seizing the chance, resolved to annihilate the entirety of Lys's naval forces. The signal horn from the tower instructed Lys's navy: the ships in the northern harbor were friendly. All efforts were now to focus on attacking the Volantene fleet and the enemies outside the western harbor. The two sworn enemy fleets clashed with unmatched ferocity. Flames engulfed warships, and the sounds of hand-to-hand combat echoed across the sea. Blood and corpses turned the waters off the northern harbor crimson, drawing countless sharks and other carnivorous fish. At this point, anyone falling into the water faced certain death — some bodies didn't even remain intact. The fierce assault of the Volantene fleet created an opening for the Ironborn and pirates. With the Magisters' signed document in hand and men dressed in soldiers' armor, Salladhor Saan easily passed through Lys's ground forces and reached the northern harbor. When the pirates had first arrived, they'd brought over a hundred ships of varying sizes. Now, many of them were aflame or destroyed, leaving only about thirty intact. Salladhor Saan was now troubled. With just over a hundred men, there was no way to sail these thirty ships.

As they walked through the harbor, Salladhor Saan passed an intact ship and said:

"You, you are now the captain of this ship. Take your brothers and set sail west, break through with all your might, and don't engage in battle."

As they reached the last few crew members, Salladhor Saan calculated:

"Dozens of ships turned into more than twenty, and not a single person was lost. Profit! Brothers, onto the ships and break through!"

---

Asha found Baelor Blacktyde, the head of the family. After hearing Asha's suggestion, he expressed his long-standing wish for the Ironborn to stop relying on plunder. This time, he was willing to help take down one of the leaders of the raiders.

Theon found the banner of House Drumm in the chaotic crowd, where they were fighting the city's defense forces.

"Orders!"

"Orders!"

Theon shouted, finally spotting Dunstan Drumm.

Upon hearing the orders, Dunstan Drumm withdrew from the front lines of the battle, allowing others from the family to take his place.

Both men were covered in blood — Theon's had dried and stuck to his armor, while Dunstan's was still dripping.

"Lord Sawane Botley has ordered a retreat."

Dunstan Drumm fumed: "What? We haven't gained anything yet and we're retreating? That coward, he's not fit to be the Lord of the Iron Islands. He should go to King's Landing and work the fields for Robert!"

Spittle flew onto Theon's face, and he wiped it away: "There are two unknown fleets fighting at sea, each one stronger than ours. If we don't leave now, it'll be too late!"

"Get lost!"

Dunstan Drumm turned, sword in hand, and headed back toward the fray.

"Lord Dunstan, wait a moment."

Theon approached and whispered a few words to him.

Dunstan Drumm placed one hand on Theon's shoulder: "Are you sure?"

Theon replied, "This is Lord Sawane Botley's idea. I'm just the messenger."

Dunstan Drumm looked at Theon thoughtfully. The two most powerful families on the Iron Islands were Drumm and Harlaw, and they would fight to the death over the title of Lord of Pyke.

If Dunstan took care of Harras, the remaining head of House Harlaw was just a scholar, no threat at all. His own house would then have a chance to become the most powerful on the Iron Islands, even possibly the Lord.

Dunstan Drumm replied: "I don't trust you. I'll go speak directly with Lord Sawane."

Theon shrugged.

Dunstan Drumm deliberately wiped the blood from his sword in front of Theon, slung it over his shoulder, and shouted: "Drumm warriors, Lord Sawane Botley has ordered a retreat! Let's go to the western city!"

The Ironborn began to retreat, and the city defense forces did not pursue, as another crisis awaited them outside the harbor: their long-time enemy, Volantis. They had to prepare defenses for the port.

Information from various battlefields across the city was gathered by the Magister's messenger, who quickly compiled it and rushed to the Magister's residence on the mountain.

"The Magisters have been assassinated!"

The messenger, panicked, ran down the mountain and into the city defense commander's office, where soldiers gathered upon hearing the news.

The city defense commander was enraged: "What happened?"

The messenger, still shaken by the situation at the Magister's residence, spoke nervously: "The Magisters... they were decapitated. They're all dead!"

The city defense commander handed him a cup of water: "Speak slowly, what's going on?"

The messenger, trembling, took the cup and drank, while the commander moved behind him and swiftly drew his sword, driving it through the messenger's throat.

"This news about the Magisters' deaths cannot be spread. Our brothers at sea are still fighting. Once the word gets out, the whole fleet will collapse!"

The messenger wasn't one of his subordinates, but the soldiers present were all his trusted men.

"I am now the acting Magister! I'm taking charge of all matters in Lys! Send the order: all information must come to me!"

"Understood!"

The soldiers agreed, and everyone began to take charge of the various affairs as planned. Some clever soldiers started offering the new acting Magister various strategies, knowing that if the war was won, the acting Magister would become the real Lord.

All the Iron Islands received the order to retreat. Some were unwilling, but the main forces had already left, and staying behind would surely lead to disaster.

But the trip couldn't be a waste. Anything of value along the way — weapons, armor, food, iron tools, and even the few surviving women from Lys — was taken. Even cats and dogs weren't spared and were grabbed for food on the way.

The Ironborn wreaked havoc, leaving destruction in their wake, which shocked Theon, Asha, and Baelor Blacktyde.

The sky was beginning to brighten, and the war that had raged through the night was still not over.

After abandoning some ships to hold the rear, the Ironborn fleet quickly fled north. Along the way, they encountered Salladhor Saan's pirates, who were wearing Lysian military armor. The Ironborn, already frustrated from their fruitless plunder, had lost nearly a fifth of their men, destroyed over a hundred warships, and were retreating in disarray. Now, seeing the Lysene fleet still daring to chase them, they charged in for battle.

But the pirates, who were also heading north to ally with Stannis, only had about twenty ships. They dared not fight the unknown pirate fleet, rowing desperately northward to escape.

The two fleets chased each other north toward the Stepsstones.

Outside Lys, the Volantene fleet was pursuing the few remaining Lysene warships. At the harbor, Volantene forces had already landed and were fighting the city defense forces. The outcome of the battle for Lys was now all but decided.