Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Theon

Impeccable, she is stunningly beautiful.Why is your first time always so beautiful, Theon wondered. "Look at you, what a bright smile you have," a woman's voice came from behind, "My lord, you fell in love with her, didn't you?" Theon looked back at the girl.He likes the way she looks.The real Ironborn is easy to spot: slender, long-legged, with close-cropped black hair, weather-beaten skin, strong, muscular arms, and a dagger pinned to his waist.Although her nose was large and pointed for her thin face, her smile more than made up for it.He decided she was a few years older than him, but not more than twenty-five.Ha, walk like you've been on deck all your life.

"Yes, she looks sweet," he told her, "but not even half your size." "Oh, oh." She laughed, "I have to be careful, my lord, you have lips like honey." "Come on, have a taste?" "Can you?" she said, looking at him frankly.There are women in the Iron Islands - not many, but there are some - who sail the longships with the men for a living.As the saying goes, the sea and salt can change women and make them like men. "Have you been at sea too long, my lord? Have you gone where there are no women for company?" "Well, there are many women, but there are no talents like you."

"How do you know what kind of person they are?" "My eyes can see, look at your pretty face; my ears can hear, you have nothing to say when you smile. Well, my place is stronger than the mast, and it's not all because of you." The woman stepped forward and put a hand on his breeches. "Hee hee, you didn't lie to me," she said while squeezing through the fabric, "Does it hurt?" "It hurts, it hurts to death!" "Poor lord," she let go and walked away, "what a coincidence, she is already married and just pregnant."

"By gods," said Theon, "then I cannot give you children." "Bastard child? Ha, I'm afraid you still need my man to thank you?" "He won't, but you will." "What? I have accompanied many adults before. They... are no different from the wild men outside." "But have you ever been with a prince?" he asked her, "When you are old and gray, and your nipples are loose, you can proudly tell your grandson that you loved a king!" "Oh, are we flirting? I thought you only cared about dicks and pussies." "You want love?" He felt secretly in love with the bitch, whoever she was, and her sharp, clever words were the best relief this cold, dark Pyke could give him. "Would you like me to name my longship after you? To play the harp for you all day long, and take you up to the towers of the castle, and dress you up in jewels, and make you look like a princess in a fairy tale?"

"You should have named your ship after me," she replied, ignoring other promises. "I built her." "No, it should be Sieglin, my father's master shipbuilder." "I'm Esgri, the daughter of Ambled, and the wife of Sieglin." He didn't know that Ambude had a daughter, Siegling's wife? ...but he had only met the young master shipbuilder once, and his memory of the former master was even more vague. "It's a waste for you to be with Siegling." "Oh, Siegling told me it would be a waste to give you this beautiful ship."

Theon was furious. "Do you know who I am?" "Prince Theon of House Greyjoy, isn't he? Honestly, my lord, do you like her, the beautiful maiden dedicated to you? Sieglin would like to know." The longship was new and new, smelling of pitch and resin.Tomorrow, Uncle Aeron would bless her when the new boat was launched, but Theon couldn't wait, so he flew over from Pike to watch in advance.She was not as big as King Balon's Great Ocean Monster or Victarion's Invincible Ironborn, but even lying on the wooden dock by the shore, one could fully feel her dexterity and agility: A hundred-foot-long black streamlined hull, a large independent mast, fifty long oars, a deck enough for a hundred people to stand on... The bow of the ship is a giant steel hammer shaped like an arrow. "Siegling pleases me," he admitted. "Is she really as fast as she looks?"

"Very soon—as long as she is driven by someone who knows how to do it." "I haven't sailed a boat in a few years." In fact, never been a captain. "But I am a Greyjoy, and I am an Ironborn, and the sea is in my veins." "If you want to sail well, your blood should be in the sea," she told him. "Don't worry, I won't treat this beautiful girl badly." "Beautiful girl?" She laughed and said, "She should be called Hai Bitch." "Look, you've got a good name for her, let's call her a sea bitch."

She was amused, and he saw sparks in her dark eyes. "Didn't you just say that you want to name her after me?" She reproached in a hurt tone. "Hey, I did what I said," he said, taking her hand. "Come, madam. They say in the Green Lands that a woman who bears a child brings good luck to the man who sleeps with her." "How do people in the Green Land know about the ship? How do they know about the daughter's family on the ship? I don't think you're kidding me, do you?" "Hey, I surrender. Do you still love me?" "What? When did I fall in love with you?"

"Even if you haven't," he admitted, "but I'm trying to make up for it? Dear Ysgrid, you see, it's cold and windy outside, please come aboard my boat and let me keep you and me warm. Tomorrow, My uncle Aeron is coming to pour sea water over her prow, muttering prayers to the Drowned God, and I plan to bless her with our semen first." "Master Drowned God didn't make such a rule, did he?" "Fuck him Lord Drowned God. If he dares to bother us, I'll damn him drown him again. We're going to war in two weeks. How can you have the heart to let me go to war with sleepless nights full of thoughts?"

"That way, I'm happiest." "What a cruel girl. My boat really has a good name. Oh, if I was distracted by the boat, I might have let her hit the rocks, and it's too late for you to regret it." "You really know how to tell jokes. Could it be that you use this to drive?" Esgrid's hand went around his breeches again, and she smiled while tracing his lifeblood with her fingers. "Come back to Pike City with me," he said suddenly after pondering for a while.What would King Balon say?Hey, I care about shit!I'm a big man now, it's my business if I want to sleep with a bitch, who cares?

"What am I going to Pike City for?" Her hand was still there. "Tonight, my father is feasting the captains." Actually, he was feasting them every day, just waiting for them to get together, but there was no need to tell the bitch so carefully. "Heh, am I your captain tonight, Your Highness?" She showed an evil smile that he had never seen before. "I agree. As long as you help me sail back safely." "Well, I know how to paddle a boat... First let go of the rope and the knot..." She reached out with her other hand, unfastened his belt, and walked away briskly with a smile, "But people Married and pregnant with a child, what a pity." Theon hurriedly pulled up his belt, "Anyway, I must go back to the city immediately. If you don't come with me, I'm afraid I will mourn for today forever, and even the islands will lose their color all day long." "Let's not be so bad...but I don't have a horse, Your Highness." "You may ride my squire's horse." "Have I sent your hapless squire all the way back to Pike City?" "Okay, ride my horse." "You bastard! That's what I planned," she laughed again. "Then, shall I sit behind you or in front?" "Sit wherever you want." "I'm going to ride on it!" I should have met this bitch sooner. "My father's hall is dark and damp, and only Ysgrid can make it shine." "My lord, you have lips and tongue like honey." "Hey, isn't that how we started?" She withdrew her hand abruptly, "This is also the end. Isgrid will follow you, dear prince, and take me to the castle. I want to take a good look at your vigorous tower rising from the sea." "Come on, I left the horse at the hotel," they walked down the shallows side by side, and Theon took her hand again, and this time she didn't refuse.He liked the way she walked: savage, leisurely swaying, presumably she was just as savage under the blanket, just as good. King's Harbor was as crowded as ever, with longboat sailors swarming the cobbled shores, some anchoring their ships on the breakwaters and lining up their ships along the bank.The ironborn didn't bend their knees often, much less often, but as Theon passed by, the townspeople, rowers alike, seemed to shut their mouths and nod respectfully at him.They finally figured out who I am, he thought, and it took a long time. Captain Gubler of Great Wyk arrived just last night with the main force of his fleet, about forty longships.At this time, his men were wandering about, wearing belts made of dappled goat hair, which were very conspicuous.The idlers in the hotel said that the owner "Minase" Kipken's whores were bent over by these colorful and beardless boys.Heh, these boys are none of his business with Theon. He doesn't want to see those sluts with acne on their faces, but the people around him are more to his liking.She was married to her father's shipbuilder, and she was still dragging a child in her belly, how tempting she was! "Your Highness, have you selected the crew yet?" Isgrid asked as they walked towards the stable. "Hey, Bluetooth," she called to a passing crew member, a very tall man in a bearskin vest and a ravenwing helmet. "Where's your new wife?" "I'm getting fat when I'm pregnant, so I'm thinking about twins." "So fast?" Esgrid smiled evilly again, "You always paddle so fiercely in the water." "Hey, paddle, paddle, paddle," the man growled. "A rough man," Theon remarked, "his name is Bluetooth? I could choose him as a Shanghai bitch." "Aren't you trying to insult him? Bluetooth has his own beautiful longboat." "I've been away for so long that a lot of relationships are blurred," Theon admits.He tried his best to search for his childhood friends, but found nothing. They either died or became strangers. "My uncle Victarion promised to lend me his helmsman." "'Storm Drinker' Raymore? It's a good candidate, but he doesn't wake up much." She recognized more acquaintances, and shouted at a trio next to her, "Uller, Cole, where are you guys going? ?Huh, Skeeter?" "Well, I'm afraid the Drowned God is in a hurry for a good oarsman," replied the short man with the half-white beard. "He's saying that Eddie drank too much and got his belly full," continued the pink-cheeked boy next to Skeeter. "The dead never die," said Ysgrid. "The dead don't die." Theon murmured prayers after them. "Looks like you're popular," he told the woman after the men had left. "Who doesn't like a shipwright's wife. Don't be too flattering, and you may not know when the ship sinks. You want oarsmen, and these three are very good." "There are a lot of strong men in King's Harbor." Sean had considered this issue long ago. What he wanted was an experienced warrior, and what he wanted was a loyal partner—not to his father, not to his uncle, but only to his father. himself.Right now, he had to temporarily play the role of the dutiful and responsible Prince, and watch as King Balon carried out his plan.But as long as the time is right, the plan goes wrong, or he doesn't like his role anymore, then, then... "Strength alone is not enough. To make a long ship run fast, the key is that her oarsmen must be uniform. If you are smart, try to choose crew members who have worked with you before." "Sage advice. In my opinion, you should help me choose the crew." Let her know how much I appreciate her intelligence, women like this. "Perhaps, if you treat me better." "Isn't that good enough?" As they approached the Mirahan, Theon picked up his pace abruptly.There was no one on the deck of the ship, which was shaking in the waves.As early as two weeks ago, the captain tried to sail away, but was stopped by King Balon.Since Theon's return, all merchant ships in King's Harbor have been banned; Father hoped that there would be no hint of an army build-up until the mainland was ready. "Young master!" A miserable call came from the upper deck of the merchant ship.The captain's daughter leaned against the railing, watching him intently.Her father would not allow her to go ashore, so whenever Theon came to King's Harbor, she could always be seen wandering around the deck like a chicken without a head. "Master, please wait for me," she shouted behind him. "If you are happy, young master..." "Just this girl?" When Theon led Isgrid across the boat quickly, she asked, "Amusing you, Master?" I'm not going to blush for this little girl. "For a while. She wants to be my salt concubine." "Oh, oh, that's right, there's nothing better than being a salt concubine. Look, she's delicate and weak, isn't she? Am I right?" "That's right." Delicate and weak.Very to the point.But how did she know? He told Weeks to wait for him at the hotel.At this time, the hall was crowded with people, and Theon had to squeeze through the door all the way.There were no seats at the benches or tables, and his valet was gone. "Weeks," he called out over the tumult and chatter.I'll skin him if he's going to sleep with those pimple bitches, he thought, and he turned and saw the boy, throwing dice by the fireplace... a lot of money, coins in front of him Heaped up like a hill. "Time to go," Theon announced.The boy ignored him, and he grabbed the child by the ear and dragged him away from the game.Weeks grabbed a handful of copper coins in a panic, and went out with Theon without saying a word.That's what he liked Theon, all the other squires were talkative, only his Wickes was born dumb... The only regret was that he was as clever and eccentric as other twelve-year-old boys.He was one of the bastard sons of the half-brother of the Botley chief, and taking him as a squire was what Theon had paid for Botley's fine horse. When Weeks saw Ysgrid, his eyes widened.You thought he had never seen a woman in his life!thought Theon. "Ride back to Pyke with me, Ysgrid. Saddle up, quick!" The boy's mount was just a scrawny colt picked at random from King Balon's stable, but Theon's horse was extraordinary. "Where did you get this damn horse?" Isgrid asked when he saw her, and from the way she smiled, he knew that she was moved. "Captain Botley bought it in Lannisport a year ago. But his family has too many horses, so they are happy to sell them." The Iron Islands are barren and mountainous, not a place to breed good horses.Most of the islanders were new to horseback riding, and were much more comfortable on deck than on horseback.The chiefs also ride only ponies or shaggy Harlow ponies.There are more ox carts than horse carts on the island.Ordinary people have no money to buy livestock to pull plows in this barren and rugged land. But Theon had been at Winterfell for ten years, determined to ride his mighty warhorse into battle.Chief Botley's ignorance counted on his luck: the stallion was as temperamental as his dark skin, and taller than a normal mount, though not a war horse.It was just right for him, since Theon wasn't as big as a normal knight either.The guy was so angry that he remembered meeting his new owner for the first time, pursing his lips and almost biting Theon's face off. "Does it have a name?" she asked Theon as he mounted his horse. "Coming star," he said, reaching out to her and pulling her in front of him so he could hug her on the ride. "I remember a guy once said to me that I was always smiling at the wrong things." "Is it?" "Well, perhaps in the eyes of those who never knew how to laugh." He thought of his father and Uncle Aeron. "Then are you laughing now, my prince?" "Ha, of course," Theon said, wrapping his arms around her, and grabbed the reins.She was nearly as tall as he was, with well-washed hair, except for a faded red scar on her handsome neck.It didn't matter, he liked the smell of her, the smell of sea salt and sweat and women. Going back to Parker this time must be much more comfortable than the time with my uncle. Slowly Theon put his hands on her breasts as King Harbor slowly disappeared from sight.Isgrid grabbed his hand and waved it away. "You man! You must hold on to the rope with both hands, otherwise it will be nice if the big black guy kicks us both down and kicks us to death." "It dares!" Theon felt very happy, so he temporarily suppressed his temper, and chatted with her affectionately about the weather (since he came, it was dark and cloudy, with frequent rain) and his murderous deeds in the Whispering Forest.When he talked about his approach to the Kingslayer, he couldn't help but put his hands back where they should be.Her tits were small, but he liked how firm they were. "Don't do that! Your Royal Highness." "Oh, what?" Theon twisted. "Your squire is watching you." "Never mind. He won't tell, I swear." So Ysgrid took him by the fingers.This time he was firmly trapped, her hands were really strong and tight. "Ha, I like aggressive women." She scoffed. "I don't think so. Look at the girl I met on the pier." "You can't judge me by her. She's the only woman on that boat!" "Well, let's talk about your father. I wonder if he will welcome me to his castle?" "Why ask him to welcome him? He doesn't even welcome me. I'm his blood, the heir to Pike and the Iron Islands." "Really?" She asked softly, "Don't you have an uncle, a brother, and a sister?" "My old man has been dead for hundreds of years. My sister... Well, I heard that Asha's favorite dress is a chain mail that goes up to the knee, and she even wears a hard leather armor for her underwear. Humph, anyway Said, wearing a man's clothes can't make her a man. But when we win the battle, I will find her a famous family and arrange a good marriage. Remember her nose is like a vulture's beak, He has a pockmarked face, but his chest is not as big as those tomboys." "Maybe you can marry your sister," Ysgrid commented, "but there's still an uncle." "My uncles..." Theon's line of succession was logically prior to his father's three younger brothers, but the woman still hit a spot.In this archipelago, there are countless examples of powerful and ambitious relatives occupying the land of nephews, and even murdering juniors.But I'm not weak, Theon reminded himself, I'll be stronger before Dad dies. "My uncles pose no threat to me," he declared. "Aeron gave himself to the sea and the gods. He lives only for his god—" "His god? Isn't it yours?" "Of course it is. The dead don't die." He smiled perfunctorily. "Damphair won't bother me if I remember to read this pious nonsense every day. And my uncle Victarion—" "He is Lord Commander of the Iron Fleet, a fearless warrior. I have often heard people singing his praises in the tavern." "When my father raised the army, it was he who sailed to Lannisport with my other uncle Euron and burned the entire Lannister fleet alive in the anchorage," Theon recalled. Ron made it. Victarion is like those hulking gray bulls if I should describe him, strong, tireless, and dedicated, but you don't want to win any races with him. He will serve me, no doubt. My father usually serves me. He doesn't have the skills and ambition to plan a rebellion." "Euron the Crow's Eye is a strong character, as far as he's concerned. I've seen people turn heads with him." Theon shifted in the saddle. "My uncle Euron hasn't been seen in the Isles for almost two years. He must be dead." If so, that would be wonderful.The eldest brother of King Balon never gave up on the ancient path, not for a single day.His Serenity had black sails and a dark red hull.It is said that the ship was notorious in every port from Ibben to Asshai. "He may be dead," Isgrid agreed. "Even if he is still alive, he has stayed at sea for too long anyway, and he is almost a stranger here. The ironborn should not let a A stranger sits on the Seastone Seat." "...I think so too," Theon reluctantly replied, he suddenly thought that many people also treated him as a stranger, and couldn't help frowning.Ten years is a bit long, but haven't I come back?Dad looks healthy and I still have time to prove myself. He hesitated to touch Isgri's breasts again.She must stop me again.Talking about his uncle for a long time has ruined his interest, forget it, when we get back to the castle, we will have some time to play slowly, and have a good time in his private bedroom. "When we get to Pike City, I'll say hello to Hylia and get you a decent seat at the party," he said. I will definitely come down to find you when he leaves the table, I promise. He won't stay for long, these days, he has no appetite for drinking. " "It's so sad that a great man can't escape the clutches of time." "Isn't it? King Balon can be regarded as the father of a great man." "What a humble Your Highness." "In this world, everyone is against each other, and only fools can demean themselves." He gently kissed the back of her neck. "Then what should I wear to attend this feast?" She turned her head quickly and pushed his face away. "I will tell Haylia to dress up for you. My mother's dress should suit you. She went to Harlow Island and probably won't come back." "I've heard about it. The cold winds at Pike are too much for her. Won't you go and see her? Harlow is only a day's sail from here, and I think Lady Greyjoy is looking forward to it all day long." To see her youngest son for the last time." "I will go, but I am too busy recently. I just came back, and my father is very dependent on me. Maybe, after everything is victorious and calm..." "You go to see her now, maybe you can bring her peace." "Hey, you sound like a woman," Theon complained. "I... I'm... just pregnant." For some reason, the thought of it got him excited again. "You say that, but you don't see any signs on your body. How do you prove it? If I want to believe you, I won't believe you until I see your mature tits and taste your new mother's milk." "Then what will my husband say when he finds out? He is your father's servant and servant!" "We'll arrange endless boats for him, and keep him so busy that you don't even know you're leaving." She laughed: "What a cruel Highness who possesses me. Theon of the Greyjoy family, if I promise you, one day you will let you watch me breastfeed the child. Will you tell me more?" Do you have any stories about your wars? There are still a few mountains far away from our destination, and I just want to hear the deeds of the wolf king you once served, and the golden lion he fought against." I really want to please her, Theon thought to himself.So for the rest of the long journey, he tried to fill her lovely head with stories of Winterfell and the war, and the time flew by quickly.What he said surprised even himself.Gods bless, she's a mouthful, he thought, as if she and I had been partners for years.If only the whore was half as good in bed as she was, I'd keep her... He thought of Siegling, the master shipwright--fat, prickly-headed, with a few strands of ephedra hair hanging from his acne-ridden forehead-- Can't help shaking his head.What a waste.The most pathetic waste. When the tall walls of Pike appeared in front of his eyes, he had lost his sense of time. The city gates are open.Theon kicked the comedian and ran briskly inside.The hounds barked wildly as he helped Ysgrid off his horse.Some were ready to pounce, some wagged their tails and shouted.They flew right past him, almost knocking the woman down.They surrounded her, jumping and growling and licking. "Go away," Theon yelled, kicking casually at a tall brown bitch, while Ysgrid fought with them, laughing. A groom came plodding out following the dogs. "Take the horses," Theon ordered him, "get these bastard dogs to me—" The fool actually ignored him.The groom grinned and said, "Miss Asha! You're back!" "Just arrived last night," she answered. "I came by boat from Great Wyck with Captain Gubler, and spent the night at the hotel. Then my kind little brother took care to pick me up from King's Harbor." Here you go." She kissed the dog's nose and smirked at Theon. He... stood there stupidly, staring at her dumbfounded.Asha?No.She couldn't be Asha.He suddenly remembered that there were actually two mirror images of Asha in his mind.One was a little girl he had seen; the other was just a vague imagination, similar to her mother.But nothing like this pretty...this pretty...this pretty... "When the breasts mature, so do the pimples," she explained, wrestling the Hound. "Only the hooked nose won't change." Theon regained some self-control. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Asha let go of the Hound and stood up. "I'm going to see what you're up to now, and I'm really up to it." She half-bowed mockingly at him. "Now, my little brother, I beg you to forgive me. I'm going back to take a shower and change my clothes to prepare for the banquet. Oh, I don't know if the big chain mail worn over the leather underwear is still there?" She Gave him a wicked grin, and swayed leisurely across the drawbridge with the kind of stride he admired most. When Theon recovered, he saw Weeks giggling at him.He slapped the kid hard, "You're so fucking happy," he slapped again, this time harder, "Who told you not to say it earlier! In your next life, remember to grow your tongue!" Although the slaves had lit braziers in his bedroom in the Blood Keep, he felt colder than ever.Theon kicked off his boots, threw down his cloak, picked up a glass of wine, and thought back to the stupid, bow-legged, pockmarked girl of old. "She" took my pants off, he thought with righteous indignation, and she... oh gods, I said... He moaned.I'm just a complete and complete fool. No, he went on, she made me willingly be a fool.This wicked bitch has arranged everything.Hey, the way she squeezed my words... He clenched his glass tightly and rushed to a seat by the window, drinking while looking at the sea.The sun was sinking on the horizon beyond Pyke Island.Here, I have no place, he thought, it's all because of Asha, the White Walkers should take her away!Under the castle, the turbulent waves gradually turned from green to gray, and from gray to black.He heard the sound of music in the distance, and he knew it was time to change clothes for the banquet. Theon picked out a pair of unremarkable boots and a more modest dress in a somber shade that suited his mood.He dared not bring ornaments: only because the iron money was not paid.When I saved Bran Stark, I should have gotten something out of the wildling.But that man really had nothing to take.Why is my luck always so bad, it's the poor ghost's turn to kill. When he entered the smoke-filled long hall, there were nearly four hundred of his father's chiefs and captains everywhere.Dagmer Cleftjaw, who sent orders to Old Wyk, has not yet returned, and the Houses of Stonehouse and Drum of the island are also absent, but the rest have gathered here—Harlo of Harlo Families, the Blacktyes on Kuroshio, the Gublers, Spars, and Merlins on Great Wake, the Suecliffes and Sandleys on Salt Cliff, and the Potters on the other side of Pyke. Leigh family and Winch family.The slaves ran back and forth, pouring wine for the chiefs, and the music from the violin and leather drum echoed in the hall.Three burly men performed a finger dance, and a series of hatchets were thrown back and forth between the three of them.The rule of the game is that participants catch or avoid the axe, but must not move half a step.The game is called Finger Dance because it usually ends when someone loses one finger...or, with luck, two, or even all five. But neither the dancers nor the drinkers paid any attention to Theon Greyjoy as he strode up to the dais.King Balon sat on the Seastone Seat. This sea monster-shaped seat was carved from a huge black and shiny stone.Legend has it that this boulder lay on the beach of Old Wyk when the First Men first set foot on the Iron Islands.His two uncles sat on the left side of the throne, and Asha was placed on Baron's right hand, which undoubtedly showed his favor. "You are late, Theon," Lord Balon remarked. "Please forgive me." Theon took the empty seat beside Asha.He leaned forward, leaned against her ear and hissed, "You took my seat." She looked at him innocently. "Brother, you must have made a mistake. Your seat is in Winterfell." She smirked, "Hey, where are your beautiful clothes? I heard that you like to dress yourself in silk and down?" She wore She was wearing a light green woolen sweater, although the workmanship was ordinary, but... it accentuated her slender curves more and more. "Huh, the mail armor is rusty, sister," he tried to fight back, "What a pity, you still look better in iron skin." Asha laughed it off. "You'll see, my little brother...if only your sea bitch can keep up with my black wind." Father's slave came forward with a large jug of wine. "Would you like wine or ale, Theon?" She leaned forward too. "Or do you want to taste the new mother's milk?" He blushed. "Wine," he told the slave.Asha sat back, banged on the table, and barked for ale. Theon split a loaf of bread, grabbed an empty plate, and told the cook to fill it with fresh fish.The heavy cheese smell made him uncomfortable, but he forced himself to deal with it.Just now he drank twice the usual amount of wine, even if he vomited, he would vomit on her. "Father knew you were married to his shipbuilder?" he asked his sister. "Even Sieglin doesn't know," she shrugged, "Isgrim is the first boat he built in his life, and he named it after his mother. I just borrowed the one he loves the most. It's just something to use." "It turns out that everything you said was a lie." "Not really. Remember when I told you I was going to ride on it?" Asha laughed. He couldn't hold back any longer. "You also said that you are married and pregnant with a child..." "Oh, that sentence is true." Asha jumped up. "Here, Raff," she yelled at a big man who was performing a finger dance, holding out a palm.He saw her, turned around, and an ax flew out of his hand.The sharp ax slashed through one torch after another, and the rolling blade flashed coldly.Theon almost choked.Asha caught the flying ax in the air, and slammed it on the long table with a "bang".His plate was in two, his cloak was splattered with grease. "This is my husband and lord," the elder sister reached into her jacket and pulled out a dagger from between her breasts. "This is my baby." Theon Greyjoy didn't know what he looked like at this moment, he only heard a burst of laughter in the hall for a moment, everyone was laughing at him, even his father couldn't help laughing, gods be damned, Vivian Uncle Ctarion laughed so hard that he almost lost his breath.The best response he could think of was to force a few nervous smiles along.Let's see who has the last laugh, bitch. Asha drew the ax from the table and threw it back at the dancers. There were whistles and cheers all around. "Think about it, how I taught you how to choose the crew." The slave brought a shallow plate of fish, and she picked up the pickled fish with the tip of her dagger, and began to eat. "If you are willing to take the trouble to understand Sieglin's background, how can I fool you? I have been a wolf cub for ten years, and now I come back so swaggeringly, thinking that I am the prince of the archipelago, but you don't understand anything, what? People don't understand. Why should others fight and die for you?" "Because I was born their prince by law," Theon answered stiffly. "According to the law of the green land, maybe it is right. But here, we have our own rules, have you forgotten?" Theon scowled, staring back at the plate in front of him.His legs were splattered with fish, and only then did he think of calling the slaves to come and clean them up.I've longed for half my life to go home, why?For ridicule and indifference?This wasn't the Parker he remembered.But does he really have a memory?He was too young when they took him for adoption. The dishes during the banquet were lacklustre, only plates of stewed fish, black bread, and roast lamb without spices, among which Theon thought the most delicious was the onion pie.He was still downing ale and wine when the last few dishes were taken away. High King Balon Greyjoy rose from his seat of seastone. "Gather in my study after drinking," he ordered everyone on the high platform. "I want to announce the plan," he said no more, turned and left, followed by two personal guards.His younger brothers immediately followed.Theon stood up too. "My little brother is a quickie." Asha raised her horn and called for more ale. "Our lord father is waiting." “唉，他都等了那么多年，再多等会儿又何妨……可你要怕他发火呢，就赶紧想办法追上去吧。再怎么说，也不能落在两位叔叔后面哦，”她笑了，“可不，他们一个只喝海水，另一个是笨重的灰公牛，只怕还会迷路呢。” 席恩坐回去，心烦意乱。“我不会跟在别人屁股后面跑。” “不跟男人，专跟女生的屁股？” “够了！我没有主动来挠你鸡巴。” “天哪，我没长啊，您不会忘了吧？而您呢，片刻工夫便把我全身上下挠了个遍！” 他感到红晕爬上脸颊，“我是个男人，有男人的正常欲望。而你到底是个什么样的怪物？” “呵，我是含羞的少女嘛。”阿莎飞快出手，在桌底挤了一下那话儿。席恩差点从椅子上摔下。“怎么，弟弟，不想我为你撑船返航啦？” “你不会嫁人的，”席恩决定，“等我称王，头一件事便是扔你去当静默修女。”他歪歪斜斜地站起身子，蹒跚地迈步去找父亲。 走上通往海中塔的吊桥时，雨开始落下。他的胃像下方的浪涛一样翻涌，过多的酒精使他东倒西歪。席恩咬紧牙关，紧拽绳索，勉力向前，想像着手里攫的是阿莎的脖子。 书房和平日一样潮湿通风。父亲裹着一身海豹皮长袍，端坐于火盆前，两个弟弟分坐两旁。席恩进门时，维克塔利昂正谈到潮汛和风向，巴隆大王挥手制止他，“我把一切都计划好了。你只需留心倾听便行。” “我有些建议——” “需要你建言时我自会开口，”父亲道。“我们刚接到老威克岛的飞鸟传信，达格摩带着卓鼓家和斯通浩斯家正在路上。惟愿神灵赐予顺风，他们一赶到我们就大举行动……首先是你，我打算派你担任先锋，席恩。你将率领八艘长船航往北——” “八艘？”他胀红了脸，“八艘船能干什么？” “你的任务是袭击磐石海岸，掠夺沿海渔村，击沉见到的每一条船。也许你能把几个北方老爷从他们的石碉堡里引出来。伊伦会跟着你，还有裂颚达格摩。” “愿神圣的淹神赐福我们的宝剑，”牧师应道。 这感觉就像被猛扇了一巴掌。交给他的是一点掠夺的工作，烧毁渔夫的茅屋，奸污他们丑陋的女儿，巴隆大王不信他能干点别的！而且就办这点事他也不能自主，必须忍受湿发的脸色和责骂，外加裂颚达格摩这老小子，这不是打算架空他，摆他做样子么！ “我的女儿阿莎，”巴隆续道，席恩回头看见姐姐无声地闪进来，“你将率领三十条长船去海龙角，记住，你的手下务必精挑细选。只等潮汛到来，便在深林堡以北登陆。行动要快，一定要在他们察觉之前替我拿下城堡。” 阿莎笑得活像泡在黄油里的猫咪。“我早想要座城堡啦，”她甜甜地说。 “这个便给你。” 席恩紧咬舌根。深林堡是葛洛佛家族的要塞。如今罗贝特和盖伯特都在南方打仗，城内一定防守空虚，铁民们只需拿下它，就如同在北境的心脏里打进了一个楔子。我才该是那个被派去夺取深林堡的人，我比她熟悉状况。从前，他曾多次跟随艾德·史塔克拜访葛洛佛家族。 “维克塔利昂，”巴隆大王对弟弟说，“最重要的一击交给你完成。当我的孩子们四面出击时，临冬城必定有所反应。这时你航到盐矛滩，顺着热浪河上行一定不会有什么阻碍。越过它们后，离卡林湾便不足二十里之遥。颈泽是王国的咽喉要道，我们已能控制整个西海，一旦再掌握了卡林湾，小畜生就回不了家了……若他蠢到想蛮干，他现在的敌手便会从南方紧逼而来，一直追到堤道，那时这小鬼罗柏可就真成了瓶中鼠喽。” 席恩再也无法保持沉默，“大胆的计划，父亲，但您可曾想过北境诸城的领主——” 巴隆大王不等他说完：“领主老爷们都和小畜生一起去南方啦。留下的都是些胆小鬼、糟老头和啥也不懂的小孩。一个接一个，他们要么投降，要么受死。临冬城或许能坚守个一年半载，但那又怎样？地盘都是我们的了，森林、田野和厅堂属于我们，我们将把他们的属民抓来当奴隶和盐妾。” 伊伦·葛雷乔伊高举双手：“汪洋的怒火终将爆发，伟大的淹神将在青绿之地获得威权！” “逝者不死，”维克塔利昂吟道，巴隆大王和阿莎齐声回应，席恩别无选择，也只得跟着念叨。然后大家便离开了。 外面的雨越下越大。索桥在脚底不停翻腾扭动。席恩·葛雷乔伊在桥中央停下，呆望着下方的巨礁。惊涛拍石的巨响萦绕于耳，他品尝着嘴边海盐的味道。一阵突来的狂风让他失去平衡，跪倒在桥上。 阿莎扶起他，“你喝太多啦，弟弟。” 席恩靠在她肩膀，任她领着自己一步又一步走过渗雨的木板。“我更喜欢那个叫伊斯格蕊的你，”他控诉般地喊。 她笑了，“这很公平么。你知道，我更喜欢九岁时候的你。”