The Iron Islands, Lordport on pyke.
At this moment, large and small merchant ships, laden with goods and passengers, crisscrossed the entrance to Lordport, appearing orderly and well-organized.
Furthermore, in the waters near Lordport, Ironmen fleet longships flying the Ironmen banner patrolled at regular intervals, maintaining order in the sea.
Anyone visiting the Iron Islands for the first time would undoubtedly be astonished by such a prosperous and stable Lordport.
After all, in the minds of everyone in the Seven Kingdoms, the gathering place of these Ironborn, who live by raiding, should be chaotic and disorderly, with people fighting and killing every short distance.
Although it wasn't as severe as the commoners of the Seven Kingdoms imagined, it was indeed like that in the past.
But Dalton Greyjoy did have some real talent and learning. After he took power, the rules of the Iron Islands were established.
It was forbidden for any Ironborn to attack merchant ships coming to Lordport for trade along the routes, and the Ironmen fleet was dispatched to patrol and protect the nearby waters.
Furthermore, he re-planned the previously chaotic Lordport and continuously expanded it outwards.
Originally, Lordport was just a pirate's den full of violence and sex for fencing stolen goods, but now Lordport looks like a large port city no less impressive than Lannisport.
"Come on! Fresh oysters, five copper coins for two, tender and juicy!"
"Freshly baked rye bread, come smell the aroma!"
"The 'wood' is recruiting odd job sailors for raids on the Braavos route.
Two silver stags a month, food and board included, no need to sleep in the hold."
"Recruiting experienced veterans to do something big near Lannisport.
If it succeeds, salt wives, golden dragons are plenty.
Those interested, come discuss!"
As Dalton stepped off a merchant ship onto the dock of Lordport, his ears were filled with various shouts.
He spread his arms, raised his head, and took a few deep breaths of the fresh air of Lordport, immediately feeling the fatigue of his journey swept away.
After the defeat at Kalin Bay, he and his younger brother Veyron fled towards White Harbor.
But they were pursued and intercepted all the way, in quite a sorry state.
Finally, having no choice, he had to break up the group and flee separately with Veyron.
On the way, Dalton raided a small merchant caravan. After dealing with the caravan members, they transformed themselves and took on the identity of this caravan.
At the same time, due to the White Walker Army moving south, the attention of the entire north was focused on Winterfell.
This allowed Dalton to escape by ship from White Harbor using the identity of this merchant caravan.
As for his younger brother Veyron, he's probably still hiding somewhere in the north!
"king Dalton?"
Just as Dalton was completely relaxed, he heard someone calling his name.
He turned his head and saw a general wearing brand new armor carved with the Ironmen sigil, leading a large troop of Ironborn soldiers, looking at him with surprise and doubt.
"Hmm? Oh, it's Rodon!
Are you bringing so many people, planning to go to the north to meet us?"
Dalton looked towards the voice, it was his cousin, Rodon Greyjoy, whom he had appointed to stay and guard Lordport.
However, the last sentence Dalton spoke was full of mockery.
Because it had been so long since the attack on Kalin Bay, if Rodon had truly been sincere, it was impossible for him to only now be taking men to the north.
Rodon also heard the meaning in his words and immediately replied with a fawning smile: "I hadn't seen king Dalton and the others return for a long time.
I was very worried, but firstly, I bear the heavy responsibility of guarding Lordport.
Secondly, the Iron Captains of Great Wyk are restless, repeatedly wanting to reconvene the kingsmoot.
To protect your Sea Stone Chair, I haven't had a moment's rest.
Just now, Arthur Goodbrother of Great Wyk proposed to hold the ancient kingsmoot again at 'Nagga's Ribs' on Old Wyk.
I am now preparing to take men to stop this farce of theirs!"
The Sea Stone Chair is a throne that looks like a giant sea monster, carved from a piece of dark, shiny giant stone.
Its significance to the Ironborn is equivalent to the significance of the Iron Throne to the people of the Seven Kingdoms.
The kingsmoot is an ancient traditional ceremony held by the Ironborn, where the captains of the Iron Islands longships vote to elect a new king of the Iron Islands.
However, according to the records in 'history of the Iron Islands', the last kingsmoot was held four thousand years ago.
And according to 'the book of questions', it has been more than eighteen hundred years since the last kingsmoot was held.
This means that this ancient traditional ceremony is almost equivalent to being abolished.
"It seems some people are really impatient to take the Sea Stone Chair from my hands!"
Upon hearing this, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in Dalton's eyes, and he spoke in a cold tone.
"Yes, those who support reopening the kingsmoot are basically a few Iron Captains from Great Wyk.
But besides blacktyde and orkmont, the Iron Captains of Old Wyk, harlaw, and saltcliffe have not spoken out to stop it.
They probably also have thoughts of coveting the Sea Stone Chair, they just haven't openly shown it."
Rodon saw that Dalton's attention seemed to have been successfully diverted by him, and he quickly threw out more information to attract hatred.
"Very well, then I will quietly follow you to attend this kingsmoot.
I want to see which damnable fellows are participating!"
"As you command!"
Rodon saw that this matter seemed to have been completely covered up by him and immediately replied with joy, leading the way.
Behind him, Dalton looked at Rodon's back, his eyes full of coldness.
Hmph! Protecting the Sea Stone Chair for me?
I'm afraid you've been racking your brains trying to inherit my throne!
Preventing the kingsmoot is probably just because, according to the order of succession, having greyjoy blood is more advantageous!
Hmph, after this kingsmoot, I will settle this score with each of you one by one.
Before leaving king island, Dalton had several of his close guards take ships to several islands.
As the king of the Iron Islands, he naturally had loyal Iron Captains who supported him.
To win back the Iron Captains who had developed many small ideas, just talking sense wouldn't work!
When the various factions of the Iron Islands were each ready, they all gathered on Old Wyk at noon that day.
Old Wyk's military strength and prosperity are at the bottom among the islands of the Iron Islands, but it holds an extremely sacred position in the hearts of the Ironborn.
Because in legend, the grey sea king killed the largest sea dragon, nagga, on the coast of Old Wyk.
And the Sea Stone Chair that Dalton now sits on was also discovered here by the First Men of the Iron Islands.
Therefore, when the Iron Captains from the various islands of the Iron Islands sailed to Old Wyk, they all docked on the shore further away.
Then, with a pilgrimage-like mood, they slowly walked towards 'Nagga's Ribs'.
'Nagga's Ribs', also known as Naga Hill, is said to be the fossilized remains of nagga, the sea dragon killed by the grey sea king.
If you stand on the top of Naga Hill, you can clearly see the forty-four giant fossilized ribs emerging from the ground.
They resemble enormous white tree trunks, as thick as the masts of an ocean-going sailing ship, and twice as tall as the masts.
As time passed, more and more Iron Captains gathered at the Grey Sea King Hall, which was built using these forty nagga ribs as walls.
This is the official venue for the kingsmoot and the place of coronation and baptism for the new king.
Dalton, in disguise, followed Rodon into this place and saw many familiar faces.
Of course, these familiar faces had previously worn fawning smiles in front of him.
But now, each one maintained a proud and cold expression, as if they were about to become the new king of the Iron Islands.
Thump, thump, thump!
The sound of a staff hitting the ground rang out, and the somewhat noisy Grey Sea King Hall immediately fell silent.
Everyone looked towards the sound and saw a Drowned God Priest standing in the center of the hall, adorned with iron ore and salt blocks, holding a driftwood club and a bag of coarse salt.
Seeing that everyone had quieted down, the Drowned God Priest immediately said in a loud voice: "Today, I have gathered you Ironborn because some Ironborn have suggested reopening the kingsmoot.
I wonder if there are any other Ironborn who oppose this suggestion?"
As soon as the Drowned God Priest finished speaking, Rodon couldn't wait to raise his hand and shout: "I, Rodon Greyjoy, oppose the kingsmoot.
king Dalton is only missing, and there is no information indicating that he has met with misfortune.
Therefore, there is no need to reopen the kingsmoot at all; the king of the Iron Islands is still Dalton Greyjoy!"
"Hahaha! Rodon, what you said is truly laughable."
After Rodon finished speaking, the Drowned God Priest had not yet replied.
A middle-aged man wearing a set of golden armor, which was clearly expensive at a glance, first burst into laughter.
Then he continued to speak,
"The Ironborn who went to Kalin Bay earlier have already brought back the flagship and longships of the Iron Islands.
Even if Dalton Greyjoy is still alive, how is he to return to the Iron Islands?
Moreover, how can we recognize a king of the Iron Islands who has lost his own longship?
According to the laws of the Iron Islands established by the great Drowned God Priest, 'white staff' qarlon.
When more than half of the Iron Captains believe that the king of the Iron Islands does not possess the ability to rule, a kingsmoot can be reconvened.
I, Arthur Goodbrother, representing the goodbrother family, express our defiance of Dalton Greyjoy.
I request that the kingsmoot be reopened to elect a new king of the Iron Islands!"
"We the merlyn family also express our defiance and demand a kingsmoot."
"The farwynd family seconds the motion!"
Arthur Goodbrother was clearly prepared. As soon as he finished speaking, iron captain after iron captain stood up and seconded the motion loudly.
Soon, more than half of the Iron Islands stood up in the entire Grey Sea King Hall.
Thump, thump, thump!
The Drowned God Priest surveyed the hall, then used his driftwood club to quiet the scene,
And then announced loudly: "Now, the result is very clear!
More than half of the Ironborn have requested a kingsmoot; the suggestion is passed!
Please, all candidates interested in participating in the kingsmoot, come to me and tell the Ironborn present about your abilities and display your wealth."
This is the process of the kingsmoot!
Any iron captain can announce his name and become a candidate.
Because there is a saying in the Iron Islands, 'Every captain is king on his own ship'.
Then, after giving an impassioned speech, they present the gifts they have prepared in advance, to show their generosity and gain the support of the other Iron Captains who are not running.
Once more than two-thirds of the Iron Captains simultaneously shout a candidate's name, willing to support him as king.
Then the new king of the Iron Islands is basically chosen.
Why 'basically'?
Because after that, there is the drowning ritual. Only those who survive are considered the true king of the Iron Islands.
The drowning ritual is a test from the Drowned God. The person being drowned must be submerged in seawater, and if they don't survive, they will drown.
If they drown, it is because they are not worthy, and the Drowned God has not recognized them.
Only those who endure it and survive are considered to have officially inherited the Sea Stone Chair and become the new king of the Iron Islands.
As soon as the Drowned God Priest finished speaking, iron captain after iron captain who could no longer hold back stepped forward and began their passionate speeches.
After their speeches, they had people open the gift boxes they had prepared.
Among them were precious sea goods such as seal skins and walrus tusks, as well as various weapons such as longswords, daggers, and axes.
Some were more direct and brought boxes of silver coins, copper coins, and iron coins.
But these were small scenes. Among them, the iron captain from the merlyn family presented gold and various precious stones that were extremely eye-catching.
In terms of value, the value of his gifts was currently the highest!
Dalton watched quietly from behind Rodon. He had already decided to treat these things as compensation from these Iron Captains.
And finally, it was the turn of Arthur Goodbrother, who had been the most active during this time.
He shouted with excitement: "All the Iron Captains of the Iron Islands, I am very honored to tell you that I have received the divine grace of the Drowned God.
It is he who guided me to reopen the kingsmoot, and it is he who guided me to find this legendary treasure in the vast sea!
Someone, bring up my box!"
Following Arthur's command, four goodbrother family soldiers carried up large boxes one by one and opened them casually.
The boxes were filled with various rare treasures, but besides these, the most unusual item was a strangely twisted horn.
This peculiar horn was six feet long (about 1.83 meters) from head to foot, shimmering with black light and covered in stripes of red-gold and valyrian steel, looking extraordinarily remarkable.
"Iron Captains, do you see?
This horn is the legendary Dragon Horn. Ancient runes are inscribed on its surface.
The ancient dragon kings of Valyria blew similar horns until the doom came.
Through it, I can make dragons obey my call!
Dalton was scared witless by the Targaryen family's dragon before, and fled back from the Stepstones in a panic.
If you let me ascend the Sea Stone Chair, I will blow the Dragon Horn to control them, to enslave them!
We Ironborn will conquer the whole world!!!"
"Woohoo!!!"
"Arthur! Arthur!"
Arthur's words were extremely Deceptive (inciting), and the vast majority of the Iron Captains were tempted by the future he described.
The sound of shouting Arthur's name in unison seemed to echo across the entire Old Wyk.
Seeing this, Dalton knew he couldn't let the other party continue to build momentum.
Whoosh, whoosh!
Just as he was about to step forward, a dull whooshing sound rang in his ears.
The scene from Kalin Bay immediately flashed in his mind.
So he stopped his steps and quietly watched Arthur, who was looking up at the sky.
He had just finished talking about the magic of the Dragon Horn, and now a dragon immediately delivered itself.
Quickly blow it, control the dragon!
The Grey Sea King Hall has no roof, so now hundreds of Iron Captains looked up and saw the enormous creature appearing overhead.
Like Dalton, they all turned their heads to look at Arthur, expecting him to blow that magical Dragon Horn!