After Melisandre left the study, Viserys could sense a massive fleet passing through the waters of Dragonstone, heading south.
This was the grand fleet of the Imperial Navy led by Duke William. Their speed was slightly slower than Viserys's own fleet because they had to disembark the imperial soldiers they were transporting.
Their target for this journey was precisely Driftmark.
By noon the next day, Duke William had completely surrounded all the ports of Driftmark, primarily the two ports of House Velaryon: Castle Driftmark and High Tide.
Driftmark is located at the entrance of Blackwater Bay, a key point for controlling the sea route to King's Landing. It is the seat of House Velaryon, which was once the most powerful naval force in Westeros, possessing half of the Seven Kingdoms' fleet.
But after the Dance of the Dragons, House Velaryon gradually declined, and now only an empty shell remains. However, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse; the ports of Driftmark are still there.
These are large deep-water ports capable of docking hundreds of warships, and their natural geographical location makes them a choke point for controlling Blackwater Bay. Whoever controls Driftmark controls the sea route in and out of King's Landing.
Duke William stood at the bow of his flagship, the "dragon king," looking toward Castle Driftmark ahead. Nearly a hundred large warships and hundreds of other vessels of various types were lined up in battle formation behind him, the three-headed dragon banners fluttering in the sea breeze.
Besides a few sent to attack other small ports, most of the remaining half of the fleet had been led by his adjutant to the port of High Tide.
Just as he was about to give the order to attack, his steward, Jorah Mormont, brought news from Driftmark.
"Lord Duke, news has just arrived from the defenders of Castle Driftmark; they wish to negotiate with us."
Jorah Mormont joined after Viserys took Lys. At that time, Viserys had arranged for a military base to be built in Lys, and many exiled knights in Essos were drawn to join Viserys's service there. Jorah Mormont was no exception, and he even received lands consisting of several villages in Lys.
Furthermore, Jorah gained a "blessing in disguise" from this. Originally, his wife, Lynesse Hightower, had thrown herself into the arms of the wealthy Lysene merchant Tregar Ormollen. But after Viserys took Lys, Tregar was executed for slave trading, and Lynesse's life plummeted into the mire.
Thus, she thought of Jorah again, and since Jorah had become a noble once more, Lynesse had a change of heart and returned to his arms. Jorah, the ultimate simp, didn't mind at all and was instead overjoyed.
However, because his current status in the empire was not high and his salary and taxes from his small fief couldn't support Lynesse's lifestyle, he was always the first to charge forward whenever the empire had a mission, hoping to earn more rewards. He had eagerly signed up for this imperial counter-invasion of Westeros.
Since he was formerly the Lord of Bear Island, Duke William held him in high regard and appointed him as his steward to help handle the army's administrative matters.
Duke William frowned upon hearing Jorah's words and asked, "They want to negotiate?"
"Yes, they have already sent a small boat, saying they wish to see the commander."
Duke William thought for a moment before finally nodding and agreeing to the meeting. "Since they are already here, let them come and meet me."
A short while later, a small boat pulled alongside. A middle-aged man wearing armor emblazoned with the Velaryon seahorse sigil climbed onto the "dragon king" and stood before Duke William. His face looked weary, and there was a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
"I am the captain of the guard at Castle Driftmark, Daemon Waters," he said, his voice sounding weathered. "I wish to see His Majesty Viserys."
"His Majesty is not here," Duke William replied, looking at him. "He is currently on Dragonstone. Whatever it is, you can tell me; I am in command here."
Daemon was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "On behalf of Lord Monford Velaryon, I hereby surrender to the Targaryen Dragonlord Family."
A smile appeared on Duke William's face. "Surrendering so readily? I recall your house previously answered Stannis's call, did it not?"
Daemon couldn't help but give a bitter smile. "Our house has only two thousand men and thirty-three warships. You have two hundred warships and dragons; how could we fight? When we answered Stannis before, it was only because we had no choice, but we gave them no aid, nor did we send a single soldier to join them."
In the original story, Lord Monford was a die-hard loyalist of Stannis, even dying for him at the Blackwater Rush. However, it can be seen from his words and actions that he possessed some strategic vision, but unfortunately, Stannis would not listen to him. Had Stannis listened to him at that time, King's Landing might have already been taken.
The reason they had not joined Stannis yet was that their house was near the Blackwater Rush and could receive news of the Valyrian Empire immediately. Thus, why would they choose to board a ship destined to sink?
Duke William nodded at Daemon's words. "You have made a wise choice."
On the other side, Daemon took a deep breath and spoke the words he had prepared. "But we still require a guarantee."
"What guarantee?" Duke William looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze.
"A guarantee for the personal safety of House Velaryon, and a guarantee that the civilians on the island will not be plundered," Daemon said. "We will certainly follow orders."
Daemon said this because, according to the rumors that reached them, some said Viserys was a cold-blooded and tyrannical monarch, and that almost all the nobility of the factions opposing him would be executed.
But they had no choice but to gamble on their luck, as they certainly could not win on the open battlefield.
Hearing this, Duke William did not hesitate and replied, "Very well. Go back and tell them to lay down their weapons and open the ports. In the name of the Valyrian Empire's Master of Ships, I guarantee that your personal safety will not be violated, and the civilians on the island will not be harassed."
Daemon looked at Willem and nodded, giving him a deep bow. "Thank you, my lord. I will convey this to the Lord."
Then he hopped onto his small boat and rowed toward Driftmark.
Watching his retreating figure, Duke William ordered Jorah, "Send word to the other blockading fleets. Prepare to land and take control of the ports."
Half an hour later, the gates of Driftmark's ports were slowly lowered, and the dozen or so warships on the perimeter sailed into the harbor, allowing the Imperial Navy to take over. Led by Lord Monford, the port's defenders lined up on the shore, dropped their weapons, and watched silently as the dark mass of the imperial fleet sailed into the harbor.
Duke William stood on the docks of Driftmark, watching the fleet enter the harbor one after another. He turned to Jorah beside him and said, "Go and dispatch ships to blockade the Gullet. From this day forward, no ship may enter or leave Blackwater Bay without the Empire's permission."
"As you command."
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