On the vast, open sea, a few white clouds drifted across the blue sky. The fleet was sailing well for now, its passage clear and unimpeded. Moqorro, the defected priest of the Red Temple, had borrowed a strong wind for the Volantis fleet, carrying them smoothly onward.
The great Volantis fleet appeared in the morning light, its sails bearing the many emblems of Volantis: the Long Bridge of Volantis, the Black Walls of Volantis, the golden honors of Volantis, the Elephants of Volantis, and the Tigers of Volantis.
The slaves of the Volantis fleet bore sail-shaped marks on their faces, while the slave guards with tiger stripes tattooed across their cheeks were the Tiger Cloaks of Volantis. Alongside them were the Citizen Guard brought from the Black Wall by Malaquo, the Tiger Party's Triarch. These men served as the most important captains and elite first mates. The Windblown Company and several mercenary companies had also joined the fleet, costing Malaquo a great deal of gold, though the money had come from bribes paid by the slave city-states, so it hardly mattered.
"And a pack of fools besides, but the known world is backing my war," Malaquo thought, looking past the Volantis fleet at the smaller ships behind it. There were vessels belonging to fugitive slave nobles from Myr and Tyrosh, as well as ships from most of the Slaver's Bay city-states willing to join the fight.
Crush the Storm, crush the Breakers. Meereen, Yunkai, Astapor, New Ghis, and Tolos had all joined in. Only Elyria in the northwest of Slaver's Bay had stayed out of this war. The Tolosi had sent slingers, who used soft lead balls instead of stones. They, too, could not tolerate the loss of the two great markets of Myr and Tyrosh, much less the thought of anyone prying at the foundations of slavery.
Meereen was ruled by slave masters known as the Great Masters, Yunkai by the Wise Masters, and Astapor by the Good Masters. These lords came from the leading noble families of their city-states. Their slave breeding had grown highly specialized. Astapor raised the Unsullied, Meereen trained gladiators, while Yunkai was somewhat less impressive, known for training bed slaves rather than soldiers.
Most of the city-states of Slaver's Bay claimed descent from the Old Empire of Ghis, and the sails of the Slaver's Bay fleet bore a similar emblem: the Harpy. It had a woman's body, bat wings, an eagle's legs, and a scorpion's tail, with its claws gripping a whip and an iron chain.
On Malaquo's flagship, the Valyrian, a huge tiger spread across the sail, and all sorts of notable figures had gathered aboard. The nobles of Slaver's Bay were an odd assortment, fawning over Malaquo as they told one clever joke after another. Quite the gathering indeed. Even though Volantis had lost its hegemony during the Century of Blood, it was still not something the city-states of Slaver's Bay could compare themselves to.
"Hiss. Hiss."
On the Valyrian, several slaves were bound to pillars, men who had dared to complain. Their tongues had been cut out, and their mouths were full of bloody foam. Perhaps they had only muttered something vague about the Storm, but that alone was a capital offense.
There were no few generals among the Yunkaii, and one of them, an old hero named Yurkhaz zo Yunzak, had been appointed Grand Marshal.
"Begin," Grand Marshal Yurkhaz of Yunkai said.
"Very well," Triarch Malaquo said with a nod.
Several Tolos slingers made a show of paying their respects to the assembled dignitaries, then launched their attack.
A lead ball struck a disgruntled slave soldier in the knee. Bone burst apart, blood splattered, and the man's lower leg was left connected to his thigh by only a dark red tendon. He truly would not be walking again. Screams carried through the morning wind, mingling with the giggles of the camp's bed slaves and whores. The slingers cursed the damned slave for not dying at once.
"A slinger's range certainly cannot compare to a bow's, but at close range, a lead ball does far more damage than the smooth stones others use, let alone arrows," Malaquo thought as he watched its terrible power.
"Look at that, Lord Malaquo. With this, what city could possibly withstand us? I can hardly wait to feast in King's Landing," Yurkhaz zo Yunzak said to Malaquo.
"It is a pity Qarth has not joined this battle," Malaquo said, somewhat regretfully. Qarth claimed to stand at the center of the world, the gateway between North and South, the bridge between East and West. Malaquo disliked hearing the Qartheen boast, but they truly were extraordinarily wealthy.
"Even without the Qartheen, the strength we have gathered here is unmatched," said Oznak zo Pahl, the commander of Meereen, brimming with pride. Oznak wore his long hair shaped into two horns. His clothes were usually pink and white, the colors of the Pahl family pyramid. His armor was made from scales of copper and black jade. His father commanded the guards within Meereen, while his uncle was the wealthiest man in the city.
"Quite right, quite right," said Yellow Whale, one of Yunkai's commanders. He was enormously fat, and since the names of Slaver's Bay nobles all sounded much the same to the Volantis soldiers, they had given him that nickname. This immense man always wore a yellow silk toka robe trimmed with golden tassels. He was so fat he could not stand without help and could not even control his own bowels, so he always reeked of urine, a stench no amount of perfume could cover.
"Let us hope so," Malaquo said, glancing at Yellow Whale. Yunkai had always been famous for training bed slaves, and Malaquo had little confidence in them. There was Yurkhaz, Yellow Whale, Malazza, Little Pigeon, the dwarf who led the "Herons." of tall slave soldiers, and the Clanker Trio, three brothers who tied their slave soldiers together in groups of ten. Beyond them were the Lord Wobblecheeks, the Drunken Conqueror, the Beastmaster, Pudding Face, Rabbit, the Charioteer, and the Perfumed Hero. In short, the whole lot came in every possible variety. Some had brought only twenty men, while others had brought two hundred or even two thousand, all slave soldiers they had equipped and trained themselves.
What Malaquo truly valued were Astapor, Meereen, New Ghis, and Tolos. The Astaporians had brought the Unsullied, commanded by Kraznys mo Nakloz. The Unsullied were famous throughout the world, Astapor's signature product. But many Unsullied slaves had turned around and fought for the Breakers and the Storm, something the Astaporians could not tolerate.
Meereen had brought gladiators, commanded by Oznak zo Pahl. The noble Hizdahr zo Loraq was another commander of the Meereenese, and his house was just as distinguished.
The soldiers of New Ghis were also under Hizdahr's command. New Ghis fought in legions, known as the "Iron Legion." Their training and equipment were similar to those of the Unsullied, but the warriors of New Ghis were free citizens serving three years in the army, not slaves.
"If we can make it there in time, this campaign will be a great success," Oznak zo Pahl, the great "hero" of Meereen, said with supreme confidence. "I've brought the finest gladiators in the world."
"I hope all you great heroes will join me in enjoying the sweetness of victory," Malaquo said.
"Of course," Oznak zo Pahl said with a hearty laugh. "We are the fighters of Meereen, blown by the wind to Blackwater Bay, there to slay the Storm King and seize the True Dragon Princess."
Malaquo looked at the laughing Meereenese noble and thought that if only his war-making were as gaudy and impressive as his mouth and his hair.
By the time the Volantis United Fleet reached Lys, the Lysene fleet, with all its usual splendor, had followed after them.
"You move far too quickly, Triarch Malaquo," said Rhen Haen, First Magister of Lys. Because the Lyseni held higher status and their army was stronger, Malaquo had specially invited them into his cabin.
"Opportunities in war vanish in an instant," Rhen said. "But are we not being a little too hasty?"
"Join my fleet. I have already made a vow to the Storm God, and the fleet will sail smoothly all the way," Malaquo said.
"But we are passing the Stepstones to attack the far more distant King's Landing," Rhen said uneasily. "Why not attack Myr and Tyrosh, which are closer?"
"Tyrosh has black walls, and Myr's white walls are quite sturdy as well. King's Landing, however, is already at the end of its strength," Malaquo replied. "I do not wish to be dragged into a war that lasts for years. I am old. I do not want my children and grandchildren to continue this war. Our chance now lies in speed. The Westerosi will not expect us to have sacrificed to the Storm God and hastened the fleet. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That boy was arrogant enough to split his fleet in two. A large squadron has gone west, crossing Dorne. That will be his death. Young men are always too arrogant."
"What about Braavos?" Magister Rhen asked.
"The Sealord of Braavos is already old and feeble. He will not interfere in this war of ours. Besides, we are only removing the Storm, not beginning another Volantis war for supremacy. If anyone has the ambition to swallow the world, it is not Volantis, but 'Storm' Gendry. I believe the Sealord will look the other way."
"That may be true, but on such a long campaign, the enemy could cut off our retreat from behind. House Arryn, House Tully, the lords of the Stormlands, House Stark, and the forces of Myr and Tyrosh all support the Storm."
"I assume you know what happened during the Century of Blood. Volantis failed because it divided its forces. And the chief culprit is the Storm. He is the heart of this slave uprising. Once we kill 'Storm' Gendry, the world will return to the way it was. Do you really think Myr and Tyrosh, in all their chaos, will have the mind to stop us from taking what we please? What the Seven Kingdoms choose to do is their own affair. We can all go on with the slave trade together, instead of living in fear as we do now," Malaquo said.
Volantis had once expanded in every direction, only to suffer a crushing defeat in the end. Back then, the Tiger Party had set its sights on conquering the world. Its armies took Myr, its navy seized Lys, and its sphere of influence reached the eastern bank of the Rhoyne and the upper reaches of the river. But when Volantis annexed Tyrosh, it provoked a tremendous backlash.
Almost all the Free Cities, together with Storm King Argilac Durrandon from across the Narrow Sea, joined forces in a long struggle against Volantis. In the naval battle on Dagger Lake, Norvos and Qohor defeated Volantis together, destroying its power along the upper reaches of the great river. Pentos, the Storm King, and Tyrosh allied to resist the powerful enemy. Later, Aegon the Conqueror also joined the alliance, riding Balerion into the war, while the Braavosi lent a hundred warships to a Lysene exile. Revolts also broke out in Lys and Myr against Volantis rule.
And now, Malaquo had chosen the most dangerous yet effective tactic: striking straight at the heart. When opponents meet on a narrow road, the brave prevail.
"If we are speaking of long-distance campaigns, I believe we do have one successful precedent," the Grand Admiral of Lys said. "Many years ago, at the Battle of the Gullet, we won and plundered the Sea Snake's Driftmark. Now our great army advances. Once we pass the Stepstones, our chances of victory are hardly small."
"But, but... my health..." Magister Rhen looked at Malaquo, hoping to use illness as an excuse to avoid this expedition. Yet he relied on Volantene strength. Malaquo had lent him several thousand Tiger Cloaks, and he dared not defy Malaquo's orders. Without Malaquo, he would be overthrown by those coveting the Magister's seat.
"There are no buts." Malaquo harshly cut off the Lyseni's attempt to retreat. "If the Storm wins the Seven Kingdoms as well, your Free City and mine will both face disaster. Even those fools in Slaver's Bay understand this truth. You should too. Besides, the Storm's main army is wearing itself down at King's Landing, and we will strike their rear without warning."
"As you command. I will leave the Merchant Prince behind, and others will accompany me on the expedition," Magister Rhen said.
...
On the south bank of the Blackwater River, tents had sprung up like mushrooms, boldly entering King's Landing's field of view.
Gendry stood with several men, looking at the river ahead and the Red Keep beyond it.
"Bolton's forces are speeding south. This younger Winter Wolf army will strike the north of King's Landing," Gendry said.
"Understood." Everyone could feel the winds of great battle, the rise and fall of power and the throne.
"Strengthen our scouting parties again. Remind those First Men wildlings from the Mountains of the Moon to patrol our rear and flanks together with our scouts. Keep close watch on the movements of Tywin's army and Highgarden's army," Gendry said to Ser Barristan Selmy and the others. At times, Gendry himself served as scout and lookout, and scouts were the elite of the vanguard. The remaining third or so of the wildlings could not be wasted either.
"Where is my envoy, the good Lord Selwyn Tarth?"
"Lord Selwyn has already made contact with the Highgarden army. Lord Mace commands them, with Ser Garlan and Ser Loras serving as the vanguard," Ser Barristan said. "But Lord Tas is not enough to determine the movements of Highgarden's soldiers. According to him, they have an army of more than fifty thousand."
In truth, a better choice would have been one of Great Lord Stannis's Florent relatives, but Gendry did not want to irritate House Tyrell further. Everyone knew the Florents and House Tyrell had never gotten along.
"So they really have come. Great Lord Mace moved even faster than his letter said." Gendry smoothed the map with his long fingers. "These men are advancing quickly along the Roseroad. Great Lord Mace says he will obey my orders, but I have yet to see a single hostage from him. Once our giant trebuchets are brought out, aim some at the Mud Gate and some in the direction Highgarden's men may come from."
"As you command," Ser Barristan said with a nod.
House Tyrell had come in such haste that they surely had not had time to prepare trebuchets. Using trebuchets against the Tyrells was a reluctant choice, but such a bold offensive would also make them think twice.
Gendry looked toward King's Landing ahead. Great Lord Stannis's attack had overlooked three critical flaws, and he had now filled those gaps. The first was scouting. Gendry had charged as the vanguard too many times, so he paid particular attention to scouts. The second was wildfire, King's Landing's hidden killing weapon. The third was the army that could circle around from behind, which was also the bitter consequence of failing to use scouts properly. For all his strategic mind, Stannis was ultimately not the sort of commander who personally led from the front.
"Highgarden's soldiers have arrived too, yet you still choose not to retreat? That ill-intentioned fat man brought his main army with him," asked Tyene Sand, Dorne's secret envoy, in surprise. She had taken another route, coming here from Cape Wrath. She wore a close-fitting pale blue silk gown, and the intricate Myr lace at the cuffs made her look as pure as a young maiden. She was beautiful, with golden hair and eyes like deep blue pools.
"Lady, wars are not won by numbers alone," Gendry said mysteriously. The Tyrell army looked vast and powerful, but he had no shortage of friends among them willing to step forward.
"Your courage truly opens my eyes," Tyene said with a smile. Praise from a beautiful woman was pleasing indeed, but this woman was also a viper in beauty's skin.
"How are Prince Doran and Prince Oberyn?" Gendry asked. "And the Onion Knight?"
"My uncle is still half-dead as ever, and my father is as lively as ever. My uncle, Prince Doran, gave Lord Davos a crucial sea chart to ensure he can rush to the most important battlefield. But he is so far from us that I doubt he can help in this great battle." Tyene's eyes looked pure and flawless, and her smile was like a septa's.
Tyene studied Gendry. "My father, Prince Oberyn, often speaks to me about the days he fought beside you. He says you are a rare genius, both a warrior and a commander."
"I am not a genius. I am only a mortal who works hard." Gendry looked at Tyene, though his words were only half true. "You should go to Dragonstone. Someone will be there to receive you, rather than here on this dangerous battlefield."
"A safe place like Dragonstone is not what I want," Tyene said. "I prefer watching war. Battlefields blazing with fire, the liveliest war in the known world."
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