Broken Knight

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(Circa 296AC)

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I pulled firmly on each of my pauldrons, making sure they were secure over my shoulders. Like the rest of my armour, they were generally plain, since I was just a squire and still growing, paying for elaborately decorated or engraved armour wasn’t an expense I wanted to deal with.

I ducked down, letting Ty slide my surcoat over my head. Since I was just a squire, it was only a standard Martell one, with a small sigil of House Dayne on my right shoulder marking me out as something more than a base soldier. Once that was on, Ty moved to secure the surcoat around my waist, so it didn’t catch on any edge of my armour, I held out my arms. Alysanne and Beron approached, sliding my gauntlets onto my hands and bar my helm, completing my armour.

As they tightened the straps, and Ty finished securing the surcoat, I went over why I needed to wear full armour at sea.

Captain Larazar hadn’t taken much convincing to accept the approaching vessel, which had been a surprise. When I’d asked why he was taking our word so readily, he’d explained that while he was captain of the Windchaser the vessel was mine, and the Martells were his employers. In retrospect, that made perfect sense, but it had still caught me off-guard.

After he’d accepted things, we’d started spit-balling ideas. In the end, the option taken was for one knight, Ser Garhar Summerwell – a knight from a small house loyal to the Martells – to move around on deck in full armour. When that hadn’t worked, Ser Harrol Hood had joined him. Then Ser Jory Cassel and then finally Prince Oberyn. Jory had withdrawn from the deck, standing with Ser Karsan Brightlight outside my cabin to act as a final line of defence in the unlikely case the pirates managed to take out three knights, one squire, and the crew on deck and moved toward the cabins.

Inside my cabin, which was where I currently was, Beron, Wylla, Ty and Alysanne were gathered. Ymir was also present, pacing around the room. He didn’t understand what was going on, but sensed the nerves of everyone and was on edge because of it.

The ship rocked gently as we rested at sea. No anchor had been dropped as the water was too deep, and the sails, which had been assessed for damage after the storm, were furled and securely fastened against the rigging. That left us at the mercy of the sea, but with the storm having receded enough that our escorts could be seen approaching, it wasn’t a major issue.

On the way to Gulltown for the tourney, Oberyn had insisted I wear my armour around on deck to get used to moving in it at sea. At the time, he’d mentioned it would be unlikely I’d need to wear full armour for a sea battle, but it was better to have the training than not. Now, less than a year later, I’d be putting that training to the test. So far, standing as the ship rocked with the waves wasn’t too difficult, I just had to account for my greater mass caused by the armour. Plus, while it would be my first sea battle on Planetos, I’d trained for seaborne combat in my former life. Yes, the training didn’t entirely line up, but there was enough there that I could draw on.

Alysanne and Beron stepped back, and I tested the gauntlets, rotating my hands and fingers to ensure the gauntlets were tightly fastened. Feeling they were, I nodded and smiled at the pair. Ty then stepped close, my helm in hand. Thankfully, it didn’t have any dents from the tourney still in it. I’d paid for it to be reshaped in Winterfell.

“Cregan…” Ty began as she struggled to meet my gaze.

I lifted her chin with an armoured hand. “I’ll be fine,” I said once she looked at me. “And once this is over, and we’re back in Sunspear, we… we can talk fully. About everything.” I’d spoken to her once since Alysanne’s request, though that had been a short thing as I’d felt my anger at her betrayal still bouncing around my skull. Once we were back, I knew we’d talk more; provided Prince Doran didn’t punish her in some way that caused us to be forced apart.

A smile twitched on her face, though it didn’t last. She moved in close and stood on her tiptoes. Her lips brushed against my cheek. “Be safe,” she said as she pulled back, the smile still struggling to stay on her face.

I smiled back at her and then knelt slightly. While I could bend my neck while wearing the gorget, the height difference between us meant it would’ve still been an awkward angle to slide my helm over my skull. I blinked as the helm slid on, getting used to the restricted vision. It didn’t stop me from seeing her, or the others behind her, but it did limit things, which was fine. A stray blow or arrow to the skull would be instantly fatal. As I stood fully, her fingers moved under my chin, securing the helm in position.

A tap on my helm let me know she was finished, and I rolled my head, ensuring the helm was secure. Once I was sure, I looked at the others. Worry danced on all their faces, though only Ty seemed able to hide it. Ymir moved closer, whining at me. I wasn’t sure if it was because he couldn’t see my face anymore, or he sensed the rising tension, but I tapped my cuisse. He stood against my leg, sniffing my gauntlet as Wylla came over.

In her hands was a belt which held the sheath for Red Rain. As she secured that around my waist, Beron carried over my shield. I gripped it with my right hand and then waited as he secured the strap there, fastening it against my arm. In theory that would keep it around even if my grip failed, though the shield I’d used in the tourney hadn’t had this feature, which was why I’d lost it so easily.

The two moved back together, with Wylla sliding up close to Beron. I smirked at the action, wondering if they even realised they were doing it. “This won’t take long,” I said to allow them as Alysanne clicked her fingers to get Ymir’s attention. “None of the pirates are armoured,” well, at least not as well as me and the knights, “and even if they outnumber us five to one, they’ve not got the training to get past a half-dozen knights.” I made sure to look at each of them as I spoke. “Still, unless it’s me or Oberyn, don’t open that door. And if somehow someone gets past Sers Jory and Karsan…” I paused, looking dead at Beron. He nodded and gripped the short blade at his hip. While he wasn’t great with it, he knew enough to at least be able to defend the girls. As for them, Ty had a pouch on her belt that I knew contained a few vials of poison to say nothing of the dagger she had hidden somewhere on her clothing. Wylla and Alysanne both had daggers as well, while Ymir stayed at the latter’s feet, and her bow rested on my bed. “Give them hell,” I finished, making Beron smirk.

With my piece said, I turned and moved to the door. However, just as my hand reached the latch, someone pulled on my arm. Turning I saw it was Alysanne. I waited for her to speak, which took longer than expected as she seemed unsure about what to say. That was made clear by the way her mouth opened and closed a few times without any sound escaping. Curious about what she wanted to say, I waited patiently.

Instead of saying anything, her arm shot up and grabbed the front of my helm. I let her pull my head down as she laid a gentle kiss on the helm, roughly where my mouth was. “Winter is coming for them,” she whispered as she pulled back. I chuckled as I stood and gave her a nod, promising to show these fools why they didn’t mess with a child House Stark.

As she moved back, I saw Wylla smirking at Alysanne’s actions. Beron looked confused, which was understandable I guessed, but my focus was on Ty. She seemed conflicted, as if happy to see Alysanne make a move – as she had joked about my cousin having an interest in me back in Winterfell – but possibly also irritated that she might have competition.

As I turned and opened the door, I put those thoughts aside. I could deal with how this might change things for me going forward after the battle was over. As I exited the room, I saw Sers Jory and Karsan. The latter was still sitting, keeping weight off his broken leg. Even though he was injured, he’d sworn he’d die defending Wylla from harm, though to make things easier for him a stool had been brought into the corridor. The man was risking permanent injury to fulfil his duty to House Manderly, but it was his duty to do so.

I gave the pair a nod as I passed and moved down the short corridor to the deck. I half-stumbled with one step, not used to wearing the armour in the tight space, but I didn’t need to use the wall to keep going. That would’ve been embarrassing.

I blinked as I stepped onto the deck, the bright sun hung high overhead. Most of the deck was empty, with Oberyn and the two Dornish knights gathered near the main mast. As I stepped out, I looked around and saw Larazar standing at the wheel, a blade at his hip. With him were seven crew, each armed with a sword and bow. The rest of the crew was down below, ready to rush forth if called upon, though most of them were either injured or untrained in battle. They would’ve taken up position on the forecastle, but several of the bows carried onboard had fallen and broken in the storm. Plus, the small ballista there had been washed away by the waves, removing that as a defensive option.

I moved toward Oberyn, seeing Ser Harrol and Ser Garhar with him. Their purple and white and green surcoats looked odd next to the burnt orange of Oberyn’s surcoat. As did the edging of orange both the knights had, signalling their employ by the Martells.

“I see the girls let you leave,” Oberyn commented, drawing chuckles from the knights. “I had half expected Ty and your cousin to tie you down and prevent you from fighting.” I bit my tongue, not wanting to deal with his teasing over Alysanne so soon after her good-luck kiss. “Still, it’s good you are here. While we should be able to counter any attack, they might be able to move around us. Initially, stay behind, and if needed, step in to close any gaps that develop.” I nodded, accepting the orders even if I wanted to be in the thick of the fighting. “Also, by the Gods, don’t fall overboard. If you do, I may be forced to go into exile again to avoid the wrath of your mother, my daughters and niece.” I nodded again, joining the knights in laughing at that jest.

While it shouldn’t happen, falling into water in full armour, especially one deep enough to sink into like the sea, was a death sentence. Even the strongest swimmers would struggle to stay afloat for long with their armour dragging them down. Well, unless it was made of Valyrian steel, but I’d never heard of anyone with such a thing.

I moved behind the three, my height letting me see over their shoulders enough to have a clear line of sight on the approaching pirate vessel. There were more men on deck than when I’d flown over earlier, and now none wore shawls over their armour. They’d have seen the gathering of knights on deck and known at least one more was below as Jory was in Stark colours, yet the captain was either brave or foolish enough to think his crew, which couldn’t be more than three dozen, could take five knights in close quarters and with the crew nearby to assist.

Apart from four that had steel breastplates and some other sections of armour, most were in chainmail, leather or worse. None were as fully covered as us, and already, thanks to my improved eyesight – a gift from my bond with Rian, who was circling far above us out of the way – I could already see easy ways to maim or kill most of the pirates.

Time seemed to slow as the vessel approached. Oberyn and the knights braced, as did I, waiting in the calm before the storm. The fire in my blood, from my wolf and dragon traits, warmed, readying me for the carnage to come. Features of the scarred and dirty faces of the pirates became clear, snarls on many of them as hands drifted toward weapons. The pirate ship angled itself, aiming to strike us at about forty-five degrees to the hull.

Shields rose as arrows from the quarterdeck rained down on the pirates, yet one body slumped to the deck. The oars were pulled in and rapidly, just as another volley struck, a dozen more men stepped onto the deck. Three of the new group fell to the arrows, caught out as they emerged from the hold below.

I struggled to stay still, the urge to rush forward, to cut down these fools burned bright in me. my weight shifted from one foot to the other, even as I knew that even with three dozen men, and the advantage of regularly fighting at sea, these fuckers would struggle against the knights and me.

“Brace!” Oberyn called out, and just before the ships collided, I crouched. Yet, when the strike came, I still stumbled back, my free hand going to the deck as I fell to a knee.

“Fuck!” I spat out furiously as I stood, the hand moving to draw Red Rain. Through my rage at my mistake, I was glad I’d not drawn my blade before the pirates had rammed us. As the blade came free, almost singing in delight at the thought of tasting fresh blood, I saw Oberyn and the others engaged. Four pirates lay at their feet, with a fifth joining them as Ser Garhar removed his blade from their stomach. A sixth stumbled back, Oberyn’s blade sending blood gushing as it sliced open the man’s chest.

I snarled in delight as he fell to his knees, then chuckled darkly as he was pushed into the water by another pirate desperate to die at Oberyn’s blade. While watching the pirates fall to wounds, and tumble into the sea or back to their ship, I felt a fury rising. I wanted in on the fighting, wanted the chance to rip them limb from limb.

As perhaps the tenth pirate fell, three rushed forward, grabbing Ser Harrol Hood. His blade drove into the gut of one, but with them so close, he couldn’t pull it free. As the others grabbed his shield and armour, I rushed forward, an urge to join the fray and help overwhelming my orders to stay. Yet, before I could reach the group, Ser Harrol was pulled forward. He landed on the pirate holding his shield, and then the rocking of the Windchaser carried them, and the wounded man over the side, a faint splash carrying over the chaos of battle.

The remaining pirate turned, thinking his path was clear only for him to stutter to a stop. His eyes widened as I pulled Red Rain from his stomach, soaking more of the deck in blood. As he fell to his knees, I slammed my shield into his face, knocking him back. I snarled in delight as his movement caused another pirate to fall, and roared as Red Rain thrust down, severing the man’s spine.

Something pulled on my shield as I withdrew my blade, droplets of blood sliding down its edges. With a grunt, I pushed my shield forward, enjoying the sound of it slamming into and breaking whatever stopped its movement. The grip on my shield slipped and as I lifted it, a sickening thud delighted me as a man’s head snapped back at an unseemly angle.

My blade moved around, slicing clean through the mail of another pirate, another gush of crimson flying skyward. Yet, as this one stumbled back, another rushed at me. His axe gripped the edge of my shield and pulled. I brought my blade around, however, another stopped between me and this pirate. Red Rain bit deep, slashing through the pirate’s side, though I still felt something slam into my arm.

As the body fell, I saw an axe wedged into the back of the shield, having slid down my vambrace to slash the strap holding the shield to my arm. The body fell against my arm even as the first pirate continued to pull on the shield.

I growled as l let it go, snarling as the man stumbled back, caught out by me releasing the shield. Even as it fell away, I pulled at the axe embedded in it, ripping it free. The pirate pushed my shield to the side, and I snapped forward, driving the blade of the taken axe into his gut. He grunted in pain, and I growled at realising the weapon hadn’t drawn blood.

Red Rain solved that, sending his head tumbling to the deck as blood spurted from his neck. Even as the body fell, I was moving, turning. My new axe moved, splintering a chuck of wood from a pirate’s shield. As I pulled it back, a blade rushed in from the side, spearing the pirate in the gut. The shield drooped and Red Rain rushed forward, severing the man’s throat.

I grinned in delight at the look of shock from the pirate even as blood rushed from the wound. A kick sent the body tumbling back, striking another who was climbing from their ship. I stepped forward. The man knocked over and roared in pain as Red Rain removed his hands. The roar was cut off as he splashed into the sea below.

A blade crashed against my pauldron. I pushed it away, turned and drove my axe into the man’s arm. Red Rain came up and blood flew once more as another fell to my blade. I kept turning and whirling, revelling in the chaos. My weapons found their marks, grunts of pain accompanied by squirts of crimson their reward.

One man, with a steel breastplate, rushed at me. My axe slapped his blade to one side even as Valyrian steel plunged through his armour. As I yanked on the blade, fighting to pull it from his chest, he fell to the ground, the life fading from his eyes.

As Red Rain slid free, another, this one in chainmail, rushed at me. overhead, a large two-handed sword poised to strike. I stepped forward, sliding inside his attack before it could strike, and brought Red Rain up. Pressure built on the blade as once again it found its mark, burying itself deep in the chest of another threat.

I pulled my blade clear even as the man stumbled forward, the weapon in his hands falling free, slicing down his back. As he fell, I used an elbow and knocked the body to the side. Any hope of him returning to the fight was ended as an arrow slammed into his chest, the chainmail doing little to stop the narrow arrowhead.

I turned, re-focusing the rage from someone stealing my kill, seeking a new pile of flesh for Red Rain to taste, yet none came at me. I blinked, seeing only the red-stained surcoats of Oberyn and Ser Garhar near me. Wanting another to render limb from limb, I turned to the pirate ship and grunted in fury at what greeted me.

Nothing but bodies lay from my feet onto their ship. Pained groans and twitches came from the deck, sounds of men not yet sent to their Gods for judgement.

“Larazar,” Oberyn called out as I used my blade to silence the closest groan of my defeated foes, “take some men and Ser Garhar to secure their vessel.” The dying breath of another pirate punctuated the sentence as Red Rain claimed a new soul.

Movement from behind had me spinning, ready to fight once again. Larazar tensed as he saw me face him, and only after I lowered my blade, did he come closer. “Clear the decks!” I turned once more at the new sound, though as my battle lust faded, I kept my blade low, watching as the crew who’d stayed in the hold emerged onto the deck. Each had a blade in hand, though when half of them stopped at seeing the carnage on the deck, and three moved to the far side of the ship, it made clear how unready for battle they were.

A hand clamped onto my shoulder. “Well done lad,” Oberyn’s voice was the only thing that stopped me from attacking him with my axe. “You fought well and did what was needed. Now go and let the others know we’ve won.”

I took several deep breaths, pushing back the bloodlust, bringing my mind out of a battle focus. After giving him a nod, I moved away, securing the axe in my belt even as I looked for a semi-clean body to clean Red Rain on. However, after a few steps, I stopped and turned back. “What about the cove?”

I couldn’t see his face, but I knew he was smirking. “We’ll discuss that once the ships’ secured and cleaned up some.” He sheathed his blade as he turned away, directing the clean-up with Larazar.

I resumed the short walk to the cabins. When the time came to discuss the cove, my vote was simple. We enter it and take out every pirate there. Yes, I wanted to feel the rush of combat once more, but beyond that, they were a threat to shipping within a few days’ sail of Sunspear and were operating from Dornish soil. That couldn’t be allowed to continue.

… …

About fifteen minutes later I stepped back onto the deck, noting how much cleaner it appeared. While there was still blood over the deck, the crew were working to wipe it away with pails of water and mops. Near the entrance to the cabins were two piles. The first was a collection of weapons, likely salvaged from the killed pirates. The other, though it was more a few empty casks, seemed to be a collection of trinkets taken from the bodies, which given they weren’t on the deck anymore, had likely been thrown overboard.

“Cregan,” I turned and saw Oberyn standing with Larazar and Ser Garhar on the quarterdeck. Both knights had their helms off, though were, like me, still in their armour, while Larazar retained the cutlass at his side. I moved quickly to the steps up to the quarterdeck, my helm in one hand while the axe I’d acquired still rested inside the belt holding a sheathed Red Rain. “How are they?” Oberyn asked once I was on the upper deck.

“Good, though I don’t think they enjoyed the sight of me covered in blood,” I replied, making him laugh. Ty had been the only human willing to come close and even she had been careful to make sure the blood didn’t get in her dress. Ymir hadn’t cared a lick and bound up to me, excited to see me again. Ty and the others had all listened as I’d detailed what had happened and they were relieved to hear the battle was over. I didn’t mention the cove to them, but when I said I had to return to the deck, something in Ty’s eyes made it clear she knew I was holding back.

“I hope you reminded them that it wasn’t your blood?” Oberyn shot back after his chuckle, and after I nodded to confirm that, he waved me closer. “We’re discussing what to do with our new ship.”

While taking it as a prize was likely, my mind was on another issue. “What about the cove?” Larazar and Ser Garhar both looked at me as I remembered they didn’t know what I did about the cove; or how I’d learnt about it. “I mean, they came from there, so I’d bet good coin they’ve got a base in it.” I shifted my gaze to Oberyn as I continued. “Plus, I thought no pirates were tolerated on Dornish soil?”

“They aren’t. However, we are but two knights and a squire,” Ser Garhar countered, a slight snarl on his face. “Even one who handled himself as well as you did. We’d likely need half the crew at least to come with us, and we’d be sailing in blind. Yes, Prince Oberyn and I could handle a dozen men each with ease, but what if they’ve got twice that number?”

I glared at Garhar. While he’d complimented me for my part in the battle, he’d then dismissed the idea of me helping clear the cove. A retort died on my tongue as Larazar coughed.

“While I can’t say for sure which cove this is, none of them alone the Arm are large. At best, they could dock our ship and our escorts, but it would be a tight and dangerous fit.” He looked past me, taking in the shore in the distance. “Still, if this cove is one of the smaller ones, which it appears to be, then I doubt they have anything more than another vessel, and likely a smaller one at that.”

“Cregan is right in that we cannot allow this den of pirates to exist, however, we are undermanned.” Oberyn looked northward, to where the two remaining escorts were growing. I’d yet to give them another look with Rian to see what sort of condition they were in, but they’d certainly have the manpower we needed to take the cove. “While I’d like to wait for our escorts, I feel that doing that risks the pirates either prepping defences or more likely running inland and then, once we depart, returning to re-establish their base.”

“Can you describe the cove?” I asked Larazar. While it was unlikely that he could give anything accurate, even a rough description could be useful. I suspected I could make a few comments and suggestions that might make our map of the place more accurate.

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“Most of these coves are similar enough that I can give a rough guide to it,” Larazar replied, making me nod.

Oberyn watched me carefully as his lips twitched. “Perhaps you might do so then? If we have even a rough idea of what we might expect, then we can consider if we can take the cove without waiting for support.” That twitch turned into a full smile. It was a cold one, which promised pain and suffering for those who’d dared threaten his family and wards.

I matched his smile with one of my own, though I knew it lacked the cold fury. The fire in me burnt hotter, and brighter, due to my traits. Still, I looked forward to tasting battle again, to sating myself on the blood of more pirates. While they didn’t appear a great threat, I’d found myself enjoying the thrill of battle that had just passed far more than any from my former life, and I longed to experience that thrill once more. Plus, I needed experience of warfare in Westeros for what was to come in the years ahead.

… …

I felt the wind surge over my wings as I once more soared high above while sharing Rian’s mind. The clouds had started to settle, the storm that had brought on the chaos of the last few days breaking as it struck the northern tip of the Broken Arm.

I swooped lower, gliding on the breeze as I passed over the marker between sea and land. Below me, I saw the two pirate lookouts. The newcomer had brought a bow with him. While my body and those with me were still far from the cove, the pair were watching our approach. I couldn’t tell from up here if they were aware something was amiss, but the pair were speaking animatedly as they lay on the outcrop, making sure to stay hidden from view of the sea.

While the second lookout with a bow was going to complicate our approach, the second, smaller ship in the cove was still unmanned and unprepared to sail. While that was a relief, a group of eight pirates were ambling around near the short pier. Others, up to two dozen though it was hard to be sure, were moving to and from the six buildings that stood near the pier. The girl from earlier was gone, though my razor-sharp vision picked out the man who’d assaulted her just before I’d turned away on my last recon flight. His face was burned into my mind, and if he somehow survived the assault, I planned to find the girl he’d abused and let her decide that fucker’s fate.

I circled, making sure to note the various entrances to each building and points where archers could rain down on us as we docked. Thankfully, the pirates had made no move to create defensive fortifications, so once we landed, Oberyn, Ser Garhar and I shouldn’t have much issue clearing the pier and beach. Though the buildings might be problematic if the corridors inside were narrow or constricted in other ways.

Once I felt I’d seen enough, I angled Rian’s wings, turning him around and back to the Windchaser, and with one final thought to return there, where I knew Ty was waiting to offer him some jerky, I slipped from the eagle’s mind.

I slumped forward, shaking my head as I got reacquainted one more with the far weaker, but still impressive, vision of my eyes. The oars on the ship continued to beat a pattern into the waves, driving us toward the cove even as I felt a hand grip my shoulder.

“Welcome back.” I turned toward the voice, seeing Oberyn sitting beside me. Like me, and Ser Garhar – who was knelt near the bow with the Myrish eye we’d acquired from the attack on the Windchaser – he wore a large shawl over his armour. We’d all also removed our surcoats, as their bright colours might be easier for the lookouts to spot. Oberyn had insisted Garhar take the first watch as we approached, which was what allowed me to skinchange into Rian.

“There’s at least thirty in the cove. Eight are mulling near the pier, two are on lookout from the outcropping with the rest ambling around. I also saw a slave on my first flyover but didn’t see her or another this time.” Oberyn nodded, taking in my words. “There’s a longboat docked to a short pier, but it’s not manned or supplied to move, and even if those lookouts let the cove know we’re attacking, they can’t get it ready in time. Further inland there’s some foliage that they could run to, but not enough that they’d have some support hidden there.”

Oberyn leaned back and stroked his chin. His helm, like mine and Ser Garhar's, was covered by a sheet on the deck. We’d only put them on once close to the outcropping as they’d mark us out as not being pirates. While we might’ve used the few helms worn by the pirates, none of them offered anything close to the protection ours did, so using them would’ve left us all but exposed to blows to the skull.

“That’s more than I expected, but not by enough that we can’t still make this work.” He looked past me to the cove. “Where exactly are the lookouts?”

I kept my hand low, below the rim of the deck, and pointed. “About a third of the way to the left inward for its northern edge.” My hand brushed the body of one of the few dead pirates that littered the deck. We’d had to pull a few bodies, or what remained of them since sharks had circled the Windchaser after we’d tossed the bodies overboard, from the sea, but it helped feed a ruse. With fewer oars working than when the ship had sailed out, and the three of us on deck not moving much and keeping ourselves covered, the hope was that we’d look to any lookout as the remains of a failed attack. The only downside was the smell from the bodies, but it was a minor issue and one we’d fix once the lookouts were taken care of and the battle was over.

“And what of the cove?”

I pulled the axe from my belt and started using it to map out the cove’s layout for him. While we’d not be able to provide this map to others, when it came down to it, the only person I cared that made it through the coming battle – bar myself – was Oberyn. Still, when I took watch from Ser Garhar, the plan was for me to spot glints of light from the outcropping, thus revealing to the others the lookout’s location.

Once we were closer, the crew below deck would emerge, and all of us would pepper the outcropping with arrows, trying to strike the pair before they could get off a warning. Whether they did or didn’t though, at that point we were committed to the attack, and already I could feel my blood warm at the thought of once more stepping into battle.

… …

As our new vessel rounded the outcropping, I braced myself on the foredeck, my helm already resecured by one of the crew along with my shield. On either side of me, were Oberyn and Ser Garhar. The two lookouts had fallen in a hail of arrows, but not before one had managed to get out a screamed warning. With our cover blown, the three of us had quickly secured our armour and taken up point at the front of the vessel.

All six of the crew with us had, after helping us with our armour, returned below decks and as they guided us into the cove, arrows lanced towards the ship. The few that struck our shields lacked the power to do much more than scratch the markings on them.

The incoming fire lessened as the pirates realised their arrows were being wasted, and time slowed. The pier and the moored pirate longboat were close, and already four of the eight I’d seen on the beach during my recon had moved out, planning to engage us before we could dock. However, Oberyn had planned for this.

He banged his foot on the deck three times. That let the crew below know to stop turning us around the outcropping and drive the vessel forward. Not toward the pier, but the shallow stone beach beside it.

The pirates on the pier were the first to realise our plan and raced back toward the beach, shouting out as they went. As we passed near the longboat, but not close enough that anyone would be brave enough to risk leaping over, arrow fire resumed. Even as one embedded in the centre of my shield, my gaze snapped down to the strap. That had only been hastily repaired before we’d left for this assault, and I was concerned it would rip if someone managed to give my shield a decent tug.

Just before we ran aground, I shifted my stance and was glad I didn’t stumble as we beached. Oberyn and Ser Garhar stepped to the bow and jumped down. However, I had another role. I moved back, keeping my shield up as I scanned for the pirate archers. Once I’d moved back to the small hatch that led to the lower deck, I banged my foot on the ground.

I heard movement behind me, but stayed still, blocking any arrows that came my way, though most went towards Oberyn and Ser Garhar. That allowed me to pick out the snipers easier.

“Two ahead on the main building. Three to the left, only one on a roof, and two to the right, both of roofs,” I called out as someone tapped my back. Arrows quickly flew from behind me, and as the first pirate archer fell, I moved forward slowly. The incoming fire toward me increased, though it was matched by outbound fire.

As I neared the bow of the ship once more, I saw Oberyn and Ser Garhar were engaged by nearly a dozen pirates. The pair were working well together, almost back-to-back, and at their feet, five bodies lay. A sixth joined them as I reached the bow, and as I jumped onto the beach, another fell as well.

The urge to rush forward and engage the pirates, to rend them limb from limb, reverberated through me. However, that wasn’t what I needed to do. Still, as I stepped forward toward another section of the beach and watched one of the pirate archers on the main building fall, I felt my blood rush as two pirates rushed toward me.

As the blade of the first clattered against my shield, being guided away by me angling the protection, I brought Red Rain round to counter a strike from an axe wielded by the second. That man cried out in shock as my blade sliced through the head of his axe, and then removed a good chunk of his hand.

Blood soared in the air as Red Rain flew, with a second streak sent flying as I twisted the blade and slashed the one-handed pirate through his arm and across his chest. That was joined by an arrow a split second later. As he stumbled forward, falling to the ground as blood seeped onto the stones at my feet as I turned my full focus to the other pirate.

That pirate brought his shield around, planning to block a low strike from Red Rain, but I was ready for it. A softening of my grip had the tip of the blade slicing deep into the wood of his shield, sending a large splinter flying. Behind the shield, his eyes widened in shock as he saw my blade, and I snarled in delight as he started backpedalling.

I rushed forward, slamming my shield into his, knocking him off-balance even as I sensed new targets coming closer. Before they reached us, as the man’s arms flailed and exposed his body, I thrust my blade forward, driving the point into his gut. “Guh.” He fell back, dropping his sword and bringing the hand to his stomach as guts spewed from the wound. As he fell to a knee, I drove the edge of my shield into his throat, delighting in the terror in his eyes as I crushed his windpipe.

As he took his last tortured gasps, I turned and moved to meet the next group rushing at me. I slid one foot and leaned away, letting a blade sweep harmlessly past me. my shield moved, gliding around to block another blade and the strike of an axe. Sweeping my shield high, and driving back the strikes, I thrust my blade forward, grunting in delight as the tip slid through the weak armour of the pirate and embedded in their thigh.

With a flick of my wrist and the blade was free, blood showering another pirate as the wounded one fell. Red Rain moved up, cleaving an arm at the elbow, sending the forearm and axe it held clattering against the shield of the third pirate. Before I could finish off the one-armed pirate, an arrow flew in, slamming into his chest. He spun, caught out by the strike, and fell face-first into the stony beach.

I snarled at someone stealing my kill and thrust my shield into the one carried by the third pirate. The strength of my thrust forced them back. I rolled my shoulder, dropped my shield low slightly and then flicked it up. The move caught the base of the pirate’s smaller shield and lifted them both skyward. As terror sprung to life in his eyes, I drove Red Rain forward, enjoying the gargled terror that slipped from his lips as my blade punctured out the back of his mouth. A pull on the blade sliced it clear of the face, and his jaw hung limply as he fell as if someone had cut his strings.

With that lot dealt with, I moved forward. Arrows flew around me, though most came from behind. The few that came at me either bounced harmlessly off my armour and shield or missed entirely. A pirate rushed from a hiding spot as I neared the main building. I turned to face him, my blood beating out the tone of war. His blade clattered against my shield. I pushed it to one side and slashed forward.

A burst of red shot into the air as his hand was removed, though any realisation he might’ve had was cut off when Red Rain slid through his throat, sending another fountain of crimson into the air.

“Cregan!” I turned at the shout, not giving the crashing body behind me another thought. Behind him and me only corpses lay and beyond I saw Ser Garhar moving away. “Clear from the left!”

I tilted my sword, letting him know I’d heard him, and then moved down the beach. To the left of the largest building, which I assumed Oberyn was going to clear, were three buildings. Though the farthest from me was barely any better than a shack with a battered roof. As I came closer, I saw that part of the inward-facing wall was missing while the roof in that area had fallen in.

While I doubted anyone was inside, I still approached the door – which was hanging on one rusted hinge – cautiously. I didn’t have to deal with insurgents or terrorists with rifles behind the door, but neither did I have a flashbang or two to clear the room first. Still, an old, familiar rush surged through me as I kicked the door, sending it clattering into the room.

I stepped forward, entering the building. My shield covered one side while I scanned the other, Red Rain at the ready and wanting to taste flesh once again. However, the room was empty, and I grunted as I realised it had likely been that way for some time. The walls were damp and water – remains of the storm most likely – dripped down through holes in the wooden roof. While he’d hate the environment, I wished Kaa was here. Scouting out dark, hidden corners was the perfect activity to use him for. Well, aside from poisoning someone, but given it was known I owned a bloodborne viper it was probably best if I avoided using him for assassinations.

I left the building a minute or so later, the other rooms in worse shape – and just as empty – than the first. Moving quickly and quietly was neigh-on impossible in full armour, but I didn’t mind. If any pirate jumped me I was more than willing to send them to their grave. As I looked back at the ship, I saw four of the six who’d come with us were standing guard, their bows in their hands but not drawn. I wondered about the other two, but I’d find out their fates later, for now, the next building needed to be cleared.

The door I approached was far sturdier than on the last building, and as I neared I heard movement behind. I readied myself, looking forward to the battle about to commence and kicked the door hard. It swung open and slammed into the wall as I rushed forward. However, the pained and scared groans that greeted me stilled my desire for blood and replaced it with revulsion.

Around the room, secured against the wall with ropes that tied their hands together, were about ten men. None of them were anywhere close to fighting fit, and as my eyes adjusted to the dim light of the room, I saw many were thin enough their ribs were pressed up against their skin. All of them scampered back, trying to slide into the walls when they saw me while I tried to ignore the stench of the room and the piles of faeces that lay near each man.

I stomped toward the nearest man, one whose hair was caked in dirt and sweat and grey. “Hands!” I snarled out, my anger at their situation creeping into my tone. The man shot out his arms, fearing I’d do something to him if he disobeyed. I took a moment, closed my eyes and counted to ten, reining in my rage at what these people had endured before I moved again. “Stay still,” I said as gently as I could as Red Rain lifted slowly between his arms, and once it rested against the ropes binding him, I pulled up quickly as I dared. The rope held against my blade better than pirate flesh had, but it gave easily enough.

The man looked at me in shock as his arms fell away. After recovering he started pulling at the rope still around his wrist, wanting it off. “I’m here to free you,” I said to the room as I moved toward the next man. He tried to stand, wanting to get his ropes cut as soon as possible, but I watched his knee shake before he fell, his other leg squelching into a pile of shit. “Don’t rush it. I’ll get you all out,” I said, glad my helm hid the look of disgust at where the man was kneeling.

I repeated the process two more times, yet as I sliced through the ropes of the fourth man, the others all started acting up. At the same time, something blocked out the light behind me. Turning as quickly as I could, but mindful of the Valyrian steel blade in my hand, I saw a pirate had entered behind me.

My shield barely came up in time to deflect his axe as it moved toward my neck. I then kept it moving as I turned, pushing the weapon up and away. A screech echoed in the room as the metal of the axe scratched against the stone wall, and it was quickly followed by a pained howl as I drove Red Rain into his groin.

I moved my blade back, planning to finish him off, however, two of the slaves that I’d freed descended on him as he fell to the ground. Even with the painful, and likely fatal wound, he was able to push the men away, however, that left him exposed and I slammed my shield into his head. He crumbled to the floor, and before I could run him through to ensure he was dead, the men were back on top of him.

Their strikes were weak and pitiful, but the fury in them was enough to have me step back. They needed this kill more than I did. The other six men were incensed as they watched their fellows wail on the pirate, and as I freed each of them, they joined in the cathartic beating.

As the last joined the dogpile, I looked at the pirate as best I could. From the way his skull looked more like some fucked up work of art than a face, it was clear he was dead but that wasn’t stopping the freed slaves. Nor did it make me interested in stopping them. I looked around the room and moved toward a door at the far side of it. One that led further into the small building.

I could barely hear myself kick it open over the animalistic ritual going on behind me, and as I stepped through I grunted in annoyance. The room had no other exit and apart from what looked like a few sacks of grain, there was nothing of interest.

Moving back to the first room, I saw the beating was still ongoing, though the intensity had lessened. “Are there any more slaves?” I called out. As one the group turned, and I tensed. Their eyes were wild, and unhinged and for a moment I thought they might attack. Yet one, the first man I’d freed seemed to see through the collective bloodlust and held out his arms to hold back the others. As they looked at him and slowly came out of their fury, he nodded. “Where?”

The man pointed out the door and then bent it around. “Muphrg.” The sound that came from his mouth wasn’t in any language I knew, nor did Comprehension translate it for me. I moved closer and frowned at what I saw. The man’s tongue had been cut off, which explained why he couldn’t tell me where to go, and why no one had spoken up when I’d entered the room. I glared at what remained of the body on the ground, my anger spiking at what he and the rest of his fellows had done. If I found any alive, and if I could restrain myself, I’d take them alive. The slaves could finish them off instead.

“The next building?” The man nodded at my words. “Follow me out, and then make your way to the pier. We’ve beached a ship there. Once we’ve freed the others and cleared the buildings, if my knight, Prince Oberyn Martell, allows, we’ll take you with us to Sunspear.” Many in the group reacted to hearing I was here with a Martell, and as many nodded a few fell to their knees. Tears began to flow as the group realised their terror was over. Though a few slaves looked at me hopefully, almost pleadingly, and as I remembered the girl I’d seen before, I wondered how many of them had a family member in the other group.

I moved forward, the group parting for me, and stepped back into the sun. After taking a moment to readjust to the bright light, I turned and marched to the next building. My blood boiled, desiring vengeance for what had been done to these people and wanting to free the rest of the slaves.

The door to the third building was sturdier than the last, and a chain held it closed. That lasted only a few moments before I was able to slash through it with Red Rain, my anger leaving deep gouges in the stone wall where I’d hacked at the makeshift lock. Before I could kick the door a groan drew my attention. I pivoted and marched toward the source, finding a wounded pirate crawling away from the beach, hoping to escape inland. With a snarl, I lifted Red Rain high and then drove it down, burying the top third into the ground as it pierced the man’s skull like a hot knife through butter.

Blood splattered into the air as I pulled my blade clear, and as I turned back to the third building, I slammed my armoured foot down on the man’s back. The sound of bones breaking brought a smile to my face as I stormed toward the door, even as I tried to settle my rage. Those I expected to find inside didn’t deserve my fury.

Still, as I kicked the door open, the terror-filled screams that greeted my ears made it hard to stay calm. As did the sight that greeted me as I entered. Seven women, the youngest possibly younger than me, were, like the men before, tied to the walls. The difference here was that their ropes were secured to hooks above their heads. I grunted even as the women all crawled back at the empty rings in the room, and the dried pools of blood under them.

Even though every fibre of my being wanted me to step back outside, to find any semi-breathing pirate and inflict untold pain upon them, I stayed where I was. Slowly, I lowered my blade and shield. While they couldn’t see my face, I hoped the gesture might alleviate some of their fear. “I… I’m not here to hurt you,” I said slowly, but loud enough that my voice carried over their panicked whimpers.

I moved closer to the nearest girl, and she backed up, pulling hard enough on her bindings that I saw a trickle of blood slide down from her wrist. I stopped as I saw that, and took a moment to once more calm myself before I changed plans. While freeing these girls was important, I needed an outlet for my rage, and there was a door that led further into the building.

I moved across the room quickly, keeping my blade and shield low to not scare the girls any further. Though I wasn’t able to restrain my fury as I kicked the door hard enough that it broke from its hinges and clattered to the floor, drawing another round of frightened gasps from the girls.

As I stepped onto the downed door, I growled in annoyance at finding the room beyond empty. That annoyance only grew as the next two rooms failed to provide an outlet for my rage. The third door, to what had to be the final room of the building, however, gave me an outlet. Unlike the other doors, this one was secured by two heavy chains, each sealed with a padlock. It took a few hacks with Red Rain – due to the thickness of the chains – to each before they lay at my feet. Kicking the door in, I stepped inside, curious at what needed to be kept locked away, and paused once bare inside.

The room was small, perhaps five square metres, but it held three chests. The largest was about the length of my arm while the smallest could’ve been hidden behind my shield simply by resting it on my arm. I knelt and flicked open the nearest chest and inhaled sharply. It was full of coin. A quick glance showed not all of it was Dragons and Stags. Some bore seals that I knew were coinage in the Free Cities while a few bore marks I didn’t recognize.

The other chests, once opened, revealed further treasure in the form of coin, trinkets, and other valuables. As I stood and moved out of the room, I wondered why a small base like this held such a pile of valuables. While they’d likely targeted other passing ships, the haul here suggested they’d hit more than just a few vessels. That had me wondering just how long this little base had been active, and if they might be linked to another, larger pirate operation somewhere on the Broken Arm or in the Stepstones.

Those thoughts were pushed from my mind as I returned to the first room, and the girls present backed up again as I entered. I moved toward what looked like the oldest, though it was hard to tell as while they were better fed than the men, they weren’t in great condition. “Raise your hands,” I said softly but with enough weight that the woman knew she should obey.

Her hands came up, shaking slightly as she watched me intently. There was fear and disgust in her eyes, which made sense even if I hated having it directed at me. I slid Red Rain between her wrists, letting it rest against her bindings and watched as a faint flicker of hope passed over her before she beat it down. That meant she’d been here so long that she no longer expected to be rescued.

That flicker returned as I pulled my blade through the rope. I took it slow, not wanting to hurt her any further, but the rope severed as the Valyrian steel dug in. Her hands fell to her side, and she blinked, not believing what had happened. “I’m the squire of Prince Oberyn Martell,” I said loudly as I looked around the room. “The pirates that captured you are all dead or soon will be.”

“My lord?” The girl I’d just freed from her bindings spoke, in a Valyrian dialect.

“Forgive me,” I replied in High Valyrian. While I didn’t know where she came from, High Valyrian was understood by most in the Free Cities, so she and any other who didn’t speak the Common Tongue of Westeros should understand me. “I’m the squire of Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne. We’re here, by chance, to free you.”

The flicker of hope in her eyes exploded and she shuffled closer. I tensed as her hands came to rest against my cussies. As her head leaned against me, she started to whisper something. Even as she held onto me, as if scared I would somehow disappear, I saw the others were all leaning toward me, their arms outstretched as far as they could go, wanting their binds cut as well.

“I need to help the others.” The woman at my legs looked up, her eyes red and wet, and nodded. As she pulled back, I moved to the next girl. The moment her bonds were cut she scampered over to another. The pair held each other close and even through the dirt and abuse they’d suffered; it was clear they were related. I moved to that girl and cut her bonds, allowing the pair to embrace properly.

“My lord,” I turned from cutting the ropes of the fourth girl to see the first had come close. She was standing near me, but her head was low, not willing to meet my eyes. A flash of rage burst through me at seeing the bruising on her face and body – which like the others, was only covered by a simple dress that was torn enough to expose a good amount of skin – but I pushed it aside. She and the others didn’t deserve to be the focus of that rage. No, that would be reserved for the next pirate I met. Or barring that, the next fool I sparred with back in Sunspear. “Th-there are other slaves…”

“I’ve already freed the men in the next building,” I cut in. Her expression brightened and I wondered who over there she was related to. “While I know you want to see them again, it’s better if we all exit together. The pirates should all be dead, but one or two might still be hidden.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

She stepped away and I returned to freeing the slaves. Once that was done, and after I’d escorted them to the pier, I prayed to the Old Gods there was still a living pirate in the cove. I wanted… No, I needed to find a way to release the anger built up inside and pummelling the face of one of those responsible for this place felt like a good way to do that.

… …

I smiled back at Eirnela as she looked up at me. She was sitting on the pier beside her sister, Vorela, who was devouring some hard biscuits that had been unloaded from the Windchaser. Eirnela had been the girl who’d scrambled over to another when I’d cut her ropes, and the pair had stayed close to me ever since I’d freed them.

A few of the other slaves had been reunited with family members or friends, and all of them were sitting around the dock, or on the deck of the Windchaser enjoying their first meal as freed people. The crew was moving around, as were crewmembers from our two escort ships. While neither of them could enter the cove, as three ships was its limit, they’d rowed in crew and supplies to help with the unexpected – at least to most people – discovery of slaves.

The buildings had been looted of everything of value, and while I’d have happily let the freed people burn them down, Oberyn and Larazar had been correct to say we couldn’t. The cove offered refuge to those trying to ride out a storm, and taking away the buildings might mean life or death for the next ship that needed the cove’s protection.

Still, none of the freed people had shown any interest in the buildings once they’d gathered on the docks. Well, save a few girls finding the bodies of particular pirates and pounding at them until they almost fainted from exhaustion.

Movement on the Windchaser’s deck drew my attention and I saw Ty and Alysanne moving among the group up there, handing out drinks. Nearby Beron, with Wylla at his side, was speaking with others. This might be the first time any of them, bar Ty, had needed to use Valyrian outside of their Maester’s lessons.

“Cregan,” I turned at hearing my name called and saw Oberyn standing near where the pier met the beach with Ser Garhar and another knight from one of the escort vessels. He waved me over, and while like me, he and the other knights were still in armour, his helm was off and his shield back on the Windchaser. “How are they doing?”

“About as well as they can.” I looked back at the slaves, catching Eirnela look away sharply. “Though I doubt any will recover from their torment easily.”

“No, I doubt they will.” Oberyn paused and gave Ser Garhar and the other knight a nod. The pair returned it and moved away, heading to what remained of the loot pile that had formed near the pier. The chests I’d discovered were already secured in my cabin, along with some other objects Oberyn had marked as valuable. The rest, which included some rugs and tableware that might have resale value, had been added to the general hold. “Once they’re fed, get them on board. We’ll need some help to crew the captured ships, but the girls should be able to bunk on the Windchaser at least until we’re out of the cove and can see about moving them around.”

“I’d suggest making sure families and friends are kept together.”

“Yes, I already planned for that, which is why I’ll leave distributing our new guests as you see fit,” he replied with a smirk. He looked at Ser Garhar as he and the other knight – who I’d yet to learn their name but was in the service of House Manderly – helped carry the rest of the loot down the pier. “Have you thought about what you’ll do with your share?”

I frowned, forgetting for a moment that the spoils of this battle, and the one at sea, would be shared out among us and the crew of the Windchaser. “I… I think I’ll give it to the freed slaves. They’ll need the help to start a new life, be that in Sunspear or elsewhere.”

Oberyn looked past me, toward the ships. “Aye, I think you’re right.” He smiled as he looked back at me. “Most wouldn’t make such a choice. Only those with a good and noble heart would place the innocent before themselves.” He took a step toward me, his hand moving to his hilt. “And your decision makes me more certain of mine. Kneel,” he commanded as he unsheathed his sword.

I blinked, disbelieving what he was doing at first. Once I realised he was serious, I did as asked and knelt. Even as I looked down at the ground, my hand on my knee that wasn’t on the ground, I hoped he wouldn’t ask me to swear a vow to the Seven.

“Cregan Sand, do you swear, before the eyes of gods and men, to defend those who cannot defend themselves? To protect all women and children, to obey the commands of your captains, your liege lords, and your king. To fight bravely when needed and do such other tasks that are given, however hard, humble or dangerous they might be?”

“I do, my prince.” I tried to keep my voice calm, but a faint tremor of disbelief slipped into it. I felt his sword move over my head, coming close to my shoulders but not touching them.

“Then rise, Ser Cregan Sand, Knight of the Broken Arm.”

As I rose, he gave me a wide smile and even as he re-sheathed his sword, clasped my arm. Behind us, as we hugged, I heard clapping. Once free of my father’s grip, I turned to see several people, including most of the slaves, Ty and the others, had stopped what they were doing and were now cheering me.

Eirnela took a step toward me, only to stop as Ymir barked. As he rushed down the deck plank, several of the slaves moved quickly to avoid the excited pup. I knelt again to greet him, laughing as he licked happily at my face. Above us, I heard a screech and looked up to see Rian swoop low, coming in to land on the bow of the Windchaser.

Ty, Alysanne, Beron and Wylla all followed Ymir from the ship, and as I stood and moved toward them, I wondered how others would react to this.

I was looking forward to rubbing it in Daemon’s face that I’d been knighted less than a moon before my fourteenth nameday. Daemon being knighted at nineteen was the more normal time someone was knighted, and while I didn’t know of any who were knighted so young, I’d earned the honour at a younger age than him.

I suspected Arianne and Nymeria – among others – would have smiles to match Ty’s and Alysanne’s, while my mother would be happy, but want to know how I earned my title. Still, the barking at my leg made me suspect they’d all be more interested in the story of how I’d gained a direwolf than the details of a minor battle on the Dornish coast.

I stepped toward Ty, smiling as I moved. While there was still a lot for us to sort through, seeing her smile so joyously again after several moons lifted a weight from my heart. She still had a ton of work to regain a place in my bed - and far more to regain my trust - but something told me she wouldn’t be averse to trying. Nor I to her attempts.

… …

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