Chapter 108: Racallio: Hello, Racallio
Marq Forley Frey excitedly rode in circles around the lords of the west. House Frey was not an ancient great house; his family rose to prominence during the era when the Storm Kings ruled the Riverlands. To counter the threat of the Ironborn and suppress the Riverlords west of the Gods Eye, the Storm King enfeoffed House Frey on the western frontier of the Riverlands. Forley's ancestors spent several generations building the stone bridge, earning vast wealth from it. The lords envied House Frey's prosperity and despised their outsider origins, mocking House Frey as "upstarts," and calling Forley, who boldly pursued Rhaenyra's favor, "Fool" Frey.
But now, the "Fool" Frey had become the custodian of the lords of the west, including the Lord of Casterly Rock himself, which filled Marq Frey with immense pride. Of course, Marq Frey was merely self-satisfied; he vigilantly kept the western lords separated and summoned a maester to stitch up Lord Jason's wounds.
Vermithor needed rest, and so did Long Zel. He had relentlessly pursued Vhagar for several days without sleep. Now that both Vhagar and Aemond were dead, he could finally rest properly. However, before resting, there were still matters to settle.
Long Zel entered the tent where Lord Jason was being held. The black faction's Riverlords had also gathered there, along with the warriors who had distinguished themselves in the recent battle.
Lord Tristan Vance had died while blocking the westermen. His eldest son, Lord Hugo Vance, took up his banner and led the riders of Wayfarer's Rest to cover the retreat of the Riverlands army to the second defensive line. Marq Forley Frey assumed command, stubbornly holding the western host on the western bank of the Red Fork. Lord Benjicot Blackwood displayed courage unbefitting a twelve-year-old, leading House Blackwood's heavy infantry in brutal melee combat directly against the main forces of House Swyft and House Reyne. He personally slew twelve knights. Alysanne and Bloody Ben together shot down Lord Reyne and his eldest son, as well as Ser Tywin Lannister, and captured Lord Swyft. Their achievements in this battle were second only to Marq Frey's, on par with Lord Petyr Piper, who stabilized the flank despite losing a grandson.
Long Zel generously praised all the Riverlords who participated in the war and officially legitimized Bloody Ben alongside Benjicot, renaming him Robb Blackwood to assist Benjicot together with Willem Blackwood.
"Who stabbed me with that spear?" The joyful atmosphere was broken by Lord Jason. The golden-haired lord clutched his stomach and shouted, "Step forward!"
"My lord, it was I." A young knight nervously stepped forward. He too was one of the heroes of this battle; as a squire, he had continued fighting after his knight fell and pierced Lord Jason's stomach with a spear. Upon learning this, Lord Petyr Piper laughed heartily and knighted him on the spot.
"What is your name?"
"Pate, my lord." Pate's voice trembled slightly. It was the first time in his life he had stood among so many important figures. "Pate of Longleaf."
"Good, good, good." Lord Jason was not angry. "I'll remember you, boy. Come west. If I go to the Wall, my son will grant you lands and castles. You wounded a lion upon the battlefield; you are no ordinary man."
"Lord Jason, he is my vassal." Lord Petyr tapped the bedside with dissatisfaction.
"My lords, gently." The maester grumbled unhappily. "Lord Jason requires quiet rest; his wound is severe."
"He wounded me!" Lord Jason grumbled. "That proves he's a warrior, and the west needs warriors." Lord Jason wanted to say more, but a stern look from the maester silenced him.
"Lord Jason, you must prepare yourself mentally." Long Zel glanced at the bedridden lord and sighed. "You should thank your brother Tyland. He chose to contact us when the usurper decided to abandon King's Landing. If not for him, I would not have spared you."
"Prince, even if my brother had not become your informant, you still would not have rashly burned us after we knelt." Lord Jason finally began feeling the pain, though he still smiled. "Prince, give us a hint—our children…"
"You truly should thank your brother." Long Zel rose, feeling somewhat weary. "If not for his atonement, House Lannister might not even have kept Casterly Rock. However, your timely surrender also mattered; at least only you need pay the price."
"I am deeply grateful, Your Highness." Lord Jason lowered his head gratefully.
"Ben." Long Zel continued assigning tasks. "You and Lord Petyr will march east and rendezvous with our forces east of the Gods Eye to hunt down Criston's remnants."
Benjicot nodded. Though young, his military talent had already shone brightly during the battle at the Red Fork.
"Lord Frey, you will lead the remaining main force south and coordinate with our forces in the Reach."
"Yes." Marq Forley Frey nodded and turned to prepare.
"Lord Jason, you must write to Casterly Rock. Inform them the war is over and the west must once again swear fealty to Queen Rhaenyra, otherwise next time our dragons will come."
"Yes, Prince."
When Vhagar fell at the Red Fork, Long Zel pacified the western host, reorganized the Riverlands army, and divided his forces for departure.
Otto's mission had failed. Borros refused his request for troops, claiming the Stormlands no longer had the capacity to raise another great army, and assembling one would take time—but Randal Caron and Aslan Rondel, who watched the south closely, would not give Storm's End time to gather another host.
Still, Borros permitted the mercenaries to land along the Stormlands coast, though he refused to provide supplies. Borros had completely lost interest in the war; his only wish now was for Rhaenyra to forget him as soon as possible.
Otto could only stand atop Storm's End's towers each day, anxiously awaiting the fleet of the Three Daughters.
"Racallio! Since when did you become the Varezes family's dog?" The one-eyed pirate knelt upon the burning warship, his remaining eye filled with fury and fear.
"Damn it, call me Narrow Sea—" the man opposite him suddenly paused. "Lord of Bloodstone!" The man opposite the pirate was also heavily bearded, tall and muscular, but dressed in a luxurious lady's gown adorned with amethysts and ornate embroidery. He wore a purple feathered turban, long deep-purple hair, and heavy eye shadow and lipstick.
The "Lord of Bloodstone" wielded two scimitars, beheaded the one-eyed pirate, then leapt back onto his four-hundred-oared galley, the Queen Racallio. The massive ship's oars churned through the sea, rapidly closing in on the trapped flagship of the Three Daughters.
Between the islands, flames burned everywhere. Shadowfyre spewed pale fireballs from the sky. The fireballs exploded upon warships, effortlessly cooperating with the Silver Fleet and a sizeable pirate fleet to annihilate Lohar's pirate armada.
Lohar's flagship had been completely surrounded by three Varezes galleons, and he could only watch helplessly as ship after ship of his fleet sank beneath the waves.
"Damn it, fortunately I didn't bring my own fleet." Lohar secretly breathed a sigh of relief; as long as his fleet survived, he still had a chance to rise again.
"Hello, Lohar, long time no see." The cross-dressing pirate stood upon the deck, giving Lohar the middle finger.
"Racallio?" Lohar's eyes widened in shock. "You betrayed us!"
"Ah, betrayal? Such an ugly word." Racallio shrugged indifferently. "The Silver Dragon offered a higher price, so I work for the Silver Dragon. Simple as that. By the way, aren't you curious where the main body of the Silver Fleet went?"
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