Skyrim System In Westeros

Torturer's Deep, the third-largest island in the Stepstones by land area, boasted fertile soil cultivated by slaves captured in pirate raids. On its western coast lay a natural deepwater bay, serving as a sheltered harbor that over time became a hub for pirates seeking supplies. It was the second most pirate-infested island in the Stepstones, surpassed only by Tyrosh.

Robert Baratheon had ordered the Westerlands fleet to target this island. The island had no lord or pirate leader, and upon hearing of the impending attack by the Seven Kingdoms' fleet, most fled. Those who remained were stragglers, slaves, and women.

Jaime Lannister, uninterested in slaughtering such unworthy opponents, pitched his tent on high ground overlooking the port. The weather was bright and sunny, and he lounged in a chair, drinking wine and eating roasted meat while watching the chaos unfold below.

Nearby, his blond-haired squire, Donnel Sarsfield, begrudgingly polished Jaime's armor and sword, using grease from a small tin. His face betrayed his irritation, but he dared not voice it.

Two figures approached the tent hastily.

The first was a tall, broad-shouldered man clad in ash-gray plate armor. A longsword and a dagger hung from his waist, and a warhammer was strapped to his back — his ability to carry such heavy weaponry spoke to his extraordinary strength.

Reaching the tent, the man removed his dog-shaped helmet, revealing a grotesque face. The left side was a mangled mess — his ear reduced to a hole, the area around his eye covered in twisted scars, his skin pockmarked and leathery, with red fissures appearing whenever the scars stretched. His long hair failed to conceal the disfigurement.

Jaime Lannister greeted him. "Sandor Clegane, the Hound. Why aren't you clearing out pirates? What brings you here?"

Sandor Clegane, now head of his family since his brother Gregor's poisoning by the Dornish, wore a golden cloak embroidered with three black hounds over his plate armor. Catching his breath, he spoke in his grating voice, "The Reach fleet suffered a disastrous defeat at Grey Gallows."

"What? They lost?" Jaime's jaw dropped in shock. He tossed aside his knife and fork, grabbed a silk napkin to wipe his mouth, then turned to his cousin. "And you, Lancel Lannister? What's your business with me?"

Lancel, Jaime's 15-year-old cousin and the eldest son of Kevan Lannister, was not yet a knight. Dressed in the red-and-gold armor of House Lannister, he stammered nervously, "Our patrol fleet spotted large numbers of Reach ships retreating. Some have even sailed into our waters."

The reports from Sandor and Lancel corroborated the news of the Reach fleet's defeat.

Jaime remained silent, struggling to comprehend how the forces of the Reach could lose. The Seven Kingdoms had united to crush the Stepstones, a seemingly guaranteed victory given their overwhelming numbers.

Looking at his own Westerlands fleet, Jaime noted how many noble families had brought their young heirs to earn glory in the campaign. Surely, the other fleets were similarly composed. Even with such overconfidence, they still had nearly ten times the enemy's numbers.

Behind Jaime, Donnel Sarsfield, having overheard the news, paused his polishing and stepped closer to stand by his knight.

The hillside, strewn with rocks, was too rugged for horses. Both Sandor and Lancel had climbed it on foot in their armor and now stood, panting from the effort.

"Donnel, pour these two a drink to wet their throats," Jaime commanded.

Donnel Sarsfield rummaged around the table, eventually producing two cups and pouring wine. Lancel accepted his cup with a polite "thank you." Sandor Clegane, the Hound, took his cup while eyeing Donnel, whose face betrayed his reluctance. The boy bore a striking resemblance to Joffrey — no, even turned to ashes, he would still be Joffrey.

Sandor had crossed paths with Joffrey Baratheon during his time in the Westerlands, as it was impossible not to pay attention to the prince. He had committed Joffrey's face to memory. After carrying out Tywin Lannister's orders to eliminate several wealthy farmers, Sandor had returned to find that Queen Cersei and her three children had supposedly committed suicide in Casterly Rock. His brother, Gregor, had then been poisoned by the Dornish. Now, here stood Joffrey, alive, with a new name and identity, standing behind Jaime.

Yet Sandor cared little for such matters. Gregor's death brought him nothing but satisfaction; as long as he followed orders, he had no intention of digging deeper. Knowing too much only shortened one's lifespan.

"Hound, explain the situation in detail," Jaime said, turning to Sandor. Lancel's stammering made it clear he was of little use.

Sandor began, "According to accounts from Reach deserters, their initial assault on Grey Gallows was a success. Large landing forces made it ashore with barely any resistance."

Still parched, Sandor refilled his cup and drank deeply before continuing. "On the second day after the landing, their patrolling ships encountered a small group of unidentified pirates. A skirmish ensued, with losses on both sides, but the pirates retreated before reinforcements arrived. For several days, the fleet kept encountering pirates, forcing many of their warships to disperse around the island to defend the surrounding waters.

"On the ninth day, a massive pirate fleet appeared. These pirates were fierce in naval combat. Most of the Reach lords' warships were sunk. The few that managed to rescue the landing troops were pursued until the royal fleet arrived, driving off the pirates."

Jaime drummed his fingers rhythmically on the table. "Who among them was killed?"

"The Reach fleet is in full retreat, and all we have are reports from deserters. Nothing confirmed yet. However, one thing is certain — the Reach lost more than half their forces. Some witnesses identified the pirate flagship's banner: House Greyjoy."

Jaime paused to think. "The only surviving Greyjoys are the two boys fostered at Winterfell... and Euron Greyjoy."

Sandor added, "Euron is no ordinary man. Rumor has it he can summon sea monsters, and the eye beneath his patch holds dark magic. He also boasts a full suit of Valyrian steel armor."

Any warrior would envy Euron's Valyrian steel armor, though no one knew the truth — that Euron had recently been stripped to nothing but his underclothes by Wright.

Jaime fell silent, lost in thought.

Lancel, who had yet to contribute much, finally seized the opportunity to speak. "Should we go to their aid?"

Jaime looked up at him, smiling faintly. "Does House Lannister have any allies in the Reach?"

Lancel shook his head.

"Did the Reach send us a call for aid?"

Lancel shook his head again.

Jaime considered his options. Heading north to assist the Reach might mean crossing paths with the royal fleet, and if he met Robert, the king could easily find a pretext to execute him. Jaime had been avoiding Robert for years under various pretenses.

"Once we secure this island, we'll continue east to the next one. But where have all the pirates from the Stepstones fled?"

Neither Sandor nor Lancel had an answer; no intelligence had surfaced regarding their whereabouts.

---

If you can, support me on pa treon:

Pa treon. com/ RightTranslations (No spaces)

Up to 50 chapters ahead on the four novels i am translating.