Chapter 24: Rise of the Kraken

Theon

Coming home was nothing like he had expected. Theon thought that coming back to his real family, he would be welcomed with open arms. The people cheering in the streets that their prince had returned. Instead he was mocked by the people, scorned by his father and publicly humiliated by his own sister.

"Ugh," He thought. He was trying to seduce his own sister. He 'touched' her. The very thought of her made him shudder.

Now he stood in the solar of the Sea Tower in the Castle Pyke. Already there were his uncles. Victarion, Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet, and Aeron, a priest of the Drowned Men. Asha stood nearby toying with her throwing axe.

Victarion was the epitome of Ironborn, large, powerful and fierce. It was rare to see him without armour, and today was no exception. He was clad in full heavy plate, even at sea. For like most ironborn, he didn't fear drowning. Though he was a fierce warrior and a capable commander, he lacked the cleverness of his older brother Euron. Regardless Victarion was well respected among the Ironborn warriors.

Aeron was considered the holiest man on the Iron Islands. Though he wasn't the leader of the Drowned men, they follow him as if he were. He never cut his hair and it was usually caked in seaweed earning the nickname Damphair.

While Theon paced around nervously, the rest of his family seemed content waiting patiently for their King to arrive. Finally, Balon arrived he spared them a glance before seating himself down and leaning over the map of Westeros. The plans have been made, now it's time you all heard them."

Everyone greeted Balon respectfully while giving him a bow. "The Wolves have gone south, with the entire northern army. While they fight the lions in the south, the North is now ripe for the taking. The ironborn will reave and pillage as it was in the days of old."

"The drowned God shall bless our swords," Aeron declared.

Balon turned to his second brother. "Victarion the most important task I shall bestow on your shoulders. You will take the Iron Fleet and sail into the Fever River, from there you shall take Moat Cailin from the north side. The Neck is the key to the North, with Moat Cailin taken, Lord Stark will be unable to retake his home."

"It will be done, My King." Victarion bowed, a small smile spread across his lips.

Balon nodded and continued. "Asha, my daughter. You will take thirty longships and a thousand men to take Deepwood Motte."

Asha smiled gleefully, "I always wanted a castle for my own."

"Then take it, it's yours."

Theon could hold his tongue no longer. "Father, what will be my role in all this?"

Balon raised his chin and narrowed his eyes. "You will take eight ships to raid the fishing villages along the stony shore. Destroy any ship you happen to find. Aeron will accompany you"

Theon was taken aback by this, His uncle and sister had been given castles to take, while his father sends him off to do reavers work. Theon stepped forward, "Father, this is a bold plan but perhaps we should be more cautious about this."

Balon scoffed. "Robb the boy brought all the experienced warriors south with him. All that remains are the old, the young and the weak. Every castle will yield to us one by one. It will be all ours forest field and hall."

"But for how long?" Theon wondered. "Lord Stark is allied with Stannis Baratheon. Lord Stannis commands the bulk of the Royal Fleet, over one hundred ships. We are few in number and King Roland grows stronger every day. How long do you think we can hold the North before Roland sends his Uncle over here to make us give it all back. Forest, field and hall."

Theon looked around and noticed that Aeron's humorless face paled at the mention of Stannis Baratheon.

"He is a Greenlander," Victarion declared. "If he dares to sail against us, then I will crush him and his little fleet in the sea."

Theon looked at him perplexed. "Like you crushed him at Fair Isle? Or have you forgotten what Stannis did to you on that day."

Victarion flew into a rage and grabbed Theon by the throat, "Don't even think I have forgotten Fair Isle boy," he snarled. "Stannis got lucky, nothing more. The next time we meet I will not fail."

Victarion let go and Theon crumpled to the floor. "Luck had nothing to do with it Uncle," Theon replied calmly. "Stannis Baratheon is one of the finest military commanders in Westeros, He has won every battle he has ever fought. He destroyed out fleet, took our largest Isles. He will not be beaten so easily."

In truth Victarion was still haunted by the memory of Fair Isle, the longships burning, men screaming in the water. He had lost a lot of good men that day. And it's all because of King Robert's younger brother. Though he would never openly admit it to anyone, Stannis Baratheon was one of the only men he both respected and feared. 'Balon doesn't fear Stannis' Victarion thought. 'But that's only because he doesn't know enough of Stannis as I do.'

Flashback to the battle of Fair Isle

Victarion Greyjoy smiled at the memory of the great Lannister Fleet set ablaze while still in anchor in Lannisport. "I can't believe Euron's plan actually worked," he thought. Though he hated his elder brother, Victarion could not deny that he had a mind for war. He imagined the look on old Tywin Lannister's face when he discovered his once powerful fleet was burnt to the ground, not that it mattered. Thanks to Euron and Victarion, the Ironborn now ruled the Sunset Sea. The Ironborn had the largest fleet in the western seas, their only rivals were the Reach but soon they would be destroyed as well.

The Redwynes have the largest fleet in the west next to the Ironborn, sadly for them Stannis Baratheon had ordered half of their fleet to sail to King's Landing in order to defend the capital. What foolishness, the Ironborn have no use for the throne but it gave Victarion an opportunity as he had learned from captured sailors that ten of the largest Redwyne ships intend to sail to the Westerlands. They would be defended by nearly half of their remaining fleet and leaving the bulk of the Reach to be defended by the likes of the Hightowers. Victarion knew what they were doing- Tywin hoped to exact vengeance by gathering a fleet large enough to sail his forces to the Iron Islands; sadly there is not a thing that happens in the sea that the Ironborn do not know of.

Almost immediately Victarion had sent his brother Aeron and their fastest ships to harass the Redwynes while Victarion took the bulk of the Iron Fleet and sailed around them to the only place the Redwynes would have to sail through- the Straits of Fail Isle. Victarion left twenty ships to deal with what remained of the Reach's navy, they were of no consequence.

That was Victarion's first mistake, he divided his forces into three because he was overconfident in the new longships Balon Greyjoy had constructed. Unlike the ironborn longboats, the longships of the Iron Fleet were built for war. They were three times larger than standard longboats and were heavily armed, complete with a ram on the bow. But they were new, untested when compared to the likes of the Reach and the Royal Fleet. By splitting his forces Victarion made a grave error as the smaller longboats Aeron led were far better scouts and outriders, a tactic "greenmen" would know all too well. Euron warned him not to spit their fleet, but Victarion was sure of success. Without those fast and nimble ships, Victarion was unaware of Stannis Baratheon setting sail towards the Reach. Nor was he aware that the Redwyne Fleet was in truth hiding behind the Shield Islands waiting for the counter-attack.

Every Reach Lord knew that the Iron Fleet was too large to take on their own, they would need to strike them with the combined might of the Royal Fleet and every remaining ship in the Reach but even then that would not be enough. They need to trap the Ironborn, keep the bulk of their fleet from escaping and for that those ten ships and their escorts were comprised of volunteers who knew that they needed to bleed. Of course, that didn't mean the Aeron's forces didn't bleed as well as they soon reached the strait with the Ironborn gaining fast behind them.

Sadly for them, Stannis knows a very good smuggler who leads the fastest ships in the fleet to the Strait and waited.

It did not take long for Victarion to catch up to his brother aboard the Iron Victory he knew something was wrong. The ten Reach ships had more than just the standard crew on board, they had far too many archers and scorpions to be considered a proper transport ship. These were war galleys disguised to trick the Ironborn as their scorpions tore apart Aeron's longboats the moment Victarion arrived with archers quickly eliminating the Ironborn manning the scorpions. Aeron was unable to escape properly as soon after two more fleets arrived, one to prevent Aeron from escaping and another to stop Victarion from circling around.

Victarion quickly ordered his fleet to engage but then came his next mistake, most of the ship's scorpions were to the side or forward and the strait did not provide enough room for the larger ships to turn. Ironborn were against placing scorpions to their rear, the only reason to show your rear is when retreating and Ironborn do not retreat. That belief cost them dearly as the newer larger longships attempted to turn only to hit each other in the process. The older longboats might have been able to but they were now cut off from the rest of the main fleet thanks to the newer ships. Looking in the distance Victarion saw the all too familiar sigil of the CROWNED stag flying on the sails of the leading ship.

The triple-decked war galley was enormous, even Victarion was impressed by it's size. It had a very strong bow made for ramming smaller ships and strong sides to prevent the same thing from happening to her. Victarion knew all too well what the ship was- The Fury Stannis Baratheon's personal ship and the current flagship of the entire Royal Fleet.

Victarion could do nothing as the largest of the ships led by the Fury charged at their flanks, punching through Victarion's own confused ships reducing them to splinters. Then he saw it, Aeron saw an opening to escape so he took the Golden Storm through the small opening with the surviving longboats following suit. Victarion watched as the Fury was cutting straight through the longboats heading charging straight at the Golden Storm. Victarion saw an opportunity- the Royal Fleet was now in range of their scorpions.

Acting quickly Victarion shouted his orders in anger "Load scorpions fire at the greenlanders."

One fool sought to question his decision by stating the truth, "Captain our fleet will be struck as well."

Victarion, red with rage over falling for such a trap quickly decapitated the fool and looked to the remaining crew for any more mutiny. He found none as the crew went straight to work loading the scorpions and firing, years of reaving teaching the shooters to aim for the oars and the sails of the enemy fleet to disable them for capture. Sadly that tactic did not end well as Victarion could only watch in horror as his right flank was destroyed by Stannis Baratheon and his fleet.

This was not the end of the Captain's anguish as he saw the Golden Storm being disabled by multiple scorpion bolts. Some tore through the sails, a few more jammed the rubber. The Golden Storm's left flank was now at the mercy of the Fury's ram. It could not turn or sail fast enough to avoid the charging warship. Victarion could only watch helplessly as the Fury sliced through the Golden Storm. His brother's ship exploded into splinters as it was cut clean in half by the giant war galley.

"AEROOOOOON," Victarion cried out reaching out to the sea. He slammed his fist against the railing of his ship. Victarion wondered if his brother survived, it would be a miracle if he had. A part of him wanted to go over to the wreckage and look for him, but the ironborn within him refused. 'He is with the Drowned God now,' Victarion thought bitterly.

In the end only a few Ironborn longships MANAGED to survive, mostly thanks to Euron. Euron commanded the left flank and his ships were able to to some damage, His ship the Silence had manage to sink a couple of galleys while his other ships manage to take down ten others. The Fury was now all alone as Victarion, forgetting his duties abandoned his fleet in search of vengeance as he donned his Kraken helm and readied his axe.

"Prepare to ram the Fury!" Victarion commanded and this time the men agreed without question as nearby ships also heard the orders of their leader and made ready; they may lose this battle but they're going to kill a stag as payment.

This was the iron price as Victarion's craft set sail with his escort ships following suit, their scorpions firing at any ships that attempted to bar their way.

As the Fury continued to smash through more longships, the Iron Victory, charged straight at the Fury's port side. Victarion's escorts distracted the Fury to give the Iron Victory the chance it needed to close in.

A moment before the ram made contact, Victarion could make out the man responsible for his brother's demise, Stannis Baratheon stood on the bow of the Fury staring down at him. He donned an antler helm, and his golden cloak flapped in the sea wind. Unlike most greenlanders, Stannis was clad in chainmail and plate armour. Finally, a man worth killing," Victarion thought. Already the Greyjoy could picture the bastard being torn limb from limb by his axe until he begs for mercy, this was all he wanted as the Iron Victory closed in on the Fury.

"WHAT IS DEAD MAY NEVER DIE!" Victarion declared just before the ship ran through the side of the Fury.

Almost any other ship, and it might of been a killing blow. But the Fury wasn't the flagship of the Royal fleet for nothing. The ship was strong, Victarion could admit that as the Iron Victory pierced the port side of the Fury. The Fury held firm and the ram of the Iron Victory ended up breaking off and jammed in the side of the war galley. The Iron Victory was one of the largest Ironborn ships second only to the Great Kraken. But it was still a full deck lower than the Fury.

Looking to his surroundings Victarion knew this was the only ship that made it past the hail of arrows and scorpion bolts as he took a moment to give thanks to the sailors that lost their lives.

"GET THE HOOKS!" One of the men commanded as the Ironborn quickly went about their duties by throwing grappling hooks to the top of the ship.

"Archers" Stannis knew all too well that a single longship could hold around one hundred men. All of whom clad in full plate armor and swords were far more effective than the two hundred or so men on board his own ship. Though about sixty were properly armed and armoured, the rest were either archers or light infantry.

"Cut the ropes!" Stannis ordered, the men passing along their orders as several pirates began to fall down. Some were lucky enough to land back on their ship, others landed into the water and no doubt drowned from all of the heavy armor. Though the heavy armour did offer a degree of protection against the archers.

Eventually, the Ironborn manage to climb and swarm the deck of the Fury. On the deck of his flagship, Stannis drew his bastard sword and charged at the intruders.

The Ironborn were arrogant, overconfident, and the soldiers of the Royal Fleet exploited this through their skills at repelling boarders. Stannis charged into the fray noting a reaver with an axe planning on taking his head so the Lord of Dragonstone ducked and quickly slashed at the ribs, noting that the armor at least saved his life for the moment. Sadly not for long as Stannis quickly followed through with a quick thrust through the gap in his opponent's armor that no doubt tore through many vital organs.

As a rule in sword fighting, you don't run your opponent through with the sword, the blood, organs, and bone might hold onto the blade long enough for another opponent to quickly finish you off. Stannis knew this rule all too well and while he didn't fight in as many battles as the "great" King Robert the young Baratheon still knew enough to stab his opponent deep enough to ensure he would die.

Seeing another Ironborn taking advantage of his current predicament Stannis used his Baratheon strength to yank the blade out of his opponent's rib cage, using the momentum to avoid his next opponent's downward swing and return it in kind by removing his arm at the elbow.

The man screamed only for Stannis to strike the pirate's throat with his sword's pummel with enough force that the Ironborn's windpipe was crushed. Another Ironborn rushed past him, believing Stannis was occupied to which Stannis replied with a blow to the back of the man's neck with a swing of his sword. The head didn't come clean off, Stannis carried castle-forged steel, not Valyrian steel instead the blade cut clean into the spine as yet another Ironborn came charging in with a loud roar.

With another quick yank Stannis freed his blade and brought his sword up just enough to block the strike before sliding his sword free of the clash and turn to face his opponent while using the momentum again to his advantage. The added speed and the all too famous Baratheon strength struck his opponent's sword with enough force to actually shatter the blade. Taking advantage of his opponent's lack of a blade Stannis brought his sword up and with a quick strike with the edge of the blade the Ironborn found his neck cut open.

Now the Ironborn knew not to attack him one at a time as two raiders rushed him one had an axe another a sword, sadly none were prepared for Stannis Baratheon.

With a quick shove of his dying opponent, Stannis distracted the ax-wielding assailant long enough to drive his sword into the shoulder blade of the other fighter. The blade cut deep enough to sever the Ironborn's collar bone and in a gush of blood the man went down without much of a fight.

The ax-wielder screamed in agony for his lost comrade and swung wild with his axe, the large two handed blade aimed at Stannis's neck. At the corner of his eye, Stannis saw this and let go of his sword before crouching low enough to avoid the ax swing, drawing his dagger in the process.

In the world of knights and plated armor, a simple sword swing isn't enough, momentum and strength help as Stannis turned enough to the side to face with his opponent and pierced the exposed part of his armor in the side.

His liver was no doubt pierced, the dagger was nearly a foot long in length, thin enough to SLIP through armor but strong enough to pierce flesh and bone like his sword did. Stannis knew his opponent was not down as he yanked his dagger free and quickly sliced his opponent's right wrist and watched as the Ironborn screamed in pain before backing away from his ax out of reflex.

Sadly it was not far enough as Stannis drove his dagger into his opponent's right eye socket, the blade piercing through the skull itself.

"BARATHEON!" Stannis heard out of nowhere as he suddenly found himself tackled by an Ironborn who was red with fury.

Quickly recovering Stannis saw his opponent had a Kraken helm and a large battleaxe the weapons of Victarion Greyjoy, the leader of the Ironborn Fleet.

Stannis frowned and his eyes narrowed before rolling away from his opponent's axe, the powerful blade cutting clean through the deck of the Fury with minimal resistance as the Lord of Dragonstone spotted his sword beside a dead crew member.

Grabbing his sword Stannis brought it to his defense but knew that striking his sword against a battleaxe would end very badly so instead he ducked again and attempted to pierce Victarion's knee only to be met with plated armor and chainmail. His blade was castle-forged steel, but Victarion's plate armor and weapons were well made, meaning Stannis would have to switch tactics against this one.

Stannis was unlike any other warrior Victarion had ever fought. Though not a giant of a man like his brother, Stannis was still an imposing figure. As tall and powerful as Victarion himself. Usually his enemies would snarl at him or at least show signs of rage. Stannis did nothing of the sort, His face was devoid of emotion. His piercing blue eyes filled with iron determination and concentration. For some reason this lack of emotion unnerved him. Victarion usually found amusement at seeing the expressions on his opponent's faces. Stannis refuse to give him such satisfaction. Victarion smiled to himself knowing that he was in for a good fight.

It didn't matter Stannis was prepared for this as he backed away from his opponent's range, hmphing while doing so as he knew from experience what it's like to be on the receiving end of a battleaxe. Even with the armor, he wore Stannis knew he would be unable to stand just from the force and pain of the blow. Stannis used his sword to direct the axe in another direction.

As he missed again and again, Victarion was growing frustrated. Sweat poured down his head as Stannis robbed him of one killing blow after another. Those blows ha manage to land glanced harmlessly off Stannis' armour. "HOLD STILL BARATHEON," he roared as his swings became more and more wild.

Robert would have charged straight at his opponent, Warhammer in hand without any caution, Stannis, however, was not his brother and instead avoided the powerful axe blows of Victarion Greyjoy while moving to cut any weak parts in the Greyjoy armor. Robert was stronger, but Stannis was quicker.

Most Ironborn never forged any of their armor, it was taken as trophies and Victarion was one of the rare exceptions. Stannis took note of the various gaps in the armor Victarion protected with chain mail. It was still there but first, he would have to break the chains as Stannis dodged each strike and learned his opponent's fighting style while also landing a few blows himself.

Chain mail doesn't break easily but salt water does rust it, something the Greyjoys spend their entire lives in. Stannis tested his theory by hacking at the exposed chain mail. They were softer, easier to cut into Stannis knew he had an opening so he took it as he went on the offensive. Years of fighting against his brother in mock battles had taught Stannis much, fighting against power centered opponents was one of them as Stannis moved right while freighting left. Victarion over extended his swing and left him wide open as the Greyjoy was without a shield to defend himself with.

With all his might Stannis swung powerful blows that his Baratheon ancestors would be proud of as he struck with all his might. Once the Ironborn see their leader fall they will retreat just the same as his own forces would; regardless the Iron Fleet was history even with Stannis falling in battle.

However, Stannis Baratheon has no intention of falling here so far away, no wife of his own, no child to call his own, nothing to carry on his legacy no Stannis Baratheon will not fall on this day as he swung faster and harder. Victarion attempted to bring his axe to counter but Stannis would allow him, he would hack and hammer at his opponent with wild anger as all fighting stopped at the sight.

"Ours is the Fury" rung true that day as Victarion was tackled to the ground and unlike Stannis, the heavier armor was too much weight for him to avoid any blows so instead the Ironborn brought his axe up in defense.

Stannis came crashing down with the sword in hand, the blow would have taken a man's head clean off, if not for Victarion's weapon. Instead, the blade met Victarion's axe leaving a nitch in the axe blade. The wooden handle of the axe snapped from the blow as Victarion found his axe broken in half as the Greyjoy decided to try one last time to take his opponent down with him.

His axe was broken yes but the shaft was still very sharp and as Stannis Baratheon kicked the remnants of Victarion's axe from his left-hand Victarion struck with his right hand.

Sadly the Lord of Dragonstone knew this was coming and instead pierced the Greyjoy's forearm, forcing the weapon out of Victarion's hand.

He could still use his hand, Stannis saw to that but that was the only mercy he would give a pirate as he kicked the Kraken helm of his opponent with a harsh blow that would kill most men. Victarion instead played possum as Stannis saw the Ironborn were retreating when it was clear their Captain was losing and he could hear the cheers of victory in his crew.

Of course, Stannis didn't smile instead he moved to free his sword from the body it was buried in when Victarion acted.

He yanked the broken sword free from his wrist and stabbed one of the soldiers that were intent on SECURING him in chains. The soldier died as the blade pierced his stomach but Victarion was far from over as he grabbed the soldier's sword and attempted to make up for this humiliating defeat.

Stannis was prepared, his sword in hand as he was prepared to finish the fight with one blow when an arrow went flying into the air. The arrow pierced the chain mail that protected the back of Victarion's knee as the arrowhead just barely missed any critical parts of the knee. Any lower the Greyjoy would never walk proper again, he should be lucky that a small wave knocked the archer's aim off by a centimeter despite the blow still disabling the Ironborn. Another arrow pierced his left shoulder beneath the arm.

Every survivor of the battle looked at the archer who fired the shot, a young sailor who was obviously a deck hand rather than a real soldier. As a result, he wasn't a part of the fighting nor was he a professional as he had a large smirk on his face and said: "Well he use to be an Ironborn until he got an arrow to the knee."

No one laughed at the joke, it felt dated and old as one of the soldiers nearby slapped the archer on the back of the head for his terrible joke.

Regardless the Iron Fleet was done for, word had already spread that Robert was sailing towards the Iron Islands in force with all but Dorne behind him.

"Forgive me, brother," Victarion muttered, "I failed you, and I failed our people." With the Iron Fleet destroyed, and he himself captured, there will be nothing standing between Robert Baratheon and the Iron Islands.

Stannis used his boot to push Victarion on his back. Victarion could barely make a sound as Stannis slammed his boot down on Victarion's bloody face.

End of Flashback

Victarion's eyes came back into focus and saw that the argument was still going on.

"They won't even know were there before it's too late." Asha countered. "This 'King' Roland is boy nothing more, what would he know of war."

"What do you know of it woman," Theon snapped. "I've met Roland, he may be a boy but he's not stupid, I'm a proven warrior and I know this."

Balon rolled his eyes, "Your brothers were warriors, Rodrick and Maron are both dead. At the hands of those you seem so eager to defend."

Theon paused for a moment. "I'm not trying to protect them, I only wonder if it s not wiser to consider our options. If we go to war against Roland he can destroy us and he has the means to do so. But if we ally with them, we can take Casterly Rock."

"Have you forgotten who we are boy," Balon growled. "We are not subjects or slaves, we are ironborn. We do not plow the fields or toil in the mine. We take what we please. Your time with the Starks has made you weak."

Theon's blood reached the boiling point. "You speak of weakness father, yet it was us who lost the rebellion. Now you plan to attack people unable to defend themselves. It seems to me that your too afraid of Tywin Lannister to go at him."

Balon's hand flew across Theon's face with an audible smack. Theon stumbled back. " Don't you ever call me a craven boy, EVER."

Theon recovered his eyes ablaze. "You blame The Starks for the death of my brothers. Ned Stark and Stannis Baratheon didn't kill Rodrick and Maron father, You did, the day you started that doomed rebellion their fates were sealed. Now you're doing the same thing again. How many of us will die this time?"

Balon looked down at the map his breathing heavy as he fumed with rage.

"You would have father bow down to your other family," Asha sneered at him her voice clear and strong across the hall. "Better to die as an ironborn than to live in shame. What is dead may never die."

"What is dead may never die," everyone in the room chanted, putting their hands to their chests

"I have no other family sister," Theon insisted.

"Don't you?" She wondered. "You best make a choice quickly Theon, we sail with or without you."

Aeron raised his arms, "The waters of wrath will reach the skies, and the Drowned God will spread his dominion across the lands of the greenmen."

"It is settled," Balon declared. "We shall sweep all the North beneath our feet."

One by one everyone departed from the solar, leaving Theon alone to make his decision.