Pirates of the Stepstones pt.1

Alliser Thorne

Sea of Myrth

It had been almost a year since he and other loyalists who were bound for the Wall were rescued from their icy fate. He had resigned himself to his fate at the Wall, but now he had a second chance to serve the Targaryen cause. He had a chance to make things right.

He had been saved by none other than Jack Longwaters, a man he had known since their years in King's Landing. Jack was teetering on the edge of madness but was undeniably one of the greatest sailors in the royal fleet. If you asked Jack, he would proudly tell you the same. Alliser had wished to go to King Viserys' side, but Jack had convinced him and the others to help in his quest, a quest he promised would benefit the king more.

A quest to reunite the half of the royal fleet that was sent down here.

The 'mutiny' of the royal fleet was concocted by Lucerys Velaryon to ensure the fleet did not fall into rebel hands and also to serve King Viserys during his exile. According to Jack, everything had gone wrong after leaving Dragonstone. Lucerys Velaryon, in his infinite wisdom, had made his cousin Vaegon the commander of the entire fleet.

Vaegon was a man hated by almost every captain and was, by all accounts, as foolish as Lucerys himself. The disagreements had started even before they left Dragonstone. Factions had formed quickly. Many captains had personal ambitions and were waiting for the opportunity to break away. Others felt they should have been given Vaegon's position and had disputes on strategy with him. Then there were supply and logistical issues, which Vaegon, due to his indecisiveness, only exacerbated. Morale and loyalty weakened, and factionalism increased—all within the first six months.

Longwaters, seeing the implosion coming, had formed an alliance with the most loyal of the captains, who elected him their leader. They took eight war galleys and four dromonds with them and left, becoming one of the first to leave.

Longwaters had been correct, as Vaegon and his officers were killed as the fleet disintegrated and the captains and officers went their separate ways. Jack was sure that many were still loyal but were forced to abandon because of Vaegon's leadership.

For the last year, Jack had been hard at work trying to contact the other captains who led their own fleets, similar in size to his. Now five had answered, and they were to meet tomorrow. Alliser and the other knights were also getting restless. They had been sailing through the Sea of Myrth for a month, seizing small merchant ships and their cargo so that Jack could enact his grand plan. The other five captains were the final piece of the puzzle.

He had many times tried to tell Jack to take them to the king, but Jack refused, announcing to everyone that he would not face the king until he had united the fleet again.

He looked to the pristine sea that stretched out around them. The full moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the water. The sea was calm, its surface almost mirror-like, reflecting the stars in the sky. He had to admit it was a beautiful sight.

'Perhaps the sea is growing on me,' he thought.

In the distance, he could see the silhouette of an island—the island where Jack had planned to meet the five captains. He turned his gaze to the front of the ship, where the madman was dancing with the crew to the lively tunes of a fiddle and a drum.

"So, do you think we can do it?" he heard Jaremy Rykker's voice from behind him.

"Reuniting the fleet or taking the island?" Alliser asked.

"The island."

"If those ships show up, then yes, I believe we can. Only by having a good base of operations can he even think of bringing the others in to make the fleet whole again," Alliser replied.

"Ambitious, even for Longwaters," Rykker said, shaking his head.

"Let's hope the others will come tomorrow; otherwise, we won't be taking any islands," Alliser said with a weary tone.

"Alliser, join us!" Jack called out.

He shook his head. "I'll pass," he muttered, turning away from the revelry and heading inside the ship.

The next morning, Alliser was jolted awake by the sound of the crew on deck. He climbed out of his hammock and made his way up, blinking against the bright sunlight. As his eyes adjusted, he was greeted with the sight of twenty ships on the horizon, their sails billowing in the morning breeze.

'They came,' he thought, a small smile breaking out on his lips.

He saw Jaremy talking with Jack on the deck. The sailors were lowering the rowboat, and he quickly made his way to them.

"...take Alliser with you then," he heard Jaremy say.

"They will do nothing, Rykker. They are just as loyal to the cause," Jack replied.

"Ah, finally woke up then?" Jack said, seeing him.

"They came," Alliser said.

"Aye, I told you they would. We are one step closer to accomplishing our goals," Jack replied.

Jaremy was about to say something, but Jack stopped him with a raised hand. "I'll take Alliser. Are you happy?" he asked.

Jaremy nodded.

"Alliser, get in," Jack said, stepping into the boat. He looked at Jaremy before stepping in himself. The boat rocked gently as they settled in, the oars dipping into the water with practiced ease. They began to row.

The calm blue sea stretched out before them, its surface shimmering under the rising sun. The small island they were headed towards was a lush green dot in the vast expanse of water. He could see rowboats being lowered from the other ships as well.

As the boat gently bumped against the rocky shoreline of the small island, he stepped out, his boots sinking slightly into the wet sand. He turned to Jack, who was grinning like a madman as he leaped from the boat.

"Do you believe the others will support your plan?" Alliser asked, his tone skeptical.

Jack laughed. "Of course they will! Why wouldn't they?"

They waited on the shore as the other boats began to arrive, each one carrying a captain and their crew. Alliser watched as the five other captains disembarked, each a unique figure with their own distinct presence.

As they disembarked, Jack introduced them to him. "That is Daeron Celtigar," he said, pointing to a middle-aged man. "From a minor branch of House Celtigar. Good, seasoned captain—very loyal."

"That's Loras Massey," Jack said, pointing to a stern-looking man with a scar running down his cheek. "Sailed with me before. Good sailor, quick to anger," Jack commented.

"Harwin Storm," he said, looking at the man walking behind Loras. He was a tall, imposing figure with a commanding presence. "Rose through the ranks due to his exceptional skill and bravery. One of the fleet's best."

"Aha, Tom the Bold. I hoped he would come." The man was a wiry man with a wild look in his eyes. "The man is as mad as me," Jack said, laughing.

"And finally, young Edric Crabb." A young boy stepped onto the shore after Tom, his youthful face set with determination. "Eager to prove himself," Jack said, giving Alliser a knowing look.

"Welcome!" Jack called out to the other captains. Daeron made quick strides toward him and struck Jack in the face. Alliser wanted to defend the man but felt he deserved it, and his feeling was proven correct when Jack himself confirmed it, saying, "I deserved that."

"And here he is, the first of the traitors," Loras said, crossing his arms. Alliser was confused by the accusation.

"Hey, I am no traitor!" Jack protested.

"Yet you were the first to leave," Edric said, trying to sound fierce.

" I told you what was coming. I told you to leave before everything fell apart, and was I not correct?" Jack countered.

They remained silent, acknowledging his point. "What is this about, then?" Harwin asked, breaking the tension.

Jack grinned. "My fellow captains, due to Lucerys's incompetence, our once-glorious fleet is now scattered to the winds. Some have turned traitor, that is true, yes. But many of us are still loyal—loyal to the dragon, loyal to King Viserys. It's time we came together again, to do what that cunt Vaegon should have done." He paused.

"Gentlemen, I propose we take Grey Gallows," he declared.

"The Wyrm's Maw?" Daeron asked.

"Aye, it's the best harbor to suit our purposes," Jack replied.

The captains were silent for a while, and for a moment, Alliser thought they would just laugh in their faces and leave.

"Alright."

"Fine."

"That is a Good plan."

"When?"

The others agreed.

"That's it?" Jack asked, surprised. "You agree so quickly?"

"Yes," Daeron said. "We had the same thought, but as you can see, we lack the ships."

"Oh," Jack said, almost disappointed. "Well then, let's do it."

"One more thing," Tom interjected. "Don't expect us to elect you leader, Jack. We want to be equal partners."

"Only the king is above us," Harwin chimed in.

Alliser was happy with that statement.

"Of course, that is fine. But I wish to lead the attack, as I have planned it for a year."

"We will decide that after we hear your plan," Loras said.

"Fine," Jack agreed. "Let us go to my ship."

As the others left, Alliser turned to Jack. "That went well."

"Yes, it did. Now I have to plan this attack," Jack said with a contemplative look.

"Wait, I thought you already did?" Alliser asked, bewildered.

"I don't really think that far ahead. I just make it up as I go along," he said to Alliser's shock. "It has always served me well," Jack said, laughing madly and walking away.

'Seven help us, we are fucked,' Alliser thought.