Chapter 623: Asha

The scuffle between the children in the garden corner of the Red Keep had occurred, but it went unnoticed for the moment, or perhaps even if noticed, wasn't taken seriously.

After all, it was just a bastard and foreigner children fighting, and the people of Westeros, known for their pride, or rather xenophobic tendencies, didn't regard either the Naathi or a bastard highly. They were the noble Andals; they were the aristocrats, while the Naathi were just savages.

Meanwhile, in the council hall of the Red Keep, other courtiers had been dismissed. King Viserys summoned the idle Kraken's Daughter, Asha Greyjoy.

However, when Viserys explained the reason for summoning her, this woman, dressed in black leather armor, slender with long legs and short black hair, agreed without any hesitation.

"Your Grace, you wish for me to venture into the outside world?"

"I am willing to go!"

Asha's readiness surprised Viserys slightly, as even his ability to foresee the future was not all-encompassing, merely glimpsing fragments of what was to come. He hadn't expected Asha to agree so readily.

"Don't you need to think it over?"

"Asha, I must tell you, once you depart, it won't be a short-term expedition. You're no longer young, and this voyage might delay your marriage."

Asha was of the same age as Viserys, who already had a daughter. By this era's standards, she was already slightly late to marry, unless she was a highborn lady waiting for the right match.

Moreover, by the time she returned from Naath Island, several years would have passed, making her an old maiden.

"Hmph—"

However, the woman bearing the kraken emblem on her chest armor, upon hearing Viserys' words, just snorted lightly and sneered disdainfully.

"During this time, some men have courted me, but either they're too ugly, or too weak."

"They can't even conquer me in bed; why should I marry them?"

Asha Greyjoy was open-minded and proud; it was hard for any ordinary man to catch her eye.

She had only two conditions for seeking a partner: either the man had to be exceptionally handsome, captivating her at first sight, or he had to be capable of defeating her.

"Some time ago, in King's Landing, I met…"

"A woman."

Asha sat on the council table, picked a dried fruit from the table and tossed it into her mouth as if recalling something, then continued speaking.

Viserys, sitting in his chair, watched her. Knowing she wouldn't anger him over such trivial matters, he remained calm.

Yet, he noted the hesitation in her voice when she mentioned 'woman.'

Asha didn't keep him in suspense but continued.

"She was tall, the tallest woman I've ever seen, with broad shoulders but flat-chested. Her face was round and coarse, filled with freckles, with a row of buck teeth, a terrifyingly wide mouth, and plump lips resembling caterpillars."

"However, her eyes were beautiful, I mean truly—"

"Big and blue, innocent yet straightforward, and confident."

Listening to Asha's description, an image of a female knight emerged in Viserys' mind.

"Tarth."

"Lady Brienne of Tarth."

Viserys leaned back in his chair and spoke, surprising Asha this time. She hadn't expected the high and mighty king to notice such an ugly woman.

"You know her?"

"In fact, I invited her to King's Landing."

Viserys shook his head as he spoke. Brienne's father had died on the battlefield at the Green Fork, fighting the Others. Afterwards, with no male heir on Tarth Island, and the call to arms from Renly or Stannis not reaching this beautiful small island, they were spared from post-war retribution. Brienne became the new Lady of Tarth.

Viserys had the military academy send an invitation to Brienne to study in King's Landing, which she gladly accepted.

Asha and Brienne met under these circumstances and had a skirmish, where Asha ended up on the losing side, getting beaten up.

Viserys heard about the incident later, and rumors spread like wildfire through King's Landing, with tales of two women tearing down a tavern during a fight, and even absurd stories of a female giant emerging from the Kingswood.

However, the altercation led to Asha taking an interest in Brienne.

"We're digressing."

Viserys shook his head, bringing the conversation back on track. They were initially discussing the expedition to Naath Island, but Asha had veered off-topic. Viserys pulled the discussion back.

"It's a long voyage; are you sure about this?"

"Yes, I've thought it through!"

Asha noticed Viserys' change in tone, becoming serious. She too became earnest.

"I've nothing much to do in King's Landing; might as well seize this opportunity to travel, earn some merits."

Viserys promised her a castle and a title of Countess upon her return, independent of the Iron Islands. That was the primary reason Asha was willing to go.

"I've longed to command my own warship and trade around the city-states. Just never had the chance."

"You know your mission, and the Iron Throne won't provide much aid."

Viserys reminded.

"I know!"

"It's all up to me."

Asha spoke nonchalantly. Sailing the world and plundering was every Ironborn's dream, but Asha was born at the wrong time, missed the right opportunity, and had a formidable uncle.

"However, my only concern is Theon, Your Grace."

Speaking of her brother, Asha's smile faded.

"I can only entrust Theon to you, hoping you'll take good care of him, keeping him from straying."

"Aren't you confident in Lord Eddard Stark?"

"Even if Eddard donned black, Lady Catelyn would still discipline Theon well."

Viserys nodded in agreement.

His words made sense. Asha had met Catelyn and after pondering for a moment, she nodded slightly in agreement.

However, before they could finalize the specifics of the mission, a guard rushed in, delivering news that caused a peculiar expression to form on Viserys' face.

"Summon them all."