46 The Black King

The Black King

Theon POV

It was uncomfortable to see everyone bow before me. Be it servants or guards, captains or lords, or even my own family. Everyone thought of me as if I was above them. Even though I was a king, it felt like some people treated me as if I was a god. Aeron has been preaching to everyone that I was the champion of the Drowned god. I could already predict how people would look at me in the future.

"Everything is prepared, brother," Asha reported to me. She was the only one, except Thoros and Anguy, who treated me like I was a human being.

"Four hundred ships, eighteen thousand men," I said.

"Yes, that is all our strength over all the islands. Everyone is ready to receive your orders."

At least there was some positive attribute to being treated as a god. No one questioned me. It was easier for me that way. When I sent Lord Harlaw to the North to establish trade for wood, nobody disagreed with me. I was their king and, to some, their god. Those who dared to question me were silenced. So far, there was nobody who dared. But I couldn't lose, for if I did, the illusion would break, and they might turn against me.

"Good, we will sail soon then."

"Are you satisfied just to be raiding the western part of the Westerlands, brother?"

"Of course not, but I can't rush it. The Westerlands are allied with the Reach. We alone could not take on them. We need to test them and see how they will respond to how many men and ships they will be sent to counter us. We can devise a better plan when we have all the information."

"At least the divinity has not gone to your head, brother."

"Very funny. Go and inform all the captains that I will see them tomorrow."

Asha left me alone, with only Thoros standing guard outside my solar. Anguy was learning how to handle ravens, as I would need them to send messages when I leave, and I can't trust some random Maester. Bronn was left alone for him to enjoy his time in Lordsport. After seeing me rise from the dead, he tried his best to avoid my gaze.

"Thoros, come in," I ordered my most faithful guard.

"I am here, Theon."

"What can you tell me about the White walkers?" I asked.

"I don't know much about them apart from what you told me."

"I told you?" I asked, feeling confused.

"Yes, you don't remember, do you?"

"No, I don't," I confessed. "Do you know who is the mother of dragons?"

"I never heard of such a person."

"Astapor?"

"It is a slaver city, famous for their unsullied."

It seems I don't remember more than I thought. I only had a few notes written in my journal, and I couldn't piece them together. I knew that my future enemies were Euron and the White Walkers. My potential allies could be Dorne and the mother of dragons, Daenerys Targaryen. At least I knew her name. I couldn't live like this. I would need to try harder to find my memories.

"I will have a walk," I told Thoros as I left my solar.

I needed to clear my mind. Too many things kept happening to me, and I couldn't keep up with them. But I decided to relax for a moment as I could think about anything and everything all night. Now I wanted to enjoy the cool breeze and night sky. Maybe draw something to remember for the future.

…

When I returned to my chamber for the night, I was greeted by an unexpected guest. Lady Alysanne Leford was sitting on my bed. She was wearing a dress, and she looked down at the ground. When I entered, I saw her flinch. I didn't know why she was here, but I could make a guess.

"What is Aeron who brought you here?" I asked.

"He said I should please you as I was your chosen," She answered and got up, dropping her dress.

I walked towards her and touched her bare smooth skin. She didn't back off even when I cupped her breast. When I looked into her eyes, I saw a resignation. It surprised me when she put her lips on mine. As we kissed, she undressed me and led me to the bed. Lust overcame me as we lay on the bed.

I felt alive as I licked her skin and then sucked on her nipple. I was ready to enjoy the night when I got out of my pants and lifted her on my lap. Yet I stopped as I saw tears falling down her cheeks. Part of me wanted to continue and ignore it, but in the end, I couldn't bring myself to do so.

"What are we doing?" I asked as I put her to the side of the bed and covered her with a blanket.

"What are you doing?" She asked. "I am giving myself to you. Am I not beautiful to you?"

"When you are crying, no," I answered.

"It was a mistake. I won't repeat it," She wiped her eyes and got closer to me.

"What do you want?" I asked her, looking straight into her eyes.

"I want you to die," She hit my scarred chest. "But you won't die even if I killed you."

"I am sorry," I said, remembering what she had gone through. "I am sorry for what happened to you, but I did what I had to, and I won't regret it."

"Good, because I will never forgive you."

"I am fine with that," I said. "Sleep here tonight. I will find a place for you to stay undisturbed."

"I want to go with you."

"What?"

"I am your salt wife. That's what they called me."

"As long as they know that nobody will touch you."

"I was told that I had to please you. They will think you are throwing me away if you leave me."

"Why should I bring you?" I asked. "I am sorry for what happened to you, but you could have fallen to plenty of worse fates. Why should I care what happens to you?"

"I was taught how to rule since I was little. I can write and count. I know about politics and history of the Seven Kingdoms more than anyone else around you."

I wanted to say that I knew everything better than her, but I stopped. I had forgotten many things, and she could provide me with information about the Westerlands. I could use her, but the question was could I trust her? The answer was no, but did I need to trust her? No, I didn't. She knew what would happen if she lied, so at least I could believe her to some extent.

"Fine, you will sail with me, but I will not show you mercy if you try something."

"Very well," She agreed.

As Alysanne turned away, I lay on the bed and started thinking. I had the whole night to think of a plan. And I thought of many. I had to be prepared for anything. I knew that the Ironborn were all brave and stronger than your average levy that was forcefully conscribed by their lords.

I could win if I used my men wisely. But I needed information about the actions of the others. I didn't know what Stannis was doing, and my journal only provided information about the red priestess and his knight Davos. I didn't know about the Baratheon king much, only that he was a capable man that wouldn't lose easily.

If I wanted to keep the independence of the Iron Islands, I would need allies even though I had Robb. It was time to look for someone in the south. Or should I go with the dragon queen, as my journal suggested? I would need more information to decide. More time to think.

…

Sitting on the Seastone throne, I looked at hundreds of captains gathered before me. At first, they were excited and rowdy, Yet with time they quieted down under my gaze. I sat relaxed with one hand holding my head. I decided to speak when I saw that they had become nervous. I didn't want to scare them too much.

"Men of the Iron Islands," I addressed them as I stood up. "You knelt to me, believing I am the Drowned God's champion. You must have heard many things about me. Some are true, and some are probably nothing but rumors. But I gathered you all here not to talk about me but about you. It is time for the world to remember our names. They enjoyed a period of peace and got tired of it, waging war right and left. Yet they have forgotten they owe us an iron price, and we will collect it."

"Aye," Victorion, not far from me, yelled. "Give us your order, your grace, and we will bring you glory."

"The glory isn't for me, uncle. It is for the Iron Islands. Prepare yourselves as with the sunrise. We will leave for the Westerlands. We will come, we will take, and we will conquer. Those who stand against us will fall," I walked up to the people listening to me. "The Drowned god showed me a future. A future where people call our names in fear and reverence. So, who will sail with me to take our glory?"

"I will," Said almost everyone as they knelt before.

"Long live the Black King," They said in unison.

The Black King, like Harren the Black, I guess. It seems the Ironborn doesn't forget their past. I didn't mind the title. It gave me a foreboding feeling I could use to put down my enemies' morale. I only wished it could be something more original. But what could I expect from them?

…

Lordsport was busy with people running around. Victorion's Iron fleet left first to take Fair Isle and destroy the little fleet the Lannisters had. Asha, with seventy ships, sailed to Banefort and the Crag. I will take almost two hundred ships and sail straight to Lannisport. The rest of the ships will be left for Lord Harlaw to make the trade with the North.

"You sure you want to take them with you, Theon?" Anguy asked, pointing at Alysanne and Martyn.

"They know about the Westerlands more than any of us, and I might need to use Martyn once I get to Lannisport," I explained. "And I will have you to keep a watch over them, so there is nothing for me to worry about."

"What will be my role, your grace?" Bronn asked.

"You are to protect me," I said. "While there is Thoros and many others who will protect me, I want you by my side."

"Why me?"

Why indeed. I didn't know much about Bronn, but I felt he could be helpful in some way. I knew he was a good fighter and fitted well with the other Ironborn. Another point was that he has similar features as I do. He could look like me with black hair, eyes, and minor fixing. That fact had me thinking of a few ways to use him.

"Because I like you," I told Bronn, patting his shoulder. "Now, let's go. We can't let the world wait for us for too long, can't we?"

It was time to take my revenge. Once the Westerlands fall under me, I will go for Tywin. He dares to offer his daughter to me, so be it. I will take her as an Ironborn should. I will show that no gold or promises will save him or his family. He better prepares enough iron to stop me.