Chapter 735: Golden Heartwood Bow

Jalaba Saul was the 'prince' of the former Red Flower Valley tribe, more precisely, the son of the previous chieftain.

Years after the Usurper's War, a fierce civil war broke out in the Red Flower Valley tribe on Zale Island. Jalaba's father, the chieftain at the time, was killed by his own people. Consequently, Jalaba Saul fled overseas in haste.

He wandered to the continent of Essos, seeking assistance from various city-states to reclaim his tribe. However, he faced rejection and ridicule everywhere he went.

Eventually, Jalaba Saul arrived in King's Landing. King Robert was somewhat tempted by the honor of conquering the Summer Isles, but faced opposition from his council. The Iron Throne was burdened with massive debts at the time, making it impossible to launch an expedition. Thus, the idea was abandoned.

Undeterred, Jalaba Saul later approached Viserys, only to be rejected once again.

Now, the prince of the Red Flower Valley tribe has resigned himself to a life of indulgence in King's Landing. The treasures he brought with him from his escape are more than enough to sustain a lavish lifestyle for a lifetime.

The current chieftain of the Red Flower Valley tribe is the very man who usurped Jalaba Saul's father. He was once a priest in the tribe, but after killing the chieftain, he took over the position. However, age has caught up with him, and he now requires a cane to walk.

The chieftain of the Red Flower Valley tribe cautiously inquired if Asha was there at the behest of Jalaba Saul to attack the Summer Isles. Only after receiving a negative response did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Asha had seen this dark-skinned, rotund man during her time in King's Landing. Most in the city saw him as a curious spectacle. His unique appearance and frequent drunkenness made him a subject of amusement.

Asha's visit to the Red Flower Valley tribe was primarily to recruit soldiers to replenish the losses from the storm and to resupply one last time before reaching the Isle of Naath.

The self-proclaimed general from the Valyrian Empire stated her intentions, and the chieftain of the Red Flower Valley tribe immediately agreed.

In reality, he had little choice. The empire's fleet was positioned menacingly offshore, clearly ready to plunder if not appeased.

The chieftain then graciously invited Asha to be a guest in the tribe. Despite her reluctance, Asha had no choice but to accept.

During the storm, the fleet had lost several small warships and over a hundred soldiers. Many young and able-bodied men from the Red Flower Valley tribe were eager to join the fleet.

The primary reason was the imposing presence of the empire's fleet at their doorstep, which left a profound impression on them. They were curious about the world beyond.

Their chieftain couldn't stop them and had to let them go.

During her brief stay in the Red Flower Valley tribe, Asha learned about the culture of this land. After all, the Summer Isles would be her neighbor for some time, and it was essential to establish good relations in advance.

On the Summer Isles, people consider the art of lovemaking as sacred, as it pertains to the continuation of their race. They view procreation as the holiest of acts.

Moreover, prostitutes are respected on these isles. Even some of the high-born engage in this profession.

The natives of the Summer Isles revere their elders. To honor the deceased, their customs include drinking and lovemaking. Archery is another crucial cultural skill here. Their specially crafted bows have a much longer range than others.

The Summer Isles are abundant with a unique tree called the Golden Heart. Bows made from this wood can shoot arrows over great distances. Most warriors on the isles are expert archers.

The people of the Summer Isles also brew a sweet amber wine. They don't cultivate many crops and primarily consume fruits and fish.

Asha tasted this sweet wine at a tribal feast. She found it even sweeter than the wines of Greenstone Island. However, its excessive sweetness lacked the kick she desired.

The chieftain of the Red Flower Valley tribe also introduced his son to Asha. The young man, with his dark skin and colorful feathers, flaunted his muscles in front of Asha, much like a peacock displaying its plumage. Asha had to suppress her urge to comment sarcastically.

The chieftain's intention was clear: he hoped to 'marry off' his son to this powerful imperial general. This would provide a protective umbrella for his tribe, ensuring they wouldn't suffer the same fate as before. It would also shield the Red Flower Valley tribe from the insults of the Sweet Lily Valley tribe on the other end of Zale Island.

In recent decades, the Red Flower Valley tribe has been weaker than its arch-rival, especially after the civil war. They've been enduring in silence. But with the sight of this powerful passing army, the chieftain saw an opportunity for alliance.

Unfortunately, the chieftain's 'handsome man strategy' didn't quite work. Asha wasn't interested in the flamboyant 'peacock.' The chieftain's son, Zanomu Dele, had to retreat and drown his sorrows in wine.

"Freshwater is scarce on the island, so these tribes rely on the Red Flower Valley tribe," the chieftain explained, emphasizing the strength and significance of his tribe. He hoped to earn the friendship of the imperial navy.

Asha's conversation with the chieftain deepened her understanding of this mysterious land untouched by Westerosi.

She was particularly interested in the Golden Heart trees native to the isles and the bows crafted from their wood.

She had witnessed a demonstration by tribal soldiers. Using a golden longbow, they effortlessly produced a draw weight of over a hundred pounds, shooting an arrow over 280 yards. The arrow had enough force to pierce through leather armor even at that distance.

In Westeros, most longbows couldn't achieve such range and power, usually falling short of 250 yards.

Asha wanted to purchase a batch of these Golden Heartwood bows from the chieftain of the Red Flower Valley tribe. While such bows might be expensive in a city like Volantis, they were relatively affordable in the Summer Isles, their place of origin.

The chieftain, eager to forge an alliance with the imperial fleet, agreed without hiking the price.

"There aren't many Golden Heart trees here in the Red Flower Valley," he said.

"They're abundant on the Golden Head Peninsula," he added, pointing to a location on the map.

The chieftain promised to send his tribesmen to the Golden Head Peninsula to harvest the Golden Heartwood and provide the imperial army with the bows.

"Chief Dele, why is it called the Golden Head Peninsula?" Asha asked, finding the name curious.

"Oh, someone once found a gold nugget the size of a human head here. It even resembled a head, hence the name Golden Head Peninsula," the chieftain explained nonchalantly. Asha paused for a moment, taking in the information.