Chapter 697: Clouds of Civil War

Lysene naval forces, anticipating an imminent war, had halted the Empire's fleet from progressing south towards Lys, using the Stepstones as their blockade.

Consequently, the fleet had no choice but to temporarily anchor on the Disputed Lands for provisions.

This land, once a thriving part of the Valyrian Freehold, had seen numerous wars in the four centuries following the Freehold's demise. Its prosperity shattered, yet the potential of the land remained untapped.

Asha Greyjoy's fleet was anchored at the Disputed Lands when a war inevitably erupted at the confluence of the two seas.

The Archon of Tyrosh had employed numerous mercenary groups, accusing the Lyseni of plotting to poison the emissaries of the Iron Throne and frame Tyrosh. However, the crux of the conflict was the Archon's belief that Lys had taken Myr, which was the primary cause for war.

The delicate balance of the Three Sisters had been disrupted long ago, and the ensuing wars were inevitable, casting a dark shadow over the regions.

Having lost Myr to Lys, the Tyroshi perceived this as a do-or-die situation, necessitating a pre-emptive strike.

In their desperation, the Tyroshi even invited Volantis and the Empire to join the war over the sovereignty of Myr and the Disputed Lands.

However, the ruling party of Volantis, the moderate Elephants, gave a non-committal response, seemingly waiting to gauge the evolving situation.

On the other hand, the Empire's naval intervention was outrightly declined. Asha Greyjoy would not let her fleet partake in this localized war ignited by several trade city-states.

The Tyroshi were zealous, and the Lyseni responded in kind. The magisters of Lys vehemently denied all accusations from Tyrosh, including assassination plots, framing, and the takeover of Myr.

Soon after, the pirate-lord Salladhor Saan, in name the governor of Myr but in reality its prince, voiced support for his homeland.

He actively prepared for war, hiring his old friend the Red Beard and his 3000 warriors, ready to face the Tyroshi in a decisive battle.

This was a war of survival. Victory for the Tyroshi meant unifying the former Three Sisters region, including the vast Disputed Lands, to form a true Tyroshi Kingdom.

Similarly, a Lyseni victory implied the annexation of Tyrosh. The newly rebuilt Myr was in no position to resist Lys, merely being a pawn in the grand game between Tyrosh and Lys.

However, with the war clouds looming over the Three Sisters, both sides actively prepared, with a major conflict being imminent. Yet, the Empire's fleet would not remain anchored indefinitely, waiting for the end of the war.

After all, if the war dragged on for months, would they really stay that long?

After entering the Summer Sea, the Empire's fleet anchored on the Disputed Lands for provisions. A few days later, they continued southeast along the coast of Essos, heading to their next destination: Volantis.

Located at the southeast corner of the Free Cities, east of the Disputed Lands and at the mouth of the Rhoyne, Volantis has a rich history and is a formidable power. It is also the closest Free City to the ruins of Valyria.

Volantis dominates the surrounding region, and in the past, Lys, Tyrosh, and Myr combined could barely challenge it.

However, the approaching Imperial fleet made Volantis somewhat 'nervous'.

Wherever the Empire's fleet had gone, either a mishap occurred or a war erupted.

Asha Greyjoy's fleet visited the Three Sisters, but before they could visit Lys, the region was on the brink of chaos.

Would the arrival of the Imperial fleet bring this 'misfortune' to Volantis?

Yet, with pride as the 'First Daughter of Valyria', the 'Queen of the Rhoyne', and the 'Mistress of the Summer Sea', Volantis did not refuse the Imperial fleet as Lys did.

Instead, they prepared for this diplomatic event. However, due to historical reasons, the Volantenes generally despised House Targaryen.

Currently, two of the three Triarchs of Volantis belonged to the Elephant party: Dofas Penymion and Naxys Visama. The only Tiger party Triarch was Marqo Megar, who once encountered Viserys.

During the last Smoking Sea upheaval, Marqo Megar led an expedition of 20 ships into the Valyrian ruins. His nephew was the commander, and Viserys, disguised, was part of the expedition.

Their party reached the capital of the Freehold, Valyria. However, with the ruins erupting in chaos and demonic creatures emerging, only Viserys, his maid Mia, and Maester Marwyn escaped.

Time flew swiftly. The shadow of war loomed over the Stepstones. Yet, as the Imperial fleet sailed the seas, they were soon to arrive in Volantis.

Elsewhere, in the remote and unknown regions of Westeros, where no man has set foot due to the chilling cold and terrifying White Walkers,

Benjen Stark rode a skeletal horse, following the lead White Walker. They had traveled far, and for how long, he couldn't tell. The sky above grew dimmer.

At first, Benjen didn't realize. But as they ventured deeper, even the cold-resistant trees and all life vanished, replaced by eerie silence and howling cold winds.

Benjen noticed the stark change in day and night. Daytime seemed shorter, while nights became longer.

Sometimes, days would pass in mere hours, while nights seemed to stretch for days.

Yet, the long night wasn't lonely. The skeletal horse never tired, and neither did Benjen.

Occasionally, he'd gaze at the northern sky, mesmerized by the dazzling, ethereal lights.

However, after an indefinite period, the leading White Walker finally halted.