the Großadmiral's logbook

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chapter longer than usual

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-Pov of Wilhelm von Hohenzollern eighth moon 287 AC

"So, did you manage to get anything out of our guest? It's been several months since you've had her locked up," I asked Aleksanteri, who was distracted, cutting pieces of apple to eat.

"Yes, quite a lot... She was a tough nut to crack. Her training must have been incredibly good because, even though she had no human contact and nothing to help her keep her sanity, it took a long time for her to start talking," Aleksanteri said, putting a piece of apple into his mouth.

"And...?" I asked the Finn again.

"She's a member of that sect that worships the God of Many Faces and is responsible for giving the 'gift' of death. From what I managed to decipher from her books, which were encrypted with a code, they had a mission to live within your lands to lay the groundwork for more of their members. So, it wasn't with the intention of killing someone. And, well, when I went to talk to her, she was very eager to talk to someone about anything, and she talked a lot, I would even say too much, which indicates that my new plan to destroy the minds of my prisoners is a total success," Aleksanteri said with a macabre laugh, very noticeable by his white teeth.

"And do you know how to do that mask trick?" I asked, intrigued.

"No... She still has enough control over her mind to refuse to talk about that... but nothing that another six months in solitary confinement can't fix," Aleksanteri said with a smile.

"Great, as long as she doesn't die. Only God knows when the rest of her organization's members will find out she was captured. And you know very well that I like to keep my head on my shoulders and not have sharp pieces of steel in my body," I said with a slight smile.

"By the way, Antti sent me a request for more ships, and if possible, sold on credit. The naval siege of Lys seems like it's going to be long; the city is still holding out even after almost a year of blockade," Aleksanteri said, pulling a letter from his furs.

"More? Almost eighty galleys have already been sent. With the level of difficulty this siege is having, they should deploy the full power of Greek fire... but I know that would be wasting all the potential workers that could be obtained from the conquest. Fine, I'll approve forty more galleys... Send the construction order to the arsenal chief," I said in surprise, then wrote the construction order and handed it to one of my knights.

"Lys has more naval experience, and besides, they're fighting for their lives. No support is coming. Myr was almost burned to its foundations by the Dothraki hordes seeking revenge, and the other free cities are very reluctant to send support because they are terrified of Lothar due to the brutality with which he has subdued everyone who has stood in his way," Aleksanteri said, smiling again.

My conversation was interrupted by the entrance of one of my knights.

"My king, an eagle brought a package from Wilhelmshaven. The Großadmiral has returned to port after his commercial voyage," said the knight, handing over a book.

"Finally... The journey was quite long. Let's hope it's not another disappointment," I said, opening the book.

"What did you expect? Tywin didn't fall into the trap and didn't kill anyone here, and it was obvious that Arryn wasn't going to punish such an essential part of his alliance against the Targaryens too harshly. The fine and public humiliation should be enough to keep the lion calm for a few months," Aleksanteri said, playing with his dagger.

"Well, it looks like Johann wrote down all his thoughts in the book," I said as I began to read.

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Anno Domini 1641, February 4

Everything is ready for our trade voyage to the south. We even have the company of several thousand northerners in our ranks: full coffers, translators, and motivated sailors, everything necessary for the long journey south. With clear skies, a smooth voyage awaits us.

Anno Domini 1641, February 5

The first problems began to arise on our journey. The northerners have no naval experience. Some are fishermen who know the basics, but the vast majority are men who, if lucky, have seen the sea. Having to control their fears and their constant vomiting from seasickness diverts the concentration of the veteran sailors, who must care for the northerners as our doctors are becoming overwhelmed.

Anno Domini 1641, February 8

The voyage from Wilhelmshaven to Oldtown was incredibly fast because we could sail at night without fear of crashing against the rocks. Although it wasn't planned, we had to make a stop to resupply fresh water, as the consumption of the vital liquid increased alarmingly due to the constant vomiting, and we couldn't risk running out of it in the middle of the sea.

Anno Domini 1641, February 15

We had already spent a day at sea, and the northerners were managing as best they could. For those who could move, we started teaching them the basic skills needed to survive on a ship because I was greatly alarmed that most of them didn't know how to swim. The most basic skill one should have was extremely rare among our companions.

Anno Domini 1641, February 23

Damn our luck. We must have done something to be punished by the Almighty. A brutal storm hit us directly. All the ships have considerable damage to their hulls, and four galleys were destroyed by the enormous waves. A galleon suffered severe damage, and much of the cargo in its holds was swallowed by the sea. Fortunately, that galleon carried only a small portion of everything: grains, tools, and water. If it had been one of the three galleons carrying the valuables, the expedition would have been at risk. Counting our numbers, ninety of our men perished after the storm. May God have mercy on the souls of the devout and be benevolent to the souls of the virtuous pagans.

Anno Domini 1641, February 26

After our encounter with the Almighty's fury, we had to stay in the area to repair our ships since continuing the journey with such damaged hulls could lead to leaks, and we cannot afford to lose more ships.

Anno Domini 1641, March 2

The wind was not very favorable, but we were still able to continue our journey. The doctors and some engineers we brought requested to study the marine fauna, and during our slow-paced voyage, we dedicated ourselves to fishing with rods from the galleys, managing to catch many fish very similar to those one might fish in the Atlantic. The change in diet was greatly appreciated, leaving behind hard biscuits, dried meat, and dehydrated fruits. The sailors also appreciated it, as the roasted fish helped a lot with the jaw pain caused by the hard biscuits without soup.

Anno Domini 1641, March 12

We have men infected with scurvy. Apparently, the northerners didn't consume the fruits we gave them in the early days of the voyage, and now they are paying the consequences. We must reach land as soon as possible before we lose more men.

Anno Domini 1641, March 24

Everything has been calm: favorable winds and sea to the north, west, east, and south. Nothing seemed to change except the days, until finally one of the wargs we brought on the expedition began to see ships through his eagle, which finally indicated that we were near our first stop. When we saw one of the first ships in the area, you could see how the spirits lifted in everyone after a nearly two-month journey, especially because we already had a few dozen men with scurvy.

Anno Domini 1641, March 27

What the hell is wrong with the locals? What a way to greet us! We were supposed to be near the island called Walano, and as we were heading there, we encountered a local naval patrol composed of six of their swan ships. When we tried to establish communications with them, they attacked us with their bows, killing several of our unsuspecting men. When we got into combat position, our galleys used their rams to attack the ships and bring them into close combat as quickly as possible because those bows were as lethal as crossbows. The battle was quickly resolved, considering that we outnumbered them. However, one of their ships managed to escape to the port where we intended to dock.

For some reason, there were a large number of women among our attackers. Without dwelling on it much, we chained them all and locked them in the smallest hole we had on our ships.

When we reached the port in pursuit of the remaining ship, we found that the locals had formed poorly armed militias to defend the port. Although it seemed that the time for diplomacy had passed, I did my best to establish a conversation, as I was sure that if we fought, this would be a one-sided massacre.

Luckily, this time they did try to listen to us, and we quickly allowed the translators to translate my words. I managed to speak with the local lord, a prince of the Summer Isles, and understood why they attacked us: they mistook us for an invading force from one of the slaver cities and tried to stop us to buy time and defend the port.

Slavers! They mistook us for slavers. Even not wanting us in their lands would have been a better excuse. I want to think the best of them, but with this kind of insult, even my good humor ended.

The prince wanted to pretend nothing had happened and have us release his warriors, but I lost two dozen men because of his "mistake." Of course, I would release them, and I ordered him to execute them and hang their bodies in the port so no one would make that mistake again, in addition to the warriors who managed to escape. I would like to pretend nothing happened, but mistaking us for slavers was too great an offense, even more than the death of my men. Obviously, he refused, but I wasn't in the mood, and I was clear: either he obeyed, or I would turn his city to ashes.

With the numbers and equipment on our side, the prince was kind enough to fulfill my request. Before sunset, we had all those involved hanging in the port.

As commander, I must note that my captains requested exaltation from leadership of Damon of Old Oak, Edgar of Brightwater Keep, Lorence, Orland, and Quenton, all of Bandallon, for displays of bravery and skill in combat. Additionally, northerners Mors and Jory demonstrated bravery in battle.

I must also note the participation of Herr Ludolf and Herr Ferdinand of the Teutonic Order, who were the first to jump onto the enemy ships and cause chaos among their ranks.

Anno Domini 1641, March 28

After our initial contact with the locals, we began making bulk purchases at the local market, which was bustling with life. Although the locals eyed us with considerable suspicion, for obvious reasons, the merchants were far more interested in filling their pockets than showing distrust. The first thing we did was search for fruits to combat scurvy among my men, and then we started our mission. We dealt with spice merchants and began negotiating the purchase of spices and later valuable gems in large rocks, where our experts determined in both cases that they were of good quality.

Anno Domini 1641, April 6

We have been at the port for several days since it was an important trading center, and merchants arrived every day. If they offered a price within our means, we emptied their ships. Additionally, we were able to observe and appreciate the rich local culture. I have always found it fascinating to meet new people with different stories and see the differences between our peoples. Only, the inhabitants of these islands have an idealization of sex that is too decadent. Even at funerals, there was a kind of orgy, and prostitution was considered a noble art.

Controlling my men to prevent them from visiting a pleasure house was more difficult than I thought it would be. Moreover, since I'm not very good at punishing men, I felt obligated to protect and ensure that their lives were not lost in vain. Despite a pain in my chest, punishments were administered, as the risk of any disease on the ships was something I couldn't afford.

I finally managed to arrange a meeting with the local prince. He was not very pleased with us and our presence. Fulfilling the mission I was given, the local prince was offered Gothic armor as armament for our ships. This caught the prince's attention, especially when I told him that arrows from his bows were deflected by my plate armor. A test was conducted, and indeed, his arrows were deflected by the steel plate chest. For some reason, these bows had so much power that they seemed like crossbows.

We managed to agree that our armor and armament would be sold at the prices indicated to me, although the prince made no attempt to negotiate. He seemed delighted with the quality of the armor.

Anno Domini 1641, May 2

In the following days, with some of our ships, we began moving to other ports because we still had much merchandise to sell and, at the same time, fill the ships with something to sell on the way back. So, we made trips throughout the Summer Isles, this time with a much friendlier reception. We again started selling and negotiating with the rulers, where several hundred pieces of armor were sold.

On the island of Jhala, we found a prince interested in the armor but who did not have the means to pay. He offered to lease us land for a port for a hundred years in exchange for a thousand Gothic armors and an equal number of swords. Considering the offer, I decided to accept it and left a group of two hundred men at the port, making sure they had no families to miss, and tripled their salary. Similarly, two doctors were left behind who wished to study local diseases and seek medicinal plants.

Anno Domini 1641, May 17

We had managed to fill our ships and sell most of our crafts, preparing for our return. During the previous days, our warg noticed how several dozen ships that did not fly a recognizable flag were gathering in the area, which raised our suspicions of a possible attack against us.

I made sure all the soldiers gave false information that we would depart on May 24, but in reality, that same night we decided to leave the port. Although I thought we had escaped a battle, some pirate ships pursued us. Recovering the scorpions from our galleons, we began shooting at them from a safe distance, causing hundreds of casualties without even entering combat. But when the wind was no longer in our favor, we had to fight. Their numbers were quite equal to ours in terms of ships, but our ships were built for war, unlike many of theirs that were commercial.

The battle lasted only a few minutes. When they saw that many of their ships started catching fire from Greek fire bags we launched, the ships that had not yet entered combat turned around and fled like the scum that they were. The pirate ships that were still usable were employed to carry the captives back, using them as rowers.

Anno Domini 1641, July 29

After several days of calm travel, we again saw land thanks to the favorable winds. Most of the fleet will accompany me to King's Landing, where preparations for sale in Essos will be made, while the rest will return to Wilhelmshaven. With God's grace, I will deliver this log into your hands, my king.

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"'And? Will we have financing to pay a visit to Bolton?'" Aleksanteri asked.

''It seems so. You will have unlimited financing to do whatever you want with him''I replied to the Finn, who had been watching me the whole time while I read the log.

Aleksanteri's smile was the only response I needed.

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Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.

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I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.

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