Chapter 64: Anchors of Power

The morning sun shone brightly over the waters of the Redwyne Straits as the fleet sailed further toward the second pirate hideout. The sea was calm, a deceptive contrast to the storm of conflict and ambition brewing across the realm. Paxter Redwyne stood at the bow of The Arbor Queen, watching the horizon. The successful raid on the first hideout had bolstered the morale of his men, but Paxter's mind was focused on the larger picture—the Reach, House Tarly, and the looming threat of political upheaval.

The pirates had been bold, but they were not the root of the problem. Someone had emboldened them, encouraged them to disrupt the Redwyne trade routes. Paxter was certain of that much. The pirate leader's defiance, his cryptic warnings about the "free men" on the sea, suggested a broader conspiracy. The question now was: who was pulling the strings?

As the second island came into view, smaller and more fortified than the last, Paxter's thoughts turned once again to Lord Randyll Tarly. He had yet to hear confirmation of Tarly's defection, but the silence from Horn Hill was telling. If Tarly was waiting for the right moment to make his move, Paxter needed to stay one step ahead. The unity of the Reach was at risk, and Tarly could be the wedge that drove the lords apart.

"Ser Martyn," Paxter called, turning toward his captain, who had been overseeing the preparations for the next assault.

Ser Martyn approached, his eyes sharp and ready. "My lord?"

"I want this strike to be swift and decisive," Paxter said. "We caught them off guard at the first hideout, but they'll be more prepared this time. Have the archers ready to rain arrows down the moment we're within range. I want no escape routes left for their leaders."

Ser Martyn nodded, his expression hard. "It will be done. We'll cut off their ships and storm the fort before they can react."

Paxter's gaze swept over the island, noting the rocky cliffs and the crude fortifications the pirates had built. He could see their ships docked in the shallow waters, and even from this distance, the activity on the shore told him that the pirates had seen their approach. But it was too late for them now.

As The Arbor Queen and the rest of the fleet closed in, the first volley of arrows was loosed, arcing through the air and striking the beach. Shouts of alarm rose from the pirates as they scrambled to respond, but the Redwyne fleet was relentless. More arrows followed, and then the soldiers stormed the shore, their swords gleaming in the sunlight.

Paxter remained on the ship, watching as Ser Martyn led the assault. The fighting was fierce, but the pirates were outmatched. Within minutes, the Redwyne forces had overwhelmed the defenses, and the pirate leaders were dragged from their fort, bound in chains.

The second hideout had fallen.

Paxter descended from the ship to the shore, where Ser Martyn was overseeing the capture of the prisoners. The bodies of fallen pirates littered the beach, and the air was thick with the smell of smoke and blood.

"We've secured the island, my lord," Ser Martyn reported as Paxter approached. "The leaders have been captured, and the remaining pirates are either dead or scattered into the woods."

Paxter glanced at the pirate leaders, who knelt on the sand, their hands bound and their faces twisted in defeat. One of them, a burly man with a jagged scar running down his cheek, met Paxter's gaze with open hatred.

"You think this changes anything?" the pirate growled, his voice thick with venom. "There are more of us out there. We'll come for you again. The seas don't belong to lords like you—they belong to those who take them."

Paxter stepped forward, his voice cold. "Who is behind this? Who has been funding your raids?"

The pirate spat at his feet. "You'll never know. The free men of the sea answer to no one. You can kill us, but there will always be more."

Paxter's eyes narrowed. He could sense the defiance in the man's words, but he also sensed something deeper—a fear that the pirate was trying to hide. Someone had orchestrated these attacks, and the pirates were just pawns in a larger game.

Paxter knelt down to the pirate's level, his voice low and dangerous. "If you tell me who's backing you, I might be willing to spare your life. But if you continue to lie, I'll make sure your death is slow and painful."

The pirate's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but he remained silent.

Paxter stood, his expression hardening. "Take him below. We'll see if he's more willing to talk after some time in the brig."

As the pirate was dragged away, Paxter turned to Ser Martyn. "We need answers. There's more going on here than simple piracy."

Ser Martyn nodded grimly. "I agree, my lord. We'll interrogate the prisoners and see what we can learn."

Paxter's thoughts returned to the broader situation in the Reach. If the pirates were being funded or encouraged by an outside force, it could be a direct attack on House Redwyne's trade dominance. And if Tarly or the Lannisters were behind it, it could signal the beginning of a larger conflict.

"We can't afford to be reactive," Paxter said, more to himself than to Ser Martyn. "We need to be ahead of this. Keep the fleet on high alert. I want all trade ships heavily guarded, and I want reports from our patrols daily."

Ser Martyn bowed and set off to carry out the orders, leaving Paxter to his thoughts.

Later that evening, Paxter sat in his cabin aboard The Arbor Queen, staring down at the maps spread across the table. The sea was calm, the gentle rocking of the ship a steady background to his thoughts. Mina sat across from him, her eyes scanning the reports from Braavos and King's Landing.

"The Iron Bank is growing more restless," she said quietly. "They've started putting pressure on the Lannisters to make good on their debts, but they're also reaching out to other houses. They're still playing both sides, waiting to see who emerges as the most stable."

Paxter nodded. "And Tarly?"

Mina's face darkened slightly. "Still no word from Horn Hill, but I've heard whispers that he's been meeting with Lannister agents in secret. He's waiting for the right moment to make his move."

Paxter's hand tightened into a fist on the table. "Tarly's betrayal could tear the Reach apart. If he switches sides, we'll be forced to choose between supporting Olenna or aligning with the Crown—and neither option is without risk."

Mina studied him for a moment, then spoke softly. "There's a third option, Paxter. We strengthen our own position, build alliances with the lesser houses, and prepare for the possibility that we'll need to stand on our own."

Paxter looked up, his expression thoughtful. "You think we should distance ourselves from the Tyrells?"

"Not yet," Mina said carefully. "But we need to be ready to adapt if things change. Olenna is still in control, but her grip is slipping. We don't want to be tied to a sinking ship."

Paxter leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. Mina's words made sense, but the thought of distancing himself from the Tyrells was a dangerous one. The Tyrells had been powerful allies, but with the growing tension in King's Landing and the whispers of rebellion within the Reach, their position was no longer as secure as it once was.

"We'll keep supporting Olenna for now," Paxter said finally. "But you're right—we need to prepare for the worst. Reach out to the lesser lords. Offer them protection from the pirates, and remind them of the wealth and stability that House Redwyne brings."

Mina smiled faintly. "I'll make the arrangements."

As she left the cabin, Paxter returned to the maps, his thoughts heavy. The Reach was becoming a dangerous place, and the alliances that had once held it together were beginning to fray. House Redwyne was strong, but even the strongest houses could fall if they didn't adapt.

Paxter stood and walked to the window, looking out over the dark waters of the Straits. The pirates were a symptom of the larger sickness spreading through the realm, and Paxter knew that the real battle was yet to come.