"Hey, you're just some sea-roving cutthroat. What gives you the right to play the good Samaritan on my grandfather's land? Trying to win hearts?"
Just as Logar and his men were about to leave, a cool, slightly haughty voice rang out behind them.
Logar turned, already knowing who it was, and rubbed his forehead. Of all the people…
It was Princess Baela Targaryen. Her silver hair was styled in an elegant updo, and she wore a fine long gown. Several guards flanked her, radiating the natural dignity of Valyrian royalty.
"What's that look? Surprised to see me?"
Baela hadn't expected to run into Logar either. She had watched the entire scene — how he helped the orphan boy and gave away silver stags. Though it had stirred something in her, she refused to soften.
"My apologies, Your Highness. It was just a poor child. I wasn't trying to win anyone's favor."
Logar had no desire to tangle with the fiery princess and chose to back down.
"He still stole something," Baela frowned. "Letting him off so easily will only break the rules of the land and encourage him to cause more trouble later."
"Heh." Logar's temper flared. "My lady, under the rule of you highborn nobles, what kind of future do these children even have?"
"How dare you!"
Baela's guards immediately barked at the insult.
Baela's cheeks flushed red. She pressed her lips tight, gripping her skirts, and glared at Logar fiercely. For a moment she couldn't find the words to retort.
"Say whatever you want. I have no interest in arguing with you. I'm returning to Dragonstone soon, so… we probably won't see each other again."
She turned her face away, the tips of her ears slightly pink, shot him one last annoyed glance, and left with her guards.
"Hey! Stay away from her in the future!"
After Baela left, a young man in armor stepped forward and gave Logar a hard shove, glaring at him with open hostility before walking away.
Logar smiled helplessly. He remembered the man — Daemon Velaryon, son of the Sea Snake's nephew. His personality seemed just as unpleasant as Malentin's.
Shaking his head, Logar didn't take the small incident to heart. He was on someone else's turf, and he had better things to do than bicker with a spoiled princess.
Afterward, he wandered around Shelltown a little longer, hoping to catch a glimpse of the dragon Sea Smoke.
Ever since Laenor's death, the dragon occasionally flew back to Driftmark from Dragonstone, but Logar didn't see it this time.
He also thought of Baela's dragon, Moondancer. It had probably stayed on Dragonstone. He wondered if the young dragon's temper was as stubborn as its rider's.
Once he finished exploring Shelltown, Logar spent the next few days patiently waiting for Lord Corlys's answer.
At the same time, he ordered Femon and the others to keep the men on a tight leash. These pirates were wild by nature — without strict control they were bound to cause problems.
His caution wasn't unfounded. After long weeks at sea, the men were restless.
Now that they finally had solid ground under their feet, they went wild, spending every silver stag they'd earned on taverns and brothels in Shelltown. Several ugly brawls with locals broke out.
Logar had no choice but to reprimand Femon and the officers, then had the worst troublemakers publicly whipped.
Surprisingly, the incident had a silver lining. After blowing through all their coin, the men were broke again. To earn more, they would have to fight like demons in the coming battles.
Time crawled by as they waited. Just as Logar was starting to grow impatient, Lord Corlys's answer finally arrived.
The Sea Snake informed him that he had written to Queen Rhaenyra on Dragonstone and was willing to hire Logar's sellsword company.
As long as Logar and his men helped the Velaryon fleet return to the Stepstones, clear out the pirates, and strike at Dornish and Triarchy forces, Corlys would speak on his behalf and bring him before the queen to swear loyalty and claim his rewards.
Logar accepted without hesitation. This was exactly what he had come for.
Next came the formal negotiations — payment, supplies, and battle plans all needed to be settled.
Logar returned to High Tide once more, bringing his officers to discuss the upcoming campaign with the Sea Snake.
"I am prepared to pay three hundred gold dragons to hire your company," Corlys said bluntly. "My men tell me you only have nine ships, and most are old. I will provide five brand-new warships in good condition, plus enough dried rations and fresh water to last you a full month."
"Excellent, Lord Corlys. Thank you for your generosity."
Logar was pleasantly surprised. The Stepstones must really be eating at the Sea Snake if he was willing to open his coffers this wide.
"Additionally, I will send reinforcements. My two nephews, Malentin and Daemon, will lead a Velaryon fleet to fight alongside you against the forces on the islands."
Corlys continued, "My only goal for this campaign is to purge every pirate from the Stepstones, secure the Velaryon trade routes, and hold the islands so we can collect tolls. I will not allow the Dornish or the Triarchy to regain a foothold."
"I will send supply ships to your base regularly. If you successfully take the Stepstones, I will petition the queen to name you Lord of the Stepstones."
When Corlys mentioned the title "Lord of the Stepstones," Logar and his officers exchanged knowing smiles.
They understood perfectly. The Sea Snake's offer sounded generous, but he was only risking a small amount of gold and a few ships. The real blood and fighting would fall on them.
Even if they took the islands, they would have to constantly defend against counterattacks. Holding them would be no easy task.
Still, no matter the risk, Logar had no other path. Teaming up with the Sea Snake had been his plan from the beginning.
Fate might deal the cards, but a man still had to play them. Since he had come to the Narrow Sea, he would carve out his own kingdom from nothing.
"I will fulfill your wishes, my lord."
In the end, Logar and Corlys clasped hands, sealing the alliance.
With the agreement made, Logar took the advance payment from Corlys and immediately gathered his men. He told them they had officially been hired by House Velaryon and would soon be returning to the Stepstones.
The moment they heard the news, the pirates — who had spent the last few days drinking and whoring away every coin — roared with savage excitement.
To them, wine and women were just seasoning. Battle and blood were the real rhythm of their lives.
Seeing their fighting spirit so high, Logar felt a surge of excitement himself.
He emptied his own coffers, combined it with Corlys's advance payment, and spent heavily in Driftmark to recruit skilled craftsmen and sailors willing to follow him to the Stepstones. He also purchased several additional ships and all the necessary campaign supplies.
He knew this return to the Stepstones would be a brutal fight.
So he spared no expense, turning every newly acquired coin into ships and weapons. Then, leading his roaring men, he set off to link up with the Velaryon fleet the Sea Snake had prepared.
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