During the return journey from Banefort, Ace the Falcon soared through the sky, guiding its path above the fleet transporting the armies of the Mallisters, Manderly, and the Mormonts to Orkmont. With precision and purpose, the falcon swooped down, dropping a letter written by Lord Eddard Stark right onto the deck where Ser Wylis stood, commanding his ship.
Startled by the unexpected arrival of the letter, Ser Wylis quickly retrieved it, recognizing the significance of its origin. As he unfolded the parchment and read its contents, his features morphed into a mix of surprise and intrigue. The words penned by Lord Stark held vital information about their recent victories and the future course of action.
Meanwhile, Ace, having completed its delivery to Ser Wylis, continued its flight towards Damian's ship, which was nearing its destination at Old Wyk. With the precision of a trained messenger, the falcon descended upon the deck, catching Damian's attention just as he prepared to disembark onto the island.
"You're back!" Damian exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face as he affectionately ruffled the feathers of his avian companion. The bird responded with a gentle coo. Damian's heart swelled with warmth at the sight of the familiar creature.
Taking the letter in his hands, Damian's eyes scanned the words written by Lord Stark, even though he already knew what they contained.
Stannis Baratheon, the Lord of Dragonstone and master of ships joined forces with the Redwyne fleet from the Arbor and ships from Oldtown, forming a formidable alliance within the royal fleet. Together, they embarked on a pivotal mission to confront and vanquish Victarion's Iron Fleet in the treacherous Straits of Fair Isle.
Their encounter proved decisive, as Stannis led his forces to a resounding victory over Victarion and his Ironborn fleet. The crushing defeat effectively neutralized the Ironborn's naval power, granting Robert's forces a clear passage from the mainland to the Iron Islands.
Buoyed by his triumph near Fair Isle, Stannis has set his sights on subduing Great Wyk in his brother's name. With the Iron Fleet crippled, the remaining islands, including Harlaw and Saltcliff, are primed for invasion. The combined forces of Stannis, Robert, Eddard and their loyal bannermen now press forward.
The letter held no further tasks for Damian; it made it clear that his immediate focus was to subdue Old Wyk, a significant religious stronghold in the Iron Islands. Once this objective was achieved, his subsequent actions would be contingent upon the requirements of Orkmont.
'Take care of yourself Damian and know that I am proud of you. May Old Gods bless you' Damian smiled as he reached the end of the letter.
"My Lord, we have arrived," Sirius approached Damian and said.
Damian's grin widened as he gazed upon the island of Old Wyk, a place that held a hidden treasure. The anticipation of what awaited him on this island stirred a thrill within him, adding an extra layer of excitement to the task at hand.
As Damian set foot on Old Wyk, the information he had gleaned about the island came rushing back to him. It stood as one of the significant islands within the Iron Islands, nestled in Ironman's Bay, a realm dominated by the ironborn. The island held a strategic position, situated to the east of Great Wyk and to the west of Orkmont.
Windy hills and cruel black mountains stretched across the landscape, forming the rugged terrain that defined Old Wyk. The island's natural features were a testament to the harshness of life in the Iron Islands. Damian's eyes scanned the horizon, taking in the undulating contours and rocky outcrops that adorned the land, standing as silent witnesses to the island's tumultuous past.
Among the houses that held dominion over Old Wyk were the noble lineages of Drumm, Goodbrother of Shatterstone, and Stonehouse. These houses, known for their fierce loyalty to the ironborn cause, stood as the primary targets for Damian to subdue if he wished to bring the entire island under his control.
To his surprise, the task proved to be easier than anticipated. House Drumm swiftly surrendered upon the sight of Donnel Drumm held hostage, recognizing the vulnerability of their position. With the news of the Iron Fleet's defeat echoing through the isles, the remaining houses, Goodbrother of Shatterstone and Stonehouse, realized the futility of resistance. Faced with the imminent arrival of the enemy forces, they wisely chose to open the gates of their keeps, understanding the futility of attempting a defence they were ill-prepared for.
The combination of strategic advantage, the capture of a prominent member of House Drumm, and the overwhelming news of the Iron Fleet's downfall had swiftly eroded the resolve of the remaining houses. Not to mention the lack of trained soldiers to defend their Castles and Holdfast.
As the gates swung open, Damian's forces moved in, securing the keeps and fortifications without much opposition. The surrender of these noble houses solidified Damian's hold over Old Wyk and brought the entirety of the island under his control.
In the evening, Damian traversed the Island to find the treasure that was shown on the treasure map. With the help of the direction, Damian soon found himself walking towards Nagga's Hill.
Old Wyk, the holiest of all the Iron Islands according to the ironborn, held a deep-rooted significance within Ironborn culture.
The legends spoke of the renowned Grey King, a figure of great renown among the ironborn. It was here, upon the shores of Old Wyk, that the Grey King achieved his most legendary feat—the slaying of the mighty sea dragon, Nagga. The tales painted a vivid picture of the epic battle that took place, forever etching itself into the island's lore.
Nagga's Hill, situated on the isle of Old Wyk in the Iron Islands, stood as a place of both awe and mystery. Perched high above the land, it overlooked Nagga's Cradle, the expanse of water that separated Old Wyk from Great Wyk. The sight that greeted those who stood upon Nagga's Hill was a testament to the ancient power and wonder that resided within the Iron Islands.
Stretching toward the sky, forty-four stone ribs of Nagga, a colossal sea dragon long deceased, emerged from the ground like majestic trees made of white stone. Their sheer size rivalled that of a dromond's mast, while their height soared twice as tall.
According to ironborn legend, Nagga was the first sea dragon, able to feed on krakens and leviathans and drown islands when angry. The Grey King, helped by the Drowned God, managed to slay her on the shores of the island of Old Wyk and built there his hall out of her bones. Her jaws became his throne and her teeth made his crown. He warmed his hall with her living fire. However, when the Grey King died, the Storm God drowned out her fire and the sea took the throne. Only her bones that made the pillars and beams remain.
The treasure map pointed specifically at one of those stone pillars. It was the third one from the left. Damian immediately walked up to it and tried to see if there was any sketching or hidden compartment or something like that.
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