As he contemplated the mysterious treasure found within the ancient bones of Nagga's Hill, Damian couldn't help but feel a rising excitement about the looming prospects in Pyke, the final waypoint on his treasure map. He was certain that Pyke held more than just conventional riches; it held secrets, untold and enigmatic.
In the interim, Damian delved deeper into the intricacies of Nagga's core, the very heart of the first sea dragon. His efforts revealed its potential not only as a wellspring for mystical devices and enchantments but also as a well to swiftly replenish his own magical reservoir when it ran dry.
It was akin to a magical power bank, though Damian noted that the recharging rate was somewhat less brisk than he had hoped for.
As the day waned into the grip of night, Damian retired his curious forays into the enchanted core, stowing it back into the depths of his warehouse.
Then, just as he came out of the space world as if summoned by the pull of destiny, Damian felt a familiar tug in his mind. Ace, his trusted falcon, had indeed reached Pyke, and it was time to witness the isle firsthand.
With a seamless transition, Damian warged into his avian companion and took flight towards the darkened silhouette of Pyke, the heart of the rebellion. Though the obscurity of the night veiled many of its details, he could still make out the ghostly contours of the ancient castle.
Pyke, standing as a testament to time's relentless march, was originally perched upon a cliff that defiantly stretched into the endless sea. But the ruthless passage of time had not been kind to the cliff, rendering the castle's keeps and towers on three desolate isles and several stacks of stone.
A labyrinth of swaying rope bridges connected these towers. All structures were hewn from the same grey-black stone that defined the island itself. Over the millennia, the castle had become a living canvas, draped with the verdant embrace of lichen.
Since Pyke offered no secure harbour, vessels seeking its shores docked at the nearby Lordsport. The fortress was encased within the boundaries of fifty sprawling acres, encompassing the headland and the cliffs extending around the base of the broad stone bridge, leading to the largest islet. The headland itself accommodated stables, kennels, and livestock.
Each keep, the Great Keep, the Kitchen Keep, and the Guest Keep claimed their own isolated islands. Stretching beyond them, towers and outbuildings perched on rocky stacks, connected by covered archways or precarious wooden and rope walkways.
Even beneath the shroud of night, the walls of Pyke brimmed with vigilant guards, ceaselessly patrolling the castle's defences. It was a formidable stronghold that stood before him, an intimidating fortress. It would take a large number of men and casualties to take it down.
The keen-eyed bird continued its flight, mapping the castle's every detail until it finally alighted upon the windowsill of a room within the Great Keep.
Inside, an elderly man adorned in the traditional garb of a maester went about his duties. Yet, it was clear that this individual was not Damian's intended target. Without further ado, the falcon launched into the skies once more, seeking another open window.
The next room it encountered lay empty, devoid of any occupants. The falcon's search persisted, this time taking a daring plunge into the Keep's labyrinthine passageways. In its daring journey, the bird inadvertently startled a few guards, who, unable to make out its precise species, believed it to be nothing more than an eagle that had stumbled upon the castle's domain by mistake.
Damian's pursuit of his target proved successful as he located the chamber of the Lord Reaper, as well as the room where his children, Theon and Asha Greyjoy, lay slumbering.
"Where the fuck is he?" Damian muttered, frustration creeping into his voice as he departed from the castle. He wished to avoid causing any further disturbance within Pyke's walls.
Unbeknownst to him, the subject of his search had already departed from the island shortly before the falcon's arrival, concealing his whereabouts from all, even his brother, Balon Greyjoy, who remained in the dark regarding the missing Greyjoy. The elusive figure had vanished into the night, leaving Damian's efforts to locate him unfulfilled.
Unable to locate Euron Greyjoy, Damian opted to temporarily set aside his search for the dangerous man and concentrated on formulating and finalizing his intricate plan. The success of his mission depended on the precise coordination of his men, ensuring they could infiltrate the formidable castle of Pyke, capture their intended targets, and ferry them away on their ship without raising suspicion.
Disengaging from his warging connection with Ace, Damian gathered the chosen men, explaining the intricate details of the operation, particularly the abduction of Balon's children, who were guarded by only a single sentry.
Balon's capture was also part of the plan, but he had stationed a considerable number of guards for his protection so it didn't look like that was going to work out. Damian and his summoned companions meticulously reviewed various scenarios, continually refining their strategy until their ships reached their destination.
Jory and Dacey questioned why they had halted so near the enemy castle, rather than seeking rendezvous with the Royal fleet, which was in the process of transporting troops from the mainland to the island. Damian clarified his intentions, demonstrating the calculated risks he was willing to take to execute this clandestine mission.
The audacious nature of Damian's plan left both Jory and Dacey astounded. But seeing that he was serious about carrying out the mission and that he wasn't going to personally participate, they didn't say anything.
Their ships remained at a considerable distance from the island of Pyke, far beyond the reach of patrolling enemy vessels and vigilant lookouts stationed on the castle. Concealed in the shadows of the night, they lingered, poised to execute their bold plan when the time was right.
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