Damian absorbed all the details about Pixie's abilities as Willow introduced them one by one.
The common thread woven through their skills was their innate talent to become invisible and influence the growth of plants around them. The rest of their abilities hinged on individual talents and affinities.
Damian directed them to acquaint themselves with the space world, lend a hand to the farmers with minimal mischief, and encouraged them to garner as much knowledge about Westeros as possible. He conveyed his need for them to spy on certain individuals in the forthcoming days.
With these instructions imparted, Damian departed the space world and retreated to slumber inside the cabin of his ship.
The following morning, Damian rose promptly, standing at the helm of the bow of his ship. They sailed alongside Ned's ship, which was positioned next to Robert's Royal War Galley. The Pyke loomed in the distance, and the shore of Lordsport was just a short journey away. The Vanguard had the task of securing the land for the safe disembarkation of the king and other nobles.
As they approached, the stronghold of House Botley came into view—a grand structure of timber and wattle. This castle overlooked Lordsport, the largest town in the Iron Islands, and provided a secure anchor for those aiming to reach Pyke, the seat of House Greyjoy. In the current situation, however, it posed a hindrance for the King's army.
Damian recalled reading that Botley Castle had been razed to the ground by Robert's Army on their way to seize Pyke. It seemed likely that history would repeat itself.
To his interest, Damian noticed a ship sailing alongside theirs, proudly displaying the Lannister banner. For the first time, he laid eyes on the infamous Tywin Lannister, who stood on the deck, issuing commands to his soldiers.
"So, Tywin is here as well," Damian had anticipated his presence, so there was no surprise in his expression.
Tywin was adorned in steel plate armor enamelled in deep crimson, accentuated with gold, its rondels gleaming like golden sunbursts. A heavy cloth-of-gold great cloak adorned with gold miniature lionesses draped over him, and his great helm featured a roaring lion with ruby eyes. Damian couldn't help but notice the gold pommel of Tywin's longsword.
"What a showoff," Damian remarked, looking away.
As they approached the shore of Lordsport, Robert had already conveyed the plan: first, they would seize and control the town before advancing to attack the castle, situated at a height and distance from the town.
The strategy seemed straightforward, given their overwhelming numbers. Defeating the Botleys, who had far fewer men, shouldn't pose a significant challenge.
As anticipated, the combined army of the North, Riverlands, Westerlands, Stormlands, the Reach, and the Crownlands easily overpowered the Botleys, swiftly taking control of the town within a couple of hours. The Botley forces were insufficient to defend the town, with most of their men called to defend Pyke or already defeated or captured during the Iron Fleet's demise.
Damian found little opportunity to assess his improvement since the previous night, facing only a handful of opponents, most of whom were already dealt with by the troops ahead.
"Look, Damian, Tywin's forces are making their way to Botley's castle," Jory pointed out, gesturing towards soldiers clad in black and red armor marching towards the castle.
Tywin most probably wants to take revenge for burning his town, Lanisport. It's not going to end well for Botley's Keep.
And Damian was right. After a couple of more hours had gone by, they saw the castle being overrun and set ablaze.
Damian refrained from participating in the attack on the castle. Instead, he ordered his men to gather all the thralls who wished to leave the Iron Islands and settle on the mainland. His primary goal was to secure these people for his new territory, which would undoubtedly require a substantial influx of immigrants to improve its prosperity after he took over.
His men gathered around seven hundred people who wished to leave with them after the Pyke issue was resolved.
On the same day, Robert's army departed from Lordsport, leaving most of the houses and Botley castle in ruins. Even the Sept, constructed in Lordsport by Quellon Greyjoy to integrate with mainland culture, was reduced to rubble. The chances of anyone rebuilding it now were slim.
It was astonishing how much destruction and death an army of men could cause.
Damian had given specific orders to only kill Ironborn brandishing weapons and any priests of the Drowned God they happened upon—no mercy for those individuals.
In total, they might have killed 13 priests, a deed Damian felt no remorse for. This action did not go unnoticed, catching the attention of a few men, including Robert, Eddard, and, notably, Tywin.
By the time they reached the keep of House Greyjoy, it was already night, and they set up camp at a distance from the castle.
Damian received word from Ned that they would attempt to negotiate the surrender of House Greyjoy by showcasing the hostages he had in his custody.
Robert dispatched someone to communicate this message, and now they simply had to await the response of the squid Lord for the parley.
Soon after, a meeting was called in Robert's tent, and Damian joined his brother as they went to the place together.
"Ah, there he is. Damian, come here," Robert beckoned. "Everyone, it was Ned's brother who went and got Balon's kin right under the squid's nose for us," Robert added from his chair, with Tywin seated to his right.
Word of Damian's deed had already spread, so most of the nobles present in the tent were aware of how he secured the valuable hostages. While many looked at him appreciatively, some attempted to maintain an appearance of being unimpressed.
Ned took his seat on Robert's left, and Damian occupied the chair behind him. The meeting commenced with Lord Kevan Lannister, the younger brother of Lord Tywin, standing up to propose the terms of surrender to be presented to Lord Balon Greyjoy during the parley.
Hearing the terms from Kevan's mouth, undoubtedly influenced by Tywin, Damian could only think of one word—ruthless.
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