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'The Black Wind entered the harbour perfectly, like Quarl's cock in her womb. Asha jumped onto the hard ground and headed for the tavern. Along the way, she met a number of acquaintances: Dagmer the old warrior, Lorren the big man, Tristifer the boy (who had tried to follow her, but was wiped out by the crowd that came out of the tavern), and Andric the perpetual scowler, nicknamed 'No Smile'. All the captains and warriors had gathered on the Pike at their father's call. Asha was one of the last to arrive, having lingered in the Ten Towers with her mother and Uncle Rodrik. The news of the death of Theon, her third and final son, had undermined Lady Alannis. Asha's consolations didn't help, and what could? Poor silly little brother. To tell the truth, Asha was even a little proud of him: what a joke, to kill the king! If Theon had had the sense to flee the capital instead of waiting for Lannister favours, his feat would have been sung all over the Iron Islands.
Asha listened intently to the conversations as she sipped her roast fish with the strongest dark beer. They all agreed that Lord Baelon was about to go to war: wolf, lion, and deer were fighting, and there was no better time to invade the green lands. But where will Father strike? The North, left unprotected? The rich West, equally vulnerable? Or perhaps the krakens would try their luck in the Riverlands, as in the old days before the Conquest? Either option had its advantages, but if it was up to Asha, she'd choose the Expanse. She liked the peaches there too damn much.
Uncle Wet-head ruined her holiday with another boring speech about the Drowned God. Asha disliked her uncle, especially after his recent statement that a woman could not rule the Ironborn. Why would he think that? Asha was doing well with her team, which meant she could handle the kingdom as well. She's young, strong and intelligent. Who can compete with her? Madman Euron, lost on the distant eastern seas? Foolish Victarion? Holy Wetback? No. She will be her father's heir, after Theon's death there's no doubt about it. Whatever Lord Baelon conquers will eventually belong to her.
After finishing her beer, Asha wanted to stretch. She shouted to Newt the Brahdobrei, Victarion's man, that she could shave a man with an axe throw as well as he could; the man couldn't help but accept the challenge. A hot and rapid dance of fingers ensued, attracting everyone's attention. Not a single finger was severed, so it was a draw. Asha left the tavern to cheers of approval. This is how credibility is earned. While Uncle Victarion sat in his quarters, she would earn the respect of his men to make them her own.
Asha reached her father's castle on horseback. Another woman would have tidied herself up first, but Asha knew very well how little her father valued appearance. In her rough leather jacket, woollen breeches, and salt-etched boots, Asha was a true Ironborn, and she wouldn't trade it for the most expensive dress on the continent. Flexible and confident, she walked easily across the swaying suspension bridge to the Sea Tower.
Wethead was already there, as was Victarion. Her uncles sat at a square table to her father's right and left; Asha got the seat opposite. Lord Baelon's hard black eyes met those of his daughter.
- All assembled,' the father said. - Let us begin.
A map lay on the table. Lord Reaper Pike's bony finger hovered over Casterly Cliff like a vulture and pointed at nearby Lannisport.
- 'The Lannisters lost at Blackwater,' Father said. - Joffrey is dead, Stannis is on the Iron Throne, and Cersei is a prisoner. While Lord Tywin and the Kingslayer are busy rescuing her, we'll reap a defenseless west. Casterly Rock will withstand years of siege, but so what? Everything else will be ours-- fields, villages and gold mines. Our warriors will take the spoils and the wives of the sea, and I will take the crown.
- The Old Law will be reborn again,' said the Wethead in triumph. - For what is dead cannot die!
- The Lannisters are accustomed to paying in gold,' Victarion bellowed. - We will pay them in iron.
- What do you say, my daughter? - Baelon asked. - Do you approve of my plan?
- It's a good plan,' Asha admitted. - But there's a problem. What if the Lannisters win in the end?
- They won't. The Lannisters have lost the capital, they've lost the king, and soon they'll lose the rest.
- Then there's Tommen, Asha said.
- An eight-year-old boy hiding out in the middle of nowhere - or maybe he's already dead. When Cersei is found guilty of treason, he will be nothing.
- The Lannisters will never accept that.
- But everyone else will. Everyone will turn their backs on the Lannisters and rush to grab a piece of the West. We have to get there first.
- Why not a piece of the North? - Asha asked. - Eddard Stark is dead. If we captured the Cailin moat, we could lock his son in the South and march on the North without interference.
- And then Stannis would pay us a visit like his brother did ten years earlier. No. If the Northmen were on their own, I'd think about it, but it's too risky to attack them under the circumstances. And what's there of value in the North? Just snow and rocks.
Asha nodded, acknowledging his point.
- So it's settled. Aaron, you take eight ships and plunder the coast from Bainforth to Crag. Asha, you and thirty ships will attack and capture Bright Isle. Victarion, you will lead the charge. You will lead the Iron Fleet to Lannisport, sack it and burn it. Then you will take Cayce, garrison it and join your brother to attack the gold mines in the hills.
- When you get to Castamere, Uncle, sing a song about the Rhines. It will be symbolic.
Victarion frowned incomprehensibly, but Baelon smiled at his daughter's joke.
- Victarion, Aeron. Leave Asha and me alone.
As the uncles walked out, her father put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed lightly.
- Asha. I didn't want to say this in front of my brothers because they are blind and don't see what I see. You were born a woman, but you are superior to many men. You have been a better son to me than any of your brothers. And I want you to have the Throne of the Sea when I die.
Unaccustomed to fatherly love, Asha looked down in embarrassment (she would later be angry with herself for this) and said:
- Thank you, father.
- Victarion and Aeron are stubborn, but sooner or later they will recognise my will. The only one who can give you real trouble is Euron. As long as I live, he will not dare return from the exile I sent him to. But if I die... be careful with him, Asha. Crow's Eye is cunning and cruel. You don't know half of what I know about him.
Asha had an uneasy feeling. Was it like Father was saying goodbye?
- The Bright Isle is near, Father. I'll be back soon.
- You can't be sure of anything at sea. We Ironborn know that better than anyone.
- I wish Theon were with us,' Asha said. Father grinned.
- A fool and a weakling. First the wolves had taken him for a tame dog, and then the lioness had made him her toy. And when she didn't want him anymore, she killed him.
- Her and her cousin,' Asha said softly. - Lancel.
- Just as stupid as Theon, and just as much the Queen's toy. Stannis will have both his and her heads cut off.
- I hope so, Father. If those two can somehow get away with it, the Lannisters may win.