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At this moment, the night quietly descended, with countless stars twinkling in the sky. Gavin gazed at the unfamiliar yet blood-soaked town, understanding that this was only the beginning of a long journey.
The Stepstones were a series of islands located in the Narrow Sea, stretching from the eastern part of Dorne to the disputed lands. Bloodstone Island lay in the northern part of the archipelago, while Gray Gallows Island lay to the south.
Bloodstone Island, the largest in the Stepstones, had long been the focal point of conflict among various factions. Countless wars had erupted here, and the blood of warriors had stained the land, earning it the name "Bloodstone."
It resembled a dark, cursed jewel embedded in the turbulent sea. The island was filled with jagged rocks, and its steep cliffs rose high into the clouds, as though crafted by ancient giants. The relentless waves crashed against the rocks along the shore, sending up white foam and producing a deafening roar.
The town of Bloodstone exuded a rugged aura. Its architecture was relatively ancient, primarily constructed from sturdy stone to withstand the sea winds and potential invasions.
The streets were narrow and winding, with houses placed in an uneven manner along the sides. Some buildings had clearly weathered the ravages of time, their walls covered in moss or vines, adding an air of age and decay.
After a brief period of rest, Gavin, using the same tactics as before, successfully brought the last remnants of the Black Shark "Er" pirate faction under his control.
The pirates were still unaware of the change in ownership of Bloodstone Island and the death of Black Shark Erl. This ignorance allowed Gavin to secure a decisive victory, capturing nearly a thousand pirates.
Fortunately, none of the battles had taken place at sea, enabling Gavin to fully seize control of the power left behind by Black Shark Erl—nearly 70 warships, though Gavin's current forces could only man a fraction of them.
With this, control of the entire Stepstones Archipelago, once held by the pirates, now firmly fell into Gavin's hands.
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Two months later
Gavin, accompanied by a group of Blood Dragon Guards, patrolled the streets of Bloodstone Town. As he watched the town gradually become livelier, a sense of joy filled his heart.
He had originally planned to travel to Essos to take advantage of the ongoing wars between the city-states in order to acquire the Blood Dragon Guards. If the guards proved powerful enough, he intended to explore the dragon cave of the Belleris family. However, an unexpected turn of events led him to successfully acquire the Stepstones Islands.
After gaining full control of the region, Gavin summoned Boris and began producing the goods he had previously hesitated to reveal, instructing him to lead the islanders in expanding production.
Meanwhile, he allocated vast amounts of gold dragons to build roads and expand farmland on the island. He also spread the word of Black Shark Erl's death, withdrew from regions in conflict with the Dornish, and pledged not to attack passing merchant ships, instead focusing on eliminating nearby pirates.
Gavin then took swift action, sending envoys to both Dorne and the Three Daughters' Kingdom, seeking to negotiate the restoration of trade routes and planning to impose tolls in line with traditional agreements.
At the same time, Gavin dispatched his trusted subordinate, Hassan, to deliver a letter to Highgarden, seeking legal grounds to formally claim the Stepstones Islands.
By now, most of the envoys sent by Gavin had likely already reached their destinations.
Right now, the name Gavin Belleris echoed across both sides of the Narrow Sea, drawing the attention of all major powers and factions.
Hassan stood beneath the towering walls of Highgarden Castle, his weary body casting a long shadow in the morning sun. After days of traveling through harsh conditions, enduring the relentless winds and the heat of the day, he had finally reached this magnificent fortress.
His clothes were covered in dust, his hair disheveled, and his face bore the signs of fatigue from the journey, but his eyes shone with unwavering determination.
After a long and arduous journey, Hassan finally reached his destination that morning. He could hardly wait to deliver the vital letter into the hands of the castle's lord.
Once the message was handed over, Hassan waited quietly outside, his heart filled with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Just as his lord, Gavin, had assured him, once the message was delivered, he would be received with respect.
Sure enough, within the hour, Hassan was respectfully led into Highgarden Castle by one of the servants.
He was led to a pavilion in the garden, a place brimming with vibrant flowers, shaded by lush trees, and caressed by a gentle breeze that carried a faint, sweet fragrance.
The first thing that caught his eye was a noble young lady, wearing an exquisite gown, its hem embroidered with intricate patterns. She had a beautiful face, her skin as fair as snow, and her deep blue eyes resembled a serene, endless lake, filled with curiosity and life.
Her long, brown hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, shimmering in the sunlight with an enchanting glow.
Next, Hassan noticed a man sitting in a wheelchair, his demeanor serious and his expression deep. His clothing, simple yet finely made, reflected his high status. He gripped the armrests of his wheelchair tightly, his knuckles turning white from the pressure, as though lost in thought, pondering some important matter.
Beside him sat an elderly woman, wrapped in a headscarf. Her face was etched with deep wrinkles, as though shaped by time itself. A few strands of silver hair peeked from beneath the scarf, and her eyes reflected both the weariness and wisdom of age. She sat in silence, exuding an air of calm authority and respect.
Hassan turned his attention to the young lady and bowed respectfully. "You must be Lady Margaery Tyrell," he said. "I bring greetings from my lord, Gavin Belleris, and a letter addressed to you." With that, he handed the letter to a nearby servant, who promptly entered the pavilion to deliver it to Margaery.
Margaery carefully opened the letter and read it intently, her expression shifting to one of surprise. She then handed the letter to Lady Olenna, who was seated nearby. Willas leaned forward, eager to glimpse the contents, but Olenna shot him a sharp glance, signaling him to wait.
Willas immediately understood and sat back down, his curiosity momentarily subdued. Only after Olenna finished reading did she hand the letter back to him.
Hassan watched the letter pass from one person to the next in silence, his heart racing with anxiety. His gaze flickered between them, searching for clues in their expressions, desperately wondering if his lord's request would be granted.
The atmosphere in the pavilion was heavy, broken only by the occasional chirp of birds. Every second seemed to stretch into an eternity for Hassan.
Just as Willas opened his mouth to speak, Lady Olenna silenced him with a pointed look.
She turned her gaze to Hassan and spoke in a calm voice, "You must be exhausted from your long journey. Rest and have something to eat. We will give you a response shortly."
Hassan, though still anxious, bowed respectfully and replied, "Thank you, my lady, for your understanding." Following the servant's lead, he departed the pavilion with measured steps, his heart weighed down by worry and uncertainty.
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[Chapter End's]
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