Skyrim System In Westeros

While Wright leisurely fed dragons in the ruins of Valyria, the battle on the Stepstones had already begun. Along a jagged, reef-filled coastline, numerous ships of the royal fleet patrolled the waters. The ships that had landed were now empty, as their crews had already disembarked to hunt down pirates.

Atop a massive rock outcropping near the shore, the tents of the king and his generals stood vacant. Beneath the rock, Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight, directed logistics personnel in the construction of a sprawling military encampment.

The sea chart provided by Monford Velaryon had been copied and distributed among the fleet. The chart, a product of two generations of Velaryon navigators — The Sea Snake and Oakenfist — was remarkably precise, ensuring not a single ship struck a reef. The chart also marked the island's fjords and caves, allowing the troops to swiftly advance and eliminate every pirate hideout.

The Stepstones were home to several large islands, each around 100 kilometers in length. The royal fleet had landed on one such island, which housed a town built on an isolated coastal rock. Though King Robert insisted on leading the charge himself, his commanders only allowed him to join after most of the pirates had been slain, ensuring overwhelming numerical superiority before any significant confrontation.

Outside a dilapidated town engulfed in flames, Lukos Celtigar and a few knights on horseback pursued a group of men in tattered clothes. The men dropped to their knees, pleading, "Mercy, my lord! We are but humble farmers!"

"Farmers, you say?" Lukos hesitated, his sword wavering. The other knights also paused, uncertain.

Years ago, it was Lukos Celtigar who had led a group of young sailors from Myr to the Red Keep in King's Landing, delivering Wright's secret letter that had determined the fate of the Stepstones. Stannis had since made him one of his sworn swords. In this campaign, he was tasked with leading a small group of knights to clean up enemies near the king.

"Yes, my lord! We can prove it!" The men fumbled under their tattered robes, pulling out daggers and lunging at the knights.

"Ah!" A young knight was pulled from his horse, a blade plunged into his throat.

"Kill them! They're pirates!" Lukos shouted as he was dragged from his horse, pulling the pirate down with him. The two scuffled on the ground. While fists had little effect on armor, Lukos's iron gauntlet quickly turned the pirate's face into a bloody mess. Gripping the pirate's throat with one hand, he grabbed a nearby sword and thrust it into the man's chin.

Using daggers against fully armed knights on horseback proved futile, especially without a numerical advantage. The pirates were swiftly slain, though the knights suffered casualties — one dead, several wounded. Panting heavily, they stood in grim silence, shaken by the encounter.

Lukos Celtigar was only fifteen, like the young knights under his command. Most had only participated in tourneys, and this was their first real war. Though brave, they lacked experience. Tasked by Stannis with clearing nearby pirates, they had followed orders meticulously, unaware they had ventured too far from the king's sight.

In the burning, ruined town, armored soldiers chased down pirates in the narrow, winding streets. All riders had dismounted to navigate the chaos.

"Advance!"

"Hold formation!"

Two knights clad in full armor, wearing surcoats of sea-green with silver seahorses, fought valiantly at the forefront. Their swords gleamed red with pirate blood as they led soldiers twenty paces ahead of King Robert. These were Monford Velaryon and his bastard brother, Aurane Waters. Their coordination was impeccable, dispatching the stronger pirates with ease. Occasionally, a wiry pirate would slip through their ranks, fleeing toward Robert.

The king, clad in custom-made, ornate armor and wearing his signature antlered helm, wielded a massive warhammer. Seven Kingsguard knights, resplendent in white armor and cloaks, flanked him on both sides and behind. Trailing the group were Stannis Baratheon and a host of knights.

A pirate charged toward Robert. Ser Lyn Corbray of the Kingsguard, wielding his Valyrian steel sword, Lady Forlorn, prepared to intercept but hesitated, glancing at Ser Barristan Selmy. Barristan nodded subtly, and the two stepped back, leaving Robert at the forefront of the group.

"Scum!" Robert roared, deflecting the pirate's attack with the shaft of his warhammer. With a powerful swing, the hammer crushed the pirate's chest, collapsing it so completely that his back met his ribs, killing him instantly. Robert kicked the lifeless body aside.

Another pirate, gaunt and armed with a curved blade, had narrowly escaped a group of knights. Spotting a fully armored figure adorned with ornate gear leading a flag-bearing force, he assumed this must be the leader. Tossing away his weapon, the pirate dropped to his knees and slid toward Robert, shouting in a foreign tongue.

"Trying to strike low? Pathetic trick!" Robert sneered, sidestepping and spinning his body with his warhammer. A sickening crack followed as the hammer obliterated the pirate's skull, leaving behind a kneeling, headless corpse.

"Hahahaha!" Robert bellowed with laughter. He was well aware of what his men were doing — letting him take part in the battle while subtly ensuring his safety. For a king who relished leading from the front, this compromise was better than being held back entirely.

The fires in the town burned higher as the sounds of battle diminished.

"Haah... haah..." Robert stood still, catching his breath, warhammer resting on his shoulder after dispatching another pirate. Ser Barristan, noticing his fatigue, stepped forward, sword in hand, to shield the king.

Monford Velaryon and Aurane Waters, who had been keeping an eye on Robert amidst their own fighting, saw Barristan move closer. Taking no chances, the two redoubled their efforts, ensuring no pirate escaped their blades.

By the time the town had been secured, Robert and his forces withdrew to the outskirts, where large bonfires had been lit. Many soldiers rested near the fires, while captured pirates — men and boys alike — were marched off in groups to be executed. Only women remained in the town.

Robert and a group of knights sat on rocks, drinking water as their squires wiped blood from their armor.

"What's the situation now?" Robert asked.

Stannis Baratheon responded, "The major pirate forces on the island have been dealt with. Over the next few weeks, our troops will split into smaller groups to hunt down those who fled."

Squires began removing Robert's armor. "What about Renly?"

Stannis replied, "The Stormlands fleet is attacking Bloodstone. Reports say they've already engaged a Tyroshi fleet at sea. I'm not concerned about his front."

"And the southern front?" Robert asked.

Stannis gestured for Monford Velaryon to step forward. His armor freshly cleaned, Monford saluted the king and said, "Dorne and the North are attacking the small outlying islands together, led by Prince Oberyn. The Reach fleet, led by Ser Loras Tyrell, is advancing on Grey Gallows. The Westerlands fleet, under Jaime Lannister, is assaulting Torturer's Deep. Troops have already begun landing on all three islands."

Hearing Jaime's name, Robert relaxed slightly. He and Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King in King's Landing, had already agreed on a contingency plan. If Tywin's brother, Kevan Lannister, had been appointed commander, Eddard Stark would lead the northern forces to attack the Westerlands under a pretext already prepared. However, the risk of outright war was too high, and Robert was unwilling to take that step at this moment.

Something occurred to him. "Wait. Where in the seven hells are the Ironborn?"

Monford Velaryon answered, "The Iron Islands sent word to Dorne, claiming they were delayed by a storm. However, scouts from the Westerlands report a large fleet without banners heading toward Lys."

Robert's fury erupted. "They dare disobey orders? Do they want to die?"

---

If you can, support me on pa treon:

Pa treon. com/ RightTranslations (No spaces)

Up to 50 chapters ahead on the four novels i am translating.