Game of Thrones: Oath of Iron and Fire-Chapter 45: The Wolfpack’s Reach and the Tyroshi Dilemma

At the border between the Wolfpack's territory and Myr, the Free Army had made several bold and conspicuous appearances, sending the Myrish into a state of panic. Some manor lords had already fled back to the city of Myr, taking a portion of their slaves with them.

The clouds of war hung heavy in the sky, and the horns of the Disputed Lands echoed with a chilling cold. The demand for mercenaries among the Myrish had skyrocketed. Many sellswords and adventurers flocked to Myr, eager to secure a contract.

But the eastern attacks were mere feints; the real thrust was aimed at the islands. On two nameless isles near the Stepstones, pirates were suddenly met with the roars of other sailors.

Many of the Stepstones' islands were nameless, with only Bloodstone and Grey Gallows being well-known. But all these isles were storm-battered and barren.

Black ships landed on the shores, carrying escaped slaves from Valyria and some knights of the Wolfpack.

"For the Wolfpack!"

"For the Wolfpack!" The gray-and-white banner of the Wolfpack fluttered alongside the Free Army's banner of broken shackles.

The pirates hadn't anticipated an attack from the Wolfpack and the Free Army, and their formation quickly crumbled.

In the war tent of Powdergrass Manor, the Tyroshi envoy looked at Gendry, who sat on a tiger-skin folding chair. The tiger skin had been gifted to the "liberator of slaves" and "abolitionist" by the escaped slaves of Valyria.

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Behind Gendry hung a Myrish tapestry depicting valiant knights on a hunt. Gendry wore a black iron mask, flanked by Unsullied guards and an elderly maester with a knowing smile.

"Most rumors are exaggerated," the Tyroshi envoy thought to himself. The tales of Gendry had reached Tyrosh as well. He was rumored to be a tyrant who beheaded and collected the skulls of slavemasters, an eight-foot-tall brute with a wild beard, a war-mad man who wielded a warhammer with unmatched ferocity, a giant who drank blood and ate raw flesh. The head wolf was also said to sacrifice blood to dark gods in exchange for war frenzy.

But what the Tyroshi envoy saw was a tall man, over seven feet, but nowhere near seven or eight feet. The Powdergrass King had dark hair and blue eyes, tall and agile, and his demeanor was anything but that of a crude sellsword. He appeared elegant and dangerous. However, some rumors were true: the warhammer with its black iron chill did glow ominously. It was this very mace that had shattered the skulls of many, Unsullied, robber knights, and Meereenese alike.

"First, a gift from the Archon of Tyrosh to the commander of the Wolfpack and the Free Army in the Disputed Lands, the head wolf," the Tyroshi envoy said as the box he presented was opened. Inside were Tyroshi pear brandy and some ornately decorated armor.

"I appreciate the Archon's gifts," Gendry said. "But you didn't travel all this way just to bring me some fine wine, did you?"

The rise of the Powdergrass King had also caused alarm in Tyrosh. The Copper King's War had seen Tyrosh long dominated by a copper king with a silver tongue, who had declared himself king.

"You've already gained much in the Disputed Lands, Commander. Do you truly wish to make enemies of half the world? Besides Myr, there are Lys, Tyrosh, Valyria, and the Slaver's Bay..." the Tyroshi envoy began. The envoy's hair and beard were a bright reddish-purple, as Tyroshi favored vibrant colors.

"I wonder what advice the Archon of Tyrosh has to offer a man who's lost his way?" Gendry looked at the envoy.

"Cease the propaganda of liberating slaves and retreat to your original holdings. Tyrosh won't concern itself with Powdergrass Manor and the first few manors. But if you continue to expand, Tyrosh will see the Wolfpack's greed as an act of war!" the Tyroshi envoy said, suppressing his panic. The Black Wolf, the leader of the Wolfpack, the Powdergrass King, the Iron King. Though the envoy had come forward, he had no desire to have his head smashed in.

"Ever since the Three Daughters' alliance dissolved, the Free Cities have despised each other. The Myrish and I have deep enmity. Would Tyrosh truly panic if I struck at Myr?"

"Do you truly want me to speak the truth?" the Tyroshi envoy could no longer contain his frustration. "The Disputed Lands were once shared, but now the Wolfpack's territory keeps expanding. Many Tyroshi slaves have also fled to join you. You're deliberately provoking a war. Our Archon, out of goodwill, hasn't yet demanded the return of the slaves."

"It seems the Archon of Tyrosh also wishes to intimidate me!"

"Perish the thought! But the Commander must understand that your reckless actions are drawing the ire of many. The Myrish are already working with the Golden Company. Setting aside the future of your small kingdom, I believe you don't want to make more powerful enemies!"

"The Golden Company? But I'm also in talks with them!" Gendry smiled. "The Golden Company is interested in Westeros, and I'm content with the Disputed Lands. You see, it's a win-win situation."

"What?" The Tyroshi envoy's face changed dramatically, unsure whether to believe the news. The Golden Company was the most formidable mercenary force in the Disputed Lands, with clear political ambitions.

"It seems this negotiation won't end well, Commander. I hope you'll consider it," the Tyroshi envoy made one last effort.

"How can a negotiation be one-sided? But I'll certainly send my regards to the Archon!"

"Since you're so stubborn, I see no need to stay!" The negotiation ended in discord. The Tyroshi envoy, seeing the Free Army soldiers who looked ready to tear him apart, couldn't stay any longer and hurriedly left.

The Unsullied's spears gleamed coldly, like tigers poised to pounce on prey.

"It seems the Tyroshi will soon join the coalition against us," Gendry said.

"The Tyroshi are the greediest of all; they'll never coexist with us!" The Tyroshi slave trade was quite developed, and their slavers were notoriously aggressive. They even sailed north, beyond the Wall, seeking free folk to enslave.

"This rumor about the Golden Company and the Wolfpack must have scared the Tyroshi witless," Maester Cale said.

"It's not entirely a rumor," Gendry replied. "We do have grounds for cooperation with the Golden Company."

The Golden Company had always been focused on returning to Westeros to reclaim their homeland. Many of them were originally from Westeros and had a natural aversion to slavery. There was potential for collaboration between the Golden Company and the Wolfpack. Just as the Golden Company had supported the Penny Prince in seizing the Disputed Lands and Tyrosh, they might later choose to attack the Stepstones.

"The Golden Company! They're a formidable force and could be a useful ally," Maester Cale mused.

"Dangerous allies! Think about how they ended up here!" Handsome Harry interjected. The Golden Company's ambitions were too grand, which was why they hadn't made much progress over the years.

"Many members of the Golden Company come from second-tier noble families of the Reach. Perhaps they still have some old connections, like with the Poes. They also have supporters in Dorne," Gendry added.