Chapter 8.5- The Seadragon's Roar

He took two carved ships and placed them against the map he’d brought with him from his flagship. Few houses bothered to have detailed maps that covered more than their holdings so it was no surprise that the Tarths did not have one, and it was no surprise that Corlys had thought of this fact in his own plan-making and organizing.

One of the ships he slid straight to one of the marked islands on the stepstones. The other ship, he moved at a slower pace towards Bloodstone.

“Bloodstone is the most important of the islands of the Stepstones. Grey Gallows for all its notoriety still comes second to bloodstone when it comes to size, importance, and prominence. That is why Bloodstone will be the first step in this invasion. In truth, the second but I’ll gt to that” He said, lifting his head to nod at both Lord Tarth and Borros, before he continued.

“The Stormland’s forces will be needed in taking Bloodstone. The pirates don’t stand a chance of contesting your landing and your sweep of the entire Island so that it where you will go. You will go as the second fleet, made of our special troop carrier class ships as well as a few of our newer model carracks in the unlikely event you face naval engagement”

“Why is that unlikely?” Tarth cut in. Corlys nodded like he did not mind the interruption.

“Because you will be the second fleet. The first fleet, made of our new Caravel models and several carracks, as well as my son’s special invention, the Dragon Carriers will make a naval base here, and from here will begin to patrol and strangle the pirates across the islands. As our ships are faster, we should have established Naval superiority in time for your ships to arrive and proceed unmolested to Bloodstone”

“I assume you shall have charge of this naval battle team” Borros said, rather than asked. Before he asked his next question then.

“And who will have the command of this second group to take Bloodstone?”

“Daemon Targaryen” Corlys said, looking like he was trying to hide a smirk. The Baratheons could protest being under Corlys’ command, but not Daemon’s. For one, he was a prince of the Blood. For the other, even now he was a well-known cantankerous arsehole.