"World Devourers? From Essos? Logar?"
When Corlys finished his report, the Black council fell silent for a moment. No one had ever heard of this mercenary company or its captain.
That didn't dampen their joy in the slightest. Rook's Rest had just fallen to the Greens. The Blacks desperately needed a major victory to lift morale — and this one had been won at the Stepstones, the throat of the Narrow Sea.
Though the islands lay far from Westeros, they controlled the vital sea route to King's Landing. Every ship sailing between Essos and Westeros had to pass through them. Holding the Stepstones meant holding the Narrow Sea by the throat.
"Congratulations, Your Grace! The Stepstones are yours once more!"
The hall filled with cheerful congratulations. For the first time in many days, the heavy atmosphere in the Black Stone council chamber lightened.
Even Queen Rhaenyra, seated on the throne and silent until now, brightened visibly.
These past weeks she had heard nothing but bad news: Prince Daemon had left for Harrenhal, loyal lords had fallen in battle, and the weight of it all had exhausted her. She had handed day-to-day rule to her eldest son, Jacaerys.
"Wonderful, Lord Corlys," Rhaenyra said, a rare smile touching her lips. "This is the best news I've heard in a long time."
"And that you have returned to serve as Hand of the Queen — that is even better!"
"Your Grace, the Stepstones are of vital importance to the realm," Corlys pressed smoothly. "The captain of the World Devourers is not only bold and capable, he also holds deep respect for Your Grace's majesty.
When he arrives with the prisoners to swear fealty, I suggest you formally name him Lord of the Stepstones and reward his great service."
Everyone knew the Stepstones were poor, barren, and constantly fought over. The Dornish and the Triarchy had always meddled there. Now that the enemy had been crushed in one decisive battle, Corlys naturally wanted Logar to stay and keep the vital trade routes safe.
"No!" Lord Bartimos Celtigar immediately objected, frowning. "The man has done great service, but his origins are unknown. No matter how worthless the Stepstones may be, we cannot simply hand them to some sellsword captain from Essos!"
"It's fine," Rhaenyra said with a light laugh, waving the concern away. "We are about to fight the Greens in earnest. We need men who can win.
Logar and his World Devourers just destroyed a combined Dornish and Triarchy army. That kind of fighter is exactly what we need. Bringing him into our service can only help us."
Jacaerys, Grand Maester Gerardys, Lord Gormon Massey of Stone Dance, and the others all nodded in agreement.
They knew how dangerous the Stepstones were. Even if Logar became lord there, holding them for even two years would be difficult.
Besides, after Rhaenys's death and the fall of Rook's Rest, the Blacks' position had grown worse by the day. They desperately needed fresh strength to turn the tide.
Seeing that both the queen and the council approved, Corlys let out a relieved breath. This was the first major success since he had returned to serve as Hand.
He turned his gaze toward King's Landing, eyes hardening.
Rhaenys, my wife… I will avenge you.
...
Inside Dragonstone castle, the moment Baela heard that her grandfather Corlys had returned, she grabbed her sister Rhaena and hurried toward the great hall.
All the way there, Baela's mind was elsewhere.
Her grandfather's arrival brought back memories of Driftmark — and of the man who had been occupying far too many of her thoughts lately.
Logar.
Ever since they parted on Driftmark, she had told herself she would forget him. Instead, every moment they had shared had only grown clearer.
She should have hated his roughness, his wild ways, the way he had teased her. Yet she kept remembering his courage, his unexpectedly refined speech, and the unexpected kindness he had shown those starving children.
The images replayed in her mind again and again. She couldn't push them away, and it left her heart in a confused tangle.
She even found herself wondering: Would he come to Dragonstone with Grandfather?
Then she shook her head, scolding herself for the foolish thought.
"What are you thinking about, sister?" Rhaena asked softly, noticing Baela's distracted expression and the way she kept shaking her head as they walked.
"Nothing," Baela answered quickly, forcing the whirlwind of thoughts down.
She reminded herself firmly: she was a princess of House Targaryen, betrothed to Prince Jacaerys Velaryon. With her family facing such danger, she had to focus on their survival and future.
Before long the sisters reached the great hall. The council meeting had already ended.
Jacaerys came toward them. He noticed his betrothed looked a little strange and asked casually, "What brings you two here?"
"We came to see Grandfather," Rhaena replied, still holding Baela's hand. "Where is he?"
"He's speaking with Mother. They're preparing to grant a sellsword captain named Logar the title of Lord of the Stepstones."
Jacaerys's voice carried open excitement. "That man is impressive. He burned more than thirty Dornish and Triarchy ships in one night, killed or captured over a thousand enemies — a truly enormous achievement!"
Baela's ears perked up instantly. Logar? She thought she must have misheard.
But as Jacaerys continued, every detail matched. Her heart began to race — only he would be capable of something so outrageous.
Remembering his calm confidence and sharp edge, she drifted off again, lost in thought.
"Baela, what's on your mind?" Jacaerys asked, frowning slightly when he noticed his betrothed staring into space right in front of him.
She was wonderful in every way, but she always seemed to have too many thoughts.
"N-nothing," Baela answered quickly, avoiding his eyes. "Will he… come to Dragonstone?"
"Of course he will," Jacaerys replied, puzzled but obliging. "Mother wants to grant him the title in front of all the lords, to boost morale.
And with the war against the Greens heating up, we'll need men like him."
"Then congratulations, brother," Rhaena said with a gentle smile, still holding her sister's hand. "Another strong ally for our side."
With that she tugged Baela toward the queen's private solar to greet their grandfather.
"Those two girls… more and more mysterious every day," Jacaerys muttered, shaking his head as he watched them go.
As the queen's chosen heir, he still had a mountain of work ahead.
Now that the Sea Snake had returned as Hand, Jacaerys planned to press his mother again about summoning all the Targaryen bastards to Dragonstone to try taming the dragons.
The Blacks and Greens were already at full war, and the situation was turning against them.
At this critical moment, only by swelling their ranks of dragonriders could they strengthen the Black cause and help his family retake King's Landing.