Addam relayed the decision reached by Lord Corlys and Queen Rhaenyra the previous day.
With four new dragonriders now sworn to the Blacks, their strength had surged dramatically. They were already preparing a full counteroffensive against King's Landing.
At this critical moment, the Stepstones—as the gateway to the Narrow Sea—could not be lost.
Logar hadn't expected to sleep through so many important developments. Still, he had no objection to the queen's order. In fact, he was eager to return to the Stepstones and start building his own power base.
Dragonstone might be impressive, but it would never be his home. He had never felt comfortable here.
"Thank you for the information, Addam. In that case, I'll prepare immediately and fly back to the Stepstones on the Cannibal."
A cold, murderous glint flashed in Logar's eyes. Now that he rode the Cannibal, why bother with clever schemes or waiting for favorable winds like before? He could simply fly straight in and crush the remaining enemy forces beneath dragonfire.
Dragonrider charges in—how could he possibly lose?
Thanks to the generous rewards from the queen after taming the Cannibal, combined with the gold he had received when he was made Lord of the Stepstones, he now held five to six hundred gold dragons in hand.
Once he wiped out the remnants on Bloodstone and Grey Gallows, those two islands would fall completely into his hands.
With that wealth he would build strongholds and fortresses. The entire Stepstones would become his personal kingdom!
Just as Logar was about to set out, Addam turned to Alyn beside him.
"Brother, Father has already petitioned the queen to legitimize both of us. From now on, we are true members of House Velaryon."
"Will you come back with me? Serve at Father's side?"
To everyone's surprise, Alyn shook his head.
"Brother, I'm truly happy for you—becoming a dragonrider and gaining legitimate status."
"But returning to Lord Corlys's side… that won't be necessary."
"Why?" Addam asked, confused.
"Brother, I've already found my own path."
Alyn looked at Logar with firm, resolute eyes.
"These past weeks serving Lord Sea Burner have taught me more than I ever imagined. I've come to realize that he is the true king of the sea—a hero with a heart as vast as the ocean itself."
"I wish to serve under him and walk the road I choose for myself…"
"So brother, please go on without me."
Hearing his younger brother speak with such adult determination, Addam stood stunned.
He turned to look at Logar. Though he had heard many stories of the Sea Burner's feats, he still couldn't help wondering: Does this man truly possess such charisma?
"You little rascal, don't make mooching off me sound so noble," Logar said with a helpless smile under the sunlight.
"Serving under me means fighting with everything you have. If you ever hesitate on the battlefield, I'll kick your ass myself."
He made a playful kicking motion.
Alyn dodged nimbly and muttered, "Lord Sea Burner is always the one charging at the very front in every battle, yet he still has the nerve to threaten me."
Addam listened to his brother's words and suddenly felt as if an arrow had struck his heart. He stood frozen in place.
...
Narrow Sea — The Stepstones
Less than ten days after Logar left Blackgold Island, the shattered remnants of the Dornish and Triarchy forces—who had been hiding on Grey Gallows and Bloodstone—suddenly rose again.
They had scraped together nearly twenty ships and launched a fierce assault on the barren island.
Enemy vessels now crowded the shore. Archers formed dense ranks, raining black arrows onto Logar's fortifications. The shafts thudded into wooden walls and shields like deadly hail.
Three trebuchets roared in rotation, hurling massive stones that smashed through palisades and collapsed huts. The defensive walls shook violently.
The attackers came in three rotating waves—front ranks with shields raised, spearmen close behind—screaming like madmen, determined to reclaim the honor they had lost.
Inside the fort, Femon crouched behind the watchtower, eyes sharp as a hawk. He drew and loosed arrow after arrow with deadly precision—one piercing an enemy climber's throat, the next dropping the lead attacker.
"Damn it!" he shouted to shipwright Kendel beside him, who was desperately reinforcing a collapsing section of wall. "These fucking Dornish dogs and Three Whores just won't quit! Did you send word to the Velaryon fleet for reinforcements?!"
Kendel was drenched in sweat, arms burning with exhaustion, yet he still swung his axe to hold the crumbling barricade together.
"I sent messengers days ago!" he roared back, voice hoarse with rage. "But those cowards only sent a few supplies with Daemon. Their main fleet hasn't moved an inch! They're clearly using us as cannon fodder!"
"Argh!"
Right beside them, one of the World Devourers was struck by a boulder mid-swing. The man died instantly, his mangled body spraying blood over his comrades.
The gruesome sight shattered what little morale remained. The defenders' spirits plummeted toward total collapse.
"Femon, Kendel—how much longer do we have to hold this shithole?!" an older mercenary finally broke, voice cracking with despair. "We're just waiting to die! If Lord Sea Burner doesn't return soon, I'm running!"
His words triggered a wave of agreement. Morale hit rock bottom. Mutiny was moments away.
These mercenaries had originally been drawn to Logar by his reputation, but they were still pirates at heart. Even Logar's strict rewards and punishments hadn't fully erased their wild nature.
Now, facing death without their captain, they were on the verge of breaking.
Femon fired his last arrow and slumped to the ground, exhausted.
"Let the brothers flee," he said quietly. "I'll stay. I'll hold this fort until my last breath—for Lord Logar."
Kendel watched the enemy pouring through the shattered gate and felt true despair.
ROAR—!!
At that exact moment, a thunderous dragon cry exploded from the sky above.
The roar was like ancient thunder, shaking the entire island and freezing every soul in place.
Both defenders and attackers stopped fighting and looked up in terror.
A dark cloud raced toward them from the horizon—but it wasn't a cloud.
It was the Cannibal.
Wings spread wide enough to blot out the sun, black scales gleaming like polished obsidian, savage head crowned with razor horns, spiked tail lashing behind it like a siege engine.
The sight of the infamous king of wild dragons struck pure fear into every heart.
"The Cannibal!"