Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord

After hearing the news, Gavin immediately set off, rushing over with the Blood Dragon Guard.

During this time, Gavin had strictly controlled the entry and exit of Shipwreck Bay, in order to prevent the news of the change in ownership from spreading. His aim was deception—hoping that some of the original Black Shark "Earl's" men, still outside, would not suspect anything. If they didn't, Gavin could catch them off guard.

As soon as the two ships docked, they were swiftly seized by Gavin's men. The crew members were disarmed, bound, and taken to the dungeon. The two captains were tightly tied like rice dumplings and brought before Gavin in disgrace.

Facing Gavin's interrogation, the captains' hearts raced. They knew the gravity of the situation and understood that resistance or deceit would lead to their demise.

The captain on the left quickly assessed the situation, his mind calculating the risks. He had a family—his wife and children were waiting for him at home. What would they do if he lost his life now, due to a moment of stubbornness? Furthermore, with Shipwreck Bay now under new control, the fate of Black Shark "Earl" was uncertain. The situation had changed, and resisting was pointless. Taking a deep breath, he resolved to tell the truth.

The captain on the right, too, was filled with fear and helplessness. He thought back to the days spent wandering the seas, weathering countless storms and dangers, but none had made him feel so desperate. He knew Gavin was no fool—his ability to quickly seize control of Shipwreck Bay spoke volumes. Concealing anything now would endanger not just his own life, but that of his crew as well.

In those few seconds—seemingly both brief and endless—the two captains fought their inner demons. Finally, fear, helplessness, and the instinct to survive took over. They exchanged a glance, silently agreeing on the same decision.

The captain on the left lowered his head, his voice trembling as he spoke: "Sir, we dare not withhold anything. We will tell you everything we know."

The captain on the right added hastily, "Yes, sir, please spare our lives."

Once they spoke, it was as if a floodgate had opened. They divulged everything, leaving nothing out.

Through their confessions, Gavin learned of the situation beyond Shipwreck Bay. Both the Dornish and Black Shark "Earl" had suffered significant losses in a recent clash. The Dornish defenses had weakened drastically, and their fleet was nearly gone.

Most of the pirates still followed the Black Shark "Earl's" old orders, focused on recuperating and preparing for the Thorne family's retaliation. However, with no new orders coming from the Black Shark "Earl," two ships had been sent out to scout. They currently controlled Bloodstone Island and two unnamed islands, while Gray Hinge Island remained under the Thorne family's hold. However, Gray Hinge Island had lost its fleet and could no longer secure access to the seas. Meanwhile, the trade routes surrounding the Stepped Stone Islands were fully under control.

Gavin stroked his chin thoughtfully. The Dornish retreat didn't mean they had given up; a counterattack was always a possibility. The Thorne family's grip on Gray Hinge Island was firm—they wouldn't relinquish it easily. Once the Dornish fleet finished recovering in Lys, they would likely return to the Stepped Stone Islands. The interruption of trade routes would also force the Third Daughter Kingdom to take action.

Gavin was already plotting his next move. He intended to exploit the temporary weakness of all parties and consolidate control over the pirates outside. By gradually expanding his influence, he aimed to establish his dominance in the volatile seas.

Through careful reorganization, Gavin had stabilized his rule in Shipwreck Bay. However, the situation remained precarious, with external threats still looming.

If he could defeat the scattered pirate factions in the next operation, he would not only replace the Black Shark "Earl" but also secure control over most of the Stepped Stone Islands. Determined, Gavin decided to take the initiative, using the advantage of unequal information to raid the pirate forces beyond Shipwreck Bay.

On an unnamed island, a bonfire blazed, casting flickering light on the wild, unruly faces of the pirates. Hook "Todd" and several of his captains were reveling in a chaotic carnival. The air was thick with the scent of strong alcohol and crude laughter.

Each of them had a prostitute from Lys in their arms, drinking, shouting, and causing a ruckus. The clinking of glasses and the din of noisy banter filled the air. Some pirates staggered drunkenly around, while others were deep in heated arguments, their faces flushed.

Suddenly, a subordinate hurried over to report: "Boss, the two longships sent earlier have returned. Also, the boss's two sail warships and five longships are right behind, all under his flag."

Ironhook "Todd's" expression changed at once. He shoved the prostitute away from him and shouted, "Stop drinking!"

The boisterous scene fell silent immediately. The pirates exchanged confused glances. Ironhook "Todd" rose to his feet, straightening his clothes before leading his men toward the shore to meet the newcomers.

The Stepped Islands were dotted with dozens of islands, but only eight had fresh water. Four of the five islands closest to the trade routes were under the Black Shark "Earl's" control.

This unnamed island, one of the few with fresh water, was vital for the pirates. As one of Black Shark "Earl's" most trusted lieutenants, Ironhook "Todd" had been entrusted with 10 longships and 800 men to guard this position.

The small, crude wooden dock was already crowded with eight longboats. The arrival of another sailing warship left little space to spare. Ironhook "Todd" stood anxiously on the dock, waiting.

The sailing warship slowly approached, and the crew quickly tossed a heavy rope to the sailors on the shore, securing it tightly to a massive wooden pile. The gangplank lowered with a dull thud, the sound blending with the waves crashing against the dock.

Gavin, leading the Blood Dragon Guard, descended from the ship. Ironhook "Todd" was puzzled by the unfamiliar faces. He approached Gavin with a smile, asking, "You look unfamiliar. Are you the new boss?"

Gavin responded coolly, "No, I'm not. As for the boss you're asking about, well, you can see for yourself." He motioned to the Blood Dragon Guard, who handed a small wooden box to Ironhook "Todd."

Ironhook "Todd" took the box with a raised brow, his curiosity piqued. As he opened it, the pungent scent of lime hit his nose. Inside the box, the head of Black Shark "Earl" lay quietly. Its pale face was mottled with decay, the lime unevenly spread over the skin, making the sight even more grotesque and terrifying.