The morning sun had just shone on the flaming stag flag flying at the top of the Stone Drum Tower, and the horn of attack sounded again on Dragonstone, which had been besieged for a long time.
Thousands of Dragonstone defenders who were on duty on the city wall did not panic when they heard the attack call. In the past two or three months, the enemy had attacked many times, but they were easily repelled every time.
Dragonstone Castle was built using the lost Valyrian masonry technology. The entire castle is made of black stone. Its towers are carved in the shape of dragons, and many gargoyles of different shapes on the upper reaches of the towering walls serve as battlements.
In the previous battles, the defenders of Dragonstone Island only had to shoot down on the battlements of the city wall, throw rocks, and sprinkle boiling oil. The enemies below who attacked along the only ladder up the mountain suffered heavy losses and had to retreat.
However, today's situation is different from before!
On the wall of Dragonstone Island, the originally lazy commander was frightened when he saw the densely packed enemy soldiers and numerous siege equipment at the foot of the mountain.
Especially the huge and terrifying wolf in the enemy's formation that can be seen at a glance even from a long distance away.
Without any hesitation, he hurriedly shouted to the messenger beside him: "Sound the alarm, call all the soldiers, and then go and inform your majesty that the enemy has launched a general attack! Quick, quick, quick!"
Clang, clang, clang!
As the urgent alarm bell rang on the city wall of Dragonstone, a large number of Dragonstone defenders who were taking turns to take a rest were disheveled and filed out of the towers surrounding the Stone Drum Tower.
At the same time, Stannis, who was much thinner and shriveled than before, brought Davos and Brand to the city wall.
"Your Majesty, look at their appearance, they are preparing to attack us in one fell swoop!"
Davos looked at the enemies below who had completed preparations for war and had begun to come up the mountain along the stairs, and said with a worried look on his face.
"Huh, stupid guy! If we are kept under siege, I'm worried that the 'Siege of Storm's End' might happen again.
But they want to attack us in one fell swoop? So what if there are more of them?
Occupying the strategic location of Dragonstone, I am confident that I can repel them even if there are only a few hundred people, not to mention that we still have more than 2,500 soldiers!
Tell all the soldiers that after today's victory, in addition to the silver deer reward, everyone will also be given a special reward of rich wine, meat and food in the evening!"
Hearing Davos' words, Stannis sneered and tilted his head to answer him.
"Your Majesty, if it is an ordinary war, it is indeed what you said. But Robb Stark has powerful magic, and there is that terrifying giant wolf that stands taller than the city gate!
If we fight with all our strength and cause them huge casualties, there will be no room for negotiation at all!
Your Majesty, I request you again, for the sake of Princess Shireen and Queen Celis. Please send a truce signal first and let me go out of the city to negotiate on your behalf!"
After hearing this, Davos, who always had a clear mind, bit his lip hard and spoke out the words he was holding in his heart.
"Hmph! Davos, you are trying to shake the morale of our army before the battle. Come, lock him up in the dungeon tower and deal with him after the battle is over."
Stannis, who suffered successive defeats and lost Melisandre, was different from before. Faced with Davos's heartfelt and sincere suggestions, he refused to accept them at all, and instead became furious.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! This is the last chance!"
Stannis's personal guards heard the order and stepped forward to control Davos and drag him to the dungeon tower. During the process, Davos kept shouting at him.
"Although Melisandre is dead, what she said must be true!
I am the reincarnation of the legendary hero Azor Ahai, and I am the savior!
The light of the Lord of Light shines upon me!”
Watching Davos being dragged away by his personal guards, Stannis had a look of fanaticism on his face and murmured to himself in a weak voice.
Hoo, ho, ho!
Rest, rest, rest!
The trebuchets of the siege side threw rocks with whistling sounds, and the bows and arrows of the defenders shot arrows with sharp piercing sounds, and the attack and defense of Dragonstone began.
Peng, Peng, Peng!
Dozens of heavy stones the size of heads fell into the Dragonstone Castle, smashing holes of different shapes into various buildings including the Stone Drum Tower.
A few stones directly hit the gargoyles of the towering city wall, and pieces of tiny gravel were splashed everywhere during the impact.
The trebuchet attack by the siege army looked huge, but in fact it caused very little casualties and damage. Instead, it was the mediocre arrow rain from the Dragonstone defenders that posed a great threat to them.
The uphill stairway, which could allow up to three soldiers to move forward at the same time, was crowded with ironmen carrying wooden shields. This winding stairway like a poisonous snake was simultaneously attacked by archers on the five gargoyle walls above.
Duh, duh, duh!
Bah, ah!
Sharp arrows with strong kinetic energy from top to bottom continuously hit the wooden shield. Every second, ironmen who were unable to protect their whole bodies were hit by the arrows. They were either killed directly or fell to the ground with heart-rending screams.
Scream.
To the ironmen on the winding stairway, the rain of arrows fell like a downpour, making their steps difficult.
But without receiving an order to retreat, they could only step on the bodies of their fallen comrades and continue moving forward.
They didn’t know how long they had been marching and how many companions they had suffered casualties. They finally made it through the first two-thirds of the winding staircase and arrived at the last third of the road close to the towering city wall.
Due to the angle, the archers on the city wall had to stick out more than half of their bodies to shoot the enemies on the last section, making them very vulnerable to enemy attacks.
Therefore, the Ironmen who were at the front entering the last section of the road seemed to have entered under the eaves, and the rain of arrows falling like a downpour suddenly stopped.
Puff, pff, pff!
Wow, wow!
There was indeed no arrow rain attack on this section of the road, but a large number of heavy stones fell from the top of the city wall, followed by a splash of boiling oil mixed with gold juice.
ah!
The wooden shields filled with arrows in the hands of these ironmen who had just gotten a chance to breathe were instantly smashed into pieces by heavy rocks.
The steaming yellow mixture of boiling oil and gold juice fell on their faces and bodies. A burst of screams and wails echoed throughout the mountains and down the mountains.
"Robb... Your Majesty, I reported to you in King's Landing a few days ago. Attacking Dragonstone by force will definitely pay a huge price.
You see, even before we even reach the city gate, our iron race has already suffered heavy losses!
I don't understand a little bit. The Seven Kingdoms are now under your control. A small Dragonstone Island can't affect the overall situation. Why are you so anxious to capture it?
Why not order a retreat while the losses are still within an acceptable range?"
Listening to the wails coming from the stairs leading up the mountain, Theon looked anxious and asked Robb who was standing in front of him and looked up to watch the battle.
After hearing Xion's words, Robb looked back at the people around him, then raised his right hand and waved back. Everyone except Xion immediately understood what he meant, and after saluting him, they stepped back a lot.
When Robb saw that they were the only two people left, his bright yellow eyes stared at Theon for a while. He did not answer his question directly, but talked about other topics: "Theon, Clay is younger than us.
.
When I appointed him as Hand of the King, I met with opposition from everyone including the nobles of the north. But I insisted on it!
Now it turns out that Clay is indeed very good and fully qualified for the position of Hand of the King.
Do you know why I firmly appointed him?"
"Because you have good taste?"
Not knowing why Robb brought up this topic, Theon frowned and answered casually.
"Haha, part of it is because he has been studying with me for more than a year and has been working hard to improve.
But the most important thing is that he usually puts forward his own opinions to me, but he will never question the things I have decided, but will faithfully implement them!"
Seeing Theon's casual and perfunctory attitude, Robb chuckled and revealed the reason why he chose Clay.
Then, he suddenly stretched out his right hand and grabbed the skirt of Xion's gorgeous clothes, and pulled him in front of him.
Then he said word by word: "We are as close as brothers, and your Greyjoy surname means that it doesn't matter even if you no longer continue to study and progress!
However, you must never interfere with any decisions I make!
This is my first and last time to warn you!"
Looking at Robb's bright yellow eyes from a close distance, the threat seemed to be real. Ever since he ascended to the position of King of the Iron Islands, it has been smooth sailing. Theon, who was a little forgetful, swallowed nervously.
Then he nodded hurriedly and replied: "Gulu, okay, okay, Robb! I, I understand!"
"Well, Theon, I believe what you say!
Take a closer look and see for yourself which ironmen on the island are the vanguard troops at the front that suffered heavy losses!"
Seeing Theon's expression, Robb nodded with satisfaction. Then, while arranging his clothes with both hands, he turned to look at the staircase and said to him.
"The main force is the iron species from Great Wyk Island, Harlaw Island, and some of the iron species from Pyke Island."
It wasn't for Robb to remind him of this now that Theon really hadn't looked at it carefully. He turned around and took a look at the Ironborn's attire in the vanguard before speaking directly.
"Yes! Except for the direct ironborn on the Black Wind, all the ironborn loyal to Yara are in the vanguard.
If you don't know it, Euron Greyjoy has returned to the Iron Islands.
He first visited all the leaders of the Iron Islands, and then sent people everywhere to spread the news that I would interfere with the last king election, and that he, as the legal heir, would not be present.
Therefore, your position as King of the Iron Islands was incorrect, and I suggest you reopen the King Selection Meeting!"
"What? How dare he, a man who was expelled by my father, have the right to say such a thing!"
After hearing the bombshell news from Robb, Theon immediately forgot what happened just now and shouted with shock and anger.
"He was indeed a banished Ironborn, but what your father claimed at the time was that Euron would not return to the Iron Islands until he died.
Unfortunately, after your father passed away, he does have this qualification now!"
Robb first answered Theon's question about Euron's qualifications, and then continued,
"After the War on Dragonstone, I helped you deal with Euron and Yara. But if the King Selection is really held again, I won't be able to help you openly.
So, now I am helping you weaken your opponents. As long as they are loyal to you, I will help you protect them.
You see, even Ramsay, who I dislike the most, I haven’t touched him again!”
"Robb, thank you! You really..."
Hearing Robb's words, Theon couldn't help but feel moved, and was choked up so much that he couldn't speak. At this moment, he completely forgot about the previous conflict between the two of them.
"Okay, Theon, I know what you're trying to say.
Well, the vanguard troops have suffered almost enough battle damage. If they are really wiped out, the traces of my action will be too heavy."
Robb reached out and patted Theon's shoulder to comfort him. At the end of the sentence, he turned his head and looked at Bloodwind behind him.
Seeing this, Xue Feng, who was nearly six meters tall, raised his steps and rushed to Robb's right side. At the same time, the wolf's head was lowered to the height of Robb's head.
Robb grabbed the wolf hair on the left side of Bloodwind's wolf head with his right hand. Bloodwind's head suddenly shot up. Robb's whole body flipped around in the air several times quickly, and finally landed firmly on Bloodwind's head.
This series of movements was smooth and smooth. In Xion's eyes, he could only see the huge figure of Xue Feng flashing, and the man and the wolf headed towards the winding staircase.
Bah! Bah!
Arriving at the winding stairway going up the mountain, white ice mist shot out from Robb's hands and quickly condensed on the left and right sides of the stairway.
A thick and hard ice crystal arch covered the stairway inside, and as the white ice mist continued to spread up the stairway, a tunnel covered by bright ice crystals appeared.
Check, check!
Xue Feng jumped up, stepped directly on the thick and hard ice crystal tunnel and ran quickly towards the gate of Dragonstone Island. After a while of surprise, the siege soldiers below started to charge upwards in the tunnel with high morale.
Ding, ding, ding!
Countless arrows from above the city wall had no effect on the ice armor of Robb and Bloodwind. Soon, they reached the last section of the staircase.
Robb concentrated on spending his magic power to build ice crystal tunnels for the soldiers of the vanguard who suffered heavy losses, while Bloodwind was responsible for dodging the impact of the stone and the foul-smelling gold juice.
Behind them, a large number of siege soldiers were proceeding unscathed in the ice crystal tunnel. The arrow rain from above was unable to break through the defense of the ice crystal tunnel. The stone and hot gold juice had some effect, but it was not obvious.
This unequal war has no suspense since Robb and Bloodwind joined the battle!
After constructing the ice crystal tunnel leading directly to the city gate of Dragonstone, the siege soldiers, whose morale had been boosted by Robb's ice magic, didn't take long to break open the city gate with wooden rams and rush into the city.
However, after the siege soldiers poured into the city, they only saw less than half of the Dragonstone defenders. The other half of the Dragonstone defenders had already retreated to the walls of the castle.
The defensive power of the inner city wall is far less than that of the outer city wall, which is like a natural barrier, but it can more or less delay the destruction of the city.
On the inner city wall of Dragonstone Island, Roland Storm was directing the defenders to make the final resistance with a serious face. He turned his head to look at the Stone Drum Tower from time to time, wondering what he was thinking.
A high arched stone bridge connected the Drum Tower and the Dungeon Tower in the air. Stannis, who was ashen-faced, walked silently on the bridge.
When he arrived at the dungeon tower, he waved all the jailers away. Then he pulled out the sword from his waist with his right hand and walked towards the cell where Davos was held.
"Your Majesty, I seem to hear... the shouting of killing has arrived in the city."
Looking at Stannis standing at the door of the cell holding a sword, Davos said with a sad face.
"Well, as you said, no matter how favorable the terrain is, it can't prevent Robb Stark's magic and giant wolf!"
Stannis nodded and answered while opening the cell door with the key in his left hand.
"Your Majesty, it is my honor to die with you!"
Watching Stannis walk into the cell, Davos glanced at the sword in his hand and nodded, then closed his eyes and raised his head to reveal his neck.
Bang!
Seeing Davos who had no intention of resisting and just closed his eyes to die, Stannis threw the sword in his hand to the ground.
"Pick it up, Davos!"
"His Majesty?"
Hearing Stannis's voice, Davos opened his eyes and looked at him with some confusion.
"Pick up the sword on the ground!"
Stannis did not explain too much, but repeated his words with emphasis.
Hearing Stannis's unquestioning tone, Davos slowly leaned down and picked up the long sword on the ground.
"Davos, this is my last order to you, kill me! Use my head to make final negotiations with Robb Stark!"
"What???"
As soon as Stannis finished speaking, Davos' eyes widened with an expression of disbelief.
"I don't know how long the inner city wall can last. For the sake of Shireen and Celis, I order you to take action quickly!"
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry, I can't do it!"
Hearing Stannis mention Shireen's name, Davos raised the sword in his hand tremblingly, but in the end he shook his head and answered to Stannis.
Bah!
Seeing Davos give up, Stannis showed a rare smile on his withered face, then jumped forward and directly penetrated his body with the long sword in Davos' hand.
"His Majesty!
"
"Davos, you, you are a loyal and excellent vassal. I, I am honored to have your allegiance!"
Looking at Davos with a shocked face and blood constantly flowing from his mouth, Stannis used his last strength to say such a sentence.
Hearing Stannis's words, Davos couldn't help bursting into tears. He hugged Stannis's heavy body, which was gradually losing strength, and murmured: "Your Majesty, I feel honored too!"
When his own soldiers completely occupied the outer city of Dragonstone, Robb rode Bloodwind to the inner city gate of Dragonstone and prepared to use ice magic to force the door open.
Crunch, crunch!
At this time, colorful flags representing surrender were flying on the inner city wall, and the heavy inner city gate was opened from the inside out.
With tears on his face, Davos came out holding Stannis's head in his hands and shouted to Robb: "Dear Your Majesty Robb, I request surrender negotiations!"
Looking at Stannis's head, Robb understood that from now on, the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros would be truly unified!