Chapter 428 Returning

  The morning sun is beautiful and warm, shining on the sparkling narrow sea.

  At the pier of Sunspear City, the fleet flying the double-headed eagle flag slowly docked.

   This is the Stormland Fleet heading south from Storm's End, passing Sunspear City, entering the port to replenish fresh water and food.

   Earl Lucas Dayne stood on the deck and saw the new Duke of Dorne standing among the welcoming crowd at a glance.

  She was wearing a white floor-length dress, an embroidered white roll-brimmed hat, and thin white long gloves. Apart from being beautiful, she also had an awe-inspiring and noble temperament than before.

  Dorne surrendered to the Storm Queen, Natalie, as the new Duke of Dorne, did not return to her territory, Starfall City, but stayed in Sunspear City.

  Although this city is now only a fief of the Martell family and no longer has the special significance it had before, in the hearts of most Dornishmen, Starfall City still cannot be compared with Sunspear City.

   Moreover, Sunspear City is located at the mouth of the Greenblood River. It is the core center of communication between Dorne and the free trade city-states on the other side of the Narrow Sea, and its status is extraordinary.

  So, out of various considerations, before leaving, Samwell suggested that Natalie stay in Sunspear, and return to Starfall when the political situation in Dorne and even Westeros as a whole stabilizes in the future.

  As for the Duke of Dorne occupying his old palace, the Martell family naturally dare not speak out. As the defeated ones, they can keep the city of Sunspear and the title of earl, and they don't dare to ask for more.

  As soon as the boat stopped, Count Lucas jumped off the trestle, walked a few steps to Duke Natalie, and greeted him.

"It's been a hard journey, Earl Lucas." Natalie's smile is sincere and brilliant. After all, the naval commander in front of her is her own family, and she is the first knight to follow Caesar. She naturally has a good impression of him, " I have prepared a sumptuous dinner to welcome you."

"My lord, you are too polite." Lucas said respectfully, "But I'm afraid we won't be able to stay for long, after all, we have a task ahead, and we must rush to the Sunset Sea as soon as possible. So, after the fleet has replenished its fresh water and food, We're going to go again."

   "In such a hurry? Then at least have a simple lunch before leaving."

  Earl Lucas couldn't refuse anymore: "Lunch should be in time, thank you for your hospitality."

  Natalie smiled slightly, turned and went back to the city.

   Earl Lucas followed half a step behind, and asked as he walked:

   "My lord, have you received any news from the Reach recently?"

   "Sunspear City has indeed received a few ravens." Natalie said crisply, "Two weeks ago, the Ironmen captured Qingting Island. It is said that there was a fire on the island, and merchant ships dared not approach."

   "Except Qingting Island," Lucas felt extremely heartbroken when he thought of his future fiefdom being ravaged by ironmen, but at this time he could only endure it forcefully, "Have any other river bend territories been plundered by ironmen?"

   "There is no news yet."

  Lucas nodded silently, his face solemn.

  The group returned to the old palace and had a brief lunch.

  Since the fleet was still replenishing supplies, Earl Lucas took a rest in the guest room.

  But when he woke up from his lunch break, he saw that the outside world had completely changed.

  The originally blue sky was covered with dark clouds, and the strong wind howled from the narrow sea, rattling the windows, as if a storm was coming.

   Count Lucas hesitated for a moment, but still found Duke Natalie to say goodbye.

   "The storm is coming, do you want to leave now?"

   "Yes, the military situation is urgent, please forgive me."

  Natalie didn't insist: "Well, be careful all the way."

   "You take care too."

   As soon as these words were finished, there was a deafening thunder outside the window. In an instant, a thunderstorm swept across, covering everything in the world.

  Although the maids had already closed the windows, the strong wind still came in through a very small gap, blowing the candlelight in the crystal lampshade to wobble. Lightning flashes across the sky from time to time, leaving shocking arcs of light on the windows, followed by continuous thunder.

  Count Lucas strode to the corridor, and he saw that the entire Sunspear City seemed to be in the center of a thunderstorm. The terrifying lightning and bursts of thunder seemed to destroy the city completely.

   "In this weather, I'm afraid I can't go away." Earl Lucas smiled wryly and shook his head.

  Natalie's face was slightly pale with fright at the scene outside the window, but she still showed the gesture that a duke should have, and comforted her aloud:

   "Don't worry, the Ironmen will not come out to loot in this weather, you should be able to save the Reach in time."

  Count Lucas remained silent. What he was actually worried about was not the Reach, but the Blackwater River.

  He wanted to solve the ironborn problem as soon as possible and return to the Blackwater River to **** the army on the south bank to cross the river, but now it seems that there will be a few more days of delay.

  The storm lasted for three days, and when the weather finally cleared, Earl Lucas immediately ordered the fleet to prepare to go to sea.

   But at this moment, the adjutant came over with a wet man:

   "My lord, this man claims to be Sir Desmond of the Redwyne family, and he has important information to tell you."

   "Desmond?" Earl Lucas collected himself, and finally recognized the man in front of him who seemed to have just been shipwrecked and was extremely embarrassed. "What information do you have?"

  Sir Desmond obviously suffered a lot in the previous storm, and now he has to rely on the support of soldiers to barely stand still:

   "Lucas, don't go to Qingting Island! The Iron Fleet is no longer there!"

   "Oh? So where did they go?"

   "Where else can I go? Of course the Blackwater River!"

  Earl Lucas was startled, but he didn't move at all on the surface. He just looked at the man in front of him with scrutiny, as if he was thinking about how true or false his information was.

"Do I have to lie to you?" Sir Desmond said hoarsely, "Those scumbags in the Iron Islands treacherously killed the Redwyne family. My hatred with them is wider than the summer sea. Do you think I will help them lie to you?"

   Earl Lucas nodded, turned around and ordered to the adjutant:

   "Notify everyone, cancel the original plan, and we will return!"

   "Yes, my lord!"

   Sir Desmond laughed loudly when he heard the words:

   "Good! Good! Kill Euron Greyjoy for me! Kill all the scum in the Iron Islands! Kill them all!"

  Count Lucas waved his hand at the guard, motioning for him to take Desmond down.

  In fact, he did not fully believe this person's information, but Earl Lucas decided to return.

  Compared to being plundered by the Ironmen in the Reach, it is more important to **** the army across the river.

  He can bear the result of Desmond lying, but if what Desmond said is true, he must go to the Blackwater River to support.

  Which is more important than protecting the Reach and marching into King's Landing, Earl Lucas knows very well.

   There is one more chapter in a moment

  

  

  (end of this chapter)