We Bleed Silver(GOT/ASOIAF Fanfic)

The Summer Sea.

This vast body of water links the continents of Westeros, Essos, and Sothoryos. It is a crucial maritime region—and a haven for pirates.

Since Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr formed the Triarch Alliance, also known as the "daughters of the Valyrian Freehold," sporadic piracy across the Narrow Sea and Summer Sea had significantly diminished.

But in its place emerged "legitimate" piracy.

Is it ironic? Not at all. Maritime trade is indeed lucrative, but nothing compares to the profits of a business requiring no investment.

The ships of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh excelled in seamlessly shifting between merchant and pirate vessels. Some even partnered with the ironborn who commanded longships across the Sunset Sea. As a result, the seas found themselves in a peculiar state of simultaneous stability and chaos.

On the open waters, a massive oared warship was slowly sinking. Nearby, another oared warship, its sails bearing the image of a naked woman holding a coin, was desperately trying to flee the scene.

But escape seemed impossible.

A larger sail-and-oar warship, at least twice the size of the fleeing vessel, was closing in relentlessly, hurling stones from its catapults.

From another direction, a towering warship with a raised prow and stern surged forward. The wind filled its massive sails, propelling the ship swiftly across the waves. In mere moments, it had caught up to the fleeing warship.

Both large vessels bore purple sails emblazoned with the sigil of a fire-breathing silver dragon entwined with laurel leaves. In the distance, three or four other ships flying the same banner were approaching.

"Damn the goddess," the pirate captain muttered as he ducked a spear and a hail of stones hurled from the larger vessel. Grabbing his panicked first mate, who was darting across the deck, he snarled, "Didn't you say this sea was safe? Where the hell did the Silver Dragon fleet come from?"

"I don't know!" the first mate shouted, shoving the captain aside. Before he could finish his sentence, a spear pierced his chest with unerring precision.

An onslaught of arrows, spears, and stones followed.

"Raise the white flag! Raise it now!" the captain shouted, watching helplessly as the massive ship surged toward the bow of his vessel.

"No—"

Thud!

The larger warship rammed the pirate ship's bow head-on. Its reinforced prow smashed through the pirate vessel's deck, splintering the wood and tipping the entire ship sideways.

The pirate captain, unable to steady himself, was thrown overboard into the sea.

What followed was straightforward.

Another sail-and-oar warship swiftly closed in, tossing grappling hooks to secure the pirate vessel. The pirates were overpowered, their ship captured.

As per standard procedure, the Vaelarys fleet would strip the pirate ship of its treasures, free the slaves kidnapped by Lyseni raiders, and scuttle the vessel. This had been the Vaelarys family's standard practice for years.

But this time, things were different.

The process slowed when the crew discovered a young man onboard the pirate ship.

"Well, that's explains," the sailor said, breaking the silence.

Evens Dayne sincerely introduced his background. He came from the distant Westeros, the youngest son of the Dayne family of Starfall in Dorne. Because he had no inheritance rights, his family sent him to study at the Citadel in Oldtown. However, during a journey, he was captured by pirates along with several companions.

This was at the shipyard and docks near the deep-water port of Volantis. Volantis had a vast natural deep-water harbor, which was one of the reasons why Volantis maintained its important trade position. The shipyard and docks were the property of the Vaelarys family.

Upon learning that their fleet had rescued a Maester from Westeros, Draezell quickly made his way to the shipyard after finishing his business at the Senate.

Maester Visari, who had stayed behind, also arrived.

After all, he was the only one who could confirm that this scholar was a true maester.

"An Maester assistant," Maester Visari concluded as soon as he saw Evens.

Evens blushed immediately. Embarrassed, he scratched his head. He had not yet taken the oath to become a full scholar, and his necklace only had three symbols: black iron for the Crow's, gold for economics, and red copper for history.

It couldn't compare at all to the colorful necklaces Maester Visari wore.

Maester were a unique profession in Westeros. They trained at the Citadel in Oldtown, and a fully matured scholar had to go through a long apprenticeship and assistant scholar period. Only after meeting all qualifications would they take an oath to become a true maester.

In Westeros, Maesters were not just scholars but also doctors, engineers, economists, historians, and even military experts. The Citadel, where they trained, held the largest collection of books in Westeros, almost monopolizing all knowledge. After taking the oath, Maester would give up their surnames, regardless of their noble lineage, and lose any inheritance rights. The Citadel would then send the Maesters to serve at various lords' castles, assisting those lords with their governance or working as doctors.

One lord once remarked about scholars, "Sometimes I truly feel that my Maester is the real master of the castle."

They served the castle they were sent to for life, until their death.

The highest position among the scholars is the Grand Maester of King's Landing. The Maester who attains this position will serve the royal family directly and will hold a seat at the royal council in the political system of Westeros, representing both themselves and the Citadel.

"Who is your mentor, Assistant?"

"It's Maester Grey," Evens said cautiously.

"Oh." Maester Visari nodded and turned to Draezell. "He can be trusted. This lad is a student of my student's student."

Draezell looked Evens Dayne up and down. The seventeen-year-old young scholar wore a dirty gray robe, had pale skin, and sported short, light golden hair with violet eyes.

"Matches what the books said."

Draezell thought to himself. His entire impression of Westeros came from the books Maester Visari brought and from his mother's ramblings during her relatively healthy days.

But Maester Visari had left Westeros decades ago.

When he left, King Jaehaerys I still ruled. Now, the long-lived king had already passed, and a new reigned.

In these few days, Draezell had been running around with many tasks. He was indeed tired, but some things still needed to be asked.

Like the current situation and customs of Westeros.

The prophecy in the fire had told Draezell that if he succeeded in finding something in the ruins of Valyria, he would soon travel to Westeros.

He needed to gather intelligence ahead of time.

Draezell sat down in his seat and gestured for Evens Dayne to sit.

"You…" The young scholar was somewhat nervous, but under the encouragement of Lynn Valtaken, who had been stifling his laughter, he sat down.

"Evens, I need to ask you about the current situation and customs in the Sunset Lands." Draezell poured a cup of fruit wine and handed it to Evens.

"I will speak without reservation," Evens Dayne hesitated and glanced at the cup in his hand. In the end, he drank the fruit wine.

It had a unique sweet and sour taste, with a rich fruity aroma.

"Let's start with politics," Draezell poured himself a cup of wine but did not drink it. "For example, the current king of Westeros and the nobles