On the deck, Alicia's sword flew from her hand for the third time, landing with a clang three steps away.
She knelt on one knee, sweat dripping from the tips of her hair, spreading dark stains on the wooden deck. Her training tunic was soaked through, clinging tightly to her back. Every breath carried scorching heat, her chest heaving violently.
Euron casually twirled his sword, deftly sheathing the blunted training blade at his side. He hadn't even broken much of a sweat; his breathing was as steady as if he had just returned from a stroll.
"Again?" Euron asked, his tone devoid of any triumph of victory.
Alicia looked up, a remarkably bright and carefree smile blooming on her sweat-drenched face. The laughter rolled from her throat, hoarse from combat but incredibly genuine.
"No more," Alicia panted in reply, wiping sweat from her chin. "Even if we continue, it's the same loss. My bones feel like they're falling apart, and you haven't even used your full strength."
She looked at Euron, her eyes holding not a hint of annoyance, but flickering with some ignited, excited light. These three crisp defeats seemed not to be a humiliation, but rather the unlocking of some heavy shackle in her heart.
The setting sun burned the clouds into a magnificent purplish-red. The Millennium Dragon Halcyon spread its giant wings, carrying the two skimming over the sparkling sea surface.
Strong wind rushed against their faces. The space available for sitting on the dragon's back was indeed cramped.
Just as Euron settled into the saddle, pondering how to make this warrior queen, riding with him for the first time, not feel too awkward—after all, for a man and woman not well-acquainted, such proximity was indeed somewhat improper.
Before Euron could speak, Alicia behind him naturally leaned forward. Her arms wrapped around his waist without hesitation, firmly gripping the edge of the saddle in front. Her chest pressed tightly against his back, her movements crisp and decisive, without any of the coyness of ordinary women.
"Hold tight," Alicia's voice came mixed in the wind, clear and frank. "I don't want to fall off this big guy's back."
Euron was slightly stunned, then the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. He had worried too much; the woman behind him was the warrior queen commanding the Isle of Women, not a greenhouse flower needing careful protection.
Halcyon soared steadily under the sky gradually dyed by twilight, its wings churning the flowing clouds. The two sat in the dragon saddle, wind whistling in their ears, yet strangely creating a private space for conversation.
Recalling the anecdotes Oberyn the Red Viper had mentioned many times, Euron turned his head and asked, "I heard that on the Isle of Women, there is a magical spring. Women who drink from it bear only daughters?"
Alicia's voice came from behind him, carrying a knowing smile. "True or false, ask Prince Oberyn, won't you know?" Her answer cleverly avoided direct confirmation, yet implied the rumors were not baseless.
"Then," Euron continued to press, always harboring a strong interest in such ancient secrets, "where exactly does this magical spring come from?"
"Its origin has been submerged in time." Alicia's tone became distant as she retold a legend carved into her bloodline. "A thousand years ago, when our ancestor Nymeria led the Ten Thousand Ships across the sea and first landed on that island, she discovered it. The lore passed down since ancient times says it is a unique blessing given to our wandering people by Mother Rhoyne."
Euron was silent for a moment, sea breeze brushing the tips of his hair. He changed the topic, touching on deeper history. "Nymeria, that warrior queen of the Rhoynar, once ruled the prosperous city-state of Ny Sar. After so long, have you... never thought about going back?"
Alicia's answer held no hesitation, clear and firm. "No. We have lived on the Isle of Women for a thousand years; this has long been our home. Moreover," her voice revealed a pragmatic calmness, "with our current population and strength, even if we went back, so what? That is history sealed in dust for a millennium. I won't risk the safety of all my people chasing an illusory past glory."
Hearing this, Euron turned his head slightly, a trace of genuine admiration flitting through his eyes. Gazing at the churning sea of clouds on the horizon, he suddenly spoke, "If there is a chance in the future, would you like to see Ny Sar—that land Nymeria once ruled?"
Alicia's breathing paused almost imperceptibly. She followed his gaze, as if trying to pierce through a thousand miles of clouds to see the homeland existing only in epics and dreams. "Ny Sar..." she repeated in a low voice, like tasting a strange yet sweet fruit on her tongue. "I have never... been to such a distant place."
"The world is far vaster than the island beneath our feet," Euron's voice held a wave-like seduction. "It is worth seeing with your own eyes."
Alicia slowly shook her head. The trance of that moment faded from her eyes, leaving only rock-like clarity. "I understand," her voice was light but firm as a nail, "but I cannot. I am the Queen of the Isle of Women; my duty is to protect my people."
Euron gazed at her hair messed by the wind and those eyes reflecting the rosy sky yet filled with determination, and sighed. In this sigh, there was regret, understanding, and unconcealed respect. "Alicia," he said solemnly, "you are a true leader."
Alicia looked at Euron's silhouette outlined by the sea breeze and suddenly asked, "And what about you? Your roots are in the Iron Islands, your fief is Harrenhal, your king is in Westeros. Yet you are always drifting at sea or fighting everywhere—in your heart, what should a true leader look like?"
It was the first time someone asked him this. Euron chuckled low, the Millennium Dragon's scales transmitting a cool touch to his palm. "You've certainly looked into my background thoroughly."
The dragon skimmed over a patch of broken cloud shadow. Gazing at the pale green sea surface below, he spoke slowly, "Now that the new King Robert sits firmly on the Iron Throne in Westeros, the four seas are at peace. The Iron Islands' merchant fleets operate naturally, and the reconstruction of Harrenhal is worried over by maesters and craftsmen." No regret could be heard in his voice, only a clarity of seeing through things. "Whether I am there or not, the waves of the Iron Islands will still beat the shore, and the stones of Harrenhal won't be piled any faster. I think a true leader is one where, whether you are present or not, your people can live normal lives."
Alicia murmured, "Whether present or not, operating normally. Can the Isle of Women do that too?"
"That is a question for you to ponder." Euron turned his head, the shadow cast by the dragon's wing flitting across his eyes, smiling. "For me, rather than molding at home, it's better to let the Golden Kraken flag fly in more distant places."
Alicia chuckled at his words, the wind carrying her voice to his ears. "So you chose sailing, chose endless conquest!"
"Conquest?" Euron raised his eyebrow slightly, glancing sideways with a hint of dangerous playfulness in his eyes. "You are quite bold. Aren't you afraid I'll really throw you down from these clouds?"
"You won't." Alicia answered without hesitation, her arms still steady around him. "Many in this world think of you this way in their hearts, they just dare not say it aloud. I merely spoke what they dare not—and since you've done it, why fear people's words?"
Euron laughed aloud, the sound quickly scattering in the whistling wind. "Well said," he faced the churning clouds ahead. "If I truly cared about how others discussed me, I wouldn't have set sail in the first place."
Alicia laughed lightly against the wind. "You just asked me three questions; now it's my turn." She tightened her arms around his waist slightly. "First, your ceaseless conquest, what is it truly for?"
Euron gazed at where the distant sea met the sky, silent for a moment before speaking, his voice carrying a rare calmness. "So that in these waters... there will be no more war."
Alicia was momentarily speechless; this answer completely exceeded her expectations.
"Just like the current Westeros," he continued, tone steady as deep water. "The new king ascends, war subsides. Whether commoners or nobles, all can multiply and thrive in peace."
Alicia looked thoughtful. "Then the second question—if the day truly comes when the Golden Kraken flag flies on all coasts, what will you do next?"
"Go west." He answered without hesitation. "I promised the three sisters of Lonely Light to explore the end of the known world together. To cross the Sunset Sea and find new continents."
"It seems you are born destined not to anchor in any harbor." Alicia sighed lightly, then changed the subject with a bit of slyness. "Last question—"
She suddenly leaned forward, warm breath brushing past his ear:
"Do you think I'm beautiful?"
Euron, usually fluent in response, fell silent for the first time. Only the Millennium Dragon's wings continued to beat rhythmically against the clouds.
"Isle of Naath, we've arrived..."
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