The Wine Port

[The Smith]

A wine house on the dock side of the arbor. It has been cleared by Farwynd's men, and he sits alone at a table in the abandoned common room.

[Erik]

Ragnor walks in, nods to Farwynd, and sits.

"Brine Farwynd. Good to finally meet, man to man."

[The Smith]

Farwynd eyed Ragnor closely, "And asked, you were not razed amongst the rest of us, do you have any greenlander tendencies buried in that thick skull of yours?" He raised a hand as if forestalling an immediate answer. "I do not mean that as an insult. The reason I command the Iron Fleet is because I realized that there is nothing in our ways that says an Ironborn's head be think as well as hard." He smiled slightly.

[Erik]

"I was raised reaving the East with my father. I fought beside Greenlanders, yes, but we were always set apart. You know how they look down on us," Ragnor replies with a sneer, before continuing, "But I see your meaning. Plainly, I am young, and with youth comes stupidity and recklessness. That said, I have done my best to listen to the advice of wiser men, until some sense of my own arrives. If that answers your question."

[The Smith]

Brine nodded, "I will tell you right out, I hate Lords. Makes no fucking sense, the strong should rise, and the weak sink no matter who their fucking father was." He spat, "But I allow that too many disagree for me to change that flaw about our people. You want me to bow to you, and leave the Arbor. Presume I am going to fucking chew your ass of for it, but state your case."

[Erik]

Ragnor spreads his hands acceptingly, and begins.

"First, my case for lord. The Harlaws, since they came to power, have alternately either risen up when we had no hope for victory, or followed the Iron Throne like dogs and been surprised when no bone was tossed to them. No more of that. Pyke is my keep, as it should have been my father's and grandfather's. Surely you can accept that."

He takes a breath, clears his throat, and continues.

"Second. Leaving the Arbor...that's a matter for later. We can't stand against the whole of the Greenlands. It's been proven time and time again. But the new queen...well, she's a woman. Can be persuaded. And as for bowing...I can't force you, plainly. But I had thought of what could, perhaps, serve as a compromise."

[The Smith]

"I agree we can not stand against the Greenlands united. I told Harlaw he was a fool trying to take oldtown, and the Reach." Brine replied, "What is your compromise?"

[Erik]

"We as a people have always paid less attention to titles and status than the prancing dandies on the mainland. Every captain a king. With that in mind, I say we give the captains their say. When you bow to me, I will announce a change in the office of Lord Captain. The captains will gather and choose whichever man they think deserves it best. Plainly, that will be you, at this point in time. The process will be repeated whenever it is necessary to find a new man. I will remain the final say in anything, but you will be involved in all matters concerning the Islands."

[The Smith]

Brine nodded, "A wise bargaining chip." He tapped his fingers against his leg, "What are your plans for your people? Just more of the same."

[Erik]

"What can we do? The Targaryens will fuck up sooner or later, mad sons of bitches, and when that day comes, the fleet needs to be ready to carve our empire anew. Until that day...we already have interests in the Stepstones, the islands taken by my father. We can expand there, both to keep the fleet ready and dangerous, and, not to make a pun, as a stepping stone for when that day comes and Westeros throws off the Iron Throne. Not to mention all the Braavosi shipping that goes through those parts."

[The Smith]

Brine nodded, "So wait and see is your advice." he took a sip from a flask he removed from his pouch. "What will you trade for the Arbor?"

[Erik]

Ragnor shrugs. "The Mandermen have been whining about the Shields. Guarantees that we'll hold onto them, for starters. Agreement that the queen won't try to stop our raiding too much, long as we mostly stick to the Braavosi. Any other suggestions?"

[The Smith]

Brine shook his head ruefully, "I think not. But we should use this division between her and Lannister to our own advantage."

[Erik]

Ragnor smirks. "Oh, you've heard of that. Sounds fair. Lannister helped us out before, my father said, when we first took the Shields. Might be he's willing to work with us still. I've got a sister I could marry off to one of his dozen brats, that would likely be a decent first step."

[The Smith]

Brine nodded and then shook his head, "We lose if either wins. We need to send fire ships among them. And keep them off balanced. We should each all with one of the groups so we can heave to and fro."