Game of Thrones: Oath of Iron and Fire-Chapter 41: Welcome to Powderkeg Manor

"Welcome to our humble abode, Prince Oberyn!" Gendry stood before Powderkeg Manor, eyeing the visitor who had arrived. This was likely the first high-ranking figure to pay a visit to Powderkeg Manor.

Prince Oberyn rode a jet-black steed with a mane and tail as fiery red as a sunset. The horse was sleek and agile, with a slender neck and a narrow, elegant head. The rider was graceful, tall, and lean, appearing as if he and his mount were one. Horses from the Dornish desert were smaller than those from the North and couldn't support full plate armor, but their endurance was astonishing. Legend had it they could run for two days and a night without tiring.

"Dornish warriors are as numerous as the sands, but this one stands above them all!" Gendry praised, because the Red Viper's presence was indeed imposing.

The Red Viper's shoulders flowed with a pale red silk robe, beneath which his tunic was adorned with layers of overlapping copper scales that gleamed like a million bright new copper coins as he rode. His tall, gilded helmet featured a copper sun at the front, and a round shield hung behind the horse, its polished surface emblazoned with the Martell family's golden spear piercing the sun.

"The name of the Wolfpack strikes fear into the hearts of the Myrish! How should I address you? Commander, Liberator, Powderkeg King, or Iron King? I don't even know your name. Let me have a look at your face!"

The Red Viper removed his helmet, revealing a long, melancholic face with high, arched brows and large, dark eyes like pools of oil. His forehead and nose were sharp, and his glossy black hair had only a few strands of silver. A true "salt man."

"A name is just a label, especially for a mercenary. You may call me Warhammer! As for appearance, mere looks—I trust a prince is not so shallow," Gendry said with a bow, then introduced his team to the Red Viper. It was quite bold of the Red Viper to come alone.

"Allow me to introduce my team. This is Handsome, the Wolfpack's treasurer and my advisor. This is Maester Kebon, the Wolfpack's healer and my maester. This is Arrowmaker Dick, the Wolfpack's archery instructor and my advisor. This is Longspear, my cavalry commander. This is Steel Fist, my infantry commander. This is Black Billy from the Summer Isles, my archer commander. And this is Grey Wolf, my head of security." Gendry listed the names of his team, who were not as renowned as the Red Viper.

"Your Highness must be tired from your journey. Please join us in the manor and rest for a while."

"Delighted!" the Red Viper replied.

Gendry and the Red Viper walked side by side. There were countless rumors about the Red Viper, and Gendry had heard a few, especially from Maester Kebon. The Reach and the Dornish had never been on good terms. Oberyn had indirectly crippled the heir of Highgarden.

"I used to be a mercenary myself! But that was many years ago," Oberyn said.

"How long ago was that?" Gendry asked politely, showing genuine interest.

"Many years ago. You know I'm a man who can't stay still. I studied at the Citadel and forged six links in my chain before I grew bored and left. I also served as a mercenary in the Disputed Lands, first with the Second Sons and then with my own company. But back then, I didn't have the courage you have, Commander, to shake the very foundations of the Disputed Lands," the Red Viper said, eyeing the Free Army soldiers with interest. They had once been slaves but were now spirited soldiers.

"Desperation makes cowards of us all, Your Highness! If we hadn't been pushed to this point, we wouldn't be here," Gendry said.

"This is quite a place. When I was young, I also thought I was invincible, but I never managed to carve out my kingdom!"

"It's a chaotic place. The Myrish love to sell Myrish carpets and powderkeg grass, but they don't like their slaves selling them either."

"Chaos breeds opportunity. Everything here seems to be thriving. I rather like it. In the distant past, one of my ancestors fled from slavery in Essos to Dorne," the Red Viper reminisced.

Gendry knew who Oberyn was talking about: Queen Nymeria's story.

"Your place is quite impressive. If I didn't have unfinished business in Westeros, I'd stay here longer," Oberyn said.

"I hope you do stay longer, Your Highness."

"I heard you crushed the Brave Companions, those scum!" Oberyn said.

"Yes, a group of criminals and villains. They were cunning, but weak in the face of strength."

The two men entered Powderkeg Manor and were escorted by the Unsullied to the top of the tower, where they could see the entire estate.

"Cutting to the chase, I want to talk to the Powderkeg King about cooperation. This isn't about Dorne and your powderkeg kingdom, but between the Red Viper and you."

"You're sharp, Your Highness," Gendry complimented. Oberyn and Doran were two sides of the same coin. Oberyn seemed reckless on the surface, but he was quite calculating. Even if he cooperated with Gendry, it would be on his terms, without involving Dorne.

"I thought your men were only the Wolfpack, but the Free Army is quite impressive as well," the Red Viper said. "We could cooperate. I could use a strong force."

"Have you heard of a murder, a brutal one? It happened in King's Landing more than a decade ago."

"...I have!" Gendry said thoughtfully. The Lannisters were behind it. Tywin had his dogs. When King's Landing fell, Tywin's two mad dogs went on a rampage.

The Mountain and Amory Lorch sacked the Red Keep. The Mountain burst into the royal nursery, smashed Prince Aegon, the infant son of Prince Rhaegar, against the wall, and raped Princess Elia, Aegon's mother. Amory dragged a screaming girl from under Prince Rhaegar's bed and stabbed her dozens of times until she died.

"I'm bloodthirsty, but I've waited year after year!"

"What's in it for me? Your Highness, your revenge game is a bit over the top," Gendry said deliberately.

"Benefits! Clever young man, your crisis looms like a dark cloud. The Three Daughters surely can't tolerate your little kingdom growing, and those pirates—don't you need some allies or a bit of support? Dorne may be narrow and arid, but our fine horses, spearmen, and summer red spices—I'm sure a commander always needs something."

"I do need them. In return, I have Myrish carpets and powderkeg grass. But to offend a powerful person for your support is a bit tricky."

"As long as the terms are right, we might be able to work together. I've waited a long time, and I'm not in a rush. What else does the commander want?"

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"I want Myr, the Three Daughters, and all of Essos!" Gendry told the Red Viper, his tone sincere.

"Hahahahaha!" The Red Viper burst into laughter. "Madman, truly a madman! Perhaps only a mad and young man is suitable to work with me. Your tone reminds me of someone else, who overturned a kingdom for a misguided love. Come to think of it, you two do have some similarities! Indomitable and both fond of warhammers."

"That's probably just your imagination," Gendry said.

"Hopefully! The children the lion bore for the king are a complicated matter, aren't they? Hmm..."

"Why work with us?" Gendry asked.

"I've considered many people, but they all vanished like smoke. The Three Daughters' governors are all about profit and utterly unreliable. Perhaps, I thought I could talk to a new partner."

"Praise the gods! I didn't hear about the Myrish crushing the Wolfpack," the Red Viper said, looking at Gendry. "You're quite strong, with a bit of potential for cooperation."