Tower of the Hand

Theon watches the castle of Pyke get closer on board the Myraham. There is no safe anchorage there, so the ship sails around the island of Pyke to Lordsport. Theon sees a large number of longships there bearing sigils of important houses such as the blood moon of House Wynch, the black warhorn of House Goodbrother, and the silver scythe of House Harlaw, and realizes that his father has called the banners. He is puzzled at first, but decides it must be a defensive move as his father and his uncle Victarion, commander of the Iron Fleet, are both old men and no doubt grown cautious. He also spies Lord Balon's personal longship, Great Kraken, but notes that his uncle Euron's ship, Silence is not in port. He has been sleeping with the captain's daughter during the trip, and she begs him to take her as his salt wife, but he refuses. Theon wonders who will meet him at the pier, thinking it might be Lord Sawane Botley, the steward Sylas Sourmouth, or Dagmer Cleftjaw. Robb sent ahead ravens announcing his coming, and when he and Lord Jason reached Seagard and found no longship waiting, Jason sent his own birds as well. At first he thinks no one is there, but then a priest of the Drowned God speaks up. Theon does not recognize him at first, but then vaguely remembers that Balon said in one of his letters that his younger brother Aeron had gone down in a storm and then turned to religion when he washed up on shore. Theon expresses surprise that Dagmer was not sent with an honor guard, but Aeron replies that he has gone to Old Wyk to bring the longships of Stonehouse and Drumm because the longships have been called to war. After blessing Theon in the name of the Drowned God, Aeron leads him on the road to Pyke.

On the way to Pyke, Theon tries to engage his uncle in conversation, but the man is grim and terse, quite different from when Theon left ten years ago and his uncle was fond of songs, ale, and women. He asks if his sister and mother are at Pyke, but Aeron informs him that Asha has taken her longship, Black Wind, to Great Wyk and his mother¹ is trouble by illness and has gone to Harlaw to be with her sister.² Theon also tries to learn what his father's plans are, but Aeron will not say. Theon is furious and says that he is Balon's heir and should be told, but Aeron indicates that his sister may succeed Lord Balon instead of him, as he is now seen as an outsider and a Stark. Theon laments that the old lords continue to fight the old battles and that Lord Jason had been the same way on the road to Seagard, showing disapproval that Patrek was taking a liking to Theon because House Mallister had suffered numerous raids from the ironborn. Patrek points out that only one raid had been launched against Seagard in three hundred years, when Theon's brother Rodrik attacked during Greyjoy's rebellion and was killed by Lord Jason. Theon tells Aeron that with Robb Lord of Winterfell a new day of glory for their people is at hand and points to the comet as a messenger of victory. Aeron agrees the comet is a sign, but states it is a flaming brand heralding a return to the old ways and greatness.

Aeron brings Theon to Pyke and then departs. Theon is greeted by Helya. Theon asks where Sylas is, and Helya states that he died five years ago. He then asks after Maester Qalen and learns that he too is dead and Maester Wendamyr now looks after the ravens. She leads him to his quarters in the Bloody Keep. Theon is disquieted because his chambers are those that gave the Bloody Keep its name, where one thousand years ago the sons of the River King were hacked to pieces. The room has not been opened in years and is damp and musty. He sends Helya away for hot water and new rushes. After washing and changing, he goes to see his father. His father is disgusted with Theon's silks and velvets and his golden chain which was bought with gold and not iron and is also disdainful that Theon comes as a meek messenger. Theon counters that the plan was his idea and Robb has come to look on him as a brother, prompting an angry response from Balon to remember his real brothers, Rodrik slain at Seagard and Maron killed in the final assault on Pyke. Theon produces Robb's message, which states that if Balon will attack the Lannisters, Robb will make him King of the Iron Islands. Theon is proud of the plan, which he helped draft. It calls for Robb to march on the Golden Tooth and draw out Ser Stafford Lannister, after which the ironmen will attack from the sea and take Casterly Rock, which Theon would then want as his seat. Balon thinks Casterly Rock too strong and does not want to be given a crown. He has called his banners to take a crown, and he will not do so by marching on the Lannisters. He will move on the North.