Theon is admiring his new longship when an attractive young woman walks up. She says her name is Esgred and that she is the daughter of Ambrode and the wife of Sigrin, Lord Balon's personal shipwright. Theon makes advances and banters a bit. During the course of the conversation, he is inspired to name his new ship Sea Bitch. At the conclusion of the banter, Theon convinces Esgred to come back to Pyke with him. They walk into Lordsport, which is packed with people. Lord Gorold Goodbrother arrived the night before, and his men are everywhere. It is said that Otter Gimpknee's whores are being overused due to the influx of people. As they walk through town, Esgrid calls out to several men, including a longship captain named Bluetooth whose wife is pregnant, two warriors named Qarl and Uller, and a third warrior named Skyte, whose brother, Eldiss, has recently died after drinking too much. Theon fetches his new squire, Wex, a mute bastard of one of Lord Sawane Botley's half brothers,¹ out of an inn and has him get the horses. Esgrid rides with Theon on his horse, Smiler, a temperamental black stallion Theon purchased from Lord Sawane. Theon is overly familiar with Esgrid on the ride back, fondling her several times. She asks about his family. He says his sister Asha is not a man no matter what she wears and he will make her a marriage alliance after the war. Aeron is drunk on his god. Victarion is strong and duitiful, but not an independent thinker. He did sail into Lannisport to destroy the Lannister fleet at anchor at the beginning of Greyjoy's rebellion, but the plan was Euron's. Euron himself has been gone for two years and is an infamous pirate. Esgrid points out that the ironmen would not want a stranger as their ruler. When they reach Pyke, she reveals that she is really his sister, Asha.

That night, Theon goes down to a feast. There are near four hundred captains there from most of the notable houses, Harlaws from Harlaw, Blacktydes from Blacktyde, Sparrs, Merlyns, and Goodbrothers from Great Wyk, Saltcliffes and Sunderlies from Saltcliffe, and Botleys and Wynches from Pyke. All that remains is for Dagmer Cleftjaw to return from Old Wyk with the Stonehouses and Drumms. When Theon arrives, he is annoyed to see Asha sitting at the place of honor on his farther's right. He tells her she is in his seat, and she only mocks him. He asks if their father knows she married a shipwright, and she merely replies that Esgred was the name of Sigrid's mother and the first ship he built. He asks if she is really with child, and she claims she is, calling for a man named Rolfe to throw an axe to her, which she slams down on her trencher, splattering Theon with gravy. She says the axe is her husband and the dirk nestled between her breasts is her suckling babe. The hall erupts in laughter directed at Theon. Asha tells him that he had best rethink his attitude if he means to be accepted by his people. He says he is their lawful prince, and Asha responds that the laws of the green lands do not apply on Pyke.

After the feast, Lord Balon withdraws with Victarion, Aeron, Asha, and Theon to reveal his plans. The fleet will sail as soon as Dagmer returns with the Stonehouses and Drumms. He says that Theon, along with Aeron and Dagmer, will raid the Stony Shore as a diversion with eight longships. Asha will take thirty longships around Sea Dragon Point and seize Deepwood Motte. The main thrust will be launched by Victarion, who will sail up the Saltspear and the Fever River to take Moat Cailin. With naval superiority achieved and Moat Cailin in hand, Robb will be blocked from returning north, and even if he tries his enemies in the south will crush him. Theon is furious that he is to be just a small diversion. After the meeting, Asha taunts him some more.