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Robert POV:
"Don't cry Renly, I'll be back soon."
I wanted to tell the boy to suck his tears back into his eyes. That's how father had always spoken to me and Stannis. I didn't though, considering the entire court watching our interaction. There was no need to embarrass him in front of everyone. My wife nodded at Renly's servant, and they swiftly jogged forward to take the boy away and back to his rooms.
That's when my lovely, bitching wife decided it was her turn to see me off. She was horribly pregnant, due to give birth any day now. She had begged me not to go off to war until I saw the child born, but I could care less. My blood had been pumping these last few weeks, during the preparations for the invasion of Myr.
Nothing could stop me from leaving today, not even my unborn child.
Not to mention I had no intention of being there the night the cold and cruel woman gave birth. I had already planned to be on a hunt before Jon brought me the idea of chasing after Petyr before he grew too powerful.
Cersei curtsied, and I leaned forward to give her a brief hug. It took every ounce of willpower I had not to just say bye and leave. Jon said I had appearances to upkeep however. And a few hours wouldn't change anything.
Finally, I unlatched my wife's hand from my shoulder and turned away from her.
"Return to me, my King." She called out as I picked up my warhammer from where it rested against my throne.
"Soon, my Queen." I managed to get out as I turned and headed towards the door. Two of the Kingsguard did not move from their positions. One of them was the Kingslayer, my brother-in-law. Cersei had asked that I leave him behind while I went to war, to watch over her. I couldn't have agreed more with her.
Just as I was about to cross through the doorway, out of my throne room and head towards the docks, I heard the yelling of one of my subjects.
"Your Grace! Urgent News!"
I stopped and turned to the source of the sound. It was Grand Maester Pycelle and he was scurrying his way into the throne room that I was about to leave. Rage bubbled in my gut and I gripped my warhammer especially tight. If this wasn't extremely important, then I would bash the man's head in, no matter the consequences.
I saw Tywin bloody Lannister appear next to me. Our conversations had been short since he had resigned from the council and I had forced him back on it. Then again we had never talked that much before our falling out either.
"What is it you blundering fool!?" I couldn't help but add the insult at the end, it made me feel a bit better.
He did not respond until he slowly ran all the way across the throne room. And when he did he bent over at the waist, heaving in breaths of air from his mighty run. If anything my anger spiked.
"I'm glad I caught you and Lord Lannister before you departed. I have urgent news!" He said, before bending over and breathing in more air.
"Out with it! Damn you!" I roared at the man, making his back stiffen like a board immediately. He reached into his coat and produced a small piece of parchment before handing it to Tywin. Tywin unfolded the paper with a stoic look. The longer it took for him to read the parchment, the more I wanted to club them.
However, when Tywin revealed the information in the parchment I found a new target for my anger. It was time to go squid hunting.
"The Greyjoy fleet has raided and burnt Lannisport. With it, they have declared their independence from the Iron Throne."
"They are surrendering?"
Davos and I stood at the helm of his ship, which was slightly in the front of our fleet at the moment. Weirña flew in the sky above us, broadcasting her beautiful scales and terrifying form. She would always be a symbol for me. Should you embrace her, and my reign, then you will prosper and life will become beautiful. However, should you cross me your death will be swift and brutal.
The walls of Lys were tall, although not the tallest I had ever been on. They were well maintained, and gleamed a pearl white from the same cut of material that made up all of the city. Despite what the city knew was sailing towards them, the fishing boats were out, and trade vessels moved in and out of the city.
They wisely avoided my fleet.
"It would seem that way." I commented towards my councilman, and one of my most trusted friends Davos Seaworth. It was a nasty thing to steal him from the future Stannis Baratheon, but I would do it again and again given the chance.
I had rewarded Ben for his service, and I would do the same for Davos. He just didn't know it yet. I pointed to the walls, getting Davos' attention. The white flag of surrender flew higher than the flag of Lys. But that wasn't what I was pointing at.
"You see just below the flag, hanging on the wall?" I asked.
"You mean the hanging body?" Davos asked rhetorically, and sarcastically. "Yes I see it."
I chuckled. "That is the Gonfaloniere that we have been chasing." I revealed before squinting at the body, there were no black spots, and I could even make out the scarlet red of blood running down its chest. He was recently killed.
"They did not take kindly to his failure, it seems." Davos commented dryly. I was becoming more accustomed to death, and I had been in this world for a long time now. But it still bothered me how nonchalant some people were with needless displays of cruelty.
"He is a peace offering." I told him, seeing the body for what it was. "They will use him as a scapegoat and try to weasel their way out of the war and its consequences."
Davos knew me better than that, however. He began chuckling for a second, before it turned into full blown laughter. It was contagious and I couldn't help myself from joining in for a brief moment. It was when it died down that he spoke both of our thoughts and the reason for our laughter.
"They do not know you very well then…"
"Welcome to Lys, Great King of Myr!"
I did my best not to roll my eyes at the dramatic greeting from the man in front of me. He was old, simply put. He had hair as white as snow, and a beard that reached his sternum. His features were sagging and unattractive and yet I knew that in his prime, he would have been an astoundingly attractive man.
Much like the woman by his side. She had naturally blonde hair, with high cheekbones that framed shy blue eyes, and a perfect nose. Her body was something to brag about as well. Full perky breasts that were just smaller than Ashara's, after the babies of course, were attached to her chest. Her waist narrowed just before her hips, which widened to broadcast fantastic genetics. Her legs were toned and fit, from the small amount I could see poking out of the slit in her pearl white dress.
In short, she was a contender for the most beautiful woman on the planet, next to my wife.
Lys doesn't disappoint and they will try to use her to seduce me.
My mind provided a memory for me. A memory that I had only just recently experienced through my greensight on the journey to this very city.
"I am no whore Queen. Did you really think that I would fuck you because I disagree with some of my husbands policies? You are the dumbest cunt I have ever met." She raged at the cooling body on the ground for a moment, showing her Dornish mouth and savagery.
I admired the woman's beauty in front of me for a moment, and then I dismissed her from my thoughts entirely. If these people expected me to cheat on my wife, then they would be disappointed. Yes this woman was beautiful, but I preferred dark hair to blonde, and my wife's tits were bigger, fuller, and had a better ass than the woman in front of me. I pondered on how cruel I should be when they inevitably sneak her into my chambers tonight.
"Who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?" I asked, turning my attention back towards the man in front of me. They could probably discern from my bland and blunt tone that I was not here to play games. Davos certainly did, if the short glance he sent my way was an indication.
"Sallidos Irren is my name. I have been chosen as the First Magister of the city for the last two decades. Beside me is my daughter, Ileyana Irren. Our family has roots that trace to the very founding of Lys." The First Magister revealed.
In other words, you are the person I will have to deal with first and foremost. I translated, thinking about who was standing in front of me.
"And are these your fellow Magisters?" I asked, gesturing to the line of countless people behind him. All of them wore fine robes that were fit for kings, yet they looked bland compared to what I had witnessed in Old Valyria. My shoulder ached at the memory.
"They are, Your Grace." He answered with the same cheery disposition that he had wielded during the entire conversation.
"Good." I nodded to him before continuing. "It is obvious to me that you have no wish to fight anymore. Are you here to propose your surrender?" I asked as I raised my voice a bit. I wanted everyone to hear what I had to say.
"Yes. However, we did want to discuss the terms of the surrender." Sallidos answered quickly, and confidently.
I turned my attention back to him, and held the straight, slightly cruel, look on my face. Unfortunately for him, I had no intention of negotiating. They had started this war, and I would finish it with or without bloodshed.
"What did you want to discuss then?" I asked, curious. I would indulge them for a moment, and see how much they were willing to give up to keep their positions and status.
"We do not mind having a King rule over us. Especially one of your caliber. We all acknowledge that what you have done in Myr is close to a miracle and we are envious. Prosperity and growth are a hard thing to achieve in today's world." Sallidos began with the tried and true negotiation tactic of flattery.
I was not flattered.
"Yet we find your views on slavery, the very backbone of our economy, to be troublesome."
I could have called it…
I turned to Davos with raised eyebrows. He knew what I was thinking without me even having to say it. He brought a hand up to hide the grin he now wore. Normally, this wouldn't have been a problem for him. He was a very stoic man. But the audacity of the Magisters in front of me was laughable to be honest. I had a hard time holding it in myself.
When I turned back to the First Magister of Lys, he was no longer wearing a smile. In fact, his face was hardened. He was a man that was used to getting what he wanted. I would put money on the fact that his cheery way of talking was all a front for the real man. He took what he wanted with power and manipulation, nothing else.
His daughter however, wore a slight grin on her face. Almost as if she knew what was coming.
I looked away from him, to the crowd of Magisters. "Did you really think this was going to work?" I asked rhetorically. "Did you really think that I would just… agree to the terms?"
I scanned the facers of the men and women behind Sallidos. Nobody answered, but all of their faces were grim.
"I assure you we are willing to pay significant fees and taxes, Your Grace. We…"
I held my hand up, and Sallidos stopped talking as I expected and commanded. "Why would I agree to that?" I asked him. "You are all businessmen, yes? You all are very good at negotiation. Let's bring it back a bit. Create the need for me. That is a common sales tactic, so use it." I told them. I put my arms behind my back, and waited for someone to respond.
It didn't take long for Sallidos to answer me. "You are a good ruler, Petyr of Myr. You care for your subjects just as we do. It is obvious to anyone who pays attention. Yet what kind of king forces his people to fight for him? What kind of king takes the very slaves he 'freed' and tells them to die for him? We certainly do not. We pay the heavy fees to allow men that choose that lifestyle to do the fighting for us. You would take our slaves and put a sword in their hands for your next conquest. We want to protect our people, unlike you…"
I was actually pleasantly surprised at Sallidos. He did not take the bait that I had given him. He did not allow me to dictate the flow of the conversation. He took it into his own hands and completely flipped it on its head. Unfortunately, he was completely mistaken on multiple fronts.
"Forced, you say?" I asked as I turned around. My men were piling up on the white beaches of Lys. Every moment, more and more boats touched land, ferrying men from the ships to the beach.
"That is where you are incorrect, Sallidos of Lys. I did not force a single man to hold a sword. In fact, I turned many away." I told him matter of factly. I did not allow him the opportunity to speak.
"These men are volunteers and I will tell you why!" My voice rose slightly. "When you declared war on us, you were coming for the slaves that fled your reign! I called on them and I promised them one thing! I promised them that if they fought for Myr, for their freedom. I promised that we would liberate their brothers and sisters in chains and punish their former masters for their sins!" I was yelling and pacing by the time that I was done with my response. My blood was pumping in my ears and I was getting angry. I turned it into motivation.
My men that were closest to me heard my short speech, and they banged on their shields in a constant rhythm in response. They agreed with me. The banging started to spread amongst the army as more and more men joined in.
"I refuse to negotiate with Slavers, do you understand Sallidos? You are lucky to still be alive for your transgressions!" I roared at him, causing him to back away in fear.
I drew my sword, causing the crowd in front of me to flinch. The men grabbed the women and children and put them behind their body so as to protect them.
I pointed Heartsbane at Sallidos. "As of this moment, you are no longer the First Magister of Lys." I told him with a snarl, before I swept my sword at the crowd in front of me. "As of this moment, there is no Conclave of Magisters! This is my city, and it will abide by my law!"
I paused for a moment as I let them process my words. Then I gave them a simple command.
"Kneel."
It took them a moment, but I waited patiently. Unsurprisingly, the daughter of Sallidos, Ileyana was the first to kneel and she did it obediently, touching her forehead to the marble section of the pier beneath her. She must have inspired her fellow magisters because it was as if a wave of obedience hit them all at once. Just like I commanded, they all kneeled with their foreheads touching the ground underneath them.
I turned back to my soldiers gathering on the beach.
"Tonight we finish this war! Tonight we will break the chains of every slave in the city! Go forth soldiers of Myr, free your fellow man!"
"A parade, Petyr. They're actually throwing a parade for a foreign invader!"
I forgave Davos' lack of honorifics immediately. I was too busy smiling wide at what we were both witnessing. I stood on the balcony of the Palace of the First Magister. It was the tallest room in the tower, which was already built on a hill. Our view was magnificent and easily the most beautiful that I had seen in a long time.
It seemed like the palace and this balcony had been built for this exact purpose. As I stood on it I could see the main street in the city that led all the way to the front gate. It was like a line drawn straight into the earth that only us on the balcony could see. Not only was the sun setting, but it was casting a beautiful orange sunset onto the clouds that floated above us.
The orange light of torches were beginning to pop up beneath us, as the city prepared for a night of festivities. My soldiers were letting loose after the conclusion of our latest war. The newly freed slaves laughed and danced in the streets. Ale, wine, and all manner of spirits flowed between hands.
It was a good day, and as I looked down at the happiness we had created, I couldn't help but think to my family. I yearned to have the weight of Alexander in my left arm, while holding Ashara in my right. Of course, Arthur would be attached to her arm and Vorian would be gripping her dress.
For all my happiness, my smile faded and I turned from the festivities.
It was at that moment that I felt a certain weight fall onto my shoulders. Exhaustion, from years of conflict and battle.
I'm so tired… I want to go home.
I would fall asleep as soon as my body embraced the foreign bed that night. Luckily, nobody entered my chambers to attempt to seduce me.
"I hereby grant Ser Davos Seaworth Lordship over Lys and her people."
The crowd roared, just as I had planned.
I turned from the speech I had just given to Davos. It was not the best speech I had ever given to be totally honest. I was too distracted on what would happen after I got done here. There was a tugging sensation I could feel on my soul. My family called to me, thousands of miles away and I could not wait to be with them.
Davos had obviously not been paying attention to what I was saying, because it took him a minute to process the words. He met my eyes and his mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to say something.
I just smiled and grabbed his shoulder before pulling him forward to the front of the podium I had erected. I was getting too familiar with these kinds of things.
Although, if I get to see the shock on my subject's face every time something like this happens, it'll be worth it.
"Lord Seaworth is one of the most honorable and trustworthy men I have ever met. He has been beside me for a very long time. He's the only person I can trust to govern the people of Lys, as I would. Give him a warm welcome!" I yelled as I pushed the man to the front of the podium.
He stumbled a bit as he turned away from me and looked at the crowd staring and cheering at him. I smiled and leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"Take care of my city, Ser Davos."
I backed away as I heard the first word of his first address to his new people. I was gone by the fourth word, and Weirña was already dropping out of the sky headed to our meeting location.
"He..Hello people of Lys…"
It was a long flight from Lys to Myr but not nearly as long as it should have been. Two days of nearly straight flight was all it took my beautiful and strong dragon to cross the distance. We had only stopped a total of maybe seven times for me to relieve myself and eat while she did the same thing.
Now that my Kingdom was formed, with more than one city I knew that I would be flying around a lot more often.
I became giddy when I first saw the towers of Myr. We approached in the exact same manner that I did whenever I was greenseeing and spying on my family. A straight shot for my tower, where I knew my family would be waiting for me.
Weirña roared a greeting to the city that I knew would have Ashara and the boys scrambling towards the window to see if it was me or Ben.
Somehow the next few minutes it took us to cross the final distance to the city was simultaneously the quickest and longest time of my life. But either way, Weirña had no orders for subtlety or convenience. She flew straight down to the front door of my tower, where my guards scrambled out of the way so as to not get crushed.
And sure enough, there she was, dressed in royal purple with an elegant bun on top of her head. Her beautiful purple eyes danced when they met my own and I practically jumped out of my saddle to the ground.
Both of us crossed the distance between us at the same time and brought each other into a deep hug. The type of hug that had you squeezing and pulling them to try and fit them into your skin.
I'm home.
A/N: Boom!
The conclusion of the War of the Three Sisters. Is it any surprise that Lys surrendered? I don't think so. Not when their allies had suffered a major defeat and lost nearly all of the troops they had hired.
So Petyr took Lys and didn't take any shit from the Magisters about slavery. Also not a surprise. He was willing to take the city by force, if it was necessary. No way he would concede even a little bit for their surrender. They got nothing in return but their lives.
Davos finally got what he deserved! This was probably pretty obvious and predictable as well, with how Petyr rewarded Ben with Tyr. They were his biggest supporters and most loyal friends. It only makes sense that he would trust them with the responsibility.
And finally, Robert gets his legs taken out from underneath him, before he can ever set sail from King's Landing. The Greyjoys have launched their own campaign earlier than canon.
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