( Anders POV )
However, Prince Quentyn surprised him as he had a map brought out, and laid in front of the assembly.The room went silent and several people gasped.
"This is the Dorne I intend to rule over." Prince Quentyn smiled.
...
Anders watched without emotion over the map. It had the usual Dornish contours, but…it integrated several territories which did not belong to Dorne.
Namely, the Stepstones, of course, but also vast territories beyond the Dornish Marches: Starpike, Blackhaven, Nightsong…the border comprised all the Marcher regions all the way up to the Slayne river, as well as several islands in and around the Sea of Dorne, essentially giving Dorne full control of "their" sea.
"As you can see, Dorne will control the Marches, the entry to the Summer Sea and the Sea of Dorne. Our power will be strengthened, and with the fertile plains of the Upper Marches, we will finally have reliable stocks of grain and stop our reliance on importing from the Free Cities or the Reach."
"And you believe the Stormlanders will just accept that?" Lady Larra Blackmont asked.
"I expect them to put up a fight, but what much can they do?" Prince Quentyn shrugged, "Most of the Marcher lords' lines have been decimated by the war.
Houses Dondarrion, Caron and Cafferen have seen their lines almost extinguished, reduced to a few bastards on the run. They are ripe for the taking, and many loyal houses from Dorne would be rewarded with great prizes.
Most of the lords were talking or murmuring between them, but Anders had his eyes locked on the map. Such an endeavor would not be easy, but with the support of three dragons, who could oppose them?
However, a question arising would be, would the new king or queen accept such a move? One does not simply annex so much territory without consequences. Not to mention holding these areas…but Anders also saw an opportunity.
With new areas also meant new options for alliances, in an area more favorable to House Yronwood's views, especially if the families there could stay in power. Peake, Selmy, Estermont could make great, powerful allies, and could even control most of the Dornish production of grain…
Anders smiled slightly, and laid down in his seat. There were opportunities to seize, to be sure.
"As Lady Toland said, and as Lord Jordayne already knows, I have asked the fleet to group at Sunspear," Prince Quentyn continued. "Uncle, how many ships have we at our disposal?"
"Two thirds of the ships we have, including all but five of the new ones, have grouped either at Sunspear, Planky Town, or Ghost Hill." The Red Viper answered.
"To prove to the new monarch of our goodwill, we will mount a proper expedition to deliver our message. As such, I expect that every one of you send a few men of your choosing to come with me to Volantis." Prince Quentyn continued. "You can thus see why such an important number of ships is needed, especially if we are to land a whole army in Dorne."
"And if we do not have the men?" Lady Lina Uller asked with venom in her voice.
"Isn't your brother, Ser Ulwyck, a proper knight wanting to earn his spurs?" the prince replied with a smile, "Surely a mission to the east would give him experience?"
Lady Uller grumbled something, while Anders picked up on something, and asked:
"You said, follow you to Volantis." He spoke up for the first time. "Who will govern Dorne in your absence?"
"Prince Oberyn will, Lord Yronwood." Prince Quentyn spoke up, pointing to his uncle. "He will rule Dorne and make all arrangements as to the proper transport of eastern troops to and from the ports from Sunspear to Yronwood, to convoy them to the Boneway and the Prince's Pass.
Our efforts to modernize the roads are well underway, but everything must be ready soon, at least on the coastal way that goes from Wyl to Ghost Hill."
Anders slumped back into his chair and wished he never asked. At least Ser Maron was a useful idiot, but the Red Viper was smarter than he let on, and the least it could be said was that Anders did not have the best relations with him.
Another opportunity out the window…Anders would have to find something else, as usual.
"As for our mission…" Prince Quentyn continued, "I intend to gift Queen Daenerys something more than just a fleet to convoy her to Dorne. I intend to gift her a husband to seal our alliance with, and one that has Dornish blood in his veins."
The room started to grow nervous and a slow rumble swept through. Who would the prince offer? His own hand? Unlikely. Prince Trystane? That was possible, the betrothal to Princess Myrcella was weak anyhow…
"Ser, why don't you introduce yourself?" Prince Quentyn pointed to the man whom Anders did not recognize.
"My name is Ser Kyle Sand, of the Golden Company." The man spoke up with a deep, booming voice.
Almost immediately, voices began to be heard. Were they hiring the Golden Company too?
"I have been charged by Ser Harry Strickland, commander of the Golden Company, to evaluate the potential transport of our forces from Volantis or Lys to Dorne, forces which include men, horses and elephants," the man continued, silencing the many voices in the room, "Prince Quentyn has been in contact with us for some time, and his offer, once we had lost our main patron, was most generous."
"We are hiring the Golden Company?" Lord Franklyn Fowler asked.
"Not exactly, we do not have a contract in gold, but rather in blood." Prince Quentyn replied, to which Ser Kyle nodded.
There were confused looks amongst the participants now.
"The Golden Company will not work for gold because we have declared our allegiance to the rightful king of the Seven Kingdoms, that is, Aegon Targaryen, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell."
The room fell deadly silent for a few seconds, before devolving into a complete cacophony. Some were disbelieving, some were under shock. The Red Viper himself turned to Prince Quentyn and asked with wide eyes.
"What? Is this true?"
"As true as can be, uncle." Prince Quentyn smiled. "Father had been working on it for a while, but I have had it confirmed."
"Then you must let me go with you!"
"That will not be necessary, even though the offer is appreciated, uncle. I need you here." The prince's eyes narrowed.
"But…"
"I know, you wish to meet your nephew."
"My nephew is dead, Quentyn, I know it, everyone knows it…"
"Prince Aegon was smuggled before Tywin sacked the city," Ser Kyle intervened again. "It was planned for Princess Rhaenys to be smuggled out too, but unfortunately, no suitable double was found until…"
Prince Oberyn frowned.
"All the more reason for me to come with you, then!" he pleaded. "If Elia's son lives, I must meet him."
"You will." Prince Quentyn nodded. "But not in Volantis. You will wait till I bring him back here, and then you can meet your family. The sooner the better, of course."
"Quentyn…"
"This is final, uncle!
Prince Oberyn clenched his fists, ready to argue, but finally relented in front of the prince's dark gaze.
"We will talk about this later." The Red Viper let out.
"We can," was his nephew's answer, "but my decision won't budge."
"I have assured Ser Kyle and Ser Harry of my willingness to cooperate," the prince then stood up to take the stand, "However, such cooperation must mean that I must meet the one who calls himself Aegon, who would then be my cousin by blood.
If I can thus confirm, along with some of you, the truthfulness of his heritage…"
The prince pointed at random in the assembly.
"…then I will have no issue to seal the alliance with Queen Daenerys, whose parentage is not left in doubt, by supporting a marriage alliance between my cousin by blood and the Dragon Queen."
Prince Quentyn then stood up, towering over the rest of the lords and ladies assembled.
"I thank you all for coming to this Grand Council, and your support and fealty are accepted. I shall have refreshments brought in, and you may then ask me, Prince Oberyn or Ser Kyle any question you wish, before we start sailing for Volantis.
We shall sail at the moon's turn, stopping at Lys to replenish, before heading eastwards, where the Dragon Queen is converging. The Golden Company will meet us there."
Anders rose up slowly, waiting in a corner while the new prince was swarmed with questions, all the while debating what course of action to take.
Surely, Cletus and Archibald would accompany Prince Quentyn in his endeavor, while the new prince would no doubt ask for him to prepare Yronwood for war, notably by clearing the Boneway and preparing Yronwood as the main logistical base for the Dornish army.
But Anders had other things to consider. With the upcoming war, he would have to secure his position and his line, and that would have to go by finally getting a betrothal for Cletus.
However, such a betrothal was not easy to find. He had almost succeeded with the Fowlers, until Prince Quentyn put an end to it. The Jordaynes were an option, but one that scarcely interested him.
The best prizes were no doubt in the Reach, but this road was now blocked by the war, and unavailable to him.
Anders could still hope the war would be swift and the spoils of war would likely benefit him, as one of the new monarch's early supporters, but for that he needed a quick victory and the Targaryens to be generous.
In short, Anders was at an impasse for his son's potential candidates for the moment. He could still marry him to one of his direct vassals, but there were more likely better opportunities. One would have to be patient.
However, there was still the issue of Gwyneth, and this time, he would try his best to raise it to the prince.
Approaching him, Anders congratulated him on the new position, and the two made some talk about the new role Yronwood would have to play in the upcoming conflict.
Nothing that Anders didn't know. Yronwood would be crucial as a rear logistical base, the port and roads would need to be cleared, and the city would need to be prepared to receive many foreigners and horses. Nothing he couldn't arrange.
It was then that Anders chose to step in.
"My prince, many here are wondering how a powerful man like you can stay unwed for so long. Surely, a marriage would be soon to come?" Anders asked.
"You presume well, Lord Yronwood," the prince smiled, "I have made a decision as to who I will marry, should she accept."
"Oh?" Anders asked, optimistic, "Who is such lady?"
"Lady Sylva Santagar of Spottswood." Prince Quentyn replied, shattering Anders' hopes once again. "I fear most of the matches I was presented were erm…not compatible."
"Lady Sylva is all but a hostage at Highgarden with Princess Arianne, your own sister," Anders reminded him, "And it is not said she will say yes. What's more, House Santagar is not much of a prize for a prince of high standing such as you."
Anders tried to emphasize the last point, pushing him in the right direction.
"You are right," the prince acknowledged, "This is why if Lady Santagar refuses, I have a woman which has shown her interest in me, and who comes from one of the most powerful houses in Dorne."
Anders resisted a wide smile. This had all the indications of being Gwyneth.
"Who is this lady, if I may be so bold to ask?" he finally let out.
"Oh," Prince Quentyn shrugged with a sly smile. "Lady Jennelyn Fowler. We've been acquainted for a long time, and I dare say we are quite good friends. Such a marriage could benefit us both greatly."
Anders felt like he had been slapped across the face. Of course, he knew exactly what that entailed. At best, he and the Fowler girl would make it work, and, at worst, Prince Quentyn would pass off his children with the Viper's bastard as the Fowler's, making his heirs direct descendants of the man who killed his grandfather.
Whether the Prince was doing this to spite him, to remind him who was in control of Dorne, or to show that he could was irrelevant, really.
Anders quickly took his leave and sought to find a large cask of ale. Perhaps to drown himself in, perhaps just to drown his thoughts. In any case, one question resonated through his mind currently:
Gods, why didn't father just ask to foster Princess Arianne instead?
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