Chapter 90
-POV Asha Greyjoy-
I frowned after reading my father's letter and then passed it to my uncle Victarion, who said once he had finished reading: "It's a trap."
"And it's indeed a trap, but the question isn't what they want to do but what we are going to do now?" I said.
"The safety of our king comes before the plans of that Pentoshi dog," said my uncle, a true Ironborn who I knew would represent the general opinion of everyone.
Although the Ironborn are of a piratical and treacherous nature, none of them would back down from the royal fleet, especially knowing it has nearly half as many men as we do, and that the king, who wants to bring the Iron Fleet back to its golden age—the age of piracy—is a prisoner in his own castle, this would push Theon to reclaim the crown.
'A wolf in Ironborn's skin,' I thought, recalling the lack of respect afforded to him.
Despite all this, I was also not sure that the best thing would be to blindly charge at the enemy without thinking: "We could end up losing everything by turning back on the Targaryens and the Redwyne fleet."
My uncle shook his head and outlined the most obvious points: "The Redwyne fleet is not complete; it is clearly written in this message that there are only about 30,000 soldiers, so the Redwyne fleet is not at full strength. It has been assembled in haste to transport King Targaryen's troops from Seagard to Pyke.
With our 50,000 men, we will have a significant advantage against him, and if we can take him by surprise with additional troops left on the other islands, we could even attack with more than double their number."
I nodded and then said: "I know it's the most logical solution while also being the safest for us, but it seems so obvious that it's probably what King Targaryen wants."
"Why would he want us to flank him with so many men? Even for him, that would be suicide," he said confidently and even mockingly.
"I don't know, but in any case, I have a bad feeling," I said, still uncertain about making the right decision.
"What kind of bad feeling?" asked my uncle, putting his helmet back on.
"The calm before the storm," I said before letting out a deep sigh.
'We have no choice, we must protect the king above all,' I thought.
---
-5 days later-
-15th day of the 7th moon of the year 299 AC-
-POV Arianne Martell-
This morning, like every morning since Aegon had gone to war, I woke up with a big smile, although I was a bit sad to see him leave and a bit worried, I had to admit that being regent in his absence did me a lot of good. I had absolute power over everything, almost as if I were the king myself.
It was completely different from governing as a queen because to have power as a queen, I needed to have power and influence over Aegon.
I would never have had the opportunity to remove Lancel Lannister from the position of Royal Usher to make it Sarella's post, nor to make Obara a lieutenant in the Dragon Guard leading a new female squad devoted to serving me.
'A war in the North will last at least 6 months, and in the meantime, I will have all the time to undermine the power of the Lannisters in the capital and strengthen that of the Martells, who will undoubtedly support my cause and my son's above all,' I thought, stroking my belly.
"I didn't think you would be that kind of mother," said Tyene mockingly.
I rolled my eyes and said, "And what kind of mother did you think I would be?"
"I didn't think you would be a mother at all," said Tyene, laughing lightly.
"You were quite mistaken," I pointed out.
"I'm willing to admit that," said Tyene, nodding her head as she stopped at the council door, as usual.
I frowned and then said, "You know what? Today I would like you to come in with me."
"The lords won't like that," Tyene warned me of the nobles' likely discontent.
"I know, but I'm asking you to come," I said, signaling the guards to open the doors of the royal council chamber.
"You're the one who decides," said Tyene, following me.
As soon as I entered, everyone stood up to greet me, and I asked Grand Maester Marwyn, "What's the news from the front?"
He rarely took care to come to the council in person, usually sending one of his apprentices as a spokesperson, a right my dear inexperienced husband had given him but which I had revoked because I found it disrespectful on his part.
"The news is rather good, but you're asking the wrong person.
The most informed man about the situation of this kingdom is none other than the one sitting to your right," he said, pointing to Bryan.
I said authoritatively, without glancing at the master spy but fixing my gaze on the Grand Maester, "I asked you, Grand Maester, have you received any messages from my husband the King?"
"Many messages have arrived, but none describe the war effort, only giving orders that you must apply in his absence."
"What are they?" I asked, confused, as he had left me in charge of governing the capital and the kingdom in his absence.
"Firstly, the King hereby revokes the position of Master of Laws and all the rights ensuing from Oberyn Martell and appoints in his place the Royal Grand Judge Randyll Tarly to assume this function until his return," he said, taking out a raven message.
"Secondly, he orders you to capture all the guards of his half-brother and all the people on this list and to detain them in the black cells until his return, and lastly, he revokes all the appointments you have made in these last five days because 'you have clearly favored members of your family instead of thinking about the general interest of the kingdom,' those are his words, not mine. Oh yes, I forgot, his grace in his infinite kindness has decided to allow me to retire and attend to my own affairs, don't worry, I will send an apprentice to fill my duties as Grand Maester."
"Where is my uncle?" I asked, not seeing him.
"The king ordered me to keep Prince Oberyn and his family under the guard of 500 elite soldiers," said Bryan, looking at me indifferently.
"OUT OF MY SIGHT, ALL OF YOU," I yelled, seeing them all hide their disdainful looks at my misfortune.
None of them hesitated, and all left the room except one.
Tywin Lannister stood up with a superior look and said, "The king gave you full powers to test you in the event he came to die, and you have failed miserably. It wouldn't surprise me to see him seek another queen in the coming weeks. Duke Tyrell brags everywhere that our majesty has prevented Margaery Tyrell from taking another spouse."
I clenched my teeth and said nothing, but inside, I had only one desire: to have him beheaded on the spot. However, I restrained myself because that was probably what he expected from me, and I was right because he said, "Pity, I thought you would want to execute me. At least you haven't completely failed."
He dropped Aegon's message in front of me, which I quickly scanned, but I stopped reading at the end of the message. I couldn't believe my eyes. I was completely stunned; I couldn't believe he could actually consider repudiating me.
'If she commits another blunder of this sort, strip her of all her rights as well as her title as queen and regent.'