"The first force will consist of troops from the North, the Reach, and the Crownlands, commanded by His Majesty himself," Tywin announced. "However, as the king is young and inexperienced in warfare, command will be delegated to the Hand of the King, Lord Eddard Stark."
Lord Eddard was momentarily surprised. He hadn't expected the old lion to hand him such a critical role. But he rose, nodded respectfully to Lord Tywin, and accepted the responsibility.
Lord Tywin nodded back, continuing, "The first force will attack Dorne from the Prince's Pass, targeting the western banks of the Scourge."
"Yes, my lord," Lord Eddard replied, taking his seat again.
"The second force will be composed of troops from the Riverlands, the Stormlands, the Vale, and the Westerlands," Tywin continued, "and I will personally lead them south through the Boneway to strike at central and eastern Dorne."
Hearing this, Samwell realized that these two forces would be the main spearheads of the campaign. With the Red Mountains as a natural barrier, the Prince's Pass and the Boneway were the only paths south into Dorne. However, Samwell wondered if Tywin had accounted for the western approach as well, where another entry point lay.
"Lord Samwell Tarly," Tywin's voice interrupted Samwell's thoughts.
"Yes, Lord Tywin," Samwell answered, standing and bowing.
"I would like you to represent the Iron Throne in Starfall and persuade Lady Nathalie Dayne to join our cause."
"Lord Tywin, Lady Nathalie is still a Dornish noble, after all. Refusing House Martell's summons is already as much as we could expect from her," Samwell responded.
Tywin's sharp, golden eyes fixed on Samwell. "My demands aren't high. She needn't make an open declaration or even send troops. All she needs to do is allow our forces to land at Starfall."
After considering this, Samwell asked, "How many troops would you need to pass through?"
"A cavalry unit of around two thousand," Tywin replied. "They will be the third force, penetrating deep into Dorne to raid towns and disrupt Dornish supply lines."
Samwell mulled it over. This relatively small force passing through Starfall might not provoke a major backlash from the local Dornish population, especially if they operated discreetly, under the cover of night.
Still, he didn't agree immediately.
"Lord Tywin, this may be difficult. Dorne is notoriously hostile to outsiders. I worry that your third force may get trapped at Starfall. And as for supplies… they couldn't rely solely on raiding Dornish towns, could they?"
"I recall that Starfall owes a debt of seventy thousand gold dragons," Tywin said.
"Yes," Samwell replied, thrilled. Was the old lion ready to throw money at the problem?
Yes, bury me in gold!
"Tell Lady Nathalie that if she allows my forces through and discreetly provides daily supplies, House Lannister will repay that debt for her once the war is over."
Samwell was elated. Starfall's debt of seventy thousand dragons was owed to him personally.
But then he remembered that this debt was secured with Dawn, House Dayne's legendary greatsword. If Starfall repaid the debt, he'd have to return the sword...
Then again, the seventy thousand covers only the principal; there's still the interest, he reassured himself.
Putting on a look of sincere dedication, he replied, "I'll write to Lady Nathalie immediately and convey your terms. I'm confident she won't refuse the call to justice."
Seeing Samwell's confidence, Tywin seemed assured that the third force's deployment would go smoothly even with only a letter instead of a personal visit.
"The fourth force will be the naval contingent, comprising the royal fleet and the fleet of the Arbor, under the command of Lord Paxter Redwyne. Their objective will be to control the Greenblood River, severing communication and transportation among Dornish towns along its banks."
"Yes, my lord," Lord Paxter responded, rising to accept the command.
Samwell frowned at this news. The admiral wasn't the Master of Ships, Stannis Baratheon—who wasn't even at the council. Clearly, Stannis took issue with the Lannisters being in charge.
Since Stannis wasn't present, the royal fleet would likely only contribute a few ships, leaving the bulk of the naval force to the Arbor fleet.
Tywin's plan was almost identical to the campaign of Daeron I's conquest of Dorne, but with an additional force of cavalry that would advance from Starfall to raid deep into Dornish territory.
If everything went according to plan, the Iron Throne could replicate Daeron's victory.
But conquering Dorne wasn't about taking towns and castles; it was about making the Dornish people truly submit.
"Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken."
The motto of House Martell summed up the Dornish character perfectly. While the Iron Throne's massive force could certainly take Dornish towns, the people would not easily yield. They would scatter into mountains, forests, and deserts, waging guerrilla warfare against the occupying forces. This kind of war was grueling and endless.
Even Aegon the Conqueror, with three dragons, couldn't bring Dorne to its knees. One of his dragons was ambushed and killed, and he even lost a queen to the Dornish.
Similarly, Daeron I captured all the major Dornish strongholds but couldn't prevent constant guerrilla attacks. Over three years, the Iron Throne lost forty thousand men to these raids, including a governor who was assassinated. Eventually, the entire region revolted, forcing the Iron Throne to withdraw.
Later, Daeron I, determined to regain control, launched another invasion but fell into a trap and was killed.
It was Daeron's successor, Baelor the Blessed, who finally secured Dorne's submission. Baelor walked barefoot through the Boneway, threw himself into a snake pit, and won the Dornish people over through peace and marriage alliances.
Winning over the Dornish was no simple feat. This was why Samwell, despite winning the Battle of Starfall, had ultimately placed Nathalie Dayne as countess of Starfall rather than taking control himself.
If he had seized power, he would only have invited endless assassination attempts and revolts.
Despite the Iron Throne's imposing force, the outcome of this war was far from certain.
If Tywin tries to use the same iron-fisted approach he used on his vassals in the West, he'll pay for it in blood. Dornish nobility has a much tougher spine.
The council continued, with the lords discussing tactics and logistics in finer detail. Samwell, arms crossed, watched the proceedings from the sidelines. Whether the Iron Throne or Dorne triumphed, he didn't particularly care—as long as they bled each other dry.
When the council concluded, Samwell returned to his camp and immediately wrote to Nathalie, outlining Tywin's demands and terms, along with some advice of his own.
Three days later, he received a response. Nathalie had agreed to his proposal.
Samwell conveyed this outcome to Lord Tywin, and the old lion, now officially speaking on behalf of the king, gave the order to advance.
The four forces prepared to march.
Samwell's troops from Eagle's Nest were assigned to the Reach contingent, under Lord Eddard's command. However, Samwell himself was ordered to join the third force for deep-raiding operations behind enemy lines.
This assignment suited him just fine. Marching with the main force would have offered little opportunity for gain—it would just mean grinding siege warfare, piling up bodies. Samwell had no interest in that.
Operating with the third force allowed for more freedom in tactics. It was riskier but, with his unparalleled combat skills, Samwell knew he could handle it as long as he avoided being surrounded.
With his falcon scouting above, Samwell felt confident he could evade dangerous traps.
The only thing that worried him was his five hundred men. Left behind, they could easily be used as cannon fodder. He had intended to leave them under Dickon's command, but his brother had insisted on joining him on the raid.
So, he entrusted his troops to his uncle, Ser Alekyne Florent, the eldest son of Brightwater Keep. Given his influence within the Reach army, Samwell felt his men would be in safe hands.
The commander of the third force was Lord Yohn Royce of Runestone in the Vale.
Known as Bronze Yohn, he was an imposing man, tall and broad, with gray hair and the strength of a man half his age.
House Royce was one of the Vale's oldest and most powerful houses, tracing their lineage back to the Age of Heroes. They owned several ancient bronze armor sets engraved with runes that were said to protect the wearer with magical power.
It was these suits of armor that earned Lord Royce his nickname.
Samwell's gaze lingered on Bronze Yohn's armor, unable to look away.
Under the morning light, the bronze armor gleamed darkly, its intricate runes giving off an aura of mystery and age.
What a treasure! he thought. I wonder if the Royces would sell it…
"Lord Samwell, the ships are ready. Shall we go?" Lord Yohn asked, unfazed by Samwell's gaze. His armor drew attention regularly, and he wore it proudly.
"Oh, yes, let's go," Samwell said, pulling himself together as they walked to the docked ships.
But as he approached the first ship, he noticed its name and came to an abrupt halt—The Valiant Joffrey.
Samwell felt that this ship would sink sooner or later...
"Ahem, Lord Yohn, I'll take the next boat." Samwell said and ran away quickly.
But the name of the second ship made Samwell frown even more -
Sweet Cersei.
Don't this mother and son have any self-awareness?
Fortunately, there were quite a lot of ships coming this time, seventeen in total, so Samwell still had choices.
The third ship was called Robert the Fearless.
Well, this is fine. Even though Robert is dead, Samwell still feels that this ship is safer.
At least its name wouldn't offend the gods.
After the two thousand cavalrymen and four thousand war horses were all on board, the seventeen large ships raised their sails and slowly sailed into the Sea of Dorne.
Heading towards the rising sun hanging high in the east.
(End of Chapter)