Chapter 25: The Three Whores. 122 AC

[Bloodstone]

As Maegor reached his 15th name day, the war on the stepstones still rages on, well, 'rages on' is a strong word on the situation that he's in. it's been a year since the siege of Dorne started, the Velaryon fleet continued to raid the coasts of Dorne, even some ships reached the Torentines and also raid there, and Corlys got many spoils, from expensive carpets, some Dornish wine, to rare hawks that can only be captured in the mountains of Dorne.

Meanwhile, Daemon has practically burned their entire fields and cattles, the areas of the greenblood have become a waste, charred dirt, rotting corpses of cattles, and a dry irrigation system, it was simply devastated. Scouts of Lord Corlys have reported massive exodus on the deserts, as they saw the smallfolk were extremely malnutritioned, and more and more kept dying on the sands of Dorne.

But there were no signs of surrendering.

Maegor stood in front of the planning table with Lord Corlys, ser Vaemond, and his father Daemon, they decided to keep up the pressure in Dorne, and will wait for a couple of months to see if they want to surrender.

"What of the three whores?" asked Vaemond calmly.

There was a big red cross on the location of Tyrosh, seemingly symbolizing the burning of the city about a year ago, while a question mark was beside the city of Lys.

"Tyrosh's government collapsed, that we know," said Maegor. "The high-councilor of the triarchy from Tyrosh possibly killed himself, or burned by my dragon's fire. The sellsword Racallio Ryndoon has claimed the place, practically ruling with an iron fist."

"Then why aren't we claiming the city?" asked Vaemond. "It's right there, minimal defenses, only drunk pirates are protecting it."

"Because Myr is coming towards it." said Maegor, pointing at a small ship sculpture near the waters of Myr. "Lord Corlys' scouts saw that Myr was gathering a fleet quickly, hiring sellswords from all over Essos to man it. Most of the ships are merchant ships and big fishing boats."

"And? Our fleet could easily destroy that kind of fleet." Vaemond pointed out.

Maegor pointed out to Lys, then turned towards Daemon.

Daemon looked at the question mark of Lys, and he shrugged. "I've talked to the Black Swann. She's willing to cooperate."

Corlys frowned. "What will she do?"

"She's close with an Admiral of Lys." answered Daemon. "She's been feeding him the temptation of conquering Tyrosh, in a couple of months, we'll hear Lys moving towards the city."

"And you're certain that she won't betray us?" asked Vaemond.

"She will gain everything in this move." Daemon continued. "If the triarchy collapses, she will control the city in all but name. The only thing stopping her to do that is because of some admirals and commander that disliked her, but when Lys decides to go reclaim Tyrosh—"

"She can get rid of those rivals." Corlys hummed. "The two whores will kill each other, because of a whore."

"Once the civil war starts, we can focus on Dorne. Try to make them sign a treaty with us." Maegor pointed out.

"And what will we offer to them?" asked Vaemond. "Peace? Dorne would not sign if it's only for peace."

"We're starving them, ser Vaemond." Maegor countered.

"Yet we saw no signs of surrender." Vaemond argued.

"My brother is right, lord Maegor." said Corlys. "They will not sign a treaty if we only offer them peace. Dorne would soon starve then surrender."

"How about we just conquer them?" Suggested Daemon. "They're weak, we can send words to my brother to send an army towards Dorne and occupy the place."

"The king would not want war…" Maegor hummed. "And occupation won't work. Hatred is already planted on the dornish heart. We've starved their nation, and now we want to occupy them? If we manage to occupy them, we need to watch out for poisoned drinks… or scorpions falling from the ceiling…"

"Work with the lords to overthrow the Martells?" questioned Vaemond.

Maegor shook his head. "They're a loyal bunch. Except maybe the Yronwoods and the bandits of the mountains, but if we appoint them as The Warden of Dorne, I'm sure they'll be assassinated just the same as we will be if we're the ones who occupy them. The only way Dorne could unite with the Seven Kingdoms is through marriage, not conquest."

"Then what do you suggest we'll do, lord Maegor?" questioned Corlys. "It feels that victory is within our grasps, we've successfully shattered the Triarchy… yet Dorne…"

"It depends on what you want to do in these islands, lord Corlys." Maegor continued. "Do you think it's worth it to occupy the Stepstones? These places are barren, the only thing that is worth it is it's a strategic place. You can place tolls on whoever passes, but that will lead to making more enemies, especially Braavos, Volantis, Dorne, Pentos…"

"What he's saying is right, brother," said Vaemond. "Do you want to stay here? Occupy these worthless lands?"

"And what if the triarchy reclaimed the Stepstones?" asked Corlys with a frown. "The trade routes will be cut off again."

"Then we'll include it in the treaty, that no one shall claim the Stepstones, lest they want the entire force of the neighboring kingdoms and city to be unleashed upon them."

"Then for the last decade, we just wasted our time here." Corlys pointed out. "Many resources have been consumed in this war, and you're asking me to return empty handed?"

"We can demand war reparations from Dorne and the three cities, possibly even extort them." answered Maegor. "You will return with ships full of gold, and the glory of making Dorne starve, and be one of the men responsible for the collapse of the Triarchy."

"That is your glory, Lord Maegor." said Corlys murmured. "Not mine."

Lord Corlys stood up from the planning table, and gazed upon the three men on the table. "I will think about it. For now, let's focus on Dorne, put more pressure on Prince Qoren to ask for a treaty."

—

Maegor stood on a scaffolding of a makeshift fortress as he gazed upon the small dock of Bloodstone. Soldiers were unloading supplies, weapons, and armor, and he saw two dragons flying around the island, seemingly patrolling the place.

Suddenly, his father, Daemon, walked up to him, standing beside him, watching what he watched.

"Can't believe you did all this in one year." said Daemon calmly.

"Did what?" asked Maegor.

"Starve Dorne, collapsing Tyrosh, breaking the Triarchy." Daemon answered.

"Dragons were a big part of that." Maegor hummed. "If we don't have it, I'm not sure I could pull off all that."

"There you go again." Daemon rolled his eyes.

Maegor raised his brow towards his father. "What?"

"You're belittling yourself." said Daemon as if it was the obvious thing. "Dragons are a part of it, sure, but your ability as a warrior proved that you're a capable man. I would surely not want you to be an enemy if any war breaks out."

Maegor chuckled. "It's rather uncharacteristic of you to be afraid."

"Everyone is afraid of something." said Daemon calmly.

Maegor looked at his father, but didn't say anything. His gaze turned towards the ships again, breathing the salty air. "Congratulations, by the way."

"For what?" asked Daemon.

"Aegon." Maegor continued. "My half-brother."

"He was born two years ago." Daemon scoffed.

"And I'm congratulating you now," said Maegor. "Go back to Rhaenyra, Daemon. I don't want my half-brother to grow up not knowing his father, like I once did."

Daemon could only gaze at Maegor, his face not showing any expression. "I'm still needed here."

"No, you're not needed here anymore. We're in the diplomatic phase of the war."

Daemon just stared at the sky, watching as the two dragons fly around the island. "Fine."

"Before you go, I must ask," said Maegor suddenly. "Why name him Aegon? We already have an Aegon in the form of the queen's firstborn."

Daemon didn't answer. "We named him after the conqueror."

"Your lies won't work," said Maegor calmly. "I guess this is the second time you name your child out of spite."

Daemon didn't say anything, he just left, walking down the scaffolding to prepare his departure.