Chapter 99: The Rebellion's first strategies

A/N: Hey guys,

Here's today's third chapter.

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Everyone in the hall stood up and nodded their head. Every lord present was mad. They were all furious at the moment. Although Edward did not like Renly, he had to admit that many liked him.

"Stannis, tell me the situation here. I have asked you to rally our bannermen two weeks ago. What happened?" Said Edward as he looked at Stannis. Although he knew everything from Stannis's letter, he wanted Stannis to count everything in front of everyone.

Stannis, who understood what his brother meant, stood up and looked at everyone in the room. He was going to tell the status of every bannermen under the Baratheon.

"All the lords answered your calls. Some of them arrived already, while some would take another week to arrive. All the Houses obeyed, except four houses. The Fells, Grandisons, and the Cafferens decided to rebel against us. The news came today that they prepared their men and intended to gather in Summerhall before attacking us. The Conningtons also refused the call but did not join the other. They must be waiting for their lord, Jon, to return from King's Landing." Said Stannis as he looked at everyone. He emphasized the betrayal of the three houses and the Conningtons.

Everyone started to talk in the hall. Some were surprised by the situation, while others were angry at the four houses.

Edward raised his hand to make everyone stop talking. He did not like to waste much time. He wanted to start the action soon.

"Everyone could see what the four houses did, so no one could blame me for what I am going to do next. Stannis, How many men do we have here?" Asked Edward as he looked at Stannis. He wanted to know the exact number of men that he had under his control right now.

"The lords of the Dornish Marches would need some time to arrive. The same is for our uncle Eldon Eastermont. They would need two to three days to arrive. With all our men, we have about forty-eight thousand who are in good conditions to participate in the war." Said Stannis as he remembered all the information about all the lords. Most of the lords already participated in the meeting, while some did not arrive or on their way.

"Good, get a map, please." Said Edward as he signaled a guard to prepare the map and wooden pieces that represented their troops.

"I have something to tell all of you. I have negotiated with Lord Arryn and Ned Stark. After this rebellion, our Stormsland would be an independent kingdom, and all the lands that we took from the others using only our soldiers would be a part of our kingdom." Said Edward as he looked at everyone. He was trying to lighten the mood a little to motivate everyone.

Everyone was shocked then joy spread over their faces after a few seconds. They would not have to swear oaths to the crown anymore. That was every lord's dream.

"But what about the king? Who is going to be the king?" Said Stannis, who was as sharp as always. That was a significant question in his eyes. He wondered why his brother did not aim to be the king.

Everyone looked at Edward after hearing this question. Yeah, it was an important question. Was it going to be another Targaryen or one from other houses?

"We decided to let Robert take this role." Said Edward with a calm voice causing everyone to look at him with shock. Stannis was the one whose expression changed the most as he did not get it.

"Why not you?" Asked Stannis as he was willing to follow Edward to King's Landing than Robert. He did not understand his brother's mind at this point.

"Our root is Stormsland. I do not want to participate in the shit schemes in King's Landing. Plus, Robert did not have a role here in Storm's End, after all, so he was better in King's Landing." Said Edward as he faked it. Yeah, he wanted to be the only king, but it was not the right time for it. He did not mind splitting the cake with Robert for the moment. At least he would rule a clean land than the shit one in the King's Landing.

Stannis looked at Edward then at Robert. He still did not get it. How could Edward let this chance go away? Could not he clean King's Landing from the spies of the other families himself? Why would Edward not rule and kill everyone that opposed him? Edward did well in Stormsland, so Stannis was sure that he could do better in King's Landing.

Edward looked at everyone's expression and shook his head. No one understood him. If he tried to take the kingdoms by force at that moment, he would have many casualties, and the losses would be more than the gains.

'Look at Robert when he ruled. He had to take every house into consideration before he did anything, especially the Lannister. His brother, Ned, got injured, and he could do anything. Yeah, sure, I could do a lot better, but I would face rebellion after rebellion to no end. And by the time the Night King launched his attacks, I would be fucked and would not have enough men to protect myself, not to mention my children. I better wait for the rest of the houses to kill each other before I come in and take all the gains to myself. I would be the king anyway, and with half The Reach and the part of Dorne and Crownlands that I think of taking, my kingdom would be only after the North in size. But unlike the North, my lands would be fertile lands.' Thought Edward to himself as he looked at everyone who did not believe what he said. Yeah, it was a great opportunity but with great risks.

"Enough of this now. We will delay this matter till we win first." Said Edward putting an end to the whispers in the room.

It did not take long before the guard brought the map and spread it in front of everyone. Edward took some ink and marked some lands in the Reach, Dorne, and Crownlands but did not elaborate. This matter was for a later time. At the moment, they had to take care of the rebelled houses.

"I would take ten thousand men to Griffen's Roost to take it and capture all the Conningtons. Stannis, Jeffry, Flip would take five thousand each and attack the castles of the three houses. I wanted you to capture every living member of those houses and the soldiers' families as well. I do not need to sacrifice our men fighting those idiots. We would use their families to weaken their morals before killing them. Those houses do not need to exist anymore." Said Edward with a cruel smile. He would let them see who is the lord here. Every soldier would hesitate after seeing that his family in the enemy's hand.

Everyone looked at Edward with fear after hearing his last words. What Edward meant was that he would kill every member of the house to end them all. Their history would stop there. The fear in their hearts made them swore not to oppose Edward ever.

"Stannis, send a message to the lords of the march to meet us in the Summoning Hall and another to our uncle to meet us in Griffen's Roost." Said Edward giving further orders to Stannis. He would need the rest of the men, at the moment, so better send them to the place where he would start attacking The Reach.

Stannis nodded his head as he also thought the same. Although he thought that attacking The Reach that had the most soldiers was wrong at the moment, he knew that his brother would not launch an attack till he took care of the lords of Stormsland, and he must have a plan to take The Reach.

"Clinn, you would take eight thousand men and take Stonedance and Sharp Point so that we could secure our entrance to King's Landing through Blackwater Bay. It is likely that the Targaryens would try to attack you there, so be careful." Said Edward as he looked at Clinn. Clinn was the most suitable one for this operation as Edward trusted him the most. He was sure that Clinn would not disappoint him.

Clinn nodded his head excitedly. Yeah, he might not attack The Reach as the rest of his colleagues, but this place was special to their lord. From there, Edward could launch an attack on King's Landing or Dragonstone with ease. He would not disappoint his lord.

"Robert, you would go with me. Robin, you will take the rest to Helltown(one of the castles that Edward built). After every group finishes its job, All the army would gather in Helltown." Said Edward getting a nod from both Robert and Robin.