Chapter Twenty-Eight

The Red Keep. King's Landing.

"Robert we can not afford to anger these people" stated Ned Stark as he and his old friend met behind closed doors in the king's chambers "We can't fight flying machines and men with these guns".

Eddard understood that if this Imperium could simply conquer them then it already would have. There must be some limit to their power if they hadn't already rolled over the Seven Kingdoms., and while they seemed to be able bring about Dooms like that which had befallen Valyria if they'd wanted to destroy the Seven Kingdoms they could have already done that as well.

"They want to give the throne back to the dragon spawn!" shouted Robert.

Ned wasn't so sure about that. This Lord Thrax had come to make demands, but he'd also come to make allies, hence the gifts. By not denying that he had the last Targaryens in his charge, or at least the last ones anyone knew about, as far as Ned knew Jon was safe up at The Wall, Lord Thrax had made it clear that he might challenge Robert's right to rule. Viserys was a threat, he was meant to give Thrax leverage.

"If they were going to do that then why not simply do it?" Ned asked rhetorically "Warning us served no purpose unless they want something".

King Robert listened to the council of few men, thankfully for the realm Lord Stark was one of them.

"This Lord Thrax is as much merchant prince as he is a warlord" Eddard was now saying "Yes he took the Stepstones, but if he could just conquer us then he would. No he wants to bring us into this Imperium and we can do on our own terms".

Robert was at least paying attention.

"We can ally with this Lord Thrax and take his guns" the man from The North was now saying "Then we prepare for war, if we can make the Kingdoms too much of a challenge to conquer by remaining united then we'll sort this out with words. We can ensure that this Imperium leaves us alone as much as possible. Let them battle the Dothraki hordes and conquer the Free Cities who won't lift a finger to help each other, we will not be such easy prey".

While Robert dreamed of once more fighting in the thick of things against a deadly enemy he knew that they wouldn't win a war against people who had flying machines. These Imperials would just rain down death from above like they were rumoured to do when they destroyed Astaphor.

"You're right Ned" agreed the ruling Monarch "We need to prepare for war while playing the role of a good host. We'll wine and dine this Lord Thrax, make him our good friend. We can pay tribute to this Imperium if that's what they want and make an enemy into an ally".

Eddard sat down and for once had a glass of wine with his friend as he needed it.

"We're in massive debt" reminded the king's long time ally "We can't afford to pay gold in tribute or to buy guns. We'll need to find something else that he wants. Maybe land or a highborn wife".

The King cared little for such matters and Eddard knew this.

"I can handle the diplomacy, Robert, but you need to keep Thrax happy while he is here" said the Hand of the King "That means no mentioning of dragon spawn, we can't have this Imperium thinking that your hold on the Iron Throne is weak enough to be threatened by a exiled prince and his little sister".

His Grace had to bit his lip to stop himself from saying something foolish.

"I should not have yelled at Thrax" Robert admitted "You're right it made me look afraid of those white-haired sister fuckers".

Some more wine helped to keep the King somewhat calm.

"I'll make Thrax my honoured guest" promised the man once known as the Demon of the Trident "He'll seen that the Seven Kingdoms are best kept as a friend".

The upcoming tourney would be good for that and while Lord Stark didn't wish to use such methods he knew that any people who could make The Wall shake could destroy Winterfell and he had to ensure the safety of his home. Bending the knee to save what could be saved would be better than burning. Torrhen Stark had understood this when he faced the armies of Aegon Targaryen and if needs be Eddard Stark would bow before Lord Thrax, if only to rise again as an ally. He hoped that Robert would do the same.