Chapter Forty-Eight
Palace. The Stepstones.
While some people might think that the Ad-Mech did nothing more than try to control knowledge and hold back technological development, and to an extent this was true, they also found ways to use their knowledge so that it benefited at least some others. People such as me, as I'd ordered the creation of a palace for myself here in the Stepstones and the Ad-Mech had already gotten it done despite them keeping a lot of their efforts focused on extracting resources down in Ulthos.
True to Imperial design the palace was a highly gothic affair with lots of dark stone, metal and skulls, but I liked it. The palace was very secure and more than large enough to hold any tribute that would be handed over to the larger Imperium, of which House Thrax would take its cut. Hence this place was as much fortress as it was palace.
Not only did it have strong walls the palace had other defences such as heavy weapon emplacements and its own small garrison as guarding the Imperil tithe was serious business as was my protection. It also served as a reminder of Imperial power as well as a means of keeping pirates away from the shipping lanes as if any pirate ship did pop up or if a pirate base was discovered the palace had a well armed shuttle that could be dispatched to handle the matter in short order.
"It needs a woman's touch" said the noble lady who would soon be my wife.
Hearing that amused me.
"Feel free to amuse yourself by decorating" I offered.
I much preferred to live inside my pleasure craft or within my private quarters back on my cruiser, this quickly built fortress/palace was meant to serve as more of a reminder of my authority than as a place of residence. Hence why it was so bare.
"There should be plenty of materials to work with and if you need more we can just go shopping" I was now saying "Pentos should be safe to visit".
While the Free Cities around and within Slavers Bay were being conquered by the Imperial Guard those closer to Westeros were already part of the Imperium even it was mostly due to business ties. As long as they bent the knee and paid taxes I didn't much care what they got up to.
"We should go together and visit the market at Braavos" Dany suggested "They'll have everything we need for the wedding".
The wedding was really something I should just get on with so I could focus on important matters.
"As soon as I have the time we'll venture to Braavos" I promised "I need to visit the Iron Bank and meet with the Sealord in any case".
With that Dany went off with her handmaidens, she'd picked up a few more from somewhere, to check out the rest of the palace. This left me free to go find her brother who needed to be prepared to play a more active role in claiming his throne.