Jon Connington
For twenty years he had been in exile, ever since that day he had failed to stop Robert Baratheon at the Stoney Sept, he had left Westeros in disgrace, his house had lost its glory and the usurper had eventually sat the throne. Jon had blown the first few years of his exile in drink and in fighting, first for the Second Sons and then for the Golden Company, where he had been forced to leave so as to suit one of the Spider's many schemes, after that he had wandered around Essos for nearly a year before coming back to Pentos where he had found the boy who had Rhaegar's eyes and smile. Aegon had been five when Jon Connington had met him, and from that day on they had lived on the Shy Maid, where Jon taught the lad all he knew about ruling, and others taught him about the Faith and the wider world. They grew into something of a family, though Jon was always careful not to trust anyone within their group with the most intimate of plans apart from Lemore, she who had been Princess Elia's closest friend. The years had flown by and Jon had found a purpose for the monotony of his days, something to strive for, and as he watched Aegon grow from a boy to a man he felt proud, so very proud of this lad who was his entire son but in name.
They had all grown impatient waiting for the Spider to make up his mind as to when they should invade, he plan had changed so many times and when Tywin Lannister remained alive, Jon began fearing that they might never actually make it across the sea in his lifetime. But then Aegon had shown some rare displays of leadership and decreed that he was tired of waiting for some outside force to dictate what he did, and so they set sail and at Volon Therys picked up the Golden Company and Daenaerys Targaryen and her dragons and her army of Unsullied and a variety of other sellsword companies. It seemed the Mother of Dragons had grown tired of waiting around in Meeren as well and had decided to act, that the decision had been hers and not Ser Barristan Selmy's Jon was not entirely sure, considering Selmy seemed much more at home speaking of Westeros than he seemed talking about Essos and what Daenaerys had been doing in the East for so long. The meeting between Aegon and Daenaerys was an interesting one, one that Jon had been worrying over for many years, but when one of the Queen's dragons Rhaegal he believed it was called immediately took a liking to the lad, Jon's fears were put to rest and Daenaerys agreed to a marriage between the two of them.
That had been some five moons ago now, and whilst they had been planning and planning on what their next move was to be, the King and his Queen had been getting to know one another and had begun training themselves on how to rule, and it was quite clear to anyone who had eyes and a brain that they were falling for one another. Jon simply hoped that they would not let that get in the way of what they were planning to do. Aegon dressed in the red and black of his house, with his Queen sat next to him looking like the maiden come to life in a dress of pure white, were sat at the high table in Pentos. Also there were Jon, Ser Barristan and Ser Jorah who were part of the Kingsguard and of course the fat man Illyrio Mopatis. Jon waited and eventually Aegon spoke. "We all know why we are here. It has been nearly two decades since our family was removed from its rightful seat of power in King's Landing. The usurper and two of his dogs are dead. Yet Tywin Lannister remains alive and in control, his grandson sits the throne, our throne. But for now we must establish a foothold in Westeros, I would hear your thoughts on where you believe we should set up shop."
There was silence and then Ser Barristan spoke. "If I were you, Your Grace I would aim to set up in Dorne. Prince Doran and the Martells are Kin to you, once they hear of your survival they will come flocking to your banner, for a chance of revenge for Princess Elia and Princess Rhaenys. Land in Dorne and you will have 20,000 spears waiting for you to use."
Ser Jorah echoed that thought saying. "Aye, it is true. 20 years might have passed, but the rage that simmers in Dorne at what was done to the Princess still remains strong as it was when news of the sack first reached Dorne. Land in Dorne Your Grace, and you shall have enough strength to begin challenging the Lannisters almost immediately."
Jon saw a smile appear on Aegon's face and thought he needed to voice a question. "What of Viserion though? It is all well and good having two dragons with riders, but there is still one dragon left untamed. Westeros might not be in the pre-conquest era anymore, but there will be those who believe that a third dragon without a third rider is an omen of ill things. Another rider must be found before we can consider anymore sort of direct action. And though you may be kin to the Martells, they will most definitely want something in return for their support, notwithstanding the fact that Prince Quentyn died trying to tame one of her grace's dragons. There is also the fact that Prince Trystane is married to Princess Myrcella, should anything happen to King Tommem, Doran Martell might very well crown Myrcella Queen and install his own blood on the throne."
The cheesemonger laughed then, slapping his belly he boomed. "You always have to be a party pooper don't you Connington. I know for a fact that Doran Martell has no intention of crowning Myrcella Baratheon queen. The girl is still half Lannister, and Prince Doran knows that his people will find no satisfaction with the girl on the throne. No they will want our two Targaryens on the throne or nothing at all."
"What news has there been from your contact in King's Landing Magister Illyrio?" Queen Daenaerys asked sweetly.
The cheesemonger puffed up then as he was wont to do and replied. "The Lannisters have found themselves to be in quite a pickle. The north led by Wallace Stark has retained its independence after Stark beat both Stannis Baratheon and Roose Bolton. The Riverlords led by Brynden Tully are destroying whatever support the Lannisters had in the Riverlands, and there is talk that the Vale might finally enter the war. Furthermore the Ironborn have been raiding the Reach. It seems the only two regions firmly behind the Lannisters are the Westerlands and the Crownlands."
Aegon spoke then his voice showed just how happy he was by the news. "That is fantastic, the Lannisters will be too busy trying to get back what they think is theirs to even see us landing and taking back our right. What is the situation in the Stormlands?"
Mopatis was silent for a moment and then he said. "Stannis Baratheon's daughter Shireen has been recognised by the Lannisters as the rightful Lady of Storm's End and has been married to Martyn Lannister. However, due to the weather they have not or at least when this report came through, they had not been able to leave for Storm's End following the wedding. As it is, even if they have arrived at Storm's End the castle will be very lightly garrisoned, and may fall easily enough."
Jon heard the suggestion in the cheesemonger's tone and spoke up. "Are you suggesting we land in the Stormlands and begin our campaign from there? Storm's End has never fallen and the Stormlords have always been fanatically loyal to Robert Baratheon and his family."
Mopatis smiled and said. "Aye, they might have done, but during the rebellion a good portion of the Stormlords sided with the Targaryens. Even now there are grumblings about bending to the Lannisters. Stannis Baratheon was never well liked in his homeland, nor is his daughter. That she is married to a Lannister and is effectively a Lannister puppet will make it seem even more reasonable that they refuse the Lannisters. Robert is dead and with him the Baratheon charm. Now is the perfect time to bring the Stormlands into the fold."
"And you propose we do that with what 20,000 men? Half of whom have never fought in real battle before?" Jon asked amazed.
Aegon spoke then. "We have three dragons as well Jon, plus we have three of the most experienced commanders alive serving our cause. We can bring the Stormlords into the fray and we can do it relatively bloodlessly. We just need to start out small first."
"What would you suggest then Your Grace?" Jon asks, seeing if Aegon truly is keen on doing this.
"We start off on the coast, Greenstone and Cape Wrath. Conquer those castles and men will flock to our banners. Do this and we shall show them that we mean business. The dragons will help but they will not be our main weapon. Experience will." Aegon replies.
Jon sighs and says. "Very well, I suppose if there is any time to strike, now is it. But I warn you, the dragons might not be as effective as you might think in the middle of winter. They will need to be used sparingly, and your Kingsguard will need more men."
Both the king and queen nod, and plans are made, Jon can only hope that this does not end in shambles. He cannot stand more bells ringing.
