Review Response:

Guest: So... How did Westeros get conquered by Daein so easily?

Me: There were many reasons why and how Daein managed to conquer Westeros.

1. The entire Daeinite population are united and called for the invasion of Westeros for a number of reasons:

+ Killing of Zakurum templars that were serving in the humanitarian mission for refugees.

+ The death of Daeinite envoys within the Red Keep

+ The death of Sebastian Imperius, the fourth son of the Emperor of Daein, killed in an ambush that happened in the Reach and his head was brought to Aerys Targaryen and the body was sent back to Daein without a head. Soren Imperius mourned for Sebastian's death in private before he got the Senate to finalize their proclamation for their invasion of Westeros. Sebastian Imperius was known for his love of poetry and benevolence in public with addition to being a great military commander that had got ambushed. Though Sebastian military prowess were overshadowed by some of Daeinite officers like his two brothers, Einion and Nico Imperius, who both were highly accomplished commanders in their right that even Einion Imperius was said to be his grandfather, Ashnard, incarnation in commanding a force. That's how great Einion was in leading a military against his enemies, he kept information about his enemies and deal with them psychologically like traps and outmaneuver his enemies as if he mixes his military strategies with traditional war manuals like his father did which actually put fear in others outside of the Daeinite Empire while Nico was the type of commander that will attack his enemies unawares and will attack fast.

+ Daein supported the Baratheons and tried to get them on the throne for years. Their intolerance of the Targeryans was due to incest and they want to be like the global police. The Baratheons exported arms and manpower as mercenaries for years so they've been having good relations as well one of the big backers for Baratheon dominance but also meant to influence them to keep them in line just like Begnion kept the Targeryans in line as well keeping Ethelwulf in line for them to influence.

So, basically, had Daein not suffer the first three, they would have no reason to invade other than Begnion influence.

2. Quality and Quantity:

+ Daeinite meritocracy and military reforms allow for the promotion of capability. For enlisted soldiers get promoted through experience and training in fighting(As well as how many enemies they killed) while officers were promoted through their knowledge of warfare, academics, and martial arts. Knowing Soren Imperius or his sons, they love talent more than loyalty which everyone knew from the start. A lot of foreigners come in to display their talents to find place in their ranks which the Imperial family welcomes in open arms since their immigration system is a meritocratic system with little family values yet talent is looked at over family.

+ The largest army isn't the Daeinite Army or their rivals but the Daeinite citizens. Every citizens have the right to bear arms and when the invasion of Westeros was proclaimed, enlistment in the Daeinite military skyrocketed and pay is respectably high compared to other nations. Within the land, there are swords readied to be drawn and bows ready to shoot from every blade of grass. They were able to pick up capable battle harden soldiers from the civilian side with ease with the addition of issuing standardized armor as well as strict training.

+ Daeinite supply lines were carefully managed. Farmers were supporting them with their goods with the help of soldiers that were farmers before them joining the military. Fishing boats, merchant ships, and other citizenry ships provided transport for the Daeinite army and help supply them. They were holding enough supplies that can last an army of million for 200 years.

+ They were very careful where they land. The Daeinite army started landing in the North near White Harbor before they start marching for support. They supplied the rebels with steel weaponry, food, and layers of armor. They didn't start marching down until 3 days after landing.

3. Weak Begnion Response:

+ Being the rival nation of Daein, the Begnion Empire hardly did anything to help Westeros other than having like 2 large armies(each numbering 200,000 led by highly capable officers) there that were only meant to beat Westerosi coalition of Robert Baratheon to keep Aerys on the throne. With Begnion help and before Daein jumping in, Aerys was already winning. Robert and the rebels were handed defeat after defeat by the Begnion Empire until the Daeinite army came in.

+ Before Begnion could even respond to send more help, Daeinite Emperor Soren Imperius was already pushing through from the North and all the way to the middle of the Riverlands with Einion Imperius attacking the Reach supply lines and set their agriculture in flames and besieged Highgarden. Soren Imperius decimated the two Begnion armies with ease despite. Lucius Tiberian already defeated Arthur Dayne in both duel and battle before he was ordered to take Starfall. Priam and Adrian Favian raided and burned down supply camps that Begnion lent to the Royal forces. Westerlands was being encamped by General Ike Favian to ensure Westerland armies don't come until negotiations came in the table to allow the Westerland armies to attack King's Landing which the Daeinite Emperor agreed with the exception that he will be the one to kill Aerys Targaryen and his family with his bare hands.

+ Begnion interest in Westeros was more secretive than most people realized.

+ Begnion gave up on Westeros after their two armies were destroyed and they've been busy influencing another foreign power.

4. A different style of military:

+ Most soldiers will panic if their commanding officer get killed but Daein is different.

+ The officer in Daein is meant to instill order and discipline to their subordinates from going crazy or going too far to kill their enemies unnecessarily. Killing a Daeinite officer is a pathway to destruction and nothing the officer can do to save the enemy from the wrath of Daeinite soldiers that are unleashed in uncontrollable brutality that results in pillaging, rape, mutilating their enemies by pieces to be left in the battlefield, or even kidnapping young maidens from an enemy village if they managed to win the battle that is. After everything is calmed, they are reassigned to a different officer but left unpunished since after the damage is done, they left no evidence for them to get punished and any accusation gets dismissed.

+ Daein fight wars differently, they involved more psychological and aggressive warfare with several doctrines changing up. They have a more decentralized model where commanders will handle the situation their way but tactical campaigning is more centralized.

5. Better leadership:

+ Daein had great leaders commanding them such as the Imperial family which every one of them were master in warfare and political masterminds. Soren Imperius, in his enemies eyes, was a person whose heart is full of deceit and cruelty but many that knew him understood that wisdom is his strength as it's what he was known for as he wasn't particularly "evil" nor cruel, but rather deep down a learned person forced by conflict with his brothers and circumstances to do what is needed to be done to promote peace and stability for his own realm and its allies. He had experienced the great downfall of the Kingdom of Daein during his father's Mad King's War and the witness the brutal occupation by the Begnion Empire over Daeinite citizens that he was supposed to protect while he was playing expansion of other lands. His experience forces him to increase Daein military capability with reforms and reform the political structure that limits his own power but it gave him power to exclude corrupted officials from the other political body. He understands that his power shouldn't be absolute and Daeinite citizens are hard to control through political means as many are civic nationalistic yet ignorant of politics.

+ Daein was fully united when Soren was "forced" under circumstances to marry his political rising rival as both control certain area of the social structure that influences the social and economic reforms that caused his rule to be beloved. As benevolence and virtuous of the queen he married, he knows that to combat corruption that he must balance with the iron fist and be the stick of the law. His rule was said to be greater than past rulers of Daein that his reign results in commoners have better chances to live under low taxes, a roof over their heads, enough food to eat, and even access to education. His rule even forced local bandits to surrender as their lives were at stake for Soren has super low tolerance over banditry in his lands that even bribes were impossible like the Dark Mountain Bandits numbering 20,000 at the time surrendered without fighting Soren Imperius after witnessing Soren Imperius took Daein back from Begnion.

+ Westeros was ruled by a king with lords having the autonomy to rule in their own image while the Daeinite Empire was more centralized. Ruled by an Emperor with the backing of the Senate and the Church, provinces and cities were normally ruled by feudal lords who have their own personal army but also forced to split the ruling of his provinces with a chancellor and legatus assigned by the Imperial family to keep a close eye on their lesser lords. The lords may have power to collect taxes and address the people in his provinces but it's the bureaucracy that takes over most civil and military affairs and will always ensure to follow the orders of the Imperial family and the Senate to combat corruption. So, the Daeinite Empire holds somewhat of a tight grip over their feudal lords to ensure to follow all rules and regulations. Soren Imperius was widely known for carefully choosing the right officials to help run his empire as well as choosing the right commander to lead which always can be put into the Senate.

+ The Daeinite Empire had a unified court and capable advisers and strategists were under House Imperius. Several of them being considered "dangerous" in terms of warfare. Some even lived long like Cathay native with elven ancestry, Jia Guo, was describe to be the most dangerous wartime strategist of Daein since their Mad King War strategist Ena. His strategies helped Soren to reclaim Daein from Begnion.

+ Daein hardly did much to win. All they did was give Robert's coalition some breathing space by first attack Rhaegar and force him back to King's Landing to raise another army and they give Robert Baratheon a breather when they beat two Begnion armies since they were trouncing on the rebels like flies. The rest, they just burn down supply lines that were starting to starve the Tyrell army and just allow Robert and Rhaegar duke it out. When a small Daeinite army camped in the Westerlands, Tywin was afraid to engage or even to try to do anything to anger a powerful Emperor.

Tywin described Soren Imperius to be a type of ruler that many would try to fill in the ranks. Wise, powerful, and even stern yet he still treasures the good things in life such as friendships, music, poetry, food, and drink but he will be a loyal dog to safeguard the empire and the hero of chaos to ensure everything he needed to do is finished such as finishing a war without a trace of thought of surrender. Not only did his name call on talented people, but his style of leadership is also different from most leaders. Soren is the type of leader that Tywin wished he was serving as Soren isn't known to be jealous or suspicious of people of talent like Aerys was jealous of Tywin, Soren normally welcome talented people in his court with open arms but Tywin stated it's too late for him to be under Soren service since it'll be hard for him to be promoted in or even gain high status within.

6. Better economy:

+ The Daeinite Empire practice a mix of mercantilism and laissez-faire economic system depending on resources. They import several things they feel they need but they exported more than they imported.

+ The Daeinite had tariffs over resources ranging from agricultural to metals due to the fact that they have massive amounts while they massively export their goods to other nations like tea, silk, food, clothing, and spices that even put other nations at a trade deficit with them.

So it was the division of Westeros and the war support of Daeinite citizens that made Daein beating Westeros in a quick manner. Lack of response from Targeryan overlords, the Begnion Empire hardly did anything. Had Begnion went in and tried to help, Daein would have a much harder time but it was the fact the news of Daein appearing in the Riverlands and start strategizing their attacks, Begnion Emperor Lancelot Imperius had already given up and just say "Fuck it, they're on their own." Begnion Empire would've closed the power gap despite their reputation in Westeros was not good to say the slightest since they were responsible for kidnapping several Westerosi for experiments.


Chapter 9: Sorrow Surface and Swell

Volantis

"Ah," Einion walks through the dead bodies of the Volantenes, "Lazzart Imperius... I had avenged you. I am sorry I couldn't save you. My younger brother, Nico... Forgive me."

"Your Imperial Highness," Liu Yun bows to Einion who was sitting on one of the Triarch seats, "What is done is done. Now, we are in this port that now we can now sail for Westeros."

Einion hum in response, "What to do with this city? Best not put it to waste."

The city of Volantis was halfway destroyed and the majority of the entire population was exterminated yet several were allowed to live as he kept his word, however, there is a problem. Who would rule the ruined city now as Einion has torched the nobility of Volantis and all he has been commoners.

"Perhaps," Jia Guo went to suggest, "since we had torched the entire nobility class in Volantis, perhaps it's best to have some commoners to replace the noble class while we allow certain areas as we done. Allow them vote on their next ruler but instead of three, there should be one while we place Aelius Varro as Legatus of Volantis. The Senate shall place a governor that will report to the Imperial Senate. The elected ruler shall represent the people and local laws can still be held as long it doesn't conflict with ours."

"Fine," Einion replies, "we should write letters to the senate soon. Aelius Varro will stay here and keep order in with 20,000 soldiers. I hear of tensions between the Starks of Winterfell and the Lannisters of Casterly Rock is about to boil in several months. Intel states of a female wolf has pulled a little lion. I wonder how it ends as the library of Fate could state many possibilities. That bastard Joffrey, born of incest, will be king and I will be the one to retrieve my grandmother before we get pulled in to another war."

"Your Highness," Xu Jia, another adviser and military officer of Daein, was wondering on certain areas, "If you are indeed torching the entire noble class, why must we spare parts of the common class? Is it because the nobility refuse us?"

Xu Jia was unlike most advisers to the Imperial family. His facial appearance resembles a serpent, his eyes slants and wherever he looks seems to be where he will strike others by the heart. Many thought of him to have an assassin outfit that gives off a shady look but advices are more for political standpoint as he manages to be known as the "Serpent in the Darkness" that his negotiation skills is where he goes for the jugular to his enemies but remove his poison for his friends like Jia Guo and Liu Yun that many called them the close aides to the Imperial family along with many others.

"If we allow the nobility to survive here, they would never submit even if we grant them autonomy. Corruption sprung up if we are uncertain while the common people are low class yet they are the backbone for order and loyalty if promoted. Remember when we quell the rebellion in Valm when I spared Walhart's son and years later he rebelled and I have to torch Walhart's bloodline." replies Einion, remembering the events of Valm rebellion with the nations of Ylisse.

"Your Highness," Jia Guo bowed, "even if that bastard becomes king, it takes a small child to know that harming the former Empress is suicide. Perhaps you are stressing over this, milord, if you are stressed over your grandmother's wellbeing, I suggest we should sail with our men carrying you over to one of our ships."

"Even if that were easy. After a long battle, the soldiers need rest in the campaign we were in to disperse hostilities towards us. And rest is what I need. The ten soldiers that had lost their lives rushing into Volantis, take them to their families. Clean their bodies and once the body is claimed, give them 150,000 pieces of gold each and my condolences. Grant them a posthumous title for their names to be remembered for the graves that they will bury. This battle wasn't planned, now I can tell them that... I am sorry." Einion takes a deep breath and dismisses the council before he drifts to sleep.

Einion Dream

Fire... Fires of a battle raging as Einion remembers as his camp was set alight for one of the worst conflicts that he believed to be in Daeinite history. An operation that he was meant to be married turned into a blood spilling battleground as Einion ran. Running away from a woman, dressed in her battle uniform which includes a chiton under the white cloak and protection was limited. Her headwear is like small wings expand and her sword is thin yet durable with saw-like blade yet the point can plunge through anything as she chased the High Prince whose rushing away, even with his armor on.

The woman that was chasing Einion was none other than Rhea, the archbishop of the Church of Seiros or as Einion calls her a 'precious emerald' for her light green hair is unique and she was of the Nabateans, rare nationality that were almost wiped out by the King of Liberation, Nemesis.

"Protect the prince!" Several Daeinites rushes out of their positions to try to get to Einion but only to either be interrupted by the Knights of Seiros or to be blocked by the fire for confusion has starting to cripple their morale yet they don't break.

"Einion," Rhea slashes her sword, only to miss Einion by a hair as she has managed to cut his cape and later she chased Einion to a dead end where fire surrounds them and Einion couldn't find a weapon nearby.

Einion eyes widen as he turns back and see Rhea ready her sword for an attack on the High Prince, "I once was in love before the tragedy of the Red Canyon. When your grandmother spoke of you, I never hoped I fall for another and be broken after a man in front of me decided to talk out against me and oppose me from achieving a desire that you never understand."

Einion sighs, "Rhea... You're right. I don't understand what it's like losing a mother but I know necromancy isn't the way to do it. After Avexis' death, I never thought I would love you and I still do. I cared about the spirit but I don't think you'll understand much of the belief I follow."

Rhea steps forward and raised her sword and prepare to strike Einion under out of the flames, a cry was heard out, "Look out!"

As Rhea was going to strike, a tent that was on fire collapsed after someone steps in between Rhea and Einion with a large axe. The man is as tall clad with just an armor made out of leather with scales of steel tied together over and his face is rough with facial hair that has been shaven and his eyes are small with the expression looks as if a mother would protect a son.

Einion eyes widened, "Dian Chu!"

Dian Chu swings his axe to push Rhea back before he threw Einion his sword as Dian Chu never left his sight away from Einion. Several knights charges at them on foot and only to be slain by Dian Chu one by one as one knight charge at Dian Chu from behind. The large man disarmed the knight and then knocked him down by the handle of his axe and another knight charges in with his sword.

Dian Chu caught the knight's arm, only to pull him over his back, causing the knight to land on the ground on his back before Dian Chu smashes his axe down on the steel armor, splatting blood and guts out of the knight's body.

Einion slashes at an incoming knight with grace and then at another knight came crashing his sword down at Einion who held to the deadlock, only to slowly allowing the knight to pushes the deadlock to a side before Einion steps out with his sword and slashes across the knight's throat.

"Aim at Einion!" Seteth ordered as he stands next to Rhea as Seteth was the advisor to Rhea. Arrows were fired upon Einion who looked up, only to be pushed out of the way by Dian Chu.

As Dian Chu turns around to hope to block the arrows, it was already too late as his body has starting to be riddled with arrows. Einion held his arms out as he cried out with Dian Chu looks back at him, "Dian Chu!"

"The first time I met you, I was that lowly centurion that thought you were a little crazy, your Excellency. But when I saw how happy you made my brother, Wei Chu, I begin to understand" Dian Chu confessed his initial thoughts of High Prince Einion. First, he and Wei were centurions in another army yet were farmers while off duty from the military but displaying their strengths in a battlefield, they impressed Einion back in the 2nd invasion of the Valmese Empire when Dian Chu and Wei Chu depleted force held off the main Valmese army until reinforcements arrived with Dian Chu had scored a victory over the Emperor of Valm, Walhart, in a duel that displayed Dian Chu's strength to match the Conqueror.

After Dian Chu says the words, more arrows plunge his body which Einion eyes widen as he watches in agony, "Dian Chu! Fall back!"

"No! Your Excellency!" Dian Chu cried out as he still stands as he have just killed another knight which shocks Seteth who looks shaken, "But... He... riddled with arrows... Fire!"

Dian Chu was plunged by more arrows which sucks more life out of him, "Nobody will ever harm my lord! No one will get PASS ME!"

Dian Chu could hardly stand as he continues to kill more knights coming in and Dian Chu looks at Einion, "Run, my lord! Leave me!"

Einion eyes tear up as he closes his eyes, "If there was no other way to save you, I will apologize to you."

Never going to forgive himself, Einion turned and ran towards the tent that Dian Chu broke out off and there he ran as he watches Daeinites were getting massacred in this confusion while others were captured.

Dian Chu was panting as he weakly charges at Rhea, only to not able to land a hit on her for his weaken arms starting to give out for he swings and his axe threatens to be thrown out of his hand. Rhea slew him with a plunge into Dian Chu's chest as he grabs her sword with a whisper, "As long as my lord escape. I win."

Rhea pulls her sword out of Dian Chu whose body fell back as the tiger has been subdued as it was brought down with the final words coming out of Dian Chu. "Sorry, Wei Chu. I leave the rest to you. Perhaps we shall tend to our fields again in Heaven. My dear son, I'm afraid I won't be able to witness you aging. My lovely wife... forgive me."

"It was the time that we have finally defeated... General Dian Chu of Daein. The Tiger of Einion's bodyguards."

Volantis

"My lord," Einion awoke to the sound of Priam's voice as Priam hands him an opened letter, "We have to keep moving quickly."

Einion sighs as Priam continues, "Reports from our envoy in Fodlain of suspicious groups have been stirring up trouble of several people disappearing."

Einion narrows his eyes, "There are those who embrace the light and those who slither in the darkness. We have 200 soldiers accompany our envoys, spread out thin. The Agarthans had threatened to destroy us with their javelin of light and we had counter their attacks whenever. We now have thousands of warships, ready to be at standby alert, on our command. If those Agarthans or Begnion or Crimea get any bright ideas, we are ready."

"One thing that we are damn proud about. We seem to have some weaponry to counter their terrifying weapon when they threatened to destroy Nevassa." Priam replies, remembering some envoys of unknown origins had threatened to destroy Nevassa and even fired their 'javelins of light' on it but it was instead repelled when Daein moved forward to place several Luminarks of Hyshs with several Light Wizards to man every one of them with multiple Zakurum warrior priests to stand guard for they are fierce warriors that not even 10 Daeinite soldiers can take on. Warrior priests integrate into the Zakurum religion as many considered Sigmar to be a warrior to be favored by Anu as well the champion of the Archangel of Valor, Imperius. Every warrior-priests are heavily clad with metal stronger and harder than steel covered in dragon scales that will prevent burning by fire or lava and their warhammers are infused with runes that allows them to fight with the power of worldly elements against their enemies.

Unlike the sinister blood mages in Begnion or the arcane superior mages of Crimea, Daein has starting to fuse both magic and technology together which gives them advantages in battle as well as forcing both Crimea and Begnion to increase their effort to close the distance of power with Daein like Begnion improving their military with the addition of the fire death rocket that will pour down massive radius of lava as well death throwers that is filled with deathly chemicals that can incinerate flesh to the bone. Crimea had produced several areas such as Lightarc Battery which comprised of three lightning cannons empowered by magic.

"Once I retrieve my grandmother, I shall make my last visit to Fodlain after escorting her back to Goldoa." Einion replies the stress of the dream that he had in Fodlain overcomes him. The death of one of his strongest, Dian Chu, overcame him as he remembers his valor in a battle against Walhart, the Valmese emperor, in single combat and forced the powerful emperor to retreat or when Dian Chu had single-handedly held off the strongest Begnion warrior, Soan Soanvalcke II, and scored a tie before Einion had forced Begnion army to retreat which Einion had heavily praised him that he was said to remind the High Prince of Bryce, a former general of Daein whose honor and valor was noted when he fights the Crimean Army to protect the Mad King Ashnard as well known to be on guard outside the royal bedchamber to protect Soren after Daein was reclaimed every night. A general who would fight to the bitter end to protect the legacy of the royal bloodline which Soren posthumously granted him a title, "Guardian of the Keep". Dian Chu was posthumously named, "Tiger General of Peerless Bravery" due to the fact Dian Chu charges in without fear of death.

Priam scoffed at the fact Einion was going to visit Fodlain after the event, "I supposed you wouldn't go straight to Garreg Mach Monastery."

Einion did not form any expression of that question, "I must go there."

"Why must you go there, brother? Have you not remember the parading around General Dian body and the scars that haunted our men imprisoned there? When we got them back, they were never the same." Priam hasn't forgotten of the attack that put their men in a dire situation that wasn't supposed to implanted in fate.

"Priam... I need Rhea if we need to transport our troops there without any incident. I will beg for her forgiveness if it means to suck up my own pride." There was something odd about the tone of the younger man and Priam eyebrow arches.

"I know you too well, Einion. I haven't seen you like this since Skyhold. When Avexis was there and you took her as your 'wife'. Priam stated, love story of a 'High Prince of Daein and the Elven Enchanter of Dragon Tongue' was sung across the empire for Einion had two sons from Avexis who died from childbirth. Despite if his sons are considered bastards in other eyes, he treats them like they are his trueborn sons yet they took different paths away from Imperial life as his sons, Charles Imperius became the High Seeker while Jian Imperius was one of the generals under Einion. Both of them proved to shown merits in conflicts as Charles Imperius had engaged multiple aggressive religious campaigns against his adversaries and Jian Imperius led couple expeditions against multiple enemies, notably many nomadic tribes such as couple tribes of the Haak Empire but his most famous victory was against a powerful Kurgan horde that also merged with the hordes of Hung that he led armies, wielding anti-cavalry weaponry such as halberds and repeating crossbows with several traps. Despite their merit in battle, Einion never sees them to be worthy to be his future heirs.

Einion sighs, nothing to hide as he stays silent. The aftermath of the conquest of Volantis has spread and many cities of Essos had begun to express some fear that they scramble to sent large tribute and offer to agree to become tributary states that they will constantly give Daein annual tribute of gold and manpower, giving them the power to control the economy of Essos as well ability to control part of trade lanes between Essos and Westeros.

"Priam, bring Liu Yun in."

"On it." Priam left and came in Liu Yun.

"Liu Yun, before this campaign. You told me about Robert Baratheon not paying debts to us and telling me that there was an option to deal with it. What do you think we petition to the Senate about it? Should we kill him or use him?"

"Kill him."

"Why?"

"Robert Baratheon had long ambition to break away from us after they became in huge debt to us. Money stopped coming in and the banks are calling for their money back. We must assassinate him to prevent any further trouble and awkwardness in the future. If what I say to be true then we most likely stress ourselves and asked why did we support him?" Liu Yun stated.

"I see. You can go. Tell Jia Guo to come in." said Einion.

Liu Yun bowed, "Yes."

After Liu Yun left to fetch Jia Guo, the famous war strategist came in and bow his head, "My lord, you summon me?"

"I summoned Liu Yun and he told me that we should petition to have Robert Baratheon killed. What say you?" Einion asked.

"I say use him." Jia Guo replies.

"Why?"

"My lord," Jia Guo begin to explain, "In place of the situation. We have two powerful rivals, Begnion and Crimea. Not only will we gain such an important position for its timber and agriculture but we could gain an ally. We also harbor both of the Baratheon children, it's essential to use him for our gains as much as possible."

"I see. You may go and bring Xu Jia in here." Jia Guo nods his head and walk out to grab Xu Jia.

"You summon me, your Excellency?"

"Xu Jia," Einion answers, "Liu Yun advises me that we must petition to kill Robert Baratheon. Jia Guo advises me that we should use Robert Baratheon. I want to know what you think."

Xu Jia sighs and replies, "As of right now as I agree with both but I'm afraid spies reported that Westeros is too late to save. I suggest to kill Robert if we don't get our money but I suggest force Robert to cooperate with us as he was a perfect ally in where he's at yet it depends on the people that he rules over that we must be careful over everything. Begnion will continue riping up the benefits of our weakness there that I don't think it's easy to hide. I suggest subjugating Robert and the whole kingdom."

Einion raises his brows and sighs as all three of his advisers are different in their response which is understandable despite those three went through trouble to help reorganize Daein with his father. Liu Yun is known for his civil advice it's rumored that both he and Soren Imperius are usually on the same mind in terms of helping the masses. Jia Guo was known for his excellent knowledge of winning wars and battles. Xu Jia is more political and hires those to snoop around and it's said that he's the eyes and ears of the Imperial family yet he's the poison that the Imperial family would use against weaker nations in terms of negotiations that even corrupted lords fear of him snooping around their business. Best friends yet different forms of strategies and advice that Einion understood why his father chose them to be part of his council that the trios were considered to be the most dangerous of the bunch that they are normally called the "Magnificent Three Advisors".

"Alright, you may go." Einion concluded and Xu Jia bow his head and walked out where he sees both Liu Yun and Jia Guo talking to one another.

"What did High Prince Einion say to you?" Liu Yun asks Jia Guo who sighs and replies back, "What did he ask you?"

"You say first." Liu Yun urge for Jia Guo to answer first but the war strategist shot back, "You first."

"Gentlemen," Xu Jia look at both of them, "how did you reply to Prince Einion's question?"

"I advised him to petition to the Senate that we kill Robert Baratheon." Liu Yun replies.

"I advised him to use Robert Baratheon." Jia Guo answers.

"I advised him to subjugate him and kill him if we don't get our way." Xu Jia was the last to answer his own question.

"Prince Einion, like his father, has always been given to suspicion. We've already given him all three possible choices, different ones even. I say we will get back to this after we retrieve the Empress Dowager. Maybe ask for her opinion that we can come to a certain conclusion on what we should do." Liu Yun stated which both Jia Guo and Xu Jia agreed.


Minrathous, the Capital of Tevinter

Place in Tevinter, Jeyla Baratheon walks the streets in Minrathous, the glory of the former powerful empire, Tevinter Imperium. Built on a rocky island not far from the shore, accessible only by a single bridge that can be destroyed if needed. Massive ports and shipyards and a vast series of underground agriculture and catacombs capable to feed the population.

No nation was able to do any damage to the Tevinter Imperium until Emperor Soren Imperius came in to conquer them with a newly army before reclaiming Daein. Blood mages were common as Jeyla remember reading a part of the history of Tevinter Imperium. The center of power in Thedas and the colosseum where prisoners fight to the death for amusement for civilians.

Jeyla grew up to be strikingly beautiful with blackening long hair, greyish eyes, and a slender slim figure. Unlike most traditional noblewomen, she is a spirited girl whose interests lies in fighting and war stories. She wears leather clothing over as she was escorted towards the cathedrals in Minrathous. When she approaches the front doors, she was approached by two knights, dark in armor appearance and their long swords sheathe on their side as she knows them to be part of the Seekers of Truth, knights whose role is to oversee actions of corrupt Templar knights as well mages who have potential to turn into blood mages.

When she met with them, one of the knights told her, "The High Seeker awaits you, Jeyla Baratheon. Yet you have to give up the sword on your side by the order of Grand Cleric Justina Volant."

Jeyla sighs as she held her sword out and hand it over to the two knights as they signal to escort her into the cathedral. As she went inside, she can admire the architecture layout inside as diamond aisles, stone walls glittered with rubies and sapphires, and a large sanctuary where priests and priestesses sing to honor their deity. As she was led to offices where heads of their orders are stationed in.

"Inside," Jeyla listened as she approaches a door with an eye merged with a sun was in the center of the door. She opens the door and only to find a person inside on the desk clad in black heavy armor. Charles Imperius, the bastard son of High Prince Einion Imperius and the Lord Seeker of the Seeker knights in Minrathous. Long face with blue eyes and short blonde hair. His ears are unlike any man for they are pointed as Jeyla questions in her mind. Charles looks young but rumors of his age that he's been a Lord Seeker for 40 years and he doesn't look like he was past 20 years.

"You must be Jeyla Baratheon... Interesting place that you decided to come in. In the middle of operations." Charles stood up, tall as he is and the armor he wears gives hint of his strong built.

"Perhaps I was forced to be here and..."

"Silence! I know of the emperor's plans for you and he instruct me to train you to become a Seeker before you return to Storm's End. As a grandson, I will obey him despite being in Westerosi case, a bastard. In Daein, bastards are considered to be treated the same but special areas to be placed in." Charles isn't a person with any sense of humor. Handsome as he is, he still holds a terrifying aura Jeyla thought but she wouldn't barge from this.

"If I remember correctly, even the bastard of the Imperial family was granted the honor of becoming a prestigious high ranking officer of the Seeker of Truth that he chose that path." Jeyla spoke out of turn and Charles glares at her with fury in his eyes, "You have your Lyanna Stark's attitude. I suggest you clean it when you train to be one."

"You knew my mother?"

"I knew your mother, yes. However, you were not brought here just to discuss any family matter." Charles replies as he let out a loud clap, resulting in two knights to come in, "Prepare training gear for the new Seeker. Sunrise, training will start. Any questions?"

Jeyla wasn't too thrilled of the fact she has just been conscripted. She heard of both of Einion bastard sons, Charles Imperius will have to be the stern of the two yet handsome.

Melior, The Capital of Great Crimea and Ancestral Home of House Rindell

In the fertile land and an internal instability lies a great empire that had been the buffer against the two other powers and balances the global scale of influence. In the royal palace of Melior where the Royal family rule with benevolence since the time of Caradock Rindell, the first king of Crimea as well the former Senator of Begnion, yet in the coming years had the royal family began to lose much in the continuous struggle, usually, internal strifes have threatened the Crimean Empire.

Ruled by King Ramone II, a benevolent and virtuous ruler yet easy to control as he was manipulated by one faction in his court, the corrupted Bureaucrate faction, peaceful yet devious as they hold a tight grip over the king as taxes cripple families and stripping as much power from others to themselves while the other faction, the warlike and militaristic yet very chivalrous Chevaliers wanted a nation to be a sword and shield to ensure that they remain militarily powerful to Daein and Begnion eyes.

In the hall of the palace is filled with nobles making way as they lined up with the red carpet towards the throne and behind them were Crimea most elites, the Royal Knights, clad in heavy plate armor with leather and mail under the plate and scales flowing through the side. Their weapon of choice are diversed such as a longbow with bolkein arrows, crossbow, greatsword, halberd, battleaxes, glaives, or battle maces. They all ride on Crimean destriers, strong and powerful charges at a speed greater than any horse and as powerful to trample over a lion. They numbered around 60,000 of these heavily armed knights stationed in Melior to accompany the king or patrol around the palace area.

Entering the palace was a nobleman which he was named Galdius Rindell, a cousin to the king, kneeled before walking towards the throne as he passed through nobles including Pelleas Imperius and Dryce Imperius.

Pelleas Imperius watches Galdius before looking up to Ramone with eyes narrowed in distant as he witnesses the Bureaucrates and the Chevaliers are arguing and pointing accusingly at one another.

Pelleas is tall yet slender build; his face is long with purple hair reaches down his shoulders. His eyes are blue yet snake-like and his clothes are finer than most silk clothes as a robe around him shows off diamonds at the back.

Some other nobles look with annoyance as the two factions within the Royal Court are threatening one another behind the king and their loud feud can be heard outside the palace. Dryce Imperius is standing next to his father, similar appearance yet bigger in size and he wears heavy silver plate armor with his sword to his side with purple cape that is close to touching the ground. His eyes were also to the king as his annoyance to the king failing to control his subordinates.

This constant fighting have caused suffering internally such as famine has spread across the empire as lords across the room found opportunity to ripe from the benefits.

Westeros, Barrowton

In the night, Ethelwulf is in the halls where he was guarded by two personal guards as he invited the Boltons to explain his plans of an upcoming war that is to take place. As the doors open, Ramsay walked in, "You called for my father so he send me in his place."

"It doesn't matter. As long one of you are here. I am going to say this that I had prepared for the upcoming war between the North and South. The time has finally come for the rise of new ruler of the North and your rise." Ethelwulf explains.

"I'm really happy to hear that."

"You can be very useful to me as your father. Nobody will question your right of control when I place you once I take over Winterfell and the Iron Islands. Place you as the new Lord of the Iron Islands if we conquer it." Ethelwulf is more so to be rid of Ramsay as he despises the bastard.

"So that means I'll be your puppet as the end of this deal, hm?"

"Don't mess with me Ramsay Snow. I'm offering you to ascend to be a Bolton and control. It's far more than you're actually worth. You're great at killing, you can raid the coasts and have as many mistresses as you please in the Iron Islands and those you raided. Who gives the damn if it's you or I that gets to control everything." Ethelwulf taps Ramsay by the chest with a finger, "You'll be a Lord. You'll be respected. You'll be in control of a large island. Isn't that supposed to be the Bolton ideology? To be in control?"

"You forget one thing."

"What?"

"I'm actually a trueborn Bolton. Trueborn son of Roose Bolton."

"And you're not a true born son but a bastard of some miller wrench," Ethelwulf turns and his face is in fury as he force the Bolton bastard to the corner like a whipped dog, "You're a bastard rank below the dirt and my aunt Lyanna Stark is hardly a maiden, she was a whore!"

Ethewulf stared down at Ramsay with some hint of showing him that he's not backing down, "I told you that you and the man I call uncle can be useful. That should be enough for you but don't ever think of betraying me or I'll do what you do best by flaying your fat ugly body and see if the sharks enjoy your flesh and stuff them to Lord Roose Bolton leechy body before be partied around by savage wildlings or be fed to the clansmen of the Ice-river wildling tribe!"

Nevassa, later in the night

The feast was held in the courtyard outside of the Keep where nobles and commoners alike were invited to celebrated Einion's victory over Volantis yet some were upset over Einion sparing even 1% of the population.

"Friends!" a middle-aged man stood up, "We are hereby invited by the Emperor who gladly invited the whole city to a feast to celebrate High Prince Einion victory over Volantis."

Cups of gold raised up to the air and the guest roar proudly of the news but not the emperor who could remember the day it was and the sorrow he still felt every year that it was the anniversary for the death of his fourth son, Sebastian Imperius, who died in an ambush that prompt for Daeinite Empire invasion of Westeros.

"Now I would down this cup of wine and delicious food with all of you. I want to drink this to not only to our military, citizens, and those who kept us safe from harm or will do anything to avenge us. Now toast to the Emperor!"

"Hail!"

Soren held his cup and drink it weakly with others having fun and Micaiah sit and watch quietly for she has abstained from wine or ale and her diet is no meat. The Emperor and his Empress watch guest rowdy it up in feast that even Nico Imperius was no different from the guests. They was the time where Nico actually got in a sparring match while drunk which almost kill one of the guests that multiple people have to hold him back or the fact Nico almost got himself killed over flirting with several maidens that some of them were already married that their husbands weren't too thrilled with.

Laughs and dancing, good times in feasts like these unless you're a royal and have to keep an eye on several sons to bet on who can get the most maidens to fall for them which Soren orders two guards to haul Nico away from the majority of maidens before he can get himself in conflict with the wrong people.

Nico didn't respond in a pleasant manner as he was throwing guards around like ragdolls until 4 more Daeinite guards have to tackle him and 10 more came in to escort him to his chambers which Nico laugh out loud and turn back to the maidens which he tells them to meet him up his chambers whenever. Micaiah sighs and lower her head with her palm over her face in embarrassment. Everytime Nico gets drunk, he starts to embarrass the family with his flamboyant attitude unlike Einion who would stand calm and stern while drunk.

"We need a speech from his Imperial Majesty!" Soren eyes shot up as someone that he could've guessed was a commoner that everyone else agreed with a nod and chant, "Speech! Speech! Give us a poem!"

Soren sighs and he looked around, faces of those that urge for him to address to the people and to most commoners, they want to hear a poem that Soren was famous for writing many poems and perform them to the public if he wished.

Soren stood up and open his mouth, "Today is the anniversary of one of my son's death that I hosted this feast to celebrate another son victory but one son accomplishment don't overshadow another, even if their dead. Sebastian may not have been my heir yet he holds many accomplishments that even you commoners love about him. His love for paper being written by pen and ink and his love of expressing what he wrote. Many want a speech and many want a peom. I Say I'm doing both with this one poem."

Soren takes a deep breath and begins to recite a poem that he wrote a year ago. He sings it and his voice change to be musical in the ears of the masses.

The wine, the song, life goes on —
But for how long?
It evaporates, to our dismay,
Like the morning dew, day after day.
Ambition and aspiration sustain me,
But a secret thread of grief worries me.
How can I brush it aside
But by drowning it in wine?
Scholars, scholars, where are you?
Years I have chanted the song of yearning —
But would you ever come over to me?
Deer are calling from the field, grazing
On the tender marsilea.
Let my house be graced with a learned visitor,
I will have music played in his honor.
Bright, bright shines the moon;
Will there be a time it can be grasped?
Here my sorrows surface and swell,
And refuse to go away.
Talented friends, whom I love, I treasure,
Over winding crossed paths you joined my service
For a rendezvous no journey is too long!
Would you mind coming, to our meeting,
To our feast, back to old-days' feeling?
The stars so dim, the moon so bright,
Birds are flying, circling
Round and round over the tree —
On which bough are you alight?
The water can never be too deep,
And the mountain too high.
When an open-minded king calls for talent,
It is him the would must stand by.

Soren closes his eyes with a sigh as he sings, he remembers the fact it's been many years early that he knows that he does indeed loved his family, including his brothers yet the conflict with both pushes all three sons of Ashnard to fight one another as each son are now ruling in their own right. Soren Imperius inherited and reorganized into the Daeinite Empire. Pelleas Imperius was arranged by Soren to marry Elincia but instead fell for the adopted sister, Lucia, of the royal family he founded his own noble house in Crimea close to Daein that pushes the brothers apart. Lancelot Imperius was pushed to marry Empress Sanaki of Begnion and become the new Emperor of the Begnion Empire which results in conflicts between both Soren and Lancelot as skirmishes and how both emperors fought for control and influence over the continent of Tellius and later on the worlds outside.

Soren remembered those who followed him to invade Begnion Empire had died in his eyes which included his childhood friends during the Mad King War. Several talents that followed him through conquering the continents of Thedas, Sanctuary, and even conquering several empires such as Grand Cathay and the Reiksguardian Empire to the island continent of Ulthuan and the tropical forests of Lustria and the ruined lands of Naggaroth. Some even that he fought the full might of Tevinter Imperium that took the lives of several of his close aides. How he wished for death but death doesn't await him yet, even after the death of his fourth son that death still doesn't invite him in yet to meet with his former comrades. Former comrades that never witnessed him being the King of Daein and later on Emperor of the Daeinite Empire as he had avenged every citizen that died during the Begnion Occupation of Daein. His beginning rule had him married Micaiah, a lowly orphan who rose up from a fortune teller to become the most powerful woman in Daein after Almedha, and the lost older sister of Sanaki. A marriage of coincidence and circumstances that was arranged by the people that he listens that the marriage slowly turned to love.

After a majority of the damages had been done, he wonders where are the peacemakers to stop the family feud between him and his brothers as them fighting is tearing their mother, Almedha, heart apart. To stop Lancelot Imperius from putting death of others for amusement, even if it means his own family. To stop Pelleas pride from pushing for claims over the Daeinite Empire. Where are the scholars and peacemakers that can put the family feud to past for the three brothers enjoy life under the same skies as they used to as kids? Seeing his own mother cry over their fighting saddens him the most that even he couldn't bring himself to push it, even if Lancelot had killed another son of his in battle.

Scholars, scholars, where are you?
Years I have chanted the song of yearning —
But would you ever come over to me?
Deer are calling from the field, grazing
On the tender marsilea.
Let my house be graced with a learned visitor,
I will have music played in his honor.
Bright, bright shines the moon;
Will there be a time it can be grasped?
Here my sorrows surface and swell,
And refuse to go away.
Talented friends, whom I love, I treasure,
Over winding crossed paths you joined my service
For a rendezvous no journey is too long!
Would you mind coming, to our meeting,
To our feast, back to old-days' feeling?
The stars so dim, the moon so bright,
Birds are flying, circling
Round and round over the tree —
On which bough are you alight?
The water can never be too deep,
And the mountain too high.
When an open-minded king calls for talent,
It is him the world must stand by.

Many have tears throughout the poem recited in a song. To most, it means how much Soren missed Sebastian but it was more than that for Soren. It was about politics and the cruelty of it is that you might lose someone, better chance at losing when politics is in the way of life. Politics of war that took some of his closest companions away.


OwnageFanfic doesn't own any rights to GoT, Fire Emblem, Warhammer, and etc. Nor does OwnageFanfic own any rights to the poem, the poem was created like 1800 years ago and the creator of the poem was Cao Cao, the last Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty and this poem was sang before the Battle of Chibi or Battle of Red Cliff where he lost against Liu Bei and Sun Quan while his men were suffering diseases and lost his top wartime strategist, Guo Jia.

This chapter was... not great. I've been thinking whether I should finish the prequels first before this.

Anyway, please be careful during the coronavirus pandemic(Some might not care).

If you are wondering how to prevent it, visit the World Health Organization site and learn to prevent it. Know your sources, some sources will try to get you to stock up in certain things for businesses to ripe up the benefits(Looking at toilet paper).

Be safe out there! If you want to listen to the poem/song that was like 1800 years ago, here you at the bottom(It's Youtube, due to fanfiction doesn't allow the whole site to be posted, just put /watch?v=VSxBblrbbYI after com):

/watch?v=VSxBblrbbYI