Author Note
This is the last chapter of the story. Should be much longer than the others and it will bring the word count to about 100 thousand which is a fine length I think. I should have everything wrapped up and if you've read the second story in the series, which I already started then you know where this is going.
I have to admit that I had problems finishing this story, it felt rushed to me no matter how I changed it so I can only hope that it doesn't disappoint too much.
Reviews
Alan
The fighting is not quite over yet.
Carthienes
I'm sure I'll find something to inspire me.
Wildfire is magical so I don't think that the Adeptus Mechanicus would be able to simply analyse it like they would any other chemical mix. And if they did they wouldn't tell anyone about it.
Rogue Trader CYOA Story 1
"Incoming fire has the right of way" - Old Artilleryman's Maxim
Part 15
Riverrun. The Riverlands.
I now walked the halls of this large castle and centuries old castle, which was located in the central-western part of the Riverlands. It sat at the point where the Red Fork of the Trident River is joined by its major tributary, the Tumblestone River, which flowed out of the west. This might not seem important, but it was as it meant that Riverrun had a strategically important position.
In times of danger I knew that sluice gates could be opened to flood a channel cut to the west of the castle, turning Riverrun into an island. Its walls, that were damaged during our attack, along with its defences should have made taking his castle a rather costly affair in terms of lives. It would have if not for Imperial technology.
The childhood home of Catelyn Stark had fallen quickly before my might. Stone walls meant little to support craft that were armed with laser cannons and once a big enough hole was made in the walls it was just a matter of expending a premade bridge across the water. Lasers of smaller size had been able to handle any defender who did not surrender.
"We have Lord Tully, but I doubt he'd live long if we move him," reported an officer.
That wouldn't do, the man had a cell waiting for him in the Red Keep and trial before he was found guilty of treason against the Targaryens. He would die soon, but when it suited me.
"Have the best physicians tend to him" I ordered "I only need him alive long enough for the King to order his head removed".
At least we had his son Edmure Tully, or was it Edward?, it hardly mattered as the coward had thrown down his sword quickly enough. The dropped swords often found their way into the possession of members of the regiment as while they didn't need swords, if you didn't have one you weren't considered to be a proper member of the Thrax 2nd. I neither discouraged nor encouraged this practice as I knew it was important for the regiment to come up with their own traditions.
"There was little glory to be had here" another of the officers following me around stated "I hope the Vale will prove more of a challenge".
While the conquest of Riverrun, a castle that would soon be turned over to the new ruling family, was not one for the history books, I felt some pleasure in overseeing such a swift victory as while it had been somewhat bloody for the defenders there had been little in the way of losses for the Imperium. This was good yet it didn't make for a good entry in anyone's biography.
"Perhaps it will" was all I had to say on that matter" But first we need to clear out this castle and see to repairs".
It wouldn't do to install a new ruling family and leave them defenceless. So the walls would need to be repaired and I intended to leave them some guns so that they would have an easier time pacifying the Riverlands.
"I'll be returning to the capitol" I said.
The clean up and repair work would be better handled by others. I'd rather spend the night with the wife before I headed out to deal with The Vale.
(Line Break)
The Red Keep. Kings Landing.
Daenerys' mind was lost in the waves that she could see from her private bathroom's window. When she was younger she'd tried to imagine that one she'd stand here in her father's palace as a princess and now that she was here it was different than what she'd expected. The keep had been taken quickly and the son of the Usurper, who was bastard born of incest in reality, had been one of the first to lose his head once the truth of his status had become public knowledge.
She'd always had trouble picturing her brother as a king, yet he sat on the Iron Throne and was punishing those who had betrayed their family as he'd promised to do. Well not all of them, and this was the cause because the king didn't get to decide who got punished.
The princess knew who really ran things and it wasn't her sibling, her husband he made sure that certain people, such as the Starks who had already suffered enough, were spared the wrath of the dragon. Only one who travelled between the stars could have the right to command the dragon.
Others such as the Tullys who had not been harmed first by House Targaryen as far as she knew, would be shown far less mercy as would what remained of House Arryan. The Lannisters were more or less dealt with already with only the youngest having been spared the children known as Tommen and Mrycella. The false princess had been sent to join the silent sisters while the boy would ward with the Tyrells until he was old enough to become a Maester or take The Black, or maybe even both.
They'd even lost Casterly Rock that had been given over to Lord Tarley who'd been elevated to the rank of Duke after defeating Kevan Lannister in battle. If anyone could keep order in the Westerlands it would be Duke Tarley, a man so cold he had sent his old son to The Wall when he didn't measure up.
As often, after demanding a bath of scalding hot water, she dismissed the servants who had been assigned to her. They were pleasant enough girls, all distant cousins of Margery Tyrell who would soon be queen and they were a great help whenever she needed to appear formal, but she usually liked to be alone while bathing. She would like to relax into the burning liquid. It should've burnt her, but she found it relaxing and it did her no harm.
Her husband had warned her not to let others know that she could withstand such heat as anything too odd could be seen as witchcraft by fools and some fools are dangerous. That was another good reason to make sure that she bathed alone. Aside from her husband, only Missandei and Yara could be trusted with such secrets.
The oils that were put in her bath made it all the better. The bath oils used this day smelled like lavender, vanilla and something flowerily that she couldn't quite place. The oils like so much else had been gifted to her by either her husband or her brother. Viseyers paid her even less attention than he had in the past and sometimes she wondered if he sent her gifts because he felt bad about that. A few of her favourite things had been sent by lords and ladies who wished to earn her favour as they would be thinking that she could influence her brother and husband, which of course she could do.
That explained all the flowers. Dany had taken to tending to a garden while living on the cruiser and news of her love of plants had gotten around. From what she knew it was very odd to try to grow plants inside a spaceship, but she was the wife of a powerful Rogue Trader so she got to do things that other people could only dream about.
It had been a few weeks since Daenerys, her brother and husband had made their home in the Red Keep. The city had taken so much damage from the fires that the rebuilding had barely begun and the princess felt bad knowing that there were many outside the city walls who were suffering. Looking from the window at the waves below helped to sooth her concerns, she didn't like the views of the city, much preferring the views of the ocean or Blackwater Bay.
She didn't stay transfixed by the view for very long. The siren call of the scented bath water became too hard to resist and after removing the last of her clothes she allowed herself to relax in the heat as her mind drifted away as one of her hands drifted down between her legs. Thrax had been gone from the Keep for a time as he oversaw the conquest of the Riverlands and she missed his touch.
"Someone's enjoying herself" a voice said.
Daenerys jumped and turned towards the source of the unexpected noise. Her husband had entered the room without her noticing. Lord-Captain Maximinus Thrax, or Max as she was allowed to call him, could be rather stealthy when he wanted to be.
"I did knock, '' he said, while approaching her tub.
She'd been so distracted that she hadn't even noticed him enter and she was pleased to see Max as she never saw enough of him. Being the leader of a Rogue Trader dynasty came with many privileges and responsibilities.
"I brought prisoners and the spoils of war back to the Keep for your brother" Max let her know "As you can imagine he's very happy".
After sitting down next to the tub he reached out to play with a strip of her silver hair as she bit her lip. She longed for him to run his hands over her body.
"Get out of the bath" he ordered.
She obliged right away and stood up, water running down her body as she did, a body she knew Thrax lusted for. The usually pale skin was slightly reddened by the hot water but that was the extent of its effects on her. Others would be covered in burns if they were in her place.
Her wet hair was long enough to hide her breasts from his husband's view, and Max didn't like that so he moved the strands of hair as Dany smiled. She liked knowing that her body was so admired by the man she respected and loved most in this or any other world.
"I shouldn't be the only naked one here" said the princess "Let me undress you"
She removed his coat and tunic first. This took some time as his outfit was needlessly elebrote and Max only put up with wearing it because it was expected of someone of his rank. When she was done with that her hand moved between his legs and undid the belt that held his weapons.
Soon she was pushing his trousers and undergarment down so that his manhood was free. She rather liked seeing the effect she had on him, he was hard despite having not even touched her body.
"Go on" he encouraged "Stroke it for me"
Slowly the silver haired woman took the hard cock in her hand and started stroking it. As her hands made their way back up the shaft her thumb would rub over the head, she'd done this often enough to get a sense of what her lord husband liked her to with her soft and small hands.
"Suck my cock" he commanded.
Daenerys looked at the dick that was in her hand and smiled. She then brought her lips to the head of his cock and kissed before she got to work. She kept looking at her man, keeping eye contact, and doing what she knew would please him best.
Dany wanted to be always worthy of her position, she was more than just a princess, she would be the mother of a dynasty that ruled entire worlds, and there was no way in the Seven Hells she'd settle for being anything less than the mother of Max's true heirs. Even if he married a hundred women she would make sure that her blood would rule.
Daenerys was so caught up in her actions and her thoughts that she didn't even realize how wet she'd gotten between her legs until she put a hand down there. Touching herself while pleasing her husband was lots of fun and he enjoyed the lewd display.
Her hand came up to grab his cock stroking it as her mouth bobbed up and down. His hands were now tangled up in the silver-gold Targaryen hair that could only be found on those with the blood of the dragon.
The blowjob came to an end as her husband had to sit down on one of the comfy chairs nearby as Dany's efforts had almost caused his legs to fail him, a good sign.
"Come here," he ordered
The Rogue Trader patted his own lap. Without delay she obeyed, stepping up and climbing on her husband's erect cock. Her breasts were now in his face and he really liked that. His right hand grabbed her breasts and he began squeezing it. He flicked his thumb over her nipple which was sensitive yet she didn't protest as she enjoyed the attention Max gave her.
She didn't any further instruction and while she'd never had sex this way it wasn't hard to figure out how to please her man. It was good that he kept hold of her as she did her best to bring them both to orgasm as otherwise she'd have fallen off his lap. Later she was surprised that they didn't break the chair.
For now there was only the movement of her hips as she moved up and down as best she could. She wanted his seed inside her again, for it to make her with child so she worked eagerly to milk his seed out of his balls with her cunt. She got distracted from that by her own pleasure, but her efforts soon paid off as he spent his seed inside her pussy.
Dany only climbed off her lover once he was no longer hard enough to stay inside her and quickly went to clean herself in the bath which had cooled enough for Max to join her in it.
(Line Break)
The Red Keep. Kings Landing.
"Your brother sent a message to Lysa Arryn demanding her surrender" I informed Dany as we relaxed together after fucking "She's not replied so I'll be going to Vale to route her out of her keep".
I could tell right away that my wife was not happy to hear this news. Not that I blamed her.
"Max I've barely seen you since we got married" she said "You're always rushing off somewhere. Not so long ago you were off in the Riverlands".
While the life of a Rogue Trader came with my privileges it also kept me very busy. I still had a fair bit to do before the Seven Kingdoms were secure enough for me to leave their running to others. Sure the Vale was the only kingdom not once bending the knee to the dragon, but unless I crushed that resistance swiftly others would start to think that Imperial might could be challenged. Besides, a swift conquest where I took the Eyrie and deposed Lysa Arryn was best because it would be less brutal than a proper invasion, and I had no desire to be cruel.
"Duty comes first my dear" I said to the Targaryen princess.
She was lying on her stomach on the bed because she knew how much I enjoyed looking at her butt. Not that her front wasn't also sexy. I just happened to be a butt guy and she'd picked up on that. Me placing a few grapes on her buttocks before eating them off her would have clued her in even if my past actions hadn't.
"I get lonely when you are gone," complained Dany.
While I was no fan of marriage I found that I didn't mind having a wife even if she could be demanding at times.
"The royal wedding is coming up" I reminded the misses "They'll be arrangements to be made".
Sure the Tyrells would try to dominate the event, but I felt sure that Dany could get involved if she really wanted to.
"And don't forget Yara and Missandei" I said "I'm sure that they will keep you amused as they have before".
Dany favoured me with a naughty smile.
"Yes and you won't get to watch what we get up to" she teased.
I could imagine and it wouldn't be too much work to get them to recreate any fun that they had without me, assuming that my wife wasn't simply trying to mess with my head.
"Hopefully I won't be gone for long" I was now saying "It's really only House Arryn that won't bend the knee, once I deal with them the others should fall in line".
There was no more talking or eating of fruit as Dany decided that there was something else we could be doing before I had to leave once again.
(Line Break)
The Bloody Gate. The Vale.
While most of the Seven Kingdoms were now under the control of Viserys Targaryen and part of the Imperium the conquest of this world was not yet complete. Parts of Essos such as Yi Ti, this world's version of China, had no Imperial presence and there were vast swaths of land in Essos that would contain villages and towns whose occupants wouldn't even be aware that this world had made contact with us.
I'd heard from the Lord-General who was still managing his affairs from Meeren, that his forces were spread too thin for a conquest of Yi Ti, so it would likely be ignored for a time while the planetary governor did what he needed to do in order to secure his rule.
As for the other factions the Imperial Church was still in over in Ameros minding its own business. One day they'd come over the sea and start trying to convert everyone to the true faith, and this wasn't my issue to deal with as I'd be long gone by then. The planetary governor would have to handle that problem and it wasn't as if the Imperial Church had no experience in converting populations without the use of violence.
Meanwhile the Adeptus Mechanicus were preparing to withdraw most of its forces. A small outpost of the red robed cyborgs would be left behind so that someone would be around to maintain the machines we left behind, but there was no reason for the cogboys to have a major presence on this world.
The Inquisitor had recently been spotted near the castle of Harrenhall, he'd ordered it demolished and the ruins were placed off-limits so either there was truth to the rumour of that place being supernaturally afflicted or the Inquisitor was simply being overzealous. I didn't wish to interfere in his business so I kept my focus on what I needed to do here in Westeros.
Soon it would be time for me and my cruiser to move on, to return to the Forge World for resupply and repair work before sailing out to find a new world or worlds to plunder. The world of Planetos had amused me for a time, however it wasn't going to be a profitable voyage. My next trip to another dimension would have to be carefully chosen so that I could make some major profits.
Before any of that I needed to finish securing the Seven Kingdoms. As hoped the Riverlands had surrendered very quickly once Riverrun, the home of House Tully, had been taken and unlike House Stark that noble house didn't have much justification for rebelling against the Targaryens other than wanting to increase the House's standing, as such Viserys would likely have them all hanged once it was time for their day in court.
I'd considered simply destroying the Eyrie, a few shuttles could soon see the place rendered into rubble with their laser cannons, however it made sense to hand the castle over to the new ruling family and since Lysa Arryn had murdered her husband it would be good to give her a public sentencing. Lady Catlyn Stark wouldn't like that, but her husband and son wouldn't be foolish enough to cause us any trouble. They knew how easily Winterfell could be removed from the map.
"We're ready my lord" reported the Major.
Before we could attack the Eyrie we needed to get past a certain barrier. The Bloody Gate is a castle that guards the western edge of the Vale of Arryn. It is a waycastle on the road to the Eyrie, the seat of House Arryn. It had a long history and I'd heard that When Lord Jon Arryn wed Lysa Tully at Riverrun during Robert's Rebellion, Ser Brynden Tully informed his brother, Lord Hoster Tully, that he was going to serve Jon and his niece, Lysa. Lord Arryn named Brynden as Knight of the Gate when King Aerys II Targaryen died and Robert I Baratheon became the king. Not relevant to me, but I did find such information to be interesting. Becoming a Rogue Trader had not killed my inner nerd.
If Brynden Tully was still here I didn't know as I was too far back to make out any faces on the battlements and the castle wouldn't exist for much longer. I wanted it destroyed because it would display Imperial might and panic the defenders. A new fort could be erected in time.
"Then by all means, please begin" I said.
The nimble walking machines called sentinels, that had been constructed on board my ship over a period of weeks, were able to move over the uneven ground and their laser cannons had more than enough power in them to bring down walls and gates. The defenders of the Bloody Gate either died on the walls or died when they ran as the vehicles that normally served as scouts easily caught up to those who fled before blasting most of them.
Thanks to my Magnoculars, which are powerful vision devices used in the Imperium that aid their user by magnifying distant objects. I could see archers who had the high ground make a futile effort to stop the war machines, all they did was draw attention to themselves. Once exposed they didn't last long as the Guard had snipers and scouts who could take them out.
"Some of the men and women I sent ahead are reporting encounters with savages" I was told by one of the officers "There are a lot more of them than expected".
Of course we'd known about the hill tribes, they were basically wildlings who just happened to live on this side of The Wall. They were believed to be descended from the First Men who'd once ruled these lands before the Andal invasion. They'd been a problem for the Andals since those days, but I felt confident that the Imperial Guard would be the ones to remove the annoyance.
"You can route them out later" decided the officer "For now focus on making a path to the Eyrie".
The Knight of the Vale would be staying close to their lady and young lord, yet that hardly mattered. There would be no long siege as while the locals might think that the Eyrie was impenetrable that simply wasn't the case. Already shuttles were passing over the castle, only they were not going to fire their weapons, rather they would be used to deliver parachute troopers.
As for the rest of us we'd have to march to the castle and then climb up to it or find some hidden passage. There were always hidden passages in these old castles and there were ways of finding them.
(Line Break)
The Eyrie. The Vale.
Getting up into this castle had been a pain in the ass so I was in a rather foul mood even before I entered the throne room. At least things were under control around here, the men and women of Thrax 2nd regiment had done a good job in securing this fortress with a minimal loss of life.
This was because most of the knights and other nobles had surrendered. Lucky for the majority I had no interest in taking their lives and so their fates could be left to Lord Yohn Royce who would soon be Duke of these lands.
From here I could see the throne of the Arryns, a seat carved of weirwood, and for a few moments I considered taking it as a trophy of conquest, but given the sheer amount of trouble involved in getting things in and out of this castle it simply didn't seem worthwhile. Although I did remind myself to ask my brother-in-law for one of the larger dragon skulls that had been moved up into the throne room in the Red Keep.
My attention was soon diverted to the moon door, which was basically just a fancy hole in the floor that was used to execute people. In the show Lady Arryn would say that there was no executioner here because they lived an elegant life or something like that, but unless people jumped to their deaths of their own accord then whoever pushed them was the executioner.
"Lady Arryn you wanted on charges of murder, treason" I informed the woman who was sitting on the throne "And adultery".
The noble woman did not look happy about this.
"How dare you come here and accuse me of such crimes," she replied in a shrill voice. "I have never committed adultery, I was loyal to my lord husband".
I had proof that she was lying.
"Your son is not of Arryn blood" I stated "He is the child of Petyr Baelish".
Lady Arryn's protest made my ears hurt.
"While adultery is a sin, and you have no proof of that, there are no laws against it" argued a Septon "And certainly there is no justification for this attack unless you prove the charges of murder and treason".
This was true and by the traditions of the Westeros the sin was cast upon the child via the stigma of bastardy, which was just a way for powerful lords to have children outside of marriage without causing too many problems with the lines of succession, the tradition existed to absolve them of responsibility for that child. I fully intended to have my bastard children raised alongside my heir and to be given a proper inheritance even my children with Dany would carry on the dynasty.
"There is proof as Lady Arryn refused the king's summons and she has tried to pass of her bastard son as the heir of Lord Arryn" I let the court know "The king is not fan of the late Lord Arryn, however even he will admit that Jon Arryn was a strong man, he could not be the sire of such weak boy. By trying to place her son on the throne she is usurping the authority of the House of Arryn".
I felt sure that a few of the nobles here had already considered this, but it wasn't if they had DNA testing here to check up on such things.
"There's no point in denial, my lady" I was now saying "Lord Baelish has already provided a full confession and he certainly was not lying".
Not after what I'd done to him.
"Lord Baelish convinced you to murder your hushand and to claim that Robin is Arryn rather than your bastard" I stated.
The boy whined and the mother almost frothed at the mouth.
"Petyr would never ask me to poison my husband!" Lysa yelled.
Her sanity was slipping.
"I never mentioned anything about poison," I said.
The smirk on my face seemed to enrage Lady Arryn most of all.
"I demand trial by combat," she insisted.
While I could have pointed out that this was not a trial, going along with her demand and killing her champion would make her guilt clear to those who actually believed in the Seven, and should save time later since Viserys would only have to pass sentence.
"Very well" I said "Choose your champion".
A brave and foolish knight stepped forward to defend his lady, or to gain a big reward, either way it didn't matter.
"To the death!" shouted the warrior.
I waved my bodyguards back.
"As you wish" was my reply.
Before he could get close enough to strike me I shot him twice with my laspistol and he staggered back before falling backwards out the moondoor.
"That was not an honourable duel!" screamed Lysa "You used your vile sorcery".
I shrugged.
"The only condition anyone set down was that it would be to the death" I argued "You should choose your words more carefully in the future. Not that you have much of a future".
I turned to a couple of Imperial Guard members.
"Take her away," I ordered.
The boy, Robin was his name if memory served, screamed as his mother was dragged off, and I turned to Lord Royce.
"Since Lord Arryn has no heir his line has ended. You are now Duke Yohn Royce" I told the man, this having been decided some time ago "I'm sure you can bring some sort of order to this mess. I'd rather not have to repeat this lesson".
There was one last bit of business.
"Oh and the bastard boy is innocent so he is yours to deal with. Assuming he survives to adulthood he can always take over his father's holdings in The Fingers".
It wasn't really my concern and I had confidence in Lord Royce's ability to keep his peers in line since he was well respected and after today they would know that no castle could keep them safe.
(Line Break)
The Red Keep. Kings Landing.
"It's done your Majesty" I said as I entered the room that contained the Small Council "The Vale is now under the command of Lord Royce and Lady Arryn awaits your judgment".
Unlike Robert the new king happily attended meetings of the council as did his soon to be wife as while the queen or the woman that would be queen, didn't traditionally have a seat there was no actual rule against being her as since she claimed to simply wish to learn about the realm she'd soon help to rule. A good idea I thought.
"This is good news my Lord Hand" said Viserys who embraced me like a brother much to my surprise "With the Vale now back under the dragon banner we can begin plans for the royal wedding".
Lady Tryell laid a hand on her betrothed's arm as he sat back down and smiled approvingly at his words, having no doubt been what she'd wanted him to say. I was glad to see that the Rose of Highgarden, as Margery was known, had wrapped the dragon with its vines. Not that roses had vines, but it still seemed like an appropriate metaphor.
"It will be the grandest event in living memory" claimed Mace Tyrell.
There had been changes in titles and in the seating arrangements since I'd gone off to deal with resistance in the Riverlands and then the Vale. One of the Mandlerys from White Harbour was now Master of Coin, Prince Oberyn was Master of Laws, Lord Paxtar Redwyne was Master of Ships and I couldn't recall what Mace actually did on the council.
Not that it mattered. The Reach supplied coin, men and food to the crown so the Tyrell had certainly earned their place on the council. Once I was done here Mace would take my role as Hand of the King, but it would be Imperial bureaucrats who actually ran things, men who were loyal to House Thrax, at least more than they were to the Seven Kingdoms.
I took a seat and helped myself to some wine before speaking.
"And House Thrax will help to fund this grand event" I promised "I will need some help with the arrangements. I admit that I don't know much about weddings despite having gotten married".
Some polite chuckles came from a few mouths.
"You need not worry my lord" assured Margery Tyrell "Father has agreed to help fund the wedding, while my Grandmother and I will organise the event, with the help of your wife. Once I am queen I will need to play my role and help arrange many feasts and tourneys. Leaving you men to deal with the important matters".
Yes we'd be having one of those soon so that Viserys could pick members for his new Kingsguard. He'd dismissed all the old ones in the most permanent way possible. Not that I blamed him as only Ser Barristan had been worthy of the honour and he'd at least been allowed to keep his life.
I was amused by the future queen's choice of words. She was making herself seem harmless while subtly taking control of social events that were actually rather important. Many deals and alliances would be made during feasts and tourneys that she would be organising behind the scenes. I wished her well in her plans.
"If you'll excuse my lords, my lady I do have some matters to handle" I informed the room while standing up "Please forgive my absence during the rest of this meeting".
There were issues I needed to sort out and arrangements of my own to make before the wedding.
(Line Break)
The Red Keep. Kings Landing.
While Viserys amused himself by sentencing the enemies of his family to death, thankfully not with wildfire, and holding court over those who'd bent the knee to the new king, I'd been working behind the scenes to get everything fully organised before I departed. As Hand of The King, at least until I was ready to turn over the office to a native lord, there was much for me to do, and none of it was cheap.
Least of all the royal wedding as even with the Tyrells paying for half I had to fund the rest. It was lucky for me that the second trip to what remained of the Freehold, which had happened without me, resulted in some treasure being found, otherwise my coffers would have been badly drained due to the sheer expense of this event.
Still it was worth every copper star to help cement the rule of King Viserys and by extension Imperial control over the Seven Kingdoms because while the planetary governor ran the world he was focused on Essos and so Westeros was really mine to do with as I pleased and it pleased me to have my brother-in-law on the throne while I got to fuck his very attractive sister.
"I've seen the shuttles outside of the city" mentioned Dany as we walked down the path "Where are all those people going".
Even with the wonderful job the Ad-Mech was doing in rebuilding the city there simply wasn't enough room for everyone so I'd offered anyone looking for a job a chance to go to the forge-world for a fresh start. The forge-worlds always had a shortage of labourers as the Imperium consumed an insane amount of resources due to all its wars as well as using up people. So even unskilled workers would find jobs and their lives would hardly be any worse than they were now as most of them were living in a massive refugee camp.
"They are being taken to the cruiser" I told my royal wife "They will be put to work when we return to the Imperium".
Dany was against slavery and while I would be selling the workers to the Ad-Mech they would be paid in their new jobs and I wasn't forcing anyone to go. Which I explained to her.
"I can't say I approve" she said "Can they be resettled elsewhere?".
Some of them were, but only those who wanted to go as there were other options.
"No one else can house so many people, the other Seven Kingdoms simply don't have work or homes for them" I let my princess know "It's only thanks to the fact that the Ad-Mech can produce rations from the organic materials they harvest from the jungles that the refugees haven't starved and I'm the one paying for that. All I can do is promise not to force anyone to leave and to make sure that they don't starve".
It wasn't much, but Dany was grateful that I at least tried. It wasn't as if anyone else cared. I should be able to cram thousands of serfs into the ship and still have room to take one of the regiments with me since I'd be unloading the smallfolk as soon as we arrived at the Forge-World.
"Let's talk of something happier" decided Dany "You must have hired some entertainers for the wedding. Margery told me as much".
Indeed we had, I needed this wedding to entertain those who mattered just as the food would fill their bellies. While others had handled the fine details I'd footed half of the bill so I had an idea of what would be happening. The actual wedding had been a simple affair over the big sept they had here, and it was party after that people would remember for years to come.
Bread and circuses were all part of my plan. Even as the lords and ladies found their seats at the wedding feast I was having food better than rations along with booze handed out freely to the people in the city and in the camp. It might cause some problems as people get drunk on the streets, but overall it would be a good time and with the tourney soon to follow it should give the people a decent opinion of Viserys as king.
"Oh yes we hired jugglers, singers, and a funny stand up comedian that normally works on my cruiser" I mentioned "His jokes should appeal to the nobles, if not the poor man will end up pelted with food".
My cruiser was really more a fortified city in space than anything else as such people found niches to occupy as entertainers, traders, there were bars all over the place and there were even a few brothels.
When we arrived I found that the tables in the castle's main dining hall, which was an indoor space even larger than the throne room, looked ready to break beneath the weight of vast quantities of food. At times like this I was so glad that I possessed a gene enhanced body that kept me in peak health as otherwise I'd put on some serious weight from this feast.
This wasn't the only room the guests were using. It was too cold to party outside, the Starks always right about the weather, and while this winter should be a short one, as the autumn had been and the weather cycles looked to be returning to normal, the locals didn't know that and it made me glad that I'd been so quick to set up the refugee camp as otherwise we'd have tens of thousands of people freezing to death in a matter of weeks. I'd order the mass manufacturing of blankets to be given to the poor, the deed had cost me little and made my wife happy with me.
Currently a huge boar, which could have been mistaken for a bear given its sheer size, was being carried into the hall by festively-garbed servants and had been preceded by musicians. I'd never seen so much fuss made over a dish before, but the boar was worth it if only because I wanted to impress and it certainly did that.
Other dishes, including entire swans that had been cooked, capons, geese and ducks, as well as haunch of venison, were borne into the hall in similar fashion requiring many of the servants to put some real effort into the carrying of dishes. Also there were many pork filled sausages. And that was just the main course.
All of this was washed down with a frightening amount of spiced wine which made me glad I could import the spices directly from the Free Cities and transport them via shuttle as that had helped to cut down on the cost of the feast.
As time passed the meal concluded with a great variety of puddings, apples and pears, gingerbread confections, cheeses, and an enormous pies. As well a few dishes I didn't even recognize despite having spent quite some time in the Seven Kingdoms.
While we ate we were entertained by singers who were accompanied by lutes and pipes, whose music drowned out the sounds of clattering spoons and poorly disguised belches. There were jugglers too, and dancers who were dressed in very colourful fabrics. There were even some actors, do some silly show that involved people getting kicked in the bum and hit with stuff. It was a little low brow for my tastes, but it went down well with the crowd as a whole.
Since I was sitting at the head table I noted that the king refilled his plate several times and I hoped that he did not take after Ageon the Unworthy who aside from being a glutton, sired numerous bastards, legitimizing them on his deathbed, an act that led to five Blackfyre Rebellions. If all went to plan Margery would keep her husband under control.
Even my wife who often merely picked at her food in a ladylike manner, had more than one helping. Even with me around Dany never really relaxed around her brother who'd taken to ignoring his sister for the most part now that he'd gotten his crown.
During the feast Missandei stood behind her mistress, anticipating her needs, just as Merlin stood behind Prince Arthur's chair. Yara was behind mine, but she was chatting away with some serving girl, doing a good job of blending in and not acting as pirate princess, as she was supposed to, and since this event was meant to be fun for everyone it didn't matter if the servers weren't paying that much attention.
I looked around the room and felt pleased by the work I'd done. Viserys was on the throne because I wished for it. Margery Tyrell was the new queen because it suited my plans and I had the better of the two remaining Targaryens as my wife just because I fancied her. This expedition had gone well even if it wouldn't be that profitable. My dynasty was off to a fine start.
"Time to give my brother your gift, dear husband" reminded Dany.
Oh yes the teams I'd sent treasure hunting in the ruins of the Freehold had returned with a dozen dragon eggs, they'd long since turned to stone, but they were each a treasure and while I had little use for them as I only owned a dragon's egg as did my wife, I'd kept some for our children.
I'd taken other treasures from what remained of Valyria and would use those to really show off.
"Bring in the casket!" I ordered a couple of my people.
As the noise level dropped a few of my underlings placed a casket of some kind before the high table and then opened it up to show the half dozen dragon eggs that had been found in what I assumed to be a nest judging by the reports.
I'd had the casket filled with ancient coins from the Freehold, some gems and bits of jewellery all of which rested on the finest silks. I'd not spent nearly as much on this gift as it might seem since nearly all had been looted.
My true wealth was in the serfs I'd be transporting back to the forge-world and the share of the minerals that the Ad-Mech had been digging in places that weren't on the map. Even if I didn't make much of a profit from this expedition I knew how to do better next time.
"In days gone by, children born into the Targaryen bloodline had a dragon's egg placed in their cradle" I said to the crowd "Such traditions should be honoured so I present to my king and queen, dragon eggs for their children and treasure from ancient Valyria to help ensure their success".
As I sat down there were cheers followed by a lot of whispers. No doubt rumours of my wealth would spread across the kingdoms and this was partly the point since like the armed men and women I left behind, it would serve as a reminder of my power long after I was gone.
(Line Break)
Tourney Grounds. Kings Landing.
"I don't think I've seen you bored" commented Dany "You're normally so busy".
Just this morning I'd handed over my badge of office as Hand of the King to Mace Tyrell and since I planned to leave within the next few days I'd made sure that all my affairs were in order. Everything of value that I planned to take had been transported up into my cruiser that was in orbit and anyone remaining behind had been informed that I would be going soon.
"I don't have anything to do" I told my wife "and unlike everyone else around here I've no interest in watching men knock each other off horses".
Dany seemed far more interested than me in such displays and the event had drawn a lot of attention. Knights from all over Westeros had come hoping to earn the honour of a position in the Kingsguard as well as one of the special swords I'd had made for this event by the Ad-Mech, they weren't Valyrian steel, but they were superior to anything the smiths of this nation could forge.
"This tourney also honours you" reminded Dany.
This was true as by now talk of how I was leaving Westeros had spread about and no doubt the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms were plotting about how to take advantage of this.
If anyone was planning another rebellion to take the Iron Throne without me around to secure it then they would be in for a rude surprise as the planetary governor would be making his presence known once I was out of the way. He didn't wish to interfere with events within Westeros while I was here as that would only confuse people as to who was in charge and we'd could have gotten in each other's way.
"As will the feast" added my princess.
Yes, another one of those. They were also proving to be dull affairs that cost me a lot of money. Thankfully I was still selling guns to a few carefully chosen noble families so I had a bit of gold coming in.
"Once the feast is done I think we should head up into orbit" I said to Dany "I want to take some time to carefully plan out the next expedition".
I'd already decided where we would be going and it should be very profitable.
"Ser Loras is putting on a good show" Dany was now saying.
I'd heard he'd died in the fires that consumed most of the city. As it turned out my Master of Whispers had been wrong, which was fine as no was perfect, and Loras had been recovered from the rubble. Dany had cleverly sent an Imperial medical officer to fix the young man up rather than let a Maester handle it. The Maesters thankfully hadn't caused us any trouble and Loras was now fully recovered, winning Dany major brownie points with her sister-in-law.
Now the young knight, who must be glad that the Lannisters were no longer much of an issue, was working to get himself a spot in the Kingsguard. The young man, he was hardly more than a boy in my mind, had some skill at the joust I had to admit and wouldn't make for a bad Kingsguard as he was loyal to his sister.
"I should prepare to make my speech," I said.
While I'd already handed over my badge and everyone knew I was leaving I would declare it formally as soon, as Loras looked as if he'd win a spot and I would have the honour of inducting him into the Kingsguard as my last official act before the feast. Not exactly worth mentioning when compared to my other actions in these lands, but Viserys was trying to honour me and he was family so I'd go along with it.
Soon it would all be over. I'd be gone from this primitive world. I'd only be making the odd short visit to collect the tithe, to remind everyone of their place, and to deal with any matters worthy of my attention. I might have to make another show of force in the future, but that was something to concern myself with upon my return. For now I had a speech to make and a prize to hand out.