Chapter 17; Worsening circumstances
Characters of the chapter
Calm Ben Hassrath operative
Daenerys Targaryen, The Mother of Dragons, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, the Breaker of Chains, Queen of the of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men of the South, Queen of the South Kingdom of the Twin kingdoms and Protector of the Realm
Dart Ben Hassrath operative
Iledia, Agent of the Inquisition, advisor in matters of the arcane in the court of Queen Daenerys
Jon Snow, also known as Aegon Targaryen and Jon Stark, King of the North Kingdom of the Twin Kingdoms
Hammer Ben Hassrath operative
Tallis Ben Hassrath operative
Cursive/Bold text is in Qunlat
A red haired elf peered over a fallen tree, eyes locked on a group of Twin Kingdoms soldiers. There were five of them, all on horseback, each carrying a horn. Sentries, guarding the perimeter of the force laying siege to the Qunari fort close by.
She had been sent here with several others from her order, to support the Qunari army in their invasion of Westeros. Ben Hassrath had subtlety the soldiers of the Antaam frequently did not possess, useful at many points. Such as today, when their task was to remove these sentries without raising the alarm.
This would need to happen quickly, all five taken down at once. If they remembered their duty then as soon as they were engaged the surviving soldiers would seek to sound their horns or flee back to their camp to give warning. So none of them could be permitted to live beyond a few seconds once they struck.
For the moment the sentries had not spotted her. She did not see her fellow Ben Hassrath, but she had to assume they had reached their position by now. It had been agreed beforehand that her attack would be the signal for the others. Now it was time.
She took a pair of throwing knives in her hands, then aimed. A pair of knives flew, a pair of soldiers fell from their horses. One, Two.
Before those soldiers had even hit the ground she was in motion, vaulting over the tree and rushing toward the remaining riders. Her melee daggers were already in her hands when there was a blur of motion to her left. A fellow Ben Hassrath, a human, Dart the nickname he was known under the Qun. His name of choice was rather obvious given his ability to move extremely swiftly. He had started moving after her, from further away. Even so he was the one to reach their target first, sinking his blade into one. She had more experience, more skill with a blade, but she had never been able to move quite as quickly as he did. His kill made three.
Another enemy soldier brought a horn to his lips, only to get an arrow through his throat. The shooter was another human nicknamed Calm for her stoic demeanor. It was fortunate she was as alert and precise as ever today. Four.
Their last opponent turned his horse around and fled. He got perhaps six meters away from them before the only Kossith in their team, Hammer, barreled into him, knocking him off his horse. A cut throat followed immediately after. Fifth and final.
The fight had come to it's end almost as soon as it had begun. Only the spooked horses of the soldiers remained. Once they had calmed those might be of some use. It might save her team some wear in their boots as they journeyed on. Of course she would have to check if their force wanted to have them, but she doubted that. The Qunari army wasn't known for their cavalry.
The members of her team gathered around her.
"Very nice. We punched a hole in their perimeter and no alarm was raised. It will be some time before these ones will be missed." Calm commented.
"We should do some scouting while we are here. Our troops could use the information." Tallis suggested.
"I'll take care of that. Already noted a promising ridge from my vantage. One that looks to be overlooking the Bas camp. Could be a good spot to install cannons. I'll go make sure the place suits our needs." Calm said and left.
"Dart, you should go to our people in the fort. Tell them our forces are close and to get themselves ready for a fight so they can coordinate their attack." Tallis said next. Birds carrying had already informed the fort garrison of the intents of their allies of course, but it was still necessary to inform them that the time for action was imminent. "Make sure you're not caught. I'd hate to botch this now that we got the sentries so neatly." She added.
"I'm on it. And I promise not to be caught or seen." Dart said and left as well.
"I'm guessing the job for us two will be to watch and wait for our troops to arrive, guide them through." Hammer guessed.
"Yup. And be on guard against more sentries while we're at it. This route must remain open until our people are through it." Tallis said.
With the others on their errands the two were left standing there with very little to do. She herself paced about the battlefield, kneeling beside one of the dead enemy soldiers, examining him. Then she sighed heavily and stood back up.
"Something troubling you friend?" Hammer asked.
"It's nothing. I'm fine." She said.
"It is said that it is almost impossible to lie to a Ben Hassrath." Hammer said, a knowing look in his eyes. Even when you are one of us. The fight went our way, so that is not the issue. I know you don't particularly like killing, but have done that often and you knew there was no way around it today before we even started, so that's not it either. So what is the matter?" He continued when she didn't reply.
"It… this is just very different kind of work for me. I'm used to dealing with problems and threats to our people. Keeping us safe from those who harm us, or are planning to. Defensive work, even if I was taking the offensive. But now? Now I'm supporting an invasion of another country. These people have done nothing to us. And odds are that would have continued to be the case had we only left them be." Tallis said.
"All lands are to be brought to the Qun in time. You know this." Hammer said.
"I know. But somehow I did not expect it to start happening in my lifetime. You were born to the Qun, Hammer, so it might be hard to think of these people as anything but bas. You don't truly understand them. I do. I know there are good, decent people among them. People who may not follow the Qun, but who have wisdom in their own right. Invading their lands, killing them, it feels… wrong. Like I shouldn't be doing it. That's the part that's bothering me. I'm not used to feeling that way about the things I do." She said.
"Hmm. Yes. I see why you might feel troubled, if this is how you feel. In that case the best course is to remind yourself why we have come. If these lands are not swiftly brought under the Qun, there is a great danger of them falling into Tevinter hands. There is no reason to think the locals could withstand them on their own, especially as they are already wounded by past wars. Life at the whim of the Imperium would be a much worse fate for the people in these lands, no? And a worse outcome for the Qun as a whole." He said.
"I suppose…" Tallis admitted.
"You said there are likely decent folk among these bas. It could well be so, and it is understandable for you to feel for them. Console yourself in that those worthy individuals shall receive the wisdom of the Qun, bringing them to a more enlightened existence than they have ever known. In the long run it will aid them greatly. As it helped you." Hammer said.
"Perhaps. But these here might have been worthy of such." She said, motioning to the dead enemy soldiers. "We will never know now. That some among those who survive might find a better existence for themselves in the Qun… it seems a cold comfort."
"But I suppose there is nothing for it. We are just as much soldiers in this as the Antaam. Soldiers must obey commands, those of the Qun more than others. We here at the front lines didn't choose this fight, but now that it is here we must live with it, no matter how we feel about it." She said then, ending the conversation.
"So it must be." He concurred.
Half an hour or so passed in silence, nothing of note happening. "Do you believe it will take much longer for the soldiers of the Antaam to get here?" He asked then.
"Hopefully not. I hear the Royal Army is not far behind them. A few hours at most. And the battle ahead will take its own time. The troops at the fort had better be packed up and ready to go. We will have precious little time to wait around." She replied.
"Well, would you look at that. The moment we mention them." hammer said then, pointing. And true enough, the Qunari soldiers had come into view, marching toward them, many of them dragging or carrying guns of various type. On reaching them one of them came to speak with them.
"Greetings, Ben Hassrath. I am Sten-Adaar. My commander requests a report on your activities." Said the soldier.
Tallis cleard her throat. "The sentries have been dealt with. We have seen no sign of other hostiles since. You should be clear from here until within sight of the camp. One of our number has gone ahead to scout the terrain. Another has gone to inform the fort of our approach. You'll have their support once you begin your attack."
"Exellent news. My commander also request that you take part in the battle with us. He realizes doing so is strictly speaking not your role, but more blades would not go amiss in the battle ahead." The Sten-Adaar said.
Tallis and Hammer looked at each other. Thinking about it, she was inclined to come along. While she was not looking forward to killing more of the locals, she realized there would be no way for them to live. This way at least she could preserve some lives on her side. Besides, the other members of her team were likely to agree to this. If they were all there, they could find each other during the battle and fight together. That way the odds of all of them coming out of this alive were greatly increased. The members of her team were her friends. Their survival mattered to her.
"We'll you did just say that in the end we were just as much soldiers as the Antaam." Hammer commented.
"So I did." She said. "We're with you." She told the Sten-Adaar.
"This vision… what does it mean?" Daenerys asked.
"I have no idea Your Grace. Even Lord Brandon did not seem to have that knowledge." Iledia replied. At the moment she and the Daenerys were standing on the side of a road, watching the Queen's army march by, on their way to the next Qunari fort. They were close now, expecting to arrive within the hour. Messengers had just recently been dispatched to contact the Twin Kingdoms forces there, to inform them of the army's arrival.
She and Tyrion had parted ways after the events in the Vale, with him returning to King's Landing and her bringing a vanguard of the clansmen to join the army battling the Qunari, with more to arrive later. They had refused to take orders from anyone else, so for now she had charge of them, much to her distaste. Not only did she disapprove of their appearance, their manner and their lack of discipline, but she was deeply concerned about the reason they insisted on following her specifically. There was apparently much to do to ensure they stopped thinking of her as some sort of deity. She appreciated loyal followers of course, but those she had she wanted to have honest knowledge of who and what she was (as much as possible) and what she stood for. With certainty a horde of cultists that followed her because of some assumed divinity was the last thing she ever wanted to have. She had seen where that particular brand of madness led. Tiraen and several others she knew were still very much in the clutches of that line of thinking. Never would she allow that crime to be perpetuated on others in her name.
She had done as she had promised to and had started educating the Queen about magic whenever she had a moment to spare from leading her armies. The Queen had taken to those lessons with eagerness, recognizing the value in comprehending the theory behind this weapon employed by the peoples of Thedas. With luck this knowledge would spread and help even those Westerosi without firsthand experience understand magic as a potent but ultimately mundane force in the world.
In addition to magic the Queen had lately taken a great interested in Thedas in general, often consulting Iledia and ambassador Derek Cobbler of Kirwall on those subjects. Of particular interest to her were the nations opposed to her. "*Know your enemy* was clearly a saying she had taken to heart.
"So you can't tell me what the vision is about, or when it occurs, or what I might need to do to avoid it, or even if this is something I should try to avoid. Not a terribly useful vision of the future is it?" Daenerys said.
"Indeed not Your Grace. I believe I told Lord Brandon as much when he informed me of this. Even so he asked me to tell you of this and so I have. But at the very least this vision tells us to be on alert for an event like this in the future, whatever it is." Iledia said.
"…There is one possible clue on what might be going on in the vision." She said then. "In the vision you had glowing red eyes. Glowing eyes can occur as a side effect when someone is channeling a lot of magic all at once. And red is a color often associated with the use of red lyrium or blood magic at work. I have also heard that an entity of the fade possessing a body can sometimes cause the same thing, though not in every case."
"So you suspect blood magic might be at play? Or a demon?" Daenerys asked, clearly perturbed by either notion. Then she shook her head, her expression becoming dismissive. "Well, you will likely be the most able person to keep me safe from such things. Take the precautions you think are necessary. But none of the information we have tells us how this vision might come to pass, or how we might avoid it. If you manage to find concrete answers to those questions at another time we can talk of this again. But until that day come I've enough on my mind. I'm not going to worry myself sick over something I have no control over."
"Of course Your Grace. I shall do all I can to find answers and keep you safe." Iledia said.
"What can you tell me of blood magic? I have heard it allows a mage to read minds?" Daenerys asked after a moment of silence.
"Read them. Control them. Unhinge them. As the name implies, blood magic revolves around manipulating blood and using it to power spells. Blood is connected to life, therefore to control blood is to control life. Because of this, and the fact that it has been taught to mages by demons, it is frowned upon in most countries of Thedas. Even Tevinter does so officially, though there it is more for the sake of appearances, as ever. In short, a school of magic as feared as it is potent." Iledia said.
"If it is capable of what you describe then it sounds like there is a good reason why." Daenerys commented.
"And yet, for all that, the practice of it is surprisingly commonplace. For instance the few magical traditions that exists outside of Thedas are almost all derivatives of blood magic." Iledia said.
"Why?" Daenerys asked.
"Because aside from a few rare cases like Lord Brandon mages born in these parts are born extremely weak due to the thickness of the Veil. Typically local mages aren't even able to sense the Fade or magical energies properly, let alone make use of them on their own. At best they might be like the wargs north of the Wall, able to use a single type of power to limited effect, something that is more an instinct rather than a proper spell. For anything more they require an external source of power. There are potions and artefacts that would suffice in this, but both of those require lyrium, which countries outside Thedas have not had access to until very recently. So blood is the only source of power readily available to locals." Iledia explained.
"I see…" Daenerys said. "Magic that can get inside a person's head. Magic that can call up a wall of flame that breaks an entire army. Magic that blocks dragonfire like it is nothing. And Tyrion relayed what you were able to do with the Vale clansmen. I'm starting to wonder if there is anything magic can't do." She added.
"There are a few things, some limitation we are taught apply to every mage, no matter how strong. For instance one cannot move from one place to another without crossing the intervening distance. And one cannot go to the fade physically. And although a skilled healer may heal a person whose breath and heartbeat have stopped, none can restore a person to life after the soul has left the body." Iledia said.
"But…?" Daenerys asked, having heard the hesitation in the mage's voice.
"Well… those rules may not be as absolute as traditional education would have you think. For the first rule I mentioned there exists a workaround, developed by the elves of Arlathan's time. The second is technically doable but requires such absurd amounts of power as to be almost totally unfeasible. As for the third one, who's to say that obstacle cannot be overcome as well? I have heard unconfirmed rumors to that effect." Iledia said.
"More than rumors in fact." Daenerys said. "Jon was killed long ago, then brought back to life."
That caught Iledia's attention. "What? You're certain of that?"
"I am. As you might imagine, as his wife I have had the opportunity to see him bare chested. I have seen the scars left from the wounds he took. There is no way anyone could have survived that." Daenerys said.
"How extraordinary…" Iledia said in awe. "Do…do you think I could convince him to let me examine him? Er… well maybe not that. But if I might at least talk to him of this…?"
"I rather doubts he wants to revisit those events. They are old, painful memories, ones he would much rather pretend did not occur at all. And I don't think he even knows how this was done. The only ones who might are the late Lady Melisandre, who was the one to bring him back, or one of the other priests of the Lord of Light."
"Whose explanation might be so permeated by religious hogwash as to be useless. Pity." Iledia said.
"Can we truly be certain that their explanation is not the right one?" Daenerys asked. "I have seen what mages from Thedas are able to do, and that is a sight to behold without question. But some of the things Melisandre was able to do… they were beyond any of that. You said you've read accounts of her actions, so you know what I'm talking about. Hard to believe such feats would be possible without the assistance of some kind of deity, particularly considering what you said about local mages and their ability to cast spells."
Iledia scoffed. "I do not think we should jump to that conclusion as our first option. I can accept that the entity they worship is something real. In this case there is enough evidence to that effect. But I would still question that entity's divinity, or even its supposedly benign nature. I do not think an actual deity dedicated to good and life would demand death and blood in exchange for its power. Truthfully I don't quite understand why an actual god would need to demand anything at all from supposedly lesser beings. This entity is able to greatly boost the abilities of a mage and even grant powers to individuals who would otherwise have none. Such a thing is not beyond the capabilities of spirits or demons, which incidentally also often want a sacrifice of blood in return. The scale of the powers in this case are of course beyond anything previously recorded, but it would not be beyond conceivable. Even after thousands of years of study there is much about the fade that remains unknown."
"But perhaps I'm wrong in this." She added. "Perhaps this is really some sort of god and I'm simply too obstinate to see it. I don't know the truth either way. What I do know is that people are far too quick to attach that label to powerful things that elude their understanding. You'd think that at least the people of Thedas would know better, seeing as we know a bit more of the world than most. But we do not. We really don't. Our peoples have proven just as gullible.
Daenerys might have asked what examples from Thedas Iledia was basing this on, but could see the mage was not about to continue speaking of this topic. Instead they turned their attention back to the troops marching by.
Autumn was obviously a lot further along now. Green was giving away to yellows browns and reds. Days and nights were colder now, a thin coating of frost greeting the army some mornings. Darkness lasted a bit longer into the morning and came earlier in the evening with each day that passed.
Iledia's eyes were drawn to the road, which the frequent rains had transformed into a trail of mud and puddles, squelching under the feet of the soldiers, the hooves of the horses and the wheels of the wagons.
"Hmmm. It's going to be a long march to reach the Qunari again, along a bad road." She commented. "If I may, the roads of these Kingdoms could use improvements in the future. Even this so called King's Road is not much to look at." She commented.
"I take you have more impressive ones in Thedas?" Daenerys said.
"Oh, certainly. In Thedas there are these raised highways built by the Tevinter Imperium at the height of their power that span the length of Thedas. They were made great many centuries ago, but they were built to last. Much of that network is still intact and in use. Say what you will of the Imperium of old but they understood the value of infrastructure in the business of building a nation. These road networks allowed trade to flow more easily and armies to march swiftly to where they were needed. Certainly things the Twin Kingdoms could use, no? As could any nation I think." Iledia said.
"I have heard that the Valyrian freehold built similar roads in their time. Smooth roadways built by dragon's flame, like much of their works are. It's not a bad idea having roads like that, but like many projects such have been beyond the finances of our Kingdoms. There have been a lot of things like that I'd like to do for my Kingdom but can't. I've managed some, like the sewers in King's Landing, mostly because there was a ready network of tunnels just waiting to be converted. But other ideas of mine have simply been beyond my reach." Daenerys said.
"For instance some years back I entertained the notion of having a channel deep and wide enough for ships dug across the Neck, so ships wishing to sail from one sea to the other would no longer have to sail all the way around Westeros. It would have a lot of uses both for trade and military, as you rightly pointed out as important. The whole notion of course didn't go further than idle musings. Such a thing would be a colossal undertaking, requiring investment the South Kingdom cannot possibly afford at this point in our history. Maybe one day I can give such projects another look, when my nation is in a better place. Though that seems like a long ways off given all this fighting that has been forced upon us. And in the case of this road it would also be out of my hands because the North is an independent Kingdom that makes its own choices on what they put their money towards." She continued.
"Unfortunate then, to be so constrained. At least you were able to build a standing army for your nation. Your mind was certainly in the right place when you decided upon that. I hear those troops were instrumental in your fight against the Orlesians. And odds are good they will be useful against the Qunari too." Iledia said.
Daenerys nodded. "It did seem like a very necessary thing to do, despite Drogon. And not just because of the example of Thedosian armies. Kings in the past depended on their lords to supply the bulk of their troops. So kings had to constantly peddle for the favor of their lords, their Kingdoms strength at war dependent on how many Lords they could get to sign on. And the quality of available troops was always dependent on how much each individual lord was willing to invest in them. I did not wish to be limited in that way. I need to know with certainty what I command when I go to war."
"And when I realized that almost all wars in Westeros have been civil wars it became very necessary to limit the powers of the Lords I ruled over. The failure of Aegon the Conqueror was that he did not do so. The Kings he overthrew retained the power they had, remaining Kings in all but name. The seven Kingdoms remained the Seven Kingdoms, just with an overlord trying to control them all. I wish to do things differently."
"But weren't most of these wars instigated from within the Targaryen family rather than by these lords?" Iledia asked. "Er, meaning no offence of course." She added hastily.
"I'm not offended. You're very right. The Dance of Dragons and the Blackfyre Rebellions are proof enough of that." Daenerys said. "Even so great lords were a big issue in those wars. They could be enticed to add their armies to one faction or the other, making those wars bloodier than they would have been otherwise. Particularly when there were no more dragons. Then those lords were the main reason those wars could happen at all. And if the wars that happened before my rise to power taught me anything, it is that multiple armies loyal to multiple powers that don't get along is a recipe for the nation tearing itself apart. You can see why I might wish to move the country away from that possibility."
"The lords of your kingdom still have troops of their own, right?" Iledia asked.
"They do. Removing the old way altogether was not practical. Though they do not have the numbers they used to. All noble houses now make their oath of loyalty directly to me, so Lesser Houses have no obligation to answer the call of the Great Houses without commands from me. And by law the Great Houses cannot call on lesser houses or raise an army above three thousand without orders from the crown. Without those things they would be hard pressed to have the numbers to win a rebellion against the Royal Army even if I did not have a dragon." Daenerys said.
"Though if there is a rebellion there is a very real risk that the soldiers of your army would rather side with the lords of their home regions than with you." Iledia commented.
"Which is why the bulk of those troops come from King's Landing and the crownlands, and only smaller numbers from other regions of the Kingdom. If there is an uprising against the crown King's Landing would be the obvious target. Which these soldiers would be most motivated to defend." Daenerys explained.
"Indeed, they probably would be." Iledia said, privately taking a moment to admire the Queen's cleverness in that. "You managed to get this many troops from just one city?" She then asked.
Daenerys nodded. "A million people live in King's Landing. A lot of these people were recruited from amongst the poorer portion of that population. For them there is much to be gained from military service. It's a steady source of food and coin, a nice uniform as well as self-esteem for doing important work for the country. As a result there have been many that have been eager to sign on. Plenty for what was needed."
"Highborns for officers I take it? They would be the ones with the most experience in leading troops." Iledia asked.
"The higher ranks, for that exact reason. I've handpicked them for their skill and loyalty. I've tried to pick them evenly from different parts of the South Kingdom so no one region is overrepresented. Hopefully those varied origins will help create a more unified Kingdom in the long run. Grey Worm has the overall command though as the Master of War. And Yara leads the Navy as Master of Ships." Daenerys said.
"Add to that the solid core force like the Unsullied and training by experienced soldiers from various parts of the Kingdom and it's a force to be reckoned with." She finished.
"Aye, it is that." Iledia agreed. "It is only the South Kingdom that has a standing army like that, right? Not the North Kingdom?" Iledia asked after a pause.
"No. Once again the North makes its own decisions about such matters. And Jon has not been in a hurry to change the old system of lords and bannermen. Northmen in general are very slow to change their ways. He is no different. Besides I don't think the North could support a standing army anyway. They have always been poorer than the South." Daenerys said.
"When I was learning more about the Twin Kingdoms, your history, the Northern independence certainly caught my eye. Why did you decide to allow that?"
Daenerys chuckled. "There are times I wonder that myself. At the time it was a political necessity. I'm not sure if the books you've read mention it, but Jon had turned out to have a stronger claim to the throne than I did, as the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen. Jon wanted nothing to do with the Iron throne, but the northerners resented the idea of me ruling over them and were pushing for him to take the throne instead. I was an invader from the east, and a woman, which unfortunately mattered. As long as there was a choice between me and him, I was not going to be the one the Lords of Westeros would choose. I had the means to force them to obey my rule, but that would have required me to become something I eventually decided I did not want to be. I chose not to rule through fear, even if it would mean I would lose the throne to him. Jon fortunately offered a chance for us to find another way. The Twin Kingdoms was our solution. I gave the North its independence, releasing them of the burden of my rule and ending their reason to undermine it. In return Jon renounced his claim to the Iron Throne, leaving my claim the strongest."
"Over the years I've come to realize that I don't really need to rule the north myself. The alliance I have with them gives me more or less all the things I stood to gain had they been my subjects. Only now they are much happier, because they are formally independent and get to govern themselves as they and their King see fit." She continued.
"And the other former kingdoms? What do they think of such preferential treatment?" Iledia asked.
"So far none of the other kingdoms have expressed any desire for independence, thankfully. Not even Dorne, the second unruliest of the kingdoms. The Iron Islands might have, but Yara has proven loyal as long as I let her rule there. As for the long run… it's one more reason I seek to erode the old ways. For now even the most militant of them are too exhausted by past wars and too afraid of foreign powers they know would ruthlessly exploit any divisions." Daenerys said.
"And I'm guessing they have gotten used to being ruled from the Iron Throne." She added. "The northerners were always different even in this. Maybe because the Andals never succeeded in conquering the North. I've been in the North, fighting with and for the northmen, but no matter what I've done I have always felt like an outsider here. In this new world without long winters or White Walkers other nations might succeed conquering the North, but never shall it belong to them. Aegon the Conqueror was able to make them bend the knee, but even he was unable to make them his people. I would not have been able to do any better. They belong to themselves, and maybe it was necessary to recognize that from the start."
"Quite the story. There's more to the split here in Westeros than I thought. Frankly from the outside the whole affair looks like victors dividing the spoils." Iledia commented.
"Ha. I imagine it does at that. And I suppose that may be how history will end up remembering it. But he and I know the truth. That's all that matters." Daenerys said.
"While all this was going on you did not consider marrying him? Sharing the power?" Iledia asked.
"Jon was not ready for it then. And given how matters were I don't think that would have worked. One of us would have ended marginalized in ruling. Most likely myself. And for me it was an all or nothing matter. I would be the ruling Queen or not one at all." Daenerys said.
"Though I understand that you are married now? And that the crown prince is the son of you both? Won't this mean that after you he will be the heir to both Kingdoms? Won't this mean the inevitable reunification of Westeros under his rule, costing the northerners the independence they so cherish?" Iledia asked.
"Not necessarily. He will inherit the Iron Throne. I have ensured his rights to that. After him the eldest living child of the ruler shall be the heir, male or female." Daenerys explained.
"So you've gotten rid of the rule of only male heirs being valid candidates for the throne? Good. That seemed a very pointless discrimination to me, one that the nations of Thedas thankfully did away with a long time ago." Iledia said.
"That was my thinking as well." Daenerys said. "In the North however Jon indicates he intends to have his Kingdom have elected rulers. As in a ruler chosen by the nobility of his lands when his time is done."
"Really? Why would he do that?" Iledia asked.
"I think in part because he thinks his people deserve a ruler they had a hand in choosing, like he was chosen, as was the King in the North that came before him. And as you pointed out he and I want to avoid the impression of having cheated the northerners out of the independence. Robb will be one of the candidates if that is his wish, and if the North chooses him he shall be their king after his father. But even if he is chosen Jon has made it so that the ruler after Robb will also be elected. Their Kingdom will remain formally independent, as stated by the treaty of Riverrun. Only at times they may have a king or queen that also rules the South Kingdom." Daenerys said.
"Do you wish your son to be King in the North as well?" Iledia asked.
"To a degree. I would be pleased if he was chosen. He has blood of the North in his vein as well, so he has the right to seek that crown. And it would be good if we managed to keep it in the family. To that end I will do my best to ensure he is the best candidate for a King they could hope for. But if the northerners decide on someone else then that's that. I'll accept that outcome as well should it come to that. My son will have his inheritance. Time will tell how large it will be."
"Hmm… rulers elected by the nobility… that's a relatively rare method of governing, but not unheard of. The people of the Iron Islands have that. The Night's Watch has no Kings but they elect their Lord Commander. In Orzmmar the dwarven assembly chooses their kings. In Kirkwall that is an option if the Viscounts line is judged unfit or ends. Ferelden may be forced to go down that road, seeing as Queen Anora is still unmarried and childless. I hear that Fergus Cousland is a very popular prospect for the next King, as are Eamon and Teagan Guerrin. Tevinter may be a bad example of such thigs given the rampant corruption in their country, but there the Magisterium chooses the next Archon." Iledia said.
Daenerys raised an eyebrow at the mage. The mage had been reasonably engaged when teaching them magical theory and conversing matters related to strategy and what they needed to know of the efforts of her spy network. But Daenerys did not think she had ever seen her quite so enthusiastic, so animated. Apparently a topic the mage enjoyed discussing had been found.
"It's a system with potential, but also with some weaknesses. When given a choice, the nobles don't necessarily choose competent, able monarchs. A weak, easily manipulated King is more to their liking. It means the nobles hold true power. And elected rulers are habitually bound to those that elected them. They gave their King power. Their King had to court their favor to get that power. And they can take it away from him." Iledia continued.
"I sincerely hope you're not calling Jon weak and easily manipulated." Daenerys said, slightly offended.
"Of course not. Not every King turns out like that. All I am saying is that it can happen. And if we took a closer look at what day to day his governing involves, I'm sure we'd note he spends an inordinate amount of time thinking what his lords and ladies think. On its own that is not good or bad though. Indeed I think a leader should listen to their subjects." Iledia said. "And of course hereditary rule has its own difficulties as well. With that system you tend to be stuck with whoever happens to be next in line. Even if the person in question would be a terrible ruler, still they would get to rule by right of their birth and blood. Seeing a country ruined by incompetents who have their power based on nothing else, who never deserved it… it can be a remarkably painful thing to see. Again I'm not calling anyone on this continent a bad ruler, simply stating that it can be how it happens."
"You seem very knowledgeable about such things, with clear opinions. You think about these things a lot then?" Daenerys said.
"Certainly. You could say it is a hobby of mine, a passion. Examining various ways of governing, comparing their strengths and weaknesses, trying to come up with the optimal ways to run a country. Such learning could be of great value one day." Iledia said with a slight smile.
"So which way do you favor? Hereditary or elected succession?" Daenerys asked.
"I myself happen to advocate for rule based on one's merits. As you might have already guessed, I don't particularly care about anyone's supposed blood rights to any throne. Nor am I terribly supportive of a system that hands power to whoever happens to be able to make himself popular. If we must be governed, I say it should be by those who are most able to do so. Those who have demonstrated that ability through practical, competent action. Those of us that hold the right kind of potential to govern the people as they should and deserve to be governed. It's not birthright that determines if a person has the skills. It's not about rank or caste either. Highborn, lowborn? None of that is important. Only that they hold the qualities necessary to make a good leader. I have seen that commoners can possess them as well as those of high birth." Iledia said.
"You believe those of common birth could successfully lead a nation?" Daenerys asked. It was not an opinion she often heard from those who had power. Not on this side of the narrow at least. Essos was a bit more complicated. Or had been, before the Imperium…
"Some of them. Those that have such qualities, like I said. Those qualities may not be readily apparent from the outside, because they were never properly nurtured. But the potential remains in them, and if allowed to bloom I'm certain they could make just as able leaders as those who are born to assume that role through their heritage. Sometimes better, because high birth does not guarantee competence or worth, just like low birth does not exclude one from having them." Iledia said.
"You feel very strongly about this." Daenerys commented, having noted the mage's tone.
Iledia looked momentarily surprised, as if she had caught herself saying too much.
"You're very right, I do. I despise squandering the inner potential of people because of technicalities. Or heaping privileges on the undeserving because of the same. I consider either case a terrible waste. At my beginning I was a street rat, a nothing. No one who looked at me back then would have thought I would ever be more than that. And if I had lived according to the rank I was given at birth I'd still be nothing. Instead I learned to breach those barriers, building myself into what you see with a lot of hard work and the gracious assistance of people who saw what I truly was and could be instead of what I was born to be. My magic is the only power I have that is the product of my birth, and even that took years of training to make into what it is now. With an origin like that, is it any wonder that I think of this as I do? If I could come from nothing and reach this far, how could I believe only those born to the right families can achieve greatness? Why should I consider all others unworthy based on that alone? Why should I deny them a chance to prove themselves, like I did?" She said then.
Even as Daenerys had been born to a Great House and as an heiress of a great civilization of the past, she could not help but feel a bit of familiarity in Iledia's story. What she had now was not given to her because of her heritage, but because she had taken it and built it for herself. Her glorious ancestry had made her believe she had a right to try, but it had not won her victories. Were they not the same in this, then? Iledia was merely bolder, believing in her right to try even without the backing of a lineage, a right she apparently believed belonged to others like her as well. She could admire such daring, such confidence. Such passion in standing for what you believed as she heard in the mage's voice.
"I suppose I should not be surprised by your opinions, considering." She said aloud. "And there is a degree of reason in what you say. Though I don't think the local noble houses would agree that a thousand years of unbroken rule is a technicality."
"Probably not. They want to keep what they have. It's why they choose to believe in things like birthright. But if they don't deserve it, should the rest of us permit an incompetent with exalted ancestors? I think not. Nobility should be about what one gives to the country, not entitlement." Iledia said.
The conversation might have continued further, but then a man Daenerys did not recognize came over whispering something in the mage's ear. Hearing the whispered words, a frown appeared on Iledia's face.
"Something has come up. If you'll excuse me, Your Grace." Iledia said and walked off without another word. Daenerys was left standing there in puzzlement, wondering what might be going on now. She had only a few moments to wonder though, before a rider from her army came to her.
"Your Grace. The scouts have just returned from the allied camp ahead. There is a problem. You… you and the King should come see for yourself." The rider told her.
She nodded and went with him. They sought out Jon and went to see what the scout had to show them.
Later she and Jon were walking amidst what was left of the encampment of their besieging force in disbelief. Soldiers from their army were searching the camp, looking for survivors. The place was utterly destroyed, the dead camp defenders everywhere. Here and there Qunari fallen were scattered among the dead. Living Qunari were nowhere in evidence, the nearby fort abandoned and empty. Remembering what had occurred with the first one, none had dared to enter. So far only a single bloodied and battered survivor had been discovered hiding amongst the wreckage.
"What happened here?" Daenerys demanded of the man.
"We… we were laying siege to the castle of the Oxmen like you had commanded, Your Grace. Neither side had the numbers to attack the other, so things had been really quiet for the most part. But then some hours past cannons on that ridge opened fire. Destroyed all the defenses we had set up, killed a whole lot of us." He said, pointing to the direction opposite from the Qunari fort.
"The Qunari troops struck just after the bombardment ended. They fell on us from all sides Your Grace. We did what we could to fight them off but… we never really stood a chance. It was horrible. Once our numbers had fallen low enough some of us tried to run. I hid. I guess if anyone else tried the same, the Oxmen found them." He continued.
"How on earth did the Qunari manage to ambush you like this. Had you not put up a proper perimeter?" Jon asked.
"We had, Your Grace. Had sentries out and everything. We may not have had much to do, but we were being careful. But the Oxmen must have managed to take them out without the alarm being raised." The soldier replied.
"Where are the Qunari now? Do you know?" Daenerys asked.
"They left in a hurry as soon as they had won. Destroyed everything they could not take with them. They must have known our main army was on its way. Other than that I've no idea." The soldier said.
"Very well. You've had a long, difficult day, so that will be all for now." Daenerys said.
"Yeah… thank you." The soldier said quietly and wandered off.
"Gone again. The Qunari did not even bother to take their fallen with them. You'd think they'd at least want to treat their own with decency." Daenerys said to Jon once the two were alone again.
"Could be they had no time to gather them. Or maybe the horn heads really don't care of their fallen. At this point I am willing to believe either explanation." Jon said.
"It's hard to understand how they think, that's for certain. Like their actions here. Destroying our local force makes sense as a strategy of war. But why would they abandon this fort again after that?" She said.
For a time they pondered all this. Then Jon's eyes widened as he understood. "I think I have figured out what the Qunari plan is."
"You have?" Daenerys said.
"The Qunari that ambushed this force were likely the same force that escaped the first fort, the one we failed to find. They destroyed our splinter force here, weakening us while creating a larger force of their own. And I'd bet the same process will repeat on the third fort from here. And on all the others." Jon explained.
"Gods…" Daenerys breathed as she too realized the situation.
"Defeat in detail. They set up multiple defensible positions along our coast, most likely hoping that we'd send out splinter forces to contain them. And we obliged. Now they're destroying those smaller forces one by one, joining their own forces together as they go. In the end they'll have a decently sized army to take our main force on while having softened us up considerably." He said.
"We need to send out warnings at once. We need to tell the splinter forces to lift their sieges at once and rally together. With Qunari troops at large it is too dangerous for them to try to reach us, so they'll need to create their own army for the time being. It will let the Qunari to gather their army more quickly, but at least we will preserve our troops." She said.
"Even if they rally together the splinter forces might not be enough to defeat the Qunari if they're attacked by all of them at once." Jon pointed out.
"Agreed. They need to hang back until they can engage them together with us. It's dangerous to allow them to unite their forces, but as things are it would be very hard to stop them. We'll have to take our chances." She said. "Come on, we need to go send the messages at once. Every second counts now."
"Your Graces!" A cavalryman shouted then, riding headlong into the area, stopping right in front of the. He seemed to be in a rush.
"Dammit, what is it now? She asked, exasperated. She was already dealing with bad news and was not looking to be distracted.
"The mage Iledia has called for an emergency meeting of both of you and your advisors. Something about news concerning Essos and the Dothraki." The rider explained.
"An emergency meeting? Now? Figures. We already have one disaster on our hand. Why not have two at one time?" She thought to herself.
"Tell her that we have some messages we need to send, orders to issue that cannot wait. We will meet with her as soon as we are done with that." She told the rider.
"Right away, Your Grace." The man said and rode off.
"Hmm… Essos and Dothraki. This has to have something to do with the Tevis. If so then what she has to say is indeed important." She thought as she and Jon left the site of battle as well.