A/N: Here's the first timeskip, fast-forwarding to our first campaigns!

Chapter VI: The Snake that Devours

3rd POV:

Five years passed since Askari Rada assumed rulership of Sranan, and the fruits of his labour were plentiful.

With Garsiyya as Master of Agriculture – an unheard-of role in any circle of Westerosi politics – Askari was able to roll out his new agricultural reforms with shocking ease; four-field crop rotation, irrigation canals, renovation of ailing infrastructure and the paving or repaving of roads with stone, all of it enhanced food production and movement of goods.

To revive the ailing economy, he let merchants operate tax free for an entire five years, partially sponsoring their establishment in the village, and let goods flow tax-free into and out, using branch taxes earned from the rich merchants to compensate.

And for the production of tools and arms, he opened nearby mines that revealed rich veins of iron ore and coal, and built the first Bessemer converter to mass produce steel inexpensively, allowing him to create higher quality equipment in greater quantity.

With the free flow of trade and the growth of industry, migrants from across Ifiría and beyond began settling down in Sranan, and in response the village was expanded into a small town, and a new stone wall with gates and towers built to compensate, along with several smaller outposts and forts on the outskirts.

Like rats smelling cheese, nearby bandit groups began flocking to Sranan, hoping to plunder it of its riches.

Erkin and Huang Xue, two master tacticians and experts in the art of war, culled them like wheat to a scythe, using tactics that left the bandits like hapless damsels in distress. Hundreds of bodies littered the sand, and soon their name became widespread and feared, and so no more bandits dared openly provoke their wrath.

Aside from masterful tactics, the professional armies of Sranan also had the benefit of superior training, organisation and equipment, whereas most feudal armies and bandit clans had very roughshod teamwork at best.

And as full-time professional troops, Sranan's armies were ready to fight at any time of the year, in any season. Feudal levies, in comparison, were more or less drafted peasant troops with less training and only fighting when it is not crop harvesting or planting season unless otherwise necessary.

Yet this five-year peace would soon come to an end, when a missive arrived from Alsayf, summoning Askari, his siblings and his retainers.

And this would mark the beginning of a bitter war for dominance in Dorne.

IIOII

1st POV:

Wa lao, five years gone in the blink of an eye. Some would say it was like a dream, but that's life. Things just go on without most people caring.

And I wouldn't say it was all rainbows and sunshine; of course that kena sai Saida always has to have fun whacking my ass during training. 'Get you used to the pain', she said. Xiao char bo (crazy woman) … she just so sadistic, she loves to see me suffer during training.

"I am pleased at the progress of your training, Young Master," Said Saida, riding on a horse like the rest of us, "Your father would be so proud."

"Of course, so proud of the bruises I got on me while you whack me like a training dummy," I said, "You kena sai."

"I don't get what you say sometimes, Young Master," Saida said with faux ignorance.

Aiya, this woman…

"And brother, what's the hurry?" Asked Naima, "I'd prefer the carriage, you know!"

And Naima's currently riding on the same horse with Saida, while I'm riding with Huang Xue. Reason why we're taking horses rather than a carriage is because my daddy says it's of the utmost urgency, and I know he never lies about such things.

I would introduce Garsiyya to my parents, but he has to stay behind to govern it in our absence, and right now he and Erkin are the next best administrators we have.

"Haiyah, he says it's urgent, it's urgent!" I retorted.

"I like riding, but I don't like riding this fast!" Said Naima.

Despite her thirst for adventure, Naima doesn't actually like riding horses this fast – which is mach speed in medieval times – cause of the times she came close to falling off a horse when she tried riding. I can't blame her; I still remember the times I felt that perilous point-blank distance from plummeting to my possible death by dislocating my neck.

…Maybe I shouldn't imagine such inauspicious things.

Okay, it's that, and because she prefers leisurely trotting on the horse.

"Haiyah, stop complaining!" I said to her, "Just bear with it, and Saida's a good rider, you're in good hands!"

And on that note, though I complain at times, I don't like doing it like an obnoxious lan jiao (dick). Waste of energy and time, I tell you.

Soon enough, we reached the town of Alsayf, and it doesn't look any different from when I last left it; tall, imposing walls and battlements, thriving commerce in the streets, a happy and well-fed people who are not wanting for food and groceries, my father's ruling it well.

Our journey to the Keep ends as servants receive us and take our horses to the stables, while ma and pa come and embrace us lovingly.

"Ah, how the two of you have grown!" Said Azaz heartily, "It feels like yesterday your cheeks were round with baby fat!"

"Baba!" Naima said with embarrassment.

"And how's my dear Askari?" Asked Aisha, "I hope Saida hasn't been too harsh on you."

"No, she hasn't," I said, "I think."

Aisha simply laughed at this, while Saida shrugged.

"Huang Xue humbly greets His Lordship Azaz and Her Ladyship Aisha of Alsayf," Said Huang Xue, crossing his hands together and bowing.

"Ah, Huang Xue," Said Aisha, "I see my son has been in good hands."

"I aim only to serve to the best of my capabilities," Said Huang Xue.

"Regardless, I must dampen this joyous mood," Said Azaz, his face darkening, "Follow me into the solar."

IIOII

"So basically, House Nasyr's decided to cause trouble?" I asked.

"Indeed, son," Said Azaz darkly, "At least three merchant caravans fell victim to their attacks before our troops responded, and these bastards have fast steeds. The cretins have been dealt with, and we managed to recover orders from their corpses that implicate them."

"The problem, however, is that Houses Nasyr, Barra and Haro are tied in a close-knit alliance," Said Aisha, "It is ironclad, and they hold greater loyalties to the Martells which can see us brought down if they choose to intervene.

"And we can't let this go unanswered either," I said, "No way I'm letting a bunch of jealous pricks undermine our success."

"I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments, Young Master," Said Huang Xue, "But as Lady Aisha said, there is the risk of Martell interference."

"Especially as I prefer if we remove these Houses from power and replace them with our own loyal subjects," Said Azaz, "But merchant killings and trespass are barely reason enough to support extermination of these houses, and House Martell won't like losing good allies."

"And they will likely see that we are challenging their power," Said Aisha, "Fortunately, our contacts in their lands have given us 'ironclad' evidence that no one can ever refute."

"I'm guessing it's already been distributed?" I asked.

"Oh yes, my son," Said Aisha smilingly.

Anyone who meets my mom Aisha should know this: Never underestimate this slithering viper with poisonous fangs.

"Then I guess the only thing left to do is crush them," I said.

"And we must make sure the ringleaders are caught and executed; nothing less will suffice, lest hornets consume the fields of golden wheat we have sown," Said Azaz.

"…I don't like this," Said Naima, "Why do we have to fight? We already have a good life…"

Both my father and I sigh at this, and Aisha simply gives a look of condolence as she pats her shoulder.

"Does the battle against the bandits still scare you?" I asked.

I know what she's thinking; there was one time when she was ambushed by bandits, and she witnessed first-hand how brutal violence could be as our troops mercilessly slaughtered the bandit scum.

"Yes, it does," Said Naima, "So why do we have to fight and kill each other?"

Ma and Pa look ready to give her a proper lecture, but I hold up a hand and stall them, and with a nod from them, I proceed to take over their role.

"Naima, I can't claim to say I understand why we fight wars, why we kill each other as fellow Human beings," I said, "What I can say is that in this world of ours, people always find reasons to kill, whether out of personal grudge or greed, or simply because they get off it, and because some of us have differences we can never reconcile. Like between our House and House Martell, for example."

"What if there was an avenue for reconciliation?" Asked Naima.

I sigh, saying, "Even if there is, you think others will simply let it happen? You should know this by now: We Human beings are utterly selfish to the core, some are simply less selfish than others. There will be those who would sabotage that reconciliation to reignite conflict, in order to benefit themselves. And the three houses who sponsored the attacks on our caravans? I have a feeling they'll simply do it again if they were spared."

I take a deep breath, then continue, "I admit I don't readily endorse bloodshed, but do you really want to go down without a fight, especially when you face scum of the earth? Are you going to let them hurt those you care about?"

"No! No, no, I don't," Said Naima.

Then I pat her shoulder.

"Just keep our discussion in mind, okay?" I said.

Naima simply nodded.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Azaz and Aisha smile with pride.

"Right, with that aside, Shuren?" I asked.

"Of course, just a moment," Said Huang Xue.

He took out a map of the surrounding provinces extending to the southern Dornish coastline, primarily outlining the provinces of Ifla, Maca and Esgane. Here, he put several tokens denoting our forces and that of the Triumvirate's.

"Our forces are positioned to ensure we can pre-empt any invasion along our southern borders," Said Huang Xue, "Thanks to our network of forts, outposts and lookout towers, spies and armies will be hard-pressed to breach our security network, and we'll have ample warning. However, the same will apply to our enemies, who no doubt have learned of their agents' fates."

"So where should we start?" Asked Azaz.

"In my honest opinion, we cannot let this be a protracted war," Said Huang Xue, "Therefore, we cannot waste any time with lengthy sieges, and must reach the provincial capitals one at a time with no reprieve given to the enemy."

"Not possible if we're marshalling a single army," I said.

"No, but if we split our troops into multiple armies, we have greater flexibility in deployment," Said Huang Xue, "The most crucial factor deciding victory, however, will be our generals' ability to make critical judgements on the spot."

"Meaning they must have the freedom to take initiative," I concluded.

"Yes, Young Master," Said Huang Xue, "And that means they cannot wait for any directives from us."

"I think we can take that gamble," Said Azaz, "And thanks to my son's wonderful invention of Sra-Stone, we've been able to pave roads at a far faster pace than before, and we can keep the supply chain flowing. Furthermore, our troops have never been better armed, and we yet have spares in our armouries."

"Be wary though," Said Aisha, "Even though our contacts have helped us establish our casus belli, I've heard rumours that other nobles to our east and west are not taking our rise to power well."

"Duly noted," I said.

"Gentlemen, this will be the war that defines our survival," Said Azaz, "Either we take it all or lose it all, and we're not going to lose it all."

"And we're going to seize everything to the end," Said Aisha, "No matter what."

"Well then, to war we go," I said.

And now, to fight my maiden battle in this new world.

IIOII

3rd POV:

In the Keep of Barra's vineyard, three Lords were gathered in the solar, discussing the happenings of today.

"Gentlemen, I believe we are here to discuss the grave situation that is threatening to worsen before our very eyes."

Lord Jubair Barra, Master of Barra's Vineyard, was a lithe and swanky man, dressed in overly ostentatious garb that ill-fitted his thin frame. Legends say that no matter how much he dined at fancy banquets, he would never grow fat. His bronze skin glittered with an oily shine, and his eyes gleamed with a dirty light.

"Due to the failure of our agents to erase all evidence of our involvement, we have been directly implicated and our names sullied in the eyes of House Martell and all of Dorne," Said Jubair, "And so we are left alone to fight the forces of House Rada."

"House Rada. I spit on them; my family has long lived under their shadow, and it was only thanks to the War of the Four Houses that we were able to rise to power."

Lord Baz Nasyr, Master of Tafrikh, was a portly man dressed simpler yet immaculate garb, his fat fingers squeezing under the pressure of the rings he wore. His countenance was broody and pudgy, and his hand rested naturally on the mace by his side.

"Even so, we still have an opportunity; we yet outnumber their forces three to one, and they are on a time limit due to their provisions and our ample numbers. We can simply crush them in battle, disgrace their name and report to House Martell of our redemption, and no one will be wiser."

Lord Mourad Haro, Master of Aiktisah, was an ordinary man with hardly any remarkable features. Trim, clothed in luxury and bearing a calculating gaze, he is known to be the bane of his competitors, several of them disgraced or dead after crossing him. His clothes were immaculate, albeit plain, and his fingers twiddled like a happy schemer's.

"Lord Mourad does have a point, Lord Baz," Said Jubair, "After all, it was only when Lord Azaz took over that House Rada's fortunes turned around, and they do not have that many allies in the surrounding regions."

"Yes, and we have the advantage of the homeground as well," Said Baz, "If I can lead my troops into an ambush, we can claim the heads of their generals, and they'll suffer a humiliating defeat. Our steeds are among the finest in the region, after all."

"Yet I hear that Azaz's son, Askari, has secured the talents of two young generals," Said Mourad, "I hear that he has granted them complete command over his troops due to their achievements."

Baz spat to the side, saying, "I can hardly care less about two nobodies; they're weaker than us, and it's always the strong who take what they want."

"I fully agree, Lord Baz," Said Jubair, his voice like silk, "So where should we strike them?"

"If they're planning to resolve this quickly, they'll make all due haste for Tafrikh and plan to siege it before we can muster a proper response," Said Baz, "What they don't know is that there is a trap; plenty of ambush sites in the nearby mines and caverns, and the tunnels allow us to position our troops without the enemy's knowledge. When they're busy sieging, we'll spring a night raid and crush them beneath our heels."

"An excellent plan, Lord Baz," Said Mourad, "Then let us toast to our victory."

As one, the three lords raised their glasses.

"And to our continued prosperity."

And they clinked their glasses.