A/N: Pardon the wait guys, been busy with army service, but here's the next chapter of Master of Dorne! And this is to celebrate 110+ followers and favourites on ! Yay!

And if you don't know, you can support me on Ko-Fi, find me under the same username there.

Chapter XI: Chess Players, Part I

1st POV:
Dorne:
5 BC

I honestly couldn't believe that Visenya was a reasonable and amicable woman – far more than what I expected of her.

In all honesty, there's very little canon lore about her on the ASOIAF wiki page, only that aside from being one of Aegon's two Sister-wives, she played a pivotal role in the unification of the Seven Kingdoms under Targaryen rule, including the conquest of the Vale with the use of her Dragon Vhagar.

Some fanfics I read portrayed her marriage to Aegon as one of convenience at best, with relations often barely below lukewarm or even cold, interpreting Aegon's love for Rhaenys – who died in Dorne – as warmer.

Some others, including this one crossover I read, say that she was a madwoman who willingly subjected her own children to cruelty in order to weed out weakness from the family, to breed a generation of strong and ruthless leaders who would continue her brother's work.

Guess I must have lucked out on this one, and frankly I'm happy for it.

"Young Master," Said Shuren, "Was it wise to not simply settle the deal back then with Lady Visenya?"

"I must agree; you could have requested far more of the Targaryens, milk as much as possible for this alliance," Said Erkin.

"True," I said, "But the reason why is because I want to examine Aegon's circle of allies."

"Oh?" Said Shuren, "Is it to see if Aegon's foundation is stable, Young Master?"

"That, and to see if we can't determine who to subvert to our cause," I said, "If I'm to truly milk out the best from this deal, I need to sway people in Aegon's faction, see if I can't at least shake his foundation or give the appearance. The less confident he is, the more he'll want to keep his alliance stable."

"How cunningly devious, My Lord," Said Erkin smilingly, "You give the face of a very reasonable young man willing to not test the waters too much, but you're already planning to pull the rug out from under Aegon's feet.

"Our alliance is one of convenience," I said shruggingly, "My condolences to Visenya, but I don't think House Targaryen will measure up to the challenge as King of Westeros, not with a man like Aegon at the helm. He has loyal lords from among his people, but the other Kingdoms are used to rule under their respective dynasties, and if I read him right, he will overly rely on fear of his dragons to keep the lords in line."

"House Targaryen has their fearsome dragons, but fear can also give way to hate – hate that will fester over generations," Said Erkin, "Like how the Essosi mustered the courage through their shared hate for the Dragonlords to overthrow them."

"Hate is a powerful motivator, and more often than it has the power to absolutely override fear," Said Huang Xue, "And should Aegon simply leave the troublemakers be, they will bite back. The effects may be felt only centuries later, but they will bite back."

"I'm not that patient or accommodating to such troublemakers, and I want to be able to take over smoothly and do a proper job," I said, "Remember the 'thing' I talked about?"

"Indeed, Young Master," Said Huang Xue, "Wise rulers of Yi-Ti have done the same to their political enemies both within and without their factions."

"I, for one, don't hold high hopes for this meeting," Said Erkin, "I've studied this Aegon extensively, and I fear his ego is his biggest flaw. He'll try to short-change us, I'm sure of it. And I still believe you could have gained more from this meeting."

"All nobles and rulers have some sort of ego, but I'm not sure of Aegon's character just yet. And maybe you're right, Erkin," I said, "But right now, we just have to make the most of it."

I've had to deal with quite a lot of workplace politics back in my previous life, but domestic or international politics is another thing. I would like to say I've gotten a lid on it, but the truth is that I'm fucking terrified.

As a co-worker, I had to worry about my colleagues and team members. As a lord? I have to worry about the lives of tens of thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands and even millions, should I go that high. Backstabbing will also be of another calibre.

But what else can I do? I just have to learn as I go. I might fuck up, I might screw up – I did screw up plenty of times – but that's life. You just toughen it out and move on, and improve.

"As you say, Young Master," Said Huang Xue.

Ready or not, to Aegonfort we go.

IIOII

3rd POV:
The Reach

Harlen Tyrell was hardly a man anyone could call ambitious. An aging man with many streaks of grey hair and wrinkles on his proud, stern face, he was content with his position as High Steward of Highgarden in service to King Mern IX Gardener of the Reach. He carried himself with poise and dignity, his chest flat and his head held even.

And right now, the court of King Mern was rife with speculation and gossip regarding the unlikeliest news to come out of Dorne.

"Did you hear? A boy of thirteen just crush an alliance of three Lords!"

"Bah! They were just small-time lords with more hot air than true talent or chivalry! The boy was just lucky!"

"They say the boy commanded a highly disciplined and professional army, and had talented generals who outwitted his enemies handily!"

"It could be gossip, it could be the truth, no one knows."

Harlen simply shook his head at this rife speculation. Such was an all-too-common scene he saw among his fellow Andal nobles, his relatives included.

"Harlen, your thoughts on this?"

King Mern Gardener, Ninth of his name and King of the Reach, was a grown man getting on in years who had seen and endured much in his tenure, though slightly younger than Harlen. Worn from battle yet filled with pride and strength, he sat like the ancient warrior Kings of old when they mustered a last alliance during the Long Night. By his side was Thornbite, his family's ancestral weapon, the millennia-old weapon as keen as day.

"In all honesty, I cannot say for sure," Said Harlen, "The Dornish are practiced raiders and are never known to willingly participate in a pitched open-front battle, but according to rumours, House Rada's troops did just that, and had a highly disciplined army to execute standard infantry tactics."

Mern nodded, saying, "A brat he may be, but this Askari of House Rada is not to be underestimated. For him to openly declare war on houses loyal to House Martell… he may be plotting something."

"Likely he aspires to overthrow House Martell, My King," Said Harlen, "It is an open secret that House Rada resents House Martell for forsaking Rhoynish culture, despite Nymeria's union that allowed them to unify Dorne."

"Still, this is far too brazen for him to strike on his own," Said Mern, "No, he's planning to rope in allies for this insane plan of his, I know it. House Rada cannot possibly survive with so few allies at home."

"If so, Dorne will have few allies," Said Harlen, "So he must look outside Dorne."

"Yes, and he might possibly be looking for allies among his neighbours as a possible option," Said Mern, "Or elsewhere, for that matter."

"Like House Targaryen?" Asked Harlen.

"Probably," Said Mern.

"But their hatred of the Valyrians is legendary, My King," Said Harlen, "Even if it's just an alliance of convenience, his people may not be able to stomach it."

"No, old friend, that won't stop Askari from seeking alliance with them," Said Mern, who heaved a soft sigh, "Human beings are more malleable than you think; the more moderate can easily discard their pride or ideals for greater results. After all, profit and benefit are what drive people's decisions."

"…It is such, My King," Said Harlen, "So how long until he begins to take a more proactive stand in Westeros's affairs?"

"Roughly three years or so, at the very least," Said Mern, "He has to consolidate his gains and appoint new people to fill vacant positions. During this time, we will keep a close watch on Dorne and his movements, and possibly House Targaryen's as well."

"Do you think they will support House Targaryen when they call for House Rada's support, My King?" Asked Harlan.

"He has to, old friend, if he wants to maintain such an alliance," Said Mern, "That's just how alliances work."

"…Do you think he'll succeed? Askari, I mean," Said Harlen.

"It depends," Said Mern, "But perhaps it could be possible."

Neither said anymore after that.

IIOII

Aegonfort:

Orys Baratheon the bastardborn, they called him. Half-brother of the Dragonlord, they called him. Such rumours, he simply paid no heed – as if it were stale porridge.

Black hair and eyes like midnight, a strong frame sheltered by immaculate clothes, thick calloused hands which tenderly gripped his hammer from time to time, he cut a burly and imposing figure easily intimidating to many, though some naïve maidens would swoon at the sight of him like he was their prince charming.

"So, Orys, what do you think of these rumours of late?"

"Everyone says it's impossible, Aegon," Said Orys, "That a young boy could best his seniors so handily like Valyrian steel against sticks and stones."

"A bland and repetitive response I've heard umpteen times," Said Aegon, "Might I know your personal opinion, friend?"

Orys tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"I really can't say for sure, Aegon," Said Orys, "There's too much at play here that I don't know where to start. I can only say that this absurd victory isn't possible without the talented generals to pull this off."

"That makes two of us, then," Said Aegon, "According to Visenya, this Yi-Tish man, Huang Xue styled Shuren, is a particularly impassive man who seems to only voice his opinion when his master speaks, but this could simply be a ruse to conceal his emotions. Then there is Erkin Ahrassar, someone that Visenya believes we should be wary of."

"How so, Aegon?" Asked Orys, "Wait, don't tell me…"

Aegon sighed, saying, "Visenya did not trust this Erkin at all, saying that he may well be likely to turn on us the moment things go south."

"And why would Askari want him of all people?" Asked Orys, "Not everyone is an honourable man, I admit, but this feels like the boy's just tightening a noose around his neck prematurely."

"The problem is his need for talent," Said Aegon, "He clearly aspires to reduce House Martell's control, and needs talented people on his side to make it happen, like through that overwhelming victory he scored against the Martell bootlickers."

Aegon sniffed slightly at that, lips curling into a slight frown.

"You are right though, Orys," Said Aegon, "The boy is digging himself an early grave by taking such a man to his side. A naïve boy who's taking a huge gamble with high risks but possibly little gain."

"Hence why he accepted Visenya's offer of alliance," Said Orys.

"With the added condition that he is introduced to my circle of allies, you included," Said Aegon, "He either strikes me as confident or desperate, and I'm inclined to think the latter."

"Did Lady Visenya indicate Askari's demeanour, Aegon?" Asked Orys.

"That he was seemingly confident and quite amicable, friendly even," Said Aegon, "Though it could be just a mask."

"All players of the Game wear masks, Aegon," Said Orys, "I wear one too."

"Then we'll just have to see what kind of mask he'll wear here," Said Aegon.