balut: Yeah Doran has underestimated Quentyn's capabilities greatly. Unfortunately for him, once was all it took.
Guest: Doran was just out of touch with reality and still considering Quentyn incapable or unwilling to dance to his tune. For your remark on gout, remember that Quentyn gave him a treatment in the early chapters, which was hinted at during Quentyn and Gerold's duel as working wonders. Therefore, he isn't in as much pain and can walk around with a cane just fine. For your second part, Quentyn convened the lords earlier. For the two lords, the answer is in this chapter.
Of course, things won't be smooth sailing, but Quentyn has a lot of arguments to win Daenerys over.
ATP: Magic drainage.
Guest2: He has suffered setbacks, though, so not everything is running smoothly.
Anders
Anders Yronwood wondered simply while admiring the layout of the new Sunspear castle.
It had been a good ten years since he had last visited the supposed capital of Dorne, and, to be fair, he wasn't impressed the first time he came here.
A cramped city, dusty, loud…the opposite of Yronwood where everything was perfectly organized, bustling with life, yet not as chaotic as the seat of House Martell.
Things had changed somewhat, though. The city was no longer as cramped as it was, although the noise was just as annoying, if not more. But at least, this time, there seemed to be an organized chaos compared to more than ten years ago.
The castle had also thoroughly changed, although he had to admit he had been fairly impressed by it all those years ago, except for that old part they called the Sandship.
This time, it was completely remodelled: modern rooms, gardens, running water, decorations…money had not been spared in the slightest and the palace of Sunspear resembled more and more to a kingly residence.
It was in one of these rooms that Anders had been called today. To the largest room of Sunspear castle as a matter of fact, one normally used to house large banquets, which would today host a Dornish Grand Council, the likes of which had not been seen since the rebellion.
Anders Yronwood should be happy. His ward, prince Quentyn, had successfully seized power, in no small part thanks to Anders' actions, as well as that of his allies and resources.
However, he still felt relatively uneasy.
He had hoped to use Prince Quentyn as an extension of house Yronwood in order to better his house's position and influence. But the prince had been slippery. With every move Anders made, Prince Quentyn had countered him. The alliance between himself and house Fowler, the moves he made to centralize the prince's inventions to Yronwood…every one of his moves came back with the prince striking a blow in return.
As for Cletus, his son, who was travelling with the prince, Anders had hoped that he would at least pacify the prince. How wrong he was. Cletus didn't really care much for Anders' plans, and did absolutely nothing to prevent Prince Quentyn from hindering their position. And the less said about Archibald, the better. It seemed the giant had essentially become more loyal to the Prince than to his own house! In due time, he would have to remind them what the Yronwood name means. House Yronwood has no friends, only interests. And these interests, it must use them to gain back what is rightfully theirs: Dorne.
Anders sighed.
He had hoped for a brief moment that he could've done such a move in his lifetime. But it would take several more generations it seems.
He berated himself for not having kept Ynys. It seemed Prince Quentyn had favored her over any other girl, and should he had paid better attention, he could have managed to snatch a very favorable marriage.
Oh well, this time, he had only himself to blame. But the truth was that with the deteriorating situation, House Yronwood needed allies, and Lady Delonne was certainly one of choice, considering Godsgrace's strategic position.
Now, he still had Gwyneth, but wondered if it wasn't a little too late. The prince had obviously shifted all his affections towards the Red Viper's daughter, a decision which revolted him but which he could do nothing about.
However, the prince would need a wife. A proper one, at that. And who better than House Yronwood, the second-most powerful house in Dorne, to provide it? With it, Anders could certainly regain some of his lost prestige and wipe off the smirks off of Trebor Jordayne and Nymella Toland.
Did they think they could just throw their daughters into the prince's bed and expect it to work?
To be honest, Anders had held his breath for a few moments, especially after that one feast at Yronwood when seeing the Prince with Trebor's second daughter. Thankfully, nothing came of it, and Anders could rest easier.
Still, this would be an issue he had to discuss with the prince, and one where he still had all his cards to play.
But there weren't only the issues with the prince that were worrying, there were the ones with his own vassals! The Overlord declaration, as Prince Quentyn put it, was supposed to be signed by every high Dornish lord in order to give weight to it.
Of course, he had signed it, and instructed houses Allyrion and Qorgyle to do the same. When it was finally ratified, Anders had the bad surprise of discovering that two large Dornish houses had refused to sign off on it.
The Ullers were the obvious ones. They despised the Prince for what they saw as having their lord murdered, and Prince Quentyn answered in kind by making their house the last on the list of his priorities, compared to the Gargalens who had regained some amount of standing.
But the other...was house Allyrion. Had Lady Delonne gone mad? What game was she playing? Their houses were linked and Anders had all but ordered her to sign off on that declaration! If she was testing the limits of her loyalty, Anders will know how to remind her who is the larger partner in the alliance, and Prince Quentyn might even be very grateful for it!
He would make sure to voice that problem to her. After all, Lady Delonne was present at the Dornish Grand Council, along with every major lord in Dorne, from Blackmont to Sunspear.
However, Anders noted that only the ruling lords were here, with a few exceptions, which were few and far between.
Prince Quentyn would be presiding over the assembly, at the end of the table, alongside his uncle, Prince Oberyn, and Lord Edric Dayne. Anders was then seated next to the young lord, something he saw as an insult, but had the good taste not to raise his voice too much. Prince Oberyn, on the other hand, had a curious person next to him, whom Anders did not recognize.
The person was Dornish, to be sure, with his olive skin, but he bore a grey beard and short hair of the same color, contrasting with his green eyes.
Anders did not remember where he'd seen that man, if he had seen him at all.
Then, on seats that lined up the large table, but perpendicularly to the prince, sat the other lords and ladies, no doubt in order of Prince Quentyn's appreciation of them. On the left, Lady Nymella Toland was the closest, followed by Lord Quentyn Qorgyle, Lady Delonne Allyrion, Lady Larra Blackmont, Lord Dagos Manwoody and Lord Wyland Wyl; and on the right, Lady Franklyn Fowler was the closest on the great table, followed by Lord Trebor Jordayne, Lord Daeron Vaith, Lord Tremond Gargalen and Lady Lina Uller.
Surprisingly, no others were present, despite several of the participants coming to Sunspear with their wives, siblings, cousins or children. Even Prince Quentyn's paramour was not here, which intrigued Anders somewhat.
The calling of the Grand Dornish Council for such a trivial formality as confirming Prince Quentyn as Prince of Dorne seemed a bit much for him.
Perhaps was Prince Quentyn testing the loyalty of his new vassals? Would those that did not show up be sidelined? Anyhow, Anders would not take this chance. Prince Quentyn seemed to have lined up a path for a new Dorne, and it would be incredibly stupid for Anders to throw away years of planning for a little pride.
Everyone had understood that.
But there was something more to all of this.
Anders nervously tapped the table with his fingers, waiting for the Council to open.
He looked to Prince Quentyn, who was discussing something with Lord Dayne. The prince was wearing a regal attire, not the usual simplistic clothing he usually favored. The garb, belt, coat and even the sword were richly decorated with the sun-and-spear arms of House Martell. A way of reminding everyone who was in charge, no doubt. The sword at his side was the famous spoil of war taken from the corpse of Tywin Lannister, the Valyrian steel object attracting everyone's eye.
Indeed, Valyrian steel weapons were almost unheard of in Dorne. No great house had such weapon, the closest being the Daynes, who had Dawn, but it sword was made of star-metal, not Valyrian steel. And for all their raiding, no Dornish house ever managed to get their hands on a Valyrian steel blade.
The Martells being the first to do so was therefore a show of force which further reinforced Prince Quentyn's power and legitimacy. As for the name he gave to his blade, this was still widely debated, but Anders didn't bet with the others.
Finally, the prince cleared his throat and asked everyone for silence, which quickly fell over the assembly.
"My lords and ladies, I thank you all for coming to Sunspear on such short notice," Prince Quentyn's voice carried through the room, "As you may know, there have been changes in the leadership of House Martell, and with these changes comes a lot of uncertainty. I am here to dispel any such uncertainty of what is to come."
"I think the recalling of the fleet to Sunspear is a good indication of your intentions, my prince." Nymella Toland spoke first.
Anders noted that the Dornish Dragon had spoken with a tint of annoyance in her voice. Had something occurred which bent the relations between those two? For all Anders could remember, Lady Toland had been quite swayed by the prince. Was she playing a game?
"Indeed, it is, Lady Toland," the prince acquiesced, "As you probably all know, Dorne is currently facing a crisis. We have cut all ties with the current crowned heads in King's Landing, but we are running out of options."
"We could always sever ties with everyone and declare Dornish independence!" Lord Daeron Vaith launched, earning a couple of approvals around the room.
"My lords and ladies, the present situation is more complicated than this," Prince Quentyn continued, "Dorne is defensible, yes. But our trade has and will suffer in the coming years despite our best efforts to produce the products we need independently. Most notably, until a way is found to optimize the canals of the Greenblood, we need grain, be it from the Stormlands, Reach or Free Cities. However, we are at war with the formers, and the latter will soon likely be in turmoil."
Some lords slumped back into their seats.
"But most of all," the prince continued, "you all have learned of the hidden Targaryen prince."
A lot of murmurs filled the room. The news had spread like wildfire, of course.
"What is to say he cannot call himself king, crown himself and turn his dragon on Dorne?" the prince asked, "We have survived the dragons, that is true, but at great cost. I do not wish to see Dornish cities burn. Now, there are other dragons, beyond the Narrow Sea, and Daenerys Targaryen holds them. She has the support of a few sellsword companies and the former Kingsguard Ser Barristan Selmy, true, but she is heading west. Westeros is surely in her sights. Would Dorne fare better against three dragons?"
The rest of the lords contemplating Dornish secession seemed vanquished, and the prince took advantage of this.
"No, my lords and ladies. We cannot allow Dorne to suffer any longer. This is the perfect time for Dorne to grow stronger. By bringing Daenerys Targaryen here along with her three dragons, and place her on the throne, we will gain an invaluable ally to defend us against any of our enemies, and will allow us to claim a grand debt owed to us."
Anders read a few sheets of the Ghost Hill declaration, and expected the prince to say more of the same. However, Prince Quentyn surprised him as he had a map brought out, and laid in front of the assembly.
The room went silent and several people gasped.
"This is the Dorne I intend to rule over." Prince Quentyn smiled.
Anders watched without emotion over the map. It had the usual Dornish contours, but…it integrated several territories which did not belong to Dorne. Namely, the Stepstones, of course, but also vast territories beyond the Dornish Marches: Starpike, Blackhaven, Nightsong…the border comprised all the Marcher regions all the way up to the Slayne river, as well as several islands in and around the Sea of Dorne, essentially giving Dorne full control of "their" sea.
"As you can see, Dorne will control the Marches, the entry to the Summer Sea and the Sea of Dorne. Our power will be strengthened, and with the fertile plains of the Upper Marches, we will finally have reliable stocks of grain and stop our reliance on importing from the Free Cities or the Reach."
"And you believe the Stormlanders will just accept that?" Lady Larra Blackmont asked.
"I expect them to put up a fight, but what much can they do?" Prince Quentyn shrugged, "Most of the Marcher lords' lines have been decimated by the war. Houses Dondarrion, Caron and Cafferen have seen their lines almost extinguished, reduced to a few bastards on the run. They are ripe for the taking, and many loyal houses from Dorne would be rewarded with great prizes.
Most of the lords were talking or murmuring between them, but Anders had his eyes locked on the map. Such an endeavor would not be easy, but with the support of three dragons, who could oppose them? However, a question arising would be, would the new king or queen accept such a move? One does not simply annex so much territory without consequences. Not to mention holding these areas…but Anders also saw an opportunity.
With new areas also meant new options for alliances, in an area more favorable to House Yronwood's views, especially if the families there could stay in power. Peake, Selmy, Estermont could make great, powerful allies, and could even control most of the Dornish production of grain…
Anders smiled slightly, and laid down in his seat. There were opportunities to seize, to be sure.
"As Lady Toland said, and as Lord Jordayne already knows, I have asked the fleet to group at Sunspear," Prince Quentyn continued. "Uncle, how many ships have we at our disposal?"
"Two thirds of the ships we have, including all but five of the new ones, have grouped either at Sunspear, Planky Town, or Ghost Hill." The Red Viper answered.
"To prove to the new monarch of our goodwill, we will mount a proper expedition to deliver our message. As such, I expect that every one of you send a few men of your choosing to come with me to Volantis." Prince Quentyn continued. "You can thus see why such an important number of ships is needed, especially if we are to land a whole army in Dorne."
"And if we do not have the men?" Lady Lina Uller asked with venom in her voice.
"Isn't your brother, Ser Ulwyck, a proper knight wanting to earn his spurs?" the prince replied with a smile, "Surely a mission to the east would give him experience?"
Lady Uller grumbled something, while Anders picked up on something, and asked:
"You said, follow you to Volantis." He spoke up for the first time. "Who will govern Dorne in your absence?"
"Prince Oberyn will, Lord Yronwood." Prince Quentyn spoke up, pointing to his uncle. "He will rule Dorne and make all arrangements as to the proper transport of eastern troops to and from the ports from Sunspear to Yronwood, to convoy them to the Boneway and the Prince's Pass. Our efforts to modernize the roads are well underway, but everything must be ready soon, at least on the coastal way that goes from Wyl to Ghost Hill."
Anders slumped back into his chair and wished he never asked. At least Ser Maron was a useful idiot, but the Red Viper was smarter than he let on, and the least it could be said was that Anders did not have the best relations with him.
Another opportunity out the window…Anders would have to find something else, as usual.
"As for our mission…" Prince Quentyn continued, "I intend to gift Queen Daenerys something more than just a fleet to convoy her to Dorne. I intend to gift her a husband to seal our alliance with, and one that has Dornish blood in his veins."
The room started to grow nervous and a slow rumble swept through. Who would the prince offer? His own hand? Unlikely. Prince Trystane? That was possible, the betrothal to Princess Myrcella was weak anyhow…
"Ser, why don't you introduce yourself?" Prince Quentyn pointed to the man whom Anders did not recognize.
"My name is Ser Kyle Sand, of the Golden Company." The man spoke up with a deep, booming voice.
Almost immediately, voices began to be heard. Were they hiring the Golden Company too?
"I have been charged by Ser Harry Strickland, commander of the Golden Company, to evaluate the potential transport of our forces from Volantis or Lys to Dorne, forces which include men, horses and elephants," the man continued, silencing the many voices in the room, "Prince Quentyn has been in contact with us for some time, and his offer, once we had lost our main patron, was most generous."
"We are hiring the Golden Company?" Lord Franklyn Fowler asked.
"Not exactly, we do not have a contract in gold, but rather in blood." Prince Quentyn replied, to which Ser Kyle nodded.
There were confused looks amongst the participants now.
"The Golden Company will not work for gold because we have declared our allegiance to the rightful king of the Seven Kingdoms, that is, Aegon Targaryen, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell."
The room fell deadly silent for a few seconds, before devolving into a complete cacophony. Some were disbelieving, some were under shock. The Red Viper himself turned to Prince Quentyn and asked with wide eyes.
"What? Is this true?"
"As true as can be, uncle." Prince Quentyn smiled. "Father had been working on it for a while, but I have had it confirmed."
"Then you must let me go with you!"
"That will not be necessary, even though the offer is appreciated, uncle. I need you here." The prince's eyes narrowed.
"But…"
"I know, you wish to meet your nephew."
"My nephew is dead, Quentyn, I know it, everyone knows it…"
"Prince Aegon was smuggled before Tywin sacked the city," Ser Kyle intervened again. "It was planned for Princess Rhaenys to be smuggled out too, but unfortunately, no suitable double was found until…"
Prince Oberyn frowned.
"All the more reason for me to come with you, then!" he pleaded. "If Elia's son lives, I must meet him."
"You will." Prince Quentyn nodded. "But not in Volantis. You will wait till I bring him back here, and then you can meet your family. The sooner the better, of course."
"Quentyn…"
"This is final, uncle!"
Prince Oberyn clenched his fists, ready to argue, but finally relented in front of the prince's dark gaze.
"We will talk about this later." The Red Viper let out.
"We can," was his nephew's answer, "but my decision won't budge."
"I have assured Ser Kyle and Ser Harry of my willingness to cooperate," the prince then stood up to take the stand, "However, such cooperation must mean that I must meet the one who calls himself Aegon, who would then be my cousin by blood. If I can thus confirm, along with some of you, the truthfulness of his heritage…"
The prince pointed at random in the assembly.
"…then I will have no issue to seal the alliance with Queen Daenerys, whose parentage is not left in doubt, by supporting a marriage alliance between my cousin by blood and the Dragon Queen."
Prince Quentyn then stood up, towering over the rest of the lords and ladies assembled.
"I thank you all for coming to this Grand Council, and your support and fealty are accepted. I shall have refreshments brought in, and you may then ask me, Prince Oberyn or Ser Kyle any question you wish, before we start sailing for Volantis. We shall sail at the moon's turn, stopping at Lys to replenish, before heading eastwards, where the Dragon Queen is converging. The Golden Company will meet us there."
Anders rose up slowly, waiting in a corner while the new prince was swarmed with questions, all the while debating what course of action to take.
Surely, Cletus and Archibald would accompany Prince Quentyn in his endeavor, while the new prince would no doubt ask for him to prepare Yronwood for war, notably by clearing the Boneway and preparing Yronwood as the main logistical base for the Dornish army.
But Anders had other things to consider. With the upcoming war, he would have to secure his position and his line, and that would have to go by finally getting a betrothal for Cletus.
However, such a betrothal was not easy to find. He had almost succeeded with the Fowlers, until Prince Quentyn put an end to it. The Jordaynes were an option, but one that scarcely interested him.
The best prizes were no doubt in the Reach, but this road was now blocked by the war, and unavailable to him.
Anders could still hope the war would be swift and the spoils of war would likely benefit him, as one of the new monarch's early supporters, but for that he needed a quick victory and the Targaryens to be generous.
In short, Anders was at an impasse for his son's potential candidates for the moment. He could still marry him to one of his direct vassals, but there were more likely better opportunities. One would have to be patient.
However, there was still the issue of Gwyneth, and this time, he would try his best to raise it to the prince.
Approaching him, Anders congratulated him on the new position, and the two made some talk about the new role Yronwood would have to play in the upcoming conflict.
Nothing that Anders didn't know. Yronwood would be crucial as a rear logistical base, the port and roads would need to be cleared, and the city would need to be prepared to receive many foreigners and horses. Nothing he couldn't arrange.
It was then that Anders chose to step in.
"My prince, many here are wondering how a powerful man like you can stay unwed for so long. Surely, a marriage would be soon to come?" Anders asked.
"You presume well, Lord Yronwood," the prince smiled, "I have made a decision as to who I will marry, should she accept."
"Oh?" Anders asked, optimistic, "Who is such lady?"
"Lady Sylva Santagar of Spottswood." Prince Quentyn replied, shattering Anders' hopes once again. "I fear most of the matches I was presented were erm…not compatible."
"Lady Sylva is all but a hostage at Highgarden with Princess Arianne, your own sister," Anders reminded him, "And it is not said she will say yes. What's more, House Santagar is not much of a prize for a prince of high standing such as you."
Anders tried to emphasize the last point, pushing him in the right direction.
"You are right," the prince acknowledged, "This is why if Lady Santagar refuses, I have a woman which has shown her interest in me, and who comes from one of the most powerful houses in Dorne."
Anders resisted a wide smile. This had all the indications of being Gwyneth.
"Who is this lady, if I may be so bold to ask?" he finally let out.
"Oh," Prince Quentyn shrugged with a sly smile. "Lady Jennelyn Fowler. We've been acquainted for a long time, and I dare say we are quite good friends. Such a marriage could benefit us both greatly."
Anders felt like he had been slapped across the face. Of course, he knew exactly what that entailed. At best, he and the Fowler girl would make it work, and, at worst, Prince Quentyn would pass off his children with the Viper's bastard as the Fowler's, making his heirs direct descendants of the man who killed his grandfather. Whether the Prince was doing this to spite him, to remind him who was in control of Dorne, or to show that he could was irrelevant, really.
Anders quickly took his leave and sought to find a large cask of ale. Perhaps to drown himself in, perhaps just to drown his thoughts. In any case, one question resonated through his mind currently:
Gods, why didn't father just ask to foster Princess Arianne instead?