I Don't own A Game of Thrones or a Song of Ice and Fire or Tomb Raider or Assassin's Creed Odyssey or Skyrim
I'm sort of bad at describing things in the middle of a paragraph so here it is
Aspasia – she is from Assassins Creed Odyssey
Phylakes Armor – the Blades armor from Skyrim (Don't own) but with boots instead of sandals and an Imperial Roman Gallic helmet instead of the Blades helmet, their armor is steel grey in color, they have Anthea's symbol on full display. The general and colonel have orange plumes on their helmets, the general has a long main from the top of his helmet all the way to the back while the colonel just has one basic plume
Anthea's sailors – they wear an ancient Greek Chalcidian helmet with a breast plate, vambraces and greaves. They are not as heavily armored as the army, they also have Anthea's symbol on full display. In cases where there are army soldiers on the ship and said ship is boarding another the army soldiers will engage the enemy while the sailors stay on the ship. Admirals and commodores have the same helmet, but they have a blue plume on theirs with the admiral's starting at the top and going to the back while the commodore has a basic plume on his.
Anthea looked across the open sea as the salty wind hit her face and blew her long hair, just ahead of her she could see the image of four ships. "Princess, shall we help you into your armor?" one of her handmaidens, Amara, asked. Nodding her head, the two make their way into her cabin where her other handmaiden, Sabine, was waiting. Her armor laid out on a table.
After putting on her armor she looked at herself in the mirror and Anthea couldn't help but smirk as she stared at her new armor set. A black chest plate with golden highlights and gold spikes coming out the back, underneath of it was a leather shirt with chains imbedded into the leather on the sleeves, her leather battle skirt embedded with chains hid the upper part of her greaves, while her boots acted as her shin guards. Picking up her black Corinthian style helmet with a golden head of a lioness snarling on its front and small golden antlers on its top, she places it on her head before nodding to her handmaidens who step out of her way as she leaves the cabin.
Looking across the sea she sees that they have almost caught up to the pirate fleet. Looking down at her soldiers seeing the standard steel grey Phylax armor with her symbol embedding into their chest plates, helmets, shields and weapons.
"Princess, the scorpions have been loaded and the soldiers are ready to board" a voice came from her right. Turning her head, she sees the aging but yet still handsome face of admiral Lysander, who puts on his helmet with a blue plume on top signifying his rank as admiral.
"have our ships move into position and aim for their main mast, we'll immobilize before we board" Anthea states while Lysander nods his head and yells out orders. "Sara!" Anthea hollers to one of her guards.
"Yes, Princess?"
"Take your place at the top of our mast and start firing your arrows as soon as we board" Anthea orders the Summer Islander among her guards who nods her head and leaves to her post carrying her goldenheart bow with her.
As the Dusken fleet drew closer to the pirates they began to separate and fire their scorpions immobilizing the pirates and killing a few. "We board the bastards" Anthea yelled as the corvus dropped and anchored itself into the pirate ship. The moment the corvus landed the phylakes let out their war cries and charged onto the enemy ship. Weapons clashed as the better trained phylakes made mincemeat out of the pirates.
"Guards with me" Anthea says as she unsheathes her swords and rushes down the corvus and into the fight with her guards in tow. Clashing swords with the first pirate who got in her was Anthea quickly side steps him and opens his lower stomach, as his guts fall out she continues her way to the captain's quarters of the ship. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a pirate as black as night run at her, but before he can reach her Mathias, captain of her guard, knocks him over with the butt end of his war hammer before bringing it down on his chest in a similar fashion that her father did to Rheagar Targaryen. Turning her head farther she, see's Ragnar decapitate some young pale boy with his axe.
The battle is all but won by the time she reached the door, the remaining pirates who try to escape are either cut down by her soldiers or shot down by either her archers on the ship or by Sara. Nodding her head to Mathias he raises his hammer and swings it at the door blowing it off it's hinges. Tytan and Mya rush in first before she walks in with Battos and Kyra behind her as Mathias and Ragnar guard the entrance.
Instead of seeing dark skin of Salladhor Saan Anthea saw the pale skin of a middle aged man wearing a captain's hat cowering behind a table that had some gold coins on it among other things. "Where is he?" Anthea snarled. "I don't know please let me go please, I'll do anything please." The man begged
"So, you don't know where Salladhor Saan is but yet here you are in the captain's quarters of his flagship."
"Please Salla gave me these ships" the man all but screamed as he continued to cower. "Now why would he do that?" Anthea asked.
"He gave me these ships, so I could raid while he relaxes, he said if I did a good job he would let me stay in a pillow house for an entire week for free" that man confesses.
"In order for your week in a whore house he would have to inspect your 'treasures' am I right?" Anthea asked with the man rapidly shaking his head yes. "So where were you supposed to meet?" Anthea asked but the man breaks down sobbing, out of frustration Anthea backhands him across the face knocking him down and causing a single coin to fall out of his pocket.
Picking the oval coin up Anthea easily recognizes the coin by the naked woman stamped on it. The coin of the free city of Lys.
"Lock him up in a cell and take anything of value."
Duskendale: Four days later
As soon as the ship had docked Anthea was on the move with her guard and prisoners in tow, as Anthea walked towards the towns square she felt the same pride she felt every time she saw her banners flying high above her city or hanging from it's walls. Reaching the square Anthea walked up the wooden steps of the platform she had built where the prisoners from her fight with the pirates were put in a line with guards behind them just in case they try something funny, across from them was a large crowd of Dusken citizens.
"People of Duskendale I, your princess Anthea Baratheon have before me a group of pirates who months back raided ships filled with our supplies and even tried to raid our glorious city itself. Now they stand before you awaiting punishment" Anthea declares loudly with many of the citizens shouting for the death of the pirates. Letting the crowd's chatter die down some Anthea began to talk again.
"Their punishment is death by gibbeting, they shall be placed in cages that are hung by poles and left to rot near our docks, as a warning to anyone else who would dare try to harm us."
The citizens of Duskendale shouted with approval so loud Anthea was certain the gods above had heard them. With a nod of her head her orders were carried out and the former pirates were on their way to a slow death, as they were forced to leave some of them begged for mercy while the others cursed and spat.
Having rode the cobblestone streets of her city Anthea reached the main gates of the Dun Fort, her castle. Looking up to her banners hanging off the giant drum towers of her castle she notes the sentries watching on top of the towers looking for any signs of danger. Walking under the steel portcullis and past the three foot thick Ironwood doors banded with steel that made up the main gate Anthea barley had a chance to get off her black mare, Agatha, before she was nearly suffocated by a barley five foot tall blond girl.
"Anthea your back!" the girl, Joy, beamed. Looking down Anthea smiled remembering the first time she saw the young girl six years ago, remembering how she offered to take her in and teach her that just because she is a woman doesn't mean she can't impact the world. She also remembered the laughter from Joffrey and how he all but shouted in between laughs how she was a fool and how the girl was a bastard and nothing more. But to Anthea she is something more, she is Joy Hill daughter of Gerion Lannister, the Laughing Lion, but. . . if Anthea had her way, she will soon be Joy Lannister.
Hugging the girl back Anthea pats her head affectionately and responds, "you know I always come back silly." Pouting Joy whined "I know but I missed you." Laughing Anthea guides them inside while asking Joy if she is ready for the trip up to Kings landing to which the young Hill nods her head with excitement.
"My Princess! Welcome home" a voice called as they entered the great hall. Embracing the women Anthea calls out "Aspasia you look amazing as always." Pulling apart Anthea gazed upon the tanned women in a purple and white dress with a golden necklace, gazing upon her tanned face Anthea saw how her black curls framed her face just right. "Duskendale is thriving, Princess. . ." Aspasia began to speak before Anthea interrupted "shush Aspasia we can talk later for now let's feast."
After they had ate their fill Anthea had sent Joy to bed as she and Aspasia made their way towards her solar. Nodding thanks to the servant who lit the candles and fireplace and the servant who poured their cups with wine, Anthea waited for the door to shut before speaking. "Your report, Aspasia."
"The city is doing well we are ten gold dragons above our monthly usual" Aspasia began. "The people are happy and healthy, and the streets are clean" Aspasia finishes, nodding her head Anthea was about to speak when Aspasia gave her a wrapped scroll with a blue wax seal of her symbol on it. "Apologies, my Princess I was going to give you the note, but you wanted to wait until now" said Aspasia bowing her head.
"How many times have I told you Aspasia? You run my city when I'm gone, call me Anthea when we are alone" smiling Anthea continues "Now let's see what commodore Drake has to say!"
Opening the letter Anthea let out a beautiful smile before speaking "It seems my investment is going well" Anthea finishes with a chuckle. Smiling also Aspasia raises her cup of wine before taking a gulp.
Having left early on her ship the next day Anthea and Joy arrived in Kings Landing by late mid-day. Once docked they were met by Ser Barristan 'The Bold' Selmy. Taking the knee Barristan bows his head towards one of the Princesses of Westeros, "my Princess, Lady Joy, it's an honor to serve as your escort to the Red Keep" Barristan spoke. Smiling Anthea offered her hand to her old friend and mentor as he rose and kissed the offered hand. "Then please kind Ser do your duty" Anthea said as they began their journey towards the castle.
As soon as they had entered the Red Keep a servant approached the three of them "Princess Anthea, Ser Barristan, both of you are needed in the council chambers." Sighing Anthea responds "let me freshen up and I'll be right there" before walking off.
After changing into a purple dress and telling Joy and her guard to rest Anthea made her way towards the council chamber. Upon opening the doors to the chamber, she is greeted with the sight of the Lords of the Council welcoming Lord Stark, The new Hand of the King. "Ah, Princess Anthea. You look lovely, how did the pirate hunt go?" Lord Varys said.
Sighing Anthea responds, "the sea rat wasn't there."
Looking towards Ned she says, "Lord Stark, glad to sea you made it, I trust you are well?"
"As well as can be, princess" Ned answered in an indifferent tone
"Uncle you smell more like a lady then I do" Anthea joked as she and Renly hugged. Laughing Renly sarcastically responds "Anthea how I missed your jokes"
"Lord Baelish, your whores bringing you enough gold?" Anthea asked. Smiling Petyr responds "always"
"May your fortunes continue to grow" Anthea finishes before looking over to Pycelle "Maester, you're not looking so well. Bed time already?"
Giving a dry chuckle Pycelle responds "not yet my princess."
Once everyone was seated Petyr had begun to speak when Ned interrupted "We're beginning without the King and Lord Stannis?"
"While I know my father isn't coming, where is uncle Stannis? Its not like him to miss a council meeting" Anthea spoke but before she got an answer Ned interrupted again "Robert isn't coming?" he said in surprise that the king wouldn't be coming to learn about the welfare of his realm.
"My brother trusts some small matters to us to lighten the load for him. As for my other brother, Stannis left for Dragonstone not to long after Robert left for Winterfell. He took his loony wife and ugly daughter with him, thank the gods" Renly laughed as others chuckled. Ned was in shock and slight disgust at the open disrespect to another lord and his family, especially to the lord's daughter for something that was out of her control.
"Don't be mean uncle Renly they are our family" while Anthea's face was neutral her gentle voice was laced in fury, so much so that some of the council members felt a slight shiver go down their spines, not that they would ever admit to her though.
Coughing Petyr says, "we are the lords and lady of small matters here. . . Lord Stark."
Reaching over Renly handed Ned a note with the king's seal on it. Opening it Ned stared in shock "gods be good" he swore.
"what Lord Eddard means to say is that my brother instructs us to set up a spectacular tournament in honor of his appointment as Hand of the King." Renly says to the others at the table.
"How much?" Petyr asked. Mildly.
Ned read the answer off the paper "forty thousand gold dragons to the champion, twenty thousand to the runner up, another twenty thousand to the winner of the melee and ten thousand to the winning archer."
"Ninety thousand gold dragons" Littlefinger said sighing before he continued "and we can't forget the other cost. Our King will want a prodigious feast, which means cooks, serving girls, singers, jugglers, carpenters, fools. . ."
"We have plenty of fools" Renly joked.
"Even so all those extra costs will raise the price to one hundred thousand gold dragons" says Littlefinger writing it all down on a piece of paper.
"Can the treasury afford these expenses?" Asked Pycelle.
"Cut the crap Pycelle. You know that the treasury has been empty for years." Anthea said frowning at the old fool.
"Princess Anthea is correct. I shall have t borrow money again, no doubt the Lannisters will be accommodating, we owe Lord Tywin some three million dragons, what's another hundred thousand?"
Ned was almost stunned into silence "are you telling me that the crown is three million gold dragons in debt?"
"The crown is more then six million dragons in debt, we owe the Lannisters the most and after them is the Iron Bank of Braavos, Lord Tyrell, several Tyroshi trading cartels and as of late I've turned to the Faith. Luckily the High Septon haggles worse then a Dornish fishmonger." States Littlefinger
Aghast Ned spoke "Aerys Targaryen left a treasury flowing with gold. How could this happen?"
Shrugging Littlefinger says "the Master of Coin finds the money. The King and Hand spends it"
"I refuse to believe Jon Arryn allowed Robert to sink the realm into debt." Said Ned his voice rising.
"Jon Arryn was a wise man, but my father doesn't always listen to wise advice, besides father was happy to spend Targaryen gold, the fact it is named gold dragons didn't help." Joined in Anthea.
"My brother loves a good feast and loathes what he calls 'counting coppers'" Renly chimed.
"I will speak with Robert" Ned Said, "this tournament is a luxury the realm can't afford."
"We should still make our plans" Renly said
"Another day" Ned said sharply, too sharply if the faces of those around him meant anything. Sighing Ned says, "Forgive me my lords, my lady, perhaps we continue this when we are rested and refreshed?" Getting up he nodded to them and made for the door, not waiting for their response.