4th Moon, 62 AC
The Red Keep, Kings Landing
The woman was young, short and heavy set, with an unkempt tangle of black curls and a pair of huge blue eyes, in her hand was a large burlap sack.
Hardly the appearance of a hardened warrior The Queen thought to herself as she studied the young crannogwoman with her piercing lilac eyes, not exactly feeling confident that this woman was to be trusted.
She would not have been the first, in the previous days and weeks no less than three such individuals had come to court, carrying burlap sacks, claiming to have the head of the dragon Honorax, all of them had lied.
Two of them had simply tried to pass off the skull of an Aurochs as the dragon Honorax, with one of them taking the effort to file its teeth into fangs, but Laena had often seen her daughter Syaellas dragon and knew that its horns were nowhere near the size of an Aurochs and had them swiftly sent to the black cells.
The final one was more well thought, the head was about the same size as Honorax and even had some gray scales attached to the blanched skull, but a close examination by the Grandmaester would determine it was the head of a small Wyvern from the northern coast of Sothoryos, not a dragon, and the attempted swindler was sent to join the other two in the black cells beneath the Red Keep under the gentle care of the dungeon torturers, none of them would ever be seen again.
Laena gave the young woman another long glare before finally speaking ''If you are playing me false I swear you shall regret it before the end.''
The woman didnt avert her gaze, meeting the Queens eyes with her own rather boldly bordering on insolence.
''I shall have no cause to regret anything your Grace….I know well what ''rewards'' my predecessors received.'' The girl said, and Laena gave a nod towards the table, the young woman walking over to it and dropping it with a heavy thud.
''Open it.'' She commanded, turning to her husband Jaekar who approached, a look of pain on his face as he slowly pulled away the burlap sack.
A smell of rot instantly filled the room, a hot stench that seemed to burn Laenas nostrils, ignoring this she turned her attention to the contents of the bag.
Unlike the others, it was not a skull but rather the head of what was very clearly a young dragon hatchling, skin like mottled grey marble with gray eyes, spots of black char were present on the head, no doubt from where the dragons blood had smoked and burned away the skin, it had been Syaella who had told her the smoking properties of dragon's blood…no doubt she had read about it in one of her books she always had her head buried in as a girl. The memory caused a sharp pain to emanate through her chest.
''Take that…thing out of my sight and see Lord Merryweather….he will give you the promised reward.'' Laena said brusquely, the young crannogwoman being wise enough not to linger and quickly withdrawing.
Jaekar approached her slowly, the two of them being alone now.
''This wont bring her back.'' He said quietly, bringing a hand towards her shoulder.
Laena rounded on him in a fury ''I did not order it to bring her back fool….now get out…OUT.''
Jaekar, never one to try and protest when Laena was in one of her moods retreated from the room.
When she was alone, she sank into a chair, her anger gone as quickly as the tide, leaving only the weary burden of her grief, but she did not allow her tears, simply staring into the flickering fire in the hearth.
That day when she had received that terrible raven from the Eyrie had been the worst of her life. The details had been scarce, with the raven stating simply that the Princess Syaella had perished in an unfortunate accident involving her dragon Honorax, Laena knew that the raven was likely intentionally vague, as to avoid any of the blame falling on the Arryns. She had managed to piece together the full story through used of spies and sneaks however, and even now the members of her daughters escort were turning up dead across taverns in the Vale, with one suffering an ''unfortunate accident'' and falling from the balcony of the Eyrie to the rocks bellow.
As for Honorax, in the immediate aftermath of receiving the letter, a distraught Laena had ordered it to be proclaimed throughout the realm that whoever delivered her the head of the dragon Honorax would be richly rewarded with gold and silver.
As her rage slowly dispersed, she knew the order was a tactical mistake, she knew enough to know that her daughters death was not truly caused by the hatchling but rather the incompetency of her escort and her mount, but even then she did not rescind the command. True enough the dragon might one day serve her family and increase their power, but quite simply she did not care….it had been her daughters dragon and she could not bear the thought of another rider claiming it as their own, winning power and glory on her daughters birthright….no…she just wanted it dead, she wanted it gone, erased from the pages of history.
Laena did not have long to be alone with her thoughts as what seemed like only moments after Jaekar had left, there was a knock on the door.
''Lord Merryweather has returned from Pentos your Grace….he requests a word….urgent business he says.'' The voice of Lord Commander Bryce Woyne declared.
Laena sighed, in truth a meeting with that honorable money pinching fool was the last thing she wanted to endure, but in the end she consented for him to be shown in after composing herself from her reflection of her daughters death.
Reynard Merryweather walked in the room dressed in a simple white wool jerkin emblazoned with the yellow cornucopia of his house, ''I have returned from Pentos your Grace.'' he said, bowing.
''I am not blind Reynard….I would not be talking with you if you have not.'' Laena said tersely, and as always the man bore the harsh words in silence.
''Well…is it done….will Pentos cover our debt?'' Laena asked, following her ascension the crowns treasury had been in a terrible state, in part due to Laenas coronation, the Kings funeral, her daughters wedding and the decreased tax revenues, it had been so bad that even the Iron Bank of Braavos had refused to loan coin to the crown, forcing Lord Merryweather to venture to meet with the Pentoshi nobility for a loan.
The Pentoshi were a people on the decline, decades earlier their northern neighbors, the Braavosi along with the free city of Lorath had forced Pentos to abandon the practice of slavery through force of arms. Even this had not satisfied the Braavosi, and a few years prior they had launched another war against Pentos. The outcome of this war was humiliating for the Pentoshi, with the Free City of Pentos prior being subjugated by their northern neighbor, leaving the Pentoshi only the surrounding hinterlands and smaller walled towns to rule.
While in theory Pentos was still independent, as the harbor, palaces, and city watch were under the governance of Pentos, the city proper owed its fealty and taxes to the nobility of Braavos as well as their laws. These recent events had made Pentos one of the weakest of the Free Cities, as well as desperate, which no doubt accounted for the fact they were the only major bank willing to take a risk on stabilizing the Westerosi economy.
Lord Merryweather nodded ''Pentos has agreed to cover our debt…on rather good terms I must say…there were conditions however….significant ones at that…your Grace…I''
Laena had heard enough ''You are the master of coin Lord Merryweather, I trust you shall hammer out the finer details…..now if that is all…..''
The man hesitated ''Forgive me your Grace…but I have reached the limit of what I can accomplish without royal consent….the Pentoshi's terms and conditions were not insignificant.''
''Speak then if you must.'' Laena said begrudgingly, gesturing for the master of coin to take a seat.
''The Pentoshi have offered us favorable terms on a loan of 2000 gold dragons, with the agreement that 2800 gold dragons shall be repaid within a period of five years.'' The master of coin began.
''More than enough to stabilize the crowns coffers.'' Laena said, relieved that the problem appeared to be solved.
''Forgive me your Grace there is more…..they will only consent to this loan if you agree to marry one of your daughters to a young nobleman…a one Nakados Tendryi….'' Reynard Merryweather continued before being abruptly cut off by the Queen, who had risen from her seat.
''If you presume to marry my daughter to some cheese mongering spice peddler you are mistaken Lord Reynard….mistaken indeed.'' Queen Laena hissed between her teeth, her fury scarcely contained.
''Your Grace…of course I would not take such a liberty, I promised nothing to be sure, merely that I would pass their offer onto you for your consideration…the loan is contingent on your agreement to this however….If I may be so bold, we will not find better terms elsewhere.'' Lord Reynard said hastily.
Laena was silent at that, to which the master of coin took as permission to continue his case ''I can assure you the man is not of simple merchant stock….his father was Magister of Pentos for 12 years, while his great grandfather was Sealord of Braavos…his family has been influential in the affairs of both Free Cities….furthermore by their own suggestion they concede that any children of the match would be born as Targaryens.''
''What do you know of this pup that you suggest be married to my daughter….you met him?'' Laena demanded.
Lord Merryweather nodded ''A most well groomed and polite young man…he served as an officer for a year in the Pentoshi city guard in Mylenos earning his men's respect.''
Laena paused for a moment, Lord Merryweather had made the boy out to be an attractive match, but the fact that the Pentoshi nobles were demanding him to be married off without any heirs of his own house suggested there was more to the story, and Laena had an inkling of what it might be.
''And why do the nobles of Pentos want this talented ''paragon'' of yours gone so much with no legitimate heirs of his house?'' The Queen questioned.
''His father well….while serving as Magister of Pentos was of Braavosi stock…the Pentoshi nobility have a certain fondness for the boy, but do not wish for another with foreign blood and connections to the Sealord to ascend the throne, as this boy may very well one day…such a thing has happened before in Pentos and caused much bloodshed…by marrying him across the sea, they do right by him while at the same ridding Pentos of of a potential foreign claimant.'' Merryweather explained.
Better for them to have him killed than to go to all this trouble Laena thought, but nonetheless she slowly nodded her head, she did not like the idea of diluting the blood of the dragon with Essosi nobility, but she knew she would not find better terms elsewhere, and the terms of the marriage meant that her own family would grow in number with any children they might conceive, and the lack of a required dowry was certainly welcomed.
''I shall consent to marry Jaehaera to this boy, but only under the agreement that there shall be no further dowry paid to the Tendryis family, and any children born of this union shall be of mine own house.'' Laena said.
Lord Merryweather nodded, clearly relieved before hesitating ''Your Grace….there was another proposition they had were you to agree to this match….to solidify the bond between Pentos and the Iron Throne.''
''This is a marriage born out of necessity for both sides….we are not ''bonded'', If they want my dragon….'' Laena said.
''It is not that.'' Lord Reynard answered, clearly uncomfortable.
''Well, spit it out.'' Laena demanded.
''I…forgive me your Grace but I do not counsel agreeing to this but they….propose a joint military campaign against Tall Trees Town in the Summer Isles, a trade war…..they offer an upfront reduction of 1000 gold dragons in the crown's debt.'' Lord Reynard finished reluctantly.
Laena was silent at that, it was certainly a bold step for the Pentooshi, she knew enough to know that Oldtown, wealthiest city in the realm, held Tall Trees Town in the Summer Isles as their biggest trading partner, if Tall Trees Town were weakened it would allow others access to the lucrative port of Oldtown, and perhaps stop the rapid decline of a desperate Pentoshi state.
Seeing her pondering the proposal, Lord Merryweather once again presumed to lecture the Queen ''Your Grace…I strongly advise against this…Tall Trees Town has done us no harm, and the realm profits from such trading partners…I understand the reduction of 1000 gold dragons from the crowns debt is tempting…but overtime.''
''Oldtown and the Hightowers benefit from such trade you mean….precious little of that coin reaches mine own coffers…..I have been told exhaustively and in great detail of the low tax incomes the Reach provides…..inform Pentos that I agree to this campaign.'' Laena said, it would be good to curb the power of Oldtown somewhat, who were by far the largest destination in Westeros of the Swan ships of the Summer Islanders and their rich goods.
''Your Grace…I'' Lord Merryweather began but Laena cut him off.
''That will be all Reynard.'' She commanded and rather red faced the master of coin bowed and left the room.
In truth she had not agreed to the proposed campaign to reduce the crown's debt, and even curbing the power of the Hightowers was not the biggest driver of her decision. For weeks she had sat in the castle after her daughters death, assailed by constant briefings, requested meetings and the council of honorable fools like Reynard Merryweather.
She could not stand the tedium of rulership for one moment longer…she needed a break that only being on dragonback could provide, and if she could remind the lords of the Realm the power of Dragonfire and the price of opposing her at the same time, all the better.
Fire and Blood The Queen whispered to herself.
6th Moon, 62 AC
Outside the Trading Post of Tall Trees Town, Oldtown
Laena stood upon the large grassy hill overlooking the sprawling expanse of Oldtown on the horizon, an impressive sight as always, even from this distance, the Hightower rising into the sky.
Laena was not here on pleasure however, but rather as part of her campaign to expel the traders of Tall Trees Town from Westeros and diminish their power overall, a campaign proposed by the Free City of Pentos.
The summer islanders of Tall Trees town had two large trading posts within the realm, the largest was located within the city of Oldtown along the harbor, overseeing the incoming ships from Tall Trees Town which were a common sight within the largest city in Westeros as Tall Trees Town was Oldtowns most important trading partner. Tall Trees Town had also expanded from Oldtown and created a trading post in the nearby county of Blackcrown, servicing the towns of Bullshead and Seamer with the permission of House Bulwer.
The campaign to curb the influence of Tall Trees Town was in truth two separate campaigns, one to deal with their trading posts within the Kingdom and a second to weaken their own lands in the Summer Isles, such were the demands of the Pentoshi.
The Queen herself would lead the expedition to deal with the two trading outposts in the reach. She had come with only a token force, some 300 men at arms, led by her son-in-law Ronnel Baratheon and her sworn protectors of the Kingsguard.
The second force would be led by the Queens own daughter Vaella and her dragon Narrah with the task of attacking and raiding Tall Trees Town in the Summer Islands, a task made easier by the fact that the Pentoshi assured her that the town was weak after a recent conflict with Lyseni slavers.
However the planning of the campaign was not without difficulties. With her brother on Dragonstone with almost 50 galleys, Laena was loathe to assign the small royal fleet in Kings Landing to the campaign, leaving the city with no strength at sea, so instead they would need to find ships elsewhere. In light of this threat, her husband Jaekar would remain in the city with his dragon Oathwing in case her brother tried something in her absence.
There were few major ports that could field significant strength at sea on Westeros's eastern coast save Dragonstone, and Laena was not about to ask for her brother's help and allow him to gain more prestige by winning victories in far off lands.
In the end it was decided that the raiding fleet would be comprised of 12 galleys from the Stepstones equally provided by the houses Elesham, Reddune, and Vunatis, and led by Lord Jorys Vunatis of Bloodstone, the Lyseni veteran of the Lions Rebellion and new master of ships. The warships of the Stepstones were smaller than the war galleys of the royal fleet but were more agile and well suited for the long journey to the Summer Islands. Nakados Tendris, the Pentoshi nobleman and Princess Jaeharas betrothed would also join the campaign to handle cooperation with the Pentoshi, who were also sending a raiding fleet to Tall Trees Town.
Given Tall Trees Town's relative weakness, it was also decided that a large force was not needed, especially with the Princess Vaella and her dragon Narrah. The force would consist of just 1200 men, 300 Velaryon men-at-arms and 600 knights, men-at-arms and peasant levies from Castle Hayford and the surrounding hamlets, 300 Gold Cloaks would also accompany the expedition on the request of Commander Arryn who wanted to establish a combat tested corps of the City Watch.
As for the Princess Vaellas decision to join the expedition, it was much similar to her mothers. Her twin sister's death had hit her very hard, and to make things worse she had given birth to a stillborn child before her term, a little girl born dead. Always an adventurous girl, no doubt the Princess wished to get away from her grief and a campaign far to the south provided the perfect opportunity to do so.
The Queen was shaken from her thinking by a deep rumbling noise, turning she saw Vhagar, who was coiled on the hill like some gargantuan green serpent raising its head as the rider in white armor approached.
Ser Allard Caffren of the Kingsguard dismounted, bowing his head.
''Well?'' Laena demanded.
''The walls of the Manse were barred and archers patrolled the walls…I spotted several swan ships moored at the docks, but there seemed to be no effort to load them….they do not mean to flee.'' The Kingsguard knight answered.
''And when you arrived at the gates?'' Laena asked.
''One of them on the walls loosed an arrow in the dirt and declared that any man to cross it would witness the prowess of their Goldenheart bows to their misfortune….they stated they were under the protection of the Lord of Oldtown.'' Caffren answered.
''They will find this protection will do them little good….to their misfortune….Hightower likes their gold well enough, but he is too smart a man to defy his Queen…..what of their numbers?'' Laena asked.
''No more than one hundred within the walls, though many are armed with Goldenwood bows…..I am sure your Grace is well aware of their effectiveness'' The knight paused before continuing'' ….if I may speak freely?'' Caffren answered and Laena waved for him to proceed.
''I can guess what your Grace intends to do…and if I may be so bold I believe it to be reckless…..the Summer Islanders are skilled archers, more than capable of hitting a small target, even while moving….if you mean to make an example of these traders send us over the walls…the Summer Islanders penchant for sins of the flesh shall be their undoing and the warrior will give strength to our blades….it will be a quick affair.'' The Kingsguard said with all his usual piety.
''It would set an example that every lord in the realm is capable of making….that I have enough men to overpower a small trading manse….make no mistake Ser…the eyes of the realm are upon us…subtlety is needed at times but a firmer example must be shown at times…better this lesson be shown using heathens and foreigners as its target than Westerosi I am sure you agree.'' Laena explained.
That seemed to convince the Kingsguard, as the Queen knew it would, Ser Allard was nothing if not predictable.
''It will be as you say your Grace….but this lesson you speak of….'' The knight asked.
''To defy one's Queen…..can only mean death.'' She said simply before turning her back on the knight and making her way to Vhagar.
She had no wish to go through the lengthy process of donning plate and mail, but she was not so fool as to go without any sort of protection, strapping on a black leather helm and studded arm greaves.
She climbed up the netting on the dragon's side towards the saddle attached to the back of the now sleeping dragon.
It took some time and a few lashes of Laenas whip to rouse the dragon and several more to urge the seventy foot beast into flight, Vhagar was notoriously short tempered when roused, but eventually with a great roar the dragon ponderously rose to the skies with great flaps of its leathern wings, sending a gust of wind that blew the tarp off of the Queens pavilion below.
It was a sunny and warm day, extremely clear and Laena could see miles in every direction. For the first time in months the Queen truly felt free, free of the endless petitions and tedious briefings, free even from the memory of her daughter's death, such was the power of being a dragonrider.
Laena did not allow herself to completely embrace this feeling however, this was not a pleasure ride but instead a day of death, a day which the lords of Westeros would learn much from and she could not have her mind clouded.
Far below she saw a contingent of Hightower calvary forming up outside the city as she approached, no doubt to investigate the incoming dragon, but she knew they would do no more than that, Hightower knew the consequences of opposing his Queen, a sentiment that he would gain a clear example of soon enough.
The trading manse of Tall Trees Town was not within the city proper of Oldtown, instead being built along the coast just outside of the city, a port made specifically for the task of receiving ships from Tall Trees Town.
As she approached closer she got a better look at it, it was well made of gray stone and several luxurious homes and apartments as well as storerooms were located within the walls, the green and orange banners of the Ballono trading family flew alongside the three black flowers on yellow of Tall Trees Town, blowing in the wind.
Last of all she saw the people as Vhagar flew ponderously towards the walled manse, its pace speeding up and its body sensing as the beast seemed to sense what was to come.
The summer islanders frantically manned the walls and Laena could hear shouts, both in the common tongue and that of the Summer Isles, dark skinned men in colorful parrot feather cloaks of half a dozen colors scrambled to the walls or took positions in the courtyard as Vhagar approached, many of them armed with bows.
One of them, either deliberately or out of fear loosed the first arrow as Laena approached, the goldenwood arrow whistling just inches from the Queens face.
Vhagar, its suspicions confirmed let out a thunderous roar and without even being commanded bathed the walls of the manse with fire, Laena seeing one of the Summer Islanders in a cloak of orange and white fathers being consumed by the fire with a scream, his cloak becoming indistinguishable from the flames.
A ragged torrent of arrows filled the air, with several of them bouncing off the hard scales of the massive dragon, seemingly causing Vhagar more annoyance than actual pain, the Summer Islanders were notorious archers and the quality of their bows and arrows were unmatched, but against a dragon of Vhagars size they might as well have been hurling rocks.
It was over quickly, after their arrows seemed to have no effect on the beast and they failed to strike the Queen, the surviving Summer Islanders fled, leaving the smoldering bodies of many of their companions along the walls and in the courtyard, the smoking air was said to be filled with feathers afterwards, flying lazily through the ash like ghosts of the dead. Even as they fled the Queen did not show a reprieve, with several dozen being burnt alive as they ran by the dragon Vhagar, with the few Summer Islanders that would live to tell the tale liken the Queen to a silver haired witch mounted on a demon, eyes filled with fire.
Most of the Summer Islanders fled to the city proper, where they would swiftly be arrested by Laenas men, but a proud and determined few, no more than a dozen fled to the cellar of one of the storerooms, determined to make a final stand.
To their credit, they acquitted themselves well in the short but brutal melee that followed as Laenas Kingsguard led a force of men-at-arms down the stairs into the cellar, slaying half a dozen before being overwhelmed by the sheer number of the Queens forces, being slain to a man, in the end only twenty two of the one hundred Summer Islanders stationed at the trading post survived the burning.
Four days later the Queen would arrive in Blackcrown, where she would find the walls of the trading post there open and devoid of armed men and the few Summer Islanders that had not fled waiting to surrender themselves and their goods, which were swiftly confiscated and added to the royal treasury. The traders of Tall Trees Town had learned the Queen's lesson well, that defiance would be met with dragonfire, a lesson that was not lost on the lords of the realm.