Between Haze and Fog 3 - or 'This game of GoT CK3 sure is turning vicious' (ASoIaF, GalladonTarth!SI)

Galladon III

A week has gone by, and many good things have happened.

First, the explosive solution meant to be used by Ballistas had been fully tested, confirming the right amount of chemical compound to use for an effective reaction without leading to some unwarranted detonation before the bolt had been shot.

With the Redwyne Fleet spotted near Sunspear, the worry of them deciding to actually enter the sea from the south was indeed worrisome, but one that we were countering with new fortifications to further defend the southern strait through the relocation of some material from the first turrets.

The reason why I could safely shift this material elsewhere was due to a recent idea I had, one that I was inspired by when I was reading a few Westerosi tales with my sisters for the night.

It was a common occurrence to read them stories as they bunkered up in Brienne's bed, and one of those, the one about Blood and Cheese, albeit brutal for any kids but telling of what to do to avoid this sort of horrid developments… gave me a bloody good idea.

What if, instead of killing a royal, I actually had someone take care of the Royal Fleet?

After all, reports had mentioned that the fleet had been rallying at Dragonstone, so I expected the Redwyne Fleet to make a quick turn to consolidate with the rest there.

Since the Targaryen already had a degree of corrupted bureaucracy at this point and a lot of people that were loyal to the family by fear alone, I thought it would have made sense to reach out and try to find some trustworthy saboteurs.

I didn't even plan to hide away what I was doing once the deed happened, so I made sure that they didn't lie for 'me'. And after discussing this some more with Gabrin, I finalized a plan to send some agitators through merchant ships to try and sway some 'good souls to the good fight'.

I followed the report through the next week, relief washing upon me as the merchants made it through as no control had been enacted just yet to keep them from reaching their destination with stronger controls.

I followed other reports from them, but nothing was going to come up too soon as they were to see this plan started once the Redwyne fleet had tagged along and allowed for the sabotage to be spread into their ships too.

Thus, this was going to be a rather fun project, but one that wasn't as pressing due to time schedules I had not much control over. Still, I found a way to keep myself busy as I entertained glass work as an important business in the island.

Glasswork had a particular existence in Tarth due to the fact it was an island, one with many beaches and a lot of sand that could be put to use. I was caught a bit off-guard weeks ago when I learned through the ledger that some Myrrish artisans were good with this sort of craft.

The reason I got over why we had a small community of those was tied to how those people ended up taking this profession: most were born slaves or in poor families. While so many were flaunted as having gone well back in Myr, others had reasonably moved away from the Free City and moved to Tarth where the sand was easier to acquire and slavery was not a thing.

Plus, the Myrrish Glass was the kind of trade goods that many nobles loved and thus allowed Tarth to make a lot of cash from it. When I questioned a few on why they didn't pick Dorne, I was surprised to hear that they were aware 'Sunspear would have not taken them in since they had a special understanding with the Free Cities'.

With that being said, I decided to use this opportunity for some experiments before then giving Stannis an ambitious project about the Green Houses. The creation of the right structures allowed for a multi-leveled area with glass walls to be built, with crops being tended through the recovered fertile land and the irrigation system created by blacksmiths with experience with plumbing.

The entire system was expensive in regard to time and money, but the end result was a promising opportunity to expand farming in a safe vertical way without worrying much of the limitations of how much land I had to work with.

And as I continued to prepare for the big events tied to the war that was up to come… I didn't waste time getting a big opportunity exploited at once as I was given notification that the scouts I had sent to keep an eye on the Tower of Joy had brought a chance to lessen the war's length.

It was time to catch a prince in the deed!

—-d-d-d-d—-

Lyanna I

This was not a fairy tale. At least, that's how Lyanna Stark was finding herself in a situation that felt less pleasant than how it had been presented to her.

When Rhaegar had swept her from her feet and claimed her as the 'mother of the future King', Lyanna had a mixed reaction over this boast. First, she was thrilled as any lady would be to know that the Crown Prince wanted her. Then, and by far the most lasting reaction, she felt something wasn't right about it.

Instinct, facts, and even a slice of 'oddity' within the Prince's tone. It was different from how it was back during the Tourney of Harrenhal. Gone was the courteous and charming tense, now replaced by something she didn't like at all. Something that felt like a massive lie the more it became apparent that her stay in this Dornish tower was less of a choice and more of a demand.

Lyanna was still known by many as a 'she-wolf' for many good reasons. She could use a sword just fine, but she had a feeling that fighting her way out was not within her means or possibility.

The presence of ser Arthur Dayne, ser Oswell Whent, and even ser Gerold Hightower had pretty much crippled any interest in making her way out of it. She was a good fighter, but she was also far from dumb.

So, she waited and tried to understand what was going on. Something was unnerving Rhaegar and pressing him to 'produce a heir' with her. Yet, Lyanna was sure that the Crown Prince was already married and with children.

It further made her worried about what was planning once he was done with all those stressful exchanges with messengers from the Red Keep. A few weeks passed, and Lyanna could tell time was coming to an end to make an escape or just 'let it happen'.

But as she felt this wasn't a choice anymore, she was surprised by a new development while Rhaegar was growling at some papers in a room beside her bedroom.

At first, no one noticed anything as Ser Oswell went missing for a few hours after going on a patrol. Ser Gerold went to check himself, but he too failed to return. Ser Arthur pointed this out but as he went to check himself, he was struck by the entrance of the tower by a few bolts from crossbows.

Surprise flashed, his hand going for his sword but he was already collapsing in the ground due to the fatal wounds he suffered to his lungs and heart. Lyanna was the one that spotted this, but said nothing as she noticed the culprits emerging from woods and bearing what appeared to be… her family banner?

One of those looked up and noticed her, 'shushing' her as she hadn't spoken or screamed at what she was looking at. Rhaegar hadn't noticed anything even now, but as the men entered the tower and got to the tallest point, they were quick to move.

Rhaegar was surprised when suddenly he was pushed on the ground and tied up with some rope before he had the time to reach for either his sword or dagger, while Lyanna was greeted by a polite greeting and an offer for food and water.

"Lady Stark, I am Captain Magnus of the Stone Brigade, a detachment of the Tarth military. We are glad to find you well."

Tarth? Why were they involved with this action? Why were they detaining the Crown Prince?

"C-Captain, what is going on? What is the meaning of this?" What is going on!?

The captain didn't answer at first, glancing to the side where his men were and sharing a look with them.

"Lady Stark, I believe there's much to bring up, but it would be prudent to get going to Storm's End. What we can say is that your kidnapping has triggered a civil war."

…What?! That makes no sense!

"T-Then my father- Surely he tried to avoid this and- and-"

Lyanna paused, noticing the awkward looks those men were now giving her as she mentioned Rickard Stark and…

Nothing could have prepared to learn that her father and older brother had been slain by the Mad King as she couldn't stop crying through the ride back to the heart of the Stormlands.


AN

Many forget to do something about Lyanna. This one just dodged the bullet or two. Sadgely, Jon Snow will never know since he will never be born.

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