Author's Notes: Hey everyone, glad that you liked the last chapter and I hope that you like this one as well. As always I own nothing. SPOILERISH WARNING: this chapter has some things from the books, I doubt it will be in show but it's here.
At the King's words those at the tables again fell to talking. It was Lord Manderly who spoke aloud what many were thinking.
"Your Grace, while I and every man here would like nothing better to see Bolton turned into his own banner, I do not know if that is possible in the time-frame that you declared. When the Kings of Winter laid siege to the Dreadfort it was a lengthy affair." Several of the Northern lords nodded their agreement at this statement. The King looked at them, a determined look on his face.
"I am well aware of the current situation and the shortage of time that we have. Never the less, the Dreadfort must be taken. We already face foes to north, south and west of us, we cannot have a foe in our midst.
"It is to be hoped that the usurpers will fight among themselves and give us time, but we cannot count on that." He paused for a moment before he began speaking again.
"To that end I have decided to buy the contract for the Golden Company. I have heard from Salladhor Saan that before she left Essos the Targaryen girl made quite a mess of things. With the result being that none of the cities are currently able to pay their rates."
"Can we Your Grace?" Sir Massey asked. The King nodded.
"Normally we could not; these are not normal times. With none able to afford them they have been forced to lower their rates, though not by much," this last was said in a grumbling tone.
"Thus, between the gold from the Iron Bank, the silver of White Harbor and my word, there are ours now."
"Your word Your Grace?" Sansa asked. The King nodded.
"Yes, my word. The Golden Company were created to fight Targaryens, I am offering them that opportunity. More than that, I am offering them a chance to come home with honor. Between the various usurpers and those who follow them there shall be a number of castles and keeps in need of new lords, I have promised some of these to them."
"Your Grace, they are skilled, but can they truly be such a great asset to our cause?" Sir Massey asked.
"They are ten thousand strong," the King replied; "And disciplined. Station them on the Neck to aid Lord Reed and his bannermen and the girl can send all the Dothraki, Unsuilled and traitors she wishes, they will be bled severely." One of his lords looked uncertain.
"It may be that they are as disciplined as you say, but still Your Grace, they are but ten thousand. The Dothraki alone outnumber them ten to one."
"You fear the Dothraki, my brother feared the Dothraki. The Dothraki are on land like the Ironborn are at sea, everyone thinks that they are unbeatable, I proved the lie of that not once but twice.
"Men fear the Dothraki and the Unsullied and so they become invincible in men's minds. Why is that? The Dothraki and Unsullied are not gods, the Unsullied are not even men. The Dothraki are not soldiers, they're rabble who rely on savagery and the fear that they inspire to win their wars. The Unsullied are solders, I'll give them that, but their battles have been against rabble, slaves or peasants with spears thrust into their hands. I'll wager they haven't faced a proper army in their lives. I intend to show them the difference. When they come north, the girl will find it not to her liking." He then turned to Sansa.
"Lady Stark, you are to return to Winterfell and see that it is fully restored. If the girl comes and gets past the Neck they will make for Winterfell. Once the defenses are secure send as many men as you can spare to the Dreadfort." He turned to the maester and motioned him forward.
"This is Maester Wolkan, he was assigned to Winterfell under the Boltons and he shall now serve you in that capacity." Sansa was not sure that she was eager to have a man who had served the Boltons near her, but she also was sure it was not a request on the King's part. Perhaps some of what she was thinking showed on her face as one of the men at the table spoke up.
"Oh take him my lady, he is a maester, don't think of him as man, but as a tool waiting a hand to wield it, it does nothing on its own." Sansa merely nodded. She turned to the King and bowed.
"Your Grace." He motioned his hand, clearly dismissing her. She rose and departed, Maester Wolkan following behind. As they walked she turned to him.
"So, has your training given you any notion on how to defeat a hundred thousand horsemen?" He stared at her for a moment and then replied.
"In fact, I might. Tell me my lady, have you ever heard of caltrops?"
Author's Notes: Hey everyone, I hope you liked it. What do you think of Stannis's plan? What did you think of his assessment of the Dothraki and Unsullied? What about the guy's opinion of the maesters? I am eager to redeem Stannis right now as I am watching Season 5 and let me just say, to heck with its portrayal of him, Dorne and all that nonsense. There is a lot of bad going on right now, floods, shooting and hostages in Somalia, victims of war and human trafficking and the wounded from Orlando and the families of those involved please pray for them and all who need it. Bye and may Jesus bless you.