A/N: This chapter was originally longer, but acting on advice from my beta reader Fiery I decided to split it down into smaller chapters.
Thanks to Wobb Nox, filipinosberman, FieryMatter and Ascalon on SB for beta-ing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!
Chapter LXVIX: Repercussions
37 AC
Tenth Moon
Barely a month had passed since the final confrontation with Maegor Targaryen and his forces.
The body of Maegor Targaryen was found beneath the corpse of his dragon Zaekos. Crushed beneath immense weight and battered from the fall, his limbs were splayed in all the wrong directions, his blood staining the sands beneath him. His eyes and mouth were wide open, as if he was still unable to acknowledge his defeat and demise.
His body was remarkably intact otherwise. It was properly cremated along with his siblings and all their dragons once they were harvested of valuable scales and bones.
Suffice to say, when news of Dorne's victory spread throughout the continent, countless reactions varied from disbelief to outright denial, but they all had the unanimous effect of severely shocking their sanity to the extreme.
Brandyll Tarly and King Edmund Gardener III of the Reach laughed so hard and in such a maniacal manner their vassals thought they lost their minds, and both had to undergo immediate treatment for bruised ribs. Brandyll went so far as to say famous words that would forever serve as an identity for the new Dorne:
"Dorne eats, breathes, and shits defensive wars like a common luncheon."
Only the most foolhardy and ignorant generals dared ignore such words, yet even little children could understand that repelling a full squad of dragonriders was no small feat, especially with fewer dragons and water magic on their side.
The two most powerful leaders in the Reach proceeded to engage in a days-long drinking binge, processing the five stages of grief in record time.
Meanwhile, the Most Devout of the Faith called for prayers to the Seven, praying for deliverance against the Archdemon that walked the earth, that being the Black Fox himself. Anyone could see it plainly that the Most Devout was desperate in his prayers, shivering in fear. In private, the Most Devout and many other high-ranking Septons acted the same way, such was the fear and terror they felt upon receiving the news.
The Reachmen were quick to rally, however.
Seeing no further point in needless bloodshed and fearing reprisal by Dorne, the Conservatives, in an unprecedented move, completely yielded to the Reformists in exchange for clemency and the opportunity to aid in the defense of their homeland. King Edmund Gardener, being a magnanimous and prudent ruler, readily agreed, though certain Houses like Hightower faced intense scrutiny over their every action.
As the Reachmen had already widely adopted the Tegio formation and other new tactics in response to Dorne's rapid military reformation, there was little else for them to do but shore up defenses, replenish troop numbers and increase the size of their fleets. Through visits and meetings with Brandyll Tarly, countless nobles also donated huge portions of their personal fortunes, investing it in infrastructure and supplies as they feared the oncoming storm.
Devastated by the loss, the Stormlords and Crownlords were said to make keening wails of disbelief that echoed throughout the land like the siren calls of ghosts long deceased. Many simply fainted on the spot, catatonic and unresponsive. Ironically, this also served to galvanise them to put aside their petty rivalries and unite in anticipation of an impending invasion of their own lands. Lady Aerea Targaryen, Regent Lady of King's Landing, personally visited the major Stormlords and Crownlords and convinced any lords still recalcitrant to an alliance, displaying remarkable sagaciousness and political savviness in the process.
As they did not truly adopt the Tegio formation unlike the Reach, Regent Lady Aerea worked with acting Hand Ser Bennar Brune and countless veterans from the war with Dorne to quickly reform their beleaguered army, implementing countless changes and infrastructural investments to support their rapid army replenishment.
Normally, being a very stubborn bunch resistant to change, nobles would deride them as unnecessary expenses unbefitting the martial gentry. The Stormlords, especially, given their temperament.
There was none of that in them, so deep were the effects of the psychological shock that pierced deep into their souls. Instead they worked with mechanical efficiency, discarding any and all unnecessary wastage and throwing their heart and soul into their long-overdue transformation.
Alas, everyone knew that with Castenkair aiding Dorne, House Targaryen's remaining dragons still wee drakes and the next generation of dragonlords mere infants, it was futile. Still, they planned their defense.
The Riverlords and the Ironborn could scarcely believe their ears, but for the latter, who still had to contend with rebels who fought far more viciously than any Reaver in history and who were losing badly, their crisis was only going to get worse; countless Ironlords were put to the sword when running afoul of the lackeys of Lodos the Twice-Drowned; villages and towns in the Iron Islands who refused to obey the rebels were put to the torch, their inhabitants butchered and sacrificed on altars to bring forth eldritch horrors that terrorised the land and the oceans.
When all beheld the corrupted form of Lodos, no one could believe the fact that he lived, for he was beheaded by House Greyjoy's Reavers and tossed into the sea. Alas, the fact remained that he was most blessed - the chosen one of the Drowned God. He and countless Drowned men who converted to his cause were the bane of House Greyjoy, and it was their turn to be viciously reaved till they became skin and bones. Men, women and children - none were spared.
Navies from the Riverlands, the North or the Westerlands who tried to investigate would be devastated, with few survivors remaining. Every Reaver fleet that tried to oppose the rebels was decimated fully. Thus there was nothing the Iron Islands could do, even if they wanted to.
As for the Riverlands, like their more southerly neighbours, they too were scared of the prospect of invasion by Dorne's forces. Yet unlike the Reachmen, the Stormlanders and the Crownlanders who personally suffered traumatic defeat, the Riverlords did not truly feel convinced at heart of the danger posed to them from the south. At least, some of the more skeptical ones did.
That was until Edmyn Tully, former Lord Paramount and now King of the Riverlands, forced all the Riverlords to the table and told them in no uncertain terms that unless they got their acts together and put aside their petty squabbles, they would be accused of high treason against him and the Riverlands and dealt with accordingly.
Rumoured to be exceedingly furious at the meeting, his rage was said to have surpassed that of the legendary dragons, yet so too did he display a stately air and authority few lords could command, a charisma that captivated all who witnessed it. Like Yi-Tish legends of old, the little Trout climbed the torrential river of chaos and ascended to become a dragon - a true king of the Riverlands.
In the Vale, the Valelords were eager to avoid being caught in a war with Dorne while dealing with the Mountain Clansmen. While some were sore over House Royce reclaiming their kingship of the Vale, still retaining loyalties to House Arryn, as much as they hated to admit it the Mountain Clansmen took precedence.
Barristan Royce, self-proclaimed King of the Vale, quickly rallied the remaining Valelords to his side in a bid to reunite the divided Valesmen and pool together an army to invade the Mountains of the Moon. Any who tried to resist were quickly put down in battle or pressured to submit by their own vassals.
And though the Mountain Clansmen were no match for a well-equipped and determined army of knights - making it a foregone Valeman victory - it would take at least a few years for King Barristan Royce to get his affairs in order and secure his authority. The Three Sisters in particular were a constantly errant province throughout the Vale's history, yet their naval strength was crucial to keeping the Vale's waters safe.
The Vale had fewer troops than other kingdoms and the mountains prevented the use of large troop formations, but those same mountains were well suited for hit-and-run warfare, so Barristan worked with Brandyll Tarly to reform the Vale's army into one that emphasised mobility and speed, to gradually whittle down their enemies by a thousand cuts before pouncing for the kill.
As for the North, many Northern lords became afraid that if they were to continue their useless squabbles, they would become prey for House Rada as it joined forces with the rebellious House Blodfeld. Even then, due to Torrhen Stark's surrender, no Northman ever experienced the terrifying power of the dragons, and thus there were still nobles who resisted the notion of peace and continued their fights, eager to fulfil their respective agendas.
That was until House Bolton requested a cessation of hostilities and the reunification of the North in exchange for its submission to House Stark.
Shocking was an understatement. Why would the rebels so readily accept peace and submission after declaring a revolt in the first place? Rather, why do so when they've won as many battles as they lost with House Stark?
House Bolton simply gave Eckard Blodfeld as the answer. The errant ruling house of Moat Cailin was amassing military power in broad daylight, training troops and building ships and positioning them north, as if anticipating invaders from the north, and Moat Cailin itself was rebuilt to be impregnable from both north and south.
While they made no moves yet, it was clear to them that House Blodfeld had ill-intentions towards them both, and with House Rada having declared its intentions to reunify the continent, it was better to work together to prepare for the worst.
While House Stark was not truly convinced of House Bolton's intentions, their words had infallible logic, and so they decided to accept House Bolton's offer.
And soon, House Bolton's warning about House Blodfeld would end up coming true.
IIOII
Rhoyehom
Arin Rada
In the court of Rhoyehom, Arin Rada received Eckard Blodfeld and his delegation who bowed with all due courtesy, posturing themselves as vassals come to pledge fealty to their suzerain.
"Arise, Lord Blodfeld," Arin beckoned, "You've come a long way from home."
"I am honoured that you pay such heed to such a minor detail, Lord Rada," Said Eckard, "I shall get straight to the point: I wish to pledge fealty to your cause."
The bluntness of Eckard's direct request caused a wave of murmurs to ripple through the throne room, many courtiers showing obvious confusion at his words as they tried to make sense of it.
"To speak the truth, I expected you to focus on securing your independence, not pledging fealty to a distant lord," Arin pointed out, "Many Northern Lords desire independence fervently."
"I am not those 'men', Lord Rada," Eckard firmly stated, eyes narrowing just a smidgen, "I am Eckard Blodfeld, and I am nothing like the ancient houses who delude themselves with past glories and storied histories. I look to the future, and I see that the North's future is with the rest of Westeros flying the banner of the Black Fox."
"Even then, you do not necessarily need to go so far," Arin stated, "You can still connect with the rest of Westeros as a sovereign kingdom."
"I know. And I refuse that path," Eckard pointed out, "There is much more to gain from being part of a greater whole than being separate from it. Furthermore, the age of dragons has rendered all plans of independence moot; Torrhen Stark saw wisdom in not provoking the dragons' anger and spared the North much destruction, yet his own vassals spat upon such a move in their hubris and pride."
"We did defeat the Targaryens and their dragons, however," Arin added, and Eckard smiled as if expecting such words.
"I know, but if I may be so frank, you paid a heavy price for this victory, and even now Dorne reels from the consequences. Furthermore, you had Lady Elaegelle Targaryen and her mighty dragon Castenkair," Eckard continued, "And though House Targaryen has lost its power, they still have several drakes in the dragonpit of King's Landing and many children who can grow into dragonriders in the future. I do not want to entrust our future to such flimsy predictions and circumstances."
Arin nodded in understanding, "You said you have much to gain, yes? Gain what, exactly?"
"Wealth, power, and most importantly, security," Eckard answered, "The North will need much time to develop and modernise after the war, and that cannot happen peacefully with Westeros divided and a potential threat at our backs."
Arin raised an eyebrow at Eckard's brazen attitude, and even Eckard's own vassals stared at him with disbelief. Not Oberyn Taegorad, not his right-hand man who understood him on a deeper level.
"Most people would hide behind half-truths of loyalty and fealty, not openly revealing their agendas to their potential enemies," Arin pointed out.
"True, but this is what my people truly need," Eckard explained, "As we all know, the North is extremely poor and underdeveloped, its people impoverished and constantly subsisting on dwindling food supply, and our military laughably small despite our size. No matter what my peers may say, we are a house of sticks waiting to crumble."
And it was the simple truth; Gosmerch was rapidly becoming an economic powerhouse in the north and the sole breadbasket of the North, reducing their reliance on southern grain but not completely eliminating it. Its navy was also not very large, thanks to the demented burnings of Brandon the Burner, and if they faced a coalition of Andal Crusaders in this time, the outcome was nothing short of grim.
Most historical accounts of the Andal Crusades hinted at them marching through the Neck, a naturally difficult land to traverse with its marshlands and lack of wide roads, and the bastion of Moat Cailin, a bulwark upon which the Crusaders broke. Nothing was spoken of naval battles, however, so one could only determine their naval strength through guesswork.
Though historical accounts both north and south spoke of all Crusades failing, Arin determined that the North in the past had just enough of a fleet and army to repulse the Crusaders at heavy cost.
Should the Neck break away, the North would lose its breadbasket and be forced to subsist on limited food supplies, severely limiting their options.
"In other words, you believe that through trade connections to the south, you will be able to build the North into the economic power it was always meant to be?" Said Arin.
"That, and I believe it better to be your ally than to exist as a potential problem to be excised in your eyes," Eckard concluded.
Arin chortled at Eckard's bold statement, causing all courtiers to look at him in surprise.
"Then are you prepared to lend your troops to our cause?" Asked Arin, "Are you prepared to lay down your life for this ambition of yours?"
"Why else am I here, Lord Rada?" Eckard smiled back, his eyes crystal clear without a hint of cloudiness.
"Then I happily accept your pledge of fealty, Lord Blodfeld," Said Arin.
With the men of Gosmerch on their side, the Dornish gained another ally for their cause.
IIOII
40 AC
First Moon
The War of Foxes and Dragons - as the recent war in Dorne came to be called - was the most devastating in Dorne's history.
With so much infrastructure damaged, so many troops dead and their supplies close to depleted, Dorne was forced on the defensive for a full three years as they licked their wounds.
And it was not just infantry and cavalry they needed to replenish. Dozens of Dornish ships were sunk in the war, and it would take at least a few years to build new ones and train the crews necessary to man them. Supplies too, and not just food supplies; ample amounts of ammunition and materials were crucial for long-term expeditions, especially for the upcoming unification war that Arin Rada was determined to wage.
Thankfully, through high-level diplomatic talks with the province of Krystogharia, they agreed to submit to House Rada's rule, having grown fed up with Maegor's tyrannical rule. With coin from Braavos and materials from Pentos, Dorne was able to rebuild the damaged infrastructure in a shorter timeframe, allowing them to focus on building up their military power.
As for both Krystogharia and Kastria, while they were able to donate monetary aid freely, for military help they had to restrict it to a limited number of mercenaries as the Summer Isles and Daeria did, ostensibly to avoid damaging House Rada's legitimacy.
As for their casualties, Dorne easily replaced their losses thanks to the family registry system established by Arin Rada several years prior as a method of cataloguing the population in Dorne. It allowed highly accurate population records and thus an easier method of calling upon prospective recruits to the fore.
Ironically, the war served to galvanise the country towards a greater war footing, as countless Dornish who lost friends and family or their property or both to the invasion enlisted, eager to get their revenge.
House Blodfeld was not idle, and neither were the other powers in Westeros, amassing as much power as they possibly could. The Mountain Clansmen in the Vale were subjugated and the rebels attained complete victory in the Iron Islands.
And then, finally, the time had come.
"Muster the legions of Dorne! We march to bring order to the continent, and end the centuries-long chaos that has polluted our homeland beyond recognition! Within a year's time, all shall fall before our might!"
Such was the declaration Arin Rada made to all the land. For Arin to declare a one-year deadline to finish his conquest, it shocked the entire continent. Furthermore, it meant that not responding to this declaration was the same as submitting to and acknowledging Arin Rada as the new King of the Seven Kingdoms.
No King in Westeros could ever accept that, and so everyone else rose up in rebellion, eager to humble the arrogant, overbearing tyrant who came to destroy them all.
Seventy years. For seventy years, Arin Rada patiently amassed power all for this moment, and now the Master of Dorne stood ready to unleash it all upon Westeros like a stampeding horde of horses.
A/N: A summary for what happened in the other kingdoms will be shown in the next chapter, as will the battle for the Iron Islands.