As Robert and the Cannibal flew closer to the Axe, he immediately noticed the stark difference in the landscape. Where once there had been only his lone cottage and a vast, untamed wilderness, now small clusters of makeshift camps dotted the ground. From above, he could see the hastily erected tents, smoke rising from campfires, and groups of people milling about, no doubt drawn to the promise of protection the dragon's presence provided.

It appeared that word had spread about a dragon residing in the Axe. And though no one had formally approached him, Robert knew why they had come. The bandits and Dothraki raiders had long plagued the surrounding lands, and now these desperate villagers sought refuge under the shadow of his dragon. Robert couldn't help but feel a surge of pride—without lifting a sword, people were already looking to him for safety and leadership.

As the Cannibal descended, the camps stirred in a flurry of activity. Robert could see people rushing about, eyes wide as they recognized the beast overhead. Many had only seen the dragon from a distance, and now it was coming directly toward them. Panic gripped the camps, and some began to flee into the woods or hide in their tents.

But Robert kept the dragon at a safe distance, landing it in a clearing far enough from the makeshift camps so as not to cause too much alarm. He dismounted with ease, adjusting his cloak as the villagers cautiously emerged from their hiding places. A few brave souls began to approach, their faces marked with both fear and hope.

Robert stood tall, watching as a small group of leaders formed, clearly intending to speak on behalf of the others. Among them was an older man with weathered skin, a hunched woman who appeared to be in her forties, and a younger man who looked to be a blacksmith or craftsman, his arms thick with muscle.

They hesitated at first, unsure of how to address the man who rode a dragon.

"Dragon Lord," the older man finally spoke, his voice rough from age or hardship. "We come to seek your mercy."

Robert raised an eyebrow, intrigued by their deference. "Speak," he commanded, his voice carrying the authority he had earned on the battlefield and in his dealings with nobility.

The older man shifted, clearly nervous. "My name is Haron, and I speak for the people you see before you. We... we've come here because we've heard of the dragon that guards these lands. We have nothing, my lord, but our lives. The bandits have driven us from our homes. And the Dothraki... they raid without mercy. We've come here in hopes that you would allow us to settle in the Axe, so that we may be safe under your protection."

The woman, her face etched with the strain of survival, stepped forward next. "We ask only for shelter, my lord. We will work the land, we will pay you with what we can harvest. All we ask is your protection from the raiders."

Robert watched them carefully. There were dozens, perhaps even hundreds of people living in these makeshift camps. They were clearly desperate, drawn by the mere sight of a dragon overhead. Yet despite their dire circumstances, they had come to him with humility, knowing that their survival depended on his mercy. The power he held now was palpable—he could see it in their eyes, in the way they trembled while awaiting his decision.

"I see you've chosen well," Robert finally said, his tone thoughtful. "Coming to the Axe shows that you understand the danger that surrounds these lands. But dragons do not protect for free."

The younger man stepped forward, his jaw clenched. "We'll do whatever you ask, my lord. We know the land, we can hunt and build. We can offer you our skills in exchange for your protection."

Robert walked toward the group, his eyes scanning the people who had gathered behind them. Some clutched children to their sides, while others stared at him with sunken eyes, worn from weeks, maybe months, of travel and fear. It was a pitiful sight, but one that also presented an opportunity. If they stayed and worked the land, the Axe could grow into something more than just a barren peninsula. It could become a true settlement—his settlement.

"You will live under my protection," Robert said at last, his voice steady and strong. "But you will also live by my rules. This land is mine, and as long as you respect that, you will be safe here. Any who break my law will be cast out, and I will not stop the raiders from taking them."

The villagers nodded eagerly, their faces breaking into relieved smiles.

"You will build proper homes," Robert continued, "and in time, we will fortify this land. You will not be idle here. There is work to be done, and if you are willing, you will share in the protection of the dragon. But know this—if you bring trouble to my land, I will know. And the Cannibal will not show mercy."

The mention of the Cannibal silenced any lingering whispers among the crowd. They had seen the dragon, and they knew its reputation. To be cast out of the Axe now, without the dragon's protection, would mean certain death.

"Thank you, Dragon Lord," Haron said, bowing his head. "We will honor your rules. We swear it."

With that, the villagers began to disperse, their faces full of hope as they returned to their camps. They would spread the word to others in the makeshift villages that they were safe now, that the Dragon Lord had accepted them. Robert watched them go, feeling a sense of satisfaction. His land was growing, his influence expanding. The Axe was no longer a barren wasteland—it was becoming a refuge, a kingdom in the making.

As the last of the villagers disappeared into the distance, Robert turned back to the Cannibal, who watched the proceedings with its usual feral detachment. The dragon snorted, as if bored by the day's events, but Robert smiled. He had everything he needed—gold, land, and now people. Soon, he would turn the Axe into something far greater than a scattering of camps. He would build a fortress, and his power would rival that of any lord in Essos.

But there was still more to be done. His mind drifted back to Westeros, to Rhaenyra. Time was short, and he had to make his next move before the princess was married off to some political rival. His time to return to Westeros as something more than a disgraced lover was coming. And when he did, he would return as the Dragon Lord of the Axe.

As the days passed, Robert observed the people who had come to settle on the Axe. Most of them were poor, ragged families with little more than the clothes on their backs and a few personal possessions. He noticed that many brought goats with them, their most prized possessions, but it was clear that their provisions were running low. The people were scraping by, eating small portions and sharing what little food they had left. Their situation was dire, and Robert knew that if he wanted to keep his new subjects loyal, he would have to ensure their survival.

One evening, as he stood on the cliffside overlooking the Bitterweed Bay, Robert began to formulate a plan. The waters below were known to be rich with life, particularly whales, and he knew that a single whale could provide enough food for the entire settlement for weeks. It was an idea both bold and dangerous, but with Cannibal at his side, Robert was confident they could succeed.

At dawn the next morning, Robert mounted Cannibal and took to the skies. The villagers, still weary and hungry, watched as their Dragon Lord soared over the Axe, heading toward the bay. Many of them wondered what he was up to, their hopes rising as they whispered amongst themselves.

High above the waters of Bitterweed Bay, Robert searched for the telltale signs of sperm whales. The waters here were known for their abundance of marine life, and it wasn't long before he spotted the unmistakable spouts of water rising into the air. A pod of whales swam just beneath the surface, their massive bodies dark against the deep blue sea.

Robert guided Cannibal lower, and the dragon responded eagerly, its sharp eyes locked onto the creatures below. Cannibal was a ferocious beast, and though it was known for hunting menn, cattle, and even dragons, Robert had made a connection with cannibal and it to follow his suggestions. Today, they would hunt something far larger.

With a swift command, Robert urged Cannibal into action. The dragon dove toward the water, its powerful wings cutting through the air as it descended upon the unsuspecting whales. Cannibal let out a fearsome roar as it struck, its claws sinking into the flesh of one of the massive creatures. The whale thrashed in the water, but Cannibal was relentless, its jaws clamping down on the whale's body. With a few powerful strokes of its wings, the dragon lifted the whale from the water, carrying its massive prize back toward the shore.

The villagers had gathered at the cliff by the time Robert and Cannibal returned. They watched in awe as the dragon landed, dropping the enormous whale onto the sand with a loud thud. For a moment, there was only stunned silence as the people stared at the massive creature before them. Then, as the realization sank in, cheers erupted from the crowd.

The people wasted no time. They worked together to carve the whale, using knives and makeshift tools to strip the meat from its bones. The air was filled with the scent of fresh blood and salt, but there was no hesitation as they began cooking the whale meat over open fires. For the first time in weeks, the people of the Axe would eat their fill.

Robert watched from a distance, feeling a sense of accomplishment. His decision to hunt the whale had been a success, and he could see the relief on the faces of the villagers as they shared in the bounty. Even the children, who had been quiet and withdrawn, now laughed and played near the fires, their bellies full for the first time in days.

But Robert knew that the whale meat would not last forever. He had instructed the villagers to dry and preserve as much of the excess meat as possible. Large slabs of whale meat were salted and hung on racks to dry in the sun, ensuring that they would have provisions for the coming weeks. The whale's blubber would be used for oil, and even its bones would be fashioned into tools or used to reinforce the makeshift shelters they had built.

As the sun set and the fires burned low, Robert knew that this small victory was just the beginning. The people now looked to him as their protector, their provider, and their leader. He had given them more than just food—he had given them hope. And with each passing day, his influence grew stronger.

The Cannibal, now resting by the cliffs, had proven to be more than just a weapon of war. It had become a symbol of safety, and as long as the dragon soared over the Axe, the people knew they were safe from the dangers of the outside world.

But Robert's mind was not at ease. Though he had provided for his people, there were still threats looming on the horizon. The bandits and Dothraki raiders would not be deterred forever, and he would need more than just a dragon to build a kingdom. There were alliances to forge, defenses to strengthen, and a future to plan.

As he stood alone by the shoreline, watching the waves crash against the rocks, Robert knew that his journey was far from over. His ambition stretched far beyond the shores of the Axe. And though he had built the foundation of his settlement here, his eyes remained fixed on Westeros—and on the woman who still waited for him.

With the whale hunt behind him and his people fed, Robert turned his thoughts to the next phase of his plan. The Axe was growing, but so too were his aspirations. And soon, the world would know the name of Robert Stronghammer, Dragon Lord of the Axe.

Author's Note:

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