Capítulo 395: Chapter 396: Division of Forces
Ghost Hill held out for only two days before it was taken by the Golden Company.
"That was too easy," young Aegon remarked as he rode through the gates, radiating a sense of triumph.
"That's because the Ghost Hill army was called away by Princess Arianne," Tyrion replied, "and besides, this is hardly a fortress worth mentioning."
"Regardless, this is a good start. One day, all of Dorne—and all of Westeros—will fly my three-headed red dragon banner."
"I'll look forward to seeing that," Tyrion said with practiced politeness, though inwardly he shook his head.
This boy, Aegon, had been sheltered too thoroughly by his protectors, Lord Griff included. He had hardly faced any real challenges in life, leaving him with the temperament of a child.
Perhaps that was exactly what Varys, Illyrio, and others intended: a naive, easily manipulated boy king.
And from the perspective of House Lannister, Tyrion didn't mind that either. A wise and capable Targaryen heir returning to Westeros wasn't in their best interest—after all, the Lannisters had no intention of surrendering the Iron Throne.
For now, their alliance with Aegon was purely about defeating Caesar.
So, Tyrion was content to watch this farce unfold.
"Ser Franklin," Jon Connington began issuing commands as soon as they entered the castle, "take men to search the keep thoroughly. Don't let a single member of House Toland escape. Ser Moro, check the maester's tower and the armory. Ser Benned, you're in charge of the stables, sept, and barracks.
Round up everyone in the courtyard. Unless they resist, there's no need to kill indiscriminately. We are here to win the support of Dorne's lords, not to slaughter them."
"Yes, my lord."
Young Aegon strode into the great hall ahead of the others. His eyes roamed over the faded tapestries on the walls, the arched windows of red and green diamond-shaped glass, and the racks of spears, swords, and war hammers near the walls. His face fell with visible disappointment.
"Are all Westerosi lords this poor? Or is it just House Toland?"
"Dornish nobles are among the poorest in the Seven Kingdoms," Tyrion explained, "and House Toland is one of the weaker houses of Dorne."
"I've heard the Lannisters are the richest house in the Seven Kingdoms," Aegon remarked.
"That's what they say," Tyrion replied, "but we may not actually be the richest."
"Then who is?"
"That's hard to say," Tyrion mused. "House Hightower is certainly comparable to us in wealth and is even older and more influential. Then there's Caesar's house. Though they rose to power only recently, the forces they command surpass any in Westeros, and they have three dragons."
"Hmph! Those dragons should have been mine!" Aegon said through gritted teeth.
Tyrion blinked, his thoughts flashing to Daenerys Targaryen. She had likely been intended as a bride for Aegon, but Caesar had taken her for himself.
At that moment, soldiers entered the hall, escorting several members of House Toland.
"Have all the men of House Toland died? Why are there only women left?" Aegon asked arrogantly as he seated himself at the high table.
"My husband has been imprisoned in Sunspear, and my son followed Arianne Martell in her attack on Yronwood, where he died beneath the castle walls," said Lady Nymella Toland. "When I heard that Arianne had also died in Yronwood, I sincerely thanked the gods. Finally, they rid us of the Martells, who were leading Dorne to ruin and even destruction."
"Arianne is dead?" Tyrion asked, stunned. A wave of indescribable sorrow washed over him.
"Yes, dead," Lady Toland said dismissively. "That woman feigned surrender to lure Caesar in, then poisoned the feast in a bid to avenge her father. But Caesar, being cautious, did not drink her wine. In the end, she poisoned many members of House Yronwood—and herself."
Oh, foolish Arianne, reckless Arianne, Tyrion thought, his heart heavy with regret.
Her beautiful face flashed in his mind, leaving him despondent.
The gods are cruel indeed, denying me even the hope of a wife, he thought bitterly.
"Caesar is in Dorne?" Jon Connington asked sharply. "How many soldiers has he brought?"
"I don't know. But he has brought at least one dragon," Lady Toland replied, her tone turning mocking as she glanced at Aegon. "A real dragon, not a cloth one on a banner."
"Watch your tongue," Aegon snapped, his face darkening. "You are my prisoner now, so kneel before the true dragon heir, the Iron Throne's first lawful successor, or face death!"
Jon Connington frowned at the outburst and tried to intervene.
"Prince Aegon—"
"I am no longer 'young Griff,'" Aegon interrupted. "Lord Jon, are you going soft again, trying to play the noble and merciful lord? Don't forget what happened the last time your misplaced kindness cost us dearly."
Jon fell silent, the bitter memory surfacing.
During Robert Baratheon's rebellion, Jon had surrounded Stoney Sept with royal forces, determined to capture Robert. Someone had advised him to burn the town to flush Robert out, but Jon hesitated, unwilling to harm innocents.
Robert had survived by hiding in a brothel, and with the arrival of Eddard Stark and Hoster Tully's forces, Jon's chance to end the rebellion was lost.
For his failure, the Mad King had stripped Jon of his title and exiled him across the Narrow Sea.
"Yes, Your Grace," Jon said, bowing his head. "I will not make the same mistake again."
Satisfied, Aegon turned to Lady Toland.
"House Toland must choose: submit or be destroyed."
Lady Toland quickly interjected before her eldest daughter, Valena, could speak rashly.
"Yes, Prince Aegon. We surrender."
"Good!" Aegon said, standing triumphantly. "Swear your loyalty to me."
Jon Connington watched as Lady Toland reluctantly forced her daughter to kneel. He doubted the sincerity of their coerced oath but said nothing.
He had begun to sense that Aegon harbored growing resentment toward him. Perhaps the prince, having been a nominal son for so long, resented Jon's continued influence.
Jon wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or wary.
After House Toland's submission, Aegon returned to the high seat and asked:
"What should we do next?"
Jon carefully replied:
"Your Grace, I believe our priority should be marching on Sunspear to secure the allegiance of the Martells and, through them, the other lords of Dorne. With their support, we can drive Caesar's forces out of Dorne.
Then, we can coordinate with the Lannisters to attack the Stormlands from both sides, rescue your aunt Daenerys, and gain control of her dragons."
Aegon shook his head.
"The Martells have been defeated repeatedly; they're of little help now. Since Caesar is at Yronwood, we should march west and kill him. Once he is dead, the Stormlands and the Reach will naturally fall to us."
"Caesar isn't easily killed," Jon warned. "He has a dragon—"
"Dragons aren't invincible," Aegon retorted. "We have scorpion ballistae. The Dornish once killed Meraxes; we can kill Caesar's dragon too."
Jon was left speechless. He realized that ever since Aegon had revealed his true identity, the boy had started showing signs of recklessness.
Tyrion noticed it too and had no desire to face Caesar's dragon. He spoke up:
"Your Grace, Sunspear still holds captive forces from the Riverlands and the Vale. If we win their loyalty, it will significantly bolster our strength."
Aegon considered this and finally said:
"Very well. We'll split our forces. Lord Jon, take 5,000 men west to confront Caesar. I will personally lead another 5,000 south to Sunspear."
Jon was alarmed and protested:
"Your Grace, dividing our forces now—"
"My decision is made!" Aegon cut him off. "Lord Jon, your duty is to follow orders."
"Yes, Your Grace," Jon said reluctantly.
Fool, Tyrion thought, hiding a smirk. This boy has the Mad King's brilliance. Perhaps he truly is a Targaryen.
(End of Chapter)
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