Hadrian Lannister, the Black Lion By ZaneT69

Chapter 2

The Taking of the Stepstones.

The combined forces of Houses Lannister, Martell, and Tyrell had arrived at the Stepstones just before night fall and began waiting until it was darker for the invasion.

It had been a difficult last few months, with the establishing of a new house to rule and Harry getting written permission and certain rights from King Robert to begin his conquest of the Stepstones and Essos and establish new ruling houses. Harry literally became a King Maker and would be empowering his family to levels beyond their wildest dreams. The intended new ruling house of the Stepstones was part Lannister and Martell, using distant but trustworthy and capable cousins, and it would be an extension of both, but Harry intended for House Lannister to have much greater influence over it and its resources. With several new gold and silver mines under their control, House Lannister would grow in wealth and power, and the other metals like iron, tin, and copper would help too. Harry did make sure that House Martell got plenty of great holdings too, and with Oberyn being Sirius reincarnated Harry wanted to do that for his family.

It was finally time for the invasion of the Stepstones to commence...

Harry and Oberyn would be leading the conquest of Bloodstone and the other Lannister and Martell soldiers would be securing some specified holdings for their lords. The Redwyne and Lannister fleets would be containing any enemies and dealing with any Myrish, Lyseni, or Tyroshi interference. Harry wasn't expecting any trouble from them; yet, but felt it best to be prepared.

Harry's boat silently neared the shore of Bloodstone, with Harry only seeing a few guards keeping watch. The others were thankfully drunk and asleep. A few quick shots from his archers took out all the men on the docks and allowed them to land larger numbers before a big confrontation.

It wasn't to last, but they at least landed a few thousand before an alarm was sounded. When the pirates attacked, Harry and his personal elite, his black armored Lionguard, intercepted them, and with the magic Harry imbued their amulets with, they were fighting at a near-superhuman level and cutting them down without losing an inch of ground. That, combined with the Runic armor and weapons, enabled them to quickly end the flow and enter Bloodstone.

"Alright, go floor to floor and kill any pirates. Women, children, prisoners, and slaves are to be spared unless they attack you. The other soldiers will begin sweeping the island and do the same. No looting or raping." Harry ordered, his soldiers nodded fearfully. They knew better than to defy Hadrian Lannister. He castrated rapists, and it was better to earn money and get a whore and even a disease than risk his wrath.

Taking Bloodstone was pathetically easy. Every pirate was easily cut down by superior weapons, armor, men, and skill. That wasn't particularly boast worthy, but it was a great first win on Harry's compaign and would serve to increase morale for the more difficult conquests. The other islands fell to overwhelming numbers and were securely occupied and Dorne gained a few dozen ships for its navy, and they would gain more when Tyrosh was conquered and it's fleet taken.

"I suppose that I should use my magic to restore Bloodstone Castle to habitability. I'll have to do it with all the worthy buildings," Harry said, before channeling his magic through Bloodstone Castle and causing it to be rapidly repaired. "That's done. The combined wealth here should give the new ruling house plenty of wealth to improve their holding. Tyrosh will be added to the Kingdom of the Stepstones too and that will make it even wealthier." The commanders of the other forces entered the throne room.