The Bronze Dragon-A House of the Dragon fanfic

Chapter 43

Preparations were made almost immediately. My father did not take his decision lightly, but it was one that had to be done. As he pointed out, the ascension of Aegon or Rhaenyra would leave Aemond or Daemon pulling the strings, which could not be allowed. It would mean a long war and a brutal war, but it was one that was necessary.

Allies were called, but only a small handful answered the call at first. What my father needed was victories, and so he began planning out his first battle of the war.

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"Who has answered our call?" Daevar asked. He, Gerold, Willam, Barden and Kermit had converted part of the Great Hall into a war room, with a map of Westeros spread out over the table as they stood over it. Crudely carved icons marked out where the armies and dragons were; the colours corresponding to the factions. A black dragon was in place at Harrenhal with an icon, another black dragon was at White Harbor, while a third was placed over the gullet and an army icon had been put in the eastern Vale to represent Eldric's army. Green dragons were crowded around King's Landing, while army icons were in place at Oldtown, Casterly Rock, and King's Landing.

"Only the Redforts, Coldwaters and Shetts so far." Barden informed him. "We are still waiting on replies from the Hunters, Waynwoods and Corbrays."

"How many men can we muster?"

"With the additions of our allies, around six thousand." Willem replied. "Not enough to take on Eldric, assuming he does have twelve thousand men."

"With respect, we have Tessarion." Gerold said. "She and Daeron alone are worth an army."

"Assuming that Eldric does not have a dragon and rider with him." Daevar pointed out as bronze icons were placed on the Redfort and Coldwater Burn. "What of Gulltown?"

"Lord Grafton has sided with Eldric and recognised Rhaenyra as Queen." Barden said. "But he is yet to call his banners. I think he is fearful of what us or the Redforts will do if he tries to march past us."

"Assuming he's still capable of marching." Kermit said, causing a ripple of laughter. Lord Grafton had only grown more stout over the years, and his habitual laziness was an easy thing to mock, if not a desirable trait in a commander. "I did receive return ravens from my father and Lord Blackwood. They've not sworn to back us, but neither of them will support Aegon or Rhaenyra, and the same goes for most of the eastern Riverlands houses."

Fitting , Daevar thought. The houses in the eastern Riverlands would wait to see who triumphed in the Vale before taking a side; there was little sense in them coming to support him when he was still outnumbered by Eldric. I would have done the same in their position. "Are our men ready for war, Willam?"

"That they are, Your Grace." he said, puffing out his chest. Raising all of their forces within the few days he had was a monumental task, but he had managed it. They Royce forces would be ready to march as soon as Daevar gave the word.

"There is the problem of finances though." Barden reminded them. "Wars are expensive, Your Grace, and this will be a long one. I fear our coffers will be drained before long."

"Taking Gulltown should rectify that." Gerold said. The city was the Vale's only deep-water port, and thus the major trading hub of the region. It would give a substantial boost to the war, but only if they could prevent too much damage in the inevitable fighting that would happen there. "If we storm the city, we would catch Grafton off guard. Especially if the Shetts strike from within."

"The problem is Isembard." Daevar said.

"Isembard Arryn is a man of coin at heart, Your Grace." Barden said. "He will side with whom he thinks will win."