The Conquest

Aegon

The God's Eye, at the heart of Harren's empire was an enormous lake that supported the settlements around it's bank.  Being still summer, the water of the lake is blue and green; sunlight dancing on its rippling waters. When winter comes, they will turn as cold and icy as steel. Then the black swans that was swimming around the solitary island in the middle then will be there no more. 

Beyond the lake, surrounded by massive curtain walls are five monstrous towers touching the sky. The gigantic fortress of Harren Hoare that resides on the shore of God's Eye is meant to dwarf any other castle throughout Westeros. Built on blood and sweat of numerous captives he had taken during his tyrannical rule, his dream took forty years to be realized, finished not long before Aegon's ships docked the mouth of Blackwater bay.

Aegon had received a welcome typical of an Ironborn.

Black Harren's party fell upon them on Reeds, south of God's Eye and again at the Wailing Willows. While Reeds was a victory, Hoare's Ironmen wounded them at the later battle. With numerous of his men injured, Aegon fell back drawing away his army to set a camp before preparing to face Harren himself.

While they wait for their men to recover, Aegon sent out ravens through out the riverlands. And before long they flew back bearing answers of the Lords he had written. 

The first to join them is Edmyn Tully of Riverrun, a wealthy and influential House, serving as vassal for Riverlords for thousands of years. They had never vied for the throne of Riverlands but the recent offences towards them had led them to desert Hoare. Then came the Blackwoods of Raventree Hall and Mallisters of Seagard. None bearing any love for their Ironborn king and will gladly join a new regime that liberated from Harren's reign of terror. 

Following the principal lord's step, Vances, Brackens, Pipers, Freys, and Strongs, all summoned their levy and declared for Aegon. Years of plundering and oppression had it consequences for Harren. It was wise to join a powerful enemy that is sure to triumph than their losing side, especially when they have nothing else to lose. They were already being hunted by their own over lord.

As his men switched sides, Harren's formidable defense suddenly fell through. He brought all his men, those still loyal to him and sought refuge in his castle. The large gatehouses were closed and draw bridges drawn back inside. In the little time they had, Harren had accumulated whatever supplies he could and barred his gate to withstand the siege.

Once at his gate, Aegon sent Byrron, maester to Mootons under peace banner. He watched the drawbridge being lowered and the wide gates swallow his emissary. At sundown, maester Byrron came back bearing acceptance of parley.

Harren Hoare, despite his old and frail health was no less terrifying than rumors suggested. He walked in, bald head held high, mouth curved at the corner, a hint of cruelty playing on them. Aegon invited him into his tent, attended by his present lords and supporters. Harren's cloudy eyes shifted across his old bannermen's face, violent as storm.

"I expected to find a man. You-" He paused to lick his lips. "are merely, a boy."

Aegon smiled. A man so powerful seldom comes without vanity. "I am glad you agreed to come, Lord Harren. We were wondering if climbing down your enormous tower exhausted you to death bed."

Harren's jaw tightened. "You have such way with words, dragon spawn. But what about war? Would you be as capable should you take this to battlefield?"

"Then call your army and I will call my. Let us meet on the field where which one of us is superior. But you may not be glad you did."

"You dare mock me? I am older than you boy. I built an empire, twice the size of my grandfather's land with my might, not stealing away from other people like cowards do." He spat. His spit showered on the table between them. "You think you can just rush in here like the silly boy you are, demolishing all I have built over years. No. Not on my watch.