Chapter 7: The First Salvo

Chapter Text

Chapter VII.

Author's Note- Thanks to those who reviewed. This next chapter is a really their first foray into international relations and the decisions made in this chapter will lead very soon to war. Events will soon no longer be within their power to control as Westeros learns the truth of them.

Disclaimer: I Own Nothing.

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Three Years Later

The Dragon's Nest- 100 miles outside of Pentos

295 AL.

To His Grace King Rhaegar I Targaryen, First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm-

I pray this letter finds Your Grace and Your Grace's family well. I fear I must write to give Your Grace words of both advice and caution. Events in Westeros continue apace, and the Kingdoms are ever-devolving into a further state of disunity. At present, Baratheon rule is tenuous at best. As the Usurper drinks and whores his way thru the Kingdom's ever-decreasing wealth, Lannister influence continues to grow unchecked as he places the country further and further into the debt of both Tywin Lannister as well as the Iron Bank. The revenues of Storm's End have long since been wiped out by the unchecked spending and largesse of House Baratheon leaving Lord Stannis as the only remaining Baratheon that retains solvency.

Apart from that, the debt has caused taxes to be imposed at rates never before witnessed. The small-folk of Kings Landing especially are brought lower than one can imagine. It is not uncommon these days to even hear them lament the loss of Your Grace's late father of all people! At present, the realm is akin to a boiling pot wildfire. It will only take but a single spark to ignite the flames of destruction from within. Most believe that as long as Robert Baratheon remains alive, nothing will ever be altered. It is thought by most that the Stark-Tully-Arryn-Baratheon alliance along with the Baratheon-Lannister union will maintain the current regime indefinitely.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Tywin Lannister has learned of late (from various hints and clues dropped by my little bird's as per Your Grace's instruction as well as the scene he 'inadvertently' walked in on) of the true origins of Cersei Lannister's children. My source's have confirmed that when presented with unequivocal proof, he did indeed confront both Cersei as well as Ser Damion Lannister, and only spared Damion's life at the behest of his faithful brother Ser Kevan- who invoked the late Lady Joanna to stay his hand due to the fact that Damion was her favorite brother's child. It is known that he ordered Cersei to get herself with a child born of the Usurper's loins as soon as possible regardless of her will. Luckily, it is not nearly as easy for her to actually lure her husband into their marital bed as it once might have been due to the Usurper's now well known aversion to the mere sight of his Lannister Queen. She was also ordered by her father that in no uncertain terms was she to ever do anything that would bring harm to the Usurper, or knowingly allow anyone else to harm the Usurper in any way. Tywin is intelligent enough to know that without at least one true-born child of the Usurper, they would never be able to hold the Iron Throne without Robert and his 'allies' (such as they are anymore).

To that end, the Small Council grows ever more suspicious of the continuing growth and prosperity of the North. The lust and greed can easily be seen on the faces of both Lord Tywin and the Usurper himself when they are given reports of massive amounts of gold Lord Stark and his 'investors' are making by way of the new canal. Never before has the North been courted by so many of the Free-Cities as they are at present. They also well know that although their may have been a mild and superficial rapprochement between Lord Stark and the Usurper during the Greyjoy Revolt, that relations with Winterfell are still nearly as distant as those with Sunspear; that the Usurper is king 'in name alone' of at least two of the Seven Kingdoms.

As to the Usurper's other 'allies', both Hoster Tully and Lord Jon Arryn are gaining well into their final years of life. With the 'unfortunate' demise of Ser Edmure Tully and the absolute refusal of the Blackfish to take a wife, it is known that the only possible heirs of Riverrun are the children of Lord Stark. Considering the fact that the Lady Lysa has still yet to produce a living legitimate child, Jon Arryn's only real heir is Lord Benjen Stark (or Your Grace's own children with the Princess Lyanna), this will force a greater amount of caution for both Lannister and the Usurper himself. At the insistence and behest of the Lady Lysa, Lord Arryn has named a man by the name of Petyr Baelish, to the recently vacated position of Master of Coin.

I have many suspicions about the man, only some of which are confirmed. He is a flesh-peddler of the worst sort and owns the largest establishment of brothels in all the Seven Kingdoms. He was a former ward of Hoster Tully, and I have confirmed that he is indeed the lover of the Lady Lysa. He was the original father of the bastard she bore in her girlhood. As Your Grace no doubt remembers, it was Petyr Baelish that challenged (and lost) a duel with the late Heir of Winterfell, Lord Brandon Stark. I believe he may have some connection to the Tully Conspiracy that ignited the flames of the Usurper's Rebellion. Signs of the Mockingbird's (Baelish) involvement are many. I can already confirm that our new Master of Coin has very cunningly began to embezzle ever-increasing amounts of gold from the Royal Treasury. It is failing to be noticed as he is forging many documents as well as bribing certain key members of the Treasury. However, I have alerted our contacts within the Iron Bank of this fraud. When the time is right, the man's accounts shall be seized to repay both the bank and the Treasury, and his business's shall all become the property of the Crown; distasteful as that may sound. With Your Grace's leave, I shall leave the Mockingbird free to dig his own grave as deep as he is able.

In an unrelated note. I have dealt with several more individuals who were in the paid service of our enemies, and planned to bring the existence of Your Grace and the Royal Family to the notice of the Usurper to curry his favor. This is far from the first time something of this nature has occurred, and I am certain it shall not be the last. Too many of the wrong people are discovering things they should not; especially of late. I foresee that in the near future, it shall be necessary to bring Your Grace's existence before the Usurper in order to maintain mine own cover. To that end, I urge Your Grace to step up whatever plans you may be involved with to strengthen Your Grace's reign and power as I'm certain they shall be needed in the near future.

I expect the Usurper's first desire will be to sail to Essos and make war upon Your Grace immediately. However, that is highly unlikely to ever be allowed. Many of his lords simply would not follow him into an unprovoked war with a man most will not even believe is still alive without seeing Your Grace with their own eyes in the current climate. Especially not when they realized they would be far outnumbered in battle at sea. I believe his next reaction will be to demand answers, and then satisfaction, from Her Grace's brother, Lord Eddard Stark. Again, he would be met by opposition. This time even in the form of Jon Arryn himself (who is still on relatively good terms with Lord Stark despite his falling out with his former foster-brother). House Arryn's ties to House Stark are by far stronger than their ties to House Baratheon or House Lannister. Neither the Riverlands nor the Vale will make war on the North when their heir's are both Stark's of Winterfell.

That being the case, I expect an uneasy state of cold war to exist. The moment the Usurper declares any hostile intentions on the North, Sunspear shall immediately cease any and all communication between itself and the Iron Throne. The message will be clear to all. The Usurper will then be faced with the daunting prospect of attempting to invade the two most easily defensible kingdoms that are nearly invulnerable without something like dragons and with very little in the form of allies that are not Lions.

When, and if that occurs- I believe that shall be the best time for Your Grace's forces to strike.

I have little doubt that very soon Tywin Lannister will be all but insisting that the Usurper's 'son' Joffrey 'Baratheon' take the Lady Margaery of House Tyrell to wife. No doubt he will believe the might of the Reach shall succor them. However, the Tyrell's are not nearly as strong as they would have everyone believe, and they are most definitely not well liked amongst their own bannermen. Houses Tarly, Rowan, Florent, and even House Hightower itself would be easily persuaded to the Dragon's Banner once more in defiance of House Tyrell due to the over-reaching of the Lady Olenna and the grasping of Lord Mace. That would undermine much of the Lannister's potential support.

In conclusion, I urge Your Grace to begin making plans. To my best estimation, Your Grace likely has approximately three years in which to grow Your Grace's foreign support. It would likely be in Your Grace's best interests to work as quickly as possible with little regard for secrecy. I shall endeavor to give Your Grace as much time as possible before the Usurper is allowed to learn the truth. During that time there is a great deal Your Grace and the Royal Family have time to accomplish if the efforts are done as quickly as possible. News from Essos is slow-travelling, often conflicting, and sparse. I pray Your Grace's travels are swift and expedient if only to avoid as much bloodshed of Your Grace's subjects as possible, as I know that is always on the forefront of Your Grace's mind.

Ever Your Grace's Humble Servant and Master of Whispers

Varys~

Underneath the Eunuch's signature was the sigil of a spider.

Rhaegar sat back in his seat at the head of the table after he finished reading the Spider's latest report aloud to his advisor's; many of which now appeared to be deep in thought.

"Three years, he say's. I would estimate that is the absolute maximum length of time we may have. So, the question now remains, what do we accomplish in those three years?" Rhaegar asked those gathered round the conference table.

Sitting at the table, those included were; Queen Rhaella, his father, his mother, Rhaenys, Dany, Viserys, Jon Connington, the leader of the Golden Company- Harry Strickland, Grand Admiral Lucerys Velaryon, Ser Gerold Hightower, Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Barristan Selmy, Ser Mark Ryswell, the Lady Ashara, Ser Jaime, Lord Gerion, and Lord Tyrion Lannister, Prince Oberyn Martell, his uncle Lord Benjen Stark, Cousin Stannis' representative- Ser Courtenay Penrose, and himself.

Rarely were so many of their supporter's ever gathered in the same place as it was generally too dangerous.

"For one thing Your Grace, I would suggest we employ more workers to expedite finishing the docks and the planned expansion of Kingsport. The moment the Usurper receives confirmation of Your Grace's existence, we shall need to recollect the entire fleet at its full strength. Presently, the harbor and docks aren't anywhere near large enough to accommodate the sheer size of our full fleet." Admiral Velaryon suggested.

His father nodded his head in agreement.

"Since we are no longer to be quite as concerned with preventing our apparently inevitable discovery; put out the word. Hire as many as are necessary to have the port fully functioning. I'll order the necessary funds to be disbursed." Rhaegar said.

"Yes, Your Grace." Lord Velaryon intoned.

"If Your Grace's are still willing to fund it, we can begin the necessary recruitment for the secondary company now. We have enough space, and can easily build anymore we need here. It will be costly, but if House Targaryen can foot the bill, our contact's have the basis for enough interests to complete the task. Some of your own men will be necessary for their training of course, since you desire them to be the forces of House Targaryen alone." Harry Strickland said gruffly.

"Agreed. I'll set up the account with the Iron Bank to fund the new company. Ten thousand well-trained swords will be needed sooner rather than later. Lord Connington and Ser Richard Lonmouth will be in over-all charge of over-seeing it from our end. The Magister's of Pentos will keep it all as quiet as possible for as long as they can." Rhaegar informed them.

"Rhaenys, Daenerys, Jaehaerys; how goes the dragons?" Rhaegar asked them as they were whom saw to most of their training and upkeep.

Of course they had to do all the training in the hills well away from their current residence. The only group to their knowledge that ever managed to actually see the dragons (that they had not invited anyway) were a tribe of passing by Dothraki. They had been terrified and had run their horses as hard as they could in the opposite direction; thereby proving that the barbarians were smarter than they looked.

"Very well, Father. Nearly...too well in fact. They're large enough to ride by now, as you know. We're going to have to begin their serious training soon. You know the dangers of not properly training them with experienced riders as well as I do. I doubt it will be more than a year before all the nearby Free-Cities are very much aware of their existence. Even living this far out, they're simply too large to keep quiet very long, and they're only growing bigger. Syrax can already nearly blot out the mid-day sun all by himself ." Rhaenys informed him.

Rhaegar nodded his head thoughtfully; a small smile playing on his handsome features at the thought of riding his dragon, Balaeria. Haery swore every Targaryen turned into a small child anytime dragons were mentioned; himself included of course. Mayhaps especially him.

"Excellent Rhaenys! Truly excellent. Just try and keep them quiet as long as possible. That's the best we can hope for as there is no way to keep something as large as a fully grown and mounted dragon quiet for long; let alone the number of them that we have."

He knew Rhaegar felt the same as the rest of them; never feeling more alive and vibrant as when they took to the skies on dragonback. It was the most remarkably exhilarating experience.

"Now, I believe my heir has a proposal he wishes for us to hear him on, do you not Jaehaerys?" His father asked him.

"Yes, Father; My Lord's and Lady's." He said with a firm nod of his head as he stood and looked across the table to all those gathered.

"When we make to return to Westeros, we will have a large number of powerful allies that shall be meeting us. However, especially in the beginning, whatever opposition we face, we shall do so alone. We will fight with only whatever armies we bring with us ourselves. Our strongest ally is the North, but the sheer size of that kingdom makes gathering it's full strength a slow and ponderous thing. If my great grand-uncle Jon Arryn is still alive at that time, we might not even have the support of the Vale itself, and the god's forbid Old Man Tully somehow manages to cling to life. Our only absolute and guaranteed allies besides Cousin Stannis are Dorne and the North; the two kingdoms that are the furthest from one another than any other of the Seven Kingdoms.

Now, while I have no doubt that we will still have many loyalists, nothing is written in stone. The only thing we can be certain of upon landing on Westerosi shores are what we bring with us. We will have the might of the Golden Company, the new forces that will soon begin recruitment and training, and whatever number of marines accompany the landing fleet. At most, that will be a force of twenty-five thousand men: ten thousand of the Golden Company, ten thousand of the new regiments, and possibly up to five thousand marines.

I would like to have at least near another ten thousand heavily trained men to land with us. With those extra men, there is virtually no force that would be capable of repelling us back into the sea as fast as we're like to land."

His explanation garnered a good number of confused looks.

"Where would you suggest we gain this extra force of ten thousand men, My Prince? Raising the new company of ten thousand will be a difficult enough endeavor all by itself- to say nothing of doubling that number." Jon Connington asked in usual brusque manner.

"I am aware of that, Lord Connington. I propose something that will grant us those extra numbers, and an army better trained and disciplined than any other in the known world. However, some of you may be uncomfortable with what I am suggesting, but I would have you hear me out before you dismiss it out of hand or refuse to consider it." He cryptically informed those present.

He noticed several narrowed eyes and more thoughtful looks. Harry Strickland though looked contemplative and he was certain the Golden Company Leader had figured it out for himself. His next words proved that true.

"You speak of the Unsullied, do you not, My Prince?" Strickland stated more than asked.

He nodded his head in agreement.

"Aye, it is the Unsullied to which I refer..."

He doubted anyone heard him from the cacophony of noise the reference to the Unsullied unleashed around the table.

All around him, the various numbers of their supporter's were loudly decrying even the mere idea of landing in Westeros with any amount of slave-soldiers. None could be heard over the loud and determined voices of their neighbors. The noise continued to raise higher in volume as everyone present seemed to want to make themselves heard over the ever-increasing din. He allowed that to go on for another moment or two before he took back control of council.

He knew his father was staying silent on the matter presently to allow him the opportunity of experiencing command and control of a council such as the current assembly. It was good preparation for the future he supposed. Of course, he also had his own method's of silencing a group like those present with far more ease than most would have, even if some might call it 'cheating' (Aelyx).

He pulled deep within the well of magic within him and forced his magic to resonate with his voice.

When he next spoke, his word's were loud and commanding; near magically-demanding instant obedience from the truculent lords.

"Enough!"

Haery's voice boomed above them all.

"You will be silent and listen when the Heir to the Iron Throne speaks, or you will be removed!" He demanded of them with just a spark of compulsion laced within his speech.

The silence that followed was near instant and total.

"Thank you. Now, if you'd allow me to finish, you'd understand exactly what I am really proposing. I would never suggest bringing slaves to our homeland. Never! What I am suggesting is that we arrange contact with the Unsullied. What I propose is this: I propose travelling to Astapor and treating with the 'Good Masters'. Do not concern yourselves with how the Unsullied are to be gained; only that they will. The Unsullied are by far the best disciplined and hardest trained soldiers in the known world. It is a fact; despite the disgusting forms of 'training' I am aware of that they are forced to endure.

Know this: I absolutely despise slavery in all it's forms. I loathe it utterly, and I would like nothing better than to free every slave in the world. While I can't do that, I can free the Unsullied.

Once control of the Unsullied forces are gained by us, I would offer them their complete and total freedom. Any that wish to leave for different parts of the world would be free to do so. However, many of them have nowhere else to go. Most of them no longer have any families to which they may return. I would offer all of them places in our armies as freed men. Payment, food, and housing would be offered to any that wished to serve with us. I would offer them permanent placement as part of Crown's Royal Guard. As they age, they would be given either pensions or set up in the trade of their choice and land bestowed upon them in return for their services to House Targaryen. I have a feeling many of them would rejoice at such an opportunity and that most would remain as part of our forces.

That is how I would begin not only the foundations of the Iron Throne's permanent standing army, but also grant freedom and new opportunities to any former Essosi slave that would like to find a new life in Westeros- the same opportunity granted to all our ancestors since the arrival of the First Men to the Western Continent." He finished in conclusion the makings of the plan that had been in his mind for quite some time.

Ever since he learned something of the despicable forced 'training' the Unsullied endured, he had thought long and hard of a way to end such suffering forever. No one should ever be forced to endure what they did.

His proposition was met by total and complete silence as many around the table attempted wrap their minds around what exactly it was that the young, but brilliant Crown Prince was suggesting.

Never before had the Iron Throne maintained any real type of a standing army.

For one thing, it was commonly cost-prohibitive. For another, they generally only had the lands of the Crownlands themselves from which to gather Targaryen troops from. That would be changing soon, though most at the table were unaware of those plans. (Whatever was left of House Tully was sure to be disappointed.) Never again would something like the loss House Targaryen suffered during the Rebellion be allowed to occur. In order to insure that such a thing never came to pass again, the lands under the direct vassalage of the Iron Throne would be greatly expanded.

Besides the traditional Crownlands that amounted to mostly just the lands bordering on the Blackwater Bay, plans were in the works to add nearly the entirety of the Riverlands to the direct rule of the Iron Throne. Possibly the Iron Islands too. They would certainly make for a magnificent bastion and base for the new Targaryen Western Fleet- after they had...relocated...the native Ironborn of course.

Unlike every other region of Westeros, the Riverlands had never been ruled by any single permanent house. When Aegon the Dragon took the Riverlands, they had been under the rule of House Hoare from the Iron Islands for quite some time. They had shifted under the rule of various kingdoms and petty states back and forth for millennia; even the Stormlands had ruled them for quite a while. It was the Targaryen's themselves that elevated House Tully of Riverrun to the position it currently held even though their had never been a Tully king. After the actions they now knew House Tully had perpetrated in the events that led up to the Rebellion, they felt well within their right's to demote the family they themselves raised up, and which had then gone on to betray them in such a vile manner and without any real cause save personal gain and blatant opportunism. The Riverlands would be joined together with the Crownlands. Even without their dragon's, they would then be a large power to be reckoned with, unlike in times past. Incidentally, they would also gain some very important ports on both coasts of Westeros in the form of Maidenpool, Saltpans, and Seaguard.

He thought over the best way to ensure the loyalty of the new lands under the Throne's control while their advisors thought out his suggestion of how to use the Unsullied without besmirching their own honor.

"What say you?" Rhaegar asked as he looked over those present.

Many looked conflicted, while some seemed more relaxed about the matter after the details had been explained to them properly.

"Well, I for one have no problems with that plan if it is truly feasible." Lord Velaryon stated unsurprisingly.

Personally, he thought Seven Hell's would freeze over before the day came that a Velaryon gainsaid a Targaryen in anything.

"Nor I." Harry Strickland added in his agreement; again unsurprisingly considering the amount of gold he was being paid.

Strickland would probably agree to helping them forcibly convert everyone to the Red God if he was paid enough.

"As long as they were truly free to do as they will, I suppose I see no problem with it. It is certainly a far better life and future than would have otherwise remained to them." Ser Arthur said.

There were many nods at Ser Arthur's words. His opinion always carried great weight as the legendary knight was as renown for his unshakable honor as his uncle Ned Stark was, perhaps even more so.

"I understand all of that, and I can even agree with such a plan because adding such forces to our own would be a large boon. What I'm unsure about is how they could possibly be bought? The amount of gold needed for such a scheme would be astronomical." His Uncle Benjen questioned.

'Understandably so.' Haery thought.

The amount of gold needed to purchase all of them would be truly enormous if they actually had any intention of paying for them. However...they had no such plans.

When he had discussed the initial plan Rhaenys, Dany, and himself had concocted with his parent's and grandmother, they had been silent for a long moment before breaking in to peals of laughter at just what would be in store for the so-called, 'Good Masters' of Astapor. Knowing something of just how they trained the Unsullied (and how they treated all their slave's in general), none of them felt an ounce of pity for what was to come for them.

Rhaegar locked eyes with his good-brother.

"Do not concern yourselves with the funds we'd need to procure the Unsullied, Brother. Just know that we have that under control. It will not be an issue." Rhaegar said with a tone of finality and all those at the table knew not to question the dragon further on the matter.

"If there are no more objections, we shall arrange the time to travel to Astapor at a later date in the near future. The majority of the Royal Fleet would also need to make for Slaver's Bay, so that must needs be coordinated and timed correctly. Lord Velaryon, I shall inform you of the time with which you will need to recall the fleet together." Rhaegar decided.

"Yes, Your Grace." The Admiral agreed.

"Now, what is this we have been hearing in regards to the Dothraki?"

They were taking a calculated risk in involving themselves with such things, but the potential gains they all believed out-weighed the risks involved.

They had been receiving reports for a while now about some of the Khalasars growing far more bold of late, as well as travelling much further west than they have in recent memory. Pentos, Norvos, and Qohor were the cities in the most danger along with some of the towns and villages along the Rhoyne; as well as themselves of course.

Uncle Benjen was the first to speak up about that issue.

"The Eastern Wolves...or rather the Norvossi Stark's for those of you whom were unawares, report that not only have many of the settlements along the Rhoyne been falling under increasing attack, but that Norvos is being routinely threatened. We heard the same from the Qohoric which have been sacked multiple times in recent years. We know ourselves that they have begun encroaching upon Pentos itself and the Pentoshi Flatlands far more brazenly than in the recent past, but tribute can only last so long. Frankly, I despise them all. The Horselords remind me far too much of the Ironborn scum for me to tolerate their existence. They are preying on those three Free-Cities because they lack the means to effectively resist them- unlike the Three Daughter's. The Volantene's would normally aid the Norvossi, but they are having issues with the Triarchy between the Tiger's and the Elephant's of their own. Something must needs be done about the threats they face as no one should have to live with the vile things the Dothraki inflict...rapists and thieves the lot of them!" Benjen informed them all strongly.

The disgust he held for the Dothraki was easily heard. Haery shared his Nuncle's opinion on the savages whole-heartedly. He despised rapists with every fiber of his being and was disgusted by just how common an occurrence such travesties were in the world he now lived in. It had been bad enough in his past world, but here it was so common as to be sickening.

He locked eyes with his father.

They had previously discussed a plan that had the potential to expand their domains like never before and grant them a kingdom in Essos. With the contacts they held within those Free-Cities as well as their favor with the Iron Bank, and their shadow alliance with the Tiger's of Volantis (which virtually no one was aware of), it may just be possible to forge a new realm in the East. Targaryen's of old had long-since dreamed of such a realm...to re-forge the Valyrian Empire...but since the aftermath of the Dance, those thoughts were little more than idle wishes and flights of fancy.

Now, with dragons at their command once again, times were decidedly different.

Of course it could, and undoubtedly would, also lead to their identities being discovered much sooner than they would like.

"If Pentos, Norvos, and Qohor were offered complete and total security from any and all external threats...if things such as being forced to pay massive amounts of gold in tribute to a passing khalasar were a thing of the past...that their people were never again stolen and sold further east into slavery and bondage...what do any of you think they would be willing to sacrifice to have such security?" Rhaegar asked the group at large with calculated nonchalance.

It did not take long for some of the council members to see exactly where such ideas were heading. It was a plan on a scale grander than any of them had ever contemplated in the past. If they could deliver on the promised security and protection...well, that left them with a great deal to consider.

Considering that House Targaryen was now in possession of a small armada of fire-breathing, no longer extinct dragons...that proposal had such potential that it just might actually work.

"You mean to offer the three city-states an alliance? To place them under the banner's of House Targaryen?" Prince Oberyn questioned curiously with a sharply raised brow of interest as intrigue shone from his hawk-like eye's.

"I believe it is something worth considering. We now have the means to contemplate something that none of my ancestors ever before attempted, though many desired to do so. I would offer the ruling body's of Pentos, Norvos, and Qohor the safety and protection of some of our dragon's and men. If the Council's would be willing to honorably swear fealty to the Targaryen Crown, we would bring them under our banner's. I would offer them terms similar to those which Dorne accepted when they were brought into the Empire. As long as they accepted that all forms of slavery were abolished (as we all know that though it is technically outlawed, it still exists in some form to various degrees even in the Northern Free-Cities), and they agreed to summon their banner's when called upon in alliance with their new sister-states, I would not be opposed to allowing them the same autonomy enjoyed by Dorne. They could keep their governing bodies exactly as is and intact. I would also ask that they accept religious toleration for all the various gods people worship and in return nothing of a religious nature would ever be forced upon them. The possible benefits for reduced tariffs in trade with both imports and exports between not only themselves, but Westeros as well would be large boons to all of their economies. I would hear your thought's on the matter." Rhaegar said; describing exactly what both he and Rhaenys had conjured up one day after learning of the horror the Dothraki were capable of inflicting...and which they commonly did commit.

Not to mention that what was possibly the largest Khalasar of them all was led by a Khal that felt he was somehow entitled to his sweet Dany because of the former machinations of that traitor Illyrio. The Seven Hell's would freeze over before he allowed such a thing to come to pass! That he swore.

All around the table those gathered were sporting looks of various degrees of shock, awe, and in some cases- barely concealed excitement at the King's proposition. To unite three of the most powerful city-states of Essos as one realm under the Targaryen Crown was a feat never before attempted. The possible benefits for trade were nearly incalculable. They had a rather poor history with the Three Daughter's of Old Valyria: Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh. Relations between the more Northern states had always been much better with House Targaryen than the southron Free Cities. It helped, he supposed, that those northern Free Cities under question were the Essosi states that bore the most similarities to the Seven Kingdoms themselves. Andalos itself was more under Pentoshi control than Braavosi, and would make the Faith happy to have their original homeland back under the same banners.

"If such a thing could be offered and accepted, we would be in a much stronger position when we turn our sight upon Westeros. I imagine such an arrangement could keep my company active indefinitely to provide security. With the aid of a dragon or two, I do not foresee that being such a bad proposition at all. I would be very interested in partaking in such a venture." Harry Strickland said.

"We also have some...debts...that could be called upon by the Qohoric nobility to help gain their support." Strickland added with a calculating look.

Haery nearly snorted out loud. The greed was plainly written upon the leader of the Golden Company's visage. He did not doubt the he and his officer's especially would be more than happy to gain favor from them with such an arrangement. That suited them just fine as they had no intention of allowing the Golden Company to step foot onto mainland Westeros. Their history of supporting the enemies of House Targaryen precluded that.

"I'm almost certain Norvos would be amenable to such an arrangement. Between the influence of the wife of Prince Doran's family, and our own branch of House Stark in Norvos, enough of their elite could be persuaded. They are all very much tired of the threat the Horselords continually pose to them and their hinterlands. I would imagine the same could be said for the Rhoynish settlements as long as Volantis did not oppose us." Uncle Benjen explained to them.

That, he found very interesting. He had long desired to meet the so-called 'Eastern Starks'. Now, they may yet get the chance. It was also highly convenient that the Lady Mellario's own lady mother was a member of the Eastern branch of House Stark; giving them another blood connection to the Martell's that virtually no one in Westeros was aware of.

Rhaegar nodded his head in concurrence.

"The Maegyr's of Volantis have long been our staunch allies, along with several of the other Old Blood families that like to associate themselves with the last of the Forty. They would help to ensure Volantene support as long as we did nothing to threaten their own slave's (not without more than adequate compensation anyway); or at the least non-interference. That popular Red Priest is also quite fond of House Targaryen for whatever reason, and he has great influence among the lesser ranks of Volantene society." Queen Rhaella said; addressing the council for the first time that afternoon.

"Yes, Mother is right about that. That would definitely help- especially with the Rhoynish towns." Rhaegar concurred.

The villages, towns, and cities along the Rhoyne were dependent upon cooperation with Volantis for trade as the Volantene's controlled their access to the sea. They could exist with only trading with Norvos, Qohor, and between themselves, but they'd never prosper with that alone. He did not doubt that Volantis itself would be rather interested in the possibility of a resurrected Freehold or Valyrian-based kingdom considering their own belief's and desire to be seen as the heir's of the Valyrian Freehold. As long as the Sealord of Braavos and the Iron Bank was kept happy there was not much Lys, Myr, or Tyrosh (even allied together) could do about any of it.

"So, we agree that the suggestion is something worth developing further; despite the inevitable risks of our enemies learning of our continued existence?" His father asked the table at large.

Haery was pleased to note that his and Rhaenys' brain child had been very well received all around as he observed all the enthusiastic nods of confirmation their father's question had garnered.

He looked towards his sister beside him and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He was so proud of just how amazingly intelligent and inventive his Rhae was. Her answering smile was beautiful as she squeezed his hand back in return; just as pleased as he was of their plan's success.

He decided to speak up next.

"I believe it would be prudent for us to attempt to gain the Unsullied forces before we enter into any negotiations with the city-states in question. Tentative talks may begin, but they'd need our presence for any treaty made. By waiting for the Unsullied forces to arrive, we would be able to enter negotiations from a position of much greater strength, in my opinion at least. Also, I am uncertain of exactly how long that expedition will take. At the earliest, it would take at least a full year to either ferry the fleet back and forth or possibly more if we have to march them all the way back to the Western Coast." He said; addressing his father in particular but also the council as a whole.

Rhaegar was silent momentarily before nodding his head in agreement.

"My son is correct in that regard. Illyrio can begin to feel out the Pentoshi, Benjen can contact the Norvossi, and Strickland the Qohoric. I would imagine the negotiations are likely to be rather ponderous in any case, so we shall have time handle the Unsullied first." Rhaegar informed them all.

"My son and I shall leave within the week. Lord Varys was correct in the fact that our time is beginning to run short. All of us must needs accomplish all we can whilst we retain our anonymity as we are unlikely to be allowed to enjoy it much longer." Rhaegar decreed.

That part of his father's plan was news to him. He had thought it likely to take at least several more moons before they'd be able to travel to Astapor. He supposed his father was right as usual though. They likely did not have all that long before events would become far more dangerous for them all, and were possibly not even within their control.

That was what all of them dreaded the most- the almost certain likelihood of events moving beyond their control.

The day the Usurper learned that not only was Rhaegar Targaryen still alive, but that he was happily married to an also still very much alive and well Lyanna Stark of her own free will...well, he doubted the Whoremonger King would take the news very well.

That would prove to be an understatement of epic proportions.

"I thank all of you for coming and providing me with your council."

Recognizing the sign of dismissal, the various lords and ladies at the table all stood and bowed to the King before following Queen Rhaella into the dining hall for a light meal.

"Do you really think we can do it, Father?" He asked once the others except their family had departed the room.

"I know we can. We can do anything we set our mind's to now that we have the means. Trying times might be ahead of us, but this was your idea, and you were born for greatness, My Son." His father told him with a proud smile.

No father could have ever been prouder than he was of his sweet Jaehaerys. That the boy was brilliant was beyond doubt.

The fact that at not even ten and three name days his son was almost single-handedly designing an entire new city in his favored, 'Imperial Style', whilst attending his own duties and continued education was merely one example amongst many.

He also cared about other people more than himself, and that was something that was near to unheard of in a prince- especially in a Targaryen Prince. Despite his youthful fancies, never did Rhaegar expect that he would ever be as proud of, or feel as privileged, that he would ever have a son and heir he helped raise that would be as truly extraordinary as the young man standing before him. Rhaegar felt that the god's had blessed him more than he had ever had any right to expect or deserve.