49 Damian and Robert's First Meeting - Part 2

As Damian concluded his narrative, detailing his feats in the war, both Robert and Eddard couldn't help but be thoroughly impressed. Battling the Ironborn, especially on their own maritime terrain, was a formidable challenge, and Damian's accomplishments spoke volumes about his strategic prowess. Capturing Lonely Light with a modest force of fewer than a hundred warriors was a remarkable achievement for someone of his age.

"I'm impressed, Damian Stark, truly," King Robert commended with genuine cheer, punctuating his praise with a hearty gulp of ale.

"Thank you, your grace. Your words mean a lot," Damian responded, a glimmer of hesitation in his expression as if there was something more he wanted to address with Robert.

"Why the pondering, lad? If you've got a question, let it fly," King Robert urged with a hearty grin, sensing Damian's unspoken inquiry.

Damian hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Well, I know it's not my place to ask, but I'm curious about your plans for dealing with the Ironborn Rebellion. Once you capture or, kill Balon Greyjoy if he doesn't surrender, what's the course of action you intend to take afterwards?" The question caught both Eddard and Robert off guard.

"What comes after? I intend to administer punishment for the rebellion; perhaps some will take the black. The fate of the Greyjoys as rulers of the Iron Islands is undecided. I don't really care; if they kneel and swear fealty, then maybe I will let them continue ruling the Isle, or another house might take their place," Robert explained, his expression suggesting he hadn't given much thought to the fate of House Greyjoy.

Jon Arryn and Lord Tywin had offered counsel before his departure, the former urging caution for a more stable rule and the latter pushing for complete eradication, demanding retribution for the burning of our fleet. Robert still hadn't made a decision.

Eddard hadn't yet provided his counsel to Robert, although he would lean towards a harsh punishment for the Iron Isles, as Tywin desired. The Iron Isle was a nuisance and a concern for the security of the North. However, he, too, was reluctant to see an entire house eradicated for the sins of one.

Damian shook his head in disappointment as if expressing dissatisfaction with Robert's decision.

"You disagree?" Robert questioned.

"Not within my purview nor my decision to make, but indeed, I find the punishments you're considering to be a disappointment, Your Grace," Damian responded.

"Why?" Robert inquired.

"Because of the simple fact that neither you nor any previous King from past dynasty has dealt harshly with the Ironborn. I'm sure you're well aware of their culture and their way of taking the Iron price. Thralls, no different than slaves you'd find in Essos. Even with slavery being banned in Westeros, we still allow the Iron Islands to practice slavery in the name of their old-age tradition," Damian expressed, a trace of anger building on his face.

"Damian-" Eddard attempted to halt Damian's escalating fervor, but Robert intervened, signalling for him to continue.

"Your grace, if you are familiar with history, you would know that the Iron Islands will likely rise to rebel in the future at the first given opportunity if you proceed with any of your decisions. No matter who leads them, if they still adhere to the religion of the Drowned God, they would revert to their culture of piracy, harming both the North and other kingdoms on the west coast of Westeros."

"What do you propose I do then, young Stark? You don't want me to carry out a genocide, do you?" Robert said calmly, not revealing whether he was intrigued or sceptical.

"Genocide? No. That would be close to impossible without having the backing of all the Kingdoms or employing the help of long-extinct Dragons."

Damian noticed Robert's face twitch at the mention of that word, perhaps recalling the Targaryens and their dragons, a group that Robert wished to extinguish with his own hands. The Irony.

"So, you did contemplate exterminating every Ironborn on the island if you had dragons?" Robert growled slightly, a hint of anger catching on his face.

Eddard also wore a displeased expression, but he allowed the conversation to proceed, eager to understand Damian's plans.

"The Ironborn? Yes. If I had a dragon and used up all the means to change their way of life, I would roast them in fire myself, every last one of them, for the greater good of mankind." Damian spoke the truth. Though the idea left a bitter taste in his mouth and would likely haunt his nights, he believed that eliminating those who followed the Drowned God was necessary for the safety of the entire mainland, given the potential threat lurking beneath the sea.

'For the greater good, never thought I would say that,' Damian chuckled inwardly, recalling a fictional character from his previous life who used to utter those words. He didn't consider himself a self-righteous individual and had no desire to become one. However, the Ironborn, or at least the ideology they embraced, had to be dealt with decisively.

Just as Eddard was about to reprimand his younger brother, he heard Damian utter a name that made his heart skip a beat. He looked at his brother in shock.

"Lyanna," Damian said, causing Robert to flinch and regard Damian seriously.

"My sister was kidnapped by Rhaegar Targaryen. You and Ned went to war with the Targaryens to bring her back, didn't you?"

"What are you getting at, lad?" Robert was displeased being reminded of his enemy, his hands balled into fists.

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