26 Chapter 26: Treaty Of the Grey Gallows. 122 AC

In a makeshift tent just in the middle of the Grey Gallows, one of the islands of the stepstones, men stood against one another as two sides of the war gathered in that same tent. Dragons were flying around the place, as if scouring for an ambush.

In front of the Seven Kingdoms side, Lord Corlys Velaryon stood proudly, resting his arms on the agreement table, beside him, Lord Maegor Targaryen with his bronze armor and red cloak, looking lazy as ever. While on the other side, the Magister of Myr, head of Conclave of Lys, and the 'Archon' of Tyrosh Racallio Ryndoon stood beside each other, along with Prince Qoren Martell, whose appearance has seen better days.

"Shall we get started?" stated Lord Corlys calmly.

"Very well," said the head of the Conclave of Lys. "We want you to—"

"You are not the victor of the war, head of conclave." Lord Corlys interrupted. "We are."

"But the war is not over yet, is it?" the Magister of Myr stated. "We could sail our fleet to Bloodstone right now, and you will be kicked off of these islands for good."

"Don't get too ahead of yourself." said Maegor suddenly, turning their attention to him. "Your so-called Triarchy is no more when you decide to backstab each other, if you want the war to continue, fine, but don't curse us when you see your cities burning to the ground on the morrow."

"You think we couldn't fight off your dragons?" scoffed the Magister.

"You want to try?" Maegor asked calmly, making the Magister shut up.

Lord Corlys looked at Maegor, before speaking. "Our terms are simple. We will leave the stepstones, in exchange you will pay war reparations, and tributes."

The head of the Conclave of Lys spoke. "And how much do you want for the tribute?"

"20 Million Gold Dragon's worth of goods and treasures." said Corlys, making the three leaders of the cities curse him. "In the span of 10 years."

"You want to extort us!" shouted the Magister. "Why don't you just demand our lands and cities instead of that?!"

Lord Corlys frowned. "You started this war. Yet you are furious when we demand war reparations?"

"Lord Corlys, war reparations are one thing, but this?"

"The war has been going on for decades. Do you know how much gold we lost in that span of years?" Maegor stated. "It's a fair trade. we won't burn your cities, or what's left of it anyway, and leave the stepstones, in exchange, you give us gold, a lot of gold."

"And us three must pay all that?" asked the 'Archon' of Tyrosh.

"Yes," said Lord Corlys flatly.

"You've burned three quarters of Tyrosh, and you still want war reparations from us?" the 'Archon' questioned.

"Like I said… 'Archon'..." Lord Corlys answered deeply. "You started this war by extorting our merchants, you think we'd just leave you with a slap on the wrist?"

"The crab feeder was the one who started it." the head of the conclave of Lys argued, making the magister of Myr turn towards him. "He should pay for most of the damages."

"We have little care on who will pay, head of Conclave." said Maegor. "The important thing is, the Triarchy will need to pay 20 Million Gold Dragons worth of treasures and goods in the span of 10 years. "

"But as you said, Lord Maegor. The Triarchy is no more." said the 'Archon' calmly.

"Yet the three cities remain standing." Maegor countered. "Well, two of the three cities…"

"So what do you all say?" asked lord Corlys. "Will you continue this war? Or pay?"

The Magister thought about it for a second, while the other two city representatives just stared at Lord Corlys in annoyance. "10 Million." said the Magister.

"20 Million, Magister. You can't argue." Lord Corlys insisted.

"We cannot pay 20 Million, Lord Corlys." said the Magister calmly. "At most, 15, or you'll risk us not paying you."

"If you can't pay in the span of 10 years, do not worry, we will not storm your cities, but there will be interest," said Maegor suddenly, making the three cities rep frown deeply.

"How much?" asked the head of the Conclave of Lys.

"10 Percent." said Maegor, and the representatives raised their eyebrows, while the Prince of Dorne, who was quiet all this time, frowned.

"Only 10 Percent?" asked the Magister, seemingly not believing it.

Corlys nodded. "Only 10 Percent."

The Magister looked upon the two representatives beside them, seemingly thinking that it's a good deal. "Fine, we will agree. On the condition that the Iron Throne will not occupy the Stepstones ever again."

"That is one of the points of the treaty," said Lord Corlys. "No power shall hold the Stepstones, or the Iron Throne and other powers in the area will wage a war against them, unleashing their full might."

"That we agree." the head of the Conclave of Lys nodded, but the 'Archon' stayed silent.

"And what of Dorne?" asked Prince Qoren suddenly. "Will you demand war reparations from us, after you burn everything in our lands?"

"We will give you a choice, Prince Qoren." said Lord Corlys. "Either join the seven kingdoms—"

"I refuse," said Prince Qoren suddenly.

"Or…" lord Corlys frowned. "Pay 1 Million Golden Dragon's worth of goods and treasures for war reparations."

"I wonder. How can the Iron Throne be so shameless?" said the prince. "You've burned our fields and castles, yet you demand you want us to join you?"

"You've joined this war, Prince Qoren." argued Maegor. "It means you know what will happen to you, yet you've joined nonetheless. Perhaps your subjects aren't pleased when they see their castles and fields burned to the ground, when all of that could be avoided with just not doing anything at all."

"The Iron Throne has occupied the Stepstones, which is near us, do you think we'll let it happen?" asked the Prince.

"The Triarchy drew the first blood here, Prince Qoren. Surely you must've felt the damage it brought when the crab feeder extorted your merchants, we had every right to occupy the stepstones."

"Enough, Lord Maegor. Let us not state the obvious here." said Corlys. "What will you choose, Prince Qoren?"

Prince Qoren thought about it. "If we decided to join the Iron Throne, what would we gain from the unification?"

Lord Corlys raised his brow, not expecting at all. "We would help you in the reparations of the region, and I would propose a marriage alliance between my Grandson, Jacaerys Velaryon, the next in line to the Iron Throne after his mother, and your daughter and your heir, Princess Aliandra."

Maegor frowned at the suggestion, but he didn't say anything at first.

"You want my daughter to marry a bastard?" the Prince chuckled.

"I thought Dorne doesn't care about bastards at all?" Maegor countered.

"He is not a bastard." Lord Corlys insisted, frowning at Maegor, who didn't deny the accusation.

"If your king and yourself cannot admit to such things, then perhaps it is a better idea to pay the war reparations after all." the Prince said coldly.

"So you choose to pay?" asked Corlys.

"Yes." the prince nodded.

"Then as goodwill towards a neighbor, you will only have to pay 500.000 thousand gold dragon's worth of goods and treasures." said Corlys suddenly, making Maegor frown. "Do understand, prince Qoren, the crown really do want our two sovereignty to unite. What we did during this war is only that, a plan during wartime."

"We appreciate the goodwill, lord Corlys, but the smallfolk will bear hatred after what you've done." said Prince Qoren. "But I must know, who suggested that cursed strategy?"

"It's me, Prince Qoren." Maegor answered, making Qoren nodded. "I did what I had to do, to end this war quickly, but do not act like Dorne would not do something similar if you are in our stead."

"No, I respect your decision, Lord Maegor." said Qoren. "War is terrible. And men must become terrible to wage it."

"Then let us end this negotiation," said Lord Corlys, standing up straight. "From today onwards, peace shall be our cause."

—

[Bloodstone]

At the end of the year, The Velaryons and the sellswords were readying themselves to sail towards home. Lord Corlys and Maegor stood in front of each other as Maegor also prepared himself to travel back home, to prepare his marriage with Helaena and to fill the coffers of Runestone. His dragons cannot bring all of the gold, as it will be too heavy for Vermithor and Silverwing, so he only brought around a quarter of it, while the rest will be given next year, along with his share of the tribute every other year.

"I thank you, for these two years." said Corlys in gratitude. "If not for your help, this war would have dragged on for much longer."

"I should thank you too, Lord Corlys, for your support," said Maegor. "I've learned many things during these years. And earned a lot of gold…"

Corlys chuckled. "You should see the king, to report our gains and losses here. I need to deal with the treaty's aftermath."

"I will. I need to go to King's Landing anyway for the marriage." Maegor hummed. "Though, it's a pity we couldn't get Prince Qoren to let his daughter marry into our kingdom."

"A pity indeed…" Corly murmured.

Maegor sighed. "Lord Corlys, when will you stop being blind?"

The sea snake frowned. "Pardon?"

"Rheanyra's children, are not Laenor's." Maegor pointed out. "They are not your blood."

"The king would have your tongue for that." the sea snake stated firmly.

"I'm sure he will." said Maegor. "Who will be Lord of Driftmark once you've passed away?"

"Lucerys will be my heir." Lord Corlys stated.

"Choose Laena's son instead." said Maegor. "She has a son, have you forgotten that?"

"He is an Antaryon, a family in Braavos," said Corlys. "I will not let someone else aside from a Velaryon sit on top of the Driftwood throne."

"Then asked the sealord to change his name, simple as that." Maegor suggested.

"It isn't that simple," said Corlys.

"It is, Lord Corlys. The Sealord can marry again, and have another child." said Maegor. "I'm sure he'll understand. We did him a favor by clearing the stepstones after all…"

Corlys sighed. "Fine. I will try, thank you for the suggestion, lord Maegor."

Maegor nodded. "Turbulent times lay ahead. We must choose our decisions wisely, Lord Corlys, the one with the least amount of risk."

"I agree," said Lord Corlys. "Well then, I suppose this is farewell."

"May we meet again, Lord Corlys." said Maegor, climbing to the back of Vermithor. [Soves!]

As Vermithor and Silverwing flew away from the Bloodstone, Lord Corlys stood in silence, watching as the two dragons disappeared from his sight.