Chapter 115: The War of the Five Cities
The magical dragons rested quietly on the rocky islands, their scales like shimmering jade. They kept their eyes wide open, watching their companion and the young woman.
"What is the goal?" Rhaegar asked. Although Shireen of Tyrosh always loved to joke with him, the girl's capabilities and vision were undeniable.
Rhaegar did not doubt the accuracy of the Tyroshi information. Previously, Lysandro and Marajo, the Triarch of Volantis, had also warned him about this unusual movement. However, their information was not as accurate as Tyrosh's; Marajo was far away, and Lysandro was low-ranking. The ones who understood Lys best were its enemies, the Tyroshi, as they were too close and their hatred ran too deep.
"The peace they are calling for will be brought to the Stepstones."
"Peace!" Rhaegar was practically amused. This war was started by Lysene fugitives and pirates.
Historically, the Third Daughter's annoying schemes against Westeros far outnumbered the times the Iron Throne attacked them. The Stepstones have always been a strategically vital location.
"The Lysene and Myrish people are always so cunning. The peace they speak of means you must withdraw from the Stepstones, or allow multilateral administration. The Iron Throne certainly cannot be allowed to control the entire sea area and levy taxes arbitrarily! This kind of peace is supported by fifty warships from the two city-states," Shireen said.
"Then they will likely be disappointed. The war for the Stepstones will end quickly. We are rested, and with three dragons, we won't necessarily fear them. If Lys makes a move, will you Tyroshi stand by idly? This concerns your father's authority and power, doesn't it? Tyrosh can dispatch at least twenty or thirty warships," Rhaegar said. The Tyroshi don't like fighting, but the Lysene are an exception. Dealing with the Two Daughters is much easier than dealing with the Third Daughter.
The Stepstones are currently a nexus of suspicion. Tyrosh and Lys hate each other, and Lys and Myr resent the Iron Throne for controlling the Narrow Sea.
"Even if the Tyroshi fleet is dispatched, the Two Daughters won't be afraid. They have also sent envoys to Braavos for coordination," Shireen explained carefully.
A fire burned in Rhaegar's heart. If the meddling Braavos joined in, starting a fight would indeed be difficult. What Braavos loved doing most was coordination and isolation; they would not allow any single city-state or nation to dominate the others. When Volantis was waging wars everywhere back then, Braavos supported the Lysene with a hundred ships. Braavos later joined the Stepstones conflict as well, extorting a large sum of money from the Iron Throne.
"Speaking of which, this has something to do with you too. People always make strange associations. When my father takes me to events, they suspect he wants to groom me to become Archoness. When they see you and your dragons—you have dragons, you have the blood of the Dragonlords, their aggressiveness, bravery, and even their cruelty and dominance. Your dragons grow larger year by year, reminding people of those mad Dragonlords. You even call your dragon 'Emperor.' Many of your ancestors were filled with the desire for conquest and war, and your system is the antiquated aristocratic hereditary system, fundamentally incompatible with the Free Cities." Shireen's eyes sparkled. She was gentle as water, yet intelligent and perceptive.
Rhaegar had to admit that what the girl said had a basis: public sentiment. In terms of religion, ethnicity, ruling class, and political system, most Free Cities were fundamentally incompatible with Westeros. Except for Volantis, most city-states did not welcome Dragonlords.
"Now that the Seven Kingdoms are stable, Braavos will naturally feel doubt and vigilance, wondering where the young Dragonlord will unleash war next. The Lysene will lobby the Sealord of Braavos effectively, bringing money and sincerity. Braavos loves this kind of risk-free business of mediation and collecting fees," Shireen clarified the situation.
"It's a pity you weren't born a boy, otherwise I feel your father wouldn't worry about the succession issue." Rhaegar greatly admired Shireen. She was a young woman, yet her wisdom and shrewdness surpassed mediocre men, and she understood the bigger picture. For the Free Cities, power mostly relied on elections, charm, and bribery, not hereditary succession.
"I would rather not accept that kind of compliment. Why must a woman depend on a man? If I love authority, I will fight for it myself. Men rely on swords, women can rely on smiles and looks." Shireen suddenly became serious, her beautiful face gaining a resolute strength. "War is no laughing matter for you and me, Rhaegar, you must be extremely careful. The soldiers of Lys and Myr aren't excellent, but their poisons and assassins are tricky. They might even consider high-priced killers: the Sorrowful Men, the Alchemists' Guild, or even the Faceless Men. I wouldn't want a handsome prince to end up as a pile of white bones. Protect yourself, Rhaegar."
"The crown represents not just power, but also blood, fire, and battle—that is our destiny." Rhaegar did not directly answer the question. Since he was pursuing the crown, he needed to face the coldness and cruelty of power. The crown was like a rose, sweet yet thorny.
"But rest assured, with the Tyroshi Pearl worrying about me, I will certainly stay alive. After all, I still want to remember the smile of a beautiful girl like you." Rhaegar also made a joke.
"I believe your promise, Prince Rhaegar. A world without you would certainly lose a lot of light," Shireen said. "When Lys and Myr deploy their warships, we will simultaneously dispatch thirty warships, but unless the Lysene make the first move, we will not initiate combat!"
Rhaegar breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the Tyroshi were willing to commit, everything would be much easier.
When it was time to say goodbye, they wished each other well and parted. Shireen did not give Rhaegar a kiss, but she did give him a question.
"Will you marry me, Prince!"
"Most likely not, Princess Shireen," Rhaegar stated firmly.
"I understand. You will still choose the daughters of Westerosi Lords—a Baratheon, a Martell. Because the cost of marrying me outweighs the benefit, and marrying those girls can solidify your rule," Shireen said.
Rhaegar did not reply.
"I cannot make that promise to marry you. Under the crown, our love cannot be frivolous. But I will always remember the favor of your aid regarding the Stepstones. I am grateful to you, Shireen," Rhaegar said.
"Goodbye, Prince Rhaegar. Perhaps one day, I will no longer love you. Perhaps one day, I will conquer everyone and stand above ten thousand people. At that time, you will come begging me for the sake of your crown." Shireen left the rocky island and returned to Tyrosh.
Only after Rhaegar saw the Tyroshi ships sailing into the distance did he mount his dragon and leave, preparing for battle.
A few days later, the combined fleet of Lys and Myr indeed arrived, first dispatching a messenger with a letter. Fifty warships had arrived, ready to negotiate the status of the Stepstones with the Iron Throne.
Not far from Bloodstone, the two great fleets—the Lys-Myr combined fleet and the royal fleet of the Iron Throne—met and confronted each other on the Narrow Sea.
After careful consideration, Crown Prince Aerys, Lord Tywin Lannister, Lord Steffon Baratheon, and Prince Rhaegar decided to allow the Myrish and Lysene representatives to come ashore for talks on the beach of Bloodstone.
On the beach, beneath a banner of the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen, a simple negotiation table was set up.
"We represent the goodwill of the Conclave of Lys and the Conclave of Myr, and we come bearing the hope of peace. The Stepstones have always been communal territory. Now that the pirates have been cleared out, their communal status can be restored," said the envoys.
"The Stepstones were taken by right of conquest. We have expended troops and resources for so long. They will not be surrendered simply based on a light remark from two envoys," Lord Tywin Lannister stated deliberately.
Crown Prince Aerys outright cursed, demanding that the two city-states kneel. "It was our army, my son's dragon, and the lives of our soldiers that secured these islands."
"Watch your language, Crown Prince. You are provoking and slandering us."
Suddenly, a dragon's roar sounded in the sky. Three dragons landed near the negotiation table.
Prince Rhaegar dismounted from his dragon, wearing black armor and carrying his blade, and walked forward.
"Dragons are not all the same," Rhaegar said coldly.
"If you refuse to negotiate, then you will be the ones who started the war!"
"If battle were to start right now, your number of warships wouldn't stand a chance. Besides, back then it was the Third Daughter, but now one of the Daughters is standing with us," Rhaegar said, pointing toward the sea. "Look there, the Tyroshi fleet has arrived."
Thirty Tyroshi warships appeared near Bloodstone, supporting the royal fleet.
"Are you talking about the Braavosi? Their fleet will take time to arrive," Rhaegar said. "We can destroy your fifty warships first, and then have a pleasant discussion with the Sealord of Braavos."
The surface of the sea would soon be crowded with the fleets of five powers: the Iron Throne, Braavos, Myr, Tyrosh, and Lys.
War, perhaps, would erupt in the very next moment.
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