(POV: Gaemon)
I stared at the map that had been laid out on the table, deciding where I should strike next. Our raids in the Riverlands were successful enough, with us having captured a handful of highborn prisoners that had been left behind. They were mostly younger sons and daughters that had been left behind while the men marched off. I doubt I even lost a man with how easy it was, after all, no one wants to get on the wrong side of a dragon without one of your own.
The prisoners I sent back to Casterly Rock with a decent escort. I'd trade them for ransoms as was custom here in wartime but I needed to think and plan. The men that were left behind to garrison the keep were pressed into my army, few wanted to refuse when the other option was death. Of course, that wasn't all that I had planned.
You see, while I attacked the Riverlands, my Ironborn were raiding along the shores of the Reach before moving up to the Stormlands. I didn't want to end up like Aegon II, so I had best deny my enemies as many assets as I could. I had men working on getting spies into Rhaenys and Viserys's men and to see which lords we could sway to our side. After all, I wouldn't need to bother with too much investigation if my two opposing claimants drop dead, I'd just claim the Seven smote them down for daring to go against the will of the gods. Unfortunately, they had some competent men in their teams.
Corlys Velaryon and Lyonel Strong were excellent at ensuring their claimants had loyal men surrounding them, making it difficult for me to sneak people in. While my army grew stronger from easy victories with minimal bloodshed, my nephew and niece would bleed their men in war, losing important troops before they realized that they'd have to fight me with what little men they'd have left. I didn't just plan to attack castles though, I needed to win some victories to prove to the various lords that yes, I was indeed a better claimant than Rhaenys and Viserys through a martial showing. That was the only way the lords and ladies of Westeros would listen.
Luckily for me, I had some good news on my side, firstly, House Frey has sent me a letter, saying they recognized that I was the true claimant for the Iron Throne as shown by how Baelon had been named heir to King Jaehaerys over Rhaenys. They also spoke of mobilization of the forces of the North, as House Stark had sent a letter, demanding that House Frey let them pass through their lands in the name of the rightful Queen. Thanks to some quick plotting, I'd come up with a plan, which is why I left my army with instructions to make their way through the Riverlands to the Twins while my dragon was prepared for a ride to the Twins. I didn't trust House Frey but I knew the threat of dragonflame would discourage any thought of a Red Wedding.
You may be wondering what plan I had in mind for the Northmen and it's quite simple. Lord Frey would tell Lord Stark that he would allow him to pass without any tolls and would even contribute men to the war in the name of Queen Rhaenys and to bring all the men of the North forward to ensure that there was no chance of her enemies triumphing. That would give us time for my armies to make their way to the Twins. Then, when the Northmen would finally arrive, they'd meet my army, bolstered by the Frey forces and a dragon to the point I'd burn them all. While I doubted most Starks were as inexperienced in the Game of Thrones as Ned had been, I did believe they'd believe Lord Frey, especially when I had him offer a marriage to Lord Stark as well. I didn't care if it was dishonorable, what mattered was that I would win.
Tywin Lannister had the right of it, what difference did it make if you killed a man at a wedding or at a battle? Of course, he made mistakes too that would bite his ass. He had a reputation as a man willing to commit atrocities, meaning he was obviously the first to be blamed and the lack of punishment for House Frey breaking guest right also made it clear who was in the wrong for this situation. I wouldn't do that, for one, I would not have House Frey extend forth any bread and salt, this would just be an ambush,something that happened in wars often. Lying wasn't wrong during warfare for all men tried to deceive one another during it.
My squire, the heir to Casterly Rock entered my tent, "Your grace, your dragon is saddled and ready for your trip." I nodded before rising and leaving my tent, making for the Cannibal. I was always connected with him, no matter where I went or how far I was, I could always feel him, burning with hunger and irritation, aching to feast on dragonflesh. My dragon wasn't a warrior, it was a hunter, the hunter of the greatest prey of all, its own kind. I had no need to command it, we were one entity as we took off, flying away into the night. I wondered if my dragon egg had tied us closer together than anything else for the Cannibal knew where I wanted to go without any orders from me. We slept together during the night, with me pressed into the side of the beast, enjoying the warmth of it. I suppose it showed how much we trusted each other. I was willing to sleep next to it, regardless of the risk it could decide to eat me or crush me beneath its weight easily. The Cannibal on the other hand, trusted me to the point it was willing to forgo hunting to ensure we reached our destination faster.
I felt its hunger pangs and how it suppressed them to continue flying, it wouldn't be wrong to say my dragon was the only being I truly trusted. It would not make foolish mistakes, it would not attack without my orders and it listened to me, to my fears, to my worries that I would lose, remembered as nothing more than a pretender King who lost so that the prince who was promised would be born from Viserys's line. It did not judge me, comforting me instead by reminding me that it would be there for me. When we finally arrived at the Twins, we were greeted with a feast, the most delicious of platters brought forth while Frey daughters were paraded before me. I ignored them, focusing on my venison pie before I decided to finally get to the meat of the matters. "Lord Frey, may we retire to your solar for a private conversation?" The man nodded, it didn't hurt to be polite since it didn't really take much for me to phrase it as a question. I could have demanded it but that would go against my plans and besides, it wouldn't affect my authority much when I had a powerful dragon. One that was currently being fed many fattened sheep. "Of course, your grace."
I didn't bother with sitting down or going through with flowery words, "Lord Frey, I shall be blunt with you. I want you to agree to Lord Stark's words, tell him you will fight in the name of Queen Rhaenys and whatever words must be said. Tell him to bring forth as many Northmen as he can, offer to feed them for him on the way. I care not what demands you ask for him in exchange because when Lord Stark will come, I will burn his men like Aegon the Conqueror burned the forces of the Gardeners and Lannisters. If we're lucky, he'll take enough time to muster his troops forth and believe your words, allowing my army to link up with us and strengthen your forces. If he comes immediately, then he will still die, no man can withstand the might of a dragon. Torrhen Stark understood that and kneeled. Mayhaps this Lord Stark shall too."
Lord Frey licked his lips, his eyes darting around nervously, "This is… an interesting idea, your grace. I will of course accept as a humble servant of yours, but I would desire two boons in exchange for this." I nodded, waiting for him to go on, "First, I ask you to take my son, Forrest as your squire. He's a good lad and he'll be a dutiful squire." He paused, waiting for my reaction and seeing me nod, gaining strength to continue, "The second boon I ask is for a member of my house to be appointed to your Kingsguard." Those were acceptable terms. "Agreed. I'd like your advice then on which member would be the best fit, I desire knights that are honorable and good warriors to serve me loyally, I have no care for other factors, only that they have a clear reputation, are loyal to me and possess skill at arms."
The man thought it over for a second, taking a sip of some fine from his cup, "My cousin, Amos would be good then. He's a right strong land, got that from his marriage to a Crakehall. He's got a good reputation too, no bastards or anything. Only issue is…" I didn't want him to beat around the bush and so prompted, "The issue is?" Lord Frey swallowed, "He has a wife. Took the maidenhead of some Darry bastard and married her out of guilt." I let a slow grin form upon my face, "Well then, I hope she suffers no accidents that free up Ser Amos for my Kingsguard." Lord Frey began to smile as well, matching my grin. "Indeed, it would be a shame indeed."
She was dead in less than a week and I named Ser Amos to my Kingsguard the day after her funeral, none of the Frey's wept a tear at her passing. The man took to shadowing me, following behind me to protect me from any assassins. With nothing to do but wait, we feasted and prepared for our ambush and thankfully, my army arrived two weeks later, thus reinforcing the Frey forces along with ensuring that they wouldn't think of betraying us. Not that they would, because while House Stark lacked a proper navy presence like the other great Houses thanks to Brandon the Burner, they still had some ships to transport troops. Unfortunately for them, if they wanted to move the bulk of their troops? That meant they'd have to go through the Twins since going through the Green Fork would be difficult for a large army and the area surrounding the Twins was either mountainous or swampy, meaning they'd have to trust the words of House Frey. It was perfect.
This was made even better because unlike the War of the Five Kings, House Mallister had supported Viserys instead, meaning that the North couldn't ask them for ships to help transport troops and their other allies were too busy to offer ships to help them. All in all, a genius plan by me with no risk at all.
Thus we waited, patiently biding our time before eventually, another two weeks later, we finally caught sight of the grey wolves on a white banner, something that was seen quite clearly by my Myrish far-eye. The army was vast and might have even beaten my forces. That is, of course if I had forgone my greatest advantage, my dragon. Without a word, the Cannibal took off from the ground, its mighty wings beating with force as it got closer and closer to our target. The coal-black dragon unleashed a blast of green dragonflame, scorching the battlefield and no doubt burning many a man to a crisp. While my ferocious beast was not at the size of Balerion, it was still large and incredibly nimble as well.
I felt such an immense feeling of power as the Northern army began fleeing, only to be chased down by my men, with arrows flying from both sides. None of them had the luck of the Dornish to pierce the eye of the Cannibal though, so they could do naught but roast alive. It became downright monotonous after a while, fly here, burn, fly there, burn. By the end of the battle, my side had lost 5 men while the Northmen suffered devastating losses. No way for them to come back from such an attack, even if this army was filled with greybeards and men the North wouldn't be able to feed in the winter. Their army of twenty thousand or so had been cut down to three thousand or so. Even better, while Rickon Stark, the Lord Paramount of the North had been badly burned during the battle and would likely pass soon, his brother and heir Bennard Stark had survived. I even vaguely remembered him from my memories, an uncle of Cregan Stark, someone who would now likely never come to be.
I had in fact come up with a plan to take the Northmen away from Rhaenys. I'd offer them only small punishments, things like a higher tax levied upon them alongside me taking many heirs of their lords as hostages. A few lands would be given to House Bolton since they'd been the ones to bring me Lord Bennard. Since I had heard whispers from men that Bennard Stark was a copper-counter and unmartial, that was good, it meant he'd bend to my authority easily. In addition to all this, the North would have to repair Most Cailin while loyal troops to me would garrison it, along with being upgraded so that it could neither be taken from the North or the South, along with being garrisoned by troops loyal to me. The Iron Throne would also fund these repairs, though the North was expected to do the most. All in all, I'd financially cripple them to ensure they never even thought of rebelling again.
It was why I had bothered to order the man to join me in my solar. Well technically it was Lord Frey's but I was using it for my own purposes. "Lord Bennard. I pray to the Seven that your brother recovers from his injuries soon." I lied as easily as I breathed. "So do I, your grace." He said, matching me. If Rickon Stark passed, this man in front of me would be Lord Paramount of the North. It would be simple to make him bow to my will, many brothers like him were groomed to serve as commanders or stewards to the heir. As I laid out my terms, the man's eyes widened, "Your grace, these terms… they will be a hard sell on my men." Already referring to them as your men huh? Someone's feeling confident. "Then you will simply have to convince them that it is either working with me or perishing. I'm sure I can find some Stark just waiting for the chance to rule." Unspoken went my words that Lord Rickon would die, I wouldn't keep the man alive. I wasn't risking it. He did have a bastard daughter though, Sara Snow.
Lord Bennard understood my clear threat, gulping audibly, "I… I will convince them, your grace." I nodded, satisfied, "Excellent, I'll send you to Winterfell with some guards to bring forth some proper Northmen." Bennard looked shook as I fixed him with a calculating stare. "You didn't believe I'd miss that so many of your troops were past their prime did you? I don't care, you will bring me at least five thousand men, bring more and I might choose to help develop the North. After all, there are likely so many untapped mines in the land." Lord Bennard offered me a shaky smile before bowing, "I shall dutifully serve you, your grace."
I nodded and over the next few days, the Northern lords swore allegiance to me, naming me the one true King. I didn't win them over yet, but I would have due time for that. For now? Now I would double back, leaving 300 of my men to escort Bennard to assume his duties as Lord of Winterfell and to return Lord Rickon's bones back as well. I, on the other hand, had a different plan for myself and my men. See, I had learned an interesting tidbit, Daemon Targaryen and Caraxes had been slain by Rhaenys, some tales claimed that one of the Wild Dragons had come and aided her while others said Vhagar had done so. Some even claimed the Cannibal had arrived along with me and that I had slewn my nephew. Either way, that meant that King's Landing only had two dragons right now, which meant the Vale was my next priority