The Age of Daenerys Targaryen

Part 27: Allies

When Daenerys celebrated her twins' second name day, it was war. She couldn't afford to spend more than a few hours with Rhaegar and Viserys, for she and Drogon were needed on the front lines. Yesterday had the news arrived that Selhorys had fallen to the enemy.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers from the Six Kingdoms, the North, and the Free Cities had invaded the heartland of the Empire on the lower Rhoyne. Whenever Daenerys attacked one of their armies with Drogon, the invaders scattered in all directions, only to gather elsewhere. The enemy was too smart to face the dragon openly. Instead, they tried to lure Daenerys and Drogon to camouflaged scorpion positions. But the Empress had learned her lesson from Dragonstone and did not get involved in the enemy's game.

Since the Imperial Army was hopelessly outnumbered and thus overwhelmed, a recapture of Selhorys was out of the question. Instead, desperate efforts were made to hold Valysar and Volon Therys without neglecting the protection of the Imperial Capital. The grain fields along the Rhoyne also had to be defended, because their yields were vital for the empire's survival.

"Excuse me, Majesty", said Talisa. "I don't like to disturb you, but there is someone who wants to speak to you and claims to know you."

Sighing, Daenerys followed the servant out of the nursery where Rhaegar and Viserys were playing with their dragons. The nine members of the Imperial Guard, two women and seven men, including the Dothraki twins Azzo and Ezzo, were posted at the door. They all wore heavy lamellar armor with the Targaryen emblem. Four of them now accompanied Daenerys. Talisa led the Empress to a room that was used as a guest room. A palace guard stood at the door. Inside, flanked by two other guards, was a brown-haired, athletically built woman in leather armor.

"Asha!", said the empress. "What are you doing here?"

The Lady of the Iron Islands smiled nervously. "Greetings, Your Gra... Your Imperial Majesty. I am glad to see you alive. When King Bran called to arms, I figured I'd better join you. After all, you once promised me the independence of the Iron Islands."

"And Bran doesn't want to give it to you?", Daenerys wanted to know. She stayed cautious. It was possible, if unlikely, that the king had sent the woman to spy on his opponent. Or even to have an attack carried out on her, although this would be a suicide mission.

"He probably thinks that if the Iron Islands split off from the Realm like the North, other lords would demand their independence."

"I see." Daenerys took a deep breath. "However, it is no longer my goal to conquer Westeros. That means I will not be in a position to grant independence to the Ironborn. Only the King of the Six Kingdoms can do that."

Asha was visibly surprised. "You just give up? I would not have expected this. Don't you even want to take revenge on those who were responsible for your downfall?"

"I was responsible for my own demise", replied the Empress. "I don't intend to repeat my old mistakes. In this war, my only concern is to defend my empire and create lasting peace in Essos."

"But if you win the war, surely you can ... persuade Bran to recognize the independence of the Iron Islands", Asha tried again.

"I could do that", Daenerys said thoughtfully. "And in return you support me in the war? What about your military strength?"

Asha grinned crookedly. "I didn't have as many ships as Euron before you cremated his fleet, but our shipyard workers are hardworking. It would certainly be convenient for you if Bran and Sansa also have to pay attention to the defense of their west coasts."

"That sounds like a good deal." The Empress held out her hand to the Ironborn. Asha agreed. "We should come up with a common strategy before you open hostilities against Westeros. Please don't be offended, but as long as you are here in the palace, two guards will accompany you at every step. In these times you can't be too careful."

"As long as they keep their hands to themselves", Asha replied. "Because I don't want to hurt them."

"We could send the Braavosi ships to the Iron Islands as reinforcements", suggested Salladhor Saan and glanced at Belo Aenolis. "With your consent, of course, my lord."

"I agree." The exiled Sealord, the Grand Admiral, Asha and the Empress had gathered in Salladhor Saan's office. "If the Iron Islands are to be useful to us as allies, we have to make sure that the Westerosi cannot take them offhand."

"Lord Davos has concentrated all his ships in the Naarow Sea and the North also has hardly any naval presence in the Sunset Sea," said Asha. "So the Westerosi cannot threaten the Iron Islands. Still, I wouldn't mind reinforcements."

"Maybe we should take some of our wildfire with us to be on the safe side", said Belo. "Just in case Davos decides to sail against the Iron Islands with the whole Royal Navy."

"Wildfire on a warship?", Asha frowned. "That can be more dangerous for our own men than for the enemy." The highly flammable wildfire could blow up with a single spark or shock. This on board a ship that was rammed during a fight or got caught in rough seas was not a nice thought. For this reason, wildfire was previously only used in sea battles on demolition ships.

"Our alchemists in Braavos have devised a more stable mix that is suitable for use on conventional warships", said the Sealord. "It's just as deadly as the original variant. Unfortunately, we did not have enough of the substance in stock to effectively defend our city. But the Empire shouldn't have any trouble making as much of it as it needs."

Daenerys nodded. The Braavosi had necessarily shared the secret of their miracle weapon and now mass production of the improved wildfire was going on in the laboratories of Volantis.

"Then we do it like that", said Asha. "When do we start sailing? The sooner we can start the raids on Westeros' coasts, the better."

And so Asha sailed back home with the Braavosi, while Daenerys and Drogon were forced to return to the front.