King's Landing and the Riverlands, from the nobles to the common folk, were all discussing the shocking golden dragon robbery. Merchants were filled with fear, worried that they might be the next victims. Many temporarily halted their shipping operations in the Riverlands, leaving local lords to personally transport goods to King's Landing.
With goods unable to be delivered and contracts broken, large merchants affected small ones, and disputes between foreign merchants and nobles escalated into physical confrontations. Soon, the gold-clad city guards were on the streets every day to settle the disputes. Before long, foreign merchants were eager to leave King's Landing.
Littlefinger and Ramsay followed the Blackwater River downstream, disguised as Dornishmen with their heads wrapped. They quickly found a merchant caravan from Myr, which was about to return. They used the last of their golden dragons to pay for the fare and finally boarded a ship heading east. They now understood: Westeros was full of hidden dangers. Powerless and still wanted criminals, they could be easily manipulated by the crafty nobles, and leaving for the East was the only way to survive.
Back in King's Landing, the atmosphere in today's royal council was tense, lacking the usual lightheartedness. Robert drank cup after cup of wine.
Three seats in the nine-member council were vacant.
Renly had returned to Storm's End; Margaery, pregnant and about to give birth, had taken her leave, and Renly had transferred his vote as Master of Law to the Hand of the King.
Stannis was away on official business. In peacetime, the royal fleet had absorbed many Ironborn. Apart from escort duties, they had extra ships that could take on private jobs, with Varys being a major patron. Stannis had taken part of the fleet to the northern Wall to engage in the controversial matter of the wildlings moving south. The vote of the Master of Ships now belonged to King Robert.
Wright was also away on business. The letters from Tyrosh and Dorne were passed around the council.
Daenerys had been captured alive by Wright in Meereen, which should have been a cause for celebration, but with Quentyn Martell and Cletus Yronwood being killed, along with the Demon Squad and the great golden dragon robbery, everything piled up, and Robert's mind was overwhelmed.
The death of Khal Drogo, the barbarian, was completely ignored by the council.
Hand of the King Mathis Rowan spoke up: "These matters can be divided into two parts; we should handle them one by one. The warrant for the Demon Squad has already been issued, and the money stolen from the Westerlands is certainly in their hands. If we find them, we can recover the losses."
This is my money! Robert wiped his face with his hand, drank a large gulp of wine, and said nothing.
"Lord Bracken has accused the Westerlands of enslaving criminals, and what about compensation?" The Master of Coin, Mace Tyrell, was very concerned; this involved Tywin.
"Your Majesty, Lord Tywin has said the Demon Squad does not come from the Westerlands, and his caravan was also affected," Hand of the King Mathis Rowan said. But those present at the council knew there were many questions, yet no evidence.
Robert lifted his head. "Varys?"
Varys, having gained weight recently, smiled and said, "Based on the interrogations of those captured from the Demon Squad, they do indeed come from the Westerlands. However, these people are illiterate and couldn't even tell where the mine they escaped from was. The Westerlands has so many mines. Your Majesty, without the right culprit, there's no way to convict."
Robert responded, "Then follow the Hand of the King's suggestion, say they come from the East, and refuse Lord Bracken's compensation request."
Lord Bracken had given Robert five daughters, and Robert was a little worried about what this 'potential father-in-law' might do. He planned to invite him to King's Landing for a grand feast. After all, they were just bandits, and Robert didn't think he'd make a big deal of it.
"Gentlemen, Dorne and the Stepstones are on the brink of war. What should we do?" Lord Mace Tyrell spoke quickly, sounding anxious. If Dorne went to war, the Riverlands would be the first to be affected.
The letter from Lord Anders Yronwood was not only sent to King's Landing but also to other nobles. He had already started gathering soldiers and vassals, preparing to head to Tyrosh. Prince Doran's letter mentioned that due to his poor health, he could barely stop him, but Wright Baratheon must go to Sunspear to offer an apology and give Dorne an explanation.
Rowan: "Full-scale war seems inevitable. The forces at the Stepstones surely won't be able to hold back the Dornish. If Lord Yronwood stirs up trouble, Prince Doran won't be able to control him. Varys, have there been any updates from other Dornish nobles?"
Varys: "The powerful Houses of the Allyrion of God's grace, the Blackmont of Blackmont, and the Wyl of Wyl have all made it clear they will support Lord Yronwood. There's no news from others yet, but with the influence of Yronwood and Martell, it's just a matter of time."
Rowan: "Your Majesty, now that the letters from Dorne have reached you, we must make a decision. Either we accuse the Martells of treason and rebellion and go to war with Dorne again, or we delay, waiting for Wright to return and handle it."
Another headache for Robert, who didn't know how to choose, so he had the council vote on the matter. The result was to let Varys handle it upon his return.
Robert, in pain, didn't issue the final command. The Dornish might not be very strong in direct combat, but they were relentless. The dragons had burned Dorne's cities three times, and they still resisted. Going to war with Dorne now might not bring any real benefit. "If Wright returns with dragons, can we defeat Dorne?"
Varys: "Your Majesty, this is essentially the proposal we voted for, just waiting for Wright to return to resolve it."
After thinking for a moment, Robert finally ordered: "Fine, send Maester Pycelle a letter in my name to Prince Doran, buying time, and let him wait for Wright to come back and handle it."
Except for Robert, everyone in the council didn't want war. The long period of peace and the one-sided Stepstones conflict had made many start to enjoy their lives. They all wanted to maintain this status quo.
Rowan: "Lord Mace, the lords of the southern Riverlands must summon their armies and prepare to resist the Dornish."
Once the armies are called, production and trade will be affected. Former vassals who had gained power were now ordering their lords around. Lord Mace wasn't happy about this but couldn't find a reason to object: "Understood."
Mathis Rowan smiled: "One last thing. As for the matter of Daenerys in Varys Baratheon's hands, I suggest we kill her. What do you think?"
Varys immediately opposed: "Lord Hand of the King, now that we all know Rhaegar's son, Aegon, is still alive, killing Daenerys would give him the perfect excuse to launch a counterattack on Westeros. I suggest we bring her to King's Landing as a hostage."
Rowan: "Lord Varys, Wright Baratheon's letter said that Daenerys has two dragons. Do you think we can just bring her back easily?"
"If Lord Wright can capture her, he can bring her to King's Landing. You must trust the Master of Whisperers' skills!" Varys began to argue back, trying to protect Daenerys, using Varys as a shield against Rowan.
Robert trusted Varys to get things done and for once made a quick decision: "She's just a girl. Let Varys bring her back to King's Landing. Let's settle today's matters. I'm getting tired."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
---
"Dorne going to war against the Stepstones? Or against Westeros? No, there is a third possibility!"
At the port of Lys, Oberyn Martell was preparing to board a ship, looking in high spirits, though his face had become a little thinner.
"Oberyn, are you going back to Sunspear alone?" Ellaria Sand caught his arm.
Oberyn gently stroked her hair: "Right now, a small spark is all it takes to ignite war. So let me be the one to light it. Only I can return to Sunspear and influence the situation."
Ellaria: "Aren't you bringing anyone with you?"
Oberyn: "I'll go alone, with a few guards. Too many people would change the nature of the mission."
Ellaria suddenly hugged him: "I'll go with you."
Oberyn whispered in her ear: "This trip could be deadly. Are you sure you want to come?"
Ellaria Sand looked up at him: "I've already given you four daughters. What more could I wish for?"
Oberyn laughed, releasing her: "Hahaha, then come with me. Don't worry, I'm not that easy to kill!"
"Father!" Ellaria Sand looked at her father, Lord Harmen, whose hair now showed traces of white, feeling reluctant.
Lord Harmen Uller nodded at his daughter: "Go, take care of Oberyn. Your uncle is already in Tyrosh. House Uller will leave a mark in history, and Dorne's future will be even brighter."