WILOW-Ch.425: Agreement
Sunspear, Dorne
POV of Domeric Bolton
After befriending Oberyn, Domeric began negotiations with him and Doran.
Once Domeric offered them a proposal for an independent kingdom, they easily reached a common understanding. Dorne would henceforth be known as the Kingdom of Dorne, with Doran reigning as King and Oberyn retaining the title of Prince.
In return, the Kingdom of Dorne would recognize Domeric Bolton's claim to the Empire and pledge its allegiance to him.
King Doran's status would be equal to that of King Eddard Stark, King Aegon Targaryen, and any other king of kingdoms that might be established.
While bound by the Empire's laws, the Kingdom of Dorne would be able to create its own laws and govern its people as it saw fit.
King Doran also inquired about the Empire's support in the event of resistance or rebellion within his Kingdom.
Domeric suspected this was due to King Doran's fear that the Yronwoods would rebel against him if he recalled his son, whom he had offered as a hostage for peace.
He told them he would first investigate the cause of the rebellion or resistance and, if it was justified, seek a solution. But an unjust rebellion or resistance would be considered an attack against the Empire, and the Imperial Army would be mobilized.
This answer brought a smile to Doran's face, but Domeric told him that if he was going to recall his son, he should do so after the war in Westeros was over.
But Doran could lift Oberyn's exile from this day forward.
Although they generally agreed on conditions, Domeric's next words wiped the smiles from Doran and Oberyn's faces, leaving them staring at him in astonishment.
"In addition, I request that the secret marriage and alliance pact between House Martell and the exiled House Targaryen be annulled and given to me to be destroyed." He said.
"What... What pact..." Doran began, but Domeric interrupted him.
"Please, King Doran. I am aware of the pact between the two houses, which will be sealed by the marriage of Arianne Martell and Viserys Targaryen. It was signed in Braavos by Oberyn and Ser Willem Darry. Is it not, Oberyn?"
"How did you find out about this?" Oberyn said after a moment's hesitation.
"I'm glad we've stopped pretending. As for how I'm informed... You don't think I'd try to build an Empire without a spy network, do you? Everything that's happening in Westeros and much of Essos right now appears as a report on my desk the next day." He said.
"Your Majesty, this marriage pact is between House Martell and House Targaryen. You can't expect me to cast aside an agreement that serves the interests of my own house, can you?" Doran said.
Just as Domeric had expected, Doran was approaching the matter diplomatically.
"I understand that. But with this pact in place, Dorne cannot fully pledge its allegiance to the Empire. And believe me, you wouldn't want Viserys as Arianne's husband." He said.
"What do you mean?" Oberyn asked.
"Viserys Targaryen has already begun to show signs of Targaryen Madness. It can't be said that a good end awaits the person who will marry him," he explained.
"How reliable is this information?" Doran asked.
"Completely reliable. It was learned and confirmed by my own men. But it's up to you whether to believe it or not," Domeric said.
Meanwhile, Doran and Oberyn exchanged glances. They would likely want to discuss this privately and postpone their conversation.
Domeric didn't want that to happen, so he reached into his pocket, pulled out a small bottle, and placed it on the table before saying, "I realize that House Martell canceling this pact isn't in their best interest. That's why I brought this with me to compensate for any losses."
"What exactly is this bottle, Your Majesty?" Doran asked.
"It seems like a rather small compensation for any losses the Martells might suffer," Oberyn added.
"It may be small in size, Oberyn, but we both know that its function is more important than its size," Domeric said and added. "This elixir will completely cure King Doran of his current gout."
"What?!!!" Oberyn himself exclaimed in astonishment, jumping to his feet.
Doran, in contrast, sat silently, suspiciously staring at the bottle Domeric had placed on the table.
"Are you sure about what you're saying, Your Majesty? I've tried many different treatments before, and none have worked. Please forgive me for doubting that just one bottle of medicine could cure me." Doran said.
"This isn't a medicine, it's an elixir. Something I made under the guidance of the Old Gods. Haven't you heard how Hoster Tully was cured? But I must point out that while this elixir will cure your gout, it won't have much effect on your legs, which have weakened over time. So, you'll need to train regularly to be able to walk normally again, King Doran," he said.
But even after his explanation, Domeric could see that Doran was still suspicious, and from the glances exchanged between Oberyn and Doran, he could tell they didn't want to jump to conclusions.
So Domeric pushed the bottle forward and said, "I'll let you test the effect of the elixir first. After you drink it, you'll know what I'm saying is true. That's why I want the pact given to me by evening."
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Doran said, but Domeric knew that if the potion didn't work, they weren't going to give him the deal.
In that case, they would most likely use their leverage to try to get other things out of him. But Domeric had no worries because he knew the potion would work.
Their meeting ended at this point, and as he had predicted, Oberyn brought the agreement to Domeric's room that early evening.
Domeric first asked if there was another copy of the pact, while superficially observing Oberyn's thoughts with Legilimency.
Apparently, the pact in his hand was the only copy.
Following this, Domeric burned the agreement in front of Oberyn. However, Oberyn didn't seem bothered by this. On the contrary, he even thanked him for the "elixir" he had given him before leaving.
Domeric thought he had finished his business in Dorne, but this time, Tyene, or rather Luna, dropped a bomb on him at dinner.
"I want to go with Emperor Domeric to the Imperial Capital to become his paramour," Luna said.
"What?" was the reaction of almost everyone at the table.
"You said you haven't slept with any of my daughters, Your Majesty. Would you mind giving me an explanation?"
"What I said still stands, Prince Obery," he said.
Then everyone turned to look at Luna.
Domeric wanted Luna to come with him to Dreadfort, but he had no idea where the whole paramour thing had come from.
"I know Emperor Domeric loves someone else, but I'm sure if I try hard enough, His Majesty will accept me as his paramour eventually," she said.
Because of the bomb Luna threw into his lap, he had to extend his stay in Dorne and deal with the situation.
Luna privately told him that this was the only way Oberyn would allow her to leave Dorne.
Oberyn also spoke with him privately, saying that Tyene/Luna wasn't the same after her past poisoning and amnesia, and that going to the Imperial Capital with him might be good for her.
He didn't know whether he was telling the truth or saying it because he wanted something to happen between them, but he had no intention of trying to read Oberyn's mind. Some things were better left unanswered.
Therefore, after further discussions, it was decided that Luna would go to the Imperial Capital for "education" and that she would be Domeric's ward and would be under his care during her stay there.
At the end of the two-day extension, Domeric and Luna sat on a wyvern and left Dorne.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.426: Leaving Dorne
Ch.427: Returning to the Army
Ch.428: Welcome to Politics