Chapter 45: Corrupted Dorne and the Court of King's Landing
The Yronwood Family's camp.
Lewyn Yronwood received the Golden Crown from Tigaro, given to him by the surrendered Dornish nobles. He slowly placed it on his head.
"Long live the High King of Dorne!" Lord Jordayne, who had personally led his army, was the first to raise his sword and shout. Before Queen Nymeria united Dorne, the Jordayne Family had been loyal vassals of the Yronwood Family, and even after centuries of Martell rule in Dorne, the two families maintained close ties. Almost simultaneously, Lord Manwoody of Kingsgrave shouted with him. The ancestors of the Manwoody Family had also been kings, and it was said that they once killed a Gardener King of the Reach, which is why their family crest is a skull wearing a crown. Unfortunately, the Manwoody Family has long since declined, and the Manwoody Family, whose territory is near the Yronwood Family, can only survive by relying on this powerful house.
"Long live the High King of Dorne!" The nobles who were already vassals of the Yronwood Family simultaneously raised their swords.
"Long live the High King of Dorne!" The Central Dornish lords who surrendered after Prince Qoren's defeat also raised their longswords. After the camp riot, they did not find the Martell Family's banner and could only ultimately kneel and pledge allegiance to Lewyn Yronwood. Among the most active in surrendering was the Qorgyle Family of Sandstone; during the era when the Yronwood Family were kings, the Qorgyle Family had also been vassals of the Yronwood Family.
The Yronwood Family's army suddenly expanded by several thousand, subtly showing the strong signs of prosperity that existed before Nymeria united Dorne.
Lewyn watched the cheering crowd with satisfaction, the flickering flames obscuring Tigaro's face in the shadows. Lewyn, content, raised his wine cup and found Tigaro in the corner.
"Envoy, I have a daughter, 13 years old this year, who has not yet had her first menses. I wonder if she would be fortunate enough to marry the Dragon King." He looked at Tigaro's face drunkenly: "If the Prince and Prince have a liking for my girl, you can also tell me. I respect Valyrian marriage customs."
Tigaro looked at Lewyn with a speechless expression, but he hid his emotions well.
"Your Majesty, I need to ask the Prince about this matter."
"Haha, Envoy, give my regards to the Prince." He raised his wine cup: "To Prince Dragonzel."
Starfall
After receiving news that Prince Qoren was defeated by Lewyn Yronwood and the Borderlands army annihilated the allied lords of East Dorne, Ser Albin Dayne, who had imprisoned his own father, finally saw the opportune moment he had dreamed of. And his sister, Obara Dayne, also sent him what he wanted from High Hermitage.
A crown carved with rivers.
The young knight eagerly crowned himself, calling himself King of the Torrentine, Albin V of House Dayne. The Blackmont Family dared not oppose the powerful Dayne Family and could only send envoys to express their surrender.
The Uller Family, having lost most of its army and patriarch, went mad again. The young man, in whom the family's knights had placed high hopes, believing he would not be as insane as his father, also fashioned a crown for himself, declaring himself King of the Great Desert and Shield of the Brimstone River.
The once unified Dorne instantly fell apart.
Prince Qoren, who had fled back to Sunspear in disarray, immediately sent out ravens, denouncing the three families who had claimed kingship as rebels and demanding that the lords of Dorne unite to suppress them.
But the division of Dorne was already a fact. All of House Wyl's territory had been taken by Dragonzel. He announced the exemption of Dornish taxes for the current year and adjusted the types of taxes House Wyl had previously levied, reducing the burden on commoners. He also purchased large quantities of grain from Essos and put them into the markets of the Borderlands and the new territories, greatly alleviating the wounds caused by the war.
Sunspear
Prince Qoren sat wearily in his reclining chair. The dark clouds of war's defeat hung over the city. The once bustling and prosperous mouth of the Greenblood was now sparsely populated, showing no trace of its former prosperity.
"Your Majesty, we still have one path," Moros Carfell, Qoren's chief retainer, said softly, standing beside his liege.
"Do not tell me we must bow to the Iron Throne." Qoren could not possibly be unaware of this method. But it was no longer realistic. A Prince of Dorne who could unify all of Dorne was a force the Iron Throne could not ignore, but a Prince whose decrees could only be enforced in a quarter or even less of Dorne might not even possess as much value as the Yronwood Family, which now controlled half the land.
"Your Majesty, but what the Iron Throne desires is Dorne's submission, even if it is only nominal," Moros stated calmly. "Whether it is Yronwood, Dayne, or Uller, if they dare to openly claim kingship, their greatest support must come not only from their own strength, but also from outside intervention."
"I know." Prince Qoren knew this when Lewyn Yronwood led the cavalry raid. Only a dragon could track his marching route so precisely and remain unseen.
"That young Prince must have put great effort into this. A fractured Dorne is far better for him than a united one, and it gives him enough time to digest House Wyl's lands. Damn Ulthorn of House Wyl, Seven Hells!"
Every time Qoren thought of the man, murderous fury surged within him.
That bastard had nearly dragged all of Dorne into the abyss.
"Your Majesty, we can use this point."
"Hm?" Qoren frowned. "You mean…"
"What Yronwood and the others can obtain from Prince Dragonzel, we can obtain as well. Since Prince Dragonzel desires a divided Dorne, we will give him a Dorne where many powers contend," Moros replied calmly.
"He wants no single house to dominate the rest. I understand." Qoren sighed suddenly. "It is a pity Alexandra is too young, otherwise… Wait, Moros, do we have intelligence on Prince Dragonzel and his kin?"
Moros nodded.
"It has been prepared for some time. Princess Alexandra is seven years old, and Prince Valarr, Prince Dragonzel's younger brother, is thirteen. The age difference is appropriate, and Prince Valarr also rides a dragon."
"Moros, would you be willing to serve as my envoy—to pay respects to Prince Dragonzel, and also travel to King's Landing to seek terms from the Iron Throne?"
"It would be my honor." Moros bowed deeply.
Thud.
Something fell to the floor in the room behind them.
Qoren coldly summoned a servant.
"Tell the household servants to watch Alexandra closely. She is not to leave the palace for even a single step until Steward Moros returns."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
King's Landing
Red Keep — Council Chamber
Ser Otto Hightower sat silently in the Hand of the King's chair. The members of the Small Council were equally silent.
Until Ser Criston Cole entered the chamber beside the King, his expression displeased.
The silence finally broke.
"Gentlemen," the King said directly. "Dorne has fractured."
But everyone could see the satisfaction on the King's face.
"Our long-held wish may finally come true."
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