Chapter 177 There Are only Targaryens Here
Clay understands that it will definitely take a long time for the Martell family to suddenly identify with the Manderly family, which was once just an earl, and become the masters of the Seven Kingdoms.
At the beginning of the Targaryens, no one agreed with them. When Aegon Targaryen delivered a message to the Seven Kingdoms on Dragonstone, no one bowed to him. So, what did the conqueror do? Woolen cloth?
Of course, as the Targaryen saying goes, the conqueror brings blood and fire to his enemies. If you are not convinced, yes, then you choose death. There is no third way.
As a result, the Storm King died on the battlefield, and the ruler of the valley knelt down and surrendered. A raging battle completely cut off the bloodline of the Gardener family. The ruins of Harrenhal even buried the famous "Black Heart" King Heron.
After this, the identity of the Targaryen rulers of the Seven Kingdoms became impregnable, because anyone who dared to challenge them was dead.
Now, Clay is actually facing the same situation as Aegon Targaryen. The existence of the dragon has put the Mandalay family on the road to independence from the northern noble system.
It is not difficult to understand. Galesos's current size is already at a stage where he cannot hide it at all. When he returns to Westeros, his existence will be known to the world sooner or later.
Fortunately, there is Daenerys Targaryen as a natural shield, otherwise, the Mandalay family might immediately stand against all the great nobles.
The reason is simple. If you are given a giant dragon, what will you think? Aegon Targaryen, the Conqueror, has an outstanding record. What if you want to conquer us too?
This is why Clay chose to land in Dorne instead of taking Daenerys and the four thousand Unsullied directly back to White Harbor. In theory, that is Clay's home, and all personnel and materials are at hand. The place.
Fortunately, this Prince Doran is just like Clay's impression, he is a wise ruler. The series of arrangements he made before leaving happened to keep up with the prince's channel, and this is how he came about. Not a bad start.
That night, Clay and Daenerys, who had just settled in, were invited by Prince Doran to a quiet corner of the palace to have a meal with him. Clay knew that this meal was very important, so he was careful not to leave early. Not too late, got there on time.
Dorne's food style is an independent one among the Seven Kingdoms. Because of the isolation of the geographical environment, the culture developed by the people on this land is different from anywhere else.
Especially in the North, where Clay has lived for a long time, there are two extremes. The weather in the North is cold, so the people living there consume more energy, and they prefer food with higher energy.
But here in Dorne, low-calorie fruits occupy a large part of the table, and even the remaining dishes mostly use fruits as side dishes.
It was already evening, and looking at the maids walking around like clouds, everyone knew that Prince Daolang had put a lot of thought into this dinner. Since the host was so gracious, there was really no need for the guests to refuse and be polite.
Walking over with Daenerys, Prince Doran sat in a large chair, with several soft cushions supporting his body. His gout was very severe, but it was not such that he could not even eat.
"You two, I hope you like our food in Dorne."
Prince Doran did not stand up, but raised his hand and said to Clay and Daenerys with a smile.
"Indeed, I should have a taste of Dorne, and thank His Highness for the hospitality."
Clay took Daenerys to the seats reserved for them. There were more than three of them at this party, Ellaria Sand, and Prince Doran's eldest son Quentin Martell, the elder. Female Arianne Martell.
If Clay remembered correctly, there should be a younger son Tristan. He didn't know why he didn't show up, but it didn't matter, and Clay didn't ask anything.
This is a different kind of family banquet, which shows how seriously the Martell family attaches importance to this banquet.
The candles were lit, and the orange firelight swayed slightly in the sea breeze. After everyone was seated, the maids left. If they dared to hear a word from the rest of the meeting, it would be the end of their lives.
Seeing that no one spoke, Prince Daolang took the lead in provoking the topic. He said:
"Clay, forgive me for not calling you Your Majesty for the time being. After all, this is a bit sudden and the Martell family needs time to adapt."
Clay nodded expressionlessly. He knew what Prince Doran meant, so he replied:
"It doesn't matter. I think that calling this thing has no practical meaning. To put it into perspective, Targaryen is the one you want to support. After all, we have been married before. In the heart of His Highness, it is best for me to disappear as soon as possible, right? It's a pity that you don't have the ability to control dragons, otherwise, you would have already done this, am I right?"
Clay's words immediately brought the warm banquet to a halt. No one expected that Clay's words would be so straightforward, directly revealing the inner calculations of the Martell family.
Prince Doran looked at Clay's deep eyes and sighed slightly. It would be pointless to argue at this time. This young Mandalay was too sober and too domineering.
These words directly pulled off the fig leaf of both parties. They are telling you clearly that I know what you think, and I dare to come, so don't fool me again.
"Clay, you are right, you would think so in my position."
Prince Dolan nodded, slowly leaned back in the chair, and remained silent.
"Understood, Your Highness, so I didn't do anything. Otherwise, this place would have been a sea of fire."
The members of the Martell family had very bad expressions, but surprisingly no one dared to refute Clay's words. They all saw Galesos flying over Sunspear City, and they had no doubt that a dragon flame would come down from this place. Leave no one alive.
At this time, Daenerys made a smooth move:
"Your Highness, I believe that you and your family will stand by my husband and me in this war. After all, we have a common goal, don't we?"
Daenerys used her distinctive voice to tell the terms that Clay had negotiated with Oberon in her own words. After speaking, the faces of the Martell family members were visibly good-looking.
A smile also appeared on Prince Dolan's face. He turned his gaze to Clay, who was indifferent, and said in a serious tone:
"If Daenerys says so, the Martells will stand behind the banners of Manderly and the Targaryens."
Don't think that these Martells are stupid or naive. In fact, they have no choice. As a place with a smaller population than the North among the Seven Kingdoms, their war potential is extremely limited.
Even if they join any party except Clay, what will they gain?
By joining Renly's side, will Renly be at odds with the Lannister family? Dorne is not worth that much money, let alone territorial expansion. Renly's basic base is the Stormlands and the Reach.
Join Stannis? What does that smelly rock promise? He only has a daughter. If she marries Dorne, after Stannis dies in the future, will the Seven Iron Throne's surname be Baratheon or Martell?
Therefore, following Clay and Daenerys is their best choice, but it requires a step.
However, after hearing what Prince Doran said, Clay waved his hand, shook his head and said:
"At this stage, Dorne can only stand behind the Targaryen banner. The Manderly family has not yet come to the forefront."
"After we have discussed it here, please bear with it for a while, Your Highness. I will leave for the north, return to the Mandalay family, and develop quietly until opportunities arise in the future."
"After all, as you can see, except for my dragon Galesos, the remaining dragons have not formed a fighting force. Even when Aegon conquered the Seven Kingdoms, he killed a dragon here in Dorne."
"We now have four, so time is on our side. Moreover, the outcome between the two Baratheon brothers and the Lannister is still undecided. They are both strong men. It is difficult for us to take action."
"So, Your Highness, in the future, Dorne will raise the Targaryen flag, but it must stand firm to block possible attacks from the Seven Kingdoms."
Clay's plan is actually not complicated, because a complicated plan means that there are extremely high risks in its execution.
Prince Doran agreed very much with what Clay said, that is, time is on their side.
The dragon grew up day by day. Over at Astapor, the Unsullied troops were sent in batches. After Clay, the king of the battlefield in the north, returned, he completed the integration of the power of the Mandalay family, and Dorne began to prepare for war.
When the crown fell to the ground from all the parties fighting for it at King's Landing and they were exhausted, then it would be the best time for Dorne to take revenge.