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Game of Thrones White Dragon Rising
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Arthur Dayne's breakthrough gave Daeron new ideas.
Combat techniques were valuable. The crown now held another edge.
Life seeds were random. Barristan and Jonothor had eaten single ancient fruits and grown matching seeds. Arthur had eaten a mix and pulled a Fire Dragon Pepper seed that sprouted cleanly.
"Not the highest-tier crop," Daeron mused, "but it survived the random draw. That's something."
He wouldn't waste Arthur's talent. The Kingsguard had its favorites. Gerold and Lewyn were too political. Jaime was Lannister—useful but not worth extra investment.
Only Arthur and Oswell deserved real support.
Once the rebels were dealt with, Daeron would re-condense his own Life Seed with Gemstone Sweetberry. The most expensive crop had to be worth it.
He still hadn't found the traveling merchant cart, but he knew when it would appear.
---
Starpike.
Lord Titus Peake sent his surrender letter and waited.
Randyll Tarly's army arrived two days later.
Peake stood on the battlements and shouted, "Lord Tarly, I have already surrendered! This is an attack on the crown's authority!"
Randyll looked up, cold and unimpressed.
"You plotted treason. The crown knows. Surrender or not, I'm taking this castle."
Catapults fired.
Rocks smashed the walls while Peake screamed curses. Randyll kept the barrage going for days, letting fear do the rest.
Half a month later the gates opened at midnight. The garrison dragged their sleeping lord out and handed him over.
Peake was on the road to King's Landing before dawn.
---
Small Council chamber.
Daeron spoke calmly. "Caswell is dead. The other three lords are in chains. But the Reach conspiracy taught us a lesson—some houses need reminding who rules."
Mace Tyrell wiped sweat from his face. "Prince, the Tyrells failed to control our bannermen. The fault is mine."
Daeron ignored the apology. "We need a permanent solution."
Tywin tapped the table. "Execute all four lords and their direct kin. Strip the families. Make an example."
The room went silent.
Daeron shook his head. "Fossoway and Merryweather opened their gates. They keep their heads and lose land. Peake did not surrender. He pays the full price."
Maester Aemon sat very still, an old letter hidden in his sleeve. He had seen Peake's surrender note days ago and said nothing. The old grudge against the Peakes ran deep. His father had died storming Starpike.
Now the score could finally be settled.
---
Daeron continued. "Bitterbridge is gone. The town sits at the crossroads of the Rose Road and the Mander. I'm folding it into the new royal domain."
Mace looked ready to faint.
Tywin smiled faintly. "Agreed."
Daeron pressed on. "To keep the rest of the Reach honest, I'm creating a new office—Warden of the Rose Road. He will sit at Bitterbridge, collect tolls, maintain the road, and answer only to the crown."
Mace's mouth opened and closed like a fish.
Tywin spoke at once. "Agreed."
Daeron named the man. "Matthos Rowan of Goldengrove. Loyal, proven in the last war, and strong enough to balance House Tyrell without breaking it."
Mace slid halfway out of his chair.
The Reach would now have three powers—Tyrell, Rowan, and Hightower—exactly as Daeron wanted.
He had already made the deal with Lord Leyton Hightower days earlier. Spare Fossoway and Merryweather, create the new warden post, and Hightower would rally the other Reach lords behind the crown's new laws.
Mace Tyrell could only sit there and take it.
The council voted.
Every hand rose except Mace's, which trembled in his lap.
Daeron leaned back. "Then it's settled. The Reach just got a little smaller—and a lot more obedient."