Title: The Gilded StagChapter 8: The Price of Allegiance
The swift and brutal fall of Felwood and Fawnton sent shockwaves throughout the southern Crownlands and the northern Reach. The speed with which Robar's forces had moved, the devastating power of his siege engines, and the utter ruthlessness with which resistance had been crushed were unlike anything seen in recent memory. Whispers of "Robert the Earthshaker" and "the Black Stag" began to circulate, replacing the more familiar "Demon of the Trident" with titles that spoke of a different kind of terror – not the fury of a warrior, but the implacable force of nature, and the cold, calculating darkness of a man who saw war as a business transaction.
Robar, however, paid little heed to the rumors. He was a creature of action, not reputation. With Felwood secured and Fawnton under Stannis's control, he turned his attention to his next strategic objectives. He established a temporary headquarters in Felwood's ruined keep, its once-proud halls now echoing with the activity of his quartermasters, his engineers, and the constant stream of messengers carrying reports and orders.
The reports from Stannis were characteristically concise and thorough. Fawnton had yielded with minimal resistance after seeing the fate of Felwood. Lord Cafferen, cowed and terrified, had sworn fealty to Robar, contributed a significant portion of his wealth to BCR (under Stannis's watchful eye), and pledged his remaining forces to the Baratheon cause. Stannis had left a small garrison to maintain order and secure the castle's assets, then moved his forces to join Robar at Felwood.
The combined strength of the Stormblade Cohort now numbered over twenty-five thousand men, a formidable force that was growing daily as word of Robar's victories and the promise of plunder drew in mercenaries and opportunistic adventurers. Robar, however, was not interested in a rabble. He was building an army, not a mob. He implemented a strict screening process, turning away those who lacked discipline or whose skills were not deemed useful. He sought soldiers, engineers, quartermasters, scouts – assets that could contribute to his war effort.
He also began to consolidate his control over the conquered territories. Felwood and Fawnton, now under BCR management, were being systematically stripped of their resources. Timber was being harvested from their forests, ore from their mines, grain from their fields. These resources were not simply being stockpiled; they were being processed and converted into weapons, armor, and supplies for his army. Robar was creating a self-sustaining war machine, one that would not be dependent on the whims of his bannermen or the vagaries of trade routes.
He also implemented a new system of governance in the conquered lands. He replaced the former lords with BCR-appointed administrators, men chosen for their competence and loyalty to him. These administrators were tasked with maintaining order, collecting taxes (which were significantly higher than under the Targaryens), and ensuring the smooth flow of resources to his war effort. He made it clear that any resistance or dissent would be met with swift and brutal reprisal. He was not interested in winning hearts and minds; he was interested in maximizing efficiency and profit.
His methods were harsh, but they were effective. The conquered territories, initially resentful, quickly fell into line. The promise of stability and the fear of Robar's wrath kept them in check. The increased taxes, while unpopular, were offset by the influx of BCR-funded infrastructure projects: new roads, improved irrigation systems, and the revitalization of abandoned mines. Robar was not just a conqueror; he was a CEO, restructuring a failing enterprise for maximum profitability.
While he consolidated his grip on the western Stormlands, Robar also turned his attention to the wider strategic situation. Messengers arrived from Ned Stark, bearing news of his successful alliance with House Tully. Catelyn Tully was now betrothed to Ned, securing the Riverlands for the rebellion. This was a significant victory, but Robar knew that the war was far from won. The Tyrells still held the Reach, and the main strength of the Targaryen forces remained intact.
He also received a less welcome message from Jon Arryn. The Vale, while sympathetic to their cause, was hesitant to commit its full strength. The lords of the Vale were wary of leaving their mountain fortresses undefended, and Jon Arryn's cautious nature made him reluctant to take any unnecessary risks. This was a setback. Robar needed the Vale's knights, and he needed them now.
He considered his options. He could try to pressure Jon Arryn, but he knew the old man would not be swayed by threats or appeals to emotion. He needed to offer him something of value, a tangible benefit that would outweigh the risks.
He remembered his GoT knowledge. The Vale was rich in resources, particularly timber and stone. And it was strategically located, controlling access to the eastern Crownlands. He decided to offer Jon Arryn a deal: in exchange for the Vale's full military support, BCR would invest heavily in the Vale's infrastructure, building new roads, improving its ports, and developing its resource extraction industries. He would offer Jon Arryn a partnership, a chance to profit from the war, not just to survive it.
He drafted a message to Jon Arryn, outlining his proposal. He emphasized the strategic importance of the Vale, the potential for economic growth, and the guaranteed returns on investment that BCR could provide. He made it clear that he was not asking for charity; he was offering a business proposition.
He also sent a message to Balon Greyjoy, offering him the opportunity to raid Targaryen coastal cities in exchange for his naval support. He knew that the Ironborn were driven by greed and a thirst for plunder. He would give them what they wanted, but he would also control them, ensuring that their depredations served his strategic goals.
While he awaited replies from Jon Arryn and Balon Greyjoy, Robar focused on his immediate military objectives. He knew that the Targaryens would not sit idle. They would likely attempt to counter his advance, either by attacking his forces directly or by striking at his supply lines. He needed to anticipate their moves and prepare accordingly.
He sent scouts, led by Davos Seaworth's men, to probe the borders of the Reach and the Crownlands, seeking information on enemy troop movements and fortifications. He ordered his engineers to build more siege engines, including mobile artillery that could keep pace with his advancing army. He drilled his men relentlessly, preparing them for the battles to come.
He also began to experiment more openly with his powers. He could now create localized tremors with pinpoint accuracy, collapsing walls, disrupting enemy formations, and even creating fissures in the ground. He could reinforce his weapons and armor with Armament Haki, making them nigh-unbreakable. And he was learning to control his Conqueror's Haki, projecting his will over others, inspiring fear and obedience in his men and sowing terror in his enemies.
He knew that these powers gave him a significant advantage, but he also knew that they were not foolproof. He needed to use them strategically, not recklessly. He needed to conserve his strength, to choose his moments carefully. He was a CEO, not a god. And even a CEO with superpowers needed to manage his resources wisely.
As he prepared for his next campaign, Robar received a message from King's Landing that made him pause. His BCR agents had uncovered a disturbing rumor: Aerys Targaryen, in his growing madness, was planning to unleash the wildfire stored beneath the city. This was a game-changer. It meant that any assault on King's Landing would have to be swift and surgical, to prevent Aerys from destroying his own capital.
Robar's mind raced. He needed a new strategy, one that would minimize civilian casualties and preserve the city's infrastructure. He considered a daring plan: a small, elite force, led by himself, would infiltrate the city through the tunnels beneath the Red Keep, seize Aerys, and prevent him from giving the order to ignite the wildfire.
It was a risky plan, but it was also the most efficient. And efficiency, as always, was Robar's guiding principle. He began to prepare for his most audacious move yet, a move that would determine the fate of King's Landing and the future of Westeros. The price of allegiance had been paid. Now, it was time to collect the spoils.
Word Count: Approx. 3100 words