Maegor had absorbed Ser Kaeto's intelligence on the scattered Valyrian bloodlines, filing it away for future consideration. For now, his focus was absolute: the consolidation of Myrosh. His immediate goal was to bring all the surrounding villages and towns under the Targaryen banner. His ultimate ambition for this region, however, stretched beyond the Myrosh Barony. He intended to claim the entire Duchy of Qohor, the land to which Myrosh belonged, wresting it from the distant control of Myr. This fertile land would be his foundational kingdom in Essos, a secure base from which to project his power.
From the System's intelligence report, Maegor now possessed a detailed understanding of the immediate political landscape. They currently held the Myrosh Barony, which encompassed Myrosh Town and its four surrounding villages. This barony was part of the County of Ergos, a direct vassal of Magister Erando Drahar of the Free City of Myr, who ruled the larger Duchy of Qohor.
The County of Ergos was comprised of four baronies:
Myrosh Barony: Maegor's current domain, with Myrosh Town and 4 villages.Vyrodos Barony (East): 3 villages and 1 large village.Paenerion Barony (North): 2 villages and 1 big village.Dilora Barony (West): The capital of Ergos County, a prosperous town larger than Myrosh, with 1 small town and 5 villages.
After a few days of intense preparation, Maegor set his forces in motion. He chose his first target strategically: a small village to the west, within the Dilora Barony, named Gevas. It was governed by a military man, Captain Dario, an appointee of Magister Erando Drahar. Gevas was a testing ground.
Maegor mounted his magnificent Sand Steed, the horse a vibrant blur beneath him. At his side rode ten of his Targaryen Royal Guards, a formidable personal escort. Behind them marched two squads of the newly trained Myrosh Castle Guards, sixty disciplined soldiers under the command of Commander Vorian. But the true, undeniable weight of his power came from the five thousand Dothraki raiders who rode behind them, a terrifying wave of horsemen led by one of Khal Drogo's fiercest ko. He had deliberately brought a smaller, more manageable contingent of Dothraki to ensure smoother travel and greater control, a clear demonstration of his authority over even the most unruly of his new subjects. Balerion soared high above, a silent, black spearhead in the sky, his shadow falling intermittently upon the marching column.
Their journey west was swift. The Dothraki, though reduced in number, moved with an ominous speed. The ground trembled beneath the thundering hooves, a stark warning to any who watched from afar. The sight of Maegor, silver-haired, mounted on his unique steed, flanked by disciplined guards and a storm of Dothraki, was designed to inspire awe and terror in equal measure.
They arrived at the gates of Gevas village late in the afternoon. The village was small, its walls made of rough-hewn timber, a stark contrast to the stone of Myrosh Castle. A handful of nervous guards manned the gate, their eyes wide with fear as they took in the approaching force.
Maegor rode to the front, his presence radiating an undeniable authority. He halted his steed a comfortable distance from the gate, allowing the Dothraki to spread out in a menacing crescent behind him, their horses snorting, their arakhs glinting in the sunlight.
"Open the gates!" Maegor's voice boomed, clear and resonant, carrying across the village square. His Draconic Persuasion (Tier 2) was fully engaged, pressing down on the villagers and their captain, demanding immediate, unquestioning obedience. "I am Maegor Targaryen, Lord of Myrosh, and this land is now under the protection of the Dragon! Open your gates and present your governor to me!"
The guards hesitated for a long, tense moment. They looked at the endless wave of Dothraki, then at the silver-haired figure on the sand-colored horse, and finally, a glimpse of the enormous black dragon circling high above. Fear, overwhelming and absolute, broke their resolve. Slowly, reluctantly, the heavy timber gates of Gevas creaked open.
A man, clad in worn but clean armor, with a grim, defiant set to his jaw, stepped out. Captain Dario. He was clearly a soldier, not a politician. "I am Captain Dario," he stated, his voice firm despite the tremor in his hands. "I govern Gevas for Magister Erando Drahar of Myr. Who are you, and what is your business here, invader?"
Maegor dismounted, walking forward, his Royal Guards fanning out behind him. Ghost, his direwolf, materialized silently at his side, his golden eyes fixed on Dario. Balerion, overhead, let out a low, challenging growl.
"Invader?" Maegor scoffed, his voice cold. "I am no invader, Captain. I am a King reclaiming his birthright. This land, the Duchy of Qohor, once belonged to my ancestors, before the Doom. And now, it belongs to me. Magister Erando Drahar is a usurper, a distant lord clinging to lands that are not his by right or by power."
He met Dario's gaze, allowing his Commander's Presence (Uncommon) to fill the space, inspiring both fear and grudging respect. "You and your village have a choice, Captain Dario. You can resist, and see Gevas burned to the ground, your people slaughtered, and your name erased from history. Or, you can swear fealty to me, Maegor Targaryen, and become part of a new, glorious future. Your village will be protected, your people will prosper under my rule, and you, Captain, will be granted a position of honor within my new administration."
The negotiation had begun. But it was less a negotiation and more a declaration, backed by the terrifying presence of dragon, direwolf, Dothraki, and disciplined Valyrian steel.