Chapter 35: The Twin Spears of Conquest
The Myrosh sun beat down on the castle, but within Maegor's solar, the air was cool and filled with the tension of strategic planning. Blackfyre lay on the table, its dark blade a silent, potent presence. Balerion, now a frequent visitor to the highest battlements, occasionally let out a low rumble that vibrated through the stone, a constant reminder of the power Maegor wielded. He had summoned his most trusted commanders: Ser Barristan Selmy, Ser Kaeto Targaryen, and Khal Drogo.
"Gentlemen," Maegor began, his voice calm, decisive, his Commander's Presence (Uncommon) subtly influencing the room, "the Myrosh Barony is secured. Our roots are firmly planted. Now, we expand."
He unrolled the large map of the County of Ergos, tapping its various sections. "Our objective is the full control of Ergos County. This will involve bringing Vyrodos, Paenerion, and Dilora under the Dragon's banner. As the intelligence report indicates, Dilora Barony, with its larger town and its direct connection to Magister Erando Drahar's seat in Myr, will be the most heavily defended. It will be our final objective in this county."
He looked at Drogo, then at Barristan and Kaeto. "Therefore, we will strike at the easier targets first. Vyrodos Barony to the east, with its three villages and one large village. And Paenerion Barony to the north, with its two villages and one big village. These are less defended, less significant to the Magister, and will fall more easily."
Maegor then laid out his audacious deployment plan. "For this initial phase of the county conquest, we will use a tailored force. We will rely on our new, growing strengths, rather than overwhelming force from the entire Khalasar. This will allow us to move more swiftly and avoid drawing the full wrath of Myr too soon."
"Khal Drogo," Maegor commanded, "you will lead a force of five thousand Dothraki riders. You will be the hammer, the swift, terrifying spear that breaks all resistance. You will sweep through both Vyrodos and Paenerion. Your primary objective is to secure submission and eliminate any organized military resistance. Leave the governance and consolidation to my other forces."
Drogo's eyes gleamed with the prospect of battle. "My King, the grass will run red. They will know fire and blood."
"No unnecessary burning," Maegor warned, his voice hardening slightly. "Only those who offer direct, armed resistance are to be slaughtered. We need the towns, the resources, the people. Take what is necessary, not what is merely desirable. Understand?"
Drogo grunted, nodding. He understood the nuances of Maegor's command now.
"Ser Barristan," Maegor continued, turning to his Lord-Commander, "you will lead the other half of this strike force. You will command the 100 Myrosh Light Cavalry, who are currently in training. You will also take the 113 Myrosh Light Infantry under Ser Kaeto's direct command, and 60 Castle Guards – composed of 20 of Commander Vorian's Valyrian Swordsmen and 40 of our newly trained Myrosh Castle Guards."
Barristan's old eyes lit up with the challenge. To lead such a diverse force, to truly test his new Myrosh soldiers, was a task worthy of his legend. "It will be my honor, my King. They will follow."
"This combined force will be your direct command, Ser Barristan," Maegor explained, "acting as the disciplined core, consolidating the submission that Khal Drogo's speed achieves. You will oversee the surrender, secure the settlements, appoint new local stewards, and integrate their populations into our administration. Ser Kaeto will be your second, managing the local negotiations and census gathering, and ensuring the smooth incorporation of new resources."
Kaeto nodded, his role clear.
"This is a swift, two-pronged attack," Maegor emphasized. "Khal Drogo will use his speed and terror to break initial resistance. Ser Barristan's disciplined force will follow, establishing order, setting up governance, and ensuring the land remains productive. We will take both baronies concurrently, or in rapid succession, before Myr can react fully."
Maegor looked at each of them in turn. "You will have one and a half months to prepare. This time will be dedicated to intensive training. The 100 Myrosh Light Cavalry and the 113 Myrosh Light Infantry must reach a basic level of proficiency. The 60 Castle Guards will be drilled on combined arms tactics with the Dothraki and the newly formed local units. The rest of the Dothraki, the bulk of the 20,000 cavalry, will remain here in Myrosh, a formidable deterrent against any premature move from Myr, and a ready reserve."
"I expect these baronies to fall swiftly. And I expect them to become productive assets to our growing kingdom, not just scorched earth," Maegor concluded, his eyes fixed on the map. "We will show Myr that a new power has risen, one that conquers and builds."
The commanders nodded, their minds already churning with the specifics of the plan. Barristan, with the challenge of forging cavalry and infantry from scratch. Kaeto, with the intricate diplomacy and logistics. Drogo, with the exhilarating prospect of a new, sanctioned conquest. The war for the County of Ergos had been declared, not with words, but with the careful orchestration of military might