Flap, flap!
A black raven flew rapidly at over a hundred kilometers per hour; in front of it, an ancient castle stood amidst the barren land and white snow.
Winterfell, the seat of the North's ruling family, the Stark Family.
"Bollos Duke, this is a raven letter from Storm's End."
The elderly scholar hurried to the council hall as quickly as possible, presenting the letter in his hand to his lord.
The young Cregan Stark took the letter and quickly read it, then he tossed the letter onto the wooden table in front of him,
sighing heavily, "Alas, just two days ago I received a letter from King Aemond in King's Landing.
Today I received a letter from Queen Rhaenyra in Storm's End.
Winter is Coming, and these southerners are still pointlessly wasting soldiers and food."
"Bollos Duke," the Winterfell scholar said, "the wildlings Beyond the Wall are invading The Wall more frequently due to the increasingly cold weather.
We are unable to participate in the Targaryen civil war; let's just remain neutral!"
The Winterfell scholar offered his opinion based on the current situation in the North.
"No," Cregan Stark replied, "my father Rickon Stark once swore fealty to Crown Princess Rhaenyra.
And the Stark Family will never forget their oaths.
Therefore, the Stark Family only recognizes Queen Rhaenyra, and I will answer her call to arms!"
The Stark Family has always been known throughout the Seven Kingdoms for their loyalty and keeping their oaths, and Cregan Stark did not bring shame to his name.
"But Bollos Duke, we don't have any spare men."
"There are still many homeless people in the Winter Market; it will be difficult for them to survive this winter.
Issue a call to arms in my name!
I believe many old veterans, ambitious second sons, and bastards will join this march south."
"Yes!"
The Winterfell scholar took the order and was about to prepare the call to arms and the reply, but Cregan Stark stopped him.
"Wait," Cregan Stark said. "The Stark Family is fulfilling its duty by keeping its oath.
But we also need to receive a corresponding reward.
Remember to write in the reply that we in Winterfell need a Targaryen princess!"
"I remember, Bollos Duke!"
Watching the scholar's receding back, Cregan Stark murmured,
"Since even the farthest North has received letters,
then all the lords in the Seven Kingdoms must have made their choices.
A civil war of dragons affecting the Seven Kingdoms is about to begin.
I only hope that the 'death' passed down by our ancestors will not appear this winter!"
The raven released from Winterfell quickly flew to Storm's End, bringing Cregan Stark's reply to Jacaerys.
The lord's hall in Storm's End was not affected by the previous fire.
Jacaerys was gathered with his commanders around a simple sand table hastily made by craftsmen.
"The last of the Stark Family has agreed to join us; the situation throughout the Seven Kingdoms is now completely clear."
Jacaerys explained the situation while placing small flags marking friends and foes on the simple sand table.
"Looking from north to south, the entire North and The Vale support us.
According to the letters, they are gathering their forces and will march towards the Riverlands soon.
The Riverlands are currently divided; the Frey Family and House Blackwood support us and have gathered a large number of men intending to head south.
However, they are being intercepted by the Green Party's House Strong and House Bracken in the Trident River area.
Meanwhile, their liege, House Tully, remains neutral."
Rien spoke up at the right moment, sharing the information obtained through House Velaryon, "Your Majesty, I heard that old Duke Grover Tully is loyal to the Green Party.
But he is too old and bedridden, unable to oppose his grandson, Aemon Tully, who wants to remain neutral."
"It doesn't matter; as long as they remain neutral for now.
We'll settle the score with them later.
Next is the Westerlands; the Lannister are definitely loyal to the Green Party.
The remaining Lannister fleet is stationed at Dragonstone, monitoring House Velaryon on Driftmark while also blockading the Gullet route.
The Duke of Casterly Rock, Jason Lannister, claims to have gathered an army of over ten thousand Westerlands soldiers, and their movements are currently unknown.
And the Crownlands are basically Green Party territory.
This is also the area we will focus on attacking next."
"Your Majesty," Stone said, "Duskendale and Rook's Rest in the Crownlands have always firmly supported Queen Rhaenyra.
Perhaps they were forced to side with King's Landing due to the pressure of Dragonstone being occupied by the Green Party.
Could we perhaps secretly send messengers to communicate and win them back?"
Stone's knowledge from his time on Dragonstone wasn't for nothing; he immediately combined it with the current situation to offer his opinion.
Jacaerys shook his head and said,
"No need; the raven letters I sent were very clear.
If they do not submit to us, then they are enemies.
I will show everyone what happens to those who become my enemies!"
"I'll continue.
Through the battle at Harvest Hall, all the lords in the Stormlands have submitted to us.
Although this is currently only on the surface, as long as we keep winning, they won't dare to have second thoughts.
As for the rich The Reach... House Tyrell has publicly declared a position of absolute neutrality to the entire Seven Kingdoms.
Meanwhile, their vassals have split into two factions.
House Hightower of Oldtown, allied with House Peake of Starpike, are currently engaged with our supporters, House Beesbury and House Tarly, around the Mander River.
Finally, there is the Martell Family, who support the Green Party; they have gathered an army of five or six thousand men.
It is currently unknown if they intend to go through Prince's Pass to The Reach to support House Hightower, or if they will directly attack the Stormlands via the Boneway.
However, neither of these routes is easy; the Dornish army marches slowly and won't pose a threat anytime soon."
After finishing his overview of the overall situation in the Seven Kingdoms, Jacaerys was the first to state the battle plan he had devised.
"The food supplies at Harvest Hall are all in place, so I plan to attack simultaneously by sea and land.
Stone will lead the Conqueror Fleet of two thousand one hundred men and the Baratheon fleet of one thousand three hundred men,
and Rien will lead the Valyrian Fleet of two thousand seven hundred men, a total force of six thousand one hundred men, to attack Dragonstone together.
Prince Lucerys will ride his dragon and accompany you.
Furthermore, I have sent word to Driftmark, and Princess Rhaenys will also ride her dragon to assist you."
"Korman and I will take two hundred scout cavalry, over four hundred The Unsullied Legion soldiers, one thousand five hundred Crossbow Legion soldiers, one thousand seven hundred advance party soldiers,
and three thousand Baratheon soldiers to attack King's Landing via the King's Road.
Hmm, I will levy soldiers from the Stormlands castles along the way, which is expected to increase the force to around nine thousand men.
Although we are splitting our forces, the rookery at Storm's End has special ravens that can be carried.
Given the distance between the sea and land forces, our three dragons can support each other at any time.
I have finished speaking; you can share any thoughts or opinions you have."
Jacaerys's battle plan was actually very comprehensive.
Prince Lucerys, who had been observing, naturally had no opinions.
Meanwhile, Stone, Korman, Rien, and others only raised minor issues such as,
whether Storm's End's defenses were too weak, and whether the enemy, knowing our target, might set up ambushes.
Jacaerys answered each of these.
Just as the pre-battle military council was in full swing, Jacaerys's personal guard came in to report that the Storm's End scholar requested an audience.
The Storm's End scholar had not been favored by the illiterate Bollos Duke before, so he was not invited to the engagement feast at the time.
However, he was also fortunate to escape disaster and narrowly survived.
After Jacaerys had Stone cover the simple sand table, the Storm's End scholar, his face full of excitement, held up a raven letter and reported loudly,
"Your Majesty, good news!
Duchess Jeyne Arryn of The Vale has sent a letter; Queen Rhaenyra, along with Prince Joffrey and Prince Viserys, has safely arrived at the Eyrie.
Prince Daemon is leading four thousand Vale knights from The Vale towards the Riverlands."
"Excellent!"
Hearing this great news, Jacaerys couldn't help but clap his hands in approval.
Without the restraints of Rhaenyra and his other relatives, he could attack King's Landing without any reservations.
"Give my command: there will be a great feast for the entire army tonight, and we will set out according to the plan tomorrow morning!"