Visenya's Hill

The Strongdragon waved a dismissive hand. "The Greyjoy's have bent the knee. If they do not help us then we will burn their putrid isles to the ground. Dragonfire melts iron as easily as it does skin and bone." Aerion licked his lips as he considered the prospect.

"Perhaps it does. But we do not wish to burn men who might be our allies."

Rhaella looked at Baelon in concern.

"Why should we give the Shield Islands to the Greyjoys? That may give us trouble later. The islands are meant to guard against attack from the sea. So we cannot give them to seafarers."

Listening to them, she shot her cousin Aerion a look of What?!!

"I still don't like it and I agree with Rhaella, giving them those islands could prove to be a worrisome task of control", she frowned,"If they decide to give us any problems."

"We must look to our defences," Rhaella insisted. "Especially now. We will not give them the Shield Islands. If the lords of those islands should prove disloyal to our cause, we shall find new lords loyal to ourselves. But not the ironmen. I think we should find an alternative."

She glanced at Aerion. "And cousin, I will thank you to mind your manners in my presence. Baelon may be bastard born but he is still my brother, and the king's."

"Perhaps. But we need the gold for ourselves," Rhaella sighed. "And the rest of it too, if I'm honest. We have too many debts. Offer Lord Greyjoy a marriage alliance with the royal house for his closest female relation, a knighthood for one of his sons or brothers, and a squire's post for another. As for the rest, tell him that he may negotiate with me in person."

"Our debts are too big, sister. We're in debt to the Iron Bank and the Tyroshi. We need to gain what we can for ourselves. We cannot spare any plunder we gain from the Arbor. Naturally any plunder our allies took would be their own, but we claim what we take for ourselves. The treasury needs filling." Her faace hardened. "If Greyjoy is loyal, he will come."

"I sent the call out. I hope so. But it may be that we are the only ones." She sighed. "Valarr is going south with Rhaena - to join Maekar's host, I expect - and Maegor and Mother will remain in the capital, I expect. I do not know what my other children are doing, nor our brothers or our other kin. I hope some of them will come. If not with us, then to Bitterbridge."

"Let us hope. I care only that they die or yield. I want this realm at peace, sister. If I must burn every man on the Arbor to do it, I will. Though it's to be hoped they yield first. We need their revenues."

"Lord Redwyne is a traitor. He has to die." Rhaella's voice was implacable. "His house will likely be attainted and their lands and castle given to one of our own, I agree. But if Lord Redwyne has children among his family, I wiill spare them if I can. The women too. I don't kill anyone who cannot defend themselves."

"Yes. We'll see what happens. But those who are willing to bend the knee should be allowed to do so. Except Lord Redwyne himself. There can be no mercy for him."

It was a measure of her hatred of the Faith Militant that Rhaella was not willing to offer Redwyne mercy. But the Arbor will be under new leadership soon. I am sure of that."

"It will. I always get what I want," Rhaella answered. "We shall set some wrongs right, I promise."

She looked to Baelon and Aerion.

"Can you think of anything else we must consider?"

"Let us go then," Rhaella said. "Aerion, go fetch your dragon. We'll had to the harbour to meet Lord Velaryon's fleet. You'll have to catch up wtih us there."