Annexing New Ghis
The only problem was, he would only consider it once she reached 20, so there was no guarantee that he would accept, but you can't fault a girl for wanting to try. She vowed to stay pure until she was 20 to see if the emperor would marry her or not.
A/N: By this time Arianne is 14 and according to sources she was 14 when she lost her Virginity to Daemon Sand. As of this point, she hadn't lost it yet and with the marriage proposal, the idea is for her to stay pure and potential marry Maximus sometime in the future, but who knows what the future has planned for her.
Prince Oberyn wanted to return to the Imperial Capital to see more of these beauties that the emperor had, but his duty to his house came first. He had some things to deal with in Sunspear before he could embark for Essos for another one of his adventures.
In Volantis, the 4 Nobles Houses which were granted mercy by Maximus and allowed to continue to exist and have since proven their loyalty to the Imperial Union. They were completely captured by the knowledge and industrial advancements that were brought to Volantis, allowing them another way to make money.
The public squares and markets bustled with new inventions like steam-powered machinery which was permitted by Maximus himself to be sold publicly and irrigation techniques that brought prosperity to the economy of Volantis.
The nobles, despite having been forced to serve under Maximus, were still nobles and were treated as such throughout the Imperial Union. Despite the initial forcible annexation of Volantis. Maximus' fair and progressive style of ruling had earned him much admiration from those who served under him. They saw how much his rule had changed Volantis for the better and they were more than willing to support him in his endeavors.
The port of Volantis has become a central hub for ships as hundreds of ships can be seen within the port on a daily basis. Over half were trade and fishing ships coming and going from either the open sea or from down the Rhyone river, while the rest were the ships of the Imperial Navy.
In addition to having a trade port, Volantis also became the central Headquarters for the Imperial Navy, with an Imperial Naval Academy already built to foster in the next generation of Naval sailors.
———
In the Gulf of Grief, the 1st Imperial Fleet led by Admiral Thorne was currently blockading the island city of New Ghis. It was one of the last few remaining Slave cities within Imperial reach and would open the door to Qarth where the warlocks resided alongside the House of the Undying.
New Ghis would be annexed by the Imperial Union and become an important city to have.
Standing on the deck of her flagship the 'Imperial Fury' Admiral Thorne watched as the fleet bombarded the city. They had already destroyed the small fleet the city had and now they were just softening up the defenses of the city before the ground forces landed.
Standing next to her was Achilles, General of the 5th Imperial Legion.
"General Achilles," Admiral Thorne greeted him with a nod, not taking her eyes off the city. The man before her was a tall, imposing figure known for his strategic expertise and courage in battle. "Will your men be ready to advance once we've cleared the city's main defenses?"
Achilles smiled at the question, "Our men are always ready, Admiral. They are eager to claim victory for the Imperial Union."
Admiral Thorne chuckled as the sound of the crashing waves and artillery fire could be heard. "That's what I like to hear, General. This place is to become a military hub connecting us to the Far Eastern part of the continent."
Achilles nodded thoughtfully, "The strategic value of this city cannot be overstated. Once it's under Imperial control, we'll have a gateway to the Jade Sea and an anchor for operations in the east."
"The emperor's vision stretches far beyond these shores. New Ghis is just the beginning." She paused, glancing at Achilles. "But we'll need the cooperation of the Ghiscari people if we want lasting peace here."
"They'll come to see the wisdom of joining the Union. Once they realize that the Empire doesn't destroy but rebuilds and improves, they'll have no choice but to embrace the future." Achilles himself had already seen the effect of this and knew it would work.
Thorne displayed a small smile. "Your optimism is refreshing, General. Let's hope their stubborn pride doesn't delay progress."
As they spoke, a runner approached, saluting crisply. "Admiral Thorne, General Achilles. Scouts report that the city's outer defenses are weakening. The bombardment has breached sections of the wall, and the enemy is beginning to retreat toward the inner sanctum."
Thorne's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Good. Signal the fleet to maintain fire on their strongholds. We'll launch the ground assault at dawn." She turned to Achilles. "Prepare your men, General. By this time tomorrow, New Ghis will be under Imperial control."
Achilles nodded. "Copy that, Admiral."
As the runner departed, Thorne and Achilles returned their attention to the besieged city. Fires burned along the docks, casting a hellish glow over the bay. The cries of the wounded enemies could be heard across the fleet.
Thorne spoke again, her voice quieter. "Do you ever wonder, Achilles, if we're remembered as liberators or conquerors?"
Achilles looked up into the sky before he replied, "History will judge us by the legacy we leave behind. If we build a better future for these people, they'll remember us as liberators."
Thorne nodded, understanding the idea behind what Achilles said. "Let's make sure we give them something worth remembering."
By dawn, the 5th Imperial Legion was assembled on the shores of New Ghis. Row upon row of disciplined soldiers of various different races awaited Achilles's command, their armor shining in the first light of day. The remaining Ghiscari legions, weary and battered, clung desperately to the hope of repelling the invaders.
Achilles raised his sword, the Imperial banner unfurling behind him. "Soldiers of the Empire! Today, we bring justice to New Ghis. No longer will this city be a bastion of slavery and oppression. Fight with honor, and let the world see the strength of the Imperial Union once again!"
The legion roared in response, the sound carrying over the battlefield as they charged forward.
As the battle commenced, Admiral Thorne watched from the deck of her flagship. Her thoughts drifted to the emperor and the grand vision he had set in motion. New Ghis would soon fall, and with it, another chapter in the story of the Imperial Union would be written, a story of ambition, conquest, and an unyielding pursuit of progress.
———
Sitting within a small Council meeting, Lord Tyrell and Ser Davos had permanently returned from their visit to Heaven's Reach. Now they were asked to discuss what they had gathered from their time spent there. While everybody was aware of some things, it would be better for the people who personally saw them to explain things.
"Now, let's begin," Robert said motioning for Mace to get on with their findings.
Mace took a deep breath before he began, "To put it plainly, Your Grace. The Imperial Union far out matches us in all ways. They have not only dragons, but other flying creatures that can be seen flying around their cities."
Robert's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Other flying creatures? Do tell."
"Yes," Davos interjected, "Creatures that I have only heard about in myths and legends. Griffins, Wyverns, even some other flying creatures which I have never heard of or seen before. Their skies are filled with beasts straight from fables."
The room fell silent at his words. The idea that besides dragons, they had other dangerous flying creatures was mind-boggling. It was already well known throughout the seven Kingdoms that they had dragons as the whispers of travelling merchants could be stopped, yet these other creatures were a mystery to them.
Mace Tyrell picked up from where Davos left off. "Landwise as well, they have an army of strange looking species, possibly from Eastern Essos or other places under their command. The most notable of all in my opinion is the ones they call the Dwarves who are essentially half-man."
"They are stout and stocky, your Grace, but do not underestimate their strength. The Dwarves are masterful craftsmen and warriors. They have built fortifications throughout Heaven's Reach of a toughness and beauty I've never seen in all my years."
Murmurs erupted across the room at Mace's description, Half-men who could also fight against their best warriors? It was difficult to believe.
"Quiet!" Robert barked, instantly silencing the room. "Continue," he commanded, his gaze focused on Ser Davos.
"And it's not just soldiers," Ser Davos added grimly. "They have Sages that can perform feats of healing far beyond what Maesters can achieve. Those potions that we buy from them are just a small cream of the crop." The meeting went on for a long time with some breaks taken to fully grasp the situation.
In the end Robert decided to remain cautious towards them because of their safeguarding of the last few Targaryen house members. As for Dorne, he had been counseled years ago not to try and kill Princess Elia and her Targaryen children because of the conflict it would start between Roberts House and numerous other Houses.
Especially now since they just had to beat the Iron Islands who had tried to declare independence from the Iron throne. That was a year ago and they were still on edge for any more conflicts that would pop up.
If it wasn't for Jon Arryn, then King Roberts reign might have been ended much sooner due to his decisions which would have come back to bite him in the ass.