Chapter 78: The Battle of the Prince's Pass

The prolonged suffering in Dorne's war-torn lands finally began to see a glimmer of dawn. Exhausted and desperate, many of its people decided to voice their choice through action. Waves of refugees fled to the relative safety of the Stone Way and the Red Mountains.

Others, however, resorted to the old ways of resisting conquerors: they hid. Some sought sanctuary in the hidden oases of the great desert, others on the isles scattered along the Greenblood River, while many found refuge in the caves dotting the rolling hills.

This sudden exodus left Dorne's great houses in an awkward position. Recruitment became nearly impossible, and years of unrelenting conflict had plunged the entire region into a famine of catastrophic proportions.

During these turbulent years, Godsgrace changed hands six times before being obliterated in a raging inferno that consumed the entire castle. Amid the flames, both sides unleashed horrific massacres. House Allyrion was nearly wiped out in the repeated clashes, while the Yronwoods' cavalry once pushed as far as Plankytown, leaving a trail of fire, blood, and plunder.

The Martell's, however, managed to regroup with the aid of a mysterious influx of gold. Prince Qoren hired pirate fleets from the Stepstones to launch a surprise attack on the Yronwood harbor, nearly destroying the historic port.

Retaliation from King Lewyn was swift. He too hired pirate fleets and used them to transport the newly appointed Lord Jordayne and his army to strike at Ghost Hill. The now nearly deserted Ghost Hill stood no chance against the Yronwood's assault, forcing the beleaguered Lady Toland to raise the white flag in surrender.

Amidst the chaos, King Albain Dayne seized Starfall and took advantage of the strife to dominate the Sulfur River Valley, creating a tense standoff against both the Yronwoods and the Martells.

The fragile balance of power finally tipped when King Lewyn realized that the well-crafted iron armor worn by the elite cavalry of Lord Doran Gargalen was identical to the armor worn by his own household guard.

It was then that King Lewyn grasped the true consequences of their shortsightedness and folly. By the time this realization dawned, however, they had already lost the hearts of the people.

Desperate, he dispatched a company of horsemen to summon the heir of Kingsgrave, the Manwoody's. Yet those riders vanished without a trace. Wary of treachery, King Lewyn sent another force of 200 spearmen. They too never returned.

Lewyn finally realized the truth: the Red Mountains no longer belonged to him—nor, perhaps, to Dorne as it had been traditionally understood.

Desperate to salvage the situation, he sought to negotiate with Prince Qoren Martell, but the prince's response was swift and brutal: leading his army in person, Qoren stormed Ghost Hill, executed the remaining Yronwoods, and hung their banners in defeat.

Lewyn had no choice but to muster his forces and attempt to reclaim the Red Mountains. The effort ended in catastrophe. His 4,000 infantry were annihilated by a force of 2,000 cavalry led by Lynn Valtaken and Aslan Rondell, with Lewyn himself barely escaping capture.

Shortly after this disaster, the Tarly family entered the conflict, bringing 2,000 infantry and 500 cavalry to the fray. They joined forces with the Carons, Dondarrions, and Selmys, who contributed a combined 3,000 infantry and 300 cavalry. The Florents also sent 1,000 infantry and 100 cavalry under their banners. All these forces marched under the pretense of defending the Prince's Pass.

At the heart of this combined army was a formidable force: Aslan Rondell's 3,000 Silverblood troops, including 900 heavy cavalry.

This mighty host advanced methodically toward the Prince's Pass, seemingly unstoppable. Accompanying this army were eight dragons, a fearsome reminder of Targaryen dominance:

The young Arrax and Vermax.

The rapidly growing Vermithor and Shadowmare, now large enough to carry riders to the skies.

Sunfyre, the mount of Aegon the older, and Vhagar, flown by Prince Aemond.

Most significantly, Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon Targaryen were present, riding their legendary dragons, Syrax and Caraxes.

Meanwhile, Silverwing, left to guard Dragon's Nest, which made Valar quite unhappy, but at the same time he was proud of his heavy responsibility.

The ruins of Skyreach lay silent as the eight dragons rested amidst the mountain peaks.

The oldest and largest of them, Vhagar, let out a slow, rumbling breath, her loose jowls swaying with age. The majestic Sunfyre circled Syrax, letting out melodious cries, only to be startled into retreat by Caraxes, whose piercing roar sent it scrambling backward. Nearby, Vermax crouched next to the watchful vermithor, their interaction enigmatic. Overhead, Arrax and Shadowmare played in the sky.

The young black dragon, lean and sinewy, now fully grown, was particularly terrifying. Its curved, forward-pointing horns and massive membranous wings gave it an eerie, skeletal appearance. Even Vhagar let out a few warning growls when it drew too close.

Prince Qoren Martell stood with pursed lips, glancing up occasionally at the monstrous creatures.

"Yronwood is finished," the prince sighed, turning to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. "Your Grace, I am well aware that Dorne cannot endure another loss like this."

"Then will you agree to our terms?" Rhaenyra's tone was less a question and more a command.

Standing guard beside Qoren, Doran gargalen was utterly transfixed, staring at the dragons with a glazed expression.

"I did not expect the Iron Throne to offer such generous terms," Qoren said with a deep sigh. "I have no reason to refuse."

The conditions proposed by the Iron Throne were indeed magnanimous. Dorne would be divided into three parts:

The Prince's Pass, Red Mountains, Stone Road, and North Yronwood Vale would be annexed to the Marches.

The Martells would retain the title of "Prince of Sunspear" and their lands from the Sulfur River to the Sea of Dorne, but they would relinquish their rights to mint currency and manage ports.

The Daynes would retain their ancestral lands of Starfall and High Hermitage. In addition, they would gain the eastern Sulfur River territories and the desert around Sandstone. Albain Dayne would keep the title "Guardian of the Torrentine" but surrender various other powers.

Albain Dayne initially resisted but was eventually subdued by Obara Dayne, who led a force to enforce compliance. Reluctantly, he accepted the terms.

"The Yronwood forces are approaching, my lord," came a sudden report as Arrax swooped down, landing with a gust of wind. Lucerys Velaryon, out of breath, wasted no time in delivering his message.

"Excellent," Draezell said as he donned his helmet. "It's our turn now."

Rhaenyra climbed into Syrax's saddle first. Aemond eagerly patted Vhagar's massive flank, though the ancient dragon's gaze remained fixed on Vermithor. The younger riders mounted their dragons, waiting for the signal to attack.

The most impatient was Aegon, who nearly launched into the sky immediately, only to be scolded back by Caraxes thunderous roar.

The first to rise was the slowest and oldest, Vhagar, followed by the colossal Vermithor. These two would spearhead the main assault. They were closely followed by Caraxes, Syrax, and Sunfyre. The three younger dragons—Arrax, Shadowmare, and Vermax—took flight last, tasked with pursuing and destroying fleeing enemies from above.

Though their scales had hardened, no one wished to risk them in the vanguard.

The Yronwood army began to emerge cautiously from the valley.

When King Lewyn Yronwood saw the eight dragons ascending into the skies, only one thought remained in his mind:

"Seven hells."

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