As the next day rolled around, Maximus, the Viceroys, military officials, and economic officials gathered within the Meeting chamber of the Sapphire Palace to discuss trade routes, garrisons, troop deployments, and regional obligations.
The chamber was a simple room that was decorated with various Myrish art and architecture. While the Imperial Union conquered most of the Free Cities, they were still allowed to maintain their own unique culture that existed for centuries, so long as it wasn't something bad like slavery. Some cultures even merged with the established Imperial culture which promoted a unified populace that only had a few of the standard problems that existed in medieval times.
Maximus, wearing his black tunic, stood behind his chair, staring outside the window into the city. Outside, he saw airships flying over the city and Wyverns patrolling the skies. Compared to how the cannon storyline went, he was happy that he was able to affect it in a positive way, even if that resulted in a lot of deaths and even some cruel judgments. New technology was introduced, magic was becoming more of a common thing, and the overall health of the people was significantly better than it was a few decades ago.
Behind him at the table sat the gathered Viceroys and other officials. Robb Stark, Doran Martell, Rodrick of the Vale, Mace Tyrell, and Edmure Tully were all sitting down talking amongst themselves as the last few people made their way to the chamber. Despite the differences between these great houses, they would have to put those differences aside if they wanted to have a future in the Imperial Union and not place a target on their back.
Beside them sat Lyra, draped in her formal Naval robes, reading over the piece of paper in front of her which had the construction order for two new massive naval bases in the ruins of Kingslanding and the ruins of the Iron Islands. After that was the naval deployment of patrol fleets to ensure that the entire coasts of Westeros were covered in terms of defense. Alongside this was the coastal garrisons that would be set up around the continent to set up supply lines for ships and provide quick response times to threats such as pirates or foreign invaders.
On Maximus's other side, Merlin stood with both hands resting on the pommel of her staff as she watched the gathered party with interest. She was here because she had nothing better to do, so she decided to join Maximus in this meeting and see the reactions and responses from the other officials.
Once everybody had arrived and were seated, Maximus finally took his seat. "Let us begin."
"First item in the table; the security across Westeros. Several outer settlements require new garrisons. The current system is too vulnerable and if we want to avoid another civil war happening in the future, we will need to tighten up our security." This was the most pressing issue at the moment for Maximus as he had destroyed Kingslanding and the head of the Faith of the Seven at the same. He was already getting some small reports of small bands of people gathering in opposition but nothing big enough to cause any problems.
Rodrick leaned forward slightly to hopefully provide something as the Vale were mostly quiet during the war and didn't contribute much besides a few sieges. "The Vale can spare some men if needed. We've trained for mountain movement, so we can pretty much handle our land and help out in other areas."
Doran gave a nod. "Dorne will do its part also. I can commit five thousand men within the month to assist in this endeavor."
Next Mace raised his cup, "We can spare some knight as well. Only recently have our knights been to war, and before that we had knights who think that guarding an orchard is beneath them. Send them across the continent where the food is different and let them build the bridges between the people." A few laughed at what Mace said.
"Very good," Maximus said. "We'll organize them when the time comes and send them to some good place where they can have a little bit of fun while also doing their duty."
Next was Lyra giving her report. "Here I have the completed construction orders for the new ports that will be built over the ruins of Kingslanding and the Iron Islands alongside the resource requirements." She passed copies of the document down the table for everybody to see.
As they started to read over it, she moved on. "After that, I also have the orders for the deployments of several patrol fleets for the coast around the continent, they just need your signature." She passed the orders down to Maximus who began to sign them. He was the one who told her to draft these orders, so he didn't much read over them before he signed.
"Following this, we will also set up initiatives to improve the infrastructure throughout the continent. Specifically, the roads to and from certain cities. Improvements will be made across the board to make travel a lot easier. In addition to this, after a few years, we will begin setting up the magic train once the current infrastructure reach Imperial standards." The other agreed. Improvements to infrastructure would make travel easier and less costly in the long run.
"I've also received news of some corrupt lords taxing trade outside of the Union's law which is a problem. As such, Imperial customs officers will be created and assigned to every major port, from Volantis, Myr, Sunspear, to Gulltwon, Oldtown, and Dragonstone." This was more of a control thing for Maximus than anything as many lords will look to exploit anything that the Imperial Union had.
"I support this. I received word from the Lord of White Harbor about the loss of some ships due to the hidden fees in Tyrosh." Voice Robb. He was settling into his position nicely after all, ruling the North from his seat in Winterfell was a little harder than it was when he was on the frontlines fighting. This was mainly because of the increased number of decisions he needed to make.
The next hour or so was spent talking about various projects and their costs. Most were long-term things that would take decades to complete fully, but once they're done, the improvement for the region and people would show. The military officials had proposed their deployment plans to various parts of Westeros; the economic officials set up new trade routes and economic hubs in Westeros to centralize trade.
The last thing came from Lyra. "The Imperial Calendar will need to be standardized following the integration of Westeros. As such a new system already approved by Maximus will replace the former system. From this point forward, today shall be marked as the first day of Year one of Imperial Rule. All future dates will reflect that."
"So, we're going away from the After Aegon's conquest and creating a new system. It will take time for people to adjust to this." Mace voiced.
"Of course it will take time, but it will ultimately replace the old system." rebutted Lyra causing Mace to say no more.
"With that said, this meeting is officially over. I expect that the results of this meeting will start to show as we move ahead together under the Imperial Union." They bowed their heads in response, then left the room. There was still more to the day as today was the final day that they would be here before the lords departed back to their domains.
————
As Midday came around in Myr, thousands of citizens filled the Plaza of the Sapphire Palace to watch the Oaths that would be taken by the new lords of the Imperial Union. The people gathered were not just the people of Myr but were from the neighboring cities and even some from Westeros here to watch a momentous occasion.
As the ceremony started, the first to step up were the newly appointed Viceroys of Westeros. Robb Stark led them dressed in an outfit that was a mix of Northern tradition and Imperial design with a breastplate bearing both the dire wolf and the Imperial Union seal. Slowly they each stepped onto the platform.
They all stood before the Imperial Standard as Maximus stepped forward. "Do you swear fealty to the Imperial Union, to its laws, and to the order it brings?"
The lords all stated "I swear" as Maximus moved on.
"Do you swear to govern not as a king, but as a Viceroy under Imperial rule, to enforce the law, protect the people, and uphold peace in these lands?"
"I Swear it." they each repeated.
"Then rise, Viceroys. Let the people see you as they have the seen the oaths you have taken." They stood up and faced the people who started to clap for the newly appointed Lords from Westeros. What followed was the procession of lesser governors and regional lords, not born of ancient bloodlines, but raised by merit, alliance, or deed. As each official swore before the flag, priests spoke in their old tongues, blessing the new lords and ladies.
The people started chanting "Long Live the Union!" which allowed a small girl no older than seven to slip through the crowd and towards where Maximus was sitting. Of course, the guards immediately saw this and moved to intercept her, but Maximus called them off.
In her hand was a single flower, a Myrish moonblossom. Maximus took one stop down and knelt down to the girl's level. She hesitated at first but then held the flower out to him. He took it and then rubbed the girl's head a little, getting a bright warm smile in return. "Go back to your parents now, you don't want to worry them."
She nodded as she ran down the stairs and back to her parents.
Following this, airships passed in slow formation above casting shadows over the city as they released petals that drifted like confetti across the square. Next the horns sounded, signaling the next phase of the day's events.