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A Game of Thrones: Fury and Flame by JMIII

Avatar: Last Airbender & A Song of Ice and Fire Xover Rated: M, English, Fantasy & Drama, Mai, Azula, Stannis B., Eddard S./Ned, Words: 253k+, Favs: 822, Follows: 776, Published: Sep 2, 2016 Updated: Dec 17, 2020

455Chapter 3: (Lyanna's Bay) Commander Xie I

*The following chapter was written by reader sensfan90. Thank you sensfan90, for adding to this little world!

(Lyanna's Bay: 291 AC) Commander Xie I (by sensfan90)

"How are the harvests going Ser Royland?"

"Less than the Firelord hoped when she negotiated for the land. Luckily the smallfolk know of several good fishing spots and game in the bogs and rivers to supplement the shortfall. We should do better with the next few now that we've a good stock of the entire land. "

"About the smallfolk, are they agreeable to our presence? The Narrow Sea required considerably more prompting in order to bow to Lady Baratheon. My people mean no ill will but I'll be the first to admit we can be a tad aggressive once we've committed to an idea."

"The area has long suffered under the Ironborn with all of it having been in decline since the great plague a century ago if the local merchants are to be believed. Firelord Azula brought jobs, food and security from raiders they have not had in decades. Some of the more isolated clans chafe under their new Lord but they are in a great minority. Fools, if we were not so damm isolated we would not have lost so many to the bloody squids. By the Old Gods some areas of the land are so empty Wildings can camp for weeks before being spotted." Not anymore, god help any of the poor raiders who found themselves shipped to Dragonstone, death would be preferable. The young ones at least could be educated for the future despite their paltry origins.

"I must admit for a man of the land yourself you are awfully supportive of a woman you have known for barely a year."

"I respect anyone who gives the Ironborn a good blooding. She offered me a chance to ensure what happened to my family does not happen again. I question the amount of effort and coin she has put into these hills and bogs but His Grace and Lord Stark seemed agreeable to her plan. Whether it succeeds or fails I will do my duty."

"One does not question the Firelord in public and live long after. Besides as much as I question its future I cannot deny the vision behind it." And what a vision it was, building a new colony of the Fire Nation in plain sight. Sea Dragon Point served as the ideal area being a perfect combination of isolated, poor and open to acquisition with relatively little fanfare. It was a harsh land but he served in worse for years on the frozen coasts of the Earth Kingdom, he would endure.

"I gather your new wife has helped in that regard." Turning towards the shore he grinned as his beautiful young bride dealt with some craftsman along the shore. Clad in a forest green cloak of her house he chuckled as he could see the fear of violence in the poor men's eyes. He had heard many tales of the She-Bears as he fought on Pyke but he was quite content to learn only most of the stories were true.

"The Firelord searched all of Westeros for land, only the North and a few islands offered any prospects. I believe she is trying to evoke the history of House Manderly in particular. House Stark of Winterfell can be rather generous with its land as long as that kindness is reciprocated in loyalty." One needed only look at the history of the Wolf's Den to understand how. White Harbor was bought and paid for by the fleeing Manderlys and the land they transformed strengthened Winterfell far more than any cadet branch or petty lord would. A few of the more fanatical citizens may have grumbled under working for a barbarian but they would learn to adapt. After six years it was clear to all but the most desperate the spirits had sent them far away from home, likely never to return.

"If Lyanna's Bay can equal even half of the White Harbor she will have pulled off a bloody miracle. Convincing Bear Island to agree for a betrothal will help immensely. The Mormonts may be poor but a thousand blades is no joke to trifle with." He nodded as they continued walking along the walls of the new keep, its style making no attempts to hide its foreign architecture. He stopped to watch a few greenboys spar with the Flameguard who had accompanied him. He smiled as they were clearly outclassed, his companion grumbling at the realization his future as Master of Arms would be much more work than he had hoped. Not that he doubted the man would succeed in making them worthy of serving the Firelord. Royland Degore was easily one of the few Flameguard to pose a clear threat even to experienced benders. Strong, well trained and deceptively gifted in strategy he had sunk a dozen longships in the rebellion in a single night. Knighted by the King himself Azula had wasted no time in offering him a place in her guard. Given his new Lordship he doubted the knights' rise in status was as coincidental as he believed. Still who was he to question good help for no extra cost?

"How long until the docks are finished?"

"What infrastructure existed was mostly for fishing boats, nothing close to what you're asking. We converted some of the better shoreline for Galleys and Longships but the demands for your Iron Vessels mean using the Dragon's Cove. We're looking at several moons if not more."

"As long as they progress continues we have nothing to worry about. When the Firelord convinced Winterfell and her goodbrother of offering this Lordship the expectations were reasonable all things considered."

Dragonstone 289AC

Years of training kept him still as the blue flames suffocated the rooms deep within Dragonstone. Lady Azula Baratheon had changed after the death of Ty Lee, duty and focus had consumed her in ways that would make her father piss in fear. He made no words, sought no acknowledgement. She would speak when he was ready and he would not disappoint her in any task she gave.

"Captain Xie thank you for your patience."

"I live to serve the Firelord."

"And that you have done well, Commander Lee, Zha Leng and my husband all praise your actions during the humiliation of the Ironborn. King Robert did as well offering a lordship and a knighthood. It just so happens a Lordship of some importance has become available."

"May I ask where?"

"Zonrik and San Hong have located several deposits of iron and valuable minerals in the mainland. Most of them are held in lands of Lords I'd rather not waste time on negotiating with if I can help it. A particularly large one however was found in a land desolate even by the standards of the North in Westeros."

"Lord Stark has agreed to let us mine the land in return for profit I assume?" Shaking her head she casually motioned towards the map on her desk. Slowly she placed her finger to a jut of land along the Bay of Ice.

"No actually I persuaded Lord Stark of something greater in return for a considerable amount of freedom on the use of the land. You alongside a select group of colonists will construct a port on Sea Dragon Point. The port and eventually its ships will be under royal purview but the land itself will be sworn to Winterfell. Given the history between House Stark and Baratheon the announcement should be left with little fanfare. It is not as if Winterfell has granted us the White Knife, you will be in charge of the frontier in almost every sense of the word."

Clearly the bewilderment and surprise was visible on his face for the Firelord wasted no time in deepening her explanation. "I will not lie and say it will be easy. What we will need will take many years and truly the land will not reach a point to be proud of until my daughter succeeds me. That does not mean it is unimportant or that I will accept any unreasonable delays. Sea Dragon Point allows us a western port in order maximize the power our great fleet and large area of influence in order to expand our domain. The Narrow Sea has offered us shelter in shadows but within the decade we will need space for the families to thrive."

"Are there any other conditions I should be aware of in this task? Am I to hide my flames at all costs or am I to recruit from the locals as you have done? Are there any stipulations beyond the initial agreement?"

"Several Red Priests will follow you in order to ensure secrecy, I trust you understand what methods are required. As for stipulations there were only three that Lord Stark demanded. The first as I said was the loyalty to Winterfell. As long as you toil and work the soils of the Wolf you are expected to answer their call. Reasonable and one I would have assured regardless. The second requires a more personal commitment, the land you are granted is informally controlled by a vassal of House Stark. In order to avoid any possible conflicts in the future you will have to take a highborn wife. Dacey Mormont of Bear Island has already agreed to the bethothal and awaits your arrival."

"A marriage that would tie me to the land in blood."

"Obviously, Lord Stark may be conservative and honorable to a fault but he is not the naïve fool some believe. I suggest you take her name in deference to her bloodline, as much as it detests me to acknowledge it becoming a Baratheon has opened more than a few doors in this world. As for the final stipulation you will tolerate the local faith, burning of the Heart Trees will be met with swift punishment. But we won't need to worry about that will we?"

Shaking his head at the unspoken threat he knew the question was rhetorical. "As you command, do you have any other instructions?"

"I will have a list of tasks to complete drawn up before Ser Davos escorts you and the first settlers on the moon's turn. I expect few problems for your new position in life. The Mormonts are poor but proud, taking their name and appearing to them as equals should allow us to settle without too much haggling. The promise of greater defence against the barbarians from the Iron Islands and Beyond the Wall should only make your task easier. The fact our presence will enrich them should keep any troublemakers quiet, if not you WILL take care of them."

"Bloody hell that was a slog." Shaken out of his revelry concern overtook him at the his spouses' mood. Evidently the craftsmen were more of an issue than he thought.

"Troubles my lady?"

Snorting in a fashion most unbecoming of her station she shook her head. "The dolts tried to lie and blame the weather on their shoddy workmanship. I know the smell of ale as well as any man, long winters in Mormont Keep don't leave much else but drink, story and song. I may have spoken a few words about your patron to get them motivated." Grinning he pulled her closer, giving her a quick peck on the lips. Disappointed he felt a strong hand on his chest though her bemused expression gave him hope for the future.

"Easy husband they'll be time for that later. We have to speak with the Maester and the two prospective lords of the abandoned holdfasts. Your people have done good work in making them habitable but I am somewhat more reserved in how they respond to their new brides. As much as I appreciate the Fire Nation's attitude towards my gender not all of Westeros shares it."

"All these men are Northerners if memory serves. Any advice or do you plan to march me straight into an ambush?" Elbowing his side she laughed and tiled her in her head thought.

"Aye a Whitehill, a Ryswell and a Karstark. Ebbert Whitehill is like the rest of his family, competent but with an ego the size of Oldtown. Make him feel important and you can convince him of anything in time. Roose is the third son of Lord Roger and likely wishes a land of his own. The Bay of Ice is not the rolling hills of the Rills but he will suffer no surprises in this climate. His bride better well learn to stay her temper, the Rillborn are a quarrelsome lot."

"And the son of Karhold?"

"Torrhen, give him a good wife and a decent keep and you should have no problems. Be wary though, Karstarks are known to hold grudges for many years. Mother always speaks of how Lord Rickard still refuses to sit in the same hall as Lord Slate for a jest he made when my Uncle was a still a cub."

"Luckily their new brides should easily keep them in their place. They may not compare to yourself but I can assure you they are more than enough to keep their husbands in line. Adultery is not welcomed in the Fire Nation, it ends poorly."

"Oh I'm sure, fire has a nice way making a memory permanent." Chuckling and content to let the matter lie he proceeded further into the keep and into the nursery. The twins had his face but their eyes and hair were definitely all Mormont. They had a bright future ahead of them and his task would only make it greater. Looking fondly at his wife who cooed at their twin daughters Maege and Azula he only hoped it would stay that way.

Chapter 951 - 3