"Andalos, land blessed by the Seven, shall reclaim its glory under the leadership of His Grace Viserys, the Warrior incarnate!" Under the sunlight bathing the seven-pointed star banners, Andal septons loudly bestowed their blessings.
Unlike the pampered noble septons in the Great Septs of Westeros, the septons of Andalos were more akin to hedge priests.
Though their robes were tattered, they genuinely served the masses. The Andal people loved these rough-hewn holy men.
"Andalos, land blessed by the Seven!"
"The Seven bless Andalos! The Seven bless King Viserys!" Andal soldiers and commoners shouted loudly, as if returning to the age when iron-clad knights roamed freely and Andal chivalry ruled the world.
Listening to the calls of the Andal warriors and people, Viserys felt a golden halo descending upon him. It was the will of the people; it was divinity.
These cries draped him in a mantle of "godhood," binding the scattered villages together.
For the Andals to become strong again, they fundamentally needed to increase their level of organization. They had to reintegrate from fragmented villages into a centralized state, introducing discipline and obedience.
The explosive martial power of a backward civilization once united was something the decadent Free Cities could not comprehend.
Viserys was poised, ready to give those corrupt magisters and merchants a taste of the Andal iron fist.
"Currently, in Andalos, we are dancing on four eggs," Viserys said to Master-at-Arms Ser Roland Lake and Bishop Ebony of Andalos.
Andalos lay south of Braavos and the Braavosi Coastlands, east of the Narrow Sea, and west of the Hills of Norvos.
The western part of Andalos near the Narrow Sea was flat plains, while the east was hilly, featuring the Velvet Hills. South of the hills lay the southern border of the ancient kingdom, now the Flatlands controlled by Pentos.
Simply put, Andalos was surrounded by potential enemies on all four sides. Encircled by Braavos, Pentos, Norvos, the Rhoynar, and the Dothraki, plus the Iron Throne across the Narrow Sea.
"The situation is indeed so. Although we have the coastline and the natural barrier of the Rhoyne, it doesn't change the strategic picture," Bishop Ebony said.
"If we can neutralize the threat on one front, our troubles will be significantly reduced," Viserys said after some thought.
Pentos was already an undefended city. The main strong neighbors were now the Secret City of Braavos to the north and the Dothraki horselords to the east. Of course, if his power expanded further, he might eventually face a Westerosi army crossing the sea.
Viserys's strategy was to unify Andalos, maintain peace in the north and south, and expand towards the east and west.
Temporarily ensure peace with Braavos in the north, maintain the status quo with Pentos in the south, then extend power east and west.
"The Greenvine family is wealthy, and the Rock family can provide much-needed iron goods. I fear they won't willingly bow their heads in submission," said Ser Roland Lake, his blue-and-white cloak fluttering.
Even a master-at-arms and fighter like Ser Roland understood the coming power struggle.
The Greenvine and Rock families likely harbored ambitions of becoming "King of Andalos" themselves, but lacked the strength and courage, fearing wolves ahead and tigers behind, thus remaining in lukewarm water.
But now that Viserys, an outsider, had parachuted in, their thoughts were easy to guess.
"Given the situation, should we be wary of the Greenvine and Rock families?" Bishop Ebony reminded him again in a low voice.
"Be wary, but don't be too obvious," Viserys told Bishop Ebony.
Endure before erupting; this was Viserys's strategy. He wouldn't expose the Greenvine family now, waiting instead for a better opportunity.
Viserys wasn't showing weakness; he needed to form a pocket to deal with the incoming Tyroshi slavers, the Greenvine family, and the Rock family simultaneously.
"Bishop Ebony, there is one more thing you need to attend to: the movements along the Rhoyne," Viserys said. "The movements of the Rhoynar at the border and the Dothraki horselords."
"It is my honor, Your Grace," Bishop Ebony of Andalos replied. "When the Andals rise again, our Rhoynar neighbors will surely not sit still."
The relationship between the Rhoynar and the Andals was somewhat entangled—a mix of grudges and cooperation, now more like two poor brothers pulling at each other.
The border Andal and Rhoynar villages intermarried and occasionally fought over land and water. But both civilizations were thoroughly fragmented; conflicts were now at most village-level brawls.
The Andals claimed the "Smith" taught them ironworking, recording it in their "Seven-Pointed Star." This was self-aggrandizement; the Rhoynar civilization was more advanced back then and excelled at ironworking.
Considering the Andals migrated from the Axe to Andalos, they likely learned Rhoynar techniques.
But the Andals were poor students. They tried to expand into the Rhoyne but, being outmatched, were repeatedly beaten back. Until they discovered the Valyrian Dragonlords in the east were even more terrifying monsters of slaughter, prompting most to flee.
Winning over the Rhoynar was at least the next defined strategy because their fate was completely aligned with the Andals now. Both were once great, now reduced to oppressed, fragmented civilizations.
While Viserys formulated his plans, the main force arrived at a ford in the Upper Rhoyne, ready to cross.
The main force transferred from the west bank of Andalos to the east.
"Cross the river!" Viserys waved his longsword.
The command spread like a contagion—first to the King's guard and cavalry, then the infantry, the people in the wagons, and the walking Andal commoners.
"Cross the river!"
"Cross the river!" Thousands of voices merged into one.
"When historians write of me in the future, my history will begin in Andalos." Viserys cracked his whip, his black stallion leading the way across the Upper Rhoyne.
Hooves, wheels, and feet churned the ford, the scent of horses mixing with human sweat—the smell of a rare great migration of the Andal people.
Viserys spurred his horse, wind rushing past his face and hair. He couldn't wait to return to the fort, his capital.
When he left Braavos, he was but an exiled Beggar King. Now in Andalos, he finally had his own small kingdom. Though tiny, it held infinite hope.
Though Andalos was an old land, its destiny was renewed.
"Viserys Fort ahead!"
"The fort!"
The following Andals looked up at the fortress on the hill on the right bank of the Upper Rhoyne. This stone fort and town symbolized the re-founding of the Andal nation.
Seeing the main force at the foot of the hill, Syrio and Rhaenys on the watchtower immediately gave orders to welcome the King and his entourage.
In response, the horn on the hilltop sounded, the clear military call creating a new cycle of echoes.