Late at night, the guests dispersed one after another. Viserys returned to the master bedroom of the Freehold, where Ashara was already waiting.
She was wearing a pale blue nightgown tonight, her long black hair draped over her shoulders, sitting by the bed watching him.
"Your Majesty, are you tired? Would you like me to give you a massage?" she asked.
"It's alright."
Viserys lay face down beside her, and Ashara leaned over, climbed onto the bed, and stepped on his back with her jade-like feet. Because Viserys's physical fitness was too high, an ordinary massage simply didn't provide enough pressure.
That was why Viserys remembered a type of massage he had very much liked in his previous life; at first, Ashara was embarrassed, but now she had grown accustomed to it. However, Viserys still preferred it when Daenerys and Rhaenys did this.
"The banquet today was truly grand," she said, spreading her arms to maintain her balance. "Seeing it with my own eyes is indeed something else."
"This is only the beginning."
"Mhm." Her pale violet eyes looked down at him with gratification; after all, it could be said that she had watched Viserys grow up.
After finishing the massage, Viserys kissed her on the forehead and held her.
"Nothing tonight, let's just sleep like this."
The next day, the pre-war crossing meeting was held in the council chamber of the Freehold, which was much larger than the council chamber at Dragonstone.
By the time Viserys entered, the long table was already lined with people: Duke Arthur, Duke William, Duke Clinton, Count Jon, Count Alliser, as well as several other local officials, several commanders of the former mercenary companies, and Salladhor and Marwyn were all permitted to attend this time.
Prince Oberyn came as well, representing Dorne. Representing the Vale was Andar Royce.
Viserys sat at the head of the table, with Rhaenys and Daenerys standing behind him; their expressions today were also very serious and earnest. They were here today to learn and would not participate in the discussion.
"Everyone is here," Viserys began, his voice echoing in the council chamber. "I have invited you all today primarily to discuss how we should proceed with the invasion of Westeros."
Count Jon clenched his fists, an excited look appearing on his aged face.
"Your Majesty," Jon Clinton spoke, his voice somewhat raspy. "Specifically, when do we act?" He had been ready for a long time, just waiting for Viserys's command.
Viserys signaled Marwyn to roll out the map.
It was a massive map of all Westeros, from the The Wall in the North to the southern coast of Dorne; every castle, every river, and every important pass was clearly marked.
Several different banners were also pinned on the map: the golden lion representing Lannister, the white direwolf for Stark, the golden stag for Baratheon, and the silver trout for Tully.
"The current situation in Westeros," Viserys said. "The Lannisters hold King's Landing and the Westerlands, as well as most of Riverlands. Tywin's main force is currently in Riverlands facing off against the Northern main force led by Roose Bolton, the Lord of the Dreadfort."
"After the Young Wolf Robb Stark went south to lift the siege of Riverrun, he has been fighting a guerrilla war deep within the Westerlands. Renly has gathered the allied forces of the Stormlands and The Reach at Bitterbridge, while Stannis has surrounded Storms End by sea with the Dragonstone fleet. Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands is raiding everywhere, and the coasts of both the North and the Westerlands have suffered. The Vale and Dorne stand with us."
He paused and continued, "Now is the time for our advance. How are our troop preparations coming along?"
Duke William, who was responsible for the army's logistics, spoke up. "Excluding the troops staying behind to guard the homeland, we have five thousand Imperial New Army, three thousand Unsullied, and ten thousand cavalry. Free Bay Province has thirty thousand infantry and five thousand cavalry, Volantis has ten thousand infantry and five thousand Mercenaries, and the Narrow Sea Province has twenty thousand infantry and ten thousand Golden Company. The total land force can reach one hundred thousand."
Oberyn spoke then, "Dorne has mobilized nearly thirty thousand this time." Given Dorne's size, they had truly done their utmost; their population was the smallest of the Seven Kingdoms, even less than the North.
Ser Andar also spoke, "The houses of the Vale have discussed it, and we can deploy approximately twenty thousand cavalry this time to help Your Majesty reclaim the iron throne."
Viserys nodded; the Vale cavalry were far more formidable than the Dothraki horsemen under his command. "And the navy?" He looked toward Duke William.
Duke William continued his report, "The Imperial Navy can deploy two hundred and twenty large warships, four hundred medium warships, three hundred longships, and three hundred transport ships. The transport ships can carry fifty thousand troops across the sea at once, but because there is also a large amount of cavalry, transporting the entire force will require three separate trips."
"That is enough," Viserys said. "The first wave will send fifty thousand infantry to land on the Crabs Claw Peninsula; we will use Crabs Claw Peninsula as our base. Then the second and third waves will follow in succession."
"Where is the landing site chosen?" Duke Arthur asked.
Viserys pointed to a spot on the map. "The port of House Cleaver. This is not far from Whisperfell, making it convenient for everyone to receive news, and everyone on Crabs Claw Peninsula is a model subject of the Dragon family. Furthermore, the men sent by House Cleaver at the time all died alongside Rhaegar at the Trident; they have a grudge against the current iron throne, and I can step forward to win them over."
"At the same time, the Imperial Navy can occupy Dragonstone and Driftmark ahead of time, controlling the throat of the Blackwater Rush and cutting off King's Landing's maritime supplies. When the time comes, we can attack King's Landing by both land and sea." The King's Landing that Stannis failed to take in the original story, I shall take in the same manner.
Clinton spoke up, "Renly and Stannis's combined forces exceed fifty thousand. If we occupy Dragonstone first and they join forces to attack us, or even lead all the rebels in Westeros to unite, we would suffer significant losses. I suggest taking King's Landing directly."
"They will not join forces," Viserys said. "Renly will not recognize Stannis's claim, and Stannis will not bow to Renly. In the end, they will only wear each other down."
"If they truly do join forces, then we fight. We have dragons and an army; we have no fear of a direct confrontation."
Duke William spoke then, "Your Majesty, what about King's Landing? Joffrey may be young, but Cersei and Tywin are not easy to deal with. If they mobilize the Westerlands army to return and reinforce..."
"Tywin is currently pinned down by the North and cannot spare many troops. If there really are reinforcements, Ser Andar, I hope the Vale can pin them down when the time comes."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Viserys continued, "Furthermore, the defenses of King's Landing are very weak. Aside from two thousand Gold Cloaks, there are only a few hundred Lannister soldiers left. Even if they conscript troops, they won't exceed ten thousand."
In this manner, they discussed the details of the operation, with everyone speaking up eagerly and contributing their small part. The council lasted until evening before concluding.
Finally, Duke William stood up and knelt on one knee. "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the navy to clear the path for you."
Clinton also stood up. "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the Golden Company to charge and break the enemy lines for you."
The others also rose one after another and knelt on one knee.
Viserys looked at them.
"Rise, all of you," he said. "In half a month, we will officially cross the sea. The overall command of the army is entrusted to Duke Clinton's arrangement."
Only then did the crowd disperse.
Currently, the only ones under Viserys capable of leading a large-scale army were William and Clinton; although Arthur and the others were learning, they still lacked experience. Moreover, Duke William had to command the navy, so Clinton was the most suitable person.
Only Viserys and the two behind him, Rhaenys and Daenerys, remained in the council chamber.
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