Chapter 61: The Banners of Westeros and the Tide Turns
The days following Maegor's grand pronouncements in Pyrefall Castle were a flurry of administrative activity. Hand Aegon Duskryn, with Chancellor Rylora and Steward Droseo, immediately set about formalizing the administration of the entire Duchy of Qehes. Governors were dispatched to their new posts, tribute systems extended, and the immense task of integrating the disparate populations began. Lord-Commander Gareth Blackwood and Jorah Mormont, meanwhile, pushed their respective armies through rigorous training, preparing for the future.
Then, weeks after the pivotal council meeting, a new kind of message arrived at Pyrefall Castle – not a raven, but a contingent of ships docking in Noronos harbor. Word quickly reached Maegor: Westerosi banners were flying from their masts.
Maegor met them in the castle's outer courtyard, his Royal Guard standing in impeccable formation, the towering figure of Balerion visible on the distant battlements. He stood tall, Blackfyre at his hip, his silver hair and purple eyes shining with an ancient authority.
The first delegation to approach bore the silver seahorse on a black field of House Celtigar, Lords of Claw Isle. At their head was Ser Harold Celtigar, a man of twenty-five, with sharp, intelligent eyes that mirrored the Valyrian features of his house. With him were his younger siblings: Malora Celtigar, twenty-three, with keen, assessing eyes and a quiet grace, and Ser Terrence Celtigar, twenty-two, a young knight with an eager, earnest demeanor. Behind them marched 200 disciplined men-at-arms, equipped in the style of the Crownlands.
Ser Harold, upon seeing Maegor's undeniable Targaryen features and the living dragon atop the castle, immediately dropped to one knee, a profound relief washing over his face. "My King," he intoned, his voice clear and firm, "Ser Harold Celtigar, third son of Lord Ardrian Celtigar, Lord of Claw Isle. We answer your call." He presented a sealed letter.
Maegor took the letter. It bore the sigil of House Celtigar. He broke the seal and read:
To my King Maegor Targaryen,
Your raven reached Claw Isle, bearing tidings of immense joy and a hope we had long believed lost. My son, Harold, my daughter, Malora, and my son, Terrence, deliver this message. I would ride to your side myself, but I cannot abandon my post on Claw Isle without drawing the immediate wrath of the Usurper's dogs. My presence here is a beacon of defiance for all who remember the true kings.
However, I send you my children and two hundred loyal men-at-arms to serve your cause directly. They are yours, to command as you see fit. My King, know that the Celtigars remain steadfast. We will prepare. And when you decide to march upon King's Landing, know that Lord Ardrian Celtigar will rise and march with you, bringing all the strength of Claw Isle to bear. The Dragon has returned.
Yours in fealty,Lord Ardrian Celtigar of Claw Isle
Maegor's eyes glittered. A direct, unequivocal pledge from one of his oldest, most loyal vassals. This was precisely the kind of support he needed, a tangible link to Westeros. "Rise, Ser Harold. Rise, Malora. Rise, Ser Terrence. Your House's loyalty will be remembered and rewarded." He gave them a rare, genuine smile.
Soon after, a second, equally distinguished delegation arrived. This one bore the powerful black bull of House Massey, Lords of Stonedance. They were led by Ser Maldon Massey, fifty-two, a hardened veteran and brother to the current Lord. With him were his children: Ser Lucifer Massey, twenty-eight, a grim-faced knight; Ser Juhua Massey, twenty-five, equally stern; and Elinda Massey, twenty-one, a comely woman with a quiet, watchful demeanor. Accompanying them was Ser Wallace Massey, twenty-four, the youngest son of the current Lord. They brought 150 battle-hardened soldiers.
Ser Maldon, upon seeing Maegor and Balerion (now perched proudly on a castle tower), dropped to one knee. "My King," he boomed, "Ser Maldon Massey, brother to Lord Maric Massey of Stonedance. We answer the call of the Dragon." He presented his own sealed letter.
Maegor took it and read:
To the True King Maegor Targaryen,
Word reached Stonedance of your miraculous return, of a Targaryen with a living dragon. My heart, and the hearts of all true men of Massey, soared. My brother, Maldon, rides to your side with his own sons, Lucifer and Juhua, and my youngest son, Wallace. They bring one hundred and fifty of our finest soldiers to serve your banner. Like Lord Celtigar, I am bound by my lands here, and cannot openly abandon Stonedance without inviting ruin upon my House from the Usurper.
But know, my King, that we are already preparing. Our levies are drilled, our stores are growing. We watch, and we wait. When the time is right, when you strike at the heart of the false king, House Massey will rise as one. Until then, we are your shield in the Crownlands.
Yours in enduring fealty,Lord Maric Massey of Stonedance
Maegor's smile grew. Two direct pledges of support, not just of men, but of sons and daughters, directly into his service. This was a testament to the decades of Targaryen loyalty that Robert Baratheon had failed to truly extinguish.
He stood before the gathered nobles, his voice ringing with newfound confidence. "Welcome, Ser Maldon. Welcome, sons and daughters of House Massey. Your Houses have shown courage and unwavering loyalty. You will find a place of honor in my court."
He then looked to Lord-Commander Jorah Mormont, who had arrived with his own 500 Northern-style recruits. "Lord-Commander Jorah! Your ranks are about to swell. These 350 men, from the Houses Celtigar and Massey, are now under your command. Integrate them into the Northern Qehes Army. They are disciplined, Westerosi-trained soldiers. They will form a formidable core for your infantry and cavalry units. Treat them as befits loyalists of the Crown. They will teach your current recruits, and they will learn from them."
Jorah nodded, his face grimly determined. This was a significant challenge, integrating men from noble Westerosi houses with his Essosi recruits, but he understood the immense value of this addition. The Northern Qehes Army was quickly becoming a melting pot of fighting styles, all under the Dragon's command.
Maegor's gaze then swept over the Celtigar and Massey nobles, his mind already formulating plans for their positions, their marriages, and their contributions to the expansion of his bloodline. The Dragon's return was no longer a secret confined to Essos; it was now a message carried across the Narrow Sea, preparing the ground for the inevitable reconquest of Westeros.