Chapter 62: The Dragon's Reorganization and the Armies Reforged
The scent of fresh stone and ambition hung heavy in the air of Pyrefall Castle. Weeks had passed since the conquest of Mogho, and the Duchy of Qehes was slowly, yet firmly, being brought under Maegor's iron will. With his administration established and his family secured, Maegor turned his relentless gaze to the core of his power: his military. The arrival of the Celtigar and Massey contingents, led by their capable nobles, provided the perfect opportunity for a grand reorganization.
Maegor summoned his key military commanders to his solar: Lord-Commander Barristan Selmy, Lord-Commander Gareth Blackwood, Lord-Commander Jorah Mormont, Ser Kaeto Targaryen, and Khal Drogo. Hand Aegon Duskryn was also present, his administrative mind crucial for resource allocation. On the map spread across the table, the Duchy of Qehes now lay entirely under the Targaryen banner.
"Gentlemen," Maegor began, his voice resonating with Commander's Presence (Uncommon). "We have conquered. Now, we must organize. The integration of our new men-at-arms from Mogho and Drasaho, along with the loyal contingents from Houses Celtigar and Massey, demands a more defined command structure for our two armies."
He pointed to the map. "The Northern Qehes Army will be our hammer. It will be stationed here, at Noronos, ready to strike north or east, or to defend against any future aggression from Myr. The Southern Qehes Army will be our shield and our spear to the south, based in Drasaho."
Maegor first addressed the Northern Army, looking at Jorah Mormont. "Lord-Commander Jorah. Your Northern Auxiliaries have proven their resilience and discipline. Your command is vital. Your army will be reorganized as follows:"
"For Cavalry," Maegor continued, "Ser Rhaegar Duskryn, your existing 95 Myrosh Light Cavalry will be augmented. We will insert 205 new cavalrymen from our recent recruits, bringing your unit to a total of 300 men. Ser Rhaegar, you will oversee their intensive training, molding them into swift, hard-hitting light cavalry." Ser Rhaegar, standing tall, nodded, a flicker of fierce anticipation in his eyes.
"For Archers," Maegor moved on, "we have 430 fully trained archers from Myrosh, already highly effective. We will add an additional 145 new men to be trained as archers, bringing that corps to 575 men. Ser Corlys Stone, you will command them, enhancing their discipline and precision." Ser Corlys, ever stoic, acknowledged the command.
"For Infantry," Maegor's gaze sharpened, "we will have specialized units. Lord-Commander Jorah, you will personally command the 500 Northerner Infantry you have already forged. They are the core of this army's endurance." Jorah nodded, a grim pride on his face.
"Ser Harold Celtigar," Maegor then addressed the Celtigar noble, "your 200 Celtigar men are well-known for their skill with axes. You will lead them as our Celtigar Elite Axemen Infantry. We will add 300 new men to be trained specifically as axemen under your rigorous command, bringing your unit to 500 men. They will be our heavy shock infantry, breaking enemy lines with brute force." Ser Harold, a rare smile on his face, bowed deeply. "It would be an honor, my King. They will be formidable."
"Ser Lucifer Massey," Maegor continued, turning to the Massey knight, "your 150 Massey soldiers are known for their discipline and skill with spear and shield. You will command them as our Massey Style Spear-and-Shield Infantry. We will add 350 new men to be trained in your distinctive style, bringing your unit to 500 men. They will be our disciplined wall, our defensive core." Ser Lucifer, a grim determination on his face, bowed. "We will not falter, my King."
"And finally for the Northern Army," Maegor concluded, "we will train another 500 new spearmen as a general infantry reserve. Lord-Commander Jorah, you will oversee their training for now, until a suitable commander is found." Jorah nodded, accepting the immense task.
"Now, for the Southern Qehes Army," Maegor announced, turning to Lord-Commander Gareth Blackwood. "Gareth, your army will be primarily defensive, guarding our southern borders, but also capable of aggressive maneuvers. Its main recruiting base will be Drasaho County."
"For Cavalry," Maegor continued, "Ser Terrence Celtigar, your 100 light cavalry will be augmented with 200 new men for training, bringing your unit to 300 cavalrymen. You will lead and train them." Ser Terrence, eager for command, bowed.
"For Infantry," Maegor then outlined, "our 814 existing light infantry will be divided. Commander Brundo, your Spear-and-Shield Infantry will consist of your existing 414 men, plus 200 new recruits from Drasaho, bringing your unit to 614 men. Ser Juhua Massey, your Sword-and-Shield Infantry will consist of your existing 400 men, plus 200 new men from Drasaho, bringing your unit to 600 men." Brundo and Juhua, both now veteran commanders, nodded, accepting their expanded roles.
"For Archers," Maegor stated, "we will train 750 entirely new archers, primarily from the Drasaho recruits. Ser Wallace Massey, your talent with a bow is noted. You will lead this entirely new archery corps, training them into a formidable ranged force." Ser Wallace, the youngest Massey, looked shocked, then thrilled, dropping to a knee. "My King! I… I will make them the finest!"
"And lastly for the Southern Army," Maegor concluded, "Lord-Commander Gareth, you will personally oversee the training of another 750 new Riverland-style Infantry. These men, drawn from Drasaho, will be trained in the more flexible, skirmishing tactics common to the Riverlands. This unit will initially report directly to you, until a suitable commander is found."
"These new reorganizations," Maegor declared, sweeping his gaze over all his commanders, "will create two powerful, distinct armies, each capable of defending its region and prosecuting our future campaigns. The training will be relentless. I expect nothing less than absolute discipline and mastery from every man. The time for expansion will come, but first, we forge the hammers that will break our enemies."
His commanders, a mix of Westerosi nobility, Essosi veterans, and Targaryen kin, all nodded in grim determination. The sheer scale and meticulous planning of Maegor's military vision were undeniable. The Duchy of Qehes was no longer merely conquered. It was being transformed into a colossal military machine, designed for one purpose: conquest.