Chapter 117: Daemon's Great Conquest, the Imperial Council Shocked
Out of fear of the dragons, the Dothraki fought in small groups, each with three to five cavalrymen. Whenever they encountered a dragon's fiery attack, the Dothraki would use the mobility advantage of their cavalry to quickly disperse and retreat.
Caraxes and the Red Queen were the fastest dragons of House Targaryen, yet the flames spewed from high in the sky had limited lethality against the Dothraki cavalry, who were dispersed across the battlefield and fighting in small groups. To quickly clear out the enemy, Daemon, astride Caraxes, blew the horn for a cavalry charge.
The Vale Knights, Western Knights, Reach Knights, Riverlands Knights, Winter Wolves, and others began to charge towards the Dothraki cavalry.
Westeros is prevalent in knightly culture; knights anointed with holy oil devoted themselves to tourneys in times of peace and charged into battle in times of war. Free riders and squires universally aspired to become knights, and among knights, there were many ranks such as hedge knights, sworn knights, and landed knights.
Most of the knights who followed Daemon on his expedition against the Three Daughters were second sons of nobles. Because King Jaehaerys the Conciliator had brought decades of peace to the kingdom, many of these knights of spring were stepping onto the battlefield for the first time.
As Westeros possessed dragons and Dragon Knights, cooperating with the Valyrian Fleet, Sistermen Fleet, and Ironborn Fleet, they easily captured Tyrosh and Lys in the islands. The Westeros Knights had not faced any strong challenges, to the extent that some knights believed that Westeros cavalry could be invincible in the world.
However, the Dothraki were clearly formidable opponents.
Most Dothraki cavalrymen were bare-chested, covered by light, painted leather vests. They wore black riding breeches with horsehair leggings tied to them, and arakhs hung from their waists. Their mounts were all high-quality warhorses selected from the Great Grass Sea herds, already superior to the mounts of Westeros Knights. Furthermore, Westeros Knights fought in heavy armor, creating a significant speed disadvantage compared to the Dothraki.
Facing the surging tide of Westeros Knights, the Dothraki cavalry, in groups of three to five, quickly retreated, their hooves thundering and shaking the ground, all the while shooting arrows at their enemies as they withdrew.
Some knights had specifically trained before the expedition on how to deal with the Dothraki's melee weapon, the arakh, which is a half-sword, half-sickle weapon. However, Westeros Knights rarely had the chance to engage the Dothraki in close combat; in most cases, Westeros Knights were shot down by Dothraki cavalry with bows and arrows before they could get close.
Daemon and Rhaenys, riding Caraxes and the Red Queen, reached the rear of the Dothraki cavalry, spewing flames and burning some of the retreating Dothraki. Heat waves rolled across the battlefield, thick smoke billowed, and some Dothraki cavalry's warhorses reared up due to the dragons' roars, flames, and smoke.
A sturdy Dothraki cavalryman was thrown off his rearing warhorse. He fell into the dust, and as he stood up and drew his arakh, preparing for foot combat, he encountered Roderick Dustin. Roderick swung his greatsword, unleashing a deadly arc that cleaved the Dothraki cavalryman in two, from head to shoulder.
The Dothraki cavalry, engulfed in flames, pressed forward, fleeing back towards Myr. The dragonfire created a barrier on the battlefield, and since the heavy cavalry of Westeros could not catch up to the light cavalry of the Dothraki, Daemon, from atop the dragon in the sky, blew two short horn blasts, signaling the army to cease pursuit.
The army set up camp to rest. Caraxes and the Red Queen landed in the camp, and the Dragonkeepers drove yaks and sheep to feed the dragons. Nurses and maesters began to treat the wounded soldiers.
Ser Marq Crakehall's plate armor was pierced by an arrow, and as a nurse pulled the arrow from his shoulder, he cried out in pain, cursing, "These Dothraki cowards, they only know how to ride horses and shoot arrows from afar."
Lord Roderick Dustin, the commander of the Winter Wolves, scoffed from nearby. "How can riding and shooting arrows be cowardly? At least to me, these Dothraki are very brave. Facing dragons and the invincible Westeros Knights, they still inflicted heavy casualties on us."
The North is dominated by the old gods faith, so apart from White Harbor, few warriors in the North convert to the Faith of the Seven and become knights. Northerners also look down on Southern tourneys, considering them mere childish antics for show in the summer.
Daemon leaned in. "The Dothraki rule the vast Great Grass Sea with their cavalry. When Dothraki khalasars reach the Free Cities like Pentos, Qohor, Volantis, and Norvos, their governors and magisters have no choice but to offer precious gifts to the Khals to delay their wrath."
Among these city-states, except for Qohor, which relies on the Unsullied to guard its city, the combat strength of the other city-states is generally weak, depending more on mercenaries for fighting. It's no wonder they fear the barbaric and backward Dothraki.
The Triarchy had already contacted several Dothraki khalasars on the Great Grass Sea last year. They offered lavish gifts to the Khals; chests of gold and silver, and jewels were sent to every Khal's tent, as well as to the Dothraki holy city of Vaes Dothrak, to offer lavish gifts to the old women of the Dosh Khaleen.
The Dothraki have no concept of buying and selling; they believe trade is an unmanly act. The strong should plunder what they need or exchange gifts. Therefore, giving and receiving gifts became the most common form of trade for the Dothraki. Ultimately, more than a dozen Khals answered the call of the Three Daughters, and Dothraki cavalry poured out of the Great Grass Sea, marching towards the Three Daughters and gathering around the city of Myr.
A dragon's roar echoed from the sky. Roderick said to Daemon, "These Dothraki are truly difficult to deal with, Prince Daemon. We should find a way to attack Myr from the sea. Once Myr is captured, the Dothraki cavalry will naturally retreat back to the Great Grass Sea."
Ser Marq Crakehall, the Boar, strode over aggressively. By this time, the nurse had bandaged his wound. He said angrily, "Why should Westeros Knights retreat before Dothraki savages?"
Ser Ronald Florent said piously, "We are knights anointed with holy oil. Under the gaze of the Seven, the Dothraki cavalry are no match for us."
Roderick said scornfully, "Do you think this is a tourney? Boring tourneys only involve jousting lances, poking back and forth. We are facing Dothraki who are skilled in horse archery. Can any of you show me some horse archery?"
Ronald Florent, Marq Crakehall, and a group of anointed knights around them exchanged awkward glances. Ronald Florent flapped his prominent ears and muttered, "That event isn't in tourneys."
At tourneys across Westeros, the most common events are jousting, archery, and melee. Among these, jousting receives the most attention and prize money and is the most popular among the people. Ser Ryam Redwyne, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, hailed as the greatest knight of the age, has won the most jousting tournaments. Daemon also earned the reputation of a legendary knight by winning several tourneys.
However, horse archery is not an event at tourneys, so few knights attempt to train in this skill.
Roderick clapped his hands. "Dothraki cavalry excel at horse archery, while few Westeros Knights are skilled in it. So why insist on a head-on clash with the Dothraki? War is not a game."
Compared to these Southern knights, Roderick was clearly more experienced. Daemon admired Roderick even more.
Daemon asked, "How many Dothraki reinforcements has Myr recruited?"
Constantine, the commander of the Dragon's Servants Army and a former slave from Myr, answered, "I asked some locals. Myr's governor, Qabac, has recruited over a dozen khalasars. Conservatively estimated, the enemy's cavalry strength exceeds fifty thousand, and there may be more cavalry still marching towards Myr."
Rodrik, Ronald Florent, and Marq Crakehall exchanged shocked glances.Ronald Florent flapped his prominent ears and muttered, "That event isn't in tourneys."
At tourneys across Westeros, the most common events are jousting, archery, and melee. Among these, jousting receives the most attention and prize money and is the most popular among the people. Ser Ryam Redwyne, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, hailed as the greatest knight of the age, has won the most jousting tournaments. Daemon also earned the reputation of a legendary knight by winning several tourneys.
However, horse archery is not an event at tourneys, so few knights attempt to train in this skill.
Rodrik clapped his hands, "Dothraki cavalry excel at horse archery, while few Westeros Knights are skilled in it. So why insist on a head-on clash with the Dothraki? War is not a game."
Compared to these Southern knights, Rodrik was clearly more experienced. Daemon admired Rodrik even more.
Daemon asked, "How many Dothraki reinforcements has Myr recruited?"
Constantine, the commander of the Dragon's Servants Army and a former slave from Myr, answered, "I asked some locals. Myr's governor, Qabac, has recruited over a dozen Khal khalasars. Conservatively estimated, the enemy's cavalry strength exceeds fifty thousand, and there may be more cavalry still marching towards Myr."
Rodrik, Ronald Florent, and Marko Crakehall exchanged shocked glances. In Westeros, the North, and the Vale, the forces that could be mustered were only around twenty to thirty thousand. Furthermore, warhorses are expensive, making fifty thousand cavalry almost unimaginable. Even the densely populated The Reach, with its excellent troop-raising capabilities, would struggle to gather fifty thousand cavalry.
Ser Marko Crakehall, the Boar, said gruffly, "The Myrish and the Dothraki must have exaggerated the numbers. Fifty thousand cavalry, just the armor and warhorses alone would be a huge expense."
Daemon showed a blade-like smile, "Perhaps in Westeros, but on the Great Grass Sea, the Dothraki have no shortage of warhorses. Moreover, the Dothraki generally have very few heavy cavalry; they are usually light cavalry."
"Their large numbers are both their advantage and their disadvantage. I have already found a way to defeat the Dothraki cavalry."
Over the next few days, the Westeros army made camp. Daemon and Rhaenys rode their dragons out, no longer targeting the enemy's cavalry, but instead focusing on their supply trains and granaries.
The enemy's provisions were consumed by dragonfire. A few days later, the Dothraki army began to experience food shortages. Some cavalrymen, to fill their stomachs, started plundering Myr's estates and villages, even raiding under the very nose of Myr city.
Initially, they only stole food, but soon, the wildness deep within the Dothraki was awakened, and they began to seize women.
To seize food and women, cavalrymen from different khalasars began to attack each other. These khalasars had already been warring on the Great Grass Sea, and had only temporarily formed an alliance due to the gifts from the Myrish. With ample provisions, they could barely maintain peaceful coexistence; however, once food shortages appeared, this balance quickly broke down.
House Targaryen fly everywhere.
You should wear the crown and be crowned King."
Constantine, the Dragon's Servants Army commander, roared, "Prince Daemon, no one has ever completely conquered the Three Daughters.
You are the first to do so.
You have unified the realm, and you should wear the crown."
The Sea Snake said, "Prince Daemon, you have already made history and displayed the grace of the Dragon.
Wearing the crown now will win the hearts of the residents here."
Rodrik, the Tomb Wolf, smiled, "The time for the coronation, to witness history, has come."
The liberated slaves, Winter Wolves, and Knights shouted in unison, "Wear the crown, wear the crown!"
Daemon smiled, "I am considering being crowned King, but first, we must convey the good news to Prince Viserys, Regent on the Iron Throne in Red Keep, and King Jaehaerys."
Daemon led the Westeros army on an expedition to the Three Daughters.
Winter Wolves and Westeros Knights who followed Daemon on the expedition, are all requesting Daemon to wear the crown and be crowned King of the Three Daughters."
Every important minister of the Small Council, Prince Viserys, all beamed with smiles, sharing the joy of Daemon's conquest.
Only one person was frowning, and that was Ser Otto Hightower, the acting Hand of the King.
Acting Hand of the King Otto Hightower was in a bad mood.
He had always looked down on Daemon.
Now Daemon had completed a great conquest, but Otto Hightower's family had not gained much benefit.
Otto Hightower had always hoped for the Iron Throne to annex Dorne, but instead, he received Daemon's conquest.
Jealousy made Otto Hightower feel depressed.
Otto Hightower straightened his clothes.
He said gloomily, "Daemon's conquest is destined to come to naught."
The smiles on the faces of the other important ministers of the Small Council froze and disappeared.
Everyone awkwardly looked at Otto Hightower.
Viserys frowned, "Ser Otto Hightower, what do you mean?"
Otto Hightower said, "How many enemies has Daemon already provoked?
The counterattack from Volantis and Braavos will soon surge like a tide.
Those slave owners overthrown by Daemon will recruit allies all over the world.
They might recruit Unsullied, who are the most powerful infantry army in the world.
The fleeing governors and princes might even continue to recruit Dothraki.
Dothraki cavalry plus Unsullied infantry will counterattack Daemon's nascent kingdom.
Will the House of Black and White send Faceless Men, Qarth send Warlocks, plus Lys alchemists and master poisoners, can Daemon withstand them?"
"My Lords, history has proven countless times that holding a kingdom is more difficult than conquering it.
Prince, the wise course of action is to immediately withdraw the troops from the Three Daughters.
Attacking Dorne is the wise choice."
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