House of The Dragon-A God Amongst Men
Chapter 421: The Martells

Chapter 421: The Martells

(Drakken’s POV)

[Sunspear, Some Days Later]

"Lord Drakken...." Elia said as I walked inside the room, "I’ve heard about Lady Maegelle’s labors. Congratulations on having twin sons, you must be glad."

I stopped in the middle of the room, having my hands in the pockets of my coat, "Hm." I said, "Yes, yes. Being a Father is quite the joy."

She was sitting down on the couch, holding a cup of wine, "Something tells me that you’ve meant that sarcastically." She said with a slight smile, "No matter....."

"Nothing gets past you." I tilted my head

"I am glad to report that Dorne has started to thrive since your departure. The Storm Goddess blesses us with her rain and the lush environments that have been birthed due to your gifts.....they’re magnificent." She said as she set the cup down, "My people have been more at ease. More food, more jobs, more.....safety....."

"Hm." I said as I walked to the side, "I’ve contacted my Commanders that are stationed here. They are still having issues with Red Cult resistance. Anything to say about that?"

She cleared her throat, "I’ve been told that there are many....highborn that are affiliated with the Red Cult." She said, "I am sorry to even say that, My Lord. I am handling it as we speak. I will get the names and will hand them over to your.....Tyrant....."

"Maegor." I said as I looked at her, "He’s been making his mark, hasn’t he?"

"Day by day, he stains the sands red with the blood of the cultists. He is incredibly brutal, monstrous, and....unrelenting." Elia said, "Fortunately, your Duskguard Commanders keep him in line whenever he tends to lash out against my men and my people."

"He’s meant to be a wild dog." I said, "Playing nice isn’t my trademark, is it?"

"No, of course not." She said, "So....after all this time, you’ve returned....to collect your end."

I walked past her couch and reached the open doors that led to the balcony, which overlooked the lush courtyard outside the castle.

"Where is she?" I asked her as I placed my hands behind my back, "Tyene."

"Right to business?" Elia asked, "Well, Tyene is currently taking a bath privately. She spends nearly an hour in there nowadays, finding it soothing and relaxing. Despite our home thriving.....she has been rather anxious."

"Hm." I said, "This is part of the deal, you know."

"I know." She said

I glanced at her, "Is she fully prepared to make that choice?" I asked her, "You do know what that entails, right? She is untouchable."

She nodded, "She knows what she is getting herself into."

I turned back around, "Well....." I said, "Prepare dinner for tonight. I will go and check on my Blue and Red Dust production."

"Very well." She said, "As you wish, My Lord."

"And Elia." I told her, "Don’t forget who Dorne belongs to."

"Yes...." She said softly, "Of course."

"Good." I said,

"I will return later."

***********************

I crouched down and scooped up some sand that was mixed with Blue Dust, "Hm....." I said, "Interesting.....and all of these dunes are infused with the dust?"

We were on top of a sand dune in the middle of the desert, the scorching hot sun above us as it shone right on it. Looking all around, one would see the sands give off a faint blue glow.

"Yes." Ser Horrace said, "Hundreds of miles worth of sand, ripe for extraction. There is enough Dust that would last the Realm twenty years in just a small portion of this location."

I straightened up, "And....." I said as I let the sand fall down to the ground, watching as the glowing dust scattered in the breeze, "How goes business?"

"Extraction was rocky at first, but eventually, the Dornish managed to get the hang of it." He said, "We occasionally run into thieving problems, but nothing we can’t handle. It is being handled well by some representatives of House Martell who know not to steal from us."

I looked ahead, "Very well." I said, "Judging from the trading routes that Lannister oversees, business is booming. The Blue Dust is being turned into fertilizer and sold to any Lord that requires it. Give it a year or two, and there will be serious demand. Profit will be way more than we could handle normally."

"I see." He said, "Well, with some time, there will be more recruitments to our detachments here in Dorne. We have around a hundred of the locals already wishing to enlist."

"Good." I told him, "It would be best."

"Drakken!" I heard a voice call out

I turned to see Maegor dismounting a horse and stomping over towards me.

"What?" I asked

He reached me, "I demand an explanation!" He bellowed, "Why have I spent months without any word from y-"

He suddenly fell on one knee as a loud snap was heard, his eyes widening with shock and pain as he nearly tumbled over.

"Hm?" I asked as I looked at him, "You said something?"

"Maegor." Ser Horrace said, "You should know better than to come and speak to Our Lord in that manner."

Maegor scowled, "You...." He looked at me, "Drakken....."

I pointed at him, "I’ll get the other leg if you don’t watch that tone." I said seriously, "What the fuck do you want?"

"M-My reward....." He said, "I have done what you told me to do."

"Hm....yes...." I said

"I deserve my reward." He told me

"Yes. I did say I would reward you generously. " I tilted my head, "But only if you did as I told you."

"I have done what you’ve told me!!!" He bellowed

"You’ve done nothing but half-assed jobs, Maegor." I said with a scowl, "Why is there still Red Cult presence in Dorne? It doesn’t matter how many bodies you drop, I want the Red Cult eradicated!!!"

He clutched the sand below him, "If I had a dragon...." He said, "I would do it much more efficiently."

"If you can’t do this without a dragon, then you’re not worthy of one." I told him

"I have served you faithfully!" He shouted, "I demand my reward."

I crouched down, "Reward, hm?" I said, "What? A Dragon? Or.....Her.....?"

"Tch....!!" He managed

"There are highborns that are affiliated with the Red Cult." I said, "I will obtain a name tonight. I will give you that name at first light tomorrow. And I want you to go to that individual.....rip them from their home....and make them give up the others. Once that happens...bring them to me back at Kingsgrave. I will execute them."

"If I do that....." He said, "W-What....do I-"

I clutched him by the throat, "You get the chance to keep fucking living, Maegor!" I said with a glare, "Do you understand?! I am not the God of Charity, you don’t get this second chance at life for free! Your very being belongs to me."

"GGghh....!" He said with a scowl

"But do this." I let go of him, "I will grant you a dragon. And from there....."

"We’ll see about that resurrection."