The Vulture King Leaves His Nest

"Alright, alright, it's not like I'm really going to starve you." Hearing his father's wailing, the young man helplessly turned back. "There's enough bread, pickled vegetables, and fresh water stored beneath the compartment to last you three to five months. Don't even think about meat. Take this chance to lose some weight, old man."

Only after saying that to his father did the young man leisurely wave a hand and leave. He had no intention of committing patricide. After all, securely placing the crown upon his own head was his immediate priority. So long as that cousin of his had not lied to him, everything would be settled within a few months. They would not even need to do anything—holding still and keeping an eye on the lords of Western Dorne would make up most of their work.

After that, fractured Dorne would become the stage upon which the great families danced, and the Dayne family would reclaim the crown of the King of the Torrentine.

The younger members of the Dayne family had been dazzled senseless by the grand promises Obara had painted for them. Together, they blocked all news of the family's change in leadership. Ravens flying from High Hermitage and Starfall could only carry reports that everything was normal.

Sunspear.

This beautiful city stood proudly where Queen Nymeria had landed, like a ship sailing eastward.

Prince Qoren had just painstakingly persuaded Count Uller Vail, warning him that he had best apologize to the newly arrived Dragonlord as soon as possible. Every time Dorne was ravaged by dragonfire, it took years, even decades, to erase the consequences. During the First Dornish War, although Aegon I had ultimately returned in defeat, the ecstatic Dornish soon discovered the aftermath. The lords in Dorne's interior had needed many years just to barely recover their strength, while many burned fields and oases could never produce grain again.

Prince Qoren only hoped everyone would remain calm. Maintaining the status quo was the most beneficial arrangement for Dorne. He wearily sat down in his cushioned chair and had the heir of the Allyrion family from Godsgrace, who was also his squire, bring him chilled wine mixed with lemon juice and chili sauce. He needed to soothe the fire in his heart.

"Besides me, who else did that idiot Uller seek out?"

The squire considered for a moment. "Your Grace, aside from seeking an audience with you in Sunspear, Count Vail met with members of the Vulture Gang. Old Vulture promised to gather the able-bodied men and women who could no longer survive in the cities and towns, then send them to the Red Mountains to support the new Vulture King."

Qoren's wine cup stopped midway.

"A new Vulture King?" He took a worried sip of chilled wine. "Where did this one come from? A son of the Blackmont family, or some newly risen bandit?"

"The maester and the other lords believe he may be either a bastard or trueborn son of the Blackmont family," the squire calmly answered the prince's question. "The new Vulture King possesses wealth from an unknown source, as well as fine weapons and armor. They have even raised hundreds of sand steeds. It is said that in their nest, Vulture's Nest, the Vulture King has stockpiled several thousand warriors. However, their military provisions are not abundant. They are likely being supplied by the lords all along."

"That idiot Uller." The Prince of Dorne smashed his cup down hard. "He wants to drag all of Dorne into war. Go, have the maester send ravens. Tell every noble in every holding that the Vulture King is our enemy as well. Do not destroy this hard-won peace."

"Yes, Your Grace."

Above the clouds of the Red Mountains, Vomysor flew beneath the cover of the cloud layer. A trace of bloodlust glimmered in Lonzell's deep violet eyes. He had come to see what sort of creature this so-called Vulture King truly was.

Suddenly, Vomysor let out a low roar. Lonzell understood that his companion had found the target. He concentrated blood in his eyes.

Piercing through the clouds, Lonzell clearly saw the castle. Hundreds of well-armored Dornishmen were drinking and making merry, while above the castle, a crowned vulture spread its wings and flew.

Vomysor circled through the air once, and Lonzell's eyes lit up. He had found the passage leading south from Vulture's Nest.

It was a narrow mountain path, well hidden. If Lonzell had not been riding a dragon, it would have been difficult for anyone to discover this passage.

"Armor, and warhorses too." Lonzell patted Vomysor, signaling that they could return. "Looks like the gains from this will be beyond imagination." He already knew how to arrange for the Vulture King to go to war as soon as possible.

The towers of King's Landing would not be habitable for several more months. For now, they still lived in Blackhaven, awaiting the arrival of the two princes. They were already on the road, along with their dragons.

The giant dragon climbed once more, until it completely vanished into the sky.

The Dornishmen below saw nothing. They continued drinking and celebrating.

Only the Vulture King himself within the castle watched the farce expressionlessly. His maester was an assistant maester he had brought from the family. He was not as versatile as a fully fledged maester, but passing along messages and treating external wounds were tasks well within his abilities.

"Your Grace." The maester handed the newly received letter to the Vulture King and began reading its contents. "Count Uller will send 1,500 soldiers to join your ranks. They will meet with you while bringing 600 sand steeds, several thousand gold dragons of pure gold, and fifteen knights."

"They're all hired knights, aren't they?" the Vulture King said coldly.

"I do not know. However, the Vail family has just lost more than a thousand men and dozens of knights beneath Blackhaven. They will likely have difficulty gathering enough soldiers as well."

"Thank Count Vail on my behalf. As promised, I will pour the flames of war upon the heads of the cowards in the Borderlands."

"Additionally, Count Uller has promised that he has contacted the leaders of vagrant gangs near Sunspear. They will gather no fewer than 4,000 young men, young women, and old men to head north and sell their lives, but they have no equipment."

"It does not matter. What about the other noble lords?"

"Prince Qoren has publicly distanced himself from you, Your Grace. He has called upon all lords throughout the realm to cut off your supplies."

"Tch." The Vulture King spat disdainfully. "He has none of King Marion's courage. The Dornish must be blind to have chosen him as prince. They would have been better off choosing some woman."

"Among the noble lords Count Uller contacted, Count Toran of Hellholt agreed to send troops to protect Wyl, though they are only sending 800 spearmen. The other families all refused. Count Yronwood even sent 600 infantrymen to garrison the border between the two territories."

The Vulture King was pondering when the ground beneath his feet suddenly shook, startling him so badly that he leaped up and tried to hide beneath the table.

"Your Grace, it does not seem to be an earthquake." The maester hurriedly grabbed hold of the disgraced "king."

Only then did the Vulture King crawl out and quickly walk to the window in the direction from which the tremors had come.

"Seven Hells."

The Vulture King muttered.

He saw smoke and dust billowing among the southern mountains. Sharp as he was, he instantly guessed what had happened.

His grain transport route was gone.

I'm truly sorry. Today it turned into an abscess, and I have entered the most unbearable stage before recovery. It hurts whenever I move. I pray it ruptures on its own soon. There will only be one update today. After I recover, I will post three chapters a day for three days. Thank you all for your understanding.