The destruction of House Peake not only shocked the Seven Kingdoms, but also frightened several houses that had been itching to act into retreating straight back to their castles. Many houses that had planned to fish in the troubled waters of the Riverlands hurriedly headed home.
The Riverlands, previously a complete mess, fell strangely quiet. Even the stubborn Poor Fellows became considerably less active.
The earls of the Dornish Marches, in particular, were now on pins and needles. Earl Peake had talked them all into coming to Lord Harroway's Town, and Daemon might very well deal with their family castles while he was at it.
Earl Peake, who had been brimming with ambition in Lord Harroway's Town, froze when the news reached him. Only after several deep breaths did his reason slowly return. Then, in disbelief, he questioned the servant again and again.
"You're saying Daemon and the Oldtown Garrison seized Starspoke?"
The young attendant delivering the news was terrified by Earl Peake's expression, which looked as though he wanted to devour someone.
"M-my lord... the other two earldoms have been taken as well. All three castles are now occupied by other houses. Every member of House Peake, men and women, young and old, has been rounded up and exiled to the Stepstones."
"Nonsense! How dare they? How dare they?!"
"The Seven will surely punish them for such brutality!"
Faced with Earl Peake's impotent ranting, the nobles around him could offer only sympathetic looks. Their own nerves were close to breaking, after all. Who knew whose castle Quicksilver would bathe in dragonfire next?
Earl Peake felt as though his lungs would burst with rage, and his face burned fiercely. To him, the appraising gazes of the nobles present were like knives, slicing him apart piece by piece. He was so