Game of Thrones: Killing to the top

"You knelt before me in loyalty, yet rose with a dagger in your hand. I gave you trust, power, and a place by my side, and still, you chose the path of betrayal. Tell me, was the taste of treachery worth the cost of my wrath?

 Aegon Targaryen to ***************

The bloody night had come and passed as the storm had passed and calm returned as the sunlight filled the the small gaps in the wood of Aegon's room. Aegon stood in his cabin clean. No trace of the bloody ordeal of the night before remained on his body.

Now his mind wandered to Essos which was fast approaching, and his plans were already made, Aegon didn't think it was the best plan but it was something he could do, but first, he needed to make sure the captain landed where he wanted.

Aegon left his room and made his way to the deck, his sudden appearance caused the remaining men to stop what they were doing and look at him, their eyes filled with fear.

Aegon took a quick look around noticing the blood from the night before could still be seen in some parts of the deck and the air smelled of blood, but the dead bodies were gone, most likely thrown overboard.

Aegon turned his piercing gaze to the trembling captain. Sweat beaded along the old merchant's forehead, his mouth opening and closing as if he were searching for words but finding none. Aegon soon reached before him and spoke.

"You will land close to or at Volantis," Aegon commanded, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.

The captain hesitated, but Aegon's expression brokered no argument. "Y-Yes, my lord," he stammered, nodding rapidly. "Volantis…yes, it will only add a few more days to our journey, given favorable winds."

Aegon narrowed his eyes, watching the older man carefully. He knew the captain had entertained thoughts of betrayal, of greed, but now he was simply too afraid to act on them. That suited Aegon just fine for now.

"Then get to it," Aegon said, turning away, dismissing the man from his sight as if he were nothing more than an afterthought.

Aegon simply turned and returned to his room.

Sitting on his bed Aegon, mind drifted going over his plan once again making sure he wasn't missing anything.

The journey to Essos was only the beginning. He needed an army, one that would be loyal to him and him alone. The Free Cities were an option, but mercenaries fought for coin, not devotion. Their loyalty could be bought, but it could also be taken away by a higher bidder. He needed warriors who lived for battle, men who would follow strength above all else.

The Dothraki.

Aegon smirked at the thought. The horse lords were a savage people, but they respected power. If he could slay a Khal in combat, his bloodriders would fight to the death but the rest of the khalasar would follow him, bound by their customs. And once he had one khalasar under his command, he could use it to conquer others. War among the Dothraki was constant, and every defeated khal meant more points to strengthen himself and his dragons.

The Dothraki Sea was vast, and finding a single khalasar in its endless plains would be no easy feat. He needed information on where the strongest Khals roamed, which ones were engaged in battle, and which were the easiest to topple. Information that could be easily gotten from the system map.

His course was set, and his path clear. He would go to the Dothraki Sea, challenge a Khal, and take his place as a conqueror. And when the Dothraki bent the knee, the world would tremble at the return of the dragon.

He smirked, fastening his belt as he whispered to himself, "Let the slaughter begin."

Days passed at sea, the ship cutting through the waves under clear skies. Aegon remained isolated, speaking little, observing the crew's behavior. He knew fear ruled them now, and it was the only thing keeping them from another foolish mutiny. The captain had done as ordered, guiding the vessel toward Volantis, but Aegon saw the way his eyes lingered on him when he thought he wasn't being watched. The man knew his fate was sealed, but he clung to hope that he would be spared.

Aegon did not need to enter the city as the merchant ship aimed to reach the shore outside the city, Aegon stood on the deck with the dragon eggs secured in the arrow carrier under his cloak his sword and daggers strapped to his waist.

The towering black walls of Volantis came into view. The great city loomed on the horizon, its sprawling expanse stretching along the banks of the mighty Rhoyne. Slaves and free men alike moved along the bustling docks, their figures barely discernible from this distance. Aegon inhaled deeply, taking in the sight. Soon, he would set foot on land once more, but first, he had one last thing to take care of.

The old man backed away, his hands raised in supplication. "M...my lord, please," he begged, his voice quivering. "I did as you asked! I brought you here!"

Aegon tilted his head slightly, considering the man. Then, with the same detached expression he had worn throughout the massacre, he stepped forward and plunged his sword into the captain's gut. The old man gasped, clutching at Aegon's arm as blood bubbled at his lips.

"You were useful," Aegon admitted, twisting the blade. The captain let out a strangled cry, eyes wide in shock. "But you were never going to leave this ship alive."

With a sharp pull, Aegon withdrew his sword, letting the captain crumple to the blood-soaked deck. The man twitched once, then stilled.

(Ding!!! One merchant killed + 8 points)

Aegon exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he glanced around. The ship was once again stained with blood, and carried by the tide the ship drifted towards land. Wiping his blade clean, he sheathed it and turned toward the land looming before him.

It was time to begin the next phase of his plan.