“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”

  -Theodore Roosevelt

  Casterly Rock, 7:50 am, July 26th, 298 After Aegon's Conquest

  Casterly Rock, the high seat of House Lannister. This immense castle has been their home since Lann the Clever tricked the original inhabitants “House Casterly” into leaving and claimed it for himself. Which, in turn, allows him to pass it to his descendants, House Lannister. But it wasn’t much of a castle as it was a hollowed coastal mountain filled with rooms, halls, tunnels, and dungeons. Even the Targaryens, during their heyday with their dragons, will have a hard time impregnating their natural defense.

  With its immense gold mines in and under the mountain, House Lannister has become and still is the richest and most powerful House in all the Seven Kingdoms. And will stay that way for as long as their lord, Lord Tywin Lannister, the great lion of the rock wills it. And as he demonstrated by drowning the mines of Castamere and with it, every remaining man, woman, and children of the rebellious House Reyne, whether through gold, iron, fire, or song, the “Old Lion” will stop at nothing to have his family's name etched into the books of history, with the charred remains of Tarbeck Hall and Castamere serves as reminders what would happen to anyone who stands in his way.

  The Lions Hall, located near the highest point of “The Rock” has been the main hall for many centuries. Weather for meals, holiday festivals, receiving foreign dignitaries, as well as conducting business for other Westermen lords. Draped and coloured in red and gold. A massive hearth sits in the middle of the great hall, carved in stone to look like a Lion.

  Other side of the hearth are two massive balconies facing The Sunset Sea. The ledges are carved into lion arms. For a normal castle, these sound like vulnerabilities but because it is located near the highest point of “The Rock” it does not matter. With the mix of high winds and temperature at this height, no man could or would dare to climb the mountain.

  Three massive blackwood tables occupy the hall, each of them is large enough to sit around 50 people on either side. With room for another 3 tables extended. Each is also stained red with ornate gold on the sides and legs, with the legs in the shape of golden lions.

  Currently, at the head of the middle table sits 3 men enjoying breakfast. Quiet and solemn. These particular 3 men are some of The most powerful men throughout the Seven Kingdoms, which makes them the most powerful men in the Westerlands by default. At this moment, they just finished up their three-course breakfast meal. Freshly Baked Golden Loaf of bread with honeycomb, blackberry jam, and butter. Honeyed Almonds to go along with their assortment of drinks served in golden goblets, roaring lions etched on the surface. Spiced honey wine, a single goblet of Golden Arbor Wine. With a palate cleanser of Herbal Tea, mint and chamomile blend.

  Their main dishes were poached eggs, smoked bacon, and venison sausages. Accompanied by aged Lannisport cheddar and expensive soft goat cheese that Lord Tyran of the Lannister cadet branch in Lannisport brought with him to the keep. With a final small silver bowl of stewed pears with honey.

  Lord Tywin Lannister had just finished his final pear, washing it down with spiced honey wine before he turned to his guest. “Tyran. You wished to speak with me about refitting the Lannisport City Watch? May I ask why?” Looking at his distant cousin, taking a large piece of sausage and dipping it into egg yolk.

  The Lord of Lannisport stops mid-bite, chews, swallows, and looks to his highlord. “Well my lord, one of the reasons as to why is that most of the armour and weapons are in poor condition. Breastplates are rusting more quickly, which in turn requires city watchmen to have to spend more time cleansing and maintaining them. Not to mention the equally rusted sword hilts. This also goes for the helms, many of which, the leather underneath, has been eaten by rats.”

  “A fortnight ago, multiple swords and spears were stolen from the armory through an eroded hole in the wooden wall. As you know, when we caught the thieves, many of them chose to lose a hand instead of being sent to live their entire nights in barren and cold lands in the North. We wish to completely build a new armory out of stone instead to stop such thievery from happening again.”

  Lord Tywin stared at him, his pale green eyes flecked with gold digging deep in him.

  “If that was the case, then why hasn't your son come to me by himself with this matter? It was his duty as The Lord Commander is he not?” The Tywin demanded of him

  “My… my Lord Tywin, he asked me to bring this to you-”

  “So which one was it now?”

  “Pardon me, my lord?”

  “Which one was it now? Drunken his arse off again in the Sailor’s Song? Or letting his cock out off the leash in the Golden Delight? I want to know.” He demanded to know, “If it wasn't for him being born a Lannister I would have sent him to scrub the stables for the rest of his days. Now answer me.” The Lord's voice rose slightly higher.

  Tyran felt himself shrink into his chair, fearful. “Yes, my lord, I believe he has frequented the Sailor’s Song again these days. But I will command him to stop at once.”

  “Good. As for refitting the City Watch, I will let Kevan hammer out the details with you. Is that suitable for you?” Lord Tywin questions his brother on his other side.

  Ser Kevan, silently taking a drink of his glass of mint tea, “Yes of course my Lord.”

  The doors leading into the Lion's Hall creak open for a Lannister Guard, “My Lord Tywin, Maester Creylen is here to see you. A raven had just arrived from Lannisport; it brought an urgent message, he said.” The guard's voice echoes through the Hall.

  “Send him in.” Lord Tywin orders, taking another drink of spiced honey wine. The three men watch the door as the guard ushers in the Maester.

  Maester Creylen, a rather young man for a Maester in his 30 years, stooped with his shoulder-length brown hair. Quickly moves past the guard and b-lining it to the high lords, clearly showing that he needs to inform them of some urgent matter.

  “My lords.” The young Maester greets them, “Lord Tywin and Ser Kevan, a raven from Lannisport, has come with a black wax-sealed message.” he says in a voice just loud enough for the three men to hear.

  “Black wax seal, you said? Pass me the message.” The Hall goes silent, except for the hall door closing as the guards make their exit. Tywin takes the message, its high-quality parchment rolled up tightly with a black wax seal in the middle. Imprinted on it is the Lion of Lannister. A black wax seal stands for urgency.

  Lord Tywin snaps the seal and unravels the parchment and reads. For quite some time. Both Ser Kevan and Lord Tyran sit and watch patiently as their highlords' eyes move back and forth at the parchment several times.

  “It seems your drunkard of a son has outdone himself this time, Lord Tyran.” Lord Tywin says letting the parchment partially roll back up and handing it to the confused lord. “Read it out loud, so maybe I can hear the stupidity” the Lord of The Rock commands.

  Taking the parchment and flattening it out, Lord Tyran begins to read.

  “To the Lord of Casterly Rock, Warden of the West, Shield of Lannisport, My Lord Tywin Lannister,

  Strangers from far away in the Sunset Sea wish an audience with you and my father Lord Tyran Lannister. They hailed from a country named “The United States of America.” Two envoys, Lady Kelly O’Connor and Captain Richard Webb of the USS Savannah wish to meet with you on the pier at what they referred to as “Neutral Ground” for a parley. The lady awaits an answer from you soon.

  -Lord Commander of Lannisport City Watch, Ser Torren Lannister”

  As Tyran finished the message, “Either your son has gone Aerys or is so drunk he’s become equally mad.” Lord Tywin speaks.

  “My Lord, Please. I know my son loves to drink, but he would never send a message such as this without good reason. Let alone with a black seal.” Tyran exclaims, trying to save himself and his son the humiliation.

  Lord Tywin looks to his brother for counsel, “Kevan, do you believe the Lord Commander Torren was telling the truth for once?”

  Ser Kevan takes a few moments to consider everything he knows about the Lord Commander and his message. Yes, he does have a great appetite for wine and whores, there's no doubt about that. But he still takes his job as Lord Commander of the City Watch very seriously. In fact, he was so dutiful that he once cut off the hand of a criminal who tried to bribe him. Kevan even has thought of recommending to send him to King's Landing to replace the current Lord Commander there, Janos Slynt.

  “Say what you will about the man my lord. But I believe he’s telling the truth. He’s known to take his duty as the Lord Commander very seriously.” Ser Kevan concludes. Lord Tywin ponders for a few moments, his face still.

  “Maester Creylen, I require your Myrish Eye that is in your study. Get some guards to help you, and bring it back here.” Lord Tywin ordered the Maester.

  “Yes, My Lord.” The young Maester shuffles quickly out of the Lions Hall to do his lord's bidding.

  20 minutes pass when the Lions Hall doors open, letting 4 guards come carrying in the Maester’s Myrish Eye, with the Maester following suit. Clad in red and gold, ornate with the sigils of House Lannister, roaring lions standing proud. The tube is as long as a child in his 14th year. The guards take it to the left balcony.

  Lord Tywin then wordlessly gets up from his seat and makes his way to the balcony facing the Sunset Sea. Ser Kevan and Lord Tyran get up to follow him. The Maester shuffles behind the three lords, falling behind him are the four men, breathing heavily as they struggle to carry the cumbersome Eye.

  The Old Lion then looks over the balcony down in the direction of Lannisport, he then nods to order the guards to leave the Eye near where he’s standing. At this height, he can see the entire city. Settling his eyes on the harbor, he sees something peculiar. What looks like a grey sword from this height, the shape of a sword that hasn't had its finer details hammered in by a smith.

  The other two men join him on the balcony, with the Maester staying to the side. Joining in his gaze, Lord Tyran speaks the obvious. “Gods be good, what even is that a ship? It’s massive! And is that made of steel!?”

  “Aye, and look over there. There are more of them.” Kevan exclaims, pointing farther out to sea. Tywin takes the Myrish Eye and looks west towards the direction that his brother is pointing.

  What he sees is completely astounding and almost cracks his dignified demeanour.

  Five incoming ships, each in variable sizes of massive but all of them in the same colour. Grey, and seemingly made of the same material, Metal. The biggest of them is leading in the front. Said leading ship looks like a long sword, with a big enough deck to host an entire jousting event on its own and still has some room left . Next to it, another ship is rectangular in shape, smaller in length, but still very much in the massive category.

  Massive metal ships are already heavily concerning on their own, but for Tywin it was nothing compared to what the biggest ones carried on its deck. The big leading ship is carrying bird-shaped objects on its deck, at least dozens of them, on the other hand the ones onboard the smaller rectangular ship are shaped with the image of a dragonfly, including constructs similar to insect wings above it. Just the fact that said objects are shaped as such already gives Tywin a rough idea of what it could possibly be.

  And even though he would rather die in a privy than show it in his face, he cannot lie to himself that said idea unsettles and even fears him greatly. Mainly due to the fact that the closest comparison he could think of had already died out more than 200 years ago.

  He watches as the five ships move into a quarter ring. Except for a small gap at the left flank, the message is clear as day: Lannisport is now blockaded.

  “M-my Lord. What should we do? Such massive ships…there’s no way our fleet, even in its prime, could scratch them. We haven’t even finished rebuilding them after the Ironborn raid, and now this… We are doomed…doomed.” Lord Tyran's voice wavers, his desperate pleas showing his lack of resolve.

  Tywin simply ignores the craven lord's question, he will deal with him later, and adjusting the Myrish Eye, he then focuses his eyes on the docked ship. Two figures stand near its prow. One in black clothes, and the other in blue. The blue figure raised a hand, waving. He can make out pale skin and red hair from this distance. A woman. The woman holds something to her face. A device, black as night, shaped much like this Myrish Eye he looks through now.

  “It seems I have allowed Lannisport to become a plaything for children, a woman,” he says at last, his voice devoid of all emotion. “The main envoy is a woman.”

  Kevan steps closer. “My Lord? How can you tell?”

  Tywin finally lowers the Myrish Eye and fixes his brother with a look so sharp it could carve stone.

  “Because she is waving at me like a child.” Taking the Myrish Eye, Tywin points it to Kevan to observe with his own eyes before making his way back into the Lions Hall.

  “Maester Creylen.” Tywin calls.

  “Yes, My Lord?”

  “Fetch me a parchment, quill, and ink. They want my answer, then I shall give it to them.”

  USS Savannah, 8:00 am, November 3rd, 2025

  Kelly watched as the two other high lords entered back through the balcony. Satisfied, she hands Captain Richard his binoculars. “Well, I think we got their attention now.”

  “Oh, I say that he’s gonna be pissed, Especially since he most likely has spotted the rest of our fleet. If there’s anything I know about our old lion, it is that he absolutely hates being disrespected and laughed at. So maybe we’re kind of stepping out of the line,” The Captain states, taking the binoculars from Kelly.

  Both Kelly and Richard turn and walk back to a group of Marines setting up a massive canopy for their meeting. Drilling holes into the foundation to hold it steady from winds.

  “I know. But he won’t show it. He knows the game of thrones too well.” She says, looking back at this ancient city. “We just need to show him that we mean business and not to be underestimated. And besides, we also brought with ourselves some gifts for peace offering if the need comes to be.”

  clop clop clop clop

  Looking to the noise, “Well, well, looks like we have more company.” Looking back, “Look alive Marines!” Captain Richard yells for the working men and women. Upon hearing his call, they drop their tools and reach for their weapons. Making a defensive line in front, what they see is strange. A man on a horse, wearing what looks like grey robes. Alone.

  A Few Minutes Earlier

  Lorwell, formerly of the House Smallwood, Maester of Lannisport, was Assigned to Castle Golden Keep. The Riverman has been in service to the Lannisters of Lannisport for the last 25 years after forging his chains at the Citadel at the age of 30. Now in his 55th year, had first heard the commotion at the Lion’s Sea Step by overhearing servants working out in the garden just outside the window of the rookery.

  “Queer things are a happening down at the harbour. Men lead by a woman, pale as snow, and hair red as a Tully.” An older servant exclaimed.

  “Bah! You’re a liar!” A young man yelled. “No man would ever be led by a woman, especially by those meek trouts who can’t even get their own bannermen in line.”

  “It is true! It is true! They came from this massive ship, grey in colour. Strange looking thing it is!” The older one continued.

  Such a peculiar thing to hear servants say, the old Maester thinks as he continues his studies. He then hears his ravens croak, indicating he is about to have visitors.

  The door creaked open to reveal none other than the Lord Commander of Lannisport City Watch himself, Ser Torren Lannister, his liege lord's son. “Maester Lorwell” the Lord Commander greets the old Maester. At least he has not forgotten his courtesies.

  “Lord Commander, How may I be of service?” the Maester says, giving a bow of his head, showing his mostly grey hair.

  “Maester Lorwell, I need you to send this message by your fastest raven, at once.” the Lord Commander says, handing him a tightly rolled parchment. Upon further inspection, he sees the peculiar part of this whole conversation. A Black Wax seal, a new development yes, but still only used in cases of the utmost emergency.

  “My lord? What has happened? Are we being attacked by the Ironborn?” The Maesters voice became worrisome, could the strangers those servants were speaking of be Ironborn in disguise? A new weapon? The Maester still remembers the burning of the Lannister fleet during the Greyjoy Rebellion.

  “No Maester Lorwell. Just send the message and then I will explain.” Gesturing to him to grab a raven. Doing so, the Maester picks the fastest one, tying the message to its leg and tossing the raven out the window. Turning back to him, “Now, Lord Commander please explain.”

  As the Lord Commander explained, Lorwell's curiosity grew with every detail. Appearing lands beyond the Sunset Sea? Ship of metal with no oarsmen or sails? Men in green, holding iron sticks?

  “The United States of America? Such a queer name for a kingdom. Let alone the fact that they were not declared themselves as such.” The Maester says to himself as he ponders for a moment for clarity.

  “Lord Commander. Can you take me to them?” He asks him, but it seems the Lord Commander's mind is on something else. “My Lord?”

  “Huh? Oh yes. My apologies. I am afraid not, I have to get the city ready for the eventual arrival of Lord Tywin and my father to come to the city. See you soon, Maester Lorwell.” The Lord Commander gives a short bow and makes his leave.

  “Lions”, the words came out with hints of sorrow. The Maester practically raised Torren since he was first assigned to Lannisport. He was such a bright boy, with a lot of potential.

  “Damn those Lannisters and their “Lions pride” nonsense.” The Maester said as he packed small things into his hidden sleeve pockets.

  The Maester exited the rookery, and all the while ravens croaked and squawked. The wooden door closed with a subtle thump.

  The Maester made his way down to the courtyard to the stables, passing by more servants and guards. All gossiping about the Lion’s Sea Step. More and more rumors most likely, he thought to himself. Surprisingly even the stable boys were speaking amongst themselves as they readied his horse.

  The ride down to the Lion’s Sea Step was a long one, especially at the speed he was going. The city was more active than usual at this time of day. “Must be because of these strangers” he thought to himself as he forced his way through. His legs were sore as he made the last turn.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “So. It is true.” Maester Lorwell said in a whisper to himself. His eyes were on the steel ship in the harbour.

  Looking past the ship farther out in the ocean, he sees more of these steel ships. “A blockade? No. It's too close, must just be a show of force.”

  “Come on girl. Hiyah!” tisk tisk The horse moves at a trot towards the harbour. Getting closer, the City Watch notices him and lets him pass. Presuming he has been ordered to come here by the Lord Commander.

  “Halt!” Captain Richard ordered the unknown rider, “Stop your horse, Now!” Pistol in hand, safety on, for now. The Marines were ready for anything, lined up in defensive positions. All aimed at this… Old man?

  “I am unarmed! Strangers of the United States of America!” The old man says as he climbs down the horse. He was 20 feet away. Reins in hand, he lifts his arms high enough to show no hidden blades to speak of. Still breathing heavily, he then proceeded to introduce himself. “My name” breaths “Is Maester” Breaths “Lorwell! Formerly of House Smallwood!”

  “House Smallwood?” Captain Richard says aloud, turning to Kelly.

  “They are Riverland’s noble house sworn to House Tully,” Kelly acknowledged.

  “Very well. Come forward slowly!” Captain Richard orders, he and the Marines watch as this “Maester” walks slowly towards them. The horse's hoofs clicked with each step.

  “First thing first, please state your business.” The Captain asked the old man. Deciding to put his pistol away in his hip.

  The maester studied these strange clothes. “My name is Lorwell of House Smallwood, as I said before. I am maester of the Citadel. I have come to see if the rumors I have been hearing from my servants were true.” He looks up at the strange ship, “And it seems that they are indeed true.”

  “Stand down you guys,” The Captain says, placing a hand on one of the Marines's rifles, “He seems harmless.”

  “Why thank You, my Lord.” The Maester says, bowing. His chain jingling, and cleaning in the sunshine. Lifting himself, he sees that there are more than just men in front of him, but women too. Women bannermen, bannerwomen? Now, that was a sight to see. Another thing of note is that they all seemed to be. Laughing?

  “My Lord? Did I say something funny?” Asked Lorwell, afraid that he somehow offended these strangers.

  “Ha Ha. No no, you're fine. It’s just that it's the second time I’ve been called a lord today. It’s pretty funny, to be honest.” The Captain said, still chuckling with the Marines next to him, much to the confusion of the Rivermen Maester. For him, this man clearly led his own bannermen, which means he should be a Lord or at least an anointed knight, so why was he surprised at being called a Lord?

  “Please forgive me Maester. I am simply Captain Richard Webb, of the USS Savannah. But you can call me Captain Richard, Captain Webb, just Captain, or simply Sir. Please.” He says reaching for a handshake.

  “Oh, well it is a pleasure to meet you. My Lor-” he stops for a moment, “I mean Captain Richard .” The Maester reaches for the Captain's hand and shakes firmly.

  cough cough

  Looking to his right, “Oh! Forgive me. This is Ambassador Kelly O’Connor.” The Captain gestures to the woman next to him. A very beautiful-looking woman, the maester thinks. She looks almost like a Tully.

  “Yes, and just like Captain Webb here, I’m not a Lady, so you can just call me Kelly.” The ambassador says, reaching for a handshake. Taking her hand and bowing to kiss it.

  “Lady Kelly, it is an absolute pleasure of my life to meet new, hopefully, friends of the realm.” He says straightening himself up. “And might I ask. Who are these men and… Women?” Looking at the bannermen, or at least what he believes them to be, wearing green garments.

  “These proud men and women are United States Marines, the best fighting force of our country bar none.” The Captain says with pride to show off. Even only just a little. He gestures for them to relax. “So Maester. How can we help you? Did the Lord Commander send you?”

  “No no. I had asked him, but…” The words hung in the air. “But he is a busy man. He had me send a raven to Casterly Rock for Lord Tywin. After that, well…I decided to see you people all for myself. And I must say, you made quite a spectacle. Especially to the smallfolks.” The Maester says, looking over to the market, once and a while on-lookers would just stare at them and then go about their day.

  “Yes, we’ve noticed that. But hey. What can you do about it?” The Captain shrugs.

  “Maester Lorwell,” Kelly chimed in, “As newcomers, we would like to know more about this kingdom and its people, unbiasedly. Do you think you could assist in that regard?”

  “Why I could certainly do my best, Lady Kelly.” The Maester takes out a cloth and pats his sweaty forehead. “Forgive me, it is a hot day in this long summer.” But it is only 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

  “It is alright Maester. We could talk onboard the ship if you like?” Kelly says as she gestures to the massive ship next to them. Unsurprisingly, the Maester’s face showed shock, surprise, and joy at the idea of seeing such a wonder.

  “Lady Kelly? Are you sure that would be alright?” He said a bit unsure. Her smile seemed to calm him down, “Well, I don’t see why not, the Gods have been very kind today.”

  Captain Richard decided to stay behind and supervise outside. Assigning a Marine to take care of the Maester’s horse.

  Kelly and Maester Lorwell went up the ramp into the USS Savannah. Entering the hull of the ship, the Maester notices the air is colder than outside. Asking about it Kelly gives a simplified explanation of something called “Air Conditioning”. A device that can change the temperature of a room in minutes. The area they entered was the equivalent of a cargo hold on a wooden ship, but this one was massive, holding such strange things, metal boxes on wheels, which are referred to as “Cars.”

  “So these… “Cars” allow you to travel to faraway places even faster than galloping horses? How did that even work?” wondered the Maester.

  “To put it simply, it was powered by a combustion engine fueled by resources that can be found beneath the Earth…but we’ll get to that later. First thing first.”

  Kelly leads the Maester to a furnished area. A simple metal table and chairs. Gesturing for him to sit, she grabs two bottles of water from a stainless steel cooler and hands it to him. They are ice cold as if they were made from melted Northern snow and ice.

  “How is this water cold, my lady?” He says as he copies her motion of twisting the top. Crack He takes a drink of this ice-cold water, it makes his teeth nerves react.

  It was some of the cleanest water he had ever had the privilege to touch his lips. Looking at the bottle, there's writing on the side, “Glaceau Smartwater.” Its writing is strange, too precise to be made by hand. Just who are these people?

  “Lady Kelly, what is it you would like to know about the Seven Kingdoms?”

  She finished a drink of water, “Can you tell me about Lord Tywin Lannister?”

  USS Savannah, 8:30 am, November 3rd, 2025

  “So, basically the kingdom has been more or less at peace for the last 17 years since King Robert came to power?” Kelly questioned, leaning in with great interest. Reading was one thing, but hearing it from someone who actually lived through it was another.

  “Indeed, other than the Greyjoy Rebellion, which was less than a war and more of a spat of some angry pirate lord wanting to be a king, gods damned his drowned soul, Balon. And what did it cost him? Death of his two sons, and his third? Taken as hostage to become ward for Lord Eddard Stark in the North. Leaving him with only a girl as the real option for his heir. Folly, absolute folly, I say.” The Maester had just finished his second “Bottled Water”, he had been talking non-stop, he could get used to this clean water that they brought with them.

  The Riverman was just about to open his third when one of the “US Marines”, he had learned what they were called, apparently because of their…Corps were established as a ship-boarding force during the founding era of their realm before being reformed as an elite expeditionary force, which came to both of them in a hurry.

  “Ma’am” the female Marine looks to him, “Sir” and looks back to Kelly. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but the Lord Commander is riding back here with 3 others. And he doesn’t seem happy. Best you two come outside.”

  “Oh boy, do you think he’s mad about the Maester?” Kelly says, rising from her chair. “We don’t mean to cause an international incident.”

  He is still getting used to the way the Ambassador speaks and her strange words. “Well Lady Kelly, the message from Lord Tywin must have come back. And noticing me not there to receive it must have sent him into some notion of me being here. And the formation of your ships so close to us, the Lords must think it's a blockade.”

  “I guess we’ll just have to explain things to him. Won’t we?” She retorts with a smile.

  USS Savannah, 8:33 am, November 3rd, 2025

  “Captain Richard!” The Lord Commander yells from his horse. Two city watchmen at his side, swords in hand. “Why have you blockaded the city, and why have you kidnapped Maester Lorwell? Answer! Bastard!”

  The Captain's sidearm, an M18 MHS, was out from its holster but not yet pointing at the Lord Commander.

  The Marines on the other hand? It was a different story.

  “Lord Commander, we have not kidnapped your Maester! He came here of his own free will. He did not have to go inside the Savannah, but he did! So would you please tell your men to stand down? And for you to come off your horse so we can talk like civilized men?”

  Hearing it, the Lord Commander's face immediately went red with anger, “You dare to give me commands? A Lannister? You? A peasant, a foreign bastard! I will have you and your men's heads on spikes if the Maester does not come out now! Unharmed!”

  Richard put his sidearm safety off. But before he could respond, an older shouting voice came from behind him.

  “My Lord, please! Everything that the Captain says, it is true!” The Maester came running down to stop the potential fight, “I came down of my own will, to see the strangers with my own eyes. You would not escort me. As for the blockade, it is simply for their own protection. Not to prevent ships and traders from entering the Lannisport.” The Maester said as he walked slowly to the Lord Commander, “Please, Torren, sheath your steel for the sake of the city and all of us.”

  Looking from the Maester, a man who practically raised him, to the strangers, then back. With a sigh, he finally responded,

  “Stand down men of the Watch.” Shink, Shink, Shink, noises of swords being sheathed filled the air

  Lord Commander Torren dismounted his horse and moved to the Maester. “I am sorry Maester Lorwell, I misjudged.” Looking to the strangers, “And to you, Captain Richard, please forgive me for the things I have said. Even if it was a misunderstanding, it was simply unbecoming for me to say that.”

  Looking at Kelly, she gives a subtle nod. “Alright. Stand down.” The Captain says as he puts his sidearm on safety. The Marines lower their rifles, again. “All is forgiven, Now why did you come racing down here all “gung ho "?"

  Both the Maester and Lord Commander were confused with the term, “Pardon me, Captain Richard, but what does “gung ho” mean? I’ve never heard that word before. It sounds like Yi Tish language.” the Maester asked.

  “It means eager, but that's not important right now. Kelly gave a very short answer. “Why come racing down?” The three watched as the Lord Commander took from a pocket two rolled parchments. One was a Black Wax seal that was broken, and the other was a bright Green Wax seal, unbroken. Kelly had not known anything about specially colored wax seals. “What do the colors mean Maester Lorwell?” Looking to him for an answer.

  The Maester cleared his throat, “The Black Wax means urgent matters, and the Green is for diplomatic matters. Lord Commander Torren, what did the Black one say?”

  “It was an instruction from my lord father, Lord Tyran Lannister, and Lord Tywin Lannister. They commanded me to come here with the Maester and read the contents of the Black Wax sealed parchment. It contains the reply to the message I sent about the strangers from the “United States of America” for you to read aloud.” The Lord Commander says, giving the Green Wax Sealed parchment to the Maester.

  Taking the parchment, he breaks the seal. cough cough

  “To the envoys of the United States of America

  We welcome you to Westeros, but before we have these talks you speak of. We command you to remove the blockade of Lannisport and move the ships one league out into the Sunset Sea. If you do not, under the name of King Robert of the House Baratheon, the first of his name. King of the Andals, and the Rhoynars, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realms laws, your blockade will be considered a Declaration of War against the Seven Kingdoms.

  - Lord Tywin Lannister, Warden of the West”

  Silence fell upon the pier once Maester Lorwell finished the message.

  “Welp” Captain Richard broke the silence, “See, I knew he would be pissed. The guy clearly has an ego that rivals the size of his own mountain.” looking at Kelly with a face screaming, “I told you so,” before adding on, “So what do we do now?”.

  “We throw the lion a bone. Do you have any drones that could reach Casterly Rock onboard? And that can hold things, such as a message?” Kelly asks, with what seems to be a glimmer in her eyes.

  Captain Richard ponders for a moment, thinking about all the supplies onboard the USS Savannah. “We do have one, the problem is that it's too big to go on the balcony up there. The thrust from the blades in a confined space would not be good for both the drone and message. Not to mention that it could potentially hurt someone, which would be disastrous for our diplomatic outreach..”

  “Captain Richard. Lady Kelly. I have a suggestion.” The Lord Commander chimes in, much calmer than before, “At the top of Casterly Rock, there's a massive grass courtyard used for sword training and events. You could send this… “Drone” there. Would that work?”

  “I think that could work, Lord Commander.” The Captain gives a subtle nod to Kelly. Walks over to the finished canopy, grabs a radio off a table, and talks into it to update them on the current developments.

  “Could one of you get me a pen and paper with an envelope please?” Kelly asked one of the Marines before turning to the Maester and Lord Commander, “So how big is this courtyard?”

  15 Minutes Later…

  The Captains of the carrier battle group were the first ones that Captain Richard called informing them of the plan and the conditions. They were simple, just move the ships back 3 miles. And a drone would be sent to deliver a message handwritten by Kelly herself. Then once they had written their reply they put it in a box on top of the drone and flew it back down.

  The drone operator and the controls are to be set up underneath the canopy. Mainly so both the Maester and Lord Commander can be witnesses in the drone operation to prevent more misunderstanding. Needless to say, the drone in question was a very interesting contraption to the two Westerosi.It looked almost like a dog, but all of these… sticks were sticking out of its back. Six of them to be exact. Each end had what seemed to be fins, like the ones on fish, which when explained were called “Propeller Blades” and they cut through the air lifting it to fly to the sky.

  “Fly? Like a bird or dragon? Surely you must be jesting, Captain Richard.” The Lord Commander almost scoffed at the idea understandably.

  “No, we are not Lord Commander, this will be what we use to send our message to Lord Tywin.” answered Kelly firmly.

  “That’s why you called it after a male bee? But from my days of studying at the Citadel, I have never read any books that said it was possible to make something fly the way you described.” The Maester skeptically asked.

  “Then I suggest taking the notes from what we are doing, and trust when we say that you’re going to write a lot of notes, as this is only the beginning of what will come.” answers the Captain somewhat cryptically much to the Maester and Lord Commander’s confusion.

  The material of which it was made out of very much puzzled the Maester, when questioned one of the “Drone Mechanics” took a piece off. Which scared the Maester, he thought he just watched the animal be skinned. The “Mechanics” simply laughed at the idea.

  The material was called “Carbon Fiber,” the… “Mechanics,” these Americans always come up with strange terms, explaining it as a super light fabric material, stronger than steel, he claimed. This Fabric had been painted a bright orange, so it could be seen more easily during the day. Which alone was strange. “Fabric stronger than steel?” The Lord Commander Laughed at that, but the “Mechanic” was willing to demonstrate but there was no time. Kelly was ready with the reply for Lord Tywin.

  “Alright, everyone. Please stand clear of the drone.” Captain Richard called, “Lord Commander, please tell your men to move as well on the other side,” he said pointing to the few guards opposite of them. The Lord Commander waved for them to move back.

  As all of this was going on, the city market across from the pier was starting to form a crowd of onlookers. Farmers looking to sell their goods, Mothers with newborn babies in their arms, orphans, children, fishermen, merchants, city watchmen, and even begging brothers. People from all walks of life, they are all watching.

  With the area around the drone being cleared off, the operator started the final inspection. After the inspections were done, the Drone finally came to life, emitting strange buzzing noises like a hive of wasps were just disrupted. Its lights also began to blink. The Captain patted the operator's shoulder, giving the go-ahead.

  “Drone takeoff in. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Take off”

  Air rushed all around it, flapping cloaks, scattering dust. It was astonishing.

  bbbzzzzzzzzzzzz

  The drone lifted slowly, then flew higher and higher and higher. Not too long, it was already 10 feet off the ground, it was a sight to behold. The drone turned in the direction of Casterly Rock.

  zzzzzzz ZZZZZZZZ—

  It finally launched, the first flier in Westeros after the extinction of the dragons finally flew, and in just few seconds, gone in a few blinks of an eye.

  “I-it is true! I-it really can fly!” The Lord Commander practically jumped at the display that he didn’t believe was possible minutes earlier. “Maester, am I really not drunk again as of this moment?”

  “Y-yes Torren, you’re not drunk now. But…how was that possible!? No man has ever commanded something to fly since the era of the dragons!” The Maester asked.

  The “Drone” then disappeared right before his eyes. Turning into a small orange dot, heading for Casterly Rock. Unsurprisingly, screams of surprise came from every Westerosi who sees the flier. Even louder from the Market. Children scream with joy thinking that the stories of old are coming true once again.

  Many watchers began to pray, whether it be The Seven, or for a few Northmen in the city,to The Old Gods. What they just witnessed was something out of stories.

  “It seems the crowd liked it. But there will actually be more to come. Right?” Richard says to Kelly, eyes on the marketplace. “Oh yeah, definitely,” She replies.

  “So. What did you write for our old lion friend? In the letter I mean?” He questioned her.

  She gave him a smirk, “Oh. You know, simply an appropriate response for a man like him.”

  Casterly Rock, Lions Field, 9:05 am, July 26th, 298 After Aegon's Conquest

  The Courtyard of Casterly Rock, also known as the Lion’s Field. Was a massive plot of grass, imported from the early days of the castle's construction. More specifically the region of the former Reach Kingdom of old. The Field was 125 Yards long and 60 Yards wide. The main use of the Lion’s Field is for sword training, horse riding, archery practice, feasts, weddings, and other important events.

  It has been a few years since such things like that have happened here sadly, but Lord Tywin has commanded that the Lion’s Field be kept, “A Lion keeps its fur groomed” he would always say when asked.

  At this moment, two Lannister household guards were patrolling the Lion’s Field. Always two, no less. To keep their minds occupied, and to not get bored a bard would be rotated out every few hours to keep the guards company. At this moment, the bard, a man from Braavos, was tuning his Lute for another song.

  “Ay! Braavosi! Play “The Dornishman’s Wife” would ya! I'll give you a stag to play it extra special!”

  “Cough up the stag first,” The stout man said with a strong accent. “Then I shall play you the song!” He watched as the Lannister Guard reached into his pocket and flung a piece of silver at him, catching it and examining the piece. The face of Robert I Baratheon, the tails a silver stag. “Thank you, My Lord.” He said with a bow even though they weren’t “Lords” calling them that made them want to pay him more. Cough cough He cleared his throat to begin the song.

  The Dornishman's wife was as fair as the sun,

  and her kisses were warmer than spring.

  But the Dornishman's blade was made of black steel,

  and its kiss was a terrible thing.

  The bard began to dance around the guards, doing what they paid for. Exaggerated moves. Bounding steps with each cord.

  The Dornishman's wife would sing as she bathed,

  in a voice that was sweet as a peach,

  But the Dornishman's blade had a song of its own,

  and a bite sharp… and cold.. as… a… leech…

  Bbbzzzzzzzzzzz

  Suddenly, a strange noise, like the sound of bees, distracted the bard. Each time he would try to start and sing again it would return.It was getting so loud even the Lannister guards were hearing it.

  “What in the seven hells is that noise?” one asked, looking around. “As if I know.” The other said, looking into the grass, then at the bard.

  “You have anything to do with this, Braavosi?” He questioned the bard from Braavos. Looking along with the guards, “Of course not my lord, I do not have the power to create such a noise” he said, shrugging. The bard's fine blue and gold clothes stand out in the yard.

  “Up there! Look at the sky!” The guard farthest from the two said, pointing his spear in the sky.

  Matching his gaze, they see something small up in the sky. Maybe 40 - 50 feet. Bright and orange as… Well, an Orange. It hangs in the sky like a chandelier, lights like candles in six places, but not of yellow. They were red and green, as vibrant as the orange.

  “By the Seven! It’s coming right towards us!” The guard next to the Braavosi yelled, readying his spear to attack. All three watched as this… strange flying chandelier slowly lowered to the ground, blowing air and dirt around.

  As if it was watching them in bemusement, it didn't attack the people in the Lions Field. Then it landed softly on the grass. The wasp noise stopped abruptly, and so did the gusts of air.

  “You there! Go get Lord Tywin! He will need to know about this.” Yelling at the farthest guard giving him a nod, he makes his way to the nearest door.

  Slowly, both the bard and Lannister Guard proceeded cautiously towards what they presumed to be the front of the “chandelier.” Hanging to the edge of this strange contraption was a lens, like you would find on a Myrish Eye, but it was odd-looking.

  VVVVVVV vvvvv

  The lens suddenly moves! Startled, the bard falls back on his arse. Wanting to run away from it, but he feels this “eye” looking at him. Studying him. It moved to the Lannister Guard nearby, and it did startle him, but not as much as the bard.

  “Wh-wh-what kind of flying demon are you? S-state your business if you can speak!” The guard composes himself and points the end of his spear at the thing. But it says nothing. He asks again. Still nothing. Moving the spear closer to poke at it. The “eye” moved side to side. The universal sign for “No”

  “Hmm? It seems to understand you, Westerosi. I think.” The bard says, standing up and brushing himself off. “I wonder what it wants?”

  As if answering him, the “thing” makes more noises. But from a box on its “back,” if you could call it that. This box is about the size of a jewelry box the high ladies would have to keep all their gems and other expensive accessories. The lid slowly opens to reveal writing on its underside.

  “Message for Lord Tywin” was written underneath.

  https://www.reddit.com/r/nihonkoku_shoukan/comments/1ipnlhl/the_storm_chapter_6_messages_chapter_is_up_now/