Wizard Lord of Westeros-Chapter 388: Lord Bolton’s Claim

WILOW-Ch.388: Lord Bolton's Claim

Northern Host Camp, Riverlands

POV of Lord Eddard Stark

"Will separating the North from the Seven Kingdoms really help us during the Long Night? We need the South's support in many things, especially food. And even if your nephew wanted to support us, the Southern Lords wouldn't so readily support another kingdom." Lord Manderly asked.

"Our dependence on food has been greatly reduced thanks to Lord Bolton, and the Southern Lords must support us at Long Night. If the North falls, Westeros falls." He said.

"If the Southern Lords believe us about the White Walkers, then what you're saying is valid. What if they don't? Besides, what does Lord Bolton think about this? Don't get me wrong, Lord Stark, but Lord Bolton is currently the most powerful house in the North, and I don't think he'll easily accept you becoming King of the North after you put your nephew on the Iron Throne." Lord Glover said.

Eddard could now see the divisions among the Northern Lords and who they supported more clearly.

Many Lords supported Lord Bolton, even if he wasn't here.

Because they seemed more uncomfortable with the Starks taking over the North than with the North becoming a separate kingdom.

He now understood much better the reason for Lord Bolton's envoys' visits to the Lords months earlier.

This news had reached him quite late, and when he learned of it, he found out that Lord Bolton's envoys had gone around to many Lords, discussing the legitimacy of the Lannister children and advising them to prepare for a possible civil war.

Frankly, at that time, he thought Lord Bolton was plotting a rebellion against him and was checking which Lords he could win over.

But his thoughts were completely wrong.

What Lord Bolton was preparing wasn't a rebellion, but something far greater. And he could now see the fruits of Lord Bolton's preparations.

And in this situation, he had no choice but to mention Lord Bolton's Imperial Plan and appease the Northern Lords.

At least Lord Bolton hadn't chosen a bloody path against him as he had anticipated, and for that he was grateful.

"Actually, Lord Glover, it was Lord Bolton himself who proposed this plan and wanted me to be King in the North, just as he wanted Jon to ascend the Iron Throne." He said.

"What? Why?" Lord Glover asked in astonishment.

But he could see that astonishment on almost everyone's face.

"Because of the other request I'll mention shortly." He said.

"Another request?" Lord Manderly asked.

"Yes. Actually, this is Lord Bolton's request, and I support him; I ask that you do the same. Lord Bolton wants you to support him in his claim." He said.

"His claim? What exactly is the lad claiming? Another kingdom?" Lord Greatjon Umber asked.

"Sort of, but not exactly. Lord Bolton wants to build an empire and become its emperor." He said. And this time, the Lords and Ladies seemed more confused than surprised.

"Empire? Emperor? What are these, Lord Stark? What exactly is Lord Bolton aiming for? Please explain," Lady Mormont demanded.

"In short, Lord Bolton plans to establish multiple kingdoms in Westeros. By bringing these kingdoms under his control, he intends to declare all of Westeros his empire. Once he becomes emperor, all the kings subject to him will be forced to kneel and obey him." He explained.

"So this lad plans to be the next Aegon the Conqueror. But there's no need to throw this imperial nonsense around. If he has the power, taking the Iron Throne will be enough for him," Lord Greatjon Umber said.

"No one will accept his claim to the Iron Throne without a legitimate claim. He has no blood relation to the Targaryens." Lord Karstark said.

Before another argument could arise, he interrupted and said, "Lord Bolton's aim is not the Iron Throne. He wants to dominate all of Westeros, including the lands beyond the Wall. And he wants to do this with a New Order."

"New Order?" Lord Ryswell asked.

"Yes. After Aegon conquered all of Westeros, he united all the kingdoms under his rule and declared himself the sole king. But Lord Bolton, in his new imperial order as Emperor, plans to allow kingdoms and kings to exist under his rule and govern their own territories. The kingdoms will be able to establish their own laws and act according to their own traditions." He explained.

"Then why do we need an Empire and an Emperor?" Lady Mormont asked.

"In an Empire, even if kings make their own rules, they must rule within the boundaries of the Empire. If the Empire forbids slavery, no kingdom can enact laws that go against it. And if a general situation arises concerning Westeros, the Empire will take control." He said.

"Matters that concern all of Westeros? What kind?" Lord Karstark asked.

"If a kingdom rebels, the Emperor can call upon other kingdoms to join his army in battle, or if Westeros faces an external attack, he can assemble an army composed of men from all the kingdoms. Or, if a kingdom suffers from a food shortage, he can intervene to call upon other kingdoms to help it." He said.

"Or he could have all the kingdoms send men for the Long Night." Lord Ryswell said.

"Yes. Exactly." He said.

"Does Lord Bolton have plans to establish another kingdom? Like the Kingdom of the North?" Lord Manderly asked.

"Lord Bolton didn't say anything definitive on this, but he did say that the Iron Islands and Dorne, like the North, have long since broken away from the power of the Iron Throne and have their own cultures and gods. Therefore, I think a kingdom could be established in either place." He said.

"That's right, these three places are quite far from the Iron Throne and generally have different cultures. So, with these three new kingdoms, there will be a total of four kingdoms in Westeros under Lord Bolton's rule?" Lord Ryswell asked.

"Considering that there will be a kingdom beyond the Wall after the Long Night, that makes a total of five. And Lord Bolton intends to make the current Bolton Lands the Imperial Capital." He said.

"If we consider it in terms of preparation for the Long Night, this seems like the best scenario for us. Moreover, the new Emperor, King of the Iron Throne and King of the North, will have northern blood. Why not?" Lord Ryswell said.

"The lad may not possess dragons, but he possesses wyverns. If anyone is to seize control of all of Westeros, it's him. But will we be able to win over the other Lords?" Lord Greatjon Umber asked.

"The Tyrells have already accepted the terms. They only demanded that Margaery Tyrell become Queen after Jon ascended the Iron Throne and became a King. It is up to us to convince the Lords of the Riverlands and the Vale." He said.

"If we win this war, the Westerlands and Stormlands will have no choice but to follow us, but what about Dorne?" Lord Glover asked.

"Lord Bolton said he would take care of Iron Island and Dorne himself." He answered. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The Lords appear to be beginning to accept Lord Bolton's idea, and the meeting only went in a better direction from there on, as the Lords started wondering about ways to keep the Vale and Riverlands Lords on our side.

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Next Chapters' Name:

Ch.389: Convincing the Northern Lords

Ch.390: The State of the Lannister Army

Ch.391: Saving the Damsel