The heavy oak door of his new chambers in Myrosh castle closed behind Maegor with a satisfying thud, sealing him off from the bustling sounds of the newly conquered stronghold. He was alone, finally, with the hum of the System and the whisper of ancient desires. His initial pronouncements had been met with awe, fear, and reluctant acceptance. Now came the quiet work, the planning, and the reaping of rewards.
He brought forth the System interface, its luminous presence a stark contrast to the rough stone walls of his chamber. Five new Game of Chance Cards awaited him, shimmering with potential. His heart, despite his pragmatic nature, held a sliver of anticipation.
He touched the first card. It spun, then revealed itself.
[ Game of Chance Result: Common Item Acquired! ]
Reward: Gold Dragons (Common)
Description: A small cache of standard coinage. Contains 150 Gold Dragons.Maegor grunted. More coin. Useful, but hardly exciting. He set it aside mentally. He had over ten thousand now, this was a small addition.
He tapped the second card.[ Game of Chance Result: Common Item Acquired! ]
Reward: Common Spear
Description: A sturdy, well-made spear of standard design. Reliable in combat, but lacks any special properties or enhancements.Another common. He already had the Serpent's Sting, a far superior weapon. This was fodder for his guards, perhaps.
The third card.[ Game of Chance Result: Common Ability Acquired! ]
Reward: Basic Survival Skills (Common)
Description: Enhanced knowledge of foraging, tracking, and wilderness survival. Useful for extended travel or living off the land.
Maegor almost scoffed. Basic survival. He had been taught that by Mormont from a young age, honed by years on the Wall. Still, the System recorded it. Perhaps it meant a more intuitive understanding, or a broader application.
The fourth card.[ Game of Chance Result: Common Item Acquired! ]
Reward: Common Sword
Description: A standard longsword. Balanced and functional, but unremarkable.Yet another common weapon. He laid it aside with the spear. His Royal Guard could make use of them.
Finally, the fifth card.[ Game of Chance Result: Common Item Acquired! ]
Reward: Common Bow
Description: A simple, yet functional wooden bow with a quiver of standard arrows.Maegor stared at the results. All common. Not a single uncommon, despite the cumulative increase in odds. A flicker of annoyance, quickly suppressed. The System was a tool, not a wishing well. He already had immense power, an army, and a dragon. He wouldn't complain about these minor acquisitions.
The System then updated, presenting a new quest, a reflection of the grand plan he had just set in motion.[ New Quest: ]
Objective: Consolidate Myrosh
Oversee the successful construction of new housing for the Dothraki Khalasar in the Myrosh region.Ensure the initial Myrosh Castle Guards are fully recruited (100 men) and undergoing rigorous training.Begin initial training for Viserys Targaryen in both knowledge and swordmastery.
Reward:
2 Uncommon Game of Chance Cards (with 2% increased chance for higher rarity)5 Common Game of Chance Cards
Maegor nodded. This was practical. Foundation building. It would require his direct oversight, his firm hand. More cards too, though the '2% increased chance' for uncommon amused him with its subtle promise.
He dismissed the System interface, the quiet hum fading. The adrenaline of conquest and declaration was ebbing, leaving behind a different kind of longing. His declaration regarding Daenerys was years away from fulfillment, a strategic move more than a present desire. But his Lineage Focus: Progeny Drive (Active) pulsed with an undeniable insistence, and the raw, unyielding desires of Maegor the Cruel echoed in his very soul. He needed children. He needed heirs. And he was a man of twenty-one, in the prime of his power.
He walked to the door of his chambers, his thoughts turning to one of his loyal few. A northern hunter. Strong, resourceful, capable. And undeniably attractive, with the rugged beauty of the wildlands.
He strode down the torchlit corridor, the castle quietening for the night. He reached Lyra's bedchambers and knocked, a soft, deliberate rap.
After a moment, the door creaked open. Lyra stood there, her long, brown hair a bit disheveled, her eyes, sharp even in the dim light, widened slightly in surprise. She was twenty-five, older than Maegor by a few years, a seasoned hunter from the unforgiving North. Her features were strong, practical, etched by the elements rather than refined by courtly life. She was dressed simply, in practical underclothes that outlined her lean, athletic form.
"My lord?" she questioned, her voice quiet, a hint of confusion in it.
Maegor met her gaze. He felt the pull of the ancient Maegor, direct and unburdened by Westerosi niceties. He needed a capable, loyal woman who understood the raw necessities of power, who could bear him strong children. Lyra was loyal, she was strong, she was intelligent, and she was already sworn to him.
"Lyra," Maegor said, his voice low, his purple eyes holding hers, his Draconic Persuasion subtly at play, stripping away hesitation, instilling a deep, almost instinctual acceptance. "Enter. There are matters we must discuss. Matters of… legacy. And loyalty."
He stepped back, opening the door wider. Lyra, her gaze fixed on his, hesitated for only a fraction of a second, then, with a quiet nod, she stepped across the threshold. The door closed softly behind them, leaving the ancient castle to its secrets and the beginnings of a new dynasty.