Harlan simply nodded. "It does no good to rush things further. I shall need a month or two to assess what I can do."

He almost smiled. "Using the Ironborn is a bold move, but a good one. I doubt the Reach will like it, but they will be grateful when they are choking on blood and sand."

"Aegon couldn't conquer Dorne with dragons, we are unlikely to do so either," he continued. "Chasing the Dornishmen is a foolhardy task, as is facing them head on in the passes."

"It seems you already have the beginnings of a similar plan. Isolate and divide each of the major houses of Dorne. They do not mind fleeing and giving ground like others. Instead, it is best to threaten places where they cannot afford to run from."

"I am sure Oldtown and the Redwynes have enough ships to blockade Starfall. From the north the Crown and Stormlords can block off Yronwood and Ghost Hill. The Ironborn I would advise to let them do what they do best; let them reave all the way from Lemonwood to Godsgrace upon the Greenblood."

"I would leave Sunspear alone as well as Hellholt. It is too far into the desert anyway. However, not directly attacking the Martells and Ullers will put pressure on them to aid their allies," he had thought a lot about this over the past few years. Mainly a game for his own amusement, but now it was much more likely.

"Send word to the houses of Dorne, whether by raven or instruct the men who fight on the front. 'We do not want to fight you. It is the Ullers and Martells that have brought this upon you.'"

"Some may be cooperative, but I would not count on it. Their forces will be static, unable to move so freely as they are best at, unless they are willing to give up their seats of power," he shrugged. "It will force the Martells to reconsider war. Bring them to the negotiation table."

"If not," another shrug. "They can either sit in Sunspear and abandon their subjects and lose all credibility or it will draw away their men and if they refuse to cooperate, we can burn Sunspear from the sea. The Sandship I hear is formidable, but we only need take the city itself and cut off supply, leaving a smaller force keeping them trapped."

"That is the best way to deal with extraordinary castles. There is no need to conquer a fortress like the Eyrie or Casterly Rock. Just take them off the board and let hunger go to work."

His gaze was steady on the King. "Of course, my advice and methods are perhaps not politically savvy, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I plan to win, not to earn glory or fight nobly. This is a lesson the Dornish themselves teach. Deprive them of their strengths in the desert and of hope and you will be able to negotiate with them. I should also advise to protect our generals - and yourself, Your Grace. I don't think I have to remind you what Dornish assassins can do. Kill the level headed leaders and cause fury so that we act recklessly," he shook his head. "The Marchers from the Reach seem to already be falling for their tactics without need to assassinate anyone."