Johanna Swann
Johanna Swann was born into a noble Westerosi family and rose to become one of the most powerful women in Lys, where she was known as the Black Swan.
Her story begins in slavery and ends with her ruling the city in all but name, and the rivalry two men fought over her favor lit the spark of a war between Free Cities.
Chapter 1
The Black Swan of Lys
Books only
Viserys I TargaryenJohanna was the niece of Lord Swann, lord of Stonehelm during the reign of Viserys I Targaryen. When the Triarchy that had cleared the Stepstones of pirates began charging tolls and letting its captains seize women and children to sell as bed slaves, fifteen-year-old Johanna was caught in their net.
Her uncle, a tight-fisted man, refused to pay her ransom, and she was sold to a Lysene pleasure house. Over time she made a name for herself there: they called her the Black Swan, and she came to rule Lys in all but name.
Chapter 2
The War of the Daughters
131 ACBooks only
Sharako LoharIn 131 AC, admiral Sharako Lohar was competing for the Black Swan's favor with another man, who ended up killing him.
The Lysene did not read it as a crime of passion but as a political killing, and that death sparked the War of the Daughters.