Aemon's health had always been good. He fainted for only a short while before regaining consciousness, showing no aftereffects. In fact, his spirits were even better than before.
However, after the initial joy of discovering that House Targaryen finally had an heir, Aemon's attitude toward Daenerys subtly changed.
There was now a sense of reverence toward his queen.
Having lived more than a century, the old man had seen too many things and too many people, yet Daenerys's decision to exchange her son with the enemy's was still something he found utterly incomprehensible and terrifying.
After all, she had only been fifteen years old at the time!And under those circumstances...
The old man began to recall what the Targaryen ancestors had been doing at fifteen—either chasing women or playing with wildfire.If they had been in Daenerys's position, what would they have done?
Perhaps only someone with her level of composure and cunning could succeed.
House Targaryen truly seemed blessed after great misfortune. Once on the brink of extinction, in less than twenty years it now flourished again and stood on the verge of reclaiming the title of the most powerful royal house in the world.
Or maybe, as the Westerosi saying went: "Every time a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin to decide whether they'll be great or mad."
If the Mad King was madness incarnate, and Rhaegar was folly itself, then perhaps Daenerys's greatness existed to balance them both.
From that day onward, old Aemon devoted all his energy to teaching Simba.
He had made the boy's education the purpose of his remaining life.
With Jogo guiding Simba in martial arts and Aemon instructing him in wisdom and statecraft, Daenerys finally felt at ease. She turned her attention entirely to the coming battle for Meereen.
On the third day after Simba's arrival in Meereen, news arrived from Dragonstone: a week earlier, Aegon Targaryen had led "Black Death Balerion" to launch a surprise attack and capture Storm's End.
Aegon and Tyrion each commanded a swamp dragon—two of the largest dragons in Daenerys's forces, each capable of carrying more than a ton of weight. Aegon's makeshift "Black Death" alone could bear two and a half tons.
Thanks to this, with a single wave of assault, they managed to bring twenty fully armored knights onto the walls of Storm's End.
They first cleared the watchtowers and outer defenses with firebombs, then transported another two hundred knights up onto the ramparts.
Aside from the lack of magic, Aegon's method of taking Storm's End was nearly identical to how Daenerys had seized Dragonstone.
Storm's End had barely over a hundred guards, demoralized after losing contact with the Baratheons for so long. With their fighting spirit gone, even defending the castle seemed meaningless.
Fewer than ten men were killed or injured before Aegon took the fortress.
With Storm's End as his foundation, the ten thousand mercenaries of the Golden Company successfully landed in Westeros.
Across the Seven Kingdoms, within a week of Aegon's victory, few beyond the Stormlands even noticed his arrival—only faint rumors spread among the nobility.
First, Aegon's conquest had been swift, the entire battle ending within half a day.Second, Tyrion had deliberately kept their movements quiet.
According to Tyrion's original plan:
First step: Reorganize the army, allowing the Golden Company to rest after their long march and restore their strength.
Second step: Reconnect with House Martell of Dorne as the son of Elia, rekindling old ties.
Third step: As the nephew of Prince Doran and the Dragon Queen, subdue the major lords of the Stormlands and establish himself as their rightful ruler.
Fourth step: Formally ally with Dorne under his titles as Rhaegar's son and Duke of the Stormlands.
Fifth step: Declare his claim to the Iron Throne to the nobles of Westeros, rallying houses that still supported the Targaryens or bore grudges against the Lannisters.
Sixth step: Unite Dorne, the Stormlands, and the Targaryen loyalists into a grand alliance. As its leader, Aegon would march north to King's Landing and claim the Iron Throne.
In Tyrion's plan, Aegon's identity would shift at each stage, gradually consolidating genuine power until his claim as the "true dragon" became unquestionable.
This world had never lacked fools or madmen—but it had no shortage of clever people either.
Aegon claimed to be "the son of Rhaegar and Elia," yet Tyrion himself did not fully believe it. He wasn't sure whether Daenerys truly believed the claim or simply found it convenient.
Crab suspected him, cousin Quentyn didn't believe it, and cousin Arianne didn't either.Why, then, would the nobles of Westeros believe it?
But when Aegon appeared before the world riding a dragon, leading the lords of the Stormlands and the Golden Company, whether or not he was truly Rhaegar's son no longer mattered—he was a true dragon.
How to put it...Tyrion's plan was steady and realistic. Unfortunately, Aegon refused to accept it.
He thought it was too complicated and too time-consuming.
"We left Slaver's Bay to seize the opportunity after Kevan's death threw King's Landing into chaos!If we're going to sit around and play it safe, we might as well have stayed there and waited for my aunt to finish her business!" Aegon argued.
Tyrion had no response.
He couldn't tell Aegon the deeper meaning behind his plan: that no matter whether Aegon was truly Rhaegar's son or not, through power and victory, he could make it true.
But in Aegon's mind, he was unquestionably Rhaegar and Elia's son—the Dragon Queen's eldest nephew—and there was nothing to doubt.
Aegon's view of his own identity clashed with Tyrion's perception of it, creating a rift in their vision for the future of "Aegon VI."
As soon as the Golden Company was ready, Aegon sent ravens far and wide, announcing that Aegon VI had arrived in Westeros. Once Dragonstone received word, Daenerys would inevitably learn of it too.
Still, Aegon did not completely ignore Tyrion's advice. During that same week after taking Storm's End, he also sent letters to "Uncle Doran" and the lords of the Stormlands.
The letters were written with utmost sincerity:
"I am the son of Rhaegar and Elia, saved in secret by Lord Varys.For seventeen years, I was raised under the care of Ser Jon Connington. In the past year, I traveled to Slaver's Bay to study the art of rulership under my aunt, Queen Daenerys.
(She had intended to make me a magistrate in Meereen, but I declined. Instead, Maester Aemon taught me the wisdom and strategy of kings.)
My aunt took her oath unaware of my existence, so our views on the Iron Throne differ.Yet I have no wish to break her vow. I speak only for myself."
Aegon Targaryen and Daenerys Targaryen are of the same bloodline, two branches of one family. She acknowledges that my claim of succession stands above hers, yet she refuses to take responsibility for my actions.
So, I need the support of my uncle—and of all the lords here.
I swear to bring true peace to the Seven Kingdoms.
I swear that if the Long Night returns, I will stand at the front lines.
I swear that I do not seek the Iron Throne out of vengeance. I desire justice to be upheld, and I will convene a Great Council to resolve the grievances of the previous generation through fair judgment. (That part I learned from my aunt, Daenerys.)
Aegon revealed everything—his life, his current situation, and his future plans—openly to everyone.
He was utterly sincere.
When he handed the letter to Tyrion and asked for his counsel, the dwarf suddenly felt a strong desire rise within him: he hoped he had been wrong, that Varys and Illyrio had not deceived anyone, and that Aegon truly was Rhaegar and Elia's son—the true dragon.
He might never be as great as the Dragon Queen, but he would surely make a good king. At the very least, serving him would be a hundred times more comfortable than serving her, Tyrion thought.
Hmm. Ministers don't want their king to be a fool, but neither do they want a ruler too clever—certainly not cleverer than themselves. Otherwise, how could they ever manipulate him?
It had to be said: Westeros was in such ruin now that even sincerity had become a rare virtue.
Especially for those cunning old foxes.
Tyrion was moved by Aegon's earnestness and passion; Prince Doran, too, acknowledged Aegon's character and felt a flicker of emotion. He sincerely hoped that Varys had not lied, that Aegon truly was who he claimed to be. With such a nephew, Doran thought, it would all be worth it.
"You will take a swift ship to Storm's End," Doran told Arianne. "See this Aegon VI for yourself."
"What am I supposed to see? Even the Dragon Queen was deceived. I doubt I could tell whether he's real or not," Arianne said.
"Whether he's genuine or not is of little importance," Doran's eyes gleamed as he replied softly. "What truly matters is whether he has the heart and strength to claim the Iron Throne."
"Father, would you truly allow a pretender to sit upon the throne under the name of Aunt Elia's son?" Arianne asked in disbelief.
Doran closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the last trace of hesitation was gone. His voice rang firm and clear. "Dorne must have vengeance against the Lannisters.
I wish to see justice done for my sister Elia before I die.
And you, my daughter, deserve a husband who is both noble in appearance and honorable in spirit.
Perhaps Aegon can fulfill all three of these wishes—and that will be enough."
Now that they were in the age of wyverns, Arianne had no intention of spending half a month slowly drifting across the sea.
She sent for Tyrion, and the two flew back to Storm's End together.
This time, the Dornish princess did not fool around with Tyrion—he invited her to share his bed, but she refused.
She was playful, yes, but she had principles. She knew how to be a proper wife.
"My father intends for me to marry Aegon," she said. "I'm here to assess my future husband."
The "Little" Lion lowered his head, somewhat dejected.
Arianne's arrival delighted Aegon, but the reaction from the lords of the Stormlands left him both embarrassed and infuriated.
Boy, I'm not stupid or senile. I remember well what Tywin did. Rhaegar's son was dashed against a wall long ago!—From Lord Clinton of the Eyrie, a relative of Jon Arryn. After Jon's exile, his title and castle passed to a cadet branch.
Your madness doesn't prove you have Targaryen blood, impostor!—From Lord Gullian Swann of Stonehelm. (His younger son, Balon Swann, is a member of the Kingsguard, currently loyal to the Lannisters, though during the War of the Five Kings he served both Renly and Stannis.)
Some replies were harsh, born of conflicting interests; others came from neutral houses who preferred to hedge their bets—neither mocking Aegon nor offering genuine support, only polite words of evasion.
Even so, there were Dragon loyalists among the Stormlords—or nobles sympathetic to their cause—who offered Aegon discreet but sound advice.
For example, Lord Arstan Selmy of Harvest Hall, great-nephew of Barristan the Bold, was moved by Aegon's sincerity in his letter and offered this earnest counsel:
"Your Grace, since your actions represent only yourself and have no connection to the Dragon Queen, you will need Lord Varys.
You must have him step forward—bathed in the light of the Seven—before all the realm, under the guidance of a respected elder, and explain everything that happened in detail.
After all, Lord Varys was the orchestrator and the sole witness."
It was a wise and measured suggestion, and even Aegon agreed that he ought to meet that elusive spider himself.
"He can serve as my Master of Whisperers," Aegon said.
"Good idea," Tyrion replied, eyes glinting, "but don't ask me where to find him—I haven't the faintest clue."
The Master of Whisperers was nowhere to be found, but the Master of Coin appeared on his own.
(End of chapter)
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