"Oh?"
Viserys was startled at the words, looking to his daughter Rhaenyra for help. The Dragon Council remained a family gathering. He deeply resented the idea of granting someone more power than he could control.
Rhaenyra, with mixed feelings, silently placed her hand on Aemon's, which rested on the table.
With that, the decision was made.
Viserys looked back at the king's councilors. Their expressions varied, most resisting, but at this moment, they were speechless. From the princes' marriages abroad, to the deaths of the Lord of Oldtown and the Lord of Highgarden, to the fate of Prince Aegon… one dragonrider losing control. This foreshadowed an increasing number of such cases.
Who could be expected to stop it?
The struggle had shifted from external to internal, between the regent and the king. The king sought to promote his sons and neglect his powerful nephew. The Regent's retreat was a move of unparalleled importance.
Almost simultaneously, Lyonel's and Otto's expressions changed, seeing something deeper. The mastermind behind this…
"I agree with the Regent's proposal!" Without waiting for them to think, Corlys beamed, setting a good example.
"Me, me too," Tyland hurriedly followed, fearing it was too late.
For a moment, everyone present, save Rhaenyra and Grand Maester Mellos, was in a state of confusion.
Viserys, seeing the four-to-three margin, gave up his veto. "Notify Driftmark and Lys; call a Dragon Council."
Two days later.
The Dragon Council convened.
"Children, are you all right?" Rhaenys beamed, her arms wide open as she embraced a group of children, young and old.
"Grandma, Grandma," Baela and Rhaena leaped forward with joy.
The Dragon Council. This was a joint council of adult Targaryens, their immediate family, and dragonriders. Anyone who met any of these criteria could participate. The twins, each with a young dragon, were eligible to participate.
"Let's go in first," said Laena. Having not seen her mother for a long time, they held hands, as close relatives often do.
Rhaenys's smile faded slightly, and she looked at Aemon and said, "I've heard about the situation in the Reach. It's a serious matter. We can't delay any longer."
"Indeed," Aemon said, feigning confusion.
Rhaenys shook her head. Corlys had already communicated with her via letter; she simply did not want to point it out.
Under the watchful eyes of two Kingsguard, everyone took their seats.
"Long time no see, cousin," Viserys said, taking the seat of honor and offering Rhaenys a smile.
Rhaenys half-jokingly consoled him, "Every Targaryen king has to work hard for his children. Is that not a tradition?"
"A miserable tradition," Viserys said, looking weary.
Once seated, the seating arrangement was dramatically different. Viserys still occupied the seat of honor, flanked on either side by Ser Harrold, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and the sleepy Grand Maester Mellos. One protected the king, the other recorded the contents.
Lyonel still sat to the king's left, his position as Hand of the King unshaken. However, the first seat on his right, opposite him, was occupied by Queen Alicent, dressed in a green dress. Otto was ruthlessly excluded.
With the main seat and two secondary seats determined, the seats on both sides were not particularly particular. From front to back on the left were Rhaenyra, Jaehaerys, Aemon, Baela, Laena, and Rhaena. At the end was little Aegon, a melancholy-faced child, playing with a stone ball. The four children were all dragonriders, following their parents and playmates. From front to back on the right were Helaena, Daeron, Laenor, and Cassandra. In a corner facing the king, the Sea Snake, Corlys, sat alone.
Without the atmosphere of the King's Council, Viserys felt very uncomfortable. After glancing at the group of children, he took a closer look at Cassandra Baratheon. Cassandra was already nine years old, a quiet little girl in a yellow dress.
Laenor offered to explain, "Cassandra is sensible and will not disturb the council." As a dragonrider's fiancée, she was entitled to attend. Still, it felt a bit awkward.
Viserys smiled kindly, saying, "Give my regards to your grandfather and father."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Cassandra replied shyly. Those present were all important figures in the kingdom.
The council officially began. Viserys coughed softly, and Hand Lyonel rose to speak.
Two matters:
The two princes have disappeared in the Reach (out of control).
There is infighting in the Reach.
The council's goal was clear: whoever captures Aegon and Aemond could quell the unrest in the Reach.
"Laenor can go," Corlys spoke first, smiling faintly. "He's idle at home and should be serving his country."
"Anyone else have any good ideas?" Viserys smiled back, pretending not to hear. Just kidding. My sons are disgraced, and your son will fix it?
At this time, Aemon stood up and said seriously, "I'll go."
"Okay, you go," Viserys made the final decision and asked if he needed help.
Laena and Rhaenyra looked up at the same time, the three little children's eyes shining.
Finally, Aemon decided: "Helaena, come with me."
"Ah, me?" Helaena was stunned and pointed at herself.
"Yes, you," Aemon was very sure. The civil unrest in the Reach was his way of strengthening centralization, suppressing Oldtown Hightower, and helping Helaena escape marriage. The first two goals were basically achieved. It was time for Helaena to show her ability as a dragonrider and earn some capital for her personal freedom. Do not tame a grown dragon and then sit there doing nothing all day.
"Okay," Helaena tugged at the corner of her clothes.
"House Hightower…" Alicent suddenly spoke, then paused. "What is the punishment?"
"Well…" Viserys hesitated. Rebelling against one's lord, instigating a prince. Both were serious crimes.
"I'll see what happens when I get there," Aemon replied formulaically.
"Really?" Alicent was nervous, her eyes watering.
"Of course," Aemon said, giving her a reassuring look.
Alicent loosened her clasped hands, her anxiety slightly subsiding. She trusted Aemon more than she trusted her father, her husband, or her son. At least Aemon did not lie.
"Then, vote," Viserys said glumly.
Those in favor raised their hands. Hands rose in a row on the left. One, two, three, four, five… Aemon lowered his head, suppressing a smile. "Our ancestors weren't wrong. Marrying and having many children is absolutely right." Someone on the right also raised their hands.
When it came time to vote against, no one raised a hand. Viserys, Lyonel, and Corlys abstained. The vote passed almost unanimously.
The results came in, and the council ended. Viserys was the first to leave, his face sullen. "Next time, children should not attend the meeting."
"Yes," Aemon did not think it was excessive. His uncle had a veto. But if you veto, no one will do the work for you. In the end, you have to give in.
The next day.
Two enormous dragons flew out of King's Landing, heading south along the Goldroad. At dusk, they landed at Bitterbridge in the Reach.
Boom—
Vermithor landed with a thud, its massive body sending up waves of hot air. The gates of Bitterbridge Castle opened. Lord Caswell personally came out to greet them, ecstatically saying, "Your Highness, it is an honor to host you at Bitterbridge. It is a blessing from the Seven Gods."
"I will stay for the night. I hope I will not be a bother," Aemon said with a smile.
"Absolutely not. If it were not for the urgent situation in the Reach, I would really like to keep you here longer," Lord Caswell said eloquently. Seeing the descending Dreamfyre and the silver-haired girl on the light-blue dragon's back, he was slightly puzzled, but soon understood. It was well known that Queen Alicent had a close relationship with the Regent.
"Your Highness, please come in," Lord Caswell straightened his back and bowed.
"Thank you!" Helaena had never encountered such a warm welcome.
As night fell, the brother and sister were warmly entertained by Lord Caswell and his wife. Although the table consisted mostly of fruits and vegetables, it was still quite tasty. A roasted suckling pig was also placed in the center.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the castle. "Excuse me, I will go check on it," Lord Caswell frowned, quickly getting up.
Aemon took a bite of melon and looked out the window. Southwest of Bitterbridge, along the banks of the Mander, the night sky was illuminated by fire. Bitterbridge is a bridge at an exit of the Mander. Faintly, a dragon shadow shuttled through the night sky, echoing with a loud roar.
Aemon frowned slightly. The next major holdfast from Bitterbridge is Longtable, seat of House Merryweather, who were known for being kind to others. In this civil strife in the Reach, they had not supported any side.
"Prince, it is not good," Lord Caswell returned anxiously.
"What happened?"
"Lord Merryweather sent word that Dunstonbury has been attacked by an unknown dragon, and the fire has been burning since noon," Lord Caswell said. Dunstonbury lies between Longtable and Cider Hall. Because of its distance, it was only after dark that Bitterbridge could see the distant flames.
"Unwin Peake?" Aemon's mind instantly conjured up a cunning, vulgar middle-aged man.
"Yes, Lord Unwin supports the Hightower family," Lord Caswell lowered his voice.
Aemon smiled. "We will talk tomorrow."
There were currently four dragons in the Reach: he and Helaena were here, while Aegon supported Oldtown Hightower. The identity of the attacker at Dunstonbury was not difficult to guess. Unwin Peake was no good man, a mere ambitionist. After the Dance of the Dragons, he became one of the seven regents, plotted against the royal family, and seized control of the court. He was capable of any immoral and outrageous act.
The brat wanted to establish himself in the Reach and had chosen Dunstonbury of House Peake, Aemon thought. It must be said that he had a good eye. He supported him.
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