Otto shivered; an ominous premonition came over him. This boy is up to no good.
"Lord Thaddeus is known for his fairness and leniency in the Reach, which makes him perfectly suited for the position of Master of Laws."
Aemon made his move.
Otto's face darkened. He tried to stand, but found himself half-paralyzed. The pain from his wound made him clench his teeth.
"I agree," Corlys said, stating his position decisively.
Otto looked at the king and said in a heavy voice, "Your Majesty, what do you think?"
"..."
Viserys seemed hesitant.
"I think it's feasible. It will allow Lord Otto to rest and recover so he can better serve the kingdom in the future," Rhaenyra said, a beautiful smile playing on her lips as she twisted the knife. In the entire court, she hated Otto more than anyone, even more than Aemon.
"Designate Master of Coin" Tyland was eager to jump in, but then he remembered something and sat back down quietly. He was the purse now. The purse couldn't take sides.
The King hadn't spoken, so he couldn't take a stance on his own. "Awaiting to be sworn in" Thaddeus and "Master of Coin" Linman both waited for the King's decision, their awkward positions keeping them still.
Grand Maester Orwyle, a neutral party hand-picked by the Conclave, silently took notes on the proceedings. He wouldn't speak unless the King asked him.
"Your Majesty, they are all waiting for you," Lord Lyonel, the Hand of the King, said, his expression shifting.
At this moment, the balance of power on the Small Council had changed. The Heir, the Prince Regent, and the Sea Snake were on one side. Tyland and Thaddeus had also clearly shown their allegiance to the "Blacks." The "Greens" had lost Mellos and only had Otto left, struggling to hold on.
If Otto was removed, the Small Council would only consist of the "Blacks" and the "Royalists." In the long run, the King's power would inevitably clash with that of the Heir and the Prince Regent. In Lyonel's opinion as a "Royalist," the "Greens" were a necessary counterbalance.
"Let me think," Viserys said, his head aching. He found it difficult to make a decision. He still remembered the reason for Otto's return: to raise up his family members to counter the members of the royal family. The Hightowers were his family, while Aemon, Daemon, and the Sea Snake were his kin. Now, the Hightowers' power was on shaky ground.
"The Hightower family has made a grave mistake. With Ser Gwayne Hightower taking over Oldtown, this is a crucial time for Lord Otto to be there to assist him," Corlys said, using both a soft and hard approach.
Otto's face paled as he stared intently at the King. If he was sent away from King's Landing this time, there would likely not be a third chance for him to return to the Small Council. The already weakened Greens would likely lose all their power.
After a long pause, Viserys suddenly called out, "Lord Thaddeus."
"What is your command, Your Majesty?" Thaddeus asked, trying to keep his face straight while feeling a surge of excitement.
Viserys said solemnly, "Effective immediately, you are appointed Master of Laws, in charge of the kingdom's laws and justice."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Thaddeus's voice rose.
Otto looked crestfallen, dropping his head in disappointment.
Viserys then added, "Lord Otto's health is poor, and he will step down as Master of Laws. He will remain at the Red Keep to recover and will serve as a royal advisor." An advisor, or a member of the inner circle. The title of "royal" gave him the right to attend Small Council meetings.
Upon hearing this, hope was rekindled in Otto's heart. Although he no longer had the power of the Master of Laws, as long as he could remain in King's Landing and advise Viserys, he would not be cut off from the core of power.
Aemon frowned slightly but said nothing. He was not the King. If his uncle wanted to keep Otto, no one could force him to do otherwise. At least he had managed to get two important positions—the Master of Coin and the Master of Laws—for his side.
Viserys then also gave Linman the title of royal advisor. With this, the five important positions—Hand of the King, Master of Laws, Master of Ships, Master of Coin, and Grand Maester—were set, and two new royal advisors were added.
The position of Master of Laws, like the Master of Spies, had disappeared quietly. That position had always been a temporary one, a place for Tyland to wait. Now that he had a new position, the old one was abandoned.
Aemon leaned back, feeling content. The Small Council had only changed two positions, but it had been completely reorganized. Tyland was young and ambitious, and Thaddeus's stance was firm. The Master of Laws position also put the commander of the City Watch under his authority, which would allow Rhaenyra to take control of the five thousand gold cloaks in King's Landing. Along with the five thousand royal navy on Dragonstone, Rhaenyra alone would command an army of ten thousand men on land and sea. She was now more secure than ever.
"In just a few days, the Small Council has new faces and old ones are gone. It's truly a moment to reflect," Viserys said with a slight sigh, unsure whether to be comforted or sad.
Thaddeus smiled, "I have good news for you, Your Majesty."
"Oh? Tell me," Viserys's emotions were well-hidden, and his kind smile returned.
Thaddeus: "Lord Donnel and Lady Jeyne have agreed that a betrothal proposal should be made to the royal family." To marry their daughter Samantha Tarly to Prince Aegon.
"That is indeed good news," Viserys laughed heartily. House Tarly was a fine family. While not as powerful as the Hightowers or Rowans, they were a strong second-tier house, known for their martial prowess. They were not too strong, nor too weak. It was a perfect match.
"Since you agree, I will notify Lady Jeyne so she can bring young Samantha to King's Landing for the engagement," Thaddeus said, unable to hide his excitement. Jeyne Rowan was his sister, and Samantha Tarly was his niece. The Tarlys' marriage to the royal family was a marriage for the Rowans, too. When Prince Aegon and young Samantha married and had children, the little prince would have a third of Rowan blood in his veins. In all of the Seven Kingdoms, only the Arryns of the Eyrie and the Hightowers of Oldtown had this honor.
Speaking of marriages, the Dornish were also rushing for one. Viserys hesitated to speak. What about the engagement between Aemond and Prince Qoren's eldest daughter, Aliandra Martell?
Instantly, the hall fell silent for three seconds.
Aemon's eyes flashed as he considered the Dornish's recent activity. In recent years, they had been stifled by the blockade in the Narrow Sea. The Iron Throne's power was so great that it attracted the attention and suppression of powers in Essos. Prince Qoren, well-versed in this, had quietly allied with Braavos and Volantis. He was too untrustworthy.
"I don't agree," Alicent said, sounding a little nervous.
Viserys was surprised and asked her softly, "What are your concerns?"
Alicent said timidly, "The Dornish are barbaric and cunning. They are not a match for Aemond." A mother's heart was aching for her son.
Viserys's eyes darkened. He also looked down on the Dornish. But a marriage between the two sides could bring long-lasting peace. Besides, Aegon the Conqueror had already shown them the outcome of conquering Dorne by force. Using marriage to ease the animosity between the two sides and reach a consensus between the Iron Throne and Dorne was a good long-term strategy.
"The Queen's opinion is too emotional," Corlys said, directly refuting her. He believed a marriage was necessary. He had been the one to propose this in the first place.
Aemon glanced at him.
Alicent wrung her hands, angered: "The Centenarian King always took a firm stance against Dorne and had no intention of marrying into their family."
"That's because the Centenarian King didn't have the right opportunity," Corlys spoke fluently.
Alicent, unable to argue with him, lowered her head and said weakly, "I don't agree." Her attendance at Small Council meetings was rare, and she lacked the experience and courage to speak up. But she was very stubborn.
Viserys thought for a while, then said softly to his wife, "Aemond is a brave and good boy. He will be happy to bear this burden."
Upon hearing this, Aemon's expression became strange. A marriage was not a burden. Aemond's only burden would be the thighs of a Dornish beauty. If you knew how sultry and charming Aliandra would be when she grew up, Aegon would have been the one rushing to marry her.
"I also oppose this, Your Majesty," Otto said after a long silence.
Viserys was surprised. Wasn't he the one who was most in favor of Aemond marrying into the Dornish family?
Otto had his own reasons. He had agreed before because the Hightower family was large enough to support the ambition of usurping Sunspear. Now, the Hightower family was in pieces, its influence reduced to a second-tier house. He was very satisfied with Aegon's marriage. The Tarly family was a powerful house, and Aemond's marriage should follow suit. He should marry a noblewoman from the Westerlands, the Riverlands, or the Stormlands to gain the support of a powerful second-tier house.
Of course, the Greens' primary goal was to stick together. The Greens were now divided. In this situation, Aemond was even less suitable for a Dornish marriage. If he married a Dornish woman, he would only become more alienated from them.
Viserys was displeased.
"Aemond is young and impetuous, and the Dornish are cunning. A reckless marriage will only harm him," Otto said, giving him a valid reason.
Viserys was satisfied with his answer and reconsidered the marriage. The Dornish had a notoriously bad reputation. Their treacherous methods of sneak attacks, poisoning, and assassination were impossible to guard against. He had only three sons, and he couldn't afford to lose any of them.
"I agree with Lord Corlys's proposal," Aemon finally spoke up, seeing his uncle's hesitation.
"Oh?" Viserys was taken aback.
Alicent also turned her head, her eyes full of reproach.
Aemon knew what was going on and said seriously, "My lords, you may have forgotten one thing. Aliandra is only nine years old."
"Oh?" Lyonel murmured, seeming to understand the key point.
Aemon said helplessly, "The two sides will get engaged first, but the girl won't be of age for another seven years. We can see a lot of problems in seven years."
Seven years!
In seven years, everyone from Helaena and Aemond to Daeron, little Aegon, and Jaehaerys would grow into excellent dragonriders.
In the same seven years, Dorne, confined by the blockade in the Narrow Sea, would have a limited economy and would have to rely on the trade from the Stepstones. As their strength waned and the Iron Throne's grew, the Iron Throne could afford to wait. In the meantime, if the Dornish tried any tricks, the marriage contract would be nothing more than a piece of paper.
"Good, that's what we'll do," Viserys said, overjoyed.
Alicent said nothing, her hands clenched in resignation. The task was given to Lord Lyonel, the Hand of the King. With a new Master of Laws, Lyonel no longer had to take on multiple roles. The position that Tyland had left would be filled by the Hand.
"The meeting is adjourned!" Viserys was in a good mood and planned to go back and have a little wine.
Everyone left in order. When they reached the door of the hall, Aemon and Corlys exchanged a glance before looking away. The father-in-law and son-in-law had a plan. Both had seen that the Dornish were untrustworthy and intended to turn on the Iron Throne. As proponents of war, they had temporarily formed a team.
"Tsk~" Aemon clicked his tongue. The Sea Snake was truly an old politician; his heart was dirty. Even though they were on the same side, their attitudes were still opposed. The interests of the Velaryon family were more important to him than his cooperation with Aemon, and more important than the interests of the Iron Throne. He had agreed to the marriage with Dorne because of the temporary peace it would bring. Driftmark, Tyrosh, and the Stepstones were all sources of income for the Velaryon family. Without war, wealth would flow in continuously. As for the risks that Aemond and the Iron Throne would have to bear after the marriage, those were not within his scope of consideration.
"Suddenly, I miss Daemon," Aemon muttered to himself. The Sea Snake was a protectionist, focused on earning wealth. Daemon was a true warmonger. He was all about fighting!
"Do you know what Daemon has been up to lately?" Aemon whispered in Rhaenyra's ear.
Rhaenyra paused, then recalled, "I think he's in Qohor. I heard he's planning to take over the city-state."
"I haven't heard that Caraxes has joined him," Aemon said, surprised. He understood why Daemon would be eyeing Qohor. After Daemon's death, Lys would be inherited by Aemon. If Daemon wanted to leave an inheritance for little Aegon and Viserys, he would have to go to war. Just as he said: Fight!
But Caraxes, the "Blood Worm," had been awakened by Aemond and had disappeared from the Vale. To this day, no one had found a rider. Without a dragon, Daemon would have to give up on Qohor's strong walls.
"Speaking of which, Qohor has a deep connection to ancient Valyria," Rhaenyra said, skipping and bouncing as she spoke, "They have blacksmiths who have preserved the technology of reforging Valyrian steel, and there is also a rumor about a dragonlord."
"House Olyon. I saw some information about them in the library of House Celtigar on Claw Isle," Aemon said, looking mysterious.
Rhaenyra was intrigued.
"House Olyon's strength was comparable to the Targaryens'. During their decline, they had fewer than a handful of dragons on record. They were passionate about selling slaves and the silk trade," Aemon said, recounting the information he had read. After the Doom, House Olyon was one of the few surviving dragonlord families. One Olyon dragonlord, who had named himself the Emperor of the Freehold, bought tens of thousands of slave soldiers in Qohor and rode his unnamed dragon back to the Valyrian peninsula, trying to rebuild the Freehold Empire. He disappeared without a trace.
Aemon had planned to go to Qohor to find any traces the Olyon dragonlord had left behind. He might have found some useful information. But after finding House Belaerys's spatial ring and obtaining the complete "Binding Spell," he no longer cared for what the Olyon dragonlord had left behind. They were not a top-tier dragonlord family, and their knowledge was likely as shallow as the Targaryens'.
"The more you say that, the more I hope Daemon succeeds," Rhaenyra said with a giggle.
Qohor was located in the Qohor forest, a mountainous and forested region. It was once an area where the ancient dragonlords were active.
Aemon raised his eyebrows. He could already imagine the look on his uncle's face when he found out that Daemon was attacking Qohor.
Qohor.
A dense, primeval forest covered the land, and towering mountain peaks were layered one after another, creating a unique geographic environment. To pass through the Qohor forest, you had to have a guide who knew the winding dirt roads of Qohor.
Outside the city-state of Qohor, on a clearing at the foot of a mountain, a mixed army of Dothraki was stationed.
"We have finished the investigation, Your Majesty," Lysandro Rogare said, reporting with a solemn expression: "The city has only thirty-seven hundred defenders. Two thousand eight hundred of them are Unsullied. After the liberation of Astapor, they were supplemented with nine hundred ordinary slave soldiers."
Furthermore, the city-state had no "Good Masters" or "Great Masters" like those in Slaver's Bay. Instead, it was ruled by a religious culture of bearded priests who worshiped the Black Goat. The people of Qohor were all followers of the Black Goat, and their lives were intertwined with the temples.
By a bonfire, Daemon's expression was cold as he gazed at the fortified city-state built on the mountain.
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