"Given the current state of law and order in King's Landing, along with the worsening climate, it's time we took this issue seriously," Randyll Tarly said.
Because of the war, countless refugees from the Riverlands and the Crownlands had poured into King's Landing. The city's rapidly growing population had brought with it an increase in crime and disorder. Even after peace returned to the Riverlands, many refugees chose to remain in the capital.
"As for these knight training classes..." Ser Barristan Selmy said thoughtfully. "A knight without honor is no different from a killer. But if we recruit so many ruffians and troublemakers, can they truly become knights?"
To Ser Barristan, true knights began as squires, receiving years of disciplined training before earning their spurs.
Randyll Tarly shook his head.
"These commoners are unruly by nature. They won't learn discipline without force."
"Beat them once, and they'll become obedient."
"Then they'll grow into loyal servants of the King."
Ser Barristan fell silent.
That sounded less like training knights and more like reforming criminals.
None of the assembled lords objected.
After all, giving beggars, petty criminals, and disabled veterans a chance to survive was still better than leaving them to freeze or starve in the streets.
---
"Now that we've finished discussing state affairs," Lord Yohn Royce said with a smile, "perhaps we should turn to something more pleasant."
"Besides His Grace's coronation, we also have the marriage between the Stag and the True Dragon."
"It will unite two of the oldest and greatest bloodlines in Westeros."
"In time, it may become as legendary as the Golden Wedding of old, bringing hope and joy to all Seven Kingdoms."
Gendry smiled quietly.
If that happened, House Baratheon and House Targaryen would truly become one.
Selwyn Tarth, however, wore a gloomy expression.
House Tarth's main bloodline was dangerously close to extinction.
None of his lovers had borne him children, and his only legitimate child, Brienne, was tall, strong, and far from the beauty most noblemen desired.
Even with the immense wealth of Tarth Island as her dowry, suitable suitors remained scarce.
Besides...
Brienne herself had little interest in marriage.
"There are still many unmarried young lords and ladies throughout the realm," Mace Tyrell said cheerfully.
"House Tyrell, House Baratheon, House Stark, House Arryn, House Royce..."
"There are plenty of suitable matches."
Stannis Baratheon nodded, though his expression mirrored Selwyn's discomfort.
"Indeed."
His thoughts naturally drifted toward his daughter, Shireen.
She was kind-hearted and intelligent, but she had inherited neither the handsome appearance of House Baratheon nor good fortune.
The scars of greyscale still marked her face.
"Fortunately," Gendry said with a smile, "none of the young ladies are here."
"Otherwise, this discussion would become even livelier."
The gathered lords immediately resembled fishmongers bargaining in a marketplace.
The only reason none of them dared suggest marriage with the future queen was because the True Dragon's hand in marriage was simply too valuable.
Unable to compete for that prize, they settled for arranging alliances among their own houses.
Gendry quietly considered the matter.
Political marriages...
They were just as important as military alliances.
House Baratheon had Shireen and Edric Storm.
House Arryn had Harrold Hardyng—known as "Harry the Heir"—and the sickly Robert Arryn.
House Tully still had Edmure.
House Stark had Robb, Bran, Rickon, Arya, and Sansa.
Catelyn Stark had certainly done her part in expanding the Stark bloodline.
House Tyrell had Willas, Garlan, Loras, and Margaery.
Although...
Loras probably had no interest in marriage.
As the third son, he wasn't under much pressure to continue the family line.
As for Dorne...
The Martells had many children, including the famous Sand Snakes.
However, Dornish nobles rarely sought marriage alliances outside their own region.
---
"Lord Eddard," Lord Yohn Royce suddenly said, "your son Robb is still unmarried."
"I happen to have a daughter."
He was referring to his beloved youngest daughter, Ysilla Royce.
Originally, he had hoped to marry her into House Redfort.
However, House Redfort was now preparing to marry Princess Mya, making that match impossible.
Naturally, House Stark became his next choice.
Eddard Stark appeared thoughtful.
House Royce and House Stark shared ancient First Men ancestry.
Their families had even intermarried generations ago.
Furthermore, with winter approaching, House Stark needed strong allies possessing important ports, such as House Royce and House Manderly.
Still...
This was no small matter.
After a moment's consideration, Eddard answered cautiously.
"The children are indeed old enough for marriage."
"However..."
"Perhaps it would be more appropriate to let our future queen arrange such matters once she arrives."
Lord Yohn nodded approvingly.
"A wise suggestion."
Someone of his daughter's status deserved the finest husband the Seven Kingdoms could offer.
Mace Tyrell laughed.
"Excellent!"
"Aside from my second son, Garlan, the rest of my children are still unmarried."
"If Her Grace can arrange suitable marriages for them, it would be a great honor."
Among the nobility, there were only two reliable ways to strengthen relationships.
Marriage.
Or fostering.
Children were sent to court as pages or cupbearers, or served famous knights as squires.
The royal family naturally played the largest role in arranging such connections.
The queen, especially, often became the central figure in organizing noble marriages.
---
Gendry slowly sipped his hot lemonade.
Lemons remained an expensive luxury throughout Westeros.
As he drank, he couldn't help sighing inwardly.
"Eddard really is an honest man."
Allowing the royal family to arrange noble marriages was far safer than allowing the great houses to form alliances on their own.
After all...
The last great alliance among the great lords had overthrown House Targaryen itself.
Everything had begun with Lord Rickard Stark's ambitious journey south.
History had nearly repeated itself once already.
---
A few moments later, Lothor Brune entered the chamber.
The faint scent of blood still clung to his armor.
"Your Grace."
"My lords."
He bowed respectfully.
Gendry looked up.
"Is it finished?"
Lothor nodded.
"The Little Birds have been completely eliminated."
A satisfied smile appeared on Gendry's face as he rested a hand on the hilt of Orphan-Maker.
"Excellent work."
At that very moment...
A strange warmth surged through his body.
He felt his bloodline awakening once again.
The Blood of the Storm.
The Blood of Fire.
Heat spread from the ring on his finger.
It was the ring once owned by Magistrate Marajo.
Forged from Valyrian steel, it was black as night, engraved with flame-like patterns, and set with a brilliant crimson gemstone.
Gendry had always suspected it possessed hidden powers.
Stannis nodded quietly.
"With the Little Birds gone, all that's left is to pass judgment on Varys."
King's Landing had undergone a complete transformation.
Littlefinger was dead.
Renly had been exiled to the North.
Varys awaited judgment.
Pycelle spent his days writing books as punishment.
For the moment...
The struggle for King's Landing had finally come to an end.
---
Aboard the ship sailing toward Dragonstone, Gendry sat alone inside his cabin.
He gently wiped the Valyrian steel ring.
"Fire..."
"Flames..."
As he whispered the words, he suddenly sensed something extraordinary.
He could feel the flow of fire.
The heartbeat of every flame.
It was as though fire itself existed everywhere in the world.
Gendry opened his hand.
The flames burning inside the brazier drifted toward him like countless tiny stars.
They gathered above his palm.
Yet...
He felt no heat whatsoever.
"So that's it..."
"This is the enhancement brought by the Blood of Fire."
"My bloodline has evolved."
"And the ring awakened along with it."
The ring possessed a natural affinity for fire magic.
Only after Gendry's bloodline reached a higher level had the crimson gemstone begun to shine brilliantly.
Removing the ring, he carefully examined its inner surface.
There...
He discovered a tiny inscription engraved inside.
«I am the Fire-Wielder.
Only the Lord of Fire can awaken me.
Blood. Fire. Power.»
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)