In the early morning, Rhaegar woke from a dream of incomparable magnificence.
In that vision, he had seen the fall of the Rhoynar, seen three hundred magic dragons, seen them dance over the continent of Essos, and even seen the purple-robed, invincible dragonlords of House Belaerys ruling the world.
When the divine dragons danced, the four seas bowed in submission.
Poor House Targaryen. Now they were kings without dragons.
"Are you well, my prince?"
The voices belonged to Ser Barristan and Sessa, the Braavosi swordsman. They stood by the goose-down bed, looking with concern at the silver-haired prince beneath the red silk quilt.
Rhaegar looked around. The familiar surroundings pulled him from the grandeur of the Battle of the Rhoyne, settling his mind.
Ser Barristan protected the young prince out of honor and the king's trust. Sessa, however, was bound by a kind of mentorship, the bond between master and apprentice. Swordsmen cared little for courtly honor; Sessa simply wished to cultivate a great swordsman, and a fine seed could not be allowed to wither.
In this era, infant mortality was terrifyingly high. King Jaehaerys I had roughly ten children, and many died young.
As the only current heir to the dragon royal family, King Jaehaerys II had prepared a luxurious retinue for Rhaegar: wet nurses, maesters, and guards.
Both Ser Barristan and Sessa were teachers who doubled as guards.
So when they noticed the prince sinking deeper into his dreams, occasional expressions of pain flitting across his face, they had entered to watch over him.
"Did I say anything while I slept?" Rhaegar asked cautiously.
"No! Only the word 'dragon' now and then," Barristan replied.
The obsession of House Targaryen with dragons was known to every soul in the Seven Kingdoms, so it was hardly strange for them to dream of beasts.
(Dragon Dreamer: Dragon dreams are either of tomorrow or of yesterday.)
Barristan and Sessa were relieved to see Rhaegar in good spirits. He was still a child, after all, and needed care; when he grew older, he would be stronger.
Sessa brought Rhaegar a cup of hot water.
Rhaegar calmed himself and thanked him. He had intended to open the ring and read the Book of Dragonlords, but with Barristan and Sessa in the room, he decided to wait.
After breakfast, the King's steward summoned Rhaegar.
Jaehaerys II occasionally called Rhaegar to observe him handling affairs of state. It was a way for the grandfather to show affection, but also to groom the boy early, cultivating a capable ruler for the future kingdom.
Rhaegar was too young now; when he was older, he would become the King's official cupbearer.
Though a cupbearer was technically a servant who poured wine, water, or tea for their master, they could also perform other duties, such as setting chairs and serving food.
However, in noble households, the cupbearer often bore the heavy responsibility of learning politics, maintaining connections, and even serving as a hostage, for the family's honor required an heir. The nobles of Westeros maintained their ties through this intricate web of service. Queen Rhaenyra had once been cupbearer to her father. Tywin himself had been cupbearer to King Aegon V.
By Westerosi custom, noble sons usually served as cupbearers, and occasionally noble daughters as well. Most lords considered being chosen as a squire a great honor, and becoming a royal cupbearer was the highest privilege of all.
King Jaehaerys II had convened several councils to address the unrest in the Westerlands.
Prince Aerys, furious that the King would not allow him to travel West to visit his close friend Tywin and Tywin's cousin Lady Joanna, had refused to attend the council.
Rhaegar sat aside, listening quietly.
The Westerlands were turbulent; Tywin was about to make his name, and the rains of Castamere were about to fall.
In the year following the War of the Ninepenny Kings, Tywin had returned to the Westerlands and immediately organized a special force to collect debts and suppress bandits. This provoked the alliance between the Red Lion of House Reyne and House Tarbeck, escalating tensions. Lord Tytos had forcibly intervened, mediating the conflict between the Red Lion and the Golden Lion.
House Lannister and House Reyne had staged a clumsy reconciliation, exchanging kidnapped hostages and pledging peace. Lord Tytos ordered his son to release Lord Tarbeck, the Red Lion's brother-in-law, while the Red Lion released several distant Lannister kin. Members of House Reyne and the Golden Lion even embraced, swearing loyalty until the end of days.
Of course, Tywin had not attended the reconciliation feast at all.
Those vows lasted perhaps a few months. In 261 AC, royal spies received intelligence that the Tywin brothers were raising an army and summoning their bannermen.
"At present, the Tywin brothers hold the advantage; they are energetic and their will is solid as rock," Lord Munford said in a low voice. He had had contact with Tywin and was impressed by the young man.
"Indeed, and it is not just the brothers' ability. In terms of heritage, the Golden Lion's deep pockets far exceed the Red Lion and House Tarbeck. Tarbeck claims five hundred knights, but most are useless rubbish. The Red Lion won glory on the battlefield, but he commands only three or four thousand men. Once the Golden Lion truly marches, those scattered sellswords clinging to the Red Lion will be of no help. Furthermore, Lord Roger is ill-tempered; he is not a true commander," said Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull.
His own House Hightower was ancient and noble, having twice fielded six thousand men during the Dance of the Dragons. That was a truly wealthy and influential house.
"The times are unstable. We cannot lose House Lannister as an ally. We need them to resolve the deficit with the Iron Bank of Braavos. Lord Roger is so arrogant; if he overthrows the Lannisters, he will surely turn against us. Since Tywin wishes to remove them, we shall add fuel to the fire. We need to support Tywin quickly and decisively. Lord Tytos does not even support his own son; timely aid is worth more than gold on silk. I need someone experienced and trustworthy to convey our goodwill," King Jaehaerys II said after a moment of contemplation.
On the table lay two decrees of treason stamped with the dragon seal, prepared for House Reyne and House Tarbeck.
Jaehaerys II was not a decisive or steady monarch by nature, but Lord Munford and Ser Gerold supported him, and the King remembered the lessons of Fire and Blood. The debts to Braavos had to be paid eventually, so better to secure a strong ally now.
"House Reyne has indeed completely ignored the King's commands. While the late King lived, they refused mediation three times and even murdered Tywin's grandfather without authorization. Such rebels can only be shown the majesty of the realm through slaughter. Their heads should be struck off, set on spikes, and paraded through the Seven Kingdoms," Lord Munford said through gritted teeth, his dark hair and stern face masking inner ruthlessness.
Rhaegar actually wanted to go to the Westerlands to see the spectacle with his own eyes. However, he was far too young, and the Dragon Family had gone three generations with dangerously few male heirs. If anything happened to Rhaegar and Prince Aerys, House Targaryen would truly face extinction.
Rhaegar studied their faces. He had little love for the Red Lion. Besides, to win over House Lannister, the Red Lion had to die. The dragon lords had supported Tywin for years; now they would double their wager.
"If the King trusts no other, I am willing to go," the White Bull said in his deep voice.
To travel from King's Landing to the West and convey the King's will required someone shrewd, capable, and able to enforce royal authority. Lord Munford was Hand of the King, and Prince Aerys was childish; Gerold was undoubtedly the best choice available. Furthermore, the White Bull was Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and a Hightower; in both seniority and prestige, he was a heavyweight.
Jaehaerys II nodded. "Allow me to apologize, Gerold. You have weathered many storms. But the realm and I, an old man, truly need your loyalty. House Targaryen is short of hands now, and Lord Munford must guard King's Landing. Among the White Knights, I admire you and Ser Barristan most, but Ser Barristan is too young and too focused on honor. You remain the most suitable choice."
The White Bull accepted the blood-red decree, the document that would declare House Reyne and House Tarbeck traitors once and for all.
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