Chapter 26
Viserys was finally enjoying a bit of peace and quiet. He was alone in his rooms slumped in a chair enjoying a bit of wine. He was aching bad an he really did think he pulled a muscle he didn't know he had. After the training and subsequently discussion he had with ser Harold he went to visit Rhaenyra thinking that he will maybe play with some dolls. He was wrong. It seemed like his daughter had other ideas. She was waiting for him dressed in her riding leathers and ready to go flying. She remarked that now that he has a dragon she doesn't see a reason why he wouldn't fly with her. And Viserys like the weak man he was he gave in when she pulled out those big watery eyes of hers. He blamed Daemon for that, he was the one to teach her that move.
So after training, flying and a draining conversation he was by his lonesome, resting before his meeting with Lord Strong. Of course that didn't last. Viserys wasn't that lucky. His sister barged into the rooms her eyes immediately fixing on him. She had mischief written all over her face.
"What do you want or what did you do."
"Viserys, exactly the brother I wanted to see. You know how much I love you right?"
"Who did you kill?" She let out a dramatic gasp an fell into a chair next to him.
"Why, I would never."
"If I remember correctly you and Daemon killed his whore a few weeks ago."
"That doesn't count."
"What do you want Maenera?"
"Well... I was thinking..."
"That is never a good thing."
"Shut up. As I was saying, I was thinking that maybe we make your meeting with Lord Strong a family affair."
"You and Daemon want to be there when I meet with Lord Strong?"
"Not exactly, I was thinking more along the lines me, Daemon and his children."
"Why do you want his children to be there?"
"Aren't you a little bit curious about them?"
"No"
"Come on Viserys, please." He really needs to learn when to say no.
"Fine"
"That's good. Great. You invite all the Strongs and I am going to haunt our brother down from wherever he is right now. Love you!" She quickly pressed a kiss to his cheek and skipped right out of the door.
How was he always the one that finds himself in this situations?
***
All three siblings were waiting now the arrival of the Strong family. His brother still had some documents in his hands and he was scribbling from time to time. His sister, had her eyes unfocused and probably was letting the visions flow. And Viserys? Viserys had another cup of wine in his hand. He had a feeling he will need the wine for this dinner.
A knock was heard and one by one from the oldest to youngest the Strongs entered. They bowed and curtsied respectively and now we're waiting for him to start talking.
"Please, take a seat." He said and all of them began occupying the chairs around the table. His sister had her eyes on the little girl. The youngest and third one. Weren't there only two?
"My King the meeting was a surprise onto itself. Requesting my children as well was quite unexpected and I find myself curious. What is this all about?"
"To be honest, the meeting was intended to be only between the two of us, but my sister asked if we could "make it a family affair" I think her wording was." It was funny to see Ser Harwin palling dramatically. Huh.. he never knew that a man can lose his colour so fast.
"I see... And why did the Princess requested my children?"
"Well, I wanted to meet all of them of course. I liked the first one so much that I couldn't help myself. " She mischievously said and Daemon still looking at his papers let out a chuckle.
"Speaking of the true reason I asked you here. I intend to name you Hand of the King." Well that got the attention of everyone at the table.
"My King I thought that Prince Daemon was Hand."
"He is. And he will remain Hand, but first we are planning a journey North and a stand in Hand in the Capital is a must at the moment. So while Prince Daemon is North you will oversee the hand business here. We do not intend to be long but such journeys can become unpredictable." Daemon looked at him and nodded.
"I see. You honor me your Grace." Lord Strong said an he didn't miss the very attentive eyes of Lyonel's second son. Neither did his sister apparently.
"Did you find your Queen yet?" She asked him and the man's eyes widened. By the confusion on everybody else's faces he guessed that they didn't know what his sister was implying.
"How?..." The man began.
"How do I know? That is an excellent question, let's leave it for later. Now tell me, why do you visit the heart trees so often? Looking for an answer from the Gods?" She asked and Larys didn't respond. Everyone was listening in rapt attention by now. Even Daemon put his papers down.
"They are not going to answer. That's why they are Gods. They "bless" us with those awful gifts and then they ignore our pleas."
"Are you... Gifted as well?" Larys asked and suddenly he seemed younger, something vulnerable was on his face.
"Let's speak plainly. I didn't invite you all here just to ask about the weather. I asked you here to speak about the gifts you have in your family."
"We do not have any gifts." Said Lord Strong.
"Do not begin to lie now Lord Strong, I don't appreciate it. Maybe you didn't know about your son, but I am sure as hell you knew about your daughter. The strange things happening around her. That's why you try to keep her hidden."
"I do not know what are you talking about."
"I'm sure. You see the Targaryens as well have gifts, excluding our bonds with the dragons. That's how I found out about your little girl. Powerful one isn't she?"
"What do you want?"
"As I told you before, I am in need of friends, and I believe you can attest that I am very generous with my friends."
"That's why you choose my children? Because of their gifts?" He practically spat the last word.
"I choose them because they have the blood of the first men in their veins. Because my family and I will not have to hide out oddities around them."
"What exactly are you planning with my children. Because I am sure you have a plan."
"I want to train your son and daughter. Such power is devastating if left unchecked."
"My daughter is base born."
"My mother was base born, that does not mean that the power in her veins was any less potent."
"Father please. Please let us do this." Larys almost begged.
"Why? Give me one good reason"
"Because the vision is making me mad. I have more questions than answers and you know that Alys wakes up with blood all over her, and we still don't know from were. This is our chance for some answers." Well that was unexpected.
"I will agree to this, Princess but know that I am doing this only for my children."
"Understandable. We will begin training when we come back from the North. Ser Harwin I am sure he informed you that he will go with us. Your daughters will start as ladies in waiting after we come back as well."
"Are you going to travel with a large party, my King? Asked Lyonel.
"No, just us three, your son and the Lord Commander." Viserys replied
"Is it safe to travel the roads with such a small party?"
"Who said anything about taking the roads?"
"That wasn't a jest?" Blurted out ser Harwin.
"Us taking the dragons? No." Said Maenera
"My King, may I travel by horse, or maybe a ship of some kind?" Ser Harwin asked.
"Are you afraid Ser Harwin?" Daemon interjected.
"More like... Feeling unsettled."
"It is a normal reaction, you do not have the blood of dragon. Everybody has the same feeling." Said his sister. Viserys somehow doubted that Ser Harwin was so terrified without a reason.
"If my brother is to afraid to go, I can." Said the second daughter." I can defend you as well. Harwin began teaching me how to use a dagger. He said that I catched on quick."
"Harwin did what?" Lord Strong interjected.
"Harwin did nothing! Don't listen to her father she has an active imagination." Harwin tried to defend himself.
"That is not true! He said that if I am to leave in the Red Keep, I need to know how to protect myself." The girl said. Daemon couldn't contain himself and began laughing. Viserys himself ahead a smile on his face.
"We will talk about this later!" Lord Strong said glaring at both his children.
"Do they remind you of anyone?" Viserys asked Daemon.
"I don't know what you are talking about." His brother replied.
The conversation were more light hearted after that. When the the Strongs left he was once again alone with his siblings.
"Why are you giving Lord Strong the power of Hand." He was expecting this questions from his brother.
"It's only for a short period."
"I understand that. But why."
"A test of sorts. I want to see how well will he do in the position."
"Do you plan to replace me already?" His brother tried to say jokingly but Viserys heard the hurt in his voice.
"No. But you will go to Stepstones soon. I will need a Hand. You cannot fulfill the duties from the battlefield. I want to see if I can trust him with this."
"When I come back will the position sill be mine?" Asked Daemon quietly.
"Of course it will be Daemon."
"Good." He said and a small smile graced his face.
***
Viserys was the first in the council meeting room. He sometimes came in earlier than intended so he would have the time to reflect on the topics that will be presented. That and nobody really bothered him when he was there. Today his brother will announce in front of the council that he intends to participate in the war in Stepstones. Viserys was aware he couldn't stop his brother from going. Daemon was a force to be reckoned with when he put his mind to something. If he wanted to go he will go, with or without Viserys approval. To forbid him from going was only going to result in a fight and with Daemon running half cooked and reckless straight into danger. Not for the first time Viserys wished he was not the King, maybe then he wouldn't have to stai in the Capital while his brother was fighting. Maybe if he didn't have a crown on his head he would be able to be right beside his brother on the front lines. Helping from the back of his dragon. He knew he wasn't an extraordinary fighter nor was he a seasoned dragon rider, but the fire power that Vhagar would bring at the table would not be negligible. Viserys wasn't a veteran but Vhagar was, he believed that Vhagar could be devastating on her own let alone with the guidance of the rider upon her back.
Not to say that Caraxes was not a fierce dragon. The Blood Wyrm had fought with Prince Aemon in enough fights to know what he is supposed to be doing, but that didn't ease Viserys worries. He trusted his brother to come back home, the problem was that he didn't know in which condition his brother will be returning. He was sure that his sister will not allow Daemon to die before it's time, the discovery that she could do magic only increased his certainty of the fact. But Viserys still wished he would have his brother's back in battle. Alas this was wishful thinking. At the end of the day he was still King and couldn't just fuck of and fight wars with his brother.
The council members began arriving one by one all chairs being occupied with silent men. It was like they could feel the melancholic wave that hit Viserys. This had to stop. Him pondering what ifs. This was wishful thinking. At the end of the day he was still King and couldn't just fuck of and fight wars with his brother.
"If everyone is present, I declare this meeting started. What is on the itinerary for today?" Viserys said.
"My King, we are to discuss the situation in Stepstones." Corlys said.
"My brother had investigated the matter and I believe he can offer some insight."
"Indeed. As said before by Lord Velaryon this Craghas Drahar, is originally from Myr. He is considered mor or less a Prince and has under his command enough men to start causing troubles. Until now he only targeted pirate vessels that however seemes to have changed. He is getting bolder. Started attacking, plundering and sinking merchant westerosi ships. " Daemon began explaining.
"My Prince this is already known information anything new?" Interrupted the Maester. Viserys truly began to think that soon he will need a new Grand Maester for the Red Keep.
"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted," Daemon said strongly." He started sinking merchant ships. At first I believed only the Velaryons ships have been affected by this, an already worrying situation, but is more than that. All Stormlands, specifically Tarth, Gulltown and Whiteharbor, all lost ships to this so called Prince."
"That is indeed something to worry about. Why didn't they send missives about the lost ships.?" Viserys asked.
"They did. They were ignored. As you all know, with the dismissal of Otto Hightower I now have acces to previos documents from the Tower of Hand. Dozens of letters were sent, the only response being that the Crown had heard their concerns."
"Well the Crown most certainly did not."
"A piece of work, our former Lord Hand was. Alas I will abstain from further commentary. " Daemon did feel the need to rub a little salt in the wound." I took the initiative of sending out ravens yesterday to all affected, telling them that the matter has been brought to the King's attention and is pending a solution."
"That is good. What are our options?"
"We could call the banners. Beat them back by sheer force." Said Lord Beesbury.
"I would not recommend that." Daemon interjected.
"What should we do in your opinion?"
"Calling the banners would unfortunately cause a full blown war to break out with the Three sisters. We do not want that, untill now the support of the Triarchy has been mostly silent, some mercenaries, some gold nothing too obvious. We could play that. Call out to all the ports affected to send whichever men and resources they could spare, I, myself going to Stepstones with Caraxes and some of my own men, the Crown helping with resources and gold. The crown support will be silent as well. They cannot launch a war on Westeros if the Crown is not directly implicated."
"You want to let them believe that there are just some upset Lords and a bloodthirsty Prince looking for blood." He could see the merit of Daemon's strategy. Beat back the Triarchy reclaiming the Stepstones while the Crown and the rest of Westeros keep their hands clean.
"Yes, it doesn't matter how many men they have. In the face of two dragons all men burn the same."
"Two, my Prince?" Asked Lord Strong. He was curious as well. Did Daemon convinced their sister to go with him?
"Yes. Me on Caraxes and Laenor Velaryon with his Seasmoke."
"You cannot take my son into the battlefield! He is a child, only one and ten!" Lord Velaryon erupted.
"Why ever not? He is my squire is he not? If I am going to battle I will need my squire. Unless of course you want me to dismiss him from my service." Daemon smugly said. Viserys had the impression that this was a punishment dolled out specifically for Lord Velaryon. This was personal. Viserys was sure that Daemon will do all that is possible for the boy not to die on the battlefield, but war was unpredictable. Corlys had a murderous look on his face but said nothing more.
"Daemon. I want you to put your plan into action. Sent out the ravens. Lord Beesbury make an estimate with what the Crown can spare and the cost of the resources. Confer with Daemon."
"My King, if that is settled the question remains. Who will fill the roles in the small Council if the Lord Hand and the Master of Ships will be leaving for war? We still haven found a Commander of the City Watch." Lord Strong inquired.
"For the position of Hand, if all goes well. Prince Daemons and I have decided to offer you, Lord Strong the position. While for the rest it hasn't been discussed yet."
"I think I can help with that." Maenera spoke for the first time since this meeting began.
"You have someone in mind, sister?"
"Yes, for the position of Master of Ships, I would recommend Jason Lannister?" That was surprising.
"Why Lord Lannister?"
"If the rumors are true he can be a bit arrogant but the Lannisters are controlling one of the biggest fleets that Westeros currently has. He is in charge of it and while he is not known for his intellect, his twin brother is. I am sure Tyland Lannister will arrive with his brother as an advisor. He would have been my first choice but the Lord Lannister would feel snubbed if we offered the position to his brother."
"Lord Commander, you are a westerman, what is your opinion?" Viserys asked ser Harold.
"To be truthful my King, the Princess is right. The power the Lannisters have over Westerlands is not negligible and their fleet is impressive. She is also right in her observations of the current Lord Lannister. He is arrogant and most often than not more interested in his own person to pay attention to anything else, but his brother is the mind behind his twin actions. If Tyland Lannister would come to the capitol as an advisor he would be a boon."
"Hmm... I will think more about this particular choosing. Anyone else you have in mind, sister?"
"As Commander of the City Watch, a good choice would be Luther Tyrell. He is the younger brother of the current Lord Tyrell. He is not necessarily a renowned fighter but we need a figure head. We all know by now that most of the Gold Cloaks are loyal to Prince Daemon. We need someone that does not have the character strength nor the predisposition to change that."
"And as Master of Laws? The position will be open if Lord Strong is to take over as Hand "
"This may be a bit controversial, but I believe that Prince Qyle Martell should be invited for the position." Well that created an outrage. Nobody was happy with the suggestion, not even Daemon who always supported their sister choices in the council.
"Please, bear with me for a moment my Lords." She said and the room calmed down slightly." Prince Qyle is the brother of the current Ruling Prince of Dorne, Qoren Martell. As I was saying in previous meetings we needed to try to bring Dorne into the fold bit by bit. I think that naming his brother Maester of Laws and bringing his daughter as lady in waiting, will make Prince Qoren think twice before doing something rash, say him trying to ally himself with the Triarchy and making our lives difficult in the Stepstones, for example." Well that was an excellent point. Looking geographically the Stepstones were extraordinary close to Dorne. If the Prince wanted to make their life difficult he could offer silent support to this Myrish Prince.
"The Princess raised good arguments. Maybe the Prince of Dorne will not implicate himself in this specific conflict, but nothing will keep him from entering future ones. If we have some good will on our side, or even some leverage, in the shape of his brother and daughter, the Dornish Prince may choose not to do anything that would affect the Crown directly." Lyonel said supporting Maenera's choosing.
"All of them are good choices. We still have time to choose who is going to fill those spots. Let's revise this matter at a later time." Said Viserys." Anything else that needs to be discussed?"
"My King, I believe that the Princess was to present the list of ladies in waiting for her And Princess Rhaenyra."
"Yes, I have the lists as discussed." She said and passed both lists to the men in the room. Some of the names were a complete surprise and he could see that he was not the only one who thought that. The only person who did not seemed shocked by this was his brother. Daemon probably has been consulted yesterday when Maenera passed him the lists to send the ravens. The names on Maenera's list were a bit controversial but he expected that.
Laena Velaryon
Marria Martell
Lyra Mormont
Alysanne Strong
Johanna Westerling
Minisa Tyrell
Jennele Redford
"We more or less knew about the first four girls on your List, your Grace. But I must say that including a recently widowed woman on the list was a surprise." Corlys said.
"Minisa Tyrell is only seven and ten but because of her multiple pregnancy losses followed by her husband's demise, she became an outcast and Lord Tyrell is having a hard time finding her a new husband. If she is to be my lady in waiting I am confident that I can find her a good man, a thing that I am sure Lord Matthos Tyrell will appreciate."
"And my niece, Princess?" Asked the Lord Commander.
"This is a double edged sword. On one hand I wanted to repay some of the loyalty you and your House have shown to the Crown. On the other hand I wanted a girl from Westerlands, as Lannister family currently has no daughters or sisters, your niece seemed like a good choice."
"You honor us, my Princess." Responded the Lord Commander and Viserys could see that he was truly grateful.
"Jennele Redford?" Asked the Grand Maester.
"Sister of Jessamine Redford, a dear friend of Lady Jayne Arryn. I think that is explanation enough."
"Let's move to Princess Rhaenyra's ladies." Daemon said.
Alyssa Strong
Larra Mormont
Nerea Celtigar
Elyn Caron
Clarisse Dayne
Ysilla Royce
Jayne Marbrand
"The first two ladies were expected, the third is not surprising, the last I assume is again about the lack of Lannister Ladies, the rest however are a bit... Let's say surprising." Lord Beesbury began.
"Elyn Caron is from a minor house in the Stormlands, I do not think that an alliance with that specific house will be beneficial." Corlys said.
"House Caron is at an all time high in the Stormlands at the moment. Lady Elenda Caron recently wedded the Baratheon heir, making her the future Lady Baratheon. Her younger sister is the lady Elyn. House Baratheon does not have any daughters, sisters or cousins that can fulfill the role of lady in waiting, meaning the little Lady Elyn is the closest suitable relative to the Baratheons. Well, her and Lady Laena, but lady Laena is already my chief lady."
"You refered to her as "little Lady Elyn", how old is she exactly." Viserys asked.
"Age appropriate for the Princess Rhaenyra. Lady Elyn is only seven years of age. She will grow up with the Princess, basically."
"I think is a good idea." Daemon said." The Princess need to be sounded by age appropriate ladies, and an alliance with house Caron and inadvertently with house Baratheon is beneficial."
"Princess? Why the name Clarisse Dayne sounds so familiar?" Lord Beesbury asked.
"Lady Clarisse was named after her ancestor. Her accessor was offered as a potential bride to King Maegor."
"And is it wise to have another Dornish house in the Red Keep?" The Maester asked.
"We would be fools not to. The Daynes are renowned warrios. Every generation a son of house Dayne is chosen to become the Sword of the Morning, they will be the ones to wield house Dayne ancestral sword Dawn. Heaving the sister of the current Sword of the Morning will only be a boon."
"Hmm...And Ysilla Royce?" Asked Viserys.
"She is cousin to my lady wife." Daemon was the one responding.
"Yes. As my brother's marriage will never be a happy one, I think that by this point we can all agree, but my other brother, the King does not want to lose the alliance made by The Good Queen Alysanne, so here we are."
"Anyway, if all the matters have been settled I will declare this meeting closed"