Chapter 24 – Imperial Conference
Dragonstone.
The salty sea wind blew fiercely across the castle's long bridge, and Princess could not help but shiver. Even so, supported carefully by her maid, she stood steady despite her visibly swollen belly. The Princess of Dragonstone fixed her gaze upon the waters beyond Tide Stone, where two black shapes were cutting through the sky, flying toward the castle at astonishing speed.
"Your Highness, the wind is too strong outside, please…" the maid urged with clear concern.
Rhaenyra shook her head firmly. "I cannot be absent from such a momentous matter, nor will I remain seated within stone walls and wait for Prince to return with the result."
She added quietly, almost to herself, "This is the duty of a ruler."
Caraxes' long, fin-like hind legs struck against the surging sea below as he rose from the waves with a roar, his lean crimson body gliding toward the cliff. The Blood Wyrm landed heavily yet steadily upon the long bridge. The Red Queen arrived a heartbeat earlier, circling once above Dragonstone before descending on the opposite end of the bridge in a thunder of wings. The two Dragonriders dismounted smoothly. A dust-covered Princess hurried forward and supported Rhaenyra with anxious care.
The elder Princess shot the maid a reproachful glance, but Rhaenyra gently restrained her with a touch. She shook her head, indicating that the maid bore no fault. "I ordered her to remain with me and await your return."
Rhaenyra then turned her gaze upon Daemon, who approached with lowered head and troubled expression. "Why was I not informed at once?"
"You require rest, my dear," Daemon replied, rubbing his hands together in an uncharacteristically uncertain gesture.
"I am with child, not in my grave," Rhaenyra said coolly as she stepped closer with the support of both women. "A new Dragonlord family has risen, and we lack the strength to utterly destroy them. You understand what that signifies."
"The House Targaryen is no longer the sole Dragonlord blood in the known world."
Daemon gave the maid a silent nod, then took his wife's arm and supported her himself.
"Moreover," Rhaenyra continued, her eyes fixed upon him, "they command Vermithor and Silverwing—ancient dragons who may have gained unknown power within the Valyrian ruins."
"How can you be certain?" Daemon asked, startled. The letter he had received made no mention of ruins.
"I read," Rhaenyra replied dryly. "If Long Ze'er·Varezes commands strange forces, it is not without the lingering strength of Valyria. Without such remnants, no man summons dragons. Had magic alone sufficed, we would never have held dominion over dragonkind for so long."
"Have you formed a course of action, Princess?" Rhaenys asked gravely.
Rhaenyra regarded them both. "Can Meleys and Caraxes ensure the deaths of Vermithor and Silverwing? And what of the vast fleet commanded by House Varezes?"
Rhaenys slowly shook her head. "We cannot be certain that those elder dragons who emerged from the ruins remain unchanged. Should we fight, perhaps Silverwing would fall—but Meleys and Caraxes might perish as well."
"We cannot bear such loss," Daemon said at once. "Therefore, I intend to treat with them."
"You would bring them to our side?" Rhaenyra asked in disbelief.
"Essos cannot long endure another Dragonlord house," Daemon answered as he guided her toward the castle. "Volantis will fracture. The Free Cities that slew the Dragonlords during the Century of Blood will tremble. Fear will breed intrigue, intrigue will breed war, and the Free Cities shall exhaust themselves in conflict."
Rhaenys continued, "Essos is vast and divided. Time favors us. Our young dragons will grow to strength, and Vhagar shall regain her full might within years."
At the mention of Vhagar, silence fell briefly over them all.
"What price will you offer?" Rhaenyra pressed. "What inducement will bind them to us? My granddaughter is betrothed to my grandson. Marriage no longer secures alliance."
"Nor can the Hightowers employ that path," Daemon said with faint amusement. "Their daughter is already wed to the King's eldest son."
He allowed himself a thin smile. "My brother, our King, will determine the proper terms. I shall secure dragons and armies for you. Trust me."
King's Landing.
The sprawling and unruly capital had grown from the modest fort raised at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush during Aegon's Conquest. As subdued six of the Seven Kingdoms, King's Landing rose with his dominion. It was said that half a million souls now dwelt within its crowded walls.
The Red Keep stood atop Aegon's High Hill, vast and imposing. Legend claimed that , called the Cruel, put every builder and mason to death once its construction was complete, ensuring that none would reveal its secrets.
Within the council chamber of the Red Keep, the members of King 's Small Council watched Queen with visible unease. She appeared confused, clearly unaware of the reason for the urgent summons.
The Hand of the King, Ser , read everything in his daughter's expression. The King had not confided in his Queen.
Ser , Master of Ships, and Lord , Master of Laws, exchanged guarded glances before electing silence.
Lord , Master of Whisperers, and Lord , Master of Coin, stared motionlessly at the carved orbs symbolizing their offices.
"Where are the Grand Maester and Ser Criston?" Otto demanded at last.
"Your Grace, we are present," said Grand Maester Mellos as he slowly approached, burdened by a stack of heavy volumes.
Behind him walked Ser , Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, clad in white cloak and gleaming armor. Of humble birth yet exceptional skill, he now commanded the seven White Swords following the passing of Ser Harrold Westerling.
A trace of hesitation lingered upon King Viserys' face before he seated himself and set the royal orb into its place.
"My Lords," he began gravely, "the Realm stands upon the brink of crisis. I must have your counsel."
"We stand ready, Your Majesty," the councillors replied in unison, bowing before resuming their seats.
"Grand Maester, inform them."
Grand Maester Mellos inclined his head and unfolded a letter.
"My Lords, word from Dragonstone declares that Long Ze'er·Varezes, a noble of the Black Wall of Volantis, and his brother Valarr·Varezes have employed sorcery within the ruins of Valyria to tame Vermithor and Silverwing. It is further reported that they have secured more than one dragon egg."
"Impossible!" Otto rose abruptly, his composure shattered in a way none present had witnessed before.
Shock rippled through the chamber like a physical force.
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