Chapter Twenty-Nine: Rewards

The morning of the small council meeting, in the king's study atop Maegor's Hold.

King Viserys I sat at the head of the long table.

Aemond stood a step away at his father's side, his gaze calmly sweeping across the faces on either side of the table.

These were the men who now held the Seven Kingdoms together.

Lord Hand Otto Hightower sat in the first seat to the king's left.

Master of Coin Lyman Beesbury sat opposite Otto, this old man past fifty hailing from House Beesbury of the Riverlands.

Master of Laws Jasper Wylde sat beside Lyman, a balding, slightly plump nobleman.

Master of Whisperers Larys Strong sat midway down the table, known as the Clubfoot, idly sipping wine from his cup.

But when Aemond's gaze passed over him, Larys lifted his eyes slightly, meeting the prince's look with a polite smile on his lips.

Aemond watched the Clubfoot, sneering inwardly.

This Castellan of Harrenhal, Larys Strong.

A year ago, his father, Lord Lyonel Strong of Harrenhal, had been the King's Hand.

His elder brother, Harwin Strong, was Princess Rhaenyra's lover, the true father of her three bastards.

House Strong had been steadfast members of the Blacks.

But a sudden fire had consumed Harrenhal, killing both the old lord and his eldest son, Harwin, leaving the second son, Larys, to inherit the lordship by right.

And soon, under the patronage of Otto Hightower, who had returned to the Hand's seat, he entered the small council as Master of Whisperers.

Cruel enough, Aemond thought.

Killing his father and brother, uprooting the Blacks' most vital pillar in the council, inheriting Harrenhal himself, and clearing the path for Otto to reclaim the Hand's position.

Now House Strong had sided with the Greens.

Master of Ships Tyland Lannister sat opposite Larys. This brother of the Lord of the West was around forty.

But most of the Kingdom Navy under him had been swayed by the former Master of Ships, Corlys the Sea Snake.

A Master of Ships who had been stripped of real power.

Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Criston Cole, stood near the door.

Archmaester Meuros sat at the far end of the table, ready as a scholar to offer counsel to the king at any moment.

"Begin," Viserys broke the silence in the room.

Lord Hand Otto spoke first: "Your Majesty, first regarding the Crownlands' farming..."

The meeting dragged on in tedium.

Taxes, grain reserves, road repairs, disputes among Crownlands lords...

Trivial and tangled affairs surged like an endless tide, wave after wave crashing upon the council.

Aemond stood silently, occasionally handing his father documents needing signatures, or passing honeyed warm water when Viserys coughed.

"...Therefore, I propose reducing the mill tax on the south bank of the Blackwater by thirty percent, to encourage more farmers to reclaim wasteland." Lyman Beesbury finished his lengthy report and looked up at the king.

Viserys rubbed his temples and nodded wearily: "Approved. Anything else?"

"Your Majesty," Lyman hesitated, his gaze shifting to Aemond, "There is one more matter... Prince Aemond came to me yesterday, requesting a withdrawal of one hundred thousand Gold Dragons from the treasury."

The council chamber fell silent instantly.

All eyes turned sharply to Aemond. One hundred thousand Gold Dragons was no small sum—enough to equip a thousand elite soldiers or build a moderate castle.

Viserys also turned his head, curiosity rather than reproach in his eyes: "Aemond? What do you need so much gold for?"

Aemond met his father's gaze and explained: "I wish to expand the estate you granted me, Father."

"It lies near the Kingswood, with excellent terrain, but the current buildings are too crude."

"I plan to construct a castle there."

Aemond spoke lightly, but Lord Hand Otto knew the truth.

Not long ago, Aemond had indeed obtained fifty thousand Gold Dragons through Ser Kade, the Hightower family's agent in King's Landing.

Then, his Riverrun Manor had begun recruiting hands. Now over five hundred men labored there, including many experienced stonemasons, carpenters, and smiths.

House Hightower had also sent several knights, as Aemond requested, to station there and train the men.

He's building his own power base, Otto thought, pleased.

"A castle..." Viserys mused.

His gaze was complex as he looked at this second son, but after a moment's thought about this boy who could ride two dragons...

The king lifted his head and looked at the Master of Coin: "Lyman, then allocate two hundred thousand Gold Dragons."

"Two hundred thousand?!" Old Lyman Beesbury nearly jumped from his chair.

"Your Majesty! This... this is far too generous! Though the treasury is full, such a massive expenditure must be carefully considered!"

"After decades of accumulation by King Jaehaerys and Your Majesty, we have only just over three million Gold Dragons in reserve. Withdrawing two hundred thousand at once..."

Viserys, hearing the Master of Coin try to overrule him, cut him off coldly: "Aemond is my son."

"These funds—how could they be considered generous?"

"My son needs a castle befitting his station."

"This land will also become his domain."

He paused, sweeping his gaze across the long table: "As for his current territory, the area can be expanded a bit..."

At these words, the entire assembly was stunned.

An independent domain? This meant Prince Aemond would no longer be a mere prince, but a lord with real power—his own fief, army, and fiscal authority.

Lord Hand Otto did not speak, clearly to avoid suspicion.

Master of Laws Jasper immediately spoke up: "His Majesty is wise! Prince Aemond is exceptionally gifted and truly deserves this honor."

Master of Whisperers Larys set down his cup lightly and smiled in agreement: "Your Majesty, this will also strengthen the Crown's power around King's Landing."

Master of Ships Tyland Lannister hesitated for a moment, then nodded as well: "I also support His Majesty's decision."

Archmaester Meuros frowned slightly—it was obvious that Viserys doted far too much on Prince Aemond—but he would not voice an opinion on this matter.

Only Lyman Beesbury objected: "Your Majesty, even if you wish to grant lands, it must be considered carefully."

"The area near the Kingswood is Crown land, but it has also historically been the royal hunting grounds. If it is designated as Prince Aemond's fief, what of the other royal family members?"

"Royal family members?" Viserys' voice turned abruptly cold. "My eldest son Aegon is on Tidepool Island, my eldest daughter Rhaenyra has Dragonstone, and my youngest son Daeron is with House Hightower."

"Aemond is the only child by my side. What is wrong with granting him a domain close to King's Landing?"

He would not allow Lyman to speak further and declared decisively: "My mind is made. Designate Riverrun Manor and the surrounding hundred li as Aemond's domain."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for this grant." Aemond bowed, expressing sincere gratitude.

Hearing this, Viserys turned and asked, "As for your domain, have you thought of a name for it?"

Aemond smiled and replied, "I ask Your Majesty to bestow a name upon it."

"Then let it be named... Dragon's Roost. Lyman, allocate two hundred thousand Gold Dragons from the treasury for the castle's construction."

"Otto and Jasper, draft the official documents and proclaim to the Seven Kingdoms that Aemond's lordship over Dragon's Roost is established."

At this moment, Aemond smiled as he looked at Master of Coin Lyman.

Now even His Majesty favors me.

Everyone at court is on my side.

What do you have to play against me?

I must also thank Rhaenyra. As the heir to the realm, because of the old grudge between her and Queen Alicent, and the rumors of bastards, along with all those snide whispers about her—

just because of these, she couldn't bear it, spending all her days shuttling between Dragonstone and Tidepool Island instead of being in King's Landing, by the King's side.

Noticing the prince's gaze on him, Lyman felt somewhat helpless.

Aemond just hadn't expected it to go so smoothly. Two hundred thousand Gold Dragons, plus the fifty thousand obtained from House Hightower, would be enough for now.

Dragon's Roost... the name was passable.

The meeting fell into silence, as if there was nothing left to discuss.

Viserys looked over the assembled small council: "Anything else? If not, we'll end here for today..."

"Your Majesty," Lord Hand Otto suddenly spoke up, "there is one more matter."

"Envoys from the Triarchy have been waiting for some time. You agreed to receive them yesterday."

Viserys paused for a moment, then said, "Look at my memory... I nearly forgot. Let them in."

Otto nodded to Ser Cole, who stood by the door.

Cole pushed open the great doors and announced to the outside: "His Majesty summons the envoys of the Triarchy!"

Outside, the footsteps drew nearer from afar.