Early the next morning.
Daeron was urgently sought out by Lord Colton and Master of Coin Lusris.
"Prince, this is unwise!"
Colton could barely contain himself.
He had heard that the prince intended to go to Harrenhal and immediately came to dissuade him.
Lusris shared the same view. "The Whent Family cannot be trusted."
Nobles were complicated.
Back then, Aerys had ignored advice and gone to Duskendale with a single Kingsguard, only to be imprisoned for half a year.
They could not stand by and watch the prince repeat the same mistake.
Daeron had long prepared for this and answered steadily, "I'll bring the newly recruited Dragon Guard, as well as a Young Dragon. I won't follow in Father's footsteps."
Finding opportunities amid hardship had always been his way of doing things.
If Count Harren truly meant him harm, then Harrenhal would have another taste of dragonfire.
It would also refresh the Seven Kingdoms' nobles' fixed impression of Young Dragons.
Colton refused to listen. "Prince, think twice!"
The King was no longer someone they could rely on.
As ministers of the Small Council, they could only place their hopes on Prince Daeren.
Playing it safe was the most practical course.
Daeron remained unmoved.
Seeing this, Lusris pondered for a moment. "Count Adrian Celtigar of Crab Isle sent me a letter. He said Prince Rhaegar had summoned him, seemingly to discuss an important matter."
"That old crab Adrian Celtigar?"
Colton's expression changed at once.
Everyone knew that when the Targaryens migrated to Dragonstone, they had brought two Valyrian noble houses with them.
The Valeryons of Driftmark and the Celtigar Family of Crab Isle.
Once upon a time, the Master of Ships and Master of Coin seats on the Small Council had been the private preserves of those two families.
During the