Winds rise over King's Landing
As the morning light pierced through the mist at Dragon's Roost Port, the docks were already awakened by a team of people ready to depart.
The Glutton spread its jet-black wings and landed steadily beside the temporary pier. Its dragon scales gleamed with a dark gold in the light. The Blackfyre was slung across Daemon's waist, and the dragon patterns on the scabbard complemented the dragon scales, exuding a chilling sharpness.
Gael stood on the pier, her light purple dress billowing in the sea breeze, holding a warm food box in her hands, her eyes filled with reluctance.
"These are honey cakes that Little Mei, Hannah, and I made overnight to tide us over on the road." Gael handed him the food box, her fingertips lightly tracing his wrist. "King's Landing is not like Dragon's Roost Port. Otto a man of deep thoughts, so be careful in everything you do and don't act impulsively."
Daemon took the food box, pinched a piece of honey cake between his fingertips, and fed it to the Grey Ghost at his feet. The little dragon immediately took it and curled up at his feet, making a satisfied purring sound.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." He leaned down and embraced Gael, his voice low and firm. "I'm leaving Dragon's Roost Port to you and Rupert. Proceed with the castle foundation laying as planned. When I return, we'll watch this new city that belongs to us rise together."
Bartimos Celtigar, who arrived yesterday, was already waiting on the flagship with Colin. Today, he was wearing a red robe embroidered with gold, the ruby scimitar at his waist reflecting the light, and an eager smile on his face.
"Your Highness, everything is ready. We expect to arrive in King's Landing before dusk." He bowed, his gaze sweeping over the Glutton was now even more robust than when he had seen him in the Battle of the Stepstones. A hint of awe flashed in his eyes. The aura of His Highness's true dragon, and the "King of the Wild Dragons" Black Dragon beneath him, was far stronger than the recent rumors had suggested.
Daemon nodded, flipped onto the dragon's back, and the Glutton let out a deep dragon roar, spread its wings, and took off into the air.
Gael watched the dragon's shadow gradually disappear into the distance until it vanished from the Narrow Sea horizon before turning to Rupert and Berna and instructing them. "Fortify the port's defenses as planned. Closely monitor the movements of Maester Maron and Ellyn Beesbury. As for Alys Rivers —keep an eye on him, but don't alarm him."
The flagship "Blackfyre" sailed smoothly in the Narrow Sea, the sea breeze ruffling the Black Dragon on the sails, running parallel to the red and white crab patterned sails of the House Celtigar.
Bartimos sat in the cabin, holding a piece of parchment covered with dense notes detailing the preferences and weaknesses of the ministers at the Small Council.
"Your Highness, Otto Hightower has recently been making frequent contacts with House Beesbury of the Reach and House Lannister of the Westerlands, seemingly trying to win over the lords and question your fiefdom authority."
Bartimos handed over the parchment, his tone obsequious, "But rest assured, I have already had generous gifts prepared and sent to Lord Corlys and Duke Taimond at their residences in King's Landing's Landing. They will certainly be on your side."
Daemon swept his fingers across the parchment, pausing on the surname "Beesbury": "Ellyn Beesbury's little tricks in Dragon's Roost Port are probably already known to his uncle, Lyman Beesbury, but given Earl Lyman's personality, he probably doesn't want to get involved in this mess."
Otto wanted to use the power of the Reach to counterbalance me, but he forgot that I had already established friendships with many of the Reach lords during my travels, and now we were even more in sync."
He looked up out the window; the Glutton hovered above the ship, and the dark dragon's shadow was cast on the sea like a moving shadow.
"Upon assuming the role of Minister of Intelligence, your first priority will be to eliminate Otto's spies within the intelligence network. My adjutant, Larys Strong, will assist you with his covert operations within the city. Every movement in King's Landing's Landing must reach my ears immediately."
Bartimos quickly replied, "Please rest assured, Your Highness. I have already instructed our agents on Crab Island to begin operations ahead of time. If all goes well, we will have the intelligence network firmly under our control within three days of the handover."
He paused, then added, "I've heard that His Highness Viserys has been unwell recently, and Otto has been frequently visiting the Red Keep under the guise of visiting him, probably plotting to seize command of the Joint Fleet."
Strangely enough, Prince Viserys has not received his close friend, Lord Otto.
Even though he received his close friend, Master of Ships Leonno Strong, he did not receive Otto. This did not seem like an attempt to avoid suspicion; rather, it seemed like an escape.
A cold glint flashed in Daemon's eyes. The Joint Fleet was the foundation upon which the royal Targaryen had pacified the Narrow Sea, and it was also a crucial foreshadowing of his conquest of overseas territories. Otto's attempt to interfere was tantamount to touching his sore spot.
"No need to rush into action," he said slowly. "At the Small Council, I will show him that some power is not something he can covet."
Meanwhile, inside the temporary fortress of Dragon's Roost Port, Rupert Crabb was convening a meeting with his cousins Berna Brune and Rosso Brune, along with Jarman.
The clanging of iron in the workshop continued, and the refugees went about their tasks. Beneath the seemingly calm surface, undercurrents were surging.
"This morning, Alys Rivers went to the Black Hill Tribe's camp and had a private conversation with the old chief for half an hour. The specific content is unknown."
Jarman's one eye gleamed with wariness. "The brothers below had someone follow them, but she drugged them with herbs, and when they woke up, they were gone."
Rupert frowned, his fingertips tracing the steel sword at his waist. "His Highness instructed before he left to closely monitor her movements without alerting her. Continue to have people watching her, and report immediately if she makes any further moves."
Berna stood to the side, holding a map of the swamp's topography. "The drainage ditches have been reinforced, and the first batch of salt-tolerant crops can be sown tomorrow. Maester Maron and Ellyn Beesbury are quite well-behaved; Maester Maron is recording supplies in the workshop, but Ellyn Beesbury is constantly glued to the ledgers, though his eyes always seem to be glancing towards the port."
"Otto's men aren't so docile," Rupert sneered. "As His Highness instructed, fabricate some false information for them, saying that Dragon's Roost Port is short of supplies and urgently needs King's Landing's support, and see if they'll rush back with a message."
At the edge of the distant swamp, Alys Rivers stood beneath an old pine tree, her fingertips gripping the black stone engraved with Old Valyria runes, murmuring softly.
The black stone gleamed eerily in the morning light, faintly resonating with the pale blue Dragonfire of the Dreamfyre in the sky. A complex light flashed in her eyes before she turned and disappeared into the depths of the pine forest.
By afternoon, the "Blackfyre" had arrived at King's Landing docks before dusk.
The wind in Blackwater Bay carried the scent of Red Keep, and the docks were lined with golden-robed guards, the three-headed dragons on their armor gleaming coldly in the light.
Larys Strong, leaning on his cane and guarded by the House Royce twins who had also remained in King's Landing, was already waiting by the pier. His lumpy leg scraped against the stone slabs with a slight sound, and a sly glint flashed in his eyes.
"Your Highness, our Lord Otto Hightower has been setting up a trap for the Red Keep these past few days," inviting representatives from the Reach and the Westerlands, awaiting your arrival for "discussions."
Larys leaned closer, his voice extremely low, "He also had rumors spread that you were secretly raising a private army in Dragon's Roost Port and plotting a rebellion."
Daemon stepped off the pier, the scabbard of his Blackfyre lightly striking the stone slabs with a steady sound, "Rumors stop with strength. Any movement from Viserys' side?"
"His Highness Viserys is unwell, and Crown Prince Baelon and His Highness Big Daemon visited him, so they are unable to attend today. Otto can use this opportunity, under the guise of 'assisting the Crown Prince's successor,' to win over the ministers of the Small Council."
Larys handed over a scroll of confidential information. "However, Scholar Alar secretly informed King Jaehaerys that he had long been aware of Otto's underhanded tactics, but had not yet taken action out of consideration for the Crown Prince."
Bartimos followed behind, his eyes filled with excitement as he gazed upon the splendor of King's Landing.
The House Celtigar, having been away from the Red Keep for many years, now finally had the opportunity to return to the center of power. Their fingertips unconsciously rubbed the scimitar at their waists, as if they could already see themselves speaking eloquently at the Small Council.
"Let's go to the Red Keep to pay our respects to His Majesty first, then attend Otto's banquet." Daemon's voice carried an unquestionable authority. "Larys, have someone inform the representatives of the House Velaryon and House Lannister that I have a great gift to present, and that they must attend."
Larys bowed in response, then turned and gave a wink to the hidden Shadow Guards.
On the streets of King's Landing, pedestrians come and go, unaware that a power struggle has quietly begun.
The pheasants and butterflies of Red Keep gleamed golden-red in the sunlight, like a lurking beast awaiting the coming Storm.
Daemon looked up toward the Red Keep, where the Glutton's dragon roar echoed from the sky, deep and powerful.
He gripped the Blackfyre tightly, a sharp glint in his eyes— Otto Hightower's schemes, the lords' wavering, Viserys's current weakness—all would be settled at the Small Council. This King's Landing reign would ultimately be ended by his own hand.
However, looking at Bartimos and Colin beside him, he inadvertently recalled the morning after yesterday's downpour.