Time slipped away.
The midday sun filtered through the dense woods, scattering dappled light across the ground.
The two reached a rise in the Kingswood.
Looking north, they could just make out fishing boats on the Blackwater River.
Breathing in the scent of the forest and seeing signs of life in the distance, Joffrey felt a strange stirring in his heart.
Power and strength were tempting indeed.
All of it—the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros: the North, the Riverlands, the Vale, the Westlands, The Reach, the Stormlands, and Dorne—would be my kingdom.
At last, Tyrion spoke.
"Thinking it over, I suppose what you said could be true."
It sounded absurd, but perhaps there was something to it. How else could Joffrey know about Tysha, or have become so clever?
"Did the Gods truly work a miracle? Do they really take pity on mortals?"
Joffrey smiled.
If the Gods were an idea rather than actual beings, then this certainly counted as a miracle. But taking pity on mortals...
All he could say was that if the aim was to save everyone, he was far from the best choice.
"By Divine Grace, I've come to my senses. I've undergone Nirvana Rebirth."
That's right. I'm the Chosen Son of God!
"Before, I failed in my duties as Crown Prince and did many foolish things. I don't ask anyone to forgive me. I only hope to make amends."
"In their mercy, the Gods have given me a chance to do just that."
Watching the distant figures on the river, he clenched his fists, overcome with emotion.
"They showed me the tragic darkness ahead. Surely there must be a reason."
"I've found the answer."
"Doom is coming. I must take responsibility and protect the lives and rights of the people of the Seven Kingdoms—and the world. No one can turn away from such a sacred duty!"
"This is no joke."
He turned to meet Tyrion's eyes.
"After war, famine, and slaughter comes a deeper despair."
"The Long Night is coming. The entire world will be a sacrifice to the Evil God!"
Indeed.
Compared with the doom of the Long Night, power struggles, wars, and rebellions seemed like small matters.
"After utter chaos, light will fall, flames will die, all things will wither, and darkness and bitter cold will swallow everything."
"That was the truth of the past, and it is the future just ahead!"
"So..."
He clapped a hand firmly on Tyrion's shoulder, his gaze unwavering.
"You were the first person I sought out, Uncle Tyrion. The kingdom needs your wisdom. So does the world."
"Join us."
"Everyone with the ability to help must unite, fight for the light, and save the people of the world from catastrophe."
Joffrey pumped his fist.
"May the Gods protect us!"
"The Long Night will end, and light will shine upon the world!"
"The Illuminati, born here to save the world, will bloom and bear sweet fruit."
As king of Westeros, he could control this continent. To control the whole world, though, he needed an organization with broader appeal.
The Illuminati had a fitting name.
"Join us."
"The Illuminati has only just been founded. You can be its first council member. It's an honor, and a responsibility."
"If we work to recruit others who share our purpose, the Illuminati will soon become one big, welcoming family."
"We'll be the closest of friends, brothers who stand together and help each other, fighting for the survival of the world!"
"What do you say?"
Tyrion watched Joffrey's performance in silence.
Passionate. Righteous.
It was almost convincing. Perhaps Joffrey would make a good king.
Tyrion did not know whether to laugh.
Sincere or not, this newly clever Joffrey could be an important friend.
So Tyrion said with a sigh, "Who would have thought? The Long Night, the end of the world—it really exists."
Does it, though? Even if he truly saw the future, that doesn't mean he can't lie.
"Just thinking about dedicating myself to saving the world is thrilling."
Both knew perfectly well what the other truly wanted.
In fact, they had already agreed to work together when Tyrion first said he believed Joffrey.
So why go through all this?
Even Tyrion could not say for certain.
Perhaps it made for a better show?
Or perhaps they wanted to test each other's acting? For a player, that was a vital skill.
Tyrion wisely chose not to dwell on it.
Instead, he played along and completed the time-honored ritual.
"I'm in."
"King Joffrey I, chosen by the Gods and Lord of the Illuminati, I am yours."
Tyrion bent a knee with considerable formality.
"What would you have me do? I hope you'll grant me the honor of serving you."
Joffrey stepped forward and helped Tyrion up.
"Forget the kingly orders. We're friends helping each other."
Tyrion waited for the rest.
"There is one little thing." Joffrey held two fingers a tiny distance apart. "Just this small."
"Go on, Your Highness."
"Illyrio Mopatis, a magister of Pentos in the Free Cities across the Narrow Sea. Have you heard of him?"
"If I remember correctly, Pentos has dozens of magisters." In other words, no.
"Heh. You have a fine memory, Uncle."
"Anyway, he has three Dragon Eggs: one black, one dark green, and one pale ivory. I want all of them."
Joffrey had finally revealed his real purpose in coming here.
At this point, the Dragon Mother had not yet married the Horse King. The Dragon Eggs were still in the fat magister's hands, and no one knew they could hatch.
Dragons had created the Iron Throne. They could protect it, too.
Joffrey meant to have them.
Tyrion frowned. "So?" Why not simply ask Cersei?
Joffrey explained.
"The Dragon Eggs are crucial. The trouble is, Varys is working with him, and the Dragon House's 'Beggar King' and his sister are both hiding in the magister's home."
Varys and a magister of Pentos? The fugitive Prince and little Princess of the Dragon House? Tyrion was genuinely startled.
"We both know we mustn't alert The Spider."
Once The Spider made his move, even Lord Tywin had died. Joffrey had no desire to test whether he would fare any better.
"If Varys grows suspicious, a great many things will become impossible."
"So..."
"You must be the one behind this. I'll merely be the poor fool you've manipulated without his knowing."
Tyrion finally understood.
"Somehow, I learned where those three Dragon Eggs were, but couldn't get them myself. So I talked you into using the royal family's wealth and power to obtain them. Is that it?"
Joffrey nodded approvingly.
"Varys knows you're fascinated by dragons, and he has more faith in your abilities. It's the only way to avoid raising their suspicions."
And even if they did grow suspicious, Tyrion would be out in front as a shield. Much safer.
Tyrion gave Joffrey a look that was almost a smile.
"Yes, how convenient. I handle everything afterward, while you only have to shout that you want Dragon Eggs. Perfect."
Working with clever people had to benefit both sides.
Joffrey feigned confusion. "All you have to do is put on a little show in the Red Keep, and you'll get a Dragon Egg. That's quite a bargain. You don't want it, Uncle?"
Joffrey had named his price.
A Dragon Egg. Tyrion was tempted.
Besides, Joffrey cared so much about them. Perhaps these eggs were more than ornaments.
On a dragon's back, even a dwarf could look down on the world.
"Now, which color would you like? Black is imposing, green is mysterious, and ivory is so beautiful."
Joffrey tempted him even as he pressed for an answer.
"You can take your time choosing a color, but we need to act quickly. The longer we wait, the more that can change."
"Let's start when we return to the palace this afternoon. What do you say?"
Tyrion studied the handsome Prince before him. It seemed he needed to get to know Joffrey all over again.
"My dear nephew, what else can I say?"
He let out a long sigh.
"Deal."
Before you continue