Morning sunlight streamed through the tall arched windows, casting long, slanting patches of gold across the black floor of the Red Keep's bedchamber.
Dust drifted in the shafts of light.
Aegon opened his eyes.
The haze of sleep quickly cleared from his violet eyes.
He rarely slept so soundly.
There had been no dreams last night, only deep darkness.
He sat up in bed and stretched his limbs.
Hearing movement, the servant waiting outside knocked cautiously on the door.
"Come in."
Two attendants entered with bowed heads, carrying warm water, towels, and clothes. Aegon disliked elaborate rituals, and he soon finished washing.
He chose a simple black outfit, with three-headed dragon motifs embroidered in dark red silk only at the collar and cuffs.
Breakfast consisted of white bread, butter, and a cup of warm milk.
At a leisurely pace, he cut off a small piece of butter with a silver knife, spread it evenly over the bread, and took a bite.
He looked out the window. Cooking smoke curled above King's Landing in the morning light, and Blackwater Bay shimmered.
His gaze passed over the closely packed rooftops and settled on the southwestern part of the city.
Dust rose faintly there, where the Dragon God Great Sept was under construction.
Since I have nothing to do, I might as well see how the work is progressing.
Once the thought occurred to him, he wasted no time.
After breakfast, Aegon took only twenty guards, mounted a snow-white horse, and left the Red Keep, heading toward Visenya's Hill.
The closer they drew to the construction site, the louder the clamor grew.
New foundations had already been laid upon the ruins of the Great Sept of Baelor, on a grander scale than before.
Massive stone blocks were hoisted with ropes and levers, while