Aegon passed through the Moonlight Gallery and returned to the main path.
His newly acquired combat memories slowly settled deep within his muscles, like molten iron cooling, taking shape, and becoming part of his instincts.
The cloying scent of flowers and the faint strains of music in the distance seemed to have grown stronger.
Without breaking stride, he headed straight toward the archway he had entered through.
The check-in was complete. The unexpected power he had gained needed time to settle and be absorbed, while the news that a "Targaryen survivor" had appeared here needed to be verified all the more.
He had just rounded a bed of blue-purple irises when hurried, pattering footsteps and women's hushed conversation drifted from the bend in the corridor ahead.
"...Have you heard? Some special guests are coming..."
"Martha told us to check the Glazed Hall and the largest terrace again. The banquet has to be even grander than the governor's last Name Day celebration!"
"They're even turning the horse grounds into some sort of arena!"
"Tell me about it," another woman, a little older, replied wearily. "We'll be working until midnight again."
"Those velvet tablecloths shipped from Pentos are such a pain to arrange, and all that silverware..."
"Shh-keep your voice down. I think there's someone up ahead..."
Several young women in pale blue-green maidservants' dresses carried heavy trays laden with fruit, silver pitchers, and crystal cups. At the sight of Aegon, their voices immediately dropped. Lowering their heads, they quickened their steps and hurried past him.
Aegon's steps faltered almost imperceptibly.
A banquet? Special guests? Elaborate preparations?
The "special guests" and "Targaryen survivors" Sa Melis and Casimir had vaguely mentioned during their earlier conversation...
...And that banquet soon to be held in the Perfumed Garden to "welcome" someone?
Instinctively, he felt something