Sunlight streamed through the Governor's Palace's arched stained-glass windows, casting patches of brilliant color across the exquisite Myrish carpets.
Aegon stood at the edge of the Governor's Palace's terrace, high enough to overlook most of Lys in the morning light.
In the streets, two days of washing had removed most of the blood and traces of that night's battle. Only a few blackened lightning scars remained, along with several collapsed walls that could not yet be cleared away.
Like fresh scars upon the city, they silently told of that brief, brutal conquest.
A faint smell of burning and limewater still lingered in the air, but there were already signs of recovery.
A personal guard from the Blood Oath Band approached with a silver-plated tray, his footsteps deliberately light.
On the tray sat a simple Lysene breakfast: fried dough balls dusted with sugar, a small dish of honey, and a steaming cup of goat's milk.
Aegon took it and ate in silence, standing at the terrace's edge.
The cloying sweetness melted in his mouth, but his gaze remained on the tiny figures busy clearing the city streets.
"How are things in the city?" he asked after swallowing a mouthful, his voice level.
"Your Highness," the guard answered respectfully, "with Hayne and the Rogare family's people stepping in to keep the peace and reassure the populace, basic order has been restored in the streets."
"At least no one dares rob or steal openly anymore. Some shops have begun reopening, though far fewer than usual."
Aegon gave a slight nod.
"Tell Carl to keep that lot in the Skull Band under control."
"Keep the troops in line. No harassing the people, no unauthorized looting. This will be our foundation from now on, not a hunting ground we plunder and abandon." He paused.
"Reward