"Thirteen years." Viserys nodded, then set down his wine cup. "Jon has known me even longer, ever since King's Landing. House Darry has sacrificed much for House Targaryen: land, wealth, and blood. I remember all of it."
William's eyes reddened slightly, but he merely clenched his teeth and nodded firmly.
Viserys stood and walked over to the map.
"I summoned you this time to discuss the Riverlands. I intend to entrust them to House Darry. Not yet, but soon. And I need you to make some preparations beforehand."
William froze for a moment, then rose and followed him to the map. "Your Grace, House Tully has governed the Riverlands for hundreds of years, after all. If you intend to move against them merely to compensate House Darry, there is no need..."
"No. I am moving against them because House Tully was one of the main forces in the Usurper's alliance. You could even say that, compared with Baratheon and House Arryn, House Tully was more like its true leader."
Viserys interrupted him, pressing a finger against Riverrun on the map as he said coldly, "Had Hoster Tully not married his two daughters to Eddard Stark and Jon Arryn, binding the Riverlands, the North, and the Vale together, the Usurper's alliance could never have gained strength so quickly."
He turned to William and continued, "I will not let them off easily. But openly, I will not simply slaughter them either. So I need a reason-a legitimate reason-to take control of the Riverlands out of House Tully's hands."
William's mind worked quickly. His eyes lit up as he grasped Viserys's intentions. "Your Grace wishes House Darry to..."
"Exactly," Viserys said before he could finish. "House Darry is openly loyal to the crown, and suffered grievous losses in the Usurper's war. House Tully