Chapter 36: King's Concern

Soon enough Aemon would be old enough to start attending council meetings, he had already taken his dragon for a flight a few days ago. Maegor was constantly wanting to be involved in what his older brother was doing, Aenys tottered after them both and Aerion tottered after Aenys. He was happy with his sons and was proud of them. There was a part of him that wished for a daughter, but also knew that both his wives were too old now to risk their health. And so he contented himself with his sons and raising them to be great men. He cleared his throat and focused on one of these key issues.

"We have heard about some trouble in the Riverlands and the Vale regarding trade disputes. Crispian is this true?"

Crispian Celtigar looked as if he were beginning to fade a little. Old age was not a good look on him. "Sire, I have looked into this in a lot of detail, and it seems that the issue was mainly over the type of interest rate that the lords were charging the merchants. I have spoken with Lords Grafton and Mooton and they have agreed to use the basic rate of two percent. The merchants have accepted this as well."

"How much were they using before?" Aegon asked.

"Somewhere closed to three or four percent. Enough to cause concern amongst the merchants." Crispian replied.

"No wonder the merchants were complaining. We too would also be complaining where those the rates being charged. What made them think they could charge this?" Aegon demanded.

Crispian sighed. "I am not sure, Sire. I spoke with Lord Mooton and he seemed convinced that it was his right to charge that much. When I reminded him that he no longer operated independently he seemed to agree."

"As for Lord Grafton?" Aegon asked. He had met Lord Grafton once before during a visit to the Vale briefly a few years ago. The man had not been nice.

"To put it bluntly, Your Majesty, Grafton is an idiot and the sooner he is dead the better." Crispian said.

"One would think you were advocating for the murder of a lord, Lord Celtigar." Visenya japed.

Crispian surprised them. "Normally no, but with Grafton perhaps that would not be such a bad thing."

Aegon was surprised by this. Crispian was not one to usually advocate for violence. Intrigued he asked. "And why do you say that?"

Crispian looked tired but still he continued. "Grafton is the worst sort of lord. He will see people suffering and he will decide to make it worse by taunting them and pretending to care. He will take everything they hold dear and use it against them. I have received countless complaints from his tenants and from merchants and even smallfolk about him. I have issued him warnings and still he continues."

This was news to Aegon. "Why did you not bring this up before?" If someone was deliberately making his subjects unhappy they would answer to him.

"Because every time he promised to be better, to do better. But now I think enough is enough."

Aegon looked at Crispian and said. "Whilst we praise you for trying to help those suffering, we acknowledge that this is perhaps something that you alone cannot handle. Therefore, we promise to handle this matter as soon as we are able."

"You could always ask Lord Ronnel to handle the man, Sire." Lord Torrhen said.

"No, Lord Ronnel might be his liege lord, but this is a man who has offended subjects of the crown. Therefore, the King shall answer this." Aegon decided. There was silence and then Visenya spoke.

"Then perhaps we must deal with Dorne as quickly as possible."

"What exactly has happened there?" Aegon asked. Dorne was beginning to become a great nuisance to him, a thorn in all the plans he had.

"Deria Martell has escaped from Gaston Grey with the help of some of her former supporters. It seems that she is intent on claiming the seat of Sunspear and proclaiming herself Princess of Dorne." Visenya answered.

"How was she able to escape? We had thought Gaston Grey was a prison none could escape?" Aegon asked.

"It appears that she had help from some of the guards there who were loyal to her grandmother's memory. They helped her escape and furthermore, there were Braavosi men loyal to Sealord's competitors there they helped as well." Visenya said.

"The damned Braavosi need to be taught a lesson." Orys said.

"There won't be a Braavos in a year or two." Aegon said dismissively. "Now, has Deria Martell raised any banners?" That was the important thing, for if she had then there would be a long war, and that would destroy Dorne and everything he was working toward there.

"As far as my sources can figure out, no. Instead she is moving from castle to castle, gaining supporters or killing those who oppose her. Her brother is trying to find her, but has so far not succeeded." Visenya said.

"Perhaps it is time for an invasion, Sire?" Orys suggested. "To remove the rot once and for all."

"No." Aegon replied. "No invasion, that would suggest we think they cannot handle their own issues. And whilst it seems they cannot, we shall not send Westerosi men to die in that backwards water." He took a moment and then said. "Instead, we shall go there on our dragon, with you Visenya and with Rhaenys and burn all of her allies castles to dust."

There was a moment's pause and then Lord Torrhen said. "You would need legal justification, Sire."

"She is committing treason, that is justification enough." Visenya said.

Aegon nodded. "Agreed."

"When do we leave?" Visenya asked.

"Tomorrow." Aegon looked at Corlys who had remained silent throughout all of this. "Corlys, you and two others of your sworn brothers shall come also."

"Yes, Sire." Ser Corlys replied.

Satisfied, Aegon rose and left the council chamber. The thought of finally ending the Dornish threat was a pleasant one.