The Keeper
Chapter 49 – Gold Keeper
Brienne and Podrick were quiet as they returned from the Golden Fleet ships to the Red Keep. The dragons, except Serdun, flew overhead, swooping around in the golden sunshine but staying close to their boat. Griff had Serdun in his arms but the green dragon didn't attempt to leave him. It watched Tanda with the same focused concentration as Griff and Ned. The three listened to Tanda explain her plans for crop improvement. Tanda was so enthusiastic about the subject that she gestured with her hands. Her excitement to share her ideas had made her forget her fear of the dragon only an arm's length away.
Brienne looked over to Podrick, who stood quiet and still beside her. He appeared spellbound by the circle of gold on his forearm. She'd tucked her own golden band under her dress sleeve but understood his fascination. It took all of her control not to unroll the parchment and admire her new commission. Her gold band was heavy but the scroll tucked into her belt pressed harder against her conscious mind. The gold was valuable but it was the validation that Brienne truly treasured. She'd been born into privilege and comfort, raised by a father who valued honor and duty above all things and had given her every advantage.
Podrick hadn't been so fortunate. Despite the obstacles in his path, he'd earned gold, true wealth, by his loyalty, hard work and effort. The dragons hadn't been with them when he'd ridden at her side through the cold and brutal North. He'd fought off the Bolton men to save Sansa and Theon, endured wolf packs and the white winds to take Sansa to Castle Black, travelled through the tumultuous Riverlands to try to recruit Brynden Tully and had agreed, without hesitation, to go to Valyria with her.
Unlike the members of the Golden Company, Podrick hadn't been promised wealth or security when he'd joined Brienne. It shamed her to remember she hadn't been kind to him at first, had even tried to send him away. But Podrick had stayed and she was thankful for it. He'd nursed her back to health after her fight with Sandor and stood guard while they'd journeyed to Braavos. Many times, when she'd doubted herself, her belief in honor and duty, Podrick had been the only one to support her. She remembered their dinner with Griff and Tristan in Tyrosh.
"Why does any man follow a king or a commander?" Brienne countered. "I followed Renly because he was my lord and I believed in the world he wanted to build. Why did you choose to stay with me, even after I offered to let you leave?"
"I stay because I believe in your honor." Podrick spoke softly. "I'm a better man when I'm with you."
He may consider himself a better man when with her, but she was also a better person for being with him. Brienne patted his shoulder. Podrick looked up and smiled at her. He stood up straight and, as she'd done, pulled his sleeve down to cover his gold band. But he still felt the weight and validation of it. She could see it in his eyes, the new confidence and surety in their sparkle. It was odd how a small, hidden circle of gold made him appear older and more accomplished.
"Your Grace, there might be trouble," Ned warned, looking to the water's edge.
Brienne and Podrick followed his gaze to see Varys waiting for them at the foot of the steps. As he often did, the Spider had his hands tucked under his sleeves. The expression on his face was set and serious, his mouth turned down at the corners and his shoulders stooped. Tanda stopped speaking and strained to look around Ned's larger body. Griff, taller than all of them, looked over their heads.
"We've only been gone an hour," Tanda pointed out. "What could have happened so quickly?" Then she grimaced. "Never mind. Full war can descend in an hour."
"No, that's not the cause. We would have heard the commotion," Griff assured it.
"The Westerlands army is manning the walls, guarding the graveyards and supplementing the Gold Cloaks as they patrol the city," Ned reminded her. "Now his Grace has brought nearly a thousand of his own men to take over when the Westerlands armies travel north. We're prepared to defend the capital."
They were tense and quiet, the mood heavier as they were rowed to shore. The dragons, sensing the deepening atmosphere, stayed close to their boat. Griff relaxed his hold on Serdun but the dragon stayed with him, sniffing the air for the source of the tension. As soon as they were in the shallow, Griff and Ned jumped out of their boat. Their boots sloshed in the shallow waters lapping the shore as they strode to Varys. Brienne scrambled to keep up with them. Varys, his newly growing silver stubble shining in the sun, bowed to greet his king.
"Lord Varys, what happened?" Griff demanded, ignoring protocol.
"There has been a…" Varys paused, as if searching for the correct word, "situation, your Grace."
Griff released Serdun as the rest of the dragons landed around them. Their boat grounded on the sand. Podrick helped Tanda as the second boat pulled up alongside the first. Jaime, Bronn and Balon also sloshed to the shore before the boat grounded. Tyrion and Moqorro looked at Varys intently, as if their visual intensity would allow them to hear better.
"Which situation?" Griff demanded.
Varys glanced at Jaime before looking back at Griff. "The blacksmiths and their staff are all busy repairing the Valyrian swords and building dragonglass weapons. Some orphans offered to gather dragonglass from the tourney field for coins."
Griff nodded. "Yes, as I expected. As one man's efforts reward him with coins, he pays others for their services, thus lifting them both."
Brienne remembered their exchange the morning after Griff returned to the capital. He'd known work and opportunity would lift the people in the capital out of their despair, give them a sense of pride and control over some aspects of their lives. Food and dignity had been scarce since the Lannisters' reigns began.
"Yes, she was also creating work for the dressmaker," Brienne reminded him. "The woman was paid for her work."
"Correct. What will the dressmaker do with the coin?" Griff prompted.
Brienne stared at him. "She'll use it to buy the things she needs."
"Exactly," he agreed. "There isn't enough food to feed all the people, but there is enough trade and shipments to feed those who have coin to buy food. So, the dressmaker buys fish, then the fishmonger now has coin to buy new clothes from the dressmaker or shoes from the cobbler. Once the cobbler had coins from his trade, he has money to buy food. And the cycle continues."
Brienne took a moment to think through Griff's words. "So, your plan is to create work for those who are in trade and have skills. That will allow them to buy each other's products so they will all have fish, dresses and shoes. Will that work?"
"It's working for the blacksmiths," Griff noted. "They've been laboring day and night since you and the dragons released the Valyrian steel weapons. They're also forging arrows and swords from dragonglass. Not only do they have coins to buy food and shoes, they've also brought on helpers to clean and polish while they perform the skilled work. So, now some unskilled workers also have coins. We continue that process with more work for more people."
"That's good, isn't it?" Brienne asked. She looked around as the others came to join them. "We want everyone to have work and earn coins, don't we? Harvesting dragonglass gives the orphans coins and frees up the smith's assistants to polish and finish the weapons."
"Giving coins to orphans is good but only if they're in a safe environment." Varys's already tight face became even more grim. "The children were in the tourney field when they were attacked."
"Attacked?" Brienne's horror made her voice crack. "The Army of the Dead attacked again?"
Around her, Griff, Jaime, Balon, Bronn and Ned reached for their swords. Brienne had Bright Star in her hand without even thinking about it. Podrick bravely stepped in front of Tanda and Tyrion, his hand on his own sword. The dragons all hissed and puffed, sensing the tension in the air. The row men, still on the boats, also reached for their swords and looked around for a threat.
Varys grimaced. "It wasn't the Army of the Dead who attacked them. It was the Westerlands troops."
"What?" Jaime gasped.
His face paled. Beside him Bronn, normally flippant, looked grim and shook his head. Ned and Balon exchanged glances then looked to Griff, watching the dangerous color flush into his face. The dragons hissed, absorbing their heightening tension.
"The new troops arrived this morning," Varys explained. "They were in the tourney grounds, waiting for assignments, when the children went out."
"They attacked the children?" Griff clarified. "How badly were they hurt?"
Varys grimaced. "Several girls were bruised and manhandled, but none have serious injuries. A few of the bigger boys tried to protect them. The archers reacted instantly when they heard the children screaming and the men cheering."
"Screaming and cheering." Brienne shuddered with the effort to keep her voice even. "The men gathered around helpless little girls being assaulted and cheered. And, as further entertainment, they attacked the boys who tried to help them."
She shuddered again, remembering her ordeal in the bear pit at Harrenhall. Locke's men had gathered around and cheered as she bled from the bear's claws. If Jaime hadn't come back for her, she would have died that day. The Gods had saved Jaime time and again, allowing him to protect her when she needed it. She looked up at him. His face was white and his emerald eyes dark, as if he was also remembering that day. Brienne heard Griff's voice in her head, reminding her how intertwined their lives really were.
"The man who killed a king who thought he'd be reborn as a dragon saved a woman who truly brought dragons into the world."
"It was meant to be, wasn't it?" Brienne sighed, heavy pressure making her heart ache. "You, I, Ser Jaime, the Mad King and the dragons are all linked. There is a thread that connects us all, isn't there?"
Griff nodded. "Man cannot understand the will of the Gods. He can only have faith and follow the path they lay before him."
Life was full of terrible tragedies, good men who died too soon, evil men who lingered too long. They, as simple human beings, saw only the events that shaped their own lives. They didn't understand their lives weren't just their own. They were part of a larger plan, a grand design, fashioned for the survival of humanity, not just specific people. Even so, some evil shouldn't be allowed to take root.
Varys sighed. "The archers shot into the group with burning arrows. They heard the children's screams and reacted. Everyone is on edge since the attack from the Army of the Dead. Several of the fighters are seriously injured, but none have died from their injuries."
"Not yet, but they will," Griff vowed. "Where are these men?"
"Where are the children?' Brienne demanded. "Who's taking care of them?"
Varys turned to Griff. "The men are still on the tourney grounds, demanding the archers who shot them be punished or put out." Then he turned to Brienne. "The children have been taken to the maester's chamber." He paused, his expression regretful. "A few of them suffered burns as well. The maester assures me they will all make full recoveries. But the children refuse to go back on the grounds until the Westerlands troops are removed."
Brienne gasped, rage burning through her. "Are these men isolated? I won't spare them."
"Brienne, I'm the Lord Commander," Jaime said, his face still flushed and his voice so even, it was flat. "I'll take care of the attackers."
"Ser Jaime, there's only one way to deal with men who attack helpless children or cheer while they're being assaulted," Brienne snarled.
"Yes, I remember," Jaime reminded her. "I was with you in the Riverlands."
Brienne's fury didn't decrease remembering the three women's hanging bodies when she'd first been assigned to take Jaime back to King's Landing. Then the men who'd attacked, killed and hung them had come back.
"What do you think of these beauties?"
"I hope you gave them quick deaths."
"Two of them we did, yeah."
Lannister men, Stark men, any men who assaulted the defenseless, made sport of the suffering of others and degraded the helpless didn't deserve to live. Though Brienne valued life and fought to protect it, she knew some people must die, if only to preserve and protect society. She wasn't squeamish about punishing the guilty.
"Then you know what I'm going to do them," Brienne snapped. "They hurt the very people we're working so hard to protect. I won't tolerate it."
"Nor will I," Jaime assured her. "I'll make an example of them."
"How?" Griff demanded. "You admitted you're useless with your left hand. The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. I have two good hands to cut off their useless heads."
"You can't be the one to punish them, your Grace," Balon spoke up.
Everyone turned to look at the usually quiet knight. Balon rarely spoke, preferring to observe while others debated. That he felt strongly enough about his point to speak up drew everyone's attention. His expression was serious with his mouth downturned. He sighed and looked back at them with his dark, earnest eyes.
"Ser Jaime will lead these men north," Balon explained. "They must respect his command. He'll be responsible for disciplining them on the journey. If he can't do it now, if they won't accept and follow his orders, isn't it best you know it before they leave?"
Griff, his face flushed and his eyes blazing, paused. The fire eased as he thought over Balon's words. Tanda nodded with approval at the gallant knight. Ned frowned down at the dragons who were still puffed and defensive, ready to defend their family from any threat. The dragons hissed, looking for the source of their parents' rage.
"The people of the Riverlands have been ravaged by all sides," Tyrion pointed out. "They don't trust Lannisters or Starks. They must see the men there will truly protect them."
"Plus, your Grace, if you go to the tourney grounds some of the dragons will go with you," Ned added. "Once you draw Dawn, they'll burn anyone they sense is a threat to you. You know not everyone is pleased to have the rightful King of Westeros taking command of the capital. They may kill men innocent of the attacks. That will demoralize the troops."
Griff took a deep breath and took his hand off Dawn. In response, the other men also released their swords. The dragons remained tense, seeing Brienne still had a tight grip on Bright Star. Griff reached out to cover her hand with his.
"Brienne, put your sword away. Ser Jaime will resolve this matter. If he can't, the entire journey through the Riverlands will be a repeat of this. The people must know those we send to protect them will not turn on them." He nodded to the council members. "I've chosen my advisors well. You've given me good advice."
It wasn't just that Griff had chosen good advisors, it was also that he listened to their advice. The greatest advisors in the world were useless if their ruler didn't consider their suggestions. If Griff agreed with them, then so should she. It took a force of will, but Brienne re-sheathed Bright Star in her sword belt. Around them, the dragons relaxed as everyone turned to look at Jaime. He nodded, with his jaw locked and his eyes blazing wildfire. The Lord Commander stood tall and resolute, sure in his duty and his ability.
"I may not have two hands but I do have the loyalty of my officers," Jaime reminded them. "They've always carried out my commands with hesitation. Some even fought through fire with me." He looked down briefly at the dragons. "I assure you. I will deal with this."
Bronn, standing beside him, had been uncharacteristically quiet. Now the knight pulled Fortune out of his sword belt. He held up the blade, allowing the Valyrian steel to shine in the sun.
"Well, those men are about to have the kiss of good Fortune," he commented.
"Good fortune?" Tyrion repeated. "I don't think they'll agree that death by Valyrian steel is better than any other."
"Not for them." Bronn twirled his sword expertly. "But it'll be a nice show for the ladies. Nothing like seeing a handsome knight protecting them to get women to melt like honey in the sun."
"I think they might be blinded by the shining gold," Tyrion suggested dryly, looking at his tall, handsome older brother.
Bronn frowned at Fortune. "My sword isn't made of gold. It's Valyrian steel."
"Ahh, yet another thing that might distract the ladies from you," Tyrion pretended to sympathize.
Bronn looked from his sword to Jaime standing beside him, then glared at Tyrion. The knight's mouth twisted as he returned his sword to its sheath. Fortune gleamed, the distinctive ripple design sending off sparkles in the bright sunlight. Griff looked from the blade to Bronn then to Jaime.
"After you've dealt with these men, prepare to take your troops north," Griff commanded. "The people will not accept the Westerlands soldiers in the capital once they learn of these attacks. My men will take over the protection of the city."
"We were waiting for the blacksmiths to finish repairing the Valyrian swords and to make more dragonglass weapons," Jaime explained.
"I'll order the smiths to hand over everything they have," Griff agreed. "Once your troops leave, we'll make arrangements to gather the dragonglass from the tourney field. The remainder of the Iron Fleet should arrive in a few days. They'll take what the blacksmiths build after your troops leave."
Jaime hesitated then nodded. "I'll tell my officers to begin the arrangements."
"Immediately," Griff shot back. "I want the Westerlands troops out of King's Landing by daybreak tomorrow."
Jaime's eyes widened but his brother spoke first.
"Tomorrow?" Tyrion's eyes were also wide. "Can they be ready that quickly?"
"They don't have a choice," Griff insisted bluntly. "They leave at daybreak. I've just begun to restore the people's trust in House Targaryen. Guarding them with men who attack defenseless children does not inspire trust. The Westerlands troops will leave immediately. That's my final decision." He turned to glare at Jaime. "Is that a problem?"
Jaime swallowed visibly. His gaze shifted from Griff to Brienne. Griff moved, blocking Jaime's view of Brienne. Jaime's eyes narrowed as he looked back at Griff. He nodded without speaking. Not waiting to be dismissed, he turned and strode up the cement steps, Bronn only a few steps behind him.
"Are the Westerlands troops ready for the journey?" Tyrion asked. "What about the men who only arrived today?"
"It would have been better if they hadn't arrived," Griff shot back. "Men who attack helpless children have no place in civilized society. I want their heads on spikes by nightfall. Ser Balon, make sure the bodies are burned but the heads are mounted. The people will see what we do to those who attack our citizens."
"Yes, your Grace." Balon nodded then hurried after Jaime and Bronn.
"Your Grace, the other matter you asked me to attend to is under way," Varys said.
"What other matter?" Tyrion demanded.
"His Grace asked me to assemble the lords and ladies later this afternoon," Varys explained.
"Your Grace, if I may, I'd like to send ravens to the other lords in the Crownlands," Tanda said. "I need to determine what food supplies they have to feed the people and for planting. Now that many of the abandoned keeps are being restored, we must plant wisely to ensure the balance."
"Excellent idea, Lady Tanda," Griff praised. "We'll send a servant for you before the meeting begins." He turned to Tyrion. "Lord Hand, send ravens to my aunt and the Tully lords. Inform them the Westerlands armies will begin their journey north at sunrise."
Griff turned to walk up the steps, causing everyone else to follow after him. Brienne winced at the pain of walking on the hard stone after standing on the more forgiving sand. Podrick looked at her with concern.
"My Lady Ser, do your feet hurt you?" he asked anxiously.
Griff stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at her. "Brienne, rest your feet. I'll send a servant to you, as well, when it's time for the meeting."
Brienne looked up at him in dismay. "I'm your sworn sword, your Grace. My place is at your side."
Griff nodded. "It is but you're injured. I need you to regain your health to stand at my side. You and Serdun will rest until called."
"But, your Grace…" Brienne continued to protest.
"Brienne, I won't hear you." Griff put his hand up. "I command you and Serdun to rest. Podrick, you're charged with their care. I'll hold you responsible if they disobey me."
"Yes, your Grace," Podrick agreed, standing tall as if given an important assignment.
"You can't do that!" Brienne insisted. "You cannot hold Podrick responsible for my actions."
"I can and I will. If you refuse to obey my orders, I'll punish Podrick for your insubordination," Griff promised.
"That's blackmail!" Brienne gasped, indignation causing heat to flush her face.
"Yes, and it's very effective." Griff had the nerve to grin and wink at her. Then he deliberately turned his back, ignoring her sputtering protests. "Catren, Allwyn, māzigon naejot issa!"
Catren and Allwyn flew over Griff's head while Serdun, Ardayn and Gallan remained with her. Griff took a moment to murmur to the three dragons as Ned, Tanda and Tyrion nodded politely to Brienne, Podrick and Moqorro. Griff straightened from the dragons and smiled at her again. Then he smoothed out his expression as he led his council members up the steps to the Red Keep.
The dragons watched them go then flew up into the bright blue, cloudless sky. Brienne was so annoyed at being dismissed that it took her a moment to realize Serdun had also taken off with Galan and Ardayn.
"Serdun!" Brienne called.
Serdun had taken a powerful leap but, instead of flapping its wings, caught the breeze and glided to the top of the steps. Gallan and Ardayn flew above them, squawking as they soaked in the sun. Serdun took another leap, higher this time from its perch above them, then coasted in the warm breeze.
"Serdun is exercising its injury, my Lady Ser," Podrick noted. "The wing won't regain strength without effort."
"True." Brienne sighed and sat on the bottom step. "Perhaps we can sit here awhile and allow the dragons to play in the water."
Podrick wasn't fooled by her casual tone. "Your feet do hurt, don't they? Shall I fetch fresh cloth to bind them?"
"Allow me, my Lady Ser," Moqorro offered.
"Oh, no, there's no need," Brienne assured him. "My feet will be fine with just a rest."
Moqorro nodded. "Even so, I'd like to visit with the maester. I had time to interact with him while I stayed with the babies. And I'm familiar with the orphans from living in the alley in Flea Bottom. I can bring fresh bindings and more complete information on the children's injuries and conditions."
"Thank you, Moqorro. I would appreciate knowing more about the children," Brienne admitted. She didn't want to inconvenience the priest but she did want an update on their injuries.
The priest nodded and gave her his serious smile. He walked up the steps at his usual measured pace, hands pressed together and his expression calm. Brienne looked from him to the dragons in the sky then to the boats rowing back to the Golden Fleet ships.
"The attack on the children points out one of the major flaws in King Aegon's plans to lift the Seven Kingdoms," Brienne remarked, allowing her gaze to travel beyond the boats to the Sea Keeper and the warships. Even from here, she could see Griff's new sigil flutter in the gentle breeze.
Podrick sat down beside her. "In what way?"
"For every person who wants the king to succeed, there is another who doesn't." She sighed. "For every person who tries to lift the person beside them, there's another trying to beat them down."
"Isn't that why King Aegon is building up leaders such as Edmure Tully and Genna Frey?" Podrick asked. "So they can be his envoys to their own people? Would Lady Tanda be so eager to share her knowledge on crop growing if the king hadn't elevated her to his council? He's giving the leaders reason to support his measures."
Brienne thought about her squire's words as she watched Serdun glide back to the top of the staircase. Beyond the dragon, she saw people gathered along the walls of the Red Keep and leaning out of windows. No one dared risk the dragons' wrath by coming within hearing range. Still, everyone watched and waited, ready to report on their every action.
"But will it be enough?" Brienne mused, watching Serdun leap back into the sky. "Will gold and glory be enough for people to put aside their own desires and work towards the common good?"
"Gold and glory are powerful motivators, my Lady Ser." Podrick pulled back his sleeve to admire his new arm band. "Most people have no gold. They struggle for a few coins and bread."
Brienne also looked at his new band. "But what about men who already have gold and glory? The gold around our arms started out at Highgarden. Ser Jaime took his men to kill House Tyrell and their supporters. Most of House Tarly died on the trip back from Highgarden. Ser Jaime gave the gold to Cersei who then gave it to the Golden Company."
"Much of that gold has returned to the Reach," Podrick pointed out. "Commander Strickland has been sending his men to reopen abandoned keeps, assess people's needs and put down bandits. All the new lords have enough gold to run their lands."
Brienne nodded slowly. "It's also gone into the Riverlands. Brynden Tully is a good commander but he couldn't have taken the Twins without more men, weapons and supplies than he had when he took Riverrun."
"The Lannister gold is also on its way to the Riverlands," Podrick reminded her. "The Unsullied are taking what they can carry to Harrenhall. Then Yara Greyjoy will take it to Braavos to trade for food to feed the people in the North and the Riverlands."
"The Lannisters and the Tyrells used their wealth to prop up Joffrey, then Tommen. They nearly destroyed House Stark, most of the North and turned the Riverlands into a graveyard."
Brienne stopped speaking to watch Serdun coast back down to the water's edge. It extended its wings and screeched, as if to show her how quickly it was recovering. She smiled, despite their serious discussion, and held out her arms for the green and orange dragon. Serdun, independent by nature, and probably tired of being coddled, squawked indignantly and leapt back into the sky. It coasted over their heads to land at the top of the stairs before taking another, higher leap. She and Podrick exchanged relieved smiles.
"The Lannisters had no choice but to support Joffrey." Podrick returned to their conversation. "For all his cruelty and mistakes, Joffery was their blood. Lord Tywin's power partially came from his grandsons being king. Just as much of the Tyrell's power came from Margaery being queen."
"But, in the end, their rule and their power ended by their own mismanagement, mistakes, and arrogance," Brienne noted.
"Lord Qyburn said that Cersei was stupid because she abused those below her and thought it power," Podrick recalled.
Brienne stilled. She remembered that day, of seeing the mask Qyburn had used fall off. His contempt for Cersei had been a shock after so many months of seeing the ex-maester as a mild, unassuming advisor.
"As I said before, she's so stupid she believed ordering around sycophants and servants was a display of power. She couldn't understand bullying those beneath her wasn't power, it was pathetic." Qyburn stepped back, so he was between Daenerys and Brienne. "These women have real power."
Brienne and Daenerys exchanged uneasy glances. Both looked at the dragons, but they were still calm. The dragons sensed something in Qyburn the humans were missing. But then Qyburn had proven to be deft at hiding his true nature. The man was far more cunning and clever than they'd imagined.
"Look at these women, Cersei," Qyburn continued. "They walked into King's Landing and took your city, your castle, your guards, your throne and your illusion of control. They didn't bully, they didn't kill. They just claimed what they wanted. That's real power."
"Yes," Brienne agreed softly. "Power, like gold, belongs in the hands of those who know how to use it, to distribute it, to its maximum effect. Limiting power to only a few is like limiting gold to only a few. Those who have it become corrupted by it and those who don't shrivel without it."
"King Aegon knows how to use it." Podrick nodded. "He's funding the forces that brought down the Lannisters and the Freys, stabilized the Reach and are reshaping Westeros."
Brienne sighed. "Tomorrow, Ser Jaime and his troops will begin their march north. I hope they're ready for it."
"Ser Jaime is a seasoned battle commander," Podrick pointed out. "He efficiently broke the siege at Riverrun and destroyed House Tyrell. The only reason he lost his rear guard was because of Drogon. The Westerlands army could have held off the Dothraki attack if Drogon hadn't been with them. No man can stand against a dragon."
Brienne looked out at the Sea Keeper and at Griff's new sigil. "Especially when that dragon has spent his whole life preparing to be king and wields the greatest sword in the known world."
Podrick followed her line of sight and also looked at the new sigil. "King Aegon doesn't need to be the Sword of the Morning to rule Westeros. He has dragons of his own."
"The dragon must have three heads," Selwyn announced quietly.
Brienne jerked and looked around, expecting to see her father. His voice had been so clear in her head. Ardayn and Gallan squawked and flew down to her, aware of her startled shock. Serdun had to glide down, thus had less control of its descent.
Podrick looked at her with concern. "What is it, my Lady Ser? Has the pain in your feet worsened?"
Brienne shook her head and held up her hand, indicating she needed a moment of silence. Podrick stroked Gallan and Ardayn while watching Serdun as it glided down to the water's edge. Brienne stared at the sigil of Aegon Martell Targaryen as she replayed their conversation from the Chamber of the Painted Table at Dragonstone.
"The dragon must have three heads," Selwyn announced quietly.
"King Jaehaerys, your grandfather, your Grace," Selwyn nodded to Daenerys, "believed in the prophecies of the prince who was promised. He even commanded your mother, Queen Rhaella, and father, King Aerys to marry. A woods witch had foretold that the prince who was promised would be born of their line."
"Prince Rhaegar was brought up to believe in the prophecy," Selwyn went on. "He thought he was the prince who was promised. He believed he was destined to have three children. Those three children would have the blood of the dragon and thus allow dragons to be reborn."
"Then Prince Aegon was born. He, like my Brienne, was born on the night of the red comet. That's when Rhaegar became fixated on the idea of producing three children to be the three heads of the dragon."
Only two children of Queen Rhaella's line remained. Her son, Viserys, and her granddaughter, Rhaenys, were both dead. That left only Griff and Daenerys as the heirs of the queen's blood. The dragon must have three heads but only one purpose. They needed to be unified in their intent and their actions. But Daenerys was at Harrenhall with Jon Snow, waiting for the Unsullied to arrive. Then she would take her armies to the Wall to reopen the empty Night's Watch castles. Meanwhile, Griff was here in King's Landing, trying to restore House Targaryen while simultaneously building support for his own kingship.
Both Griff and Daenerys believed they were the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. They both had armies, dragons and good intentions but their goals put them at odds. Westeros had endured war after war, selfish ruler after selfish ruler and had suffered for it. Now a threat greater than even armies, dragons and selfish rulers threatened to destroy them. The Army of the Dead didn't differentiate between Lannister, Stark or Targaryen. It didn't even separate between human or dragon. It would overpower every living creature to add to its forces.
Griff and Daenerys had never met. They knew of each other but hadn't seen each other. They'd never had the chance to see how similar their features and mannerisms were; how alike their silver-blond hair, indigo eyes and fine, symmetrical features were; how they both had the same mobile eyebrows that could so easily express their thoughts or how their deep compassion allowed them to champion those who needed the most and were given the least.
The dragon must have three heads.
How could the dragon have three heads when it had two separate, opposing hearts?
