The Palace of Blood was sweltering. Given the number of people that were present within it-Haldon had said something like 5000 people were here-that wasn't surprising. But, if Aegon, who never felt the heat, was feeling it, it must truly be hot. He took a deep breath and glanced to the side, where Ser Arthur and Lemore were standing. As they were not members of the Blood, they could not move from the wall, but they were keeping an eye. As was his illegitimate uncle, Ser Jaehaerys Waters.
Aegon took a breath, and turned away from the corner to speak with the man who was at his side. "Is it always this crowded?" He asked.
The man, Daemon Qoherys snorted. "No, Your Grace, it's this busy because you are here."
Aegon bit back a sigh. It was still a surprise to him that the people here, every single one it seemed, knew who he was. How that hadn't gotten out to Westeros he didn't know. "Truly?" He asked. Was he really such a draw?
"Truly, Your Grace." Qoherys replied. "It is rare that a member of the old families of Valyria visits Volantis, rarer still that a head of a family as prestigious as the Targaryen dynasty visits." As a woman, tall, with flowing silver hair walked passed, and fluttered her eyelashes at Aegon, Qoherys continued. "Everyone wants to know who Your Grace will favour in the upcoming elections."
Elections, Aegon didn't understand the appeal of elections. Why allow a mob to decide the future of the city? He sighed. "Who are the candidates?" He knew who the candidates were, he'd studied them intricately, but he wanted to get Qoherys view.
Qoherys grinned, and nodded to a rather tall and fat man wiping his brow. "That man is Aemon Sandstorm, he was a general in the army of Volantis many years ago. He won a victory for the city against a Dothraki Horde, and as such is trying to ride off of that, given recent developments."
Recent developments being the marriage of Aegon's aunt to a Khal. "Is he for the Tigers?"
"Yes. He's backed by those two men you see talking to him." Qoherys answered. "Laenor and Vaemond."
Aegon quirked a brow. "Do they have last names?" Usually, the last name was emphasised here, to show how old the family was.
Qoherys shook his head. "No, their families are fairly recent members of the Black Council. As such their names have not been approved."
Aegon raised an eyebrow. "That is most unusual." Usually, to ascend to the Black Council, one had to have proof of lineage going back to Valyria. If Laenor and Vaemond didn't have that, then, how had they ascended to it?
"Their grandfather provided the funds that allowed Sandstorm to use wildfire against the Dothraki." Qoherys answered.
"Ah." Aegon replied, that would do it.
Qoherys changed his focus now to three other men, all of whom were talking to one another, rather animatedly. "Those men are all brothers, Aemon, Gaemon and Aenys. They are from the Aurion family."
"They are running for the Elephants?" Aegon asked, they had the look of merchants.
"They are." Qoherys said.
"Anyone else running for the elephants?" Aegon asked, it seemed unusual that one family would run three candidates for the limited spaces available.
"No, Sire, the Aurions have held sway over the elephants for generations." Qoherys said.
Aegon nodded, and was about to say something, but before he could, a softer, more feminine voice spoke. "Qoherys, are you bothering the King?"
Aegon turned and saw Talisa Maegyr standing there. She looked a vision. Aegon swallowed.
"I was merely informing His Grace of who the candidates are in the upcoming election, my lady." Qoherys said, Aegon turned and saw him bow. The Maegyr family outranked Qoherys, due to having been around since the time of Valyria.
Talisa extended her arm, and Aegon took it. "Walk with me, Your Grace." The woman said. Aegon glanced behind him to where Qoherys grinned. He then turned and started walking.
As they walked, Aegon took in Talisa Maegyr. She was tall, coming to just below his eyes, and had long wavy hair, and piercing eyes. She was a beauty that was for sure.
"Was Qoherys trying to get you to decide who you would support in the upcoming election, Sire?" Maegyr asked.
Aegon saw no point in lying, so he answered. "Yes."
Talisa laughed. "And, what did you decide?"
"That elections are a foolish thing, destined to end in ruin." Aegon said simply.
Talisa smiled, and that smile was the most wonderful thing he'd ever seen. "I agree, Your Grace. What Volantis needs is a King."
"A King?" Aegon replied. "There have been no Kings here since the Century of Blood."
"That could change." Talisa said.
Aegon stopped walking, prompting Talisa to stop. He stared at her. "Are you suggesting what I think you are suggesting, my lady?"
Talisa smiled. "I think it would be a good thing, for Volantis, and for whoever became King."
"I have a duty across the sea." Aegon replied stiffly.
"And do you think you can fulfil that duty now? Robert Baratheon remains on the throne in good health, with his friend Lord Stark serving as Hand, do you really think you can break that down?" Talisa asked.
"I have to try." Aegon said. There was far too much riding on him trying and succeeding for him to abandon it now.
"Every single person in this Palace would support you if you wanted to become King of Volantis." Talisa replied. "You merely need to say the word."
Aegon sighed. "I have a duty to my people and my family, I cannot and will not abandon them." With that he kissed her hand and walked away. His mind racing.
