The Lord of the Seven Kingdoms.
Aegon watched dispassionately as his nephew rushed out of his chambers, no doubt afraid of the imposing figure cut by his Shield, Sandoq.
Thinking of Sandoq brought back memories for him. Memories of an easier time, when his enemies were dead and he only had to worry about Unwin Peake's plots. The few years between his ascension to the Throne and the end of his regency were still imprinted on his mind as if it were only yesterday.
And he still saw his mother eaten by Uncle's dragon every time he slept.
Aegon should have done something about it, but he had stood by, like an idiot, while his mother had been roasted and eaten. He should have begged or pleaded or even tried to rush his uncle, to distract him and give his mother a chance to escape. But he had done nothing.
And in his dreams, his mother blamed him for it. Blamed him for standing by and allowing her to die.
Aegon shook his head as if the physical motion would get rid of these thoughts. His brother would always tell him that he was not to blame and that the fault lay with their usurping uncle. But his mother's face as she died screaming was seared onto Aegon's memory and he always felt guilty for it.
His brother was the only help he had ever wanted and the only help he was willing to admit. He would never trust anyone else. His brother had been with him, at the Battle of the Gullet, as it had come to be known. He had run away in fear and left his brother behind with the Lysene. And yet, his brother loved him. For this love alone, Aegon would never refuse his brother anything.
Lost as he was in his musings of the past, Aegon did not notice a servant enter his chambers until she was close to him. He fixed his eye upon her and made a gesture of interrogation. Aegon never liked the servants at the Red Keep. They had just as easily sold out his mother as they had poisoned his uncle and he preferred not to interact with them unless absolutely necessary.
The servant bowed and said, "The Hand waits outside, your grace."
"Very well. Ask for him to be sent in and direct him to me," Aegon ordered.
The servant bowed and left. Soon, she returned with his brother in tow who took a seat opposite him.
"Your son came to see me some time ago. He spoke of some woman he loved but did not deign to tell me her name. Did he speak to you of this?" Aegon asked Viserys.
Viserys grimaced, distaste clearly visible on his face and Aegon took that to mean his brother was opposed to the match.
"She is a Stokeworth. And she is not even the daughter of the lord. She is his brother's daughter. As it stands, I am of a mind to have her married off to a knight from our retainers here at King's Landing and grant them some land as far from here as possible," Viserys replied.
"The master-at-arms here should make a fine enough husband for her. Ser Lothston and his family have served our House for a long time, going all the way back to the time of Maegor the Cruel," Viserys continued.
"They have served us well, true. But would marrying him off to a despoiled woman not be a poor way of showing our gratitude for services rendered?" Aegon questioned.
Viserys looked away in thought. Aegon knew his brother must have had something in his mind to deal with this issue and waited for his brother to speak.
"Despite my assertions of her ensnaring Aegon, the fact remains that he has despoiled her. Given significant lands or a large castle, he will keep his silence in regards to the woman. However, Harrenhal still remains empty and many consider the castle cursed. None of our vassals would care that he has been given Harrenhal and he would be bound in vassalage to Tully," Viserys answered.
Aegon was not really convinced by this, but since his brother wanted to do this to put his son's mistake to rights, Aegon was willing to grant Viserys his request and bestow Harrenhal upon Lucas Lothston.
Viserys seemed to have mistaken Aegon's silence as reluctance and continued with his explanation. "In the days of Aegon the Dragon, when Harrenhal was first burnt by the flames of the Black Dread, the castle was given to Ser Quenton Qoherys, master-at-arms of Dragonstone. There is a precedent for it brother, and you are the King. None would question your decision."
"If this is how you wish to resolve the situation, then so be it. I shall grant Ser Lucas Harrenhal. Get the woman married to our master-at-arms and send her away from here," Aegon said.
Viserys nodded. Then he seemed to have remembered something and spoke, "There is a matter of utmost importance I have to speak with you. As you know, Lord Arryn was sent in your name across the Crownlands to collect a special tithe for the tourney in celebration of Warrior's Day."
"However, on his way back from Stonedance, and just inside the Kingswood, he was ambushed by bandits and the whole of his party was murdered and robbed. He was travelling with around twenty men and for all of them to be killed…"
"It must be a large gang of bandits. Remnants of Cregan Stark's men or perhaps from some other army," Aegon finished.
"Yes. Such a situation must not be allowed to stand, not in the Crownlands and not so close to us. The local lordlings are to blame for not bringing this to our attention sooner and they shall be dealt with after the celebrations," Viserys replied.
He continued, "I have asked the Master of Whispers to get an estimate on their numbers within a week. The Lord Commander has been tasked with getting a force of ten knights and however many men-at-arms are required for this endeavour to succeed. The only thing left is your assent, brother," Viserys said.
Aegon nodded. " Of course. The good of the realm comes first. Send as many men as are needed." Then, a thought took hold of Aegon and he continued before his brother could speak further.
"Your younger son squires for Ser Ruskin, I believe. And your eldest is your own squire. Neither of them has had a chance to get outside of King's Landing much and they are yet to see real combat. I want you to send then with this party to get rid of the bandits," Aegon said.
Viserys seemed to be rather receptive to the idea and Aegon continued on. " Let your sons be blooded before the tourney. Once they have a taste of real combat, they are bound to do well in the tourney. Ser Ruskin is a part of the assembled knights, isn't he? Send another knight of the Kingsguard for their protection if you fear for their safety."
Viserys nodded his assent. "Ten knights are to be part of this party venturing into the Kingswood. I see no reason to send yet more. I have faith in my sons' ability. Though, perhaps sending Sandoq would make a statement of your intent."
Aegon shook his head. "Sandoq has become too old, Viserys. He can no longer even guard me properly. His veil covers his face and his age, and I only keep him close for his size. I fear that he has not much time left in this world." As he said this, Aegon felt melancholy. All of those with whom he had shared his childhood, save his brother, were already dead or dying. His youth made it even worse, for he knew he had yet many years to live.
"If that is all, Viserys, I wish to be alone for a little while yet," Aegon said. Viserys stood up to leave but hesitated. Aegon looked at him. Viserys was not usually one to keep things from him and Aegon knew he would tell him if he believed the matter to be important.
After a few moments deliberation, Viserys took a deep breath spoke. "I believe that it would be nothing but beneficial Aegon, if you stop shutting yourself off from the realm and from your family. Old Munkun is still going on and on about a royal progress. At the very least, I would urge you to be a bit more open in matters regarding your subjects and vassals. Seeing you closed off pains me deeply, even after all these years."
Aegon felt his lips curl into a semblance of a smile. His brother's concern for the image he projected was admirable but his problems were his own and too numerous. So Aegon made the usual excuses and Viserys left.
As soon as Viserys left, a coughing fit took over Aegon. He covered his mouth with his hands as he coughed and once he stopped his coughing, he looked at his hands. They were covered in flecks of blood.