Blackwater Bay
121 AC
Aenar POV
It had been nigh on a decade since he last laid eyes upon King's Landing and nothing had changed. The same streets curving across the landscape, the same people peddling their wares, the same stench permeating the air.
They had set sail from Braavos two sennights ago, three powerful galleys cutting across the Narrow Sea. More would follow over the course of the next few moons. The wind stung Aenar's face, the salty breeze and sea spray reminding him of the years spent campaigning in the Stepstones.
Aenar was a tempest of emotions as he approached the seat of his family's power. He had left this place barely a man, the wounds given to him by those who should have cared for him fresh in his mind. Yet now he returned, strong and powerful, with Cannibal to carry him. He landed as the commander of the most feared sellsword company in the world and the Scourge of the Dothraki.
He had a mansion in Braavos, in most of the Free Cities for that matter, but none of those places had been home. Home was a simple, yet powerful concept. One he had never appreciated in Essos, nor even in his previous life. Home was safety, a hearth, a family and belonging. He knew that he'd not find much of that in the Red Keep, save for family. And even then a very fucked up one. But it was a good start. His heart had always yearned to return to Westeros, and as he watched the Red Keep looming in front of him, for the first time in a decade, he felt as though he was home.
"It is no Casterly Rock, but the Red Keep has its own beauty," said Tyland Lannister as he stepped up next to him by the ship's railing.
The Master of Ships had shown up at Braavos five moon turns past, armed with the King's authority to negotiate Aenar's return to Westeros. Aenar would admit that he had been reticent at first, believing Tyland Lannister to be another one of Otto's lickspittles, but the man had proved otherwise. He was definitely a Green, but not one of the sheep that followed blindly. He served the Lannister agenda, which for now aligned with the Hightowers. His mind was sharp as a razor and he possessed a sheer force of personality and will. It was difficult to not respect the man.
"Perhaps I will have to take you up on your invitation and visit Casterly Rock one day to compare for myself," replied Aenar, turning his attention to the Lannister knight.
"Jason will probably fall over himself trying to please you. He'll practically throw his daughters at you in hopes of a match," japed Tyland with an easy smile.
The man may be a consummate politician but he was an honest one. At least as honest as a politician could be. He'd not even bothered to disguise the fact that he intended to find a way to profit from Aenar's return. And to be honest, Aenar didn't mind, for the man was one of the few nobles he'd met who had similar views to statesmanship as he did. Over the years, Tyland Lannister had initiated several reforms in his capacity as Master of Ships to better the lives of the smallfolk that fell under his purview. He was a man that believed in investing in lands and people, to further development. The benefit of the flock was the benefit of the shepherd after all.
"That my friend, is a matter for later, for now, I just want to get settled in Westeros before I navigate the quagmire of marriage."
"Aye, doesn't change the fact that you are one of the most eligible bachelors in the realm."
Aenar just grimaced at that. He knew that he would have to marry. But he was really hoping that he could push that off for as long as possible.
"And of course, there is the shitshow in King's Landing to look forward to as well," continued the Lannister.
"Indeed. I imagine the situation will be tense."
"Well, the King has summoned Princess Rhaenyra, her children and Prince Daemon back to the Red Keep to welcome you. The last time they were in the presence of King Viserys's sons, Aemond lost an eye and gained a dragon. I hope that your return won't be as eventful."
"I can't believe that Viserys would let such a level of enmity exist between his own children. It's shameful. I'll have to address that immediately."
Tyland looked at him almost warily, as though judging whether or not to advise him about the utility of such an endeavour, but chose to remain silent. The two knights watched from the ship as the Red Keep drew closer, the dock abuzz with activity as courtiers, nobles and men at arms gathered to greet him.
"Would you answer a question honestly, Tyland?" asked Aenar eventually, turning to the man who he almost considered a friend.
"Depends on your question, Aenar," replied the Lannister.
"What should I expect in King's Landing?"
Tyland appeared pensive for a moment, gauging his answer. A measured man was Tyland Lannister. Always thinking twice before speaking. But rarely did he hesitate.
"I can't speak for Daemon or Rhaenyra, for I know not the intricacies of your past with them, but undoubtedly, both Greens and Blacks will do their best to get their claws into you. Ideally, Otto would bend over backwards to accommodate all your demands so that he may erase the grudge you bear against him for his past actions against you, but the Hand has his pride, so I cannot be sure. Alicent will undoubtedly play up old affections and ties of friendship to draw you in again. Corlys will probably shower you with material aid to develop your lands in a bid to win your favour. And the rest of the Lords, my brother included, will throw their daughters at you with instructions to do anything necessary to secure a marriage."
Tyland took a deep breath and continued, "As Lord of Crackclaw Point, you will have an unprecedented influence in the Crownlands. As the largest landholder, with almost a tenth of the kingdom under your domain, and over one hundred and fifty thousand souls occupying them, you will undoubtedly face tensions from the Celtigars, Mootons and the Stauntons who have basically been running roughshod over the region for centuries."
"I figured I'd have to deal with the Celtigars, but the Mootons and Stauntons?"
"Aye, the Celtigars aren't the only ones who send tax collectors, the Mootons and Stauntons also frequently send tax collectors across their borders. And that's not even your biggest problem. Seven Knightly Houses call Crackclaw Point home. The Boggs, the Brune of Brownhollow, the Brunes of the Dyre Den, House Cave, House Crabb, House Hardy, and House Pyne. Seven Clawmen Houses have been sworn directly to the Crown since Aegon's Conquest. Believe me when I say that they were not happy when they were informed that their fealty would now be to you."
Aenar grunted his displeasure, "Can't say that's not expected. The balance of power has been affected, that is never pleasant to those opposed to change."
"And of course, it goes without saying that all your vassals and neighbours are fervently loyal to Princess Rhaenyra."
"I'll have to tread carefully then," Aenar said as he rubbed his temples.
"Fuck carefully. You're the Black Dragon. Lay down the law. Fly over to their keeps on day fucking one and demand their fealty on dragonback as Queen Visenya did a century ago. And as far as the Mootons and the Stauntons go, make it clear that you won't take any shit. They'll poke at you initially, to see how far they can push you. Push back hard enough and they'll get rattled enough that they will leave you alone," finished Tyland.
Aenar nodded at that, "Thank you, my friend, for your honesty and advice."
"Better savour it while it lasts, we've reached King's Landing and I guarantee you, that there will be little resembling honesty in the Red Keep," replied Tyland as he gestured at the towering structure.
It seems that they had finally arrived. The ship was on the verge of docking and he could spot the retinue that had formed to greet him clearly, with Otto Hightower standing at its head, the chains of the Hand of the King draped around his neck. Around him the guards were dressed in fine Targaryen red, the dragon emblazoned on their tunics as they stood at attention.
Aenar's eyes met Otto's as he readied to disembark, his stare not wavering as he maintained eye contact with the Hand. Neither blinked as the gangplank was lowered and Aenar finally stepped off the boat and set foot on Westerosi soil for the first time in two and ten years.
"Prince Aenar," addressed Otto, the words smooth and crisp, with no inflection whatsoever. Aenar was now confronted by a master of the Game, one who had been playing the Game of Thrones since the days of the Old King himself.
"I bid you welcome to Westeros, on behalf of King Viserys Targaryen. His Grace awaits you in the Throne Room."
"It is indeed good to be back Lord Hand," replied Aenar as he nodded curtly at the Hand of the King.
"House Targaryen and the realm itself have awaited eagerly for your return these past few turns of the moon."
"Perhaps it has. I look forward to seeing it for myself. I hear that much has changed since I left."
That drew a sharp look from Tyland as he realised that we were now wading into more dangerous territory.
"Indeed, much has changed, and yet much remains the same," replied Otto, his tone unchanged. His statement though was obvious in its intent. Otto rarely ever gave up the advantage, holding his cards close to his chest, never giving away any information unnecessarily and leading others by the nose as they spilled their thoughts without care.
Aenar however, was never one for subtlety, "Aye. I've heard much about the strife within the Red Keep. It is one of the first things that I intend to deal with now that I am here."
"And how do you intend to deal with it?" replied Otto, as he beckoned forward and the two began walking up the dock to the Red Keep.
"Change, Lord Hand is never easy. Sometimes in order to effect real change, one must have to do what others are unwilling to. I will do what I must for House Targaryen and steer it away from the path that you, my brothers and my niece have set it on."
"A powerful statement, Your Grace, however I am but a lowly Hand, recently reinstated for that matter. I have hardly done anything that might influence the Crown as I was idling way in Oldtown."
"I have known you for a long time Ser Otto, and you have never spent any of your time idling away. Packing you off to Oldtown was perhaps one of the best decisions Viserys ever made, but I doubt that adversely impacted your agenda in King's Landing," replied Aenar as he snorted lightly. The gloves were off and Aenar could see that his statement had caught the Hand off guard. He was not expecting such blatant offence.
"You give me too much credit, my prince. But if I recall correctly, I was not the only one who King Viserys, how did you put it, packed off," countered Otto with a glint of anger in his eyes.
"And now I am back. And so are you. But I guarantee you one thing Otto, this time, I am here to stay."
"I have little reason to leave as well. I serve the King faithfully, without the errors I made during my previous tenure, my daughter is Queen and my grandson is the King's firstborn son. I do not doubt that we will be seeing much of each other in the years to come."
"A shame that. Mayhaps I will have to work to see that change."
"I imagine that would be a difficult task for even the Liberator. After all, the King values my counsel and the Queen, my grandchildren and many others at court would be distraught if I were to leave. I wonder who would be distraught if you were to decide that King's Landing is not to your taste?" replied Otto, the subtle insinuation that he lacked allies in the Red Keep was not lost on Aenar.
"I am honoured that the Lord Hand cares so deeply for my well-being, but you need not worry Ser Otto, I am sure that I will have little trouble integrating into King's Landing."
"Perhaps. My door is always open to you should you need any assistance. I understand if you are reticent to approach me, but whatever occurred in the past should stay in the past. We must look to the future Prince Aenar. Together, we can achieve much more than apart."
"We will see about that Lord Hand. We will see."
The Throne Room
The Red Keep
A few minutes later
Alicent POV
"All Hail! Prince Aenar Targaryen, Lord of Crackclaw Point, the Black Dragon, Rider of the Cannibal, Commander of the Sons of the Dragon, the Liberator, Bane of the Dothraki, Hordebreaker and Knight of the Seven Kingdoms!"
The herald boomed as the imposing doors to the Throne Room were thrown open and Aenar Targaryen strode in regally.
It had been over a decade since she had last seen him. The years had been kind to Aenar Targaryen. As a young man, he'd always been a bit shy. Not shy, thought Alicent but reserved perhaps. He'd always possessed a quiet confidence, one that most boys lacked. But now, there was no doubt that she was witnessing a Conqueror. A man who had forged his legacy in fire and blood and now returned triumphant to Westeros.
A hair above six feet, Aenar Targaryen possessed the features of Old Valyria in spades. Silver-gold hair, amethyst eyes and inhuman grace. Years of warfare and hardship had undoubtedly eroded the fine beauty the Valyrians were famed for, but with a powerful build, broad shoulders and finely cut beard, clad in ornate red and black armour, Aenar Targaryen looked like the Warrior reborn.
The boy who had left the Red Keep was gone, and in his place stood a man. The Throne Room stood still, not even a whisper to break the silence. Naught could be heard but the click of Aenar's boots on stone as he approached the Iron Throne. At her side, Viserys shifted in his seat, in an attempt to appear as regal as his brother who walked with all the purpose, determination and strength that Viserys lacked.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spied Daemon tense even as Rhaenyra smiled lightly next to Aenar. An involuntary smile tinged her face as well, as she saw that. Regardless of what strife may exist between her and Rhaenyra, the two of them had loved Aenar dearly as children. Seeing him, hale and prosperous after all these years, warmed her heart. On her left, she felt Aegon and Aemond shuffle lightly as they watched their famed uncle approach and finally kneel before the Throne, before Viserys.
Viserys rose from his throne, taking care not to accidentally cut himself on one of the many sharp blades that formed his throne. A single gesture, and Ser Cristan handed him Blackfyre. He walked imperiously, his face blank and stood before Aenar. The room waited with baited breath as the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms pulled Blackfyre from its sheath. The rippling grey steel shining with an almost ethereal beauty.
He pressed the blade to Aenar's shoulder, perhaps the first man to touch live steel on the Hordebreaker's personage in over a decade.
"Prince Aenar of House Targaryen," the King's voice boomed, "are you my true and honest liegeman, now and forever?"
"I am, Your Grace."
"And do you swear to serve me loyally all your days, to give me honest counsel and swift obedience, to defend my rights and my realm against all foes in battles great and small, to protect my people and punish my enemies?"
"I do, Your Grace."
"Then rise again, Ser Aenar Targaryen, rise again as Lord of Crackclaw Point and a Prince of House Targaryen."
Aenar rose from his feet and the assembled court watched as the two brothers stared into each other's eyes, neither breaking eye contact, before Aenar finally nodded and Viserys moved to embrace his brother. The court burst into applause as the two brothers embraced.
"My brother is returned!" crowed Viserys, raising Aenar's arm into the air, the applause turning up a notch as the Royal Court celebrated the newest addition to House Targaryen. Alicent too clapped along politely as did the rest of the Royal Family.
The next few minutes passed in a blur as Lords, Ladies and Knights aplenty gathered around Aenar to congratulate him on his ascension and return, a beaming Viserys smiling jubilantly by his brother's side. Eventually, however, Aenar was able to extricate himself from the thrumming crowd to approach the throne.
He walked slowly up the stairs to the Iron Throne, where the Royal Family stood awaiting. He'd always been reserved, his expressions hard to discern. But Alicent had known Aenar a long time. And she could see that he was nervous. Nervous to meet the family he'd been separated from for over a decade.
"Oh Aenar!" cried out Rhaenyra as she walked up to him and threw her arms around him. Whether it was excitement at seeing her uncle, or an attempt to get the first word in, Alicent would never know, but the joy on the Princess's face seemed genuine.
Aenar wrapped his arms around her as well, and embraced her tightly, a small smile dancing upon his lips as he was reunited with his niece, "Rhaenyra. Gods, you have grown even more beautiful. I had not thought it possible."
"You always knew exactly what to say. I have missed you dearly, uncle. The Red Keep and Dragonstone were never the same after you left," replied Rhaenyra as she guided him towards her children.
Aenar's eyes met Alicent's briefly and he quirked a light smile, Rhaenyra's intentions were obvious, but Aenar had always found her attempts at manipulating him adorable. As a girl, she had used her charm and cuteness to great effect to convince Aenar and Alicent into joining her little shenanigans. It seemed that old habits were hard to break. Only now, the rewards were no longer lemon pies in the kitchens, but the Crown and the Iron Throne itself.
"Aenar I'd like you to meet my children," said Rhaenyra, Jacerys, Lucerys and Joffrey standing at attention and attempting and failing miserably to look imperiously stern before their uncle. A sharp look was directed at her own children. She'd be damned before Rhaenyra's brood of bastards outshone her sons and daughter.
Aenar knelt down and lifted Joffrey off his feet and into his arm, his left arm moving automatically to ruffle the hair of Jacerys and Lucerys respectively, "Well bugger me sideways, you little lads look like strapping young men. Which one of you wants to be a knight?"
"Me!" chorused the boys as they giggled along with their uncle. Aenar laughed wholeheartedly as he tossed Joffrey up and down for a bit and playfully joked with the young ones. He'd never cared for propriety, even as a boy. And now it was obvious that he cared even less so. Eventually he turned away from the 'Velaryon' boys and made his way towards Alicent. She did not miss the fact that he had pointedly ignored Daemon who stood next to Rhaenyra and behind the children. A fact that was not lost on the Rogue Prince, whose face was growing red at the insult.
"My dear Alicent, beautiful as ever. I have missed you," said Aenar as he leaned forward and kissed her outstretched hand. Even Aenar wasn't oblivious enough to propriety to hug the Queen in the middle of the Throne Room in front of a hundred gathered nobles.
"Aenar, it is indeed good to have you back," smiled Alicent as she gestured for her children to come forward.
"I am sure you remember Aegon and Helaena," she continued, placing her hands on their shoulders.
"We are well met Uncle Aenar," said Aegon and Helaena, with the latter curtseying gracefully.
A broad smile broke out on Aenar's face as he moved forward to hug her two children as well. Aegon seemed almost surprised at the blatant display of affection whereas Helaena just smiled softly. While neither remembered their uncle, having been barely more than babes when he had been exiled, both had heard numerous stories about him from Alicent and Viserys.
"The Gods are truly kind to have blessed you and Viserys with such amazing children," he said to Alicent, "and who are these two brave young men?"
"Aenar, I'd like you to meet your nephews, Aemond and Daeron," she waved her other two boys forward. Aemond's eye shifting nervously as he stood before his uncle, while Daeron was practically bouncing in excitement at the idea of finally meeting Aenar.
Again, Aenar's arms swooped out and just as he had with Joffrey, he lifted little Daeron into the air and bounced him in his arms while the other reached out to ruffle Aemond's hair, much to the latter's annoyance. Her second son had always been too serious for his own age. Something that had only become worse after Rhaenyra's bastards had assaulted him.
Alicent's lips threatened to curl into a snarl at the memory of Aemond's bleeding face as he cried into her embrace, but she restrained herself. Instead, watching Aenar doting on her children and japing lightly with them brought a smile to his lips. It was good to see that even after everything that had happened, Aenar's love for his nephews and nieces had not diminished.
Rhaenyra and her brood also approached eventually and Aenar spent the next few minutes entertaining the children, 'Velaryon' and Targaryen alike, and for a moment it seemed to Alicent that it was like watching a normal family. Aenar had an infectious energy. Oh he was reserved and stoic most of the time, but children always brought about a different side to him. He would make a wonderful father some day.
"Alright lads and ladies," called out Aenar eventually, "as much fun as this is, I can't help but notice that my two nieces are missing. Where are they?"
He turned to Alicent questioningly and she realised belatedly that he was referring to Rhaena and Baela, Daemon's daughter. She hesitated briefly, not expecting him to ask after them before answering, "Ladies Baela and Rhaena are with their grandparents, the Lord and Lady Velaryon."
Aenar turned at that, his eyes scanning the Throne Room before eventually landing upon the Velaryon family, "Well that won't do now, will it."
Off to the side, Daemon tensed as he heard Aenar's words and watched him begin moving towards his daughters. His brief confusion cost him however, as before he could do anything, Aenar was already making his way towards the Velaryons.
Quick, powerful strides saw him cross the Throne Room in almost no time, the crowd parting instantly for the Black Dragon as he reached his goal.
The Sea Snake tensed and Rhaenys Targaryen placed her hands protectively over her granddaughters' shoulders upon seeing Aenar approach.
"Lord Corlys, Princess Rhaenys, we are well met. It has been many years," greeted Aenar.
"Prince Aenar, on behalf of Driftmark and House Velaryon, I am glad to welcome you back to Westeros," replied the Lord of the Tides, his tone stiff and formal. Obviously, he had not expected Aenar to seek out him and his family so abruptly.
"And I am glad to be returned. And yet I am curious that I have not been introduced to my nieces yet," said Aenar and then without waiting for an answer, he immediately knelt down before the girls.
"So you two must be Rhaena and Baela. Or am I wrong and am speaking to the wrong princesses in the Red Keep?"
"We are not Princesses, Ser Aenar," replied one of the girls, Alicent could not figure which one.
Aenar grimaced at that, before adopting a pleasant smile on his face, "Well, I am your Uncle Aenar, and to me, you both will always be princesses."
The girls giggled lightly at that, Aenar's infectious humour breaking past the tension.
"Now which one of you is Rhaena and which is Baela?"
"I am Baela," said the one on the left, her expression fierce, but humour evident in the little girl's eyes, and after a nudge from Rhaenys adding respectfully, "Prince Aenar."
"Well, Princess Baela and Princess Rhaena, my first lesson to you, never call me that again, Uncle Aenar will do just fine."
The Red Keep
A few hours later
Aenar POV
He stood there, silently, for a long moment. Casting his eyes about the antechamber he had been summoned to. As with everything else in the castle, it was dragon-themed. Great black and red banners hung from the walls, the furniture carved to depict the great beasts that those of his blood commanded.
His welcome to Westeros had lasted for several hours. After he had met with his family, he'd been forced to stand back and be introduced to what seemed like every Lord in Westeros. It appeared that not just the regular coterie of nobles that made up the court were present for his return, but Lords from all over Westeros had travelled to King's Landing to witness his return.
After several hours of feasting and introductions, he'd finally retired to the chambers that had been set aside for him, only to find Ser Erryk Cargyll awaiting him with a summons from Viserys.
He returned his eyes to the reason for his summons, his silent brother. Viserys eventually spoke, "I will not insult you with platitudes, nor bury you in apologies. Harm was done to you and I regret it. Yet whilst I do wish things had gone differently, the past is beyond our ability to change."
Aenar clenched his jaw but maintained his silence.
The King didn't falter, "Whilst you are here now as a result of my attempt to correct mistakes made. You may wonder, brother, the ulterior motive behind your Lordship-"
Realising the King would continue bulldozing through if not stopped, Aenar cut in, "So you intend to gloss over it all?"
Viserys stared blankly so Aenar continued, "I was imprisoned and tormented by Daemon whilst protecting your daughter and you did nothing to stop it. Following that, when claiming the only thing I'd ever wanted, I was forced into exile and you sent assassins after me."
"Aen-" The King attempted to stop his tirade.
"Now, what? I'm supposed to forget it ever happened and return to give my brother a hug?" Aenar finished with fire in his eyes, fists clenched and shaking with the violence he would very much like to unleash.
Viserys frowned, "You must understand, brother, the position I was put in."
Aenar cut in once more, "Oh, must I?"
"You will sit and listen to my words as I have yours!" Viserys stood from his chair, his own anger roused and for a moment it appeared the brothers would come to blows.
A deep breath from the King saw him sit once more, Aenar let out a hiss as he walked over to a chair on the opposite side of the table, settling down to hear his estranged brother's words.
"When you stole your dragon, and do not argue with that for it was theft in truth. I was forced for days to deal with the fallout of Daemon and Rhaenyra's actions as well as my councillors all arguing for your arrest and execution."
"Otto wanted me dead? I cannot say that surprises me, the poisonous wretch."
"He was not the only one. That I sent meagre useless halfwits after you is a testament to the care I still bore for you. I would think you'd have worked that out on your own."
Aenar had, in fact, not worked that out. Though it seemed all too reasonable in hindsight.
He snorted, and elaborated at his brother's questioning look, "How fucked is our family, that the quality of the assassins sent to kill each other denotes how much we cared for one another."
He received a small smile from Viserys then, "Indeed, I often wonder whether we would all have been happier born with lesser means. It is clear to me now that power does not make happiness alone."
Aenar considered that for a moment before replying, "No, it does not. I suppose that brings us onto the topic at hand. Why is it that you sent for me after all of these years?"
The ageing king lifted his gaze, "That question possesses a rather simple answer. My family is in tatters."
This comment did receive a response from the quiet man, "You've a beautiful wife and five healthy children. I'm not sure that qualifies as tatters, Your Grace."
He received a humourless laugh in response to his statement, "Indeed, yet my wife and daughter are at such odds that war is almost inevitable upon my death. I watch as everything our family has forged teeters on the edge of incredible violence, but what am I to do? I may be king, but not even a crown can force family members to comply."
A fact I know all too well, Aenar thought.
"I fail to see where I could be of help in this situation, brother," he dispensed with the niceties. Receiving only a raised brow for the deviation from protocol.
"The lords of the land and courtiers here in King's Landing divide themselves up by colour, you know? Blacks for Rhaenyra, Greens for Aegon."
Aenar scoffed, "Answering questions with vague statements is a game for smarter men than you, Viserys. Speak plainly, it suits you better."
The look he received from the King almost made him laugh, "I'll thank you for showing more respect to your King, Aenar."
The Liberator waved dismissively, "Yes, yes, now what is it you want me to do."
Viserys frowned, but used to Aenar's bluntness by this point, continued nonetheless, "You are familiar with many of the Green faction, or at least passive enough in their minds that you mind possess some influence, yet you also shared a rather strong relationship with Rhaenyra before your exile."
"Ah, I see. You hope that I might act as a bridge between the two."
"Yes. If anyone can end this peacefully, I believe it to be you."
Aenar scoffed, "I haven't seen any of them in a decade. Alicent is bound to be far different than she was, Rhaenyra certain to be the same. I haven't even met my nephews and nieces properly yet."
"Well, I still believe that you would certainly be more welcome than I," the King finished with a slight grin.
The younger man chuckled, "On that, we can certainly agree."
The King nodded and turned away once more, taking a deep draw from his cup of wine.
"I confess, brother, that I don't believe it will work. Yet I shall endeavour to bring a passive end to this family conflict."
Viserys smiled, "That is all I can ask of you."
The Prince nodded, "Anyway, it's getting on in the day and I still need to see my men. By your leave?"
"You are excused. You will dine with me soon to discuss some finer points," the King replied.
Aenar bowed his head and left the room.
As the door shut with a bang, Viserys closed his eyes and sighed, when he spoke it was a whisper, "For the sake of us all, Aenar, I hope you're wrong."