Chapter 2: The Two Kings
Sunlight trickled in through the lace curtains. Wide stone columns lined the length of the small council chamber, two vast Valyrian sphinx statues stood at either side of the main doorway. King Daeron sat at the head of the table wearing the crown of Jaeherys. His hands were placed on his thighs, mostly to drain the sweat from his palms. He kept his hair medium length, and his beard short. The doublet he wore was of a rich red velvet, his surcoat was even more elaborate, lined with gold and silver thread and black pearls sown into the hem.
King Aegon was sat to the left of King Daeron. The simple motif of his attire had remained the same, only black myrish lace and the slender golden circlet upon his brow; his gesture of humility had gone a long way. Over the course of the week, the fraught and icy nervousness that held the air between the two kings had begun to thaw into a lukewarm understanding.
The meeting was small, only two additional persons were present from either side. Ser Tyland Lannister, the hand of the king, sat to the right of his king. Despite his age, 'The White Lion' still carried out his duties with vigor. no man in the kingdoms had half his experience playing the various games of court. Beside him was Prince Aenys with his stiff back, sharp goatee, and tunic the color of rain-clouds. Facing Aenys was Prince Baelon, King Aegon's younger brother, with his right hand tightly bandaged and burn marks just barely visible under his collar. Although not as outwardly handsome as his brother, he radiated the kind of sincerity King Daeron admired; neither Aenys nor Ser Tyland trusted him. Baelon was very short in height and even slighter in build, he cut a sharp image of contrast with his towering nephew sat beside him. Prince Valarr was not particularly fat, nor was he muscled; he was simply large, like the trunk of an oak. Lord Commander Penrose stood guard.
Daeron gave a nod to his hand, Ser Tyland rose with much effort and gave a bow to both kings. "Your grace — your grace — my lords — As it is a matter of great importance to both realms represented here, it is of my humble opinion that a certain subject be broached here today. Lords Oscar Tully and Ortys Celtigar, have informed me of the progress of their negotiations with your honorable emissary…"
"I do hope magister Azantys has handled himself well…", cut in Aegon, reminding Ser Tyland of the magister's name.
"…err — certainly, your grace, the negotiations have come along finely…however, that is in matters of trade. It would appear there can no longer be any progress made, at least in the matter of numbers, without an agreement on how the matter of the step stones is to be handled". Baelon winced, and Valarr perked up out of his boredom.
King Daeron cleared his throat, "In order for us to understand what exactly it is we are to talk about, my lord, it is best we name our grievances…It is also best we forgive any minor grievances, my lord, in honor of my cousin, King Aegon, for having made the long journey here".
"Certainly, your grace, err… forgiving minor issues…there are still two major 'grievances' that must be considered. These are as such, firstly, the steep, as I am told, taxation of Westerosi ships transiting through the area. And secondly…the burning of 'the burning tower' and the death of it's crew; which, as the main merchant vessel of House Grafton included the lord's youngest son…It is of my opinion, that these two subjects be discussed one at a time"
The room was struck silent. King Aegon tapped the table, deep in thought. Prince Baelon spoke softly and slowly.
"Your grace, as your hand has spoken truly of these matters, I shall try my best to provide a truthful explanation. On the first matter, the taxes on Westerosi ships are indeed not a small sum, however, the gold acquired from passing ships is needed to combat the intractable piracy of the region…the locals have proven to be rather…recalcitrant… the region has also shown itself to be a hub of both proxy and mercenary activities; it is known that the two primary offenders are Dorne and Volantis. But the sponsorship of piracy, is not the only issue, Dornish raids despite being noneffective, require resources to repel; as I am certain you are well aware of here in Westeros. Despite these nuisances to the proper administration of our sea lanes, we have managed to keep the vast majority of ships that cross the step stones, safe from pillage and harm. I implore you, your grace, not to think of these taxes as extortion, we have never had such an intention".
Aegon turned and smiled at his brother before returning to his tapping. Prince Aenys spoke next with his rough and gravelly voice.
"Your reasoning on the need for taxes is sound, cousin, but I will not have you deny any extortion. Your brother, the prince Viserys, should be here today. It is his own administration of the step stones that he must defend. No extortion…hmppf…what of the ships that fail to pay your taxes? What of the ships unlawfully impounded by his order? What of the their burning at his command? What of the murder of our lordlings and honest sailor-folk? You swear no insult, cousin, but these are indeed grave insults to our crown…"
"Calm yourself brother!", asserted Daeron, but Aenys continued.
"…where is Viserys now, hidden on bloodstone. He should be standing trial, Lord Grafton would have his head, but he sends his daughter instead…", Valarr stood up sharply.
"Watch your tongue…uncle", he spat venom with his words.
Aenys stood up to match him, they locked eyes. The lord commander put his hand on the hilt of his sword. Daeron slammed his fist on the table.
"Enough!", he exclaimed, "Sit down!", both men sat down slowly, never dropping their eye contact.
"Apologies, your grace, for this lack of poise and decorum", said Daeron, "my brother was foolhardy in his tone…however…he is not incorrect in his meaning. It is important we discuss incident of 'the burning tower'".
Aegon continued, hunched over his finger as it tapped, deep in thought. Baelon rushed in to fill the silence.
"Your grace…Prince Viserys…is — he…", Aegon raised his finger and Baelon stopped speaking. King Aegon slowly rose to his feet.
"Your grace — my lords — I understand this is not a subject to shy away from…so I will follow my brother's example and speak in earnest. I was only ten-and-six when I inherited my crown. I have since defended it from insurrection, rebellion, and nursed it through sickness and plague. I have grieved my sister-wife, and my mother, and nearly too Valarr when he was but a child. Yet I have remained steadfast in my duty; not to myself or even the realm, but to the same duty Jahaerys had to the conqueror. The duty of a son, or a grandson. The duty of legacy. Your grace — no man may understand the gnawing ache of rule lest they wear a crown. I speak to you now not as kin to kin, but as a king to a king."
"I am no coward, I understand the gravity of this hole we find ourselves in", he continued, "but I can not give my brother to the executioner's sword, nor to whips, or any other degrading measure…", Aenys tried to cut in but Aegon powered over him, "…but what I can do, I will do. My brother has been diplomatic in his words. It is my understanding that there have been sightings of krakens, scythes, even mermen and what have you amongst the pirates that scourge the Stepstones…If I were my father, I would demand the heads of your lords Greyjoy and Harlaw for the sacking of Gray Gallows…but I am not my father. I do not wish to see the house of the dragon tear itself down; it is in both our interests to ameliorate any such strife between us, for the benefit of both our realms and our family. That — is the reason of my visit, and surely, your grace, the reason that you invited me", Aegon returned to his seat.
"You have given me much to ruminate, your grace," said Daeron, "but the matter still stands. What is to be done about Prince Viserys?"
"My uncle simply did what his station required of him," said Valarr.
"And he was brutish in carrying out the function of his station", said Aegon before taking a long pause, "He shall be stripped of his position, barred from court for ten years, and will live on our estate in the formerly disputed lands". Valarr looked at his father in shock, his mouth agape.
"That is most satisfactory, your grace" said King Daeron.
"That is hardly a punishment", said Aenys.
"It is a fine gesture, your grace," said Ser Tyland, "but what of the matter of taxation?"
Aegon rubbed his head in frustration. "May I have a brief word with King Aegon", said Baelon. The two walked off into a corner and spoke quietly for some minutes before returning. Aegon did not sit back down.
"It is within my capacity to lower the tax on your ships substantially, and in return …", Daeron shifted anxiously in his chair as Aegon continued, "…in return, the Seven Kingdoms shall aide in the defense of the region. Once Gray Gallows, has been rebuilt, resettled, and fortified, the island can be leased to your administration for a period of ten years. The number of troops provided can be negotiated, however, your knights must defend the stepstones from any incursion be they pirates or dornishmen or summer islander, it doesn't matter, the Seven Kingdoms must stand with New Valyria".
"If I am not mistaken, you request an alliance?", asked Ser Tyland.
"I do not mean to doubt you cousin, but what is said now is not so easily upheld in ten years time", said Daeron.
"It is my understanding, cousin, that Prince Aenys' son Aemon is your named heir?", Aegon asked Daeron.
"He is," Aenys responded.
"Then I suggest we formalize our agreement, if you do choose to agree. I have a daughter. I suggest we wed the two, Jaehaera and Aemon, in a years time when the boy is of age. It is time we reunite the heads of the dragon", said Aegon.
"Your family has renounced the seven, the High Septon would never approve," said Aenys.
"Then he shall be made to approve", replied Daeron rising to his feet, "certainly, my sister Rhaenyra would be displeased by the displacement of her son".
"The Queen Dowager will understand, or, she shall be made to understand", answered Aegon before switching to valyrian, "do we have an agreement then?"
King Daeron walked around the table and grasped King Aegon's open hand. "We have an agreement, cousin".
That night, Gaemon led Aelyx and Valarr through the various pleasures and displeasures of King's Landing's nightlife. They were all plain clothed, and unarmed, so as not to attract unwanted attention. By the time they had reached the 'the stony worm', upon Visenya's hill, they were already drunk. The brothel was the best the city had to offer. Various rooms and concaves were hidden behind a plethora of silk drapes and curtains.
The three men were in a heavily decorated room, of Lyseni style, accompanied by a few stragglers, lordlings and merchant's sons, they had befriended on their inebriated adventures, and some ladies of the night. The girl on Valarr's lap was feeding him grapes. Gaemon was showing of how he could balance a porcelain vase perfectly on his foot. Despite laughing along and chattering with others, the distress Aelyx felt was noticeable. The vase fell and shattered. The girls smiled wide smiles, but looked at each other with fear in their eyes.
"Is this place anything like Lys?" asked one of the stragglers.
"There is no place like Lys", replied Valarr between grapes, "at least in regards to pleasure". He looked the girl in her eyes, she giggled.
"What's wrong?", Gaemon asked Aelyx. Aelyx shook his head and laughed.
"He's mourning my sister", replied Valarr, "first my grandfather stole your father's betrothed, now Aemon takes that of Aelyx. A circle I suppose…", Valarr laughed with mirth.
"She is not mine to possess, cousin, nor do I mourn her as a lover, only as a companion".
Valarr snickered even louder, "you cannot befriend a woman, cousin, even a princess".
"You should try it, Valarr", said Aelyx.
The girl on Valarr's lap tried to change the conversation, "what's it like, my prince, to ride Visenya's dragon?"
"It feels akin to being a god", said Valarr.
"I've heard rumor of a large dragon over the Kingswood", said one of the stragglers, "what if it's the Cannibal?"
"I heard the dragon was red", said another. Aelyx's eyes widened as he heard this news.
"The Cannibal is black," said Gaemon, "not red".
Valarr snorted, "the color does not matter, if the Cannibal ventures too close, I shall slay the vile beast myself".
"You mean Vhagar shall slay the vile beast", retorted Aelyx, "how far from here was it sighted?"
"Hardly a days journey", replied a straggler.
The night continued on in wanton revelry. Valarr made a few visits to a private room. One of the newfound companions found himself in a scuffle with a knight. The knight held the straggler in a headlock, as his squire watched.
"Unhand him!", commanded Valarr. The knight looked up to meet his eyes. Aelyx rushed behind Valarr to assess the situation. The knight and his squire were both armed with swords.
"I have just cause, this boy has been caught on several occasions leering at my wife. I shall not have her honor besmirched."
"The past is of no concern to me, unhand him, you may pummel him on the morrow if you so wish", said Valarr. The knight let go of the straggler, who ran, and pointed at Valarr.
"And why should I listen to inbred, pockmarked, base brained Lyseni scum", said the knight before grabbing Valarr by the shirt, "I am a knight!".
Valarr laughed before rocking his head back, and using it to bludgeon the man. The knight fell down and as his head struck the marbled floor, his body went limp. The squire drew his sword. Aelyx stepped in, disarmed the boy easily and used the flat of the blade to sweep the squire's legs from under him. The commotion had gathered a crowd.
Two gold-cloaks came into 'the stony worm', but Gaemon blocked their way. Recognizing who he was, they talked to him calmly over the noise. Gaemon took Aelyx and Valarr by arms, and rushed them out the door.
"It's best we leave before you are recognized", he said. They agreed and hastily made their way to the Red Keep accompanied by the gold-cloaks. As they were approaching the gates, Aelyx stopped abruptly. Valarr continued on with the gold-cloaks as Gaemon, walked back towards him.
"What is it?", asked Gaemon.
"No, not here", said Aelyx, "I have someplace else in mind".