The Green Queen

Chapter 21: Veiled Intentions

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King's Landing

The court of King's Landing was abuzz with whispers and speculations. The news that Queen Alicent Hightower had claimed the infamous dragon known as the Cannibal had sent shockwaves through the halls of the Red Keep and the streets. It was a feat unprecedented in recent memory, and the reactions ranged from awe to unease.

In their own houses and chambers, lords and ladies gathered, their conversations hushed but intense. The Cannibal, or Lazarus as Alicent named him, was known for his ferocity and unpredictable nature. To see a non-Targaryen woman tame such a beast challenged their deeply held beliefs about bloodlines and dragon-riding.

In Casterly Rock, amidst his vassal lords, Lord Jason Lannister, a man of considerable influence, voiced what many were thinking. "It is extraordinary, no doubt. But it is also troubling. If a Hightower can claim a dragon, what does that mean for the sanctity of our noble bloodlines?"

Lady Johanna Westerling, however, saw it differently. "It means we must reevaluate our perceptions. Queen Alicent has proven herself worthy of her station and more. We should celebrate her strength, not question it."

But not all were as accepting. The Lord of Crakehall, Burton Crakehall, a staunch traditionalist, couldn't hide his skepticism. "Dragons are the realm of the Targaryens. This sets a dangerous precedent. We cannot have every ambitious man, especially a woman, trying to claim a dragon."

In the streets of King's Landing, the common folk were a mix of fear and fascination. The Cannibal had been moved to the Dragonpit, and his presence there made the citizens uneasy. Stories of the dragon's ferocity spread quickly, and many avoided the Dragonpit altogether, not wanting to be anywhere near the beast.

"Did ya hear?" one market vendor whispered to another. "The queen herself rides that monster. They say it eats its own kind. What does that mean for us?"

"I've seen it with my own eyes," replied the other. "Huge and terrifying. But if the queen can tame it, there's nothing we can do."

A young eavesdropper cut into their conversation. "But did any of ye wonder how could da queen tame a dragon?"

Both vendors looked at the young man. The first vendor scoffed. "Stap it with ya yappin'. She's the queen, and we don't need ta question it, aye?"

But the other's curiosity was piqued. "But lad's got a point. Isn't it known only Valyrians can tame a dragon?"

"Then how would you explain dat? Hightowers aren't Valyrian. Even a peasant like me knows."

The young man cleared his throat, catching back their attention before they delved into a debate. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Rumors say they could be Valyrian in Hightowers' blood. I even hear the queen was a descendant of a bastard of Maegor the Cruel."

Both vendors were shocked and immediately covered the lad's mouth, looking around, afraid that someone heard their conversation.

"Speak carefully, ya lad!"

"That's fucking treason, ya hear me? What if they cut off yer tongue? Yer ma would kill you for that."

The lad removed the hands on his mouth and spoke indignantly, though still in a whisper. "Tis not treason, is it? Maegor had six wives, all of them married to him, ain't it? So by the laws, even if he had a child with one of them, the child wouldn't be a bastard." He huffed.

The vendor glared at him. "Then why didya say it that way? You really are getting us in trouble." He scolded. "Go along now, lad. Here's your meat. Bring it to yer ma and tie that tongue of yers. Ya hear me?"