A Beautiful Tragedy

Chapter Fourteen

Aemond screams in the small council meeting, after being summoned by the lannisters, like a little bitch who was supposed to follow every word they say. Aemond snapped,

"I am the prince regent, not a dog to be called to heel. Tell your brother that if he does not deliver his host to Harrenhal, "with haste," Daemon's dragon will become the least of his worries."

Tyland spoke gently, trying to stay in good faith with Aemond, Aemond interrupted him telling him to make an alliance with the Triarchy, to get rid of the blockade. Tyland's eyes widened with fear as he spoke against this idea.

"My prince... you cannot mean to treat with the Free Cities. The captains of their ships are dangerous mercenaries, little more than pirates... They are a stone's throw away across the Narrow Sea. Lannister and Hightower ships will take months to arrive."

Aemond did not care, knowing that the Triarchy would delight in the chance to terrorize the Sea Snake again. Let them weaken his blockade while their true allies make their long journey east. Alicent disagreed, speaking against this as well. Alicent quickly changed the topic bringing up the Greyjoys. Maester Orwyle shakes his head knowing that their had been no reply, Jasper then spoke,

"The Red Kraken waits, seeking his best advantage. Though we may draw him in with honey, if it comes to it. An offer of marriage, perhaps, to the dowager queen?"

Alicent immediately disagreed, Cole coming to her defence,

"Alas. The dowager queen speaks wisely, Your Grace. Even if the blockade could be broken, are we to invite these alien raiders into our waters, so close to King's Landing?"

Aemond looked annoyed, commanding Cole to go to Harrenhal. Cole responds,

"Your Grace, if Daemon prevails in the Riverlands, I no longer have the numbers to challenge him. We lost much at Rook's Rest, as you well know."

Aemond shook his head, wanting it to be now, the longer they wait the more time for Daemon to get his army. Larys agrees. Cole disagreed again knowing that with the Hightower host they would have a much bigger chance. Aemond snaps,

"There is no time. It's a fortnight's march to Harrenhal. We must strike before his army is raised or before Verena joins him."

Criston in response asked what he was going to do now, Aegon replied simply that he would fly out to meet him when the time was ripe. Aemond smirked before speaking,

"My uncle is a challenge I welcome... if he dares face me."

The small council meeting finishes and Alicent goes to exit, Aemond stopping her asking for a word. Alicent starts to council when Aemond interrupted her and spoke cruelly,

"Remind me of your place on the small council."

Alicent was appalled, speaking frankly about how she had served when his father was dying, that she had been a councillor to Aegon. Aemond ignored his mother and glared at her,

"Capably so. My father's dead and Aegon is... You served the realm well... at a time of need. That need is ended. You are no longer obliged."

Alicent quickly walks closer to him as she insists the council must have a tempering voice. Aemond disagreed thinking that they had more than enough of those. Alicent snapped walking away,