𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫 // 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧

Chapter I

Maybe I'm foolish

Maybe I'm blind

Thinking I can see through this

And see what's behind

Got no way to prove it

So maybe I'm blind

But I'm only human after all

I'm only human after all

Don't put your blame on me

(Human - Rag'n'Bone Man)

Red Keep

Lady Jocelyn Strong continued to torture her fingers and pace back and forth in her father's chamber, waiting for him to return from the Council. Today, Lord Corlys Velaryon had once again addressed the King and the men present in the Hall to speak of a truly very worrying fact. For some time the Stepstones had been targeted by the "Triarchy", an alliance formed during the final years of the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, and which converged the military and political forces of the three Free Cities of Lys, Myr and Tyrosh. This alliance was also led by the shadowy Prince Admiral, Craghas Drahar, better known as "Crabfeeders", for his habit of feeding his surviving enemies to crabs on the shores at low tide. "I urge you not to grant this Triarchy much latitude in the Stepstones, Your Grace. If those shipping lanes were to fall, the trade and military affairs of all of Westeros could be in grave danger," the Sea Serpent had explained firmly. He had been pushing the issue for months, for the King to finally decide to act. He had also involved his wife Rhaenys, hoping that she could somehow influence her cousin, but it had gotten him nowhere. King Viserys was already a peaceful man, fond of negotiations and tending to ignore problems rather than solve them, but ever since he had made the decision to organize that cursed Tourney, all his thoughts had been turned solely to that. A great variety of people belonging to the high nobility and not, had poured into the capital for days, on the occasion of the "Tournament of the Heir", established by King Viserys because of the Queen's recent new pregnancy. The royal consorts had come to a difficult decision; this would be the last attempt. After years of continuous mourning and broken dreams, Aemma Arryn no longer had the strength to bury children who never live to see the next day. Despite the difficult decision, the King was particularly confident this time. He was convinced that not only would everything be fine, but that in the womb of his beloved wife was also the future ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Therefore, it was necessary to celebrate, and there was nothing in the world more worthy of a sumptuous Tourney; on occasions like this, many young men - including Lord Harwin Strong, Jocelyn's older brother - had the opportunity to demonstrate their skill in combat and to find wives, for those who wanted to do so. In addition to this, the Hand did not help either. Ser Otto Hightower was completely uninterested in the matter, believing that Velaryon's interest in the matter was only due to the fact that the alliance was dangerously close to Driftmark. Consequently, he did nothing to try to direct the king's attention to the problem. Through the hole in the wall, Jocelyn tried to catch her father's eye. Since Prince Daemon had been removed from his role as Master of Laws, Lyonel Strong had taken his place, unleashing mixed feelings in his daughter. She was so proud of her father, but she was also so envious. The Lord of Harrenhal had as usual a calm and inscrutable face, so it was unclear what he thought of Corlys Velaryon's concerns. And that was why Jocelyn was in his room, trying to convince her father to persuade the King in favor of action in the Stepstones. The door opened and a man of powerful but short build and with a decidedly weary face entered the room. His daughter almost felt guilty at having to subject him to such tedium again, but the matter was urgent. Lord Strong, when he saw the young woman, broke into a smile and went to meet her, embracing her. "Oh my darling, you have no idea how happy I am to see you. It's been a terrible day so far. Tell me, are you happy that Harwin and Larys are coming to visit you? I also hoped that your sisters would be there, but unfortunately they won't be coming." The young woman nodded and then smiled back. "I am very happy about that, father. In fact, I was thinking of waiting for my brothers down in the courtyard to welcome them, but first I have an important matter to speak to you." Lord Lyonel poured himself a sip of wine and then, after sitting in a comfortable armchair, motioned to his daughter to continue. "You absolutely must convince the King to intervene in the Stepstones." The man nearly choked and, placing the cup on a small table, stood up and reached his daughter, taking her by the arms. "How do you know about the Stepstones?" "Father, it is not important how I know about it.  In this matter, it is important that you convince the King to intervene. Have you asked yourself why the Triarchy has only now decided to create turmoil? They have had years to start wars, why do you think they are acting now?" The question was rhetorical, but Jocelyn could see how her father was struggling to understand the thread of his speech. "You cannot deny that the kingdom has weakened economically. Between the Tourney and the expenditure of money that Prince Daemon has caused to arm the City Guard, the capital is in crisis. And with the ever-increasing taxes imposed by the Triarchy on anyone who attempts to pass the Stepstones, discontent is growing. The Nourcrab knows that if the King were to hesitate any longer, an irreversible situation would be created. And that monster is waiting for that to attack. How can you not see such a clear plan?" Lyonel Strong released his hold on his daughter and headed for a window. From up there, King's Landing was magnificent and the Narrow Sea stretched out in all its glory. All of this would be burned to the ground if no one did anything. He knew his daughter was right, but he could do nothing. Otto Hightower was like a puppeteer pulling strings from the shadows. He had been a bad influence on the King all his life, pulling strings to his liking. Viserys Targaryen on the other side did not seem to notice. Even if he had pressed the matter, he would either not be listened to or the Hand would target him. He could not allow that, not after all the sacrifices he had made to reach his position. "The King has decided not to act, at least not militarily. If the matter drags on, we will begin negotiations." This time it was the young woman who grabbed her father and forced him to look her in the eye. "Do you really believe the Prince Admiral is willing to negotiate? He has only one goal. To take everything in the Narrow Sea and beyond. We must act now! " "Jocelyn, you are really overreacting now! This is not your business. I am tired of your constant meddling. And then, by the Seven Gods, how do you know all this? Is it the Princess and Lady Alicent who tell you everything?" The girl let out a sarcastic laugh. "I have told you many times, Father. I have eyes and ears everywhere. And this matter concerns me. It concerns everyone here, both men and women. I know that you are not the bellicose type, but I also know that you are a foresighted person and that in your youth you distinguished yourself in battle. Why are you holding back now? Aren't you afraid to go against the Hand?" Lyonel freed himself from his daughter's grip and ran to the door. He opened it and with the index finger of his right hand he ordered the girl to come out. He didn't even have the strength to fight her with words anymore; he didn't even know if he could still do it. Or if he ever had. Lady Strong raised her head and clasped her hands at her belly - something she always did when she was pushed - and then left. Before leaving the corridor she looked at her father one last time and said, "You know better than I that if Lord Corlys does not get an army from the King, he will seek other allies. The Targaryens cannot afford to lose the support of the Velaryons." Then she disappeared around the corner of the corridor.