𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫 // 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧

Chapter III

Oh, no, oh, no
I can't save us, my Atlantis, we fall
We built this town on shaky ground
I can't save us, my Atlantis, oh, no
We built it up to pull it down
Now all the birds have fled
The hurt just leaves me scared
Losing everything I've ever known
It's all become too much

(Atlantis - Seafret)

King's Landing, (6 months later)

Lord Corlys Velaryon stormed into the Council Chamber, drawing curious but mostly annoyed glances. "This morning the Triarchy's forces sank four ships, including one from the Velaryon fleet. The situation is unmanageable now. Today there were four ships, tomorrow there will be eight, and soon we will have the Capital under siege. Your Highness, grant me the opportunity to manage a direct attack on the Triarchy with the royal fleet alongside me. The Stepstones will be free in no time.” King Viserys leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. He smiled and then invited Lord Corlys to sit. He glanced at his Hand, indicating that he did not wish to discuss this matter again. “I believe it would be counterproductive to use the royal fleet, Lord Velaryon,” Lord Hightower began. “The occupation of Drahar is being financed by the Free Cities. To wage war on the Crabs would be to take on half of Essos. We cannot afford that,” said Lord Lyman Beesbury, Master of Coin. The King turned to his daughter who held the wineskin and asked her to fill his cup, took a sip and spoke. “I have begun negotiations with Pentos and Volantis, with a view to an alliance against our common enemy. I believe that at present, more than that is futile. No war has been declared, why should we start one?” The Sea Serpent frowned and then glared at the King. “Further inaction will only strengthen the belief in the Free Cities that King Viserys is a weakling, incapable of defending his own lands. As evidenced by the fact that he has done nothing to end the Daemons’ illegal occupation of Dragonstone for nearly six months.” Six months ago, after insulting the recently deceased Prince Baelon, the Rogue Prince had turned on his dragon with his whore and sailed to Dragonstone to settle illegally. All this time, King Viserys had simply ignored the matter, too inured to grief and disappointment. “If the Velaryon fleet were to be joined by Targaryen dragonriders, they could easily reclaim the Stepstones,” Princess Rhaenyra observed. Jocelyn smiled proudly at her friend from behind the double wall. The suggestion not only pleased Strong, but also Velaryon, who agreed with the silver-haired girl. "Oh Princess, do not worry about that. Why don't you help Ser Harrold find a worthy replacement for Ser Ryam?" said the Hand. Rhaenyra took a few steps forward to object but was cut off by the King. "Otto is right, dear. Please, choose the new Kingsguard wisely. They will have to protect me, and above all they will have to protect you." When Jocelyn entered the king's chambers, the first thing to strike her was the immense model of old Valyria. Completely white, it was the faithful and detailed reconstruction of a city from the past, which the now exhausted King before her, wanted to transport into the future. "To what do I owe your visit, Lady Strong?" the man asked, rising from his chair. "Excuse me for disturbing you, Your Highness, but I wanted to give you something that might cheer you up a little," Viserys raised his eyebrows curiously and approached the young woman. Jocelyn handed him a book: "The Loves of Queen Nymeria". "I don't understand... What is it?", the young woman's eyes watered. She lowered her gaze and waited for the lump in her throat to disappear and then spoke. "It's the last gift Queen Aemma gave me before..." she paused and looked at the Targaryen. The latter had silently begun to cry. "I apologize for taking so long to deliver it, but I promised the Queen that I would read it. It's right that she has it." without waiting for the man to answer he headed for the door. In truth she didn't want to part with that book. It was the only gift that someone closer to a mother had ever given her. But she knew she had done the right thing. "Jocelyn stop!" Viserys said loudly. He approached the young woman and handed her the book. "Just because I was not the only one who loved Aemma, it is not right that you should part with her. I thank you for the thought. I will never forget this kind gesture." Jocelyn took it smiling and looked at the sovereign. "May I give you some advice, Your Highness?" "Of course," Strong thought about what she was about to say. She was sure that the sovereign would not like it and that this thing would reach the ears of her father, ergo it would end up in the trouble. But never mind, he would try for the good of the kingdom. "Do not underestimate Lord Corlys' concern for the situation in the Stepstones. They must be defended right away. Tolerance can often be mistaken for compliance. And I believe that is what the Crab-Nutrier is waiting for. Listen to the Sea Serpent. Listen to your daughter. You have more sound advice than any of the men sitting in that room." The King was completely speechless. At first he thought he had imagined the conversation. When he found the right words to answer the young woman, the door to his room opened and Lady Alicent Hightower was announced. Her soft, boyish clothes had given way to a sumptuous and elegant emerald green dress that had belonged to her mother. Her long auburn hair was gathered in a bun held by a gold crown, which matched the necklace that encircled her slender neck. In her hand she held a heavy tome. Jocelyn was speechless. She was magnificent. But he had never seen her like this. "Forgive me. Did I disturb you?" asked the Hand's daughter. "No. Lady Strong was about to leave, wasn't she?" the King asked. No, she didn't want to leave. Not now that she had found the opportunity to tell the King about the Stepstones. However, the latter was looking at her impatiently. "Right. I was about to leave," and he headed for the door, casting a long look at his friend.