-Chapter 186-
-1st day of the 12th moon of the year 300 AC-
-POV Tyrion Lannister-
"What are we supposed to be waiting for?" I asked, looking at everyone.
"Our sovereigns," said Ser Barristan, sitting to my left.
I nodded and then said, "When will they arrive?"
"At any moment."
"But we could…"
"Nothing at all, dear Tyrion," said a voice that sent chills down my spine.
I frowned because I hadn't heard a roar, and without explaining, Aegon, wearing the Conqueror's crown, sat at the end of the table and looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
I immediately understood and stood up to let my queen take her place at the council table.
"What happened in my absence?"
"A lot," said Bryan calmly, the brother of the king's deceased youthful love.
Aegon raised an eyebrow, waiting for Bryan to elaborate, then he said:
"First of all, we're starting to lose the bases of the Blood Moon in Essos."
"What went wrong?"
"Gold, intimidation, promises, torture, all methods are fair game as long as the magisters of Essos flush out our hideouts."
"They know my spy network is one of my greatest advantages," said Aegon, not at all confused or surprised by this attack.
"What are we going to do to respond to this declaration of war? Because make no mistake, that's what it is," asked Brynden Tully, trying his best to manage his new appointment as Commander of the Empress's Guard.
Aegon raised his hand and said to Bryan, "I know you well enough, that's not the only thing you have to tell me."
"No, indeed. Connor and I have discovered that now that Princess Daenerys has officially announced her submission to the Empire, three coalitions have formed. First, we have named the alliance of the Daughters of Valyria, composed of Volantis, Selhorys, Valysar, Volon Therys, Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh," said Bryan.
'Volantis, having nearly the same disruptive power as Braavos, is a dangerous enemy to make. But now allied with Myr, Tyrosh, and Lys, it can legitimately control the disputed lands,' I thought, looking at the emperor.
"Then the second coalition is formed by the northern part of Essos, namely Qohor, Lorath, Braavos, Norvos, and… Pentos."
"Is this a joke?" asked Benjen Stark, alarmed by the situation, which was becoming quite dangerous for us and especially for the North because if Braavos decided to go to war against us with its alliance, the North would be on the front line.
"Things are getting worse, to say the least," said Aegon, still as relaxed as ever.
'He doesn't seem to realize what's at stake right now,' I thought.
"I imagine the last coalition is that of the remnants of the Ghiscari Empire," said Aegon.
Bryan nodded and then said, "Qarth has joined this alliance and has already sent us a message demanding that we surrender the three cities ourselves…"
"Yes, I can imagine what they all want. It's typically the kind of maneuver used by the weak: stay in a group to discourage the bigger predators and protect the weakest," said Aegon.
Although I knew he didn't hold me in high regard, I decided to speak up and ask what everyone seemed to be thinking: "What do you intend to do about this aggression clearly aimed at the imperial crown?"
"Nothing at all."
"Responding to this is exactly what they want me to do. They want a reaction that I don't intend to give them. In 20 years, this kingdom will have at least five dragon riders. Why should I bother with this today? We must preserve our resources. Essos does not interest me. All that matters to me is Westeros and my possessions: the Summer Isles, the Stepstones, and the Dragon's Bay, which my magnificent fiancée kindly gifted me when she knelt before the Empire. The rest is not worth my attention," said Aegon.
---
-POV Benjen Stark-
I frowned at Aegon's statement because I felt he was holding something back, but I didn't push further because if he didn't say it now, he wouldn't say it no matter what.
This year allowed me to know him better, to know him correctly, and I knew he wasn't stupid or lazy, but simply that he didn't have enough or even any trust in the people around this table to talk about what he felt or planned directly.
'And who could blame him?' I thought, looking at everyone around the table.
Willas Tyrell, heir of Highgarden but also grandson of the Queen of Thorns; Kevan Lannister, a Lannister through and through, mimicking all the movements and behaviors of his late older brother Tywin Lannister, an intelligent but too cruel and sly man who had already shown disloyalty to House Targaryen in the past.
Brynden Tully, an honorable man but who had no loyalty to his emperor and who was only alive thanks to the promise Aegon made to Daenerys Targaryen; and even my brother, who had hidden Aegon all his life under the guise of his bastard.
'No, he cannot trust all these people. They serve him, but he doesn't trust them for that matter.'
"Anything else?" asked Aegon.
"The Sea Lord has been replaced by Tormo Fregar," said Bryan.
Aegon nodded calmly, adding:
"He wasted no time. I thought he would have taken longer to get rid of Sea Lord Antaryon, but it seems he knew I would have had him assassinated first."
"Ferrego Antaryon is not dead, Your Majesty," said Ser Barristan before looking for a letter he had tucked into his bracer. "He chose to step down voluntarily and sent us a letter clandestinely."
"How?" asked Aegon, surprised by the former Sea Lord's maneuver.
"Through his former First Sword," said the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
"Keep an eye on him, Bryan, I don't want any accidents," said Aegon.
"Syrio Forel is a good man," said Ned in an unadorned tone.
"I know, I'm just being cautious. I wouldn't want any bad surprises in case we were wrong about him," said Aegon in the same tone, without looking at Ned as he quickly skimmed the letter.
He finished reading the letter, chuckled softly, and handed it to me.
---
Dear Emperor Targaryen,
I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to you through this letter for all that you have accomplished during the short period of your reign.
I have no doubt about its longevity or the durability of your dynasty, but I would like Braavos and the Empire to work together towards an era of peace and global harmony.
I would be happy to become Braavos' Ambassador of Peace within your empire during the coming year.
I also want to directly inform you that I played no role in the assassination attempt on you and that I condemn it firmly as do all Braavosi because we are a pure and peaceful people.
I also congratulate your greatness on the birth of the fifth dragon of the Empire and House Targaryen.
May the Gods continue to grant their favors to you and your illustrious House.
Ferrego Antaryon, Patriarch of the Antaryon Family and holder of the 21st key of the Iron Bank of Braavos.
---
"The wording and presentation of his titles are quite interesting; it's almost… servile in a way," I said, intrigued by the letter from the former Sea Lord of Braavos.
"Hmm, I quite agree. I don't know what he wants yet, but a potential ally is always welcome. I want Garth to start contacting him on my behalf, and we will soon send an emissary to Tormo Fregar to measure the height of our enemy," said Aegon.
"Very well, now that I am aware of what is happening outside my Empire, we need to talk about what is happening within it," said Aegon, straightening up.
"I traveled through the Stormlands and saw that my orders had upset the fragile balance there, so we will need to correct the course and closely inspect the entire Empire because I want to see no trouble in my Garden of Eden."
"Your what?" said Tyrion, as confused as the rest of us.
"My paradise, if you prefer," said Aegon, and we all nodded.
'The day is going to be very long,' I thought.
---
-POV Brandon Stark-
On horseback, I watched once again as Summer returned empty-handed, having found nothing in the forest other than a small rabbit to appease his hunger and thirst.
I watched him tear apart the poor rabbit before turning to Robb, who now looked at me with a worried expression.
'He thinks I'm lying or imagining this voice,' I thought to myself before hearing the voice of the girl again saying, "We are close to you."
'But where the hell are you? I've been looking for you in the forest for days,' I thought furiously before suddenly tightening my horse's reins, causing him to rear up and throw me violently to the ground.
The last thing I heard before plunging into unconsciousness was Robb's voice screaming my name at the top of his lungs as I felt my back getting closer and closer to the ground.
---
"It took quite some time for me to reach your mind through a weirwood," said a young man wearing a red and black tunic with a brooch depicting a three-headed dragon. The young man had long white hair and blood-red eyes.
"Who are you?"
"It seems we have already met, although not in this appearance."
I racked my brain before realizing I was speaking to the Three-Eyed Raven.
"What do you want from me, and why did you bring me here?"
"I mean you no harm, but I needed you to come across a weirwood in this forest so that you could understand your task without being able to deny it. Young Stark, I entrust you with the messengers of the old gods. I cannot give you the power of the Three-Eyed Raven, but I entrust you with these. Protect them with your life if necessary because they will be of crucial importance if you want the Emperor to win the Great War against the cold demons."
"Wait…"
"I no longer have time to wait," said the man before closing his eyes.
As if possessed, I did the same, and when I forced myself to open my eyes, I saw that in addition to Robb, a young girl was in front of me, placing her two hands on me.
This young girl was unlike any other; she had speckled skin like a fawn, golden eyes tinged with a slight green, and chestnut, red, and golden hair intertwined with twigs and wilted flowers.
She didn't seem real, and I knew it immediately without needing her to say anything.
"I am Leaf, one of the last Children of the Forest, and I need you to take me to your sovereign," she said with a warm smile, stopping the green glow from her hands.
---
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