The Vale was unified. With the Eyrie as its center, a new policy was in full swing, encompassing everything from the autumn harvest of the smallfolk to the preparation of firewood for the coming winter. One decree after another was passed down as Aemon formulated a development plan conducive to his rule.
The three most important pillars were:
First, all vassal nobles under his command must send a knighted second son, nephew, or legitimized bastard to join and expand the company of the Second Sons. This would not only strengthen his army for future wars but also serve as a way for the lords to hand over hostages and demonstrate their loyalty.
Second, he would expand the intelligence organization established by Johanna, his "Black Swan." This network already had outstanding capabilities, including intelligence gathering, smuggling, assassination, and trade.
Third, he would openly establish a Black Rose Market in the Vale of Arryn to facilitate trade between the eastern and western Vale. Secretly, this would also allow him to place agents in the castles of every noble family to monitor their every move.
The subsequent plan was to conduct maritime trade through Gulltown. Braavos, Pentos, and the Triarchy across the Narrow Sea were all potential trading partners. With wealth, information would not be lacking. With information, he could build a navy. Using Gulltown as a springboard, he would build a fleet that could support future wars of invasion. His ambition was to conquer the eastern lands of Essos with a dragon that dominated the sky and a navy that traversed the seas.
The attainted House Shett had left behind a castle, half the shops in Gulltown, and vast lands, which was more than enough to support the initial investment. Aemon had racked his brains. No matter the plan, the only major port in the Vale could not be ignored.
Gulltown was controlled by four noble houses. House Shett of Gull Tower and the Arryns of Gulltown were merely wealthy knightly families with limited assets. House Grafton, as the lords of Gulltown, possessed ten times the assets of the other three combined. Aemon requisitioned ten of their medium warships. These joined a large cargo ship named Prince Aemon, gifted by House Grafton years ago, and another named the Lady Laena, a gift from his father-in-law, the Sea Snake. In total, Aemon now commanded a fleet of five large cargo ships and seventeen medium warships. The start-up capital for his trade empire and navy had been accumulated.
"That's nearly everything," Aemon said, his brows finally relaxing. After overcoming these initial difficulties, the first five-year plan for the Vale could be implemented.
Knock, knock! Jeynesif carefully pushed the door open.
"What is it?" Aemon asked.
"Lady Jeyne says that Lord Orion and several other noblemen are waiting for your instructions in the hall," Jeynesif said, a bit reserved, holding a thick, floral waistcoat in her hands.
"I will be right there," Aemon said, getting up. It had been predicted to be a long winter. The weather had turned cold, and the Eyrie felt like a cellar. Jeyne was already planning their move to the Gates of the Moon at the foot of the mountain for the winter. The armies of the defeated Vale lords were still stationed before the Bloody Gate, awaiting a pardon from him, the new King of the Vale.
"Your Majesty, you should wear more clothes," Jeynesif whispered.
"What did you call me?" Aemon looked surprised.
Jeynesif stole a glance at him. "You are the King of the Vale. You should be called 'Your Majesty.'"
"Who else calls me that?"
"Everyone is getting used to it," she said, lowering her head, embarrassed.
Aemon smiled. "I am glad." To establish himself as King of the Vale was to rule independently. The title was appropriate. He knew the nobles hoped he would insist on it; it was a matter of their own interests. To be loyal to a prince who was himself a lord changed nothing for them. But to be loyal to a King of the Vale meant they no longer had to concern themselves with the Iron Throne.
After being praised, Jensif's eyebrows curved into a smile. "Your Majesty, I will tailor a new set of clothes for you."
"Let us speak of it tonight," Aemon said as he had to leave.
"Oh," she replied, her head hung in disappointment.
Aemon glanced at her. "After a while, you will go back to Runestone to take care of your mother." Jensif looked confused. "Wait until the Vale is stable," he continued, his eyes falling to the dragon-bone whistle around her neck. "If you do not mind, I am willing to marry you."
The people of the Vale were stubborn. Marrying Jeyne gave him legitimacy, but it would not earn him the loyalty of all the noble houses. House Redfort was one of the oldest families in the Vale, and Jeynesif was a good and capable woman. Aemon decided to follow his mother's old advice and marry her to placate the lords.
"Really!?" Jensif widened her eyes.
"Of course. I never lie," Aemon lied, his face serious. "As long as you do not feel you are being wronged." I am forced to expand my household, not because of lust, but to give a good girl a home.
"Yes," Jensif nodded vigorously. "I am willing to take care of you and Lady Rhea." Her goal was to become a princess, and now, with the clouds parting, the moon had appeared. The wife of the King of the Vale would be a Queen.
"Then it is settled," Aemon said, happy as well. It was a perfect political marriage. Under Jensif's starry gaze, he went to the hall. His new territory was waiting. When the news reached King's Landing, his uncle would probably be furious. He had to prepare. In a word: steady.
Mid-November, King's Landing.
The sea breeze blew, and the temperature dropped day by day. There were fewer people on the streets as everyone prepared for winter. Only the merchants on the Street of Silk were still busy, selling a type of pressed coal that many nobles were buying for their new coal-fired stoves.
An emergency meeting was held in the Red Keep. In the council chamber, Viserys sat on the main throne, holding an exquisite hand warmer. Rhaenyra, wearing a thick black dress, added a log to the fireplace.
"Princess, is that a new item from the Street of Silk in your hand?" Ser Tyland Lannister asked, rubbing his hands together, his merchant's eye lighting up at the sight of the hand warmer.
"That troublesome boy sent it," Viserys answered expressionlessly before Rhaenyra could speak.
Tyland looked away angrily. This meeting was about Aemon. The other lords arrived one by one.
The Hand of the King, Lyonel Strong, looked somber and spoke first. "Your Majesty, more than two thousand people died in the Battle of Ashes half a month ago." The battle was so named because the battlefield was burned to cinders, the ground covered with charred corpses.
Viserys gritted his teeth. He had warned his nephew, but he obviously hadn't listened.
"So many people died. The Seven Kingdoms are in shock," Otto Hightower said, shaking his head and sighing. He didn't need to exaggerate; a letter from his brother, Lord Hobert, had been filled with condemnations of Aemon's brutality.
Viserys said in a deep voice, "I heard more than that, did I not?"
The ministers looked at each other; no one wanted to be the one to anger the king. Seeing this, Viserys grew even angrier. After a moment, Lyonel and Otto stood up together. "Your Majesty, the nobles of the Vale have bowed to Prince Aemon. Lady Jeyne of the Eyrie has publicly announced their engagement."
"Prince Aemon has even changed his personal banner," Otto immediately followed up. "He has proclaimed himself King of the Vale, styling himself Warden of the East and Protector of the Vale."
"I have heard from men of the Vale that he allows his vassals to call him 'Your Majesty,'" Lord Lyman Beesbury muttered, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Another Daemon."
"Aemon!" Viserys squeezed the name out between his teeth.
"I hear the nobles of the Vale call him the 'Young Dragon' in private," Grand Maester Mellos added.
Bang! Viserys slammed his hand on the table and stood up, unable to restrain his anger. "Bullshit, Young Dragon! He is just a little Daemon! I trusted him so much, and this is how he repays me?" At that moment, he was filled with shock and fear. His nephew had usurped the Vale and was integrating its nobility through marriage. This was a dangerous situation.
"Father, there may be a misunderstanding," Rhaenyra said, stunned. Jeyne voluntarily gave up her rule to Aemon and announced their engagement? Her mind was reeling. She could not believe that the lonely-looking Lady Jeyne would seduce her husband.
"There is no misunderstanding!" Viserys raged. "He betrayed our trust! He is a liar!" Viserys gritted his teeth and made up his mind. "Lyonel, gather an army. I will go to the Eyrie in person to punish Aemon."
"Your Majesty, you must not be impulsive!" Lyonel was shocked.
"I do not believe that boy would dare to hurt me," Viserys said, angry but not foolish. He had cultivated his nephew for many years; it was time to reap the rewards of that investment, not cast him aside.
"Your Majesty!" Otto stepped forward, blocking his path. "Forgive my offense, but you cannot go. It is too dangerous. Aemon is young and frivolous. Allow me to go to the Eyrie in your place."
Viserys hesitated, his suspicious nature warring with his anger.
"Father, let me go," Rhaenyra volunteered.
"You?" Viserys frowned.
"I will go and ask him myself," she said, taking a deep breath. Otto was not a good man. Sending him would only intensify the conflict.
Viserys hesitated for a moment, then looked at Otto. "Take the Kingsguard, and be careful." He chose to ensure his daughter's safety over sending her into an unknown situation.
"As you command," Otto replied solemnly.
That night, Otto was summoned to the queen's chambers. By the light of the fire, Alicent packed a bag for her father. "You should not go," she said reluctantly.
Otto looked at his daughter's frown. "There is no better choice than me," he said arrogantly.
"I advise you not to act recklessly, or you will be fed to a dragon," Alicent warned, tying the cloak around his shoulders. Knowing her father, he must have some trick up his sleeve.
"My duty is to bring him back to King's Landing for the king's judgment."
"See that it is," Alicent replied coolly. She retrieved an old green backpack from a cabinet and handed it to him. The stitches were poor, reminiscent of her own needlework when she was a girl. "Take it with you," she instructed.
Just then, Ser Criston Cole walked in. "Your Grace," he said, nodding to Alicent. "Lord Otto, I have prepared fifty elite soldiers. Ser Harrold and Ser Willis will accompany us as well."
Otto's eyes gleamed. "Take good care of the Hand of the King, Ser Criston," Alicent said, turning away to play with the large red rabbit by the fireplace.
End of November. The Gates of the Moon.
Outside the towering gate, Otto led his retinue. Boom! The black iron gate slowly rose, and two disciplined companies of the Second Sons marched out. Aemon, dressed in black, stood in the center, flanked by his three Rune Guards. After a long journey, Otto had finally met the man himself.
"Welcome to the Vale, Lord Otto," Aemon smiled.
Otto looked around at the royal guards, the three Kingsguard including Ser Harrold and Ser Criston, and the diminutive Grand Maester Mellos. It was quite a scene. He raised his head. "Your occupation of the Vale ends here. Confess your crimes immediately, disband your army, and renounce your engagement to Lady Jeyne."
Aemon tilted his head. "Are you a fool, or am I mad?"
Otto continued, "Obey King Viserys's orders. Leave the Eyrie and go to—"
"Wait," Aemon cut him off. "Did my uncle send you all this way just to say these meaningless words? I am on the verge of rebellion, and you expect me to surrender after a few sentences? You are out of your mind."
"The king is giving you a chance to atone for your sins!" Otto shouted.
Ser Harrold, standing behind him, lowered his head helplessly. The king should have come himself.
"Aemon, you are just like your shameless father. Both of you are evil rebels!" Otto accused fiercely.
"I advise you to watch your words," Aemon's eyes turned cold.
As he finished speaking, several cold rays of light flashed. Robb Rivers and the other two Rune Guards drew their swords simultaneously, aiming at the guests who had offended His Majesty. The next second, Cole and the other Kingsguard drew their own swords. The two sides were on the verge of a fight.
"If you want to live, do not move," Aemon said seriously. "I have only followed my great-grandfather's will and brought the Vale under Targaryen rule, completing a feat that generations have fought for."
"That should be ruling, not usurping," Otto said righteously.
"They wanted independence. Jeyne agreed to marry me to reduce the bloodshed," Aemon answered fluently. He was simply occupying the moral high ground first. Otto snorted and shouted to the nobles behind the gate, "And what of you? Noble lords of the Vale, are you helping a boy commit treason?"
No one responded. Aemon laughed. "I am their king, and they are loyal to me. A month of rule is enough to win the hearts of the people." He looked at Otto, still joking. "You want to punish me? What did my uncle say?"
"The king has issued an edict! You must go to King's Landing and confess your crime!" Otto growled.
"No," Aemon refused immediately. "I still have many orders to issue here. When I am finished, then I will go to King's Landing."
"Do you mean to disobey the king's will?" Otto's face darkened.
Aemon didn't even look at the drawn swords. "They call me the King of the Vale, but I am loyal to the Iron Throne," he said lightly. "I only obey the orders of the Iron Throne, not the random summons of its servants."
Otto's pupils suddenly shrank. He listens to orders, not announcements!
"Prince, the king and princess hold familial affection for you. Please obey the edict," Ser Harrold pleaded.
Aemon shook his head.
"Are you sure?" Otto questioned.
Aemon took a few steps forward and spread his hands. "Are you here to arrest me? I am here." He was the rightful ruler of the Vale, and countless men followed him. He had no reason to give in. "Come, if you have the guts."
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