As the Targaryens had ruled Westeros for decades, any shift within the royal family inevitably drew the scrutiny of the nobles surrounding the political vortex of the Red Keep. Every gesture, every action was examined under a magnifying glass, as each noble sought information that could benefit their own status and influence.
The Red Keep was a place without secrets. If the rulers indulged in an extra glass of wine in the morning, by evening the streets of King's Landing would buzz with rumors about the tempting quality of a particular family's wine, prompting the rulers to pour yet another glass.
After Gaimon hatched the baby dragon and began his training as a knight, the team that had originally numbered only three gradually grew. Men and women of various ages joined—some still in their teens, others as young as seven or eight. Their intentions were transparent: they wanted to gain favor with Gaimon, Vaegon, and Daniela.
The reign of King Jaehaerys I marked the most concentrated period of power across Westeros, as reflected in the backgrounds of the servants and attendants within the Red Keep. By tradition, noble families sent their children to serve in the households of higher-ranking nobles, a form of training and cultivation that ensured they gained political and social experience. Consequently, letters from nobles across Westeros arrived daily at the Red Keep, petitioning that their offspring be allowed to serve in the royal household.
The motivation was simple: proximity to power. Only those near the center of authority could aspire to wield influence themselves. Those children who proved themselves valuable during their service often became the future pillars of power. This was the essence of life in the Red Keep: the royal family's absolute authority created a shared understanding among the nobles of where true power resided.
Gaimon, for his part, neither rejected nor fully embraced the noble children who came to please him. Each felt a sense of closeness with the prince but also sensed a subtle distance, a gap they could not cross. At this stage, they were of little practical use to him.
Yet Gaimon was not arrogant or dismissive. Courtesy dictated that if someone greeted you with goodwill, you responded in kind, even if you harbored no personal affection for them. During training, he observed these children carefully, searching for hidden talents that might serve his future plans.
Many of these noble children had genuine abilities. Some excelled in martial arts, others in diplomacy or negotiation. They were, in Westerosi terms, gifted individuals. Gaimon's attention, however, focused on the second sons. Eldest sons, despite their achievements, were bound to inherit their family's lands and responsibilities and would eventually return home. Second sons, lacking inheritance, often had to forge their own paths, sometimes relying on family connections but often needing to succeed through their own merit.
These second sons, Gaimon realized, could one day become invaluable allies, if nurtured carefully. But for now, they remained potential subordinates—useful only in the distant future. His immediate priority was personal strength.
Each morning, regardless of weather, Gaimon trained without fail. His initial slender frame began to fill with strength and endurance. With his body improving, he noticed that his daily meditation became more effective, and his absorption of magical power increased. The young dragon Bahamut, who served as a conduit for this magic, also grew faster than any normal dragon. In just three months, the dragon, originally under thirty centimeters, had surpassed one meter—a growth that would typically take a year.
Gaimon understood the source of this accelerated growth. Others, including the current Hand of the King, Brother Bass, remained unaware. Bass, the son of a blacksmith, had been given to the church at a young age. His intelligence led him to the Red Keep library, where he managed the king's scrolls. King Jaehaerys I, a lover of books, noticed him and became a close friend. When ascending the throne, Jaehaerys promoted Bass to Hand of the King.
Despite doubts from nobles and even high-ranking clergy about Bass's origins and capabilities, he proved himself through skill and wisdom. He maintained peace and prosperity throughout the kingdom. His achievements included assisting the king in reforms, negotiating with the Church in Oldtown, reclaiming judicial authority, and improving sanitation in King's Landing with wells, sewers, and canals.
Bass was also fascinated by dragons, creatures others could hardly approach. The rapid growth of Bahamut caught his attention. Recently, Bass often left his tower after attending to government matters to watch the young dragon fly over the parade grounds, silently observing its progress. Gaimon pretended not to notice, aware that only he understood the magical processes fueling Bahamut's growth.
Amid these developments, Gaimon had another pressing concern: Queen Alysanne was about to give birth. This event would again shift the political landscape, and the Red Keep would watch closely, as the arrival of a new royal child inevitably changed the calculations of power.
Gaimon's days followed a disciplined rhythm. Mornings were devoted to rigorous training—swordsmanship, combat techniques, and physical conditioning. Afternoons were spent meditating to absorb magic through Bahamut, and evenings were for observation, strategy, and studying the behavior of the noble children around him. Every action was deliberate, every moment a step toward greater strength and influence.
As Bahamut grew, the dragon's magic-enhancing abilities became more pronounced. The creature's increasing size and strength allowed Gaimon to channel more energy than ever before. He experimented with flight exercises and combat drills, discovering that his own agility and reflexes improved in tandem with Bahamut's growth. It was a symbiotic relationship: the dragon thrived because of Gaimon's training, and Gaimon's own abilities flourished because of the dragon.
Meanwhile, the noble children continued to flock to the Red Keep, each trying to gain favor. Some were clever, observing Gaimon's routines and attempting to emulate him in small ways. Others were more direct, offering assistance or flattery. Gaimon acknowledged their efforts with polite smiles, careful not to reveal his true thoughts. To him, they were all potential, yet untapped resources.
Among these children, a few stood out. A second son of a minor lord displayed exceptional skill with a bow. Another, the younger brother of a knight, had remarkable diplomatic tact. Gaimon took mental notes, cataloging their abilities and considering how each might fit into his long-term strategies. He knew that patience would be key; these individuals would be useful only when the time was right.
Observing all this, Brother Bass often marveled at Gaimon's discipline. Few young men of his age combined martial skill, magical aptitude, and political awareness so effectively. Yet Bass could not fathom the true nature of the magic behind Bahamut's growth. He only knew that something extraordinary was occurring, a phenomenon that defied ordinary understanding.
As the day drew to a close, Gaimon would review his progress. He considered not only his physical and magical training but also the broader currents of power in the Red Keep. He thought about the noble children, their ambitions, and the ways he could one day employ their talents. And always, he kept an eye on the royal family, particularly the imminent birth of Queen Alysanne's child, which would undoubtedly alter the kingdom's dynamics.
Through all of this, Gaimon remained focused. His mind was sharp, his body strong, and his connection to Bahamut deepening with every passing day. He understood that strength alone was not enough; insight, patience, and foresight were equally essential. He trained not just to fight but to rule, not just to grow stronger but to ensure that when change came, he would be ready.
The Red Keep, with its towering spires and echoing halls, had never seen a prince like Gaimon. Observers could see a young man growing in both skill and wisdom, yet only he knew the full extent of his plans and abilities. The whispers of the noble children, the curious glances of Brother Bass, and the anticipation surrounding Queen Alysanne's birth were all threads in the intricate tapestry of his future.
Gaimon's journey was just beginning, but already it was marked by extraordinary discipline, careful observation, and a relentless drive toward excellence. Each day brought new challenges, new insights, and new opportunities to grow stronger. And as Bahamut soared overhead, its wings catching the sunlight, Gaimon knew that together they were forging a path that would one day leave an indelible mark on Westeros.
In this world of power, ambition, and magic, change was inevitable. And Gaimon, with his dragon at his side and his mind sharp as a blade, was preparing to meet it head-on.
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