Chapter 187: Assassins Arrive
The gleaming form of the dragon cut across the skies of the Crownlands. Whenever travelers looked upward into the heavens, they knew at once that it was Prince and his dragon.
Rhaegar rode across nearly every corner of the Crownlands: , , the peninsula, , , and .
From the sky he saw broad plains, winding rivers, magnificent estuaries, fields of barley and corn, apple orchards, and bustling harbors—everything the Crownlands possessed.
Recently, besides forging massive black paving bricks with dragonflame and sorcery, soaring through the skies on dragonback had become one of Rhaegar's greatest pleasures.
Still, the Crownlands were undeniably small.
The territories controlled directly by House Targaryen formed an arc across the map of Westeros, surrounded on all sides by powerful lords.
The road Rhaegar had opened from King's Landing to Rosby represented only a tiny portion of the Crownlands, yet Rosby itself held immense importance. It served as both a central crossroads and a critical logistical base for the capital.
Rhaegar believed the Crownlands possessed both advantages and weaknesses. During peacetime, their central location and network of roads gave them tremendous geographic benefits. But during war, the region lacked strategic depth.
The Crownlands lay south of the Vale, southeast of the Riverlands, east of the Westerlands, and north of both the Reach and the Stormlands. Their territory stretched along the shores of Blackwater Bay and its islands, extending in a great arc from Crackclaw Point in the north to Massey's Hook in the south. King's Landing stood at the center, where the emptied into Blackwater Bay.
"If I want to strengthen the Iron Throne," Rhaegar thought, "there are only two paths.
"First: expansion. Expanding royal lands and increasing royal revenues. Even if I cannot seize territory from the great houses, the Crown must at least grow wealthier through trade and taxation. By controlling the Stepstones and the Golden Waterway, the royal family has already gained a new source of customs revenue. Next will come Ghoyan Drohe and the Rhoyne. If those lands can be developed, the Crown will possess another realm across the Narrow Sea.
"Second: unlocking the military and economic potential of the Crownlands themselves. Roads are the foundation of prosperity and strength. If the roads improve, King's Landing—already the realm's greatest port and market city—will become even more dominant."
Rhaegar believed that building roads was the key to transforming the Crownlands.
The two most important routes were the road north toward and the shortcut connecting Rosby to Duskendale. For now, he focused on the latter, since it was shorter and promised faster results.
Ever since Rhaegar perfected his massive black bricks—cheap materials capable of creating a low-grade Valyrian-style road—the production capacity of the northern factory outside King's Landing had expanded rapidly.
Using dragonflame, earth, and runic magic, giant black bricks measuring four-by-four feet were continuously produced and hauled northward by wagon trains to pave the road toward Rosby.
Rhaegar lacked the resources and conditions once enjoyed by King , the Conciliator. His current goal was modest by comparison: to extend a strong royal road from King's Landing toward Harrenhal through the Crownlands. Other projects would have to wait until the royal treasury grew stronger.
Together with the Dragon Guard soldiers, Rhaegar personally helped position the bricks onto leveled ground. Travelers and villagers sometimes joined willingly, eager to assist in such a monumental undertaking.
The road itself appeared miraculous.
Like polished black jade or dark agate, the shining black ribbon stretched across the earth mile after mile.
Soon, the magnificent road extended from King's Landing all the way to Rosby.
The roadway was two giant bricks wide, broad enough for two wagons to pass side by side comfortably—an extraordinary achievement for the age.
Travelers praised the road endlessly.
It was smooth, unbroken, and incredibly durable. Wagons rolled steadily without sinking into mud or jolting through potholes. Journeys that once took exhausting days became far easier.
"Road Builder!"
People had begun calling Rhaegar by the title.
Better roads also meant fewer hiding places for bandits and faster movement for patrols.
Today, Rosby itself buzzed with excitement.
Banners bearing the black dragon on red, the silver dragon on black, and the sigil of House Rosby fluttered proudly above the village. Dragon Guard soldiers stood watch while many others, wearing their black Rhaegar shirts, continued working.
Rhaegar saw blacksmiths, septons from humble rural septs, pig farmers, and girls gathering onions from vegetable gardens. Wooden and mud-brick homes filled the village, yet thanks to fertile lands and its favorable location, the people of Rosby appeared relatively prosperous.
No wonder Lord was wealthy.
The Dragon Guard moved like a river of steel. Teams of horses hauled the massive black bricks atop rolling logs. Soldiers unloaded and positioned them with disciplined efficiency.
When the final brick was placed at the entrance to Rosby, Rhaegar ceremonially stepped upon it first.
The villagers erupted into thunderous applause.
Lord Gyles Rosby had prepared celebrations in the prince's honor.
Rather than holding the ceremony within Rosby Keep, the festivities took place outside the village itself beside the construction site, allowing the common people to share in the joy.
Temporary tables, benches, and a wooden platform had been erected. Entire families gathered to witness the handsome Silver Prince and his equally impressive soldiers. Such an army was unlike anything they had ever seen.
Rosby transformed into a festival ground.
The sickly Lord Gyles Rosby climbed the platform first and addressed the crowd.
Rosby's wealth came not from seaports, but from trade—grain and vegetables shipped to King's Landing. Now, with the new road completed, the lives of Rosby's people would improve dramatically.
For that, they owed thanks to the Dragon Guard and to Prince Rhaegar himself.
Nearby, Dragon Guard soldiers remained scattered throughout the celebration grounds. Beside Rhaegar stood .
The guards of House Rosby also patrolled nearby, carrying spears beneath banners displaying three red chevrons on ermine.
"A new age is coming," Rhaegar declared beside Lord Gyles. "An age of peace!"
A tremendous cheer answered him.
Those rough-handed farmers sincerely loved the silver-haired prince for what he had done.
"Your Highness, please accept our sweet corn! It's the finest in Rosby!"
"And our apples too!"
"Please dine with the soldiers, Prince!"
The villagers surged forward joyfully, offering gifts and blessings.
Corn, barley, apples, oranges, salted meat—every kind of offering was piled before the platform.
Then Rhaegar suddenly felt it.
Like a cicada sensing autumn before the wind changes.
Malice.
Killing intent.
Hatred directed toward him.
Assassins.
Rhaegar instantly realized his suspicion was correct.
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