Dragonstone.
The setting sun was like blood.
Sunfyre and Sheepstealer landed steadily.
At this time, the wounds on Sheepstealer had already healed.
After leaving Tyrosh, Aegon took Hugh around searching for traces of pirates and Dornish fleets until sunset.
"You need more time to train. From now on, the task of patrolling the Stepstones will be entrusted to you. It's also a good time for Aemond and Daeron to return to King's Landing."
Apart from Aegon himself, Aemond and Daeron both had learning tasks appropriate for their age.
Aemond was ten years old this year, the age to become a squire.
Squires needed to learn how to maintain, care for, and use weapons, armor, horses, hounds, and falcons.
They also learned chivalry from knights.
Daeron had just turned six, the perfect age to be a page, learning some noble etiquette and rules.
Moreover, Daeron's Tessarion should have left a very deep impression on the people of Lys.
Even if Daeron returned to King's Landing, it would not affect Aegon's plans for Lys.
"Your Highness, the temporary main house has been built. Princess just had the servants move your things over." Kraken walked over.
"It's built?"
"By the Gods, I finally don't have to live in a tent," Aegon exclaimed.
"Your Highness, there's one more thing."
"Just say it," Aegon nodded.
"We don't have enough oxen, and the shortage of farm tools is even greater. The speed of land reclamation is too slow," Kraken said helplessly.
Land reclamation requires a series of processes such as burning weeds, clearing stones, plowing, and leveling.
Without the assistance of various farm tools, it would take three months to reclaim a good piece of land.
Most of the aid from the Seven Kingdoms consisted of gold dragons that were easy to store, as well as various cured meats, and a small number of live livestock.
"Then increase the priority of the ironworks. Also, send people to the Seven Kingdoms to order farm tools, oxen, and young livestock.
The population on Dragonstone will surge in the future, and various shortages will only increase. Preparations must be made as early as possible.
This way, first arrange two thousand people to reclaim land in the North District and East District, and arrange the remaining people to build a port in the West District.
From now on, the port construction will operate in three shifts. The shifts after sunset will be provided with two meals, one of which will offer cured meat for free. Don't let the workers die from exhaustion."
Aegon made arrangements as he walked until he saw the already constructed manor house.
"Aegon, here!"
Aegon looked up. On the second floor of the manor house, Helena was excitedly waving her little hand.
The setting sun slanted, staining Helena's silver-white hair golden.
Beside Helena, Aemond was about to rub Daeron's little face.
Daeron, who was initially resisting, immediately gave up resistance upon hearing Helena's voice. While letting Aemond knead his face, he desperately waved his little hand at Aegon.
Aemond pinched Daeron's cheek with one hand and waved hello to Aegon with the other, his face full of excitement.
Aegon smiled understandingly and waved back at the three of them.
"Coming!"
This manor house was not just a simple residence for the four of them, but also a warm little home away from the power struggles.
He pushed the door open and walked into the hall.
Unlike the Red Keep, it was not grand and magnificent, but had a simple layout and simple furniture.
On the walls hung tapestries from Myr embroidered with Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, Vhagar, and Tessarion.
Daeron rushed down the stairs like a whirlwind. When there were still five steps left, he made a fierce dragon jump and pounced into Aegon's arms.
Aegon's face changed in fright, and he fumbled to catch Daeron.
"Brother, your room is opposite Sister's, and my room is opposite Aemond's, next to yours!"
Daeron's face was full of joy, but Aemond pouted.
"You're just taking advantage of Sister's favoritism to be a sore loser. I clearly won, hmph."
"What's going on?" Aegon asked with a smile.
"It's the Five-in-a-Row game you taught us! Best of three, and I won two games in a row, then this kid started cheating!"
"Hahaha."
Aegon couldn't help but laugh. No wonder Aemond wanted to pinch Daeron's face; it turned out Daeron was cheating.
Helena was full of helplessness: "You're the older brother, and Daeron is so much younger than us. It's only right to take care of him more." "Pfft," Aemond snorted, clearly unhappy.
Daeron just chuckled.
Aegon looked at the few people who were having a good time and suddenly changed his mind.
"Some time ago, Mother wrote a letter saying that Aemond and Daeron should go back to serve as a squire and a page."
"What? I don't want to go back," Daeron immediately protested.
"King's Landing is boring, and the Red Keep is even more boring!"
Daeron suddenly put on an old and senile look, lowering his voice to imitate an old maester speaking.
"Prince, do you know how many years of history the Citadel has?"
"I don't want to be with those rigid old maesters all day!"
After complaining about the old maesters, Daeron took Aegon's hand and said pitifully:
"Brother, if I had never come to the Stepstones, I could have endured the loneliness of the Red Keep. You can't send me back!"
The corner of Aegon's mouth twitched, and he smiled as he tapped Daeron's little head.
"Don't copy how I talk. Also, I didn't say I was going to send you back to King's Landing. I've changed my mind."
"Then we don't have to go back to King's Landing?" Daeron looked up at Aegon in surprise.
"You won't go back to King's Landing, but you still have to learn what you need to learn."
"Okay." Upon hearing that he still had to study, Daeron pouted, but at least he didn't have to go back to King's Landing.
"If you don't study, you'll turn into a fool. Aegon used to read books every day and pester the old maesters with questions," Helena teased.
"Helena is right. If you don't study, you'll turn into a fool."
"From now on, Aemond will serve as Ser Aric's squire.
And you, Daeron, you will serve as Sir Klaken's squire. You can skip the page stage.
Ser Aric and Sir Klaken are both excellent knights.
Both of you must learn well. I will need your help in the future to reclaim what is rightfully mine."
Without outsiders present, Aegon no longer hid his words, stating directly that he needed the help of his two younger brothers to reclaim the Iron Throne.
And Aemond and the usually playful Daeron became serious instantly upon hearing Aegon's words.
"Don't worry, Brother. Tessarion is growing stronger every day, getting bigger and stronger!
Give me five more years, and I am confident I can rip Rhaenyra and her Syrax apart in a one-on-one duel!"