When he entered the council chamber, the composure Sir Ralph Royce had displayed when he was first captured had long since vanished from his face.
In his eyes lingered the blankness of shock, as well as a trace of fear that was hard to conceal. From being detained by the patrol to being "escorted" to this castle built upon the black rock walls, he had witnessed too many things beyond imagination.
Those soldiers called the "Unsullied" were well-equipped and terrifyingly silent; they moved like a massive grey flood, their discipline reaching a point that was hair-raisingly strict.
Furthermore, the various valyrian steel weapons worn by the officers and the guards, who clearly had Westerosi features, were astounding. These priceless treasures were equipped so "casually," and the wealth and heritage this represented were heart-stopping.
What shook his soul even more were the two "chance encounters" with the dragons.
The first was in the waters near the Valyrian Peninsula, where a massive, pitch-black dragon skimmed past their ship. Its dark scales gleamed coldly in the morning sea mist, and the oppressive feeling brought by its vertical pupils as they swept over him nearly made him collapse onto the deck.
The second time was yesterday, upon arriving at this black fortress known as "Dragonwing Fortress," when the sky was torn asunder by a brilliant golden light.
That was a dragon he could not describe with words; three majestic heads looked down upon him, and the shadow cast when its wings unfurled was enough to cover half a hill. It merely let out a long roar, and the shock that sound brought to his ears left him rooted to the spot, unable to move for a long time.
These were creatures from legends, not exaggerated rumors. They were living existences, a power sufficient to upend everything in the Seven Kingdoms.
Consequently, when he faced this young king with silver hair and purple eyes, the posture he had prepared beforehand—to interrogate on behalf of the iron throne—had long since been crushed to dust. He was more like a mortal thrust into a myth, now filled with a sense of helplessness when facing an unknown, great power.
Viserys signaled the guards to unbind him.
"It has been a long journey, Sir Ralph. I hope my soldiers were not too neglectful. I presume that what you have seen and heard along the way has already given you the answers you sought."
Ralph's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice carrying a hint of dryness. "Your Majesty, what I have seen and heard on this journey is indeed soul-shaking. Regarding the matter the Small Council ordered me to investigate, I believe I have obtained answers that far exceed my expectations."
He paused, not avoiding the core issue. "The existence of dragons is real, and they are far more formidable than the rumors heard in taverns."
"Then you can go back and tell them now."
Viserys leaned back in his chair, his tone becoming relaxed yet even more oppressive. "Tell them that Viserys Targaryen III, the true and lawful heir to the Seven Kingdoms, is not only alive but possesses a power even greater than that of Aegon's Conquest. Tell them that the New Valyrian Empire has risen; its spears will point to the west, and its Dragonfire will incinerate all betrayals."
Ralph felt his throat go dry; his Adam's apple bobbed again, but he couldn't say a word. He didn't know how to respond to Viserys. He realized that if he truly did this, he would no longer be just a spy, but a messenger—a messenger announcing the coming of war.
However, at this moment, Viserys changed the subject. "But, Sir Ralph, what I have allowed you to see is not just so you can bring a message to Robert. I want you, and the Royce Family behind you, to be able to choose another path."
"Another path?"
"Jon Arryn is already too old," Viserys said bluntly. "But whether his only heir, that sickly boy, can live to adulthood and successfully inherit The Vale is still an unknown. Even if he can, by what right would he lead the nobles of The Vale?"
"The Royce Family guards the Gates of the Moon, controlling the entrance and exit of The Vale. Your bloodline and your strength are fully worthy of a higher status. Why let the light of Runestone be overshadowed by The Eyrie? Is it simply because The Eyrie is a place to cower that is easy to defend but hard to attack?"
Ralph's expression became somewhat solemn. This was currently the most sensitive topic in The Vale, and the focus of secret discussions among certain radical factions within the Royce Family.
Especially Count Yohn Royce of Runestone—Ralph's cousin, known as "Bronze Yohn." He was personally brave and had many complaints about the Arryn family's decline in recent years and their reliance on King's Landing.
Viserys leaned forward again, his voice lowering with a seductive tone. "If I, Viserys Targaryen, reclaim the iron throne, I will need truly powerful families to guard various regions. I see that The Vale is in great need of a more powerful protector. I believe the Royce Family is an excellent choice."
"Your Majesty, you..." Ralph was momentarily at a loss for words.
"I know you cannot make a decision on behalf of the entire Royce Family. But I need you, Ralph Royce, to make a judgment based on your personal insight. You have seen my power with your own eyes. Do you think it is better to continue serving that Robert Baratheon, who took the throne illegitimately, tying your family's fate to a crumbling dynasty? Or to turn to the true dragon and win the position of a Duke for the future of the Royce Family?"
Viserys's low and seductive words echoed continuously in his ears.
Ralph's chest heaved violently as an intense internal struggle took place. His loyalty to Robert and the Arryn family began to waver in the face of the family's massive potential interests and the convincing power he saw before him.
Finally, he dropped to one knee, placed his right hand over his heart, and said in a solemn tone, "Your Majesty Viserys, I, Ralph Royce, swear by my faith in The Seven that you are the lawful heir to the iron throne, the true dragon. I am willing to swear fealty to you; from now on, my sword will be swung for you."
He looked up, decision in his eyes. "I cannot make promises on behalf of Runestone, but I guarantee with my life that after returning to The Vale, I will do my utmost to report everything I have seen and heard to my cousin, Count Yohn, without reservation. I will strive to persuade him to recognize the situation and choose to stand on the side of the true dragon, on the side of the future."
A satisfied smile appeared on Viserys's face. He stepped forward and personally helped Ralph up. "Very good, Sir Ralph. Your loyalty and foresight will surely bring a bright future to the Royce Family. Remember your words today. I hope that when I lead my army to Westeros, I will see the banner of the Royce Family rising beside the three-headed dragon flag."
He patted Ralph's shoulder. "You may stay here for a few more days to rest well. Then, take my goodwill and promises back to The Vale. Of course, when you return to report to Robert, you don't need to hide anything. I want to see how many people will ultimately stand firmly by his side."
Ralph nodded heavily. "I understand, Your Majesty."
After seeing off the agitated Ralph Royce, Viserys knew that another seed of division had been planted. Let's see how far it can grow.
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