In the Red Keep's library, little Rhaegar stood beneath towering shelves.
Everyone in the Red Keep already knew that the young prince was not only precocious but excessively studious. Far earlier than other children, he could read and appreciate books, and he already had a keen fascination with armor, weapons, and combat.
It was often said that Queen Rhaella had swallowed books and candles whole during her pregnancy—but also the heart of a lion.
In any case, Prince Rhaegar was both scholarly and martial. King Jaehaerys II saw in his grandson the shadows of Conqueror Aegon and Saint Baelor: A prince combining intellect and martial prowess. Aegon had lacked some literary skill, Baelor lacked martial excellence, and earlier Targaryens had been fierce but unadaptable. Rhaegar, however, seemed to embody the best of them all.
The king allowed the young prince to wander the Red Keep freely, whether to watch sparring at the yard or to explore the library, so long as his safety was ensured. Rhaegar's current favorite place was the library, where he hoped to find fascinating books—though such a task was not simple.
The devout Baelor had burned countless books, a disastrous episode in history. Those dealing with magic or arcane lore were considered dangerous and were almost entirely destroyed. Some works still existed in the possession of Grand Maester Pateel, but he was unreliable. Rhaegar decided to begin his search in the Red Keep library itself.
The Targaryens traditionally favored feasts, tournaments, and displays of martial skill over books, so the library's shelves were like hidden treasures, largely ignored.
"Books on theology and politics… these could all be burned for all I care," Rhaegar thought, skimming past volumes on the Faith of the Seven.
Soon he found something more interesting: collections from the hands of previous Kings' Hand. Some were learned men; most were coarse warriors. Their books, catalogued together, included martial manuals, guides to wealth through trade and land management, and mundane tomes—few were of high value.
Notably missing was the library of Bloodraven, Brynden Rivers, the most influential Hand in Targaryen history. His presence had been thoroughly erased from records.
Bloodraven had wielded near-total authority in the Small Council under King Daeron II, advising both Daeron's son Iris, his nephew Meka, and grandson Aegon V, and had quelled three Blackfyre Rebellions. It was said that he practiced sorcery alongside the grand maesters, yet here, his traces were nearly invisible.
Rhaegar felt bored. Today, nothing seemed of value. Yet, almost instinctively, he continued to sift through the previous Hands' collections, opening each volume in case something remarkable appeared.
Finally, at the bottom shelf of Ulwen Peake's collection, he noticed a cleverly carved compartment. Inside lay a simple, yellowed book:
"My Autobiography — Brynden Rivers"
Rhaegar's heart raced. Despite Bloodraven's shadowed reputation—parricide, sorcery, and secrecy—he remained a figure of legend and charisma.
Curiously, the pages were blank. Disappointed, Rhaegar pricked his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the page. The book shimmered unnaturally, and text began to appear.
"Fortunate Targaryen, your life's fire and luck are sufficient to read my autobiography. Though I have departed for the Wall, I wish to leave some intrigue and excitement for the world."
Rhaegar thought: Truly, an irrepressible man. He could imagine Bloodraven's twisted smile as he wrote these words.
Only the first half of the book was readable; the latter half remained blank. Rhaegar suspected that the rest contained arcane secrets he was not yet capable of unlocking.
Achievements unlocked:
Explorer: You have discovered Bloodraven's autobiography. Some histories are written in ink; others in blood, sweat, and tears. This one is free of curses; read it carefully.
Game of Power: Reading the history of the cunning Hand, Brynden Rivers, has enriched your understanding of intrigue and strategy.
Rhaegar's Life Tree interface chimed.
"I loved a brother, hated a brother, and desired a woman," the opening line read. Rhaegar understood: The brother he loved was likely Daeron II, the brother he hated Harl Iron Rivers, and the woman he desired was Serrei Yangxing, whom he had pursued over fifty times unsuccessfully.
"I am Brynden Rivers. My father's line is ancient Targaryen; my mother's, the old Blackwood family. Yet I am neither truly Targaryen nor Blackwood. I am a bastard, scorned by Father and Mother, conceived in desire and deceit."
"After my father Aegon died, I protected the Iron Throne out of loyalty to my brother Daeron. To safeguard the kingdom's light, I willingly dwelt in darkness. Like a flower, no bloom can thrive without the support of shadowed roots."
Rhaegar continued reading, enthralled. The book was straightforward, recounting Bloodraven's life without supernatural embellishments. It described his spies, strategies, and martial prowess—pure history.
Among the lessons: techniques for constructing longbows, methods to improve marksmanship, and detailed insights into tactical planning.
The final page contained a map: the Red Keep's underground passages, spread like a spiderweb—a secret network for those who knew where to look.