Chapter 139: Son of the Dragon, the Rise of the Third Daughter
In the study of the Tyrosh castle, Daemon, Gael, and their sons Aegon, Jaehaerys, and Baelon gathered around a map table of the Three Daughters.
Daemon looked around at his sons, "Sons, tell me what you have learned these past few days?"
Tyrosh Prince Aegon was already thirteen years old; he had silver hair and purple eyes, was tall, and had completely inherited his father Daemon's good looks. Aegon excitedly said, "Father, a few days ago, Wind's Grace Raven Greyjoy, the leader, took me fishing in the Myr Sea, and I caught a crab which I have already given to the castle kitchen."
Aegon loved swimming and boating. In recent years, he had served as a squire to the Sea Snake and Wind's Grace Raven Greyjoy, becoming a fierce sailor.
Gael stroked Aegon's hair, "Aegon, many captains claim you often ride the Black Dread to the harbor. This is very dangerous. What if the dragon breathes fire and burns the sails and ropes?"
Aegon made a face, "It won't happen. My Black Dread is very obedient. I can control dragons with sorcery, just like Father."
Daemon laughed, "How could you, a mere boy, understand sorcery? Last time, the Black Dread even burned down an ordinary whaling ship. That poor bearded captain, his beard was scorched by your dragon, and all the whales on board became roasted meat. Next time, you are not allowed to ride your dragon to the harbor. Otherwise, I will order the Dragon Guard to send your dragon to the Stepstones."
Aegon pouted, "Father, I know I was wrong. I won't ride my dragon to the harbor again."
Gael said softly, "Good son, not only should you not ride your dragon to the harbor, but you also shouldn't fly to the estates and towns outside the city. You are still too young; don't always travel by dragon."
Alys Rivers, the witch nearby, laughed, "This child Aegon wishes he could ride his dragon even to the latrine; he loves soaring too much. In contrast, your younger brother Jaehaerys is much more well-behaved; he rarely rides his Blue Sprite."
Aegon frowned, "Nursemaid, you are really too biased. Jaehaerys is clearly too lazy."
Prince of Myr Jaehaerys, twelve years old this year, had loved lemon cakes since childhood, making him a rosy-cheeked little Fat Man. Jaehaerys worshipped his elder brother Aegon and always tried his best to please him.
Gael said, "Jaehaerys, what have you learned these past few days?"
Jaehaerys proudly said, "Father, my pretzels and bread are getting more and more delicious. Chef White says I can become an excellent baker in the future."
Jaehaerys once served as a squire to the Sea Snake, but his lazy nature and seasickness led Lord Sea Snake to send him back. Now, Jaehaerys is Daemon's squire; he loves reading and food, and often goes to the castle kitchen to learn cooking skills from the chefs.
Then Gael's gaze fell on her youngest son, Baelon. Aegon and Jaehaerys were both dressed in neat red and black velvet suits, while Baelon wore a gray wool sweater and black breeches. He was disheveled, and his riding boots were covered in horse manure and straw. Gael frowned, "Baelon, when will you start looking like a prince? Didn't you wash up this morning?"
Baelon blew his nose, "Mother, of course, I washed my face this morning, but then I went hunting with Lord Tomb Wolf. We chased a white deer deep into the forest, but we didn't catch it. Luckily, I shot a rabbit, and I gave the rabbit meat to the kitchen. Everyone, just wait to taste the delicious rabbit meat I hunted tonight!"
Ten-year-old Prince of Lys Baelon was lively and active. He was always running around the castle or playing in the garden with his hounds and falcons.
Daemon sent Baelon to be a squire to the Tomb Wolf. Under the Tomb Wolf's tutelage, Baelon became unkempt and wild, often following the Tomb Wolf's Winter Wolves on hunting expeditions. A few years ago, while climbing a lemon tree, he accidentally fell and injured his face, leaving a scar on his forehead between his eyebrows, which made him look somewhat fierce.
Gael turned to Daemon, "We can't let Baelon continue to be the Tomb Wolf's squire. The Tomb Wolf isn't even a knight. If Baelon continues to follow the Tomb Wolf, he won't learn court etiquette at all; instead, he'll become more and more like a fierce Northerner. Look at him now, he's so sloppy."
Baelon immediately stomped his foot in anger, "I don't care for those flashy Southern knights. How many anointed knights can defeat the Tomb Wolf? Lord Tomb Wolf is the most excellent warrior; he taught me many sword-fighting and hunting skills. He also promised to take me to the Barrowlands someday to explore the giant tombs left by giants! When I grow up, I want to ride the dragon Ancalagon, follow Lord Tomb Wolf, and go to the North, to see The Wall, the Barrowlands, and the Wolfswood, and also Winterfell."
Daemon laughed, "Boy, we'll talk about that when you grow up! From now on, you must change into clean clothes every day and wash up properly. I won't ask you to wear overly luxurious clothes or spray perfume; even if your attire is simple, it must be clean and neat. Otherwise, I really will have to choose a Southern knight to discipline you."
After Gael left with their sons, only Alys Rivers and Terra Uller, the two witches, remained by Daemon's side. Wally, Daemon's bastard son by Terra, and Hal and Willow, his bastard children by Alys, all lived in Daemon's court. Willow became Alys's apprentice, while Hal and Wally became stable boys. The children were unaware of their true parentage. Daemon was very good to the children, always trying to make up for the mistakes he made in his youth.
Time flew by, and many years passed. Daemon's Three Daughters kingdom had built a Border Wall along its eastern border, stretching from Myr in the north to the Summer Sea at the mouth of the Three Daughters River in the south. Twenty fortresses were built along the southern coast of the Myr Sea.
Through the Sea Snake's efforts, Daemon continuously built warships, merchant ships, and fishing boats in the shipyards of Tyrosh, Myr, and Lys. The royal fleet of the Three Daughters, with the cooperation of dragons, had become the overlord of the Myr Sea and the Stepstones.
The Sea Snake, who once was Daemon's enemy, was now completely won over by Daemon's abilities and became his loyal servant. As the Hand of the King for the Three Daughters, the Sea Snake worked diligently. He was exceptionally capable, always able to gather resources and handle mountains of documents and various cases with ease.
The construction of Daemon's Border Wall, the Three Daughters Road spanning the Disputed Lands, and the fortresses in various places all had the Sea Snake's contributions behind them. He not only provided money and effort but also oversaw the specific progress of the projects.
Another brilliant advisor by Daemon's side was Amonlin the Monk. He was initially the steward of Blackwater City, and now Daemon had brought him to the Three Daughters to serve as his advisor.
At Amonlin the Monk's suggestion, Daemon promoted the Common Tongue, requiring the courts of Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh to communicate in the Common Tongue, dismissing customs and local officials who did not understand it, and opening schools to promote the cultures of the Old and New Gods of Westeros, while allowing the populace to worship their respective deities.
The Three Daughters kingdom was a melting pot of nationalities, simply because two-thirds of the land's inhabitants were slaves back then. The slaves Daemon purchased from Slaver's Bay also came from all over the world, including dark-skinned people from the Summer Isles, short and hairy Ibbenese, fair-skinned Qartheen, and almond-eyed, olive-skinned Dothraki from the Great Grass Sea, as well as the peaceful Naathi and the sheep-herding Lhazareen, among others.
Following Daemon's dragon banner to the Three Daughters also came second sons of nobles from various parts of Westeros, sworn knights, sellswords, free riders, wandering warriors. The fleet included Ironborn, Sistermen, Arbor men, and people from the Shield Islands, while the army included Dornishmen, the Northern Winter Wolves, the White Harbor Greenhand Knights, and various other knightly orders.
Daemon established a complete system of military merits and rewards. Warriors who distinguished themselves in battle would receive gold, silver, silk, and cloth as rewards, and even be granted estates and beautiful women. Among these, Lys beauties, Qarth bed slaves, and Summer Isles love priestesses were the most sought after.
However, Daemon did not implement a feudal lord system in the Three Daughters. Daemon's three sons were nominal city princes, but the right to manage the cities belonged solely to the King.
This was done to strengthen the King's centralized power. If Daemon had implemented a feudal system like that in Westeros, with vassals everywhere, the royal authority would be weakened. In fact, the Iron Throne's control over various regions in Westeros was quite weak because the military and political power in those regions were entirely in the hands of great nobles like Storm's End, Casterly Rock, Winterfell, Highgarden, and Sunspear.
Daemon's Three Daughters kingdom was different. Daemon spent several years establishing a complete household registration system. Knightly orders from various parts of Westeros, the Winter Wolves, the Ironborn Fleet, and the Sistermen Fleet all became legions under the Kingsguard. Various regions were garrisoned by the Kingsguard and the Dragon's Servants Army, with Daemon himself as the direct commander of these two great armies. Tax collectors, foresters, town mayors, and other officials in various villages and towns were all directly appointed and dismissed by Daemon's Small Council.
Although Daemon was extremely generous to his subordinates, his failure to grant lordships also caused some dissatisfaction among certain knights and subordinates.
Ser Ronald Florent, who considered himself a fervent follower of the Seven Gods, publicly declared that the Seven Gods in heaven needed knights to open up this land. He requested to become a pioneering knight and received support from some knights from the Reach and the Vale. Daemon allowed Ser Ronald Florent to pioneer the lands east of the Border Wall on his own.
Ser Ronald Florent and dozens of knights excitedly recruited a group of soldiers and arrived in the border region. They built thatched huts and began farming, but a few days later, Volantis mercenaries arrived and many knights died by the sword. Ser Ronald Florent fought bravely, his armor was cut, his abdomen was wounded, and his intestines were exposed. Ser Ronald Florent, protected by his personal guards, barely escaped with his life and fled back to Myr in disarray.
From then on, Ser Ronald Florent told everyone he met that without the protection of dragons, no knight could hold onto his lands.
Since neighboring Pentos, Volantis, and Braavos to the north had all declared war on Daemon's Three Daughters kingdom, Daemon's kingdom was constantly at war. Only dragons could protect everyone's property, and Daemon was never stingy when rewarding his subordinates with land, houses, and money. The Westerosi subordinates gradually stopped being concerned about whether they could become lords in the Three Daughters.
In Westeros, ancient and noble aristocrats despised merchants, and merchants who wished to marry into noble families had to provide very expensive dowries. In the Three Daughters kingdom, however, people took pride in commerce and did not place much importance on family origin. The Westerosi under Daemon gradually changed their mindset. Under Daemon's guidance, Westerosi competed to buy estates, open workshops, and engage in commerce to earn money, rising to the ranks of the new nobility.
At Daemon's suggestion, Wind's Grace Raven Greyjoy purchased dozens of large sailing ships and began fishing. The waters near Lys were at the confluence of the Narrow Sea and the Summer Sea, a fertile fishing ground rich in anchovies, fresh shrimp, sea shells, and clams.
Matthew Sunderland bought even more fishing boats, with his vessels primarily fishing around the Stepstones.
Qidan Massey opened more than ten brothels in Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr. Almost all these brothels were located near the harbors, and the first thing sailors did after returning from their voyages was to seek entertainment. Qidan Massey made a fortune from his brothels.
In these years, the population of the Three Daughters kingdom grew significantly, and granaries were filled with grain and corn. The new currency minted by Daemon had gradually replaced the former currencies of Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh. Warehouses were piled high with gold coins, silver coins, sapphires, garnets, tourmalines, etc., and in the armory, spears, shields, and armor were stacked like mountains.
With the help of the Dothraki, the Three Daughters kingdom's stables bred some excellent warhorses. The number of warhorses was large, and the plowing horses and oxen in the Dragon's Estate were also abundant.
Every year, Daemon would lead the Ironborn Fleet and the Sistermen Fleet to raid neighboring countries like Pentos and Volantis, abducting women and children, and plundering food and money. From the Velvet Hills to the Pentos Plain, and the towns near the mouth of the Rhoyne River, all were within Daemon's raiding range. The Prince of Pentos and the Archon of Volantis accused Daemon of being a pirate riding a dragon, yet they were helpless against Daemon. They could only tremble in fear behind high walls. These raiding activities brought Daemon immense wealth, enriching the royal treasury.
Daemon returned to the great hall. Tyland Lannister and Matthew Tyrell were laughing together. They had grown into handsome young men. Tyland had golden hair and a handsome appearance, while Matthew had brown wavy hair and golden eyes. Both were already of marriageable age. Daemon had already knighted them, but they remained by Daemon's side, serving as squires. Daemon had been training them to be assistants to the senior members of the Small Council, to hone their skills.
Tyland Lannister displayed talent in finance and diplomacy, while Matthew Tyrell was more adept at dealing with soldiers.
Daemon said, "What are you two talking about?"
Tyland smiled, "Your Majesty, we are competing to see whose love letter to Princess Rhaenyra is more moving."
Matthew Tyrell said, "Your Majesty, I consulted with maesters, monks, and singers. What do you think of my love letter?"
Daemon glanced at it and indeed found it utterly sickening, full of the most extreme flattery. Daemon couldn't help but tease, "You two are so eager to advance? To marry the Princess of Dragonstone, a love letter alone won't suffice."
Matthew Tyrell was the heir to Highgarden, so he at least had some hope, but Tyland Lannister's hope was very slim. Tyland was only a second son; he and his brother Jason were twins, but Jason was the heir to Casterly Rock. If Rhaenyra wanted to marry a Lannister lion, she could choose Jason, not the second son Tyland.
Now, nobles from all over Westeros were pursuing Princess Rhaenyra because she was King Viserys I Targaryen's chosen heir to the Iron Throne. However, Princess Rhaenyra's position was not stable; Queen Alicent Hightower and Ser Otto Hightower believed that Alicent's eldest son, Prince Aegon Targaryen, was more qualified to inherit the Iron Throne.
Daemon's Aegon was not yet betrothed, and Rhaenyra was a good choice.
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