Rhaegal gazed at the dragon egg in his hands with some amount of satisfaction.
He had already been in a good mood upon his return to the city. The trip to Dragonstone had been a gift. Of course, leaving behind Ancalagon hurt him more than he cared to admit. Even though they had only been together for a few weeks, their bond only continued to grow with time. What amazed Rhaegal the most was that he could still feel Ancalagon despite the distance between them. It was almost like he could sense the young dragon's fire from afar, and in turn Ancalagon could sense his.
Was this normal? Did all dragon riders share such a connection with their dragons and it was not just written down? Or maybe it had been written down, but like with much other information it was lost somewhere along the way.
At any rate, Rhaegal looked forward to enjoying himself during his nameday celebration, for he knew that he would be very busy after.
Imagine Rhaegal's surprise then, that after stepping back into the city he felt a similar burning sensation coursing through him. The same one that he had felt twice before.
Another dragon egg was calling to him. And based on the strength of the sensation, it was close.
It seemed like all these other eggs required a certain distance before they reached out to him. It was so different from the first three, which had summoned Rhaegal all the way from Skagos.
Why? This too had no answer. At least, not right now.
Rhaegal had been so eager to find this new dragon egg that he had been ready to ignore Leyton Hightower's request for an audience. It was only after Melisandre told him another piece of information that Rhaegal was able to temper his eagerness long enough to take another gamble.
Someone in Leyton Hightower's party possessed magic, and that individual was one of the many stalkers who had been keeping tabs on him from time to time.
First the seemingly random dragon egg appearing in the city. And now there was supposedly a magic user in the Hightower party? And the lord was calling for an immediate audience?
These could all be random events that held no connection to another, but something told Rhaegal that that was not the case. So he took a gamble and convinced his father to accept the request, if nothing else to just see what the Lord of Oldtown wanted.
Since the Dance, the Hightowers had kept their heads down for the most part. Many blamed Otto Hightower and his daughter for the Dance, and any time that they acted "out of line" it was simple enough to remind them that two of the architects behind the deadliest civil war in recorded Westerosi history came from their family.
Was it fair? Probably not.
Did Rhaegal care? Absolutely not.
A part of him was also just curious to see what the Hightower wanted that he would make such an audacious request despite knowing how it would come off.
And the gamble paid off.
The Hightowers did have something interesting to present them, and it was a dragon egg.
"A dragon egg?" Tywin murmured, his face twitching for a slight moment. "How?"
"Many have been given away before," Pycelle responded, his voice low and calculated. "King Aegon IV gave many away during his reign. But this one….it seems to be much older."
Rhaegal was not surprised that the Grand Maester recognized the egg. Rhaegal had read of it once, if it was indeed the same one.
Prince Maelor Targaryen's lost dragon egg. It had been given to Lord Ormund Hightower after the young prince's tragic and savage death during the Dance. Ormund Hightower would go on to die during the First Battle of Tumbleton, and the dragon egg was never heard from again.
This egg matched the description of the egg that Ormund Hightower retrieved.
On the other hand, Prince Daeron Targaryen spent much time in Oldtown before his death, and his dragon was the so-called Blue Queen, Tessarion. Could she have laid eggs while Daeron was in Oldtown? An egg that matched the description of Prince Maelor's egg?
The answer mattered little in the end.
Aerys was infuriated. "Dragon eggs. They are my house's treasure, and you dare keep them from us!? You stand before me as a servant to the throne, but I wonder how true your commitment is, Lord Hightower!"
Aerys' words caused the entire throne room to descend into more murmurs. Those present had many questions, and now they were witnessing what seemed to be a showdown between house Targaryen and Hightower.
"Your Grace, my house had long forgotten of the egg's existence." Despite the scolding that he was receiving from Aerys, Leyton kept his composure, his head bowed. "The egg comes from a time of great instability. The Dance. After all of the death that engulfed the realm, my predecessors were more concerned with rebuilding. Over time, the egg was forgotten. It was only recently that it was found again. Once I had it in my possession, I knew that it must be returned to where it belongs. With you and your family."
Rhaegal had to fight back the urge to scoff. Was that really the best excuse that Leyton could come up with? He did not believe for a second that the egg had been "forgotten." Dragon eggs were priceless. Even eggs that had become encased in stone were worth more than gold.
Obviously the Hightowers had not forgotten about the egg. They must have kept it for a reason. The fact that they were choosing now of all times to return it said more than words could.
But whose idea had it been?
Rhaegal's eyes narrowed just a margin when he noticed Leyton's daughter staring at him. Malora Hightower, was it? She seemed the most detached out of her family, and that was an understatement. Her eyes were almost lifeless, but there was no doubt that she was staring right at him. And with meaning.
Rhaegal wanted to pretend that he hadn't noticed, but his curiosity was getting the better of him. Regardless of their motives, the dragon egg had been returned to them. And that deserved some consideration.
"A convenient excuse." Aerys didn't buy Leyton's tale either. "But tell me something, Lord Hightower. Are you expecting something for this gesture? Do you desire something from the crown even though your actions are expected of you as mere servants to the throne?"
Aerys' tone was mocking as he looked down at the kneeling lord.
"House Hightower would never boast of fulfilling our duty," Leyton replied, still calm. "As you say, your Grace, our actions are expected of us. The dragon egg never belonged to us. However, if there is one consideration that we would ask before the realm is that you consider my daughters, Malora Hightower and Alerie Hightower, as a potential bride for your son, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. That is all, your Grace."
Rhaegal had to give it to the man. He knew how to cause a scene.
His declaration caused the Great Hall to erupt into even more murmurs, louder this time.
Another piece on the board was moved as the Hightowers struck.
---
After the unrest that Leyton had caused in the throne room, Aerys, who had been caught off guard by the shameless request, quickly dismissed the court for the day, promising that he would "take the proposal into consideration."
Many assumed that this meant the king was serious about the proposal.
Rhaegal had seen more than a couple of lords looking at Leyton Hightower with anger and resentment, no doubt wishing that they were the ones who could make such an offer. They assumed the dragon egg was enough to sway Aerys' mind and give the lord what he wanted.
If only they knew the anger that was coursing through the king right now.
Aerys had the foresight to not explode in the throne room in front of the realm, rather choosing to unleash his anger in private as he retreated into his solar with his family while ordering the Kingsguard to keep anyone else out.
Rhaegal brought the egg with him and placed it delicately on the table. He did not miss the wonder in Daeron's eyes as he took in the egg for himself.
"It's beautiful," he said softly.
Rhaegal could not agree more, but now wasn't the time for that.
"That damned fool. Who does he think is?" Aerys cursed as he paced back and forth, his face flushed red with anger. "Not only does he lie to my face in front of the whole realm, but he has the audacity to demand a betrothal between our houses? I should have cut out his tongue!"
"Aerys, please," Rhaella went to his side and held his arm. "I know you are angry, but you cannot lose your temper. Not right now."
"I know!" Aerys snarled, but he did not push Rhaella away. "Believe me, I want nothing more than to just punish that fool, but I will not let him win."
Let him win?
Rhaegal crossed his arms. "I think we're missing something here, father."
There was more to Leyton's actions that they were not seeing.
Rhaegar agreed. "Yes. I do not believe Lord Leyton is foolish enough to not understand the gravity of his actions. He must know that you would be angered."
"Do you think that fool cares!" Aerys said but was kept in place by Rhaella. "They're just like the rest. They think that they can take advantage of us. I will not allow it! Do you hear me? I won't let any son of mine marry into that house! Fools. They almost destroyed us once, and now they want to do it again? Never."
Rhaegar frowned. "I would never let anyone manipulate me and turn against Rhaegal, father. No matter what, I promise you that much."
Aerys didn't answer him as he just continued to curse, too lost in his anger.
Thankfully Daeron and Shaena were too fascinated by the dragon egg to pay attention. They were too young to be learning this kind of language.
Rhaegal still remembered the way Malora Hightower had been staring at him during that whole exchange. For now, he was going to need Melisandre to solve this mystery.
"Father." Rhaegal caught his father's attention as he came to a decision. "I'll approach Leyton Hightower myself and find out the truth. I'm certain he's using all of this as a means to an end."
Only someone like a Hightower would be arrogant enough to use a betrothal to a prince and a dragon egg as an opening act rather than the act itself.
Rhaegal would have to respond in kind.
"You would have me barter with that fool?" Aerys said in disbelief.
Rhaegal glanced at Rhaegar. "Well, we are about to turn fourteen, and my dear brother has no match of his own yet," he joked.
Rhaegar's face twitched. "You are trying to play matchmaker for me, brother?"
How the dragon turned. After their many conversations about Rhaegal taking a second wife, now it was Rhaegar's turn to suffer a little.
"We all have to marry someday," Rhaegal teased.
"Yes!" Shaena giggled as she raised her arms. "You need to find someone to be happy too, Rhaegar!"
Daeron looked confused. "What does that mean?"
Such a pure soul.
Rhaegar held his face. "My own little sister is making jokes at my expense now," he bemoaned.
What else was new.
Rhaella cleared her throat, drawing their attention. "Children." Her expression was gentle as she looked at them. "I know you are having fun, but your father looks ready to start yelling again."
True. Only Aerys did not look amused right now.
Letting the joke go, Rhaegal faced his father again. "I promise to discover his true motives, father. I just ask for one opportunity."
Aerys locked eyes with Rhaegal, and for a moment Rhaegal feared that his father would turn him down for the first time.
Finally, Aerys turned away and went to sit down. "Do as you please, son. But know this. I will never consider a match with the Hightowers. Not now. Not ever."
Rhaegal merely nodded.
---
Tywin's head was full of curses as he marched to his private chamber inside the Tower of the Hand. Joanna had left the throne room earlier as Tywin had been left in charge of seeing out the court after Aerys practically ran away.
What a mess all of this was becoming.
For the first decade of Aerys' rule, Tywin had believed that his power in court was unchallenged. Sure, he saw Prince Rhaegal making deals and working closely with the houses loyal to Dragonstone. At the time, he had just chalked it up to the prince making good use of his position. He had overseen a lot of progress and brought much prosperity to the Iron Throne.
Tywin respected results, and Prince Rhaegal had delivered many.
Now, he was once again seeing for himself what a fool he had become. He had allowed himself to become complacent with his position as Hand, not realizing that all the other lords were scheming to advance themselves in their own way.
He just never expected the Hightowers to ever make such a move.
Before, Tywin would have scoffed at the notion of a dragon egg as being important. They were nothing more than relics from a bygone era. Magic was worthless and held no place in the real world.
Except that wasn't the case now. Magic was very much a real thing, and it could flip the board upside down in an instant, just as Leyton Hightower had demonstrated. Tywin did not doubt that there would soon be another dragon under the Targaryens' control. And then, all of the royal family would be dragon riders and indebted to the Hightowers.
Aerys might just accept that proposal depending on his mood, and where would that leave Tywin and his house? Both Prince Rhaegal and Prince Rhaegar would be out of his reach. And Prince Daeron was even less of a prize than Prince Rhaegar was.
Tywin once again let out a string of curses in his mind as he climbed the steps to his chamber. The guards stationed at the entrance did their best to pretend that they did not see the enraged expression on his face, and Tywin ignored them entirely.
He walked briskly into the room before slamming the door shut behind him.
Joanna did not look surprised to see him so vexed as she rested on the bed.
"That took a while," she said as she watched him sit down on the edge of the bed.
"There are far too many lords at the capital to count," Tywin said with a scowl. "I had to ensure that they did not eat Leyton Hightower alive as he left the throne room."
What happened outside of the Red Keep was none of his concern. King's Landing could be a very dangerous city at times. Almost conveniently so.
"Yes." Joanna caressed her stomach. "While you were floundering, Leyton Hightower made a decisive move before anyone else realized it."
Tywin's brow furrowed. "You don't need to tell me that."
He was aware of the predicament he was in.
"We might lose the chance of Cersei marrying any prince," Joanna continued, ignoring Tywin's interruption altogether. "Unless you are thinking of pairing her with Prince Daeron. They are only three years apart, but I doubt Cersei would be satisfied with such a match."
Tywin scoffed. "What she wants is of little concern. Only her duty to the family is what matters."
Joanna's eyes narrowed. "Our children are what matter the most, Tywin. I will not have you barter away their happiness for mere gain."
"You never spoke against my methods before."
"Because there was no reason to. Now, things are different."
Tywin's anger flared again. "For now. I can still salvage this."
"How?"
"I will speak to Aerys. Have him explain everything to me. We are still friends."
And his friend had been keeping so many secrets from him lately.
"Aerys is king before he is your friend," Joanna pointed out. "Do you think he will so easily give away his family's secrets to you?"
"He will. When he understands."
"Understands what?"
"That there is no better match than house Lannister. The Targaryens have kept themselves isolated for too long. A match between our houses would see the realm strengthen like never before."
"Yes, yes. You've used that argument before, Tywin. And yet, Aerys has not seen things your way."
"Only because I've been slow to act." Tywin was not going to keep making that mistake.
"You put us in danger, Tywin," Joanna said with a shake of her head. "If you push too much, Aerys will push back. Look at what happened with Rhaella. She did not even bother to greet me today!"
Tywin would never say it out loud, but somewhere inside him he did regret the deterioration of Joanna's friendship with the queen. It was a useful connection, but more than that Rhaella was an honest person. Not the type to turn on those she called friends. Tywin was capable of recognizing that much.
He could not let such sentimental thoughts distract him, though. Not right now.
He looked at his wife. "What would you have me do then, Joanna?"
"To consider other alternatives." The woman who had captured his heart reached over to hold his hand with her own. "For your children."
Setting aside his greatest ambition. She was asking that of him?
Tywin's mind was split as Joanna continued to hold his hand. He wanted to step away, to be angry at her for wanting him to be weak. But he could not. It was only during these moments, when the two of them were alone, that something inside of Tywin was able to break free.
He would never dare label it, for he did not want to know what it was.
Tywin finally looked away.
"I will consider it."
He forced himself to utter the words, if only to appease her. This was what he told himself.
Tywin accepted Joanna's embrace as she hugged him. The two fell back on the bed, but Tywin's mind was elsewhere.
For he was already thinking of how he would approach Aerys and finally achieve the royal match that house Lannister deserved.
---
Rhaegal had made the conscious decision of not bringing Melisandre to court earlier today, to avoid causing a stir among the lords. For he already knew that he would be causing one once word got out of his actions in the North. Not to mention his other projects, namely the reconstruction of King's Landing.
He regretted that decision, as Melisandre would have been able to better tell him right away who was the magic user within Lord Leyton's group. He had a hunch, but a hunch was less useful than confirmation. He had thought that he would have more time. He never expected Leyton to propose a betrothal between their houses in front of all of the lords.
And so, here he now was, wearing a cloak to disguise his features as he traversed through the streets of Flea Bottom with Melisandre, Rhaegar, and Ser Barristan at his side. Just as he was doing, the other three were keeping their features hidden from the crowds as they went on their way.
Rhaegar did not understand. "Why would Lord Hightower be staying here of all places?"
Flea Bottom was far beneath the man's standing, especially since he had his daughters with him.
"I do not believe that this is their permanent residence," Melisandre answered with a small smile. "They are merely setting a stage for our conversation."
Rhaegal glanced at her. "You are enjoying this, aren't you?"
"In more ways than you can imagine, my prince."
He was not surprised.
Still, when he told his father he would get to the bottom of this, Rhaegal did not think that he would be heading to Flea Bottom of all places.
Walking through the filth ridden streets once again filled him with determination to change things. These streets were not worthy to belong in the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. They were not worthy to belong to his family. He had only come down here on a couple of occasions as he always left with a sour mood. Rhaegar on the other hand enjoyed exploring the place more than he did.
He might have given his brother too much sense of adventure.
There were many who eyed Melisandre with interest, as despite her red cloak she still stood out, but Ser Barristan's presence seemed to deter them. The red woman either did not notice or did not care as she continued to lead them through the streets.
Rhaegal had to raise an eyebrow as Melisandre led them straight into a cheap looking whorehouse. The woman herself did not miss a step, confidently walking in while Rhaegar looked somewhat uncomfortable.
Well. This was quite the meeting spot.
Rhaegal followed, which forced the uncomfortable Rhaegar to do the same. Ser Barristan was the last to step in, remaining ever watchful of the streets.
The inside of the building did not smell any better than the outside. The scent of sweat and other musky odors permeated the air, causing Rhaegal to cover his nose to stop himself from gagging.
Rhaegar was not faring much better.
How Ser Barristan kept his composure in such a place was beyond Rhaegal.
Melisandre as usual did not seem bothered. But really, apart from the North and weirwood trees, Rhaegal wondered if anything could bother her.
Many drunk men tried approaching Melisandre this time around, but the red woman merely shoved her way through, causing the men to fall back to the floor, too drunk to stay on their feet.
Many of the girls present looked interested in them as well, and when Rhaegal said girls he meant it. Some were barely older than Ashara.
He ignored them as he continued to follow Melisandre to one of the back rooms. As cheap as this place was, surprisingly, it seemed to offer private rooms. What was more surprising was that no one seemed to be stopping them. Was there no one in charge here?
"My prince, there are Hightower men posted here. Watching us."
As observant as ever, Ser Barristan pointed to different parts of the common area where men in armor were standing, all of which were watching them intently.
Leyton Hightower knew that they were coming then. He must have paid the owner to just let them in.
Either the guards recognized Melisandre or they had other ways of identifying them.
Interesting.
The back rooms had more privacy but were not as spacious. Sound still traveled through, so Rhaegal was forced to hear the sounds of flesh meeting flesh all around him as Melisandre finally stopped at one of the doors. Incidentally, the door was being watched by two men in armor. The armor was well-made, and it sported the sigil of the Hightowers.
Neither man said a word to them, merely opening the door for them.
Rhaegal almost frowned as he and the others walked through. These men were very loyal if they were willing to put up with all of these idiosyncrasies from their lord.
He set that aside for now as he stepped into the room. The room was not well-kept. It was dirty, and the wooden floor had several holes. Not just that, Rhaegal would rather sleep out in the dirt than ever trusting the single bed in the room. Who knew how many had used it without the sheets being washed.
Leyton Hightower seemed to agree as rather than sitting on the bed he had pulled up a chair for himself and his daughter, Malora Hightower. The so-called "Mad Maid." His two sons, Baelor and Garth were present as well, but they were standing. Only Alerie seemed to be missing.
"Welcome, my prince." Even before Rhaegal removed his hood, Leyton stood up to his feet with Malora doing the same. "I was hoping you would come. It seems my daughter's intuition was correct once more."
As he removed his hood, Rhaegal glanced at Melisandre but for a second. She merely nodded.
So Malora was the one, after all.
"You've caused quite a stir, Lord Hightower," Rhaegal said, deciding to exchange some pleasantries first. "First, demanding an audience. And then the dragon egg. You followed that by proposing a betrothal between our houses. I'm sure many lords will be unhappy with you."
Leyton shook his head. "I care little for politics at the moment. Otherwise, I would have accepted Olenna Tyrell's offer and made my daughter the next Lady of Highgarden."
Oh, so the Tyrells were in talks with the Hightowers. It was not surprising really. The Tyrells had married into a lot of their bannermen's houses in order to shore up their power. Their position now was more solidified than it had been a hundred years ago thanks to that. A marriage between Mace and a Hightower lady would continue to solidify their position.
"And yet, you seek my brother."
Rhaegar had removed his hood as well, but he said nothing.
Leyton briefly smiled. "I wanted to catch your attention."
"I'm sure the dragon egg would have been enough."
"Perhaps, but Malora here said that it would not have been enough of an impression."
Malora smiled a little. Her eyes were still almost blank until they focused on him. "Perhaps that might have been a jest on my part, father. Although my dear sister did seem quite taken by the idea. What say you, Prince Rhaegar? Are you interested in her? She's quite beautiful."
She was well-spoken for someone who was considered mad.
Rhaegar shifted uncomfortably. "I'm a prince, my lady. I do not get to choose whom I will marry."
"Oh, don't say that. Your dear brother here is already carving a different path than the one your father set for him. The dragon and the star. I must say, that is a terribly frightening combination. It led to the both of you, after all."
Rhaegal's eyes narrowed. "What?"
Malora covered her mouth with her hand in what was obviously a mocking gesture. "Oh my. Did your brother not know about that, my prince? My apologies. I tend to ramble about things that I know and others don't. People don't like it when I know things that I shouldn't."
Baelor looked exasperated. "Sister."
Garth was the same. "Not with the crown prince as well."
While Rhaegal was still coming to terms with this development, Rhaegar was staring at him, waiting for an explanation.
He would not be getting one right now.
Leyton coughed into his hand. "Yes, well. I believe we've gotten off topic. Whether you accept the betrothal or not is inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, although it would warm my heart if you did. I know my daughter will be safe."
Rhaegal glanced at Malora. "Did you not offer her as well?"
The young woman blinked. "Me?" She began to smile. "I only threw myself in for the excitement. No one ever seems to want me, you see. Not after I start talking. Are you saying that you're interested, Prince Rhaegal? Ah, but you already have two. I do not think that you can have all of the women in the world. Or are you perhaps asking me to be your mistress? I do not believe that I would mind. I'm interested to find out if your children will carry your abilities with them, or if you're just the exception. I fear for the realm if they do inherit your abilities, for everyone will covet them. But as a woman, it would be exciting to know that I laid with someone who possesses the soul of many dragons."
What?
"Oh, don't look too surprised, my prince. You must have met the spirit of the Valyrian trapped in those eggs, correct? I saw it. Well, partially. The glass candle had a hard time penetrating your defenses at the time, and I was only able to take a peek because both you and your red priestess were weakened after the ritual."
Rhaegal could only stare at the girl who was just a couple of years older than him, his mind trying to come to terms with what she was saying.
"One of the eyes," Melisandre whispered from where she stood, her arms folded in front of her. "One came from the south. It was you."
Malora nodded, excited. "Yes! Our family has had a glass candle in their possession for a very long time now. Longer still than we've had the dragon egg. No one knew how to use it, though. So sad. It's such a convenient tool! Of course, what helps burn it now is my magical abilities. What has strengthened it is the prince's presence. The rebirth of dragons has only helped the candle burn ever brighter now. You can view not only distances but also through the mind. Through dreams. The possibilities are endless! It's the only time when my mind is still. Where I can focus."
Rhaegal understood. "You're a dreamer."
Malora tilted her head. "Hmm. I'm not so sure about that. My dragon blood should be very diluted by now. Rhaena Targaryen only bore daughters, and only one of those daughters' blood eventually remarried into the family. Ah, but such a tragic tale for such a beautiful princess. She was the last hope for your house, my prince. Well, until you came along. But those at the Citadel could not allow that, so they conspired to be rid of her dragon the same way they got rid of the hatchlings in the Dragonpit. Silverwing as well. Poor thing. She led such a tragic life and was slain when she was all by herself. But many were enticed by the Citadel's offer, and many more held a bitter hatred for dragons after the destruction that they had brought to Westeros during the Dance. Poor Aegon III was much too young to know of it, and his distaste for dragons made him all the more blind. It's a tragedy all around!"
This woman. She could ramble.
But Rhaegal heard of it. Every word.
"You-"
"Ah, but you did not know about all of that, did you?" Malora clapped in more excitement while her brothers looked tired. "Your condition is so very deliciously mysterious, my prince! You knew of things others shouldn't from the moment you were born, but yet you know nothing of others. You've only dreamed twice, and one of those had to do with a future that will no longer come to pass. Yes, yes! Very mysterious indeed! I wonder why, though. Is it because the ritual that created you was incomplete? Did it require more sacrifices? How appalling that would be! So many of your family died at once, and to think that their blood alone was not enough to fully transform you! That would be another level of tragedy, don't you think?"
Rhaegal wasn't sure if he should be angered by her words or not. The longer this conversation went, the longer he was losing control of it. Or was he ever in control of it?
Now he was beginning to understand why many had come to call Malora the "Mad Maid." Her words were proof enough.
Melisandre was looking at Malora with great interest. "How much of this were you born with? And how much did you learn?"
"Hmm, most comes to me," Malora admitted. She seemed to be enjoying herself. "The glass candle provides the rest. We were trying to use it to see if we could one day hatch the egg."
What?
Leyton's expression was a resigned one. "I was hoping we could ease more into this, but I suppose my daughter got ahead of herself."
"Oh!" Malora blinked. "Did I say too much again? My apologies! It's not every day that I get to meet a dragon in human flesh. It's so very interesting! Rather than 'living dragon,' you should call yourself the 'dragonborn.' I think it's more fitting for you. It was the dragons that helped birth you, and in turn you've been helping them come back. It's like a circle! Everybody helps everybody!"
Rhaegal did not know what to say.
Rhaegar seemed to be in the same predicament.
"Right." Leyton stepped in between his daughter and Rhaegal. "I've let my daughter ramble on long enough, but everything she says is the truth, my prince. There are elements in the realm who have conspired against your family since Aegon the Conqueror first came. And they had succeeded, until you came along."
While it was hard to ignore the humming Malora, Rhaegal switched his focus to the lord himself.
"Aren't you Lord of Oldtown? If your daughter's words are true, then the people you rule have committed treason against my family. Against the crown itself."
"The Citadel are no subjects of the Hightowers," Leyton refuted. "No more than the High Septon believes himself to be a subject to the throne. Those so-called scholars style themselves as our equals. We have been called their protectors, the same way we once protected the High Septon when he still resided in Oldtown. But they do not believe themselves to be mere subjects. Especially the inner circle that rules them."
"Your family has known, and you've kept quiet?" Rhaegar accused, anger bleeding into his voice. Now that Malora's ramblings were settling in, Rhaegar was able to think more clearly and connect several of the pieces together.
Leyton's face was composed. "I will not lie. I do not know how many of my predecessors were aware of the whole truth. As with the Citadel, my family is not a monolith, Prince Rhaegar. However, there have been times when members of my family have colluded with the Citadel. I do not know to what extent, but many have feared the dragons throughout the years. They gave your family unchecked authority and many wanted to see the Targaryens brought under control."
"They even tried poisoning you once!" Unable to contain herself any longer, Malora went around her father and exclaimed excitedly. "Well, the maester who served Dragonstone previously did. I do not think the Archmaesters ordered it or were even aware of it at the time. You were but only two then. I thought for sure you might not make it, but you proved me wrong! Those flames of yours are very strong, my prince. They guard you not only from the physical world but also the mindscape. So the maester failed, and then he died, cursing you and your parents. Your new one is much more trustworthy!"
So there had been an attempt, before Melisandre had arrived. Despite knowing that he might have died while he was still young, Rhaegal felt very little. He had survived, and that was what mattered. Besides, it was almost expected. It was the danger that they had invited in after announcing his abilities. His grandfather had gambled a lot with that move.
To be honest, Rhaegal did not know exactly when he began to distrust the Citadel. He never had proof of it. Just an inkling. Perhaps it was just his draconic soul speaking to him. For it would know more than his mind did.
Now, he had proof. Yes, he was taking a supposed mad woman's words seriously, for he knew that she was telling the truth. Her conviction swayed him.
"And you?" Rhaegal finally had to ask one of the biggest questions remaining. He stared hard at Leyton, trying to gauge his reaction. "Why have you turned your back on the ways of your family? For self-preservation?"
"In a sense," Leyton admitted. He gestured to his smiling daughter. "When Malora was born, I did not know what to do. I did not imagine that one of my own children would possess magic, the very same thing my family had been combating for thousands of years. But I listened, and I realized that there is a bigger threat out there. Many more."
So he knew.
Malora giggled. "The prince already knows too, father. He knows what Aegon knew, or what he thought he knew. What the raven knows. He does not know of the kraken yet, though. I do not think his red priestess has told him about that yet."
"Oh?" Melisandre's reaction was one of pleasure. "You do not speak to the flames, but you do know much."
"Your flames will not tell you everything, dear~" Malora's voice was melodic "Your god has been blinded by the prince's birth, you know~"
Melisandre's face went blank, and despite having said something similar in the past, she did not appear amused. Was it because Malora was not a believer?
It was hard to say.
"These times have offered us many opportunities, Prince Rhaegal." Leyton dropped to his knees while his sons did the same. Only Malora remained standing. "I believed that your house no longer possessed magic. I thought that your house could not withstand the coming storm, but you have proven me wrong. I swear that my intentions are honest. I mean to serve, and to prepare for the future. House Hightower will work with you."
"We pledge ourselves as well, my prince," Baelor said earnestly while Garth nodded.
Rhaegal took all of this in with a calm silence as the world outside continued to run its course.
Another piece on the board indeed.