News of Prince Aegon's new title spread through the Seven Kingdoms like wildfire.
Many lords could scarcely conceal their astonishment. A prince of royal blood, named a duke? Such a title was unworthy of a dragon's heir. Whispers filled the halls from Oldtown to the Vale, and even among those who once favored the Greens, uncertainty began to stir.
King Viserys's intentions were plain enough.
He meant to curb Aegon's growing influence... and clear the path for Princess Rhaenyra.
The Red Keep
By rights, Aegon should have departed half a moon ago. Yet he lingered in King's Landing, offering one excuse after another, like a rogue refusing to leave the warmth of the brothel.
"Didn't you have everything ready long ago?" Queen Alicent asked, lifting a delicate honey cake and pressing it to his lips. "You were eager enough when you thought you'd go as a count. What's changed now?"
Aegon chewed with visible reluctance, nearly choking on the sweetness. Since the council meeting that decreed his command, Alicent had scarcely left his side, feeding him herself, as though he were a boy again.
"I never said I wouldn't go," he muttered, reaching for a cup of water. He waved off the next sweetmeat she offered.
Alicent rolled her eyes. "Your father has urged you half a dozen times already. What do you think he'll do next?"
"Tsk. Trust me, Mother, he's running out of patience." Aegon leaned back, smirking. "If I'm to take the Stepstones, I'll need enough ships and men to hold them."
Viserys had promised him twenty longships, two thousand men, and two hundred thousand gold dragons, barely enough to patrol a coastline, let alone conquer one. It was an insult disguised as generosity.
He even claimed more aid would come later, as if Aegon were fool enough to believe it.So, each time Viserys pressed him to depart, Aegon found another reason to delay, insufficient supplies, too few soldiers, too little readiness.
Let the King fret. Aegon slept soundly enough. If he stayed, it was Viserys who would lie awake in worry.
A knock came at the door.
"Your Grace, Your Majesty- the King is here," called a guard.
The words had barely left his mouth when Viserys entered, breathing heavily. "Aegon, Alicent- good, you're both here."
Alicent rose quickly to steady him. "Why come all this way, husband?"
"I came to find Aegon," Viserys said, smiling faintly. "The Small Council met again. It seems twenty longships will not suffice."
He drew a deep breath before continuing, pride swelling in his voice."I have reallocated thirty warships, five hundred thousand in gold, and an additional three thousand marines. Eight hundred sailors and fifty craftsmen will follow by cargo ship. More funds shall come after. You may go without worry."
Viserys's gaze fixed upon his son, determined, and almost pleading. This time, Aegon would leave.
Aegon's eyes narrowed. The Small Council? When had they met, and without him? He caught Alicent's startled glance and knew she understood: he had been waiting for this moment.
"Very well," he said at last. "I shall sail for the Stepstones on the morrow. With thirty ships and His Majesty's promise of continued support, I have confidence we can bring stability to the islands."
Viserys's face lit with relief. "I knew you would rise to the task."
In the King's mind, Sunfyre was grown enough for battle, and Aegon's command would surely mire him in conflict with the Triarchy and the Dornishmen, draining the Greens' strength, just as Daemon had been distracted years before. It would leave the path clearer for Rhaenyra.
But Aegon's smile was equally bright. With thirty royal warships, and the promised aid of House Hightower and House Lannister soon to arrive, he would command a force to rival any in Westeros. The time for delay was done.
Viserys left beaming, convinced all had gone as planned.
*
When the King had gone, Alicent clutched Aegon's hand, reluctant to let go. "Must you truly go, my son? The Stepstones are no place for safety. It's too dangerous."
Aegon gently freed himself and reached beneath the desk, producing a sealed parchment. "Dangerous, yes... but necessary."
He handed her the list. "I can't remember every lord who stood with me, but I know well enough who did not. These are the ones who claimed allegiance yet sent no aid. When Grandfather arrives, give him this. He'll know what to do."
Alicent took the parchment solemnly. "I will."
With this, the Greens would know who their true friends were... and who were merely waiting to see which dragon would triumph.
*
Dawn broke under a shroud of fog the next morning. The harbor below the Red Keep bustled with the cries of sailors and the clatter of chains. Thirty warships and twenty cargo vessels raised sail, their banners snapping in the chill wind.
From the mist above came a sound that silenced the harbor.
Hiss!!! Roar!!
Sunfyre burst through the clouds, his golden scales blazing in the pale morning light. His wings spread wide as he circled the fleet below, a vision of the sun itself taking flight.
Moments later, Dreamfyre, Vhagar, and Tessarion followed, four dragons wheeling together above the masts, their cries echoing over the waters.
Hiss-roar! Hiss-shriek!
Their roars intertwined, shaking the city to its bones. Fishermen and dockworkers dropped their tools, gazing skyward in awe.
Under the Greens' careful orchestration, word had already spread: Prince Aegon rides to war for the realm-for the Stepstones, for the Kingdom, for the people!
"Prince Aegon will be victorious!" shouted a voice in the crowd. Then another, and another.
Soon the harbor thundered with the chant:
"Prince Aegon will be victorious!" "Prince Aegon will be victorious!"
Many shouted without knowing why- but none wished to be the only one silent.
Above them, Aegon guided Sunfyre into three slow circles over the harbor, the dragon's scales gleaming like molten gold.
Hiss-roar!
With one last triumphant cry, Sunfyre beat his wings and rose, vanishing into the mists beyond Blackwater Bay.
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A/N:War is coming. And in the shadows, the ones who pull the strings are already moving their pieces.
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