By morning, the sun barely touched the towers of the Red Keep when King Viserys and his Hand, Otto Hightower, made their way toward the Small Council chamber.
The echo of their boots carried through the corridors, accompanied by Otto's measured words.
"It was an unprecedented roundup of criminals of every ilk." Otto said, his tone edged with disapproval. "Your brother made a public show of it, meting out the summary judgments himself."
Viserys sighed. "Gods be good."
"I'm told they needed a two-horse cart to haul away the resulting dismemberments when it was done." Otto added as they reached the chamber doors. "The Prince cannot be allowed to act with this kind of unchecked impunity."
The guards already had the doors open… and the smell of parchment, candle wax, and lingering smoke filled the air.
Inside, the awaiting councilors rose from their seats as the king entered.
Unexpectedly, the talked about Daemon Targaryen was already there... seated with ease and his expression calm, as if the blood and screams from the night before had never happened.
"Brother." Daemon greeted.
"Daemon." Said Viserys.
Daemon them gave a faint smile to the Hand and urged. "Carry on. You were saying something about my impunity."
Otto's mouth tightened. "You are to explain your doings with the City Watch."
Consequently, the King and the Hand set their small marble stones into the plates before them, marking their attendance.
"Your new gold cloaks made quite the impression last night, didn't they?" Viserys asked.
"Did they?" Daemon easily questioned back.
Everyone else took their seats.
"The City Watch is not a sword to be wielded at your whim." Otto said with reprimand. "They're an extension of the crown."
"The Watch was enforcing the crown's laws." Daemon replied. "Wouldn't you agree, Lord Strong?"
Lord Lyonel the Master of Laws tried to answer, but Otto cut him off. "Making a spectacle of wanton brutality is hardly in line with those laws."
"Nobles from every corner of the realm are descending on King's Landing for the tourney." Daemon said. "Do you want them mugged, raped, murdered? You might not know this, living in the Red Keep, but much of the city is seen as lawless and frightening. Our people should feel safe."
Viserys sighed. "I agree. I only hope you don't have to maim half the city to achieve it."
"Time will tell." Daemon confidently said.
Lord Corlys spoke then. "We installed Prince Daemon as commander to bring law and order. The criminal element should fear the City Watch."
Making Daemon nod with a grin. "I thank you for your support, Lord Corlys."
Viserys suddenly interjected. "If only you showed the same devotion to your former wife as you have to this work. The Vale and Runestone could have used such enthusiasm."
Daemon's eyes narrowed. "I think that bronze bitch is happier for my absence, brother. And need I remind you that that ship had long sailed, with me being a very desirable bachelor for any other lady out there."
Viserys interjected. "Lady Rhea was your wife, a good and honorable lady of the Vale."
Otto pressed. "As His Grace said, Prince Daemon."
Daemon's tone turned cruel at the Hightower's parroting. "In the Vale, men are said to bed sheep instead of women. I can assure you, the sheep are prettier."
"Dear me..." Blurted the Lord Lyman.
"You made a vow before the Seven to honor your wife." Otto reminded him.
"I'd gladly introduce the unfaithful Lady Rhea to you, Lord Hightower." Daemon snapped back. "If you're in need of a woman to warm your bed. Your own lady wife passed recently..."
Otto stood sharply to interrupt, face red.
"Did she not?" Daemon continued to ask, feigning innocence.
"Otto..." Viserys warned.
While Daemon just smirked. "Perhaps you aren't ready to move on just yet."
Viserys rubbed his temples. "You know how my brother makes sport of provoking you. Must you indulge him?"
Otto sat down stiffly. "My apologies, Your Grace."
Viserys then turned to his brother. "This council has, at great expense, bettered the City Watch to your standards. Enforce my laws... but any more performances like last night's will be answered."
"Understood, Your Grace." Daemon said, then just rose to leave.
But before he could reach the door, Viserys spoke again. "And Daemon, restrain yourself from speaking ill of Lady Rhea. I will not hear more slander of her, especially since she's here in the capital for the tourney... under my own invitation. A rather special one at that."
That stopped Daemon cold. His nonexistent brows furrowed as he turned slightly, uncertain if he'd heard right.
Viserys only continued. "Just consider me a fool for now, brother... but not a blind one. The Young Bronze will have an audience with me soon enough… and depending on what I see, we'll have a serious talk, you and I."
Daemon's face betrayed nothing. "Whatever you say, brother."
He left then, saying nothing more. Yet as he walked away, he faintly heard Viserys talk on.
"King's Landing has been in decline since my grandmother passed. In the end, this new City Watch might be a good thing."
The rest of the council sat in silence, unsure what had just transpired. Though their sharp minds churned.
On the other hand, Otto and Corlys had quick glint in their eyes, each grasping something and drawing their own conclusions.
Regardless, Viserys as the King didn't offer them answers and simply changed the subject... for they were convened already, so the business of the realm went on as usual.