Gendry walked to the council table and gestured for someone to unroll the map of King's Landing. The maester had drawn the city with remarkable precision, capturing every district and landmark in vivid detail.
The most prominent features were the three great structures atop the city's hills: the Red Keep on Aegon's Hill, the Great Sept of Baelor on Visenya's Hill, and the Dragonpit on Rhaenys's Hill.
"If ancient Rome was known as the City of Seven Hills," Gendry remarked, "then King's Landing could be called the City of Three Hills. Its coastal location is also somewhat reminiscent of Constantinople."
He turned toward Lord Roose Bolton.
"My former master, Tobho Mott... where is he now?"
Lord Roose answered without hesitation.
"Master Tobho's residence is easy to recognize. It's a large timber-and-plaster house on Visenya's Hill, tall enough to overlook the narrow streets below. However, he left his smithy in the care of his assistant and departed on a journey with a young maidservant. After Lord Eddard visited him, he likely wanted to avoid becoming involved in the turmoil surrounding King's Landing."
Gendry nodded.
"That's understandable. It seems he doesn't wish to meet me."
He remembered the smithy well. Tobho Mott had always been a mysterious man. Even after spending years working under him, Gendry had never truly understood him.
The house itself was unforgettable. Its enormous doors were crafted from ebony and weirwood, carved with an intricate hunting scene. Two stone knights stood guard at the entrance, clad in fantastical red steel armor, one fashioned as a griffin and the other as a unicorn. The contrasting black and white doors were also said to be one of the symbols associated with the Faceless Men.
No matter.
Life was full of unexpected turns. Whether they met again as friends or enemies would depend on fate. If the Faceless Men truly became involved, there would be plenty of ways to deal with them.
For now, Gendry set the matter aside.
His finger moved across the map until it rested on the Dragonpit.
"Although the Dragonpit has long since fallen into ruin, its foundation still stands. The great dome has collapsed, but much of the structure remains."
Stannis Baratheon nodded.
"That means we won't be building entirely from scratch. It should reduce the amount of labor required."
Lord Mace Tyrell leaned forward.
"How do you intend to use it, Your Highness?"
Gendry replied,
"My plan is to restore the Dragonpit and transform it into a memorial complex. First, we'll build a rehabilitation center for wounded veterans. Then, we'll establish a Hall of Honor where the armor and weapons of those who sacrificed themselves for the realm can be displayed. There will also be a central courtyard and a public square where visitors can gather and rest."
"An excellent idea, Your Grace," several lords agreed.
Randyll Tarly then spoke.
"Prince Gendry, the number seven holds sacred significance throughout the Seven Kingdoms. The Great Sept of Baelor has seven major structures. Perhaps the Veterans' Hall should also incorporate seven buildings."
Gendry smiled.
"A fine suggestion. We'll adopt that design."
After all, the number seven seemed deeply rooted in every aspect of King's Landing—from its religious buildings to the Small Council and even the city's gates.
Randyll bowed.
"I'll organize surveyors to inspect the Dragonpit immediately."
"I'll accompany you," Gendry said. "I'd rather see it with my own eyes."
He then shifted the discussion.
"We also need to assess the Blackwater Rush. The river is wide, deep, and fast, but we should begin identifying suitable locations for future pontoon bridges."
Stannis considered the matter carefully.
"The current near the city is far too strong. However, farther upstream, where the river narrows, there may be suitable crossing points. I'll dispatch experienced fishermen to survey the area."
Gendry nodded.
"Good. There's no need to rush until the wildfire residue and floating debris have cleared."
Stannis agreed.
After a brief pause, Gendry addressed another matter.
"Although we achieved victory during the siege of King's Landing, the battle exposed several serious problems within the city itself."
The council chamber immediately fell silent.
"The first issue is public order."
He pointed toward Flea Bottom.
"The maze of cramped streets and narrow alleys creates the perfect environment for riots and criminal activity."
His finger moved again.
"The second issue is sanitation. King's Landing has always been filthy. During the siege, disease spread rapidly through Stink Alley and the surrounding slums."
Roose Bolton nodded.
"The people of King's Landing are unlike those of the North. They're easily influenced by hunger, rumors, and fear. When trouble begins, riots follow."
"Exactly," Gendry replied.
"If we eventually remove Flea Bottom and redesign those winding alleys, future uprisings will become much more difficult. Improving sanitation will also require proper sewers, public latrines, and better waste management."
Lord Selwyn Tarth spoke thoughtfully.
"The people of Flea Bottom are stubborn and quick to anger. Even King Jaehaerys the Conciliator never attempted to destroy the district or completely change their way of life. We should proceed carefully."
Roose smiled faintly.
"My opinion is simpler."
"Winter is coming."
"If some of those troublemakers disappear, fewer mouths will need feeding."
"With our army gathered outside the city, leveling Flea Bottom would be effortless."
Stannis frowned.
"So you wish for all of us to be remembered as butchers?"
"You can return safely to the North afterward."
"We're the ones who must continue ruling King's Landing."
Roose merely shrugged and said nothing more.
Yohn Royce also nodded.
"Lord Selwyn is correct. During wartime, forcing drastic reforms could easily spark another rebellion."
"I agree," Gendry said.
"Major changes should happen gradually."
"But Flea Bottom's conditions and the city's sanitation cannot be ignored forever."
"We all know how devastating disease can become."
Mace Tyrell finally relaxed.
Attempting to demolish Flea Bottom overnight while forcing new sanitation policies upon the people would almost certainly lead to open conflict.
Gendry continued.
"Now, regarding public security."
"The Gold Cloaks have scattered."
"Until a new City Watch is organized, Lord Boggs, Ser Lothor, and Lord Roose will maintain order with their own soldiers."
He looked directly at them.
"Your duty isn't limited to keeping the peace."
"I also want Varys found."
"I'd prefer him alive."
"But if necessary..."
"Dead will suffice."
The three men bowed.
"We await your command."
Gendry moved to the next matter.
"As for the Red Keep..."
"The former Grand Steward and several squires were implicated in Queen Cersei's adultery and the murder of the late king."
"Until replacements are appointed, Lord Selwyn will oversee the investigation."
"The Crimson Lady and Sister Tyene will assist with managing the household."
"Does anyone object?"
No one spoke.
The administration of the royal household was the king's own affair.
Still, Lord Mace couldn't help wondering about the identities of the two hooded women.
Once the council meeting ended, everyone departed.
As they walked outside, Mace quietly asked his son Garlan,
"Do you know who the Crimson Lady and Sister Tyene are?"
"They seem to have appeared out of nowhere."
Garlan lowered his voice.
"I believe the Crimson Lady is the Red Priestess who accompanies Lord Stannis."
"I'm not certain about the other woman."
Mace chuckled.
"So the Red Witch has stopped preaching and decided to warm the future king's bed instead?"
Garlan smiled awkwardly.
"If the rumors from Qarth are true, we'd better summon my sister soon."
"There certainly isn't a shortage of beautiful women around Prince Gendry."
Half an hour later, Gendry rode out from the Red Keep.
A hundred Kingsguard in golden cloaks and horned helmets escorted him alongside soldiers from Claw Isle.
Beside him rode his squire and Lord Randyll Tarly, who intended to inspect the Dragonpit.
Yohn Royce had also instructed his second son to accompany them, hoping they might recover the Royce family's ancestral sword, which had been lost in King's Landing generations ago.
As Gendry looked back, the Red Keep stood proudly behind him.
Its seven massive drum towers, towering central keep, domed halls, enclosed bridges, barracks, dungeons, granaries, and thick curtain walls formed one of the most formidable fortresses in Westeros.
The pale red stone glowed beneath the afternoon sun.
The sound of galloping horses echoed through the streets.
Though King's Landing still bore the scars of war and recent riots, signs of life were slowly returning.
Golden banners fluttered proudly above the riders.
Soon they passed the magnificent Great Sept of Baelor, where seven crystal towers rose above gleaming marble walls atop Visenya's Hill.
At last, they reached Rhaenys's Hill.
Before them stood the Dragonpit.
Its once-great dome had collapsed, leaving only blackened ruins. Massive bronze gates, sealed for nearly a century, still guarded the entrance.
Randyll surveyed the ruins.
"We can enter through the side gate."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)