Chapter 82: The Green Party's Plan
"Or do you think House Varezes will stand with us for the sake of a marriage to a six-year-old girl who has never set foot in the borderlands?" Lord Larys Strong's voice was low, but everyone present could clearly hear every word he said.
"House Varezes should support the true King," Ser Criston Cole, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, said in a deep voice. "Male-preference succession is sacred and inviolable; Prince Dragonzel will also pass his position to Prince Lingor, not Lady Samantha."
"Ser, that is not the same thing," Lord Jasper Wylde, Master of Laws, interrupted Criston Cole. "Lingor was born before Samantha, so his rightful claim has not been violated. Moreover, Rhaenyra's three sons all reside with them."
"Profit. Without sufficient profit, we cannot win them over," Lord Tyland Lannister, Master of Ships, spread his hands and said. "Rhaenyra is already one step ahead of us. Without enough incentive, it is impossible to sever their ties."
"Master of Ships—and my Hand," Ser Otto Hightower, Hand of the King, thought for a moment and said, "he may choose any of the three positions. Lord Tyland, you shall temporarily act as Master of Ships until Dragonzel responds."
Tyland nodded. "This condition is insufficient. Rhaenyra can promise him the same positions on her Small Council. Lord Otto, we must go all out to win over House Varezes. Six dragons—three battle-ready—and two of immense significance. That is a force capable of deciding this war."
Otto pursed his lips, glancing at Queen Alicent Hightower, signaling her to remain silent.
"Princess Jaehaera and Prince Ray shall be betrothed. Prince Jaehaerys and Lady Samantha shall be betrothed. And Lady Daniela and Prince Maelor shall be betrothed. After King Aegon II Targaryen ascends the throne, Jaehaerys will be named Crown Prince, and Samantha will become the future Queen. In addition, the office of Royal Mint at Summerhall may be granted to House Varezes."
Alicent's expression shifted, but she ultimately held her tongue.
"As long as Dragonzel is willing to support my son's rightful claim, I can accept these terms."
Otto nodded in satisfaction. "We must also prepare thoroughly. We need allies."
"The lords who supported the King at the Great Council will stand with our rightful King," Criston Cole said, turning to Grand Maester Orwyle, who had been shaken by Lord Beesbury's corpse.
"Grand Maester, we require a list of the lords who supported the King then. Do not deny it—I know the Citadel recorded everything," Criston said sharply.
Grand Maester Orwyle finally composed himself.
"My lords, I am but a maester; I can only provide historical reference. At the Great Council, although those supporting the King outnumbered those supporting Princess Rhaenys Targaryen by twenty to one, using that alone to justify King Aegon's claim would be biased."
"But the supporters largely overlap, do they not?" Otto pressed.
Orwyle nodded.
"My lord Hand, I must remind you—the Princess has many supporters," Orwyle warned. "By blood ties, Lord Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, and his fleet will surely stand with her. Many Crownlands and eastern coastal houses have long supported her claim—House Staunton of Rook's Rest, House Darklyn of Duskendale, House Bar Emmon of Sharp Point, as well as House Massey, House Celtigar, and others."
"Furthermore," Orwyle continued, "House Celtigar has established marital ties with House Varezes; Lord Bartimos Celtigar's nephew is among Prince Dragonzel's sworn brothers, and Lady Leira has borne children for Prince Valarr."
"I know," Otto sighed. "Grand Maester, continue."
"In the North, House Stark, House Dustin, and House Manderly all supported Princess Rhaenys at the Great Council. The followers of the Old Gods pride themselves on honoring their oaths—they will likely support the Princess."
"As for the Vale…"
"The Vale is ruled by a woman," Lord Jasper Wylde said. "Lady Jeyne Arryn cannot oppose Rhaenyra's claim without undermining her own rule."
"I understand," Otto said. "Grand Maester, prepare ravens immediately. Seek support from these houses. Simply indicate whether they supported male succession at the time."
Orwyle nodded helplessly.
"Write to Lord Ormund Hightower of Oldtown and command him to raise troops immediately. We need an army of no fewer than twenty thousand from Oldtown—more, if possible."
"Write to Lord Lyonel Tyrell of Highgarden, Lord Unwin Peake, House Florent of Brightwater Keep, House Redwyne of the Arbor, and all Reach lords who supported the King's claim. We need their strength."
Tyland handed Orwyle another list.
"The Westerlands will fully support the rightful King."
"The key lies with House Redwyne," Jasper added. "We need their fleet. If House Varezes refuses us, we must secure naval dominance elsewhere."
"And the Iron Fleet of the Iron Islands," Larys Strong spoke again.
"A band of reavers?" Tyland frowned. "The krakens raid—they do not wage proper war."
"Dalton Greyjoy's Iron Fleet is vast, ruthless, and fearless," Larys replied calmly. "If they fight for the Iron Throne, they can devastate the Narrow Sea coasts that support the Princess."
"We will permit them to follow the Old Way against our enemies. Dalton is no fool—he will accept."
"A fine suggestion," Otto nodded, signaling Orwyle to write.
"In the Riverlands, Lord Grover Tully stands firmly with us," Otto continued. "But his bannermen are unreliable. Write to House Bracken, House Piper, House Darry, and House Mallister—we require their support."
"What of House Frey? They control the crossings," Ser Criston asked.
"That fool Frey?" Otto scoffed. "Were you not present when he tried to wed a common whore?"
Criston sighed and said no more.
"In the Vale, write to Ser Isembard Arryn of Gulltown—the Gilded Falcon. Tell him that if he supports the rightful King, we will see justice done for him."
Otto finally turned to the most difficult regions.
"The Stormlands… the borderlands… and Dorne…"
"Is Aegon King yet?"
Prince Aemond Targaryen entered the Queen's chamber, led by Ser Willis Fell. Dawn had broken; the sun rose bright, as if the storm of the night before had never existed.
Yet that storm had raged within the Red Keep.
During the secret council, all servants in the Red Keep had been locked in the dungeons, and Hightower guards had arrested every noble and knight suspected of supporting the Princess.
Because Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent had once worn black and green respectively, later historians would name their factions the Black Party and the Green Party.
Under Lord Jasper's orders, all resisting Black loyalists were executed.
A Velaryon-owned spice tavern in King's Landing was sealed, its owner executed on the spot.
The City Watch—once reorganized by Prince Daemon Targaryen—was purged. Two captains were arrested, including the commander of the Gold Cloaks. In their place, Ser Luthor Largent, a towering officer loyal to the Greens, was elevated to command the City Watch.
No ravens left King's Landing. No bells tolled for the King.
Only a small boat slipped quietly from Blackwater Bay, its lone passenger cloaked in black, concealing silver hair and beard.
Aemond, clad in plate and chain, had been preparing for morning training when summoned. He had already guessed the truth.
He cast a cold glance at Lord Beesbury's corpse.
"It is rare to see an old man so eager to die for that ancient whore," Aemond said coldly. "Have you not yet crowned my brother? Or do you intend to kneel and kiss her feet?"
"Aemond, we must ensure Aegon's ascension proceeds smoothly," Alicent said. "Rhaenyra has dragons—and House Varezes stands with her, for now."
Aemond fell silent. Even he had no confidence in facing Dragonzel and Vermithor.
"So—have you reached a conclusion?"
"The Stormlands are key," Jasper said. "But Lord Borros Baratheon is headstrong, and his house is tied to Princess Rhaenys."
"We need his army," Alicent said. "Storm's End controls the passes. Block the Prince's Pass, and Dorne is contained. Block the Boneway, and Dragonzel cannot advance north."
"Dragons are not bound by roads, Mother," Aemond replied coldly. "Vermithor could burn Storm's End to ash. And most of the Stormlands' elite border forces already answer to Dragonzel."
He looked at Otto.
"What can you offer him that Rhaenyra cannot?"
Otto hesitated.
"Send me," Aemond said. "I will go to Dragon Nest City first—then Storm's End."
"At the very least, I will secure one ally."
"Lord Borros has four daughters," Otto said.
"I will bring one back," Aemond replied. "Aegon gains Storm's End. As for Dragon Nest City… I make no promises."
Aemond turned to Tyland.
"You are acting Master of Ships, are you not?"
Tyland nodded.
"I need gold, grandsire. A great deal of it," Aemond said. "We must hire sellswords from across the Narrow Sea and fleets from the Free Cities. If Dragonzel refuses us, we will harry his coasts."
"Dragonzel needs ports—we will force him to defend them."
Aemond's single eye gleamed coldly.
"Without Vermithor and Silverwing, even Vhagar alone can deal with that whore's dragons .
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