Chapter 90: Evacuate? Attack?
"Seven Hells," Aemond thumped his head. He immediately realized the consequences of his actions: killing Lucerys, or rather, killing Lucerys in a dragon battle. This could only lead to two outcomes.
Rhaenyra would be enraged, immediately initiating a dragon war regardless of the consequences. Prince Longze'er would also be enraged, and Vermithor, Silverwing, and Shadow Nightmare would go north to fight at all costs. Then instant destruction would be the only fate awaiting the Green faction.
Vhagar roared, and Aemond immediately urged her back toward King's Landing. The dragon slowly landed in a field outside the city, and Aemond immediately seized a warhorse from a waiting squire, galloping at full speed toward the Red Keep. This open field had been specially prepared for Vhagar, vast and located beside the Red Keep.
Aemond rushed through the gates of the Red Keep. Seeing the one-eyed prince hurrying toward the upper levels, the nobles and ladies along the way frowned in confusion.
What happened?
Aemond burst into the council chamber. Aegon the Elder and his Small Council were handling replies from various lords. The results were relatively optimistic. All the lords of the Westerlands had declared support for the legitimate king under the leadership of Lord Jason Lannister. House Hightower, House Peake, House Florent, House Redwyne, and several smaller houses of the Reach had also declared their support for Aegon the Elder's claim.
The lord of Highgarden, however, could not respond. The young lord had fallen from his horse shortly after receiving Aegon's letter, broken his leg, and died soon after. Highgarden was now ruled by an infant, with his mother, Lady Zhenxiya of House Fossoway, acting as regent.
She immediately closed the gates of Highgarden, declaring that she must care for the young lord and could not involve herself in the chaos of war.
There were no replies from the North, Dorne, or the Vale, and only scattered responses from the Riverlands.
Aegon the Elder and Alicent saw Aemond, pale-faced, rush into the chamber. Alicent immediately stood.
"What's wrong? Is it Lord Boros?"
"I killed Lucerys—no, Vhagar killed Lucerys."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Aegon the Elder looked at his mother, whose expression changed dramatically, and at the equally pale councillors, confused. "Brother, you killed one of that bitch sister's dragons and one of her bastard Strongs. This is a great achievement. I will hold a feast in your honor."
"Seven Hells!" Alicent's face turned deathly pale. "My son, how could you be so blind? You only lost one eye—an eye for a dragon…"
"Your Majesty, we are in trouble." Tyland Lannister immediately understood Aemond's fear. "Rhaenyra is still on Dragonstone. As soon as she learns of Prince Lucerys's death…"
Tyland inwardly cursed the absence of Otto. Only Otto could have steadied this situation—but even he likely never imagined Aemond would be reckless enough to kill Lucerys outright.
"That woman will… Seven gods!" Alicent collapsed into her chair. Aegon the Elder also realized something was terribly wrong and looked around uncertainly.
"And the Varezes family… Prince, you wouldn't…" Tyland's voice faltered.
Aemond nodded heavily. "It happened south of Storm's End."
"Your Majesty, we must prepare immediately—either evacuate King's Landing or prepare Queen Helaena to ride into battle, and recall Prince Daeron." Tyland stood. "Rhaenyra could send dragon riders to strike King's Landing at any time. Prince Longze'er's dragons could also arrive from the south at any moment. We must be ready."
"Dragons can go anywhere." Aemond spoke coldly. "The news won't reach Dragonstone until tomorrow at the earliest. Prince Valarr won't act without Prince Longze'er's command. We must use this time to prepare."
He turned to Aegon.
"Your Majesty, you are the king. Decide. Have our sister ride Dreamfyre into battle. It increases our chances."
"Yes… yes." Aegon nodded repeatedly.
"There is another plan," Tyland added. "As the prince said, dragons can go anywhere. We can abandon King's Landing. The treasury is empty. Even if Rhaenyra takes the city, she gains nothing but a starving population."
He did not voice the third option—that House Lannister could defect—but he knew Rhaenyra, enraged, would never accept it.
"Even if the Blacks have more dragons, they cannot intercept all of ours if we leave at once," Lord Jasper said. House Fossoway had no choice but to support the Greens; Rhaenyra would never forgive opposition after her son's death.
"What kind of king abandons the Iron Throne?" Aegon snapped. "I will persuade Helaena to ride, but I will not flee King's Landing."
"Then we must concentrate our dragons and rely on the city's defenses," Aemond said with a sigh. "But Vhagar cannot guarantee victory against Vermithor. Can Sunfyre defeat Caraxes? Or Meleys? Or Silverwing? Even with Dreamfyre, Silverwing alone could hold us back. Do you truly believe you can defeat the Blood Wyrm and the Red Queen?"
Aegon fell silent.
"You placed this crown on my head…" he muttered, touching it.
"Your Majesty, let the children leave first," Alicent said firmly. "Send them to Oldtown or the Free Cities. House Hightower will shelter them. Even if we fall, they must live."
"Dowager Queen, the matter of Prince…" Grand Maester Orwyle began carefully.
"It is mercy enough that he did not kill Jaehaera," Aemond said grimly. "Mother, go with them. From Oldtown, arrange ships to send the children east."
"I will stay," Alicent said. "King's Landing must have a target. I will be that target. Rhaenyra will not spare me."
Silence followed.
"So… what do we do?" Aegon asked quietly.
Aemond turned to Criston Cole.
"Ser Criston, your thoughts?"
Criston stepped forward.
"Prince, I agree with dividing the enemy's focus. But we must decide how to do so—and how to contain Dragonstone."
He moved to the map and pointed to the Riverlands.
"We lack support here because someone arrived first."
"Daemon," Tyland muttered.
"The Riverlands is the key battlefield," Criston continued. "Armies from the west must pass through it. Armies from the Reach must pass near it to reach King's Landing. It is more important than the Crownlands. If we want victory, we must contest it."
"But Daemon has a dragon…"
"He has only one," Criston replied. "The Blacks have many dragons, but if they are divided, we can defeat them. Lord Larys—your intelligence."
Larys Strong spoke softly.
"Prince Longze'er and Prince Jacaerys have gone north. Prince Valarr remains in Dragon Nest City, guarding the Varezes family and patrolling trade routes. Princess Rhaenys is blockading the Gullet with her dragon and fleet. Prince Daemon is in Harrenhal, gathering forces."
Criston nodded.
"Then we have two options. Dragonstone currently has only three active dragons. If Queen Helaena joins us, we could strike Dragonstone directly—"
"There are wild dragons there," Aemond interrupted sharply. "If Rhaenys returns, she and Rhaenyra could drive them into battle. Those beasts do not distinguish friend from foe."
"Then the second option," Criston continued calmly. "Send Queen Helaena to escort the royal children to Oldtown. Meanwhile, Your Majesty and Prince Aemond leave King's Landing and hunt isolated Black dragons. Except Vermithor, none can withstand Vhagar and Sunfyre together."
Aemond nodded slowly.
"Go on."
"I will lead the loyal garrison north," Criston said. "The White Sword Tower has two hundred mounted guards. You also have hundreds of loyal household knights."
"You may take them all," Aegon said.
"I will raise armies and prepare to strike the Riverlands," Criston continued, tracing a line across the map. "Once we leave, Rhaenyra will seize King's Landing—but she will inherit a starving city and an empty treasury. That burden will hold her in place."
He smiled faintly.
"I will leave Ser Arryk Cargyll behind. His twin serves Rhaenyra. He is eager to deal with that traitor personally."
Criston straightened.
"As long as the Black dragons remain divided, we have a chance. Now we can only hope Lord Otto succeeds in his mission."
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