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Mid 120 AC
His grandfather's residence actually seemed to have furniture unlike his own.
A bed at the far corner, a cupboard, a shelf of books and even a table where he was working at.
Urrigon was curious of how fast his grandfather was prepared, since had just returned to kingslanding when the news came.
Otto Hightower was reading a few documents, some to be letters. The man always seemed to be at work. Urrigon had never seen his grandfather rest let alone sleep.
He did his job with diligence that Urrigon hoped he could attain himself.
Clad in a green robe, he had a pin on his left chest that showed his position as the kings greatest counselor. The Hand of the King turned to him, green eyes narrowing.
"I called for you hours ago", said Otto, his voice deep and grave." Was your rest that important?"
Urrigon fully bowed,"Forgive me grandsire, it will not happen again".
Otto brows furrowed before releasing a sigh, "Be sure that it does not, now raise yourself and sit". He pointed at a chair near him, next to the table.
Urrigon raised himself and sat on the chair. His body tense.
Both grandson and grandfather looked at each other. Urigon did not look away, he knew he'd be scolded for doing so.
Otto's green eyes seemed to be studying him.
"Have you lost all reason?" he said, turning to him, "Have you lost all sense!?"
"Grandsire I do not–"
"You murdered a man and for what? Pride? Delusion?" said Otto thrusting his finger towards Urrigon, finger digging into his chest. The Hand of the King leaned towards him.
"Urrigon! Were all the lesson's I taught for naught? For all your readings you seemed to have misread the consequences".
"Grandfather I am sure Ser Criston or perhaps even the Queen told you it was training accident!", said Urrigon pushing back.
"And I know you better, do not forget before your father dismissed me, you followed me like a duckling around the keep once you eyes opened to the truth of our cause!", hissed Otto, "So Do not lie to me!"
Urrigon looked to the floor unable to respond, he curled his fist and bit his lip.
'Was Mothers fury not enough? Does no one see the duty I have done?" , the boy felt a wave of emotions, the center of it was rage. Tears of anger threatened to spill.
The prince swore that he would cry again years before.
Suddenly he felt his grandfather arms wrapping around his form.
"Urrig...you are but a child, you should not have acted the way you did", said Otto in a comforting but firm voice, "I know why you did it but by the Seven it should not have happened."
Urrigon leaned against his grandsire, "You did not see grandsire…that man and even his father caused so much harm for our family. Mother thinks we do not see it but me and Aegon knew it wounded her deeply" , he said in a quite voice.
Otto let go of him but kept a close distance, looking straight at his eyes.
"I know my boy but this was not the way, it could have cost us everything", said Otto.
"I know grandsire, the King refuses to see reason and the court has followed his will"
"For all you are smart you happen to be daff" , said Otto has he now leaned on the chair.
Urrigon looked up, surprised," Grandsire?"
Otto said nothing and handed a letter from the desk.
"Read it"said the Hand.
Urrigon's eyes read the letter,it was from the late lord Lyonel.
"To my good friend, Viserys.
I do not call you King, for I write instead to a man I once called brother, and pray you shall read these words as such.
You have cut me deeply, sharper than any blade could and will. The wound you gave me festers still and shall never heal. I lost a son and when I turned to you for justice, you failed me.
Yet I do not lay my wrath upon you for that, for I too have sons and know the blindness love can bring.
Nay, my grief is heavier than my wrath.
My grief is for the failure that has marked you as a Father.
Your failure to shield the Princess Rhaenyra, and the children born of her blood.
You knew well enough the bond that tied my Harwin to your daughter, his affections and love and you knew, too, of her heart for him. I do not longer beg for justice for my Harwin, for I know him as he was, nor do I ask for it now.
But I beg it for her and for the babes she bore him, babes who are of your line as well as mine.
Yet in your hall there walks a shadow, clothed in the guise of a child, of a son.
We both know the truth of it, though neither dare speak it plain. That boy is no seed of yours.
If he is sprung from Alicent, then her womb bore the Seven's curse, for never have I seen a child so marked by foulness and evil.
His heart is black as the night , his strength unnatural, his stature growing monstrous every waking moment.
Ask yourself this Viserys, when has they ever been such a child that grows that fast, that thirsts for blood when merely a boy grown in the Targaryen dynasty?
There was such a child.
Maegor.
Aye the Cruel reborn is what the boy is, though with different coloring.
You do not see it.
But I have.
I tell you this Viserys, he will be the doom of you and all you love. He casts hungry eyes upon Rhaenyra and her younglings, and there is a craving in him that no meat nor mead shall sate his tatse buds.
One day, he shall feast upon their innocence, and upon your peace,the very peace that you and I built together.
Even then, when our kin are corpses and their names a bards tale that will not fill him and he shall slay your own children as well.
Therefore I beg of you, as brother, as friend, as one who once served you as your Hand.
Send him away.
To the Wall, if the Night's Watch will have him.
To Oldtown, if the Citadel will take him. To the Faith, if the Seven grant such mercy.
He is fond of books, and pious words fall easily from his lips. Let him serve there, and far from those he would destroy.
Do this, or mark me well. For my words will echo in her mind and you will curse the day you did not.
Your friend,
Lyonel Strong"
Urrigon's whole body shook with rage.
"How dare he!"hissed Urrigon his hands gripping the letter,slowly tearing it."Not only does e allow injustices to my family but he accuses my mother of being a wanton whore!"
Urrigon stood up and paced the room, "He accuses me of such when his own son seed laid birth to abominations, he could not be satsufied that his blood would rule the throne but he dared to ask to send me away from Aegon, Daeron, Aemond, my family!", He gripped his shoulders, nails digging in, through the tunic and piercing flesh.
"To think one would hold such audacity, such lack of shame in their being!A second Maegor I am?If only he still lived…"
Urrigon turned to his grandfather, the lamps made his shadow seem large."What of the King?What decision did he come to?"
Otto stood from his chair and approached him.
"None"
"Pardon?Grandsire, what do you mean?"
"None for he never saw it", said Otto, "I made sure of it."
The lamp light seemed to make his grandfathers eyes more vibrant, more alive.
"Why else do you think Lord Lyonel met his end?"
Urrigon looked at his grandfather,his rage gave to confusion and then to relization.
"The burning of Harrenhall…you did it Grandsire?"said Urrigon.
"Nay, but i helped the one who did", said Otto laying a hand on Urrigon's shoulder.
"Lord Larys and even Alys are ours now. House Strong belong to our cause and you have escaped a harsher punishment".
"...Then everything is fine?"
"Nothing comes for free in this world Urrigon and your actions have cost us deeply. Even if I agree with them".
Urrigon was silent for a moment."What happens now grandsire?"
Otto gave the boy a smile that did not reach his eyes and the hand on his shoulder gripped it firmly.
"Now we play our role for what is to come, Laena Valyron lies dead and that is proof that the Seven are loving.
The King's grows weak and our enemies more so. In these three days play your part, listen well and most importantly, control yourself Urrigon".
Urrigon nodded his head and Otto let go of his shoulder.
"We play a dangerous game Urrigon and only you can succeded me and take my place, for if I falter… if I play my hand to early I shall the Stranger".
Otto hugged him once again and whispered in his ears.
"For in the game of thrones you either win or die."
END CHAPTER---
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