Chapter 36: The Dragon King's Scrutiny, The Shadow Isle's Masquerade (Royal Visit: Part 1)
The arrival of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and Queen Alysanne upon the shores of Skagos was an event that resonated with a unique blend of profound honor and stomach-churning, existential dread within the hidden heart of Mount Skatus. Publicly, Lord Jojen Volmark, Aelyx's great-grandson and the current bearer of the Volmark name, orchestrated a welcome that befitted the rulers of the Six Kingdoms – a display of loyal Northern deference coupled with the understated yet undeniable prosperity that had become Skagos's hallmark. Privately, Aelyx Velaryon, the immortal Shadow King, felt as though he were personally walking a razor's edge over a chasm of dragonfire, every moment of the royal visit a test of his centuries of planning, his dynasty's discipline, and the very integrity of their impenetrable secrecy.
Vermithor, the Bronze Fury, and Silverwing, magnificent and terrible, settled into a specially constructed, heavily reinforced stone enclosure on a windswept plateau a respectful distance from Icefang Keep. Their roars, when they occasionally stretched their colossal wings or greeted their royal riders, echoed across the stony hills, a sound that both awed the public Skagosi populace and sent silent, anxious tremors through the magically shielded depths of Mount Skatus, where nearly two hundred other dragons were kept in magically enforced silence and confinement. Aelyx had personally overseen the weaving of sensory deprivation wards around the Targaryen dragons' temporary lair, designed to create a localized magical "null zone," dulling their senses to the vast draconic presence slumbering so near. It was a hugely complex, energy-draining undertaking, but absolutely essential.
Icefang Keep, usually a fortress of grim Northern practicality, had been subtly transformed. Rich tapestries depicting heroic Northern legends (with a few subtle inclusions of Volmark ancestors in suitably heroic, non-magical roles) adorned the stone walls. Banners of Stark, Targaryen, and Volmark hung side-by-side in the Great Hall. The air was scented with rare Skagosi incense (a blend of weirwood shavings and mountain herbs) and the promise of continuous feasting. Lord Jojen Volmark, a man whose quiet Reed heritage lent him an air of thoughtful gravity that played well against his distant Valyrian features (a trait that still bred true, if diluted, in Aelyx's line), greeted his royal guests with practiced humility. His wife, Lady Lyarra (née Flint), a woman of quiet strength and dignity, stood beside him, their young children presented briefly, their manners impeccable.
"Your Majesties," Jojen said, his voice steady despite the immense pressure he felt, knowing his great-great-grandfather Aelyx observed his every word and gesture through means beyond his comprehension, "Skagos is yours. Icefang Keep, and all within it, offer you humble welcome. May your stay be restful and enlightening."
King Jaehaerys, his intelligent grey eyes missing little, nodded graciously. He was a man in his prime, his bearing regal yet approachable, his reputation as 'the Conciliator' and 'the Wise' well-earned. "Lord Volmark, your loyalty to your Stark lieges, and thereby to the Iron Throne, is well spoken of throughout the North. We have long wished to see this remarkable island, famed for its hardy folk and… unique prosperity." His gaze held a flicker of scholarly curiosity as he subtly emphasized 'unique prosperity.'
Queen Alysanne, ever radiant, offered a warmer smile. "And we are most eager to meet the people who call this rugged land home, my lord. It is said the air of Skagos breeds resilience and a strong spirit. And, of course," she added, her eyes twinkling, "we hear tales of your remarkable Glass Gardens, a wonder even in the south."
The initial feast was a masterpiece of curated Skagosi bounty. Aelyx, directing the menus from afar through Mipsy (still the glamoured, ancient Head Steward 'Myra'), ensured a display of wealth that was impressive but not impossibly so. There were whole roasted mountain rams, their flesh succulent from grazing on magically-enhanced Skagosi heather; platters of iridescent ice-fish pulled from the deepest, coldest waters around the island; smoked shadow-cat (a rare Northern delicacy); and an astonishing array of fruits, vegetables, and herbs from the public Glass Gardens near Icefang Keep, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the typically austere Northern fare. The tableware was heavy Skagosi silver, intricately worked with wolf and kraken motifs, the goblets of a deep, polished jet Skagos was also becoming known for – all products of mundane craftsmanship, though the sheer quantity hinted at the wealth of the "Heir's Hoard." Wines were Northern ales, strong and dark, supplemented by a few choice vintages from the Arbor, "acquired through prosperous trade."
Jaehaerys, a king who appreciated good governance and economic strength, was keen to understand the mechanics of Skagos's success. Over the next few days, through carefully managed tours and conversations with Lord Jojen (who was, in essence, channeling Aelyx's carefully crafted responses), the King delved into the island's administration.
"Your port of Shadowport, Lord Volmark," Jaehaerys remarked one morning, as they stood on a high balcony of Icefang Keep overlooking the bustling, well-ordered harbor, "is remarkably efficient for such a remote location. Your ships are well-maintained, your warehouses full. How do you manage such thriving trade in these often inhospitable seas?"
Jojen, his lines rehearsed to perfection, spoke of Skagosi hardiness, of generations of seafaring knowledge passed down (a subtle nod to the Velaryon aspect of his public lineage), of carefully cultivated trade routes with White Harbor and other Northern ports, and of the "blessings of the Old Gods" which seemed to smile upon their endeavors. He emphasized their focus on self-sufficiency and their unwavering loyalty to the North, ensuring their prosperity directly benefited their Stark lieges and, by extension, the Crown.
"And this 'Heir's Hoard' gold mine," Jaehaerys continued, his gaze sharp, "its discovery so fortuitously coinciding with the birth of your ancestor, the first Lord Torrhen Volmark's heir… It is the source of much speculation in the south. Some whisper its riches rival those of Casterly Rock."
Aelyx, listening through Jojen, tensed. This was a critical probe. Jojen, however, remained outwardly calm. "The Old Gods were indeed generous to my forebear, Your Majesty. The mine is rich, it is true, though perhaps tales grow taller in the telling as they travel south. It provides for our people, allows us to maintain our defenses, and to contribute our due to Lord Stark and the Iron Throne. We see it as a sacred trust, to be managed wisely, not squandered on southern fripperies." He even offered, "Should Your Majesty wish, I would be honored to arrange a visit to the primary workings. It is a rugged journey, but the sight is… impressive."
Aelyx had prepared for this. A section of a mundane Skagosi iron mine had been painstakingly "salted" with high-grade gold ore by house-elves, its tunnels reinforced and made to look like an ancient, productive gold working, complete with carefully aged mining equipment and a few grizzled (and heavily coached) Skagosi "miners." The true source, the Philosopher's Stone, remained Aelyx's most guarded secret. Jaehaerys, after a moment's consideration, accepted the offer for a later day, his scholarly interest piqued.
The King also inspected the Skagosi levies, who drilled with a discipline and precision that impressed his Kingsguard commanders. Their steel armor and weapons, though not Valyrian steel, were of exceptional quality, their formations tight, their loyalty to Lord Jojen Volmark absolute. Jaehaerys saw a formidable, if small, provincial army, perfectly suited to defending its island domain. He questioned Jojen on their training, their numbers, their role in the Ironborn War generations past, all answers delivered with a proud, yet deferential, honesty.
Queen Alysanne, meanwhile, pursued her own inquiries. Accompanied by Lady Lyarra Volmark, she toured the civilian sections of Shadowport, visited the homes of fisherfolk and artisans, and spent considerable time in the public Glass Gardens. She was particularly interested in the lives of Skagosi women.
"Your women seem strong and healthy, Lady Lyarra," Alysanne observed, as they watched children playing in a remarkably clean and well-ordered market square. "And your children are numerous. What is the secret to Skagos's vitality?"
Lyarra, guided by the gentle mental prompts Lyanna sent via Aelyx to Jojen, and thence to her, spoke of the clean Skagosi air, the abundance of fresh seafood and Glass Garden produce, the skills of their local midwives (Healer Elyn's mundane apprentices, their knowledge far exceeding their humble status), and the strong family bonds fostered by Lord Volmark's just rule. She presented a picture of a harmonious, prosperous society, where the people were content and well-cared for. Alysanne, who had championed many reforms for smallfolk and women in the south, seemed pleased by what she saw, though her keen eyes missed little, noting the subtle Valyrian cast to some of the children's features, a more common occurrence on Skagos than elsewhere in the North.
The Glass Gardens were a particular fascination for her. She marveled at the lush greenery, the impossible array of fruits and vegetables thriving under the vast panes of dark, obsidian-like glass, even as the autumn winds howled outside. "This technique, my lady," Alysanne said to Lyarra, "it is truly remarkable. Lord Volmark's ancestor who developed this… he was a man of great vision. Is this a lost Valyrian art?"
Lyarra smiled demurely. "So our family legends say, Your Majesty. A secret passed down, adapted for Skagos's unique geothermal warmth. It allows us to provide for our people, and indeed, to share our bounty with Winterfell, as my lord husband's great-grandfather did when he gifted similar gardens to your Stark kinsmen."
Throughout these initial days, Aelyx remained a silent, omnipresent observer, his consciousness flitting between Jojen, key glamoured house-elves, and his own scrying devices within the sanctuary. The strain of maintaining the absolute secrecy, of ensuring every word spoken and every sight seen by the royal party conformed to the carefully constructed public narrative, was immense. The wards around Mount Skatus were pushed to their limits, Rhaenys and Aenar working in shifts with teams of house-elf enchanters to ensure not a whisper of draconic scent, not a tremor of magical energy, not an echo of a dragon's roar escaped the mountain's confines. Lyra and Daenys were in a constant state of heightened greensight, monitoring the King and Queen's surface thoughts, their intentions, any flicker of suspicion.
The Targaryen dragons, Vermithor and Silverwing, were a constant source of anxiety. Though confined to their specially prepared enclosure, their immense magical presence was like a beacon. Aelyx had layered silencing and sensory-dulling enchantments around them, hoping to prevent them from sensing the far greater draconic host hidden nearby. He also worried about their Valyrian riders. Both Jaehaerys and Alysanne were dragonlords; their innate connection to magic, however dormant or unacknowledged in a mundane sense, might allow them to perceive anomalies that others would miss.
Alysanne, in particular, sometimes paused during her walks near the wilder, mountainous regions (carefully steered away from Mount Skatus by her guides), a thoughtful, almost puzzled expression on her face. "There is… a strange stillness in these high peaks, Lord Jojen," she once remarked. "A silence that feels… deeper than mere wilderness. As if the mountains themselves are holding their breath."
Jojen, feeling Aelyx's mental guidance sharp and immediate, had laughed lightly. "Our Skagosi mountains are ancient and full of secrets, Your Majesty. They inspire much awe, and perhaps a little healthy fear, even in those of us born to them. The wind plays tricks, and the silence can indeed be profound."
Aelyx knew they were walking a precipice. One wrong word, one lapse in the illusions, one moment of unnatural dragon-sense from Vermithor or Silverwing, and centuries of work could unravel. But so far, the masquerade held. Jaehaerys seemed primarily focused on governance, economy, and military readiness, areas where Skagos presented an impressive, if conventionally explainable, picture. Alysanne, while more intuitive, was charmed by the apparent well-being of the Skagosi people and the ingenuity of the Glass Gardens.
The initial days of the royal visit concluded with another grand feast, where toasts were made to the health of the King and Queen, to the prosperity of Skagos, and to the enduring strength of the Realm. Jaehaerys, in his address, praised Lord Jojen Volmark for his wise stewardship and the remarkable productivity of his island domain. "House Volmark is a shining example of loyalty and good governance in Our Northern Realm," he declared, his words carrying the weight of royal approval. "Skagos may be remote, but its heart beats strong and true for the Iron Throne."
Aelyx, listening from his hidden throne, allowed himself a moment of grim satisfaction. The first part of the test had been passed. But the royal visit was far from over. There was still the tour of the "gold mine," and Jaehaerys's keen, scholarly mind was not easily sated. The Dragon King's scrutiny would continue, and the Shadow Isle's veil of secrecy had to remain unbreached. The stakes had never been higher.