The following morning, at first light, Prince Aegon finalized the operation he had named Disputed Gale.
The plan itself was stark in its simplicity.
Ser Hugh would ride Sheepstealer at the head of the force, leading twenty warships, ten transport vessels, and two thousand marines straight for the harbor of Tyrosh. Upon arrival, Sheepstealer would secure the skies, annihilating the Tyroshi defenses along the port and breaking any organized resistance before it could form. Only once the harbor was rendered helpless would the marines land.
With the dragon overhead, they would strike swiftly, pushing inland just far enough to devastate supply depots, garrisons, and command posts. There would be no prolonged occupation. After the raid, the force would withdraw and redirect toward Tyrosh's holdings within the Disputed Lands.
That port, unlike Tyrosh itself, remained largely untouched by war. Nearly one third of the aid sent by Lys and Myr had been funneled there.
"The operation will commence at seven bells in the morning, on the seventh day of the seventh moon, one hundred and twenty years after Conquest," Aegon said.
At his words, subtle changes flickered across the faces gathered in the chamber.
"seventh day of the seventh moon," Ser Arryk said slowly, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Is that not the day of Your Highness's engagement?"
He hesitated, then continued, more cautiously. "Your Highness, Ser Hugh should remain at your side. Your engagement banquet and Princess Rhaenyra's wedding fall on the same day."
"Four adult dragons and one sub adult dragon are more than sufficient to deal with any unforeseen danger," Aegon replied evenly. "That includes the matter of Ser Hugh's identity."
He had never announced publicly that Hugh had tamed Sheepstealer. Dragonstone was firmly under his control, and from Queen Alicent's letters it was clear that King's Landing had not yet learned the truth.
"Listen carefully," Aegon said, his voice sharpening. "Tomorrow, announce the engagement banquet for Helaena and myself to be held in King's Landing on the seventh day of the seventh moon. Announce also that the port of DraKoncrest will be opened to trade."
He paced slowly as he spoke.
"The Tyroshi will fix their eyes on King's Landing the moment they hear of it. Helaena and I returning there means Aemond and Daeron will likely do the same. Those rats are cunning and vicious. They will not sit idle."
His eyes lifted, cold and precise.
"They may even gather their fleet and strike at Drakoncrest directly once I depart. Sunfyre will be seen leaving with me, then will turn back in secret and lie in wait. If they come, we will fall upon them here."
The room was silent.
"That will draw their attention away from Disputed Gale," Aegon continued. "And if fortune favors us, it may even allow us to ambush the Tyroshi fleet itself."
He stopped before them.
"For that reason, Ser Hugh will not return to King's Landing. A bastard taming a dragon is without precedent. I may yet have to quarrel with my father over it, and an engagement banquet is no place for such a reckoning."
His final remark was meant lightly, but no one laughed.
The air grew heavy.
After a moment, Ser Kraken Hightower was the first to speak.
"Identity is not an insurmountable obstacle," he said. "We can restore his surname, confirm his legitimacy, and then announce that Ser Hugh has tamed Sheepstealer."
A bastard riding a dragon would shake the royal house and stir dangerous thoughts among other dragonseeds. Yet the deed was already done.
Hugh had bonded with Sheepstealer. There could be no abandoning him, nor the dragon.
A grown male dragon nearing seventy years of age was worth dozens of armies. Its presence alone could crush morale before battle was even joined.
Kraken inclined his head toward Aegon. "Your Highness, your ancestors settled Dragonstone with five dragons. It is only fitting that five dragons stand with you once more."
Hugh met Kraken's gaze, gratitude plain in his eyes. Kraken returned the look with a faint smile.
Aegon understood the maneuver for what it was. Kraken sought to bind Hugh to his side, to weave a shared web of interests. Hugh was Aegon's vassal, not his kin. That distinction alone made such alliances possible.
It was not treason, nor ambition toward the crown. It was the quiet forming of factions among those who expected victory.
Kraken believed without doubt that Aegon would defeat Princess Rhaenyra, take the Iron Throne, and rule from King's Landing. It was only a matter of time.
King Viserys weakened by the day. How long could he endure? Ten years? Fifteen at most.
By then, Aegon would not yet be thirty, in the full strength of his life, commanding five dragons. Tessarion too would be grown.
Five adult dragons. Kraken could not imagine how such a force might fail.
As one of the first ministers to follow Aegon, he had to prepare allies early.
Ser Arryk was unsuitable, bound by his duties as a Kingsguard knight and likely destined to command them one day. Ser Loren was a Lannister, and his loyalties would always bend toward Casterly Rock.
That left Hugh.
He held no lands, no ancient title, yet he was a dragonrider and deeply trusted by the prince.
"Ser Hugh's identity will be handled in due time," Aegon said. "I have my own plans."
He had never intended for Hugh to claim a dragon. Yet Sheepstealer had chosen him.
There was no reason to refuse such power. Princess Rhaenyra would one day turn to dragonseeds herself. Better to move first.
The question of consequence could wait. First came victory.
Only once he sat the Iron Throne would he be entitled to consider how to keep it.
"Effective immediately," Aegon declared, "DraKoncrest will be governed under a Round Table Council, in my name as Protector of the Stepstones."
He gestured to each man in turn.
"Ser Hugh is appointed Military and Political Councillor. Ser Kraken Hightower will serve as Financial Councillor. Ser Loren Lannister shall be Legal Councillor."
Then he turned to Alec.
"Ser Arryk Cargyll, you will act as Land Councillor and Infrastructure Councillor."
Alec's expression shifted at once. "Your Highness, I…"
Aegon raised a hand, silencing him.
"Bear with it for now. I will find capable men to ease your burden as soon as possible."
He then addressed them all.
"You understand this system as well as I do. Each of you knows how many offices fall under your authority. Appoint whom you will. I will not interfere."
His gaze hardened.
"I ask only this. Choose capable men. If fools find their way into office, do not blame me for what follows."
For now, Aegon lacked a proper system to cultivate talent. He could only rely on them.
Kraken and Loren would undoubtedly draw upon their families, expanding their influence within the council. The posts under Hugh and Alec would be tempting targets as well, for neither had kin to shield them.
"Your Highness," Kraken said, "if Drakoncrest adopts the Round Table Council, what of Grey Gallows Isle?"
"Grey Gallows Isle will proceed as originally discussed," Aegon replied. "It will remain under the feudal system."
When the council had first debated governance, Kraken had proposed a dual structure. The most vital and prosperous lands would remain under direct control through the council, while lesser territories would be enfeoffed.
Grey Gallows Isle was the perfect example. Large, but ill suited for a major port, its potential was limited.
Granting it as a fief would solve both its development and its defense.
Two problems resolved with one stroke.
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A/N:
Read ahead on Patreon, 22 advance chapters available, with the first 2 free.
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Also a little announcement-I just released a new fanfic, Dance of the Dragons: Reborn as Aegon the Dragonbane, So do check it out!
that's it I guess, happy reading!!