In King Jaehaerys II's secret council chamber, King Jaehaerys placed the map of the Seven Kingdoms on the Weirwood table. On the map were wooden carvings representing the major Houses.
There was the Red Dragon statue representing the Targaryen Family, the Blue Falcon statue representing House Arryn, the Direwolf statue representing House Stark, the Stag statue representing the Baratheon family, the red lion statue representing House Lannister, the rose statue representing House Tyrell, and the Golden Kraken statue representing Greyjoy... Excluding the Dragon family, these were the premier Lords of Westeros, and their statues were the largest.
The Black Dragon statue representing the Blackfyre family was removed by the King from the Stepstones. The rebellious Black Dragon had finally reached its end after five Blackfyre Rebellions.
Of course, there were also powerful second-tier Lords who attracted attention. For example, the Bronze Royce family of the Vale, the Flaying Bolton family of the North, the Twin Towers House Frey of the Riverlands, the red lion House Tarbeck of the Westerlands, and in The Reach, House Hightower, House Redwyne, and House Florent—one having people, one having ships, and one having bloodline.
Westeros danced under the command of these two dozen Houses, large and small. Their love and hatred shaped the history of Westeros.
Jaehaerys II gently moved the statues, symbolizing the flow of power and will. Manipulating these wooden carvings with his fingertips made the King feel years younger. Power surged within him, he seemed capable of controlling everything.
Rhaegar watched the King; the King's figurines were indeed very captivating. The scale displayed the overall situation of Westeros.
Rhaegar stood quietly beside him. The swordsman Cesar drooped his eyelids, soaking up the sun in the courtyard. The White Knights stood around the room, positioned in a posture of vigilance.
Rhaegar looked at the King. This was power, the power that drove countless people mad. With just one command from the King, mountains could be carved and rivers diverted.
The reason the Targaryen Family's civil wars were so bloody, besides the allure of power, was that most of the Dragon family's descendants lacked significant fiefdoms, and compromises made to the great Lords resulted in the Dragon family's own limited fundamental territory.
Virtually the only valuable places were Dragonstone and King's Landing. It would have been beneficial to take Harrenhal back then, avoiding financial strain and driving a stake into the Riverlands.
Originally, accompanying the Old King should have been the duty of Crown Prince Aerys, but the Prince had things he preferred: music, dancing, and women's kisses. This first-in-line heir of the Dragon family had been felled by flowers and fine wine.
"The Westerlands, the Westerlands, this fire is bound to ignite eventually." Jaehaerys II looked at the map, paying special attention to the red lion symbolizing House Reyne. The Westerlands was currently the kingdom's powder keg. Tywin had already arranged for five hundred knights, led by his younger brother Kevan, to suppress bandits and mountain marauders, and he demanded that minor nobles repay their debts. But the red lion had been rampant for too long; how could they submit to a youngster like Tywin?
"Let them fight. Even as King, I don't have a good solution," Jaehaerys II thought.
After losing their dragons, the Targaryen Family also lost their original transcendent status, transforming from a top-tier powerhouse into merely the head of the great Lords. The Targaryen Family's manpower and resources were not particularly outstanding compared to the other great Lords. If this were in the past, a House like Reyne that defied the King's command could have been completely eliminated with Dragonflame.
Rhaegar watched Jaehaerys's gaze linger on the map of the Westerlands, understanding that he was worried about the chaos there. The King looked at the wooden carvings on the map, his eyes sometimes flashing, sometimes furrowed in worry.
Even with the kingdom's victory in the war at the Stepstones, the Dragon family's security was only temporarily improved.
Prepare for danger in times of safety, prepare for danger in times of safety.
Rhaegar thought to himself, suddenly understanding where his sense of vigilance originated.
This war was one of the few that gathered the Wardens of the major regions. The camaraderie forged in war was like fine wine, and this conflict would become a grand gathering among the nobles.
They would deepen their relationships, and not just the Targaryen Family, but other Houses would do the same.
Be vigilant, Rhaegar thought.
game of thrones (Little Player, you have grasped the principle of preparing for danger in times of safety, which will allow you to improve steadily in the game of thrones.)
Jaehaerys placed the Red Lion symbolizing House Tarbeck into his palm and carefully played with it.
Rhaegar watched the King lost in thought. Lord Roger's wheel of fortune had already turned; he was destined for a dead end. The kingdom needed the gold of the Westerlands, and even if Tywin went a bit too far, the King would choose appeasement or protection. The Red Lion had no strong external allies and was hollow inside; if it came to a fight, they certainly would not be a match for Tywin, the Cold-blooded Golden Lion.
"Ser Barristan, you have just joined the ranks of the White Knights, but your heroism is famous throughout Westeros. I wish to assign you a task: you are to guard Prince Rhaegar's safety. Of course, you can also teach the Prince some simple combat techniques," Jaehaerys II suddenly said to Ser Barristan.
"With the King's permission, I am the Dauntless White Knight. I should protect your safety, not look after a child," Barristan said, recovering from his surprise upon hearing the command.
"Ser, caring for the King's family is also part of your honor; please do not refuse. Besides, you won't be looking after Rhaegar every day, only occasionally," Jaehaerys II said.
A White Knight naturally swears fealty to the King, but protecting the King's family is also part of a White Knight's duty. White Knights are often dispatched by the King to carry out various tasks. The most outrageous case was Aegon IV, whose love for chasing women even led to the death of his younger brother, the Dragonrider.
"Ser, this is the King's command; I hope you accept it. We ought to obey the King's orders, not offer suggestions," Ser Gerold Hightower said. Ser Gerold was an old-fashioned, conservative White Knight; Rhaegar even felt he would obey any command from the King. He fulfilled his duties as a White Knight perfectly. A White Knight should not have too many personal thoughts; a White Knight simply obeys.
Ser Gerold also held the opinion that he looked down on the flashy Water Dancing swordsmanship of Braavos; it was not suitable for the battlefield. To Ser Gerold, having Ser Barristan instruct the young Prince would ensure the Prince was not led astray.
Ser Barristan considered it for a moment and then agreed.
Prince Rhaegar was also a born warrior. He did not resemble the King, but instead reminded him of a much earlier time: Prince Maekar the Hammer, Prince Baelor, and Daemon the Rogue Prince—all valiant fighters.
Many White Knights looked at Barristan with some envy. The Prince was the kingdom's legal heir. As long as Barristan kept the young boy happy, fame and position would follow. However, Barristan himself looked unhappy, because Ser Barristan had pursued fame and glory his entire life and preferred to protect the King.