King's Landing, the Red Keep.
Rhaegar surveyed the Red Keep from the sky. As he rode the magic dragon, soaring across the heavens, viewing the flowing clouds and the vast sea, he felt the Red Keep was minuscule, the sky magnificent, and the Red Keep itself cramped and stifling.
Only one thing flowed within the Red Keep that the sky lacked: the tremor of power.
While Rhaegar circled and patrolled the skies above King's Landing, Ser Barristan, Cesar, Ser Thalassar, and others had already led the troop transports into the harbor and proceeded into the Red Keep ahead of him.
Staying in the Red Keep for too long was not the best choice. Rhaegar preferred to tour on dragonback, like his ancestors Jaehaerys I the Conciliator or Aegon the Conqueror. Only by deeply cultivating the land and the people would the crown become firmer.
The three dragons landed sequentially on the Red Keep. It wasn't that they couldn't afford one Silver Dragon, but that three magic dragons offered better value.
Ser Gerold, Captain of the Kingsguard, and others were waiting below: Ser Barristan the Bold, Ser Brynden Tully of the Riverlands, Cesar, Ser Joffrey Arryn of the Vale, Ser Thalassar Velaryon of Driftmark, Bronze Yohn of the Vale, and Lyonel, the eldest son of the Corbray Family.
My dream team, Rhaegar thought. The knights had different hair colors and different origins, but they all fought alongside me.
Rhaegar felt the heroic pride that all the world's heroes were in his grasp—it was a kind of collector's hobby.
Ser Gerold the White Bull, Captain of the Kingsguard, led Rhaegar and his company into the brightly lit Throne Room.
Rhaegar was dressed in black brocade and a black cloak, upon which silver and red magic dragons were embroidered, appearing lifelike and full of endless vitality.
Rhaegar had silver hair and purple eyes; his smile was like a blade's edge.
Ser Gerold the White Bull gazed at the young man before him—the descendant of Dragon Kings who displayed the most inhuman Targaryen beauty in recent decades, and also the greatest potential as a warrior.
The iron throne was placed on a high dais in the Throne Room. The most conspicuous thing in the Throne Room was this chair, cast from steel, covered with hideous spikes and strangely twisted metal, with a backrest of spikes resembling sharp teeth.
Though called a throne, the iron throne was actually a large spectacle. The seat itself occupied only the uppermost part, with steps leading up to it below. Those chaotic and hideous spikes made it unforgettable.
King Jaehaerys II sat upon it, carefully.
Several White Knights also stood on the dais, guarding the King.
Everyone rumored that the iron throne was willful; if it didn't approve of the King, it would cut him, so one needed to be careful.
Rhaegar also saw many large dragon skulls hanging on the high wall behind the Throne Room. The skull of Sheepstealer, which Rhaegar had found, was also placed there.
The massive dragon skulls stared coldly at the world with blind, hollow sockets; only the hideous shape of the skulls provided evidence of their former dominance over men.
Many Lords and knights were scattered throughout the hall, even some willing wealthy merchants. Everyone was chattering, their words mostly concerning the Stepstones.
In the Throne Room, aside from the King, the Royal Family, and a few High Ministers, the remaining Lords, knights, and wealthy merchants were either kneeling or standing. Everyone stood strictly according to rank, maintaining decorum.
Within this hall, there were also guards wearing golden or gray cloaks.
Rhaegar led his followers, quickly entering the Throne Room, immediately sparking thunderous cheers.
Rhaegar saluted King Jaehaerys II and greeted the numerous Lords.
"My son has returned, let our council continue," Crown Prince Aerys said gleefully. The storm of war had arrived, and he felt his position as Master of Ships was beginning to shine brightly.
"Continue the discussion," King Jaehaerys II added.
The discussion was still about the Stepstones. After the Ninepenny King retreated, the islands once again became a pirate den.
This was normal; the Stepstones were always like this.
The powder keg between Westeros and Essos. For this barren yet strategically important place, the Targaryen Family had lost several Princes, and the Kingdom of the Daughters had lost several Admirals.
"The pirates weren't that powerful originally, but during the election in Lys, a failed Magisterial Candidate, Kral Rheen, fled Lys with his wealth and ships. He joined the pirates and proclaimed himself King of the Narrow Sea, which is when the pirates' influence truly grew," Crown Prince Aerys continued.
Rhaegar listened carefully. This was likely the upheaval in Lys that Marajo had told him about. The Lysene Magisterial Elections were quite bloody, with poisonings and assassinations occurring frequently. However, the fact that this failed candidate could participate in the election and then escape Lys indicated he possessed considerable strength and connections.
The Lysene timing was quite good; they were taking advantage of the Targaryen Family's currently small numbers and the severe decline of the Driftmark Navy.
The iron throne always dealt with the Stepstones this way: enduring or being powerless until the pirates gained momentum, and only then initiating large-scale extermination campaigns.
"The cowardly and disgusting Lysene only enjoy hidden weapons, poison, and whoring," Lord Mond cursed.
Lord Mond's words sparked widespread agreement and support.
The Duke's opinion represented most people in Westeros. Rhaegar knew that the vast majority of Westerosi had issues with the Free Cities, who worshipped multicolored gods and did not adhere to Knightly Culture—a bunch of conniving thieves and assassins.
"The immediate priority is dealing with these pirates. They have restarted their risk-free trade—robbery and extortion—while also demanding that every ship provide them with beautiful boys and girls to be sold to the Pleasure Gardens of Lys," Lord Tywin said in a deep voice.
Following this, a group of minor Lords began to complain, as the Stepstones shipping lane was crucial, and the rampant piracy affected their interests.
"However, the good news is that Lys and Tyrosh have serious conflicts, and the Kingdom of the Daughters has long since broken apart. We only need to deal with a rabble," Grand Maester Pycelle interjected.
"But the Lysene can already hire Mercenaries, and the Myrish attitude is ambiguous," Lord Tywin pointed out sharply.
"I have a plan that could greatly reduce our pressure and win us the support of Tyrosh," a Lord suddenly spoke up. "The Archon of Tyrosh has a daughter, and I believe she has a good impression of Prince Rhaegar. If we throw a rose—if the Prince gains her love—we could secure Tyrosh's alliance, and the pressure would be significantly lessened."
"What are you saying? How could my son marry a Blue-Haired Girl who smells of Tyrosh? They even worship the terrifying three-headed god!" Aerys immediately jumped up, furious.
"The Prince cannot marry a woman from Tyrosh," Lord Tywin stated decisively. What sort of propriety was that? The kingdom had not fallen so low.
"My Lord, your idea has no merit," Pycelle emphasized. "History proves that the people of the Free Cities are scoundrels. Gaining the goodwill of one city-state often results in acquiring the enmity of two or three others; it's not worth the loss. It was the same with Prince Daemon, and the same when Daeron the Young Dragon tried to marry his sister to the Sealord of Braavos."
Rhaegar listened very seriously; he knew these things too. The Free Cities truly seemed to operate this way: befriending one inevitably offended several others, and they were trapped in a vicious cycle of mutual conflict. The general public also believed that the Prince should avoid the maidens of the Free Cities.
"Then let us fight!" King Jaehaerys II declared, settling the matter. He was accustomed to preparing in advance. Mobilizing troops required time, and they couldn't allow Adventurers to join the Lysene forces.
"Your Grace is wise," everyone cheered in unison.
"The Three Daughters have long since broken apart; we are only dealing with a rabble."
"Our power is greater, and we have dragons," the Lords said confidently.
Rhaegar felt the war had come too quickly, but since it was here, he had to prepare to act. From The Pale Mountains to Maidenpool, and then to the Stepstones—Rhaegar suddenly felt like he was fighting the entire map.
"The Prince's dragon is too small to fight!" Lord Mond said.
The Kingdom of the Daughters still possessed considerable strength. Although the Westerosi were verbally unforgiving, everyone remembered the history of the Daughters killing dragons or assassinating Targaryen Crown Princes.
"Although that is true, this isn't the Three Daughters in their prime, and only Lys is involved, led by a disgraced Magisterial Candidate. But the Prince's three dragons are swift and quick, capable of providing remote support, which makes things much safer," another person stressed.
Aerial support was indeed necessary for a Landing Campaign. Since this wasn't the Three Daughters at their peak, there was still room for calculated risk.
Everyone's eyes were focused on Rhaegar; they needed to hear the Prince's opinion.
"My Lords, the magic dragons can certainly fight the Stepstones again, but not right now. I need some time," Rhaegar said mysteriously.
He already had a good plan: first, defeat the Stepstones, but preparation was necessary. After that, he would contact Marajo and also need to inspect the Black Wall technology in Volantis.