The corridors of the Red Keep unfolded before him.
Stone walls stretched in every direction, broken by tall windows that flooded the passageways with pale morning light.
Servants stepped aside at the king’s approach, bowing their heads in practiced deference.
White cloaks flashed in the corners of his vision as Ser Steffon Darklyn and Ser Rickard Thorne followed close behind, accompanied by two more members of the Kingsguard.
The castle was far larger than Baelon had imagined from overheard conversations.
It felt endless.
The Small Council chamber, however, was unexpectedly modest.
He had expected grandeur.
Instead, a long carved table dominated the room, surrounded by high-backed chairs.
Maps, ledgers, and wax-sealed letters covered its polished surface.
Several men rose as Father entered.
None looked at him first.
They looked at me.
Curiosity and Surprise
Lord Beesbury smiled immediately.
“The prince grows stronger by the day.” His eyes crinkled with genuine warmth.
Lord Lyonel Strong inclined his head.
Nothing more.
His face betrayed almost nothing.
Grand Maester Mellos adjusted the heavy chain around his neck before giving me an approving nod.
I didnt even know who these men were except for that old man with chains whom i saw Father sat, placing me on his lap.
Only one chair remained empty.
Lord Corlys Velaryon arrived moments later, sea-green cloak sweeping behind him.
He didn’t bow deeply.
Only enough to satisfy courtesy.
Lord Corlys did not wait for formalities.
“Four ships.” His voice carried across the chamber like the crack of a whip.
“Four more ships lost in the Stepstones.” He rested both hands upon the council table.
“The last sailed beneath my own banner.”
Silence settled over the room.
Corlys looked from one councillor to the next.
“The Stepstones have become a graveyard for merchants while this council debates taxes and harvests.” Viserys met his eyes calmly.
“If there is a proposal, Lord Corlys, speak it plainly.”
“There is.”
Corlys took one deliberate step forward.
“I wish to know what the Crown intends to do about my ships…
and my men.” Viserys folded his hands.
“We are aware of the situation.”
Corlys gave a humorless smile.
“Are you?, My sailors are butchered.
My merchants dare not sail.
Trade bleeds.
And still…” He spread his hands.
“…we discuss everything except the war before us.”
Otto Hightower spoke before the king could answer.
“The Crown has already agreed to compensate House Velaryon for its losses, along with generous payments to the families of those who perished.”
Corlys didn’t even look at him.
“I did not come here seeking coin.” His fist struck the table.
“I came for justice.
I want the Stepstones taken.” I want this Crab feeder rooted from his caves and burned.
The matter is not so simple,” Otto replied evenly.
“The pirates do not act alone.
They are supplied.
Armed.
Protected.
Strike them openly, and we risk drawing the Free Cities into war.”
Corlys snorted.
“They already wage war.
They merely hire other men to die for them.”
Grand Maester Mellos cleared his throat.
“My lord, open conflict with Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh would cost the realm dearly.
It already costs the realm dearly.”
Corlys rounded on him.
“Every ship lost weakens the Crown.
Every merchant who refuses our waters strengthens someone else.”
Lord Lyonel Strong finally spoke.
His voice was calm enough to cool the room.
“If we commit the realm to war, we must be certain the prize is worth the blood.
The blood is already being spilled.” Corlys answered immediately.
“It simply isn’t yours.” The words lingered.
Viserys rubbed at his brow.
“I have dispatched envoys to Pentos and to Volantis.
I seek allies before I seek battle.” Corlys looked unconvinced.
“And while we wait?
How many more banners are to sink?
I will not drag the realm into another war unless every peaceful road has been exhausted.”
Viserys’ voice remained steady.
“My first duty is to the peace of the Seven Kingdoms.”
Corlys held the king’s gaze.
“Peace.” He almost laughed.
“Forgive me, Your Grace.
It is difficult to speak of peace while my men drown.What reason does the Crabfeeder have to fear us?
Daemon has been allowed to seize Dragonstone and fortify it with an army of his gold cloaks.
He has squatted there for over half a year without even a protest from The Crown.”
Otto’s expression sharpened.
“I would remind Lord Corlys that a seat upon the Small Council does not place him upon the throne.”
For the first time, Viserys’ shouted “Enough.
I have acted.
I have sent envoys.
I have ordered preparations should diplomacy fail.” His eyes settled upon Corlys.
“The Stepstones will be dealt with.”
“In time.”
Corlys held the king’s gaze for a long moment.
Then he inclined his head.
“As His Grace commands.” He sat down.
I didn’t understand every thing.
I didn’t know where the Stepstones were.
Or why everyone suddenly disliked crabs.
Baelon understood only fragments.
Someone called the Crabfeeder had seized islands somewhere in the Narrow Sea and was attacking every vessel foolish enough to sail through the waters.
That much seemed clear.
Then another name caught my attention.
Daemon.
Dragonstone.
I frowned inwardly.
Dragonstone…?
Wasn’t Dragonstone the ancestral seat of House Targaryen?
The fortress Aegon the Conqueror had held before crossing the Narrow Sea.
If Daemon had occupied Dragonstone…
Why had no one removed him?
If another man held it…
Why was everyone speaking as though that were merely inconvenient?
That, more than anything, unsettled me.
As the meeting ended, Viserys rose with his son still nestled comfortably against his shoulder.
“My prince appears to have survived his first council meeting,” he said with a faint smile.
A few restrained chuckles circled the table.
I answered with an enormous yawn.
Whatever matters occupied the greatest lords in Westeros…
My stomach still considered itself the more pressing concern.
I had understood little of politics.
But I had learned something important.
The loudest man in the room was not the most powerful.
The most powerful was the one everyone waited for.
Power, I realized, was often quiet.
I HAVE DONE MY PART NOW ITS ALL UP TO YOU GUYS.
THANK YOU!!!