The day after the funeral, the gathered lords said their farewells and began to leave.
Alicent and Viserys boarded a ship for King’s Landing.
She needed to care for him as his health failed.
To keep the conflict from escalating, and to put an end to the shameless rumors and vile slander once and for all, Viserys issued a decree.
He commanded the queen and Aegon to return with him to King’s Landing.
Rhaenyra and her children would remain on Dragonstone, forbidden to leave without cause.
What surprised Aegon more was that Viserys assigned Ser Eryk Cargyll of the Kingsguard as the princess’s personal protector.
Harwin Strong, the Breakbones, was sent back to Harrenhal.
Unfortunately, Lord Lyonel Strong would remain as Hand of the King.
Viserys did not dismiss him.
It hardly mattered.
Before long, Larys Strong, the Clubfoot, would offer to ease Alicent’s burdens by burning his own father and elder brother alive.
Aegon’s eyes narrowed at the thought of Larys.
The man was useful, with a real gift for intelligence.
But Aegon did not know whether Larys shared the same obsession with Alicent’s feet as in the old tales.
If Larys ever dared to harbor thoughts about Alicent, Aegon would not hesitate to carve out his eyes and hang him from the gates of the Red Keep.
And Criston Cole, the Kingmaker.
If he also had designs on Alicent, Aegon would string him up without a second thought.
Of course, Aegon doubted either man would have the nerve unless Alicent encouraged them.
He glanced at his mother, already planning how to raise the subject with her later.
“Aegon, come sit with me on the ship.”
Viserys’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.
He wanted Aegon beside him on the voyage, not flying back on dragonback.
“Yes, Father.” Aegon nodded.
“You three fly back.
When you reach King’s Landing, don’t land at once.
Circle the city three times first.
Understood?”
“Understood!”
Aemond was thrilled.
Aegon had spent years teaching him patience in word and deed.
But the boy could never shake the recklessness in his blood.
He loved showing off his strength.
Now that he had tamed Vhagar, he could barely wait to announce it to the world.
Helaena and Daeron were calmer, though they were pleased enough.
Flying with their siblings was reason enough for joy.
Before boarding, Aegon added one more instruction.
“Keep an eye on Daeron.
Let them follow Vhagar.”
Aegon boarded with Hugh, and the fleet set sail.
Sunfyre took to the air first, shadowing the royal ships.
Aemond and the others ran for their dragons.
Vhagar and Dreamfyre leaped from the heights and flew toward the fleet.
Tessarion, the smallest, fell behind and had to beat her wings hard to catch up.
Helaena and Aemond remembered Aegon’s words and slowed until Daeron joined them.
The three dragons flew on toward King’s Landing.
Meanwhile, in the cabin of Viserys’s ship, Aegon and Viserys sat facing each other.
Aegon wore the same gentle smile as always, but Viserys could feel something had shifted.
“Was it your idea for Aemond to tame Vhagar?” Viserys asked first.
“No.
I never pushed him toward Vhagar.
That was Vhagar.” Aegon’s voice was calm.
“Did you know he was going?”
Viserys already suspected the answer.
Aegon had been fully dressed that night.
He had never been asleep.
“I knew.
I watched him go.” Aegon did not bother to hide it.
Viserys sat silent for a moment, still clinging to hope.
“Why didn’t you stop him?
He’s ten years old.
Weren’t you afraid he would fail?
And you were always so courteous to your sister before.
Why did you say such cruel things last night?”
He looked at Aegon with open hope, waiting for a reasonable explanation.
Even if Aegon said Alicent had put him up to it, that would be enough.
Anything but Aegon himself.
Aegon understood exactly what his father wanted to hear.
He rose and poured Viserys a cup of wine, then asked softly, “Father, do you remember how old I am?”
Viserys blinked, confused by the question, but answered.
“This is your thirteenth nameday.
Why?”
“Yes.
I’m thirteen now.
I’m healthy, strong, skilled with sword and horse. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Even Sunfyre has far outpaced the other dragons of his generation.
And yesterday, my brother tamed Vhagar.
Add Dreamfyre.
Add Tessarion, growing stronger by the day.
My dear father, surely you understand.
I no longer need to tread so carefully.”
Viserys’s lips trembled.
He looked at Aegon as if seeing a stranger.
But deep in his eyes, there was a flicker of pride he did not recognize in himself.
“Do you intend to usurp Rhaenyra’s claim?” Viserys did not know what he felt.
Part of him wanted Aegon to deny it.
Part of him wanted Aegon to admit it.
Perhaps he had favored Rhaenyra in the beginning.
But Aegon was simply too exceptional.
So exceptional that Viserys could not say when the thought of changing the succession had first taken root.
Aegon let his smile fade.
His face went blank as he stared at Viserys.
Only when Viserys could no longer bear the silence and moved to speak again did Aegon smile once more.
“What are you saying, Father?
I only want to protect myself and my family.
If my sister takes the throne and dislikes me, I’d like to be able to flee to Essos.
If she doesn’t want me dead, then I’ll serve her with all my heart.
You can rest easy.”
Hearing that, Viserys felt a sudden ache of sorrow and guilt.
Aegon was a fine heir.
A perfect heir.
But he had been born to Alicent.
And circumstance had forced Viserys to name Rhaenyra heir long ago.
He wanted to say more, but the words never came.
Only a sigh.
“Ah.
I have wronged you.
Rest well.”
Viserys rose and left the cabin.
The moment he was gone, the smile vanished from Aegon’s face.
Viserys had wanted to probe his thoughts.
Aegon had wanted the same.
And Viserys’s apology had come too soon.
Once Aegon had removed Rhaenyra and all her bloodline, that apology would be his to give.