That night, in the Painted Table Chamber of Dragonstone, around the wooden table carved with a detailed map of Westeros, the new king’s first Small Council meeting was held.
The participants consisted only of a few core individuals: Viserys, Arthur Dayne, Jonothor Darry, Ser Willem Darry, and Ashara Dayne, who was permitted to attend.
“Your Grace, the proclamations have been sent out,” Ser Willem Darry reported first.
“But we cannot sit idly by and wait for our doom.
Robert Baratheon and his allies will never allow you to live and threaten his rule.
Their fleets, especially those of The Stormlands and House Lannister, have been gathering recently, and their target is undoubtedly Dragonstone.”
Jonothor Darry pointed to Dragonstone on the map with a solemn expression: “Dragonstone is easy to defend and hard to attack, but it is not impregnable.
Once blockaded, we will be isolated and helpless, our supplies cut off, and falling will only be a matter of time.
Moreover, Her Majesty the Queen is close to childbirth and cannot withstand such turmoil.”
Arthur Dayne said in a deep voice: “We can fight to the bitter end; the vows of the Kingsguard…”
“Fight to the bitter end, and then what?
House Targaryen will end right here.” Viserys interrupted him.
His fingers tapped lightly on the location of Dragonstone on the painted table, then slowly moved eastward, crossing the Narrow Sea, and pointing toward that vast and unfamiliar continent, Essos.
He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: “What we need now is survival, is to accumulate strength.
Robert’s rebels are at the height of their momentum, and we have no power to confront them head-on.
Across the Narrow Sea is our only choice.
There are the Free Cities, vast lands, and the opportunity for us to grow strong once again.”
“Exile…” Ser Jonothor’s voice carried bitterness.
For knights burdened with such pride, this word was overwhelmingly heavy.
“It is a strategic relocation,” Viserys corrected, his tone resolute.
“We will cross the Narrow Sea and head to Essos.
There, we can seek allies, accumulate wealth, train an army, and wait for the right moment.
I have a premonition that dragons will soon return, but dragons take time to grow.”
“Then Dragonstone…” Ser Willem was somewhat unwilling.
“Dragonstone is the cradle of the Targaryens, but the living are AMC the future of the family.” Viserys looked at him.
“We need to take those who are willing to follow us, along with all the resources we can carry.
Those who are unwilling to leave may stay.
In my name as king, I will pardon all their future actions; forced loyalty is meaningless.”
This realistic and calm judgment ultimately persuaded everyone. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
After the initial indignation subsided, they had to admit that the young king’s insight into the situation was far more thorough than that of knights blinded by a sense of honor.
This sobriety beyond his years added a sense of approval for a true decision-maker in the eyes of Ser Arthur and the others towards Viserys.
In the following days, Viserys made a series of deployments.
He ordered Ser Willem Darry to secretly screen out the most loyal and reliable parts from the existing fleet and garrison, especially soldiers and sailors native to Dragonstone.
These people’s loyalty to House Targaryen was carved almost into their bones.
At the same time, the warships in the best condition and sturdiest build were singled out and secretly concentrated in several hidden bays.
He knew deeply that the devastating storm from the original work would arrive—a storm that not only destroyed The Stormlands fleet attempting to attack Dragonstone, but also severely damaged House Lannister’s maritime power.
The remaining Arbor Fleet and Iron Fleet would certainly not risk their lives for Robert, and the fleets of White Harbor and the Vale had almost no real strength, mostly consisting of merchant ships.
Therefore, he had to use this storm as cover to leave when the enemy was at their weakest.
Preparations were proceeding tensely and orderly.
Loyal soldiers were secretly informed of the plan, and supplies were shipped in batches to designated vessels.
On the surface, the entirety of Dragonstone remained heavily guarded, but internally, a massive relocation concerning life and death was underway.
Finally, Queen Rhaella’s expected due date was approaching, and preparations were largely complete.
Viserys decided to personally deliver a speech to all the soldiers.
Viserys did not stand on high ground, but rather at the front of the crowd.
He still wore that crown of dragonbone, and his gaze calmly swept over faces that were either resolute or bewildered.
“Everyone,” his voice clearly reached everyone’s ears, devoid of grand passion, possessing only a quiet strength, “you all know who I am.
You also know what we are facing.”
“The blades of the rebels have stained King’s Landing red, and their fleet is heading toward Dragonstone.
They want to completely erase the name of Targaryen and destroy the last True Dragon.”
A suppressed commotion arose within the crowd.
“I could command you, in the name of the king, to live and die with Dragonstone.” He paused.
“But I do not wish to do so.
House Targaryen thanks you for your loyalty thus far; every single one of you has the right to choose survival.”
He raised his volume: “I am going to Essos across the Narrow Sea.
This is not flight, but a means to preserve our strength, so that one day we may return with a more powerful stance!
“Those who are willing to continue following me, no matter how treacherous the path ahead, and are willing to travel with me, please stand to my right.
I will not forget your loyalty; one day when we return to Westeros, you shall all receive generous rewards.”
“Those who wish to stay, or have families they cannot take far away, may stand to the left.
I, Viserys Targaryen III, hereby swear in the name of the king that I will pardon all your possible future actions.
You may surrender, you may go home, and I will never view you as traitors.
This is the choice you deserve.”
Having said that, he fell silent, simply watching the crowd quietly.
People looked at each other, most of their faces filled with struggle and hesitation.
The first to move was Arthur Dayne, who strode without hesitation to Viserys’s right, his hand resting on Dawn, his posture upright.
Immediately following him were Jonothor Darry and Ser Willem Darry, the two knights of House Darry also standing firmly to the right.
Subsequently, some officers and soldiers native to Dragonstone also began to move.
Most of them were silent yet firm in their steps as they walked to the right.
Many of their ancestors had served the Targaryens for generations.
Most of the remaining soldiers, their faces bearing guilt and pain, lowered their heads and slowly shuffled to the left.
When everyone had taken their positions, Viserys silently tallied the numbers.
About two thousand people chose to follow, which included nearly all the native soldiers of Dragonstone, most of the knights with deep affections for the Targaryens, and some people who had been won over by the miraculous traits and calmness Viserys recently displayed.
This figure was close to one-third of their current forces, which was somewhat better than he had anticipated.
Looking at the dense crowd on the right with determined eyes, a warm surge welled up in Viserys’s heart; this was his core team, as well as the foundation of his future rule.
“Good,” he said loudly, gazing ardently at his followers, “I promise you that your choice today will definitely not make you regret it.”
He turned to those on the left who chose to stay, his voice peaceful: “You may also leave at any time.
Remember my words, you are free.
May the gods protect you.”
Ser Willem Darry immediately began commanding the troops willing to follow, arranging them respectively onto the twenty warships prepared beforehand, getting ready to depart at any time.
Inside Dragonstone, final preparations were also underway.
Precious dragonbones and dragon eggs, along with the treasures within the castle, were methodically packed and transported via paths to the hidden flagship.
As the core stronghold of the dragon family, the wealth of Dragonstone was not inferior to the treasury of King’s Landing.
After the brief commotion, the entirety of Dragonstone fell back into a kind of tranquility.
Everyone was fully prepared, waiting only for the king’s command.
Viserys was also waiting, waiting for the massive storm that would appear as in the original work.