“No,” Aegon declared, his eyes locking onto Unwin .
“Lord Ormund will handle his own vassals on my behalf. You step out of turn, Lord Peake. Return to your seat.”
Lord Unwin choked on his own fury, his mouth opening as if to protest, but Aegon’s gaze cut the words from his throat.
Wisely choosing survival over pride, Peake gave a bow and retreated to his seat, his jaw clenched so hard his teeth clicked.
“Lady Johanna Lannister, Regent to Lord Loreon Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock!” Larys declared.
Expectant eyes turned toward the entrance, but no noble lady strode down the aisle.
Instead, a tall man adorned in crimson velvet and gold silk stepped forward, his lion-trimmed cloak sweeping the stone floor.
Golden hair and sharp, proud Lannister features marked his lineage before he even spoke.
“Your Grace,” he called out.
“I am Loren Lannister, cousin to the late Lord Jason. I stand before you as the sworn representative of Lady Johanna and my young Lord Loreon, who, as a babe in his cradle, cannot endure the long road to the capital, while his mother remains in the West to hold Casterly Rock in his name.”
“A pity,” Aegon declared.
“I had quietly hoped Lady Johanna might grace us with her presence to light up these gray stone halls. But if she cannot bring her fierce beauty to King’s Landing, her loyalty blazes brightly enough from Casterly Rock!. Look upon this court, good lords!” Aegon gestured grandly with his hand.
“When the realm splintered, it was not trouts, eagles or rabid dogs that answered my call, it was my lions! Crimson banners marching into the fire! Lord Jason, the seven rest his noble soul, gave his very life on the banks of the Red Fork so that I might sit this chair. The West paid for my crown in the richest gold and the red blood of heroes!”
A thunderous roar swept through the front row of tables.
Golden-haired knights and Westerlands lords leapt to their feet, raising wine goblets high, the hall echoing with the clash of silver cups and roaring cheers.
“Therefore, for their unwavering loyalty and the blood they shed, the West shall have its due reward,” Aegon announced.
“By royal decree, the borders are redrawn. Every mountain pass, foothill, and borderland held by the rebellious Houses Vance of Wayfarer’s Rest and Piper of Pinkmaiden east of the Golden Tooth is hereby stripped from their lords and annexed into the West, bound forever to the westerlands”
“In addition, to ensure Casterly Rock rebuilds its strength without burden, the entire Westerlands shall be exempt from all royal taxes, tithes, and tariffs for a full year! Keep your gold, Lords. Rebuild your hosts, replenish your vaults. Rise, My lords, and drink my wine!”
“LONG LIVE HIS GRACE!”
“LONG LIVE KING AEGON!”
“We feast today, and we celebrate in joy, yet do not forget that our war is far from over,” Aegon declared.
“Even now, as we drink, the Northmen muster beyond the Neck, preparing to march south to raid and pillage our lands. The rivermen loll inside their stone castles, venturing out only to burn your King’s fields and slaughter the innocent. You have fought long, and you have fought hard. There is not a man in this hall who does not long for an end to the bloodshed and a return to his own keep…”
Aegon stepped down a single stone step of the throne.
“…but I will never sue for peace! Not while a single rebel draws breath! I will not lay down my sword until I watch with my own two eyes as every riverlord and northern savage tears down their ancient castles with their bare hands and teeth! Rest tonight, my lords! Drink my wine, fill your bellies, and prepare your hosts, for when we ride out again, we march to take the heads and the lands of those traitorous! And the first to feel my wrath shall be House Staunton of Rook’s Rest, who dared assault your King, and House Mooton of Maidenpool! Here, before gods and men, I declare their lands forfeit and their lines extinct! They shall leave no heirs, no banners, and no stones standing! Rise, my lords, and drink my wine!”