3 YEARS BEFORE THE GREAT COUNCIL, 98 AC
The great hall of High Tide had changed considerably over the past decade.
Where once the walls had displayed little more than the banners and trophies of House Velaryon, they were now adorned with maps so detailed they rivaled those kept within the Red Keep itself.
Every coastline from the Sunset Sea to the Jade Gates had been meticulously inked upon parchment, trade routes marked in different colors, shipping lanes annotated with tides, currents, prevailing winds, pirate sightings, and ports willing to pay premiums for exotic cargo.
Several of those maps did not exist anywhere else in the known world, Corlys Velaryon had seen to that.
At the center of the chamber stood an enormous oak table, its surface covered by ledgers, letters bearing noble seals, shipping manifests, and financial records awaiting review.
The Lord of the Tides entered first inside the great Hall.
Now older than he had been fifteen years prior, Corlys had lost none of the commanding presence that had earned him respect throughout the known world.
His long voyages had weathered his features but sharpened his bearing, and the silver locks resting upon his shoulders only added to the dignity he carried so effortlessly.
His violet eyes swept across the assembled captains, merchants, scribes, and household officers who were summoned for this meeting before settling upon one empty, large chair.
After he got comfortable in his seat, the rest followed aslo taking their place.
As composed as he was, he couldn’t ignore his already brewing disappointment when he didn’t see a particular person present at this meeting, so he frowned, saying “Where is he?”
The steward beside him lowered his head saying, “My lord…
Lord Aethon has not yet arrived.
He has yet to arrive back from his Dragon ride.”
A few glances were exchanged around the table.
Hearing this, everyone was familiar with Aethon’s close bond to his dragon, which was rapidly growing during these last few years.
In fact, he spent too much time with his dragon to the point where Corlys feared who he loved more between him and his beloved dragon.
This did not, however, stop Corlys from loving his child, especially since he had adnormal intellect that made him significantly smarter than most of his peers.
This geniusness allowed Aethon to help Corlys reshape his House for the past years, helping it prosper, so he deeply valued Aethon above all.
No one spoke or answered to clarify or account for Aethon’s vacancy; it was not unusual.
If anything, it had become oddly expected by everyone present.
Corlys sighed through his nose before rubbing his temples, then settling his elbow on the armrest saying, “This meeting was requested by him!
He dares summon us, then make us wait….it seems I have gone to soft on him.”
“I am aware of your frustration, my lord.
Perhaps a light indulgence in wine to ease of the tension while we give him a bit more time to come.”
After that there was little to say as the steward clapped once and 3 housemaids rushed in with vases full of wine, they poured some in every cup in a hurried but elegant manner.
During this, Corlys thought about Aethon and his antics.
For all his brilliance, punctuality had become one of Aethon’s more…
frustrating habits.
It wasn’t that he failed to value time, quite the opposite, actually.
The problem was that he frequently became so absorbed in whatever occupied his mind that everything else around him ceased to exist until someone reminded him of the present.
Or until he remembered on his own that he was being regarded in a serious discussion.
Corlys drummed two fingers against the armrest ever so slightly, but this couldn’t quell him and his patiences so whilst the men bickered about nonsense, he spoke saying, “If he is not through those doors in three minutes…”
Before he could finish, the heavy doors slowly creaked open casuing every head to turn, only Corlys looked up because his chair was already facing the entrance.
Aethon Velaryon himself walked inside.
At fifteen years of age, he had inherited much from both his parents on first sight.
His silver hair had grown long enough to brush against the collar of his dark blue doublet, while his violet eyes held an intelligence that many found difficult to meet for long.
Tall for his age, though not yet fully grown into adulthood, he carried himself with an ease that bordered on arrogance as he strolled even though he was clearly late.
What immediately caught everyone’s attention, however, was the fact that he appeared entirely unbothered by this offense he committed, it was already disrespectful for him to arrive late, but strolling like this was rubbing salt on the wound.
He didn’t even apologize for his actions.
If anything, he looked mildly inconvenienced that everyone had chosen to begin noticing his arrival.
Corlys stared at him intensly saying, “So young man…you’re late.
What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I am?
Silly me, father…I was occupied with something that needed unyielding attention, you know, you ought to thank me these days, the seas are unforgiving, and I always have to make sure our trade power stays at its peak while fending off the unruly Triarchy.”
Corlys narrowed his eyes as he clenched his jaw, hearing his child’s words, as much as he wanted to smack this boy, he held himself back.
Did he have to always boast about his duties and feats to his court whenever they were present?
It was almost as if Aethon did this on purpose to spread his reputation as the Sea prince and establish dominance.
Ever since Aethon joined his court, the wards didn’t bother training him in its affairs because the boy demonstrated exceptional skills in management and political dealings.
His talent was so frightening that even Corlys and Rhaenys had worried nights.
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