AN: If you don’t know who smaug is, please go do your research and Google it before you clown the MC or behave retarded, only judge the MC once you truly know the dragon Smaug is.
FEW NIGHTS LATER.
The harbor of Driftmark had always been at its most beautiful in the final moments before dusk.
The sun lingered low upon the horizon, painting the Narrow Sea in shades of crimson and molten gold.
Gentle waves rolled against the docks in an endless rhythm, their crests catching the fading light before breaking softly against the pilings.
Twelve Velaryon ships sat ready beyond the harbor, their sails furled as they patiently awaited the evening tide.
Lanterns had already begun to appear aboard each vessel, their warm glow reflecting across the water like scattered stars.
Aethon stood alone at the end of the pier, his cloak shifted lazily in the sea breeze while his hands rested on the hilt of his sword.
For several quiet moments he simply watched the ocean, allowing the sound of crashing waves to drown out every lingering thought from the past few days.
He had always found the sea strangely calming, perhaps it was because it never pretended to be anything other than what it was, it was simply beautiful and predictable yet merciless, he found solace in that.
Sudden footsteps echoed softly across the weathered timber behind him.
Aethon heard them long before they reached him but he didn’t turn to look who goes there, there was no need in fact, whoever it was would announce themselves unless it was a sneak attack, but who causes loud footsteps if it’s a sneak attack?
Corlys came to a stop beside his son, folding his hands behind his own back as he looked out across the endless expanse of water, to Aethons amusement neither spoke for awhile.
The silence between them was comfortable, built upon years of shared voyages, councils, and conversations that often required no words at all.
For nearly a minute they simply stood together, father and son watching the sun slowly sink toward the horizon.
Finally, Corlys broke the silence saying “During my second voyage beyond the Jade Gates.
I found myself caught in a storm unlike anything I had ever witnessed.
Aethon listened without interrupting.
Corlys continued, a faint smile touching his lips as he said “I was young then.
Far younger than I believed myself to be.
I thought preparation alone could overcome anything.
Better ships, better maps, larger riches…
I believed enough planning could tame the world.”
He shook his head almost fondly saying “The sea was kind enough to teach me otherwise without taking my life.
Aethon allowed himself a small smile as he finally looked away and faced Corlys saying “And what lesson did it decide to impart?”
Corlys looked toward the horizon saying “That no man conquers the sea.
The wisest sailors don’t mistake surviving it for controlling it.
They simply learn when to fight, when to endure…
and when to respect forces greater than themselves.”
The words lingered between them but Aethon found himself nodding slowly taking his words of wisdom seriously, so this made him say “I’ll admit, that’s one lesson even books struggle to teach, true wisdom comes from experience it seems.”
Corlys chuckled quietly when he heard this, it was true that most of the things he learned, no book could prepare him for it.
Some lessons insist on being experienced above all other things, your a good listener Aethon.”
The conversation drifted into silence once more before Corlys glanced sideways at his son, it was clear he was now ready to say what he really came here for, not that the words of wisdom were meaningless, it’s just that Aethon knew how Corlys sometimes liked to lead a conversation starter, anyway he said “I’ve spoken with Ser Alester.
Im sure you assumed I would anyway.
He tells me you’re sailing for Lys.”
Aethon simply nodded in response, this motivated Corlys to continue interrogating saying “And what business demands twelve ships and a personal escort?”
Aethon rested both hands upon the wooden railing overlooking the harbor to relax himself more, but during his actions he quickly said “I intend to purchase warehouse districts for a new venture father, I have been I contact with certain merchants with promising proposals for me, so I have to see to it personally.
Also theres talk of the magistrates of Lys trying to confiscate our Major shipyards by terms, something about how they too need shipyards to build their own ships.”
Now Corlys frowned hearing this saying “Every shipyard?”
“Yes, I can attest that it’s a power move, after all they see our armada and envy us, we have the better ship building capacity, they don’t.
So I’m guessing this is more so a threat to their trade, after all we have the advantage such that we could blockade them, yet their navy has no power to lift it.”
The older man studied him carefully while Aethon continued his political ranting saying “Whoever controls shipbuilding controls tomorrow’s fleets.
If House Velaryon owns enough docks throughout Lys, competitors will struggle to expand their navies without our permission.
Building warships takes years, Father.
If we become the gatekeepers of that industry…”
He let the implication settle naturally, in fact he left it up for interpretation however one wished to see the situation.
It was true thier house owned most shipyards, simply because of Aethon, and corruption.
Giving Lys promises and treasures was an easy way to get things down, especially if the merchants and nobles are willing to sell their shipyards for in exchange a favour which was a strong hook.