Chapter 33.4- The Seadragon's Roar

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With Mother’s permission and commission, things moved swiftly. For one, it was easy enough to convince her that I had to leave as soon as possible to get ahead of things. Irritated enough with the taxes, she was more than willing. Sadly, she wasn’t irritated enough to have us leave without saying a proper goodbye to court. And so we filed out in the throne room, and did our bowing. Viserys said some tripe about being disappointed to have us leave so soon, while Mother easily held him off, promising to stay longer and visit often while Laeana and I were gone.

I knew she was still pissed about the taxes, but most of the anger seemed to be directed at Otto. It was probably a bad thing that she could just figure out that the King probably had little say or understanding of the policy he was pushing out. And the fact that Otto had pushed it out so publicly and quickly meant it would be impossible to roll back without sending the wrong kind of message. An indecisive King was bad, one who couldn’t control his own advisors was much worse, so whichever explanation they went with things would be fucked. Still, she assured us that she would speak to Viserys when the chance came, and I didn’t doubt that. While I didn’t care much about the taxes, they were still an inconvenience.

And so Laena and I had set off at dawn the very next morning to Bloodstone, arriving to find the castle little different from how we had left it. Garrisoned by Velaryon men, and ruled by Uncle Vaemond. An Uncle Vaemond that did a good enough job of stepping aside the second I walked in. All that led to this present moment. The three of us in the same meeting room we had used many a time already.

“Have the Triarchy replied the message I had you send?” I asked. At least that was one thing that wouldn’t come bit me in the arse. I’d had Vaemond send an invitation for peace talks after we smashed their fleet. Now that mother was no longer here, I could take charge of those talks more fully, and I had a list of things I wanted.

“Not as of present, but considering ship speeds, even if the messenger had been sent right back on arriving at their harbour, he would only have gotten back two days ago or so.”

“So a lack of news is good news in this case” I said.

“Precisely, nephew.”

“Good enough. I want the men still patrolling until we get a response though. We are still at war until we can complete a treaty and while they shouldn’t be able to find even a fleet of fishing boats, it’s best we not get caught by surprise in case the impossible happens.”

“As you say, nephew. And Dorne?”

“Dorne will get their due soon enough. The Triarchy must fold first.”