Chapter 18.5- The Seadragon's Roar

Runciter silently wondered what game his benefactor was playing here. He was more than well aware of Otto Hightower’s hidden hatred for the grasping Velaryons, and their patriarch most of all. Few had fumed as loudly as the Hightower when Corlys Velaryon had just resumed the office of the Master of Ships like he had never left it after the Great Council and Viserys’ coronation.

“So what do you advise we do about the Stepstones, Otto?” The King asked, tilting his head.

“I say we leave them to it. If House Velaryon, even after the death of its patriarch, decides to set their resources and wealth on fire fighting pirates and merchants for a collection of barren rocks, then I say we allow them do so” he said, giving the King a significant look. Runciter noticed the look filed it away and left it at that.

“Then it is decided. Home Velaryon shall remain free to persecute their war as they wish” The King said.

“Now on to the next matter of business. Lord Blackwood has—“

XXXXX- XOVARIO LUTHREN

He scratched his beard, looking around the table. He had the honour of being one of the eleven. One of the eleven magisters chosen by the Great City of Tyrosh to represent her interests at the High Council of The Triarchy— normally a position he wore with pride, but no that pride was replaced by something else. He should be home now, comforting his daughters and sons. He had lost children— so many children in one attack. He just wanted time with those he had left, but now he was here. Because the Triarchy would never allow an insult go unanswered.

“Shall I get this started?” Varrik Tesselin, one of the Myrrh magisters spoke.

“Before you do, we, the Tyroshi representatives must register our grievance with the choice of venue. The last council held in Myr and the one before in Lys. It is Tyroshi’s turn and thus we attend under protest” Morello spoke now, his voice never losing the lyrical quality that betrayed his lyseni origins to those in the know. He tried his best to adopt a Tyroshi accent but moments like this one betrayed him.

“Your protest is noted. However, recent events have made it untenable to make the journey to Tyrosh. While we recognise that the Sunsetlanders did not penetrate your city’s incredible walls, you must understand that for safety reasons, it was just not reasonable for us to make the journey” Qaezar Lytharys spoke next, the Lyseni delegation nodding in accordance with him.

“Does this council fear the Westerosi so much? Is cowardice the order of the day in Myr and Lys?” He spoke now, making his voice heard. To change their traditions because of a single attack spoke of surrender to him. It spoke of weakness that he could not tolerate.

“Magisters, Magisters. If we dwell on this matter today, what time will we have to discuss our enemy and how to deal with hem. The Sunset Landers have attacked one of us, and this is an attack on all of us.Whether we meet in Lys, or Tyrosh, or Myr, are we not the Triarchy regardless? Qaezar Lytharys, another Lyseni magister spoke, and Xovario realised there was no need going further. The issue was overflogged. Besides, he was right. They were already here and had been soundly outvoted when they contested the issue. It was time to move on to other things.