Chapter 10 Westeros?
"There is something else I think you need to know," Maester Visari added.
Lord Dragonzel Varezes thought for a moment. "I likely understand what you intend to add. Evans, your homeland remains independent, does it not?"
Evans Dane puffed out his chest slightly, pride evident in his voice. "That is correct, my lord. Dorne, ever since the warrior queen of the Rhoynar, the great Nymeria, crossed the seas with ten thousand ships and wed Mors Martell, has never bent the knee to any northern monarch. Even when Aegon the Conqueror Targaryen rode his dragon and burned our castles, we still stood proud in the deserts and rivers south of the Red Mountains. My ancestor, King Dorian Dayne, once ruled as King of the Torrentine. He bent the knee to the warrior queen after defeat, and another ancestor of mine, Ser Davos Dayne, became her consort after she was widowed."
"I heard Dorne once shot down a dragon?" Lord Dragonzel Varezes asked, his youthful face unreadable.
"Yes," Evans Dane nodded. "The remains of Meraxes are said to lie at Hellholt, seat of House Uller."
"Though I would rather not dwell on it," Lynn Valtaken interjected with a faint smile, "the forebears of the man before you once rode dragons when the Rhoynar cities were destroyed. The waters of the Rhoyne boiled beneath Valyrian flame."
"My lord, that was nearly a thousand years ago," Evans Dane said carefully. "We take pride in our Rhoynish heritage, yet we do not inherit ancient hatreds. And you…"
"My name is Dragonzel Varezes. Once, my blood was counted among the Dragonlords of Valyria. The last Emperor of Valyria, Aurion of Qohor, was of my line," Lord Dragonzel Varezes answered evenly. "But we are Dragonlords no longer. Our dragons are gone."
The young lord glanced at those present and sighed softly. "I do not conceal this—my mother was Princess Saenira Targaryen. Now do you understand why I ask after Westeros?"
Evans Dane froze.
Princess Saenira's line was of the same generation as King Viserys I Targaryen, who now sat the Iron Throne.
Does he intend to return? To press a claim? Is that why he inquires so carefully?
Yet the claim of that branch had long ago been set aside at the Great Council of 101 AC.
No…
Evans suddenly remembered the tensions presently stirring in the Seven Kingdoms, and a chill passed through him.
"Be at ease," Lord Dragonzel Varezes said calmly. "I only seek knowledge. Though I am Princess Saenira's legitimate son, I understand well the strength—or weakness—of my claim. I wish merely to know the state of my mother's homeland. Before she passed, she spoke often of it."
He paused.
Before Princess Saenira died, she had spoken two names more than any others.
She cursed Jaehaerys.
She mourned Alysanne.
Evans Dane recognized the explanation as partial truth at best, yet he resolved to be thorough.
"Let us begin with the current state of the Seven Kingdoms," Lord Dragonzel Varezes said, raising his hand. Maester Visari withdrew an old map from his satchel and spread it across the floor.
It showed the whole of Westeros.
"As you can see… the ruler of the Six Kingdoms is King Viserys I Targaryen of House Targaryen, who is your… your…" Evans faltered briefly before regaining composure. He had already forged the link of red copper and was no stranger to history. "Your cousin, my lord."
"My cousin. Continue."
"From north to south. The North is the largest of the Seven Kingdoms. The Neck separates it from the southern realms. It is cold throughout most of the year; even in summer, snow may fall. Thus it is among the poorest regions. The North is ruled by Lord Rickon Stark of Winterfell, Warden of the North. When I was taken by pirates, Lord Rickon had long been ill. His son, Lord Cregan Stark, is expected to succeed him."
"I have heard of the Wall," Lord Dragonzel Varezes said, pointing to the map. "A great barrier against death and wildlings."
"Yes. The Wall is among the most magnificent structures in the Seven Kingdoms. Legend says Brandon the Builder, ancestor of House Stark, raised it with the aid of giants and the Children of the Forest," Evans replied. "Yet the Citadel maintains that the Others are but myth and that the Wall was built to keep out wildlings beyond."
"The Citadel remains dismissive of mysticism," Maester Visari muttered. "How convenient for them."
Evans wisely continued.
"South of the Neck lie the Riverlands, watered by the Trident. Fertile and flat, yet often war-torn. House Tully of Riverrun serves as Lord Paramount of the Trident, though their authority is sometimes questioned. House Blackwood of Raventree Hall and House Bracken of Stone Hedge have feuded for a thousand years. Harrenhal, largest castle in the realm, is held by House Strong. Their lord and heir died two years ago; the current Lord of Harrenhal is crippled."
Lord Dragonzel Varezes nodded slightly. The Riverlands were wealthy, divided, and strategically central—inevitably a battleground should war erupt.
"The Vale is ruled by Lady Jeyne Arryn of the Eyrie. The Bloody Gate guards its mountain passes, and Gulltown commands its trade. The Vale is peaceful and aloof from most court intrigues."
"The Westerlands are ruled by Lord Jason Lannister of Casterly Rock, Warden of the West. Rich in gold, though mountainous. Ser Tyland Lannister serves in King Viserys's court and is close to Ser Otto Hightower."
"The Reach is the wealthiest of the Seven Kingdoms," Evans continued. "House Tyrell of Highgarden rules as Lord Paramount, though they descend from stewards of the Gardener kings. Ancient houses—House Hightower of Oldtown, House Rowan, House Florent, House Peake, House Redwyne, House Tarly—possess ancient bloodlines tracing back to Garth Greenhand and command vast strength. House Hightower has grown particularly influential since King Viserys wed Queen Alicent Hightower."
"It seems Westeros is rife with quiet rivalries," Lord Dragonzel Varezes observed.
"The Stormlands are ruled by Lord Borros Baratheon of Storm's End. Dornishmen respect his father's memory as an honorable lord, though Lord Borros himself is more volatile."
"Dorne is ruled by Prince Qoren Martell of Sunspear. He is cautious and patient." Evans did not elaborate further.
"The Iron Islands are ruled by House Greyjoy of Pyke. The ironborn worship the Drowned God and cling to the Old Way, favoring reaving. Despite repeated commands from the Iron Throne, they remain defiant."
"A harsh land breeds harsh customs," Lord Dragonzel Varezes murmured.
"Finally, the Iron Throne itself," Evans continued. "King Viserys I is by most accounts a good king. He continued the conciliatory policies of King Jaehaerys I, maintaining relative peace. But recent developments have unsettled the realm."
He gathered his thoughts carefully.
"The King's first queen died in childbirth, along with his only surviving son. Thereafter, tension rose between the King and his brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen. The King named Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen his heir, styling her Princess of Dragonstone. She rides the dragon Syrax. Yet the King later wed Queen Alicent Hightower, who bore him sons—Prince Aegon, Prince Aemond, and Prince Daeron. Many lords now question the succession."
"A predictable dilemma," Lord Dragonzel Varezes said quietly. "The Great Council of 101 AC favored male succession. To reverse that expectation invites unrest."
"Princess Rhaenyra's three sons by her first husband, Ser Laenor Velaryon, lack Valyrian features," Evans said carefully. "Rumors claim they are bastards fathered by Ser Harwin Strong. Yet each boy hatched a dragon, and the King harshly punishes such talk."
"Dragon's blood answers dragon's blood," Lord Dragonzel Varezes said. "The father matters less if the flame remains."
"After Ser Laenor and Lady Laena Velaryon died, the Princess wed Prince Daemon. Two years ago, Prince Aemond claimed Vhagar, once ridden by Lady Laena. In the conflict that followed, Prince Lucerys took Prince Aemond's eye."
"An eye for a dragon," Lord Dragonzel Varezes said thoughtfully. "A price some would gladly pay."
"Thus the rift between the Princess and the Queen deepened," Evans concluded. "The Princess resides on Dragonstone with Prince Daemon, while the Queen oversees much of the court in King's Landing. Outwardly, the realm remains calm."
Very calm.
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