"Are you sure about those numbers, Jon?" The king looked as serious and melancholic as ever. But inside, he was boiling with rage.
"More than ten thousand soldiers. Most of them, Unsullied, they were also carrying slaves," said the griffin, bowing his head as if he blamed himself for not being able to sink the ships in the ocean.
Rhaegar looked around at the assembled council. Today, even Oberyn seemed interested in the meeting, although his position was usually more of a courtesy and an apology to Dorne for taking a second wife.
"Since they passed King's Landing, it means they will take another route, such as Maidenpool," said Pycelle, drawing out his words. Sometimes, Rhaegar wished he would fall down the stairs.
"We can send a letter to Lord William to prevent them from landing," Baelish said with his ever-present sharp smile.
"It would be useless," Aegon said. He had recovered well from the wound inflicted by the dragon. "By the time the letter arrives, his men will have already landed," he added.
"Although, surprisingly, we haven't sighted the fleet," said Paxter. He thought he had made a mistake in sending his daughter with the prince.
"They say it doesn't need to approach the coast to stay on course," Oberyn had his feet up on the table, seemingly unconcerned but attentive.
"It seems the Manderlys have achieved something interesting," said Petyr, scratching the small goatee on his chin.
"I don't think it was the Manderlys," Varys interjected. And everyone fell silent. No one liked the eunuch's voice being so low, but if they wanted to hear it, noise was not welcome. "The prince has already proven himself to be a brilliant mind."
"Perfumes and soaps don't make him brilliant," Jon complained, dismissing his words.
Varys reached into his tunic. A transparent cylinder-shaped bottle appeared between his fingers.
"More than the exquisite aromas of perfumes and soaps. I speak of this," he said, placing the bottle on the table.
Oberyn took it with a quick movement and began to inspect it. Although Cersei had acquired some of these famous perfumes, he had never paid any attention to them.
"A glass from Myr?" Connington scoffed.
"It's not from Myr," said Prince Martell, looking closely at the container. At the base were a J and a T, barely perceptible. "Jaehaerys Targaryen," he said as he passed it to Aegon's outstretched hand. "That's a little egocentric, even for me," he joked.
"Myr's glass is greenish, the prince's is transparent. It seems more refined and pure," said Varys.
"That makes it more dangerous, then. Why, having these creations, does he not share them with the crown?" asked Connington. "Your Grace, your brother has gone too far in bringing an entire army of eunuchs," he paused for a moment when he heard Varys clear his throat, "slaves."
"This isn't the first time my brother has bought slaves and freed them," said Rhaegar, unable to hide his irritation. "Do you have anything to add, Lord Tarly?"
The master-at-arms had remained silent until that moment. He was listening. His mind absorbed the words as he related them to his eldest son growing up with Prince Jaehaerys.
"The Unsullied are the perfect army. And from what my son has told me, the outer walls of Harrenhal—"
"Argentstone," Varys corrected. "It was renamed Argentstone."
"Argentstone!" The man's nostrils flared. "Its outer walls have already been repaired. Taking the fortress with the Unsullied inside would be an arduous task. Walls over 80 feet high," he seemed to rack his brains at the thought of an assault, "it is not wise."
"We can starve them out," Jon said.
"Along with Princess Visenya, Queen Lyanna, Princess Serena Martell, and as I hear it, Samwell Tarly and Desmera Redwyne are tenants at ArgentStone," the spider had a smile on his face. "And let's not forget the dragons."
No one spoke in favor of an assault after that. The loss of resources in attempting to take the castle was not feasible. They could besiege it for years, but that would endanger the king's daughter and his queen. The dragons could grow large enough to be a danger.
"My brother has done nothing unlawful. Right, Oberyn?" the king asked his brother-in-law.
"If it is not forbidden, it is permitted, Your Grace," interjected the Dornishman, master of laws.
"Then let us stop talking about him as a criminal," said Aegon. "While his actions may be interpreted as dangerous, they arise from the need to protect his dragons," he defended his uncle. Despite his words, his hand went to his chest.
Jaehaerys was not mentioned again except for Jon, who wanted to bring him to the capital to exploit his inventions. Although the griffin had no seat on the council after leaving his position as Hand, no one asked him to leave. Rhaegar knew that there were few people more loyal than he. Blinded by loyalty to the point of doing stupid things for him.
The meeting was adjourned, and the king and Connington remained in the council chamber.
"You said you had something to tell me?" Connington had taken the chair that Aegon had warmed, the one closest to the king.
"Yes, Your Grace. It's about the Golden Company and... my mission," he said secretively.
"Speak," the king made a move to take a jug of wine. But Connington, loyal as a dog, stepped forward.
"There are rumors of a bastard of King Aerys in the Golden Company," Connington had waited moons to tell him.
"I know. He is currently facing Robert Baratheon in the disputed lands." Connington's face fell as he poured wine.
"What? Ah, Varys," he replied to himself. "Do you confirm that this is true?"
"As real as any rumor about bastards," the king interjected, "I received a letter from the boy. A commander of the company brought it. Since he is fighting Robert, he asked me for resources." his soft, silky voice seduced Jon, who instinctively leaned toward him.
"And will you, my king?" he asked, his gaze mesmerized by those beautiful indigo eyes.
"I will. Even if he is not my bastard half-brother, he is fighting against Baratheon," he explained. And Jon nodded at his wisdom, without questioning it. "What about the other task?"
"The Faceless Men refused," he said quietly, his eyes looking at the prince's lips, colored red by wine. "I went to Qaarth to hire the Sorrowful Men. We should hear news soon."
"Was the gold not enough for the House of Black and White?" Seeing the king's frown gave Jon a stomachache.
"No. They said the traitor's life does not belong to the god of many faces," he seemed about to fall to his knees.
"And my sister?"
"They asked for Seven Kingdoms for her life," he recalled the assassin's words.
Rhaegar understood the price of a life. Everyone must die, but not all lives are of equal value. The more complicated a person is to kill, the higher the price. But it could also increase depending on that person's importance to the god of many faces. Daenerys' high price could come from her ability to hatch dragons.
Perhaps it was she, and not Jaehaerys, who was special.
"You did a good job, Jon," the prince allowed himself a small smile. "The prices at the House of Black and White are a mystery even to me." His hand caressed the lord's shoulder.
"If my prince asks." Sometimes, when Jon got excited, he made the mistake of calling him prince instead of king. "If the assassins don't work, I'll raise an army and take Harrenhal for you. I'll take the heads of the prince and princess, even if it makes me a traitor to the crown," the man swore enthusiastically.
"And where would I find such a loyal man, Jon?" whispered the king. "No. Could you do something else for me? The ships that carry ash from Dragonstone? Sink them—just two or three. I'll stop the supply.
"I know a pirate, my king." The griffin's hand felt bold and rested on the prince's thigh. "I will sink whatever ships you ask, my king."
"That is enough, Jon," said the prince, placing his hand over Jon's on his leg.
Connington rose immediately. He bowed exaggeratedly and almost ran out.
Rhaegar watched the fool leave. Connington was happy to touch him. The king didn't care. He knew that being a sodomite was frowned upon. Although for him, men and women were equal.
He felt no desire for either.
His only desire was to see the prophecy fulfilled.
'Why do you oppose me, brother?' thought the king, melancholy.