Fort Viserys, perched atop the Hill of Viserys, housed the royal sanctuary: the Great Sept of Rhaella.
Viserys Targaryen had named the sept after the Queen Mother to honor her memory.
Truth be told, Viserys had never been particularly close to the Mad King, and his relationship with Rhaegar had been distant at best. The Mad King's mind had been shattered, and Rhaegar spent most of his time with his own small family on Dragonstone.
The only one who had shown Viserys constant care, the one who left the deepest impression on him, was his gentle mother.
Inside the Great Sept of Rhaella, beneath the statues of the Seven—the Father, the Mother, the Warrior, the Maiden, the Smith, the Crone, and the Stranger—the ceremony began.
Ebony of Andalos, now the High Septon of Fort Viserys, stood clad in robes of silver-threaded white silk. He began to recite passages from The Seven-Pointed Star. Ebony's fortunes had certainly turned; as one of the original supporters who had cast his lot with Viserys, he had risen from a wandering hedge priest to a High Septon.
Lining both sides of the Great Sept were Andal knights, elders, and distinguished guests, including the Rhoynar neighbors and the Black Pearl of Braavos.
A number of smallfolk had squeezed inside, while even more gathered outside the sept, chanting Viserys's name.
"The Father reached his hand into the heavens and pulled down seven stars," High Septon Ebony announced, his voice ringing out, head held high. "He set them one by one upon the brow of Hugor of the Hill to make a glowing crown."
"The Maid brought forth a girl as supple as a willow with eyes like deep blue pools, and Hugor took her for his bride. So the Mother made her fertile, and the Crone foretold that she would bear the King four-and-forty mighty sons," the other septons chanted in unison.
"The Warrior gave them strength of arms, and the Smith wrought each a suit of iron plate." These were the praises sung by the Andal knights and smiths.
Finally, the voices of the Andal elders from the privy council joined in, along with the boys and girls scattering flower petals: "Andalos, the Great Kingdom of the Hills. The light of the Seven shines upon us once more, allowing the Kingdom of the Andals to prosper in this land. The dream of Hugor has found purchase again. From this day forth, we welcome the new King of Andalos."
Amidst the fanfare, Viserys ascended the dais. Donnel, Hugo, Argos, and Syrio served as his honor guard.
Viserys wore a tunic of black velvet, a sword and a dragonbone dagger hanging from his belt. His black cloak bore the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen.
Under the gaze of the multitude, this was Viserys's second coronation.
His first had occurred when the realm was crumbling, performed by Queen Rhaella on Dragonstone. That had been a desperate improvisation, lacking legal weight and grandeur.
This time, in Andalos, it was formal and solemn.
Amidst the holy hymns, it seemed as though Viserys was truly bathed in a divine aura that illuminated the sept.
The Black Pearl and Qarro watched the striking young king, thinking to themselves how unpredictable the game of thrones truly was. A pitied, exiled prince had possessed the cunning and fortune to rise from the ashes.
"Let the Coronation Rite begin!" High Septon Ebony proclaimed loudly. Brass trumpets sounded, signaling for the audience to stand in solemn silence.
First came the Anointing.
Viserys sat upon the coronation chair. High Septon Ebony poured holy oil from a golden seven-pointed crystal flask onto a spoon, then anointed Viserys's hands, chest, and forehead.
The holy oil was a base of wood oil mixed with nutmeg and local spices from Andalos.
"I shall uphold justice and treat my subjects with fairness!"
"I shall uphold benevolence and nourish my subjects!"
"I shall uphold bravery and protect my subjects!"
"I shall uphold mercy and care for the old, the weak, and the women and children."
...
Viserys swore seven oaths in succession and received seven blessings. The ritual mirrored the structure of a wedding, fitting for the Andals who held the number seven as sacred.
When the hymns rose again, no one questioned the King's identity or status.
"Long live King Viserys!"
"Long live King Viserys!"
The sept was filled with an atmosphere of joy, sobbing, and cheering. After so many years, Andalos finally had a king of its own again. The long-suffering Andal people had their kingdom back.
Qarro's gaze swept over the weeping Andals—men and women, old and young. Their tears were a complex mix of emotions, but they proved that Viserys had won their hearts.
Viserys is firmly entrenched in Andalos and has the support of the people. His momentum is significant, Qarro thought. This was the power of the oppressed uniting and erupting.
However, Qarro remained cautious. The Kingdom of Andalos faced encapsulation by the Usurper on one side and the Dothraki horselords on the other. A true king would eventually be tested by fire and blood.
Under these conditions, a clever man like Viserys would not break ties with Braavos.
"I offer the soil and wine of Andalos to the King." A white-haired Andal elder presented a chalice of sour red wine and earth from the various regions.
"They shall be kept within the Great Sept to light my path," Viserys promised solemnly.
Viserys felt there should have been swords representing the monarchy—secular justice, spiritual justice, and the sword of judgment—but without a single Valyrian steel blade to his name, they had to simplify the rite.
"The Crowning!"
Ser Roland Lake, clad in shining silver armor, appeared on the dais. In his hands, he held the golden band set with seven gemstones—the crown of King Jaehaerys the Conciliator.
The young Viserys stood. The weathered Ser Roland solemnly placed the crown upon Viserys's head.
"Wearing the crown gifted by the Seven, Viserys of House Targaryen, Third of His Name, you are now the King of Andalos, King of the Andals," High Septon Ebony announced with gravity.
"Long live King Viserys!" The same praise rang out a second time, echoing through the entire hall.
"Long live King Viserys!" The Black Pearl smiled and joined the chant. He truly looked the part of a hero.
"I accept this glory, not for myself alone," Viserys's voice carried clearly through the hall as he adjusted the crown. "I shall fight to the end for the welfare of all Andals, for the freedom of all Andals. Will you follow me?"
"We want Viserys!"
"We will!"
"Your Grace!"
"King Viserys!" The Andals shouted with the discipline of trained soldiers, clapping their hands in rhythm.
The atmosphere reached its peak. In this moment, Viserys was the undisputed King of Andalos.
"Now, the second act of the Coronation: The Ennoblement Ceremony," the High Septon called out.
"Rhaenys, Daenerys, step forward," Viserys commanded.
Rhaenys and Daenerys approached. Both wore dresses of black velvet, with ruby necklaces adorning their throats.
"My niece, daughter of my brother Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Princess Elia Martell: Rhaenys Targaryen. Step forward. I name you the First Princess of Andalos." Viserys touched his blade to Rhaenys's shoulder.
"A thousand thanks, Your Grace! I shall be loyal to you forever, today and all days," Rhaenys said, curtsying formally. She looked at Viserys and noted the change in his face; he was no longer the casual uncle she knew, but wore the mask of a monarch.
"My sister, Daenerys Targaryen, my own flesh and blood. Step forward. I name you the Second Princess of Andalos."
Viserys gently pressed the blade to the shoulder of the little girl with silver-gold hair and purple eyes.
Daenerys didn't fully understand, but she followed Rhaenys's lead, curtsying to thank the King for his grace. All she knew was that thanks to her brother's maneuvering, her life finally felt like that of a real princess.
"High Septon Ebony of Andalos, step forward. I appoint you High Septon of Fort Viserys and High Septon of all Andalos." Viserys called out the priest's name.
Bishop Ebony dropped to his knees with alacrity, awaiting the King's command.
Viserys had prepared a tiara of seven-colored crystals, which he placed on the Bishop's head.
The King placing himself above the Faith might have caused a scandal in Westeros, but in Andalos, it was seen as fitting—after all, Viserys was viewed as the Avatar of the Warrior.
"The highest glory lies in serving Your Grace, and in spreading the grace of the Seven and the King throughout Andalos," Ebony shouted excitedly. With the King's enterprise thriving, he and his future generations had secured a ticket to prosperity.
"Master Syrio, I appoint you as my High Steward and Senior Advisor of Fort Viserys." Viserys did not forget Syrio; regardless of the man's desire for a wandering life, Viserys intended to tie him down first.
Syrio smiled. At least he did not refuse the command.
"Ser Roland Lake, I appoint you Commander of the City Watch of Fort Viserys." Viserys called out the knight's name. "Furthermore, in recognition of your loyalty and talent during our time of perilous exile, I raise you to the rank of Lord. Once the affairs of state are settled, you shall be granted lands and a castle in the Crownlands."
Ser Roland knelt, his expression emotional. He was a survivor of a lost war; he had never imagined that vengeance and restoration were possible.
"Donnel Stone. For your loyal service and fearlessness, I appoint you Infantry Commander of the First Legion—the Old Andal Legion. Furthermore, I name you Lord of Stoneton and grant you leave to build a castle on the Stone family lands."
Viserys's First Legion encompassed the entire Andalos region and served as his Praetorian Guard.
"Legion?" Qarro pricked up his ears. This seemed to be a new innovation of Viserys's.
It appeared Viserys was ready to turn Andalos into a weapon of war; the only question was against whom the blade would be turned.
"I thank Your Grace. The highest glory is to serve," Lord Donnel said, kneeling.
The Stone family had brought men, weapons, and smiths to the cause, and they were not the scheming sort. For such total dedication, Viserys would not be stingy with a lordship.
"Argos Blackpine, I appoint you Commander of the First Legion Cavalry and knight you!"
"Hugo Rex, I appoint you Commander of the First Legion Longbowmen and knight you!"
"I thank Your Grace! I pledge my loyalty to King Viserys and his heirs, until death."
"I thank Your Grace! I shall never forget this honor."
Viserys's blade touched the shoulders of the towering Argos and the sharpshooter Hugo. With that, the ceremony was complete.
From today on, Viserys was the King of Andalos, and the war machine began to rumble to life.
Viserys had constructed the framework of power in Andalos; now, it was time to refine it.
The ancient hymns rang out once more, as if awakening King Hugor of the Hill to stand witness.