Balerion noticed Vhagar and Viserion chasing one another through the clouds. With an excited cry, the young dragon broke free from Gendry's shoulder, spread his wings, and shot into the sky to join the aerial hunt.
Gendry watched the three dragons spiral upward before turning his attention back to the discussion at hand.
"The Riverlands," he said slowly, "are the crossroads of Westeros."
The old knight beside him nodded.
Indeed, the Riverlands bordered nearly every major power: the North, the Vale, the Westerlands, the Crownlands, and even the Iron Islands. Because of this, they had suffered more than any other region in every great war. Armies marched through, burned crops, and left devastation behind, while the local lords often acted independently, prioritizing survival over loyalty.
In ancient times, many First Men houses had ruled as River Kings—House Fisher, House Blackwood, House Bracken, and House Mudd among them. After the Andal invasion, new dynasties rose and fell. The most successful of these were House Rivers, founded by the bastards of Bracken and Blackwood, and House Teague.
House Teague, the last native River Kings, had been exterminated during the War of the Six Kings.
After their fall, the Riverlands passed from one ruler to another. First, they were conquered by the Storm Kings of House Durrandon. Later, the Ironborn of House Hoare forged the Kingdom of the Isles and the Rivers. Finally, during Aegon's Conquest, the dragons descended, and the title of Lord Paramount of the Trident was created, binding the Riverlands permanently into the Seven Kingdoms.
"I want to create a new Crownlands," Gendry said at last. "The ancient Storm Kings once ruled here. The Ironborn once forged a kingdom here as well. Why can't I drive out the lions and take the Three Rivers for the Iron Throne?"
If the Crownlands, Stormlands, and Riverlands were united—and the Iron Islands crushed—the king's authority would be unmatched. Not the fragile rule of a lord clinging to a single region, but true royal power.
Ser Barristan Selmy frowned slightly.
"Your Grace," he said carefully, "isn't this… too cruel? Ser Edmure may be foolish, but he does care for his people. He is incompetent, not evil."
If Gendry sent troops to relieve the Riverlands, it would not be charity. An uninvited savior would eventually strip House Tully of its authority, its lands, and its ancient rights.
Gendry turned to Anguy instead.
"Do you think I'm cruel?"
Anguy scratched his head. "Cruel? I don't know about that. I do remember that before the dragons came, the Stormlands ruled the Three Rivers. If the trout can't hold it, why not take it back?"
Gendry smiled faintly.
"Cruelty, Old Knight, your heart is kind. But these are not normal times. This is an age of collapsing rites and open cannibalism." His voice hardened. "If House Lannister wins, House Tully won't just lose the title of Lord Paramount—they'll lose Riverrun as well. Compared to that, I'm merciful. I only want Harrenhal and the Three Rivers."
Ser Barristan sighed. "Your father, King Robert, ruled with leniency to win the hearts of the people."
"And his leniency ruined the realm," Gendry replied without hesitation. "A kingdom needs both kindness and iron. My father pardoned the roses and allied with the lions. Did they remember his mercy? No. He died mysteriously, mocked by history. It wasn't entirely his fault—his base of power was too small."
He paused, then asked directly, "Has House Tully ever been kings? Do they have the wealth or population to truly control the Riverlands?"
Ser Barristan hesitated, then shook his head.
"No. Compared to them, House Bracken, House Blackwood, House Vance, and even the upstart Freys all hold larger territories and can raise more men. House Mallister boasts nobler blood. House Mooton is far wealthier. Harrenhal—cursed as it is—is still ten times the size of Riverrun and far more formidable."
"Then why are the Tullys Lords Paramount?" Anguy asked.
"Because they are adaptable," Gendry answered. "Ser Barristan knows this well."
Barristan nodded slowly. "House Tully's history goes back to the First Men. Edmure Tully once fought beside Tristifer IV, the Hammer of Justice, winning ninety-nine battles. After Tristifer's death, the Tullys bent the knee to Armistead Vance, the most powerful Andal conqueror of his age. They were loyal to the Storm Kings, cautious under the Ironborn, and the first to welcome the Dragon Kings. In Robert's Rebellion, they allied with Stark and Arryn through marriage."
"They always choose the winning side," Gendry said. "And because of that, the Riverlands follow whoever can feed them. Ironborn, Storm Kings, Targaryens—it makes no difference."
House Tully had risen by clinging to the dragons' coattails, only to repay the Targaryens with betrayal. Hoster Tully's ambition during Robert's Rebellion had been naked and grasping.
Ser Barristan studied Gendry for a long moment, then sighed. "Perhaps you are right. I am a knight, not a player of power."
"Time moves too fast, Ser," Gendry said quietly. "Too fast for old rules."
Barristan smiled bitterly. "I have seen much—the Commoner King, Duncan the Tall, the Mad King, Tywin's rise and fall, the false spring. It is all too fast. Yet I still have my loyalty."
"There is one more thing," Gendry said. "The Long Winter is coming. When it does, I cannot face it with a divided Westeros."
Cruel measures in times of peace might be necessary for survival in the Long Night. Only a strong ruler could lead the realm through endless snow and darkness.
Barristan nodded slowly. "Compared to the Long Winter, the petty struggles of men seem small."
At that moment, Maester Qyburn arrived with fresh news. Tall, thin, and smiling faintly, he spoke calmly.
"Prince Oberyn has found his prey in the Riverlands. A very large one."
"The Mountain," Barristan said at once.
"Yes," Gendry replied. "And next will be Amory Lorch."
"That mad brute," Anguy muttered. "He gives a man nightmares."
"I kill him not just for myself," Gendry said. "But for the common people he butchered. Tywin unleashed him like a dog. Now I'll judge him."
Barristan bowed his head. "Your father was a great warrior, but a failed king. He loved nobles too much and the people too little."
"My enemies aren't Tywin or Renly," Gendry said. "They're the Long Winter, the Long Night, and the slave empires across the sea."
Barristan knelt. "I have searched my whole life for a true king. I will serve you until my last breath."
Gendry drew his sword and presented it to him.
"Rise, Ser Barristan."
The discussion soon turned to war—Tywin's armies, the Kingslayer, the Narrow Sea, and the Vale.
The Riverlands were shattered, but the game for Westeros had only just begun.
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