Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
With powerful flaps of its black wings, a large raven dove into the top floor of the Red Keep's rookery.
An assistant maester on duty spotted the newly arrived bird and hurried over to check the small copper tube tied to its leg.
After confirming the tube showed no signs of tampering, the assistant maester took it and headed down the tower. He needed to deliver the message to His Grace the King as quickly as possible.
As the keeper of the rookery, he recognized every house's ravens. This one had come from Dragonstone.
After a short journey through the castle, the tube soon found its way into King Jaehaerys's hands. Though he had not yet read the letter inside, he already had a good idea of its contents.
He returned to his desk, settling into the large wooden chair with its wide back and leather-padded armrests. The soft filling inside made the seat comfortable, and Jaehaerys adjusted his posture slightly, seeking the most relaxed position.
First, he carefully broke the seal on the copper tube and withdrew the letter. After making sure nothing else was inside, he set the tube aside on the table.
Once he confirmed the envelope had not been tampered with, Jaehaerys opened the letter and began reading.
The message contained quite a bit of information, but the main points were the thorough sweep of the island and its results. When he finished, King Jaehaerys was extremely pleased. Aemon had completed the task remarkably quickly. He truly was the heir he had chosen.
After reading the letter, Jaehaerys tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, thinking for a moment. Then he called toward the door:
"Ser Gyles Morrigen, please come in."
At the King's command, the door to the solar opened. Ser Gyles Morrigen, clad in shining silver plate and a flowing white cloak, stepped inside.
Once inside, Ser Gyles placed his right fist over his heart and bowed to King Jaehaerys seated behind the desk. "Your Grace, what are your orders?"
"Go and summon Baelon and Gaemon. I have matters to discuss with them."
"At once, Your Grace."
With that, Ser Gyles turned and left the solar. He showed no change in expression—his duty was to carry out the King's will without question.
Watching Ser Gyles depart to find his sons, Jaehaerys said nothing more. Over the years, he had complete trust in Ser Gyles's loyalty and capability.
After receiving the King's command, Ser Gyles instructed the Kingsguard stationed outside the solar to remain vigilant in his absence, then set off to locate Princes Baelon and Gaemon.
The Red Keep was neither too large nor too small, and with over a thousand guards, servants, and attendants living within its walls, finding people was usually straightforward. After asking around, Ser Gyles quickly learned where the two princes were.
Gaemon was easy to locate. Ever since he had decided to forge Dragonsteel, he spent nearly all his time in the small smithy beside the training yard. Today was no exception.
Baelon, however, was a bit harder to find. Since Gaemon had finished forging his sword, Baelon's interest in the forge had waned. Instead, he now spent most of his time with his wife, Princess Alyssa, and their two sons.
When Ser Gyles found him, Prince Baelon was holding the newborn Daemon in his arms while playing Westerosi chess with his four-year-old son, Viserys. The game was very similar to modern chess, with fixed rules and pieces representing soldiers and crowned kings. It was a common pastime and educational tool among the nobility.
Baelon and young Viserys Targaryen were deeply engrossed in their match when one of Baelon's squires entered and announced that Ser Gyles Morrigen had come on the King's orders to summon the prince to His Grace's solar.
Upon hearing that his father wished to see him, Baelon had no choice but to stop playing with his sons. He stood, carefully handed the infant Daemon to his mother, Princess Alyssa, and asked his squire to take his place at the board so Viserys could finish the game.
Though Viserys was reluctant to see his father leave, the four-year-old boy behaved remarkably well. He simply said goodbye to his father and calmly continued the game with the squire.
Having been summoned by the King, Baelon and Gaemon quickened their steps as they made their way to the royal solar. Both had already guessed why their father had called for them, and the thought made their pace even faster.
For the two brothers, successfully producing and selling Dragonsteel would bring them significant benefits. Most importantly, the gold would accelerate the development of their respective domains, freeing them from the slow progress caused by lack of funds.
With these thoughts burning in their minds, their strides grew longer until they arrived together outside the King's solar.
After the white knight announced them, the doors swung open. Side by side, the two princes stepped into the room.
"You've come!"
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