Game of Thrones: The Bronze and Fire Lord

Aemon was very curious and asked, "What's in the cage?"

It couldn't be a parting gift.

Crack!

The cage shook, and a sharp caw echoed.

Rhaenyra shrugged and chuckled. "You're leaving tomorrow, so I specially asked Grand Maester Meros for a raven to help with communication between King's Landing and Runestone."

She then stuffed the cage into Aemon's hands.

"Rhaenyra, you're so thoughtful."

Aemon praised her, genuinely curious about ravens.

In Westeros, ravens were the main messengers used by noble lords to communicate. They flew faster than pigeons and had much greater endurance. Every noble castle had a maester who raised them and trained them to remember the routes they had flown.

There was a raven rookery in Runestone, but those birds were communal and not suited for private correspondence.

Rhaenyra clasped her hands behind her back. A trace of reluctance flashed in her eyes as she reminded him, "Make sure to write when you have time. If anything bothers me, I'll write to you too."

"Don't worry, I will!"

Aemon patted his chest in assurance.

He glanced at Laena, who was smiling—what was going on with her?

"Laena is leaving too," Rhaenyra said, realizing his confusion. "The Velaryon ship is heading the same way, so you'll travel together and look out for each other."

Aemon understood. This was clearly meant as an escort.

"Thank you."

"It's nothing. I just want to get to know you."

Laena's gentle demeanor and graceful smile were truly captivating.

When she fell into Aemon's gaze, he couldn't help but shiver.

Beautiful women are always trouble.

There were few people like Rhaenyra—beautiful on the outside and hopelessly naive on the inside.

Laena smiled, her soft eyes narrowing slightly, and said in a tender voice, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of you."

Aemon's expression darkened, and he decisively stepped back.

...

The next day.

Outside the Mud Gate, Blackwater Bay.

Two large ships were docked at the port, flying the banners of House Targaryen and House Velaryon.

Aemon stood on the shore, saying goodbye one by one.

"When you return, make sure to study the ways of governance seriously and work for the welfare of Runestone's people."

Viserys himself had come to see him off, guilt and reluctance on his face.

Were it not for the rumors in King's Landing painting Aemon—rider of the white deer—as the reincarnation of Aegon the Conqueror, he wouldn't have let his nephew return to the Vale.

"I will."

Aemon nodded firmly.

A small hand tugged at Ser Steve's white robe, silently staring at Viserys.

Ser Steve looked down awkwardly, pretending not to notice. Viserys felt frustrated, hesitated for a moment, then waved and said, "Ser Steve, you'll return to the Vale with him and teach him swordsmanship with dedication."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Ser Steve exhaled in relief.

As long as the king allowed him to go, he wouldn't be stuck in the middle anymore.

Aemon smiled instantly and turned to say goodbye to Rhaenyra again.

Rhaenyra looked dejected. She hugged him tightly and kissed him for a long while, once again reminding him, "Remember to write to me."

"Yes."

Aemon buried his head against her flat stomach and nodded.

After spending so much time with her, he understood that Rhaenyra was a genuinely good person.

She was simply lost when it came to her life choices. But deep down, she was a smart and passionate sister.

Just like during the outbreak of the Dance of the Dragons, all she had wanted was to eliminate her usurping brother Aegon—not to implicate the entire Green faction.

When he needed her, she would help him without hesitation.

After a while, Aemon let go of her and said playfully, "Next time I come, take me for a ride on your dragon."

Rhaenyra burst into laughter and rubbed his head.

Finally, Aemon said goodbye to Alicent, who had red-rimmed eyes.

"Bye, I'll be back!"

The ship sailed out of the port. Aemon stood at the stern, waving to the people on shore.

Soon, the two sides drifted farther apart.

"Prince, what should we do with these boxes?"

The "Seagull Knight" Ser Ryan approached carefully, afraid to startle him.

Aemon turned his head and frowned. "Ser, I'm a prince now!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Ser Ryan smiled apologetically and quickly corrected himself.

He had momentarily forgotten that the little one before him was a true Targaryen prince.

Such a young prince—it showed just how much the king loved his nephew.

There wasn't another like him in all the Seven Kingdoms.

Aemon collected himself, looked at the treasure chests on the deck, and said cheerfully, "Store them in my private treasury."

The boxes bore the emblem of a roaring lion.

They were the "reward" he'd demanded from Lord Jason before leaving, while the latter was still recovering from his injuries.

Ten thousand gold dragons!

Didn't bring that much this trip?

The royal treasury had fronted the money on his behalf, with Uncle Viserys signing an IOU. Casterly Rock would have to pay later.

Duke Jason dared not protest. Between getting angry and swallowing his pride, he chose the latter.

In the end, the gold was paid.

But the one who took it the hardest wasn't him—it was his younger brother Tyran.

Tyran had been thrilled at his brother's injury, bitter that the white deer hadn't finished the job. He had hoped to replace Jason as Lord of Casterly Rock.

And now?

His brother lived, and he still had to cough up the money.

But then again, the Lannisters had a gold mine—one that couldn't be emptied in a thousand years. Better a small loss than a greater misfortune.

"Yes, Prince."

Ser Ryan obeyed and had the large chests of gold dragons stowed away.

"Thanks for the hard work, ser."

Aemon waved happily.

It felt like his waist had just gained two more layers of gold.

So this is what it feels like to be rich.

Speaking of which, the guard unit his mother had arranged was pretty impressive.

Unlike Gunthor, who was silent and acted purely as a bodyguard, Ser Ryan was clever—better suited for business matters and adept at handling the daily affairs around him.

As for William...

Thankfully, the addition of White Knight Steve brought the number of guards up again.

...

King's Landing, Red Keep gate.

The sky had suddenly turned gray, and light rain began to fall.

The first spring shower of the year nourished the sprouting grass and soaked the earth.

A carriage rolled out of the gates, disappearing into the rain without hesitation.

Alicent stood under the battlements, lifting her skirts as she watched it go.

Otto was gone.

Right after Aemon's departure, he had been dismissed by King Viserys and forcibly sent back to Oldtown.

It was proof that royal power outweighed the authority of the Hand.

The Otto Hightower era was over. The Royal Council was about to see sweeping changes.

A hint of pain flickered in Alicent's eyes. She stood there for a long time.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, she would never have wanted to lose her only family.

But she no longer wanted to live under someone else's control.

The white knights—Ser Cargyll and his brother—held a red umbrella over the queen's head.

It's always painful to say goodbye twice in one day.

"Let's go back."

Alicent took a deep breath and turned toward her new beginning.

The drizzle steadily grew heavier.

Halfway down the steps, Ser Erryk received a cage covered with black cloth from a servant. He hurried over.

"Your Grace, this is a farewell gift the prince asked me to deliver to you."

"What is it?"

Alicent wiped her eyes and steadied herself.

Ser Eric lifted the cloth and revealed the cage. "It's a raven. The prince said if you miss him, you can send him a message."

Alicent froze, then a beautiful smile slowly curved her lips.

She picked up her pace and quickly returned to her chambers to write the letter.

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