Diplomatic Expedition

Laena looked up from her book. She greeted him coolly, since he was her own husband's bastard and she felt that she had no obligation to grant him her affection, which was given to so few.

"Welcome, Lord Commander. Please be seated. We are waiting for Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaena. Oblige me by pouring wine for us both."

Then, having finished with the pleasantries, she continued reading.

Aeggon made his way up to his grandmother's chambers. It had been a long time since he had last spoken to her, and he could not imagine what it was she wanted. The presence of Brandon Snow in her chambers did not help illuminate the matter.

"Lord Commander. Grandmother." Aegon greeted each of them briefly, then found himself a seat. "What is this about?"

Laena's demeanour improved as her grandchildren arrived. She greeted them with a warmer tone than she had greeted Brandon.

"Welcome," she said. "Rhaena, would you be a dear and pour the wine?"

Laena sat straight and proud, her usual proud demeanour taking over.

"I have summoned you all here today at the command of the King and Queen. It is the crown's desire that we four should undertake a diplomatic expedition to the east, presenting Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaena as future rulers of Westeros with the hope of making friends among the foreign leaders. Lord Redwyne has generously offered some casks of Arbor gold to present to those whose friendship we most desire. I am to accompany you both in order to ensure a chaperone for the princess and the Lord Commander is to be our protector as he is the only knight of the Kingsguard to ride a dragon."

She paused, looked at each of them in turn as she unrolled a map, using a wooden rod as a pointer to indicate each location in turn.

"We shall begin with Tyrosh and travel east, visiting Lys, Volantis, Astapor, Old Ghis, Qarth and, finally, Asshai. It is also my wish to visit the ruins of old Valyria, which we shall pass as we travel east. This will allow an old lady the chance to fulfill the dream of a lifetime."

She looked at Rhaena as she said this.

"Of course. The young lady will be most welcome. If she does not wish to join us for the entire journey, you may arrange to meet her at a location of your choice. I am sure you will understand that much time will be wasted if you are obliged to return home to fetch Lady Velaryon when you are already in the east. It is likely that some of the duties may be divided between our party. There will certainly be time for...enjoyment." She let the word hang there and waited for reactions from those assembled.

"I had not thought to go to Asshai, but it is the king's own decree," Laena said firmly. "It would certainly seem the most logical choice."

She turned to her grandson. "I have a letter for you. Your mother asked me to pass it on to you before we leave."

She handed him a folded sheet of paper which contained the letter recently written by Elseyris.

"We can manage without servants, good hosts will provide them, and honestly, Aegon and I managed well enough when we were at war. If you worry for us being shamed, then we shall see how far their laughter reaches behind a wall of dragonfire," Rhaena said, with fire of her own in her voice. Though his reasons were exactly why she had not wanted this being a big political trip. "About security, we have four dragons, Lord Commander, they are more than the worth of your thirty men. Grandmother and I are not simpering Andal ladies, we can defend ourselves."

"I am the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and I WILL dictate the conditions of his grace's security and the security of his heirs to you and to anyone else foolish enough to interfere." Brandon said, his voice did not raise above its soft tone, but there was steel underneath it.

"Dragons are fine on the field of battle, but they do nothing against the dagger in the dark, or the crossbow fired from the rooftop. They do not stand watchs, nor do they fit inside the audience halls of foreign princes." Brandon continued. "Nor do they taste or ensure the safe preparation of food. If Lady Velaryon will attended to the Princess' needs that would perhaps alleviate some difficulties, but she'll need to accompany us the entire way." He did not break gazes with the old bag.

"With a proper coin purse we could perhaps hire guards when we arrive in each location, although it's certainly unreliable, it would be far better than nothing, but its the minimum that could be tolerated."

"Astapor, Ghis, and Qarth are half a world away, and Asshai is even farther. What use is it seeking allies in such a place? Should they ever desire to cause us harm, it would take them months to arrive and they would have to come in wooden boats." Aegon's tone suggested he found the potential harm both unlikely and unthreatening.

"Not to mention the cost. If we are calling on the courts of seven sovereign nations, we will need to bring rich gifts lest we make the crown look like beggars. And if we'll be hiring mercenary guardsmen, lodgings, and the like in each city, not to mention food for four dragons, those costs will only increase. I should not have to mention that we are deeply in debt."

"A more sensible plan would be to call on Tyrosh and Braavos instead. They are close enough that we could bring a proper retinue, alleviating the Lord Commander's security concerns. They are the only foreign powers we are directly entangled with, and visiting them both reminds them of our power and shows our respect."

"It would perhaps be easier to swallow this whole charade if you had orders from his grace that we might examine," Brandon prodded, a second time. For all he knew that sour old bitch was scheming some nonsense and the King had never even heard of this.

"So was it an order or a suggestion?" Aegon asked. Her language had initially made him think it was an order, but her implication that he could go wherever he wanted seemed to indicate the travel itinerary was not set.

Aegon read the letter without expression. "How much of the treasury has His Grace provided us with for this expedition?" he asked.