Maekar & Bertram

"Uncle, I am glad you came. I am sorry to bring you so far out here, but Lord Darklyn has ears everywhere and I hate when that insufferable man knows to whom I am speaking and what about," Maekar said as the Prince dismounted. "There are things that you will have to know, having been gone so long."

Maekar relayed the conversation he'd had with the King several months earlier, about the King's plan for his future and for Prince Aegon. "The King has enemies, here and abroad. I suspect that Braavos may act against him, for he has been... less than prompt, in repayment of the crown's debt. If they do make a move against him, it is doubtful that his will will include his plans for Aegon and myself. If he dies before Aegon's son is born, I will sieze the throne for myself," Maekar said, his voice hard. Bertram could see that it was a decision Maekar had long agonized over, but he was resolute in his intentions.

His voice softened slightly, as he spoke again. "My brother is a good man, but he will be a terrible King. He is weak, bendable, and he has always been so. I lost a hand and an eye fighting for the Iron Throne, and I cannot see that sacrifice be made meaningless," he replied. It was well known, even to Bertram most likely, that Aegon worshiped the Faith of the Seven, the same gods that House Targaryen had been fighting since before Bertram himself had even been born.

"Their existence will remain secret, though when things are more secure, we shall send your son a Dragon egg, as is his birthright," Maekar replied.

"Dragons will win this conflict. I do not know what the Black Dread will do if King Maegor dies, but it is my hope that he will depart the city rather than laying it to waste. There are none who can hope to bond him, and in truth it is all the better. Lady Vira Blackwood is my- she will fly beside us, and she rides Aegerys, the Ghost, a dragon as old as Vraxor and Cyrax both. The Princess Daenya rides a dragon equally large, and she will surely side with her brother against me, though she is more than half mad and still a girl. The Lord Commander will follow him, and he rides Aerion who is of middling size. I suspect he will out-number us in dragons, but ours shall be larger and fiercer. We will have to act quickly, perhaps to thin the field, but also to win the allegiance of the Lords of Westeros. Prince Aegon is half a world away now, and on his deathbed if rumors can be believed; the Lords of Westeros will follow the man wearing the crown and sitting on the throne, sooner than a claimant off in the east."

"Indeed. He can attempt to bond a larger dragon, from Dragonstone, if you wish it, though giving him an egg of his own might be safer," Maekar replied.

"Action you will see. When the King is dead, we will have to move swiftly, in gathering our allies. I will claim the crown and Blackfyre and proclaim my rule from dragon back above the city. Presumably the Queen will meet me in the air, and I shall have to deal with her. Lady Velaryon will certainly be against me, though hopefully her uncle, the Hand, can be coaxed to seize Driftmark from her, and she can be dealt with here in the capital. Of the realm's Lords, the Arryns have very close ties with Aegon, and I think it is there that we must strike first."

"The Master of Coins will be important; control of the Treasury, meager as it is, will be key, however speaking of the wrong thing too early would be disastrous. The best is to find out what people want, so that we might more easily buy them to our side when the time does come," Maekar replied. "There's a young fellow called Edmund Waters who bonded Aelyrion a few months ago, perhaps he might be in need of guidance from an older, more experienced dragon rider."