1. As the first
century of the Targaryen dynastyCopy !req
2. came to a close,Copy !req
3. the health of the Old King,Copy !req
4. Jaehaerys, was failing.Copy !req
5. In those days,
House TargaryenCopy !req
6. stood at the height
of its strengthCopy !req
7. with 10 adult dragons
under its yoke.Copy !req
8. No power in the world
could stand against it.Copy !req
9. King Jaehaerys reigned
over nearly 60 yearsCopy !req
10. of peace and prosperity.Copy !req
11. But tragedy had
claimed both his sons,Copy !req
12. leaving his succession
in doubt.Copy !req
13. So, in the year 101,Copy !req
14. the Old King called
a Great CouncilCopy !req
15. to choose an heir.Copy !req
16. Over a thousand lords made
the journey to Harrenhal.Copy !req
17. Fourteen succession
claims were heardCopy !req
18. but only two were
truly considered:Copy !req
19. Princess Rhaenys Targaryen,
the King's eldest descendant,Copy !req
20. and her younger cousin,
Prince Viserys Targaryen,Copy !req
21. the King's eldest
male descendant.Copy !req
22. Jaehaerys Targaryen: It is
declared by all lords paramountCopy !req
23. and lords vassal
of the Seven Kingdoms...Copy !req
24. that Prince Viserys TargaryenCopy !req
25. be made
Prince of Dragonstone.Copy !req
26. Rhaenys, a woman,Copy !req
27. would not inherit
the Iron Throne.Copy !req
28. The lords instead
chose Viserys...Copy !req
29. my father.Copy !req
30. Jaehaerys called
the Great CouncilCopy !req
31. to prevent a war being
fought over his succession.Copy !req
32. For he knew the cold truth.Copy !req
33. The only thing
that could tear downCopy !req
34. the House of the Dragon...Copy !req
35. was itself.Copy !req
36. Dohaeras, Syrax!Copy !req
37. Umbas.Copy !req
38. Rybas!Copy !req
39. Ser Harrold Westerling:
Welcome back, Princess.Copy !req
40. I trust your ride was pleasant.Copy !req
41. Try not to look
too relieved, ser.Copy !req
42. I am relieved.Copy !req
43. Every time that golden beastCopy !req
44. brings you back unspoiled,Copy !req
45. it saves my head from a spike.Copy !req
46. Syrax is growing quickly.Copy !req
47. She'll soon be as
large as Caraxes.Copy !req
48. That's almost large
enough to saddle two.Copy !req
49. I believe I'm quite content
as a spectator, thank you.Copy !req
50. Dragonkeeper Elder: (speaking
High Valyrian) Dohaeras.Copy !req
51. Naejot!Copy !req
52. Ah... Rhaenyra.Copy !req
53. You know I don't like
you to go flyingCopy !req
54. while I'm in this condition.Copy !req
55. You don't like me to go flying
while you're in any condition.Copy !req
56. - Your Grace.
- Queen Aemma: Good morrow, Alicent.Copy !req
57. Did you sleep?Copy !req
58. - I slept.
- How long?Copy !req
59. I don't need mothering, Rhaenyra.Copy !req
60. Well, here you are,
surrounded by attendants,Copy !req
61. all focused on the babe.Copy !req
62. Someone has to attend to you.Copy !req
63. You will lie in this bed
soon enough, Rhaenyra.Copy !req
64. This discomfort is how
we serve the realm.Copy !req
65. I'd rather serve as a knight
and ride to battle and glory.Copy !req
66. We have royal wombs, you and I.Copy !req
67. The childbed is our battlefield.Copy !req
68. We must learn to face it
with a stiff lip.Copy !req
69. Now take a bath.Copy !req
70. You stink of dragon.Copy !req
71. So, I said to him, "Well, I believe
you might be looking up the wrong end."Copy !req
72. My lords.Copy !req
73. The growing alliance
among the Free CitiesCopy !req
74. has taken to styling
itself "the Triarchy."Copy !req
75. They have massed on BloodstoneCopy !req
76. and are presently
ridding the StepstonesCopy !req
77. of its pirate infestation.Copy !req
78. King Viserys:
Well, that sounds suspiciouslyCopy !req
79. like good news, Lord Corlys.Copy !req
80. A man called Craghas DraharCopy !req
81. has styled himself the
prince-admiral of this Triarchy.Copy !req
82. They call him "The Crabfeeder"Copy !req
83. due to his inventive methods
of punishing his enemies.Copy !req
84. King Viserys: And are we
meant to weep for dead pirates?Copy !req
85. - Lord Corlys: No, Your Grace.
- Rhaenyra, you're late.Copy !req
86. King's cupbearer
must not be late.Copy !req
87. - Leaves people wanting for cups.
- I was visiting Mother.Copy !req
88. On dragonback?Copy !req
89. Lyman Beesbury: Hey, Your
Grace, at Prince Daemon's urging,Copy !req
90. the crown has invested
significant capitalCopy !req
91. in the re-training and
re-equipping of his City Watch.Copy !req
92. I thought you might
urge your brotherCopy !req
93. to fill his seat on the councilCopy !req
94. and provide an assessment
of his progressCopy !req
95. as commander of the Watch.Copy !req
96. Do you think Daemon is
distracted by his present tasks?Copy !req
97. And that his thoughts
and energies are occupied?Copy !req
98. Well, one would hope so, considering
the associated costs.Copy !req
99. Then let us all consider
your gold well-invested, Lord Beesbury.Copy !req
100. I would urge that you not allowCopy !req
101. this Triarchy much latitudeCopy !req
102. in the Stepstones, Your Grace.Copy !req
103. If those shipping lanes
should fall,Copy !req
104. it will beggar our ports.Copy !req
105. The crown has heard
your report, Lord Corlys,Copy !req
106. and takes it under advisement.Copy !req
107. Shall we discuss the
Heir's Tournament, Your Grace?Copy !req
108. I would be delighted.Copy !req
109. Will the maesters' name day
prediction hold, Mellos?Copy !req
110. You must understand
that these thingsCopy !req
111. are mere estimations,
my King,Copy !req
112. but we have all beenCopy !req
113. poring over the moon charts,Copy !req
114. and we feel that our forecastCopy !req
115. is as accurate as it can be.Copy !req
116. The cost of
the tournament is not negligible.Copy !req
117. Perhaps we might delay
until the child is in hand?Copy !req
118. Ugh, most of the lords
and knightsCopy !req
119. are certainly on their way to King's Landing already.
To turn them back now—Copy !req
120. King Viserys: The tourney will take
the better part of a week.Copy !req
121. Before the games are over,
my son will be born,Copy !req
122. and the whole realm
will celebrate.Copy !req
123. Grand Maester Mellos:
We have no way of predictingCopy !req
124. the sex of the child.Copy !req
125. Of course,
no maester's capableCopy !req
126. of rendering an opinionCopy !req
127. free of conditions,
are they now?Copy !req
128. There's a boy
in the Queen's belly.Copy !req
129. I know it.Copy !req
130. And my heir will soon
put all of this damnableCopy !req
131. hand-wringing to rest himself.Copy !req
132. He passed through the Red
Keep's gates at first light.Copy !req
133. Does my father know he's here?Copy !req
134. - No.
- Good.Copy !req
135. Gods be good.Copy !req
136. It's all right, ser.Copy !req
137. Aye...Copy !req
138. Mm...Copy !req
139. I bought you something.Copy !req
140. Do you know what it is?Copy !req
141. It's Valyrian steel.Copy !req
142. Like Dark Sister.Copy !req
143. Turn around.Copy !req
144. Now...Copy !req
145. you and I both own a small piece
of our ancestry.Copy !req
146. Did you read it?Copy !req
147. Of course, I read it.Copy !req
148. When Princess
Nymeria arrived in Dorne,Copy !req
149. who did she take to husband?Copy !req
150. A man.Copy !req
151. What was his name?Copy !req
152. Lord Something.Copy !req
153. If you
answer with "Lord Something,"Copy !req
154. Septa Marlow will be furious.Copy !req
155. She's funny when she's furious.Copy !req
156. You're always like this
when you're worried.Copy !req
157. Like what?Copy !req
158. Disagreeable.Copy !req
159. You're worried your father
is about to overshadow youCopy !req
160. with a son.Copy !req
161. I only worry for my mother.Copy !req
162. I hope for my father
that he gets a son.Copy !req
163. As long as I can recall,
it's all he's wanted.Copy !req
164. You want him to have a son?Copy !req
165. I want to fly with you
on dragonback,Copy !req
166. see the great wonders across the
Narrow Sea, and eat only cake.Copy !req
167. - I'm being serious.
- I never jest about cake.Copy !req
168. You aren't worried
about your position?Copy !req
169. I like this position.
It's quite comfortable.Copy !req
170. - Where are you going?
- Home. The hour has grown late.Copy !req
171. Princess Nymeria led her RhoynarCopy !req
172. across the Narrow Sea
on 10,000 shipsCopy !req
173. to flee their Valyrian pursuers.Copy !req
174. She took Lord Mors Martell
of Dorne to husbandCopy !req
175. and burned her own
fleet off SunspearCopy !req
176. to show her people that
they were finished running.Copy !req
177. - What are you doing?
- So you remember.Copy !req
178. - If-if the Septa sees this
book, then— - Fuck the Septa.Copy !req
179. Rhaenyra!Copy !req
180. Is it healing?Copy !req
181. It has
grown slightly, Your Grace.Copy !req
182. Otto Hightower:
Can you say yet what it is?Copy !req
183. We've sent enquiries
to the Citadel.Copy !req
184. They are searching
the texts for similar cases.Copy !req
185. It's a small cut
from sitting the throne.Copy !req
186. It's nothing.Copy !req
187. The King has been
under heavy stressesCopy !req
188. preparing for the birth.Copy !req
189. Bad humors of the mindCopy !req
190. can adversely affect the body.Copy !req
191. Whatever it is, it
needs to be kept quiet.Copy !req
192. We should leech it again, maester.Copy !req
193. It's a wound that
refuses to heal, Grand Maester.Copy !req
194. Might I suggest cauterization?Copy !req
195. Cauterization would be a wiseCopy !req
196. course of treatment,
Your Grace.Copy !req
197. - It will be painful—
- King Viserys: Fine.Copy !req
198. Fine.Copy !req
199. You spend more time in that bath
than I do on the throne.Copy !req
200. This is the only placeCopy !req
201. I can find comfort these days.Copy !req
202. It's tepid.Copy !req
203. It's as warm as
the maesters will allow.Copy !req
204. - Don't they know
dragons prefer heat? - Hm.Copy !req
205. After this miserable pregnancy...Copy !req
206. I wouldn't be surprised if
I hatched an actual dragon.Copy !req
207. Then he will
be loved and cherished.Copy !req
208. Rhaenyra has already declared
that she is to have a sister.Copy !req
209. Really?Copy !req
210. - She even named her.
- Dare I ask?Copy !req
211. - Visenya.Copy !req
212. She chose a dragon's egg
for the cradleCopy !req
213. that she said reminded her
of Vhagar.Copy !req
214. Gods be good.Copy !req
215. This family already
has its Visenya.Copy !req
216. Has there been any word
from your dear brother?Copy !req
217. Not since I named him
Commander of the City Watch.Copy !req
218. I'm sure he will reemerge
for the tourney.Copy !req
219. He could never stay
away from the lists.Copy !req
220. The tourney...Copy !req
221. to celebrate the firstborn sonCopy !req
222. that we presently do not have.Copy !req
223. You do understandCopy !req
224. nothing will cause
the babe to grow a cockCopy !req
225. if it does not
already possess one?Copy !req
226. - This child is a boy, Aemma.Copy !req
227. I'm certain of it.Copy !req
228. I've never been more
certain of anything.Copy !req
229. The dream.Copy !req
230. It was clearer than a memory.Copy !req
231. Our son was born wearing
Aegon's iron crown.Copy !req
232. And I heard the sound
of thundering hooves,Copy !req
233. splintering shields,
and ringing swords,Copy !req
234. and I placed our son
upon the Iron Throne...Copy !req
235. as the bells of
the Grand Sept tolledCopy !req
236. and all the dragons
roared as one.Copy !req
237. Born wearing a crown?Copy !req
238. Gods spare me...Copy !req
239. birth is unpleasant
enough as it is.Copy !req
240. This is the last time,Copy !req
241. Viserys.Copy !req
242. I've lost one babe
in the cradle,Copy !req
243. had two stillbirths,
and two pregnanciesCopy !req
244. ended well before their term.Copy !req
245. That's five...
in twice as many years.Copy !req
246. I know it is my duty
to provide you an heir,Copy !req
247. and I'm sorry if I have
failed you in that. I am.Copy !req
248. But I've mourned all
the dead children I can.Copy !req
249. Captain Randyll Barret:
Commander on the floor!Copy !req
250. When I took command of
the Watch, you were stray mongrels...Copy !req
251. starving and undisciplined.Copy !req
252. Now...Copy !req
253. you're a pack of hounds.Copy !req
254. You're sated and honed
for the hunt.Copy !req
255. My brother's city
has fallen into squalor.Copy !req
256. Crime of every breed
has been allowed to thrive.Copy !req
257. No longer.Copy !req
258. Beginning tonight,
King's Landing will learnCopy !req
259. to fear the color gold.Copy !req
260. City Watchman: Get up!Copy !req
261. Raper!Copy !req
262. No! No! No! No! No!Copy !req
263. Captain Barret: Thief!Copy !req
264. No!Copy !req
265. Murderer!Copy !req
266. It was an unprecedentedCopy !req
267. roundup of criminals
of every ilk.Copy !req
268. Your brother made
a public show of it,Copy !req
269. meting out the summary
judgments himself.Copy !req
270. I'm told they needed
a two-horse cartCopy !req
271. to haul away the resulting dismembermentsCopy !req
272. when it was done.Copy !req
273. King Viserys:
Gods be good.Copy !req
274. The Prince cannot
be allowed to actCopy !req
275. with this kind
of unchecked impunity.Copy !req
276. - Brother.
- Daemon.Copy !req
277. Carry on. You were saying
something about my impunity.Copy !req
278. You are to explain your doings
with the City Watch.Copy !req
279. Your new "gold cloaks" made quite
the impression last night, didn't they?Copy !req
280. Prince Daemon Targaryen:
Did they?Copy !req
281. The City Watch is not a swordCopy !req
282. to be wielded at your whim.Copy !req
283. They're an extension
of the crown.Copy !req
284. The Watch was enforcing
the crown's laws.Copy !req
285. Wouldn't you agree,
Lord Strong?Copy !req
286. - My Prince, I don't think— -
Making a public spectacle of wanton brutalityCopy !req
287. is hardly in line with our laws.Copy !req
288. Nobles from every
corner of the realmCopy !req
289. are right now descending
upon King's LandingCopy !req
290. for my brother's tourney.Copy !req
291. Do you want them
mugged, raped, murdered?Copy !req
292. You mightn't know this unless you
left the safety of the Red Keep,Copy !req
293. but much of King's Landing
is seen by the smallfolkCopy !req
294. as lawless and terrifying.Copy !req
295. Our city should be safe
for all its people.Copy !req
296. I agree.Copy !req
297. I just hope you
don't have to maimCopy !req
298. half of my city to achieve this.Copy !req
299. Time will tell.Copy !req
300. We installed Prince Daemon as
commander to promote law and order.Copy !req
301. The criminal element
should fear the City Watch.Copy !req
302. Thank you for your support,
Lord Corlys.Copy !req
303. If only the Prince would
show the same devotionCopy !req
304. to his lady wife as
he does his work, Your Grace.Copy !req
305. You've not been seen in the ValeCopy !req
306. or at Runestone
for quite some time.Copy !req
307. I think my bronze bitch
is happier for my absence.Copy !req
308. Lady Rhea is your wife,Copy !req
309. a good and honorable
lady of the Vale.Copy !req
310. In the Vale, men are said
to fuck sheep instead of women.Copy !req
311. I can assure you,
the sheep are prettier.Copy !req
312. Dear me.Copy !req
313. You made a vow before the SevenCopy !req
314. to honor your wife in marriage.Copy !req
315. Well, I'd gladly give
Lady Rhea to you,Copy !req
316. Lord Hightower,
if you're in wantCopy !req
317. of a woman to warm your bed.Copy !req
318. Your own lady wife
passed recently.Copy !req
319. Did she not?Copy !req
320. Otto.Copy !req
321. Perhaps you aren't ready
to move on just yet.Copy !req
322. You know how my brother
makes sport of provoking you.Copy !req
323. Must you indulge him?Copy !req
324. My apologies, Your Grace.Copy !req
325. King Viserys: This council
has, at great expense,Copy !req
326. bettered the City Watch
to your exacting standards.Copy !req
327. Enforce my laws,
but understand...Copy !req
328. any further performances
like last night'sCopy !req
329. will be answered.Copy !req
330. Understood, Your Grace.Copy !req
331. King's Landing has been in
decline since my grandmother passed.Copy !req
332. - In the end...Copy !req
333. this new City WatchCopy !req
334. might be a good thing.Copy !req
335. What troubles
you, my Prince?Copy !req
336. I could bring in another.Copy !req
337. Perhaps a maiden.Copy !req
338. I have several.Copy !req
339. I could even arrange one
with silver hair.Copy !req
340. You are Daemon Targaryen.Copy !req
341. Rider of Caraxes.
Wielder of Dark Sister.Copy !req
342. The King cannot replace you.Copy !req
343. King Viserys:
Be welcome!Copy !req
344. I know many of you have
traveled long leaguesCopy !req
345. to be at these games.Copy !req
346. But I promise, you will
not be disappointed.Copy !req
347. When I look at the fine
knights in these lists,Copy !req
348. I see a group without equal
in our histories.Copy !req
349. And this great dayCopy !req
350. has been made more auspiciousCopy !req
351. by the news...Copy !req
352. that I am happy to share:Copy !req
353. Queen Aemma has
begun her labors!Copy !req
354. May the luck of the Seven
shine upon all combatants!Copy !req
355. A mystery knight?Copy !req
356. No, a Cole, of the Stormlands.Copy !req
357. I've never heard
of House Cole.Copy !req
358. Lord Boremund Baratheon:
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen!Copy !req
359. I would humbly ask for the favorCopy !req
360. of "The Queen Who Never Was."Copy !req
361. Good fortune to you, cousin.Copy !req
362. I would gladly take it
if I thought I needed it.Copy !req
363. You could have
Baratheon's tongue for that.Copy !req
364. Tongues will not
change the succession.Copy !req
365. Let them wag.Copy !req
366. Lord Stokeworth's daughterCopy !req
367. is promised to that
young Tarly squire.Copy !req
368. - Lord Massey's son?
- Mm-hm.Copy !req
369. They're to be married as
soon as he wins his knighthood.Copy !req
370. - Best get on with it.Copy !req
371. I heard that Lady Elinor is
hiding a swollen belly beneath her dress.Copy !req
372. What do you know about
this Ser Criston Cole, Ser Harrold?Copy !req
373. Ser Harrold: I'm told
Ser Criston is common-born,Copy !req
374. son of Lord Dondarrion's
steward.Copy !req
375. But other than that, and
the fact that he's just unhorsedCopy !req
376. both of the Baratheon lads,Copy !req
377. I really couldn't say.Copy !req
378. Master of Revels: Prince
Daemon of House Targaryen,Copy !req
379. Prince of the City,Copy !req
380. will now choose
his first opponent!Copy !req
381. - For his first challenge,Copy !req
382. Prince Daemon Targaryen choosesCopy !req
383. Ser Gwayne Hightower of Oldtown,Copy !req
384. eldest son of
the Hand of the King.Copy !req
385. Five dragons on Daemon.Copy !req
386. - Ya!Copy !req
387. - Nicely done, Uncle.
- Thank you, Princess.Copy !req
388. Now, I'm fairly certain I
can win these games, Lady Alicent.Copy !req
389. Having your favor
would all but assure it.Copy !req
390. Good luck, my Prince.Copy !req
391. - What's happening? - The
infant is in breech, Your Grace.Copy !req
392. All attempts to turn
the babe have failed.Copy !req
393. - Do something for her!
- We've given her as muchCopy !req
394. milk of the poppy as we canCopy !req
395. without risking the child.Copy !req
396. Your Queen is a strong woman.Copy !req
397. She's fighting
with all her might,Copy !req
398. but it may not be enough.Copy !req
399. Queen Aemma:
No!Copy !req
400. King Viserys: Aemma.Copy !req
401. Aemma... I'm here.Copy !req
402. - I'm here.
Help me, please...Copy !req
403. I'm here. It's all right.Copy !req
404. - It's all right.
- I don't wanna do this.Copy !req
405. - You're going to be all right.Copy !req
406. You're going to be all right.Copy !req
407. Kill him!Copy !req
408. And the day grows ugly.Copy !req
409. I wonder if this
is how we shouldCopy !req
410. celebrate the birth
of our future king.Copy !req
411. - Hm.
- With wanton violence.Copy !req
412. Princess Rhaenys: It's been 70
years since King Maegor's end.Copy !req
413. These knights are as green
as summer grass.Copy !req
414. None have known real war.Copy !req
415. Their lords sent them
to the tourney fieldCopy !req
416. with fists full of steel
and balls full of seed,Copy !req
417. and we expect them to act
with honor and grace.Copy !req
418. It's a marvel that war
didn't break out at first blood.Copy !req
419. Mellos.Copy !req
420. Your Grace.Copy !req
421. If you would.Copy !req
422. During a difficult birth,Copy !req
423. it sometimes becomes necessary
for the father...Copy !req
424. to make an impossible choice.Copy !req
425. Well, speak it.Copy !req
426. To sacrifice one...Copy !req
427. or to lose them both.Copy !req
428. There is a chance that
we can save the child.Copy !req
429. A technique is taught
at the Citadel,Copy !req
430. which involves cutting
directly into the wombCopy !req
431. to free the infant.Copy !req
432. - But the resulting blood loss—
- Seven Hells, Mellos.Copy !req
433. You can save the child?Copy !req
434. We must either act now
or leave it with the gods.Copy !req
435. Ser Criston Cole
will now tilt againstCopy !req
436. Ser Daemon Targaryen,
Prince of the City!Copy !req
437. - Viserys.
- Yes?Copy !req
438. They're going to bring
the babe out now.Copy !req
439. Mm.Copy !req
440. I love you.Copy !req
441. Ooh.Copy !req
442. - What is happening?
- No, it's all right.Copy !req
443. No... what is happening?Copy !req
444. - Viserys, what— - King
No, it's all right.Copy !req
445. - Wh-what are you doing? -
They're going to bring the babe out.Copy !req
446. How are they—Copy !req
447. - It's all right.
- Viserys, please.Copy !req
448. - It's all right.
- No, I'm scared. Not in—Copy !req
449. - King Viserys: Don't be scared.
- What is happening?Copy !req
450. Don't be scared.
They're going to bring the babe out.Copy !req
451. - Queen Aemma: Oh no.
- It's all right.Copy !req
452. They're going
to bring the babe out.Copy !req
453. No! No! No!Copy !req
454. - I'm making the first incision.
No, no, no!Copy !req
455. Viserys, no! Please!Copy !req
456. - No, no, no!
- Don't be scared.Copy !req
457. Prince Daemon:
Sword!Copy !req
458. Master of Revels:
Prince Daemon TargaryenCopy !req
459. wishes to continue
in a contest of arms!Copy !req
460. Ser Criston Cole: Yield.Copy !req
461. Yield.Copy !req
462. Gods. He's Dornish.Copy !req
463. I was hoping to ask
for the Princess's favor.Copy !req
464. I wish you luck, Ser Criston.Copy !req
465. Princess.Copy !req
466. Congratulations, Your Grace.Copy !req
467. You have a son.Copy !req
468. - It's a boy?Copy !req
469. A new heir, Your Grace.Copy !req
470. Had you and the Queen
chosen a name?Copy !req
471. Baelon.Copy !req
472. They're waiting for you.Copy !req
473. D—Copy !req
474. Dracarys.Copy !req
475. - Where's Rhaenyra?
- Otto: Your Grace.Copy !req
476. This is the last thing
any of us wish to discussCopy !req
477. at this dark hour,Copy !req
478. but I consider
the matter urgent.Copy !req
479. What matter?Copy !req
480. That of your succession.Copy !req
481. These recent tragedies have left
you without an obvious heir.Copy !req
482. The King has an heir,
my Lord Hand.Copy !req
483. Despite how difficult
this time is, Your Grace,Copy !req
484. I feel it importantCopy !req
485. the succession be
firmly in placeCopy !req
486. for the stability of the realm.Copy !req
487. Lyonel Strong:
The succession is already set...Copy !req
488. by precedent and by law.Copy !req
489. Shall we say his name?Copy !req
490. Daemon Targaryen.Copy !req
491. If Daemon were to remain
the uncontested heir,Copy !req
492. it could destabilize
the realm.Copy !req
493. The realm? Or this council?Copy !req
494. No one here can know what
Daemon would do were he king,Copy !req
495. but no one can
doubt his ambition.Copy !req
496. Look at what he did
with the gold cloaks.Copy !req
497. The City Watch is
fiercely loyal to him.Copy !req
498. - An army 2,000 strong.
- An army you gave him, Otto.Copy !req
499. I named Daemon
Master of Laws,Copy !req
500. but you said he was a tyrant.Copy !req
501. As Master of Coin,
you said he was a spendthriftCopy !req
502. that would beggar the realm.Copy !req
503. Putting Daemon in command
of the City WatchCopy !req
504. was your solution!Copy !req
505. A half-measure, Your Grace.Copy !req
506. The truth is, Daemon should
be far away from this court.Copy !req
507. Daemon is my brother.Copy !req
508. My blood.Copy !req
509. And he will have
his place at my court.Copy !req
510. Let him keep his
place at court, Your Grace,Copy !req
511. but if the gods should visitCopy !req
512. some further tragedy on you,Copy !req
513. - either by design
or by accident— -"Design"?Copy !req
514. What are you saying?Copy !req
515. My brother would murder me,
take my crown?Copy !req
516. Are you?Copy !req
517. Please.Copy !req
518. Daemon has ambition, yes,Copy !req
519. - but not for the throne.Copy !req
520. He lacks the patience
for it.Copy !req
521. The gods have yet
to make a man whoCopy !req
522. lacks the patience for
absolute power, Your Grace.Copy !req
523. Under such circumstances,Copy !req
524. it would not be an aberrationCopy !req
525. for the King to name
a successor.Copy !req
526. Well, who else
would have a claim?Copy !req
527. The King's firstborn child.Copy !req
528. Rhaenyra? A girl?Copy !req
529. No queen has ever
sat the Iron Throne.Copy !req
530. That is only by tradition
and precedent, Lord Strong.Copy !req
531. If order and stability
so concerns this council,Copy !req
532. then perhaps we shouldn't break 100 years
of it by naming a girl heir.Copy !req
533. Daemon would be a second Maegor,
or worse.Copy !req
534. He is impulsive and violent.Copy !req
535. It is the duty of this councilCopy !req
536. to protect the King
and the realm from him.Copy !req
537. I'm sorry, Your Grace, but that
is the truth as I see it,Copy !req
538. and I know that
others here agree.Copy !req
539. I will not be made to chooseCopy !req
540. between my brother
and my daughter.Copy !req
541. Lord Corlys: You wouldn't
have to, Your Grace.Copy !req
542. There are others
who would have a claim.Copy !req
543. Such as your wife,
Lord Corlys?Copy !req
544. - "The Queen Who Never Was"?
- Rhaenys was the only childCopy !req
545. of Jaehaerys' eldest son.Copy !req
546. She had a strong claim
at the Great Council,Copy !req
547. and she already
has a male heir.Copy !req
548. Just moments ago, you
announced your support for Daemon!Copy !req
549. If we cannot agree on an heir,
then how can we expect—Copy !req
550. My wife and son are dead!Copy !req
551. I will not sit here and suffer
crows that come to feast on their corpses!Copy !req
552. Send a raven to Oldtown.
Straight away.Copy !req
553. My Lady.Copy !req
554. My darling.Copy !req
555. How's Rhaenyra?Copy !req
556. She lost her mother.Copy !req
557. The Queen was well-loved by all.Copy !req
558. I found myself thinking
of your own mother today.Copy !req
559. - How is His Grace?
- Very low.Copy !req
560. Which is why I sent for you.Copy !req
561. I thought you might go to him...Copy !req
562. offer him comfort.Copy !req
563. In his chambers?Copy !req
564. I wouldn't know what to say.Copy !req
565. Stop that.Copy !req
566. He'll be glad of a visitor.Copy !req
567. You might wear one of
your mother's dresses.Copy !req
568. The Lady Alicent Hightower,
Your Grace.Copy !req
569. King Viserys:
What is it, Alicent?Copy !req
570. I thought I might come
and look in on you, Your Grace.Copy !req
571. I brought a book.Copy !req
572. That's very kind, thank you.Copy !req
573. It's a favorite of mine.Copy !req
574. I do know how passionate
you are for the histories.Copy !req
575. Yes... I am.Copy !req
576. When my mother died...Copy !req
577. people only ever spoke
to me in riddles.Copy !req
578. All I wanted was for someone
to say that they were sorryCopy !req
579. for what happened to me.Copy !req
580. I'm very sorry, Your Grace.Copy !req
581. Thank you.Copy !req
582. The King's sole heir once again.Copy !req
583. Might we drink to our future?Copy !req
584. Quiet!Copy !req
585. Your Prince will speak!Copy !req
586. Silence!Copy !req
587. Before we begin, Your Grace,Copy !req
588. I have a report I feel
compelled to share.Copy !req
589. Last night...Copy !req
590. Prince Daemon bought out
one of the pleasure housesCopy !req
591. on the Street of Silk...Copy !req
592. to entertain officers
of the City WatchCopy !req
593. and other friends of his.Copy !req
594. King and Council have
long rued my positionCopy !req
595. as next in line for the throne.Copy !req
596. But dream and pray
as they all might,Copy !req
597. it seems I'm not
so easily replaced.Copy !req
598. The gods give just
as the gods take away.Copy !req
599. He toasted Prince Baelon.Copy !req
600. To the King's son.Copy !req
601. Styling him...Copy !req
602. "The Heir for a Day."Copy !req
603. I corroborated this reportCopy !req
604. with three separate witnesses.Copy !req
605. The evening was,
by all accounts a... celebration.Copy !req
606. Prince Daemon: You cut the
image of the conqueror, brother.Copy !req
607. Did you say it?Copy !req
608. I don't know what you mean.Copy !req
609. You will address me
as "Your Grace,"Copy !req
610. or I will have my Kingsguard
cut out your tongue.Copy !req
611. "The Heir for a Day."
Did you say it?Copy !req
612. We must all mourn
in our own way, Your Grace.Copy !req
613. My family has just
been destroyed.Copy !req
614. But instead of being
by my side, or Rhaenyra's,Copy !req
615. you chose to
celebrate your own rise!Copy !req
616. Laughing with your whores
and your lickspittles!Copy !req
617. You have no allies
at court but me!Copy !req
618. I have only ever defended you!Copy !req
619. Yet everything I've given you,
you've thrown back in my face.Copy !req
620. You've only ever
tried to send me away.Copy !req
621. To the Vale, to the City Watch,Copy !req
622. anywhere but by your side.Copy !req
623. Ten years you've been king,Copy !req
624. and yet not once have you
asked me to be your Hand!Copy !req
625. - Why would I do that?
- Because I'm your brother.Copy !req
626. And the blood of the dragon
runs thick.Copy !req
627. Then why do you
cut me so deeply?Copy !req
628. I've only ever spoken the truth.Copy !req
629. I see Otto Hightower
for what he is.Copy !req
630. - An unwavering and loyal Hand?
- A cunt.Copy !req
631. A second son who stands
to inherit nothingCopy !req
632. he doesn't seize for himself.Copy !req
633. Otto Hightower is
a more honorable manCopy !req
634. - than you could ever be.
- He doesn't protect you.Copy !req
635. - I would.
- From what?Copy !req
636. Yourself.Copy !req
637. You're weak... Viserys.Copy !req
638. And that council
of leeches knows it.Copy !req
639. They all prey on you
for their own ends.Copy !req
640. I have decided
to name a new heir.Copy !req
641. - I'm your heir.
- Not anymore.Copy !req
642. You are to return to Runestone
and your lady wife at once,Copy !req
643. and you are to do so
without quarrelCopy !req
644. by order of your King.Copy !req
645. Your Grace.Copy !req
646. Father.Copy !req
647. Balerion was the last living creature to
have seen Old Valyria before the Doom.Copy !req
648. Its greatness and its flaws.Copy !req
649. When you look at the dragons,
what do you see?Copy !req
650. What?Copy !req
651. You haven't spoken
a word to me sinceCopy !req
652. mother's funeral,Copy !req
653. - and now you send
your Kingsguard down— - Answer me.Copy !req
654. It's important.Copy !req
655. What do you see?Copy !req
656. - I suppose I see us.
- Tell me.Copy !req
657. Everyone says Targaryens are closer
to gods than to men,Copy !req
658. but they say that
because of our dragons.Copy !req
659. Without them, we're
just like everyone else.Copy !req
660. The idea that we
control the dragons...Copy !req
661. is an illusion.Copy !req
662. They're a power man should
never have trifled with.Copy !req
663. One that brought
Valyria its doom.Copy !req
664. If we don't mind our own histories,
it will do the same to us.Copy !req
665. Targaryen must understand
this to be King...Copy !req
666. or Queen.Copy !req
667. I'm sorry, Rhaenyra.Copy !req
668. I have wasted the years
since you were born...Copy !req
669. wanting for a son.Copy !req
670. You are the very best
of your mother.Copy !req
671. And I believe it,
I know she did,Copy !req
672. that you could be
a great ruling queen.Copy !req
673. Daemon is your heir.Copy !req
674. King Viserys: Daemon was not
made to wear the crown.Copy !req
675. But I believe that you were.Copy !req
676. Corlys of House Velaryon,Copy !req
677. Lord of the Tides
and Master of Driftmark.Copy !req
678. I, Corlys Velaryon,Copy !req
679. Lord of the Tides
and Master of Driftmark,Copy !req
680. promise to be faithful
to King ViserysCopy !req
681. and his named heir,
the Princess Rhaenyra.Copy !req
682. I pledge fealty to themCopy !req
683. and shall defend them
against all enemiesCopy !req
684. in good faith
and without deceit.Copy !req
685. I swear this by the old gods
and the new.Copy !req
686. King Viserys: This is
no trivial gesture, Rhaenyra.Copy !req
687. A dragon's saddle is one thing,Copy !req
688. but the Iron Throne is the
most dangerous seat in the realm.Copy !req
689. I, Lord Hobert Hightower,Copy !req
690. Beacon of the South,
Defender of the Citadel,Copy !req
691. and Voice of Oldtown,Copy !req
692. promise to be faithful
to King ViserysCopy !req
693. and his named heir,
the Princess Rhaenyra.Copy !req
694. I pledge fealty to themCopy !req
695. and shall defend them
against all enemiesCopy !req
696. in good faith
and without deceit.Copy !req
697. I swear this by the old gods
and the new.Copy !req
698. Give me your hand.Copy !req
699. I, Boremund Baratheon...Copy !req
700. promise to be faithful
to King Viserys...Copy !req
701. King Viserys: There's something else
that I need to tell you.Copy !req
702. It might be difficult
for you to understand,Copy !req
703. but you must hear it.Copy !req
704. Our histories...Copy !req
705. they tell us that
Aegon looked acrossCopy !req
706. the Blackwater
from Dragonstone,Copy !req
707. and saw a rich land
ripe for the capture.Copy !req
708. But ambition alone is not
what drove him to conquest.Copy !req
709. It was a dream.Copy !req
710. And just as Daenys foresaw
the end of Valyria,Copy !req
711. Aegon foresaw the end
of the world of men.Copy !req
712. 'Tis to begin
with a terrible winterCopy !req
713. gusting out
of the distant north.Copy !req
714. I, Rickon Stark,Copy !req
715. Lord of Winterfell...Copy !req
716. King Viserys:
Aegon saw absolute darknessCopy !req
717. riding on those winds.Copy !req
718. And whatever dwells withinCopy !req
719. will destroy the world
of the living.Copy !req
720. When this Great Winter
comes, Rhaenyra...Copy !req
721. all of Westeros must
stand against it.Copy !req
722. And if the world
of men is to survive,Copy !req
723. a Targaryen must be seated
on the Iron Throne.Copy !req
724. A king or queen,Copy !req
725. strong enough
to unite the realmCopy !req
726. against the cold
and the dark.Copy !req
727. Aegon called his dream
"The Song of Ice and Fire."Copy !req
728. This secret...Copy !req
729. it's been passed from king
to heir since Aegon's time.Copy !req
730. Now you must promise
to carry it...Copy !req
731. and protect it.Copy !req
732. Promise me this, Rhaenyra.Copy !req
733. Promise me.Copy !req
734. I, Viserys Targaryen,
first of his name...Copy !req
735. King of the Andals,
and the Rhoynar,Copy !req
736. and the First Men,Copy !req
737. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms,Copy !req
738. and Protector of the Realm,Copy !req
739. do hereby name...Copy !req
740. Rhaenyra TargaryenCopy !req
741. Princess of DragonstoneCopy !req
742. and heir to the Iron Throne.Copy !req