Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 168 Dragon and Wolf - Musical Resonance

That night, the victor and the vanquished came together to the castle’s enormous Hall of a Hundred Furnaces for a celebratory feast.

The Hall of a Hundred Furnaces actually contained only about thirty to forty furnaces, but it was large enough to accommodate an entire army. The floor was paved with smooth stone slabs, and there were staircases leading to two corridors above.

The banquet, which should have been joyous, was shrouded in an indescribable oppression. The appearance of King Aerys Targaryen II acted like an invisible shackle, imprisoning everyone's laughter.

The air was filled with the smoky aroma of roasting meat and the sweet scent of mead. Roast goose, honey-glazed ham, and steaming meat pies were piled on the long table. The fireplace crackled, but it couldn't dispel the chill emanating from King Iris's impatient, sweeping golden eyes. His thin fingers traced the rim of his cup, as if he might be startled at the slightest sound.

Rhaegar's harp suddenly pierced the silence. He walked to the center of the hall, harp in hand, his silver hair gleaming softly in the firelight. As the first note fell, the hall gradually quieted—the music was like a spring stream melting from the ice, clear yet brimming with an indescribable sorrow. He was not playing a courtly hymn praising the Seven Gods or the Glorious Dynasty, but an ancient Dornish folk song, telling the tale of a knight's hopeless love for a sea nymph in the legend of Starfall.

Lyanna Stark sat among the sons of the North. As Rhaegar's music deepened, the stubbornness in her grey eyes gradually melted, replaced by a glimmer of tears. The strings plucked not only the melody, but also the untamed wildness and sorrow deep within her. She thought of her impending marriage to Robert, a future that seemed preordained; or perhaps the music awakened in her a longing for freedom and genuine emotion.

Benjen Stark noticed his sister's unusual behavior. The young boy couldn't yet decipher the complex emotions in the music, only feeling that Lyanna's tears for the music of the "enemy" were beneath Stark's dignity. He leaned closer, teasing her with the impetuousness typical of youth: "Has the she-wolf of the North been tamed by the Dragon King's music?" This was a common joke between siblings, but at that moment it became the spark that ignited the fuse.

Lyanna whirled around, her tears instantly evaporated by rage. Without hesitation, she grabbed the golden glass in front of her and splashed the deep red wine onto Bunyan's face. The liquid dripped down his chin, staining his clothes. "Shut up, Bunyan!" her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear and piercing. "You know absolutely nothing!"

After a moment of deathly silence, suppressed gasps rose from the nearby seats. All eyes were focused on this: the internal strife of the Stark family was unfolding right before the king's eyes.

A twisted smile appeared on King Iris's lips; he seemed to be enjoying the sudden chaos.

Réga's music quietly ceased. He looked at Lyanna, his eyes showing no surprise, only a deep resonance and understanding. He nodded slightly, as if thanking her for understanding the unspoken story within the music. Lyanna, after her anger subsided, met his gaze and suddenly understood why he had chosen that piece—they were both bound by the shackles of fate, and both yearned to break free.

Lyanna's actions were seen as a kind of ambiguous attitude towards the Targaryen family, while Rhaegar's music and gaze became the starting point for countless speculations that followed.

That night, in the flickering firelight of the Hundred Furnaces Hall, two hearts unwilling to be bound by fate resonated silently for the first time through the sound of the zither and tears.

The figures surrounding King Iris II, now that the initial shock had subsided, became particularly noticeable.

The bald, voluptuous eunuch, "The Spider" Varys, was whispering something to the king. Standing beside him were the solemn Chancellor of the Exchequer Colton Chester, the serious-looking Minister of Justice Simon Staunton, and the newly appointed Hand of the King, Earl Marie Weiss.

With the exception of Grand Secretary Paisell, who had been feigning illness and old age, almost all the members of the royal council were present, indicating that the king had made ample "preparations" for this trip.

Brandon Stark scoffed, his gaze sweeping over Varys like an icy blade: "Hmph, it's that wretched eunuch, always weaving lies in the shadows and offering slanderous advice to the king."

Eddard Stark responded in a low voice, his eyes filled with worry: "Perhaps the King's sudden visit to Harrenhal was their idea."

However, the deepest hostility in Jon Arryn's gaze wasn't directed at Varys or the ministers, but rather fixed on a man in a smoky grey robe with brown curly hair—Westdon Rossart, the pyromancer. Even more despicable was Aerys's favor towards this man who wielded wildfire, bestowing upon him not only an honorary noble title but also a place in the King's Council. The necklace around Rossart's neck, inlaid with strange runes, gleamed ominously in the sunlight.

Robert Baratheon could hardly take his eyes off the king; the image of his parents' tragic deaths was etched into his soul like a brand.

His father, Stephen Baratheon, and mother, Cassandra Ismun, were sent by Aerys to Volantis to find a noble bride for Prince Rhaegar, but on their return journey, they perished at the bottom of the sea in Shipwreck Bay. The deaths of his parents were all due to a ridiculous idea of ​​the Mad King.

This tragedy forced Robert, who was enjoying himself in the Vale, to become the Duke of Storm's End overnight, bidding farewell to his carefree life.

He had never forgotten that the Targaryens had indirectly caused the deaths of his parents. At this moment, his eyes burned not only with the flames of hatred, but also with a surge of intense resentment and jealousy towards Rhaegar Targaryen.

Robert completely disapproved of Rhaegar's refined and elegant demeanor. In his view, a real man should drink heartily, eat heartily, be bold, unrestrained, and straightforward. Rhaegar's behavior seemed affected to him. "A grown man, especially a prince, spending all day playing that harp like an actor—" Robert muttered enviously, watching Rhae steal the show and attract the admiring glances of all the ladies, "Just like a woman!"

Euron, who was standing nearby, keenly sensed Robert's thoughts and couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

Robert, you really don't understand. Women are drawn to Rhaegar's looks and charisma. Haven't you noticed how even your own fiancée—the Stark who should have been yours—is gazing at him with such infatuation?

Actually, she can't be blamed for this. Rhaegar was exceptionally skilled in combat, handsome, of extremely noble status, highly accomplished in the arts, and gentle, considerate, and approachable. Such a person, no matter where he was placed, was destined to be the center of attention.