Game of Thrones: The Wrath of the Sleeping Dragon

"Let's talk about this back at the castle."

Viserys looked up at the sky. It was already evening when the Braavos merchant ships docked, and the sky was now completely dark. The soldiers had already raised their torches.

At this moment, Renis hugged Viserys's leg. Perhaps he had been gone for too long this time, and three months was a very long time for a little girl who was only four years old.

So much so that her gaze towards Viserys was somewhat unfamiliar and timid at first, but after watching Viserys talk with the old lord and others, she regained a sense of familiarity and then stepped forward to hug Viserys.

The young king's heart softened slightly. He raised his hand and ruffled Renis's hair before turning back to instruct the servants.

"Sophia, we have important guests arriving today. Prepare a dinner party immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The old maidservant, upon hearing Viserys's instructions, quickly agreed.

Viserys nodded slightly, then his gaze swept over the crowd behind him.

"Ok?"

Then Viserys noticed a young, unfamiliar face at the front of the crowd welcoming him. The man was dressed in a gray maester's robe and wore three heavy metal chains around his neck: iron, bronze, and silver.

Who is this?

Viserys stopped and then asked.

“My name is Gunther, Your Majesty.”

Without hesitation, the young scholar bowed slightly and then began to explain.

"I studied astronomy under Dr. Wilin and also obtained a bachelor's degree in Raven and Medicine."

"The Citadel received the devastating news of Maester Daniel and then sent me to serve Dragonstone."

Chapter 75 The Battle for the Academy City

"what?"

Upon hearing the young scholar's words, Viserys's expression immediately turned strange.

"this…"

Looking back now, it's been more than half a year since Maester Daniel left, and this successor sent by the Citadel took a full six months to arrive at Dragonstone.

Isn't it a little too slow?

Viserys barely suppressed the urge to complain.

The young scholar named Gunther seemed to notice the astonishment on the young king's face and quickly offered an explanation.

In fact, this occurred after news of the old scholar's death on Dragonstone sparked a heated debate within the Citadel, with both sides disagreeing on whether new scholars should be sent to Dragonstone given the current situation.

One side argued that the system should be changed, and that, as an extension of politics, it should follow the will of the Iron Throne and refuse to send new maesters to serve the Targaryen remnants on Dragonstone.

Because the Citadel sent the White Ravens to warn Dragonstone of an impending storm, which indirectly led to the annihilation of the royal fleet, the Iron Throne still harbors considerable resentment towards the Citadel.

On the other hand, some believe that the Citadel should not have any political leanings, and that their main job is to serve the whole of Westeros.

Wearing a maester's collar symbolizes that maesters are servants of all Westeros, and Dragonstone is naturally part of this, so it is only right that a new maester be sent to serve Dragonstone.

During this time, the Citadel was embroiled in heated debates over this matter, which even escalated into arguments. Even Maester Paisell, who was far away in King's Landing, sent a letter to personally inquire about the matter.

Maester Aemon of the Night's Watch learned of this while corresponding with the Citadel, and then sent a letter expressing his opinion.

However, it was clear that Maester Aemon and Maester Paisell were on two different sides.

For these reasons, the Academy City did not immediately send out a new scholar to replace the old one.

Now that the debate has reached its final stage, the 'conservatives' have ultimately gained the upper hand. They stubbornly believe that academics should not have any political leanings and should uphold the fine traditions of the City of Colleges.

So in the end, Maester Gunther, who was a student of a Doctor of Astronomy, was sent to replace the deceased Maester Daniel and become the new servant serving Dragonstone.

"So that's how it is."

Viserys listened to Maester Gunther's explanation and nodded thoughtfully.

He never imagined that the old scholar's death would spark a heated debate among scholars in an old town thousands of miles away.

In fact, he didn't know much about the Academy City itself, only that each discipline within the Academy City had a leading figure of paramount importance who was called a Doctor.

From the few words Maester Gunther had just spoken, he had learned that his teacher, Dr. Verin, who wore a bronze mask, ring, and scepter, was on the side of the 'conservatives'.

Moreover, it seems that his great-uncle, the scholar Imon, was already aware of this matter.

Viserys pursed his lips slightly, then looked out at the distant sea. In truth, if given the chance, he really wanted to ask that wise and respected old man for advice in person.

However, it is believed that the old man is now being tested in Castle Black to uphold his oath, and this is the most difficult moment of his life.

now.

The long city walls and stone steps led straight to Dragonstone Castle in the distance. A group of people escorted Viserys as they walked along them, holding up lit torches high, like a long dragon, the firelight illuminating the road ahead.

Meanwhile, Viserys was chatting with the new maester as they walked, learning all of this from him.

However... it seems that Maester Gunther's dream of serving Dragonstone is likely to be shattered.

night.

The air in late autumn was a bit chilly.

The wolf-skin shawl on the young king's shoulders fluttered slightly, brushing against the boy's cheeks, and his hair was blown into a mess by the wind. Viserys glanced at Maester Gunther and thought to himself.

Who would have thought?

He had barely arrived at Dragonstone Island when he was about to run away with it.

The importance of a scholar to a nobleman is beyond doubt, and Viserys has gone too long without a scholar to consult, so he certainly can't let one that comes knocking on his door.

...

The banquet at Dragonstone Castle was mainly to welcome Prince Oberyn, but it also helped Oberyn and Renis, uncle and niece, to reunite.

The real business was not mentioned at the banquet, as there were too many people and too much talk. Although Dragonstone had undergone a purge, with all the traitors lured out and eliminated during the rebellion, Viserys was still not at ease.

The day after the dinner.

morning.

Inside the top floor drawing room of Dragonstone Castle.

Viserys was dressed in neat clothes with a belt around his waist. On his chest was a black three-headed fire dragon emblem woven from red silk and black thread, with gold thread outlining the edges of the emblem.

He sat at the head of the map table, his back against the spacious stone balcony. The bright sunlight shone into the oppressive castle, elongating the boy's shadow. Half of his handsome profile was illuminated by the sunlight, one elbow resting on the cold armrest, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop.

wow-

Sitting in the lobby, you can clearly hear the waves crashing against the rocks below and feel the salty sea breeze.

To Viserys' left and right sat Ser Geoffrey, commander of the Dragonstone fleet, and to his right sat Oberyn Martell, Prince of Dorne.

Maester Gunther, who had joined Dragonstone only two months after Viserys left, did not attend this Imperial Council meeting.

He was still organizing the materials left behind by the old scholar on Dragonstone Island in the Sea Dragon Tower.

It wasn't that Viserys was overly cautious or distrustful of this newly joined young maester. Rather, it was simply the least that could be done to protect Maester Günther himself and the allies who had drafted this covenant.

"This is where we're going to land."

A map of the free trade city-states was spread out on the table, and Viserys pointed to a location: the Andas Plains.

Viserys then continued to move his finger across the map, stopping at the location west of the Norfos Mountains, where the Upper Lorne River begins.

It has abundant water resources and a highway that leads directly to the Bay of Loras, connecting Braavos and Loras.

Furthermore, it is an important transportation hub as it can be directly connected to Norfos, Cohor, and Valantis by waterway by following the Upper Loen River downstream.

The little king pointed to the spot and then marked a red cross on the map, setting the tone.

"Then a castle was built in this place."

Chapter 76 The King Favored by the Gods

Viserys considered this strategic relocation plan for a long time on the return ship, and finally decided to temporarily set the location at the beginning of the Upper Lorne River.

However, this place is far from the coast of Braavos, and Viserys's fleet cannot play a role on land. He can only rely on his sailors to go ashore to fight, which is tantamount to giving up his own advantage.

Fortunately, according to Viserys's understanding, there are no powerful forces on the Andas Plains.

At most, they were just some bandits and outlaws, and then there were the Andal people who lived on this land.

With several thousand well-equipped Targaryen sailors, Viserys could easily conquer these ragtag bandits and villages, even if they disembarked to fight.

"Of course, we are not going to give up Dragonstone right away."

Viserys continued.

"We can lead the people across the Narrow Sea in batches and steps to build our homeland on the Eastern Continent."

After all, a city cannot be built in a day, and even if Viserys spent lavishly and hired a large number of laborers, it would not be so easy.

Therefore, this is a massive project that will last for many years, and the fact that Baratheon has no navy to attack Dragonstone now presents them with the best opportunity to get through this difficult period.

When Baratheon has amassed enough power to attack Dragonstone once more, he will find that the island has already been emptied by Viserys.

but.

Viserys only proposed a plan; it doesn't mean he's acting unilaterally. The matter still needs to be discussed by the Council of Kings to determine the optimal outcome.

"Do you two have any suggestions for the next steps?"

Viserys's gaze swept over Prince Oberon, who was sitting casually in his chair, and the old knight to his left, who was deep in thought with a serious expression.

"Feel free to speak your mind."

Viserys is a good listener and will not be, nor is he capable of, being a dictator.

Although the young king remained on the throne, the real power of the Dragonstone navy was still in the hands of Commander-in-Chief Ser Geoffrey, a fact Viserys never forgot and constantly reminded himself to keep a clear head.

of course.

This does not mean that Viserys was worried that the old man would rebel. In fact, among the people he trusted most, besides the Red Keep coach, was Sir Jeffrey.

Without these two people, he might have died long ago.

However, although the current commander of the Dragonstone fleet is wholeheartedly assisting the young king, this does not mean that the old knight will always yield to Viserys in everything.