56 -Chapter 51-
-3rd day of the 1st moon of the Year 299 AC-
-POV Viserys-
Seeing the capital again was strange, I couldn't put my finger on what felt strange but I did not feel in my place especially knowing that I could never become King because my place was currently occupied by my nephew who was no longer the legitimate king but the king by right of conquest.
As soon as I arrived in the city, we dropped the disguise I had used to come to the capital and then I could finally proudly wear the crest of my House in broad daylight, the illustrious house of the Dragon, the only Valyrian house still possessing the potential to create dragonlords.
And powerful mages if the rumors about my dear nephew are to be believed.
While I was still lost in my thoughts, a procession blocked our way halfway down the road leading to the Red Keep, a knight in dark armor with a red three-headed dragon sculpted on the breastplate draped in a white cloak stepped forward and then placed a knee to the ground and shouted:
"HAIL PRINCE VISERYS OF HOUSE TARGARYEN, HEIR TO THE IRON THRONE"
'Although I always had good hope of remaining the Heir Prince to the iron throne I must admit to having been surprised that he kept his word despite the fact that his elder brother came back from the dead'
A few moments after the knight in dark armor knelt, all the other soldiers accompanying him all put one foot to the ground and shouted:
"HAIL PRINCE VISERYS OF HOUSE TARGARYEN, HEIR TO THE IRON THRONE"
A small smile began to form and I straightened my back appreciating the shock and the admiration as well as the envy that I saw in the eyes of the commoners.
I greeted the crowd and continued on my way.
'Hmm maybe I made the right choice after all' I thought while waving my hand to greet the crowd maintaining a dignified and slightly condescending expression.
-3rd POV-
-Royal Council-
The Royal Council met as every day since the ceremony of Aegon's Second Conquest to discuss the problems facing the kingdom and find a way to remedy this.
"How are we going to solve the problem of the prisoners your majesty? I noticed that you no longer have space in the dungeons and we cannot waste money unnecessarily on these traitors" said the new master of coin Tywin Lannister.
"Yes but we cannot kill them without a decent trial it's a principle that must be unknown to you in Dorne we call it justice" said my new master of laws
Oberyn Martell representing his brother in the Capital.
The aggressive tone used by Oberyn Martell showed the extent of the hatred he harbored deep inside him towards Tywin Lannister as well as a remarkable self-control.
"They will not be judged, they are traitors the only thing waiting for them is either death or the wall" said Tywin Lannister ignoring Oberyn Martell's tone and responding to the council's concerns in a predictable way, coldly and without any humanity.
-POV MC-
"It will be the wall then, the night's watch has just sent us a second raven" said Tyrion trying to find common ground between the two men so that it doesn't escalate even though I really wonder what he is afraid of because with me nothing could happen to either one of them.
"What do these renegades want" I asked shifting the subject of the conversation so that the tension between the two men would slowly subside, surely suspecting that the Night's Watch's request had to do with the shortage of men and food that was hitting them.
"Aid and to live mainly" said Tyrion.
I narrowed my eyes looking at the wall lost in my thoughts about the advantages and disadvantages of this and then I said:
"Agreed for the Wall, all nobles will be sent to the wall as new recruits however the rest of the prisoners will have to remain working in prisoner camps to try and repair the damage they caused to the kingdoms"
"Prisoner...camps?" said Tywin skeptical of the unfamiliar concept.
"Camps where they will work hard and for free to redeem their past mistakes" I said to make it clearer.
"They didn't really have a choice they couldn't betray their liege lord" said Oberyn Martell trying to lighten the sentence of all the commoners who had made the wrong choice by taking up arms against me.
"They had a choice and they chose to conspire against me sparing them would send the wrong message to the people the message that only nobles are responsible and that they can betray the crown with impunity" I said in a decisive tone.
"They might rebel, there could even be riots" said Oberyn trying to pressure me with an illusory threat that really didn't scare me.
"We defeated them once we can do it again at any moment, as soon as someone does not listen to the orders I give kill them immediately and place their head on a pike for all to see until they understand who truly commands"
"That's unnecessarily cruel" said Oberyn unhappy that I did not heed his recommendations.
"Unfortunately for you I am unnecessarily cruel so do as I say or go home if you are not happy I did without you to take back my kingdom I don't need you to keep it" I said looking at him coldly.
I didn't want to see Oberyn at this table but for the stability and balance of my kingdom maintained by a very fragile peace I had to make some concessions.
Even though I really adored him as a character from the series and the books, he strained me because I knew he didn't like me and he was here only to show the 'power' of Dorne and to support the now Prince Aegon of Summerhall.
"And what will their tasks be?" asked Tyrion still immersed in his role as mediator.
I turned my attention to him and said in a calmer tone: "The dirty jobs such as shoveling the shit from the streets of the capital, working in construction and moving heavy loads, if there are blacksmiths tanners or anyone else who knows how to do something useful other than kill, he may practice his trade in service of the common good for the next decade"
"For an entire decade?" said Tyrion surprised by the duration.
"Maybe not as much but until the economy of the kingdom and especially the royal coffers remain stable I will not do without such cheap labor" I said closing the discussion and rendering my decision.
"They won't let themselves be chained for eternity once they all get tired 30,000 prisoners will rebel in the capital it will be a real bloodbath" said Tyrion skeptical of my decision.
"Then disunite them" I said.
"Easier said than done" said Oberyn.
"No actually it's an excellent idea" said Tywin breaking the silence.
"What is needed as his majesty pointed out a reason that pushes them to tear each other apart we could give advantages to the best workers and even release them to dangle an exit"
I nodded and said:
"Master of laws I count on you to set up a point system, each day the 1,000 people who will have worked the hardest according to different criteria that you will set and submit for the council's validation will be rewarded with 3 meals a day with a meat meal the following day, the 100 most competent workers of the month will be allowed to receive a visit from a prostitute and the 10 workers of the year will receive a barrel of Dornish wine and a one-year sentence reduction"
"In short the stick and carrot tactic, that's rather sneaky" said Bronn my new master assassin it was then him that everyone stared at
I smiled and said in a slightly mocking tone to my long-time accomplice now:
"Sneaky huh that's a rather complicated word for a mercenary"
"Well, I've been rubbing shoulders with distinguished people these days" he replied with a big smile.
His purse was getting heavier as time went on especially since he had become my designated hitman and I imagine he loved that.
I smiled but before I could say anything Jaime entered and bowed before saying:
"Your Majesty Sandor is back and he brings with him the Heir Prince"
I paid attention to everyone's reaction and to my great surprise Tywin Lannister was not aware of Viserys' arrival.
I had confided this secret to Jaime a few days ago to test his loyalty, I still did not trust him but it was refreshing to know that everything I told him would not be repeated to his father as soon as he had the chance
