Chapter 27

In recent years, there have rarely been meetings as important as this one. No one has dared to challenge them in the past centuries, and the only concerns the 40 Families of the Blood of the Dragon had to worry about were internal disputes between families and internal affairs within the dominion of the Valyrians.

The reason why the Lords Freeholder once again met in the Palace of the Freeholders was because of the second reason. 

Aelor Baelaeron had just been playing with his little one, Adema, when he received the message that a meeting had been called by Lord Freeholder Gaegon Chaeryon.

Any Freeholder has the right to call a meeting, something that only happens in important and urgent situations. Therefore, every Lord Freeholder would drop everything to attend the meeting, especially when decisions could be made without their input if they were absent.

Once everyone was seated, Gaegon Chaeryon began to speak, "There has been a conflict in Lys that has escalated dramatically."

There were murmurs and small eruptions from the Lords Freeholder as they heard the news. A rebellious daughter was never a good sign and caused more headaches than necessary.

Gaegon raised his hand to silence the room. "This conflict has reached a point where intervention from the Council is necessary," he continued. "House Vhassyl and House Sathmantes are at the center of this turmoil, and the violence has disrupted the peace we have maintained for centuries."

"What happened?" Lord Freeholder Daenyra Targaryen asked the question that everyone else wanted to ask as well.

"It's all a bit complicated, which is why I've asked Fleet Admiral Ayrmidon to share his knowledge with us and provide some clarity." As he finished, two veiled women entered the room and placed a large glass candle on the polished, round table.

The Lords Freeholder watched in silence as the women lit the candle. It was not done with friction or other primitive techniques, but with magic that the candle was ignited.

The flame within grew brighter and steadier, until moments later the air above the candle shimmered, and an image began to form. Fleet Admiral Ayrmidon's face appeared.

"Lords Freeholder," Ayrmidon greeted. "I bring you an account of the events that have transpired in Lys. What started as a personal vendetta has escalated into a full-blown conflict between two of the most influential houses in Lys, House Vhassyl and House Sathmantes."

"And what started this?" Lord Freeholder Jaehaegon Zyraelor asked, obviously having the most interest in the happenings in Lys.

"The conflict began with the murder of Selene Vhassyl, the daughter of Magister Parquello Vhassyl, by Narbo Sathmantes, the second son of First Magister Azzak Bessaro Sathmantes," Ayrmidon answered easily.

"This cannot be," Jaehaegon Zyraelor argued. "They must have been slandered."

"Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment, Lord Zyraelor," Lord Freeholder Balexes Thalyn said coldly.

"Rich coming from you," Jaehaegon Zyraelor countered. "I distinctly remember what happened to your sister all those years ago. I doubt you had those words in your vocabulary back then."

Everyone present could see Balexes Thalyn was on the verge of exploding, something no one needed, before he hid his emotions behind an icy mask. "Be careful with your words, Zyraelor. Once they are spoken, they can only be forgiven, not forgotten."

Before Jaehaegon Zyraelor could open his mouth again, Aelor Baelaeron interrupted, "Now, if you are done with your pissing contest, we might be able to get back to why we are here in the first place."

Jaehaegon Zyraelor and Balexes Thalyn immediately fell silent. Aelor Baelaeron was usually quiet, but when he spoke, one should listen. Not only because of his consistently wise advice but also because of who he was.

He was not only a Lord Freeholder and the head of the Ancient House Baelaeron but also one of the most feared warriors of Valyria in his prime. Those days were long behind him, but many remembered all the bodies he had buried under him.

It was a wonder to all that a woman of all things had managed to tame him.

"Please, Fleet Admiral, continue," Aelor said, seeing that both men remained silent.

"The situation quickly escalated," Ayrmidon continued. "Magister Parquello retaliated, leading to widespread chaos and destruction in Lys. In the end, Magister Parquello died in the villa of the First Magister while attacking it, backstabbed by his own slave."

"I take it the slave was dealt with accordingly?" Lord Freeholder Zyra Aggaeron asked.

"He was already dead by the time Commodore Urleys arrived, killed by First Magister Azzak," Ayrmidon assured.

"Good."

"There was a small slave revolt as the city was in total chaos," Ayrmidon continued. "With my fleet and army present, it was quickly suppressed. And due to its island location, no slave was able to escape Lys."

"What have your investigations revealed? Was House Sathmantes responsible for the death of Selene Vhassyl?" Aelor asked.

"We don't know for certain. There were enough indications pointing towards them, but nothing sufficient to say with absolute certainty," Ayrmidon replied.

Lord Freeholder Gaegon Chaeryon leaned forward, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "We need more than indications. We need solid evidence before we can take any action against House Sathmantes."

Jaehaegon Zyraelor, still visibly angry from his earlier exchange with Balexes Thalyn, spoke up. "Then what do you propose we do? Sit and wait?"

Aelor Baelaeron turned his gaze towards Ayrmidon. "Fleet Admiral, continue your investigation. Gather more evidence. We need to know without a doubt who was responsible for the death of Selene Vhassyl to deal with this accordingly"

His gaze then went to Jaehaegon Zyraelor. "In the meantime, Lys should elect a new First Magister to have the governing body up and running before the chaos spreads even further. Also, Admiral Ayrmidon should send two to three battalions to serve as city guards while the new First Magister takes care of recruiting new slave soldiers."

"Is this in the interest of the rest of the Lords of this Council as well?" Aelor Baelaeron asked.

The Lords Freeholder murmured their agreements.

Admiral Ayrmidon, standing at attention, spoke up once more. "I will do as commanded."

As he finished his sentence, the flames flickered one last time before the glass candle extinguished.

Aelor Baelaeron was deep in thought as he left the room together with the other Lords Freeholder. He found it unlikely that it was a coincidence that Lys had been plunged into such chaos so shortly after his eldest and only son flew there.

Lys, in all its history, had never been in such turmoil, and if there was one thing he knew, it was that his son was a magnet for chaos, or often the source of it.

He sighed as he reached the carriage and his escort of 40 Harkonnen soldiers. The carriage was finely crafted from dark wood with intricate silver inlays and plush, velvet interiors. Its wheels were reinforced with steel, designed to endure both the smooth roads of Valyria and the rougher paths beyond, not that anyone ever went there by carriage, but it was a given to have the best of the best.

Many other Lords Freeholder often arrived at these meetings by dragon, but because his estate was relatively close, Aelor usually preferred to travel by carriage. Additionally, his wife detested the stench that clung to him after riding a dragon, which was likely another reason for his choice. He chuckled slightly at that.

It didn't take long before he arrived at the estate of House Baelaeron. His children were already fast asleep, and only his wife was still awake.

"Everything well, my love?" Lysara asked him as he entered their bedchamber.

"Well enough," Aelor replied, sighing as he removed his cloak and hung it on a nearby hook. "House Vhassyl and House Sathmantes had a big conflict and turned Lys into a warzone."

"Lys, you say? What happened?" she asked as she put aside her book and made room for him in their bed.

"Yes. The daughter of Magister Parquello Vhassyl was murdered by Narbo Sathmantes, apparently," he answered as he joined his wife under the blanket. She scooted closer and laid her head on his chest as he settled down.

"Do you think the same thing I think?" she asked.

"Yes, but let's forget it for the moment. We will see what will follow."

With that, they allowed themselves to drift into a peaceful sleep

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello there.

So, yeah, new chapter and all that. Also, feel free to give me suggestions on what you want to see. I can't promise that I will honor these wishes because they either don't fit what I envision for this fanfic or I don't see them happening, but I just go with the flow either way, so feel free.