Chapter 75: The Struggle in the Citadel

"What?"

Upon hearing the words of the young maester, Viserys' expression turned peculiar.

"This..."

Now that he thought about it, Maester Deniel had been gone for over half a year, and this successor sent by the Citadel had taken a full half year to reach Dragonstone.

Wasn't that a bit too slow?

Viserys suppressed the urge to make a sarcastic remark.

The young maester named Gunthor seemed to notice the surprise written on the little king's face and hastily began to explain.

In fact, after receiving the news of the old maester's death on Dragonstone, a fierce debate had broken out within the Citadel. The two sides could not agree on whether or not a new maester should be sent to Dragonstone under the current circumstances.

One side believed that the system should be changed. As an extension of politics, they should follow the Iron Throne's will and refuse to send new maesters to serve the remnants of House Targaryen on Dragonstone.

Since the Citadel had previously sent a white raven to warn Dragonstone of the impending storm, which ultimately led to the destruction of the royal fleet, the Iron Throne remained deeply displeased with the Citadel.

The other side argued that the Citadel should have no political inclinations, and their primary job was to serve all of Westeros.

Wearing a maester's chain symbolized that the maester was a servant of all Westeros, and Dragonstone was part of that domain. Therefore, a new maester should be sent to serve Dragonstone.

During this time, the Citadel was embroiled in heated debates and even arguments over the matter. Even Grand Maester Pycelle, who was in King's Landing, sent a letter to personally inquire about the situation.

Maester Aemon of the Night's Watch also learned of the news through correspondence with the Citadel and sent a letter expressing his opinion.

However, it was clear that Maester Aemon and Grand Maester Pycelle stood on two different sides.

Due to these reasons, the Citadel did not immediately send a new maester to replace the old one.

The dispute had finally reached its conclusion, with the "conservative" faction gaining the upper hand. They stubbornly believed that maesters should not have any political inclinations and should uphold the Citadel's fine traditions.

Thus, in the end, they sent Maester Gunthor, a student of an astronomy Grand Maester, to succeed the late Maester Deniel and serve as the new servant of Dragonstone.

"So that's what happened."

As Viserys listened to Maester Gunthor's explanation, he nodded thoughtfully.

He had not expected the old maester's death to spark a war of words among maesters in Oldtown, thousands of miles away.

In truth, he knew little about the Citadel itself, only that each discipline within the Citadel was led by a renowned figure known as a Grand Maester.

From Gunthor's words, Viserys could infer that his teacher, the Archmaester Varylin, who wore a bronze mask, ring, and held a scepter, was on the side of the "conservatives."

And it seemed that his great-uncle, Maester Aemon, was also aware of the matter.

Viserys pursed his lips slightly, then looked out at the distant sea. If given the chance, he would truly like to consult face-to-face with that wise and respected old man.

However, he believed that the old man was currently being tested for his loyalty to his vows in Castle Black, enduring the most difficult moments of his life.

At this moment.

The long wall and stone steps led straight to Dragonstone. A group of people surrounded Viserys as they walked, holding high their lit torches, resembling a long dragon. The firelight illuminated the path ahead.

Viserys continued to chat with the new maester as they walked, learning all of this from Gunthor's words.

However, it seemed that Maester Gunthor's dream of serving Dragonstone might soon be shattered.

At night.

The air of late autumn carried a distinct chill.

The fur of the wolf pelt draped over the young king's shoulders fluttered slightly, brushing the boy's cheek. Viserys glanced at Maester Gunthor, whose hair was also disheveled by the wind.

Who could have imagined?

Upon his arrival at Dragonstone, he would be swept away by his own plans.

The importance of a maester to a noble was unquestionable, and Viserys had gone too long without one to consult. Now that one had arrived, he couldn't let him slip away.

...

The feast at Dragonstone was held primarily to welcome Prince Oberyn's arrival, but it also helped introduce Oberyn and Rhaenys, an uncle and niece pair.

The real business, however, wasn't discussed at the feast. After all, too many people meant too much gossip. Even though the traitors within Dragonstone had been rooted out and eliminated during a recent rebellion, Viserys still didn't feel secure.

The day after the feast.

Morning.

In the top-floor map room of Dragonstone.

Viserys, dressed neatly with his belt fastened, bore a black, three-headed dragon emblem on his chest, woven from red and black threads, its edges outlined in gold.

He sat at the head of the map table, his back against a spacious stone balcony. Brilliant sunlight streamed in, casting the boy's shadow across the oppressive castle interior. Half of his handsome face was illuminated by the sun. His elbow rested on a cold armrest, and his fingers tapped lightly on the table.

Splish-splash—

Seated in the map room, one could clearly hear the waves crashing against the rocks below, and feel the salty, slightly bitter sea breeze.

On either side of Viserys sat Sir Joffrey, commander of Dragonstone's fleet, and on his right, Dornish Prince 'Red Viper' Oberyn.

Maester Gunthor, who had joined Dragonstone only two months after Viserys' departure, was not present at this royal council meeting.

He was still sorting through the documents left behind by the former maester in the Sea Dragon Tower.

It wasn't that Viserys was overly cautious or distrusting of the young, newly-joined maester. Rather, it was the least he could do to protect Gunthor and the allies who had forged this pact.

"Our landing point will be here."

A map of the Free Cities was spread out on the table, and Viserys' finger pointed to a location – the Andal plains.

His finger then traced across the map, stopping west of the Norvos Mountains, at the source of the Upper Rhoyne River.

This area boasted ample water resources and a major road leading directly to Lys and Braavos.

Furthermore, traveling downstream on the Upper Rhoyne connected directly to Norvos, Qohor, and Volantis by water, making it an important transportation hub.

The young king marked the spot on the map with a red X, setting the foundation.

"Next, we'll build a castle at this location."