Chapter 308: The Dangers of the Citadel

A heavy silence filled the room as Viserys' words hung in the air. Rhaegar looked at his father in surprise, not expecting him to be so direct.

Across the room, Daemon's cold, deep eyes met his. Though Daemon remained still, a flash of surprise crossed his features. He knew his brother well.

Viserys, the good-natured man who avoided conflict and distanced himself from dragons, was now talking about taming one himself.

Daemon, never one to hide his feelings, smirked. "I never thought I'd hear you talk about wanting a dragon, brother."

"That's not the point, Daemon," Viserys replied, shaking his head. "The family is growing stronger by the day. Every child will have a dragon, and it's time an elder managed them."

The sincerity in Viserys's voice was evident as he met Daemon's gaze. His usual carefree demeanor masked a sharp mind. When necessary, he showed his ambition.

The Sea Snake of Driftmark Island had built a formidable legacy over the years. With Daemon's alliance with the Sea Snake, they commanded four dragons: Vhagar, Caraxes, Meleys, and Sea Smoke. Once Laena's twins matured and the child in her womb was born, three more dragons would be added to their ranks.

Viserys's children, Rhaegar and Rhaenyra, held Dragonstone Island and Harrenhal, respectively, and rode Cannibal and Syrax. Viserys himself could tame Vermithor, Silverwing, Sheepstealer, Grey Ghost or Stormcloud.

While their strength seemed unrivaled now, Viserys was aware of potential future conflicts. He and Alicent had three sons and a daughter, three of whom were dragon riders, with one on the verge of taming another.

Though the children currently obeyed their eldest half-brother, Rhaegar, peace was tenuous. In a few years, as they all matured into true dragon riders, tensions could escalate.

Viserys foresaw the possibility of a three-way conflict among Rhaegar, his second son Aegon, and Daemon. To prevent this, he aimed to tame another dragon while he was still in good health. His goal was to strengthen his position and support Rhaegar in maintaining family unity.

Seeing the determination in Viserys's eyes, Daemon narrowed his gaze, deep in thought. He realized his brother had sensed his own ambitions.

After a moment, Daemon exhaled deeply, his lips curving into a smile as he resumed his usual nonchalant demeanor. "I agree. The king deserves to have a dragon."

With Daemon's support, others were compelled to take a stance. "I also agree. Father is looking out for more than just himself; he's looking out for the family," Rhaegar said, raising his right hand in full support. He recognized that his father's proposal would help maintain control over Daemon and Aegon, ensuring a smoother path for their future.

With two votes of confidence, Viserys smiled, looking expectantly at Lyonel and the other advisors.

Lyonel furrowed his brows, his expression serious as he considered the implications.

Otto's eyes were sharp, constantly gauging the expressions of those present. Grand Maester Mellos fidgeted with his hands hidden in his sleeves, his wrinkled face radiating disapproval.

"Well, say something," Viserys demanded, growing jittery at their hesitation.

Lyonel finally spoke up, "Your Grace, you are the king of a realm, and we have just been harassed by a wild dragon. You must understand the dangers involved."

Grand Maester Mellos followed with a stern rebuke, "Your Grace, your body is bruised and battered. Riding a dragon will only exacerbate your condition."

Otto was the last to speak, murmuring, "I agree with the two lords. Taming a dragon is no trivial matter."

Though Otto's motives were different—he didn't want the king to control the dragons and potentially limit the influence of his grandchildren—he chose his words carefully to avoid appearing selfish.

Viserys, facing unanimous opposition from his advisers, was furious. "I am the king! I tamed Balerion!"

Grand Maester Mellos, unphased, retorted, "That black dragon was dying, and you only rode it once."

An intense argument broke out. Viserys was determined to tame another dragon and fulfill his vision of soaring through the skies. Rhaegar supported his father, recognizing the potential benefits for the family. Daemon, ever the observer, chimed in occasionally, enjoying the unfolding drama.

Lyonel, Mellos, and Otto remained steadfast in their opposition, particularly Mellos, who argued vehemently about the dangers and the king's fragile health.

Half an hour passed.

"Ahem..." Viserys, his face reddened from the argument, was seized by a violent cough.

"Your physical condition is clear to yourself," Mellos reprimanded, his tone unyielding. "Venturing to tame a dragon will only harm you further."

Viserys, unable to stop coughing, pointed a trembling finger at Mellos, furious and frustrated.

Lyonel and Otto backed down, unwilling to provoke the king further. Mellos, however, continued, "Taming dragons is for the young. You are over forty..."

"Shut up!" Rhaegar's face darkened, his eyes glinting with anger.

The decision to tame a dragon was his father's alone. His role was to advise, not to dictate.

Mellos, momentarily taken aback, replied, "Prince, I am the Grand Maester, the best advisor in knowledge and wisdom."

"If you are truly wise, then heal my father's wounds first," Rhaegar retorted, his tone harsh.

Mellos, clearly flustered, stammered, "It's not my fault. It's the condition of the realm..."

"Oh, I suggest you shut up," Daemon interjected, his eyes glinting with amusement as if he were watching a prey.

"Father!" Rhaegar, supporting his father, who was still bent over coughing, shot a glance at Daemon.

The exchange seemed to embolden Mellos. Ignoring Otto's warning glance, he continued, "The king's physique is special. It's not that I..."

As soon as Mellos spoke, Rhaegar moved swiftly, not giving him a chance to finish.

Swish--

A dark light flashed as Blackfyre, the ancestral sword, unsheathed.

Before Mellos could react, Blackfyre's blade arced through the air, brushing past his ear.

Splat!

Mellos felt a cold sting and watched in horror as a bloodstained ear fell to the ground.

A brief silence ensued.

"Ah! My ear!"

Sharp pain hit him, and Mellos screamed, clutching the side of his head. He fell to the ground, writhing in agony, his head striking the floor repeatedly as cold sweat soaked his robes.

Daemon watched with interest, nudging the severed ear with his foot and snickering, "Told you to shut up."

The ear twitched in front of Mellos's eyes, as if still alive. He glared at Rhaegar in disbelief.

Rhaegar remained calm, planting Blackfyre's tip on the ground. "Do not impose your incompetence on the patient. You have failed in your duties."

Rhaegar had long suspected Mellos of ulterior motives but lacked evidence. Mellos's vehement opposition to taming the dragon seemed excessive, almost treasonous.

The scene had unfolded too quickly for anyone to fully grasp.

Lyonel, shaken by Mellos's plight, protested, "Prince, he is a royal adviser! You cannot dispose of him so casually!"

Rhaegar returned his cold stare, then looked to his father, who had stopped coughing.

Viserys, gasping for breath, gripped his eldest son's arm tightly. He hadn't expected such decisive action from Rhaegar.

"Your Grace, Mellos is both a Grand Maester and a Royal Advisor. He should not be treated this way," Lyonel appealed to the king's sense of justice.

"As Hand of the King, I cannot condone cruelty from the Heir."

"Lord Lyonel, there is more to this than meets the eye," Rhaegar interrupted. "Mellos failed to treat my father on purpose."

Lyonel was stunned, trying to process this accusation.

Rhaegar raised Blackfyre, its tip pointing at the fallen Mellos. "In his time at court, Mellos has provided only a handful of remedies for my father, none of which alleviated his suffering."

"That's not enough evidence," Otto interjected, his eyes deep and calculating.

Rhaegar's tone was icy. "Lord Jasper is incompetent and has wasted my father's time and energy."

By the time the spies discovered anything, Mellos would have been absolved of his sins.

Viserys, sensing the gravity of the situation, forced himself to speak, "Rhaegar, what do you propose?"

"Father, Mellos should be placed under house arrest and a new Maester summoned," Rhaegar replied firmly.

Viserys glanced at Lyonel and Otto before nodding. "Alright, let's do that."

He disengaged from Rhaegar's support and began ascending the stairs, not sparing Mellos a glance.

After the argument, even the good-tempered man was full of anger.

It was better for his eldest son to cut off the other man's ear than for him to cut out the man's tongue.

His previously good opinion of Mellos had soured, and he felt a sense of relief at his eldest son's decisive action.

Once Viserys left, Daemon followed, leaving Rhaegar and the three royal advisers in the hall.

"Lord Lyonel, I hope you understand," Rhaegar said, attempting to ease the tension. "With Mellos under house arrest, Maester Orwyle will temporarily take over my father's treatment."

"Orwyle?" Lyonel asked, recalling the honest and serious assistant Maester.

Rhaegar nodded. "Orwyle comes from a noble family and has the ability to discern right from wrong. He will be tested first."

Rhaegar's words implied that the Citadel's influence over Maesters was problematic and needed scrutiny.

"I'm going to see my father. Mellos is in your custody," Rhaegar said flatly, wiping Blackfyre's bloodstained blade on Mellos's robes.

Blackfyre symbolized kingship—kingship could be stained with blood, but never tainted.

(Word count: 1,539)