Chapter 12 A Song of Ice and Fire

Alec, eager to save his brother, did not keep the king waiting.

In just ten minutes, a large group of people was brought to the main tent.

Viserys spoke to calm the restless maesters and healers, ordering them to examine Baelon.

A thorough examination from head to toe, leaving no stone unturned.

The maesters familiar with Baelon were accustomed to this.

Occasionally, some of them assisted the Grand Maester in examining the frail prince.

After preparing the equipment to be used, the apprentices took the lead and began to act.

The inspection process was simple and crude.

First, they bled him and observed the color and viscosity of the blood.

They even applied a leech to test the blood and see if it contained toxins.

The rest involved various crude methods.

Massaging the entire body with large hands, observing the skin, teeth, hair roots...

Things that wouldn't occur to you, but this group of medical students couldn't avoid.

Furthermore, a skinny elder proposed stripping Baelon of his pants and opening his buttocks to check his anus.

As a father, Viserys also accepted this behavior.

Baelon was horrified and regretted his rash decision to let them examine his body.

Fortunately, under Baelon's strong resistance.

Eric took action.

He punched the skinny elder in the nose and pleaded with the king not to allow anyone to humiliate the prince.

"Even if they hang me, the prince shouldn't be humiliated!"

Baelon nearly wet himself with fear, hiding behind Ilic and trembling.

Viserys did not reprimand Ilic for making arbitrary decisions, but he dismissed some incompetent healers.

Some decent apprentices were left alone to report on Baelon's physical condition.

A royal apprentice was the first to speak, with evident surprise: "Your Majesty, the prince's health has improved greatly, and his blood activity is much higher than usual."

The other apprentices also spoke one after another.

"The prince suffers from dyspnea. This deep breathing test is very standard. There's no murmur in the cavity."

"The color of the urine is normal, light yellow but not cloudy. The smell is slightly acidic. The kidneys have recovered quickly..."

The guards were ordered to take these apprentices away, and they were all rewarded with gold coins.

For a while, only Viserys and his son, along with the Kargel brothers, remained in the camp.

Baelon was the first to speak: "As the maesters said, my illness was cured with Sir Ilic's help."

"He helped you, and I will give you a lighter sentence."

Viserys was very happy for his eldest son and said emotionally, "I'm glad you're healthy. I'll be speechless when I see your mother in heaven."

"Father, I can't say anything to comfort you on behalf of my mother. I just hope you can look forward to the future."

Rumors are like the cold wind of the twelfth lunar month.

Not only does it hurt like a knife, but it also has no seams and does not pierce.

It can always reach the ears of those you want to blow to.

Viserys felt guilty for forcing his wife to get pregnant for many years, leading to her death.

As a newborn born in a difficult childbirth, Baelon was not a factor in his mother's death.

As a young boy, he heard those exaggerated rumors and also felt guilty in his heart.

Seeing his eldest son's sad expression, Viserys felt a pang in his heart, knowing he had awakened his sorrow.

"Alec, I want to have a frank conversation with my son. You and your brother should retire and not let anyone approach the tent."

Viserys ordered the Kargel brothers to leave.

"Please don't worry!"

Alik looked solemn, dragging his brother to stand guard outside the tent.

With no interruptions from strangers, Viserys stood up and approached Baelon, affectionately stroking his head.

"Were you scared a moment ago?"

"What?"

Baelon seemed confused.

Viserys smiled mischievously and said, "Doctor Polus, that old man who wants to take your pants off."

Baelon's face turned green. "I remember this name."

"Haha, superiors must have a broad mind, especially towards the doctor who prepares your medicine," Viserys taught half seriously and half jokingly.

"That's his lord's intrigue. I just want to blow his head off."

Baelon didn't want to hear about such magnanimity.

It wasn't the king's turn to have him held down and his pants taken off.

"If the story of the White Stag is true, did you really recover from eating a magical fruit?"

As the words changed, Viserys thought of the fruit mentioned by his eldest son.

It was cut by the Iron Throne and the wound never healed no matter what method he used.

In the past ten years, his body has been scarred and oozing in many places.

The pain still tickled his nerves.

If...

Baelon really has that magical fruit, maybe it can heal his body.

Baelon, naturally, knew why his father asked this question.

"I didn't tell lies. The White Stag willingly approached me and fed me the fruit that restored my health."

Viserys seemed pleased. "Then can you still find the White Stag?"

Baelon said bluntly, "That magical fruit is not simple. It's hard to get another one. Even if you find the White Stag, it's useless."

"How do you know if you don't try?"

Viserys was unwilling to give up hope for treatment.

Baelon didn't want to betray his friends and insisted, "The White Stag is auspicious, and those who are close to him will reap blessings."

"On the contrary, those who dare to harm him will be cursed."

Viserys stared at Baelon suspiciously, thinking there were clues in his expression.

Baelon's expression remained normal, looking at him calmly.

After a while, Viserys gave up.

He sighed and said, "You're right. Yesterday, I went hunting for White Stags and didn't even see a shadow."

Baelon was very surprised, not expecting such a thing to happen.

Viserys rubbed his crown. "You're luckier than me to have won the friendship of the White Stag."

Baelon said nothing.

He didn't know what to say.

The White Stag is his friend and he can't betray him.

Furthermore, the fruit is a reward given by the explorers, not Baelon's property.

Even if he helped his father hunt the White Stag, there wouldn't be a second fruit to cure his illness.

Viserys seemed pleased, but there was something more in his heart.

The White Stag is a symbol of royal power, but as king, he had no chance to meet him.

Baelon could see him, it wasn't as simple as luck.

Despite all his thoughts, Viserys warned himself.

It's rare for his son to encounter an adventure!

Thinking of this, Viserys had an idea in his heart.

He took Baelon's hand and walked to the brazier in the tent.

To Baelon's perplexed eyes, he drew the dragon-horn

from his waist and placed the blade in the fire.

When the blade, forged with Valyrian steel, was fully heated and turned red, he held the dragon-horn handle and pulled it out.

He held it in front of Baelon's eyes.

"Look closely, what do you see?" Viserys encouraged.

Baelon looked at the red blade and noticed that many small characters appeared under the flames.

"Is it ancient Valyrian?"

Being proficient in ancient Valyrian, he quickly discerned its meaning.

Considering he hadn't learned ancient Valyrian yet, Baelon didn't dare to reveal too much.

He stumbled and read, "Prophecy... Lineage, A Song of Ice and Fire..."

Then, Baelon pretended to be speechless and looked at Viserys helplessly.

Viserys wasn't surprised, but he was surprised that Baelon could recognize part of the ancient Valyrian language.

It seemed the news he received was correct; Baelon was indeed a child who loved to read.