Game of Thrones: Viserys the Three-Headed Dragon.

Chapter 157 Private Banquet
At first, only Jon Clinton and Ashara Dayne recovered from their confusion and tried to calm down and came to the back tent.

"The prince" was unable to calm down for a while, and his body was still shaking uncontrollably. It was really not suitable for him to meet the king at this time.

At this moment, Barristan took the prince to a nearby tent to calm his panic. He let him lie on his bed, fed him wine, and gave him candy - King Viserys said that eating candy and drinking wine could calm panic the fastest.

The prince was not scared to death, which shows that he had more courage than many people.

Barristan was touched by the king's thoughtfulness. He had replaced the people on duty here with taciturn guards who always knew what not to say.

Viserys made no attempt to tell anyone what had happened here, which was undoubtedly a gesture of tolerance and generosity towards Ser Connington and the prince.

It was Daenerys who met them in the back tent. "So, the young man failed the test, what a pity. If he could pass this test, he wouldn't have to go so far to the Wall. His Majesty Viserys said that most descendants of Targaryen can have a mysterious connection with dragons, but some descendants cannot inherit this bloodline. Of course, it may also be that my Nightfire is incompatible with him. Guliok has always been reasonable. Blowing him out of the tent is saving him. Not all dragons are as wise as Guliok."

Daenerys tried to make amends for them, explaining the rationale for this situation, but in her heart she was thinking that Viserys had asked her to postpone the hatching of the eggs, which now seemed necessary.

Ashara Dayne, dressed as a nun, greeted Daenerys: "Thank you, it's so kind of you, Princess."

Jon Clinton calmed down and asked calmly, "Why did His Majesty summon us here?"

"Nothing, just a private banquet." As he was speaking, Viserys' voice came from outside. He strode in and couldn't help but sigh, "Although I still have doubts, Ser Jon, the Targaryen family is rare, and I really hope that my nephew is still alive. But let's not talk about the evidence you gave me. I want to host a banquet for you in a private capacity, and I also want to meet the prince who calls himself 'Aegon'. His identity cannot be confirmed now, but based on what he has done, I personally - not as a king or a Targaryen, am willing to meet him."

As soon as Viserys entered, he asked a pointed question. "And you, Jon Connington. I remember that King Aerys stripped you of all your honor, power, and status and exiled you. I want to ask you a heart-breaking question. Do you not hate the Targaryens?"

The weathered old man replied solemnly: "I was exiled because of the failure of the Battle of the Bells. It was my fault. The king exiled me, and I have no complaints. Your Majesty, please believe that my loyalty to the Targaryen royal family has never changed. To this day, every time I close my eyes, the bells of Stonehall will ring loudly in my dreams."

Viserys looked at him deeply and said, "Well, I sincerely hope that you will have a chance to calm the bells in your dreams. And this lady, I am very curious about how this lady of the Dayne family in Starfall, who has been rumored to have died for many years, came to be connected with the exiled Prime Minister, 'Prince Aegon', and became a septa?"

The septa looked quite pious. "Oh, my story is not much to tell, Your Majesty. Please forgive me for telling you some information that I guess may be useful to you. I was the companion of Princess Elia Martell. I served by her side when she married Prince Rhaegar. I was in Starfall when King's Landing fell. I am just an ordinary woman who has left the past behind and dedicated herself to the gods. I was with the prince because someone promised me that I only needed to raise the prince for Princess Elia and teach him the faith, so that I could be left alone and hide my identity."

She seemed to be somewhat dissatisfied with Jon Clinton for revealing her identity.

Jon was a little embarrassed.

Viserys knew why she, as Princess Elia's companion, was not in King's Landing when it fell, because she had sex with someone in the wrong spring, became pregnant with someone's child, and was sent back to Starfall to hide and give birth to the child.

It is suspected to be the romantic debt left by Brandon Stark, Eddard Stark's brother.

"I see. I am sorry to say this, but Lady Dayne, your testimony is not convincing enough. You were not in King's Landing at the time." Viserys sat down at the head seat. "By the way, how are the prince and Barristan? Can they take their seats?"

As they were speaking, Barristan and a young man who called himself Aegon entered the tent.

The young man was so frightened that he didn't know what to say for a moment.

Viserys was kind in his high seat. "Young man, you may call me Your Majesty," he said. "Sit down."

"Thank you." The young man was a little embarrassed. He wanted to call her more intimately, but he didn't have the face to say it, so he could only say, "Your Majesty."

The young man still blushed when he screamed when he was blown out of the tent. He was so ashamed that he dared not look directly at his uncle and aunt on the throne, and felt that he had indeed brought shame to the Targaryen family.

Barristan did not expect that the king would arrange a seat for him, right next to the nun. Barristan sat down with an inexplicable emotion, sitting very upright.

It was hard to say whether it was not Viserys's bad taste, for he knew that the queen of love and beauty in Barristan's mind at the Harrenhal tourney was precisely this septa who was already in her forties.

Although the sergeant did not say it, Viserys knew that Barristan had thought countless times that he would defeat Rhaegar in the final of the tourney in the wrong spring and put the crown of love and beauty on Ashara. In this way, Ashara would notice Barristan, and Rhaegar would not put the crown of love and beauty on Lyanna Stark. He thought that in this way, perhaps the War of the Usurper could be avoided.

This regret has been haunting Barristan, and now he can no longer tell whether the emotion is love or endless regret and entanglement.

As soon as the so-called private banquet began to be served, Viserys asked, "Young man, have you decided how many people you want to take with you when you go north to visit my great-grandfather, Maester Aemon? The Northern Wall is not at peace right now. It is said that the wildlings are marching southward, and we may even run into some strange creatures. From Dragonstone, you have to take a boat to Eastwatch by the Sea, and then ride for dozens of leagues to get to Castle Black. It would be very dangerous if you don't bring enough guards. The weather will be cold in the fall, especially in the north. Bring more clothes and keep warm."

Viserys spoke as if Prince Aegon had already agreed to go north, and his tone was like that of an elder caring for a child.

Daenerys also chimed in, "I heard that there is often snow in the North in midsummer, and you have to wear several layers of woolen clothes inside and outside the armor to keep out the cold. According to what Ser Clinton said before, you grew up in the south, and I'm afraid you will feel uncomfortable in the north. Do you have any scholars accompanying you? Be careful about getting sick, and prepare more common medicines." The young man had just been frightened in the central army tent, and under Barristan's care, he was fed sugar and wine, and now his mood was a little unstable.

Hearing Viserys and Daenerys's concern for him, he felt a surge of warmth in his heart. "Your Majesty, Princess Royal, please rest assured that I will be recognized by Aemon's great-great-grandfather at the Wall. I am the son of Rhaegar, there is no doubt about that. And the next time I see a dragon, I will definitely not be like today."

Jon Connington had no time to stop his prince from replying. The wrinkles on his old face were squeezed together, but the prince had already agreed. He could only go along with the words: "I wonder how many guards Your Majesty thinks it is appropriate to bring to the Wall?"

Viserys seemed to have really thought about this question. He spoke matter-of-factly, "I think the more the better. I don't know who is in charge in the North right now. I heard that the Ironborn and the Northmen are still fighting. But there is no guarantee that no one will go to the Wall. To be on the safe side, I suggest you take more people with you. No matter what you encounter, you will be safer. I see that you have a lot of cavalry. It won't hurt to take a few hundred or even a thousand cavalry. Horseback riding is highly mobile and can come and go freely. It will be convenient no matter what you encounter. I wonder if Ser Connington will go? And will this Lady Dayne come with him?"

Clinton saw that the question could not be avoided, so he had to ask: "I wonder when the ship from the Great Wall that Your Majesty mentioned earlier will arrive at Dragonstone?"

After all, he had been a prime minister and a lord, and he was still trying to buy time to delay and see what the situation was. Viserys did not indulge him, and only calmly asked back: "Ser Clinton is not going to the north?" Then he turned to the young prince and asked with concern, "Young man, who else can protect you? Do you have someone as loyal and brave as Ser Clinton who you can trust?"

This has already pushed Clinton into a corner.

However, his Highness the Prince obviously did not realize the aggressiveness behind the King's calm and caring tone. When the Prince was about to answer, Clinton quickly took over the conversation: "Your Majesty, of course I will go to the north with Your Highness, and there are many brave and loyal people around Your Highness who will also go with you."

Clinton sighed inwardly that his prince was too immature, and his power came from the Golden Company without trust. Going to the north meant that he was getting further and further away from the source of his power. Even if he was recognized by Maester Aemon, Clinton was worried that when they returned, would the Golden Company still recognize them?

How many members of the Golden Group must he take north to ensure the prince's power? And how many members of the Golden Group are willing to follow him north?
At least half of the Golden Company are no longer exiled nobles from Westeros. Once they leave, those who were dragged here will gather again with Captain Harry.
Viserys nodded, looking relieved. "I am relieved to have a man as experienced and loyal as Ser Connington guarding me. Young man, I will wait for your return from the Wall. If Greatfather Aemon acknowledges you, I will give you another feast to clear your name."

Viserys paused and said in a deep voice, "If unfortunately great-grandfather Aemon does not recognize you, I promise in the name of the king for your courage that if you can abide by your words, accept and bear this result calmly, I will allow you to return to the east safely - but next time we meet, we will be enemies."

As Viserys finished his words, the young man who claimed to be the son of Rhaegar sat up straight.

Viserys raised his cup and looked at the young prince. "You who call yourself Aegon, this is a pact of honor between you and me. There is a septa here with us. I ask her to bear witness to our sacred vows. Will you accept?"

"Your Majesty," the prince promised, "I swear to you that I will be recognized by Aemon's great-great grandfather. If not, you don't need to let me go. I will jump off the wall to defend the honor of the Targaryen family!"

Ser Connington realized sadly that even if the king had no dragons, he would not have been able to place Rhaegar's son on the Iron Throne. The young prince was no match for his uncle, who had already been crowned king.

But it was enough, Sir Clinton thought. Helping the prince confirm his identity meant that he had completed more than ten years of perseverance. Even if Jon Clinton died, it was a worthy death.

The nun in white robes witnessed the oath between the king and the prince. She looked at the young prince with concern and prayed devoutly for him.

They all clearly believed that Aegon was the true son of Rhaegar, and hoped to be recognized at the Wall.

"Lady Dayne, you have not yet answered my question. Will you go north with me?" Viserys asked.

The white-robed septa did not expect Viserys still wanted to confirm the question, so the septa replied dignifiedly: "Your Majesty, I am a septa of Little Griffin, just like every septa in the castle of a lord who believes in the Seven Gods. He has no castle and no sept now, and I will accompany him until he gives me a septa."

To be honest, this Ashara Dayne doesn't look like a devout believer of the Seven Gods at all.

Earl Gunther and Septon Bhaal under Viserys gave him the impression that they were much more pious than she was. Earl Gunther prayed three times a day and looked like someone who could be bullied.

But her piety did not stop Viserys from asking Barristan: "Ser Barristan, you are the most famous and legendary knight under my command. I believe that sending you as a witness will convince everyone. Will you accompany this young man when he goes north to the Wall and be a witness for me?"

Barristan rose to his feet, knelt solemnly on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, my sword is at your disposal."

Seeing that Viserys had finished arranging everything, Daenerys spoke to ease the atmosphere: "Didn't we say that today is a private banquet? Why are we talking about such serious topics? I don't know whether I should call you brother or Your Majesty?"

"Ah, sister, thank you for reminding me. It is my fault. Let us not discuss this matter, my friends." Viserys came down the steps. "Come, drink this cup."

While drinking, Viserys couldn't help but look at Barristan. Although the task was severe - Viserys had other tasks to assign to him, but he was also giving him benefits. Next, Viserys planned to arrange several Storm nobles as servants for him.

Besides, it takes time to take a boat from Dragonstone to the Wall, and Viserys is looking forward to some story between the old knight and the septa.

(End of this chapter)