Ice and Fire: Reign of the Dragon.

Chapter 86 Conditions
Vhagar carefully avoided Vormithor, who seemed to be no smaller than himself, and slowly landed on the first layer of the wall of Dragon's Nest. Opposite him were Jakaris and Vormax.

"Bronze Fury" Wormithor landed behind Wormax unceremoniously. Longzel put his hands on the dragon saddle and watched Aemond climb down from Vhagar's back quietly.

Vermax really wanted to yell at Aemond, but seeing that Vhagar had calmed down, the young dragon estimated that if he provoked Vhagar, Vermithor might not be able to save him in time, so he gave up the idea of ​​yelling and just stared at Aemond fiercely.

As soon as Aemond climbed down from the dragon's back, he noticed the people standing in the courtyard on the first floor of the castle. There were not only the three princes of the Black Party, but also three great nobles from the borderlands: Earl Edric Dondarrion, Earl Randyll Cavoron, and Earl Harold Selmy who took over his grandfather's position, as well as Earl Revell Haydon who had grown into a teenager, and Earl Teclis Hoth who had white hair. Over the years, these two nobles from the borderlands had been allowed to open up the Stone Road and the Red March, and had become powerful lords, at least no worse than the Granderson family of Allseeing who had not yet sworn allegiance.

The young Earl Quentin Manwoody was also in the team, talking to Earl Revil Haydon. Another newly rising Dornish lord, Earl Oberyn Stenthal, took over the task of guarding, wearing brass scale armor and standing by with a spear.

"Oh no, the news has leaked." Aemond immediately realized why all of Longzel's powerful vassals had arrived, except for Lynn Valtarken, who was enfeoffed in Prince's Pass, Donald Tarly of Horn Hill, and Vincent Kaon, who was enfeoffed in East Bremont Vale.

But the one-eyed prince showed no fear at all. He walked towards Wormisol with his head held high and said, "Uncle Longzel, I come as an envoy."

Longzel nodded, and Jacaerys walked aside without saying a word, took a piece of bread from the servant carrying a plate, dipped it in salt, and handed it to Aemond. Aemond breathed a sigh of relief, took the bread, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it.

When he took the bread, even if Aemond only had one eye left, he could still see the blue veins on Jacaerys' arms. The fourteen-year-old boy seemed to have been suppressing his anger.

"Just tell me what you want, Prince Aemond." Longzel had no desire to get off the dragon. He was very curious about what conditions the Green Party could offer him. You know, when he received the news from the spies in King's Landing, Jacaerys immediately represented his mother and stepfather - he could actually represent them - and gave him quite good conditions.

These conditions included: any position on Rhaenyra's Council, his Hand of the King, his heir would serve as his adopted son until he came of age and would marry a child of House Vareses, no city-building tax and luxury tax imposed by King Jaehaerys would be required for fifty years, and House Vareses would be allowed to appoint stewards of the royal mints in Summerhall, Silvercrown, and the territories of marcher lords who participated in the rebellion.

"I come on behalf of the rightful king, Aegon II of House Targaryen." Aemond swallowed but still spoke loudly. "Prince Longzel Vareses, as a loyal vassal of the Iron Throne, His Majesty the King craves your loyalty."

"?" Longzel looked at his two brothers on the ground. "Valar, Rey, if I remember correctly, when we came to this land, King Viserys asked us to swear allegiance and swear to defend the inheritance rights to Princess Rhaenyra, right?"

Rei smiled and nodded without saying a word.

"I also remember that it was Princess Rhaenyra who swore allegiance." Valar took a step forward. "So shouldn't it be Queen Rhaenyra who sits on the Iron Throne now?"

"I also remember that I swore to defend the princess's inheritance rights." The older Earl Lando Cavallen said in a deep voice: "Although I am old, I have not forgotten my oath."

"My father once pursued the princess." It was Lord Dondarrion who spoke. "When he was alive, he repeatedly asked me to remember the family oath. The oath is higher than life, and the gods are witnesses." He looked at Prince Aemond. "I wonder if the oath-breakers in King's Landing are ready to be punished by the gods."

"Rhaenyra is the one who broke her oath," Aemond said calmly. "Also in the presence of the gods, the Great Council denied the inheritance rights of women. The lords of the whole realm swore allegiance to my father instead of Princess Rhaenys. This is enough to prove that the gods stand on the side of male inheritance law, and your oath cannot be higher than this oath."

"You are denying the sanctity of your oath!" Randyll Cavron wanted to draw his sword, but found that he did not have it with him, so he could only point his finger at Aemond angrily.

"Uncle, I have brought you the conditions for becoming the legitimate king. You may as well listen to them first." Aemond stepped back a few steps. Vhagar leaned forward suddenly. Vormithal instantly stretched his neck, and a flame flashed in his throat. Looking at Vormithal, Vhagar slowly retreated.

"Go ahead." Longzel looked down with interest at Aemond who had stood next to Vhagar.

"You are offered the three posts of Hand of the King, Lord Treasurer, and Lord Admiral of the Sea to choose from. You will also have the power to appoint the Master of the Royal Mint at Summerhall." Aemond looked at Jacaerys, Lucerys, and young Aegon.

"My brother's crown prince Jaehaerys is willing to be engaged to Samantha. She will be the future queen. Jaehaera and Rey's engagement remains unchanged. If possible, Uncle Valar, we hope that Danyla can be engaged to Melar."

Rey laughed. He didn't even know what Jaehaera looked like. He only knew that Jaehaerys had six fingers. He ran to little Aegon and scratched the boy's nose. "Did you hear that? Someone is trying to steal your wife."

Young Aegon immediately glared at Aemond.

"Aemond, if this is all you can offer, can I consider you an insult to my mother and my knight?" Jacaerys said in a deep voice.

"Go back, Aemond." Longziel straightened his back with a smile, while Wormithor still glared at Vhagar. "Tell your Aegon the 'king'." He emphasized the word king, as if he was afraid that others would not know that this was a king. "Who gave him the confidence to use these to shake the oath witnessed by the gods, Aemond? I believe you have also read the books of the Targaryen family. The war of the Dragon King family is no joke."

Vormithor slowly crawled forward, and the dragon slowly raised its head and stared at Vhagar who was gradually retreating. It was as if two mountains were confronting each other in the castle courtyard.

"The blood of a dragon is far more terrible than the blood of a mortal. The Valyrians have proved this with their blood. Aemond, if you or your brother still have a little wisdom, then show enough sincerity and let Princess Rhaenyra see why you can question her inheritance rights. Let me also show you how you can defend the hard-earned kingship of the Targaryen family."

Vormithor roared like thunder. Aemond could hardly stand and hurriedly grabbed the rope ladder hanging from Vhagar's dragon saddle. Vhagar's ugly old head tried to roar back, but was held down by Vormithor. "I understand." Aemond knew that his mission had failed. He climbed up the rope ladder and returned to the dragon saddle. "Prince, I will bring your words to His Majesty the King." Aemond's tone gradually became cold. "I hope you can return to the right path and support our orthodox king and the sacred law."

After saying that, he pulled the guard of the dragon saddle, Vhagar struggled to stand up, spread his huge wings, and slowly flew up.

"Brother, do you want to chase me?" Valar was eager to try.

Longzel shook his head. "There's no need to use dragons before the fight even starts. I'm also curious about what they're thinking and whether they're ready to deal with the princess's wrath. Xiaojie, Xiaolu, pack up. I'll escort you back to Dragonstone."

Jacaerys nodded and climbed up onto Vermax nimbly. He was ready. Luciris also hurried to the Dragon Cave Tower. Arax was still enjoying the mutton in the lair.

"Valar, you stay and wait for Alan and Lin En."

"Understood." Valar nodded. "I will count the troops that can fight. The ravens from Sunspear City sent a message that Dorne's harvest has not been very good in recent years, and there are remnants of Yronwood causing trouble. Sunspear and Starfall are unable to spare any manpower, but Prince Keoren is willing to defend orthodoxy. Earl Doran Goergenles will lead 1000 spearmen and 500 sand cavalry to join our team."

"That's enough." Longzel nodded: "Oberyn."

Count Oberyn Stenthal, who had moved his territory to the southernmost part of the prince's territory and built a town called Morningstar, immediately stepped out with a spear in hand.

"You must return to your fiefdom immediately and pay attention to the south to prevent the remnants of Yronwood from harassing us."

"clear."

Longzel arranged the military affairs of the territory and asked Varese's Silver Fleet to patrol the Dorne Sea to prevent the pirates of the Stepstone Islands and the Kingdom of the Three Daughters from invading. Then he took off with Jacaerys and Lusiris.

Dragonstone.

Rhaenyra gave birth to a monster, a twisted, dead baby with a hole in its heart, scales all over its body, and a short, scaly tail.

In order to give birth to her, the princess almost exhausted all her strength. She barely recovered until the jester "Mushroom" took the dead baby out for cremation. The map room of Dragonstone.

Before conquering the six kingdoms, Aegon the Conqueror carved a huge long table with a map of the seven kingdoms here. The servants lit up the red dots on the map table representing the great lords one by one so that the adults could see them more easily.

Rhaenyra moved weakly into the map room and sat in the main seat with the help of the white knight Ser Lorent Marbrand.

There were quite a few princes present. Prince Daemon sat on the princess's right hand, holding her hand gently, as if this could soothe his wife's pain of having just lost a child. Princess Rhaenys sat beside him, fiddling with the dragon ornament on the table.

Maester Gladys sat at the princess's left hand, and next to him was Lord Corlys Velaryon. The old "Sea Snake" was still energetic, wearing a gorgeous blue robe, and on his chest was a seahorse breaking through the waves carved in pure silver.

Two white knights, Ser Erik Cargall and Ser Lorent Marbrand, who had formally sworn allegiance to Princess Rhaenyra the night the news arrived, stood behind Rhaenyra.

The lords loyal to Dragonstone have basically arrived. Lord Bartimos Celtigar is next to Princess Rhaenys, and next to him is Lord Gorman Marsell of Stonedance and Lord Simon Staunton of Crow's Roost.

Lord Gunthor Darklyn of Duskendale sat beside the sea serpent, and next to him was Lord Bal Emmon of the Horn and Ser Alfred Bloom, captain of the Dragonstone watch.

Daemon looked at the princes present and couldn't help but sigh. There were not many troops on Dragonstone, only 30 knights, 100 crossbowmen and 300 infantrymen. If they recruited from the villages under Dragon Mountain, they could recruit another 3 to 400 people, but this was already the limit.

Among these princes, except for the Velaryon family, only Earl Gunthor Darklyn of Duskendale could recruit an army of more than 1000 people.

This is not enough.

"Everyone, I must tell you a sad news. My daughter Visenya was killed by my treacherous brother. They stole my crown and now murdered my daughter." Rhaenyra's vicious eyes made everyone feel as if they were being stared at by a dragon. "I will make these traitors and thieves pay the price."

"Your Highness, we don't have enough troops." Earl Simon Staunton reminded: "Our combined forces are not as strong as the Hightower family, and although we have Lord Sea Snake's fleet, the false king also has it."

"They are traitors and thieves, not kings!" Rhaenyra stared coldly at Earl Staunton.

“Your Highness, I have to admit that there are quite a few princes in the country who secretly question your right of succession.” Maester Gladys said in a low voice.

"There are always noble nobles who remember their oaths." Rhaenyra knocked on the table. "Lord Corliss, I need your fleet and wealth."

"What's mine is yours." Corliss's old voice was still firm: "Xiaolu is my most perfect successor. I will fight for him and for your great cause. I am old, but I hope the Seven Gods can let me fight this last battle."

Rhaenyra nodded gratefully and looked at the crowd again: "And we have dragons."

"Your Highness, Aegon has one too, and they have Vhagar, the oldest and largest dragon in the Seven Kingdoms," Maester Gladys reminded.

"We have more dragons." The "Uncrowned Queen" Princess Rhaenys finally said her first words, the old princess' eyes burning with fighting spirit. "The princess has Syrax, Daemon has Korakshu, I have Melias, Xiaojie, Xiaolu, Xiaoqiao all have dragons that can fly into the sky to fight, and if Prince Longzier stands on our side, we also have Wormithor, Silverwing, and Shadow Nightmare."

The old princess stood up and said, "I can guarantee that Vermithor is no younger than Vhagar. As long as Prince Longziel is willing to ride a dragon to fight for you, the Usurper's dragon will be no match for him. Yangyan is young and has nothing but appearance. Dreamfyre's rider is not a warrior. Tesserion is the same age as Gon's Vermax. Little Helena." When this name was mentioned, both Rhaenys and Rhaenyra sighed at the same time. "Although Little Helena's children have dragons, they are young dragons that cannot fly. We have a great advantage."

"Your Highness, as long as Prince Longzel is willing to stand on our side, we can immediately fly to King's Landing and burn all the traitors to ashes. Nine to four, the advantage is in my hands." Count Bartimos Celtigar suddenly became excited. "I am willing to be a lobbyist."

"Bartimos." The sea serpent interrupted Bartimos with some dissatisfaction: "What we want is rule, not a smoking ruin."

"I was only speaking in analogy," Lord Bartimus hastily defended. "As long as our dragons reach King's Landing, the Usurper will have no choice but to fight us. Then our dragons will be able to crush the Usurper and the traitor's dragons. That's nine to four."

"It is my son sitting on the dragon's back, Lord Setiga." Princess Rhaenyra calmed down and said, "If Dragonzel does not stand by me, or if he cannot act with us in time, the result will not be what you expect. Lord Setiga, I will not be able to ride a dragon in a short time. My son's dragons are too young. The only ones we have who can fight the usurper head-on are Melias and Koraxhu."

"Your Highness, why not listen to the usurper's conditions?" Maester Gladys whispered.

"Tell me, let me see what evil ideas my thief brother has come up with."

"The usurper said that as long as you are willing to respect him as king and go to the Iron Throne to swear allegiance, you can continue to own Dragonstone as a fiefdom, and this fiefdom can also be inherited by Prince Jacaerys. Prince Lucerys will be recognized as the legal heir to Tidemark and the next Lord of Tide. Little Aegon and Viserys will be granted glorious court positions. Little Aegon will serve as his squire and Viserys will be his cupbearer."

The entire meeting fell into silence.

After a while, Rhaenyra spoke expressionlessly: "Maester Gladys, I would like to ask if you still remember my father, King Viserys."

"Remember, Your Highness."

"Then do you still remember who is his legal crown prince?"

"You, your highness," Gladys replied firmly.

"Then why do you allow such a condition that insults me and my father to appear in my court?"

"This is a peaceful effort, your highness," the maester said.

"There is no peace, everyone," Daemon said coldly. "The moment they desecrated my brother's will and stole my wife's crown, there was no peace."

Three dragon roars were heard from afar, and Princess Rhaenys immediately opened the window.

A three-headed dragon appeared in the sky in the distance.

Count Bartimos suddenly laughed. "Your Highness, they are coming!"

Second update, sorry everyone, I overestimated my speed in handling projects, so I will make up for it tonight. This chapter is 5000 words, I wish you all a happy reading.



(End of this chapter)