Chapter 370: Chapter 370: The Bracken Family
Hendry Bracken.
When Viserys first heard this name, he was somewhat puzzled. He didn't understand why such an obscure figure could be sent to Pentos with Petyr Baelish. However, because he was a minor character, Viserys didn't ask too many questions.
He knew of the Bracken family, one of the oldest families in the Riverlands, with the blood of the First Men flowing in their veins.
According to the Brackens, during the Age of Heroes before the Andal invasion, they ruled this land until they were betrayed by the Blackwoods.
The Blackwoods' version of events was exactly the opposite of the Brackens', but history was too distant, and neither side's claims could be verified.
The Bracken family's castle, Stone Hedge, was located along the Red Fork of the Trident, while the Blackwoods of Raventree Hall were on the other side of the river. The two ancient families had been mortal enemies for thousands of years.
However, now, both ancient families had sworn fealty to House Tully.
According to Viserys's knowledge, the current head of the Bracken family was named Jonos Bracken. How did this Hendry get involved with Joffrey?
But when Viserys arrived at the command center of the Dragonstone fleet, he understood the whole story.
It turned out that the old man's hidden identity was from the Bracken family. His real name should be Joffrey Bracken, and he was the first in line to inherit from the old Lord Bracken.
He also had a sister, Jenny Bracken, who was once one of the wife candidates that Hoster Tully, the Duke of Riverrun, had designated for his brother Brynden Tully, later known as the 'Blackfish', to choose from.
But Brynden Tully didn't fancy any of the women his brother had chosen for him, so he left his family and set up his own house. He later escorted his niece Lysa to marry into the Vale and was ennobled as the Knight of the Bloody Gate by the Lord of the Vale.
The old Lord Bracken had three children. The eldest was Joffrey Bracken, the second was Jenny Bracken, and the third was the current Lord Bracken, Jonos Bracken.
Back then, Joffrey was groomed by his father, the old Lord Bracken, as the heir. He was also very outstanding, handsome, and proficient in swordsmanship and horsemanship.
His brother Jonos originally had nothing to do with the inheritance and was just living a life of pleasure. If it weren't for Joffrey's strong opposition, Jonos might have been sent to the Citadel to become a maester.
However, under such circumstances, Joffrey made a big mistake in a moment of impulsiveness and was forced to flee his hometown and become a mercenary overseas.
That was when he was young and vigorous, he took his brother Jonos to King's Landing, secretly drank wine without the servants knowing, and went out to play.
On the street, they encountered the head of the Blackwood family, Roger Blackwood, the father of the current Lord Blackwood, Tytos.
Then, a drunken Joffrey somehow got into a conflict with Roger Blackwood.
Then Joffrey actually killed the Lord of Raventree Hall on the streets of King's Landing. Even now, Joffrey can't remember exactly what happened.
However, drawing a sword and killing someone on the streets of King's Landing, especially the Lord of Raventree Hall, was undoubtedly a big mess. Afterward, Joffrey Bracken was wanted by Viserys's grandfather, the then King Jaehaerys Targaryen II.
Joffrey Bracken was dazedly sent by his family's loyal servants and his own brother onto a merchant ship fleeing to the continent of Essos. His drunkenness hadn't worn off by this time.
Then, with the days of drifting at sea and the howling sea breeze, he gradually accepted the fact that he had killed someone and committed a serious crime, and was destined to be exiled overseas.
However, his father, the old Lord Bracken, could not accept this result. Coupled with his poor health, he fell ill and never recovered, passing away. His brother Jonos then inherited the position of Lord of Stone Hedge.
Since then, Joffrey has been living under a pseudonym, no longer using his surname, and never returning to his hometown, until he was appreciated by Viserys's elder brother, Prince Rhaegar, and joined the Dragonstone navy, eventually becoming the fleet commander.
His son, Hendry Bracken, was born to a prostitute during his time as a mercenary in Tyrosh, Lys, and other places. He was then sent back to the Bracken family and raised by his brother Jonos Bracken. Because he was the only heir, he received the family name.
The old man never voluntarily revealed that he had a son. It was only once when he let it slip that Viserys heard about it, but he refused to say more when asked later.
And now his illegitimate son has actually come to him voluntarily.
"Your Majesty."
Hendry was quite a bit older than Viserys, even older than Littlefinger.
But because he had no parents from a young age and was dependent on others, he seemed to have some personality defects and appeared very submissive.
This was a far cry from his father, Joffrey Bracken. The old man's hair was white, but he still sat upright in his chair.
When Hendry saw Viserys suddenly arrive, he stood up somewhat flustered, not knowing whether to continue standing or sit down.
It was only when Viserys waved his hand to indicate that he should sit down and talk that he hurriedly sat back down.
After so many years, seeing his own flesh and blood again, there was no joy on the old man's face, only worry.
Of course, he didn't blame Hendry. After all, he had thrown him back to his hometown for so many years, which was a very irresponsible act. What Joffrey was worried about was what Viserys was thinking now. This was clearly a divisive scheme.
However, while Joffrey saw through this scheme, Viserys was one step ahead.
After hearing the whole story, he understood that this was a small trap designed by Robert, or Jon Arryn, purely to add a bit of gamble, to plant a seed of distrust.
As for why they didn't use hostages as a threat, not to mention the ongoing negotiations for cooperation, even if the two sides were at odds, they probably knew that this move wouldn't work.
If the old man had voluntarily handed over Queen Rhaella and her children, who had fled to Dragonstone, back then, not to mention being pardoned for his past crimes, he could have easily exchanged them for a castle and become a lord.
But he never thought about it back then, and he certainly wouldn't think about it now.
Moreover, he hadn't seen his son for more than twenty years, and he wasn't a good father to begin with.
He valued honor and duty more than kinship.
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