Chapter 514: Chapter 514: The Council Meeting in Front of the King
"Princess Rhaenys makes a valid point. The war has led to a dramatic increase in the population of King's Landing."
"Though the Faith has generously offered aid, providing much-needed food supplies to alleviate the famine, it's still not a permanent solution."
Upon hearing Rhaenys's rebuttal, Varys, the bald eunuch, didn't argue. He simply offered a kind smile to Rhaenys, then continued along the lines of her statement.
Varys was adept at reading the room. He knew that disputing a minor matter with the princess, who was the king's favorite, would be foolish.
"Hence, two pressing matters lie before us, Your Grace."
Varys then turned to the silver-haired young man seated centrally at the council table.
"The first is to promptly launch the Second Conquest, uniting all territories."
"The second is to commence public trials for the usurpers of the previous dynasty and their accomplices. Hear their defenses, then judge them justly, showcasing Your Majesty's fairness."
"Which to address first, and which to follow, is for you to decide, as you are the king."
"But both require swift resolution."
King Robert, the Duke of the North, and numerous captured nobles have been imprisoned for months.
Life in the dungeon is harsh, especially for the nobility accustomed to luxury. They likely now recognize their mistakes, probably wishing for a swift end.
"Of course, Prince Oberyn, driven by vengeance, wishes to wait until Tywin Lannister is captured before the trials commence. We understand this, but..."
The council chamber fell silent, with only Varys's voice echoing.
For it was the time for the Master of Whispers to share his intelligence, which always took a significant portion of the meeting. Gathering information from across the Seven Kingdoms required extensive time.
Varys carefully observed Viserys's expressions, pausing briefly before continuing.
"According to my little birds, Prince Oberyn, after decimating twenty thousand Lannister troops and taking Crakehall, faced minor setbacks."
Varys's voice was sharp and delicate, subtly expressing his views, hinting to Viserys not to give Oberyn free rein.
"Show me the intelligence."
Upon hearing Varys's words, Viserys furrowed his brows, then took the report from him to briefly review.
In essence, Oberyn might have been overconfident or too eager for success.
He set a trap for Tywin Lannister at Deep Den, swiftly conquering western towns. After torching twenty thousand Lannister troops at the Red Lake, Tywin sadly hanged his own cousin, Stafford.
However, Tywin, always cunning, stabilized after initial losses to the younger, more aggressive Oberyn.
Oberyn, having promised Viserys to conquer the Westerlands before the trials, seemed too eager, making typical mistakes of young commanders.
The Targaryen forces, while advancing on Lannisport, were ambushed from behind.
The Oakheart family of Old Oak, longtime rivals of Dorne, were responsible.
Although Lady Alys Oakheart's young son, a Kingsguard, died during the coup in King's Landing, the Lannisters convincingly shifted the blame to the Goldcloaks.
Hence, when Tywin requested aid after multiple defeats, Lady Alayne Oakheart hesitated but ultimately agreed.
She dispatched Old Oak troops, cutting off the Targaryen army's retreat, and took Crakehall with fewer defending troops.
The Oakheart-Dorne enmity spans centuries, with murals in Old Oak depicting their history.
During Aegon's First Conquest, Lord Weil of Weil Town infiltrated the wedding of Alys Oakheart and Jon Caron. Dornishmen castrated the groom, killed Lord Oakheart, and enslaved the bride and her maids, selling them to Meereenese slavers.
This event is a deep stain on the Oakheart honor. But past feuds weren't the primary reason Lady Alayne sided against the Targaryens.
It boiled down to interests. Like many Westerosi nobles, she believed Tywin's propaganda, fearing a future where commoners equaled nobility, eroding the aristocracy's stature.
Hatreds can always be dissolved by the right price.
"Enough."
After reading the report, Viserys took a deep breath.
"I don't blame Oberyn for underestimating his enemy. Tywin Lannister has always been a formidable foe. Some losses are acceptable."
"Rhaenys."
The silver-haired young man turned.
"Ride Rhaegal to aid Oberyn."
The brunette princess paused, her face eager, and nodded.
"Understood."
Viserys still had utmost trust in Oberyn, his kin by marriage. Sending a dragonrider to aid him essentially settled the western front.
Varys, seeing Viserys heeding his advice, squinted slightly.
He took another deep breath, straightened his back, and handed another report to Viserys.
"Your Grace, there's more intelligence on the Vale concerning Lord Petyr Baelish."
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