Chapter 65 Robert's Response
Above the Narrow Sea, the vast blue ocean stretches all the way to the sky, blending with the cloudless blue sky. The sea breeze was strong, blowing the sails and making a crackling sound. The waves lapped against the side of the ship rhythmically, splashing white foam.
At this time, a large-scale fleet was heading north through the waves. The fleet consisted of twenty mighty sail warships and more than thirty armed merchant ships loaded with cargo.
From the sails to the flags, everything depicts a blazing flame, just like a surging sea of fire, jumping wildly under the influence of the sea breeze.
A golden dragon nearly twenty meters long circled and danced over the fleet, rushing into the water to catch fish from time to time, splashing large crystal clear water.
The golden dragon made deafening calls from time to time, which not only seemed to demonstrate its inviolable majesty, but also seemed to be escorting this powerful fleet.
With such a huge fleet, merchant ships plying the narrow sea did not dare to approach and could only stay away from it, but they could still witness the soaring golden dragon.
The people on the merchant ship looked at the circling and flying golden dragon, their eyes widened in shock, whispering to each other, and pointing.
As if the news had wings, it was spread frantically to both sides of the strait by people on these merchant ships. For a time, the entire Narrow Sea was abuzz with discussions about the dragon's master and this fleet, and all kinds of speculations and rumors were flying in the sky.
King's Landing - Red Keep
Robert Baratheon made a rare move towards the royal council chamber, which he had never set foot in before.
Robert, who was enjoying himself in a brothel a few days ago, heard that several merchants who came to King's Landing mentioned seeing dragons and that the owner of the dragon was Gavin Belerys, the Lord of the Stepstone Islands. Robert scoffed at this and thought that this was not a good idea. A few businessmen are just sensationalizing.
In his mind, the dragon has long been a legend that has disappeared in the long river of history. How can it easily reappear in the world?
But in the past two days, countless merchant ships arriving at King's Landing brought definite news. The young man who captured the Stepstone Islands not only had a huge fleet, but he did have a dragon.
Robert strode into the King's Hall, his heavy footsteps seeming to announce the importance he attached to the news.
"Robert Baratheon I, King of the Andals, Rhoynar, and First Men, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, and Warden of the Realm, arrives."
With a loud roll call, the members of the royal council stood up collectively to welcome the king's arrival.
Robert sat down on the king's throne and waved impatiently for everyone to sit down.
"Your Majesty," Prime Minister Jon Arryn spoke first, "This matter may not be taken lightly."
Robert waved his hand and interrupted him: "I just want to know if that Gavin is a remnant of Targaryen?"
The ministers looked at each other, and the hall fell into a brief silence.
Varys, the intelligence chief, was the first to break the silence and replied respectfully to Robert: "My little bird reported to me that Gavin Belerys's mother is a Valyrian remnant from Volantis. She should be a dragon species left over from the doomsday catastrophe, but what is certain is that her dragon master bloodline has nothing to do with the Targaryen family."
Archmaester Paisir also interjected tremblingly: "Oh, it's true. Volantis is full of silver-haired and purple-eyed Valyrians, and the blood of dragon masters is mixed among them, making it difficult to distinguish."
Robert then looked at Varys and asked: "Spider, tell me, where did his dragon come from and where is it now?"
Varys replied: "There are rumors that after Gavin Belerys returned from the ruins of Valyria more than two months ago, he brought back a golden dragon. At the moment, he is leading a fleet to Braavos. It is said that he was attacked by Following Neptune's invitation, the dragon followed him. "
When Robert heard this, his face suddenly darkened, and he said, "Those two remnants of Targaryen are also in Braavos now. We can't keep them anymore. Send someone to kill them!"
Jon Arryn quickly advised: "Your Majesty, killing two children is definitely not what a king should do. It is detrimental to the king's honor."
After hearing this, Robert roared: "Fuck the king, fuck the honor, I want to rule seven countries, can honor make them obey? It depends on fear and blood. Those two remnants must die. "
The new Finance Minister Petyr interjected at this time: "Those brothers and sisters are currently guests of the Sea King. Although I heard that they are in a bad situation, they are protected by the Sea King in Braavos. It is really difficult for the people we send to take action."
Robert picked up the wine glass in front of him and drank it all in one gulp, some of the wine flowing down his beard. After putting down the wine glass, he said with disdain: "Then find someone from the local area. All you need is a brave man and a sharp dagger."
At this time, Jon Arryn frowned and said: "Your Majesty, what we are mainly discussing at the moment is Gavin Belerys and his dragon, not the two exiled children. Regardless of whether Gavin is a Targaryen or not, Everyone must arouse the Iron Throne's high vigilance. Don't forget Aegon three hundred years ago. Gavin may have only one dragon at this time, but his army is much more than Aegon's once."
Queen Cersei, who was sitting next to him, also spoke up: "The existence of that dragon has already threatened the king. Why not prepare people in Braavos in advance? As long as the dragon rider dies, the dragon will also..." Queen Cersei hadn't finished speaking when Robert shouted at her: "Shut up! Woman, don't let me drive you out." Then he looked at the ministers and said lightly: "If he dares to claim the throne, I will smash his head into his chest, but now he is the lord under the Iron Throne. Killing him for no reason will definitely cause turmoil in the Seven Kingdoms."
Jon Arryn frowned even more tightly, no longer using honorifics, and said anxiously: "Robert, we can't wait for the other party to claim the throne before reacting. The Stepstones are different from the Iron Islands. Once the other party claims the throne, our maritime power will not have an advantage. A young man has a dragon and a huge fleet, Ambitions will inevitably arise, and Aegon more than three hundred years ago is a living example. "
Robert glared at him, then looked at the ministers and said: "Then what do you say we should do?"
Jon Arryn pondered for a moment, and said seriously: "Keep a close eye on Gavin Bellerys's movements. We need to understand the situation of the Stepstone Islands in all aspects. While the Stepstone Islands are still subject to the Iron Throne, use the name of the Royal Conference to restrict them."
Robert said helplessly: "I listen to you. You decide what methods to restrict and suppress."
Jon Arryn then said to Littlefinger: "Petyr, you need to go to the Stepstone Islands again to include them under the port tax collector system." Then he looked at Varys, the chief intelligence officer, "Varys, send your little bird there too, and keep a close eye on every move there. "
