Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord.

Chapter 65 Robert's Response

Above the narrow sea, the vast blue ocean stretched all the way to the horizon, blending in seamlessly with the cloudless blue sky. The strong sea breeze blew the sails, making a crackling sound. The waves beat rhythmically against the side of the ship, splashing white foam.

At this time, a large fleet was breaking through the waves towards the north. The fleet consisted of twenty mighty sailing warships and more than thirty armed merchant ships loaded with cargo.

From the sails to the flags, all depict a blazing flame, just like a raging sea of ​​fire, leaping wildly under the stimulation of the sea breeze.

A golden dragon with a body length of nearly 20 meters circled and danced above the fleet, occasionally rushing into the water to catch fish, splashing large pieces of crystal clear water.

The golden dragon made deafening roars from time to time, which seemed to demonstrate its inviolable majesty and seemed to be escorting this powerful fleet.

Such a huge fleet made the merchant ships traveling on the Narrow Sea dare not approach and could only stay away from it, but they could still see the soaring golden dragon.

The people on the merchant ship looked at the circling golden dragon with their eyes wide open in shock, whispering and pointing.

The news seemed to have wings, and was spread frantically by the people on these merchant ships to both sides of the Strait. For a time, the entire narrow sea was hotly discussing the owner of the dragon and this fleet, and all kinds of speculations and rumors were flying around.

King's Landing - The Red Keep

Robert Baratheon rarely walked towards the King's Council Chamber, which he never usually entered.

Robert, who was having a good time in a brothel a few days ago, heard that several merchants who came to King's Landing mentioned that they saw a dragon and said that the owner of the dragon was Gawen Bellerys, the lord of the Stepstone Islands. Robert sneered at this and thought that these merchants were just trying to attract attention.

In his mind, the dragon had long been a legend that disappeared in the long river of history. How could it easily reappear in the world?

But in the past two days, countless merchant ships that arrived at King's Landing brought accurate news that the young man who captured the Stepstones not only had a huge fleet, but he actually had a dragon.

Robert strode into the King's Hall, his heavy footsteps seeming to announce his importance to the news.

"Robert Baratheon I, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm."

Following a loud roll call, the members of the Imperial Council stood up collectively to welcome the king.

Robert sat down on the king's throne and waved his hand impatiently for everyone to sit down.

"Your Majesty," said Jon Arryn, the Hand, "this matter may not be underestimated."

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 for a while.

Varys, the chief of intelligence, was the first to break the silence and answered Robert respectfully, "My little bird reported to me that Gawen Bellerys' mother was a Valyrian survivor from Volantis. She should be a dragon left after the Doomsday Catastrophe, but it is certain that his dragon rider bloodline has nothing to do with the Targaryen family."

Grand Maester Paisel also interrupted tremblingly and said, "Oh, it is true. Volantis is full of silver-haired and purple-eyed Valyrians, and the blood of dragon riders is mixed among them, making it difficult to distinguish."

Robert then looked at Varys and asked, "Spider, then tell me, where did his dragon come from, and where is it now?"

Varys answered, "Rumor has it that Gawain Bellerys brought back a golden dragon when he returned from the ruins of Valyria more than two months ago. He is currently leading his fleet to Braavos, reportedly at the invitation of the Sea King, and the dragon is accompanying him."

When Robert heard this, his face suddenly darkened and he said, "The two Targaryen remnants are now in Braavos. We can't keep them here any longer. Send someone to kill them!"

Jon Arryn quickly advised: "Your Majesty, killing two children is not what a king should do. This is detrimental to the king's honor."

Robert roared after hearing this: "Fuck the king, fuck the honor. I want to rule seven countries. Can honor make them bow down? It depends on fear and blood. Those two remnants must die."

The new finance minister, Petyr, interrupted and said, "The brother and sister are guests of the Sea King. Although I heard that they are in a bad situation, they are protected by the Sea King in Braavos, so it is difficult for the people we send out to do anything."

Robert took the wine glass in front of him and drank it all, some of the wine flowing down his beard. After putting down the 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 now is Gawen Bellerys and his dragon, not the two exiled children. Whether Gawen is a member of the Targaryen family or not, it is necessary to arouse the high vigilance of the Iron Throne. Don't forget Aegon three hundred years ago. Maybe Gawen only has one dragon now, but his army is much larger than Aegon's before."

Queen Cersei, who was sitting next to him, also said, "The existence of the dragon has already threatened the king. Why not prepare people in Braavos in advance? As long as the dragon rider dies, the dragon will..." Before Queen Cersei finished speaking, 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 to be king, I will smash his head into his chest, but now he is a lord under the Iron Throne. Killing him without reason will definitely cause turmoil in the Seven Kingdoms."

Jon Arryn frowned even more, no longer using honorifics, and said anxiously, "Robert, we can't just sit and wait for the other side to become king before we react. The Stepstones are different from the Iron Islands. Once the other side becomes king, our sea power will not have an advantage. A young man with a dragon and a huge fleet will inevitably develop ambitions. Aegon more than three hundred years ago is a living example."

Robert glared at him, then looked at the ministers and said, "So what do you think we should do?"

Jon Arryn pondered for a moment and said seriously: "Keep a close eye on Gawen Bellerys's movements. We need to have a comprehensive understanding of the situation of the Stepstones. While the Stepstones are still subject to the Iron Throne, we can restrict them in the name of the Royal Conference."

Robert said helplessly: "I will listen to you. You can decide for yourself whether there are any ways to restrict or suppress them."

Jon Arryn then said to Littlefinger, "Petyr, you need to go to the Stepstone Islands again and bring them under the port tax collector system." Then he looked at Varys, the chief of intelligence, and said, "Varys, send your little bird over there as well to keep a close eye on every move there."

(End of this chapter)