Chapter 60: The Dragon's Roost Consolidated
With the military strategy for the Duchy's final annexation firmly in place, Maegor turned his relentless focus to the absolute security of his most vital assets: his family. The grand hall of Pyrefall Castle, still echoing with the strategic discussions, became the stage for his next critical decrees.
"My Lords, commanders, officers," Maegor's voice resonated, holding the attention of everyone present. "The Duchy of Qehes is our domain. Pyrefall Castle will be its heart, and the primary seat of House Targaryen in Essos. Therefore, the safety of my family is paramount."
He scanned the faces of his kin. "From this day forward, all members of the Targaryen family, with one exception, will be transferred to Pyrefall Castle. This includes my Queen-to-be, Daenerys. It includes Lyra, and our son, Prince Vaegon." He motioned to the doors. "Preparations for their comfortable residence here will begin immediately."
His gaze then settled on Viserys. "Viserys," Maegor stated, his voice firm but with a hint of measured trust, "you have proven your worth as Governor of Ergos County. That is a vital role. You will remain in Myrosh, overseeing Ergos, ruling from Myrosh Castle. Your continued growth in governance is crucial. Your dragon, Umbra, will be your guardian." Viserys, though visibly nervous about being separated from the main family, nodded, understanding the importance of his command.
Next, Maegor addressed the critical redistribution of his Castle Guards. "The Castle Guard Headquarters will formally move here, to Pyrefall Castle. Commander Vorian, your central command will operate from here." He then detailed the new deployments for the total of 250 Castle Guards:
"Two squads of newly trained Castle Guards, sixty men, will be permanently stationed in Myrosh Castle, under Governor Viserys. They will ensure its defense and assist in maintaining order in Ergos County."
"At the Balerion Estate in Dilora, we will pull back one squad of Castle Guards, reducing its garrison. The remaining one squad, thirty men, will stay. Dilora is now under Governor Viserys's purview, and his newly acquired forces from the barony will supplement its defense as needed."
"The remaining one hundred and sixty Castle Guards will be stationed here, at Pyrefall Castle, under the direct command of Commander Vorian. They will form the impregnable core of our Duchy's capital defense."
He then looked at Ser Aelyx Brightflame. "Ser Aelyx," Maegor commanded, "you have served well overseeing the Castle Guards at Balerion Estate. Your post there is hereby retired. You will transfer back here, to Pyrefall Castle, and resume your duty as a Targaryen Royal Guard. You will be a direct member of Lord-Commander Barristan's command, focusing on my personal safety and elite operations. You will also oversee the Castle Guards stationed here, acting as a senior officer to ensure their continued discipline and vigilance." Aelyx bowed, eager to return to the direct service of his king.
Finally, Maegor turned to the symbolic, yet vital, matter of the dragon eggs.
"My Queen-to-be, Daenerys," Maegor began, his voice softening as he looked at her, "you possess one of the dragon eggs from Pentos. Continue to nurture it. Its time will come."
"Lord Aenar," Maegor continued, addressing the Viscount of Vyrodos and Paenerion, "you possess the common dragon egg I gifted you. Let it be the guardian of the Brightflame line in your baronies."
"And Prince Vaegon, my son," Maegor said, a rare, tender note entering his voice, "the dragon egg placed in his cradle, the blue one from Pentos, will remain with him, always."
"As for the remaining unhatched eggs," Maegor stated, his gaze hardening as he addressed his officers, "there are two. One from Pentos, and the ancient, grey, petrified egg from the northern ruins in Myrosh. These eggs are far too precious to be left anywhere but the most secure location. They will be transferred here, to Pyrefall Castle, and secured within the deepest levels of the castle's dungeon store, under constant Royal Guard watch."
He reiterated the chain of command for clarity. The Targaryen Royal Guards, led by Lord-Commander Barristan Selmy, remained paramount, directly serving Maegor and holding authority over all other units. Commander Vorian, as the overall head of the Castle Guards, would manage their deployment across the Duchy, but the Royal Guards were his personal elite, untouchable and supreme.
The meeting concluded with a sense of decisive action. Maegor had centralized his family, his primary defense, and his most precious assets within Pyrefall. He was leaving nothing to chance. The Duchy of Qehes was not just a conquered territory; it was being meticulously fashioned into a secure, self-sufficient, and utterly loyal kingdom, ready to serve as the unassailable base for the future invasion of Westeros. The Dragon's roost was now truly consolidated.