Chapter 56: Rhaegar's Guards
The night in Gulltown was destined to be shattered by laughter, drinking, song, and dance.
Lord Grafton's banquet hall was not particularly large, its furnishings mostly adorned with luxurious marble, and the dining tables were made of blue-black marble.
Rhaegar felt the extravagant decadence of Gulltown; the luxury, taste, and desire for money in this seaport city had spread to everyone.
Rhaegar knew why Lord Jon Arryn, Warden of the East, was dissatisfied with the atmosphere of Gulltown: the trend of money worship was led by merchants, not by lords and knights. Money was a great beast, challenging the old order of the Vale.
The Arryns of Gulltown were the first to embrace the new era.
There were too many guests at the feast; the hall was overflowing with the lords of Gulltown, Rhaegar and his retinue, Lord Jon Arryn and his guards, a contingent of septons, and other minor lords. There was absolutely no room in the great hall, and many wealthy merchants were crowded into the courtyard to eat.
Except for four or five leading merchants, most wealthy merchants could not squeeze into the great hall, but the honor and glory of dining with the Warden of the East and the heir to the Iron Throne made them feel immensely satisfied and tireless.
Although merchants were rich, their status was far inferior to that of nobles; even impoverished nobles might be seated in the great hall, while the merchants, despite their wealth, had to sit on the long benches in the hall.
Lord Grafton had prepared delicious food in the banquet hall.
The Vale pumpkins, barley, and wheat were all of excellent quality, and the fruits were sweeter.
Singers and jugglers began to perform, adding excitement to the banquet.
Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone, and Lord Jon Arryn sat at the high table, followed by the three major lords of Gulltown, representatives of the Faith, and Rhaegar's party: Ser Barristan Selmy, Ser Brynden Tully, and Cesar, the Braavosi swordsman. This table was the core of the banquet, holding the closest and most noble guests.
Rhaegar saw the abundance of goods, dazzling the eye.
Delicious sea fish, premium roasted chicken, sweet corn, peas, pumpkin cake, rose cakes, dried apricots, and bison steak filled the view.
The celebration began, with wine glasses, laughter, music, and dancing shattering the silence.
Of course, the most tedious part was definitely the toasting.
Lord Jon spoke first, followed by Prince Rhaegar, and then other representatives.
After Lord Grafton's closing remarks, the banquet became a free-flowing feast.
Guests wandered back and forth, pouring drinks like schools of fish.
Because there were too many people coming to greet and celebrate, Rhaegar did not drink wine, but he had his fill of apple juice.
Nobles, wealthy merchants, and knights took turns celebrating the arrival of Prince Rhaegar and Lord Jon Arryn. They wished good health to Lady Lysa Arryn and Ser Elbert Arryn, who were far away in King's Landing; they wished well-being to King Aerys II Targaryen and Queen Rhaella, and blessings upon the royal children in King's Landing, ensuring the continued prosperity of House Targaryen.
The wealthy merchants' true target was Prince Rhaegar. Lord Jon Arryn was as proud and immovable as a mountain, and like his poorer relatives, he always held a cold attitude toward merchants. The influence of Gulltown could not penetrate the Eyrie. However, Prince Rhaegar was different—someone who could be befriended.
According to the laws of primogeniture, even if Rhaegar and his younger brothers were born close together, their statuses were vastly different. The elder son bore the weight of inheritance, while the younger sons were destined to live in his shadow.
Rhaegar replied to each of them with a warm smile.
Since they had traveled far, Rhaegar also wanted to win over this faction—the Gulltown merchant interest. The young women were captivated by his smile; the Prince, with his silver hair, handsome features, and tall stature, was truly an ideal figure. But they also understood the gulf in status. For a merchant's daughter, marrying a widowed knight was already good fortune, let alone a prince.
Rhaegar felt that the merchants of Gulltown were giving too much. Besides spices, incense, precious crafts, and beautiful clothes, many merchants also presented gifts of gold, often engraved with their names and trades.
As the wine flowed and the atmosphere warmed, someone finally dared to challenge custom. A bold merchant stepped forward.
"I wonder if the Prince needs a clever young attendant? I have a son who is quick-witted, intelligent, skilled in arms, and proficient with the spear. If the Prince does not mind, I am willing to send my son to serve by your side."
Rhaegar glanced at the flushed merchant. There truly were brave souls.
The merchants of Gulltown longed desperately to elevate their status.
"Nonsense! Your son is clumsy and reckless. If anything, my daughter is clever and perfectly suited to serve the Prince."
"If the Prince does not mind, I have a daughter—"
"I have a son too!"
The voices overlapped, merchants clamoring over one another. Profit was their creed, and even if Lord Jon Arryn disapproved, they were willing to take the risk. Soon, even some impoverished nobles began to consider offering their own kin.
"Enough!" Lord Jon Arryn's face darkened. "Is the Prince's side a marketplace? Do you think you can all force yourselves in?"
Few great lords respected merchants, viewing them as commoners with coin. To Lord Jon, their behavior bordered on insult.
"Gentlemen," Rhaegar said calmly, "I appreciate your kindness. I do not lack attendants. However, our party left King's Landing in haste, and we truly are short of men."
"Then let our children become the Prince's guards!"
The suggestion immediately drew attention. Attendants and companions of the Prince were reserved for noble houses, but serving in the Prince's guard was another matter entirely.
Lord Jon glanced at Rhaegar. The Prince did need men, but guards drawn from merchant families were far from ideal.
"You think guarding the Prince is ceremonial?" Lord Jon said coldly. "Prince Rhaegar is a warrior. The battlefield changes in an instant. He needs steel, not flatterers."
The merchants exchanged uneasy glances. They had assumed guarding meant prestige, not bloodshed.
Rhaegar only smiled, gentle and composed.
"Prince Rhaegar has defeated six of my own guards aboard ship," Lord Jon Arryn continued. "He needs capable fighters, not useless drunkards."
The hall fell silent.
These were the words of the Warden of the East himself. No one doubted them.
House Targaryen was a warrior house, and the blood of Aegon the Conqueror flowed in Rhaegar's veins.
Rhaegar sighed inwardly. Lord Jon Arryn was indeed an upright man.
Hearing the warning, the merchants hesitated—then reconsidered. Wealth was born of risk. If one son had to be sacrificed for the family's future, perhaps it was worth it.
"I volunteer!"
"So do I!"
"My son will go!"
Rhaegar raised his hand.
"I will say this clearly. Those who drink to excess, frequent brothels, gamble, bully commoners, or lack martial skill will be expelled immediately. My guards must be soldiers, not thugs."
Lord Jon nodded approvingly. A ruler required strength, but also restraint.
Seeing the Prince's guard beginning to take shape, Lord Jon arranged for Ser Joffrey Arryn to be included. The young Arryn was immediately overjoyed—King's Landing was far more alluring than the Eyrie.
Soon, Vale knights and septons alike began pressing Lord Jon, each hoping to place a relative with the Prince.
Rhaegar instructed Cesar, Ser Barristan, and Ser Brynden to screen the applicants. Even so, looking at the sheer number of hopefuls, he felt a familiar headache coming on.
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