the farce of the red and golden lions ended quickly, yet once more laid the bloody gulf between them bare for all to see.
On one side stood the red-bearded, smirking red lion, Lord Roger Reyne. On the other, the golden-haired Ser Jason Lannister, Ser Tywin Lannister.
It was a struggle spanning decades. Under the Laughing Lion Tytos, the red lion's contempt and greed for its overlord reached its zenith.
They borrowed gold from House Lannister, then mocked their overlord twofold in return.
By doing so, the red lion was indeed playing with fire.
Between the great lords and the second-tier lords, the conflict was especially fierce.
In the Riverlands and The Reach, such thorns were plentiful. In the Riverlands, House Frey, after growing rich from the Twins, began to covet the Tully seat. In The Reach, houses like Hightower and Redwyne, whose strength rivaled House Tyrell, were no easy pickings.
But rarely did it escalate so. Between the Red and Yellow Lions, peaceful retreat was nigh impossible.
Tywin glanced at the red lion lord, dispersing the chill with ease. He spotted his brother Kevan, signaling him not to step forward. Kevan was Lord Roger's squire, yet foremost a noble Lannister.
Power is a leaping flame, a noble crown, and a blade that harms.
Power is not merely a game; it demands blood and fire to flow.
Those without ability who grasp power are often consumed by the flames in the end.
Tywin resolved to eradicate House Red Lion utterly. The Lannister heritage was profound. After The Laughing Lion, Roger and his house would meet the true lion.
Tywin saw Joanna once more, the sweet, lovely maiden, his moonlight, his rose.
The king glanced helplessly at the red and yellow lions locked in combat. To march west for a great war, the realm lacked such courage, nor could it open a second front.
Moreover, for King's Landing, a divided great house was not necessarily a bad thing.
Let them tear at each other, while King's Landing reaped the spoils.
Rhaegar watched the scene unfold. It seemed the gears of Tywin's fate were turning; House Red Lion would be erased entirely.
Rhaegar witnessed the brutality and ferocity of power. The Red and Yellow Lions, nearly kin by blood, now fought to the death.
Westeros, too, was a continent where men devoured men.
Many noble houses had already vanished into the long river of history.
House Durrandon, House Hoare, House Strong. As long as the rule of the great fish devouring the small endured, bloodshed and war were inevitable.
When second-tier lords eyed the great lords covetously, the great lords, given the chance, could threaten House Targaryen in turn.
Without dragons, House Targaryen had lost its unchallengeable voice. The already limited royal authority grew ever more limited.
Without dragons, House Targaryen would fade further along the path of decline.
Until some grand alliance by chance emerged to overthrow the dragons.
Achievement: game of thrones (a minor player, you witnessed the infighting of the red and golden lions, gaining a slight boost to your player aptitude.)
A chime sounded.
Rhaegar sensed a trace of warmth—was this the vigor of life?
The higher his achievements, the more his tree of life flourished.
House Blackfyre and the main branch of House Targaryen were already at irreconcilable odds.
Rhaegar wished to salute these warriors, hoping they would soon secure victory in war.
It was a war of justice against evil.
On the kingdom's side, it could be called a gathering of heroes. The Ninepenny King was truly a moment when the stars of humanity shone.
They were mostly pirates, exiles, ambitious merchants, disgraced knights, and the brutal kinslayer Daemon Blackfyre.
"Old Mother," a pirate queen.
Samarro Saan, called "the last Valyrian," the most notorious of the notorious pirate clans of Lys.
Jhala Quhaca, called "the Ebony Prince," an exiled prince of the Summer Isles.
Lemond Lester, called "God of War," a renowned mercenary captain.
Spotted Tom, called "the Butcher," a mercenary captain from the Disputed Lands praised by Westerosi.
Ser Derrick Fossoway, called "the Rotten Apple," a disgraced knight exiled from Westeros.
"Nine Eyes," leader of the Merry Companions.
Aquido Adris, called "Silver Tongue," a Tyroshi merchant prince, wealthy and ambitious.
Maris Blackfyre, called "the Cruel," captain of the Golden Company, the last Blackfyre.
Even though Rhaegar already knew the script of history, he still wished to offer a little encouragement.
Rhaegar squirmed in his mother's arms. Princess Rhaella was startled, unsure what the child intended.
"Rhaegar, what are you doing?" King Jaehaerys noticed the squirming child.
"You wish to fist-bump the warriors?" Princess Rhaella seemed to understand. Queen Rhaella was somewhat incredulous.
Perhaps when the Seven tossed the coin for this child, it landed on greatness. Rhaegar was truly a born warrior—precocious, beautiful, and healthy.
At the Old King's signal, she carried Rhaegar toward the warriors ahead.
Tywin watched Rhaegar, lost in thought. He had once dreamed many beautiful dreams—he and Joanna would marry, and they would have children as radiant as gold. Their sons would become great knights, their daughters honored queens. If the years aligned, Rhaegar would be a most suitable son-in-law.
Rhaegar extended his fist, gently bumping fists with the warriors.
Lord Mond, Ser Jason, Captain of the White Bull, Lord Hoster, and behind them several sour-faced Red Lion lords, Ser Blackfish, and the flattered Ser Barristan.
"This child is not yet old, yet he will forge achievements none before him have crafted," Lord Mond declared excitedly.
Lord Hoster the Tongue-in-Cheek watched Rhaegar, a trace of envy still smoldering—why did his own house lack such a clever child?
"Long live!"
"Long live the king!" The warriors' voices soared skyward, a raging river bearing the power to crush all before it.
"Rhaegar, blessed by the gods," the warriors whispered.
Achievement: game of thrones (a minor player, your salute has inspired all, granting a slight boost to your player aptitude.)
lucky one (a fortunate Targaryen, your luck shall pass to those you salute.)
"Prince, do you wish to salute Ser Barristan?" Barristan's voice trembled with excitement.
Barristan stood tall, long prophesied to be the finest knight of the coming decades.
Now, Ser Barristan was young, fearless, radiant as a newly forged blade.
After the two Duncans perished, all eyes turned to him.
Yet Barristan was still young at this time, rising among the most esteemed and powerful of the age, leaving him giddy as if he had tasted the finest wine in the world.
This was a knight personally endorsed by Prince Rhaegar, destined to become famed across the Seven Kingdoms.
"Barristan shall not fail your expectations and will protect all," Barristan declared.
Rhaegar was in high spirits, hoping Barristan would indeed protect all—especially Lord Mond.
Moreover, he had long intended to bind Barristan to him.
Such a hero was truly rare.
As the instructor said, Barristan was the finest choice.
Strong and of noble character.
Now, the Kingsguard's reputation had yet to rot, not yet the rabble of later days.
While Barristan was still young, he must be tied to the chariot.
Force-feeding is the true essence of education.
Only through bitter study can one grow stronger.