The news arriving from the Stepstones was both good and bad.
The bad news was that the hand of the king, the King's brother-in-law, Lord Ormond of Storms End, was seriously wounded and unconscious. Although this hand of the king was not a fearless warrior, everyone respected the Lord's courage and vows because he charged forward like a Stag.
The good news was that the young hero had displayed great prowess on Bloodstone, where the fearless Barristan Selmy had slain Maris Blackfyre in single combat. The ferocious Blackfyre family had, on the surface, lost its male heirs. Even though the Daemon Blackfyre family was numerous, with the extinction of the male line, the remaining female descendants were not a major threat.
Lord Ormond was escorted off the battlefield by his son, Ser Steffon. He was first taken to Storms End, and then escorted to Kings Landing for treatment. Fortunately, his life was not in danger, and waking up was only a matter of time.
Rhaegar's nickname, the "lucky one," spread further and further. Warriors whom Prince Rhaegar had paid tribute to also seemed to receive the protection of luck. Lord Ormond survived such severe injuries and even escaped Maris Blackfyre's fatal blow. Although it was the horse that displayed sudden divine power that day, the nobles preferred to believe it was due to Prince Rhaegar's lucky aura.
After some time passed, the news of Ser Jason's death arrived. Nevertheless, both nobles and commoners still believed in Rhaegar's innate luck. Ser Jason's luck was simply too poor; even with the little Prince's lucky tribute, he still died on the battlefield.
There was nothing to be done; House Lannister of the Westerlands had genuinely suffered poor luck in recent years. Several Lannister heirs had cycled through, or else The Laughing Lion would not have made his appearance. Everyone suspected that the curse of Ser Jason's father, Lord Gerold, for kinslaying was still lingering, and the sins of the old lion had returned upon his sons.
The fighting on the Stepstones continued, but the death of Maris Blackfyre signaled a war that was bound to end.
Due to the death of Maris Blackfyre, the other Ninepenny Kings lost interest in Westeros. They would abandon the Stepstones, which had become a burdensome asset, and return to the maelstrom of Essos. After all, the others were not Blackfyres and had no deep emotional attachment to Westeros. Usurping a kingdom was also a business, and if Westeros proved uncooperative, they would just return to their old haunts.
Meanwhile, the name of Ser Barristan echoed throughout Westeros, becoming someone known even by highborn ladies in Kings Landing and humble mill girls in remote villages—he was the dream lover of many.
Many girls began to envy his fiancée, who had not yet married him, thinking how wonderful it was to have such an honorable marriage. However, even more people felt that their love was about to dissipate like a bubble.
Because anyone with eyes could see that Ser Barristan loved honor to the point of obsession.
If a knight loves honor more than he loves a woman, a very normal outcome will occur. Barristan might put on the white cloak and join the White Knight.
For Westeros, years of peace were just around the corner.
In Kings Landing, the grand feast commenced once more.
Inside the Queen Dowager's Ballroom, King Jaehaerys II and his Queen sat on a high platform, smiling as they watched the noble ladies surging through the hall. Times of peace were good times. The Queen Dowager's Ballroom was less than a tenth the size of the Throne Room, and only half the size of the Small Hall of the Hand's Tower, but it was superior in its quiet environment and elegant decorations, easily accommodating a hundred people. Torch sconces and large silver mirrors behind them—such luxury was reserved only for the royal family.
The noble ladies sat at the long tables. Due to the depletion of the treasury caused by the war, the tables only offered small snacks like lemon cakes, with hard dishes like roast pig being rare. But as the sounds of flutes and fiddles began, even a simple meal was filled with a warm atmosphere.
Although these women were the mothers, wives, daughters, or sisters of the warriors, with the death of Maris Blackfyre, they had seen the flag of victory. The warriors were about to return victorious, and everyone felt joy and relief, no longer fearing the war.
Fearing the King might be bored, Prince Rhaegar sat freely between the King and Queen. Also present were Queen Rhaella, the Queen's companion, the Princess of Dorne, Miss Joanna Lannister, Ser Steffon, and his wife, Lady Cassana Estermont.
Although Ser Steffon's face still showed a trace of weariness, the color of wind, frost, and rain, the gradual improvement of his father's condition brought more cheer to his expression. He had been rushing about all the way from Bloodstone to Storms End, and then to Kings Landing.
Looking at Ser Steffon beside him, Rhaegar understood that he had altered a small cog of history; Lord Ormond had not died, but was severely wounded.
Rhaegar's Tree of Life template chimed at this moment, and the Tree of Life had grown a little stronger.
[Rhaegar Targaryen]
Identity: The Last Dragon
Aptitude: Knightly Aptitude (Natural Warrior), Sword Heart and Zither Mind (The combination of power and beauty; you will achieve balance in knowledge, combat, and art), Sleeping Dragon (Regrettably, you have yet to awaken the giant dragon)
Charm: Likable Dragon Baby, Precocious One
Achievements: game of thrones (Small Player), Warrior (Small Warrior), lucky one (Lucky Targaryen; your luck has caused a minor turning point in history, and countless new paths have branched out in the forest. Whether right or wrong, the choice is yours.)
Collection: None.
Rhaegar noticed the minor turning point in history. It seemed that by saving Lord Ormond, the Tree of History had sprouted many new branches. This was the butterfly effect, and he wondered what new changes the future held. In this moment, he only sought to have a clear conscience.
"I truly apologize, Steffon, please forgive my willfulness. If you had to stay home every day caring for your aged father, you would surely become ill yourself," said Jaehaerys II. He was a benevolent King who could empathize with the plight of young people.
"Thank you for your concern and benevolence. Grand Maester Pycelle has also been very attentive to my father's illness, searching through medical texts and even introducing us to other skilled Maesters," Ser Steffon stood up and expressed his gratitude to the King.
"Maester Pycelle is in the prime of his life, a perfect time to take on great tasks. How could those previous Grand Maesters, who were over eighty years old and nearly meeting the Stranger themselves, attend the Small Council and share the King's burdens?" said Jaehaerys II. He had a rather good impression of the newly arrived Pycelle. Grand Maester Pycelle was only forty-three years old, making him quite a young Grand Maester.
Because the previous few Grand Maesters had been old and decrepit—some old, some sick, dying shortly after taking office—King Aegon V had specifically requested The Citadel to send a young one. Unfortunately, the King was burned to death after the Maester had served only a few months. King Jaehaerys II had previously known very little about this Maester. Now, seeing the Grand Maester's enthusiastic demeanor and his meticulous care for Lord Ormond's condition, the King felt a measure of delight.
Judging by this Maester's performance, his humility towards power far surpassed his loyalty to the Faith and scholarship.
"Your Grace, I am honored that you invited me to this grand gathering." Pycelle, dressed in simple robes, was tall. He walked through the crowd and onto the platform. He jogged lightly, his steps steady yet slow, like a clumsy bear.
The younger girls even started snickering because his appearance was indeed clumsy.
Rhaegar's heart tightened. The Tumbler had officially made his appearance.