-Chapter 86-
-POV Arianne Martell-
As I watched Rhaegal and Viserion fly in the sky with Tyene by my side, I was interrupted by the sound of someone knocking on my door.
"Your Highness," said Ser Gerold Dayne outside my room.
"Enter, Ser Gerold," I said to the new Sword of the Morning who most often stood guard for me, a sign of trust from my husband while also testing my loyalty to him.
'He still has much to learn about manipulation,' I thought, smiling inwardly.
He entered and bowed, saying, "The king has returned from the hunt and is in a rather bad mood, he has demanded your immediate presence."
I smiled at Tyene and said, "It seems my husband is quite impatient today."
"He has requested your presence at the Council."
I frowned and then said, "At the council?!"
Gerold nodded, and confused, I followed him accompanied by Tyene, wondering why I was allowed into the council when even half of its members were not admitted and were mostly honorary members.
Once in front of the doors, Gerold stepped aside and let me open the doors myself. Inside the room, standing in front of a map of the continent spread out on the table, were my husband and sitting around him Tywin Lannister, Adrian Celtigar, Monford Velaryon, Viserys, my uncle, and Wylis Manderly.
However, what really surprised me was seeing the two brothers of the previous 'queen' Valeria standing on either side of my husband with murderous looks.
"Hello, my love," I said, walking towards him.
He cut me off, saying, "Sit down, Tyene, you leave."
"She can stay, I have every..."
"I said OUT."
'When Gerold said his mood was bad, he was underestimating; he's downright enraged,' I thought, nodding to Tyene to quickly leave, not wanting to worsen Aegon's anger.
"Now that everyone is finally here, it's time to start this meeting. What we are going to discuss must not and will not be repeated under penalty of death for each of you, and be sure, I will know and I will apply the sentence in the case you spread this matter."
Each of us nodded, while I wondered what could be the origin of such a secret.
Aegon picked up a wooden sculpture representing a kraken and said, "The north is attacked by the iron fleet."
I frowned and said, "Balon has not learned his lesson, attacking the seven kingdoms did not go well for him previously."
"The total force of the ironborn is about a thousand snekkars and about 40,000 pirates, including the iron fleet which is a true elite in naval battles; we are going to have a hard time beating them at sea," said Monford Velaryon.
"Yes, but that's not all, according to our information, the Golden Company would have landed in batches of 500 under assumed names in the North in the service of Roose Bolton, posing as Braavosi for several months already."
"It's a conspiracy," said Tywin, quickly understanding that someone behind the scenes was using Roose Bolton and Balon Greyjoy to divert our attention.
"Yes, I agree it reeks of conspiracy; it's clearly a way to push me to leave the capital, and I already have an idea of who it might be," said Aegon, looking insistently at Oberyn.
"I have not participated in a conspiracy against you; I would not do that to my niece," he said indifferently.
"I hope so, especially now that she is carrying my child," said Aegon, staring at my uncle who seemed troubled by the news.
He broke eye contact and then looked at me and said, "In my absence, I entrust the reins of the capital to Arianne; she will be my spokesperson in the capital for the duration of this campaign."
I had no time to rejoice before he placed a little wooden man and a flayed man on a cross on the position of the Dreadfort.
"Roose Bolton has the support of the Dustins and the Ryswells, which brings his host to about 15,000 men, so in all, the forces of Bolton and the Ironborn will be brought to more than 60,000 men."
"What I don't understand is why Roose Bolton thinks he can beat you; he's an intelligent and cunning man, not the kind to rebel without real cards in his hand."
"My hypothesis is that he thinks I would give control of the First Legion currently stationed at the Wall to my uncle and that I would not go up North."
"Yes, that's a possibility, but in his place, I think that while everyone focuses on the East coast and the royal fleet is blocked in the strait, I would send an army to march directly towards Moat Cailin to block any incursion from the south and attack the Hornwood and Karstark houses unexpectedly."
I frowned, and then Tywin grabbed a piece with a spear stuck in a sun and said:
"We all know who would have every interest in not wanting you on the throne, and we must assume that his allies in the kingdom are surely close members of him."
"That's absurd..." I began, before being interrupted by Aegon who said, "I've thought of that too."
I turned towards him, feeling betrayed, and he said, ignoring my look, "There are no suspicious movements from Dorne's side... So he has found other allies, and that only leaves you and the Tyrells."
I let out a small sigh of relief and turned towards Tywin, who was now stunned and shocked by the barely veiled accusation.
"I have not betrayed you," he said, almost offended.
"I know, and I know it's not the Tyrells either, that's why I can't anticipate their moves," said Aegon, finally sitting down on his seat.
"There is another alternative," suddenly said Wylis Manderly.
"Which is?"
He hesitated slightly before saying, "If it's Prince Aegon or one of his supporters, they are sure and certain they can assassinate you and Prince Viserys during this campaign."
Instead of being scared, a small smile rose on Aegon's face, and he said, "Nothing would please me more."