"Prince Viserys, Princess Daenerys."
'What the hell!'
Everyone present exchanged glances, and Viserys struggled to recall the man's identity. The man in his forties then spoke up, "Prince Viserys, Princess Daenerys, I am called Griffin, but that's my pseudonym. My real name is Jon Connington, Lord of Griffin's Roost. I once followed Prince Rhaegar."
Viserys paused, then said, "The Battle of the Bells?"
Jon Connington's body trembled slightly. "Yes, the Battle of the Bells."
The Battle of the Bells was a significant conflict during the War of the Usurper. Robert had been cornered by Jon Connington in Stoney Sept, forced to hide in a prostitute's bed to escape. Jon Connington could have burned down the town and killed Robert, but his honor wouldn't allow him to harm innocent people. This decision led to his expulsion by the Mad King Aerys. He later joined the Golden Company and rose through the ranks.
According to the original plan, Viserys and Dany should have left Braavos half a year ago and would not have encountered Jon Connington. Yet, here they were.
"I remember now. Get up," Viserys said.
Jon Connington looked up at Viserys, his tear-filled eyes glistening. Seeing the resemblance to Rhaegar, he struggled to compose himself, but his heart was filled with devotion to Rhaegar's 'orphan.'
"Are you still serving in the Golden Company?" Viserys asked.
"Yes. I was going to leave last year, but after hearing news about the two of you, I stayed."
"What are you doing here now?" Viserys's tone was cold, but Jon Connington thought he understood. He believed Viserys was resentful due to their shared hardships.
Feeling the need to explain, Jon Connington said, "I hope to follow the Prince and Princess."
"No need. You were banished by my father. You and the Targaryens no longer have any relationship of subordination. Follow whoever you want and live however you wish," Viserys said. He then turned to Kyla, "Kyla, escort this man out."
"Wait!" Jon Connington pleaded, thinking Viserys was angry with him for sparing Robert. "The late king Aerys was merciful and only banished me. But if it weren't for me, Prince Rhaegar and the late king wouldn't have... Please, give me a chance to atone for my sins."
The others were moved by Jon Connington's plea. To any bystanders, it might have seemed that Viserys was about to gain a 'confidant.'
However, Viserys frowned as he watched Jon Connington's performance. He stood up and placed a firm hand on Jon Connington's shoulder, making it feel as though an iron clamp was ready to crush it at any moment.
"Ser Jon Connington, you have not told the truth once since you entered," Viserys said.
Jon Connington's heart trembled, and his eardrums seemed to ring. He had no idea how he had revealed his weakness. "Prince, I don't understand what you mean," he replied nervously, a figure flashing through his mind.
"Don't you really understand?" Viserys squeezed his hand, sending a wave of numbness through Jon Connington's shoulder. His grip was terrifying.
"Please tell me, Prince."
Viserys bent down, bringing his face within half a foot of Jon Connington's, and stared into his eyes. "I'll say it one last time. Don't make me repeat myself, or I'll kill you the next time you appear before me."
Dany was puzzled by Viserys' cold attitude. This "Uncle" had followed Rhaegar and should be a good person.
She knew the story of the "Battle of the Bells" and that he was responsible for it. But Viserys had told her that some things should be judged by facts, not by heart. Why treat him like this?
Finally, after struggling for a while, Jon Connington said, "Rhaegar's child is still alive. I've been protecting him."
Rhaegar's child? Wasn't Rhaegar's child killed by the Mountain? Dany seemed to have heard explosive news and opened her eyes wide in disbelief.
Viserys sat back in his chair. "Tell me more. What is yours, Varys, and Illyrio plan? Tell me everything!"
'How—how is that possible! How could he know?' Jon Connington was horrified. He looked into Viserys' eyes and felt his insides being seen through.
In the end, Jon Connington told Viserys everything he knew. How Varys had switched the babies, how Illyrio had given the baby to him, and how he had pretended to be the baby's father and taken care of him.
"What about us? What about Dany and me? What did you arrange for us?" Viserys demanded.
Jon Connington didn't dare to answer. What they had arranged for Viserys and his sister was heart-wrenching. They wanted to use the siblings as decoys to attract firepower and ensure "Little Aegon" grew up safely. This was something Jon Connington wanted to keep hidden.
"Can't say it, can you? You think 'Little Aegon' has a better claim to the throne than me and Dany, so you put us on the front lines, leaving us to wander, to be assassinated, to be manipulated. Even if Dany were sold into a brothel and I were killed, you wouldn't care!"
Viserys's voice was stern, his tone icy, making Regis, who stood behind him, tremble.
"No!" Jon Connington's defense sounded particularly weak.
Ignoring him, Viserys continued, "If that's the case, why did you come to me? Just continue to train the little one, isn't that enough? Is it not enough to use us as shields? Do you want me to kneel down and pledge my loyalty to that little bastard?"
Jon Connington was already trembling. This involved his next plan with Illyrio. Viserys was growing up very quickly, and he was not only qualified as a decoy but also overqualified. They needed to keep Viserys under their complete control. Jon Connington's aim was to get him into the Golden Company and keep him under surveillance.
In a weak voice, as if justifying himself, Jon Connington said, "Prince, Aegon is the heir of Prince Rhaegar. The prophecy speaks of three dragons with three heads. Now is the time for us to take back the Iron Throne together!"
"What do I need with that broken chair? And when did you ever have anything to do with the Targaryens?" Viserys retorted. He then turned to Regis and Kyla. "Regis, Kyla, you can leave us. Guard the door."
The two men nodded and passed by Jon Connington, who was almost limp. Viserys pulled him to the table and wrote a sentence with his finger dipped in water.
Jon Connington couldn't believe his eyes. "This is impossible!" he exclaimed.