The Hand of the King sat behind his desk, reading over a report detailing another dispute between the Company of the Cat and the Windblown. The two sellsword companies have a lot of bad blood between them, and since there was no war to keep them occupied, there were arguments and fights multiple times a day. Connington could only throw so much women and food at the sellswords, trying to keep them complacent.
It was all going to hell. He had planned for years with Varys and the dornish, waiting impatiently for the time for him and the boy to return to Westeros. Then, when Varys finally said that it was time, Connington's plans went from good to great with the betrothment between Aegon and Daenerys. He had the sellswords, she had the dragons and the Unsullied. It was perfect. Illyrio, the fat fool in Pentos, had paid for it all and even provided the ships needed for the army to cross the Narrow Sea.
Connington knew that Robb Stark would be an obstacle to overcome, Varys had been keeping him and Prince Doran up to date with everything the boy was doing. It was impressive, but Connington had faith that when the time came, he would either bend the knee or be bathed in dragonfire.
The plans that Connington had worked so hard on fell apart in small part due to Barristan Selmy, Varys, and Daenerys. They convinced the girl that peace was achievable with Stark, and unfortunately they were proven right. That first meeting had been a disaster for the Targaryen party, especially for Aegon.
Flashback
"Why wasn't I told?" Aegon demanded, storming into Connington's chambers. The young king's face was mottled with rage and betrayal.
"What help would it have done?" Connington replied. "You're not Aerys."
"I'm fucking related to him!" Aegon snapped. "I had a right to know that my grandfather burned men alive!"
"He was the king!" Connington barked back. "Your grandfather was not without his faults, but you're not him."
Aegon grabbed a nearby pitcher of wine and threw it against the wall, denting the pitcher and soaking a nearby table and chair in wine. His chest was heaving and he kept running a hand through his silvery-blue hair. Connington simply took a seat behind his desk and waited for the boy. He had always had a temper, unlike his father.
There were many differences between Aegon and Rhaegar, no doubt caused because of how they were raised. Rhaegar was raised as royalty, with everything he could ever want. He also benefited because of his friends in the kingsguard, Ser Arthur Dayne and Barristan Selmy. Men of honor and integrity. It also helped that Rhaegar was a naturally good person who excelled at anything and everything.
His son, on the other hand, was headstrong and overconfident at the best of times. He had a problem controlling his emotions, but Connington was sure that the boy got that habit from being around sellswords most of his life, men who definitely had anger issues. But there were glimpses that proved that Aegon was indeed Rhaegar's son. Connington saw it in his smile and his eyes, the way he spoke. There was no doubt.
"Was he right?" Aegon asked finally.
"Stark?" Connington asked. "Aerys had problems, but they didn't warrant a rebellion. Your father should have replaced him as king."
"Was he a rapist?" Aegon asked. "Did Rhaegar rape the Stark girl?"
Connington scoffed. "Rhaegar was the furthest thing from a rapist, my boy. He was noble and true and as good a man as you'll ever find. Him raping Lyanna was a lie concocted by Eddard Stark and the Usurper."
"But he still ran off with another man's betrothed." Aegon pointed out.
"Aegon the Conqueror had two wives. Whatever happened between them was nothing that would warrant a rebellion." Connington replied easily.
Aegon nodded slightly, taking it all in. "You promised me Westeros." he said quietly.
"And you'll have it." Connington said.
Aegon shook his head. "Apparently my daughter will, married to Stark's son."
Connington grunted. "Worry not, my boy. His men will never agree to peace. Not when they're so close to victory. It also helps that Stark is young and will make mistakes all young men make."
"You're saying he'll declare war on us." Aegon said slowly.
Connington nodded. He had no intention of telling the boy that Stark would declare war on the Targaryens because Connington provoked him. It was the only way to ensure that Westeros is returned to the rule of its true king. Daenerys would willingly sell her birthright away, but Connington had no intention of allowing Aegon to be stuck in the deal as well.
Flashback
Connington was pulled from his thoughts by the knock at his door.
"Come."
The door opened to reveal Lysono Maar, the Golden Company spymaster. He was a sellsword like all the rest, but his skill set was much more suited to the job Connington had in mind for him. Any sellsword in the company could grab a random weapon and kill a man. Maar had the ability to make the death look like an accident.
Or not, depending on the message that needed to be sent.
"Lord Hand." Lysono said, bowing.
"Maar." Connington grunted. "I have a job for you."
Maar didn't respond, just allowing a slight smile to play on his lips. The spymaster had a feminine appearance about him, with his hair and eyes giving him almost Targaryen characteristics. But the lyseni had the ability to change his looks depending on the situation.
"Robb Stark's guard is down." Connington continued. "His child has been born and his father has returned. I want him and his son dead."
Lysono raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Connington glared at the man. "He's the lynchpin. Pull it and the hierarchy falls to pieces."
Lysono bowed again. "I shall need…."
Connington waved his hand. "Get whatever you need. Pilfer Pycelle's stores if you need. Word of this does not leave this room. Understood?"
Maar nodded and swept out of the room. The man was annoying to deal with and reminded Connington of the Red Viper, but like all men in the Golden Company, he was very good at his job. Now all Connington had to do was wait. Once Stark and his son were dead, Ned Stark would look at the Targaryens as the obvious culprits.
Connington loathed to label Aegon and Daenerys as child murderers, but it needed to be done. Tough decisions had to be made and both Targaryens were too young to make such calls. What Connington was doing, it would bring about a much needed war that would ensure that the Targaryens were once again in their rightful place as rulers of all Westeros.
Varys' plan made them look weak and pathetic, making Daenerys and Aegon hand over a birthright that they should have been fighting for since the beginning. It didn't help that, even if the children of both couples were married, Stark's would still rule Westeros. They had more land, they had all the advantages and leverage. House Targaryen would look like second place, and Connington would be damned if he let Rhaegar's house look second to the barbarians from the North.
Once the war was one and Aegon sat on the Iron Throne, no one would dare speak about how he got there. Not when he had earned his throne with fire and blood, just like his namesake.