Hello everyone and I hope you're all well and that you've had or are having a good Monday.
Here's today's chapter and, as every week, the reset of the power stones means that you can earn extra chapters by advancing the story in the power rankings.
100 power stones = 1 extra chapter
200 power stones = 2 extra chapters
300 power stones = 3 extra chapters
400 power stones = 4 extra chapters
500 power stones = 5 extra chapters
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-Chapter 28-
-POV MC-
In the Council chamber, everyone gathered at the invitation of the Lord Protector, that is… me.
I looked at the old and new members of this council: Varys, Master of Whisperers, Petyr, Master of Coin, Cersei, Regent, Tyrion, Hand of the King, Pycelle, Grand Maester, Paxter Redwyne, Master of Ships, and I said:
"We have already won the war, but the Starks will not surrender until they have completely lost hope. This could happen in a month or in a year, despite the hostages we have in our possession."
"In fact, we have not quite won yet," said Tyrion.
"Yes, we have won. Now that Renly and Stannis are both dead, there is no one left to contest King Tommen's throne," I said.
"The Targaryens remain," said Varys.
I didn't really like this man because I knew deep down he was a hypocrite. I didn't know who he was or whom he truly served.
All I knew was that he was one of the main culprits of these wars he was trying to "stop."
"I have heard of them, but they will only become a threat when they cross the narrow sea. We will not deal with them before that," I said, dismissing the subject outright.
It was too easy to try to scare us with ghosts to keep us on alert and scattered. At this moment, we needed unity more than ever, and I knew full well that, for now, I was ahead of the series' timeline.
If I calculated correctly, she was now in Qarth or would arrive there in the next two moons. There were still three to five years before Daenerys became a serious threat.
She would take Slaver's Bay, and meanwhile, I would make new friends all over Essos by selling weapons to use against dragons. Before she crossed the sea to reach Westeros, I would have exhausted her using my new friends, the slavers.
"My father will not agree with this," said Tyrion.
"Then he will tell me himself. In the meantime, we must unite this kingdom and stabilize it so that trade can resume and peasants can return to plowing their fields," I said.
The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls of the Council chamber. Each member of this council represented a pillar of power in Westeros, and the tension was palpable as every gaze settled on me.
Pycelle spoke up in a trembling voice worn by time:
"My lord, dragons are not just wild beasts but weapons of mass destruction. We must take their power into account."
Varys slightly inclined his head, his eyes scrutinizing each member of the council:
"Dragons are indeed a threat, but Daenerys herself is the real enigma. Do not underestimate her; she has already won many hearts in Essos."
Cersei, with her usual grace, retorted: "Yet Ronnet is right; we must first unite our lands. The Starks, despite their pride, must be brought back into the fold."
Petyr smiled slightly, his cold eyes calculating every move. "However, I suggest keeping surveillance on Essos. You are right to want to stabilize the kingdom, but keeping an eye on the potential threat won't hurt."
Redwyne, with his deep sailor's voice, added: "The sea will be our first line of defense. I will strengthen the fleet. Daenerys may have dragons, but she must first cross our waters. Dragons or not, no Targaryen will impose their madness on us again."
Tyrion, ever the astute, raised his glass:
"My dear Ronnet, I agree with you, but remember this proverb: a lion does not concern himself with the opinion of sheep, but he is wary of dragons. Let's ensure our enemies receive no help from within."
I took a deep breath, weighing the words of each member. Each had their own fears, their own agendas, but ultimately, it was up to me to make the decision.
"We will take it step by step. For now, let's unite the kingdom. But Petyr, Varys, I want spies in Essos. Keep me informed of every movement of the Mother of Dragons. Lord Redwyne, strengthen the fleet… and Tyrion, make sure our economy is robust enough to support our defenses."
Everyone nodded, some reluctantly, others with determination. But one thing was certain: the game of thrones was not over, it had just begun.