The Red Crab Hall of House Celtigar, on Claw Isle, felt like the heart of a lost civilization. Everything about it spoke of ambition and power: the lamps carved with figures of dragons and crabs, the black marble imported from Essos, and the maps of trade routes that had turned Claw Isle into the economic hub of Westeros.
Corwin Celtigar presided over the hall alongside his wife, Gael Targaryen, daughter of Jaehaerys. Both, impeccably dressed, projected an image of calculated power. Across from them sat Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen, their regal bearing a match for their hosts.
Rhaenys inclined her head, a smile playing on her lips. "I must admit, Corwin, Claw Isle never ceases to impress me. But what you've accomplished here surpasses anything I imagined. You are the only man to have returned from Valyria. And not only did you return, but you brought back riches and knowledge that have transformed this island into something worthy of song."
Corwin nodded slightly, his lips curling into a humble smile. "The credit is not mine alone, Rhaenys. Valyria gave me its secrets, but it is the Valyrian blood of my wife that has turned those secrets into power. Claw Isle is not just wealthy; it is strong."
Corlys sipped his wine, assessing his host with the calculating gaze of an experienced captain. "You command the second-most powerful fleet in Westeros, a wife who shares the blood of dragons, and trade that enriches even those who wish to sink you. It is an impressive feat, Corwin."
"Impressive, yes," Rhaenys added, with a spark of challenge. "But I know your ambition does not end here."
Corwin chuckled softly. "When has a Valyrian's ambition ever ended, Rhaenys? Our dragons are fire, and fire is never satisfied. Now, I seek to bind our houses even closer. A marriage between my son, Rhaegar Celtigar, and your daughter, Laena Velaryon, would seal an unbreakable alliance."
Corlys raised an eyebrow, his expression guarded. "Your son is not yet a dragonrider. And Laena already flies with Vhagar, the greatest dragon in the world. I cannot overlook how convenient this union would be for you, but what does my house gain?"
Gael, with the elegance of a queen, spoke for the first time, her tone firm. "My children carry the blood of Jaehaerys. No other house in Westeros can offer you an alliance with heirs so close to the throne. And while Vhagar is majestic, my son will ride Gaelitox when the time comes. This union will strengthen not only our houses but everything we stand for as Valyrians."
"The power of dragons is absolute, but the world is not sustained by fire alone," Corwin added, fixing Corlys with a direct gaze. "Our alliance would dominate the seas, the skies, and the flow of gold. What other house can claim the same?"
Silence fell over the hall. Rhaenys looked at her husband, then at Corwin. "We will not make this decision lightly. This marriage is more than a simple union. It is a pact that could reshape Westeros."
Corwin nodded. "That is precisely what I offer."
---
In the Red Keep, King Viserys Targaryen and his wife, Aemma Arryn, strolled through the gardens. The sun illuminated the stone paths, but their conversation cast a palpable shadow.
"The tournament will be a spectacle to behold," Viserys said, trying to sound optimistic. "Westeros will see the strength of our house."
Aemma looked at him with a mix of weariness and sorrow. "It is easy to speak of strength when you are not the one who pays for it in blood. This will be my last child, Viserys. I have decided."
Her husband stopped, surprised by the hardness in her voice. "Aemma…"
"We have lost three children before this one," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I cannot endure any more."
Viserys sighed, turning his gaze to the city's walls. "I understand, but this child will bring stability. I feel it in my bones, Aemma."
From a distance, Rhaenyra Targaryen watched her parents. At ten years old, the girl already carried an air of authority. She had been a rider of Syrax since she was seven, and though the dragon rested in the Dragonpit, her presence seemed to accompany Rhaenyra always.
Rhaenyra approached them with confident steps. "May I visit Syrax before the tournament?"
Aemma smiled faintly. "Of course, but be careful, daughter. Dragons are not playthings."
"I know, Mother," Rhaenyra replied, with the confidence of someone who already understood the power she wielded.
---
From his study in the Red Keep, Otto Hightower watched the harbor of King's Landing alongside his daughter, Alicent. The bay was livelier than usual, with the ships of Houses Celtigar and Velaryon arriving in formation.
The Celtigar ships, with their scarlet and gold sails, stood out for their opulence. The Velaryon vessels, by contrast, moved with lethal grace, a reminder of why they ruled the seas. But what truly captured the attention of the city were the dragons that accompanied them.
Vhagar, massive and fearsome, dominated the sky with Laena Velaryon on her back. Meleys, the majestic mount of Rhaenys, spread her crimson wings, reflecting the sunlight. Dreamfire, ridden by Gael Targaryen, moved with a regal grace. And though younger and smaller, Gaelitox, with Rhaegar Celtigar, roared with defiance, embodying the fierce spirit of his lineage.
Alicent set her book aside, captivated by the scene. "It's as if the dragons eclipse everything else."
Otto, without taking his eyes off the view, responded in a low tone. "Dragons always do, daughter. They are a reminder of who holds the true power in this world. And also of how dangerous their flame can be."
The arrival of Houses Celtigar and Velaryon was not just a display of strength; it was a declaration. Westeros was about to witness the rise of alliances that could shift the balance of the realm forever.
End of Chapter 1