Chapter 75 - Conspiracies (III)
WARNING: This Chapter will mention rape, so if you have any sensitivity to the subject, I advise skipping these specific paragraphs.
---------
"A battle doesn't only take place on the battlefield, a seemingly casual conversation is often more brutal in a person's heart." Aenar Targaryen, observing Hizdahr zo Loraq.
---------
A day had passed since Aenar's coronation, and now he was officially king, at least in the eyes of the people of Essos. In Westeros, however, Robert's allies considered him a fraud, perhaps even a usurper.
Descending the stone stairs that led to the prisons, Aenar smelled the putrid odor of the place. The stench of sweat and mold hung in the air, mixed with other smells that he preferred not to identify at the moment.
Behind him, Leda accompanied him, wearing her shining armor and the white cloak of the Royal Guard. Although she was short, the girl exuded an aura of authority that would put many men to shame.
At the end of the staircase, a long corridor revealed itself. Iron bars lined both sides, while scattered torches cast a pale orange light over the room.
Aenar observed the cells as he passed. Inside, old and decrepit priests, who had refused to accept the religious reforms he had implemented, were slowly rotting away. The conditions of these men were miserable, inhuman even, but the smile on the young king's lips never wavered.
How should he feel about those who refused to keep up with the times? Dying in the darkness of those cells, without suffering, was the greatest mercy he could grant.
After walking through a few more cells, Aenar stopped in front of one in particular. Inside, Tywin Lannister's youngest son was reading a book. Unlike the other prisoners, Tyrion had a comfortable bed, clean water and decent food, only the stench was something he shared with the others.