House of The Dragon:The Rise of the Emperor of the Seven Kingdoms

Chapter 179: Chapter 178 – The King’s Landing Tournament (VI)

On the tournament grounds outside King’s Landing.

A hedge knight from the Riverlands was struck full on by his enemy’s lance. The man fell from his horse as he writhed painfully on the soft ground of the battlefield. His armor, which was not good, was pierced by the wooden lance, and blood flowed from the wound.

Exclamations were heard as some looked away, not wanting to see the brutal sight of the man’s chest bleeding continuously. Though he had seen it before, Maekar had to admit there was a reason why, in the land, duels like these had been banned, along with other kinds of duels.

This sort of thing brought no benefit to kings; it only caused unnecessary headaches from quarrels between nobles. The loser usually died, and when he didn’t die, he was crippled for life. Not to mention the bloody feud that formed between the two families.

Even with the prize of five thousand golden dragons given to the winner, it didn’t seem particularly high against the possibility of losing one’s life. After all, you need to be alive to enjoy the money.

Thinking of this tournament’s prize, Maekar twisted his lips, remembering the forty thousand golden dragons that Robert Baratheon offered at his monthly tournaments. Five thousand golden dragons were enough for a hedge knight to have the best armor on the market, the best sword, and even an excellent warhorse. Even spending all of it, there would still be enough for ten or twenty years.

Golden dragons were made of silver and gold, not brass. Even now, Maekar still found five thousand golden dragons a very high price.

“That must have hurt.” Gael remarked, looking at the knight being dragged off the arena field by the squires. She looked at Maekar beside her and spoke in a gentle, soft tone. “Husband, I want to heal the wounded.”

Maekar nodded and did not refuse. Gael’s sanctification was still underway, and she had to save as many people as possible, especially among the less fortunate (the poor). Only when these people were genuinely venerating her would Maekar’s plan be complete.

The legendary figure of the saint raising the banner against the tyranny of the Faith of the Seven.

Thinking about this, Maekar’s smile became cold and full of malice. As someone who wanted to be an absolute ruler, he hated such great power being outside his control. Not to mention the Faith of the Seven, which was his enemy; even the Red Faith, which was his ally, would become a puppet.

Only the king is the proper leader to guide the faith of the common people. Maekar was not against various religions preaching in Westeros, but the title of supreme religious leader was his. Whoever was chosen to be the pope would also need his approval.

Want to spread your faith in Westeros? I accept, but kneel and accept me as your leader, and then, reluctantly, I will put a puppet, I mean, a chosen priest to guide your faith.

Autocrat of all religions and the king chosen by the gods… Maekar found the titles quite fitting.

“Uncle, you look like those villains the heroes defeat in the stories I hear when I go to sleep,” Rhaenyra said at that moment.

Maekar’s smile stiffened and he touched his face. Well, he really did look like a villain plotting against everyone and everything. But then, how many kings aren’t villains?

“Don’t worry, we are dragons, and real dragons aren’t defeated by heroes. Besides, whoever attacks our family are the villains, and we will always be the heroes who defeat the villains.” Maekar said as he looked at Rhaenyra with a gentle smile.

“Don’t worry, Uncle, when I ride Syrax, I’ll defeat all the villains.” Little Rhaenyra said with a big smile as she thought of her dragon. Unfortunately, she was not yet old enough to ride, so she could only visit the dragon at the Dragonpit and not ride her.

Maekar smiled with satisfaction. Instilling this idea in the girl from a young age was a very good thing. Though it was a bit of brainwashing, who didn’t suffer some brainwashing while growing up?

The tournament went on as usual, but Maekar kept his eye on a certain man. He had black hair flecked with the whiteness of time and a stern but kind look about him, with green eyes. He wore silver armor bearing the crest of his noble house, six scallops.

House Westerling of the Crag.

Harrold Westerling. Maekar recognized the man who was meant to be Viserys I’s Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Unfortunately, he already had Clarisse to hold that position, so it was uncertain whether the man would become a Kingsguard.

Nevertheless, House Westerling was loyal; the sons of House Westerling heeded Aegon’s call to fight against Maegor. In the end, all were killed, and the Lady of House Westerling became one of the Black Brides.

Maekar liked this kind of honorable house; it was the best kind for a king to have as company in times of need.

“My king, Ser Harrold is an experienced warrior. What do you think of him joining the Kingsguard?” Maekar looked at Jaehaerys and asked with a smile. He genuinely liked this loyal man.

Jaehaerys looked at Harrold and, seeing his exceptional skill, thought for a moment and nodded. He owed much to House Westerling, and he felt that the tournament in Maekar’s honor should carry more renown.

As for whether Harrold would refuse, Jaehaerys had never seen a man turn down the chance to join the Kingsguard.

The reason for this was closeness to the king; it was simply something every lord wanted. And despite the drawbacks of joining the Kingsguard, the honor and prestige a noble house received were simply too great; it could even make the noble house more prominent through such an illustrious lineage.

Don’t underestimate such a thing; a small noble house could secure better marriages and even gain the king’s support. After all, it was quite normal to increase the power of those who surrounded the king.

Amid Maekar’s and Jaehaerys’s conversation, the tournament continued. The winner of the tournament was exactly who Maekar expected, Harrold Westerling.

However, the man lost the joust but won the melee, becoming the champion.

“My prince, I wish to name the Holy Princess Gael as Queen of Love and Beauty. Does Your Grace permit me?” Harrold approached, still on his horse, and asked Maekar in a solemn tone. There was no mockery or lust on his face, only solemnity and the sacred feeling of a knight.

Maekar was surprised for a moment but nodded and did not refuse. Harrold had the decency to ask before acting, which showed him respect, as Gael’s husband.

Gael smiled and rose; she accepted the crown of blue flowers and placed it upon her hair.

“Thank you, Ser Harrold; it’s a beautiful gift.” Gael said in a gentle, yet graceful and solemn, tone. She carried herself like a queen.

“The honor is mine.” Harrold bowed to the future queen and looked at King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne.

“My king and queen, Harrold of House Westerling greets you.” Bowing once more, Harrold greeted the king and queen in a tone even more solemn than before.

“You fought bravely, Ser. You deserve to be the winner among so many formidable knights.” Jaehaerys spoke with a calm, deep look; he went on: “Ser Harrold, my grandson admired your skills and asked me whether you would accept joining the Kingsguard.”

Harrold looked at Maekar in surprise; he never thought the prince wanted him as a member of the Kingsguard. His knight’s heart began to beat faster. Being the most prestigious order of knights on the continent, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t excited.

There were only Seven Kingsguard! The best of the best in all the Seven Kingdoms!

Harrold did not hesitate, dismounted his horse, and knelt before the king and the entire royal family.

“I, Harrold of House Westerling, accept the summons to the Kingsguard.”

“I swear to give up my titles, possessions, and right to inheritance. I swear to remain chaste, I swear to protect the king with my life, I swear to guard the king from all dangers, and I swear that I will remain standing until the enemy drives a dagger into my heart and the warmth leaves my body.”

Harrold spoke solemnly. His voice carried to everyone who could hear, and those who could not hear caught what he was saying through whispers in the crowd.

“Rise and don your armor and white cloak, Ser Harrold.” Jaehaerys spoke with a satisfied look. There was now one more loyal man at his side. He came at a good time; the Kingsguard who had followed him for so long were already showing signs of age.

Even Ser Ryam Redwyne was no different. The Kingsguard needed new blood.

Clarisse, behind Maekar, looked with envy at the man being anointed before the whole capital. She wanted a similar scene, but she knew she could only have it once Maekar became king. King Jaehaerys would never accept a woman in the Kingsguard the way Prince Maekar would.

Suppressing the envy in her heart, she clapped along with the crowd, celebrating the birth of yet another Kingsguard.

While Maekar was applauding, he saw Miria approaching him, handing him a small scroll. He opened the scroll and smiled.

Turning to look at Jaehaerys, Maekar said in an enigmatic tone. “A fat pig has been delivered to the Red Keep.”

Jaehaerys understood the implications behind his words and smiled too, which was rare.

———

Read my other books:

House of The Dragon:The Rise of the Emperor of the Seven Kingdoms

Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos

Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.

Game Of Thrones: The King’s Court Wizard