Chapter 616: The Assassin from Asshai

Chapter 616: The Assassin from Asshai

It was midday, and the sun shone brightly over Sunspear as Rhaegar landed his dragon, greeted by a grand reception.

“Your Grace,” Prince Qyle called out, trotting along with a face beaming with joy.

“It's been a long time, Prince.” Rhaegar dismounted from the dragon's back, his eyes scanning his loyal adviser to the Iron Throne.

Since childhood, he had been filled with both fear and admiration for dragons and had found it difficult to resist Targaryen rule. The adviser's constant admonitions had also shaped him into a gentle and chivalrous leader.

Qyle's forehead glistened with a fine line of sweat, unable to hide his excitement. “Your Grace, please follow me into the Sun Tower.”

“Lead the way,” Rhaegar replied, sweeping his gaze around the room. He spotted Beric Dayne, the Kingsguard and Regent of Dorne.

“Your Grace,” Beric said with all the righteousness in the world as he bowed to the king. Despite the weight of his responsibilities, he had not forgotten the original intention of joining the Kingsguard.

...

The Tower of the Sun, Throne Hall.

Rhaegar changed into a light yellow robe in the style of Dorne and took his place at the head of the banquet. A little girl with black hair and olive skin crept up beside him, staring intently. This was Coryanne Martell, the youngest daughter of the former Prince of Dorne, Qoren—a much-loved little princess.

Rhaegar glanced at her, though his thoughts were elsewhere. He had deep connections to House Martell. Qyle and Coryanne had once traveled together by boat to Braavos and Volantis's capital cities when they were attacked and taken hostage.

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“Sorry I'm late,” Qyle said as he hurried about, instructing the servants to set the table. He had been feeding the dragons, preparing livestock for the two enormous, castle-like beasts, and watching as dragonfire poured out.

Rhaegar waved his hand, his tone serious. “The orphans of the Greenblood River are rebelling, pirates are emerging from the Summer Sea, and the Prince still has much to worry about.” His visit to Sunspear was meant to help Qyle consolidate his rule and guard against threats from the Iron Islands and Basilisk Isles. Unlike on land, dragons were slightly less formidable at sea. Sunspear, sitting on the docks of the Greenblood River, could serve as an ideal bridgehead.

Qyle, though young, had a thick skin and spoke without hesitation. “Your Grace, I really need money and trade. Pirates have been stirring up trouble along the coast, causing panic in the city.” As he spoke, a pleading expression crossed his pale face.

Rhaegar turned his head away in silent disgust. 'This boy really knows how to take advantage of the situation and ask for a lot.' Though Qyle looked young with his baby face, he was fourteen years old and already had the mature thinking of an adult.

“There’s also the Greenblood River Dock,” Qyle continued, “where the ships are packed every day, but most of them stay in the inns, and the bulk of the business is going to Oldtown and Lannisport.”

His complaints were relentless. Since Dorne became independent, nobles across the territory had seized control of maritime trade. Now, as morals declined, Dorne had split into East and West, and merchants were reluctant to come.

Rhaegar listened patiently before offering a solution. “The rebels and pirates are a result of Sunspear’s lack of defense. Strengthening maritime trade will provide the funds needed to arm an army. I’ll notify the three Free Cities of the Narrow Sea to increase trade with the Greenblood River and, incidentally, provide protection for Dorne’s coastal areas.”

The rise of the Red Kraken and the Alliance of Three Cities foretold trouble brewing in the Summer Sea. If the Stepstones were used to link the two sides of the Narrow Sea and Dorne’s coast, a naval blockade could be formed to isolate the continent of Sothoryos. Colonization, however, was not the best option. Westeros was already sparsely populated, and moving to the barren continent of Sothoryos wouldn’t aid in development. Instead, they would trap their enemies in a land infested with mosquitoes and poisonous miasmas, cutting off their sources of food and clothing.

“I can't thank you enough, Your Grace,” Qyle said, nearly jumping with joy as he raised a cup of Harrenhal’s special sweet fruit wine in celebration.

...

After lunch, Rhaegar suggested a tour of the Greenblood River. As the only large dock in all of Dorne, it would bear the burden of the sea fleet's entry and exit in the future.

...

As they walked, the sky darkened. The group, escorted by guards, reached the far side of the Greenblood River, in the region that was once Lemonwood. After the Dragon's Wroth, Lemonwood had been tragically scorched by Sunfyre, reducing large swathes of the forest to charred earth as far as the eye could see.

A deep, rumbling growl echoed through the surviving trees, where the old, dark green dragon slithered along, its breath rustling the shrubs, causing them to crackle and sway violently.

"Your Grace, that’s the cargo ship at the dock," Qyle said, pointing to the multitude of ships crowding the wide river. The vessels ranged in size, flying the flags of various nations, making the scene as bustling as the Mud Gate in King’s Landing.

Rhaegar’s eyes were drawn to the banners of Oldtown’s Hightower and House Velaryon, which marked a fleet of two merchant ships that stood out among the others. Suddenly, a small sailing ship bearing a black flag caught his attention.

"Where is that ship from?" Rhaegar asked, his brow furrowed in curiosity. It was unfamiliar to him.

Qyle strained on tiptoe, eager to explain to the king, but his stature failed him, leaving him sweating in frustration. Beric, standing nearby, answered respectfully, "That ship is from Asshai. It’s been anchored in the Greenblood River for several days. Rumor has it that sorcerers aboard the ship are accompanying the Velaryon fleet."

"Is it connected to the Sea Snake?" Rhaegar inquired openly, comfortable in the presence of his Kingsguard.

Belis’s expression grew serious as he pondered the question. "I’m not certain, Your Grace, but Lord Corlys has been fixated on modifying his grand ship. He sent men to consult with the sorcerers of Asshai. Whether there's a direct connection, no one can say for sure."

"Brother."

Qyle’s ear twitched as he heard his sister’s voice, surprised to find her behind him. Turning, he saw Coryanne standing by a wooden box at the river’s edge, her face pale and distant. In her hand, she held a small seashell, her movements strangely entranced as she slowly approached.

Concerned for his sister, Qyle reached out as Coryanne, with a dreamy smile, handed him the shell. "Why are you here?" he asked, bewildered.

“Get out of the way!” a guard suddenly barked, snapping Qyle back to the tense reality around them.

Clang!

A long, black sword plummeted from the sky, pinning a palm-sized poisonous spider to the ground in an instant. Rhaegar swiftly grabbed the stunned Qyle and crushed the spider underfoot, shouting, "You ghostly thing, do you want to die?"

Qyle had suddenly changed his expression moments before, walking directly toward the river as if in a trance. He never imagined someone would attempt an assassination in broad daylight.

"Ssshhhh!" Coryanne's pupils turned pitch black as she bared her fangs like a beast before spinning around and leaping into the river.

"Sister!" Qyle cried out in shock, about to dive in after her.

"Don't worry, it's a fake!" Rhaegar held him back, his gaze icy as he fixed his eyes on a small Asshai boat shrouded in black canvas.

A slender figure stood on the boat, motionless as a corpse. The swift current carried the boat away, and it vanished silently behind a larger ship nearby, leaving no trace.

"Protect Your Grace!" Beric unsheathed his ancestral sword, Morning, and positioned himself in front of the two kings.

At that moment, beggar-like children appeared on both sides of the Greenblood River, their eyes glowing with eerie intent as they stared at the group. Rhaegar's expression hardened as he realized that someone was trying to assassinate Qyle and incite chaos in Dorne.