The year 134 AC was marked by the sorrowful news of Prince Regent Daemon's passing. However, it was not entirely a year of darkness. As the year drew to a close, the heavy snows of the North began to subside. Lord Cregan Stark sent ravens to King's Landing and Dragonstone, informing the lords that winter was nearing its end. In the Reach, the Stormlands, and Dorne, temperatures were slowly rising as well. Yet, both the King's Council in King's Landing and the maesters of Silver Crown Citadel remained cautious.
Maester Evens, now a full-fledged maester and striving toward the title of archmaester while overseeing education at the New Citadel, along with Grand Maester Munkun of King's Landing, both believed that winter would last at least another year. They sent letters advising Lord Cregan Stark to conserve grain for the coming spring planting.
The situation in the Vale improved significantly after the downfall of the Ambitious One. Ser Artis Royce crushed the united army of the mountain clans, but during the pursuit of the fleeing wildlings, he enLordered an ugly rogue dragon scavenging for food and was forced to abandon the chase.
From that day forward, a new wildling tribe emerged in the Vale, known as the Burned Man, named after a dragon that stole sheep and burned people alive. The beast, however, remained blissfully unaware of its new reputation as it silently returned to Dragonstone after each raid. But that was of little consequence—after all, the gods did not force their followers to believe in them… well, except for some religions.
That same year, Draezell sent Tigarro, his Shadowfinger, to King's Landing. Upon arrival, Tigarro broke ground on an estate once prepared as a refuge for Rhaenyra during the riots in the capital. There, he began constructing a grand residence for House Vaelarys in King's Landing. Draezell, serving as Aegon's Hand of the King, planned to bring his family to the capital once Aegon turned sixteen and returned to assume the throne. Until the young king mastered the art of governance, Draezell would remain to oversee affairs.
Tigarro was given two years to complete this massive palace. Fortunately, he had the aid of dragons. Draezell and Rhaegor personally flew Vermithor and Starsong to the construction site, scorching a vast pit into the hillside where the estate once stood. They also fired large amounts of black stone to be used in the construction of the colossal "Vaelarys Black Keep."
This keep would serve as a temporary residence for dragons in the capital. Vermithor naturally became the king of this dragonpit. Of course, when he is away, the king of the dragonpit will automatically be handed over to the dragon that has the advantage in size and strength. For example, if Vermithor comes to King's Landing, the dragonpit in Dragon's Nest will be managed by Silverwing. Conversely, if Vermithor returns to Dragon's Nest, the king of the Dragonpit in King's Landing will also be handed over to the dragon whose size is second only to Vermithor.
Draezell despised the Dragonpit in King's Landing. Even though Daemon had reformed its conditions, Draezell still loathed it.
The year 135 AC was a peaceful one—so much so that later historians struggled to find significant events to record. Many acLords merely listed the births of noble children and the marriages of various lords and ladies.
However, some strange yet notable occurrences did take place. Most significantly, Draezell's five sworn swords all found wives—except for Hoffa.
Tigarro Dargaleon, with the assistance of Joffrey Velaryon and Draezell, wed a cadet branch Velaryon girl named Daemyra Velaryon. This cheerful, silver-haired maiden bore Tigarro a son by the end of the year—a silver-haired boy with deep blue eyes. Tigarro named him Hegon.
Sebastian Pyrebane married the daughter of a wealthy merchant from Sunspear. This merchant had been House Vaelarys' trusted supplier, having followed Draezell from Volantis to Westeros, nearly bankrupting himself in the process. However, his investments paid off, and he accumulated even greater wealth than before. To solidify his status, Draezell granted him and his daughter noble titles and personally officiated both Sebastian and Tigarro's weddings.
At year's end, Aslan Rondell also wed Celia Saetheris, a female commander of the Silverblood Guard. This silver-haired knight hailed from a fallen noble house within the Black Walls of Volantis, carrying the blood of ancient Valyria—though not of the dragonlords. Her family had long since declined and sought protection under House Vaelarys through an old marriage alliance.
During the conquest of Dorne and the Dance of the Dragons, Celia distinguished herself in battle. By the time she wed Aslan, she had earned the right to enter the Silverblood Tower and meet Draezell in person.
Almost simultaneously, Argo's child was born. He named the boy Azul and immediately bestowed upon him a sacred mission—"You shall become the Great Khal of Draezell, or the blood-sworn guard of his eldest son, Rhaegor, who rides a winged steed. Do not bring shame upon your father or the entire khalasar."
As the year drew to a close, Prince Albain Dayne of Torrentine suffered a fatal accident while hunting—he fell from his horse and succumbed to his injuries. Without an heir, his title passed to Lord Quentyn Dayne of High Hermitage. Meanwhile, Obara Dayne took on the role of Quentyn's regent, overseeing the governance of House Dayne's lands.
At last, the year 136 AC arrived, marking Aegon's sixteenth name day. Shortly after, the young king was formally wed to Samantha Vaelarys—though consummation would wait until Samantha reached her first flowering.
Dragon's Nest, Twin Tower
Aegon gazed at the room where he had lived for nearly a decade, feeling a rush of emotions. Soon, he would be leaving it behind, returning to King's Landing to sit upon the Iron Throne.
Truth be told, he wasn't looking forward to it. Over the years, he had visited King's Landing multiple times, including a brief return a few days before his name day. Though the city had improved—no longer as foul-smelling and chaotic as before—Aegon, accustomed to the comfort of Dragon's Nest, still found it unbearable.
Compared to Dragon's Nest and Summerfield, King's Landing felt like a cesspit.
From every possible angle, it simply was.
"Aegon."
A much taller Viserys approached his elder brother. "Have you packed everything? We're leaving for King's Landing tomorrow."
"Honestly, I don't want to go back." Aegon covered his face with his hands. "Compared to Dragon's Nest and Summerfield, King's Landing is a giant dung heap."
"Aegon, I know you understand this," Viserys sighed. He, too, was reluctant to leave the comfort of Dragonstone, but they had no choice. "We are Targaryens, not Vaelarys." His voice grew stern. "King's Landing belongs to us."