"Alright, everyone." Lord Kermit knocked on the stone wall—not because he wanted to, but because the tables in this hall had long rotted away. Still, the lords present showed him due respect. The moment he spoke, all eyes turned to him.
And they had good reason to. Lord Kermit had fought side by side with the great lords of the Riverlands on the battlefield. His close ties with Lord Benjicot Blackwood and Lord Forrest Frey had cemented his position as one of the few truly powerful Tully governors of the Riverlands in history.
As Kermit Tully surveyed the gathered lords, he mentally mapped out the potential factional divisions. The Vaelarys family had left King's Landing, but Draezell was not Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra's greatest mistake had been her failure to take control of King's Landing when she was heir to the throne. She left the capital, yes, but she took residence on Dragonstone, an island so close that one could sail to King's Landing and back in a single day. She had dragons, her husband had dragons, and yet she let the city slip from her grasp.
The result? When Viserys died, she did not even hear of it immediately. By the time she acted, the war known as the Dance of the Dragons had already put her at a disadvantage.
In hindsight, what frustrated the lords who had fought for her was not just this.
Daemon had poured his heart into training the City Watch, but when the so-called "Disobedient" Alicent, the "Kinslayer" Aemond, the "Kingmaker" Cole, and the Usurper Aegon launched their coup, the Gold Cloaks proved useless. Loyalists to Rhaenyra were massacred, and she remained on that nearby island, doing nothing. Only after Prince Lucerys was killed, the usurpers withdrew from King's Landing, and Draezell returned did she finally decide to seize the city.
One could only conclude that Rhaenyra had been too politically inept.
Draezell, however, was fundamentally different. He was not the heir to the throne and had no interest in the Iron Chair. He had no need to station forces in King's Landing.
Draezell had the Principality of the Borderlands—that was his true power base.
Without her claim, Rhaenyra had nothing.
That was the core difference between them. Draezell could sit back in his vast domain and watch the game of power in Westeros unfold. He could mobilize no fewer than fifteen thousand elite soldiers and commanded the strongest fleet in the Narrow Sea. His wealth surpassed all the great houses.
That was why Kermit and the others could openly align themselves with the Vaelarys family.
The Vaelarys were strong enough.
As Kermit looked around, the other lords were looking back at him, each silently calculating their allegiances.
Kermit himself was not an unwavering supporter of the Vaelarys faction. The earliest lords to rally to the Black cause had, in fact, resented House Tully's initial hesitation. But the steadfastness of Lord Elmo and Lord Kermit had erased that doubt over time. Thus, he was considered part of the so-called "Silver Dragon Party".
This term would later be coined by Maester Martin in his History of the Targaryen Dynasty and by Archmaester Samwell in his Secret Histories: From Aegon II to Baelor I. It described the nobles and lords who had sided with the Vaelarys family during this period.
The Silver Dragon Party was strong in the Riverlands. Lord Forrest Frey, Lord Petyr Piper and his son Ser Stanton Piper, Lord Benjicot Blackwood, Lord Melis, Lord Bracken, Lord Mooton, and Lord Kermit Tully were all later recognized as members.
Meanwhile, House Vance, House Bigglestone, House Chambers, and House Darry were seen as more loyal to the Crown.
But the lords in the hall likely saw things differently. Lord Frey, Lord Piper, and Lord Benjicot stood together, frequently clashing with Lord Bracken and Lord Mooton, while Lord Darry and the two Lords Vance watched their argument with cold detachment.
"Gentlemen, our priority is to organize this tournament properly," Lord Kermit interrupted. "His Grace the King and His Highness the Prince wish to use this tourney to select a new Lord of Harrenhal. That is its purpose."
"Lord Kermit," Lord Vance of Wayfarer's Rest exchanged a glance with Lord Darry before stepping forward. "What about the prince's promised payment?"
He took another step. "I recall His Highness promising ninety thousand golden dragons to fund the tournament. But, my lord," Lord Vance looked around and sighed, "all I see is stone. I see no gold."
"His Highness promised to allocate the funds from the royal treasury once the tournament concludes," Lord Kermit said helplessly.
In truth, he had never expected that money to arrive.
At least, not until he had achieved his goal.
Kermit Tully understood Viserys' thinking well. They were both young men well-versed in the game of noble politics. Who among them wouldn't use such tactics?
Of course, in the past, when the Tullys were as weak in enforcing their authority as the Tyrells, such methods were beyond them. But now, Kermit had a chance to experience what it was like to be a truly powerful Lord commanding his vassals.
That said, he would not push too hard. He knew that his authority stemmed more from the camaraderie forged on the battlefield than from the might of his house.
"That means we have to pay for it?" Lord Vance of Atranta questioned, picking up the thread of conversation. "My lord, that's ninety thousand gold dragons! And besides, given the current state of Harrenhal, ninety thousand gold dragons wouldn't be nearly enough."
"I know." Kermit took a deep breath. "That's why I've gathered you all here—to inform you of the situation. The Harrenhal tourney requires us to contribute money and men." His gaze swept over the assembled nobles.
The three staunchest members of the Silver Dragon faction remained indifferent, while the other lords averted their eyes. Strangely, Kermit felt a bit relieved.
Even House Darry, the prince's closest allies, didn't step forward. That made it clear that Viserys's plan to weaken the Riverlands lords was obvious to everyone.
They all knew exactly what was happening.
There was no need for pretense anymore.
"House Tully will bear the cost." Kermit continued.
He could afford it, because after relaying this information to House Vaelarys, the Silverblood Bank had agreed to lend House Tully one hundred and fifty thousand gold dragons at a very low interest rate to fund the preparations for the Harrenhal tourney.
The knowing glances exchanged among the nobles made it clear they understood the situation, yet they remained silent, listening attentively as Lord Kermit outlined their respective tasks.
The moon chased away the sun, and the winds of the Riverlands howled past the towering ruins, their eerie cries echoing through the vast and empty halls of the abandoned fortress, like the shrill wails of demons from an old nurse's tale.
Beneath the massive weirwood, Benjicot had just finished his prayers when he saw Lord Forrest Frey standing behind him.
"Ben, I came to seek your advice."
Benjicot raised a hand, signaling for the Frey Lord to let him guess. "If I'm not mistaken, Lady Sabitha wants you to vie for Harrenhal?"
"I know that place is cursed." Lord Frey let out a long sigh and sat cross-legged beside Benjicot. The latter glanced at him before shifting from kneeling to sitting, listening patiently as the Frey lord confided in him about his house's predicament.
Though House Frey had earned the respect of the Reach lords by supporting the Blacks at all costs during the Dance of the Dragons, and through Forrest's valor on the battlefield, only the Seven knew how long such respect would last. House Frey needed more.
Thus, the true master of House Frey, the formidable Lady Sabitha, had set her sights on Harrenhal. Yet she also understood that Viserys's scheme was far from simple, which was why she had hesitated to make a decision—despite House Frey already having knights prepared to compete.
"I understand your concerns, Forrest." Benjicot sighed inwardly.
Among those ancient nobles who scornfully called House Frey a house of upstarts, his own family was included.
"I believe you've already realized the true purpose of this tourney," Benjicot murmured. "Prince Viserys wants the Riverlands to be more subservient to the Crown. Among the kingdom's great lords, House Martell is close to the royal family, but their connection is through the marriage of Lord Joffrey and Princess Aliandra, rather than the royal house itself. House Dayne is too weak, and Prince Quentyn is closely allied with Prince Draezell. The Starks, Lannisters, and Arryns are ancient and powerful, holding supreme authority within their own domains. So does Prince Draezell."
He lowered his voice. "Only the Riverlands and the Reach lack ruling houses that were once kings. Thus, they rely more on royal favor. But things have changed. House Tyrell has thrown its lot in with Prince Draezell and formed a marital alliance with House Rowan."
Forrest Frey nodded in agreement.
"The Crown must reestablish its grip on the realm's lords," the Frey Lord said gravely. "So Harrenhal is meant for the Crown's chosen candidate?"
Benjicot nodded. "Barring surprises, that's exactly the case."
Though somewhat resentful, Forrest accepted this answer. Without lingering, he thanked Benjicot and left the weirwood's presence, leaving the Tully heir alone beneath the tree, lost in thought.
'Your Highness, I thank you for your teachings.'
Benjicot silently expressed his gratitude toward Draezell. During Draezell's years in King's Landing, Benjicot had frequently made the journey to seek his counsel—and he had learned much.
Such as the true prize of this tourney.
The final victor would receive these titles:
Lord of Harrenhal. Commander of the Gods Eye.
Prince Viserys, you seem to be in quite a hurry.
Benjicot gazed at the blood-red face in the weirwood, deep in contemplation.