On the east bank of the middle reaches of the Upper Rhoyne, the grey-brown Viserys Fort sat atop the hill, overlooking the land like a crouching beast.
The black-and-red dragon banners fluttered from every corner of the castle. The fire-breathing dragons were lifelike, each with three heads.
Even from the foot of the hill, one could distinguish the double-wall structure of the grey-brown fortress and the stairs leading to the summit.
The procession below Viserys Fort was now a river of steel, gold, silver, and common cloth, a ceaseless flow of people.
Besides the soldiers Viserys had led from the castle, the largest group he brought back were the Andals from the west bank of the Upper Rhoyne who had come to join him with their families.
The newly arrived Andal tribes felt like country folk entering the city. Since their decline, the Andals had gathered in villages rather than towns and castles.
Loud bugles and drums announced the King's return.
Viserys removed his fierce dragon-winged helm, revealing a handsome and determined face.
Though still youthful, it now bore the weathered look of the battlefield.
Syrio, Rhaenys, and Daenerys welcomed Viserys's return.
Viserys saw Rhaenys and Daenerys standing together like mirror images, dressed identically.
They wore black velvet gowns, and the cloaks billowing behind them were embroidered with the three-headed fire dragon of House Targaryen.
However, the two girls were different heights and sizes, and their appearances differed.
Rhaenys had the look of the salty Dornishmen—smooth olive skin, black hair, and dark eyes. Daenerys had the traditional Targaryen look.
"We welcome you, His Grace King Viserys III of House Targaryen," Rhaenys said formally after curtsying. This was a serious occasion, not a time for giggling and calling Viserys "Uncle."
Rhaenys looked at the new tribes following Viserys. It was a large group—tall, blond, blue-eyed Andals.
There were white-haired Andal elders, devout and rugged barefoot septons, warriors with seven-pointed stars painted on their faces and chests, as well as Andal elderly and children.
"Thank you all. I crossed the Upper Rhoyne, killed the greedy Tyroshi slavers, and brought back new subjects," Viserys said to Syrio and the others.
"We are grateful you did not abandon us. Serving the King is our greatest honor," Syrio replied.
Syrio had to marvel. Viserys truly possessed a magical charisma and an extraordinary eye for seizing opportunities to grow.
Just one trip out, and he brought back so much manpower.
"These are the two princesses of House Targaryen: Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and Princess Daenerys Targaryen."
"This is my Master of Arms, Syrio Forel," Viserys introduced the staff of Viserys Fort to the Andal elders and cavalry following him.
"Greetings, Your Highnesses. Greetings, Lord Syrio." The Andal elders cooperated well, half-kneeling in salute.
"These are the village elders from the west bank of the Rhoyne who followed me back. They will be members of the Privy Council. And this is my bodyguard, Argos Blackpine." Viserys then introduced the Andal elders and his new guard.
"Your Highnesses, I am the King's new guard, Argos Blackpine. I am willing to fight for the King under the seven-pointed star banner," Argos said in a gruff voice, creating a contrast between his massive frame and his tone.
Daenerys had never seen such a giant, like a small mountain.
Syrio also sized up Argos. With such a physique, he was destined to have little to do with high agility.
But on the battlefield, one ounce of strength overcomes ten ounces of skill. Clad in plate armor, he would be a berserk beast.
"These children are the newly arrived squires. The girls will be your handmaidens; princesses cannot be without female companions," Viserys introduced to Rhaenys and Daenerys.
The younger Andal children were as timid as small animals, but their parents pushed them forward. Serving in the court would undoubtedly raise their status.
"Wonderful," Rhaenys smiled happily.
Viserys was thoroughly securing his base through the Andal Faith of the Seven, the new legion structure, and the training of squires.
Pleasantries and introductions were just ceremonial; the more important work of settlement remained.
"Ser Roland, will you handle the allocation?"
"As you command, Your Grace."
Viserys had already made plans. A temporary town and wharf would be built below Viserys Fort, like the Winter Town of Winterfell or the town below Maidenpool.
Common folk could choose to live at the foot of the hill, but they also had the right to move into the castle.
After all, if war came, the castle would be the safest structure.
This was like the structure of King's Landing: the fortress at the top, and the populace on the flat land below the hills.
"Strength in numbers." Viserys scanned the newly submitted people. Once the manpower was organized and with the mules and horses available, Viserys planned to haul back the megalithic circle from the lakeside in the Velvet Hills.
The people were settled in an orderly fashion. The Andal elders of the Privy Council naturally moved into the castle, along with the selected knights and squires and their families—a significant number of people.
But a corresponding portion chose to live in temporary wooden huts or tents below Viserys Fort.
For a time, Viserys Fort became a bustling construction site again.
Many Andal elders assisted in settling the people from their villages.
As King, Viserys was busy for a long time before he had a moment to look at the gifts presented by the Andal villages.
These gifts had been delivered to the King's tent inside Viserys Fort.
Viserys examined them carefully: amber torcs, damaged gold daggers, gem-encrusted silver brooches, bracelets, rings, beautiful silver-scale mail, a short sword set with three rubies, freshwater pearl necklaces, and so on.
These items were among the few treasures the Andals possessed.
"These are material wealth, but sadly not what I want," Viserys thought.
There was also a tapestry, old, dusty, and faded, but very beautiful, covering half the floor of the hall.
After the servants cleaned it, it was restored to its original appearance.
Viserys looked at the images on the tapestry, which depicted Andal legends.
The Father pulled down seven stars to forge a crown and crowned Hugor of the Hill, the first King of Andalos. The Maiden brought forth a girl supple as a willow with eyes like deep blue pools, and Hugor took her to wife.
The Mother made her fertile. The Crone foretold that she would bear the King forty-four mighty sons. The Warrior gave them strength. The Smith wrought each a suit of iron plate.
"This tapestry is nice. It can hang in the council hall," Viserys commented.
When Viserys looked at the other items, he finally found a gift that interested him.
An art piece made of a fish skeleton, white as jade. The bones were arranged in a perfect shape, a lifelike skeletal fish.
Viserys looked at this large fish skull. According to the Andal elders, they had caught a giant cyan fish in the Upper Rhoyne and nearly fought the Rhoynar over it.
But they killed it quickly and pretended not to know anything.
"This fish bone... a gift from the Rhoyne?" Viserys wiped the bone carefully, snapped off a small piece, and began to consume it.
[Fate-Reverser Viserys Targaryen has consumed the enchanted item "River God's Bone." Reward: Basic Attribute Increase (Strength →, Agility →)]
Viserys looked at the fish bone in his hand. Although less effective than dragonbone, it seemed... it seemed to be an enchanted item as well.
The so-called River God was at best a large fish that likely received a blessing from the Rhoyne.
Legend had it that many gods lived beneath the Mother Rhoyne, the most famous being the Old Man of the River, a giant turtle. It was the son of Mother Rhoyne and had defeated the Crab King to rule the underwater inhabitants.
These fish, crabs, and turtles merely gained some water elemental affinity over time, rather than possessing the true will of the Rhoyne.
"Without dragonbone, this will do as a substitute." Viserys looked at the fish skeleton. A perfect meal replacement.