The throne room was deep, vast, and magnificent, displaying the grandeur of royalty. It could host not only court assemblies, but wedding feasts as well, with room for more than a thousand people.
Through the narrow high windows of the Red Keep's great throne room, the last light of sunset spilled across the floor, laying dark red bands along the walls. The dragon skulls of the Targaryen dynasty had once hung high upon the rear stone wall. Later, they were replaced by King Robert's favorite tapestries, woven in greens and browns, vividly depicting hunting scenes. After King Robert's sudden death, those tapestries were pulled down, and now a great golden silk banner hung upon the stone wall.
"Calling it the Iron Throne is underselling it. This is the Iron Throne plus iron stairs." Gendry sat high upon the broad, ancient seat of Aegon the Conqueror, sunlight falling over him.
Though it was called the Iron Throne, it was not merely a chair forged of steel, covered in savage spikes, sharp points, and strangely twisted metal. The steps beneath it were part of it as well, making the whole thing look like a hideous monster. Even so, this throne represented the supreme royal power of the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. As another name for power itself, the taste of the Iron Throne had to be experienced.
As King Robert had once complained, it was a damnably uncomfortable chair. The metal beneath the seat was unpleasant, and the back, covered in toothlike spikes, made it impossible to lean against. When Aegon the Conqueror ordered his smiths to melt down the surrendered weapons of his enemies and forge them into a great chair, he had said, "A king should never sit easy."
After the ceremonies for rewarding merit and presenting prisoners ended, most of the nobles and knights in the throne room dispersed. Now only the senior members of the Small Council and several important knights and attendants remained. Though the proceedings were tedious and detailed, the ministers still delighted in them. This was proof that they stood at the center of power, and power was the finest aphrodisiac.
Gendry also stepped down from the Iron Throne, leaning on his greatsword, Tiger's Roar. He sat on a step three feet above the ground and listened to the ministers speak. The pardoned white cloak, Ser Balon Swann, stood not far from him. Ser Balon had a broad chest, a sturdy build, and thick, muscular arms.
Ser Balon was young, brave, and courteous. Even Gendry, who could overwhelm the battlefield alone, regarded Balon as an outstanding rising star of the Stormlands, a loyal and valiant knight. Since Anguy had not taken part in the tourney, Balon had been the archery champion at the Hand's tourney. He was skilled in combat, adept with spear and morningstar, and excellent with a bow.
"This counts as my first Small Council," Gendry thought as he listened to the senior ministers discuss matters. Micromanaging everything was not his style. He only needed to grasp the greater direction and put suitable people in place. And the greater direction was already clear: magic, war, and survival. To live through this age of high magic, win the wars, and keep the people fed.
His task was heavy. He had to devote his energy to studying dragons, magic, and war.
"The most urgent problems now are men and money. The first great matter is war," Great Lord Stannis said. "The Gold Cloaks lack men, the white knights lack men, and repairing the defenses of King's Landing also requires men. Then there are the large wars that will soon come, against the Lannisters and against the Iron Islands. There is also the war that may break out in The North, and the King's future wars against Lys and Volantis."
Great Lord Stannis laid everything out in detail, and Gendry had little to add. Wars would come one after another. There was no way to completely prevent them. The unrest of the Others and wildlings was inevitable, and the world war caused by the liberation of slaves was also inevitable.
"That is just as well. I was afraid the war might end too quickly and leave me with too few chances to win honor and victory," Mace said with longing.
Many of the lords nearly laughed, but for the sake of appearances, they held it in.
"Great Lord Mace, your task is very difficult. You must prepare money and grain, and review the great hole Littlefinger left behind," Stannis said, looking at Mace. Although they had uncovered Littlefinger's various tricks of using public funds for private gain, along with the bankers' schemes, a complete accounting was still needed.
"I shall devote myself fully to serving the realm," Great Lord Mace Tyrell said, lifting his head. "Though there may be hardships and obstacles, I firmly believe that beneath the light of the gods and Prince Gendry, we can overcome them all."
This position looks rather like a trap. The rich office of Master of Coin is the bait, Garlan Tyrell thought as he listened carefully behind him. It seemed his father's post as Master of Coin would force him to pour in a great deal of gold. When Littlefinger held the office, he found ways to spend money, raise money, and fill his own pockets. Great Lord Mace, however, in order to prove his ability and loyalty, would end up paying out of Highgarden's own coffers. Raising taxes would not be easy. In peacetime, new taxes were already a kind of tyranny, let alone now. He could only pay for it himself.
Gendry looked at Mace. Once he saw the maze-like accounts Littlefinger had left behind, he would likely learn what true tedium meant. But now the royal family's greatest debt had already been physically eliminated. Mace only needed to sort through the rest. The more troublesome matter was the future expansion of the war deficit, along with the terrifying way winter would devour gold and grain. Mace was laughing now, but he would probably be crying before long.
"I will carefully screen the people Littlefinger left behind and replace them with suitable candidates," Great Lord Mace said. "Once I have recommended a list, I will present it to the lords, the Hand, and the Prince for review."
"I trust Lord Mace will recommend worthy men and remain fair," Stannis emphasized.
Mace nodded. He took Stannis's words as a warning. When filling those vacancies, he could not appoint only men of The Reach. He could not neglect the Stormlands, the Vale, or the Crownlands. He had to pay attention to everyone's interests, or the arrangement would not last. King Robert had never cared much for such trivial matters or counting copper coins. He hardly concerned himself with the Small Council at all. But his son and brother were not like that. Both were sharp and capable. So Mace could not do as Littlefinger had done and build an independent kingdom for himself.
"The second matter is restoring production. We have only this autumn left. After autumn comes the harsh long winter," Gendry said. "The Riverlands have already been ravaged. Forget supporting the Crownlands, they themselves have been affected. The North and the Stormlands have also seen planting and harvests damaged by wartime mobilization. All of this means we are about to face a terrible famine."
Ser Garlan looked at Gendry with a complicated expression. This ambitious young man, with his kingly bearing, possessed an extraordinary charm. It was like King Robert's, and also like Aegon the Conqueror's. The Storm had first conquered Westeros through war, and then through his charm and his good heart. Perhaps this too was a cycle. King Robert had enjoyed the whole long summer, and now it was his descendant's turn to face the winter.
"You must all have heard how dangerous mobs can be. The usurper Joffrey, a High Septon, and several white knights all died at their hands. When the people of King's Landing are hungry, they become mad wolves, and the people of other regions are likely the same," Stannis said.
All the senior ministers nodded. The several riots in King's Landing had already made that clear. In a world of hunger and cold, people were bound to grow mad and disregard all rules.
"We must plan ahead for grain and winter," Great Lord Stannis said. "Prince Gendry and I have discussed this already. It will also require the cooperation of the ministers, so certain special grain advisors will be appointed in each region, specifically to deal with winter, famine, and the protection of the populace."
"We await your orders," Great Lord Mace said. Then Mathis, Bronze Yohn, and the others nodded as well.
"The Crownlands will be handled by Lord Boggs, Ser Lothor, Lord Mooton, Lord Gyles, and others. The Vale will be entrusted to Lord Yohn and Lord Grafton of Gulltown. The Reach will be handled by Lord Mace, Lord Mathis, and Lord Redwyne. The Stormlands will be entrusted to Lord Selwyn and Lord Caron. The North will remain with Robb, Lord Roose, Lord Manderly, and Lady Dustin. The Riverlands are a special case. For now, it will be Lady Melisente and Ser Edmure... Because Dorne is warmer, we still need to discuss this with the Martell princes. As for the Westerlands and the Iron Islands, they remain traitors for the time being, so no arrangements have yet been made."
The advisor-ministers Stannis named were generally leading lords of their regions, men who at least had ports or important grain-producing lands. Great Lords became Great Lords because of fertile land or thriving trade. In The Reach, for example, Goldengrove had the richest fields, while Oldtown and the Arbor were prosperous in trade. In The North, Winterfell had its hot springs, Lady Dustin's family lands in the Rills were the best horse pastures, and Barrowton was one of the earliest settlements.
No one objected, so the matter was settled.
"The next matter is the planning of King's Landing," Gendry said. "Several old city gates need repairs because of the riots. That is only proper. But beyond that, I want to repair the Dragonpit."
"The Dragonpit?" Great Lord Mace looked at Gendry in surprise. "That place has been abandoned for many years. Why has the Prince suddenly thought of the Dragonpit? Could it be... is it?"
The Dragonpit's great dome had collapsed inward, and its bronze gates had been closed for more than a century. The Dragonpit had long since become a ruin blackened by fire.
Mace, Garlan, and Paxter listened closely, their thoughts racing. Winds at sea carried all kinds of news. Some said the hatching of the dragons matched certain signs in the heavens. Though none of them truly believed it, they were still surprised to hear Gendry mention the Dragonpit.
"King's Landing Home for Wounded Veterans, King's Landing Knights' Hall, King's Landing Veterans' Home. Call it what you will, but I want such an institution to exist. So many soldiers were already wounded or killed in the Battle of the Blackwater Rush, and the flames of war will continue to surround us. Those soldiers who defended the King and the people with their lives and blood should be settled there, so they can spend the rest of their lives in peace and quiet..." Gendry said.
"That is naturally good, but the cost..." Great Lord Mace said. "It will take time and labor, and require manpower and building materials."
"The manpower is already available. Those surrendered, useless Gold Cloaks who do not like being soldiers can work at the construction site. As for golden dragons, the buildings of the Dragonpit are already there. We can repair it while moving people in," Gendry said.
"Mm." The lords all nodded.
This too was a tradition of the Seven Kingdoms, for building wonders was one of Westeros's peculiar habits. Many Great Lords' main castles were wonders in themselves: the Eyrie, Storm's End, Casterly Rock, Highgarden. Great buildings were also gifts from kings to their people, and displays of their own honor. The Hall of Heroes in Casterly Rock, for example, displayed the precious armor of more than a hundred knights, lords, and kings of House Lannister. The Hall of Heroes was famous throughout the Seven Kingdoms, and even Across the Narrow Sea.
"The Conqueror gave the people a new King's Landing. Maegor the Cruel repaired the Red Keep and the Dragonpit. The Conciliator improved the Kingsroad and the water supply. King Daeron built Summerhall. As for me, I will begin by offering a Veterans' Home to the soldiers who risked life and death for the Storm, for the Breaker, and for the realm," Gendry said with great confidence.
Even Mace felt his blood stir. Even paying money for this would be an honor.
"You will be responsible for this for now, Lord Randyll," Gendry said to Randyll.
"As you command." Randyll nodded.
Randyll had a way of arranging soldiers. His discipline was the same as Stannis's, with strict orders, though he did not overly constrain his men.
What an open and upright method. First the people, now the knights, Garlan thought. If such a hall of knights truly exists, those veterans will only follow the Storm's command, whether they come from the Crownlands or from the Seven Kingdoms.
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