Chapter 25 - They don't play well with others - Part 1
(Mc pov)
Eventually, I took my leave from the room, seeing Rhaenys was sleeping peacefully, dropping the cloak on the floor, the maids hard at work said nothing as walked the keep. The castle was busy as it is every day. My steps brought me to the king's chambers, seeing the guards had yet to shut the door. I tilted my head to them as they opened it enough for me to slip through.
"It was an unprecedented roundup of criminals of every ilk. Your brother made a public show of it, meting out the summary judgments himself." I could hear Otto speak, I could hear his concern, and ridicule dripping with each word spoken.
" I'm told they needed a two-horse cart to haul away the resulting dismemberments when it was done." Otto continued, seemingly not noticing the man in question was within the room, shaking my head as I looked at Daemon smirk as he listened to Otto.
"God's be good, it seems they shit in my food once more.." I heard Viserys speak, his mood unhappy as his words trailed off, rubbing his hands together.
"The Prince cannot be allowed to act with this kind of unchecked impunity." Otto said in a voice that was clear of his stance on how he felt about Daemon.
"Did you hear that Daemon, Ser Otto, calls in to question your judgment over the city watch." I finally spoke up, looking at Viserys, Otto, Maester Mellos, lord strong, Lyman Beesbury, and my favorite, Corlys Velaryon. My head tilting to them as I walked to Viserys.
"Te văd (I see you)" I say, gesturing with my hand like our old greeting, only for Viserys to look around at his small council with a strange look.
"Te văd - How many times have I told you, do not speak unknown words in front of my council. (speaking Valyrian)" Viserys spoke lowly, reaching his seat as his stone was placed by his guard, ser Ryam.
"It seems I had forgotten brother..(in Valyrian)" smirking I rounded the table, sitting next to Daemon, watching his face smirk just as mine did.
"Well go on, you were speaking of my impunity, lord Hightower?" Daemon said, looking at Otto whose face was stiff at the sight of both of us.
"I'm sure he only wants to question our actions about last night brother.." Leaning back in the chair, I watched Viserys shake his head at my words.
"So you were there as well Prince Maliketh, So would you both like to shed some light on your doings with the city watch." Otto went on, questioning us both as we looked at each other.
"I was merely a spectator, the city watch, like everything else within this city is not my concern." I said, leaning my body forward with my elbows on the table, giving a side look at Viserys who relaxed.
"So you just watched as Prince Daemon, maimed half the city? You are your kings sword, inside and outside the city are you not?" Otto said, cutting off Daemon who could only sigh.
"The city watch is my brothers, Viserys appointed Daemon himself, it is not my place to question the crowns doings Ser Otto, nor is it anyone's." I pointed out my involvement was useless at best, watching Otto's face once again grow grim.
"Yes, but Daemon do you need to mutilate half its residence to enforce my laws?" Viserys said finally, watching the small council, say for Corlys nod their heads.
"I was enforcing your laws, crime runs rampant within our city, doings of all kinds allow to go unchecked while my brother prepares for his tournament." Daemon spoke to the whole council, his eyes looking at Otto as if telling him he did his job well.
"Making a public show of wanten dismemberment, is not one of the crowns laws, and you may faint ignorance, prince Maliketh, but you could have stopped this situation from happening." Otto wormed his way into a crack, trying to make us both at fault.
"And yet if it wasn't for me, the carts of bodies would be more than few.." I looked at Otto, watching his confused eyes, as Viserys smiled slightly.
"My brother gave me words of advice last night, I acted on his words and only judged the guilty, no one who had not fallen into Criminal behavior, I made sure they were untouched by the watch." Daemon said, his words annoyed, yet I had helped him out of a ridiculous situation without him knowing.
"Good, it would seem, although excessive, he did judge only those who acted against the crown. I just hope you don't need to mutilate half my city to do so next time Daemon." Viserys said with a pause, looking at Otto who seemed unsatisfied. "The next time this happens, it will be answered.." using his mock anger, he watched Otto relax in his seat slightly.
"Do you truly believe his words your grace? I think his judgment of late is clouded from recent events." Otto pressed passively as he looked into my eyes for a moment.
"Are you calling me a liar, Father-in-law?" I said with a laugh, watching the small councils eyes widen a little.
"I merely think your judgment on the situation around you, is questionable. And instead of being with your future wife, you were out watching the prince's horrible actions within the city." Otto comments on the fact I had left Alicent alone for the last few days.
"What is it you want from me, to help control the situation or allow it to be far worse than what has already been done? as for Lady Alicent, she needs rest, or do you think I should have her by my side, sword in hand to stop my brother?" I said, causing Daemon to chuckle lightly, while Otto could only stopped his rambling.
" Whether or not his words are fully true, we installed prince daemon to promote law and order. The people of the city, especially the criminal element should fear the city watch." Corlys spoke, his words calm as he nodded his head to me and Daemon.
"I thank you brother, for your council last night, and for your support, Lord Corlys." Daemon said, his head nodding to corlys who seemed confused like the rest, not at Daemon but my words from earlier.
"If only the Prince would show the same devotion to his lady wife as he does his work, Your Grace. You've not been seen in the Vale or at Runestone for quite some time." Looking at Daemon, Otto spoke, trying to find a different angle to find fault with him.
"I think my bronze bitch is happier for my absence." Daemon said, his face annoyed at the fact she was even brought up.
"Lady Rhea is your wife, a good and honorable lady of the Vale." Otto pressed, berating Daemon for his actions against his wife.
"Then why would men sooner fuck sheep, than their wives in the Vale?" I said remembering the stories I've heard of the vale, causing gasps to come from Mellos, and a chuckle to escape Daemon's lips. Otto's face changed, moving his jaw as he no longer had control over the flow of the conversation.
Well what is it?, I'd gladly give Lady Rhea to you, Lord Hightower, if you're in want of a woman to warm your bed. Your own lady wife passed.." Daemon finally pushed, his words cutting like a knife in Otto's heart, only for me to grip Daemon's shoulder.
"That is enough, Daemon, there is no need.." I didn't care about Otto, but I'd sooner kill a man, then to let him speak on Rhaenys if she passed.
"*Cough.. Otto.." Viserys said lightly, watching Otto who had stood frozen for a moment looking at me. Otto was silent but still sat calmly enough. "Daemon, everything you've asked, we've done for the betterment of the city watch. Do not commit such acts again.. enforce my laws, and do so without killing half the common people.. understood?" Viserys said, reiterating a point he made earlier, reinforcing how serious he was about the situation.
"Your grace.. brother.." Daemon said, nodding his head to me and Viserys alike, his movements mirroring mine as I stood, feeling there was nothing left to speak on in this situation.
"Maliketh, stay, there are other matters we need to discuss over recent events.."