Chapter 714: The Dornish Delegation

Just as with Rhaenys, there were many citizens of King's Landing who found the current situation quite peculiar.

The rain had come so suddenly. One moment the sky was clear, and the next, a torrential downpour began, catching countless unsuspecting pedestrians off guard, drenching them thoroughly.

Now, dark clouds loomed over the city, with lightning flashing and thunder roaring, painting a scene reminiscent of the end of the world.

"What's going on?"

At the highest point of King's Landing, atop Aegon's High Hill in the Red Keep.

The Dornish princess, who had become queen by virtue of her husband's ascension, held her daughter, Diana, in her arms. Standing on the balcony of Maegor's Holdfast, she looked out at the pouring rain, a hint of worry evident on her face.

For anyone could see that this rain was far from ordinary. It wasn't a result of typical weather patterns. It felt as if some unseen hand was manipulating the elements.

Someone who could control the weather? Was that even human?

Arianne, with her Dornish heritage, had slightly darker skin and deep-set eyes. Her waist was slender, and her figure remained voluptuous even after childbirth.

Holding her daughter, her mind wandered, pondering the potential implications of this downpour.

Some might blame her husband, as natural disasters often get attributed to a king or emperor's misdeeds, like angering the gods.

Such power seemed like something only the gods could possess.

On the other hand, Arianne was also worried about her father.

For Viserys had summoned her father, Prince Doran, to King's Landing to explain the rebellion in Sunspear and the actions of some Dornish lords. By her calculations, he should be arriving in the city soon.

If he were caught in such a storm at sea, it could be perilous.

Lost in these thoughts, Arianne sighed deeply.

"I hope everything will be alright," she murmured.

"What do you think, Diana?"

She looked down at her daughter, who was sound asleep in her arms. The little princess had been restless the previous night, and now, in the afternoon, she was exhausted.

Children, free from worries and stress, could sleep whenever they wished. Arianne envied that. Even the thunder outside couldn't wake the young princess. She gently kissed Diana's cheek and then walked back into the room.

However, it never crossed Arianne's mind that this rain might be Viserys's doing.

Thus, the heavy rain came and went quickly.

The dark clouds that had threatened apocalypse were now replaced by bright sunlight. It was still afternoon, but it felt like midnight had just passed.

The citizens of King's Landing were uneasy. The septons in the Great Sept of Baelor were terrified, constantly praying, unsure of what had transpired, fearing they had angered the gods.

Yet, soon after, the rain stopped as abruptly as it had begun. The thick clouds dispersed, revealing the sun once more, its brilliant rays shining down on the freshly washed streets of King's Landing.

Even the usual stench of the lower parts of the city seemed to have diminished. Viserys had once ordered the renovation of the city's sewage system to address the issue of air pollution in King's Landing.

However, such a renovation wasn't easy. King's Landing was vast, densely populated, and the project would take time.

...

"This artifact can control the weather?"

As Viserys emerged from the dungeons of the Red Keep, he saw the dissipating clouds and the returning sunlight. He then turned his attention to the raven's skull in his hand.

"To be precise, it can summon storms," Jon Connington replied excitedly. As a former commander of the Targaryen army, he understood the strategic advantage of such a powerful artifact.

However, Viserys was more contemplative. He studied the raven's skull, pondering its potential uses.

There was no doubt that this was a powerful artifact in this world, especially in naval battles. It could summon storms to destroy enemy fleets and dispel storms that threatened their own.

With this power, the Targaryen fleet could sail to any corner of the world.

Days later, the brief storm became the hottest topic in King's Landing. Everyone had their theories.

Some believed someone in the city was experimenting with dark magic, pointing fingers at a maester with a private laboratory. Rumors had spread about unidentified bodies being dissected in his lab, an act deemed sacrilegious by followers of the Seven.

Others blamed witches, ghosts, or believed the gods were displeased with Emperor Viserys because of the spread of heresy throughout Westeros.

However, no one considered it a mere weather phenomenon, as even the maesters in King's Landing couldn't explain it.

Archmaester Ambrose even sent a raven to Oldtown, seeking the counsel of his friend, the astrophysicist Maester 'Vinegar' Willin. He awaited a reply.

The citizens of King's Landing, being well-fed and clothed, had plenty of time for gossip.

However, every topic eventually loses its appeal, especially when there's no new information. Soon, another piece of news captured everyone's attention.

The long-anticipated Dornish delegation had finally arrived.

Among them was a very important figure, evident from the guards accompanying the delegation. He was Prince Doran Nymeros Martell, the emperor's father-in-law.

He was to appear before the Iron Throne to explain the Dornish rebellion. The ship bearing the Martell banner had just entered Blackwater Bay.

Quentyn Martell, the eldest son of the Martell family, rode on horseback, accompanied by a dozen Unsullied guards from the court.

Tyrion Lannister, the emperor's personal advisor, Lord Davos Seaworth, the harbor master and head of the imperial customs, were also present, awaiting Prince Doran's arrival.