Kings Landing

In the Small Council chambers of the Red Keep, the air was thick with the weighty matters of the realm. King Aegon Targaryen sat at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over his assembled council: his fierce sister-wife and Queen, Visenya Targaryen; his steadfast bastard brother and Hand, Lord Orys Baratheon; the ever-shadowy Master of Whispers, Lord Quenton Qoherys; the shrewd Master of Coin, Lord Loreon Lannister; the venerable Master of Ships, Lord Daemon Velaryon; the pragmatic Master of Laws, Lord Triston Massey; and the learned Grand Maester Gawen.

"My lords," Aegon began, his voice carrying a note of recent concern, "the attempt on my life by the Dornish… it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers we face. The Kingsguard, though newly formed, acted with commendable valor." He paused, his gaze settling on Orys. "The question before us is this: Should the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard be granted a position on this council? Their insights into the King's safety and potential threats could prove invaluable."

A spirited discussion ensued. Queen Visenya argued vehemently for their inclusion, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance. Lord Orys, while acknowledging their bravery, raised concerns about diluting the council's focus on broader governance. Lord Lannister worried about the potential for increased expenses, while Lord Velaryon stressed the importance of their loyalty above all else. After much deliberation, a consensus was reached: a position on the Small Council would be granted to the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, ensuring the King's safety remained a paramount consideration in their decisions.

The conversation then shifted to the volatile Dornish border. Reports of skirmishes and raids continued to plague the southern marches, a festering wound in the newly unified realm. Lord Massey, the Master of Laws, advocated for a firm but measured response, emphasizing the need to uphold the King's justice while avoiding a full-scale war. Queen Visenya, however, pressed for a swift and decisive show of force, arguing that any sign of weakness would only embolden the Dornish. Lord Baratheon, ever pragmatic, suggested a strengthening of the border defenses and the dispatch of seasoned commanders to quell the unrest. King Aegon listened intently, his expression grave, knowing the delicate balance required to bring peace to the stubborn south.

Finally, Lord Qoherys, the Master of Whispers, his voice a low murmur, brought forth a new topic. "Your Grace," he said, unrolling a series of reports, "my spies in the North speak of… unusual activity. Lord Torrhen Stark is overseeing the construction of roads, the likes of which have not been seen in that region for centuries. They are said to be wide, well-laid, and progressing at an astonishing pace."

Aegon's brow furrowed, his interest piqued. "Roads, you say? In the North? For what purpose?"

Lord Qoherys shrugged subtly. "The whispers are unclear, Your Grace. Some speak of increased trade within the North, others of… more ambitious projects."

King Aegon considered this news. A unified and well-connected North could indeed be a powerful asset to the realm, but it also held the potential for increased independence. "See that we gather more information on these roads, Lord Qoherys," he commanded. "Their construction, the materials used, their intended destinations. And," his gaze swept over the council, "it might be wise to encourage similar endeavors in the other kingdoms. Well-maintained roads benefit all. Lord Lannister, see if the royal treasury can offer incentives to lords who undertake such projects, using the materials and techniques employed by the North as a potential model." The seeds of a unified infrastructure for the Seven Kingdoms had been sown, spurred by the unexpected developments in the distant North.

The atmosphere in the Small Council chamber grew heavier as the conversation turned to the heir apparent. "Your Grace," Lord Baratheon began, his usual bluntness softened with concern, "we must also address the matter of Prince Aenys."

Queen Visenya's violet eyes narrowed, a familiar sharpness entering her gaze. "Aenys is… gentle," she conceded, the word carrying a hint of disapproval. "Kind-hearted, yes. But the Iron Throne demands more than kindness. It demands strength, resolve. Qualities… that he has yet to fully display."

Grand Maester Gawen cleared his throat delicately. "Prince Aenys possesses a keen intellect, Your Grace. He is learned and well-spoken."

Lord Lannister, ever pragmatic, interjected, "Intellect is valuable, Grand Maester, but it does not quell rebellions or command armies. The lords of the realm need to see strength in their future king, a will as unyielding as the Iron Throne itself."

Lord Massey, the Master of Laws, added his cautious observation. "There are whispers, Your Grace. Concerns among some of the more… martial houses about the Prince's temperament. They fear a king who might be easily swayed or unable to make the difficult decisions that ruling entails."

Lord Velaryon, his gaze steady, spoke of the importance of perception. "The image of the crown prince is crucial, Your Grace. If the lords perceive weakness, it could invite challenges to his rule when the time comes."

Lord Qoherys, his voice a low murmur, offered his unsettling insights. "My little birds have heard… suggestions. Comparisons to his father, and not always favorable ones. There are those who question his fitness to rule."

King Aegon listened intently, his expression thoughtful and grave. He loved his son, but he was also acutely aware of the burdens of the crown. "These are valid concerns," he admitted, his voice carrying the weight of his responsibility. "Aenys must find the strength within him. We must guide him, teach him the ways of ruling. Perhaps more time spent at my side, witnessing the intricacies of governance, the difficult choices that must be made…" He trailed off, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. The gentle nature of his heir was a shadow looming over the stability of his hard-won kingdom. The council's unease mirrored his own unspoken fears.

The somber mood surrounding Prince Aenys gradually gave way to more immediate concerns. Lord Velaryon, the Master of Ships, brought forth the pressing need for a stronger royal fleet. "Your Grace," he stated, his voice firm, "our naval strength is… adequate, but not befitting the King of the Seven Kingdoms. We must invest in new warships, larger and better armed, to project our power across the Narrow Sea and protect our coasts." A discussion ensued regarding shipbuilding resources, potential shipyards, and the allocation of royal funds for such an endeavor.

The focus then turned to the burgeoning issue of crime within the capital. Lord Baratheon spoke with grim frustration of the increasing lawlessness in the winding streets of King's Landing – theft, brawls, and even more violent acts were becoming commonplace. "The City Watch is stretched thin, Your Grace," he explained. "They are ill-equipped and often ill-disciplined to handle this growing threat effectively."

A solution was proposed by Lord Massey, the Master of Laws. "Perhaps, Your Grace, we should establish a separate, dedicated force specifically for maintaining order within the city. Men better trained, better equipped, and solely focused on enforcing the King's peace within King's Landing." After some debate on the structure, funding, and command of this new organization, the council agreed to its creation. A name was suggested, something that would inspire both fear in criminals and confidence in the populace: the Gold Cloaks.

As the meeting progressed, other matters were brought before the council. Lord Lannister voiced concerns about the royal treasury, outlining current expenditures and projecting future needs. The concerns of the Reach lords were also raised, with reports indicating a decrease in grain purchases from the North. Lord Lannister speculated whether this was due to increased self-sufficiency in the North or a shift in their trade patterns, suggesting further investigation.

Finally, after hours of deliberation on matters both grand and mundane, King Aegon signaled the end of the Small Council meeting. The weight of ruling the Seven Kingdoms, with its myriad challenges and opportunities, settled upon him as his advisors dispersed to attend to the tasks laid before them. The whispers from the North, the weakness of his heir, the unrest in Dorne, the need for a stronger fleet, and the rising crime in his capital – all these threads needed to be carefully woven into the tapestry of his reign.