Chapter 183: Bronze Rune – King’s Landing Changes


    Rhaegar chuckled, shaking his head as he read the note. "Hehe, it''s as if a pillow fell right into myp."


    He handed the note to Jeyne and the others. Tormund and Erryk had identally discovered the Mountain ns'' gathering ce on their way to meet them. They had already positioned their troops nearby, awaiting Rhaegar''s instructions.


    Jeyne, excited by the news, said, "Rhaegar, if this letter is urate, we can mobilize our forces and ambush the Mountain ns."


    The rebellion involved many tribes. Now that they knew where they were meeting, they could take them by surprise and wipe them out.


    However, Old Grimm shook his head. "Prince, the marked ce is in the mountains. Our current troops are limited, and fighting in the mountains and forests favors the mountain ns."


    "My suggestion is to deal with the traitors first, and then deal with the mountain ns."


    In his opinion, resolving the Shett House was the top priority. Besides, Runestonecked enough troops, and with an unstable rear, victory would be difficult.


    "Everyone, the traitors must be apprehended and the Mountain ns must be wiped out," Rhaegar said firmly. "Bring the traitors to me within three days. After that, I will personally lead the Dragon to defeat the Mountain ns."


    Three days would be enough time for him to recover from his wounds."Rhaegar, your injuries..." Jeyne began, worried.


    "Enough," Rhaegar interrupted, waving his hand. "The decision is made. Carry out your missions, and in three days, we will besiege the Mountain ns."


    He had spent enough time in the Vale. The Mountain ns and the rebels would meet their end.


    The group exchanged nces, and even Lady Jeyne, hesitant to defy Rhaegar''smand, nodded in agreement.


    "Very well, take me back, Rhaenyra," Rhaegar said, not wanting to waste time. He still needed to write back to Erryk.


    Rhaenyra, surprise evident in her eyes, pushed him back toward the castle. As Rhaegar disappeared from view, he had unknowingly be the center of power, and his words were thew.


    ...


    Nightfall


    Rhaegary in his bedroom, a faint green light flickering on his chest. The light traced a pattern, forming a strange rune.


    Buzz-


    As the runepleted, the green light coalesced into a ball, manipted by an unseen force. Gradually, it formed a diamond-shaped dragon scale, about the size of a baby''s fist. The scale hovered three inches above Rhaegar''s chest.


    With a thought, Rhaegar guided the scale to his heart, where it merged with his skin. The light faded, leaving behind an intricate green dragon scale pattern, like an elegant tattoo.


    "Whew~~ the first bronze rune is finallyplete," Rhaegar sighed in relief, raising a hand to touch the scale pattern on his chest.


    He had meticulously carved the bronze rune, adjusting it to the shape of a dragon''s scale and embedding it in his skin. Testing its effectiveness, he drew a dagger and shed at the scale.


    Buzz-


    The green scale appeared, blocking the de and preventing any damage to his flesh. Rhaegar''s face lit up with joy.


    "An excellent means of preserving one''s life!" he eximed.


    For now, there was only one bronze rune protecting his heart. But as he engraved more runes, they would eventually form aplete set of runic armor. Onceplete, ordinary swords and knives would be powerless against him.


    "Time to continue engraving," Rhaegar said with determination, stifling a yawn.


    Creating bronze runes was more time-consuming and mentally taxing than he had expected. While the serpent rune was physically draining, the bronze runes were sapping his mental strength. In his current state, engraving three runes a day would significantly deplete his energy reserves.


    ...


    King''s Landing


    Recent events had set off a flurry of rumors throughout the city.


    The former Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, had returned to King''s Landing and rejoined the Small Council as Master of Civil Affairs.


    Apanying him was High Septon Madoc of the Church of the Seven, both of whom were weed by the King and Queen.


    One of Otto''s first initiatives was to help the orphanages and impoverished residents of King''s Landing. High Septon Madoc provided manpower and led his congregation in distributing food and tending to the sick and wounded.


    The city''s poor expressed their gratitude for the Master of Civil Affairs generosity and praised the Church of the Seven.


    Flea Bottom


    A group of figures in ck robes moved stealthily through the streets and alleys, using the cover of night. Two figures approached the entrance of a brightly lit brothel, hiding in the shadows.


    "Are you sure about this, girl?" asked one of the ck-robed figures, removing his hood to reveal brown curls and a confident smile.


    The other figure lifted her hood, revealing the delicate face of a foreign young girl.


    "I have a name, Sara," she responded calmly.


    "It doesn''t matter; <i>Vr morghulis (all men must die)</i>," Syrio replied with a chuckle, his eyes fixed on the girl.


    Sara remained expressionless. "I no longer belong in that hellhole."


    "That''s right, you''re in Westeros now, serving a heir," Syrio said, raising an eyebrow with a hint of regret.


    "I am a failure. Please don''t mention it again," Sara said coldly as she pulled her hood back up and headed toward the brothel''s back door. "V<i>r dohaeris (all men must serve)<b>.</b></i>"


    Syrio watched her go, whispering, "A girl with talent."


    Momentster, screams echoed from inside the brothel. Sara emerged from another corner, wiping a bloodstained dagger on her ck robe. "Let''s go. I cut the throat of that fat pig who abused the young."


    "Very good," Syrio said with satisfaction, pulling his hood back on.


    The two disappeared into a narrow alley, their presence vanishing into the darkness. By the next day, news of the High Septon''s assassination in a brothel would spread throughout King''s Landing. More shockingly, the assants were revealed to be two children under ten—a boy and a girl.


    ...


    Three dayster.


    Runestone Castle, Vale.


    A cross stood in the castle''s front yard, lined with naked men and women. Their faces were ashen, and their previously pampered lives were evident from their oily hair and pale flesh.


    Joffrey, now sporting a new scar on his face, stood in the courtyard, naming the captives.


    "Ser Uther Shett,Lord Shett and his son John Shett from House Shett of Gulltown. Ser Avery Tollett from House Tollett of the Grey Glen. Ser Gunthor Royce..."


    Behind Joffrey stood Gerold, Jeyne, and Old Grimm. It was a gathering to punish the rebels.


    p, p...


    A burst of apuse sounded as the castle door opened, revealing a tall figure. Rhaegar, his long hair tied back and d in ck armor, emerged.


    With a slight smirk, he announced loudly, "My lords, thank you for waiting!"


    Rhaegar looked much better than he had three days ago, though he remained pale with dark circles under his eyes.


    "Roar!"


    A dragon''s roar echoed from the sky as a ck dragon circled above Runestone, spewing ghostly green Dragonfire. It sensed its master''s emotions and dered its presence in advance.