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(EM Vol. 2: A Wandering Melody) Chapter 25: A Tower's Choice
🕑 Added 2025-06-28 14:00:18 +0000 UTCChapter 25: A Tower's Choice
123 AC, King’s Landing
Otto Hightower sat at the helm of the Small Council table, and he couldn’t help but wonder how everything went so wrong. No, he knew perfectly well how everything went wrong, with Rhaenyra consorting with foul sorcerers, likely pushing it as a way to further legitimise her claim on the Iron Throne.
The tales had started to spread, despite Otto’s effort to stifle them. Many servants, as well as a few members of the Court, had seen the King walking around like a young man in his prime, other than the lost hand, of course, which hadn’t healed.
Princess Rhaenyra had flown from Dragonstone with a miracle of the Seven and healed her father. She was painted as a devoted princess, blessed by the gods, a dutiful woman who had done her best to heal her father. In a few moons, all of the continents would know, and years of efforts discrediting her would have been for nought.
He had cultivated rumours, some of them true, some of them not so much. In the end, it didn’t matter. It mattered what people believed, not what was true. But he had to admit that it had been easier than he expected, far easier, in fact. It was for the best, truly, he could only imagine what Rhaenyra and Daemon would turn the court should she become Queen. King’s Landing would turn to a city of debauchery and blood lust, after a year at the most.
Sometimes, he regretted Alicent’s marriage to the King. Aegon was to be king by the law of inheritance. If he had known of Viserys’ insistence on Rhaenyra remaining as his heir, he would have likely found another match for his daughter, perhaps even making her the Lady of Casterly Rock. It was likely his greatest regret, looking back, his daughter’s marriage and the chaos that followed. He had been so proud, so certain, when Viserys chose Alicent as his bride, when she bore him a son, and yet, when he was so close, all he had received was a dismissal as Viserys’ Hand.
Having his blood on the Iron Throne should have been his gift after so many decades of service. He had all but run the realm, starting from King Jaehaerys' last few years of life, where he was too ill and grief-stricken to rule, and made the realm prosper despite Viserys’ blunders.
He wouldn’t say he was completely impartial, but the realm had prospered under his rule. He only wished that he had a descendant who would one day become King. He often dreamt of his place in the history books, the second son, who fathered a dynasty despite all odds. He had gotten too comfortable; he realised this now. He had believed that Viserys would follow his advice, as it always had. He wasn’t wrong, even. Having a woman as the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms wouldn’t be received well by the Lords of the Realms. There would be some instability, followed by a likely rebellion. Aegon being heir was the logical and obvious decision. And yet Viserys chose otherwise and remained stubborn on the matter.
When he returned as Hand, he was disappointed to see Alicent barely having made any progress in securing Aegon’s inheritance and instead was preoccupied with her childish feud with Rhaenyra, which had ended with Aemond losing an eye and Alicent attacking the Crown Princess. Vhagar’s claiming was a boon to their cause, but the affair, and especially Viserys’ reaction to it, or lack of reaction to be more precise, turned what could have been an inheritance, a political manoeuvre, into a war of survival. It showed that Alicent had little to no influence on the King despite bearing him four children, and that she had wasted her time as Queen, endangering them all.
Of course, Rhaenyra followed by securing Caraxes by marrying Daemon, the man who hated Otto with a passion, which had all but ensured that this would end in blood.
The King’s illness, as tragic as it was, was a boon to Otto. He hated himself for it, sometimes. Viserys had once been a friend, a true one, during his time as Hand after the Great Council. He had served him faithfully, but wasn’t it Viserys who betrayed him first, by choosing Rhaenyra over Aegon, that even his grandfather, who was known for his wisdom, would have counselled against? He had put Otto in this position, and in a way, he thought that the mysterious illness was a curse from the Gods themselves, punishing him for the instability he brought the realm with his foolish choices.
Otto had used this to gain more leverage over the Court, influencing Lords, in a way that, should Viserys die, Rhaenyra would see much of the High Lords protesting her ascension as well as a mighty opposition in the form of Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, a grown Tessarion, and Vhagar, which would stay her hand and sue for peace. Daemon would be assassinated, of course, and the girl would finally accept what should have been her role in the first place. Otto could even leverage a promise to Lady Rhaenys of her granddaughter’s inheritance of the Driftmark in exchange for her support, or neutrality at the very least.
If only the rest of his family were intelligent enough to see it. Aegon was supposed to look like an obvious choice, and instead he spent his time whoring and drinking. Aemond seemed to perform any action with rage bubbling beneath, in a way that reminded Otto of Daemon far too much, and Daeron was too young.
Alicent leaned too much on the Faith, hoping that the lords of the realm would discard Rhaenyra for her sins. Even after so much time, she still thought that nobles were as pious as she and her mother were. Otto’s heart ached for a moment at the memory of his departed wife. No, this wasn’t the time for sorrow. Now was the time for action.
Much of his plans had hinged on Viserys’ death. Grand Maester Mellos had all but proclaimed that the king would not live past the next decade, at the most. Otto had made preparations, alliances and moves, preparing for that, only for it to go up in smoke.
He still did not know what Rhaenyra had told the King during her visit, but the man’s sudden insistence on going to Dragonstone was beyond worrying.
It wasn’t until Larys Strong had brought him news of Dragonstone this very morning that he truly realised how much he had underestimated the situation. Where he first believed that his greatest fear was Rhaenyra’s rising star and his plans lying in ruins, he realised how little of important this was, with the Realm itself being at stake.
His thoughts were interrupted by Tyland Lannister finally entering the Small Council chambers. Grand Maester Mellos still hadn’t arrived, but they were late, and the man rarely contributed much during their meeting. “It seems that Grand Maester Mellos will join us at a later date. For now, let us proceed. I was approached by Lord Larys to arrange this meeting. So, why don’t you start?”
The Small Council was far smaller than usual, with the Grand Maester, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and of course, the King, not joining them. Lord Lyman Beesbury, the Master of Coin, looked uncomfortable as this would be the first session of the Small Council with the King’s new condition: “Perhaps, this can wait his Grace’s return from Dragonstone.”
The Master of Whisperers spoke up in his soft tone, “If there was another matter, then it would have perhaps been more prudent to wait, but this is an urgent matter, one that does involve the King’s visit to Dragonstone and his miraculous discovery.”
And just like that, even the most dubious of them perked up in both caution and curiosity. Lord Larys continued, “Lady Rhaenyra claimed that she had found the miraculous cure from a merchant who was staying in Dragonstone, a man who had travelled the world. King Viserys had been insistent on going to the island, presumably to thank the man himself.”
“Yes, we all know this,” the Lannister man complained.
“Yes, but I have received numerous accounts that the supposed merchant is a sorcerer, by the name of Harry Potter. I thought he was nothing but a charlatan, but there were too many accounts of unusual things occurring in Dragonstone, from many people, including a manse which appeared from thin air. It is also said that the day Princess Rhaenyra flew to King’s Landing, the day when our King was healed, the sorcerer and his wife had broken their fast with her and her family earlier, having presumably gifted her the cure.”
There was a brief moment of silence, which lasted a few seconds, until the entire room erupted. When Larys had spoken to him of the news, he had been dubious but had believed him. There were rumours of the traveller being some sort of sorcerer, but he had assumed he was a charlatan who had found a cure to the King’s illness. As for the miraculous recovery, perhaps it was something from their Valyrian heritage. There were rumours that a few Targaryens couldn’t be burned, even by Dragon fire, and a few that dreamed of future events. Otto had learned not to be surprised by their feats. Perhaps, healing wouldn’t be out of question if the disease were purged.
Unfortunately, now that he thought of it, magic was the most likely explanation of the King’s miraculous recovery. He had thought the traveller to be a charlatan, a mummer, and yet, Larys was convinced that sorcery was involved. Otto did not trust the man, but he was reliable when it came to his information, which was why he had decided to hold a Small Council meeting because it truly was worrying news.
Sure, he wished to limit some of Rhaenyra’s gain in reputation and make the council distrustful of her. And yet, he wasn’t exactly worried by this. Rhaenyra was an impulsive woman, and she would make other mistakes. Daemon would likely help in that regard.
No, the main issue was this Harry Potter’s possible influence on the King. It was nothing, no Green or Black, should be willing to risk, and from the council’s reaction, they knew this as well.
Otto had to admit that, while he did not trust Larys in any way, the man had a way with words, given that even Lord Beesbury looked appalled by the news. He raised his hand, “This is the Small Council, my lords. Upsetting news or not, you will conduct yourself with honour and dignity.”
With these few words, some of the most powerful men in the realm shrank in embarrassment. Thankfully, it was Tyland Lannister, the master of ships, who raised the main issue, “What I gather is that the King is currently on Dragonstone, and likely in the company of the sorcerer who arranged for his healing. And he likely did so, after being convinced by Princess Rhaenyra. Am I mistaken?”
Lord Larys hummed, “I cannot say that I know of the King’s conversation with the princess, but given the urge he felt at the trip, it is plausible.”
“This is troubling,” Lord Jasper Wylde, the Master of Laws, commented, “Harry Potter. This is not an Essosi name. Wasn’t there a House Potter in the Reach?”
“Yes,” Otto replied, “A knightly House, who doesn’t have a member with the name ‘Harry’, nor have they ever consorted with sorcery. I have advised the Tyrells to invite them to Highgarden if there were any connections between them and the Sorcerer of Dragonstone.”
Lord Beesbury was the one to continue, “I must admit that a sorcerer having such influence over the King is worrying. Not since the times of Maegor the Cruel have we seen such influence…”
He was right, of course. Tyanna of the Tower’s story was drenched in mysteries, but what was known was that she likely used her sorcery in her role as Mistress of Whisperers and was likely suspected of the deaths of many of Maegor’s children and even a few of his wives.
Magic was a foul practice, one that corrupted everyone involved and always ended with misery. There was a reason why it was condemned by the Faith, after all.
Lord Tyland Lannister was the one to follow up, “Lord Larys, you brought this to our attention. Do you have any news of the origins of this supposed sorcerer?”
“I’m afraid not, my lords,” Lord Larys answered, “I have made some inquiries, but the news is fresh, and this sorcerer must have hidden his origins well.”
Otto watched in satisfaction as they all came to the same conclusion as him. Rhaenyra wasn’t some woman blessed by the gods. She had been manipulated by a sorcerer, likely hoping to integrate himself into the Court, as a boon for saving the King’s life.
This was more than his feud with Daemon or the coming succession crisis. This was the very Realm, the very Crown, being under attack. Otto had all but ruled the realm for decades, and he could see a Sorcerer in Viserys’ favour, slowly tearing it away.
The Seven Kingdoms were in danger, and their greatest protector, the King, was compromised. Otto would need to do what he always did and prepare to weather the storm.
He couldn’t risk his life’s work being destroyed, not because of Rhaenyra’s impulsiveness or Viserys’ foolishness. He had to prepare the Small Council for the sorcerer’s arrival, and how to mitigate this. He had already written to his brother, and he would ask the Citadel to find a way to combat this sorcerer.
The doors of the Small Council chambers opened suddenly, revealing the Grand Maester entering slowly, “I apologise for my tardiness, my lords. I did not receive news of the meeting until it was too late.”
He walked forward and gave the Hand a small scroll. Otto looked at it and saw his daughter’s seal on it. While Larys briefed the Grand Maester of the news, he broke the seal and prepared to read the letter’s contents.
Otto had allowed Alicent to join Viserys, hoping that it would help him be informed of Rhaenyra and Daemon’s moves. He had also sent her because she would have distracted the Princess while he made moves in the Capital.
He regretted that now, especially with a sorcerer being involved. By the Gods, he had even allowed Aegon to go there, as Helaena had insisted on going for some reason, despite still recovering from the twins’ birth, and it wouldn’t have been proper for her to go without her husband.
He was comforted that she was well, as she had given him the message, but his heart dropped as she confirmed the presence of a sorcerer. And yet, it was the end that truly made his hands shake. Whether it was in dread or in rage, he did not know.
He was to be dismissed as Hand, again, and ordered to leave King’s Landing, all because of a conversation between Viserys and the sorcerer, that supposedly barely lasted minutes. He looked up and saw that the entire Small Council was staring at him.
“Out,” he spoke up calmly.
They all looked at him with confusion, and he repeated himself loudly, this time, trying his best not to yell, “Everyone, out! Lord Larys, stay.”
The lords scattered like leaves before a storm, quick to obey, none willing to risk Otto’s wrath, not in that moment, not when his silence felt more dangerous than any outburst.
Otto did not speak at first. He merely reached into his sleeve and pulled out the letter, sealed in green wax and marked with the Queen’s signet, and handed it to Larys Strong with a heavy hand and an unreadable expression.
The Lord of Harrenhal took it delicately, unfolded it without ceremony, and read. His one good eye flicked across the page, absorbing its contents in silence. When he looked back up, his voice was soft, almost mournful. “A tragedy. The realm has never had a finer Hand.”
Otto gave a sharp exhale through his nose. Whether it was agreement, bitterness, or simply exhaustion, he did not say. “It doesn’t matter,” he muttered, gaze fixed firmly on the crackling hearth nearby. “The future of the realm is more important. Magic has no place here, not in Westeros. It never has. It poisons, it corrupts, and it always ends the same way. In ash.”
Something flickered in Larys’ eye at that, just for a heartbeat, “And yet,” he said gently, “it thrives. At Dragonstone.”
Otto didn’t reply, but the Lord of Harrenhall immediately understood what he wished: “Such unnatural problems will require unnatural measures.”
The Hand didn’t flinch. “And such measures?”
“They can be found. Not easily, and not cheaply. But if one is willing to look eastward. Asshai still trades in shadows. And some debts need not be spoken aloud.”
Otto leaned back in his chair, the firelight painting sharp lines across his face. He said nothing for a moment, “Get it done.”
Lord Larys bowed and left Otto alone in the Small Council, with his thoughts. He was making the correct choice for the realm.
AN: Phew, that was a lot harder to write than I expected. I thought about jumping to Corlys and Rhaenys completely, but I wanted to do something a bit new. I want to know what you think of my depiction of Otto. The idea was to have him be an ambitious man who had all but ruled the realm for years, and thinks that he deserves having his blood on the throne, but regretted it after realising that Viserys had all but ensured a succession crisis by sticking with Rhaenyra as his heir, and now, his entire family is at risk. He thought that Harry was a fake, or a lucky man with a cure, but now knows that he’s a sorcerer and is terrified of the influence, especially as he had successfully removed him as Hand, something that even Daemon couldn’t do. I hope this came out like I wanted it to, but I don’t mind rewriting this depending on your feedback. As usual, please let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions.
Comments
FireKing500
Well Harry will find out that Larys will try to kill him and that Otto was behind it. Harry will get involved once someone tries to assassinate him. Hope he goes on Master of Death and people think he is the Stranger in human form.
Sukhraj Singh
I think Otto is going to be very suprised at how outclassed he is going to be should he antagonise Harry. The last self-righteoys fool who tried suffered a fate worse than death. Though I think Larys will be the first one who will die. I hope that before the end of this volume, you will have Harry go all Master of Death on everyone and put terror the likes of which Westeros has never known in the hearts of the nobles. After all, they will think that the Stranger himself stands before them all and everyone knows, you cannot cheath Death, he always collects in the end.
Abe 7
Oh nice, next we get to see Harry bullying poor murderous shadow binders for fun. Its going to be awesome!
Marius Petrauskas
nice
Monzter E
You captured the essence of the character. Do pls remember this may be his core characteristic, he is still influenced by bad attributes like racism, elitist ideologies, apathy, and pride. Like a true flawed person as shown in the series. As portrayed by the actor.
TypistTyphon
Otto is about to get whacked
