Blood of Dragons

A grey and mist-veiled morning in the Red Keep’s Western Outer Yard bore witness to a spectacle both grim and grotesque—the trials of those vying for the office of King’s Justice. King Aegon IV presided from a black-draped dais, with Mistress Melissa Blackwood at his side, while high lords, courtiers, and even commoners gathered to bear witness as the condemned were dispatched, one by one.

Each candidate for the post proved their mettle not with words, but with the sword—or axe, or arakh. Ser Halwin Selmy of the City Watch impressed with his clean and methodical execution. Others followed: a flamboyant Tyroshi mercenary who made a bloody mess of things; Ser Corson Hill, a wine factor turned headsman, whose silent efficiency drew murmurs of approval; and Ser Genald Storm, whose cruel showmanship disturbed more than it entertained.

The mood soured further when a drunkard knight from the Reach stumbled to the scaffold—only to be replaced by Ser Jon Roxton, who volunteered and delivered a strike swift and sure enough to draw cheers from even the jaded nobles.

But it was the last man, a butcher from Flea Bottom named Tomm, who drew the King’s eye. Though lowborn, his steady hand and devoted wife—who loudly cheered him from the crowd—captured Aegon’s amusement. To the astonishment of noble and common alike, Tomm was chosen, knighted by Ser Peron Stone, and raised not only to the office of King’s Justice, but also ennobled by royal decree as Ser Tomm of House Butcher.

The smallfolk roared in delight. The nobles looked on in shock. And the Red Keep ran red with blood.