GoT and House of The Dragon: The Last Valyrian Dragonlord.

"There's something I believe you should be aware of," Maester Visari interjected.

Lozar considered for a moment. "I think I understand what you're implying." He turned to Ivens Dayne. "Your homeland is still independent, isn't it?"

Ivens straightened with quiet pride. "Indeed, my lord. Dorne has never bent the knee to any northern king since the warrior-queen Nymeria led her ten thousand ships across the Narrow Sea and wed Mors Martell. Even when Aegon the Conqueror rode his dragons and burned our castles, we remained unbowed, unbroken."

He added, almost boastfully, "One of my ancestors, King Dorian Dayne, ruled the lands along the Torrentine before bending the knee to Queen Nymeria. Another, Ser Davos Dayne, became her consort after her first husband's passing."

"I heard you once shot down a dragon," Lozar remarked, his youthful face unreadable.

"Yes," Ivens nodded. "The remains of Meraxes still rest within the walls of Hellholt, under House Uller's watch."

Lyn Valterkan chuckled. "Funny, considering our young lord's ancestors once rode the dragons that boiled the Rhoyne to nothing."

"That was nearly a thousand years ago," Ivens said quickly. "We take pride in our Rhoynish heritage, but we do not carry the old grudges of our ancestors. And besides—"

"My name is Varezys," Lozar said, cutting him off. "My bloodline once ruled among Valyria's dragonlords. The last Emperor of Valyria, Oryon Varezys, was my direct ancestor."

The boy exhaled, his violet eyes unreadable. "Of course, we are no longer a family of dragonlords. We lost all our dragons long ago."

A sigh escaped him as he glanced at the men around him. "It's no secret—my mother was Princess Saenela Targaryen. Do you understand now why I am asking about Westeros?"

Ivens blinked.

His thoughts raced.

Princess Saenela's son. A cousin to King Viserys I. A blood heir of House Targaryen…

"Is he planning to return? Is he laying claim to the Iron Throne?"

But no—Saenela's claim had already been denied during the Great Council of 101 AC.

Then, a chilling thought struck him.

"Wait… the situation in Westeros—"

A shiver crawled down his spine.

"Relax," Lozar said, seeing his tension. "Yes, I am my mother's legitimate son, but I know full well that I have no claim. I simply wish to learn more about my mother's homeland. Before she died, she often spoke of Westeros."

He hesitated.

In truth, before she passed, Saenela spoke of only two names.

She cursed Jaehaerys.

She longed for Alysanne.

Ivens knew Lozar's reasoning was likely a cover. But it didn't matter—he had no choice but to answer truthfully.

"Let's start with the Seven Kingdoms," Lozar said, raising a hand.

Visari reached into his robes, withdrawing a rolled parchment. He unfurled it onto the table.

It was a detailed map of Westeros.

Ivens took a deep breath. "As you can see, the Six Kingdoms are ruled by King Viserys I Targaryen. He is… your—your—" He stumbled over his words.

"My cousin. Go on." Lozar's tone was calm.

"We'll start in the North," Ivens said. "The largest of the Seven Kingdoms. It is separated from the southern lands by the vast swamps of the Neck. The climate is harsh, even during the long summers, and snow falls year-round. This makes the North the poorest region in terms of resources."

"The Starks still rule?" Lozar asked.

"Yes. Lord Rickon Stark is Warden of the North. However, when I was taken by pirates, Lord Rickon had been bedridden for some time. His son, Lord Cregan Stark, is expected to succeed him."

"And beyond the North?" Lozar tapped the northernmost part of the map. "The Wall?"

"Yes," Ivens confirmed. "One of the greatest structures ever built. Legend says it was raised by Brandon the Builder, with the aid of giants and the Children of the Forest."

He hesitated. "The Citadel teaches that the Others—the ice demons of legend—are mere myths. Most believe the Wall was built solely to contain the wildlings."

Visari scoffed. "The Citadel still refuses to acknowledge magic? Have they forgotten that their very foundation was built on the study of the arcane?"

Ivens wisely ignored his mentor's complaints.

"South of the Neck is the Riverlands, a fertile land divided by many rivers," he continued. "House Frey of the Twins is a rising power, having grown rich by taxing travelers crossing the Green Fork. But the noble houses of the Riverlands—House Blackwood of Raventree and House Bracken of Stone Hedge—still hold grudges dating back centuries."

"A battlefield in waiting," Lozar observed.

"Indeed. House Tully rules from Riverrun, but their authority is weak. The Riverlands' lords prefer to settle their own disputes. House Strong controls the largest castle in Westeros—Harrenhal. However, their lord and heir died recently, leaving a cripple as the new master."

"Prime territory for war," Lozar muttered, confirming what he already suspected.

"To the east is the Vale. A land of mountains, difficult to invade. The Bloody Gate controls the only major pass into the region, while Gulltown dominates its sea trade. Lady Jeyne Arryn rules from the Eyrie. She governs wisely, but the Vale rarely plays a role in the grand politics of Westeros."

"And the West?"

"House Lannister of Casterly Rock rules the Westerlands," Ivens said. "Their lands are rich in gold, making them one of the wealthiest families. Lord Jason Lannister is their ruler, while his twin, Ser Tyland Lannister, serves in King Viserys' court. He is closely allied with Ser Otto Hightower of the Reach."

"The Reach," Lozar murmured, noting the name.

"Like the Riverlands, the Reach is divided," Ivens continued. "It is the most fertile region, said to have been cultivated by Garth Greenhand himself. House Tyrell rules from Highgarden, but they were once only stewards to the Kings of the Reach. Older, prouder houses—Hightower of Oldtown, Rowan of Goldengrove, Florent of Brightwater Keep—do not see them as their rightful overlords. And now, with Queen Alicent being a Hightower, their influence has grown."

"The kingdom is riddled with factions," Lozar mused, his mind turning.

"House Baratheon rules the Stormlands from Storm's End," Ivens said next. "Lord Boremund Baratheon is an honorable man, respected even by the Dornish. But his son, Borros Baratheon, is arrogant and fickle."

At the mention of the Stormlands, Ivens' voice gained a sharpness.

"And Dorne?"

"Prince Qoren Martell rules from Sunspear. He is cautious and pragmatic." Ivens left it at that, unwilling to say more of his homeland.

"And the Ironborn?"

"The Greyjoys rule the Iron Islands. They worship the Drowned God, pillage the western shores, and refuse to abandon their Old Way of raiding, despite the King's laws."

Lozar smirked. "As expected."

"And finally… the Iron Throne itself."

The room fell silent.

"King Viserys is a good king," Ivens said carefully. "He has maintained peace and upheld the legacy of King Jaehaerys the Conciliator."

"But?" Lozar pressed.

Ivens hesitated. "His first wife died in childbirth, taking his only son. He then named his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra, as his heir. But after remarrying, his new wife bore him three sons—Aegon, Aemond, and Daeron."

"A direct challenge to Rhaenyra's claim," Lozar noted.

"Exactly," Ivens admitted. "The lords grow restless. And worse, Rhaenyra's sons… do not resemble their Valyrian father, Ser Laenor Velaryon."

Lozar's curiosity was piqued. Scandal.

"Many whisper they are bastards sired by Harwin Strong. But they hatched dragons, and King Viserys silenced the rumors harshly."

Lozar exhaled.

"Politics in Westeros… is about to explode."