Aurane Mares

Aurane Mares, nicknamed the Bastard of Driftmark for his birth as a bastard of House Velaryon, served as a mercenary under Stannis Baratheon during the War of the Five Kings. When Stannis's fleet was destroyed at the Battle of the Blackwater, Aurane was captured and knelt before King Joffrey I.

At the wedding of Tommen Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell, Aurane shares a cup of wine with Elinor Tyrell. His resemblance to the late Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, whom the regent queen Cersei Lannister had once wished to marry, does not go unnoticed by her. Believing Aurane desires her, Cersei grants him the post of Grand Admiral on King Tommen I's small council, with the honorary title of Lord though no lands; Ser Jaime Lannister does not approve of the appointment.

With most of the royal fleet destroyed at the Blackwater, Mares recommends the council build at least ten new dromonds, proposing that poachers and thieves serve as their rowers instead of being sent to the Wall. He also reports that the Golden Company has broken its contract with Myr, and skeptically relays that dragons have been seen in the east. Grand Maester Pycelle disagrees with his plan to captain the dromonds with younger men rather than Blackwater veterans. Cersei approves naming the new flagship Lord Tywin; young King Tommen wants to name a ship after the fool Moon Boy, but ends up calling it Princess Myrcella after Mares advises against naming a warship for a fool.

When the ironborn seize the Shield Islands, Mares opposes the council's suggestion, made by Ser Loras Tyrell, that Lord Paxter Redwyne's fleet abandon the siege of Dragonstone to return to the Reach. Loras then volunteers to take the castle quickly so the Redwyne fleet can be sent against the ironborn instead. Aurane returns from Dragonstone and reports to the council that the stronghold has fallen, though Loras was badly wounded in the assault. Cersei suspects Mares covets Dragonstone for himself, but considers the lordship of Rosby, vacant after Lord Gyles Rosby's death, more fitting for him.

When the Faith of the Seven arrests Queen Margaery Tyrell and King's Landing grows unstable, Aurane tells Cersei he will send his new ships to the Blackwater to keep the peace, and possibly to stop Lord Mace Tyrell from rescuing his daughter.

Soon after, Cersei herself is imprisoned by the Faith. Qyburn visits her in her cell and reports that Lord Mares has fled the capital with the new ships and put out to sea. Ser Harys Swyft fears he means to join Stannis Baratheon; Grand Maester Pycelle believes he will turn pirate in the Stepstones.