A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin is developing a new series for HBO, which could be set within the same universe as Game of Thrones.

We have previously reported that Martin, who aside from writing the sixth novel in the ASOIAF saga The Winds of Winter is also heavily involved with the adaptation series Game of Thrones, has signed a new deal with HBO to develop a new series for the network.

This has left some fans worried that the release of the final two ASOIAF novels would be further delayed, but here’s some potentially good news for book fans: the project Martin is developing is possibly The Tales of Dunk & Egg, a prequel of sorts to the epic saga which also takes place in the world of Westeros.

Winter is Coming has uncovered a comment by Martin on one of his blog posts which states:

Tuf [Voyaging] would be fun. Dunk and Egg are being discussed. Robert’s Rebellion is part of Ice & Fire, won’t be a separate series. Sandkings was done by the OUTER LIMITS; I retain feature film rights, but television rights are gone.

While the website can also report that HBO does not own the rights to Dunk & Egg, we have to assume that it might be possible for the network to purchase them if this is indeed the project which Martin decides to go ahead with.

The Tales of Dunk & Egg is a series of novellas following Aegon Targaryen the Fifth before he became the King of Westeros, back when he served as a squire to Ser Duncan the Tall. Aegon was the the great-grandfather of Daenerys Targaryen, who ascended to the throne after his brother Aemon refused the crown and instead joined the Night’s Watch (yes, this is the Maester Aemon who we meet as an old man in Game of Thrones when Jon takes the Black). He was considered one of the “good” Targaryens, remembered as a popular king who married for love and ruled fairly.

While this would not be a direct prequel to the Game of Thrones series, it would still help shed some light on what the kingdom used to be like, back in a time of relative peace. And we’re sure fans would appreciate exploring the history of Westeros – especially since the HBO series does not incorporate the extensive flashbacks that appear in the books.