Claw Isle, Blackwater Bay...
The ancient and rich House Celtigar was of Old Valyria but its blood was thin compared to House Targaryen or even House Velaryon. They had the silver hair but it was dimmer than the normal being more closer to grey and their eyes were a mix of colours with the current lord's own were a muddy brown.
They claimed dominion over Crackclaw Point but the houses there never recognised that claim and often the tax collectors sent there never returned, they also claimed to have tremendous wealth that they hoarded jealously.
But the reality was far from their claims, in truth they had been declining for some time and their wealth was almost gone at this point, in fact they were no longer able to build any ships or even purchase Valyrian women from Lys to act as mothers for their children.
So when the Blackfyres had offered a deal that would restore their fortunes and finally enable them to take the lands of Crackclaw Point for themselves Lord Ardrian Celtigar who was an ageing man with a sour temperament and great greed had not hesitated to side with them, allowing their island as a launching point for their efforts into Westeros.
They stood for their own greed and nothing more, something they would not live long enough to regret.
The dragon riders of House Targaryen, all of them descended on Claw Isle, Lord Celtigar saw the dragons coming from his castle Claw Keep, the sight of them was not new to him but it filled him with fear. The Blackfyres had assured him that they had poisoned the dragons and Viserys had the only one that could fight, clearly they had lied to him he realised with fear mounting but knew there was nothing he could do...he was going to die.
He closed his eyes as they descended on Claw Keep, not able to face what was about to happen as his household began to scream in terror and bathed the entire castle in dragon fire, incinerating everyone inside it and burning the entire castle down.
With that sight in their minds the people of the island surrendered, it had been harsh but it was a statement to the other houses, specifically those that had not openly declared for House Targaryen yet...side against us and this was what you can expect.
The Crownlands...A Short Time Later...
The Crownlands houses that sided with the traitor Viserys and the Blackfyres would not have to wait long before the Targaryens came for them either.
The Hartes, the Masseys, the Stokeworths, Stautons, Brunes, Blouts, Boggs, Caves, Hardys, Pynes and Dargoods soon saw dragons above their castles and without mercy the Targaryens descended on them. They bathed the castles in fire and given the relatively small size of the Crownlands it did not take them more than three days to destroy them all before converging on the last of the traitors in the Crownlands...Rosby.
The small town surrounded a small castle had an army gathered to attack Kings Landing which was less than a day's march away and given they had considerable lands it was a fair sized one if smaller in numbers than you would want to attack a large city like Kings Landing. But the dragons flew above the clouds and then descended on them from the skies with no warning. The army was marching in column, wondering just why none of the other Crownlands houses that had declared for Viserys had joined them as word of the dragon attacks had yet to reach them but they now realised why as half a dozen dragons descended on them.
The dragons flew in two lines of three, the first led by Haeron who had Vaena and Shaena with him, scorching the road while the second line made up of Harmony, Grace and Daeron picked off the ones that tried to escape by running away. Lord Rosby, eager to be the one who claimed glory for himself and riches and treasures by taking and sacking the city and the Red Keep was one of the first to run but Harmony easily burned him as he fled on the back of his horse.
Haeron watched with cold indifference, while what he and the others were doing was harsh it sent a message to all of the houses that had risen against them and would hopefully cower a few into backing down.
The lands of the houses they had destroyed would be reallocated to those that had stayed loyal and he would establish Vaena and her family in Rosby as the new ruling house. Claw Isle would be given to Grace and her family as well as areas of land on the mainland.
But for the moment the dragons all flew in different directions as they had other kingdoms to bring into line.
Hellholt, Dorne...
Dorne was fortunate in regards to their situation, only four houses had risen up against them and none of them apart from House Blackmont and House Uller were particularly powerful.
So Prince Doran had little trouble in suppressing the uprisings, House Manwoody and Toland had fallen swiftly and meekly, allowing hostages to be taken and that was the end of it. Blackmont had put up more of a fight and he had been forced to call his banners, and brought them down with hidden assassins.
Now that left only one to deal with House Uller, this created a deeply unsettling mood as Prince Oberyn's own lover Ellaria was of House Uller, her father was its reigning lord. But Lord Harmen Uller had decided to stand with Viserys due to debts he had been too proud to admit existed.
Ones that he would die for rather than admit.
Hellholt was strong but no match for the cunning of Prince Oberyn Martell, he and a team of men scaled the walls of Hellholt in the dead of night and opened the gates allowing the Martell Army inside.
Lord Harmen and his brother Ser Ulwyck were treated harshly as traitors to House Martell, buried up to their necks in the sands that surrounded their home and left there until they slowly died of dehydration.
Oberyn held Ellaria who was distraught at what her father had done but also angry that he would dare threaten the daughters that she had with Oberyn; Elia and Obella not to mention the one that she was carrying in her womb at this very moment. She was filled with disgust and hate at the mere idea that they would be harmed purely because the murderous traitorous whelp that should have been nothing more than a spot on his mother's bedsheets dared reach above his station and that her own family had been purely too stupid to just ask for help.
"Doran has said...you will rule here now." Oberyn said softly to his lover who looked at him with shock and then added. "And Elia will rule after you. He has said that you can choose a new name for yourself."
"Truly?" Ellaria said with amazement at the generosity of her lover's brother but more so as it secured the future of her daughters made her both proud and happy despite the circumstances.
"Truly." Oberyn told her with a smile before kissing her and they then celebrated this new improvement of their daughters prospect by ravishing each other for all day and night in the lord's rooms in every position and on everything that they could manage before collapsing into bed.
The Red Keep, Kings Landing...
The mood in the Red Keep was sour as news of Caelys abduction spread, the capture of Baelish was good news but it little comfort to the Queen in residence as her child was missing.
Evelyn sat in her rooms quietly sobbing as her heart shattered over and over again, she had always thought herself a good mother, one that took care of her children and now one had been taken from her! She wanted to use the Blood Scrying Lamp might be helpful in finding Caelys but it was already tuned to the Blackfyres right now and until they were dead they couldn't put a new blood sample in there.
She heard a knock at the door and saw it open to reveal a concerned Grace coming in, her sister was a presence that was both reassuring and soothing which she desperately needed.
"Any news?" Evelyn asked and Grace nodded sadly.
"We have managed to track the ship's destination, its heading to Littlesister in the Vale. That's where Viserys is going too." Grace told her sister with disgust at the little shit who had done so much harm.
"Good, have Haeron and Harmony arrived?" Evelyn asked and Grace shook her head which was disappointing but the sight of them at the door managed to both make her feel better and worse at the same time.
"We didn't hear you arrive!" Grace said in shock but Haeron shook his head.
"That is for a reason, but go Grace. We won't be here for long so go and spend time with your family." Haeron said with a kind smile, grateful that she was here to help Evelyn.
Grace nodded confused, eager to see her own husband and children not to mention share news of their new holdings while still confused at how Haeron and Harmony could return to the city so quickly and undetected so she took the chance she was being offered and left the room.
She went down to her own family's set of rooms and saw her husband her big and strong Trystan with his bronze hair gleaming in the sun through the windows, sitting with their two sons and daughter playing with toys on the floor. Trystan was a good man who loved her and their children; Selwyn, Lillian and Yorc. Her sons and daughter all cried out in joy when they saw her and she smiled warmly as she came over to them and swept them up in her arms, given her beloved niece was missing the comfort they offered was very much needed in the moment.
Back in the Royal Chambers Haeron and Harmony stood with Evelyn who looked at them ashamed.
"I...I." Evelyn said before the two of them gathered her up in their arms and held her.
"I wasn't your fault. Baelon is the one responsible." Haeron said with a bitter frown, his own worry for his daughter but at least they had an idea just where she was going. His anger at his own son was considerable, Baelon was his child but that didn't change what he had done.
"We will put a spy on Littlesister, we have no idea just when the ship will get there and we can't risk a battle at sea with Caelys on board." Haeron said with determination to not take any risks with his daughter's life. Harmony and Evelyn looked relieved at that, knowing they had at least the semblance of a plan.
"And Baelon?" Harmony asked with an edge, the boy needed to be punished.
"No dragon." Evelyn said quickly before adding as they looked at her. "Ever."
Haeron frowned, of all their children Baelon had always been the one that worried him the most. He was reckless, jealous and arrogant. While he thought or rather hoped that he would grow out of it but he knew this couldn't be ignored.
"He would have been given one, but if he hasn't proven himself worthy by the time he comes of age and made amends then he never will." Haeron said, wanting to not write off his own son but knowing he had to be held accountable.
Harmony and Evelyn thought about it before nodding, not wanting to create another Viserys but what choice did they have?
- x -
Elsewhere in the Red Keep, the royal children sat eating their meal but the absence of Caelys was hanging in the air. Usually they talked or joked among themselves, or they were reading in the case of Alysanne or other hobbies but today there was just quiet and solemn eating.
Aemon and Jasen were stern faced, both feeling responsibility for Caelys being taken, as her elder brothers they should have protected her they thought to themselves. All of their siblings felt the same and imagined being the ones to hurt those that had taken their darling little sister.
Baelon however was not feeling guilty at all, he might have been panicked at first but now he just saw it as something that happened and not his fault.
But unfortunately for him, Alysanne who had just entered the room had gone to get a new book from her mother's room. While there she overheard her parents talking about what had happened with Caelys and more crucially just who was to blame.
Her face became enraged as she heard the details, storming out of the room and back down to the dining hall, her face normally so composed was twisted with anger and when she barged into the hall, her own siblings did not recognise her for a moment.
She came right over to Baelon and without even a moment's hesitation she hit her brother hard in the face!
Alysanne might be more of a reader than a fighter but she was still spending time in the yard just like her siblings and with the exercises their parents had been making them do, so she hit with considerable force and knocked Baelon cleanly off his chair.
The room fell instantly silent as they all stared, Baelon with a hand on his hurting face stared up at her with fear and Alysanne stood over her brother ready to hit him again until Aemon and Jasen grabbed her to stop her while Aeron demanded with confusion.
"What has gotten into you?"
Her siblings all looked on in confusion before Alysanne in a rage told them what she had learned.
"ITS HIS FAULT! HE LOCKED CAELYS IN THAT ROOM AND LEFT HER THERE! HE'S THE REASON SHE WAS TAKEN! I HEARD OUR PARENTS TALKING ABOUT IT!" She told them, spitting with anger and hatred of her younger brother.
They all took a moment to take it in before Aemon and Jasen snarled at their younger brother with anger and then turned to Daemon who was looking at his twin brother in confusion, not sure he wanted to believe it but Alysanne he knew wouldn't lie about something like this.
"Either you stand with us? Or with him? Choose." Aemon demanded of his younger brother who was torn, not wanting to turn on his twin but also knowing he had done something terrible and not wanting to be cut off from his other siblings by staying with Baelon.
Baelon looked at him expectantly, Daemon had always followed him in the past but this time Daemon walked over to his oldest brothers along with the rest of their siblings as they glared at Baelon.
They all turned and left their little brother behind who scowled in anger before shouting out after them.
"I DON'T NEED YOU! I DON'T NEED ANYONE!" He said with spit flying from his mouth, looking at them with disgust that they would dare turn their backs on him.
- x -
That Night...
Baelish was tied up on a rack as he squirmed, ready to leverage his knowledge or what they must think he knew he thought with confidence...knowing they would want the information that they think he has and that he could use to his advantage.
Soon enough the King himself came in, Baelish smirked and was about to speak when Haeron just pointed his ring at him and said.
"Imperio."
Baelish suddenly felt himself slip into a state of complete relaxation, he just felt completely at ease and when Haeron questioned him, Baelish despite knowing he should lie or tell half-truths told him everything he knew which was nothing they didn't already know. Haeron's expression grew increasingly dark as he listened, knowing that he was responsible for Caelys being taken.
He waited with a brooding violence growing inside him until Harmony and Evelyn came in, they levitated Baelish into a waiting coffin large enough for a man to lie down inside with a lid. It was made of oak and lined with runic symbols that Baelish would never understand, they had only just made this and it was specially for him.
They might have kept him alive if he had any real value but now they knew he was worthless to them, so it was time for them to do to him the worst possible punishment they could give him.
The coffin was lined with runes that keep him alive on some level, at least as long as it could while the curse they had inlaid into the coffin...one that they hated but it was for them the most horrible death they could give him.
The Cruciatus Curse, it was a terrible curse but it would torture Baelish until his death finally came.
They put the still restrained Baelish who looked confused and then terrified as they sealed him up in the dark box. They would bury it securely tonight, then head off to their separate kingdoms. Baelish would live for days, maybe weeks or even months they hoped before finally dying but given how much he would be suffering it would feel like an eternity to him.
Breakwater, Sweetsister, the Vale...
One of the three islands that made up what some called 'The Sisters' in the small sea known as Bite was now host to Viserys Targaryen. He could have gone to a more luxurious setting but he feared being found by his brothers and so he hid.
But the threat of attacks from House Borrell of Breakwater and House Longthorpe of Longsister who had stayed loyal to House Arryn meant he had had to act to keep himself safe.
He flew on the back of his dragon, he saw Breakwater, the castle that belonged to House Borrell which was located next to the town of Sweetsister which took its name from the island itself. He directed the dragon down towards them, almost licking his lips in anticipation of unleashing his fury on near defenceless settlement to prove his power.
However as he commanded the dragon to attack he felt it resisting his order, he used a whip he had been given and the green dragon howled in pain and let loose a single burst of flame that ignited one of the towers of the small castle before it turned and started flying back towards Littlesister despite his repeated hitting the dragon with the whip not to mention screaming insults at the great beast.
House Borrell fled the parts of the castle that were ablaze and began ordering men to get water to fight the fire, confused as the dragon could have done a great deal more damage to the castle which could hardly repel it and the town nearby was completely untouched.
While it scared them, it also confused them...why not do more? Especially when they were helpless against it?
The Barrowlands, The North...
The large plains of the Barrowlands near Barrowton was a major place of importance to allow movement of soldiers across the southern areas of the North.
So the rebel houses under the leadership of Roose Bolton, Lord of House Bolton and their seat the Dreadfort gathered to attack and take Barrowton so this important area would be theirs.
However the Starks too were well aware of this and had gathered their own loyalists to defend the town and hopefully crush the rebellion.
Unlike many southern houses it was the norm for Northern lords and even ladies in some cases to lead their forces into battle themselves rather than from a safe position at the back of their lines so they could swiftly retreat if they had too.
Rickard and Brandon were no exception, Rickard led their cavalry while Brandon despite the worry of some was leading the vanguard of the Stark infantry.
Brandon was swinging his broadsword into enemies with a fierce laugh, feeling the thrill of battle running through him. He loved a fight, the chance to show his skill and power on the battlefield...it was also a chance to be away from his nag of a wife he thought with derision, Catelyn might be beautiful but she was as interesting as a brick wall with as much flexibility. She was boring in bed, the fact he had managed it three times to put their daughters in her was a feat worthy of celebration in itself.
But turning back to the battle he saw Lord Ryswell and two of his sons standing there with the enemy vanguard.
He instantly and without any real thought charged forward, slashing hard into Rodrik Ryswell, the lord of House Ryswell catching the man completely by surprise and costing him his life.
However he paid a price for it, Roger Ryswell nearby screamed in anger as he killed his father and lunged forward and impaled him in the side. The pain instantly made Brandon cry out before he wretched himself free of the blade and swung his own after Roger who countered with anger and vengeance.
Brandon was bleeding but he refused to allow himself to be killed by Roger and headbutted the other man in the head and with his own head ringing Brandon managed to slash his enemy's arm off. Roger's arm and his sword with it fell to the ground and Brandon quickly with his strength waning managed to stab Roger through the stomach.
Rickard Stark saw that his son was injured and ordered.
"Charge the centre, Brandon needs help." Rickard called out and charged with his men to try and save his oldest son, his men charged with their horses into the fray but it was for nothing as Brandon with a large pool of blood coming from his wounded side managed to take out Roose Ryswell with a last savage biting of his throat open with his bare teeth before slumping forward into the mud, leaving Roose to bleed to death on the field.
But this reckless charge to save his son left Rickard Stark exposed and an archer from House Flint managed a single lucky shot, hitting Rickard in the chest and sending him off his horse with a horrible crash.
The sight of their lord being hit stunned the Stark forces but thankfully they were gaining the upper hand and the enemy force began to retreat, Roose Bolton looking coldly across the field before suffering a glancing blow from an arrow to his left eye, making him cry out in pain while his men removed him from the field, but his eye was ruined by the fragments of arrow and left him blind in that eye.
- x -
Barrowton, the North...Later that Day...
Rickard Stark was taking rest in the castle of House Dustin as the maesters worked, his long serving and loyal man at arms Ser Rodrik Cassel came to him with a grim look of despair as Lord Rickard looked at him with expectation.
"Lord Brandon, passed just a few moments ago my lord." Ser Rodrik said sadly which made Rickard gasp in both pain and misery at the death of his oldest son. But the maester treating him looked sadly to the grieving lord.
"My lord, you have an great injury to the lung." He said with a sad expression. "Not to mention I believe the wound may get infected." He told him and Rickard nodded, knowing in his heart that he was going to die...he was sure of it. He could barely breathe without pain and his wounds were not closing properly, but he needed to make sure the North and his house survived. The battle might have shattered some of alliances of their enemies but they were still standing, he knew desperately how bad this situation was and what it might do to their house if not remedied soon. With that in mind, he knew immediately what he had to do.
"Send a letter to Starfall, Eddard is the new heir of House Stark and Winterfell now. He must return home." Rickard said with a hacking cough.
"That might take some time my lord." Ser Rodrik said with concern given all the fighting in the south and the great distance that young Eddard would have to travel, if he managed to make that journey it would likely take some time just to get here.
"He is the next in line, the North needs him. Send the message and make sure Ice goes to him. Swear it." Rickard asked urgently and Ser Rodrik swallowed with nerves before bowing to his liege lord and telling him.
"I will my lord. I swear on my life." Rodrik said which made Rickard smile bitterly and nod in relief.
- x -
Winterfell, the North...A Day Later...
The news that Brandon Stark was dead and Lord Rickard was likely not long for this world either arrived by raven shortly next day, Benjen who was now acting as the Stark in Winterfell stared at the letter and fell back into his chair shock not wanting to believe it but the integrity of Ser Rodrik was undoubtable.
He had never expected this to happen, Brandon was the best with a sword of them and their father had seemed so wise and intelligent. How could they have fallen in battle so quickly? He questioned to himself with grief filling him up.
He knew now that soon Ned would be the Lord of Winterfell but he was far away in Dorne, it would take him time to get here so he would need to hold on until then Benjen thought with gritted teeth knowing the danger they were all facing now. His own wife and sons in this castle safe thank the gods along with Brandon's daughters so at least he could take comfort in that but it was a small thing in the face of what was happening all around them.
Elsewhere in the castle someone had informed Catelyn of Brandon's death. The news stunned the Tully woman who sat down on her chair with confusion and despair.
She had been waiting for the day that she would formally become the Lady of Winterfell, that she would hold the title properly and have the respect and dignity that she craved but now...she thought with despair that was never going to happen.
Around her her three daughters clung together in tears as they learned of their father's death, sobbing as although he had not been a great presence in their lives he was their tall and powerful father that they all felt was there to keep them safe. It was made worse by the knowledge that the strong and proud Lord Rickard was dying and they would soon lose their grandfather as well.
"What will happen now mother?" Sansa asked with fear as she was not sure just who was going to rule now and what was going to happen to them. Catelyn sighed with tired bitterness and explained to them.
"Your uncle Eddard is the next in line for the Lord of the North, but he has lived in Dorne for many years. It will be some time before he arrives, until then your Uncle Benjen will rule." Catelyn said and strangely that seemed to reassure the girls.
"Uncle Eddard always sent us such nice presents on our namedays, he's kind in his letters." Roslyn said with a happier look in her blue Tully eyes.
Minisa who might be the smartest of them frowned slightly as she realised that they would not be able to inherit Winterfell themselves. It would be Uncle Eddard's sons that would inherit now and what would their position be then? She pondered but seeing the relaxed looks in the eyes of her younger sisters she chose to say nothing to not make them anxious or upset.
Catelyn was relieved by that as her own thoughts were focusing on that same thing, she wanted her daughters to inherit Winterfell but she had no voice...Catelyn thought with anger as in all these centuries there had never been a ruling lady of Winterfell.
A man always came before a woman.
It infuriated her but not wanting to loose a potential position for her daughters she said nothing, hoping that she could convince Eddard, the goodbrother she barely knew that her girls deserved to be given their due.
Starfall, Dorne...
The raven arrived in the early morning light, the maester received it and took it to Lord Dayne as the family ate their first meal of the day. Lord Dayne read it without thinking too much, then as the words sank in he stopped and froze before rereading it more intensely.
When he had read it perhaps three times to make sure he was understanding the situation right, he looked up at his daughter Ashara and her family who were sitting not far from him.
She sat there happily eating with Ned, his arm around her shoulders lovingly and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. An action that provoked a reaction in their two youngest children.
"Mother! Father! No!" Brandon their youngest son said with embarrassment at his parents sharing affection in public. Their father laughed along with their mother and told them with a smile.
"That is how a man and a woman show affection my son. One day you might be doing the same with your own wife." Ned told his youngest boy who had dark brown hair and dark grey eyes, looking very much like a boy of five years of age. He hadn't quite gotten his mind around the idea that he might actually fall in love himself one day.
"I will never be married." Arya their only daughter spoke up defiantly. She was a year older than Brandon and she was the image of her mother, she had the same dark hair that looked like a silken waterfall and her violet eyes were dancing with mischief and humour. Ashara smiled widely at her daughter and told her with a smile.
"Don't be so sure my girl. You might find someone worthy of you one day. Trust me when I say that the day I met your father is easiest of the most important days of my life and it meant I was gifted with all of you my darlings." She said with a bright smile which made Arya blush slightly as despite herself she did think about her future sometimes and marriage did occasionally feature in those dreams, her mother had long ago shared with her a secret that women could make their own way in the world. They just needed to be smarter and more cunning, Arya had at only six years of age wondered if she might be the first female Sword of the Morning among other things but she hadn't really decided yet.
"At least don't dismiss the idea." Ulrich said calmly as he put his book down, even eight years old he was always reading as he wanted dearly to study at the Citadel one day. Not necessarily to become a maester but to educate himself and even one day attend the College of Kings Landing, he just liked learning and developing new skills which was good as he was very good at it. That being said he still was supportive of his younger sister and brother.
"Indeed." Vorian, the oldest of the four said with a small smile. At nine he was already tall for his age like Ulrich and they had dark brown hair and dark grey eyes, he unlike his brothers spent a lot of time in the yard where he was practising his swordsmanship and his riding among other things like that but also he read frequently on battles from the past. Already showing an innate grasp of tactics and strategy he was unbeatable at cyvasse, having beaten everyone in the castle.
That was when Lord Dayne got up from his chair and came up to his daughter and her family, handing the letter to Ned who took it with a smile, not thinking anything of it but the moment he read the message his face instantly changed. His face falling into shock and dismay in the blink of an eye, Ashara sitting next to him caught sight of the message and her face also transformed into shock.
"Ned." She said with sorrow for him while their children looked on in confusion at the sudden change in mood.
"Father what is it?" Vorian asked urgently as his normally strong and brave father seemed to shrink on themselves and seeing her husband was in no fit state to say anything Ashara stepped in reluctantly.
"Your grandfather in the North and your Uncle Brandon are dead." She said sadly as she held her husband in an attempt to try and ease his pain. Her husband was so strong and devoted to his family but this would wound him deeply.
"Dead?" Arya said with confusion at the news, not sure what to say as she had never met them but she knew of them and had sent some letters over the years. They had even exchanged some letters with their cousins but never actually met them.
"How?" Ulrich said with astonishment before Lord Dayne told his grandchildren.
"They fell in battle against uprisings in the North."
"We must go North now." Ned finally managed to say with difficulty, trying to rally himself as he felt like the world had fallen away beneath his feet. His strong father, who had always seemed so unmovable and resilient and his brother who was so full of life and passion were gone. It didn't seem real in the moment but it was Benjen that was writing to him and he knew that his brother would not say such falsehoods.
"Why?" Brandon asked innocently before Ulrich explained to him.
"Because Uncle Brandon had no sons, father is now Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. And now Vorian will be the next one after him."
"Getting there will not be easy." Vorian said with a frown as he considered just how difficult such a journey would be. "The seas are full of pirates and the Ironborn, the Reach is far too divided to even try riding through it."
"Then that leaves the Stormlands." Ulrich said with a worried look as that was hardly any better but it was the only way that they could possibly go to the North.
"What is the North like?" Arya asked with innocent curiosity and Ned with his feelings still in turmoil managed to tell her.
"Much colder than Dorne, we'll need to pack warm clothing. I will go first and you will join me when it is safer to travel." Ned said wanting to not put his family in danger but Ashara gripped his hand tightly.
"We'll go together, we'll take every precaution." Ashara said with a soft sternness that let him know they were going and that was that. While she didn't relish taking her children on such a dangerous journey they would need to go together. The image of their family together was what the Northern lords would need to be reassured that House Stark would be able to keep on going and to prove they were not cowards too.
Lord Dayne was deeply unsettled by them making this journey and more so that they would be leaving his home. He would make sure they had the best guards and plenty of them he thought with determination.
Storm's End, the Stormlands...
The yard of Storm's End was full of men training and preparing for war, fighting and training their bodies to be as ready as they could be for what awaited them outside these strong walls. No man however was training himself quite as hard as Robert Baratheon.
The man had cut his beard down and his hair too, but that was only the first step in his preparations. He was pulling a stone across the yard by a chain, his face red and covered in sweat with effort but he refused to stop until he managed to pull it across the yard and then back again to try and force his body back into shape.
He was disgusted with himself for getting this fat and slow, if he hadn't maybe Renly would still be alive he thought with bitter anger as he continued to push himself as hard as he could to get strong enough to lead their forces into battle again.
When he finally managed to drag the stone around he grabbed a horn full of water and drank in before going over to the rack where his war-hammer was waiting and he began to run through his drills relentlessly regardless of how much his body protested. He had been working hard ever since Renly's death to get back into shape and it was starting to pay off he thought with some relief as his waist was at last shrinking and his arms regaining the muscle that he had lost. It was a brutal regime that he was following but it was working albeit slower than he had hoped.
At the setting of the sun he finally stopped and went to see Stannis who was doing his best to rally the lords that were still loyal to them here and Jocelyn sat with Mya quietly in the corner as he worked. The sight of the little sister and the daughter that he barely knew made Robert frown as he was realising just how abandoned they had been since their parents/grandparents had died, he and Stannis did not make enough time for them so they had been mostly left alone except for their caretakers who were servants and not family.
He tried smiling at them and they looked back, still unsure of how to react around him but managed to smile back a little which he felt reassured by, hoping it helped them in some way.
"They've agreed to come but only once and they have not formally agreed to support you yet." Stannis warned him sternly, which brought Robert to a stop as he realised just how little support he actually really had.
"Then we will get them too." Robert said, rallying his confidence but Stannis looked dismissive.
"How?" He asked coldly and Robert frowned as he really didn't have an answer. It was dawning on him just how badly he had failed as a lord or as a brother. His younger brother and he had never really gotten along but Stannis was openly dismissive of his chances even if he was staying loyal. A large number of houses had joined the Blackfyres because of his neglect and weak leadership.
His father and mother would be ashamed he thought with growing guilt, knowing that he had a lot of work to do to try and make things right he thought with determination.
- x -
A Day Later...
The hall of Storm's End was full of lords who were arguing but no one was drinking, instead they were just raging at situation and each other.
Robert was trying to be heard over the screaming but it was hardly making any difference, Stannis sat there stoically but said nothing as the arguing continued. Robert finally banged his tankard hard on the table and the loud sound finally managed to get their attention long enough to speak.
"We are at war...there is no more time for fighting among ourselves when we have enemies to bash the heads in." He declared but Lord Swann, easily the most powerful of his vassals and thankfully one that had not risen against him scoffed openly and told him.
"Why would we fight for you? Nearly ten years of waste and depravity have proven House Baratheon is no longer fit." He said with scorn which received a chorus of agreement from the others. Robert felt his temper rising when the door of the room burst open.
Haeron Targaryen stood there with two members of the Royal Guard at his side. Walking into the room his footsteps echoed in the silence his appearance had created, looking around he read the room and spoke.
"I won't make excuses for him, I know how he has failed as a lord but regardless he is your lord. This war will give him the chance to prove to you that he still worthy of that...once he was a warrior and a man that could lead armies to victory. Let us see if he can do it again." Haeron suggested and his words not to mention his strong voice made the lords stop arguing and look somewhat reluctantly at the situation and vows they had made so they consented without speaking to letting Robert prove to them that he could still win a battle.
Stannis looked at the king and knelt properly, as did Jocelyn and Mya at his side. The lords did so too before Haeron allowed them to rise but it was Robert that had the most intense reaction to his presence...or rather what he had said.
He had never expected that the Dragon would actually vouch for him, actually bring his lords in line so they would follow him again. He had long harboured resentment for House Targaryen for several reasons, the most considerable of which was what had happened with the whore Lyanna Stark but at the same time Haeron had stood up for him.
He had never expected that and he was unsure what to say or do, but it made him think of Ned again and not for the first time he thought with sadness.
He had always been so calm and reasoning, far better suited to responsibility than he would ever be and they had not spoken for years. The last words he had yelled at him were insults and he found despite his vow to hate House Stark he missed his old friend, wondering just what he was doing now and where he was.
Turning back to Haeron he bowed in respect which surprised many of the lords and even Stannis who with Jocelyn and Mya stared at him in confusion...never having expected him to do that.
Haeron nodded in acceptance before speaking.
"Then don't make me regret my faith in you." Telling Robert quietly in almost a whisper so only they could hear before speaking louder. "Prepare your men, its time for you Stormlanders to do what you do best." He said which got a cheer from the men who excitedly began to gather their men for battle.
The Gates of the Moon, The Vale...
The Gates of the Moon was the winter residence of House Arryn, when winter made the Eyrie became too cold on the top of the mountain where it stood. In the summer it was the great defensive fortress that protected House Arryn from their enemies, a stout castle more ugly and less comfortable than the smaller Eyrie but vitally important all the same.
Now with war on their doorstep, Lord Elbert Arryn had rallied his forces just in time to reinforce the Gates of the Moon as and was facing the combined armies of House Corbray, Lynderly, Sunderland and Hardyng. Harrold Hardyng had pressed his own claim for the Vale as after Elbert and his three young sons he was next in line. His drinking and arrogance had made it easy for the Blackfyres to recruit him to their cause, not to mention ambition to take what he wanted but did not deserve.
However as the tall blond man stood at the formidable fortress ahead of him he was hoping that Elbert would be so intimidated that he would surrender but he stubbornly clung to his throne...he frustratedly groaned as he saw another ram be taken down by the heavy scorpions on the walls. They needed trebuchets to get through that he thought, eager to end the siege before the Arryns could rally their own forces against them. But there was not a lot of siege engine experts present and it would take some time to gather the materials to make them in any case.
But they were about to learn that nothing in war is certain and that no one can predict everything.
Not least an enormous dragon descending out of the sky towards them, at first the men thought it was the dragon belonging to Viserys Targaryen. They were sure for the briefest of moments that it was coming to blast a path for them through the Gates of the Moon so they could seize it and the Vale itself. They almost cheered as if victory were guaranteed but then the enormous beast turned not towards the walls of the castle, but towards their camp.
It began to dawn on them that this dragon was not friendly to them, that it was under the banner of House Targaryen and a growing sense of terror and panic quickly spread across the camp. Men began running in every single direction in a desperate attempt to get out of the way but it was futile for many of them as the enormous dragon breathed its incredible golden flames down on the camp and all the men below. Some of the men on horseback managed to ride out of the way just in time but Harrold, quaking with fear did not move as the wave of fire came straight at him, his eyes wide with fear as it consumed him and with him the unity of the rebel Vale Houses.
Harmony was dispassionate as she killed the men with her dragon, as Hermione she would have found this revolting but these men wanted to kill and destroy not only her children but the children of any house that sided with them. She had to be ruthless to deal with them she thought with bitterness and would need to track down and end them or at least force them back into line.
Still she caught sight of the large scorpions on the walls of the castle which although not pointing at her this time could potentially take down her dragon. She felt a chill run through her body before realising that the only way to protect them was to give them armour of their own.
She would need to brush up on her dragon physiology she thought to herself, having books on it that they had salvaged from Valyria so they should be able to make something suitable she thought as she pursued the enemy as it retreated to make sure they were finished off.
Rose Road, The Reach...
The Reach had many houses, more than most in Westeros. Many of them minor families with a number of major ones like the Tarlys, Rowans and Hightowers for example and they were all ruled over by the Tyrells from Highgarden.
But given how obsessed many of the houses were with appearance and status many had taken loans from the Blackfyres to make their castles more grand or afford luxuries from foreign shores or were just plain expensive.
This when combined with the ugly and pathetic Mace Tyrell had brought many into the Blackfyre plot and they had risen up against the Tyrells and the Targaryens.
House Tarly however had stayed loyal to House Tyrell as Lord Randyll Tarly disliked foreigners or traitors to ones own family like Viserys and was practical enough to not fall into the same money trap that had gotten many of the smaller houses. He was rallying his forces to take and hold the important road as the forces of rebel houses came against him.
He sat on his horse calm as anything while his people were outnumbered by two to one, confident in his ability and that of his men but even if he was not he had an advantage that even he had not known was going to happen.
As he and his men stood to meet the enemy advance a dragon ridden by Prince Daeron Targaryen approached from the north and hit the rear guard of the rebel army, scattering them in sheer fear hoping to escape the fire it was creating.
The sight of the large beast made Lord Tarly smiled grimly as the dragon scattered the enemy with barely any effort. He now was recalculating his plans as Prince Daeron bringing his dragon would allow them to suppress this uprising much quicker than he had originally planned.
When the enemy was destroyed or ran away Prince Daeron landed near Lord Tarly who dismounted from his horse and went to join him. Prince Daeron boldly approached the imposing lord and the sight of Dark Sister at his waist made Lord Tarly blink briefly in surprise before bowing slightly to the Prince. Clearly being given one of House Targaryen's most important relics was a sign of how highly he was trusted and thought of, increasing the honour of having been sent to aid them.
"Your grace." Lord Tarly said politely, Prince Daeron nodded and replied.
"Lord Tarly, your loyalty to our cause is greatly appreciated by House Targaryen. We are most glad to have someone of your considerable skill on the battlefield here." Daeron said so the lord at least understood that his loyalty was really appreciated by his family.
Lord Tarly nodded, taking the compliment even if it was perhaps just flattery and asked plainly.
"Your grace, will you be able to assist us in fully putting down this rebellion." He asked and Prince Daeron, somewhat eager to prove his own ability after being in his brother's shadow for so long nodded eagerly.
"Just so Lord Tarly. I am hoping to work with you to see to it quickly and decisively." Prince Daeron which reassured Lord Tarly knowing he would have a dragon to aid in this matter.
Dornish Marshes, Stormlands...
Robert had gathered his forces and prepared to meet the enemy on the field, his forces arranged on one side of the field ready to fight. Many of them had never fought in their entire lives so they were extremely nervous but determined to earn glory for themselves today.
The enemy had organised in standard battle formation while Robert had all his heavy infantry in the front and the cavalry on the flanks just behind.
The enemy cavalry was heavy horse, ready to run down the Baratheon infantry the horn announcing their charge. The Baratheon infantry trembled slightly at their approach until at the last moment Robert Baratheon shouted.
"NOW!"
The men dropped their shields and picked up long wooden spears that were twice as tall as a man and stuck them securely in the ground, when the horses had been going too fast to stop. The screams of the horses and of men as they were thrown from them as they hit.
But that was when Haeron appeared on his dragon, as arranged he flew behind the enemy infantry and with Kara created a large blazing fire right behind them, preventing any escape. The enemy Stormlanders looked around panicked when under the leadership of Lord Swann, archers began pelting them with arrow fire.
Confusion and disorder quickly took hold especially as the Baratheon light and heavy infantry moved in, killing the cavalry men who were still alive and trapping the enemy army as Kara made sure the fire didn't burn out and Lord Swann continued the lethal arrow barrage.
Some men were so desperate they ran through the fire and deeply regretted it as they either burned to death or were left so badly burned they would die not long after. Other charged towards the enemy in hopes of breaking out but they had no discipline or cohesion any more. Lord Bryen Caron who was commanding this force with his sons Bryce and Rolland at his side was yelling to try and regain some order but the chaotic screaming and sounds of battle alongside the fire behind him drowned out his voice.
That was when he found himself face to face with Robert Baratheon, the fat lord of Storm's End who looked soft still but his antler headed helmet made him look fearsome. His battle cry was loud and harsh as he swung his war hammer into the sword of Lord Caron and with such force it was thrown from his hand.
Bryce Caron, seeing his father was in trouble rushed forward to try and protect his father only for Stannis who was dressed in a similar armour to his brother and wielding the sword Haeron had gifted their father years ago. The younger brother of Robert was strong and moved it with ease as he countered the desperate and unfocused assault by Bryce who could see Robert swinging his war hammer again only this time it was into Bryen's head, smashing it open like a melon.
The sight of it was gruesome and allowed Stannis to cut down Bryce with a brutal slash, leaving Rolland Storm who despite having seen his brother and father stood his ground and Robert while respecting his courage met him head on.
The hard clang of steel ran through the air as they fought and showed that despite still being overweight and out of practice Robert had lost none of his skill as a warrior or his ability as a tactician given that he had planned their strategy perfectly.
Rolland was not one to give up but Robert was the embodiment of his house's words 'Ours is the Fury', he hit with such force that Rolland staggered from each blow and was soon on the back foot. Robert took full advantage and slammed his hammer down into Rolland's armoured chest, with such force that he managed to bash into his chest and kill him with a single harsh blow.
The fall of the last of House Caron, along with the slaughter that was happening quickly brought about the surrender of the enemy forces that had taken the field that day. Lords Peasebury, Musgood and Tudbury surrendered and their ranking members where made to kneel before Robert who glared at them with burning eyes.
"I want to kill you all, but if I am to be the lord my father wanted me to be then I will offer you one mercy. Rather than face the Stranger now, then you can take the Black instead. There will be no other chance." He warned them and Lord Peasebury scoffed at the warning.
"You don't have it in you."
That was the precise wrong thing to say as Robert without missing a beat swung his war hammer into the head of Peasebury and crushed with a single blow. The sight was horrible and gory but it made a point as the other prisoners all looked on in shock.
Seeing that Robert was serious about his threat made the remaining lords stammer.
"The...The...The Wall."
"I thought so." Robert said coldly but with deep satisfaction, the pride of victory was something that he had not felt in years and it was deeply rewarding. He looked among the men that he had led and even Stannis and saw a renewed faith in their eyes, they trusted him more now he thought with pride. He had not wrecked himself beyond repair, there might still be time for him to be a lord worth remembering for the right reasons.
- x -
Later that day as they were packing up their camp to head north into the rest of the Stormlands to bring the other houses to heel they noticed a party coming from the direction of Dorne. It was about two dozen men around a smaller party bearing the standard of House Dayne, Robert and Stannis knew they were loyalist to House Martell and House Targaryen and it was too small a party to be hostile.
But that was when Robert's breath caught in his throat as he saw who was leading the Dayne party, it might have been years and he was more tanned than he remembered but it was him all the same. Older but still Ned.
He was silent as the party rode into the camp, clearly they did not mean to stop but Ned dismounted and approached. He looked as unsettled by his presence as Robert was but they approached each other with guarded and careful eyes.
"Lord Baratheon." Ned said with respectful if coldly polite eyes and Robert felt a cold weight settle in the pit of his gut as he considered all the broken years between them. How much time had been wasted by his spite and anger.
"Ned." Robert said with surprising calmness which surprised everyone with the friendly nickname no-more than Ned himself who had been sure that Robert would at the very least tell them to leave as quickly as possible. But that was not happening and what happened next made this more plain.
"Your wife and children." Robert said with an uncertain smile as he looked at them. Vorian and Ulrich were tall lads for their age and Ashara looked even more beautiful than ever, her daughter Arya was like a small copy of her mother while young Brandon looked like a bright and happy child. The fact he only knew their names from whispers bothered him a great deal, Ashara looked uneasily between her husband and Robert before finally Robert said what he needed to say.
"I was wrong Ned." Robert said with bitter sadness which made Ned blink in shock because he had never heard Robert actually admit to being wrong about anything. "I blamed you for what Lyanna did and...it...it wasn't right."
Ned was taken aback, not sure just what to say or do in this situation as Robert for once looked actually remorseful. He managed to say kindly.
"You were hurt in the moment." He said but still guarded as he did not know how to deal with Robert when he was acting like this. Robert smiled slightly before saying.
"You've always been kind Ned, a better man than me. You're right I was angry but it cost me my best friend." Robert admitted before saying. "I'm sorry about your father and brother."
The grief struck Ned again at the mention of his father and brother but he tightened his resolve and he nodded.
"Thank you. I never expected to be the one to take over Winterfell some day but it sadly is my duty." Ned said with bitterness as he had hoped that he would be able to live happily in Dorne with Ashara and their children and take over either Greenwood Castle or Moat Cailin when the time came. But now he would be taking over Winterfell and the North as a whole, Vorian would have to follow him one day and Ulrich would take one of those other castles.
"No one would be better at it than you." Robert said with complete confidence, Ned was always responsible and dedicated. The North would be in good hands with him, he was sure of it.
Ned was actually surprised at that even if he didn't believe he was the right man at all for the role he must now take up.
The two men stared at each other while Ashara and Ned's children along with Stannis looked on in amazement as Robert actually said that he was sorry and apparently meant it. He wanted to make things right with Ned and surprisingly it seemed to be working, maybe because Ned was himself suffering even if he trying to hold it together for his family especially in the face of having to leave behind everything they knew and moving to the North...he seemed to be accepting it.
While their friendship was nowhere near healed, it seemed to be heading in the right direction at last towards reconciliation between House Baratheon and House Stark.
The Red Keep, Kings Landing...
The Red Keep was going on as normally as possible given there was a civil war going on and many members of House Targaryen were out on the field with their dragons to put down the insurrection.
Elia sat with Rhaenys as she played with her dragon, Elaena and Aemon and Jasen played with their own dragons nearby while Jon and Amilys sat together with their own mother who had been despondent ever since the arrival of news from the North.
She could not crying, tears were not enough to describe her grief as she held her children. Lyanna was haunted by the death of her brother and father, now any chance of reconciliation was lost. They had died hating her she thought with a jagged bleeding wound in her soul and the fact it left her house so weakened only made it worse. She could only imagine what Ned and Benjen must be going through at this moment, the burden it placed on their shoulders.
"Mother." Jon asked, knowing her pain clearly as he saw it on her face and in her eyes each moment that had passed since the raven carrying the news of his grandfather and uncle's deaths. He had never known them sadly and nor had Amilys, but her pain struck at them deeply and right now she needed them to be there. Even Amilys was not her usual troublesome self as she knew their mother needed their comfort.
"What can we do?" Amilys asked her mother, wanting to know how to make her feel better. Lyanna managed a sad smile for her two children as she held them tightly to herself.
"You are already doing what you need to my loves." Lyanna said as she kissed their foreheads, loving them all the more for their love for her. She missed her father and brother but she felt the pain lessen slightly as she held her children.
Being strong for them, helped she found with a slight comfort. It made things easier and allowed her to think of things other than how she had never managed to make things right with her family again. She still had something to live for, it might have not been the life that she would have chosen but this was her life now and she was reassured that a dragon would be sent to help her family in the North especially now that a new Lord Stark was taking residence.
She deeply worried for Ned and his family, they were in such danger now she thought with dread. He would need to take responsibility for the North and House Stark as a whole and while she knew that he would take that duty with the utmost seriousness and devotion it was not a weight she wanted him to carry. He was capable but he had never wanted to lead, he was a good man but as she had learned after all these years in the Red Keep that didn't necessarily mean you were a good lord.
She just hoped he would be alright.
- x -
Elsewhere in the castle, Evelyn sat on the head of the Small Council with Grace at her side, Kevan Lannister sat there with the Badge of the Hand on his collar and they spoke with each member of the Small Council.
"Has there been any word on Caelys?" Evelyn asked and Varys just shook his head sadly.
"She has yet to arrive on Littlesister but we have managed to track the ship and it has not stopped anywhere else." Varys said with worry as he knew this situation was his fault for failing to recognise the threat before it hit them.
"She had better be." Grace warned him with narrowed eyes, the normally sedate woman was furious at what had happened with her niece. Kevan Lannister was a stubborn man when he wanted to be but even he was somewhat intimidated by her glare. She might be the queen's younger sister with a dragon of her own but she concealed a harsh temper and more strength than what was apparent on the surface.
"There have been some Blackfyre Loyalists coming to the city." He mentioned and Evelyn coldly nodded.
"We are already aware, Rhaegar will be dealing with that." She said having already dispatched him with some Royal Guard and other men to destroy them. The other Small Council members all felt a shiver run down their spines as they faced a queen that was out for blood in any way that she could get it.
- x -
The Lion Gate, Kings Landing...
Rhaegar, dressed in his dragon themed armour stood in front of the gate with Ser Arthur Dayne who wore his Royal Guard armour well despite missing the white armour of the Kingsguard. Arthur had to admit though it was superior, the leather as strong as chain-mail and the plate high quality steel without compromising on movement. Where they had gotten such quality materials from confused him greatly but it was great advantage to them he conceded.
Rhaegar however looked at the Blackfyre supporters who had dared try and sneak into the city to create dissent. But he greeted them on the back of his horse and charged with his men at the enemy who seeing them coming straight at them immediately gave up their disguise and ran but it was hopeless as there was nowhere to hide and no chance of outrunning a charging horse.
Rhaegar proved at least to have not lost his skill with a sword, cutting down them on the run. He found killing distasteful given that his real enemy was death itself or rather what brought it, but these people threatened to divide the realm and kill the three heads of the dragon that he had been so careful to create who would save the living from the coming army of the dead.
For that he would kill them all he thought with cold logic as he planted his sword in the head of one of the Blackfyre supporters until they were all dead and he and his men could return to the Red Keep.
The Crag, the Westerlands...
The Ironborn had not let up on attacking the Westerlands coast, intent on destroying their most dangerous threat which was the fleet of the Westerlands, at least until either the Redwyne Fleet or the squadrons of Royal Fleet made their way around Westeros to join them.
Jaime was very much leading from the front as his sword slashed through the raiders who were pressing their luck against the coastal settlements of the Westerlands.
Jaime was cutting down reavers left and right as they continued screaming and swinging their weapons around with little to no discipline, clearly having intended for them to overwhelm in a quick lightning raid on unprotected villages, to kill, rape and steal and then retreat back to their boats to go back to their islands to hide.
To avoid facing them in a fair fight Jaime thought with disgust, they were cowards he thought to himself and he would enjoy putting them down and making sure they didn't dare threaten his home land and his family again. He knew what they would do if they ever got close to his wife, Marei or Maylee not to mention his own daughter.
His resolve to kill them only grew with those dark thoughts, they would never be a threat to his family.
He soon found the apparent leader of the raid being the nearest to the longships on the beach, his friend Ser Addam Marbrand had managed to lead their cavalry to cut off any chance of escape. Seeing the desperate attempts of the leader to escape back to their ships made Jaime scoff in disgust at the weakness of the man, so eager to raid but would abandon his reavers the moment things turned bad. He was the worst coward of them all he thought with revulsion.
Jaime stood face to face with him, older than he was by about ten years or more with braided dark hair and a scowl on his face. The Kraken of House Greyjoy emblazoned on his chest with golden rings on his hand. He was Rodrik Greyjoy, the eldest son of Lord Balon Greyjoy but as he sneered at Jaime, the Lannister heir did not waste time with words and just attacked.
It seemed Rodrik who was used to bullying his younger siblings and others younger than him in general but found that Jaime unlike his siblings could actually fight back and unlike many of his former foes was not drunk.
He swung his axe but Jaime side stepped and jabbed and stabbed in his direction, forcing Rodrik onto the defensive. To give him his due Rodrik did fight back with some skill, he swung his axe with accuracy but Jaime counted by being faster and more precise in his movements. He managed a slight cut at the man's elbow causing him to drop his axe and then planting his sword through his mouth.
Rodrik's body stopped and his face was frozen in shock at the sudden attack, Jaime pulled his sword free and let the body fall to the ground and was so caught up in the moment that he almost missed the other Greyjoy, Maron who was known only for cruel jokes and lies and not his combat skills thought he might kill Jaime by hitting him from behind maybe take his pretty sword as a trophy and more than that become his father's heir but he was suddenly cleaved in two by a large broad sword in the hands of a tall figure with a face half covered in scars.
"You need to watch your back little lord. The enemy will not tell you when they are going to strike." The scarred man said with a cold look on his face, his large frame and his scars let Jaime know that this was Sandor Clegane, the Hound and the younger brother of the Mountain Ser Gregor Clegane. Jaime knew he was nothing like his older brother who was a monster in barely human form and managed a smile for him.
"Good to know. Now, shall we continue?" Jaime asked with a a calm smirk and Sandor shrugged before continuing his killing which Jaime allowed while doing his own knowing he wanted this man in his fighters going forward.
Littlesister, The Vale...
Caelys shook with fear as she was led off the ship accompanied by horrible vicious looking men that sneered at her and left her starving, eating right in front of her to taunt her and even pouring filthy water over her to wake her on the odd moments that she managed to fall asleep.
She looked up at the sky as a roar filled the skies and saw Aurora flying around, it sounded angry she thought with misery and yet sad...Aurora missed her old rider Caelys...knew or rather felt in her gut. She didn't know how she knew that but she was certain of it. That confused her but unfortunately she didn't have any time to focus on it as she saw the dragon land with anger, almost shrugging off the current rider with obvious disgust.
The sneering of her Uncle...no she thought with revulsion he wasn't worth calling family was pathetic. He was so sure of himself, so cocky that she wanted to rip his eyes out but he told her with a sneer.
"Clean her up! I will not have a girl looking so disgusting in my presence." Viserys said before swaggering off to get his elaborate meal while Caelys stared at the ground, knowing even at her young age that she was in danger and that she would need to be smart to get home safely.
And she would be clever she thought with determination.