The West Coast, Westeros...
The defeat of the mainland rebellion meant that there was a great relief across the country but at sea there were still resistance against the Iron Throne. The Iron Islands were still staking their independence against the rest of Westeros, but given that the greenlanders had surrendered and were now unified again they had become more hesitant to try their luck against the coast.
The Royal Fleet that had been sent around Westeros was now at last passing the Shield Islands and approaching the Westerlands, joined by ships from the Redwyne Fleet and now would receive more reinforcements from the Lannister Fleet. Men gathered for the coming invasion, eager for glory and riches while maps were studied and men prepared for war.
It was only a matter of time before the Targaryen Fleet and Iron Born clashed at sea.
The Red Keep, Kings Landing...
Shaena Targaryen having now returned to the Red Keep began to put her own plans into work.
She had made the decision that spies were not enough to deal with the issues they faced, hiring assassins was not enough either as they were often unskilled or easily found and caught.
Something more was needed she thought with a considering look as she sat in her room, her husband sleeping nearby and completely unaware of what she was planning. She looked through of the documents that her brother and goodsisters had recovered from Valyria and there were once a covert killing force that had been for hire. They had been used by the dragon lords against their own people rather than committing to open fighting between them and potentially tearing Valyria itself apart, experts in the area of killing.
They had some interesting techniques she thought with interest looking at the documents that detailed just what they did and how they did it. They were excellent assassins and spies as well as thieves too.
She had a detailed training regime and plans for their equipment, it looked interesting and she knew it would exactly what she needed.
Shaena would need to study the documents a little more but she was sure that this was something that she could recreate with sufficient resources and backing. She would speak to Haeron about it when she had a more detailed plan to recreate the order she thought with a smirk as she knew this was something that would really be helpful to their cause and help them against the Blackfyres and any other enemies they might face in the future.
- x -
Kings Landing, the Crownlands...
Tyrion had never been to Kings Landing before, he had never really left the Westerlands until now so he was amazed at the vast city that he had only read about or heard of in stories told to him by his family.
It was a testament to the ambition of the Targaryens he thought with amusement, the largest city in Westeros and yet the youngest. It was he noticed vastly different in some areas than others, old buildings that were on the edge of falling apart mixed with newer structures that had been constructed since the current king had taken the throne.
Either way it was the largest and the most prosperous city in Westeros, Tyrion thought with curiosity at what opportunities that he might find here.
"It's immense." Tysha said breathlessly at his side as she saw the city for herself, stunned at the sheer scale of it. Tyrion grinned slightly at her awe before telling her gently.
"Its a city of over half a million, the largest in Westeros and only a handful of cities in Essos can compete with it for size." He said before they were interrupted by a sight that was growing more and more common across Westeros these days.
An enormous beast rose above the city, followed by several smaller beasts of the same shape. They cried out loudly and then seemed to be chasing each other through the sky...weaving close to each other as they moved quickly through the air.
Tyrion was for a moment stunned by the sight of dragons, he had longed to see them up close but the image before him was beyond anything that he had ever dreamed of he thought with delighted awe.
His initial thought was that the dragons were fighting for dominance like lions did but then he realised they were not biting or scratching at each other nor breathing their flames in each others direction. What they were actually doing then dawned on him.
"They're...playing." He said with shock, never having imagined that dragons would play with each other like this. He had read that they were intelligent creatures but he had to his own shame thought that a superstition. It was he now saw for himself very true.
Tysha gasped in fear of the dragons, grabbing gently at Tyrion's sleeve for assurance. He had none to give her but squeezed her hand gently to give her something.
She nodded slowly in acceptance before riding down with him into the city and to the Red Keep.
Riding through the city was not so different to Lannisport Tyrion thought with a certain reassurance that he was not so out of his depth here, people hustled and bustled around them as they went about their daily lives. People doing what they had to do to make a living and survive if not thrive.
Tysha was a little more enamoured with the city, she had seen Lannisport but Kings Landing just seemed to be...more somehow she thought not entirely sure what it was. Grander? Larger? Vibrant? Maybe she considered before looking to her husband and giving him a loving smile which he returned.
The Red Keep was incredible as it lay before them, easily one of the greatest castles in the world let alone Westeros. Only two castles in the whole of Westeros could compete with it for size, Highgarden and Winterfell which were much older and more ancient castles. Harrenhal might be bigger but it was a ruin so that didn't count.
But still you could even at a distance feel the power that was held here, the centre of Westeros and specifically House Targaryen...the House of the Dragon. The greatest force in the world, restored to its true might and glory.
It sent a chill through both of them but they kept on going and eventually with some foreboding they rode through the gates and into the castle itself. Stable boys took their horses with quiet efficiency and Tyrion with Tysha at his side walked into the castle. It honestly felt like the bloody and intricate history that this castle had seen over nearly three centuries was carved into the stone itself. Tyrion could imagine the legendary figures that had walked these halls and their deeds here both kind and monstrous.
The Throne Room was their destination and soon they were there, seeing the large open hall with courtiers milling about was somewhat intimidating to Tysha as she had never been in any setting even remotely like this, Tyrion gave her an encouraging smile before walking in and she with her heart thundering in her chest followed him.
Their presence certainly did not go unnoticed as men and women both looked at the strange pair they made, Tyrion most of all as they had never seen the Imp Son of Tywin Lannister and given all of the horrible things that had been said they were somewhat disappointed as Tyrion despite his lack of height was still a mere man.
But then they looked into his mix matched green and black eyes and those with intelligence and reasoning quickly changed their opinion of him. He had a powerful mind in his gaze, how it took in everything and gave nothing back. It missed nothing and they realised that they were looking at the true son of Tywin Lannister. Jaime might be the heir to the Rock but here was the real son of Tywin in mind at least.
The Iron Throne loomed over the room with the two slightly smaller thrones for the queens at its side. The figures in them were familiar to Tyrion at least a little although he had never really had a chance to speak to them alone.
King Haeron sat on the Iron Throne and he was a powerful figure that seemed to command the room without doing anything, his strength filling the hall and even without his title he would be easily the strongest figure in the room.
The two queens Harmony and Evelyn were of a similar cloth although they wore it in a totally different way, they were strong too but also sharp minded like their husband but their beauty seemed ethereal and unworldly, like they were the Mother or Maiden incarnate. Both different and yet the same, one a harder kind of beauty while the other was softer but both had a powerful purple fire in their eyes.
Tyrion walked up to the throne and knelt down, Tysha who was terrified out of her wits at the idea of being in the very presence of the 'Great Dragon' as some called him. A king was bad enough but the king that had brought back dragons and fought against evil warlocks and so much more if Jaime was to be believed.
Tyrion was himself much calmer as he was much better versed at dealing with people in positions of power than she was but he also had one advantage that Tysha did not yet know about...Jaime and Haron were friends.
"You may rise Tyrion Lannister. Welcome to the Red Keep, I trust your brother and his family are well?" Haron asked calmly and Tyrion nodded with a slight smile.
"Indeed, they look forward to seeing you again soon your grace. It was most impressive the display the dragons made over the city earlier." Tyrion said lightly. Many were stunned that he would be so informal but Haron smirked back much to their surprise while his queens just smiled politely.
"It is isn't it. The skies is where a dragon really feels at home. Now I am sure yourself and your lady must be tired from your journey. Chambers will be made available for your use." Haron said and servants went off to see to his command carried out, Tyrion bowed slightly and replied.
"Thank you your grace. My wife and myself are eager to rest and appreciate your hospitality." He said before he left with Tysha. Haron and his queens merely raised an eyebrow at the announcement that he had a wife while the other courtiers all started to quietly gossip at the unexpected news that Tyrion Lannister was married and none of them had heard of it or even knew who his bride was.
Tysha was glad to be out of the throne room though although she was still scared of what might happen if her husband's father came after them. Especially with the great joy she was carrying in her belly she thought, her hand going to her lower stomach. She had only just learned of it but it was still incredible news and any other time she would be excited but right now she was unsure if it was a blessing or not in their current circumstances.
Later that Night...
Harmony now they were alone showed Haeron and Evelyn her dragon armour design.
"Its not possible to protect all of the weak points on a dragon but we can at least cover some of the vulnerable spots like the belly and the head." She said pointing to a sketch that she had made of a helmet for the dragon and then a series of smaller plates connected by leather bindings which allowed easier movement. There were unbreakable glass lenses over the eyes which as they remembered was how Meraxes, the dragon of the original Rhaenys Targaryen had been taken down in a similar fashion. Runic symbols were carved into the steel plates and leather which the outsider would think was decorative but instead was protection runes to make it resistant to any hits that it might take.
"The dragons will need new armour every time we fight and they will hate wearing it." Haeron said with a frown as this was going to difficult to make as the dragons would grow constantly throughout their lives. Harmony and Evelyn both looked annoyed but settled for rolling their eyes, it was something they could do and it would work well.
"We will find a way. This might be essential to us and our children not to mention the dragons coming home." Evelyn said with a glare, Haeron nodded getting their point and glad of the protection even if he knew this was going to be vital for the future.
"I'll start ordering the leather and steel, could you help with the engraving?" Harmony asked knowing Evelyn understood runes thanks to her job as a curse breaker at Gringotts as Fleur.
Evelyn nodded and they got on with planning, they needed to at least get one suit ready as Haeron would be going out to the Iron Islands soon to lead the invasion and put down the last rebellion against them.
- x -
The Red Keep, Kings Landing...The Next Day...
While they waited for some specific lords to arrive so the assault on the Iron Islands could be planned, a new office was to be created in Kings Landing, so before the gathered courtiers Haeron addressed them with the news.
"The city of Kings Landing is experiencing a period of prosperity and with that comes an increase crime and disorder. With an entire realm to run it does not make sense for myself, my queens and the Small Council to take that responsibility. So I will henceforth be creating the office of Lord Mayor of Kings Landing, a chosen person who will maintain and ensure the efficient running of the city. They will be appointed by the crown, a native of the city to ensure they know it. Candidates will be considered before a choice is made. The Lord Mayor will sit on the Small Council and work with the various masters to ensure a smooth and fast mechanism in this city. However there will be a limit of five years in that position before they must step down and a new mayor will be chosen." Haeron announced to the crowd who all immediately broke into gossip with the more ambitious among them looking for options that favoured them and their own power.
Tyrion Lannister stood with his wife, keeping a low presence for the moment as they learned more about the court and how it functioned.
"What is a Lord Mayor for? I don't understand." Tysha asked her clever husband who thought deeply before answering.
"To stay informed on the affairs of the city, to advise on matters that concern it. Act as the King's Justice and to maintain control of law and the economy. There are many smaller parts but it basically makes the city run smoother for the king." Tyrion explained and while he knew it was dangerous to give anyone that kind of power it was directly within sight of the Royal Family. House Targaryen had just given the realm a demonstration of how they dealt with treason and how much mercy you could expect if you crossed them Tyrion reasoned with a smirk knowing that anyone entrusted with that position would be absolutely trusted by House Targaryen and if they did ever consider betraying them...they would not get a clean death of that Tyrion was sure he thought grimly.
"It seems like a lot of work to run a city." Tysha commented with a frown, these games of power seemed so complex and twisted to her that it was a mess to try and even remotely understand them. Tyrion nodded and smiled at his wife, knowing she would learn with time.
- x -
The Kingswood, the Crownlands...
Lyanna Stark had returned to the Red Keep after she and Elia had taken their children to Starfall in Dorne, her heart was still heavy from her father and brother dying but Ned was now Lord of Winterfell and the news from the North was promising she thought to herself.
Ned would make a great lord of Winterfell, she thought with pride in her brother.
She had thankfully also been given a new privilege upon her return to the Red Keep she had been allowed to ride with her children and even go hunting with her children as long as they had an escort of Royal Guard with them. Ser Arthur Dayne was leading their group and he seemed glad to be away from Rhaegar she noticed with a small smirk. She could only imagine how it must be having to guard and watch over that worthless piece of shit she thought with sympathy but it seemed the king had let him take a break from that by escorting her and her children.
"Good shot." She said with a smile as her son took down a boar with his bow. Jon smiled at his mother's encouragement before Amilys scoffed in jealousy before Lyanna rolled her eyes and told her.
"Amilys if you can't back up the sarcasm with skill then at least try to be humble." She told her daughter with annoyance but all it got was a smirk from Amilys who now intended to make sure she proved she was just as good if not better than her brother. Lyanna sighed before heading off with the rest of their party in pursuit, Amilys was just like she had been as a girl and now she could only wonder how her father and brothers had put up with her for all those years.
At least Amilys had plenty of family to keep her in check she reasoned with a smile as they pursed more game.
The Red Keep...That Night...
The youngest members of House Targaryen had gathered tonight in the same yard where not even a year before they had hatched dragons for Elaena, Rhaenys, Aemon and Jasen. Except for Baelon who had been banned from ever having a dragon they were all present. They all had their dragons eggs and looked confused as to why they had gathered.
Haeron stood with Harmony and Evelyn, Lyanna and Elia both stood at the sides with excitement as they had a suspicion of what was planned.
"Your sister was able to bond with Aurora and that has made us realise that we are perhaps underestimating you all." Haeron said as he gestured to Caelys who smiled brightly at the mention of her large green dragon which sat on the roof above her crying out in joy at finally being free of Viserys and having a better rider. The others all looked on in both amazement and jealousy but what Haeron then said shocked all of them.
"The future is going to be hard on all of us and require us to be strong. Its time you all received your inheritance." Haeron said calmly before telling them.
"Put your eggs in the centre."
The children all realised just what they were going to receive tonight, they all were stunned but with the urging of their parents they all walked over and put their dragon eggs in the pit. They had been expecting to have to wait years before they could finally get dragons of their own but it was happening now! They thought with shock and sudden excitement.
The eggs were all piled in the pit and Harmony turned to Caelys and smiled.
"Go ahead. Say it."
Caelys looked surprised but with the encouraging looks of her father and mother and Harmony she rallied her courage and called up to Aurora.
"Dracarys."
The dragon seemed to smile, it was hard to tell if you were not familiar with them but there was a twinkle in the eyes that they could clearly see before the green dragon reared back and before covering the pit and the eggs inside it with its fire.
They all had to avert their eyes as Haeron and his two queens thought deeply on what they were doing. It was perhaps not wise to give them dragons but the times ahead would not be kind for their sake and their family had to be ready. Evelyn in particular wanted their children to know what joy came from being bonded to a dragon and if it taught them to be responsible then it was a move well made. They would leave it up to Vaena, Grace, Daeron and Shaena when they wanted to give their own children dragons as that was their decision to make as parents.
Aurora eventually stopped and the pit was now visible to them all, making the children gasp in surprise as they saw the tiny dragons inside it.
Aeron, Alysanne, Daemon, Visenya, Rhaella, Jon, Daenerys and Amilys all walked forward and picked up their dragons, knowing instinctively which one was theirs and holding them close in joy at finally having a partner of their own. This was a beginning Haeron and Harmony thought with cunning as as soon as they were old enough and had grown their dragons, their House would be more powerful than it had ever been before.
And ready to take the fight to the Blackfyres.
The Next Day...
The Baratheon party arrived early the next morning, Rhaegar thankfully having returned to his rooms and kept out of sight.
Robert Baratheon led the party which comprised his daughter Mya and younger sister Jocelyn along with a party of Stormlanders. Mya and Jocelyn were staring in awe at the enormous castle and city and more so when they saw the dragons flying above it.
"Is this the greatest city in the world father?" Mya asked her father with genuine curiosity and Robert frowned before telling her with a smirk.
"Yes my sweet. The capital of all Westeros and the most powerful city in the world." Robert said trying to be patriotic to his homeland.
Jocelyn was more quiet although she had the same curious nature as Mya, she was bright...very bright and loved to learn. She just hoped that she got the chance as they had heard the Targaryens had a great library so maybe they might give permission for her to have a peak inside.
They rode through the city and to the Red Keep, the sights around them amazed both Mya and Jocelyn who had never seen anything like it before. The Red Keep itself was an awesome sight, vast to their eyes and intimidating. The guards looked imposing in their armour and there to greet them was the King himself with his Royal Guard around him.
The king was as imposing as the last time they had seen him and thankfully Robert was on his best behaviour today and gave a slight bow which the king returned with a nod.
"Greetings Lord Baratheon, I am sure the tactical insights will be vital in the planning of the assault on the Iron Islands as well as...other targets." Haeron said calmly and Robert smirked as he liked nothing more than planning battles.
- x -
But a member of the Baratheon party who had dismissed as a guard however was noticed by one of the Royal Party.
"Brienne." Grace said warmly making the tall muscular woman with short blonde hair turn in surprise as she saw her cousin looking at her.
"Grace." She said with a small smile for her cousin who was beaming at her with warmth. Grace looked well Brienne thought with gratitude that she had found a good life here, she was glowing with happiness and was a chief lady in waiting to the queens themselves. She was married with children of her own and authority suited her Brienne thought with satisfaction.
"Its so good to see you but why are you here?" Grace asked with a curious look seeing that Brienne was in armour which she knew she preferred to being in a dress. Brienne looked uncertain as she knew she was going to be doing something that would no doubt outrage many people.
"I want to join the Royal Guard." Brienne said quickly before she lost her nerve.
Grace was stunned, she knew that Brienne was not interested in being a lady and had been trained to fight for years. Her father Lord Selwyn was a good man and despite his second marriage to keep the Tarth line going he had always supported his daughter.
"There has never been any female students before. Are you sure this is what you want? It won't be easy." Grace said with worry in her voice as there were all kinds of danger in this. Not least of which was that she would be targeted there, being the only woman in a setting almost completely dominated by men.
It would be terrible.
Brienne looked unmoved, clearly she had either not considered the situation that she was facing or had already done and wanted to try anyway.
"The Royal Guard? You intend to join?" A voice asked from behind them. They both turned to look and saw Evelyn standing there with a raised eyebrow. The sight of the queen standing there in her resplendent glory, her beauty the stuff of legends which made Brienne feel even worse than normal about herself. She was nowhere near as beautiful as Grace and so Evelyn despite the other woman also being her cousin too made her feel even more ugly than ever.
Brienne knelt to Evelyn, mindful of her station and told her.
"Your grace. It would be my honour to serve as part of the Royal Guard." Brienne said with calm determination.
Evelyn just stared, not sure if this was even remotely a good idea but told her plainly.
"I can arrange it but you must be absolute sure it is what you want. It will be dangerous for you there, men of all kinds good and bad can be found there. I hope you understand what that means." Evelyn warned her and Brienne nodded slowly, she fully understood and wanted to do it.
"I will do it, not just because I want too but because I should." Brienne said determined to make her mark on history.
Grace and Evelyn both shared a look of concern before they sighed as the decision was made.
"We will arrange it, but you will be given quarters here in the Red Keep to stay in." Evelyn said knowing having her sleep in the regular barracks would only cause trouble. Brienne looked ready to object but Evelyn proved why she was a queen by giving her a strong stare that made her buckle immediately as Brienne knew not to question her.
She was her queen after all.
- x -
Jocelyn Baratheon was exploring the Red Keep and its gardens, it was a wonderful place she thought with a smile. Storm's End didn't have any gardens and it was dreadfully boring there she thought with sadness.
She wished she could stay longer before her brother took her back to Storm's End and then she noticed something or rather someone standing in a small alcove. A boy who was clearly a Targaryen given his silver hair and purple eyes not to mention his clothes were fine and the fact he had a young dragon close by.
He was swinging a training sword around with complete focus, having grown up in Storm's End she had seen many men training so this was nothing new to her. But this boy was entrancing her in a way that no-one had done before.
The way he moved, with such precision and purpose it was fascinating to her in a way that she couldn't really say with words. Which son was this she thought to herself? Given his age it was one of two boys in House Targaryen, Prince Aemon or Prince Jasen but which one she wasn't sure.
"Hello." She said walking forward with a smile on her face as she curtsied to him as he looked up. "Your grace."
"Lady Baratheon, it is a pleasure to meet you." The boy said with a calm, confident voice. Taking her hand to kiss it as their code of manners demanded. His hands were rough despite his young age she noticed which meant he worked with them a lot.
"Prince Jasen." She said, taking a guess as she knew Lord Tywin Lannister's granddaughter was due to marry Prince Aemon so she hoped this was his slightly younger brother Prince Jasen. She realised she was right when his eyes lit up slightly.
"Indeed, it will be a honour to spend the day with you if you want too of course." Jasen said with a hopeful look in his eyes.
"It would be my pleasure." Jocelyn said with big smile.
Unknown to them they were being observed, Haeron and Robert both looked at them especially as Jasen offered his arm to Jocelyn who took it without hesitation. Robert looked momentarily stunned before looking like he was going to explode. Seeing this Haeron told him quickly.
"Jasen is a good boy, responsible and he will be nothing but honourable to your sister." Haeron assured him and then seeing the instant connection between the two of them. Jasen rarely connected to people that quickly he thought with intrigue.
"He'd better be." Robert warned which Haeron nodded in acceptance, sure at least that his son would do nothing untoward with Lady Jocelyn. That was when he had an idea.
"I would like to tie our houses together, Jasen has always been rather uncertain with girls and yet your sister breaks his shell. Never have I seen him like this before." Haeron said with a smile as he considered the situation. "She would be a princess of the realm and her children would one day ride dragons. Think about it." Haeron suggested before tactfully leaving, Robert momentarily stunned by the mere suggestion of it. He couldn't quite wrap his mind around the strange idea that his sister would marry a Targaryen, despite his better relationship with Haeron these days he was still deeply resentful of what Rhaegar had done not to mention Viserys for starting the uprising that killed his younger brother.
But at the same time he had never seen his sister as comfortable with a boy that was so close to her in age and he almost was feeling his father and mother glaring at him from the other side to make sure he didn't make another mess here.
So reluctantly he said.
"I agree, as long as they wait till they are of age." Robert said with warning to Haeron who smirked before saying.
"Of course, it would only be proper."
Tower of the Hand, the Red Keep...
Kevan Lannister was enjoying his lunch before the meeting to discuss the invasion of the Iron Islands, he had spent many years in the city now and the distance from his elder brother and having actual power in his hands had been very liberating for him.
He had even found a new favourite food, he thought with a smile as stuffed some more of them in his mouth and ate them with relish.
Lampreys, a sort of eel that had become more widely available in Kings Landing in recent years and he had soon discovered they were delicious he thought as he finished off his plate.
But the moment he did so he felt a serious pain in his gut, a severe and debilitating pain that made him hunch over with his face contorting as he tried to call for his servants to help him but he was unable to make a sound he was in so much pain.
He had been experiencing pain eating recently but the grandmaester had only been able to suggest that he not eat lampreys so much as they were apparently not good for you and gave him some medicine that made him shit to clear his insides. He went to get his medicine which he kept near the privy but he could not step more than a few paces before collapsing to the floor. Although their science had not advanced enough to know this the lampreys had a dangerous germ in them and they combined with the existing damage was enough to kill him.
Kevan was doubled over in pain and unable to move as he curled up and suffered an agonising death.
The maid who came in to take his plates and clean up after his meal saw him as she came in and screamed before running to get help. The stewards and guards quickly came and saw the scene in front of them, the grandmaester was summoned and he quickly confirmed that Kevan Lannister was dead.
Haeron arrived at the same time as Tyrion Lannister, seeing the sight before them they both frowned and then grimaced as the full weight of the situation sank in.
"What killed him Grandmaester?" Haeron asked with a dark look in his eye, wondering if they had another traitor in their midst against.
"The food ruined his insides. It is not poison your grace." The grandmaester said with no doubt in his mind having already warned him about this before hand.
Tyrion himself grimaced as while he did not particularly care for his eldest uncle it was still a bad situation for House Lannister. The last thing he wanted was for his father to come here at least until they had found some way to keep Tysha safe he thought with deep fear of what might happen to her.
"I need a new hand and quick." Haeron said coldly, while Kevan had served well and would be honoured before being sent back to Casterly Rock, he still had a nation to run and not much time to find a hand that he could trust especially with him having to leave for the Iron Islands soon. He turned to Tyrion who while younger than he would have liked had been long been told was smart, he could sense in his thoughts that it was true.
Would he be able to manage running the Small Council? He wondered before making a decision that he hoped he would not regret.
"Tyrion, I have long heard from your brother that you are intelligent and cunning. Are you willing to prove it?" Haeron asked the confused and shocked Lannister.
"Your grace?" Tyrion asked with astonishment before Haeron made his intention known.
"Until a more permanent decision can be made, you are acting Hand of the King. If you prove yourself capable then I may make the position official. Understood?" Haeron said calmly, knowing talent when he saw it and he was looking at it now.
Tyrion was momentarily stunned, he had never expected this. He had ambition and this opportunity would likely only come once in a lifetime if it ever came at all, he knew that while he was unprepared for the task ahead of him he had to say yes.
"It would be my honour your grace." Tyrion said with his best attempt to be calm, managing it to his credit he thought with relief as Haeron nodded in acceptance before the surprised servants.
Queen Visenya, Near Fair Isle, The Westerlands...
The sea was calm for once and for that Davos was grateful as after months of sailing, he and his fleet were finally nearing their destination.
The news from the mainland was good he thought with some relief as they had managed to suppress any uprisings there and now only the Iron Islands were still in revolt. So he thought grimly it would be up to him and his fleet to send them back to where they belonged.
He had a hundred ships at his command, all armed with their new cannons and he was actually nervous as this was not only his first battle in command of a fleet but they were going against a force ten times there size.
The odds seemed impossible but he knew what these cannons could do and the Ironborn had only heard rumours.
The sight of the Iron Fleet approaching from the north made him grit his teeth and he gave his orders.
"Signal the fleet to assume battle formation." Davos ordered to his second in command. The man nodded and relayed the order to the crew and then the signalman made the signals to the other ships with coloured flags. They all spread the order around the fleet and they assumed a dedicated set of lines, men loaded the cannons. Davos had been drilling them all of the voyage here, making sure they were prepared and ready for what was to come.
- x -
Silence, The Iron Fleet...
Euron Greyjoy was smirking as he and the Iron Fleet closed in on their target, the pretty looking fleet of the greenlanders king seemed tiny compared to their own and there were no dragons in the sky he thought with amusement and some disappointment as he had been looking forward to killing a dragon.
The nearby Iron Victory contained his stupid brothers Victarion and Aeron he thought with a bloodthirsty grin. He honestly was thinking that this was an opportunity to make sure they went to the Drowned God early and leave him as heir to the Seastone Chair, yes his worthless elder brother had two more children but killing his brother's last son would be easy and the girl would be no threat when he had cut out her tongue and bound her to his bed.
He saw the hundred or so Targaryen ships adopt some strange formation that bared their port side to them, he almost laughed. That was the worst thing they could do in face of them, whoever was commanding that fleet must have just been squirted out of their mother's cunt.
The distance closed but as he turned to order the catapults to start taking aim, the world changed.
There was a series of bright flashes like sun catching on shiny metal along the sides of the enemy ships and Euron looked puzzled for a second, trying to understand just what that was when suddenly without warning his ship was struck by a blow.
Like the gods themselves had punched it.
Wooden splintered and the hull was torn open, the strong wood yielding to the invisible attack like it was paper or tin. Euron himself was knocked off his feet with his ears ringing, looking around dazed and confused at what had just happened.
But it just as he was getting back to his feet it happened again, this time he grabbed the wheel to stay upright and looked around and realised to his confusion that other ships were in a similar state to his own and he did not understand just what was happening before he remembered the weapon that Haeron the greenlander king had used when he was sailing around the world.
Was this it? Euron thought with astonishment and anger that such a thing was in the hands of the greenlanders and he would immediately steal it to secure their own dominance at sea.
But he was not able to make that plan as he was then struck by a cannon ball that caved in his chest and killed him instantly.
- x -
The Iron Fleet was thrown in chaos as the captains had no idea just what do in the face of such a weapon, some tried to get close in the hopes of avoiding the main weapon but the crews of the royal fleet had another trick up their sleeve. Swivel guns mounted to their decks along with the carronade short ranges cannons opened fire the moment they were in range, smoke and loud blasts filled the area as the men worked with intense concentration and determination. Loading, firing, reloading and then firing again.
The Royal Fleet closed in and began striking every ship that they could, the wooden hulls no match for their cannons which tore them open and water flooded in.
They had their orders, not to pick up survivors and instead sink every ship that they could.
Some Ironborn ships turned and fled back towards the Iron Islands and home but only a few managed to make it as the Royal Fleet took them apart.
The battle if it could be called that lasted around two hours and left many men to be swallowed up by the sea. They took no prisoners and gave no quarter, ending it only when all enemy ships had sunk or fled.
Davos did not feel good about his victory but he would be lying if he didn't have some satisfaction in ending the lives of so many men that prided themselves on rape, murder and pillaging. The only part of the Seven Kingdoms that still practised slavery Davos thought with disgust. They were a threat to everyone and ending them was keeping many people safe.
He would send word to the Red Keep once they docked and resupplied at Fair Isle, it was the closest port and where they would meet with the invasion fleet to deal with the Ironborn once and for all.
The Red Keep, King Landing...The Next Day...
The raven from Fair Isle arrived in the middle of the day as Haeron met with the lords to discuss the coming invasion.
Haeron was standing at the table as it was delivered to him personally, he opened and read it. Smiling a little at the news he told the gathered lords.
"The Royal Fleet has devastated the Iron Fleet off Fair Isle. Most of their strength with it for very little loss on the part of the Royal Fleet. The Iron Islands have been left vulnerable." Haeron told them which made them all break out laughing in mocking humour at the supposedly invincible Ironborn being defeated at sea.
"The invasion force for the Iron Islands is already on the way to the Westerlands, I will be joining them shortly. But it not the reason I have invited you all here. I have found the people that encouraged this uprising are located in Pentos. That is where you will be invading." He said with a smirk as shock in them at the mere idea of it. None of them had any clue about trying to attack Essos, Robert laughed though as he became excited.
"That sounds like a good fight." Robert said with a barking laugh and Haeron nodded before telling him the reason he was here.
"I am glad you think so Lord Baratheon, because while I am in the Iron Islands...you will have the responsibility of planning it." Haeron told him which made all of the lords look at Robert in surprise given how the man felt about House Targaryen. Robert himself looked surprised before asking one simple question.
"Why?"
"You are easily one of the best tacticians in Westeros. I know talent when I see it, I trust you are willing to plan an invasion of Pentos?" Haeron asked Robert, not sure about this truly a good idea or not but if it truly helped repair relations with House Baratheon and made this invasion a success then it was a move that he would make a hundred times over.
Robert looked amazed at the compliment that Haeron had just given him and soon started beaming with pride before saying with a loud laugh.
"Oh this is going to be fun."
Pyke, Iron Islands...Two Weeks Later...
The Royal Fleet along with ships carrying soldiers from the Riverlands, the Reach and the Westerlands approached their destination, the Royal Fleet scared the Iron Islanders who had heard the tales of the slaughter off the Fair Isle from the few that had escaped it. The Royal Fleet lined up as Balon Greyjoy watched from his castle, expecting a siege but that would never happen.
The Royal Fleet then opened fire, with their cannons and with streaming rockets from special launchers on the decks targetting not only the castle but the port town that served it. Striking like a hammer blow the stone was shattered and thatched and wooden roofs were set ablaze. The people had bolted themselves inside their buildings, expecting to be fighting their enemy trying to get in. But walls were smashed in and roofs set ablaze, soon they were screaming in terror as they fled into the open.
Pyke was not spared, Balon could only scream in terror as the tower collapsed into the ocean after its foundation were blasted away. Only then when everything was shattered and burning did the soldiers go ashore.
They were chosen for their ruthlessness, men who went among the Iron Islanders and found the priests, the Iron Born and others who they cut down with brutal efficiency. They could be as violent as they liked as they had no intention of occupying the islands.
They intended to use them as an example to what happens to those who rebel against the House of the Dragon.
Kara emerged from above the island and joined in the fighting, blasting buildings and the few remaining ships from above to make sure they would need to focus on survival rather than revenge.
Tywin Lannister watched the assault with impressed eyes, the ruthlessness of it was making a great point to the Ironborn and the world that no longer will any resistance or attacks against them would be tolerated. It would be decades before the Iron Islands could truly recover if they ever did he thought and they would never be a threat certainly within his own lifetime.
They did not kill everyone however, those that did not try to fight were spared and only large warships or longships were destroyed.
The local population were suitably cowered and would never rise up again, in an alley near the wrecked castle two children hid shivering in the cold.
"What do we do?" Theon asked his slightly older sister, they had been playing in the ocean when the attack came and therefore not in the castle when it fell. Yara trying to be brave for her brother looked scared despite herself told him.
"We survive. We take care of each other, that's all we can do." She told him and pulled him in for a hug, none of the islanders were likely to recognise them but it was still dangerous for them. She wondered if the locals would give them up to appease the greenlanders so she told her younger brother. "I'm Helya and you are Denys...those are our names now understood?" She asked him with a stern look on her face and Theon looked confused before nodding.
She sighed as she knew any sense of their life as it was before was gone, they were just peasants now and ones without a family. It was going to be hard she thought with maturity beyond her years but there was only one thing to do she thought with gritted teeth and that was to get on with it.
They could not claim the island now she thought with certainty, the Targaryens would almost certainly kill them if they found out that any Greyjoys were alive so they would need to stay 'dead' she thought with dread as it felt like they were abandoning everything that they had been taught and loved but if they didn't it would die with them. At least with them alive she reasoned there was hope, hope that maybe the islands would rise again.
But in her heart she already knew it would never happen.
- x -
It was a scene that was repeated on every island, the Ironborn kept their settlements close to the sea which made attacking them much easier. The fleet and Kara would bombard them into ruin to force everyone into the open and then the soldiers would dispose of those that dared still resist.
They fell often within a day of the Targaryen's force arriving, looted and broken as they moved from one to the next. The noble houses in particular received attention, most either killed or sent to the Wall or Silent Sisters.
The islands were reorganised, new locals appointed to rule at the behest of the Targaryens. They were forbidden to build anything larger than a fishing boat so while they could fish to survive they would not be able to raid.
While the Iron Islands would still be a kingdom in their own right it was in name only, as a force they would be nothing in Westeros going forward. Survival was going to be their main priority for a long time.
It was a hard lesson but no king ever stayed in power by being soft or kind and from today no one would ever accuse Haeron of that.
The Red Keep, Kings Landing...A Few Days Later...
Tyrion sat in the Small Council Chamber with the badge of office pinned to his tunic. He was nervous despite himself as he sat around, Master Varys and Grandmaester Horus looking at least accepting of him while the other members looked unsettled and angry at him being given the office of Hand over any of them.
"We have a candidate for the position of Lord Mayor. Gareth Bokk, a merchant who once served in the city watch." Tyrion said calmly and the rest of them looked affronted but nodded, not wanting to upset the king or Lord Tywin by objecting in front of his family.
"Is he any fun?" Robert Baratheon who was sitting in on the meeting and Tyrion merely raised an eyebrow as he looked at Robert and told him calmly.
"He's a man who knows how to make friends, but serious when he needs to be. As Lord Mayor he will serve admirably." Tyrion said before making a smile and an offer to Robert. "I have some rather good wine arriving from the Arbor. My wife doesn't drink so would you like to share it?" He asked Robert who looked amused before laughing.
"You are a different kind of lion. I like you." Robert said with a rather satisfied look on his face which Tyrion indulged with a small smile. People like Robert were easy to handle as long as you knew their habits.
The sight of an enormous dragon appearing at the window made all of them start as the familiar black scales of Kara appeared.
"The king." Ser Tyrell the Master of Coin said as he leapt to his feet, the others slowly followed and saw it was indeed the king as he greeted his wives and children warmly.
Tysha appeared at the side, finding it heart warming that the king was such a good father. He had treated her husband well too and while she was scared by word of his ruthlessness towards his enemies she could see that he was a complicated man but no monster.
But as she approached her husband she felt her heart beating harshly, as she walked over hoping that he did not take what she was going to tell him badly.
"My love...I'm with child." Tysha told him before she lost her nerve.
Tyrion was silent as the news hit him, unable in the moment to take it in. He had never imagined that he would be able to father children, then a fear went through him that they would be born like him. Tyrion loved his wife though and made him smile as he took her hands and kissed them, happier than he had ever been before having found her. Tysha almost started crying in relief before embracing her husband who held her, hoping to comfort her and let them just enjoy this moment.
The Royal Guard Academy, Kings Landing...
Brienne was breathing heavily as she dodged the incoming attack from both the left and the right at the same time. Sweat running down her face as the effort of the hardest fight of her life took its toll.
She had been well trained at Tarth, her father had seen to that and she was so grateful to him for it but here she was finding that her above average strength and considerable skills did not cut it as much as she had thought.
The training was brutal, harder than anything she had ever gone through before. Up before dawn for exercises and then training in swordplay, knife fighting, riding, detecting threat exercises and more. It kept going till dusk and then they went to bed.
It was exhausting she thought with her muscles aching every moment, everyone was telling her to quit, to give up and go home. The men she could hear them sniggering at her and some had even tried to catch her naked but being the cousin to the queen made even the boldest among them stop from going any further because of what might happen to them if they angered the queen.
But she would never give up Brienne thought with determination as she engaged her opponents with ferocity and disarming them signalling the end of the fight.
"She has skill...for a woman." Barristan said calmly as he and Lewyn Martell watched on the side of the yard. Lewyn smirked before telling his colleague.
"I think she is skilled, the fact she is a woman does not come into it. If anything that makes her more impressive given how she much she has overcome to get here." Lewyn said with a look of admiration as even in his more open minded homeland it was rare for women to become warriors, his own great nieces aside he could count the number of female warriors that he knew about on one hand. They were equal in inheritance terms but few seemed to want to be a professional warrior like Brienne of Tarth.
He admired her for her determination and she was certainly doing well in her training he thought, she was a prime candidate for the Royal Guard Lewyn thought with pride in her for making it this far. Barristan frowned but had to concede his colleague was right in his judgement of her even if he was still off put by a female warrior.
- x -
Secret Chamber, the Red Keep...
While new members of the Royal Guards were being trained for their future duties, another group was training deep inside the Red Keep in complete secret.
"Now magic can be cast in two ways. One with words and the other with thought. It is easier to do it the first way but requires that you be able to speak and it is much harder to do so undetected. It is harder to use thought but it is crucial to use your magic with less chance of discovery." Harmony said as she instructed the children. They listened to her with interest as she held up her hand and said.
"Lumos."
A bright ball of light appeared in her hand, the children looked on in awe before Harmony extinguished it.
She then took a breath and conjured the same ball of light in her hand but this time without saying a word, giving them a practical demonstration. They all blinked and started to understand before she turned to Haeron who nodded and then presented them with a ring that contained a fire opal each. They eagerly took one each as Haeron explained.
"Fire opals we have discovered are one of the best materials for creating a magic foci. Weirwood can also be good but that requires special preparation. Valyrian steel is also very useful. That is the reason it was used in the rings." Haeron told them as they looked at the rings in awe. "These are vital tools in channelling your magic, but like any muscle it will only get stronger if you keep working with it. If you stagnate so your magic will weaken, that is why the meditation exercises to channel it are so important."
He let that sink in before telling them.
"Now, each of you will practice the Lumos spell. You have to start small before you get to do the big things." He said with a smirk as they looked a little annoyed.
"Are there any books to read?" Alysanne asked quick as a whip which made Haeron and Harmony smile as they saw echoes of Hermione or rather Harmony in her.
"There are and we will give you them to read as appropriate but magic cannot be learned purely from a book." Haeron said with a grin which he saw a slight tightening around Harmony's eyes at the subtle jab. "There are practical skills to learn as well. Now...begin with spoken spells and work towards non-verbal." He told them as he stepped back to let them begin their practice under their cautious watch.
The children began to work and pointing their rings up and crying out 'Lumos' to varying degrees of success. Orbs of light both large and small appeared as they watched and Harmony told them with a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Practice. Your belief in yourself that you can do it as the spell itself. No matter how long it takes or how difficult it is, you can all do this." She told them with an encouraging voice.
Aemon and Jasen seemed to be taking it the most seriously as they concentrated hard, Aeron was just as determined they were conjuring balls of light quickly that were glowing brightly in their intensity.
The others were slower in getting it while Caelys showed her deep magical powers by conjuring a larger and brighter ball of light than the others.
Alysanne however, they noticed was struggling, Haeron came over as dim balls of light formed much to her frustration. She took the ring off in anger and was threw it across the room, Haeron summoned it back to his hand much to her astonishment. She looked at him with fear like she had disappointed him but he merely smiled as he handed her back the ring and told her with a calm voice.
"Magic is not just about facts and figures, it is as much to do with emotion. You are a bright and talented mind but there will always be things that challenge us. The important thing is that you persevere, it will come with time, practice and belief." Haeron told his daughter to encourage her and she smiled slightly before putting the ring back on and told him.
"I will father, I will make you proud." She proclaimed but Haeron just ruffled her hair much to her annoyance but she laughed despite herself.
"You do this for yourself, not for me or your mothers. I am proud of you and I always will be. Now try again." He told her before stepping back and letting make another attempt, she smiled before trying again.
"Lumos."
This time when she cast the spell a ball of light, bright and strong appeared at the end of her hand, making her smile with joy at having done it better. Haeron smiled back seeing his girl getting the hand of it.
Throne Room, The Red Keep...The Following Day...
The lords and men had gathered along with ships in the harbour as they made their preparations, provisions for them were loaded and readied to sail.
Haeron, dressed in his armour stood with his queens at his side, ready to tell them where they were going. Davos who had ridden over land rather than sail to join the invasion and Robert were both there, ready to go and waited for him to speak.
"It is a day that I had thought would never be necessary but I now must reveal to you that the uprisings across this country was the work of an enemy that I thought had long been defeated. House Blackfyre." Haeron announced calmly although his eyes and mouth tightened.
The words stunned the men listening to it, all of them had like House Targaryen thought the threat of House Blackfyre was gone for good but they had clearly all been wrong.
"We have found that they have based themselves in Pentos. They're identities are known to us...so we are going to do something that I never thought I would be forced to do...invade Essos." Haeron told them with as he considered that he was returning to Pentos but this time it was as a conqueror. He was about to launch an invasion of another city purely to get rid of the Blackfyres there and they would not just be leaving either, they would taking the city for Westeros.
Haeron had a feeling of anxiety which he forced down, he was going to expand the realm he controlled by force of arms. He could use this another way as to extend his power and to help his merchant guild with greater authority. It was going to get a lot of people killed though he thought with distress.
But it would secure his position and allow them to get the Blackfyres largest group, he thought rallying his thoughts and determination. The men were cheering though he noticed with a small smile which Harmony and Evelyn grinned at too.
- x -
In later years historians would look back and see the 'Half-A-Year' War brief though it was as a seminal event in world history, which had shaken Westeros to its core and changed it forever. The day the House of the Dragon decided to flex its power and extend its reach further than it ever had before.
- x -
Bay of Pentos, Essos...One Week Later
The Bay of Pentos looked exactly like it had when he had sailed through it years earlier, Haeron thought as he flew on his dragons back. He saw the fleet blockade and enter the harbour, below him Davos was was standing on deck with Robert Baratheon as they approached by sea. Robert was grinning at the idea of a battle while Davos frowned, not sure what to feel as they were here to conquer a city, one that he had visited several times over the years. He knew people here and while he knew the importance of this he didn't feel right doing it all the same.
The good thing though was that the slavery that while supposedly illegal here was still rampant in reality, would no longer be allowed here he thought with satisfaction. The city might become a vassal of the Iron Throne but that would also mean its laws would be enforced here he thought with some relief as it would mean things like the Guest Rite would also be upheld.
It was better to see some good in the situation than it merely be all bad.
The high walls were intimidating with the many scorpions and catapults fixed to them but as they drew nearer the king dove down and with his dragon blasted the long stream of fire over the top of the walls and took out the weapons and slave soldiers there straight away. The men on the ships cheered as Davos ordered his ship to turn and expose its starboard side to the gates that guarded entrance to the harbour and ordered.
"FIRE!"
The cannons let rip and sent balls of lead into the gates and blowing them open with force, Robert held his ears like many of the men but looking at the power of the cannons he cried out in awe.
"The dragon fuckers might be bloody arseholes most of the time but they make good weapons." Robert said with a big deep laugh.
"Indeed my lord." Davos said simply, not sure it was right to revel in such things but it allowed their ships to sail through the now open gates and approach the harbour.
The ships came up along the dock side and planks were lowered, Robert Baratheon led the men ashore, charging up the docks with their men as the city watch and the sellswords in the city met them in fierce fighting. Robert was in his element, smashing people aside with his war hammer and caving in their chests or heads with a loud and booming laugh.
Haeron above them saw scorpions set up on the roofs that were shooting at his dragon, the bolts however bounced off Harmony's new dragon armour and left Kara completely unharmed. He could sense his dragon's annoyance at having to wear the armour but it was well worth it Haeron thought with a smirk to make sure that Kara was protected.
He saw a number of manses in the city, those owned by his business partners had already shown their loyalty by draping Targaryen banners from their walls. They would be the new Council of Magisters of this city and he would allow them mostly self rule to minimise disruption but the laws would be enforced here he thought sternly to himself.
Seeing the Manse of Illyrio Mopatis in sight made him smile, knowing what was happening in there as this invasion was merely a distraction from their true objective.
- x -
Illyrio's Mance, Pentos...
Illyrio looked out of the window in concern, he and his chief wife who was one of these secret Blackfyres looked out at the invading Targaryen forces and knew that somehow they must have gotten their agent, his wife's own half-sister to talk and reveal their location here. The only comfort that they could take in this disaster was that the rest of his wife's family outside of Pentos would be safe but that didn't help them now. Seeing the scale of the invasion he understood why he had received no warning from Varys as he would not risk his own position against this kind of power Illyrio thought with anger at the betrayal.
Behind him the patriarch of the family, Maekar Blackfyre sat in his throne like chair with a frown on his ancient lined face with strands of thin white hair falling from his balding head. He had not thought that his granddaughter would betray them like this...she had been so strong and loyal he could not believe she would have told them anything like this.
But a sudden pop broke the silence in the room as two figures emerged from nowhere and shocked everyone. Both were dressed in dragon themed black and red armour, one silver blonde haired and the other a darker brown but both were beautiful and regal.
The silver haired one raised a hand before they could even demand to know who she was and hit them with a blast red light which felled all of them in a single effortless burst.
Grace who was unaffected by the blast looked on impressed at her sister.
"You really have learned to control it." Grace said with awe at her sister's power and felt jealous that she didn't have the same power. Evelyn just smiled at her sister before telling her.
"A mass area stun charm. Something new we came up with but I would not be surprised if your own children had magic someday...after all you are of the Dragon." She said with a smirk towards her younger sister who just smirked as the idea intrigued Grace before she said.
"Show off."
Evelyn now rolled her eyes in mock annoyance but the objective was achieved as she secured the Blackfyres with chains that she conjured. Looking at the old man in particular she smirked with triumph, having the patriarch of the family in custody meant they could use him to root out any remaining Blackfyres and finally end them she thought with a smirk at the idea of killing the threat to her children before turning the chains into portkeys and sending them away to a more secure location.
- x -
In the middle of the city Haeron had dismounted from his dragon and was now fighting alongside Robert and his Royal Guard, they proved they had not lost their skills in the slightest even after years of peace.
Cutting down the city watch that dared challenge them they looked over and Haeron sighed during a break in the fighting as he looked up at the body of one of his trading partners that had been strung up.
"Prince Tyhyo, they sacrificed him." Haeron said quietly to himself with sadness as the Prince had been one of the first allies that he had made in Essos and a major one at that. He had intended to make him ruler of the city in perpetuality but it seemed that he would need to adjust his plans.
"Why kill their own leader?" Robert asked in astonishment and Haeron told him sadly.
"The Prince of Pentos is a ceremonial position that is little more than a figure head to be sacrificed in times of trouble. But this one was a good man who would have ruled well here." Haeron said before turning to the last remaining bastion of resistance, the City Watch's own barracks and without wasting any more time he commanded Kara to descend from the sky and burn it.
"Fucking hell!" Robert said at both what he had said and what had just happened.
"The Magisters who sided with us will be our new rulers here, a council to rule who may appoint their own members but no more than seven." Haeron said, the reason for seven being not only symbolic of Westeros but also because that was the number of people that had sided with them.
"So just turn them loose after all this?" Robert said with anger and disgust before Haeron sighed with exasperation.
"No, they will now be a vassal of Westeros. Pentos from now on is conquered land and it will not be the last." Haeron said calmly, while he could just assassinate the Blackfyres if they were to make a real difference in this world why not expand the scope of what they could do? Slavery was rampant in Essos and it was time they did something about that he thought with determination.
Robert instantly brightened and let out a loud barking laugh at the announcement.
"Good to hear! Need some more fun around here!" Robert said boldly and Haeron nearly shook his head at the excitement but it was good to have House Baratheon fully back on side.
Robert was a good tactician and soldier, one who would relish expanding the empire, better he was with them then being against them Haeron reasoned calmly.
The Red Keep, Kings Landing...Two Weeks Later...
The crowds of the city were out in force as Haeron led his party through the streets towards the Red Keep, Robert waving and laughing to the cheering crowd with the men while Haeron remained focused and calm. He nodded to the people as they rode through which made some of them swoon at the sight, the king who had done things that had not been achieved in centuries had given them a nod.
He had expanded the realm by taking Pentos, spreading the control of the Iron Throne into Essos for the first time and that would have implications for the future but for now they all enjoyed the satisfaction of victory.
They rode to the Red Keep and Harmony and the rest of the Small Council were there to greet them along with their children. Evelyn and Grace dismounted from their horses and went to see their children and Haeron shared a smirk with Harmony as they already had the Blackfyres they needed secure so they could use bloodscrying to find all of the Blackfyres more accurately and seek them out.
- x -
Tyrion was there, standing with Harmony and he was nervous given the King's return. The dragons above bellowing loudly and he honestly was worried that they might actually eat him if the king was displeased but to his surprise as Haeron shared a look with his queen Harmony who smiled and nodded.
Haeron turned to Tyrion and smiled which relaxed Tyrion a little before speaking.
"It seems my conclusions about you being a good administrator were correct Tyrion Lannister. Consider your position...secure." Haeron said calmly before they all started walking into the Red Keep. Tyrion was struck by surprise at the announcement as were most of the Small Council but he found himself smiling, looking to Tysha who gave him that proud look to say she was happy for him.
He had found it surprisingly straight forward to be Hand, he knew the games of power and it had not taken him long to understand his duties. The fact the Targaryens had an efficient and incredibly loyal system in place already when he became hand did help tremendously he considered with a shrug.
Varys meanwhile was watching with concerned eyes, he knew his position here was uncertain as he had failed to detect the Blackfyre threat, their contact with Viserys and then there was his friendship with Illyrio which thankfully no-one seemed to know about for the moment.
He knew the king was keeping him around because spy masters were difficult to find but the fact Shaena Targaryen was expanding her web of informants meant he was now replaceable he thought with nervousness.
That meant he needed an ally to help him keep his position.
He regarded his choices and quickly dismissed most of the Royal Family or Small Council members, they would not be able or willing to aid him. There was he realised with worry only one potential ally for him to befriend...Tyrion Lannister.
He approached the Imp Lannister who was he noticed intelligent and cunning, but while that made him unlikely to be easily manipulated it meant he might be helpful in keeping his position.
"Is your wife well my lord?" Varys asked and Tyrion looked up at him suspiciously before saying.
"Well enough Master Varys but I have no doubt that you already know that." Tyrion said with guarded eyes.
"I am not sure I understand what you mean Lord Hand?" Varys said coyly and Tyrion raised an eyebrow.
"I am sure you know exactly what I am saying." Tyrion said calmly before Varys nodded.
"Of course. It seems we live in interesting times my lord. I for one am intrigued at what lies ahead." Varys said calmly and Tyrion nodded with curiosity at what Varys was after.
"We certainly do." Tyrion replied.
"Friends during times like these can be worth their weight in gold...do you feel we might become friends Lord Hand?" Varys asked plainly and Tyrion was momentarily taken aback by the question before considering that Varys might make a useful ally here.
"Perhaps." Tyrion said carefully. "Perhaps."
Varys gave a nod of the head in gratitude hoping that it was true as they might be of great aid to each other.
Later that Night...
Haeron met with Shaena at her request so she could show him her plans. They stood over a table as she demonstrated the concepts that she had so far.
"These people would be highly trained assassins rather than merely hiring whoever we can find. Taught to be agile, to fight and how to kill both precisely and quietly in a variety of ways. Knowledgeable in spying and gathering information, in stealing and more. Trained to blend with the crowd and move unseen." She said showing the designs for the robes and their equipment, including blades that could be concealed in either the boot or up the sleeve.
"The robes seem distinctive." Haeron asked looking with concern at the sketch of the uniform she had seemed good at concealing the identity but was rather eye-catching otherwise.
"These are only the robes they will wear at their base and in training, while on missions they will be more conventionally disguised." Shaena reassured him with a smile. "Their weapons are easy to conceal and they will be able to move silently and strike like a snake from the bushes. Unknown, unseen and then vanish like they were never there." She told him proudly.
Haeron had to admit he was impressed at what Shaena had devised, it was something that if it was made a reality would be a true force to be reckoned with. He was also aware this was something that they could quite quickly lose control of if they were not careful. Haeron frowned before making a suggestion of his own.
"All recruits should be made to sign a declaration that they would never use their skills against House Targaryen. The runic magic could be made to make it binding." Haeron said carefully wanting some security with a force as powerful as this promised to be, admitting that they at least could use runes for magic.
Shaena looked at him with surprise before seeing the logic of his suggestion and wondered why she hadn't thought of that before.
"I agree, it will be open to all kinds of people so they can fit in anywhere." Shaena said with certainty and Haeron nodded in agreement.
"Then the work to build your new guild will start as soon as you are able. It will be a true jewel in the House Targaryen crown." Haeron said proudly to his sister who beamed at his acceptance of her idea especially as it would be useful in removing the Blackfyres.