The Dragons Realm, A House Targaryen AAR

[streaker77]

I get the feeling that most nobles in Westeros will not really change their actual opinions on the succession and on the idea of women ruling even if Laena manages to hold onto the Iron Throne until a natural death and if she is succeeded by Lianna or another daughter. If Laena manages to hold onto the Iron Throne, I think that absolute primogeniture will probably be regarded alongside incestuous marriage as another bizarre custom that the Targaryen dragonlords are forcing the people of Westeros to accept and which would likely be abolished if the Targaryens ever lost control of the Iron Throne.

Very true, I wouldnt say that absolute primogeniture will become the norm following this generation however, Vaemonds decision stemmed more from him favoring Laena and recognizing her intelligence/skills as opposed to following an absolute primogentiure idealogy or the fact that she is his eldest child, while Laenas succession largely stems from the fact all 6 of her children are girls, though I think she is wise enough to understand the insinuations that not following in her fathers footsteps would say about her own position even if she had given birth to a boy before she gained the celibate trait.


-Thank you all for the thoughtful/insightful comments, next part of this chapter will be posted tommorow

 

[streaker77]

8th Moon, 8061
Outside the Dragonpit, Kings Landing

‘’That scheming bitch’’ Laena seethed through her teeth for what was at least the 10th time that day. A day which had been meant to mark an important event for her family had instead been soured by events that even a woman of her intelligence could not have foreseen.

‘’She is barely more than a child Laena…..your own blood….she would not have done something like this on her own, she must not have understood the ramifications…’’ Her husband Jaekar said almost pleadingly.

‘’She understood them well enough….she is not some young girl but a woman grown, older than our Lianna…..true enough her husband and father by law played some role in it I do not doubt….but the treason is her own….she must be punished.’’ Laena fumed.

‘’Laena….she is your blood….my own sister….I beg of you….do not…do not condemn her to a traitor's fate.’’ Jaekar continued in his pleading tone, the same tone he had used every time that the Queens anger had reignited that day.

Laena was quiet at that, the rage slowly dissipating as she forced her mind to calm.

She had made her return to Kings Landing early that morning, finally arriving back from her coronation in Oldtown. What was supposed to be a day of triumph and the true beginning of her reign had been destroyed by the tidings she had received upon entering the city.

While she had been gone in Oldtown, her husbands young sister, and daughter of her uncle Matarys, Daena Targaryen had entered the city, talked her way past the Dragonkeepers and had claimed Moondancer, the beautiful white dragon that had been her father Vaemonds mount, a claiming that was akin to simple thievery in the Queens mind.

The consequences of her rogue cousin and sister-by-law were vast, mostly stemming from the fact that Daena Targaryen was married to Andrey Tully, heir to Riverrun and son of the former hand of the King Samwell Tully.

Samwell Tully had fled the capitol and had gone into self imposed exile at his keep in Riverrun after his scheme to deny Laena the throne and hold a council to confirm or change the succession following the King's death had failed.

Laena had intended to make preparations to drag the man out of his keep once she returned to Kings Landing, but now everything had changed with the second largest dragon in the realm, the 35 foot Moondancer being at the command of the Tullys.

She could simply fly to Riverrun on the back of Vhagar along with her husbands much smaller dragon Oathwing, the two of them would be more than a match for Moondancer, and the possibility of a third dragon joining such an expedition could become a reality depending on how the days events went as well, though Laena was skeptical how much use her husband would be in a fight against his own sister, or even if he would be willing to undertake an expedition entirely.

This plan was not without its risks however, despite being outnumbered and ultimately overmatched, to kill a thirty five foot dragon would not be easy and the potential of major injury to Oathwing or even Vhagar was not insignificant, Moondancer would likely be able to take at least one dragon down with him. Secondly, Laena had no wish to kill her fathers dragon, the dragons were the birthright of her family and not to be wasted, in addition she did not wish to put it in her vassals minds that dragons could be killed, and the potential of a conflict led by dragons could easily get out of control and turn the realm further against her, perhaps even to the point of all out civil war.

Finally, despite all her blustering and raging, there was no way to eliminate Moondancer without eliminating the girl,and Laena did not truly wish her husband's sister dead, despite her statements made in anger.

If she had been 10 years younger she would have made the flight to Riverrun, potential consequences be damned, but Laenas boldness had diminished throughout the years, and even if in the heat of the moment her statements may be rash, eventually cooler heads prevailed.

‘’I find it unlikely she did not know the consequences of her actions…yet even still to kill her would be a rash and poor decision mother, your reign has just begun, do not let it begin with a bloodletting.’’ Syaella said, breaking the silence, out of all her daughters, Syaella was closest to her mother in intelligence, and provided good counsel for one so young.

Laena nodded, by now the anger had passed over her ‘’You speak wisely, the threat of this spreading beyond Riverrun is too large….Samwell Tully is an old man and will be rotting in the ground before long…I will give him the courtesy of a peaceful deathbed, more than he deserves….but his son had best prove loyal…for his own sake.’’

‘’Thank you Laena.’’ Jaekar said, relieved.

‘’Your sister is the one that should be thanking me, I will allow no further disobedience on her part……If she leads her husband down a path of loyalty I will consider this matter finished….if not….I will deal with her.’’ Laena said sternly and Jaekar nodded slowly, he knew full well what sort of methods would be employed should his sister need ‘’dealing with’’.

Before their conversation could continue, the commander of the black armored Dragon Keepers bowed before her.

‘’Everything is prepared your Grace.’’ The man said.

‘’For your sake it had best be prepared well….if any harm should befall my daughter I swear that you and your oafish men shall die screaming…is that understood?’’ Laena said, the man had not made a good impression on her, having allowed Daena inside the dragonpit and even helping her prepare Moondancer to be claimed, afterwards the man had said the girl had claimed her ancient rights as a Targaryen to claim the dragon, with the man stating he had assumed it to be a legitimate tradition, though Laena had called it stupidity, if she meant for the girl to have a dragon she would have made it known.

The man licked his lips nervously ‘’Loud and clear your grace.’’

They made their way inside the massive stone domed dragonpit, which contained many burrows, tunnels and caves twisting downwards into the earth for dragons to nest, while the larger ones were interred in large circular pens of sand.

Currently the Dragonpit housed 8 dragons. First and foremost of these was Vhagar who was just barely big enough to fit in the largest of these chambers, his ‘’pen’’ being as large as the largest of amphitheaters or stadiums in Oldtown or Kings Landing. With Moondancer gone, the next largest dragon was Narrah, former mount of her mother Queen Nyel, just a few feet smaller than Moondancer. The last rideable dragon was her husband's orange dragon Oathwing, who was approaching twenty feet.

There were also many smaller dragons too little to ride housed in the snakelike burrows descending into the hill itself. Her brother Vaekar, who had not yet been released from his tower cells dark purple dragon Andalax was among these, a dragon that despite being nearly 10 years old was still only the size of a small dog.

The other dragons were but hatchlings, her sister Cymella had Vaedar, a rather dull white dragon only a few feet large, even smaller still were her daughters dragons, Lianna had her dragon Kastax, bright yellow with gray eyes, Syaellas hatchling Honorax was the color of grey mountian cliffs, Jaehara had also recently hatched the dragon Proudwing, a green dragon with blue wing membranes, though thus far the girl seemed for fearful of it than enamored.

The only one of her older daughters without a dragon was her daughter Vaella, a fact the girl was very aware of and was determined to change.

The Dragonkeeper unlocked a heavy metal gate, leading Laena, Jaekar, and Syaella to a row of stone seats overlooking the sandy circular pit that housed the dragon Narrah, her mothers red dragon with horns white as bone from which a long white stripe ran over its back, stopping just before its tail.

In the center of the pit was Princess Vaella, wearing black leather and riding boots holding a whip. Similar to her twin Syaella, she was a rather tall and sinewy girl, in contrast to their elder sister Lianna who was more diminutive.

Behind her stood two dragonkeepers with long spears, while another slowly turned the winch cable that controlled the heavy iron grate that the dragons were stored in when not in the center of the pit.

‘’Her stutter……you don't think?’’ Her husband Jaekar began with a trace of worry in his voice, Vaella had suffered from a significant stutter since she was a young girl.

Laena shook her head ‘’The dragons know the blood….they will respond to her commands….she is the blood of the dragon.’’

Syaella nodded ‘’There is power in Targaryen blood….I read much on the subject while at the Citadel, furthermore she has been practicing day and night….she is ready.’’

True enough, her daughter spoke the words as clear as Laena had ever heard her speak, the ancient Valyrian rolling off her tongue smooth and loud, echoing off the domed walls as the Princess recited the well rehearsed words, claiming Narrah as the birthright of the ancient dragon lords.

By the time it was over, the red dragon prostrated itself, allowing Vaella to latch on a black leather saddle and mount the dragon, following which she led it out of the dragon pits entrance and took to the sky, flying circles above the city, and even from the top of the hill of Rhaenys, Laena could hear the towns folk of Kings Landing taking to the streets to watch the Red Dragon that had been Queen Nyels take to the skies for the first time in years.

As the Queen watched her daughter fly around the city, she was given further confidence that she had made the right choice in regards to the marriage of the twins.

It had been decided that Syaella would leave within the next few days for the Eyrie with an escort led by Ser Hugh Arryn, where she would wed Oswin Arryn the heir to the Vale, her sister Vaella would remain in Kings Landing and wed Ser Renly Arryn, the young son of Commander Lyn Arryn, commander of the city and captain of the gold cloaks, marriages which Laena hoped would firmly bind both the Vale and the City Watch to her.

The decision had not been a particularly hard one. Syaella would do much better at court in the Vale than her sister, she was well liked and sociable, trained in the basics of stewardship, and more than intelligent enough to deal with and sniff out any plots against her or the crown, she would do well as the Lady of the Vale. All of this was in contrast to her younger twin Vaella, whos stutter would likely cause her some embarrassment as the Lady of the Vale, despite her bold nature. Vaella was also a very restless girl, often going exploring through the city or horseback riding through the forests surrounding the city, she would hate the confines of the small castle of the Eyrie.

The single greatest advantage of this marriage however was that it kept her daughter Vaella and her dragon Narrah close at hand. It was bad enough that the second largest dragon in the realm Moondancer was under the influence of the Tullys, she would not have the third largest in the Eyrie, especially considering the fact that her daughter Vaella could be manipulated into using it for the Arryns own purposes just to experience a little adventure, no it was better to keep her daughter and Narrah close, if anyone was going to make use of Narrah it would be crown.

Syaella placed an arm on her mothers shoulder, who had been silent for a good while ‘’You are thinking too much mother….your schemes can wait until tomorrow im sure…..Vaella has just claimed a dragon for herself and I leave for the Vale tomorrow….let us enjoy this one day at least.’’

Laena smiled and took her daughters hand, pulling her close and kissing her on cheek.

‘’I will miss your council dear…..truly I will.’’ Laena said, for a girl so young, Syaella had a great intelligence about her, and always knew the best way to suggest things to her mother, who on occasion, was known to have a somewhat volatile personality.

‘’And I will miss you, but I will deliver this same council to Oswin and his father, you will not have to fear any treachery from the Vale….I will do my duty by counseling them to do the same.’’ Syaella replied.

‘’I know you will.’’ Laena said, squeezing her daughters hand as their eyes rose upwards towards the red and white dragon, flying through the air like a red comet.

The following morning, Princess Syaella Targaryen was met by a contingent of knights of the Vale to escort her to the Eyrie along with her own escort led by Ser Hugh Arryn of the Kingsguard. Princess Lianna Targaryen would also accompany the procession to represent the Targaryen family at the wedding, as well as to use the opportunity to build a relationship with Lord Otho Arryn as the realm's master of laws.

11th Moon, 8061
Mountains of the Moon, the Eyrie

Princess Syaella breathed in the cold frosty mountain air as her mule slowly plodded forward on the winding mountain path.

In truth she would have preferred a horse, sitting on a mule meant she was closer to the ground and the beast seemed rather small to carry a person, and Syaella seemed to slightly sway in the saddle, but the mule keeper assured her that mountain mules were the best way to travel through the mountains and Syaella had never been one to put her own intelligence above the expertise of professionals and the locals.

She scarcely noticed the ledge now in truth, her first journey to the top of the Eyrie had been nervewracking, but it had disbelled any doubts she might have had about the prowess of the mountain mules, small they may be, but they were sturdy and knew the mountain paths well.

She made no effort to lead the mule, it knew where it was going, so she took in the incredible scenery of the mountains of the moon. In every direction massive snowcapped mountains of gray stone reached towards the sky while a thin layer of misty clouds hovered above, seemingly so close that Syaella could reach out and touch it.

Vaella would love this Syaella thought to herself, true enough her sister would not enjoy the responsibilities that came with being Lady of the Vale, nor the small confines of the castle of the Eyrie, but upon her dragon Narrah there would be no shortage of places to explore and to fly a dragon through those clouds over the mountains……

Such a thought filled Syaella with even more determination, while her own dragon Honorax was far too small to ride, she would never have the chance to if she could not find the small grey dragon.

Honorax, who had spent much of its life in the warm volcanoes of Dragonstone had not taken well to the rather abrupt change in lifestyle.

It had been Syaellas habit upon her arrival at the Eyrie to take her lunches with the ladies of the castle, exchanging gossip and entertaining them with Honorax who often perched upon her shoulder, waiting for a scrap of food to burn with its tiny amount of flame, a trick that never seemed to grow old with the ladies of the Eyrie.

Ten days prior however, Honorax had grown disobedient, refusing to take its place upon Syaellas shoulder, when she had reached out to him, he had bitten her upon the hand and flown through an open window towards the vast mountains of the moon.

Every day since, the Princess had set out from the Eyrie, searching day and night for the small grey dragon, each day going in a different direction, Syaella had studied the dragons anatomy, both in practice and in reading at the Citadel to know that its wings could not support it for long periods of flight and the wind would be a challenge to overcome, that much gave her hope that it could not have gone far, but every day she did not find it increased the risk it would be lost to her.

Syaella quickly put the thought out of her mind, she was going to find her dragon.

‘’My lady…..the beast could be anywhere by now….perhaps it is time to accept that it is lost.’’ The captain of her escort said hesitantly, following behind her with five men, similarly mounted on mules.

‘’A dragon is not a sword, or a pair of shoes Ser, it is not something that can be lost as easy as this…..nor will I simply accept Honorax is simply vanished, I will continue the search until Honorax is found….it could not have made it far.’’ Syaella said, not unkindly

‘’As you say my Lady.’’ The man said and they continued on.

They had searched many areas in the previous days with not so much as a sign of the dragon, but today they would search some caves that she thought were especially promising, dragons would seek shelter, and hatchlings especially did not enjoy being out in the elements and would seek a warm place to sleep, and mountain caves would have no shortage of small animals to prey upon.

It took them three hours of plodding through the mountains to reach these caves, the largest of these was not truly a cave but rather a massive stone ceiling standing over the cliffs.

Something about the place gave Syaella a sense that something was going to happen, that this was the place she had been searching for.

Honorax is here She thought to herself, she read at the Citadel about various theories that dragons had not just a physical bond with their riders but also a mental one, as if both rider and dragon could sense some parts of each other, she had initially dismissed it at superstition, but there was no denying she felt some strange sense in this place.

In her mind she ran through her Valyrian, she had been speaking the language ever since she was a girl of four and she felt confident that she would be able to fully bind the dragon to her will this time, she must not have done so in the past which is why it had fled.

It is beautiful Syaella thought to herself once again as she rode past the stone walls which were dotted with small stone enclaves and caves, a waterfall could be heard below, gently falling to the ground hundreds of feet below, somewhere a bird rang out a song.

As she scanned the caves, looking for some sign of Honorax she passed by a small rocky cliff face, with a small grey boulder inside a rocky hole, above the waterfall.

And then the rocks moved.

In an instant she was able to see that the boulder she had seen was no true boulder at all but rather Honorax, coiled in sleep, its stone grey skin making it almost unrecognizable against the stone. The dragons pale gray eyes opened as it perched itself up in surprise.

‘’Dohaerās Honorax’’ Syaella began Serve me Honorax.

The small gray dragon looked to the sky and emitted a shriek that rang throughout the cavern.

What happened after that happened in but a moment.

Syaellas mule, which had not even noticed the sleeping hidden gray dragon amongst the rocks panicked when the shriek rang out, frantically backing away.

The beast's hoof became caught on a stony rock upon the path and Syaella felt the mule slipping and falling.

One of her escort, she could not see who reached out for the mules reigns, coming agonizingly close to stabilizing the beast but it was too late.

The mule went to the icy ground with a heavy thud at the ledge, Syaella slipping out of the saddle onto the icy path, the air being knocked from her lungs.

She attempted to pull herself to her feet, but to her horror she realized there was nothing below her feet but open sky, her arms clinging to the icy rocks on the ledge.

Her men dismounted, while another yelled her name as she desperately tried to hold on.

She could not.

With not even a sound she slipped from the ledge, arms and legs flailing as she fell downwards past the waterfall,, swallowed by the mountains of the moon. Her body would never be found

Spoiler

 

[FondMemberofSociety]

With not even a sound she slipped from the ledge, arms and legs flailing as she fell downwards past the waterfall,, swallowed by the mountains of the moon. Her body would never be found.

Scheisse. Now the Crown-Arryn alliance came to an abrupt end, given the format of the work. If this was a novel there may be some "caught in tree branch" shenanigans, but with this being an AAR I guess the end is the end.

 

[Thaiga]

What a sad end for such a promising Princess! I hope her mom won't blame the Vale for it or the picturesque white of the mountains might become the sorrowful grey.

 

[Bored Student1414]

Queen Laena is rudely reminded that the Dragons do not truly belong to the Crown and that she is not the only person that might decide to claim a dragon without the monarch's permission.

Having dragon riding Targaryen princesses outside the family into the nobility of Westeros is useful for getting marriage alliance but it does have notable downsides. It means the dragons of the princesses will move out of the Crown's direct control. The princesses might choose to side with the vassal families they have married into over their parent house in potential conflicts between their families. The precious "blood of the dragon" will be spread to other families and the dragons may lay eggs that may be given to the children of the princesses. We may end up with dragon riding Tyrells and Tullys in the future unless you have a Valyrian only dragon taming rule on.

Princess Syaella has died and her dragon has escaped. A devastating personal blow for the Queen who has just lost one of her favorite daughters and trusted confidants. I would be in fear for my life if I was one of Syaella's escorts and the Princess had died on my watch. It is also a setback for the Queen's alliance making plan although she has more daughters to spare.

What will happen to the escaped dragon Honorax now I wonder? Will somebody tame or kill it? Or will it nest somewhere in the Vale and be a menace for years to come?

 

[TWR97]

Such a tragic end indeed. A hard lesson to be learned for every Targaryen, that Dragons are beyond being mere weapons of the Targaryen family.

 

[streaker77]

Scheisse. Now the Crown-Arryn alliance came to an abrupt end, given the format of the work. If this was a novel there may be some "caught in tree branch" shenanigans, but with this being an AAR I guess the end is the end.

The official alliance is at an end, however the crown does still have a fairly good relationship with the Arryns due to an Arryn being apointed commander of the City Watch.

What a sad end for such a promising Princess! I hope her mom won't blame the Vale for it or the picturesque white of the mountains might become the sorrowful grey.

Very sad, Laena will take her daughters(who was one of her favorites) death very hard, and those she holds responsible will not come out of this unscathed.

Queen Laena is rudely reminded that the Dragons do not truly belong to the Crown and that she is not the only person that might decide to claim a dragon without the monarch's permission.

Having dragon riding Targaryen princesses outside the family into the nobility of Westeros is useful for getting marriage alliance but it does have notable downsides. It means the dragons of the princesses will move out of the Crown's direct control. The princesses might choose to side with the vassal families they have married into over their parent house in potential conflicts between their families. The precious "blood of the dragon" will be spread to other families and the dragons may lay eggs that may be given to the children of the princesses. We may end up with dragon riding Tyrells and Tullys in the future unless you have a Valyrian only dragon taming rule on.

Princess Syaella has died and her dragon has escaped. A devastating personal blow for the Queen who has just lost one of her favorite daughters and trusted confidants. I would be in fear for my life if I was one of Syaella's escorts and the Princess had died on my watch. It is also a setback for the Queen's alliance making plan although she has more daughters to spare.

What will happen to the escaped dragon Honorax now I wonder? Will somebody tame or kill it? Or will it nest somewhere in the Vale and be a menace for years to come?

Dragons will be spreading out beyond just Kings Landing and Dragonstone, I have dragon hatching/taming on hard, but it is not on valyrian only taming I can confirm.

You would be right to fear for your life, Laena is not a forgiving individual. Honorax will play a role in the next chapter.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Kings and Queens may have grand plans, but life teaches even the most powerful cruel lessons. Thank you for the update

 

[streaker77]

Deeds and Accomplishments of the Sworn Brothers of the Kingsguard

Lord Commander Harold Langward, ‘’The Old Commander’’

Ser Harold Langward was the first man to represent the Stormlands on the Kingsguard and one of King Aegon the Conqueror's original seven kingsguard. Ser Harold served with King Aegon during the conquest of Dorne and was known as a skilled swordsman and a brave warrior. Following the death of King Aegon, Ser Harold continued his service as a sworn brother under King Vaemond the Strong, fighting alongside the King in many battles, and eventually being named Lord Commander of the Kingsguard following the death of Corlys Velaryon. Harold Langward passed away peacefully in his bed just a week after the death of King Vaemond, ending nearly sixty years of service as a sworn brother and at the time of his death, being both the last of the original seven and among the last surviving men to have fought alongside the conqueror.

-Was granted his White Cloak at the age of 19 by Queen Visenya and was confirmed by King Aegon in the halls of the Aegonfort alongside Ser Stafford Lannister, Ser Gregor Goode, Ser Garmon Hightower and Ser Gawen Corbray.

-Served as part of Queen Visenya's escort alongside Ser Gregor Goode during the Queens tour of the Free Cities, saw the Queen and the Princess Nyel safely back to Kings Landing.

-Remained in the capitol to guard the pregnant Queen Visenya during King Aegons first royal Progress.

-Fought bravely alongside his sworn brothers on the right flank at the battle of Watersmeet against the forces of Prince Lewyn Martell.

-Served as part of King Aegon and Princess Rhaenys escort to the peace negotiations upon the Greenblood.

-Represented the crown during the trial by combat against Lord Michael Blackmont, slaying his champion the hedge knight Ser Farrel in single combat, thus ending the Dornish Conspiracy.

-Remained in the capitol to guard King Aegons family during his second royal progress, and thus was not present during the Conquerers drowning in the Sunset Sea.

-Fought alongside King Vaemond during his first victory at the battle of Sunstone against the pirates of Bloodstone.

-Fought alongside King Vaemond at the battle of the Whispers against Sherrion of Cracklaw Points clawmen rebels.

-Distinguished himself at the Battle of Edgerton against the forces of Lord Darklyn during the Lions Rebellion, slaying many foes.

-Fought in many other engagements during the Lions Rebellion, including the sortie of the Dun Fort, the Storming of Greenfield and the Battle of Kings Landing, where he came to the King's defense, slaying a Volantene mercenary.

-Following Lord Commander Corly’s the Warriors death, was appointed by King Vaemond to lead the Kingsguard.

-Led the Kingsguard with honor for nearly 3 decades before passing away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 80, just a week after the death of King Vaemond.


Ser Roland Crakehall, ‘’The Strongboar’’

Ser Roland Crakehall was appointed as the 2nd representative of the Kingsguard, replacing Ser Stafford Lannister, being appointed by Queen Visenya following the death of King Aegon. Known for his formidable size, piety and skill with a greataxe, Ser Roland was one of the finest warriors in the realm, serving King Vaemond for nearly forty years before passing away peacefully in his sleep at the age of sixty.

-Was appointed to the Kingsguard by Queen Visenya in the halls of the Aegonfort, swore his vows before Corlys the Warrior, Queen Visenya, and a young Vaemond Targaryen.

-Won the small tourney in celebration of the marriage of Prince Matarys and Demerei Royce in Kings Landing.

-Won the Grand Tourney of Castamere, also known as the ‘’Drunkards Tourney’’, unhorsing all challengers and winning the final honors.

-Fought alongside King Vaemond at the battle of Sunstone against the pirates of Bloodstone.

-Alongside his sworn brother Ser Harold Langward and King Vaemond, fought at the battle of the Whispers against the clawmen rebels of Sherrion of Crackclaw Point.

-Led the pursuit of King Vaemonds' attempted assassin in the forests of the Kingswood, uncovering the mans hiding spot.

-Remained loyal during the Lions Rebellion, despite his father and brothers fighting on the opposite side under Loren Lannister, came to the Kings aid at the battle of Edgerton.

-Fought alongside King Vaemond in many other engagements, including the sortie at the Dunfort, the Battle of Kings Landing, and the Storming of Greenfield, where he carried a wounded King Vaemond to safety.

-Commanded the Honor Guard that brought Lord Commander Corlys Velaryons bones from the Stormlands to Kings Landing, and then to Driftmark.




Ser Theonald of Dyre Den

Ser Theonald was the first clawman to represent the Kingsguard and one of the most lowborn men to ever hold a white cloak. Born to Commander Harlan of the Wolfs Den in White Harbor, his father resigned from his post in White Harbor following the massacre of King Aegons men and the betrayal of Ser Warrick Manderly, serving as a household knight to Lord Brune of Dyre Den, a position his son Theonald inherited. Ser Theonald fought in many small skirmishes in the bogs of Cracklaw Point and against Celtigar men-at-arms, earning a reputation as a skilled swordsman, a brave warrior, and an able battle commander. Ser Theonald led a band of Brune levies to assist King Vaemond in putting down Sherrions rebellion, with the man fighting so well at the Battle of the Whispers, King Vaemond would later reward him with a white cloak in honor of his prowess and service. Ser Theonald was stripped of his white cloak by Queen Laena upon her ascension.

-Was granted a White Cloak by King Vaemond at the age of 35 in recognition for his service at the battle of the Whispers.

-Served alongside Ser Roderick Mooton as a sworn shield and commander to Prince Vaekar during his scouring in the Stepstones, leading both men and ships during the campaign in service of the crown.

-Commanded the Galley Conqueror's Trident during the battle against the pirates of Malax Bloodaxe off the coast of Nerrisa.

-Was stripped of his White Cloak by Queen Laena due to his relationship with the Prince Vaekar and deteriorating mind, returning to Dyre Den and living out his days as a sworn shield of Lord Brune.



Ser Byren Royce ‘’The Grey Bull’’

Ser Byren Royce was the son of Lord Nestor Royce, who served as Marshal of the Realm under King Vaemond, and brother to Demerei Royce, wife of Prince Matarys Targaryen. Though not a skilled swordsman, Ser Byren was both well built and brave in battle, though afflicted with both Greyscale and a harelip which made him a rather sinister figure at court. Ser Byren Royce was appointed to the Kingsguard during the Lions Rebellion due to the influence of the Royces at court. Ser Bryen fought alongside the King at the battle of Kings Landing. An ambitious man, Ser Bryen worked to improve the influence of House Royce at court alongside his sister Demerei Royce, playing a role in convincing the Prince Matarys to propose a match between Jaekar Targaryen, Ser Byrens nephew and the Princess Laena Targaryen, who would be Queen one day. Ser Byren Royce was stripped of his white cloak alongside the clawman Ser Theonald upon Queen Laenas ascension.

-Was granted his white cloak at the age of 19 in the midst of the Lions Rebellion.

-Fought alongside King Vaemond at the Battle of Kings Landing.

-Played a key role in arranging the betrothal between Prince Jaekar, his nephew and Princess Laena, alongside his sister Demerei Royce and brother-by-law, Prince Matarys Targaryen.

-Was stripped of his White Cloak by Queen Laena upon her ascension due to his ambition and deteriorating mind, lived out his days in Runestone with his kin.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Love the interludes that allow us to meet and remember the guards. Greyscale, harelip, lunacy, pox and homosexual; little time did Ser Byren spend on the recruiting trail. Thank you for updating.

 

[streaker77]

4th Moon, 62 AC
The Red Keep, Kings Landing

The woman was young, short and heavy set, with an unkempt tangle of black curls and a pair of huge blue eyes, in her hand was a large burlap sack.

Hardly the appearance of a hardened warrior The Queen thought to herself as she studied the young crannogwoman with her piercing lilac eyes, not exactly feeling confident that this woman was to be trusted.

She would not have been the first, in the previous days and weeks no less than three such individuals had come to court, carrying burlap sacks, claiming to have the head of the dragon Honorax, all of them had lied.

Two of them had simply tried to pass off the skull of an Aurochs as the dragon Honorax, with one of them taking the effort to file its teeth into fangs, but Laena had often seen her daughter Syaellas dragon and knew that its horns were nowhere near the size of an Aurochs and had them swiftly sent to the black cells.

The final one was more well thought, the head was about the same size as Honorax and even had some gray scales attached to the blanched skull, but a close examination by the Grandmaester would determine it was the head of a small Wyvern from the northern coast of Sothoryos, not a dragon, and the attempted swindler was sent to join the other two in the black cells beneath the Red Keep under the gentle care of the dungeon torturers, none of them would ever be seen again.

Laena gave the young woman another long glare before finally speaking ‘’If you are playing me false I swear you shall regret it before the end.’’

The woman didnt avert her gaze, meeting the Queens eyes with her own rather boldly bordering on insolence.

‘’I shall have no cause to regret anything your Grace….I know well what ‘’rewards’’ my predecessors received.’’ The girl said, and Laena gave a nod towards the table, the young woman walking over to it and dropping it with a heavy thud.

‘’Open it.’’ She commanded, turning to her husband Jaekar who approached, a look of pain on his face as he slowly pulled away the burlap sack.

A smell of rot instantly filled the room, a hot stench that seemed to burn Laenas nostrils, ignoring this she turned her attention to the contents of the bag.

Unlike the others, it was not a skull but rather the head of what was very clearly a young dragon hatchling, skin like mottled grey marble with gray eyes, spots of black char were present on the head, no doubt from where the dragons blood had smoked and burned away the skin, it had been Syaella who had told her the smoking properties of dragon's blood…no doubt she had read about it in one of her books she always had her head buried in as a girl. The memory caused a sharp pain to emanate through her chest.

‘’Take that…thing out of my sight and see Lord Merryweather….he will give you the promised reward.’’ Laena said brusquely, the young crannogwoman being wise enough not to linger and quickly withdrawing.

Jaekar approached her slowly, the two of them being alone now.

‘’This wont bring her back.’’ He said quietly, bringing a hand towards her shoulder.

Laena rounded on him in a fury ‘’I did not order it to bring her back fool….now get out…OUT.’’

Jaekar, never one to try and protest when Laena was in one of her moods retreated from the room.

When she was alone, she sank into a chair, her anger gone as quickly as the tide, leaving only the weary burden of her grief, but she did not allow her tears, simply staring into the flickering fire in the hearth.

That day when she had received that terrible raven from the Eyrie had been the worst of her life. The details had been scarce, with the raven stating simply that the Princess Syaella had perished in an unfortunate accident involving her dragon Honorax, Laena knew that the raven was likely intentionally vague, as to avoid any of the blame falling on the Arryns. She had managed to piece together the full story through used of spies and sneaks however, and even now the members of her daughters escort were turning up dead across taverns in the Vale, with one suffering an ‘’unfortunate accident’’ and falling from the balcony of the Eyrie to the rocks bellow.

As for Honorax, in the immediate aftermath of receiving the letter, a distraught Laena had ordered it to be proclaimed throughout the realm that whoever delivered her the head of the dragon Honorax would be richly rewarded with gold and silver.

As her rage slowly dispersed, she knew the order was a tactical mistake, she knew enough to know that her daughters death was not truly caused by the hatchling but rather the incompetency of her escort and her mount, but even then she did not rescind the command. True enough the dragon might one day serve her family and increase their power, but quite simply she did not care….it had been her daughters dragon and she could not bear the thought of another rider claiming it as their own, winning power and glory on her daughters birthright….no…she just wanted it dead, she wanted it gone, erased from the pages of history.

Laena did not have long to be alone with her thoughts as what seemed like only moments after Jaekar had left, there was a knock on the door.

‘’Lord Merryweather has returned from Pentos your Grace….he requests a word….urgent business he says.’’ The voice of Lord Commander Bryce Woyne declared.

Laena sighed, in truth a meeting with that honorable money pinching fool was the last thing she wanted to endure, but in the end she consented for him to be shown in after composing herself from her reflection of her daughters death.

Reynard Merryweather walked in the room dressed in a simple white wool jerkin emblazoned with the yellow cornucopia of his house, ‘’I have returned from Pentos your Grace.’’ he said, bowing.

‘’I am not blind Reynard….I would not be talking with you if you have not.’’ Laena said tersely, and as always the man bore the harsh words in silence.

‘’Well…is it done….will Pentos cover our debt?’’ Laena asked, following her ascension the crowns treasury had been in a terrible state, in part due to Laenas coronation, the Kings funeral, her daughters wedding and the decreased tax revenues, it had been so bad that even the Iron Bank of Braavos had refused to loan coin to the crown, forcing Lord Merryweather to venture to meet with the Pentoshi nobility for a loan.

The Pentoshi were a people on the decline, decades earlier their northern neighbors, the Braavosi along with the free city of Lorath had forced Pentos to abandon the practice of slavery through force of arms. Even this had not satisfied the Braavosi, and a few years prior they had launched another war against Pentos. The outcome of this war was humiliating for the Pentoshi, with the Free City of Pentos prior being subjugated by their northern neighbor, leaving the Pentoshi only the surrounding hinterlands and smaller walled towns to rule.

While in theory Pentos was still independent, as the harbor, palaces, and city watch were under the governance of Pentos, the city proper owed its fealty and taxes to the nobility of Braavos as well as their laws. These recent events had made Pentos one of the weakest of the Free Cities, as well as desperate, which no doubt accounted for the fact they were the only major bank willing to take a risk on stabilizing the Westerosi economy.

Lord Merryweather nodded ‘’Pentos has agreed to cover our debt…on rather good terms I must say…there were conditions however….significant ones at that…your Grace…I’’

Laena had heard enough ‘’You are the master of coin Lord Merryweather, I trust you shall hammer out the finer details…..now if that is all…..’’

The man hesitated ‘’Forgive me your Grace…but I have reached the limit of what I can accomplish without royal consent….the Pentoshi’s terms and conditions were not insignificant.’’

‘’Speak then if you must.’’ Laena said begrudgingly, gesturing for the master of coin to take a seat.

‘’The Pentoshi have offered us favorable terms on a loan of 2000 gold dragons, with the agreement that 2800 gold dragons shall be repaid within a period of five years.’’ The master of coin began.

‘’More than enough to stabilize the crowns coffers.’’ Laena said, relieved that the problem appeared to be solved.

‘’Forgive me your Grace there is more…..they will only consent to this loan if you agree to marry one of your daughters to a young nobleman…a one Nakados Tendryi….’’ Reynard Merryweather continued before being abruptly cut off by the Queen, who had risen from her seat.

‘’If you presume to marry my daughter to some cheese mongering spice peddler you are mistaken Lord Reynard….mistaken indeed.’’ Queen Laena hissed between her teeth, her fury scarcely contained.

‘’Your Grace…of course I would not take such a liberty, I promised nothing to be sure, merely that I would pass their offer onto you for your consideration…the loan is contingent on your agreement to this however….If I may be so bold, we will not find better terms elsewhere.’’ Lord Reynard said hastily.

Laena was silent at that, to which the master of coin took as permission to continue his case ‘’I can assure you the man is not of simple merchant stock….his father was Magister of Pentos for 12 years, while his great grandfather was Sealord of Braavos…his family has been influential in the affairs of both Free Cities….furthermore by their own suggestion they concede that any children of the match would be born as Targaryens.’’

‘’What do you know of this pup that you suggest be married to my daughter….you met him?’’ Laena demanded.

Lord Merryweather nodded ‘’A most well groomed and polite young man…he served as an officer for a year in the Pentoshi city guard in Mylenos earning his men's respect.’’

Laena paused for a moment, Lord Merryweather had made the boy out to be an attractive match, but the fact that the Pentoshi nobles were demanding him to be married off without any heirs of his own house suggested there was more to the story, and Laena had an inkling of what it might be.

‘’And why do the nobles of Pentos want this talented ‘’paragon’’ of yours gone so much with no legitimate heirs of his house?’’ The Queen questioned.

‘’His father well….while serving as Magister of Pentos was of Braavosi stock…the Pentoshi nobility have a certain fondness for the boy, but do not wish for another with foreign blood and connections to the Sealord to ascend the throne, as this boy may very well one day…such a thing has happened before in Pentos and caused much bloodshed…by marrying him across the sea, they do right by him while at the same ridding Pentos of of a potential foreign claimant.’’ Merryweather explained.

Better for them to have him killed than to go to all this trouble Laena thought, but nonetheless she slowly nodded her head, she did not like the idea of diluting the blood of the dragon with Essosi nobility, but she knew she would not find better terms elsewhere, and the terms of the marriage meant that her own family would grow in number with any children they might conceive, and the lack of a required dowry was certainly welcomed.

‘’I shall consent to marry Jaehaera to this boy, but only under the agreement that there shall be no further dowry paid to the Tendryis family, and any children born of this union shall be of mine own house.’’ Laena said.

Lord Merryweather nodded, clearly relieved before hesitating ‘’Your Grace….there was another proposition they had were you to agree to this match….to solidify the bond between Pentos and the Iron Throne.’’

‘’This is a marriage born out of necessity for both sides….we are not ‘’bonded’’, If they want my dragon….’’ Laena said.

‘’It is not that.’’ Lord Reynard answered, clearly uncomfortable.

‘’Well, spit it out.’’ Laena demanded.

‘’I…forgive me your Grace but I do not counsel agreeing to this but they….propose a joint military campaign against Tall Trees Town in the Summer Isles, a trade war…..they offer an upfront reduction of 1000 gold dragons in the crown's debt.’’ Lord Reynard finished reluctantly.

Laena was silent at that, it was certainly a bold step for the Pentooshi, she knew enough to know that Oldtown, wealthiest city in the realm, held Tall Trees Town in the Summer Isles as their biggest trading partner, if Tall Trees Town were weakened it would allow others access to the lucrative port of Oldtown, and perhaps stop the rapid decline of a desperate Pentoshi state.

Seeing her pondering the proposal, Lord Merryweather once again presumed to lecture the Queen ‘’Your Grace…I strongly advise against this…Tall Trees Town has done us no harm, and the realm profits from such trading partners…I understand the reduction of 1000 gold dragons from the crowns debt is tempting…but overtime.’’

‘’Oldtown and the Hightowers benefit from such trade you mean….precious little of that coin reaches mine own coffers…..I have been told exhaustively and in great detail of the low tax incomes the Reach provides…..inform Pentos that I agree to this campaign.’’ Laena said, it would be good to curb the power of Oldtown somewhat, who were by far the largest destination in Westeros of the Swan ships of the Summer Islanders and their rich goods.

‘’Your Grace…I’’ Lord Merryweather began but Laena cut him off.

‘’That will be all Reynard.’’ She commanded and rather red faced the master of coin bowed and left the room.

In truth she had not agreed to the proposed campaign to reduce the crown's debt, and even curbing the power of the Hightowers was not the biggest driver of her decision. For weeks she had sat in the castle after her daughters death, assailed by constant briefings, requested meetings and the council of honorable fools like Reynard Merryweather.

She could not stand the tedium of rulership for one moment longer…she needed a break that only being on dragonback could provide, and if she could remind the lords of the Realm the power of Dragonfire and the price of opposing her at the same time, all the better.

Fire and Blood The Queen whispered to herself.

6th Moon, 62 AC
Outside the Trading Post of Tall Trees Town, Oldtown

Laena stood upon the large grassy hill overlooking the sprawling expanse of Oldtown on the horizon, an impressive sight as always, even from this distance, the Hightower rising into the sky.

Laena was not here on pleasure however, but rather as part of her campaign to expel the traders of Tall Trees Town from Westeros and diminish their power overall, a campaign proposed by the Free City of Pentos.

The summer islanders of Tall Trees town had two large trading posts within the realm, the largest was located within the city of Oldtown along the harbor, overseeing the incoming ships from Tall Trees Town which were a common sight within the largest city in Westeros as Tall Trees Town was Oldtowns most important trading partner. Tall Trees Town had also expanded from Oldtown and created a trading post in the nearby county of Blackcrown, servicing the towns of Bullshead and Seamer with the permission of House Bulwer.

The campaign to curb the influence of Tall Trees Town was in truth two separate campaigns, one to deal with their trading posts within the Kingdom and a second to weaken their own lands in the Summer Isles, such were the demands of the Pentoshi.

The Queen herself would lead the expedition to deal with the two trading outposts in the reach. She had come with only a token force, some 300 men at arms, led by her son-in-law Ronnel Baratheon and her sworn protectors of the Kingsguard.

The second force would be led by the Queens own daughter Vaella and her dragon Narrah with the task of attacking and raiding Tall Trees Town in the Summer Islands, a task made easier by the fact that the Pentoshi assured her that the town was weak after a recent conflict with Lyseni slavers.

However the planning of the campaign was not without difficulties. With her brother on Dragonstone with almost 50 galleys, Laena was loathe to assign the small royal fleet in Kings Landing to the campaign, leaving the city with no strength at sea, so instead they would need to find ships elsewhere. In light of this threat, her husband Jaekar would remain in the city with his dragon Oathwing in case her brother tried something in her absence.

There were few major ports that could field significant strength at sea on Westeros’s eastern coast save Dragonstone, and Laena was not about to ask for her brother's help and allow him to gain more prestige by winning victories in far off lands.

In the end it was decided that the raiding fleet would be comprised of 12 galleys from the Stepstones equally provided by the houses Elesham, Reddune, and Vunatis, and led by Lord Jorys Vunatis of Bloodstone, the Lyseni veteran of the Lions Rebellion and new master of ships. The warships of the Stepstones were smaller than the war galleys of the royal fleet but were more agile and well suited for the long journey to the Summer Islands. Nakados Tendris, the Pentoshi nobleman and Princess Jaeharas betrothed would also join the campaign to handle cooperation with the Pentoshi, who were also sending a raiding fleet to Tall Trees Town.

Given Tall Trees Town’s relative weakness, it was also decided that a large force was not needed, especially with the Princess Vaella and her dragon Narrah. The force would consist of just 1200 men, 300 Velaryon men-at-arms and 600 knights, men-at-arms and peasant levies from Castle Hayford and the surrounding hamlets, 300 Gold Cloaks would also accompany the expedition on the request of Commander Arryn who wanted to establish a combat tested corps of the City Watch.

As for the Princess Vaellas decision to join the expedition, it was much similar to her mothers. Her twin sister's death had hit her very hard, and to make things worse she had given birth to a stillborn child before her term, a little girl born dead. Always an adventurous girl, no doubt the Princess wished to get away from her grief and a campaign far to the south provided the perfect opportunity to do so.

The Queen was shaken from her thinking by a deep rumbling noise, turning she saw Vhagar, who was coiled on the hill like some gargantuan green serpent raising its head as the rider in white armor approached.

Ser Allard Caffren of the Kingsguard dismounted, bowing his head.

‘’Well?’’ Laena demanded.

‘’The walls of the Manse were barred and archers patrolled the walls……I spotted several swan ships moored at the docks, but there seemed to be no effort to load them….they do not mean to flee.’’ The Kingsguard knight answered.

‘’And when you arrived at the gates?’’ Laena asked.

‘’One of them on the walls loosed an arrow in the dirt and declared that any man to cross it would witness the prowess of their Goldenheart bows to their misfortune….they stated they were under the protection of the Lord of Oldtown.’’ Caffren answered.

‘’They will find this protection will do them little good….to their misfortune….Hightower likes their gold well enough, but he is too smart a man to defy his Queen…..what of their numbers?’’ Laena asked.

‘’No more than one hundred within the walls, though many are armed with Goldenwood bows…..I am sure your Grace is well aware of their effectiveness’’ The knight paused before continuing’’ ….if I may speak freely?’’ Caffren answered and Laena waved for him to proceed.

‘’I can guess what your Grace intends to do…and if I may be so bold I believe it to be reckless…..the Summer Islanders are skilled archers, more than capable of hitting a small target, even while moving….if you mean to make an example of these traders send us over the walls…the Summer Islanders penchant for sins of the flesh shall be their undoing and the warrior will give strength to our blades….it will be a quick affair.’’ The Kingsguard said with all his usual piety.

‘’It would set an example that every lord in the realm is capable of making….that I have enough men to overpower a small trading manse….make no mistake Ser…the eyes of the realm are upon us…subtlety is needed at times but a firmer example must be shown at times…better this lesson be shown using heathens and foreigners as its target than Westerosi I am sure you agree.’’ Laena explained.

That seemed to convince the Kingsguard, as the Queen knew it would, Ser Allard was nothing if not predictable.

‘’It will be as you say your Grace….but this lesson you speak of….’’ The knight asked.

‘’To defy one's Queen…..can only mean death.’’ She said simply before turning her back on the knight and making her way to Vhagar.

She had no wish to go through the lengthy process of donning plate and mail, but she was not so fool as to go without any sort of protection, strapping on a black leather helm and studded arm greaves.

She climbed up the netting on the dragon's side towards the saddle attached to the back of the now sleeping dragon.

It took some time and a few lashes of Laenas whip to rouse the dragon and several more to urge the seventy foot beast into flight, Vhagar was notoriously short tempered when roused, but eventually with a great roar the dragon ponderously rose to the skies with great flaps of its leathern wings, sending a gust of wind that blew the tarp off of the Queens pavilion below.

It was a sunny and warm day, extremely clear and Laena could see miles in every direction. For the first time in months the Queen truly felt free, free of the endless petitions and tedious briefings, free even from the memory of her daughter's death, such was the power of being a dragonrider.

Laena did not allow herself to completely embrace this feeling however, this was not a pleasure ride but instead a day of death, a day which the lords of Westeros would learn much from and she could not have her mind clouded.

Far below she saw a contingent of Hightower calvary forming up outside the city as she approached, no doubt to investigate the incoming dragon, but she knew they would do no more than that, Hightower knew the consequences of opposing his Queen, a sentiment that he would gain a clear example of soon enough.

The trading manse of Tall Trees Town was not within the city proper of Oldtown, instead being built along the coast just outside of the city, a port made specifically for the task of receiving ships from Tall Trees Town.

As she approached closer she got a better look at it, it was well made of gray stone and several luxurious homes and apartments as well as storerooms were located within the walls, the green and orange banners of the Ballono trading family flew alongside the three black flowers on yellow of Tall Trees Town, blowing in the wind.

Last of all she saw the people as Vhagar flew ponderously towards the walled manse, its pace speeding up and its body sensing as the beast seemed to sense what was to come.

The summer islanders frantically manned the walls and Laena could hear shouts, both in the common tongue and that of the Summer Isles, dark skinned men in colorful parrot feather cloaks of half a dozen colors scrambled to the walls or took positions in the courtyard as Vhagar approached, many of them armed with bows.

One of them, either deliberately or out of fear loosed the first arrow as Laena approached, the goldenwood arrow whistling just inches from the Queens face.

Vhagar, its suspicions confirmed let out a thunderous roar and without even being commanded bathed the walls of the manse with fire, Laena seeing one of the Summer Islanders in a cloak of orange and white fathers being consumed by the fire with a scream, his cloak becoming indistinguishable from the flames.

A ragged torrent of arrows filled the air, with several of them bouncing off the hard scales of the massive dragon, seemingly causing Vhagar more annoyance than actual pain, the Summer Islanders were notorious archers and the quality of their bows and arrows were unmatched, but against a dragon of Vhagars size they might as well have been hurling rocks.

It was over quickly, after their arrows seemed to have no effect on the beast and they failed to strike the Queen, the surviving Summer Islanders fled, leaving the smoldering bodies of many of their companions along the walls and in the courtyard, the smoking air was said to be filled with feathers afterwards, flying lazily through the ash like ghosts of the dead. Even as they fled the Queen did not show a reprieve, with several dozen being burnt alive as they ran by the dragon Vhagar, with the few Summer Islanders that would live to tell the tale liken the Queen to a silver haired witch mounted on a demon, eyes filled with fire.

Most of the Summer Islanders fled to the city proper, where they would swiftly be arrested by Laenas men, but a proud and determined few, no more than a dozen fled to the cellar of one of the storerooms, determined to make a final stand.

To their credit, they acquitted themselves well in the short but brutal melee that followed as Laenas Kingsguard led a force of men-at-arms down the stairs into the cellar, slaying half a dozen before being overwhelmed by the sheer number of the Queens forces, being slain to a man, in the end only twenty two of the one hundred Summer Islanders stationed at the trading post survived the burning.

Four days later the Queen would arrive in Blackcrown, where she would find the walls of the trading post there open and devoid of armed men and the few Summer Islanders that had not fled waiting to surrender themselves and their goods, which were swiftly confiscated and added to the royal treasury. The traders of Tall Trees Town had learned the Queen's lesson well, that defiance would be met with dragonfire, a lesson that was not lost on the lords of the realm.

9th Moon, 62 AC
Outside Tall Trees Town, Island of Walano, the Summer Isles

The air was heavy with hot humidity, the scent of flowers and the sound of birds as the Princess Vaella laced up her boots in her tent and pulled on a light set of black chainmail over her black leather jerkin.

As always when she stepped outside of her tent, the heat seemed to completely engulf her, as if she was sticking her face in a hot oven, but she paid it little mind, she was the blood of the dragon, and her blood ran hot.

A distant bird let out a cry from the surrounding jungles while a monkey hollered somewhere above. The siege camp was not so much formed in the jungle as the jungle formed around the siege camp, with tents being placed wherever there was room for it.

Despite the rather chaotic sprawl over root and bush, Vaella had personally overseen the planning of the encampment so there was at least some semblance of order for her 1200 men, a rather stark difference from the siege camp of the 4200 Pentoshi which looked like it was constructed by the children who lived in the slums of flea bottom in King's Landing.

Above them towered the famed talking trees for which Tall Trees Town was named for, massive trees rising from the ground with the widest trunks on which the Summer Islanders recorded their history, the most precious of these were within the city walls themselves, but others on the peripheral were not so lucky and the Pentoshi had managed to fell one of them for their ramshackle siege camp.

Vaella swatted a mosquito against her cheek, shaking her hand, for years she had been yearning for an adventure, an expedition to far away lands, and now that she was finally here, she could put up with a few mosquitoes.

The journey to Tall Trees Town had been uneventful enough. It had taken over a month for the 12 galley force to sail from King's Landing to the island of Walano. Vaella, never one to sit idly by had awoken each morning at dawn and took to the skies on the back of Narrah, her red and white dragon. In theory to scout for enemies, but it was common knowledge that whatever strength at sea Tall Trees Town had once boasted had largely been destroyed by Lysene slavers the previous year. Each day Vaella would ride out for hours, searching for islands, shipwrecks or anything else of interest before reluctantly turning back to rejoin her ships, the prospect of flying over the vast open water of the Summer Sea might have terrified others, but Vaella was nothing if not bold, ignoring her captains pleas to confine herself to the areas near the ship.

The days of relative boredom had been punctuated by one small bit of excitement, just off of the windswept island of Estermont they had encountered two swan ships flying the banner of Tall Trees Town, with the unfortunate Summer Islanders not even knowing about the ongoing trade war.

There had been a few arrows fired in the confusion, and a few casualties on both sides, but Vaellas appearance on the horizon on the back of Narrah had quickly convinced the Summer Islanders that perhaps resistance was not their best course of action, and the two swan ships were both added to the royal fleet, swelling their numbers to 14 galleys, with Vaella putting the summer islanders aboard a small rowboat.

When asked where they were to go, it is said the princess responded with a rather dry ‘’Wherever the wind takes you….so long as it is not to my mothers kingdom’’ before cutting the ropes binding them to the ship and watching the hapless sailors float away.

Everything from that point onwards had been dull, they had faced no opposition upon landing on Walano, and while her scouts reported that around 1200 Summer Islanders had formed a force two days west of Tall Trees Town, they did not seem prepared to attempt to lift the siege, especially since almost 4200 Pentoshi had also landed on the island, swelling the raiding force to near 5000 men.

A shame Vaella thought to herself, she had grown up on tales of her great granddaughter Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters conquests on the backs of their dragons, and she was eager to experience battle for herself, to prove herself a true Targaryen, and as it seemed the Summer Islanders would not meet her in open battle, she would need to find other opportunities for combat.

A sudden flash of pain went through her lower body and she grimaced. It had been less than a year since she had given birth to a stillborn little daughter, a little girl with bright blue eyes. The birth had nearly killed her as well and even months later she still had bad days and felt the effects.

Not now….not today Vaella thought to herself, she would not think of her daughter…..that was the whole reason she had joined the expedition in truth….to be distracted….she needed to forget…..the princess who never was and Syaella.

The thought of her sister's name sent a different type of pain through her body, this time in her chest, Vaella quickly set to finishing with her armor and briskly walked towards her dragon Narrah, ignoring the pain in her body and mind.

The red dragon with the white horns and stripe from head to helmet was lounging below one of the massive tall trees on the outskirts of the camp, the burned carcasses of sheep and bull forming a small wall around its sleeping spot, some of them still smoldering, when it sensed her approach it gave a playful shriek, and Vaella spotted several bones stuck between its bloodied teeth, the dragon that had once belonged to her grandmother the Queen Nyel had grown to over thirty feet, in no small part due to its insatiable appetite, which caused the dragonkeepers of Kings Landing no shortage of trouble with constantly feeding the dragon.

Vaella approached the dragon and placed a hand on the dragon's snout before she heard the sound of approaching footsteps behind her, as both she and Narrah turned to face the uninvited visitor.

Nakados Tendryis, the Pentoshi who was soon to become her brother in law due to his betrothal with her younger sister Jaehera approached, looking as groomed as ever in his brown doublet with silver trim.

‘’Princess’’ He said, giving a well practiced bow and going to his feet, to which Vaella snorted and gestured him up.

‘’Sp..peak your mind.’’ Vaella said, turning her back and fastening the saddle straps on Narrahs back.

‘’If I might be so bold to suggest that perhaps this is a step too far…an unnecessary one, the castle will submit soon, we have them five to one, just over a thousand men garrison Tall Trees Town….if you go in there on dragonback the risk of that fire spreading beyond the walls to the city proper is great….not to mention the risk to yourself.’’ The Pentoshi began.

‘’I dont care.’’ Vaella replied haughtily, finishing up with the saddle before turning back to the Pentoshi and studying him.

‘’You p..play the noble lord well enough I s..suppose…..well enough to f..fool my sister….she will like you….but dont p..presume to play the role with me…..you know w..well enough what your own p..people will do when we take the city.’’ Vaella said, pushing through her stutter as she always did, her mother had instilled in her long ago that despite her condition she must always speak her mind and never be afraid to speak.

‘’Princess….there are others ways…less destructive ways….hidden sewers and postern gates….why do you insist on this?’’ The man persisted.

Vaella was silent for a moment at that before finally answering ‘’Because I want to.’’

With that she pulled herself onto Narrahs saddle and without so much as a glance back at Nakados and with a lash of her whip, ordered the red dragon to the air.

With the wind at her back, Princess Vaella flew Narrah towards the stone walls of Tall Trees Town, rising out of the jungle, Summer Islanders running to their posts, bows in hand while others readied javelins, all in an attempt to defend their city.

It would all be for naught. For many of the garrison of Tall Trees Town the sight of the red dragon appearing out of the jungle and flying through the trees would be the last sight they would ever see. Hundreds would be burned alive on the walls of Tall Trees Town, and even more would be wounded. True enough to Nakados Tendryis’s prediction, the fires would spread from the walls into the city proper where it would rage for many days, killing many civilians and burning many of the talking trees of the city, and all the history marked on them being lost along with them.

As for the Princess Vaella, she felt little remorse as she watched the fire spread, in fact she felt nothing at all, the very feeling she strove for, as she had been flying Narrah through the smoking skies, arrows and javelins flying around her as men danced in the flame below, she had finally felt free for the first time in months, free from the memories which were never far from her side.

Afterwards following Tall Trees Towns surrender the Pentoshi would march several hundred of its citizens to their ships to be taken back to Pentos as slaves, many of the Westerosi officers in the expedition would appeal to Vaella to stop this, slavery was looked upon with disgust in Westeros but she made no move to stop them, it was not her concern.

The conflict would last for a few more weeks, with Princess Narrah burning many of the small villages along the Citrus Coves while the Pentoshi would starve the castle of Koj into submission. Finally, seeing the war was last, Princess Zhataya of Tall Trees Town would surrender to the Pentoshi trading demands and offer up gold and silver as tribute to Princess Vaella and the Pentoshi officers.

As for Tall Trees Town, it would be decades before the city would recover and the opinion of Summer Islanders towards Westerosi would forever be damaged, with Swan Ships, which had once been such a common sight within Westerosi ports becoming rare.

7th Moon, 62 AC
Queen Laenas Chambers, Kings Landing

The Queen sat in her chair, reclining as she felt the heat from the crackling fire in the hearth in front of her, watching the flames dance in shades of orange, red and gold.

There was a knock on the door ‘’Lord Norrland here to see you your Grace.’’ one of her Kingsguard announced.

‘’Send him in.’’ Laena commanded, not surprised in the least, it had been her who had summoned the Blue Bard after all.

The door opened and she heard the bards swaggering footfalls behind her.

‘’Your Grace.’’ The man said in his usual tone, smooth as silk.

Laena did not immediately turn to him, continuing to gaze into the flames until at last she turned in her chair to face him, finding the bard on one knee, his head bowed, the light from the flames dancing off his rich blue silks and oiled black beard.

An attractive man Laena thought to herself begrudgingly as she gestured him to his feet, she could see why her sister had fancied the man.

He rose, flashing his signature smile ‘’The capitol is made brighter by your presence your Grace.’’

Flattery will not save you Laena thought to herself, the anger simmering just below the point of being seen, but she forced herself to nod.

‘’I am to assume you are wanting a briefing….much has happened during your campaigning in Oldtown.’’ The bard asked, the Queen had just returned from her campaigning against the trading posts in Oldtown the previous day.

Laena nodded ‘’That will serve for a start.’’

‘’I regret to inform you that during your absence the Ironborn have broken the Queens Peace…..some 150 longships and over 12,000 men descended upon Lannisport while the city slept….hundreds if not thousands were killed and the Ironborn made off with much plunder….the raid was led by Ulfar Myre, Wulf Drumm as well as Goren Greyjoy…first born son of Lord Oswin Greyjoy, whos presence….’’

‘’Suggests that the attack was sanctioned by Lord Greyjoy himself.’’ Laena interjected boredly, it was clear enough that this was not an action perpetrated by a few rogue longships, the size of the raid meant that it could only have been planned and sanctioned by the King of the Isles himself.

The Blue Bard nodded ‘’The Lady Fiona Lannister has called her banners and sent ravens requesting you denounce Oswin Greyjoy as a traitor to the realm and bring him and his captains to justice through force of arms if necessary.

Laena was silent at that, her mind going over the recent developments. On the one hand it was better that the Westerlands and the Ironborn’s swords be trained on each other rather than plotting treason against the throne. On the other it was concerning that the Ironborn had taken such a great action that had clearly been planned for some time, though she supposed the action had been taken more due to the precedent that allowing Baratheon and Tyrell to fight rather than contempt for her power.

‘’If Lady Lannister wishes to pursue vengeance against the Ironborn that is her prerogative….she has that right….but she will do so alone and without the support of the crown……this is a matter between Lannister and Greyjoy.’’ She said between pursed lips, a faint smile upon her face, so long as the Lords of Westeros squabbled she would need fear no uprising, all the better that the Westerlands and Iron Islands would be weakened. She knew her daughter Lianna, her master of laws would have some sharp words on her decision, but her eldest daughter had retired to the birthing bed to prepare for the birth of her first child and Laena would assure she would not hear about the matter until the whole affair was resolved.

The Blue Bard nodded ‘’A wise action your Grace….but there is one more matter of import.’’

Laena nodded for him to continue.

‘’The faction supporting your sisters claim is growing in strength, my bards report Lord Tyrell has entertained both Lords Chyttering and Brune in his command tent……ostensibly to discuss their potential support for your sisters claim.’’ The Blue Bard said apologetically.

This was not news to Laena, Lord Tyrell had always been fond of Alyssane, that cow, and Laena had been aware that treasonous statements had been uttered and proposed in Highgarden, proposals that often ended with the idea of her sister on the throne being bandied about.

‘’A problem for another time.’’ Laena said simply And for another spymaster.

The Blue Bard hesitated ‘’Your Grace….should we perhaps not do something about it….a disease that is allowed to fester…’’

‘’Tyrell wont make his move before his war with the Baratheons is concluded and there seems to be no end to that in sight, let him grind his armies to pieces in the Dornish Marches, with luck he and Raymont Baratheon will both suffer untimely ends in the fighting…and if not…it shall be dealt with…..now, there is another matter which requires your attention.’’ The Queen said sharply. ‘’Of course your Grace….I live to serve.’’ The bard said with his usual smile.

‘’With my sister ill and in Storms End, I find I have scarce anyone to rely upon save yourself.’’ Laena said softly, studying the bards piercing green eyes, giving him one last chance to confess.

‘’I am honored by your trust my Queen….as for your sister I am sure that she will recover from her illness shortly and take her place by your side.’’ The man said with an easy going grin, no hint of any discomfort evident on his face.

You had your chance Laena thought to herself silently, studying the man. Upon her return to the city, Laena had been informed that her sister Cymella had left shortly before to go and visit with her son Boros in Storms End since her husband Raymont was on campaign and not residing in Storms End, soon after that she had received a raven from Storms End from her sister, informing her she had come down with a serious illness and would remain in Storms End until she had recovered.

Laena had immediately grown suspicious, the timing of her departure from the capitol just days before her own return was certainly odd, and the servants of the castle admitted under questioning that it seemed that the princess Cymella was ill even before she left, spending much of her time in her chambers and not admitting anyone but a few trusted servants, not even joining her nieces at dinner, which Cymella had always been an active participant at.

The Queen had already had her suspicions as to what her sisters ‘’illness’’ was before she ordered her own personal spies to Storm's End, and their reports had confirmed what Laena had suspected all along, her sister was not sick but rather with child….and Laena had no doubts as to who the father was.

Laena did not know why her sister, a normally intelligent woman had allowed the pregnancy to come to term, and could not fathom how the two could have imagined they could have kept it a secret from her, but she did know what had to be done. She would not have her sister and spymaster in league with each other, the man was as ambitious as he was clever, and if the child was a boy……then she had no doubts as to what the man's future plans would be.

The Blue Bard had not only betrayed her by dishonoring her sister, and compromising her house, but he had all but lied to her face when she had given him the chance to come clean….the man could not be trusted….and there were few things in the world as useless, or as dangerous as a spymaster that could not be trusted.

‘’Raymont Baratheon and Aumary Tyrell are nuisances now…..but you are right if left to fester they could become dangerous….with luck their war will rid us of one, if not both of them, but I find it foolish to rely on luck alone…..I have received information that there is an informant in Stags Den, the village outside of Storms End that wishes to discuss potentially riding us of Raymont Baratheon should he survive the war….I wish for you to go there and make preparations…and do pay a visit to my sister, I know your songs would do much to help her through her illness.’’ She said, turning her attention back to the bard, the man she had raised from the dirt.

The bard bowed deeply ‘’It will be as you say your Grace.’’ He replied before walking out of the room with his usual swaggering walk.

And to the dirt you shall return Laena thought, watching the bard leave before turning back to the dancing flames of the fire.


7th Moon, 62 AC
Village of Stags Den, Outside of Storms End

The Blue Bard sat upon his horse, the sun shining on his back as he sang out the last stanza of the Dornishman's Wife in a loud and clear voice, sweet as spring as he rode slowly down the road towards the village of Stags Den,

Brothers, oh brothers, my days here are done,
the Dornishman's taken my life,
But what does it matter, for all men must die,
and I've tasted the Dornishman's wife!

Finishing the song he breathed a sigh of contentment, breathed in the air, heavy with the scent of a recent rain and reached for his wine skin, drinking deeply.

He had good reason to be happy, things were coming together far better than he could have ever imagined. Soon Cymellas husband would be rotting in the ground, with any luck at least, making Cymella the nominal Lady of Storms End until her son Boros came of age, and more importantly providing a safe place for their child to be raised, as spymaster he would have more than enough influence to make certain the Queen would never learn of the child's existence and keep any spies reporting to the Queen from learning as well, the woman was slothful to a fault and wouldn't question why the reports relating to Storms End were a little less substantial than other regions.

And if the child was a boy…

The bard tried putting the thought out of his mind, it was dangerous to get too ahead of himself, but the prospect of his own blood sitting the Iron Throne was one that was never far from his mind and he couldn't resist indulging the thought a little.

If the child is a boy it will be easy enough He thought to himself.

To be sure he would bide his time, use his influence as spymaster to gain allies in the realm, telling the Queens greatest enemies of the boys existence….building support for his claim, and when the boy was old enough it would be a simple enough thing to deal with the queen, she was volatile and hotheaded and what's more she trusted him far too much for her own good.

Once again he began to whistle a tune that had just come to his mind.

I've tasted the Dragon's Daughter has a nice ring to it The bard thought to himself with a chuckle as he followed the cobbled road into the small town of Stagsden, riding past a bustling market square.

He looked up towards the castle of Storms End where Cymella was no doubt waiting for him, her and their unborn child.

Soon enough the Bard thought to himself, he would have preferred to ride to her straightaway, but the prospect of greeting her with the promise that plans were being underway to murder her husband was an attractive thought…..and one he knew she would be grateful for.

Still whistling the tune he turned his horse down an alley in the direction of the home he was to meet the informant at, riding past puddles of mud and running naked children in the poorer district of Stags Den.

Taking another turn into a rather empty and dark alley he saw a hooded man leaning with his back against a building that had once been painted yellow but had taken on the coloring of the neighboring alleyway.

‘’You lack subtlety friend……hooded men are generally seen as suspicious…..this could have been done at the tavern as well, far more pleasant to discuss murder over a flagon of ale than in a muddy alleyway.’’ The Blue Bard said lightheartedly.

‘’Youre the bard?’’ The man asked.

‘’Shall I sing a song to prove it.’’ He japed, dismounting from his horse.

‘’If you want.’’ The man spat.

The hooded man didnt say anything else, looking around.

‘’I wasn't followed if that's what you're worried about….id be a poor spymaster if I allowed myself to be.’’ He said.

The man said nothing.

‘’Well what is it you have to say……I rode all the way here from Kings Landing under the impression you wished to discuss the murder of Raymont Baratheon……and I have important business to attend too…’’ He continued, growing more and more uncomfortable.

‘’Just got one thing to say.’’ The man said softly, the two locking eyes, the silence as heavy as any the Blue Bard had ever heard.

‘’Queen Laena sends her regards.’’ The man said finally, nodding behind him.

The Blue Bard turned, his blue silks whirling through the mud, his blood growing cold as he saw three men in hoods armed with long knives appearing from behind him.

He raised his hands in vain to stop them but a dagger pierced through his hand.

Brothers, oh brothers, my days here are done,

A cry rose up his throat but a dirk through his neck turned it into a choking gasp.

the Dragons taken my life

He fell to his knees briefly, trying to steady himself but a knife between the shoulderblades forced him to the ground, falling onto his stomach he lay in the mud and blood, icey tears falling down his cheeks.

But what does it matter, for all men must die,

The blades rose and fell upon his back as the bard's blue robes turned dark red crimson.

and I've tasted the Dragon's daughter

Spoiler

 

[Bullfilter]

FYI after a period of major RL distractions (almost resolved), needing to get my own AARs going again and your prodigious and excellent output, I’m slowly catching up again. Your chapters are always so involved, carefully crafted and full of ingenious narrative that I find it impossible to skim read them (they deserve better than that), so it may be some time before I can ‘live comment’ again, but please know I’m diligently if slowly trying to chase you down!

 

[Bored Student1414]

Thoughts.

The dragon Honorax has been killed by Lady Bethany Reed. At least, it is no longer a menace even killing it causes lost opportunities in the future.

I think a loan of 2000 gold dragons to cover the Iron Throne's debts is way too small. The Iron Throne is in millions of golden dragons in debt in the reign of King Robert in the books. Of course, one gold coin in Crusader Kings is not really meant to be equal to one gold coin in real life and GRRM is notoriously terrible with numbers and scale in his books, so it is not a big deal.

Queen Laena and Princess Vaella deal with their grief by killing lots of innocent foreigners and blowing up one of the realm's profitable trade routes. Not the healthiest grieving process.

It is clear that Queen Laena has no interest in upholding the King's/Queen's Peace and is delighted when her subjects wish to fight each other in bloody wars. This is a fine example of Divide and rule. Lord Amaury Tyrell's army has been almost halved in size by his war with Lord Raymond Baratheon. There are some problems with this approach. Obviously, a lot of innocent people will be killed in pointless and preventable wars. The overall prosperity of the realm will be damaged by all of the fighting. Of course, Laena does not care about people outside her family or the parts of the realm she does not directly control or get much taxes from. It makes of a mockery of the law and damages the respect of people for the Crown when the Queen is willingly letting the realm burn for her own benefit. Once the King's/Queen's Peace is regularly broken, it may be hard to reestablish.

It makes a mockery of Lianna's job as Master of Laws when the Queen is allowing one of the realm's most important laws to be regularly broken. Laena knows that Lianna would be furious with her for allowing all of this, so the Queen has decided to not have her Master of Laws hear of these developments until Lianna has delivered her child.

This also continues the trend of decentralization and moving away from Aegon the Conqueror's ambition of "One Realm, One King" in this AAR. King Vaemond had allowed the rulers of Dorne and the Iron Islands to use royal titles again. Now, Queen Laena allows major violations of the King's/Queen's Peace.

An unexpected twist. It seems that Lord Amaury Tyrell wishes to install his beloved wife Alyssane (and by extension House Tyrell) on the Iron Throne and he has found a few supporters. Even in the Reach's weakened state, he has more troops to command than what the crown has directly and the Queen is unpopular. This faction could be quite a threat if it rises up. It would also a good moment for Prince Vaekar to press his own claim to the Iron Throne.

Gareth the Blue Bard has stepped over the line and has paid the price for it. People forget that for all of her flaws, Laena is still a genius and is not easily fooled. What will happen with Princess Cymella and her unborn child? Cymella's willingness to have an affair also raises questions about the paternity of her first child Borros as well.

Who will get the castle of Drywell now that the Blue Bard is dead?

 

[TWR97]

Valar Morghulis for the Blue bard, man flew too close to the sun, shame he won't be there to see the consequences unfold.

 

[FondMemberofSociety]

Queen Laena has no interest in uploading the King's/Queen's Peace

Is there a Royal.Peace.exe lying in somewhere? Canon could sure use that...

 

[Thaiga]

I feel genuenly sad for Honorax. For some reason I highly doubt that this was something Syaella would've wanted for her dragon.
Vaella though seems to take a lot after her mother, and unfortunately not her better characteristics. Those poor summer islanders sure didn't deserve that.
Blue Bard did though. No sympathy for that guy, sorry not sorry. I also am very concerned for his unborn bastard.

Great episode! Are the portraits AI? The queen's looks a lot like Cersei.

 

[streaker77]

FYI after a period of major RL distractions (almost resolved), needing to get my own AARs going again and your prodigious and excellent output, I’m slowly catching up again. Your chapters are always so involved, carefully crafted and full of ingenious narrative that I find it impossible to skim read them (they deserve better than that), so it may be some time before I can ‘live comment’ again, but please know I’m diligently if slowly trying to chase you down!

No worries my friend, I hope things clear up for you sooner rather than later. I appreciate the suppourt.

Valar Morghulis for the Blue bard, man flew too close to the sun, shame he won't be there to see the consequences unfold.

Yeah, too close to the sun indeed, a trend among bards that will present itself once again in the future.

Is there a Royal.Peace.exe lying in somewhere? Canon could sure use that...

Not sure that file is compatible with the world of ASOIAF .

I feel genuenly sad for Honorax. For some reason I highly doubt that this was something Syaella would've wanted for her dragon.

I think even Laena understands that deep down, I thought the best way to explain Honorax's death was to just imagine Laena couldnt live with the thought of another claiming her daughters dragon and overshadowing her, rather than having Laena actually blame the dragon for her daughters death,

I also am very concerned for his unborn bastard.

Great episode! Are the portraits AI? The queen's looks a lot like Cersei.

More clarification on Cymella and her unborn child will come in the next chapter.

Thank you! Both of them are AI, I noticed that it looks a lot like cersei as well, hopefully its not too jarring as I found that one looked more or less like how I made her look in a previous chapter, as im sure you know from your own AAR AI art is not always an exact science lol.

I think a loan of 2000 gold dragons to cover the Iron Throne's debts is way too small. The Iron Throne is in millions of golden dragons in debt in the reign of King Robert in the books. Of course, one gold coin in Crusader Kings is not really meant to be equal to one gold coin in real life and GRRM is notoriously terrible with numbers and scale in his books, so it is not a big deal.

Yeah I hope this isnt too jarring, I thought a little about that as well, but I thought multiplying the number of coins times 10 was about as good as I could make it without making things like sending gifts seem unreasonable.

It is clear that Queen Laena has no interest in upholding the King's/Queen's Peace and is delighted when her subjects wish to fight each other in bloody wars. This is a fine example of Divide and rule. Lord Amaury Tyrell's army has been almost halved in size by his war with Lord Raymond Baratheon. There are some problems with this approach. Obviously, a lot of innocent people will be killed in pointless and preventable wars. The overall prosperity of the realm will be damaged by all of the fighting. Of course, Laena does not care about people outside her family or the parts of the realm she does not directly control or get much taxes from. It makes of a mockery of the law and damages the respect of people for the Crown when the Queen is willingly letting the realm burn for her own benefit. Once the King's/Queen's Peace is regularly broken, it may be hard to reestablish.

It wont be the last time Laena utilizes this approach, and very true about her not really caring about the prosperity of the realm being damaged, taxes are not very substantial due to the realms opinion and fear of her so its not like Laena is losing all that much potential income. Aumary Tyrell and Raymont Baratheons war will feature heavily in the next chapter as well as the two men themselves. Laena may be content to let the realm burn but there are those around her that have seen enough bloodshed and will attempt to spurr some royal intervention.

It would also a good moment for Prince Vaekar to press his own claim to the Iron Throne.

One would think, but Vaekar does have his own problems to deal with as will be seen in the next chapter where he will have two POV scenes. The Queen has neither forgotten about her brother or sat idly by and allowed him to gain suppourt.

People forget that for all of her flaws, Laena is still a genius

Something I hope will become clear in the next chapter, Laena may be a cruel hothead but I do hope to not make her as bumbling or incompetent as a Cersei type character, she has a good grasp on plotting and how best to mantain her position, and the next chapter will be perhaps her best work.

Who will get the castle of Drywell now that the Blue Bard is dead?

I may or may not work that into the next chapter, but Laena ended up honoring her fathers wishes (family trait) and giving it to the real Yronwoods (not the fake Drinkwater Yronwoods that currently hold the Stone Way) as her father intended to after all.


-Thank you all for the suppourt, next chapter is another pretty long one so it will be a while in coming out but I will release 2 short world chapters in the meantime. There are also some changes coming to the format of the story (at least for a short period) that im pretty excited about and will likely begin after this next coming chapter.

 

[streaker77]

Name: Honorax

Lineage: Hatched from the dragon Oathwing

Riders: Never took a rider, bonded with the Princess Syaella Targaryen

Description: No larger than a small dog, mottled stone gray in color with pale gray eyes, large wings.

Chronicle: Honorax was a small gray dragon hatched from a clutch of eggs from the dragon Oathwing on the island of Dragonstone beneath the fires and smoking flames of the Dragonmont. The hatchling would later bond with the Princess Syaella, second daughter of Laena Targaryen, Queen of Skulls and while still far too small to ride, was brought along to the Eyrie when Princess Syaella wed Oswin Arryn, heir to the Vale. The dragon was a common sight in the small castle of the Eyrie, and was known too often perch upon Syaellas shoulder while she entertained the ladies of the court. Honorax fled the castle through an open window, and whilst searching for the hatchling, the Princess Syaella was killed in an accident near the beasts nest, falling from a cliff. Following this Queen Laena would offer a reward to whoever dealt with the beast and several months later, Honorax, now the size of a small sheep would be slain by the crannogwoman Bethany Reed and its remains would be presented to the Queen herself. Some have speculated that the dragon may have laid a clutch of eggs somewhere in the mountains of the moon, though Maesters find this unlikely given the dragon was but a hatchling and not fully grown. Nevertheless, this has not dissuaded treasure hunters from scouring the mountains for eggs, and it is a common sight in the villages and towns in the Vale for merchants to peddle what they claim to be eggs hatched by the long dead dragon, though such tales should be treated with skeptisism and disbelief.

 

[Bullfilter]

All caught up again. I liked the Blue Bard as a character and it that sense it was a pity to see him go. But he had become a stone in the shoe of the Queen, whose regards were duly sent. Leave the dagger, take the cannoli!

 

[streaker77]

The Summer Isles

The Summer Isles are a chain of well over fifty islands located in the Summer Sea, to the south of Westeros and Essos, and west of the continent of Sothoryos. The islands enjoy a tropical climate, and many are covered in jungle, with many brightly colored species of birds living within, the feathers of which the Summer Islanders often use to make highly elaborate and colorful cloaks, a common sight in many of the trading ports throughout Essos and Westeros. The Summer Islanders are notoriously skilled seafarers, with their large swan ship galleons being a common sight in every port in the known world. By and large the Summer Islanders are a mostly peaceful people, with warfare between rivaling cities and islands being highly ritualized, despite this, their bows and the men and women who wield them are known to be the finest in the world, with their bows being made from the Goldenheart trees found only on the islands of Jhala and Obmoru, with the wood being so precious the princes and princesses of the islands forbid its export. Summer Islanders are often a common sight within mercenary companies and trade ships as well, with their bowmen often being sought over as sellswords, sellsails and escorts. The Summer Islanders worship a wide variety of deities and gods, and consider lovemaking to be a holy act, with prostitution being encouraged and with most summer islanders spending a time serving the goddess of fertility within the many temples of love that dot the islands. Despite the relatively peaceful nature of the Summer Islanders, they are a rather divided people, with many principalities, independent towns and kingdoms existing on the islands, oftentimes many on the same island. Notable islands and regions within the isles include Koj, where three fourths of all the swan ships are built and the Red Flower Vale known for its vast valleys of bright red flowers. At the time of our story, Princess Vaella Targaryen upon the back of her dragon Narrah and with a raiding army of Westerosi and Pentoshi has burned Tall Trees Town on the island of Walano while her mother Queen Laena Targaryen has expelled and killed many traders from Tall Trees Town from the city of Oldtown, souring relations between the Iron Throne and their southern neighbors.

The Free City of Pentos

The Free City of Pentos is one in a period of decline. This decline has largely come due to the increasing influence of their northern neighbors, the Free City of Braavos. Pentos was once a prosperous state and its capital was known for its brick walls and towers, deep harbor, and large amount of manses, palaces and estates within the well-to-do city, with the orange tower on yellow of their banners being a common sight in Westeros due to their proximity to its eastern ports, with Pentos just being a four day journey across the narrow sea from King's Landing. However, the decades have not been kind to Pentos. Like most Free Cities, Pentos was dependent on slave labor, a practice abhorred by their northern neighbors in Braavos. Early in the reign of King Aegon the Conqueror, the Braavosi formed a coalition with the Free City of Lorath and attacked Pentos to end the practice of slavery within Pentos, a war which they won and in addition to liberating the cities slaves, imposed strict regulations on the size of the Pentoshi military. This foreign interference did not end with this however. Further meddling by the Braavosi led to one Colloquo Tendryis, a Braavosi nobleman conquering the city and naming himself the Prince of Pentos. This did not last long and he was pushed out shortly after by the Pentoshi nobility in a bloody war, but the damage had been done and the Tendryis family had gained much influence in the city. Following the failure to keep Pentos within their sphere of influence by force of arms, the Braavosi once again turned to their claimant Colloquo and by bribing the nobility of Pentos managed to install him once again as Prince of Pentos, winning what they could not win with force instead with guile and the influence of the Braavosi continued to increase throughout the decades, with another Braavosi, Ballio Tendryis also being elected as Prince of Pentos some years after Colloquos death, driving the nail into the coffin and furthering Braavos’s influence. The decisive moment came when Pentoshi citizens, backed with gold and weapons from Braavos rose up in rebellion against the Pentoshi nobility, ostensibly due to anger over corruption but it was clear enough to see the true power behind the movement. The city of Pentos fell to the rebels and the city was soon afterwards annexed by Braavos, being ruled by Braavosi nobility ever since. The Pentoshi do still hold some influence within their old capitol, the Braavosi allow Pentoshi nobility to retain their palaces within the city following a heavy tax, and ostensibly the defense of the city falls to the Pentoshi nobility who directly control the Sunrise Gate, the main entrance to the city, with the Pentoshi being entitled to levy taxes on visitors to the city, as well as maintain a squadron of more than 400 calvary and almost 2000 guardsman.

In practice however, this arrangement does little to mask the fact that Pentos is all but in name a Braavosi city, with the city proper, its ports and harbors, and all its markets and businesses paying taxes to Braavos as well as following Braavosi law and being patrolled by Braavosi troops. Despite the loss of their capital city, the Pentoshi are not totally insignificant, owning a large amount of fertile lands and farming villages in the Pentoshi Flatlands, Velvet Hills and in the region of Andalos. While Pentoshi ships are a much rarer sight in current times due to their lack of a true port city, they still do some trade across the narrow sea due to their surplus of crops, and overland trading caravans from the Pentoshi hinterlands laden with wheat and barley and apples are a common sight in all Essosi cities. At the time of our story, Pentos has just completed a raid on Tall Trees Town in the Summer Islands along with their Westerosi allies and the two states are bound by marriage and economic interests.