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At least the genocide of the Yronwoods could've been written down as an accident, but burning The Talking Trees and eradicting nation's history is a war crime of another level entirely. Summer Islanders should probably up their game with an alliance with Braavos and make at least Pentos pay.
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Chapter 44: The Stag and the Rose (Vaekar, Laena, Lianna, Aumary Tyrell) (Part 1)
The day was meant to be one of celebration, but as so often was the case on the Dragonstone, the mood was somber and grim in the dimly lit hall, and even the celebration itself left a bitter taste in the Prince's mouth, souring the wine, music and congratulations of the present lords.
The taste of defeat He thought sullenly to himself.
Beside him sat the woman he was taking to wife, the Lady Selyse Scales, the daughter of Lady Mhaegen Scales, Baroness of the small castle of Windwyrm, a young woman of 19 years with brown braids, gray eyes and dressed in an elaborate dress of purple silk and silver cloth.
The Prince's disappointment did not come from any ill will towards the woman, by all accounts she would make a good wife, she was humble and unselfish and had the reputation of being hard working, helping manage the castle of Windwyrm for her elderly mother, which would help greatly in managing the household of Dragonstone.
He had nothing against the woman, but the truth was apparent to all who had come to the wedding, this was a poor and paltry match for a Targaryen prince.
To be sure Prince Vaekar had tried to broker a more advantageous marriage. Lord Otho Arryn of the Vale had a daughter, but had not responded to his proposal of a betrothal, even after the weakening of his alliance with his sister following Syaellas death. He had reached out to Andrey Tully with the possibility of a match between himself and his daughter, such a match could win him the dragon Moondancer to his side, but the Lord of Riverrun had responded by saying such a match would not be in the best interests of his family.
Lord after Lord, Lady after Lady of houses great and small had refused his proposals, some had been polite and apologetic, others firm and blunt and others had not even deigned to respond, but no matter their method, the answer was always the same.
Fear of royal disapproval alone was not enough to elicit such a stone wall amongst the lords Vaekar knew, even with the fear his sisters name carried amongst the lords of the realm, there were always ambitious men who would be willing to take a risk to gain such a polarizing ally as the Prince.
No, this was something else. Ever since his sister had released him from the tower cell after her arrival in Kings Landing following their fathers death, rumors, slander and false information surrounded the Prince, weakening his reputation with every passing day.
There was no singular rumor that assailed him, but rather a host. The most common had to do with his age and marital status, claiming that a thirty year old Prince that had never taken a wife surely preferred all manner of unnatural companies, with small boys, animals, and even his own dragon being bandied about.
Even his reputation as a battle commander, gained by spending almost half his life fighting pirates in countless campaigns in the Stepstones as Master of Ships was sullied, with the gossip claiming that instead of fighting the Pirates, the Prince was instead in league with them, with one rumor going so far as to claim the Prince used Dragonstone and its lighthouses as a haven to purposefully wreck ships off the coast, splitting the profits with his pirate allies who would slaughter the survivors.
There were others, some inventive while others were almost too fantastical to be true, but the end result was the same, Prince Vaekar had become a dark, mysterious figure in the realm, abhorred by some of the realms more gullible rulers, and distrusted by even the most skeptical, where there was smoke there was fire after all.
My sister's work The Prince thought sullenly, as always the thought of his sister spreading like a bitter venom throughout his body, he had no proof of course, but it was clear enough who was behind it, who gained the most from his reputation being damaged amongst the lords of the realm.
She had played him for a fool from the beginning. Taking their father and keeping him on Dragonstone to use his failing health to her own advantage had been a master stroke. He had known his father was ailing, but upon her return to the capitol Cymella, his own twin sister had lied and told him he would be returning shortly and in good health, Laenas arrival in the capitol and the news of his fathers death had taken him completely by surprise, and he was powerless to resist as his greatest ally Lord Tully, who had plotted with the Prince to stage a coup in King's Landing upon his fathers death was not even at court.
The thought of his father also stirred emotions throughout the Prince, albeit different ones than his sister's name had. There was anger of course, long simmering and dulled yet there nonetheless, stemming from his disinheritance as a child, but there was also sadness. His father had been a good man, and he had not even been able to be at his fathers side at the end, Laena had denied him that…..her and Cymella, the fact that his own twin sister had abandoned him for Laenas cause was also never far from his mind.
The thought had also crossed his mind that perhaps his fathers death was not truly natural. Laena would certainly have gained some advantage from their father perishing on Dragonstone, but even Vaekar had to reluctantly admit this was unlikely, whatever her flaws he knew that Laena had genuinely cared for the old man, and he had loved her back and given her his favor….that was the worst thing. For all his accomplishments, all the praise his father bestowed upon him after a victory against pirates in the Stepstones, he had never once seen his father look upon him like he did upon Laena.
He knew what she was Vaekar brooded. To be sure his sister had always played the loving daughter with him, an act she had perfected but he had to have known. After his sister had murdered the plague fisherman on Dragonstone he had once broached the topic with his father, suggesting that Laena was not truly who she pretended to be.
He would never forget the look on his fathers face, he had never seen him so uncomfortable, yet in that discomfort there was truth…his father knew what Laena was….for years he had pretended not to see, avoided what was right in front of him, but in that moment he could not hide from it, the truth was on his face, written for all to see.
He knew what she was…and favored her anyway Vaekar thought before his hand drifted to the seven pointed star amulet upon his neck.
Father have mercy on his soul He thought.
He knew the reason why his father favored her….it was not just because of her claiming of the dragon Vhagar. He had known since he was a small child and had overheard his father telling his mother that Laena was like their own mother Visenya reborn, from her temperament to her way with Vhagar and his decision to name her his heir had shouted the truth…..his own father saw little of Aegon the Conqueror in him, and that stung worst of all.
He was shaken from his brooding by the gentle touch of a hand on his own, the hand of his wife.
‘’I know this is not the marriage you would have wished for.’’ The young woman said, hesitantly meeting his eyes.
He turned to her with surprise, not sure how to respond to that, his normally sharp mind was muddled from the wine, the smoke of the hall and the thoughts of his father and sister, and his mouth was as if filled with sand.
What could he say…..of course it was not the marriage he would have wished for….it brought the loyalty of just five hundred men, men who were already sworn to him as his vassals besides. It was a poor marriage for a man of his position, and one he had almost not even consented too, the Prince was a stubborn man and even when it was clear that his reputation had been damaged too much within the realm for a good match he had wanted to keep looking, but he knew that the longer he went unmarried the more credence it gave to the rumors about him, and he could not imagine gaining any significant support for his claim until he had produced an heir apparent.
His silence told the young woman everything she needed to know about his thoughts on the matter and slowly withdrew her hand from his, bowing her head in shame, obviously trying to prevent the tears from showing.
In that moment Vaekar had never before felt so ashamed, he was a Targaryen Prince, the blood of the dragon and the conqueror ran through his veins, and he was acting a boy, sullen and feeling sorry for himself, and worse of all he had shamed his wife, who was not to blame for his current situation.
It was all of these feelings and more that made the Prince stand from his seat, causing the lords in attendance for the wedding to stop their conversations.
It was a small gathering, in large part due to the prince's reputation among the lords of Westeros. The elderly Lady Scales, who despite her modest means had spared no expense on her daughter's dowry, was of course in attendance, along with her husband Ser Mathos. Lord Bar Emmon was there as well, an ambitious but kindhearted man with a good military mind. The only guest from the mainland was Lord Massey, a fat man of 61 with a brood of 15 children both legitimate and natural born, and the only lord not bound by vassalage to support Vaekars claim. The man had even offered the hand of one of his bastard daughters to Vaekar but he had politely refused, bastards were born of sin and despite their friendship, Vaekar would never wed a bastard no more than he would his own blood.
It was a small gathering to be sure, humble and paltry, but in that moment it did not matter to Vaekar, he was the blood of the dragon, he was Prince Vaekar Targaryen, not a sullen boy and so long as he lived he would never let himself embrace defeat so much as he had tonight.
He scanned the room, waiting for silence.
When he had it, he spoke, gently taking his wife by the hand and bringing her to her feet.
‘’I would like to propose a toast.’’ The Prince of Dragonstone said, raising his goblet in the air.
‘’To Lady Selyse….your future and rightful Queen.’’ Vaekar said with confidence.
A silence filled the hall as those in attendance raised their glasses, some more enthusiastically than others, with some exchanging rather nervous glances, all in attendance knew the ramifications and meaning of the princes comment, and the bard with the harp servicing the wedding was no different, though none noticed his subtle exit from the hall, or so the man thought.
The aura of nervousness was evident on almost all the faces in the hall, all except the Prince of Dragonstone, who smiled as he raised the glass to his lips.
Bring on your storm sweet sister Prince Vaekar thought as he watched the bard scuttle from the hall.
6th Moon, 63 AC Red Keep, Kings Landing
A light snow fell outside the windows of Laenas chamber, the frosty glass illuminated by the roaring hearth in the Queens solar.
The Queen sat in her chair shuffling through reports collected and given to her to read at her convenience by her new spymaster, Alaric the Black Bard. In truth she wanted nothing more to do with damnable bards and poets, but the existing spy network of bards in the realm was very substantial and it would be foolish to not make use of it.
The Black Bard had been one of the chief members of the network, primarily traveling between the castles of the Riverlands, using Harrenhal as a base. His reports came in frequently and were especially valuable since the Riverlands were the only region of the seven Kingdoms with access to a fully grown dragon, Moondancer. The man was more hardworking than the Blue Bard had been, presenting the Queen with neatly sorted reports at the beginning of each week, unlike the Blue Bard who had clearly withheld much information and only verbally reported to her occasionally, in addition to this, the man was greedy and as long as she rewarded him properly, he would be easy to control.
Two of her daughters were also in the solar with her to keep her company. Larissa was stretched out in front of the fire playing with one of her many cats, while little Daeoril sat quietly stitching something with her sewing needle, which she carried around with her as most children her age would carry a doll.
The Queen had to smile at the sight, once again affirming that no step done in defense of her daughters was too far, they were all that mattered in this world and anyone that threatened her position threatened theirs by extension and would be dealt with accordingly.
She turned her attention back to the reports. By far the most important of them came from the Westerlands, a situation she had already been made aware of but nevertheless she scanned the report for more details.
Fiona Lannister, Lady of Casterly Rock and Lady Paramount of the Westerlands had been struck by a stray arrow behind the main lines while observing her levies driving off a large force of Ironborn raiders just outside of Lannisport. The report detailed that the Casterly Rock and overlordship of the Westerlands had fallen to her son, a boy of 9 years old.
The Queen smiled at this, though for a much different reason than the sight of her daughters. She had not forgotten that it had been the Lannisters that had led the greatest revolt the Targaryens had faced during her fathers reign.
Let them try to plot treason against their Queen under the leadership of a boy of 9 Laena thought, still smiling faintly.
The next report was closer to home. Her sister Cymella had apparently given birth to a little girl in Storms End, whom she was calling Marena Baratheon, though all involved knew the girl was a bastard, not only for her Dornish appearance, but also for the fact that Cymella and Raymont had not shared a bed in years.
She cannot remain in Storms End forever Laena thought, her husband Raymont was still away on campaign defending the Dornish Marches against the Tyrells, but word of his ‘’daughters’’ birth would soon reach him. Raymont Baratheon was a wrothful man and he had already beaten his sister once before, should he survive the war and the ongoing plot against his life long enough to return from campaign to Storm's End, there was little doubt in her mind that Raymont would beat her to death.
The thought disquieted Laena more than she would admit, and she had even considered ordering a hasty attempt on Raymonts life, it would be easy enough to have him killed, killing him without having suspicion fall on her was a different matter however, which was why the plot had gone on so long.
The smartest option was for Cymella to leave Storms End with young Boros and her daughter for the capital. Laena was of course angry with her younger sister for compromising the family's position and defying her instruction that she was not to have anymore contact with the Blue Bard, but the Queen genuinely cared for her younger sister, and deep down, the Queen, for all of her cruelties felt some guilt for the way her sisters life had turned out, it had been her that had proposed the betrothal between Raymont Baratheon and Cymella to her father. Her sister had put on a mask of nonchalantness and turned to food and drink to cope, but Laena knew that her sister had been feeling lonely for lack of companionship and contact with her son Boros, and the Blue Bard had used this vulnerability to manipulate her.
Despite the fact that Laena would have been willing to host her sister in the capitol and protect her from the wroth of Raymont Baratheon, her sister had made no move to request this. She had not sent any word to the capitol in months.
She suspects Laena thought to herself, sooner or later she would have to speak with her sister about the Blue Bard but that was a problem for another time.
Her musings were cut short by a knock at the door as one of her Kingsguard announced her daughter Lianna, her husband Jaekar and her Hand of the King Rhodry Martell were at the door.
She sighed, she had a feeling what this would be about, but she couldn't put them off any longer, her daughter had tried to request a meeting the previous day following dinner but Laena had said it was too late to speak of such things, but she could hardly refuse her this time.
The three of them entered the room, led by her daughter Lianna.
Her daughter had always been a beautiful girl, and she had grown into a beautiful woman, but there was a hardness on her face that had not been there in the past. Months prior she had taken to the birthing bed for the first time to welcome her first child by Ronnel Baratheon. She had given birth to a small boy with hair black as coal. But the child had never lived and had been stillborn.
Her daughter had not allowed herself time to grieve, immediately throwing herself back into her work as the realm's master-of laws, true to her diligent nature. It had not taken her long to make her opinions on Laenas handling of the war between the Tyrells and the Baratheons and the since ended conflict between Lannister and Greyjoy known and things had become quite tense between the Queen and her eldest daughter.
Her daughter wasted no time ‘’I've heard the news from the West…..Fiona Lannister was a good woman and vassals, kind to her subjects and content….if you think the realm benefits from her death you are mistaken….you allowed this to happen.’’
Laena frowned ‘’Her death was a tragedy of course….but it was of her own making not mine….that cow had no place being anywhere near a battlefield.’’
Lianna scoffed ‘’A Tragedy…spare me the act mother…..this is what you wanted, to see the realm bleed.’’
‘’Fiona Lannister chose to pursue vengeance against the Greyjoys….as was her right.’’ Laena said casually.
‘’She was forced to due to the crowns inaction, the Greyjoys broke the crowns peace by sacking Lannisport, your Grandfather made it clear that the Ironborns practice of pillaging and reaving within the Kingdoms was abolished…..he would be ashamed to see his granddaughter has such little regard for what he built.’’ Lianna replied.
The Queens anger flashed at that ‘’Mind yourself daughter…..the matter was one between Greyjoy and Lannister and it is done…..finished, The Lady Lannister is dead and the Ironborn have returned to the isles….I will speak no more on it.’’
‘’Very well…..I see that you will not listen to reason….well you will listen to this mother….you will see what bloodletting you have unleashed on the realm.’’ Her daughter said sternly, motioning Rhody Martell forward.
Her hand stepped forward ‘’Your Grace….I have returned from the Dornish Marches…where I attempted to broker a peace between Tyrell and Baratheon.’’
‘’You did what.’’ Laena said with fury, she had not even been aware of this mission, the ongoing war was all that kept Tyrell from turning his attention to her sister Alyssanes claim, and Martell had risked everything.
‘’At the behest of the Princess Lianna.’’ Martell answered rather hastily.
‘’My daughter does not…’’ The Queen began.
‘’When you named me your master of laws you declared to the realm that I speak with your voice….the fighting has gone on long enough…continue my Lord.’’ Lianna replied.
‘’Lords Tyrell and Baratheon refused to meet and discuss terms…..as a Martell I fear I command little respect among them…..I did however come to understand the devastation this war has brought to your Kingdom.’’ Her hand continued.
‘’Thousands have been killed and wounded your Grace….Lord Footly has stormed Haystack Hall while Lord Baratheon sieged Ashford castle into submission and sacked the town of Ashford most severely while the Reachman have captured Nightsong and sacked the Harvest Town….thousands have been killed and wounded in the storming of Peakes Bridge and Holly Hall….and there have been battles as well your Grace….Baratheon defeated Tyrell at Hadlow Keep but was ambushed in the mountains of Blackhaven by the heavy cavalry of the Reach…..there is no end to the war in sight your Grace….many have died already and thousands more will die if nothing is done to stop this bloodletting.’’
‘’It's time to end this Laena.’’ Her husband Jaekar said quietly. His ascension as King Consort had not changed his quiet nature, but he did not speak to her with the same subservience that he once had, and was more willing to offer his opinion on matters.
Suddenly a voice from the fire surprised all of them ‘’It's not right to let them fight mother…..they are dying because of you.’’
Laena turned and saw her daughter Larrissa standing, holding her cat in her arms.
‘’This is no fit subject for a child.’’ Laena said harshly to her daughter before glaring accusingly at Lianna ‘’What have you been telling her.’’
Lianna gestured Larrissa over, holding her by the shoulders‘’My sister is my own ward…by your own decree….as Master of Laws I thought it best she understand the circumstances of the realm…that includes war.’’
‘’She is a child….she should not be told about...’’ Laena began.
‘’Many of the dead in Ashford were children too .’’ Her husband said quietly.
Laena was silent at that, looking around the room before her eyes returned to Lianna.
‘’Leave us…all of you….I must speak with my daughter….alone.’’ Laena commanded and her husband and Hand bowed, slowly leaving the chamber.
‘’I don't want to go.’’ Larissa protested, but Lianna whispered something in her younger sister's ear and the girl reluctantly went to little Daeoril, still knitting alone by the window and led her out of the chamber by her hand, leaving the Queen and Lianna alone beside the roaring fire.
‘’You have a good heart…like your father……it is a weakness in you.’’ Laena said quietly, looking into the flames.
‘’It doesn't have to be.’’ Lianna said, joining her mother in front of the fire.
‘’I know why you are doing this mother….what you think you are doing it for.’’ Her daughter continued.
‘’This war is all that keeps Lord Tyrell from focusing on my sisters claim……this bloodletting as you call it is for your own benefit…for your sisters benefit…..so that we may keep the throne…..so that your birthright will not be stolen.’’ Laena continued.
‘’It's not.’’ Lianna said sternly.
Laena opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted once again.
‘’It is not for our benefit, mother.’’ Lianna said before continuing.
‘’You would see the realm burn and bleed just so that you could rule over its ashes….so that we can sit upon the ashes….you think allowing these wars weakens your potential enemies…but it is the smallfolk…not the Baratheons or Tyrells who suffer the most…the fisherman…the bakers….the children….’’ Lianna said.
The Queen did not reply to that.
‘’If you have any consideration for me……you will find a way to stop this war…..I do not wish to rule a broken realm.’’ Lianna said passionately.
‘’And Tyrell……you are aware of the treason he plots….what will this precious peace of yours accomplish except allow him to strengthen his cause and replenish his armies.’’ Laena replied.
‘’We shall deal with Tyrell when the time comes….if the time comes….give me a chance to find a compromise, in this and with Tyrell….they don't have the dragons to threaten us…they wouldn't be so foolish.’’
‘’And if they are…..’’ Laena asked, turning to her daughter.
‘’Then we destroy them…..’’ Lianna said quietly, her mother looking at her with surprise.
‘’Justice and kindness are not the same mother.’’ Her daughter said quietly.
Laena was quiet for a time at that before nodding slowly ‘’I will consider what you have said.’’
Lianna nodded and with a moment's hesitation, gave the Queen's hand a small squeeze before leaving the room.
The Queen sat in front of the fire for a good while…..the beginnings of an idea beginning to come to her.
An hour later she summoned the Black Bard, her spymaster to her chamber, the way forward becoming clear to her.
‘’Inform my daughter that I have seen the wisdom of her council…give her permission to order Raymont Baratheon and Aumary Tyrell to the peace table by order of their Queen….I shall attend these negotiations myself…I have been perhaps too forward in my attempts to see the great houses weakened.’’ Laena commanded.
The bard looked at her with surprise but seeing her expression nodded slowly.
‘’It will be done as you say your Grace….there is one more thing however that I thought you should be made aware of.’’ The bard said.
Laena gestured for him to continue.
He produced a note of parchment from his black robe and handed it to her ‘’Our spy on Dragonstone reports your brother was heard to rather loudly and publicly refer to the Lady Selyse Scales as the Rightful and Future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms….this was corroborated by a score of servants and knights.’’
Laena laughed.
‘’Your Grace?’’ The Black Bard said, clearly puzzled ‘’Your brother plots treason on Dragonstone….shall I send a letter to Lord Vunatis to travel to the capitol and ready the Royal Fleet to take your brother into custody?’’
Laena shook her head ‘’That is exactly what he wants.’’
‘’Your Grace?’’ The man asked, though the dawning of understanding was on his face.
‘’My dear brother knows he is despised and mistrusted by the Lords of the Realm thanks to our efforts….what better way to gain the sympathy of the Lords of the Realm than by escaping a tyrannical attempt by his sister to seize him, my brother is bold but not a fool, he knows and even hopes I would send the Royal Fleet to apprehend him, my brother has over 60 galleys on Dragonstone and a lifetime of commanding ships…..he would destroy the royal fleet easily, showing the realm that not only is their Queen a tyrant but also that he is a seasoned commander capable of defeating the crown in battle….not a bad plan…i'll give him that much….many and more might flock to his banner with such a victory.’’ Laena explained.
‘’Then we do nothing?’’ The bard asked.
The Queen shook her head ‘’We will do something, but not as publicly as he wants….I perhaps left too much open to interpretation when I allowed him to leave the capitol….I want him brought before me….I will give him this last chance…but he must be made to understand some things about his position….have him brought before me…subtly…do you take my meaning?’’
The bard nodded ‘’Yes your Grace….I take it quite well…I will make the preparations.’’
He bowed and turned to leave, walking towards the door.
‘’Alaric….one more thing.’’ She commanded, gesturing him over and whispering something in his ear.
7th Moon, 63 AC Square of the Village of Derlyn, Dragonstone
The Prince of Dragonstone sat on the small raised pavilion overlooking the muddy town square Derlyn and the hundreds of smallfolk gathered in the square, the salty smell of the sea heavy on the air as the black and red Targaryen banners fluttered in the wind beside the pavilion.
It was the annual Feast Day of the Father Above, a day which Septons claimed was the best day to make judgements and rulings, which would surely be guided by the wisdom of the father above, a sentiment shared by a man as zealous as Vaekar Targaryen, who publicly dispensed justice to the smallfolk of the small fishing village under the walls of Dragonstone every year.
The day's proceedings were almost done, Dragonstone was not an especially populous island and there were relatively few judgements to pass down.
A man who had been accused of stealing a bag of silver from his neighbor was spared the noose following a confession and given the choice between the loss of a hand or joining the Night's Watch, and the black brothers ranks rose by one. The father could be merciful.
Another man accused of beating his wife was also punished with Vaekar determining the man's drunken assault had gone beyond reasonable chastisement and he was whipped seven times for each of the gods he had sworn his vows to love his wife too, with a warning that should the behavior continue he would taste the hangman's rope.
The day's most eventful sentence had come when a man had accused a neighbor in the sight of gods and men of stealing a fishing boat which the neighbor had vehemently denied. A short trial had shown the truth of the matter when a neighbor testified they had seen the accuser hiding his boat on the accused's property, following this Prince Vaekar had sent the man, kicking and begging to the gallows.
Vaekar seldom hung men, the Father, while just could also be merciful, and Vaekar as a general rule extended this mercy to thieves and other criminals, but to perjure oneself in the sight of gods and men on the Fathers own feast day was an offense which could only be met with the rope.
Not all the judgements involved criminals and sin however, the Prince had also confirmed the adoption of an orphan whose parents had drowned at sea whilst fishing into a local family while he had also personally confirmed a new captain of the small village watch.
The last judgment of the day fell on a young woman who had been caught selling her flesh to several fishermen in exchange for coin, a clear violation of the Prince's complete prohibition on prostitution and flesh peddling he had enacted immediately upon becoming the Lord of Dragonstone.
Vaekar dealt with the situation the same way he always did when such sin was brought to his attention. The unfortunate woman was whipped naked through the streets while an enthusiastic crowd pelted her with rotten vegetables, following which she was banished from the island. Her patrons that had been discovered and spotted in her company were also whipped seven times, one for each of the gods, though as many of them were productive fisherman and farmers, they were not banished and the sentence was carried out in the privacy of the sept by the Septon.
The warm day was beginning to fade at the ending of the proceedings, with a cold thin mist rolling in from the sea. It was time to return to the castle to feast and give thanks to the fathers wisdom. The smallfolk as well would feast along the beach as the Prince would provide them with a humble fare of hearty soup and bread so that they may partake in the fathers graciousness. In light of the day's festivities, Vaekar would permit the taverns to remain open for one more hour than the curfew he had imposed, though drunkenness would still be punished with the lash. The sept as well would remain open past nightfall and many of the smallfolk would gather for a midnight service to give thanks.
Vaekar breathed in the cold salty air as he and his small escort of two men at arms walked through the thin mist towards the castle. The fog brought the memory of his adventures in Mantarys across the narrow sea to the east.
A godless city The Prince reminded himself, but some part of him missed his wanderings, even with the bitter memory that it had all been for naught. Dragonstone was small and predictable and ever since being stripped of the title of Master of Ships he found little chance to take to the seas. His world had been reduced to a single island, and he could scarce count on the hospitality of any lords on the Mainland except his friend, the elderly Lord Massey, and Prince Vaekar had since hawked and hunted near every mile of the lands surrounding Stonedance on Massey's Hook.
His sister seemed to have seen through his trap and would not take the bait. He knew she was aware of his comments, he had seen her bard informant scuttling off, but so far she had taken no action. That short time following his proclamation of his wife as the future and rightful Queen had brought some excitement at the very least. He had ordered the crews to man discreetly man and ready his fleet, all 66 ships were ready and waiting for any appearance of the royal fleet which he hoped his sister would send to take him into custody.
The Prince had no doubts about his ability to beat his sister's self styled ‘’royal fleet’’. Laena had made some efforts to combat Dragonstones supremacy in the Narrow Sea he knew, and immediately following her coronation she had ordered the construction of war galleys of her own in Kings Landing and could currently put 25 well made galleys to sea..
Jorys Vunatis, Lord of Bloodstone and his sister's Master of Ships would likely bring a further dozen from the Stepstones if called to lead the royal fleet.
That old Lyseni knew his way around a galley Vaekar had to admit begrudgingly, but even with that it would not be enough. Vaekar could outflout his sisters royal fleet nearly two to one, many of his crews were battle tested in the Stepstones, and Vaekar knew the narrow sea outside of Dragonstone like the back of his hand….if his sister sent her ships to Dragonstone he would send them to the bottom of the Narrow Sea and win a victory such as the realm had never seen and hopefully bring the great lords to his banner and cause.
He had also had to consider the possibility of his sister sending his niece Vaella and the dragon Narrah, or even accompanying the ships personally with Vhagar, but Vaekar thought it unlikely, his sister was no longer as bold as she had been in her youth, and with his twin sister Cymella not in the capitol, his sister would likely want to keep her favorite daughter close. The possibility still existed of course but the Prince would take that risk.
Eventually he had to admit the plan had not worked; however, he could not maintain his crews upkeep forever, and it was clear his sister had seen through his trap and he was forced to stand them down.
He expelled the thoughts from his mind, breathing in the cold foggy air, the Father would show him the way, and he would not allow doubts to seep into his mind on the Fathers very own feast day.
He and his small escort of two men made their way along the beach, the village of Derlyn slowly fading behind them. He wanted a quick walk before he returned to his keep for the feast, where hours of feasting in a stuffy, dark and damp hall awaited him, he needed a little fresh air to face that.
He sensed them right as one of his men-at-arms shouted a cry of alarm as they passed by a small dune along the beach, six dark figures armed to the teeth emerging from behind it.
‘’You'll be coming with us Prince.’’ One of them snarled in a tone that brooked no argument.
Vaekar said nothing at that, drawing Blackfyre from his sheath in a well practiced motion and the melee began.
They set upon his man-at-arms Vayon first, driving him away from his Prince and companion with a flurry of blows, downing him with a spear to the leg before putting a dagger through his eyes.
He and Nestar, his last surviving man, stood back to back and faced the onslaught. Nestar managed to down one attacker, an axemen with a thrust to the stomach but before he could withdraw his blade a sword stroke took him in the neck, showering the Prince with his blood as he fell to the ground.
The Prince slowly circled around on his haunches, like a cat ready to strike as the five attackers closed a circle around him, weapons drawn.
‘’Its over….lay down your sword.’’ The man that had put the dagger in Vayons eye shouted.
Vaekar had sensed their hesitation even before this, and the man's statement had confirmed his suspicions.
They were not sent to kill me Vaekar thought quickly.
He had no such reservations.
With a shout he lunged forward directly at those in front of him, surprising them who were not expecting one man to attack five. Shooting out an elbow he took the leader in the nose with a loud crack, sending him stumbling backwards with a curse.
Sensing movement behind him the Prince swiftly pivoted with a half turn, his sword tensed and at his side, he did not even have to swing as the sudden turn and motion of his body brought Blackfyre straight across the man's neck, who collapsed with a terrible gurgling noise.
A spearman thrust forward at Vaekars unprotected leg, but the Prince brought Blackfyre down, knocking the spearpoint to the ground. With a single motion he shot out a boot on the wooden shaft, pinning it to the ground before thrusting Blackfyre forward with a two handed jab, impaling the man through the heart all the way through the back..
Once again he sensed movement from behind him as one of the would be kidnappers advanced on him from behind, bringing the butt of his ax downwards towards the Prince's head.
Vaekar fell to the side, using the momentum of the fall to wrench Blackfyre through the dead man's chest, cutting through sinew and muscle as the ax butt flashed just inches from his head.
Before he could get too his feet and deal with the axeman another attacker with a spear charged from behind, Vaekar, still on his knees lashed forward like a serpent, grabbing the mans spear below the spear point and yanking it forward, sending the man stumbling through the sand right into the ax blow of his comrade, who caught him between the eyes with a meaty thunk.
Vaekar got to his feet. Where just moments before there had been six attackers, now there were but two, the axeman and what appeared to be the leader with a sword and a dagger. He could sense the fear in their eyes as the two men slowly circled him, one in front and one in the back.
The axeman brought his ax down in a butcher's cut, his apparent instructions to take the Prince alive forgotten in his fear and desperation, Vaekar darted to the side, but not quick enough to completely avoid the strike which lightly grazed his cheek.
The axeman launched another attack but Vaekar fared better this time, catching the axehead on Blackfyre with a ring of steel before swiftly punching out a hand, pushing him back, stumbling.
Vaekar raised Blackfyre high in the air and took a half step forward, but instead of pressing his advantage against the off balance man he swiftly turned behind him where the leader was creeping up behind him, hacking Blackfyre down in a vicious strike, taking the man's arm nearly completely off at the shoulder and continuing into the side of his ribs, the man clambered to the ground with a sudden jerk.
The axeman, who had regained his footing lost whatever courage he had possessed and scrambled away, leaving the bodies of the other five would be kidnappers in the sand.
The leader who had nearly lost his arm was still alive, holding a hand to the ruin of his shoulder trying in vain to staunch the flow of his life's blood, groaning and writhing in the sand.
Another man might have asked the dying man who sent them, or inquired as to the reason, but Vaekar needed no explanation, he knew who was behind this attempted kidnapping.
He walked over to the dying man and wordlessly thrust Blackfyre into the man's neck, ending his agony as well as his life.
A new plan is needed The Prince thought tiredly as he walked into the night towards the safety of Dragonstone.
It really is getting quite nasty between the Queen and the Prince. Very soon it is going to cross a threshold than results either in the death of one or some kind of revolt.
I just finished reading the entire thread and I want to say that I really like the story so far. I particularly like the way you roleplay the characters!
I can't wait to see if the rivalry between sister and brother will erupt in full fledged civil war! It would be surely interesting, although Vaekar is, I believe, without a dragon so his chances wouldn't be great right now.
Princess Lianna has gotten her mother the Queen to consider bringing the destructive Reach-Stormland war to an end. We will have to wait and see the results. Vassals are less willing to obey their liege's command to stop an inter vassal war if the war has going for a while and is going well for one side.
Prince Vaekar Targaryen in this chapter really reminds me of Stannis Baratheon. Both are men ruling over and brooding over their situation in Dragonstone. They are married to a woman named Selyse who they do not love. Both believe that they are the rightful king of Westeros, but they at least initially have little support outside Dragonstone because they have an ominous reputation caused by the slander of their enemies. And both are very stubborn men who will not give on their goal of claiming the Iron Throne.
Of course, there are major differences between Stannis Baratheon and Vaekar Targaryen. Stannis was not born as royalty, and he did not really personally desire to be king at the start. Vaekar was born as the king's only surviving son, he expected to be the heir, and he really personally desires to be the king. Vaekar is sincerely religious while Stannis is not.
Prince Vaekar is now ready to kick off a war against his sister by making treasonous statements and daring Laena to arrest him. He is trying to start a war of tyranny to depose Laena and is hoping that vassals that dislike the Queen will join him. However, any plan that is based on betting that Laena not sending her dragons after him at some point seems foolish to me. As Princess Lianna points out to her mother, the Crown can use different means of ruling the realm from the way that Laena is currently running things since the Crown can fall back on the dragons if people are foolish enough to rise up against the Iron Throne without dragons (or a strong enough dragon of their own). However, Vaekar seems determined to take the Iron Throne or die in the attempt.
Queen Laena saw though Vaekar's plan and tried to bypass it by kidnapping him, but Vaekar was too skilled a warrior for her thugs to capture. She has called for a Faceless man assassin. The obvious target is Prince Vaekar but the Queen had already ordered Vaekar's kidnapping before calling for a faceless man and she is not eager to simply kill her brother when she had the chance. One of the Lord Paramounts could be the target instead. It seems that Queen Laena would like for the various potentially dangerous Lord/Lady Paramounts to die and be replaced by child rulers who would pose little threat to the Iron Throne based on her reaction to Fiona Lannister's death. Of course, there will be a price that the Faceless men will demand and will Laena be able or willing to pay it?
Here are the prophetic dying dreams of Queen Nyel that may have been fulfilled so over.
She saw a young man with long silver hair on a beach surrounded by foes, standing alone and wielding dark flame.
This one is probably Prince Vaekar fighting off his kidnappers with the sword Blackfyre.
A set of bloodstained blue robes lay on the ground, the sad sound of a harp playing as the blood trickled into the dirt.
This one is probably the murder of the Blue Bard,
A young woman with silver hair and purple eyes falling into a white abyss, swallowed by mountains as pale as the moon.
This one is probably the death of Princess Syaella Targaryen in the Vale.
Bird feathers of half a hundred colors burned and smoldered, dancing in the flame.
This is probably the trade war against the Summer Islanders.
Turning, she saw a long wooden table in the shape of Westeros oozing blood from every pore until much of the table was covered in dark red crimson.
This could be all of the wars and fighting that Queen Laena is allowing to happen so far or it could refer to a larger civil war to come.
In a dark tent a woman with silver hair whispered something to a man with no face, the skulls of the dead staring at the woman with their hollow empty eyes.
This one is probably Queen Laena summoning a Faceless man.
A halfwitted girl walking down a flight of stairs into the darkness, a smile on her face as she marched to her death, screams echoing from below, a tall man with hair black as night and a face purple as a grape.
This one seems not yet fulfilled.
It really is getting quite nasty between the Queen and the Prince. Very soon it is going to cross a threshold than results either in the death of one or some kind of revolt.
It is, Laena is not someone that necassarily wants to kill members of her own family, but Vaekars next move will infuriate her so much she may reconsider her position on the best way to move forward.
I just finished reading the entire thread and I want to say that I really like the story so far. I particularly like the way you roleplay the characters!
I can't wait to see if the rivalry between sister and brother will erupt in full fledged civil war! It would be surely interesting, although Vaekar is, I believe, without a dragon so his chances wouldn't be great right now.
Vaekar certainly is at a disadvantage, one thing to note is Vaekar actually does own a dragon, Andalax, but it is still very small. Dragons in this mod have a certain chance of growing bigger at the end of each year, his dragon has gotten really unlucky with this and despite being probably around 20 years old at this point in the story, only has like 7-8 martial....long way to go before it can face Vhagar.
Prince Vaekar Targaryen in this chapter really reminds me of Stannis Baratheon. Both are men ruling over and brooding over their situation in Dragonstone. They are married to a woman named Selyse who they do not love. Both believe that they are the rightful king of Westeros, but they at least initially have little support outside Dragonstone because they have an ominous reputation caused by the slander of their enemies. And both are very stubborn men who will not give on their goal of claiming the Iron Throne.
Of course, there are major differences between Stannis Baratheon and Vaekar Targaryen. Stannis was not born as royalty, and he did not really personally desire to be king at the start. Vaekar was born as the king's only surviving son, he expected to be the heir, and he really personally desires to be the king. Vaekar is sincerely religious while Stannis is not.
Vaekar is certainly very stubborn for sure, one thing to keep in mind however is that he does have the genius trait, and he is capable of some level of comprimise.
Princess Lianna has gotten her mother the Queen to consider bringing the destructive Reach-Stormland war to an end. We will have to wait and see the results. Vassals are less willing to obey their liege's command to stop an inter vassal war if the war has going for a while and is going well for one side.
Prince Vaekar Targaryen in this chapter really reminds me of Stannis Baratheon. Both are men ruling over and brooding over their situation in Dragonstone. They are married to a woman named Selyse who they do not love. Both believe that they are the rightful king of Westeros, but they at least initially have little support outside Dragonstone because they have an ominous reputation caused by the slander of their enemies. And both are very stubborn men who will not give on their goal of claiming the Iron Throne.
Of course, there are major differences between Stannis Baratheon and Vaekar Targaryen. Stannis was not born as royalty, and he did not really personally desire to be king at the start. Vaekar was born as the king's only surviving son, he expected to be the heir, and he really personally desires to be the king. Vaekar is sincerely religious while Stannis is not.
Prince Vaekar is now ready to kick off a war against his sister by making treasonous statements and daring Laena to arrest him. He is trying to start a war of tyranny to depose Laena and is hoping that vassals that dislike the Queen will join him. However, any plan that is based on betting that Laena not sending her dragons after him at some point seems foolish to me. As Princess Lianna points out to her mother, the Crown can use different means of ruling the realm from the way that Laena is currently running things since the Crown can fall back on the dragons if people are foolish enough to rise up against the Iron Throne without dragons (or a strong enough dragon of their own). However, Vaekar seems determined to take the Iron Throne or die in the attempt.
Queen Laena saw though Vaekar's plan and tried to bypass it by kidnapping him, but Vaekar was too skilled a warrior for her thugs to capture. She has called for a Faceless man assassin. The obvious target is Prince Vaekar but the Queen had already ordered Vaekar's kidnapping before calling for a faceless man and she is not eager to simply kill her brother when she had the chance. One of the Lord Paramounts could be the target instead. It seems that Queen Laena would like for the various potentially dangerous Lord/Lady Paramounts to die and be replaced by child rulers who would pose little threat to the Iron Throne based on her reaction to Fiona Lannister's death. Of course, there will be a price that the Faceless men will demand and will Laena be able or willing to pay it?
Here are the prophetic dying dreams of Queen Nyel that may have been fulfilled so over.
She saw a young man with long silver hair on a beach surrounded by foes, standing alone and wielding dark flame.
This one is probably Prince Vaekar fighting off his kidnappers with the sword Blackfyre.
A set of bloodstained blue robes lay on the ground, the sad sound of a harp playing as the blood trickled into the dirt.
This one is probably the murder of the Blue Bard,
A young woman with silver hair and purple eyes falling into a white abyss, swallowed by mountains as pale as the moon.
This one is probably the death of Princess Syaella Targaryen in the Vale.
Bird feathers of half a hundred colors burned and smoldered, dancing in the flame.
This is probably the trade war against the Summer Islanders.
Turning, she saw a long wooden table in the shape of Westeros oozing blood from every pore until much of the table was covered in dark red crimson.
This could be all of the wars and fighting that Queen Laena is allowing to happen so far or it could refer to a larger civil war to come.
In a dark tent a woman with silver hair whispered something to a man with no face, the skulls of the dead staring at the woman with their hollow empty eyes.
This one is probably Queen Laena summoning a Faceless man.
A halfwitted girl walking down a flight of stairs into the darkness, a smile on her face as she marched to her death, screams echoing from below, a tall man with hair black as night and a face purple as a grape.
This one seems not yet fulfilled.
Hit the nail on the head with all of these, good insight. You are correct that those last 2 have not been seen....yet.
The next part of this chapter will open with another dream, though I will leave it to ones own interpretation as to whether it is prophetic or simply a dream.
Lianna, Vaekar, Alyssane....there certainly are a lot of people Laena has some reason to be concerned about....and more to come, though as potential threats emerge, others also leave the scene.
-To all, thank you for the comments/feedback. Have been on vacation so the next part of this chapter will be a while in coming out. Thought I would quickly share a little thing I am going to implement into the story. One of my regrets about my last AAR is that my dynasty got too big to keep track of (300+ members), while I dont forsee it getting to this level with the Targaryens(no concubines) I would like to keep the immediate Targaryen family fairly small (Ideally under 50-60), an idea I had to accomplish this is that from now on, Targaryens with the proud/ambitious trait (or in situations where it makes sense)will be given their own branch of the family with their own personalized sigil and regenerating weak claims to the throne for the head of that family (we are not that far off from the point where the Targaryen family may start to branch off for the first, but certainly not the last time).
Hopefully this keeps the immediate Targaryen family small while also adding some interesting Blackfyre equivelents to the story. If anyone has any insight into this idea as well as any other traits that could trigger this feel free to share. There will be another pretty big(albeit temporary) change coming to the story ill share at the end of the 2nd part of this chapter.
GRRM is known for shrinking the sizes of certain Great Houses with diseases, accidents, civil war, younger chilldren being sent to celibacy requiring orders such as the Night's Watch or Citadel or Kingsguard or priesthood to keep the number of people in alive at one time in a centuries or supposedly several millennia old noble house countable on your hands instead of being in the hundreds.
If you are going to do this cadet house plan, it would be probably good to take inspiration from the CK3 rules that allow a character to create a cadet house. The CK3 rules are that landed house members can create their own cadet house if they are not the current House head, must be an adult, must have Feudal or Clan government, not third or closer in line of succession to any of the current House Head's titles, no living ancestors belong to current house, not a bastard, men have to be married if in a female-dominated faith, women have to be married if in a male-dominated faith, married characters have to be in a patrilineal (if male) or matrilineal (if female) marriage.
Bastards who receive land will create their own house. If a House Head demands the religious conversion of a House member and the member refuses, it will result in the creation of a new Cadet Branch.
I do not think proud or the ambitious trait alone would be enough to justify the creation of a cadet house. Plenty of Targaryens are proud and/or are ambitious but that does not mean they wished to establish their own house.
I do not think proud or the ambitious trait alone would be enough to justify the creation of a cadet house. Plenty of Targaryens are proud and/or are ambitious but that does not mean they wished to establish their own house.
GRRM is known for shrinking the sizes of certain Great Houses with diseases, accidents, civil war, younger chilldren being sent to celibacy requiring orders such as the Night's Watch or Citadel or Kingsguard or priesthood to keep the number of people in alive at one time in a centuries or supposedly several millennia old noble house countable on your hands instead of being in the hundreds.
I do not think proud or the ambitious trait alone would be enough to justify the creation of a cadet house. Plenty of Targaryens are proud and/or are ambitious but that does not mean they wished to establish their own house.
Yeah there are some flaws to this at least gameplay wise though I could likely fix it with the console. The way I forsee it happening is two different circumstances, proud and ambitious Targaryens may make their own sigil (a new house in game) but within the story they will still be seen as legitimate Targaryens and not as an entirely new house(I can always add them back to the Targaryen family with the house customizer trait), on the other hand bastard Targaryens will create their own houses but wont be looked on in the same light within the story and will be seen as basically a completely new house. Also I recently installed the colors galore mod(ignore any of the ugly essos houses, ill fix them if they become vassals) and I think I can make some pretty cool looking Targaryen sigils for proud/ambitious Targs.
Obviously some things to clean up with this idea but its worth noting that ive played ahead to 98 AC and havent utilized it yet, though there will be some bastard Targaryen branches popping up.
Next Chapter will be posted later today, I went a little overboard so it is a long one but its my favorite chapter ive written so far.
11th Moon, 63 AC
Plains outside Dalston Keep, South of King's Landing
The Iron Throne loomed above her in the dark hall, the faint beginnings of the morning light shining through the high paned windows of the throne room in the Red Keep.
She made her way towards the throne as she had dozens of times, feeling the cold marble on her bare feet as she ascended the proud steps to the conqueror's throne.
She reached out to the throne slowly, her fingers softly touching the cold metal steel of the blades that adorned the throne, pulling herself towards it.
Suddenly a force was at her feet, pulling her, dragging her down the cold steps, she shouted as she fell down to the floor, a ringing in her head and the taste of blood in her mouth.
With horror she raised her arm and saw blood, her blood flowing from her arm and hands, dark red crimson onto the smooth marble floor, pooling and congealing in front of her eyes.
She felt eyes upon her and looked up, a vague figure ascended the stairs to the throne, her throne, his silver hair shining in the pale morning rays.
There were others beside her, though they paid her no mind. A lion bowed its head as the man ascended the stairs to the throne slowly, while another figure of shadow knelt and extended a flaming spear towards the throne.
A crown for a King said another figure armored in green and gold as the man sat upon the throne, a crown of rubies upon his head, with others in the hall taking up the chant.
She forced herself to look up to the throne, to this thief, the usurper who dared sit upon her throne, but he wasn't alone.
A pair of dark eyes emerged from the shadow and a dragon as purple as the blackest night emerged from behind the throne, roaring.
Laena awoke with a start, her heart pounding, drenched in sweat.
A dream….nothing more…a nightmare Laena thought, sitting up from the bed and steadying herself, the smell of morning dew heavy on the air as she opened the tent entrance, hoping the cold air would steady her nerves.
‘’Is aught amiss your Grace?’’ One of her servants asked, no doubt seeing the expression on the Queen's face, to which Laena nodded her head and waved her off to prepare her breakfast.
Even though her heart had ceased its rapid beating, the dream perturbed her more than she would have cared to admit. The figure that had ascended her throne had been vague as if made of shadow…but one thing had been clear, the usurper had been a man and a Targaryen one at that.
She had not been able to get a good look at the figure, though she had a good idea of who it had represented….she did however get a good look at the dragon. There was only one dragon alive with the distinct dark purple coloring….her brother Vaekars dragon Andalax.
Andalax is no threat Laena thought, further confirming that it was just a dream rather than prophecy, according to latest reports Andalax was still less than 10 feet in length,little more than a sparrow compared to Vhagar….not to mention her husbands dragon Oathwing and her daughter Vaellas dragon Narrah, all fully grown and bound to her cause.
Pushing the nightmare from her mind she broke her fast with a light meal of a single hard boiled egg, a flagon of cold water and an oatmeal of chopped apples and sugar. Despite her rather slothful nature, Laena had never been an indulgent woman and credited her temperance for her health, even after birthing six children and the fast approaching of her 40th name day.
As she broke her fast her mind once again wandered back to the dream.A woman of Laena’s intelligence of course knew that some with the blood of the dragon were blessed….or cursed with prophetic dreams….Daenys the Dreamer, her ancestor had foresaw the coming doom of Valyria, prompting the Targaryens to abandon their home in Valyria and take shelter on Dragonstone. At the forefront of those with the gift was her own mother.
She knew her mother Nyel had been afflicted with such prophetic dreams even from childhood, and her mother had told her many times of the dream she had shortly before her father, Aegon the Conqueror, had been lost at sea. Laena had never before had a prophetic dream however and she thought it unlikely she would have one so late in life. Furthermore the images in her dream further convinced her this was a dream born of stress rather than prophecy. The lion no doubt represented the Lannisters and the flaming spear was the sigil of the Martells. The Lannister boy was merely 8 years of age however, and the Martells would soon be bound by marriage by her daughter Larrisa and her hand of the king's son Rhodry.
A dream….nothing more Laena told herself once more confidently, she was simply stressed after those incompetent thugs had failed to capture her brother on Dragonstone, she put the thoughts of the matter aside once again, resolving to give the matter no more thought.
She would have liked to enjoy the quiet of the morning for a while longer, but a busy day meant a busy morning.
Lianna was the first to come right as she was finishing her breakfast. As Master of Laws the upcoming peace council had been largely planned by her, something Laena was content to let her daughter handle….she had her own plans that needed her overseeing.
From the beginning there had been conflict relating to the location of the peace council. Aumary Tyrell had of course suggested Highgarden, while Raymont Baratheon had all but demanded it be held at Storm's End, stating the only circumstance that he would find himself under the walls of Highgarden was with an army at his back and the only peace offer he would bring with him would be delivered by trebuchet.
Lianna had found a compromise in this, suggesting the peace council be held on neutral territory in the Crownlands, but not so close to Kings Landing that suggested the threat of royal interference. As Queen, it was within Laenas authority to command her vassals to the negotiating table if she was overseeing it, being akin to a royal summons, but the terms of the negotiation and potential peace could only be agreed upon by the Lords Paramount.
In the end the area around Dalston Keep had been agreed upon due to its proximity to the front lines, though due to the small size of the castle, Lianna had decided to hold the council on the grassy plains some miles away from the castle as to not strain the resources of House Gaunt, with the crown paying for all expenses of the council as a gesture of good faith, a foolish expense in Laenas mind, but she acquiesced, the benefits of this council were worth a few gold dragons.
Her daughter spent the better part of an hour briefing her on what was to come, and not with much subtlety requesting her mother simply remain silent and leave the talking to her, which Laena agreed to, more to end her daughters audience than anything else, she had much to attend to before the meeting the next morning.
Lianna as was her nature had clearly been somewhat suspicious of all of her mothers concessions and had even gone so far as to ask Laena if she was planning anything which the Queen had denied of course, stating she was content to let Lianna handle the finer points of the council.
Before leaving her daughter did inform her that Cymella had arrived that morning with a small escort from Storms End, to which Laena commanded her daughter to summon her to her tent, there was much to discuss.
Half an hour later her sister arrived, wearing a loose fitting black dress with splendid silver stitching, though it was not lost on Laena that her sister had gained weight since the birth of her daughter Marena.
‘’I am pleased to hear your birth went well….the girl is healthy?’’ Laena questioned to Cymella, who was still standing in the entrance of the tent.
Her sister said nothing but gave a short stiff nod.
The Queen gestured to an open chair at her table facing her to which Cymella quietly made her way to and sat down.
‘’Shall I have them bring in the first course…..buttered bread and clay baked salmon….you must be famished after your journe….’’ Laena began but her sister cut her off.
‘’Did you kill him?’’ Cymella demanded coldly.
Laena was silent at that….the familial smile slowly disappearing from her face.
‘’I do not appreciate such accusations Cymella…….’’ Laena said, taking a sip of cold water.
‘’Dont play the fool with me….did you kill him….I will have an answer.’’ Cymella said sternly.
Laena found herself growing annoyed with her younger sister's insolence, but given the delicate manner of the situation she forced her annoyance back.
She shook her head after a moment.
‘’I did not kill your bard Cymella.’’ She said curtly.
‘’Then who did?’’ Cymella asked, the coldness still heavy in her tone.
‘’I am sure you have heard the circumstances of his death…..I have little else to offer on the matter….the Black Bard reports that your Blue Bard was involved in an amorous relationship with the wife of a wealthy tradesman in Stags Den…..the man found out….you know the rest….he was slain after leaving a tavern.’’ Laena replied.
Cymella snorted ‘’I know the story….I have heard the tale being bandied about in the winesinks….the truth on the other hand…..’’
‘’I see you still have your doubts.’’ Laena said.
‘’Of course I do….I know you.’’ Cymella said venomously.
Laena was silent at that for a moment before responding, holding her temper in check ‘’I will not say I had any love for the man…especially not after I learned about your pregnancy in the days following his death….if the man had returned I would have gelded him….but I did not kill him.’’
Cymella was silent at that.
‘’Tell me sweet sister…..he was slain in Stags Den, just outside the gates of Storms End where you had retired to the birthing bed….did he send a raven to you…informing you of his coming….as any lover would do?’’
Cymella was silent once again but he saw a flash of doubt pass through her eyes.
Laena went in for the kill ‘’He grew tired of you Cymella….don't act as if you didn't know the man's reputation….he was well known amongst the ladies of the realm…adorned in silks and scents and oils, you were not the first noblewoman to be used by him….’’
Her sister said nothing, staring at the table.
Laena gently placed her hand on her sisters.
‘’Look at me.’’ She commanded, and Cymella did as she was bid.
‘’I did not kill your bard…..you have my word.’’ Laena said.
Her sister studied her blankly with her purple eyes, not a trace of what she was thinking betrayed in her expression.
At last her sister simply nodded.
‘’Your dalliance with the bard was foolish Cymella….but as a gesture of good faith and forgiveness that I do not bear you any ill will….I have a proposal for you.’’ Laena said, happy to have the matter of the bard behind her.
‘’What proposal?’’ Cymella asked, slowly pouring herself a cup of wine.
‘’I wish to offer a betrothal…..one between my daughter Daeoril and your boy Boros…they are both young but in time…..just as we are bonded, so too must our children be…let our alliance continue.’’ Laena said.
She saw that had piqued her sisters interest, a betrothal with one of Laenas daughters was the best match she could have hoped for her son Boros, especially with the rumors that would no doubt circulate throughout the realm regarding the circumstances of Cymellas illegitimate daughter Marena would likely surround the young Boros Baratheon.
‘’I am….interested in such a match….but my loutish husband will never agree to the match….he loves you not after failing to command Lord Tyrell to step down at the beginning of the war…and outside of this….when he sees my daughter….he will know Laena…he knows now..’’ Cymella said, and Laena detected hints of fear in her voice, she still bore a token of Raymont Baratheons ‘’affection’’ as evidenced by her still crooked nose which he had broken years earlier.
‘’You needn't fear Cymella….for yourself…or your daughter.’’ Laena said softly.
Cymella snorted ‘’And why is that’’
‘’Because’’ Laena began slowly ‘’Your Lord Husband will not live forever.’’
A silence hung over the tent as a look of understanding passed through her sister's face.
‘’What is your answer?’’ Laena asked once again, breaking the silence.
‘’I….accept.’’ Cymella said finally.
Laena raised her cup above the table towards her sister, and after a moment's hesitation Cymella raised hers.
‘’To the House of the Dragon.’’ Laena said with a soft smile as they toasted.
It was dusk by the time her sister left, and as loathe as she was, Laena had to attend to one more piece of business before the following day.
She summoned Alaric, the Black Bard, her spymaster who arrived shortly after.
‘’Well?’’ Laena asked immediately as he entered the tent.
‘’It has been seen to your Grace…..we have more than enough…..everything is arranged’’ The bard answered.
‘’Who?’’ Laena demanded
‘’Lord Tarly and his brother Ser Grance, Lord Peake, Lord Florent….Lord Osgrey as well, but he is not aware of the entirety of it…..Lord Hightower has given us some assurances as well.’’ The Bard stated.
Laena nodded her approval ‘’Good…good, that should be more than enough….’’
A servant discreetly entered the tent and told something to the Black Bard, whose face grew rather pale.
‘’Your Grace…’’ The man began, and Laena understood at once.
‘’Send him in….and get the chests.’’ She commanded.
The Bard nodded and rather hastily made his exit as a hooded figure entered the tent from the darkness outside.
The very air within the tent seemed to grow colder with the figure's entrance, and Laena was not entirely sure it was because of the briefly opened tent flap. She gave a glance at the hooded figure but could see little beneath the hood which was shrouded in darkness, seeing so little it might have been as if he had no face at all.
‘’Do you have what was agreed upon?’’ The figure said in a soft voice, neither harsh or gentle, masculine or feminine, or kind or cruel.
Laena nodded ‘’A significant price…but one which has been paid…..such a price means I am expecting guaranteed success.’’
The figure said nothing to that, but slowly walked towards her, the light from the torches flickering as he walked by, in spite of herself, Laena took a step backwards, it was clear she was in the presence of sorcery.
‘’The god of death shall have his due…that is certain….the many faced god shall have his due and a man must have a name.’’
Ignoring the goosebumps shivering down her spine she leaned close to the man, feeling cold emanating from the man's hood, a cold which set the very hairs on her neck standing up.
She whispered a name.
The figure nodded and stepped back.
‘’Valar Morghulis.’’ The figure said simply, turning to leave.
Laena watched the hooded man walk towards the exit, his footfalls making no noise.
‘’Wait.’’ Laena commanded, her voice surprising even herself.
The hooded man turned.
‘’Who are you……I would look upon your face.’’ Laena commanded, doing her best to ignore the onset of goosebumps once again, she needed to know who she was dealing with….what she was dealing with.
The hooded man removed his hood wordlessly.
If Laena had been expecting a demon, she was disappointed. The man was utterly and completely unassuming,young with short brown curls, the hint of a mustache and brown eyes, plain in a peasant sort of way.
‘’A man is no one.’’ The figure said simply before disappearing into the night as the birds and crickets of the night sang their song, heavy with the promise of death.
The Next Morning
Princess Lianna made another round past the pavilions, breathing in the cold frosty morning air to calm her nerves.
She had been up since before dawn, making preparations and ensuring that was all in order for the upcoming negotiations between Raymont Baratheon and Aumary Tyrell that would be held later that morning under her oversight. It was to be the Princesses first real test as Master-of-Laws and she had resolved to spare no effort to ensure that things went smoothly.
As one might expect a good deal of stress came about with organizing such an important event. From the get go she had experienced difficulty, first with establishing the location of the negotiations, and then with convincing both men to stand down their armies temporarily and withdraw them to their own territory away from the frontlines to ensure the fighting ceased during negotiations, with the Tyrell levies withdrawing to Roseford and the Baratheons to Nightsong, if she failed to broker a peace they would soon be at eachothers throats once again and the death would continue.
The temperament of Lords Tyrell and Lords Baratheon were also of concern. Lord Tyrell was by far the more reasonable of the two, possessing a good sense of humor and an easy going smile, he would no doubt keep to his courtesies during the course of the negotiations. That was not to say he would not pose any problems, as any good master-of-laws would, Lianna had diligently studied and inquired about the men she was to bring to the negotiating table and had learned much about both of them. Lord Tyrell, while polite and easy going was a deceitful man whos word could not be fully trusted, and furthermore possessed a ruthless spirit, as evidenced by his sacking of the Harvest Town in the Dornish Marches, he was greedy as well, and would likely be loathe to part with any concessions to end the war. What's more it was common knowledge the man was rallying support to the cause and claim of his wife Alyssane Targaryen.
I must not underestimate him Lianna reminded herself, Lord Tyrell would no doubt put on an amiable and friendly air in an attempt to gain favor against the boorish Raymont Baratheon but she must keep it in the back of her mind that the man was plotting treason against the Throne…he was no friend of hers.
Raymont Baratheon, her husband's brother, posed a different sort of problem. While the man could be possessing of a sense of humor and was well liked amongst his Stormlords and retainers, this social competency only extended to his friends. Raymont was known for having a fearsome temper and Lianna had prepared herself to be the target of it, there was little love between Baratheon and the crown since her mother ignored his request at the war's beginning to order Lord Tyrell to stand down. Lianna knew the extent of the man's temper, one only had to look at the nose of her aunt Cymella to gauge that….. she would need to do her best to keep the man calm, she had no wish to endure a shouting match between two powerful lords. She hoped the fact that she was the man's own sister-by-law by her husband Ronnal Baratheon would count for something, but when she had spoken with her husband on the best way to deal with her brother, he had stated that his brother was not one who could be ‘’dealt’’ with or tempered, and the only advice he could offer was to not get him angry and speak honestly and to the point, flowery language would not work in her favor.
Even with these two powerful lords in mind, they were the least of Liannas worries….her greatest worry had to do with her own mother. Lianna, unlike many of her sisters had not spent her childhood on Dragonstone with her mother and instead in the capitol with her grandparents and sister Jaehaera, and this meant that Lianna could not read her mother quite as well as her other sisters, but there was something about her demeanor that aroused her suspicion. Her mother, normally obstinate and angry at any and everything had proved to be surprisingly reasonable during the preparations for the council, being content to leave her to deal with the specifics and scarcely challenging any of her decisions, Lianna knew her mother well enough to know how odd this was and it filled her with no small amount of anxiety, if peace was to be brought to the realm she needed her mother to cooperate….which meant simply keeping her mouth shut.
Not for the first time Laena found herself missing her late sister Syaella, her sister had been growing into a reasonable young woman, gifted with words, and unlike Lianna, her mother had actually listened and heeded her advice, she had been the only one that had been able to make Laena listen to reason…except for Vaella, but Lianna would never be able to trust her younger sisters judgement…not after her role in that barbarous and unjust slaughter they called a trade war in the Summer Isles….no, she was alone, left alone to face whatever her mother was planning.
She felt a gentle squeeze on her hand and looked down, seeing her younger 12 year old sister and ward Larrisa taking her hand in her own.
‘’You always squint your eyes when you're nervous.’’ Larissa said gently.
Lianna had to smile at that before nodding slowly ‘’I am nervous…..’’ She admitted.
‘’You shouldnt be….youve worked so hard for months….it will all work out.’’ Her sister replied fiercely.
Lianna said nothing to that, simply smiling and running a hand through her sister's silver hair, her confidence restored.
‘’Come….they will be arriving soon.’’ Lianna said before the two of them made their way towards the place where the negotiations were to take place.
Her aides had suggested separate pavilions be built for each of the great lords, but Lianna found it impractical to have them all shouting across to a different pavilion, settling instead on a large table, with herself, her mother, Larissa, and her husband and commander of the Dragoncloaks Ronnal Baratheon sitting at the head of the table while Lords Tyrell and Baratheon each would take opposite sides. Behind each area of the table a large banner blew in the wind, rich gold and black stags for the Baratheons, green and gold roses for the Tyrells and a red and black dragon for her own house.
It had been agreed upon that Lord Tyrell and Lord Baratheon would each only bring some 30 trusted retainers and household knights with them, Lianna did not want to turn the negotiations into an armed camp. Beside the main table was a larger one with space for all the retainers and household knights, so that they might break bread together, which Lianna hoped would serve to bring about a spirit of peace and begin to mend the hostilities that would no doubt linger on between the Stormlands and the Reach even if a peace was agreed upon.
To her surprise she found her mother was the first of the notables to arrive, already seated at the head of the table when she returned,all her her Kingsguard save Ser Wyllis Wells, who had remained in the capitol with Daeoril and Jaehara, standing behind her, their white cloaks blowing in the wind, in stark contrast to the nearby black and red Targaryen banner,
‘’Mother…..if this is to have any chance of working you must leave the talking to m..’’ Lianna began.
‘’Ive heard you the first dozen times Lianna….I shall be as silent as the grave.’’ Her mother said hotly and Lianna nodded her head, hoping her mother was sincere.
Her mother then seemed to notice Larrisa standing beside her for the first time and shook her head.
‘’No…I won't have her here.’’ Her mother said sternly.
Larissa took offense at that, recoiling as if slapped and stepped forward as if to shout at her mother, Lianna quickly grabbed her by the shoulders and gently pulled her back, no good could come of that.
‘’How is she to learn if she does not watch.’’ Lianna questioned.
Laena snorted at that ‘’She is a child….these negotiations are between two grown men….one a traitor and the other a violent wifebeater, no place for a girl of 12, I won't take the risk of her saying something…furthermore there will be talk of war no doubt…..your sister has a gentle heart…hearing such things would no doubt upset her.’’
‘’They would not upset me.’’ yelled Larrisa, quite upset.
‘’I have made my decision….that is final….Ser Androw, see my daughter safely back to her tent ’’ Her mother commanded and Ser Androw Hollard of the Kingsguard nodded.
‘’I will tell you all about it when it's done.’’ Lianna said gently, but her sister had already stormed off.
Lianna studied her mother, her suspicions rekindled, but before she could question her mother, the herald announced the coming of Lord Tyrell and his retinue.
Lord Aumary Tyrell was dressed in a simple brown jerkin and a heavy cloak of green velvet, the rose of his house stitched in golden thread, though most noticeably he wore an amiable smile, just as Lianna suspected he would.
‘’Your Grace….Princess.’’ The man said, approaching the head of the table, bowing his head.
‘’Lord Tyrell.’’ Lianna responded in greeting.
‘’How good of you to call this council….far too often one is not given the chance to meet with one's foe in the midst of a war, I am of course glad that the Crown has presented us with this opportunity.’’ The man lied.
‘’How fares my lady sister?’’ Her mother asked matter-of-factly.
Lord Tyrell smiled ‘’How good of you to ask…..truly….she is well, I received word just days ago that she has taken to the birthing bed…from the way she is carrying the Maester believes it to be a boy.’’
Lianna could not bring herself to lie and congratulate the man, she was not blind to the fact that the only thing Lord Tyrell was missing in pressing his wife Alyssanes claim was an heir apparent, should her aunt give birth to a son that would further draw the lords of the realm to her cause. With all these things in mind, Lianna simply smiled faintly, deception was not her strong suit.
‘’That is good to hear…truly…I do hope it is not another stillborn.’’ Her mother said, a thin smile on her own face.
She saw something pass through Lord Tyrell's eyes, briefly but the man managed to keep his smile ‘’I thank you for your well wishes….I had best see myself seated, I see Lord Raymont is finally arrived.’’
‘’That was poorly done.’’ Lianna chastised her mother as the man left but her mother did not deign to respond, simply sipping on a glass of ice water.
Lord Raymont was next to approach. As most Baratheons, the man was tall and broad shouldered, but none would ever call him comely. Unlike Lord Tyrell who hid his emotions behind a smile, there was clearly anger written on the man's sullen and unsmiling face.
He gave a nod to his brother Ronnel, Liannas husband and commander of the Dragon Cloaks, Lianna stepped forward to greet him but the man completely ignored her, walking past, right in front of the Queen.
‘’Your Grace.’’ The man said, giving the stiffest of head bows, angered or not Lord Raymont was familiar with the expected courtesies.
‘’Lord Raymont.’’ Her mother replied.
‘’It is good of you to finally take an interest in this war….though it has come far too late in my opinion…it would have been better served at the beginning of the conflict…not when thousands of my people are dead and wounded….my lands have paid a heavy price for your indecision……your Grace’’ He said with thinly veiled contempt.
She saw a look of anger pass through her mothers eyes but thankfully she kept her cool ‘’My daughter is master-of-laws and will be overseeing these negotiations….if you have something to say you will address her…I am merely here to observe.’’
He turned to her, seemingly noticing her for the first time, towering over the rather diminutive princess.
She cleared her throat ‘’Lord Baratheon…it is true that this conflict was handled poorly….for that you have my sincere regrets….I cannot return life to your dead, but I give you my word that I will do all I can to see this war ended and the return of the Queen's peace.’’
Lord Baratheon glared at her for a moment before nodding slightly and turning to leave.
Rather suddenly he turned back to her.
‘’Tell me Princess…..as Master-of-Laws I am sure you are familiar with the law of six, established by your own ancestor….the Princess Rhaenys.’’ He said.
‘’I am my Lord’’ Princess Lianna said hesitantly.
‘’Then remind me if you will how many times a man is entitled to bear the rod against an unfaithful wife…as a form of chastisement.’’He said.
‘’I….six times my Lord.’’ Princess Lianna said meekly, in spite of herself stumbling over her words.
The Lord of Storm's End nodded slowly at that and gave a not so subtle look towards the tent of Princess Cymella upon the hill and wordlessly turned and made his way to the section of the table under the Baratheon banner.
Lord Tyrell was the first to speak ‘’If we are ready to begin….Princess…my Lord, I would like to present these documents….in them you will find adequate evidence…proofs that the lords of the Dornish Marches traditionally swore fealty to the Lords of the Reach…those lands and all their incomes are mine by right….and my House is entitled to them.’’
‘’What you are entitled to is my fist to your teeth……’’ Raymont Baratheon scoffed angrily.
‘’Lord Baratheon…enough….Lord Tyrell, while these documents do show that the Marcher lords did once swear their fealty to the Gardener Kings of the Reach for a time…that time has passed, not only are you not a Gardener, but upon my great grandsires conquest of the Kingdoms he considered the borders of each Kingdom to be fixed and settled….the Dornish Marches are the rightful territory of the Kingdom of the Stormlands, along with all its incomes and vassalage.’’ Lianna said, careful to keep her tone polite.
Lord Tyrell nodded slowly ‘’I find the crowns position to be regrettable Princess…but I shall respect your decision…I would be willing to explore other possible solutions and bring an end to this war, providing the terms of such an agreement are fair.’’
Lianna had been anticipating this, Lord Tyrell was intelligent enough to know he had no true leverage to demand the Marches, the war was not necessarily in his favor despite his victory at Blackhaven and his occupation of Nightsong and Harvest Hall. A settlement of gold and silver was likely the best outcome he could hope for, as it would allow him to save face and replenish his armies to focus on Alyssanes claim, ending a war that had clearly been more difficult than he had been anticipating.
Lianna, not for the first time felt a stab of doubt, this outcome was no doubt exactly what Aumary Tyrell wanted, and she was going to offer it to him on a silver platter, giving him gold to win lords to his cause and the opportunity for him to replenish his weakened armies.
The fighting and death must end Lianna reminded herself, she would find a way to deal with Lord Tyrell and her aunt at a later date, but it was her duty to end the bloodletting that was afflicting the kingdoms, no matter the consequences.
‘’And what kind of terms would these be?’’ Lord Baratheon said, squinting.
‘’A significant payment of gold and silver…the amount to be determined…I for one would consider a payment of….’’ Lord Tyrell began but Raymont Baratheon was already shaking his head.
‘’You have some nerve…some nerve to make demands….it was you WHO STARTED THIS DAMNED WAR IN THE FIRST PLACE.’’ he said, his voice rising to a shout at the end.
Lianna quickly intervened before things got any uglier ‘’Lord Baratheon, it is true that while Lord Tyrell was flawed in his reasoning in beginning this war, you hold no small amount of responsibility in the devastation and bloodshed that this war has brought the realm, your sack of the city of Ashford was above anything the forces of the Reach engaged in even when considering their assault of the Harvest Town, Lord Tyrell sieged Nightsong into submission with little bloodshed, while you ordered the storming of the castles Peakes Bridge and Holly Hall, leading to the deaths of hundreds on both sides, the Stormlands are not the only region that has suffered in the fighting.’’
‘’I have more men in the field than Tyrell….I have captured more of his castles….if you believe a tribute of gold and silver is the fairest way to put an end to this war…Lord Tyrell will be the one paying it…or I will be taking my own recompense from the vaults of Highgarden.’’ Raymont said hotly.
Before Lianna could respond to that, Lord Tyrell was the one to speak, raising his arms slowly.
‘’I see this is a point of contention between us my Lord.’’ He began before yelling to one of his servants, just another face among the crowd ‘’Get Lord Raymont a cup of the finest Arbor Gold, from my own cask.’’
The Lord of the Stormlands watched Lord Tyrell suspiciously ‘’If you think I will be appeased with a cup of wine….’’
‘’I simply wish to make something clear my Lord….all good negotiations involve a drink.’’ Aumary Tyrell said as the servant poured Lord Baratheon a cup.
Raymont Baratheon gave Lord Tyrell another suspicious glance but drank deep from the cup.
‘’Did you enjoy it my Lord….how was the taste?’’ Lord Tyrell asked with a smile.
Raymont Baratheon grunted ‘’For all your flaws you Reachmen know your wines…..its your one redeeming quality.’’
Lord Tyrell laughed lightly before the smile slowly faded from his face ‘’I am glad you enjoyed it my Lord….now allow me to clarify something…in the spirit of honest negotiation….that is the only tribute you shall be receiving from me….I do hope you enjoyed it.’’
Raymont Baratheon rose to his feet in an instant, his muscled hands gripping the table until they turned red ‘’You would make a mockery of me….I will not stand to be insulted…. I WILL NOT STAND IT.’’
‘’Then sit.’’ Lord Tyrell quipped, eliciting a laugh from his retainers.
Lianna was about to interject, things were going poorly and if she did not calm the situation soon then things could spiral out of control.
Lord Baratheon was about to say something, his face red with anger but as he opened his mouth to no doubt roar some obscenity at the Lord of Highgarden, all that came out was a thunderdome cough.
He coughed again, louder this time, attempting to clear his throat.
‘’Lord Baratheon….are you alright….Lord Raymont’’ Lianna asked, slowly rising to her feet as the Baratheon retinue began rising from their chairs with concern.
Raymont Baratheon tried to answer, but all that came out was a croak as he gripped the table even harder, trying to open his mouth but all that came out was a wine colored trail of spittle as he continued hacking, his face as dark and purple as a grape.
Her husband Ronnel ran to his brother, pounding him hard on the back, but that only served to make the man cough louder, at this point Lianna could scarcely hear anything over the screams and shouts.
Her husband delivered another hard hit to his brothers back, hoping to dislodge whatever was caught in his throat, but Raymonts strength was fast leaving him and his legs gave out just as his brother hit him in the back, the tall man collapsed to the ground, his head slamming against the table hard with a thud.
He fell to the ground with a coughing groan and began convulsing, a frothy red spittle on his face like a beard.
After a long shuddering gasp the Lord of Storm's End grew still.
A terrible silence followed immediately as all those involved looked around, unsure of what was to come next, Lord Aumary Tyrell was still sitting, dumbfounded with his mouth slightly open, looking at the body.
It was the Queen who broke the silence.
She slowly rose to her feet and extended a hand, pointing at something…at someone.
‘’SEIZE HIM.’’ She shouted, pointing a finger at the still sitting Lord Aumary Tyrell.
Her mothers Kingsguard had their swords drawn in an instant, as Raymont Baratheons men joined them as the Reachman, many of them still sitting in shock fumbled for their weapons. Lianna saw her husband Ronnel, still leaning over the corpse of his brother slowly close Raymonts Baratheons eyes, touch his amulet to the father and draw his sword, his Dragoncloaks close behind him.
Some of the Reachman drew their swords and attempted to fight their way to their Lord, while others realizing the hopelessness of the situation quickly threw theirs down.
As the clash of swords and steel rang out, Lianna tried to open her mouth to say something…anything to stop the fighting, but nothing came out.
Her husband advanced towards Aumary Tyrell, who was still sitting bewildered and roughly pulled him from his chair, the Lord of Highgarden still too stunned to speak, his face pale.
Lianna, her blood cold and hands slightly shaking from what she had just witnessed, slowly turned towards her mother who had returned to her seat, and for a single moment Lianna thought she saw the faintest hint of a smile on her mothers face.
3rd Moon, 64 AC
Throne Room of the Red Keep, Kings Landing
Queen Laena sat upon the Iron Throne, overlooking the throne room which was packed as her courtiers, guards and various Lords from both the Stormlands and the Reach as well as their retainers had gathered had come to witness the trial of Lord Aumary Tyrell who stood accused of murder and the poisoning of Raymont Baratheon, the Lord of Storm's End.
Below the throne two tables had been set up. Lord Aumary Tyrell sat at the first, due to his standing as a High Lord he was not chained or bound by her daughter Liannas decree, though Ser Allard Caffren and Lord Commander Bryce Woyne of the Kingsguard stood behind him in full armor and plate. The Lord of Highgarden looked clean if nervous, wearing a black doublet with a golden rose stitched into it, her daughter had made the decision to confine him to a Tower Cell above the dungeons, claiming that his status as a High Lord afforded him a certain degree of comfort.
At the other table sat her sister, Cymella who had been married to Lord Raymont, she would represent the Stormlands in the trial, and with Laenas support had built a strong case against the Lord of Highgarden. Her daughter Lianna stood immediately beside the throne, as Master-of-Laws, overseeing the trial was her responsibility.
Queen Laena returned her attention to the testimony of Lord Braxton Florent of soft spoken man of 40 who was serving as a witness for the Princess Cymella against his own liege lord.
‘’Repeat your testimony once more if you will Lord Florent, for the scribe.’’ Lianna asked.
Lord Florent nodded ‘’Certainly princess…..the conversation in question took place shortly before my liege lord left Roseford for the peace negotiations….I expressed a doubt that we had enough leverage to secure favorable terms from Baratheon, and suggested we might take to the field and attempt to retake Ashford as to better our position.’’
‘’And how did Lord Tyrell respond?’’ Rhodry Martell, the Hand of the King questioned.
‘’He stated that there were more ways than one to defeat an enemy, he continued on to state that he was aware Lord Raymont would never acquiesce to favorable peace terms, but he continued on to say that his wife, the Lady Cymella would likely offer a hefty tribute of gold and silver to win a peace and preserve the Stormlands for her young son, Lord Boros….when I reminded him that Lady Cymella did not have the authority to broker such a peace without her lord husbands permission he responded that she would as her sons regent. I questioned him, out of curiosity what led him to believe such a circumstance was inevitable, he merely smiled and replied that the feast table can be just as dangerous as the battlefield….’’ Lord Florent said softly.
A mild murmur ran through the crowd in response to this revelation.
‘’The fox is truly an apt sigil for your house Lord Florent……you lie between your teeth.’’ Lord Tyrell said.
‘’Lord Aumary, you will have your chance to speak in a moment you have my word, but do not interrupt again….Lord Florent, you swear in the sight of the seven gods above your testimony is true?’’ Lianna asked, looking Lord Florent in the eyes.
‘’I do Princess.’’ The man said, bowing his head.
Her daughter continued to look at Lord Florent for a moment before slowly nodding her head, a strange look in her eyes.
Laena smiled as she looked at Aumary Tyrell, clearly uncomfortable, shifting around in his seat. The Lord of Highgarden’s position was not as secure as he had thought, nor was he as well liked amongst his vassals as he had believed. Lord Tyrell was a man that was stingy in the distribution of gold and loot won from the campaign, always promising his lords would be rewarded in the future, after one more battle, one more captured castle but never delivering, it had been easy to find allies amongst the Lords of the Reach who were angry about the losses their levies had suffered with no prospect of compensation, and Lord Florent was not the only one.
Lord Wilbert Osgrey had presented his cousin Ser Willas Osgrey, who had been present at the peace negotiations as one of the knights that had rode with Lord Aumary as a witness. The knight had stated that when Lord Tyrell had commanded his servant to fetch Raymont Baratheon a cup of Arbor Gold from his own cask, he had seen the man place something in Raymont Baratheons goblet.
Before him had been Lord Peake, who had stated that Lord Tyrell had already made a prior attempt on Raymont Baratheons life after he had captured Ashford, regaling the crowd with a tale of how two bumbling assassins had made blunder after blunder in their attempt to kill the Lord of Storm's End, eliciting many a laugh from the audience.
When Lianna had questioned the man how he could possibly know this information, Lord Peake had claimed that while one assassin had fallen and broken his neck climbing the walls to Lord Baratheons bedchamber, the other had been caught by Baratheons household guards and before he could be executed had escaped the dungeon.
That man Lord Peake claimed had returned to the Reachmen encampment and, fearful of the wroth Lord Tyrell would have for his failure had sworn his loyalty to Lord Peake. He continued on to say that the ‘’poor bastard’’ had been killed whilst pissing during the siege of Nightsong by an archer on the walls, but not before telling Lord Peake of his role in the attempt on Raymont Baratheons life, which Lord Peake took to be true from the clear marks left by manacles on the mans wrist and a bag of Tyrell gold he had been given.
Following the conclusion of Lord Florents testimony, Aumary Tyrell stood from his seat.
‘’I would like the chance to speak in my defense if I might Princess.’’ He said and Lianna nodded her assent.
‘’The claim is that I poisoned Lord Raymont with wine from my own personal cask…..ordering it to be given to him in front of well over one hundred people, I have served as Lord Paramount of the Reach for 13 years……it is not a small task to oversee the Reach but I have done so diligently and with competence…..do you, lords and ladies of the court believe I would be so foolish as to poison a man from mine own cask so openly right in front of hundreds of people…when I would so clearly be blamed for such an event.’’ Lord Tyrell said eloquently, and once again a murmur ran through the court.
Laena looked towards Cymella and gave a nod, they had been anticipating this…..it was Lord Tyrell's only shield….his only defense.
‘’I would like to call another witness.’’ Cymella said standing and looking at her niece Lianna, who nodded her assent.
The aged Grand Maester Josmyn made his way towards Cymellas table, bowed to the throne and began his testimony.
‘’Lord Baratheons corpse was brought here to Kings Landing within days of his death to be examined…..I opened his throat and found small traces of crystals…. poison was responsible for Lord Raymonts death….The Strangler that is beyond dispute.’’ The Grandmaester said.
‘’I think we were all already aware Raymont was poisoned Grandmaester…..how does this relate to Lord Tyrells testimony?’’ Lianna demanded.
‘’To keep things brief….there are two main variants of this poison…..the Braavosi and Lysene mixtures are slow acting….victims of these will likely pass one to two days after ingesting it….the second variant originates here in Westeros….and will kill just mere moments after ingestion…..I have consulted with Maester Colren of Highgarden, a good and trustworthy maester who says Lord Tyrell never approached him with questions of the poison….it may be that Lord Tyrell embarked upon this plot alone and mistook the two poisons….Maester Colren claims that a vial of this poison was missing from his stores in his personal chambers….it is not my place to suggest this but given that Highgarden is Lord Aumarys own seat….it would have been a simple enough matter to gain access to the poison.’’ The man said.
Laena smiled….the Grandmaester had performed his role well, throwing in the last hint of a suggestion to the court like she had instructed, the man was humble and did as he was told, and it had been simple enough to gain his loyalty by leaving a whore in his chambers, courtesy of the Queen.
Another gasp ran through the crowd and Lord Tyrell grew more pale still.
A flimsy shield my lord Laena thought to herself before rising to her feet.
‘’This testimony has given me much to think about….we shall adjourn for an hour.’’ Laena commanded and the court began to disperse, she made her way to a small side room, nodding at a figure in the shadows to follow her.
She sat down and gestured Ser Grance Tarly, a young knight with long straw blonde hair forward.
‘’Well….everything is in order?’’ Laena demanded.
The young knight nodded ‘’My brother has provided the men…I'll lead them myself…Lords Peake and Florent are aware and wont ask any questions, and I received word from Oldtown that Lord Hightower won't investigate too closely either…..Lord Osgrey was willing to provide his cousin as a witness but I thought it unwise to include him too far, he may have his suspicions but he will keep them to himself.’’ Ser Grance replied.
‘’This raven from Oldtown….did it have word of my sister?’’ Laena questioned.
‘’It did your Grace……she's given birth to a healthy child….a boy.’’ The knight responded.
A pity Laena thought, it would have been better if the child had been a girl, but even still she had no worries about an infant.
‘’Alyssane is no threat.’’ Laena responded finally, without her husband Aumary to support her, Alyssane didn't have the spine to defy her, when news of her husband's arrest had reached Highgarden, her sister had rather predictably quickly ordered the banners of the Reach to stand down and return home, Alyssane was not the type of woman to begin a civil war.
She then turned back to the knight ‘’You will be wanting a reward I suspect?’’
He shook his head ‘’Revenge is all I seek….when the time comes, I mean to be the one that guts that whoreson.’’
Laena nodded, with most men she would not believe such a claim, but Ser Grance had more cause than most to want Aumary Tyrell dead….some years prior the Lord of Highgarden had hung his father…the details were unclear but Laena surmised the two had become rivals and Lord Tyrell had trumped up some charge to get rid of this threatening rival,
How the tables have turned Laena thought to herself before turning back to the knight.
‘’Very well….make your preparations, I want it done tonight.’’ Laena commanded and the knight bowed and withdrew.
The Throne Room
Princess Lianna watched the court adjourn on her mothers orders, silks and dresses of a dozen colors streaming out of the hall.
She gave a look to Lord Aumary Tyrell, who looked like a man in the middle of the ocean with nothing but a piece of driftwood to grab onto, trying desperately to hold his head above water.
The sight filled her with an overwhelming feeling of disgust and shame. She knew it was a sham…it had to be and the worst part about it was that she was the one overseeing it, forced to oversee this mockery of justice.
She could not prove it but she knew her mother was behind it somehow, in league with the lords of the Reach, her mother was nothing if not manipulative. She could do nothing about it however, she had no proof the Lords of the Reach were lying and she could hardly deny their testimony.
And yet there was some small doubt within her, perhaps Lord Tyrell had killed Lord Baratheon and simply made a mistake with the selection of the poison, as bad as it sounded, Lianna hoped the man had done it….but in her heart she knew the truth.
She approached the man.
‘’Princess……come to pay your respects to a doomed man?’’ Aumary Tyrell said lightly.
Lianna was silent for a moment, looking at the man who meant to steal her birthright.
She shook her head ‘’No Lord Tyrell….I am here to save you.’’
He looked at her in surprise.
‘’You are going to be found guilty…I can do little about that, the evidence against you is far too damning….but I can spare you the headsman's ax…..when the court returns from the recess you must plead guilty.’’ Lianna said.
Lord Tyrell looked at her suspiciously.
‘’I can ensure that you are given the opportunity to take the black, to join the Night's Watch…a man of your station and experience could rise high in such an order.’’ Lianna said.
‘’I don't have much choice else do I?’’ The man asked.
Lianna slowly shook her head.
‘’I accept then.’’ Tyrell said.
Lianna turned to leave.
‘’Princess.’’ He called and Lianna turned back to him.
‘’I did not do this.’’ He said.
Lianna was silent before she responded, her voice scarcely above a whisper.
‘’I know’’ She said.
She knew who had.
She went to see her mother.
She saw a young blonde knight leaving the small room, she watched him leave suspiciously, she had not seen him at court before and he wore no sigil betraying his house.
She found her mother sitting down inside.
‘’Lianna.’’ She said, clearly not very surprised.
‘’Who was that man?’’ She demanded.
‘’That is none of your concern.’’ Her mother said lightly.
‘’You are going to declare Lord Tyrell guilty.’’ Lianna said, it was not a question.
Laena nodded ‘’The evidence certainly suggests that to be the truth.’’
The truth It was all Lianna could do to keep herself from laughing.
‘’I won't try and stop you….but you cannot have him executed….Lord Tyrell will plead guilty if given the opportunity to take the black, to join the night's watch….he is a high lord, not some highwayman, if you kill him the realm wont forget it.’’ Lianna said, collecting herself.
Her mother was silent for a moment.
‘’Agreed.’’ She said simply.
Lianna nodded and began to withdraw before turning back to her mother.
‘’I know you are responsible for this….for all of it.’’ Lianna said impulsively.
Laena said nothing at that before nodding towards the door.
Lianna scoffed and left the room angrily, yet also perturbed, that had been much easier than she had expected.
The trial resumed shortly after, and the Queen declared that in consideration of all the evidence that it was clear that Lord Aumary Tyrell was responsible for the poisoning of Raymont Baratheon.
When Lianna asked Lord Tyrell if he had anything to say in his defense the man shook his head and with his head bowed admitted he had killed Lord Raymont Baratheon, throwing himself at the mercy of the crown.
Queen Laena had raised her hands, quieting the crowd and declared that while the man was guilty of murder in the sight of gods and men, she would show mercy and allow him to take the black.
Midnight, Tower Cell above the Dungeons of the Red Keep
Aumary sat on the bed, head bowed as moonlight poured in through the window bars.
Feeling chilled, he walked to the hearth and fed it another log, causing a crackling of embers.
He looked into the fire, wondering not for the first time how he had gotten here.
I underestimated her Aumary admitted, he should have been more subtle in gaining support for Alyssanes claim. Furthermore he had delivered himself on a silver platter to the Queen, separated himself from his armies and the strength of Highgarden, walked into the dragon's den with just 30 men.
He had been such a fool, he had not thought she would be able to conjure such a situation out of thin air, but she somehow had, and here he was.
As he looked into the fire, his thoughts turned to Alyssane….good, godly Alyssane, would that he could feel her embrace once again…and his son….his heir, a boy whom he had never held.
The thought filled him with a sudden surge of determination…he would see them again, he would make it so.
I will not be joining the Nights Watch He promised himself, he would find a way to slip away…it was a long journey to the north. There were many in the realm that supported Alyssanes claim, he could take shelter with them till such a point he was able to raise his banners and capture Kings Landing.
The clawmen perhaps He thought to himself, the Brunes had pledged their support to his wife, and Cracklaw Point was so remote none would think to look for him there. He quickly abandoned any thought of returning to the Reach, the testimony of his treasonous lords…those vipers showed he wouldn't trust them.
It would be difficult to defeat the Queen without the chivalry of the Reach, but there were many in the Crownlands who would answer the call to Alyssanes banner, Lords Chyttering and Cressey, Lords Massey and Celtigar as well, if they could somehow launch a surprise assault on Kings Landing….
He pushed the thought from his mind, before he determined that he needed to find a way to escape, which would be easier said than done.
He was startled by the sudden sound of shouting and steel on steel outside his door, muffled but clearly close, breathing heavily he backed away from the door.
He heard a scream and the sound of a body falling and suddenly his door swung open, a long haired blonde knight with plain gray plate armor was standing there, a bloodied sword in his hand, the body of one of the dragon cloaks at his feet.
‘’Come my Lord….quickly now!’’ The man shouted, Aumary needed no more convincing, running towards the door.
There were more men outside, similarly armored in plain leather and chainmail, the bodies of 2 more dragon cloaks at their feet, though one of his rescuers was bleeding heavily from the neck, laying on the ground.
‘’We don't have much time….quickly, down the stairs.’’ The blonde man shouted.
Aumary snatched a sword from one of the dead guards and hurried down the stairs, stepping over another body laying on the steps.
One of the men fiddled with a heavy set of keys as they made their way downwards, opening the door to the dungeon with a loud creak.
‘’Where are we going….who sent you?’’ Aumary asked while they waited, breathing heavily.
‘’There are ways out of the Red Keep from the dungeon my lord….secret ways…as for who sent us it was your own lady wife….she told us of the exit.’’ The man said as they hurried through the door.
Alyssane, you wonderful woman Aumary thought, it was out of character for his wife to take such a risk, but it seemed she had found her courage, that was good, he would need her and her dragon Severax in what was to come.
A disheveled looking turnkey holding a wedge of cheese stepped out of his modest chambers, squinting his eyes, but one of his rescuers put a spear through his throat and ended the man's investigation.
Hurrying through the dank dungeons running beside the cells another turnkey stood in their way, holding a rusty sword.
The blonde knight rushed forward and with a heavy butcher's strike cleaved the man from shoulder to hip, causing the man to sink to the ground with a gurgle.
‘’Who are you….it seems to me a man should know his rescuers.’’ Aumary asked.
The man stopped and turned.
‘’Ser Grance Tarly.’’ He said, a strange look on his face.
Aumary slowly backed up, he knew this man….of course he did, years prior he had ordered the man's father executed and he had two sons at the time…only boys.
It was not a boy that stood in front of him, but a man.
‘’Recognize me….you fucker….ah yes I see you do….and you know whats going to happen.’’ The man said advancing, his men keeping watch.
‘’Don't……please.’’ Aumary said, walking backwards, raising his hands.
He did.
With a yell the man ran forward and buried his sword deep into Aumarys gut all the way to the hilt.
Aumary gasped and fell to his knees, involuntary coughing blood.
‘’Move the body.’’ Ser Grance commanded and his men moved the body of the dead turnkey close to him.
The knight said something else and his men began to laugh but Aumary could not hear them, his vision was fast growing blurry and there was a steady ringing in his ears.
Alyssane He thought to himself before lurching to the ground with a gurgle, his final thoughts on his wife and the son he would never meet.
News would soon spread from the Red Keep that a band of loyal retainers had made their way into the Red Keep and attempted to rescue their Lord from his tower cell, slaying over half a dozen dragon cloaks and turnkeys in the attempt, but it would all be for naught as Lord Tyrell would be found lying dead a short distance away from a turnkey, no doubt succumbing to wounds sustained in the melee.
There would of course be some whispers and conspiracies but these would be kept close to the chest and spoken in hushed tones, and it must be said the Lords of the Reach made no great effort to investigate the death of their liege lord. In fact it seemed as if none of the Lords of the Reach would even care.
None save Alyssane Targaryen.
To All: Apologies for the absolutely massive chapter, probably should have split this one into 3. This chapter was like 17k words between both parts of it, I got a little carried away. One quick update is that I will be temporarily changing the format of this story to a hyprid narrative/historybook style. Looking ahead I think thats the most efficent way to tell the story, at least up until a certain point, though I will likely return to full narrative chapoters after that, though depending on how this goes I may impliment it occasionally. One thing to note is that some chapters will have more actual scenes than others(the next chapter will be pretty close to a regular one). I will include some scenes of important events, as well as try and include a few childhood events of the next generation so they dont feel like complete strangers when the story returns to normal.
When you are a member of a bloodline that rarely gets prophetic dreams, it is hard to tell if your dreams are indeed prophetic or merely reflect your hopes or fears. In this case, it does seem to be a mere nightmare of the Queen.
Laena is a natural liar who lies as easily as she breathes. Laena's scheming nature can be compared to Queen Cersei if Cersei were actually as devious and intelligent as she thinks she is. It covers for many of her flaws. I would also note that unlike most of ASOIAF's scheming queens, Laena is not ruled by lust, she is not amazingly attractive by the standards of the day, and she is fortunate enough to be fully in control of her own marriage.
Princess Lianna does not fully understand her mother's schemes, but she does seem to realize that she was a tool to move the Queen's targets in position. The Queen's schemes are meant all for the benefit of her daughter's future position despite what the Crown Princess may think of them and Lianna has little option but to go along with her unwilling part in the schemes.
The Queen had her younger daughter Larissa removed from the negotiations because she probably did not want Larissa to witness Lord Raymont Baratheon dying so horribly which she knew was going to happen.
That is yet another Baratheon Lord of Storm's End who met an early end. Will the new Lord Boros Baratheon break that streak? Raymont Baratheon was poisoned in the same way that King Joffrey was poisoned in the canon stories. It was a masterstroke to pin the blame on the Lord of Highgarden. Two powerful lords have been removed from the game of thrones and have been replaced by their young sons who are less of a threat until they eventually grow up.
Lord Paramount Amaury Tyrell started an unnecessary war with a fellow Lord Paramount, started plotting against the Queen when he was not finished with his war, alienated his vassals, and was not subtle in his plans. He was easy prey for the Queen. His wife seems to be the only one in the Reach to care about his downfall, but will she move against her older sister? Neither Laena nor Amaury seem to think Alysanne would be the type to do so.
For a family person, Laena has no qualms about murdering the lovers of her sisters.
Prince Vaekar remains out there as the obvious main threat to Laena's continued rule.
Valar Morghulis indeed for all the people that died in this chapter. A master stroke move that would make the Clubfoot and Littlefinger proud no doubt.
Though I like how the Queen's ability at intrigue was shown in this chapter, it does frustrate me that I cannot understand how the plan was executed. Did she swipe joint plotters from underneath the Lord Tyrell's nose, or did she just provide the cup that killed Lord Baratheon from the royal treasury?
Lord Tyrell's story should be a cautionary tale for all the lords - one should know the faces of the people who serve their drinks, and in a world where a face can be stolen, one should absolutely make sure that the man and the face match.
The Queen had her younger daughter Larissa removed from the negotiations because she probably did not want Larissa to witness Lord Raymont Baratheon dying so horribly which she knew was going to happen.
That is yet another Baratheon Lord of Storm's End who met an early end. Will the new Lord Boros Baratheon break that streak? Raymont Baratheon was poisoned in the same way that King Joffrey was poisoned in the canon stories. It was a masterstroke to pin the blame on the Lord of Highgarden. Two powerful lords have been removed from the game of thrones and have been replaced by their young sons who are less of a threat until they eventually grow up.
Storms End will be involved in a future tragedy however, good catch on the Baratheons early deaths, Orys was the only one who made it past 50, and even then it was only to 51.
His wife seems to be the only one in the Reach to care about his downfall, but will she move against her older sister? Neither Laena nor Amaury seem to think Alysanne would be the type to do so.
Though I like how the Queen's ability at intrigue was shown in this chapter, it does frustrate me that I cannot understand how the plan was executed. Did she swipe joint plotters from underneath the Lord Tyrell's nose, or did she just provide the cup that killed Lord Baratheon from the royal treasury?
Hopefully it wasnt too confusing, the faceless man Laena hired took the role of one of Lord Tyrells servants and poisoned the wine Ronnel drank as he poured it, as for Lord Tyrells murder Laena simply joined an already exisiting plot against him, not the last time she will employ that strategy.
ord Tyrell's story should be a cautionary tale for all the lords - one should know the faces of the people who serve their drinks, and in a world where a face can be stolen, one should absolutely make sure that the man and the face match.
Good to know. Currently, the exact rationale and justification for the Alysanne for the Iron Throne and the Princess in Highgarden's role in the faction that wants her on the Iron Throne is not clear. Does it exist out of the belief that Laena is an evil tyrant and that the rumors around the obvious alternate choice Prince Vaekar make him unsuitable as a candidate, so they favor Alysanne instead? Is it a naked power grab for the Tyrells similar to Renly's bid for the Iron Throne in the books? Is Alysanne an active and willing participant in the faction or is she an unwilling puppet figurehead that is merely going along with her husband's wishes?
Now that Lord Paramount Amaury is dead, perhaps she will seek vengeance for his death against her older sister? We shall see.
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Chapter 45: The Council of the 3 Dragons (64-69 AC) (Laena, Alyssane)
The months immediately preceding the deaths of Lords Raymont Baratheon and Aumary Tyrell saw the realm and the crown enjoy a relatively quiet period. And the year of 64 AC came to an end with few events of interest occurring with the exception of an outbreak of violence in the North. The hill clansmen under the leadership of the Flints of the Mountains rose up against Lady Arya Stark, a woman known for her cruelty due to perceived high taxation and a wish for greater self government. Despite skilled leadership from the hill clansman, the revolt was put down within months and the Wardeness of the North put Lord Flint to death most cruelly and established her second son Walton Stark as Lord of the Northern Clans, and the proud Flints of the Mountian would never regain their former leadership and within decades would cease to exist.
The bloodletting in the North would not end with this however and in the final months of 64 AC the Umbers would also find themselves in revolt against the cruel Wardeness, frustrated with her refusal to provide support against Wildling raids, this revolt would be similarly defeated and Lord Umber and his eldest son would be beheaded for their role in the rebellion.
There was no attempt by the crown to interfere with these conflicts, though the Princess Lianna often advocated for royal intervention during meetings of the small council, but the Queen was content to let the Northmen handle their own affairs, following the precedents of her father and grandfather who had largely left the North to their own devices, there would soon come a conflict however that the Queen could not overlook.
The final months of 64 AC also saw the improvements to the city walls of Kings Landing, initiated by her father Vaemond finally completed, leading to even more immigrants from the surrounding crownlands to come and seek their fortune in the capitol, which by now was one of the largest cities in Westeros.
65 AC-66 AC
The beginning of 65 AC would see the court of Kings Landing suffer a significant loss as Lord Rhodry Martell, Hand of the King would suffer a heart attack whilst working at his desk at the age of 42. While Lord Martell would be largely regarded as a just and hard working man, well liked amongst the lords of the realm, he would suffer considerable stressors watching the numerous wars and conflicts that assailed the realm, having little authority to stop them. The histories have largely regarded Lord Martell as a powerless hand who was kept on a short leash by the Queen, never possessing the authority to fully serve the realm. He was succeeded by his young son Blaise Martell, the betrothed of the Princess Larrissa.
In his place the Queen would appoint Oswin Arryn, Lord of the Vale, and former husband of the late Princess Syaella. Though the man was young, being just 26 when he assumed the role, he was regarded as honorable by the Queen who felt any threat of betrayal was unlikely, and the appointment helped resume the alliance between the Crown and the Vale following its uncertain status with the death of the Princess Syaella.
Kings Landing would soon suffer another death later that year as Lynn Arryn, Commander of the Kings Landing and the Gold Cloaks would succumb to a fever. The Queen already had a replacement waiting in the wings, appointing Lynn's son Ser Renly Arryn, a promising young officer in the Gold Cloaks as the next commander, an appointment that made even more sense since the man was married to the Princess Vaella, ensuring the city watch and the city would remain loyal.
66 AC - 67 AC
66 AC would signal a new beginning of the Targaryen dynasty, with the young Princess Jaehaera proudly announcing to the court that she was expecting her first child, which if born healthy, would be the Queen's first living grandchild, and the beginning of the next generation of the House of the Dragon.
However while the court celebrated this announcement, it soon became apparent to the Queen that something was amiss, something her personal informants confirmed after a short investigation, what should have been a joyous occasion quickly turned into a situation that if exposed, could cause much shame and embarrassment to the royal family….for the child the Princess carried in her womb was not the seed of her Pentoshi husband, Nakados Tendryis, the castles master-of-the-hunt but rather the product of an affair with the Black Bard, the Queens spymaster.
Princess Jaehaera had never been overly fond of her foreign husband, she had done her duty as was expected of her, but his foreign religion and rituals frightened her, and her husband was often gone for days at a time in the Kingswood, supervising the royal huntsmen due to his role as the Master of the Hunt, and even when in Kings Landing would often disappear for hours, clearly hiding something.
The Princess found solace in her unhappy marriage and loneliness through song, she had a gentle heart and enjoyed ballads of love and romance, which the Black Bard was all too willing to perform in her chambers, and before long the Bard began to render other services.
The affair was not common knowledge, both the Bard and the Princess were fearful of the Queen and were quite discreet in their meetings, but hiding something from the Queen of Skulls was much easier said than done and it did not take the Queen long to find out about it.
To the Black Bards credit, he was not as clueless as the Blue Bard before him had been, noticing the unusual amount of eyes trained on him, watching his every move….he knew the game was up.
The Black Bard knew that fleeing was out of the question, he wouldn't get 10 yards out of the Red Keep, so in his desperation he made a gamble. He propositioned one of his informants, placed in the Dragon Cloaks, the castle guard, promising the man more gold than he could spend in a lifetime to slay the Queen in her chambers, no doubt hoping to flee the castle in the confusion.
Unbeknownst to the Bard, the man was also informing for the Princess Vaella, who had begun to create her own small network of spies and sneaks within the Red Keep. Upon hearing of this, Vaella went to her mother.
While the Queen was furious with this latest development and could have easily ordered the man seized, cooler heads eventually prevailed as Laena did not wish to make a spectacle of the event and risk rumors being spread….instead resolving to handle the affair with subtlety and leave her daughters reputation unsullied.
Vaella instructed the guard to return to the Black Bard and claim that he had found another willing conspirator who was willing to meet, to which the bard reluctantly agreed to do so, time was running out, forcing him to take uncharacteristic risks.
When he entered the chambers in the heart of the Red Keep, expecting to negotiate with a fellow plotter he found Queen Laena sitting at a table. The man immediately tried to flee but was quickly subdued and thrown to the ground , where the man began to beg for his life.
Queen Laena responded with the rather ominous promise that ‘’Today is not the day you die bard….but my face shall be the last sight you see..’’ which did little to assuage the poor man's terror.
If rumors can be believed the Queen ordered the man's eyes gouged out right in that chamber, punishment for looking upon her daughter's nakedness before ordering the man to be dragged into the black cells, the deepest and darkest level of the Red Keeps dungeons where he would be slowly tortured to death.
The Princess Jaehaera, a rather timid young woman never confronted or challenged her mothers claim that the man had retired from his duties as royal spymaster and traveled across the narrow sea to serve at the court of the Sealord of Braavos. The Princess would take her lovers sudden disappearance quite hard however, secluding herself even further.
Some months later, in the final months of the year 67 AC, Jaehaera would give birth to a healthy boy whom she would name Aenys. Even though the affair and the circumstances of the boy's birth was not known at court, rumors would begin to circulate around the princeling as he grew older, largely due to the Prince's dark black hair, which could not be explained by either his Targaryen lineage or his Tendryis ancestry.
If Nakados Tendryis was aware of these rumors, it must be said they troubled him little, which can likely be explained by the fact that the man was involved in his own affair, a tale which shall be seen later within this chronicle.
As for Queen Laena, her patience with bards had officially reached its limit, with recent events showing that bards were distrustworthy by their very nature, the Queen disbanded her network of bards and appointed her daughter Vaella as the new court master of whisperers. Furthermore the Queen declared the Red Keep closed to bards and traveling musicians, and had her daughter make it known that any bard found in the Red Keep from that day on would lose their tongue, and for many years the halls and feast tables of the Red Keep would grow silent.
The end of the year would also see another announcement to the court, as the Princess Lianna announced that she was once again pregnant by her husband Ronnel Baratheon,
68 AC
While there had largely been peace in the years following the deaths of Lords Tyrell and Baratheon, the year 68 AC would be an eventful one for many reasons.
The beginning of the year saw ominous tidings coming from the North, Lady Arya Stark was calling her banners to Winterfell, and sellswords were also making their way north, the most obvious indicator something was coming, for just as vultures gather round a corpse in expectation of a feast, so too do sellswords in preparation for a war.
These were obviously grim tidings, and Princess Lianna grew so anxious due to the situation, she sent a raven to Winterfell, asking the Wardeness of the North to state her intentions….though no response arrived, and the Princess was preparing a to go North personally as a royal emissary before news of the war broke out.
Lady Stark had not called her banners to rebel against the throne but rather to march against the Riverlords and seize the seat of House Frey, the Twins, one of the most formidable castles in the realm.
Princess Lianna wanted to ride north immediately and put an end to the war before it had a chance to begin,her only alternative since her dragon Kastax was not yet large enough to ride, but the Queen reminded her daughter that she would not only endanger herself by embarking on such a long journey, riding through a warzone but also her unborn child, the potential future of their house, and went so far as to issue a royal command that her daughter was to remain in the capitol, the Princess did not defy this order, but was still a strong advocate for royal intervention.
Another such advocate was the Queen's Husband, Jaekar, whose sister Daena was married to Lord Andrey Tully, Lord Paramount of the Riverlands. Jaekar attempted to convince the Queen to act in favor of the Tully’s, but the Queen still held a grudge against her cousin Daena for stealing her father’s dragon Moondancer all those years ago and refused to act in her favor, giving her well practiced proclamation that this was a matter between Stark and Tully.
In the end it was Princess Lianna who once again managed to convince her mother of the need for the crown to interfere, pointing out the fact that Daena had access to a near 40 foot dragon. If this dragon was utilized in the war, it could cause the Kingdom's devastation that had not been seen since Aegon the Conqueror's conquest of Dorne. In addition to this, Lianna reminded her mother that as long as Daena Targaryen lived and was married to Andrey Tully, the Crown could count on the loyalty of the Riverlands, as Daena was Jaekars own sister….should something happen to Daena during the war however, the loyalty of the Riverlands would become far less certain.
After hearing her daughters arguments, Queen Laena finally agreed to attempt to put an end to the war, though one may assume she was moved to action due to her daughter's reminder that the loyalty of the Riverlands depended on the bond between Daena and her husband rather than out of concern for the common people. It is also worth noting that Lianna did not suggest a peace council this time, simply sending a raven with her mothers permission to Winterfell informing Lady Stark of the crown's position and calling for an end to the war.
Unlike her earlier message, this time the Wardeness of the North gave a response, and on the fifth month of 68 AC, a raven from Winterfell arrived in King's Landing.
5th Moon, 68 AC Queen Laenas Chambers, The Red Keep
Queen Laena sat in her chair as the spy relayed his report, normally she would only receive briefings from her daughter Vaella, but this matter was not one she wished to involve her daughter in, in the corner her daughter Daeoril sat in the corner, as per usual with a knitting needle in her hand.
‘’He recently was seen leaving the Grandmaesters chambers after receiving treatment….that combined with the fact he was seen leaving the establishment in Eel Alley..’’ The man finished in a hushed tone.
‘’I know what it means.’’ Laena snapped, causing her daughter to look up from the corner.
The Queen calmed herself for her daughters sake ‘’That will be all…..leave us.’’ The spy bowed and withdrew.
Laena supposed she should not be surprised, she and Jaekar had not shared a bed in years and he had a man's needs after all. The Queen had never been a woman ruled by desires of the flesh, she had birthed six daughters with her husband out of duty to her house, but Jaekar had never been a particularly skilled partner and she did not necessarily miss his embrace.
Even so, she was fond of the man, he was loyal and a good father to their daughters, so long as he did not dishonor himself or his house by siring a dragon seed she would take no action, except perhaps a quiet word that should he wish to continue with such behavior, he should be a great deal more subtle about it.
She was shaken from her thinking by the approach of her daughter Daoeril, who was holding a small piece of clothing, made from black cloth with a red dragon sewn into it.
‘’Its for the baby.’’ Her daughter explained.
Laena smiled at that, her daughter was always working on some project or another.
‘’I am sure your sister will appreciate it.’’ Laena replied.
‘’I'm going to make one for Liannas baby too, except I don't know if it will be a boy or a girl.’’ Her daughter continued before there was a knock at the door, with one of her Kingsguard announcing her daughter Lianna.
Her daughter walked, or rather waddled into the room, hands over her belly.
‘’I see you've finished with that…..why don't you go and show it to Jaehaera and the babe, she could use the company.’’ Lianna smiled at her younger sister, though the Queen did not fail to notice a rather uneasy look in her daughter's eyes.
Laena eyed Lianna as her youngest daughter left the room ‘’I trust this is important.’’
Her daughter nodded, something clearly bothering her as she produced a small scroll of parchment ‘’A raven….arrived from Winterfell….from Lady Stark.’’
Laena extended her hand to take it.
Lianna was about to give her mother the scroll before pulling it back slightly ‘’The Northerners mother…..they have their own customs…their own…..way of speech.’’
Laena said nothing, looking at her daughter cooly, still extending her hand and reluctantly her daughter obliged, handing her the scroll.
Laena Targaryen,
The North has no intention of standing down its armies as its claim to the Twins and grievances with the Riverlords is both just and readily apparent. As Lady Paramount of the North, such domestic matters are subject to my own authority, and both the North and House Stark do not recognize either the crowns or your own authority in this matter, as following the precedent set throughout your reign. This is a matter between Stark and Tully.
Arya Stark, Lady of Winterfell and Wardeness of the North.
Laena felt the anger rising within her as she read through the scroll, the insolence increasing with each sentence, who did this woman think she was to speak to her in such a manner.
She forced herself to hold the anger back however, there was no use in betraying her true feelings on the matter in front of Lianna.
In good time The Queen thought to herself, her gaze returning to her eldest daughter who was watching her expectantly.
‘’I can send another raven…continue the dialogue…perhaps I can reach a.’’ Her daughter began.
‘’No Lianna…..we have devoted enough time to this squabble, put it from your mind and focus on your babe….that is how you best serve your family.’’ Laena said.
‘’Mother….’’ She again tried to speak but Laena cut her off.
‘’Tell me, what else can we do….arrest her……Winterfell is over a thousand miles away……she would have ample warning of any party I sent North to take her into custody…I could of course send your sister Vaella and Narrah to dissuade any attempts on them….tell me, is that your preferred course of action….to risk your sisters life and risk a war with the North?’’ Laena said sharply.
Lianna opened her mouth to speak but thought better of it, closing her mouth and shaking her head, almost meekly.
‘’Good, then we are agreed, we will take no further action on the matter….now go and rest, the Maester tells me it may be a difficult birth, you will need your strength about you.’’ Laena said, gentling her tone as her daughter slowly left the room.
The Queen sighed and walked towards the roaring hearth in her chambers, throwing the scroll into the flames, watching them lick and burn the parchment as the wax seal in the shape of a wolf melted and began to lose its shape.
In good time She thought to herself before summoning her daughter Vaella to her chambers.
68 AC (6th-12 Moon)
The middle months of the year 68 AC proved no less eventful than its beginning, as several major events occurred following the outbreak of war between the North and the Riverlords.
The first of these occurred on the 25th day of 6th Moon, when the Princess Lianna retired to the birthing bed. It was a difficult birth due to the size of the babe, but after several grueling hours a healthy babe would be delivered, a Prince whom would be named Jaerion, who would pass up his aunts to become third in line to the Iron Throne after his mother.
The princeling would quickly become known throughout the Red Keep not only for his voracious appetite but also his beaming smile, endearing himself to both the servants and the Royal Family alike, and even the Queen Laena is said to have been charmed by the little fellow
The next events of the year would be far less pleasant as the first battles in the war between the Starks and the Tullys would be fought. While the North had begun the war, it was an enormous region and would take months to marshal its full strength, unlike the Riverlands which were smaller and more easily traversed.
Because of this, it was the Tullys who would make the first move, marching north, with Andrey the Honorable, Lord Paramount of the Riverlands resolving to keep the fighting from taking place on his own lands.
The Neck and the crannogmen proved a formidable obstacle to this strategy, in order to march north and even think about assaulting Moat Cailin, any army marching north would need to traverse through the swamps of the neck, a difficult task in and of itself, even before considering guerilla raids by the crannogmen, the diminutive people who dwelled within the swamps. A further difficulty in securing this region was the fact that the strongholds and castles of the Crannogmen were located deep within the swamp, nearly impossible to find, with some claiming they moved on their own due to Crannog sorcery and floating islands.
While it would have been foolish for Andrey Tully to attempt to assault these hidden strongholds by force, he had an advantage no other invader had ever had….a dragon.
It would have been impossible to find the castles of the Crannogmen on foot, but on the back of a dragon it was a far more simple affair, and Daena Targaryen burned many crannog villages and castles on the back of the white dragon Moondancer, now almost 30 feet in length.
Fendun, Greywater Watch, Cray and the village of the Grey Dun were all attacked, with many dying due to the flames, while Andrey Tully had never explicitly ordered the killing of the smallfolk, he knew it was the only way to secure the Neck and did not interfere with his wifes sorties. With the Crannogmen retreating deep into the swamps, the Riverlanders were free to advance upon Moat Caillin, a formidable defensive point in the swamps consisting of several crumbling castles guarding the only approach through the swamps, a place where it was said 1 man was worth 10 invaders…..but these calculations had been made without factoring in dragonfire.
Andrey Tully ordered the assault of Moat Cailin on the first day of the 7th Moon of 68 AC, sending 6000 men of his 15,000 man host to attack the causeway whilst his wife Daena attacked from above with Moondancer……awaiting them was a small host of some 3000 Northmen under the command of Eddard Stark, eldest son of Lady Arya Stark, determined to hold the causeway.
While Moat Cailin had never before been captured, it was utterly vulnerable to attack from above, and Daena Targaryen made pass after pass above the 3 main towers, bathing its defenders in Dragonfire, preventing them from firing at the assaulting Tully Force and within the hour Moat Cailin was captured for the first time in its history.
Of the 3000 Northmen defenders, just 800 managed to escape, with the remainder being captured, killed or burnt, Eddard Stark, the heir to Winterfell managed to escape the battle, but suffered major burns to his face, courtesy of Moondancer. The Tullys lost just 250 men in the attack, many of them from drowning, but the way to the North was now clear.
Things were going poorly for the North, and they were only going to get worse due to another event in the 8th moon of the year.
Arya Stark, Lady of Winterfell and Wardeness of the North would be hosting several of her vassals in the great hall of Winterfell, seeing them off before they marched south with their levies.
Just minutes into the feast, Lady Stark began to clutch her neck and cough, her face turning black as she slumped face first into the table, gurgling out her final breaths, a spilled wine cup laying next to her, one of the dogs that roamed the great hall lapped up the spilled wine from the floor and died shortly after in sight of the horrified nobles in attendance, showing that the Lady Stark was without a doubt, poisoned
There was no shortage of suspects in the killing, the Lady Paramount had made many enemies due to her cruelty and ruthlessness in putting down revolts, the northern clans in particular had not forgotten the killing of Lord Flint and resented being put under the leadership of Aryas second son. The Umbers had cause to want the Lady of Winterfell dead as well, Lord Umber and his eldest son had both been beheaded, though the current Lord of Last Hearth was but a boy, making his direct involvement unlikely. There was the possibility that one of the Riverlords, perhaps the Freys, had ordered it.
There were whisperings of another possibility, though mostly confined to the Red Keep and wisely spoken in hushed tones. It was often said that poison was a woman's weapon, and rumors circulated that while the continuation of the war between Stark and Tully was not necessarily something the Queen bemoaned….it was clear that whatever raven had arrived from Winterfell had infuriated the Queen.
Despite these rumors and many possible suspects, the true killer or killers or Lady Stark would never be found, and the North would be inherited by her eldest son Eddard, who seemed poised to continue his mothers war, though there was a short reprieve in the fighting.
Later in the year, trouble once again emerged in the crown's frontier territories in the Stepstones, which had largely been quiet for many years.
A pirate fleet from the Skulls, chief stronghold of the Mahallador pirate family landed on the island of Nerissa, burning several fishing settlements and forcing Lord Elesham to withdraw to the safety of his small castle while the pirates ran amok through the island. The captain of these pirates was the infamous Jade Islander Malak Bloodax, who had fought against the Prince Vaekar during his scouring of the Stepstones almost 20 years prior, his men being responsible for the death of the Kingsguard Ser Rodrick Mooton.
It must be said that Queen Laena was not one that was averse to the shedding of her own peoples blood, with the Queen making few genuine efforts to interfere in the numerous bloody conflicts that arose during her reign, but this was different, foreign invaders had landed within her kingdom, and they must be taught a lesson.
It was because of this anger, as well as the Princess Liannas urging that something must be done that Laena for one of the few times to this point in her reign personally took action, flying to the Stepstones on the back of Vhagar to take command of a small force of 500 men and repel the raiding party.
Unlike the previous campaign her brother had led, in which the pirates had come to reave and pillage with over 2000 men and dozens of galleys, this was a much smaller force, with the pirates numbering fewer than 800 men.
Upon the terrifying sight of Vhagar, the pirates lost all notions of resistance and fled for their ships, Laena burned a few of the slower ones but otherwise allowed them to flee, not wishing to spend days hunting them all down.
Following this short confrontation, a rather familiar character appears one final time within the histories. Malak Bloodax, the famed pirate captain who had evaded her brother all those years ago was not so fortunate this time. Unable to make it back to his ship, Malak Bloodax cowered in one of the many coastal caves that dotted the Stepstones with a small force of loyal men,
As it turned out these men were not so loyal afterall, it is often said there is no honor among thieves, a sentiment apparently shared amongst Malak Bloodaxes men. Capturing their captain, and no doubt hoping to trade him for safe passage off of the island, they approached Queen Laenas camp just on the day she was to depart.
The Queen was of course pleased to come into possession of such an unexpected prisoner, rewarding the men accordingly, promising them a galley to sail wherever they wished, though upon arriving to their promised ship, they were rather predictably slaughtered by Laenas men upon her orders.
As for Malak Bloodax, that old pirate would be spared the hangman's rope and the headsman's ax for the Queen had something special planned for him. Gathering the populace of Nerissa onto the beach, Laena mounted Vhagar and commanded her dragon to devour the unfortunate man alive, which the dragon did without much complaint and in terrifying fashion, a clear example to the fisherfolk of the Stepstones as to the fate of pirates.
Unbeknownst to the Queen however, individuals posing a threat larger than a couple hundred pirates had used her absence to their advantage to gather and plot amongst themselves, leading to what has since been known as the Council of the 3 Dragons.
1st Moon, 69 AC Castle of Highgarden, the Reach
Alyssane Targaryen gave her sister Cymella a searching look as she helped herself to to the remnants of the feast, spooning out the last of the apple pie from the trencher, she saw her brother Vaekar was giving a similar look to his twin, fidgeting with the amulet to the Father above around his neck, as the three siblings sat at the table in front of the feast.
The last of the dishes had been served however, the small talk had run its course, and the last of the wine had been drunk….now the true purpose of their gathering would begin.
Alyssane stood from her chair and clapped her hands, the servants descending upon the feast like a swarm of ants, clearing the table and dishes with haste, following which they cleared the room.
‘’I believe it is time we began.’’ Alyssane began but Vaekar rose to his feet, raising a hand.
‘’A moment Alyssane….’’ Vaekar said, before turning to their sister Cymella, who was pouring herself a cup of wine.
‘’What are you doing here Cymella…..the truth now.’’ Her younger brother demanded.
‘’I am here to enjoy the company of my beloved siblings of course….one of them at least….tell me, am I unwelcome.’’ Cymella said, her face growing red and she rose from her seat to face her twin.
‘’Vaekar….Cymella, enough…..please be seated….we have enough problems without bickering amongst ourselves.’’ Alyssane said tiredly, as the oldest sibling and the host of this meeting she knew she would have to play the role of peacekeeper between her two younger siblings at some point, but she had not expected to have to step in so soon.
Both of them looked at Alyssane and slowly returned to their seats, though Cymella continued to glare at her twin.
Despite her brothers rather blunt questioning, his motives were not unreasonable, and Alyssane also harbored some suspicion of her sisters motives, she had originally invited only her brother to Highgarden, but as Lady of Storm's End her sister had somehow gotten word of the meeting and sent a raven informing Alyssane that she would join them.
‘’Sister…..you were always an intelligent girl…and you have grown into an intelligent woman…Vaekar may have perhaps been…too forward in his questioning and I am sure he regrets that…but you are smart enough to understand our reservations…you have…’’ Alyssane began before stopping rather nervously, looking around her for any prying ears.
‘’You have stood at Laenas side from the beginning…….through every murder, every plot, I have no doubt you played a role in the spreading of the foul rumors that surround me as well…..and you expect us to trust you, showing up without even being invited….for all we know she sent you here as her spy…to be her eyes and ears.’’ Vaekar finished accusingly.
‘’Laena doesnt even know about your meeting, she is in the Stepstones as you no doubt know…..I am no ones spy, and certainly not hers….spare me your accusations.’’ Cymella responded.
‘’You can surely understand our hesitation Cymella.’’ Alyssane said gently.
‘’I ask again….what are you doing here.’’ Vaekar asked.
Cymella was quiet for a moment before responding ‘’Because Laena is an evil scheming bitch and I want her dead.’’
A silence ran through the hall, and Alyssane paled somewhat.
‘’You be careful with that Cymella….even in my own hall you be careful with that.’’ Alyssane said, her voice barely over a whisper.
Giving her younger brother a look she saw he was clearly not convinced ‘’Aye…an evil scheming bitch…that has had you along for every scheme doubt, including those men sent to capture me……and you expect us to have forgotten you betrothed your boy Boros to her daughter…and you expect us to trust you?’’
‘’The girl is not yet of age….and we can turn her against her mother in time….and what do you mean men sent to capture you?’’ Cymella asked, clearly on the defensive.
Vaekar scoffed ‘’Some years ago a group of cutthroats were sent to Dragonstone to capture me…you were well aligned with Laena at the time, do not feign ignorance….if I were to be taken I know well what would have awaited me, some dark cell under the Red Keep and the torturers blade,but by the fathers justice I drove them off.’’
‘’Brother…..you must believe me, I had no idea…I…I never would have agreed to it if I had known….I have scarce been in the capitol since before 63 AC when I left for Storms End to give birth to my daughter….I never wished any of you harm, you must believe me.’’ Cymella said, almost desperately.
Alyssane saw a flash of doubt pass through her brothers eyes at that, 63 AC had been the year the cutthroats had attempted to abduct him, and she had to admit it seemed unlikely Cymella had been in the capitol at the time, it was common knowledge she had left for Storms End to give birth to her daughter at the time.
‘’Cymella…..as your sister I wish to believe you, I truly do….but you cannot deny you have stood by Laenas side since the start, since even before she ascended the throne….what changed, why the sudden hatred of her?’’ Alyssane asked, trying to keep her voice gentle.
‘’She lied to me……played me for a fool…..she claimed my lover met his end by a cuckolded wealthy tradesman in Stags Den….that he was disloyal to me.’’ Cymella explained after a short pause.
Alyssane wrinkled her nose at her sister's mentions of her indiscretions and sins, she had heard rumors of the circumstances of her niece Marena’s birth, that the girl could not have possibly been sired by Raymont Baratheon.
‘’And you believed her?’’ Vaekar asked.
‘’I did….until some time ago….I questioned every wealthy merchant in Stags Den…..they all denied even knowing of Gareth, much less ordering his death…it would have been impossible for them to be lying.’’ Cymella answered.
‘’How so?’’ Alyssane asked.
‘’Because they were questioned…..sharply.’’ Cymella said, crossing her arms.
‘’Give us a reason why we shouldn't send you away…after everything.’’ Vaekar asked.
‘’I can give you information.’’ She said simply.
‘’Such as?’’ Alyssane asked.
‘’Your husband Aumary didn't kill Raymont Baratheon….Laena did, and I believe she was responsible for Aumary’s death as well.’’ Cymella said.
The mention of her late husband's name sent a stab of grief through Alyssanes chest, even years after his death she still mourned him by wearing black and lighting a candle in his memory every single day.
‘’Anyone that knew Aumary would have known he would never have been capable of that…..I always knew it was her,’’ Alyssane said, her voice scarcely above a whisper.
‘’Of course it was Laena….we already knew this, who else would benefit from the deaths of two Lord Paramounts other than her….unless you have proof this ‘’information’’ is worthless to us….do you have it?’’ Vaekar asked.
‘’No proof but my word…but she all but told me Raymont would be killed soon, promised me really and….Alyssane….she was responsible for the false witness against your husband.’’ Cymella said hesitantly.
Alyssane looked towards her younger sister ‘’Was it your doing as well?’’
‘’No sister….but, I…I knew of it…..I have made mistakes, terrible mistakes in supporting her…I know it….but I am here now, with my family, to make things right…..the three of us together, we can beat her…and you will need me.’’ Cymella said, pleadingly.
After a long silence, Alyssane gave a slight nod.
‘’I have answered all of your questions….now I have some of my own.’’ Cymella said.
‘’Very well.’’ Alyssane said, suddenly exhausted from the weight of the previous conversation.
‘’What is the purpose of this meeting…what is your plan?’’ Cymella asked.
Vaekar was silent at that, leaving Alyssane to explain.
‘’We are gathered to discuss my claim to the Iron Throne, and how best to depose Laena.’’ Alyssane said curtly.
Cymella audibly laughed ‘’Now it is my turn to ask what you are doing here Vaekar…out of all the things I would expect of you, supporting another's claim over your own…..’’
‘’I have my reasons.’’ Vaekar said simply.
‘’In exchange for Vaekars support of my claim, I have promised to make him my Hand of the Queen, and name him Lord Paramount of Dragonstone, Lords Massey, Celtigar, and Velaryon will all swear him fealty, he will become one of the most powerful Lords of the Realm.’’ Alyssane explained.
‘’And how did you come to this conclusion….I must say sister, I never thought the Iron Throne was something you truly wished for, Laena assumed it was all your husbands doing….she underestimated you it seems.’’ Cymella mused.
‘’I am the best candidate…..I have a son, the lord's will never rally to a cause without an heir apparent…..and Highgarden is with me…..my eldest daughter Patrice wed one of Amaurys brothers…my sons kin will remain loyal.’’ Alyssane explained.
‘’And the Reach?’’ Cymella asked.
‘’I cannot count on their support, not after the trial…after….after their betrayal of Aumary….but doubtless some lords of the Reach will remain loyal to their rightful liege, and Highgarden alone can raise some 600 knights, 1800 freeriders and 3700 men at arms….not to mention the peasant levies and the surrounding castles, I am hardly alone.’’ Alyssane explained.
She gave a look to her brother Vaekar, who had said nothing during the whole exchange.
She knew it had been hard for him to abandon his ambitions for the Throne, but the Lords of the realm would never rally to his cause, he had no heir, and furthermore Laena had sullied his reputation most severely…. becoming Lord Paramount of Dragonstone and hand of the King would be a steep rise in station for him, and one she hoped would sate his ambition.
She had always been close with her younger brother, she remembered well as a child she had helped him learn to read, sitting beside him in his chambers and reading the seven pointed star together. This bond had continued in later years, even after she had left the capitol for Highgarden she had stayed in contact with him, and when their sister had imprisoned him at the beginning of her reign she had put aside her fear and wrote a stern letter, advocating on his behalf, and they had continued regular communications even since then, winning his support to her claim was a large boon, with him came the royal fleet of Dragonstone and the experience to make full use of it.
Her brother was alone in a sea of enemies and Alyssane was determined to protect him, as was the duty of an older sister, and it was not possible for such a thing so long as her sister was Queen, her brother was living on borrowed time.
The thought of her older sister perturbed Alyssane more than she cared to admit, simply put her sister was absolutely terrifying and there were days that she thought it madness to even consider opposing her, in the end it was only her faith that fortified her, Vaekars presence as a seasoned warrior also provided some reassurance.
No woman can escape the fathers justice Alyssane reminded herself.
‘’You mentioned you have other allies?’’ Cymella asked.
Alyssane was silent at that, as was her younger brother.
‘’In time you may become acquainted with some of them, perhaps as soon as today…..that is all I will say on the matter.’’ Alyssane said finally.
‘’You still don't trust me.’’ Cymella said….it was not a question.
‘’Trust takes time to nurture Cymella.’’ Alyssane said, careful not to make her sister any more angry than she already was.
‘’If you want trust you have to earn it…..to prove it….delivering your son Boros and the Stormlords to our cause would be a good start.’’ Vaekar said, giving his twin a look.
Cymella nodded her head slowly ‘’’Boros is only a boy…he will listen to my council…I could bring him to your side…if I cared too.’’
‘’If you cared too…..if you truly do despise our sister you would agree to such a thing without condition.’’ Vaekar scoffed.
‘’Aligning with you puts my sons betrothal into question….I must have another match, one that ties myself and the Stormlands to your claim.’’ Cymella said defensively and a silence fell over the room.
‘’You want my son, who may one day sit the Throne, to be betrothed your bastard?’’ Alyssane asked, for the first time, her veil of politeness being pierced by her sisters insolence.
‘’My ‘’bastard’’ has a name….her name is Marena, and the blood of the dragon runs just as thick through her veins as your sons….I have promised you my support…but if you want my son then this is the cost.’’ Her sister said hotly.
Alyssane was silent, she did not wish to corrupt her son or his line with the stain of bastardry…but she needed more allies to face her sister, the thought of 20,000 more swords and spears would be a great comfort.
She looked towards Vaekar, who must surely have similar reservations about the sin of bastardry, but he remained silent, his hand on the ruby pommel of Blackfyre.
‘’Agreed.’’ Alyssane said, the words sticking in her throat…such a match was a humiliation but she needed all the men she could get.
‘’Good, it is settled then, I had best start looking for another match for Boros, win us more allies.’’ Cymella said, appeased.
‘’That may not be necessary.’’ Vaekar said before explaining ‘’In order to beat our sister we must think like her….I believe she won't cancel the betrothal…it won't take her long to learn of this meeting when she returns, and of your presence….she won't cancel the betrothal and leave us free to create another alliance through your son…most like she will force it to continue, and hope our niece can turn Boros against us and align him with the throne.’’
Cymella scoffed ‘’I know Daeoril….the girl is quiet and meek, if she thinks Boros will listen to her over me….’’
‘’You know the child….the woman may become someone else entirely…but it will be years until such a marriage comes to fruition, enough time to fortify your son's loyalty to our cause.’’ Vaekar said.
‘’Years.’’ Cymella began puzzled ‘’We should begin preparations to take Kings Landing now, before Laena can defend against our alliance, strike Kings Landing while she is in the Stepstones.’’
Alyssane looked at Cymella with shock ‘’Are you mad…..even if we somehow were to take Kings Landing before our sister returns we would still have to contend with Jaekar on Oathwing, and Vaella on Narrah….Oathwing is over twenty feet and Narrah nearly 40.’’
‘’Your dragon Severax is large enough to ride into battle…..it would be difficult but you could account for Oathwing…and our siege weapons could deal with Narrah.’’ Cymella pointed out.
Alyssane was silent at that…she had never been an avid flyer of her red dragon Severax, she was not an especially bold woman and to be hundreds of feet off the ground….all while fighting another dragon…
Vaekar saved her from having to shame herself personally ‘’The gods have not made our sister a warrior, and furthermore Oathwing is faster than Severax…it wouldn't be a fair fight, and that's against the smallest dragon our sister can muster to her cause, any plan to take Kings Landing believing Vhagar would be absent is a foolish one.’’
‘’If we dont march now it will give our sister time to plan…I know her, we need to move against her before she can put a plan into place, anything can happen in a battle…all it takes is one well placed arrow…one well placed scorpion and..’’ Cymella began.
‘’This is not a fight we can win now….she will make her plans…but we won't sit idly by either, it will give time for my dragon Andalax and your dragon Vaedar to grow large enough to ride into battle, both are under 10 feet now….and if we wait until Ellard is older the Lords of the Reach may join us, many of the lords that betrayed Aumary are old….furthermore we cannot march now as our greatest ally is…indisposed.’’ Vaekar explained.
‘’We cannot move too early Cymella…one false move…one false step….and we are all dead….it is said she fed some pirate alive to her dragon Vhagar….that is what awaits us if we fail, my son, your son…we cannot make a false move.’’ Alyssane said, the words spilling out from her mouth.
‘’Then what is our plan?’’ Cymella asked.
‘’We wait, find more allies, allow our dragons to grow, I am outfitting several of my galleys with scorpions to counter her dragons, we have Highgarden…we use this time to win more support from the Lords of the Reach, as Ellard grows more and more will flock to his banner, and by extension…our sister…..when the time is right we march on Kings Landing, with 40,000 men from the Reach, 30,000 from the North and 10,000 crownlanders, 80,000 men surrounding King's Landing by land while 120 galleys surround it by sea, in addition to both our dragons.’’ Vaekar said.
‘’Our sister is not a fool….when she sees we have gathered such a powerful host she will know she has no hope of victory…..her daughter and husband will council her to surrender the city.’’ Alyssane said, forcing herself to speak with confidence.
‘’You mentioned the North?’’ Cymella asked.
‘’Lord Eddard Stark has pledged his loyalty to my cause…..his men are mine.’’ Alyssane said with a nod.
‘’How did you manage that?’’ Cymella asked.
‘’I promised the man that following our victory I would grant the North its independence….and that he could rule as King of the North.’’ Alyssane said, in truth she did not like the idea of giving away such a large swathe of her future kingdom, but she needed the Northerners if she was to have any hope of defeating her sister.
‘’I would have preferred to march now…but there are some merits to waiting I suppose…I will follow your lead, but I want one more thing in return.’’ Cymella said.
‘’Go on then.’’ Vaekar gestured.
‘’When it's over…..if she decides to fight rather than surrender and is captured….I want to be the one to kill her.’’ Cymella said nonchalantly.
Alyssane looked at her sister with shock and touched the seven pointed star necklace upon her neck.
Collecting herself, she shook her head ‘’I understand the temptation…but I will not begin my reign by having my own blood put to death, no matter her sins.’’
‘’No man or woman is as accursed as the kinslayer.’’ Vaekar said with a nod.
‘’She wouldn't hesitate if it were us, you know it's true, if we lose this fight she will kill us.’’ Cymella said.
‘’One does not fight evil with evil Cymella, the fathers justice will see our sister pay for her sins….but I will not have her killed….that is my decision and it is final.’’ Alyssane said sternly, she was willing to overlook the fact that her sister Cymella was hardly a pious ally, but she would not be led astray by her sister's lack of morals.
‘’What do you suppose be done with her then?’’ Cymella demanded.
‘’If our sister survives what is to come, I shall allow her to take her vows as a silent sister, though I will order her tongue removed so that she can not tempt others with sinful suggestions or ambitions….Lord Stark has agreed that he shall find a place for her in Moles Town, a filthy little town just south of the wall….she shall prepare the bodies of fallen members of the Night's Watch for the rest of her days, in quiet reflection and atonement….as far away from the capitol as possible.’’ Alyssane answered.
‘’We can hammer out the specifics when it is done….we have many years until Ellard is old enough to win us more support…..before we can decide what is to be done with Laena we must first depose her, and it will be no easy task to accomplish…I promise you that.’’ Vaekar cautioned.
Suddenly a messenger walked into the hall, causing the three siblings to grow silent, the man walked over to Alyssane and whispered in his here.
‘’What is it?’’ Cymella asked.
‘’You expressed an interest in meeting some of our allies I believe….’’ Alyssane said before ordering her servants to admit the visitor to the hall.
Shortly after, a man walked into the hall. Wearing a wolfskin cloak, bald and with a short dark brown beard he had a rather plain looking face, except for the charred and burned flesh which covered half of his face….the work of dragonfire.
‘’Lord Stark….I am glad to see you have made it…the seas treated you well?’’ Alyssane said courteously as the man walked in.
‘’Aye….well enough….we made fast time from the Flint Cliffs, but even so I cannot stay long.’’ The northman answered before looking to her brother.
‘’Prince Vaekar.’’ The man nodded a greeting before his eyes shifted to Cymella with surprise.
‘’Our sister…the Princess Cymella, lady of Storm's End…she has pledged her support to my cause.’’ Alyssane explained.
‘’Our cause you mean.’’ The man said before sitting down.
‘’You mentioned you cannot stay long?’’ Vaekar asked rather suspiciously.
‘’Aye….after our business is concluded I must sail back to the Flint Cliffs and rejoin my hosts which are mustering at Winterfell, I mean to push south towards Whitford and then Moat Caillin, and drive the Tullys south.’’ The man said.
‘’Is that wise my lord…..I was under the impression you would be seeking an end to the fighting, your mother hoped for a quick victory.’’ Alyssane said, doing her best to conceal her worry, she did not want her greatest ally grinding his forces to mincemeat against the Tullys, not when every northerner would be needed to depose her sister in the future.
‘’Honor compels me to continue the war until I can secure either victory or favorable terms for my people…I would have to make significant concessions to end the war now….if I am to be King of the North it cannot be said I surrendered whilst Moat Caillin was in the hands of foreigners…at the very least it must be retaken..’’ Lord Stark explained.
‘’I understand your hesitation…but it may not be realistic my Lord…..you are already familiar with my cousin Daenas dragon Moondancer….it is no easy thing to kill a dragon…your men will suffer greatly if you meet the Tullys in the field again.’’ Vaekar cautioned.
Eddard Stark looked surprised at that ‘’You have not heard?’’
‘’Heard what?’’ Vaekar demanded.
‘’My scouts report your cousins beast lays dying…or at the very least wounded….many of my Crannogmen fired arrows at it at Moat Caillin.’’ He replied.
‘’Arrows cannot slay a dragon.’’ Cymella scoffed.
‘’My crannogmen coat their arrows in poison, from materials only found in the neck….little honor in using such tactics against men…but when facing a dragon such rules hardly apply.’’ The Lord of Winterfell said.
‘’Even still…..continuing the war, you could lose thousands of men, men that could be needed later….every man is important Lord Stark.’’ Alyssane said.
‘’I saw hundreds of my men burn alive at Moat Caillin…if I relent now they will have died for nothing…and that would make the memory of their screams all the more haunting.’’The man said, surprisingly somber for a northman.
Alyssane was struggling to think out an argument to convince him to preserve his men for the future but surprisingly her brother spoke.
‘’Lord Stark is right…..he should continue the war, if it does come to conflict with our sister then we cannot count on the Riverlands remaining neutral, Daena is Jaekars brother after all…..if they were to strike their banners for our sister, holding the Twins could allow them time to hold off Lord Stark's host while they raise their own banners, ruining the element of surprise and bogging down half of our forces at the Twins.’’ Vaekar said before continuing, looking to Lord Stark.
‘’It would be best for you to take the Twins now, bring the Freys to your domain, they can raise some 5000 men, many of them knights and heavy horse which we will need if it comes to conflict with our sister…..you may lose many men in this campaign but their levies will replenish them...and it will be years before we make our move.’’ he finished.
The young lord stroked his beard ‘’Any advice for me…you've seen your share of battles.’’
‘’It will be anything but easy but your strategy is sound…push south to Whitford, if you can win a decisive battle there they will be forced to retreat south through the neck, many will be captured due to the frantic retreat through the swamp, destroying the main part of the Tully forces…the fortifications at the Twins are among the strongest in the realm but the garrison will be weakened and demoralized….with the main Tully army destroyed you can surround them and siege them to submission.’’ Vaekar said.
Lord Stark nodded ‘’It will come down to beating them at Whitford then….a solid plan.’’
Alyssane nodded ‘’I believe we have spoken enough for one day….we shall speak more tomorrow Lord Stark.’’
The Northman rose ‘’Aye…I have had a long trip…but I wish to make one more thing clear that I did not when I offered you my support against your sister.’’
‘’Speak your mind my lord.’’ Alyssane said.
‘’As I have said, I will see your sister is taken in by the silent sisters that serve the Night's Watch should she survive what is to come….though you should just take her head and be done with it if you ask me.’’ He began.
‘’I have made my decision.’’ Alyssane said curtly, not willing to entertain the idea any further.
‘’Aye…and it's yours to make….but nothing happens to the Princess Lianna, send her across the narrow sea if you like, but she deserves better than exile with such a grim and gloomy order.’’ He said.
Alyssane nodded slowly, she knew her northern ally had grown quite friendly with her niece after she visited Winterfell during one of her diplomatic missions ‘’She will be treated fairly….she is not to blame for her mothers sins….when we prevail she will be permitted to sail wherever she wishes with her husband and son, provided it is not within my kingdom.’’
Lord Stark grunted his assent and withdrew, appeased, as did Vaekar and Cymella, the long meeting at its end.
When they had left, Alyssane withdrew her hands from below the table, holding one in front of her, watching it shake lightly, the enormity of what she was plotting fully hitting her,she was grateful not for the first time that it would be years before she would have to oppose her sister.
The seven will give me courage when it is time Alyssane reminded herself and left the chambers to light a candle for her late husband Aumary.
Two Weeks Later Skies Above Kings Landing
It was past well midnight by the time Laena returned to Kings Landing from her campaign in the Stepstones, flying over the city on the dragon Vhagar among the stars reminded her of her first flight after claiming the dragon when she had been but a girl, the action that had finally convinced her father to name her his heir.
Below her the city seemed silent though she could see lights emanating from taverns and brothels below, and see small crowds forming in the darkened streets to watch her flight, though she could hear nothing over the cold wind from the blackwater rushing at her face as the huge dragon ponderously flew towards the Dragonpit.
She had traveled most of the way across the narrow sea on ship, but had mounted Vhagar when they approached the city, she was bone tired and wanted to sleep in her own bed tonight.
She landed the dragon with a huge thud in front of the Dragonpit, where some dragon keepers commanded and ushered the dragon towards the gargantuan entrance to its enclosure, the dragon left reluctantly with heavy footfalls that shook the cobble walkway, and not before giving a fearsome roar which echoed and boomed across the night.
Laena shivered, waiting impatiently for her litter to arrive, and soon after it and her escort arrived, some twenty dragon cloaks led by Ser Androw Hollard of the Kingsguard.
‘’You certainly took your time in getting here.’’ The Queen said with annoyance and entered her litter.
Even with the streets being largely empty it was not a quick trip, Kings Landing had grown quite large and was growing every year, though eventually they reached the Red Keep.
Laena went straight to her chambers, immediately snuffing out the candles that had been lit and laying in the bed, the hearth crackling softly, she had been sleeping in a tent for the entire campaign, a luxurious tent to be sure but a tent all the same…sleep swiftly came
Her comfort was not to last for long however, it seemed she had just closed her eyes when there was a knock on the door and her daughter Vaella walked in, admitted by the Kingsguard on duty.
‘’This cannot wait until morning?’’ Laena asked with annoyance.
‘’H…hello to you t..too mother.’’ Her daughter said, sitting on a chair and putting her feet up on the table by the roaring hearth.
‘’You would have received a much warmer greeting if you had waited until breakfast….can this not wait Vaella…I have had a long trip.’’ Laena said cooly.
‘’I'm afraid n..not….y..you had best h..hear of it now.’’ Vaella responded, gesturing her over.
Laena sighed and pulled a shawl over her shoulders and joined her daughter in a chair, stifling a yawn as she accepted the small parchment from her daughter.
She began to read it, the anger rising inside of her, she stood by the fire and read it again before crushing it in her hand and throwing it in the fire.
‘’All of them?’’ She asked softly, looking into the flames.
‘’Yes….Alyssane, Vaekar, C…Cymella…..my man reports even Lord S..Stark was in attendance…..clearly plotting some..something.’’ Her daughter responded.
‘’I suppose I should not have been surprised by Alyssane and Vaekar…they have always been bonded by their incessant rambling about the gods.’’ Laena said before pausing.
‘’And Cymella?’’ Her daughter questioned.
‘’After everything I have done for her….I have protected her….defended her…killed for her sake even…and she repays me with betrayal….with treachery.’’ Laena said venomously.
Vaella said nothing, letting her mother rant.
‘’And Vaekar….I spared his miserable life…I had him in a prison, and had every reason to take his head…but for the sake of the blood we share…the sake of my father and mother I spared him….he was my younger brother after all…..and yet he continues to plot against me.’’ Laena said fiercely.
‘’I will suffer it no more…..I will suffer none of it…NO MORE’’ She seethed before looking at her daughter.
‘’I will do what I should have done years ago….first I want that sterile fool Vaekar dead…then that WHORE Cymella…..and lastly my cow of a sister Alyssane…and her son should he prove to be any trouble…I want them all dead…is that understood….I want it done quickly and quietly.’’ Laena said, her voice rising almost to a shout at the end.
Most others would have been terrified by such a ferocious command, or at the least perturbed, but Vaella only shrugged.
‘’Better late th…than n..never I s..suppose….i'll make the preparations.’’ Her daughter replied.
Laena took a breath, attempting to calm herself slightly ‘’One more thing Vaella….if my sister has rallied the North and Highgarden to her cause, we need to increase our own power, we need more dragons.’’
Another bard has reached too high by having an affair with a princess and has been cast down by the Queen. Another lover of one of the Queen's relatives dead.
The Queen finally has grandchildren. Unfortunately, her first grandson Aenys is a bastard. Fortunately, this is unlikely to affect the succession since he is far down the line. The birth of Lianna's son Prince Jaerion shows that ASOIAF genetics are arbitrary and confusing. Jaerion may officially have the Targaryen name, but he is agnatically a Baratheon and in theory should have the Baratheon look according to the Baratheon strong seed rule, but he looks like his Targaryen mother and there doesn't seem to be a strong reason to think that Jaerion is a bastard or is there?
Queen Laena's interactions with Lady Paramount Arya Stark are interesting. We see that Laena has unwittingly undermined the Iron Throne's authority by letting her vassals fight each other and that authority cannot be easily restored with mere words. Even the assassination of the Lady of Winterfell will not fix that. It is interesting to note that a long time ago when Laena was only seven, Laena cited Lady Stark's rule in the North as a justification for the idea of a woman and herself more specifically sitting on the Iron Throne. Laena and Lady Arya Stark had similar traits, were the first woman to sit on their respective seats and turned out to be evil cruel women. Now, Laena has helped murder Lady Stark many years later. Can Westeros get a benevolent female rule outside of Dorne?
Princess Alysanne wants the Iron Throne independently of her late husband and she has managed to convince Vaekar and Cymella to join her faction. Unfortunately, I see big holes in their plan. They do not have a reliable plan to defeat the smaller dragons much less Vhagar. They do not have the Tullys and their dragon on their side. They lack the solid loyalty of all the lords of the Reach. They know that Laena will discover their plotting almost immediately and yet they expect to have years to wait for Lord Paramount Ellard and their dragons to grow up. That is plenty of time for Laena to strengthen her own side, for her daughters' cradle egg dragons to grow older as well, and to plan a counterstrike from the shadows. It is also long enough that Laena and her siblings might start dying for natural causes as well. If the plotters are lucky, Laena will die first and leave them facing a Queen Lianna who will be burdened with the stain of her mother's reputation and has a much smaller cradle dragon. However, Alysanne is in poorer health than her older sister and that is not considering the chance of being murdered by the Queen's agents.
I see that even Cymella has given up pretending that her daughter Marena is a trueborn Baratheon and acknowledges Marena is a bastard probably because Raymont is dead and the truth is too obvious. The marriage alliance of Ellard and Marena is made in desperation and that will be obvious to people who hear of it.
I am not sure how useful striking at Vaekar would be. He is a tough man to kill but he does not have many men under his command. I would rather murder Boros II so Ronnal Baratheon, Lianna's husband, would be the new lord of Storm's End.
Minor questions
Who is Cymella's new husband and will he be relevant to the story? What is the reason that relations between Laena and her favorite daughter Vaella so poor numberwise and will it have any bearing in the story?
