[Loras' POV]
Once the fear of the kraken had faded, Volantis' fleet sailed forward once more. Despite the seemingly impossible odds, Ser Arthur's inspiring speech reignited the fighting spirit of everyone aboard the Robert's Hammer. Loras himself was no exception.
For the longest time, he had envied his position. His deep friendship with the King, his skill, magical abilities, Valyrian Steel sword, higher rank in the Kingsguard, fame, prestige and even the way he carried himself. If you were to ask a boy which knight he aspired to be the most, the answer would be far more often Ser Arthur Tudburry than himself.
He was seemingly faultless, the perfect knight - he was everything Loras wanted to be. Even his own family and Renly would agree that Ser Arthur was greater than him... because it was a truth all too plain to see. What was a Knight of Flowers to the King's Sword?
If Ser Arthur was at the battle of Eastwatch, would Edric have even been wounded?
Such thoughts had frequented his mind often, coming more often with each failed attempt of awakening. It didn't make it any better when Brienne succeeded, receiving priority in the Kingsguard as a result. His disappointment grew further when Edric had focused on bringing that power out of him, yet he failed to live up to those expectations. Loras had even begun to question himself; did he have what it took?
He wanted that power... and not just for himself and his own personal glory. So many others had protected him in battle; his older brother, Ser Arthur and even Edric himself.
When would the day come where he, a Kingsguard, protected the King he was sworn to? Performed a great deed that was worthy of his station, of his talent... of the ambitions and standards he held for himself? When would that day come...
The fact that he had been protected several times over while never being capable of returning that act... was soul-wrenching. Worse than that, he was becoming a liability. There was a reason why he wasn't wanted in the battle against the Others.
Even today, Edric had risked his own life to best the monstrous kraken that threatened all of them while he did nothing. Ser Arthur saved the King from drowning, and Brienne had revived him - what did he do? Nothing... nothing at all.
They kept growing while he remained as stagnant as stone. What songs would be sung of him, what legacy as a knight would he leave? They were rising heroes while he was no more than an afterthought.
It ate at him every second.
He took a deep breath, recalling Edric's words.
"You need to find something that resonates with your very soul... the ambition that drives you forward - and draw it all out. Magic is the spirit of the person wielding it, given form. If you lack the will, it will never surface."
Arthur's flames that seek the pinnacle of knighthood with absolute devotion, Brienne's lightning that defies fate... what have I?
On this day, heroes are born...
He thought of Edric's squire's words, finding them strangely enlightening.
"Brienne, don't you feel stronger?" Arthur questioned. "The air seems different today."
"Yes... it's strange. My magic seemed easier to wield."
"It might be traces of Edric's power making it so..." Arthur noted.
Is that so?
Loras Tyrell stood, watching the approaching ships with newfound determination. The scorpion on board the ship was put to use, penetrating the smaller ships rather well with Balon Swann in control of it. His marksmanship wasn't only limited to the bow.
The Stormguard proved to be mostly precise archers as it was a core part of their training, raining volleys of death upon opposing ships whilst other crewmates held shields to block oncoming fire in between. The Volantene fleet's men mostly wore light armour, if any, making each arrow all the more lethal. Loras, not having much expertise with bows, had opted for a large shield, using it to cover his fellow crewmates from oncoming fire.
Arthur had led the Robert's Hammer straight into the vanguard of their right flank, with five ships aiming to board it at once. The Volantene fleet was curving to the right and left... aiming to entrap the ship. Loras could see the Golden Company not too far behind, sailing a few elephants. Their position was far from advantageous.
Eventually, they were being boarded from all sides. The first ship to attempt to board was intercepted by Ser Arthur, who cut a flaming path through their boarding party and eventually pushed them right back single-handedly. He was cutting down men by the dozen with skill that even Loras could admit was one of a kind.
Brienne had done something similiar, supported by a unit of Stormguard infantry. Sandor Clegane and Balon Swann each took the vanguard of other boarding parties - keeping them mostly away. Loras took action on the fifth ship to board.
His foes were nothing to take note of as he cut through one after the other, forcing them to retreat. Having seen Arthur do it, sense left him. He continued onwards, taking the battle to the opposing ship. They tried to horde around him, but he used his shield to keep them off. The Stormguard fired at the men surrounding him, lessening the pressure. Even so, he was pushed to the back of the upper deck.
A spear grazed his shield as Loras maintained a defensive position, only attacking where an opportunity presented itself... yet they were slowly pushing him to the point where he had no ground. Fortunately, reinforcements arrived and broke into their position.
Saved again...
Loras thought, yet he continued fighting as best he could.
The Robert's Hammer had sustained the first wave of attackers as battles began to ignite across the sea. Even so, Volantis had a greater pool of men and ships at their disposal. Given the size of the Robert's Hammer, it wasn't all too manoeuvrable, so Arthur chose to keep pushing it forward.
A second wave, a third... the fighting had known no end. Although the large crew of the ship was able to maintain unity and avoid major losses, the men could only fight for so long against a seemingly never-ending pool of fighters.
Smelling blood in the water, the Golden Company struck.
The dragon was first, diving down and setting a nearby ship ablaze with a breath of fire. Even though the fire was not so large, it was devastating nonetheless, melting through the upper deck and sending the crew into chaos.
How long until our ship meets that fate?
Loras thought to himself as the dragon rose to the skies once more.
Balon Swann made an attempt at firing the scorpion at it, missing. Meanwhile, the Golden Company began pressing down on their vanguard. To the left and right flanks, were the Blue Cloaks and knights of the reach, who kept their respective flanks secure - giving Robert's Hammer the ability to keep pushing forward without being entirely surrounded.
This led to a decisive clash down in the middle of the sea...
The first ship carrying golden sails was a swift one, attempting to ram into their ship. The captain managed to steer the Robert's Hammer clear of the attack, leading it to face a line of Golden Company war galleys ahead. Arrows flew from both sides, blocking out the sun. The Golden Company seemed to possess a division of archers wielding goldenheart bows... which was a definite advantage.
Still, their shields mostly held strong, and they forcefully boarded the first ship that was close enough. Ser Arthur had chosen a more offensive strategy... after all, the longer they took to make a genuine impact, the more the rest of the fleet would suffer.
As always, Ser Arthur led the way and carved a path through their ranks. Ser Loras was deep in the fray himself... yet he was not nearly as effective. After cutting down four men with relative ease, he encountered a knight in good armour who slowed his momentum to a stroll. It was times like these that he envied Arthur's sword, which cut through everything.
As if he had read his mind, Ser Arthur stabbed his opponent in the back - burning a hole through him before moving onto the next. Loras continued on, cutting through the less well-armoured Golden Company soldiers while Ser Arthur focused on the knights and officers.
Loras found it rather condescending... but he saw the logic behind it.
They were shifting the tides in this corner of battle, tearing through the Golden Company's vanguard under the lead of Ser Arthur.
But then... the dragon dived on to them.
The world slowed to nearly a halt as Loras saw it coming for him. He could see the flames... the burns... the agony... and the near immediate death that would follow.
Then he felt a hand push him down to the side, stepping in to face the dragon. Loras immediately turned and saw who it was.
Ser Arthur...
There was not a trace of fear behind that white cloak.
Only confidence.
Or, perhaps, more accurately... foolishness. A foolish selflessness that made him act before thinking.
And yet... once again, he had been saved by it.
What was the price Ser Arthur would pay? His life, any chances of victory... and certain death for the rest of the fleet.
All to save him momentarily.
No... no more... I won't let you die protecting me!
Ser Loras flashed forward, a trail of water following his quickened steps. He slashed towards the sky, and a crescent of water soared in the air, meeting the flames and creating smoke. The dragon flew away. Arthur looked at him with surprise.
"So, this is my power..." Loras took a deep breath, having the weight of falling behind lifted off his shoulders.
"Well... look who woke up." Arthur smiled, tilting his head slightly. "Water is all too fitting for this battle."
"That act of yours... was truly foolish," Loras admitted.
"It seems to have worked out, hasn't it? Besides, I... wanted to test something."
"Test what? How quickly you'd burn to death?"
"Er, hopefully not that." Arthur shook his head. "You'll see if it works. For now, I want you to double up with Brienne. Lightning and water are extremely effective when paired with each other."
"Yes, Serjeant... behind-"
Arthur already saw the attack, dodging it and countering by decapitating his aggressor in a split second, leaving burn marks at his neck. This shocked the Golden Company's soldiers and dropped their morale even lower. As the battle raged on, Ser Arthur fell into a state of bloodlust that Loras hadn't ever seen before.
"KEEP MOVING FORWARD... CRUSH THEM ALL!"
His flames scorched an entire line of men, melting them in their own armour.
The tides were shifting.
The dragon would come again.
"Don't defend me this time."
Arthur walked towards the dragon's path.
"...?" Loras raised an eyebrow. "Are you mad?"
"I've been influenced by one that might suit that word..."