Balerion Tower, Valyria
Laenor's eyes roamed across the interior of the tower as Aelor Drakonar led them toward his lord and the head of his family. It did not take an intelligent man to deduce that the most powerful family of Valyria would possess the finest things the world could offer, both in structure and decoration. Even so, Laenor was surprised. The expensive tapestries, the abundance of gold, silver, and rubies—these were expected. But the dragonglass floor was new.
The floor was like glass—clear and smooth—though tinted a deep red-black, pairing unnervingly well with the black walls and flickering flames that cast terrible, dancing shadows across the hall.
Thinking of shadows and darkness, Laenor realized that Balerion Tower possessed a distinctly gothic and oppressive interior, matched only by its exterior. Perhaps it was meant to intimidate visitors—no, not perhaps, Laenor corrected himself. It was meant to terrify anyone who entered this place. He came to that conclusion when he noticed the expressions on his mother's and sister's faces, both visibly anxious as they closed the small distance between themselves and him.
Laenor had almost forgotten the foul and heavy aura steeped into this tower, as he could ignore it at will with the help of his heightened senses. His mother and sister were not so fortunate. Terrible deeds must have been done to let this present hung to the tower like everpresent cloak.
Not wishing for his family to be exposed further to whatever twisted presence the Drakonars had cultivated here, Laenor spread his own magic—intertwined with his divine energy—into a subtle circle around them. His mother's and sister's faces relaxed almost instantly, relief clear as they glanced at him with gratitude.
Aelor Drakonar, walking close beside them, was caught within the edge of Laenor's presence as well. The steward halted mid-step, his composure breaking entirely as shock crossed his face.
"W… wh…what is this feeling?" Aelor asked, stammering. For the first time since they had met, Laenor saw the Drakonar without his polite mask.
"That is my presence you are feeling, High Steward Aelor," Laenor replied with a faint smile.
"It feels so calm… so serene, and yet so deep and powerful," Aelor said slowly, clearly struggling to put the sensation into words.
"Like the sea," Laena offered softly.
Aelor turned toward her, and after a moment, he bobbed his head like chicken and genuine smile broke across his face. "Yes—precisely. Like the ocean. Calm and deep, yet powerful beyond measure. You carry the presence of the sea, Lord Laenor. A pure ocean." He paused, awe evident. "I have never felt something so untainted in my life. Your presence keeps the tower's aura at bay, which alone is proof of its purity. I thank you, my lord, for this honor."
Aelor bowed deeply.
Laenor acknowledged the gesture with a nod. Earlier, the steward had only inclined his head in courtesy—now he bowed in genuine gratitude.
Aelor's polite smile returned, but this time it was no longer a mask.
They soon reached a heavy door guarded by two men with black, greasy hair, each holding a Valyrian steel spear. Only the spearheads were rippling metal; the shafts were made of a dark wood Laenor could not identify.
The guards opened the doors, and Laenor stepped into a chamber laden with even greater luxury than what he had seen up until now—if such a thing were possible.
The first face his eyes landed on was his father's, who greeted him with a warm smile. Then Laenor's gaze shifted to Lord Maelor and Lady Hael, seated upon a couch opposite his father. Both regarded him with open surprise and measured judgment.
His eyes then moved to two women seated beside the Drakonar couple. One was younger—likely around Rhaenyra's age—her beauty rivaling that of the realm's delight herself. She wore a gown of deep blood-red, the color of freshly spilled blood.
She met his gaze briefly before lowering her eyes, suddenly engrossed in smoothing a gown that needed no fixing. Her presence here is utterly curious since she was the only one, except for either the pointy hair or Velaryon name, but Laenor deduced he would know soon enough of her identity and purpose behind her presencehere, so he didn't mad much assumption.
When his gaze landed on the next woman beside the red-dressed one, the older woman truly stunned him. By older Laenor means of his age, not some crone. Laenor almost laughed out loud; the Crone and this woman could never be even used in one sentence because even The Crone and Maiden together could rival the beauty of this woman before Laenor's eyes.
She possessed a pale Valyrian complexion, though hers was healthy rather than ghostly. Her hair was white-gold, the gold so soft and warm that it blended seamlessly with the white, like sunlight cascading through silver—a sight Laenor felt he could stare at for a lifetime and not get tired of.
Her slightly pointed ears and flawless features would shame even the finest Valyrian bloodlines. It was difficult—painfully difficult—for Laenor to look away, to tear his gaze from the sheer perfection before him.
With effort and resolve, determined not to appear the fool he had been earlier when he first saw Lord Maelor and Lady Hael, Laenor tore his gaze from her and moved to take a seat beside his mother and sister.
He hoped he did not look too embarrassed.
Once seated, he made a concentrated effort not to look back toward those lilac eyes he could feel boring into him—eyes filled with amusement and quiet mirth, even without seeing them, Laenor could feel the emotions inside them.
"Welcome, Lord Laenor, to Balerion Tower, the home of House Drakonar," Maelor said in a grand tone, mirth replacing the shock that had marked his expression earlier. "Allow me to introduce these two lovely young dragonriders." He gestured toward the younger woman clad in a blood-red gown. "This is Melisa Zaldri, the current head of House Zaldri—the last of her line."
Laenor nodded politely at the woman, though he did not yet understand the reason for her presence.
"And this," Maelor continued, turning slightly, "is my daughter, Elaena Drakonar, rider of Morghul."
Laenor forced himself to meet those lilac eyes and inclined his head in acknowledgment, though his gaze betrayed him for a heartbeat, slipping to her full lips as she smiled openly at him. He dragged his eyes upward at once and turned back toward Lord Maelor, schooling his expression.
Is this some kind of magic? Laenor tested the air instinctively, but quickly dismissed the thought. His presence alone would disrupt any subtle spellwork, even passive enchantments. That left only one possibility—one he dared not entertain for long, for the irony was too sharp to ignore.
Once, a Velaryon had destroyed himself for an Elaena Drakonar. Laenor had no intention of following in his ancestor's footsteps.
Drawing a steadying breath, Laenor regained his composure and refocused on the conversation unfolding between his father and Lord Maelor, which had turned toward the political factions of Valyria. There were three: one led by the Drakonars, another by their rivals, House Aetharyon, and a third faction that was strong in its own right. While Aetharyon could not rival the Drakonars in raw power, both opposing factions possessed numbers the Drakonars lacked.
In short, it was a contest of quality versus quantity. And should Laenor leave Balerion Tower allied with Maelor Drakonar, the balance would tip decisively. The Drakonar faction would dominate Valyria—if not in name, then in truth.
His father had instructed him clearly not to interrupt until he fully understood Valyrian politics from Lord Maelor's perspective, which might differ from Lady Rhaenys Belaerys's account. Yet Laenor found that Maelor was more shrewd—and far more persuasive—than he had anticipated.
"…and the Drakonars and our faction are prospering, not only within the Council, but across many offices and institutions where our rivals have stagnated for centuries," Maelor said, a note of satisfaction creeping into his voice. "With time—and a modest measure of support—we can overwhelm them and claim control over the greatest power in the world."
"I believe we could provide that measure of support, Lord Maelor," Laenor said calmly, breaking his silence at last. His father nodded beside him, clearly interested in what Maelor would say next. "But I wonder what we would receive in return—something of equal value."
Maelor smiled. "The Drakonars can offer your family more than your kin—or House Aetharyon—could ever hope to. A restored Velaryon seat among the Forty, with the wealth and resources of a house once counted among the top twenty. Prestige, influence, and access to things even I do not know the end of—things you will learn once you accept."
He paused, then inclined his head slightly. "That is what I offer you, Lord Laenor. But forgive me for asking—before you decide, what do you bring into this alliance? It is not only I who am curious. Lady Melisa has the right to know, if she is to merge her bloodline with another, whether that blood is truly worthy."
Laenor turned to Melisa Zaldri. To his surprise, the woman did not look curious at all—only resigned, distant, as though the matter had already been decided for her.
Laenor sighed softly. "Have I not shown enough? The thunder that day was no fluke, Lord Maelor. Nor was the pressure you felt in your bones."
Maelor's smile stiffened. "I do not doubt that those events were of your making. But without understanding what lies beyond that display, my lady Melisa finds herself uneasy." He glanced toward her briefly before returning his gaze to Laenor. "If you would be so kind as to explain—some of your capabilities, and the origin of the power you wield. We do not ask for everything. Only enough to assure us that Lady Melisa's fate would rest in the hands of both powerful and secure."
If you're interested in reading up to fifteen chapters ahead of this one, you can find them on my Patreon:
Patreon.com/c/Daeranyx_Drakonar
Your support on Patreon helps me continue writing, but rest assured, I won't be locking chapters behind a paywall. They will be available for free over time. If you enjoy the story and would like to support my work, your contribution would be greatly appreciated!