Early 120 AC
Urrigon POV
Aegon was the first to move, with a roar he swung his wooden blade at Jacaerys, his form sloppy, who could barely block the blow.
Aegon capitalized on their age and size difference continuing his relentless assault, blow after blow, Jacaerys form retreated being quickly overwhelmed.
His brother growing impatient with Jacaerys resistance ,found an opening in his defense and with a free hand he shoved the boy. Jacaerys hit the yard floor with a thud.
The mock duel seemingly over Urrigon saw Aegon beginning to walk away his lips carved into a smile ,"I've won my bout, Ser Criston . My opponent sues for mercy", he finished with a cackle.
Aegon always carried himself with the classic Targaryen arrogance, just like their older sister and it was due to that he was nearly caught unaware.
Urrigon saw the frustration and humiliation on Jacaerys face, so when the boy stood up and charged at Aegon who's back was turned, wooden sword ready, he wasn't surprised.
"AEGON!", shouted Daeron, warning their brother.
Aegon quickly turned around, barely dodging Jacaerys sloppy swings, the brown haired boy's anger apparent.
Now it was him on the defensive, Aegon's poor form came to bite him as he was being pushed back, blocking blows with his own wooden sword, one handed. His feet scrambling backwards.
Aegon's back hit a wooden training post and Jacaerys capitalized the now blocked enemy and with a roar swung the sword downwards, using all his might. Aegon with a desperate quickness dodged the blow and ducked behind the training post.
Jacaerys had over swung, trying to get back into proper position but his brother didn't give him that chance, he pushed the training post and it fell on Jacaerys, who dropped his mock weapon to catch it.
As Aegon winded up his own weapon to strike the now immobilized boy he was quickly stopped.
"Foul Play", shouted Ser Harwin Strong, the man quickly went to aid Jacaerys, pulling the training post off the boy.
"I'll deal with him," said Criston Cole, taking Aegon to the other side of the yard to counsel him. Ser Harwin did the same for Jacaerys.
Urrigon observed both parties noticing the difference between them. While Criston was firm with his teachings and warning, grabbing Aegon's arm to force him to pay attention it all came off as a dutiful Knight towards his charge.
Harwin and Jacaerys on the other hand…
Harwin did not consult Jacaerys like a Knight but rather someone more affectionate, he grabbed the boy's chin and told whispered encouragement. Both of their brown eyes locking with each other, the same hair, the same nose and finally when Harwin was finished they both gave the same smile towards each other. Harwin rubbing the boy hair with clear affection.
Urrigon noticed Aemond and Dareon gazing jealousy towards the boy and his "Knight". From the Balcony, he watched as his mother gripped her green dress. He could only stare. His father remind willingly oblivious while his Hand, Lyonel Strong visibly was nervous.
'So the Hand knows the truth? He must be proud that his bastard grandson will be king', sneered Urrigon in his mind.
Both boys finished their private conversation and were ready for round two.
"YOU!" roared Aegon at Jacaerys, stomping towards him. His blade flew towards Jacaerys face, who raised his own weapon to block the blow, his feet already pedaling backwards.
"Close to him!" instructed Ser Cristion.
Aegon's wooden sword swung faster, slowly crumbling Jacaerys defense.
"Press him backward! Close with him!"
Aegon attacked relentlessly, never giving Jacaerys the chance to recover. Each swing made Jacaerys form more sloppy, the boy's face filled with anxiety as he tried to scramble away.
"Stay on the attack. Use your feet!", ordered the Kingsguard.
His elder brother proved a diligent student, his wooden sword cut through the air and broke Jacaerys defense, his sword arm flying to the side leaving him defenseless, Aegon slammed his foot on Jacaerys chest and his nephew flew onto the floor.
Jacearys pedaled backwards and weakly raised his weapon to defend him.
"Don't let him get up!"
Jacaerys could only defend himself as Aegon ruthlessly continued to swing at his fallen form. Finally he could hold the blade no longer and it clattered next to himself.
"Stay on the attack!"
Aegon raised his sword as high as he could and with a cry swung the blade to the now vulnerable Jacaerys. His nephew closed his eyes and raised his arms in a weak attempt to protect himself.
"ENOUGH!", screamed Ser Harwin Strong as he grabbed the back of Aegon's training garbs and hauled the boy off of Jacaerys.
"YOU DARE PUT YOUR HANDS ON ME!" ,screamed Aegon as Harwin threw him away from Jacaerys. Aemond and Daeron were quick to rush to aid their brother. As Lucerys rushed to his own brothers side,
"Aegon!" shouted the King chastising Aegon. Who could only bow his head in frustration.
"Aegon, are you okay?" asked Daeron concern in his voice.
"That knight should know his betters" sneered Aemond at the commander, by his brothers side.
Urrigon did not move, it wasn't his time yet.
Though his heart curled.
Ser Criston called out to Harwin his voice firm, " You forget yourself, Strong. That is the Prince"
Ser Harwin turned to face him, finishing checking up on Jacaerys."This is what you teach, Cole? Cruelty... to the weaker opponent?"
Both men stared each other down, eyes filled with hatred for the other.
Ser Cole smirked , "Your interest in the princeling's training is quite unusual, Commander." , pointing towards Jacaerys and Lucerys. "Most men would only have that kind of devotion toward a cousin... or a brother... or a son.
Harwin charged the Kingsguard, his face filled with fury but as he was upon him Urrigon stepped in the way, between the both them.
"Ser Strong might I have a moment", said Urrigom. His hands now holding two training swords.
It seemed to somber the man up. Ser Harwin now aware of everyone watching as he nearly attacked a Kingsguard, "Prince Urrigon…how…can I be of assistance".
"You spoke on Ser Criston's teaching method, I was wondering if you could show me and everyone how you would do it."
"Prince Urrigon that isn't my experti–"
Urrigon pressed one of the wooden swords on his chest, "Please kind ser, I insist."
Ser Harwin noticed the Queen's gaze on him, her eyes piercing him with barely hidden contempt. The King looked on confused, his decrypted face scrunched up and finally Ser Harwin's own father mouthed to him to obey the command of the Prince.
"O-Of course prince Urrigon" grinded Ser Harwin through his teeth. The commander was clear in his resistance.
Prince Urrigon felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to ser Criston,"Ser Cole can I help you?"
"My prince, is this what you talked about" whispered the Kingsguard.
"The warrior will guide me, for they know who is righteous"
He continued to walk into the middle of the yard. He felt the stares of his siblings, nephews and those on the balcony. He stared at his "opponent".
He held a great deal of loathing towards Harwin Strong. This man had come to King's Landing, the red keep. The home of the conqueror, the counselor and even the cruel and debased it with his sinful treachery. This man debauchery and that of his eldest sister Rhaenyra had made a mockery of them all. Ser Harwin Strong if he had any sense of honour, any sense of virtue or piety would have exposed his sin if not stopped at one bastard.
Rather he parades them in front of all, Jacaerys, Lucerys and now even the newborn Joffrey all his spawn born of his and his sister wretchedness. He hides no affection he has for them, Urrigon see's their affections, the whole court does but the King willfully turns a eye.
Who suffered from this, who bore the consequence for Ser Harwin and his whore of a sister Rhaenyra? For the king's willful ignorance? It was Urrigon's family. His mother who birthed four trueborn son and a gentle daughter, his mother who was forced to bed by the King whenever he pleased!
His brothers, Aegon's willingness to drown in his cups to by more like the king, Aemond bitterness of being out done by bastards , Daeron's fear of the King sending him away to appease the whore and Hellena's isolation. All of them have felt the neglect of the King.
Yes, Urrigon despised Harwin Strong. If he couldn't punish Rhaenyra or her spawn due to the king's protection he would punish him.
"Ser Cole, will you begin the match?", said Urrigon, his face and voice calm and revealed little.
Ser Criston , out of his brief stupor, walked in between them.
"Ser Harwin?" asked Urrigon.
The commander looked at the boy, his posture relaxed, sword in one hand, "Prince Urrigon?"
"The Seven be with you…"
" Excus–"
"ENGAGE" shouted Ser Criston.
Urrigon lunged towards the commander, wooden blade quick, thrusting towards the commanders armoured chest. The commander pivoted his body to the left and parried the blade. Ser Harwin then moved for a counter attack and slashed his blade downwards toward Urrigon's hand quickly disarming the boy. Urrigon's wooden blade clattered onto the training yard.
In one single motion Ser Harwin had defeated him.
It made sense.
Ser Harwin was trained since he was a boy, his body was tall and burly and his strength fitting his house name 'Strong'. Urrigon compared to him was nothing more than a spoiled prince.
"Impressive strike,Ser Harwin, may we go again?"
Urrigon felt the disappointed stares of his brothers, his nephews glee and the loss of interest in the king's eye on the balcony.
"If you insist, Urrigon" said Harwin. He was quite bold now, assured. The commander smirked at the Kingsguard, "Ser Criston may you begin the match?"
Criston Cole grinded his teeth but nodded.
Ser Harwin stood in position, his form barely maintained his form purposely incorrect. Urrigon in turn resumed the same stance.
"Begin".
Urrigon lunged at Ser Harwin, thrusting his sword towards Ser Hawin chest once again, repeating his move. The commander rolled his eyes and lazily moved to the left dodging the wooden blade once again.
"Prince Urrigon, you should no–" as Ser Harwin moved to counterattack with a downward slash Urrigon had already repositioned himself.
In the time it took ser Harwin to wind up his arm Urrigon was back in his original position but his stance was different, his legs slightly bent and his bright green eye boring into Harwin like a snake coiling to strike. That he did, thrusting once more.
As Harwin moved to recover, Urrigon moved as if he was possessed. The Seven blessed those who were pious and protected the weak and the frail. Harwin was a man full of deceit, treachery and sin.
The auburn hair prince knew from the beginning aiming at the commander's chest was folly, the man was fully armoured, there was only one place unprotected..
When Urrigon's wooden blade slipped past Ser Harwin's lazy guard, it found the soft meat of his eye with a sickening crunch. The knight's scream was short and sharp, cut off as the splintered point drove deep, punching through wet tissue and bone until it buried itself in his skull.
Ser Harwin staggered, his sword clattering from nerveless fingers, and when he fell, he twitched like a gutted fish upon the cobblestones, the wood jutting from his ruined face.
Urrigon heard screams, the sounds of desperate footsteps and the hand of Cole on his arm but it did not matter.
No "foul play".
Just the Shadow of the Stranger.
Valar Morghulis.