The Red Keep, Kings Landing...
"YOUR GRACE! I SWEAR ITS A REAL DRAGON EGG!" The man tied to a pyre in the courtyard of the Red Keep yelled as did many of the others both men and women who were tied to pyres of their own, wood kindling spread all around them.
Aerys stood looking absolutely furious as he held the offending object in his hand and snarled at the culprit.
"Do you think that I am a fool!?" Aerys screamed at the prisoners. "That a Targaryen cannot tell the difference between a dragon egg and a painted stone!? You are all traitors to the crown! Burn them! BURN THEM ALL!" Aerys screamed as the pyromancers covered them with wildfire as they pleaded for mercy before it was ignited.
It did not take long for the flames to take hold, the screams of pain echoed through the Red Keep as was happening all of the time these days. Rhaella who was reading to her younger children had to have the septa who sat with her all day at the King's insistence to make sure that she did not commit adultery play some music to drown out the screams as best as they could be. She spoke louder to try and prevent both Shaena and Daeron from hearing any of the horrible screaming, Viserys was still very young but he unlike his older siblings had no idea just what the noises were. Shaena and Daeron both did their best to block out the noise, hoping it would end soon.
Rhaegar was still in the Citadel down in Oldtown and it annoyed her as having him here would be a big relief to her, she knew that her eldest had set up an escape route should they need it but it was small comfort when she was forced to deal with both Aerys every day and the fact that her eldest son was in effective exile she thought mournfully.
She knew Haeron had been left with no choice but to flee after his own father had tried to have him killed! She thought with disgust, she had made sure that men who could be trusted were around her and the children now and she would do her best to help her son however she could.
She had made sure after the last time to have her own people in the Red Keep although she tended not to act unless she had too. Given Aerys' paranoia even the suggestion that she had her own people in the castle would be enough to push him over the edge and probably get her killed to say nothing of what might happen to her children she thought with fear at Aerys being left alone with them.
Finally though after what seemed like an eternity the screaming stopped, while more deaths weighed on her conscience she was just glad that no genuine dragon eggs had actually appeared yet. The thought of Aerys having a dragon, she shuddered at the mere thought of it.
Queen Visenya, Narrow Sea...On Route to Myr...
The ship was cruising through the fairly peaceful sea on its way to the next of the Free Cities and their mission for the Merchant Alliance, the day was clear and wind fair so they were making good progress and would be there in a couple of days. Meanwhile on deck the crew was enjoying a spectacle as Haeron was now sparring with Jaime.
Haeron and Jaime crossed swords with each other, the blunted blades smacking together as they trained. The pair each employed blocks, cleaves, side strikes and parries as they moved around the deck, the crew watching with eager anticipation, really wanting to see just who would win.
Jaime was an aggressive and enthusiastic fighter who was getting better the more he practised, no longer making the same foolish mistakes he had made at the beginning but Haeron was much more disciplined and experienced than he was and it didn't take long before he managed a glancing blow to Jaime's side which was a hit even if it wasn't a hard one. Haeron did not pull any punches in his training fights as you never knew when you would face the real thing so he didn't spare Jaime a bruise or two. He then finished it with motion of a stab to the neck. Jaime frowned for a moment before getting up, wincing as he did so and Haeron offered him a hand.
"You are improving but you need to remember your defence, a strong offence is all well and good but if your opponent manages to get the momentum then you will need it to fall back on." Haeron warned him and Jaime nodded while holding his side.
"Understood, I'll work on that."
Haeron nodded, hoping that he did otherwise that would likely be the end of him one day. Jaime had a great sword-arm he thought privately to himself, he might one day be one of the best in Westeros but that would only really happen if he didn't get too much of an ego and continued to work on honing his skills.
"Right back to work." Davos called out eager to restore discipline. The men reluctantly went back to their jobs, Haeron went to the aft deck and Golor handed him a towel and then another to Jaime which they took gratefully, smirking as he told them.
"Always loved Myr. Got into a big bet with some sellsword there last time. Won a fortune." Golor said proudly and Haeron merely raised an eyebrow while Jaime asked with interest, wanting to know more.
"What was the bet?"
"Who could satisfy the most whores in a night." Golor said with pride and Jaime looked ready to choke at the idea, Haeron and Davos both looked on in surprise but accepted it as they had no way of disproving it. Davos decided to update Haeron on their progress.
"We should be in Myr in a couple of days if the weather holds. Do you think we'll be there long?" Davos asked wondering if they needed to take on more provisions and Haeron told him calmly.
"If all goes well we should only be there for a short while." Haeron told him before adding. "Then we move on to Tyrosh and Lys before heading to Volantis." Haeron said, thinking that if they could spread the merchant network that far then it would be well established. Davos nodded in acceptance and went back to commanding the ship while Haeron went to feed Kara.
Going into his cabin he saw the dragon laying on his bed, the dragon was getting bigger all the time and now was the size of a hound and its appetite was growing with it he thought with amusement. Fortunately he had managed to get enough meat in their previous ports and could preserve it with magic for as long as was needed before they could resupply. Kara was sleepy but slowly woke up and eagerly greeted him, he smiled and petted the dragon and began to give them some meat to feed their voracious hunger.
- x -
Kingswood, Westeros...
The Kingswood was supposed to be a private forest owned by the crown that was only to be used by the Royal Family for hunting, but since it was a large wooded area it was easy for bandits to hide in and for poachers to take their pick inside without much chance of getting caught.
Right now however the absence of Prince Haeron and his regular patrols had the effect of encouraging the bandits to move back in and a particularly bold and dangerous group had made their home in the Kingswood. They would emerge from the forest incredibly quickly to strike into the Crownlands and the Stormlands, attacking anyone at will and then vanishing back into the forest never to be seen until the next time they attacked. They had struck at not only the smallfolk that passed through the area but also nobles that dared to use the roads that went close to the forest.
Bandits had been a problem in Westeros and the rest of the world since time began and would likely continue to be so for centuries but rarely were they so bold as this group was, in part this was due to their leader. A man who claimed to be a knight but never said his name, dressed in chain-mail and plate but he was a complete madman. His face always smiling but it was a twisted smile, one born of madness and cruelty.
Ser Michel Redding was leading a party of men from the Red Keep to try and locate the band known as the Kingswood Brotherhood and end them, wishing briefly that Prince Haeron was here as he was excellent at dealing with bandits. They would never have dared do as they have if he was still here Ser Redding thought with depression, he had been the 'Red Dragon' the one that had scared all of the bandits from the Crownlands.
Ser Redding was actually in some ways glad though that he had made some kind of improvement in his relationship with the Prince, after years of guilt he had managed to finally earn some forgiveness or hoped he had at least. He was doing as he had sworn to him and watching over the queen and her younger children but it was still galling him that the prince was in exile! He thought with fury.
Until his return the Kingsguard had been ordered to patrol the edge of the Kingswood for any sign of the bandits. They had been getting even bolder recently and it was getting so bad that they had just killed Ser Victor Tyrell and now were taking some nobles hostage and holding them to ransom.
Since the Kingsguard was still a man down, something that still made him sad that his colleague had not been able to deny the king's order to try and kill the prince they were waiting for Ser Arthur Dayne to join them from Dorne. According to all those that knew him he was not only a knight of incredible skill but also intelligence and valour. Ser Redding dearly hoped so as such a man would be very welcome...a man that could be counted on to do the right thing or so Ser Redding desperately hoped.
But as they moved around the edge of the forest, out of nowhere an arrow hit him in the shoulder and he was thrown from his horse. The impact was harsh and knocked all of the breath from his body, saw more arrows appear from the the dense forest and then men and a fair woman appear from the trees, they blended into them so well that they were all but invisible until they stepped out of the tree line. Ser Redding would have admired that except for the fact they were attacking his people! He struggled to his feet and saw two men advancing towards him, they were very different from each other. One was tall and bearded with brown hair and the other was grinning like a madman with greasy dark hair and yellow rotting teeth.
Ser Redding knew these two men as part of the Kingswood Brotherhood; Ser Simon Toyne and the infamous Smiling Knight. He grimaced as his body was still sore from the fall but he drew his sword to face them, knowing that his only option was to fight and if necessary to die and take down as many of them as he could.
He impressed himself as he managed to push past the pain he was in and fight the two men, Simon Toyne was a hard warrior of the Stormlands with skill at arms and the Smiling Knight was a deadly fighter despite his insanity. Ser Redding managed to fend them off, moving with a speed that he would not have thought possible and brought on perhaps by the desperate situation that he was in. His sword sang as it moved through the air and blocked each strike and he had no time to worry about the rest of his men who were now busy fighting the other members of the Brotherhood, leaving them on their own.
But the longer this went on the more his injury began to tell and he felt himself getting slower, gritting his teeth he pushed himself harder and harder to keep up but eventually he failed to move quickly enough and he felt a blade hit him in the right vambrace, the impact knocking the sword from his hands!
He saw the grinning Smiling Knight standing in front of him and he gritted his teeth, ready to die in pursuit of his duty but was spared when the silence of the moment was broken by the sound of hooves.
The bandits did not use horses so whoever it was scared them a little and the distraction was enough for Ser Redding to reach for his dirk and rush forward and try to kill the Smiling Knight but instead another member of the Brotherhood, the one that was known as Big Belly Ben, a large and fat man carrying a war-hammer rushed forward to intercept him. Ser Redding though did make the stab count and planted the dirk in the head of Ben.
This combined with the arrival of the other party made the Brotherhood scatter, however they would not get away completely as Ser Barristan rode into view and as the large Ser Simon Toyne tried to flee into the woods he slashed the robber knight's head cleanly from his shoulders!
Ser Redding retrieved his sword and looked around and saw to his dismay that his men had not been as lucky as him, most of them were dead or so badly wounded they would be unlikely to survive. He felt great personal shame at being caught so unprepared but as he looked up at Ser Barristan he saw no judgement there, just sympathy.
"We'll get you back to the Red Keep, it will take some time to reorganise and hopefully by the time you have recovered Ser Dayne will have arrived and we will have a better plan." Ser Barristan told him and Ser Redding nodded in sad agreement. Their usual tactics were not working he thought sadly and they needed a fresh approach to deal with these bandits, maybe Ser Arthur Dayne would have a new idea for them he thought with hope.
- x -
The Red Keep, Kings Landing...
"WHERE IS THE TRAITOR?!" Aerys demanded as he stood before the Small Council, spit flying from his mouth. The Small Council members including Tywin who stared at him with none of them daring to answer for a moment before Varys made his report.
"My little birds sing that he is at present going along the coast of Essos your grace. He appears to be building a merchant guild of some kind with a variety of different individuals from Braavos and now Pentos. I can only guess it is his intention to expand it into Myr, Tyrosh and then Lys." Varys reported which was delivered with complete calm, something that made Tywin suspicious as he for the life of him could not understand Varys's motives. He had no interest seemingly in gaining power or wealth for himself or in promoting the interests of someone else. Why then would he be here Tywin wondered with concern that he was part of some larger and more intricate design. He would need to investigate deeper to find out what it was Varys really wanted Tywin thought to himself.
Aerys meanwhile immediately jumped to the harshest conclusion and started screaming incoherently, none of them could even vaguely understand a word he was saying but his complete fury at what Prince Haeron was doing was clear enough. From the paranoia that gripped every single day he was convinced that Haeron was building up allies to dethrone him, it wasn't the most unlikely plan either as the animosity between them was well known to all of the Small Council. If they were in Haeron's shoes they might do the same thing but he wasn't here dealing with the increasingly unstable king they were.
"It might be wise to make sure that there is some leverage against houses in Westeros your grace." Varys suggested calmly when Aerys finally ran out of breath and stopped cursing. He turned his enraged and wild eyes on Varys and demanded.
"What do you mean?!" He snarled and Varys to his credit stayed perfectly calm and explained.
"If you were to tie Prince Rhaegar to a great house then you would be able to hold a daughter of that house as a hostage to make sure they would support you if Prince Haeron ever returns to Westeros." Varys said with careful reasoning.
Aerys actually stopped to consider that which shocked the Small Council members and again made each other them consider just what Varys was doing here?
Aerys had been so against anyone from his family gaining any kind of political alliance that could be used to overthrow him but now thinking about it if he had more hostages it would be useful in keeping his children in check.
"I want Steffon Baratheon to go to Essos and see if a Valyrian Bride can be found for Rhaegar there. Otherwise Elia Martell will be his bride." Aerys demanded which honestly shocked them all at the sudden change of heart. A foreign bride might not go down so well but Aerys wanted a bride from somewhere that could interfere with whatever allies Haeron managed to get and if he had one of the Great Houses like Dorne in his pocket then he would be prepared for him if he ever tried to come back Aerys thought with disgust at the coward for running away to hide.
Elia Martell was the highest ranking noble woman with Valyrian descent in Westeros, if the Baratheons had a daughter they might have been considered but they didn't so he would turn to the Martells again for a wife/hostage if Steffon should fail.
Tywin meanwhile was in some ways infuriated that Cersei would not be considered even if she had been acting like a whore, her punishment for trying to seduce Jaime had been severe but now he needed her and she would not even be considered he thought fury even if this did make her a hostage it would ensure he had the crown within his bloodline's reach.
But he at least had his secret alliance with Haeron, he knew what he was doing and the reports he had on Jaime's progress were encouraging, he was improving in not just his swordsmanship but also getting more intelligent in general. It brought him a sense of relief that at least one of his children was not going to disappoint him.
Varys meanwhile was perfectly content with how things were going, he wanted the best for the common people. He would never have a family, not after he had been cut he thought with his mind going back to that horrible day so he was intent on leaving the world a better place than when he found it. It was a far better legacy to leave then acting in your own self interests as was so common in this world.
King Aerys was going to cause a war, it was inevitable but Prince Haeron looked to be a far better choice for the throne and in his way he was helping as Prince Rhaegar, Haeron's younger brother was a dutiful young man who did not want the throne however he would support his brother of that Varys was sure.
So by making sure Rhaegar wed he would make sure the princes had more support when the time came to overthrow their father he thought privately to himself.
It was a dangerous existence he had but it was his life he thought with some sad resignation and what he knew. So it made sense to him to try and make things better he thought with hope.
Myr, Essos...
The great city of Myr came into view as they crossed the small Sea of Myrth which was the large bay that led into the city. Tall structures built during the days of the Valyrian Freehold still stood towering over the small buildings in the city, it was a testament to the design and engineering of the Valyrians but as Haeron looked at the buildings he was strangely quiet, knowing full well the great cost of those amazing structures. His squire however was not as aware as he was though.
"Incredible." Jaime said as he saw the incredible towers for himself and Haeron nodded in reluctant agreement.
"Indeed, but remember all of those structures were built by slave labour, often at a huge cost in terms of lives Jaime. Most empires and their great achievements are built on the backs of those they conquer." Haeron told him calmly which had the effect of sobering Jaime as they came into dock.
The waterfront was a sight in itself, it was full of ships from different places all over the world, loading and unloading all manner of cargoes and had many temples of all different shapes and sizes dotted all along the seafront. Stores belonging to merchants selling their wares could be seen and as they docked at ones of the piers it was with a sense of excitement at the chance to explore the city that they disembarked.
The crew were eager but so was Haeron and Jaime as they had two jobs to do; one was to rescue the daughter Alicys from Ryiam Triyr and the second was to find merchants in the city that would be interested in joining their merchant alliance. Kara was sleep inside the special expanded chest that Haeron had placed in his quarters on the ship, protected by its magic while the dragon slept. There was enough room for the dragon to move about and food if they got hungry while also being safe.
But it was also to further Jaime's education and expand his horizons so after dealing with the port officials and securing their berth not to mention making sure they would be reprovisioned before they moved on, they set off into the city to explore it.
- x -
Elsewhere in the city, a group of men gathered in secret. All of them were dressed in the finest materials but gathered around a table and spoke quietly.
"The Exiled Prince is in our city. This provides an incredible opportunity." One man spoke with a sinister smirk on his face.
"Westeros will take vengeance if we kill the prince. He is loved by their people." One man said in fear but another man scoffed.
"But not by the Mad King. If we kill him, we can trade any boon we like." He said with a bloodthirsty grin on his face.
"We have lost coin since he taught the barbarians to make glass. We can demand that the Mad King ban them from making glass and that all of Westeros must buy from us. We'll be richer than ever before." The original man said with a sneer of excitement.
The men all shared looks of greed at the idea, they were the richest glass merchants in the city, that until recently had made great profit on the glass trade that they had held a monopoly on. But when the Prince had shared the secret of making glass with both the maesters and with the North they had found themselves losing coin faster than they had imagined! The North especially as they would order glass to make glass gardens to grow food in winter which was essential to survive there now they were not only making it themselves but starting to make other glassware to sell at lower prices than they themselves did. It was not as beautiful as their own works yet but in time the North would eventually force them from their position as the best maker of glass.
So they would need to ensure that didn't happen.
"What of the dragon? The Mad King will want that." One of the men asked and they frowned, it would be essential to making a deal with Aerys but at the same time they didn't want to give the insane monarch such power.
"See if we can capture it alive, then make a decision." The apparent leader suggested knowing they might not be able to make a deal if they killed it but not sure if they should. It would be something to make a decision about later.
They were unaware that a servant had been listening at the door, carefully making a note of everything they were saying before hurrying away before they might be discovered. Taking the information straight to her real employer who would surely want to know about this plot as it would be a great opportunity for them too.
- x -
Jaime stared at the ancient ruins of Myr, some dating back thousands of years as Haeron explained to him the history of the city.
"There is evidence that a settlement has been here for thousands of years, but the city would be started when Valyrian merchants conquered an Andal town that once stood here and eventually built the city. That is why they call it, Lys and Tyrosh the Daughters of Valyria. The three cities they built." Haeron told him as they moved through the city. Golor smirking as he saw the boy's excitement at the sights around him, knowing full well how it felt to see new places for the first time.
"But for every free person in Myr...there are three slaves." Haeron said darkly as he looked at the people around them. "That's the dark truth of most of the free cities, slavery is their life blood." He said with disgust.
Jaime looked horrified as he saw the slaves for the first time, being from Westeros he had never even seen a slave before and yet here there were thousands of them! He thought with horror and asked Haeron with wide eyes.
"Why doesn't anyone do anything about it? Why don't they fight back?" He asked and Haeron put a comforting hand on his shoulder and told him sadly.
"Most of them are beaten so much they have no spirit left to fight. And it has been a way of life here for thousands of years. Its not right but it until someone takes a stand nothing will change." Haeron told him and Jaime asked.
"Could you?"
Haeron sighed, if this had been his first world he would be cursing slavers and freeing slaves in a heartbeat but that would be when the world was ready to see slavery for what it was even if it did still exist there. But here he thought with sadness they were simply not ready...if he were to try to do something about it then it would have to be when he was king he thought and pondered for a moment before telling Jaime.
"One day, when I have the power I will. But for now we must pick our battles." Haeron told Jaime who nodded with a hopeful smile. Haeron wasn't lying as one day he would try to do something for these people but for now he would need to wait and bide his time.
But as they were moving on to go to the tavern in hopes of finding some information on potential allies that they might recruit here they came under attack. Men wearing the uniform of the Golden Company came rushing at them with swords drawn, screaming their battle cries!
Haeron and his two companions drew their weapons, they were always armed especially in a place like this. But the odds were not in their favour with their being three against eight, so it was up to their skill at arms to decide the outcome.
Jaime was the shortest only just being in his early teens, but he was well drilled by now and rolled forward to avoid the enemy attack, stabbing his sword into one of them as he rolled. He smirked with satisfaction before leaping to his feet and pulling it free to cross swords with another man. The sellsword seemed surprised that a boy of Jaime's age would be so competent and that cost him his life as his moment of hesitation let Jaime land a blow on his neck which lashed deep into his skin and let blood run freely from the wound.
Haeron was now using Crimson Heart and moved with his usual grace cutting down the four men that came against him, moving quickly to keep the fight moving so the men couldn't easily surround him and fighting defensively until an opportunity came to counter attack. He was as precise as champion archer, hitting vulnerable spots that either disabled or were fatal points on the body. Taking them down one by one with lethal jabs, swipes and slashes.
Golor however was beset by the two that remained, he was easily parrying the one that he was fighting with his two blades but was stabbed into the back by the last sellsword as his back was turned!
Haeron and Jaime saw him fall and momentarily Haeron was stunned but then was gripped by an intense rage and with a yell of anger at the fall of his long serving sworn sword and initial teacher in combat he attacked the last two sellswords with unrestrained fury.
Haeron was so angry that he didn't remotely care that they tried to surrender, he could see that they had been hired to kill him. A quick reading of their minds had told him that and who had hired them...Ryiam Triyr, ironically the man that they had come to rescue the daughter of one of their new allies from but also one of the biggest glass merchants in the city. He had cost him money by sharing the secret of making glass with others in Westeros, that was the only reason he was doing this and to try and earn the favour of the Mad King so he would outlaw any glass being made by anyone other than Myr.
For that they had killed a man that had been his steadfast protector for most of his life, been his first teacher in combat and that caused all of the anger that he normally held under tight control to burst to the surface.
His fury was terrifying as Jaime watched, Haeron was ferocious and battered through their defence and cut them down without mercy. He didn't stop until they were all dead and his skill didn't vanish it just became more ruthless and harsh.
When all of the sellswords were laying dead at their feet Haeron was breathing fiercely and looked around for any further threat but seeing none he sighed and looked to Golor who just lay there. He walked over and saw his eyes were still staring but now they were glassy and lifeless, the man inside was gone he thought sadly as he closed them forever staying silent for a moment in his grief.
"What now?" Jaime asked with some desperation, knowing they were still in danger and Haeron pulled himself together and picked up Golor's weapons and then his body before telling Jaime who looked at him in confusion.
"We return to the ship and plan our next move, but I also need to arrange for Golor's body to be sent back to his family. He's earned that much." Haeron said sadly before his face became cold. "Then we complete our mission here, the one behind this attack is the same one we seek. I am sure of that." Haeron said before he turned and started walking back to the ship still carrying Golor's body with a confused and scared Jaime at his side.
- x -
Queen Visenya, Myrish Dock...Later that Day...
Haeron stood on the deck of his ship as he saw the Dornish ship set sail, he had been fortunate that there had been one in dock today but for a fee they had agreed to transport the body of Golor back to Dorne. It was preserved in a jar of chemicals he had managed to get together so it would be in reasonable shape when it arrived which he was glad of but still the ache inside him would not let up.
He had sworn a long time ago that no-one else would die for him, not after Aerys had killed his friends and yet here it had happened again, he thought with sadness.
Davos came up to him and asked.
"Are we setting sail your grace?" He asked, knowing now that Golor was dead and wondering if the Prince intended to flee the city but Haeron shook his head which surprised Davos a little.
"No, our business here is still unfinished. We not only have a girl to rescue but also I must deal with Golor's killers. The sellswords might be the hands that did it but they were only the puppets of the true culprit. Not to mention I need to expand the alliance here. But no-one else will die for me...no-one." Haeron said coldly and Davos looked at him with worry as he could see the guilt the prince must feel over Golor's death.
"Your Grace, you didn't kill them. Fate didn't do it. The Gods didn't do it. Men did. We cannot control our world, that is a power no man can ever have." Davos said nervously, not sure if he should dare try to counsel the prince. He was just a smuggler and a sailor, had been all of his life what did he know of royalty? He thought to himself but couldn't help but speak.
"Golor doing what he loved doing, we can never known when the Stranger will come for us. Only live our lives as we choose too." Davos said calmly and then to his astonishment the prince after staring silently into the distance for a moment, taking in his words smiled.
"You are a wise man Davos Seaworth." Haeron said with gratitude to the man, he was feeling foolish as it seemed he still had the same weakness that he had as Harry. Trying to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and being too quick to assume it was his fault, he had been doing that for as long as he could remember and this was worse when people he cared about died or were hurt.
Like Sirius he thought with a pang of that old pain.
As Harry or Haeron it was clear that he needed to be disciplined but not try to do everything himself, even if he did manage to take the Iron Throne he would not be able to rule alone. He would need a Small Council and others who he could trust to do his will.
Then as he thought that he saw a man in a palaquin approach, surrounded by guards. Haeron expecting trouble gripped his sword as did the rest of the crew but as the procession stopped, a man in richly made robes emerged. He had the look of the Myrish people, darker skinned with black hair much like the people of Dorne.
"Greetings Prince Haeron. My name is Grahor Haelmor, a Magister and Merchant of this great city and I believe we can help each other." The richly dressed man said with a calm smile. He had cunning cold eyes but as he and Haeron locked gazes he managed to use his magic to read his mind.
He wasn't his enemy, he wanted to use him true but he wasn't his enemy, but those that had killed Golor were his enemies.
The ally that he needed at the moment.
"I know of you Grahor Haelmor. The greatest seller of carpets, lace, ornamental screens, green nectar wine, mirrors, tapestries and fire wine in the city. One of the richest men on this coast. I suspect the enemy we mutually face is Ryiam Triyr, the most influential of the glass merchants. Would I be correct?" Haeron said and if he was surprised Grahor didn't show it.
"I see the rumours of your intelligence are not exaggerations." Grahor said with a grin and Haeron nodded before saying.
"I am glad you think so. Jaime, I have a task for you." Haeron said as he turned to Jaime who was standing not far away on the deck and after having his attention he explained what he intended to everyone. They were surprised but it made sense and would allow them to achieve the end of an enemy and the rescue the girl they had come for.
"Here is what we need to do." Haeron said calmly as he explained his plan which raised a few eyebrows but it was good and they were all soon agreeing to it even Grahor who smirked as he would dispose of some of his enemies this day.
- x -
Magister's Forum, Myr...The Following Day...
The Magisters' Forum was the grand building which held administrative power for the city and due to the wealth of the city it was one of the most elaborate and decorative buildings in the entire area.
The Magisters had been called to an urgent meeting regarding what had happened the day before.
"This could lead to war with Westeros." Grahor said with some urgency given the situation but this was all part of the plan he had agreed with the Prince. "Or worse they might aid our enemies in Tyrosh and Lys. This cannot go unanswered." he insisted and given the state of things with Lys at the moment that was a far too real possibility. The other magisters were looking understandably nervous at the idea but one who was in the pocket of Ryiam spoke up in his defence.
"I am sure he did not intend to cause a war." He said but it was weakly as he was given the gold that kept him in power by Ryiam but he couldn't come up with a good argument on the spot. Grahor took full advantage of his lack of preparation to push home his point.
"He knew killing a well respected and beloved prince was dangerous. How could it not be? The Mad King had a woman of our city burned alive after having her tongue and womanly parts pulled out! How might he react if he learned we were plotting against him by having his heir killed?!" Grahor said coldly and then finally an attendant came in and said nervously.
"Your honour. Ryiam Triyr has arrived with members of the Golden Company."
"Show them in." Grahor said with a sudden smile, knowing that things were going exactly to plan.
The group of merchants led by Ryiam came proudly through the door, not in the least afraid as they were confident they could get themselves out of any trouble they might be in and accompanying them were a few leading members of the Golden Company which was an incentive for them to be forgiven, to use the company against their enemies.
- x -
Ryiam Triyr's Manse...Same Time...
Ryiam had brought many of his guards with him to the meeting with the Magisters, so many that his manse was left undefended and understaffed.
Exactly as Haeron had intended.
Jaime led a party of men into the manse's grounds, he was astonished at the incredible amount of showing off that he was seeing as he and his men moved through the place. The real fountains had actual gemstones in them and gold was inlaid in the doors.
Jaime honestly had never imagined another family could exist that was as big into showing off as his own but clearly he was wrong he thought and was only proven more right as more and more elaborate displays of wealth were all around him. But as they made their way up to the tower where the girl they had come to rescue was, dealing with any members of the household they came across as they went Jaime honestly had never felt more alert and excited in his life!
Here he was leading a party of men on a vitally important task and rescuing a damsel he thought with pride. He knew real knights didn't do this sort of thing in reality but here he was actually doing it he thought with excitement, not only that but that Prince Haeron had actually entrusted him with such a task which given how much he respected him only made this the best day ever for Jaime.
The thick door to the chamber where the girl was being held was heavily bolted and so he carefully unlatched it and pulled it open. It was silent and there was no sign of anyone as they carefully crept inside but then one of their men was struck with a vase over the head and someone running for the door but they ran into Jaime who tumbled over with them into a heap.
Jaime was winded, stunned from the sudden impact and tumble but as he looked up to see just who had run into him he honestly forgot to breathe for a moment.
He was greeted by the most beautiful girl he had ever seen! He had always thought Cersei was the most beautiful in all of the world but this girl drove all thoughts of her out of his mind. She had thick dark brown hair, pale clear skin and a gently rounded face but it was her eyes that drew him in, they were brown like her hair but a warm and deep colour that drew him in completely and wrapped him in their warm embrace.
Jaime had no way of knowing that she was equally as surprised by him and found him very handsome but also as entranced by his green eyes. They stayed that way for a moment before they seemed to remember that the other men were looking at them and started laughing. Now both of them red with embarrassment and staggered to their feet, Jaime now able to see by the lines of her dress that the girl was about his age and had a shapely figure for her age.
Now able to finally remember why he came here Jaime suddenly realised to his own humiliation that the girl that had literally collided with him was the same one they had come to rescue.
"Alicys Questyr...your father sent us." Jaime managed to say and the girl looked at him suspiciously before smiling, the brightness of her smile was enough to bring a fresh blush to Jaime's cheeks as he honestly had never seen one so full of warmth and humour.
"About time...another month and he would have forced me to marry him!" Alicys said with relief and Jaime was instantly angry at the idea that the horrible little man Ryiam would dare force such a beautiful girl to marry him! That thought surprised him but he rallied what dignity he had left and said.
"We had best leave, hopefully your host will be dealt by now." Jaime said with a smile that made Alicys go a little weak at the knees but she refused to allow it to show and instead smirked at him before suggesting to him and his men.
"Then I am not leaving empty handed. Let's take some valuables as rewards for our troubles." She said with a daring glint in her eye and if anything Jaime was even more enamoured with her given how daring she was. The men certainly liked that too he thought as they cheered and quickly went with her to loot the place, taking anything that they could carry, she led them and laughed along with them as they did so and Jaime smirked along with her.
- x -
Magister's Meeting...
Ryiam stood proudly before the Magisters, completely confident in his ability to talk his way out of trouble. He had the Golden Company's leader Ser Derrick Fossoway and his best men with him along with some of his own guards as well but as he wandered in and stood before them Grahor, his only real rival for influence in the city spoke.
"I have made a deal of my own that will secure peace with Westeros and make sure they remain uninvolved in our affairs." Grahor told his fellow Magisters which surprised many of them and especially Ryiam who was immediately suspicious of what deal he might have made.
It did not take long for them to realise just what deal had been struck when from among Grahor's entourage Prince Haeron Targaryen who was looking as cold and unfeeling as stone stepped into the open.
Then behind them servants who had been carrying out their tasks dropped whatever they were doing and drew knives from inside their loose fitting garments and stabbed the Golden Company men and some of the Glass Merchants own men. Caught by surprise they had no time to react and found themselves with their throats slit or daggers planted in their backs. Ryiam and Ser Derrick along with the other glass merchants were shocked and Ser Derrick drew his sword and stood ready to defend himself but as he focused on Prince Haeron, his eyes narrowed with hatred.
"What is this?" Ryiam demanded and Haeron spoke, his eyes cold and hard.
"Like Magister Grahor said. He made a deal to keep Myr safe, a deal with me. You would drag the city into war for your own enrichment, that is something that cannot stand even if you hadn't killed one of my trusted men." Haeron said as he drew Crimson Heart. Ser Derrick snarled at the sight of the Targaryen Prince and stood in a ready position.
"I fought for the Blackfyres in the last rebellion. I have not forgotten the humiliation we suffered there and you will answer for it." Ser Derrick said with venom in every word. Haeron calmly considered him and remembered he had been one of the infamous Band of Nine from the War of the Ninepenny Kings since that had been the last Blackfyre Rebellion. He knew Aerys and Tywin had fought in that and Ser Barristan had ended the male line of House Blackfyre and hopefully them with it. Ser Derrick Fossoway also known as the Bad Apple had been a traitor to Westeros and his own house and sneaked away after the end of the war to apparently become the new leader of the Golden Company. Knowing his hatred of House Targaryen, Haeron did not intend to allow him to escape again.
"We shall see Bad Apple. We shall see." Haeron said calmly and readied himself.
Ser Derrick did not waste time and charged, swinging his sword which met Haeron's with a heavy clang! They began to exchange blows with their swords moving in a complex and confusing set of movements.
Haeron had to admit that despite his advancing age and bad reputation Ser Derrick was a skilled swordsman, he thought with some concern as he was not wasting his energy on overpowered strikes or unnecessary movement, he was perfectly in control.
As they locked blades again Haeron also noticed something, the sword he was using had distinctive ripples in the dark steel. Gritting his teeth as they pressed their strength against each other he realised the sword was Valyrian steel so it was unlikely that he was going to break it any time soon.
That meant it was a match of their own skill with a blade he thought with frustration.
He launched into a series of fast parries and sideways strikes but Ser Derrick blocked each one and launched a series of attacks of his own which Haeron blocked himself, but as they locked blades again Haeron managed to angle his blade and force Derrick's sword to the side and elbow him in the face, the sound of his nose breaking filled the room as did the yell of pain from Ser Derrick, he staggered back but Haeron did not let up and continued his attack.
Ser Derrick did his best to block the strikes and did well despite his injury but Haeron managed to hit him in the wrist, causing him to drop his sword. Haeron caught it with a silent summoning charm and stabbed both swords into his legs. Ser Derrick screamed in pain as he collapsed to his knees before Haeron with no effort pulled his swords free and swung but swords into his unprotected neck.
Ser Derrick's head was sliced cleanly from his shoulders and rolled away as the rest of his body collapsed to the floor. Haeron then without wasting another second turned to the Glass Merchants who all suddenly looked terrified as their sole protector was dead and before any of them could even try to bargain for their lives Haeron moved forward and slashed at all of them, killing them with no mercy.
The Magisters except for Grahor all looked scared that he might turn on them next but Haeron after he wiped Crimson Heart and his borrowed sword clean on the robes of the dead merchants and sheathed them after taking the scabbard off of Ser Derrick's corpse before he decided to speak to them.
"I thank you all for your agreement to my terms. I leave the division of their assets to your good selves but I can assure you that Westeros will stay out of your affairs." Haeron said with a polite smile that was completely at odds with the carnage he had just unleashed. He knew he could not realistically enforce that but it was the most likely outcome as most of Westeros did not get involved in Essosi events.
"The air is so much clearer now the traitors have been disposed of." Grahor said with a bloodthirsty smile as the servants took the bodies away before turning to turning to Haeron and telling him. "And our other business?"
"Well in hand." Haeron said with a confirming nod. Grahor had agreed to join their Merchant Alliance and found a number of other merchants in the city to sign their charter. The reason primarily being that he had lost a number of his ships due to recent pirate activity and needed the Alliance to transport his goods around but it would only make them more wealthy and ensure they had a strong ally in Myr if needed Haeron thought with satisfaction.
- x -
Queen Visenya, Myrish Dock...That Night...
The ship was it remained docked was full of laughter and cheer as the crew shared a party to celebrated their new riches, all of which they had stolen from Ryiam's manse and some of them had already spent some of their looted wealth in the brothels of the city. The rest of it was stored in the ship's strong room, a fortified room where only Davos and Haeron himself could enter to make sure there was no thievery.
There was also a new person on their ship Haeron noticed as he stood on deck, the daughter of Xander Questyr was standing by Jaime as they all boasted about their success and laughing along side them, Alicys even made them laugh about one of her escape attempts.
"I used the bed sheets to make a rope and swung down to a lower window, then I punched out a maid and stole her clothes and walked out of the manse. I was almost aboard a ship when they finally caught me." She told them and they all laughed along with her. Seeing Jaime standing so close to the girl who was about the same age as him made Haeron wonder if he had finally found another girl he liked, that finally he was getting over his unhealthy attraction to his own twin? Haeron hoped so as it would do Jaime good in finding his own future.
"Lady Alicys. It is a pleasure to finally meet you." Haeron said with a smile as he gave her a bow and she smirked back.
"Prince Haeron. Jaime has told me so much about you." She said and Haeron tilted his head slightly as if he was questioning it which made Jaime squirm slightly before replying.
"Has he? Well either way I will arrange for your passage back to Braavos. Your father I am sure will be most relieved to have you home." Haeron said but the news was not well received. Alicys and Jaime too both had expressions of disappointment and that was when Alicys made a request.
"Might I join the rest of your voyage your grace?" Alicys asked with a determined smile. Her request surprised everyone even Haeron who looked at her sternly, knowing that her father would not like this and asked with a cold voice.
"If I even considered your request why would you want to travel with us? And what would you bring to the ship?"
Alicys looked nervous as his stare was easily the most intimidating one she had ever seen, her father's glares had nothing on him she thought, realising he was far more intense.
"I want to travel...to see the world. I can speak languages, I can be the one to keep the ship's logs and manifest. I can work. Please just let me go with you." She said almost seeming to beg Haeron to allow it.
The eyes of everyone were on him and he felt it keenly, he frowned not sure if he was okay with her joining them on this voyage especially as it would take them a long way from home. She did have some potential value he conceded but what finally made his decision was the almost begging look in Jaime's eyes. The boy was so eager for her to come with them, to spend time with her Haeron thought with amusement before telling her.
"Very well but you will have to write to your father to explain this and more so pull your weight on this ship. Otherwise I will send you back without a second thought." Haeron told her sternly and she beamed a bright and warm smile at him which he had to admit was very attractive and had Jaime he suspected by the heart given the way he was smiling with her.
"I will your grace. I swear it! But I am happy to present you a gift. When we raided Ryiam's manse we found a lot of Valyrian lore that he had collected. It is yours your grace. I am sure it will prove useful in some way." Alicys said with confidence and the gift while surprising to Haeron was well received and he nodded before telling her.
"Then you have my gratitude my lady as my family have always been interested in such things. Our time in this city has been hard in the loss of Golor but productive in many other ways. Such as this." Haeron said as he pulled the sword he had taken from Ser Derrick free of its scabbard and showed it to Jaime, Alicys and Davos who had just come up from below.
It was bastard sword, what they called a hand and a half sword so it was longer than a longsword but shorter than a great sword. The steel of the blade was dark grey with distinctive ripples which led to a crossguard in the shape of dragons with intricate carvings of their wings, body and mouths before the black leather handgrip with a golden ring in the centre before ending in a triangular shaped pommel with more elaborate carvings in the steel around a large ruby.
"It is a magnificent sword your grace." Davos said simply, not really being a swordsman he couldn't really say much but it was certainly a very impressive blade regardless.
"Indeed Ser Davos. More so since my family has been trying to get it back for nearly a century when easily one of the worst kings in Westeros history stupidly gave it away due to his own arrogance and pride." Haeron said with a proud smile. He hadn't realised it at first but after consulting some of the books that he had brought with him, one of which had a rendering of the sword he had managed to confirm its identity.
Jaime being the most familiar with the legends of Westeros and the famous swords that had been wielded by its greatest knights was the first to realise just what sword was before him and stared at it awe struck before asking excitedly.
"Is it really Blackfyre?" He asked staring it at it and Haeron nodded to confirm it and allowed Jaime to hold it, Alicys looked at it with some distracted interest while Davos was impressed at the recovery of the blade wielded by Aegon the Conqueror himself.
"The sword of a king." Jaime said proudly as he handed it back to Haeron who kept his composure and told him.
"A sword is just a sword at the end of the day. A king must be so much more than a warrior Jaime." Haeron told him before returning the sword to its scabbard and telling Alicys. "Make sure that message is sent before the end of tonight as we sail for Tyrosh on tomorrow's tide." Haeron told her and she smiled again broadly before going to write the letter to her father. Haeron bid Jaime and Davos good night before going to his quarters and opening his special chest.
He saw the bed chamber and there was Kara, sleeping peacefully on the bed with some toys he had made for her to play with scattered across the room. Sensing his presence Kara woke up slowly and seeing him the dragon cried out in excitement which made Haeron smile as he went over and gently petted his dragon before gathering up the toys to play. Kara was like an happy child as they played with the toys.
Winterfell, the North...
A maid, one belonging to a family that had served in Winterfell for decades and been rewarded for it with good living was screaming as she was in the middle of labour.
She cried her lungs out as she pushed, the maester of Winterfell thankfully helping with the delivery given who the father was.
It went on for hours until finally the babe was born. Mother and babe were both well but mother fell asleep given her exhaustion, meaning it was the maester who had the babe in his arms.
She was a beautiful girl, her hair was a deep chestnut and her eyes while they had been open were blue like her father...Robert Baratheon.
Maester Luwin frowned before giving the child over to another maid to care for while her mother slept and went to report to Lord Rickard who was staring coldly at the view outside of his window when he arrived.
"A girl my lord." Luwin reported and Rickard nodded but his expression didn't change.
"Tell her family that the coin they need to raise the babe will be given but that woman will not be working in Winterfell again." He said coldly and Luwin nodded, knowing to expect it. The girl had slept with a visiting lord and gotten pregnant with his child, she could not be trusted to not do so again especially as he knew Brandon would sleep with any women who were willing. He had been furious to learn the disrespect of Robert Baratheon to sire a child in Winterfell when he was asking for the hand of his daughter but Jon Arryn and Steffon Baratheon had promised him the funds to support the child and they had been paid if he allowed the marriage to be arranged. Lyanna was enraged at the idea of being tied to someone like Robert and he could hardly blame her but they would need this alliance especially with Prince Haeron now in exile.
Perhaps especially when the Prince returned Rickard considered carefully.
Kingswood, the Crownlands...
Ser Arthur Dayne, clad in the armour and white cloak of the Kingsguard moved with a party of the best men the crown could raise through the dense and extremely hard terrain of the deep forest. The locals had been counting on the bandits to help them but Arthur had managed to gain their aid by paying for the food he and his men ate, brought their issues to the king to see them answered and even secured the right for the smallfolk to take some game from the woods to sustain themselves.
He had done more for them than even the bandits had ever done, enough that some of them at least had been persuaded to help him in his quest. One villager had eventually agreed to lead him and his men to the secret camp of the Kingswood Brotherhood.
It was a small crop of rocks that lead into a cave, well disguised by all of the trees around it and without the local help he would never have likely discovered it Arthur thought to himself calmly but now they had found it and he could at last deal with the bandits.
The Brotherhood were home he found and without wasting time he moved it with his men, to their credit they did not flee, they fought realising they were cornered and Arthur cut his way through them and as his men managed to either capture or kill the others, Arthur himself then found his way blocked by the leader of the Brotherhood...the Smiling Knight.
He was a strange and chaotic mixture of madness, cruelty and honour all jumbled together in a messy stew. He was however a talented swordsman and even managed to match Arthur for a time as they fought fiercely, but the price his sword paid when faced with Dawn began to tell as it soon had so many notches that another hit would likely shatter it. Arthur stopped their duel briefly telling the madman.
"Fetch another sword, that one is about to break."
The Smiling Knight was still grinning that insane smirk of his as he did what Arthur said and fetched a new sword. He readied himself to continue their duel and told Arthur.
"Dawn is the sword that I truly want." He was sure he would be wearing it soon and Arthur's expression turned cold as he told him.
"Then you shall have it."
Then they resumed their duel but Arthur now was finished being noble. He had no intention of allowing this insane outlaw to survive and moved with a harsh and aggressive skill earned from a lifetime of intense practice. The Smiling Knight to his credit fought back as hard as he could but he was no match for Arthur who after a short time finally cut him down, ending the Kingswood Brotherhood.
He left the fool's body to rot before checking the others, his men had managed to either kill or capture the rest of them and he had the captives bound in chains before they began to the journey back to Kings Landing.
- x -
The Red Keep, Kings Landing...A Day Later...
Ser Arthur knelt in the throne room, King Aerys was sneering broadly as the reign of the Kingswood Brotherhood had been ended! Three of its members; Oswyn the Thrice Hanged, Big Belly Ben and Aegon Frey a more recent recruit had refused to take the black so he had them burned which had been an enjoyable afternoon for him!
True Ulmer and Fletcher Dick had taken the Black and the sole female member of the Brotherhood Wenda the White Fawn had been sent to join the Silent Sisters albeit with a brand of the three headed dragon on her buttocks as a lasting reminder of her crime and as a punishment given her habit of branding her captives with a fawn.
"Ser Dayne, you have achieved a great deed in ridding us of the wretched bandits. I hereby name you the sworn shield of my son Rhaegar." The Mad King said, wanting to make sure he had a man capable of ending the boy should he become dangerous. "Where is the boy?" He demanded and several courtiers frowned as his absence was noted.
- x -
The Hook, Kings Landing...
The crowd of smallfolk stood around as Rhaegar finished singing and more than a few had tears in their eyes and were soon clapping at the beautiful music the prince had performed for them with his harp and with his voice. Ser Barristan stood nearby to make sure that he was safe and when they threw down coins he would collect the money they left.
Rhaegar bowed to all of them and as the crowd dispersed he turned to Ser Barristan and asked him calmly.
"How much Ser Barristan?"
"Some Silver Stags, plenty of copper pennies and a pair of gold dragons your grace." Ser Barristan told him with a smile before asking. "What will you do with the money this time?"
He knew the Prince liked to come among the people and he loved singing to them, he also wanted to see how well his skill with music was received and it was very well taken by the people who liked him a great deal. Previous collections had been given to another minstrel who was not doing as well as he was, another time it had been given to an orphanage in Flea Bottom and another time they had gotten incredibly drunk together. Barristan couldn't help but smile as the prince was a great contradiction but one with a good heart.
"I will give it to an orphanage again, seeing the children fed is a good use for the coin." Rhaegar said before they started making their way towards Flea Bottom and Ser Barristan felt compelled to ask.
"If I might so bold your grace...why do you do this? I know you like to walk among the people and see if you are as good a musician as others but why do it in this way?" Ser Barristan asked him and Rhaegar to his surprise answered him honestly.
"I hope that it will raise the spirits of the people and ease their suffering in some way." Rhaegar told him calmly. "I know many were upset when my brother was driven into exile and uncertain of the future but I hope to ease their worries."
"I am glad that I was not born first." Rhaegar told him, admitting to Ser Barristan something he would rarely admit too. "I do not think I would be a good king but my brother has the strength and skill to be a truly great king and I have no doubt that he will eventually return. I would gladly serve him and it is also a great relief to me that he is there to deal with our father. I am sure I would not have his ability to do so in his place." Rhaegar said sadly as he knew he was not as strong as his brother who had already achieved many legendary feats which would be remembered for centuries too come not least of which was restoring dragons.
Something he hoped would soon be spreading to others.
Ser Barristan meanwhile thought the prince was being very hard on himself but in the shadow of greatness he must feel less that Haeron who was already famous for his incredible mind and sword-arm. Still his compassion and integrity would make him a good king too Barristan thought but kept such opinions to himself as you never knew who might be listening and he would not get himself and the prince killed by even hinting at the idea that he might be king some day.
- x -
The Red Keep, Kings Landing...
While Rhaegar was walking among the people of the city, Rhaella was spending as much time as she could with her three youngest children. She missed her eldest son terribly and was still furious with the fact he had been driven to flee Westeros because of Aerys but at the same time she was deeply proud of him. Ever since his whipping years ago she had been building up a group of her own informers and that allowed her to learn of Haeron's movements and just what he was getting up too. Something she was sharing with her children now.
"And he fought Ser Derrick Fossoway, the Bad Apple in single combat. The old knight that had led the Golden Company in his exile and escaped the War of the Ninepenny Kings and slew him with his own sword!" Rhaella told them proudly before telling her children who were totally enraptured with the story. "He built his alliances, rescued the damsel and discovered the sword that he had taken from Ser Derrick was none other than Blackfyre, the ancestral sword of our house which he now claims as his own." Rhaella whispered them with a smile.
Shaena and Daeron both looked on in awe of what their eldest brother had achieved while Viserys being so young didn't quite understand all of it yet but he was excited because they were excited.
"The Blackfyre?! The one wielded by Aegon the Conqueror!" Daeron asked with excitement and Rhaella nodded to confirm it. Shaena squealed it happiness and wished she and her brothers could have amazing adventures like Haeron did! He had sworn to them when they had seen his dragon that he would get them one of their own some day but she would love to be out there like he was.
"I'll be a great traveller like him some day!" Daeron declared, eager to see all of the different places around the world and Rhaella smiled at the boyish dreams.
- x -
Aerys was staring into the flames, seeming to take comfort from watching them twist and flicker. The fire relaxed him and eased the thoughts that ran through his mind.
"Varys." Aerys said coldly as his Master of Whispers entered the room, the Eunuch bowing as he did. "What is the news?"
"My birds in Myr have sang that the Prince has managed to overthrow those that threatened him in Myr and made several powerful allies within the city your grace." Varys reported which only made Aerys feel that cold sensation run through him again. The same one that he had felt the moment the blasted boy was born, every time he looked at him he felt it. A cold harsh chill that clung to his bones...he knew this boy was a threat to him. He had never felt it with any of the other children Rhaella had given birth to but him, one that would not ever rest.
Haeron would destroy him, sometimes he had managed to convince himself that it was a foolish notion but this irrational fear would never truly leave him. Something about the boy scared him and the fact that he was gathering support in Essos only made that fear grow stronger, not to mention within a few years the dragon would be fully grown...enough for him to ride.
Then nothing would stop Haeron he thought with great dread but then Varys added another thing to scare him.
"But there is more your grace." Varys said still as calm as ever. "While in the city he fought and killed the head of the Golden Company Ser Derrick Fossoway who was the remaining member of the Circle of Nine from the War of the Ninepenny Kings...and took Blackfyre back from him. The Prince has claimed it as his own sword."
Aerys was silent as he heard that, the sword of Aegon the Conqueror, Maegor the Cruel, Jaehaerys the first and others. The symbol of Targaryen kings until the fat and pathetic Aegon the Unworthy had so stupidly given it to his bastard son. It had been out of their hands for a century and now it was in Haeron's hands he thought with dread.
A symbol of power, of great prowess as a warrior when he already had a sword like Crimson Heart, a living dragon the only one in the entire world and a growing web of allies in both Essos and Westeros.
Every single day he grew stronger, no matter what Aerys did to check it.
Aerys was now feeling increasingly desperate as he was certain it was only a matter of time before Haeron returned with an army at his back and took the throne away from him! He could not allow that to happen he thought despairingly and commanded Varys.
"If he intends to sail to Lys and Volantis then he will need to pass close to the Stepstones. Spread word to the pirates there that they will be rewarded handsomely for killing him!" Aerys commanded and Varys to his credit did not hesitate before bowing again and saying.
"As you will, your grace." Varys then excused himself, wondering if he could delay the attack till after the prince had moved past the area but doing so would only see Varys himself on the pyre he thought with sadness. The message was therefore sent but he could only hope that the crown prince would find a way out of this situation.
Tyrosh...A Couple of Days Later...
The city of Tyrosh had begun as a fortress for the Valyrian Freehold and had high walls that stretched far around the city with inner walls made of dragonstone like those at the island of the same name. As an independent island it relied on its fleet for protection so many ships including warships were visible the closer you got to the city. The Bleeding Tower stood tall and proud at the mouth of the harbour as they came in, the Queen Visenya came in to the harbour and docked.
While they made sure the ship was permitted to stay and when they had made sure fresh supplies would be taken aboard Haeron took himself, Jaime and Alicys on a tour of the city.
They wandered through the streets and both Jaime and Alicys were wide-eyed as they took in everything, passing the large Fountain of the Drunken God and visited several taverns and other places including the temples of the various gods that that were worshipped in the city while Haeron explained the city's history to them.
They eventually came to the massive outer walls of the city and looked out over Narrow Sea and the Summer Sea beyond, it was a spectacular view even the Stepstones could be seen in the distance as they looked out over the battlements.
"Why do Lys, Tyrosh and Myr fight so much? They used to be allies didn't they?" Jaime asked with curiosity and Alicys nodded in agreement.
"They used to be known as the Triarchy weren't they? Why do they fight when they would be so much stronger together?" Alicys asked and Haeron considered their question before answering as best he could.
"The same reason many other alliances collapse...infighting. Not just between members but within the cities themselves. Those in favour of it dying and each one blaming the other until it all breaks apart. Not to mention there is the valuable Disputed Lands. They all want sole ownership of them and the Stepstones as well. Generations and generations of ambition and arrogance stab the divide between them every day. Each desiring to be the strongest. The only way they would be unified again would be by force." Haeron said cautiously as he knew they would keep fighting and fighting unless someone conquered them some day it would likely never end.
The two young people accepted his words and watched over the next couple of days as he went to several of the merchants around the city and to other men of property who had different things that were useful to the Merchant Alliance they were building up and would be willing to join it.
Some men had ship berths they could use, ships to help with trade, repair facilities and warehouses while others were merchants that sold the local commodities; dyes from the sea-snails that had made Tyrosh wealthy, pear brandy, baked honey fingers, gilded helms and armour for example.
They would now benefit from the other members aid further up the coast to help move and sell their wares as would the other partners from having them here to do the same.
The Stepstones...Five Days Later...
The Queen Visenya was cruising through the ocean, the sails catching the wind perfectly as it moved through the water towards its next destination. The day was clear and the seas themselves calm.
The crew were in good spirits as they went about their work, the day looked to be a stress free one and they were on course for Lys where they could enjoy themselves at its legendary pillow houses as they were home to the best whores in the world. Haeron was exercising on deck, Kara playing in the safety of the chest rooms and Jaime was playing a card game with Alicys while Davos commanded the ship.
All was right and calm.
- x -
The Harpy, Nearby...Same Moment...
The galleon Harpy sailed around the Stepstones, its hunting ground accompanied by seven other ships of the same kind. They had the Harpy on their sails; the legs of an eagle, a scorpion's tail, a woman's torso and the wings of a bat with a chain and manacles dangling from its talons.
Standing on the deck of the Harpy was its captain, leader of this fleet. Like a typical Griscari he had amber skin, a broad nose, dark eyes and black hair. He wore many jewelled rings on his fingers and robes made of white silk with sashes of blue, pale green and yellow. His name was Grazdan mo Nakloz...a pirate lord and a slaver from a family of slavers in Astapor. He had taken to the high seas to rob not just goods but to take people to so he could sell them in his home of Slaver's Bay, if they were valuable enough he would sometimes random them back but often they would end up as slaves. He even led raids of settlements when he felt like it. It had made him extremely rich but he was still doing it as he wanted more and more he thought with a greedy smile.
He had been extremely excited to hear of the bounty being placed on the head of the Dragon Prince. The amount of gold was ridiculously high he thought with a sneer but the chance to take the ship and its riches not to mention a living dragon was far too tempting to pass up. He already had a cage that would be big enough to hold it back in Astapor, not to mention Tywin Lannister would pay a hefty sum for the return of his eldest son he thought with his lips almost salivating at the gold he could demand.
He had heard the ship the prince was using was large and fast but he had seven ships to the prince's one, this would be easy he thought with certainty.
- x -
Queen Visenya...
Haeron now finished with his daily exercises had dressed properly and with Kara now the size of a large hound stood on deck looking out. Jaime and Alicys joined him as they were just enjoying the day. Then a voice called out from the crow's nest above.
"Ships in sight!" The lookout called and all of them looked up, but were not too concerned as they were in a shipping lane so it wasn't impossible that they might see another ship. Davos being the more experienced sailor and captain asked them with a yell.
"WHAT COLOURS DO THEY FLY?" A brief and tense silence followed before they had their answer
"THE HARPY!" The look out called back and a look of fear came over all of the crew and Davos while Haeron frowned.
"The harpy?" Jaime asked in confusion and Alicys was confused too before Davos told them with fear in his voice.
"Those ships belong to Grazdan mo Nakloz, the pirate slaver. If they catch us then we all end up enslaved." Davos said and Haeron who had been looking at the enemy ships with a telescope while they were talking and knowing that they would find it difficult to escape as Grazdan had their ship surrounded told them.
"Then it is lucky I prepared for this eventuality. All hands, prepare for battle!" Haeron called out to the crew who rushed to their assigned duties and Haeron then turned to Davos and told him while also informing Jaime and Alicys. "It's time I showed you my latest and greatest invention yet. Gun crews at the ready." Haeron then told the crew who went to the large metal objects that had confused the three others who had never seen their like before. Hatches on the side of the ship were opened as men stuffed tightly packed charges into the long barrel and then placed balls of lead in too.
Haeron had the first enemy ship within range and waited as the ships would get in closer to make sure they were all in position. When he judged them close enough he shouted to the men.
"STARBOARD MAIN CANNONS! FIRE!" Haeron cried out and made everyone jump. But the men did as he had been training them even if they had only actually properly done it once or twice.
They used their lighting sticks on the cannons and knowing what was about to happen stepped back while Davos, Jaime and Alicys looked on in confusion but that only lasted a moment before the side of the ship seemed to ripple with fire!
- x -
The Harpy...
Grazdan was honestly thinking this his lucky day as the large and admittedly impressive ship he was preying on didn't even seem to want to fight back! He laughed at their either cowardice or stupidity as they could at least try to take back before he took them.
But then the sides of the enemy ship seemed to explode with blasts of fire and smoke suddenly as a loud noise like thunder echoed through the air but there was not a cloud in the sky. Then the ship was shaken as balls of lead moving faster than the eye could see and the wooden hull split, sending debris flying across the deck on the crew who were either cut by the debris or throw to the deck with the force of the impact. Tears opened in the sails too with no apparent explanation which only confused everyone more.
Grazdan was shocked and fearful, not understanding just where that had come from but then a moment later it happened again! The side of the enemy ship rippled with fire and the deafening sound happened again and he was thrown from his feet as more of his ship was torn apart including one of the masts which fell forward and smashed into its twin and broke it too, sending them down and falling onto to the deck, crushing some sailors who were not quick enough to get out of the way.
Grazdan as he got to his feet and saw the enemy ship had turned and was now doing the same to the other ships in his fleet, he stood helpless on the deck as he saw them being destroyed the same way and be set ablaze.
- x -
Queen Visenya...An Hour into the Battle...
"I've never seen again like it in all my days." Davos said with astonishment as he saw the new weapons of the prince demolish the slaver pirates, two of the ships were clearly already sinking and two more were burning badly. He was not alone in these feelings as Jaime and Alicys who were open mouthed at the sheer power of the ship's weapons. Haeron was calmly watching wondering if the world was ready for this kind of power but gunpowder would be discovered by someone eventually...better it be by someone who understood its dangers and potential he thought privately to himself.
"Its called gunpowder." Haeron explained to them calmly. "An explosive propellant that detonates when ignited, in a metal barrel it can be used to throw projectiles into the enemy at range. They are called cannons." He said and seeing the remaining enemy ship that had been leading the attack coming up close he called out a new order. "Board and take her. Swivel guns, Carronades, sweep the decks. Grappling hooks away when in range."
On deck men were already manning the smaller cannons and as soon as they were close enough to let down the sails and throw the grabbling hooks to pull themselves and the galleon closer, they opened fire. The pirates/slavers were standing on deck, ready to try and repel them but they found themselves being fired on by the small cannons, shredding them to pieces.
When they had cleared the decks enough and the ships were pulled close enough together they lowered planks and men ran over armed with swords, spears and daggers, Haeron drew Blackfyre due to the confined environment before joining them and Jaime ran across with him. The few remaining crew on deck were scattered and some of them were injured so they were no match for the excited and bloodthirsty crew as they poured onto the damaged ship's deck.
Haeron and Jaime both were not showing any mercy either as they used their swords to cut down any one that they came across. Going down below decks they mercifully found the slave pens empty but there was a fair amount of gold and valuables on the ship they discovered.
Coming back on deck they saw that a man in white robes with different colour sashes was kneeling, surrounded by their men who were pulling expensive looking rings off his fingers and admiring them. Haeron himself took the sword and examined it before deciding to give it to Davos as his own prize, announcing to the men.
"This ship is full of riches, all of which will be shared among the crew. Everyone gets a share." Haeron told them and a cheer went up among the men, Alicys and Jaime smirking as Haeron turned his attention to Grazdan. He used his magic to read his thoughts and knew that was his name, the man that had led this slaver/pirate fleet and had bound thousands of people in chains.
A cold fury came upon him and Grazdan seemed to be confident in his position which only enraged Haeron more as he made a rather bold statement.
"My family in Astapor will pay a great ransom for my safe return. I am sure they and you could come to some arrangement." Grazdan said with complete certainty, like they would jump at the chance and be bought off so he could continue with what he was doing like this had never happened.
While Haeron had not tried to end slavery here he was not in any way going to allow a slaver like him who enjoyed destroying the lives of anyone who came across his path to go and continue what he was doing.
His decision was made in a fraction of a second, he saw some rope on the deck nearby along with part of the broken mast. It was a thick and heavy piece of metal that had been bracing the mast and Haeron without saying anything walked over, grabbed the rope and tied it firmly to the broken piece of the mast. His audience looked on in confusion before Haeron with the other end of the rope in hand walked over and tied up Grazdan by the hands with it. Some of them realised just what Haeron was doing and held their breath in anticipation before without wasting another moment listening to the pleas of Grazdan who finally realised what he was doing but Haeron didn't care, he kicked the piece of heavy metal over the side of the ship. Everyone watched with shock as no-one had ever expected Haeron to be so ruthless and Grazdan was pleading as they all saw the rope sliding into the sea with great speed but Haeron remained unmoved.
Then with a hard jerk Grazdan was pulled over the side and into the water, everyone watching as he sank quickly beneath the waves. The crew and even Jaime and Alicys all felt slightly afraid of Haeron before he made a speech to them.
"Men like him, buy their way out of anything. He would have just carried on enslaving and killing people without a single care in the world. Killing him is a mercy to the innocents he would have destroyed and justice for those that he already has. Now, take your fill from this ship...its yours now Some of you I know will be able to afford the best when we get to Lys." Haeron told them and the greed in the crew soon compelled them to go and do as he had said, not least the idea that they could get enough gold to afford the best service in the pillow houses. That got them eager to loot the ship while Haeron turned to Davos who was looking at him with some concern before Haeron handed him the sword he had taken from Grazdan which caught him by surprise.
"This sword needs a more honest man to hold it. There is no man I met with as much integrity as you Ser Davos Seaworth." Haeron said with honesty which shocked Davos who seemed reluctant to take it but did so slowly and drew it and saw to his amazement that it was a scimitar, not a regular long sword with a curve along the top half of the blade. It also had a golden finish to the hilt and a few emeralds for decoration but also there was the blade itself.
"This is Valyrian steel your grace. I am not worthy of such a sword." Davos said with surprise but Haeron would not allow him to give it back and instead told him.
"You are as I have already said the most honest and dependable man that I have ever known, a fine sailor and a masterful captain who has kept not only firm discipline on this ship but it running to perfection. If there is anyone more deserving of such a blade, I have no idea who that could be." Haeron told him and reluctantly as he did not want to argue with the Prince, Davos tied to the sword to his belt.
Jaime and Alicys while still unsettled by the way that Haeron had dispatched Grazdan smiled warmly as they saw how he had rewarded Davos and spoken of him. The idea that he had respected him so much to give him such a blade was deeply reassuring to them and even though Jaime would have loved to wield the sword himself he was unsure of the different design having been taught to wield traditional Westerosi swords.
The crew quickly took their time to take everything of value from the ship and soon it was picked clean, they abandoned it and with a blast of the cannons sent it to join Grazdan at the bottom of the sea before resuming their course towards Lys and their next adventure.