A Few Hours Later...
Splitting into pairs, one magic wielder with a Fire Opal each to cover more ground they left the safety of the bank building and went out to see what else there was to be found here.
Haeron and Vaena went out into the edges of the city and approached one of the still standing towers, the large doors was still open which made gaining entry much easier so they slipped inside and went to explore.
They slowly moved through the tower, finding anything valuable or worth saving and putting it into the pouches that Harmony had provided.
Leaving the tower they continued on through the city and Vaena decided to ask him something that had been irritating her.
"How do you know Harmony?" Vaena asked, her curiosity and suspicions mounting and he just smiled before telling her.
"We knew each other a long time ago in another life. She saved my life and I saved hers too, she is one of the few people that I trust completely." Haeron said and that only made Vaena sigh with frustration.
"She's always giving answers like that. It's infuriating." Vaena said and Haeron just kept on smiling before he continued.
"Maybe that's because we don't really know how to explain it ourselves. But let's just say that death is not quite what people think it is." Haeron said before they were stopped by the sight of something ahead.
A ruined building on the outskirts of the city, not by the dragon but likely by the Doom. Whatever it had once been was not easily guessed as so little of the structure remained outside of parts of the outer walls but through one of those gaps they saw the twisted skeletons. With a shared look of anxiety they carefully made their way inside, moving with the utmost precision to avoid any potential problems.
Looking around there were poles that had once supported tents and seeing a fallen standard in the arms of a man in rusted armour that was partly buried in the dust that had fallen over it, Haeron carefully knelt down and wiped it away. The standard was faded and near unrecognisable but the faint outlines of a lion were just about visible and the armour although damaged and rusted resembled ancient styles used in the Westerlands some centuries ago.
"I think this is the remains of King Tommen the Second's expedition." Haeron said with a sigh. "The Lannister got further in than I would have thought possible."
"The Lannisters?" Vaena asked, not being familiar with the houses of Westeros and he explained.
"The ruling house of the Westerlands, after the Doom their ancestor tried to sail to Valyria to plunder it but he disappeared and was never seen again. I wonder if..." Haeron thought before getting up and carefully moving around the inside of the building, wondering if it was here, checking all of the bodies until he found the most elaborate armour. Complete with golden lion pauldrons and decoration on the chest plate, he had found Tommen he thought and then at his waist was what he was looking for. Barely visible in the dirt that covered it but he gently wiped it away until the pommel was visible. Made of gold and shaped like a lion's head it was as impressive now as the day it was made, carefully he moved the rest of the dirt away until the full length of the great sword, still in its scabbard was revealed. Haeron carefully took hold of it and pulled it out just enough to see the rippled steel blade.
"Brightroar, the Lannisters paid enough gold to raise an army for this sword. They will want this back." Haeron told Vaena as he strapped it to his own waist. She looked at the sword and he offered. "You know there's enough there for you to have your own."
She made a face at the idea and told him with a smile.
"Swords aren't really my thing."
- x -
Elsewhere Harmony and Evelyn were investigating the dragon hatchery in the city in the hopes of finding more dragon eggs, making sure none were left behind. The hatchery had been damaged but they were hoping some of the eggs might have survived.
The chests lined the walls as they had in other hatcheries but many were lying in a broken mess at the bottom of the stairs, the roof having collapsed and taken most of them with it. But some of the chests on the left side had managed to survive and Hermione was carefully levitating them down.
The air between her and Evelyn was tense, both having some level of hostility towards each other thanks to their past lives together. Eventually though Harmony could not stand it any longer and offered an olive branch.
"I can teach you the meditation arts that we used to regain our magic." She said hoping to get some kind of conversation going. Evelyn looked up in surprise and then had a small hopeful smile on her face.
"Please, not having my magic...it's like having my limbs in casts. I feel helpless, I can only tie into my powers briefly and have no control of my allure. Sometimes it comes out and other times its dormant." Evelyn admitted, referring to her Veela allure which it seemed she still possessed. Having seen how much effect that had on men Harmony grimaced slightly at the thought of having no control of it.
"That must be difficult." She said and Evelyn shuddered and admitted the truth to her.
"You have no idea, I have men drooling over me all the time with no way to stop it. If anything it is stronger in this world than it was the last. Not to mention my...instincts are stronger too." She admitted, this last part being one of the more private parts of being even part-Veela but in her case since she had arrived in this world it was like she was full blooded for the strength of it all.
"Instincts?" Harmony asked in confusion, not admittedly knowing much about the Veela as they were a very private people and rarely discussed their secrets with anyone. Evelyn nodded before saying what she needed to say.
"A full blooded Veela is attracted to the strongest male, the one who can give her the best children. Be they human or Veela. So far I have not felt that pull yet...until now." She admitted with a blush of embarrassment.
Harmony was shocked at that, never having heard of a magical creature with that kind of impulse but the fact she was feeling that now towards Harry...Haeron she thought knowing that was his name in this life was unsettling for her. She wanted to say something but Evelyn then told her with a suggestive smirk.
"Don't worry, we can share. Given the impulses its common for Veela males who are rare maybe one or two in a generation to have multiple mates in their lifetime. It might be fun, Veela are taught all forms of pleasure and that is for men and women." She added and raised her eyebrows suggestively and made Harmony nearly drop the chests she was so taken aback at the suggestion but worse the images it put in her head...of the three of them...together she thought with a deep blush coming to her cheeks. She have never imagined that before and even more confusing for her was that she...didn't feel disgusted or turned off like she thought she would. Instead...she was...interested she realised to her humiliation.
Unable to say more and she was too embarrassed she quickly gathered up the surviving egg chests and followed Evelyn back to the bank, trying to not stare at her perfect arse as it swayed in front of her and desperately trying to hide the burning of her cheeks.
- x -
The four of them reunited at the bank and showed them the finds they had made. Haeron noticed the blush on Harmony's cheeks when she looked at him and the confident smirk on Evelyn's face, frowning he wondered just what had happened between them and so was Vaena who had never seen her best friend so flustered before.
"We've one last building to check, no idea as to its purpose but it is the heart of the dark magic in the city." Harmony said with a look of worry, as they had no idea just why it was so full of dark magic or its purpose.
"Then we move as a team." Haeron said with a calm and focused voice before they all nodded in agreement and left to check out the last place in the city to see just what secrets it might contain.
It was not an enormous tower as the other buildings were around it, the building was fairly modest in comparison although decorated with sphinxes and stone dragons like the towers. It also had a several holes in the side and top of the building that they could not identify, they all made their way inside and saw a large number of skeletons in armour with weapons still in hand. What was confusing to them though was that none of them were in positions that were indicating that they were trying to escape or flee, they were resolutely by doorways and gates that were closed and no one trying to get through. Other skeletons in the tattered remains of robes were scattered about but they did not look like they had been trying to get out either.
"What could be so important that they wouldn't try to escape during the Doom?" Vaena asked with a look of disbelief at the bodies. The others were equally as mystified.
"What the hell is worth more than your lives?" Evelyn repeated the question but neither Harmony or Haeron could give them an answer as they moved through the corridors of the structure. The dark magic in the air around them was so thick that it was making them break out in cold sweats with the fear it instilled in them but they forced themselves onwards.
Many of the rooms were simple bedrooms which shocked them as clearly these people have lived in this structure which only increased their questions about just what this place was. The only thing that they could think of was that it was some kind of temple but the lack of religious like items or scriptures made that seem unlikely. There were simple communal areas and a kitchen but as they went into the centre of the building it all finally began to make sense.
There was a large open hall like space with holes in the walls that were the same shape as the ones on the outside of the building so their purpose became clear, they were ventilation ducks to carry away heat and gases. Lining the walls were racks of different objects. On one side was tools that you would find in any blacksmith's forge along with a few that strangely Harmony recognised, although her reading on the subject had been informal and she had no actual experience she had read about the subject of alchemy. Some of them looked like tools she had seen pictures of in books and combined with the blacksmith tools made her able to guess just what this place was.
"This is an Alchemist Forge." She said with an excited smile, while Haeron saw something on the other wall that confirmed that opinion.
"This is where they made their magical objects and Valyrian steel." He said, pointing to another wall were incomplete swords, axes, daggers, halberds, war-hammers, spears, tridents, maces and others of all different shapes and sizes. Although dusty they were made of Valyrian steel and missed just finishing touches. Harmony predictably was more interested in reading the books and scrolls than anything else and then as she read one of the scrolls her face brightened as she found some amazing information.
"Platinum." She said to herself as Haeron looked to her for an explanation for what she had found. "That is the key."
"What is platinum the key too?" Haeron asked with a raised eyebrow and Harmony was so absorbed in what she was reading for a moment before she finally explained.
"Valyrian steel." She said with a smirk as she looked up at him. "It doesn't corrode like other metals, has innate magical properties and is stronger than gold. The Valyrians used magic and dragon fire to merge them with steel and lay spells into." Harmony said with triumph and Haeron could only blink in awe at this incredible discovery.
But Vaena had discovered something else, walking towards the massive cauldron in the centre of the room and saw something floated out of it, as if sensing her presence. She seemed to be entranced by it and was reaching blindly for whatever it was when Evelyn finally noticed she was doing and reacting without thinking she tackled the other woman, pulling her to the ground and the shock of this seemed to wake her up.
"What are you doing?" Vaena asked, angrily wanting to know just what made her tackle them to the ground. Evelyn told her with annoyance.
"I could ask you the same thing?" She had no idea just what was in that cauldron but touching it seemed to be a bad idea.
Haeron and Harmony meanwhile where looking at them with surprise before the glow in the cauldron made them take notice. A large staff emerged from the cauldron and glowing a harsh sickly green energy and sending a horrible chill running through them all as they looked at it, despite that they couldn't help but be drawn to it. Haeron and Harmony slammed their occumency barriers down hard and Evelyn did the same, taking a hold of Vaena who didn't have the benefit of such training.
Then as they resisted the pull of the staff, the world around them seemed to brighten with a warm light making them close their eyes. It was harsh meaning that they could not dare open their eyes for the risk of being blinded but then a voice so powerful echoed in their ears that they were almost deafened.
"Finally! I had almost lost hope that someone of sufficient will would come to this land." The voice, male but unknown to them echoed.
"Who are you?" Harmony asked, wondering just what this was. The voice laughed before telling her.
"I have many names given to me by your people and others. In this civilisation though, I have been called Balerion." The voice said proudly.
"Balerion, of the gods of Valyria?!" Evelyn said with confusion.
"The same." Balerion said but Haeron had his doubts.
"Many can claim to be a god but that does not make it so. I believe you are powerful but a god...I reserve judgement." Haeron said with suspicion. Before the other two could censor him though Balerion laughed and told them.
"Your will is as strong as I had hoped when I brought you three here. I have need of people with your skills in this world." Balerion said with amusement.
The words hit them like a punch to the gut, they could hardly believe it. Haeron with a careful and worried voice asked.
"You brought us here? Why?"
"As I said, I have need of you. I have tried to guide this world and time and time again it has been ruined by fools. I taught the Valyrians to tame dragons and make their steel to fight an enemy of all that lives but they took what I taught them and used it to try and control the world and bend it to their whims. Then they destroyed themselves when they killed a hundred thousand slaves to make that staff which can command the natural world in this world but made it so strong that they could not control it once it was finished. Then I spared a single family to unite a continent to fight that same enemy by sending visions but they fouled it up and lost their dragons, not to mention ruined that country time and time again." Balerion told them and the mention of his own history made Haeron frown before Harmony asked.
"But what can we do that you cannot." She asked him, he to be fair answered her question.
"Prepare for a fight, unite people and restore what has been destroyed. Take whatever is left of this place and use it but the staff must be destroyed, cast it into the lava. If you have the will I need to resolve this problem then you will be able to resist it." Balerion said again before the light faded as quickly as it had appeared and left them in the same chamber they had been in before. Looking around wildly as they dared to open their eyes the three of them looked to Vaena who was acting like it had not just happened.
Haeron was deeply unsettled that gods were playing with their lives but what else could they do? He thought but carry on and live their own lives and see where the chips fall so to speak, frowning as he looked at the staff and if the so-called 'Balerion' was right then this was the production of a horrible crime with the sacrifice of so many to make it and then it had caused a disaster that had killed so many more.
It was too dangerous to let anyone have it, even him Haeron thought as the thoughts of what he could do with that kind of power came into his head and he ruthlessly shut them out. He tuned out everything else including Harmony and Evelyn as they tried to stop him despite knowing that magic could not move it before grabbing hold of the staff with his own hands.
The moment he did so he pulled it away from the cauldron and immediately regretted it as the shearing pain hit him. It felt like he was being burned from the inside out and he could not hear the cries of the three women as he slowly made his way out of the room with each step being a something that he barely manage. His body protesting the smallest movement, agony was his constant companion as he moved forward. It seemed to take an eternity for him to reach the exit and seeing the lava river ahead of him Haeron with blood now running from the corners of his eyes, his mouth and from his nose with strength that he didn't know he had threw the staff into the lava.
The pressure was finally released and he collapsed to the ground, only hearing the muffled cries of the others as he passed out.
Queen Visenya, Docked in Volantis...Three Days Later...
Haeron was slow to come around, feeling warm breath on his hands as he carefully opened his eyes. Looking he saw Kara was laying next to his bed and her snout was pressing against his right hand to try and get a response. He managed a smile for his dragon who immediately brightened at that while he gently petted its snout.
"I see taking stupid risks is the one thing you have carried over to this life." A sarcastic voice said and he managed to turn his head to see Harmony smiling at him with that same loving smile he had missed so much.
"It seemed like the best thing to do at the time." Haeron admitted to her, his voice raspy with thirst and she sighed while shaking her head.
"I should probably update you on all that happened when we got back to the city." She said as she sat on the bed next to him. "We took everything we could find including the forge, the tools and materials. Even the incomplete Valyrian steel there and put it with the rest in your special trunk. I made some improvements so it would all fit." She told him as she poured him some clean water. He gratefully sipped it before sighing as even now his body was aching.
That staff had been the most charged magical object he had ever seen, Haeron thought to himself, so much energy no single person would ever be able to safely wield it and even in a group it would be next to impossible to make sure what you wanted to happen happened.
"Good move. But you were always more accomplished than me." Haeron told Harmony who smiled before telling him.
"Nonsense. There are more important things."
"Indeed." Evelyn said as she came in and sat on the other side. Haeron smiled and took both of their hands.
"I know that its probably bad timing but I think we should talk about what it is we are going to do now." Haeron asked them and they both frowned before admitting their own thoughts.
"I have no idea what I want to do." Evelyn admitted with a shrug.
"I would still like to try and do something against the slavery here." Harmony said with reluctance to abandon the fight. Haeron squeezed her hand before reminding her.
"But to make real change, you'll need an army. To tear down the old ways and build something new in its place." Haeron told her and she nodded reluctantly, seeing that her efforts so far had hardly made a dent in the practice.
"We could build something, the three of us." Evelyn suggested with a smirk which made them both look at her with surprise. "The Conqueror had two wives and they built a brand new empire of their own. We help you get the Iron Throne, we hatch more dragons and we make a new empire of our own. One that will abolish slavery."
The bold plan shocked both Haeron and Harmony, the kingdom House Targaryen had built did not expand, had not done since Dorne willingly entered the fold centuries ago. He hated war, it was a huge loss of life and wastes so many resources but the idea of expanding their territory did have appeal, it would also help because they would have an army large enough to do what they needed to do.
"Hatch more dragons? Who would ride them?" Harmony asked with confusion before Evelyn told her with a grin.
"We would, you, me and Vaena. Maybe Grace and Haeron's siblings too. The blood of Valyria is in all of us. Especially if he marries both of us." She said with a suggestive look in her eyes that made Harmony blush as she remember what they had talked about back in Valyria.
Haeron thought was more astonished at the proposal, he knew that marrying was something he would need to do to rule effectively and more securely but to have two wives? He thought with worry, knowing that would never go down well in Westeros with the Seven but the idea of hatching more dragons? Who better to entrust them too? He thought as he considered the request.
He still loved Hermione no matter what name she had and Fleur...Evelyn he thought correcting himself...she was a beautiful smart and capable woman. Any man would be the luckiest man in the world to have her at his side.
But to have two such amazing women at his side, Haeron thought with confusion. He barely felt he deserved either of them let alone both.
"We all have something in common." Harmony said with slow deliberation, thinking this was a ridiculous idea at first but at the same time she could not help but remember how hard it had been here. To have no one who could really understand her experience even Vaena who she shared everything with could barely really wrap her head around what she had lived through. But at the same time it would give them the power to make a real difference in this world, to really change things for the better like she had always dreamed, not to mention have two people that she could relate to and trust at her side.
But to ride a dragon she thought with astonishment, that sent a thrill through her that she couldn't deny.
Haeron was completely shocked that Harmony seemed to be agreeing to this, he managed to get up and pondered himself if it was a good idea. They would admittedly not have the incest taboo against them as none of them were related in this world like Aegon and his two wives had but it was a big step.
There was however one stumbling block that he felt he needed to bring up though.
"To maintain my position in the succession I must abide by certain rules and one of them is that as a Targaryen Aerys has overall say on all royal marriages. I can't marry anyone without him agreeing to it, not without abdicating my claim." Haeron said bitterly. "Unless he dies and I assume the throne there is nothing I can do."
"There are ways around that." Evelyn said with a smug grin as courtly intrigue was something she knew a fair bit about politics, it had been required as part of her training given the aristocratic hierarchy of the French Magical Society she had been born into. "Between the three of us we all have skills that could make this work, enough to build the sort of empire that can bring unity."
The three of them were silent before all Haeron put his hand out to them, Evelyn didn't even hesitate and placed her hand in his, Harmony was more slow but soon she placed her hand in theirs.
This felt deeply significant to them, like they were sealing some kind of sacred pact and tying themselves for what could likely be for the rest of the life.
Haeron got to his feet and dressed before taking both of the dragon eggs he had gathered before coming here and the pale blue egg that Evelyn had taken a liking too. Vaena entered and they showed her the eggs and Kara who gave her the dragon version of a smile which confused the poor woman even more.
Kara seeing the eggs squealed with delight and as they placed the three dragon eggs in the more fireproof area and Haeron told his dragon with a smile.
"Time to give you some siblings to play with. Wake them up." He told his dragon before saying the word.
"Dracarys."
Kara with all of the effort they could muster took in a deep breath and then expelled a burst of incredible flames, holding it on the eggs for as long as the poor dragon could manage. When Kara finally stopped breathing flame Haeron gently comforted the dragon while watching the eggs to see what would happen.
It seemed for a moment like it had not worked much to their brief disappointment but then a tiny sound broke the silence. Looking down they saw the egg shells slowly begin to crack and break apart, revealing three new tiny dragons which chirped and cried out as they came into the world.
Harmony, Evelyn and Vaena were completely transfixed by the incredible creatures in front of them, coming up to carefully pick one of them up each. Harmony picked up the dragon with platinum scales with fire coloured lines running along its body. Evelyn had the dragon with pale blue scales and Vaena picked the one with dark red and blue scales.
The three of them marvelled at the little dragons while Haeron fed Kara and made a fuss of his own dragon, telling them as he petted it with love.
"You are amazing." He said and Kara beamed with delight at his words and leaned in so that he could pet her some more.
"They all are." Vaena said with amazement at the little dragon she was holding in her arms, it seemed so helpless and adorable and yet could one day become an enormous creature that would make entire armies tremble.
- x -
As Haeron stepped out on the deck the cool breeze, the dragons staying with the ladies and Kara for the moment until they were finished bonding. He was just enjoying a breath of fresh air as he looked around the harbour and saw Jaime standing on the deck practising his swordsmanship which made Haeron smile slightly at his dedication before walking over to him.
"Your grace." Jaime said when he finally noticed Haeron was there. He smiled at the Prince before adding. "Its good to see you up and about, we we're worried when the ladies brought you back."
"It was a surprising adventure with quite a few dangers and unexpected developments but it did provide some interesting new boons. One of which I am here to give you. You have great skill with a long sword, but there is another sword you might want to practice with as well." Haeron said and unbuckled Brightroar from around his waist and handed it while it was still in its scabbard to Jaime.
The boy took the sword, confused as it was a large sword and he already had one before he pulled it free of its scabbard and then gasped as it finally dawned on him just what he was holding.
"Is this?" Jaime asked in astonishment and Haeron nodded, enjoying the awe struck look on the boy's face.
"Brightroar, your family's ancestral sword. How it came to be where it was I cannot say but it should I feel go to you. A man worthy enough to wield it." Haeron told him proudly as Jaime carefully swung the sword around, feeling its lack of weight and astonishment at having such an incredible and important blade in his hand, not to mention he was the first Lannister to hold it in over three centuries and the blade was even more impressive than he had ever dreamed. He had long heard his Uncle Gerion telling tales of the incredible blade and how he had dreamt of finding the sword himself and now it was in Jaime's hands.
Haeron put a hand on Jaime's shoulder as the boy held the sword and told him with a warm smile that honestly was strange for Jaime to see as he had only seen him being serious.
"Use it well, but I would write to your family and let them know that you have it." Haeron advised him and when Jaime nodded, thinking to make sure to not mention Alicys in his letter as who knows what his father would think of that.
Haeron meanwhile went to speak to Davos.
Jaime wondered briefly as he felt the warmth and caring and the advice that the Prince had been giving him all of this time whether this was what it was like to have an older brother. A wiser sibling that you could go to for advice and count on when you needed help, something he had always wanted and what he had hoped to be when Tyrion needed it some day.
Either way he would write to his family and let them know that Brightroar had been found, the thought passed through his mind that for once his father might be proud of him.
Haeron meanwhile went to see Davos who was standing by the ship's helm and looking at the prince with surprise that he was up and about so soon but remained professional.
"Your grace."
"Captain." Haeron replied with a nod and told him his current plan. "We will be staying in Volantis for some time yet as there is business to be attended too. A moon or so before we move on."
"And how far are you intending to go your grace?" Davos asked with guarded curiosity. Volantis was the furthest that he had ever sailed but there were many tales of the lands beyond these shores and they had sworn to get young Kelis home. He had already achieved a great fortune for his family and a special sword that honestly he didn't feel worthy of but the lure of wanting to see more clashed with the desire to return to his family inside of him.
Haeron had to think himself the same question, to be honest he was not really sure as the further they travelled the more into the unknown they went and who knows what was waiting out there. But there was a certain draw to that too, it also gave them opportunities to expand their network and make more money. The magic document that he had showed they had some new members already and growing wealth but there was always more room to grow.
"We should see how far we are willing to go." Haeron said after a brief moment to think. "We will return to Westeros but for now we'll see what there is to see. Not to mention it is an opportunity to see the world." Haeron told Davos who nodded in agreement.
"Besides we should take the chance to write home. I am sure you will want too as should I." Haeron then added and Davos who liked the idea of writing to his wife was brought up short by his inability to read but Alicys would help with that.
- x -
Some time later after Grace returned with Alicys to the ship and the other girl was admiring Jaime's new blade, Grace was marvelling at the dragon her sister now had.
"She is beautiful." Grace said with amazement at the small miracle sitting on her sister's lap. She had known her sister had the old Valyria look but not the blood to hatch a dragon too!
"The blood of Valyria runs in your veins too." Evelyn told her with some care, testing the waters. "You could have a dragon of your own."
The idea seemed so sudden that Grace for a moment didn't know just what to say, it was an alluring thought she had to admit privately to herself. To fly through the sky on the back of a dragon, it was incredibly enticing but at the same time there was something that stopped her.
"I'm not ready." Grace said with a sad smile, it was true she just didn't think she could handle a dragon yet before admitting what she had decided to do for herself. "I want to go to Tarth, to see where are family came from."
Evelyn had expected it and sighed with defeat, Grace wasn't Gabrielle but she had become her sister in this world and she deeply worried for her well being. She needed somewhere to belong that didn't move, she needed stability.
She nodded sadly before turning to Haeron who was feeding his own dragon and asked him with a hopeful look in her eyes.
"Could you write to Lord Tarth and ask him if he would allow Grace to stay? If it came from you it might have more weight."
Haeron was momentarily distracted from what he was doing before feeding Kara some more meat and told her with a smile.
"Of course although from what I know of him Lord Tarth would be more than happy to take Grace in since she is family. But if she is going to Westeros then I will send a letter to my mother with you as well. Pass it to my man there and he will see to it that it gets to her along with the gifts I'll be sending my family." Haeron said with reassurance before remembering something. "Jaime might be sending something too so we'll need to deal with that too. But I will write the letter and arrange transport to Tarth."
"Thank you Haeron." Evelyn said before turning to her sister and gave her a hug. Grace hugged her back, knowing it was going to be a long time before they saw each other again.
Tarth, the Stormlands...Two Weeks Later...
The ship Haeron had found to transport Grace to Tarth was a fast one and made it there very quickly. The sight of the island made her feel intense longing and dread at the same time, this was the island that her family had come from and it represented to her the stability and peaceful life that she had wanted for so long.
But that the same there was a deep unshakable fear, she had never been to this island and knew no-one here, her sister was a wanderer and would sail with the Prince and the rest of their party onwards but she had promised she would come to Westeros someday but that would not be for some time she thought to herself.
It was daunting to face such things without her sister but she was no babe Grace thought trying to stiffen her spine as the ship came in to dock.
She with practised ease made her way down the gangplank and saw a tall man was standing there to greet her, for a moment she was stunned as he resembled her own father with very pale blond hair with a large build and hands but he had a friendly looking face and smile as he welcomed her.
"My niece I assume?" He asked and she nodded before remembering to curtsey in the presence of the lord but her uncle smiled and told her. "There is no need for that, you are family and you will always have a place here."
His reassurance meant the world to her and she smiled brightly before stammering a grateful sentence.
"Thank you...Uncle. It means a great deal for me to be here, father always said he would bring us here one day. Me and my sister." Grace said with a sad smile wishing Evelyn was here but Selwyn nodded, sad himself that he had not managed to see his brother again before his death but was glad that he had one of his nieces to meet and get to know.
Later that night a man in a cloak took the letters and boxes that Prince Haeron and Jaime Lannister had given her, the surprising speed of this was impressive but she just settled in, letting it be and hoped for the good feeling she had about this place to last.
The Red Keep, Kings Landing...A Couple of Days Later...
Rhaella was sitting in her rooms with her children, just enjoying a meal together when the letter and box arrived. The maid who delivered it was gone before she could question her and carefully opening it she was relieved to see the familiar script of her eldest son on it.
Mother,
I hope you and my beloved siblings are well. I have been as you might have heard rather busy of late and have let my correspondence with you suffer, I can only tell you that I am sorry for that but I hope the gifts I am sending will make up for it. It would be best if Aerys was unaware of them coming from me to not stoke his temper. In case that happens though I have also added something that you can offer him to calm his rage.
I have by now built up a fairly substantial network of merchants and others who will co-operate to make coin and my dragon is growing quickly. We will travel to other ports to expand more but my return to Westeros will hopefully be not too long in the future.
I have however encountered a strange situation that may be of a potential danger or advantage to us. Three ladies in Volantis that had managed to hatch dragons as well, two of whom I have managed to make a personal connection with, one of whom is a daughter of a Triarch here. The third is close to her and two of the ladies are interested in cementing an alliance with us but they want one through marriage to me.
Like the Conqueror it will be needed for me to wed them both to secure their dragons for our house and to make sure they are not turned against us. They are I assure you mother bright and caring women with a strong moral core and values, there is feeling of trust between us and respect that verges on something more. I tell you this so you will understand before word reaches you and the tale is spun some different way.
I am at a loss though on how to proceed with these marriages when no marriage is legal without the blessing of the king. Mother is there any way you can think of where it might be possible to wed without it? I will be staying in Volantis for some time yet so I hope to hear from you soon.
Your Loving and Loyal Son,
Haeron.
Rhaella could scarcely believe what her son was telling her, her face frozen in stunned silence. It was difficult enough to believe that three more dragons had been hatched after so many centuries even with her son having managing it but that he would have two women, one of whom was the daughter of a very powerful figure in Volantis as wives.
It was shocking that her son would end up in this position but at the same time she was fully aware that those dragons were a potential threat if they couldn't be tied to House Targaryen, so how she thought to herself with a strange sense of confusion did they get Aerys to agree? It had taken so many years for him to get into a state of mind that would let Rhaegar marry, for Haeron to wed not once but twice and to a woman who had a very powerful connection to one of the strongest of the Free Cities seemed impossible. She pondered long and hard before looking to see the gifts her son had sent and smiled before telling her children.
"Children, come here and look what Haeron has sent you straight from Volantis." She told them with a smile; Daeron and Shaena got up from their game and had Viserys with them, smiling in hopeful excitement at what their brother had sent them from his travels.
Rhaella lifted Shaena's gift out first, it was a dragon shaped hair pin made of gold with rubies for eyes. Shaena looked at the gift with amazement and eagerly took it before Rhaella then pulled out Daeron's gift, unfurling it so he could see just what it was.
A magnificent painting with a Valyrian ship on the ocean accompanied with dragons flying overhead. Daeron stared in awe at the picture and took it quickly so he could put it in a frame and have it on the walls of his rooms immediately.
Viserys had not been forgotten and Rhaella pulled out a small wooden painted dragon for him and the little boy yelled in delight before grabbing it and childishly running around without any cares as he held his dragon, pretending that he was riding one through the skies. Rhaella smiled as she looked on, so glad that they enjoyed their gifts before seeing a copy of Ancient Valyria Tales and Legends inside which she guessed was for Rhaegar. Haeron had gotten them all something that they would treasure she thought with pride before noticing that there were three other things still in the box.
She carefully pulled out a bolt of strange white silk, softer than any she had ever felt before and with an elaborate red and gold pattern on it. A small note from Haeron was attached to it with a piece of string which she carefully read.
This mother is Valyrian Silk, I managed to acquire a bolt of it so that you might make whatever you feel like. The material is as you can tell soft but also very strong.
Rhaella blinked in shock at this being actual Valyrian silk, while not as well known as Valyrian steel it was one of the finest products the Freehold had produced at its height and was no rarer than the aforementioned steel. It seemed almost sacrilege to even think of doing something with it but it would make a magnificent dress she thought sadly.
But that was not the only gift that Haeron had sent her, in case she decided not to use the silk a magnificent necklace of gold and silver interlocking vines with sapphires and emeralds not to mention a large pearl that dangled from it. She marvelled at the intricate craftsmanship and smiled at the thoughtful gift.
But then she turned to the last item in the box, she smirked as she saw that her son had found the perfect thing to mollify Aerys and that gave her an idea for just how to get what her son needed.
- x -
Later that Day...
Rhaella walked into the private rooms of Aerys and saw almost all of the Kingsguard standing guard although Ser Michel Redding was watching over her children along with her own men, she saw that Aerys was still caught up in his dragon egg and frowned briefly at the mere idea that he might actually manage to hatch it but her son had confided to her that the chances of that were ridiculously slim.
That provided her some comfort as the concept of Aerys with an actual dragon to ride...made her almost shiver in fear.
"My king, a powerful man in Volantis has sent you the most wonderful gift." Rhaella said as she approached, the Kingsguard alert to any sign of trouble but Aerys was so enraptured in his egg that he took a moment to respond to her.
"A gift?" He asked with sudden eagerness as he always liked being given presents. Rhaella smiled and pulled it out of the silk blanket it had been wrapped in, allowing him and the knights to see it for themselves. Ser Gerold came forward and took it carefully from her himself amazed at the incredible piece as he checked it before presenting it to the king.
"Solid gold and shaped like a dragon that is eating its own tail." Rhaella said with a bright voice as Aerys stared at it with awe. "But the eyes and other precious stones are red diamonds, the most rare and valuable of all diamonds. No one but a king is fit to wear that crown." She said proudly as she drew Aerys in.
Her plan was working as Aerys took the crown to hold and study it for himself, his eyes wide with awe at it and licked his lips. Rhaella then produced a document as he was so distracted and suggested at the moment that he was the most distracted.
"These require your signature." Rhaella said quickly and Aerys did not even blink before reaching for a quill and writing his name on the document after briefly reading it and not caring a single little bit. Rhaella took the document and smiled as she walked out with the Kingsguard looking at her in astonishment at her boldness.
Tower of the Hand, The Red Keep...
Rhaella was not the only person to receive a letter and box though, in his solar in the tower Tywin Lannister also received something from his own son. He read the letter carefully with a guarded expression.
Father,
I know I have not written in some time but there have been several developments that I feel you must be made aware of. The trade network of the prince is spreading quickly and now has the backing of the most wealthy man in Volantis, his intention is to sail further and expand the network more.
His dragon can now fly and is able to breathe fire, but it is not yet large enough to ride. Further more there are now three more dragons with riders that the prince has drawn to his side but they are small for the moment.
But in regards to House Lannister there is something I have acquired that will be of interest to you. Brightroar has been found and is now in my hands, I would have sent it to you but I did not want for our house to risk losing it a second time. I will hold it until our return to ensure it will never leave our possession again.
However I am sending you a gift in its place, a piece I discovered in Volantis that some of their noble men have, they call it a dress stick and men carry it with them on formal occasions but this one hides a blade of steel within should it be needed. I know you hardly need such a thing but I felt it fitting you should have it as a symbol of your status.
As I have travelled and learnt more of the world I am finding that your views and opinions have greater weight than I had thought possible. Seeing the game such as it is being played in all of these places had made me understand that you were wiser than I have ever thought and I thank you for allowing me to accompany the Prince as his squire regardless of the circumstances as I see the flaws in the legends that I once clung to and the realities that eluded me.
Your loyal and faithful son,
Jaime.
Tywin was not the sort of man to show emotion, it was extremely rare but in this room in private he smiled to himself as he read his eldest son's words. He was learning a great deal from the prince and his travels he thought with pride in his son for truly the first time. Jaime was finally showing that he could be the heir that he had always expected him to be and was wiser than he had been before this journey.
His achieving what he and all other Lannisters had dreamt of for nearly three centuries...to find their ancestral sword and to recover it was a major step forward in advancing their house and its status. While he wanted it back at Casterly Rock as soon as possible it was prudent to keep it Tywin thought and just hoped that it did not get lost a second time.
But above all for perhaps the first time in his life, Tywin was actually proud of his son. He was growing into a man that he could entrust the family legacy too, one who would continue the work to advance them. He looked at the dress stick and it was a nice piece he thought, drawing the blade and admiring the great piece of work it was.
The mention of other dragons was a concern but apparently Prince Haeron had them under control so he would investigate more into them before making his own move Tywin pondered as his thoughts returned to the game.
And also his future second wife as he looked through some possibilities.
Square, Volantis, Essos...Two Weeks Later...
The market place was busy as was normal, people moving around and talking, haggling and buying and selling their wares. Alicys, Evelyn, Kelis and Septon Jonos were being shown around by Vaena while some members of the crew stood on guard around them.
They were all having a good time until suddenly a group of archers appeared on top of the buildings around it and thugs surrounded them. All of them were struck with sudden discomfort but Alicys and Vaena stepped forward, met with a jab of a pair of swords in their faces.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Alicys demanded and Vaena apparently knew something about these men so she replied with a great deal of scorn in her voice.
"Braki the Brute, just who are you being paid by this time?!" She demanded with a glare burning in her eyes. Seeing her companions were mystified she told them with disgust. "The most vicious thug in the city, paid to handle the worst of any jobs. He's killed children and pregnant women without a care in the world." She said knowing better than to show weakness around him, he would feed on it and make them suffer to make them fear him more.
"Then you had best be good or you will die. Just hope the dragon fucker actually cares enough about you to come and face us." Braki said with a sneer of sick enjoyment.
"You have no idea just who you are messing with." Alicys said with a look of disgust as he stared so brazenly at her admittedly large for her age breasts. "So who hired you?"
Braki smirked before telling them with amusement.
"Nyessos Vhassar, he wants the bastard's dragon and I get his sword. He just needs to die."
Septon Jonos put a hand on Kelis's shoulder to calm her as she was terrified of this situation and did his best to comfort her. Hoping that the prince was able to help them and that this would not be the end of their story and they were to join the gods today.
- x -
Queen Visenya, Docks...A Short While Later...
Haeron received the message and stood with Davos, Jaime and Harmony as he read the message.
"If you want to see the hostages alive again, then you will come and surrender yourself in the square and face us." Haeron said, finishing the brief message as they all stared in worry at the situation.
"Nyessos Vhassar is a desperate man. He has lost a lot of money on recent ventures and I think that if he isn't bailed out then he will lose the next election. This is his only chance." Harmony said with worry as desperate men will do dangerous and stupid things, this move reeked of fear and she was already reaching out to Vaena's family who were working to get the Tiger Cloaks involved, her own family she thought with disgust could not care less about Vaena or her welfare to say nothing of Alicys of the others.
"Then we have to rescue them ourselves." Jaime said with boldness and Haeron shook his head slightly at the arrogance of that although he too was deeply worried for their safety. A captain of the Tiger Cloaks was being sent according to the Baelerys family but that wouldn't be enough.
They would need to be...bold.
Square, Volantis...Later that Day...
The hostages sat in the centre of the square, now deserted of people other than them and the thugs that held them prisoner. The buildings around them were studded with archers in different positions standing the roofs, ready to pick off anyone that dared try to rush the place.
Vaena and Evelyn sat with Alicys and Jonos, trying to comfort Kelis who was terrified of being sold back into slavery. They knew the others well enough that they would never let that happen but the idea that these thugs would just kill them or worse had come to their minds a lot over the time they had been waiting here.
Suddenly the endless waiting was broken when two figures appeared at the entrance to the square. They all looked to see Haeron and Jaime walking in boldly, Haeron's eyes though were moving around the area and taking note of everyone as they approached. Coming up to Braki who sneered at Haeron.
"Didn't think you would have the balls to come without your dragon." He said with supreme confidence in himself, he had a hundred men spread around the area and on the roofs while the pompous fucker was alone except for his little shit.
"At least he can face someone without hiding behind his men." Jaime taunted him and the thug leader snarled while Haeron asked Evelyn and the others who were now looking deeply worried for him and Jaime.
"Are you all right?"
"We're fine. But you should not have come." Evelyn warned him and he merely winked at her, making her blink at the strange action before she and Alicys realised that he must have something planned.
"Let's settle this." Haeron said taunting Braki as he and Jaime drew their swords. Jaime was still unused to wielding Brightroar but held the sword ready while Haeron pulled Crimson Heart and Blackfyre from his waist and held them together.
The thugs didn't hesitate, thinking that since they so clearly outnumbered the pair they were in for an easy fight and were laughing as they drew their own weapons and charged at the pair.
Jaime was sweating as he had never been in such a bad position before but held his ground, striking down one of the thugs with a slash to the chest but then found himself crossing blades with two more as they tried to kill him. His training was all he had to rely on and was grateful for the harsh training the prince had given him as half a year ago if he had faced this fight he would never have been fast or strong enough to cope.
Haeron meanwhile was having to fend off several attackers at once while Braki sat back and let his men do the work for him, Haeron moved both his swords in a weaving defensive stance while stepping backwards quickly to keep the enemy at bay while making them overextend themselves overreach and keep them from properly surrounding him.
He was however catching them with the odd slash and jab, striking at random to put off his attackers but this was a ruse, the pair of them had been so brazen because they wanted all of the thugs to look at them and not at any thing else.
Out of the sun a screeching figure dived, it was too large to be a bird and yet it was flying at great speed. The thugs on the roofs were confused and looked up to see their worst fear coming straight at them. Kara opened their mouth and blasted the first rooftop with fire, swallowing several of the archers before weaving through the arrows being aimed at her and striking at the offenders.
But they were not done yet as with the archers now either dead or too distracted to notice, a mass of Tiger Cloaks ran into the streets and enveloped the square quickly, surrounding and killing the thugs who were still in shock over the sudden dragon attack.
With Kara taking down the archers the third part of the plan was finally put into action, Tiger Cloaks led by Vaena's own brother Grahnor charged into the square in large numbers, surrounding the thugs while Braki seeing he was surrounded tried to run only for Alicys to trip him up with her leg and smirked cheekily as Grahnor impaled him with his sword.
The thugs were quickly rounded up and either killed or captured, Haeron and Jaime both came over but Grahnor was the first to get to them and looked to his sister as he offered her his hand. She took it and he helped her to her feet while asking.
"Are you well sister?" Grahnor asked with eyes tormented by his fear for his sister who smiled warmly as she had the best big brother in the world in her eyes and hugged him.
"I'm fine." She told him and he relaxed while hugging her back. Haeron and Jaime came up to the others and helped them to their feet but when they helped Evelyn and Alicys to their feet both of them surprised their men by kissing them fully on the lips.
Jaime had little experience at kissing beyond that with Cersei who always was dominant in her shows of affection if it could even be called that. Alicys though was more giving and kissed him gently which surprised him but he could not help but return it, opening his mouth to her as she was to him and his arms going around her waist while hers went around his shoulders, their tongues dancing with each other as they caressed each other.
Haeron meanwhile felt the passion of Evelyn as she pressed herself against him, he too was surprised but soon kissed her back just as hard. Theirs was more of a duel between them, their passion pushing them to try and outdo the other but soon mindful of where they were they broke apart and tried to maintain their composure as they felt the eyes of everyone on them not least Kelis who was blushing furiously at the display while Jonos smiled at them.
- x -
Baelerys Palace, Volantis...The Next Day...
"Congratulations on your new position Triarch Baelerys." Haeron said politely as he spoke to Vaena's father. The man was a distinguished looking gentleman in artful but conservative attire with dark skin and silver hair like his son and daughter. He shook Haeron's hand and smiled kindly to the man that had brought his daughter back from whatever crazy adventure she and Harmony had gotten into.
"Thank you your grace. It was a surprise but the other two Triarchs decided to give me the position, perhaps because I too am of the Elephants. We will endeavour to make trade more of a priority in Volantis." Rhaelt Baelerys said with a calm and measured tone.
"I am sure that you and the rest of your people will do well." Haeron said as he and Rhaelt looked over to see Vaena showing her brother and mother her new dragon who they immediately adored. The fact that the Elephants now had greater power in the city was something that might create a potential situation in the future with the Tigers as the other political party was known but for now it would be peaceful.
They meanwhile had a large amount of gold and new members here in Volantis, some of the gold Haeron would use to build up the network before they moved on. The network was flourishing and making a lot of money already so it would hopefully get bigger and more successful.
Evelyn and Harmony both stood with their own dragons around their shoulders nearby while Jaime sat with Alicys and Jonos was drinking with Davos. Kara meanwhile was curled up with Haeron who smiled, Rhaelt was doing better with facing the large dragon than most and remained composed but even he could barely contain his excitement at the sight of an actual dragon especially as his daughter now had one.
Haeron petted his own dragon and told Kara.
"You did magnificently today; I am so proud of you." He said with a smile that Kara returned and pressed her head against his chest, he petted the dragon and gave her to meat to just enjoy the moment.
A servant then came in and they all stopped to look at him before the extremely nervous man told them as he handed Haeron a document.
"A letter for Prince Haeron." The servant said, retreating the moment that Haeron accepted it. Haeron was aware of everyone's eyes on him as he opened it and read it quickly...then read it again as he was sure he must have misread it the first time.
"What is it?" Harmony asked with worry that it was bad news as he stared at it but her voice seemed to stir him and he told her with an expression of disbelief on his face.
"My mother has tricked my father into giving me permission to marry, both you and Evelyn." Haeron told her and she blinked in surprise before reading it herself, Evelyn herself came over and did the same, actually reading some of it out loud.
"Aerys was so delighted by the crown you sent and the dragon egg he has been given that he barely blinked when I asked him to sign the document giving consent to your marriage. I am proud of what you have accomplished my son but please be careful. Losing you is more than I could bare.
Your loving mother, Rhaella." Evelyn said with astonishment that the wife of Aerys had been so cunning that she had managed to achieve this. The silence in the room was total at the announcement and Rhaelt who had been hoping to tie his own son to Evelyn to gain a second dragon in the family or Harmony perhaps instead, spoke up.
"Is that even legal in Westeros?" He asked with disbelief as he knew how strict their views on sex and marriage were. Harmony and Evelyn likewise looked to Haeron along with everyone else before he told them with a small smile.
"Its not unheard of and one of the concessions that Jaehaerys the First managed to get when he ended the Faith Militant was that House Targaryen can wed more than one person at a time but no more than two and only if they are unrelated if the ruling monarch consents. It is not something that even most of my own house is aware of otherwise ones like Aegon the Unworthy would have used it but it is still enshrined in law." Haeron said with a smile, glad that Aemon had been one of the few that had known and informed him of and he in turn had informed Rhaella.
The silence in the room following his words was confused but also excitement in the three of them who now could cement their alliance.
"Then we have a wedding to arrange before we leave Volantis." Alicys said with a warm smirk on her face, Jaime too but the mention of leaving Volantis made Rhaelt, his wife and Grahnor all look deeply unsettled.
"Leave?" Rhaelt said with sudden intensity. "I am not comfortable with Vaena leaving the city and Harmony surely your family would object too?" He said looking to his daughter's long time best friend and companion but Harmony stared at him with a deadpan expression.
"My family wants me to leave the city before I embarrass them any more than I already have. A royal marriage will hardly be the worst way for that to happen in my family's eyes." She said with scorn as she thought of her family who had ensured all of her efforts to fight the slave trade had gone nowhere. Vaena hummed in agreement much to their surprise before adding with her own bitter words.
"And you want me to stop helping fight the trading of slaves too. How long before you confine me the palace again? Not to mention I have a dragon to care for and the only one who knows how to raise a dragon is standing right over there." She said pointing to Haeron and Kara who nodded in agreement. Vaena was a talented healer and would no doubt be a great addition to the crew. Davos likewise agreed as he knew how easily men could be hurt on ships.
"Then Septon Jonos...I think we will need your services." Evelyn said with a smile and while not sure about a man having two wives Jonos nodded in agreement as he saw the letter himself and wondered just how this would effect everything going forward.
Queen Visenya, Volantis Harbour...The Next Day...
The entire crew stood on deck along with two of Harmony's brothers who just leered at Alicys as she stood with the two brides alongside Vaena and Kelis while Haeron as the groom stood with Davos and Jaime at his side while Jonos carried out the ceremony.
Haeron stood there, not dressed up nor was anyone there as this was not that sort of ceremony. While marrying in a sept would have been better as long as septon was carrying out the wedding and they were all willing that was all that mattered in the eyes of the Faith and the law.
Harmony's brothers stood in for her father and for Evelyn's as neither was present, it was insulting to everyone that Harmony's father had not bothered to come for his own daughter's wedding and sent his two younger sons in his place. But that didn't matter to them and so they carried on.
Haeron had managed to transconfigure two Targaryen cloaks which he placed gently around the shoulders of Harmony and Evelyn, both of whom were very nervous of this as despite their previous experiences in marriage as Hermione and Fleur this was very different, not just it being in a different world but also that the three of them would be tied together for life.
Septon Jonos tied one binding from Haeron's wrist to Harmony's and then another from him to Evelyn, telling the guests present as he then untied the bindings with great care.
"Let it be known that Harmony of House Saraenia, Evelyn of House Tarth and Haeron of House Targaryen are one heart, one flesh, one soul." Jonos told them as Haeron took their hands in his, squeezing them gently as he did so while they smiled. "Cursed be he that would dare to tear them asunder."
With that the trio turned to the others around them and Haeron told them with a joy.
"With these kisses, I pledge my love." He said and then kissed Harmony first and then Evelyn. It was not as passionate as it might have been if they were in private but full of love and affection all the same.
The crew, Harmony's brothers, Jonos, Jaime, Alicys, Davos, Kelis and not least of all Vaena all applauded while Kara who had the three smaller dragons on its back cried out with a roar joined in by the smaller dragons.
Haeron turned to his two wives and they all drew their swords; Blackfyre and a long sword each from Evelyn and Harmony and joined the tips together before raising them together into the air.
Jaime and Davos both saw it and the image the three of them created together, alongside their dragons which sent a chill through them both.
"The Conqueror and his Queens." Davos said with amazement.
"Reborn again." Jaime added with awe as he honestly felt that this must have been what it felt like for his own ancestors after the Field of Fire, to see Aegon, Visenya and Rhaenys dominate them all. He just wondered what the three of them would do now and what they would become.
They did not wait long after returning with their dragons to Haeron's cabin while the ship set sail, heading out to sea in search of their next destination.