Teeth gritted, he poured his life into rowing. A few times, the boat almost overturned, but he managed. He wished he had Waterbending in those moments.
Slowly, he eventually rowed into the open sea in the right direction. The ships still had visible lanterns, and the Howling Cat had too many lanterns, different from the rest of the royal fleet, to make it easier for him to recognize.
It stood out amongst all the others, and he rowed towards it. As he did that, the storm also started to pass, the waves started to become gentle, and the rain nearly came to a stop. But thankfully, the thin, morning fog provided some cover. But it was too thin, enough to hide how many figures were rowing the boat, but not enough to hide the boat itself.
"Just a little." He assured the scared woman.
I'm never doing this shit again.
Too many popped blisters coated his palms. It hurt like hell; his blood covered the poles. He really couldn't feel his arms and his chest anymore. His muscles were sore and screaming at him. But as the Howling Cat grew bigger in the distance, a wave of energy rushed him.
The closer they got, the faster he rowed, and by the time the sky turned bright, the boat tapped on the cog's hull.
"About time you showed that royal arse of yours again! Ah, I didn't mean you, Your Grace."
Wylis chuckled at Brandon's call from above, already working to throw down a rope ladder. He then helped Rhaella first to climb it and reach the deck. Then, he slung sleeping Viserys on his shoulder and climbed up. His palms burned whenever he touched a surface.
"Raise the sails! We're off!" He barked the moment his boots hit the deck. "Brandon, fetch me the spirits. The kind used for mending."
"Ugh…" He sat down on the deck and looked at his hands. In daylight, the damage was visible. They looked ugly, as if rotten, broken skin, blisters popped, and blood oozed.
"Wylis!" Rhaella knelt by his side with a gasp.
"It's nothing. I've lived through worse," he said, and received the bottle of clean alcohol from Brandon. It was his and Qyburn's creation to clean wounds. He did just that, even if it burned like hell. Of course, he diluted it a bit first. Then he used an ointment that was also his and Qyburn's creation. Finally, he tied both hands with cotton strips.
Done with the first aid, he stood up, thankful that he got that nap in the cave before. "Brandon, take her to the small cabin we set for her. I'll sail us out of here."
Wylis had a reason behind rushing. He had saved Rhaella, brought her to his ship, yet he hadn't received a quest completion ping. That meant she was still in danger.
The sailors asked him no questions and just got to work. At his command, the sails were set, and in no time, they started passing by the ships of the royal fleet. He didn't bother to wave at any, already done with the fucking Blackwater Bay.
What can threaten her now?
He dared not lower his guard. Even when he ate, he stayed on the deck, using the far-eye to see any passing ships or the weather. He wasn't worried that someone would chase since the royal fleet had no plans to make a land invasion of Dragonstone. It would take days before they'd learn of Rhaella's disappearance.
By the middle of the day, they crossed Claw Isle, a good distance from Dragonstone. The sea remained gentle from there, even sunny and clear. The blue water of the Narrow Sea also gifted them the right wind.
When night fell, they were passing by the Bay of Crabs. As the sea remained gentle, he let Brandon take the command, and he went to rest a little right where Rhaella was. He spoke with her a bit, and she seemingly couldn't stop herself from embracing him time and time again, as if in disbelief that he really saved her.
He decided to stay with her, hold her close. Although the cabin was makeshift for her and the bed wasn't large, he was able to fit her snug against his chest while he slept. Viserys was also there, sleeping on some bedding on the floor. He had woken up hours ago, thrown a tantrum, challenged Brandon to a duel, and got his ass whopped, then went back to sleep.
On the second day, Wylis had a private chat with Viserys. He used the ability granted by Rhaella's loyalty. All Targaryens were genetically fearful and fond of him. So, he scared the boy to the point he wet his pants.
But, while doing that, he also tried to brainwash the boy. Made him understand the reality of how weak he was. How was he a nobody? How his little arms and legs couldn't even save his mother, let alone win back the kingdom.
So, Wylis gave the boy a task. He was to train with the blade and grow strong. The day he can defeat him in a sword duel, Wylis would not only let him fight for the throne but also support him in doing so.
It was an impossible goal. Let alone him, Wylis knew that in time, Viserys wouldn't even be able to beat Magnus, his first son. After all, while Viserys had a human limit, he and his trueborn and bastards had the Tyrant's Squire's boost.
From then on, it was smooth sailing. He made Viserys a wooden sword to train with. For the most part, the boy kept to himself.
Rhaella was heavily pregnant with Daenerys, so Wylis didn't dare try anything with her, even though he felt those 'moments' come and go. At best, he kissed the ex-queen on the lips; he kissed her for dozens of minutes during their small talk in bed.
She had lost everything. She had lost her firstborn son, and she lay in the arms of the very man who killed Rhaegar. Yet somehow, there was no awkwardness. She never mentioned it, and he didn't ask.
Wylis snuggled with Rhaella a lot, kept his hands to himself for the most part, but occasionally he did get a feel of her behind. He also helped her comb her long, ashen hair, and then helped her dye it black. Also, he made Viserys bald as per the usual Targaryen ritual at that point. Then he painted the boy's brows.
On the nineteenth day, thanks to good wind, they saw a glimpse of Ramsgate. As the port town grew bigger, Wylis noticed the trees that had been cleared, and truly, the smallfolk had done a great job.
Ting!
[Side Quest Completed - A Promise Kept
Description - A Tyrant's word is absolute. You promised Rhaella to be there when she needs you the most. The time has come to be there. Save her, take her home, give her the happiness she never saw.
Reward - Queen Rhaella's Undying Love & New Title]
Ting!
[New Tyrant's Title Acquired - Savior of Targaryens
Description - You have saved every living Targaryen that still exists. That's a feat worth noting, for the very act is worthy of a thousand rebellions.
Effect - Targaryen Loyalty Gauge]
Loyalty Gauge?
Curious and a little pleasantly excited, he looked at bald Viserys. Sure enough, when he opened the Tyrant's Squire screen, there was a new option underneath the said title. One mental click on it showed Viserys' name and a number beside it.
[Viserys Targaryen - 3% Loyalty]
Three? Damn, I'll take it. I expected zero.
Then he looked at Rhaella, although he already knew what her loyalty score was.
[Rhaella Targaryen - 100%+ Loyalty]
Plus? Huh? That's not even a real number.
Before he could ponder more, he heard the bells of the small port. There were no other ships currently at the docks, so Wylis didn't worry about Rhaella and Viserys' identity. Still, he was going to call for a stagecoach from the castle first and then deboard.
After all, he had seven bodies to deal with first. Although the seven had been at their best behavior during their return trip, they still had to die. Cruel, but necessary.
"Leave them to me." Brandon walked to his side as they looked at the docks where the ropes were being tied.
"No. I'm the lord. I'll see to their execution myself," Wylis said, looking back at the mother and son. "Fetch the stagecoach and bring them to the castle. I've matters to look into first."
"Which is?"
Wylis smiled; that blue screen was only visible to him. On it was a large map of his entire fief, and curiously, right in that small town, there were five new dots, all of them red.
"Need to greet a few… guests."
______________________
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