90 AC. Driftmark
The summer sun of Driftmark warmed the snow-white sand, while a light sea breeze brought a cool relief that softened the midday heat. On the coast, not far from the soaring stone walls of Spicetown, a wide canopy of heavy, light-colored canvas had been stretched to shield against the scorching rays. Nestled beneath this shelter on soft chairs piled with linen cushions were the women of the royal family and House Velaryon. Viserra sat reclining slightly, as the final month of her pregnancy was weighing heavily upon her. Her round belly protruded distinctly beneath a simple, loose dress of lightweight fabric, and every movement of the unborn child resonated within her as a pleasant, if palpable, flutter.
Viserra watched as her younger sister, Gael, ran across the warm sand with loud laughter alongside Corlys's young nephews, Corwyn and Aurane. The children were brimming with untamed energy and wild delight, frolicking at the water's edge where transparent waves lapped gently against the shore, leaving behind a wet, glistening ribbon. Standing nearby in their white armor, Ser Ryam Redwyne and Ser Harrold Westerling of the Kingsguard kept a watchful eye on the safety of the royal family and the ladies of the castle, alongside Ser Adam and the guardsmen of House Velaryon in their blue cloaks. Handmaidens moved noiselessly among the guests, carrying pre-arranged treats, saucers of fresh fruit, and pitchers of chilled fruit juices and drinks.
Gazing out at the blue horizon, Viserra involuntarily recalled with warmth how swiftly and smoothly this last month of waiting had flown by. After the noisy, bustling capital, life at High Tide felt like a true blessing. She spent almost every day in the company of her mother, Queen Alysanne, her best friend and niece Rhaenys, as well as Thea, Elise, and Lady Alice, Corlys's mother. They took leisurely walks through the castle's manicured, fragrant gardens, rested on this very shore to the lulling sound of the sea, and gathered for shared family suppers where there was no place for the court intrigues of King's Landing.
With particular satisfaction, Viserra also remembered fulfilling her promise regarding Rhaenys's education. At her personal request, Maester Maleon had undertaken lessons in economics and the laws of the realm for the young princess. The learned man had accepted the task with unfeigned enthusiasm, repeating time and again that he deemed it the greatest honor to impart knowledge to the future Queen of Westeros. Rhaenys, for her part, had quickly grown engrossed in these studies, confessing to Viserra in all sincerity that she could not remember the last time she had listened to a maester's lectures with such genuine, unadulterated interest.
Now, the adults looked on with smiles at the merry chase unfolding right before the canopy. Gael, along with Corwyn and Aurane, was trying with all her might to catch Ares - Corlys's massive black panther. The graceful predator, its coat gleaming, easily evaded the small hands of the children, deftly leaping over small sandcastles and bounding off to a safe distance. Ares moved with extraordinary grace and lightness, as though the prospect of being caught and embraced by hyperactive toddlers were the direst trial of his entire life.
"Ares is surprisingly calm and remarkably gentle with the children," Rhaenys said, resting her chin on her palm and tracking the panther's supple black body with genuine wonder. "Watching the care with which he bounds away from the little ones, it is hard to believe we are looking at a fierce predator capable of tearing an adult man's throat out."
Lady Alice, who sat beside the Queen slowly embroidering a seahorse onto fabric, smiled softly at the young princess's words and set her needle aside. She shifted her keen gaze to the panther and shook her head, recalling years past.
"Our Ares is good-natured by design, Princess, though it is indeed difficult to believe for those who see him for the first time," Corlys's mother replied warmly, smoothing the folds of her dress. "I remember well the day Corlys brought him back as a tiny cub from one of his far Eastern voyages. Back then, absolutely everyone - our household, the maesters, and our guards - declared with one voice that raising such a beast among men was a mortal danger. But Corlys displayed his trademark stubbornness and listened to no one. In the end, he managed to raise Ares into an extraordinarily loyal and obedient companion, who in years past accompanied him absolutely everywhere, wherever my son set out."
Rhaenys chuckled softly, turning a sly, mischievous glance from the sand to her pregnant aunt.
"It seems he has become Viserra's companion now," Rhaenys remarked with a light laugh, tilting her head slightly to the side. "In recent months, he follows her like a faithful shadow and does not leave her side for a single moment whenever Corlys is away on business in town or at the shipyards."
Viserra extended a hand with a smile and lightly brushed her fingers through the air, as if touching the panther's dark fur from afar.
"Do not wrong Ares, Rhaenys, he is merely faithfully performing the duty entrusted to him," Viserra said, coming to the panther's defense as her eyes gently swept over the gathered women. "Corlys personally asked Ares to protect me and our unborn child. Ares is an extraordinarily clever and sensitive creature. In truth, he was the very first in the entire castle to realize I was carrying a child beneath my heart, even before the maester officially confirmed our suspicions."
Queen Alysanne, who until then had been silently sipping chilled juice from a silver goblet, turned her head toward her daughter with intrigue, genuine interest sparking in her wise eyes.
"Is that truly so, sweetling?" the Queen asked with surprise, setting her goblet down on a small table beside her. "And how exactly were you able to tell? Animals feel much, but such keen insight is remarkable indeed."
"It was most plain from his behavior, Mother," Viserra explained with a smile, gently placing her palm over her round belly. "Ares suddenly began to act entirely differently than before. He would constantly approach me, gently press his snout right against my belly, and become overly protective. Wherever I went, he walked beside me, and if I sat down to rest, he would lie at my feet and closely watch every person who entered the room."
Alysanne nodded thoughtfully, gazing at the predator sitting nearby, who had just come to a halt atop a small sand dune.
"Ares is indeed a remarkably intelligent animal," Queen Alysanne said musingly, a soft smile touching her lips. "If I did not know for a certainty that there is not a drop of the blood of the First Men in the veins of House Velaryon, I might easily think Corlys a true skinchanger. Otherwise, I simply can find no reasonable explanation for the wondrous power he holds over this graceful creature."
Thea and Elise Velaryon, who had been conversing quietly between themselves until now, joined the conversation together, eager to clarify the matter.
"In truth, Ares was always distinguished from his wild kin by a natural docility, Your Grace," Thea voiced, bowing her head respectfully to Alysanne. "Besides, one must not forget that Corlys nursed and fed him virtually from birth. He grew up among men and has never known the wild life of the jungle."
"Quite right, Thea speaks true," Elise supported her, nodding in agreement. "Being raised from birth played the key role. To Ares, our hearth and our house are his only pack."
Queen Alysanne gave the young women a kindly nod, agreeing with their reasoning.
"It is entirely possible you are quite right, sweet ladies," the Queen replied with a smile. "Care and daily training can work true miracles even with the most dangerous of beasts - I should know."
At that very moment, Ares, seemingly thoroughly exhausted by the restless chasing of the small children, covered the distance between them in a single sharp bound and ran right up to Viserra's chair. With an almost human plea in his yellow eyes, the panther pressed his snout into her knees, as if begging for protection and help from the persistent attention of his little tormentors. Following close behind the beast, the toddlers ran up to the canopy with a merry clamor. Little Corwyn, out of breath and with flushed cheeks, looked up at Viserra endearingly and, in a thin child's voice, spoke her name as though asking for her aid in taming the stubborn panther.
Viserra laughed heartily and affectionately sank her fingers into the thick, silky fur at the nape of the panther's neck, lightly scratching him behind the ears.
"Come now, Ares, do not pretend to be so miserable," Viserra addressed the beast in a soft, gentle tone, leaning down toward his black ears. "Let the children play with you a little and stroke your fur. As a reward for your patience, I personally promise you the juiciest, grandest piece of roasted meat from the kitchens, just as you like, the moment we return to the castle."
Ares, as though understanding every word she uttered, froze for a few moments, seemingly weighing and considering the offer. Then the predator let out a low, throaty sound akin to a contented purr and obediently settled down right upon the warm sand at Viserra's feet. Seeing this, the children squealed in delight and stepped closer, carefully and timidly beginning to stroke his sleek back with their small hands.
Queen Alysanne, observing this understanding between the princess and Ares, shook her head once more.
"You see, that is precisely what I meant," the Queen said, gesturing toward the resigned panther. "Ares seems altogether too intelligent for a mere beast. He understands human speech surprisingly well."
"My son simply devoted far too much of his leisure to training him in his youth, Your Grace," Alice replied with a light, playful tone, gently patting Aurane's head as he approached her. "Corlys knows how to get his way from anyone he sets his mind to - be it ordinary men, lords, or a wild beast."
"Well, perhaps the matter truly lies in that," Alysanne agreed, before shifting her attention to her granddaughter. "Rhaenys, sweetling, tell us instead how your studies with Maester Maleon are progressing. Are you pleased with how your daily lessons are going?"
Rhaenys brightened, her eyes gleaming with genuine enthusiasm as she sat up straight in her chair.
"Maester Maleon is not at all dull and dreary like Maester Elisar always was in King's Landing, Grandmother," Rhaenys responded readily and eagerly, gesturing animatedly with her hands. "Maleon knows how to explain remarkably complex matters in a most singular way, using vivid language and unfeigned passion. Right now, we are studying the entire system of taxation in the realm in great detail. He explained to me how vital it is to have a single, clearly coordinated tax system across the whole land for trade to flourish and to encourage merchants to expand their ventures. Yet in Westeros, there are currently a great many serious problems with this."
The princess paused briefly, gathering her thoughts and recalling yesterday's lecture.
"Every lord, in one way or another, levies all manner of taxes upon the smallfolk and passing merchants on his own lands as he sees fit, and only then remits a pre-arranged portion of those collections to the capital," Rhaenys continued explaining with fervor. "It is utterly inefficient and leads to kingdoms developing remarkably unevenly due to the disparity in tax rates. After all, merchants quite logically prefer to conduct trade where they will have to pay significantly less. Meanwhile, the core mindset of the vast majority of lords lies in the stubborn belief that engaging in trade is a pursuit beneath their high dignity, and they prefer simply to live off the taxes they ruthlessly wring from the peasants and smallfolk dwelling on their lands."
Lady Alice straightened her back proudly and looked upon the young heiress with satisfaction.
"I am truly glad that the Velaryons have never in their history thought in such a manner, Princess," Corlys's mother said with dignity. "Our house has always relied solely upon the sea, ships, and honest trade. It is precisely through merchant connections and sea routes that House Velaryon achieved all the wealth and power we possess today."
"Besides, Rhaenys," Viserra joined in softly, adjusting the folds of her light dress, "one must not forget Father's own reforms. Before the tax reform, feudal autonomy granted rulers almost boundless freedom. Lords collected taxes from the peasantry, charged fees for the use of mills, roads, and bridges, and port owners determined duties for merchants themselves. Father created the first unified code of law, setting down the fundamental rights of the estates, which means vassals can no longer impose utterly mad or extortionate levies."
Viserra took a small sip of chilled juice and continued with a subtle smile:
"Yet among his decrees there is one particularly cunning one - the tax on the raising of curtain walls and towers. If a lord wishes to levy a new tax on his subject population to build a castle or fortify an existing one, he must pay a massive duty directly to the treasury in King's Landing. At first glance, it appears to be merely a financial measure, but in truth, imposing duties on castle fortifications served not only a monetary purpose, but an important political one - indirectly weakening the military might of potentially defiant vassals."
Rhaenys frowned thoughtfully for a moment, then turned with interest toward Corlys's mother:
"Lady Alice... how much, then, did House Velaryon have to pay to raise such massive walls around High Tide and Spicetown?"
"An obscene amount, Princess," Corlys's mother replied with candid frankness. "The royal duty was truly exorbitant. But Corlys displayed his stubbornness and insisted on building, declaring that the safety of the town, our trading wealth, and the smallfolk was worth any cost, no matter how high the crown's tax."
"But why would Grandsire hinder the lords from fortifying the defenses of their own seats in such a way?" Rhaenys asked in genuine astonishment, turning a bewildered gaze upon Viserra. "Are not strong fastnesses for the common security of the realm?"
"External threats will be dealt with by the crown and its dragons, Rhaenys," Viserra replied with unruffled pragmatism. "Whereas if one of the lords should choose to falter in their fealty to the Targaryens, impregnable walls would become far too secure a shelter for them. The King acts preemptively. In the event of any conflict or rebellion, it must be as easy as possible for the crown to put down rebels without wasting years besieging impregnable strongholds."
"To tell the truth... I had never before thought of that law in such a light," Rhaenys said softly, musing upon the statecraft and cunning revealed to her.
Queen Alysanne looked upon her granddaughter with warmth and a wise smile, covering the girl's hand with her own.
"That is the very essence of ruling, sweetling. In time, and with experience, you will surely learn to see these hidden motives behind every decree, even where there are none at all. Everything is in truth far more complex than it appears at first glance, dear Rhaenys," the Queen said softly and instructively, looking at the young princess. "It is very difficult to make lords think differently from how they have been accustomed to thinking for many, many generations of their ancestors. To them, land and the taxes drawn from it are the only familiar foundation of power. But you, as your father's heir, may well discuss these weighty matters in detail with Aemon. For besides being your grandsire's official heir, he also serves as Master of Laws on the Small Council and holds direct influence over state decisions."
"I shall most certainly discuss this matter with Father in the finest detail when we return to King's Landing," Rhaenys promised herself firmly, nodding to the Queen.
Then the princess turned to the young women of House Velaryon sitting nearby.
"By the by, Thea, Elise, you promised to show me the shipyards and the famous Arsenal of Spicetown this afternoon, where the finest warships and merchant vessels are built," Rhaenys reminded them, excitement in her voice.
Thea exchanged a smile with Elise and confirmed their intentions.
"We shall certainly keep our promise and show you absolutely everything, Rhaenys," Thea answered readily. "Though mind you, we must return to the castle in good time if you wish to have your completed portrait by the appointed day."
Over this past month, Thea and Elise had given Princess Rhaenys several captivating tours of Spicetown itself, and the young princess had been left utterly enchanted by this bustling, wealthy, and vibrant city. What Rhaenys had liked most was one of the central streets, which housed a multitude of bright, spacious chambers. In them, master painters and sculptors taught the craft to young men, and, to the princess's great marvel, even young women studied there. The paintings and sculptures Rhaenys had seen in those workshops had left an indelible impression upon her. The works of one local master had so thoroughly captured her eye that she could not resist commissioning her own portrait from him. Raphael - such was the name of this talented painter - had come to the castle of High Tide every day since, painstakingly painting the princess's likeness.
Queen Alysanne looked at her granddaughter with mild surprise.
"Truth be told, I never thought you would become so taken with painting," the Queen admitted with a gentle smile.
"I had never given it serious thought myself before this trip, Grandmother," Rhaenys replied with genuine warmth. "But when I saw all those incredible paintings with my own eyes, and the passion and skill with which people create them out of nothing, I longed to have my own portrait done in this new, lifelike manner."
The conversation beneath the canopy was suddenly cut short by a rising sound familiar to everyone present. High in the sky, cutting through the clouds, appeared two giant winged shadows. Dreamfyre and Meleys began to circle above the shore. Their scales shimmered in the sun: blue-and-silver upon the former, and bright scarlet upon the latter. The dragons executed a swift, graceful turn, went into a steep descent, and with a deafening, dull thud landed upon the warm sand near the group of people, kicking up a light whirlwind of sand.
Viserra, despite her heavy burden, rose carefully from her chair and made her way toward her Dreamfyre alongside Rhaenys. The dragons lowered their massive heads right to the ground with unfeigned joy, letting out low, contented rumbles and nuzzling their riders. Viserra embraced Dreamfyre's massive snout with heartfelt tenderness, feeling the heat radiating from the bluish scales.
"There is but little time left, my dear," Viserra said softly, stroking the dragon's spiked neck. "Very soon, as soon as I bring this little one into the world, you and I shall rise into the boundless sky once more and fly beyond the highest clouds."
Dreamfyre, as though understanding her rider's words, let out a joyful sound. Then the dragon gently sniffed Viserra's protruding belly and softly, with astonishing care for such a giant, touched her warm, scaly snout to her stomach. Viserra placed a palm upon her scales and whispered softly:
"Very soon, my beauty, I promise you."
At that moment, Corwyn and Aurane attempted to run toward them, drawn by the sight of the massive creatures, but their mothers, Thea and Elise, instantly darted forward and stopped the toddlers, genuinely fearing possible aggression or an unpredictable reaction from Dreamfyre. The children called out to Viserra loudly and endearingly, pointing their little fingers at the blue dragon.
Viserra turned to the young mothers and said with a reassuring smile:
"Do not fret so, Thea, Elise. Dreamfyre will never harm them so long as I am near. Let them come."
Having received the princess's assurance, the women let go of the toddlers with a hint of trepidation. The children boldly ran up to Viserra. She affectionately took their small, warm hands in hers and said softly:
"Come, greet Dreamfyre. See, she is very gentle."
Viserra carefully placed the children's palms upon the dragon's hot scales. The toddlers' eyes widened in wonder and delight, and happy smiles bloomed upon their faces. Dreamfyre did not so much as flinch, calmly accepting the touch of small human hands, merely letting out thin wisps of warm steam from her nostrils.
Rhaenys, for her part, was lovingly stroking Meleys' neck. The Red Queen lowered her massive neck all the way to the ground, unmistakably inviting her rider to climb into the saddle for a flight. However, Rhaenys shook her head with chagrin and regret, looking down at her elaborate silk dress.
"Ah, Meleys, I am not dressed as I ought to be for flying today," Rhaenys said with genuine sorrow, stroking the dragoness's scales. "If we take to the sky now, I fear my finest dress will be utterly ruined upon landing. So you shall have to wait until next time, my sweet."
Meleys, as though comprehending the reason for the refusal, let out a loud, rumbling sound suspiciously reminiscent of a disgruntled human snort. The scarlet dragoness spread her massive, webbed wings and prepared to take flight. Once the people had stepped back to a safe distance, both dragons launched themselves from the sand with a powerful thrust and soared into the sky.
"It seems my Red Queen has taken serious offense at my refusal," Rhaenys jested, following the receding silhouettes of the dragons with her gaze.
"No matter, she shall survive it well enough," Viserra responded with a smile, returning to the canopy. "Meleys has nothing to complain of. Here on Driftmark, she is not bound to the ground with heavy chains as in the dark Dragonpit of the capital, she is free to fly over the sea as much as she pleases."
"That is precisely what I fear," Rhaenys replied with a touch of sadness. "I fear that after such a long and intoxicating taste of freedom, my girl simply will not wish to return to King's Landing and enter the Dragonpit again."
"In that case, I think you ought to stand firm for Meleys's freedom before the King when you return home," Viserra noted gently.
Rhaenys merely sighed with vexation and shook her head.
"Standing firm on anything before my stubborn grandsire when it comes to dragons and order is a thoroughly pointless endeavor," the princess said with a bitter smirk.
Queen Alysanne, hearing these words, immediately rebuked her granddaughter sternly, though warmth flickered in her eyes.
"Rhaenys, it is altogether unbecoming of you to speak so of your King and grandsire," Alysanne said firmly, yet without real anger.
"Forgive me, Grandmother, but undiplomatic as it may sound, to my great regret, Grandsire truly can be overly stubborn in his decisions," Rhaenys replied softly, yet obstinately.
The sun was gradually beginning to decline toward its zenith, and those present began gathering to return to the castle. The Kingsguard knights and the Velaryon guardsmen escorted the royal family and the ladies with special deference to the rich carriages awaiting them. Soon the procession returned to the castle of High Tide, which rose majestically right in the heart of the bustling town of Spicetown.
Upon returning to the castle, Rhaenys went straight to her chambers to refresh herself and change into a more comfortable gown suitable for riding and walking about the shipyards. Afterward, escorted by Thea, Elise, Ser Harrold Westerling, and several guardsmen of House Velaryon, the princess set out on the promised tour of the town's shipyards. Viserra, feeling profound fatigue after her long stay in the fresh air, retired to her chambers to take a proper rest before the shared family supper held every evening in the castle's great hall.
Toward evening, an enthusiastic Rhaenys returned from another captivating stroll through Spicetown. Having sat for several hours before the painter for her portrait, she, together with Thea and Elise, visited Viserra first of all. The pregnant princess was just preparing to step out, fussing before a large mirror as she chose the most comfortable and loose-fitting dress.
Rhaenys entered the chambers, and seeing her aunt's preparations, could not refrain from a joke.
"Oh, Viserra, at this rate you shall soon simply fail to fit into any dress, even the roomiest one!" Rhaenys teased with a laugh, sitting down on the edge of a soft daybed.
Viserra turned to her and snapped back playfully, though merry sparks danced in her eyes.
"Laugh all you want," Viserra replied with feigned strictness, holding a silk gown against herself. "I shall take great pleasure in watching you joke at your own expense when you walk about with just such a massive belly, carrying your own child in the future!"
"Well, until that day comes, I still have plenty of time, so I shall tease you at every opportunity!" Rhaenys countered with a light laugh.
At last, with the aid of the handmaidens, Viserra donned the chosen loose gown of soft blue silk, which draped beautifully in waves, concealing the weight of her condition. All the women present were preparing to leave the chambers for the dining hall where the rest of the family awaited them. Thea and Elise walked ahead, chatting softly and merrily between themselves, while Rhaenys took a couple of steps after them.
Suddenly, with a sharp movement, Viserra stumbled on the smooth floor and froze in her tracks, leaning heavily with one hand against the edge of a wooden table.
Rhaenys, hearing the strange rustle and heavy breathing, instantly looked back, intending to ask her aunt what was wrong and why she was lingering. Yet the princess could not utter a single word, rooted to the spot in surprise. Upon Viserra's usually calm and lovely face hung a look of unvarnished, wild panic. She stood utterly motionless, gazing straight at her niece with eyes widened unnaturally in terror.
Rhaenys, instantly seized by deep alarm, rushed to Viserra in three long strides and caught her cold, trembling hands.
"Viserra! What is it? Are you unwell? Say something!" Rhaenys peppered her with anxious, rapid questions, peering intently into her friend's pale face.
Viserra, breathing heavily and raggedly, spoke in a trembling voice filled with profound dread:
"Rhaenys... I think... I think my waters have broken..."
"What?!" Rhaenys asked again, thrown off balance and failing to grasp the words immediately.
"My waters have broken!" Viserra cried out significantly louder, panic mounting in her voice.
The women - Rhaenys, Thea, and Elise - synchronously lowered their frightened gazes. On the costly marble floor, right at Viserra's embroidered slippers, a rather large, clear puddle had already gathered. At that very instant, Viserra felt a sharp, gut-wrenching, convulsive pain in her lower abdomen for the first time. She squeezed her eyes shut, clutched her belly with both hands, and shrieked piercingly throughout the room:
"It is time! Oh gods, I am in labor!"
At the loud disturbance and the piercing female scream, the chamber doors burst open instantly, and Ser Adam rushed into the room, his hand gripping the hilt of his half-drawn sword. The knight swept his gaze across the room with fierce vigilance, prepared to fend off an attack.
"What transpires?! Is all well, Princess?!" Ser Adam shouted loudly, anxiously shifting his gaze from one woman to another.
"I am in labor, you fool!" Viserra screamed at him with all her might, barely staying on her feet from the crashing new wave of pain.
At those words, the valiant knight froze dead in his tracks, opening and closing his mouth several times in embarrassment, utterly at a loss as to what he ought to do in such a situation, completely losing his warlike vigor in an instant.
Viserra, meanwhile, was crying out piercingly in fear and pain while Rhaenys, Thea, and Elise guided her carefully by the arms to the bed, easing her down onto the soft bed.
"Fetch Corlys! Fetch Corlys at once!" Viserra begged frantically, her fingers clutching the silk sleeves of Rhaenys's dress.
Elise Velaryon instantly took charge, displaying remarkable composure. Turning to the knight frozen at the door, she began issuing clear commands:
"Ser Adam! Go at once and inform Corlys that her labor has begun! Then send servants for Queen Alysanne immediately! Fetch Maester Maleon, his assistant John, and every midwife in the castle without delay! Run!"
"At once, Lady Elise! I shall see to it all!" the startled knight barked out.
Ser Adam turned instantly and bolted from the room. A second later, behind the closed doors, the women heard the knight running down the corridor, shouting desperate orders to guardsmen and servants alike.
Viserra was tossing restlessly on the soft bed, breathing heavily and refusing to let go of Rhaenys's hand.
"Send word to Corlys... Please, tell him... I am so afraid, Rhaenys! I am not ready for this at all!" Viserra repeated with tears in her eyes, her whole body trembling with fear before the unknown and the gathering pain.
Elise sat down carefully on the edge of the bed and gently, securely covered the princess's trembling hands with her own.
"Calm yourself, sweetling, do you hear me?" Elise spoke softly and firmly, stroking her pale cheek. "We are all here, we are right beside you. You are in no danger whatsoever. I have already sent word to Corlys, he will be here in a matter of minutes."
Rhaenys and Thea supported her, tenderly stroking Viserra's shoulders and hair, wiping the beads of sweat that broke out on her brow, and whispering warm words of encouragement.
"All will be well, Viserra. You shall manage, you are so strong," Rhaenys whispered with genuine affection, squeezing her hand tightly. "We shall not leave you. All will be well."
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A/N
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