Land of the King
Chapter 55: Arnorian or Valyrian?
"Are you sure about this?" Túrin asked as they walked out of the prison.
He had thought Jaenara had come up with some elaborate plan that involved them busting out of the prison in a blaze of dragonfire. The truth was far less exciting. Jaenara had used her position as a dragonlord to get a visit to see him in the middle of the night. The plan had them walking right up to Terrax, and then flying off.
"Just like that? You sure it's going to work? I'm quite certain that they would think something is off if you just walk out with their prisoner and then take off."
"Let me put it this way. If you have a giant dragon in the courtyard, you'll find that they won't ask questions very much," she replied.
"Wouldn't they ask their commanding officers whether this is supposed to be happening."
"They probably would, but the time that would take would give us enough time to get a significant head start on any pursuers."
As they both walked out of the prison building into the courtyard where Terrax was waiting, Túrin saw a middle-aged man, dressed in a uniform of mail and leather, receiving a report from one of the men that had been guarding Terrax.
"Shit," Jaenara muttered rather crudely.
"I'm guessing this was not planned?"
"No. That man over there? He's the commander of the prison, the kind of guy that definitely would ask questions, even to a dragonlord. He was supposed to be off duty tonight."
"Well you better think of something fast then."
"Shut up, I've got a plan already. Give Anglachel back to me and let me do all the talking alright?"
"Captain Quelbar! Just the man I wanted to see!" Jaenara announced in a very haughty and pleased voice after Túrin had handed Anglachel back to her.
Túrin had to admit, Jaenara could be a very good actor when she wanted to be. Right now she acted every inch the arrogant dragon rider one would expect to see.
"Lady Jaenara, a pleasure to see you. Might I inquire as to your reason for being here in this prison at this ungodly hour, and why you have removed my prisoner from his cell?" Captain Quelbar asked
"I would usually state that the business of dragonlords is above your concern Captain," Jaenara said warningly, "However, as the esteemed commander charged with the oversight of this prisoner, I feel it is only right to inform you of a change in the situation. My brother has asked me to escort the prisoner to his presence. He wishes to deliver the ultimatum one last time to the Arnorians and if refused, carry out his threat immediately at dawn."
"I was not informed of any of this my lady, so I hope you may pardon my confusion. If Lord Aelyx wished it, I could have had twenty men escort the prisoner directly to him to do as he wished. There would have been no need for him to trouble you my lady."
"I am high in the confidence of my brother, Captain. It is no offense to your ability or skill, but it was felt that with such a high-profile prisoner, it would be best to have him escorted by a dragonlord."
"I must protest, my lady. It is highly irregular and against protocol."
"Are you questioning my brother's orders?" Jaenara demanded coldly.
"No my lady, I'm questioning yours. You see, I was ordered by Lord Aelyx himself to hold the prisoner until he personally came to collect him. Under no circumstances was I to surrender him to anyone else's custody but Lord Aelyx's."
Terrax roared then, frightening all the guards, with only Túrin, Jaenara, and Captain Quelbar remaining unflinching.
Túrin couldn't tell if Terrax had roared on Jaenara's command or not, but his actions had accentuated Jaenara's next words perfectly.
"You are free to take up your complaints with my brother later Captain. But as of this moment, I will be doing as I was ordered and taking this prisoner into my custody, and you will not stop me."
"Of course my lady, forgive my recalcitrance," the Captain said obediently as he withdrew all his guards and let them go.
Túrin and Jaenara mounted Terrax shortly after and then took to the sky but as they did so, they could hear the prison bells tolling loudly, loud enough for everyone in the city to hear.
"What do those bells mean?" Túrin said, a little worried.
"It means that damned captain has sounded the alarm, we have to go now!" Jaenara said exasperatedly as she urged Terrax on, with the great dragon destroying the bell tower with a burst of flame as they left.
It was not long before their pursuers were hot on their tail. Even as they left Tyrosh, Túrin could hear the roars of dragons behind them as they flew desperately and the rising sun made it easy for their pursuers to track them.
For once, Terrax's huge size was a disadvantage rather than a strength as he was far slower than many of the smaller, nimble, and agile dragons in pursuit of them.
"Jaenara, they're gaining on us!" he said, worriedly as he looked back and saw their pursuers closing the gap between them fast.
"I know, hold on tight!" Jaenara shouted.
It was probably a good thing that both of them were strapped to Terrax with saddle chains because in the very next moment Terrax flipped in midair, almost making Túrin black out from the sheer force.
"Dracarys!" his companion shouted and her mount obeyed.
A massive burst of flame ignited and burst out the maw of the massive dragon. The sheer heat was deadly, even to other dragons, burning their eyes, their skin, and their riders.
The dragons shrieked in pain, flying and fleeing in a panic as they took the full force of Terrax's flames. Some had dodged and began countering with attacks of their own, their multi-coloured flames creating a spectacle in the sky as the dragons danced around each other.
"We have to get out of here soon, they're only stalling for bigger dragons to arrive!"
"I know, I know!" Jaenara replied.
Deafening roars sounded in the distance and Túrin looked to see several more dragons coming, each one large enough to take Terrax on its own.
"Fly Terrax! Fly!" Jaenara ordered as they began to race through the sky.
As they approached the Arnorian-controlled islands, Túrin could only hope that Jaenara was right in assuming that his father had managed to inform the soldiers at the frontlines in time or they were all about to have a very short ride.
All at once, a massive hail of arrows and windlance and scorpion bolts fired from the Arnorian positions and Túrin flinched as they passed over them and hit their pursuers.
Some stray arrows hit Terrax, but it was clear that they were not targeting the great bronze dragon.
Ordering Túrin to keep his head down with her, Jaenara moved Terrax as low to the water as she dared to give the Arnorians more room to target the dragons in pursuit of them
She dared not look back, too focused on her riding because a single mistake could lead to all of their deaths as the sky was filled with arrows, bolts, boulders, nets, and dragonfire.
As they flew near the water's surface, both of them noticed with no small amount of anticipation that the sea had begun to churn unnaturally. At some places it looked as if it was bubbling yet there was no heat to make it boil, it was almost as if something was trying to pull the water out of the sea. Something, or someone.
Knowing what was coming, Túrin looked back and saw something truly amazing.
Their diving low had been followed by some of their pursuers as they attempted to avoid the massive hail of projectiles and missiles flying at them. It turned out to have been a grave mistake because in that moment hands rose from the sea and latched onto the low-flying dragons, pulling them to a watery grave.
Faced with this new threat, the dragonlords pursuing them began to withdraw before they suffered more casualties.
As they flew over the islands, Túrin could see the Arnorian soldiers in the fortifications watching them warily, but they showed no signs of hostility nor did any bolts or arrows fly at them. It was clear the orders had reached them in time.
"That enough excitement for you?" Jaenara asked Túrin, her voice sounding distant, as if she was processing what had just happened.
"I think I've had enough excitement for today, thank you," Túrin answered, unamused. He hid his concerns for Jaenara's wellbeing however. There was no doubt that she was troubled now, having just fought and possibly killed former comrades, and with the adrenaline fading, she was now able to realise what that meant.
Unopposed, they flew onwards to Vinyambar, but not to safety. So long as this war persisted, nowhere would be truly safe for Jaenara, and Túrin's heart broke for her sake.
His sister had betrayed them. Aelyx Belaerys felt his rage near ready to burst. The little sister he had doted on, adored and loved, the same sister who had comforted him after his wife had died, had turned cloak and joined the very same people that had killed his wife.
Betrayal like this was painful and none of the Belaerii were immune to its sting nor unaffected by its consequences.
Even now their fellow dragonlords looked at all of them anxiously and warily, wondering if they too would turn cloak and jump to join the Arnorians.
They were all fools. Were the Belaerii not the greatest of the Tigers? Had they not lost friend and family to the enemy? How could anyone think something so preposterous as pureblooded members of that illustrious family betraying the homeland?
Yet in Valyria, the actions of one reflected on their whole family and if one could betray the Motherland… then all of them could as well. That was the common thought.
House Belaerys was finished. His father would lose his seat as Triarch and their family's fortunes would fall, all because of the actions of one selfish girl. It was all Aelyx could do to remain in command of the expedition and the slightest mistake, the slightest slip-up, and the vultures would pounce on him like he was carrion.
Yet even greater than the woes of House Belaerys, Jaenara's betrayal threatened to lose them the war. With Terrax at her side, Jaenara could teach the Arnorians everything they needed to know to defeat dragons and how to drive the Freehold back to the peninsula itself.
Having grown up in the Belaerys house, Jaenara had been well taught of all the flaws of the Freehold. Flaws their house had aspired to correct. Flaws that now threatened to be their downfall.
And… the chances were low, but there was a chance, if ever so slim, that Terrax would change sex from male to female as dragons were known to do if they wished, and lay eggs. And if the Arnorians got their hands on dragons of their own… Aelyx was not a religious man, as he like most of the dragonlords saw it only as a tool to control the masses, but gods help them all.
Love and hate were two sides of the same coin. Aelyx needed to stoke his rage, feed his feelings of betrayal enough to flip the coin or he would never have the strength to do what had to be done.
Forcing himself to burn away the memories of the sister he had loved, Aelyx turned to face the dragonlords who had gathered to discuss the betrayal of their peer.
"What do we do? With Jaenara's knowledge, the Arnorians will become even more powerful and they are dangerous enough already. Those watery hands, they remind me of the tales we were told of the Rhoynar as children, only far more terrifying. If the Arnorians have truly learned how to master the waters of the sea..." his goodbrother, Viserys Varezys said before the assembly.
He was interrupted by another dragonlord, a firebrand female, Valaena Gryvetheon, who spoke loudly. "None of this would have happened if the House of Belaerys had kept control over its errant daughter. Now because of her actions, the Arnorians have a dragon and their prince has been returned to them. They will feel emboldened to fight once more and the tide of the war could turn against us. What do you have to say for yourselves?" she said accusingly to Aelyx and his relatives at the head of the table.
Swallowing his pride, Aelyx bowed his head, "The House of Belaerys takes full responsibility and deeply apologises for the actions of Jaenara. Orders have already come from Lord Belaerys. Jaenara is to be stripped of all rank and titles, and even her name. She is no longer a Belaerys.
Furthermore, I will take the burden of eliminating her myself. As a loose end that threatens our war effort, there is no other option but for Jaenara to die."
That satisfied Valaena though Aelyx's declaration of his intent to kill his traitorous sister had stunned most present. Traitor or not, what kind of man would so easily declare his will to kill his little sister?
Aelyx knew the answer. A hard man, a ruthless man. One who knew what had to be done.
Jaenara was no longer his sister, she had turned his back on him for her precious Arnorians. He was left with no option but to take her life. Aelyx allowed himself to mourn a little before he hardened his heart. There could be no mercy in it, no weakness.
It was almost a day by dragon from Tyrosh to Vinyambar. Jaenara hadn't realised just how short that distance was until she flew it herself.
As soon as they landed, she would have to speak with the King about readying Arnor for an attack. There was no way Valyria would allow this to happen without some form of retaliation.
It would not be soon, for their supply lines were still overstretched and their navy and army still in transit, but Valyria was not out of the war and their counter attack was inevitable.
Yet until then, Jaenara could relax as she flew leisurely to the city. Below them, all the isles were under Arnorian control and the soldiers guarding them had been made aware of her defection. For now, at least, they were safe.
Safe. A strange word. Jaenara had used to associate safety with home. Home had always been where her family had been. Jaenara had thrown away all of it and betrayed her family. Was there anywhere in the world that was truly safe for her now?
At the end of the day, what was Jaenara? She couldn't call herself an Arnorian could she? After all she had let Arnorian soldiers die unjustly and she rode one of the very beasts that had killed them. At the same time, she couldn't call herself a Valyrian either could she? Had she not just betrayed Valyria and then brutally fought, injured, and very possibly killed men and women that she had known for years and fought alongside until only a day ago?
Did Jaenara truly have a place to belong? She had let her mother die, betraying her Arnorian heritage, and now she had betrayed Valyria as well, abandoning family, friends, acquaintances, and even rivals that she had known for years.
She wondered where that strength had come from. In the moment of truth, Jaenara had not hesitated, she had turned her dragon's power on her former allies with barely a moment's thought. What did it say about her that she could so easily switch from thinking of people as trusted friends and allies one day to enemies to kill the next?
She turned back to her companion behind her, his mesmerised gaze taking in the lands below them as they soared high above them. It was when she looked at Túrin that Jaenara felt at peace, a refuge from the battle that warred in her heart and mind. Túrin was a dear friend, someone who had helped her when she had needed it the most. She had refused to let her debt be unpaid and without her, this innocent and good man would have died for nothing.
"You know, in times like this, I can almost understand why the dragonlords of Valyria became the way they did, this feeling of power, of being higher than everyone else, it's intoxicating," Túrin mused as he continued staring at awe at the world from a dragon's view.
"It is… but they allowed themselves to become drunk with power and degenerate into a decadent and corrupt society."
"What made you realise it?" he asked, curious to know what made her change her mind.
"You."
Jaenara turned away so he wouldn't see the blush that was no doubt on her face after saying something so embarrassing. Sometimes she really cursed her unusually pale complexion.
It was the truth however. If Jaenara had never met Túrin, she would have forced herself to remain blind and ignorant to the corruption and evil in Valyria, all for the sake of keeping her family's love.
"You know, you don't have to do this," Túrin said to her.
"Do what?" she demanded.
"Act tough. Pretend like it doesn't bother you. Jaenara, you just turned your backs on your family and friends, people you've known for years. Somewhere deep down you must be hurting. I'm sorry that you had to make your choice like that."
"Don't be. I don't regret the choice I made. I just wish it didn't have to hurt my family like this."
Túrin sighed, "Years ago, I told you that it was fine to be both Arnorian and Valyrian, regardless of who you chose to fight for. It's fine to mourn Jaenara, it's alright to be sad that you left people you love behind. Even if the decision was the right one in the long run, that choice was always going to hurt and it's alright to feel it."
Jaenara did not reply. Did she truly deserve to feel hurt that she was now separated from her family when she had been the one to betray and abandon them? Was it alright to feel guilty and sad that she had betrayed one homeland for another, when Valyria was a truly evil place? Surely anyone should feel good about finally freeing themselves from its corruption… right? Jaenara's mind was all messed up. She didn't know what she should think or feel. All she knew in that moment was that it hurt.
She would sort all of that out later however, she needed to see Túrin safely home first. When Vinyambar finally came into sight hours later, she knew that that job was almost done. At the very least, she had not messed this up as well.
With a great roar, Terrax made his presence known as he touched down in the courtyard of the palace of Vinyambar, his enormous weight cracking the pavement on which they landed, making Jaenara wince slightly.
If this was Valyria, Jaenara would have to pay for those damages but given that here she had just returned the King's son, she doubted they would care that much.
She unchained Túrin first and watched as he was embraced tearfully by his father and brother and smiled. Jaenara knew that Túrin would no doubt still have some resentment that they had chosen to abandon him to die, but at the end of the day he understood their choice and loved them still, they were his family after all.
Would my family understand my choice?
Jaenara would like to think so. Like to believe that her family would love her still but she knew that regardless of what they thought of her, she was an enemy now. And enemies were killed.
She had made her choice and in her heart she knew it was the right one… but that didn't dull the pain in any way. Jaenara would never regret the choice she made, but she could regret the pain she caused her loved ones, the loved ones that would forever be estranged to her now.
King Arahad and Prince Aragost walked to her then, Túrin beside them.
"Thank you, for everything. We are in your debt Jaenara Belaerys. Right now you could name almost any boon and we will grant it to you," Aragost said.
Jaenara winced at the name he called her, "Please don't call me Belaerys. My family has no doubt disowned me, and I have neither the right or desire to use that name anymore. I'm just Jaenara now."
Aragost was taken a bit back but then wore an understanding smile, "Of course, then what boon would you ask of the Arnorian Royal Family, just Jaenara?"
The King interrupted his heir and spoke, "Wait. Rest assured that no matter what, Arnor will give you refuge and reward for the service you have given us. Yet I must know, young Jaenara, where do your loyalties truly lie? Are you Arnorian or Valyrian?"
Jaenara smiled and gave a curtsey to the King. She didn't really know if her smile was real or not, she just knew that it felt good to finally have an answer to the age old question and it had been given to her years ago, she just hadn't accepted it until now.
"I am neither Your Majesty, and yet also both. I was told a long time long ago that I need not surrender any part of my heritage, but simply do what was right. I choose to fight for what is right, I choose to fight for Arnor."
Jaenara would fight for Arnor, even though it would hurt to fight against her Valyrian family and kin. Few humans ever fought for such altruistic reasons as the one she had given the King and Jaenara hoped selfishly that with her rejection of one homeland, the other might accept her in its place if she fought for its victory.