The visions that moved and multiplied before my eyes could not be described with any words that I knew.
I woke up to the sound of Ser Harlyn telling a story about a mystery knight who he saw at a tourney in Harrenhall. I opened my eyes and saw him and Praekar leaning over me. They bore smiles on their faces. I laid on a setee in Harlyn's manor.
"Finally! I was about to send for Silent Sisters!" said Praekar "You are lucky that I went in the same direction, what were you thinking going without your guards?"
"I just, well I wanted to go somewhere without constant clattering steps behind me." I responded.
"Good thinking with feigning convulsions, you didn't have to hit your head though" Yes, feigning them, that's right
"Yeah, thank you. What of the Splitter? Sparrows?" I asked tiredly
Praekar stepped away from me and answered "He died after two of my arrows pierced him. The Sparrows then swarmed over him but their leader stopped them, he said that it is an affront to the gods to disrespect a dead body. Then they carried High Sparrow on their arms to the Sept of Baelor"
"The guards didn't stop them?"
"Oh, they tried but what could they do against such a mass? It seems we have a new High Septon now"
"Gods have mercy on us" I said solemnly. I stood up, but my head was spinning and I had to sit down again.
Seeing their concerned looks I just shrugged "Right, it is time to get back to work!"
Afterwards I had the Splitter's body taken from the gutter it was dumped into and given to Qyburn. At least I didn't have to worry about that anymore.
In the following weeks, the work at the docks went quicker than ever. My captains, after hearing about plan to sail away from the capital at opportune moment, engaged in their work even more than before. The work that would have been done in months' time was done in merely weeks. At the same time the capital was undergoing some rather meaningful changes. The new High Septon grew bolder by the day but it was not until our illustrous queen agreed do re-institute the Faith Militant and the Poor Fellows that he showed the full measure of his ambition.
It was the next day after she agreed to do so, that she visited the port to marvel at 'her' new fleet. She arrived with two of the Kingsguard – Osmund Kettleblack and Meryn Trant. I had Praekar and Orys by my side.
She took my arm as we traversed the port. I am pretty sure that breaks some courtly rules. It was clear that she was happy with herself for reaching a deal with High Sparrow.
"First, our flagship – Lord Tywin" I pointed to a massive three-decker. The ship towered over us in a melange of gold and red. We walked further along. "'Lord Tywin' is of course big and splendid" I continued "but this is a real pride of our fleet – 'Sweet Cersei' – as beautiful and strong as the queen she is named for." Kettleblack grunts, and I am pretty sure Praekar cringes behind me. The prow of a ship was decorated with a likeness of the Queen, made of gold. Dressed in helmet and armour.
"It's Sweet Cersei that will be seaworthy first. And soon enough, the rest will follow" I said. We countined our stroll through the port until we reached the last ship.
"You Grace" I started "If we only had more funds, we could outfit dromonds with best equipment available. Enemies of the Crown would stand no chance. Both those far away... and those close."
At that she took my hand in hers. "Aurane, you are one of few people I can really trust. You will get your gold" she said. You are great judge of character, your grace.
And yet when she leaves with her guards I can't help but feel... a certain pressure in my chest.
I spent rest of that day going from dock to dock, checking on the progress. When the sun began to set I stood at the roadstead of the port, looking at my life's biggest achievement in making. Cold breeze flew about the port when Praekar approached me from the werehouse with a question. A really good question.
"What is your endgame Aurane?" he asks
"You know what my endgame is. We get the ships, we leave. Simple as that."
"Is it?" He asks with a smile "That's not how it looked earlier today..."
"Don't be a fool, it's nothing. It helped me appeal for more funds" I reply, angry
"Just make sure you don't lose your beard and have no ships to show for it!"
"You are just angry that baker didn't accept your bethrothal offer"
Praekar sighed at that "It's for the better, we will be sailing away one day. I couldn't just leave a wife here."
Despite the dangers and the sense of impending doom that I felt constantly it seemed we could brave any storm that came our way. We just needed to wait for opportunity.
The opportunity came at night few weeks after queen's visit to the port, in form of ill tidings from the west. The guards came to fetch me to the Red Keep when the night was darkest. Even though it was middle of the night I wasn't asleep. In a dim light of candle I worked still.
That night felt like a dream when we moved quickly towards the Red Keep. To my surprise we didn't meet in the council chamber but in throne room instead. Queen Cersei was in her usual spot beneath the iron throne. Only few torches burned in the throne room, twisting the shadows. All of Small Council was here, as was Margaery and Loras.
"They spotted a thousand Ironborn ships! They attacked Shield Islands. Oldtown and Highgarden might be next!" shouted queen Margaey in anguish
"Surely, the ships must have multiplied before their eyes, because of fear!" said Harlys Swift with doubt in his voice
"Those are surely just raiders, Reach will be able to defeat them" added Pycelle in his usual old man drivel. Yes, hundreds of ship came to the shore just to raid, surely.
"Grand admiral, what of your fleet? Can't it used to stop this attack?" No it can't
"Our ships are much larger than Ironborn longboats but still too few and of the ten under construction, only 'Sweet Cersei' is seaworthy." I replied, truthfully.
"Then we should send a massage to Lord Redwyne! Order him to lift the siege of Dragonstone and sail to meet the enemy." said Margaery with conviction. I could see Cersei was not that happy with that idea. She rose from her chair of gold-and-red and crossed the room to Margaery
"My sweet gooddaughter I know your hearts bleeds for those in Reach but we can't let the traitors in Dragonstone slip away"
Silence reigned over the throne room. Suddenly Ser Loras spoke up
"Your Grace, he addressed Cersei, I will go take Dragonstone even if I have to break the walls with my own hands. Then Lord Redwyne will be able to sail for Oldtown immediately."
At first, I expected protests from Cersei but instead I saw a small content smile. She wants him to die trying. When I looked at Margaery I only saw fear in her eyes.
"Grand Admiral" said Cersei "You will ferry Ser Loras and his men to Dragonstone" If we succeed, without Redwyne we will be free to go.