The visions disappeared with a wave of the woman's, with a wave of Quaithe's hands. Aegon blinked and looked at her.
"Why did you show me them?" He demanded. He had always suspected that Connington viewed him as something more, as some sort of extension of his father. But he hadn't wanted to know, not really.
"Because you must understand who it is that is fighting for you, and why." Quaithe said.
"They are fighting for me because they are loyal, and because they are family." Aegon retorted. Ashara had raised him, she was his mother, no matter that they didn't share any blood.
Quaithe snorted. "Those who raise you, may also have their own intentions. You are not so young as not to understand that anymore."
"I know." Aegon bit back. He was getting tired of this. He had seen Ser Arthur and Duck's visions as well. He could feel the weight of the dragon eggs pressing against him.
"You are hungering for something." Quaithe said.
Aegon looked passed the woman to where he could see the mountains and their fire.
"I need to hatch these eggs." He growled.
"Why?" Quaithe asked.
Aegon looked at her, he wanted to give her the answer that he had given everyone else. But he suspected that she would call him a liar, and so instead he said. "Because the world needs dragons. Everything has gone out of balance since they departed. Not only has my family gone, but the world has embraced sin." He did not know where that last part had come from but, now that he had said it, he believed it and knew it to be true.
"There is no balance anymore. Ice has taken hold, and fire must come to cleanse."
"Is that what you intend to be?" Quaithe asked. "The cleaning fire to purify the world?"
Aegon snorted. "I am not so full of myself that I would harbour such a thought."
"Then what?" Quaithe asked.
Aegon took a breath. "I want to bring them back, because they are a symbol of my house, of my dynasty, and because they will help convince those who doubt, that I am genuine."
Quaithe said nothing to that. She merely looked at him. As time passed, Aegon got the feeling that she was examining him. Seeing whether there were any faults within him. Anything she could probe and expose.
He stood there, stock still. Not giving an inch. Not letting his fear show. Because, by the Gods, was he scared. Of almost everything. But a King could not show fear. never.
Eventually, Quaithe broke her silence. She weaved her hands and said. "Look."
Aegon looked at some sort of vision. It showed a young man and his guard standing on a ship, staring at a crew of around fifty men. The crew were led by a dark-skinned man who was laughing maniacally.
"Do you think you could help them?" Quaithe asked.
"Yes." Aegon said without thinking.
"Why?" Quaithe asked.
"Because they are outnumbered and they need help." Aegon said.
"How do you know they are not criminals?" Quaithe asked.
"Instinct." Aegon said. "Criminals would be begging or fighting. These two are standing there, stunned."
"How would you help them?" Quaithe said.
"By sailing there." Aegon said. "I will sail there and defeat those attacking them."
"How? This event has not happened yet." Quaithe said.
Aegon frowned. "What do you mean it hasn't happened yet?"
"It will happen, but it hasn't happened. And when it does happen, ships won't be enough." Quaithe said.
"Why?" He demanded. How could ships not be enough?
"Because Salladhor Saan has something that most don't. He has luck, skill and my blessing." Quaithe replied.
"Your blessing?" Aegon asked. "Are you a God?"
Quaithe laughed. A deep sound that was at odds with her presence. "In a manner of speaking. Perhaps, I am."
"So, what do you want from me?" Aegon demanded. If Quaithe was a God, she would want something, Gods always wanted something.
Quaithe stepped to one side, allowing the fires to be seen. "Your time has come." Aegon stepped forward, and as he passed her, he felt heat coming off her, he looked at her and saw instead a tall being, green and dark in nature. He shivered and continued onward.
