Chapter 10: The First Sign
The children finished their lessons and were playing games in the house. The house was so big hide and seek could take hours so they chose one level of the mansion and played hide and seek.
Rhaellyra was found first by Aeyrelion whose turn it was to count.
They started looking for their younger siblings, the twins.
"Seriously I'm getting too old for this game sister" he laughed as they went from room to room trying to find them.
She smiles and looks at him from across the room as she checks under a lounge in a formal sitting room.
"When was the last time we even came into these rooms? And yes we are both getting too old for these games. But who else can we play with every day? The families have been weird with us since what mother did at the meeting. And I think they're waiting to see what happens with this Valyrian school."
He listened and nodded, she was right all their friends were being weird. Sometimes he detested how fickle their society was and how quick your friends were no longer who you thought they were.
"I know it upsets you brother"
He punched his fist into the lounge lightly, "Everyone is just so fake I don't know if I can go back to having the same people around me after they got spooked by a high born woman with magic"
"It's not who she is...it's what she does...she can take anything from anyone now and they're all scared"
She walks to the middle of the room and sighs, "Alright I'm tired of playing the long way..."
He shakes his head and smiles "I wondered how long it'd take"
She smiles as she closes her eyes and uses her power to seek out her young siblings
She finds them, and they're together.
"Fathers office" she whispers, her finger over her lips.
They creep along the hallway and listen at the door, they hear muffled giggling and shuffling.
Aeyrelion opens the ornate door with magic and it silently glides open and they creep into the room. Rhaellyra points to the back of the lounge where they're hiding and they runaround the end of the lounge and scare their twin siblings. A girl and a boy, Allaria and Rionaron. They giggle and roll around as their brother and sister tickle them.
At first they didn't feel anything because they were tumbling around so much. But when they felt the building jolt Aeyrelion bolted upright and silenced them.
"Quickly we need to leave, come on everyone let's go"
Thinking they had woken some anti intrusion magic in their Fathers office they ran out and when they did their home started shaking. The floor moved and they could hear crunching and crushing noises. Which was the sound of less well built buildings falling outside. They ran to the window and saw the ground outside shaking, heaving and rolling.
"Come over here quick!" Shouted Aeyrelion.
They huddled under a heavy wooden table and hugged each other. Just as Aeyrelion summoned a powerful shield to protect the table and them, the ceiling collapsed in the room.
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The fleet sailed easily back into the Valyrian port and they were happy to see land and their home again. Although Aeyrelis and Alaerya couldn't wait to go back to the islands, and they spoke of nothing else since leaving them.
They pulled into the dock and started leaving the ship when they noticed a group of their servants hurrying through the port to their ship.
"Master, my Lady thank the Gods you've returned safely"
"Thank you for welcoming us down at the ports, that was unnecessary" said Aeyrelis as they farewelled Valaer and vowed to speak again in the next few days.
Alaerya was looking into the city, she grabbed Aeyrelis arm.
"My love look at the city"
He turned around looking at the city and frowned, "Where are those-"he pointed to the places where building used to be, then looked at his servants, "What happened here"
Alaerya knew she just felt it right away something was wrong and it was her children.
"An earthquake sir, hit a few hours ago. We can't find the children. They were playing on the fourth floor and part of it is damaged and..."
They didn't hear anything else that was said. Alaerya had already called Vaella to come and as she vaulted with magic onto her back grabbed Aeyrelis arm. She pulled him onto the dragon's back and soared away from the port towards their home. The crew and Valaer watching them leave with concern. On their way they saw the devastation of the city. Numerous buildings had damage and some had fallen, as they approached their home they saw the damage and circled the building to inspect what had happened.
"I can feel them my Love they're all alive. Scared...but alive" said Alaerya to Aeyrelis.
He nodded gravely, "Can we fix the damage to the house from here?"
He was looking at their tall and expansive home, multiple levels soared into the sky. Several levels had damage but the inner structure was fortified with strong magic which enabled it to remain standing.
Alaerya looked at the house from different aspects from dragon back.
"We can fix some from the outside but without seeing inside I can't tell what needs to be done. Let's do it together, Aeyrelis hold onto my hips and focus your energy into your hands. I can use your magic and mine for better results."
He nodded and closed his eyes trying to empty his mind so the energy transfer was clear, strong and most importantly with using magic to build it had to be free of thoughts and fears. He put away the worry for his children reassured by Alaerya's searching magic and focused.
She felt the surge of power into her body and focused her mind free of thoughts to repair the damaged building. The combined force of their magic returned the building to its original state. They both breathed out in relief and looked around to see various other dragons riders tending to their own damaged buildings also.
"The children..." said Aeyrelis softly
Instantly Vaella surged upwards towards their dome to land so they could find their children
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They found the children under the table in one of the meeting rooms where the ceiling had fallen in. The table was covered in debris and she could feel them underneath. In a matter of seconds the ceiling was repaired and Aeyrelis looked under the table.
Aeyrelion looked very relieved.
"So glad you're back Father."
He smiled at his son as the little ones came out first, "Looks like you did a good job of taking care of each other."
When Aeyrelion came out he looked exhausted.
Rhaellyra looked at him worried and put a hand on his arm, "Without him we might have been seriously hurt"
Alaerya approached and stroked her sons face, "I can feel you held a shield up for a very long time. Only someone with talent could do that" she looked at him proudly.
"Now come, sit, let me do some healing on you to reduce some of the exhaustion. But after that straight to bed all of you. You're all exhausted. Whether you know it or not you all used some of your energy in that shield. I won't have you getting sick now I'm home"
Aeyrelion laid his head on his mothers lap, Aeyrelis sat across from them with Rhaellyra and the twins. Alaerya laid her hands on Aeyrelion's head and over a few minutes the colour returned to his face and he seemed much happier.
They talked as a family, Alaerya and Aeyrelis told the children about the islands and how it will be somewhere they all visit together soon. They didn't tell them they'd be staying there forever though.
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Alaerya spent the longest time staring at the orb between her hands. Kinvaras reflection staring back at her with that ominous smile that unnerved Alaerya. She really didn't have any love for this priestess and felt she needed to sort out some further counsel on this orb.
She sought that counsel at the Temple of Dreamwalkers. She traversed the seemingly empty temple walking through swirling pastel clouds of magic. The clouds were beautiful and eerie at the same time, they concealed the people hidden within the temple. And although she felt eyes on her she couldn't see anyone. This always made her skin prickle with discomfort. She saw him sitting in a swirl of cloud deep in a trance.
She sat down across from him, sighed and closed her eyes. She relaxed into her breathing and touched her hands to the floor of the temple. Immediately her eyes changed to milky white and she began dream walking.
She saw visions of the future and what she was building on the islands, she saw herself wearing many faces and visiting many places, and she saw herself on dragon back concealed with magic watching a different race of people battling on a large field. Her brow furrowed in concern. She didn't recognise this place, where was this? She saw a large city with a large red castle, again she didn't recognise this place. The castle was not a Valyrian style of architecture, her confusion deepened. Then the city changed in front of her eyes to a castle so large the towers seemed to touch the clouds. It was in ruins and covered in shadow. She saw lions, roses, stags, towers and snake symbols in a ceaseless flow of war. Finally she was standing in snow, and looking at a tree with a bleeding face and red leaves blowing in the wind. She looked closely at the tree and at her surroundings. There was another large castle to the side of the garden with large towers covered in snow. Wolf banners were snapping in the wind. As she turned around behind her she saw him, a young boy in a wheel chair, eyes milky white also. And approaching behind him a taller older boy with dark hair, grey eyes and the energy of dragons blood emanating out of him.
'Where is this place...and who are these people? Why am I seeing this?' She softly whispered in her dream state.
Then suddenly it was gone and she was facing one of her old teachers.
He smiled at her, "It's been a while since we have met like this my dear. The first time I've seen you here as the real you. I must say child you always seem to appear at the right moment."
She smiled and looked down at the floor, "I apologise for deceiving you..."
He raised his hand, "Do not apologise, what you did lead you to where you are now and it's important for us that you are here."
"Did you show me those places?"
He nodded slightly, "Aside from your current plans there is also another world that needs our attention. But it is in the distant future, the road to take is unclear at the moment. But I'm confident more details will come. You might have more luck when you dream walk on the volcanic islands you found."
She glanced up sharply and he chuckled
"Remember my dear, they're always watching"
She laughed remembering her lessons to master this mystery, she was in the face of a young man, eager to learn and very talented.
And her master standing in front of her always reminded her they're always watching.
"How many know of my plans?"
He shrugged and walked towards her, "None apart from myself. I placed a shield over you so you can't be traced. I'll remove it soon"
"When will that be?"
"When your daughter walks the dream road and you need to leave"
She swallowed and produced the orb to show her former teacher.
He took it and they watched it together.
He paused and looked at Kinvaras ominous smile for a long time, he looked over his shoulder at Alaerya
"Have you seen her since?"
Alaerya shook her head, "No I haven't and I'd like to keep it that way"
He nodded slowly, "Yes I can imagine you would. She seeks the power you have even though you only let her see a fraction of it. These people," he pointed at the image of the priestess, "can cause more havoc than they prevent. They are not your friends. Tread lightly there my dear, she is right one day you will see her again"
She felt dread at the thought, something about this woman she deeply disliked but she didn't know her at all to know why.
"I came here for some counsel about what she has said"
"We can revisit the prophecies regarding our destruction..."said the First Dreamwalker, "I believe your prophecy as an acolyte was the first one we became aware of. After you left the temple two others came, one of which was the Targaryen girl's. None have come since, I believe it's because of you and the path you're on"
"What do I do next?" She said weakly, "I feel like I'm drowning trying to make this happen on my own. I can admit when I'm out of my depth, I need help please"
He smiled kindly at her, swelling with pride for her and he knew she was the perfect person to take on this task. Free of ego desires genuinely wanting to save their people and forge a new world.
He put out his hand, "Of course I will help you Lady Alaerya"
She took it and both their eyes flashed milky white for the longest time.
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Alaerya and Aeyrelis enter the room, their children enter behind them dressed and styled in elaborate Valyrian dress. Their hair braided to look like they each have a stylised crown on their heads. Purple eyes shining with excitement at the events to come. Their parents had explained the reasons why this was happening, what it meant for their family and how it makes them all stronger. Everyone in the room was pleased to see them, Alaerya searched out for any ill wishes or malice and found none.
They stood in front of their friends, other high and middle class families arranged before them. Parents brought their children and all were dressed extravagantly. For some this was an even arrangement and for others this would significantly elevate their status. There was a lot of good feeling in the room, Alaerya was satisfied with her choices.
Aeyrelis cleared his throat, it was his role as Master of the Family to begin proceedings.
"Welcome to our home everyone. Some of you are familiar with our family and others will get to know us better tonight. Just know we put a lot of thought into our plans for the future and hope we can all continue to grow as friends. Because one day soon we will all be family by marriage so it's best to sow seeds of comaraderie so we can strengthen each other's houses and ensure a positive future."
Alaerya stepped forward, "Some of our choices will be a surprise to some people not in this room. But we made the choices we have because as you know we are seeking to strengthen our future by focusing on the children. We chose you all because of your strengths in talents, not just your wealth. I of all people know that wealth can be gained as time goes and love blossoms."
She smiled inside remembering how she was betrothed to Aeyrelis despite being from what's considered a middle ranked family. Her father and Aeyrelis father were good friends and raced their dragons together and it was decided at birth they wanted to be family. Irrespective of her family's wealth, their talent and a friendship was valued above all.
This slighted some of the other major families as Aeyrelis was considered a strong match but his father didn't care. They were taking the same stance with their children regardless of how controversial it seemed.
The families were announced according to their betrothal and they approached to speak one by one with Aeyrelis and Alaerya. The children were introduced even if they knew each other already, which they mostly did.
The children were excused to have dinner and spend time all together and the families bonded.
After a few hours and more drinks later Alaerya stood and called for silence, the room became quiet
"Aeyrelis and I want to thank you all for accepting our betrothal offers and welcome you to our family. We have one last request of your families which is new to betrothals. As you all know I am the newly appointed Education Decree director. You all have fascinating and powerful talents which will be important to our society as it changes and grows. I propose that at a certain point in the near future I will call for your children to become wards here in this home. They will live with us and grow their relationship with their betrothed. In return I will personally teach and encourage study in the areas they're strongest and develop the talents inherent in your family lines. They will become powerful in their own right aside from their association with our family. I'm asking you all as a group to give us permission to take them as wards in the future. We will accept all responsibility for their care and prioritise their safety as if they're our own"
The room was silent, their offer was unprecedented and extremely generous. Sharing power and encouraging others to become stronger wasn't usually something Valyrians offered, strength and power was usually gained at the expense of others.
The father of Aeyrelions betrothed, stood and raised his glass, "House Valreon has the support of House Traellar".
Alaerya and Aeyrelis raises their glasses in response.
Another man stood, the father of Allaria's betrothed, "House Xaeryris supports House Valreon, always".
They smiled and nodded raising their glasses in response.
The father of Rionaron's betrothed, raising glasses in each of his hands, "We are with you, House Aelleron stands strong and true".
As he sat down the last man to stand, Rhaellyra's betrothed stands, "I'm the last to stand but will always be the first to support House Valreon. I pledge House Jaedra stands strong, proud and willing to serve".
Aeyrelis and Alaerya raises their glasses, "May our Houses grow in strength together! To Valyria!"
The room erupts in cheers and drinking.
The face of Valyrian nobility was changing this very night and some would be very displeased by these changes
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News spread fast and it didn't take long for those opposed to their choices to present themselves. And they didn't conceal their anger.
"This is a direct insult to me. To my family. You're embarrassing yourself by aligning with lower families than you. You're putting filth into your family line!" Shouts Lord Ballaer
Aeyrelis stands firm as this man gets in his face, shouting and waving his hands menacingly.
Tellerion stands back looking hurt.
Other members of their families are standing around the room sternly looking on.
"The decisions have been made, agreements are in place and it is in motion. We aren't going back on our words. We have honour" replied Aeyrelis as he directed his scorn to his rival and enemy. "Why would I align with your house? You're angry, impulsive and weak. Your other family members are stronger and possess more talent than you but somehow you managed to become Master of House Ballaer! Where do you think your family line is heading when you embarrass yourself every day?!"
Braeyon Ballaer turns red and attacks Aeyrelis, years of pent up anger and resentment boils over as the men put on a brilliant display of attacking and defending.
Aeyrelis gets the upper hand easily and Braeyon flushes with more anger as he attacks emotionally exposing his weaknesses. Aeyrelis takes advantage and Braeyon is thrown onto his back and puts his hands up in surrender. Looking up into Aeyrelis eyes with a mixture of anger and shame his family shift in dismay behind them.
Aeyrelis stands back, "Does anyone else wish to attack me in my home? I have a long memory so choose your actions wisely"
Tellerion speaks up, "Why did you make such choices?"
Aeyrelis felt a stab of guilt he did genuinely feel bad about slighting Tellerion. They were also rivals but their relationship was more of a friendly competition than outright resentment as with Braeyon.
"None of this was meant to hurt anyone but we chose to align differently to everyone else. We are one of the strongest families and we have that right, just as you have the right to align your house with who you please. If betrothals were that important to you I'd have thought you would've approached me before".
Aeyrelis knew Tellerion hoped to match his eldest daughter to Aeyrelion.
Tellerion nodded, they had a good enough relationship that this explanation was enough to quell his anger.
Alaerya had heard of the rival families arrivals and made her way to the dragon dome where they were all assembled. No one noticed her enter except her dragon Vaella, Aeyrelis had his back to her defending her decisions as though they were theirs. She felt proud he supported her so.
Braeyon saw her and bristled, "Should we bow for the most powerful and deceitful woman in Valyria now?" He sneered at her.
She laughed in his face out of contempt she had always disliked Braeyon even as a boy. Vaella growled and opened her mouth fire brewing in her throat as a warning.
Braeyon stepped back and gasped as the dragons tail came down to create a barrier between him and Alaerya. He retreated in shock as Alaerya felt Vaella sending her energy and her power surged. Her eyes began glowing brilliant white light filling the room with blinding power.
"Rise up against me Braeyon I will crush you and your family will be forgotten. What would Braeyon the first of his name say about that?" His ancestor appeared angry and menacing, a figure of light standing near to her.
"Or," she continued, "what about Baraelia?"
A woman of light, Braeyons fierce grandmother appeared. She was angered also.
"Your family will disappear. Valyria will forget you and they will do so gladly. Your family will rejoice at your death and another family will take your place. Come," she beckoned, "rise up against us. Get past my dragon and we will fight"
He gulped and glanced at his ancestors looking at him angrily, they shook their heads warning him to stay put. He shook his head and charged forward defying their wisdom. Alaerya laughed and Vaella swatted him across the room with the slightest flick of her tail. He landed hard and the air was knocked out of him, he had been beaten twice in one day but his anger and desire for revenge didn't die.
"You are the ruin of your house Braeyon" she said softly still glowing with otherwordly light.
His ancestors had their heads in the hands in disbelief, so did his living relatives around the room.
Alaerya looked around the room, "Other members of House Ballaer you have a choice. Follow Braeyon here to your graves or take your house forward with my proposal. We had always planned to extend a seperate offer to the houses not included in our betrothals. We were going to visit each of you privately to present this out of respect for the history our families share. But you came to us, and you came to fight. So we will give you our offer here but before we do, House Ballaer make your choice now"
Braeyon looks back menacingly at his family daring them to come forward. They shift uncomfortably, memories of what he's done to them scaring them to remain silent. But his sister looks him defiantly in the eye and steps forward. Alaerya knows her well, they used to be close friends before her betrothal to Aeyrelis.
"I choose for House Ballaer"
Braeyon charges towards her and they fight. He devastatingly beats her but not easily. He lands blows on her face for longer than is considered honourable and all watch on passively. Not intervening, she doesn't go down easily and her face is blue and beaten. Eventually she can fight no longer, Aeyrelis looks on disgusted as Braeyon kicks her repeatedly until she is no longer moving. No one moves, Alaerya's face is still. She feels out her old friend, heart is still beating...just. She discreetly sends her healing to help keep her stable. Braeyon charges Alaerya and Vaella lifts her tail as Alaerya charges back at him. He laughs as if he can't believe a woman thinks she can fight him. He sounds like a mad man.
They fight, twirling and striking and kicking, she attacks him and defends only with her fighting skills. She chooses not to wield magic to make it a fair fight, because if she chose to she could bathe him in flames in an instant. Even without magic she has the upper hand, he's tired after being beaten twice. Alaerya calls her dagger to come to her, time to finish him, she's wanted to do this for a long time. The fury of all the years he tormented her and others fuels her to land devastating blows on him. The dagger flies up from its hiding place in her boot and she steps easily through his attacks and slices his throat open. His eyes wide with shock realising she had just played him. She was a much stronger fighter than him and he realised this as the life left his body. He looks up at her and her glowing strength and power is the last thing he sees. He lay dead on the floor, the Valreon dragons shifted at the smell of blood.
"Vaella" said Alaerya.
Licking her lips Vaella bathed Braeyon in fire and in one movement consumed Braeyon. He was gone and House Ballaer was in stunned silence that the tyrant of their house was gone. So was the Heir to the family name and uncertainty filled the room like a dark cloud. The tension remained.
Alaerya went to her friend who was unconscious on the floor. She poured healing energy into her, back to the others, and after a few minutes her friend opened her eyes.
Alaerya looked up at the other members of House Ballaer who didn't quite understand what was happening.
"One of you will need to act on Rylla's behalf. She is Mistress of House Ballaer now"
Their youngest sibling stepped forward, he was a timid boy who bore a lot of Braeyons abuse and was glad he was gone.
"Good, Traeylon come"
The boy hesitated in following Alaerya looking back at his family.
"I won't hurt you come join us"
Alaerya and Aeyrelis take Tellerion and Traeylon to a seperate chamber to discuss matters privately.
Alaerya whispers instructions to servants to clean up the dragon dome and provide the remaining nobility there with food and drinks. To make them feel at ease, although she considered most will be concerned about being poisoned. But she gave the order all the same.
The four of them sat and looked at each other for a while.
Aeyrelis spoke first, "Alaerya was being truthful, we planned to visit the families privately and discuss this which is why we chose to do this privately also. We will give you our proposal and you will have time to return to your families and discuss it with them. Send a messenger back with your decision and we will respect your choice."
Tellerion nodded, "I'm interested to hear what you have to offer"
After Alaerya's display no one would dare to scorn this family from now on but their offer was intriguing.
"The Valyrian Education Decree is coming in to effect next week. Final preparations are underway and classes for all noble children will be commencing next week." She looked at Traeylon, "I will be seeing you in class"
He nodded solemnly and looked thoughtful
"We believe Valyria is better when we work together to become stronger, whether it's through betrothals, business deals or through sharing other aspects of what makes each family strong. It's indisputable we are all strong in magic and we all have areas we excel in more than the rest. We propose to take on wards from your families and those wards will receive personal education from me and live under our roof. They will learn the most powerful aspects of magic and magic of their families. They will be taught and can master as many mysteries as they are interested in. Thus making them extremely powerful in their own right."
Tellerion sat back shocked.
Traeylon's face remained unchanged.
"This will mean there is no strongest family anymore. We will pass on our knowledge and open our home to the wards you choose taking responsibility for their wellbeing and safety. They will also forge strong bonds with the other wards we are taking of our children's betrothed. Because if our families are united with their strengths just imagine what Valyria could become"
When it was clear she was finished Tellerion spoke first, "This is not a usual practice, some may think your generosity weak"
She looked at him calmly, "The weak seek to divide us, strength comes from being together"
"Others will disagree"
"Let them. I'm not interested in those people and they will be the downfall of their families"
"You can't plan to slaughter everyone who stands against you. Come on Alaerya you're smarter than that"
"I know who and what I am Tellerion. And your families are the only two we offer this to. The other families are betrothed to us and have pledged loyalty and service. Any family not included in this arrangement is not considered to be worthy or enough of a threat to be concerned about".
He laughed at her harsh response, "You are good at being at the top my Lady. And this will make you some enemies along the way".
"Thank you for your counsel Tellerion, I do what I have to do so we can keep Valyria strong. Civilisations become weak when we fight amongst ourselves, it's time to end that. We are the greatest civilisation this world has seen. Let's act like it"
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It didn't take long for the dragon riders to return with the decisions of the families. Both riders came with pledges of loyalty and service and lists of names of wards to choose from. Alaerya collected the responses and smiled, "Thank you please give my regards to Rylla I hope she is recovering well"
The messenger bows deeply out of respect, "Lady Rylla offers this scroll for your eyes only My Lady"
She takes it and smiles, "Thank you"
Aeyrelis takes the opened scrolls and reads over the written commitment to his House and the names of children to consider as wards.
He hands them back to Alaerya, "I trust you to make the right choices"
She smiles up to him, he grins and pulls her closer.
"Now come here and let's celebrate. You've climbed to the top my Lady against all odds. House Valreon rules them all"
"The ones that matter anyway" smiles Alaerya.
