War Clouds Approaching

Aegon left early the next morning with Ashen. They pair took the best horses, their weapons, and enough supplies for a long trip and back. Aegon had not told anyone of the purpose of this trip or where he was even going. He went as far as to ban anyone from following him. Only Ashen knew of the plans and the young man was completely loyal to his King.

Ashen seemingly changed overnight. When Aegon met him yesterday, the boy was reclusive and obedient to his father. But as soon as his father left, Ashen had begun demonstrating himself. His plan against Argilac the Arrogant just made his generals looked like school children. If the Stormlands indeed falls, Aegon would make Ashen a Ser with his own house and land.

And yet the young man was hiding something. Aegon could see it in his eyes. And if he guessed correctly it was something about his father. Yes the father, the man Aegon appointed Magistrate. He was hiding something too and Aegon intended to find out. That was why Aegon specifically choose Ashen to come with him.

"Does your grace really intend to see Harrenhal?" Ashen asked as the pair of them rode down a dirt road following the Blackwater Rush.

"The common folk say it is greatest castle in the Seven Kingdoms," Aegon replied, "and that it was only finished yesterday. That castle might do me good in the future."

"The common folk also say Harren the Black spent forty years, thousands of gold, and millions of laborers building it," Ashen replied bitterly. "He has stripped the lands bare and exhausted the strength of his people. For what, a place to live?"

Aegon chuckled. "We can exploit that. No doubt the common folk will want to overthrow him; we can rally them to our cause. Are you sure this is a good path to take Ashen?"

The young man nodded. "Follow the Blackwater Rush to God's Eye then round the lake and we will come to Harrenhal. This is a much safer road to take; we won't be bothered with bandits or patrols before they all gather at the shorter route."

God's Eye was a massive lake in the Riverlands, the source of the Blackwater Rush. The mighty river grew considerably smaller as Aegon and Ashen moved inland but its currents were still too treacherous to cross. They spotted only a few stone bridges along the way, as wooden bridges cannot hope to last if the river rises from the rain. Several barges sailed here and there but other than that the area seemed deserted. "Probably off to build Harrenhal and haven't returned yet", Ashen said after Aegon pointed out it was quiet.

"Sometimes I wonder why I didn't think of attacking the Riverlands first," Aegon mused.

"Not a good idea your grace," Ashen replied quickly. "Argilac might be a fool but the people advising him are different. If you send your strength north against Harren, he will know."

Now Ashen was saying something interesting. "Who would tell him?" Aegon probed. He was careful not to reveal his suspicion.

"The Storm King has…..many spies." The young man treaded this line carefully.

Are you and your father one of them? Aegon thought to himself. Ashen was a careful one and won't slip that easily, so Aegon needed to step up the game.

"If Argilac falls I shall appoint you a knight," Aegon said thoughtfully. "Ser Ashen Blacke, Magistrate of King's Landing.

"You humble me your grace, but what about my father?"

"I don't know as of now but….is his loyalty absolute?"

Ashen fidgeted uncomfortably and his face turned paled. Aegon know he was onto to something. "Ashen speak to truth to me and you shall find forgiveness," Aegon pushed further. His stared at the young man with a serious face and a frown. "I shall forgive you of any crimes you may have committed and I will forget this entire conversation. But if I have to find out on my own, then the consequences will not be pretty."

Ashen suddenly stopped his horse and hopped off. He ran in front of the mounted Aegon and dropped to his knees. "Your majesty, I confess. My father is a spy for Argilac. Everything you told him the Storm King probably knows by now."

Aegon wanted to shout I knew it! "And why does your father spy for Argilac?" Aegon asked.

"For protection but money mainly. Argilac protects him from the Darklyns and the Rosbys and gives him lots gold," Ashen replied. "My father is a very greedy man."

"Indeed."

"What do you plan on doing with him my lord?"

"Ashen is your loyalty to your father or to your liege?"

"My liege is my father," the young man replied quickly.

Aegon laughed. "Well said. Your father will be punished for his crimes, but not now. Now we have more important things to do. Rise Ser Ashen, we ride for Harrenhal!"

Orys Baratheon walked out of his tent decked in full plate with his gigantic longsword swinging by his side. His army had already been assembled, three thousand spears and three thousand riders waiting for him at the far left side of the Targaryen camp. They were not seasoned warriors but they were well trained. Orys had great confidence in his army; after all he did train them himself.

"Orys," a female voice called out from behind. Orys turned around and saw Rhaenys walked towards him. Rhaenys had changed; she was no longer that young and carefree girl from Dragonstone, but a fierce and demanding leader. Those who used to mock her on Dragonstone now showed her the same respect that Aegon and Visenya commanded.

"My lady," Orys said with a bow. "What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"I have come to see you off," Rhaenys replied. "Our goal depends on your victory Orys. Don't let my brother down."

"I won't my lady," Orys said. "I swear on my mother's grave that I shall come back victorious."

Rhaenys smiled, but it wasn't that innocent and playful smile common to her. This was a more serious smile and Orys knew the meaning behind it. "Argilac is a fool," he added. "He will not suspect my second attack."

"My brother asks me to give you this," Rhaenys said as she pulled out a letter that marked the seal of Aegon himself. "This is the proclamation you will read to all once you have entered Storm's End. Do you understand?"

Orys bowed as he took the letter from Rhaenys. "It will be done. Where is his grace? And Lady Visenya?"

"His grace left early this morning with Ashen on a private mission. Visenya left not too long ago with her dragon and two hundred knights to subdue the lords of Crackclaw Point. I will not waste your time any longer. Go and bring us victory."

Orys bowed as Rhaenys left and put the letter in a pouch tied to the side of his horse. As he mounted his horse, he went over Rhaenys' words carefully. He wondered what the proclamation read but his train of thoughts was disrupted when his captains arrived.

"Lord Baratheon," the lead captain, a man named Ser Balion Qoherys said.. "We are ready to move out."

"Good captain," Orys nodded. "Let us ride for the Stormlands!"

The court of Argilac the Storm King was a lively one. The Storm King enjoyed music and food and had the best musicians and cooks brought in from the Seven Kingdoms. Lavish parties were held at Storms End and the entertainment was never ending. Even when the Storm King held official court, there were fools and jesters, poets and singers standing not so far away. There were always conversations through the hall but today the court was quiet. No one dared to talk and the loudest they ever went to was only a whisper.

Argilac himself was seated on his large granite throne, perched high upon a stone platform that gave him a commanding view of his entire court. His daughter Elena stood on one side while his informant Frederick and his maester Aeolred stood on the other. Around him were the members of his retinue, his generals and advisers. The rest of the room was filled with outsiders.

"You are certain the Dragonknight has come?" Argilac asked in a booming voice. His words echoed in the large, quiet hall.

"Yes my liege," Frederick replied. "Alfred has seen it with his own eyes. The Dragonknight has no more than ten thousand warriors but he has come with three dragons."

The court immediately broke out into murmurs, which annoyed Argilac. "If you have something to say then say it!"

Silence fell over the room immediately. Shaking his head disapprovingly, Argilac turned his attention back to Frederick. "What did the Targaryen boy say he was going to do?"

"He said something about building a new capital. And he burned his ships so his men can't flee," Frederick said.

"It looks like the boy is planning to stay," Maester Aeolred mused.

Argilac laughed. "The boy is arrogant and a fool! Ten thousand men to conquer the Seven Kingdoms? He must be dreaming!"

"He has dragons father, don't underestimate him," Argilac's daughter Elena said. Argilac sighed. His daughter was young, yet she was ambitious. A girl like her should be doing feminine duties and not be engaging in politics but Argilac could never control her. It was ironic really, he was King of the Stormlands yet he couldn't even rule his own daughter.

"Dragons can be killed," Argilac waved his hand annoyingly. "You're too young to understand my daughter."

"But I'm sixteen already father!" Elena protested. "That's old enough!"

Argilac held up his hand to silence her, he would have none of it. Even though he loved his daughter, he will not be schooled in front of his entire court by a sixteen year old girl. He opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted when the doors to the chamber suddenly opened. A messenger ran in, he was panting and looked tired but he seemed excited. There must be important news.

"Well?" Argilac asked impatiently.

"My-my liege," the messenger panted. "Aegon Targaryen is leading his army into the Stormlands!"

The court once again broke into murmurs but this time Argilac completely ignored them. "Is the boy himself leading them? How many troops do they have?" he asked excitedly.

The messenger shook his head. "The forces are led by his general Orys Baratheon. Our scouts report he has three thousand men, mostly mounted infantry."

Argilac laughed and the court joined him. This was folly, three thousand men against the entire Stormlands. "The boy is too overconfident! He thinks he can defeat me with three thousand men!"

"Your grace doesn't need to bother with him," Maester Aeolred chuckled. "Just send one of our vassal lords to deal with him."

"Even if he comes to Storm End," Elena added. "He has no supplies or siege equipment. This is folly."

Argilac laughed once more. "I intend to battle this Orys Baratheon myself and show him the might of the Storm King."

"Your grace can't be serious!" Aeolred protested. "Why bother with him when we-"

"It's not in your place to lecture me on what I can and can't do Maester," Argilac said darkly. "You forget I am King, not you."

"I meant no offense your grace," the maester bowed.

"Please father, the maester is right! Why bother with him when others can deal with him?" Elena said. "There are a dozen lords between the borders of our realm and Storms End. We can easily muster ten thousand men."

Argilac raised his hand to silence her. "My decision is final. Captain Thoren, gather three thousand knights. We leave tomorrow at first light. That's all for today."

"He is mad!" Elena declared angrily after Argilac left the throne room.

"War clouds are approaching," Aeolred sighed, "and dragons ride on top of them. The gods help us all."