Prince Daemon Targaryen

As he waited for the other members of the war council to enter the tent, Daemon had some time to think of what had occurred in the past few months. His thoughts first turned to his brother Viserys and their relationship. For a great deal of their childhood, Daemon had often felt somewhat insignificant compared to his brother, after his entire brother was a clever man, smart and charming, he also rode one of the elder Targaryen Dragons. He might not have been all that martially minded but he sure knew how to get people onside. Daemon as a child had been very shy and retiring, unsure of himself something that had certainly not been helped by his father constantly comparing him to Viserys and finding him lacking. As they had grown into manhood Daemon had pushed his attention into martial pursuits, pushing his body to the limits to become the best warrior that he possibly could. Viserys had put his mind into becoming a good politician, and Daemon had often heard their mother joke that they were to two halves of their uncle Aemon. Their rivalry had changed from one of malice into a friendly one, with them both coming to realise that they did truly care about one another, they were just too proud to accept the other as their better in anything. That was part of the reason why Daemon wished to become a Lord Paramount, as with Viserys as hand of the king, he was too high to really challenge right now. Something they had joked about before Daemon had left for the Stepstones. "Well at least you will get to win the glory you have always coveted brother." Viserys had said taking a sip of wine. "And this time it'll be in actual war and not some godsforsaken tourney. Perhaps this time you might be able to best young Gwayne Hightower."

Daemon had laughed at that and said. "Aye perhaps, though I still say the man was lucky to unhorse me. Riding a horse in heat completely unsportsman like. And what of you brother, what will you do now that I won't be here to cause you trouble?"

Viserys had become somewhat somber then and said. "Our uncle requires me to work more on dealing with Dorne and working to see the Sept of Remembrance made more inhabitable for the High Septon to come live here. I also need to keep an eye on Ser Otto Hightower and his daughter, they keep trying to make moves on the throne."

Daemon had nodded then and said. "And what of Aemma and Rhaenrya? Will they venture back from the Vale any time soon? Or is Aemma still mad at you for your little dalliance with the Hightower girl?"

Viserys grimaced then but took another drink and said simply. "She needs time to deal with certain things at home. Her brother is ailing and Lady Jeyne is not as old as she needs to be to be Lady in her own right. Besides it might do Rhaenrya some good to be away from King's Landing for some time, away from those airheads who wish to court her favour." His brother took another sip of wine and then asked. "And what of you brother? Once you and Caraxes have taken the Stepstones will you finally settle down and wed Alysanne?"

Daemon was silent for a moment as he thought about his betrothed, the only woman who had ever been able to keep his attention for more than a night. He took a sip of wine and said. "I shall see. I will need to establish myself on Bloodstone first before thinking of marriage. After all Alysanne deserves only the best."

Daemon not liking the way his thoughts were going, instead thought about the send off his uncle King Aemon had arranged for them all before they had set off. The sun had been shining brightly in the sky, and the people had been cheering. The troops led by Ser Harrold Westerling and Ser Erryk Cargyll of the Kingsguard had marched through the streets, and Daemon, Prince Aemon and Princess Rhaenys as well as Ser Laenor had flown in the sky on their dragons. Once the parade had made it to the docks where the Velaryon fleet and the Royal fleet had been docked, King Aemon had given a speech. "Today we send our men and dragon riders off to a distant land. They go to bring glory to themselves, to their families and most importantly to Westeros! They go to end the threat of tyranny and barbarians in the Stepstones. When they return they shall be greeted as heroes and saviours of true peace and prosperity. My people, let us celebrate them now and wish them luck by the seven that they may come home on swiftest wings. To victory!" The dragons had all roared at that, the loudest roar coming from the king's own mount Vhagar.

It had taken them a month to reach the outskirts of the Stepstones, in that time they had been joined by the Redwyne Fleet and more ships from the islands of the narrow sea had joined them. There was a general sense of anticipation and excitement about the camp, as this was the first time that many men were to be engaging in war, for those who like the Seasnake were old enough to remember the troubles that had been there during the Old King's early reign, this was their first taste of battle for some fifty years. The lords who had finally decided to come on this voyage included Lord Tygett Lannister and about 5,000 men from the Westerlands, Lord Boremund Baratheon and about 10,000 men from the Stormlands, Ser Harlan Tyrell and some 20,000 men from the Reach and roughly 10,000 men from the Crownlands. The north had sent no men nor were they expected to, what with there being a possible threat of wildling invasions. As the tent flap opened and the various lords and their second in commands walked in Daemon cleared his head, the last to enter were Prince Aemon and Princess Rhaenys both of whom looked slightly dishevelled, Daemon smirked at his cousins and then spoke. "Well now that we are all here, it should be fairly easy to discuss battle plans. We are about five miles away from nearing the ring of skulls. From there it is an easy five miles to Bloodstone. I would hear what you all believe would be the best time to attack?"

Ser Harlan a big man who blustered a lot spoke then. "Well my prince, I believe that seeing as it will be nightfall soon we should use the cover of darkness to our advantage and set torches to use to burn the ships of the Triarchy that will undoubtedly be at anchor at this time."

Lord Boremund spoke then his voice loud and clear. "A surprisingly good plan from you Tyrell. Yes I do believe that, that would be the best course of action. After all these are Essosi they are not use to the sea invasions at night that us Westerosi specialise in. And does your contact amongst the pirates believe that he can lead them away from Grey Gallows?"

Daemon smiled slightly and said. "Aye Saan is convinced that the triarchy will be too busy drinking and feasting on the other islands to be too concerned about Grey Gallows. Though they will have left that giant Orqo to guard the island with his savages."

The Lord of Storm's End merely laughed then and said. "That giant is an eastern save who will have no head for battle. We should be able to take him on fairly easily. Though of course with Princess Rhaenys and her dragon there to help us we should have no bother whatsoever claiming the island."

Princess Rhaenys spoke then her voice soft and calm, yet still somehow louder than the lapping of the waves. "Aye, that should be all well and good. Of course the naval battle will decide the outcome of it all. And besides Bloodstone shall be the key, will the force of Reachmen under your command be enough to best the forces that are there Daemon? After all our sources do say that the Triarchy have brought Pentos and Bravos into their mix, for this very conflict."

"They expect the Bravosi and the Pentoshi to be used during the battle in daylight my princess," Daemon said. "They will not expect to call upon their new allies in the dead of night. More than likely the Myrish will be drunk of their faces and the pirates under Saan can have them killed before they can move. SO that if the Lyseni and Tyroshi move towards the stone seat, then myself and Caraxes should be able to burn them to dust. With cover being provided by Ser Harlan and his reachmen of course."

Prince Aemon spoke then his voice soft as well. "Aye, once Bloodstone has been taken, the remaining Triarchy forces will try and force a push back onto the island. We must make it so that their ships are sunk and that their men are desolate. That is where you shall come in Ser Laenor. Burn their ships, or as many as you can and let us know when you have, so that we may all return and finish the job."

After that there was some more discussion, and so it was close to midnight before they all left the command ship of Corlys Velaryon, Daemon and his cousins for their dragons and the lords for their ships. Once atop Caraxes, Daemon drew Dark Sister and raised high in the air, the signal for the attack to begin. He heard the roars of Tessarion and Vermithor, and soon enough Caraxes and Meleys joined in, and then he was up in the air watching Caraxes burn the ships of the Triarchy down to smithereens, laughing as he watched. A sense of power and euphoria did seem to course through his body as he saw his dragon burn the enemy to dust. The screams of the men below who were dying in agony reached him through a fog after a while. Still he spurred Caraxes on and through the ridge of skulls they flew, as below a burning halo engulfed the ships of the Triarchy.

Through the ridge they passed and Caraxes continued breathing fire on those below who were foolish enough to fire arrows and scorpion bolts at them. There was a plate of fire below, and Daemon could hear the sound of the other dragons doing much the same on the other islands. Soon enough Bloodstone came into sight and Caraxes increased the pace and ferocity of his fire, burning through ships, wood, people no matter what it was that came into his way the bloodwyrm burned through it. The flag of the triarchy burned under Caraxes flames and as the Velaryon fleet landed and men came pouring of the ships, Daemon began allowing Caraxes to release bursts of fire in concentrated amounts. Men continued to die screaming, but this time it was due to a mixture of fire and the wounds of battle below. Daemon sheathed Dark Sister and drew forth a bow and arrow and from atop Caraxes unleashed a score of arrows that took out the archers on the walls of the Triarchy's fort.

Caraxes landed near the foot of the fort, and Daemon this time drew Dark Sister. Cutting through whatever men came in his way, Dark Sister was soon wet with blood, stained red, and the sand beneath his feet was running red. Daemon continued the push accompanied by Ser Arryk Cargyll, and soon enough found himself sat atop the seat of the leader of the Triarchy the man's body sprawled on the floor. Ser Harlan knelt before him sometime later and said the words Daemon had ached to hear for a year. "Bloodstone is yours, Your Grace."