68 AC (6th-12 Moon)
The middle months of the year 68 AC proved no less eventful than its beginning, as several major events occurred following the outbreak of war between the North and the Riverlords.
The first of these occurred on the 25th day of 6th Moon, when the Princess Lianna retired to the birthing bed. It was a difficult birth due to the size of the babe, but after several grueling hours a healthy babe would be delivered, a Prince whom would be named Jaerion, who would pass up his aunts to become third in line to the Iron Throne after his mother.
The princeling would quickly become known throughout the Red Keep not only for his voracious appetite but also his beaming smile, endearing himself to both the servants and the Royal Family alike, and even the Queen Laena is said to have been charmed by the little fellow
The next events of the year would be far less pleasant as the first battles in the war between the Starks and the Tullys would be fought. While the North had begun the war, it was an enormous region and would take months to marshal its full strength, unlike the Riverlands which were smaller and more easily traversed.
Because of this, it was the Tullys who would make the first move, marching north, with Andrey the Honorable, Lord Paramount of the Riverlands resolving to keep the fighting from taking place on his own lands.
The Neck and the crannogmen proved a formidable obstacle to this strategy, in order to march north and even think about assaulting Moat Cailin, any army marching north would need to traverse through the swamps of the neck, a difficult task in and of itself, even before considering guerilla raids by the crannogmen, the diminutive people who dwelled within the swamps. A further difficulty in securing this region was the fact that the strongholds and castles of the Crannogmen were located deep within the swamp, nearly impossible to find, with some claiming they moved on their own due to Crannog sorcery and floating islands.
While it would have been foolish for Andrey Tully to attempt to assault these hidden strongholds by force, he had an advantage no other invader had ever had….a dragon.
It would have been impossible to find the castles of the Crannogmen on foot, but on the back of a dragon it was a far more simple affair, and Daena Targaryen burned many crannog villages and castles on the back of the white dragon Moondancer, now almost 30 feet in length.
Fendun, Greywater Watch, Cray and the village of the Grey Dun were all attacked, with many dying due to the flames, while Andrey Tully had never explicitly ordered the killing of the smallfolk, he knew it was the only way to secure the Neck and did not interfere with his wifes sorties. With the Crannogmen retreating deep into the swamps, the Riverlanders were free to advance upon Moat Caillin, a formidable defensive point in the swamps consisting of several crumbling castles guarding the only approach through the swamps, a place where it was said 1 man was worth 10 invaders…..but these calculations had been made without factoring in dragonfire.
Andrey Tully ordered the assault of Moat Cailin on the first day of the 7th Moon of 68 AC, sending 6000 men of his 15,000 man host to attack the causeway whilst his wife Daena attacked from above with Moondancer…awaiting them was a small host of some 3000 Northmen under the command of Eddard Stark, eldest son of Lady Arya Stark, determined to hold the causeway.
While Moat Cailin had never before been captured, it was utterly vulnerable to attack from above, and Daena Targaryen made pass after pass above the 3 main towers, bathing its defenders in Dragonfire, preventing them from firing at the assaulting Tully Force and within the hour Moat Cailin was captured for the first time in its history.
Of the 3000 Northmen defenders, just 800 managed to escape, with the remainder being captured, killed or burnt, Eddard Stark, the heir to Winterfell managed to escape the battle, but suffered major burns to his face, courtesy of Moondancer. The Tullys lost just 250 men in the attack, many of them from drowning, but the way to the North was now clear.
Things were going poorly for the North, and they were only going to get worse due to another event in the 8th moon of the year.
Arya Stark, Lady of Winterfell and Wardeness of the North would be hosting several of her vassals in the great hall of Winterfell, seeing them off before they marched south with their levies.
Just minutes into the feast, Lady Stark began to clutch her neck and cough, her face turning black as she slumped face first into the table, gurgling out her final breaths, a spilled wine cup laying next to her, one of the dogs that roamed the great hall lapped up the spilled wine from the floor and died shortly after in sight of the horrified nobles in attendance, showing that the Lady Stark was without a doubt, poisoned
There was no shortage of suspects in the killing, the Lady Paramount had made many enemies due to her cruelty and ruthlessness in putting down revolts, the northern clans in particular had not forgotten the killing of Lord Flint and resented being put under the leadership of Aryas second son. The Umbers had cause to want the Lady of Winterfell dead as well, Lord Umber and his eldest son had both been beheaded, though the current Lord of Last Hearth was but a boy, making his direct involvement unlikely. There was the possibility that one of the Riverlords, perhaps the Freys, had ordered it.
There were whisperings of another possibility, though mostly confined to the Red Keep and wisely spoken in hushed tones. It was often said that poison was a woman's weapon, and rumors circulated that while the continuation of the war between Stark and Tully was not necessarily something the Queen bemoaned….it was clear that whatever raven had arrived from Winterfell had infuriated the Queen.
Despite these rumors and many possible suspects, the true killer or killers or Lady Stark would never be found, and the North would be inherited by her eldest son Eddard, who seemed poised to continue his mothers war, though there was a short reprieve in the fighting.
Later in the year, trouble once again emerged in the crown's frontier territories in the Stepstones, which had largely been quiet for many years.
A pirate fleet from the Skulls, chief stronghold of the Mahallador pirate family landed on the island of Nerissa, burning several fishing settlements and forcing Lord Elesham to withdraw to the safety of his small castle while the pirates ran amok through the island. The captain of these pirates was the infamous Jade Islander Malak Bloodax, who had fought against the Prince Vaekar during his scouring of the Stepstones almost 20 years prior, his men being responsible for the death of the Kingsguard Ser Rodrick Mooton.
It must be said that Queen Laena was not one that was averse to the shedding of her own peoples blood, with the Queen making few genuine efforts to interfere in the numerous bloody conflicts that arose during her reign, but this was different, foreign invaders had landed within her kingdom, and they must be taught a lesson.
It was because of this anger, as well as the Princess Liannas urging that something must be done that Laena for one of the few times to this point in her reign personally took action, flying to the Stepstones on the back of Vhagar to take command of a small force of 500 men and repel the raiding party.
Unlike the previous campaign her brother had led, in which the pirates had come to reave and pillage with over 2000 men and dozens of galleys, this was a much smaller force, with the pirates numbering fewer than 800 men.
Upon the terrifying sight of Vhagar, the pirates lost all notions of resistance and fled for their ships, Laena burned a few of the slower ones but otherwise allowed them to flee, not wishing to spend days hunting them all down.
Following this short confrontation, a rather familiar character appears one final time within the histories. Malak Bloodax, the famed pirate captain who had evaded her brother all those years ago was not so fortunate this time. Unable to make it back to his ship, Malak Bloodax cowered in one of the many coastal caves that dotted the Stepstones with a small force of loyal men,
As it turned out these men were not so loyal afterall, it is often said there is no honor among thieves, a sentiment apparently shared amongst Malak Bloodaxes men. Capturing their captain, and no doubt hoping to trade him for safe passage off of the island, they approached Queen Laenas camp just on the day she was to depart.
The Queen was of course pleased to come into possession of such an unexpected prisoner, rewarding the men accordingly, promising them a galley to sail wherever they wished, though upon arriving to their promised ship, they were rather predictably slaughtered by Laenas men upon her orders.
As for Malak Bloodax, that old pirate would be spared the hangman's rope and the headsman's ax for the Queen had something special planned for him. Gathering the populace of Nerissa onto the beach, Laena mounted Vhagar and commanded her dragon to devour the unfortunate man alive, which the dragon did without much complaint and in terrifying fashion, a clear example to the fisherfolk of the Stepstones as to the fate of pirates.
Unbeknownst to the Queen however, individuals posing a threat larger than a couple hundred pirates had used her absence to their advantage to gather and plot amongst themselves, leading to what has since been known as the Council of the 3 Dragons.
1st Moon, 69 AC
Castle of Highgarden, the Reach
Alyssane Targaryen gave her sister Cymella a searching look as she helped herself to to the remnants of the feast, spooning out the last of the apple pie from the trencher, she saw her brother Vaekar was giving a similar look to his twin, fidgeting with the amulet to the Father above around his neck, as the three siblings sat at the table in front of the feast.
The last of the dishes had been served however, the small talk had run its course, and the last of the wine had been drunk….now the true purpose of their gathering would begin.
Alyssane stood from her chair and clapped her hands, the servants descending upon the feast like a swarm of ants, clearing the table and dishes with haste, following which they cleared the room.
''I believe it is time we began.'' Alyssane began but Vaekar rose to his feet, raising a hand.
''A moment Alyssane….'' Vaekar said, before turning to their sister Cymella, who was pouring herself a cup of wine.
''What are you doing here Cymella…..the truth now.'' Her younger brother demanded.
''I am here to enjoy the company of my beloved siblings of course….one of them at least….tell me, am I unwelcome.'' Cymella said, her face growing red and she rose from her seat to face her twin.
''Vaekar….Cymella, enough…..please be seated….we have enough problems without bickering amongst ourselves.'' Alyssane said tiredly, as the oldest sibling and the host of this meeting she knew she would have to play the role of peacekeeper between her two younger siblings at some point, but she had not expected to have to step in so soon.
Both of them looked at Alyssane and slowly returned to their seats, though Cymella continued to glare at her twin.
Despite her brothers rather blunt questioning, his motives were not unreasonable, and Alyssane also harbored some suspicion of her sisters motives, she had originally invited only her brother to Highgarden, but as Lady of Storm's End her sister had somehow gotten word of the meeting and sent a raven informing Alyssane that she would join them.
''Sister…..you were always an intelligent girl…and you have grown into an intelligent woman…Vaekar may have perhaps been…too forward in his questioning and I am sure he regrets that…but you are smart enough to understand our reservations…you have…'' Alyssane began before stopping rather nervously, looking around her for any prying ears.
''You have stood at Laenas side from the beginning….through every murder, every plot, I have no doubt you played a role in the spreading of the foul rumors that surround me as well…..and you expect us to trust you, showing up without even being invited….for all we know she sent you here as her spy…to be her eyes and ears.'' Vaekar finished accusingly.
''Laena doesnt even know about your meeting, she is in the Stepstones as you no doubt know…..I am no ones spy, and certainly not hers….spare me your accusations.'' Cymella responded.
''You can surely understand our hesitation Cymella.'' Alyssane said gently.
''I ask again….what are you doing here.'' Vaekar asked.
Cymella was quiet for a moment before responding ''Because Laena is an evil scheming bitch and I want her dead.''
A silence ran through the hall, and Alyssane paled somewhat.
''You be careful with that Cymella….even in my own hall you be careful with that.'' Alyssane said, her voice barely over a whisper.
Giving her younger brother a look she saw he was clearly not convinced ''Aye…an evil scheming bitch…that has had you along for every scheme doubt, including those men sent to capture me…and you expect us to have forgotten you betrothed your boy Boros to her daughter…and you expect us to trust you?''
''The girl is not yet of age….and we can turn her against her mother in time….and what do you mean men sent to capture you?'' Cymella asked, clearly on the defensive.
Vaekar scoffed ''Some years ago a group of cutthroats were sent to Dragonstone to capture me…you were well aligned with Laena at the time, do not feign ignorance….if I were to be taken I know well what would have awaited me, some dark cell under the Red Keep and the torturers blade,but by the fathers justice I drove them off.''
''Brother…..you must believe me, I had no idea…I…I never would have agreed to it if I had known….I have scarce been in the capitol since before 63 AC when I left for Storms End to give birth to my daughter….I never wished any of you harm, you must believe me.'' Cymella said, almost desperately.
Alyssane saw a flash of doubt pass through her brothers eyes at that, 63 AC had been the year the cutthroats had attempted to abduct him, and she had to admit it seemed unlikely Cymella had been in the capitol at the time, it was common knowledge she had left for Storms End to give birth to her daughter at the time.
''Cymella…..as your sister I wish to believe you, I truly do….but you cannot deny you have stood by Laenas side since the start, since even before she ascended the throne….what changed, why the sudden hatred of her?'' Alyssane asked, trying to keep her voice gentle.
''She lied to me…played me for a fool…..she claimed my lover met his end by a cuckolded wealthy tradesman in Stags Den….that he was disloyal to me.'' Cymella explained after a short pause.
Alyssane wrinkled her nose at her sister's mentions of her indiscretions and sins, she had heard rumors of the circumstances of her niece Marena's birth, that the girl could not have possibly been sired by Raymont Baratheon.
''And you believed her?'' Vaekar asked.
''I did….until some time ago….I questioned every wealthy merchant in Stags Den…..they all denied even knowing of Gareth, much less ordering his death…it would have been impossible for them to be lying.'' Cymella answered.
''How so?'' Alyssane asked.
''Because they were questioned…..sharply.'' Cymella said, crossing her arms.
''Give us a reason why we shouldn't send you away…after everything.'' Vaekar asked.
''I can give you information.'' She said simply.
''Such as?'' Alyssane asked.
''Your husband Aumary didn't kill Raymont Baratheon….Laena did, and I believe she was responsible for Aumary's death as well.'' Cymella said.
The mention of her late husband's name sent a stab of grief through Alyssanes chest, even years after his death she still mourned him by wearing black and lighting a candle in his memory every single day.
''Anyone that knew Aumary would have known he would never have been capable of that…..I always knew it was her,'' Alyssane said, her voice scarcely above a whisper.
''Of course it was Laena….we already knew this, who else would benefit from the deaths of two Lord Paramounts other than her….unless you have proof this ''information'' is worthless to us….do you have it?'' Vaekar asked.
''No proof but my word…but she all but told me Raymont would be killed soon, promised me really and….Alyssane….she was responsible for the false witness against your husband.'' Cymella said hesitantly.
Alyssane looked towards her younger sister ''Was it your doing as well?''
''No sister….but, I…I knew of it…..I have made mistakes, terrible mistakes in supporting her…I know it….but I am here now, with my family, to make things right…..the three of us together, we can beat her…and you will need me.'' Cymella said, pleadingly.
After a long silence, Alyssane gave a slight nod.
''I have answered all of your questions….now I have some of my own.'' Cymella said.
''Very well.'' Alyssane said, suddenly exhausted from the weight of the previous conversation.
''What is the purpose of this meeting…what is your plan?'' Cymella asked.
Vaekar was silent at that, leaving Alyssane to explain.
''We are gathered to discuss my claim to the Iron Throne, and how best to depose Laena.'' Alyssane said curtly.
Cymella audibly laughed ''Now it is my turn to ask what you are doing here Vaekar…out of all the things I would expect of you, supporting another's claim over your own…..''
''I have my reasons.'' Vaekar said simply.
''In exchange for Vaekars support of my claim, I have promised to make him my Hand of the Queen, and name him Lord Paramount of Dragonstone, Lords Massey, Celtigar, and Velaryon will all swear him fealty, he will become one of the most powerful Lords of the Realm.'' Alyssane explained.
''And how did you come to this conclusion….I must say sister, I never thought the Iron Throne was something you truly wished for, Laena assumed it was all your husbands doing….she underestimated you it seems.'' Cymella mused.
''I am the best candidate…..I have a son, the lord's will never rally to a cause without an heir apparent…..and Highgarden is with me…..my eldest daughter Patrice wed one of Amaurys brothers…my sons kin will remain loyal.'' Alyssane explained.
''And the Reach?'' Cymella asked.
''I cannot count on their support, not after the trial…after….after their betrayal of Aumary….but doubtless some lords of the Reach will remain loyal to their rightful liege, and Highgarden alone can raise some 600 knights, 1800 freeriders and 3700 men at arms….not to mention the peasant levies and the surrounding castles, I am hardly alone.'' Alyssane explained.
She gave a look to her brother Vaekar, who had said nothing during the whole exchange.
She knew it had been hard for him to abandon his ambitions for the Throne, but the Lords of the realm would never rally to his cause, he had no heir, and furthermore Laena had sullied his reputation most severely…. becoming Lord Paramount of Dragonstone and hand of the King would be a steep rise in station for him, and one she hoped would sate his ambition.
She had always been close with her younger brother, she remembered well as a child she had helped him learn to read, sitting beside him in his chambers and reading the seven pointed star together. This bond had continued in later years, even after she had left the capitol for Highgarden she had stayed in contact with him, and when their sister had imprisoned him at the beginning of her reign she had put aside her fear and wrote a stern letter, advocating on his behalf, and they had continued regular communications even since then, winning his support to her claim was a large boon, with him came the royal fleet of Dragonstone and the experience to make full use of it.
Her brother was alone in a sea of enemies and Alyssane was determined to protect him, as was the duty of an older sister, and it was not possible for such a thing so long as her sister was Queen, her brother was living on borrowed time.
The thought of her older sister perturbed Alyssane more than she cared to admit, simply put her sister was absolutely terrifying and there were days that she thought it madness to even consider opposing her, in the end it was only her faith that fortified her, Vaekars presence as a seasoned warrior also provided some reassurance.
No woman can escape the fathers justice Alyssane reminded herself.
''You mentioned you have other allies?'' Cymella asked.
Alyssane was silent at that, as was her younger brother.
''In time you may become acquainted with some of them, perhaps as soon as today…..that is all I will say on the matter.'' Alyssane said finally.
''You still don't trust me.'' Cymella said….it was not a question.
''Trust takes time to nurture Cymella.'' Alyssane said, careful not to make her sister any more angry than she already was.
''If you want trust you have to earn it…..to prove it….delivering your son Boros and the Stormlords to our cause would be a good start.'' Vaekar said, giving his twin a look.
Cymella nodded her head slowly '''Boros is only a boy…he will listen to my council…I could bring him to your side…if I cared too.''
''If you cared too…..if you truly do despise our sister you would agree to such a thing without condition.'' Vaekar scoffed.
''Aligning with you puts my sons betrothal into question….I must have another match, one that ties myself and the Stormlands to your claim.'' Cymella said defensively and a silence fell over the room.
''You want my son, who may one day sit the Throne, to be betrothed your bastard?'' Alyssane asked, for the first time, her veil of politeness being pierced by her sisters insolence.
''My ''bastard'' has a name….her name is Marena, and the blood of the dragon runs just as thick through her veins as your sons….I have promised you my support…but if you want my son then this is the cost.'' Her sister said hotly.
Alyssane was silent, she did not wish to corrupt her son or his line with the stain of bastardry…but she needed more allies to face her sister, the thought of 20,000 more swords and spears would be a great comfort.
She looked towards Vaekar, who must surely have similar reservations about the sin of bastardry, but he remained silent, his hand on the ruby pommel of Blackfyre.
''Agreed.'' Alyssane said, the words sticking in her throat…such a match was a humiliation but she needed all the men she could get.
''Good, it is settled then, I had best start looking for another match for Boros, win us more allies.'' Cymella said, appeased.
''That may not be necessary.'' Vaekar said before explaining ''In order to beat our sister we must think like her….I believe she won't cancel the betrothal…it won't take her long to learn of this meeting when she returns, and of your presence….she won't cancel the betrothal and leave us free to create another alliance through your son…most like she will force it to continue, and hope our niece can turn Boros against us and align him with the throne.''
Cymella scoffed ''I know Daeoril….the girl is quiet and meek, if she thinks Boros will listen to her over me….''
''You know the child….the woman may become someone else entirely…but it will be years until such a marriage comes to fruition, enough time to fortify your son's loyalty to our cause.'' Vaekar said.
''Years.'' Cymella began puzzled ''We should begin preparations to take Kings Landing now, before Laena can defend against our alliance, strike Kings Landing while she is in the Stepstones.''
Alyssane looked at Cymella with shock ''Are you mad…..even if we somehow were to take Kings Landing before our sister returns we would still have to contend with Jaekar on Oathwing, and Vaella on Narrah….Oathwing is over twenty feet and Narrah nearly 40.''
''Your dragon Severax is large enough to ride into battle…..it would be difficult but you could account for Oathwing…and our siege weapons could deal with Narrah.'' Cymella pointed out.
Alyssane was silent at that…she had never been an avid flyer of her red dragon Severax, she was not an especially bold woman and to be hundreds of feet off the ground….all while fighting another dragon…
Vaekar saved her from having to shame herself personally ''The gods have not made our sister a warrior, and furthermore Oathwing is faster than Severax…it wouldn't be a fair fight, and that's against the smallest dragon our sister can muster to her cause, any plan to take Kings Landing believing Vhagar would be absent is a foolish one.''
''If we dont march now it will give our sister time to plan…I know her, we need to move against her before she can put a plan into place, anything can happen in a battle…all it takes is one well placed arrow…one well placed scorpion and..'' Cymella began.
''This is not a fight we can win now….she will make her plans…but we won't sit idly by either, it will give time for my dragon Andalax and your dragon Vaedar to grow large enough to ride into battle, both are under 10 feet now….and if we wait until Ellard is older the Lords of the Reach may join us, many of the lords that betrayed Aumary are old….furthermore we cannot march now as our greatest ally is…indisposed.'' Vaekar explained.
''We cannot move too early Cymella…one false move…one false step….and we are all dead….it is said she fed some pirate alive to her dragon Vhagar….that is what awaits us if we fail, my son, your son…we cannot make a false move.'' Alyssane said, the words spilling out from her mouth.
''Then what is our plan?'' Cymella asked.
''We wait, find more allies, allow our dragons to grow, I am outfitting several of my galleys with scorpions to counter her dragons, we have Highgarden…we use this time to win more support from the Lords of the Reach, as Ellard grows more and more will flock to his banner, and by extension…our sister…..when the time is right we march on Kings Landing, with 40,000 men from the Reach, 30,000 from the North and 10,000 crownlanders, 80,000 men surrounding King's Landing by land while 120 galleys surround it by sea, in addition to both our dragons.'' Vaekar said.
''Our sister is not a fool….when she sees we have gathered such a powerful host she will know she has no hope of victory…..her daughter and husband will council her to surrender the city.'' Alyssane said, forcing herself to speak with confidence.
''You mentioned the North?'' Cymella asked.
''Lord Eddard Stark has pledged his loyalty to my cause…..his men are mine.'' Alyssane said with a nod.
''How did you manage that?'' Cymella asked.
''I promised the man that following our victory I would grant the North its independence….and that he could rule as King of the North.'' Alyssane said, in truth she did not like the idea of giving away such a large swathe of her future kingdom, but she needed the Northerners if she was to have any hope of defeating her sister.
''I would have preferred to march now…but there are some merits to waiting I suppose…I will follow your lead, but I want one more thing in return.'' Cymella said.
''Go on then.'' Vaekar gestured.
''When it's over…..if she decides to fight rather than surrender and is captured….I want to be the one to kill her.'' Cymella said nonchalantly.
Alyssane looked at her sister with shock and touched the seven pointed star necklace upon her neck.
Collecting herself, she shook her head ''I understand the temptation…but I will not begin my reign by having my own blood put to death, no matter her sins.''
''No man or woman is as accursed as the kinslayer.'' Vaekar said with a nod.
''She wouldn't hesitate if it were us, you know it's true, if we lose this fight she will kill us.'' Cymella said.
''One does not fight evil with evil Cymella, the fathers justice will see our sister pay for her sins….but I will not have her killed….that is my decision and it is final.'' Alyssane said sternly, she was willing to overlook the fact that her sister Cymella was hardly a pious ally, but she would not be led astray by her sister's lack of morals.
''What do you suppose be done with her then?'' Cymella demanded.
''If our sister survives what is to come, I shall allow her to take her vows as a silent sister, though I will order her tongue removed so that she can not tempt others with sinful suggestions or ambitions….Lord Stark has agreed that he shall find a place for her in Moles Town, a filthy little town just south of the wall….she shall prepare the bodies of fallen members of the Night's Watch for the rest of her days, in quiet reflection and atonement….as far away from the capitol as possible.'' Alyssane answered.
''We can hammer out the specifics when it is done….we have many years until Ellard is old enough to win us more support…..before we can decide what is to be done with Laena we must first depose her, and it will be no easy task to accomplish…I promise you that.'' Vaekar cautioned.
Suddenly a messenger walked into the hall, causing the three siblings to grow silent, the man walked over to Alyssane and whispered in his here.
''What is it?'' Cymella asked.
''You expressed an interest in meeting some of our allies I believe….'' Alyssane said before ordering her servants to admit the visitor to the hall.
Shortly after, a man walked into the hall. Wearing a wolfskin cloak, bald and with a short dark brown beard he had a rather plain looking face, except for the charred and burned flesh which covered half of his face….the work of dragonfire.
''Lord Stark….I am glad to see you have made it…the seas treated you well?'' Alyssane said courteously as the man walked in.
''Aye….well enough….we made fast time from the Flint Cliffs, but even so I cannot stay long.'' The northman answered before looking to her brother.
''Prince Vaekar.'' The man nodded a greeting before his eyes shifted to Cymella with surprise.
''Our sister…the Princess Cymella, lady of Storm's End…she has pledged her support to my cause.'' Alyssane explained.
''Our cause you mean.'' The man said before sitting down.
''You mentioned you cannot stay long?'' Vaekar asked rather suspiciously.
''Aye….after our business is concluded I must sail back to the Flint Cliffs and rejoin my hosts which are mustering at Winterfell, I mean to push south towards Whitford and then Moat Caillin, and drive the Tullys south.'' The man said.
''Is that wise my lord…..I was under the impression you would be seeking an end to the fighting, your mother hoped for a quick victory.'' Alyssane said, doing her best to conceal her worry, she did not want her greatest ally grinding his forces to mincemeat against the Tullys, not when every northerner would be needed to depose her sister in the future.
''Honor compels me to continue the war until I can secure either victory or favorable terms for my people…I would have to make significant concessions to end the war now….if I am to be King of the North it cannot be said I surrendered whilst Moat Caillin was in the hands of foreigners…at the very least it must be retaken..'' Lord Stark explained.
''I understand your hesitation…but it may not be realistic my Lord…..you are already familiar with my cousin Daenas dragon Moondancer….it is no easy thing to kill a dragon…your men will suffer greatly if you meet the Tullys in the field again.'' Vaekar cautioned.
Eddard Stark looked surprised at that ''You have not heard?''
''Heard what?'' Vaekar demanded.
''My scouts report your cousins beast lays dying…or at the very least wounded….many of my Crannogmen fired arrows at it at Moat Caillin.'' He replied.
''Arrows cannot slay a dragon.'' Cymella scoffed.
''My crannogmen coat their arrows in poison, from materials only found in the neck….little honor in using such tactics against men…but when facing a dragon such rules hardly apply.'' The Lord of Winterfell said.
''Even still…..continuing the war, you could lose thousands of men, men that could be needed later….every man is important Lord Stark.'' Alyssane said.
''I saw hundreds of my men burn alive at Moat Caillin…if I relent now they will have died for nothing…and that would make the memory of their screams all the more haunting.''The man said, surprisingly somber for a northman.
Alyssane was struggling to think out an argument to convince him to preserve his men for the future but surprisingly her brother spoke.
''Lord Stark is right…..he should continue the war, if it does come to conflict with our sister then we cannot count on the Riverlands remaining neutral, Daena is Jaekars brother after all…..if they were to strike their banners for our sister, holding the Twins could allow them time to hold off Lord Stark's host while they raise their own banners, ruining the element of surprise and bogging down half of our forces at the Twins.'' Vaekar said before continuing, looking to Lord Stark.
''It would be best for you to take the Twins now, bring the Freys to your domain, they can raise some 5000 men, many of them knights and heavy horse which we will need if it comes to conflict with our sister…..you may lose many men in this campaign but their levies will replenish them...and it will be years before we make our move.'' he finished.
The young lord stroked his beard ''Any advice for me…you've seen your share of battles.''
''It will be anything but easy but your strategy is sound…push south to Whitford, if you can win a decisive battle there they will be forced to retreat south through the neck, many will be captured due to the frantic retreat through the swamp, destroying the main part of the Tully forces…the fortifications at the Twins are among the strongest in the realm but the garrison will be weakened and demoralized….with the main Tully army destroyed you can surround them and siege them to submission.'' Vaekar said.
Lord Stark nodded ''It will come down to beating them at Whitford then….a solid plan.''
Alyssane nodded ''I believe we have spoken enough for one day….we shall speak more tomorrow Lord Stark.''
The Northman rose ''Aye…I have had a long trip…but I wish to make one more thing clear that I did not when I offered you my support against your sister.''
''Speak your mind my lord.'' Alyssane said.
''As I have said, I will see your sister is taken in by the silent sisters that serve the Night's Watch should she survive what is to come….though you should just take her head and be done with it if you ask me.'' He began.
''I have made my decision.'' Alyssane said curtly, not willing to entertain the idea any further.
''Aye…and it's yours to make….but nothing happens to the Princess Lianna, send her across the narrow sea if you like, but she deserves better than exile with such a grim and gloomy order.'' He said.
Alyssane nodded slowly, she knew her northern ally had grown quite friendly with her niece after she visited Winterfell during one of her diplomatic missions ''She will be treated fairly….she is not to blame for her mothers sins….when we prevail she will be permitted to sail wherever she wishes with her husband and son, provided it is not within my kingdom.''
Lord Stark grunted his assent and withdrew, appeased, as did Vaekar and Cymella, the long meeting at its end.
When they had left, Alyssane withdrew her hands from below the table, holding one in front of her, watching it shake lightly, the enormity of what she was plotting fully hitting her,she was grateful not for the first time that it would be years before she would have to oppose her sister.
The seven will give me courage when it is time Alyssane reminded herself and left the chambers to light a candle for her late husband Aumary.
Two Weeks Later
Queen Laenas Chambers, The Red Keep
It was past well midnight by the time Laena returned to Kings Landing from her campaign in the Stepstones, flying over the city on the dragon Vhagar among the stars reminded her of her first flight after claiming the dragon when she had been but a girl, the action that had finally convinced her father to name her his heir.
Below her the city seemed silent though she could see lights emanating from taverns and brothels below, and see small crowds forming in the darkened streets to watch her flight, though she could hear nothing over the cold wind from the blackwater rushing at her face as the huge dragon ponderously flew towards the Dragonpit.
She had traveled most of the way across the narrow sea on ship, but had mounted Vhagar when they approached the city, she was bone tired and wanted to sleep in her own bed tonight.
She landed the dragon with a huge thud in front of the Dragonpit, where some dragon keepers commanded and ushered the dragon towards the gargantuan entrance to its enclosure, the dragon left reluctantly with heavy footfalls that shook the cobble walkway, and not before giving a fearsome roar which echoed and boomed across the night.
Laena shivered, waiting impatiently for her litter to arrive, and soon after it and her escort arrived, some twenty dragon cloaks led by Ser Androw Hollard of the Kingsguard.
''You certainly took your time in getting here.'' The Queen said with annoyance and entered her litter.
Even with the streets being largely empty it was not a quick trip, Kings Landing had grown quite large and was growing every year, though eventually they reached the Red Keep.
Laena went straight to her chambers, immediately snuffing out the candles that had been lit and laying in the bed, the hearth crackling softly, she had been sleeping in a tent for the entire campaign, a luxurious tent to be sure but a tent all the same…sleep swiftly came
Her comfort was not to last for long however, it seemed she had just closed her eyes when there was a knock on the door and her daughter Vaella walked in, admitted by the Kingsguard on duty.
''This cannot wait until morning?'' Laena asked with annoyance.
''H…hello to you t..too mother.'' Her daughter said, sitting on a chair and putting her feet up on the table by the roaring hearth.
''You would have received a much warmer greeting if you had waited until breakfast….can this not wait Vaella…I have had a long trip.'' Laena said cooly.
''I'm afraid n..not….y..you had best h..hear of it now.'' Vaella responded, gesturing her over.
Laena sighed and pulled a shawl over her shoulders and joined her daughter in a chair, stifling a yawn as she accepted the small parchment from her daughter.
She began to read it, the anger rising inside of her, she stood by the fire and read it again before crushing it in her hand and throwing it in the fire.
''All of them?'' She asked softly, looking into the flames.
''Yes….Alyssane, Vaekar, C…Cymella…..my man reports even Lord S..Stark was in attendance…..clearly plotting some..something.'' Her daughter responded.
''I suppose I should not have been surprised by Alyssane and Vaekar…they have always been bonded by their incessant rambling about the gods.'' Laena said before pausing.
''And Cymella?'' Her daughter questioned.
''After everything I have done for her….I have protected her….defended her…killed for her sake even…and she repays me with betrayal….with treachery.'' Laena said venomously.
Vaella said nothing, letting her mother rant.
''And Vaekar….I spared his miserable life…I had him in a prison, and had every reason to take his head…but for the sake of the blood we share…the sake of my father and mother I spared him….he was my younger brother after all…..and yet he continues to plot against me.'' Laena said fiercely.
''I will suffer it no more…..I will suffer none of it…NO MORE'' She seethed before looking at her daughter.
''I will do what I should have done years ago….first I want that sterile fool Vaekar dead…then that WHORE Cymella…..and lastly my cow of a sister Alyssane…and her son should he prove to be any trouble…I want them all dead…is that understood….I want it done quickly and quietly.'' Laena said, her voice rising almost to a shout at the end.
Most others would have been terrified by such a ferocious command, or at the least perturbed, but Vaella only shrugged.
''Better late th…than n..never I s..suppose….i'll make the preparations.'' Her daughter replied.
Laena took a breath, attempting to calm herself slightly ''One more thing Vaella….if my sister has rallied the North and Highgarden to her cause, we need to increase our own power, we need more dragons.''
One only needed to look east to find them.