98 AC (1st - 3rd Moon)
And so in the first month of the year 98 AC it came into history that Laena Targaryen, commonly known today as the Queen of Skulls, Sovereign of the Seven Kingdoms for 37 years rather uncerimoniously abdicated the throne to her grandson Jaerion Targaryen, the Prince of Dragonstone.
Following the Queen's rather surprising abdication of the throne things moved swiftly.
For the first time, rather than making the trip to Oldtown to be coronated in the Starry Sept, the High Septon was summoned to King's Landing to perform the coronation ceremony in the Red Keep itself, which he aged most devout did, albeit reluctantly and with some anger….this was a clear show of power by the new King showing Targaryen rule extended even to the faith.
And so it was that Jaerion was crowned King Jaerion Targaryen, first of his name and King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men. Shortly after the coronation, the new King held court to receive oaths of fealty and allegiance from his vassals and new court.
3rd Moon, 98 AC
Throne Room of the Red Keep, Kings Landing
Aemorys stood at attention at the foot of the throne dressed in the white armor of the Kingsguard and a long white cloak, wearing a full helmet despite the heat of the day which could be felt even from inside the massive throne room.
His sworn brother Ser Edmure Darry was the last of them to approach the throne, swearing loyalty to the new King and to defend his family and royal person, pledging to give his own life if necessary.
They had been at it for much of the morning, as his brother was holding court for the first time since their grandmother's abdication and his coronation.
There had been many oaths of fealty and appointments, their father Ronnal was reappointed to his old command of the Dragon Cloaks, the Red Keeps castle guard, Ellard Tyrell was named Marshal of the Realm while Ralph Massey, his brother's former bannerman was made master of ships and made the guardian of Prince Valerion, Jaerions second son.
There were many other matters settled, Jaerion, while appreciative of Yohn Redforts prowess as a warrior, wanted his ''own'' people on the council and dismissed the man who had served as their grandmothers hand, appointing Aegon Bar Emmon in his stead, one of his old hunting buddies and another former vassal sworn to Dragonstone. The man was not unfit for the job however, while young he was well liked and competent in administration.
They had just concluded the swearing of oaths of the Kingsguard, who had all been confirmed, led by Aemorys who had knelt and sworn his sword to his brother.
Now it was time for the rest of the court and councilors to swear their loyalty, with their aunt Larissa swearing her loyalty and accepting a spot on Jaerions small council, with Jaerion also allowing all three of their aunts to keep their suites and residence within the Red Keep, Jaehara and Vaella swore their loyalty soon after, with Jaerion allowing Vaella to retain her position as spymaster due to her vast network of spies….a mistake in Aemorys's eyes but it was not for him to question his brothers decisions.
With their aunts' oaths of fealty secured, Jaerion searched the crowd, a smile on his face.
''It seems to me that not all my loyal relatives have sworn fealty as of yet…..cousin Aenys!….Don't think I cant see you skulking at the back of the crowd….approach the throne and swear fealty to your King.''
Aemorys watched as his cousin approached the throne wordlessly, a blank stare on his face.
''My sword is yours…your grace.'' Aenys grumbled, adding the last honorific with reluctance.
''I have plenty of skilled swordsman sworn to me cousin….I fear I would have little use for your ''talents'' or your sword…it's your loyalty I need,,,,and pledges of loyalty and submission are best sworn from ones knees wouldn't you agree?'' Jaerion asked with a slight smirk, Aemorys could tell his older brother was enjoying this.
Aenys made no immediate move to submit, and Aemorys saw his cousin tensing up, a somewhat defiant glower evident in his face as he stood before his rival and King.
Aemorys saw his brother was still smiling, but his eyes, normally cheerful, had darkened somewhat, he saw his aunt Jaehara nervously wringing her hands as she watched her son.
Aemorys caught his cousin's eyes with a subtle glance and shook his head slightly, whatever defiance his cousin was playing at was futile and risked any chance of a future he had in the capitol, Jaerion could be petty to those he felt had wronged him but was generally a charitable man, even to those he disliked, but openly defying him was something the King would not abide.
After a few more seconds of dead silence in the hall, Aenys cleared his throat and slowly went to his knees, bowed his head, and recited the oaths of fealty.
Jaerion let him kneel for a couple more moments before beckoning him to his feet ''Good…good, that wasn't so hard was it? We have always had our differences you and I…but you are a Targaryen at the very least….partly anyways…..In recognition for your submission and loyalty I am naming you the King's Justice and giving you control of the castle dungeons where you may serve the realm and your king and we can stay out of eachothers way.''
Aenys mumbled his thanks and withdrew back into the crowd.
The light in Jaerions eyes returned as he looked through the crowd once again ''Lord Tyrell, step forward my friend.''
The Lord of Highgarden did as he was bid, wearing magnificent green and gold enamel armor with a gold stitched cloak, still looking every bit the proud lord and marshal despite his cancer.
''In honor of your support in my ascension, I declare in the sight of this court that I shall grant your son the honor of marrying my dear sister Jaenyra, loathe as I am to see her go, we shall celebrate the nuptials with a great feast before sending her off to Highgarden…all in this court shall be invited.'' Jaerion declared and a round of applause and cheers of congratulations rang through the hall. Ellard Tyrell bowed his head stiffly and returned to the crowd.
Aemorys had been surprised by little that had occurred up into this point, he had been expecting Jaerions rather petty display of power over Aenys and him to reward his former vassals and hunting buddies, but he had heard nothing of this.
He quickly found his younger sister within the crowd, who had a strange look on her face as she accepted congratulations from the ladies around her, though the look in her eyes did not match the rather tight smile on her lips.
As it appeared that court was adjourned for the day, Aemorys made his way towards Jaenyra, waiting for the crowd around her to thin before approaching her.
''Did you know about this?'' He asked her gently, taking her by the shoulders to the corner of the throne room and away from the mingling court so that they might talk undisturbed.
His sister shook her head ''I didnt know…..he didnt even tell me before.''
''I am…sorry…..you deserved better than that.'' Aemorys said, a rare flash of anger stirring inside of him due to his brothers callousness, he had always been close with his younger sister, really the only member of their family to look after her after their mother had died as their father's duties in the Red Keep kept him busy and Jaerion was gone during her childhood more often than not, and ignored her when he was present, preferring to spend his time with his drinking and hunting bodies as opposed to a young girl.
''I have heard good things about Norman Tyrell, they say he is brave and sits a horse well, hardworking and charitable…I am sure you will be happy.'' Aemorys said, hoping to comfort his sister who clearly was upset.
''Its…its not that…I…its just that…..it was stupid but I had always hoped….'' She began before trailing off, looking embarrassed.
Aemorys understood.
He gently took her hands in his ''I am a knight of the Kingsguard Jaenyra…..''
''I know….I've always known but….it was always nice to dream.'' She said simply.
''We both must do our duty….but I will speak with him, you deserved to be consulted…if you would prefer to arrange another match perhaps there is still time….I know you are close with Ser Eustace Middlebury.''
Jaenyra shook her head sadly ''I wouldnt count on it….you know how he is, and besides he has announced the betrothal in sight of the entire court, to break it would be a grave insult to Lord Tyrell….it is as you said….I will do my duty.''
Seeing there was nothing else he could do to comfort her he kissed her upon the cheek and returned to the court.
No sooner had he entered the massive throne room then he heard someone calling his name.
''Ah Aemorys…there you are!'' His brother said, clapping a noble on the back and disengaging himself from the conversation.
''Your Grace.'' Aemorys answered, somewhat curtly as he was still slightly annoyed on how his brother had handled the matter of their sister's betrothal.
''Your Grace…always so formal Aemorys…or should I say ''Lord Commander''...walk with me….I have something for you.'' His brother said, taking him by the shoulder and leading him out of the crowded throne room, exchanging jokes and pleasantries with the nobility.
They walked through a hallway and up a flight of stairs, at the end of which his brother was breathing quite heavily, finally they made their way to a balcony overlooking the sea, which sparkled in the sun.
''Quite a view is it not?'' His brother asked. He looked every bit the King today, wearing a heavy robe of black and red velvet with an ermine cloak, the crown of the conqueror resting easy on his silver hair.
Aemorys nodded, it was a pleasant day.
''There is something I have been wondering brother….back in the throne room, if our grandmother had ordered you to take my head….would you have done it?'' He asked.
Aemorys hesitated for a moment, before finally settling on an answer ''Not my place to question Queens…..but I hardly think you would have just stood there and let me.''
That earned a laugh from his brother who clapped him on the back ''That's what I like about you Aemorys…..you're a good soldier…a dutiful follower that knows his place…..a good man to have behind you.''
Aemorys was silent at that.
''I have great plans for my reign brother.'' Jaerion began, his purple eyes seeming to sparkle just as much as the sea ''It is high time for the Stepstones to finally be tamed….poor and paltry in truth but they will do for a start, there is rich land upon the Essosi coast that could be brought under my influence as well….and I hear tell that whatever foul mist surrounds Valyria is beginning to fade and the Ghiscari have begun to colonize the ruins of our forefathers….what right do fleshpedlers and cheesemongers have to the ancestral home of the dragon!''
''None.'' Aemorys said, seeing his brother was waiting for an answer.
''You're damned right….I mean to reclaim it one day….install one of my sons there perhaps….but as I said Aemorys I have great plans for my reign….and I want you behind me for them.'' Jaerion said, taking a cloth bundle from the balcony which had been laying there and handing it to Aemorys.
He slowly began to unwrap the bundle before the sword became visible, slender and sharp it was, with subtle ripples visible on the blade….valyrian steel.
''You honor me your Grace.'' Aemorys said, taking Dark Sister in his hand, immediately impressed with its light weight and balance.
''I'll expect you will make better use of it than its previous owners…..the last three to have owned it have been women, I have been told, what use does a woman have for a sword….slashing the cord on the birthing bed?'' His brother said with a hearty laugh.
Aemorys thought of reminding his brother that Visenya Targaryen the conqueror's wife and their ancestor had once wielded the blade and was known to be one of the most skilled swordsmen in the realm but he quickly thought better of it, his brother did not like being corrected.
''Always use it to defend my family and we will have no trouble…and make sure you keep it sharp and ready, I hope to wrest control of all the Stepstones from the pirates within three years, far too much time devoted to such poor land but a necessary conquest before we can eye greater prizes in Essos my generals advise me.'' Jaerion said, clapping Aemorys on the back and beginning to withdraw.
Aemorys cleared his throat ''About Jaenyra…''
''What about her?'' Jaerion asked.
''Would it not have been better if….if she had been consulted….she said she was not even told of the betrothal'' Aemorys asked.
''Consulted'' Jaerion said, letting out another hearty laugh ''The girl will do as her King bids her….and that will be the end of it.''
''If I may add…..I should like to lead her escort to Highgarden, her own family should see her off surely?'' He asked.
''As you will.'' Jaerion said, waving his hand, clearly bored of the conversation ''But we should be heading back, I am told the feast tonight will include the finest boar meat in the Kingdoms, and you know I do love boar.''
98 AC 3rd Moon-10th Moon
With King Jaerions ascension, the halls of the Red Keep, which had been largely silent during the Queen of Skulls reign due to the prohibition on bards and singers soon became filled with the sound of song and music as the bards quickly returned.
Unlike his grandmother who had kept a rather small court, the new King went to great lengths and spared no expense to keep an impressive court and the Red Keep had never been so crowded.
Court Poets, winemakers, royal gardeners, Essosi Cooks, as well as bravos and mummers from the Free City of Braavos flocked to the court to partake in the King's generosity who was known to scarcely turn away any who desired a place in his court, there were many and more others, fire breathers and huntsman, falconers and mystics from the east as well as summer islanders with their brightly colored cloaks and caged birds. There was even a court dwarf brought in named Tugg Joth, a hairy little ibbenese man, who while rather hideous to look upon had a quite humorous heavily accented way of speaking which provided much humor to the court and proved a delight to the royal princes, who would listen many a night to the peculiar little fellows tales of brave sailors hunting great white wales in the shivering sea.
Every night the King held a great feast with never less than 50 members of the court where the finest dishes would be served, often over ten courses and many evenings there were spectacles as well, mummers shows and fire breathing were common follies, and once in an unused pit of the Dragonpit, there was a impressive bear baiting event where a bear was set against an aurochs in a fight which is still legendary to this day where the aurochs managed to prevail, with the event lending its name to many a tavern and winesink in King's Landing, most noticeably the Bloody Aurochs Inn on the Street of Silk.
The King's revelries were supported by the fact that the Queen of Skulls, for all her flaws, had been a temperate woman as far as the treasury was concerned, and the King had inherited a healthy treasury, bolstered by much improved tax income from his vassals.
Not all the early months of the King's reign were devoted to parties and revelry, and the new King did make one rather significant change to the structure of King's Landing.
By the year 98 AC, Kings Landing was one of the largest and most populous cities in Westeros, however unlike the other large cities of the realm, the Targaryens could call on relatively few men-at-arms and knights and the majority of the crown's true fighting men were found on Dragonstone.
Ever since Aegon's conquest, it had been the job of the Gold Cloaks, Kings Landings city watch, to both patrol the city streets and garrison its walls, and while their ranks had risen to some 6000 men by Jaerions ascension, they were more suited to patrolling streets then being brought on campaign, with few true fighters among them.
The new King had great ambitions for future conquests, and thought it unseemly that the King of Westeros have so few fighting men available in the capital. To remedy this, King Jaerion reduced the role of the Gold Cloaks who had previously garrisoned the walls and patrolled the streets to just keeping order in the streets, while a new force of men-at-arms would garrison the walls, which Jaerion funded the building of seven barracks at each of the principle gates to support, the command of these barracks the King bestowed upon friends and allies.
While this gave the crown a larger force of men at arms and soldiers to raise in the capitol, it also decreased the size of the gold cloaks by several thousand men, though Commander Renly Arryn, husband of Vaella Targaryen offered no resistance to the new strategy.
There were several other notable events which occurred during the first nine months of Jaerions reign, the first of these relating to the taming of the dragon Meraxes.
The Princess Jaenyra, it must be said, was not especially pleased to be shipped off to Highgarden without being consulted, or even notified ahead of time of her own marriage and was determined to have the last word. Without even notifying her older brother, she entered the Dragonpit and claimed the dragon Meraxes, the very same beast which had killed her cousin Aerea when she had been a babe outside the Dragonpit.
The King was not especially pleased to see the largest dragon in the world leave King's Landing and his influence, especially when he had not even been informed of her plans, to which the young princess rather smugly replied that often times there is not time to inform one of events ahead of time and that while she would do her duty, she thought it only fair that she be able to decide ''at least one of her mounts'', echoing his own words he had used after failing to inform her of her own marriage, to which the King, red in the face, wordlessly dismissed his younger sister and refused to see off her escort to Highgarden, led by Aemorys.
The second such event was the birth of the Prince Matarys, the fifth son of Jaerion and Belle Tully. King Jaerion was most pleased to have sired another son to further his line and held a large feast in King's Landing to celebrate the Prince's birth, in which many Lord Paramounts and High Lords were in attendance, the first true feast of his reign since his coronation in which most of the realms nobility was invited to attend.
All was not well however with the newest Princeling, who was born much smaller than his older brothers, and was noticeably weak and frail in body. The Maesters pleaded with the King to allow them to treat the young boy but the King refused at first, stating that the child was the blood of the dragon and he did not need to be poked and prodded like those with lesser blood, no doubt not wishing to fuel rumors of the boy's weakness.
He held this position even as the child's condition began to worsen, until at last his wife Belle, a kind and honest woman told the King gently but firmly in no uncertain terms that his pride was going to lead to their sons death and at last Jaerion relented, never one to refuse his wife anything, the young Prince was treated and would soon recover, and the Queen would announce she was pregnant yet again just months after his birth.
The final major event of this time period occurred on the 8th day of the 10th Moon of 98 AC, when Laena Targaryen, the Queen of Skulls was found dead in her bed by her daughter Vaella, just ten months following her abdication. Little information about the Queens final months is available however, as the Queen kept out of the public eye, attending neither feast or court, spending her time in a small adjoining room in her daughter Vaellas chambers in the Red Keep.
The King was not closefisted in honoring his grandmother and she was burned by her daughter Vaella and her dragon Narrah following a great feast to celebrate her life and legacy, though it was not particularly well attended by the Lords of the realm, while generous in honoring his grandmother, the death of the former ruler he had usurped must have come as some relief to Jaerion.
The first ten months of his reign did have some profound effects on the King, while having taken much more of an interest and responsibility in ruling than he had as a youth, the simple truth was that the King was barely two years removed from being a landless prince and he had only had around a single year's experience of ruling Dragonstone before ascending the throne, and much of that had been traveling the realm raising support for his claim.
It did not take long for the King, who had great ambitions for his realm and insisted on overseeing his plans personally, to become overwhelmed with his many ambitions, the planned conquest of the Stepstones among them and the great responsibility of ruling such a great land mass.
After several weeks of these stressors, the King ordered a great hunt in the Kingswood, hoping to clear his mind and return rejuvenated and ready to face the throne once again.
11th Moon, 98 AC
Forests of the Kingswood
Jaerion crouched beneath the mossy log, breathing in the crisp morning air of the Kingswood.
A man never feels so alive then when on the hunt The King thought to himself.
His eldest son Aurion crouched next to him, longbow in hand and the morning rays shining down on his auburn brown curls, he took after his Tully mother in that fashion, though the boy was big for his his 12 years like Jaerion had been as a boy, having no problems handling a longbow made for an adult, and he had the signature purple eyes of the Targaryens.
They had been at it an hour since daybreak, his son had taken many birds and hares during the first several days of the grand hunt, but Jaerion had decided that the boy was ready to take his first stag, he was a good shot with a bow for his age and Jaerion had not been much older when he had shot his first.
''I wasn't much older than you when I took my first stag….but you have it easy boy….my first hunt was in the Rainwood of the Stormlands….had to track mine for two days…me and your grandfather…..the peasants are only allowed to hunt these woods a few weeks of the year….they haven't learned to truly fear us….I bet one will just walk right in front of us…..easy as you like.'' Jaerion whispered to his son.
It wasn't even 15 minutes later that sure enough a stag of decent size wandered into the clearing in front of them, giving a cursory glance to its surroundings before turning its attention to the leaves and grass which littered the forest ground.
''Go on .'' Jaerion whispered.
''Where do I aim…..so that it doesn't suffer?'' The Prince asked, his deep purple eyes focused in concentration.
''Right between the shoulders…..that will end it quick enough.'' Ser Humfrey Merryweather, Jaerions master of the hunt said, joining the two of them from the gathered huntsman behind, gently grabbing the prince's shoulder and pointing at the stag.
Aurion didn't need much more than that, drawing the longbow back and steadying the arrow he let it fly….right where it was he had been instructed.
The animal staggered for a second then ran off a short distance with a stumbling gait before collapsing noiselessly onto the grassy leaves.
''A perfect shot….that's my boy!'' The King exclaimed with excitement, clapping his sons shoulder as the gathered huntsman gave similar congratulations before setting to grabbing the body.
''That bodes well for the rest of the day, a perfect start!…..this will be the day I finally find that monster I can feel it….back to camp!'' Jaerion exclaimed to his men and they headed back to their base.
It was only a half hour's ride before they reached the small village in the depths of the Kingswood that Jaerion had made his base of operations, so small that it did not even have a name or appear on any maps. There were a few larger villages within the Kingswood to be sure, but those hovered close to the forest's edge and Jaerion and his huntsman were well and truly in the depths of the forest…..a necessity as the only sightings of the giant white hart the King desired had only been sighted deep in the heart of the Kingswood.
Jaerion and his party had been here for two weeks, and while he had brought his own provisions so as to not strain the tiny forest settlement of less than one hundred people, they had been generous hosts, providing guides in the day and entertainment in the evening, and Jaerion had watched the finest of his huntsman compete with the best archers in the village, while the previous night there had been a great dance in the town square while a village fiddler and flutist played a lively tune while the days kills had been roasted over pyres and much ale and wine had been drunk.
The visit well and truly had rejuvenated the King from the stressors of ruling, but there was some frustration beginning to creep in, for two weeks he had tracked the giant white deer and after all that time he was no closer to taking the beast than when he had arrived, with not so much a sight of it being seen…and the King was not going to return to court humiliated, he had made many boasts that the next time he entered his chambers, he intended to have the beasts head mounted over his hearth.
Jaerion dismounted from his horse, handing it to one of his huntsmen and turned to see his son Aurion with another one of the huntsmen, beginning to dress and skin his kill personally with the hunters instruction.
The King frowned, such labor was best left to the hunters and was certainly no fit task for a Prince to sully himself with. Jaerion was about to make his thoughts known when the door to a small tavern which Jaerion had taken as his own residence, opened.
His father Ronnal Baratheon appeared in the doorway, Jaerion had of course invited his father, the leader of his household guard on the hunt along with an escort of his best dragon cloaks.
''I see the lads made his first kill…looks to have been a good shot.'' His father who had the appearance of a veritable old bull replied, he was strong, tall and hairy with a great bushy mustache that covered much of his deformed mouth.
Jaerion nodded ''Aye it was…..it walked right in front of us….im hoping it is a good omen, I mean for today to be the day I finally find the great white hart.''
''If that's what the warrior wills…..but there is something you should hear…come on inside.'' His father commanded.
Jaerion nodded and the village headman's wife who owned the tavern quickly greeted him with a mug of ale, spiced with local herbs to which Jaerion accepted.
''I know you want to find this bastard…I do as well, and we will get it….but this man here is from a neighboring hamlet, a few hours west….he says he saw something…..the biggest fuckin boar in the Kingswood if he can be believed.'' His father said gruffly.
The Kings curiosity was instantly piqued and he gestured for the forester to tell his tale.
''Beggin your pardon m'grace but it has been known as the King o' the Kingswood 'round these parts, big and hairy it is, with great tusks….it be known for its foul temper sire, three, maybe fer weeks ago one o' the hunters in my village, Egen 'is name was, went efter it, it gutted him balls to brain if you'll pardon the sayin m'grace….its got red eyes i've heard , and its tusk…in terms of its coloration sire it's a very quite interestin coloration ive been hearin….they say it's dark red, dried blood of all its victims….and they also say that an evil spirit 'nhabits….'' The man prattled on in the manner that most peasants in rural areas were like to do.
Jaerion decided to stop the man there, there was no telling how long the man meant to continue and he had heard enough ''Can you lead us to his lair…there will be silver in it for you..and a gold dragon should anything come of your story.''
''Well most certainly sire….beggin yer pardon ive lived in this woods fer decades I 'ave….normally I wouldnt find m'self goin anywhere near there on account of the evil spirits and the bloody tusks…but I see this man 'eres got a necklace of the father 'pon his neck and ive always believed in the gods….say feller any experience dealin with evil spirits?'' The man asked, oblivious to the glance that Jaerion and Ronnel shared.
Later that Afternoon
Deep in the Kingswood
''This be the spot sire….well not that there is any one singular spot to be sure…but most often this 'eres the spot.'' The guide pointed out.
''Thank you…I believe we will manage from here…..go and see my huntsman and they will see you rewarded, and a gold dragon more if I find this beast of yours.'' Jaerion said, finally glad to be rid of the man, the King was a talkative and gregarious man himself but he had met his match with their guide, who had chattered on for near four hours, scarce stopping to breathe.
''Thank you sire…it will as of like be easy to spot on account of the glowin red eyes.'' The man bowed clumsily and withdrew.
The King dismounted, with his father Ronnal and brother Aemorys, who had also accompanied Jaerion on his hunt.
Aemorys handed Jaerion a boar spear, while also taking one for himself and their father.
''I don't expect you two will have much use for your spears….I mean to take it myself, but if it should try and flee drive it back towards me….but remember, I strike the final blow'' Jaerion commanded as they walked through the dark forest.
Quite suddenly, the forest stopped, and they found themselves in a large grassy clearing.
''Spears down.'' Jaerion commanded, he had some sense that something was close.
Suddenly his father cursed furiously and they all quickly turned back to see their father picking himself off the ground, having tripped on something…..it was a human skull, and relatively fresh too, with small bits of dried flesh hanging off it.
''It seems there was some truth to our friend's story.'' Jaerion said, growing more and more excited by the moment, it was clear that whatever beast was close by was truly a monster.
Suddenly they heard a great grunting noise.
Jaerion turned, and there it was.
It was the biggest boar he had ever seen, muscled and ferocious looking with great sharp tusks that despite rumors, were quite normal in coloration.
But its eyes were anything but normal.
One of its eyes was normal, dark black…but the other one was red…and angry. Jaerion saw for a moment the shards of metal, perhaps remnants of a boar spear embedded in the red eye, which must have caused it to become inflamed, but even with sorcery ruled out, it did not make it any less intimidating.
''That's a big boar your Grace.'' His brother Aemorys said quietly with hesitation, putting himself between Jaerion and the boar.
''Which is why I must have it…..step aside'' Jaerion said with excitement, the thoughts about the white hart quickly forgotten, this was a battle that most hunters could only dream about, and Jaerion meant to show the monster who was the true King of the Kingswood.
His brother reluctantly obeyed and moved out of the way, lowering his own boar spear and taking the flank while their father took the other one, leaving Jaerion to advance right down the middle, boar spear lowered and at the ready.
The beast grunted thunderously once again, lowering its head and massive tusks, moving its hooves as if building up speed for a charge.
His father jabbed his boar spear forward at the beasts flank, penetrating the thick hide for a moment, but the boar twisted quickly before it could do much damage, snapping the castle forged spear shaft with a loud snap as easily as the twig and leaving their father with nothing but a spear shaft.
The beast turned towards him, red eye full of rage and was about to charge as their father, laying on his back, cursed and attempted to scramble away, but Jaerion jabbed his spear forward in a well timed thrust, bringing the beast's attention back to him and allowing his father to withdraw.
The beast prepared once again to charge, Aemorys moved to make a strike of his own from the side but Jaerion shook his head and waved him down…this was his kill.
The boar, having built up enough speed, thundered forward with a loud grunt but Jaerion stood his ground, lowering his boar spear…waiting as it got closer and at last he thrust forward with all his might.
The immensely powerful blow took the boar right in the chest, puncturing its thick hide and going all the way through, surely right through its heart and a blow that no beast could survive.
But it kept coming.
Jaerion was so shocked he could not even shout as the King of the Kingswood slammed into him like a battering ram, sending him onto his back, taking his breath.
He heard his brother Aemorys shout and rush forward, but it would be too late, it was just Jaerion and the boar, and Jaerion felt hot blood pouring out of the boars chest onto his own.
The boar brought down its head, but Jaerion, even without his breath, was a strong man and managed to push it to the side, causing one tusk to become stuck in the soft earth…but one still remained.
The beast jabbed its head down once again, no doubt hoping to impale its challenger through the throat, Jaerion, seeing no other recourse, instinctively put out his hand in front of him, hoping to somehow grab the beast's tusk from the side and turn it away.
He felt a blinding pain run through his body enough that he almost passed out, but with the last of his strength he pulled his hunting knife from his belt and brought it forward at the only thing he could see…a single glowing red eye.
He drove the knife right through it, all the way to the base of the beast's skull, where it shuddered and fell, right on top of the King who once again lost his breath.
Aemorys and Ronnel managed to pull him out from underneath it, and were both shouting but Jaerion could not hear their muffled cries as he sat looking at the ruins of his right hand, hot red blood pouring out, his last sights before he collapsed to the ground.