99 AC
The Dragons Realm
Chapter 52: The Hightower
As the first hundred years of Targaryen rule came to a close, the dynasties position seemed to be as vulnerable as it had ever been, with the boy king Aurion ascending to the throne following the death of his father Jaerion the Brief as a result of an extended ailment stemming from an infected wound.
The late King's funeral, held in the 8th moon of 99 AC would be a heavily attended affair, with hundreds of nobles from every corner of the realm attending, both to pay their respects to the late King, who had been well liked, as well as too get a glimpse of the boy king Aurion.
King Jaerion's body would be burned in the courtyard of the Red Keep by no less than five dragons in a spectacle that would have no doubt made the late King proud, as his aunts Vaella, Jaehara, and Larrissa mounted Narrah, Proudwing and Chalfyre to set their nephews pyre alight. Joining them was Daena Targaryen, the King's mother-by-law and the last living grandchild of the Conqueror, sitting atop Moondancer, the brilliantly colored dragon with scales as white as snow. Lord Commander Aemorys also lent his dragon Tridaxes flame to the funeral pyre , though the dragon was too small to be mounted and was instead commanded by his rider from the ground.
Absent from the ceremony however was the King's cousin Aenys, who claimed an illness and the King's sister Jaenyra, as while she was in attendance in the crowd, the dragon Meraxes was far too large to control or land in the crowded courtyard of the Red Keep.
As one might expect, it was an impressive display of Targaryen strength to the gathered crowd of hundreds of nobles, which no doubt helped put on an air of invincibility and raw power during the Dynasty's time of vulnerability, and likely any treasonous thoughts some of the gathered nobility, perhaps attending to probe for weakness, must have burned away just as quickly as the King's body.
Following the ceremony, the King's ashes were borne by an honor guard led by Lord Commander Aemorys and their father Ronnal Baratheon to a magnificently sculpted mausoleum within the walls of the Red Keep, which the King had commissioned for his own use upon his ascension to the throne, though it was put to use much sooner than he had likely anticipated, as his ashes were placed within a golden coffin surrounded by pillars of black stone infused with rubies and gold and silver engravings of dragons.
And so began the reign of King Aurion, first of his name, with much of note occurring at the King's funeral and the days preceding it as the new structure of power became established.
A regency council was quickly established, led by Orys Bar Emmon, the Hand of the King. Lord Bar Emmon was young to be sure, being just 28 years of age when he took on the role as the most powerful man in the realm, yet he was a competent administrator, willing to share responsibility with the rest of the council, and empathetic, which made him popular with petitioners, while his piety made him well liked by the faith.
As for the young King, he was quickly put under Lord Bar Emmons care so that he might observe governance first hand, his uncle Aemorys, whom had been entrusted with the Prince before his brothers death offered no argument, agreeing the Hand could raise the boy to be a King far better than he ever could.
To return to the guests of Jaerions funeral, the lady Daena Targaryen, widow of the late Lord Hoster Tully and mother of Jaerions queen Belle was in attendance, in fact even arriving before the King's death to be at her daughter's side during the final weeks of her pregnancy, and she did not come empty handed.
With her, she brought a dragon egg hatched from Moondancer, a most splendid object and very impressive to behold, described as being as blue as the waters of the seas around the isle of Tarth, sparkling like the deepest of sapphires. Following the birth of the prince Balerion, which occurred on the same day as the death of his father, the Lady Daena placed this splendid blue egg in her newborn grandsons cradle stating that ''the boy may not have a father, but he will have a dragon'', being the first recorded instance of the tradition of Targaryens leaving dragon eggs in the cradles of newborns in an attempt to bond both babe and egg. This would be one of the final events recorded of the life of Lady Daena Targaryen, as she would die just months after returning to Riverrun, being the last living grandchild of Aegon the Conqueror at the time of her death.
At the King's funeral, there was also talk of potentially arranging another marriage for the dowager Queen Belle Tully, to be held when propriety allowed,an idea pushed by several eligible attending nobles. Belle was still just 30 years of age and had proven to be fertile, and the idea that any future siblings might be half siblings to the King and the princes made her an attractive match to many eligible bachelors in the realm.
When Lord Bar Emmon gently brought up the idea of marrying again to secure an alliance for her son and strengthen the crowns position however, the Dowager Queen was quite adamant that under no circumstances would she leave her sons alone in the capitol and the Hand did not push back against her wishes, likely both in part due to his amiable nature and the fact that any extended travel would likely prove detrimental to her deteriorating health.
The funeral also led to the introduction and eventual friendship of Aurion and the eventual famed explorer Norman Tyrell, husband of Jaerions sister Jaenyra, heir to Highgarden and the eldest son of Lord Ellard Tyrell, Marshal of the Realm.
Norman was four years the young King's senior, however the two got along very well, training in the yard together and soon became quite close, to the point young Norman decided to remain in the capitol following the funeral rather than return to Highgarden.
The heir to Highgarden even took the young King out to sea on his 13th name day shortly after his fathers funeral on a ship that he had ordered specially built in Braavos and delivered to King's Landing, with Aurion, Norman Tyrell and Jaenyra Targaryen all enjoying a day out sailing from Kings Landing into Blackwater Bay, under the watchful eye of Lord Commander Aemorys Targaryen.
Some time after, Norman Tyrell would take this same ship on his famed voyage to the east in which he sailed through most of the northern shivering sea aboard his ship Winter Rose, only turning back towards Westeros after reaching the thousand islands and visiting the mysterious port of Nefer, returning fabulously wealthy and winning much renown, with a famous account of his travels and explorations being recorded in A Rose at Sea, the Travels of Norman Tyrell to the Eastern Parts of the World.
The months following the Kings Funeral would be largely uneventful, but it would not be long before the new regency would face its first test, as in the 11th Moon of 99 AC, the Essosi delegation would once again return to Kings Landing.
11th Moon, 99 AC
Throne Room of the Red Keep, Kings Landing
Aurion sat in the Iron Throne, attentively looking at the delegation of Essosi pouring into the throne room, looking down at them, he remembered many of their faces from the last time they had come to court, even remembering the name of the leader of the delegation, Inyllo Maegyr, Aurion was pleased that he remembered that, he always tried his best to pay attention when he came to court. Taking another look at the crowd, the Prince realized there were far less in this delegation than had come previously, and they seemed to be in a darker and less genial mood than before, in addition to being considerably less finely dressed.
Standing at the foot of his throne was his uncle Aemorys, armored in the white plate of the Kingsguard as well as Lord Bar Emmon, his hand, and the man who handled the petitioners of the court, his guardian always allowed Aurion to accompany him to court whenever he wished, and even allowed him to sit the throne, even though as Hand and regent he had more than enough right to sit it himself.
Inyllo Maegyr, the young man with long silver hair stepped forward, bowing respectfully towards Aurion ''It was our great sorrow to hear of your fathers passing your Grace…..his excellency was a great friend to our cause.''
Aurion nodded solemnly, doing his best to look kingly and to hide his distaste of the slavers below at the same time, he had heard many tales of their cruelty during his lessons with the Maesters and his opinion of them had not improved since, but it was not his place to speak, Lord Bar Emmon made it clear he was there to listen and learn, and let him do the talking.
After their cursory greeting towards him, all the delegation's attention turned to his Hand, Lord Bar Emmon, the true power in the room, Aurion knew his guardian well enough to know that he too was struggling to hide his distaste, with Aurion remembering his Hand had advised his father against helping them in the last meeting.
''My Lord Hand…..it is my regret to inform you that the tide of war has gone against us since last we came before your King…..without the promised ships and men his late excellence promised us, the Tyroshi dogs have overrun many of the garrisons of the region you call the Volantene Disputed Lands, like locusts to a field of wheat. Anyrios and Dreos have fallen, and the old families and nobility within have been subjected to rape, slaughter, and plundering by the slaves and bandits…..only Maegys remains to oppose them, but even now a slave army of plunderers gathers on the frontier, gazing at its riches and nobility with lustful eyes.'' The long haired Volantene said passionately.
Aurion did not know what drove his mind towards it, but as the man talked, his mind turned to one of his lessons with Grandmaester Desmond some years ago. While discussing the topic of slavery in Essos, the aged Grandmaester produced a charcoal drawing a Westerosi sailor had made while in the Port of Myr, a drawing which had come into possession of the citadel.
It had been a simple sketch, colorless except for black charcoal, but the artist was skilled enough to depict what he had seen quite effectively. The drawing depicted an enslaved man, shirtless and tied with both of his hands above his head and his feet tied to a wooden pole, a leather collar upon his neck, a common punishment administered to slaves his tutor had informed him, often until the man, woman or even child died of thirst.
The thing that Aurion remembered most however was the eyes, though colorless, they seemed to be deep, a look of pain, accusation and defiance in the man's gaze apparent, or as apparent as it could be on a simple charcoal sketch, Aurion had dreamt of it for several nights in the days following the lesson he remembered, and though he had not remembered it in years, for some reason it was all he could think of as the long haired man spoke eloquently.
''We ask that you honor his late excellencies wishes and send us both fleet and army to strike these devils from the Narrow Sea, not just to defend Maegyr but to retake all the land they have stolen from the old nobility, Myr, Tyrosh…all of it….they are a disease that must be cleansed...we ask for the knights of Westeros, Lord Hand, the galleys of Dragonstone…do this and you shall be well rewarde….'' The Volantene finished.
''No.'' Aurion blurted out….forgetting all of his courtly courtesy and Lord Bar Emmons command for him to sit back and listen, a sudden boldness had come over him, and he could keep the truth silent no more.
All the eyes in the room, which had been ignoring him for much of the audience, quickly looked up to the throne, Lord Bar Emmons among them, a stern look upon his face, but Aurion ignored it and continued.
''My father was wrong to help you…you speak of atrocities as if they are some new thing to you and your lands…..slavers are not welcome in the Seven Kingdoms.'' The boy King finished.
An awkward silence fell over the throne room.
Inyllo Maegyr cleared his throat, lowering his gaze from Aurion downwards to his regent ''My Lord Hand….we were under the impression that it was you that speaks with the Kings voice and authority….that this boy is not yet of age….perhaps it might be best that we should continue this audience elsewhere…..''
Lord Bar Emmon slowly lowered his own stern gaze from the King to face the delegation ''You are correct….the Prince speaks boldly…..and out of turn.''
That seemed to calm the delegation who murmured their thanks and assent, though they were quickly silenced by the Hands next words.
''But…..he speaks truly as well….in the sight of gods and men I will not betray the faith of my people to send men to fight and die for an unrighteous cause on the words of well spoken charlatan…you may consider this audience over.'' Lord Bar Emmon said, his normally amiable temperament replaced with one of anger and annoyance.
As the Essosi delegation stormed out, fury evident in their faces and walk, Aurion gave an apologetic glance towards his mentor, but instead of anger, he received a slight smile from his Hand.
''I had been wanting to do that for some time.'' He said simply.
Me too Aurion thought to himself, watching the slavers leave the room.
1st - 9th Moon, 100 AC
The greater part of the 100th year of Targaryen rule was largely uneventful. The Prince Vaeron, third son of the late King Jaerion came of an age where his education must be decided. After conferring with Queen Belle, Lord Bar Emmon entrusted the boy to his uncle Aemorys, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, where he would serve first as a page and if he showed potential enough, later as a squire.
The young prince, known throughout the castle for his long silver hair and deep purple eyes which many thought very closely resembled his father was clearly a lad of great promise, at six years old it was clear he would take after his father and uncle in terms of strength and stature, and not only that, but he was a quick study and excelled in his lessons.
Despite all of these advantages, the boy was the third son of a dead King, and with little hope of major inheritance, no doubt Lord Bar Emmons decision to have the boy raised by his Kingsguard uncle was perhaps made with some hope the boy would take to the lifestyle of a sworn brother and secure a future and important role in the court for him.
Another event occurred at court when the young infant Balaerion's egg given to him by his grandmother Daena hatched. The dragon, which would be aptly named Saphyre, was a splendid creature even as a hatchling. Like its sire Moondancer, Saphyre had small scales, smooth and thin like ringmail, though they dazzled a deep cobalt blue as opposed to white, as deep as the Sapphire isles which the island of Tarth is associated with. Its eyes were also that of molten gold, giving it a very impressive and regal look to it, and all who saw it agreed the dragon would surely become one of the most impressive of the Targaryen dragons, at least in terms of appearance.
The princeling and his new dragon would quickly become inseparable, and it is said that the first time young Balaerion walked was to chase after his dragon. From that point on they were a common sight throughout the castle, with the blue dragon often perching upon Balerions shoulder whether at dinner or at lessons with Maesters, to the bemusement of some and the terror of others.
Of all the events of 100 AC, perhaps the most important did not take place in Westeros but rather across the Narrow Sea in Essos as major developments among the Free Cities unfolded.
The Free City of Braavos had long held influence over their Pentoshi neighbors to the south, through time ending the practice of slavery in Pentos and its hinterlands and even eventually taking control of the city of Pentos itself, though the Pentoshi hinterlands retained their independence.
After decades of this arrangement, Sealord Yaaro Antaryon, a remarkable military commander and an ambitious ruler, decided to take the next logical step. The armies of Braavos, bolstered with sellswords hired by the Iron Bank's considerable treasury, marched into the Pentoshi hinterlands to bring them under the power of the Titan of Braavos. There was next to no fighting during the formal annexation of the city of Pentos as the Pentoshi garrison on the walls quickly surrendered, driven either realizing the futility of resistance, bribes from the Iron Bank, or a general acceptance of Braavosi rule and law which had held sway over the city for decades.
There was some fighting in the Pentoshi hinterlands as the Braavosi army swept through the manors of the old nobility and besieged their strongholds, castles, and cities, but this annexation had been written on the wall for years and within six months the campaign was done. The city of Pentos was officially recognized as a possession of the Sealord, Pentoshi nobility were allowed to keep most of their castles and lands and retain their overlordships over most areas, but the Sealord made significant changes to the regions of the Velvet Hills, replacing the lords there with Braavosi nobles who brought Braavosi settlers with them to farm the fertile low lying hills.
Many have stated that this campaign was one of righteous cause, with Yaaro, hereafter called Yaaro the ''Just'' being hailed as a liberator of the slaves in Pentos and fighting a war of morality against the slavers. However, the Sealords next moves show that his campaigns were the result of little more than blind ambition and dreams of conquest.
Braavos and Lorath had more than their fair share of conflicts over the decades, with many trade wars being fought between the two, often centering around trade disputes with the ports Gulltown and White Harbor in Westeros, with the much larger Braavos typically gaining the advantages in these conflicts.
However, the two were bonded by the virtue of, prior to Pentos, being the only two of the Free Cities that were truly free and did not engage in the slave trade, with the two cities fighting together on multiple occasions, often against Pentos.
These bonds meant little to Sealord Yarro, who ordered his fleets to turn their prows to Lorath and bring the island under the Titans domain. Several bloody naval battles were fought in the Shivering Sea, but despite dogged resistance from the Lorathi, their lands were soon subjugated and their nobility forced to swear loyalty to the Sealord.
This change in the politics led to a rather interesting power dynamic as two major power blocks formed on the Essosi coast, the Braavosi Freehold to the North and the Serene Republic of Lys to the south, which had engorged itself with much of the Tyroshi disputed lands whose lords would rather swear loyalty to Lys than fact the fury of the former slaves and peasantry of Myr and Tyrosh, whose impoverished state was the only thing separating the two major powers. Another familiar power would soon enter the scene as this tale shall record in time, but that is for another time.
To return to Westeros, back in King's Landing, Prince Aurion was preparing to make a risky decision on the day of his 14th name day.
9th Moon, 100 AC
Courtyard of the Red Keep, Kings Landing
Aurion pressed the attack, beginning with an overhead strike and bringing his tourney sword into his younger brother Valerions shield with a heavy thud.
He thought of continuing the attack, but he sensed his younger brother was preparing a strike of his own and unlike when they had trained in the past years prior, he no longer had as much of a reach on his little brother, who was not so little anymore, with the 11 year old not being much shorter than Aurion who was celebrating his 14th name day.
Aurions realization that his old tricks wouldn't work and more cautious approach paid off as he withdrew just at the right time as Valerion launched a sudden and swift counterstrike, which Aurion managed to turn away with his tourney sword.
His younger brother then tried something unexpected, throwing his shield suddenly at Aurions chest, momentarily startling him and giving his brother time to wind up an overhead strike, but Aurion was not about to let his younger brother win, and recovered just in time to slam into his brother with his shoulder, knocking the sword from his hand and, causing him to stumble for a moment and then fall onto the ground of the castle courtyard.
''Never seen that before.'' Aurion commented, extending a hand to his younger brother and helping him to his feet.
''They need to feed you more…you'll be able to take more hits, keep your balance….'' He stated, helping dust his brother off.
''Mother said the same thing…..but I can only eat so many fish.'' His brother replied, Valerion, while tall for his age, was as skinny as a spear, having a lanky build and thin pronounced cheekbones and face, making his deep purple eyes all the more starling.
''Well, my name day feast will be tonight….mother will no doubt make sure you don't miss a single course…that should put some color in you.'' Aurion said before a moments discomfort arose in him when thinking of the events of later that night.
The only question is whether or not I will be there Aurion thought to himself before forcing the thought from his mind….there would be no room for doubt if he was to be successful.
They made their way to a bench adjoining the courtyard, sitting down.
Aurion offered his brother a skin of watered sweetwine, which he accepted, taking a drink.
''That trick with the shield….where did you learn that…not in Stonedance surely, no master at arms would ever teach to abandon your shield.'' Aurion questioned, taking the skin.
''Lord Massey would have had me flogged if he saw me try that in the training yard at Stonedance.'' His brother joked before continuing ''I saw a pirate do it, when we were boarding a ship off of Sunstone in the Stepstones.'' Valerion answered, Aurion knew that his younger brother had accompanied his educator Lord Massey on several small engagements and pursuits of pirate galleys.
''Did it work?'' Aurion asked.
Valerion shook his head ''No…he still took a spear in the gut, but I thought I might have better luck.''
Aurion chuckled at that, before growing silent for a moment and looking towards his younger brother.
''Do you know why I had you return from Stonedance?'' Aurion asked.
''Your name day?'' His younger brother asked.
''Not just that…I mean to claim a dragon from the pits today….I've been studying my Valyrian for weeks and I think it's time, im almost a man now, and our great grandmother Laena was about the same age when she claimed hers.'' Aurion explained ''Do you know why you need to be here.''
His brother was silent at that.
''I feel ready…and i'm not afraid but….it is dangerous Valerion, im sure youve heard the story of our of our fathers cousin Aerea, how she was burned alive when she tried to tame a dragon..'' He asked.
''I have….and i've also heard she was an idiot, you two are not the same.'' His younger brother responded.
''Perhaps not but…if something….happens to me, you need to be here in the capitol, you are my heir Valerion…if something were to happen to me mother would help you as much as she can, and our uncle….Lord Bar Emmon is a good man as well….I don't plan on dying on my nameday, but if something does happen you need to be ready.'' Aurion explained.
''Have you told mother?'' His younger brother asked.
''Not yet, but I will before I go.'' He answered before standing up.
''I should go and see our brothers before I go.'' He said, facing his brother and the two stood awkwardly for a moment before Aurion patted his brother on the shoulder and turned to leave.
''Aurion.'' His brother called as he turned to leave, causing the Prince to turn.
''One of Lord Massey's sailors told me that a man never has better luck than on his name day.'' He said.
''I hope he's right.'' Aurion said, a small smile on his face as he nodded thanks to his brother.
He found Vaeron near the White Sword Tower feeding one of the many cats which infested the Red Keep, an enormously fat kitchen cat that he recognized as once having stolen a leg of chicken right from his fathers plate during one of his feasts, a memory which made the Prince smile, he remembered the bout of laughter that followed, none louder than his father, a sound which he found himself missing quite often.
''I wasn't aware that the duties of the Lord Commanders page included feeding all the cats in the Red Keep?'' Aurion said lightly, startling his little brother.
''Please dont tell uncle…I was going to sharpen his sword, it's just….she looked hungry.'' His brother said, moving his long silver hair out of his wide lilac eyes.
''Well I think he has eaten quite enough already don't you think.'' Aurion said, but nevertheless he crouched down and offered the cat some of the loaf of bread his little brother was feeding it before ruffling his little brother's hair and moving to the nursery.
Inside he found his three youngest brothers Aelor, Matarys and Balaeron, Baleron was sleeping peacefully in his crib while the two infants were listening with wide eyes to one of the stories Tugg Joth, the ibbenese dwarf who had been a part of their fathers court.
Aurion sat in on the story for a little bit, listening to the tale of an Ibbenese whaling crew hunting a scarred massive white whale in the Shivering Sea, not wishing to disturb them he left silently, he had one more visit to make.
He had saved his mother for last, as it was the visit he was dreading, she had suffered from an illness which the Maesters referred to as a cancer ever since Aurion was a small child, but she had always been a lively and busy woman, refusing to let the sickness prevent her from being a mother, and delivering six boys besides.
Ever since their father had died however, her sadness and the added stress of helping to manage the Red Keep had seemed to cause her health to deteriorate, as she often missed meals and spent much of the day in bed undergoing various treatments for her sickness. Aurion feared that telling his mother that he meant to tame a large dragon could cause severe stress to her and he did not want to upset her…but he had put it off long enough.
He found her where he expected too, sleeping in her chambers, even from the doorway he could see the dark circles under her eyes, and it pained him to see how thin and pale she looked, no doubt the Grandmaester and his acolytes had performed a leeching earlier that day. He felt some guilt as well, he knew she had worked herself to exhaustion the previous day making preparations for his name day feast later that night.
''Mother.'' He said softly, approaching her bedside and taking her hand.
She opened her eyes slowly, smiling faintly and squeezing his hand.
''Aurion….is it time for the feast already?'' She mumbled softly.
''No…not yet mother…..I'm sorry to wake you.'' He began.
''I was dreaming.'' She said, eyes still half closed.
''A good dream?'' He asked.
She was silent for a moment before opening her eyes and running a hand through his brown curls gently''Would that I could keep you safe forever my sweet boy.''
The Prince was silent at that, a war waging in his mind, thinking how he could say what he had meant to say after she said something like that.
His mother knew him well enough to pick up on his silence, taking his hand once again, fully awake now ''Aurion….is there something wrong?''
''I…..no mother, I just wanted to see you is all….and to tell you that if you're not feeling up to it you don't have to come to the feast.'' He managed to stammer out.
''Nonsense Aurion...I want to be there, it's your nameday…and it has been so long since I have seen Valerion…someone has to make sure that boy gets some proper food in him.'' She said,
In spite of himself, Aurion had to smile at that ''You rest now mother.'' He said, kissing her on the cheek before leaving the chamber.
He made his way towards the gatehouse of Vaemonds Holdfast where he found his Uncle Aemorys, already mounted and ready, followed by a contingent of Dragon Cloaks led by his grandfather Ronnal Baratheon.
''You are sure of this, your Grace?'' His uncle asked.
''I am Uncle…..I feel ready.'' Aurion said simply, mounting his destrier.
The Lord Commander nodded acknowledgement and gave the order for the escort to move out from the Red Keep.
''You are still set on Vhagar then?'' His uncle asked.
Aurion nodded, Vhagar was the biggest of the unbonded Targaryen dragons housed within the Dragonpit, second in the entire world only to Meraxes, and the Prince was determined to claim Vhagar as his own mount.
''The dragon keepers will no doubt recommend your fathers dragon Andalax, or my mothers dragon Kastax, both are quite obedient to command and faster too, they might not have Vhagars size…but Vhagar is known for its temper, they might make for safer choices.'' His Uncle cautioned.
'' With respect Uncle, no one knows of those dragons ... .but everyone knows of Vhagar, claiming one of our original dragons and one of the largest and most famed in the realm would do a great deal for my claim, image, and legitimacy…and besides, a King must be brave…this is as much a test as anything else…I need to do this.'' Aurion explained, though deep down he did have some doubts, according to Aurions research the last two known riders of Vhagar had been Visenya Targaryen, the Conqueror's Wife and his great grandmother, the Queen of Skulls, both women, he had not been able to find evidence of any male rider in the past.
They rode most of the way through the Streets of King's Landing towards Visenya's hill in silence, as Aurion ran through his Valyrian for what seemed like the 100th time that day…he was ready, he had been for days, but a little extra practice wouldn't hurt.
They came to a halt as they reached the Dragonpit, and Aurion paused for a moment to look at the pit, given the fact that Meraxes had been claimed by his aunt Jaenyra and now resided in Highgarden, the 90 foot Vhagar had been moved to the second large pit where it was housed alone in a single massive pit.
''Aurion…..I am….proud of you….as would your father be im sure.'' His uncle said.
''Warrior be with you lad.'' His grandfather Ronnal Baratheon grunted.
Aurion nodded gratefully to them both, dismounted from his horse and followed the Dragonkeepers towards Vhagars pit, listening attentively to their final advice and counsel.
The Prince entered the pit from the main entrance….he left in an altogether different way, flying out of the circular domed hole in the pit ceiling after flawlessly reciting the old Valyrian commands, unwavering in the face of the dragons roars and mounting the dragon, flying several circles above the city of Kings Landing, much to the townspeople's amazement.
Vhagar, the dragon of Visenya Targaryen and Laena, Queen of Skulls had a new rider.
9th Moon 100 AC - 101 AC
The final months of 99 AC saw a departure from the Red Keep in the form of Ronnal Baratheon, former husband of the Princess Lianna, father of Jaerion the Brief and Lord Commander Aemorys, and grandfather of the young Aurion. After decades of serving as commander of the Dragon Cloaks, the castle guard of the Red Keep, the old man wished to retire, and spend his final years in the service of the faith, a wish which was granted.
The old man would spend the next seven years on the island of Driftmark studying the seven pointed star and preaching to the inhabitants of Hull and Spicetown, as well as guarding traveling septons and begging brothers until he would pass away peacefully at the age of 71 as the last of the living grandchildren of Orys Baratheon.
Up until this point, the realm had largely enjoyed a time of peace during the regency, but there were to be some darker days ahead as 100 AC came to an end and ushered in the first new year of the second century of Targaryen rule.
A conflict would break out in the forests of the Kingswood between House Chyttering and their vassals House Pyle, Lord Chyttering, a lord known for his cruelty would ride into his vassals lands towards one of the forest villages suspected of engaging in poaching, and put many of the suspected poachers to the sword, along with a number of other villagers who tried to intervene, Lord Renly Pyle, a kind man who cared for his subjects would take this as an act of tyranny and call his banners and blood soon began to flow in the forests, despite the best efforts of Lord Bar Emmon to negotiate an end to the fighting. Unfortunately for Lord Pyle, it would be his men whose blood would flow the most and the war would end with his capture after being tricked into attending a peace council, which would lead to his eventual hanging on the orders of Lord Jarman Chyttering.
This conflict had more serious repercussions beyond just being a typical squabble between Westerosi lords however. To escape the fighting, many hundreds of villagers from the Kingswood would flee to the safety of Kings Landing, many of them dirty and impoverished with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
This, along with the mustering of levies led to a breakout of what Maesters know as the Bloody Flux, or the Pale Mare, a disease which is often found in squalid army or refugee camps and is a common occurrence when large numbers of levies are called together in ill prepared camps.
Those fleeing the war soon brought the outbreak to the crowded streets of Kings Landing, leading to the deaths of several thousand, Lord Bar Emmon reluctantly ordered the castle gates of the Red Keep closed and barred in order to wait out the pestilence….it would be too late however as the foul humors had already made their way into the Red Keep, and taken in its clutches none other than the boy King Aurion, who took to his sickbed with fever, fatigue, and constant bowel problems, as the whole realm held its breath as the prince struggled with his…..