106-108 AC

The Dragons Realm

Chapter 54: A Deadly Dinner

The trial of Princess Vaella Targaryen in the 1st Moon of 106 AC would conclude the immediate threat and chaos which had briefly consumed the Red Keep in King Aurions absence, however, there would be several effects stemming from the events which would need the King's attention.

The first of these involved the House Bar Emmon, who were understandably upset at the murder of the former Hand of the King, Aegon Bar Emmon, with many within the family feeling his killer Vaella had not been sufficiently punished.

King Aurion, not blind to this, immediately resolved to rectify this situation, traveling personally to the castle of Sharp Point to reach a settlement for his former Hand's murder. There it was decided that his younger brother Prince Valerion would be betrothed to the late hand's daughter, Jasonei Bar Emmon, a very prestigious marriage for such a small house and an honor which was enough to mend the rift Vaellas actions had wrought. Lord Bar Emmon had once approached Aurion when he had been a prince about the possibility of a union between the two of them, but Aurion apologetically reminded his Hand that as King, he would be expected to marry a lady from one of the principal houses of the realm, and it would be a grave insult to the great families if their blood was passed over. The King had been fond of his former hand and late mentor however, and hoped that his marriage would not only repair relations between House Bar Emmon and the crown but also honor his guardians memory.

The second, and admittedly far more crucial task was to appoint a new Hand of the King, the first few years of the Kings reign had shown that any Hand of the King must be capable of ruling and administrating for extended periods while the King was away, and Aurion had many more plans for his reign and would need a capable man beside him.

King Aurion, never one to take shortcuts, did his due diligence and cast a wide net, looking at dozens of candidates before a final decision was eventually made from a pool of Lords great and small.

In the end, Anders Swygert, Lord of Galemont and longtime castellan of Storm's End was appointed Hand of the King, becoming one of the most powerful men in the realm at a stroke of a pen. Lord Swygert was a far more experienced man than his predecessor had been, in his youth the man had been a squire during the war between Raymont Baratheon and Aumary Tyrell in the Dornish Marches, until a stray arrow during the siege of Ashford led to the loss of his leg and any future as a warrior.

He had adjusted to this change in prospects quite well, working tirelessly to learn the arts of administration, and eventually his talents led him to becoming the castellan of Storm's End, a position he had held for decades with much success, as Princess Larissa was quick to vouch to the King. Being a hardworking man, patient in speech and action, and just and pious, he was well liked and the perfect man to help a young and eager, if inexperienced King.

King Aurion would not wait long to make use of his new Hands expertise. Aurion had traveled enough of the realm to realize that the network of roads were wholly insufficient to accommodate trade between the seven Kingdoms, especially with the recent increase in population. Many of the roads were only wide enough for a single cart or wagon, and a broken wheel or patch of mud could inhibit an entire trade caravan for hours. Most of the realms roads were plain dirt tracks or in more populous and wealthy areas, cobbled roads, though many of them had seen little upkeep since the days before the Targaryen conquest.

The King shared with Lord Swygert his vision of an entirely new set of roads, spanning from Dorne in the south to the Wall in the North, in a project Aurion called the building of the ''Kingsroad'', which he hoped would further bind and connect the seven kingdoms.

Lord Swygert quickly set about making the necessary preparations, with King Aurion stating that no expense was to be spared, and declining to levy taxes on any area where the road would be built with all the expenses being paid for by the royal coffers, earning him much respect throughout the realm.

The first stretch of road to be built would be a cobbled and wide road from Storms End in the Stormlands to King's Landing, a prudent choice as its shorter length would make it a good ''test'' of Lord Swygerts plans, and his familiarity with the region would be a great boon. Time would prove Aurions choice of Hand a good one as progress on the road went remarkably smoothly, being completed in less than two years, with construction beginning on a Roseroad to Highgarden, a Goldroad to Casterly Rock, an Ocean Road from Lannisport to Highgarden, and many other sections of road within the coming years.

Not all of the crown's pressing issues were settled yet however. Aurion had been concerned about his great aunt Vaellas parting warning to be wary of Ellard Tyrell, Marshal of the Realm, the Lord of Highgarden and a grandson of King Vaemond the Strong, whom Vaella claimed had actively plotted to seize the throne following his fathers death, though he had been forced to be more subdued in his ambitions following Aurions rise to power….the fact remained that the King could not trust his Marshal.

King Aurion removed Lord Tyrell from his position as Marshal courteously, yet made it clear the man was being ''invited'' to return to Highgarden, with Ellard Tyrell, a prideful man, taking it about as well as one would expect, being none too pleased.

Aurions uncle, Lord Commander Aemorys suggested that old Lucerys Qoherys, Lord of Harrenhall and his former mentor be reappointed as Marshal of the Realm, but Aurion, well studied in courtly and diplomatic matters, knew that the Lord of Highgarden and the Lord of Harrenhall were fierce rivals and replacing Ellard with his rival would only serve to further humiliate the most powerful Lord Paramount in the realm. Instead, Aurion made the decision to appoint Lord Yohn Redfort, a hero of the battle of Mylenos during the Pentoshi campaign and the former hand of the King under his great grandmother Laena, as the realm's foremost general.

With these important matters out of the way, the King was able to focus his attention on more minor affairs, with a summer fair funded by the crown being held in King's Landing to celebrate the Crownlands harvest in the later months of 106 AC.

Furthermore, Aurions younger brother, the Prince Matarys had reached an age where his future must be decided. After consideration, the King determined his younger brother would be sent to be fostered as a ward in Riverrun with their Tully relatives under the tutelage of the castle Maester. Not only would this honor his mothers sister and strengthen the connection between the crown and Riverrun, but on the off chance boy should take to the lifestyle of a Maester….well it would be another of his brother's futures sorted.

As for the Prince Aelor, whose guardianship the King had personally taken charge of, it soon became clear the boy did not have any great future as a diplomat or negotiator, having a very wrothful temperament and being quick to take offense, though he was hard working when it came to studying the political divides of the realm and especially diligent on the training yard. Aelor, in addition to lacking the Targaryen features of his older brothers, also lacked their powerful build, being shorter and slimmer than his three older brothers, however he made up for this by being the best natural swordsman of his brothers, routinely practicing against older squires and more than holding his own.

The final months of 106 AC would see one more significant development in the capital as Queen Alicent would announce she was pregnant with a second child, much to the King and Queens delight.

Aurion had intended to remain at Alicents side for the duration of her pregnancy, but as always the affairs of the realm needed the King's attention. Word of a clan feud among the clawmen brewing in the pine forests of Crackclaw Point soon reached King Aurions ears, with several skirmishes taking place between two factions of House Brune.

Aurion mounted Vhagar, and alongside his Uncle Aemorys on Tridax flew to Dyre Den and personally negotiated a peace settlement, quickly returning to Alicents side and being present for the birth of their second child, a boy whom would be named Prince Jaenar.

Little else of note occurred following this and the middle months of 107 AC proved quiet, allowing the King a few months of peaceful residence at the Red Keep, though he still held and presided over court near daily.

The next event of note was his younger brother Valerions return from Stonedance, having completed his education under Lord Massey, in the final year of his tutelage being given a command of his own galley, where he proved to be a skilled tactician leader of men in his patrols and escorting of merchant ships in the waters of the Narrow Sea.

Aurion welcomed his younger brother back with open arms and made preparations for his wedding to Jasonei Bar Emmon to be hosted in the Red Keep, with the King not being stingy in honoring his siblings nuptials.

While at the wedding however, the Prince Valerion would make a request of his brother, asking that the King launch a campaign against one of the pirate islands in the Stepstones and make him a Lord in his own right, claiming land and title would make for the best wedding gift he could receive.

King Aurion had hoped to conquer most of the Stepstones in one single decisive war, but being a charitable man, had no wish to refuse his brother's request at his own wedding and promised to arrange it, as well as promising his younger brother the honor of leading the expedition.

While the preparations to take the whole of the Stepstones were far from complete, sufficient scouting of the island of the Skulls, island holdfast of the Ironborn raiders had been completed and Lord Redfort gave his backing to the proposed campaign, with many of the Kings officers eager to avenge the defeat of the Royal Fleet and the death of Lord Celtigar at the hands of the Ironborn raiders, after a thorough review of the campaign, Aurion gave his assent and preparations were made, with Valerion and Lord Massey being given 55 galleys and 2500 men from Dragonstone to drive the Ironborn from the Skulls in the early months of the year 108 AC.

The Ironborn of the Stepstones were fierce warriors, but they knew when a war was lost, and that while they could fend off incursions from a distracted regency, they would not be able to stand against the full might of the Iron Throne, and besides that their colony on the Skulls had lasted far longer than any had thought and they had won much wealth…..the time had come to leave.

Prince Valerion and his former mentor Lord Massey landed on the Skulls to find the islands largely abandoned, with no significant forces opposing their seizing of the main stronghold, which had been stripped of anything of value. That is not to say the campaign saw no bloodshed however.

The Ironborn, not wishing to have it said they fled like cowards, landed on the island of Nerrisa and attacked around three hundred fisherfolk who were mustering to join the campaign, the result was a slaughter, with 200 being killed, wounded or otherwise carried off as thralls to the waiting longships of the Ironborn who abandoned their former lands to its fate. The Ironborn of the Stepstones would largely return home respected to the Iron Islands, however some bands would remain to the east, hiring themselves out as mercenaries to estate owners in Braavos or Pentos, with some even taking the faith of R'hllor.

Despite the tragedy at Nerrisa, the campaign had accomplished its main goals, driving the Ironborn out of the Skulls and bringing the island chain under the crowns influence, with the main island eventually being renamed to Crabstone, in honor of Lord Celtigar who had perished not far from its shores at the hands of the reavers. The King made good on his promise and named his brother Prince Valerion as the Lord of Crabstone and Protector of the Northern Stepstones, granting him Lord Elesham of Nerissa as a vassal.

Prince Valerion then took the name of Valerion of the House of Seafyre, taking a sigil of a red dragon on blue, stating his intentions that his descendents should also bear his coat of arms, thus the House of the Dragons first true cadet house emerged on its frontier.

Shortly after the Prince's ascension, rumors say the young Princess wasted no time in consolidating his reign.

5th Moon, 108 AC

Seafyre Keep, Island of Crabstone

Prince Valerion walked the ramparts of the small crumbling wood and stone fort the Ironborn had left behind, surveying his new domain.

It's no Kings Landing He thought to himself as the wind whipped at his silver hair, causing him to pull his black cloak closer.

But it will serve…..for a start The Prince thought to himself, he had far greater ambitions than this wooden fort in the middle of the Narrow Sea, but everything had to start somewhere and it was his.

He looked at the red dragon banner and its blue cloth, flying in the wind…..his banner, the thought filled him with more pride than he cared to admit, and for a moment he allowed himself to picture those same banners flying over the Red Keep of Kings Landing.

It would be a lie to say the Prince did not know when he began to desire the Iron Throne….in fact he remembered not only when but the exact moment he had felt the hunger stirr inside of him for the first time.

He and his brother Aurion had been sparring in the Red Keep on his older brother's 14th name day before he and his brother shared a skin of wine, he remembered the memory vividly. His brother had then told him of his plan to attempt to tame a dragon from the pit and informed him that if anything happened to him, he was the heir.

All that day Valerion had felt a certain excitement, which he at first attributed to nervousness for his brother, but at as the day had gone on, he had found himself daydreaming of having to take control of the realm after something happened to his brother, of having everyone look at him the same they did his elder brother, of leading the kingdoms to glory, he saw no harm in it, it was only dreaming.

It had changed when he had seen his brother flying through the skies of Kings Landing, successful in his quest. And at that moment the first thing that had come to his mind was not relief that his older brother was alive but a feeling of disappointment.

He had felt immensely guilty about these feelings and had told none about it, attempting to bury it and never think such things again, but the feelings had returned and stronger then ever when a raven arrived in Stonedance from King's Landing detailing that his older brother was gravely ill with the Bloody Flux.

He remembered standing on the ramparts of Stonedance, looking out at skies not too dissimilar than the ones facing him now, and the memory of a single thought reverberating through his mind would be forever etched into his memory from that day forward.

I hope he dies The young Prince had thought to himself, and from that point onwards, Valerion had not tried to dismiss his feelings, accepting they were just a part of who he was.

Valerion did not hate his older brother…in fact he loved Aurion, idolized him even, and he had felt genuine happiness reuniting with Aurion and gratitude after his brother's generosity during his wedding, sparing no expense on the festivities and promising Valerion land, title, and command.

And yet…..the thoughts remained. He did not know if he ever could truly betray his older brother but he knew what he wanted….and if the opportunity presented itself…especially if anyone but his brother sat upon the throne….

The Lord of Seafyre Keep pushed the thoughts from his mind, he had other more pressing matters to attend to that evening.

Making his way down the half rotten stairs from the ramparts to the small mud courtyard of the castle he walked to the straw roofed wooden shack which served as a stables, saddling his horse, Valerion was never one to let others see too such things in his place.

With his horse readied, the Prince mounted and brought it to a trot towards the open gate, one of the guardsman from Kings Landing spotted him from the ramparts.

''Will you be wanting an escort m'Prince?'' The man asked, leaning on a halberd.

Valerion shook his head ''I will be back before morning.'' He said simply, before riding towards the interior of the rocky island of Crabstone, a light drizzling rain falling upon the Stepstones.

His brother had lent him 80 men at arms and 15 knights from King's Landing to secure his new lands until he was able to procure a garrison of his own, and while Valerion was appreciative of his brothers generosity, they were kings men through and through and the Prince would need men loyal to him for what was to come later that night.

He rode for around an hour through the rocky hills and tidepools of Crabstone, like most islands on the stepstones the land was mostly barren and empty, though there were several small fishing settlements, often comprised of only one or two families, which dotted the coastline of Crabstone and the surrounding isles in his domain.

After about an hour's ride, he made it to a large rocky cliff overlooking the gray swirling waters of the narrow sea, the light drizzle continuing. It was there he found his men.

Prince Valerion had served with Lord Massey and the royal fleet for over a decade, accompanying many patrols, sorties, escort missions and observing many skirmishes with the Essosi pirates over the years, and it was in this time he had come to know many of the best and most hardened killers in the royal fleet. As a parting gift in honor of the completion of his education and wardship at Stonedance, Lord Massey had gifted Valerion with a swift galley and allowed him to hand pick fifty men for his crew, and Valerion had carefully chosen the men he thought to be most loyal and useful.

Of this number he had chosen twenty of the most discreet of these to conduct a special task for him…the Ironborn had fled Crabstone and its surrounding isles, and yet their Essosi allies had not been so fortunate, and with no longships had largely spread out to try and blend in the various fishing villages on Valerions islands, a common occurrence whenever a pirate island came under the crowns influence.

Valerion knew well the atrocities that the raiders of the Stepstones were capable of, he had seen many a ransacked and burned settlement after the conclusion of a raid that the Royal Fleet had come just too late to prevent, and he had seen the raiders set upon Lord Celtigars ships, the memory of the screams of the dead and dying would not soon leave him….the Prince would not allow these former pirates to escape punishment.

And so he had ordered twenty of his most discreet and cunning men to visit the fishing settlements and speak with their inhabitants, collecting names of suspected former pirates, and asking about strange men who had appeared looking for work after the liberation of the island….Valerion had sent forth his men to scour the isles like a fisherman throws in a line….and now it was time to see what he had caught.

He was greeted by Alran the Sisterman, a man of 45 with long black hair and a drooping mustache clad in a salt and sweat stained jerkin, who had served over half his life manning the galleys of the Royal Fleet, and a man whom Valerion considered his most trusted man.

''I see none of the King's men are with you.'' Alran said, the slightest hint of a smile on his windburnt face.

''What my brother doesnt know wont kill him.'' The Prince answered simply, no doubt his noble older brother would not approve of what was to come next, but Aurion did not know the savagries of the pirates like Valerion did.

''How many?'' Valerion asked, for the first time glancing at the row of kneeling prisoners, bound in rope and guarded by the rest of Alrans men.

''We seized twenty six suspected pirates, all corroborated and pointed out by the fisherfolk….did it nice and quiet too….none of your brothers men saw a thing.'' Alran stated, pointing his sword at the group of huddled and shivering prisoners, many of whom had been beaten and were stripped of any decent clothing.

Valerion nodded and rode towards the prisoners.

''Im no pirate!'' One of the prisoners said, seeing the silver haired horseman approaching.

''That sounds like something a pirate would say eh lads?'' Alran said, causing a bout of laughter from his band.

''That old hag has always had it out for me….it were her that pointed the finger werent it?'' The man demanded.

Valerion paid the man no mind, he trusted Alran and his band…if they thought it likely the man was a pirate he would receive no quarter.

''Mercy sire!'' Another called out, with others echoing the plea.

Valerion dismounted, handing the reins of his horse to one of his men, even at the age of 18 he stood a head taller than most of his men, having a tall yet thin build. With his horse secure he began walking towards the edge of the cliff, the rain had started to pick up now and a fierce wind from the narrow sea was roaring.

He saw his men begin to take hold of their swords and axes but Valerion raised a hand…..it would be difficult to deal with twenty six bodies, especially when there was a much better way to prevent any discovery of the killings.

''Send that one forward.'' Valerion demanded, pointing at a scarred man with long blue dyed hair, clearly a Tyroshi.

''You won't get no fear from me.'' The man growled as he was pushed to his knees at the cliff edge in front of the Prince.

Valerion did not respond, tightly taking hold of the man's hair and in a single movement drew a dagger from his belt and cut the man's throat in a single swift motion.

The Tyroshi gurgled, the life fading from his eyes as Valerion dragged him to the cliff edge and pushed him into the dark swirling seas.

''I trust you can deal with the rest.'' Valerion said curtly to his men, returning to his horse and watching as the pirates were herded to the cliff's edge, their pleas and cries deafened by the wind and rain.

108 AC - 111 AC

In the years following his ascension, rumors would circulate around the new Lord of Crabstone about the mass killings of many former pirates, but they would never reach the ears of the King, and if they did Aurion took no action against his brother's rumored ruthless methods.

The year 108 AC would see the continuation of the quiet and calm which blanketed most of the realm, with the only other event of note occurring in the Red Keep when the Princess Jaehaera Targaryen, daughter of the late Queen of Skulls would be discovered dead in her chambers by her sister Larrisa, a half full cup of wine in front of her.

King Aurion did not begrudge his Great Aunt a funeral befitting a Targaryen princess, lending the dragonfire of Vhagar during her ceremony along with that of Tridax, Larissa's Proudwing and Aenys's Oathwing.

At the beginning of 109 AC it was announced that a great tournament would be held in Highgarden, hosted and funded by Lord Ellard Tyrell. Those of the Kings councilors who were aware of the Lord Paramounts previous ambitions to seize the Iron Throne for himself counseled the King not to attend, but Aurion was known to state that ''The whole realm will be there, and I will not hide in the Red Keep.'' And so preparations to attend the tourney were made, though Queen Alicent would not be in attendance due to her expecting another child.

The King would make no great impressions in the lists, being dismounted in the early days of the jousts, however this would leave him time for focusing on much more important matters. Aurion would attend several private feasts with Ellard Tyrell, with his good friend Norman Tyrell, Ellards eldest son joining them to mediate. We do not have a record of what was said in those conversations, however it is clear following the conclusion of the tourney that the King no longer considered Highgarden to be a great threat and relations between Aurion and Ellard would remain cordial if not warm in the coming years, though Ellard Tyrell would never regain his position as Marshal of the Realm.

King Aurion returned to King's Landing on foot rather then on the back of Vhagar, so that he might inspect the progress of the construction of the Rose Road connecting Kings Landing to Highgarden, being so pleased with the efforts that every man working on the road was given an extra months wages courtesy of the crown.

He would return to King's Landing to find a new son waiting for him, as the Prince Maegor would be born just a few days before his return, with both mother and child recovering well.

The final months of 109 AC would see a rather significant change in Kings Landing as old Renly Arryn, commander of the Gold Cloaks for the past several decades would pass. True to his word, King Aurion appointed his kinsman Viserys, the son of Vaella and a longtime gold cloak officer as the next commander of the city watch, with Viserys taking the name Goldfyre and the sigil of a golden spear on a field of black for himself and his descendents, with his brother Matagar also taking the Goldfyre name.

With the situation in the realm seemingly secure, the King decided it was time to begin a second progress of his realm, with preparations being made for this one to be much longer than his previous progress, and it was also decided that the Queen Alicent would accompany him, leaving the realm in the hands of the capable and experienced Lord Swygert.

It was determined that no less than nine castles would be graced with the King and Queen's presence for extended stays, though many others would host the royal couple for a night as they traveled the realm.

The first of the royal visits was to be to Storm's End, the seat of House Baratheon and ruled by Ronnal Baratheon, the only son of the late Princess Daeoril. Like his previous progress, the King brought no great escort with him, not wishing to strain his hosts, and he resolved to travel by horse for the journey as to remain with Alicent, though his Uncle Aemorys trailed the progress on his dragon Tridax, the Princess Larrisa also resolved to journey with the royal expedition at least as far as Storms End so as to see her children and foster son Ronnal, having been the Lady of Storm's End for several years.

They made good time traveling the news Kingsroad leading to Storm's End, arriving in the castle on the 10th moon of 110 AC. King Aurion spent much of the trip conversing with Lord Baratheon and the gathered Stormlords, while the Queen Alicent would order the great hall of Storms End cleared one day to hold a ''Woman's Court'' an event which was to be the first of its kind, where women and girls, both noble and lowborn would gather in the presence of the Queen to state grievances, concerns and hopes for the future, with no men allowed entry into the proceedings.

Great Hall of Storms End, The Stormlands

10th Moon, 110 AC

Queen Alicent listened patiently as the matron of the motherhouse of Storms End spoke, sitting on the steps leading to the throne of the Lord of Storm's End, she could of course have taken the seat as her own but she sensed many of the lowborn women from the village of Stags End were quite nervous and intimidated by her presence and the Queen wanted to put on a more casual air to relax them and put them at ease.

''Parts of the motherhouse have gone into disrepair and have begun to crumble your Grace as it is very expensive to acquire stone….much of it was used in the building of the Kingsroad and whatever else is on the market is swiftly bought by either the Sept or by Lords wishing to fortify….just last month Septon Madyn brought in four wagons of stone for repairs and we are unable to afford even a single cart.'' The hooded septa, a stout yet motherly figure of around forty five years explained.

''It is a grave injustice that the Lord of Storm's End allows the motherhouse he swore to defend to turn to crumble and turn to ruin….many lords seem to forget that they must defend their lands from time and the elements and not just raiders….you have my word I will speak to my husband about this….you shall have all the stone and workers you require for repairs Mother, from my own jewels if necessary…..and terms for more affordable acquisition of materials and labor in the future will be secured.'' Alicent promised.

''You are too generous, your Grace.'' The Septa said, bowing her head and withdrawing into the crowd.

With all those who wished to speak having done so, Alicent got to her feet and began to mingle with the crowd, conversing with both noble ladies and lowborn women alike, seeking further information about their testimony, reiterating promises and giving blessings for babes in the womb to be named after her, though nothing was as enjoyable as conversing with the young girls that had come to court, Alicent loved her three sons with all her heart, but having grown up with naught but brothers, she had always wanted a daughter and it was enjoyable meeting all the little children, high and lowborn.

It had been her idea to hold the Women's Court, wishing to take a more active role in ruling on this progress, and her husband had been nothing but supportive. There were some matters, no matter how diligent Aurion was that as a man, he quite simply would be unable to understand or attend too.

The court had taken several hours, and it was not all pleasant, with tales of rape, raiders and beatings being commonplace, though there were other trivial matters and more pleasant topics such as approving marriages, adoptions and tales of how life had improved under Targaryen reign to balance out the darker testimonies.

She and her husband's kinswoman Larrisa Targaryen, who had helped her oversee the court spent the next hour talking and seeing off their guests and gradually the great hall began to empty until there was just one other woman besides her and Larrisa left in the hall, a short woman whose true age or appearance was hard to determine due to the septa's robes which covered her full body, Alicent had noticed her during the court, but the woman had not said anything and had kept her face downwards near the entire time, being so silent Alicent had assumed she was sworn to a vow of silence.

''Please…..approach sister.'' Alicent called out to the woman who was standing in the corner of the room.

The hooded woman shuffled towards the Queen and Larrisa hesitantly, her eyes still downcast.

''You have nothing to fear from us…..what is your name Sister?'' Alicent inquired.

''Olenna…..if it please your Grace.'' The hooded women said.

At the sound of the woman's voice, which sounded to belong to that of a young woman, Alicent saw surprise run through the eyes of her Targaryen companion.

''Olenna…..'' Larrisa said, clearly shocked, lowering the woman's hood slightly to look at her eyes.

''Mother…..'' The woman responded, quickly pulling her hood back up.

''Olenna Tyrell…wife of my son Raymont….and my daughter-by-law…why did you not say something dear…..Raymont told me you were feeling ill when we arrived.'' Larrisa said in confusion.

''I almost didn't come at all but…..'' The diminutive woman began, her voice trailing off.

Alicent, sensing something was wrong, took the woman's hands, only for the woman to grimace as if in pain and pull them back quickly, but not before Alicent could feel that several of the fingers were misshapen and bent.

''I almost didn't come but….for the sake of the babe…I…I didn't know what else to do.'' She whispered.

Alicent, a pit forming in her stomach, slowly reached for Olenna's hood and pulled it down, and what she saw caused her to let out a gasp alongside Larrisa.

The side of the poor woman's face was heavily bruised, deep purple and black splotches on her cheek and running down all the way to her neck and shoulder, from the looks of it she had been beaten almost to death.

''R…Raymont did this?'' Larissa asked in shock.

''He is not always like this…..sometimes he is fine and pleasant, quick to joke….but out of nowhere….the smallest things….a darkness comes over him…..I…I only gave the stable boy a few halfpennies for seeing to our horses and when we returned to our chambers…'' The woman faltered before looking up at Larissa, a hint of boldness in her eyes for the first time.

''Your son is a monster….a damned brute.'' She finished.

''I…I am so sorry….he always had a temper but…I never knew he was capable….'' The old woman began, the hints of tears in her eyes, but Olenna Tyrell ignored her, her gaze returning to the Queen.

''I fear for the babe…if he does it again….and there's no telling what will set him off….no matter how hard I try…..'' The woman said.

''Olenna Tyrell….I SWEAR to you that this will not go unanswered…..he shall never lay hands on you again.'' Alicent said, a fury upon her.

She stormed from the chambers, finding her husband's uncle Aemorys a respectful distance away, guarding the Great Hall.

''Is everything all right, your Grace.'' The Lord Commander asked, clearly noticing her mood.

''Walk with me Ser.'' She commanded and the Kingsguard nodded and fell in behind her.

She found them all in the Kitchen Keep, breaking their fast on venison stew. Aurion sat next to Lord Paramount Ronnal, laughing at a jest from Raymont Baratheon, the Lord Paramounts half brother regaling the table with a tale.

Alicent stormed in, not breaking her stride, Aemorys struggling to keep up with her.

''How was court?'' Her husband began but Alicent ignored him, walking past him towards the seated Raymont Baratheon who looked up at her with piercing gray eyes, clearly confused at her glare. The fury was well and truly upon the Queen at this point when she saw the brute, a tall and muscular man, in stark contrast to his wife Olenna, who was a very petite woman.

''My La…'' He began, confused but the Queen gave him no opportunity to finish, raising her palm and delivering a stinging blow to his cheek.

Cursing foully and nearly falling from his seat in surprise and his hurry to get to his feet, Raymont Baratheon got to his feet, where Alicent proceeded to slap him once more across the face with her palm for good measure.

Raymont Baratheon cursed and took a step forward, but the Lord Commander Aemorys was immediately in front of her, Dark Sister in hand.

''I wouldn't.'' The bearded Kingsguard knight said simply, and Raymont slowly withdrew, massaging his sore face, glaring at the Queen.

Aurion had since taken to his feet, a look of complete bewilderment upon his face.

''Alicent….what is this?'' He asked.

''This man…this brute you sit here laughing with beat his pregnant wife near to death…..a woman near half his size if that.'' Alicent said, glaring at Raymont.

''Clear the room if you would Lord Ronnal.'' The King commanded the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, who nodded and led his brother out, slowly the Feast Hall emptied.

Aurion took a seat, gesturing for her to join him, putting a hand on her shoulder ''Tell me all of it.''

Alicent obliged, and by the time she had finished he was running a hand through his beard.

''If you had seen her Aurion…..if you had seen the bruises….it was your own kinswoman Rhaenys that established the law preventing such beatings.'' Alicent proclaimed.

''Strictly speaking she prohibited any more than six blows….not the beatings….reprehensible as the practice may be….the laws of the land don't prohibit the right of a husband to chastise his wife.'' Aurion said, not unkindly.

''She had done nothing to warrant ''chastisement'' Aurion ... .nothing….something must be done.'' Alicent said.

''And something will…..you have my word.'' The King promised, never one to deny his Queen anything.

It was Larrisa who came up with the idea, suggesting that an edict from the High Septon be made annulling her son's marriage to Olenna, and her son be sent to the Warriors Sons in Oldtown to atone for his sin.

Lord Ronnal Baratheon counted his younger half sibling as one of his closest companions and was not pleased when he heard of King Aurions intentions, but the Lord of Storm's End was not one to interfere with a royal order and he submitted after speaking with his stepmother Larrisa, Aurions relationship with the faith made setting aside the marriage an easy enough affair and Raymont Baratheon was ''invited'' to join the Warriors Sons by the King himself an honor he could scarcely refuse.

111 AC-

With a rather eventful visit to Storm's End complete, the royal progress continued, with far less dramatic events occurring.

Following their departure, the royal party traveled south through the Stormlands to the keep of Crows Nest on the mountainous outskirts of the Rainwood to visit with Lord Morrigen. The visit here was noticeably more subdued than that to Storm's End and extremely well received, with Queen Alicent holding another successful ''Womens Court'' while the King negotiated regular shipments of timber to King's Landing on the new Kingsroad. Timber was not only needed by the common folk of the city but was in high demand for the Braavosi trading post which dominated Kings Landings trade, as wood is in short supply in Braavos.

Following this, Aurion would make another trip to Highgarden hoping to continue the accord he had found with Lord Ellard Tyrell, as well as reunite with his old friend Norman Tyrell, Queen Alicent would hold another ''Woman's Court'' but it was to be her last of the progress, as in Highgarden she began to show signs of pregnancy and would return to King's Landing, some months later giving birth to another son, whom would be named Prince Vaegon.

The King, continuing on alone after Alicents departure then made the trip to the impressive castle of Casterly Rock in the Westerlands, becoming the first Targaryen monarch to visit the seat of House Lannister, and the first Targaryen to set foot in the Westerlands since King Vaemond put down the Lions rebellion decades earlier.

Despite the fact that Targaryen influence was rather low in the Westerlands, Aurion was cordially received by Lord Willem Lannister who had been the realms master of coin since the days of Queen Laena and the two were very familiar with each other. While in the Rock, Aurion toured the newly built sept of Brightwall, built inside of the rock itself, visited the nearby gold mines, and was shown the Hall of Heroes where the Lannister kings and heroes of old are interred.

Following this, the King chartered a boat in Lannisport to make a return to the Iron Isles. There were reportedly very rough seas on the journey to Saltcliffe, and it seems as if King Aurion came very close to joining his ancestor Aegon the Conqueror at the bottom of the Sunset Sea, however the royal galley made it through the night and soon made landfall in Saltcliffe.

The King toured the small village of Salt Dragon Port which he had funded years earlier, though the lord Sawayne Saltcliffe had since passed. After a few days of enjoying the fresh salty sea air, The King and his party then made their way to Pyke, the foremost castle in the isles and seat of House Greyjoy.

While the King enjoyed a cordial welcome, once again witnessing many finger dances, saga recitations and skald performances, it is reported the King felt an unease in the isles, as if the wind before a storm, despite the Kings attempts to understand the political climate on the isles, the Ironborn were quite tight lipped during his visit and he left feeling concerned for the island kingdom.

King Aurion then began the final, yet longest leg of his progress, sailing from Pyke to the Stony Shore in the North, his first trip to the lands of House Stark. Upon landing, King Aurion and his party began the long march to Winterfell, stopping for several days in Kings Course, the seat of House Cassel where he witnessed a small traditional northern melee, the northern equivalent of a joust, though fought in teams and while dismounted.

After this spectacle, the King and his company finished the last of the trek to Winterfell. There, Aurion enjoyed great hunting in the rich pine forests nearby, forming a friendship with Harwin Umber, a retainer of the Lady Stark. Not all the King's time in Winterfell was spent on such pursuits however as he held court and settled several matters, albeit temporarily, including a dispute between House Stark and the Northern Clans, who had long had a troubled relationship.

With his visit to Winterfell concluded, King Aurion made yet another long trip to White Harbor and arranged transport to Gulltown in the Vale, and from there traveled to the Eyrie, seat of House Arryn, traveling up the perilous winding path on a mule, taking in the view for several days before descending and visiting several small villages which had been looted by the mountain clansman of the Vale. The King had little to say of his time atop the Eyrie and did not seem to particularly enjoy it, only stating to the Queen Alicent upon his return that never before had he seen a castle so beautiful but so lonesome.

This was to be the Kings final stop on his progress as he felt he had been away from his family and the capitol long enough, with Aurion traveling to Gulltown and then sailing back to King's Landing, arriving back on the 4th moon of 112 AC, having been gone for a year and a half. So ended the King's second progress, but back in King's Landing, the Targaryen children, as they were so often like to do, were causing mischief.