Red Keep ― Maegor's Holdfast…
Grand Maester Orwyle frantically stuffed various documents and materials into his pouch, tossing other items haphazardly into the hearth. The chaos unfolding around him was too much, too soon. He had hoped for more time to prepare and put things in order. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he listened to the sounds of violent rioting emanating from the city below, and even within the castle walls, the stench of blood was unmistakable. Orwyle had no intention of getting caught up in the mayhem.
Suddenly, a voice from behind interrupted. "What are you doing?"
Orwyle's heart nearly skipped a beat when he suddenly saw Alwyn standing before him. Alwyn's eyes flickered to the burning documents in Orwyle's hand as he spoke, "So, it's all true, then; you're part of this group of traitors." Alwyn's tone was neither furious nor surprised, just deeply disappointed.
"I understand that this situation may be overwhelming, Alwyn. The plans of the Peakes could potentially hold a great deal of power."
"Although I may not have all the details, I know right from wrong. This act of treason cannot be justified, and it seems as though you are playing a part in it."
"I had… I had no choice," Orwyle muttered, his eyes darting nervously around the room.
Alwyn shook his head gently. "There is always a choice, my friend," he replied softly. "And you have a choice now: return what you have taken, and I will intercede on your behalf with Aeonar when he returns."
For a moment, Orwyle looked as though he might comply. But then he glanced over Alwyn's shoulder, and his expression changed. "Lord Commander?" he said, sounding surprised.
Alwyn turned around, expecting to see Ser Harrold Westerling. Instead, he was struck from behind with a sudden, sharp blow by a Caltrops supporter. The maester of Dragonstone groaned and crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Orwyle stood frozen for a moment, his eyes wide with shock. Then, without a word, he dropped the candlestick he had been holding and snatched up the crown. He stepped over Alwyn's unconscious form and fled down the tower stairs as fast as his trembling legs could carry him. As Alwyn lay there, helpless and alone, the enormity of what had just happened began to sink in. He had always known that power and ambition could be dangerous things, but he had never expected to fall victim to them himself. It was a harsh lesson but one that he would never forget.
King's Landing ― Street of Sisters…
Although the initial display of strength by Rhaenys and Meleys stopped Beatrice and the Caltrops in their tracks, tensions quickly escalated into a frantic battle for survival. Meleys, with her remarkable speed, soared high above the capital city, evading the relentless pursuit of three ferocious dragons: Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, and Vhagar. While Meleys could defeat each dragon individually, the odds were significantly against her in a three-on-one confrontation. The exhausting struggle highlighted the ferocity between each of the powerful Targaryen dragons.
"*RUUUUUuuuuuuu!*" Vhagar growled fiercely; the Queen of All Dragons and her smaller kin chased after Meleys, snapping their jaws in an attempt to catch her. However, they could not successfully capture their target as the Red Queen was too fast for them.
"Jās, Meles! Aderī! (Move, Meleys! Quickly!)" Rhaenys commanded.
"*RAAAAAAAAA!*" Meleys screeched, beating her wings in her attempt to shake off her pursuers.
Vhagar, being the largest and most powerful dragon out of the three, was an imposing figure to behold. However, Sunfyre was the swiftest of the trio, although still not quite on par with the sheer might of Meleys. Rhaenys found herself in a precarious situation, desperately seeking a way out lest she meets a gruesome fate at the jaws of these ferocious beasts.
Amidst the rampant riots that swept through the streets, Beatrice, along with her children and the Caltrops, faced countless obstacles at every turn. Chaos and mayhem seemed to be the order of the day. But then, a glimmer of hope appeared on the horizon - the arrival of Vhagar, Sunfyre, and Dreamfyre. With Meleys out of the way, the pathway to the Dragonpit lay open, and Beatrice could sense the tide turning in her favor. If the Caltrops could take control of the Dragonpit, they would essentially have mastery over all the wild and untamed Targaryen dragons, to be wielded as they saw fit. However, Beatrice's fleeting moment of triumph was short-lived, as one of her supporters arrived on the scene, and events took an unexpected turn.
"Your Grace!" one of the Caltrops approached Beatrice. "Lord Strong informs us that eight dragons are en route to King's Landing from Dragonstone! They'll be here at any moment!"
Beatrice's face fell as she came to a sudden realization. "Eight?! But how…" The name Aeonar echoed in her mind. Regret flooded her thoughts as she realized what she should have done: she should have taken Jaehaerys out when she had the chance! But now? It seems highly likely that Aeonar has now become fully cognizant of the attempted coup and is en route with a sizeable complement of additional dragons at his disposal. Even with the formidable prowess of Vhagar at the Caltrops' disposal, it would be an insurmountable challenge for the Queen of All Dragons to confront multiple foes simultaneously.
"Your Grace, we must flee the city! It's no longer safe here!"
Damn it! Seven hells, we were so close! Beatrice felt frustrated and disappointed that her plan to have Aegon crowned in the capital before the masses couldn't be executed. She believed that it would have given more legitimacy to their cause, but time was not on their side.
"*RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOHH!*"
Sunfyre and Dreamfyre screeched in terror as a sudden, ear-splitting blast pierced the air, causing them to abandon their pursuit of Meleys immediately. Rhaenys breathed a sigh of relief as Meleys gained some distance. But even the Red Queen herself heard this familiar call from afar. The draconic roar was long and loud, and it was getting closer. On the ground, Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond also felt the intense pressure and vibrations emanating from both the air and the ground beneath their feet. It was the unmistakable roar of a dragon - a sound they had heard once before at Driftmark six years ago. This roar began with a low rumble and gradually rose to a high-pitched, multi-layered crescendo - the alpha call of a dragon. Amidst the deafening roar that echoed across the city, it was only Vhagar who remained unaffected, letting out a fierce snarl instead. As the Queen of All Dragons, she possessed the distinction of being the oldest, largest, and most physically robust dragon, with countless battles under her belt. The alpha call that had been sounded could only signify one thing - that another dragon was ready to challenge her for supreme dominance.
"*Wuuuuuuuurrr!*"
As the capital city came into view, Vhagar took to the skies and began circling the area, emitting deep growls in a distinctly draconic tone. The dragon's eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of the challenger who dared to challenge her. In the distance, eight dragons were rapidly closing in on King's Landing, their powerful wings propelling them forward with incredible speed. Upon reaching the city limits, several of the dragons veered off in different directions, leaving only one to continue its approach. This particular dragon was unlike any other, moving with such speed and agility that it easily bypassed Vhagar, leaving the seasoned dragon growling with frustration.
Meanwhile, Dreamfyre had flown to a corner near the Iron Gate, seeking refuge from the chaos unfolding around her. However, her peace was short-lived, as Silverwing, ridden by Aemma, suddenly appeared out of nowhere and ambushed her from the side. With a fierce grip on Dreamfyre's left flank, Silverwing used her foot claws to aggressively toss the dragon to the outskirts of the city, causing her to crash to the ground with a resounding thud.
As the battle raged on in the skies, Moondancer and Vermithor, ridden by Baela and Jaehaerys, respectively, pursued Sunfyre. Despite the Bronze Fury's massive size, Sunfyre was no match for the speed and agility of his smaller compatriot. Moondancer, in particular, was a force to be reckoned with, moving effortlessly through the sky and on the ground with a grace that belied her strength. With her slender pale green scales, pearl horns, crest, and wingbones, she was a sight to behold, no larger than a war horse but just as powerful in her own way.
"*Reeeeeeee!*" Caraxes screeched as he banked past Vhagar.
"*Ruuuuuuuuuuaaarh!*" In frustration, Vhagar attempted to snap her jaws at the Blood Wyrm, but narrowly missed. The dragons Corxes, Maelyx, and Gaemon were proving to be a challenge as they swiftly flew circled around the Queen of All Dragons. Despite multiple attempts to catch them, Vhagar was unable to keep up with their agility and speed, the only advantage they had due to their smaller size. "*Wuuuuuuuurrr!*" Despite her advanced age, she had an impressive range of senses, including the ability to determine the gender and size of other dragons through scent marks with the receptors in her snout. She was able to identify seven males and one female.
But there were six males. Where was the other one?
In mere moments, Vhagar becomes aware of another dragon abruptly altering its course and accelerating at an alarming pace. Her instincts inform her that there is something pursuing her from behind. However, before Vhagar can even begin to respond to this looming danger, she is suddenly rammed in the center of her body with an intense force by Vaelor, who charges toward her with breathtaking speed. This collision from the Swiftrunner's head throws the Queen of All Dragons' enormous size and weight in a tumbling motion through the air, causing her to helplessly spiral out of control until she finally plummets from the skies, unable to regain her balance.
"*Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!*" Vaelor roared loudly.
"Vhagar!" Aemond exclaimed from the ground.
"*Wuuuur-Rrraaaaaugh!*" Vhagar grumbled. Fighting to regain control of her flight path, the Queen of All Dragons eventually recovers to confront her challenger. "*RRAAAAAAAAAH!*" she roared.
"*RAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOH!*" Vaelor roared back. The Swiftrunner's dorsal spines were raised, and Vaelor appeared to be displaying aggression, which was unusual as dragons his size or smaller would typically demonstrate a sign of submission. It seemed as though the creature was somehow sensing the thoughts of its rider. "*Hiiiisssssss!~*" he hissed.
Observing the skies above King's Landing, one would have witnessed a grand spectacle of two of the most massive and imposing dragons in the Seven Kingdoms - Vhagar and Vaelor. The two mighty beasts were locked in a tense standoff, each sizing up the other for any potential weaknesses to exploit. Vhagar, with her enormous size measuring an awe-inspiring 330 feet in length, towered over Vaelor, who was no slouch himself at a still-imposing 248 feet long. Despite him being smaller and weaker, Vaelor was renowned as the fastest dragon in the world and honed his skills in combat against other dragons bigger than himself before. His serrated blade-like teeth, sharpened to a razor's edge, were a formidable weapon that slightly curved backward and was designed to slice through flesh. Even so, Vaelor remained ever-vigilant, for he was facing off against none other than his mother, whose powerful jaws and crushing bite could reduce even the strongest of prey to a mere pulp if he was not careful enough.
But there was an advantage Vaelor had against Vhagar that the Queen of All Dragons didn't have: strength in numbers.
"*RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOHH!*" Vaelor unleashed his alpha call again.
"*RRAAAAAAAAAH!*" Vhagar roared. As she prepared to act, Vermithor and Silverwing suddenly emerged from below, catching Vhagar off-guard. The two dragons swiftly made their move, using their heads to strike at Vhagar. Silverwing clamped onto Vhagar's right leg with her teeth, while Vermithor bit at the base of her tail. Soon after, Caraxes also joined in, inflicting several bites on the left leg before all the dragons flew away until they could begin their next attack pattern. "*WRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUH!*" Vhagar was very angry and turned her head to snap at her attackers. However, she made a mistake by turning mid-flight which allowed Vaelor to clutch her with his foot claws; it was a mid-air melee of claws and fangs.
In the midst of the intense battle, both Dreamfyre and Sunfyre were met with fierce resistance from Meleys, Corxes, Maelyx, Gaemon, and Moondancer. As the dragons fought in groups, the advantage slowly shifted in favor of the Blacks. Aeonar's faction had a greater number of Targaryen dragons at their disposal, and his children had been trained to work seamlessly with their fire-breathing companions. This effective cooperation and strategic planning gave them an edge over their counterparts, allowing them to gain the upper hand in the dragon-on-dragon battle.
"Vēsperzys! (Sunfyre!)" Aegon the Elder called out, worried over his dragon being overwhelmed.
Aemond, with great care and attention to detail, thoroughly examined and analyzed the attack strategies of the four considerable dragons. Despite the concerning reality that Vhagar was vastly outnumbered, the prince maintained a positive outlook, firmly believing that through careful observation and study, he could successfully isolate and confront each dragon individually.
Beatrice gazed intently at one of her trusted personal guards. "Inform our allies in the city to make a hasty retreat. Advise them to take only what they can carry and leave the rest behind. Let chaos reign in this city so that Aeonar has no choice but to prioritize restoring order," she issued a firm command. Maybe then the distraction will buy us plenty of time to recover and make out next move. It seems it will be a civil war, after all.
As Helaena and her mother hurried through the city, she whispered in awe, "The fire blazes so bright, yet the smoke shrouds all in darkness. See the three kings on their hills? A fierce dragon, a humble shepherd, and a tiny flea." Despite her mother's urging to hurry, Helaena couldn't help but be mesmerized by the chaotic scene before her.
"All forces, pull back! Retreat!"
Amidst the chaos and turmoil of the Caltrops' mass exodus from King's Landing, a scene of pandemonium and desperation unfolded. Horses and coaches jostled for space as the throngs of people on foot surged towards the King's Gate, each one hoping to escape the besieged city and find refuge elsewhere. While the majority of the Caltrops headed south towards the Reach, a few chose to go westwards or north to the Riverlands, each one driven by their own unique motivations and goals.
High above the fray, Beatrice's children were quickly stowed away in their royal wheelhouse, their fate uncertain as they fled the city. Dreamfyre and Sunfyre, determined to ensure their riders' safety, took swift and decisive action, making a hasty withdrawal to follow the fleeing masses. Meanwhile, Vhagar, the Queen of All Dragons, found herself embroiled in a fierce battle with her attackers, using her massive tail to lash out in a desperate attempt to keep them at bay. Though wounded and exhausted, Vhagar fought on valiantly, until she realized that she could no longer continue the fight against four large dragons by herself. But vowing to one day return, Vhagar temporarily chose to retreat, leaving the chaos and confusion of the city behind.
Despite the Peakes and their supporters fleeing the scene, the city remained in a state of unrest and turmoil. The smallfolk, filled with rage and frustration, took to the streets with a vengeance, causing chaos and disorder throughout the city. The loyal gold cloaks, tasked with maintaining order, were struggling to keep the peace and were on the verge of being overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the situation. It seemed as if the city was on the brink of collapse, with no hope of salvation in sight.
But just as all hope was lost, a sudden shift in the atmosphere signaled the arrival of something mysterious and powerful. Dark shadows loomed over the city, and the sound of roses could be heard in the distance. Heads turned upwards in wonder and awe as the majestic forms of dragons circled overhead, their powerful wings casting a spell of enchantment over the city. The people gazed in awe and amazement at the incredible creatures, their hearts filled with wonder and hope for a brighter future.
Aeonar Targaryen had returned.
As Vaelor made his descent towards the streets, emitting a fierce roar, the crowds quickly made way for him. It wasn't long before several other Targaryen dragons, including Vermithor, Silverwing, Meleys, Caraxes, Corxes, Maelyx, Gaemon, and Moondancer joined him. Their sudden appearance and display of strength significantly boosted the morale of the Blacks. With the help of the dragons and Aeonar's followers, order was eventually restored to King's Landing after a few hours of chaos.
But the hours felt like days.
And there was still unfinished business left to resolve.
Red Keep ― Maegor's Holdfast…
Before preparations could be made for his upcoming coronation, Aeonar made his way to his late father's chambers with the rest of his family to survey the intricate model of Old Valyrian that his father and Jaehaerys had meticulously crafted in his stead. The pieces were thoughtfully placed, ranging from dragons of various postures to models of individuals, including Dragonlord nobility, blood mages, and members of the Freehold. However, the royal family was disheartened to discover that the late King Viserys had been left unattended for an extended period of time. The room was permeated with a nauseating stench of decay.
"O-Oh, gods!" Viserys covered his nose.
"Ugh, they left him here to rot!" Jaehaerys was appalled at the Caltrops' treatment of his deceased grandfather.
"B-Barbarians," Aegon was disgusted.
"Call the Silent Sisters," Alicent signaled to her servants, but soon she observed that her children were becoming visibly heartbroken, one by one. "Children, you shouldn't―"
"Oh, grandpa~" Aemma stifled her sobs, her hand covering her mouth.
"He… really is gone," Aegon held Aemma tightly as she wept on his shoulder, his voice trembling with emotion.
"Gra… Grandfather. I…" Jaehaerys struggled to contain his emotions as well. Being responsible and mature as he was, was still deeply affected by the loss of a beloved paternal grandfather. Despite his efforts to remain composed, he couldn't help but sniffle and wipe away his tears. I'll miss you, grandfather. So… So much.
Baela was a comforting presence by Jaehaerys's side. She understood the heavy weight of loss all too well, recalling the pain she felt after losing her own mother, Lady Laena Velaryon. "Shh, shh, shh. I'm here, Jay," Baela whispered words of comfort to Jaehaerys, assuring him that he could lean on her for support. "You're not alone," she gently murmured. I'll never leave you alone.
Aeonar and Alicent stood watching the Silent Sisters preparing the king's body for burial. Gently wrapping him in a gauze-like cloth, like the ones Queen Aemma and Prince Baelon were twenty years ago, the Young Dragon was insistent that a proper Targaryen funeral would be arranged for his late father. But that didn't stop Aeonar from feeling tremendous guilt. His emotions were wracked. He remember the horrible things he said and did to his father out of spite, now that they had finally reconciled, he wanted more time to make things right, but fate can be rather cruel. The gods can be especially cruel and unforgiving.
"He loved you, you know. Until the very end."
Alicent turned to see Otto standing behind them. "Father…" her voice cracked. Tears welled up in her eyes, ready to cascade down her face. The king had been a fatherly figure to her ever since House Hightower had arrived in the Red Keep thirty-one years ago, following Otto's promotion as Hand of the King under Jaehaerys I. Viserys and Aemma had treated her with exceptional kindness, loving her as if she were their own daughter, and had blessed her marriage to their eldest son. Alicent had felt at home with them, but now they were both gone.
Otto pressed forward, past his grandchildren and daughter, before standing next to his son-in-law. "Every time you weren't here, Viserys would wait at his table, pulling out a seat, hoping you would return. Whenever His Grace and I were alone, all he could ever talk about… was you," he said. This was a rare, emotional story Otto had about Viserys that he never told anyone, how he explained the king would eagerly wait at his table, hoping for his return. "Do not blame yourself, Your Grace," he addressed his son-in-law by his new title. "Despite everything that happened between the two of you, your father loved you very much. He'd be very proud to see the man you've become." Pulling a figurine out of his pocket, he handed it to him. "A part of him will always live on. In you. Remember that."
Upon receiving the model, Aeonar's gaze immediately fell upon it. However, he was struck by a momentary pause upon seeing the figure. It was a small, crudely formed stone man positioned before the grand domed hall situated at the heart of the city. The figure appeared to be preaching, imploring the people to listen to his words. Aeonar recognized the figure quite well, as it was a creation of his from many years prior.
ooOoo
Flashback: 31 years ago (101 AC)…
"Look, papa!" Aeonar beamed with excitement as he presented his first carving to his father.
Viserys put down his own creation to take a closer look at the little figure. "Ah! And who might this fine Valyrian be?" he inquired.
"Aenar the Exile!" the boy declared proudly.
Viserys smiled and settled into his workbench, patting his knee for Aeonar to come sit with him. "Aenar the Exile," he repeated softly, examining the figurine with great care. "You know, we named you after him. Some people thought he was a coward for fleeing his homeland and taking refuge on a barren rock at the edge of the world."
"But he wasn't a coward, was he, papa?"
"No, my boy, he was not. Aenar saved his family, his dynasty, and the entire Valyrian legacy. Without him, the line of Dragonlords and the dragons themselves would have disappeared forever." Viserys placed the carving on the steps of the capital dome. "And I have no doubt that you, my son, will be just like him. You will protect our family and accomplish great things."
ooOoo
As Aeonar gazed upon the intricately crafted figurine, his eyes grew misty with tears that threatened to spill onto his cheeks. The gods had proven to be merciless in their ways, granting him precious little time with his father before snatching him away once again. So many years had been squandered, so many unspoken words and unfinished tasks left in their wake. The weight of this realization proved too much for the Young Dragon to bear, and he fell to his knees, the emotional dam within him finally breaking. It was the first time he had cried since his mother's passing, and yet no amount of tears would bring his father back to him. Alicent, his ever-loyal wife, joined him in his sorrow, sinking to her knees and wrapping her arms around him. As they grieved together, her fingers trailed through his Valyrian silver hair, her own tears mingling with his as they mourned the loss of a beloved father, husband, and a king.
It was a sad day for the royal family.
And a new age had begun.
The age… of Aeonar Targaryen, the Young Dragon… Heir to the Flames, and the King of All Dragons.
Chapter End
Author's Note: The coup attempt ended in a failure. With the Caltrops driven from King's Landing, the Blacks are the dominant faction. With multiple dragons fighting each other in the skies, strength in numbers played a deciding role in the struggle for control of the capital city. But even with things already underway for the upcoming coronation, Aeonar had his moment of weakness too. After all, we're all human. He's lost his mother, now his father. And the things he said over the past several chapters, the things he did out of spite, he'll never take them back. He'll have to live with that guilt for the rest of his life. What do you guys think? Let me know.
C.E.W: As expected, the Caltrops' coup has failed and they are forced to flee from the capital. The Blacks have returned in strength, and managed to drive the Caltrop dragons off. Aeonar is now to be Crowned King, with Alicent as his Queen, and Jaehaerys as heir, Prince of Dragonstone to be precise. Then there is much work to be done, as the Caltrops remain at large and have Vhagar, given time they will crown Aegon the Elder and raise armies against Aeonar and the Blacks. Aeonar has a city to rebuild, support to rally and a rebellion to crush.
Its upsetting to see the Caltrops' disregard for King Viserys, not even the decency to wrap him up in cloths which goes to prove how wrong they are. The whole family is devastated, and I imagine Daemon and Rhaenyra would be furious too, and will be when they hear about it. Then there is Rhaenys to consider, she might try to collect Rhaena and Baela, but Baela refused and stands with her betroth Jaehaerys.
Perhaps before Aeonar's coronation, maybe Aeonar and Alicent can have a private talk. Aeonar's regret of how he treated his father in the last twenty years. Then he talks about how grateful he is to Alicent, that he loves her and he needs her.
There is the Small Council to consider, with betrayal of Tyland Lannister, Jasper Wylde, and Grand Maester Orwyle as well as the death of Lyman Beesbury, the positions of Grand Maester, Master of Ships, Coin and Laws are now open. Now that he is King, I'm sure Aeonar will make Otto Hightower Hand of the King. When he recovers, I'm sure Aeonar will name Corlys Velaryon Master of Ships. The others are uncertain.
The Caltrops will likely retreat to Starpike, and rally support for Aegon the Elder. While the Caltrops' cause is not as strong as the Greens in canon, the Caltrops have Vhagar which makes them pose a significant threat.
Questions:
How many agents of the Lykiri Mere did Aeonar lose in the coup?
―158
How badly damage is King's Landing?
―Several buildings along the Street of Steel and Street of Silk have sustained significant damage
Now that coup is over, will Rhaenys be heading to Driftmark?
―Yes, for a time, until we learn more of Corlys's condition
If Alicent is already in the capital, where's Rhaenyra?
―Still on Dragonstone, but she'll be back next chapter
How soldiers do each of the kingdoms have?
―The Reach can gather more than between 50,000 to 70,000 due to being the most fertile region in the Seven Kingdoms, the Riverlands, North and Vale of Arryn can raise 45,000, the Stormlands 30,000, and the Westerlands can call 50,000 men
Is Borros Baratheon still drinking?
―Yes and he's still illiterate
randomdude24: Just wow, I'm kinda surprised Beatrice is fully considering a civil war just so she can put her blood on the throne, even Aegon doesn't want to sit and is content with letting Aeonar be king. I imagine Beatrice is fully willing to kill all of Aeonar children and grandchildren just to achieve her selfish goals.
I do have a question, I noticed the crown you described by with Orwlye stealing, that crown was first belonged to Aegon the Unworthy. Is it accurate to assume that is how history will remember Aegon? An Unworthy king trying to take a throne he no claim to?
―Yes
MichaelBishopone: The end of the beginning and the Beginning of the end...
TheRagFromTheCrag: To quote Tyrion the moment Beatric realized she should have killed Jaehaerys?
Oh Fuck Me!
Still hope for the stupid botch to get fed to Daemon's Dragon though
roggerlopez99: despite The Black regaining King's Landing the grief for King Visery hit them all hard, especially Aeonar. Even if King Visery forgive Aeonar for everything, the past twenty years of insult and hating his father will forever live within Aeonar.
Aeonar will remember all the mistreatment he did and can never take it back, the guilt could destoryed Aeonar
Question: Will Aeonar have nightmares seeing his pastself mistreat King Visery
―Yes, he'll be getting those
xJehova: There is no perfect way to end that struggle, part of me thinks Aeonar would have killed them all but that doesnt make for good storytelling.