Jaime was in a foul mood as he marched through the vast corridors of the Red Keep, his heavy armour clicking loudly with every move of his body. He had been posted outside the King's chambers for the better part of the day, hearing as Robert ate, shit and fucked. His knuckles had grown white from how hard he had been clutching onto his sword. Thankfully, he was now relieved from his duties and wanted to do nothing more than collapse onto his bed and wish the day away. The gloom lifted from him ever so slightly when he spotted a familiar face at the other end of the corridor, a broom in her hand, brushing the dusty floors. Sharp blue eyes instantly connected with his own, as Kaela moved to all but hide behind a stone pillar.
"Did you know?" Kaela questioned, in a hushed tone.
"You may have to be more specific, I know a great many things" Jaime murmured, looking over his shoulder to make sure that no one had seen them.
"Robert has sent an assassin after Daenerys. He wants her and her babe dead. And here I am, sweeping bloody floors? I should be—" Kaela exclaimed, as Jaime held his hand up to quiet her.
"More careful. Come, we cannot speak of this here" Jaime insisted, gesturing for her to follow him.
He thought about bringing her to his chambers, but he knew that would be more dangerous. If someone saw them...his sister would surely remove Kaela's head from her shoulders. Thinking quickly on his feet, he led them toward one of the Rooms of Confession, which the Faith of the Seven had built into the castle long ago. He was relieved when he found the room empty and hurried Kaela inside, before checking that no one had followed them.
"The assassin is likely sailing East as we speak. I must act now; I have no choice!" Kaela hissed, as soon as Jaime closed the stone door.
"We spoke of this. All your schemes will only end one way. With a rope being tied around your neck" Jaime muttered, as Kaela shook her head, vehemently.
"You told me you would help me, but all you've done is refuse to act. All your plans have come to nought. You said I would be able to kill Robert on the Kings Road. But I couldn't. You said he would die in the tourney, and then he didn't! I can't...I need this to be over" Kaela explained, as Jaime slowly reached out to place his hand on her shoulder.
"I swear to you I did not know what Robert planned" Jaime insisted, squeezing her shoulder for a moment.
Kaela was surprised to find out how quickly she believed him. Jaime was many things, but a good liar was not one of them. Besides, she knew he wanted Robert dead too. Almost as badly as she did.
"But I bring good news. The King has announced he wishes to hunt on the morrow. He will bring a large party with him, but he always breaks away before long. Often with only one Kingsguard and his squire. Lancel Lannister" Jaime informed her, a smirk growing on his lips, as he pulled his hand away.
"Your cousin? The boy looks close to pissing himself every time Robert glances at him. How will he help our cause?" Kaela asked.
"He will keep the King's cup full. And when the time comes, you'll cut into the fool before he even knows what's happened" Jaime continued, as Kaela's eyes narrowed.
"I find it hard to believe you came up with such a plan all by yourself" Kaela pointed out.
"Are you doubting my abilities?" Jaime replied, raising an eyebrow.
"This was Cersei's scheme, wasn't it?" Kaela guessed, amusement growing on her face as Jaime gave a reluctant nod.
"But I imagine she believes you will provide the killing blow, and not I?" Kaela went on.
"...You don't have to do this. My hands are already stained red. Yours are not" Jaime pointed out, as Kaela's face contorted.
"Is that what you think? I've killed. All to get me here. I...I need to do this. I need to watch as the life leaves that bastard's eyes" Kaela told him.
"Then the King has but one more sunrise to see" Jaime smirked, as doubts began to swirl in Kaela's mind.
Every day.
Every single day she would dream about killing Robert Baratheon and avenging her mother. But what would happen after? The kingdom would be thrown into chaos, and Prince Joffrey would likely ascend the throne. The spoilt brat who would no doubt be just as bad as Robert. And what of her? Where would she go once the deed was done?
"There will be a boat in the harbour come dusk on the morrow. It will take you east to Essos. You could find your cousin if she lives" Jaime suggested, as if he could read her mind.
"My cousin who has a claim to your son's throne" Kaela pointed out, as Jaime gave her a warning look.
"Her only allies are the Dothraki, who will never cross the sea" Jaime retorted, as Kaela quirked an eyebrow.
"Well, stranger things have happened. Who would have thought a Targaryen and a Lannister could have a civil conversation?" Kaela teased, making Jaime snort.
"I hardly think plotting a murder can be regarded as civil" Jaime countered.
"Still, I think you might miss me when I am gone, Ser Jaime" Kaela stated, as all the humour drained from the man's face.
"I believe that to be a certainty, Princess" Jaime exclaimed.
The smile she offered him made Jaime's chest hurt in a way that was both agonising and pleasant and left him utterly confused. For just a moment, he debated thwarting his own plans, and letting the King live, if it meant that Kaela would remain in King's Landing. To be around someone who didn't look at him with disgust or mutter about his dishonesty behind his back. No one but his kin had treated him in such a way.
"You should say your goodbyes. To the Stark girls" Jaime pointed out.
"What will I—" Kaela began when the large wooden door behind them opened to reveal one of Cersei's serving girls.
The red-headed handmaiden's eyes doubled in size as soon as she saw them, and how closely they stood together. Jaime's hand instantly went to the hilt of his sword, as the handmaiden's eyes followed the gesture. She stumbled back a pace, her lips parting as if she was about to shout for the guards. No words ever left her lips, as in the blink of an eye, Kaela had reached out for her, grabbing a fistful of her hair and dragging her into the room. There was a glint of metal from under her robes and in the next moment, a Valyrian dagger was pressed against the handmaiden's neck who let out a yelp.
"Have you ever seen Valyrian steel? It cuts through bone and skin like butter" Kaela mused in a cold tone, causing the handmaiden to whimper.
"I...I won't speak a word of what I have seen. I swear it, by the old Gods and the New!" The handmaiden exclaimed.
"Unfortunately for you...they aren't my Gods" Kaela muttered.
"Please. I won't say anything!" The handmaiden sobbed, her face growing paler by the second.
"I know you won't. Not if you want to keep your tongue" Kaela warned, raising her dagger up to place it against the handmaiden's lips.
She then released her hold of the girl's hair, who gave a shaky nod, clutching at her neck. Kaela reached out for the door handle, opened it and watched as the handmaiden threw herself into the corridor, almost falling over her own feet in her hurry. It was only then that Jaime realised his mouth was hanging open, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword.
"What?" Kaela questioned, when she saw the look of reverence Jaime was giving her.
"You...never cease to surprise me" Jaime huffed, with a fond shake of his head.
"I was brought up by a Red Priestess, I learnt to threaten girls before I could walk" Kaela shrugged, as Jaime strolled forward to close to the door once more.
His left his arm outstretched, hovering just above Kaela's head, all but crowding her against the door. Kaela didn't take a step back, instead opting to look up at him with her usual look of defiance. Jaime's lips twitched into something akin to a grin, as he leaned down closer to her.
"And what else did they teach you in the Red Temple?" Jaime inquired.
"How to read the flames. Throw a dagger. Read a man..." Kaela trailed off, as Jaime cocked his head to one side.
"Is that so?" Jaime continued, watching as Kaela pursed her lips.
"I'll meet you at dawn tomorrow. Where should we meet?" Kaela asked, quick to bring them back to the matter at hand.
"The trees behind the kitchens. No one will see us there" Jaime advised.
"Do not be late" Kaela replied, tapping his chest with her finger, only causing Jaime's grin to broaden.
Kaela wasn't surprised to find Arya and Sansa still squabbling as she arrived in their chambers later that afternoon. Some things would never change. She hoped the girls would be able to keep their innocence for as long as possible. They would no longer have her to keep a watchful eye on them, and that alone terrified Kaela.
"You can't leave the doll here! Father bought it for you" Arya insisted, thrusting the colourful doll in Sansa's face.
"Father has ruined my life! I should burn this doll, just like he has burnt my dreams of marrying the Prince!" Sansa muttered, as Kaela let out a sigh.
"You are ten and three, Sansa. You will have a new match before long. One less bloodthirsty we must hope" Kaela huffed, whispering the last comment to herself.
"Septa is angry with you. You were supposed to pack Arya's things" Sansa retorted.
"When is Septa not angry with me" Kaela pointed out, as Arya gave her a grin.
"Girls, could you sit for a moment? I must speak with you" Kaela announced.
"Septa said we had to fold all our clothes before—" Sansa started, as Kaela cut her off, a little more sharply than she meant to.
"Sansa, just...please sit down" Kaela insisted, gesturing for them to sit on Sansa's bed.
"Is something wrong? Is it father?" Arya questioned, in a panic, as Kaela shook her head quickly.
Both girls looked up at her with their big wide eyes, waiting tentatively for her to speak. Kaela had thought of hundreds of excuses and lies as to why she needed to leave, but none would be believed. She thought for a moment about simply keeping her mouth shut and allowing the girls to find out she had fled in the coming days, but it left a sour taste in her mouth. It wasn't the honourable thing to do, after all. Maybe Ned Stark was rubbing off on her.
"...I am not returning to Winterfell with you" Kaela told them.
"Then when will you return?" Arya frowned, as Sansa's lips pursed, the realisation dawning on her.
"You're leaving?" Sansa asked, as Kaela gave her a curt nod.
Dozens of emotions flashed over Arya's face in the next few seconds, from disbelief to betrayal. The young girl blinked away tears that instantly started to well in her eyes, as her mind tried to comprehend what was happening.
"But you...you can't! Why would you leave?" Arya gaped, jumping to her feet.
"I have learnt I have a cousin in the East. I must go to her" Kaela said, only telling a half lie.
"What about us? You vowed to serve our family!" Sansa exclaimed.
"I am sure your father will understand when I explain—" Kaela began, when Arya lunged forward and shoved her as hard as she could.
"Explain that you're abandoning us!" Arya snapped, as Kaela tried to steady herself.
"She's my family, Arya. She needs me" Kaela replied, as tears started to roll down Arya's cheeks.
"I'm your family!" Arya cried, wiping at her cheeks with the back of her hand before she raced out of the room.
Kaela ran a hand through her hair, biting on her inner cheek as she tried to stop her own tears from spilling. She couldn't stand the thought of Arya hating her. She was the closest thing she had ever had to a sister. She was the only sister Kaela wanted.
"She won't forgive you if you leave" Sansa stated, in a sad tone.
"I know" Kaela sighed, with a shake of her head.
Arya had her head covered by two feather pillows when she heard the door to her bedchamber open, not needing to look to know who it was. She felt the bed dip beside her, as a warm hand was placed against her back, as Arya felt another sob rack her body. She didn't understand why Kaela was leaving so suddenly. She thought she was happy being her handmaiden.
"Are you bored of me?" Arya said, her words muffled by the pillows.
"Don't say such a silly thing. How could anyone become bored of you?" Kaela exclaimed, rubbing soothing circles on Arya's back.
"Then why? Why are you leaving?" Arya insisted, pulling her head out of her cocoon of pillows.
Kaela felt her chest tighten at the sight of Arya's blotchy cheeks and runny nose. She looked miserable. All the fight the girl usually had seemed to have disappeared.
"I can't stay here. With you. It's too dangerous" Kaela admitted, as Arya's brow furrowed.
"I'd protect you" Arya stated, as a soft laugh left Kaela's lips.
"I'm not the one who needs protecting" Kaela pointed out, ruffling Arya's messy hair.
"Then let me come with you. I won't be any bother! I can fight now, and...and you can teach me how to clean and cook and—" Arya suggested, as Kaela held her hand up to stop her.
"And what of your father? Your sister? They need you, Arya. They need someone strong" Kaela told her.
"I don't want you to go" Arya cried, scrunching her eyes shut.
Not knowing what else to do, Kaela leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the younger girl, pulling her close to her chest. She held onto her so tight she was afraid she might bruise Arya, but soon Arya was holding onto her just as unyielding. Kaela could feel the skin on her shoulder growing wet from the Stark's tears, but she didn't care. If the embrace was the only bit of comfort she could give Arya, then she would make sure it was one the young girl would remember fondly.
"You have to be brave, Arya. I need you to be so brave now" Kaela murmured, turning her head to press a kiss to Arya's hair.
"Promise me you'll come back for me one day" Arya begged, as a sad smile spread across Kaela's lips.
"I promise, Little Lady" Kaela replied, squeezing Arya a little tighter.
In the dead of night, Kaela lit the small brazier fire in her chambers and pulled out the waterskin that contained Gendry's blood. She had no spell, no ritual to speak, only her faith. If she were to kill the King come sunrise, she would need all the help she could get. Would it matter to R'hllor that Gendry was a bastard? Still, she supposed a bastard was better than none.
"Nyke iepagon se āeksio naejot jehikagon zȳhon ōños bē nyke. Tepagon nyke se kustikāne se perzys naejot mōris se ābrar hen iā qrinuntys (I ask for the Lord to shine his light upon me. Give me the strength and fire to end the life of an enemy. )" Kaela called out, before opening the waterskin.
"Nyke tepagon dārys's ānogar naejot se perzys. Syt Rōhbert Barāthēon's morghon (I give King's blood to the fire. For Robert Baratheon's death)" Kaela exclaimed, pouring the blood into the flames.
She almost jumped back in fright as the flames seemed to burst into life, turning a red colour as they grew toward the ceiling. She could feel the heat of the fire burning against her skin, but she stayed rooted to the spot. Her offering was yet to be complete. Raising her hand out, she slowly inched her fingers closer and closer to the flames, which roared and crackled with power.
"Iā morghon syt iā morghon. Syt Rōhbert Barāthēon nyke tepagon— (A death for a death. For Robert Baratheon I give—)" Kaela's cries were cut off as the door to her chambers swung open.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her fingers away from the flames. Tendrils of fire soared forward then as if something inside the flames was reaching out for them. Kaela gasped as she watched the fire scorch the hand of the newcomer, blackening the side of his hand in the blink of an eye.
Jory Cassel might have just cost her the one chance she had to kill Robert.
"No!" Kaela screeched, as the fire was suddenly extinguished, turning into nothing but smoke.
"What the fuck have you done?!" Kaela yelled, shoving a confused Jory away from her.
"I could see the smoke billowing underneath the door. I thought you might be hurt!" Jory retorted, making Kaela scoff.
"Didn't your Lord ever teach you to knock?" Kaela muttered, with more venom than she meant.
"Aye. He did. I know more than you might think. Such as what you were doing in here" Jory continued.
"And what would that be?" Kaela huffed, crossing her arms.
"Blood magic" Jory replied, watching as her brows knitted together.
"You're mistaken. The flames had grown out of control, I was trying to—" Kaela started, when Jory cut her off.
"Put your hand into the fire? I suppose this has something to do with your sudden departure?" Jory guessed.
Kaela couldn't keep the surprise off her face, wondering how Ned Stark's right hand seemed to know so much. Then again, she supposed he had used the same advantage she relied on. No one took notice of them. All eyes were on the nobles, the lords and the knights. It meant that handmaidens and guards heard more than anyone else.
"Are you accusing me of something, Jory?" Kaela retorted.
"I have always believed you care for the girls, and I'd like to think you are a good person. But you've changed since coming south. This is wrong. Whatever this is...it's an abomination" Jory warned.
"Spoken like a true northerner" Kaela murmured, walking over to open one of the windows in the room, and letting the stifling smoke waft outside.
"I do not believe you have the Stark's best intentions anymore" Jory continued.
"Meaning?" Kaela frowned.
"If you do anything to put them in danger...I will stop you" Jory informed her, causing her frown to deepen.
"I have no doubt. But fear not. I mean no ill will to any Stark, and by nightfall tomorrow, I will no longer be your problem" Kaela explained, as Jory gave a slow nod, not sure if he truly believed her.
Kaela let out a cry of frustration as yet another one of her arrows whizzed aimlessly above a boar's head, causing the creature to roar and race away in the other direction. She could see the amused smirk growing on Jaime's lips, only adding to her annoyance. Pushing herself to her feet, she walked away from where they had been hiding in the bushes and went to collect the arrow. The King would soon be heading out on his hunt, one which Jaime would need to be in attendance for and they still had not killed a boar.
"I think you must be the worst archer I've ever seen" Jaime mocked, as Kaela grit her teeth.
"Well, handmaidens are not often allowed to practice archery, funnily enough," Kaela muttered, tugging the arrow out of the mud.
"You can throw a dagger. Better than most, in fact," Jaime pointed out.
"That is because I do not have to faff about with a rickety bow" Kaela complained.
She felt Jaime's hand on the small of her back a moment later, pressing down to usher her onto the mud and twigs by their feet. She frowned, by obeyed his command wordlessly, soon spotting what they had seen. A boar, twice the size of the one they had been hunting was grazing only metres away, its snout sniffing at the rotten fruit and nuts they had laid out. Kaela reached out for the bow Jaime had gifted her, but he gave a quick shake of his head. Instead, he gestured silently to where he knew she was hiding her dagger underneath the brown cloak she wore. Grabbing the handle of the blade, she twisted it around on her palm, and crouched lower to the ground. Closing one eye, she raised the dagger out, just above her head and exhaled. The Valyrian dagger was flying through the air a moment later, as a thud echoed through the forest. Kaela's eyes widened when she saw the dagger had lodged itself into the boar's eye, killing it instantly. She had a good aim, but the throw had been perfect.
"I suppose you think that's your Gods doing" Jaime exclaimed, as she realised suddenly his warm palm was still placed against her back.
"There's no shame in being shown up by a girl, Ser" Kaela grinned, watching as Jaime rolled his eyes.
"I've been throwing daggers since before you were born, Princess" Jaime huffed, standing to his feet.
"Yes. I can tell" Kaela said, in a mocking tone.
"Come. We can use your dagger to cut the tusk from the boar" Jaime advised, holding his hand out for her to take.
She was a little taken aback by the gesture but placed her hand in his, nonetheless. He hauled her up with ease, keeping his hand wrapped around hers as he led her toward the dead animal. He leant down with his free hand to tug the blade out of the boar's eye and returned the dagger to its rightful owner. Kaela was amazed at how easy it was to cut the white tusk from the creature, grimacing a little when she noted the blood splattered against the object.
"I should go. Hide in the underbrush with the boar and I will call on you when it's time" Jaime told her, receiving no reply.
"Kaela?" He questioned, in a surprisingly soft tone.
"...Thank you" Kaela exclaimed, causing Jaime's brow to furrow.
"For what?" He asked.
"I just...I don't believe I've ever said it to you. I know you wanted Robert dead before we met, that this plan was set into motion long ago but...I don't think I could have done this without you" Kaela confessed, watching as Jaime's jaw clenched, uncomfortably.
"You would have," Jaime said, firmly, as their eyes connected.
His lips parted as if he had more to say, but he appeared to think better of it. He had never been good with words, after all. Instead, he placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a knowing nod, before squeezing her shoulder, almost as a sign of respect. He was then walking away from her, finding he had the absurd urge to pray to the Gods that they would both survive the day.
"The beast is mine" Robert snarled, clutching at his spear, feeling the handle creak under his palm.
"Of course, your Grace. But perhaps we should rejoin the—" Ser Barristan Selmy spoke up, only to be hushed by his King.
"No. All I want is to put this spear into something. Me. Not one of those smarmy guards" Robert muttered.
"Very well, your Grace. We live to serve your every command, after all" Jaime exclaimed, earning a snort from the burly man.
"Wine!" Robert called out, as Lancel raced forward, holding out the wineskin.
Robert looked upon the blond boy with a look of disgust, his hands clenching as if he wanted to beat Lancel into the dirt. A shadow crossed his face a moment later, causing Jaime's eyes to narrow.
"Surrounded by bloody Lannisters...be gone, the lot of you!" Robert announced, ripping the wineskin from the boy's hands.
"My King, that would be most unwise" Selmy advised, as Robert took a swig of his wine.
"An unwise command from your King" Robert insisted.
"You heard him, Ser Barristan. Leave him to his boar" Jaime huffed.
"No. It is not safe in these woods" Selmy retorted, glancing at Jaime with suspicion.
"Then perhaps you will leave me be to piss? Or would you like to watch that too, Selmy?" Robert murmured, his hand going to his breeches.
"No, Your Grace" Selmy sighed, as three men turned away from their King, marching a few metres away.
"Can't even piss in peace" Robert huffed, pulling his cock out and relieving himself against a nearby tree.
Still with his breeches down, his eyes widened as he spotted just the beast he had been chasing after the past few hours. With a manic grin, he pulled his breeches up, not bothering to tie them and stalked toward the boar. He had only made it a few steps when he heard a strange crackling sound above him. Glancing up toward the sky, Robert's heart came to a grinding halt when he found the branches above him had suddenly caught fire, as if they had been struck by lightning. He threw himself forward, falling down into the mud as the branches came clattering to the ground, burning the grass behind him. Robert twisted around on his stomach to find the flames growing in both directions, higher than any man could jump over. By the time he pushed himself to his feet, the fire had grown as far east and west as he could see. He hadn't seen fire like it, not since...
"Robert..." A soft voice called out to him, causing his heart to lurch.
He knew that voice. It was buried deep in his memories. So deep he thought his mind had forgotten the sound of Lyanna Stark's sweet words. With tears in his eyes, Robert twisted around, half expecting to find the love of his life staring back at him. Instead, he found blue eyes swimming with anger and grief. Then, he felt a burning pain in his chest, and something wet dripping down onto his breeches. Robert's eyes dropped down to find a pale hand outstretched, gripping a boar's tusk, which had been lodged into the left side of his chest.
His knees buckled from beneath him a moment later, as he fell into the mud, a choking sound leaving his lips. He could feel blood bubbling up his throat, threatening to spill out of his mouth, as he continued staring down at the white tusk embedded inside him. He then looked up at the girl whose hand remained outstretched and did the only thing he could do.
He laughed.
Kaela stared down at him in disbelief, watching as the King shook with laughter, specks of blood flying from his mouth. She wondered if he had any idea what was happening.
"A girl...the great Robert Baratheon...killed by a common girl" Robert laughed, wincing as pain shot through his chest.
"A not-so-common girl" A new voice announced, as Robert's eyes flickered to the left to find Jaime marching toward them, his white cloak singed with black where it had burnt in the flames.
"You. This was you" Robert snarled, as Jaime came to stand beside Kaela.
"No, Robert. All of this, everything that has happened in the past twenty years, that was all down to you. Ever since you had your King executed" Kaela explained, as Robert's forehead wrinkled.
"A bloody Targaryen loyalist? Where the fuck did you find this cunt, Kingslayer?" Robert muttered, as Kaela stepped forward to loom over him.
"Don't you recognise me, your Grace? You tried to burn me alive when I was just a babe. Your face was to be the last I saw. I've come to return the favour" Kaela spat out, crouching down in front of him, as Robert regarded her closer.
He saw it then. The flicker of purple in her eyes, illuminated by the fires still burning close by. The look of a Targaryen that had haunted him half his life.
"May I present to you, Kaela Targaryen. Daughter of Elaena Targaryen" Jaime exclaimed, in a smug tone.
"I...I saw you burn..." Robert choked, finding it more difficult to speak.
"You saw a child burn. Perhaps you will meet her on the other side" Kaela murmured.
"I should have...I should have killed the whole bloody lot of you the first time I laid my eyes on you!" Robert cried, as blood dripped down his chin.
"Yes...you should have" Kaela snapped, reaching out to grip the tusk still embedded in his chest and pushed it further into his flesh.
She could feel something snap inside his body, and then blood was spurting from around the tusk, as Robert's panting lips grew still. She watched as he collapsed in the mud, his eyes still wide. There was no life left in him, extinguished by her own hands.
She had done it. She had finally killed Robert Baratheon.
She could hear Jaime speaking from beside her, but his words were muffled by the sound of her own heartbeat. She looked down at her bloody hands, feeling a sudden emptiness. Her legs trembled beneath her as she thought of falling beside the corpse and accepting her fate.
"Kaela!" Jaime exclaimed, suddenly standing in front of her, gripping onto her shoulders.
"You need to leave. Now! Do you hear me?" Jaime insisted, shaking her, roughly.
"...Why?" She answered, emotionlessly.
Jaime hung his head in frustration, having feared what was unfolding right in front of him. Kaela's whole life had been leading to killing the King, and now the deed was done, there was nothing left for her. That was what she believed.
"Your cousin, Daenerys. You could go to her. You could still help her" Jaime stated, as Kaela shook her head.
"My time is over" Kaela retorted, as Jaime moved his hands up to cup her face, forcing her to look at him.
"I need you to live. Do you understand? If you do not wish to live for her, or yourself...then live for me" Jaime cried, watching as something sparked behind her eyes.
She didn't trust herself to speak, opting to simply nod at him instead, as Jaime's thumb stroked her cheek for a moment, before pulling away quickly. The pair then wordlessly dragged the boar carcass over to their dead King, doing their best to leave the beast where it would appear it had lunged at Robert.
"Meet me in the cellars of the Red Keep" Jaime advised her.
"...How did you get through the flames?" Kaela inquired, realising no one else had followed them.
"The fire, for a moment...I thought it...it does not matter, I was able to get through. And so will others. Go!" Jaime insisted, gesturing for her to leave, as she finally did as she was told.
Even with her hands wiped clean of blood, Kaela still felt exposed, as though all eyes were on her. In truth, she knew it was simply in her mind. Guards remained staring off into the distance, handmaidens gossiped to each other, and ladies wasted the day wandering around the gardens. No one knew yet that their King was dead. And no one knew who had killed him. It was easier than she would have thought to make her way into the damp cellars beneath the Red Keep. She had begun to panic about where exactly she should meet Jaime when a shadow was cast on her face. Her mouth went slack, something akin to a gasp leaving her lips when she saw a dragon skull, twice the height of any man. Its razor-sharp teeth were as long as her arms, and if the beast were alive, she had no doubt it would have been to cut her in half with ease. She found she felt no fear as she walked closer to the dragon. What a wonder it would have been to see the creature alive. Even if she had to risk being burnt alive just to touch it. With a sad smile, she reached up and ran her hand over the dragon's bones, which were icy cold under her palm.
"Balerion the Dread" Jaime spoke up, as he wandered out of the shadows to approach her.
"The dragon that started it all" She murmured.
"I thought you might want to see them before we left. You won't get another chance" Jaime explained, confusing Kaela.
"We?" She asked.
"I think it best if I left the city for a time. No one can question an absent man" Jaime pointed out.
"Some will say it shows your guilt" Kaela retorted, as Jaime gave a half shrug.
"People will talk. Just as they always have. I'd rather not be around to listen to it" Jaime stated, as she nodded.
"To the harbour then?" Kaela guessed.
"The boat will take us to Essos" Jaime continued.
"And then to Daenerys. It might not be too late to save her, do you think?" Kaela asked, as Jaime gave her a small smile.
"We can hope" Jaime nodded, beginning to lead her away from the dragon skull.
"...I thought it would feel better than this. I thought I'd feel...free" Kaela sighed, as they started to walk side by side through the long corridors.
"None of us are free. Not truly. Now, that Robert is dead, Joffrey will ascend the throne as you said, and I am not sure...Kaela?" Jaime frowned, noticing she had fallen behind.
She was staring intently into a brazier fire, her eyes following every flicker of the flames. Jaime took a cautious step forward, finding she had fallen into a trance just like he had seen in the ruins of the Red Temple. Her eyes almost seemed to change colour, as they reflected the golden colour of the fire.
Hushed voices surrounded Kaela as she woke, her eyes flickering open to find herself lying by a man's feet. She jumped back in fright when she saw the murderous look on the savage's face, his skin marked with ink, and long black hair braided behind his back. He looked strong enough to be able to shatter her skull in one strike of his fist. Kaela racked her mind for how she could be standing in the unfamiliar tent, surrounded by men when she had been with Jaime in the Red Keep moments before.
"They can't shed blood in their sacred city. But I can. I want what I came for" A sharp voice exclaimed, as Kaela twisted around to find a man with white hair brandishing a sword.
He had a manic look in his eyes, which were bloodshot, despite the grin that lay on his lips. Kaela felt a strange sense of familiarity as if she had seen the man before. Her thoughts were quickly interrupted as she watched the man place his blade against the belly of a younger girl, who stared up at him defiantly. She was beautiful. Her face appeared as if it had been carved by the Red God Himself, her long white hair braided similarly behind her back. Kaela's eyes glanced down at the swell of her belly as the realisation finally hit her.
"Daenerys" She gaped, pushing herself to her feet.
"I want the crown he promised me. He bought you. But he never paid for you. Tell him I want what was bargained for or I'm taking you back. He can keep the baby. I'll cut it out and leave it for him" The man threatened, pressing his sword further against her stomach, but Daenerys didn't flinch.
"What's he saying?" The man asked, gesturing to the Dothraki man sitting behind Kaela.
"Khal Drogo says yes. You shall have a golden crown...that men shall tremble to behold" Daenerys answered, as Kaela turned to look at the Khal.
There was a cold look in his eyes, a calmness that terrified Kaela. The man with the sword was a fool to believe he would be able to leave the tent.
"That was all I wanted. What was promised" He replied, a naive grin on his face as he lowered his sword and took a step back.
The Khal stood to his feet and approached Daenerys, placing his hand on her belly as the two shared a knowing look. He uttered a command as two Dothraki marched forward and grabbed the other man's arms, as Kaela could hear a sharp snap.
"No! You cannot touch me! I am the Dragon! I'm a dragon! I want my crown!" The man cried, as they dragged him to his feet, kicking and screaming.
It was only then that Kaela realised who she was looking at. She hadn't allowed herself to believe it before. That a brother could hold his blade to his sister's pregnant belly. He was Viserys.
Her cousin.
Kaela watched on as Drogo marched toward a pot with boiling water in it above a fire. He emptied the contents onto the floor and threw in the gold chains that had been hanging around his waist. Viserys' eyes widened in horror as he recognised what was to come, pleading underneath his breath.
"Dany, tell them. Make them! Make them...No, you can't!" Viserys sobbed, sounding more like a child.
"Dany, please!" Viserys cried, looking over to his sister, whose gaze remained emotionless.
Kaela tensed as she watched Khal Drogo lift the pot and walk toward her cousin, unsure of what to do. She supposed it didn't matter. The Red God was showing her a past event, she assumed. Viserys was already dead, far east. And it seemed he deserved it.
"Why did you do this?" Kaela sighed, in a quiet tone.
She almost jumped out of her skin when Viserys' eyes snapped up to join hers, his face stricken. Kaela stumbled back a pace, which Viserys eyes followed. He could...see her. It should have been impossible.
"Help me" Viserys whimpered, to her directly.
Kaela's mouth went slack, feeling more conflicted than ever as Khal Drogo came to loom over Viserys. He had a vicious smirk on his face, as his men held the Targaryen in place.
"A crown for a King!" Drogo exclaimed, before he poured the boiling gold down onto Viserys' skull.
The sound that left Visery's lips when the gold scorched his skin was nothing human. Kaela watched as his feet hammered a frantic beat against the dirt floor, his mouth hanging open in horror. And then he fell completely still. Thick glob of molten gold dripped down his chest as Khal Drogo crouched down in front of him to watch the life leave his eyes. His men dropped the former Prince to the ground, dead before his head hit the floor.
"He was no Dragon. Fire cannot kill a Dragon" Daenerys spoke up, in an eerily calm voice.
"Kaela!" A voice yelled, and suddenly Jaime was standing in front of her, a hand cupping her cheek.
"He's...he's dead. He's dead" Kaela murmured, as Jaime looked at her in confusion.
"Who? Robert?" Jaime frowned.
"Viserys. My cousin. I...I have to see more" Kaela insisted, pushing past him to stare once more into the flames.
"See what? What do you mean?" Jaime cried, trying to pull her away but she shrugged his hold off.
She looked intently into the flickering flames, willing herself to return to where she just was. It must have meant something. The Lord of Light wanted to see her cousin's death, to see Daenerys was still alive, as was her babe. And it seemed like she needed little protection from Kaela.
But nothing happened. No matter how hard she looked, she remained where she stood. Her head began to spin as she breathed in the thick smoke coming off the flames. She went to take a step back, finally looking away from the fire, when a shriek left her lips. She found an all too familiar face staring back at her on the other side of the brazier fire.
Melisandre.
Behind her, the walls had been carved in the image of a snarling black dragon. To her side, lay a long painted table, engraved with major cities and landmarks, including the very place Kaela was in that moment. She watched as Melisandre's lips quirked into a smirk, holding her hand out above the fire, for Kaela to take. In the blink of an eye, the Red Priestess was gone, disappearing in a puff of smoke. But Kaela knew what she had seen. And she knew what it meant.
Panting softly, she forced her gaze away from the flames, ready to tell Jaime the new course they needed to take. The words died on her tongue when she noticed where his own gaze lay. He was gazing into the flames which had taken on a reddish hue, a blank expression on his face. Kaela pushed herself in between the man and the brazier fire, but it did no good. She reached out to place her hand on his chest, panic coursing through her when she realised his chest was no longer rising and falling.
"Jaime" She exclaimed, moving her hand up to touch his cheek, finding his gaze remained unmoved.
"Jaime!" She screamed.