Hi everyone, and Happy Labor Day weekend my American viewers! Sorry for the wait, but here is the next chapter. It's long, but I had a lot to put in. Enjoy!
Author's Note: Profanity.
The Red Keep
The day that the first raven from Oldtown arrived at the Red Keep was expected to be a normal and uneventful one. Queen Rhaenyra was going through her usual mountain of paperwork in her solar when Grand Maester Thaleus all but barged in with an anxious expression on his face.
"Thaleus, what is the matter?" the queen asked with a concerned tone when she saw the look on her Grand Maester's face.
"This letter just arrived from Oldtown, your grace." Thaleus began as he held up the letter in his hand. "It is serious. It is about your stepmother and Princess Visenya and Prince Maelor."
Purple eyes widening and heartrate quickening, Rhaenyra rose hurriedly up from her chair and snatched the letter from Thaleus's hand before he could even walk up to her desk and give it to her. Rhaenyra's first worrisome thought as she unrolled the letter was that her daughter had gone into premature labor again and had lost another baby. Her second thought was that Alicent had something to do with it. The queen would learn that her pregnant daughter was fine as she read the letter, but the rest of the parchment's contents put her on edge and filled her with great anxiety and fury.
"Your royal majesty, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen the First of Her Name,
I shall begin this letter by forewarning you that the news contained within here is very grim indeed. A great calamity has befallen Oldtown. Last night, during one of the feasts held to honor the birth of my son Garth, your stepmother, Dowager Queen Alicent, passed from this veil of tears. However, your grace, she did not die from natural causes. I regret to inform you that Alicent was found murdered in her own bed by her granddaughter, your niece, Princess Jaehaera.
It further pains me to inform you that your half-brother, Prince Aemond, has, in his great grief over the murder of his beloved mother, accused your daughter as being the one responsible for Queen Alicent's death. His accusation was motivated by his sorrow, and the fact that your daughter got into a heated argument with Alicent just hours before she died. A thousand pardons, my lady, but I saw it fit to have Princess Visenya and Prince Maelor, who is also under suspicion of murder, imprisoned last night as a precautionary measure. Princes Jacaerys and Jaehaerys swear by the couple's innocence, and a trial by seven has been announced to take place later today to clear Visenya and Maelor's names. Your son, three of your nephews, and both your half-brothers have all volunteered to fight in the trial.
I too have volunteered to fight as well. Another raven will be dispatched to King's Landing as soon as the trial ends to inform you of the aftermath.
On behalf of House Hightower, you have my sincerest condolences,
Lord Lyonel Hightower"
Grand Maester Thaleus observed with cautious interest the various facial expressions that the queen made as she read the letter. Rhaenyra I's eyes widened and her mouth hung open when she learned that her stepmother had been murdered. Wide as the queen's eyes were, they somehow grew even larger, and her skin started to redden, and she clenched her teeth as she read how her only daughter and her husband had been accused of Alicent's murder and had been arrested by Lord Lyonel Hightower. Her mouth opened again when she read the part where her firstborn son and half-nephews were taking part in a trial by seven to clear Visenya and Maelor's names. The queen was all but rabid after she finished reading the letter.
"Those bastards! Those sons of bitches!"
Thaleus took a step back as if Rhaenyra was spitting dragonfire from her mouth. He had never seen her so angry before, and honestly it was quite terrifying. Rhaenyra began ranting while pacing back and forth.
"How dare Aemond accuse my daughter and her husband of murder! How dare Lyonel arrest them! The gall of that man! What bollocks!"
"Y-your grace..." Thaleus began hesitantly, "Queen Alicent's murder has to have hit everyone hard at the Hightower-"
"Do not give them excuses, Thaleus!" snapped Rhaenyra, rattling the already terrified grand maester and causing him to clam up.
"Aemond and Lyonel's accusations against Visenya are clearly biased. Aemond has always resented me, and Lyonel still holds me accountable for the deaths of Lady Sam and his brothers and half-sisters four years ago. The only reason why they would accuse Maelor is because he is married to Visenya. Gods, imagine the trauma that they and their children are going through right now!"
Rhaenyra then froze and her expression became panicked.
"Visenya is five months pregnant." The queen then clasped her hands together and began praying aloud. "Oh, Mother Above, please, please do not let anything terrible befall my daughter and her unborn child. Please protect Rhaenys from the confusion and fear she must be feeling... That poor, sweet, little girl..."
Frozen to where he was standing out of fear, Thaleus finally found the courage to speak again.
"Would you like for me to get you a septon or a septa, your grace?"
"No." was said the queen, her tone suddenly firm. "But summon my family to the royal sept. They must be made aware of the situation at Oldtown, and we all need to pray for the safety of all those who are fighting for the innocence of Visenya and Maelor. And send a raven to High Tide. Lucerys and his family must know what is going on, too."
Thaleus nodded and he turned to leave, only to be stopped when he was halfway out the door by Rhaenyra I.
"Wait. Have my family gather in Daemon's room instead. It is too difficult for him to walk to the sept, so we will all go to his bedchamber. Send for the septon, too."
"Yes, my lady." Thaleus nodded again, and he went off to do as told.
Rhaenyra was sitting by her ailing husband's bedside with Mysaria when her family and the septon streamed in. After everyone was assembled, Rhaenyra informed them all about what was going on in Oldtown. Everyone gasped at once, making it sound like the room itself was inhaling. Princess Baela was the most incensed, and she became nearly as rabid as her cousin/stepmother had been earlier in her solar.
"That is outrageous! On what grounds do the Hightower's have to arrest Visenya and Maelor? If I was Jacaerys, I would have had his dragon burn every member of the Hightower household until the murderer gave themselves up!"
"Mother!" said a horrified Baelor. The princess turned to face her son with angry eyes.
"Fire and Blood", Baelor. That is what we give our enemies when they challenge us."
"It is also a good way to sew discontent and start a war, mother." countered Baelor.
"Come on now, you two." said Prince Joffrey in a diplomatic way. "There is enough tension going here as is. Let us not make it worse, especially with Daemon here."
"What in the Seven Hells does that mean, Joff?" Daemon asked in a raspy voice. "I may look like a bag of bones, but I am certainly not so weak and fragile that harsh words can winnow me like chaff!"
Joff hung his head slightly in shame. "I am sorry, Daemon..."
"You're fine..." grunted Daemon. He reached over for his wine cup on the night stand, muffling a pained hiss as he tried to bend his fingers around the stem. Misery gingerly removed the cup from Daemon's nonexistent grasp and brought its rim to his mouth for him to drink. Daemon's eye flashed with frustration, but he said nothing and gratefully drank the wine with Misery's help. Concern for the Blacks in Oldtown soon became partially eclipsed with somber thoughts over how terrible the physical decline of the king consort of the Seven Kingdoms was.
The Rogue Prince, a man who had inspired awe and fear within the hearts of the Westerosi and the former Three Daughters throughout his long life, and who had reveled in bloodshed, glory, and thrills during his youth, could now no longer hold a cup in his own hand or drink by himself without help. It was as if Daemon was an infant again. The arrival of the septon distracted everyone from their depressing thoughts about their ailing patriarch, and they readied themselves to pray. Prayers to the Father and Mother Above, and the Warrior and the Smith were uttered to protect the Blacks fighting in the trial at Oldtown that day. A long, tense wait began after the conclusion of the group prayer.
Queen Rhaenyra stayed behind in her husband's room while the rest of her family departed to occupy themselves for the time being until the second raven from Oldtown arrived. Remaining with the queen were the White Worm, Baela, Baelor, and Alysanne. Princess Alysanne made the prolonged visit with her bedridden grandfather better by sending for her children since their naptime was due to end soon. The presence of the four year old Aemon and five month old Elaena brought much joy to their anxious parents, grandmother, and great-grandparents, but not enough to completely distract them from their worry. When she started to feel confined in Daemon's room, Rhaenyra I took her great-grandchildren out to the garden to get some fresh air.
Aemon played monsters-and-maidens with his parents, grandmother, and Lady Elinda Massey since his cousins were all preoccupied with other activities. Cradling her infant great-granddaughter in her arms, Queen Rhaenyra took Elaena to go see the flowers with Lady Adela Bolling loyally following after them. Rhaenyra delighted in how Elaena reached for the gillyflower that she dangled over the baby's face, chuckling when Elaena grabbed it and smiled with a big, toothless grin. Observing the innocence of her great-grandchildren made Rhaenyra both happy and sad. She was happy to see Aemon and Elaena so carefree, jovial, and lively, and sad because their innocence would fade day by day as they grew older and experienced the harsh realities of the adult world.
But for now, Aemon and Elaena were happy, healthy, and lively, and their great-grandmother hoped that they would stay that way for the rest of their lives. Now, if only the royal family could receive the news about the outcome of the Trial of Seven at Oldtown and how Jacaerys, Maelor, Visenya, and the others were faring. The long-awaited raven finally arrived early that evening. Rhaenyra was visiting with Daemon and Mysaria again when Grand Maester Thaleus arrived with both the letter and an expression heavy with sorrow.
"Thaleus?" asked Rhaenyra I with some apprehension as she observed her Grand Maester's woefulness. "What is it?"
"Lord Hightower's second letter finally arrived, your grace." answered Thaleus. "I am afraid that it does not contain good news..."
Everyone's hearts sank when they heard what Thaleus had said.
"What happened? What happened?!" blurted out the anxious queen. She shot up from her chair. "Read it, please!"
Nodding silently, and steeling himself for what was to come, Thaleus unfolded the letter and read it out loud for everyone to hear.
"Your royal majesty, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen the First of Her Name,
As promised in my earlier correspondence with you, here is my second letter. It is with great sadness that I must inform you that this letter does not bear any good news either. It is with my and all of House Hightower's greatest regret that I must inform you that your son and heir, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, was slain during the Trial of Seven at Oldtown today."
Thaleus was soon cut off by a sorrowful scream that came from the mouth of the queen.
"No! No! NO! It cannot be!"
Rhaenyra I then fell to the floor with her left hand covering her mouth and her right clutching the footboard of Daemon's bed. Her face was turning red as tears began to drip out from underneath tightly shut eyelids. Both Daemon's right eye and mouth were wide open with shock as he took in the news that his eldest grandnephew/stepson was dead. He attempted to with great trouble to pull himself up from the wall of pillows that he was resting against to console his grieving niece-queen, but he could not do it on his own. Ladies Massey and Bolling got up from their chairs to console the queen in Daemon's stead, and they helped the poor, grieving mother up onto her chair as she sobbed.
Heartbroken for his wife, sorrowful over Jacaerys's death, and frustrated over his failing body, King Daemon turned his attention towards Thaleus and asked him to continue reading the letter.
"It was a tense battle. Tension was high, and emotive words were exchanged between the men.
One such exchange took place between Prince Jacaerys and your grace's half-brother, Prince Aemond. There is no easy way to say this, but it was Aemond who took your son's life."
"Aemond killed my son?" Rhaenyra choked out between sobs. Daemon clenched his fists, ignoring the pain that emanated from his knuckles, and he furrowed his brow in anger. Wanting to fill the silence, Thaleus kept reading.
"But please understand, your grace, Aemond did not mean to do what he did. He is a man in grief, and his emotions have been running high since the murder of his mother just the night before. Aemond has been imprisoned at the Hightower, and he is wracked with great remorse and guilt for slaying the crown prince.
Because of the outcome of the trial, no verdict has been reached regarding the fate of your daughter and son-in-law. Both are faring well in face of the Prince of Dragonstone's death, as is your granddaughter, Princess Rhaenys, and her unborn brother or sister. We are all mourning the crown prince's death here in Oldtown. In accordance with House Targaryen tradition, Jacaerys will be cremated in the main courtyard of the Hightower tomorrow morning. His body has been given over to the silent sisters to be prepared for his funeral.
Please, please, find it in your heart to forgive Prince Aemond. Forgiveness can help you press forward through this difficult time that you and your family will be suffering from now. May the Seven Above help you along the way, and may they help mend your heart in the face of your son's death. May the soul of Prince Jacaerys Velaryon rest in peace. May his lady wife, Princess Baela, know peace, may his children know peace, and may his grandchildren know peace.
May the souls of Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower and Ser Titus Peake, whose life was also taken during the trial, rest in peace.
My sincerest condolences,
Lord Lyonel Hightower"
"Forgiveness? Forgive Aemond?" murmured Rhaenyra in disbelief as she lifted her tear-stained face from her hands. Her countenance was one of great grief: red, glistening eyes whose moisture left shining trails down her cheeks, and ruddy skin. But then a twisted smile appeared on Rhaenyra's face, and a peal of mad laughter rang out from her lips, startling everyone who was present in the room.
After the laughter had subsided, and, with everyone still on edge, Rhaenyra then became wrathful.
"There will be no such thing!" she roared as she stood up from her chair again, causing her ladies-in-waiting to take a step back from her. Thankfully for Elinda and Adela, their queen had forgotten them momentarily in favor of fixing her mad attentions on the Grand Maester, who was now standing rigidly with wide, frightened eyes and still clutching the letter in his hands. "Thaleus," commanded Rhaenyra I, her voice low and menacing, "summon the small council." Thaleus nodded wordlessly and said nothing out of fear.
It was Daemon who had the courage to speak up.
"What of the rest of our family? What of Baela? She needs to know..."
Mentioning Baela made the queen pause, and her sudden bout of madness seemed to settle. Baela was currently unaware that she was now a widow. Baelor, Alyssa, and Aelyx were unaware that they had lost their father. Aemon was unaware that this beloved grandfather was gone, and little Elaena was now going to have to grow up never knowing Jace. The Dragon Queen's heart, which had already broken into a million pieces upon learning of her firstborn child's death, seemed to shatter even more at the thought of having to share this awful news to the rest of her family.
Fresh tears fell from Rhaenyra's purple eyes as she took in this cruel revelation. Her next command to Thaleus was spoken with a much softer and sadder tone.
"Please summon my family, Thaleus. They all need to know..."
Grand Maester Thaleus, whose initial fear of Rhaenyra was now abating and being replaced with sympathy, nodded again, this time sadly. "Yes, your grace. I will do that now. Would you like for us all to meet you here in the king's room, or the Chamber-"
"Chamber of the Sphinxes." Rhaenyra said, both completing and answering Thaleus's question.
"Very well, your grace. My condolences for your loss..." said Thaleus, who bowed his head to Rhaenyra. As soon as he left, Daemon attempted to get out of his bed.
"I am coming, too." Anticipating his wife telling him to remain in bed and rest, Daemon said, "Our family needs us both tonight, Rhaenyra. You need me. Baela needs me."
Rhaenyra said nothing; her face appeared to have been made of stone. "Do you need help?" she asked, but Daemon shook his head.
"I have Mysaria. Go on ahead without me. I will arrive in due time."
Rhaenyra did not nod or say anything. She just walked out of the room with her ladies struggling to catch up, leaving a wake of sorrow behind her in Daemon's room. It was a long walk to the small council chamber. Rhaenyra I walked slowly down the halls as her mind lost itself in a tempestuous sea of emotions. Elinda and Adela followed behind their queen from a respectful distance to give her some space as she processed her grief. No parent ever expects to outlive a child, a loss that brings insurmountable pain to that child's family, a pain that will never dissipate or dull no matter how much time passes after the death. Rhaenyra's tear-stained face had started to dry, and a great numbness now filled her. It felt so unreal that Jacaerys was now gone. Rhaenyra even expected to see her eldest son waiting for her in the Chamber of the Sphinxes once she arrived, but was tragically disappointed upon seeing that there was no one there. Pausing to take in Jace's absence from the chamber, as well as her life, Rhaenyra silently made her way to her chair, which Adela pulled out for her, and she sat down to wait for the arrival of her family and small councilmen.
Minutes later, a steady stream of people flowed into the chamber, including the Red Keep's septons and septas, which Thaleus had taken the time to summon as well to provide spiritual support for everyone. How thoughtful of him. Daemon and the White Worm were the last to arrive, and after Daemon was seated in Ghost's chair, who was strangely absent, Rhaenyra I, with great trepidation, announced the death of Prince Jacaerys Velaryon to everyone. Gasping and vocal expressions of surprise could be heard.
"What?!" cried out Baela. "My husband is dead? Dead?! This cannot be..."
Baela was not the fainting type, but both her sons grabbed her arms to prevent her from falling. Baelor and Aelyx exchanged sorrowful glances at each other as they comforted their mother as she started to weep. Daemon carefully got up from his chair, and with a cane in his hand, he walked over to his oldest daughter to console her. Prince Joffrey Velaryon was staring vacantly with glistening eyes at the surface of the table with one hand over his mouth. Nell held her husband's other hand in hers as Daemion looked, and Aeric laid a big, comforting hand on his father's left shoulder.
"What does killed mean?" asked four year old Little Rhaenyra to both her parents. Oswyn spoke up in place of the rattled Aegon the Younger and Thea.
"It means that Uncle Jace's life was taken, Rhaenyra."
The princess blinked and narrowed her eyes in confusion. She was still a little too young to understand the concept of death. Aegon and Thea looked at each other in sadness, both silently deciding that before the children went to bed that night, they would talk to Little Rhaenyra about death in a way that she could understand. Viserys and Myrine came to that same conclusion regarding their own children. Myrine placed her hand on her husband's back and gently rubbed him to try and ease whatever pain he was feeling over his eldest half-brother's death.
Condolences from the small council members poured in as the Black Targaryen's banded together as they mourned their loss. The Master of Coin, Lord Creighton Bar Emmon, was the first to bring up another pressing matter. The investiture of Prince Baelor Targaryen as his grandmother's new heir to the Iron Throne.
"This now means that Prince Baelor is now the heir apparent." said Creighton.
"Yes." murmured Rhaenyra. "Yes, it does."
Feeling numerous sets of eyes on him, Baelor looked around the room. Mourning his father and taking in the realization that he had bumped up the line of succession filled the nearly twenty year old prince with great anxiety and uncertainty. No one, least of all Baelor, had ever expected him to become the Prince of Dragonstone when his grandmother was still drawing breath. Not only that, but it would also make sense to name Baelor as the new Hand of the Queen. Rhaenyra turned to look at her grandson.
"Your investiture will take place after your Aunt Visenya and Uncle Maelor and their families return with both your father's ashes and Blackfyre. It would be improper for me to name you as my new heir with just Dark Sister."
Baelor nodded in agreement, his head still swimming. "Yes, grandmother," was all he could say in response. The queen looked away from Baelor and addressed the assembled crowd again.
"But first, I think we should all pray for Jace's soul." Rhaenyra then looked around at the clerics who were gathered in the chamber. "Which one of you would like to lead us in prayer?"
One of the septons volunteered, and prayers were soon recited for the soul of Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, and for the safety and wellbeing of Princesses Visenya and Rhaenys Targaryen, and for Prince Maelor Targaryen. A quick prayer was even said for the soul of Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower, too. With the conclusion of the prayer service, all the younger children and princes' wives, except for the newly widowed Baela, left the small council chamber. Those who remained behind began discussing on how to handle the aftermath of the Trial of Seven at Oldtown.
It was agreed that Prince Aemond Targaryen would be transported to King's Landing via wheelhouse escorted by a host of royal soldiers. Upon arriving at the Red Keep, Aemond would be tried before the Iron Throne with entire royal court present. He would be given the following two choices: taking the Black, or beheading. Joff, sorrowful over his oldest brother's death and thirsty for vengeance, believed that his half-uncle's blood should be drawn even if he chose to join the Night's Watch. Whipping Aemond's back would be how his blood would be drawn if he didn't lose his head, and Joff suggested that Aemond should be whipped thirty-six times, one lash for each year of Jace's life.
Joff's suggestion was approved by the small council, and shortly thereafter, action was taken. Dozens of ravens were dispatched from the Red Keep's rookery as the sun began to dip into the horizon. The ravens carried letters strapped to their legs that contained the news of the Prince of Dragonstone's untimely death, and that his oldest son would soon be succeeding him. The first four ravens flew to Oldtown, High Tide, Winterfell, and Pentos. Prince Lucerys Velaryon and Princess Rhaena Targaryen would learn of Jace's death and Baelor's subsequent ascension within an hour of the raven's flight, but it wouldn't be until the following morning when the Hightower's would receive their royal raven, and it would take longer for Princesses Alyssa Targaryen and Megaera Velaryon, especially the former, to get their letters.
The first raven reached Oldtown as the funeral pyre of Prince Jacaerys Velaryon began to smolder around his warm ashes. It arrived just in time for the gathered Hightower's and Targaryen's to learn from the former's gaoler that Aemond "the Kinslayer" had escaped from his cell. Bedlam ensued. The gaoler swore that Aemond's cell was securely locked the previous night before he went to bed, and that it was still locked when he performed his morning rounds through the dungeons. And yet the prince's bed was found to be empty and not slept in. It was as if Aemond had become a ghost and walked through the very bars of his cell.
The Hightower guards searched every level of the towering castle in search of Aemond, but there was no sign of him. It was impossible for him to leave Oldtown due to Lyonel closing the city gates and docks two nights earlier in the aftermath of the discovery of Queen Alicent's murder. How did Aemond escape his cell? How did he leave Battle Island without anyone noticing him? These questions plagued everyone at the Hightower.
Princess Visenya accused Lord Hightower of helping her half-uncle escape. She called Lyonel a traitorous bastard, and that if he did not find Aemond soon, her mother would have his head in place of the prince's. Lyonel was pale as he dictated to Maester Ulrich another letter addressed to the queen to inform her of her murderous half-brother's escape from his custody. The letter from King's Landing had frightened the Voice of Oldtown, and he dreaded how Rhaenyra I was going to react to this new development.
"Seven have mercy on us all..." muttered Lyonel as Ulrich left to send out a raven.
Queen Rhaenyra's response was swift, and another royal raven arrived at Oldtown later that afternoon.
"Please, please do not say you want my head to roll... Please..." Lyonel said to himself as he took the new letter from Ulrich with trembling hands. Luckily for Lord Hightower, Rhaenyra did not want his head, but what she had written was no less terrifying.
"Lord Lyonel Hightower,
I cannot begin to express how great my disappointment and anger towards you is right now. You vehemently expressed how remorseful my half-brother was over killing my son yesterday, and yet, he was not remorseful enough to not flee when the opportunity presented itself. This carelessness on your part has gotten me and my family and courtiers immensely suspicious of you. How can we be sure that you did not help Aemond escape? You two share blood, and it could be this kinship that convinced either you or Daeron to protect Aemond from facing justice for being a kinslayer.
Either that, or is it your grudge against me for what happened to Lady Sam, your brothers, and half-sisters four years ago that encouraged you to free Aemond? Perhaps it is both. You asked me to find it in my heart to "forgive" Aemond for butchering Jacaerys in your second letter to me, but now, you shall be eating those words, Lord Lyonel. You should be asking for my forgiveness instead! You can earn that by participating in the search for my half-brother.
As of this writing, a host is being gathered to march into the Reach to begin the search for Prince Aemond Targaryen. I expect your full cooperation with this. Anything less will only add more to the Iron Throne's suspicions, and House Hightower will be fortunate that only an act of attainder will be their punishment! My son, Prince Joffrey Velaryon, will inform you of more details once he arrives in the Reach. I do not want to hear back from you until my half-brother has been found or killed.
As that will be easier said than done, here is another, much less taxing and swifter, way of earning my forgiveness for the time being. Releasing my daughter and granddaughter, including my half-sister Helaena and her daughter and grandchildren and to have them all return to King's Landing immediately; the host will march for the Reach shortly after their return and once my grandson Baelor is named as the new Prince of Dragonstone. Tell Prince Maelor and his older brother to remain behind to help search for their uncle. If I hear any protest from you or any member of your house about this, I only have this to say. Fire and Blood.
Good day to you,
Sincerely,
Queen Rhaenyra I Targaryen"
Lyonel turned pale as he read the letter. He could almost hear the queen's voice in his head as he kept on reading, and he heard her yelling at him through the ink and vellum. A heat flash flared up inside Lyonel, and he rubbed his hair back with his hand to cool his forehead. He wanted to comply with Rhaenyra I's demands, but at the same time, he did not want to release Prince Maelor and Princess Visenya Targaryen. The murderer of Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower had not yet been caught, so the prince and princess were still regarded as the strongest suspects in Alicent's death.
But if Lyonel did not release them, he feared that his family's prestige and honor would be stripped away by an act of attainder and that the great name of House Hightower would be dragged through the mud. He recalled what had happened to House Wylde of Rain House in the Stormlands in the aftermath of Jasper the Ironrod's failed rebellion twenty years ago in 130 AC. Their lands were annexed by neighboring lords, their relatives held hostage or maimed, and how the Wylde's had been living in sullen disgrace since then with their current lord trying desperately to rebuild their lost wealth and prestige. Feeling that he had no choice, Lyonel gathered everyone in the Great Hall, where he announced the release of Princess Visenya Targaryen and her family, the arrival of the royal host, and the manhunt for the fugitive Prince Aemond Targaryen. There was outrage of course over releasing Visenya and Maelor, but Lyonel firmly reminded his kinsmen about the threat of attainting if they did not do what the queen said, and he even brought up what happened to House Wylde as an example of what else could happen to House Hightower if they did not comply.
With great reluctance, the Voice of Oldtown released Princess Visenya Targaryen and her daughter (he reopened the city gates and docks, too). The princess and her family departed for King's Landing the day after Jace's funeral. Tears were shed as Visenya bid her husband and brother-in-law farewell since they had to stay behind at Oldtown, sentiments that were shared with Helaena and Jaehaera as well. Despite everything the expecting princess had gone through over the past four days, both Visenya and her unborn child were faring well, and Helaena and Jaehaera both promised Maelor that they would look after her and the children until Maelor returned home. It was Princess Helaena Targaryen who led her family back to King's Landing atop of Dreamfyre.
Wanting to give Visenya peace during the flight back home, Helaena had Rhaenys fly with her. Princess Jaehaera and Prince Gaemon flew next to Dreamfyre atop of Morghul, and Prince Aegon and Princess Aeva flew beside their mother on the back of Sunfyre. Vermax flew behind Sunfyre the Golden. Although riderless, Vermax followed after the group, unwilling to stay behind at the city where his rider had died. Sers Percival Wylde and Edmund Naeryon followed the dragons on horseback carrying Jace's crematory urn, a beautiful receptacle made from white alabaster, and Blackfyre respectively.
It was a long and solemn journey back to the capital. In the meantime, the Velaryon's traveled to the Red Keep after learning of Jace's death. Rhaena all but ran to her widowed twin sister, and the two women cried together as they hugged. Lucerys and Joffrey locked themselves in a brotherly embrace as they mourned Jacaerys's death. Laena and Corlys and their respective spouses, Walton and Lisia, comforted Baelor, Alysanne, and Aelyx.
With her family assembled, Rhaenyra and her court now awaited the return of Visenya and her retinue. The family gathered into wheelhouses and headed to the Dragonpit after hearing the news that dragons were spotted flying towards King's Landing. Rhaenyra all but ran to Visenya when the latter arrived at the Dragonpit, and mother and daughter embraced and wept once they met. Pleased to hear that her unborn grandchild was faring well after asking Visenya, the queen gently rubbed her daughter's belly. She was also relieved to see her two year old granddaughter being carried in her other grandmother's arms, and Rhaenyra I walked over, retrieved Rhaenys, and held her close as the little princess hugged her back.
Helaena and her daughter and grandchildren received a more subdued reception by the Blacks in comparison. Helaena thought she felt a chill in the warm summer air once her half-sister and her family saw the riderless Vermax. She and Jaehaera let out a sigh relief after they entered a wheelhouse with Gaemon, Aegon, and Aeva to return to the Red Keep. The initial relief that was felt after the return of Visenya and Rhaenys quickly evaporated after the Targaryen's arrived back at the Red Keep and were greeted by Percival and Edmund. A solemn Ser Wylde was holding Jacaerys's urn in his hands as the queen and her family filed out of their wheelhouses into the castle's entrance courtyard.
A mournful silence fell upon the gathered crowd, and Rhaenyra I, with tears welling up in her eyes, quietly received her son's urn from his former sworn shield. She held the urn close to her chest, bowed her head, and began to sob as her children and grandchildren began to surround her.
"Oh, my son... My darling, darling boy..." whimpered the queen. Cradling the urn in her arms made Rhaenyra remember the day Jacaerys was born. It took nearly an entire day for the then seventeen year old Rhaenyra to give birth to her firstborn at Dragonstone. According to what Lady Laena Velaryon had told her sister-in-law after Jace's birth, King Viserys I Targaryen was anxiously pacing outside his daughter's room turning the rings on his fingers round and round as he awaited the birth of his firstborn grandchild, a scene that Rhaenyra herself would recreate sixteen years later in 130 AC as she waited for her own firstborn grandchildren to come into the world. Ser Laenor Velaryon waited in silence with his father and older sister on the same bench that his two oldest sons would sit on the day they first became fathers.
The Queen Who Never was by Rhaenyra's side as she labored, and it was a then Maester Gerardys who delivered the prince and later laid the swaddled newborn in his mother's arms. The crown princess gasped when she first laid eyes on her firstborn son's face, and she wept tears of joy alongside her mother-in-law as she looked upon the big, beautiful baby boy that she had just brought into the world. The Young King had tears in his eyes when he held his firstborn grandchild for the first time, and Rhaenyra never forgot the look of pure happiness on her father's face as he held Jacaerys, and how he looked at her with pride and told her that her son was beautiful, and that her mother would have been so proud of her if she had lived to see this moment. Laenor did not cry when he first met his son, in stark contrast to how emotional Laena was when she first met her newborn nephew, but he did have a fatherly smile on his face when he held Jacaerys. Corlys the Sea Snake and Rhaenys had never looked so proud and happy the day they became grandparents for the first time.
Ser Harwin Strong did not allow his gaze to linger on the crown princess's baby, and he seemed to try and make himself invisible in the room as the king and Velaryon's fawned over Jacaerys. It did not matter at the time that Jacaerys was born with brown hair and eyes and a pug nose, all that mattered was that both mother and son were healthy and doing well after the birth. Jacaerys would grow from an adorable baby to a precocious boy and then to a well-liked, dynamic, and intelligent man. He was a beloved son, brother, grandson, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather. And now, all that remained of Prince Jacaerys Velaryon were ashes and memories.
Heartbroken, a still weeping Rhaenyra cradled the urn in her arms as she made the long journey to the Red Keep's crypt with her family and the Queensguard following her. Upon reaching the alcove where the cremains of the Young King and his first wife and their sons were interred, Rhaenyra I kissed the lid of Jace's urn before placing it beside those of his grandparents and uncles.
"Sleep well, my son." Rhaenyra whispered. "One day we will see each other again. Until then, feast and revel in the Father's golden hall with your father, grandparents, Aunt Laena, and all those who have come and gone before us."
Reaching out to gently brush the urn's lid as if she were brushing her son's hair, Rhaenyra turned to leave the crypt. That night, as everyone mourned and quietly celebrated the return of Princesses Visenya and Rhaenys, the queen, her small council, and other allies, went over what they were supposed to do for the manhunt for Aemond the Kinslayer. The investiture of Prince Baelor Targaryen took place in the throne room the following morning. In the presence of the Iron Throne, Blackfyre and Dark Sister, and the royal court, the oldest grandson of Queen Rhaenyra I Targaryen by her late firstborn son, was named as the new Prince of Dragonstone. As was expected, Baelor, in addition to being named as his grandmother's new heir to the throne, was also named as her new Hand of the Queen, too.
He was given the same badge that had been worn by his father for eighteen years until his death. Shortly after the double investiture had taken place, the royal host was dispatched to the Reach. Leading them in the air were Prince Joffrey Velaryon and Tyraxes, Princess Baela Targaryen and Moondancer, and Prince Aelyx Targaryen and Macetail. As if searching for Aemond by both land and air wasn't enough, it was also going to be conducted by sea, too. Prince Lucerys Velaryon and Arrax, along with Admiral Alyn Velaryon and his mother, Marilda of Hull, led a small armada from Blackwater Bay to the Summer Sea to search any seafaring vessel they came across in hopes of finding the fugitive prince trying to flee to faraway lands after his cousin had reopened Oldtown's docks.
Consumed with guilt over being unable to protect Prince Jacaerys during the Trial at Oldotwn, Ser Percival Wylde joined the royal host in hopes of redeeming himself by finding Prince Aemond Targaryen, and, if absolutely necessary, killing him. When the royal host arrived at Oldtown, they were met by Lord Lyonel Hightower with a host of soldiers, and Princes Jaehaerys, Maelor, and Lydus Targaryen and their respective dragons: Shrykos, Meteor, and Seasmoke. As promised in the queen's letter to Lord Hightower, Joff informed him on how the manhunt was going to be conducted. Due to the Reach being the second biggest region in the Seven Kingdoms, the Targaryen and Hightower hosts were going to be split up. Joffrey and Jaehaerys would search the land between the Ocean Road and Roseroad, whose notable holdings were Bandallon, Blackcrown, Brightwater Keep, Honeyholt, and Oldtown, of course. The four Shield Islands would also be searched by the two half-cousins.
Joff made his headquarters at Honeyholt with his wife's family. Aelyx and Lydus were tasked with searching around the Red Mountains and the coastline around the Redwyne Straits, and they were headquartered at Horn Hill, the home of Aelyx's fiancée's family. Baela and Maelor were to search the northern areas of the Reach proper, and they made their base of operations at Goldengrove. Despite the discovery of Alyssa and Florence's affair the year before during the Duskendale Scandals, the Rowan's were still loyal to the Iron Throne, and they welcomed Baela with open arms.
The battalions that splintered off from the main host were supplemented with forces from Houses Beesbury, Costayne Hightower, Hunt, Osgrey, Rowan, Tarly, Tyrell, and Webber. Prince Daeron Targaryen offered his assistance along with that of his two oldest sons, but that was politely declined. Seven dragons were more than enough, as was the manpower that the six princes and one princess commanded. Every square inch of the Reach was searched. Woodlands, hills, and even caves like the Derring Downs on Lord Osgrey's domain were scoured by scouts as dragons flew above. Villages and towns were thoroughly searched, with soldiers rummaging through houses, warehouses, granaries, stables, and castles.
Even the Roseroad patrol were charged with checking caravans to see if Aemond was hiding in a wheelhouse, a trunk, a crate, or even large casks or barrels! Cargo holds in ships were searched by Velaryon patrols on the Summer Sea and the Redwyne Straits. Luke made his base at the Arbor, becoming a guest of Lord Augustus Redwyne, the brother-in-law of the Voice of Oldtown. And yet, despite the manhunt being carried out on such a large scale, and the announcement of a hefty bounty (3,000 gold dragons to anyone who could capture Aemond alive, and 2,000 gold dragons to anyone who brought Aemond's head before his half-sister and her court), neither hide nor hair of Prince Aemond Targaryen could be found. Areas that had already been searched were sometimes canvassed again in hopes of Aemond having escaped there from a previous hiding place.
Ravens arrived daily at the Red Keep informing the queen about the manhunt's progress, and each letter bore the same unsatisfactory result: Aemond had still not been found. As if that wasn't bad enough, what Rhaenyra I learned from her daughter about how Aemond had treated her after his mother's murder and how he killed Jacaerys made her temper rise. By the manhunt's second week, Rhaenyra was frustrated and furious. None of her or her allies' forces were able to find her murderous half-brother, and Rhaenyra decided to apply more pressure on the Reach by taking hostages. Separating family members should make whoever was hiding Aemond to reconsider what they were doing and either surrender the one-eyed prince to his half-sister's family, or convince him to give himself up.
The small council also agreed with their queen that taking hostages would be a good way to flush out Aemond, but what to do with the lords who refused to surrender a relative?
"Simple," Rhaenyra began, "bathe their castles and lands with dragonfire."
The councilmen exchanged surprised glances. The new Hand, Crown Prince Baelor Targaryen spoke up.
"Grandmother, don't you think that is a bit excessive?"
Queen Rhaenyra turned to face her grandson with a hard and dark gaze.
"One of the Reach lords could be holding your father's killer, Baelor. I don't care what it takes for Aemond to be captured. I want him found and brought to justice before the Iron Throne, as does your mother, your siblings, your wife, and your uncles, aunts, and cousins. Aemon and Elaena should grow up knowing the closure that will follow once Aemond has been captured and punished accordingly for taking their grandfather away from them. Maegor and his mother Visenya set fire to the noble strongholds of the Westerlands and Riverlands in 43 AC to get them to submit to the Iron Throne and end their support of the Faith during the uprising.
When the king and dowager queen arrived at Oldtown with their dragons intent on burning the Starry Sept to the ground, the High Septon was dead, and the more malleable Septon Pater was elected to his place, thus sparing the city from fire. Do you understand where I am getting at, Baelor?"
"Yes, but do remember the actions of King Maegor and his mother also served to intensify the realm's hatred towards the former." Baelor countered. "Burning the castles of the Reach will undoubtedly create animosity towards you, too, grandmother. Do you want that to happen?"
Rhaenyra shook her head, but she looked unconcerned.
"I do not want discontent and hatred, Baelor, but like I said, the burnings will only take place if the nobility of the Reach do not comply with the hostage taking. And if dragonfire needs to be used, it will be ultimately Aemond's fault; everything so far has all stemmed from him killing your father. The Reach should be hating him, not me, for being the cause of all their current woes." the queen then glanced from her grandson to her councilmen, "Don't you all agree?"
Everyone glanced at each other, unsure of what to think and waiting for one of their peers to nod or shake their head and follow their lead. Bartimos made the first move by nodding.
"I agree with her majesty," he said. "Discontent is unavoidable, and I am sure that the lords of the Reach are grumbling about the presence of our forces and the continuation of our so far fruitless search. Prince Jacaerys was beloved by both the highborn and smallfolk alike, and they were all devastated by his death. Her majesty's subjects should begrudge us of whatever extreme measures we must take to find Aemond the Kinslayer and exact justice upon him."
The Master of Ships' words caused everyone to nod, although Ghost looked like they were doing so reluctantly. Lord Commander Clothair Blackwood was the second to speak up.
"There are no other options. It is either submit a hostage, or face the fiery wrath of House Targaryen's dragons."
All but Ghost and Baelor vocally agreed with the queen. Baelor decided to try and give his grandmother more advice.
"Instead of taking random nobles hostage, grandmother, why don't we take those who are kin to Aemond through his mother? Extended family like cousins, cousins once removed or twice removed and nieces and nephews and their children. We can also take the Voice of Oldtown's kinsmen both immediate and extended, too. They can also be kin by marriage."
Everyone looked at each other and nodded in agreement with Baelor's suggestion. What better way to get at Aemond while he was in hiding – going after his kin. Grand Maester Thaleus wrote down the queen's order for hostages to be taken from Aemond and Lyonel's relatives into four letters and sent out ravens to the Arbor, Honeyholt, Horn Hill, and Goldengrove for Lucerys, Joffrey, Aelyx, and Baela's eyes only. Jaehaerys, Maelor, and Lydus were uncomfortable with the idea of having to take hostages from their own extended family after they heard their half-aunt's order, but they did not voice their discomfort to the Blacks to avoid trouble.
Luke had no need to exert any effort to secure hostages for the Iron Throne. Thanks to the presence of Arrax and the Velaryon fleet at the Arbor, Augustus Redwyne and his family were practically being held hostage by their own guest in all but name. The experiences Joffrey, Baela, and Aelyx had while seizing hostages varied greatly. Twice did Joff have to use the threat of having Tyraxes burn a noble stronghold during his hostage taking. The defiant noblemen in question were the Lord of Brightwater Keep and the Voice of Oldtown himself.
Aldus Florent rebuffed Prince Joffrey Velaryon's demand to surrender his youngest daughter, the fiancée of Ser Cyril Hightower, into the custody of House Beesbury in the name of the queen. Instead of his daughter, Aldus tried to offer his young third wife, Lady Florence Rowan, to take his child's place as a royal hostage. Displeased enough with Aldus's defiance, Prince Joffrey's displeasure with Lord Florent deepened when the man tried to pawn off the woman who was once the paramour of his own niece. When Joffrey rejected Flo and firmly reinstated that the young Lady Florent was the only hostage he was going to take, Aldus firmly dug in his heels and protested even more. Aldus's protests stopped once the youngest Velaryon prince threatened to have Tyraxes incinerate Brightwater Keep.
Joff got into a heated confrontation with both Lord Lyonel Hightower and his half-uncle, Prince Daeron Targaryen, once he and his forces arrived at Oldtown. Both men were indignant that they were being forced to surrender hostages in the name of the Iron Throne even though their kinsmen and soldiers had done everything they could to assist with the manhunt for Aemond One-Eye. Even the calm and diplomatic Daeron found himself on the verge of losing his temper during this exchange after his half-nephew had threatened to have Tyraxes set fire to the city docks; Prince Jaehaerys had to mediate between the three men to prevent any blood from being spilled. Gritting their teeth, Lyonel and Daeron (very reluctantly) surrendered four hostages altogether: Daeron's youngest son, Prince Valarr Targaryen; Lyonel's two oldest daughters, twins Ladies Priscilla and Samantha Hightower; and the new wife of Lyonel's younger half-brother, Ser Reginald Hightower, Lady Vivan Costayne, an act which ticked off Vivian's father, the Lord of Three Towers. Watching their loved ones being led away from Oldtown was difficult for the Hightower's and Daeron to watch, and their anger towards Rhaenyra I deepened tremendously...
Joffrey and the Beesbury's met no resistance when they met with Lord Bulwer at his seat above the "singing cliffs" that overlooked the Whispering Sound. The Lord of Blackcrown was the first cousin once removed of Lord Lyonel Hightower on his mother's side, being the grandnephew of the long dead Lady Priscilla Bulwer. He surrendered three hostages to Prince Joffrey Velaryon: his own wife, the Lady of Blackcrown; their youngest child, a one year old boy named Buford, and Buford's nursemaid. All four of Joff's captives were taken to Honeyholt to be held until Prince Aemond was found. Unfortunately for Baela and Aelyx, their experience with taking hostage was met with much drama.
Arriving at Ashford, Princess Baela Targaryen met with the old Lord of Ashford, the second cousin of the late Queen Alicent Hightower. Lord Ashford was the same man who had grumbled about Dowager Lady Mary Crane being a traitorous bitch for creating a match between her son and Princess Alyssa Targaryen over a decade earlier, and his grumbling did not cease even in the presence of Alyssa's widowed mother. Baela soon lost patience with the old man and his stubbornness over handing over hostages to her and her forces. Her response to Lord Ashford's defiance was to mount Moondancer and have her burn both Ashford Castle and Ashford Meadow. Thank the Seven, the grass of Ashford Meadow was not dry, but the fire that burned was nevertheless fierce and terrifying.
Lord Ashford fell uneasily upon his creaky knees when Baela landed, begging her to spare his domain, and submitting to her demand to surrender hostages. He gave the princess five hostages: his widowed daughter-in-law and her four children, who were Lord Ashford's youngest grandchildren. Those children were the third cousins once removed of Aemond One-Eye. Those five Ashford's were taken away to be held at Goldengrove. Baela's youngest son, meanwhile, dealt with coldness, tears, and heated words.
When Aelyx and the Tarly's travelled to Starpike to take the foster son of Lord Unwin Peake, Aelyx's half-first cousin once removed, Prince Aeryn Targaryen, hostage in the name of the Iron Throne, they received a frosty reception from the Peake's. Lord Unwin Peake had been confined to his bed ever since he learned that both his only living son and half-brother were killed at Oldtown, and his already delicate health worsened. Ser Rickard Peake, Unwin's oldest grandson and new heir to Dunstonbury, Starpike, and Whitegrove, was the one who coldly greeted the Black Targaryen's and Tarly's when they arrived at Starpike. Hardly any words were exchanged between Rickard and Aelyx as Prince Aeryn was led away to be taken to Horn Hill, and what little was said between them was curt and impatient sounding. Rickard was the only Peake that the prince interacted with or saw, as the rest of the family was keeping vigil over Unwin as he laid on his deathbed.
Aelyx could tolerate frostiness, but he reached his limit at Highgarden, where tensions were high and the words exchanged between the prince and Lord Tyrell were fierce and full of vitriol.
"This is an outrage!" growled Lord Lyonel Tyrell after Aelyx told him that he had to surrender hostages in the name of the Iron Throne. "I have been doing everything I can to help your grandmother with her search for Prince Aemond Targaryen, and this is how she repays me - taking members of my own family hostage?!"
"This is not being done out of suspicion or malice, Lord Lyonel." said Aelyx as he tried to assuage the irate Warden of the South. "This is being done to try and flush Prince Aemond out of hiding."
"By turning your own kinsmen into captives? Especially the kinsmen of those who are helping you? The fact that you haven't found him yet means that he has probably fled to Essos or somewhere beyond the Sunset Sea. If not, then whoever is hiding Aemond has got to be buckling under the pressure now and will break sooner or later."
"Aemond certainly isn't." interjected Aelyx. "When your very head is at stake, you don't stop running." The prince then took a deep breath before continuing. "That is why I have been ordered to take both your ward, my cousin, Valerion, and your daughter Daena as hostages for the Iron Throne to be held at Horn Hill until Aemond the Kinslayer has been captured or killed."
Lyonel's eyes nearly bugged out of his skull and his mouth fell open. Seconds later, he went from shocked to irate, his skin turning sanguine.
"WHAT?!" roared the man. "What?! My daughter? She is just an infant!"
"I am sorry my lord..." Aelyx replied sadly. "But I was given my orders by my grandmother, and I intend to follow them. No harm will befall Daena, I promise you. She will be in good hands-"
"I don't give a fuck!" yelled Lyonel. "You are not taking my child! Daena is not leaving Highgarden!"
"Are you denying a royal order, Lord Tyrell?" Aelyx said in a low voice in an attempt to be threatening. The castle guards tensed when they saw the prince grip his scabbard.
"Are you going to run me through, Aelyx?" asked Lyonel in a scornful tone that somewhat hid his underlying fear of what the prince might do to him.
"Not unless you give me a good reason to." Aelyx replied coldly. "Would you rather that I slap you in front of your guards like my sister did at Duskendale? Which one do you think will hurt you the least?"
Lyonel's anger deepened at the memory of his former fiancée slapping him. The humiliation of being struck by a woman in front of men hurt more than the slap itself. Anger clouded Lyonel's reason, and he lashed out verbally at the prince with words meant purely to be cruel and hurtful.
"I am glad that I never married that slut. Saera is quiet and pliant and knows her place. Your sister is willful, but I thought she was dutiful and compliant until last year. But I guess that is to be expected since licentiousness runs in the women of your family. Your grandmother lost her maidenhead to King Daemon before she married her first husband, your mother fondled the Lord of the Eyrie during his own bedding in full view of your late father, Seven rest his soul, and your sister prefers mounting women over men!" Lyonel then barked out a cruel laugh. "Ha! And now, Alyssa is being fucked by a wolf! Imagine that."
Just like Lyonel was earlier – red with rage – Aelyx now was, too. But unlike Lyonel's anger, Aelyx's anger was heating his dragon's blood. He felt compelled to burn something... Without a word, Aelyx turned and called out to his dragon Macetail to the bemused stares of Lydus, Lyonel, and the castle guards and Tarly host. Taking Macetail to the air, Aelyx had his dragon dive down towards Highgarden's walls.
"Dracarys!" ordered Aelyx.
Dragonfire with black and red flames and a white core shot of Macetail's mouth, the target being Highgarden's briar maze. Ten years earlier, Aelyx and his older siblings and cousins all played in that maze during their grandmother's progress to the Reach in 140 AC. And now, ten years later in 150 AC, Aelyx was burning it. A great ring of black smoke encircled Highgarden as the fire burned the maze. A horrified Lyonel ran up to the battlements to see the destruction that was taking place.
Still angry with the High Marshal of the Reach, Aelyx flew Macetail in the direction of the Mander to incinerate their next target. House Tyrell's pleasure barges bobbed up and down on the river current from where they were moored along the bank of the Mander as Macetail flew towards them. As soon they were close enough to the barges, a column of dragonfire spilled forth from Macetail's jaws, enrobing the beautiful vessels in black and red flames.
"No!" yelled Lyonel from the battlements as he watched Macetail destroy his property. Furious as he was now over what Aelyx had done with his dragon, fear was also beginning to take hold of Lyonel. When Macetail landed in Highgarden's courtyard and Aelyx dismounted, Lyonel quickly, and very reluctantly, submitted to the prince in hopes of preventing more destruction. Aelyx was dully pleased with Lyonel's submission, and he ordered his men to fetch Valerion and Daena from the castle.
Pillars of smoke billowing up into the sky greeted the captive uncle and niece, the latter who was being carried by her wet nurse, as they were led out of Highgarden into an awaiting wheelhouse. Following after the captives was a frantic and crying Princess Saera Targaryen and her mother-in-law, Dowager Lady Mary Crane.
"Give me back my baby!" wailed Saera as Mary held her. "Give her back to me! Don't take her or my brother, please!"
Lyonel's jaw clenched and his throat tightened as he heard his wife's cries. He made a run for the wet nurse, but was prevented from reaching them by Tarly knights. Feeling pity for Lyonel, Aelyx ordered the knights to let the man through to see his daughter. With trembling fingers, an emotional Lyonel gently rubbed the top of Daena's head and told her to be a good girl before saying good-bye to her, and asked Prince Valerion to take care of Daena and to protect her, which the young man agreed to do. The nine month old Lady Tyrell began wailing herself when she noticed that neither of her parents were coming with her, and the sounds of her cries only added more to Lyonel and Saera's pain.
As predicted by the queen's third Hand, discontent began to bubble up within the hearts of the Reachmen when news of the hostage taking and burnings began to spread. But what was not expected was that this feeling spreading to other lords across the Seven Kingdoms. Noble houses with lingering animosity towards the Dragon Queen began to grumble about her tyranny, and the destruction and pain that her kinsmen were inflicting upon the Reachmen. Yes, it was horrible that Queen Rhaenyra had lost a son before his time, but what she was doing was considered to be cruel and uncalled for. And little did the realm know how quickly the current situation would go from being bad to worse...
And in the next two chapters, you shall see just how bad things will get for Westeros. Who else will die and what else can go wrong for the Targaryen's? You'll just have to be patient and wait and see. See you all next time! :)
PS: Buford Bulwer, for those who have read the Egg and Dunk series, is a character that features in The Mystery Knight and is known as the "Old Ox". He takes participates in the Whitewalls Tourney in 212 AC that is a front for the failed Second Blackfyre Rebellion.