What is up guys, I am BACK!!!!!
After a long hiatus my interest of the world of ASOIAF has been reignited by HOTD S2, now we will continue on the journey of Draeden. But first, let's recap the strength on the players of the Legacy War.
Steptone forces:
Stepstone: Approximately 10,000 men
Unsullied: Around 15,000
Storm host: 10,000
Total: 35,000
(DRAGONS,??? won't be used in combat)
Volantis forces
Volantis main host: Approximately 120,000 men including Tiger's honour.
Tiger Jaw: 10,000 men
Tiger Claw: 10,000 men
Volantis city watch: 10,000 men
Total: 150,000
Normal: Common tongue
Italic: Valyrian
I DO NOT OWN GAME OF THRONES OF ASOIAF
Bloodstone
The sun was just rising to east of the large island. Some of the city dwellers have already begun their work.
Vaella is looking directly into Rising sun. Vaella is worried,not only for the safetly of her nephew-son, but also the war.
As the Stepstone host go further into the disputed lands, their supply train goes thinner and thinner. The journeys are harder as the supply trains go further into the wasteland, not to mention the limited supply in the Stepstones.
Vaella sighed, as winter approaches, food will become scarcer, although The Stepstones are not affected by the seasons, but the large demand of food forved them to source from the Reach. A year and a half has passed since both her and Draeden habe arrived on The Stepstones. Vaella smiles proudly at Draeden's achievements, strengthening their military force was successful, as well as the farms, the merchant fleets are only doing moderately well due to the war.
"It will do well for everyone if this war ends quickly". Vaella whispers
As for the war... Vaella can only pray that their house come on top of this.
Vaella goes back into her room, deciding to prepare herself for the council meeting.
The Disputed Lands
Draeden rubs his head as he sighs "Well, it will be no good to anyone if this war continues". Seemingly forgotten that Argilac was standing beside him. "You couldn't have said it better lad"! The Storm King bellows while they both looked at the front on the edge of their camp.
Draeden still had a heavy accent, but his common tongue has greatly improved as his time conversing with the warrior king increases.
They were both staring at a large camp set up directly opposite from them, albeit out of Stormlander archer's distance.
"How many did you count?" Argilac asks Draeden.
"Probably 20,000", Draeden answers simply.
"How could you count so quickly"? Argilac asks as he looks at Draeden curiously.
Draeden shrugs and answers "By how many tents are there, we are on a hill after all".
Argilac look at Draeden and asks "Really, what if they're all pillow biters and actually have 20 people in a tent"? And laughs at his own joke.
Draeden chuckles "If it wasn't for your horrible jokes, I'd be dying of boredom in this campaign".
Argilac laughs and replies "You should be glad to have me here then lad. In more ways than you think!"
Draeden smiles, "Indeed, Storm King".
"But it seems we must stop our bantering for now." Argilac states as he gestures towards a small party of riders coming towards the center between their two encampment.
"It seems we have a parley." Draeden stated. And they began to prepare for the parley...
A while later
Draeden, Argilac and their closest commanders stood on the ground in the middle of both army encampment. With a party of Volantene men with a white flag of parley standing in front of them.
"Tell us, why have you all even bothered to treat with us, green boys"? Argilac asked at the man in front of the Volantene party.
The Tall and formidable man in question stood straighter and declared "You are all trespassing into Volantene Lands, If your host were to withdraw back to Tyrosh or Myr, you will be spared... For now"!
Argilac and the Stormlords laughed at the Volantene host. As they shift akwardly. The Stepstonians on the other hand stood imperiously.
The tall man of the Volantene host, which seems to be the leader, clears his throat and announces "We are but the vanguard of the grand army of Volantis! As we are speaking the grand army marches towards you"!
The Stormlords stopped laughing at that.
It is only now that Draeden steps in. "Now, now, you haven't even told us your name, it would be rude to not know my opponent's name".
The Volantene captain answered "Captain Belicho of the Tiger's jaw"!
Taelan and Argilac's eyes widen at that.
A larger man appeared beside Belicho and answered "Ordello of the Tiger's claw".
As the Stepstone Commanders and Stormlords look wide eyed, Draeden seems confused. It is then that Maester Guydan that Draeden had picked up from Myr answered. "Belicho and Ordello are the students of the great Grohan Ragan. A prpdigy if warfare I have heard".
Guydan was well treated by the Stepstone host and was hosted as their guest, it is only fair that the Maester helped the supposed Dragonlord in return by mending his soldier's wounds and providing information regarding Essos.
"Thank you Guydan, for your vast knowledge". Draeden thanked as Guydan smiles widely as his knowledge is finally acknowledged.
After that, Draeden continues "Well then, comes beg the question. What exactly does your host seek with us"?
"War"
"Peace"
Strange enough, there were two voices. But the second first voice wasn't suprsisingly Ordello's. But a man behind Belicho with a tiger skin cloak.
The man behind Belicho stepped forward and demanded from Belicho, "The Triarch has ordered us to attack the our enemy, THEM"! He finishes as he pointed at Draeden.
Belicho then argued back. "They outnimber us you twat, are you so keen to die"!
The man sent another angered message to Belicho while Ordello just stood there smirking at the exchange.
There was an outburst on Stepstone's side, hearing the man's stance. But Draeden just leaned towards Maester Guydan and ask, "Who is the man with the tiger cloak"?
Guydan scratches his beard, and replies "Well my lord, I fear I do not know this person... But I do know who he represents".
Draeden raised his eyebrows and asks"Do elaborate".
Guydan cleared his throat and said, "He is an overseer of the army. A special position in the Volantene military. Their official duty is to oversee the food stores, weapons and lodgings of an army, they report directly to the Triarchs frequently. Since Triarchs aren't warriors in nature except for Horonno, they require someone in an army to give them intel regarding the actions and thoughts of the commanders. Who is more suitable for this task, the overseer of course. They oversee everything in the an army, making them all knowing regarding an army's motives. Horonno have made sure these overseers are absolutely loyal to him, by wealth or power".
Draeden nods to Guydan, in the background, Belicho and the Overseer are still arguing regarding the future of the two armies.
Draeden doesn't strike Belicho a coward, maybe he truly think the superior numbers will win? Draeden didn't even brought his dragons.
As both the Volantene leaders keep fighting, Draeden turned to Taelan and ask "Tell me about what you know about Belicho and Ordello, the men seems to 'fear' them".
Taelan nods and answers his lord "My lord, Ordello and Belicho are not only the students of Grohan Ragan, they are extremely talented in the ways of war, making them a prodigy, not only that, they lack the immoral behaviours of their comrade, Lyorro".
Draeden smirks as the cogs start to turn in his head, "So, you mean to tell me they have what it takes to be capable and competent commander".
Taelan nods, not understanding why Draeden is smiling at such a dangerous foe.
"Thank you Taelan" Draeden answers and turned towards the Volantene.
"Now it seems to me that there may be a rift among your army". Draeden declares to the Volantene host.
Belicho then turn his attention to Draeden, finally taking Draeden into consideration. He acknowledges Draeden to be a warrior to be reckoned with by observing his strong arms and shoulder as well as flat stomach, with the triumphs in Tyrosh and Myr, Belicho thinks that this lord of the Stepstones may not be an easy opponent.
The overseer turns to face Draeden "This is none of your business, Traitor, as Valyrian, you should have kneeled to The Triarch, not deceiving support by claiming you have dragons".
Draeden and his commanders smirked while Argilac looked amused. Both had different meaning.
Belicho raised his hand to silencd the overseer and replied Draeden, unsure to their smirk "I apologize for my inferior's outburst, Lord Draeterys... I presume".
Draedem smiled and nod "I understand, it must be hard, working for a master trying to do you harm".
The overseer's eyes widen and shot back "Are you implying that my master wishes to harm our own commander"?!
Draeden chuckles, "Well Captain, No wonder you sent me this letter earlier".
Draeden pulls out a pieceof parchment from his pocket and waved it in the air.
The overseer looked shocked, "Captain! How could you"!
Belicho looked surprised as well as Ordello "What"?!
"Meet me when your ready Belicho, you know where to find me"! Draeden laughs as he turns and leave.
The Stepstone and Storm party followed after them, even when they're back at their camp they could still hear Belicho and The Overseer yelling at each other.
"Tell me Lord Draeden, did he really wrote you that letter"? Argilac asks curiously when they have reached the camp.
Draeden laughed and gave the piece of parchment to Argilac.
Argilac received the letter and was surprised, "But there's nothing in it"?!
Draeden chuckles amd explains "The parchment was my own, I always keep some on me in case I need to deliver aessage on the spot, There is already dissent in their ranks, I just need to widen it".
Argilac laughs amd pat Draeden on the back hardly, "Why you cheeky lad! Hahahahaha"! Anf left for his tent.
The Stormlords followed after Argilac, and Draeden and his commanders walked back to his tent.
Then Guydan asks "Was your purpose just to sow dissent, my lord, I do not think the Volantene overseer will believe it easily, for now, he will have questions regarding the captain's loyalt, yes. But afterwards, they may realise it was just a trick".
Draeden smirks and answers as he continued on walking, "It was not the sole purpose, yes. But to distant the overseer and the captain, the obersser will be more suspicious of him, making us easier to sway the captains to our side".
Taelan and Guydan widen their eyes at that, and Guydan said "That is bold my lord".
"And quite genius at that my lord"! Taelan exclaims.
Draeden chuckles, silently praying that his plan will work.
It took hours for Belicho to persuade the overseer that he had not witten the letter to the Stepstone lord, and that it was ploy designed to sow dissent among them.
Although the Overseer seems content for now, Belicho knows that he still distrusts him. Although Belicho has the loyalty and trust of both his men and Ordello, he must not risk to grow the suspicion of the overseer, or it will spell the doom of them, as well as their family.
Belicho sighs and thinks 'This Draeden Draeterys is dangerous indeed, I must be aware to keep a distance from him...
Nigh time, Off the coast of Lys
Jaeron Saraenor stood at the bow of his own flag ship with a fleet behind his back. He had ordered every ship to put out their lights to retain the element of surprise.
The Stepstone fleet is steadily approaching the Volantene fleet that is parked at Lys' harbour. From a distance, it seems that most of the Volantene have went offshore and into the city, visiting the famous pleasure houses of Lys no doubt.
But it seems that the fleet is still on high alert, as at least half the Volantene ship crew are guarding their ships.
'It will be a hard fight'. Jaeron thought.
Jaeron raised his hands to signal to light their fires and begin their attacks. The Stepstone sailors grip their bows and melee weapons tightly, and the drummers look towards for The Admiral's sign.
As Jaeron was about to signal the assualt, a soldier behind him asked "What's that sound"?
Flap*
Flap*
The Captain of the Flag ship was bout to silence him, but heard it as well "It sounds like its getting closer".
flap*
And the entire fleet of sailor turned towards the source of the noise.
The captain that sates "It almost sounds like..."
ROAR!!! *a loud roar sounded above them
"DRAGON!" Jaeron yelled and ducked. As evwryone followed. But it seems, the dragon's target is not them as a column of fire hit the Volantene ships.
"Impossible! Lord Draeden is in the Disputed Lands"! A soldier exclaimed.
Jaeron observes the dragon as it devastates ship after ship, engulfing thr harbour in flames.
"It must be the Targaryens". The captain of the ship said.
"What?" Jaeron asked, shocked.
"Some sailor reported sightings of dragons near Dragonstone, but I didn't believed it". The captain says as he watches the fire in front of them.
"So this is the might of dragons, but why have tge Targaryens come". Jaeron whispered.
As the dragon finishes, the entire Volantene fleet was on fire, the fire was so high, the sailors thought that it would reached the heavens, the heat was so intense that they can feel the scorching heat on their open face.
Its only by the dragons roar, does everyone seem to take their attention to it as it prepares to leave.
Then Jaeron snaps to action, "Men! Light the fires, sound the drums! Tonight, we take Lys in the name of Lord Draeden Draeterys! The first of his name! Charge!"
The fighting was over before it had begun, with the entire fleet burned to ashes, the remaining Volantene sailors on the island of Lys quickly surrendered as their weapons and armour burned and sank beneath Lys harbour.
Aegon Targaryen is enjoying the thrill of riding Balerion into battle, the large dragon smashed the Volantene fleet like it was nothing with ita fiery breath.
It was nothing like leirure riding, he can even feel the heat coming from Balerion's jaws as it turned hard wood into ash. Hear the screams of sailor as their flesh melt from their bone. It is only now and here, did he truly feel the power and force of dragons.
"You may thank us later, Dragonlord of the Stepstones"! Aegon, Targaryen yelled, even though he knew the Stepstone fleet won't hear him.
The Disputed Lands
Draeden stood alone at the center between the Stepstonian and Volantene camps. He brought with him a letter and a satchel, that he intends to hands towards Captain Belicho.
For the last few days, Draeden had been attempting to organize a meeting with Belicho to try and sway him to his side. But it seems Belicho already knew Dreaden's intention to sabotage Belicho and Horinno's relationship and decided not to meet Draeden. Instead, sending a messenger to persuade Draeden to lay down his arms and retreat.
Draeden chuckles as he sees a single messenger coming towards him.
But this time, he had a different approach.
The messenger quickly approaches Draeden and was about to speak the same words relayed yesterday, but this time, Draeden raised his hand to stop him.
He handed the satchel and letter to the messenger "Remember, for the captain's eyes only, and tell him not to forget about our deal."
The messenger's eyes narrowed, but took the letter and satchel. Before he can ask anything, Draeden turned around and left.
The messenger then made his way to Captain Belicho's tent and handed the letter and satchel to him," From Draeden Draetetys, Captain."
Belicho looked closer on the items and asked "What is it?"
The messenger shrugged and answered "He said for your eyes only".
Belicho nodded and sent him away.
After the messenger had left, Belicho opened the satchel first, he was surprised to see a red ruby the size of his fist. "What the..."
He then moved to open the letter to see any explanation from the dragonlord.
The letter written by Draeden states:
'Good day, Belicho. I believe you still remeber our deal, you will *blurred out sentence, after that, I will *Blurred out line*
And then, you will have *blurred out line*. Here' s a gift for you troubles. - Draeden Draeterys. '
Belicho's face scrunched in confusion, he believes the ruby to be the gift, but what is he talking about?! He took his pen and is about to write a letter to ask Draeden what this letter is about.
But then the overseer walked in and saw Belicho with a letter, a pen and a giant ruby.
"Captain Belicho, who wrote you that letter?" The overseer asks as he approaches Belicho.
Belicho gulps as he now understands what Draeden was planning, "Sir Overseer, I-".
Belicho was about to prove his innocence but the Overseer just snatched the letter away from Belicho.
The overseer's eyes widen as he notices the ruby and pen on the overseer's table after reading the letter.
"Tell me captain, why are a few sentences here blurred"? The overseer asks.
Belicho stutters and sweats as he answers "The letter was like this when it arrived in my hands. Maybe Lord Draeden accidently sent a draft?..."
The overseer simply grunts.
The overseer simply put the letter down and left.
A while later, Belicho learned that the overseer had left the camp with his followers, most likely went to report Belicho to be a traitor...
Volon Therys, Volantis
"I KNEW IT, Lock Belicho's family up in chains! I will personally tear them apart in front of him !" The Triarch Horonno roars as he slams his fist on to the desk.
His war council stood silent as their liege goes into a fit of rage. While Grohan Ragan sweats his ass off. He couldn't get it, he knew that his students understood that Horonno is sending them to their deaths, but they wouldn't dare to rebel against them, as Belicho's family is still in Volantis. And it would put them against their own teacher...
Unless...
Grohan was about to say that this was a trick formulated by their enemy, but before he can voice it out, Ragan was hit by a flask of wine.
"YOU! I always knew you are a traitorous snake!" Horonno yelled at Ragan.
Ragan's head was bleeding, he strughled to stand up as Horonno approached him and began to throw fists at them.
Aryanna stood at a corner while holding her hips as she observes the fight. Horonno was delivering fists after fists on Ragan on top of him.
It was a gruesome sight. Ragan's nose was already broken with blood spilling everywhere.
The commanders all took a step back away from the brawl.
But what shocked everyone next, is that Ragan twisted Horonno to the side with his legs and got on top of him, with lightning speed, he took out his dagger and held it against Horonno's throat.
'There it is, that warrior inside of the famous Grohan Ragan!' Aryanna thought as she looks on.
Ragan' eyes were wide with the intent to kill. And Horonno truly felt fear as the cold blade presses against hia neck. The other commanders didn't know what to do, and chose not to do anything.
This continued for sometime until a commander who was out doing something came back and ask "What is this"?
Ragan then snapped out and got off of his master.
Horonno then slowly got up, still shocked about what just happened. He then declares, "Ragan, you will only take 200 of your men from the so called honorable band and guard our food stores, fail to do so... I'll have your head as well as your slave wife and child's"!
Horonno then stood straight as if nothing just happened and announces "We march now! We will bring the battle to the pretenders and crush them! Whoever still defies this wish shall have their heads removed"!
And that, Horonno leaves the tent.
The commanders then looked at each other, knowing what it means by giving Ragan only 200 men, it is a suicide mission.
Aryanna however, didn't care. She went over to Ragan and informed him "You know, Horonno had brought your spouse and child here a few days ago?"
Ragan's blood emptied from his face as he realizes what will happen "What"?
Aryanna pats him on the shoulders before leaving as she thinks 'Someone's sex slave wife is going to have one hell of a raping session tonight'.
A few days later. Somewhere west in the disputed lands
Draeden is already waiting in the middle ground between the Stepstonian and former Volantene encampments.
The sun is already setting, the skies had a golden colour to it.
He assumed that Horonno ha dalready received the report and news of his family's demise or capture will reach him.
It would seem that Draeden's assumption was right as Belicho came rushing to him.
Once he reaches in front of Draeden, Belicho then questions, but still well-mannered "Why?"
Argilac leans close to Draeden as he didn't understand Valyrian "What"?
Draeden however, is focused on Belicho. "You know as well as I, he would have moved against your family if he sent you to a trap with the sole purpose to kill you, but I assume their fine, or else you would have attacked me. "
Belicho then answered with composure, "He wouldn't have moved against them if we continued this stalemate."
Draeden chuckled "Stop choosing to be naive, Captain Belicho. Horonno is the kind of man who won't stop until he sees to that the person he wants gone killed. Why put your life on the line to serve a cunt like Horonno?"
Belicho chuckles "So this is what all this is about, you just want me to turn traitor"!
Draeden shakes his head "No Belicho, I want you to use your skills on somewhere that actually deserves you".
Belicho laughs "And you think it's you?! Why do you think you even have a chance against Horonno or Volantis"?!
Draeden stepped closer and looked Belicho in the eyes and declares with the most genuine passion in his heart "I will not let Horonno taint the Valyrian name! I will not let his Tyranny represent Valyria! We are the flames in the dark! Not some the bringer of darkness"!
Belicho froze at that speech, and Draeden continued "I will bring this Horonno to justice! I will not only rebuild Valyria, but I bring forth a greater Valyria!"
Belicho has never seen such passion regarding Valyria, Horonno had only claimed to be the Legacy of Valyria to claim the power, wealth and influence that comes with it. This Draeden Draeterys... He sounds genuine.
Draeden extended his hands towards Belicho and asked "But I can't do that without you, your friend Ordello and your men, will you help me"?
Even after 50 years from now, Belicho still couldn't explain what compelled him from taking Lord Draeden's hand immediately after Draeden finished his speech.
"Well, you haven' t really given us much choices, Lord Draeden." Belicho chuckles but kneels and declares. "I, Belicho of the Tiger's jaws, swears to faithfully aid Lord Draeden of the house Draeterys to build a greater Valyria!"
Ordello immediately followed afterwards and simply said "Well, Just like what Belicho said."
Argilac laughs, "Well, I don't speak Valyrian, but I guess that means we're friends now"!
Volon Therys
A disheveled woman lay against Ragan's chest as she cried into his chest. "I... I thought... that... That this would stop. That he would stop... stop... Rap-"
"Shhhhhh... Now now my dear, it's all alright now, its... all mt fault. I'm really sorry, my love". Ragan said gently to the woman.
The woman can't find it in her to blame the love of her love. She was a lysene bed slave. Given to Horonno as a gift from he previous master. Horonno liked her beauty and 'used' her every night. She hated every moment, hated herself, she wanted to kill herself everytime Horonno asks for her. Until she got pregnant, and he got bored. Horonno gifted her to Ragan while she was pregnant. She thought Ragan was just like any other man, but he was different. He didn't force her, instead, he took care of her and protected her as much as he... Can, which excludes their master Horonno.
But she grew to love Ragan. And vowed to always stay by his side.
Suddenly, a knock on the door made them both shivered. But Ragan allowed them to come in.
As the door opens, it reveals to be a well dressed girl slave, carrying a dress and a cup of whats seems to be a tea.
Ragan then asks "What's this"?
The slave then answers, "Courtesy from my master, Lady Aryanna Maegyr, a new dress and a cup of moon tea."
Upon hearing moon tea, the woman in Ragan's embrace shot up and took the tea amd downed it all. Ragan stold up and told her "Alis, slow down"."
But Alis continued to drank quickly, and changed into the new dress, as her old dress had been ripped apart by Horonno.
After dressing, Ragan asked the slave" Why did mistress Aryanna gifted us these gracious gifts? "
The slave just shook her head and left the couple to themselves.
Ragan sighed and held Alis as he informs her" I will leave tomorrow woth the army. "
Alis froze up in Grohan's embrace and begged" Please don't go! Its a trap!"
Ragan sighed, and lied," I will be fine.
Alis weeps as she said "You're a bad liar."
Ragan chuckles weakly as he held her tightly, "I must go, or else he may hurt the both of you."
Alis then begged "Then let's run"!
Ragan then asked "But where?! How?! There are slavers everywhere. "
Alis then answered immediately "To Braavos, The Stepstones, or god damn Dorne for all I care, just please, let's run together"!
Ragan sighed, "I wished it was that simple, Horonno is a vengeful man, he will send assasins after us, no matter where we go."
Alis wanted to argye but heard a girl's voice outside.
"Papa! Mama! Are you in there"?!
Ragan quickly opened the door and revealed their daughter. She had every features of a Valyrian, as she is Horonno's child. But Ragan treats her as her own.
"Hey there honey plum"! Ragan exclaims as he held the girl up into the air.
Alis smiled, and said "Grohan, don't hurt yourself."
Alis is lucky and glad that Ragan acceoted her baby, both Ragan and her daughter are ther world.
Then their daughter asks after Ragan had putted her her down. "Daddy, when will Master Horonno grant me a name?"
Alis and Raganlooled at each other, but Alis soothes "Soon darling."
The 4-year old girl then asks "Are you leaving again daddy?"
Ragan's throat dried up immediately and Alis gave him a sad look. Ragan then said gently, "Yes, my sunflower".
The girl then begged "Papa please don't leave, we miss you!"
Tears were about to leak but Ragan held it back, "I will be back before you know it, Sunflower."
Their daughter pouted and asked "Then can we sleep together then?" Alis smiles and said "Of course sweetie."
That night, Ragan held his family close as he fell asleep, praying to any god that is listening to protect his family should he die.
That's the end of this chapter, hoped u guys enjoyed it, well I did. I really apologize for setting this story aside for such a long time, but hopefully I am able to finish it. Next Chapter, preparation for the final battle.
(P/s: I need a proof reader. Any Volunteers?)