Chapter 27: Back In Essos
~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 15 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Inside Carriage, Nearing Astapor, Essos)~~~
~~~(Date: 299 AC)~~~
Dany sleeps against me as I hold Aly in my arms. The open-aired carriage is perfect for the heat today. Rhaenys, Raevor, Vaelor, and Rhaegal are flying high above. We're being escorted toward Astapor. Oberyn Martell is here to see it done himself.
He's sitting across from me with his paramour, Ellaria Sand. The Second Sons are escorting us to Astapor. I'm thankful he sailed all the way to Volantis to help us in Essos. It's been about two months since we met up in Volantis.
Three months since Dany and I left Westeros. Aly has passed the one-year mark after leaving Westeros. Dany and I had turned 15 a little before Aly turned a year old.
"You're making a beautiful family, Raenon. Alysanne will be the breaker of all the young and old hearts when she's older. I'm sure the babe on the way will do the same."
Ellaria has become our good friend, just as Oberyn is a good friend.
They speak the truth in another babe on the way.
Dany is pregnant with our second child. Since Dany got to name the first one, it's my turn. I'm hoping for a son this time. One daughter and one son is an excellent start to the rebuilding of our family.
"You're very kind. I've never been one to brag about anything. But Dany and I are the personifications of High Valyrian beauty. We're the last of Old Valyria."
It's not who I am. To brag. In the moments that I do, it's in times like these. About my growing family.
"Alysanne has taken to weaning rather well. I was expecting to hear cries this entire trip. If I had known she'd take to solid food. I'd have packed more pleasant meals."
Oberyn is a father himself. All of his children are daughters. He knows all about what Dany and I are going through for the first time. Aly has started to wean off of Dany's breast milk. We're starting her shift to foods that aren't coming from the breast.
"That she has. Pretty soon, she'll be walking around without our help. She's growing up faster than I want her to. The joy of raising a babe is something I don't want to let go of. Having a life that depends completely on you. An incarnation of pure innocence."
That's what my experience as a father has been. Most men in my position aren't around to raise their children. However, I'm able to do this since I'm not ruling any Kingdoms. I'm not at the head of any armies.
Not yet.
"I remember the first time I held Obara. It was so many years ago. When I was a young man and running around the world, when she was born, something changed in me. For the better. I wasn't a good man. But she made me better. All my daughters did."
The Dornish are much different than the rest of the people in Westeros. I appreciate them much more than I would any others from the lands I'm meant to rule. Oberyn has been counseling me on politics and war. A true help.
I can only learn so much from books and stories. They've helped, but having an actual teacher with experience is more valuable given how unfamiliar and foreign politics are to me.
"Thank you for helping me, Oberyn. I can't stress enough how much I've learned about politics and war from you. I see why my ancestors had to leave Dorn unconquered. Your people understand the game better than anyone expects."
A confident and knowing smile crosses Oberyns features. Ellaria even grins at the compliment. The Dornish take great pride in their history. My own ancestors have wed into House Martell. A Targaryen Princess who shared the same name as Daenerys.
"The politics of Westeros are vile. The Lannisters are at the top. They have been since before The Rebellion when your father was King. You can be sure Joffrey isn't the real leader. Not even a real Baratheon."
Oberyn has a particular hate for the Lannisters that I can appreciate. One that I share. While I didn't know Elia and my nephews Aegon and Rhaenys, they were innocent children. Brutally killed in the name of the Baratheon conquest. Orders by Lannister.
It's never been completely confirmed. But Oberyn knows Gregor Clegan played a major role. The direct murder of Elia. Even her rape, according to rumors.
"I've been thinking about that. Varys has been a great help to us in knowing what's going on. Do you think we should trust him?"
He's gotten ahold of us through Jorah Mormont. He's helping lead us to Astapor. I was surprised to hear that Jorah Mormont was a spy. Apparently, Varys wanted to get ahold of me when I was in The Riverlands, but my visit was too brief.
So he's got Jorah to do it.
I didn't order the death of Jorah. In fact, I think he's a great asset. He's experienced in combat, Westeros, and Essos history, and he's in contact with my only ally in Kings Landing.
"The Spider has always been a hard read for anyone. I'd say be careful with him. It'd be smart to keep him close, but not close enough to know what you're doing. His allegiances aren't clear. Not to me. Helping us when he's supposed to be helping the Lannisters."
Varys is someone that I don't see killing. Not when he's so useful. He's practical. He sees what's happening, and he wants the best outcome for everyone. That's putting a Targaryen back on The Iron Throne.
He's been advocating for a Lannister named Tyrion. Saying when the time comes, I should consider sparing him. He could be what secures The Rock once I take Westeros.
"What are your thoughts on Tyrion?"
Oberyn isn't an irrational man. We've talked at length about Tyrion. But only on how he can help solidify my rule. We haven't talked about his personal feelings for the man. He's never met him.
"A Lannister is a Lannister. But if there was anyone that we could use that is a Lannister, it's Tyrion. His own father and family hate him. If we offer him The Rock, he'll turn to our side when the time comes."
That's what Varys has said. Seems Oberyn has taken up the same position after giving it thought.
"The Starks want nothing to do with me. The Tyrells are still on the fence. The Arryns are aligned with the Lannisters. The Riverlands are with the Starks. Stannis killed his own brother and commands all Baratheon forces. Not to mention the Greyjoys and their raids."
Robb Stark is King in the North. Stannis Baratheon is King by inheritance laws from Robert. However, no one supports his claim. Euron is King of the Iron Islands and wreaking havoc in the North. Joffrey sits on The Iron Throne. Bastard of Cersei and Jaime.
That's 4 Kings. All looking to either kill the Lannisters or rule The Seven Kingdoms. Stannis is both.
"The political landscape is rough in Westeros. It's wise for you to come to Essos and start here."
Oberyn and others that know me are aware of my plan to use The Unsullied. I'll gain them from Astapor.
Using Deceit.
The brilliant plan was Dany's. She has a knack for coming up with solutions. We're similar in that regard.
We're going to pretend to sell one of our dragons to Kraznys mo Nakloz and The Good Maesters. Once I have The Unsullied, I will turn them against Astapor. Freeing them. I'll free all the cities in Slaver's Bay.
"Once we're done freeing Slaver's Bay. I want you to head to Braavos. The Iron Bank supports our enemies. If we can sway them to our side, that'll seal the fund's problem. However, if they ask too much, don't accept. It's better we do not inherit the crown's debt in Westeros."
Oberyn nods his head, understanding. A smile appears on both Ellaria's and Oberyn's faces.
The inheritance laws for The Iron Thrones debt can be used in our favor. If a conquering force comes and wins The Iron Throne, the previous debt to The Iron Bank is wiped out. The conquering force holds no responsibility for the debts of the conquered.
It's a nice loophole that exists. That means I'll start a debt-free reign once The Iron Throne is taken.
"I'll be sure to enforce that we'll not be inheriting the debt of Robert Baratheon and Tywin Lannister when you take The Iron Throne. Convincing them without that will be hard. However, I feel that they'll be inclined to hear us out once they hear what happens in Slaver's Bay."
Oberyn will become My Hand. He doesn't know this yet, but I don't see anyone I trust more with the position. I'll find him somewhere else on The Small Council if he doesn't want it. My council is still forming. I don't have many supporters, after all.
"Hmm..."
Dany stirs next to me, and her eyes slowly flutter open. I wrap my arm around her, holding Aly with my other.
"My Dragoness, how was your nap?"
She smiles as she leans into my body. I help bring her closer with my arm.
"Feeling the heat, bumps, and nausea... I forgot how uncomfortable being pregnant is."
She's 3 months along, and I remember our nights together vividly. We don't bother being safe now that we have Alysanne. We know how to raise and take care of a baby.
"Don't worry. The heat will go with the sun when it goes down in a few hours."
She lets out a groan with my attempt to ease her discomfort. Essos has many great things about it. But it has its downsides. One of them is its heat.
"Want to hold Aly?"
If I'm honest, I want to keep holding her. It helps Dany to hold Aly. She's a reminder of what's to come after this pregnancy.
"Yeah, give her here."
She smiles and takes Aly with a smile.
Soon, we'll be gathering our armies. Our strength.
For now, we'll enjoy the ride.
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