(Third Person POV)
[In The Skies Near The Neck]
Lucerys was sitting atop Arrax as he held Visenya in front of him, the young Princess strapped to the saddle as the Prince was not. The young dragon was barely large enough to carry the two of them but it did not impede his flying.
Visenya was covered by a massive blanket as the cold of the Northern region was spreading down towards them. Lucerys was wearing a scar and thick clothing as well, but despite that, he felt chills run down his body due to the drop in temperature.
Lucerys's breath was visible as Arrax let out a roar, "We should've gone all the way around...." He said, "But Arrax's stamina in the cold air still needs work..."
"Brother..." Visenya said as she shivered slightly, "Why are we coming this way?"
Luke looked down at her, "Because, sister, it has to be done..." He said, "We have to go straight to the North, only there we can have some stops to rest. I think Lord Starks had sent some of his forces down so if we meet with them, we can rest safely without worry."
"I miss mother and father...." Visenya said
"I know." Luke said, "Don't worry, I won't leave your side. Not until you get to Winterfell."
"It's cold...." Visenya said
"Yea, I know. I packed some thick clothing for you, don't worry." Luke chuckled, "Hey, you've been wanting to fly on a dragon, right? You shouldn't be sad...."
"I want my father...." Visenya said
"Your Father is currently busy, Visenya." He said, "You'll see him soon, I give you my word."
"Okay...." Visenya said softly
"The North is a fun place, lots of snow you can play with!" Luke said, "Of course, it's really cold but hey, snow!"
Lucerys was trying to cheer his sister up as this was not a situation that any of them wanted. To be forced to separate your children for their safety, was a decision that Rhaenyra found extremely difficult to make.
Luke looked down to see the ground beneath him, untouched by battle. This was an eerie sight, knowing that there was a war ongoing and this entire region was not affected by it. It told Luke that despite the silence, the sounds of war and death will soon descend upon this area. Of course, it was just his hunch, but the possibility of the Neck and the rest of The North not seeing War is really high as no armies dared march up to the icy region.
He sighed, "Aerion...." He said softly, "Hope you're alr-"
Arrax cut him off by letting out an alarmed roar, looking to his sides frantically.
"What is wrong, Arrax?" Luke asked his mount
In the far distance, the flapping of wings were heard. Luke glanced back, his heart racing rapidly, knowing that if it's not any of their dragons, it could mean one thing; Vhagar.
"No...." He said softly
Through the clouds, however, Luke caught a glimpse of blue wings. Moments later, Lucerys saw a blue dragon break through and let out a roar, far behind them.
This was Prince Daeron and his dragon, Tessarion. He had been patrolling the skies on the border of the Riverlands, trying to see if any Norther armies were marching down.
"Oh..." He said,
"Daeron...."
***************
[The Vale]
"N-No!!" Hugh screamed as he ran up to the dead body of his wife, that laid in the ground, "No, it can't be!!!"
He grabbed her corpse, which was covered in blood and hugged it, tears running down his cheeks as he clutched her tightly. There was a lot of emotions filling his entire body; rage, despair, and confusion. He had only left to get some firewood, taking camp just outside the nearby town.
"W-What happened?" Hugh said as he looked down at his wife's blood, "I'm sorry....."
There was multiple stab wounds in his wife's chest as her eyes were devoid of life. This caused Hugh's stomach to drop, an overwhelming feeling of despair began to fill his body.
"I'm sorry...." He wept, "This is all my fault...."
He slowly set her body down as he closed her eyes, his entire body trembling as he cried.
"Despair.....Pain.....that is all that follows the blood of the dragon." A voice said in his ear
Hugh jumped up and turned around, "What?! Who goes there?"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the figure of a woman draped in a black veil, standing with her hands in front of her.
"Blood of The Conciliator.....will you allow the MIghty and The Dragon Queen to crush your loved ones like this?" The Woman said, "They knew....of your blood.....so they wished to punish you for it...."
"A-Aerion?" Hugh said, "Rhaenyra? T-They did this? No, that can't be. They wouldn't."
"But they did." the woman's voice was distorted, "Zaldrizes Jaes will not be born if the dragon's blood is not shed. Bastard, pick your weapon up. Your hand destroys the Targaryen Dynasty, and you will sit upon the Throne with the grey wings by your side."
Hugh looked to his side, seeing his iron warhammer laying in the side next to rock, "What?" He said, "Who are you?"
"Who we are matters not....what matters is that you are guided by our hand...." the woman said as the flapping of wings was heard, "Zaldrizes Jaes will soon be born and rise. It is only he that will burn the cold away and save everyone from death. But not yet."
Suddenly, a massive grey dragon appeared and descended from the sky, landing right in front of Hugh who stumbled due to the tremor.
"W-What?!" Hugh exclaimed as he looked up at the dragon known as Greyfiend
Greyfiend let out a snarl as he shook his neck, looking right at Hugh who stood there, his eyes widened in shock.
"You may be a bastard but Jaehaerys's blood runs through your veins." the woman said, "You are no different than Aerion Targaryen, it is official titles that separate the two of you. So take this beast and fly up, destroy the Mighty's family, as he did to you..."
Hugh's face hardened, the voice of the woman reaching inside his ears as Greyfiend stared him down.
"Right...." Hugh said as his tone shifted to an emotionless one,
"He will pay."
********************
[Harrenhal]
Daemon sat in the large round table, alone, looking at a cup of wine that was given to him.
He stared at the contents, "Hm..." he said, "How long do you lot plan to stalk around?"
From the shadows, a woman draped in black appeared, "My Prince." She said with a thick accent, "What keeps you from moving down to the Capital?"
Daemon glanced at her, "You're not the one I fucked." He said, "How many of you Black Priestesses are there?"
"There are many of us scattered across the world." She said, "We wait in the shadows."
"I bet you do." Daemon scoffed, "I'm not going to make a move unless Vhagar directly challenges me. When that happens, Aerion will descend upon us as well and he'll ask me where my loyalty lies. I'm no fool, I have seen war before that boy has."
"Zaldrizes Jaes cannot be born without the dragon's blood being shed." The Woman said, "The Blood of The Chosen has been harvested. All we need is for this War to end. You are the key to that. End the War and our plan will take to the next step."
"I don't think so." Daemon said, "Are all of you manipulating everything? Or are you just moving some pieces and watching everything unfold."
"We don't get involved unless necessary." the woman said, "Easy predictions, a bit of string-pulling as they call it. But aside from that, we stand to the side and watch.....this war...it was unforeseen. Rhaenyra was meant to sit the Throne and Aerion's blood had to be flowed...."
"Jace would've been Heir and if not him, Luke and Joff." Daemon boringly said
"Accidents can happen." The Woman said
"You have some fucking balls...." Daemon said with a scowl
"You know...a simple display of the truth can sway Aerion to help us." the woman said, "Would you want him to know the truth of his mother?"
Daemon stood up and glared at her, "You wouldn't dare!"
"We won't need to." The Woman said,
"If you do as we say."
Manipulation Is The Name of The Game