Chapter 30: The Dragon Of Blood
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~~~(POV: Daenerys Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 15 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Manse, Astapor, Essos)~~~
~~~(Date: 299 AC)~~~
I've already cleaned myself up from the mess that Rae made when I hugged him.
Rae is cleaning himself up in the bath. His black leather armor has been ruined by the amount of blood he was covered with. He's already having new leather armor made. Raenon is a lot of things. All of them I love.
He's a wonderful lover and a fantastic father. A leader that's strong and anyone will follow. He never hesitates when it comes to his family and war.
The Rae that I saw in that courtyard. It was a side to him I had never seen before. His eyes were hollow and uncaring. The bodies and parts of people around him proved no burden to his mind. That was the Rae who lived in The Shadow Lands.
My arms are holding our daughter and firstborn child, Alysanne. She's soundly asleep. Unaware that we were in a battle today. She knows not the horrors of the world. She's innocent. Time has passed quickly for my daughter. Over a year old already.
It won't be long before she starts speaking. After that, she'll start to remember. She'll ask questions I won't have the answer to.
My growing belly is proof of another Targaryen on the way. Raenon and I are hoping for a boy. Alysanne could have her future husband and King born in 5 months' time. We'll honor the tradition of our blood. Our children will marry and continue the bloodline.
The door to the bathroom opens slightly, and out steps a naked Rae. He grabs the robe next to the door and puts it on. Making his way to us. The bed is soft, and I move over, so he has room to sit down.
"How's she doing?"
That's the question I want to ask you. But Raenon is being the good father he is, and he gently takes Alysanne from my arms.
"She's getting heavier every day..."
There is unmistakable sadness in his voice. It takes me all but a second to move over to him and lean my head on his shoulder. I take his hand and place it on my belly. He leans Alysanne on his shoulder, so she doesn't fall over.
"Don't worry, we'll have another to raise soon enough."
His lips curve into a smile, and that same fluttery feeling fills my stomach as my heart races. The moments he does this to me are almost strong enough to clear my mind.
But I'm not ending the night without talking about what happened. I don't want to nag him, and I don't want him to feel like I don't want him to be that way. I want him to be everything that he is. That's what makes him Raenon.
That's what makes him the future King of The Seven Kingdoms. I want to understand. To know that he's okay and that he knows I'm here for him. You don't try to change the ones you love.
"Rae... Will you tell me what happened? It's soon, but I want to know."
My voice is soft and relaxed. There is no demand in my tone. In response, he leans his head on mine. The intimacy... The closeness... I've grown so accustomed to it that I don't know if I could go a night without it.
Again, he almost makes me forget.
"I don't know how to explain it... The heart beats in someone's chest without them doing anything... Air comes in and out of one's lungs automatically... That's what it's like when I fight... Every time I've been in a fight, it's been for my life..."
Staying silent as I take in every word he's said causes my heart to sink. To be so used to fighting and killing that it's like breathing... In a way, I'm proud of Raenon. But the part of me that never wants to see him hurt screams from within. Begging me to say something to stop this part of him.
But I silence that part of me. Because this is Rae, this is who I've come to know. The twin brother I've fallen for and the one who saved my life.
"Many would claim a King fighting with his soldiers on the frontlines is foolish. But I wanted to show The Unsullied they'll have leaders who will stand beside them. Not behind them. We could've done things differently, but now they see I care."
It's his own way of telling our soldiers he's aware of them. That he recognizes them as people and not objects to be used and thrown away when they no longer serve a purpose.
That's how these men have been treated their entire lives.
"Many Targaryen Kings have monikers others have known them by. Our ancestors have carried our bloodline for a long time. But from the reports I've gotten, you've gained a moniker as I have. Mine is The Breaker Of Chains."
A light chuckle escapes from him, and he wraps his arm around me. Taking it off my belly in the process. My words have stirred a response from my brother.
"That suits you, Dany. You were chained up your entire life. Tied to another's will. Now, you're not. You've spread your freedom to others, and people will follow you to the ends of the world because of it."
The deeper meaning behind the moniker I've gained isn't unknown to me. Raenon saying it out loud does warm me on the inside. How I've helped others break from the chains that have bound them. It's a wonderful sentiment.
"I take it my moniker isn't as nice."
A laugh comes from me at his tone. There is a teasing and lighthearted feeling to his words. Freeing to hear something after what's happened today.
"They're calling you Blood Dragon. Or The Dragon Of Blood. Personally, I think it's what we need. When people hear your name and see you standing across from them, it'll prove that your achievements are real."
~~~(POV: Varys)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 47 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: The Red Keep, Kings Landing, Essos)~~~
~~~(Date: 299 AC)~~~
Raenon has gotten into contact with me through Ser Mormont. They've taken Astapor. Raenon has his Unsullied army, and The Second Sons are backing him. Not to mention the alliance he has with Dorne. The Martells have proven to be great allies for the young Targaryen.
We are to meet in The Small Council Chamber today. In fact, I'm on my way there now. Once I enter the room, I see that I'm one of the first to arrive. After a few minutes, the room fills with familiar faces.
"Varys, let's get to the important reports first. Word has reached Westeros of what's been happening in Essos. Have your little birds confirmed these talks?"
Cersei is the one speaking, and Tywin has no reaction. Seems that was the question he was going to ask too.
"Your Grace, Raenon Targaryen has taken Astapor. He's gained a force of 10,000 Unsullied. The Second Sons are also supporting Raenon through Oberyn Martell. That's 11,000 people dedicated to Raenon. However, he's got 30,000 spears and swords in Dorne too."
That evens out to 41,000 highly trained and skilled warriors. At the head of the army, 4 dragons that are large enough to burn cities and fleets on their own. He could get a fleet and come to Westeros by next year.
"Are you certain of this?"
Tyrion is the only one showing any genuine worry. On the surface, everyone is trying to stay calm. But I know underneath everything, people are worried.
"Yes, Raenon only needs a fleet to cross The Narrow Sea. His personal dragon is already larger than any warship that can be built. He's got 3 more growing larger every year."
The true weight of what's happening is dawning on everyone.
"He's also gained a moniker, Your Grace. The Blood Dragon."
For the first time since I've met him, I watch Tywin Lannister reach up and rub his forehead. Moving down his face and pinching his nose. He's stressed.
"Our assassins have proven ineffective. Perhaps The Faceless Men could prove more useful than our own blades. How much do you think a contract on Raenon and Daenerys would cost?"
The Faceless Men's price is based on the difficulty and importance of a target. While they're the best assassins in the world, they're the most expensive. A contract on the lives of Raenon Targaryen and Daenerys Targaryen would bankrupt the crown.
"We'd need to double down on our debt to The Iron Bank with a loan. We don't have anywhere close to the funds to pay them."
Littlefinger, who is Master of Coin, takes the questions for himself even though it was directed at me.
"We already owe over 10 Million Gold Dragons to The Iron Bank. Turning that into 20 Million would give The Iron Bank more reason to back Raenon than us."
Tyrion speaks up before anyone else can. While he doesn't fulfill a specific role on the council, Tywin wants him here. He's proven to have a keen mind and a sharp tongue.
"It's either that or we convince Yunkai and Meereen to pick up the bill for us. Raenon and Daenerys are planning to take all of Slavers Bay. Yunkai has the gold they need, and the ships they need can be found in both Meereen and Yunkai."
This is news I'll have to inform Raenon of. Cersei has proven to come up with a good idea. Raenon will want to take Yunkai and Meereen before The Lannisters can cut a deal with the cities. The sooner he knows, the better.
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