AN: here we go everyone thought I was done writing for the night only to find I had no other books thatd been updated in my collections. Such a tragedy. But oh well, I'll write some more I guess.
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Opening my eyes I shoot up from my position on the bed I currently reside in.
My last memories are fighting off the thugs in the streets of Meereen beside grey worm.
It seems though the pain I felt wasn't an illusion.
I quickly make my way to stand up and immediately notice the lack of aches and pains that not only come with my advanced age, but also the live I perused. As a kings guard for most of my days, I really didn't know how else to live.
Once, I'd loved ashara dayne.
The day the smiles died was the day I was going to crown ashara the queen of love and beauty, even if my oaths prevented me from ever Pursuing such a match.
All my thoughts and regrets of the past is stopped though when I see the looking glass in a very unfamiliar room.
I looked like I was 25 again. Fresh faced without a speck of hair on my jaw. Hell, it looked like the day I was getting ready to swear my oath to king jaehaerys II.
I quickly make my way out of the room after dressing, deciding not to dwell on my newfound youth. That could come later. I needed to find the queen.
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My search was not only unsatisfactory, but I got the shock of a lifetime.
People in the city I inhabit, tyrosh, we're speaking of the new king viserys Targaryen the 1st and his new family. The most jarring name I heard however was daemon and Rhaenyra.
The black queen and the rogue prince. Gods, i'd gone to the past.
My mind was in shambles. Over 150 years until my queen was supposed to be birthed amidst the storm of Dragonstone in the wake of her family's destruction.
I felt at a loss. I'd alwyss just been barristan the bold, and losing that along with the world I knew was a blow even I was unsure how to parry and counterattack.
My thoughts are drowned by the dornish red served in the inn I rent a room out of. I've got 200 gold to my name along with a sword. I'll do what I always do, protect those who need me. Whether that be Daenerys, or her distant ancestors.
I make up my mind and set off the next day. Eager to see the height of Targaryen power, even if the one who truly deserved to see it was no longer here.
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Kings landing, the red keep 103 AC
VISERYS
I'll admit, being the king is challenging.
In the wake of my grandfather, jaehaerys the conciliators death, the realm was tense.
For 50 years my grandfather had ruled with a firm but steady presence. And losing him naturally made everyone nervous.
This all landed on my shoulders. To carry on the greatness of my grandfather. In all honesty, I didn't know if I could live up to such expectations.
One bad thing that came with my being named heir by the great council was the straining of relations with the velaryons.
A lesser house they may be, but no Targaryen has ever succeeded without a Velaryon by his side. Hopefully, my offer of the master of ships position in my new small council will tide them over for a decade or so, though I doubt it.
My wife and daughter have been taking to their new roles with grace and beauty befitting blood of old Valyria.
Aemma, my sweet falcon, is a wonderful mother and queen. She's kind, courteous, and oh so beautiful to look at.
We'd been betrothed since we were born, but I'd have it no other way. Aside from not having a son, my life was truly perfect.
Even daemons worst impulses were curbed slightly with our winning heirship in the great council.
My rogue brother was always the talk of the lords. Many say he's meagor come again, but I don't believe it. He's simply more hot tempered than my grandfather or I. My father on the other hand was just as firey as daemon.
But the lords insisted he was dangerous. Both to me and the realm. Let their tongues wag, it won't change how I feel about my brother.
His need to 'protect our house from the snakes who make nest in our court,' is constantly on his mind. This leads to him challenging lords to duel with dark sister, or outright threatening them with caraxes.
I'll have to speak with him on toning down the antics just a bit. For the support of the realm is needed.
With this in mind I tell ser redwyne to fetch daemon so we may discuss how to best rule the realm.
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DRIFTMARK, hightide, 103 AC
CORLYS
Three moons after the great council and my mood is still sour. To think, Rhaenys being passed over for foolish viserys burns my blood to a boil.
That's why they allowed him to sit the throne. Aside from the fact Rhaenys is a women and no man would willingly how to a women. No matter how competent she may be.
This, along with viserys' attachment to the new hand, Otto Hightower, is worrisome.
The reachmen is a second son. An ambitious one if I've ever seen it. The look in his eyes is one of greed. While I myself want a lot, it's for legacy. I already have all the gold I could hope for, now it's about making sure my name and those of my children and theirs after them are etched into history.
The sound of my son and daughter running towards my solar is a comfort. One I will gladly indulge in to get my mind off of incompetent lords and their petty greed.
That is until I receive a knock on my door. Hailing whoever it is to enter I find my squire, johan.
"My lord," he speaks and bows respectfully before continuing, "a missive from the capital."
The instant his words fall my blood reignited. Especially seeing the three heads of the Targaryen dragon adoring the stamp.
Opening it I read the contents of the letter as my children bust in the room.
Their exuberant laughter and words don't reach my ears, for i'm to engrossed in reading an offer made by the new king of westeros.
""I would name you lord Corlys Velaryon, master of ships,"" was the end of the letter.
Putting it down I look out the east window of my solar across the gullet and black water bay toward the capital, trying to decide whether or not to accept this constellation reward as a way to patch up Velaryon and Targaryen relations.
I sigh and make my way to my wife's chambers with my children on my heels, knowing this talk will be long and loud.
If anyone was more angry than me at being passed over, it was Rhaenys herself.
Let's just hope she doesn't 'kill the messenger' as they say, I am her husband after all.
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AN: little transition chapter to intro a couple of characters. Hope you enjoy.