章 127: GOT : Chapter 127
( Edric POV )
"Your weapons, please," the bulkiest one said.
Quentyn let out a sigh, but did as told. He and Edric got rid of their weapons, giving them to their escorting guards, before walking into the tent.
There were no guards inside, just two men, sitting down on two small chairs. A bit…poor, especially for someone who called himself King of the Seven Kingdoms.
...
Nonetheless, Edric did not say so out loud.
And it did not take long for him to identify who was who. Lord Connigton was there, an imposing figure, with a dark vest bearing his house's sigil, his red hair and beard trimmed, looking at them sternly. Aegon, though, was a boy about Quentyn's age, with indigo eyes and silver-blonde hair.
"You stand in front of his Grace, King Aegon Targaryen, sixth of his name," Lord Connington boomed, "King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, rightful Lord of the Seven Kingdoms."
"Your Grace." Quentyn knelt in front of Aegon, "It's an honor to finally meet you, and an honor to finally be able to tell you that my sword is yours."
"Rise, Prince Quentyn, your loyalty is appreciated, cousin of mine. And your letter came at the right time."
Lord Connington puffed.
"Lord Dayne." Aegon turned to him. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well. Your uncle Arthur died for my father, I remember his sacrifice."
Edric could see Quentyn make a slight face at that, but had to ignore it. Instead, he mumbled a few courtesies and left it at that.
Quentyn, for his part, turned to Lord Connington.
"Ser Jon Connington, rumors of your death were greatly exaggerated." Quentyn smiled, almost wickedly.
"A necessary lie, to protect his Grace." The older man uncomfortably shifted. "I had to disappear."
Quentyn nodded slowly, bringing his eyes to Aegon, whom the prince observed for an uncomfortably long time.
"Jon told me of conditions you placed on our alliance," Aegon finally broke the lull that had installed itself in the tent, "may I know what they are?"
"Nothing that cannot be discussed, Your Grace. Benefits for Dorne, mostly, as rewards for our loyalty."
Jon Connington huffed, and mumbled something under his breath. Quentyn continued talking, unconcerned.
"However, these can be talked about once we have settled your betrothal, that's why we are here, after all."
Aegon nodded slowly.
"The leaders of the Company also wish to see me wed to my aunt, to unite our claims. I am of the same mind, with her dragons, my company and your host and fleet, we shall reclaim the throne that has been stolen from us!"
His company? Didn't the Golden Company answer only to gold and not to a man? Edric shrugged it off. Figure of speech, perhaps.
"It remains to convince Queen Daenerys, Your Grace." Quentyn straightened up. "By all means, an alliance should be as beneficial to her as it is to us, but you musn't forget the circumstances of her upbringing."
"I agree with you there." Aegon nodded. "But there is no need for 'Your Grace' around here. These are formalities for the people. In private, Aegon or cousin would do. After all, we are tied by blood, aren't we?"
"We are, your…cousin." Quentyn nodded.
"There, much better!" Aegon smiled widely, sparing a sideways glance at Connington, who finally decided to speak up.
"If I may say something, Prince Quentyn." Connington shifted apprehensively in his seat. "When we received your letter, we had expected it to be signed by prince Doran."
"Prince Doran is no longer the Prince of Dorne, Ser Jon." Edric found himself defending Quentyn.
"In circumstances that are, to say the least, troubling," Connington added
"And that are of no concern to you," Quentyn snapped at the exile. "My father is no longer Prince of Dorne, I am. That is all you need to concern yourself with. If King Aegon wishes to hear more of it, I shall be glad to tell him, but remember, Connington, you do not order me."
"Peace, my friends," Aegon calmed everyone down. "Cousin, I think Ser Jon only meant to say that your presence here was unexpected."
"I am sure Ser Jon meant no insult," Quentyn turned back to Aegon. "I only wished to remind him that I bear him no ill will, as long as he respects my position."
"Do not fear Old Griff." Aegon heartily smiled. "He is as loyal to me as he was to my father."
Quentyn and Edric both cringed at that comment. Both knew how loyal Jon Connington was towards Rhaegar, so much that it blinded him. Though, to not add more oil to the fire, none of them spoke a word.
Instead, Quentyn sighed, and took up the mantle of speaker once more.
"There is something I must speak to you about, cousin, but I can only do so in private, with no other ears than yours with mine."
Aegon took a moment to think, as Connington frowned deeply. The exile spoke first,"That is out of the question, his Grace…"
"Accepts." Aegon nodded. "Do not fear, Jon, we will be right behind the curtains. If we speak calmly, you will not hear a thing, but you will be a few steps away. If there is any trouble, I shall send for you."
Connington sat back in his chair, leaving Aegon and Quentyn to leave behind the golden curtains. It also meant that Edric and Jon Connington found themselves face to face, both staring awkwardly at each other.
It was Jon Connington that finally broke the silence, once again."You don't look like Arthur Dayne, boy."
"I…I took after my mother," Edric defended himself, "she was a Blackmont and had blonde hair. I got my blue eyes from my father."
"Old Alyn, hah!" Connington esquissed a half-smile. "A good man, that one. More pragmatic than your uncle, smarter too. How is he faring?"
"My father died three years ago." Edric immediately sighed.
"Ah." Jon Connington shook his head. "A shame. He was a right old man, you know, loyal to a fault. I'm sorry for you, boy. Losing a father is not something I would wish on anyone."
"Thank you." Edric nodded.
"You know, I've raised this boy," Jon Connington said. "From his days as a mere babe to what he is now. I've tried my utmost to be a father to him, since his had died long ago. And now he's grown up and will become a king, and I will call him 'Your Grace'. Will he need me anymore? I fear I've got nothing to teach him."
"Your presence might be enough, ser," Edric answered.
"Perhaps," Connington rumbled, "or perhaps he will tire of me. I am an old man after all. We shall never know. But at least, I will be proud of my boy. But when I pass, I've always wondered how he will remember me as: his father or his protector? Bah, I'm not sure why I am telling you this…"
With that Connington sighed and looked behind him, the curtains ruffling while both Quentyn and Aegon emerged.
While Quentyn looked perfectly fine, it looks like Aegon had gone through a wide array of emotions. He walked slowly towards before Connington, his face devoid of any emotion, before finally saying:
"Jon, how about some wine. I…I think I may need a glass…or a bottle…"
Connington frowned, but got him a glass. Not wanting to be a bad host, he also fetched three more glasses, pouring out one for everyone.
Quentyn, of course, did not touch his, but for Edric, it was a welcome refreshment. And by the looks of it, for Aegon as well.
Finally, Aegon rose after finishing a second glass, and politely accompanied both Quentyn and Edric back to the door.
"I thank you for your coming, however, Jon and I need to talk about…about my father. I shall meet you in…an hour? Here?"
"In an hour at the entrance of the tent." Prince Quentyn bowed, along with Edric, and both left under a sky that had become overcast.
"What did you tell him?" Edric asked once they had recovered their weapons, his voice full of curiosity.
"The truth." Quentyn shrugged. "The ugly truth."
"The Tower of Joy, the Rebellion and…"
"Everything." Quentyn left it at that.
Edric gulped and nodded. Being exposed to so many events at the same time could only be a shock for someone who has lived his entire life thinking he was alone.
While waiting, Quentyn and Edric returned to the Dornish camp, making sure preparations were underway for the meeting with Queen Daenerys tonight.
Quentyn selected one person from each major house in order to represent the numerous Dornish houses, as a united front behind their leader. It was all about image, and they needed to be at their best. For if Aegon was all but forced to join forces with them, a girl who has not tasted defeat and managed to hatch three dragons would be a more difficult sway.
Thus, it is united that the Dornish party made their way towards the Queen's camp, on the other side of the city. After, of course, Aegon had been presented and the Dornish lords all sworn fealty to him, which didn't take long. He had the looks, and Connington's presence was enough to sway most.
To them were added the presence of Shireen Baratheon, who looked out of place between everyone, but was nonetheless flanked by Monford Velaryon and Davos Seaworth, towering over the little girl, ensuring nothing would happen to her.
It is thus on the front row that Edric advanced, alongside Quentyn and his paramour. As for Aegon, he was accompanied by Connington, as usual, but also Ser Harry Strickland, the commander of the Golden Company, a quite simple man who could have been mistaken as a simple clerk if not for his rich armor.
There was no tent to welcome them this time, but a large throne in the exterior, surrounded by dozens of Essosi soldiers from various corners of the continent. In the middle, a golden throne, with a ravishingly beautiful girl sitting on it, wearing a pale white dress with straps looking like dragon scales.
On the right side stood a knight in shining white armor, whose beard seemed to reach the middle of his chest, while to the left, a girl only a third as tall as the knight stood, heralding Queen Daenerys.
And to be fair, Edric stopped concentrating after Queen Daenerys Stormborn, for the rest of the titles just never seemed to end. Queen of this, liberator of that…and of course, Connington, stung in his pride, gave a few other meaningless titles to Aegon. Fortunately, Quentyn just introduced himself plainly. No need to do complicated when you could do simple!
"Prince Quentyn, Prince Aegon." Daenerys Targaryen finally rose from her throne, stepping towards them. "You are most welcome here, and I appreciate your loyalty, having come from so far to meet me. Let us sit somewhere more appropriate, and have something to eat, you must all be hungry after such a journey."
Both Quentyn and Aegon thanked her, as they were led to a table where a feast awaited them all. Edric could thus admire Daenerys Targaryen, and he could safely say that she was by far the most beautiful woman he ever saw. Silver hair, indigo eyes, slender, confident…gods he was charmed, like most of the other lords too.
So much that he avoided her gaze. Unluckily for him, it turns out that it settled on him a little too much, as if she had eyes only for him. Or, at least, that's what he thought he'd seen.
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