ตอน 43: Dire Situation For Robert
Afterwards, the feast continued onwards. However, Aerion grew unamused as time passed and decided to move on after a few drinks. He left Jocelyn in Ser Arthur's care before getting loose and having some adventurous 'fun'. He ordered his Kingsguard to stay in the hall instead of guarding him. They were reluctant at first but Aerion convinced them with his silver tongue.
Arianne had already caught on as she followed him towards one of Sunspear's empty towers.
"Can you climb this tower, I wonder?"
"Is that a challenge?" Aerion smiled. "If so, there must be a reward tied to it... no?"
"We will see." Arianne's alluring expression did suggest many things. He knew that expression well.
"Or... I could take what I want now." Aerion pinned her onto the wall.
"Daring today, are we?" Arianne did not resist. In truth, being put into such a position only aroused her further. "Go on then... take me."
Aerion stepped away and shrugged as he liked a good challenge. He had always strived to be a better version of himself every single day, after all. Teasing Arianne was a plus as well.
"But, climbing this tower should not be too difficult even if my skills are a little rusty."
"I will be waiting then." Arianne, albeit slightly disappointed but still eager, opened the doors and walked inside of the tower.
Aerion walked towards the stone wall of the tower, realising that his feet weren't quite as steady as he had wished. He was not one to be afraid of anything, however, so he began to climb the tower one step at a time.
I should have not drunk so much wine...
He thought as one of his feet got loose from the wall temporarily. He willed it back onto the wall and continued to climb. Eventually, he got to the top and rolled himself onto the roof. He was quite exhausted thanks to the wine which made him climb more carefully and take longer.
But he made it which was all that mattered. He was satisfied, having climbed such a tower even while drunk.
"You never cease to amaze me, Aerion." Arianne looked over him. "I find it hard to believe that you remained faithful..."
"What makes you doubt me?" Aerion wondered.
"From all the cities that you visited, not a single woman caught your eye or moved towards you?"
"I had no time for such trivial matters. Ruling, conquering and working on my own ability was time-consuming enough."
Aerion decided to not mention the red priestess from before as he knew how fierce-tempered she could be regarding other women. She was more than willing to fight for him... no matter who it was. Except for family, they were the only exception.
"I see..."
Aerion gathered his strength and stood up, holding Arianne in his hands moments later. The moon was close to being full, shining upon the tower as if the Gods had moved it themselves for this very moment.
"The only time that I would lay with another woman would be if you were to find it acceptable. And you already know that I wouldn't lie to you about such matters. Anyway..." Aerion decided to move on from that subject. "After I am done here, I'd like to bring you to Essos. Returning to Sunspear often would be difficult and I don't wish for us to be separated for such a long period ever again... would you sail with me?"
"To the ends of the world, I would," Arianne stated. "You are mine and I am yours. Nothing in this world should separate us."
"Then it shall be so." Aerion smiled, tilting her head upwards with his left hand and pressing his lips against hers. His entire body surged with fire, a different kind of fire... not one of bloodlust, but one of passion as his right hand started to venture down.
~
Middle of 296 AC, the Riverlands.
Robert Baratheon's fleet which was a combination of the Reach's fleet, the remnants of the royal navy and some other ships had been defeated by the Iron Fleet long ago. The Ironborn were led by several great admirals such as Balon Greyjoy and Victarion Greyjoy (along with the emerging Asha Greyjoy and Aeron Greyjoy as well) while Robert Baratheon had lost Stannis Baratheon and Dragonstone's experienced lords (and their ships), having to rely on a single Admiral; Paxter Redwyne. This is one of the major factors which led to Robert Baratheon effectively losing the war.
Although Robert Baratheon's land forces far surpassed that of House Greyjoy, they had to be ferried onto the Iron Islands to be a true advantage. There were only so many men a single ship could carry which the Greyjoy's abused heavily through their superior navy, stopping Robert Baratheon and his vast forces from getting near the Iron Islands.
After his navy had been defeated, Robert Baratheon spread his land forces to stop the Ironborn from raiding and it worked for a time. However, the Ironborn started to gather in certain locations and pick on where Robert Baratheon's forces were weaker. After a raid or two, the Ironborn would return to the sea and avoid facing reinforcements. The strength of the Golden Kraken continued to grow as the Ironborn plundered more resources while Robert Baratheon was beginning to lose on land as well.
Indeed, the Ironborn 'Do Not Sow'. They took everything they needed from others.
As Aerion's conquest of the Nine Free Cities had drawn to a close, House Tyrell grew more hesitant and withdrew most of the Bannerman to protect the Reach's coast. They did not wish to be known as stern supporters of Robert Baratheon whenever the Stormcaller would turn his eyes to the Seven Kingdoms. So, they focused on their own interests while secretly plotting to gain the protection of a King who could fend off the Ironborn.
Robert Baratheon slammed his Warhammer against the wooden table, effectively breaking it with a single swing after his patience grew thin and anger rose.
"Damn that dragonspawn!"
The lesser advisors around Robert looked at each other, wishing to mention the fact that he had struck Aerion first with the royal navy and it had blown up in his face. They did not dare to do so, however.
"All of this, it is his doing!"
"Perhaps we should give the Grejoy's what they want, Your Grace... their independence with a long truce tied to it. We will rebuild the ships lost from the battle with Aerion Targaryen and prepare for the next time they go raiding. Once the truce ends, we will be able to put an end to their ways." Jon advised.
"Do you think that they are fools!?" Robert Baratheon replied. "The Ironborn know that we are on the defensive and they will continue to raid until they are fully satisfied... those bloody Ironborn, I know they will!"
Eddard Stark had agreed with Jon's suggestion. "It is best to try for peace and recover for a better chance in the future. If the Ironborn continue to fight, then we will have no choice but to continue defending the coast, Your Grace."
Robert Baratheon looked at his two greatest advisors, the two people he had placed the most trust in. If they both continued to advise peace over a long period of time, even Robert's stubborn and prideful self would have to give in. He did not want to give the Ironborn their freedom but they left him no choice. Now House Greyjoy would only have to accept the truce and stay still for a while... which seemed very unlikely. VERY unlikely under the near-mad Balon Greyjoy along with the money-hungry and vengeful Ironborn under him...
Their shame in the First Greyjoy Rebellion will be washed away like blood in the sea, at least that's what the Ironborn thought.
~
Aerion woke up inside his bedchamber in a daze. The dream he had experienced was wonderful... he was a colossal black dragon, soaring through the beautiful sky and watching the strange land below. He did not remember how the strange land exactly looked upon waking up, as if that part of his memory suddenly disappeared... as with most dreams.
He remembered witnessing men cut through mountains like they were mere loaves of bread, beasts larger than castles and clashes that shook the entire world. Lightning, fire, wind, ice... the warriors below were capable of casting such things at a size and destructive capacity that even Aerion was envious of.
He did not dare land below, in fear that the dream would suddenly end or some of the people below would turn on him... but it did eventually end.
System... was that dream real?
"To a degree, yes. There are worlds where your current level of 'power' would be considered... average, if not pathetic."
There wasn't a need to speak in such a mocking tone...
"Not to worry, though. You have the potential to surpass them all with time. Magic is an ability that can overcome all obstacles, while those who you witnessed are limited to their techniques. Any result that you desire... it can come into reality through magic, as long as you put the work into it."
Is it possible for me to encounter such individuals?
"Not in this world." The System replied. "The opportunity to do so may come later in your life, though you will have to abandon this world as a result."
I see... and this opportunity will come from Him, won't it?
"Indeed, it would."
Aerion decided not to pay much mind to what he had seen and moved on with his day. He dressed into some distinguished Targaryen clothing and looked into the mirror afterwards.
"Gods... I look terrible."
His long silver (and now messy) hair was in dire need of cutting, though he didn't trust the barbers in the Free Cities and had let it grow out until now. He had also thought of looking like his father, who was known to have long hair. Personally, Aerion thought of long hair as an unnecessary hindrance and feminine overall so he decided to cut it when he had the time.
I'll look better soon enough.
After tidying the mess as much as he could, Aerion unlocked the door to his bedchamber and stepped outside. Jaime stood at his door, who looked quite unamused until he heard the door unlock.
"You slept well tonight, it seems."
"That, I did." Aerion chuckled. "Perhaps a little too well."
"Your uncle, Lord Doran requests your presence as a matter of great importance emerged."
"And what could that be?"
"It regards one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms, though that is all I was told."
One of the Great Houses...?
As the countless possibilities began to race in his mind along with the possible reasons as to why this matter would emerge in the first place, Aerion couldn't help but smirk a little.
Perhaps the Usurper's failures have made them turn to me...
"Then we shall find out more, won't we?"
"Indeed, we shall. I believe your uncle is still in his solar awaiting your presence."
Aerion nodded. "Then I should not keep him waiting for longer than necessary."
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