บท 15: Chapter 15 - Warnings and Trepidations
The First Day Of The Tenth Moon
Sunspear
Aliandra Martell Pov
The sky was a canvas of deep blue, streaked with the orange hues of the setting sun. I stood alongside my father, Prince Qoren Martell, on the highest balcony of the Tower of the Sun. The warm winds of Dorne played with my hair, but my heart was gripped by an unsettling chill as I gazed upon the great bronze dragon circling above the Shadow City and Sunspear.
The massive creature roared, a sound that seemed to shake the very foundations of Sunspear. I felt my father's strong hand grip mine, his weathered face a mask of concern. As the dragon descended, I saw fear in the eyes of the Dornishmen below. From atop the fearsome beast dismounted a man who was said to bring terror to the hearts of all: a scion of Valyria, the Silent Fury, the Monster. His many names whispered in fear, but the one that stood out the most was the Kinslayer. It was Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen, the younger brother of the king.
The men-at-arms tightened their grips on their spears as he approached. Clad in bronze armor that resembled dragon scales, with a helm shaped like a dragon's head, he looked every bit the warrior out of a legend. Though he bore no weapons, the aura of menace around him was palpable. I shivered as his dragon's gaze fell upon us.
'Is this what my ancestors faced when the Freehold brought three hundred dragons to destroy them? This is why Nymeria fled with her thousand ships,' I thought, a chill running down my spine.
He removed his helm, revealing a face that seemed sculpted by the gods themselves. Beautiful purple eyes that held the fire of dragons, silver-golden hair that shone like molten metal, and features so ethereal they seemed almost unreal. There were whispers that he resembled King Jaehaerys in his youth, and my heart beat faster at the sight of him.
His eyes locked onto my father's before those beautiful orbs turned to gaze into mine. I felt a rush of emotions that I could not understand, a mix of fear and something more dangerous.
Prince Qoren stepped forward, offering him bread and salt, the traditional Dornish gesture of peace and hospitality, which Jaehaerys accepted with a curt nod.
"Let us talk in my solar, Prince Jaehaerys," my father said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. The prince followed him without a word.
Inside the solar, the air was thick with unspoken tension. Father took his seat, and so did the prince. I moved gracefully, pouring wine into cups for both of them. As I handed the cup to the prince, his fingers brushed against mine, sending a jolt of electricity through me. I returned to my father's side, my heart pounding in my chest.
As I returned to my father's side, the prince's gaze locked onto me before shifting back to my father. His eyes were dark and penetrating, like pools of molten obsidian.
"My daughter is the future princess of Dorne, and it will serve her well to acquaint herself with what it takes to rule Dorne," my father said. The prince remained silent, his expression unreadable and imposing.
"Your name suits you, Prince Jaehaerys—the Silent Prince," my father said with a light laugh, but the prince did not respond. It was as if we were beneath his notice, mere specks in the grand tapestry of his destiny.
"Why did you come to Dorne, Prince Jaehaerys?" my father asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and wariness. "I doubt you have any business with Dorne, especially with the way the rest of Westeros has burned due to the actions of your house."
"Fire and blood," the prince spoke in a cold, soft tone that sent shivers down my spine. His voice was like velvet stretched over steel. "I brought fire and blood to my enemies," he continued, his eyes never leaving my father's.
"There will be a crusade, a holy war to bring the people of the Iron Islands back to the light of the Seven," he said, his words like a dark prophecy. "The men of the Stormlands are integral for such a crusade to be successful," he added, his voice a low, menacing rumble.
"The one thing I have learned from fighting a war is that a soldier does not want to fight his enemies while his own home is being attacked," he said, his eyes flickering with a dangerous intensity. I understood what he meant, and so did my father.
There had been raids led by Dornishmen against the Stormlanders during the civil war that the maesters now called the Dance of the Dragons. "I came to Dorne unarmed, with only my dragon for company, but if things do not change, I will not be coming alone," he warned, his tone as ominous as a storm cloud.
"I understand, my prince," my father said, his voice steady but edged with caution.
"Dorne has danced with dragons before. I would sooner sleep with scorpions," my father said, his defiance barely masking his fear.
As the meeting concluded, Prince Jaehaerys turned and left, his dark cloak billowing behind him like the wings of a bat. He mounted his dragon, and the entire city of Sunspear seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Yet, as I watched him soar into the sky, a strange longing filled me. I wanted to see him again, to feel the dark allure of his presence, to mount him and lose myself in his terrifying embrace.
The image of his handsome, menacing face lingered in my mind, and I knew I was captivated by the Silent Prince, drawn to his darkness like a moth to a flame.
129 AC
The Seventh Day Of The Tenth Moon
Shield Islands
Lyonel Hightower Pov
The screams of the Ironborn as they were incinerated by Silverwing's flames still echoed in my ears as we sat in the command tent.
"A toast to my sister for helping achieve a great victory against those glorified pirates," Prince Aemond Targaryen declared, raising his chalice. The other lords followed suit, their eyes turning to the one who had made this triumph possible.
Alyssanne Targaryen, the youngest daughter of King Viserys, was a sight to behold. Fierce and beautiful, her silver-golden hair framed a face of delicate features and striking mismatched eyes, adding an exotic allure to her beauty. Clad in silver armor, Darksister at her hip, she epitomized both grace and lethality.
"Oathbreaker," some had called her, for attacking during a truce. But they were wrong. It was the rogue prince who first broke the parley by placing his men in the fields to ambush Prince Jaehaerys. If not for Alyssanne's swift intervention, Jaehaerys would have perished. Not that I would have minded. Jaehaerys did not deserve her; he was a monster in human form. Alyssanne, however, was a blessing from the Seven themselves.
Princess Alyssanne raised her glass, commanding the attention of all present. "I would like to thank all the lords gathered here," she began, her voice carrying a tone of authority and grace.
"If it were not for the might of Lord Borros and the valiant men of the Stormlands, and the chivalrous knights from all around the Reach, we would not have been able to defeat the Ironborn who sought to invade the Shield Islands," she said, her words met with fervent cheers.
"We fight this holy crusade not for ourselves but to bring the light of the Seven to the men, women, and children of the Iron Islands," she proclaimed, her conviction resonating with the gathered lords. "It was the Seven who helped us win the war against the traitor on Dragonstone, and it is the Seven who bestowed the vision of the Iron Islands under the Seven's light to my brother, our king, Aegon the Second of his name," she declared, her proclamation met with roaring approval.
My father, Lord Ormund Hightower, rose next. "Now, my fellow lords, even though we have achieved a victory against the Ironborn, our allies in the Westerlands are still besieged by Dalton Greyjoy, who has proclaimed himself the King of the Iron Islands," he said, his voice grave.
"We have to decide whether to sail towards the Westernlands with our current force or wait for Prince Jaehaerys," he said.
Hearing his name, everyone quieted down. The fear that emanated from that name made everyone shiver; after all, what happened to the Riverlords was still fresh in the minds of the nobles, as well as how he destroyed House Velaryon to the root and stem.
After the rogue prince was burned to death alongside his daughter, the army of the Riverlands ran away, not wanting to face two dragons. But they were caught by complete surprise by the force led by Lord Borros Baratheon and Prince Aemond Targaryen.
The maesters said it was the largest surrender of an army since the Field of Fire.
"Fire and blood," were the words uttered by Prince Jaehaerys as he burned every head of the noble houses of the Riverlands.
The Riverlands were incorporated into the expanded Crownlands, and every heir of the noble houses was to be sent to King's Landing as hostages. Additionally, increased taxes were to be paid by the Riverlands, who had not faced any conflict in their region, as it was only the Reach that faced the brunt of the rogue prince's anger.
Along with that, the nobles of the Riverlands were barred from being members of the Small Council for the next seventy years.
But that was not the end. Jaehaerys sent a raven to the Warden of the North, Cregan Stark, who had entered the Riverlands and taken most of the castles of the Riverlords. In his missive, he stated that every male member of House Strong was to be sent to the Wall, irrespective of their age, whereas the women were sent to the Faith, thus ending the rule of House Strong on Harrenhal.
My mind returned to the bickering taking place in front of me as the lords were arguing over whether to wait for the Silent Fury or to aid our allies in the west.
The noise of Valyrian steel cutting through the air was heard as Alyssa brought it down on the table, and everyone looked at her.
"Enough of this bickering," she said.
"It matters not whether Jaehaerys is here or not," she declared.
"We will sail to the Westerlands and aid our allies by destroying every Ironborn ship we lay our eyes on," she said as the lords cheered.
As the lords departed, I walked towards Princess Alyssanne.
"Lyonel," she said, looking at me, and my heart skipped a beat as I heard her say my name.
"I wish to speak to you in private, Princess," I said, and she raised her eyebrows.
"Lead the way," she replied, as I guided her towards a clearing where Silverwing was resting.
Alyssanne walked towards her dragon and petted her gently. I took a deep breath and spoke up.
"I must confess, Princess," I said, my heart beating faster.
Hearing me, she gave a short laugh. "What do you wish to confess, Lyonel?" she asked.
"I love you, Princess," I said, clenching my hands. "I love you with my entire being, and I wish to be with you. I will take care of you and your dragon," I said, glancing at Silverwing, who seemed to have opened her eyes.
"I will take care of your every comfort, and you will stay with me forever in the Hightower," I said, a smile forming on my face.
After all, the Hightowers were as prestigious as the Targaryens, and no lady or princess would say no to becoming Lady Hightower.
She looked at me with a piercing gaze. "I assume that you and I will have children as well?" she asked.
"Yes, Princess, as many as seven to please the gods," I said.
"You will be by my side as I rule and govern Oldtown," I added.
"So you wish for a broodmare and not a wife," the princess said.
"What do you mean, Princess?" I asked, confused.
"You want me to live in a tower for my entire life. Did your mother drop you when you were a babe?" she said.
"I would rather fall from the Wall than live in the Hightower for the rest of my life to keep producing children for my lord husband," she said with utter contempt.
"I will not marry you, Lyonel," she said.
Hearing her words, tears stung my eyes.
"Is it because of him?" I said, unable to control my emotions. "That bastard is a kinslayer, and you still love him? How many men, women, and children has he murdered? He is a monster in human form!"
"He should have died at the hands of the rogue prince!" I shouted as Princess Alyssanne rushed towards me.
With a quick motion, she punched me, and I fell to the ground. She unsheathed Dark Sister and leveled it at my throat, the Valyrian steel drawing a drop of blood.
"If you ever utter such words again, Lyonel, I will chop your tongue out and end the pathetic excuse of your life," she said.
"I will forget that we are kin," she added, her voice cold and deadly.
"Get out of my sight right now," she commanded as I walked away, tears falling from my eyes at the betrayal.
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