Chương 38: dragons magic and wildfyre oh my Rhaena (10)
AN: memories from Valyria. Some explanations are given to Arthur. Some memories are brought to the light that set up for powerful ally's making way to the side of our winter dragon.
Meanwhile Aboard the seahorse headed for driftmark, a near scuffle between Spartan shadows and the rogue leads to Rhaena showing everyone she's ready to be th lady in a land as harsh as Sparta.
Valyria 4 BD
JAENYX
Seeing young Arthur walk in my mask goes on. For as much as I hate treating him like this I know it will help him in the long run. I am not long for this world. I have to know he'll be okay.
For I could never look Ragnar or Lyra in the eye shojld I fail him in anyway.
I take a deep breath and begin, (aemon tells me you've progressed quite well in the yard with your sword and hidden blades.)
The boy nods once before speaking, those ethereal eyes he has looking at me with hate. Something that breaks my heart and twists my gut into knots. 'The doom.' 'Long night' 'dawn' those words echo in my head steeling my resolve.
(Yes. Lord Jaenyx.) I hate to see how mature he already is. The interaction with the dog of a guard bastard of my 2nd cousins 2nd son or other proves this to be true. The boy has the blood of kings running through his veins, yet because I treat him how I do others In the household do likewise.
There's been more than a few times when aemon came busting through my door. my mind goes back to the latest time barely a moon ago.
Flashback
Aemon all but blew through the door to my solar, Blue eyes that all the Belarys had alight with dragonfire. (You MARKED HIM?! MY Nephew?!) I would've taken the words had I not heard steel be unsheathed.
While I appreciate his being to Arthur what I cannot, the disrespect he's showing me is far too much to bear. Within a blink I've moved the 30ft across the room. My hidden blade of Valyrian steel agaisnt his neck, the blade so sharp and serrated it already leaves a small leak of blood.
(He let those slaves escape. Hundreads. Hidden beneath runes he won't reveal. From that damn winter kingdom. Outsiders! So, don't ever unsheath steel at me again. For I'll kill you before you can blink. You're grandmother protected you when she was alive. That is no more. Am I understood?)
He nods. But I can feel the anger rolling off him.
He leaves my chamber with one last look that promises, should he one day have the chance, he'll put a hidden blade through my neck. Not that I can blame him. After finding out Arthur had let hundreads of slaves go, never to be found again there was nothing else I could do but to punish him. Many called for his head. But i dissuaded such a notion with hydra. My beautiful slim a swift girl. Though she likes me less and less when I treat Arthur as I do.
So it was to be a mark he could never get off. A tattoo to forever remind all who saw it he had betrayed all of Valyria.
(Image of tattoo )
(Image of hydra)
Flashback end
I nod at Arthur and motion with my hand for him to follow. Moving to an ordinary looking book among many others, i pull it out.
This makes an unlocking sound and the floor opens downward into steps. This is the first time I'm training him in this. Focus.
Unlike other dragon lord families, our connection is different. Any who see our eyes can see that. But to truly understand one must have the blood.
As we get to a neat dirt training circle I remove my shirt and bid him to do the same.
Seeing the mark makes me almost break my mask. As well as the already multiple scars that adorn his frame. He remains quiet, already understanding the meaning and importance of not speaking unless spoken too.
(You have two ears and only one tongue for a reason boy.) I said to him after catching him upside the head with a particularly rough backhand.
Moving on from that I begin to explain.
(What you'll learn today may save your life. So listen. Because I will not repeat myself. Should you fail to heed my words, then you will die and there can be nobody to fault but you. For you didn't heed my words. Understood?)
Again, one nod. (Yes. Lord jaenyx.)
Internally sighing I begin by moving quicker than any man could ever hope to. By using 'focus, you can move in between 5 different people, killing while drinking a glass of whiskey should you do it right.'
I hit him hard with a kick that sends him sprawling before speaking again, (and whom told you to let your guard down?)
I see a sneer make it's way onto his face before he responds. (Apologies. Lord jaenyx. I swear to pay attention and keep an eye out for trickery,) he all but spat at me.
'Winter gods? If you can hear me you'd better take care of him. For what you've made me do is beyond cruel.'
———————
Narrow sea, seahorse, 130 AC
RHAENA
Arthur didn't come to dinner. Odd. He had said he would be back in moments. Everyone wished to congratulate us and celebrate the announcement.
I fear my dear dragon knight is shy to congratulations. For he surely never got any from his grandfather. 'No matter. I will give him that.' I assure myself, trying to reel in my anger at a man long dead.
Arriving outside Arthur's door are his two shadows. Men who showed to be the best among the villagers in combat. Their all white cloak in Arthurs style along with the Valyrian steel mask adoring their faces, and the two short swords adoring their back made them look imposing.
I recall what Arthur had said about them.
(I need only to see a man's eyes to know who he is. What he's done, wants to do. That's why I only leave their eyes visible and make them take a new name. One of the animal they must become to be a shadow. The eyes are a window to the soul. These are the ones who will protect my future children. And they'll never know they're there if i can help it. )
The two in front of me. Hawk and recluse were average height and build on first glance. However, I'd seen the people of Sparta every morning doing strange activities. One of the men said they were training. From what I'd heard from grandfather, these people were supposed to be starving. But they looked like they'd been carved from rock and Ice.
Even the women had a tight and sculpted figure to them. While not as pronounced as the men it was definitely clear next to other women of the realm.
I greeted the two silent guards. And didn't get more than a nod. Sighing I knock thrice on the door and wait for my betrothed to answer me.
After minutes of no response I wonder if he's asleep. Asking the two shadows they just said lord Valhalla went in and hasn't come out. Not helpful.
I open the chamber door. Forgoing Propriety as my need to see and show off Arthur was too great.
All my thoughts of celebrating and showing my betrothed off die in my throat as I see a sight that freezes my blood.
In his chair at the desk, sit/lay my betrothed. My dragon knight. As beautiful as ever. But it is his state that leaves me horrified.
Blood dripping from each oarfice he has. Crying bloody tears. Leaking blood from his nostrils. Drooling the crimson liquid from the corner of his mouth. And finally the slight trails of blood that adorn his earlobes.
My scream is true and horrified,(ARTHUR!)
———————————-
Only moments after my exclamation is everyone of import in Arthur's chamber.
My father, grandfather, Alyn, and lastly the two Spartan shadows that stand in front of Arthur's bed. Eyes alight with flame as they stare at my father.
(Move you two imbiciles so we can get him help!)
This will be the third time he's asked. My father did not ask again.
Slowly pulling dark sister from its sheath, the Valyrian steel of visenya sang through the air.
The two shadows let loose blades that came from the bracers on their forearms.
My mind was dealing with too much. Arthur was hurt and not waking no matter how I tried shaking and pouring water over his head.
Were it not for the steady thump thump thump I hear from him chest I'd believed he was passed. Such a thing couldn't happen. I wouldn't let it.
Now to add onto all of this my father and Arthur's guards are about to do battle at the foot of his bed. Surely he told them not to let anyone south of the neck treat any wounds. They would listen to him even in death. As much as I hate to admit it I was thankful at least he had people who he can trust.
Afterall. Standing up to the rogue prince is no small feat.
My rage and mornings own mix and mingle as I explode on both groups.
(Enough of this folly. Hawk, recluse. Did Arthur tell you not to let anyone below the neck treat his wounds even if on the verge of death.?)
Arthur has also chosen these men because they can understand Valyrian. They answer me with a nod before hawk speaks,
(Yes princess. Lord Valhalla will do far worse should we not heed such an order. While there are different punishments for different things in Sparta,such a betrayal only has one outcome.) and I saw even the white shadows shiver. That can only mean one thing: bludeagle. It was spoken abojt in hushed whispers among the People of Sparta. Like their own version of the stranger.
I nod. Having them speak Valyrian was a godsend in this situation. My father sheaths dark sister. Though his eyes tell me he's just found two new training partners.
'Oh joy. More roguish things to come.'
I look at Alyn, he's almost as scared as me. He and Arthur are good friends. Hells, Arthur has been nicer to him than almost anyone else I've seen.
With everything now settled I move to get Into bed wth Arthur.
Daemon speaks up, (you're mad if you think-)
But I cut him off. I'm in no such mood. Nor am I going to force myself upon my betrothed. (Silence. For you know not what it feels like to see your betrothed in such a state. I am not going to mount him. If you wish to stay and support him and i great. If not leave and fly ahead to Dragonstone.
But I will not move until he awakens.) my father looks like to speak again but grandfather Corlys touches his arm.
I know not what words are said through their eyes. But my father sighs. Looks at Alyn and then leaves followed by the sea snake.
Grandfather gives me and Alyn a tired, true smile before closing The door.
Frost, who'd been quiet the entire time jumps onto the bed as I move Arthur's head into my lap.
The giant wolf lays his head on his masters chest and let's out a pitiful whine. One I can empathize with.
I pay his head. (It's going to be okay. He's stronger than even we know,)
Although I say that to the wolf, it's more for myself.
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