Mastermind // Aemond Targaryen (1)

10. Ambush

''It's been near six years since I last saw my lord husband, Maester. I must know... will he live?'' Rhaenys asked sitting perched on the throne at Driftmark

''He led his sailors into an ambush." Maester Kelvyn reported ''A ship made to look as if it were abandoned. In the fighting, his neck was slashed by a corsair's dagger. He fell overboard into the sea. The wound was severe. Much blood was lost." He went on and Rhaenys nodded slowly. ''But the greater concern is the fever that followed. The ship's maester said he burns from within." The seabirds could be heard calling out over the waters around them

''The ravens came in from?'

''Even fall, Princess.'' Kelvyn informed her.

''So they arrive in three days. Let all be made ready to receive him, Maester Kelvyn.'' Rhaenys told him

''The Sea Snake is strong.' Kelvyn offered as he headed out

''No doubt. And yet, I have seen blood fever overcome men half his age.'' Vaemond remarked coming up to Rhaenys.

''I will not suffer the talk of crows in my house, Vaemond.'' Rhaenys hissed

''I love my brother... but we must be honest with ourselves. We may greet his ship to find him gone. And who will take the Driftwood Throne?'' Vaemond offered.

''My grandmother seems quite comfortable here.'' Baela informed him confidently.

''She presides only in the absence of her husband. On his death, the seat passes-' Vaemond reminded them both

''To Lucerys Velaryon. As is my lord husband's desire.'' Rhaenys reminded him stiffly.

''I am the Sea Snake's own blood, the closest kin he has left.' Vaemond shouted

''Be careful, good-brother. One could take your words for treason.' Rhaenys told him calmly.

''I speak the truth, Rhaenys. And you know it.'' Vaemond spat.

''The matter has been decided.'' Rhaenys sat confidently, calm and collected as his temper only grew.

''By a man whose ambition has brought down on us calamity after calamity. My brother cares only for the history books. But what of the Velaryon line? Is it to be snuffed out, supplanted by the pups of House Strong? Driftmark is mine by all rights." Vaemond shouted. "And while I should like your support, I do not... need it. The winds have shifted. The crown has good reason... to take my side." Vaemond went on and Rhaenys let out a deep breath.

'' My cousin the King would have your tongue for this.''

''But it's not a king who sits the Iron Throne these days, good-sister. It's a queen.''

+

''Syrax brought a fresh clutch three eggs three eggs!'' Daemon exclaimed "place them in a North facing warming circle.' Daemon instructed

''At once my prince." They took the eggs from Daemon. "the maester brought this.... just arrived from the lady Baela on driftmark.' Daemon took the scroll as the two men walked away Daemon read it over slowly.

+

''The Conqueror and his sisters sailed with a great army.'' Jace repeated

''Se Blakuata Rasho dranot vilinio viartis." Maester Gerardys told him in high valayian. Jace let out a sigh as he tried to remember the right translation.

''And landed at the Blackwater Rush." Jace told him

"Dranot." He corrected and Jace's face pinched

''Dranot, dranot, dranot.'' He repeated again and again.

''At the end?'' Gerardys urged. Jace closed his eyes as he paced.

''The mouth.'' Rhaenyra told him as she walked forward.

''Mouth!'' he declared a moment too late.

"Ah, come on, Jace, you knew that."

" Dranot, dranot, dranot vilinio viartis. Dranot, dranot, dranot." He repeated again

''Come on, Jace. Perhaps that's enough for this morning." Rhaenyra suggested.

''No, no. I-I want to keep going.'' Jace assured. ''Maester.'' He begged

''Guesi misenakson Aegon undas.'' Gerardys went on

''Aegon... ordered that the trees should be..." Jace pursed his lips in concentration ''...killed.''

''Felled.' Rhaenyra corrected

''It is a related word.' Jace offered hopefully.

''I don't expect you to learn High Valyrian in a day, Jace.'' Rhaenyra reminded him

''A king should honor the traditions of his forbears.'' Jace reminded her.

''Well... unless you're planning to depose your own mother, you have plenty of time to study.'' Rhaenyra reminded him and Jace nodded as the door opened. "Leave us." Rhaenyra told them all as Daemon came in.

''Joffrey... come.'' Jace said extending a hand for him.

''He means to call into question Luke's legitimacy. And by extension Jace, and by extension my own claim to the throne''. Rhaenyra remarked appalled as Daemon passed off the scroll.

" Vaemond cares only about Driftmark and the Velaryon line. Not about our politics. Has he made common cause with Otto High tower yet?" Rhaenyra went on and Daemon tilted his head from side to side in contemplation.

''Hm, this is what I fear. Rhaenys has flown to court.'' Daemon agreed

''Surely, she cannot be planning to back him.''

''No. Whatever disagreements we may have had, she's not cruel... or stupid enough to do that.'' Daemon agreed

''Disagreements?''

''She believes we had her son killed so that we might marry.'' Daemon reminded her and Rhaenyra rolled her eyes.

''Yes... and yet, she's taken Baela to ward.'' Rhaenyra reminded him

''Yes. It is Laena's memory she honors. She has no love for us.'' Daemon reminded her. ''Has the vipers' venom spread so far?''

''Those vipers rule in my father's name. And my father..." Rhaenyra sighed. ''What choice do I have?''

''To King's Landing, then.'' Daemon agreed