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As the first century of the Targaryen dynasty came to a close, the health of the Old King, Jaehaerys, was failing.
In those days, House Targaryen stood at the height of its strength with eleven adult dragons under its yoke. No power in the world could stand against it.
King Jaehaerys reigned over nearly sixty years of peace and prosperity. But tragedy had claimed both his sons, leaving his succession in doubt. So, in the year 101, the Old King called a Great Council to choose an heir.
Over a thousand lords made the journey to Harrenhal in the year 101 AC. Fourteen succession claims were heard but only two were truly considered: Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, the King's eldest descendant, and her younger cousin, Prince Viserys Targaryen, the King's eldest male descendant.
Rhaenys, a woman, would not inherit the Iron Throne. The lords instead chose Viserys Targaryen. Jaehaerys called the Great Council to prevent a war being fought over his succession.
For he knew the cold truth. The only thing that could tear down the House of the Dragon was itself.
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By 103, King Jaehaerys had passed and Viserys Targaryen came to power. Unlike many before him, Viserys was left a secure throne, a full treasury, and peaceful realm by his predecessor, with more dragons under his belt than any that came before him.
He had already fathered a daughter, Rhaenyra, prior to his ascension. However, the king had yet to provide a male heir with his wife, Queen Aemma. They resided in King's Landing and with them, his sister Shaera, a girl of ten and five.
Viserys' younger brother Daemon, now a young man of ten and nine, had already been married to the Lady Rhea Royce of Runestone, yet continuously refused his husbandly duties. He loathed his wife and shamed her constantly with his whoring.
Shaera, now practically a woman, was known throughout the realm for her beauty and many suitors came from all over to ask for her hand in marriage.
For years, it was expected that Shaera and Daemon would wed as were the customs of the royal family, yet that was proved wrong when Daemon had been wed to the Lady Rhea.
It was midday in King's Landing and Shaera had just landed near the dragonpits, riding her dragon, Nightwing. She slowly stepped off the dragon, landing on the dirt with a loud thud. The dragon keepers approached, leading her dragon back to the pits.
It seemed Nightwing grew by the day, just like Shaera. They had been bonded for years now, ever since the egg hatched as it laid with Shaera in her cradle as a babe.
"How was your ride, little sister?" A voice spoke up and Shaera slowly turned, smiling widely at the sight of her brother Daemon.
Although expected to remain at the Vale with his wife, Daemon constantly found reasons to return home. He enjoyed the look of annoyance that came from Viserys every time he returned, knowing the latter expected nothing but trouble from the younger male during his visits.
