The Heir // King Viserys Targaryen // Daemon Targaryen

65. Honor

''Soften your knees. Feet light.'' Criston remarked as the young princes were training together in the courtyard.

''Keep your feet light and your hands heavy.'' Harwin instructed. He of course had taken a keen interest in the princess Rhaenyra's childrens training.

''This is the stuff, Lyonel. Lads that learn together, train together... knock each other down, pick each other up. They will certainly form a lifelong bond, wouldn't you agree?'' Viserys questioned as he watched from above. His sat in his chair, as he often did for age did not suit him, he knew he was dying but wasn't every day a gift, he had lived this long, ruled this long to see his grandchildren brought into the world, to have many beautiful children of his own. But he felt himself growing weaker.

''That is the hope, Your Grace.'' Lyonel agreed.

"Look the spots on the wings mama!" Alyssa declared. "You see it?"

"I see it." Avalon agreed. "Criston go easy on Daeron please." Avalon requested as he stood before Criston a sparing sword in hand. Criston knelt before him.

"Of course your grace." Criston called as Avalon followed Alyssa to the shores. "This helmet is too big for you my prince." Criston remarked pulling it off his head. "I don't know how you could see." Daeron smiled up at him.

"The dots mean it's a male." Alyssa went on.

"So smart you are." Avalon remarked.

"You know why the prettier birds are male and the dull female?" Alyssa went on as they got farther away.

"Why?" Avalon mused.

"The males are more eye catching so the females are more protected from predators!" Alyssa told her happily.

''Don't stand too upright, my Prince. You'll get knocked down.'' Criston warned and Aegon let out a grunt of distaste. ''Aegon.'' Criston began.

''I've won my first bout, Ser Criston. My opponent sues for mercy.'' Aegon said pompously.

''Well, you'll have a new opponent then, My Lord of the Straw. Let's see if you can touch me. You and your brother.'' Criston offered and Aegon and Aemond stepped forward, sparring swords lunging at criston but he was skill warrior. The princes were yelling and grunting as they lunged and failed to knock criston down.

''You're gonna have to do better than that.'' Criston said smugly.

''Ah. Weapons up, boys.'' Harwin remarked coming up to Rhaenrya's children. ''Give your enemies no quarter.'' Harwin glanced over at Criston and Aegon and Aemond, Rhaenyra's children seemed left out of the training most days.

''It seems the younger boys could do better with a bit of your attention... Ser Criston.'' Harwin remarked and Criston turned to him stiffly.

''You question my method of instruction, ser?'' Criston asked calmly as he gave Daeron a smaller sparing sword as well.

''Oh, I merely suggest that method be applied to all your pupils'' Harwin suggested nodding to Jace and Luke.

''Very well. Jacaerys... come here.'' Criston agreed ''You spar with Aegon.'' Aegon chuckled seeing his younger cousin step forward nervously. ''Eldest son against eldest son.'' Jace and Daeron were the same age but they didn't get along.

''It's hardly a fair match.'' Harwin remarked. "Prince Jacaerys against prince Daeron would be a better match."

"I can take him." Daeron said confidently.

''I know you've never seen true battle, ser, but when steel is drawn, a fair match isn't something anyone should expect.'' Criston remarked smugly "You get the next one." Criston told Daeron pulling him back to him. ''Blades up. Engage.'' The boys attacked, Aegon being elder and larger got Jace down easily but Jace had fire and he jumped back up. Running back Aegon knocked the straw dummy over onto Jace.