Burn me • Aemond Targaryen

Finan

Chapter Thirty-Two~ Finan

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The death of the two Targaryen princes had changed the dynamic of the war. This was no longer a political dispute. It had become personal.

Rhaella walked aimlessly around the red keep. Visions from two nights ago still whistling around in her mind.

Aerys funeral would be held on the morrow, Alicent had suggested they be buried as is the tradition of their faith. But Rhaella had refused, she told them all that Aerys left this world with the courage of the dragon in his heart. And so that would be how he was carried to his place amongst the Gods.

Rhaella could've sworn her eyes deceived her, but there he was loading crates in the courtyard. Her boatman.

"Finan?" She said as she approached.

He turned at the mention of his name, brows furrowing when he looked at the woman in front of him. "Yes lady?"

Rhaella had almost forgotten that Finan did not know the truth of her person. "How did my gold serve you?" She said, her voice was blank.

Finan felt as though he had just been made aware of a cruel joke. "Barmaid?" He laughed. "Gods strike me down!" He sighed. "Yer a Princess?"

Rhaella damned the title to hell. If it was not for her station she would never of been in the position she found herself in now. "It seems so." Finan laughed again, guards approaching ready to arrest whoever disturbed the Princess' mourning period. Rhaella held up her hand, telling them all was well.

"Lucky ye never showed up!" He sighed. "Storm sent half me crew overboard."

His words punched her straight in the gut. She had been anything but lucky that night.
Rhaella remembered the conversation they had that day. Finan seemed to know an awful lot about the inhabitants of kings landing.

"How long would it take for you to find two people for me?" She questioned, she could tell by the gleam in his eyes and stride in his step, he could help her.

"Depends on where yer looking." He answered, leaning against his crates, when the Princess did not respond he took a step closer. "I know the ins and outs of this city like the palm of me hand, I know the names of people walking in and out of brothels and taverns. Know who fathers bastard offspring, and who is unfaithful to their marriage partner."

Rhaella was intrigued by the boatman. He was smarter than most, and now perhaps it was time she formed an alliance of her own. "Can you handle a sword?"  She didn't trust easily, but something inside her was telling her that Finan was loyal to her.

Or at least he would be.

Finan scoffed. "Almost as well as I can handle a ship."

She grabbed onto his cloak and dragged him behind her. "Good, then you won't mind proving it to my brother." Finan frowned. "He's the king."

~

"Rhaella I've not the time for this ." Aegon sighed. His eyes were dark, showing his sleepless nights. "Cole is already sworn to protecting you."

"Cole is too busy following after our Mother like the little bitch he is." She snapped.

Rhaella had taken Finan to her hand maiden, told her to bathe him and have him changed and groomed into something that was presentable to the king.

"You cannot have a commoner as your sworn sword." Aegon told her, taking a sip of whatever toxins sat in his cup that would take away the guilt that plagued him.