Epiphany // Alicent Hightower

4. Impunity

'Commander on the floor!' Captain Randyll Barret declared getting the troops at attention as Daemon came into the room.

'When I took command of the Watch, you were stray mongrels... starving and undisciplined. Now... you're a pack of hounds.' Daemon declared, his gaze shifting to Taelon leaning against the doorway watching him. 'You're sated and honed for the hunt.' They all started howling, Taelon's smug smile only grew. 'My brother's city has fallen into squalor. Crime of every breed has been allowed to thrive. No longer. Beginning tonight, King's Landing will learn to fear the color gold.' A war cry erupted and they were off...

"What are you doing?" Taelon asked grabbing hold of Daemon's arm.

"I'm taking back the city."

"You talk that through with my father?" Taelon questioned knowing full well he did not.

"I don't need his permission. I'm not a child like you are." Daemon countered.

"You are going to get on his bad side." Taelon warned. But Daemon was always on Viserys bad side. But so was Taelon.

"Maybe he gets on my bad side." Daemon countered.

"That's not hard." Taelon said pushing off the wall. "You don't have a good side."

"I want that necklace back." Daemon demanded.

"No can do uncle." Taelon called back.

"Taelon!"

"I already gave it away."

"It wasn't for one of your whores!" Daemon spat.

"I don't pay for sex, Daemon." Taelon grinned back over his shoulder. "Everyone wants me... they should be paying me if anything." Daemon grit his teeth. "Do you know what its like to make a woman cum uncle? Or have you only been with whores, using them for your pleasure. I assure you, when the feeling is real their pleasure... its much better." Taelon continued back to the castle. "Have fun with the riff raff uncle, it is where you belong."

"Not joining us? Afraid of a little blood?" Daemon taunted.

"I have plans..." Taelon said vaguely as he headed off.

+

'It was an unprecedented roundup of criminals of every ilk. Your brother made a public show of it, meting out the summary judgments himself. I'm told they needed a two-horse cart to haul away the resulting dismemberments when it was done.' Otto informed Viserys as Viserys let out a long sigh.

'Gods be good.' Viserys muttered.

'The prince cannot be allowed to act with this kind of unchecked impunity.' Otto went on as the door opened.

"I agree entirely." Taelon said smugly.

'Brother.' Daemon said a big grin on his handsome face. "Nephew." He hissed.

'Daemon.' Viserys said trying to keep the edge from his voice.

"Uncle... do join us." Taelon said crossed his muscular arms over his chest.

'Carry on. You were saying something about my impunity.' Daemon said taking a seat at the table.

"Impunity, it is a tame word for your disobedience." Taelon mused. "Perhaps-"

"Thank you Nephew... the grown ups are talking." Daemon hissed.

''You are to explain your doings with the City Watch. Your new "gold cloaks" made quite the impression last night, didn't they?''

''Did they?''' Daemon countered smugly. Taelon stared across the table at him, someone needed to wipe that smug smile off his face.

'The City Watch is not a sword to be wielded at your whim. They're an extension of the crown.' Taelon reminded Daemon.