Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 1: A Family In Exile

Myr ~ 295 AC

Jaehaerys sighed as he and Daenerys walk behind Viserys. The sprawling city of Myr is their latest stop. It has been hard these last few years. Many of their possessions were stolen, thrown on the street by the latest host, and now they barely have any gold left for food. He never thought he would find out how peasants lived.

Viserys and he already sacrificed many personal items to keep themselves alive. There weren't many items Jaehaerys valued. The rapier he trained with when he was in Bravoos was one item he held dear though. Unfortunately, they were forced to sell it. Another item they had to sell was the crown of their mother. Well, that was what they were forced to do today. If they do not, there will be someone going without food for another day.

There are times he wished Baelor was next to him. Time made him forget many things, but he always knew the knight would make things a bit better. Or was that the child still inside him that believes? Wherever the thought came from, he needs to embody the strength of his former protector and be that person for his sister. His mother asked them to protect Daenerys and he will. He will not let her down.

"Brother? Will we eat today?" Daenerys asked as she squeezed Jaehaerys' hand, her voice soft and quiet so as to not let Viserys hear her. Jaehaerys sighed again, deeper than before. He knows there isn't enough coin for a meal for each of them. If Viserys decided to not sell the crown, one of them would not eat tonight.

"You will eat, Daenerys. Don't worry," Jaehaerys says with a smile.

"And you will as well, won't you?"

"I don't know..." Jaehaerys says. He will give his food to Daenerys again if it comes to it. Viserys will not pass up on a meal. 'A king should not starve', he reminded them often. Therefore, Jaehaerys often gave his food to Daenerys without telling her at times. He will do it again if it means she will not feel the hunger.

Daenerys frowns as she looks at her brother. Jaehaerys doesn't look good, he is starting to lose weight. And she knows why that is. She loves him for it, but him skipping a meal again will not be good. He passed on too many already for her sake.

"Shall we share the meal?" Daenerys suggests in a hopeful tone. Her eyes almost pleaded for him to say yes. Jaehaerys nods with a small smile. "Are you sure, Daenerys?"

"I am!"

"Then we'll share."

Viserys broods all day as the siblings walk along the streets. The many wares were transported from one point in the city to another. People were talking of trade deals, contracts, and other businesses as they walk past them. Each time they pass a market or a shop selling food, they watch.

Viserys watches with anger and an anger Jaehaerys understands and even shares. He does not want to become what his brother is turning into, but he can't deny he is angry and frustrated at their current predicament. Daenerys tries to hide her own desires, but Jaehaerys easily noticed making him feel even more frustrated.

Viserys suddenly stops as he turns to Jaehaerys and Daenerys. Both remain quiet so as to not 'wake the dragon'. They were not in the mood to argue. At least, Jaehaerys wasn't. He is too hungry to argue anyway and too tired of escaping what Viserys thinks are assassins.

"We must sell the crown," he states. His voice was neutral and cold which made Daenerys and Jaehaerys even wearier of him. The tone does not bode well for them. They may eat, but the coming days will be anything but pleasant.

"If we must, brother," Jaehaerys says softly. The last thing that reminded them of mother. Rhaella was the glue of the family. She held them together, Jaehaerys sees that now. Daenerys kept quiet as she held onto the hand of her younger brother. Trying to remain quiet and out of view.

"We must. I will make my enemies pay for this humiliation. This suffering," he seethes out. Without uttering another word he stormed through the streets, his younger siblings scrambling to keep up with him.

"They are ours as well..." Jaehaerys mumbles under his breath. They walk at a more normal pace when they caught up to him. No conversations were held. At least not until Viserys had calmed down again. And that may take some time. Viserys soon enters a jewelry shop to sell the crown. Jaehaerys and Daenerys waited outside on his order. 'Probably to not get "distracted" by us', Jaehaerys thought.

"Jaeh?" Daenerys says as she looks up at her brother.

"Hmm?"

"The man in the shadow. He has been following us for some time," Daenerys says as she subtly points him out. "An assassin?" She asked softly.

Jaehaerys looks in the direction while he "yawns". It is hard to get a good look without being too obvious. The man is armed and wearing dirty armor or just metal pieces put together? Jaehaerys can't say for sure. His skin has clearly been kissed by the sun, but the finer details elude Jaehaerys. All he knows for sure is that the man looks deadly and is focused on them. It fits every description Viserys gave them about possible Assassins. Dirty, ragged, and deadly.

"Maybe, we must lose him once Viserys returns," Jaehaerys says softly to his sister. "Maybe you'd like something to eat before we run from him? I got you this," Dany says as she held out a sort of pastry. It looks not like the ones they sell. It was misformed and slightly burned on one side.

"Where did you get this? Dany, you didn't steal I hope," Jaehaerys says as he crouched down to her level.

"No, I asked the baker on the market. The man gave me this. It's not very, uh, good looking, but I bet it tastes better than nothing!"

"Almost everything tastes better than nothing, Dany."

"I know, I am just trying to convince you. Uhm, here, eat," She says while holding the pastry up. "Don't you want a part of this? You managed to get it after all."

"Eat, Jaeh. Just eat," Dany says with a frown and stern voice.

"Fine, no need to get angry with me," Jaehaerys says taking the food to eat it. Daenerys smiles as she leans against him. "I have a hard time being angry at you, Jaeh."

Viserys soon came out again. Angry, upset, and joy nowhere to be seen on his face. In his hand is a very sizeable purse filled with coins. At least they'll have enough for the coming weeks maybe even months if they are conservative. It would depend on Viserys, Jaeraehrys mused as he licks his lips to get every remaining crumb.

"Brother, we are being followed," Daenerys says as she motions to the man. Viserys looks to the man in question who seems to be spurred into motion. "Seven hells, run," Viserys orders as he took the lead.

You can say much about Viserys. One thing he is good at is outrunning and outfoxing pursuers. He may not be as skilled with the rapier as Jaehaerys or as gentle and caring as Daenerys. But he knows how to hide. Jaehaerys joked with Daenerys that he is good at outrunning his problems. They never mentioned it again as it was a day they tasted blood.

The three siblings found themselves in an abandoned house after racing through streets and alleyways. Surprisingly, the man kept up with them for most of the way. The man is fast and swift in his movements. It is becoming clear the hired assassins are becoming more skilled. Robert wants them dead real bad, Jaehaerys thought.

Viserys peek out a window to see what is happening outside. His darkened violet eyes scanned every nook and cranny he could see. Only after looking for minutes is he satisfied. It seems the siblings outrun the killers once again.

"He's gone back the way we came," Viserys stated as he closed the wooden window again, "We must leave the city. "

"Where will we go this time?" Daenerys asked softly.

"Anywhere that is not here. Maybe Volantis. We leave in an hour after I know he is gone for good."

Daenerys and Jaehaery huddle close as they watch Viserys pace silently in the room. He is thinking of something again. If it is coming from him, it must be another play to get support. And he has once again plenty of gold. Jaehaerys sighs deeply. When will it become better, he asked himself.

"Jaeh?" Daenerys asks softly as she looks up at him.

"What's wrong?"

"Promise to stay with me?"

"I promise, sister. On our mother's name, I swear it."