Protecting an Heir

34

"What is our standing?" Rhaenyra asked.
"We have knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and men-at-arms. Dragonstone is relatively easy to defend, but as an instrument of conquest, our army leaves a lot to be desired. We have sent word to my loyal men in the City Watch. I'll have some support there, but I cannot speak for the numbers. We already have declarations from Celtigar and Stauton, Massey Darklyn, Bar Emmon." Daemon answered.
"My lady mother was an Arryn. The Vale will not turn cloak against their own kin." Rhaenyra added.
"Riverrun was always a close friend to your father, Your Grace. With Prince Daemon's acquiescence, I've already sent ravens to Lord Grover." Nys explained.
"Lord Grover is fickle and easily swayed. He will need to be convinced of the strength of our position and that we will support him should it come to war." Rhaenyra continued.
"I'm going to treat with him myself." Daemon answered.
"What of Strom's End and Winterfell?" Steffon Darklyn asked.
"There has never lived a Stark who forgot an oath. And with House Stark, the North will follow. I know my house, they'll support Rhaenyra's claim, the Queen of the North has fought beside me, they will follow her." Visiera answered.
"Lord Borros Baratheon will need to be reminded of his father's promises. What news from Driftmark?" Rhaenyra asked.
"Lord Corlys sails for Dragonstone." Rhaenys answered.
"To declare for his Queen." Daemon snapped.
"The Velaryon fleet is in my husband's yoke. He decides where they sail." Rhaenys replied.
"We also have the Iron fleet and the Unsullied after my conquest of Essos, we'll have their support and they'll for their Queen." Visiera said.
"We shall pray for both you and your husband's support, Princess Rhaenys. Just as we prayed nightly for the Sea Snake's return to good health." Rhaenyra said.
"Yes, and there's no port on the Narrow Sea would declare to make an enemy of the Velaryon fleet." Rhaenys said.
"And our enemies?" Rhaenyra asked.
"We have no friends among the Lannisters, though I can try and compromise with Tyland Lannister as he was married into House Stark. Otto Hightower needs the Lannister fleet. Without the Lannisters, we are not like to find any allies west of the Gold Tooth. But, I am great at convincing so I will call them to a meeting her, just Tyland and Jason Lannister." Visiera explained.
"House Lannister is also mine, they would no be so blunt as to turn away their own. I can get my father, Tylan'd support as he is also part of House Stark by marriage, it is my uncle Jason I worry for." Malia replied.
"That would do our support greatly. The Riverlands are essential, Your Graces." Daemon answered.
"Pray for bluntness, Your Graces. But talk of the men is moot. Your cause owns a power that has not been seen in this world since the days of Old Valyria. Dragons." Nys spoke.
"The Greens have dragons as well." Rhaenyra replied.
"They have three adults, to my count. We have Syrax, Caraxes, Meleys, Rhaelys, Nivne, Freefyre, Maelor, Stornn, Flaemma, and Rhaelerion. Your sons have Vermax, Arrax, and Tyraxes. And your daughters have Kaenaxes and Narmaxes. We can't have Corlys and Nymeria's dragons because they are not big enough. Baela has Moondancer." Daemon explained.
"Daemon, none of our dragons haven't even been to war. The only that have been close are Caraxes, Flaemma, Nivne, and Rhaelys." Visiera replied.
"Yes, but we have the numbers. There are also unclaimed dragons. Seasmoke still resides on Driftmark, Vermithor and Silverwing dwell on the Dragonmont, still riderless. Then there are the three wild dragons, all of whom nest here." Daemon continued.
"And who do you suppose is not only going to tame them but ride them as well?" Rhaenyra asked.
"I had my cards on Visiera." Daemon answered.
"Daemon-"
"Visiera, you are the only one out of all of us that has tamed and rode a wild dragon. Maelor resides with Mayliana now thanks to the power you hold against them. If we were to take the older dragons, you could easily tame Vermithor." Daemon continued.
"Easily? Vermithor is ages old, he's only seen the days that would have been battle and war and now he rests. I do not think he simply come and be a war dragon again with the flick of a wrist." Visiera pointed out.
"Yes, but you could get him to... I also have a score of eggs incubating in the Dragonmont." Daemon answered.
"Now... we need a place to gather, a toehold large enough to house a sizeable host. Here, at Harrenhal. We cut off the west, surround King's Landing with the dragons. And we could have every Green head mounted on spikes before the fucking moon turns." Malia went on to say.
"Your Graces... a ship has been sighted offshore: a lone galleon, flying a banner of a three-headed green dragon." Rhaenys alerted.
Visiera looked at Rhaenyra and then moved Nys behind her.
"Alert the watchtowers. Sight the skies. Protect the children." Visiera spoke.
Malia and Daemon and several guards walked out to the bridge seeing Otto Hightower, alone with only guards behind him, no sign of dragons or Alicent, Aegon, Aemond, any of them, just Otto.
"I come at the behest of the Dowager Queen, Alicent, mother of King Aegon, Second of His Name, Lord and Protector of the Seven Kingdoms. I've been directed to deliver her message only to Princess Rhaenyra... where is the Princess?" Otto asked.
Sure enough, Rhaenyra come flying down on Syrax, crown still on her head. Visiera showed up not long after flying down a top Rhaelys. Otto saw them, his guards becoming a bit scared. Rhaenyra and Visiera both got down, walking in front of their guards, standing beside Daemon and face to face with Otto.
"Princess Rhaenyra-"
"I'm Queen Rhaenyra now." Rhaenyra said, cutting Otto off.
"And you all are traitors to the realm." Visiera replied.
"King Aegon Targaryen, Second of His Name... in his wisdom and desire for peace, is offering terms. Acknowledge Aegon as King and swear obeisance before the Iron Throne. In exchange, His Grace will confirm your possession of Dragonstone. It will pass to your trueborn son, Jacaerys, upon your death. Lucerys will be confirmed as the legitimate heir to Driftmark and all the lands and holdings of House Velaryon. Your sons of Princess Visiera will also be given places of high honor at court: Aegon the Younger as the King's squire, Viserys has his cupbearer. Finally, the King, in his good grace, will pardon any knight or lord who conspired against his ascent." Otto explained.
"I would rather feed my sons to the dragons than have them carry shields and cups for your drunken, usurper cunt of a King. And you forget yourself Otto, I am Queen now too, and before that I was Queen of Essos and still am." Visiera snapped back.
"Aegon Targaryen sits the Iron Throne. He wears the Conqueror's crown, wields the Conqueror's sword, has the Conqueror's name. He was anointed by the septon of the Faith before the eyes of thousands." Otto continued.
"Do you know what the people of Essos call Visiera? A Conqueror, seems your usurper is faced with the problem of dealing with a Conqueror now." Rhaenyra snapped.
"Every symbol of legitimacy belongs to him. And then there is Stark, Tully, and Baratheon. Houses that have also received, and are present, considering generous terms from their King." Otto continued on.
"Stark, Tully, and Baratheon all swore to me when King Viserys named me as heir." Rhaenyra replied.
"Stale oaths will not put you on the Iron Throne, Princess. The succession changed the day your father sired a son. I only regret that you and he were the last to see the truth of it." Otto answered.
"You are no more Hand than Aegon is King." Rhaenyra said angrily.
She walked fast up to Otto, pulling the pin that represented him as Hand off and throwing it into the sea.
"Fucking traitor!" Rhaenyra yelled.
The Grand Maester walked forward, holding a piece of paper.
"Grand Maester. What the fuck is this?" Visiera asked.
Visiera walked up to stand beside Rhaenyra, Otto giving Visiera the piece of paper. The paper being from a history book that Visiera had ripped out as a representation of their love. Visiera looked at it, a tear falling from her eyes.
"Queen Alicent has not forgotten the love you once shared for each other. No blood need be spilled, so the realm can carry on in peace. Queen Alicent eagerly awaits your answer." Otto said.
"She can have her answer now, stuffed in her father's mouth along with his withered cock." Malia snapped.
The guards on both sides put their swords up, Malia holding her sword in hand, smirking as Daemon laughed.
"Let's end this mummer's farce. Ser Erryk, bring me Lord Hightower so I may take the pleasure myself." Malia said.
Syrax and Rhaelys roared at Visiera put her hands straight up to each side, stopping Otto's men and Rhaenyra's men from bloodshed.
"No. Not now." Rhaenyra said.
The guards from each side, Daemon, and Malia put up their swords.
"You'll have our answer on the morrow." Rhaenyra said.
Afterwards, both parties parted ways. The council resumed after Otto's unannounced arrival.