Spirited Away

Heiress

110 AC

As Eris observed the poignant scene unfold between King Viserys and Princess Rhaenyra, her thoughts were interrupted by the weighty words spoken by the king. Balerion's skull, a solemn reminder of the dragon's former glory, stood as a silent witness to their conversation in the depths of the castle. The air became charged with a sense of gravity as Viserys declared, "Daemon was not made to wear the crown," before turning to his daughter and affirming, "But I believe that you were."

Eris, though unseen by both Viserys and Rhaenyra, felt a surge of excitement at the possibilities that lay before her. Recognizing the need for the father and daughter to have a moment alone, she discreetly stepped back, giving them the space they required. She eagerly anticipated the revelations that would follow, sensing their importance.

Viserys took a deep breath, his words carrying an air of intrigue that captivated Eris. "Our histories tell us of Aegon, who looked across the Blackwater from Dragonstone and envisioned a prosperous land ready for conquest. Yet, it was not mere ambition that drove him. It was a prophetic dream. Just as Daenys foresaw the downfall of Valyria, Aegon foresaw the end of the world of men. He foresaw a terrible winter, a frigid tempest blowing from the distant north."

The gravity of Viserys' words was palpable as Eris continued to pace, her mind filled with tales of Daenys the Dreamer. She wavered between belief and skepticism, uncertain if a story passed down through generations held any truth or if it was merely an ancient myth. However, the seriousness in the king's voice resonated off the castle walls, emphasizing the urgency of his message.

A sense of realization washed over Eris as she grasped the magnitude of the situation. This was no ordinary revelation; it was a burden, a secret passed down from ruler to heir since the time of Aegon. The weight of responsibility pressed upon Rhaenyra as Viserys implored, "Promise me you will carry it and protect it. Promise me, Rhaenyra."

Viserys' intense demeanor, a stark departure from his usual demeanor since the loss of his wife, did not escape Eris's attention. She began to address the air around her, imagining it to be the gods who, in her belief, seemed to be toying with her. "This is perfect, isn't it?" she murmured, a hint of bitterness lacing her words. "Another impending doom to worry about, with no definitive timeline."

A somber expression settled on Eris's face, casting a shadow that mirrored her distress at the thought of yet another potential catastrophe looming over their lives. The weight of the unknown future bore down on her, causing her to question the fickle nature of fate and the hardships that seemed to endlessly test her resolve.