Fire and Blood

Chapter 80: Coup d'état (Part 3)

Red Keep ― Maegor's Holdfast...

As she sat in her guest room, Rhaenys couldn't help but listen to the chaos that engulfed King's Landing. The riots and clashes between supporters of the Blacks and the Caltrops echoed throughout the city streets, creating a sense of unrest and danger. But the innocent civilians got themselves caught in the middle of this violent conflict, knowing that casualties on both sides were inevitable. The number of deaths could reach dozens, maybe hundreds if not thousands. Despite the gravity of the situation, Rhaenys remained focused on her next move. However, her thoughts were interrupted by shouting outside her doors.

"Out of my way!"

As Rhaenys lay in her bed, she was alerted by the unsettling sound of grunting and thudding. The noise was unmistakable - physical blows landing and bodies hitting the ground. Before she could even process what was happening, her door opened, and Ser Erryk Cargyll of the Kingsguard walked in. He was adorned in his fine silver armor and all-white cloak, with a hooded cloak draped carefully over his right arm and a sack strapped around his shoulders. The look on his face was serious, and Rhaenys could sense that something was amiss.

"With me, princess. I cannot let this treachery stand," Erryk beseeched.

"And why should I trust you?" Rhaenys suspected.

"Prince Jaehaerys has fled the city and is en route to Dragonstone to warn Prince Aeonar, the rightful king. Please. We're running out of time. We mustn't dally any longer."

Rhaenys was feeling apprehensive about those in her midst. Beatrice had managed to ensnare the small council and was replacing those loyal to the Targaryens with members of her own family. This made it difficult for Rhaenys to trust anyone. However, she carefully scrutinized the words of a young knight and concluded that he was being truthful. This meant that young Prince Jaehaerys was safe from the clutches of the Caltrops. Nonetheless, it was only a matter of time before his father, Prince Aeonar the Young Dragon, would launch a counterattack in retaliation. If so, Rhaenys had no choice but to take Ser Erryk's word.

Ser Erryk gallantly guided Princess Rhaenys through the intricate castle walls, her identity concealed by a cloak. As they stealthily moved away from the soldiers of House Peake, who appeared to be preoccupied with the relocation of their queen's faction towards the east, Rhaenys learned that Beatrice and her family had been sighted in Flea Bottom near the Tarth manse. The ongoing riots would undoubtedly slow the Caltrops down and force them to take a detour, which cost them precious time, but their intentions remained unclear. Would they attempt to flee the city through the Dragon Gate? Or would they try to seize the Dragonpit and take control of the unclaimed dragons lurking beneath its cellars to bolster their dwindling power? Such thoughts raced through Rhaenys' mind as she recalled Beatrice's words, revealing her ambition to depose Aeonar and replace him with her son, Aegon. However, Aegon's attempted escape had been thwarted by his own brother, Prince Aemond. As they passed by the shrine where Balerion's skull hung, Rhaenys couldn't help but briefly gaze upon the imposing Black Dread, wondering what havoc the Targaryen's largest dragon would have wrought had it still lived in this era. Finally, following closely behind, Ser Erryk deftly opened the secret passageway leading from Princess Rhaenyra's room, eventually leading her to the balcony that overlooked the sprawling city below.

King's Landing ― Street of Sisters...

"Where are we?" Rhaenys inquired.

"Just south of King's Way," Erryk answered. "Come on. We can get out of the city through the Iron Gate."

"I won't leave Meleys. If I can get to the Dragonpit before they do, then―"

Amidst the chaotic scene, rioters were seen running rampant through the streets, creating a ruckus with their loud shouts, curses, and violent clashes with one another. The City Watch, attempting to regain control over the situation, found themselves struggling against the onslaught as more Lykirī Mēre agents descended upon the dissenters and Caltrops. The ancient assassination guild's acolytes were undoubtedly fierce and agile, but their numbers were too few to handle an entire mob. Consequently, most of them had no choice but to retreat hastily to a safe distance, while some of their acolytes were not so fortunate and were mercilessly torn apart by the enraged mob. Given the current circumstances, it seemed highly unlikely that Rhaenys and Erryk would be able to make it past the rioters without encountering any problems. The only way out of this mess was to find an alternate route around the rioters before they could spot them.