The Vengeful Ghost

66. The Gullet

With the urgency of their riders, Grey Ghost and Vhagar made the flight back to King's Landing a fast one. They landed right outside Maegor's Holdfast and Visenya rushed inside. "Tell me everything," she said to Rhaenys.

"Instead of sailing here, Corlys has been controlling the Gullet in case Rhaenyra sent the Celtigar fleet in retaliation for his departure. He has been allowing our trade to come through and has been loyal. But Rhaenyra sent a lone ship out towards the Free Cities, a ship we believe to be carrying Viserys and Aegon the Younger."

Visenya halted and looked at Rhaenys. "That ship is about to get lost in the crossfire?"

Rhaenys nodded. "The Gay Abandon, that's the ship carrying them. The Triarchy has a large fleet, one that will rival my husband's. This is about to turn into a nasty battle. Rhaenyra will surely send dragons and possibly the Celtigar fleet to defend the princes. This is when you send multiple dragons, Visenya. There is strength in numbers. Corlys sports your banners. Join this battle. Grey Ghost, Vhagar, Seasmoke, and even I could join on Meleys."

"I should need you here in my stead."

"I am begging you, Visenya. I am a dragonrider, Meleys is a strong and fast dragon."

Visenya let out a shaky breath and ran her fingers through her hair. "Okay. Meleys, Grey Ghost, and Vhagar."

"Good," Rhaenys nodded. "Follow me to my chambers, I have something for you."

Visenya followed her down the hall until they reached her room and Rhaenys rushed in. "I know You don't wear armor, unlike Aemond, but you need protection on dragonback. I had one styled like mine own."

Visenya gasped at the breastplate and armor piece Rhaenys had crafted for her. Visenya had always liked Rhaenys' riding armor, the red and silver scales of the breastplate that matched Meleys.

Rhaenys had made hers match Grey Ghost's shadow-colored scales, but there was also a red breastplate with a dragon sigil in the center above the breasts. There were arm plates as well, but she was taken away by the craftsmanship, the beauty of each of the scales, how they formed a strong plated piece of armor, and how the arm pieces were strong yet not bulky enough to diminish her riding abilities. It was red on the front, and the rest was grey. The armor of a true Targaryen warrior.

"It is beautiful, Grandmother."

"The red and grey shall match the Crown of the Conqueror."

"Should I wear it?" Visenya asked.

Rhaenys grabbed the armor as Laenor entered the room with a smile. "It turned out amazing."

"You knew?" Visenya asked with a smile.

"I helped. After your stunt at Rook's Rest, we knew you'd need appropriate attire for riding into battle. Hold your arms out," Laenor said and grabbed the arm plates, fastening them onto her.

"You should wear the crown, make your position known. Their queen is flying in to help them, something Rhaenyra has not yet done. You are a queen. You should wear it more often."

Visenya nodded as Rhaenys began to braid her hair, her nimble fingers working rapidly as Laenor assisted with the armor. "Am I assisting with this battle?" He asked.

"Not this time, Father, I would like you here in our stead. Grandmother is joining Aemond and myself."

"To aide Father?" Laenor asked his mother.

"I have an awful feeling your father won't make it out of this one."

"Why?" Visenya asked.

"I do not know. Just something in my gut. He has had many a brush with death, this might be his last. I have not seen him in years, and there is just an intuition, and I have accepted this. We made our choices, we chose opposing sides before this war began. My peace is here with you both."