𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝...

Chapter Forty Eight

I sat on a rock by the lake, regaining my strength, and after I did. I had one thing on my mind. Burn down Harrenhal with Aemond and Criston inside of it.

I walked to where my dragons rested after the battle and just before I mounted Vermithor I heard noise behind me. "Wait" Cregan's voice echoed and I turned. He approaches closely and sees the mark on my throat from the previous encounter with Roger Reyne. "I should have killed him slower" he whispers as tilts his head, examining the mark, while he towers over me. "I'm fine" I affirmed, looking away. "Never lie to me" Cregan demanded in his husky voice. "It hurts" after a long silence by my side, I admit. "Let me see," he said as his fingers creased my skin and it was like I am alive again, looking at his grey eyes, the ones I missed dearly. "Where were you going?" he questioned as he pulled his hands back. "To Harrenhal... to burn them to the ground" I admitted and lowered his head. "Come," he said and walked back to the southern camp with me at his side.

When we entered the main tent in the camp, all the men rose from their seats in respect to me. "Bring the prisoner" Cregan commanded one of the Winter Wolves. I sat back on a chair until they brought a Green soldier, who was beaten up really badly. "Where are your commanders?" I questioned but he stayed silent, "If you do not answer, I will use...", I pulled my dagger and planted it to the wooden table as it stuck by the sharp point, "This to pluck out your eyes, your fingernails, your ears... shall I continue?" I threatened as the prisoner looked around for help but found none. "They escaped!" he shouts as his voice cracks from fear. "Where to?" I asked. "Prince Aemond took Vhagar and went to destroy the other Riverlands and Ser Criston took the host to meet Lord Ormund Hightower and Prince Daeron south... they were truly escaping from you, your Highness. They were worried if they defended Harrenhal they would meet your and your dragons' wrath so they escaped" the prisoner admitted and I looked over to Cregan, who sighed. I stood and passed by the prisoner, told the guards to kill him as he begged for mercy, and headed outside the tent, where most of our army was.

I saw a large box of supplies and mounted it, standing above it so all the men of our army could see and hear me. "Victorious men!" I called for the army and they all turned their attention to me, around ten thousand men, "Great job today... but the war is not nearly over. Now Lord Dalton Greyjoy will plunder and sack Lannisport and Casterly Rock, diminishing the Lannister skeleton strength even more. The Queen, King consort, and the Hand of the Queen have taken back Kings Landing..." men cheered in surprise and joy, "Unfortunately, the Usurper and his two children have escaped Kings Landing and they couldn't find them. As my brother, Daemon, is staying there as Caraxes searches for Vhagar and Aemond... we must stop Criston Cole's host from joining the Hightower army in the Reach. Their army could not win over us, we are from the Crownlands, the Riverlands, the Vale, the Reach and from the North! No one could face us" I shouted as the men grew more excited and cheered with their swords high in the sky, "Treat your wound, rest all night, and on the morrow, we march against the traitor" I ordered as Cregan extended his hand to help me get down from the box, and I took it.

I stood by him and was about to say something and tell him about Jace but I was interrupted by a hug from behind. "Visenya!" Benjen appeared and then pulled back, "I am honoured to have fought with you today, and we all are looking forward to fighting some more" Benjen chuckled and looked at his friend, Cregan snickered as he shook his head, "the men are terrified of you. We saw you kill almost a hundred men all by yourself!" Benjen was surprised. "Until I needed Cregan's help as a man tried to choke me to death" I chuckled. "Look at you... blood of your enemies is dripping from your silver, white, and gold shiny detailed armour. A bruised face with cuts and dried blood on it, a fearsome warrior" Benjen smirked and I shook my head, looking back at Cregan as he looked at me intensely as if he liked what he saw. I ignored them and sighed, "What is it? Something changed in you since the last moment I saw you" Cregan turns me to face him and questioned. "Jace is dead, in the Battle of the Gullet. Vermax flew too low and crashed but Jace leapt free, and before I could assist or save him... I was too late. He was met by crossbows from Myrish soldiers" I rubbed my face with my hand and tried my best not to lose control of my emotions.