Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 50: A Firy End

Meereen

The floor shook as giant rocks, burning with orange flames, assaulted the Great Pyramid. Around the wall, an army of thousands surrounded it. Smoke rose from fires of their camps. The catapults never stopped firing their boulders that broke stone, making the stones crumble on the houses. Houses burned, and people who could not help were being brought to safety.

Jaehaerys looked at it all from high up on the Pyramid. Both hands gripped the railing tightly, unwilling to risk falling. His injuries still made him weak, and everything felt like it took more effort than normal. But he must do his duty. Dany and Jeyne had not yet returned, and they couldn't win without the dragons. They had too few men to fend off the onslaught.

"Your Grace, I must advise you-"

"I must."

"But you're in no shape to fly, Jaehaerys. This cannot be the most use of you. All you will do is most likely fall to your death," Baelor said, watching as the king moved back. His posture regained strength, yet his body was still weak. It was admirable to see him push himself so far, a king who pushed more and more for his people and men.

"I must, Baelor. Without the dragon we have here, we will fall within the fortnight."

"You don't know that, Jaehaerys," Baelor said. "We have prepared well. The walls are strong and can hold out for years with the provisions we have."

"Yes," Jaehaerys admitted, his hands grasping the newly forged armor he requested. It would be painful to wear, heavier than normal, but it must be done. "If they don't scale the walls first and overrun us. Baelor, their army is made of slaves and those that don't matter to them. They don't care how many die."

Baelor sighed as he watched the king sit down, his hand signaling to the servant to start helping him into it. As they started, Baelor let another sigh leave him. This may not be the wisest course of action.

"Baelor, tell me," Jaehaerys said as he pointed to the thousands of men large army outside. The window offered a great view of the surrounding army that hammered the walls of Meereen. "How do you plan to defeat that without dragons?"

"I do not know yet..."

He stood up, the last straps being attached skillfully by the two servants. Jaehaerys gave them an appreciative nod and took his sword. His face stern and determined to do what must be done. Baelor walked with him out of the room, their paces fast and strong. "Guard my daughter's room with the best men. I want Barristan leading them. You take charge of the men with Daario."

"As you command," Baelor said. "When will we engage?"

"When I have prepared Rhaelor. An hour at most. Hopefully, Daenerys and Jeyne will have returned by then. I fear I may not be strong enough to fly for hours. But time... perhaps enough for them to get into the fray and win this war. We destroy them here, we win this war."

"Win, your Grace?"

"Yes," Jaehaerys said. He paused as the tightening of the last strap made him hiss. It sucked he still felt the pain when he turned too sharply or when too much pressure was being put on his stomach. He took a deep breath and clutched the sword and attached it to his belt. Despite his determination to fight and partake, he was still afraid. This would be the most dangerous thing he had done so far. And that's saying something.

"Winning is possible, yes," Jaehaerys said, turning to face Baelon. "This is a last attempt of them to stay in power. Treaties with worth can be signed, after all, what will stop us from coming to them? Their armies are crushed. Their lands will have little defenses. It will be a war we will win easily, and that will make them lose more than just slaves."