Traitor / Larys Strong / Otto Hightower (3)

10. Impossible

"What is this?"

"It's a reminder of yesterday, I think." Arryk answered looking to his muddy cloak. "The procession was muddy. I'll replace it hence."

"Do it now."

"The night was long, Ser Criston," arryk informed him "and I had not eaten..." Larys slowed his steps hearing the altercation. 

"You defy my authority, Ser Arryk."

"I do not."

"The white cloak is a symbol of our purity... our fidelity. Kingsguard are a sacred trust. Will you so easily sully our ancient honor?" Criston demanded. Arryk sighed heavily as the other guards glanced their way.

"I have erred, my lord. I'll remedy the error." He agreed getting up.

"Where were you when Jaehaerys was murdered?" Criston questioned following him

"With King Aegon" 

"You need a sworn sword. Not Criston." Aelsa remarked. "Someone... someone like Scott." 

"Hi." Scott answered. 

"He is charming and funny and quick on his feet." Aelsa went on. Helaena stared back at her. "I know, I know but he is also a skilled swordsman. He will protect you. I'm sorry I didnt do this sooner."

"I told aegon, I was scared. " Helaena admitted. "The rats... he didnt listen." 

"I'm listening now." Aelsa countered. "Any other prophecies you wish to tell me?"

"I dont make prophecies." Helaena corrected. 

"You were scared of the rats." Aelsa corrected. Helaena nodded. "A rat catcher came in and..."

"I dont make prophecies." Helaena repeated. 

" Who are they?"

"Ratcatchers." the man answered. "In the king's employ."

"What'd they do?" Hugh questioned looking up at the hung men. 

"What have you done?" Otto demanded. "The ratcatchers!"

"Oh... I had them hanged." Aegon answered. "The maggot who took my son confessed to an accomplice. He could not say for certain which man it was, so..."

" Idiot!"

"Beware how you speak to your king, my lord." Criston countered

"The king is my grandson and my grandson is a fool!" Otto corrected. "He's worse than a fool! He's murdered innocent men!"

"And one guilty one." Aegon added.

"Okay this is going to make you sound awful and I will admit that." Aelsa assured. "But you tried to take lukes eye when he took aemonds. Aemond killed luke and we are okay with just sending letters and prayers?"

"She wont have my son!" Alicent shouted

"Im not saying hand over aemond. Im not a monster just pointing things out". Aelsa assured.

"If you are not going to be helpful-"

"Leave? I tried and was called a traitor." Aelsa sassed. 

"And hanged them from the walls of the city for all to see!" Otto shouted. "Plot against the king, and I will pay it back a hundred times over..."

"They are fathers and brothers and sons! And their wives and children gather now at our gates to weep and curse your name! With your child's blood, we bought their approval. With your mother's tears, we made a bitter sacrifice against the deprivations to come. And you've thrown it away." Otto hissed pacing the room. "After all I've done for you. Thoughtless, feckless... self-indulgent."

"At least I did something." Aegon challenged. "I have not answered injury to the crown with, what? Wailing and currying favor with the fishwives?"

"I will not be thought weak."

"Even now, news of Rhaenyra's monstrous crime spreads through the realm. The great houses falter. They cannot but come to our side."

"I wish to spill blood, not ink!" Aegon corrected. "We must act. Ser Criston Cole has acted."

"And what... has Ser Criston Cole done?" Otto countered hesitantly.

"Your turn." Aelsa remarked. 

"What?"

"Confess your sins." Aelsa decided. 

"What sins have you confessed?" Alicent countered. 

"Confess your stupidity. You tell me the truth so I can lie for you. I'm the hand its my job to clean up messes, i can't do that if i'm being lied to." Aelsa begged. "Helaena was scared. I gave her a sworn sword. Someone Larys vetted. She holds the fate in her riddle infested mind and we can't get it out of her. Tell me what you know and what is burdening you." she begged. 

"You already know what burdens me."  Alicent countered softly. 

"He has sent Ser Arryk to slay Rhaenyra."

"Alone?"

"He's pretending to be his own twin. Brilliant." Aegon agreed.

"Gods help us all." Otto murmured.

"It's time the bitch queen paid a price."

"What's going on?" Aelsa questioned shoving open the door. 

"Fuck dignity! I want revenge." Aegon demanded. "My father is dead."

"He is. And we are the poorer for it." Otto agreed. "He was right about you."

"Otto." Aelsa warned. 

"He made me king." Aegon corrected, Otto laughed out.

"Is that what you think?"

"You are done old man." Aegon decided. "Aelsa." She looked to him. "Are you ready to get to work?"

"Have I not been?" Aelsa challenged.  "You people make my job impossible!"