Traitor / Larys Strong / Otto Hightower (3)

19. Control

"How is he?" Aelsa questioned. Larys didnt answer. "I suppose that leaves Aemond..." Aelsa glanced to the one eyed monster. "FUck no, I'm in charge."

"Aelsa..." larys whispered. "Aemond will be king in Aegon's stead, put the blame on him he is going to do as he wants and you know it. Dont be in charge when he blows up the world." Larys requested. "Dont let him be your downfall Aelsa."

"Criston, what do I do about Criston? He paraded that dragon head through he streets like a trophy, the people will see an omen." aelsa declared. "That dragon had flown over the city hundreds of times everyone had thought of it as a God and now it was killed, and if you can kill dragon, anything can be killed. There are no gods there are no kings. They aren't greater than the small folk. Meleys was dead it should've been a victory, but it wasn't because men in the capital dont listen to me."

"YOu know in this council meeting alicent will suggest herself." Larys remarked.

"I figured as much. "Aelsa agreed as she got to aegon's chambers. It took great difficulty to remove aegons armor from his body. Peeling it away from the melted flesh. The smell of his dead flesh filled the air. Surrounded by 6 maesters they tended to his broken bones and burnt flesh.

Aelsa nearly gagged at the smell.

"Oh heavens," She whispered stepping back out into the hall. "Um, how is he?" she called out.

"Breathing." Orwlye answered.

"That's good... send him my best." She added heading back around. "Well lets go.
I need to speak to cole."

"My hand." Criston didnt look up from his sword as he cleaned it. "I expected you to visit me."

"What happened?"

" We took the castle." Criston answered cleaning his sword.

"At the cost of some 900 men." Aelsa agreed. " you seem to forget we're in a war and we need men and not to sacrifice them at your whims."

"So I've heard. I left a meager garrison behind to protect it and the king's dragon." Criston offered. "Sunfyre was long in the dying."

"The king, cole, what befell him?" Aelsa begged.

"His Grace fought valiantly." Criston answered finally looking at her.

" don't give me that bullshit. What happened? I went in there I saw him..." aelsa demanded. Criston shrugged.  "And Aemond?" Criston didn't answer her. "he seemed quite smug when he returned What was his part in this?" Aelsa demanded.

"I could not say."

" you could not or you will not?"

" I will not say." he agreed. "Tis not my duty to speak ill of the prince."

"Tis my duty however to try and keep the damn king alive and you keep messing up."

"The armor was Valyrian steel, but His Grace suffered grievous burns over much of his body." Orwyle remarked. "He has many broken bones. I fear there are more injuries within, injuries we cannot see."

" We are grateful for your works, Grand Maester." Alicent agreed.

"So an estimated time of when hes going to be sassying everyone around again?" Aelsa pondered.

"Has he woken?" Alicent countered.

' No." He admitted. "I must admit, I'm not
sure he will ever wake. I have plied my crafts to their fullest extents. Our king's fate lies with the gods now."