Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? / Aemond Targaryen / House of the Dragon

56. Sunfyre

"What happened?"

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

"At the cost of some 900 men."

"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." Maeves heart broke

"I will fly out with zena to see him." Maeve agreed.

"No," criston corrected moving to her.

"Hes all alone." Maeve countered.

"Your king needs you now." Criston corrected.

"The king, Ser Criston, what befell him?" Alicent begged.

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

"He was drunk," maeve corrected. " what is Valant about that?"

"And Aemond?" Criston didn't answer her. "What was his part in this?" Alicent demanded.

"I could not say."

"Will it happen to me?" Davina questioned.

"You already feel the shift". Cane answered touching her cheek. "I see it when you fly." he chuckled. "I feel it."

"Are you all... both?"

"No. Fury is all dragon. Those hatched are dragons. I am a drakon."

"Drakon?"

"A created dragon". Cane agreed.

"Created." Davina repeated

"You are usually a quick woman why are you repeating me?" Cane teased.

"Because you are my cannibal not a man a dragon." Davina answered as if it was obvious.

"Drakon," he countered

"Drakon," she grumbled

"Cant I be both?" Cane questioned

"Apparently so but i'm playing catch up." Davina reminded him.

"Who is your mother talking to?"

"Cane something." Petyr answered.

"Cane something." Jeremy mumbled.

"Yeah." He agreed.

"But you had cookie- well silverwing did. Shes your daughter. I... you told me that." Davina recalled.

"Dragons have needs too."

"Does cookie turn?"

"Yes." Cane admitted

"I thought you just said-"

"Silverwing and I both are shifters. Except silverwing never changes back to her human form. I don't know if she can or if she just doesn't want to. She doesnt really talk to me like you do." Cane answered.

"So its just physical." Davina answered. He smiled innocently back at her.

"Shes busy talking to handsome men when we were in the midst of war."  Daya scoffed

"Hes not that handsome." Brandon countered

"Hes muscles on muscles on muscles". Daya corrected. "Where are the handsome men for me to flirt with?" she glanced around, Brandon although his heart was set on a woman he clearly couldnt hold for long was offended when Daya looked right past him.

"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. " Has he woken?"

' 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."

"A king cannot rule in his sleep." Alicent remarked getting up. "The realm will have noticed his absence. Let them hear of his great deeds at Rook's Rest. But now we must name a regent to take his place until he recovers... or does not." She realized.

"Aegon is dead?" Avalon questioned. 

"No, not yet." Tyler countered. "I have gathered your council though, well everyone except your hand. I suggest we head south. Rhaenyra will march, the lannisters will counter and they will be weakened. If we swoop in-"

"Rhaenys is dead and Aegon is..."

"Avalon you have a soft heart, compassionate," Tyler assured. "But you worry too much about the enemy."

"Family, Ty."

"You werent calling them family before."

" The king does not lack for heirs." Jasper went on. "The obvious choice is his immediate successor, Prince Aemond."

" Agreed." Tyland added. Aemond sat the end of the table his face void of emotion.

"Aemond is young." Alicent corrected. "And his lack of restraint has already cost us dearly."

"It is experience that offers the surest path to security." Orwyle agreed. "Queen Alicent ably shouldered the duties of the realm when her husband's health failed him."

" Experience is valuable, yes, but the dowager queen is a woman." Jasper corrected.

"I am no stranger to rule or to sitting at this council. Aemond is a fearsome dragonrider." Alicent remarked. "His skill is best employed in the field, but my experience is needed here, at this table."

"I miss Robbie." Vaera mumbled. 

"I'm still here." Petyr offered. She smiled kissing him. 

"When are you going to ask Aspen out?" Vaera questioned, he blushed looking to Aspen across the snowy courtyard. Vaera laughed out. 

"I agree, Your Grace. It must be Prince Aemond." Larys admitted. "What would it say if, in response to Rhaenyra's crowning, we raised up a woman of our own?" Larys added. "But, um... but the Hand speaks for the king's voice. Ser Criston, what say you?"

"Aemond is the next in line." Criston agreed. "It must be him." Aemond got up contented with that answer.

" It's agreed then." he grabbed the center marble and headed to the kings spot. "What is our standing in the Riverlands?" He demanded the moment he set his marble down.

"Uh, the banners of House Tully are in disarray, Your Grace." Tyland remarked. "Prince Daemon has little hope of fielding an army of any size, for now."

"Any news from morgana? She's bee spying on Daemon at harrenhal."

"She doesnt like to be told what to do." Davina countered. 

"You dont think she is falling for him do you?" daya questioned. 

"I... dont think her that stupid." Davina decided. 

" We would do well to send word to young Oscar Tully." Larys added.  "It's only a matter of time before he inherits his grandsire's mantle."

"Tell me, Lord Strong, how I can trust the counsel of a man who leaves the jewel of the Riverlands to be plucked by our enemy?" 

"One eyed Aemond rules in his brothers name." Jeremy remarked. "Sorry, opened your raven." he added handing it off to Avalon. 

"Aemond is king for the time being." Avalon agreed. "Tyler." She demanded. He turned to her. "Speed up your plans to visit the riverlands." 

"Your wish is my command."