THE OLD THEREBEFORE ︱ AEGON II TARGARYEN

𝐀 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆'𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓

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CHAPTER ONE

A KING'S REQUEST

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THE SIGHT OF WHITE AND GOLD sent a shock of fear through her.

There were only two reasons for a Gold Cloak and a Kingsguard to approach a commoner in the middle of the streets of King's Landing and neither were good.

Reyna's heart jumped into her throat as a man she recognized as Ser Rickard Thorne approached her with the hulking silhouette everyone in Flea Bottom had learned to avoid.

His name was Eryth.

Reyna had heard horror stories from every whore, tavern keep, and merchant from across the city, all saying the exact same thing.

He beat a whore so badly she never returned to work.

He threatened to take my cock unless I promised him free drink.

All I asked was for my wares to be returned, he took the thief's head instead.

A vicious, savage man, the only person more feared was Prince Daemon himself, and now he was headed directly towards her.

She knew better than to run.

She only hoped her mother and Ivy were there to greet her when the light of her candle was snuffed out.

"Good day, Sers," Reyna dipped into a small curtsey, eyes pinned to the ground, trying not to look either of them in the eye.

The hilt of their swords gleamed in the bright sunlight. She wondered if the glint of steel would be the last thing she ever saw.

"You've been summoned to the Red Keep." Ser Rickard was an older man of age with Ser Harrold Westerling, his black hair streaked with grey and cut tight against his head. It almost matched the silver of the Kingsguard armor. "We've come to see you there safely."

Reyna furrowed her brow.

"I no longer work for the Red Keep," She corrected, the gold in her pockets still weighing her skirts down. "The Queen released me after the coronation."

The news had come through the silver haired messenger boy, a scroll written in fine, cramped handwriting thanking her for her leal service and releasing her of it following the events of the dragonpit.

"Did you hear us, girl?"

It was the first time she'd heard the Gold Cloak speak, voice forceful and grating as he grasped tight to the hilt of his sword.

Reyna took a step back, knot tightening in her throat.

Ser Rickard held out his hand to stop the giant of a man, disapproval wrought into his face. He turned toward Reyna, features shifting into something more sympathetic.

He'd known her for as long as she'd been serving Princess Helaena and always had a smile and a kind word for her. It was he and Lord Commander Westerling who'd always treated her with a kindness most of the Kingsguard lacked, stopping by the kitchens to discuss history and adventures across the continent or inviting her into the White Sword Tower to give her a tour.