Shattered Rubies

Chapter 11

Baela, Jace and Rhaenys stood in the council, Rhaenyra had been gone for days, "Ser Criston Cole's host has taken to exploiting the tree cover, to conceal his movements. He now only travels by night, to confound our dragons."

"And what is Cole's heading?" Ser Alfred asked Baela, who shook her head, "It is difficult to say, there were signs of an army moving northwest, I believe" Baela stated as she walked around the table to Jace.

"She Believes" Lord Gormand mocked, receiving a glare from Jace, "You should've burnt them when you had the chance" Ser Alfred said and Baela nodded her head, "Perhaps you can Ser Alfred, when you next sight them on your dragon."

"The only reason we know any of this is because of Baela's efforts" Jace reminded the Lord, "What do we know my Prince? If you ask me, it is little and less" Lord Bartimos said, "We know that Cole possess a host that is growing in strength and that it is a problem."

"Can Daemon hope to meet it with his own in time and if I know the river lands, he has more disentangling ahead of him than end of an lyseni orgy" Lord Stawnten stated.

"Have you heard word from your father?" Lord Bartimos asked as he turned to Baela, but she only shook her head, "No."

"The ravens were sent to Harrenhall, seeking news of Daemon's progress with the River Lords. None have, as yet, returned" Maester Gerad informed the council members and turned to Rhaenys.

"Just so, an enemy host, growing in constitution marches...somewhere in the varseless of the Crown lands. We could perhaps act if we had a host of our own or someone here to lead us."

"Mind your tongue Ser Alfred" Jace threatened, "Does it speak forcely my prince? This council is rudderless" Ser Alfred leaned closer, "I'm doing my best to steer it Ser Alfred."

Ser Alfred abruptly stood up, "And why should your voice eb any louder than ours princess? The queen did not name you hand, it is her voice and that of the King Consort that we need to raise alliances and command our vassels, but they are gone"

"What has come of this council?" the voice of Corlys Velaryon was heard as Ser Alfred and the rest of the council turned to him, "My Lord" Ser Alfred said and sat back down.

"Our enemy is on the march, is there naughty to be done in the absence of the queen but to grouse and claw for power?" Corlys questioned as he looked around the table, no one said anything.

"We do not know the Queen's doings but we must trust that she seeks the same as each of us at this table. An end to this conflict."

****

"Good morrow, my Lords. Aemond" Elinor said as she entered the council room, taking a seat Elinor began, "My uncle, Ser Simon sent word from Harrenhall."

Aegon grinned, "And what did he say?" Elinor turned to face him and tossed over the raven, "Daemon took Harrenhall" Aegon read the parchment and shook his head.

"No, no. Fuck!" He yelled and stood from his seat, be banged the letter onto he table and begun packing back and forth, "Calm down Aegon" Aemond tried.

"Fuck you. I told you we should've sent our dragons, now looks what happened" Aegon stopped pacing Infront of the war board, pointing to the parchment.

"Is it not your castle Elinor?" Aegon questioned, "Aegon you've seen it. That castle is more cripple than what my father was. Well the good thing is that he is penniless, since I happily hold and are presently in charge of all the gold it has."

Aegon huffed as he stood behind his seat, "So the false queen remains on her island while Ser Criston continues felling castles in the crown lands."

"Wha- I need to be informed of these things, if I am to make informed rulings" Aegon stated, "Are we not informing you now?" Elinor question and pointed to the parchment.

"I will not be made to look a fool Infront of my allies and enemies!"

"Harrenhall must wait" Aemond spoke up and everyone turned to him, Elinor rolled her eyes and gulped down her cup of wine, here we go again.

"Ser Criston is marching in Rooks Rest" Elinor raised an eyebrow and turned to the board, "Rooks Rest?" She question, "A pathetic prize I gave no such-"

"The castle is small, weakly defended and Lord Staunten sits on Rhaenyra's council" Aemond informed the members as he stood up and made way to the board.

"After Cole smashes it, we'll have DragonStone effectively cut off by land. This war will not be won with dragons alone" Aemond moved around some spaces, Elinor rolled her eyes and stood up, approaching the board to see what he may be doing.

"No, have them turn about I want Harrenhall back."

"It's my castle!"

"You sound like your father."

"Well maybe because I am his daughter."

"Cole is already preparing his attack" Elinor watched as he walked back, "How do you know all this?" she question walking over to Aegon's seat, "He sent word to me."

"So what? You two have been in cahoots together? Creating a coop? This sounds like treason to me, don't you think?" Elinor looked around the council, "Plotting about without the Crowns leave" Aegon said and Elinor shook her head and went back to her seat.

"You had more pressing matters to attend to. Such as holding court, choosing your sobriquet and making imbecilic lickspittles to our Kingsguard" Elinor scoffed at Aemond High Valyrian and placed her head in her hands.

"Do you have a wiser strategy, my king? If so, you should voice it to your council. We all await your answer" no one really knew what Aemond was saying, not even Aegon understood half what his own brother was saying, but Elinor knew.

He taught her High Valyrian after all.

"Beware how you speak to your King. I could easily have you hanged or wait let's act more like my father and cut out your tongue. Luke should've taken out both of your eyes when he had the chance, pity now you're just a one-eyed dumb who thinks he can outsmart his king but forgets his just a second son who stands to inherit nothing he doesn't seize for himself. Your son is dead, your mother doesn't love you. You have nothing but we allow you to take Aemond. Kinslayer."

Aemond huffed as his chair screeched back and made way around the table, towards Elinor, she abruptly stood up, grabbed Aegon's sword and pointed it to Aegon, three Kingsguard came rushing to move Aemond back, Elinor slightly tilted her head.

"Seems my words hit a nerve."