Traitor / Larys Strong / Otto Hightower (3)

20. Past Your Ego

"Um, there is, of course, the matter of payment. After the, the tragedy that befell his father... Larys transferred his family's wealth to King's Landing." Simon admitted.

"Is there any gold left in your coffers?" Daemon demanded.

"Enough to keep this small establishment you see fed and warm. Relatively." Simon offered. "I... I rather thought, Your Grace, as emissary to the Queen that p-perhaps she could provide the necessary coin if you could only write to her."

" No." Daemon corrected. "Harrenhal is my command. I shall guarantee the payment myself."

"Sunfyre is gone... Atticus was saying he wanted a dragon. To claim one." 

"that's foolish." Larys countered. 

"I'm not allowing it, besides verithomer and silverwing are at dragonstone so thats a no go." Aelsa assured as she started removing her shimmering gold jewels. 

"I know that look." Larys realized. 

"Do dragonriders have to be born with dragonblood? LIke Targaryen in their lineage?"

"Says the lore but I always believed it was to make them look good, untouchable, above the rest of us."

"Has anyone ever tried?" Aelsa questioned. 

"I'm sure many have." Larys agreed. 

"And none succeeded?"

"Dont tell me you are going to claim a dragon?"

"I would look amazing on a dragon." Aelsa assured. "But if I'm having this epiphany then how much you want to bet that Rhaenyra is thinking the same. They lost two dragons to Vhagar, they will want to replenish."

"We lost one." Larys added. "Where are you going?"

"To talk dragons with Aemond." Aelsa answered heading off. "Dont wait up!" 

Aemond stood staring at the throne when Helaena found him.

"Was it worth the price?" she questioned. Aemond didn't answer just stared back at her.

"There you are," Aelsa declared. "Oh hello Helaena, how are you sweetie?" Helaena didnt answer just turned and left. "Odd bird, Aemond. A word." He turned to her fully. "I need to know who the largest dragons are after yours."

"Vermithor, Cannibal and siverwing, then Helaena's dragon Dreamfyre." Aemond answered without hesitation. 

"So if someone were to claim Vermithor and silverwing?" aelsa urged. "As if anyone would claim cannibal, that would be bad... but those two? They would stand a chance against Vhagar." Aemond chuckled shaking his head. "Think about it, stop laughing, think about it.' Aelsa demanded, Aemond's face turned hard. Aelsa didnt flinch. "Aemond answer me."

"It's possible." He grit back. 

"Then we are not untouchable."

"They dont have Ver-"

"But if I'm thinking about claiming dragons then so are they. Those two dragons are on dragonstone correct?" Aelsa demanded, Aemond grit his teeth. 'Answer me boy." Aelsa demanded. 

"yes." He shouted back. 

"Then we are not safe, you are in charge for now but if you want to stay in charge you have to think past your ego."  Aelsa demanded before turning her on her heel and heading out. 

Aegon lay with a labored breath, Alicent at his side, she had never been gentle with him, never been too kind and now she was going to lose him.

"Mummy." Aegon whispered as Alicent headed off. "Mummy?" Aelsa came in sitting at his bedside. 

"Not mummy, sorry." Aelsa offered. "She ran off, couldnt bear to look at you like this. I'm glad they opened a window, I can breathe in here. Thats good." Aelsa offered. Aegon rasped out a breath. "I never thought to admit such a thing but I liked working for you and Viserys because I got to do as i pleased." Aelsa remarked "I was in charge. Me. Make no mistake, you held the title of king but I made the rules now Aemond is in charge and I dont like it." Aegon stared back at her droll coming out of his mouth. "Yeah, Aemond. I know. That fucker thinks he's hot stuff well I hate to break it to him but he's not." Aegon's breath was heavy and wheezing as he watched her. 

"Aegon... I need you to respect that because if push came to shove, I'd fight for you." Aelsa remarked. "And this is me fighting for you and your reign, so I need you to keep fighting so I can get rid of your brother and put you back on the throne. You hear me Aegon? I'm fighting for you, you have to fight too."