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

58. Command

"I hear they have one dragon they are trying to claim."

"I heard the same."

"Slow slow calm," the dragon keepers said in high valyrian

"Gods," steffon whispered

"Serve," they commanded. "Serve."

"Seasmoke, laenors dragon, why didnt mother ever claim him?" Vaera pondered.

"He didnt want to be claimed," Draegon offered.

"He still had a rider." Aspen realized.

"What?"

"Seasmoke. What if he still has a rider out there?" Aspen demanded. "Thats why he doesnt want to bond to anyone else."

"Rybas!"

"Obey." He repeated. "Serve me." Steffon demanded and he gave a low bow. Steffon hesitated as seasmoke lay his long neck in submission. Steffon took slow and unsteady steps forward the saddle in sight seasmoke locked eyed with him

"Ive done it." Steffon decided stepping closer with more confidence only for seasmoke to raise his head and fill the cave with fire burning steffon to a crisp

"Mother!" Jace begged pulling rhaenyra back.

"Go to your aunt." Rhaenyra begged. "This was foolish..." she realized. "See if they will see reason... what have I done?"

"You weren't going to bid me farewell?" Morgana questioned as daemon made his way outside.

"There's something wrong with me. Someone poisoned me. The food, the wine. Or else it's this swamp air, or..."

" The ghost of Harren the Black moaning his curses from Kingspyre Tower." Alys offered. Morgana chuckled leaning back.

" Drivel! All of it! The ghosts, the curses, the blasted weirwood bed! I'm done with it!" Daemon demanded charging at her.

"You want a new bed?" Morgana questioned. "We could have arranged for that."

"Fuck you."

"I'm sure you would like to." Morgana purred. This place was driving him crazy, it would drive him out of harrenhal soon enough.

"I'm leaving. I'm sick of this place." Daemon hissed. MOrgana tsked.

"Ah, yes. It is your way, is it not? When something does not please you, you run. Dragonstone, the Stepstones, Pentos, Harrenhal." Alys agreed.

"I awake and I do not know where I've been." Daemon countered softly.

"There are older things in this world than you or I, or living memory. You are not the player, but a piece on the board. As am I, for that matter." Morgana assured. "A piece that is being played, used..."

"I'm not like you." Daemon countered pushing away. "Either of you."

"You are not like me." Morgana agreed. "I know what I want and I fight for it."

"She never even wanted it. The crown. She spared it no thought." Daemon hissed.

"Well, that's perhaps why your brother gave the crown to her." Alys agreed. "Perhaps those who strive for it are the least suited to wear it."

"Don't lecture me!" Daemon demanded resting his hands on his knees as he sat atop a stone.

"Viserys never wanted it himself, if you recall. It came to him, and he did his best." Morgana reminded him. "It's not a prize to be won, but a burden to bear." she sat beside him as Caraxes called out from the crumbling castles tower. Morgana wanted a dragon, wanted that dragon, maybe when daemon passed.

"If you have any counsel for dealing with the Riverlords, I'd be glad of it." Daemon admitted.

"Daemon Targaryen asking for help?" Alys mused.

"Counsel." He clarified.

"On you knees and beg." Morgana instructed daemon stared back at her. "Fine. Be stubborn. House Tully is not the largest house in the Riverlands, nor is it the richest, but it is the most stable." Morgana answered.

"The Tullys' wisdom has kept the river houses in line for centuries. They would kill each other to the last man if it were not for their liege lord." Alys added

"That dotard is of no use to us." Daemon corrected getting up.

"But Grover Tully is their Lord Paramount." Alys countered. "Without him, they will never raise their banners as one." She followed him from a distance.

"Rivermen are made of mud. They would rather die stuck in it than yield one inch to one another." Morgana agreed

"Then I can do nothing." Daemon agreed.

"You... no." Alys answered extending an arm, an old flew to her, a mouse seemingly out of nowhere was delivered to the owls beck.

"Your alter ego." Morgana rubbed the little barn owls head ruffling little feathers.

"I need help." Daemon begged.

"Im glad you realize that." Morgana agreed.

"Do nothing now. In three days' time, the winds will shift." Alys agreed.

"I'm pleased with our progress." Corlys remarked. "This ship will sail in a few days' time."

"The blockade is sure to be challenged, be it by Lions or Krakens." Alyn remarked. "Your men will be glad to have you among 'em."

"I wish you to sail with me." Corlys added. "As my first mate."

"I'm grateful for the offer, m'lord... but..."

"Hi baby." Carmen whispered kissing addams head.

"Mum."

"Dont grumble at me." Carmen countered running her hand through his long braided hair. "Where is your brother he loves me?" Addams gaze shifted to alyn across the way.

"We will set course for Sharp Point. Lord Bar Emmon wishes to send his nephew aboard as a boatswain." Corlys informed him.

"There are more experienced men at your service." Alyn countered.

"I was younger than you when I took my first command." Corlys corrected. "You distinguished yourself in the Stepstones, and you have the respect of the crew. You are a fine choice for this post."

"Is this an order or a request?" Alyn countered. Corlys chuckled his eyes shifting to carmen across the way. She turned her cheek and corlys cleared his throat looking to alyn

" I will expect you to report for your duties on the morrow." Corlys informed him.

"As my lordship commands." He agreed marching off.

Jace felt more and more nervous as he got closer to winterfell.

Avalon was attending a meeting with Davina with the greyjoys. Jace was greeted by Rupert Hightower, Brandon Stark, and Vaera.

"What a lovely surprise!" Vaera declared rushing to him as the men behind her glared threatening at jace.