Claiming the Dragon

Clashing of Swords

The wind stung Rhaenyra's cheeks as she pushed Syrax to her full speed, her mind overrun with chaotic thoughts. The princess leaned back in the saddle, staring up at the stars. Why did all her decisions seem to only make her situation grow from bad to worse? She wanted Alicent's support in the coming days, but why was Otto the only thing the queen wanted?

Rhaenyra was determined to make her plan work; help the queen see how badly Otto had manipulated her.

And what of Ser Harwin? Guilt chewed at her as she recalled what he had said to her. He was right, of course; she had been grateful for his assistance when they'd begun training and had cast him aside the moment his presence no longer served her well.

The realization that she was becoming more and more like the very council she resented, and it made her stomach turn. She didn't want to be that sort of ruler, a queen who used her people only for personal gain. Rhaenyra wanted to be a fair queen; she wanted to better the realm.

On top of everything else, Daemon had left her, once again, alone in King's landing. Rhaenyra rubbed her eyes in frustration, overwhelmed by her anxiety. And then Syrax dipped low along the horizon, dragging her claws through the surface of the water. Rhaenyra glanced down at their reflection and inhaled sharply. Syrax in flight was always a wonder for her to behold, no matter how many times she witnessed it. It calmed her almost immediately and she inhaled deeply, briefly forgetting all her troubles. If only she could fly on dragonback forever...

She was so tired; tired of the pressures her title put on her. Perhaps she and Daemon should have stayed at Dragonstone all along. Then she shook the thought from her head as Syrax turned about, heading back toward King's Landing. No. The throne belonged to her; the kingdoms belonged to her. She needed to earn it. The sun was just peeking up over the horizon when they finally touched back down at the dragon pit. Rhaenyra had an idea, and she would be acting on it that very morning. She was surprised to find Ser Harwin still waiting for her and raised a curious eyebrow at him.

"I assumed you would be returning," he explained, "I can't just let you walk through the city undefended." Rhaenyra snorted.

"You trained me, Ser Harwin, do you think I'm incapable of defending myself?" she asked, showing him the dagger beneath her overcoat.

"I trained you for mere days, before the prince took over," he answered, avoiding the actual question.

"Perhaps we can come to an arrangement, Ser Harwin. I suppose, by ending our training, I've been feeding the gossip."

"Think not on it, Princess. I overstepped. I just... I feel as though I know you well enough to know that you're acting in everyone's interests but your own. I can still remember when you came back that night of the hunt for your brother, covered in blood, your kill on the sled behind you. Your rebellious streak was always something I admired, I suppose. It would be a shame to see that fire extinguished by your duties to the throne." Rhaenyra shook her head.

"No, you were right. Perhaps it was something I needed to hear. Maybe one day you'll sit as one of my advisors," she teased, "A queen needs to have council that isn't afraid to speak the truth. We shall resume training, Ser Harwin, as weather permits." Rhaenyra said with a smile. Set Harwin dipped his head in acknowledgment and the two continued making their way back toward the castle...

"Ser Otto, may I speak with you?" Rhaenyra asked, finding him alone in the Godswood.

"Of course, Princess."

"Are you settling in?" she asked politely, fidgeting with her gold necklace.

"Indeed, Princess. My rooms are more than satisfactory." Rhaenyra continued to smile, hating the falseness of their exchange. The princess glanced up at the tree, painted crimson against the soft blue sky like blood filling a shallow pool.