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DRIFTMARK || 124 AC
ten years later
—
𝕬s Daena stood on the windswept cliffs of Driftmark, the sea roared below, its dark waves crashing against the jagged rocks with a mournful intensity that matched the heaviness in her heart. The sky above was overcast, a blanket of grey clouds that seemed to press down on the world, mirroring the sorrow that hung in the air. Laena's funeral had been a somber affair, filled with the quiet grief of family and the weight of unspoken words. Daena, cloaked in black, found herself drawn to the edge of the cliffs, away from the murmured condolences and grieving faces. The sea had always been a source of comfort for her, but today, its endless expanse only deepened her sense of loss. She stared out at the horizon, where the sky met the water in a blurred line, her thoughts drifting to memories of Laena—her cousin's laughter, her strength, and the fierce spirit that had burned so brightly.
The gloom of the day seemed to seep into Daena's soul, and as the wind whipped around her, she felt an ache that was both personal and profound, a reminder of the fragility of life and the bonds of blood that could never be truly severed. Daena was in shock to hear her young cousin Laena had suddenly passed, she was fond of her, and she reminisced on the vague memories she had of her cousin as she made her way back down to where the rest of the funeral was held. Daena was alone with a cup of wine in hand, sipping every so often. She set herself by a stone wall away from everyone else but someone had made their way next to her, someone small at that. When she looked down she saw her nephew Lucerys standing beside her with a saddened face, "What troubles you, Lucerys?" Daena knew he wasn't upset about Laena's death because he never knew her well enough to grieve her so she knew that he was upset for a different reason.
Luke sighed softly as he played with a wooden horse she remembered he had since he was a babe, "Grandsire Corlys wants to name me heir to Driftmark, but I do not want to be his heir, I would be a shame," Daena admired her nephew, Luke reminded her of herself when she was a child. Young and afraid, petite and vulnerable.
Daena bent down to his height and cupped his face to make him look at her, "Do not say such things, you will not be a shame. You can deny being the heir to Driftmark all you want Lucerys but the blood of Salt and Sea runs through your veins, you cannot outrun your future," knowing that Rhaenyra's sons don't truly have Velaryon blood in them, Daena still comforted young Luke who was full of doubts, "Do not think of it now, you still have plenty of time to discuss this in the future, dear boy," she kissed the side of his head before leading him away to sit with his brother and cousins.
