Shattered Rubies

Chapter 17

Elinor yawned as she sat in the council room, Aemond had received a raven from Tyland and now he was throwing a tantrum, "He dares to summon me?" Aemond was angry.

"With haste? Are the Lannisters so diminished that they cannot march from the Tooth to Harrenhall without an escort?" Aemond leaned down in the table, Tyland looked down, "There is a large dragon in the Riverlands, Your Grace. My brother’s army is strong, but it does seem…"

"I am the Prince Regent, not a dog to be called to heel. Tell your brother that if he does not deliver his host to Harrenhall, “with haste,” Daemon’s dragon will become the least of his worries."

Elinor gave Tyland a lopsided, poor Tyland, this was not his fault but Jason's. "Your irritations are justified, Aemond, but it does seem…" Alicent started.

Aemond smirked walking around the table finally stopping behind Tyland's chair, "I have a task for you as well, Ser Tyland. We will make an alliance with the Triarchy. I’ve had enough of this cursed blockade" Elinor put her head in her hand, tired of this tantrum.

"My prince… you cannot mean to treat with the Free Cities. The captains of their ships are dangerous mercenaries, little more than pirates-" Tyland was interrupted by Aemond, "They are a stone’s throw away across the Narrow Sea. Lannister and Hightower ships will take months to arrive. The Triarchy will delight in the chance to terrorize the Sea Snake again. Let them weaken his blockade while our true allies make their long journey east."

Alicent sighed and spoke up, "The Triarchy may play at accepting terms, but they are not to be trusted. Your father knew this" Aemond shook his head and Alicent turned to Owlye.

"What has come of our letters to the Greyjoys?"

"They have been to no avail."

"The Red Kraken waits, seeking his best advantage. Though we may draw him in with honey, if it comes to it. An offer of marriage, perhaps, to the dowager queen?" Jasper Wylde added looking to Alicent.

"Out of the question" she shook her head, not again will she be bound to a man only used for pleasure.

"The dowager queen speaks wisely, Your Grace. Even if the blockade could be broken, are we to invite these alien raiders into our waters, so close to King’s Landing?" Criston spoke up.

Aemond continued to walk around the table, eyeing everyone carefully, "It’s time you set out for Harrenhal, I think" he decided, "Sending away you council now?" Elinor mumbled to herself earning a glare from Aemond.

"Your Grace, if Daemon prevails in the Riverlands, I no longer have the numbers to challenge him. We lost much at Rook’s Rest, as you well know" Aemond stopped and sat on the table next to Elinor.

"The longer we wait, the more chance he will prevail. Lannister will march from the west.Take what strength we have and force Daemon and his Riverlords to fight on two fronts."

"You speak wisely Aemond" Elinor leaned back on her chair, crossing her arms in the process, "We would do better to await the Hightower host and set out in good time" Criston stated.

Aemond slightly tilted his head still looking at Elinor, "There is no time. It’s a fortnight’s march to Harrenhall. We must strike before his army is raised."

Elinor raised en eyebrow, "What about yourself? Will you not fight in this war and sit in your pretty castle?" Aemond scoffed.

"I will fly out to meet Cole when the time is ripe. My uncle is a challenge I welcome… if he dares face me" Elinor rolled her eyes, "Or if you dare face him" she muttered under her breath.

"I see we’re all agreed" Criston stated and the council all stood up, "Aemond" Elinor sighed and stood up, walkinh out the room, the rest of the council falling after.

"Mother! A word" Aemond called around and Alicent groaned turning back.

****

Rhaenyra walked into her council room, the members behind her, she reached her seat and saw Lord Corlys with the Hand pin in his clothing, she gave him a appreciated smile and sat down.

"Bring him forth."

A guard walked down the stairs Ser Steffon behind him, Rhaenyra drew in a breath and turned to Jace, he gave her a nod and she turned back, "Ser Steffon Darklyn, Your Grace."

Steffon bowed, "Is aught amiss, Your Grace?" He asked, "My lords" he greeted the rest of the council, "I find myself, Ser Steffon, in an impossible position" Rhaenyra started.

She took in a breath and turned to glanced at Corky's before turning back to Ser Steffon, "I have lost Princess Rhaenys and her dragon. I hold an island seat with no land army. And I must not go to battle myself… as I am constantly told, lest I am slain or captured, and… with me, our hopes of victory."

"There is still Daemon and Caraxes… and the Rivermen" Steffon reminded her, "That remains to be seen. In any case, I must now proceed as if I stand alone. And I see now, that to do that, I need more dragonriders for Vermithor and Silverwing, and for Seasmoke, who I believe misses his bond."

Steffon gave Rhaenyra a confused look, "But there are no more in your family, Your Grace" he said looking around the men if he maybe didn't know about someone, "Your younger sons are babes."

Rhaenyra hummed in response, "Mm, there is Princess Rhaena" Steffon looked to Corlys, "She has attempted it, alas, but the dragons here would not take her as a rider" Corky's informed him, remembering when his granddaughter nearly died.

"Then who could do it?" Steffon questioned looking around, "You" members turned their heads to Rhaenyra, she ignored the looks and stood up, the scroll in her hand.

"You are of noble birth. And I had always heard, as you know, that the Darklyns and the Targaryens had some common blood. I looked into the history, and indeed it is true. Your grandmother’s grandmother, Aeriana, was born a Targaryen princess."

Lord Bartimos sighed, "And I have been thinking, could it be possible?" Rhaenyra's voice was full of hope, "To even consider such a thing" Steffon said.

"I must protest, Your Grace, the risk involved in such a venture…" Lord Bartimos protested, Steffon walked around the table, "I am but a man. The dragons are gods. Your Grace honors me beyond what I deserve."

Steffon and Rhaenyra finally reached each other and he knelt down on one knee, "You understand your peril, Ser Steffon?" Rhaenyra's asked looking down at him.

"I do not compel you to do this. It has never been attempted before. To claim a dragon, you must also be prepared to die" she informed him, he was very loyal to her, "I well understand the risk and I accept it with gladness. I swore to ward my queen with all my strength, and to give my blood for hers. That is my oath, Your Grace."

"Then perhaps the gods will favor us."