Bone Daughter

A Daughter Returns

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"Then send out more ravens. This wait is an insult to our name," Leagar, the new lord of Dragonstone demanded from the end of the table. His mother and new hand glared her son's order into the direction of one of the grandmasters who obeyed her command with an urgency fuelled with panic. "There have however been reports about Volantis. Rumours about a growing army. The lord has allegedly christened his stronghold the 'first daughter' and righteous capital of old Valyria," Fenor rose from his seat at the back of the table.

"The free cities are none of our primary concerns," Vysaella hissed. "With all do respect my lady, it's been over a decade since the doom. People are wondering who is yielding the power now and you haven't send a message in behalf of your house," Fenor continues, well aware how out of line he was.

"A message of what? Of hope? Prosperity? There will never be another Valyria as we know it. Let the Andals play with the pieces," there was no venom in her tone this time. Just icy truth about the irreparable aftermath of their once beloved homeland.

"But what about the people? They are all that's left of Valyria. Of our home. Are we expected to let them slaughter each other until it's only us that's left?" Daenys quietly raised her voice from the other side of the table.

"It is only us that's left. Those vandals aren't our people,"Vysealla silenced Daenys with the simple force of her voice. Leager didn't as much as look at his sister.

"And a throne is what will redeem our history then brother?" Gaemon lifted his gaze towards Leagar two seats down to his right. It was an insult, having the prince of Dragonstone and first commander seated so far in the back of the table. It was a calculated move Leager decided during his first council meeting. "I will reconsider your position once we are at war brother. Until then, I need you to be quiet and observe" is what he told him. Gaemon knew of his brother's arrogance and how it had always blinded his moral judgement. He was his mother's striking resemblance in that sense. He did lack her cleverness and cunningness though. Vysealla Targaryen was many things, crafty, cruel, viciously smart but never reckless. Every move was calculated and laid out. Leager was impatient and greedy. And a volatile man seated on a chair of power never promised peace.

"We haven't send a single dragon to Kings Landing. People might as well have forgotten about us and who holds the reals powers in this world," Leager finally faced his brother. "All the lords of the great houses have come and granted you with their presence. They are aware of the powers inside these walls and wouldn't be foolish enough to challenge us," Vysealla eased her son's growing temper.

"Not all of them," Leager snarled, tightening the grip around his walking stick. "The king has expressed his interests more than once my dear," Vysealla turned to him and her icy stare was enough for Leager to loosen back into his chair. "We agreed, if he hasn't accepted an invite until the end of the year, we'll grant Kings Landing with our presence instead."

"That crown will be the ruin of you brother," Gaemon grabbed his sword and tightened it back onto his belt. "You think it should be you wearing it instead of me?" Leager sized his brother up with predatory precision. But the arrogance in his voice only made Gaemon smirk.

"I have no desire to rule brother. I also do lead our armies to war. But if I do so, it will be for a cause," Gaemon strode for the door without another glance into his brother's direction. Which was enough for Leager to hurle himself up to have this fight. But he nearly lost his balance trying to stabilise his golden walking stick to the ground. With his growing age, his health had worsened and he was now unable to make a single step without the support of his stick that he, of course, had covered in gold and rubies. "I will send my armies wherever I want and whenever I please to do so. And I will not be questioned, especially from my own..." he shouted after him when the roar of a dragon cut the lord of Dragonstone off. A fury so loud and spine-chilling, everyone across the table was silenced by pure lack of disbelief. Gaemon halted in the doorframe when the dragon blared out another earth rattling scream and a serpentine shadow crossed their windows.