The White Dragon

DESPERATION

THE WHITE DRAGON CHAPTER 13 : TENSEFUL PEACE

A FANFICTION OF HBO'S HOUSE OF THE DRAGON

Wailing Fort : PETER

"My King....I have served you faithfully, have I not?" A screaming Captain Morrigen says as the flames creep closer to him. Captain Jokin of the Stormcrows steps forward as yells "This is fucking madness. Are we so desperate to be remembered fondly by the histories that you would stand aside as our fellow captains are killed." 

Peter says nothing, watching as his 'King' turns to his sister who simply tilts her head and Gaemon sighs turning back and nods. Two Stormcrows grasp their captain's arms while a third pulls the captain's pin from his chest, tossing it to the ground and drags him towards another pyre. Peter simply watches on as Jokin spits to the floor below him, the saliva catching in his beard "Kill me and be cursed. You are no king of mine."

The 'Princess' Viserra steps forward with a flaming branch in her hand and extends it to the wooden pyre standing before her and Peter turns his head away as she begins her sermon "The Lord of Light will shine his blessing on us. The Lord of Light will watch over those who serve him. He created us all in his fire. From ashes we were born and to ashes we shall die. In order for our King to win, we must show that our faith is true. For the night is dark, and full of terror."

"For the night is dark, and full of terror." Peter recites. Ever since Prince Aerys created a blockade surrounding the Grey Gallows a year ago, and King Gaemon's refusal for a truce, the Bastard King had been convinced to purge the non-believers by his sister. Peter didn't think that Viserra's words held any truth, but if he wanted to remain alive, he had to play the part of one of her fanatics and smiled and praised the Lord of Light as his soldiers were burnt alive.

Viserra turns back to her brother and walks towards him, taking his hand and walks off, Peter with soldiers following after the pair, enchanted by the 'Targaryen' woman's beauty or to rid themselves of the smell of burning flesh, Peter couldn't know.

Captain Khari turn to Peter and mutters lowly "This is madness and you know it. We must leave." Peter simply shakes his head "Even if we could we would be hunted down and killed. We try to sail, Prince Aerys' fleet would sink us."

"How long do you think that we can hold this act. Do you not recall what happened to Captain Rhaego?" Peter grinds his teeth recalling the day he watched the Captain of their largest sellsword company hang beneath the wall flayed alive. Yet when some confronted King Gaemon, they were silenced by the Kingsguard.

"If I had a chance to escape, I would have taken it, and I certainly would not have taken you with me." Peter says with a smile before grasping the fallen pin of the Stormcrows and walks back towards the keep. Making his way to the great hall, Peter bows his head lowly "My King." He then turns to Viserra and bows "Princess."

Viserra smiles and points to a seat "Please Captain Peter, join us." Peter takes a seat and watches the King lift a piece of stew from his plate, smelling it before tossing it down "Meat's off." 

"Yes, well our larders are almost empty." Viserra says taking a bite from her stale meal and Peter reaches across the table taking the pitcher of wine and pours himself a glass "Your Grace, what is to be done with the Stormcrows, now that Captain Jokin is dead."

"They will still fight for me." Gaemon says bitterly and Peter smiles "Of course your grace, I just wished to know, who receives the captain's pin." Gaemon takes a moment before nodding "You should have it. You have remained loyal to me and my cause. Unlike Rhaego and Jokin."

"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly made you question his loyalty?" Peter asks and Viserra smiles "He didn't, but the men need to believe that the King knows everything." Peter squirms in his seat as he asks "And what of you, Princess. Do your spells work?"