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It had taken several days of Daena hounding Daemion before he allowed her to return to sparring lessons with her cousins. She had been excited to return, despite rarely getting to take part. She just liked the thought of being present. She hated missing something of importance.
Shaera stood above on the second floor with Viserys and Lord Lyonel Strong. They watched the children practice and Shaera found herself watching her granddaughter closely.
She was already far better than her own mother was at her age. She knew it to be Daemion's doing. The two had frequently left castle grounds to practice sparring without spectators around.
And Daemion had grown up learning from both Rhaegon and Ser Morro, who had two types of fighting styles.
Daena grunted as she slashed at the straw dummy in front of her. She glanced briefly at Jacaerys and Lucerys, who seemed to train on one side with Aegon, Aemon, and Daena on the other.
Aemond had bumped into Jace purposely as he moved toward Daena. He watched the girl turn, preparing to spar with him.
He struck his wooden sword at her lazily, much to Ser Criston's annoyance. "Soften your knees," He insisted and Aemond tried once more, "Feet light. Keep your feet light and your hands heavy."
From above, Shaera smiled, watching Daena deflect Aemond's attacks at ease. "This is the stuff, sister," Viserys chuckled, lightly slapping her arm, "Lads that learn together, train together...knock each other down, pick each other up. They will certainly form a lifelong bond, wouldn't you agree?" He asked and gestured toward where Aegon and Daena laughed together, "Aegon and Daena already seem to be getting on well."
Shaera sighed at her brother's words. She forced a smile, placing a hand on his shoulder. "That is the hope. Although I don't believe their bond could ever be like you, Daemon, and I were," She explained and Viserys knew it to be the truth.
The three of them had been inseparable. They had lost their mother young and their father had died when Shaera was still a young girl. All they had was each other. They defend each other, loved each other. No matter what had happened, nothing could keep them at war with each other. Because at the end of the day, they were family.
Shaera knew the truth. The children would have no choice but to be at war with each other, given their own mothers' being at odds.
As Jacaerys had moved to strike his straw opponent, Aemond used his own sword to knock it out of his hand.
Jacaerys turned to the boy in concern, only to watch Daena purposely bump into him on her way to Aegon. He chuckled lowly, noticing how Aemond glared at Daena angrily.
"Don't stand too upright, My Prince. You'll get knocked down," Ser Criston spoke to Aemond, refusing to acknowledge Daena's actions.
He turned and glanced at Aegon, who slashed at his straw dummy repeatedly. He stopped suddenly as his eyes met where Daena was staring at the maids walking past her.
