FAITH OF THE ROTTEN, house of the dragon

𝐈𝐈𝐈. willpower

Orwyle was with Aeryn and Kelvyn with Aemond, who sat slumped in a chair.

Orwyle hadn't touched Aeryn yet though, just stood next to him like a watchdog, waiting for his body to finally succumb to the day's exertions. But Aeryn was still standing and he had no intention of showing weakness.

But his knees were stiff and his back seemed to be on fire. Fresh blood was now visible on the inside of his gloves, mingling with Aemond's dried blood. Aeryn stared at the bright red stain spreading like a blossoming flower over the pure white of his gloves.

"My prince..." Orwyle began softly, but Aeryn shook his head.

"Not now," he murmured, silencing him, looking up from his hand and back to his little brother. Kelvyn was just finishing the last stitches and then stepped back from his brother. Aemond was no longer crying, but their mother looked like she was about to. Her eyes were wide open and her mouth was slightly agape.

"The eye is lost." The maester's voice was clear, but somehow only reached Aeryn in a muffled tone.

There was horror on Alicent's face as she looked at Aemond in despair. Then she turned to Aegon, who was standing behind her, looking far too unconcerned.

"Where have you been?" she snapped at him, "You should have been looking after your brother!"

"How was I supposed to know he was going to sneak out? Besides, Aeryn was there!"

Alicent slapped Aegon so hard that the blow resounded through the room.

"What could he do?" Alicent hissed, but her voice was shaking. Somehow this was worse for Aeryn than hearing his father reprimand the men of the Kingsguard who had failed in their duty.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps and Corlys Velaryon hurried into the room, followed by Princess Rhaenys, who immediately rushed to her granddaughters.

Aeryn's half-sister Rhaenyra also arrived, her hair half undone from her braided hairstyle and her dress buttoned the wrong way. Aeryn let his eyes wander over her attentively and thought of something his grandfather had taught him. Every little detail could be an information. And knowledge was power.

Rhaenyra knelt in front of Luke and inspected his broken nose with a motherly care that made Aeryn envious. Alicent had barely noticed him since they had all met.

"Who was that?" his half-sister asked.

"They attacked me!" Aemond shouted from his seat, causing a babble of voices to rise as all the children involved tried to make themselves heard. Aeryn just watched silently, letting his gaze wander to his father, who stood leaning on his cane, his face contorted in angry shock. His father's violet gaze met Aeryn's and Aeryn nodded slightly in Aemond's direction.

Was that disloyal? But Aemond had provoked the argument. He didn't deserve to lose his eye, yes. But in the end, it was the truth that counted. Then justice could be served. At least that's what Aeryn believed. His head hurt and he could feel his grandfather's gaze on him.

"Quiet!"

His father's voice was suddenly loud, but it lacked all power. Nevertheless, the chaos fell silent and everyone listened to the king's word.

"Aeryn," his father spoke now, hobbling over to the small group of him and his other siblings, "you were there. I want to hear the truth about what happened. Speak."

"You should question Aemond! What is there to hear, my son was mutilated!" Alicent protested and looked at Rhaenyra, "Your son is responsible."

"It was an unfortunate accident," she replied.