Fatebringer | Viserys Targaryen

Chapter 20

Finally, her letters were answered.

A week later came a reply from Yara Greyjoy, and Ysira was relieved to find not a single ounce of hesitation in their alliance. Yara had agreed to marry Theon to Arianne and pledged herself to Viserys in return for the independence of the Iron Islands. She stated on her own that she would not be able to get her ships to Viserys just yet, but it would not be a problem, considering they had the Dornish fleet and the ships they'd acquired from Slaver's Bay. That would be enough to take Stannis, especially with three dragons overhead.

She informed Viserys that she was unsure she could acquire House Velaryon's support for them. Lord Monford Velaryon, according to her uncle, had pledged himself to Stannis and though he'd perished in the Battle of the Blackwater, his six-year-old son Monterys was apparently still being counseled to support Stannis. Lord Monford's half brother Aurane Waters was apparently serving as Master of Ships in the capital, and had them trying to build new dromonds.

She sent a raven to Driftmark anyway, informing them that they could either join the Targaryen coalition by staying in Driftmark and offering Stannis no aid, or succumb to the same fate as Stannis's men and ships when they attacked Dragonstone. Perhaps the boy lord would be persuaded to withdraw support for Stannis if the threat of dragons loomed over.

House Celtigar might not be counted on for support, either, given Lord Ardrian had answered Stannis's call, but had in fact been made prisoner to Joffrey after the Battle of the Blackwater. At least it meant they would not support Stannis, but Ysira didn't like that their keep would still be so close to Dragonstone yet unable to be counted upon. She sent word regardless, warning them to stay their hand or declare support outright.

Stannis's response had arrived as well, and as expected, he stated he would not be bending the knee. The moment Ysira had finished reading his words, she rolled up the parchment, got to her feet, and motioned for Viserys and Daenerys to follow her. "Come," she said. "We're going to get our saddles."

A carriage took them to the home of the man her uncle had recommended who made saddles for the Sand Snakes and had gladly taken on the project of modifying them for dragons. He had three already made, adjustable to fit the dragons for at least another few months before they hit what was sure to be a much greater growth spurt once they had the freedom of Dragonstone.

"Your design was perfect, Your Grace," said the man as Ysira and Daenerys examined the largest saddle, made for Balerion. It had a place to hold knives and swords as well as a proper belt to go across the rider's waist to make sure they'd not slip off. Down the leather that would go around the dragon and hook onto the seat, there were stubs for them to press their feet, enough for a foothold but not so suffocating that they'd feel frantically stuck if they needed to dismount quickly.

Viserys blushed, "I found it in many of the books I read in Essos. It is a shame the saddles of the old Targaryen dragons no longer exist as a much closer reference."

"Closer reference?" said the man. "You drew them so perfectly, I felt I was seeing the saddle myself."

"You are generous to say that," said Viserys somewhat shyly. "Thank you." He handed him the bag of promised coin. "When I take the Iron Throne and have need for larger saddles, I know who I can trust to make them for me."

The man bowed deep, grateful. He helped them load the saddles into the trunk of the carriage and the group set off again, Viserys still very flushed. "I told you you were a good artist, didn't I?" said Daenerys, nudging his arm. "You didn't believe me."

"I simply replicated existing designs," said Viserys. "It wasn't so magnificent."

"To this man, it was," said Ysira. "I think he was being sincere. It must have helped him a great deal that you added estimated measurements and angles with descriptions of what the dragon's scales feel like."