The Sea Warrior - HOTD

07: Born Together. Die Together

The grand table room in Dragonstone has all its seats filled with the members of the Black Council.

Rhaenrya stands at the end while Prince Aevor Velaryon stands on the left side close to her, with Daemon sitting on The Queen's right and Rhaenys across from them.

Prince Jacaerys stands across from his brother at the end of the table.

All attend a meeting held by the Queen and King consort as news of Prince Jaehaerys' death reaches them. The son and heir of King Aegon II Targaryen (the false king).

This was a shock to Aevor. He knows they live in an ugly world, but someone killing a child would always bother him. Saddened him. Enrage him even.

"It is yet unclear as to how the Keep itself was breached. The boy's head was severed from his body." Maester Gerardys reported. "Thousands witnessed the procession."

"And they are accusing me of having a hand in this?" she questions in disbelief.

Aevor places a hand on his mother's left shoulder. "More like Otto Hightower is saying it's you. But he has no evidence to back it up. Worse actually. He's pinning this on you to discredit you."

"It appears so. The Prince is right. There have been messages sent to that effect throughout the realm." Maester Gerardys also reported.

"We must send our own messages, denying this vile allegation."

"Even if we did, mother, there's no way of telling if they'll believe it or not." Aevor replied realistically. As much as he hates to admit it, this is the truth.

"I will do so at once, but I'm not sure they will be received in good faith."

"And we must double our guard, here." She said as Rhaenyra sits down.

"And Driftmark. Because if they send assassins after grandfather, I will not be calm." Aevor said, already the thought of family being killed because of what the unknown assassin did.

"There will be swift retribution in one form or another-"

"I have seen to it, Your Grace." One of the lords says quickly.

"Let me fly out on Vermax. Rhaenys is needed in the Gullet, and I can watch for movements from King's Landing." he says adding something to the meeting.

"No." Rhaenyra stated.

Aevor thought it to be unfair. He understands that his mother will not lose a child out there, but sometimes they need to do something.

One of the lords said. "It must be said that the damage to our position is immeasurable, at a time when we most need loyalty to our cause."

"B-But it's a lie." She says defending herself. "Having lost my own son, that I would inflict such a thing on Helena, of all people... an innocent."

Aevor looks across the table to see his grandmother, Rhaenys, looking at Daemon with an expression that shows she's suspecting the rogue prince of the action that is being contested.

As Aevor looks at Daemon, his step-father/granduncle, gives Rhaenys and his step-son/grandnephew a stare. One that gives The Sea Warrior discomfort and disgust. 'Daemon. You fool.'

"The death of Prince Lucerys was a shock and an insult. A mother so aggrieved might, naturally, seek relief in retribution."

Aevor snaps his head towards Alfred Broome, glaring at the fool for ever daring himself to insinuate that his mother, in her own grief, would have killed a child.

Rhaenyra, having the same thought as her eldest son, stands up and looks at Alfred accusingly. "Are you suggesting, Ser Alfred, that my grief drove me to order the decapitation of a child?" A disgust tone on her voice can be recognized by any who know it all too well.