Heir of the Dragon

The Triarchy

"We've spend how much on this masque?!" Jessica was holding her head in her hands, pouring over the papers she had requested from Lord Tyland.

She and Tyland Lannister were the only two in the council chambers, waiting on the others to arrive.

Jessica finally looked up and over to the lord. "12,000 gold dragons, I am reading this correctly, am I not, my lord?"

Tyland gave a sympathetic smile. "I'm afraid so, Your Grace."

Jessica sighed, her head was pounding and the daylight was far to bright. "Now I understand why Father only held one once a year on my nameday."

Jessica felt a kiss to her cheek. "Whatever could you possibly be reading, My Love?" Aemond peered over her shoulder.

Jessica leaned up so that Aemond could read. "12,000 gold dragons on this masque."

Aemond picked up the paper, leaning agaist her chair, reading over the expenses. "That's not much as I was expecting. But nonetheless, it's nothing you need to be worrying about, My Love."

Jessica leaned her back against her chair, studying her husband as the rest of the council filed in and found their seats. Aemond smiled, then simply leaned down and kissed her.

Tyland Lannister handed Aemond a message from his brother, Lord Jason Lannister. Jessica watched Aemond read it, and the smile disappeared from his face.

Aemond crumpled the paper in his hand. "He dares to summon me? "With haste?!" Are the Lannister so diminished that they cannot march from the Tooth to Harrenhal without an escort?"

Tyland looked to Jessica, they exchanged glanced. Tyland hoping Jessica would step in.

She did not.

Tyland bowed his head. "There's a large dragon in the Riverlands, Your Grace. My brother's army is strong, but it does seem..."

Aemond leaned against the table. "I am the prince regent, not a dog to be called to heel. Tell your brother that if he does not deliver his host to Harrenhal, “with haste,” Daemon’s dragon will become the least of his worries."

Tyland looked to Jessica desperately. She cocked her head to the side, then smiled and shook her head.

Tyland huffed.

Aemond looked down, watching this exchange. "What is it?"

Jessica gave a sympathetic smile. "My Lord, this is how this conversation is going to go."

Jessica looked up at her husband. "Lord Tyland wants me to go on Starfyre and be the escort for his brother. Which means I'll be the one encountering Caraxes and Daemon at Harrenhal."

Aemond glanced down at Jessica then over to Tyland. "No."

Tyland looked back to Jessica. "There's not going to be an argument in High Valyrian?"

Jessica smiled and shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I could argue with Aemond, but the answer is going to remain the same. And to be honest my lord, this is not an argument I feel like having."

Aemond hovered protectively near Jessica. "My wife knows that her place is here, at my side. Sending her to Harrenhal poses to much risk."

Alicent folded her hands as Aemond began to circle the table. "Your irritations are justified, Aemond, but it does seem..."

Aemond stopped to lean against Tyland's chair. "I have a task for you as well, Ser Tyland. We'll make an alliance with the Triarchy. I've had enough of this cursed blockade."