𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 - jacaerys velaryon

eleven

Evaelysse stood next to Jace at the table as the council gathered. Her hair had been braided by one of her handmaidens, and it coiled around her head like a silver snake, before becoming a thick plait at the base of her neck and falling to her waist.

Rhaenyra was still wearing her crown as she entered. She looked like a true queen, not some drunk fool like Aegon. She stood at the end of the table, facing her sons and Evaelysse.

"What is our standing?" She asked.

"We have thirty knights, a hundred crossbowmen and three hundred men-at-arms." Daemon replied. "Dragonstone is relatively easy to defend, but as an instrument of conquest, our army leaves a lot to be desired. We have sent word to my loyal men in the City Watch. I'll have some support there, but I cannot speak to the numbers."

"We already have declarations from Celtigar and Staunton, Massey, Darklyn, Bar Emmon." One of the council spoke.

"My lady mother was an Arryn, and Evaelysse is the Lady of the Runestone, after her mother's passing." said Rhaenyra. "The Vale will not turn cloak against their own kin."

"Riverrun was always a close friend to your father, Your Grace." The council member spoke again. "With Prince Daemon's acquiescence, I've already sent ravens to Lord Grover."

Rhaenyra looked skeptical. "Lord Grover is fickle and easily swayed. He will need to be convinced of the strength of our position, and that we will support him should it come to war."

"I'm going to treat with him myself." Daemon announced.

"What of Storm's End, the White Harbour and Winterfell?" Someone else asked. "There has never lived a Stark who forgot an oath, and with House Stark, the North will follow."

"Lord Borros Baratheon will need to be reminded of his father's promises." Rhaenyra replied, and then turned to face Rhaenys. "What news from Driftmark?"

"Lord Corlys sails for Dragonstone." Rhaenys replied.

"To declare for his Queen." Daemon interrupted.

"The Velaryon fleet is in my husband's yoke." Rhaenys said. "He decides where they sail."

"We shall pray for both you and your husband's support." Rhaenyra said to Rhaenys, in a kinder manner than Daemon had. "Just as we prayed nightly for the Sea Snake's return to good health. There's no port on the Narrow Sea that would dare to make an enemy of the Velaryon fleet." Rhaenyra turned back to the rest of the table. "And our enemies?"

"We have no friends among the Lannisters." Daemon replied. "Tyland has served the Hand too long to turn against him. And Otto Hightower needs the Lannister fleet."

"Without the Lannisters, we are not like to find any allies west of the Golden Tooth." Rhaenyra concluded.

Daemon lightly shook his head. "No. The Riverlands are essential, Your Grace."

"Pray forgive my bluntness, Your Grace, but talk of men is moot." Another council member spoke. "Your cause owns a power that has not been seen in the world since the days of Old Valyria. Dragons."

Rhaenyra glanced around the table, looking slightly confused. "The Greens have dragons as well."

"They have three adults, by my count." Daemon interrupted. "We have Syrax, Caraxes, and Meleys. Your sons have Vermax, Arrax and Tyraxes. Evaelysse has Vermithor, and Baela has Moondancer."

"Daemon, only one of our dragons has been to war." Rhaenyra replied.

"There are also unclaimed dragons." Daemon pointed out. "Seasmoke still resides on Driftmark, Silverwing dwells on the Dragonmount, still riderless. And then there are the three wild dragons, still unclaimed."