House of Slayers

THE QUEEN WHO EVER WAS

BACKTON'S KEEP-THE NORTH

Clara is walking through the field, she looks over her shoulder towards Backton's Keep in the near distance. She turns her gaze forward staring ahead until she turns around and begins walking back to the Keep

DRAGONSTONE

Ulf: This is more like it, Hugh, don't you think?

Hugh: We're meant to be at the training yards learning the commands.

Ulf: Yeah and I will go but surely they'd not deny us my pleasure after so long.

Arlen throws open the doors and marches into the hall; Hugh and Ulf snaps their heads towards him.

Arlen: What are you doing here? Remove your feet from the table.

Ulf: I'd rather not

Hugh: Ulf

Arlen walks past Hugh, around the table stomping towards Ulf who has his feet plopped up on the table

Arlen: It's not up to you, Ulf.

Ulf: Who's it up to, boy?

Hugh: He is the Heir to Backton's Keep. Arlen Gaston.

Ulf suddenly places his feet down and stands up.

Ulf: Arlen Gaston. Right here. Who'd have thought it?

Hugh: He's a dragonrider as we are. Rider of Adrem.

Arlen steps closer towards Ulf

Arlen: I'll have an apology from you.

Ulf lunges wrapping his arms around his neck, Arlen is confused at this.

Ulf: The young Gaston! And look at that hair.

He ruffles Arlen's hair who slaps his hand away.

Ulf: As dark as they say. Let them tell us we don't have Targaryen blood, eh?

Arlen narrows his eyes, jaw clenching as he glares at Ulf, eyebrow raised.

Arlen: The Queen is----

Ulf: Dragonriders both. You and I, cut from the same cloth.

Arlen: It's a great honor of which you know nothing.

Hugh: Forgive him, my lord. He is not much used to the manners of court.

Arlen: Or any manners at all, I'd say. Do you know what has happened this last hour?

Ulf shakes his head

Arlen: The so called prince regent has burned Sharp Point down to its stones. Thousands of its folk dead or lost, its harbor in ashes. Will you prepare to face such an enemy?

He takes a step closer towards Ulf

Arlen: Or will you stay here and make yourself easy? If you hinder our efforts through sloth or unreadiness, I will personally hang you myself and then feed your body to the dogs in the street.

Ulf shallows a gulp but slowly nods his head.

Ulf: I meant no disrespect, my lord.

He bows his head, a trail of piss running down his leg and walks past Arlen. Arlen slowly turns watching Ulf leaving the hall.

Hugh nods his head and walks away, leaving.

BACKTON'S KEEP

Alon and Clara are walking alongside each other through the corridor

Alon: The new riders will be a boon to Rhaenyra but now the deed is done.

Clara: How is Arlen doing?

Alon: He is already learning the commands, he is faring quite well. Through Kiera remains worried for him.