We followed the rush of guards as they ran, throwing open the doors to the Hall. My Father and Vaemond already stood with two guards who had already arrived.
Time seemed to slow as I noticed them fishing through the fire with pokers. The pungent smell of burning flesh hit me as though I had run into a stone wall. My heart refused to believe what my eyes saw.
Lost in the moment I hadn't even seen Lord Corlys or Princess Rhaenys enter until the smoking body was dropped unceremoniously onto the ground and the Princess fell to the floor beside it. The wails of a mourning mother were nothing I was ever prepared for. Certainly not when they came from the woman I loved. She despaired over her lost son while the charred flesh pulling back from his bones seared itself forever in my memory.
Corlys reached for Rhaenys but she continued to wail and shoved him away angrily and inconsolable.
"How did you let this happen?" Corlys shouted angrily, shaking a nearby guard. "In my fucking hall?! Tell me!"
Torrhen fell to his knees.
"It's not Laenor. It's not-"
I gripped the servant boy's shoulder turning to him.
"You. Where is Ser Qarl?" I questioned sharply.
"I saw him slip out before the guards could catch him," He explained pointing out his direction.
"Allow no ships to leave the harbor. Search them all," I commanded the guards present as no one else seemed to have their wits about them. "Medrick, take the Manderly forces and aid them. I'll fly out on Urrax. If any ships managed to already depart I shall find them. Bring me that bastard's head so that I may gift it to the Princess."
Medrick nodded in silent understanding, his jaw set and a thirst for blood in his eyes. My Father stepped forward catching me before I left.
"Make this justice swift and true," He growled low before going to comfort his closest friend.
I wasted no time in running through the halls to reach my dragon. The descent to the caverns of Hightide had become easier since the first time Rhaenys had taken me down after my return from Essos. It became a routine journey when Urrax refused to roost anywhere but with Meleys.
Arra waited anxiously outside the great doors.
"Princess, I heard what happened. I figured you may need this," She offered, presenting my sword.
"Surely you must be sent from the Heavens, Arra. Thank you," I kissed her cheek in passing as I took my sword.
Both Dragons looked up as I threw open the doors and descended the steps with little regard to where my feet fell. Meleys seemed unsettled, no doubt feeling her rider's anguish through their shared bond. Even if I wasn't able to comfort the Princess I consoled her dragon.
"Don't worry. I will fix this. I can fix this," I told her, voice thick with emotion. Though I was speaking in the common tongue the Dragon's eyes glowed and a low grumble came from her chest that I knew to be a vocalization of understanding.
My hands shook as I gripped the leather straps to hoist myself into Urrax's saddle. I knew not whether it was from the fog still blanketing my drunken mind or the nerves from seeing the unrecognizable body of someone I loved so dearly. My eyes burned with tears but I refused to let them fall.
Setting my attention back to the task at hand I steeled my emotions and pulled myself up. Urrax's eyes settled on me questioningly.
"Soves."
As we flew over the ships I saw the longboats carrying guards and knights holding torches casting an eerie glow into the harbor below. Already they had begun to board vessels.
