Perzys Ānogār || Jacaerys Velaryon & Baela Targaryen

Chapter Five

Late 10th moon of 133 AC

"It has been more than two and ten years since my lord husband left for the Stepstones, Maester," Rhaenys says, sitting on the Driftwood throne with Baela and Laenys on each side of her, "I must know, will he live?"

"He led his sailors into an ambush. A ship made to look as if it were abandoned," the Maester informs the women, "In the fighting, his neck was slashed by a Corsair's dagger. He fell overboard into the sea. The wound was severe, much blood was lost, but the greater concern is the fever that followed. The ship's maester said it burns from within."

With the new information, Princess Rhaenys looks at her granddaughters, clearly distraught, "The ravens came in from?"

"Evenfall, Princess."

"So they arrive in three days. Let all be made ready to receive him, Maester Kelvyn," she instructs the man.

Laenys quickly stops the man as he's leaving, "And what of my brothers?"

The Maester reopens the scroll, scanning over it, "There is not much information of the princes besides that they burned the Triarchy out after Lord Corlys went overboard."

Once the Maester leaves, Baela turns to their grandmother, "The Sea Snake is strong."

"No doubt. And yet, I have seen blood fever overcome men half his age," Ser Vaemond Velaryon says, stepping toward the three women.

Rhaenys shakes her head, "I will not suffer the talk of crows in my house, Vaemond."

"I love my brother, but we must be honest with ourselves. We may greet his ship to find him gone. And who will take the Driftwood Throne?" the man asks.

Baela steps forward slightly, "My grandmother seems quite comfortable here," she says, causing Laenys to smirk.

"She presides only in the absence of her husband. On his death, the seat passes," he informs his niece.

"To Lucerys Velaryon, as is my lord husband's desire," Rhaenys continues for him.

"I am the Sea Snake's own blood, the closest kin he has left," Vaemond rants.

Laenys glares at the man but before she can respond to the man's sly comment, Rhaenys warns him, "Be careful, good-brother. One could take your words for treason."

Ser Vaemond slowly walks up the steps leading to the throne, "I speak the truth, Rhaenys. And you know it."

"I would stop there if I were you, Uncle," the young princess warns with a mocking tone, "The cost of the words you speak could cost you your tongue."

"Who shall take it?" the man glares at her, "The King doesn't sit the throne these days. It's a queen. And she has good reason to take my side."

Laenys walks beside the man and whispers in a mocking tone, "I wish you good fortune, for you will need it. Uncle."

The girl quickly leaves the throne room and heads to her chambers. She knows her grandmother will likely be upset with her for feeding into Vaemond's power play, but she couldn't care less at the moment.

Once in her chambers, she closes the door and lies on her bed. She wishes she knew the whereabouts of her brothers. Have they made it to Dragonstone or are they still in the Stepstones, she wonders.

She hadn't seen Jace since her grandsire had sent word for him to join him in the Stepstones nearly five years ago. two years later he sent word for Luce as well. She knew that her brothers were well trained, having trained with their stepfather, Daemon, since they were young but she still worries for them.