Lucerys the Menace: Reborn

Chapter 7: Return

Arriving at Dragonstone felt electric, the salty air whipping through my hair as the ship docked. I wasted no time in making my way to the training yard, eager to see Jacaerys. He was already there, practicing his swordplay, the sun catching the blade as it sliced through the air. "Ready to lose, little brother?" Jacaerys smirked, taking his stance. The usual sibling rivalry surged between us, a familiar fire."Lose? We'll see about that," I shot back, drawing my own sword. With a quick exchange of blows, we settled into a rhythm, our grunts punctuating the clash of steel. "Come on, Lucerys! That's your best effort?" Jacaerys taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. "I thought I was fighting a Targaryen, not a soggy fish!""Better a soggy fish than a dull blade!" I snapped back, swinging harder and trying to keep my guard up. His footwork was impressive; he twirled and shifted, his strikes quick and precise. "Is that the best you can do? I expected more from the future dragon rider!" he replied, his confidence almost palpable.Just as he went for a feint to the left, I shifted and countered with a swift upward thrust, catching him off guard. He stumbled back, nearly losing his balance. "What was that?" he exclaimed, surprise etched on his face."Sorry," I replied, grinning widely. "Guess I'm just full of surprises today." Ser Aryk, who had been overseeing our practice, chimed in with a chuckle. "You might want to go a little easier on him, my prince, so he can learn what you're trying to teach," he suggested, watching with a bemused expression.Jacaerys regained his footing, his expression wavering between irritation and amusement. "Fine, fine. I'll teach you how to wield a sword properly, but try not to embarrass yourself too much.""Right, because throwing insults is your specialty," I shot back, feeling emboldened. "Let's see who really ends up embarrassed today." We fell back into the duel, more determined than ever. My movements felt sharper, fueled by adrenaline and the friendly banter between brothers. With each clash, I realized it wasn't just the physical training that strengthened our bond; it was the thrill of competition, the playful rivalry that made us a family. 

The clash of swords continued, both of us panting and sweating, but I could feel the tension mounting as we danced around each other. With a sudden burst of energy, I feinted to the right, then quickly brought my sword down hard from the left. Jacaerys wasn't expecting it; his blade missed the block, and with a loud clang, I knocked his sword out of his hand.He stumbled back, and before he could catch himself, I took the opportunity to push forward, my sword at his throat as he fell to the ground. "Gotcha!" I exclaimed, a wild mix of triumph and disbelief bubbling inside me. Jacaerys blinked up at me, his mouth hanging open in mock shock. "Well, this is a new low for me," he grinned, still sprawled on the ground. "I always thought I'd be bested by a knight, not by my own little brother! Should I start calling you Ser Lucerys the Mighty now?"I couldn't help but laugh, lowering my sword slightly as I extended a hand to help him up. "It's not over yet. I just got lucky," I said, my heart still racing.He took my hand and pulled himself to his feet, brushing dirt off his clothes. "Lucky? You mean skill, dear brother! Don't let it get to your head—next time, I'll make sure to put you back in your place." As we caught our breath, Ser Aryk chuckled, shaking his head. "You both fight like you're at war, but remember, the true battles lie ahead. You'd better not let that banter distract you when it counts.""Right," I said, still grinning. "But it's not every day I get to knock this guy down a peg. I'd say it's worth celebrating!""Just wait until I have my sword back," Jacaerys shot back with a hesitant smile, playfully bumping my shoulder. "Then you'll see what real skill looks like!"

We both broke into laughter, the competitive fire morphing into a shared camaraderie. In that moment, it felt like nothing could tear us apart—not the trials we faced ahead, nor the weight of expectations that loomed over us as Targaryens. We were brothers first, warriors second, and that bond made all the difference.