Lucerys the Menace: Reborn

Chapter 13: The Storm's Answer

The skies over Storm's End were a raging cauldron of black clouds, their dark, ominous churn mirrored by the fury of the sea below. Thunder cracked, shaking the very stones of the castle, as Lucerys Velaryon flew through the storm on the back of his dragon, Arrax. The young prince's eyes were steely, his jaw set with grim determination as he clung to the saddle, the wind howling in his ears. The kingdom's future hung on his words today.

As they approached the towering walls of Storm's End, Lucerys's thoughts lingered on his mother's command. Deliver this message. Show strength. Show them that the Targaryens will not be cowed.

Arrax's wings beat heavily through the storm, and the two descended towards the courtyard of the Baratheon stronghold, where the lord himself, Lord Borros Baratheon, awaited.

Lucerys dismounted with practiced ease, his boots crunching on the gravel as he made his way towards the large stone hall. His arrival had been anticipated; the presence of another dragon, larger than his own, signaled that Aemond had already come before him.

"Prince Lucerys Velaryon," a Baratheon knight called out as Lucerys approached. His voice was a rumble over the thunder.

Lucerys's eyes flicked to the knight, his features unreadable. "I am Prince Lucerys Velaryon. I bring a message to Lord Borros from the Queen."

Thunder rumbled, and the wind howled again, as if nature itself sought to silence him. He could hear the stirrings inside the hall, the muffled voices of those who were already there. And then, stepping out from the shadows, Lord Borros himself emerged, flanked by his men.

Lord Borros said, his tone laced with mockery. "You've come at last. Tell me, boy, which mother do you speak for?"

Lucerys's eyes narrowed, his voice cold. "I speak for the Queen. I bring her words, not my own."

Borros let out a chuckle, clearly amused. He waved his hand dismissively, the faintest of sneers curling his lips. "Yet earlier today, I received an envoy from the King," he said, the words dripping with contempt. "Which is it? King or Queen? The House of the Dragon does not seem to know who rules it."

Lucerys's fists clenched at his sides, but he did not break his composure. His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. "What is your point, Lord Borros? Do you deny the message of my mother? Do you think your own bloodline is stronger than the one that binds us? If you do, I pity your ignorance."

The room fell silent at his words. Borros raised an eyebrow, but his demeanor was a little less confident now.

"What's your mother's message, then?" Borros finally asked, though his tone was now more guarded.

Lucerys's gaze hardened. "She asks you to remember the oath your father swore to House Targaryen. The loyalty you owe to our house. The realm will remember who stands with us, and who does not."

The Baratheon lord scoffed, his fingers drumming on his chair's armrest. "Your mother's request is a reminder of old vows," Borros said. "King Aegon at least came with an offer: my swords and banners in exchange for a marriage pact. What does your mother bring? Empty hands?"

Lucerys stood tall, his voice carrying an edge that cut through the storm's fury. "I am not free to marry," he said, his eyes never leaving Borros. "I am already betrothed."

Borros's lip curled upward. "So, you come with nothing but words, boy. Go home. And tell your mother that the Lord of Storm's End is not some dog she can whistle up to set against her foes."

Lucerys's face was stone, his gaze unflinching. "I shall take your answer to the Queen, my lord."

Borros chuckled darkly, clearly thinking he had won the exchange. But just as Lucerys turned to leave, a sharp, cold voice broke the tension.