The Dragon in the North

Moves

Daenys sat atop Silverwing, looking down at Harrenhal. She wanted to assess the situation before revealing her presence. Then she spotted Caraxes and knew her father was still there. Seeing no other dragons, she could assume that—aside from him and the army that had already assembled—only the inhabitants of Harrenhal were present. Daemon had wasted no time, then. Daenys signaled Silverwing and Vermithor to prepare for landing.

Daemon was speaking with some of the riverlords when the roars of two dragons rang out. He sprang up immediately and ran outside. There, he saw Silverwing and Vermithor descending. Daenys slowly dismounted from Silverwing's back. Both dragons kept a close watch on their surroundings and their rider.

Daenys now stood before Daemon. "Father." "Daenys, what are you doing here?" "I want to speak with you. Face-to-face is the better way to do it. So, let's talk." "I already wrote everything in my letter." A faint, humorless laugh escaped Daenys. "You really haven't been to Dragonstone in a long time. Mother isn't the person she used to be. She has lost herself. Jace fled from her because she knowingly wanted to send him to his death. She tried to take two of my most loyal companions away from me. Fly to Dragonstone and see for yourself if you don't believe me. But let this be said: I will no longer fight for Mother. I have more people behind me than you might think, and together with those loyal to me, I will end this war. Once and for all!"

With that, Daenys turned and walked toward her dragons. She would fly back to Cregan and await a response from her father. As Silverwing and Vermithor took flight, Daemon turned and walked toward Caraxes. He needed to see the situation for himself before deciding on his next course of action.

Jace and Rhaenys had already managed to win over a few minor houses to the Silver Queen's cause. "How should we handle House Arryn?" Rhaenys glanced thoughtfully at Jace. "You're worried because your grandmother was an Arryn, aren't you?" "Yes. Mother isn't cut out for the throne anymore. But I believe that if Mother were to reach the throne, it would reject her. Aegon wasn't rejected, and I am quite certain Daenys wouldn't be either." "I see what you mean. But Aemma is Daenys' grandmother as well as yours. We simply need to make it clear to Lady Arryn that she stands a better chance on our side."

While Jace and Rhaenys set off, Aegon and Helaena were already deep in negotiations with Lord Tyrell. Helaena turned slightly toward her brother and whispered, "He's a tough nut to crack, but I have an idea. Do you trust me?" "Is that even a question? I trust you implicitly, Lena." Helaena nodded with a smile and turned back to Lord Tyrell. She would deploy her greatest weapon; she had had a dream concerning House Tyrell, and she intended to use that knowledge.

Back at Cregan's camp, Daenys had already returned and was waiting. Cregan joined her in the tent. "What do you think happens next?" "My father will most likely set out for Dragonstone to see the situation for himself. Once he sees what is going on, he will decide where his loyalty and his forces are best placed. For now, it is a matter of waiting." Cregan nodded and sat down as well. "Then we wait. But we are ready the moment you give the command." A smile played on Daenys' lips. "Thanks, Cregan. Thanks for everything." "You're very welcome."