Before, the Game of Thrones, the seven kingdoms saw the rise of Westeros as a united country, all seven kingdoms forged into one great kingdom under the greatest dynasty. The story revolves around Aegon and his two sister-queens; their ascent and th...
The Sunset Sea was vast, stretching beyond the horizon. Endless ripples generated by their vessel danced all the way where the sky met the ocean. No one knows what lies south of the Sunset Sea. Those who had dared to venture in the uncertain water had never returned to narrate their tales. The Ironborns believe it to be their 'heaven' where the 'drowned god' promised eternal freedom.
They had been sailing for thirteen days and nights. They had left Dragonstone with thirty three men and households aboard 'the Harbinger'. It was a small ship, designed for minimal crew and long journey. Their captain was an old Tyroshi with weather beaten face and green beard; the rest of the crew are few Myrmen, couple of Pentoshi merchants and an Andal bard from Rosby. They sailed all hours stopping only to pick up necessary supplies at Tarth, Tyrosh and their last stoppage two days ago, Salt Shore.
While Aegon had gone to discover the ports and the residents, his sister-wife had remained in her cabin. Visenya couldn't abide by the noises and chatters of foreign tongues and equally foreign foods. So Aegon had gone alone accompanied by the captain of his household guards, Jallen, a strong lad of one and twenty who had succeeded Stefon after his death.
Salt Shore was crowded for a small port. Ships stopped here to refill their supplies before they sail for Oldtown and beyond. Merchants and lowly fishermen marched about in their work. There is a market nearby where they stock decent Dornish wine. Ruled by House Gargalen, it was mostly a village of few fishermen and small folks. There is not much farming in these lands, they rely on trade mostly. It was three leagues from the nearest town called Vaith. Would his sister allow, he could pay them a visit.
Sellers of all commodities called out to them as they navigated through the bustling crowd. He had let his men to visit a brothel after a hard journey on the sea and only Jallen remained by his side. They found him in the corner of a shabby tavern. He was huddled in the mud, a dirty rag wrapped around his naked body; his skin was crinkled and flaked. Patch of blood was dried among his hairs above his right ear. If he didn't tremble, any one would have thought he was dead already.
Aegon knelt down beside him and touched his shaggy bearded cheek. His touch inspired some life in him and he slowly raised his head; a set of unfocused grey eyes met with Aegon's own. His dried, chaffed lips quivered but no sound escaped from those.
Aegon gestured Jallen to hand him his skin of wine. Popping off the lid, he held it to his lips. The man didn't move as if he wasn't aware of it. Aegon placed his hand on the back of his head and urged him forward. Stream of wine leaked as it was poured into his mouth and he gulped noisily.
"Iedar" He croaked in wheezy voice and Aegon sent his attendant to fetch some water.
"Where are you from?" He asked in Valyrian. The man gained some spirit from hearing his tongue. He shook his head tiredly and waved in the air. "They have taken everything. Home, my family. I have nothing. Nothing." He coughed and fell into silence.
Jallen returned with a cup of water and pressed it to his lips. When he had chugged the volume, he began, "My name is Sallenhor. I forge armor, in Volantis. They, the Tyroshi fleet, they attacked us. Burned our houses and quarters. Shops and stores. Even the Black Wall couldn't stop them. My Dilesea, my poor sweet girl. They raped her while I watched before dragging her away, my wife too. I couldn't do anything." He broke off with a violent sob.
"The Volantene conquest" Jallen remarked sullenly. Aegon had been aware of it. Volantenes had claimed all the cities of the extinct Valyrian empire and had aggressively tried tried to take over Myr and Lys. However, when the Pentoshi and Tyroshi joined them against Volantis, the unrest waged on costing lives and resources on both sides.
"The Lord knows how I have sinned and he'd kept me alive to watch them suffer."
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"You are troubled" Visenya remarked without looking up from her book. It always vexed Aegon how she seemed to know everything that went on without actively observing.
He pulled the armrest by the cabin window and faced his sister. She had heavy book on her lap, it's careworn leaves were coming off. She turned another page idly and raised her head slightly, looking at him with query.
"I have to reply to the Pentoshis when we get back." He said. Visenya lowered the book to her lap and crossed her arms.
"Why the sudden change of heart, dear brother?" There was slight sneer in her tone but Aegon chose to overlook it as he has always done.
He paused a while to think this through. He had resolved to stay away from the disagreement in the west and had ignored pleas from both side to intervene. Both his sister who were generally world apart in other decisions urged him to answer them. While Rhaenys's intention was out of her heart, Aegon had suspected Visenya's intention of being purely a political one.
Over the century after Doom of Valyria, the remaining cities of the Valyrian empire clashed to achieve total control of the extinct dynasty. Volantis, the most powerful of them all declared them to be the successor state and to assert their power, they had launched campaign of take over on Lys, Myr and the southern reaches of the Rhoyne. When the Volantenes had extended their territory to Tyrosh, the Archon had sent for help to the free city of Bravos and the Lords of Dragonstone.
Unnerved by the Volantene hostility, Braavos dispatched their fleet to join with Pentosh with the aim of combating them. Aerys Targaryen, the then Lord of Dragonstone, refrained from involvement citing his own struggle for reestablishing House Targaryen.
While century passed, conflict still ravaged western Essos, hampering lives and trades in both continent. As their cities fell, Dragonstone's trade dwindled yet Aegon held back, firm on his resolution.
"They had been fighting for ages." He remarked. "This cannot go unaddressed."
Life stirred in Visenya's cold eyes and she sat up straight, letting the book fall off her lap. "When do we leave?"
She had been complaining days and night as less and less ships came back to their port from Essos. She was no fool. Even if Aegon's plan fail, they's would still considerable wealth to maintain whatever they had left. Whispers floated in the air that their cousin, the impish Lucaerys had been instigating Visenya to take up arms if her brother would not. And knowing Visenya, the slightest spark would light her like wildfire.
"I will be leaving." He corrected. Visenya's face darkened. Along with her fire, all warmth seemed to desert the room. Lips pressed tight, she observed her brother before asking his reasons.
"I need you to stay in Dragonstone. Rule while I deal with Volantis."
"Rhaenys can rule Dragonstone." Her voice shook with wrath. "Beside, you alone are not enough to take them."
Truth was, Aegon didn't want Visenya by his side, especially in Essos. Even after three years of marriage Aegon still hadn't succeeded convincing Visenya. Taking her with him will only disrupt his plans.
"Rhaenys is not half as capable as you in ruling." He said but Visenya just scoffed.
"Flattering will get you nowhere, dear brother. You need me."
"Yes" He agreed, "In Dragonstone. We have to stick with what we planned, Visenya."
"You have planning for the entire summer and we haven't even prepared anything. So tell me, Aegon, how are we to conquer this dreamland of yours if you abandon us for some suicide mission in the East?"
"Why do you think we are going to Oldtown?" He countered. Visenya backed down to ponder allowing him to carry on. "We need to understand the land before we start our campaign. Therefore, I need you to do this so when I get back we will be prepared."
He clutched her hands that was still warm from sun. Visenya made to retract but he held on. "Father valued you dear sister, not because you were the eldest but you have it in you to lead our men should some harm befall me. He knew and so do I that you are no ordinary women and there is none else I would trust to carry on but you."
Aegon thought he saw her eyes twinkle as she turned away. A blink and the soft tear was gone.
"When do you leave?" She ask, her voice told him she was resigning.
"A week or so."
"So late?"
"The Redwynes are expecting us. I am going to stay for a week before sailing out. You, in the meantime, must learn all you can about their people." He leaned forward and cupped her face. Visenya jerked but he did all the same. "I am relying on you, beloved sister."
