Great Bastards

THE HERO OF GULLTOWN

DAEMON III

184 AC

A crowd of thousands cheered as Daemon Blackfyre rode through the city, celebrating the fall of Hilbert the Howler. He spotted dragon banners flying high beside the burning tower of Grafton and the falcon of Arryn. Some of the fishermen were even chanting a blasphemous cry: "Down with Donnel! Down with Donnel!"

"The battle isn't over yet," Ser Quintus explained in Grafton Tower's war room. Daemon, Aegor, Terrence Templeton, Douglas Arryn, Perryn Corbray, Jon Hightower, Archon Rothego, and the Lords Royce, Corbray, and Redfort huddled around a map of the Vale, where Quintus gestured sweepingly from the Mountains of the Moon to the red dot marking the city of Gulltown. "Three days have passed since his defeat at the Bloody Gate, and still there has been no sign of Hilbert the Howler. But this is no time to be complacent. Our rangers spotted a band of clansmen southeast of Ironoaks yesterday. Dozens of them. With my brother to lead them or not, the Howlers will descend upon the city soon enough."

Lyran Corbray, brother to Perryn and the Lord of Heart's Home, seemed unimpressed. "Thanks to our reinforcements, five thousand of the Vale's best men are eagerly waiting to battle. These Howlers do not stand a chance. If anything, I feel sorry for them."

Ser Terrence Templeton nodded in agreement; at the Battle of Bloody Gate, Daemon had learned first-hand that the Knight of Ninestars was as ferocious a warrior as men said. "Aye, it will be a slaughter."

Perryn Corbray placed a ship token upon the map. "Let us not forget that King Daeron has graciously agreed to send reinforcements from the capital. The Seastar shall be joined by no less than a dozen of her sisters, carrying five hundred men to be led by Ser Quentyn Ball..." the master of coin looked up at Daemon expectantly, "and Princess Daena Targaryen. What say you, Daemon? Are you prepared to fight alongside your lady mother?"

A shocked Daemon looked at Aegor, mouth agape, and back at the council of lords before him. His mother had been bedridden with illness only several days before, and now she was charging into Gulltown alongside Ser Quentyn, bow and dagger in hand?

"Well, that's Daena for you," Aegor grunted. Archon Rothego gave a booming laugh. "I must admit that I am curious to meet the Princess." He stood before Daemon. "You have a fire within you, boy, and it seems that it didn't come from your father. Just as well that your mother has arrived in time for your wedding!"

So she had. Daena Targaryen strode into Gulltown armed and armoured, ignoring Daemon's mortified expressions and assertions that she should have stayed at King's Landing to rest and recuperate. "Winter is over, son," Daena declared, tying her platinum hair in a firm knot. "And I haven't had a good fight in years."

As always, Ser Quentyn commented on Blackfyre as soon as he saw Daemon. "I heard you have been putting that sword to good use, Daemon. And this one!" The master-at-arms beamed with pride as he walked over to Aegor. "Ser Aegor, is it?"

The kingslanders were equally amazed to see Gulltown crawling with Tyroshi, their dyed beards and hair standing out amongst the crowds in bursts of vivid colours. After leading her to Grafton Tower, Daemon was tasked with introducing his mother to Rothego and his daughters. As Daena bowed before the Archon and commented on Rohanne's hair, Daemon noticed Perryn sneak up behind Rubyanna, who giggled as he whispered softly into her ear.

"My daughters and I have done well for ourselves here," Rothego said to Daemon and Daena as they entered the bedchamber Lord Douglas had provided for the Archon. Daemon noticed it was smaller than his own. Rohanne looked afraid. "I just wish it was under better circumstances," she admitted.

Daemon gave his betrothed a reassuring smile. "Rohanne, I promise you, there is nothing to worry about. The Howlers will be destroyed before the moon's end, I swear it."