Dark Sister

-The Sword of the Morning-

-The Sword of the Morning-

298 AC
Winterfell

The next morning Valyria woke up shortly after dawn. The King was going on a hunt around midday. So Valyria spent the early morning polishing Dark Sister, till the blade shined in the candlelight.

As the sun started to rise Valyria put on her red leather jerkin, and strapped Dark Sister to her waist. She then braided her hair into its normal updo. Once she was ready she walked into the quiet hall and knocked on Jaime's door knowing he too would be awake.

Jaime opened the door and the old hinges creaked loudly. As soon as he saw it was Valyria he let her in. "Would you care to spar this morning before the King goes on his hunt?" The Targaryen said as she plopped down in one of the chairs in his room. "Umm sure," Jaime said, slightly surprised at the request. " I know you'll be . . . busy after the King leaves so I thought it best to do it before." Valyria raised an eyebrow and wore a smirk on her lips. The Lannister narrowed his eyes at her suggestion. "Fine, let's go then," Jaime said defeatedly, he looked at the climbing morning sun and opened the door and Valyria led the way.

The courtyard was bustling with squires and stable boys trying to make sure everything was ready for the royal hunt. The training yard was not as busy, Prince Tommen and Bran Stark hacked away at each other in their bulky training armor and the crown prince was saying something to Robb that he would regret later.

The two walked over to a corner a bit more tucked away. "This will be good, I could use the practice," Jaime stated overconfident in himself. "Yes, it will do you some good to lose," Valyria smirked as she unsheathed Dark Sister, throwing the holster to the side. Jaime narrowed his eyes at his friend's statement but followed suit in taking his sword out.

The lion and the dragon circled each other before Valyria swung at Jaime's head which he swiftly blocked before attacking her. Valyria would parry, attack, block, repeat with Jaime following a similar pattern, neither one winning or losing.

A crowd had started to gather around the two master swordsmen. Noticing this Valyria stepped up her game. She jabbed at Jaime's stomach which he deftly paired before swiping at her head which Valyria responded by leaning back under the sweeping blade.

Growing impatient, Jaime started to press his attack giving little if any time for the Targaryen to make her attacks. So she started to water dance, the style Ser Arthur Dayne, the sword of the morning, taught her. Her fluid movements made it easier to deflect the Lannister Lion's relentless assault.

Their blades locked, and Jaime put all his weight into it causing Valyria to struggle against the pressure. Eventually, she was knocked down, she landed with a groan, as Drak Sister was knocked out of her reach by Jaime's boot. The Golden Lion smirked down at her. "I win." He said as he pointed his sword at Valyria's throat.

She looked up at him, her eyes holding a mischievous glint to them as she pressed the bottoms of her palms to the flat parts of the Lannister's sword. Gasps erupted from the crowd as Valyria threw the sword above her. She swiped her leg, knocking Jaime to the ground, and quickly grasped Dark Sister, pulling the legendary sword to her.

In that time the lion had come back to his senses. Just as Valyria placed her sword at Jaime's throat, his sword came up to the side of her neck. "Draw?" Valyria questioned, raising her chin away from the blade. She swiftly removed her sword from her friend's neck and Jaime did the same.

She then stood up first extending her hand to help up the Lannister. Seeing the friendly duel was finished the crowd dissipated and the old friends walked back into the keep together.

After grabbing some fresh clothes Valyria headed to the bathhouse. She knew Cersei would be well protected and seeing as it was late morning, Valyria got the whole place to herself. The short time she spent soaking felt good for the Targaryen, who hadn't properly bathed since the royal party left the capital.