Kings Landing 300 AC.
Rhaella.
Three things were clear, her dead grandson had just walked from the flames, he was naked, and no one was moving to cover him up. She moved to Bon and he understood, taking his cloak off he ran to Daemon and wrapped him in it helping him back to where she was standing. Myrcella and Rhaenys had run to her side and Daemon's men were rising to their feet when Lyanax took to the sky, the dragon's roar forcing attention from her grandson for a moment at least.
"Daemon?" she said taking him in her arms as he stumbled.
"Grandmother?" he asked confused.
They helped him up to the carriage and before anyone could stop them, before anyone could come close she ordered them to move, the horses running hard. Behind her, the unsullied, Thoros, Melisandre, and her sons and daughter too made their way from the Dragonpit but it was the men of the hundred though who rode with them. When they reached the manse she asked Bon to ensure they weren't disturbed, no one other than those who had been staying there and she meant no one, was to be allowed in.
Between them, she, Myrcella, and Rhaenys helped Daemon who still seemed both unsteady on his feet and confused into the manse, her grandson looking from one of them to the other as they did so. It was only when the white wolf came beside him that he seemed to be more sure of himself, he suddenly seemed more able to walk and she was glad of it as they were struggling to help him to his room.
"What happened, Rhaenys, are you, were you hurt?" he asked and she felt herself smiling then, he had come back from the dead and yet it was others he was worried about.
"No Daemon, I'm unharmed, I'm well, you saved me." Rhaenys said and she looked as he seemed to understand though it was clear he did not fully.
"Are you well, are you hurt?" Myrcella asked.
"I'm good, cold but good." he said smiling at the girl.
"Do you need help to dress?" she asked and he nodded so she went and grabbed his arm before helping him into his room "Give us a moment please." she said to Myrcella and her granddaughter and they both reluctantly did so.
Once inside he practically fell on the bed, she was relieved to see him able to move and he was soon sitting up, though when the robe fell from his shoulders she was shocked to see the wounds no longer there. Carrying his clothing over she turned her back when he put on his small clothes, and then helped him into his breeches and the shirt, her hand reaching out to touch his chest as he tied the laces.
"How?" she asked her fingers tracing where only the day before two holes had been.
"R'hllor." he said and she looked at him confused.
"This is impossible Daemon?"
"Not to a god." he said as she helped him to his feet.
"What do you remember?" she asked.
"Parts, not all, I, it's coming back, what happened."
"We'll talk later, but Aegon is gone, someone took him, whoever attacked you they must have attacked him also."
"They didn't attack me, it was Rhaenys they aimed for." he said and she nodded.
"Then why did they hit you?"
"I pushed her away."
"I know, but they hit you with a second arrow, the first may have been for Rhaenys, but Daemon why did they shoot the second at you?" she asked.
"I don't know. Aegon what happened?
"You need to get your bearings Daemon, you need to be sure you're not still hurt." she said worriedly.
"I'm not, I feel good, a little strange but good, please grandmother tell me?"
As she told him she saw his expression change from worried to angry and he began to clench and unclench his hands. By the time she finished he was shaking his head almost as if he was trying to control his temper.
"What has the king, the Hand, done about it?" he asked.
"They've locked down the city, Tywin is Hand now Daemon." she said.
"How long was I out for?" he asked clearly more confused now.
"A few days, from when you were hurt until, until…"
She felt her grandson take her in his arms, her tears falling as he held her and whispered in her ear.
"I have a god's favor grandmother, it's not my time yet."
"I was so worried, we all were, Rhaenys, Myrcella, your men, all of us."
"I'm sorry grandmother, I'm well truly but we need to find Aegon, we have to."
"Why?" she asked though she too was eager to have her grandson safe and well.
"If they have him then we'll not be ready for what comes next." Daemon said ominously "I'll speak to Thoros and Melisandre and look into the flames, grandmother I may need to leave. If they have him I may need to leave." he said and she shook her head firmly.
"No, you're not going anywhere, Daemon I lost you, for years I lost you and then when I found you again I thought I'd lost you once again, this time for good."
"I know, I'm sorry, but while I may hold no love for my brother it's not just about him, it's to protect us all grandmother."
"Then you can tell that girl yourself, you think I don't wish you to go, have you any idea how much you've hurt Myrcella, how much you leaving would hurt her?" she said a little bitterly.
"Grandmother please."
"No Daemon, no, you can go if you must but don't expect me to be happy about it, don't expect me to make it easy on you. You're my grandson and I worry about you, so, no, you do this then you do it without my blessing." she said and almost slapped him when he smirked "What?"
"I thought Lyanax was angry at me." he said with a chuckle "I understand and I know it'll be hard, if there was another way I'd do it, but I will come back, always." he said and she hugged him tightly for that.
"Come your betrothed and your sister are no doubt pulling their hair out and the rest should be back by now."
"You not going to slap me?"
"What?" she asked confused.
"Usually when I do something that upsets or worries you I get slapped." he said smiling broadly now.
"Don't tempt me, you're not too big for a spanking Daemon." she said and he stood up and took her hand.
She was glad to see he seemed steadier on his feet and so they walked to the door and opened it finding Myrcella and Rhaenys pacing outside. Daemon walked to Myrcella and took her in his arms, whispering in her ear and kissing her lips before walking over to Rhaenys a few moments later and then hugging her tightly also.
"Anyone else hungry?" Daemon said and she was glad at the laughs that came from both girls, forced though they were.
By the time they made it to the dining area and she had gone to grab some bread and fruit the others had arrived. Davos looking at Daemon both as if he was a god himself and as if he was some monster, while Melisandre and Thoros just looked relieved. He waved off explanations for now telling them he'd speak to them later and so they sat while he ate.
When Bon arrived to tell her that her children were outside she walked out to speak to them herself, leaving the others to spend their time making sure Daemon was as well as he seemed. She saw Rhaegar almost angrily glaring at the manse while being refused entry by the unsullied and men of the hundred, beside him Dany and Vis seemed eager but less upset, while Elia just seemed concerned.
"I wish to see my son." Rhaegar said when she made it to the gate.
"No." she said and he moved towards her.
"I am the king, I wish to see my son."
"And I am your mother and his grandmother and I say no, he's just been through something I don't understand. I'll not have you upset him, not now, he'll come to you when he's ready and not before."
"You cannot stop me from entering, mother." Rhaegar said angrily.
"No, but these men can and I think should you try to do so by force you may find an angry dragon to be a problem too, and no I don't just mean Lyanax. Go back to the Red Keep, be this king you claim to be, and when he's ready Daemon will come to you."
"Mother."
"No Rhaegar, for too long you've been a shadow on that boy's life, you've never been his father, don't try to claim to be so now. Dany, Vis you may come inside if you wish, you too Elia, but you are a king, so go be a damn king." she said turning from him and walking back towards the manse.
She was joined by both Dany and Viserys and a few moments later by Elia, Ashara Dayne and Allyria, Ser Arthur, and Ser Jaime following behind them. When they reached the room they found Daemon had finished eating and the laughter they heard was more genuine now, she looked to Jaime to see him looking at the smiling face of Myrcella and saw his own smile appear.
King's Landing 300 AC.
Tywin.
Unlike the king or queen he didn't go back to the manse, as much as he'd have liked to find out what was going on and how Daemon had risen from the dead, he had work to do. The answers would come later, the news would find it's way to him, instead, he both had to deal with the fact that he'd told the realm of Daemon's death and now needed to correct that, and what Daemon being alive now meant. After making sure that Marwyn sent the ravens, the one to Winterfell being of the highest priority, he was walking back to his solar when his son came walking behind him.
"Father." Tyrion said and he shushed him motioning to his solar door.
They quickly made their way inside and his son took a seat and poured them both a glass of wine, he was not nor never had been a big drinker but he welcomed it this time. He stood looking out the window for a moment before he walked over and took his seat and faced Tyrion.
"Go on?" he said and Tyrion smirked.
"You think I've anything to say, I'm as lost as you." Tyrion said and he nodded his head "But this changes things does it not?"
"Drastically, I need you to speak to these priest's Tyrion, Thoros and what's the woman called?"
"Melisandre I believe." his son said.
"We need to know more about them Tyrion, things are about to change, the faith is not going to like this and we're going to have problems."
"Father the faith is fucked, we just saw a man brought back from the dead, a man who people know believes in the red god, if that was just an ordinary man there would be those clamoring to worship R'hllor let alone who Daemon is."
"Daemon being a prince and a Dragonrider only makes it more so I understand that Tyrion, what I need to know is what does this religion entail and just how closely aligned Daemon is with it."
"After what we just saw, I'd say pretty damn close, the dragon burned him, father, did you hear the chants?" Tyrion asked.
"Chants?"
"The Prince that was Promised, Azor Ahai, those were first but that was just people repeating what Melisandre said, after that, it was The Unburnt, the Undying, the Resurrected, gods by the end of the day I think half this city will be speaking on it."
"They already are, the faith will either try to claim this for themselves or denounce the prince, but either way the red priests have just got a foot in the door of Westeros, Tyrion. As Hand, I need to know if I can allow them more than that and as a grandfather, I need to know Myrcella is safe."
"Daemon would never hurt her." Tyrion said shaking his head.
"I know that, but I have no idea what this god of his is like Tyrion, that's what I need you to find out for me."
"I will. Aegon?
"A ship left supposedly heading for Dorne according to Varys, Quentyn being alive also would point to Dorne." he said waiting for Tyrion to pick up the thread.
"This is not Doran, he'd not be that blatant and it makes no sense he'd do so with his daughter and nieces here, the Reach?"
"Taking Aegon for why? No this is not Olenna, or last night was two separate attacks, each one by both of them and it was a coincidence that both happened at the same time, and that just makes no fucking sense, nothing is that coincidental"
"Then someone new?"
"I believe so, the brothel did you find out who owned it?"
"I did, it belongs to Littlefinger."
He tried to think then, was his son, right? Was the brothel keeper in on this and if so to what end, what would the Vale have to gain? They had lost their next in line, should anything ever happen to the heir of the Vale then Harold Hardyng was the presumptive heir, but there were easier ways to get ride of an heir.
"What do you know about Baelish?"
"A minor lord from the fingers, he fostered with the Tully's at Riverrun and had a run-in with Brandon Stark of some sort, after that not much, though now he and the former Lysa Arryn are wed."
"Find out more for me." he said and Tyrion nodded.
"You don't trust Varys?"
"Only a fool trusts the spider." he said and Tyrion laughed as he rose to his feet and began to walk to the door "Tyrion, make sure the guards are doubled on you all, Myrcella and Tommen too."
"I will father."
There was a game going on here that he wasn't sure about, a game that coincided or at least went into play the moment Daemon returned. The prince's arrival had shaken things up, it had brought him back into the game in a way he'd not been in years, but this was a much more dangerous game now, a game that had already seen attacks on the royal family.
He began to write out the note and then walked to his guard and asked him to deliver it to the man himself. The Hound had not been at fault for his grandson's death, had the boy not been a fool and kept him with him then he may still be alive today. The two guards on his door and the one at the gate had been dealt with, their lives forfeit, he'd given them the option, death or the wall. They'd chosen death and their families would be looked after, the Hound though could be useful still.
He would need to speak to the roses which meant talking to Olenna and he looked forward to the verbal spar. If he was right and he was sure he was, then they may actually be allies in this, enough so they could work to their mutual benefit at least. He sipped on the glass of wine as he picked up the books, the crown's finances were in a terrible state and it annoyed him to see the Griffin's lack of expertise so clearly shown.
The Eyrie 300 AC.
Littlefinger.
He couldn't believe it when he read the raven, it had worked far better than he had imagined, far better than they had all hoped. Aegon was in their hands, Daemon was dead, Dorne, or the Reach sure to be blamed, maybe even both. That they'd also taken Harry the Arse out too made it all the sweeter, the boy was still looked upon as a possible ruler of the Vale.
With him dead they owned the Vale now, as long as Sweetrobin lived they were in control, and by the time he eventually outlived his usefulness then he'd be flying far higher than the Eyrie. Still, he had work to do and so he got up from the chair and went looking for the lords who were at present in the castle. He would enjoy telling Lady Waynwood that her key to the seat was dead, enjoy looking at Royce's face when he realized he was now tied to them and no one else.
"You look happy my lord?" Lyn said when he met him near the High Hall.
"Then I should do something about that Lyn, can't be seen to be happy given the news I carry." he said with a smirk.
He found them inside, Lord Yohn, Lord Redfort, Lady Anya and Ser Symond, not all but enough and there sitting on the Weirwood throne was Lysa with her sickly son, looking as always a pale imitation of the woman that should be his. He smiled at her, accepted her gracious welcome, and acted the loving husband before he whispered in her ear.
"My lords, My ladies, good knights of the Vale, my husband has news of great import to convey to us, terrible news." she said and the room hushed.
"I've received a raven from Kings Landing, there was a series of attacks upon the royal family." he said and paused wondering who would speak up first.
"What care we about the dragons?" Lord Yohn said.
"True, while this news may carry some importance, my lord, why would it be terrible? I think I speak for all here when I say we'd rejoice to see another dragon fall." Lord Redfort said.
"It wasn't just the dragons who were attacked my lords, Lady Waynwood forgive me for breaking the news to you this way but Ser Harrold fell in the attack on Prince Aegon. We've lost yet another good man of the Vale to the Targaryens my lords." he said and had to bite his cheek to stop laughing when he saw the woman crumble.
"No, no, it cannot be, Harry." Lady Anya cried out and Lord Yohn helped her from the room.
"What happened my lord?" Ser Symond asked.
Petyr told them some of the truth and some tales he mixed in, he led the speculation that it was both the dragons trying to get rid of each other due to their nature and that they also didn't care about the casualties they caused in their wake. Just as Aerys had not cared about what the killing one heir meant, it seemed that neither had his kin cared about the consequences of the death of another. By the time he was finished he knew the Lords of the Vale would ride when needed, he knew now how to push them to get what he wished.
He spent the rest of the day organizing the coin needed to redo his brothel, glad at least that the girls he'd lost were the poorest earners of the lot, not that he'd not be making a lot of coin by the time all this was done, but unlike others, he was careful with his. At dinner that night more and more of the talk was of taking revenge and of seeking justice, even Lady Anya it seemed had grown some balls.
He slipped the sleeping draught into Lysa's wine when she wasn't looking and when he saw her eyes began to close they bid the room goodnight. As he undressed her and kissed her he waited and when she finally succumbed he breathed a sigh of relief. Kissing her was one thing but actually sleeping with the woman, even for the men he served it was not something he would do more than was needed.
"See to it that she's made to look ravished." he said to the guard as he left, he had far more important work to do than this.
It was three days later when the child passed him the note, a day later when it was confirmed by the raven. Prince Daemon had died and then risen and had not Varys's little bird handed him the note himself then he'd not have believed it, even given what his friends across the sea had said about the red god's power.
While their information was good he found it lacking, eight years Daemon had been in Essos and while they knew of him, they didn't know it was him. The tales of a man riding a dragon and a man named Daemon somehow not allowing them to make the connection, not allowing them to know they had a Targaryen in their midst. So instead of dealing with that one they had tried and failed countless times to bring a different one to them, each time being turned down for a visit for some unknown reason.
"My lord, Lord Yohn is without." his guard said and he nodded placing the raven scroll on his desk.
"Lord Royce how may I help you." he said when the Lord took his seat.
"Lord Baelish this news from the capital it changes things does it not, Lord Robert's health is even more important now."
"It was not before, your surprise me my Lord." he said feigning shock.
"You know it was, don't play games, my lord, I've not the time nor inclination for such."
"Indeed, so how may I assuage your concerns, Lord Royce."
"I believe Lord Robert needs to be fostered my lord, he needs to spend more time in the outdoors, more time to build himself up, to grow strong instead of the we… tired young boy he is." Yohn said with a cough to cover up his stumble.
"I couldn't agree with you more my lord, but his mother is ever so protective as you know. I shall speak to her and bring her your concerns, I will do my utmost to see young Robert safe and well."
"I thank you my lord, I look forward to your answer."
"Of course, I would not raise your hopes too much my lord, but I give you my oath I shall do my best."
"Lord Baelish."
"Lord Royce."
Stupid man, as if he'd ever give up Sweetrobin to someone else's protection, even with his powers of persuasion he doubted he could even get Lysa to agree should he wish, not that he did. As long as he needed him Sweetrobin would be his to control, they could have him when he was done with him and not before. He began to drum his fingers on the desk, trying to make sense of Prince Daemon, a prince with a dragon could do far too much damage and one who couldn't be killed, he shivered at the thought.
Like all he'd heard of the Iron Born and what Daemon had done to them, he'd even raised a glass to cheer once he'd heard about Cat. Lysa's jealousy and his own needs had stopped him from going to her aid when she'd asked, his plans taking precedence. Once her husband had fallen, once the Iron Born had invaded then and only then would he rescue his beloved, but events can make fools of the plans of the greatest of men, he wondered if Prince Daemon was once again to make fools of theirs.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Myrcella.
She had yet to get any real time alone with Daemon and though it was understandable it was frustrating too. Seeing him walk out of the fire, seeing him alive, seeing him naked, each image was burned in her head. She had rejoiced, cheered, been happy, and had blushed incredibly before Ser Bonifer had covered him with the cloak. Helping him as he stumbled had only increased her worry but soon it seemed he was back to himself.
She and Rhaenys had shared their relief when he had gone with Rhaella to dress, both of them torn between overwhelming happiness and filled with doubt at what they'd seen. When he'd come out and held her and then whispered in her ear that he loved her and they'd talk later, she'd almost refused to let him go only doing so because she knew how much Rhaenys needed what she'd just been given.
"I swear food tastes better." he said making her giggle.
"I wonder if that'll be all that does." she whispered as she looked to his lips.
When the others arrived she saw him take the time to speak to all of them, even the stoic Grey Worm seeming to be emotional as Daemon whispered in his ear. They had talked some more, Daemon still not explaining what had happened or how it was even possible, that it could be though she knew was something to do with Thoros and Melisandre and their gods, Daemon's god.
She was a little put out when Elia and Ashara and her daughter arrived, both at the way Daemon greeted them and how he greeted the girl in particular. When he came over to her to tell her that he needed to speak to them in private she must have pouted and the smirk he gave her almost had her losing her temper. Daemon though just leaned in close, kissed her lips, and then moved his mouth to her ear.
"I promise you, as soon as I speak to the queen and Lady Ashara we'll spend some time together just the two of us, and then I'll tell you all I can. I love you Myrcella, I'm so happy to be able to tell you that." he said and she shivered when he nibbled on her ear.
"I love you too." she said almost breathlessly.
He was gone for some time and when he came back he stopped to whisper to Rhaenys who nodded and then to his grandmother before reaching out to take her by the hand. Her uncle looked at the two of them and followed and when they got to Daemon's room he moved to stop them.
"Ser Jaime I swear on my honor I'll do nothing untoward, but I ask you to give us these few moments of privacy."
"On your honor?"
"On my honor Ser." Daemon said and she, while happy her uncle was protective, felt a little disappointed when they entered the room.
Being picked up in his arms and kissed so suddenly that she couldn't make a sound while being carried to the bed, though soon made her disappointment fade away.
"You swore on your honor." she giggled.
"I have no honor, besides we are to be wed, we should be allowed to kiss should we not?" he said kissing her lips again before softly biting on her lip when he looked into her eyes.
"Hmm, I vote we should." she said kissing him this time her tongue seeking and gaining entrance to his mouth, her arms holding him tight.
They kissed for a few more moments and when they were done she felt sated for now, almost as if he knew just how much she needed. She leaned her head against his chest feeling his heartbeat through his shirt, and then he took a deep breath and began to explain. Had she not seen it with her own eyes she'd have thought him a mummer, a fool and a liar, but she had and he was none of those things, he spoke only the truth and it was incredible.
"So R'hllor brought you back from the dead?"
"I am his chosen, Lyanax, my swords, the unsullied, Davos, my wealth, all of it are gifts from him, gifts that I need to use in service to him, gifts that have a purpose."
"A purpose."
"There are things out there Cella, things in this world that make no sense, things that seek to bring about an end, a change to how the world works. My god is a true god, a powerful god, and he stands in the way of those who would bring the darkness, those who wish to see the light gone."
"I don't understand?"
"R'hllor is the god of the light, the god of fire and heat, but there is another, a god of darkness, a god of night and terror, a god who is the soul of ice." Daemon said and she shivered.
"You..you are to fight this god?"
"I am to stop this god. He has a champion, more than one, my god has me." he said and she looked at him.
"I don't want you to fight." she said softly her fingers tracing his cheeks and brushing his hair from his eyes.
"The fight has already started Cella. I thought I could stop it from coming here, I stayed away thinking that, thinking that was what my god wished from me, that he had made Lyanax refuse to carry me because of that but I was wrong."
"How were you wrong?"
"It wasn't my time to come back, my god makes plans Cella, plans even I'm not fully a part of, he's playing a game that we are all just pieces in, but it's a game that must be won and I must play my part." he said looking down.
"You're leaving aren't you." she said getting up from his lap and walking to the window.
"I have to, I need to find Aegon. I need to get to him before they use him and before it begins."
"Begins, use him, players in a game? I don't understand any of this, I don't care about any of this, I care about you, about us, don't you care about me?" she said loudly and her uncle opened the door.
"Cella?"
"Ser Jaime a moment." Daemon said annoyed.
"Cella?" Jaime said again ignoring him.
"It's alright uncle, give us a moment, please, all is well." she said trying to smile and thankfully he nodded moving back outside, though he left the door open.
"Cella, look at me." Daemon said and she kept looking out the window "Cella, please."
"What?" she said her voice still a little angry.
"I love you, I wish to marry you and I am going to spend the rest of my life with you." he said as he took her hands in his.
"That's all I want also, so let's do that, forget all this, let's just be together Daemon."
"Cella what's coming needs to be stopped, and I'm the only one who can. I need to do this and I can't do it without you but no matter what it must be done. As much as I'd wish it to be so my god didn't bring me back to marry you, he brought me back to do his bidding, my choice is to marry you and so that's my reward."
"Reward?" she asked confused.
"My reward, I save the world and get you, it's a fair trade-off I think." he said smiling which she couldn't help but smile back at.
"So that's what I am to you a prize?" she said trying to keep her smile from her face.
"You're my incentive, my goal, my prize, my wish. You're the reason I'll succeed, the reason nothing they can do will stop me, the reason why I'll always return." he said and she felt herself melt in his arms as she kissed him.
"When?" she asked when she finished kissing him.
"When what?"
"When do you have to go?"
"I don't know, I need to find out some things, I need to look to the fires."
"Look to the fires?"
"The truth is in the flames Cella, I need to find it, it's how my god shows me my path."
"Was I in the flames?" she asked curiously.
"Even my god couldn't conjure you, my love, he's not that powerful." Daemon said and she kissed him again.
Pentos 300 AC.
Daario.
The boy was pliant if nothing else, sure he moaned and bitched but he soon realized his situation and knew escape was not an option. He almost felt sorry for him knowing who he was handing him over to, the fat Magister was not someone he'd wish to end up at the mercy of. Not that he could do too much to the boy while they were there, but still, he'd much prefer it when they were out of here.
Pentos was too close to Westeros, and while the eunuch would spread falsehoods there was always the danger that they may end up on their trail. Thankfully the dragon prince wouldn't be the one coming after him, why they hadn't just gone with that plan in the first place he knew not, but then he was far lower down the ladder, or at least he had been. Succeeding here would raise him up a couple of rungs, which in turn meant more gold, more wine, and more women.
He stood on the deck while his men went to get the cart, they'd given the boy a sleeping draught when he ate his meal and now under the cover of darkness, he waited. It wasn't too long until the man returned and soon they were riding to the manse owned by Illyrio. After the guards let them in they were directed to one of the smaller buildings and once he'd seen the boy chained up he went in search of the fat man, finding him soon after unsurprisingly eating as usual.
"Ah my friend, you have returned, successful too."
"I have and I was, you have made the arrangements?"
"The Shy Maid awaits at Ghoyan Drohe, the horses and supplies will be ready in two days." Illyrio said.
"Two days, I have no wish to linger here longer than I need to." Daario said annoyedly.
"Indeed, but linger you must, you are early my friend, sit, eat, enjoy my hospitality." the fat man said clapping his hands.
He had to admit the blond was pretty and as she reached his table and put the food down he grabbed her pulling her to his lap.
"What is your name pretty lady?" he asked and she smiled seductively at him letting him know she was a pillow slave as much as anything else.
"Dorea."
"A pretty name, perhaps you can keep me company while I'm here?" he said as he looked to Illyrio who just waved his hands as if he cared not.
Good, at least his bed would be warm he thought as he fed the girl while he ate, he enjoyed how she sucked his fingers clean and could feel his breeches tighten at the possibilities. He and the Magister barely spoke the rest of the night, instead, he found his attention diverted by the girl, enjoying it when she stroked his beard. He retired early and found the girl to be well-practiced, which was something he preferred in his bed companions.
After breaking his fast the next morning he checked on his prize and found the magister in the room with the prince. He shuddered as he looked at the leeches as they sucked the prince's blood and he grabbed the Magister's hand when he moved the knife to the boy's chest.
"Unharmed, or you can explain to them why he's not."
"I just wished a taste." Illyrio said licking his lips.
"Then drink from the leeches, the boy is to be delivered as he is."
"As you say Naharis." the fat man said with a glare.
He saw the boy look at him gratefully and he almost felt sorry for him, here he would remain unharmed but when he got him to Qohor he'd soon realize that he'd not been saved at all, turning he closed his eyes and walked from the building. Daario ordered his men to bring the prince food and drink, he posted some more on the door telling them to inform him if the Magister tried to enter again. He spent the night deep in Dorea, knowing it would be moons before he managed to find someone else to fuck.
The girl asked to come with him and he was sorely tempted just to pass the time on the road, but his masters wouldn't care for it and so he denied her instead he got ready to leave early that morning.
"I wish you safe travels, my friend." Illyrio said.
"I thank you, no doubt we'll meet again soon.
"No doubt." Illyrio said nodding while smirking.
"Chaos is a ladder." he said.
"Chaos is a ladder." Illyrio said and he mounted and they were gone few moments later.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Ashara.
Like Elia and Rhaenys she hadn't even begun to mourn Daemon's passing when she watched him walk from the funeral pyre, Allyria had grabbed her hand in shock upon seeing it. She had insisted she came with Elia to speak to him and had been disappointed when they'd been stopped, though she found herself agreeing with Rhaella somewhat.
After then being allowed to see inside she had almost felt afraid to meet him, to talk to him again after all these years, though she knew some of the fear was because of what they'd seen in the Dragonpit. When he did ask to speak to them she had noticed how he looked at Allyria, and so as soon as they entered the room she had told him.
"Daemon, there's something you should know, something I've wished to tell you for a long time." she said looking at her daughter.
"You can tell me anything Ashie." he said and she chuckled.
"You remembered." she said and he laughed.
"I always remember."
"Daemon, this is my daughter Allyria, she's..your cousin." she said and he moved towards her daughter.
"Cousin?"
"Brandon Stark is my father." Allyria said nervously.
"It's a pleasure to meet you cousin." Daemon said and when Allyria reached out her hand Daemon pulled her to him and she almost had to wipe her eyes when she saw them hug.
"You too cousin." Allyria said happily.
"I've met our other cousins, I think you'd like them." he said when he let her daughter go.
"I've wanted to, but mother and I, we haven't been sure of how they'd react." Allyria said as she looked to him eagerly.
"I think they'd be happy to meet you, they seemed nice to me, but I'm happy to meet you and I hope we can get to know each other better." Daemon said smiling and she saw Allyria nod enthusiastically.
"I'd like that very much cousin."
"Your grace, forgive me." Daemon said a moment later looking to Elia.
"Daemon." Elia said chidingly and he nodded.
"Elia, Aegon, what happened? I'll find him, I'll do my best to find him."
"We don't know where he is Daemon, what happened, someone tried to blame this on Dorne, someone else is making it look like the Reach, your father." Elia said and she watched as Daemon tensed "He's not sure, he dismissed Jon Connington as Hand and put Tywin in charge."
"I heard, it's about time, Tywin is a far better choice, Connington was a fool."
"He was, your father felt he owed him, though he should have gotten rid of him years ago."
"He should have. This isn't the Reach or Dorne, I don't know who here played a part but this is Essos."
"Essos?" she asked surprising them both.
"Our blood, our blood is powerful Ashie, it's the blood of the dragon, king's blood, but even more powerful than that."
"I don't understand?" Elia said.
"There is magic in our blood, we're the last of the forty, the last of the Dragonriders. It was our blood that allowed the bond to be forged between us and the dragons and with the rest of the forty gone it's only us that are left. Essos runs on magic, be it the warlocks in Qarth, the Shadowbinders in Asshai, the Maegi of the Red Waste, they all use magic and all of them seek it."
"And they use blood?" Elia said horrified, Daemon quickly realizing why reached out to hold her hand.
"Blood magic is powerful and as I say ours is the most powerful bloodline. Have you ever wondered why none of you have ever traveled to Essos?" he asked and she found herself surprised that they actually hadn't.
"It never seemed like the time." Elia said and Daemon shook his head.
"You were never able to go, R'hllor stopped you, I stopped you."
"You?" she asked when Elia looked at Daemon strangely.
"Had any of our family tried to travel I'd have known, we had you blocked using R'hllor's will and my own magic's."
"What you're saying it's not possible, Daemon." Elia said shaking her head.
"I rode here on a dragon, less then a day ago I was dead and I've just walked unburnt from a fire, there is nothing that's impossible to a god." Daemon said and Allyria looked at him.
"You're a god?" her daughter asked.
"No, I just serve one. I'm his chosen, I have his favor."
"I don't understand any of this." Elia said and Ashara could only agree.
"I know, it's hard to get your head around it, trust me I've lived it and I find it hard to understand at times."
"You said your family was blocked that R'hllor stopped them from going, if so then how did you go?" Ashara asked.
"He called me, I may not have known it at the time but I think he called me. It was time for me to go, time to learn my role, I..I have things I must do, Elia I will do my best, I will try and find Aegon and bring him back."
"You're going to Essos?" Elias asked worriedly.
"I am, I have too."
"Take Arthur, gather some knights." Elia said.
"I have more men there than I could bring with me, besides its not knights that will win this fight, they're not equipped for it."
"Daemon, be careful, I may have already lost one son, I don't wish to lose another." Elia said kissing his forehead.
"I'll try my best." he said looking to them all.
After he left she looked to her daughter and to Elia, both were looking as confused as she was feeling. She moved over and sat beside them and tried to make sense of what Daemon had told them. She found she could not, it made none, magic, blood, rising from the dead, none of it made sense. She could only hope that he at least knew what he was talking about and that he really did have a god's favor.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Daemon.
He had spoken to his grandmother, to Elia and Ashara, and to Myrcella and as he walked with Rhaenys he tried not to smile when thinking of the woman he loved. He had thought after Yi Ti that he'd never have felt that way again, never have wished for it, and yet from the moment he had seen Myrcella he had felt it deeply. He tried to put things out of his mind, there was no doubt he was doing what was right and he knew no matter the danger he would return, he had far too much to lose not to.
"Where are you taking me?" Rhaenys asked curiously.
"Outside, I need some air." he said and she nodded.
Once he got outside he walked with her to the garden and smirked when he saw where Lyanax had lain, the dragon droppings in the corner still smoldering and would soon turn to dust. He stopped and looked around and then saw a small step which he led Rhaenys to, behind them Grey Worm with a half dozen of his guards and Ser Arys walked to ensure their privacy and their safety.
"I need to go to Essos." he said and she looked at him concernedly.
"For Egg?" she asked.
"I need to find him, bring him home." he said and she nodded in agreement.
"Daemon, I..you need to take the crown, you need to be king, not Egg, not me."
"I don't want it Rhaenys."
"I know, but grandmother was right, the best kings are the ones who don't wish it, it has to be you, I see that now, I..I want to help Daemon."
"I'll need it." he said with a chuckle.
"Grandmother said, she said you may wish me to be your Hand." Rhaenys said nervously.
"A woman as Hand." he said softly and then turned to her when he saw she was misinterpreting what he was saying "It's about damn time." he said smiling at her.
"You would?" she asked a little surprised and greatly relieved.
"I think it's a great idea, politically, practically, and well aren't you supposed to be able to trust your Hand, who is more trustworthy than family. Besides you've been training to be a queen all your life, you know things that need to be done, improvements that need to be made, you're far more suited to sit the throne than I."
"No I'm not, but to be beside you, that, that I can do." she said and he nodded.
"Rhaenys, we need to bring the Tyrell's onto our side. The West and North will come with me, you bring Dorne and the loyalists will support us both, but the Reach, we need to bring them on board."
"Willas?" she asked and he nodded.
"I think so, I don't, I wouldn't force you but that was your plan was it not?"
"It was, I'll speak to grandmother and to Lady Olenna."
"Let's go inside, there are things I need to do, I need to find out what happened." He said as he stood up and reached down to take her hand.
"Daemon, I..what you did, thank you." she said softly.
"You're my sister, I did what any brother would do." he said as she hugged him.
After walking Rhaenys back to his grandmother and Myrcella, he spoke very briefly to his aunt and uncle, having perhaps the most civil conversation with Viserys ever. He asked them both to accept some of his guards or some men of the hundred to be with them for the next few weeks and was pleased when they agreed. He then asked to speak to both Arthur and Jaime and told Davos to gather Thoros, Melisandre, and Grey Worm and that he'd meet them in a few moments.
"Arthur, Ser Jaime." he said pointing to the seats and waiting until they both sat down "I know you both have many questions and I've spoken to both Myrcella and Ashara so I'm sure they can tell you most of what you'd like to know, but I needed to speak to you on other matters."
"How are you alive?" Jaime asked and Daemon looked to him.
"My God is not finished with me yet Ser Jaime, my work is only just beginning." he held his hand up to stop the next question "Melisandre can tell you more of what happened, forgive me but I don't have much time, there are things out there, things that need to be stopped and now the men who wish to let those things loose have the means to do so."
"I don't understand." Arthur said.
"Again I've told Myrcella, Ashara, my grandmother, Melisandre can speak more on it. I wish I could go over it all again but I need to work, I need to speak to my god before nightfall."
"Your god, you mean R'hllor?" Jaime said.
"I do, Arthur what do you know of the prophecy, the Prince that was Promised, you've heard it right?"
"I did, your father he was obsessed with it."
"I know." Daemon said bitterly "But prophecy is a fickle bitch Arthur, it's open to interpretation and unless you know where you're looking you end up walking down the wrong path."
"You're saying Rhaegar walked the wrong path?" Arthur asked curiously.
"I'm saying I am my god's promised prince, his chosen, his warrior, his champion, and that over time the prophecy has been misinterpreted. It was never meant for man, it was meant for gods and only the gods truly understand it."
"You should speak to your father." Arthur said and Daemon shook his head.
"I don't have time to explain it all, what I'm about to do, where I'm to go, time is my enemy, Arthur. I asked both of you here not because of that but because when I'm gone I can't protect the people I care about. I want you to use my men, use the hundred, use anyone you can trust but you need to make sure they're all well guarded."
"Who are we guarding them from?" Jaime asked.
"Not who Ser Jaime, what." Daemon said and looked to them as he left the room.
He hated it, hated to be so vague but even the small amount he told them would make him seem to be more like his grandfather's son. His own men, his grandmother, Myrcella perhaps, though it could be her faith in him rather than what he said, these were all who wouldn't think him a fool. He put his hand on the ruby as he walked into the room, feeling the power come of it and knowing he'd have need of it soon.
"Daemon." Melisandre said smiling when he walked into the room
"Don't you ever do anything like that again, I'm an old man, my heart can't take it." Davos said and he reached out to touch his shoulder.
"This one is happy you are well my prince." Grey Worm said as they hooked arms hand to elbow.
"What not saying anything?" he japed to Thoros who just grabbed him and refused to let go for a few moments.
"As much as I know you want to hold me here, we have things to do Thoros." he said and he felt Thoros nod as he let him go.
They took their seats and he asked them to go over what happened, to fill in the blanks in his own memory, and to talk through what had happened with Aegon. The more he heard the more certain he was, no one from Essos could have done this without someone on the inside, without someone close to power.
Had it not been Aegon who was taken he'd have suspected Jon Connington but he knew it wasn't him, nor could he speak to the man now even if he wanted to. He hadn't been surprised to hear it was him that he'd heard all those years ago, though he wondered who it was he had been speaking to and why he'd done so in the tunnels. Still, the man was no longer in this world and even his god couldn't speak to him now.
"The man who fired the arrows, the man Ghost killed, what do we know of him?"
"Torgo Nudho says he was a Stormcrow." Davos said.
"Naharis is still captain is he not?" he asked and Grey Worm nodded.
"Then he was here too, that explains how they managed to take Lewyn and Bon's men but this is far too big for the Stormcrows and far too ambitious for Daario."
"Even if he knew they were your kin?" Thoros asked.
"He couldn't have known that at least not until he got here and put it together for himself, even those he worked for couldn't know, no besides had he known then I'd have been hit by more than two arrows." he said and Thoros nodded.
"So when do we leave?" Davos said and Daemon shook his head.
"We don't, I do. I need you to stay here." the arguments began once he was finished speaking, Thoros and Melisandre the loudest but both Grey Worm and Davos weren't quiet either "Enough." he said a little loudly.
"If you think I'm letting you leave on your own you're a fool and you're no fool Daemon." Thoros said and he couldn't help but smile at his friend.
"I never said alone, Thoros and I will leave, Melisandre you and Davos will be needed here and Torgo Nudho I need you to protect my family, protect Myrcella and our people."
"This one will do as you ask my prince."
"I know and I'm most grateful for it." he said "Davos, you know more of this city than anyone. I need you to work with my grandmother and sister, work with Ser Bonifer and find out if there are any more of them here, if there are any threats we need to know about. Someone in King's Landing helped them but I don't know if they acted alone or there was more than one and so I need you to search and see what you can find."
"Of course my prince." Davos said.
"Melisandre, given what happened, what the people just saw there are bound to be questions. I know my family and others will seek answers about R'hllor, the people will too and so I need you to be here for that. R'hllor doesn't give his boons freely, he brought me back for a reason, a reason other than the one we already know about."
"You think he wishes to expand into Westeros?" Thoros asked.
"Our God is a jealous god Thoros, do you think he likes that here he is unknown?"
"No."
"What better way to make his presence felt than with what happened in the Dragonpit." he said and Melisandre nodded.
"When will you leave?" Melisandre added.
"I need to look into the flames, will you join me, all of you?" he asked and they nodded.
It took some time for the fire to be lit, for it to high enough and once it was Daemon reached to his hip and took his knife, leaning into the fire he cut his hand and allowed the drops of blood to fall into the flames. He looked on as they changed color, from red to blue, and finally to a blinding white, and then he saw the visions before him. They went on for some time before the flames died down and he saw the others had seen them too.
"Did you all see?" he asked and they nodded "What you saw was for you and you alone, we need to move quickly, Torgo Nudho the men?"
"Will be ready my prince." Grey Worm said as he moved from the room.
"Thoros, we need to be armored just in case."
"I'll get it and your swords too."
"Thank you, Davos, you'll meet them and bring them here, you and Melisandre?"
"We will, will you all be back by then?"
"We'll be gone further by then." he said as he moved from his seat.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Thoros.
The last few days had been the most emotionally trying of his life. When he had heard the news of his prince's death those many years ago it had felt lesser than it did seeing him fall in front of him. Seeing him rise again reaffirmed both his faith in Daemon and in R'hllor himself. As they headed to the Red Keep though he felt excited, it had been years since he and Daemon had been on a mission together and soon they would be on one he'd spent his life preparing for.
First, though they needed to do what they must, Grey Worm had taken the vast majority of the unsullied and placed them at every exit. Between the knights of the hundred and the two Kingsguard along with Ser Jaime, his prince's family were safe. They now only had to do what was needed, what was necessary and so they marched, he, Daemon and half a dozen of Grey Worm's best men, the man himself leading them.
"If they give trouble?" Thoros asked.
"We deal with them, incapacitate don't kill." Daemon said and he nodded.
Both of them were armored, he was wearing the Valyrian steel breastplate that Daemon had given him and his prince wearing his own armor. A part of Thoros had wished he'd always wear it, had he been doing so the night of the attack he'd not have fallen, though that would have meant he'd not have risen either. They were stopped at the gate but Daemon was able to talk their way inside, even past the guards in the Red Keep itself. It wasn't until they reached the doors of the small council room that they faced any real questioning of their intent.
"Ser Oswell, Ser Jonathor, I need you to step aside." Daemon said.
"My prince what is the meaning of this?" Oswell asked his hand going to his side, Ser Jonathor's doing likewise.
"I ask you to trust me, I need you to trust me Ser." Daemon said and after a moment Oswell nodded.
"Oz." Ser Jonathor said angrily.
"What are we to do, we either believe in the prince or we draw our weapons, do you think he's here to hurt the king?" Oswell asked.
"We don't know why he's here." Jonathor said looking at Daemon.
"Ser, I'm not here to cause harm to the king." Daemon said and reluctantly the knight nodded "What you see I ask you to play along with Sers."
They entered the room and Thoros saw the Grandmaester, the fat lord of the Reach and the Lord of Driftmark along with the old lion, the eunuch and the king"
"Daemon." the king said shocked when the unsullied walked in with their spears out.
"Take him." Daemon said and before anyone could move, before anyone could speak the eunuch had been dragged from his seat, his arms tied behind his back and he had six spears pointing at his chest.
"Daemon?" what's the meaning of this?" the king asked.
"Lord Varys is a traitor your grace, it was he who arranged for the attacks to take place." Daemon said and Thoros saw the old lion look to the eunuch while the king looked to Daemon.
"What evidence do you have Daemon, how do you know this?"
"I don't have time for any of that your grace, if we wish to find Aegon then I need to act now, take him." Daemon said and the unsullied grabbed Varys from the floor and moved towards the door.
"Daemon." the king said his voice raised.
"I must go, Lord Tywin, your grace, I must go now." he said and it was the old lion who nodded first.
The room they brought the eunuch too was dark, the torches dim and once the man was secured to the wall, once he was chained up it was only then that Daemon moved forward.
"You know why you're here, no doubt you'll tell me some lies, deny your part and even when you break you'll not tell me what I need to know, so let's not play games Varys, you will not leave this room alive we both know this."
"I know." Varys said.
"So I'll give you one chance, tell me what I wish and it'll be quick, otherwise it'll be anything but. However, mark my words my lord talk you will and the only question you need to ask yourself is, would the pain be worth it?"
The eunuch laughed for a few moments before he looked at the prince, his eyes full of hate and a small smirk on his face.
"You think I fear death, you think I don't look forward to meeting my god? To getting my rewards? Do your worst Daemon Targaryen for you cannot stop the inevitable. They are coming, you've seen them have you not, Red Eyes, Blue Eyes, White Eyes, they are coming."
Daemon smiled and took a hold of the chain on his neck pulling the ruby out, Thoros watched as Varys's smirk left his face and the flicker of fear crossed his features, he looked on as Daemon took his knife and cut the wound on his hand once again. Taking hold of the ruby in his palm the prince allowed the blood to pool and then began to whisper, once he was done Thoros felt the room begin to heat up.
He looked to the light as it dimmed some more and then he saw the shadows begin to move, the shapes begin to form and he listened as Daemon spoke.
"My god is a true god Lord Varys, my demons are real, you think I send you to meet your god. No my lord, where you're going there is only one God, the God of Flame and shadows. Enjoy your night Lord Varys but remember the night is dark and full of terrors."