Main Content
Archive of Our OwnArchive of Our OwnHi, TheBrimmedHat!PostLog Out
FandomsBrowseSearchAboutWork Search
tip: "uchiha sasuke/uzumaki naruto" angst kudos>10
Actions
Entire Work ← Previous Chapter Next Chapter → Chapter Index Bookmark Mark for Later Comments Share Download
Work Header
Rating:
Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warning:
Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Category:
F/M
Fandoms:
House of the Dragon (TV)Warhammer FantasyA Song of Ice and Fire & Related Fandoms
Relationships:
Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)/Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Baela Targaryen/Jacaerys Velaryon
Characters:
Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Laena Velaryon (Daughter of Corlys)Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Baela TargaryenJacaerys VelaryonRhaenyra TargaryenDaemon TargaryenCorlys "The Sea Snake" VelaryonRhaenys Targaryen VelaryonAemond "One-Eye" TargaryenAegon II TargaryenAlicent HightowerDaeron Targaryen (Son of Viserys I)Cannibal the Wild Dragon (A Song of Ice and Fire)Valyrian Gods (A Song of Ice and Fire)Helaena Targaryen
Additional Tags:
Character Turned Into VampireUndeadNecromancyVideo Game MechanicsThe Dance of the Dragons | Aegon II Targaryen v. Rhaenyra Targaryen EraLaenor Velaryon is Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)'s ParentLaena doesn't let something like being dead stop her from helping her familyDragon RidersPOV MultipleDeath to all GreensPiratesBody HorrorBAMF Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Temporary Character DeathReligious Imagery & SymbolismWeird Plot Shitno beta we die like everyoneBook: Fire and Blood (A Song of Ice and Fire)Self-IndulgentChild DeathDismembermentDragonrider Rhaena Targaryen (Daughter of Daemon)Rhaenys and Rhaenyra act more like their bookselves cause their showselves suckCanon-Typical ViolenceCannibalismVampire BitesThe non-sexy kindDark Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Vampire Lucerys Velaryon (Son of Rhaenyra)Angst with a Happy Ending
Language:
English
Stats:
Published:2024-06-14Completed:2024-10-31Words:169,619Chapters:35/35Comments:1,151Kudos:2,057Bookmarks:542Hits:94,733
Lucerys Velaryon of the Vampire Coast
SkilledWarriorKiwi
Chapter 5: The great escape of King's Landing
Summary:
totally ignoring the incredibly dumb way cole became hand in the show and him banging alicent, I'm not even a green and that dude is being fumbled so bad like wtf where is the Kingmaker?
Chapter Text
"I want their heads!" Aegon screeched.
Alicent flinched, her fingers clenched tight around one another. The room stunk of blood, ash and the sickly reek of poultices as Maester Orwyle saw to the terrible wounds upon the king. Dragonflame had melted the left side of his armour upon his flesh, and he had to be cut free via his melded flesh. His screams had shaken her, but he furiously refused any offer of milk of the poppy.
Having a council meeting in personal chambers was rather unprofessional in Alicent's opinion, but with Aegon being dragged to the maester and put upon bedrest after the failed assault at Rook's Rest left them no choice; the king's left leg had been broken at the shin, even if she was relieved when Orwyle declared it was a clean break and would heal well. The burns were a far more serious matter, but Aegon had demanded the Green council reconvene despite his pain.
Sunfyre, Alicent knew, was being tended to at the Dragonpit from the horrible wounds he had received. Vhagar had been uninjured in the battle beyond some surface scratches, and Aemond was lurking near the back of the room and looking none the worse for wear.
"You're wounded," Alicent said. "Aemond did right in choosing to protect you over slaying Princess Rhaenys. It is too risky to attack Dragonstone directly, especially with the Velaryon blockade and Rook's Rest back in Rhaenyra's hands."
"She is correct, we must continue mustering allies," Otto said, causing a thrill through Alicent at her father's agreement. "We must seek to winning over lords, hiring sellswords, strengthening the defenses of King's Landing and seeking other alliances. Dragons are not the only weapons available in war."
"Harrenhall has fallen," Aegon snarled at them, features twisted as Master Orwyle smeared thick green paste over his arm. The flesh looked like pork seared for too long. "The defeats at the Burning Mill and Stone Hedge- The North and the Vale haven't answered any of your damn ravens, have they?"
"Lady Jeyne Arryn is Princess Rhaenyra's blood," Tyland Lannister said. "It was perhaps foolish to believe she would not side with her kinswoman."
Aegon gave the man such a hateful look Alicent was surprised the king hadn't thrown something.
"House Tyrell and House Florent still have not declared for either side," Tyland continued, seemingly unbothered by the animosity. "Since they are of the Reach, they should be easy enough to persuade to join with Lord Ormund Hightower's host and the Redwyne's, when Daeron Targaryen leaves Oldtown with his Blue Queen. My brother is also raising the strength of the west, even if the Iron Islands remain silent despite the king's generous offer in making Dalton Greyjoy Lord of Ships."
"Then we should send Queen Helaena to give those demands to the Tyrells and Florents, to curry favour with our bannermen and show we have not diminished in strength," Otto said.
Alicent jolted, her intake sharp, "Helaena is no warrior-"
"It is about time that girl did something for her king beside sit embroidering every hour of the day and muttering to the air," her father rebuked. "She can act as a messenger. With our king injured, Vhagar must remain at King's Landing to protect him. Her dragon is the second largest of ours and should take the flight easily enough. Your daughter should have the capabilities to deliver a message, especially in the Reach. You have coddled that girl far too long, it is time she served her king and her realm."
"I- yes, father. I will inform the queen of her duties," Alicent said quietly, gaze skittering off down onto the floor. The woven rug was in emeralds and golds, showing rearing horses.
Aegon snarled, shaking and drooling slightly as Maester Orwyle finished slathering the paste across his arm and shoulder and began bandaging it. The fingers on his left arm didn't seem to be able to close, instead twitching and showing shiny burn flesh. His fingernails were gone. Alicent could not bear to look at him. The reek of burnt meat was thick.
"There's also the need to discuss the dragonrider which had flown to Princess Rhaenys's aid," Jasper Wylde said from his place at the side table, shuffling some of his sheets of parchment.
"It could have been Prince Jacaerys or even the Black Queen herself," Tyland said.
"Perhaps the Velaryon girl, her dragon should be large enough to ride."
"And Prince Aemond claimed...bats attacked Vhagar which interrupted the battle before the dragon's arrival?" Lord Larys Strong said from where he was seated across from Wylde.
"They were bats the size of horses," Aemond bristled. "A flock of them attacked and forced me to chose between killing Rhaenys or protecting my king. If I remained behind to deal with the Red Queen, then the newcomer could have flown after Sunfyre."
"And you chose correctly, the king's safety is paramount," Alicent hastened to reassure him.
"Mayhaps but that does not solve the issue of the bats," Tyland said, sounding immensely dubious as Alicent flushed.
Because- she had been confused as well at Aemond's story. Giant bats, with thick brown fur and wide pink wings attacking Vhagar in a swarm and driving him away from where an injured Meleys had landed. Had chased Vhagar halfway down to Duskendale, only abandoning the chase when one great bat remained.
"Could they be from the forests around Rook's Rest? Crackclaw Point has some odd beasts living upon it," Lord Jasper suggested.
"That still doesn't explain why they attacked a dragon as large as Vhagar," Lord Tyland argued. "One would think they would have attacked Sunfyre or Meleys as she lay wounded."
"That disease that makes animals mad, foaming at the mouth. Perhaps they were ill with it."
"The bats do not matter and I highly doubt we need to be warned of them again," Otto Hightower said with a sharpness that rendered the men silent. "They most likely lived within the forests and were disturbed when Rhaenys attacked Ser Criston's men. There is no point upon dwelling about those beasts, not when we have Princess Rhaenyra and her host to deal with."
Murmurs of agreement shifted through the room. Aegon meanwhile looked like he was about to fall into unconsciousness, his purple eyes hazy with pain even as Orwyle moved to slathering the ointment paste upon his scorched side.
"Prince Daemon is Rhaenyra's greatest weakness and her greatest asset," Otto continued. "If we strike him down, then support for the pretender queen will fall. It is through the Rogue Prince's reputation and involvement she even has as much support. The Kingdom of the Three Daughters has been sent our envoys, offering exclusive trading rights at King's Landing as well as ceding the Stepstones if they would clear the Gullet of the Velaryon fleet. They lost many men in their war against Daemon Targaryen and the Sea Snake, and both were even injured in such battles against the Daughters. They are no strangers to fighting dragons."
Alicent stiffened, caught off guard by this new information, "The Triarchy? But- but they are slave nations. Surely-"
"Shut up," Aegon snapped at her, eyes bloodshot. "This is war, we do not have time for your womanly whimpering."
Alicent shut her mouth, lips pressed into a thin terse line. She remained silent as the conversations surged around the room, discussions of other potential allies and what other rewards they could offer and anymore sellswords they could hire. King's Landing itself was still restless, especially with the merchants complaining each and every morning about the blockade slowly starving the city. The crownlands were vulnerable and Alicent's fingers dug into her side.
"A show of strength is needed, after this loss," Ser Criston was saying. "There are those still loyal to the princess are within the black cells. Each should be dragged to the Red Keep's yard before the King's Justice and his axe. Each prisoner can be given a last chance to swear fealty to you, my king. Offer them this mercy and show them what happens to those who spurn the true king of the realm. Show them you can be just and fair, yet unbending to traitors."
Alicent felt a prickle run up her spine, "They were lead astray by Rhaenyra's wicked ways. They can still be-"
"Which is precisely why this is needed," her father cut in, his gaze cold. "I agree with Ser Criston. We have been far too lenient with traitors. We have shown mercy and fairness thus far and the rebellion have spat in our faces and injured our king. Giving the traitors another show of mercy will do the folk of King's Landing good. They can see the king meet out his justice, and also see the king meet out his mercy to those who bend the knee."
Aegon squinted at them, his breathing harsh even as the maester rubbed a thick green paste over the terrible burns searing his hip.
"Fine," Aegon hissed.
The executions were scheduled for the following day. Alicent held hope that those imprisoned would realize their loyalty was in vain and then King's Landing could see Aegon's mercy and forgiveness. And also witness how even with his injuries his stern justice had not wavered. Aegon was insistent they not wait, and they made preparations for the execution platform to be erected in the King's Yard and the smallfolk and lords and ladies invited to see the event. To show that Aegon was still alive and fighting for his rights upon his ancestral throne, even after being cruelly attacked.
Otto suggested Aegon use one of King Viserys's old canes to make the walk, due to his broken leg. To remind them he was the firstborn son of the late king. At Alicent's encouragement, Aegon agreed even if she insisted a chair be set upon the judgement platform for the king to sit. She felt it was important to show Aegon recovering, yet also show how he had been injured for all their sakes. That unlike Rhaenyra, he would fly into battle to protect them.
Helaena refused to be present for the executions, instead locking herself in her room and demanding they cease watching her. Who, Alicent was unable to divine, but she knew her father was already writing up his letters for Helaena to deliver to Lady Tyrell and Lord Florent. Alicent hoped Helaena traveling from King's Landing would help her realize what they were fighting for, especially if she came in contact with the Hightower host and Daeron. And there was no risk of Helaena encountering hostile dragonriders- with Rhaenys badly injured she would not be flying any time soon and they knew Daemon had been north in the Riverlands, being a mustering point for the people there. Dreamfyre was also larger than the likes of Syrax and Vermax. Her daughter would be safe.
Alicent was barely able to sleep most days after she fulfilled her king's dying wish to see Aegon upon the Iron Throne, dogged by worry for her children and that of the realm.
Typically Alicent would find solace in the royal sept within the Red Keep. But now she felt unwanted in what had been her holy place of comfort. However when Aemond returned with his grave news of slaying Lucerys, a step that could never be undone, King's Landing had been lashed by a violent storm that lasted seven days and seven nights. Afterwards, once tempers had cooled and Alicent could stand to be in a room with Aemond even if she could not bring herself to speak to him, she had gone to the royal sept. It had only been herself and the ever-present septas and septons of the royal sept, one of the septas sweeping the floor while one of the septons was chanting lowly in the chill morning air. It was familiar, just like the looming statues of the Seven overlooking them all.
There she had prayed, prayed for guidance and wisdom and strength to keep her son upon the throne. Prayed that Rhaenyra would still see reason, that Aegon was the true heir. That she would grieve but ultimately forgive, that the Mother would grant her compassion and the Crone would show her wisdom. That Rhaenyra would choose mercy and forgiveness, to protect her remaining children, even as all of Alicent's letters went unanswered.
When Alicent prayed at one of the great altars of remembrance, she had also lit candles. One for her late husband and king, Viserys Targaryen. One for her late mother, Alerie Florent.
And then she had lit one for Lucerys Velaryon.
For while she was still bitter from those events that horrible night so long ago, she had wanted the boy to pay for his crimes in defacing Aemond. To have consequences for his violence. But she did not wish him dead, much less at Aemond's hands. For now her son was a kinslayer, and nothing was more accursed in the eyes of the gods and man.
Only for the candle to refuse to the light, the wick refusing to burn. She tried several times, until she chose a new candle. Still wishing to pray to Lucerys's soul and perhaps guide his mother to forgiveness.
But again, the candle refused to burn. Even as she stood there, the two she had lit previously went out despite the lack of wind in the sept.
The septons and septas had stopped their duties and stared at her. Watching as Alicent tried and failed to relight of the candles. Frustrated and grieving Alicent set down the match but the moment she touched the remembrance altar, all of the near hundred candles upon it went out so abruptly Alicent found herself reeling at the sudden darkness.
One of the septas gasped loudly, making Alicent flinch as she realized she was being watched. When she looked over to them, she saw how the holy men and women were grouped together as if in a defensive huddle. Staring at her as if she was an intruder, a threat.
Even Septon Eustace, a man who had been her true friend and councilor throughout the years, had stared at Alicent as if she was something diseased. His wrinkled hands holding tight upon the Seven-Pointed Star tome, a shield against her.
Alicent backed away, hands shaking and when she looked up at the looming statue of the Father the sheer oppressive air that forced down upon her sent her fleeing.
She had not returned to the royal sept since.
Now she focused all her attention upon serving her king. Banishing such memories away. Alicent had spent the early morning supervising the building of the platform and decorating of the courtyard. Large banners bearing Aegon's personal symbol, with the golden dragon, were fluttering against the castle walls. A heavy block was set up, where those who refused mercy would be judged. There was also a large amount of flowers and vases added, and Alicent saw a basket of sand nearby. The King's Yard gates had not been opened for the public yet and Alicent prepared to make her way to the prisoners who refused to denounce Rhaenyra, to give one last attempt to change their ways.
There were eight lords and one lady held within the cells, along with eight landed knights and twoscore servants and retainers. Alicent and her father had been firm when they crowned Aegon, that they may be traitors to support Rhaenyra but mercy would always be looked upon fondly. That was why they had not been beheaded and their heads not mounted on spikes above the gates of King's Landing. Alicent had gone to them several times as the weeks passed with the growing war, pleading to the prisoners to renounce their ways and pledge faith to their true king. Lady Fell had managed to spit on her the last time Alicent had visited. She did not return.
Now however, they must make their choice and Alicent hoped the Crone had gifted them wisdom in their time imprisoned.
Before the failed battle of Rook's Rest, there had been talk of demanding fealty from the lords, as the lords of Stokeworth and Rosby were among those imprisoned. Aegon meanwhile had denied it, citing they must strike as soon as possible while Rhaenyra was grieving the loss of her son. Alicent's attempts to make the council see reason fell upon deaf ears, with Lord Wylde openly scoffing at her, and Ser Criston was sent with over two thousand soldiers with the majority being sellswords. They had bypassed the first two minor holds and then attacked Duskendale in the early dawn and then set upon Rook's Rest. As a port hold, Rook's Rest was more valuable and as expected Rhaenyra had sent a dragonrider.
Alicent had felt it ghastly, to cause an assault so soon after Lucerys's death but her worries were dismissed. And now her son was injured and there were queer rumours from Dragonstone that Lord Larys was digging into.
But she was dutiful to the realm and her king, so she obeyed his demands and sent one of the guards down to the dungeons, with Ser Criston ever at her back. She began to feel a sense of unease as time passed, too long in her mind. One guard had gone down, to speak to the two that were left upon watch duty in the cells. It was boring, long work Alicent knew, and typically done to punish those who had made mistakes or for the newcomers or those who must relearn patience. The prisoners had been chained at both ankle and wrists and had been languishing in the dark for weeks upon the barest rations, but Alicent still had six guards with her, not including Ser Criston.
Out through the nearest window she could hear a distant discussion, but was too far to understand the specifics. She thought she heard a dog bark.
Then the guard returned, appearing out of the dark stairwell with his torch held high like a beacon.
"They're gone, Your Grace."
It took Alicent a moment to respond, and even then it was just a dull, "What?"
"The prisoners- they're all gone! The cell doors have been torn open, the guards killed. The prisoners have vanished."
"Take me there," she demanded.
The Red Keep had four levels of dungeons. The third level had small cells with no windows and solid wooden doors and as such were called the black cells. The black cells were aptly named; no light would even penetrate into the bowels of the building, lined with a harsh cold stone that sucked away the warmth of her flesh even as she walked briskly down the hallway to where the prisoners were kept. Ser Criston was close to her side, while four guards with torches surrounded her. Two more were behind the group, while the lone guard was at the head.
Even with braziers at the walls lit and her escort holding their torches high, the darkness surrounding them was thick and dense like syrup. Alicent could feel goosepimples prickle her skin. They could not even hear the Red Keep above them, with its armies of servants and maids, guards and musicians. Instead it was cold and dark and lonely.
Alicent had tried to argue for the prisoners to be kept in one of the higher levels, to be shown courtesy, but her father had rebuked her. He insisted that spending weeks in the black cells would show them their folly of remaining loyal to Rhaenyra and Alicent had grudgingly agreed. Still, she hated going down there in such an oppressive, stinking place.
There are no windows or beds in the black cells, not even a bucket for waste. The straw on the floor always reeked of urine and feces whenever Alicent had drawn near. The only light the prisoners received was when the door was opened to feed them, or if they received a visitor with a torch.
There was only one way in or out of the dungeons, the main yawning stairwell that spiraled down to each level.
They found the two guards who had been stationed at the entry of the black cells, sprawled upon the ground with their heads completely gone. Alicent swallowed back her bile as the torchlight revealed the bodies, stepping forward so she could see the injury despite Ser Criston's quiet word that she need not witness it.
The heads hadn't just been removed. They had been splattered all over the stone with some of the spray even reaching the ceiling, as if something had struck them with immense force. What could possibly do such a thing, Alicent didn't know. Perhaps a trebuchet hurling a rock could spray a man's skull like that but that was impossible down in the corridors of the Red Keep.
Between the guards was a small table where a dice game had been set, the surface covered in more blood. It was sticky.
"Hours old," Ser Criston agreed, even without her saying anything. "Mayhaps even before dawn."
"But who? And how did they get through the Red Keep without being spotted? Especially with so many prisoners in tow."
"Your Grace," the first guard said hesitantly. "Up ahead, you will see the doors."
"My queen, be cautious," Ser Criston warned.
When the black cells were revealed in the torchlight, Alicent understood the guard's confusion. Each door of each cell was made of dense wood, four inches thick and studded with iron. But as she walked past the cells which should have held the prisoners, each door had been torn off its frame and was slumped against the opposite wall.
Alicent leaned down by one of the discarded doors; she could see a set of marks high up and when she hesitantly touched the thick solid wood, she realized they were fingermarks. As if someone had dug their nails into the wood and torn the door right off its hinges and thrown against the wall.
"Who- what did this?" Alicent asked, bewildered. "Surely no man could rip this asunder, they were made to withstand the prisoners trying to claw their way through even with tools. What did this?"
"I know not, Your Grace."
That did not comfort Alicent in the slightest, that Ser Criston was just as confused as she was. Checking the torn open cells revealed that all of the prisoners had in fact vanished and when Alicent ascended back into the keep she immediately called for her brother, Gwayne Hightower, to mobilize the City Watch to search for the escapees.
It was all for naught.
Alicent had admitted the escape to her father, and the pending executions were postponed until further notice. Aegon had raged when informed, calling the guards worthless and demanding they find the escapees and torture them all to death. Alicent left shortly after. Otto had been just as confused as to who had broken the captive Blacks from the cells, and even moreso when he saw the dead guards for himself. Father and daughter met in one of the side chambers to discuss the issue, and they both agreed while the executions could not continue simply have a public address by the king would do the smallfolk and lords good. Alicent also suggested they offer food from the feasts to the smallfolk, to curry favour and was pleased her father agreed with her.
Lord Larys was called for, but even he knew nothing about the escape. Nothing at all, from any of sources and none of any escaping groups fleeing to the crownlands. It was, as the guard stated, as if they had simply disappeared.
"As for the doors being pulled off, they most likely brought a tool with them," Lord Larys said. "I will begin questioning blacksmiths, the stonemasons. It seems to be a heavy winch of sort, with a grip resembling claws to hold onto the wood. It would seem they were well prepared for this heist, and one such as these are never without evidences no matter how well they cover their tracks."
"Very well, see to it," her father commanded.
"But I have heard more of the rumours upon Dragonstone, while searching for the would-be rescuers," Lord Larys said.
There was something about his tone Alicent severely disliked, "Is it about the dragon?"
"No, rather regarding an interesting whisper regarding Prince Lucerys."
Alicent blinked, "Was...were his remains found?"
As far as she knew, only the head and wing of Arrax had been recovered. Washed up at the shores of Storm's End. But if his body was found, then Rhaenyra could set her son upon a pyre and if the gods were good would give her closure for her son.
"Did Lord Baratheon's men find Lucerys's body?" Alicent asked. "If that is what has occurred, then we must send for Dragonstone. Even after this terrible event at Rook's Rest, this could be a turnover for peace to the princess."
Lord Larys shook his head, "It was not regarding his body, Your Grace. Rather whispers that the prince was not killed at Storm's End. They say he upon Dragonstone."
"The prince was killed," Otto said. "Aemond confirmed Vhagar bit him and his dragon in twain. Even a glancing blow from a beast as large as that would kill a boy as small as Prince Lucerys. And if that had not killed him then the fall would have done so."
"As you say, my lord. But what I have heard is that the boy survived, pulled forth from the shores of Dragonstone with hair now of white."
"Women have been known to grow mad in their grief, mothers especially so. This Lucerys is no doubt a farce, a desperate attempt by Princess Rhaenyra to soothe her grief," Otto said, waving a hand dismissively. "One of the many white-haired seed scattered about Dragonstone, masqueraded as the slain prince."
"It could be," Larys said. "Especially as she has already lost her babe within her belly. A woman's mind can only hold so much before it splinters. Perhaps it will do us some good to share this tale more fully, so all those within the realm can see how weak the princess is and unfit to rule if she holds such delusions."
Alicent swallowed thickly, thinking furiously. When her father returned from Dragonstone after Rhaenyra spurned their talks of peace, he had brought back the information Rhaenyra had lost her pregnancy. Alicent had hoped that once grief ran its path, then Rhaenyra would see the folly of risking her sons for a crown her father did not want her to inherit. She had sent a raven soon after, begging for Rhaenyra to see reason and to let her love for her children win against her lust for the Iron Throne. Alicent had felt deep down it would succeed, for Rhaenyra was a loving mother if she was nothing else, and Alicent held hope she would see reason. Instead Aemond had torn that away, in killing Lucerys above Storm's End.
However the main issue currently was trying to locate the escaped prisoners, as Lord Larys was dismissed and Gwayne was announced for the gold cloak to enter the room. Alicent could immediate tell from his expression alone he had not, in fact, found the prisoners even using the city watch.
Otto said as much before his son even sat down, "So it was a failure."
"No one seems to have any idea or notion of what occurred or how they escaped the city," Gwayne said. "There have been no reports of ships leaving the docks, not even fishing vessels. They could have gone through one of the gates, but we checked with the watchmen and none of them had been opened throughout the night. They had remained locked from dusk to dawn. Perhaps one prisoner escaping, even two could have occured. But there would have been nearly sixty of them. They would have been seen in such a group. If the Lord of Whispers has found nothing, if the gold cloaks have found nothing..."
"In that case they simply varnished in the air like a mummers trick?" Otto said in caustic tones.
"We heard some rumours," Gwayne said hesitantly, "That the Lady Misery had aided those in escaping."
Alicent blinked, "But how? They could not escape upon sea, we have watches set up for any ship or vessel coming or going due to the blockade."
"It does not matter," Otto snapped. "Locate this Misery harlot."
"We tried all morning and afternoon, but she has hidden herself away. Lord Larys has not succeeded either."
Neither her brother nor father seemed to care or acknowledge her in their continued discussion of how to locate the Lady Misery, which stung as they just spoke over her attempts to offer her own advice.
"I need to see Helaena off for her journey," Alicent said, rising from her seat after the fifth time they ignored her. They did not even look to her.
Ser Criston fell into step behind her as she walked down the halls of King's Landing, making her way to the queen's chambers. A few escapees were no great loss, as for now they had to prepare to bring the Tyrells and Florents into the fold.
The great black ship was spotted only an hour before sunset.
Lord Corlys was at the blockade, after leaving Crackclaw Point when word reached him of the failed attack upon Princess Rhaenys. He had been able to intercept Captain Rhogar's ship as it headed close to the bay between the crownlands and Driftmark and saw his lady wife and an injured Meleys. The Red Queen was curled upon deck, wings tucked close but she was eyeing him when he drew close to call out to his wife. Their conversation had been short, too short for him, but Rhaenys had lectured him when he wanted to escort the vessel back to Dragonstone.
"You need to shore up the blockade," Rhaenys had said sternly. "I'm bound for Dragonstone as Meleys needs tended to, as does myself. Meanwhile Rook's Rest needs to be resupplied by Driftmark, as they were sieged for over seven days and Ser Criston burned many of their farms and butchered their livestock. I have not been patrolling hundreds of miles of open sea for weeks on end simply to have the blockade to fall the moment I am injured. You may dote upon me afterwards, dear husband, and I am looking forward to it. But for now do your duty."
She had also made a laughing comment to how he would now know how she felt when fretting over his injuries upon the Stepstones and it did Corlys good to see his lady wife still strong and fiery. Her injuries were severe, having to be supported by Captain Rhogar as she came up on deck to shout over to him upon the Sea Snake, and he saw how her arm was heavily bound, her face blossoming in bruises and the left side of her face badly burned despite the heavy poultice caked upon the skin. Her left eye was milky, the purple iris now so pale it nearly faded into the sclera. Still, she had been firm that she would survive the ambush and subsequent injures from King Aegon and Prince Aemond.
All thanks to Lucerys.
The arrival of the living dead dragon shocked Corlys, even as it hovered over the deck of his ship with languid flaps of its torn wings. The beast was unlike any dragon he had seen, with its four legs and wings, along with its strangely rotted form. Even so it mostly stank of sun-baked seaweed when it drew close, and Lucerys called out to him. His grandson assured him he would personally see Rhaenys and Meleys safely to Dragonstone and that he had listened to the sea as Corlys and Rhaena encouraged and even now he could hear others beneath the waves. Rhaenys had laughed again, bantering easily with Lucerys before she scolded Corlys for waiting upon her. Then the two ships had moved past one another, leaving Corlys unsteady yet relieved.
Somehow, the actual prospect of his wife being killed had not been a reality to him until he had seen her and her dragon injured. Meleys was the second largest of their dragons, only outsized by Caraxes. He never would have thought Aegon would have done a trap like that, to lure out Rhaenys and her Red Queen. But, as it had been explained, the Queen Who Never Was had not gone without a fight and left both king and his dragon fleeing bloodied and bleeding back to King's Landing.
Though he did not understand why there had been a large brown-furred bat following Lucerys upon his living dead mount however but determined it would be explained to him upon a later day.
Corlys sailed to Driftmark and then Spicetown, having to divert one of the ships from the blockade to fill with supplies to replenish Rook's Rest. While the ship had left to sail to the docks and with another missing to travel to Dragonstone, Corlys had directed the Sea Snake to take its place within the blockade. Without Meleys, there was a chance for an ambush and he had six watchers always and two upon the crows nest with their far-eyes.
It was one the two high above that called out to him, as the sky grew darker upon his second day at the blockade, alerting him of an approaching vessel from the south.
He immediately left his captain quarters to head upon deck, grabbing his helmet as he did so. Now days he seemed to live in his armour, only taking it off to sleep if he was upon the seas. On deck his men were already mobilizing themselves, the archers with their bows in hand and the scorpions set upon the deck already manned with the giant barbed, serrated arrows nocked. The rest of the men either were armed with spears or had their swords ready.
Offering a hand, one of the watchers immediately gave him the far-eye. Peering through the scope Corlys could see the vessel heading straight towards them. Large, even larger than the Sea Snake if he had to make a guess. And every part of it was black, from its hull and mast to its multiple sails.
Strangest part however was the lack of oars. Currently there was only a very mild breeze within Blackwater Bay, one easily ignored, but nonetheless they had to row to gain any speed. For the ship it was heading rapidly towards them with no hint of oars.
The ship was the strangest Corlys had ever seen, and he had traveled to the likes of Yi Ti and the Shivering Sea. The sails were jagged and flared, almost like dragonwings than actual sails. Instead of having quarters below deck, at the stern of the deck was multiple levels like a castle complete with elaborate buttresses and arches. At the bow of the ship was another cabin build upon deck, overlooking the sea even if it was only one level compared to the multiple at the stern. The two masts were connected by a long buttress that had a collection of empty steel cages dangling from it like fruit from a tree.
He also couldn't identify the purpose of the strange objects jutting from either side of the hull of the ship, but the way they ran along the side made him think they were weapons of sorts. Even if the great iron tubes poking out were not familiar to him at all. Meanwhile the bowsprit and figurehead of the ship merged together in a great point of steel that looked as if it could impale a kraken, and was cutting swiftly through the sea as the ship quickly closed the distance.
"My lord?" one of the men asked.
"Are there any other ships sighted?"
"Nay, seems to be only the one. Skies are clear as well. Tis a large vessel but surely the Green court do not believe they can break the blockade with simply the one?"
Corlys frowned, lowering the far-eye. The skies were indeed clear, without any hint of cloud, and after Rhaenys savaged Aegon it would be foolish of him to fly to the blockade or have Vhagar abandon her watch over King's Landing. But he couldn't see the flag from the current angle, and was well aware of all sigils of all Westerosi Houses. It also did not bear any hint of the golden dragon standard of King Aegon.
Still, it was bearing down upon them with alarming speed so he called out the order for everyone to be ready to engage. In the distance he could see the nearest ships in the blockade beginning to move as well, heading towards the Sea Snake to support them if battle occurred.
The black ship began to swerve, moving in a arc so it would be broadside to the Sea Snake. It was then Corlys realized the blue glow emanating from the stained glass windows of the ship's cabins and lower deck matched the hue torches and candles would become in Luke's presence. Matched the blue the living dead dragon possessed within its empty eye sockets.
And when it turned the ragged remains of the ship's flag snapped taut, and Corlys saw the twisted sigil emblazoned upon the black silk.
"Stand down!" he bellowed, decades of shouting across the sea letting his voice be easily heard by everyone. "Stand down, it's an allied vessel!"
The silver seahorse upon the flag was faded, with the angles so harsh and gaunt as if the seahorse had been roughly gouged. The flag itself looked as if it had been mauled but it bore the Velaryon seahorse and had the strange otherworldly glow to it that Lucerys possessed. It must be of the Court, one of those who had heeded Luke's call.
His men obeyed his command to stand down but he could see they remained nervous as the strange ship began to pull up side-to-side with the Sea Snake especially as it seemed the deck of the vessel was devoid of crew. Despite that the ship slowed, coming to a halt directly across from Corlys's vessel. Again that unnatural way of sailing, without oar or anchor or flaring of sails to slow it.
The ship was much larger than his own and everyone on deck remained alert despite his orders. Then there was a rippling noise and a gangway unfurled itself high above from the deck of the black ship. There was no crew unraveling it as far as Corlys could see and the rope ties of the gangway immediately latched upon the railing. A series of creaks and groans before the gangway stabilized itself, forming a steep stairway between the two ships.
And for a long, tense moment nothing happened.
This close Corlys could see the strange objects protruding from the side of the foreign ship, with yawning mouths as if they could fire something from their depths. The stained glass windows upon the cabins were formed in pictures of strange monstrous beasts, but he could not think upon it further when he heard a muttering from above. Voices, almost like a distant crowd, and unable to be deciphered.
"Who goes there?" he shouted up to the strange ship.
The distant voices above went silent.
"Are you friend, or foe?" Corlys tried again. "You are at the Velaryon blockade of Blackwater Bay, state your reason here and which dragon monarch you serve."
There was a pause, then a thin voice called out, "Velaryon? You be Lord Corlys?"
"Aye, I be."
A head poked over the side of the immense railing of the black ship and Corlys squinted up at the woman; her hair had been shorn short to her scalp and features weathered by a woman in her elder years. Her eyes were sunken, and a plain linen cloak was wrapped around her body which she clung tight to with bony hands.
However the moment she made eye contact with Corlys the woman sagged, a gasp of relief escaping her, "Lord Corlys! Gods be praised. We are all servants to the one true queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and does my heart good to see you. Everyone! We've reached the Velaryon fleet. Come, come! Quickly now."
Corlys moved forward even as the woman began to quickly make her way down the gangway, with him reaching out a hand to steady her as she all but fell against the deck. It was only when she was before him did Corlys realize who she was, shocked at her condition, "Lady Fell."
"I am glad to be rid of King's Landing," Lady Alora Fell clenched her cloak tight and Corlys saw how filthy and bare her feet were. Bruises marred the side of her face but her eyes were sharp as ever. "That Hightower cunt's welp planned to behead the lot of us."
When more people appeared on the deck above, he recognized many of their faces even as he called for the healer and his men to help the runaways. Lords Hayford, Merryweather, Harte, Buckler and Caswell, along with dozens of servants, maids and landed knights he recognized, many from the time of Queen Aemma's court. All were gaunt and filthy, one of the servants so badly beaten she could barely see out of the swollen flesh of her face and had to be led in hand by a woman Corlys knew had been Queen Aemma's handmaiden who had accompanied her from the Vale decades ago.
His crew came forth, many with food or drink which the escapees quickly downed. All of them reeked of filth and many had cuts and bruises that the healer on board immediately saw to, with his apprentice in tow.
No sooner did the final man step off the gangway onto the deck of the Sea Snake did the stair reel itself back up onto the great black ship with no visible prompt. The ship pulled away from the Velaryon ship, but this time when Corlys looked up towards the deck he realized there was a man standing there looking down at him; tall and thin, wearing a dark red surcoat edged in gold with a tricorn hat and long sword belted at his waist. His features were gaunt, almost skeletal, long hair snow white but it was the glowing crimson eyes that transfixed Corlys. Bright and gleaming, just like Luke's own.
Then the man turned away and was lost from sight, even as the black ship proceeded to head back in the direction of King's Landing and leaving the escapees upon deck.
Corlys gave the order for the Sea Snake to sail to Dragonstone immediately, even as he began to check with all the newcomers on board. Many started crying or seemed in a state of shock, one of the maids sobbing so loudly Corlys feared she would be sick. He gave orders for them to be taken below deck to the beds and cleaned as well as they could- he knew the risk of infection and even in the short journey to Dragonstone it could be the decision between a wound festering or not. The prisoners were dressed in rags, filth staining the ragged fabric, so he also gave orders for those clothes to be gathered to be burned when they reached land.
After speaking with one of the crew, who had written down the names of all those they had received, Lady Fell approached him. He ushered her into his captains cabin and she gingerly sat across from him; her feet had been bandaged, flesh scrubbed down in a brisk saltwater bath to remove the grime and dirt, and she was wearing one of the many spare plainclothes outfit on board as well as the cloak. It was strange to see Lady Fell without her usual necklaces of obsidian, her earrings of emerald, her dresses of black-and-green. But her eyes were clear even if her hands shook as he offered her a goblet of wine.
Swallowing it down like a tankard, Lady Fell knocked the empty goblet down onto his desk. He obligatory filled it again.
"I presume you want details of how we escaped," she said dryly, after she took another gulp of wine.
"That would be well received, my lady. We presumed the worst for those loyal to our queen when the Greens stole the Iron Throne."
Lady Fell scowled, "We were stuffed in the black cells, as if we were rapers or murderers. That sweetfaced bitch came down several times, trying to beg us to support her son. Bah, I've heard rumours of what type of man he is- should be him locked down there, starving in the dark. I said as much, and got some spit in her face, and the Hightower dog ran off not to be seen again. We were left there then, wondering when we would be dragged to the stocks or worse. Then we heard talk from the guards, that fool boy-king attempted to slay Princess Rhaenys and was burnt for his crimes. And because of that they wished to make a grand spectacle in dragging us up before the masses and having us swear to the usurper or lose our heads. We all heard of it and I was willing to let the headman take his axe to me, I would not greet my ancestors as an oathbreaker."
"Aye, Queen Rhaenyra will know of your loyalty. I have no doubt she will wish to see you all once you have recovered. Yet all the same, I would know how near sixty of you escaped King's Landing upon such a ship and without being caught."
Here Lady Fell hesitated, her gaze darting up to his. "What occurred was so strange I am unsure if you will believe me."
"I can assure you, I've seen many a strange thing lately. Speak true and I will believe you."
"A dead man came to our cells," she said blandly. "A dead man and a red-eyed woman."
Corlys looked at her before deciding to pour out some wine for himself. He took a sip before saying, "And that does not surprise me as it should. Tell me the rest."
The harsh set of her shoulders relaxed when he did not jape nor dismiss her, Lady Fell straightening up in her seat as she told her story, "As I said, we all knew we were to die soon. But when the night came- we could only tell by the guard changes -did these twin great cracks wake us all. Like stone splitting. I do not know how the killed the guards, but they had blown the men's head clean off. Then the woman tore the door from my very cell with but her bare hands."
"The black cells."
"Aye and they have thick doors a man can shatter his shoulder upon yet she ripped them clean away," she said, taking another drink. "But the two rescuers- the man so rotted it was as if a ship had dragged his corpse up from the sea after weeks dead. I could see his jaw, his teeth, through the peeled flesh at his mouth. He had no lips and his clothes were latched upon by barnacles. The woman had her flesh, but it was cold and damp when she broke the chains holding me. She was soaking wet, as if she had crawled from the waters of Blackwater Bay. Her hair was white, her eyes red. Glowing, like torches they be."
"Did they say anything to you?"
"They claimed to have been sent by Lord Lucerys, to retrieve those loyal to the dragon queen and send them to safety," Lady Fell said. She eyed him over her goblet before saying, "I heard Prince Lucerys was dead. Torn apart by Prince Aemond and his oversized beast."
Corlys did not bother to hide his grin, "He was indeed slain but some weeks ago I found him upon the shore of Dragonstone. The gods rebuked his murder, my daughter Laena now Handmaiden to the Merling Court escorted him through the sea and death itself. His hair white, eyes red. And he intervened when my wife Princess Rhaenys was ambushed by Aegon and Aemond, upon the back of a living dead dragon. God-touched, the Undying they say."
Lady Fell laughed; it was breathless but also disbelieving which Corlys could understand. Even after witnessing it first hand, knowing he was living now in an age of gods was frightening and exhilarating.
"I would say you be drunk but I was just rescued from certain doom by a dead man and a red-eyed woman," Lady Fell said.
"How did you get upon that ship, however? I do not recognize it."
"The woman told me she was sent to aid us, and perhaps it was lack of sunlight but I knew within my bones I was safe with them both," Lady Fell said, her eyes becoming unfocused as she remembered. "They said we must leave quickly, and they took all of us through the Keep and down into a cove within King's Landing. I swear to you, Lord Corlys. It was if the wall was thick dark stone but when I went before it suddenly I was in an immense cove beneath King's Landing and the black ship was waiting for us at a hidden port."
"I've sailed to King's Landing many times, there is small places shipping vessels, smugglers boat can slip in but nothing large enough a vessel such as that one could come and go undetected," Corlys said. "Was it at the River Gate?"
"Neither. It was as I said, it was a cove. An immense grotto that led out to Blackwater Bay where the black ship was anchored and waiting for us. I- I have heard of magic, the whispers and tales. But until this day I thought it stories, things to entertain the child. But I was spirited away from the headman's axe by a living corpse and smuggled out through King's Landing within a pirate cove housing a flagship that by all logic should not exist. Yet here I am, alive and whole and so many others. Prince Lucerys, Lady Laena- this is dire, if the gods have chosen to intervene so strongly," Lady Fell said, a note of awe in her voice.
"Aye, indeed it is," he agreed. "A war between dragons is a frightful thing. We all heard tell of Maegor the Cruel and the strange happenings that occurred, when dragonsblood is shed. But with that, the ship just set sail from the city, freely?"
Lady Fell took another sip; the wine had finally started to bring colour to her sunken cheeks. "The captain, a man who called himself Burke Black. He inspected us all before letting us onboard his ship. He said the same, that he was sent by Lucerys and we would be safe with him."
Corlys thought of the tall man that had watched him upon the deck of the ship, before asking, "Inspected you? How so?'
Lady Fell shifted, putting down her goblet before saying, "It was as if I was before the Father, with that man Burke Black. He would put his hands on our shoulders and stare into our eyes, before letting us pass to his ship. When it was my turn, it was as if I was being judged. All parts of me stripped away, bare to my bones and very soul. And then he let me pass. Lords Butterwell, Stokeworth and Rosby did not. He killed them upon the dock and left their bodies for the crabs."
"...I see."
"He must have judged their souls and found them wanting," Lady Fell said, entirely unsympathetic and voice hard with conviction even when he saw how badly her hands had begun to shake from exhaustion. "I might have panicked or been confused, but after meeting his gaze I know it true. He stripped them bare and they failed. The rest of us remained loyal and he took us to safety as promised."
Corlys was thinking fiercely for the information, even as he rose and helped Lady Fell to her feet, "I thank you for this, as I know you wished to rest. I will ask for you to repeat the tale to the queen, however."
"I will be honoured," she nodded, leaning against him as he lead her from the cabin. "And Prince Lucerys, may we meet him as well?"
"Of course. I know Lucerys will be gladdened to see that you are safe, that his...men succeed."
As Corlys escorted her below deck, he kept thinking of the great black ship and the lanky captain guarding it. The pirate cove hidden in plain sight within one of the largest cities in Westeros but blind to any who mean it harm. He thought of the living dead dragon, the rotting man and red-eyed woman who managed to infiltrate King's Landing itself. He thought of Lucerys, killed during a raging storm but returned back to them after passing through the Merling Court.
Corlys was now living within perhaps one of the greatest chapters in Westerosi history, even more than that of the Conquest or the Age of Heroes, and his grandson was at the center of it all. Drawing the rest of them in like a whirlpool. Perhaps it was unbecoming for him to feel so giddy during a time of war, but teetering upon such a wild unknown age reminded him of the first time he sailed through a storm. The sheer raw excitement and apprehensive of it all even as it threatened to swallow them whole.
Actions
↑ Top ← Previous Chapter Next Chapter → Bookmark Comments (38)
Kudos
Alien_Alice, yarchik, dog3n, Rokyyy_li, ryonaa, nyctophobia76, milimoreira203, KaidenceKyle11, knonk, Thedarkknight12, silverwing__00, Sylvanas4768, MojoMuppet, DaPulse, TheICantDecide, SweetlyMischievous, Perez70, kikikokoka7, Sunny_Starchasersversion, RAVISHING_radish2005, Tampan, trouverme, Kayden213, PersimmonAuthor, Lsywastx369, XiuLan_GracefulOrchid, sasathv, skellymanjones, SabrinaRodrigues, onceimakeyouCUME, ordermixtre, MakyiaAMurchison, Anime220403, Jormee999, fireandbrimstone, Diamonds4Daffodils, NotaPridefulWitch, EstellasArt, Thedevilknowsme, Elia12145657, Showmethedark, Butchisallaboutattitude, Galleon511, yoxiv, Babaa_Yagaa, Aziminal, Sidekickforlife, Darth_Narwhal, Misoto575, AnnikaBananika, and 975 more users as well as 1032 guests left kudos on this work!
Comments
Post Comment
Comment as TheBrimmedHat
Plain text with limited HTML ?
Comment
10000 characters left
Footer
Customize
Default
Low Vision Default
Reversi
Snow Blue
About the Archive
Site Map
Diversity Statement
Terms of Service
Content Policy
Privacy Policy
DMCA & TIDA Policies
Site Status
Contact Us
Policy Questions & Abuse Reports
Technical Support & Feedback
Development
otwarchive v1.2.0.0
Known Issues
GPL-2.0-or-later by the OTW