33 The Survivors Of Braavos
~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 15 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Under The Titan Of Braavos's Right Leg, Braavos, Essos)~~~
~~~(Date: 299 AC)~~~
Captain Issotik and the people that are behind him are waiting for me to speak. The Faceless Men are dead, and The Iron Bank is gone. The reason I've come to Braavos has been completed. All that's left is to decide what to do with these Braavosi citizens.
I've burned their homes in Black Dragon Fire. The ships they were using to get away are destroyed. They'll be stranded on this little island before anyone comes to help them.
"Tell me, Captain Issotik. As far as I know, you and the people behind you are the last of the Braavosi. There are a few dozen or so ships out there in the seas. Unknown to what's happened here today. Do you think help will come for you if I let you live?"
Merchants and trade ships are always coming and going from Braavos. Along with military fleets that will return in time.
"If you let us live, we'll tell everyone what's happened here today. Your legend and legacy will only grow greater. You'll be known as the man that destroyed the strongest of the Free Cities in less than 20 minutes."
Instead of the Captain speaking, one of the younger men behind him does. None of them know that I care not for any glories or stories from this day.
Varmael spins around and smacks the man across the face. Knocking him to the ground.
"Don't speak unless spoken to, boy."
The Captain turns back to me after disciplining the young man. Varmael understands why I've done this. His brother was in the cult of assassins, and he knew a contract had been made on my head. He knows that I burned Braavos for my family.
"Forgive him... He knows not what he speaks..."
My question to him still hasn't been answered, and Varmael can see I'm becoming impatient.
"I doubt any help will come soon enough to save us... But if you find it yourself to spare our lives, I'll be sure everyone knows you did this because of The Faceless Men and The Lannisters."
Varmael Issotik is a far wiser man than I thought him to be. The whole reason I attacked and destroyed Braavos was to end The Faceless Men and the support The Iron Bank gave to The Lannisters.
"I'll be sure people know who you are, Varmael. If you do happen to rebuild Braavos or find someone that will. Get in contact with me. I'll help rebuild what I've destroyed."
Rhaenys lowers her head as I spin around and climb atop my she-dragon. Her size and power will bring the world to heel, and she'll continue growing until she dies.
"Thank you for showing us mercy, Raenon Targaryen."
I look down from my spot on Rhaenys and look at Varmael. He and the people behind him witnessed what happened today. I doubt any Braavosi will ask for my help rebuilding the city, but if they do. I'll fix what I've broken.
Only The Faceless Men will no longer exist. If and when they ask for my help, it won't change my plan for The Iron Bank. Now that it's been destroyed by me, I have plans for once it's rebuilt. I'll lay claim to it in the name of House Targaryen.
No longer will the greatest economic force be against my family once it's rebuilt. So no matter what, Braavos isn't done with me.
It's not done with The Blood Of Old Valyria.
"I'd move from your spot if I were you; I've still got one last thing to burn."
I turn my head toward the massive statue above me. Rhaenys lets out a ground-shaking roar as we lift off from the shore. As we start turning for a strafe on The Titan Of Braavos, I look down to where the people were, and they're gone.
They've taken cover far enough into the trees. My attention is brought to the metal colossus and the last thing to burn of Braavos.
"Zālagon ziry, Rhaenys!"
At my command for her to burn it, she unleashes another breath of Black Dragon Fire as we pass it. We circle the giant statue and melt it down to a molten metal. The only things left are the knees and below. They fall over and into the water.
Blocking the main entrance into Braavos. People will remember this day. I wonder what it'll be called. It's impossible to know, but there is one thing I do know.
The people I care about and love are safe.
~~~(POV: Varmael Issotik)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 56 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Island Near The Free City Of Braavos, Braavos, Essos)~~~
~~~(Date: 299 AC)~~~
We all stare at the burning city from the shoreline, and a pit of emptiness fills me. Everyone I knew and loved has burned in that city. My brother, my family, and my children... Raenon Targaryen killed the culmination of centuries of work in less than 30 minutes...
The power of dragons should've never been brought back to the world. House Targaryen's power is the highest it's been since The Dance Of Dragons.
"What are we going to do now..."
The only surviving child that we know of speaks. His mother holds him close as she cries. She's lost everyone in that city too. There could be survivors, but not enough to save Braavos.
"I'll tell you what we're going to do! We're going to get a fucking ship and sail to Westeros! We'll demand The Lannisters help us! They owe everything to The Iron Bank!"
The second oldest of the young men I'm here with fails to understand. While Raenon has destroyed The Lannisters biggest supporters and allies, he also killed any obligation The Lannisters had to help Braavos. To help The Iron Bank.
The Targaryen has surely destroyed the economic support The Lannisters had. It's a deadly blow that will never heal. But he also got rid of a problem they had.
"No... We must help anyone who was quick enough to jump into the water before the Black Dragon Fire consumed the city."
It'll take some time, but we'll find people who jumped off the docks and piers. They should've finished swimming to the other surrounding islands.
It's almost funny... Braavos is nearly unbeatable from the ocean or land... We have natural islands surrounding the city, with only a few heavily guarded entrances and exits. No one accounted for a dragon... They've been gone for over 100 years...
"Mommy... Will we find Daddy and Aunt Saera..."
The poor child knows not what's happened here today. Raenon Targaryen has made history once again. First, he was the only Targaryen to ride a dragon in over 100 years. Now, he's repeated what Aegon The Conqueror has done.
Aegon I Targaryen burned down Harrenhall and all of Dorne. The boy on the back of that dragon is Aegon reborn. Another Targaryen who will conquer Westeros.
No, he'll conquer the known world.
~~~(POV: Varys)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 47 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: The Red Keep, Kings Landing, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Time: 299 AC)~~~
Word has been spreading the last few days that Raenon Targaryen has destroyed Braavos. He's ended the threat on his life by doing so. The Faceless Men are gone, and so is The Iron Bank.
There is to be a meeting of The Small Council today. My little birds have told me Tywin Lannister is livid with the move Raenon has made. It was a brilliant stroke, indeed. The crown is in crippling debt, and while our debt to The Iron Bank is gone.
The crown no longer has any money. The Seven Kingdoms is in a financial crisis. The North, The South, and Kings Landing are all feeling this impact.
It's even halted the wars that are going on in our lands. There is no money to buy the soldiers food and keep them paid.
A knock at my door takes my thoughts away, and Tyrion walks in with Bronn.
"I take it you knew this was going to happen before anyone in The Red Keep did?"
His accusation finishes as he takes a seat across from me. There is nothing to prove that. And it's not like anything could've been done to stop it. Not that I wanted it stopped. The Faceless Men were a problem to Raenon, and now they're gone.
Raenon is no madman, and I know this cause he's not done one drastic thing until Daenerys and Alysanne's lives were threatened. He's a man in love, not one that's lost his mind.
"I'm afraid I had no idea the Targaryen would burn a city. I can't be everywhere at once, Tyrion."
He takes a swig of wine and looks at me.
"How did Raenon know The Faceless Men were contracted to kill him and his family?"
Ahh, yes. The old traveled road that Varys is the one that's backing up The Lannister's enemies. In this case, he's right. I'm on Raenon's side. But again, there is nothing that links me to Raenon. No evidence I'm in contact with Raenon either.
"I wouldn't be surprised if there are people who are disillusioned with King Joffrey's rule. Spies and traitors exist, Tyrion. Even in The Red Keep. But I assure you, I have no involvement. And even if I were, there is no proof. It's impossible to get close to Raenon. Talking or otherwise."
Tyrion is the only man that has a similar goal to my own. The prosperity of the realm and the safety and protection of the people. He's only done right by the citizens. Or at least tried to.
Raenon can bring that, and that's what terrifies The Lannisters. He's a better choice than any Baratheon, and people are realizing that. The Burning Of Braavos only makes his claim stronger. But The Lannisters will see that his name is smeared to the public.
"You're right. I have no proof, and I know I never will. But you must realize that Raenon is capable of anything. Burning one city could turn into an entire continent."
Tyrion will learn how good a ruler Raenon will make. If there is any Lannister that should be spared, it's Tyrion. And Raenon knows this.
