Chapter 16
Kaelarys sat across from a young Magister of Lys, Theodos Nahor, in an opulent chamber within a Lyseni estate of House Nahor. The room boasted lavish decorations, from incredibly crafted chairs with golden armrests and doorknobs to statues with rubies and emeralds as eyes.
To the left of them was a large window that bathed the room in the warm, golden light of the setting sun, allowing them to play the game they were currently playing.
Before them, on a polished marble table, was a unique chessboard. Instead of traditional pieces, the board had figures represented by miniature creatures—dragons, wyverns, and warriors. The queen was represented by a regal lady, though, unlike regular chess, she was not the most powerful piece on the board, far from it. It was an interesting game, he supposed.
Theodos had the typical Vaylrian features: silver-gold hair and purple eyes. He wore his hair pulled back in a neat ponytail, and wore finely tailored robes.
Kaelarys studied the board intently before deciding to move his Dragon to a position that would threaten his enemy Lord, the equivalent of a King, in the next 6 moves. He wasn't always the best at chess. Far from it, he would be considered passable at best. But the man in front of him wasn't the most intelligent person, and he could make use of some strategies from his past life despite it being a different game altogether.
The young Magister watched the move with a keen eye, his fingers drumming lightly on the table as he contemplated his next move before making a move that would soon lose him the game.
"Checkmate," Kaelarys said lightly, and leaned back with a grin on his face. Theodos blinked, looking down at the board and trying to think where he lost control of the game. A laughable thought as Kaelarys had the game in his pockets from the moment they sat down.
"Well played," Theodos conceded with a respectful nod. "I must admit, I underestimated you."
Kaelarys waved off the compliment, still smiling. "It's all in good fun. I've always enjoyed strategy games," he easily lied through his teeth." But I think your Strategy was quite good."
Theodas smiled and was about to reply when a rough voice full of sarcasm interrupted him. "Is that so?" An old woman walked into the room." I didn't know that screwing up big time was a strategy. If it was, then my grandson would be the best strategist in the known world"
Theodas was shocked at her words but didn't say anything back and kept silent. She slowly seated herself in a high-backed chair. She was an old woman who wore flowing robes of deep blue, adorned with intricate silver lines across the edges.
Kaelarys inclined his head respectfully." Lady Marra, I-"
She cut him off, waving a hand dismissively and snorted." Please spare me the formalities. If I had to listen to you until the end, I could put my first foot in the grave before you had finished. I listened to them for 72 years and don't intend to keep the trend."
She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "So, what is it that brings a Dragonlord as young as yourself to Lys? I doubt it will be women as I have seen your mistress you brought with you. A real beauty, I admit."
Kaelarys chuckled, appreciating her bluntness. "You're right, Lady Marra. While Lys has its charms, I have other reasons for my visit. Firstly, I wanted to see the island for myself. Its reputation as a paradise is well-deserved, it seems."
"And the second reason? Come now, don't be shy. Out with it." She urged.
Kaelarys must not have concealed his intentions as much as he wished. He threw his head back and laughed heartily. He didn't think he'd come across a woman as witted and intelligent as her when he thought of coming to Lys.
No, he didn't come here for no reason at all. He wanted to further his connections and power, and while in Vaylria, this would have been next to impossible. Unlike traditional governing systems like in Westeros, where Kings and Lords ruled, the Freehold operated as a unique form of oligarchy. Power was not concentrated in the hands of a single ruler but was shared among the forty noble families of the Dragon, each vying for influence and control.
The governing body of the Freehold was the Council, which was composed of the Heads and Lord Freeholders of the Dragonrider families. These families are not equal in prestige or power; some held significantly more sway than others. For instance, the Targaryens, while notable, are considered only a low or maybe a mid-level power within the Freehold, while House Baelaeron was one of the Houses with the most power and influence. Members of their House held many key positions. They had much more wealth, Dragons, and knowledge of Magic compared to others.
But this wasn't enough for him. He wanted their House to be the most powerful before he even came to be the Lord Freeholder of House Baelaeron. This was why he was here. He wanted to further his whisky business and, while doing this, get his way into the governing body of Lys.
The first Magister has the most power and control in Ly, who has the final say in matters regarding the City of Lys. The Conclave of Magisters, held by thirteen officials elected from the most powerful families in Lys, decides the judicial, economic, and production policies in Lys.
At the moment, House Nahor is powerful, as they have seats in the Conclave as well, but the most powerful family is House Santhmantes, as they own the Santhmantes Mint, a Bank. Their Head of House is the Magister of Life, and they have three seats in the Conclave, marking them as the ruling House of Lys.
He could have gone to them intending to seize control of the City, but the Santhmantes family is already vassals in secret to the House of Zyraelor, one of the 40 Dragon families.
So, he plans to take House Nahor under his wing and make them the ruling family of Lys. It will take time, but he has to start somewhere.
"You are right, of course," Kaelarys admitted. He leaned back in his chair, looking thoughtful." As it is, House Santhmantes holds Lys on its leash, and they don't intend to let go of it. You have recently gotten into a bit of a conflict with them. As far as I see it, it won't go well for you."
Lady Marra studied him intently before letting a grin settle on her face, realizing what he intended to say." Ah, so that is why you came here. I see. Ambitious, young dragon. Ambitious indeed"
Kaelarys nodded." You stand on an edge, and a storm is brewing. You can either survive it and come out greater than before, or you will fall. The choice is yours to make."
He knew that it was a difficult choice as getting his backing would make them his vassals even if no one knew it openly. They would have to do his bidding whether they liked it or not or risk losing his support and backing once again.
"So, I am right to assume that you will be backing us only in secret, and we will have to take full responsibility if our actions fail?" she asked.
"Yes." He responded.
Theodos, who had been quietly observing, suddenly interjected, doubtful of all he was hearing. "This is plain idiocy and suicide! We would be putting everything at risk without any visible support. How can we--"
"Hush, boy," Lady Marra interrupted sharply, her eyes flashing. "Don't speak of things you know nothing about." She turned back to Kaelarys. "You are asking us to take a great risk, young dragon. Tell me what you plan to do, and we may have terms."
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She loved her babies with all her heart, always had, and always would, for the rest of her life. She still remembered the moment their eggs hatched and the pride she felt at her first children. It felt like only yesterday when they were small enough to cradle in her arms, their tiny fingers grasping at her hair and their innocent eyes wide with wonder at the world around them.
Her oldest was, without doubt, the oddest among her bunch of hatchlings. He was quiet most of the time and only cried when he needed something to eat or had relieved himself. Unlike his twin, who was quite vocal about anything, whether she needed something or not, as is normal with babies, he had always been mature and intelligent beyond his peers, even if he tried to hide it. It was cute in a way.
As he grew, she would often catch him lost in thought, his little brow furrowed in concentration, as if he were pondering the deepest mysteries of magic within himself.
Her daughter, on the other hand, had seemingly limitless energy within her. She was also quite intelligent, not as much as her firstborn, but intelligent nonetheless. She always thought that it would be Seraphine she had to worry about, but in the last few months, it appeared that her firstborn wanted to prove her wrong time and time again.
First, he flew off to Elyria without her or her husband's knowledge, not to mention the little fling he had with her niece that apparently got her niece as much hooked to her son as her own daughter. But now this.
She dreaded thinking about what Dona and Adema would do when they grew older. Sitting in their chambers, she held a letter from Kaelarys in her hands, her husband beside her.
"What does the letter say? What did he write?" her husband asked, leaning closer to peer at the parchment.
She sighed and began to read aloud, "Mother and Father, I hope this letter finds you in good health. I wanted to let you know that I have decided to expand my business ventures. I am currently in Lys, making connections and establishing trade routes for my whisky business. This opportunity is too great to pass up, and I believe it will greatly benefit our family and our House. Also, I deny any and all rumors you might have heard about me in Volantis."
The last part made her laugh inwardly. Yes, they have heard rumors about how he managed to get both a captain of the army and a whore to get into bed with him. She sighed at her son's action. He is somewhat free to do whatever he wants, but she wonders if his actions will land him in trouble in the future.
Not to mention her daughter's reaction when these rumors reached her. She wasn't too happy, to say the least.
"We could send someone to bring him back, have them use a dragonhorn so Ancalagon will listen and not fly away," she suggested, noticing her husband's troubled expression.
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "He will be the death of me. No, let him be. At the very least, we will see him grow further in character, make connections, and meet new people. This could be a valuable experience for him."
She nodded reluctantly. "You're right, but it doesn't ease my worry. He's still so young, despite his intelligence and maturity."
Her husband placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We've raised him well. He knows what he's doing. We must trust in that."
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Yey, new chapter hihi hoh hehe