Chapter 44: The Spreading Fire

"Who are you?" Rhaenyra cried in shock, trying to pull away.

Erryk grabbed her hand, quickly wrapped her in a black cloak, and with a strong tug, led her through the back door.

"Who do you think you are, and where are you taking me?" Rhaenyra struggled vehemently, shooting an angry glare at Erryk even though she could not see his face.

Unable to hide his identity any longer, Erryk revealed his face and explained, "You were seen leaving the Red Keep with Prince Daemon, and Prince Rhaegar sent me to bring you back."

"Rhaegar sent you?" Rhaenyra sniffed, her demeanor softening slightly.

"The situation is urgent and it is imperative that your identity remain unknown," Erryk warned, urging her to keep quiet.

Rhaenyra nodded in agreement and complied, matching Erryk's brisk pace.

As they emerged from the back door, they encountered a beggar boy slumped against the wall, seemingly helpless.

Erryk quickly intervened, grabbing the boy by the hair and slamming him against the wall, knocking him unconscious.

Blood splattered as the boy crumpled to the ground.

"He's just a little beggar boy?" Rhaenyra remarked flatly.

"It is common knowledge that most beggars near brothels and casinos are merely bait," Erryk explained, turning back to Rhaenyra. "He's not dead, just unconscious."

Rhaenyra breathed a sigh of relief, her concern for the beggar boy dissipating.

"There's a fire! Put out the fire!"

"Fire in the backyard! Someone come!"

The distant cries echoed, barely audible, as Erryk and Rhaenyra hurried away from the commotion, seeking refuge in a narrow alley.

Meanwhile, Arryk threw a torch through a second-story window of the brothel, his actions shrouded in the darkness of night.

Arson was his secret mission, though it conflicted with the honor expected of a knight. Yet he obeyed his brother's command without hesitation and helped to bring Prince Rhaegar to safety.

For him, serving the young king's eldest son was a matter of duty and respect that far outweighed any loyalty to Prince Aegon, a mere pawn in the king's political schemes.

The winds of change were upon them...

...

Erryk quickly led Rhaenyra away from the scene, dodging a group of gold-cloaked men who rushed to put out the fire.

"Stay away from them," Erryk warned in a hushed tone, turning into another narrow alley.

Looking up, he spotted a lone figure in golden robes approaching.

"Who goes there, skulking about with ill intent?" a familiar voice challenged, causing Rhaenyra to strain her eyes to make out the speaker.

Instinctively, Erryk held Rhaenyra back, warning sternly, "Step aside, this is none of your concern.

Drawing his longsword, the brave knight Harwin sneered, "Quite the bold words, defying the authority of the City Watch."

Erryk, recognizing Harwin, hesitated. Though familiar, revealing his identity would jeopardize the secrecy of the mission, forcing him to maintain his disguise.

One hand hovering over his concealed sword, Erryk prepared for a possible confrontation.

"Stop this, we are comrades!" Despite Erryk's efforts to block her, Rhaenyra stepped between the two men.

As she spoke, Harwin's aggression faltered, his suspicion evident. "Princess, what brings you here again?" he inquired cautiously.

Removing her hood, Rhaenyra improvised, "There is no time to explain. I became separated from Daemon, but fortunately the royal guards accompanying me were able to locate me."

She strategically obfuscated the truth to avoid unnecessary complications.

Harwin watched Erryk closely and gave Rhaenyra a polite smile. "In that case, Your Highness should proceed. I must attend to the fire."

"Thank you, Ser Harwin," Rhaenyra expressed her gratitude, gently urging the agitated Erryk to leave.

As they walked away, Harwin watched them intently, his brow furrowed in suspicion as he pondered the situation and the distant fire.

...

The fire on Silk Street spread quickly, prompting a swift response from the City Watch. Gold-robed officers from across the city rushed to the scene and joined forces to fight the flames.

Through tireless efforts that lasted until midnight, the raging fire was finally brought under control. However, the brothel at the epicenter of the blaze lay in ruins, reduced to charred rubble along with a dozen neighboring residences.

Though densely populated, the area was evacuated in time to avoid casualties from the inferno.

Meanwhile, Arryk had met up with his brother at the Red Fort. With a shared glance and knowing smile, their mission was accomplished.

Parting ways, the Erryk led Rhaenyra through the secret passage to her room, ensuring her safe return.

Watching the fire from the floor-to-ceiling window of his chamber, Rhaegar recognized it as the work of the Erryk brothers, orchestrated at his behest.

Rhaenyra had fallen into Daemon's trap, and spies lurked in the shadows. Tracking her movements was futile, for wherever Rhaenyra went, she was watched, especially in the brothel.

To erase any trace of Rhaenyra's involvement, the all-consuming fire was used to obliterate any evidence. Even if her presence at the brothel were proven, it would be undetectable amid the rubble.

Rhaegar had preemptively established an alibi for Rhaenyra, ensuring her innocence in the eyes of her father, Viserys, who would quickly silence any accusers without concrete evidence.

Crunch!

The entrance to the secret passage rotated, drawing Rhaegar's attention.

Erryk and Rhaenyra finally appeared before him.

"Rhaenyra, you're back," Rhaegar greeted with a relieved smile, a weight lifted from his chest.

He had feared that Rhaenyra would succumb to the demon's influence and decide not to return with Erryk.

But it seemed she had not disappointed him.

"Rhaegar, how did you know I was sneaking out?" Rhaenyra asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice as she shed her black robes.

Rhaegar glanced at Erryk who had closed the secret passage.

"There was no time to explain," Erryk muttered.

Rhaegar nodded and turned to Erryk. "Did the plan go well, Ser?"

"It went fairly well, but we ran into Harwin Strong on patrol and the princess's identity was revealed," Erryk confessed, a hint of regret in his tone.

Rhaegar frowned, wondering if Harwin would reveal their secret and if he needed to take precautions. As the eldest son of the Hand of the King Lyonel and heir to Harrenhal, Harwin's words could carry weight.

But given Lyonel's reputation and Harwin's own status, Rhaegar doubted the need to silence him.

Watching the cryptic exchange between the men, Rhaenyra interjected quietly, "Harwin is Lyonel's son and respects me, so he shouldn't betray our trust."

"That would be ideal," Rhaegar agreed, acknowledging Lyonel's reliability and assuming his son possessed similar qualities.

Approaching Rhaegar, Rhaenyra's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Who told you? Was it you who set the fire?"

Rhaenyra had pondered these questions during her return.

Erryk's timely arrival and the subsequent fire seemed too convenient to be mere coincidence.

Now, facing Rhaenyra in her chamber, Rhaegar understood her suspicions.

"I have plans for the informant, but I cannot reveal them yet," Rhaegar admitted, concealing Syrio's true identity. It was unwise to alarm him prematurely.

Then, with a serious expression, he continued, "As for the fire, that was my doing. I did it to protect you."

(Word count: 1182)