News Across The Realm

(Third Person POV)

[The Red Keep, King's Landing]

"What?!" Aegon shouted as he slammed his hands on the table, "What good are fucking armies when they can't kill one fucking man?! How the hell are Baratheon and Lannister fucking dead?!" 

Tyland Lannister, Lord Jason's twin brother, was looking down, "I..." He started, "I don't know...but the armies were crippled completely....thousands death by dragonfire, hundreds cut down...from what the reports say..." 

Lord Jasper was shaking his head, in complete shock, "Unbelievable..." He said, "And not just that....Cole's Host was also intercepted.....crippled as well with Ser Gwayne injured and Cole being forced to retreat...." 

Otto was standing up, his head hung in shame as Alicent was sitting down, her eyes widened with pure shock. 

News had just reached them about the Battles that Aerion Targaryen had just won. The Baratheon and Lannister armies were severely crippled and would need time to recover. This could potentially cause the Tully forces led by Daemon to strike at them, completely obliterating and annihilating the Lannister forces. Since the Baratheons were taken in by the Hightower Host, the Tyrells would need to muster up a bigger force to do the same. 

Everyone was in disbelief that Aerion not only destroyed two armies in a single day, but defeated their Lords in combat, cutting their heads off. This was a very well received message to the Greens, Aerion did not need to bathe anyone in flames to get his point across. The Battle of Tumbleton was an extremely horrifying incident, a single man cutting down hundreds of soldiers by himself as a dragon laid waste to the streets. 

The Burning of Stony Sept was an even more terrifying one; Aerion swooped down and within minutes, obliterated the majority of the Lannister forces camped, defeating Jason Lannister, finishing up his men, and after the fact, executing the Lord himself. 

"This...." Otto said with a gulp as Aegon looked at him, "A most....unfortunate set of news...." 

"That is an understatement, Father." Alicent said, "Aerion has done something in a day that would've taken Rhaenyra's army weeks if they were capable of doing so. Lord Tyland, my condolences..." 

Tyland nodded, "T-Thank you, Your Grace." he said, forcing a smile

"There is good news, I suppose." Lord Jasper, "Prince Daeron has taken a few victories with some skirmishes with the Tyrell armies. He has gone to the border of the Riverlands and aided the straggling Lannister forces repel the Tully forces. There is that....." 

"At least one of my brothers has fucking done something." Aegon turned around and shook his head, "Aemond, the rider of fucking Vhagar, turned tail and ran!" 

"Your Grace, Aemond was wounded in the battle." Otto said, "And Vhagar's injuries aren't that major." 

"He still ran!" Aegon turned and glared at him, "A Dragon does not run, A Dragon does not submit!! You wouldn't know, Gransire, you are not a fucking Targaryen!! None of you are! Nobody in this fucking room knows of the pressure there is being of Dragon's Blood. To live in the fucking shadow of a man like Aerion fucking Targaryen. Aemond was supposed to be his equal, right? You all claimed he was capable! He clearly wasn't!! And not only does Rhaenyra have Aerion, Daemon is on her side, allegedly!" 

"A-Aegon...calm down..." Alicent said

Aegon looked at her, "Calm down? My children are dead, my armies destroyed, and my own brother defeated." He said seriously, "This is a War that you lot caused, by putting me on the Throne. Now that I want to win it, you fucking fail me? How can I be fucking calm?! I want Aemond's wound tended to and Vhagar to be fed all of today. He will fly to Harrenhal and take the fucking castle and kill Daemon if it's the last fucking thing he does. If he doesn't do that but Daeron does, what use will he have for me?!" 

He stormed past Otto and out of the room, followed by Ser Arryk. 

After he left the room, everyone sat in silence. 

"The King requires rest...." Otto said, "His reaction is much expected." 

"You don't have to tell us." Lord Jasper said, "What just happened.....it's unheard of.....there were those who didn't believe the stories of Aerion in The Stepstones...but....I guess this cements his legendary status." 

"Legendary status is more than an understatement..." Lord Tyland said, "I mean.....hundreds...? With his two swords? H-How is a man capable of doing so? A dragon, I would understand...but a man, with two swords....it's...." 

"He was able to defeat Criston Cole and Ser Gwayne in a fight, he is more than formidable." Lord Jasper said

"Cole was not that injured." Otto said, "The appearance of Vhagar caused nothing but chaos on the battlefield." 

"But they were going to lose, Father....they were going to die. Cole and Gwayne." Alicent said, "Vermithor's flames were going to set everything ablaze as Aerion's blades were going to plunge right into their chests...." 

"That did not happen." Otto said, "Aerion will come to regret that mistake....Now, Lord Jasper, what were you going to say that was interrupted by the sudden news?" 

"I..." Lord Jasper cleared his throat

The doors opened and Larys Strong walked in, limping on his cane as he looked at the Small Council. 

"Lord Larys." Otto said

"Lord-Hand, My Lords...Your Grace..." Larys bowed slightly, "I have come to relay the information that Lord Jasper has surely already told you, but with an added report." 

"Speak." Otto faced him

"The night prior, two men traveled to Dragonstone, with the intent to assassinate Rhaenyra." Larys said

Alicent widened her eyes, "F-Father!" She exclaimed

"That was not me." Otto said calmly

"Indeed." Larys said as he limped over to the table, "It was done by another man I'm currently investigating.....but these two individuals were known as Vaemond Velaryon's sons, Daeron and Daemion...." 

"T-Them?" Alicent said 

"They tried to kill Rhaenyra but were stopped by one of her Queensguard, who fought them off. And while they tried to escape, Rhaenyra's dragon burned them." Larys said, "Such an interesting thing." 

"I see...." Otto said, "And this.....is relevant how? I was sure that Vaemond's sons were to take revenge for him." 

"It is relevant due to the fact that the blame was pinned on you, Lord Hand." Larys said, "Someone wants you and Rhaenyra to be at odds. It is quite interesting....." 

Otto frowned, "What do you mean?" He said, "Someone is trying to force us against each other? In what way? Rhaenyra was the one who had the fires set in the city, was it not?" 

"That is what they want you to believe, to declare war." Larys said, "I believe you played into their hands...." 

"Who?" Otto scowled

"The Grey Snake..." Larys said, 

"And Sterling." 

***********

[Dragonstone]

"Mother, are you alright?!" Lucerys exclaimed as she ran into the Painted Table's room, "I heard of what happened?" 

Rhaenyra stood next to the table as Luke approached her, hugging her almost immediately. She was looking at a letter she had received while she hugged him with one arm. Rhaenys and Rhaena were standing on the other side, smiling slightly. 

"I am fine, Luke..." Rhaenyra said, "Everything is okay...you came so quickly..." 

Luke pulled away, "I-I'm sorry, I should've been here." He said

"It is fine, Lucerys." Rhaenys said, "Bloodshed was inevitable between my nephews and your House. It is most unfortunate..." 

"Indeed..." Rhaena said with a sad frown, "But an attack against the Queen is treason...." 

Rhaenyra's eyes were still on the letter, "I cannot believe it..." she said softly, "He's gone and done it...." 

Luke looked at her, "What is it?" 

Rhaenyra looked at him, "Aerion." She said, "He's won four battles in a single day. He crippled the Baratheon and Lannister Armies.....he killed Lord Jason and Lord Borros in combat...." 

Rhaenys looked down, "Borros is dead, hm?" She said

"I am sorry, Princess." Rhaenyra said, "He was your kin." 

"It had to be done." Rhaenys said

"Not only did he do that.....he engaged Vhagar in combat." Rhaenyra said, "He was able to repel Aemond with ease, forcing him to retreat." 

"T-That's....amazing..." Luke said

Rhaenyra patted his cheek, "Indeed it is..." She said softly, "He's out there, fighting for us....that is amazing, indeed." 

Rhaena smiled, "My Brother is a mighty man..." She said softly

"The consequences to this will be dire." Rhaenys said, "The Greens will retaliate hard." 

"They have." Rhaenyra said, "Daeron has taken victories in the Reach, he's making his way to the Riverlands as we speak. I underestimated him after all...." 

"Do you think that Aerion didn't engage the Hightowers because of him?" Rhaenys asked, "Not because he fears Daeron, because he wishes not to harm him." 

"Perhaps..." Rhaenyra said softly, "My dear brother.....I hate how it has come to this...." 

"I wish he weren't an enemy..." 

***********

[The Vale]

Walking across a rocky path, Hugh and Ulf were looking up at the sky as they heard strange sounds. Hugh's wife was walking behind them as she carried a bag in her arms. 

"It's awful quiet in The Vale." Ulf said, "Don't you think, mate?" 

Hugh shrugged, "There are two dragons patrolling it." He said as he stopped to wait for his wife, "Of course it's going to be safe." 

Ulf nodded, "Hey, do you wonder why we were marked as Sterling?" He asked, "It's kinda weird. I know I've seen you at The Grey Snake's place, but still." 

"No idea." Hugh said as he grabbed his wife's hand

"Hm." Ulf said as he took a bite of an apple in his hand, "Strange, innit? That we happened to be taken to the same place and here we are, going to a measly Vale town together." 

"Would you shut up?" Hugh said with a scowl

"You look familiar though, not as in the fact that I've seen you around. But you look like someone...." Ulf said as he chewed, "Can't put my finger on it...." 

"You're thinking of someone else.." Hugh said

"Nah, you look like someone...." Ulf said as he stopped and looked around, "You a Targaryen Bastard?" 

Hugh stopped, let go of his wife's hand and lunged at Ulf, grabbing him by the collar, "What did you fucking say?!" 

"Hugh!" Hugh's wife exclaimed

"Take it easy, mate." Ulf said with a frown, "There's nobody here, they can't hear us. Just us. Tell me, I won't tell anyone. You got that dirty white hair, like me. Your eyes are deep purple, like mine....I mean, I'm a bastard too, a Targaryen one." 

Hugh pushed him away, "I'm not like you." 

"Ah, buddy. You are a bastard like me." He chuckled, "Whose kid are you? You look rather old, like me. I reckon....Aemon." 

"No." Hugh said

"Well, I'm Baelon's....allegedly." Ulf patted his rags, "You?" 

"Fuck off." Hugh said as he walked past him, pulling his wife alongside with him

"Well, I'm assuming it's one of the men and Aemon and Baelon were the only ones left, ya know?" Ulf said, "So I'm guessing we're either brothers or-" 

He was cut off by the sound of wings flapping up in the sky, a loud roar following it. 

All of them widened their eyes as they saw a massive grey dragon fly right above them, the force of its flapping wings hitting them hard. 

"Shit!" Hugh said as he grabbed his wife and dropped to the ground, "Take cover!" 

Ulf saw the dragon, seeing that there was no rider on it, "Well shit...." He said, 

"Now ain't that something...."