criston

Daemon opened the door, the building was… not as hygienic as he would have preferred or thought was right. The stench from the outside still lingered in the air yet now there was an almost sickeningly sweet aroma as healers and midwives attended their duties.

Daemon covered his nose "Are you sure this is the right place, Mysaria?"

Mysaria glanced over to him and tilted her head "Many a 'lady' had come here to have their children, a few of my own ladies have come here to birth their children." She turned back "Have faith, I know what I am doing."

Daemon sighed through his nose; ever since Mysaria's takeover of the brothel she had become a greater ally on top of being a friend, yet his aiding in Dalla's death still sat in his stomach. Even now after half a year. Quickly he banished the thought, fearing it would consume him, another issue for another time. Instead he replaced it with something else, something dear to him. 

It will only be just some more months and I'll be back in Runestone... just after the new year...

The thought filled him with both longing as he thought of his family; the last time he went, son was had been born; he thanked the Gods that he was able to make it in just in time for his birth. 

Rhaegal... 

He wondered if Baelor dotted on his baby brother as Perra had done to him. He wondered if Baelor woke up every morning asking about him as Rhea had told him in their letters; how it broke his heart to hear that and how he wanted nothing more to drop everything and just fly back to them. 

My family... how I miss them. 

How he wanted to take them with him, yet knew he couldn't. 

Perra wedding will be soon too... Gods so much is happening and I'm- just. not there. 

"Mysaria." A woman dressed in simple brown clothes with a yellowish apron stained with dried red walked towards them, interrupting his thoughts. There were aging lines along her eyes, strands of white in her black hair, some tiredness on her face. Yet it was hidden by a smile she gave. Mysaria embraced the woman tightly "Dear Cya, how are you?"

"I am well, better actually; your patronage has helped us." Cya said "I was able to purchase more wines, milk of the poppy and vinegars." She looked over to Daemon "And who is this?"

"Perhaps it's best we discuss somewhere privately first." Mysaria said, Cya quickly led them to an empty hallway. "This Cya, is Prince Daemon Targeryen." Daemon lowered his hood. Cya's eyes widen for a moment before she got down on one knee with her head bowed.

"Forgive me, My Prince." She spoke "I had not known-"

"Please it is quite fine." Daemon said, offering his hand to Cya and helping her up "Forgive me for bothering you, I had come with a few questions."

Cya looked at him and then Mysaria "Are you with-"

"Nothing of the sort." Mysaria replied. "The Prince is my friend, he seeks only aid."

"You could asks one of your maesters no?"

"Maesters are learned men but prideful too, I desire to learn from others among the people and also on the conditions of those within this city." Daemon said, taking out his note book and pen. "If you have time I would be honoured if you could show me around and tell me about your establishment."

For about an hour or so Cya led the two of them around the building; the rooms were cramped with people from the sick, the dying, the ill, the wounded and those who were expecting.

"We usually get people who live along the street of Silk though many around the City come to our help." Cya explained "Means we're more cramped than I'd want."

"And your staff?" Daemon asked.

"Some local healers I taught, some travelling healers who settled in the city, one or two hedge wizards and even a wood witch to help make medicine." Cya said "Problem is, none of them are fighters and we sometimes get robbed, City guards is also useless. Pardon my Prince."

The Gold cloaks, that's right…

His heart began to ache, Daemon not doubt displeased of another achievement robbed from him.

"Most of your coin is from costs of your services or wealthy patronages?"

"Aye, Prince." Cya turned to face them as they reached a room filled what looked to be a pseudo maternity room. "I'd say that how most of our money is made."

How much money is spent on lavish items and celebrations when some here are barely scrapping together half-pence to ration medicine?

"I shall speak to the Master of Coin." Daemon said "I believe it's high time some of the taxes the crown receives goes supporting establishments like yours."  

Cya smiled "If you can, I would be greatly indebted to you, My Prince."

Daemon turned his head the maturity room "It must be daunting for these women… Mine own mother died in childbirth."

"They say a woman's battle is the birthing bed." Cya said "like a battlefield the peasant wearing no amour armed with a spear will likely die before the lord wearing armour on a horse."

Mysaria looked at Daemon as he glanced at her "I imagine complications during the birthing take many lives too."

"Aye, an awful thing, we have to cut open the women sometimes to reach in and save the babe… and yet even that may not work."

Daemon ripped out a page from his notebook; when his sister had been pregnant with his niece and nephew, he attended many check-ups with her and remembered a few things. "I may have an idea." He said passing the note to Cya who looked at him "Perhaps this may help, I had the blacksmith fashion a pair… we had even tested it on pregnant cattle with success."

"This may help, my Prince." She said, looking at the design and drawn demonstration. 

"Excellent, I shall gift you a couple for you and your staff to use." Daemon said "If you can send a report about it to Mysaria on it, that would please me greatly." Daemon clasped his hands together "Until then." He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small bag, Cya supressed a gasp looking at the bag of twelve gold dragons "I imagine this will be enough to purchase the building next to yours, yes?"

Daemon scribbled down a few words into his notebook, checking off a few errands off his list as he went to attend the meeting of the small council. He must have attended plenty of these meetings before yet he always felt his nerves flare up.

Like having meeting with the people I worked for in my last life…  

As he stepped into the chamber he spotted both Lords Lyonel Strong , Lyman Beesbury and maester Runciter already at their seats. "My Lords." Daemon greeted them, dipping his head slightly.

"Prince Daemon." The three said in imperfectly unison as he sat down.

"Who are we still waiting for?" he said placing his marble ball on the disk in front of him, slightly relieved to have the weighty ball removed from his pocket momentarily.

"The Lords Otto and Corlys will be arriving shortly." Runciter said "Along with his Grace and the Queen." Daemon nodded his head.

As if on que, Otto entered the room "My Lords." He said the two "Prince Daemon and Grand Maester." He said as took his seat next to Daemon

"How are we all?"

"Well, Lord-Hand." Lyonel spoke.

"How are you children?" Daemon said "I haven't gotten a chance to meet them, have they taken to the capital well?"

"They have, my Prince." Lyonel said "Harwin has eager to test himself against the kingsguard and Larys… he has taken to the library, as for my daughters Bella and Harra, they have sought out exploring what the city has to offer."

"Very good." Otto said. 

Corlys walked into the chamber "My lords, Prince Daemon." He said those attending as he took his seat at the end of the table. There was a tenseness in the air as his eyes looked upon those there.

"Lord Corlys, I hope you are well." Daemon spoke, hoping to break the tension.

"Very well, my wife and children make way for the capital from High Tide."

Then both Viserys and Aemma stepped into the chamber, all those attending standing from their seats, the door shutting behind them. "Your Grace." They all spoke as Viserys took his seat at the end of the table and Aemma opposite to Otto.

Aemma.

Not a day went by this year that Daemon did not hold his breath when he had spoken to her or was privy to a royal announcement. He wanted nothing more than the this year, the year she was meant to die, to by pass.

It had only been Rhaegal birth announced this year… 

He had done everything he could; encouraging them to wait till possible closer to 110 AC, under the guise of 'aligning dates with Rhaenyra and Laenor's marriage' and even getting Otto and Corlys to encourage the same. 

But this year, was the one he wanted to pass. 

Just a few more months… 

"Please be seated." Viserys told them, the council sat down "Now, onto the first order of business; Otto, can you?"

"Of course, your Grace." Otto said "Lately talks between ourselves and the Triarchy have been halted for the time being."

"Their envoy has been stubborn; despite whatever concessions or adjustments we make they still demand more." Daemon added.

"Demands we should reject." Corlys spoke "Their greed would hold us hostage to their whims."

"Moreover there is the legal matter of allowing slaves to be transported from our ports." Lyonel stated "It would be seen as hypocrisy if the crown allowed the slave trade to done from our ports and towns when both the law and the faith prohibits it."

"We cannot allow such a thing to happen." Aemma spoke out this time "It would be a grave injustice."

"I could not agree more, my Queen." Daemon smiled at Aemma. "I have made it clear that this is not a concessions we will entertain."

"Good, good." Viserys said, listening intently to those around him. "We cannot abide by that and bring the crown into disrepute with the faith or the commons."

"The matter however stands, if we do not find common ground then the tariffs shall remain and worse, continue to rise." Lyman said "Merchants may turn their business to other ports or cities, which may lessen the taxes we receive."

"May I suggest we apply more 'pressure' with this matter?" Corlys said, Daemon clenched his jaw "There are many houses along the Narrow Sea who feel the squeeze of this, many who may be willing to exert their own pressure."

"For now, that will not be needed, Lord Corlys." Otto said "I am still confident we can find agreement; the Triarchy may have the Stepstones but their merchants are still dependent on selling their wares to us."

"Indeed, we still have some leverage over them." Runciter said "Lest we forget that they are surrounded by their competitors."

"Onto the next order, the Kingsguard and the commandership after the passing of Ser Redwyne." Viserys said. "I have a mind to name Ser Harrold Westerling as his successor."

"Ser Westerling would be a good choice, your Grace." Lyman said "A seasoned and respected knight among his peers." The others nodded their heads in agreement.

"There is the matter of the empty position." Viserys said "I believe ser Criston Cole may be a good fit; his prowess and victory in the melee speak to his ability."

"Our daughter Rhaenyra is also enamoured with him." Aemma said. "He would make a great member of the Kingsguard." Either from the pain in his chest or his own discomfort, Daemon's eye twitched.

"Aye, he is a fine warrior and would make a fine kingsguard." Lyman said.

"If I may." Daemon said, raising his hand "While there is no doubt that ser Criston is a good candidate, perhaps we should look elsewhere"

"Why so?" Viserys asked.

"Forgive me, your Grace, my Queen, but perhaps Ser Criston's relationship with the Princess may impact his responsibilities as a Kingsguard." Daemon said "As her sworn shield his responsibilities lay with the Princess; should he be given a white cloak it may see him moved away from Rhaenyra."

Viserys looked be considering that "Perhaps but there is nothing to say he cannot remain her sworn shield even after his appointment."

"That is true however what if he is needed elsewhere? What if the kingsguard is spread thin during a time of crisis and he can no longer guard the princess?" Daemon suggested.

"Does the Prince have another candidate?" Lyman asked.

Daemon glanced over to Otto "I do, I recommend Myles Hightower; recently knighted, he is a fine fighter from my own experience and would secure favour with House Hightower, would you not agree, Lord-Hand?"

"I concur." Otto said "No doubt my Handship curries favour with my House, having Myles as a member will secure it's loyalty for decades." 

"The appointments should be about securing the best knights to protect his Grace." Lyonel said,.

"Yes, Lord Lyonel, but there is a the political nature of these appointments." Daemon replied. "I do not speak of anyone in this room, not all appointments are done purely on merit alone."

"The Prince has the right of this." Runciter said "Politics and allegiances did influence matters of appointment to the Kingsguard in the past."

"He is green in comparison to Ser Criston." Lyonel said. "A newly knighted boy than a seasoned knight?"

"A man can learn, he will have the best tutors in his fellow brother in arms." Runciter replied. "He could be moulded into an exceptional knight."

It broke his heart to see Aemma disappointed, yet in his heart he believed he was doing the right thing… or at least he believed, he did not know if that was how he felt or if it was Daemon.

"Perhaps you are right, and there is nothing to say he cannot be made a member in future." Viserys said "Otto will you discuss with your son about this? How will he feel?"

"He would view it as an honour, your Grace." Otto said. "Of that I am sure, he will no doubt seize the chance to serve in the Kingsguard."

"Ser Criston will be disappointed." Aemma frowned. "An so will Rhaenyra, she was hoping he would get the appointment."

"I shall handle that, Ser Criston deserves to hear it from myself." Daemon said.

"Good, now is there any other matter?" Viserys asked.

"Yes, your Grace, a minor matter." Daemon opened his notebook "I visited an establishment of healers and midwives in the city; the matron Cya, does fantastic work for the smallfolk. I believe the crown should set aside a portion of its taxes to supporting these establishments."

"It is usually the faith who provide such services." Lyman said.

"And yet I saw the smallfolk having to organise their own help." Daemon retorted "The faith cannot reach everyone it appears."

"Aye, I have heard from many sailors they use establishments outside the faith." Corlys added. "No doubt expanding such service would benefit us too; cut costs needed to heal our men, I say we support such an endeavour." Corlys glanced over to Daemon who looked to him.

Scratch my back… I scratch yours.

"Lord Lyman, can the crown afford it?"

"I would say so." Lyman said "A poultry sum can be set aside for now."

"I think this would be a great gesture from the crown." Aemma spoke "Shows the people the crown cares for them and supports the city, our grandsire would have approved too."

"We must make it clear that this is a gift from the crown." Otto said.

"Yes, that settles this meeting today." Viserys said "All of you are dismissed." Those around the table left the chamber.

Later that night, both Corlys and Daemon sat in his solar, waiting for their guest to arrive. A jug of Arbor gold and three cups on the desk; both not wanting to bring up the topic that was currently plaguing them and focus on what common ground they shared.

He said "I must say, my Prince, your calling may have been in storytelling; I hear from my children that even my young nephews and nieces have taken to the story of Odysseus, even my brothers quite enjoy the story, my nephew Vaemond says he would like to name his son either Odysseus or Telemachus." 

"It warms my heart to hear that." Daemon smiled.

"Laenor always pretends to be the fearless and clever king, Odysseus while Laena plays the part of Athena guiding him home while the other children play the crewmen or other Gods." Daemon laughed at the thought "Rhaenys however isn't to enamoured as the others."

"Is she not?"

"She has read it and believes Odysseus to be a fool." For some reason, that didn't surprise Daemon. "Said his troubles were almost purely down to his own foolish decisions, though she does appericate that he stayed loyal to his wife even after twenty years." Daemon nodded along, taking a sip of his drink, not wanting to say anything.

Yeah... I wasn't going to add the other parts to my version, not when I was reading it to Laena and Laenor... 

There was a knock on the door. "My Prince, Lord Corlys." One of the guards spoke "Ser Criston has arrived."

"Let him through." Corlys called, the door opened and Criston entered the solar, bowing his head to them as the guards shut the door behind him.

"My Prince, Master of Ships." Criston said, greeting them.

"Ser Criston, please have a seat." Daemon said as he poured him a cup of wine before handing it to Criston as he sat down. "Are you well?"

Criston paused for a moment, something both men were expecting; how could anyone be well when they discover their chance to rise to such a position as the Kingsguard being blocked? "I am well… I thank you for asking."

"Let us be frank." Daemon said "You are free to speak as you wish." Daemon leaned forward, he was trying to mimic someone in his head, the people he use to work for. "I am sure you are aware of the decision made by the small council regarding the appointment for Myles Hightower to the Kingsguard."

Criston looked to try an resist scowling at the news. Tried. "I have been made aware."

"How do you feel?"

Criston breathed in deeply before looking at Daemon, he could not hide the disappointment on his face or the bitterness in his eyes. If his sword was not taken from him, Daemon would have believed Criston would have used it on him.

"Why." He spoke.

"Why?"

"Why?" Criston almost choked out the word in a growl "I mean this as no offence to the Lord-Hand's son but I am a better fighter than him, I have been a knight for much longer and he was only knighted recently, I… I had the favour of the Princess Rhaenyra, I won the tourney of Maidenpool wearing her favour, it should have been-"

"Yes, you are right." Daemon stopped him "In almost every way, you are a better candidate for the spot than Myles Hightower, you would have made a brilliant addition to the Kingsguard."

So good you became the lord commander in just a few short years.

And that's what makes you dangerous

"Then why was I denied the appointment?" he asked, though it sounded as if he was pleading.

Because it's better to have you under someone's thumb where you can't potentially do any damage to my plans…

"Why? Because of you would have been wasted as a knight of the Kingsguard." Daemon spoke, Criston sat back in his chair, a perplexed look on his face.

"I… I don't understand."

"A glorified sworn shield to the King and why? Because of your prowess as a knight? As a fighter?" Daemon asked him back "Your father was a steward, a damn good one might I add and the fact you were able to pick up your skills so quickly speaks to something else."

"What exactly?"

Daemon tapped the temple of his head "You have a good head on your shoulders; one that can be refined, one that can be sharpened to serve a higher position, a higher purpose than just standing still in front of a door while the king attends to Gods knows what."

How quickly the tables had turned; Criston had been the one to press Daemon and now it was he who was on the receiving end of a lecture.

"That is also why Lord Corlys is here." Daemon, turning to the man sitting next to him.

"I had heard of your exploits prior to the tourney and your conduct as the Princess' sworn shield." Corlys said "I believe I can put them to good use, give you something more befitting of your talents." Corlys leaned forward "I currently looking to fix the royal navy; what I had inherited from my predecessor is laughable compared to what I had left him, I'm looking for trusted men who can learn quickly and one day serve as one of my admirals." He leaned back "From there, who knows; I am a generous man, I allow those who work hard and prove themselves to rise within the ranks, I may even need your services on my council in High Tide."

That's the bait…

Dangling the possibility of having influence to one of the most powerful lords in the Seven Kingdoms.

"Of course, my dear niece would be heart broken to hear that you no longer will serve as her sworn-shield." Daemon spoke "However, while Corlys serves as the Master of Ships, you can remain in the capital, no doubt she will visit you when she can or demands to." He said. "And when she is married to Laenor, you can maintain your friendship with her there."

There was an unease with that last thought; he hoped that Criston will be a wiser man and possibly reject Rhaenyra's advances in future as he allegedly done in the book than give in as Harwin had.

Harwin is another thing I need to deal with, maybe I can speak to Lyonel about getting the guy married early and take over as lord of Harrenhal, I'll think of something.

"One of the benefits of this is you won't need to swear off women." Corlys laughed. "You would be free to marry or lay with anyone you'd please."

So long as it isn't my bloody niece…

At the thought of Harwin another person came to his mind.

And then there's Larys Strong, hopefully nullifying the factionalism means he won't start a fire... maybe taking him out would be easier?

He blinked, pushing the idea from his head, a little ashamed at the thought of seeing a child as a threat because of what he could become.

I'll still need to talk to both Rhaenyra and Laenor when the time comes…

He wanted to rub his head at the thought, it was a headache for the future; so much to do and so much to say.

"So, Ser Criston, what say you?" Corlys asked. "Will you accept."

Criston was silent as he looked at the two men in front of him.

Please… please just take the deal…

Criston sighed, he looked to the ground before looking back to them.

"I accept your offer."