Chapter 19: Chapter 14

Chapter Text

I shook myself awake in the darkness. I looked about, expecting to be dreaming, but I was on the back of Vermithor, the dark water of Blackwater Bay reflecting the moonlight. I forced myself to stay awake as we continued flying. Eventually, though, I finally spotted the orange glow of the Dragonmont. Slowly, Vermithor circled and descended, finally landing where I always landed him previously. I thanked the gods for the Dragonkeepers, as more than a few were still awake, and quickly got Vermithor's saddle off and got him a sheep to eat.

A guard quickly threw a heavy cloak over me and escorted me up to the main part of the castle. It wasn't that cold, but I supposed high up in the air, you couldn't take too many chances. I was walked up to the Stone Drum, where I was immediately hugged by Sister Beth, and greeted by the various other members of my former Household. I hugged and greeted the many of them… before finally coming to the last one… I ran and hugged Father tightly. After a few moments of hesitation, he returned the hug.

And then I was sent to bed. Because of course I was.

The next morning I was woken up and brought out to the yard by Father and Dragonstone's Master at Arms, to resume my martial training. First section was archery, as usual, and I was given a heavier bow than the one I'd previously used. Once that was done, Father pulled me over to the main training yard.

"Every highborn son in Westeros is expected to swing a sword," he explained. "Yet, unless you wield Valyrian steel, a sword cannot hack through mail, cannot break the defenses of plate armor, cannot break a byrnie, cannot slash through a gambeson. Highborn often find this out during their first blooding, but you will know this now." He gestured over to a table, filled with all kinds of different weapons.

"A dragon is not your only weapon, and there will be times where Vermithor will not help in battle, as rare as that may be," Father explained. "When that time comes, you must be prepared, and know how to wield weapons of war." He reached down and picked up a finely decorated mace, turning to show it to me. "My father once did the same, showing off the many weapons, for my brother and I. Viserys trained with a morning star. I trained with this. Break a man's armor, or his bones through his armor, before finishing him off with Dark Sister."

I looked down at the many weapons upon the table, all varieties of medieval weapons I'd once read about. After staring at many, I reached for the wooden shaft of my weapon of choice, and picked it up, stumbling for a moment at the weight. Father looked and nodded, a small smile crossing his face.

"Like a true son of Valyria," Father said. "A spear, the weapon of the Valyrian noble. Your training in this will be focused and efficient." I nodded, before placing it down. "Now take this," he ordered, handing me a wooden sword, and leading me out to the main yard, where we spent the morning sparring, going through various forms, as I was now old enough to practice with them. Much of the day after that was further athletics, running laps around a yard, carrying objects about, until it was time for a break. The breaks always seemed to come just when I needed them, rarely did I feel pushed too hard… well, in my lazy mind, maybe, but I never truly felt pushed too hard.

The next day, I was on academics, resting my sore body, as the Maesters and Sister Beth ascertained my education and began getting me back on track; as well, Sister Beth continued teaching me more myths of the various Gods of the Forest, painfully long names included, alongside touching up my maths and my skills with the Old Tongue. Admittedly, my interest in religion had risen to new heights after my near-death experience, so I paid close attention and wrote several down in my journal… in the Old Tongue's writing system, just so I could have some practice with it.

Finally, that night as we supped together in his solar – actually the Lord's Solar, but who was gonna tell him to leave – I finally asked what I'd been meaning to since I'd arrived. "Father, why did Uncle make you leave?" He stopped eating the moment those words came out of my mouth. He stood with a sigh and walked over to the window, looking out at the water far below.

"I already told you most of it," he finally began. "I told Viserys what he didn't want to hear. That he'd been taken advantage of, and that because he let himself become a drunkard in his mourning, his son was dead. All he'd had to do was listen to you, and he would have a living son, an undisputed heir. I was in my cups alongside, and he demanded to know why he'd been cursed with me for a brother. I told him-" he stopped, hesitating. I walked up next to him and looked up at him, squeezing his wrist gently.

"I told him it was his curse… as a kinslayer. I— I regretted the words the moment they left me, yet it did nothing to assuage my brother's wrath. I was stripped of office and exiled from the city. I wasn't even permitted to bring you. I was ordered to return to your mother… I came here instead, and Viserys has not seen fit to challenge me on that choice." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. That was… pretty bad. No wonder he'd been disinherited, Father was probably lucky to have not had his head removed for lèse-majesté. Probably would have been attainted as well, leaving me at the tender mercies of Otto Hightower and his plans. Leaving a lefty among no friends is a bad idea; I might well be burned at the stake.

"I will not return to Runestone, despite my brother's posturing," Father said, clenching his fists. "Letters are being exchanged. He won't force me from the island, not now." I perked up as we walked back to the small table.

"Letters? To whom have you sent them?" I asked. Father laughed, then looked determined.

"My dear cousin on Driftmark and her husband," he stated. "If my brother has no need for me, then mayhaps it's time I build bridges with them." I nodded in understanding.

"The Stepstones?" I asked. Father's look only confirmed it for me. I'd known he'd done this in the canon story, but I hadn't realized just how much the Three Daughters had pissed off the Westerosi. Hell, Viserys had unleashed privateers on them— Fire and Blood never mentioned that part! But, I knew Father had his own designs on the Stepstones. He'd been talking with Lord Corlys for nearly two moons now, though what exactly the plan was, I had no idea. The books didn't talk much about the War for the Stepstones. Only that Father and Corlys attacked, won for a time, then Father got bored and ran off with Laena after Mother died in an accident… or maybe 'accident.' The book never explained that one either.

"Be ready to rise early, tomorrow, Lucerys," Father said, as I was dismissed. "The day will be spent on dragonback." Oh, brilliant. More endurance tests were always fun.