Westeros, King's Landing
The Red Keep
107 AC
The trial of Ser Otto is a private affair that is carried out behind the closed doors of the Small Council chamber. Daemon had wanted to make it a spectacle, however Viserys commanded otherwise. In consideration for Ser Otto's many years of loyal service he would not be shamed nor humiliated before the court. As such they convene here, within the Small Council chamber with no one else to bear witness other than the Small Council, Alicent, Rhaenyra, and a septon to represent The Faith.
The Trial itself is a mere formality, for Viserys has long made up his mind on Ser Otto's fate. The letters provided to him are undoubtedly in Ser Otto's handwriting and after many inspections by the Grand Maester they were deemed to be genuine articles and not forgeries. It certainly did not help that the Silent Sisters found another "secret letter" on Ser Criston that alludes to Ser Otto's hand in keeping Daemon's children away from him. Of course that particular letter is a forgery. Though, unfortunately for Otto, the Grand Maester does not possess the skills necessary to identify a forgery of that caliber, and as such Otto finds himself in much more dire straits than expected.
Now Ser Otto has three options, each one possibly leading to a worse fate than the previous one. He can either admit to the legitimacy of his letters to his brother while denying the one found on Cole's person, admit to the legitimacy of both sets of letters, or deny both sets of letters.
Still, Aemon cares not for which choice he makes for his fate is sealed either way. He will be banished from King's Landing and restricted from corresponding with the queen's children. Rather, what worries Aemon is his dreams. Every night he dreams the same dream of a massive black dragon, whose flames resemble the flames of wildfire, attacking King's Landing and burning the city to ash. And in every dream he battles the dragon, seemingly coming close to slaying it before abruptly waking up; and everytime he awakes it is to find the same Targaryen staring down at him before vanishing without a trace.
It worries him. Not just the dream, but also what seems to be the slow awakening of his link to the Valyrians of old and how it shall manifest. Will it be like his Stark blood? Where the memories and personas of his ancestors congeal into a single being? The thought of it makes his head ache for the last thing he needs is a spectre of his Valyrian ancestors extolling the virtues of slavery and unethical magic experimentations to him. In addition his Stark ancestors would not accept that and the conflict between the two may just drive him to madness. Gods, just the thought of it makes him want to find a cliff to jump from.
Before Aemon's thoughts can continue further down that path, he notices the atmosphere in the room shift as Daemon smirks at Otto while Alicent's face is screwed into a frown.
"—ve been found guilty. You are hereby banished from King's Landing, never to set foot within its walls again under the threat of death." says Viserys as Aemon's attention returns to the room.
With the verdict given Ser Otto and the Queen are escorted out of the council chamber despite their protests, the door closing behind them.
"Now that the cunt is gone, there is the matter of my son's inheritance. Runestone is Aemon's yet thus far my bronze bitch's cousin is claiming it as his." says Daemon with a grin that is all teeth.
The other councilors look at Daemon warily. This can easily turn into a bloody affair if he is not reined in, and they all know it. If Viserys does not rein in his brother while Lady Royce's cousin continues to claim Runestone as his, House Royce may soon become extinct.
Unbeknownst to all here, save Aemon, those children are not Lady Royce's. Rather they are her sister's. A sister that Daemon had seduced and fucked in retaliation to his unwanted bethrotal to Lady Royce, a sister who died birthing those same children. Moreover, Daemon has traded Runestone in exchange for a written confession from Lady Royce claiming that those children are indeed hers and that she purposefully hid them from Daemon with the help of Ser Otto. As if that was not enough, the Prince swore to Lady Royce that he would leave Runestone to her cousin in exchange for said confession.
Now, here sits the Prince as he renegades on said promise.
He could say something, Aemon thinks to himself. He could out Daemon as the liar he is and watch how he deals with the fallout, or how Viserys reacts. It would be amusing to watch, a part of him admits.
Shaking the thought from his head, Aemon continues to watch as the other councilors give their opinions on the matter, or at least that is what he planned to do were it not for Rhaenyra.
"What do you think, Lord Aemon?" asks Rhaenyra, quieting the chamber as they all turn their attention to him. It would be so easy to do it now, a slight comment to sow doubt here, a passing mention of Daemon's character and poof, everyone begins to doubt the legitimacy of his children. It would be so easy. Unfortunately for his amusement, and fortunately for Daemon, doing such would not serve his future plans and would actually hinder them.
"While I understand Lord Strong's argument on the matter. I must admit to believing Daemon's point of view being the correct one." Aemon says. "Aemon, as Lady Royce and Daemon's eldest, is the heir to Runestone regardless of House Royce or the other Vale Lords' arguments. It is also true that it is currently not safe for the children of House Targaryen to be anywhere other than the Red Keep. As such it would be best for him to remain here, where he can be raised and protected by his father. While the Royce's will grumble about being ruled by someone who knows nothing of their land and customs, that is an issue that can easily be rectified." Aemon says.
"Very well." says Viserys. "Aemon the younger will continue to be raised here amongst family, and Lady Royce's cousin will be summoned to the Red Keep to swear fealty to him before being returned to Runestone to serve as regent." commands Viserys, bringing a smile to Daemon's face.
"Now, with this matter taken care of, we can turn our attention to other important matters." says Viserys. "What do our casualties look like?" he asks.
"Not as many as we expected, your grace." reports Ser Lyonel Strong, the new hand.
It is like this that the small council continues, with reports on the casualties, which lord is demanding this or that, and at times which idiotic lord threatens violence should this action or that not be taken. It is tedious work that Aemon has long become familiar with at times wishes he did not need to do. Unfortunately however that is the price of power, or at least the responsibility that comes with it.
Soon, however, the meeting is adjourned and all save those with Targaryen blood remain inside.
With a heavy sigh Viserys leans back on his chair.
"Does ruling not agree with you, brother?" jests Daemon.
"Ruling does not trouble me. It's the squabbling that bothers me so. Two of the Kingdom's cities have suffered an attack and still they squabble over the most petty of matters." complains Viserys, causing Daemon to scoff.
"Still, that is not why we are here." says Viserys as he turns towards Aemon. "You are a lord now."
"Thanks to you, your grace." says Aemon, to which Viserys merely waves it off.
"You are family, and moreover you have served well. It's only right." replies Viserys. "As a lord it is expected of you to have your own land and holdfast. And while I would love nothing more than to give you an established territory and keep, I do not think that there is such a place that is available." he says, only for Aemon to disagree.
"There is such a place, your grace. The Isle of Faces." says Aemon.
"The Isle of Faces? That meager island in the middle of the Gods Eye? Is that not House Strong's territory?" asks Viserys.
"No House lays claim to the Isle." argues Aemon.
"Because it is sacred ground for the First Men. It would be as if House Hightower laid claim to the sept in Oldtown." says Rhaenyra. "Can you even get there?" she asks
"I'm quite confident in my ability to get there." says Aemon with a smile. "As for it's sacred nature, well I am a descendant of the First Men. Moreover, considering the magical nature of our enemies I believe that it would be best if that island were to be made use of." he adds.
"Are you confident?" asks Visereys. "In using the magic of the Isle to counter these sorcerers and warlocks?"
"I am." nods Aemon.
"Very well." aquiesces Viserys.
…
…
…
Dragonstone, AOT World
Year 846
Dragonstone has changed much in the moons since Aemon has been there. No longer is the island seemingly deserted and devoid of visitors, now it is teeming with life as the vassals of the Winter Court have now made it their home.
At the foot of the castle is a budding city made using the architecture of the Unseelie Court. It is regal and elegant yet possessing a haunting gothic quality to it. The streets are wide and clean with countless fey walking about living their lives. Most are those from the Winter Court's territory in the feywilds, while others come from House Cumhail's, or some other house's, territory. On the beach, a port has been constructed and countless ships can be seen being built.
The castle itself has not changed in structure, but rather in decorations and population. Tapestries depicting Aemon's many victories, prior to receiving the group chat and after, can be seen hanging throughout the halls as well as depictions of his ancestors from House Stark and House Targaryen both. In addition, everywhere one looks they can see the Knights of Winter standing guard or patrolling the island. Their silver armor gleaming no matter the time of day, their postures tall, straight, and immovable as if they are statues. Even those patrolling would give anyone watching them a sense of inhumanness for their movements are fluid, light, and soundless despite wearing plate armor and carrying spears.
Currently within Aegon's Garden and before the World Travel Gate leading to Westeros, part of the Royal Guard can be seen approaching it with their Commander, Grendell, in the lead.
Like Algrim, Grendell has seen the world when the many supernatural factions were still young and intermingled with one another frequently; even possessing some gray hairs on her temple, though that is more of a stylistic choice as opposed to a true representation of her age. Like all fey she is supernaturally beautiful, though hers is a severe beauty that one would attribute to a disciplinarian. Similar to all members of the Royal Guard, she wears armor that is black as night along with a cape, though hers is purple and attached to both shoulders as opposed to the crimson single shoulder cape of her subordinates.
As Grendell stops before the Gate, and the fey behind her stand at attention, the portal opens and Aemon steps through with Caleb, Algrim, and Eredin following a step behind.
"Your Majesty." greets Grendell, the language of the Unseelie fey rolling from her tongue, as she and the Royal Guard kneels.
"Rise." commands Aemon as he makes his way past them.
"Grendell, still the same frigid bitch I see." says Eredin as Grendell and Royal Guards stand and quickly form a formation around Aemon.
"Quiet dog." snaps Grendell with a sneer before turning to Aemon. Eredin makes to answer her only to quickly shut up as Aemon's head slightly turns to face him
"Commander Erwin and his peers have arrived." reports Grendell.
"And Johann?" asks Aemon.
"He has brought a young boy with him. Eren I believe is his name." she answers.
"Good." says Aemon.
"If I may, Your Majesty. There is a madness to the boy. He is a dangerous one." warns Grendell.
"I know." replies Aemon. "That madness is part of what makes him so special." he says with a slight smile.
Author's Note: Here's the latest chapter. As usual, tell me what you guys think. If you want to support me or read ahead, you at my patreon: patreon.com/servantambrosius