[Edric's POV]
The older you get, the faster time seems to pass. It's amusing... settling down for a more peaceful and 'slow' lifestyle only makes it pass even faster. I had grown rather distant, and not of my own choice. Everything simply seemed to matter less and less.
I've stumbled upon what one might call a mid-life crisis... a little early at the young age of thirty-two. Although, it's not quite the 'typical' kind. From the outside looking in, all was well. I had retained my prime appearance, was stronger than ever before, had seven lovely children, a handful of beautiful women in my life, and the Realm was at its greatest since its creation.
Every goal that held any meaning to me was already accomplished...
And mayhaps that... was a problem in of itself. Everything was too perfect. Or, mayhaps, I was in a void. Lacking the ambition for more, yet also lacking the contentment to simply enjoy things the way they are.
I felt... like I was dead.
I was without motivation, without purpose, without desire.
And yet, there seemed to be nothing that could change that. Not a mountain of wine, not weeks of revelry, not even odd things such as possessing others during minor skirmishes and fighting in their place.
I hoped to find an answer for it all.
[William's POV]
319 AC, 11 years later.
The celebration of my father's twenty-year reign. It was the grandest event in living memory, drawing all sorts of people from across the known world. Despite not conquering any further lands, and even losing its colonies, the Eternal Throne held insurmountable influence. Father had taken to a more diplomatic approach, forging trade agreements and strong relations with much of Essos.
As usual, Victoria was at the forefront of every event. Winning a couple of times wasn't quite enough... she had to win every time. It didn't matter whether it was a melee, an archery contest, or a physical competition. I suppose she lived up to her name.
The final eight of the joust ended up half as a scrap between the new generation for my sisters' favours, between Edwyn Stark, Daemon Rivers, Edric Arryn, a Durran who claimed Baratheon heritage along with Artoria Rivers, Garth Storm, Victoria and Ser Arthur. I fell to Artoria in the previous round... which was a little embarrassing. Although she was very much her father reborn.
Victoria sent our older brother to the ground in a single tilt. The one after would be as climactic as the previous one was otherwise. Daemon Rivers and Edwyn Stark were famed for their brotherly rivalry, and this only burned brighter on the highest stage as they faced each other. The ice that manifested from the Stark lineage against the draconic flames inherited from the Realm's greatest knight. They mutually agreed to void the tilt, and simply fight on the ground.
It was... a sight to see. Garth had to shield off the boundaries of the arena as the two held nothing back, fire and ice dancing in destructive chaos. In the end, once they were both exhausted, it became almost a bar fight as they wrestled on the ground. Daemon Rivers barely came away with the victory, possessing a scrappy edge that his more noble brother did not.
As for Artoria, she bested Edric Arryn decisively. The underdog, Durran, fell swiftly before Ser Arthur. Now, with Daemon Rivers barely coming out victories in the duel with his half-brother, Artoria had the easiest path to the fiansl one could imagine. She sent her brother to the ground in a single tilt.
"The third party wins the war," Artoria laughed.
"Luckiest girl in the world," Daemon sighed, shaking his head. "If I was fresh, you would never beat me."
"Eh, what makes you think that? I kick your ass any day of the week."
"Yeah, right."
She was as spirited as ever... and enchanting. Her platinum hair was a heavenly shade of white, swaying wildly with the wind. She possessed golden eyes that never lost their radiance, burning as bright as her flames. Perfect curves, perfect face shape, everything about her was perfect.
It was not just me... many heralded her as the most beautiful in our generation, along with Elizabeth, Victoria and Alysanne. It was a matter of preference who you put above all others, as they all had their own charm. Three were my sisters, so... the answer was simple (no, I was not keen on those Targaryen traditions).
Now, the 'true' finals were staged a round before: the black-winged stag on a blood red field and the flaming black turtle on a white field. Both had altered their personal banners over the years, with Arthur paying homage to the Kingsguard and Victoria preferring red over gold... or any other colour, for that matter.
It was only the second match that made my father sit up and look remotely interested, the first being the clash between brothers from the previous round.
By his request, it would be a duel. Arthur drew out the illustrious Eclipse, while Victoria called upon her warhammer, named Calamity. It was, according to her, forged from her own blood along with a hundred rogue mages and over a dozen wyverns from her travels in Sothoryos.
The warhammer reflected her nature perfectly, always possessing a supernatural thirst for blood.
Eclipse rattled under the raw might of Calamity in the first clash. Arthur's white and black flames burst out, engulfing Victoria... but the flames had bent to her will immediately, soaring right back. Scarlet red lightning merged with it, exploding Ser Arthur into the sky.
His Geo shield had nullified most of the damage, albeit cracking from the force.
Victoria burst right above Arthur, who seemed to almost freeze. He reinforced his Geo shield in the last moment as Victoria smashed her warhammer onto his head, cracking through the shield and sending him straight down to the ground in a thunderous bolt of lightning.
That seemed to be one of Victoria's draconic abilities, the kind that can control lesser minds. It couldn't control Arthur, per se, but it clearly stunned him. It was no small blow; she was not intent on losing. Before Arthur could even properly recover, she was already hurling a new wave of attacks his way.
Arthur's magecraft had clearly hit a wall in the past, one that he couldn't quite break through. Victoria clearly outclassed him in that regard... and, because of that, outclassed him physically as well. She was able to enhance her strength, speed, acceleration - every physical attribute - considerably beyond his limits. Her being a dragon only emphasised this difference.
In the end, Ser Arthur lost. A supremely rare sight...
Even so, they were both holding back. If they didn't, there would be no tourney grounds to speak of.
"Getting a little old, brother?" Father grinned slightly at the sight.
"What do you feed this young lady?" Arthur chuckled. "I was thoroughly outmatched."
"Only the most magic-rich resource in the world."
The finals, a clash between daughters of the Emperor and his First Sword, ended as one might expect. Victoria triumphed over Artoria decisively, effectively dominating the entire tournament and taking every boon for herself.
The last time, she named herself the Queen of Love and Beauty, so... I wouldn't put it past her to do it again.
She took the victor's laurel, glancing at me.
No...
She flipped the victor's laurel up high into the air, landing it on my head.
"The Queen of Love and Beauty," Victoria smiled. "Thy radiance is blinding."
I rolled my eyes. She always did relish making a jest out of me.
Our father chuckled.
"Aren't you a little greedy?" He questioned. "Seven grand events, seven great boons..."
"I am the Storm's daughter."
Victoria's reply was simple, yet resounding. In the martial sense, indeed, she was the truest of all of our siblings. She was given the name of Victory... and never intended to stray from it.
"Well, go on, what do you desire?"
"Stormfyre and Lightbringer."
Two of the mightiest magic weapons in the world. The symbol of the royal house and the blade that carried the divine might of the Lord of Light in its entirety. Now, if some hedge knight got lucky and won a throwing knife competition, he would not be walking away with any of those... so the 'boons' were obviously circumstantial.
"Granted."
Our father waved his hand and, from the Plane of Euthymia, both emerged. Victoria stored away Lightbringer, personally grasping Stormfyre. Its blade gleamed a blood red as her magic infused it. She had already gained armour of the highest grade on her nameday, so... five more wishes did seem a little much.
"For my third boon, I desire to be heir apparent."
This was not all that much of a surprise. I hadn't shown much interest in the Eternal Throne. Duty and obligations were not my thing.
"Granted."
It seemed that father wasn't all that surprised either.
"For my fourth boon, I desire to be the Emperor's Hammer, possessing supreme command over the Eternal Throne's military that is only second to you."
"... Granted."
Father seemed amused by her audacious boons. Such a rank was effectively equal, if not greater, to the Hand of the Emperor and Empress consort.
"For my fifth boon, I desire the realm-wide purge of all heretical faiths. Far too much conflict has arisen from the most zealous of believers, whether they be heretics or the most devout. It is time to hammer out this cold war amongst our people and unite as one."
"As it is your wish, you will lead the charge."
"That is a non-issue, royal father."
She had only turned seven-and-ten... yet was willing to shoulder such responsibility.
"For my sixth boon, I wish to grant it to Daemon Rivers. I believe he showed great valour in his duel against his brother. It was an entertaining match worthy of a reward."
"Fair enough. Well, Daemon?"
Daemon joined the stage alongside Victoria, still looking like he'd seen better days despite Alysanne's healing. He glanced at her, smiling.
"I am grateful for the crowned princess' acknowledgement. With my boon, I seek the lordship of Lys and the creation of my own house after my mother's maiden name, Aeraellis."
"Granted."
While Lord Stannis holds paramountcy over the Triarchy, each city has its own magister. These magister titles are not inheritable; they are elected by Stannis himself. In this case, Daemon would make himself the permanent ruler of Lys under Stannis.
"Rather ambitious for a bastard," Victoria noted with an amused tone. "Are you sure you can bear the burden of a lordship at your tender age?"
Victoria may forget that she is only a year and a half older.
"My age doesn't define me. My accomplishments will."
Daemon spoke with the confidence you'd expect of the son of Rhaerra and Arthur.
"I chose well."
Victoria did not look disappointed, nodding slightly. Those two had... an odd relationship. Then again, I could say the same for all of her relationships. She was always quite bipolar, saying one thing and acting another.
...
After the tournament was done, naturally, a feast followed. Father hadn't attended, however. Regardless, the royal table was quite lively, mainly because of my younger brother. Durran Durrandon's appearance reflected his nature; a wild mix of purple and black hair that couldn't decide which colour it wanted to be. His left eye was a radiant gold and his right a darker yet luminous purple. As for Elenei, she had her mother's pure purple hair paired with an icy blue pair of eyes. Her skin was pale as an Other's... and she had the highest affinity for the Cryo element out of all of us.
Why the name Durrandon? The Stormfyre name was exclusive to the union between Baratheon and Targaryen, while the Baratheon name was one he had relinquished.
Father could've had far more than seven children if he wished, but... he stopped at Elenei eight years ago. To be honest, even six siblings felt like too much. Durran counted as four brothers in one...
Zip... zip... zip...
Durran flashed all across the hall, flexing his speed.
I sighed, shaking my head.
Splat.
Before I knew it, my own wine surged and splashed all over my garments as he sped past me. I felt a surge of annoyance, which turned to anger. Little brat...
Before I could act, Victoria made a cage of blood and strung him up to the ceiling like a parrot.
"Awww... let me out," Durran pouted.
"You're on timeout, little one," Victoria shook her head. "Mayhaps learn to sit still for once."
"That would be really, really boring."
"So is hanging from the ceiling," Victoria remarked. "I'll take you outside later."
Letting Durran outside on his own would be... catastrophic. Undoubtedly, he'd end up in some place he shouldn't.
"My poor prince,"
Artoria had walked up to me and heated my clothes with her touch. Although she was very clearly sarcastic, her mockery had a certain charm to it. Soon enough, my clothes were dry. The smell of wine largely remained, however.
"Was I ever this unbearable?" I wondered.
I was a somewhat wild child myself...
"I don't believe so," Artoria chuckled. "Although, you did love to splash me with your hydro a little too much. Have you forgotten your tyranny as the Lord of the Water Gardens?"
I laughed. "That... was fun."
"The truth is the poor boy has a little too much energy for his own good. I'd imagine it could be rather difficult to contain it all..."
"Elenei has just as much, yet she is quite well behaved."
"A little too well behaved. Girl's like an ice statue."
"Garth believes it is because of her Other-like features. She inherited more of that than anyone else."
"Typically, one's nature determines the element of their vision. But, is it more so her blood in this case? Or both?"
"In all cases, it is a matter of both," I answered. "Bloodline and nature determines the type of vision a mage gains. Additionally, one's blood does dictate their nature to an extent, especially when it comes to mages and more regal legacies."
"Is this all coming from the Royal Order of Mages?"
"Mhm. Mainly my older brother's research," I nodded. "Anyway, what are your plans after… back to Winterfell?"
"As much as I don't like the cold, it's likely. Although, I could go to Lys with my brother. I've heard it's quite beautiful there. I'd love a warmer climate…"
"You are half valyrian, after all," I chuckled. "Is that where you'd want to be, if you could be anywhere?"
"Hmmm, mayhaps. I'd need to see more of the world to decide on that. And you, prince dragonrider?"
"The ocean," I replied. "Nothing feels as refreshing as a deep dive."
"You were meant to be born as a fish," Artoria laughed. "If I had a dragon, I'd be flying all over the place."
I smiled. "Well, I can fly you wherever you want."
"Sounds tempting…"
"Are you trying to steal my little brother from me?" Victoria questioned, placing a hand on my shoulder.
A very... questionable inquiry.
"You're hardly ten months older than me," I remarked.
"You didn't deny the other part," Victoria chuckled.
"Is this an incest thing?" Artoria wondered.
"Not at all," I denied. "I'd never court my own sister."
"It is the only logical path forward," Victoria countered, embracing me from behind and tracing her finger across my neck. "Anyone else would only dilute our perfect bloodline. Besides that, what do you think will happen when you try to breed with a normal person?"
"..."
I hadn't ever considered that. Father very notably couldn't have any more children after Elizabeth. While I am not nearly as draconic as Victoria, I am far from 'normal' as well.
"I'll leave you with that thought," Victoria let go of me and smiled. "Though, I couldn't blame you for trying. Artoria is quite the catch."
She walked away, releasing Durran and taking him out.
"That... was something," Artoria remarked.
"Victoria takes great pride in unsettling others," I took a deep breath, shaking my head. "It's nothing to concern yourself with."
"Is it true that you were incompatible with people unlike you?"
"... Well, I don't know," I shrugged. "I never tried."
"My brother Daemon already has a bastard," Artoria chuckled, shaking her head. "Mayhaps three at this point."
"Not exactly something to be proud of."
"Well, highborn boys tend to be a little loose," Artoria sighed. "They can almost do whatever they want without shame."
"You feel like you're missing out?"
"No, I prefer quality," Artoria smiled, looking at me. "I'm very picky."
"... I might well be the same. Anyway, this hall feels suffocating. Want to go someplace else?"
"The skies?"
"I can accommodate that."
I grinned slightly.
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