WebNovels

Chapter 474 - The Prince's Fate

(Third Person POV)

[King's Landing]

"There seems to be some sort of issue in Tarth." Jaehaerys said as he read a letter, "From what I understand, a Myrish fleet of pirates has been spotted and some of them have attacked the island. Lord Tarth has requested aid." 

He was sitting down at the table in the Small Council room, Aemon and the rest of the council were sitting on the table. 

"I can go and dispatch the threat." Aemon said, "Just send word to Lord Tarth to not worry about a thing." 

"I can assist if you'd like." Baelon spoke up, crossing his arms, "Two dragons would be better than one." 

"No, that won't be necessary. Balerion would be too much, I can handle this." Aemon stood up, "I'll start getting ready, don't worry about me." 

Jaehaerys nodded, "Be careful, then." He said as he read the letter, "Interesting...." 

Aemon looked at him, "Hm?" 

"Oh, nothing." Jaehaerys said, "The Myrish ships fly the same banner as the one that was involved in that incident in Lannisport. I am not sure if it would be the same ones, considering it was quite a while ago." 

"Probably part of the same fleet." Baelon said

Aemon nodded, "Yes." He said, "If you excuse me, Your Grace, I will start heading out. I must not allow our fellow allies to be attacked by foreign threats." 

"Very well." Jaehaerys said

As the rest of the council continued the meeting, Aemon walked out of the room and began to make his way down the hallway. As soon as he made a corner, he ran into his wife, Daella. 

"Aemon!" Daella said with a smile, "Are you done with the meeting?" 

Aemon reached her and returned the smile, "Yes." He said, "I am to depart for Tarth, however. There is an issue and it needs my dragon, so I will leave shortly." 

Daella frowned, "What? Why?" 

Aemon sighed, "Some Myrish pirates have attacked the island." He said, "We must not allow them to do such bold moves without retribution. I will descend upon them and show them the wrath of House Targaryen." 

Daella grabbed her hand, "Please don't go." She said, "I worry something might happen to you." 

Aemon frowned, "Are you serious?" He asked softly, "My beloved wife, there is no need to worry about me. Nothing is going to happen to me. I have faced much worse than some Myrish pirates. I have survived Drakken himself." 

"Aemon." Daella said seriously, "You and I both know that the reason you've survived him is because he willed it so. Please, stay." 

"His Grace is relying on me to do this." Aemon leaned in and kissed her cheek, "I will be fine." 

"Don't worry about a thing." 

**********************

[Near The God's Eye]

The sounds of clashing steel resounded through the air as the birds flew out of the trees, trying to escape what was happening. 

Below the shade of the trees, Riktor and Visenya were sparring, rushing at each other with their blades. The She-Warrior would swing her longsword at Riktor as he would block the swing with his greatsword. 

Sparks would fly out as their steel clashed, and the sight of Visenya's flowing white hair was a welcome one in Riktor's eyes. He could not help but be impressed by her footwork and movement. 

She would swing and immediately pivot to the side as Riktor would block the hit and before he could try to counteract, she was already moving around him. Despite her agility, Riktor was able to follow her movements and keep up, blocking and deflecting her swings. 

He would counter with his own, and Visenya would simply dodge and deflect the strikes, powering through the impact of his swings. 

They had been at it for nearly an hour, and Riktor didn't seem to tire, no sign of sweating on his face. But Visenya was clearly showing signs of fatigue as she was trying to control her panting and sweat was covering her face. 

Even she knew that Riktor was holding back but she was unable to get any advantage and she was aware that she was nearing her limits. 

She stepped back as she twirled her longsword, "You're quite skilled." She said as her breathing was labored, "I can understand how Maegor lost to you." 

Riktor chuckled as he straightened up and planted his sword on the ground, "We can take a break if you want." He said, "I can tell you're tired." 

"I am fine." Visenya said as she took in a few deep breaths

"You're not bad yourself." Riktor said with a smile, "I have to admit, I never thought that besides my mother, I would witness a woman fighting that well." 

"Your Mother is a fighter?" Visenya asked

Riktor nodded, "Yes, but she is an archer." She said, "She's not a swordsman. I have witnessed her fighting in war, she has skewered many men with her arrows and even cut the throats of others." 

"Hm, I knew she was quite the vicious one once provoked." Visenya said, "I would not want to fight her, if I am being honest. I know Drakken's magic, your Mother, empowers her." 

"Well, that is true." Riktor said, "But you....? You're all natural, aren't you? That's quite the skill, I am sure Astorias would become a good fighter with your guidance." 

"So you accept that she would be worthy of your rivalry?" Visenya raised an eyebrow

"Oh, I didn't say that." Riktor chuckled, "But she would be good. Not as good as me, though." 

"You speak quite boldly." Visenya said

"I need to be the strongest in my family." Riktor said, "I have to. You don't understand." 

"Hm." Visenya said, "Help me understand then." 

"Help me understand you." 

****************

[Somewhere outside Harrenhal]

After hearing loud growling in the woods, Astorias took it upon herself to investigate. She grabbed a polearm that Drakken had made in order to brainstorm designs for her special halberd and she decided to delve into the woods. 

She made her way to a grouping of trees that surrounded the mouth of a cave. She reached the cave and heard a loud growl from in there, a foul stench was in the air which caused her to recoil. 

"Ughh...." She said as she scrunched her nose, "That is disgusting...." 

The girl, despite feeling nervous, built up the courage to walk inside the cave and held her polearm up in front of her. 

The moment she set foot inside the cave, she was startled by the sudden movement of a small dragon that was missing its legs, blood spraying everywhere as it flailed around, letting out a pained shriek. The black dragon was the size of a large dog, no larger than Astorias herself. 

Astorias looked at this with shock, "W-What is that?" 

Before the dragon could react, a larger black dragon appeared out of the shadows and snapped its body with its maw, letting out a vicious growl as the smaller one let out a final gasp of breath. this larger dragon was significantly larger than Astorias herself, twice the heigh of a horse. It had black scales and green eyes, which she recognized as the Cannibal's. 

"The Cannibal?" She said softly, "But.....it's supposed to be much much bigger...." 

The dragon's green eyes stared right at her as it stood there, motionless, the corpse of the smaller dragon hanging in its shut maw as blood dripped down. 

Suddenly, the smaller dragon's eyes turned white as they emitted a glow. 

".....What...are you doing...girl?" A Distorted voice managed, so deep that it unsettled the girl, "You.....are...Drakken's....blood....?" 

Astorias was trembling slightly, "W-What are you?" 

"Foolish little Drakkenspawn.....I am Thanatos....Dragon of Death..." The voice said, "I speak through the.....vessels of the nearly departed.....and I commune with those beneath me....but you...? You are not beneath me....hooo.....your body....your power.....your....your beauty.....Little Girl...what is your name?" 

"I am Astorias Drakkengard!" Astorias shouted, "Daughter of Drakken!" 

"The time is near, Astorias Drakkengard. The time to obtain mine own vessel." Thanatos said, "I will soon walk these lands in a Vessel.....and you.....Astorias....you are a proper Host..." 

"A Host of Thanatos's Power." 

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