(Third Person POV)
Maegelle walked into the room, followed by Vaella, "Saera.....Drakken....!" She said with a worried look, "I had just heard what happened, I am so sorry I am late..."
Saera looked at Maegelle, "It is fine, sister."
Maegelle walked over to Astorias, who lay asleep in her bed, "Oh my...." She said softly as she reached for cheek, "My sweetling, how could she do something so reckless?"
She leaned in and kissed her cheek as Vaella stood beside her.
"Is she going to be okay?" Vaella asked her father
Drakken nodded, "She will." He said seriously, "Don't worry about a thing."
Vaella looked at Astorias and reached for her hand, "Alright....." She said as she held her sister's hand firmly, "I will stay with her."
Maegelle stepped back and looked at Saera, "Something terrible has happened." She said softly, "Saera...."
Saera looked at her, "More terrible than this?"
"Sister...." Maegelle said as she looked down, "Our brother.....Aemon...was killed in battle."
Saera's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting to hear this at all. Drakken didn't seem fazed by the news, he simply stared at Astorias who was sleeping.
"W-What happened?" Saera asked, her voice a whisper
"I don't know....." Maegelle said softly, "Sylas gave me the news....he was there...."
Drakken looked at her, "Where?"
"Tarth." She said
Drakken turned around and walked away, "Where is he?" He asked, "I am going to speak to him."
As he left the room, Saera and Maegelle were left alone in the room. Saera simply stared at the doorway as Maegelle walked up to her, grabbing her hand.
"Do you think he had anything to do with it?" Saera whispered
Maegelle frowned, "I hope not." She said softly, "Drakken loathed Aemon. He really despised him."
"Drakken said he wasn't going to bother with Aemon, not anymore." She said as she looked at her sister, "It is quite.....I don't know...have you written to Daella? Our poor sister....if it is true...."
Maegelle nodded, "I have...." She said, "But for now, we should wait and see what happens. We need more answers. And we have to wait and see what happens with your daughter. Astorias....she received a Blessing. It is not something we can overlook."
Saera looked at her daughter, "You're right...." She said, "We have to wait and see what happens...."
"My beautiful and foolish girl."
***************
"Father." Riktor said as he entered the room, "I heard what happened. Is Astorias alright?"
Mya walked in behind him, a strange but serious look on her face as she watched her son walk in to Drakken's study.
Drakken was sitting on the desk as Sylas stood in front of him, the broken remains of his prototype on the desk. Sylas had a serious frown on his face while Drakken simply looked at the crossbow pieces, scanning them.
Riktor reached the desk and looked at the broken crossbow, "What is this?"
Mya stood on the other side of Sylas, "Your prototype. Did you find it?"
Sylas nodded but said nothing.
Drakken gestured at him, "Tell them." he said, "Where exactly did you find it."
Sylas looked down, "At the hand of a Myrish Pirate on Tarth." He said seriously, "It was used to kill Prince Aemon Targaryen. He died almost instantly."
Mya looked at him with surprise, "What?" She said softly, "The crossbow was used to kill Aemon? Sylas...."
"That's.....that is insane...." Riktor said, also surprised by this
"It was also used to kill a few Tarth soldiers." Sylas said
"Sylas, but how?" Mya asked her, "You said you kept the loader and that only three bolts were loaded. How did they use it repeatedly?"
"They.....must have created a loader themselves." Sylas said, "It was....it was surprising to me...."
"From what I understand about those Myrish...it's that when it comes to crossbows, they are the best." Drakken said seriously, "So them devising a loader for an unknown crossbow shouldn't be an issue.....but it's building the entire crossbow that would be a bit more difficult. Sylas....what did you do about this? This was your design, your creation that ended up in the wrong hands. And it ended up with the death of someone important."
"I wiped out all of the Myrish." Sylas said, a grim look on his face, "Nobody survived."
Riktor frowned, "You.....what?"
"I killed them." He said again, "Those on the island and those on the sea. I cannot risk anyone having any knowledge of my designs.....let us hope that it was those Myrish pirates and nobody else."
"Well.....without schematics, it should be fine." Mya said, a bit taken aback by the reveal
"It's not like I give a shit about Aemon's death." Drakken said seriously, "I would be overjoyed if it weren't for the circumstances of what led to it. Sylas, let this be a fucking lesson for you; do NOT lose your toys. If you do, shit like this is bound to happen again. Do I make myself clear?"
Sylas nodded, "Yes sir."
"Hm." Drakken said, "And you."
He glanced at Riktor who looked taken aback.
"M-Me?" He said, "What did I do?"
"It's what you didn't do." Drakken said, seriously, "How many times have we discussed this, Riktor? We've told you that, should you be outside the castle, you should keep an eye out for any of your siblings if they venture off."
Riktor gulped, "I....I am sorry." He said, "I was busy training...."
Drakken stared at him for a couple more seconds, scanning his posture and features. Riktor knew that his father was making sure if he was lying or not, so he tried his best to stay composed.
"I was in the Sub-Basement, working on Talis." Drakken said, "Every time I go down there, it is like I am cut off from the top. So make sure you do me a solid and keep a fucking eye out for your siblings. Astorias was bestowed a blessing by Thanatos, Riktor. She is currently enduring pain just like you and Sylas had gone through, but perhaps worse. It is your responsibility as the Heir and the Eldest Brother to take care of your siblings. Do I make myself clear, boy?"
Riktor nodded, "Yes Sir...."
Mya looked at Drakken, "What did Thanatos give her?"
"I am not sure." Drakken said, "I will inspect it when she recovers. But considering that it is Thanatos....."
"It's relating to Death."