House of The Dragon: The blind warrior

Hey peeps.

Yep, another chapter—again.

So, I would like to ask, is this fic enjoyable so far, or is it turning out to be a letdown? Because as you well know, these are drafts, and the point at which the fic is now and the latest chapter I've written has been fire. Yet, I feel as if, for you guys, it's still in the phase of the calm before the storm.

So I genuinely want to know—is this nice and enjoyable? And if it is, what are some things you would like to see in the future, or some ideas I could implement?

Anyway, constructive criticism at this point is needed so I can become a better writer for both you guys and, of course, for myself. So drop comments on the chapter and don't be shy.

For those of you who like this fic and think it's good enough to support, then do me a favor and go to my Patreon. There, you can read ahead and talk with me one-on-one about this fic and any questions you may have pertaining to it.

But anyway, I hope you enjoy it, and hopefully, you'll get another chapter soon.

PATREON: patreon.com/Magicauthorarchive

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I strode through the quiet corridors of Dragonstone, on my way to visit Lucerys after having a day full of worry and planning.

I needed something to take my mind off of everything. What better way than to spend time with family?

I went up the familiar flight of stairs that led to his room. As I closed in on the chamber doors, I heard the scurrying footsteps of some of the castle workers, and I shook my head.

After the spectacle of walking through the castle with a severed hand, the servants had started whispering about it and it seemed to paint a wrong picture of me, which some of my men had tried to fix, but the servants passed their time by gossiping, and this just happened to be on their tongues.

It didn't bother me so long as it stayed that—gossip—but the moment it turned into something more, then it would need to be stopped.

Approaching the lone door that was the entrance to Lucerys's chambers, I heard a distinct sound of grunting and struggle as the heartbeat I recognized as Lucerys beat furiously. While the additional heartbeat, which seemed much calmer, encouraged Lucerys on.

Opening the door, I was greeted by the sight of Lucerys's bandaged form trying to walk with a cane, while his other severed hand was being held and supported by Rheana.

"AUG, come on!" Lucerys grunted in pain, as he limped forward, Rheana, who was holding him, showing a worried expression, as I felt the worry emanating from her.

I stood there surprised.

Seeing my brother struggle to walk pulled at my heartstrings, but in a way, it made me proud to see him struggle to get back on his feet, in spite of being crippled.

So, as I closed the chamber doors, both the occupants noticed my entering. They showed varying reactions. Relief came from Rheana, who sighed audibly, and shame emanated from Lucerys as he suddenly lost his footing and fell down.

"AUGH!" He grunted, Rheana dropping down next to him, so she could hold him as much as she was able.

While I was already halfway across the room after witnessing the shift in his stance.

Arriving at his side, I grabbed his shoulders before he looked at my masked face with what I deciphered to be shame, but I did not dwell on it much, wanting to just get him up from his state.

"Let's get you up," I said calmly, slowly picking him up and hoisting his entire body up. Shocking both Lucerys and Rheana by the ease in which I moved his body before walking towards his bed and placing him on it, making sure not to aggravate any of his injuries, which were slowly healing.

"There," I said, taking a step back, before plopping myself on the stool next to his bed, taking my mask off.

Observing both Lucerys and Rheana, who approached to sit on the opposite side of the bed, I asked the question that was plaguing my mind. "Now, care to explain what this is about?" I voiced, calmly, locking my nonexistent gaze with Lucerys's eyes, which were burning with fire.

He didn't speak or answer, opting to sit there and just lock his eyes with my scarred eyes.

Sighing to myself knowing how stubborn he could be, I turned to Rheana who answered as fast as my gaze locked onto hers.

"He said he felt useless sitting around all day, while you and Joffrey were working so hard," she said, in quick succession, having to take a moment for myself so I understood what she said.

Lucerys, who saw the ease in which she answered, looked at her offendedly. "How could you?" he said.

"What?" she asked, as both of them stared at each other. "I told you not to do it. The maester said it would take another moon for you to start exerting yourself physically. You'll only hurt yourself if you do this, Lucerys," Rheana said in a desperate and pleading manner, while Lucerys seemed to scowl.

I will not lie, if it were not for the seriousness in which they both seemed to conduct themselves, I would have laughed outright. They weren't even yet married, and they already sounded like an arguing old couple.

Coughing in my hand so I could get both of their attention, they looked in my direction almost as if they had forgotten of my existence.

"As much as I think Rheana has a point," I started, feeling the girl perk up while Lucerys deflated. I continued, "I would still like to think Lucerys is aware enough of his body that he would not put himself in any danger," I said, looking pointedly at Lucerys who I felt nodded, before I nodded back.

"Good. If you truly think you are ready, I will have Yue nurse you back to full health," I informed the two, who seemed to have varying degrees of emotions. Lucerys seemed happy yet nervous, while Rheana seemed to hesitate and fear for his health, which was admirable.

"You need not worry, Rheana," I said, getting the girl's attention, as she turned to look at me. "Yue, believe it or not, has nursed me countless times, so much in fact that I could not count. So trust me when I say, he will get Lucerys back in shape in no time," I explained to her and Lucerys as well.

There was a silence before I felt her nod in agreement, before she voiced it in a similar fashion as her sister, which only made me amused.

"Good. Well, I only came here to check up on you. I'll have Yue in your room by the end of the day," I said, slowly getting up as I reached for my mask and put it on. "In the meantime, do me the favor of listening to Rheana. She only worries for you, brother," I said to Lucerys who glanced at the girl who was smiling at him, before he nodded and grabbed my hand.

"Be careful," he said to me, as I observed the worry emanating from him.

I stood there, facing his direction as I brought my two fingers up and tapped him on the forehead. "Always am, brother." Before he let go of me, and I slowly walked towards the chambers, leaving the two unmarried, married couple behind.

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I wasn't even halfway across the corridor that led to Lucerys's room when I heard the door I had just exited from being opened.

"Cousin," I heard the familiar voice of Rheana call out to me, as her quick footsteps approached me.

Turning around to face the young lady, I observed how her nerves seemed to have picked up.

"Did you two fight already, Rheana?" I asked the girl, who seemed taken aback by my question as she once again shook her head, this time more frivolously.

"N...no," she voiced, knowing I could not see her head movement, but I opted to correct her in a similar fashion to her sister. "It's fine, I can tell when you nod and shake your head, Rheana," I said, getting a confused stare before the girl nodded after a moment of silence.

So as we stood in the corridor that was silent from the absence of servants and guards, which made me wonder where the men I stationed with Lucerys went, I observed the girl with my senses as I encouraged her to ask the question she wanted to ask.

"So, how may I help you, cousin?" I asked with a calm voice. I had a feeling with Rheana, who was keeping her inner dragon deeply locked in, I needed to navigate her with a different tonality than with my other family members who were in alignment with their personalities.

She seemed to take her time as she fidgeted with her fingers before she mustered the courage to ask me what she wanted.

"I was just hoping to ask if Abraxas had laid any eggs," she asked with a nervous look, fidgeting with her fingers and avoiding looking straight at my masked face, which made me realize what she was talking about and what the problem was.

She was without a bond, and it had most likely been taking a toll on her for the longest time. I knew because even though I had Abraxas hatched in my cradle, he was a very late bloomer. So when my uncles and younger brothers had theirs grow quicker and mine stayed small for so long, it had affected me emotionally. I had at one point thought myself inferior to them.

So I understood her grievance.

For after all, a dragon is everything to a Targaryen, and a dragonless Targaryen does not paint a pretty image, especially for Rheana, who was the daughter of Daemon and Laena Velaryon.

I observed my younger cousin, who seemed like a shell of her true self, hidden under the fake visage she had seemed to grow accustomed to.

Nothing like the fire I saw that night when I had lost my eyes.

"I must apologize, cousin. Abraxas does not lay eggs. He seems to be more interested in finding himself a she-dragon to breed with," I told her with a measured tone, and it was the truth. Abraxas was not like all the other dragons who seemed to be able to change their sex at will so that they may lay a batch of eggs.

Though my answer did not stop Rheana from becoming downtrodden as I felt the wave of sadness assault my senses.

"Oh... I understand, cousin," she said, taking a step back, before saying, "It's fine, forget I ever asked." She turned around to leave, but before she could, I grabbed her by the arm to stop her from fleeing.

She turned back to look at me in shock, surprised I held her back.

"I said Abraxas did not have eggs laid, but I did not say I was unable to help you bond with a dragon, cousin," I said, revealing I knew what she was truly looking for.

She seemed to have been taken aback, if the way she stammered her words were any indication. "I... I," she said, not finding the words.

I smiled at her behind my mask, feeling the hope that was wafting from her in waves. This was only a theory I had, but I was sure Rheana had been trying to bond with dragons that were not aligning with her true personality, which was hidden under the many layers of insecurity and self-doubt.

And then there was Abraxas as well. If the dragon I have in mind doesn't want to bond with her, well then, we're just going to have to make it want to.

'Isn't that right, my friend?' I connected with my bond, whose emotions were telling me he agreed. So, as I observed Rheana, I said:

"Meet me in front of Dragonmont by sundown, alright? I have a council meeting now, but I'll be there straight after," I told the young woman, as she nodded, letting go of the arm I was holding, so that she didn't run away.

"Good," I nodded, hearing the approaching guards, before I said, "In the meantime, go and accompany Lucerys, he'll need you." I said, as the guards, who were supposed to have been here guarding my brother, stepped from around the corner and stopped as they saw I and Rheana.

"Alright, cousin," she said, slowly turning around but stopping before she said, "And thank you for this," before she was off and disappeared back into Lucerys's chamber.

I stood there for a moment longer, pleased by the interaction before I steeled my emotions and turned to the guards standing behind me, who had left their post without leave.

"Guards," I said, approaching them, as I recognized them as Targaryen household guards.

"My prince," they both saluted as I stepped into their faces, towering over them. "I was just visiting my brother; your presence was missed," I said in a factual manner, to which they became increasingly nervous.

"Where were you?" I asked pointedly. "It hasn't been long since the attack on your queen's life; are you not supposed to be more vigilant, instead of doing whatever it is you were off doing?" I made sure to get my message across, and the way they shivered on their spots told me they knew the wrong they made.

As I observed them more, I realized that they were young men, younger than myself. I would guess around the age of Jacearys, if not a year older.

'They lacked something crucial, and it was discipline.' As I thought that, I felt Yue approaching behind me, and an idea formed in my mind.

"Both of you," I said, both the young guards perking up as I addressed them. "What are your names?" I asked, the men gulping saliva before they spoke one at a time.

"Gered," the one on the right said, before the other one spoke.

"Julian," he said, with nerves, as I nodded.

"Gered and Julian, you may take your positions guarding the prince for the day, but on the morrow I expect you to report to my master of arms, Garret. He will sort you two out. Now off you go, and don't let me ever catch you lacking again," I admonished the boys, who scurried away like a dragon was chasing them, hearing Yue, who was approaching me, chuckle from behind me.

"I sometimes forget how scary you can be, my lord. Those poor men were about to shit their pants," he said, laughing some more as I shook my head in exasperation.

"They need to realize that their duty is important. If the guards in the house start to lack, then the entire house will come crashing down," I said to Yue, who stopped his laughter as he realized my seriousness.

"Aye, you are correct, my lord," he agreed, before I asked why he was here.

"A council meeting, my lord," he said, both of us starting to move toward the familiar room we've been practically living in for the past days.

"Yes, of course. I'm assuming it's about the thing we discussed?" I asked, feeling Yue nod.

"Yes, most likely, but I doubt they will start taking it seriously until Criston starts making a name for himself, as you have told me, my lord." I nodded, both of us going down the familiar flight of stairs.

"What of our men? Has Ignis started preparing them to sail?" I asked Yue, who nodded once again.

"He did. They are ready to depart any moment now," he informed me confidently as we approached the ornately carved door that depicted dragons and their riders.

"Good, I'll send them on their way after this meeting is done. Also, I need you to go to Lucerys after this," I said, stopping in front of the double doors, hearing the conversations inside, indicating the council had already begun.

"I'm assuming it's to help him with his recovery?" Yue asked, as it was my turn to nod before he said, "As you wish, my lord, I'll get him back in shape in no time." He smiled confidently.

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Before I pushed the doors open and strode into the room, which was already full.

There was silence as I walked into the room, no one saying anything, making my way to my seat, smelling the familiar scent of my grandparents, who I haven't seen for a while now.

Before Meredyth, who was already there next to Heleana, who had a seat placed next to mine, pulled my seat from under the table, and I sat gracefully.

"Thank you, Meredyth," I said, as she inclined her head, grinning from ear to ear, before turning to my brother and extending my hand to squeeze hers in acknowledgment.

"Vealor, you're late," I heard my mother say, taking me away from my little interaction with Heleana, as I turned to face her.

"I apologize, I was busy with other matters, but I'm here now," I said, inclining my head to show respect before the meeting began. But as I sat there, and my mother was waiting for the lords to start their reports once again, they looked at each other until all of them stood up one by one.

"What are they doing?" I heard my grandmother ask me from my left as I turned to her, an amused smirk under my mask.

"You'll see," I said, feeling I had a hunch on what they were about to do.

Before they all bowed to my mother from the waist.

"We apologize for our conduct, your grace," Lord Celtigare spoke, as my mother looked on in surprise. Looking around the room, surprise marred on her face, before her gaze stopped on mine, which was covered by a mask.

"We have been awakened to our shortcomings, your grace, and we truly apologize for any grievance we may have brought you," Lord Celtigare continued, as my mother stood up from where she was sitting.

"Y... yes, of course, I understand. Just make sure you mind yourselves in the future," she said, stuttering just a little, but composing herself in the end.

"Good. Now, can we continue this council? We have many things to discuss," my grandfather voiced as the lords all looked in my direction. Feeling their eyes linger on me, before they took their seats.

"So, any news, maester?" my mother asked as she took a seat back, a small smile on her face that showed her satisfaction.

"Yes, news from the Riverlands, your grace," the maester said, extending a missive to my mother, which I could not identify considering it was not in my hand.

Yue, knowing this, inclined his head before whispering, "It has the Bracken sigil on it." He said, which made me nod in satisfaction.

"It's from the Brackens," my mother said before she opened and read it over, silence descending in the room, as she said nothing. Though I heard clearly the moment her breath hitched and her heartbeat started picking up.

"What does it say?" my grandmother voiced her curiosity as my mother turned to look at her.

"It says here that Lord Bracken has laid his arms against the Blackwoods and pledged his allegiance to me," my mother informed the council in shock, as many were surprised by the fact.

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"But how? I thought those two houses hated each other?" Bheala, who was standing, asked, curiosity in her voice, and many voiced their agreement. This was out of character for the Brackens.

So instead of letting my mother answer, I spoke. "It was Jecearys' doing," I said, getting everyone's attention, but mostly from my mother.

"What!" she asked, shouted, as I nodded and turned to face her. "I had heard from my spies that the Brackens and the Blackwoods were ready for war," I started telling the tale that led us to this outcome. "I knew if it was left to fester, both the Blackwoods and the Brackens would sustain significant amounts of damage. Yet, their killing each other does not serve any purpose to us," I continued, giving them a little insight into my thought process.

"So you sent Jecearys to intercept them, did you?" my grandfather spoke, as I turned to him and nodded.

"Precisely, I knew this needed to be done quickly. That is why I did not take council with you all, and I apologize for that. But as you can see, Jecearys was competent enough to not only stop their bloodlust but to convince them to change allegiances," I finished, explaining as everyone stayed quiet, most surprised by the swiftness in which I had acted, but also by the competence of my brother.

My mother was silent.

Yet her silence did not hide her anger, and many in the council could see it as clear as day, but none to the degree I could.

I heard her heart beating furiously under her chest, I heard her breathing pick up, and the familiar smell I have come to know as anger wafted into my nostrils.

I felt a hand grasp mine under the table, and I knew it belonged to Heleana. She was worried for me, but if Heleana knew my mother as I did, she would know that she needed no reason to worry.

"Why?" she finally asked, barely containing her fury, as I calmly waited for her to finish. "Why did you not come to me, Vealor? Did I not tell you to go behind my back?" she asked, slowly raising her voice, as the tension in the room slowly rose.

"Your..." My grandmother tried to intervene, but my hand lashed out to grab hers under the table, so as to not get her in trouble. After all, my mother was the queen, and my grandmother, as much as she was trying to protect me, had no right to interfere in the conversation.

I sighed audibly before speaking. "Your grace, like I said earlier, there was no time for me to come and have council with you. The mission was urgent enough that I thought acting alone would be executable," I explained, yet I did not spare her of the true reason I acted alone.

"And if I had come to you, you would not have allowed it," I said, and like a missile, my mother shot up in anger.

She stood there staring at me, huffing air in anger as I waited for her to calm herself just a little so I could continue.

"Your grace, I understand your hesitation in sending my brothers out. After all, I was there when Lucearys was almost killed," I said, feeling her reel back as she closed her eyes emotionally.

"Yet I will not deny them the duty in which they were born to do and the sacrifices they entail. Jecearys is a man grown; he knew what it meant going into Bracken land. He could have refused or told Daemon to do it instead," I said to my mother, before she snapped her eyes open and spoke for the first time.

"Then why didn't you send Daemon?" she asked pointedly.

And if it wasn't for the mask I was wearing, she would have seen the face I made, which would have been more than enough explanation.

"Mother, you ask me why I didn't send a man who sent cutthroats to kill babes?" I felt Heleana's hand squeeze harder as I mentioned the babes.

Squeezing her hand in reassurance, I continued. "I do not trust Daemon. That was the whole reason I wanted Jecearys to go with him, because I know my brother. He is a competent man," I said, to which my mother seemed to be slowly digesting.

She stood there unmoving for a moment longer before she slowly sat back down, not saying a word, before she turned to look at me again.

"You will not undermine me again," she stated, more than asked, as I nodded.

"I will not undermine you," I confirmed, before I continued, "but I will tell you when you are wrong, my queen," I said, smiling from under my mask as she also seemed to sigh and shake her head in annoyance.

"You're going to be the death of me, Vealor." And like the largest boulder was lifted from everyone's backs, I heard all of them sigh.

My mother wasn't angry, truly. She was mostly just worried about the potential danger I had put Jecearys in. As a mother, I understand her hesitation, but she was going to have to learn that for us to win this war, her sons are going to have to command armies in her name and fight tooth and nail, even if it meant dying by dragon fire.

"Any other news?" my mother asked with an exasperated voice, while massaging her temples.

There was no answer as the lords looked between each other, and the maester seemed without parchment.

I thought it would be the correct time to make them aware of Criston's bold side, so with a small signal from my hand, Yue stepped forward from where he was standing.

"There is one more piece of news, your grace," he addressed my mother, as she turned to look at him, then at me, knowing the news was coming from my spies.

"Out with it then, Yue," she said impatiently, Yue nodding before he revealed what the greens had been up to.

"I have gotten news from our spies stationed in King's Landing that Criston Cole, who is now the Hand of the King, gathers a retinue of men," he said, his tone measured as my mother seemed to perk up, while my grandfather, who had been quiet since the beginning of the council, voiced his question.

"How many men?" he asked, his military mind already working to measure the threat.

Yue, who turned to look at him, said, "Only a handful. He rides for the Crownlands."

But before my grandfather could voice his thoughts, there was a chorus of laughter from around the room as the lords started laughing. "A fool's chase, your grace. Criston Cole rides to his death," Lord Staunton said confidently.

"Be that as it may, we have to take precautions," my grandfather stated, turning to me, before asking, "Are your men ready to be deployed?" to which I nodded.

"They are. They need only the command," I said, my grandfather nodding before turning to my mother.

"What say you, your grace? This may well be a fool's chase, but from what I have learned in my experience, a small ripple in the sea can turn into a raging wave," my grandfather tried to convince my mother with his famed sea analogies, as the person in question sat in silence, contemplating for a moment.

"No," she said, as my face morphed into confusion.

"Your grace?" I asked.

This wasn't wise. Criston Cole may look like he's chasing after the impossible, but picking him off the board early on would only benefit us. Letting him live for the potential of growth, which I am already positive of, is foolish.

"I said no," my mother said once again, before she continued, "Cole can do what he wishes, but it will not change the outcome. He rides with only a handful of men. They will perish when they meet the first great keep," to which I shook my head.

"Be that as it may, your grace, the chance of him succeeding still exists. Besides, would it not be better for us to eliminate a variable like Cole early on?" I explained, my grandfather pitching in.

"I agree with the prince, your grace. There is no downside to ending his stupidity quickly," my grandfather turned to me and nodded lightly.

"I said no, and that is final," my mother pressed on, frustrating me and, at the same time, reminding me where my brothers got their stubborn heads.

She proceeded to get Beala's attention. "But I still need eyes on their movement, so I'm going to need you to patrol the skies, Beala," my mother addressing Beala, who nodded.

"But only observe, do not engage," she said, to which I sighed audibly, getting a couple of looks all around.

She was making a mistake which would cost her—no, cost us—dearly. I thought, turning my face to my grandmother, who stayed quiet the whole of the council.

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