The Bloody Prince: HOTD SI

Chapter 15

OTTO HIGHTOWER

Otto Hightower could scarcely watch his daughter scampering with the son of the damned Rogue Prince, and yet he could do little at the moment as he stood there and observed the feast and celebration.

And what celebration? In his mind, it should be a mourning, for the Crown has only weakened with the bonding of Silverwing and Aegon. The court could sense it, too. Yet the King languished in the finest of vines and meats as the gathered lords regaled their tales of imaginary chivalry and bravery while conflict brew right under their noses.

And yet despite his distaste for the boy he could not make a move, for it was evident that though he may share Daemon's blood the young Prince was a far a better political animal. Evident by his handling of the Council appearance.

When he had watched the boy standing with Corlys Velaryon, he had thought that the Sea Snake had already sunk its teeth into the boy. Yet the boy had dispelled that notion through his answers, showing himself to be far more politically astute.

And yet, as he twirled his daughter around the dance floor as they both laughed and celebrated, he couldn't help but see Daemon in that smile, in those actions, making him ball his fists as he clamped down on his rage and apprehension.

"Lord Hand," suddenly a whisper from behind broke him out of his trance and he glanced back and found one of his servants standing behind him.

"Why are you disturbing me?" he asked, and the servant gulped as he passed him a rolled piece of parchment.

"My lord, this came from the men in the city. It was deemed urgent," the servant said, bowing and disappearing into the crowd once more.

And as he unrolled the missive, he was taken aback by its contents.

After reading it over twice, he approached the King, approaching him from behind as he coughed up.

Viserys's gaze turned towards him, thankfully not dazed yet from all the wine he had gulped down.

"Otto, have you finally deigned to join us?" Viserys offered, and he shook his head.

"Perhaps later, your grace, But I believe I have urgent words for your ears," he said, leaning down to repeat what he had read into the King's ears. The change was immediate, as he saw the smile vanish from the King's face.

"Is he here?" Viserys asked.

"He is in the Council Room," he replied. He saw the King nod as he called for a servant and put down his cup.

"Summon the rest of the lords," Viserys whispered back, and he nodded.

"Enjoy the wines, I will join you shortly," and with that the King rose under much scrutiny as he left the festivities as Otto tailed behind him in some amusement at the King's frustration.

They walked in quick steps as they cut across the Hall and walked.

"Tell me in detail about my brother's actions," the King asked as they rose up the stairs.

"The Prince made a wanton display of brutality, dolling out the cruelest of punishments for the smallest of criminals. Hundreds were hung, thousands dismembered and gelded, and they say that the whole city cowers at the mention of the Prince and his dogs," he snarled and saw Viseys's lips thin.

"And soon enough, they were near the Council office, and the King strode into the room and watched this council assembled before him, just like in the morning, yet with one more addition.

"The people are specially perturbed and enraged, for they had gathered much like the lords as well to have a celebration of sorts of their own. The Prince's actions have done much damage to the Crown's image of benevolence and beneficence," he said as he did not deign to look at the reeking body of the Prince who insulted the King by not deigning to stand up for the King, even though the rest of the council did.

"The Prince cannot be allowed to act with such impunity," he added as the King reached for his seat, his gaze still focused on Daemon, who deigned to finally look up at his brother and smirked.

"Brother," Daemon greeted, breaking etiquette and procedure by spitting on his brother's image as King. Yet Otto had been at court long enough to know that Viserys would make little of it.

The Council settled down as the King sat down.

"Daemon," the King finally greeted back, but there was silence until the King broke it off.

"Explain to me the reason behind this wanton madness," the King asked, and he saw Daemon raise a brow.

"I did only as you commanded," Daemon answered, and he decided to cut in.

"The City Watch is an extension of the Crown. It is not a tool to be wielded at your whims. Your actions tonight have damaged the relationship between the Crown and the people of the city," Otto roared, knowing full well that Viserys cared much for that. For his image and appearance as a benevolent and peaceful monarch, continuing the Old King's legacy and prosperity.

"The Watch was enforcing the Crown's laws, and only the criminal element of the city bemoans my actions. The rest of the city will be at your gates singing praises of the King in a week for his swift justice," Daemon checkered as he turned towards the King.

"Perhaps you could have made the council or this King aware of this grand plan a bit earlier," Viserys challenged.

"I did plan to do so. Yet I learned that my position in the Council Meeting had been taken by another in the morn, so I thought myself unwelcome," and those words cut across the room as Viserys eyes narrowed.

"None could replace you in this council, brother," the King cut in softly, and both he and Daemon saw it as well, at that moment, the King's weakness.

"Yet I was told that another sat in my very seat as this council gathered in the morning," and that had indeed been an unthoughtful provocation on the King's part.

"It is the King's prerogative to summon whomever he pleases to this Council," he added as he saw those piercing eyes turn towards him and the slight thinning of those lips.

"After all, it is the King's council. Not the Prince's Council," he added with a smile. He saw his fists ball up as Daemon's nostrils flared up, and as the Prince made to open his mouth, the king cut in before he could.

"Summons were sent after you, yet you did not show up. And Aegon was called not as your replacement but to give his own opinion on other matters and offer a new perspective," the King offered, and Daemon had what he wanted, making Otto grit his teeth as the King backed off.

"I doubt that boy could have offered anything of substance," Daemon's tone was scathing as he uttered those words, and that tone had only often been reserved for him. And so, Otto took a gamble.

"I would say to the contrary," he cut and saw Daemon's gaze narrow into him once more.

"Prince Aegon offered sage and thought council, unlike your own actions tonight," he replied, and the flush and flaring of his chest answered Otto enough about how the Prince felt about his son.

This level of hate was visceral, similar to what he held for Otto, and so that meant that the rumors about the Prince and his son's strained relationship were not exaggerated.

And yet, before he could boil over, Corlys Vealryon came to his rescue.

"Despite the timing of the action, is it not true that we appointed Prince Daemon as Lord Commander of the City Watch for this very purpose," the Sea Snake cut in.

"With Lords from all parts of the continent gathered in the capital for the tourney, wouldn't it be better for the criminal element to fear the City Watch lest they turn the city outside into a lawless hovel," the Sea Snake offered, and Daemon gave the man a small nod.

"Indeed, but let this be a one-night thing. Any more such displays of brutality must be avoided," The king offered an olive branch, and Daemon took it.

"I will see to that."

"Good, and now that we have all gathered here. Let us deal with the other matter as well," the King began as he rubbed his temple.

"The Preparations for the Heir's toruney....."

0000

AEGON TARGARYEN

The celebrations last night had been elaborate and nearly everlasting, and given that they had been arranged in his name, Aegon could do little to avoid them and so he had spent much of last night dancing and toasting to his achievement.

The number of maidens that had swarmed around him was unimaginable as every lord, small and large, set their daughters on him, with the hope that one of them would catch his fancy, and most of them had practically thrown themselves at him, which made the whole affair quite intolerable, made worse by the constant giggles of Rhaenyra and Alicent from the side both of whim did little to help him initially.

Yet after much pleading, both of them did indeed step in to save him and his virtues from those rather wanton ladies, and the evening became somewhat acceptable as he danced with either of them.

"My daughter tells me that you had a rather interesting evening," the Queen teased him as he sat with her in the Godswood. He had been invited to share a luncheon with the Queen and the Princess, who had rather quickly run out of patience and was now prancing around the forest with her dear friend and companion.

"It was an evening. I am not rather fond of such gatherings, but last time was extremely brutal," he replied as he put down his cup.

"Well, I believe the attention comes with the title and the dragon. Though from what I have heard, you have shown much greater poise than your own father and uncle from their times," she added sharply, and he smiled.

"I have the Princess and Lady Alicent to thank for that," he added, and the Queen chuckled.

"Still, you have much better control over your vices than a Prince should. I would have half expected to wake rather late, scurrying away a young maiden out of your room," she teased, and he shrugged.

"Who is to say I did not?" he rebutted, and her eyes glinted.

"Lady Alicent, for one," she replied sharply as she sipped her tea. She looked to the side at her daughter and the lady making something out of flowers.

"She told me of how you took to the yard outside rather early, practicing jousting on your horse for the tourney," and indeed, he had woken up early. His initial plan had been to fight in the melee, yet that event was set for the last day of the tournament. As he thought of that, his eyes landed on the Queen's swollen belly, and guilt overcame him.

Guilt for what he could not do. He had looked into the medical practices of the maesters and had been somewhat impressed. They did not know much in terms of theory, and their biggest weakness was the uniformity of treatment and practices, but they did know what they were doing.

If he had been able to spend a few years at the citadel, he could have found ways to advance their understanding of disease and medicine, yet he had never had that time, for he had his own battles to fight. And now that lack of action was set to cost Rhaenyra her mother.

"Have you decided to enter the joust," the Queen asked, breaking him out of his trance.

"I am," he replied as he took another sip of his tea.

"Then I wish you luck, the favor I would leave for one of the young maidens of the court unless you have one already," she added, and he smiled.

"Not yet, I am afraid," he replied.

"You will," she said.

"Your grace, may I ask you a question?" he began shiftily, and the Queen nodded.

"Of course," she replied.

"Why did you never claim a dragon?" he asked and saw her still for a second as her smile faltered.

"Dragon riding comes with a lot of responsibility. One must look after their dragon like a child, giving it attention and time," she replied with a stiff smile. Turning to look towards Rhaenyra, her hand went to her belly.

"I don't think I ever had the time," she said quietly.

"And I do find them rather intimidating," she added sharply.

"Have you ever flown on one?" he asked, and she shook her head.

"Not yet, despite my daughter's constant requests," she said with a chuckle.

"Though, after this," and she rubbed her belly.

"I just might take her up on the offer. I have always wished to know what it feels like to fly into the clouds," she said, and the desire and want of her words made his heart twist in agony.

'You might never get the chance.'

And in that moment, as he looked at her pale yet loving face, he regretted his actions. He regretted never taking to the citadel, as he had once thought in his youth, in trying his best to save her.

Why did he feel such guilt? He did not know. He had killed hundreds, with his own hands, thousands through his command, yet he did revile death, revile the need for it.

"Perhaps you need not wait that long," he found himself offering without thinking.

And the Queen's head snapped towards him.

"I doubt Rhaenyra and Syrax could saddle me as well, and Ceraxes is far too wild for my taste," she said, and he gulped as he added.

"Well, they are not the only dragons. Silverwing is one of the most docile dragons and could easily saddle you alongside me. If not that, we could ask Lady Rhaenys to join us in the skies as well to alleviate your fears," he offered.

"Yes, I have seen you fly above the city. The Dragonriders say you ride your dragon better than even Rhaenys," she offered.

"As I said, Silverwing is a docile dragon. It would be most accommodating of you," he said, looking toward her belly.

"...given your circumstances," he saw it in her eyes—the desire, yet she hesitated.

"I will think about it," she said after a minute or so of quiet as a set of footsteps interrupted them.

"I apologize for being late," and he glanced back and found himself staring at a Targaryen he immediately recognized.

Soon enough, after an exchange of pleasantries, Rhaenys Targaryen, the Queen Who Never was, Joined them as he found himself in rather older company, yet both much intrigue about his life.

Soon enough, Alicent and Rhaenyra joined them as well, until suddenly, the Queen brought up an interesting topic.

"Speaking of that, I was offered a rather interesting opportunity..." the Queen began as she discussed their earlier plan of her taking to the skies on Silvering, a proposal to which Lady Rhaenys lent her support.

And yet the King did not. And he vehemently opposed it, citing safety concerns for the Queen, rather more so for the son he believed she carried in her belly. And Aemma Arryn, the gentlewoman that she was, did not deny her husband and King and accepted his concerns with a stiff smile even as the Princess protested on her part.

0000

Legend has it that on the night before the Heir's tourney was set to begin, deep into the night, a dragon took to the skies, its scales and skin covered in black soot, hiding it in the darkness of the moonless night.

It is said that it landed on the balcony of the Queen's chambers, showing dexterity so unlike a beast of its size. Once more, it flew into the skies, this time much more slowly and gently. It circled the city twice, landing once more on one of the towers of the Red Keep, and then vanished into the night once more.

0000

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