We Bleed Silver(GOT/ASOIAF Fanfic)

Chapter 64: The Battle of the Brimstone River

Aemond quickly noticed his mother's changing expression and immediately stood up, raising his glass. He addressed Lucerys, who was eating a roasted pigeon, "Nephew, your bravery in the Battle of the Stone Road was indeed remarkable, showing the true power of House Targaryen," he said, forcing the next words out. "This toast is for you, and also for your brave knight, Uncle Valar."

He subtly signaled Aegon to do something, hoping to prevent his mother from causing trouble. Alicent, however, was seething. The way her son had used such polite language while toasting Rhaenyra's bastard son made her furious, and her gaze turned sharp.

Daemon, sitting nearby, slammed his leg in frustration, his eyes now filled with an odd mix of emotions as he looked at Aemond. Jacaerys, too, looked gravely at his uncles and their knights.

Draezell, however, kept smiling. He watched his stiff brother escape from Layla Celtigar's grasp, lifting a glass in response to Aemond's toast.

Aegon, glass raised, stood up and moved toward Draezell and Valar. He leaned in and whispered, "Uncle, I heard you're engaged to a girl from House Tarly. How is she? I'll tell you—" Before he could finish, Alicent shot him a look, catching the hint of a strange grin on Aegon's face. Frustrated, she glared at her eldest son, but couldn't reprimand him in this setting.

Before Aegon could continue, Draezell raised his glass and clinked it with Aegon's. He lowered his voice, "Prince, mind the setting. I'm hosting a tournament at my wedding. You'll be there, right?"

Aegon, feeling a chill run down his spine as he met Draezell's deep violet eyes, hesitated. He quickly swallowed any further risqué comments. Although he had trained his swordsmanship under Ser Criston, participating in the tournament seemed a daunting task.

"Don't worry, the wine will flow freely," Draezell added.

Aegon's eyes brightened, and he eagerly drank a swig from his glass. "It's a deal, Uncle. I'll make sure to perform well at your wedding," he said, then moved toward Valar, who had just escaped the dance floor again.

Valar breathed a sigh of relief and quickly raised his glass to meet Aegon halfway.

"Uncle Valar," Aegon said with a mischievous grin, "If you're not interested in that flat-chested girl, I know a few beauties in King's Landing. Next time you're there, I'll take you around." Noticing Valar's growing irritation, Aegon quickly added, "Just kidding! Father's right, though. If possible, I wholeheartedly agree with my daughter and Uncle Rey's engagement."

Alicent finally found an opportunity to interject. "My dear, royal marriages cannot be treated so hastily."

"This is a decision made in the council," Viserys coldly rebuffed Alicent's objection. "The union of the two great dragonlord families is a matter of great importance for the descendants of our ancient people. This is also a promise we made when we welcomed our cousins back. Dear, changing a king's promise is difficult even to the gods to."

Having said that, Viserys turned to Rhaenyra. "Daughter, I've heard that Draezell is already engaged to Lady Diana Tarly and will marry her in four months. I hope that your son, Aegon, can be betrothed to Draezell's future daughter. What do you think?"

"Father, it would be an honor for Aegon and me," Rhaenyra replied. She raised her glass and toasted to Draezell. "Uncle, what is your opinion?"

"This is also part of the promise," Draezell replied with a smile. "I have no reason to refuse."

The smile returned to Daemon's face, but Aemond's expression shifted from one of tension to irritation. Eventually, he gritted his teeth and sat down. Alicent, too, fumed in her seat, cutting into the roast with evident frustration.

Lucerys, on the other hand, although sensing the tension, didn't care much. After all, his knight was the center of attention now. Whatever happened, his mother, stepfather, older brother, and his knight and Draezell would have his back. The only thing he needed to think about was his little brother Joffrey, who occasionally tried to snatch his food.

"Valar, what do you think of Lady Layla?" Draezell asked, gently ushering away Asor, who had been pestering him, and pulling Valar, who had just escaped the dance floor, back to his side.

"Lady Layla isn't as wise as Lady Diana, but she is full of responsibility and patience," Valar replied, his mind replaying the image of the silver-haired girl patiently correcting his movements. He chuckled softly. "I don't care who I marry."

"You need to think carefully," Draezell said, his tone turning serious. "Lady Layla's only advantage is that she carries the blood of Old Valyria."

Valar thought about it. Many of the people brought back from Volantis had Valyrian blood, and the prince's territory was filled with silver or light golden-haired residents. But none of them were nobility.

"The true purpose of our marriages is to integrate ourselves into the Westerosi nobility," Draezell added.

"Brother, you know me," Valar muttered, rolling his eyes. "I don't like thinking too much. It's all the same to me who I marry. You decide."

Draezell glanced at Layla Celtigar, who had returned to her seat. He smiled and shook his head. "A marriage like this still requires your decision."

"Then could we do as we did with Lady Diana, and have Lady Layla stay at Dragon's Nest for a while?" Valar suggested quietly. "It would allow us to get to know each other better."

"You can ask her yourself," Draezell replied, knowing his brother would suggest this. He shook his head in mild resignation. "If Lady Layla agrees, you can take her with you when you leave."

"Understood."

The banquet continued.

---

Meanwhile, in the south, Dorne was still embroiled in chaos.

The Brimstone River, controlled by House Uller, saw three armies arriving after the New Year.

Lord Elion Allyrion of GodsGrace led an army of 400 cavalry, 1,500 infantry, and 1,200 mercenaries from the east, vowing to deal with House Uller's "bandit false king." Prince Qoren, commanding 2,000 soldiers made up of mercenaries and Martell men, was stationed in Vaith, ready to support Elion's forces.

The Yronwood, having finally captured the outer walls of Skyreach and trapped all members of House Fowler in the inner keep atop the high mountains, were now free to act. Lord Jordayne, leading 2,000 soldiers, marched south to eliminate the southern threat. Lord Qorgyle sent 200 cavalry to join Jordayne's forces, though he still needed to be wary of the Dayne's potential revenge.

That revenge came as expected. King Albain led a 4,000-strong army to the gates of Sandstone City, using a trebuchet to hurl corpses and contaminate the city's only well.

With their water supply tainted, the people of Sandstone City were forced to surrender. King Albain personally beheaded Lord Qorgyle and his eldest son, then filled in the city's well before advancing eastward.

Before Albain's army arrived, the cavalry from Obara had reached the Brimstone River region, roaming the vast desert.

King Uller ordered the city gates to be closed and the stronghold of Hellholt held. He had the city's wells filled in, tossing corpses into the lakes and rivers of the oasis.

For a time, apart from House Uller and the two well-supplied armies, Albain's forces were parched and forced to retreat. During the retreat, they were ambushed by House Uller, losing 200 men before finally escaping the Great Desert.

Both families, facing Hellholt, decided to go to war.

The battle itself was straightforward. After fighting for a time, the Yronwood's, outnumbered, began to falter. Jordayne's illegitimate son and Lewyn Yronwood's bastard both died beneath the spears of the Dornish. However, the situation changed in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, the gates of Hellholt opened, and House Uller's forces poured out, shifting the tide of the battle almost instantly. Lord Elion's flank was shattered, and the mercenaries scattered in panic. Lord Elion was knocked from his horse by an unknown soldier's spear, and then torn apart by a group of militia eager to prove themselves.

House Martell's forces disintegrated immediately. House Uller's soldiers charged toward Jordayne's army, only to be met by the cavalry from Obara that emerged from their camp.

Uller's infantry was broken, and King Uller himself was cleaved in two by Obara's sword.

Unfortunately, by the time the battle turned, Albain had already retreated. Obara was forced to regroup her cavalry and withdraw from the battlefield.

In the chaos, Lord Jordayne secured victory as his forces broke. Hellholt changed hands, and House Uller vanished from the stage of Dorne.

---

Attention: From now on, summerhall will be called Summerfield.

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