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Post by cfmonkey45 on Jun 7, 2020 23:31:05 GMT -5
Fire and Blood
The enthusiasm of the Targaryen Camp could not be contained. Rather than raise his armies against the Aegon and his Army, Mathis Rowan bent the knee. This news has vastly bolstered morale and eliminated any lingering doubts within the Targaryen Camp. The crossing from Essos to Westeros was a deeply risky affair, but so far, it had been a string of stunning victories. With virtually no casualties, the majority of the Storm Lords bent the knee, while the Tyrell Army sent to subdue the region had defected outright.
Within the walls of the Castle, the cheers of Sellswords, Retainers, and smallfolk roared, as flowers rained down from the parapets past the Targaryen banners. Aegon VI Targaryen led the vanguard of the army back through the gates, while he was flanked by his Hand, Jon Connington, Harry Strickland, and his new ally, Mathis Rowan. Within the Halls, the notables of the court were summoned. Varys was standing near the edge of the dias, near the rest of the Small Council, which now included Jon, Strickland, and Mathis. Before him, in the court room, some of the Stormlords had arrived to pay tribute to the new king. While the mood was high, there were still doubts as to nearly everyone's true loyalty. Victory brings many allies... for now, but would they remain should the fortunes shift?
Aegon, took a seat at the throne and brandished his Valyrian Steel Sword, Blackfyre. The fabled sword's reputation preceded it, while stories of its disappearance shrowded it in mystery. Its last known wielders were the Blackfyre pretenders, but they had died out decades ago? And yet, here it was, and here Aegon was.
The young prince, haughty from his good fortune, turned to Arianne Martell.
"As you can see, we have already secured the loyalty of many of the Tyrell bannermen, and the Storm Lords. Our ranks swell by the day. Now it is time for the Martells. You can send word to your father, I accept his terms, and we will combine our forces to bring justice for our family's sake against the Lannisters and the Baratheons."
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 9, 2020 7:37:10 GMT -5
"I will write to him at once, and then take my leave. I am needed in Dorne."
Arianne was surprised at the swiftness of Rowan's capitulation. Varys and his cronies had been planning this for some time, laying the groundwork for Aegon's invasion. The Eunuch's role here was an enigma to her, for he had been a key part of Robert Baratheon's regime and in the strife that followed, and yet now he had brought Elia's son back to Westeros with the Golden Company at his back. She returned to her quarters, where she resolved to take counsel with Daemon Sand and her other companions.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 9, 2020 11:38:26 GMT -5
"I will write to him at once, and then take my leave. I am needed in Dorne."Arianne was surprised at the swiftness of Rowan's capitulation. Varys and his cronies had been planning this for some time, laying the groundwork for Aegon's invasion. The Eunuch's role here was an enigma to her, for he had been a key part of Robert Baratheon's regime and in the strife that followed, and yet now he had brought Elia's son back to Westeros with the Golden Company at his back. She returned to her quarters, where she resolved to take counsel with Daemon Sand and her other companions.
Said Daemon as soon as she entered the chamber. "People is willing to swallow this tale, they want to believe he's alive and dragons aren't dead for good"
He was peeling an apple with a hunting knife. "But, you're the one who decides, Arianne. I'm but a bastard with no say in the matter"
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 9, 2020 13:00:00 GMT -5
"The eunuch is what is amiss."
Arianne retorted, sitting down as one of her handmaidens removed her shoes. Elia Sand was absent, likely gallivanting around Shipbreaker's Bay on horseback.
"While there is no better chance for vengeance, I don't trust Varys. A few moons ago he was serving King Joffrey.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 9, 2020 13:46:39 GMT -5
"Me neither, why should trust Varys? He was there pouring poison into Aerys' ear. The eunuch did the same for Robert and then his... well, sons, why is he a loyalist all that sudden? This smells foul"
Daemon throws the peel to the fireplace, where it burns rapidly, he takes a bite of the apple, his dimples disappearing with the chewing. His blue eyes follows Arianne around the room.
What a woman. None more beautiful, none with her spirit, either. Not even the Snakes. Only Oberyn himself had her flame.
"I don't know what I would do, many will die for this, many good men and women. That's the price of vengeance? Shall the Dragon queen arrived with your brother in tow... but... it isn't the case..."
He touches his blonde curls, pensive.
"I'm... conflicted. I watched your uncle die and I want revenge as much as your cousins, but, forgive me, I don't have your wits, Arianne, you always were quite smarter than me, I don't see the sense in all this"
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 9, 2020 15:16:19 GMT -5
Arianne remained silent for a moment, a serving girl passing her quill and ink. The Princess scribbled furiously, perfectly shaped brows furrowed in concentration.
"Where is that Maester? Bring the ravens from Sunspear."
She snapped to the servant, who scurried off. Once she was done, she looked up at Daemon, ink stains on her slender fingertips.
"You are all beauty and no brains, Daemon."
The Princess' lips stretched into a teasing smirk.
"But you are right. I sound like my father, but Dorne and the Golden Company alone cannot hope to take the Seven Kingdoms. Even if he is Elia's son."
Quickly she folded the letter and stamped it with a seal. The Maester entered. The message was tied to the raven's ankle, the words of the Princess fluttering away to the beat of blackened wings. The skies were clear, for now, but dusk was approaching. At night only thunder and lightning ruled in Shipbreaker's Bay. She watched the bird fly until it disappeared over the horizon.
"I hope this was worth the risk I took in coming here."
The Princess exhaled, seating herself on her bed. The Maester shuffled away. Elia should be returning soon, but they had some time to themselves until she exhausted herself racing the squires.
"We ride for Dorne on the morrow. Our time here has ended."
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Post by oznerol on Jun 9, 2020 16:58:36 GMT -5
"Oh well, at least I have my looks to make up for my shortcomings"
He smiled. The silks of Dorne still loose over his skin.
"While I'm with you no man will touch a hair on your head... not without killing me first. And I'm not easy to kill..."
He sits on the bed next to her.
"...Your uncle taught me a great deal"
The bastard of Godsgrace touched a lock of her dark hair, perfumed, glancing the perfect neck below.
"I remember. I remember you. Will you let this man touch your hair? And... all you want me to touch"
He smiles warmly, no longer the kid he once was, but a man grown. His dimples appeared on his tanned face as he smiled.
"What do we care about dragons when we're together and alone?"
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 9, 2020 19:31:34 GMT -5
”It seems my uncle didn’t teach you how to talk to a woman, Daemon.”
Arianne giggled, taking delight in her own jape. With a delicate touch, she pulled her silk blouse loose. It slipped from her form, down to the floor.
She leaned in for a kiss, and felt like free again, taken away for a fleeting moment from the weight of an entire Principality on her slight shoulders.
”I need no dragon.”
She whispered in his ear, her head buried in the nape of his neck. Outside, it began to rain, water fluttering down from the clouds. Thunder groaned in the distance, but it was some way off yet.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 10, 2020 2:49:16 GMT -5
”It seems my uncle didn’t teach you how to talk to a woman, Daemon.”Arianne giggled, taking delight in her own jape. With a delicate touch, she pulled her silk blouse loose. It slipped from her form, down to the floor. She leaned in for a kiss, and felt like free again, taken away for a fleeting moment from the weight of an entire Principality on her slight shoulders. ”I need no dragon.”She whispered in his ear, her head buried in the nape of his neck. Outside, it began to rain, water fluttering down from the clouds. Thunder groaned in the distance, but it was some way off yet. He laughed, grabbing her womanly form with firm hands. The kiss was sweet and fiery, no trace of their previous clumsyness: both had had many lovers since their first meeting.
"And who needs a dragon when you have the sun?"Daemon said, admiring her, while kissing whatever naked skin was at his reach, his hands playing a dance on her lavish skin. From that point on, there weren't many words uttered, both fully naked and entranced by forces far stronger than themselves. The return of old lovers to each other's embrace was as formidable as the thunders beating the stronghold of Durran, both discovered their bodies had changed in the decade that had passed, while the shapes were recognizable they had matured -he now had hair where once there was none, a scar grazed his skin and his muscles moved under the firm skin- and the map of their flesh was now, certainly, more interesting, more appealing than it ever was. One time, during the theatrical play that was unfolding for them two only, Daemon wondered why did Doran send him with Arianne, like serving his own daughter to a man who she once loved and who loved her in turn.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 10, 2020 11:55:41 GMT -5
Arianne was asleep, sprawled nude across the bed. A handmaiden had given her courtesy enough to cover her woman's parts with the sheets. Elia had returned some time in the evening, Gods alone know where she had been, and had left her rain-soaked clothes strewn all over the floor before curling up by the fire. The Princess rubbed the sleep from her eyes, drawing the sheets over her body as she sat up. She was alone. Daemon had likely gone to prepare the horses, though the sun had not yet risen, Arianne and her entourage had agreed to leave at first light. The Golden Company was preparing to march, and she would not remain at Storm's End waiting for the boy king to return from his campaign. Finding a robe to preserve her modesty, she shook Elia awake, but the slender girl swatted her away as one would a fly for a few more moments of rest.
They quickly gathered their belongings. Silks were traded for riding clothes, dull and plain but comfortable, and still somewhat flattering to her figure. Elia's hair mimicked her own, long dark locks tied up neatly into a bun. The retainers they had brought with them had prepared everything, and as she entered the courtyard she spied Daemon waiting at the gates with the horses. Arianne thought it best not to talk about the previous night. Things had been strange between them for some time, and she felt a twinge of regret at allowing herself to succumb to desire.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 10, 2020 15:47:30 GMT -5
Arianne was asleep, sprawled nude across the bed. A handmaiden had given her courtesy enough to cover her woman's parts with the sheets. Elia had returned some time in the evening, Gods alone know where she had been, and had left her rain-soaked clothes strewn all over the floor before curling up by the fire. The Princess rubbed the sleep from her eyes, drawing the sheets over her body as she sat up. She was alone. Daemon had likely gone to prepare the horses, though the sun had not yet risen, Arianne and her entourage had agreed to leave at first light. The Golden Company was preparing to march, and she would not remain at Storm's End waiting for the boy king to return from his campaign. Finding a robe to preserve her modesty, she shook Elia awake, but the slender girl swatted her away as one would a fly for a few more moments of rest. They quickly gathered their belongings. Silks were traded for riding clothes, dull and plain but comfortable, and still somewhat flattering to her figure. Elia's hair mimicked her own, long dark locks tied up neatly into a bun. The retainers they had brought with them had prepared everything, and as she entered the courtyard she spied Daemon waiting at the gates with the horses. Arianne thought it best not to talk about the previous night. Things had been strange between them for some time, and she felt a twinge of regret at allowing herself to succumb to desire. He handed her the reins, without further ado, Daemon didn't say anything to her, acting as the diligent servant, not willing to comment on past night; least so before strangers that could talk tall about her private life. However, he looked quite cheerful in his riding garb that morning. He was all too eager to leave the Stormlands and the dragon, fake or not, who he didn't even like to begin with.
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Post by cfmonkey45 on Jun 14, 2020 15:10:26 GMT -5
A rapt knock on the door alerted the Dornish Princess and her entourage to a Sellsword waiting outside their chambers."Milady, King Aegon has sent for you. There is news from King's Landing."In the Throne Room, Varys spoke with Aegon VI Targaryen, while they waited for the Martells."The news from King's Landing is quite fortuitous, my King. My little birds have informed me that the Lannisters and the Tyrells are at each other's throats. There is open Civil War in the streets of King's Landing, our armies have secured the loyalty of some of the last remaining Storm Lords."The young boy smirked, pleased with how rapidly his enemies had crumbled. And to think, we had procrastinated waiting for aunt Dany and her dragons. Let her keep Meereen, Yunkai, the Dothraki, and all of her Slaves in Slaver's Bay."There is one other curious matter. Queen Cersei is aware of our plans and identities, and she has sent a raven... asking for a negotiated peace. An act of desperation no doubt."Perplexed, the boy king paused for a moment. Why would they surrender? Perhaps they were truly desprate. So far, he had fought no battles, and their armies has suffered no casualties."And do we give a response?""Not to Cersei, but this information will be quite useful to us regardless."
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 14, 2020 15:27:55 GMT -5
(I guess the exit is retconned then, for now)
Arianne duly appeared in the throne room of the Storm Kings, having been freshly washed, bathed, and clothed since the previous night's exertions. The Princess of Dorne stood askance, hands on hips, smiling vaguely at the news. It seemed the lion was eating itself.
"Cersei? Peace? Surely a trap, or a scheme. The bitch would rather see herself dead than bend to a usurper."
At least the Lannister had pride. Did these Sellswords have the same determination?
"So, why do you wait at Storm's End? If they are as weak as you say, surely marching on the capital is the best course. If Tyrell has broken with Lannister, perhaps the Rose could be lured to your side."
Tyrell had fought for Targaryen once before, and if the betrothal with Tommen under threat then perhaps a marital alliance with the Dragon could prove the best course. It seemed the wind was changing, the omens proving fortuitous.
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Post by cfmonkey45 on Jun 14, 2020 17:04:16 GMT -5
(I guess the exit is retconned then, for now) Arianne duly appeared in the throne room of the Storm Kings, having been freshly washed, bathed, and clothed since the previous night's exertions. The Princess of Dorne stood askance, hands on hips, smiling vaguely at the news. It seemed the lion was eating itself. "Cersei? Peace? Surely a trap, or a scheme. The bitch would rather see herself dead than bend to a usurper."At least the Lannister had pride. Did these Sellswords have the same determination? "So, why do you wait at Storm's End? If they are as weak as you say, surely marching on the capital is the best course. If Tyrell has broken with Lannister, perhaps the Rose could be lured to your side."Tyrell had fought for Targaryen once before, and if the betrothal with Tommen under threat then perhaps a marital alliance with the Dragon could prove the best course. It seemed the wind was changing, the omens proving fortuitous.
"We had hoped that an alliance with the Martells would be more forthcoming. The Crown respects the loyalty that House Martell has given House Targaryen--after all, we are kin.
We intend to reclaim the throne from the Usurpers, and if you wish to join us and sit at my side as my Queen, then you should declare your support."
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 14, 2020 17:27:11 GMT -5
”Your Queen?”
Arianne could not help but laugh. The boy was bold, she would give him that. It was a flattering offer, but she had to let her head rule her heart. For her father.
”I am meant to rule Dorne, not sit the Iron Throne as your trophy. This is no game, Aegon. You play to win or not at all.”
If the boy had any sense, he would be trying to win Margaery Tyrell and have his road to King’s Landing paved with roses. For a time, she stayed silent, arms folded.
”We have agents in the capital working for us, as you have your spider. To show our hand publicly would lose us that advantage.”
Arianne eventually replied, with a grimace towards Varys. It was now or never.
”We will march for you, when the time comes. I beg you, use your head. Fortify the Stormlands, win the Reach. When Lannister has eaten itself, then you will win the crown without so much as a drop of blood spilled.”
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