The Bloody Prince: HOTD SI

Chapter 43

LAENOR VELARYON

Laenor watched as the massive Velaryon fleet gathered in the Hull, soldiers walked into the ships all of them armed with full plated armor with the sigil of their House emboldened on their chests, and helmets.

And seeing the whole armada gather as such, and arm itself really set home the reality of what they were about to do. The mobilization before this while grand had not seemed as large for the major bulk of the initial forces had come from the Crown's Royal Fleet.

And yet as his eyes scanned the sails, he found only the Sea Horse of House Velaryon, along with a few banners of a few other smaller houses. But not a single banner from any of the major House.

So, this war would be one that House Velaryon would have to fight on its own. However, they would not really be alone.

"Is this your first time seeing so many ships gather," a smooth voice came in from the side, as Laenor turned and found their only ally in this war by his side.

Drazenko lacked much of the Valyrian features. His hair was brown, his face rather sharp and angled with a chiseled jaw, but he was a descendant of Valyria much like him, and it showed in those eyes.

Eyes that were so similar to the amethyst of his own gaze, and he could scarcely imagine a world without them anymore. And that was a problem given that they had known each other for but a few moons.

"It is," he answered, as he smiled showing his glistening teeth, as he shrugged.

"Then you should visit the shipyards of Braavos, and you will find twice the number of ships there on a normal day," and he could scarcely imagine a fleet larger than this. But Braavos' main source of power was their fleet and their enigmatic House of Black and White.

"Are you certain that this is going to work," Laenor questioned, for despite every preparation no one could be certain about the outcome of the upcoming campaign. Already, the Crabfeeder had swallowed up a dragonrider, doing the neigh impossible.

"It will," Drazenko assured him as he rubbed his shoulder, and smiled warmly at him, as he felt his worries melt away into the wind.

"Because this time it will be your father taking the lead, and not some upjumped Targaryen Prince," and indeed, Prince Daemon's command had been abysmal and was the main reason behind the failure of the last campaign and even his own death.

An event for which the King had laid all the blame on their House, hence forcing their hand.

Though thankfully, Drazenko had come just in time, and their House had not found itself isolated as the King had intended, and though House Velaryon had little support from within the kingdom for this campaign, their allies were across the shores on the island of Lys.

"Here read this," and at that he passed his a missive, and Laenor opened it with a frown.

And found himself skimming its contents.

"Its a letter from my brother, the Rogare bank has already pulled their backing from Craghas Drahar, alongside all of Lys's forces. And they are arming their own fleet as we speak, by the time you and your House attack him from one side, Lys shall do the same from the opposite side," and he could imagine it, a two-pronged attack from two sides.

"We will crush Drahar, and take the Stepstones for ourselves," Drazenko whispered, and the glory would be immense, and with that both the honor of their house his father would be restored.

"And what of the issue we talked of?" Laenor questioned, for if that were to happen, he knew of his father's intentions to wed him to a powerful House to strengthen his claim, and Drazenko frowned.

"You need not worry about that, my dear," Drazenko whispered smoothly as he caressed his face.

"I just need you to focus on this campaign for now, and I will take care of the rest," and Laenor did not how, but he had to trust him. Drazenko had not let him down until now, and he hoped he would not for he could scarcely imagine a future without him.

"Laenor," he straightened immediately as did Drazenko, as he gave him a wink and turned back as well.

"Father," he turned back and saw him walking towards him, his eyes gleaming with disapproval as he stared at Drazenko.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Nothing, my lord. I was just passing along my brother missive to your son," Drazenko added, as Laenor nodded.

"Yes," Laenor quickly added as he handed the missive to his father.

"Lys has kept its end of the bargain, we have pulled our support from Drahar and are preparing our captains and sailors to attack the Stepstones from the other side," and he saw his father skim over the missive.

"That is good, but I wish to talk to Laenor," his father added as Drazenko nodded.

"Alone," he finished as he smiled.

"Of course, my lord," and with that he walked away though not before giving him his roguish smile.

His father's disapproval was apparent in his eyes as he walked upto him, and had him join as they walked towards the docks.

"You are my heir Laenor. My heir," he began sharply.

"Do not test my patience more than you already have," and Laenor nodded.

"Yes, father," he spoke softly before the man sighed.

"Your mother's heart is set against this campaign, and your sister is still learning to ride on Vhagar," his father began as the man grabbed his shoulders.

"At this time, I can only rely on you, my son. I need you to be the man you were always mean to be," he said as he looked him in the eye.

"You shall be leading the attack alongside these men, on your dragon...."

0000

AEGON TARGARYEN

Aegon had rarely had any time for himself, or anyone for that matter, ever since his return from the capital. Each day was spent either trying to hammer out the specifics about the Shipyard he was set to build, and securing wood and other supplies necessary for it.

Then there was the task of hiring sailors, training fighters, and so forth. Thankfully, with the lack of mountain clansmen, and the extended campaign against those barbarians, there had been somewhat of a population boom much aided by the farming revolution he had brought on with providing the people better tools, capital and animals.

And though much of the practises were still evolving, given his own knowledge of these things was rudimentary, it was all the people had truly needed, alongside some encouragements and capital.

So, he had a group of veteran fighting men ready at his call, alongside a slew of younger men and even women who wished to carve out a future for themselves away from their farms.

And he was more than happy to accommodate them, and so now the work on the shipyard in Runestone went on all day and all night, as the people worked in groups, while the other group trained under the tutelage of some experienced sailors and guards.

And today much like a few days ago, he had flown to the shipyard to see the progress and he could see thousands of men, and women all working as they toiled in the scorching Sun, as he overlooked the plans and showed them to the two people who had chosen to join him on this journey.

"So, they are going to cut down the trees there, and then build a tall tower there so we can move the the docks there temporarily," he explained, as Jeyne shook her head.

"How can they all work so fast?" she gasped as she saw the progress that was made in so little time, and Aegon shrugged.

"Because of gold and loyalty," he answered, for that was the truth, and even now as he walked through these people. His people, they looked at him with awe and reverence, and all for because he had made their lives easier.

He had been a fair lord to them, listening to their ills and problems, solving them when he could, and doling out justice when it was needed.

And that had won him their loyalty.

"I pay them well, and whoever works here is fed three meals a day," he added as he pointed towards the massive tents in the back, where most of the women worked.

"They prepare food back there. Most of them are wives, daughters, or sisters of the men working here, and so they have nothing to worry about. A few of the acolytes stay there as well to care for anyone who may get injured," he explained, and Rhaenyra seemed to be listening to this with a rather strange expression.

"You care for them quite a lot," she added, and he did indeed.

"They are my people, whatever luxuries I enjoy and the station that I have it is all built on this hardwork. I do not consider myself generous, but just," and Jeyne smiled.

"Only you could say that," and then she turned towards Rhaenyra.

"Perhaps we should visit the women," she offered, and Rhaenyra nodded, as they left with a unit of guards to visit the tents where the women worked as Aegon turned towards the small city that was emerging around the docks, and as he walked through its streets the people greeted him warmly until he was outside a rather specific building.

"Stay out," he said to the guards as he walked forward, and knocked on the door.

And the door opened, and he found himself staring at a rather familiar face. She was just as he remembered her, and was one of the reasons he was here, for a few days ago he had received a secret missive, a very unexpected missive from a person he had somewhat forgotten about.

"Lady Mysaria," he greeted the woman, who was clad in her favorite white dress as she raised a brow.

"Most people tend to prefer the night when visiting women like me," she offered as Aegon, took out and showed her the missive he had received.

"I am not most men," and she nodded.

"That you are not, my prince. Come," and with that, he entered the small house and was surprised as he saw two women lying there naked.

"For my own enjoyment," Mysaria cut in before he could say anything.

"And I paid them for their time," she added as she clapped her hands.

"It is time to go girls. I have a guest to care for," and with that, they quickly covered themselves as they rushed up the stairs while he was led to a room and offered a chair.

"I would offer you a drink..."

"Why are you here?" he cut in, done with her little games.

He had only entertained her offer because of the little information that he had offered, one that had caught him by surprise, something that, if true, could be rather troublesome in the future.

"You are so unlike your father," she said as she plopped down on the bed infront of him. The room was messy and rather shabby. Nothing like her little chataya in the capital.

"A shame what happened to him. He was good to me," she admitted, and perhaps he was. But Aegon cared little for him and even less for her.

"You have not answered my question?" he began, again and saw her raise a brow her raven black hair hung behind her.

"Because Daemon is dead, and I need someone to protect my interests," and Aegon frowned.

"As long as you abide by the laws, your establishment will not be harmed," he had little desire to destroy the livelihood for them, neither in the capital nor here.

Abhorrent as it was, it was their choice to earn a living. But there were limits, limits that, if crossed, would have him bring down his wrath on that place no matter what.

"I know, you are a fair lord. Half the girls in the brothels here sing your praises as if you were a god and would offer you their services for free," and that was a surprise to him.

"You have been here for some time," he asked, and she nodded.

"I needed to know if I could really trust you if you were truly worthy of all the fame," she added, and that was smart of her.

"And believe me, no one knows can judge a lord better than whores, for when men visit our rooms and lay in our arms, they tend to have looser lips," she chuckled, and Aegon could hardly deny that.

But still, she had not answered his question, and his frustration and thinning patience must have shown as she clicked her tongue.

"You truly are unlike him," she whispered again, and this time, there was a hint of sadness in that tone.

"It is true, every word of it. The Velaryons have made common cause with Lys and plan to launch an attack on the Crab Feeder," and though it was troubling news, he had received similar word from Larys.

"And you believe that someone from Lys is pulling the strings here," he asked about the second part of her missive.

"Yes, I know not who or what their intentions are, but someone from Lys is rather interested in the affairs of the kingdom," and that could spell danger. A lot of danger.

"What do you need from me?" he asked, for there was a use for her. One crucial use, but still he did not wish to entangle himself in something he did not understand.

"Unlike your father, you have no desire for my comforts, but if I have judged you correctly then you would need someone to deal with the Velaryons and this unknown entity. I offer my services in this. Services similar to those of the younger Strong brother that you have already employed, but at a much larger scale," and that was a very astute observation from her.

"And what would you ask in return?"

And she was quiet for some time, as she looked him in the eyes.

"That you become a King," she answered, much to his surprise. Indeed, he had every intention of becoming the King, but why would it matter to her?

"As I said before, none know a lord's secrets better than the whores of his land, and yours are no different. You are a strange person, one who truly holds himself true to his oaths, who protects the weak, protects those who cannot protect themselves," she added softly with a brittle expression.

"I wish to make sure that no one else suffers the way I did," and he knew how she had been sold into slavery, from one master to another, until she had landed on these shores.

"Promise me that, and protection for myself and my girls and you I shall be yours to command," and it was a tempting offer.

Larys was an effective tool, but he was also a zealot and someone he abhorred because of what he had done to Alicent.

Mysaria, he knew her to be cunning and secretive. Her reasoning was simple enough, and the truth was that he was indeed in need of her services, for if the Velaryons succeeded in their campaign in the Stepstones, it would cause him much trouble in his goal of becoming the King.

For his ascension, he needed their campaign to fail, and that would require subtle maneuvering.

"I want you to form a line of communication with those behind Craghas Crahar, one that can be used repeatedly and covertly," he began. He saw her eyes narrow for a second before suddenly widened.

"Haha, you are cunning. That you are," she complimented as he raised a brow.

"Can you do it?" he asked, and she nodded.

"I can," and he rose up.

"Have it established rather quickly, you will have further instructions from me once I return from Braavos," he finished as he rose up.

"How?" she asked, and he smiled, as a crow flew in from the window and landed on his arm.

"You need not know," and with that, he walked towards the door once more.

"Prince Aegon," she called after him as he was about to open the door.

"Yes," he answered.

"I know you care little for him, but your father was not as bad a man as he was a father," she added. He glanced back at her and saw her face soften as she continued.

"You are his son, his only living son..."

"Avenge him, if not for how he was as a father to you, then for the blood that runs in your veins..."

"He will be avenged. You can be certain of that...."

And with that, he left, and later that day, one message was circulated all over the capital as the Velaryons launched their campaign against the Crab Feeder and his pirates in the Stepstones without the Crown's approval or support.

0000

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