[PoV: King Jaehaerys I]
The night was quiet. Since Earth was invaded by Myrish exiles, his firstborn, Aemon Targaryen, and his fierce Dragon, Caraxes departed to resolve this issue. Along with him was his new son-in-law, Corlys Velaryon.
Married to one of his houses and only at that, Rhaenys Targaryen, daughter of his firstborn. He couldn't find anyone better than Corlys, from a House of Valyrian Descent. The House of Velaryon was similar to the House of Targaryen, yet completely different. They did have Valyrian blood in their veins, although without the fierceness and dragons that came with the blood.
However, they made it up with their power over the narrow seas and the island of Driftmark, where their ancient house seat is. As he said before, no one fitted his granddaughter, Rhaenys, than Corlys.
A proud young man, at a young age, gaining an alias for himself because of his military mind, endless adventures and achievements over his lifetime, and surely many more to come. Not only did he gain a powerful alliance, but so did the blood of Valyrian run thicker.
Shortly after the departure of Aemon and Corlys. His granddaughter announced being with child. He didn't show it but he was endlessly proud and glad of this delightful news. Unfortunately, Aemon wasn't able to hear it himself from his daughter in person. He knew his son would have a broad smile on his face hearing the news.
Again, another Dragon was to be born. Twelve years have gone and already House Targaryen grow. Three young hatchlings, being the result of successful diplomacy, soon to be four.
Oldest, his daughter, Gael Targaryen, a girl of one and two nameday that never left her mother's side, always around her like a shadow. The girl was frail unfortunately but she was sweet, caring, and attractive like most Targaryen with the familiar silver-gold hair and purple eyes. Completely different compared to his other daughters.
Second oldest, born a year after, Daemon Targaryen his grand-son, a very free-spirited young child. Apparently from the praises his second oldest son, Baelon has been whispering, he has the potential to be a fantastic Knight and leader. He was quite the strappy young man as well. Already showing signs of being quite attractive when he gets older.
His last one, born only four years ago, is his grandson, Aegor Targaryen. A Four nameday old child. Silver-gold hair and purple eyes, the kid simply had it all. He showed intelligence beyond his age, learning the basics quickly of high valyrian. Soon the boy will be taking part in military training as well. He had no doubt the child would exceed everyone's expectations.
He was an old man, after all, knights came and go. There was hidden potential in the child's body like Daemon. Hopefully, he would get to see all of his grandchildren grow to be Exceptional young lords and ladies.
The future seems bright. All of his grandchildren were excelling and were showing potential, all he could hope was no mishaps to happen. He had already lost most of his daughters. No more.
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[King's Landing: Training Yard]
"My Prince, is that all you can do?" A voice spoke, old but experience radiating off it. A sound of metals clashing loudly almost covering it.
"You are getting old Ser Redwyne!" In return for the teasing remark, a young boy's voice playfully shouted. All he got from it was a small smirk.
"Let's see if you can beat this old man then."
Straight away, both the boy and man's swords clashed again. Immediately all of the on-watchers could see who was the better. Ser Ryam Redwyne, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, wasn't the commander for no reason. He was getting on at age but he was still excellent and no man never mind a boy, could best him.
The boy, silver locks flowed wildly, and his purple eyes focused immensely on fighting. He was talented no doubt, maybe one day he could best him but today was not it.
He parried the wooden sword, striking back with his sword toward his opponent's right shoulder. He wasn't using all of his force but he still used quite a bit, surprisingly despite the swift strike, it was blocked.
As shocked as he was, Ser Redwyne didn't stop there. He used shallow faints to attack the young Prince. Multiple times did it seem he almost got his opponent and still while giving some kind of effort, they stood strong.
If he carried on, he knew he would win, the shaking of the prince's sword hand was profuse. The boy took quite the powerful blows from a man thirty onwards his senior. He still stood tall holding his sword. Yet inside he guessed the boy was nervous.
The Prince saw the pause in the Knights attack and took it. Taking this as an opportunity, he stepped in with a thrust. Like his previous attacks, it was blocked again. But he wasn't one to back down. Using his footwork, he twisted his whole body more importantly his legs and tried an upwards swing.
Again blocked. However he carried on with spirit and grit, when he would get blocked or parried, he rebounded using his agile footwork to attack again. He decided to fight tooth and nail, hopefully, a gap will open. It was a long shot, especially with a seasoned veteran like Ser Ryam Redwyne but he could only hope.
This carried on. The Prince attacked endlessly for about a minute, he was adapting when the man sometimes replied. His reaction time was increasing, and with the constant usage of his footwork, it seemed it too, was getting far better.
In the end, nothing lasted long. The Prince outstretched his arm, misplacing his step to close the gap between them. In an act of Superior Skill and Experience, Ser Ryam Redwyne sidestepped it, bring his sword down riposting it then with his pommel, put force in behind it, and smashed it against his prince's chest.
With a loud and stinging impact on the floor, the Prince now lay defeated on his back. For a second he had to process his defeat, it all seemed to transpire too quickly for him. All he saw was a big hand offering him up on his defeat. He felt bitter of course, but it wasn't his day to win.
"You almost caught me by surprise there my prince. You are progressing finely. If only your father saw that, he'd be in awe." Ser Ryam patted his back. Praising him, despite the defeat.
"I'll beat you, Ser Redwyne, I know I will." The Prince said confidently. The man didn't take it to heart merely smiling.
"Maybe. Until then keep trying... Lessons over, take a wash prince Daemon." Daemon grunted with a small smile on his face.
Ser Ryam Redwyne watched the departing Daemons back until he couldn't see it. Then when he was no longer there, he looked to one of the slightly opened doors that lead to the yard.
"Kostā māzigon hen, ñuha dārilaros (You can come out, my prince.) He is gone." Ser Redwyne addressed the door in High Valyrian. Exactly as he guessed, the door open further, and came coming out was the younger brother of Daemon.
Prince Aegor Targaryen, like many Targaryen, had silver-golden hair down to his chin and beautiful purple eyes. The boy had his mother's nose, eyes brows, and eyes, but his father's strong jaw, cheekbones, and cheeks. A boy of strong genetics.
He was quite stocky and tall for his age yet wasn't too big. He slowly took timid steps yet his head was held high. Although the boy knew he shouldn't have been outside and was ashamed, he faced his awaiting punishment.
He was in front of him now in a few steps, Aegor Targaryen kept his eyes on him. Ser Redwyne approved. When he opened his lips to say something, Ser Redwyne shushed him.
"You do not need to apologize, you are young and curious. You are doing good with your learning anyway clearly. If you didn't, you wouldn't have known to come out." he patted his back, to calm the nervous child. It did the job, causing to loosen the tension in the young kid's shoulders and posture.
"Why did you lie to brother?" The Commander of the king's guard blinked in slight shock and curiosity.
"What do you mean my prince? What have I lied about?" he stared at the boy, in curiosity and wonder about his answer. He just pointed at his sword and did some sword motions, mainly gesturing to his parry to defeat his older brother.
"You could have defeated him easily. Why did you bring his hopes up that he almost won?" Aegor said curiously, not knowing the intention of the spar. The older man looked amused then put his palm on his shoulder and went to his knees.
"You are smart, my prince. Scarily so. You might be smart but you are still too young" From the praises, the boy smiled bashfully, like any boy his age.
"You'll understand some questions can't be answered. Even you don't know everything." The serious voice of the Knight startled Prince Aegor. Not knowing why he was saying such things.
"There will be things that you may not understand in due time. That is natural, you only human. But, do not rush yourself to find the answers. There are questions which are better off not being asked." Prince Aegor didn't understand. But he knew there was a certain meaning behind the words.
Ser Ryam Redwyne smiled. It was a lot for a kid of four nameday however he hadn't met any kid this smart, there was a kind of intelligence in his eyes that seemed out of place for his age.
"Stick with your instincts and morality. It will be the only thing separating you from man and beast. They will never let you down. Even in the face of uncertain times."
He seemed to understand what he meant. Aegor smiled and nodded, rushing off before he gets in trouble with his father and brothers, not before announcing the departure. Ser Ryam Redwyne heard the story of the boy. The Dragon who survived.
They said, as if the seven fortuned him, he was blessed with smarts but in return, the death of his early mother was the cost.
A load of horse shit but, maybe true in a way with a boy of four having such unusual intelligence. Still, unlike many speculations of it being a curse, he thought the opposite. The boy wasn't only talented intellectually but physically.
When he was demonstrating his copy of his riposte. It wasn't spot-on yet, his footwork was good surpassing many beginners. His shoulders were relaxed as well, many tensed up expecting the usage of strength to make it effective. On the other hand, prince Aegor didn't.
He couldn't be happier. As a Knight, he could safely say, the boy was good and without a doubt with his help, become one of the best knights throughout Westeros. First, he'll have to tell this to the King. Such a meeting shouldn't be hidden from the king of his Grandson's bountiful talent.