Along the entire South Coast of Cape Wrath were crumbling stone watchtowers erected in times past to warn of Dornish raiders crossing the Sea.
Villages had grown up around the towers. A few had become cities. The Pilgrim had made port in one of them, Weeping Town, where the body of the Young Dragon had rested for three days on his return journey from Dorne.
The banners that flew from the vigorous wooden walls still showed the Lion and Stag of King Tommen, suggesting that there at least the rule of the Iron Throne still held sway. Tyene notified her company when they disembarked.
"Guard your tongues; it would be better if King's Landing never knew we were passing through here."
If Lord Connington's rebellion was eradicated, it would do them harm if it were known that her Uncle Doran had sent her to deal with him and his suitor. That was another of the lessons her uncle had endeavoured to teach her, Nym, and Obara. Choose your side carefully and only if you have a chance to win.
Weeping Town was large enough that they had no problem buying horses, although the cost was five times what it had been a year ago.
"They are old but good, and my Lady, you will not find better ones on this side of Storm's End. The men of the Gryphon capture every horse and mule they come across oxen too some make a mark on a piece of paper if you ask them to pay you. But others would cut your stomach and pay you with a handful of your own guts. So if you go near any of them, keep your tongue; guard your purse and hand over your horses. " Said the Stableman.
"Thank you, good sir, but I am not a Lady", Tyene replied.
The City was large enough to house three inns, and rumours abounded in each. So Tyene sent men to each of them to hear what was said. In "The Broken Shield", Daemon Sand was told that the Sept had been burned and looted by raiders who came from the sea, and a hundred young novices from the Motherhouse on Maiden's Island had been made slaves. At The Loom, Joss Hood would have discovered that fifty men and boys from Weeping Town had marched north to join Jon Connington at Griffin's Nest, including the young Ser Addam, the son of the elderly Lord Whitehead and his heir. But in the aptly named The Drunken Dornishman, Feathers heard some men mutter that the Gryphon had killed Red Ronnet's brother and raped his sister, who was still a maiden. Moreover, Ronnet himself was said to be marching south to avenge his brother's death and his sister's disgrace. That night, Tyene sent the first of her ravens to Dorne, informing her uncle of what she had seen and heard.
The following day the company headed to Mistwood as the first rays of the rising sun passed through the peaked roofs and twisted alleys of Weeping Town. A light rain began to fall by midmorning as they headed north through lands of green fields and small villages.
So far, they had seen no signs of fighting, but all the other travellers seemed to be heading in the opposite direction. And all the women in the villages looked at them with blank eyes and held their children close.
Further north, the fields gave way to rolling hills and thick groves of old forests. The road became a trail, and the towns became less common. Twilight found them on the fringes of Rainwood, a green and wet place where streams and rivers flowed through dark trees, and the land was made of mud and rotting leaves. Great willows grew along the riverbanks, larger than any Tyene had ever seen, their great trunks as gnarled and twisted as an old man's face and adorned with beards of silver moss.
The trees stayed close, blocking the sun almost completely. Firs and red cedars, white oaks, soldier pines that stood as tall and straight as towers, colossal sentinel trees, big-leaved maples, redwoods, even here and there, a wild weirwood. Beneath its tangled branches, ferns and flowers grew in abundance: sword ferns, lady ferns, piper strings, evening stars and poisoned kisses, liver grass, lung grass, hornworts ... The fungi sprouted under the roots of the trees and of their trunks as well. Like pale, mottled hands, they captured the rain.
Other trees were lined with moss, green or grey or reddish and one bright purple. Lichens covered every rock and stone, and tadpoles feed under rotting wood. The air itself seemed green.
Tyene had once heard her father, Uncle Doran, and Maester Kelion argue with a septon why the southern and northern sides of the Dorne Sea were so different. The septon thought it was because Durran "Godsgrif", the first Storm King, had kidnapped the daughter of the Sea God and the Goddess of Wind and won their eternal enmity.
His father, his Uncle Doran, and the Maester leaned more toward the wind and the water and how the great storms formed in the Summer Sea carried seeds and moisture north until they reached Cape Wrath.
"For some reason, the storms never seemed to hit Dorne", She remembered her father saying.
"I know why ... No Dornish man ever kidnapped the daughter of two gods." The septon had answered
The march was much slower here than it had been in Dorne. Instead of roads, they rode through twists and turns that crossed here and there, through cracks in moss-covered rocks and down gorges full of blackberry brambles.
Sometimes the path would disappear completely, sinking into the mist or disappearing into the ferns, leaving Tyene and her companions to their fate to find their way through the silent trees. The rain kept falling, faithful and steady. The sound of moisture sliding through the leaves surrounded them, and at every mile, the sound of another small waterfall was heard. The forest was also full of caves.
The first night they took refuge in one of them to protect themselves from the water.
In Dorne, they had travelled frequently in the dark when the moonlight turned the blasts of sand to silver. But Rainwood was too full of swamps, ravines and holes under the trees when the moon was just a memory. So Daemon made a fire and cooked a handful of hares that Ser Garibald had caught with some wild garlic and mushrooms that he had found along the way.
After eating, Elia Sand turned a stick and some dried moss into a torch and explored the deepest part of the cave.
"Don't go too far, little sister"; some of those caves go too deep; it's easy to get lost ", Tyene warned her sister.
The Red Viper's daughter lost another cyvasse game to Daemon Sand, won one to Joss Hood, and retired when the two began teaching Jayne Ladybright the rules.
I was tired of those games. Lady Nym might have reached King's Landing by now, she mused as she sat cross-legged at the mouth of the cave to watch the rainfall. If not, they would arrive soon. Three hundred veteran spears had gone with them up the Bonepath, past the ruins of Summer Haven and straight onto the Royal Road.
Then it was time to sleep; they had a long way to ride tomorrow. It was only when she was settling in that Tyene realized that her baby sister had not returned from her explorations.
His sisters would kill her in seven different ways if something happened to Elia. Lady Jayne Ladybrugh swore that the girl had never left the cave while she was somewhere prowling in the dark.
When the screams didn't bring her back, there was no choice but to light torches and go in search of her. The cave proved to be much deeper than anyone would have suspected. Beyond the stone mouth where her company had camped and kept their horses, a series of twisting passages led lower and lower as black holes loomed on either side. Further inside, the walls parted again, and the seekers found themselves in a vast limestone cavern, larger than the great hall of a castle. Their cries disturbed a nest of bats that flapped loudly above them, but only distant echoes returned their voices. A small circuit in the room revealed three small passages, one so small that it would require them to go to their knees.
"We will try the others first; Ser Dameon will come with me, Geribald and Joss, try the other one, "Tyene ordered.
The passage that they had picked got steep and wet at a hundred feet. But she could see Ser Daemon's torch up ahead, so she kept going. And so they found themselves in another cavern, five times larger than the previous one, surrounded by a forest of stone columns.
Daemon Sand moved to her side and raised the torch.
Look at how the stones have been shaped. Those columns, on that wall. You see them?". So many faces, so many sad eyes, staring, "Tyene said.
"This place belonged to the Children of the Forest." "A thousand years ago." Was Ser Daemon's reply.
Tyene turned her head at the sound of a sound.
"Listen, is that Joss?"
It was. The other seekers had found Elia, and she and Daemon found out as they made their way back up the slippery slope to the last hole. Their passage led them to a quiet, black pool where they discovered the girl waist-deep in the water, catching white and blind fish with her bare hands, her torch blazing red and hot where she had planted it.
"You could have died! If that torch had been extinguished, you would have been left alone in the dark, as if you were blind. What do you think you were doing? Tyene yelled at her when she heard her story; she took Elia by the arm and shook her.
"I have caught two fish," said Elia Sand.
"You could have died!" Tyene said again. The words echoed off the cave walls.
... Dead ... dead ... dead ...
Later, when they returned to the surface, and their anger cooled, the older of the Sand Snakes grabbed the younger girl and sat with her.
"Elia, this must end… We are not in Dorne now; we are not with our sisters. This is not a game. I want you to give me your word that you will be like a servant until we are safely back at Sunspear no more talk of jousting or not being a lady. Don't mention our father or sisters. The men I must deal with are mercenaries. Today they serve the man who calls himself Jon Connington, but the following day they could just as quickly serve the Lannisters. All you need to win a mercenary's heart is gold, and they don't lack in Casterly Rock. If the wrong man found out who you are, you could be taken hostage to be rescued. "
"No… you and I are just bastard girls. Father is dead, "Elia answered, and Tyene had to restrain herself from hitting her.
"Dead, but not forgotten," Tyene said, suppressing her anger.
"We are the Sand Snakes, and our prince Doran will pay any price to keep us safe from harm ... He loves us, little sister, so you must not cause our uncle any more problems."
That at least made the girl smile.
"Do I have your sworn word, or should I send you back?" Tyene now asks relentlessly.
"I swear ... by my father's bones." Elia didn't sound happy. " That vote will stand, Tyene decided. He kissed his little sister on both cheeks and sent her to sleep. Maybe something good will come out of this disagreement.
"I never knew how wild she was till now," Tyene complained to Daemon Sand afterwards.
"Why would my uncle send her with me?" Tyene asked.
"Revenge?" The Knight suggested, and Tyene blushed.
They reached Fog on the afternoon of the third day. Ser Daemon sent Joss Hood forward as a scout to find out who was holding the castle at the time.
"Twenty men walk the walls, maybe more ... Many chariots and weapons. They come heavily loaded and come out empty. Guards at every door," He reported on his return.
"Banners?" Tyene asked.
"Gold. At the gate and the fort. "
"What symbol do they carry?"
"None we can see; there was no wind."
Banners hung weakly from the masts; the banners of the Golden Company were of gold, without arms or ornaments, but the banners of House Baratheon were also golden, although these showed the crowned Stag of "Storm's End".
Unwaved golden banners could be either one.
"Were there other banners? Grey? " Tyene asked.
"The only ones I saw were gold, My Lady." She nodded.
Mistwood was the seat of House Mertyns, whose banners showed A white great horned owl on a grey field. If their banners weren't flying, the rumour was most likely true, and the castle would have fallen to Jon Connignton and his mercenaries.
"We must take the risk, my friends," Se said to his companions. Her Uncle Doran's wariness had served Dorne well, she had come to understand and accept it, but this was a moment for her father's bravery. Towards the castle.
"Should we unwrap your uncle's banner?" Joss Hood asked.
"Not yet," Tyene said.
Half a mile from the castle gates, three men in studded leather jerkins and steel helmets came out of the trees to block their way. Two of them carried crossbows, ready and pointed.
"Where are you headed, dear ones?" Asked one.
"To Mistwood, to see your Lord", Daemon Sand replied.
"Good answer, come with us," Said one who smiled cheekily.
The new lords of Mistwood called themselves Young John Mudd and Chains. Both Knights, they said, but they don't behave like any Knights Tyene had ever met. Mudd was brown from head to toe, the same shade as his skin, but a couple of gold coins dangled from his ears. The Mudds had been kings of the Trident a thousand years ago as far as she knew, but there was nothing regal about this man. Nor was he particularly young. It seemed that his father had also served in the Golden Company, but he had been known as "Old John Mudd." Chains was half the height of Mudd, and his chest was crossed by a pair of rusty chains that ran from waist to shoulder.
While Mudd carried a sword and dagger, Chains carried no weapons but five feet of iron links, twice as thick and heavy as those across his chest. He held them like a whip. They were tough, rough men, foul-mouthed, with scars and weathered faces who spoke of long service in the Free Companies.
"Sergeants ... I've heard of your ilk before", Ser Daemon Sand whispered when he saw them.
Once Tyene made her name and purpose known, the two sergeants proved hospitable enough even though they looked at her with ill-concealed desire.
"You will stay here tonight; there are beds for all of you. Then, in the morning, you will have fresh horses and whatever supplies you need. The maester can send a raven to Griffin's Nest to let them know they're going there, "Mudd said.
"And who are they ... Lord Connington?" Tyene asked,
The mercenaries exchanged a look.
"The Halfmawster," he is the one you will find in the Nest, "Mudd said.
"The Gryphon is leaving," Cadenas said.
"Where?" Ser Daemon asked.
"It is not for us to say," Mudd said.
"Chains, keep your mouth shut." Chains nodded.
"She is from Dorne; why shouldn't she know? You are coming to join us, right? " Asked the mercenary.
"That remains to be seen, my good Lord", Tyene thought.
In the evening, an elegant dinner was served atop the Tower of Owls, where they were joined by the widow Lady Mertyns; although held captive in her own castle, the old woman seemed lively and cheerful.
"My children and grandchildren left when Lord Renly called out to his banners… I haven't seen them since, but every now and then, they send a raven. One of my grandchildren was injured in the Battle of Blackwater but quickly recovered. I hope they come back soon with enough men to hang this bunch of thieves," She said to Tyene and her group, glaring at the bastard, clearly annoyed to share their table with her.
The old woman pointed to Mudd and Chains across the table.
"We are not thieves.. we are foragers," Mudd said.
"Did you buy all that food that is in the yard?" Asked the annoyed old woman
"We forage it... Your people can make it grow more. We serve the rightful King, old hag." Mudd replied
... He seems to be enjoying this ... Tyene thought with a giggle.
"I should learn to speak more courteously to Knights," Chains said.
"If you are Knights, I am still a maiden," said Lady Mertyns, and I will speak as I please. What are you going to do, kill me? I've already lived too long."
"Have you been well treated, my lady?" Tyene asked.
"I have not been raped if that is what you ask, but some of the servants have not been so fortunate married or eligible; men make no distinction," Said the old woman.
"No one has been raping ... Connington would not allow it, he would castrate us if he found out ... We are following orders," Young John Mudd said.
Chains nodded.
"Some woman was persuaded, it may be"
"Ah, in the same way, that our peasants were persuaded to give him their crops. But, melons or virginities, you don't care about your ilk. If you want it, take it ... If you see this Lord Connington, child, tell him that I met his mother and that she would be ashamed. " Lady Mertyns turned to Tyene.
"Maybe I will," The nervous bastard thought.
That night, she sent a second raven to his uncle. Tyene was back in her own room when she heard muffled laughter from the adjoining room. She stopped and listened for a moment, and then he opened the door to see Elia Sand bent over in the window seat, kissing Feathers.
When Feathers saw Elia's sister before him, he jumped up and began to stutter. They both still had their clothes on. Tyene took some comfort from it as she returned to her room, hoping her sister was no fool.
The shortest way from Mistwood to Griffin's Nest was through the green and wet part of the woods. It was a slow march at best. It took Tyene and her companions the better part of eight days.
They travelled to the music of steady lashes of water falling on the treetops above them. Although under the vast green canopy of leaves, she and her companions remained surprisingly dry.
Chains accompanied them the first four days of their journey north with a long line of chariots and ten of his men. Far from Mudd proved to be more friendly, and Tyene was able to trick him into telling her his life.
His greatest pride was that of a great-great-grandfather who fought for the Black Dragon in the Redgrass Meadow and crossed the Narrow Sea with Bitter Steel. Chains himself had been born into the company, sired by a camp follower. But, although he had been raised to speak the Common Tongue and considered himself a Westerosi, he had never set foot anywhere in The Seven Kingdoms until now.
"A sad family history", Tyene thought.
His whole life? A long list of places where he had fought, enemies he had faced and killed, wounds he had received. The Lady Bastards let him speak, occasionally granting him a laugh or question, pretending to be fascinated.
She found out more than she would ever need to know about Mudd's skill with dice, about Two Swords and his taste for redheads, the time someone got away with Harry Strickland's favourite elephant, Kitten and his lucky cat, and other feats and exploits of the men of the Golden Company.
On the fourth day, in an oversight, Chains missed "When we have Storm's End." The bastard let that pass without comment, though she thought about it carefully. Storm's End? Looking at Ser Daemon, who had the same look as her.
"This Gryphon is very brave, or so it seems. Or a madman," Tyene thought.
The seat of House Baratheon for three centuries, and the former of the Storm Kings for thousands of years before. Storm's End, it was said, was impregnable. Tyene had heard the men argue over which was the greatest castle in the Kingdom.
Some said Casterly Rock, some Eyrie of the Arryn, some Winterfell in the frozen North. Storm's End was always mentioned too.
Legend has it that he was raised by Brandon "The Builder" to resist the fury of a disgruntled god. Its curtain walls were the tallest in the Seven Kingdoms, one hundred feet high and forty feet thick on its thinnest side and nearly eighty feet thick on its seaward side. Its mighty Drum Tower was just under half the length of the Hightower, but it sat rather than rose. No siege tower had been tall enough to reach the battlements of Storm's End, nor had any catapult been able to destroy its massive walls.
"What Was Connington thinking of mounting a siege? ... How many men did he have?" She wondered. Long before the castle fell, the Lannisters would send an army to end any blockade, so that would not be possible either.
That night, she and Ser Daemon discussed what Chains had told them, the Bastard of Divine Kindness looking as perplexed as she. "Storm's End was in Lord Stannis's possession the last time you heard about it.
Apparently, Connington thought he would do better to make a common cause with a rebel rather than fight him too.
"Lord Stannis is too far away to be of any help," Tyene mused.
"Capturing a few minor castles while the lords and their garrisons are away is one thing. But if Lord Connignton and his pet dragon can take over one of the Kingdom's greatest fortresses, the crown must acknowledge their might and treat them as a genuine menace, "Ser Daemon said matter of factly.
That night, Tyene wrote another little note to her Uncle, and Feathers sent it with her third raven.
Young John Mudd had been sending birds, too, apparently. Then, near twilight on the fourth day, not long after Chains and their chariots had left them, Tyene's company encountered a column of mercenaries descending from Gryphon's Nest by the most exotic creature, the princess had ever seen, with painted nails and gems shining in his ears.
Lysono Maar spoke the Common Language very well:
"I have the honour of being the eyes and ears of the Golden Company, My Lady," Lysono said with a flowery voice.
"My Lord seems ..." she hesitated.
"A woman? I'm not ..." He laughed.
"A Targaryen" Tyene insisted. His eyes were pale lilac, his hair a cascade of white and gold. At the same time, something about him made her shiver.
"You flatter me. The women of House Targaryen are said to have no equal in the world. "
"And the men?" Tyene asked inquisitively.
Oh, even more beautiful. Although to tell the truth, I've only seen one. " Maar took her hand and kissed her lightly on the wrist.
"Fog sent a letter regarding your arrival, sweet Lady. We will be honoured to escort you to the Nest, but I fear you have missed the opportunity to see Lord Connington and our young Prince." Lysono said with some amusement.
"Where have they gone to war? To Storm's End? " She asked, intrigued.
"Mmm, it could be." However, this Lysenian was a very different type of man.
He wouldn't let anything escape him, he realized after a couple of hours in his company. Maar was clever, but he had perfected the art of saying much without saying anything. As for the horsemen who came with him, they had been speechless as far as their companions had been able to draw. So Tyene decided to confront him directly.
On the afternoon of the fifth day, when leaving Mistwood, while they were camping near the fallen ruins of an ancient tower occupied by plants and moss, she stood before him and asked him.
"Is it true that you have elephants with you?" Tyene asked curiously.
"A few", Lysono Maar said with a smile and shrugging.
"And they have a dragon that boy who claims to be Aegon Targaryen, My cousin?" Tyene asked with some sadness.
"Prince Aegon is a man, my Lady."
"I'm a bastard Ser, I'm not a Lady but tell me about him. Can he fly? Breathe fire?" Tyene asked, laughing.
The Lysono laughed, but his lilac eyes remained cold.
"Do you play cyvasse, my Lord? My uncle has been teaching me. I am not very skilled, I must confess, but I know that the dragon is stronger than the elephant," Tyene replied.
.
"The Golden Company was founded by a dragon," replied the Lyseno.
"Bittersteel was half-dragon and all bastard. I am not a maester, but I know some history; you are still mercenaries," Ser Daemon said.
"If you, please be, but we prefer to call ourselves a brotherhood of exiles," Lysono said with a chuckle.
"As you wish. As free brothers, your company is above the rest, I assure you, but the Golden Company has been defeated every time it has crossed to Westeros; they lost when Bittersteel commanded her; they failed the Blackfyres, they fell when Maelys the Monstrous led her. " Tyene said, but that seemed to amuse the Lyseno.
"At least we are persistent, you must admit. And some of those defeats were by very little."
"Or not. And those who die shortly are just as dead as those who die long. Prince Doran, my uncle, is a wise man and only fights the wars he can win. If the march of battle turns against your dragon, the Golden Company will no doubt flee to the other side of the Narrow Sea, as it has done before. As Lord Connington himself did after Robert Baratheon defeated him at the Battle of the Bells. Dorne will not be a refuge. So why should we lend our swords and spears to your uncertain cause? " Tyene asked in her Septa tone.
"Prince Aegon is of your own blood, my Lady son of Rhaegar and Elia of Dorne, your father's sister you are nothing more than a bastard, it is true, but you even have to respect blood ties, "Said the mercenary.
Tyene didn't ask anymore.
And finally, Gryphon's Nest emerged from the sea of mist on a grey and wet day as the rain fell thin and watery Lysono Maar raised a hand, the echo of a trumpet echoed among the rocks, and the castle gates opened before them.
The soaked flag hanging over the gate was white and red, the bastard saw. The colours of House Connington but the company's golden banners were also on display. They rode in a double-column across the ridge known as Gryphon Gorge, with the waters of Shipwreck Bay snarling at the rocks on the other side.
Within the castle itself, a dozen officers of the Golden Company had gathered to greet the emissary of Prince Doran one by one; they pressed their lips to his hand as Lysono Maar offered introductions; most of the names went out of her head as soon as she heard them.
Their leader was an older man with a clean, clean-shaven face, his long hair tied in a knot.
"This is not a fighter", Tyene felt.
The Lysenian confirmed this when he introduced him as Haldon Halfmaester.
"We have rooms prepared for you and yours ... Hmm ... My Lady," Haldon said when the introductions were finally over.
"I trust you like them. I see that you seek to meet with Lord Connington, and he also wishes to exchange words with you urgently. If you please, in the morning we will take a boat to bring you to him. "
"Where, my good Lord?" Tyene asked in her sweetest tone.
"Has no one told you? Storm's End is ours; the Hand awaits you there. "Haldon Halfmaester gave her a smile, thin and hard as a dagger.
Daemon Sand took a step before her.
"Shipwreck Bay can be dangerous even on a calm summer day. The safest way to "Storm's End" is by land."
"True, but the rains have turned the roads to mud. The journey will take two days, maybe three ... A ship will take Prince Aegon's cousin there in half a day or less there is an army descending towards Storm's End from King's Landing, so you will want to be safe within the walls before battle, "Haldon Halfmaester said.
... Will we want it? ... "The battle or the siege?" Tyene wondered.
She did not plan to be trapped inside Storm's End with her sister Elia in danger.
"Oh, battle ... Prince Aegon plans to crush his enemies on the battlefield," Haldon said firmly.
Tyene exchanged a look with Daemon Sand.
"Would you be so kind as to show us our rooms? I would like to freshen up and change into dry clothes ".
Haldon nodded.
"Of course." His companions had been lodged in the east tower, where the pointed windows showed the Bay of Shipwrecks.
"There is nothing for us in Storm's End, Tyene. If Prince Doran wanted to send you into battle, he would have given you three hundred knights, not three." Ser Daemon said behind closed doors.
"I must speak to Connington ... and I want to see this dragon prince. If he is really my aunt Elia's son ". Tyene removed the viper clasp around her neck and let the rain-soaked dress fall from her shoulders to the floor.
"Whoever he is, if Connington challenges Mace Tyrell and the might of Highgarden in pitched battle, he will soon be a captive or a corpse." Ser Daemon replied.
"No, Tyrell is not a man to fear. My father called him the Fat Flower of Highgarden ... "
"And your father is dead when many called him the Red Viper, Tyene, and 10,000 men equal the strength of the Golden Company." The bastard continued.
"Lord Connington knows his own strength; if he plans to risk a battle, it is because he must believe that he can win it. "
"How many men died in battles that they believed they could win? Reject them, Tyene. I distrust these mercenaries. Don't go to Storm's End," Ser Daemon asked him.
"What makes you think that they will allow me that option? Ser Daemon, you were my father's squire; if you were with him now, would you be advising him to reject him as well?"Tyene did not wait for his answer; besides, the third of the Sand Snakes had the uncomfortable feeling that Haldon and Lysono Maar were going to put her on that ship the following day whether she wanted to or not. Better to not provoke them unless you can poison them, but that is now impossible.
"I know the answer… and I know that you are going to remind me that I am not the Red Viper; I know that too my father is dead, my uncle is sick and old. And I'm just a bastard ... Nothing important will happen if I die. " Tyene said with spite.
"Think of your sisters; send me to" Storm's End "instead. So if the gryphon's plan goes awry and Mace Tyrell retakes the castle, I'll be another landless knight who swore his sword with claims of profit and glory."
"Whereas if I am taken by the Iron Throne, I will take it as another bastard who was seduced by the gold of the mercenaries. It is brave that you want to protect me, Ser. I thank you ... But my uncle the Prince of Dorne entrusted this mission to me, not to you, Ser, so tomorrow, I will sail to see the dragon in its lair, whatever happens," Tyene said with surety.
---------------
The taking of "Storm's End" was surprisingly quick but bloody; they had lost more men than expected in its taking, but now ... Now the ancestral seat of the Baratheons was theirs.
A day had passed since Haldon had sent them a letter revealing that Prince Doran had sent one of his nieces, one of the Sand Snakes, to meet them, and Jon Connington was irritated to find out whether or not the niece was a bastard. But, unfortunately, that meant he didn't take them seriously.
Well, I couldn't blame him... They had rushed to send that letter so soon; they had to wait to take "Storm's End" so Doran Martell would have taken them more seriously ... Well, now they can't do anything.
The taking of the castle was a necessary but dangerous gamble because now the Highgarden army was heading there; if there was a time when they needed allies ... It was now. After that, the Lord of the Griffin's Nest took the letter from the Half-Maester and threw it into the burning fireplace.
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In the great hall of "Storm's End" were Prince Aegon, his Hand Jon Connington, Tyrion Lannister, his political advisor, Ser Jorah Mormont, who during the battle had served as Tyrion's guard and the two members of his Kingsguard Ser Barristan and Ser Rolly, all were somewhat bruised and wounded from the battle but anxiously awaited the arrival of Prince Doran's emissary, Tyene Sand, the daughter of Prince Oberyn Martell and therefore Aegon's cousin.
They were all in the Great Hall until a messenger arrived, and after a few words with Connington, he nodded.
"Show them in" And the servant nodded and left.
"What is she like? ... My cousin," Prince Aegon asked.
"She is the bastard daughter of your uncle, your highness ..." Connington said, staring at Tyrion, making a gesture that the dwarf caught quickly and sighed.
"His cousin is one of the infamous Sand Snakes, his uncle Oberyn had a total of 8 bastard daughters and the one who comes to see him is the third of them; she is pretty as far as I know... But it is said that she is very dangerous, perhaps the most dangerous of the brood of vipers," Tyrion said, taking a glass of wine.
"Why?" Asked the young Prince.
"Because of all the daughters of Prince Oberyn, it is said Tyene was the only one who shared his knowledge and taste for the use of poisons," Tyrion said, taking a glass of wine while Aegon gulped.
At that moment, the servant returned with Haldon, Lysono Maar, and a retinue of men who clearly came from Dorne; in the centre was a young woman of at least twenty namedays she was fair, with golden hair and deep blue eyes. Dimples bloom in her cheeks; she wore a white dress with myrish sleeves. She looked so angelic that Aegon blushed when he saw her.
On her right side was a fourteen-year-old girl dressed in a tunic and breeches; she also carried an ashen spear, and on her left side was a young man who, judging by his appearance, was a knight.
At that moment, Jon Connington stepped in front of the entourage.
"Welcome ... You now stand before Aegon of House Targaryen the Sixth named after the rightful King of the Andals, Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm," Connington said proudly.
"Oh, forgive my poor manners. I'm merely Tyene Sand, a humble bastard daughter of Prince Oberyn Nymeros Martell delightful to meet you, Your Highness," She said with a sweet and gentle voice that, coupled with her dress, made her look like the purest of maidens.
Aegon just blushed and tried to speak, but no words came out. Seeing it, Tyrion and Rolly smiled while Jon Connington just sighed.
"Your Highness is surprised to meet you ... My Lady, you're his cousin after all," said the Hand of the King.
"Thank you for your courtesy, my Lord, but you can speak freely... I am just a bastard anyway, but I am not the only one... This young Lady next to me is my sister Elia, another of our Father's daughters; she is also your cousin," Tyene said while Elia just smiled and nodded.
"A pleasure to meet you both, Cousins," Aegon said, finally speaking.
At that moment, Jon Connington just groaned.
"I want to introduce you to the first two members of Prince Aegon's Royal Guard, his Lord Commander Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Rolly Duckfield."
Hearing that the legendary knight was part of Aegon's Kingsguard, the look of astonishment on the Dornishmen was clearly remarkable.
"And there is also Ser Jorah Mormont, a knight in my service and Tyrion Lannister political advisor to His Highness," Connington said with indignation.
Hearing that Tywin Lannister's youngest son was in front of them, the gaze of Tyene and the others darkened.
"The Imp", Elia said, clutching her spear.
"I would prefer the 'Imp' if possible, my Lady," Tyrion said, sipping a glass of wine.
"What is Old Lion's son doing with you Cousin," Tyene said in a dangerous tone.
"I joined Prince Aegon's company after escaping from Westeros ... A mutual friend of both contacted us, and I have been advising His Highness on Westerosi politics ever since," Tyrion said.
"A mutual friend?" Tyene asked.
"It's part of the story ... Listen to it, from my own experience, I know it's something fascinating," Tyrion said.
"Very good ..." Tyene replied dangerously.
"Well, in that case, we can start ... We can't waste much time, an army is coming from King's Landing, and they will be here in two days at the most ... I sent a letter to Prince Doran explaining who we are and what we want," Connington said trying to calm down.
"Good Lord received her; that is why I am here. I am aware of my status as a bastard, but I enjoy my uncle's trust; that is why I am here, to speak in his name... My uncle will not support this cause until he is convinced of the identity of… Your Highness," Tyene said with a smile seeing the shocked expression on Aegon's face.
"What do you want to know ... Cousin?" Aegon said.
"It seems to me that this is more than obvious how did you survive, Gregor Clegane? as far as we all know, he smashed your head against the wall," Tyene.
"That wasn't me ... nor was the girl stabbed Rhaenys ..." Aegon replied.
At that time, Aegon began to tell his cousin the story of his life after the Sack of King's Landing; the infant killed during Tywin Lannister's attack was the son of a tanner. The child's mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his son to Varys for a jug of wine, as he already had other sons but had never tasted Arbor gold wine. And the girl who replaced Rhaenys was the daughter of a prostitute who gave her up without much resistance; Varys arranged the exchange between the two babies. So Elia received the tanner's son and the prostitute's daughter while Varys took custody of the real Rhaenys and Aegon.
Once the impostor infant was killed by Gregor Clegane and Amory Lorch, Varys smuggled the genuine Rhaenys and Aegon across the "Narrow Sea", where they were first entrusted to Magister Illyrio Mopatis and then Lord Jon Connington, a friend of their late father, then years later Rhaenys went to her aunt Daenerys's wedding to rescue her from her marriage to the Khal where they both disappeared.
After finishing the story, Tyene said nothing for a few moments until she closed her eyes and sighed.
"Your story is quite odd. I can hardly believe it," Tyene said.
"But every word is true ... Cousin," Aegon said after a moment. And Tyene sighed.
"So ... My Lady, after listening to us ... do we have Dorne's support?" Jon Connington asked.
"That question is not up to me to answer, Ser; I am just a humble emissary who came as an observer for my uncle... If he gives me paper, ink and a raven, I will tell him what we have discussed here... Then, he will decide," Tyene said in an innocent tone.
The expression on the faces of Aegon, Connington and company was bitter, clearly not the answer they expected.
At that moment, Ser Daemon stepped forward.
"If I may ask ... what do you plan to do now? ... What is your next step? Conquering Storm's End is undoubtedly a remarkable achievement, but still, that is enough ... Even with Dorne's support, a Tyrell army is coming here, and even though at this moment he is half a continent away, Lord Stannis will discover what you have achieved and will return to recover his ancestral home so what do you intend to do."
"What is your name, Ser?" Connington asked.
"Ser Daemon Sand, my Lord", replied the knight.
"Another bastard... But he's right; we took this castle in hopes of showing our strength to the Kingdom, especially Prince Doran, to convince him that it was worth supporting us... But this alone is not enough... We have no choice; we will have to face the army of Mace Tyrell ... Only in this way will we show our strength to Prince Doran," thought the desperate gryphon.
"I would not worry about Lord Stannis," Haldon said suddenly ", Halfmaester", earning everyone's eyes.
"What are you talking about, Haldon?" Prince Aegon asked.
"Stannis Baratheon is dead," replied the Half-Maester, leaving the entire room stunned, and Jon Connington quickly rounded on him.
"What are you talking about, Haldon?" Asked the tap.
"Our spies ventured North hoping to take stock of the Riverlands and overheard some Freys discussing the fortunes of the Fiery Stag", replied the scholar.
"Well out with it, Haldon", Connington barked.
"Apparently Lord Stannis fell in the battle of the North, defeated the Boltons whose Lord had been appointed Warden of the North since the Red Wedding with the help of the Knights of Vale, led by Lord Edmure Tully and his uncle Ser Brynden Tully, in addition, Ned Stark's two youngest sons are said to have been in hiding all this time, and now the Starks control the North again," Haldon said.
No one could speak for a few minutes while they assimilated the information, but in Tyrion's mind, a plan was already hatching to use this to his advantage.
"This... this may be what we needed to gain more allies," Tyrion said, putting down the wine glass and started pacing back and forth in the Hall.
"Explain, dwarf," Connington ordered.
"The North is back with the Starks, which means that my family lost control over it again, plus Lysa Arryn is the aunt of those children; if they are the actual Brandon and Rickon Stark, she must finally be supporting them with the full might of the Vale, "Tyrion said, massaging his chin.
"Get to the point, Tyrion…." Ser Jorah growled.
"I propose that when we finish the battle here ... we invade the ports and sail to Riverlands and place Riverrun under siege to return it to the Tullys," Said the dwarf.
The whole room was silent, and even Jon Connington was surprised by the proposal of his political adviser, but Aegon had an angry expression on his face.
"Why would we do that? The Starks, the Tullys and the Arryns were the ones who destroyed my family; why would I help them?" Aegon asked, annoyed.
"Because Robert's rebellion occurred thanks to the actions of your father and grandfather, my Prince, it hurts, but it is the truth and never forget it because the rest of the kingdom you want to rule will not accept it so that they can never use it against you " Tyrion responded which silenced the young dragon.
Everyone listened to Tyrion's words in amazement for a few moments, but before they said anything to him, he continued.
"At this time, the Riverlands are de facto controlled by House Frey as their High Lord, Petyt Baelish, has disappeared since the second Red Wedding that took place on Riverrun ... However, the Rivermen hate the Freys for their treachery though they do not. Therefore, they can challenge them for the support of my family; however, if you do and manage to return the Tullys to their ancestral home, that will make them listen to you and even more so, both the North, Riverlands and Vale share blood, Lord Edmure is the uncle of the Young Stark and Lord Robert Arryn of Vale, if it helps the Tullys, it is possible that we can win the support of the North and the Vale, the latter being the most important for still having their armies and resources intact "Said Tyrion.
Many in the Hall pondered Tyrion's counsel and realized that it did indeed have merit; although it was too precarious, the relationship between their houses was quite hostile.
"Your idea has merit ... But it is precarious; it is also no guarantee that the Tullys will support us; they fought for Robb Stark, who tried to divide the Seven Kingdoms." Connington said with a hand on his chin.
"They will if His Majesty apologizes to House Stark for his grandfather's actions and above all promises to bring the Freys to justice for the Red Wedding," Tyrion said, staring at Aegon.
"Apologize to the Starks? Arrest the Freys? Have you gone crazy, Imp?" Connington grunted.
"No, my Lord, it is imperative that the Prince does", Tyrion continued taking his glass back and taking a sip.
"Why's that?" Aegon asked.
"Because the North does not forget his Highness, they have not forgotten the crimes of the Mad King and the fact that Prince Rhaegar kidnapped Lyanna Stark does not help ... Prince Aegon must show his strength, but he must show that he is willing to leave behind the past, not to mention that he will have to give something else to the Northerners and the Rivermen, so they don't see him as an enemy, "Tyrion said.
"What do you speak of ?" Aegon asked, annoyed.
"Walder Frey's head," The dwarf said without hesitation, and all his companions were surprised.
"But why?" Aegon asked, confused.
"Walder Frey violated the rights of hospitality, invited Robb Stark and his men to a wedding in his castle and then as guests under his roof he brutally murdered them ... He and all his brood are cursed in the eyes of the Gods forever "Ser Barristan replied with disgust as he remembered that damn Weasel.
"Exactly, the Northerners and Rivermen are going to be very grateful if you come to the Red Wedding, and they will give us their support, not to mention that even if you refuse, you will eventually have to punish the Freys for committing such an act, after all, if your Highness allows such a heinous crime to go unpunished; it will terribly damage the image of your cause in the eyes of all Westeros, "Tyrion said.
"He is right; eventually, we will have to punish the Freys for that crime, but if we do it now, we could win allies", Jon thought.
And after a few moments, he sighed.
"First, we have to survive Mace Tyrell's offence ... Then we will decide what to do, for now, Lady Tyene write to your uncle and let us hope he will send us aid," Said the gryphon.
"Thank you, my Lord", Tyene said, bowing.
After that, she gave one last flirtatious look at her cousin and left with her companions.
--------------------------
The enemies arrived three days after that conversation in the middle of a brutal and terrible storm; it was an impressive army with the banners of House Tyrell in the vanguard and the banners of Minor Houses such as House Fossoway, House Bridge, House Tarly, among others. His cousin Tyene and her entourage were sheltered inside the castle since they did not want to get involved in the conflict so as not to implicate Dorne until they had the answer from Prince Doran.
But it only left them in a desperate situation ... Although Aegon knew that he had something that could win him the battle.
Annatar's the last gift ... The Ring of Ancient Valyria.
Ever since Aegon received the Ring from the Red Priest, he had wanted to use it, though he never had the opportunity to do so in part because he hadn't needed it. And he knew that his comrades did not trust Annatar.
Also, his companions dismissed the words of the Red Priest about the power of the Ring... But he felt that the Priest's words were no falsehood; the Ring spoke to him, and he could sense its great magics.
Despite his doubts, Rhaegar's son decided to keep the Ring as a precaution; it seemed Mace Tyrell was an utter fool, and they should have no issue defeating him.
It was time to go out and prove that the dragon's blood was still alive and ready to claim what was rightfully it's own.
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Unfortunately, if there were problems, many:
The Tyrell forces were very well prepared and had siege engines; their training and discipline were such that the storm seemed not to affect them.
"What's going on? ... This is not supposed to be like this", Aegon thought on the battlefield; he was covered in gore and mud flanked by Ser Barristan and Rolly, who were weary from the storm and battle.
"Mace Tyrell was supposed to be incompetent ..." Rolly said, panting.
"I agree ... The ... The siege machines were finished very soon; some were already prepared" Seconded Ser Barristan.
"What does that mean?" Aegon asked, beginning to despair as he fought a freckled soldier.
"What ... Maybe the one who directs this attack is not Mace Tyrell but ... Randyl Tarly," Said Ser Barristan.
"It can't be Lysono insisting that the one leading this attack is 'The Fat Flower of Highgarden'! Yelled Aegon.
The beginning of the battle started relatively well; allowing themselves to besiege was not an option, so they waited for the Tyrell army at the gates as it descended from the "Royal Road" the storm that started at the beginning of the battle hindered both armies Although to the surprise of the mercenaries the Tyrell army prepared siege engines in an effort to pierce the walls. Nevertheless, the ancestral castle of the Baratheon proved its solidity and has resisted them for the moment ... But despite all this, the Golden Company knew things had turned grim; the elephants could not be used in such terrible weather as the beast feared the clap of thunder and the heavy rain that obstructs their sight; they were just as likely to trample their own soldiers as the Tyrells.
The Tyrell cavalry demonstrated their efficiency and quickly began to impede their movement. Finally, they were closing in on them, shortening the distance between them to prevent them from using weapons such as spears.
The archers from the battlements were the only ones who could truly bring down the knights, and even then, the plate and mail of the Tyrell army proved it's worth turning aside dozens of arrows.
It was indeed a masterful strategy ... And they were not expecting it ... Some were even beginning to lose heart.
At that moment, one of Lysono's men approached them.
"We located Mace Tyrell; he leads his men from a flanked tent; we cannot get close by the heavily armed guards," said the spy.
"We have to capture him, or we'll perish here..." Rolly said.
"I thought Mace Tyrell was incompetent," Aegon said, barely dodging an attack.
"It is, all the reports say it ... I don't know what's going on here ..." Ser Barristan said, slitting the throat of an enemy.
"We have to capture him at any cost... Only then can we win!" Shouted Rolly.
"We have to…!" Aegon started to say, but an arrow brushed his cheek, causing him to fall to the ground.
.
"MAJESTY!" Rolly and Ser Barristan yelled simultaneously, alarmed to see Aegon downed but sighed as they realized it was just a scratch.
"Ser Rolly take Prince Aegon inside the castle ..." Ser Barristan ordered.
"NO! ... I refuse to hide behind the castle walls ..." Aegon yelled, getting up again.
"The Prince cannot stay here... He was already wounded, he cannot die here, or all this will have been useless go I will hold them off" Ser Barristan said.
"Sorry to say this ... But this battle is almost lost unless we catch Mace Tyrell... Everything will be over... We need a miracle," Rolly said.
"We can't get to Mace Tyrell's tent," Ser Barristan said sadly.
But Aegon was not listening, his whole world sank from the moment he heard that they were going to lose, they could not lose not after all they had achieved ... He was Prince Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar, descendant of the Conqueror he must do something.
"But what?" He thought, holding back tears of helplessness... Then, at that moment, he remembered it and rummaged through his coin pouch; he desperately fiddled around till he found it.
Annatar's Ring, the Ring of his ancestors ... The one that supposedly could grant him victory if there was a moment to try it and see the veracity of the Red Priest's words, it was now.
"Prince Aegon?" Asked Ser Barristan.
"Grif?" Rolly asked.
Aegon ignored them and began to work the Ring on his left ring finger until it was on.
He could feel that something had changed Immediately; the young Targaryen slowly opened his eyes and was amazed by what was happening; everything around him had acquired a gloomy colour, although everything else continued as before except that the shadows became terribly sharp.
He heard Ser Barristan and Rolly call him desperate, and although he called them, they did not hear him until he understood that they could not see him; for a few moments, he had the desire to remove the Ring, but an idea began to form in his head.
"So I can capture Mace Tyrell." Aegon thought with glee
Using his new power, Aegon calmly walked through the camp delighting in advancing with the naked eye without being seen ... until he finally saw the most enormous tent, ostentatious with the emblem of the golden rose on a green field surrounded by heavily armed knights, but Aegon merely walked passed them unnoticed.
"This is incredible," The Prince thought excitedly as he entered the tent.
On it was a huge banquet table and on it was a man with curly brown hair and a short beard that already had white and grey spots, triangular in shape ... And he was very fat.
He was wearing beautiful armour adorned with gold roses and jewels, which made him look like a mighty Lord, but that image was ruined by watching him devour a piece of chicken.
Behind him were two young men at a table talking and looking at a huge map of the region.
"These men are leading the siege, and this fucking pig is feasting?" Aegon thought indignantly.
Taking advantage of his invisibility, Aegon overturned the banquet table surprising everyone and threw himself at the knights before they could draw their swords, cutting their throats.
A surprised Mace Tyrell quickly dropped his piece of chicken and awkwardly drew his sword, but he couldn't see the assassin.
"Who's there?" He asked fearfully, but no one answered.
At that moment, the Lord of Highgarden was walloped in the face and knocked down. Hearing the chaos inside the tent, the soldiers outside entered to see their Lord on the ground and the advisers sent by Randyll Tarly dead on the floor.
Seeing them, Aegon cursed their impulsiveness as invisible or not; he could not take Mace Tyrell if the soldiers saw him.
"or perhaps I can, Aegon thought, and then he felt his Ring begin to throb, and he could see it shine; feeling an impulse, he held his sword with his left hand, and the blade began to shine like a pale flame.
He buried his sword in the ground.
The spell soldiers fell to the ground in terror as if a wraith had gripped their hearts, and soon the ground began to quake.
A surprised Aegon realized that the tremors did not affect him quickly took The fat flower and promptly began returning to the castle.
"By the gods, he must leave the banquets! ... Aegon thought, managing to move barely under the weight of his captive as the tremors worsened, knocking down all the soldiers.
Meanwhile, Mace Tyrell was only praying to the Seven to protect him from whatever captured him; that was when everyone realized that Mace Tyrell was on the battlefield; many of the Bannerman thought they had died seeing their oaf of a liege lord in the dirt.
Aegon managed to make out his mentor Jon Connington, who gave orders to the men to catch Mace, who was quickly captured while an invisible Aegon watched with satisfaction.
"Now our enemies will surrender," Aegon thought.
Then as if the Ring understood his thoughts, Aegon could perceive many emotions suddenly, fear, shock, frustration, anguish.
"Am I feeling their hearts? I care not for their emotions; I simply wish they would throw down their sword," Aegon thought.
As soon as his mind made that wish, the Tyrell soldiers were filled with evil and horror more unbearable they became, not less, at each new cry. At length, even the stout-hearted would fling themselves to the ground as the hidden menace passed over them, or they would stand, letting their weapons fall from nerveless hands while into their minds a blackness came, and they thought no more of war, but only of hiding and of crawling, and of death, Aegon merely gazed at the scene before him with terror and joy.
However, the power of the Ring was such that all the soldiers, regardless of whether they were allies or enemies, began to feel a deep cold roaming the battlefield, and even the Golden Company itself began to feel how their hearts began to shrink in fear ... While Aegon who looked happily at his enemies on the ground remained unaware of the influence he had on his allies.
"Is it real? ... Is this truly real?" Aegon thought.
"It's amazing!" He screamed, taking off his Ring, making himself visible to his stunned army.
"Prince Aegon!" Jon Connington yelled, running to the side of his "adopted son".
"Jon! ... This is incredible! .. Annatar did not lie to us! .. The power of the ring is real!" Aegon yelled in excitement.
"What?"
"It's true, I was invisible... I captured Mace Tyrell and then caused those tremors; also, I forced the soldiers to surrender to my will; it's just as Annatar said," Aegon said excitedly.
But his "Hand" just stared at him dumbfounded.
"Is this true?" He asked, unable to fully believe his Prince's words.
"Yes, this battle is already won," Aegon said excitedly.
Jon Connington only glanced at Ser Barristan and Rolly, who was still staring at Aegon and his Ring with awe in their eyes.
The Gryphon knew they would need to talk about this, but it was more important to take advantage of the enemy's loss of morale to win.
"Take Mace Tyrell to the dungeons, as well as everyone who wants to surrender ... This is not over, but let's not waste this ..." Connington said, looking at Prince Aegon, who was gazing longingly at the Ring.
"The Imp is right; no man would part with something as powerful as this ring willingly; something dark is afoot," Connington thought, looking at the Ring suspiciously, but nothing could be done.
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ---
Once the army of the Reach discovered that their Lord had been captured and his hosts dispersed, the Golden Company managed to keep the castle and take hostages from the members of many Noble Houses, which would force House Tyrell's hand. As for Lord Mace was brought to his knees before Prince Aegon, where he was later thrown into the dungeons when he refused to acknowledge the identity and authority of the Prince.
Finally, Prince Aegon told his counsel of the great powers; the Ring possessed and how it had won the day.
It must be said that none of them finished accepting that the Priest's words were true despite everything. But, nevertheless, the Ring had power, a power that could greatly aid their quest.
But while the Prince was elated and eager to find out what else the Ring could do ... His advisors were wary of such an object.
After all ... Who gives up power like that without the slightest qualm?
-------------
"My Prince, I am wary of this Ring, and you should be as well something as mighty as thing band of gold cannot come without great cost," Tyrion said, looking at the Ring placed on the Council table with a sense of dread.
"Lord Tyrion ... This gift, it won us victory when all seemed lost, Annatar was honest! With this, we can conquer Westeros in less than a year! " Said the Prince excited to discover more powers of his Ring.
"My Prince, Lord Tyrion is right; we do not know what reasons that Priest parted with it nor do we understand its nature or power, it indeed helped us ... But I do not trust its magic," Ser Barristan said, staring at the Ring as he remembered in dread the sense of inhuman terror he felt when the Prince used his power to defeat his enemies with fear.
"But ... What the Prince says is true, that battle was lost and the ring saved us, now we have Mace Tyrell prisoner, and we send ravens to his family to reach an agreement ... Trust or not, we owe him our lives and our campaign to this ring ... And to that Priest," Rolly said.
"Exactly ... I know what you want to tell me, and I appreciate your advice, but you made it clear to me from the beginning that our chances to win the" Iron Throne "were slim ... Now with this power ... That has changed we will be able to win without much difficulty... And without losing lives or further damaging the Kingdom, "Said Aegon and his words had a considerable weight for everyone, especially for Tyrion and Ser Barristan, who had already known first hand all the destruction that Westeros had. Suffered in the War of the Five Kings.
At that moment, Jon Connington, who remained crossed his arms, sighed and massaged his temple.
"What grim fortune, but Prince Aegon is right, the Priest is right ... We can't waste this power ... But I don't trust Annatar," Connington thought with trepidation.
"Haldon ..." Connington said suddenly.
"Yes? Lord Connington .. "Said the Half-Maester, who did not take his eyes off the Ring.
"I want you to look for information about this ring; I want to know everything about it, even if they are just legends ... I want to know what we are dealing with ..." Connington said, looking at Annatar's Ring fiercely and the Halfmaester nodded.
But Aegon could not understand why this distrust towards Annatar's gift, Now they had the victory assured! At that moment, feeling that the Ring was calling him again, Aegon quickly took it from the table, and before anyone could stop it, he placed it on his finger.
This time not only did he become invisible, but now he could see many images around him ... He was in a port, a city and in the centre of the bay, there was a great stone tower topped with a banner that bore a white tower crowned with flames on smoke grey Aegon remembered that sigil.
Suddenly he no longer saw the Hightower or the City but a strange creature ... A squid if his studies were correct, but this squid was ... Monstrous ... It was a tall, twisted thing with ten long black tentacles sailing on the trail of blood in the sea and with a single red eye with a black pupil under a black iron crown held by two ravens.
It was the most disgusting thing Aegon had ever seen.. well, the second thing, Harry's blistered feet being washed and dried by his poor squire, was still the undefeated image in the first place.
But then ... Something began to change ... The image of the horrible squid disappeared ... And suddenly a beautiful sword appeared in front of him ... It was a half-hilt sword with a blackened blade and a ruby on it. The handle, as well as a hilt adorned with dragons.
Aegon recognized the sword as soon as he saw it ... Blackfyre, the famous Valyrian Steel sword of his family given by Aegon The Unworthy to Daemon Blackfyre and believed lost.
"Why do I see this? ... Is the Ring trying to tell me something?" Aegon thought, and at that moment, he took off the Ring, appearing in front of everyone's terrified gaze.
"Aegon!" Shouted Connington, breathing easy when he saw his Prince safe and sound.
"Is your Highness alright?" Haldon asked, starting to examine Aegon, who seemed somewhat absent.
"Yes.." Though Aegon was unsure of that
"You disappeared when you put the Ring on," Tyrion said.
"I did not disappear, Lord Tyrion, only you could not see me, I think the Ring showed me a vision", Aegon said as his companions looked at him, confused.
"What things?" Connington asked.
At that moment, Aegon told everyone his vision of the Hightower and the monstrous squid and the finding of his families ancestral blade.
"Maybe ... It was nothing ..." Tyrion said, but the truth was that not even he was convinced.
"Your Highness thinks the same, the ancestral sword of your family was lost at the end of the First Blackfyre Rebellion when" Bitter Steel "returned to Essos", Ser Barristan said.
"I know, but the Ring showed it to me... I am also intrigued by the monstrous creature that it showed me... What could that be?" The young Prince wondered.
"A squid is the heraldry of House Greyjoy, and that monstrous squid by his description carried the personal heraldry of Euron Greyjoy, who as far as we know is the new king of the" Iron Islands ", Tyrion replied.
"Another usurper then", Aegon replied with annoyance.
"According to information from our spies, the Ironborn have taken the Shield Islands attacking the mouth of the Mander ... The Redwyne fleet is already on its way to 'Oldtown' to deal with them," said the Halfmaester.
"Why would the ring show me this? ... Does that Euron Greyjoy have my family's sword?" Aegon asked no one in particular.
"I don't know, your Highness ... But this Ring is too important ..." Tyrion said, beginning to worry about the influence that Ring was starting to have on the Prince.
But this one did not seem to listen.
"I already decided what we will do, we will go to 'Oldtown', and I will see that ... Euron Greyjoy by myself, prepare everything Jon ..." Aegon ordered.
"Your Highness ... I must suggest keeping our current plans ... We cannot go to battle in Oldtown ..." the Gryphon began to reply.
"I know, and don't worry, our plans shall not be thwarted we shall go to Oldtown in disguise while Barristan and Tyrion remain here as they are too well known throughout the Kingdoms and perhaps if we can defeat Euron, we may earn the loyalty of another great house, Aegon said, looking longingly at Annatar's Ring on the Council table, and it whispered something to him that filled him with a sense of longing and power.
"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie
One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them,
One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie . "