Seven days passed in a blur.
The three-masted ship, bearing the three red dragon flags, crossed Blackwater Bay and arrived at the harbor of Driftmark.
The harbor was not as bustling as usual; it felt eerily quiet. Apart from a few freighters, the only sound was the rustling of the tides washing the beach.
Rhaena, dressed in a white gown, waited at the harbor, her eyes fixed on the approaching royal ship.
A group of guards stepped onto the dock, forming two lines.
Alicent, in a green dress, was the first to appear, supporting a pale and weak Viserys.
"Slow down, we're on land now," Alicent gently urged, patting her husband on the back.
Viserys' seasickness had returned with a vengeance, and he had been vomiting profusely.
The king and queen led the way, with Rhaegar and his younger siblings following behind. To accommodate his father, Rhaegar had opted for the slower boat ride instead of flying on his dragon.
"Roar..."
The shadow of a dragon flashed across the sky, disturbing the other dragons and breaking the peaceful atmosphere.
Golden Syrax, Sunfyre, and the light silver-gray Seasmoke scattered at the sight of Cannibal's arrival.
Laena stepped forward to greet them, bowing respectfully. "Your Grace."
Viserys nodded, attempting to speak, but swallowed back his words as his throat tightened.
"He's a bit under the weather. We'll need the Maester to take a look at him later," Alicent said, forcing a smile and conveying her husband's condition.
Laena nodded in understanding and led the way ahead.
...
As they rode into High Tide in the carriage, the atmosphere inside the castle was even more somber.
When they entered the hall, many guests were already waiting.
Laena apologized, "Father is bedridden and Mother is attending to the guests. I'm the only one available to entertain you."
The Sea Snake had been seriously injured in the defeat at Bloodstone Island and had been recuperating on Driftmark. He had just awakened but suffered a high fever upon hearing of Vaemond's death and was in a fragile state.
Viserys, his seasickness eased somewhat, managed a weak smile. "It's no problem. Take me to Lord Corlys."
He needed to meet the master of the castle, of course.
"This way, Your Grace," Laena replied, and with Alicent's help, they assisted the king up the stairs.
Left aside, Rhaegar shrugged and addressed his younger siblings, "Move around freely, but don't wander off."
"Okay," Helaena replied first, taking Aemond and Daeron by the hands and heading towards the table laden with food.
Daeron, like a curious child, quickly freed himself from his sister's grip and scampered off.
Aemond, blushing slightly, allowed his sister to lead the way, following like a shadow.
Rhaegar didn't worry much. The different hair and eye colors of his siblings made them easily recognizable. In the relatively safe confines of Driftmark, there was no one who would dare bully them.
"Rhaegar!"
He turned at the sound of Rhaenyra's voice and saw her on the stairs leading to the second floor.
Rhaenyra had abandoned her usual luxurious style. She was wearing a simple, long, strapless black dress, devoid of her usual elaborate lace and jewelry. Her long hair was pulled back.
With a single glance, Rhaegar understood the reason for her attire.
"Rhaenyra, have you become a nanny?" he teased, noticing the swaddled babies she was holding.
Rhaenyra proudly lifted her chin and denied, "No! I have no milk. I am the adoptive mother of two babies."
After the celebration following the Riverlands rebellion, the siblings had parted ways for a while. Rhaenyra had flown to Driftmark to help with the children, keeping her promise to Laena.
Rhaegar climbed the steps and reached out to take one of the swaddled infants.
"Hmph, you know what you're doing," Rhaenyra said with a smile, clearly relieved to share the burden.
Rhaegar glanced down at the swaddled, dark-skinned baby girl, who squirmed and waved her tiny arms and legs. After a moment, he lost interest and leaned closer to Rhaenyra, whispering, "How is Lord Corlys?"
"Don't be mean," Rhaenyra replied, nudging him. "Lord Corlys is fine, but Laenor cried so much I couldn't handle it."
Laenor had gone to war with his uncle, survived the battle, but his uncle died from the aftermath. Realizing something was wrong had deeply shocked him.
As Rhaenyra spoke, Rhaegar's eyes flickered with thought.
Logically, if the Triarchy was targeting someone for assassination, it wouldn't have been Vaemond. Aegon and Laenor were more obvious choices. Yet, Vaemond was the one struck down.
He couldn't make sense of it.
Rhaenyra nudged him again and said quietly, "Don't dwell on it. The funeral is this afternoon."
"Okay," Rhaegar replied, his thoughts coming back to the present. "Find a nurse to feed the baby."
He walked up the stairs with a teasing smile.
...
Afternoon
The sea breeze blew gently, and the tide washed over the reef.
In the back garden of High Tide, on a flat, sea-facing cliff, guests gathered around a solid wood coffin carved with a human figure in the center.
Viserys and Alicent stood to the side with their children. Corlys, seated in a wheelchair with gauze around his neck, was pushed by Rhaenys, who was covered in a black veil.
When the hour arrived, Corlys ignored the advice of Rhaenys and chose to bury his brother himself.
In a dull, hoarse voice, he recited a eulogy:
"We meet this day at the Seat of the Sea to send Ser Vaemond of the House of Velaryon into the waters of Eternity, within the borders of the King of Mermaids. Forever under his protection in the years to come."
As the eulogy was recited line by line, the guards attached ropes to the coffin and slowly lowered it into the waters below the cliff.
With the most important part of the funeral now over, the guests dispersed, and the servants brought out food and wine for the farewell feast.
"Roar..."
A dragon's roar rang out as Syrax flapped its wings, hovering over the castle as if spreading its wings in farewell. Accompanying Syrax were Meleys, the Red Queen, and Seasmoke. On the mountaintop adjacent to the castle, a light blue dragon lounged lazily, flicking its tail. On the crags of the neighboring cliffs, Sunfyre stood on two feet, looking down proudly.
Cannibal and Vhagar were absent; their immense size left no suitable place for them to land.
Viserys took Alicent's hand and headed back to the castle with Corlys and Rhaenys. Laena found Rhaenyra and pulled her aside for a chat.
Rhaegar was left behind again, looking around helplessly. Laenor, looking mournful, drank wine after wine, accompanied by a handsome knight. Aegon drank his wine with equal fervor, his eyes lingering on the maids, occasionally slapping one on the backside.
With nothing else to do, Rhaegar stretched and found Helaena sitting on her knees in a corner, playing with a ball of thread. She closed her eyes, feigning sleep.
"Sister..."
Aemond ran from the distance with a smile on his face. Helaena immediately turned her head and put her index finger to her lips, reminding him, "Shhh! Keep your voice down."
She pointed to Rhaegar, who was sitting behind her, signaling Aemond to be quiet. Aemond froze, his hands stirring behind his back, and whispered, "Oh, okay."
Stealing a glance at his older brother, Rhaegar, there was more than a touch of jealousy in his eyes.
...
Beside the wine table, Laena held Rhaenyra's hand and smiled warmly. "Rhaenyra, thank you for preparing the dragon eggs for the children."
"It's my responsibility as their foster mother," Rhaenyra replied calmly.
"Thank you," Laena repeated, her eyes flashing with reluctance. She took a deep breath. "When the children turn one, they will be sent to Dragonstone or King's Landing, where you will raise them."
Adopting a child in these times was akin to taking a hostage—an agreement both parties had already accepted, yet it pained Laena to part with her children.
Rhaenyra, not yet a mother herself, couldn't fully grasp her friend's anguish but offered reassurance. "The children will grow up healthy in my care. Whether they become dragonriders or ladies, they will have the choice."
"I believe you," Laena responded with a bittersweet smile. Then she hesitated before asking, "What about Daemon? I haven't heard from him since leaving King's Landing."
Rhaenyra paused, then replied, "He's... managing. I don't know the details, but he's probably in the dungeon doing penance."
Both women exchanged a knowing smile at the word "penance." With Daemon's prideful nature, admitting fault or repenting was unlikely.
Laena squeezed Rhaenyra's hand slightly harder and pleaded, "Rhaenyra, on the children's first naming day, I want them to meet their father."
"You'll need to ask my father for that," Rhaenyra replied, narrowing her eyes.
Laena's sincerity was evident as she whispered, "I will seek His Grace's favor, but I need your help, for the sake of the children."
"I'll try. It's just one meeting; it shouldn't be a problem," Rhaenyra said, drawing back her hand, her voice cold.
"Thank you," Laena whispered gratefully.
...
High Tide, Driftwood Throne Hall.
Corlys sat in a wheelchair, his face etched with dismay. Beside him, Rhaenys looked on, her worry for her husband's health evident.
"Lord Corlys, I am deeply saddened by Ser Vaemond's passing. The kingdom will remember his dedication," Viserys said from the driftwood throne, his gaze steady on Corlys and Rhaenys.
Rhaenys stepped forward, her voice firm. "Cousin, you and I both know that Vaemond's death is not natural."
She had already begun an investigation and suspected the use of a notorious poison—Tears of Lys. Colorless and tasteless, it could be easily slipped into food, causing mild stomach discomfort at first, but worsening until it became lethal.
Viserys' smile faded. "The Triarchy suffered heavy losses. I expected retaliation, but not like this."
Rhaenys was about to speak when Corlys interrupted. "Your Grace, Vaemond died for the realm. His life's honor is intact. But the Triarchy is growing too bold, and the defenses of the Stepstones remain inadequate."
Viserys asked, "The mercenaries on Grey Gallows are retreating, and the army of the realm is stationed there. What more is needed?"
Corlys, his voice raspy but determined, replied, "To end this threat, we must build fortresses on Bloodstone Island and Grey Gallows Island. Constant vigilance is needed against the Triarchy's attacks."
This was a proposal Corlys had championed since becoming the navy commander.
"I will consider it carefully, Lord Corlys," Viserys said after a moment of silence.
His mind wandered to Alicent's idea of giving the land for Aegon and to Daemon languishing in the dungeon.
With that, the conversation ended and Viserys left High Tide.
Corlys watched him retreat, his eyes dark and uncertain, his fists clenched. The Velaryon House had sacrificed too much in the Stepstones War.
"Corlys, take it easy," Rhaenys urged, her concern palpable.
"I'm fine," Corlys replied, though his gaze remained fixed on the flickering candle flame. He murmured to himself, "The Triarchy will pay a more painful price, sooner or later!"
(Word count: 1,849)