"Rȳbās, Caraxes!" Daemon commanded, the words seem to fall off of his tongue easily, the perks of having the memories of speaking this strange and almost extinct language. In his previous life he had struggled to grasp the basics of French or German taught at school by disinterested teachers.
Here, he worked off of the memories of another who was fluent at it and was privately taught by maesters and scholars.
Perks of an education exclusive only for the rich and powerful I guess.
He scribbled down the command in his book "That is a command to listen and obey." He muttered. He looked back at the dragon who watched him "Demās!" He watched the dragon as it sat down, he walked towards the dragon and patted it on the snout "Gevī! Caraxes; good, good." He had grown use to the dragon by now; confident in its presence and almost protective of it.
My sister and I had always wanted a pet; dad tried to convince mum to get a dog but she didn't want hair on her white carpet.
"Whose a good boy?" Daemon said as he rubbed the dragon's scales "Yes you are, yes you are." He placed his hand back to the journal in his other hand, he flicked through some of the pages and reached the end, he reached his tally.
On it were one hundred and ten tally marks, each one symbolising a day spent here.
I've been here for over three months now…
He rubbed his face, pressing into his jaw and closed his eyes. While the memory of his name had escaped him, he could still make out the memories of his past life; the smell of the food he loved to eat, the look of his flat, the old books in his room no doubt collecting dust, the sound of his mother's voice, his sister's voice, his niece and nephews laugher… yet when he thought of his father, Baelon seemed to skew that memory.
Will I forget him… Will I forget them…
As if sensing his rider's distress, Caraxes nudged Daemon slightly and gently rubbed its snout against his arm. Daemon smiled and patted the dragon "Thank you, Caraxes." Still he looked into his book and at the marks he made.
Ten days… I have ten days.
He had trained for the moment as best he could; the first time he went flying with Baelon he had thought he would die, it took tapping into all the courage and determination that the old Daemon had and the pain in his chest to stop his refusal, and then an even greater amount to strap himself onto the saddle of the dragon.
When Vhagar took flight Daemon wanted nothing more than to cry out to land yet the pain kept him silent, it was as if Daemon was holding a dagger to his heart and threatened to take them both down it he tried anything; he spent the ascent into the sky grappling with the old Daemon and tossing him back, as he tried to maintain his own composure.
Yet when he looked upon the view from the dragon, he was instantly struck by it; he had seen the views from tall towers and on plane windows but nothing could have compared him to this, the wind in his hair, condensation of the clouds wetting his cheeks, the cold air in his lungs and the sight of a green expanse leading to a vast ocean, with the massive city of King's Landing just an anthill below. It was one of those moments he wished he could use his phone to take a picture with.
From there the rest of the experience was almost similar to the feeling of being on a rollercoaster, one that could possibly kill him. It had scared him but by the end he had almost enjoyed it.
"Next time, I shall be riding Vhagar" he didn't know where he managed to summon the courage for that one, in truth it took him more than a few journeys with Baelon at the helm before he tried riding a dragon and that time holding the reins.
"Caraxes?" he called out to his dragon who looked at him quizzically "Should we try a practice run?" he smiled at the dragon. He turned to the entrance of the Chamber "Good Alyn!" he called out. The dragonkeeper rushed into view. "I'll shall be flying this morning and will likely not be back until later tonight." The keeper nodded their head as they opened the gate. Daemon climbed onto Caraxes' back.
If I'm to fly to Runestone, then I'll need to try flying long distances; a trip to Dragonstone
He thought back to the first time he had gotten his driver's licence and the long trip from Croydon to Norwich as one of his first journeys.
I guess it's something like that.
Yet he knew there was a greater purpose to the visit.
Grandmother… Gael…
"Jās!" Daemon commanded and the dragon moved forward, out of the cage and towards the dome. He looked down on the dragonkeepers and ser Robin who watched him "Pass this message to my father, ser Robin!" he tossed rolled up parchment which Robin caught in his hand "I would not be so unkind as the disturb my father at such an hour" he winked at Robin "I shall be attempting a practice run for my journey, the message shall explain as such to my father." He saluted the knight, Robin looked at him confused. "Godspeed ser!"
"Take care, My Prince." Robin replied.
"Sōvēs!" Daemon commanded. Caraxes began to flap his wings as his feet was lifted from the ground and he ascended through the hole in the dome and into the sky. Daemon took in the view of the city; each time the city looked different depending on where the sun was. Now an orange haze bathed the city as morning began to break through the night.
Daemon breathed in the cool and crisp morning air
If only I had my headphones.
He looked out into the bay of King's Landing, a vast stretch of water in front of him; beyond the bay was Dragonstone.
And Alysanne and Gael.
"Onwards!" he told the dragon as he hovered in the fly "We're heading to Dragonstone."
We have someone to save.
"Naejot!" he commanded Aderī! Caraxes!" he leaned forward into his saddle as Caraxes leaned forward and burst forward through the sky, the wind striking against his face. He squinted his eyes as he focused straight ahead at his destination.
Through the rushing winds he could waves and birds that soared by his side. "Double-time, Caraxes!" he didn't know if the dragon understood what he meant by he could have sworn that the dragon had responded to his command and began to move faster.
It started as a spec on the horizon before growing larger and larger as they went on; an island came to view. Daemon's heart leapt out of his chest for a moment, thinking he had come upon his target.
When he spotted a dragon flying over he had truly believed that he reached Dragonstone.
Wait… shouldn't there be a giant black mountain?
The other dragon began to circle around him as he pass by the coastline; a Red dragon, large in size with a rider hailing him.
"Daemon!" the rider called out, raising their hand. "Land!"
Daemon patted Caraxes on the neck "Ninkiot!" he commanded, Caraxes slowed his flight and began to approach the rocky coastline of the island below them as the other dragon did the same. The ground below them was lush and green. Before Daemon dismounted he looked to the beach and spotted logs of wood being pushed onto white sands.
Driftmark…
He turned to face the other dragon, now he began to recognise the dragon and its rider.
"Rhaenys." He spoke as his cousin approached him.
Daemon's cousin… both my parents were an only child.
Rhaenys was wore a black breastplate with the red insignia of house Targaryen emblazon on it, there were the trimmings of chainmail around her shoulders and arms over the rest of her clothes, with a red cloak attached to her amour and a dark helmet on her head.
"Cousin." Rhaenys said as she grabbed her helmet, removing it from her head, her black hair falling to her shoulders.
The book had described her as a great beauty and in Daemon's memories of her wedding day she was nice to look upon, someone who was obviously beautiful. But through his eyes?
"Woah." He spoke involuntarily, Rhaenys raised her eyebrow at the remark "You look well, cousin, beautiful as always."
She's my cousin, thats gross!
"Thank you, cousin." Rhaenys said "You look well yourself, we had heard about your accidents, it is good to see you on your feet again."
Daemon bowed his head "Thank you."
"What brings you to Driftmark?"
"I was actually on my way to Dragonstone to see her Grace Alysanne and Princess Gael." Daemon then pointed to the sky "Then I happen to fly pass you, a small world it seems."
"Quite." A few guards approached them, sea green livery with the insignia of a seahorse on their amour. "Have you eaten yet?"
"Ah no, I have not, I had planned on breaking my fast on Dragonstone."
"Would you care to join my family for breakfast?"
Daemon looked at her, then looked at his dragon as he contemplated the offer. He didn't have too much of a memory of Laena or Laenor but he did have a vast recollection of Corlys; he was a proud man, almost intimidating but highly ambitious.
If I refused… Would he view this as a slight? A Targaryen Prince stopping on his lands yet not greeting it's lord?
He thought of Alysanne and Gael, he wondered how much time he had.
"I fear I cannot stay for breakfast but I shall see your home and children dear cousin, I'm sure your lord husband will want to know I was here too." He clasped his hands together and smiled "I best not upset the Sea Snake."
Rhaenys almost scoffed and rolled her eyes "Yes, best not."
The two quickly mounted onto their dragons and flew towards High Tide; from above Daemon could only marvel at the castle. Despite being smaller than the Red Keep it looked to be almost grander, reminding him less of medieval western Europe castle and more of ancient Greece or Roman temple. The Castle looked to have been made from white stone or some kind of marble and its towers were capped with a shiny metal on which the morning sunlight gleamed.
Daemon followed Rhaenys, they landed their dragons onto a platform connected to the castle. "High Tide has an underground cavern for dragons." Rhaenys told him "The servants are experienced in handling dragons."
Daemon dismounted the dragon and quickly moved to Caraxes head "Dohaerās, Caraxes." He told the dragon "Lykirī, be calm, I'll be back." He turned to the guard "If anything happens just tell me." The guard nodded. "What is your name?"
"It is Gaeron, My Prince."
"Good Gaeron, I thank you." The guardsman bowed their head.
"Come cousin, are you not in a hurry?" Rhaenys pointedly asked. Daemon nodded his head and rushed over to her as they were escorted to the main gate.
Two large finely smoothed oak doors opened before them to reveal a grand hall; the floors were polished white stone, finely cut pillars held up the building as the Seahorse banners decorated the hall on each wall, silver chandeliers hung from the ceiling and at the centre were steps on an elevated platform of three steps, a blue carpet with teal trimmings covered the steps and behind it a stain glass window of an ocean and ships.
On the platform was a large throne that looked to be made of dark wood, a seat carved into it.
With Corlys sat upon it.
Daemon swallowed slightly, he felt apprehensive standing before him. Yet a curiosity about the Sea Snake stirred in his chest, a sort of kinship between two souls.
Daemon knows… a key to his legacy lies through Corlys….
Daemon shifted uncomfortably in place as he sought to push the old Daemon away.
"Prince Daemon." Corlys called out from his seat. "I welcome you to High Tide."
Daemon quickly bowed his head "You have my thanks, my lord."
Corlys stood up from his seat and walked down the seats, Daemon held his breath "Come, you must stay with us, let us break our fast together, I'm sure the children will be overjoyed to see a new visitor."
"I would love to stay lord Corlys, but as I have told my dear cousin Princess Rhaenys I must be off to see my grandmother and aunt the princess Gael."
"Come I'm sure an hour or two will not go amiss." Corlys insisted he grabbed Daemon by the arm and almost dragged him towards the hallway.
There was a burning frustration emanating in his heart, as if telling him "Stand your ground!"
It's best I don't offend this guy, he's a key player in the Dance… I might need to stay in his good books if I need to work with him.
He was led to a private dining room, a finely crafted wooden table at the centre with a white cloth covering the surface, polished plates and cutlery was laid out on the table, on the white stone walls was a large view to the ocean.
"Take a seat, Cousin." Rhaenys said "I shall join you with the children after I've gotten changed." Rhaenys then left him Corlys as he took his seat at the head of the table while Daemon sat on the right hand side of him.
"How are you finding High Tide, my Prince?"
"It is truly something to behold." Daemon said.
"The old seat of our house was a rundown castle, truly unfit to house a family such as House Velaryon." Corlys commented "It was through my own endeavour that this castle stands, but it is merely just a part of my own legacy."
It took Daemon simply nodded along; he had known many ambitious people in his life. He had heard this kind of talk before and how to handle them.
"It is a testament to you." Daemon complemented.
"We are a proud house, one of the few families that survived the Doom, much like your own." Corlys said. "Some chronicles say we were here in Westeros even before House Targaryen yet we were loyal allies to your house." Daemon listened intently to the self-aggrandisement yet Daemon was irritated with each word. "Which is why it surprised me how easy it was for your grandfather to spurn us."
Oh no…
"I do apologise for any offense that my grandfather, his Grace, had caused on your House."
"It is not your mistake to apologise for my Prince." Corlys said. Rhaenys arrived in the room; dressed in a red and black dress with gold woven into the seams, Laena and Laenor arrived, their clothes bearing the colouring of House Velaryon, a sea green with silver seams and trimmings.
"Children, greet the Prince." Rhaenys told them.
"Good morning, Prince Daemon." They both said it unison.
Daemon smiled at the pair "Good morning to you too." As his eyes fell upon Laena, his chest once more ached, the same feeling he had when he first saw Rhaenyra.
Daemon…
The memory of the twins, of Baela and Rhaena, flickered in his mind.
Can I have one day… without you doing this?!
He clutched his chest and shut his eyes.
"Daemon, are you well?" Rhaenys asked.
Daemon quickly raised his hand "I am well, after the accident I've been experiencing chest pains but they go away." He said, successfully banishing Daemon down once more. He placed his hands down onto his lap and smiled softly at them again
"Children, take your seats." Rhaenys said, his cousin sitting opposite to him as Leana sat next to her and Laenor sat next to Daemon as the servants brought in the food, it was only when the trays of food were brought in that Daemon realised he was famished.
Rashers of bacons, meat or fish pies and pastries, hot and fried bread with butter and honey jam with jugs of sweet wine.
"As I was saying, it is not your mistake to apologise for." Corlys said "But that does not mean we should live with the decisions made by those currently with power." Daemon bit into a piece of fried bread as his eyes looked to Corlys "While the old King has caused some friction between our houses that does not mean your father, Prince Baelon, needs to continue it as such."
"I remember Prince Baelon being a staunch ally to my father and dotted on me as a child." Rhaenys said as she cut into a piece of fish pastry. "I am sure he is more willing to hear out our grievances."
Daemon felt as if he was being forced into a corner.
"Family is of the upmost importance to him." Daemon said as he looked at Rhaenys "He still speaks fondly of your father cousin and of you." He turned to Corlys "Speaking only for myself, I do believe that how House Velaryon was treated was unbecoming of the second house in the realm" he said buttering a piece of hot bread. "This is a schism that should be mended and I am sure my father will agree."
"That is all well in good but as you said, this schism should be mended and we will require supporters, would House Velaryon count on your support."
Going straight for it huh?
"As a Prince I have some power but as the second son to Baelon I do not have the same amount of influence as my brother Viserys would have." Daemon explained "But should the opportunity arise to mend this divide and unite our families than I shall work for both our interests." He bit into his toast and bacon sandwich.
"That is all we ask for, dear cousin." Rhaenys said with a smile as she ate a piece of her food.
Daemon turned to Laenor "I heard you have a dragon, young lord." The five year old looked at him "What's its name?"
"Seasmoke, My Prince." Laenor replied.
"I have a dragon too, you know when the brick hit my head I forgot how to ride my dragon!" Daemon exclaimed faking surprise "So I had to write a book to remember all I learnt to become a dragon rider, would you like me to tell you what I learned?"
Laenor's eye lit up "Yes please, Prince Daemon!"
"Can I hear too?" Laena asked almost jumping from her seat.
Daemon quickly glanced over to Corlys and Rhaenys "Of course!" he said, not waiting for their approval when he heard the eagerness on his niece's face. Laena almost ran to the other side of table, Daemon stood up from his seat, picked her up and seated her in the now empty chair as he stood over them, leaning forward.
"What do you say, Laena?" Rhaenys asked looking at her.
"Thank you, Prince Daemon." Laena said.
"Please, niece and nephew, we are family, you can call me uncle Daemon."
"Thank you, uncle Daemon." Daemon blinked a few times, fight back tears as memories of his sister's children played in his mind. He focused back onto the book in his hand.
"So for weeks I went back and forth to the dragonpit…" he told the two of them, he didn't know how long he had spent telling them his story and some of the stories he wrote down but when Rhaenys had asked if he wished to stay for lunch did he realise.
As he mounted Caraxes he waved them goodbye "I shall return to see you soon!" he told them, looking at two siblings who looked distraught to see him leave.
"Safe travels, Prince Daemon." Corlys said.
"Sōvēs!" Demon ordered as Caraxes flapped its wings and rose from the ground "Aderī!" Caraxes shot through the sky, its wings pushing it forward. In a few minutes the island of Driftmark had turned from a vast island into a mere spec on the horizon as Caraxes pushed forward "Quickly Caraxes!"
When he came upon a dark island with a massive black mountain at its centre did the depressing sight bring a smile to Daemon lips. She spotted some dragons flying around the mountain. When he saw a castle of black rock with large dragon statues decorating its walls did Daemon land near the steps to the castle.
As he dismounted his dragon, a group of servants met him. "Prince Daemon, we welcome you." They said bowing their heads.
"Thank you." He said to them "I am looking for her Grace Alysanne, my grandmother, do you know-" he looked up to the steps leading the mouth of the castle to see an old woman flanked by a member of the King's guard.
She wore a black dress and veil over her head which almost hid her face.
"My Prince-" Daemon ignored the servant as he ran up the stairs and towards Alysanne.
"Grandmother!" he called out to her, all the memories of her that had fuelled his determination rushed back to him, he had forgone formalities as he held her in an embrace and placed a kiss on her head "It is lovely to see you again after so long."
Alysanne held him tight as she placed her head on his shoulder… and wept. "Daemon…"
Daemon froze before then pulling away slightly, then he noticed her black dress had no red trimmings or seams. He gently lifted the black veil from her face, revealing her red eyes and tear stained face. "Where is Gael?" it was almost a whisper, less than that with how weak it sounded.
"My Prince." The kingsguard spoke up "Follow me please."
Daemon followed the knight through Dragonstone's halls.
No…
There were servants carrying out their tasks with their heads bowed.
No…
He noticed a Septon meet his eyes. "Prince Daemon, you have my condolences."
No…
There were silent sisters passing in and out of a room.
No…
As he reached the entrance to the room he saw the still body of a young woman lying in the bed, her skin paler than what would be for a Targaryen and a stench of seawater in the air.
Daemon gripped the frame of the door as he collapsed to his knees
"No…"