It had only been a few months since his return from Runestone and yet Daemon wanted nothing more than to take to Caraxes' back and fly back home. He longed the company of his craftsmen and workers, longed for the feeling of the cool mountain air, longed for the peace.
Longed to see and encourage Perra, longed for his sons and the joy they gave him.
Longed to be with Rhea… he missed everything about her; her touch, her smile, her laughter and voice, her hair and her eyes.
The feeling in his heart was warm as he though of their memory.
Have you grown soft, Daemon?
He taunted Daemon but that instead earnt him a shock of pain instead, he clutched his chest from the surprise attack, yet unsurprised by the action.
"Are you well, my Prince?" Cley asked, Daemon was thankful he still had him around.
"I am well, just some sudden chest pains." Daemon assured him.
"Well, lets not get caught with more while we're here." Cley said, looking around, it has not been their first time traversing the streets of King's Landing to reach Mysaria's brothel, yet each time Cley was always on edge; constantly on the lookout for cutthroats or pick pocketers.
"We should not be too far anyways." Daemon said, pointing the way down the road. The two quickly made their way down the street, hoods up and short swords in hand. When the reached the entrance, Daemon dropped his hook slightly to show the guards his face.
The guards nodded their heads and stood to the side as the two entered into the establishment. The inside of the building has changed since Mysaria and taken it over; gone were the more Westerosi elements and fake exotic rugs and curtains, now a more Lyseni touch had replaced it and, much to Daemon approval, the workers were treated better.
Though it still did not sit right with him that he could play a part in someone's murder.
How could I do something like that?
He tried to convince himself that Dalla was not a good person and that Mysaria would be a better owner and trusted ally… yet still the thought troubled him.
One of the girls recognised them, a summer island woman, Alia, came to them, "Ah Prince and Ser, welcome back." She said, making sure her tone was quiet enough to not catch anyone's attention.
"We need to speak to Mysaria". Daemon said.
Alia pressed her lips together "You may have to wait a while." She said "She is currently 'entertaining' someone in her private quarters."
Daemon sighed "Otto." He muttered, Alia nodded her head. "Fine, what time did he come in?"
"About an hour or so." She replied "Would you like a drink while you wait? Mayhaps you would like to spend time with someone?" she moved just a little bit closer.
Daemon moved back "We'll both just take the drinks."
"What Luckly wives you have." She laughed before leaving them in the main hall of the building, sitting down on some cushioned chairs.
"Daemon, are you sure we can still trust her." Cley said in a hushed tone. "I know she gains information from her relationship with the Tyroshi captain but surly this cuts both ways?"
Daemon pondered this; his partnership with Mysaria had helped him, no doubt about it, but Cley had a point, she had gotten close to this Tyroshi lord's son.
She my friend, of course I trust her.
"I will keep this in mind" he said, trying to ease Cley's concern.
It must have been another twenty or so minutes when Daemon spotted Ollo; a tall man, possibly the same age as Mysaria or Daemon, he had the bright red hair and moustache associated with those in Essos, dressed in fine clothes.
Both men pulled their hoods down, trying to hide their face as he left. "Wait a moment." Daemon said. When a couple minutes had passed did they make their move up the stairs. Through the halls and into her personal solar.
Daemon knocked on the door.
"Enter." Mysaria called out, master room was spacious, with clearly hastily made bed at the side and an oak desk near stain-glass window. The air was thick with lavender incense, among other things. "Daemon, Cley" she said "Always good to see your faces." She was dressed in a very revealing pink silk gown.
"Should we come back?" Daemon asked, trying to keep his eyes focusing above her neck.
"Please, we are friends and partners, I have revealed more to you than this." She teased "So what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Information of the Triarchy? Or Corlys?"
"Corlys."
"Hmm, that's good." She remarked "I haven't been able to get much on the Triarchy's delegation recently."
"Pretty boy not speaking during the meetings?" Cley asked.
"We don't speak, more he grunts and I scream." She cheekily replied, Daemon coughed on his drink "Has anyone ever said Daemon, you are adorable when flustered?" she smiled. "My other ears in the city have heard of messengers and ravens being sent from manses across the city and my ladies have noticed a few men-at arms from the Reach and the Vale this time."
"Any houses in particular?"
"Redwyne and Grafton, at least that's what I've gotten so far."
"Coastal houses, those who have something to lose due to Triarchy tariffs." Daemon noted.
"Sounds like he's preparing for war against the Triarchy." Mysaria said. "But will it be enough to take them down?"
Daemon pondered this; in another life the true Daemon, Corlys and an army of second sons, ambitious men and glory hunters were enough to almost seize the islands but not hold it.
Corlys had a battle eager Daemon and Caraxes to subdue the islands…
He tried not to flinch at the prospect at having to join in a war.
"He may have more allies." Cley said "His alliance may be stronger than we believe."
"If the talks fail, then it's war." Daemon said, he rubbed his face "And he'll have the Crown's blessing."
"Why does it matter if it happens?" Cley asked "The Triarchy cannot hope to win against this alliance let alone the throne, the Stepstones will fall in a matter of months."
Before Daemon could speak, Mysaria spoke "No." she exclaimed before quickly recomposing herself "I would prefer that we find a more 'peaceful' solution to this, one that does not leave thousands of women widows and children orphans."
Cley looked to have held his tongue "Forgive me, for speaking out of turn." Mysaria nodded her head,
"A conflict is something we should avoid-" he felt his heart burn again.
Fuck sake, no!
"Avoid a conflict." He finished, pushing Daemon back. "Mysaria, perhaps we can put some pressure on our guests to agree to a deal, if they knew even a fraction of the threat posed against them."
"Will that be wise?" Cley asked.
"It is a gamble, but I am willing to bet the Magisters care about their pockets more; war will ruin them than lower tariffs."
Mysaria touched Daemon's arm gently "Consider it done, my friend." She spoke softly. "Ah I almost forgot!" she quickly scrambled towards her desk, pulling out a small stack of papers. "These came from Cya, it concerning your 'forceps.'"
"Good, what has she said?"
"It's not perfect, many of her healers are still trying to get use to it, so are still resistant, but she has noticed less deaths from child births."
Daemon's heart leapt at the news, he smiled and nodded his head. "Cley, watch the door, we'll be heading off." Cley bowed his head and left the room.
"Can't stay a bit longer?"
"I have a meeting with the Master of Laws and his sons." Daemon said "Need to make a good impressions if I plan on winning over members for my ideas."
"Oh like what?"
"Establish a more formal branch of the crown; scribes, scholars, workers and clerks into one big official family."
Daemon created the Goldcloaks… but I'll create the proto-type for the Civil service.
He felt a pang of pain in his heart, no doubt Daemon was sore that his own reforms of the Goldcloaks will not come to pass.
"Ambitious." Mysaria said, a moment of silence passing between then "Thank you for before… for wanting to prevent bloodshed."
"You love him don't you?" Mysaria said nothing, except only nodding her head. "I will do what I can." He assured her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder "But should we fail, be ready to move him away from the Stepstones."
"He will resent that." She commented.
"But he will be alive."
"Yes, he will."
Later that day Daemon sat within the apartments of Lord Larys and his family, a table was set out for them with an selection of cakes and small foods with a pot of tea. Daemon sat sipping on his tea as he listened to Lyonel's daughters discuss about their day.
"Bella had wanted to buy a cat from the market." Harra said.
"Can I father, please?" Bella pleaded to her father.
"I would prefer you did not." Lyonel said "If it is a cat you desire I can arrange one to be brought from the Riverlands, I do not trust where those merchants get their animals from."
"But that will take so long!"
"My word is final, Bella." He stated, his daughter pouted. "Harwin, do not dare try an get one for her." He told his son, Harwin was about to speak "I know you, you try to spoil your sisters rotten."
"As you wish, father." Harwin said before biting into his cake.
There was a strangeness watching over him; knowing that in another life he was the father of Rhaenyra's children, Daemon felt a lump in his throat when he thought of their three sons.
They will never be born… and that will be my doing…
It is for the best.
"Do you have any pets, Prince Daemon." Bella asked.
"I guess Caraxes would be my pet." Daemon smiled "Baelor is very fond on my dragon and Caraxes of him."
"It must be amazing, to ride a dragon." Harwin said.
"Truly one of the greatest pleasures in the world." Daemon remarked before taking a small piece of buttered bread. "You are now five and ten, almost a man grown." Daemon didn't believe that, this was a teenager sitting before him for Gods sake, but to say otherwise would have likely been offensive. "What do you plan on doing once you reach your majority?"
"I would like to be knighted." Harwin said.
"I might be able to help you, My good-uncle is looking for a squire." Daemon suggested "Old knight but a fierce man, steadfast and bold; my good-sister's husband was his squire previously and he is but all accounts a good man."
At least that is what Perra tells me, anything different and I feed him to Caraxes…
"The Vale is some ways away." Harwin said, though the look on his face seemed he was considering it.
"He currently serves as Jeyne's treasurer, might be valuable to gain some experience in governance before you take over Harrenhal." That comment had been aimed at Lyonel for his consideration.
"I shall think about it." Harwin said, looking at his father.
"Yes, he shall." Lyonel added.
"What about you Larys?" Daemon said, turning his attention to the younger brother. He had been silent the entire time, focusing only on his food while, no doubt, listening intently to the conversation.; he was partly the reason Daemon also needed to have this meeting.
Only a child yet…
Larys looked at Daemon, for a moment, it felt as if Larys was sizing him up, this teenager was looking at Daemon like he was a deer spotting a dragon amongst the trees.
"I am currently taking my lessons with the maester, he also helps to treat my feet." Larys said innocently.
"I heard you like to spend time in the castle library and write, I myself am partial to both." Daemon said, matching Larys tone "I would be in need of a sharp mind to help me; plenty of papers and writing to do, I could use a hand."
"I thought you could not take on a squire, is that not why you instead asked Ser Darklyn to take on the squiring Prince Laenor and that scullery maid's son?" Lyonel asked.
"Of that you are right, Lord Lyonel." Daemon replied, Agatha had be shocked when he had offered to have her eldest son squire for a member of the Kingsguard, the memory of such always seemed to make him smile "I have no need for a squire but I am in need of a page whom will aid me in my work."
"And what type of work would that entail?"
"Reading letters, writing letters and documents, learning of matters and offering advice when needed. "Daemon placed his cup down "Gods knows we are in need to skilled people, mayhaps another scholarly mind is what I need."
Lyonel nodded his head as they looked to Larys, who still sat quietly.
His eyes focused solely on Daemon only, it felt as though his sight was carving a hole from his mind.
He doesn't know, there's no way he could.
"I- I am flattered by the offer, My Prince." Larys said "I will take it into consideration."
"I thank you, Lord Larys." Daemon said, he felt his anxiety ease greatly.
"You have my thanks, my Prince." Larys replied.
"Such experience will be of great value for you, Larys, my children, please leave us for a moment." Lyonel commanded "The Prince and I have some business to discuss regarding the small council." Both of Lyonel's sons and daughters got up from their seats, bowed their heads and left the room, leaving only Daemon and himself.
Lyonel said, though Daemon knew this 'talk' would be more a lecture. "Now, onto this proposal of yours."
"Yes, had you taken the time to read it?"
"I have, I do like the idea, it may help enforcing and implementing the will of the crown far more efficient." Lyonel said "And I do like the idea of having future workers take tests of competency and train future candidates." Lyonel took a sip of his tea "There are a few concerns of mine."
"Speak, I shall answer."
"Firstly, do you aim to displace maesters with these reforms?"
"Not at all." Daemon assured him "In fact, I am sure Maester Runciter would appreciate the support workers of similar skill and knowledge on subjects to draw from; what I would create would only serve to help support the existing structure."
Not entirely the truth.
He could never create and academy or his own college without threatening the existing authority of the Citadel., he'd be liable to one day sip poison in his cup. Instead if he was to enact social change and empower people, he would use his work from his past life to do so.
Progress will be slow but better than non-existent.
"I see, I can see the merit in that." Lyonel said "There is also the matter of allowing women to take these positions too?"
Knew I was going to get blowback for this.
"I think we would be foolish to limit ourselves for finding new workers." Daemon said. "I am confident there are plenty of competent women who could perform these tasks."
"Mayhaps, but you must see how this would seek to disrupt the balance within our society." Lyonel argued.
"I do not see why not?" Daemon said "There are plenty of maids and servants who work in this castle who handle matters of administration even if on a small scale and not to mention the ladies and lady-regents who have governed lands and kingdoms, one of whom was my great-grandmother." Lyonel stayed silent, contemplating Daemon's word "My friend, I am not proposing we seat a woman on the Iron throne."
Though I'm not opposed to the idea...
"I understand the argument, but it does not change the fact; this would be a large change in hierarchy of Westeros which may have many a grave consequence."
I know… that's why I want to do it.
"Mayhaps but I will not budge of this." Daemon told him.
"Then you will find little support for it among the small council." Lyonel told him. "The others will argue against this point to."
Daemon sighed inside himself "Then I shall have to make my case to them too."
After his tea with Lyonel, Daemon almost eternally thankful that he got to spend the evening with Aemma and Rhaenyra for a light dinner in her apartments. His mind thoroughly exhausted after dealings of today.
"I believe it is a splendid idea." Aemma said as she took a bite of her chicken "I have plenty of clever maids and attendants to myself and Rhaenyra, perhaps their talents who be better suited to that you propose, I shall bring it up with Viserys, I am sure the two of us can convince him otherwise."
Daemon gave her a tired smile "I thank you, cousin." He said "I wish that Lord Lyonel felt the same way as you do."
"He himself is a clever man, more than perhaps other will give him credit for given his reputation, but he is still no less a man, and men tend to be stubborn." She commented "I mean no offence to you, Cousin."
"I am not offended, I have met plenty of stubborn men." Daemon said "And only a few stubborn women."
"I imagine Rhea is among them?"
"Your words not mine." The two laughed and Rhaenyra watched them, Daemon turned to her "And how was your day, little niece?" he smiled.
"Today I went to the dragon pit with Alicent." She said eagerly "But she stayed outside because she was scared, but I was brave! Even though I am one and ten and she is one and eight!" she said beaming. "I got to fly around the city with Syrax but not out of it yet."
"I hope you didn't tease Alicent about not going into the dragonpit." Daemon said to her, Rhaenyra shook her head; he smiled at the thought that the two were close in this life. "That is good, have you not taken to flying Syrax to nearby castles?"
"Mother says I am still too young." Rhaenyra said. "But I am now ten, soon one and ten!"
"You are still too young to take to flying your dragon Syrax so far away." Aemma told her "When you have reached one and three then I will consider it." Rhaenyra pouted her face.
Daemon laughed looking at Rhaenyra before his eyes turned to Aemma, a feeling of calm coming over him.
You were already dead in another life… now you get to lecture and dote on your daughter.
"Uncle Daemon, please convince my mother to let me fly Syrax to Dragonstone or Driftmark!" she pleaded to him, Aemma looked at Daemon as if to say 'Yeah, Daemon, convince me.'
"Listen to you mother, Rhaenyra." Daemon told her "She only says this because she cares about you." Daemon knew in his heart that if Baelor had wanted to tame a dragon then he would almost certainly be against it.
Rhaenyra pouted at his answer.
"You know how mothers are, always fretting over their children." He said.
"Oh like you do not fret over Baelor and Rhaegal." Aemma scoffed as Daemon fought back a cocky grin. "Speaking of your children, how are they and Rhea? How is Perra? I hope married life suits her."
"They are doing well, I shall be with them soon enough again, my only hope is that I do not miss Rhaegal taking his fist steps as I had with Baelor." Aemma nodded her head "Rhea has said that my terrace farming is now being used on a larger scale which excites me."
"I never would have expected farming to be among your interests." Aemma teased.
"No but had an idea what might strengthen my son when he takes the Bronze throne." Daemon said.
Aemma started to pick at her food at the mention of that word "You are lucky, Daemon." She said "The Gods have blessed you with two sons for your family and I am yet to give Viserys one, an heir to the throne."
"Never think in such a way, cousin." Daemon told her "Viserys loves you and we said before that we should wait until a few years before Rhaenyra and Laenor are married to make sure."
Aemma was still silent, and now Daemon felt uncomfortable. "Rhaenyra, can you step outside please, I must speak with uncle Daemon alone."
"But mother-"
"No buts, it will only be for a moment." A maid offered her hand to Rhaenyra who took it and was led away.
"Is something the matter, Aemma?" Daemon said when she was out of earshot.
"I know you asked both I and Viserys to hold off so that the timing could be right but- forgive me, we never meant for it to happen this soon." She said and Daemon's heart dropped.
"You're with child." He said, she nodded her head. "Who else knows?"
"Myself, Maester Runciter, Viserys and now yourself." Aemma said "We have not yet announced it to the court for fear that I may lose the child… I have had so many pregnancies where-"
"Nothing will happen, you and the babe will be fine." Daemon spoke, quickly trying to reassure her "It will be different, I promise."
It will be different, it has to be different…
The dates are different, the timing is different,..
It must be different…
I cannot fail here…