Chapter 86 - Succession

[Driftmark]

(Third Person POV)

"Rhaenyra gave birth to another girl." Princess Rhaenys said with a slight smile, "Good news among these troubling times....If only my Husband was not so foolish to meet the Myrish Pirates at sea..." 

She was sitting in the Driftwood Throne, in front of her, Vaemond Velaryon and his two sons stood with serious looks on their faces.

News has brought them of Lord Corlys's injury during battle, a myrish crossbow had struck him in his chest, causing him to fall into the sea. While they had saved him, fished him from the sea, the Sea Snake had been getting serious fevers. 

Vaemond took a step forward, "The Princess breeds in her rock while my brother bleeds in his ship." He said with anger, "I have seen many die to Blood Fever, I can only assume Corlys will be the same." 

Rhaenys's face hardened, "Mind your tone, Vaemond." She said, "That is the Princess you're speaking of and my Husband." 

"I love my brother, but we must put the fate of Driftmark first." Vaemond said, "If Corlys is to die, House Velaryon must pass to a true Velaryon." 

"Lucerys is Corlys's heir." Rhaenys said 

Vaemond took a step closer, "Everyone in this room knows the truth, good-sister." he said, "Lucerys is not of Velaryon blood." 

"Those words are Treason, Vaemond." Rhaenys warned, "Careful what you say." 

"It hurts you that the only grandchildren you have are Daemon's girls." Vaemond said, "You need to accept the fact that the Princess's three eldest sons are not Laenor's boys." 

"Enough." Rhaenys said, "Corlys is wounded, he would not be in any condition to speak of this. And if he was, he'd tell you to stop speaking." 

"I am sailing to King's Landing. To Petition for the succession of Driftmark." Vaemond said seriously, "It is for the sake of the realm." 

"You will go and put into question the legitimacy of Lucerys Velaryon, in turn questioning Jaecaerys's claim to the Throne?" Rhaenys raised an eyebrow

"I am going to question Lucerys's ability to lead my House." Vaemond said with a serious look on his face

"I understand that your argument with Aerion Targaryen may have turned you bitter towards Rhaenyra, Vaemond. In the Stepstones, you called her a stupid girl and Aerion struck you." Rhaenys said, "And just last year, your son made a rude remark about his daughter. Patience for you and yours is running thin. The mere fact that you are his sister's uncle is the reason he hasn't taken your tongue or head for speaking in the way you have been. My cousin, The King, will not have this." 

"The King is in a condition to my Brother, good-sister." Vaemond said, "And I am not afraid of Aerion Targaryen." 

Rhaenys shook her head, "Oh, dear good-brother...You're a fool." she said with disappointment in her voice, 

"You should be." 

*******************

[Dragonstone]

(Aerion's POV)

"How many eggs?" I said as I wiped soot off my hands, "I feel like I found a lot." 

I was atop the Dragonmont, just got back from my hike through the mountains, looking for eggs that Syrax laid. 

"Three, My Lord. Syrax's clutch." the keeper said 

I walked over to a table where a bag laid, the eggs in there. I opened it and saw the three eggs. One was jade green, another pale cream, and the third was pure gold. 

"Hm." I said aloud, "I wonder if these will come out to look like Syrax....." 

I looked at the Keeper as he approached, "My Lord?" He asked

"Will the dragons look like the ones that laid their eggs?" I asked as I picked the pure gold one, "These are Syrax's right?" 

"I am not sure. I do believe that many of the Targaryen Dragons originated from the same clutch, besides the Black Dread." The Keeper said, "They all vary in appearance and size. Dreamfyre and Seasmoke look similar but are of different clutches. It is quite strange, indeed. Who knows..."

I looked at the Gold One, "Hm...." I said, "I bet you'd look like Sunfyre...majestic and beautiful...I think you'll belong to my Rhea." 

"These are the ones that Princess Rhaenys and Princess Helaena sent for you, My Lord." The Keeper set another bag on the table, "I wished to show you before placing them in the incubation." 

He opened the bag and pulled out a pure silver egg. 

"Oh." I said with awe as I grabbed it, "Look at this! Matches, doesn't it?" 

I held the silver and gold egg in front of me, a grin on their faces. I know that the color of the egg's shell will resemble the scales of the dragons. I know these two dragons will be incredibly beautiful, the sun shining off their amazing silver and gold scales respectively. 

I always admired how Silverwing looked like and I hope this silver egg looks like her, or at least close to the majesty that is that beautiful creature. 

"This one..." The Keeper said, "It's from the Princess Helaena....black and red...." 

I looked at the one he pulled out, showing it to me. He was right; it was a black egg with red-crimson swirls. 

I set the gold and silver one down gently. 

"A Black Dragon...." I said taking that one, "Like Balerion." 

"Not one. Two." The keeper continued, "This one is from Princess Rhaenys. I was surprised that Meleys would even lay a clutch. I suppose every few years, she decides to lay some." 

He handed me a pure obsidian-black egg, it was different than the black and red one. This one was pitch black like it was made out of dragonglass. 

"I'll be damned." I whispered, "Two black dragons...." 

"Six Dragon Eggs...." I said to the keeper, "I know Visenya and Aegon have their eggs. I think Rhaena would love one of these. The Gold One is for my baby girl, Rhea. Gold is a pretty color on her." 

He chuckled, "Of course." 

I then saw, out of the corner of my eye, Maester Gerardys walking up to me. 

"My Lord." He said, "I couldn't find The Princess at the moment, she must be spending time alone.....a message came from Driftmark, the Lady Baela sent a letter." 

I frowned and looked at the Keeper, "Take these away." 

The Keeper nodded and began to place the eggs away. 

"What is it?" I walked up to the Maester

He handed me a paper, "It's best if you read it." He said with a grim face

I unrolled the letter and read it: 

"Dear Brother,

My Grandsire has been injured at sea, inducing a Blood Fever. His survival is up to the Gods now. My Uncle Vaemond sails to King's Landing to petition his claim for Driftmark's Seat. He wishes to remove Lucerys from the succession. 

-Baela "

I scowled, "That son of a..." I said with anger in my voice, "How dare he...?" 

"My Lord..." Maester Gerardys said, "This....this can not be good." 

"Of all times, he pulls this stunt." I said as I rubbed my neck, "I have to tell Rhaenyra..." 

"She won't be happy."