Chapter 50 - Tourney IV

(Third Person POV)

"Seven Hells, Daemon..." Viserys sighed as he looked down

"Only the Rogue Prince has the audacity to insult His Grace." Lord Jasper, who was sitting behind Otto, said, "It is quite the unexpected return..." 

Queen Alicent looked at her Father with a worried look, "Is that maniac going to fight my brother?" She asked, "Who allowed this?" 

Daemon dismounted and landed on the ground, making his way towards the edge of the arena with his trademark smirk. The entire crowd in attendance were cheering, something that was quite typical when it came to Daemon Targaryen. Aerion Targaryen saw this; he looked around and noticed how every spectator in attendance was cheering for his Father. 

He had heard tale of his reputation; he was loved by many but scorned by many as well. And some of those who scorned him stood next to Aerion; the Knights of Runestone. 

Yohn spat on the ground, "Curse that Fucker." He muttered

"Part of me wants the Hightower lad to bash his face in...." One of the other Knights said

Aerion looked at them, "Easy." he said, "Not out loud...." 

They all shifted as they looked at Damon picking up a blunt longsword from the weapons rack, the Rogue Prince made his way inside the arena. People noticed that he did not pick up a shield, similar to what his son did. 

Daemon lifted his arms up as the crowd cheer, holding the sword as he walked towards the center near Gwayne, who stood there with a unimpressed look on his face. 

"Ah, Lords and Ladies!!" Daemon said, "Alas, your Prince has returned!! And here to win this.....below average Tourney, but a Tourney nonetheless!!" 

The crowd cheered even louder, everyone felt the charisma of Daemon Targaryen. 

Daemon pointed his sword at Gwayne, "I'm going to beat you down." he said with a smirk, "And win this entire boring thing.....For Her!" 

He then pointed at Rhaenyra's seats, something that surprised everyone. Aerion scowled as he looked over where he pointed and noticed that he was not pointing at his wife.

Rhaenyra looked at where he pointed at, "W-What?" She said

Daemon was pointing at Visenya, who was being held by Elinda, "For Visenya Targaryen!" He said, "My beloved Granddaughter!!" 

The crowd cheered loudly as Daemon lowered his arms and looked over at Aerion and gave him a mocking wink. 

"That son of a-" Yohn said as he took a step forward

Aerion stopped him with his arm, "No." He said, "Calm yourself. I know what he's playing at. He won't get the last laugh." 

"Tch." Yohn said, "How dare he show his face after all this time and simply claim he'll do this for our Heir?" 

Aerion looked at his father who was pacing around, taking in the cheering of the crow, "Let him have his moment." Aerion said, "That already makes two....." 

"Two?" Yohn asked

"Two imbeciles I intend to leave on the ground, writhing in pain." Aerion said as he clutched the grip on his sword tightly

"Ah." Yohn smirked, "Yes, My Lord, channel that anger wisely." 

Back to the Arena, Daemon and Gwayne began to circle each other readying their weapons. 

"My Prince." Gwayne said, "It has been a long time since we clashed in a Tourney." 

Daemon frowned, "Who are you?" as he twirled his sword

Gwayne chuckled, "Figures." 

"Ah, wait, you're Otto's boy, right?" He said as he stopped and glanced at the Hand, "Well this is splendid. Come now, Hightower Cunt, I'll show you what it means to be a real man." 

Gwayne scowled and lunged at him, "You...!" 

He swung his sword as Daemon backstepped and parried it, immediately lunging forward and countering. 

Gwayne was able to duck the swing and pulled his sword back, spinning forward as he straightened up and swung at Daemon in retaliation, only for Daemon to block it with his sword. They then backed up from each other momentarily and Gwayne swung his sword at him again. 

This time, Daemon dodged and swung his sword at Gwayne who blocked it with his shield. As he tried to counter with his sword, Daemon's fist flew past Gwayne's defenses and landed straight into his nose, staggering him back as a bit of blood flew out. 

"A-Aghh!" Gwayne groaned as he tried to compose himself

"Ha!" Daemon laughed as he walked forwards

Gwayne tried swinging his sword at him as he winced in pain but Daemon crouched under the swing and hit Gwayne on his left knee right between the plates of his armor, causing the Hightower to buckle down. 

Almost immediately, Daemon punched him in the face again with his left, throwing Gwayne back with ease. 

As Gwayne rolled away, trying to straighten up, Daemon stood up and raised his arms with a cocky smile, "Yea!" He shouted 

The crowd cheered loudly as the Rogue Prince made a spectacle of this. 

Gwayne stood up and lunged at Daemon who had barely turned to face him, bashing against him with the shield. Daemon had barely raised his sword to block the full brunt of the attack, which barely caused him to stumble. 

Gwayne swung his sword, hitting Daemon in the arm but the blow bounced off due to his armor. The Hightower Knight then bashed his shield again at him but Daemon spun out of the bash and hit Gwayne in his left shoulder hard, causing him to stumble forward. 

"Shit..." Gwayne said as he tried to straighten up

Daemon, however, was already pouncing on him, kicking him on the left knee again and buckling Gwayne. 

As Gwayne got to his knee, he instinctively raised his shield as Daemon swung his sword down hard, causing splinters to fly everywhere. 

"Tch." Daemon said as he continued to swing his sword hard at Gwayne's shield

Gwayne held the shield up as Daemon repeatedly hit it, slowly but surely breaking it off as he was pushed further down. 

"Shit..." Gwayne said

Daemon then swung one final time, breaking off a huge chunk as the crowd gasp, seeing as Gwayne rolled away to safety despite his shield breaking. 

Daemon then walked over to him as Gwayne immediately stood up and swung his sword, parrying it with ease and hitting him with a counter riposte towards his chest. The blunt point of the sword pushed Gwayne back hard as he stumbled yet again. It was safe to say that this was much one-sided bout. Gwayne Hightower was no slouch regarding fighting and swordplay, but Daemon Targaryen was a feared warrior for a reason. 

Then again, there was a Targaryen that was better. 

As Gwayne composed himself, he swung his sword yet again but this time, missing wildly as Daemon had already sidestepped and countered with his sword. The blunt edge hit the side of Gwayne's helm so hard that it instantly flew off, causing the Hightower Knight to collapse to the ground hard. 

Daeron, who was sitting on the stands, stood up, "Uncle!!" He exclaimed

Aegon, who was drinking wine, spat it out, "S-Shit!!" He exclaimed

Gwayne's unconscious body laid on the ground as Daemon stood over it, blood slowly pouring out of a gash. 

"Hm." Daemon said as he kicked his leg to see if he was conscious, "Guess he's out." 

"I-It's over!!" The Announcer said as squires swarmed in the arena to drag Gwayne out

Daemon then looked at Otto who was standing up and scowling at him. The Rogue Prince could not help but smirk as his eyes went over to his brother, The King. 

Viserys was giving him a serious look, shaking his head slowly. 

Daemon's smirk slowly faded as he turned to see his son, who was giving him a serious look. 

"Hm...." Daemon said as the crowd cheered for him, "Impressed?" 

[Round 1, Final Match Winner: Daemon Targaryen]

[Round 1 is Over]

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

Fifteen Minutes after the final match of the first round, it was time for the second round.

"And now!!" The Announcer said, "The first of the second round's two matches is about to commence!! Give it up for Ser Criston Cole!!" 

The crowd began to cheer as Criston Cole began to walk towards the arena, wearing his Kingsguard Armor and Helm. 

He reached the weapons rack and picked up a dull flail again. This one was different however; instead of a singular iron ball with no spikes, it was three slightly bigger iron balls that were chained to a much larger wooden handle with thicker chains. 

Criston picked up his shield as he walked to the inside of the arena, cracking his neck as the crowd cheered for the Kingsguard Knight. 

Aegon leaned over to Aemond, "5 Gold Dragons that Ser Criston gets his ass handed to him." He said with a smirk

"I'll take you on that." Aemond said with a slight smile, "Cole's mastery of the morning star is deadly. Aerion is lucky that he's not using the lethal version." 

"Well, your teacher is luckier that Aerion isn't using actual bladed swords." Aegon chuckled, "And that he's only using one." 

"Do not gamble!" Alicent scolded the Princes

"Ah!" Aegon laughed as he sipped his wine

Helaena was not even paying attention to the arena, she was busy sewing a Tapestry, a red targaryen dragon with a bronze outline on a black background. She had a slight smile on her face as she hummed happily. 

Alicent noticed this, "Who is that for, my sweet girl?" 

"The babe." She said, "My dear niece." 

"Oh?" Viserys said with a smile, "A beautiful gift, my precious girl! Beautiful!" 

Back to the arena, the Announcer pointed to the other side of the arena, "And now!!" He bellowed, "The Crimson Dragon!! Aerion Targaryen!!!" 

Aerion walked towards the arena as the crowd cheered for the recent War Hero. As he reached the weapons rack, he noticed Daemon Targaryen leaning against the railings of where the fighters stood, giving his son a slight smirk. 

Aerion looked at him, his face obscured by his helm, "Hm...." He muttered, "I'll deal with you later." 

He then picked up a blunt bastard sword and walked through the gate, looking over at Criston Cole as the Announcer quickly hurried out of there. 

Cole smiled slightly, "Is your fellow Royce alright?" He said

Aerion stopped several meters away, "He's tougher than you'll ever be." He said, "You'll be in a bed for the rest of the week, I'll assure you." 

Cole chuckled, "Is that so?" 

Aerion pointed his sword at him, "Oh yes." He said seriously, 

"You'll regret that." 

[A/N: If Aerion beats Crispy Creme up, Rhaenyra Might be turned on by that and who knows, maybe he'll get some sexy spicy time.....]