Chapter 2 - Really..

(Va'ko Pov)

I watched the lords dragon, Fortassax, take off, the ground sinking below its steps, the world felt like it was shaking as the mud rolled and a heavy gust hit me. The wind made my long black hair blow, watching the mud fly from it, only for a cloak to be placed on my back.

"The gold is being moved, and the ships have become food for the ocean. We only wait for your command, General Va'ko." While I pulled the red cloak over my armor, I listen to the foot soldier that brought it to me.

The ships on the rocky coastline burned, the fire growing as black smoke filled the sky. Ember seemed to lick my and my soldier's skin. While the black smoke rush across the ground, blowing past our bodies as I smirked.

"There is no need to stay, the lord is heading to kings landing, we will move to Driftmark until we are told otherwise." Walking to hundreds upon hundreds of men, I raised my voice slightly as I watched others relay my words to the men farthest away. "Every ming warrior, come forward, the rest move to the ships and have them ready to sail." My voice grew more as I yelled, watching the word travel as 20 out of these hundreds of these heavily armored knights stepped forward.

[need knight armor ideas place here]

"What is it General, does the lord have a task for us.." Said a deep voice, a tall man came forward, his head covered by a large hat so only his mouth could be seen. His red cloak blew in the wind.

Their armor was different from the rest of the army, it was light, with black fur boots, thick layers of black and red clothes, a black armored band around their waist, and wraps or black gauntlets around their unarmored hands. Each held a different weapon, daggers, heavy whipes with spikes on their ends, covered swords, and thin blades my lord called a 'Dao' which only 4 held.

[image here]

"No, the lord has left but it is my responsibility to check your consumption," I said, it was not usually me that gave them orders but one thing was known to me and the lord, it was to check a medicine they carried with them.

"Very well, come.." The man who had spoken before, waited for me to finish talking before he nodded his head, his fellow members stepping forward as they pulled something from their cloaks.

"4 left, 4 left, 4 left... 3 left?" from their robes, I watched each pull out small wooden holders. They pulled the tops of them off before emptying what was inside. I watched as small red ball like pills come out, counting until I saw one who has taken more than they needed. "Marcus right? why did you take more than recommended, you know the after-effects like the rest, do you not." I couldn't help but say, I was responsible for them and the last thing I needed was one acting out.

[Wooden holders]

"It could not be helped General Va'ko.." The man Marcus said, stepping forward as he pulled his cloak away showing his body and other hand clearly. "Seems I left some of myself on the battlefield.." The man continued with a smirk, showing three holes, one in his side under his lung, one in his thigh, and the other in his calf muscle. Only to show his left hand that was missing 2 fingers.

"It really does turn you guys into monsters huh, very well, give me the rest and someone put him back together.." Shaking my head at the fact this man was still standing, I gave an order as the man smirked, handing me his holder as he walked away.

"I will make sure he does not abuse our lord's kindness, but.. if that is all, we will go.." The leader, Lucas said, his head low as if bowing before the rest walked away. "But it seems you have bigger problems." He finished, his face looking back at me, then to the sky as he laughed lightly.

It was odd to see them show any emotions but when they did, they were rather twisted, but they were loyal through and through to our lord, regardless of their personalities. As soon as I heard Lucas laugh, I felt a headache coming on, my face turning to the sky behind me as I watched a shadow move closer.

'Why did she come here, wise as she is, it seems she wants to become a headache because of emotion..' My thoughts twisted In my mind, I didn't need to see the figure clearly to know who would come here of all places.

*sfx for dragon roar

My tired body moved over to a rock, watching my men move the cargo around, they seemed to be finding work for themselves as they saw I did not come over, using the bottom of my cloak to wipe my muddy hair, then my beard as I felt the muddy dirt like filth drip from it, trying to make myself somewhat presentable. It didn't take long, and after a few minutes, a dragon roar shook the earth once more, the clearing of mud, shit, and dead trees made a perfect landing spot for the massive beast.

My messy black hair fell around my face, while my eyes moved to the shaking that was moving towards me. The silver shine of a saddle caught my eye, then the large head that covered it, the colors a mix of bright orange and

fiery red. It all comes together to make a perfect contrast to its many dark horns around her head, the beast's large teeth show as she drew closer, coming to my face as she sniffed me.

[Meleys gif and picture]

"It's been a while Meleys, you as well lady Rhaenys.." Clearing my throat, I stood, placing my sword at my waist as I spoke politely.

Meleys hearing her master's name, turned her body sideways, tilting it slightly as I saw the woman in question. Rhaenys Velaryon, the queen who never was, her age showed but was still a beautiful woman. Her long white hair falling past her shoulders, her white skin contrasting with the ever-darkening sky, her bun held high braided at some points, as her face remained stern looking down at me with her light brown eyes.

"Va'ko.." Her gentle and yet firm voice soon came out, but not of greeting, it was only my name. This made me shake my head inside my mind.

"This way my lady.." Not wanting to speak here, I bowed lightly, pointing my arms in a gesture to the shoreline empty of would-be eyes. even my soldiers were need to know, lest it be used in a way to harm my lord.

"Very well.." Rhaenys said, moving Meleys to walk forward, my legs finally getting to move as I walked beside her in peaceful silence.

"I see you are doing well my lady, it would seem the years only add to your beauty." Finally, after a few minutes of silence, I spoke, walking through the dead forest as I put my had on the pummel of my sword.

"Enough of your flattery to sway my thoughts, you know why I am here Va'ko." Rhaenys said, cutting off the string of words I was going to say. "I received his letter.. so he took it upon himself to clear some of the islands within the step stones, and while it helped my husband greatly, he did it alone, and did not come to us directly. And while I know how that man works, here I am, and yet no Keth, or the mother of dragons.." Rhaenys continued, her face calm, yet her tone told another story.

"He wished to surprise you and lord Corly.. but after the fighting, he spoke of going back to kings landing instead of driftmark, my lady.." I said as we made it to the shore, the small stones moving in and out of the current.

"And you just let him go, even more reason to worry. Viserys will not take kindly to him showing up unannounced, Corlys was heading to kings landing already, it would have been much easier." Rhaenys said sighing, her face looking out to the sea, as if she was in deep thought.

"You know better than anyone, the lord does as he wishes.." I said I had been with my lord the longest, knowing his secrets and his personality. He was a man that did what he wanted in that moment and the next.

"I wish it were not so.." Rhaenys said, her hand trembling lightly as she looked at me. "So did he use Fortassax, or did he fight as before.." she continued, her face returning to normal as she pressed me.

"My lady.." I knew this would happen, and the answer given would only sour the situation.

"Va'ko.. speak.." Rhaenys voice grew in pressure, but I did not speak. "From your silence, I assume he acted without thinking again, tell me how much did he take this time.." not getting an answer, Rhaenys eyes frown, asking yet another question.

"My lady.."

"Va'ko, I order you to tell me.. how many." Before I could cut her off, her words became deadly serious, making Meleys look at me as she left no room for anything but an answer.

"3 but you must.." I was saying, only for her to shoot me a look, moving Meleys as she was going to take off.

"You indulge him to much Va'ko!" Rhaenys said taking off into the sky. "He will stop before kings landing.. how ridiculous." Her words carried by the wind as they faded, leaving me with a somber smile.