140
----
298 AC
Summer Isles - Ebonhead
Eragon Targaryen
----
It is very hard to travel to Walano to begin taking the last three major cities, we either all go or split up and we don't feel comfortable splitting up. At some point, we will have to put some trust out and hope we don't get stabbed in the back but I would prefer to not split up until the Isles are completely united at least.
Meaning we have to send envoys to discuss our terms on our behalf, people of the Summer Isles carrying our words has me a bit uncomfortable. After what happened with Golden head and their prince with the way they sailed straight to us for a fight I don't really trust someone to properly deliver my words. Given I wanted them to attack but I do not want the same of the last three cities and their prince or princesses.
But that is when the new Lord Belzal offered to be the one to head over for me, to be my envoy and tell them about how things happened here. It will also help that he is sworn to me and they can hear straight from the source what kind of terms he got and how favorable they were for bending rather than being forced to break.
"What do you think about it?" I ask no one in particular and just want to hear the other's opinion on the matter.
"I think it would be best, he should head to Tall trees town, they are the most peaceful and hold the very history of the Isles carved onto the Tall trees. If we get tall trees it will help with convincing the other two to just stand down and join the fold." Shiera answers when no one else speaks up first and I nod in agreement as that is close to what we talked about before.
"I think so as well, it will take a while for him to sail around and make his way there. I wish we had a raven system here as they have in Westeros, at least then we could receive their answer shortly after he gets it. It's best to send someone to directly talk with them about it but their response also taking time to even get back to us is going to be a pain. We will need to be ready for them to sail down similar to how the Golden head prince did and hope our preparations are not needed." I rub my thumb across the gem on Brightroar as I sit back in thought.
"We should keep in mind all the of the cities might choose to unit a force and bring a real war to us. No challenge but instead real war with the troops coming together in a last-ditch effort to get rid of us before it is too late." I grimace hearing Nata as that will do us no good in the slightest.
I am confident we would win, we have close to the same amount of men as they do but we would be able to use our walls. It would be a pity that they would burn our ships most likely and every man that dies would be a man who could be a part of the final army we will command.
"Maybe it would be better for me to just sail up to Lotus port and challenge the Prince, I have all the right to do so. Close to half of the men in the Summer Isles acknowledge me as the King at this point and he could not deny my request." Shiera pats my hand and I look over to my left and meet her mismatched eyes.
"They just need to kill you before the challenge and they won't have any problems, regardless of how it may seem our best option is to wait. Lord Belzal is eager to prove himself to us and letting him handle negotiating is a way to let him earn favor. If he succeeds he can pat him on the back and reward him, if he fails the war comes to us and we stand the best chance of victory. If you sail up to one of the cities and demand a challenge as is your right they will silence you before word gets out." I shift uncomfortably as I thread our fingers together.
"Feels like we suddenly became cowards." I grumble and she leans in to kiss my cheek.
"It's not being a coward to play smart, they are back into a corner and their island is the 'last' standing against us. Going into their lands where they have the power is asking for death and instead, we take it slow and steady. We have the win in our hands we only need to wait and let it come to us." I sigh and put my thoughts to something else since I can't deny the logic behind her argument.
If we are playing a waiting game I at least will be doing something productive in the meantime.
----
298 AC
Dorne - Sunspear
Shaena Targaryen
----
"You should have got me one as well." I complain as I run my fingers through the soft fluffy fur of a dire wolf pup.
She calls them pups and told me they are young but the 'little' pups are almost the size of a mid-sized hound. The crunch as they chew on a bone makes me cringe at how strong their jaws are, but their goofy-looking ears also make me want to pet them all day.
"Couldn't, I only managed to squeak out three for the three with Stark blood." Lyanna lazily replies as she holds the end of a short rope and Winter yanks on the other side almost pulling her off the bed.
"Well, at least they are sweet girls and a sweet boy who let me pet them without any complaint." The solid white one with red eyes who seems to never make a noise loves to be scratched and given attention.
"How can you get distracted so easily?" Elia sighs and I hear her set down her cup behind me.
"What can we even do about it? We already decided what we want to do but they are holding us here against our will at this point." I complain right back at her as I hold the nose of the pup and shake it around gently and he tries to bat my hand away.
"He will let us go but he already has his men spread thin with having so many down still in the Summer Isles and needing to keep a strong front up. Robert will want to invade at some point and if he doesn't he is risking House Targaryen gaining more allies. Doran can not send a batch of troops to escort us down there and protect us should someone try to attack us out at sea." I let the pup go and brush off my dress as I head for a chair and take a seat.
I sit back in the chair as I lay my hands across my belly and wonder if the timing is not going to work out for Eragon to be there for the birth. It is not the end of the world but we both wanted him to be there even if it meant I had to go to where he was.
A knock on the door grabs my attention and after the servant announces it is my mom I sit up straight and double check my dress is not dirty from the wolves. She walks in and looks around before spotting the pups and giving them plenty of space as she walks over to the table and taking a seat.
"Hey mom, what brought you to see us?" She pours herself a drink making my eyes widen a bit but I don't comment.
" I thought about it and I decided I would go with you to the Summer Isles, I want to see my kids and my grandkids will also be there soon. Viserys will make it on his own or he won't, I am at my wit's end trying to help him when he obviously doesn't want my help. All he wants is 'his throne' that currently has someone sitting in it, someone with an army he seems incapable of seeing." I keep my face neutral but inside I laugh, it seems he finally wore her down.
"What did he say that finally broke you?" She brings the wine to her lips and downs half the cup before setting it down and wiping her lips with a sleeve.
"He wants to offer to marry the Golden rose of Highgarden for the Reach to declare for us, he not only insulted his wife but also his family. He went on about 'Eragon can have a throne and marry more than one whore so why can't I?' and I had to stop myself from wincing as Doran looked ready to beat the boy even from his wheelchair." Elia shakes her head and a look of pity crosses her face, Viserys needs to clean up his mess or he will find himself on his ass.
Maybe in a grave as well.
"He should apologize to the woman who carries his child." Elia responds in a frosty voice even though I think we all are aware of whose baby it really is.
"I said that and he just yelled at me like I am some fool and told me to 'run off like the rest of them' so I plan to do just that. I always had hope for him, he had so much good in him and a passion to rebuild our family's glory. It all seems to have burned out and left nothing but petty jealousy and envy he keeps casting at his brother and hatred for the usurper. Eragon makes plans and acts on them and even though they are reckless I have respect for it and am very proud of him. Viserys just mouths off to everyone expecting it to get him what he wants and beating on a woman when he can't take the anger anymore." An uncomfortable silence fills the room and Lyanna also joins us at the table
"I had to stop Dacey from knocking his teeth out when he gave some off-handed comments about her being a decent-looking fuck but too much muscle ruined her 'motherly features'. The buy has no fear but not in a good way, it's like he has no survival instincts to keep him upright." Lyanna shakes her head and I wish she didn't stop Dacey from giving Viserys a good beating.
A beating is what Viserys is missing from what I can see, to full of himself for no reason other than his heritage which he spits on with his actions.
"Exactly why I am stepping out of the way, I don't see how I can help him at this point other than letting him free. He will sink or swim at his point and I am not sure which it will be if I am honest. I know Prince Doran will keep his good son alive so I don't fear for his life but I fear for his state of mind after I am gone."
Her hands are shaking and I know this is a hard decision for her, she loves all of us kids and I know this is eating at her.
I stand up and walk behind her and hug her from behind and she holds onto my arms tight. Her shoulders shake a little but I hold her firm and keep her still, she is broken up over doing this but she knows there is nothing she can do. Viserys has to help himself and stop expecting things to be done for him and also to start respecting others. I am sure he will be roughed up when he is alone and it will be a waking experience for him to go through.
I won't lie though deep down I am just happy my mom will be going with me when I leave even if it will hurt my brother by her doing so. I can't imagine giving birth without her, she was there for everything with Shiera and I need her support once more.