Chapter 33: Steps and Stones

Seventh Moon, 94 AC

Viserra

It had been over two years since the Morghon Revolt had been crushed. Those two years had seen a massive turn in House Velaryon's fortunes as Tyrosh was brought under their full control. Now, House Velaryon ruled in Tyrosh absolutely, unquestioned, unchallenged.

The militant Stars, which had been loyal but worryingly fanatic and independent, had been greatly bloodied and their numbers had been thinned during the revolt. The survivors had been recruited and assimilated into the Velaryon forces, spread thinly and evenly distributed to keep the more fanatical worshippers under control and prevent the rise of a new Faith Militant. Though still nominally under the oversight of the Starry Sept and the High Septon, the Tyroshi Faith of the Seven was in practice fully under Velaryon control, with Viserra's reputation as Zaldilaros playing a key role in that control.

Viserra had actually acquired a new epithet related to that. Corlys had likened her beauty and shining light to that of a radiant star guiding sailors home in a feast celebrating their victory over the rioters. Ever since then, Viserra had been called 'The Star of the Sea' by many, often shortened to 'Seastar' and symbolizing the union of the last two factions of Seahorses and Stars in Tyrosh in their shared loyalty to her and her house.

The last factions directly opposed to their rule in Tyrosh, the Towers and the remnants of the Dyes which had joined them, were destroyed when the Morghon Riots were suppressed. Corlys hadn't been wholly incorrect when he had said the Towers had helped to stabilize Tyrosh in the aftermath of their conquest and the abolition of slavery, but ultimately they had been a rot that had to be expunged.

Removing the Towers had allowed them to recover many of the funds that they and the Dyes that had joined them had squirreled away and embezzled from the city's government and businesses, and had given House Velaryon full control of the entire city's economy and government for once. With the new funds acquired from the purge, Viserra and Alys had convinced Corlys and Aurane to begrudgingly open the reserves of High Tide and channel much needed funds into the rebuilding of Tyrosh, which had been devastated by the destruction the Riot had caused.

Furthermore, the stabilization of the city had allowed them to clear up the hinterlands as well, putting their plans for the mainland territories into action. House Velaryon personally owned most of the Tyroshi land on the Essosi continent, seized from the estates of the old elites. Work was underway redistributing some of it to the freeborn workers and freed slaves though House Velaryon would always hold the dragon's share. With the implementation of efficient Driftmark methods of farming and the planting of new staple crops such as rice, yields had increased dramatically, removing the possibility of any more food shortages in Tyrosh.

In addition, it had been decided that the climate in the Heel of Essos was much more suited to farming tea than Massey's Hook had been. The underwhelming tea plantations in Massey's Hook had had one last harvest and been promptly replaced with lumber plantations, with the tea having been transferred to the warmer and more fertile Tyroshi Heel, where they had thrived, further increasing their profits.

Work was continuously in progress finding new crops and methods and expanding farms, plantations, and infrastructure, to ensure the Tyroshi hinterlands continued to produce the city with more than enough food and luxury goods to help sustain its economy.

The Tyroshi economy was recovering tremendously fast now that the obstacles in its way had been removed. Businesses, merchants, and companies had begun moving to Tyrosh, many of them encouraged to move from Driftmark. For example, the rebuilding Tyrosh was now home to many silk farms housing silkworms and producing high-quality silk in the very same city as the dyes that would color them exquisitely, reaping immense profits for House Velaryon. Much like tea, it had been decided that Tyrosh was better for the silkworms climatically and also removed them from the oversight of the greedy Iron Throne.

The people moved with these opportunities, and the population lost to the Riot had since been more than replenished by a tide of immigrants arriving from not just Driftmark, but Myr as well. The Free City was still mired in instability though its civil war had been forcibly ended by a joint Volantene-Pentoshi intervention. Skilled artisans, workers, and merchants all migrated to Tyrosh from Driftmark and Myr, as well as from all over Essos though in fewer numbers, enriching the city.

The Velaryon Bank had formally relocated its headquarters to Tyrosh and incorporated all the assets of the Tyroshi banks seized by House Velaryon from the old elites. The debts of the banks had all been settled and confidence had begun rising in it once more. A stable and increasingly prospering bank had helped to further drive the economy of the recovering city and encouraged investment and trade deals from the other Free Cities.

Plans were also underway to increase the production of many goods that Spicetown had made, such as concrete, compasses, and even glass, with the aid of Myrish artisans, in Tyrosh. A large market existed for those goods in Essos and the Velaryons were constantly negotiating with merchants, magisters, and dignitaries from Braavos, Volantis, Pentos, and merchants for new trade deals. The University of Driftmark was also building a new campus in Tyrosh, and when it was completed it would help cultivate and educate the intellectual talent of the city, driving its innovation, and helping the city grow in the Driftmark style that had made Spicetown and Hull great once.

Trade also passed through the stable and pirate-free Tyroshi corridor, bypassing the Stepstones and greatly benefitting Tyrosh. It was thought that the city might eventually require expansion beyond what its limits had been before the Velaryon Conquest. Such was the inflow of people and opportunities. It was hard to believe it had been only two or so years since half the city had burned down. Its rebuilding from that destruction wasn't even yet complete and its growth was already projected to be so great.

Tyrosh had truly terrifying potential. With the stagnation of slavery and the elites that had sought to conserve it removed, it could truly be unleashed. With absolute control over Tyrosh, House Velaryon unshackled the chains on its potential and developed it like they had Driftmark, taking the clean slate given by the destruction of the Morghon Riots to truly make the city their own.

They moved many of the institutions and industries that had built Driftmark to Tyrosh, combining them with the city's own local industries and potential from its strategic location and dye trade to cultivate a prospering Free City. The work was not done by far, but in ten or twenty years, Tyrosh would have far surpassed Driftmark and be well on its way to truly being a potential Queen of Cities.

Unfortunately, though they had tried to mitigate it as far as possible using their replenishing wealth, with Tyrosh's rise, came Driftmark's decline. A tenth of Tyrosh's population was now Driftmarker in origin, replenishing the losses of the Morghon Riot in Tyrosh, but gutting Driftmark in the process. The island was continuing to suffer under harsh sanctions and the loss of forty thousand of its people and many of the businesses and institutions and trade that had driven its economy could not be understated.

The Velaryons had done right by their people, and led them through the storm to a new tide of prosperity in Tyrosh, but for the foreseeable future there was no place in that tide for Driftmark. Perhaps by the time Viserra's father had died, the sanctions might be removed, but by then Driftmark would be permanently diminished into a shadow of its former self as Tyrosh rose in its place.

The Velaryons' recovery had not gone unnoticed. Their old allies Celtigar, Grafton, and Tarth, had tentatively reopened their accounts in the Velaryon Bank and increased trade with the resurgent Velaryons, no longer worrying about the sanctions. In Essos many cared little for Jaehaerys' sanctions to begin with and were more than happy to deal with Tyrosh and the Velaryon Bank once the situation had become stable.

In their letters, Viserra's brothers Aemon and Baelon had been quite neutral in their thoughts on her house's recovery. Her mother and sister Alyssa had been quite supportive on the other hand, and she had not received any word from her father or any other member of her family. Westeros seemed to be reeling from their unexpected recovery, and many of the rivals that had laughed at their fall now feared their resurgence.

A crisis had developed as a result of this. In the two years the Velaryons had struggled to assert their authority over Tyrosh and rebuild it, Ser Otto Hightower had become the Governor of the Stepstones. For the past few years, he and the other Stepstones lords had been tediously clearing out the pirates in the Stepstones to middling success and begun building the necessary infrastructure to actually hold the islands and collect the tolls. They had been supported in this endeavor by the Iron Throne, and all the progenitor houses of the cadet branches given the islands.

Unfortunately, enough time had apparently passed for the Stepstones Lords and their Governor to feel confident pressing the territorial claims and jurisdiction her father, damn him, had given them over Bloodstone and the Tyroshi corridor. For the past several years, more and more disputes had arisen between the Velaryons and the Stepstones Governorate over those territorial and jurisdiction disputes.

Otto Hightower and his cronies and allies had to fear the growing economic might of Tyrosh. It was half the reason her house had taken the city to begin with. Tyrosh would always naturally economically dominate the Stepstones, and with their control over Bloodstone as well, they effectively surrounded Hightower and his subordinates. Their only hope was to enforce their claims on the waters and jurisdiction her father had given them.

The sailors and merchants were already calling it the Stepstones Crisis. A combined fleet from all the Stepstones islands, supplemented with ships from the Redwyne and Royal fleets, had intruded into Velaryon waters in two areas of interest. Firstly, they had entered into the waters of Bloodstone, to enforce the authority and jurisdiction of Governor Hightower after a dispute over taxes. Secondly and by far more seriously, they were intruding into the Tyroshi corridor as far as the claims granted by Jaehaerys extended, interdicting their trade in the area. If they did not leave soon, it could be considered an act of war.

Her father had given Otto Hightower the authority to collect taxes from all the Stepstones Islands and gather them in Highwatch for accounting before forwarding them to King's Landing. He had also given Hightower the power to arbitrate regional disputes between Stepstones lords. Viserra and her house had recognized neither of these powers and considered Hightower an illegitimate governor. They had refused to send any taxes to Hightower and had begrudgingly forwarded their dues from Bloodstone directly to the Iron Throne alongside Driftmark's much diminished dues.

No rebuke had ever come from King's Landing ordering them to pay to Highwatch however, despite Hightower's incessant complaints. Even now with Hightower's insistent demand that they obey his jurisdiction with his ships in their waters, no royal command had been forthcoming.

That hadn't stopped Hightower from sending his ships into Velaryon waters. Ordinarily Viserra would have simply flown to his fleet with Dreamfyre and deterred them with a demonstrative blast of dragonfire but she couldn't. Hightower had timed his intrusion well. Viserra was with child once more, in her eighth moon of pregnancy no less.

"Viserra?" her husband called to her, his expression was calm, so unlike the storm she felt raging inside. The seagulls cawed as they flew overhead. The smell of salt on the sea breeze filled her senses, but they were muted to Viserra, who had been lost in her thoughts.

"I'm well Corlys. Just… just worried," She answered abruptly.

He smiled reassuringly and for a moment Viserra felt all her worries banished. "There is little to worry about Viserra. This is a dispute, not a war. Hightower will not dare to break the King's Peace."

Viserra nodded, but in her heart her fears refused to loosen their grip. They had gathered at the docks attached to the Black Fortress to see Corlys and Aurane off. The Velaryon Fleet was sailing to an emerging crisis and despite Corlys's words, Viserra could not help but worry.

Alys was to the side, holding both her sons, the three-year-old Rhogar and the infant Rhaekar, named for his late uncle. Viserra's own children were with her. One in her womb, and three by her side. Her boys Jace and Luke were five years old now, and their little sister Laena was two.

"Kepa!" Jace said as he walked forward to Corlys, Luke quick on his heels. Corlys knelt down to hug them.

"Hey. How are my little men doing? Take care of your mother and sister alright? Your Aunt Alys and your baby cousins too. Uncle Aurane and I will be back soon, but until we are, you two are the men of the house. You'll have to be responsible."

Jace and Luke nodded eagerly, both of them straightening and wearing comically serious faces. Viserra had to resist laughing and ruining their moment. They were so adorable.

Viserra stepped forward and gave her husband a tender kiss before he smiled and nodded at her. "I'll be off then."

As they watched and waved, Corlys and Aurane boarded their respective ships, Aurane was heading to Bloodstone, while Corlys was heading to the disputed waters near Highwatch. Her heart pounded in her chest with worry as the ships set sail and as they neared the horizon, her children impatiently asked her to take them back up to the palace.

At her children's request, she took them to see their dragons. When they arrived at the stables, the dragons trilled in greeting, always happy to see their bonded. Her children eagerly ran to their dragons and began to pet and play with them eagerly, making Viserra a little uncomfortable. Her children looked far too small to have dragons so massive.

Tessarion and Morghul's rapid growth had not at all slowed, and they had already doubled their size from when they arrived in Tyrosh, gorging themselves on the offerings of the Velaryons or the fish and now whales they were let loose to hunt freely on occasion. Even Laena's Shrykos was growing fast, a stunningly beautiful silver dragoness with a silver-white crest, claws, and scales, and snow-white wing membranes.

Despite her at times recurring worries about her young children having such large dragons, the dragons were endearingly devoted to her children, though Viserra had forbidden them to ride them until they were much older. Her children weren't the best at disciplining their dragons either, due to their young age and lack of will, so much like Viserra mothered her children, Dreamfyre mothered her hatchlings and kept them behaved.

Speaking of Dreamfyre, Viserra walked forward and eagerly rested her face on her dragon's snout, drawing comfort from her soothing warmth. Dream was as beautiful as ever with her pale blue scales shimmering like aquamarine and sapphires and her silvered crests running up her spine like the adornment of a queen. A Blue Queen.

Viserra hugged her dragon tighter and did her best to avoid letting her children see her cry. It was not that she resented being with child, it wasn't exactly enjoyable but her children were very much worth it and Viserra would not trade them for anything. She did however resent the feeling of helplessness, of powerlessness. She just always had to be with child when these things happened didn't she? Or rather their enemies conspired to strike only when she was with child, too cowardly to dare antagonize them when she was fit to ride.

This was twice now that she had been forced to watch Corlys leave her to fight. He might say that there would be no fighting, but Viserra could see the concerns he had kept from her, the smile that was a little too intentionally bright. It had been hard enough during the Morghon Revolt, and now it was even worse knowing he would be so far away and she could do nothing to help or protect him.

She had done her best to prove that Dreamfyre was for the benefit of their house. And yet at the moments when her dragon was most needed, when she was most needed, they had failed to protect their house. Thousands of their people had died in the Morghon Revolt because of her failure, how many more would die now if the Crisis escalated? What would happen if Hightower did not back down?

Dream breathed on her then, and Viserra trembled. Her breath was warm enough to be uncomfortable, but not hot enough to be painful, like entering a hot bath before it had cooled enough. It was almost like Dreamfyre was chiding her.

Her dragon nudged her gently with her snout and Viserra looked into those gorgeous azures eyes of hers. They had a knowing look to them, betraying an intelligence even Viserra did not fully comprehend the limits of. Viserra had a feeling her dragon was all too aware of her inner turmoil. She felt a surety from Dream, that no matter what she commanded right now, she would obey.

A dangerous idea came to Viserra's mind then as she felt a heady rush of intoxicating power and confidence rush to her head. A dangerous, stupid, terrible, no good idea, yet also one that was far too appealing. She was already rationalizing it to herself, and looking back to Dream, she saw only loyalty and trust in her eyes. Dreamfyre was hers to command and for the first time, Viserra felt like that actually scared her.

________________________________________

The Governor of the Stepstones

The past few years had not gone quite as well as Otto Hightower had believed they would. By mid-year 91 AC, the Targaryens had burned out most of the pirate dens in the Stepstones, and had proceeded to leave the rest of the hard work to their fleets and lords. As the appointed Governor, the task of overseeing all of this had fallen to Otto.

There was so much work to do. The Velaryons and the pirates had built barely any infrastructure so Otto had to oversee the construction of ports, forts, and toll offices. Furthermore, the pirates had not been as eradicated as they had hoped, many of them were hiding in the isolated tiny islets scattered throughout the archipelago and making a menace of themselves, and with their ports and forts in the process of construction, the pirates had much room to prey on their shipping the past few years, making many opt for the safer Tyroshi Corridor instead.

Otto strongly suspected that either Dorne or Tyrosh, or even both were giving safe harbor and funds to the pirates to annoy him, because they kept coming back! An incessant nuisance that was not severe enough to draw the attention of the Targaryens, no matter how much he had requested their return, but not insignificant enough as to not make his duties more difficult than they had to be.

The difficulties in enforcing his jurisdiction had not helped either. Otto did not even have a proper dedicated fleet with a single chain of command, no instead he had to cobble together ships from many different houses and fleets, and run himself ragged somehow trying to coordinate the various and fractious groups active in the archipelago.

Corlys Velaryon was Lord of Bloodstone, so Seven knew he had gotten absolutely nothing out of Bloodstone these past four years. Boremund Baratheon, the bloody Lord of Storm's End, held Veil and ruled it like it was an extension of the Stormlands, paying little heed to Otto's technical jurisdiction over it. Both the Royal and Redwyne fleets were active in the region and while they were cooperative and under the command of his friend and goodbrother Robert Redwyne, the Master of Ships, the chain of command remained no less muddled because they weren't technically under Otto's command.

Many of the people Otto had to deal with weren't even lords! Instead they were obstinate stewards appointed to rule on behalf of some snot-nosed brat until they came of age by said brat's father, who was providing all the men, gold, and ships for said island until their brat took charge. Which meant that whenever Otto requested something these bloody stewards thought exceeded their mandate, he had to wait until the reply from their masters returned, slowing things down even more. It had been even worse before the new Maesters had trained their ravens.

The blasted Targaryens had pawned this ridiculous hellhole off on Otto and then ditched him to do everything while they had barely lifted a finger. It was times like this that he wished once more that he had been content to remain the Steward of Oldtown, but no he had to be ambitious, he had to have accepted the King's offer and what did you know, it turned out to be too good to be true. The Seven had to be laughing at him for his hubris, truly.

His only comfort and solace throughout all of this had been his wife Elinor and their children, Oscar and Alicent, as well as their youngest two boys, Leyton and Gwayne, who had been born in the years since he had become Governor. Every day, Otto had run himself ragged for their sake, seeking to coordinate the Stepstones and develop his fiefs.

Highwatch, Felstrong, and Tor might be mostly barren rocks, but Otto had spoken to Lannisters long enough to know that there was value even in those. Precious minerals, gems, and metals had been found in the hills of all three islands, causing everyone else to prospect their islands as well in search of wealth. They had even found some sort of hardened compost-like rock, that the Maester had reported to be hardened seabird droppings. It made for excellent fertilizer, and his brother Hobert ensured that Oldtown purchased whatever his domains had to give for it.

Unfortunately, the islands' true potential had not yet been truly unlocked. Though they had found the wealth in its lands and begun exploiting what farming and timber there could be had from the rocky islands, so long as the pirates remained a persistent menace, trade and fishing were greatly limited.

The Stepstones should have been, by right, the wealthiest trade crossroads in the world, but with the pirate problem unresolved, most trade redirected to the neighboring Tyroshi Corridor, protected and patrolled by the Velaryon fleet and their mistress' dragon. They still received enough revenues from their tolls and mines to break even, sometimes even profit, but the unfathomable wealth they had all been promised had not been forthcoming.

Otto had written many letters to King's Landing requesting that something be done about it, but it seemed the Targaryens did not understand that he had more than enough ships in the Stepstones, he needed to have command over them! What was the point of them assigning two new squadrons from the Royal Fleet to Highwatch and sending in Baratheon's fancy (and shoddily built in Otto's opinion) new fleet when Otto needed to deal with egotistical fools to get them do anything he wanted them to do?

The only end result was more sword rattling and ego-stroking as the lords and captains competed for glory to clear out pirates and even extort merchants. It felt like trying to stitch together a tapestry but each sewer went off in their own way with differently sized needles. It was aggravating.

Finally, finally, a breakthrough had occurred a few moons ago, when the King had finally listened to his pleas and authorized him to requisition ships from all the lords and fleets active in the Stepstones to create a joint expeditionary fleet that was solely under his chain of command. It was for a temporary purpose only, akin to calling the banners, and Otto would have to relinquish command of the ships back to their true lieges eventually, but he would take this stopgap.

If nothing else, it should take the pirates some time at least to crawl back in once he'd exterminated this current infestation. For the past few months, Otto had put his combined fleet to work, efficiently and methodically clearing out the islets and hidden pirate dens. Truly the wonders of having your own fleet. They had even found evidence that the Dornish had indeed been supporting and sheltering the pirates, with quite a few having taken refuge in the Broken Arm, where their fleet could not go without risking war with Dorne.

Otto had forwarded the evidence to the Targaryens, though he somehow doubted they would do anything much beyond a stern letter to Sunspear. They were too obsessed with the Velaryons or distracted with their own internal familial issues.

Though she had attended her eldest grandchildren's wedding, Queen Alysanne continued to refuse to return to King's Landing permanently, even now that her first great-grandchild, Prince Aegon, had been born to Prince Viserys and Princess Rhaenys. Rumours continued to spread of a quarrel between the King and Queen and Princess Alyssa, with Princes Aemon and Baelon attempting to mediate. Most agreed that it likely was due to disagreements with the King's handling of the Velaryons, though all were wise enough to discuss their gossip beyond the earshot of any tempestuous Targaryen.

Speaking of Velaryons, Otto was quite displeased that they were rising once again. Despite all their arrogance and brazenness, despite all their efforts to bring them down, the stubborn Velaryons were rising once again. Ever since they had crushed their little revolt, the Velaryons' fortunes had massively improved and now they threatened to economically dominate the Stepstones and lure away all their trade and toll revenues entirely.

If there was one good thing about the Velaryons rising again, Otto would say that it had made the Western alliance stop bickering amongst themselves and rally once again to face the threat. Coordination between their forces in the Stepstones was at an all-time high, and the South Seas Company was now making more profit than ever with the crippling infighting and indecision curtailed.

Most of Westeros continued to deal with the restrictions of the sanctions, despite their proven ineffectiveness, and as each year passed, more and more cracks began to appear in the King's grand scheme. To averting that end, the King had promised his implicit backing to a request that Otto had made to him to use his new combined fleet to finally enforce his jurisdiction and territorial claims as Governor of the Stepstones on the defiant Velaryons.

And so that brought him to today, in the midst of the Stepstones Crisis. There was a small islet in the Tyroshi corridor along the border of the waters his ships had claimed and were interdicting. Corlys Velaryon had invited him to negotiations there. Otto somewhat found himself looking forward to it. He had met the Sea Snake once before, when he had voyaged to Oldtown. It felt like a lifetime since then.

Despite their rivalry, he did maintain a respect for the Sea Snake and his accomplishments. Of course, respect wouldn't stop him from holding his advantage over him. They were all quite aware of the fact that Princess Viserra was in the late stages of her pregnancy. Word had spread of how Dreamfyre had been grounded during the Morghon Revolt because of her childbirth. Otto was feeling quite confident that the Blue Queen would not be showing up anytime soon. That was quite important. Rather aggravatingly, the Targaryens had not replied to his requests for a dragonrider to help him enforce his demands on the Velaryons.

His ship had reached the islet now. Boarding a skiff, Otto was rowed to the beach by his men, as his guards rushed to secure the meeting site. The banner of truce recognized by all the faithful flew high above the meeting ground. A rainbow-striped flag with seven long tails, on a staff topped by a seven-pointed star.

The Sea Snake himself was waiting for him there. Otto smiled and greeted him. "Lord Velaryon! Thank you for agreeing to come to this meeting!"

Besides Velaryon, one of his knights growled. He wore the typical armor Otto knew was associated with the Tide Guard, though in a rather shocking display of individuality, he had also been allowed to bear a badge of… an orange? "Know your place Hightower! You intrude into the sovereign waters of the Free City of Tyrosh. In this domain, the proper address for my liege is His Excellency, Archon of Tyrosh!"

Otto smiled again. "A title that is not recognized by my liege, King Jaehaerys of Westeros, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, King of the Andals, the First Men, and the Rhoynar. Isn't he your liege as well Lord Velaryon? Have you forgotten that he has granted these waters to the Stepstones Governorate?"

Velaryon frowned. "They were never his to give. Tyrosh never swore any oaths to the Iron Throne nor were any of its waters ever under its jurisdiction. These grants are invalid and as Archon of Tyrosh, I do not answer to Jaehaerys."

"But you do as Lord of Bloodstone do you not? Why then have you refused to recognize the jurisdiction of your sworn liege's lawfully appointed Governor?" Otto pressed.

"What do you want Hightower?" Velaryon demanded.

Not bothering with niceties it seemed. Very well then. Otto would have liked to play with Velaryon a little longer but it would not do to overly antagonize him. Otto would prefer to settle this without a war, but if war was what was required to make the Targaryens finally act and crush the Velaryons, then so be it.

"In short, you must allow my tax collectors and toll officers to land in Bloodstone to oversee the dues that are owed to me per my jurisdiction as Governor of the Stepstones. Furthermore, Tyrosh is to remove its ships and forces from these waters that are legally ours by the decree of King Jaehaerys."

"Completely unacceptable," Velaryon declared.

Otto shook his head dramatically. "Come now Velaryon, I am willing to negotiate on the matter of the Tyroshi corridor. I understand that it's a sovereign dispute between two states. That is not the case in Bloodstone, which is by all right under my jurisdiction as Governor and sworn to the Iron Throne which appointed me as governor to begin with. You are honor bound to obey my orders where Bloodstone is concerned at least."

"Unless you can produce a writ from the King that is signed and sealed, I have no obligation to recognize you as my Governor. I don't think the Targaryens will mind overly much if Bloodstone continues to pay its taxes directly to King's Landing instead of to you first Hightower. You don't seem to be doing that good of a job in keeping the Stepstones under control to begin with."

Otto gritted his teeth. "If words will not persuade you my lord, perhaps fleets will? I have the authority of the Iron Throne and two hundred ships behind me. And that is only here. Another hundred surround Bloodstone."

"You would not dare to break the King's Peace," Velaryon said, unimpressed.

He raised an eyebrow. "Like you did when you conquered Tyrosh? Velaryon whether you recognize it or not, I am the Governor of the Stepstones, authorized by the King himself to enforce my jurisdiction over the territory he has granted me oversight of. I have his confidence and backing also. Unless you mean to challenge Jaehaerys yet again, do the smart thing and bend for once in your life Velaryon. It will make things easier."

"I'll believe you when I see a Targaryen dragon beside you. As one is clearly not present, this whole crisis of yours Hightower, seems to be nothing more than your desperate sabre rattling. Tell me, are you that scared of my house's resurgence that you must stoop as low as threatening war? Are you challenging the Velaryon fleet Hightower? We are legion for we are many. I can promise you that the resources of a Free City are far beyond what your mind can dream of. We have many, many more ships than you."

"And if you come into conflict with elements of the Royal Fleet under my command and slay soldiers sworn to the Iron Throne, do you think the Targaryens will stand idly by as you break the King's Peace once again Velaryon?"

"My wife is their kin. My house has dragons of its own. You are insignificant in their eyes Hightower."

"That is true, but your wife is with child, unable to ride. Your children are but babes with no control over their dragons. And if you strike against vassals of the Iron Throne, you will leave the King no choice but to name you traitors."

Honestly Otto was bluffing. He refused to let Velaryon see how much his words had unnerved him. He truly did not know how the Targaryens would react. Anyone else they would brutally destroy but this one house in particular they were so hesitant, so unpredictable.

"We are at an impasse then," Velaryon stated.

"That we are," Otto agreed.

"Are you truly willing to risk all-out war?" Velaryon demanded.

For a brief moment Otto hesitated, thinking of Elinor, of Oscar, Alicent, Leyton, and Gwayne. "I don't want war. But I will do whatever it takes to secure my family's success and future and carry out my prerogative as Governor, even if that should lead to war."

For a brief moment, Otto saw respect in Velaryon's indigo eyes, before it was gone. "Will you not back down?" Otto asked.

"I will not. Or rather, I cannot. To do so would be a betrayal of my people."

Otto felt a grim resolve fill him then. Perhaps the Targaryens may not act against the Velaryons directly, but with Dreamfyre grounded, neither did the Velaryons have dragons to bring to bear on him. While Velaryon might boast of his Free City's naval might, Otto had the backing of the royal and Redwyne fleets. It may be possible to win a decisive battle here and drive the Velaryons out of the disputed waters. At which point the Velaryons would be inching ever closer to risking Targaryen intervention to attack the Iron Throne's territory.

Before Otto could break off the negotiations and set them on the path to battle and likely war however, a sudden roar sounded. It was loud, mighty, and furious. Otto felt his bones trembling in shock and fear. He realized that Velaryon and his men were shocked as well, though they tried to hide it.

The Blue Queen descended upon his fleet and breathed flame upon the water close to them, boiling away the surface into sea spray in a show of power before she circled around back to the islet. With a loud thud, she landed upon the sandy ground.

"Ser Otto Hightower, you and your invasion fleet, are to leave the waters of Tyrosh and Bloodstone immediately," the Sea Dragon commanded.

"By what right do you give me orders?" Otto demanded, finding some courage.

The dragon roared in their faces and Otto could have sworn he saw the promise of blue flames in its maw. "By my right as the Princess of Tyrosh, Lady of the Tides. You have intruded into my house's waters. Leave now, before I make you leave!"

By the Seven, wasn't this woman supposed to be with child? "I am the Governor of the Stepstones!" Otto said indignantly. "I am under the protection and orders of your father Princess! House Targaryen has many more dragons than you do, larger than yours too! Are you challenging the Iron Throne?"

In that moment, Dreamfyre breathed flames and Otto thought his life was going to end. He felt the searing heat, but found himself a little shocked to open his eyes and find himself still alive. He and his party turned to find that the dragon had reduced the grass near the beach to ash, and some of the sand had even been melted and fused into misshapen glass.

"Those larger dragons are far away. Dreamfyre is right here, right now; and nothing and no one can save you from her but me. Shall I have her give a demonstration on what dragonfire can do to the flesh of bodies and the wood of ships next?" Princess Viserra taunted.

Otto stared agape. She was mad, truly unhinged. He could see it now, the bulge in her belly. This woman was clearly with child and yet she had risked her life and that of her child's to fly to threaten him. She was risking the retaliation of the Targaryens on her entire family by threatening him and she clearly did not care.

She was right, nothing would save him from her right now if she decided to set her dragon on him and his fleet. Otto found himself caring no longer for the feuds of the Targaryens or the jurisdiction of the Stepstones. Dragons were very convincing.

"No need Princess," he said begrudgingly. "You have made your point."

With no other choice, Otto bent to the demands of the Princess of Tyrosh and withdrew his fleets from the contested waters and stopped pressing his jurisdiction on Bloodstone. If the Targaryens refused to support him against their crazy kinswoman, they could enforce their own bloody jurisdiction themselves.

A week after the Crisis had come to an end, a letter arrived from King's Landing, signed and sealed by the Prince of Dragonstone, ordering him to stop antagonizing the Velaryons. Otto stopped caring about the opinions and desires of House Targaryen completely after that.

______________________________________________

Viserra

Seeing Otto Hightower cower before her and tuck tail and run had been satisfying, Viserra would not lie. Overseeing his fleet's departure had also given her a stay of execution. The moment Hightower's fleet had been on their way, Corlys had marched her to the Sea Snake and led her to his bed, gently, but firmly. She could sense his anger.

"You will not be riding Dreamfyre back to Tyrosh," Corlys ordered. "I'll have Ser Jaremy escort you on one of the other carracks back tonight itself. Dreamfyre can make her own way I'm sure."

"The sun will set soon. It won't be safe to go by ship. I'll have to ride if you want me back home today."

"No. No way in hell." Her husband's answer was firm, with no room for negotiation.

Feebly, Viserra protested. "It would be faster. Besides, I told Alys and the children I would be back home tonight."

Corlys groaned. "Ah, you've made a right mess of everything haven't you?"

"Have I displeased you?"

"What kind of question is that? Are you just pretending Viserra, or are you actually that stupid? Oh Viserra I am not displeased. I am fucking furious with you!

"How could you do this? What were you thinking? You are eight months pregnant and you rode?? You rode your dragon to a potential battlefield! What if something went wrong? What if someone in Hightower's fleet got unnerved and loosed a stray arrow at you? What if you injured our child with any enthusiastic riding?? Viserra you've put not just your life, but the life of our child at risk! I thought you knew better than this!"

Viserra bit her lips hard, trying not to feel the sting. Her memories of the last time Corlys had expressed his disappointment in her burned their way to the forefront of her mind.

"Tell me Viserra, what could have possessed you to do something so stupid??" Corlys demanded.

She couldn't bring herself to look at his face, to see the disappointment in his eyes, the anger in his brow. She knew, she had known from the moment she had mounted Dreamfyre, that this was a horrible plan. Yet she hadn't been able to stop herself.

"Well?" he pressed.

"I… I was afraid," Viserra said instead, looking to the side still, unable to face him. She felt like an errant child being lectured for something mischievous.

"Afraid? Do you know how afraid I was when I saw you riding here? I thought my heart was going to stop! All it would have taken was a single arrow for you to be killed and our child with you! Words cannot describe how irresponsible and foolish you were!"

"I know!" she screamed. "I knew it from the very start."

"So why?? Why did you risk our child's life? Do I have to worry about you taking unnecessary risks with Laena and the twins now as well!?"

"I won't do that!" Viserra protested vehemently.

"How would I know that? That's not what your actions show Viserra!"

"I won't do it again, I promise. I just… I needed to do it this time."

"What? No you are not weaseling your way out of this. I cannot trust that you aren't going to run off on another harebrained scheme like this. That's supposed to be my flaw Viserra, not yours! What were you so afraid of that it would compel you to put yourself and our child at risk unnecessarily??"

"I… I couldn't bear to see you go again! While I'm left pregnant and waiting, praying that I won't hear that you've died, that some disaster has befallen our house and our men! My mind was driving me mad with the idea of you dying. It scared me!"

Corlys grabbed her head and forced her to look into his eyes. She couldn't even tell what emotion he was feeling, his eyes and expression were in such chaos. "I did my best to allay your fears did I not? I had the Velaryon Fleet with me, all the strength of Tyrosh mustered against Otto! Viserra we put down the Morghon Revolt by ourselves, we don't need you and Dreamfyre to coddle us for everything! Especially if it puts our child at risk! I can promise you that every man in that fleet thinks the same right now."

Viserra looked away, ashamed. "When you left me in that bed that day, I thought the world was ending. I was giving birth to our child and you weren't there! You were out fighting and I couldn't help you, I couldn't protect you! I hated feeling so powerless, so helpless! I couldn't bear feeling it again!"

"I know. I know it hurt you that day Viserra. But didn't I prove to you that you could trust me? That I could protect you for once? I did everything I could to reassure you this time. Do you trust me so little?"

She detected the slightest traces of doubt and insecurity in his voice. "No! It's not you! I had every faith in you! I just… I couldn't stop worrying. I'm the problem Corlys, not you! I made the mistake! This isn't your fault!"

"But it is. If your only reason is your excessive worry, then I have some fault as well. I was worried but I tried, I tried so hard to assure you that everything would be well, that you didn't need to come protect us. And you saw right through me."

Viserra wouldn't stand for her husband's self-deprecating any longer. They'd been through this once before and that was enough times for her already. Deep down she already knew what she needed to say but she was scared. She was scared to admit her selfish, stupid wish and be judged and rejected for it. It might break her, but she had no choice. Both their house and Corlys could not afford him losing faith in his own judgement again.

"No Corlys! It's my fault! I'm sorry! I… I wanted to prove I was worth it!"

"What?" Corlys was confused.

Viserra sighed. There was no turning back. "You said it yourself right? You didn't need me or Dreamfyre when you put down Morghon. You did it by yourself, because you are amazing Corlys. You are the incredible Sea Snake, and you accomplished so much. You never needed me at all. I… I held you back. It's because I claimed Dreamfyre that we suffered so much. I was a hindrance to you. Maybe if I hadn't claimed Dreamfyre, if you hadn't married me at all, you might never have had to lose so much. Rhaekar didn't have to die. And I… I felt so worthless and so guilty. I felt like I needed to prove that marrying me was worth it. That Dreamfyre could be a blessing and not just a hindrance."

"Viserra." Corlys sighed, and she shied away hearing the disappointment. She braced herself for the reprimand, for the rejection. But it never came. Instead she felt a pull and suddenly Corlys wrapped his arms around her.

"You are not worthless. Understand? Don't ever think that you are. You are worth so much. Sometimes I can't believe my luck that I got to marry someone like you," Corlys said firmly.

Corlys continued when she made no answer, still tongue tied and speechless. "I'm sorry. I didn't see this coming. I should have. That day… your words cut so deep, but I never realized just how deep mine did in return. And I'm sorry that I ever said that Viserra, that I ever made you feel worthless, that everything was your fault because you claimed Dreamfyre. I was angry and frustrated. We both said things we shouldn't have that day.

"Viserra, Dreamfyre is a blessing. Not a hindrance. She never was and neither were you. The dragons you have blessed our children with will ensure our house's future. How the Targaryens reacted to that, to everything, that's on your father, and it's on me for how I handled it. You were never at fault for any of it and don't you dare think otherwise."

"You think that your dragon is what determines your worth? No Viserra. It's not. You are worth so much more! You are Zaldilaros, the Princess of Tyrosh! The city worships you, and you have won their love and their loyalty with your kindness and your care for them. Driftmark and our men are devoted to you as well, they see how hard you work for them, the risks you are willing to take for their sake.

He broke their embrace slightly to place his hand under her chin and raise it so their eyes met once again. "You say that I'm amazing? Perhaps I am, but you make me better. That day, the day of the Morghon Revolt, I was lost. You were my light. You shone like a lone star in the night sky, guiding me home from the storm. You lit the way for me, for our people.

He tightened his arms around her. "For too long now, you've measured your own self-worth wrongly. First you attached it to your beauty, cloaked yourself in vanity like a shield. Then when you claimed Dreamfyre and held all her power, you thought that she gave you worth, gave your life meaning beyond being a pretty face. Viserra you are so much more than that.

"Yes you are beautiful. Immeasurably so. You are Jonquil, Helen of Troy. You shine with the radiance of a Seastar. Any man would boast that their wife is the most beautiful woman in the world, but perhaps I'm the only one who isn't exaggerating. And yes you are a fine dragonrider, and you should remember that you and Dreamfyre have long since proved your worth to us in the war against Dorne, against the Triarchy. With her power you can do so much.

"But these things do not define you. You are so much more than your beauty and your dragon. Set them aside Viserra, they are not your worth. They only enhance what was already there, the diamond that you have cut and polished to splendor unknowingly.

"I told you once long ago, that there was something special about you, that words could not describe. And they never can truly do you justice. You are a wonderful person, who has learned from her mistakes, who seeks out the best for those she cares for. You are as persevering as you are caring, as shrewd as you are loving… and there are so many words that I could say but not even the Seven can sing all your praises."

"You are Viserra Seastar. The most beautiful woman in the world. A princess born of the line of Aegon the Conqueror, who has by her own merit become the rider of the Blue Queen, the mighty Dreamfyre. You are the Sea Dragon who defends our people, the Star that lights our way. You are the Princess of Tyrosh, the Zaldilaros who is worshipped as a messiah by those she saved from the shackles of slavery. You have worked hard for years to govern Tyrosh and lead it back to prosperity and our house back to splendor. You are the Lady of the Tides, and all the might of House Velaryon and its people, of Driftmark and Tyrosh, are at your command because you have proven worthy of their faith."

He laid a tender and loving kiss on her lips. "And most importantly of all. You are a wonderful wife and mother. Long ago you worried that you would fall short because your own mother was not the best example. You surpassed her long ago Viserra. You made a mistake today but it's but a drop in the ocean of how incredible you are truly. Our children love and adore you because you are a good mother, and you care for them deeply. You would do anything for them, and have done so. You have suffered and cried and endured many sacrifices for their sake.

She felt her eyes begin to water and clung to her husband tighter, struggling to control her emotions.

"Don't hold back. I will never blame you for your tears my love. On this night, and every night to come, my shoulder will always be yours to cry on and put to rest your worries and fears and insecurities. Come morning though, and you will stand proud. You must stand proud. Because you are a powerful and capable person, who has accomplished so much. Take pride in your achievements, in your gifts. That you are someone that our children can admire and aspire to be."

"Viserra, I have done many great things in my life, built so much, but all of that would have come to naught without you. You stood by me, you believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself, so I will return the favor to you now.

"Everything that I have is meaningless if I don't have you to share it with. All our power, our fleets, our wealth, they would turn to ash in my mouth if I lost you. You are my world Viserra. The love of my life, the light in my darkness, the star that guides my way.

"You and our children are what matter most to me. Not our wealth, not our pride or our prestige, not even our people. It's you Viserra, and the four little joys that we created with our love. So please, please do not think that you are worthless or a hindrance ever again. Please don't put yourself and our children in danger because of your insecurities any longer.

"You don't have to prove yourself worthy of me because you proved that to me long, long ago, and you still prove it to me every single day. Even when you think you don't, even when we argue and tear each other's throats out. I will always love you, and you will always be worthy in my eyes, no matter what."

Viserra couldn't hold back the tears any longer. As Corlys held her, she cried. Her tears, she didn't even know if they were of sadness or joy. It just felt good to have a shoulder to cry on and let all her fears and doubts drain away.

_______________________________________________

Tenth Moon, 94 AC

A few weeks later, Viserra gave birth to her fourth child. As if to make up for his absence when Laena had been born, Corlys had stayed with her throughout her entire labor, never leaving her side at all. Thankfully, her little escapade had not endangered her child, though she had been lectured by both Maester Desmond and Alys upon her return to Tyrosh.

The pain and difficulty had lessened with each birth, but it was no less aggravating. After hours of struggle, Maester Desmond finally presented her with her child. Another boy. Her third son.

"He's beautiful," Corlys said, awestruck by their son.

Some said that newborn babes did not look comely, but perhaps as the babe's mother Viserra was biased because she certainly did not agree. Like his sister Laena, her son's eyes were Corlys' indigo. Small tufts of silver-gold hair crowned his head, like it did his three older siblings.

Sighing, Viserra leaned her head back and japed. "I guess I don't get to name this one."

Corlys smirked. "I am open to negotiations. You worked so tirelessly to bring him into the world after all."

Viserra smiled. "Where was that gratitude for Jacaerys and Lucerys?"

"They are my firstborn. I wanted to name them. I'm being generous here, given our agreement," Corlys jested lightly.

"I tell you what. I'll bring the other three so they can meet their new little brother. You can think of some suggestions while you wait," he said before he walked out of the room, leaving Viserra to think.

There were many Targaryen names to choose from, but in her heart Viserra knew that a Targaryen name would not truly fit any child of hers with the current feud. It had to at least be a name with some history in House Velaryon as well.

She ran them through her head pondering. Jacaerys and Lucerys were taken already. Rh… that would hurt too much as much as he deserved to be honored. Besides, Aurane had already claimed the name for his second son with Alys. Aethan was another possible name, and a fine one, though Viserra found herself tempted to surprise her husband by proposing they name their son for his beloved grandfather Daemon. Unfortunately, her rascal of a nephew already had that name, and while that didn't have to stop them, Viserra wanted her son to have a name he could fully claim as his own.

Viserra thought a little longer, and felt that she might have a suggestion by the time Corlys returned with their children. Laena was holding his hand and walking adorably slowly while Jace and Luke ran up to her and jumped on the bed eagerly. For a brief moment, Viserra remember another time, and another pair of children that had done that before she brushed it away.

"Hey! What have I said about jumping on my bed!" she said sternly.

"Sorry Muña," Jace and Luke said despondently before their mood instantly cheered up at seeing the bundle in her arms.

"Is this our little brother?" Luke asked as Corlys approached with Laena.

"Yes," Viserra said as she lowered her child low enough for his siblings to see him. "Valonquar!" Laena said as she began jittering on her feet excitedly. She looked very proud in a childish adorable way.

Viserra smiled. "Yes Laena. This is your valonquar."

"What's his name?" Jace asked.

Viserra looked to her husband. "We haven't decided that yet. Your mother was supposed to think of some names while I brought you three little rascals," he said to the children.

Three pairs of purple eyes looked to her expectantly. Viserra sighed and chuckled. She hunched down almost conspiratorially and whispered to her children.

"Do you like the name Daeron?" she asked them.

Jace and Luke nodded. "Dae!" Laena shouted, so she assumed that she approved too.

"Well there you have it then. Your little brother's name is Daeron," she said louder, so Corlys could hear.

He shook his head looking exasperated but he did not dislike the name Viserra noted.

"Daeron. A proud name with history in both our families, though in yours I believe it predates the Doom."

"Yes, the last Daeron Targaryen was the father of Aenar the Exile, or so our family records say. I didn't name our son for him though, but I thought we might honour your grandfather, even if my nephew already has his name."

Corlys's eyes widened in surprise. "Thank you. That was very thoughtful of you. I didn't even consider that myself."

He looked down at their son, and with her permission, he took her from her arms, gently cradling him in his. Their older children seemed to pout that their father had taken their brother from their reach so Corlys knelt down for them.

"Daeron Velaryon," He said, almost in a daze. "Our young dragon. Perhaps he will become a daring adventurer one day, or be a good administrator for Jace."

"But for now, just a babe," Viserra said firmly.

Corlys nodded, looking at the other three. "They all are."

They protested.

"We're not babies Kepa!" Jace and Luke insisted.

"Not baby!" Laena chipped in.

Viserra laughed. "No matter how old you become, you will always be our babes to us in some way my dear children. Best get used to it."

Shortly after that, their older children enthusiastically helped them lay Daeron's egg in his cradle. The egg was ocean blue, with ribbons of sea green swirling on its scales.

In her last clutch, Dreamfyre had produced four eggs. One of which had hatched to Laena as Shrykos and the second they gave now to Daeron. The last two eggs would be kept for now, though Viserra wondered if she would have any more children. She was still young, and she had plenty of time if she wished, but there was a certain feeling of completion and contentedness that she felt as the five of them stared at little Daeron, enthralled by the newest and perhaps final addition to their family.

Perhaps she would decide to have more children with Corlys in time, or perhaps those two eggs would go to any future grandchildren she might have, and Seven did that give her a headache to even think of right now. Feeling tired, Viserra laid back down on the bed and rested, while Corlys began massaging her feet lovingly. Her children babbled and chattered eagerly with each other or with them as their younger brother slept.

Viserra's heart was full of love and joy. Moments like this were what she strived for, wonderful moments that she wished could last forever but were precious precisely because they did not. She felt whole. She felt fulfilled and complete in a way her parents and siblings had never made her feel.

Perhaps that was always the case for a young new parent, or perhaps it was because she had had a difficult time growing up in her own family. Nevertheless, Viserra was certain that this family, the family that she had made, was the most precious and important to her, and she would never give them up. No matter what.