The Weeping Lady

Chapter 26: The Weeping Lady

The Burning Docks of Lys

Aerion Targaryen moved through the chaos of the Lysene docks, his white cloak stained red with the blood of traitors. The acrid stench of burning wood and flesh filled the air, the crackling of flames mixing with the cries of the dying.

At the water's edge, he found Aurane Velaryon, his sword dripping with blood. The young Velaryon lord stood among his marine soldiers, who had formed a defensive line against the slaves and mercenaries who had tried to destroy their fleet.

Aurane turned as he saw Aerion approach, relief and exhaustion battling for control over his face.

"They tried to burn the fleet, Prince," he said, breathing heavily. "Slave sailors, paid off by the Ormollen. We killed them all before they could destroy everything, but we lost twenty-nine ships… mostly galleys, though a few war galleys went down as well."

Aerion clenched his jaw, but before he could respond, Aurane's eyes fell upon the body of Monford Velaryon, carried by one of the soldiers.

"What… what happened?"

His voice broke.

Lysarra Rogare sobbed, unable to speak. She pushed past them, running toward the flagship Sea Pearl, partially scorched but still afloat. Laenor Velaryon, her three-year-old son, was there—saved by Aurane and his men.

She took the boy in her arms, clutching him tightly, weeping into his silver hair.

Aurane swallowed hard, his knuckles turning white as he gripped his sword. "They will pay for this," he whispered. "Even after death, they will suffer."

Aerion placed a hand on his shoulder. "I swear it."

He turned to Ser Barristan Selmy, his voice steel. "Gather all captains and commanders. Now."

Inside a makeshift war tent, the surviving leaders of the Dragon Company gathered. The air was thick with tension and rage. Ser Barristan Selmy, Aurane Velaryon, Ser Clement Celtigar, Guncer Sunglass, Neron Qoherys, and the remaining high captains of their forces stood in a circle, waiting for their prince to speak.

Aerion slammed his hands onto the table, his blood-red eyes burning with fury.

"House Ormollen conspired against us," he began, his voice deadly calm. "But they did not act alone."

The captains exchanged uneasy glances.

"Lys is ruled by its noble houses. The Ormollen and the Rogare were the two most powerful—the former controlling the pleasure houses, the latter the banks. The other noble families? They hold the trade fleet. Do you truly think they stood aside while the Ormollen schemed?"

Silence. Then, Clement growled, "They are all guilty."

Aurane nodded, his face still wet from his earlier grief. "We should strike them all down."

Aerion smiled coldly. "Not all. We will take their power, not their walls. The Ormollen are gone. The Rogare… nearly so. The other families will kneel or burn."

Barristan raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to do this?"

Aerion leaned forward. "First, we take away their most valuable asset—their pleasure houses. Every brothel in the city, every slave whore, every master who profits from their suffering… we burn them out. Kill the brothel keepers, take the gold. And free the women."

A few of the captains looked surprised, but Barristan gave a small approving nod.

"We are no slavers," Aerion continued. "Any woman who wishes to come with us, may. We will take them aboard our ships and sail them to safety. Those who wish to stay… they will be left in a city of ashes."

Guncer frowned. "And what of the slavers?"

Aerion smirked. "We will round them up. Every noble house who had a hand in this treachery. Their men, their merchants, their slave masters. We put them on ten ships. And when we set sail…" He looked at Aurane. "We sink them."

A cruel chuckle spread through the room. Clement grinned. "Now that is justice."

Aurane's eyes gleamed with understanding. "And their trade fleet?"

Aerion nodded. "We take it. Every last ship. We lost twenty-nine tonight. We will leave with thrice that number, and Lys will never recover."

Barristan exhaled, his face unreadable. "This will be seen as an act of war."

Aerion turned to him. "So be it."

A long silence. Then, slowly, one by one, the captains nodded.

The plan was set.

Lys would pay.

And when the Dragon Company sailed, they would leave nothing but ashes behind.