The Three-Headed Dragon: A Viserys Targaryen Quest Continuation [abandoned]

stuckunderwater · Jun 26, 2021

Oh wow Tywin is intense, I love it. Welcome back!

Themarineguy · Jun 26, 2021

Marlowe310811 said:
"You have all you need, Your Grace," the prisoner answered. "If you cannot proceed with what you have, perhaps you need me more than you imagined."

Alexander Sturnn said:
...Not sure what exactly Tywin is up to here, but I do NOT like it one bit.

He reads kind of like a detective, albiet being tywin he treats it more as a thought exercise leaving the other to piece things together.

What he told us is that the murderer isn't a noble, as the crimes seem to be more showing power, and the motive seems very irrational due to the placement. Also noteworthy is the one we already know being the person knows at least part of the mummification process.

Alexander Sturnn · Jun 26, 2021

Themarineguy said:
What he told us is that the murderer isn't a noble, as the crimes seem to be more showing power, and the motive seems very irrational due to the placement. Also noteworthy is the one we already know being the person knows at least part of the mummification process.

So we're dealing with some kind of Westeros!Jack The Ripper here (obviously not the same MO, but maybe similar Motives/whatever)?

Themarineguy · Jun 26, 2021

Alexander Sturnn said:
So we're dealing with some kind of Westeros!Jack The Ripper here (obviously not the same MO, but maybe similar Motives/whatever)?

Not quite. There seems to be a pattern of where the bodies end up that the watch missed due to not considering it may not be some sort of logical plot. It IS A MESSAGE, but not a group or person Aegon has considered due to relative irrelevance likely. And also, there is a distinct lack of taunting currently.

Edit: This person seems to be projecting power, based on what we hear so far, while jack the ripper didn't care much for that aspect, preferring to play his game with the police.

Stardust&Scotch · Jun 27, 2021

Swedish15 said:
Hello, Hannibal Lecter! Eh, Tywin Lannister!

Also, damn glad to see you back, @Marlowe310811 , and I hope therapy works out for you.

EDIT: And I mean this literally. The entire scene gets me very much Silence of the Lambs flashbacks, and if one recalls who, exactly, is behind Buffalo Bill....

Happy beyond describing to be back.

I will confess to having spent part of my time burying myself in Red Dragon, Silence of the Lambs, and Bryan Fuller's Hannibal. That sense of 'this person is smarter and more dangerous than you, and knows it, and knows how to get what he wants' felt vital to capture properly.

Alexander Sturnn said:
...Not sure what exactly Tywin is up to here, but I do NOT like it one bit.

Themarineguy said:
He reads kind of like a detective, albiet being tywin he treats it more as a thought exercise leaving the other to piece things together.

He also knows how to thread a delicate needle here: he can't be useless or unhelpful, but being too helpful and just laying out "this is who you're looking for and the dates you haven't yet put together mean this" makes it too easy to dismiss him as being helpful, one time. This way, he's got Egg on a line, and if (as he expects is inevitable) Aegon has to come back for more clues/answers, he'll find himself in an even better position of advantage. And, of course, lacking any other means of passing time means that pitting his wits against Aegon's is far too tempting to refuse.

Bryan Fuller captured it very well when he wrote, "Hannibal follows several trains of thought at once without distraction from any, and one of the trains is always for his own amusement."

I'm always surprised by how little Tywin's potential as a Hannibal Lecter stand-in is utilised in fics and quests, and now I'm in a prime position to rectify that.

Magoose · Jun 29, 2021

Marlowe310811 said:
The Black Cells were one part of Warrek's duties as the King's Justice that he genuinely despised. There were few inside these days, as the maesters had tended to those victims of the Screams who could be saved, and arrangements had been made for the rest. Viserys did not seem overly inclined to have people put into the infamous prison, and it was a practice that the City Watch had been adapting to, slowly but surely. It meant, though, that there were few buffers or other prisoners to tend to before he would have to go to mind the highborn prisoners.

Oh, some of our comrades from the Previous quest get a train of thought. i love it.

And after all the shit he's been through, he's rather surprised Viserys isn't cunt...

Well to be fair, Viserys never was a cunt. Perhaps a bit crazy, but never a cunt.

Marlowe310811 said:
Warrek was born a common man, lived as a hedge knight, fought in armies and been a captive of others – he knew that the highborn pretensions of 'quiet dignity and grace' in captivity were horseshit, and that the experience changed everyone under the eyes of the gods, especially captivity such as the Black Cells. If any noble lord ever wanted to talk his ear off about their natural poise and gods-given station, he would make sure no ladies were present and then tell such a lord in great detail the behaviours of, and the measures he had needed to introduce because of, Paxter Fucking Redwyne. Slots in the walls for passing things to the inmate that could only open one side at a time, rules for restraining a prisoner while searching his cell, markings of how close to the outer wall to walk lest an inmate try to piss on you … Paxter Fucking Redwyne, Warrek snarled inside his head.

Paxter is the Cunt, and I'm glad the fucker gets his just deserts by rotting in a cell.

Marlowe310811 said:
He was half-seriously contemplating a request to the king that the man's grave be so inscribed (I know he wants to keep the Reachers mollified … but he likes me more than them, and he'd probably find the idea hilarious, he thought) when his routine was interrupted by a single goldcloak appearing down the hall, paying the King's Justice no mind while moving towards the block where the last of the highborn prisoners was.

Viserys is very much a man who seeks to find amusement in his situations. Remember when the dude just broke a poor girl by talking.

Marlowe310811 said:
Only one man is in there," Warrek answered. "He stays isolated from the others. For their sake as much as his own."

"…it's who I think it is, isn't it."

Warrek nodded.

"I want to see him."

He stood very still. "Is that a wise decision, Your Grace?"

"Almost certainly not," Aegon breathed. "But wise decisions haven't gotten me what I need, so I'm giving the unwise a shake."

"And the king approves of this?"

The prince gave him a long look. "The king has not made any disapproval known to me."

Glad to see Egg is acting more like us, but also a more... naive version of us who does not have super powers. He's just a regular teenager who needs answers.

Marlowe310811 said:
Warrek suppressed a groan at the familiar ploy. 'Explicit permission and lack of explicit forbiddance are of the same standing' was grounds he might have attempted to argue as a green squire or with a friend or a wife. He was less prepared to do so as an aging man, with Viserys. Just because the king would in all likelihood respect the audacity of whomever made the argument to him, that did not mean they would be easily forgiven.

Once again, I think Viserys, once he gets over being lied to, would approve.

And then to teach him how to do the job.

Marlowe310811 said:
"I will accompany you," he told Aegon. "Before we go, there are rules for how we interact with any highborn held in here." At the prince's nod, he continued, "For your safety and theirs, we require that you do not touch or approach the bars of their cells. Do not pass anything to them that we have not pre-approved. If you are to pass them something, use the slot at the side of the cell – it cannot be opened at the same time from both ends. If they attempt to pass something unapproved to you, do not accept it. Can you work with these rules, Lord Commander?"

I'm glad that our lads are compatent.

Because I would not trust anyone, save Viserys himself, face the force of nature that is Tywin lannister

Marlowe310811 said:
"Then I'm not worried about it." Common goldcloaks, even captains he might have given a hard time. Not the Lord Commander, though. Not this one. Placing his torch in a sconce by the door's frame, Warrek then withdrew his keys. A quick twist unlocked the door, and a tug brought them free and moved the door open.

Is it wrong that Warrek's umping is a little worrying. At least on my thinking... We've been so careful, having confidence is a rather new feeling for our crew to have.

Marlowe310811 said:
The prince shook his head. "I'm here for some counsel."

It was the Old Lion's turn to blink in surprise. "You jape."

Even Egg can get the Old Lion off guard... And it is glorious.

Marlowe310811 said:
"I don't imagine I would persuade you at all, Lord Tywin. You'll either help or you won't." A moment passed. "I do not idly flatter. There are perhaps half a dozen men in the world as clever as you, and none of them can help me right now."

Tywin stepped forward, almost to the grates of his cell. "And what will you do for me if I help you?"

"Not let you out."

Egg, stop making so many threats you don't even have the authority to carry out. Tywin is V's Prisoner and if he gets even a minute outside, we'll never see him again.

Marlowe310811 said:
"The mind is a blade like any other; sharp or dull, well-tended or neglected. A mind needs work like a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." The prince met the Lion's cool gaze. "You have nothing but time on your hands, my lord. How else are you to keep your edge?"

So... Tyrion and Egg got the Line from Tywin... Ironic.

Marlowe310811 said:
"Do you keep your blades sharp, Prince Aegon?"

Aegon was no longer looking inside the cell. "Goodbye, Lord Tywin."

I think Egg keeps his blades sharper then the Bolton's do Tywin, just in different ways. Ways even you do not understand.

Marlowe310811 said:
It was then that Warrek let out a closely-held breath. "I make a point of searching prisoners' cells regularly, Your Grace, ensuring they don't fashion themselves a little dirk or find a loose stone to try and lash out with. I do my best to make it clear, especially to the highborn, that they hold no power here and that I more or less control their fates. Yet," he added, "every time I speak to that man, I am left feeling like I am the one unarmed and in a cage."

Tywin Lannister Everyone... even in a cage, he is a man who still is a brillient, basterd.

Marlowe310811 said:
Jon was unsure of how to feel about Prince Aegon. He felt unsure of a great deal these days. In his defence, Jon thought, uncertainty was only natural after having his entire world upended. Over the course of one evening, he had learned truths beyond his wildest imagination: learning that his father and half-siblings were in truth his uncle and cousins; that his true half-siblings were a long-lost prince and a long-dead princess; his other cousins were the princess called the Dame and the bloody king himself; the architect of both families' woes were his mother's intended and the uncle of little Jacen and Joy … it would have been a great deal to take in over the course of a year.

Jon, as someone who has had my life turned upside down a few times...

It could be far worse. You could have been far worse.

Marlowe310811 said:
For most, anyhow, Jon mused. Prince Aegon had taken to the changes in his world and his history like Robb had taken to horses: with a quickness and an enthusiasm that seemed to worry his elders. Like his brother … cousin? … brother, Jon settled on firmly, Aegon was eager to go faster and farther than those same elders were comfortable with. He had already entreated Lord Eddard to include Jon in their meetings (infrequent as they were, with both the Prince and the Master of Laws being consumed by other work of late) and invited Jon to join him on hunts in the Kingswood or patrols of the city.

Jon, your father is not controlling and wishes to allow you to grow close. Sometimes someone just really wants to speak to someone.

Marlowe310811 said:
In his heart, Jon did not really think that Lord Stark would order the prince to talk to him. But he also did not think that his father … Lord Stark, he tried to correct his mind, would spend half his life keeping secrets of the magnitude he did, or that he would raise banners against the king that he used to talk about like a brother. Perhaps Jon did not possess the skill of predicting what men might do, or perhaps he did not really know Lord Stark at all. Neither seemed good to him.

Jeez Jon, Ned is your father, even if he didn't help give birth to you... you should know that.

Marlowe310811 said:
on studied him. "Why is it that you don't join in their caution? When I was a boy, stories of the Blackfyres were told to us almost as often as tales of snarks and grumkins." Jon was well familiar with others being slow to trust; distant as they grew, he could still remember the days when Lady Catelyn had looked at him with suspicion and barely-masked contempt. As children he and Robb could recite the tales of Daemon Blackfyre before they could remember the same for Mad Axe.

Aegon blinked. "I'm sorry, what and whats?"

"Snarks and grumkins," Jon answered.

"No, I heard you," Aegon said, "but what in seven hells are those?"

Glad to see Egg's Culture shock is still... occuring

Marlowe310811 said:
A moment passed, and a sad look fell over the prince's eyes. "I spent most of my life certain I was alone. My sister, cousins, parents and grandparents all lay cold and dead and I was the only one left. Imagine it if you can, Jon, being the last of your family, the world having taken everything else and standing against you alone, with only a few strangers at your side you might or might not be able to trust. And then you learn that one of your blood yet lives. Would you not try to come to them, or bring them to you? Would you not desire them nearby, that you could have them in your life, hope to be in theirs? Is there a nicety you would not breach, a line you would not cross, an oath you would not break … is there anything you would not do, for your family?"

Dam Egg, please don't plant ideas in Jon's head. We don't need another hero trying to take our spotlight!

Even if he deserves it.

Marlowe310811 said:
"No disrespect was taken. But you aren't entirely right." The prince's words shook Jon from his musings. Aegon leaned on the ledge to look out the same opening Jon had watched him from, but rather than the courtyard below he looked up, at the Red Keep. "When I was raised by my guardians, I knew what they knew -- that I was the last of the Targaryens, born to be a king and a conqueror, destined to reclaim my rightful seat on the Iron Throne. Then Viserys came and I was none of those things anymore."

There was no bitterness in his tone, no resentment in his manner, only a wistfulness, and it confused Jon. "Your Grace has never seemed wanting of the throne," he observed.

"Well, I already draw comparisons enough to Prince Daemon; it would invite more of that and worse if I ever appeared to desire it. Which," he added, "I don't."

Egg, you are not the Rouge Prince... you are better... In some areas. Certainly in Wisdom.

Marlowe310811 said:
"Do you miss knowing what your path is meant to be?"

Damn... Jon, that actually hurt to read. Keep going.

Marlowe310811 said:
Getting suckered into work he hadn't intended to do was becoming a defining trait for Eddison Tollett. As a boy his brothers were ever devising clever ways to trick him into doing chores for them, their father laughing and saying nothing to stop them. As a young Valeman he was conscripted into King Robert's service by threats of a war coming to his homelands if nothing were done, realising later he was trading the potential of a conflict later (if at all) and on home turf, for a certainty of battle immediately and on someone else's lands. As a surviving veteran with no greater crime to his name than serving under the wrong banners he got talked into joining the City Watch of King's Landing as a way to help the Vale out from under King Viserys' vengeful eye, and besides the service to the Vale he'd be doing, "women can't resist men in uniform," the fucker had lied full well knowing how reviled and distrusted the Watch was among the smallfolk at the time.

Delirious Edd! Hey maybe you and Jon can be Bro's now, like you were at the Watch!

Marlowe310811 said:
Prince Aegon shook his head. "I'll not be acting on that today regardless, but I will keep you out of it. I haven't lived in this city long but I'm already discovering there's more reason than one why they are so fond of saying here that shit rolls downhill."

Shit always gets worse the more it piles up... I like the fact thatEdd keeps it light.

Marlowe310811 said:
"I didn't think I would be permitted to keep them. Best to not cause Ser Warrek the unnecessary fuss of coming in here to take them from me. I understand Redwyne causes trouble enough for the both of us put together."

"His trouble isn't what I'm here for, my lord."

Redwyne is a cunt, and Warrek enjoys tormenting him...

More at 11.

Marlowe310811 said:
"Possibly," the Old Lion answered. "I have thoughts and insights. Only time will tell if they are useful or not. And time is the thing in question here, isn't it, Lord Commander?" Edd looked from man to man, unsure of the meaning. Lannister apparently liked to talk, though, and more parts of the picture became clear to Edd. "Time until your man gets to work again, time until my trial commences. What can my time get me?"

"I can offer changes to your confinements, Lord Tywin, and I can speak to the king against having your head upon a spike. I cannot offer much else."

To Edd, the prisoner seemed dissatisfied. "I would like to keep my head altogether, Your Grace. And I would like to see the Hand before whatever predetermined sentence of mine is carried out."

I don't think this will be predetermined Tywin.

You are getting a trial. And you will be judged... perhaps not by a jury of your peers, but by a fair court.

I should hope at least.

Marlowe310811 said:
"Make yourself useful to me, ser, and I will argue not just for keeping your head but for keeping it out of the cold as well," Aegon said.

Lord Tywin looked just as surprised as Edd felt. "I would have thought your roles reversed, Prince Aegon; you the zealot demanding blood for blood, and your uncle the one to connive and scheme and try to make use of me."

"The king can personally remember the crimes for which you are accused, I cannot. I care more for what you will do now."

Damn Egg, way to give yourself power in a situation where you did not have any. V would be proud.

Marlowe310811 said:
The Old Lion gave a sigh that spoke of decades of prolonged suffering. "Targaryens. You always think everything is about you."

I mean technically, this quest is about Viserys, Tywin, but yeah, it is.

You should have learned that when we pointed a fucking Dragon at you.

Marlowe310811 said:
There came a sound from Aegon that Edd recognised, yet hadn't heard from the prince before. It was fully familiar to any man who had the misfortune of training under the Master of War's care. "What about this situation," Aegon stopped grinding his teeth as he indicated the cellblock, and his coming to it, "tells you that I don't care?"

Egg... Grinding his teeth?

I love this.

Magoose · Jul 11, 2021

The Mercenary and the Thief:

(Bronn POV)

King's Landing smelt of shit and people, and yet, you still came to this fucking city looking for work. It was a stupid thing to even think about. The war was over, and every lordling and their fuckwit sons were tired of fighting and killing each other, and left you out of work.

You were getting older, and you were not as young as you were back during the last rebellion, but you knew you wanted to retire, or at least find a way to die well. With enough gold, you could sail to the Summer Islands, build a home on some beach with some beautiful summer lases, and enjoy what little time you had left in comfort.

Unfortunately, this shit hole still had spies and secrets.

The toad was following you for the past block, and you felt like that meant he was either trying to talk to your arse, or he wanted to put a blade up it. Now both were a truly great possibility, you had been a sellsword for a long time since you put an ax in your father's head all those years ago… After all, you were Bronn, son of...Well, you still didn't know him, even after all those years thinking about it.

You stopped, finding a perfect place to make your stand, get some information, and then, hopefully, sell it to the highest bidder.

As you reached for the knife on your back, you heard the voice speak, and the toad revealed his face. "Hello, Bronn."

Your eyebrow raised. Your hand trembled for a single moment before the blade was drawn. "Who the fuck are you, and how do you know my name?"

The man stepped into the light, allowing you to see the greying hair and the face of a man you knew from experience was a thief. They were dime a dozen, always looking at marks that were easy, or looking for wealth that was worth the risk.

He was a Dragon seed you think, with white hair and purple eyes, tall, yet graceful in his steps, unlike most men.

He was dangerous. Yet you calmly remained assertive in your stance.

The man was different. He was something you had only seen a few times… Beyond the Wall with a merchant Caravan at Hardhome.

He was a predator, but not one that would murder you. No he wanted something from you, and that terrified you in a way even the snows of Beyond the Wall, and fighting men for a few scraps of coin failed to do.

"Well, my master does things his own way, and I can't really fault him for that, and looking for good sellswords is quite hard to do when all of them just flee east looking for work." the man stated, looking at his nails. "So it's rather easy to find a sellsword... " He paused. "As for how I know you… I know about your work, your ruthless nature, and even how well-traveled you are in Westeros and Essos."

"Who the fuck do you serve then?" You asked.

"Master Valarr Vealtigar of course, the greatest merchant of the east." The thief replied. "And is in need of a sellsword captain for his new company."

You had stories about the man, some upstart merchant that was the talk of the Nobility of Westeros, playing host to the Targaryen king for a few years, so he heard… going into Valyria itself, surviving. Then he just fell off the map, everyone claimed he died. You didn't believe it of course.

You always thought that man was a criminal, and now was just slinking back to the underworld, to become its king. "And he chose me? Must feel special?"

"You aren't. But he needed someone that was… well, not special. Someone who is a good killer… and values his self-interest enough to follow his orders without question?" The thief replied.

"Is that really what he wants?" You asked.

"He wants a man, who, without question, will do anything to protect his investments. To protect his family… to kill indiscriminately, without question. Would you do that?"

"Without question?" You said. "No."

"Than-" The Thief started.

"I'd ask how much." You replied.

That made the Thief smile. "Excellent. You will hear from me again, through an associate of mine."

Curiosity made you narrow your eyes. "Wait a moment… Are you Vealtigar?"

That made the Thief chuckle. "Now why would I be him… He's rich and powerful after all?"

You still didn't feel comfortable as the thief disappeared into the crowd, leaving you alone in the city.

AN: Or, Viserys Trolls Bronn, while also testing him.

@Marlowe310811 I've got an omake for ya.

Hope you like it.

Stardust&Scotch · Jul 12, 2021

Magoose said:
The Mercenary and the Thief

a cute little read - non-canon for the moment, as "Selling Swords" was not taken under the cartel actions this turn, but in the future ... [shrugs innocently]

Fun fact: I had considered adding Bronn to the City Watch's membership for quite a while, but I could never justify why a mercenary cutthroat like him would sign up (the pay certainly isn't good enough to tempt him, and unlike Edd he isn't going to be suckered with empty promises of women). Given his level of skill, though, I find it unlikely that he would have fallen in the Restoration (or cared too much for one side over the other, without a patron bringing him into it) so he is out there, somewhere.

Of course, IC you don't have any reason to know about him. OOC ... anyone headed to the Vale by way of the Riverlands could plausibly encounter such a man in such a tavern as Catelyn Stark did once upon a timeline ... not a guarantee by any stretch, but it's certainly a nonzero possibility. RNGesus can be such a fickle friend, after all...

Stardust&Scotch · Jul 16, 2021

Just to be clear, I'm not abandoning or leaving unfinished the "Prince of the City" interludes. Those will continue, and update as this arc also takes place, but I wanted to offer an arc that involved more player input and choices than simply reading about one vote selection from quite some time ago. That, and I also wanted to try my hand at another of GRRM's story-telling devices: switching perspectives altogether to a different plotline, see if I can manage it without regretting the decision.

Enjoy!

You have a very particular brand of diplomacy. In your more reflective (and occasionally self-critical) moments you would call it "demoralizing", though you usually settle for "ruthless" or "piercing": you find your opposite's weak points, one by one, and then strike as many as you deem necessary until your victory is unquestionable. In the past, you have not shied away from going beyond the weak points of the opposing argument or position and striking at the personal shatterpoints of your opponent. Simply put, you break things – positions, pretenses, philosophies and people alike. Brutal as it sometimes has been, this method has served you well, kept you and your sister alive, even put you on the Iron Throne.

"All other words have been for naught. Displeasing noise to you, and nothing more. I'm now reduced to begging. Does this bring you happiness?" You say, almost hissing the words.

It is failing you completely now.

"For the love of the gods, please, please eat your food, jenitītsos," you plead with your uncooperative shit of a son.

For his part, Aemon offers you a guileless smile of cuteness and innocence that would certainly work on people that aren't wearing several previous failed attempts at feeding the future king. Unfortunately for both of you, you cannot be counted among those people.

His smile remains in place as he inexplicably wriggles out of your swaddling grasp yet again. You're getting enough experience in this, at least, that this time you don't lose the spoonful of soft food. Across from you, Arianne laughs at your most recent failure, and she laughs harder when you look at her with what you try to show as hurt in your eyes.

"I cannot take you seriously covered in Dornish plums, Viserys, I simply can't," she manages as her laughter lessens, but doesn't stop. Switching Elaena to her other hip, she decides to take pity on you and hands you a clean cloth. Your other, angel child has been eating her mashed pears without complaint and with minimal help from her mother, and she burbles happy nothings at you as Arianne bounces her a bit before sitting back down. You know you felt the opposite three days ago, when Elaena had emptied her muddied-with-food water onto your head with a skull-shattering shriek and Aemon had been perfectly willing to eat whatever you gave him, but in this moment (as you try to swaddle him again and a pudgy foot kicks your hand in response) you have a hard time judging yourself for it.

You wipe away what you hope is most of the Dornish pear mush, and spare Arianne a thankful glance. Then, you decide, it's time to rely on some of your other skills. While your primary and best option, words are not the only weapon in your armory – you trained long and hard to be good with a blade, and while Jaime wasn't the best teacher in the world, he was certainly one of the best swordsmen. You learned a lot from him, things that even now are useful.

You aren't going to stab your son (fleeting appeal that a minor poke might hold) but you are very, very fast with your hands, and Aemon learns this the hard way as he opens his mouth to let out the smallest of coos only to find you are already getting the food in his unsuspecting face. He doesn't scream much in general, and he doesn't scream now either, for which you are grateful, but he fixes you with a look that conveys such betrayal that you almost feel bad. Almost.

"Just think," you say to your uncomprehending son as you spoon a small dribble of escaping plum back into his mouth, "you may be blessed by the Seven to have me live long enough that I become feeble and helpless, and you can force food upon me and take pleasure in my discomfort. Vengeance delayed yet still is vengeance fulfilled."

"You are spending too much time with my uncle," Arianne chides you gently. It's hard to feel truly rebuked with the softer, more affectionate smile on her face that has emerged from under her fading laughter. As she comes around Arianne's chair, Tyene Sand lets out a soft laugh of her own before she takes the offered-up Elaena from your queen. It's just the three of you right now, enjoying one of your painfully infrequent calm afternoons in the Queen's official chambers. And you can admit to yourself, even as Arianne walks over and wipes some plum bits from your ear you've missed, that you do enjoy this. Much as they might take turns disliking it now, you hope that your children will think back on this fondly, too.

You have no trouble at all telling that Tyene likes this, not that she makes even the slightest effort to hide her joy as she echoes Elaena's coos back at her. Without fail, at least one of the oldest three Sand Snakes is with Arianne, but Obara and Nymeria almost always discover something that needs attending to if they know activities with the little ones approach. It doesn't come as much of a surprise to you; they seem to you much more like their father in temperament, coils of energy and tension that almost need something to lunge at, while Tyene resembles Doran, observant and methodical and (crucially, for handling small children) patient.

"It isn't the king's fault my father makes for good company," Tyene stops mimicking Elaena long enough to say. The dark-haired princess in her arms makes a clumsy grab at Tyene's blonde curls, to no effect. "And it shows His Grace's wisdom to spend time with a man who has done so well in raising children," she adds. Then she's right back to cooing at Elaena, as if the princess were the only other person in the world to her. She does notice the thankful smile you offer her, though, before you both return to minding your respective little ones.

You feel more than see Arianne bend over from her spot behind you to make faces at Aemon with you, and you can't help relaxing a bit more with her closeness. She presses a kiss into your hair, then crosses the room to slip an arm around Tyene's waist and joins her in holding Elaena. Meanwhile, you let your instinct take over in caring for the little prince as your conscious mind wanders to your upcoming trip.

You want to take as much time as you can with the children before you depart for Dragonstone; you aren't sure how long you'll be there, and while the island isn't a terribly long journey (especially for a dragonrider) you don't like the idea of being too far away from them for any great periods. You've only just gotten your family all together again, and now you need to leave them behind. It frustrates you more than a little, even if you agree with the Grand Maester that it is a necessary trip. Jacaerys has done his best, but the Citadel never had a great deal of information on the rearing and training of dragons anyhow, and even Archmaester Marwyn has been forced to concede that they do not possess the knowledge you seek. He concurs with Jace's opinion: if there is any dragonlore yet surviving in Westeros, it is on Dragonstone.

Theoretically, you don't have to go. You could simply send the Grand Maester, or even have him send any of his trusted acolytes and servants to fulfill the task. But he trusts precious few minds in this labour beyond his own, and even if Marwyn were here and able to go with the Grand Maester, you have your own reasons for wanting to go with him. Ever since your family reclaimed the Iron Throne and Lord Stannis took over Storm's End, the island and castle have been your responsibility. While traditionally the Prince of Dragonstone is the next in line for the Throne, Aemon is a bit unprepared for the work, you feel … and even if your nephew Aegon could manage in the role you really do not want to invite future succession crises with your House still fragile and unsteady. So, while the title remains ungiven, its attendant duties fall to you.

And then there's the matter of the last time you were there.

Your mother's crown, one of your most treasured keepsakes and your sole remaining connection to her outside of Dany, should be returned to her in her final resting place. In a move that you're sure earned him no favours from his brother at the time, Stannis had seen Rhaella's ashes interred with those of her ancestors, a respectful gesture that you explicitly thanked him for after learning of it. You'd had to stifle a laugh at his confused face afterwards, as if he had no idea what to do with your expressed gratitude. Your mother's crown, and your promise to her, no longer need to weigh on you personally … and this is a task you could assign to no other, so you will place her crown with her remains yourself.

You're pulled from your reveries, then, as there's an unwelcome warmth spreading from Aemon into his swaddled cloths. At least it wasn't on any of us this time, you think. Or at us, you add internally as you take care to prevent that indignity from happening to you again as you begin to change the future King of Westeros. It's a mercy no infant recalls these earliest of days, in your opinion; the indignity and accompanying embarrassment would probably have been the death of you long before Dany was even born.

The day of your trip to Dragonstone arrives, and even with the planning and preparation it still feels like a mad rush to finish last-moment things before you depart. Thankfully several things lined up so that your absence could be minimally felt: the Dragonpit Trials are taking a three-week pause, allowing your fellow judges (and the prosecution, for that matter) time to attend to their own problems and concerns, or to simply relax a little, as much as one can in King's Landing; Sers Jaime and Brynden have returned from pacifying the Riverlands; Prince Oberyn is more or less waiting on word from some of his contacts and informers; and Arianne has the Grand Maester's approval to leave the Red Keep at her leisure (though he still recommends she not overtax herself on "Royal duties", as he politely puts it).

Aegon has been preoccupied with some difficulties in the Watch, but he is able to take the time to see you off, and jokingly promises not to burn the city down before your return. As the prince walks off, Jaime promises to make sure Aegon doesn't get in over his head with his work, before he bows and departs himself. A few final goodbyes and well-wishes are exchanged before you join the Grand Maester on your new ship. Lord Stannis and Lord Rodrik collaborated on this unique vessel, a ship built of deep red wood the colour of blood, which is long and broad (and sturdy) enough to allow a dragon or two to take off and land on the deck, which Ebrion quickly demonstrates by gracefully landing, and then ungracefully plopping down like a satisfied cat. You exchange an amused look with Jace, before following him into the comfortable quarters below-deck.

All too soon, your final preparations are made, and your ship departs for Dragonstone.

First things first,

What is your ship named?
[ ] Blood of Valyria
[ ] Crowsbane
[ ] Errant Venture
[ ] Pride of the Crown
[ ] Red Dragon
[ ] Royal Vagabond
[ ] Write-in (subject to QM approval)

While on this journey, Jacaerys is attending you in his role as Grand Maester, and with him you are bringing along some companions, be they loved ones who want to keep you company, friends you don't get to see enough of these days, or friendly acquaintances you wish to know better.

[Vote for a total of five companions, please!]

Kingsguard (choose two or three):
[ ] Barristan Selmy
[ ] Brynden Tully
[ ] Arys Oakheart
[ ] Imry Florent
[ ] Robar Royce
[ ] Asher Forrester
~~[ ] Jaime Lannister~~ ~~needs to remain in King's Landing to fulfill his duties as Hand while you are away~~

Other Companions (choose three or two):
[ ] Arianne Martell is willing to leave the children with their wetnurses for a few days to travel with you.
[ ] Tyene Sand is Arianne's closest friend and surrogate sister, a sharp mind and a wise soul.
[ ] Daenerys Targaryen is enjoying the lull in the Dragonpit Trials, and she could join you on your trip or remain in King's Landing if you wished.
[ ] Willas Tyrell has the same lull in the Trials as Dany, though he is a newcomer to your personal company and will not be offended if you don't ask him.
[ ] Oberyn Martell has the most flexible of Small Council seats, and if you have him join you, he trusts Obara and Nymeria to act in his stead in King's Landing.
[ ] Garret of Saltpans has been operating from Driftmark, and could easily take a ferry to Dragonstone and join your company.

Twelve-hour vote moratorium for discussion of options (and if anyone wants to contribute a write-in for the ship's name).

Elder Haman · Jul 16, 2021

Torn between these two. The first is fittingly royal, the second is a reminder of our past.
[ ] Blood of Valyria
[ ] Errant Venture

A possible write in? Royal Vagabond

[ ] Barristan Selmy
[ ] Robar Royce
[ ] Asher Forrester

We are going to investigate the secrets of Dragonstone and magic. Selmy is a must have, if anyone knows the secrets of Dragonstone it's him. Royce and Forrester might have some knowledge of their respective region's magic.

Other Companions (choose two or three):
[ ] Arianne Martell is willing to leave the children with their wetnurses for a few days to travel with you.
[ ] Tyene Sand is Arianne's closest friend and surrogate sister, a sharp mind and a wise soul.
[ ] Daenerys Targaryen is enjoying the lull in the Dragonpit Trials, and she could join you on your trip or remain in King's Landing if you wished.
[ ] Willas Tyrell has the same lull in the Trials as Dany, though he is a newcomer to your personal company and will not be offended if you don't ask him.
[ ] Oberyn Martell has the most flexible of Small Council seats, and if you have him join you, he trusts Obara and Nymeria to act in his stead in King's Landing.
[ ] Garret of Saltpans has been operating from Driftmark, and could easily take a ferry to Dragonstone and join your company.

Dany and Oberyn are the only ones that stick out to me here.

SkyAlphaAlpha · Jul 16, 2021

Royal Vagabond

meri47 · Jul 16, 2021

Do you think that Stannis would be mad if we named the ship "Proudwing"? It's a good name for a ship as well as a bird; implies flying over the water as fast as a bird cuts through the sky.

Stardust&Scotch · Jul 16, 2021

Elder Haman said:
Torn between these two. The first is fittingly royal, the second is a reminder of our past.
[ ] Blood of Valyria
[ ] Errant Venture

A possible write in? Royal Vagabond

I like it. It will be added to the options!

Errant Venture is also, for those not in the know, a reference to the vessel of a gregarious criminal mastermind in the old Star Wars EU. I simply could not help myself.

Other Companions (choose two or three):
[ ] Arianne Martell is willing to leave the children with their wetnurses for a few days to travel with you.
[ ] Tyene Sand is Arianne's closest friend and surrogate sister, a sharp mind and a wise soul.
[ ] Daenerys Targaryen is enjoying the lull in the Dragonpit Trials, and she could join you on your trip or remain in King's Landing if you wished.
[ ] Willas Tyrell has the same lull in the Trials as Dany, though he is a newcomer to your personal company and will not be offended if you don't ask him.
[ ] Oberyn Martell has the most flexible of Small Council seats, and if you have him join you, he trusts Obara and Nymeria to act in his stead in King's Landing.
[ ] Garret of Saltpans has been operating from Driftmark, and could easily take a ferry to Dragonstone and join your company.

Dany and Oberyn are the only ones that stick out to me here.

Various pairings (or triplings [?? is that the term I'm after here??] as the case may be) could also elicit other scenes or developments -- as a for-instance, if Beshka and Asha were among the company, scenes about their relationship would be included, or if Oberyn and Aegon were in the group, some talk about Elia could come out of that, or what future Aegon wants for himself and how Oberyn might fit into that. The companions aren't presented necessarily as magically-inclined types so much as they are people that Viserys might like to have around for extended, comparatively isolated time.

meri47 said:
Do you think that Stannis would be mad if we named the ship "Proudwing"? It's a good name for a ship as well as a bird; implies flying over the water as fast as a bird cuts through the sky.

I would have to come down on the opposing side of that, for a few reasons but chief among them that Stannis has never shared that story with you. It's a deeply personal one that, in canon, makes sense to tell Davos (probably the closest thing he ever had to a real friend) but not to tell Viserys in this timeline.

Now, if this were a Spelljammer quest, Proudwing would make a fantastic starship name...

Elder Haman · Jul 16, 2021

Marlowe310811 said:
Various pairings (or triplings [?? is that the term I'm after here??] as the case may be) could also elicit other scenes or developments -- as a for-instance, if Beshka and Asha were among the company, scenes about their relationship would be included, or if Oberyn and Aegon were in the group, some talk about Elia could come out of that, or what future Aegon wants for himself and how Oberyn might fit into that. The companions aren't presented necessarily as magically-inclined types so much as they are people that Viserys might like to have around for extended, comparatively isolated time.

Oh... Willas and Oberyn would be an interesting combo then. Maybe Tyene and Garret would also have an interesting conversation?

Also, 12 hours from the post will be 2 in the morning for me. Is it alright if I post my vote before I go to bed?

Magoose · Jul 16, 2021

I must say that I have one name that is really... interesting.

[]The Exiled Dragon.

Sure it's just a call back to the Last Quest... but I think it would fit.

Also, I think Barry the Bold, Asher and Arys Oakheart are an interesting bunch to bring as KG's

With Dany and Garret to bring the Trio from Braavos back together.

Stardust&Scotch · Jul 16, 2021

Elder Haman said:
Oh... Willas and Oberyn would be an interesting combo then. Maybe Tyene and Garret would also have an interesting conversation?

Also, 12 hours from the post will be 2 in the morning for me. Is it alright if I post my vote before I go to bed?

I mean, I don't anticipate calling the vote quickly, but I'll say 8 hours for the moratorium then, if that will be easier.

I have to say, of all companion pairings/triplings, I had not contemplated the sheer potential for tension that Viserys, Oberyn and Willas on a boat for a few days could provide. That's almost like Brody, Hooper and Quint levels of tension potential.

Not offering specific endorsement of that idea, but that would certainly be interesting to write.

By the same token, Tyene is liable to cause all different kinds of tensions, depending on who else is on the boat.

Magoose · Jul 16, 2021

Marlowe310811 said:
By the same token, Tyene is liable to cause all different kinds of tensions, depending on who else is on the boat.

Can we... Bring one of the Starks? Lord Snow?

Stardust&Scotch · Jul 16, 2021

Magoose said:
Can we... Bring one of the Starks? Lord Snow?

[stage whispers] several people aren't options to accompany you because they're neck-deep in Aegon's arc.

Lord Snow, for instance.

KnightDisciple · Jul 16, 2021

I demand we go with Errant Venture, and paint it garish red.

Magoose · Jul 16, 2021

KnightDisciple said:
I demand we go with Errant Venture, and paint it garish red.

I think Gerion would not approve, considering the Laughing lion was similar in color.

Stardust&Scotch · Jul 17, 2021

KnightDisciple said:
I demand we go with Errant Venture, and paint it garish red.

Well, it is already a blood-red wood

(not that I wanted to make it as plausible as possible, but that's 100% a lie, I wanted to make it as plausible as possible)

Elder Haman · Jul 17, 2021

Alright, I'm about to head off to bed. I'll read through any arguments and suggestions in the morning and consider changing my vote if they are persuasive, but for now I'll go with this:

[X] Royal Vagabond
[X] Barristan Selmy
[X] Asher Forrester

[X] Daenerys Targaryen is enjoying the lull in the Dragonpit Trials, and she could join you on your trip or remain in King's Landing if you wished.
[X] Willas Tyrell has the same lull in the Trials as Dany, though he is a newcomer to your personal company and will not be offended if you don't ask him.
[X] Oberyn Martell has the most flexible of Small Council seats, and if you have him join you, he trusts Obara and Nymeria to act in his stead in King's Landing.

Gumiho · Jul 17, 2021

[X] Royal Vagabond
[X] Barristan Selmy
[X] Robar Royce
[X] Asher Forrester

[X] Daenerys Targaryen is enjoying the lull in the Dragonpit Trials, and she could join you on your trip or remain in King's Landing if you wished.
[X] Willas Tyrell has the same lull in the Trials as Dany, though he is a newcomer to your personal company and will not be offended if you don't ask him.
[X] Oberyn Martell has the most flexible of Small Council seats, and if you have him join you, he trusts Obara and Nymeria to act in his stead in King's Landing.

Swedish15 · Jul 17, 2021

[X] Royal Vagabond
[X] Barristan Selmy
[X] Robar Royce
[X] Asher Forrester

[X] Daenerys Targaryen is enjoying the lull in the Dragonpit Trials, and she could join you on your trip or remain in King's Landing if you wished.
[X] Willas Tyrell has the same lull in the Trials as Dany, though he is a newcomer to your personal company and will not be offended if you don't ask him.
[X] Oberyn Martell has the most flexible of Small Council seats, and if you have him join you, he trusts Obara and Nymeria to act in his stead in King's Landing.

Alexander Sturnn · Jul 17, 2021

[X] Royal Vagabond
[X] Barristan Selmy
[X] Robar Royce
[X] Asher Forrester

[X] Daenerys Targaryen is enjoying the lull in the Dragonpit Trials, and she could join you on your trip or remain in King's Landing if you wished.
[X] Willas Tyrell has the same lull in the Trials as Dany, though he is a newcomer to your personal company and will not be offended if you don't ask him.
[X] Oberyn Martell has the most flexible of Small Council seats, and if you have him join you, he trusts Obara and Nymeria to act in his stead in King's Landing.

The Three-Headed Dragon: A Viserys Targaryen Quest Continuation [abandoned]

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Brotherhood. Unity. Peace.

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Reach heaven through violence!