He was also quite happily married to Laena Velaryon, rider of Vhagar and daughter of Corlys Velaryon for years, so a woman being "uppity" with him can't bother him that much.
Laena was a dragonrider but she wasn't the type to go around in armor while hunting and openly insult Daemon. Rhea is a lot more defiant towards Daemon then Laena was. Daemon's weird Valyrian Supermacy ideas means he likes the idea of marrying a dragon rider but he doesn't seem like he enjoys women who are defiant towards him and have the strength to keep it up.
Laena was a dragonrider but she wasn't the type to go around in armor while hunting and openly insult Daemon. Rhea is a lot more defiant towards Daemon then Laena was. Daemon's weird Valyrian Supermacy ideas means he likes the idea of marrying a dragon rider but he doesn't seem like he enjoys women who are defiant towards him and have the strength to keep it up.
Yeah he's definitely still a misogynist of some stripe, like most Westerosi men, but I wouldn't categorize him as being a violent misogynist, at least towards "Valyrian" women. I do expect him to be a massive ass when he do arrive on Dragonstone, I just don't expect a violent outburst unless Rhaenyra were to push for one.
Daemon may not have the most reasonable knee jerk reaction, because he almost never does, but he's not so violently misogynist as to be physically violent towards a woman who calls him out publicly, let alone his niece. He may not be as obsessed with Rhaenyra as he was in canon, but he still loves her in his own way. As weird as it is to say it, he's something of a family man, in the way only Targaeryans can be at least.
He was also quite happily married to Laena Velaryon, rider of Vhagar and daughter of Corlys Velaryon for years, so a woman being "uppity" with him can't bother him that much. Though I'll grant that that came years after this moment and after he'd had time to mellow out some.
Beyond whatever problems he had with her attitude, he also hated Rhea Royce because she wasn't Valyrian, and had been forced on him by his grandparents since he was barely a man.
You're probably right re Rhaenyra but I've always incredibly wary of dudes who canonically respond to defiance with violence (see Rhea), have a sadistic streak and have been conditioned to be violent ASAP
preview edit: okay the QM's response is not helping the "angry misogynist gonna angry misogynist" alarms
The fire raging within you cools and gutters out as you fly across Blackwater Bay. What Daemon did was nothing short of outrageous. Yes. Absurdly so even. But you know your uncle well enough to know that the man loves goading people. This Mummer's farce of his is a clear attempt to enrage someone. Maybe you. Maybe your father. Maybe both. Regardless of who it was aimed at, you couldn't allow yourself to give your uncle what he wanted. It would only embolden him and encourage him to keep up his occupation of your island, with your brother's egg as a quasi-hostage. Despite the insults inflicted upon you, you managed to gain control of your rage by the time Dragonstone was in sight.
A fog surrounded the island, masking Syrax as the two of you approached. The dragon flew low, her feet almost touching water as you cut through the fog, nearly blind and yet certain of where you were going.
The two of you burst out of the fog above a winding path that connects the castle itself to the island's main docks. As Syrax circled, you gazed down at the figures below you. On one side, you could the distinct white armor of a member of a Kingsguard, the grey robes of the Dragonkeepers, the red armor of the Red Keep's guards, and a figure in green that must have been Otto Hightower. He was crouched, clearly surprised by your sudden, close arrival.
On the other side, closer to the castle itself, was a small army of armored figures. Garbed in bright, golden cloaks, with a woman in white and a man that could only be your uncle standing in front of them. That's not what caught your attention though. Instead, your eyes focus on the massive figure some distance behind your uncle. Perched on a higher part of the main path loomed his dragon, Caraxes.
No two dragons looked exactly alike. Each had differences in color, the amount of horns and boney growths, the shape of their skull, along with a myraid of other, more minor, features. Caraxes though? Caraxes was unique even by the standards of Dragons. It's body long and serpentine, more neck than torso, it's hind legs almost a second set of wings. Even its roars were unique. At once breathless and high pitched, but nevertheless as terrifying as any adult dragon.
Syrax and and Caraxes snarled and barked at each other like two old fish wives passing each other in the market as you fly behind Otto and his group. Your dragon landed upon the stone bridge with a proud grunt while you quickly undid the chains around your feet and slid forward and off Syrax.
The guards and Dragonkeepers bowed towards you as your marched past them. Otto however stared at you in bewilderment.
"Princess, what are you doing here?" He asked, his voice low and seemingly full of worry.
"Stopping bloodshed," you declared calmly.
Most of the men had swords in their hands and Caraxes had an eager, hungry look about him. Had she not arrived, had she arrived a few minutes later even, there would have been a battle. And battles where one side had dragons and the other didn't tended to only end one way.
"Lord Commander Westerling, escort the Princess to safety," Otto ordered.
Syrax gave a low growl in annoyance, keeping your former sworn shield in his place.
"I would advise against startling Syrax, my lords," you said evenly. "She is quite protective of me."
As you walk towards him, your attention shifts to your uncle. The man stares at you. Curious. Bemused. Perhaps annoyed. While his expression remains confident and wide eyed you notice how he clutches the the egg, Baelon's egg, a bit more securely under his arm at your approach.
"Still playing the man, I see," he snarks, referring to your black armor.
The insult is easily ignored. You have important business here.
"This is my castle your standing in, uncle," you declare in Valyrian. "You are not welcome here."
Caraxes lets out a high pitched growl, causing Syrax to let out a snarl in return.
"It is not yours yet," Daemon responded in kind. "Not until you come of age."
"What are you doing here?" You ask in exaggerated frustration. "You have angered our king and embarrassed our family."
"My brother has no cause for anger," the man replies defensively, hand on the pommel of his sword while the other still cradled the egg. "This is a day of celebration. I am too be wed."
You glance at the woman to his side. Mysaria, presumably. She was starring at the two of you intently, her lips pressed tight with unease.
"You already have a wife," you retort.
"Not one of my choosing," comes the reply.
Your uncle's relationship with his wife, Rhea Royce, was about as far removed from your idea of romance as one could get without murder. The two hated each other. Your father once mentioning that Daemon and Rhea had already shouted at each other during the wedding feast. The two had been effectively estranged for years now as Rhea remained on Runestone, wanting as little to do with Daemon as Daemon did with her.
"I would find your situation more sympathetic if your prospective bride did not look so uncertain about this," you say, nodding slightly towards Mysaria. "And had you not seen fit to steal my brother's egg."
"I simply wanted what was best for my child," Daemon spoke as he leaned forward.
"Why did it have to be Baelon's?!" The words come out as a furious hiss.
He smirked at your reaction. That was the kind of reaction he had been hoping for. The rage leaves you as fast as it came. You can't let him win like this.
You glance back at Mysaria again, her gaze more focused on Daemon now. The woman was clearly from Essos, probably had barely reached her twentith nameday, and looked fairly thin. If she was with child, she must not have been far along, which made you wonder how your uncle even knew she was pregnant.
"When is your child expected?"
Daemon's expression turned almost sheepish. "One day," he said simply.
The caused Mysaria to shake her head in disbelief and march off, past the Goldcloaks and towards the castle. Apparently she had understood more of that conversation then you realized.
Now it was your turn to goad.
"You know I'm right here, Uncle." You switch back to Common as you place your hand on the pommel of your sword. "The one who stole this castle and your spot as heir from you. If you really want either of those back, you're going to have to kill me."
Most would consider a taunt like that towards your uncle nothing short of madness. The man was more than willing to kill to get what he wanted.
"Either kill me or put an end to this farce."
For a moment he at least seems to contemplate the heinous idea, starring at you coldly as he did.
"He would never forgive you if you did," you added with a cold smirk of your own.
You weren't sure how much Daemon trully wanted to be heir again, and how much he even cared about you these days was debatable, but you knew the idea of Viserys hating him for the rest of his life would sit poorly with your uncle.
He relented, turning away and heading back towards his dragon and the castle, but not before tossing the dragon egg almost contemptuously towards you. The unexpected weight makes you stumble backwards as you catch it, though you hold on tightly.
The egg, Baelon's egg, is heavy and quite warm to the touch.
The Goldcloaks quietly follow their commander. Whatever it is your uncle was trying to accomplish today, it was over.
Relationship with Otto Hightower Degraded
Relationship with Daemon Heavily Degraded New Status: Animosity
Your return to King's Landing wasn't a hero's welcome. Your father was furious at you for risking your life, but thankfully that fury dies almost instantly after you pointed out you returned the egg without any bloodshed, something Otto was unlikely to accomplish on his own.
The Hand of the King showed little appreciation for your efforts. In fact, he seems downright annoyed with you for a few days afterwards, but it matters little. Your uncle quickly left Dragonstone after your confrontation. To where, no one could say yet. Some of his men returned to the City Watch, but many did not.
Overall Daemon's stunt had been something of a victory for you. Your uncle no longer held your island, and you had proven yourself capable in a time of crisis. Finally, you felt secure in your position as heir.
A feeling that lasted little more than a fortnight, when servants informed you that Corlys Velaryon and Princess Rhaenys were taking advantage of Daemon's behavior and the growing Triarchy presence in the Stepstones to try and pressure your father into marrying their daughter, Laena Velaryon.
Apparently six months was all the mourning a king was allowed.
One the one hand, a marriage with the Velaryons made a great deal of sense. There had been something of a growing rift between your two families since the Great Council. This would not only heal things, but show the realm and those in Essos that the Crown had strong alliances at a moment it might appear weak.
On the other hand, Laena was a girl two years your junior. The thought of your father marrying her was enough to make one physically ill.
Personally you wished it was possible for your father to avoid remarrying altogether, even if you knew it simply wasn't feasible. Not only did you consider the idea of your father remarrying to be offensive to your mother's memory, you knew the moment your father's second wife produced a son there would be those in the realm pushing for his claim over yours.
The Sea Snake was an ambitious man. You very much doubted he would be content to let things be as they are if he had a grandson with the Targaryen name.
Maybe you could convince your father to delay making a decision, but you knew it would only be delaying the inevitable. Once word spread that someone was pushing your father to get married, every house of note in the Realm with a daughter of remotely marrying age would be sending offers to your father.
To make matters worse, your father's health had changed little these past few months. He didn't seem to be getting worse, but he wasn't getting better either.
The situation you find yourself in is more than a bit scary. Whoever your father marries could drastically alter your political situation. Perhaps you might be able to convince your father to marry someone else or even delay for a time, or perhaps you could persuade your father to agree to the already offered marriage. Despite your own distaste for the match, Corlys and your cousin might view you more favorably if you support their ambitions.
First Season, 113 AC
Each turn is 3 months, though this may change as the quest goes on. You can pick either from the options below for your tasks or use write-in actions after QM approval. Please use plan voting for turn votes.
Conversations (Pick Two)
Speak with Viserys - Automatic Free Action
You will speak with your father, in time, once you've spoken with a few other people and figured out where you stand on the idea of him marrying, to Leana Velayron or any other woman for that matter
(Will be covered in Interlude)
[] Speak with Alicent Hightower
While things between you and Alicent have not fully healed she might be able to provide some comfort and advice for how you should handle your Father's possible engagement.
[] Speak with Otto Hightower
While the two are far more civil than Otto and Daemon were with each other, you've spent enough in the Small Council to notice the rivalry between Otto and the Sea Snake as well. When Corlys pushed for action, Otto urged caution. When Corlys wanted to spend coin, Otto pushed to keep the crown's purse shut tight. It stands to reason he would be against your father marrying the Sea Snake's daughter.
[] Speak with Knight Commander Harrold Westerling
Harrold has been by your side since you were a child. He has been a friend and your stalwart shield for years. He also has never been supportive of your efforts to learn how to fight and even less so of your desire to become a knight. Mayhaps his thoughts have changed now that you are heir to the throne and he is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
[] Speak with Ser Raylon Tarly
The two of you have been training a lot in recent months, and while the results have been quite effective, there's always room for improvement. perhaps a good conversation would allow you to refine and improve your training even further.
[] Speak with Lord Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys
With the Sea Snake and his wife pushing your father to marry their daughter, Laena, they are arguably setting themselves up to be your rivals. If your father agrees to marry Laena, she is more than likely to have kids eventually and one of those maybe a son. And naturally, the moment that son is born, the Sea Snake will push your father to make that Laena's son heir. If you talk to them beforehand you might be able to work something out to ensure peace, perhaps even make an alternative arrangement.
[] Speak with Rhaenys Targaryen alone.
Corlys has to be the main force pushing for your father to marry Laena Velaryon. You could not imagine a mother like Rhaenys pushing their young daughter into a prospective marriage like that. Perhaps, if you spoke to Rhaenys alone, you could convince her such a marriage is a bad idea and she needs to talk her husband out of it. If nothing else she might be able to provide you with some reassurances.
[] Speak with Lord Lyonel Strong
The Master of Laws and Lord of Harrenhal. A stalwart voice on the council and man you know generally strives to do what is best for the Kingdom. He could offer some keen insight into your father's marriage prospects and what benefits they could have for the Realm and your family.
[] Lord Lyman Beesbury
The Master of Coin. Beesbury is loyal, perhaps not as sharp as Lord Strong, but he is quiet loyal to your father. If could convince him to support you on the matter of your father's possible marriage, it lend wait to your arguements if nothing else
[] Write-in
Subject to QM approval, has to have a reasonable chance of being in King's Landing.
Actions (Pick Two)
[] Relax
A lot has happened recently. Your mother has died and you have been suddenly thrust into a position that will one day make you the most powerful person in Westeros. That's a lot for one person to handle in a short period of time. Perhaps you should take some time to yourself, read in the godswood, fly around with Syrax for fun, and just enjoy yourself for a while.
[] Investigate the Death of King Aenys
Most Maesters and other writers agree that Queen Visenya had poisoned her nephew, King Aenys, to allow her own son to take the throne. But you have already seen how much those same authors were willing to ignore Visenya's contributions and slander her already. Perhaps this is simply another case of slander. If you could prove that, it could improve Queen Visenya's reputation considerably and make a stronger argument for your own eventual rule.
[] Look into Alternative Marriage Options for Viserys
As much as you don't want your father to remarry ever, you cannot deny a second marriage is needed for the good of the family and realm. But there has to be better options then a girl of ten and two. You know of a few and other members of the Small Council might know more, but it couldn't hurt to do some research and figure out if there are any more unmarried women around who might prove suitable for your father. Even if the idea disturbs you greatly.
[] Train
You're grown stronger but as your sworn shield has reminded you constantly, such strength and skill requires a lot of work just to maintain, let alone improve upon.
[] Train with Syrax
While you have both adjusted to Syrax's new size, more training could only help the both of you.
[] Sneak out and Explore the City
When your father and uncle were your age, they regularly went out of the King's Landing at night for all kinds of things. Naturally such things were forbidden to you as they were "unbefitting a princess" but as heir to the throne, shouldn't you have a chance to let loose and explore the city you'll one day rule? And if nothing else it will be great practice if you ever need to sneak for more adventurous pursuits.
[] Push for Action in the Stepstones
Piracy in the Stepstones might be the perfect chance for you to begin to prove yourself as a warrior. If you could just get your father to agree to send you and the other Dragon Riders against the pirates, the court would soon be filled with tales of your heroic deeds, and of the many ships you reduced to ash. But that was a very big if. Your father has little interest in the affairs of the Stepstones and would likely have even less at the idea of sending you into combat. At the very least you would need some support for the notion to be taken seriously by the Small Council.
[] Request a Role in the City Watch
You know you are years away from your father even entertaining the idea of you leading the City Watch, but Daemon's recent actions have shown the who order to have dangerous flaws. Perhaps you could request some sort of role in it's rebuilding, overseeing the training or something like that as a way to ensure the next Goldcloaks are loyal. The role would probably be small and it wouldn't get you a seat on the Small Council but it could be a good first step on the way towards one.
[] Study
With your friendship with Alicent Hightower somewhat mended, she has reminded you that you have been neglecting your studies as of late. Besides the blade and the lance you have been all but ignoring every subject from history to matters of court. Perhaps it's time to change that.
[] Scout out Tourneys
There are few better ways to test one's skill in combat than a tourney. While you are quite aware that no tourney, however small, would allow you to openly compete, there was always the option of entering as a mystery knight. Your own grandfather was knighted after he entered a tourney as a mystery knight. While it was unlikely there would be a tourney as big as the one King's Landing had the day your mother died for quite some time, there was always some lord getting married or some heir having an important nameday. If you could find one close enough you might be able to sneak off and enter as a mystery knight. Of course, entering one and winning are two different things, and a quick defeat may hamper your efforts to become a knight.
[] Write-in
Subject to QM approval
QM's Note: Yeah this is gonna be a big one. I removed Viserys as an option cause I figured most plans would involve Viserys and I kind of wanted to give you guys more options then "Viserys and one other person". You'll talk with Viserys in time. Also, yeah. Child marriage. Very gross but unavoidable topic considering the source material.
I think we need to talk to Alicent no matter what for obvious reasons.
It's the actions I'm more conflicted on. I'd probably go for training and marriage options because we unfortunately need to have an alternative on hand.
I'm not seeing how talking with Alicent would be in any way helpful here. We need to talk to her father and Velaryon, rounded out with looking for alternative matches.
We need to know what options exist if we want to actually successfully negotiate anything with Otto and the Sea Snake.
[X] Speak with Otto Hightower
[X] Speak with Lord Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys
[X] Look into Alternative Marriage Options for Viserys [X] Train
Try to horse trade with the Velaryons sending Daemon into the Stepstones in exchange for them backing off from the marriage with Laena. Try to talk with Otto since if we're going to cooperate om stopping the marriage with Laena we may as well try to use it to get points with him. Try to find Viserys a bride from a house that would be less of a threat to us like one with two dragons or the center of learning and religion of the continent, preferably somewhere from the north. Train so we can eventually enter tournies and so Syrax will continue to benefit from us getting swole.
[X] Plan: Marriage Maker
[X] Speak with Otto Hightower
[X] Speak with Lord Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys
[X] Look into Alternative Marriage Options for Viserys [X] Train
[X] Plan Important Talks and Studies
-[X] Speak with Otto Hightower
-[X] Speak with Lord Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys
-[X] Look into Alternative Marriage Options for Viserys
-[X] Study
I think doing regular studies is much better for synergy here since we can combine that with learning more about the houses of potential other brides.
Hmmm Daemon I get but little surprised Otto is mad at saving his life. Actually who else was with Otto? Would think they knew fighting Daemon who has a dragon isn't a good idea.
Now I kinda want to train with Syrax but worried about not training with Tarly. Though looking for other marriages for Viserys could be helpful. Though getting help from the other Small Council members besides Otto and Corly could be helpful.
Hmmm Daemon I get but little surprised Otto is mad at saving his life. Actually who else was with Otto? Would think they knew fighting Daemon who has a dragon isn't a good idea.
Now I kinda want to train with Syrax but worried about not training with Tarly. Though looking for other marriages for Viserys could be helpful. Though getting help from the other Small Council members besides Otto and Corly could be helpful.
Training ourself is also good for Syrax. We've told that Syrax's growth is affected by our own physical development so us getting buff also makes her get buff.
[X] Plan Important Talks and Studies
-[X] Speak with Otto Hightower
-[X] Speak with Lord Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys
-[X] Look into Alternative Marriage Options for Viserys
-[X] Study
Training ourself is also good for Syrax. We've told that Syrax's growth is affected by our own physical development so us getting buff also makes her get buff.
[] Speak with Otto Hightower
[] Speak with Lord Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys
[] Look into Alternative Marriage Options for Viserys
[] Request a Role in the City Watch
Not a very pressing action I think and we probably should wait until the marriage matter is resolved. We can get some brownie points with Otto or Velaryon if we play out cards right, which makes the watch matter easier.
Hmmm Daemon I get but little surprised Otto is mad at saving his life. Actually who else was with Otto? Would think they knew fighting Daemon who has a dragon isn't a good idea.
Otto straight up Forbade His King from going to Dragonstone, as in directly told him "I cannot allow you to do this". Otto fundmentally wanted control of that situation, he didn't have it but the man's stubborn, and Rhaenyra's arrival represents not only a loss of control of the situation he didn't predict but us basically taking credit for the whole situation.
Training ourself is also good for Syrax. We've told that Syrax's growth is affected by our own physical development so us getting buff also makes her get buff.
[X] Plan politicing and training
-[X] Speak with Otto Hightower
-[X] Speak with Lord Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys
-[X] Look into Alternative Marriage Options for Viserys
-[X] Train
I figure trying to take a role in the city watch can wait a bit for until we've grown some more. Getting the men of the watch to listen to us will already be hard enough as a woman, being derided as also being a little girl won't be helping there.
Training will at least make us look more physically formidable, which might help in that regard.
What exactly is the reasoning for training? We won't immediately get weaker just because we skip one turn and we really ought to make the most of it when we hit the books to find good matches for our father.
Otto straight up Forbade His King from going to Dragonstone, as in directly told him "I cannot allow you to do this". Otto fundmentally wanted control of that situation, he didn't have it but the man's stubborn, and Rhaenyra's arrival represents not only a loss of control of the situation he didn't predict but us basically taking credit for the whole situation.
Ah Otto wanted credit for solving the situation. Though being stubborn to the point of not realizing he'd die if Rhaenyra didn't show up. Though surprised the others with Otto aren't grateful.
Hmmm Daemon I get but little surprised Otto is mad at saving his life. Actually who else was with Otto? Would think they knew fighting Daemon who has a dragon isn't a good idea.
Otto probably doesn't realise how close he was to Daemon burning him to death. Aside from that, he probably doesn't like the idea of the Princess basically pulling rank and, in his mind, recklessly endangering ourselves.
There's also just the fact that he probably doesn't like us being so wilful.
[X] Plan Important Talks and Studies
-[X] Speak with Otto Hightower
-[X] Speak with Lord Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys
-[X] Look into Alternative Marriage Options for Viserys
-[X] Study
Hey QM, what would have happened if we flew there in a rage? From what I'm basically inferring is that none of this would have ended any less poorly than just now.
What exactly is the reasoning for training? We won't immediately get weaker just because we skip one turn and we really ought to make the most of it when we hit the books to find good matches for our father.
Do we need to study more in order to find a match for our father? We're already spending an action on finding him a bride. Do we need to spend two? It's not like there are that many houses we can find a match for a king from.
Trying to get into the City Watch at this stage would be premature methinks. I also do not want to neglect our practice with a blade though.
I think speaking to Alicent may bear fruit in that she seems more likely to tell us if something is going on than Otto is, even if Otto could help us avert a Laena marriage. I'm concerned Otto would sucessfully pretend nothing is going on when he's actually trying to get Alicent into our dad's bed.
