CHAPTER 79: I WANT DIFFERENTLY
MAEGON: February 22nd, 110 AC, White Harbor
Maegon looked at the sea. It was calm today, with no wave in sight. Too bad. He enjoyed the risk of fighting over a troubled sea, the feeling of the wave hitting the wood and the ground shacking under his feet. He also enjoyed seeing the enemy sailors fall off board. While it was sad that he couldn’t inflict their death himself, he enjoyed this expression of terror the enemies felt when they descended in the water. It was an expression he hadn’t seen before on those he tortured before. That was one of the things he liked the most about this campaign: new experiences.
Talking of new experiences, Maegon looked at Laena Velaryon. The young lady was giving orders to the sailors, ordering them to stop sulking and get ready for battle. She had this commanding aura that reminded him of Daemon. He remembered how his older brother always talked with authority and certainty, making sure that everyone listened and obeyed when he spoke. Laena was proving to have that same talent. Never would Maegon have guessed her to be good at commanding others if she hadn’t joined him.
In fact, she was proving to be quite a pleasant company to have. Just like him, his sister-in-law seemed to enjoy this expedition up north. But while he came out of a desire to punish the enemies of House Targaryen and to prove his worth, she seemed to have been motivated by a desire to do something worthwhile. Laena seemed to have been bored with the life in Dragonstone, and so had searched an escape where one presented itself.
If only she could search such escape in him. Maegon had to admit that she was stunning, showing all the beauty expected of a pure blooded Valyrian. She had been of excellent company, and he found himself having more common grounds with her than he ever had with Laenara. While he respected Valerion, his brother would understand that a woman had needs, and that he wasn’t fulfilling them. Surely a woman like Laena would prefer to have a more active partner in bed. Like Maegor. It wasn’t the right time for those sorts of things, of course. Now was the time to punish and destroy the enemies of his family, and he would not have Laena be distracted just by having her heads and heels over him. Once they were home, though…
“I think that your Highness should hear of this.”
He gaze left Laena and turned to the man who technically led this mercenary fleet, although Maegon was the one giving orders as he was the one paying these lowlifes. Captain Belys was standing next to him, clearly annoyed that he hadn’t been noticed sooner. Maegon didn’t like Captain Belys. The man was an arrogant jackass, thinking of himself so highly that he seemed annoyed by every single slight. In fact, Maegon had noticed the sarcasm in his voice each time he said “Highness”. The man had managed to be considered “one of the men” by his crew, although the prince pinned that on the captain’s laziness to actually step up and take command. Still, it didn’t matter what he thought of the man as long as he obeyed.
Maegon grunted in impatience. “What is it now?”
“Some of my men have noticed an army standing outside of the walls of White Harbor, one of yours, according to the banners.”
“And why should I care?”
“Because they are besieging the city as we speak, your Highness.” the captain explained. “If we wait any longer, they’ll have taken the city before we can act.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” Maegon snapped. “Order the attack!”
Captain Belys seemed annoyed at the order, and for a moment he refused to avoid the prince’s angry gaze. He finally relented with a sigh and ordered the men to ready themselves. Signals were sent to the others ships to follow their lead. Soon enough, the ship was bumbling with activity. Maegon went to his cabin to put on his armor and prepare his sword. He mumbled that he should have taken his squire with him when he left so he wouldn’t have to do this each time. Then again, he probably would have thrown the annoying brat off board by now.
As he was putting his boots, Maegon heard a knock on his door.
“Just open the door!” he screamed.
The person did so, revealing Laena in her armor. It seemed she had found someone willing to help her put it. Lucky her.
“What’s happening?” she asked. “I saw the activity and was told to be ready.”
“We’re attacking White Harbor.”
“Now?” she asked in confusion. “Is it because of the Baratheon army?”
Maegon stopped. “How do you know it’s the Baratheons?” he demanded.
“One of the sailors told me when they spotted the banners.”
“AND YOU DIDN’T THINK TO TELL ME ABOUT IT?” he angrily shouted at her.
“I thought they would have warned you before me!” she explained. “No need to get angry over it. It was a simply mistake.”
Maegon grunted, but relented. “Fine. Now leave! I need to put on my armor.”
“I can help.” she offered, but he waved her off.
“I don’t need any help.” he simply said.
She shrugged and left him to put the remaining pieces of his armor. He silently thanked the time he passed as Daemon’s squire, having to put his brother’s armor during the tourneys. Once he was ready, he took his sword and shield and left his cabin. The ships were closing on the harbor. Some merchant ships were trying to flee, possibly harboring civilians who were stupid enough to believe that their betrayal would be forgotten if they fled.
“Order some of your ships to stop these.” he told Captain Belys, pointing at the vessels leaving.
“Are you sure?”
“Most of their forces will be focused on the walls because of the Baratheons, so we can afford to spread our men.” he explained. “Kill everyone on board if possible, so they get the message.”
Captain Belys ordered the signalmen to send the orders, and a half dozen of ships broke formation to go intercept those attempting to flee. Meanwhile, the rest of the fleet was advancing toward the harbors. As expected, there was no opposition there, the enemy forces being too focused on the walls. Maegon smiled. He wasn’t going to let those damn Baratheons steal this victory from him.
He was one of the firsts to disembark, screaming to the mercenaries that they had to advance fast. He entered the alleys of White Harbor, seeing fleeing citizens running as they walked. For now, Maegon chose to ignore them. What he wanted was New Castle, the seat of House Manderly, standing right in the middle of the city. To his surprise, he was finally met by a small contingent of soldiers, led personally by a man who Maegon recognized as Lord Desmond Manderly. What surprised him even more was the white flag they were waving.
“What is the meaning of this?” Maegon asked, ordering his men to a stop.
Lord Desmond advanced first, walking up to Maegon and bowing in reverence.
“Your Highness Prince Maegon.” Lord Desmond began. “There is no more need to fight.”
“I disagree, you traitorous snake.” Maegon spat back.
“White Harbor has already surrendered to the forces of Lord Boremund Baratheon. He has ordered our city spared as long as we now provide help to the campaign.”
“WHAT?”
Lord Desmund allowed himself a small grin. “House Manderly has returned into the service of House Targaryen. As I said, there is no more need to fight.”
Maegon wanted to kill him right then and there. No, scratch that. He wanted to have the neck of a Baratheon between his hands so he could strangle it. Those bastards had managed to take away his glory! It was supposed to be his victory!
“No.” he said.
“No?”
“I am a prince. I am not bound by a stupid agreement made by a lowly bannerman.”
“But… but you can’t!” Lord Desmond protested.
“You might no longer be our enemy, but White Harbor needs to be punished for its betrayal of the Iron Throne!” he then turned to his men. “Plunder and destroy what you can! Teach that city a lesson it will never learn!”
The mercenaries rejoiced as they made their ways in the neighbouring houses, followed by the terrified screams of the buildings’ occupants.
“You monster!” Lord Desmond told him.
“You’d act the same if the roles were reversed.” Maegon retorted.
“One day you’ll pay for this!” the lord warned him.
Maegon laughed at this pathetic threat before making his way in one of the house. He wasn’t going to miss on the fun, after all.
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AEGON: March 3rd, 110 AC, The Eyries
Aegon’s eyes were disturbed by the first lights of the morning. For one second, he thought had waked up in his bed back home, with Valena by his side. Sadly, his blurry eyes got clearer and he realized that he was still alone in the stony room the Arryns had given him. He was still in the Eyries on this diplomatic mission Viserys had given him. He was still here, alone.
When he was first given the mission, he had thought of it as an important assignment by Viserys. With the North already in revolt, a civil war in the Vale would only weaken the Iron Throne’s hold over the Seven Kingdoms. Aegon had fully committed to this duty, trying his best to find a compromise that would satisfy everyone, one that had sadly satisfied no one when he presented it. Since then, he had realized that his appointment to this task had another purpose. Rhaenys had been the one pushing for him to be sent to the Vale. At the time, he hadn’t been able to understand why at the time. He had been shocked when he received the news that Viserys had married Rhaenys and understood that she had used his absence to make her move. He expected her to continue that way, pursuing her agenda without him to stand in her way. Aegon hoped as Master of Laws, Jaelyx could hold her off until he returned, although he doubted it. Jaelyx knew how to talk, but lacked the spine to do so when it matters the most.
As always, he began his day by reading the letters Valena had sent him. One had arrived yesterday. He had put it on his desk and returned to his work, planning to read it in the morning. He found that it was the best way to start the day with any positivity, considering how his mission was going.
My dear brother Aegon,
As I’m writing this letter, we’ve just been pushed back from the walls of Winterfell. Lord Grover Tully arrived a few days ago with his army, joining us in the long siege of the northern capital. We plan to starve them off, and so the reinforcements will help us keep them from leaving the encirclement of the castle. This proved to be working, as the Dustins launched a desperate assault to break the siege. Thankfully, they were repelled. The Lord Hand then decided to push our luck by launching an all-out assault against the walls. Both Ser Alyn Errol and I advised against it, but he didn’t listen. He is the Hand, and so I am to serve him, no matter my own opinion on the man or his decisions. Just like you thought me, duty comes first. The assault was a disaster, and by the end of the day we returned to our original position. Do not worry, as I came out intact of the fighting. I just hope both our assignments will end soon.
Your beloved sister, Valena.
Aegon smiled. “beloved sister”. It was just enough so that he could understand the true meaning while everyone else would just assume that they were close siblings. It was difficult to show each other affection and love while keeping their real feelings hidden from the rest of the world.
He put the letter back on his desk before dressing up for the day. He then made his way through the stony corridors of the Eyries, taking a small moment to look at the chained Sunfyre, who he had to leave chained outside in a large yard. He continued until he reached the door of a large room. He could hear the voices inside, meaning they were already preparing something. This would only make his job more complicated. He asked the two guards at the door to step aside. While they hesitated, they ended up obeying as always. Their loyalty was to House Arryn, but they were not stupid enough to refuse and order for the king’s envoy, his brother no less. As he entered, he could see Lady Jeyne Arryn sitting in her chair. Her regent was by her side, pointing at a map.
“And so we are sure that my uncle is there?” the young girl asked.
“Yes, milady.” the maester answered. “If we order your loyal lords to strike now, we can eliminate the threat.”
“Can you, now?” Aegon said, unconvinced.
The two finally decided to look at him. “Prince Aegon, do you have anything to complain about?” Maester Hollis asked.
“You say that you’ll finally win this war?”
“We’ll crush my uncle with this assault.” Lady Jeyne affirmed.
“Just like the other ten times you said the exact same thing?” Aegon pointed out. “Those battles worked out well indeed.”
“And what would you do?” the young lady asked impatiently.
“You should try to go back to the negotiation table. Try to find a compromise.”
Maester Hollis scoffed at this. “And I’m guessing you’ll find another idea that will disadvantage us? Like last time?”
“I was proposing a decent compromise for everyone.” Aegon defended himself.
“We won’t put anymore blind trust in your ideas, Prince Aegon.” The maester retorted. “But if you want to end the war, you could fly on your dragon in battle and help us bring peace in the Vale.”
Aegon shook his head. “I was sent by the king to facilitate peace as a neutral arbiter, not to fight it. I’m to remain out of the fighting and not take any side.”
“Then leave us be!” Lady Jeyne screamed at him.
Aegon didn’t flinch at this, simply excusing himself and leaving. He had been quick to understand that these two would not settle for peace any time soon. He had tried to work around both Arryn claimants and convince the lords on each side to force their leaders to peace. Sadly, his efforts to have the lords cooperate were crushed by these sorts of attacks from both sides. The bannermen were far less willing to negotiate when the other side was making repeated attacks against their holdings.
He returned to his room, trying to think of another approach to try to end this war, again. Obviously, he wasn’t surprised when he learned a few days later that the battle had been inconclusive. Same as always…
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PS: So I'm back. My summer job is done so I should be able to have a faster release than twice a month. Or at least for the next month or so.
