Ever since the unicornspawn had arrived, there had been something about the little brat that did not sit right with Annara. She wasn’t the smartest girl, she wasn’t the prettiest, and she stuttered something awful when her voice rose above a whisper. All the same, there was something in those violet eyes that, when they gazed upon Annara, sent a chill up the woman’s spine, and caused her stomach to turn about like a wet hen. When she stuttered it sent a strange feeling of joy over Annara’s being, for it reminded her that the girl, despite the fear she instilled in the spymaster, was still human. Every time her consonants halted her speech, it was like a fresh dagger repeatedly driving into the girl’s belly, and it gave Annara great joy. That was the sole joy Annara felt when she dealt with matters of court. Many times, Annara would stand in the back of the council chamber purposefully, just to force the girl to speak louder, and hence summon that stutter of hers.
Sadly, it didn’t help that Annara’s young cousin, Alyssa, was starting to get close to that stupid brat. She saw them together, chatting, playing… one time, she even saw Alyssa
braiding that comical silver hair. What was wrong with the girl? Did she not know that she was a Darklyn, the rightful rulers of Duskendale? Eons ago they had even sat as kings inside the walls of the Dun Fort. What instilled in Alyssa a sense of submission that would make her braid the brat’s hair like that stupid girl Elonne braided the brat’s mother? Where was her pride? Where was her dignity? Alanna had half a mind to grab switches and scourge her cousin’s fanny raw, but she knew the girl’s parents would object. For a moment, she wondered if Alyssa could be used to acquire information on the dragonslut’s daughter, but this was dashed when it became apparent Alyssa wasn’t keen on sharing what her and the other girl did all day.
Still, Annara hoped that the unicornspawn would soon be gone. She had been working with her contacts among the justiciar’s men to push the offer that Laena step down in exchange for Daemon or Rhaena. Such a move would weaken the Valzyren hold on Duskendale even further, for if any of those two took power, no one among the nobles would be completely happy. The only dilemma was an appropriate time to push such a move be offered. Lady Rhaena storming the siege camp outside Duskendale had broken the spirit of the rebels, and given the loyalists an edge. What Annara needed was a victory… a rebel victory.
She got one soon enough. In the middle of May in 141 AC, word reached the Dun Fort of the Battle of Pauzin. The dragonslut had caught up with the Hedgeknights, and launched an attack. Captain Fredrec led a staunch defense with his mercenaries, even as the Hollard troops gave way. Just as all seemed lost, unexpected reinforcements arrived carrying the banner of House Byrch. Ser Balon, having recovered from his defeat outside the walls of the Dun Fort, had arrived from Byrch Hall. The fresh troops had an edge over the exhausted loyalist soldiers, and the battle swung in the rebel’s favor. The losses among the loyalists were great, with over half their troops lost. What’s more, they had been forced to flee northward, into the easternmost regions of the Riverlands. The Dun Fort would most certainly not be able to push forward with the campaign fighting against so many fronts, with the coffers exhausted and the last replenishment of troops on the verge of being destroyed. Peace had to be sought after with someone, and sought after quickly.
For Annara, this situation could not have been any sweeter! At long last, she could remove the little unicorn brat from power, and put either the dragonslut or the mad boy in charge. With this part of her plan in order, then the kingdom would surely fall, and House Darklyn could rise again. Messengers were sent out to Lady Jannia Hollard, the young ruler of the rebel forces. (She had barely passed her third name day.) Messengers were also sent to Will Buckwell, another young noble who had taken over after his father, Lord Guncer Buckwell, had been lost in battle. With the two main rebel factions now under regencies, they likewise had an interest in discontinuing the rebellion. It was agreed that they would meet at the Dun Fort, and they would come to terms. Of course, those terms were that Laena Valzyren would step down, and Daemon Valzyren would once again take up the seat at the Dun Fort.
The delegations from the rebel factions arrived in Duskendale not too long after messengers had been sent out. Lady Jannia arrived with an “escort” from her kinsman Lucifer Hollard, the regent and, obviously, true power behind House Hollard. Will arrived with many of his advisers and guards, already looking like a strapping young man – though of course, he paid no attention to Annara when she stood by him, the little ingrate.
As per custom, the unicorn brat greeted them when they arrived, speaking in her aggravatingly dainty soft voice. She took the Hollard girl and Buckwell aside, on the pretense of showing them the castle. Putting on a most blatant act – which was very becoming for a stupid girl like her – the unicorn brat took Jannia’s hand and led the girl alongside her, while Buckwell followed close behind, though keeping quiet for the most part as he gazed about the courtyard.
Lucifer stepped over to Annara and bowed. “Well met, Annara Darklyn. It pleases me that we can finally begin negotiations.”
“Indeed,” Annara said.
“I do not suppose we could discuss some other prospects?”
Annara raised an eyebrow. “What prospects are these?”
“Well, as it so happens, you still have my brother in your dungeons.”
“You have many brothers. Which one is this?”
“Ser Roger Hollard. He was captured in battle some time ago, but he has yet to be released, or even ransomed.”
“I can promise you your brother is doing very well,” Annara remarked. She added in her mind,
I owe him as much...
The trio of young nobles returned. Laena stepped with her head held high, and a smile on her face. Jannia was smiling as well, and seemed very eager about something. Buckwell was looking down, a slight hue of red on his cheeks. As they drew close, he lifted his gaze and said, “Lucifer, we must talk.” The rebel delegation went off to hold a discussion, while the unicorn brat excused herself to the council chamber. Annara waited anxiously for the rebel delegation to finish their brief discussion.
When the Hollards and Buckwells returned, they announced their decision: they would agree to peace… and Laena was to remain as Lady of Duskendale.
Annara excused herself. She went to her room, fell face-first against her pillow, and screeched until her throat was sore. Then she grabbed at the bed sheets and pulled and tugged until they began to rip. Then her fingernails clawed and scratched and ripped them up more. Soon she was throwing dressers over and tossing the empty, unused brazier across the room with a loud
CLANG. She screamed and cried out and even began to tear at her hair, not caring about the pained scalp.
The knock on her door made her jump. She stormed over and swung it open, expecting one of her unfairly gorgeous agents to be there. Instead, it was Albar. He raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Annara’s disheveled hair. “Are you alright in here?”
“What do you want, maester?” she snapped.
“Lady Laena would like to have a word with you… alone…”
Annara felt her face turn pale.
Nonetheless, she had to answer the summons. She made her way to the council chamber, and found Laena sitting on the throne, atop the dais. She remembered seeing her father sit upon that many times, with that same self-assured grin and those cocky violet eyes… both things of which his daughter had inherited. She was turned at an angle, leaning against one of the armrests, while her legs stuck out against the right side of the chair. She turned her head and took notice of Annara. “Ah, you have arrived. Very good.”
Annara forced a smile, and turned on her chipper voice. “My lady, it is good to see you. I heard the news – that the Hollards and Buckwells have agreed to a white peace? And with no change in government, so I hear. This is most excellent news.”
Laena stared at the spymaster for a good several seconds. It made Annara uncomfortable. She felt like the girl was staring at her precisely
to make her uncomfortable. At last, the girl replied, in her usual soft tone. “Yes, they have agreed to a white peace, and I shall remain as Lady of Duskendale. I spoke with Jannia, and she already fawns over me. She wants to visit the Dun Fort again, and spend a week here. As for Lord Will, we agreed that it was best for now. We would not want to prolong the war any further.”
Annara giggled nervously. “I would think his retainers want to take advantage of their situation. However did you convince them otherwise, despite it?”
Laena smirked. “You are oblivious to events, Lady Annara. My mother has returned with her levies, and has won us a battle at Antlers. She is now marching on Byrch Hall, intent on ending the rebellion.”
Annara felt one of her hands twist the fabric of her skirt, nails digging into the cloth. Last she heard, the dragonslut had been sent in retreat halfway across Westeros – how had she recovered so quickly? Her and that blasted dragon of hers!
“There will be some other changes around here,” Laena continued. “I am in pursuit of someone with some higher skills, but, for the time being, Alysanne Darklyn will be our new spymaster.”
Annara’s eyes widened, nearly bulging out of her head. Alysanne, her kinswoman? But she was hardly as skilled in the ways of spycraft as she was. And how could she just be removed as spymaster, at the drop of a hat? She took a step closer to the dais. In an instant, her smile had evaporated, and the cheerful tone had evacuated her speech. “Are you saying… I am no longer spymaster of Duskendale?”
“That is correct,” Laena said. Her tone remained calm. “You are no longer spymaster of Duskendale.”
“But why?”
Laena grinned wider, her violet eyes gleaming in the nearby torchlight. “It was under your nose that so many rebels conspired against the Dun Fort. It was under your nose that plots failed, and more rebellions flared up… and it was under your watch that my father was killed. Shall I pronounce some more reasons?”
Annara felt her lips quivering. Her hands balled up into fists. “You cannot do this! You are overstepping your bounds! Are you not aware that only the regent can approve such things? Are you aware that only Lady Rhaena could affirm my removal?”
Laena gave a breathy giggle. “Would you like to take it up with my mother, then? I am certain she will come readily to your defense...”
Annara’s thick lips closed shut.
“If we have nothing else to discuss, then you are dismissed, Lady Annara.” Laena’s voice became extra soft. “Good day...”
Annara stepped out of the council chamber and made her way to her bedroom. As she did, she felt her fists tighten. Her steps became harder against the stone. In a low voice, she muttered:
“This is not the end of me, unicorn brat… this is not the end of me...”
