Chapter 60: Meanwhile, In Volantis
After observing the tome for a moment, Aerion walked towards it and picked the book from the ground. As he held it in his hands, the blood demons stopped fighting against his Soul Knights. He had gained what he came for afterwards; the awakening of Blood Magic.
"You are more formidable and willing than the last... a worthy master, indeed. Rivers of blood will flow for your conquests and ambitions. Kingdoms and Empires alike will fall as you march upon them, expanding your lands with every step. Your living body will grow invincible and immortal as you drink and consume upon those who dare to show defiance."
"The dragon who feasts upon countless worlds... that is who you will become under my guidance."
...
Aerion listened carefully as the tome seemed to speak to him. He wondered if this was a hallucination as a result of his exhaustion or the tome of Hematomancy had a will of its own. Since anything was possible with magic, Aerion did not doubt the latter.
The voice seemed feminine and sounded gentle yet it carried great authority at the very same time. The fact that the tome had a will of its own and he could not control it completely was quite troubling. When its old master wished for his death, the tome did not act and chose to see the outcome instead... which meant that it was not exactly loyal. A subject that is not loyal is unreliable, a trait that Aerion has a great distaste for.
He decided to put it away for now, at least until the trial was done. It was only a matter of time before those in the present became aware of his disappearance... especially his mother, whom he did not wish to worry.
'I will take Valyria with one decisive storm.'
~
It had been one moon since Aerion sailed for the city of Lys with a ship of his most powerful warriors... and Viserys. The magisters of Lys stated that he had arrived two weeks ago... however, most of the residents within the city do not recall seeing Aerion arrive. For a person known to have many grand and proud entrances, it was unlikely that anyone present could miss his arrival. It was even less likely that Aerion would intentionally hide when entering a city that was already his.
Many did not think much of Aerion's extended and mysterious leave, but Daenerys couldn't help but wonder where he had truly sailed. He had instructed her not to make any large decisions, an instruction that she followed. Volantis had not changed much since he left and neither did the New Valyrian Empire as a whole. Lord Stannis had secured and ruled Lorath for a time before returning to Braavos, where a vast majority of the Empire's navy was now stationed.
With the unification of all nine Free Cities came unity at last. Although not the best of friends, the lord magisters had all sworn that they would not have any conflicts with each other. If they did, then the Soul Knights beside them would sort it out... which was the last thing that they wished. Trade routes were never quite so safe, at least in recent memory, while all of the lord magisters worked to benefit both themselves and each other. It was a golden era for trade between the Free Cities in the opinion of most.
Some Dothraki were still quite willful when it came to harassing the Free Cities while a vast majority knew of the Emperor's reputation. He was the Silver Khal who defeated Khal Drogo in a battle to the death in front of his entire Khalasar. Afterwards, he had summoned a tornado that destroyed the half of the khalasar that did not obey him. Such a tale could discourage even the bravest of Khals! In terms of strength, Aerion was unofficially the mightiest of the Khals as Khal Drogo had been before him. Unofficially because some of the Dothraki didn't acknowledge him as their own which was understandable since Aerion didn't think of himself as a Dothraki either. In his disappearance, Aerion's khalasar had moved east and began to pillage lands outside of the New Valyrian Empire. After all, them staying in Pentos wasn't exactly sustainable for the city long-term and the Dothraki did not like to stay put in one place for too long either way.
As Princess of Volantis, Daenerys was given the latest and most important reports regarding the Known World from the Empire's various sources. Though, as she read through them, a sense of helplessness did emerge. Especially to the west, where the Usurper had gained better ground against the Ironborn and began to push them back to sea. There were only so many coastal villages to raid, in the end. The greed of the Ironborn led to several defeats on land as Robert released his fury one victory after another.
It was looking like the Rebellion was coming to an end with a potential truce whereby the rebel Kingdoms would have a chance to recover. People would once again have faith and hope in their false King, weakening Aerion's hold within Westeros. Especially once the rumours of his apparent disappearance grow. While Robert's banners were on the coasts of the Riverlands and Westerlands, the eastern-most lands were ripe for the taking. King's Landing in particular... once taken, the loyalist Houses would rise and join with the two loyalist Kingdoms.
After Aerion stormed King's Landing once, the garrison had been doubled... tripled, even. However, due to his recent passiveness regarding the Seven Kingdoms, Robert pulled the extra troops to aid him in battle against the Ironborn.
'Unless absolutely necessary...'
Daenerys recalled Aerion's words as she sat in his study. He had occasionally remarked that she lacked confidence in almost everything she did, albeit in a gentle manner, and yet he did not allow her to make any major decisions once she had been given a position of power. This was a conflict of interest... unless he had purposefully intended it so.
'What would Aerion do?'
She didn't wish to defy him, but this opportunity was far too great to let slip away. Surely... he'd understand upon return? Daenerys believed that to finally gain confidence, she had to step out of what she was comfortable with.
"You seem to be deep in thought today," Jocelyn remarked as she put aside a book about Daeron the Young Dragon.
"I believe this to be a difficult question... but where do your loyalties lay?" Daenerys inquired. "I would rather you answer honestly."
"What do you mean?"
"Do your loyalties lay with Aerion or your father?" Daenerys rephrased her question, seeking a straightforward answer.
Jocelyn had been her closest friend and, due to being around Aerion almost every day, she was quite the bright mind regarding the subject of war. More specifically, Jocelyn knew what Aerion wanted most... more than anyone else present in Volantis. This knowledge would certainly be useful when ruling for him.
"I do really hope that they settle their differences one day... although it does seem like a distant fantasy, I believe that it is still possible. I think that Aerion is better suited for the Iron Throne, however. My father might be a demon on the field but I've seen how he rules... in truth, I don't believe that he ever wanted to be king in the first place."
"Oh?" Daenerys replied with an expression of surprise.
"He just wants to fight... fight... and fight. When there's no one to fight, he just drinks and feasts his days away while leaving everything to Jon. He doesn't take his duties seriously, in my opinion." Jocelyn chuckled as an amusing thought came to mind.
"If my father and Aerion ignored the past, they would be a match made in Heaven. One has the ambition to continue expanding while the other wishes to fight..."
"I'm afraid that will never happen, Jocelyn. The hatred between our houses is far too deep to ignore." Daenerys countered.
"Well... it's nice to hope, I guess." Jocelyn shrugged.
Daenerys opened a scroll detailing the Free Cities and the Seven Kingdoms across the table.
"As the Ironborn are being pushed back, Robert's return to King's Landing is becoming more likely and the window to take the capital of the Seven Kingdoms with ease is closing as a result." Daenerys stood up from her chair and observed the map. "Would Aerion be displeased if I waged war without his permission?"
"I mean... if that is what troubles you, then I'll be the first to protect your decision." Jocelyn reassured Daenerys.
"However, you shouldn't worry too much about Aerion. Every decision that puts the New Valyrian Empire in a better position would please him... especially if it came as a result of your, a Targaryen's actions. There is a reason why he put you in this position, after all."
"... I see."
"Although he might be slightly mad about the fact that he couldn't storm King's Landing himself..."
Daenerys chuckled before turning to Braavos on the map.
"The best way to strike King's Landing would be by sea. With the combined forces of the Empire's Navy in Braavos and the ships in Dragonstone, approaching King's Landing would be simple."
Jocelyn nodded. "And then my uncle, the Sealord and Aerion's knights can easily break through the gate at Blackwater Bay with their fire, followed by the weaker undead and living soldiers. The gold cloaks wouldn't prove much of a challenge and, before long, the Iron Throne would belong to the New Valyrian Empire."
"The difficult part is convincing everyone to follow you like they would follow Aerion..." Jocelyn added. "If the Reach, Dorne and the loyalist Houses across the Seven Kingdoms do not back you then it will be hard to proceed. Hell, Aerion's knights might even refuse your orders and none of this would work."
Daenerys smiled. "They always remark that they 'follow his will'... what is his will? I do believe the defeat of his greatest enemy and the conquest of the Seven Kingdoms is a good enough reason for them to follow my decision."
"Then what of the lord magisters?"
"With Aerion's most loyal warriors and leaders on my side, they should naturally fall in line... wouldn't you agree?"
"I imagine so." Jocelyn nodded. "In his absence, the undead are the most influential and powerful force. No magister would dare to defy them."
"Then... it is decided." Daenerys took a long breath of air.
"I will gather the council and make my decision known to the Empire's subjects."
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