Chapter 12: Gossip
Maekar
Greycliff Castle
Robb moved opposite Maekar as they faced off in the training yard, the clang of steel and the thud of wood filling the air as they sparred. Maekar wielded his spear with precision, while Robb countered with his sword. Their movements were swift and calculated, each strike met with a parry or dodge.
He feinted to the left, then quickly thrust his spear towards Robb's side. Robb blocked the attack with his sword, but his agility allowed him to pivot and strike again, this time sweeping Robb's legs out from under him. Robb landed on his back with a grunt, his sword clattering to the ground.
He stood over him, the tip of his spear pointed at Robb's chest. "Yield," he said with a grin.
Robb laughed, accepting his hand as he was helped to his feet. "Good one. You've improved."
"Yes, I have," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "Remember the times when you always beat me?"
Robb chuckled, shaking his head. "Looks like I've been slacking off."
"Also is it wise to keep using a spear?" Robb asked.
"It's served me well so far. I want to test its limits" he replied.
"Let's end it here; I'm starving," he added, looking at the setting sun.
They made their way into the castle, the cool stone walls a welcome relief to their sweat-filled bodies. Maekar glanced through the many windows of the castle, admiring the view.
"I'm jealous of the beautiful view from the castle," he remarked.
Robb nodded. "My chambers are in the perfect place. I can see the sunset perfectly from there."
As they were about to climb the stairs, Arya ran over, her face set in a pout. "Are you done?" she asked in a despondent tone.
"Yes, sister," Robb replied.
"But I wanted to watch you fight," she complained.
"Tomorrow, Arya. Now come, Mother will be looking for you," Robb said, ruffling her hair.
As they continued their journey to the family quarters, Arya looked up at him. "Did you see any bears on Bear Island?"
He smiled down at her. "I saw many bears."
Robb shot him a knowing look. "Yes, I'm sure you did more than that."
"Shut up," he said, punching his cousin lightly on the arm.
Arya looked between them, confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," he and Robb said in unison, trying to suppress their laughter.
After taking a long bath, Maekar went to have dinner with his uncle and family. He entered the hall with Robb, finding Uncle Ned already seated with Arya and Aunt Ashara, who was holding little Rodrick.
"Aunt Ash, as beautiful as ever," he said, sitting down.
Ashara smiled at him, but her expression turned curious. "Maekar, I have been hearing some things about you."
He sighed. "Has Aunt Cat been writing to you? She is just projecting," he said.
"Projecting?" Ashara looked confused.
He quickly corrected himself, realizing he had used a term from his previous life. "I mean, she is angry with Uncle Brandon, so she is trying to find some other reasons to be angry about."
Ashara frowned slightly. "Still, it's not proper."
Robb, sensing the tension, asked, "Is this about that?" He already knew about Ros.
He quickly answered, "Yes."
As they began eating, he turned to Ashara. "So, Aunt Ash, have you heard any gossip from the Red Keep?"
Ashara had always been his main source of gossip during his stay in Winterfell. She kept him up to date on all things in the Red Keep, often with news directly from the queen herself.
"Has my dear brother finally gone mad under Father's expectations?" he asked with a playful tone.
Ashara sighed. "Such things are not to jest about, Maekar."
"I am just a concerned brother, Aunt Ash," he said, though his tone was teasing.
She gave him a pointed look. "Well, fine, I am not. I just want to know what is going on."
"Is there nothing else for you to speak of?" Uncle Ned said, slightly annoyed.
"Elia is in Dorne for a year, so I do not know what the happenings are in the Red Keep," Ashara said.
"Oh, well, what of my uncle? Has he returned from his travels with your sister?" Maekar asked.
Uncle Viserys had married Ashara's sister Allyria and had then decided to take her to travel all over Essos. Viserys was the only Targaryen he was in contact with as he would send him gifts on his nameday, sometimes letters as well. He was a wandering dragon who even helped him with a business deal in Braavos.
"No, they are in Essaria."
"Damn, they are far away," he remarked.
The conversation shifted to other topics, the atmosphere lightening as they enjoyed their meal.
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The next morning, he and Robb stood before Uncle Ned in his solar.
His uncle's expression was grim as he addressed them. "Our fears are confirmed. The wildlings are wreaking havoc in the Gift and in the Wolfwood. Brandon is leading an army to crush them."
"Damn those squids," Robb muttered, his frustration evident.
"Uncle Brandon is going to make sure those savages wish they stayed behind the Wall," he added.
Ned nodded. "If the Ironborn attack, we have the Ryswells, the lords of Cape Kraken, and the Dustins to help us."
"What about the Manderlys?" Robb asked.
"Their fleet cannot help us," Ned replied. "Most of the North will be focused on the wildlings."
"Exactly what the Ironborn wanted," he said. "But they don't know that we have new ships and..."
"A new weapon," Ned finished.
Suddenly, the maester of the castle entered, his face pale. "My lord, a missive from the Flints. They claim to have spotted a large fleet headed to Starkport."
"Ironborn," all three of them said together.
"When was this sent?" Maekar asked, his tone urgent.
"A day ago," the maester replied.
"That means we have less than two days," Ned said, his eyes narrowing.
Robb's face lit up with fierce resolve. "Time to roast some squid," he said, his voice filled with anticipation.
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Aegon
Red Keep
"So, when is your sister returning to the capital?" Joffrey asked, lounging casually in Aegon's chambers.
"I do not know and I do not care," Aegon replied, his eyes fixed on the map of the Iron Isles spread out before him.
"She must be beautiful," Joffrey said, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Lannisport was sacked, and the West is being raided by Ironborn—the lands you will be ruling—and you are wondering if my sister is beautiful?" Aegon asked, incredulous.
"Nothing gold can't fix," Joffrey dismissed Aegon's words with a wave of his hand. "But I do need a lady to rule it beside me," he added, almost as an afterthought.
"Rhaenys and I are not close. We are as close as my bastard brother in the North," Aegon said, his tone bitter.
"Is he a bastard, though?" Joffrey mused.
"Joff, either you have something to contribute to the war ahead, or you can leave," Aegon said sharply, suddenly beginning to cough.
"You can't even use a sword for more than a few minutes, Aegon," Joffrey said, standing up. "This war will only let the realm see your weakness," he added before leaving the room.
'Weak. I am not weak,' Aegon thought bitterly, his hands clenching into fists.
He left his chambers and made his way to the council chambers, where a meeting was to be held. Arriving there, he found only his father, Rhaegar, and Jon Arryn. The sight of Jon Arryn always filled him with resentment. He did not understand why a traitor and rebel like Arryn was on the council. To Aegon, it merely highlighted the weakness of his father's rule.
As the council began and they discussed strategies to put down the rebellion, Varys entered with a grim expression, holding a letter.
"Your Grace, I have dire news," he said, his voice steady but somber. "The queen has been abducted; her ship was attacked in the Stepstones."
Aegon felt faint, his vision narrowing. Then, he felt rage—white-hot rage—coursing through his veins. He struggled to maintain his composure as his mind raced.
"This cannot be," Rhaegar said, his voice barely above a whisper. The shock was evident on his face.
"Who did this vile deed?" Jon Arryn asked.
"Euron Greyjoy." Varys answered.
Aegon's fists clenched at his sides. "We need to take our fleet and travel to the Stepstones immediately," he said, his voice trembling with anger. "Greyjoy will pay for this."
Jon Arryn spoke up, his voice calm and measured. "We need to plan our next steps carefully. Rash action could lead to greater losses."
Aegon shot him a withering look. "Careful planning will not save my mother. We need decisive action."
"Decisive, yes, but not reckless," Arryn replied, meeting Aegon's gaze.
Aegon wanted to retort but he could not find the words. His mother was taken; if anything were to happen to her, he was going to make sure the Ironborn would never rise again.
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Read up to chapter 21 here :
p.a.t.r.eon.com/Illusiveone (check the chapter summary i have it there as well)
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