Chapter 3: Clash of Loyalties
101AC
The sun setting in the distance cast a shadow on the monster's castle you could see in the distance. The carriage wheels squeaked from the weight of the passengers and the horses were tiering from the arduous journey.
The Baratheons had left storms end one moon prior. Boromund had decided for the entirety of the family to be a part of the council to show unity and support for Princes Rhanys's cause. Boromund had explained to the family how they would support Rhaenys, his cousin. Borros had opposed the idea but Boromund was quick to admonish his son. Explaining the benefits the Baratheon would have if their blood was on the throne.
All of the planning and arguing had not affected Durin, he already knew what the council would decide. The council will choose Viserys as the king and it will set a precedent, that a daughter can not inherit the throne when a male heir exists.
And it is precisely one of the reasons that a war will break out in the future.
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The road to HarrenHall has been bumpy and painful, both physically and mentally. My brother and father have been constantly arguing about who to support as heir to the coming council. Father had given sensible arguments, he had stated if a Baratheon would sit on the iron throne it would give us, his children opportunities to sit on the queen's small council or the kings if Laenor should ever be king.
If I remember correctly there will be 14 claims to the thrones discussed, and nine of them were not strong claims so they will be discarded.
The only people who will actually be considered would be Princess Rhaenys and Viserys, and we know how that will turn out.
"Father, you can't honestly be considering supporting Rhaenys. She may have the Targaryen blood, but her claim is weak at best. A woman has never ruled the Seven Kingdoms, and we cannot risk destabilizing the realm." said Borros.
My father met my brother's gaze with a resolute expression. "Borros, I understand your concerns, but we must not dismiss her outright. Rhaenys has qualities that could make her a formidable ruler. We can't overlook that fact just because she's a woman, and you also forget she's blood"
This is the type of conversation they've been having almost the entire journey here, going in circles always clashing somehow, it didn't bother me at first but now it's just getting on my nerve.
Looking through the carriage window I see the monster's castle Harrenhall. Seeing the molted megalithic structure reminds me of what I had told the Maester before our journey, and I was right, just looking at the melted rock scares the hell out of me, what am I supposed to do against dragons, they're frigging flying fire breathing beasts.
Speaking of mythical beasts, I looked down at the dusty old book resting on my lap. I can only guess that when the Measter gave me this book, he knew that we would be journeying to Harrenhal in the days to come.
'sigh, that man and his pranks'
The cover of the book bore an intricate symbol, one that felt strangely familiar yet enigmatic. As I opened the pages the text within was unlike any language I had encountered before. It seemed like a jumble of symbols and characters, the closest thing I could compare it to would be the Norse runes, but they were different at the same time.
But as I focused on it, a strange sensation washed over me. The words began to rearrange themselves in my mind, forming coherent sentences that I could oddly understand. When I first opened the book, I thought I was going crazy.
It was too late to ask the Maester because we had already left Storm's End, and I'm sure that if I went around saying I can understand these jumbled symbols, I would be burned as a heretic. So every time I read the book, it's under the guise of liking the symbols, and considering I'm a 3-year-old... well, let's just say I can get away with certain things.
<i>Entry One: A Lesson in the Tapestry of Time</i>
<i>Greetings, Seeker of Knowledge,</i>
<i>f you have found your way to these pages, know that you tread upon the threads of a tapestry woven by destiny itself. Many call me Duran Godsgrief, but my true name is Durran Durandon and within these words, you shall discover the chronicle of my existence, a tale that stretches beyond the confines of mere mortal experience.</i>
Reading the entry, I still can't believe the book I'm holding. In my old world, I had composed many songs for both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, and to make the songs resonate with the world, I had to know everything about the lore George.R.R.Martin had written for his world, and the on that stuck with me was of the first storm king Durran godsgrief.
"And to think I'm holding his biography" I whispered.
I felt arms wrap around me and I found myself on my mother's lap."What's got you so distracted my little stag" she said, giving me a slight squeeze.
I haven't realized in my musing but it seems the carriage had stopped, and the only people in the carriage were me and my mother.
I turned to her and asked the obvious" Have we arrived"
She leaned in and gave me a small kiss and hummed in conformation"Hmm, a little while ago, your father and brother already left to continue their bickering someplace else"
She looked at the book in my hand and she creased her brows" I still don't get your obsession with this book" she asked me a puzzled look marring her face.
"I just like the symbols that's all," I said trying to steer her away from the topic
She seemed to want to continue but I interrupted her before she could.
'don't want her to think I'm reading an ancient tome of a man said to marry a goddess'
"Let's go, Mother, I'm feeling a bit hungry," I said, jumping of her lap.
My mother seemed surprised by my reaction but she just shrugged and got out of the carriage I followed in pursuit only to be greeted with hundreds upon hundreds of tents. There were makeshift stands of people selling goods, there were banners everywhere of different houses and the most surprising thing was there was a friging dragon flying over us.
"Holy fantasy," I said.
Looking at the red dragon flying over us, and a smaller dragon. Everyone stopped to look at the giant beast before they disappeared behind the castle but a little while later there was a small rumble signaling that they had landed.
'Meleys the red queen and Seasmoke'
To think one of the first Dragons I lay my eyes upon would be the one dragon I thought was the most badass.
'That was Rheanys and her family most likely, and it seems Laenor has already claimed Seasmoke'
"Come now let's not make your stomach wait," said my mother not at all fazed by the fire-breathing weapons of destruction that just flew over us.
grabbing my hand and walking forward, our household guards flanking us, she led me towards the castle and up a flight of stairs in front of a room I could hear a conversation going.
There were two guards stationed in front of the door, seeing my mother one of the guards stepped aside while the other opened the door for us.
'Their Velaryon guards' I thought seeing the seahorse emblem on their armor.
"Viserys has almost all the lord of the reach supporting him not to mention the Vale considering his wife is an Arryn," Said a strong unfamiliar voice.
We entered the room, and all eyes turned in our direction. Positioned before us was my father, facing a man with striking white hair and dark skin color. Instantly recognizing him from my knowledge, I realized it was none other than 'Corlys friging Velaryon, the Sea Snake.'
My mother's initial surprise at the room's occupants quickly transformed into composed grace. She gracefully moved towards the right side of the room, her steps deliberate and confident. There, she approached a woman of exquisite beauty, her flowing black hair framing her features as she held a goblet of wine delicately.
Performing a subtle bow, my mother uttered, "Your grace, it's a pleasure to see you again after such a prolonged absence."
The woman, now known to me as Rhaenys, rose from her seat and embraced my mother affectionately.
"It warms my heart to greet you once more, goodsister. I trust the journey from Storm's End was untroubled," Rhaenys inquired, her gaze finding mine. Admittedly, I may have stared a tad too long.
Lowering herself to my eye level, Rhaenys appraised me briefly before inquiring, "And who is this fine young gentleman?" I managed to suppress any sign of blushing, I assure you.
Clearing my throat, I executed a bow of such perfection that even the Maester would commend. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, your grace. I am Durin Baratheon." The room fell into a momentary silence.
Glancing at my mother, I wondered if I had committed a misstep. My eyes conveyed my concern, prompting her to intercede.
"Isn't he quite remarkable, your grace?" she ventured, though for some inexplicable reason, it did little to assuage my unease.
This time, Corlys took the floor, a wry smile gracing his lips. "A Baratheon displaying such refined manners," he commented, casting a sidelong glance at my father.
"You have undoubtedly been well-educated by skilled maester," Rhaenys observed, drawing my focus back to her. She signaled for a knight stationed by the door.
Rising gracefully, Rhaenys instructed the knight to escort me to where her children were situated. I glanced at my mother and received a nod of approval, embarking on my journey with the knight. My curiosity about the impending conversation in the room I had left behind was palpable.
The knight led me to a guarded room, the sentry wearing a distinctive white cloak.
'A Kingsguard,' I mused.
'That would mean...' My thoughts trailed off as the guard opened the door, revealing a scene of utter chaos.
Well, isn't this a sight to behold?
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Hey there, folks!
So, I gotta admit, not much action went down in this chapter. But hey, don't jump ship just yet! Trust me, we're steering this ship straight into some seriously spicy waters.
"I mean, c'mon, right Durin?"
"Durin?"
ha..ha.....
It seems he doesn't want to answer me, but still stay tuned.
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