Zalarys looked ahead, wearing dark trousers, a white shirt and a black mantle made from the fur of a black bear. He had two short swords sheathed behind his back and one standard sword at his waist, along with his bag.
Standing in High Tide, the castle built by Lord Corlys Velaryon himself, he raised his hand, placed it on his chest and lowered his head in respect.
"Greetings, Lord Corlys. It has been a while, has it not?" He spoke solemnly, then glanced at Rhaenys and smiled politely. "Cousin, I am delighted to see you well."
Rhaenys's lips curled with amusement as she sat beside Corlys. "I am of the same mind. It is good to see you again, Zalarys."
Corlys hummed, stroking his beard and sinking into his own thoughts. "The pleasure is mine, my Prince."
He stood and walked down from his throne toward Zalarys. "I'm sure you must be hungry from the long journey. Why do we not-"
"I'm grateful, but I have already eaten, my lord. A pleasant conversation with the Lord of the Tides would be worth far more than any meal." Zalarys smiled wryly, scratching the back of his head.
"What is it you want, cousin? There's no need to beat around the bush. I know you are after something of value, so I will ask plainly. What is it?" Rhaenys leaned forward, rising and walking down to join them, her black hair braided, her purple eyes gleaming with interest.
Zalarys raised his hands helplessly, but slowly his humorous expression faded, replaced by avarice.
"Sunchaser..."
Corlys's eyes widened. His head snapped toward the young prince, who stared back at him with a still face, his eyes deep and curious.
"You found it, did you not? The ship that was built in 55 AC, the ship commissioned by Elissa Farman with gold obtained from my aunt Rhaena's dragon, Dreamfyre, in order to sail west beyond the Sunset Sea, to reach lands never before seen. The ship that began its voyage with two sister ships, Lady Meredith and Autumn Moon, which were under the command of Eustace and Norman Hightower."
Corlys observed the young prince for some time, his eye narrowing as he grew more sober. "You've read the records of my voyage..."
"Yes. And of many others as well. Sunchaser was lost, never appearing again. However..." He paused, looking down as he carefully chose his next words.
Looking up, he crossed his fingers in front of him, his expression growing thoughtful as he held Corlys's gaze and spoke, his voice calm and collected.
"You sailed to Asshai-by-the-Shadow on one of your great voyages... and found Sunchaser there."
Corlys furrowed his brow, his expression turning serious as he exhaled. "And even if that were true, what would you wish to gain from it?"
Zalarys licked his lips, took a map from his bag and spread it across the wooden table. Several locations were marked across it: the Basilisk Isles, Volantis, the Shadow Lands, the ruins of Valyria and Wyvern Point in Sothoryos.
"What I want is one final voyage, my lord. A voyage that will turn this world on its head, and a journey that will lead us to the truth." He looked up, pointing first at the Sunset Sea far to the west, then at the far eastern edge of Essos.
"It is madness. Everyone would die." Corlys sighed, shaking his head. "I would strongly advise you to abandon the idea, my Prince. Return to King's Landing."
"Consider it, my lord." Zalarys pressed, while Rhaenys sat quietly behind them, lost in thought.
He tapped his finger on the possible location of Sunchaser, then on the Sunset Sea. "A discovery no one has ever made. Sunchaser sailed west into the Sunset Sea and was found in Essos. Does that not intrigue you? How does a ship end up there, unless..."
"There is another explanation. Elissa may have simply turned back and sailed east through the Summer Isles and around Sothoryos into the Jade Sea." Corlys crossed his arms, tracing the alternative route with his finger.
"Or... she truly did it. West to east. If my theory holds..." Zalarys looked up. "Do you understand what that would mean?"
"The world is round..." Corlys sat down slowly, his deep eyes filled with both the weight of wisdom and the light of excitement as he turned over the implications of what the young Prince was saying.
"Exactly. A discovery no one has ever made. We would be the ones who sailed around the world entire, and with my dragon, our chances are far greater than hers were. If Elissa managed it with only Sunchaser, then with the Sea Snake and Murghagon together, our odds improve beyond measure." Zalarys leaned forward, tapping the table, and waited.
"Corlys, don't you dare..." Rhaenys spoke sternly from behind, her arms crossed.
"I know..." Corlys let out an exhausted sigh and looked up at Zalarys. "I must refuse, sadly. While I long for a new adventure, I'm now the Lord of Driftmark. I cannot abandon my responsibilities."
Rhaenys nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Zalarys. "You as well, cousin. You will return to King's Landing. If I see you flying east... you know what will happen, right?"
Zalarys gritted his teeth, his eye twitching with irritation. "Cousin, think for a moment. Can't you see what we would accomplish if it succeeded?"
"Yes. And I can also see what happens if everyone dies. Forgive me, but I have no great eagerness for that." Rhaenys scoffed, closing the matter. "Return to King's Landing. I will be sending a raven to your parents as well."
Zalarys spat with venom, his expression twisted from frustration and slammed his fist on the table, snatched up his map and left without turning back.
Rhaenys pressed her lips together, settling into her seat as she thought about her reckless cousin while Corlys rose quietly and walked out.
"Where are you going?" she asked with suspicion.
"To speak with him. I don't want him doing something reckless while blinded by anger." He said with no particular feeling in his voice and left High Tide.
"Please do." She covered her face, turning over in her mind what would happen if Zalarys truly sailed east.
"This boy..."
________________________________
"Enough is enough!" Jaehaerys slammed his fist on the iron throne, his face enraged and eyes piercing, like that of dragon's, making everyone in the throne hall shudder in fear. Even if King grew old, his fangs still were sharp enough, and his roar, as mighty as ever.
"Viserra... I promised you, that was your last chance." Jaehaerys spoke sternly, his voice both cold and disappointed, his displeasure stark clear.
"But Father, what's so wrong about it? All I wanted was to enjoy life, but I can't even do that!" She scowled back, ever defiant, not backing off despite speaking with the King.
"If that's the case, I think it's time for you to be wedded." Alysanne said flatly, her tone as sharp as the edge of blade.
"I have little need for a consort." Viserra scoffed, shaking her head. "That is why I have to decline, but regardless, you have my gratitude for the thoughtful gesture, Mother."
Alysanne narrowed her eyes at the sarcasm, growing increasingly irritated by her rebellious words. "Lord Theomore is a good man, a wise man, with a kind heart and a good head on his shoulders. His people love him a great deal. He will take good care of you, Viserra."
"If you like him so much, Mother, you should marry him instead. It's not like I cannot see what is happening. You simply wish to remove me from King's Landing, like Daella and the others." Viserra spat, venom dripping from her tongue, her voice biting and cold.
"Choose your words wisely, child. I will not tolerate your insolence any more. And again, you will do as I say. I don't care what you wish. You will do your duty, whether you fancy it or not." Alysanne narrowed her eyes in irritation, tired of her daughter's defiance.
"I am a Targaryen!" she snapped, taking a step forward with open contempt. "Not some broodmare you can trade away whenever it suits you. If you think I will ever accept that-"
"That is the command of your Queen-Mother." Alysanne interrupted, resting her hands on her lap, her voice harsh and unforgiving. "And your opinion on the matter is irrelevant. You will obey."
Silence fell between them.
And Viserra's expression slowly changed. The fury drained from her face, leaving her lost and disoriented, not knowing where she should step on when the road seemed so dark and filled with horrors. Her lower lip trembled as she bit down on it, fists clenching at her sides.
This cannot be real... I refuse to accept it.
I will be wed to an old man, old enough to be my grandfather. Stout and ugly, with many sons and daughters, and four dead wives.
Only to end up like one of them? Dying during childbirth...
Her already pale skin turned even more lifeless as the chilling claws of dread closed around her heart, gripping it so tightly, so ruthlessly, that it felt as though it might be torn from her chest, leaving nothing behind but emptiness and sorrow.
Is that all my life amounts to? Just a broodmare to give birth to heirs...
"Mother... please. Anyone but that old man..." Viserra blurted out, her trembling face pained and desperate. She looked down, avoiding Alysanne's gaze, her eyes watering as a sharp ache spread through her chest.
Involuntarily, she looked around desperately, trying to find anyone who would take her side. However, everyone turned their heads away.
Deep down, she hoped that even one person from her family would save her, but there were none.
For some reason, she even entertained the thought of Zalarys stepping forward, but he was nowhere to be seen. Besides, it was too unrealistic. Zalarys probably wouldn't even care about it. She had done nothing to deserve his kindness, after all.
At that thought, she smiled faintly. It was a melancholic smile, yet even so, on her beautiful face, it was still lovely.
Hmm... I think I miss irritating you, little monster...
By the looks of it, her parents wouldn't change their minds.
That realization made her feel even more miserable. Everything she wanted, everything she longed for and desired, slipped from her fingers one by one. And now, she would have even less than what she already had.
Just... Forgotten...
Alysanne's expression momentarily softened, but she knew that it was necessary however... Perhaps I can find more suitable match?
She thought with a sad look, closing her eyes with melancholic expression.
Alysanne wouldn't be so extreme if she didn't noticed Viserra's behaviour.
However, what truly scared her was the thought of Viserra sharing same fate as Saera, her older sister. She was exiled because she gave her maidenhead to three, not just single boy, but three. And even had audacity to say she would marry them all, like Aegon the Conqueror or the Maegor the Cruel. That enraged Jaehaerys, exhausted with her attitude, and disowned her at that moment.
Alysanne while harsh, still wished nothing but betterment of her family, and even if she should take extreme measures, even if her children hate her for that, she will make sure their futures will be bright.
She considered many candidates for Viserra, starting with Viserys, but it was clear as the cloudless sky that Viserra wished to become queen, and Alysanne was adamant about preventing that.
Viserra was cunning. Despite appearing innocent and emotional, she was trying to charm Viserys, manipulating him. If Alysanne hadn't chosen Aemma and wed her to Viserys in time, she might as well have lured Viserys into her bed and forced him to marry her, effectively becoming queen.
But now that her path to the throne was cut off. Instead, she wanted to gain influence in King's Landing, to become even more powerful with many supporters at her side. Alysanne wouldn't allow that either.
Such a thing would lessen Baelon's power when he becomes king, and later Viserys's as well when he inherits the throne. The last thing she wanted was to destabilize the balance and weaken the influence of the sovereign of the realm.
That was the reason she was here right now. Thinking about it made Alysanne even more angry.
However, she took a deep breath and began considering other options.
Obviously, the next choice would be Daemon. They were of the same age, and both Targaryen.
But...
Her grandson's actions greatly displeased Alysanne. He had been such a bright and energetic child back then. How was it that now she heard Daemon spent more time with whores and lowborns than with his own family?
Perhaps Knighthood and Caraxes get into his head, making him arrogant and delusional, thinking world belonged to him. That's why Alysanne removed any thoughts of wedding either Viserra or Gael to him, she didn't wish to break her daughters hearts with husband that would without doubt be unfaithful and violent.
She wished them to marry person that would love them, like Jaehaerys loved her.
Perhaps... She furrowed her brow, weighing the odds in her mind and considering every possible outcome of such a union. When she finished, she leaned forward slightly in her throne, a faint smile dancing on her lips.
"Fine... I did reconsider my choice."
Hearing this, Viserra looked up, her expression filled with confusion, not understanding what she meant. She was still far too lost in her sadness and despair.
Alyssa and Baelon, meanwhile, exhaled in relief, satisfied that it was finally over. None of them enjoyed this drama. They were simpler and more straightforward by nature.
"W-what... Truly?" she blurted out in surprise, her amethyst eyes, which usually burned with fierce light, now pitiful and bleak.
"Yes." Alysanne nodded simply.
Hearing her confirmation, Viserra's face brightened, her lips curling upward as a beautiful smile bloomed across her face.
"Thank you... Truly, Mother. Thank you."
"As I said, I did reconsider it. You will not be married to him. However, I have another candidate in mind. And no matter what you say, you cannot reject it. Those were your words. Anyone but him, correct?" she spoke sternly, leaning back in her seat and leaving Viserra with little room to argue, using her own words against her.
"Yes. Anyone but him. I will accept whoever you have in mind, if they are suitable, of course." Viserra replied.
Even though she wasn't in the right state of mind at the moment, she still had enough cunning to understand wordplay. She wouldn't allow her mother to choose another candidate similar to the previous one. She wouldn't take such a risk, using every opportunity she could to gain the upper hand in the negotiation.
"Understood. Then you will be wed to Zalarys."
"Pardon? Z-Zalarys?" Viserra blinked in bewilderment, looking around as she tried to understand what she had just heard.
"Mother, perhaps we shouldn't make such a decision so rashly. Let us take it slow." Baelon stepped forward, already realizing that this had turned into an even bigger problem.
"He is right, Mother. We must consider many things before making such a choice. We need to ask for their opinions as well." Alyssa nodded, crossing her arms, her face devoid of emotion.
Seeing her siblings supporting her, Viserra sighed in relief. But the next words she heard froze her completely, leaving her stunned into silence.
"You heard her." Jaehaerys spoke, supporting his wife. "The decision is made. And it is the order of the King. It will be carried out."
Him... Of all people? Viserra thought, now more irritated than depressed.
At the same time, Alysanne was lost in her own thoughts, thinking about the outcome of this union.
Zalarys was the most mysterious of her grandchildren. He was cold-blooded, bloodthirsty, and driven by ambition. Not for the throne, but for knowledge and strength.
Without a doubt, he wanted to become the strongest man who had ever lived, reigning supreme over all and dominating land, air, and sea like an apex predator. And his dragon was giving him the opportunity to become exactly that.
However, Alysanne had to admit that while Zalarys was quite ruthless and insidious for such a young boy, he was surprisingly gentle and polite toward women. A clear example of that was how he treated Gael, or how deeply he loved his mother and Alysanne herself. Even her servants were pleased and joyful to serve him because of how polite he was, resembling her son Baelon the most, both ferocious and kind at the same time.
He wasn't as innocent and gentle as Viserys, nor as violent and lustful as Daemon. Because of that, she was confident that Zalarys would be a faithful husband and treat Viserra well.
And while Viserra's and Zalarys's relationship wasn't exactly great, being at each other's throats like starving hounds, it wasn't so terrible that they couldn't tolerate each other either.
It will be fine, the old queen thought, reassuring herself. They will warm up to each other. Time will heal whatever wounds they have inflicted upon one another and wash away any bitterness as well.
Aeksion would remain in House Targaryen too. But Aeksion wasn't what worried her the most, nor Jaehaerys.
It was Murghagon.
A catastrophic, abominable horror that could leave nothing but ruins wherever he passed, burning the skies, poisoning the lands, and splitting the deep seas.
That was why Jaehaerys was adamant about keeping Murghagon within House Targaryen more than anything else. He would never give anyone a weapon of such destructive might, something that could permanently scar the land.
That was another reason why Alysanne decided to wed Viserra to Zalarys, and Jaehaerys understood her thoughts without her needing to speak them aloud.
Aside from that, there was one final reason.
They were similar. Both driven by ambition, both unusual in their own ways.
Perhaps they could only find comfort in the presence of one another.
Thinking like this, Alysanne smiled, feeling hopeful about the future, and looked around, searching for Zalarys, but he wasn't there.
"Where is that boy at times like this?"
She frowned, glancing at Daemon, who shrugged helplessly, then at Viserys, who shook his head awkwardly, and finally at Aemma, who smiled apologetically.
"Gael, dear... do you know where Zalarys is?" she asked her youngest daughter, who flinched at being called, looking up with her hands folded in front of her, appearing graceful and reserved.
"Uhm... Mother... he's..." she spoke shyly, feeling a bit awkward.
"Speak, child. Where is he?" Alysanne sighed, already exhausted.
"I think he's on Driftmark..." Gael pursed her lips, blinking rapidly at Alysanne.
"Driftmark? What is he doing there? I didn't give him permission to leave." Baelon looked confused, scratching the back of his head with a tired sigh.
"I'm not sure. He gave me a gift a week ago, apologizing for missing my nameday..." Gael said, tapping her cheek thoughtfully.
Hearing this, Alysanne's expression softened, a gentle smile forming on her face, making her even more certain of her decision.
But the next words that left Gael's lips left her stunned, just like everyone else.
"He told me tales about wyrms and wyverns, talking how mighty they were and how enjoyable hunting them would be, I think." Gael bowed, crossing her fingers nervously, unsure to what to say. "I'm sorry, mother. I don't remember exactly what he said."
However, there was no need to remember anything... Because everyone understood what Zalarys was planning now.
"Oh no..." Alyssa's eyes widened in disbelief and anger, wanting to kill her son with her own hands. "He's going to Sothoryos..."
Sothoryos…
Viserra slowly licked her lips as she weighed the thought, her mind already turning over the possibilities.
That place was hell on earth, filled with wyrms, pirates, cultists, sea beasts, wyverns and worse. In terms of population, it couldn't even reach the level of the North, despite being a continent. That was how dangerous the place was.
Which meant…
Hah…
Hahaha…
Soft laughter almost escaped her lips as she understood the implications.
He might never come back at all.
She could be widowed before the marriage had even begun.
And then…
Viserra smiled faintly.
I will be free.
****
[A/N: hey guys, wusup? Hope you're all doing well.
I've seen some complaints, so I want to address them all. First of all, design of the dragon. I don't really understand why it's such a big deal. If you want a pink pretty lizard, there's Morning, so you have it.
Second, it isn't George R. R. Martin who's writing it, but me. There will be a few slangs maybe ans more casual and modern language used, since it's my writing style. And it is a fanfic, goddamn fanfic.
Besides, I've already mentioned that it's been a while since I've read asoiaf, so there's that as well. Obviously, I will make some mistakes and get some stuff wrong. So if some talks just for the sake of nitpicking, please don't. Positive advice is always welcomed, and to those who did, I'm thankful for it.
Third, don't like it? Then leave. Don't be an attention-starved retard. I'm seriously tired of those guys who need to announce that they're dropping it. No one cares. Leave if you don't like it instead of bringing negativity. What is it? Mama didn't give you enough attention? Just leave instead of hating on others' hard work.
If you want to be an asshole, sure, I can be an even bigger one. No problem. It's not like I'm asking anyone to pay for reading it. I never did and would never, I write because I enjoy it.
Fourth, thanks for all your support, guys. Those who enjoy this story, give good-natured criticism, and help in improving it. I'm thankful for it, especially Loaded Demigod, who beta reads and helps me with writing. Without him, this story wouldn't be as good as it is.
Again, I will do my best, but don't expect perfection from fanfic writer lol. It's your average story.
That's all I wanted to say, enjoy the meal :]