Chapter 140: 140- The beginning of a challenge.
~~~Azrael Jaesyrian, Tenth Moon, 277 AC~~~
~~~Dothraki encampment~~~
"Onno, have they taken the creature generators to the ships yet?" I asked one of my Blood Riders, currently, we were preparing everything for the khalasar's journey back to Xandar, both in the amount of supplies and the welfare of the horses and men.
"Yes, the blood of my blood, Qrano and Mottaekho already took care of it, with the guidance of the Witches a generator was arranged on each ship, as well as a chest with these... generator eggs," he explained, while he didn't understand such things very well, he knew the most practical thing to finish his commissioned work.
"Very well, then that part is taken care of," I said contentedly, as another person entered the tent where we were gathered, his armor gleaming, his confident and attentive bearing glimpsed, and a confident smile graced his face. "Micaela, how good of you to arrive."
Micaela, the first witch of Xandar to be in charge of an entire legion when she made her journeys to Sothoryos and the Valyrian Peninsula, without a doubt, the longest-lived witch I had under my command and a menace beneath her beautiful face.
"My king," she greeted me, removing her smile momentarily to turn serious, but then returned after bowing.
"Micaela, how are the Guardians, are they ready for the journey?" I asked, and that is yes, with the fleet, a total of thirty Guardians had come, both as additional protection, should we encounter Krakens, which according to Micaela, she had seen prowling the waters of the Smoky Sea and parts of the shores of the Basilisk Islands.
They would also serve as tugs in the event of a lack of sufficient wind for the colossal ships to make headway on the high seas.
"Yes, my king, I used a boat and met with them two days ago, I noticed them strong and rested, and they have been feeding well, so there will be no problem at all," she explained, which made me smile, delegating jobs to efficient people was always a good idea.
"That's fine, then. This time, the fleet will leave at the same time as the airships, the platform ships will be used to carry the airships, along with the wyverns, they will no longer carry the beasts we use on the hunts, so there will be no need to overload them," I explained, the airships, held by the wyverns, had been used to bring the basilisk, the great ape of Leng, as well as the Hrakkar, the tattooed lizard, Hellboy, and the devastating six.
But since only the devastator had now emerged unscathed from the hunt, then using the airships only to carry seven animals was a waste of resources and time.
"Very well, I will order the airships to be moved to the platform ships, and begin to accommodate the cargo wyverns on the ships," Micaela said, as the leader in charge of obtaining said beasts, she knew them better than anyone else.
"Blood of my blood, the Westerosi king wants to talk, do I make him turn back, or tell him to wait?" Kakho, undoubtedly my most crude Blood Rider and rooted to the old ways, interrupted us, and because he was not wearing his mask, we could see the grimace on his face, which caused him to almost roll his eyes.
"We can't get him to turn back, Kakho. Tell him I'll be out in a few seconds," I said, noticing him leaving the tent but not before putting on his mask. Very well, I leave the rest in your hands, gentlemen, my lady," I said to those inside the tent, both Blood Riders, ship captains, and Witches.
Once this was done, I left the tent, followed by Essino. Outside, I met Aerys and Queen Rhaella, accompanied by three members of the Kingsguard, as well as other guards. "Azrael, what a pleasure," Aerys, calm and with a smile that seemed sincere, greeted me.
Rhaella, for her part, made a more formal greeting, with a small bow, "Your Majesty."
"Your Graces, to what do I owe this pleasant visit?" I asked jovially, though I already knew a little of why they would want to meet with me if the subject of their departure was involved. "We will be leaving right now for King's Landing, Azrael, the realm needs to be ruled, and we have lasted a long time away from the capital," Aerys explained, and for some reason, he sounded somewhat weary as he said that.
But hey, if King's Landing was as described in the books and in the series, then I'd resent going there too, "Well, heavy is the crown, isn't it? Valka and I will be traveling in three days, we'll have to get some things ready for the fleet's journey, once that's done, we'll meet at the capital."
"Then we will await you with fanfare, La Red Keep will show you all the delights the capital has to offer." That I doubted, unless I flew by with Endoxes all day to avoid the stench that was sure to attack us upon arrival.
However, I did not dismiss his words, although he would not flatter me by saying that we had complete confidence in each other, we had created a bond of camaraderie between monarchs, could you say? Especially after the flight on Endoxes.
"Ohh, my king, King Azrael."
~~~Third Person~~~
Amid the farewells, someone else made his presence known, mounted on a beautiful steed, Tywin Lannister flaunted his presence, apparently he also wanted to say goodbye to Azrael before departing along with the royal retinue.
"Ohh, how good to see you all, my king, the caravan is already prepared, it awaits your presence and mine to leave as soon as possible and be in the capital in the shortest possible time," Tywin informed Aerys with a measured tone, getting off his horse and reaching some distance from Azrael.
"Your Majesty Azrael, you must already know the circumstances that await us, it is my duty to return to the capital, and I will travel in the royal retinue, so I will leave today, as I have been informed, I am aware of the fact that you will remain at the Rock for the next three days, and I wish you to know that the Rock is yours, Lady Janna will see to your comforts the time you remain at the Rock, Your Majesty," Tywin explained to Azrael respectfully.
He, more than anyone, wished to stay at the Rock for the duration of Azrael's stay, but already Aerys had ordered that he would travel with Aerys, not that he could refuse either, Tywin had been away from the Capital for over two moons, and no doubt work had piled up during this time.
So, the sooner he returned, the better.
"Don't worry, Lord Tywin, I'll be here in camp for the last few days, it's easier for me to organize things that way," Azrael told him simply, while he could organize things from the Rock just the same, he preferred to be with his people.
"Good, but I repeat, whatever you need, Lady Janna will get it to you, House Lannister owes you a debt, and it will be repaid." Tywin made his point clear, referring to Tyrion's new status.
"Then we take our leave, Your Majesty, we shall meet again in the capital," Tywin gave his business on the spot as done, and bowing briefly, he prepared to climb back on his horse, and then set out on his way.
"We must be going too, Azrael, we will see you again in the capital." Aerys also took his leave, and with a few last glances, they too departed, bound for where their caravan awaited them, and so set out on their way.
The question was whether he would be the same after what awaited him in a certain fortress.