Last True Remnant of Old Valyria

Daeranyx POV

I sighed in relief just as the doors of the chambers closed behind me. After I took out every organ I could from the corpse of Cannibal I left his hide and bones to Dragonkeepers to distribute among me and Targaryens. After returning to keep I took a bath and went to the dining chambers to eat Miday-meal. Rhaenys and Daemon were already there chatting among themselves as they were not arguing some hours before.

After I finished eating, Rhaenys took me on the tour we had planned. Although I appreciated the time she spent showing me around, I found the tour quite boring. I had lost interest in viewing the Valyrian architecture, which seemed to feature the same magical animals in different poses. However, the painted table was a worthwhile highlight of my visit. Ultimately, our long and arduous tour came to an end. And after properly thanking Rhaenys I hurried back into my chambers.

After sitting in the chair, I gaze out the window, watching as the waves embrace the rocky cliffs of Dragonstone. My thoughts drift to the organs and dragon blood I collected from the corpse, pondering what to do with them. I know I could perform rituals that would yield great benefits from such powerful ingredients, but I already have too much on my plate. While I have mastered most of my spells and abilities, I lack experience in using them effectively in battle and everyday life. Additionally, I worry about not having a stronghold to call my own. Without a castle or folk to lord over, how can I truly be called a Lord?

That is why I believe it is time for me to leave the Red Keep and the Targaryens to build my castle and army. Constructing a castle won't take much of my time, but I am still unsure about what to do with the population of Skagos. Ultimately, I've decided to spare them and train them sufficiently to defend my castle on the island, even though the wards I have in place are capable of doing that on their own. However, one can never predict when something unexpected might occur, and if my wards fail to protect the island from invaders, the soldiers I've trained to fight could prove useful at that time.

We will be leaving tomorrow for the Red Keep as Viserys need Daemon and Rhaenys in King's Landing for the tourney which will be held in honor of the birth of the heir to the Iron Throne. However, it would take months to make arrangements and send word to every lord in the realm, so I might use those months to build my castle and make those three Lords on Skagos submit to me or die burning.

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Third-Person POV

Three dragons soared down from the sky over King's Landing and approached the Dragonpit. Anarion was the first to land, and after Daeranyx dismounted, Anarion took to the sky again to find a place in King's Wood to rest. Meleys and Caraxes, who had been flying around King's Landing, landed after Anarion left the Dragonpit. Their riders, having bid farewell to their dragons, mounted horses to make their way to the Red Keep, where Lord Colrys Velaryon and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen awaited to greet and welcome them back.

"I hope you are not tired, Uncle," said Rhaenyra. "Because I would be not leaving you alone until I get full details on how you kill the Cannibal." She told her uncle with a firm and hopeful tone. Although she tries to appear as if she would not be leaving him alone without hearing everything about the fight between dragons, she knows that if her uncle wishes to escape from her, he could do that without much difficulty. That being said he rarely does that as her uncle had spoiled Rhaenyra more than her father.

Daemon chuckled, hearing Rhaenyra, reassured her that he would make sure to tell her everything in detail before anyone else. Rhaenyra beamed at him, and together they made their way toward the royal quarters where Viserys and Aemma were waiting for them with their newborn, Baelon.

"How are Laena and Laenor?" Rhaenys asked her husband. Corlys smiled at her wife's needless concern and replied, "Laenor was confident that you would win, so he spent his time with his friends. Laena, on the other hand, told me she was fine, but she has been spending more time flying on Vhagar than usual, and you know that she tends to do that when she is hiding something." Rhaenys smiled upon hearing Corlys's words, and after that, their walk continued in silence.

After reaching the chambers where King and Queen were waiting, Rhaenyra excitedly pushed open the doors for them to enter. Rhaenyra took her seat by Aemma to watch as her little brother looked around with his wide purple eyes. All of them followed Rhaenyra's example and took their seats. Once everyone was seated, Viserys ordered Rhaenyra to serve them wine.

"Now that you and Caraxes have returned safely, I assume Cannibal is dead?" Viserys asked Daemon. Daemon only responded with a smug smirk, confirming Viserys's suspicion.

"I expected as much. Now I would like nothing more than to hear from you both how you killed a dragon that was an annoyance for our House for some time. But I do have grave news from the Stepstones, and that is why I've had to call you both here. Lord Corlys, if you may." Viserys said with a grim face, then looked at Corlys as if expecting the Lord of Tide to repeat the news the lord had already told him that morning.

"Of course, Your Grace. As you all may know, the supporters of the pirates on the Stepstones have reduced their backing over the past two moons. Consequently, the Velaryon fleet began to gradually remove the pirates from the Stepstones by sending our ships, disguised as merchant vessels, along with soldiers. However, our ships have recently failed to return, and just a day later, I received word from my spies among the pirates that someone has started to provide the pirates on the Stepstones with resources far greater than what they previously had." Corlys said this, a hint of anger crossing his face.

Everyone except Rhaenyra and little Baelon understands the implications of Corlys' words. The Targaryens have already assumed that the Free Cities are being pressurized by Volantis and the Dragonlords there, which is why they have stopped sending support and resources to the pirates on the Stepstones. Additionally, Viserys sent his emissary to all three cities with a message stating that the Targaryens and the Seven Kingdoms would assist them if they pledged their support to the Targaryens during the inevitable conflicts between Volantis and the Seven Kingdoms.

But all of Viserys's attempts failed as emissaries were sent back on the same day with a polite refusal. Now hearing that pirates are getting supported again means either free cities have made an alliance with Volantis or there's a truce between them to not let the three cities interfere when the fight eventually happens. If anything like this sort of happens, then the war that would be happening will be nothing short of catastrophic for both continents.

"Viserys, is it truly wise to hold a tournament where all the major lords will be gathered in one place?" Rhaenys asked, her expression troubled. "Wouldn't that be a golden opportunity for our enemies to make a first move and significantly damage our cause?" All the others present in the chambers also looked at Viserys with curiosity, eager to hear his response.

"The upcoming tournament is not just a celebration of Baelon's birth; it also serves a purpose. I want to personally inform all the lord paramounts about the impending conflicts. Most of them have likely discovered this on their own, but I want to see their reactions and gauge their thoughts on the war by observing their expressions. Regarding a surprise attack, I would be very interested to see if they are bold enough to strike at the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, especially with six dragons and over fifty scorpions strategically positioned throughout King's Landing. Do they think I would simply sit idly by until they decide to attack and then scramble to prepare? That's not how I plan to operate." Viserys said with a smirk on his face. Everyone except Daeranyx looked shocked at the number of scorpions hidden in King's Landing.

Everyone knows that Viserys has ordered the construction of scorpions, but they are unaware of how many are being made or where the resources are coming from. The fact that he is orchestrating all this without anyone catching wind of it is significant. Daemon's reactions are mixed; he feels both pleased and unsettled by the lack of communication regarding his brother's actions in a city where he serves as the commander of the city watch. Although Rhaenys and Corlys were surprised, they were ultimately happy to see Viserys exercising his authority rather than simply following the directives of members of his small council. 

After that, everyone began discussing matters concerning the realm. Corlys informed Viserys about how trade would be impacted by pirates, emphasizing the need to find a solution to this problem. Daeranyx grew bored of listening to the Targaryens and Velaryons talk about topics that didn't interest him, so his attention shifted to three others who seemed to be in their own world amidst the conversation. Aemma, who was watching Rhaenyra and Baelon getting along, smiled and occasionally joined in on the fun with her children.

"What do you think about visiting Driftmark with us tomorrow, Lord Drakonar?" Corlys asked Daeranyx, whose gaze shifted from Baelon to Corlys.

"I would have loved to visit Driftmark, Lord Colrys, but I have already decided to leave for Skagos. I am about to inform you all when you finish discussing the matters of the realm. I believe it is time for me to build my own castle, take control of the island, and assume the responsibilities of sovereign over the land I now possess."

As Daeranyx spoke, everyone looked at him in shock at first, as they had thought he would not leave until the threat from Volantis was eliminated. However, after a moment, their expressions shifted from shock to understanding, recognizing that Daeranyx was correct in his assertion about his duty to take control of the land he now owns.

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