Descendants Of Aegon & Orys (Page 80)

~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~

~~~(Location: Border Between Riverlands and Crownlands, The Kings Road, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 17 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

As Rhaenys lifts her head and body now that I'm off, her full size is on complete display. The expressions on the soldiers tell me everything I need to know. Their fear of dragonfire now outweighs any loyalty left in them.

My eyes glide over the survivors of the battle. Most are young men who haven't fought a day in their lives. This being the first they've been in. I heard that Stannis had absorbed his brother's army after his death. I'm wondering if most of them are here.

There isn't a way for me to know for sure. A group of Unsullied make their way to me and escort me to a makeshift platform using scraps from a burnt wagon.

I ascend the elevated spot and look over the group. I'd say there is a good 100 to 125 here. The rest either got away or burned in dragonfire. After a second, Stannis appears in front of the group. Exhaustion on his features.

He doesn't say anything at first. A breath fills his lungs as he's about to start talking, but Rhaenys heavy thumps stop him. Forcing everyone to look at her.

She circles the group and makes her way to me. Taking a large area behind me. Forcing the Martell forces to move. The size of my dragon is starting to make it hard for her to follow me everywhere.

Something she's frustrated with. Mad at her own size now that she can't be by my side at all times when there is danger nearby.

Her head lowers and hangs next to my body. It's already much larger than a horse-drawn wagon. The teeth she uses to feed herself are longer than swords.

"Grrrrr..."

A deep sneer and low growl escape her, right in the direction of Stannis. She senses how much I need him dead. How much his death would help me. And she wants to fulfill that desire. Our bond is the bridge between our souls.

Stannis's body shakes in fear. More fear than the man has likely ever experienced in his life. I give a simple motion with my hand, and a couple of Unsullied march to him and grab him.

Bringing him further out from the front of the survivors. Forcing him to stand alone. Before I say anything, Fate Breaker appears in my right hand. I shove the tip of the blade into the ground. Resting both my hands on the pommel.

My eyes squint slightly, thinking of my words carefully. Stannis will die; that is certain. How he dies could be decided with a simple conversation.

The breath he had gathered earlier has wholly left him. Abandoned him in his most desperate moment. He knows not of true horror... What it means to fight monsters of your worst nightmares.

That's why he falters in the face of someone who has. The Shadow Lands were cruel and unforgiving. But they forged me into a person that will not lose.

A bit of air enters my lungs as I'm about to start talking. Everyone that's watching is waiting with bated breath. Seeing how I'm handling this.

"Stannis Baratheon... The last true-born son of my bastard ancestors' house. Aegon and Orys would admonish us for the state our houses are in."

When Aegon began his conquest of Westeros, most only remember his sisters and him. However, his bastard half-brother was his best friend. Orys Baratheon. The man who overtook House Durrandon.

There is a look of haste in Stannis' eyes. As if he's hoping this will lead to a place where he survives. After a few seconds of silence, he picks up that I'm waiting for a response.

"It was Targaryen Madness that led us here. That madness manifested as rage in my brother. Blind faith in me. Cruelty in your father."

He hardens his gaze as he prepares for what my madness is. He's dying with more pride than I want him to, but I'll not destroy the only thing a man has left in the end.

"The madness of dragon blood flows strong in you... Burning Braavos... Bankrupting the land you'll conquer... Burning Yunkai and Meereen... Your father wanted nothing more than to be a dragon. You... You are what Aerys always dreamed of being..."

All energy has left him. Almost as if the last scraps of willpower he has been fueling the words meant for me.

"His actions ultimately led to his dream being realized... Through you... Victory is yours, Raenon Targaryen. But Westeros will never accept you."

He lowers his head now that he has his last words out. I'll admit, they've angered me. Greatly so. The growling and snarling of Rhaenys next to me is feeling what I'm feeling. She so desperately wants to burn them.

But I want to test something. A final nail in the coffin of Stannis Baratheon. Time to see if he has the same commitment to his soldiers as they do him.

"Your words cut deep, Stannis. I won't lie. I suppose it's your way of getting something in before you die..."

There is a look of solemn happiness in his features. That he accomplished something against me before he died.

"I'll make a deal with you, Stannis."

That's when he raises his head, and all the tired and heavy breathing stops. Everyone is looking to see what I'm about to say. Stannis himself seems confused. Convinced that he'd suffer the same fate as the people that died at my hands in the past.

By the fire of Rhaenys.

"I'll give you a choice."

It's a cruel thing to do, but I need to do this in order to get the Smallfolk on my side before I take the throne.

"In exchange for your life, I'll spare every soldier here. I'll let them return to their families. Go home..."

He squints his eyes, waiting for me to continue. Desperate looks are forming on the younger faces of the men here. Some are around my age.

"Or, they can all die in exchange for your life. You can leave here alive. But all these men will die for you."

That's when a tortured and angry look forms on Stannis. He grits his teeth and snarls. Stepping forward in anger. Before the Unsullied can do anything, Rhaenys head shoots forward from next to me.

"RRRRHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGG!!!!"

She screams at the man, forcing him to fall over from the sheer power. Slime and water fly from Rhaenys mouth and onto Stannis. She stops and lifts her head, gathering fire in her chest and throat.

But she stops after a second and comes back to my side. My hand traces along her long and thick neck. Showing everyone here that I'm the one that stopped Rhaenys.

"So, Stannis? What is your decision? Live and let everyone else here die? Or make the sacrifice and die for the men that would burn in your name?"

My voice's even, calm tone sends chills down the man's spine. He lowers his head in thought. Stannis isn't a coward, and he's not afraid to die. This is the test of his soul. It's what would deem him a worthy King.

Would he fight and die along with his people?

Cause I risk that every time I enter a battle. The Unsullied and Martell spears know that I'll lead them into battle. I'll be the first to engage the enemy.

I'll never leave any of them to die alone. To die in my name without me being there right beside them.

My eyes are locked on the misery of Stannis. In truth, he's dying no matter what choice he makes. I'm hoping he makes the wrong one. Which is to spare his life in exchange for his soldiers' deaths. I want them to see Stannis doesn't care about them.

To show there is no point in serving a King that doesn't risk his life with his soldiers. It's why Robert made a mighty King.

He was there for all the battles in his name. It's why my house fell.

"No matter what I pick, I'm dying. I'm no fool. I know the thoughts of a Targaryen. Kill me, and send my men home. They deserve that much."

I didn't get the answer I wanted. The youngest among the soldiers gain a look of hope, but the older veterans and commanders step forward. Lining up behind Stannis. Showing they'll die with their King.

Refusing to be ruled by anyone else. There is something to be admired. Honor is a hard thing to die for. Loyalty to a man and his name even more so.

"So be it. Any man that wishes to return to his home can. Let us hope we do not meet on the battlefield again."

Baratheon soldiers begin standing up and being led away by my troops to an area where they'll be sent home. Many would claim that demanding their loyalty and subservience would be wise.

But that's not my goal here.

Having the enemy serve under me is a risk I'll not allow. This way, they'll also see that despite the supposed madness I carry. I'm not without mercy. I'm not unnecessarily cruel.

My attention falls back on the remaining group of veterans. Stannis in front of them. Time to finish this.

"As for all of you. Your fate was written before this battle even began. In the name of Raenon I Targaryen. I sentence you to death by dragonfire."

Their eyes stare unafraid at me.

Rhaenys raises her head, and fire begins to build within her.

"Zālagon zirȳ."

The order for Rhaenys to burn them is given, and she blows out her Black dragonfire a second later. Enveloping the men as they scream. I take no pleasure in watching them. But it's what's needed.

Now I alone hold the claim to the throne. It's time we finish this war.