Chapter 81: Chapter 41: Prince of the Stepstones (Vaemond, Vaekar, Matarys, Laena) (Part 1)

6th of 3rd Moon, 8049

King Vaemonds Chambers, the Red Keep

 

 

The King stood in his chambers, arms crossed, patiently waiting for his son to finish.

Prince Vaekar paced the airy royal apartments like a caged wolf, hands behind his back, the light from the window illuminating off his shoulder length silver hair.

‘’The seven pointed star makes it very clear….a man cannot be compelled to marry against his will….Father above as my witness….I do not consent to this match .’’ He said, stopping his pacing to face the King.

Vaemond sighed and gestured for Vaekar to join him at the window.

‘’After everything I have done for you…..you think I would force you to marry?’’ Vaemond said tiredly.

‘’It certainly seems like it…..this is the second time youve arranged a match without my consent.’’ Vaekar grumbed.

‘’This is not a punishment Vaekar….it is meant to help you….I had assumed you would wish to do your duty and help your family by taking a wife….perhaps I was wrong.’’ Vaemond said.

His son was silent at that.

Vaemond sighed ‘’Perhaps if I knew your misgivings and hesitations I might better understand you….Joyeuse Tully and Aemma Arryn were good matches, noble girls of good ancestry…you will be Prince of Dragonstone one day….and you cannot rule alone….you will need a wife to help you govern your household….as your mother has helped me.’’

‘’I have my reasons.’’ Vaekar said simply before continuing his pacing.

Vaemond sighed.

In truth his son had provided him with some considerable headaches over the past few years. When his son was 15, he had brokered a match between Samwell Tully, his hand of the King's daughter Joyeuse and his son.

Soon after he made the match however, his son had made it clear that under no circumstances would he wed the girl, and Vaemond was not the sort to force a member of his family into a marriage they did not want.

That at least Vaemond could somewhat understand, the rumors at court about the girl were not exactly flattering, with it being said the girl had a rash that covered much of her body, and in addition to her splotchy skin was said to be sickly and ill tempered, not exactly the bride young men dream of.

Nevertheless, it had proved a headache when he informed his Hand that the marriage would not go through. Lord Tully was a man that valued honor and duty above all else and the broken marriage pact affected him so much he informed the King he would step down as soon as his successor was found.

Vaemond had managed to repair ties with his hand and convince him to remain in the office by promising that his niece Daena, his brother Matarys’s second child would wed Lord Tully's son and heir Andrey , a boy born with a clubfoot, when they both came of age.  In addition to this, Vaemond would pay a dowry of 4000 gold dragons as recompense for any insult done to house Tully, a truly massive gift but Vaemond did not wish to repay Lord Tully's hard work during the long years of peace, which had included personally putting down a small armed uprising of Westerlander fisherfolk three years prior, with insult.

Following the whole debacle, Vaemond wanted to move on from the whole affair and arranged another match for his son. None of the Lord Paramounts had any daughters of suitable ages, so the King had made preparations for his son to be betrothed to Aemma Arryn.

The girl was a granddaughter of Lord Jonos Arryn, who had been the late Ronnel Arryns brother, and was currently Otho Arryns uncle, who had become the new Lord Paramount of the Vale after Ronnel Arryns death some years prior.

Despite the girls rather distant ancestry to the main branch of Arryns, she had the blood of the Kings of Mountain and Vale, and a good name, more than a suitable consort to the future prince of Dragonstone, and Vaemond hoped his son would be happy with the match, and he could finally be secure with the knowledge that all his children's futures had been secured, as Alysanne had been married to Amaury Tyrell, heir to the reach some years prior, and Vaekars twin sister Cyamella was currently betrothed to Raymont Baratheon, the heir to Storm's End who was currently being fostered in Kings Landing as Vaemonds own squire, an idea that had been Laenas, born in large part to protect against any action from Vaemonds cousin Boros Barathon, who had grown truculent in recent years.

It was for that reason that Vaemond had called his son to his chambers and informed him of the match, but rather than appreciation, his son once again had refused the match, this time for reasons Vaemond could not fathom.

‘’If I knew of these reasons you had…’’ Vaemond began but his son shook his head.

‘’They are my own.’’ Vaekar persisted, and a silence fell over the chambers..

Vaemond leaned over the window before facing his son once again.

‘’One day you shall hold Dragonstone….our family's ancestral seat in your sisters name.’’ Vaemond began before pausing, not failing to notice the glimmer of anger and resentment that passed through his son's eyes upon the mention of his sister.

Vaemond had always intended to raise the boy to be a leal servant of his sister, understanding of his situation and fully devoted to serving his family….but now that his son was of age Vaemond could only admit he had failed in that.

Despite his best efforts in order to make the boy understand his position, it was clear that his son was resentful and envious of his sister being named heir, and clearly saw himself as having the makings of a future king.

‘’You will rule Dragonstone in your sister's name one day..’’ Vaemond repeated, briefly taken aback by the venom in his son's eyes ‘’And with that ancient seat comes the responsibility of commanding the largest fleet on this side of Westeros, responsible for the security and the crowns interests in the Narrow Sea….in short the Lord of Dragonstone must know his way around a ship.’’

‘’Father?’’ Vaekar asked.

‘’If you do not wish to serve your family by taking a wife….perhaps you can serve another way.’’ Vaemond began, turning from the window and to his son.

‘’This morning I received troubling reports from the Stepstones….a pirate fleet from the Skulls, reavers of the Mahallador pirate family, raiders from the Jade Sea have landed on Nerrisa to loot and plunder, driving Lord Elesham into his keep, while your sisters spymaster, the Lady of Windwyrm reports that a second fleet from Torturer's Deep is assembling at Wreckstone, funded by the pirate family Kalzarria and she believes they mean to target Bloodstone, between the two of them they have near 3600 men.’’

‘’I dare not send a true army…..the Free Cities would no doubt take my deploying of 10 thousand men into the region as an attempt to conquer the rest of the islands….but a small force led by a capable commander….’’ Vaemond began.

‘’I will go father.’’ Vaekar said, his sullen attitude replaced with a more stern yet eager one, more worthy of a prince.

‘’That was my intention…..you will sail to Dragonstone on the morrow with Ser Theonald and Ser Roderick Mooton of the Kingsguard, on Dragonstone your sister will give you 1500 men and 50 galleys, Lord Celtigar will contribute a further 300 levies, Lady Velaryon had pledged 200 as reinforcements should you need them, and the Lords Reddune, Vunatis, and Elesham of our islands shall also contribute what manpower they can spare.’’ Vaemond said, before continuing.

‘’When you arrive on Dragonstone….speak with your sister….family is all that we have in this world Vaekar…and as a father I do not wish to see this rift between you and Laena deepen…..go to Dragonstone, feast with her…ask for her support and she may accompany you personally with Vhagar, or send Jaekar and Oathwing to assist you….do this task for me and I shall make you my master of ships upon your return.’’ Vaemond finished.

‘’I will not fail you….warrior willing I will drive the pirates from our lands.’’ Vaekar declared, though he made no response to the King's proposal of bonding with his sister.

‘’Make no mistake though….you are there to learn….Jorys Vunatis is an experienced naval and battle commander, and Ser Theonald has led men into battle as well, follow their lead and do not place yourself above them….and remember you represent your family.’’ Vaemond said.

His son nodded, bowed and began to withdraw.

‘’Vaekar….I….You are my son….never forget that….and it will warm my heart to see you return safely.’’ The King said, he knew just how fragile life could be, and how he had never gotten the chance to say goodbye to his own father, who had never told him anything of that nature before….nothing was guaranteed in this world, either for himself or for his son.

Vaekar turned and the two exchanged a sincere, if stiff embrace.

As his son turned to leave again, the King watched him leave towards the door before an idea entered his mind.

‘’One more thing son.’’ Vaemond said, beginning to unbuckle his swordbelt as Vaekar turned once again.

The King extended the sword belt of rich black leather towards his son, the ruby pommel of Blackfyre shining in the light.

Vaekar let out a silent breath before taking the sheathed Valyrian steel sword, a strange look of hunger in his eyes, like a starving man holding a loaf of bread as he turned the hilt in his hands, drawing the blade in a single, well practiced motion.

‘’That's a man's sword…..it was your grandfather's once, and his fathers before him’’ Vaemond cautioned.

‘’And it has a man to wield it.’’ Vaekar said, turning the blade slowly so that the rippled Valyrian steel glimmered in the sun.

‘’You'll wield it far better than I ever did I expect.’’ Vaemond said, he was taller and broader of shoulder than his son, but Vaekar was quicker and even at 16 was far more naturally skilled with a blade than Vaemond had ever been.

The King felt a strange sadness as he handed over Blackfyre…in truth he had not wielded the blade in a proper fight in well over a decade, but once it had been apart of him. It was the sword that he had been sharpening on that fateful night on the Sunset Sea…he had carried it into battle on the Stepstones, at the Battle of the Whispers and upon the walls of Greenfield, and already the absence of the familiar weight of belt and sword upon his hip was noted.

That part of my life is over Vaemond thought to himself somewhat sadly before turning to his son.

‘’Go and see your mother….you won't have much chance after this…for tonight we feast and in the morn you depart for Dragonstone’’ Vaemond said, his son bowing his head before withdrawing.

 

 

Six Days Later

Tavern of Derlyn, Island of Dragonstone

The Dragons Hearth Tavern was loud with the sound of Dragonstones new guests, as the men preparing to join the expedition to the Stepstones got in a final night of carousing before they set sail on the morn.

Prince Vaekar sat in a corner table shrouded with shadow and lit with only a fading tallow candle alongside his two Kingsguard companions, Ser Roderick Mooton and Ser Theonald, both wearing heavy doublets white as fresh fallen snow.

The Dragons Hearth was loud and primarily hosted the expedition's officers, but even from inside, sounds could be heard from the neighboring Drunken Dragon Tavern where most of the common men were getting their fill, of wine and other things.

Vaekar gave a look of ill veiled disgust when he heard a loud giggling sound from the nearby tavern, he had made his temporary headquarters at the smaller more well to do tavern after being assured that there was no flesh peddlers inside the more reputable establishment, but it appeared the nearby tavern had no such qualms.

When I am Lord of Dragonstone that will change Vaekar thought to himself

His welcome to Dragonstone had been lukewarm at best. His sister had not seen fit to greet him herself and instead sent his cousin Jaekar to meet him on the beach, on the back of his small orange dragon Oathwing, the message of that, combined with the sight of Vhagar, that great green beast flying in the mists of the Dragonmont was clear…his sister meant to cow him with a show of strength, and remind him that she had two dragons under her control.

His cousin Jaekar had been apologetic for the rather disrespectful manner of his welcome, which had not even included the customary offering of bread and salt. He did not hold anything against his older cousin however, Jaekar was a good and decent man, but subservient to his sister, the manner of his welcoming was his sisters doing.

Jaekar had informed him that his sisters pregnancy, who was expecting a 5th child to join her four daughters had made it untenable to join them at table, but he had offered the hospitality of Dragonstones Hall for a small feast for Vaekar and his two Kingsguard companions, and if he wished, his sister would consent to a private audience.

Vaekar had turned down the offer of hospitality at the keep and instead rode for Derlyn to make his headquarters at the Dragons Hearth while he waited for the fleet of Dragonstone and the island's levies to muster, as well as the Celtigar forces to arrive. As for the private audience he would give his sister no such satisfaction, he would not go before her and beg for her dragon, it was her ships and men he needed, the campaign in the Stepstones would be his accomplishment and he did not intend to allow her to steal the credit.

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His two Kingsguard companions sitting next to him couldn't have made for a different pair. Ser Theonald had once been a hedge knight in service to Lord Brune before his father raised him to the Kingsguard in recognition for his service fighting alongside the young King at the battle of the Whispers all those years ago. His face bore the marks of hard service with a wind burnt face, his nose ugly and bulbous after being broken several times, while a set of yellow teeth were nestled in a thick black beard streaked with gray, he was not a handsome man.

Ser Roderick Mooton was slimmer and younger, with a head of golden curls, clean shaven and with none of the scars of Ser Theonald, he had taken the White on his 18th name day and had known no life besides that of a sworn brother of the Kingsguard and the man had served loyally for almost two decades, though he lacked the combat experience of his older companion. Despite their differences, Vaekar thought both Kingsguard to be generally decent men and both were skilled warriors; he would not be lacking in protection in the fights to come.

Ser Theonald downed the rest of his ale and leaned closer to the prince while Ser Roderick waved away an offer of ale from a passing serving woman.

‘’My Prince….I've been meaning to ask….not many young lads would turn down two marriages….gods know I wouldn't have at your age.’’ Ser Theonald began.

‘’This is none of our concern.’’ Ser Roderick Mooton grumbled, he had been raised as a nobleman at Maidenpool in contrast to the former hedge knight Ser Theonald, who even after over a decade at court had never quite picked up the subtleties and tact that came with conversing with nobles.

‘’Makes a man curious is all….I meant no offense of course….a kingsguard should know the man they protect…that's what the Lord Commander says’’ The clawman said before sliding over Ser Roderick Mootons still full cup of ale, the riverlander knight was not one who partook in alcohol, while the clawman was not one to waste it.

‘’It's alright Ser Roderick.’’ Vaekar replied, he trusted these two to keep his secrets, and did not think his sister had managed to corrupt them or bend them to her will, unlike Ser Colin Fossoway, the sworn brother who represented the Reach was also on Dragonstone, serving as his sisters family's personal Kingsguard.

Vaekar leaned back in his chair ‘’If I were to have accepted either of those marriages, the Arryns and Tullys would have given the benefits of the marriage to my father…and, the dowry and pledges of support and alliance, upon his death they would consider the oath fulfilled…and I would find myself with a noble wife and no alliance.’’

And if Laena knew who I had married, she would have years to turn their family against me and into her influence so that when the time came to call them to fulfill their pledge… Vaekar might have said, but despite trusting both sworn brothers of the Kingsguard, he was wise enough not to speak treason in front of them, especially on his sister's own island, he knew his sister would not hesitate to put their heads on spikes if she doubted their loyalty when she assumed her throne.

‘’I was tempted by the Tully girl.’’ Vaekar confessed to the two men. A marriage with the Lord Paramount of the Riverlands daughter could have strengthened his position immensely, but he knew his sister had more than enough resources to counter such an alliance.

His sister had four daughters and another child on the way, if he were to marry the Hands daughter, Laena would no doubt offer Samwell Tully a betrothal between one of her daughters and his son and heir, and it was more attractive to marry a member of the royal family rather than win influence with the prince of Dragonstone. The match with the Arryns was similar, it would not take much for Laena to supersede any influence in the Vale Vaekar might gain by marrying a minor member of that family, she had more than enough daughters to marry into the main branch and make that marriage useless.

No, Vaekar would not marry on his fathers terms and allow his sister years to plot and scheme to make his marriage irrelevant, when he married, he would do so on his own terms as the Prince of Dragonstone.

These thoughts and more were going through the young prince's mind as he sat at the table, thinking of ways he could improve his position before at last he retired to his chambers to rest before they departed Dragonstone the following morning, the faint beginnings of an idea on his mind.

That night he dreamed of dragons.

 

 

Two Weeks Later

Coastal Beach, Island of Bloodstone

 

Vaekar lay on his belly on the rocky hill overlooking the pirate encampment on the beach, Ser Roderick Mooton crouched beside him, a frown on his face as they studied the pirates moving about the beach.

The pirates were camped in the ruins of a small fishing village that had belonged to the smallfolk of Bloodstone…..but that had been before the pirate family Kalzarria from Torturer Deep had landed their raiders. Now the small huts were blackened by fire and the only trace of the fisherfolk that had lived here could be seen in the form of decomposing heads lined on stakes outside of the pirate camp. It was clear the raid had only taken place recently as evidenced by the still burning small tavern.

‘’Savages…..’’ Ser Roderick Mooton exclaimed with horror under his breath when he saw the spiked skulls.

‘’Warrior willing we shall send them to the deepest of the seven hells tonight.’’ Vaekar said in a hushed tone, getting up from his prone position to take a knee, hand on Blackfyres hilt.

‘’My Prince…..we do not know if Ser Theonald and Lord Vunatis are in position….perhaps it might be better to wait for morning…’’ Ser Roderick began but Vaekar shook his head.

‘’They need to know we are here….and that they will find no safe haven on Bloodstone….by tomorrow they could have burnt another village….we need to force them off the island and take this war to the seas….we give them battle tonight,with Ser Theonald and Lord Vunatis…or without them’’ Vaekar said.

Seeing his Kingsguard companion was still unsure, Vaekar took the older man by the shoulder ‘’We have a duty to the small folk….wouldn't you agree.’’

The ever honorable Ser Roderick nodded his assent, as Vaekar knew he would….the Riverlander knight was nothing if not devoted to his knightly vows and Vaekar knew that would be enough to convince him.

‘’I'll ready the men.’’ Ser Roderick said, quietly making his way back to the hidden cove where several hundred men were waiting for orders.

Vaekar had set sail from Dragonstone to the Stepstones with some 65 galleys and 2400 men, but a force that large could not remain undetected for long, so instead of immediately sailing to Bloodstone or Nerrisa, both of which were overrun with pirates, they sailed to Sunstone where which Vaekar would make his base for the upcoming campaign to cleanse the islands of the pirate infestation, on Sunstone he was met with 300 local islanders to bolster his forces, most were poor fishermen from all three islands who had come to defend their homes, but nevertheless Vaekar was glad to have them, as his forces swelled to 2700, though he had no disillusions of their effectiveness should they be separated from his knights and men at arms.

He was also met by Lord Jorys Vunatis in Sunstone, who had smuggled himself out of his island of Bloodstone to help lead the campaign. Lord Vunatis was a descendent of Lysene pirates and had distinguished himself as a battle commander during the Lion's Rebellion fighting alongside Orys Baratheon….no man knew the islands better than him and he had already made himself of great use.

This campaign was not to be one of traditional Westerosi standards, the pirates did not fight in large armies and instead fought in roving bands of a few hundred, Vaekar knew it was unrealistic to believe the pirates could be defeated in a single decisive battle, but rather they would be expelled through numerous small skirmishes, and tonight would be the first step.

While the pirates roved the islands in small bands, Vaekar had gotten word that a particularly large force assailed the southern coast of Bloodstone, destroying it would likely cause the smaller bands to flee to the sea, ending the raids on the smallfolk. Pirates were inherently cowardly however, competent in killing poor fisherfolk and small trading escorts, but they would never willingly give battle to knights and men at arms.

The Prince knew that if he were to sail from Sunstone with his whole force, he would be easily spotted and the pirates on Bloodstone would be able to escape, so instead he took a smaller force of some 12 galleys and 900 men, further split into three groups to avoid detection. Vaekar had taken command of one group, Ser Theonald of the Kingsguard would lead another, while Lord Vunatis would lead the last.

The plan was for all three groups to land at separate hidden coves identified by Lord Vunatis and creep alongside the mountains by the coast, surrounding the pirates and descending upon them in a three pronged attack.

He had not yet received signals from Ser Theonald and Lord Vunatis, and had no idea how close their combined 600 men were, or even if they had landed, but he would give the pirates battle with his 300 nonetheless, outnumbered or no.

He was shaken from his thinking by the sounds of rattling weapons and armor, Ser Roderick Mooton leading their levies to the elevated position.

‘’We attack as one…..archers, form a line on the cliffs and fire down upon them…..warrior willing we shall win the victory…..and all loot you find is yours.’’ Vaekar whispered as loudly as he dared, pausing before adding that last bit, soldiers fought best with the promise of plunder.

His archers formed a line and began the battle with a volley aimed indiscriminately at the pirates rain sodden makeshift tents formed around the blackened huts of the village, shouts of alarm and pain running through the camp as the arrows pierced the tents.

Vaekar led the attack personally, sliding down the cliff in a downpour of sand and pebbles, landing on his knees before he quickly dusted himself off, drew Blackfyre and charged into the ruins of the village, Ser Roderick Mooton close behind him.

A Lysene fishermen tackled an unsuspecting pirate sentry with a thud, the two grabbling in the wet sand lit only by the moonlight as Vaekar ran to the blackened shell of the fishing village, where pirates were emerging from nooks and corners.

Another one of the local islanders who had volunteered to join the assault impaled a pirate in a sheepskin jerkin through the belly with a rusty fishing spear immediately as the unfortunate man appeared from a ruined hut.

They fight better than they have any right to Vaekar thought grimly, what the local populace lacked in experience and equipment they made up for with raw rage, many of them had lost family to the pirates and had volunteered to fight in the vanguard.

An old pirate with a dagger lunged from a smoking hut, but a mailed glove from Ser Roderick Mooton sent him sprawling to the ground, the two of them racing past the enemy towards the center of the village, seizing it would be crucial and time was of the essence.

The sounds of steel on steel and cries of pain, anguish and rage echoed through the night as Vaekar met his first opponent, lit only by the moonlight.

It was a Summer Islander, wearing a cloak of black parrot feathers, armed with a long ashen spear with a broad point like a leaf.

He has the reach on me The young prince thought to himself, remembering the teachings of old Damion Crakehall, his fathers Master-At-Arms for the past several years and the man that had trained Vaekar at arms since he was a child.

Youre fast boy…but dont prance around your opponent like a deer…in a fight you only have one goal….to kill….not to impress him…spill the bastards guts before he can spill yours…. The words of his own instructor came unbidden to him as the Summer Islander lowered his spear and charged with a yell.

Vaekar valued speed above all else in a fight, for that reason preferring to fight without a shield, something he found often embolden enemies into overextending themselves by recklessly attacking.

The pirate was no different, with a roar he thrusted the long spear forward at the Prince in a ferocious jab that would have impaled him straight through…he was quick…but the prince was faster.

Vaekar sidestepped the strike with an athletic half turn, the pirate attempted to flick the wooden butt of the spear upwards following this, but Vaekar threw his head back, the haft whistling just inches from his face, the pirate hitting only air. Behind them, Ser Roderick Mooton paced, ready to interfere if things went bad.

Make an end to it He thought to himself grimly as the Summer Islander lowered his spear for another charge, like a cornered boar.

As the spearman charged, instead of wheeling back, Vaekar half turned to the left and lunged at his attacker, his open hand swiping to the left like a claw.

Using his momentum against him, Vaekar managed to grab the wooden haft just under the spear point with an iron grip and turn it aside, causing the man to stumble forward.

Vaekar caught the man by the shoulder and drove him forward into Blackfyre, the two colliding with a sickening squelch as the blade went clear through his ribs and out his back, the man's eyes widening before he fell to the ground, convulsing as Vaekar wrenched the blade free.

‘’Well done.’’ His Kingsguard companion said with a nod before the two returned to the fray.

Vaekar would always remember his first kill, but after that it was a blur, he could not say how many men he cut down, except that there were many, Lysene, Summer Islanders, bright bearded Tyroshi…it made no difference to Blackfyre.

He was wrenched from his mindless state as he realized that instead of advancing, they were being pushed back towards the cliffs. The battle was not one in which his knights and men at arms were accustomed too, and many were ambushed within the burned shells of the village, while other pirates managed to get to rocky cliffs on the other side and fire bows and javelins down at them.

Vaekar looked desperately for some kind of reprieve, if they were pushed against the rocky cliffs behind them, they would lose all battle formation and be forced to retreat uphill.

The rocks He thought suddenly, before shouting a command to his surviving archers above.

The archers pushed down small boulders on the hilltop, the stream of them forming some makeshift obstacles between the advancing pirates and his own men. They also served as small barricades in which two spearmen could hold the flanks without fear of an enemy advancing from the center, it was a clever move…but it was not foolproof.

The pirates were aware of this too, slowly they pulled back their assaulting forces, their own archers taking position on the far cliffs, preparing to shower Vaekars position with arrows.

Warrior grant that I die with sword in hand He thought to himself, his grip tightening on Blackfyre as he awaited the volley.

It never came, instead there was a roar from behind the enemy archers, who turned in surprise, only to be met with the sight of 600 angry Westerosi taking them in the rear, hacking the unfortunate archers to ribbons.

Jorys Vunatis and Ser Theonald had landed off target due to strong winds, but after their scouts reported the ensuing battle, they had advanced with haste.

After their arrival, the pirates, now outnumbered, lost all will to fight and fled in half a dozen directions to their hidden ships, where they would take to sea.

When the morning came, the true cost of the battle became clear. Some 200 of his own men had been killed or heavily wounded, with a similar number of pirates also being slain, bodies littered the burned village as the tide came in, returning to the sea a sickly crimson.

‘’I must be smarter…..I tried to fight like a Westerosi….we must fight them in their own manner.’’ Vaekar said tiredly when it was over, sitting on the beach, Ser Roderick Mooton at his side.

‘’There will be other battles to fight Prince.’’ The Kingsguard said.

Vaekar nodded tiredly at that.

‘’But you will not fight them as a boy….you will fight them as a man….a knight of the seven Kingdoms.’’ Ser Roderick said, moving to his feet.

The Prince knelt, taking a wet handful of sand in his hand, balling it into a fist, taking in the sights, sounds and feeling of the moment he had dreamed of since boyhood, the cawing of the gulls, the smell of salt, sea and blood, the morning chill in the air.

‘’In the name of the warrior I charge you to be brave…’’ Ser Roderick began.

The Prince had come to Bloodstone as a boy….he left as a man…a knight of the seven kingdoms…fully determined to rid the Stepstones of the pirate scourge.

 

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