Dragonstone was in a panic, the garrison rushed into defensive positions and the small folk from the small towns surrounding the fortress all rushed to the safety the castle brought. Nearly a hundred unknown ships were on the horizon, these were no trading ships but war galleys armed to the teeth with ballista and heavily manned. The Royal Fleet which normally would've been sent to intercept them sat impotently in the water, the crews had all been drinking the night before and were caught off guard by the arrival of the unknown fleet.
Ser Willem Darry was in command of the Dragonstone Garrison and by extension the Royal Fleet in the absence of Lord Lucerys Velaryon. As a veteran warrior, he saw the futility of launching the royal fleet at such a late time. The unknown fleet had a good position, they were spread out and currently encircling the stationed royal fleet. While they could try and escape the encirclement, they would be leaving Dragonstone defenceless allowing men to land, it's also likely they'd lose a lot of ships in the process.
He decided the crew were of better use atop the castle walls defending it from above. Dragonstone was an ancient fortress made by the Targaryens of Valyria; their knowledge of stonework was masterful and the very stones of the wall were infused with aura. It would be impossible for anyone to break through the walls, meaning they could only assault the gate and attempt to climb the walls.
Ser Darry could see he was outnumbered, but that would not deter him from protecting his queen and her son. He had a dozen aura users at this command and over a thousand men, he could make it work and defend the fortress until reinforcements could be sent. However, he was being hopelessly optimistic as any reinforcements could only come from the Redwynes as they had a fleet almost double the size of the royal one. Without the ships to ferry men they would have no way of breaking through the blockade the other fleet would doubtfully form.
"Ser, what is happening?" Ser Darry stopped in his tracks as the voice of Queen Rhaella echoed out to him. He turned to her and bowed as is customary, despite her worried face she was still a vision of beauty and the baby bump on her stomach only seemed to make her glow.
"An unknown fleet of ships has appeared on the horizon, but do not worry my Queen, the fortress is strong and our provisions are fully stocked, we will outlast these invaders," Ser Darry said trying to alleviate her worries.
Rhaella had not been in much contact with the mainland ever since she had come to Dragonstone. She had forced her husband to send her here —though admittedly through subtle means— as when she first saw signs of her pregnancy she knew Aerys would discover her infidelity. They had not lain together for many years thanks to Daemon so it wouldn't be difficult to discover she had been with someone else. In truth, this rebellion was a blessing in disguise as it meant she could hide the pregnancy and give birth on Dragonstone without the King becoming aware.
However, her worries only seemed to grow. Her husband was a hated man and she and Viserys would undoubtedly make good hostages. The thought of anything happening to her children made her heart clench in pain, but all she could do was trust Ser Darry and his ability to defend the fortress. Ser Darry made his way to the top of the wall where his Captains stood and simply watched as the ships drew closer to the island.
"Oil!?" Ser Darry shouted.
"Oil ready!"
"Archers?"
"Archers ready!"
"Devon, go and arm the small folk, give them spears and have them fill in the gaps, if they want protection they can damn we'll help defend the place," Ser Darry commanded. Devon nodded before rushing down the steps of the wall with his men following close behind.
Ser Darry could only hope and pray that they lasted long enough that reinforcements could come. 'We can win...'
...
The ocean crashed alongside the hull of the ship as it sliced through the water. This was the capital ship of the Myrish fleet, five levels and armed to the teeth with ballista and even a rotating catapult. This was a ship designed to bring order to the stepstones, at least until Daemon decided he needed it more. He stood at the stern of the ship near the wheel with his sister and Howland, he had already given his orders to the rest of the commanders so the battle should go smoothly.
"Why have their ships not left the dock?" Howland asked with a frown as he squinted.
A smile made its way upon Serra's face as she looked at the sight. "They noticed us too late, if they left now we would crush their fleet, it seems whoever is commanding the garrison is a shrewd man."
"But surely they know we will take their ships for ourselves?" Howland said with confusion.
"A destroyed fleet is of use to no one, but if the ships remain intact they can be taken back at a later time," Serra explained.
Daemon nodded "They would also lose valuable manpower by dedicating men to the ships, men they would be sending to their deaths."
Serra then looked up at Daemon "Do you think?"
He nodded "Yes, there must be someone important there," he replied.
"Like a Lord?" Howland asked.
"A member of the Royal Family most likely," Daemon stated. It was possible that Rhaegar was on the island, as heir to the Iron Throne Dragonstone was his seat. If he was then it meant that Arthur was with him; while all this was just speculation and Daemon thought it unlikely, he still had to prepare for it which was why the flagship sailed ahead of the fleet. Arthur could cause a large amount of damage to their ships before Daemon would have the chance to stop him.
In truth, they would only need one ship to take the island if Rhaegar and Arthur were not present. This was why the kingdoms placed such high value on powerful aura users, and why Hoster Tully was willing to betroth his daughter to a bastard. A regular aura user is worth a couple dozen men, a strong aura user is worth a couple hundred and a truly powerful one could kill thousands. However even if they are capable of inflicting massive amounts of damage, if they let their guard down they are just as vulnerable as any other person. A stray arrow to their head could kill them instantly if they are not protected by their aura.
"Your Grace we are ready to make landfall!" The Captain of the Dreadnought shouted.
"Let's go," Daemon said to Howland and Serra as they walked down the steps and approached the bow of the ship. Daemon was an impatient person so as soon as they got in range he channeled aura through his body and jumped off the ship covering a large distance before landing and rolling along a wooden dock. Serra and Howland were right behind him but his apprentice covered a much smaller distance and landed in the water.
Serra laughed at the young boy but helped him up onto the walkway. "No playing around, be ready for anything," Daemon chastised them both. The smile dropped from their faces and they drew their weapons and released their auras.
Daemon drew Blackfyre and continued up the walkway to the harbour, they hadn't encountered any resistance yet and they were unlikely to. He hoped to have this whole situation resolved by the time his main force arrived, he had commanded them to secure the Royal Fleet and the villages around the castle. He wanted the Garrison to pledge their loyalty to him, any soldiers he could get would be useful in the coming war.
As they walked through the village and up the path to the fortress they could see how unaware they had all been when their ships had come into view. The small folk had left all their belongings including food, stalls were left unattended and livestock ran free. Serra grabbed an apple from one of the stores and started munching on it, throwing one to Howland as she did.
Daemon used 'Scout' to confirm what he already knew. Everyone was in the fortress, not a single soul had stayed behind. Not that it would matter anyway, he wouldn't be pillaging or sacking this place and he would execute any of his men that did.
"Incredible..." Howland whispered as he looked at the fortress up close. He had honestly never seen anything like it in his entire life, the only thing close would be Moat Cailin and even then the ruined towers could not compare to the structure before him.
"It truly is... our ancestors were capable of magnificent feats," Serra said brushing her hand against Daemon's arm.
However, Daemon was not interested in the fortress, despite its splendour his thoughts lay only on those within. "Do not get distracted, even a thorn can kill a lion," he warned them both.
As they approached the gate an arrow shot from atop the wall digging into the ground before them laying the line of how far they could go. "Who speaks for Dragonstone!" Daemon shouted out his voice booming.
"I speak for the men you see here!" Ser Willem Darry replied. As both men saw each other they instantly recognised the other; Daemon had been a constant fixture in the Red Keep and around the Queen and Prince, and as Master-at-arms of the Red Keep they had often seen each other and had always been cordial to one another. While Daemon still felt the same way for Ser Darry, the same could not be said for the other as Daemon had been declared a traitor of the realm. The fact that he had returned to Westeros at the head of an army did not help either.
"Ser Darry, it has been a while since we've seen each other," Daemon echoed out.
The old knight grunted, "Not since Harrenhal where you were declared a traitor to the realm."
"Lies concocted to get rid of me," Daemon replied though his hands clenched around Blackfyres handle as he spoke.
"Yet you stand here at the head of a foreign army attacking the seat of House Targaryen, and you wish for me to believe you innocent?" Ser Darry said loudly his anger growing as he did.
"I have saved the life of the Queen, of the Prince, of Princess Elia, I served House Targaryen loyally... only to be tossed aside," Daemon replied.
"Leave here now, I have already sent ravens requesting reinforcements," Ser Darry said. Though it was an empty threat, Darry had known Daemon since he first came to the Red Keep, he had seen him fight at Harrenhal. The battle was over the moment he walked up to their gate, but that didn't mean he wouldn't fight, he would die for Queen Rhaella.
"I can't do that Ser Darry, surrender the castle and put down your arms, do so and I'll guarantee you your lives," Daemon said as his aura started to grow in intensity.
The aura users who could see this shifted nervously while those who didn't have it started to sweat —though they didn't know why. "We will fight and die for House Targaryen!" Ser Darry shouted.
Daemon looked at them callously "So be it..."
"Archers! Nock!" Ser Darry shouted.
Daemon pooled aura into Blackfyre, he then flourished his sword before swinging with such force that Serra and Howland were blown back a couple of metres. A slash of pure aura dug up a groove in the earth as it travelled towards the fortress.
*BOOM*
(AN: Damn… don't be pissing off Daemon atm it's not going to end well at all. Anyway idk what else to say so hope you enjoyed.)
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