A few days had passed since Ser Duncan the Tall and most of the royal family rode out through the Dragon Gate bound for Harrenhal. Arthur remained behind in the Red Keep with only Princess Rhaella, Llewyn, and Ser Gerold. While Arthur had expected his duties to double with his Lord gone, it seems he was wrong. Gerold had taken the duty of standing guard outside the princess's chambers at every waking hour and had made it clear him and Llewyn would handle the night watches when he needed sleep.
That decision left Arthur with little beyond the routine tasks of sorting the Lord Commander's incoming letters, oiling the joints of the white plate, and checking the edges of the blades stored in the White Sword Tower armory.
The reduced schedule suited him. He used the extra hours to walk the short distance between the tower and the rooms where Mira and Cassie now stayed. He sat with them while they rested, listened to the stories they told of the day's small events inside the keep, and felt the kicks against his palm when he placed it over theor bellies. He also found time to spar with Llewyn in the inner yard, and get some good training in despite Ser Duncan being gone.
It's where they both were now, being watched Mira and Cassie who sat together at a table placed near the wall that bordered the practice ground. Princess Rhaella occupied the chair beside them, her silver hair pinned back and a light shawl draped across her shoulders. Ser Gerold stood two paces behind the princess.
Arthur and Llewyn faced each other ten paces apart, blunted training swords already drawn. Both wore full mail hauberks over padded gambesons, steel greaves, and vambraces. Arthur rolled his wrists, testing the balance of the practice blade, then switched his grip to a water dancing style without looking down.
Llewyn noticed and grinned. "You think switching styles will save you today?" Llewyn called across the space between them. "I have seen that trick before."
Arthur answered by stepping forward and raising the sword in a high guard. "It worked last week when I tripped you over your own feet."
They closed the distance in three strides. Llewyn struck first, a horizontal cut aimed at Arthur's ribs. Arthur met the blow with the flat of his blade, the impact ringing out as metal struck metal with a sharp CLANG that carried across the yard. He pushed the blades apart and answered with a quick thrust toward Llewyn's shoulder. Llewyn twisted his torso, letting the point slide past his mail, then countered with an overhead chop. Arthur stepped inside the arc, caught the descending wrist with his free hand, and used the leverage to shove Llewyn off balance.
Llewyn recovered with a laugh while circling left. "Not bad for a farm boy. You almost made me look clumsy."
"Almost?" Arthur matched the circle. "I think the word you are looking for is 'completely.'"
Llewyn lunged again, feinting high then dropping the blade low toward Arthur's knee. Arthur read the change in shoulder tension and dropped his own sword to block, the two edges scraping together with a grinding SCRAPE before he spun the practice weapon in his grip and brought it up in a rising cut that forced Llewyn to leap backward. The Dornishman landed lightly and immediately pressed forward again, raining three quick blows at Arthur's head, chest, and hip. Each one landed with a heavy THUD against Arthur's raised guard or mail.
Arthur gave ground one step, then two, letting Llewyn commit. On the third retreat he planted his rear foot, switched hands again mid-motion, and drove the sword upward in a tight arc that slipped under Llewyn's guard and tapped the Dornishman's collarbone with the flat.
Llewyn froze for half a heartbeat. "You cheated with that hand switch. That is not fair."
"Fair is for tourneys," Arthur replied, stepping back and lowering his blade. "You told me that yourself after you kicked me in the shin last month."
From the table Mira clapped rapidly, her voice carrying clear across the yard. "Well done, Arthur. You had him on his heels the whole time."
Cassie leaned forward, one hand resting on the curve of her belly. "Keep that up and he will be asking you for lessons."
Ser Gerold's voice cut in next. "Llewyn, you left your left side open again. If that had been a real blade you would be bleeding from the neck right now."
Llewyn rubbed the spot where Arthur's sword had landed and shot the Kingsguard a mock glare. "Thank you for the encouragement, ser. I will remember that the next time I am fighting for my life."
Arthur laughed under his breath and reset his stance. "Ready to go again or do you need a moment to compose yourself?"
Llewyn answered by charging. Their blades met again, CLANG after CLANG echoing off the walls while they traded blows. Arthur used the extra reach his height gave him to keep Llewyn at bay, then suddenly dropped and swept his leg in a wide arc. Something that wouldn't have been possible in armour if not for his [Acrobatics] and [Hyper Mobility]. Llewyn jumped back but landed off balance. Arthur rose inside the Dornishman's reach, caught the practice sword between his blade and his vambrace and twisted hard. The weapon flew from Llewyn's grip, spinning end over end before it clattered across the stones ten feet away.
Llewyn stared at his empty hands with his jaw almost hitting the floor, then burst out laughing. "Seven hells, that was beautiful. Where did you learn to do that?"
"It's something I made myself, I'm glad you liked it," he said with a chuckle before he lowered his blade and offered a small bow toward the table. Mira and Cassie clapped again while cheering for him. Rhaella joined them with a softer applause and a smile that reached her eyes.
Arthur straightened and turned back toward Llewyn, but before he could say anything more Llewyn stepped forward and planted both palms against Arthur's chest plate, shoving him hard. The push caught Arthur mid-step and sent him stumbling backward two paces before he caught his balance. Llewyn folded his arms and grinned. "Do not start preening just yet, prodigy. The fight is not over until both of us say it is."
Arthur recovered his footing and raised an eyebrow. "I'll show you preening."
He dropped the practice sword and lunged. The two of them crashed together in a tangle of mail and limbs, shoulders bumping, elbows locking, boots scraping across stone. Llewyn tried to hook an arm around Arthur's neck; Arthur slipped the hold and drove a shoulder into Llewyn's midsection. They grappled back and forth for several seconds, grunting with effort, until Llewyn finally tapped Arthur's arm twice in quick succession.
"Enough," Llewyn gasped, stepping back and raising both hands. "I need a break before you crack one of my ribs."
They walked together to the wall near the table and sat down on the warm stone. Two servants appeared moments later carrying wooden cups filled with iced honey milk. Arthur accepted one and nodded his thanks. "This is exactly what we needed. Thank you Lessai."
Llewyn took the second cup and drained half of it in one long pull. "When we first sparred properly I felt like I had the edge. Now it feels like I do not even have a chance anymore."
Arthur took a slow sip, letting the cold sweetness sit on his tongue before swallowing. "Practice, my friend. You will get better."
"As good as you?" Llewyn raised one eyebrow and looked sideways at him.
Arthur chuckled and set the cup on the stone beside him. "Maybe. Who knows."
Llewyn shook his head. "I do. You are a prodigy, Arthur. I have not seen sword work like that since the last time I visited the Daynes. You picked up steel just over a year ago and already you move like someone who has trained his whole life."
Arthur shrugged and looked down at his own hands. "I doubt I'm that good."
Llewyn leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. "You are. One day you should come to Sunspear with me. My youngest nephew is obsessed with fighting. He would take to you well."
"How old is he?" Arthur asked.
"He just had his third name day recently, I believe. I have not seen him much, but Oberyn is excitable as anything. Always following his big sister around."
Arthur smiled at the image. "If time allows it I would be happy to visit your home. It is my duty to ask your sister how you turned into this." He gestured at Llewyn.
Llewyn laughed and punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Come now. If I am going to get good enough to beat you it will not be while I am sitting on my arse."
They stood again and retrieved their swords. For the next several hours they continued to spar across the yard. The sun moved slowly overhead while the sound of steel on steel rang out across the courtyard. Arthur won three more exchanges, each disarm better than the last, yet no new points appeared in his styles. Though it didn't matter as the practice still sharpened his timing and footwork. When they finally called a halt both men were breathing hard and soaked with sweat.
It was then Arthur returned to the White Sword Tower, washed the grime from his skin in a basin of cool water, and changed into a fresh tunic and breeches. He then walked back to the royal apartments where Mira and Cassie waited. Ser Gerold had already granted him the rest of the afternoon when Arthur asked a few days earlier meaning that Arthur could spend it with those most important to him.
Arthur helped each woman mount Quiet in the stables. The pale horse stood motionless while he lifted Mira first, then Cassie, settling them carefully in front of him on the broad back. Both women rested one hand on the swell of their bellies and the other on the horse's mane. Quiet accepted the extra weight without complaint, though she might've had something to say if Arthur tried to mount her as well.
He led the horse out through the north gate on foot, the cobbles giving way to packed earth once they cleared the city walls. The road wound along the Blackwater Rush where tall grass swayed in the breeze. After an hour he turned Quiet off the path toward the exact rise he had visited months before on the way to Littlestow. He spread a thick wool mat across the grass, arranged several cushions, and unpacked the basket of bread, cheese, and a skin of watered wine.
He had planned on bringing them here for a while now, but with his duties keeping him busy and their duties to the orphanage, it had been difficult to find the time.
Mira and Cassie lowered themselves onto the cushions with small sighs of relief. They ate slowly, passing pieces of fruit between them and watching the river glitter below. It was an amazing afternoon with a beautiful breeze and even more beautiful company. When the food was finished Arthur lay back on the mat and drew both women close. They moved together with care, mindful of the rounded bellies that pressed between them.
He used his mouth and fingers first, bringing each of them to release while they kissed above him. Then he entered Mira slowly from behind while she rested on her side, one hand braced on Cassie's thigh. Cassie watched with dark eyes and stroked Mira's hair through every gentle thrust. Later he took Cassie the same way while Mira kissed her neck and whispered encouragement. They changed positions twice more before the sun began its descent.
A few hours before sunset they packed the remains of the meal and rode back toward the Red Keep. As the massive walls came into view Arthur saw the change immediately. Goldcloaks moved in groups across the outer yard it was clear that something had happened and Arthur felt it was his duty to discover what, But he did not want to leave Mira and Cassie unprotected without knowing what was happening. Mira touched his arm. "Go. We will be fine."
Cassie nodded beside her. "Find out what happened. We will wait here with Quiet."
Arthur hesitated another heartbeat, then looked at the pale horse. "Look after them." Quiet dipped her head once in a motion that looked almost like a nod. He let go of the reins and ran toward the nearest Goldcloak and when he caught the man's arm he spun him around. "What happened here?" He asked.
The guard turned. "A thief broke into the keep. That is all I know right now, we've been asked to search the Red keep for the thief."
Arthur released the arm and moved inside the keep instead, climbing the stairs two at a time until he reached the corridor outside the small council chambers. Suger hesitating for a moment he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Grand Maester Ellendor sat at the long table, next to Lord Celtigar stood next to his seat. Lord Massey paced along one wall, fingers drumming against his thigh while Lord Redwyne leaned back in his chair with a goblet in hand. Ser Gerold occupied the space beside the Princess and Princess Rhaella sat at the head of the table. The Hand was not here and none of the Royal family were so Rhaella must've been there because she was essentially the most powerful person in the Red keep at the moment. If you disregarded other factors.
All eyes turned toward Arthur as the door clicked shut behind him. He bowed at once, holding the angle for the proper count of three. "Forgive the intrusion, my lords, my princess. I saw the guards moving and heard there was a problem at hand and wished to know if any service was required."
Lord Redwyne scoffed and set his goblet down. "If we had need of a squire we would send for one. Return to your duties, boy."
Rhaella's voice cut across the table. "And why Lord Redwyne would you dismiss so quickly the man who saved my brother's life in the melee? He has earned the right to stand in this room."
Redwyne's face coloured red in embarrassment. He opened his mouth, closed it, then tried again. "I only meant—"
Arthur stepped forward before the lord could finish. "My lord is right, Princess I forgot my place. I will wait outside should any need arise." He bowed once more to the entire table, turned on his heel, and walked out. The door closed behind him with a soft thud and he took up position against the wall a few paces down the corridor and decided to wait until the meeting finished.
Minutes passed while the muffled voices from inside the chamber rose and fell in turns. Arthur remained motionless except for the slow rise and fall of his chest as he breathed while servants hurried past at the far end of the corridor carrying trays and linens. He listened to the rhythm of his own heartbeat until the latch on the council door finally lifted with a click and the first figure emerged.
Lord Redwyne stepped out first, his face set in a tight line, he cast a dirty glance toward Arthur that lingered for a moment before the lord looked away and continued down the hall without speaking. Arthur kept his eyes forward and ignored the look while he waited for the others. Lord Celtigar followed next while muttering under his breath. Lord Massey came after him. Then Princess Rhaella appeared in the doorway and her gaze found Arthur's pretty quickly. She smiled at him while the corners of her mouth lifted in the same gentle way ss she always did. Ser Gerold came last while his white cloak brushed the frame as he stepped through and pulled the door shut behind him with a push.
Rhaella walked straight toward Arthur while the others continued down the corridor in their separate directions. She stopped two paces away and folded her hands together in front of her. "I am sorry for what Lord Redwyne said in there," she began. "He had no right to dismiss you like that after everything you have done for my family. You came to offer help and he treated you as though you were nothing more than a servant who had wandered in by mistake."
Arthur shook his head. "He was right, Princess. I overstepped and should have waited to be called on if I was needed. It is not my place to enter the small council chamber without permission. I let my concern carry me inside and that was my error."
Rhaella opened her mouth to argue while a small line formed between her brows but Ser Gerold stepped forward before she could speak. "Arthur is right, Princess," the Kingsguard said. "He is only a squire and not even one of noble blood. He has good intentions and he is loyal but most lords of the realm will see him as nothing but an upstart who has risen too far too fast. They do not care that he saved Prince Aerys. They see the lack of a house name and they react accordingly."
Rhaella turned her head toward Gerold while her fingers tightened slightly around each other. "That is not fair, Ser Gerold. Arthur has earned every chance he has been given and he has never asked for more than he was offered."
"It is the way it is, I am afraid, Princess," Gerold replied while he kept his gaze fixed on the corridor ahead. "If he displeases the wrong lord then Arthur could get into a lot of trouble. The kind of trouble that even the Lord Commander cannot easily smooth away. Better he learns the boundaries now while the lesson costs him only a few sharp words."
Arthur nodded along while he listened to the exchange and felt the truth of Gerold's words settle in his chest. He waited for a natural pause then changed the subject. "The only thing I knew before I came inside was that there was a thief. Can either of you tell me more about what happened?"
Rhaella nodded while she drew in a slow breath and let it out again. "It was me who caught the thief in the act," she explained.
Arthur shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "What did they steal?"
Rhaella looked concerned. "A priceless Targaryen treasure," she said bitterly. "Three dragon eggs."
Arthur felt the shock move through him. "Is there something I can do?"
Ser Gerold shook his head while his hand remained on the pommel of his sword. "The Goldcloaks are already searching the castle and the city. There is not much to be done but to wait and see if they turn up any leads before the trail grows cold."
Arthur disagreed on the inside, with his [Tracking] there was a good chance he might be able to catch the thief if he started soon. "If it is all the same to you both I would still like to look anyway even if it turns out to be pointless. I feel it would not do not to help out in some way while the eggs are still missing."
Rhaella smiled at that while the tension around her eyes eased a fraction. "Thank you for the thought, Arthur. I agree. Come with me and I will show you where it happened." She turned and began walking down the corridor while Ser Gerold fell into step beside her and Arthur followed a pace behind them both.
They moved through several passages and down a narrow stair until they reached a heavy iron door set into the stone. Rhaella produced a key from a chain at her waist and turned the lock with a series of metallic clicks before she pushed the door open and led them inside.
The vault stretched out in front of them while torchlight flickered across rows of wooden stands and iron chests. Arthur looked around and took in the sight of various pieces of armor hanging from racks along one wall, some of them etched with Targaryen sigils. Crowns rested on velvet cushions inside glass cases and shields leaned against the far wall in neat rows.
Rhaella walked straight to a set of ten stands arranged in a half circle near the center of the room while she gestured toward them with one hand. "The eggs were kept here," she said. "Ten stands in total and three of them are now empty."
Arthur stepped closer while he studied the area. Each stand held a single dragon egg except for the three that now stood bare with nothing but faint circular marks left behind on the stone where the eggs had rested. He felt a sense of awe move through him while he looked at the remaining eggs with their smooth scaled surfaces catching the torchlight in shades of deep crimson and midnight blue and pale gold.
He turned back to Rhaella. "Why were you here that you were able to catch the thief in the act?" He asked.
Rhaella looked a little embarrassed while she glanced down at her hands and then back up again. "I come here often," she admitted while she moved one finger along the edge of an empty stand. "Sometimes I like to touch the eggs and feel them. I do not know why but I always felt like there is a bit of warmth in them even if they are stone now."
Arthur nodded while he continued looking around the vault and taking in the layout. "What did you do when you saw them?"
"I ran out and called for Ser Gerold. And then when we both came back in they were gone," she replied.
"Gone," Arthur said as he raised one brow and looked toward the Kingsguard.
Ser Gerold confirmed it a nod of his head. "I could not find anyone in here. I looked everywhere, but there was no trace of them."
Arthur began walking slowly around the vault while he studied the floor and the walls. Because of his [Tracking] skill he could easily find very subtle signs of where the thief had moved even when the marks were faint. He noticed a scuff on the stone near one stand and a small thread caught on the edge of another. He followed the pattern while he moved from stand to stand and then toward the far wall where a candlestick sat mounted in an iron bracket. That was where the tracks ended, but something told him that the wall wasn't just a wall.
He reached out and turned the candlestick, nothing happened for a moment, until a second later when the metal groaned and a section of the wall swung inward on hidden hinges to reveal a narrow corridor beyond.
Ser Gerold immediately went over while he drew his sword and looked through the opening while he held his blade ready to kill anyone who might pop out.
Rhaella stepped closer while her eyes widened. "I had no idea that there was such a secret in here," she said while she stared at the dark passage.
"It is worrying that the thief knew about it," Arthur commented, as apart from him he didn't know anyone who had any knowledge of the secret tunnels around the Red keep.
Ser Gerold stood at the entrance of the corridor, his sword remained raised while his gaze moved into the darkness. He looked torn between wanting to travel down the corridor and look for the thief and staying to protect Rhaella.
So Arthur decided to make the choice for him. "I will follow any tracks I can find Ser Gerold, while you and the princess get the Goldcloaks.."
Ser Gerold hesitated while he glanced at Rhaella and then back at the corridor but then he nodded a moment later and lowered his sword a fraction.
Rhaella turned toward Arthur with a concerned expression. "Be careful," she said while she reached out and touched his arm.
Arthur drew his own sword, the steel slid free from the scabbard with a schling and he grabbed a torch off the wall. "I'll be fine," he said, flashing her a smile as he stepped through the opening into the hidden corridor.
...
The passage ran straight for several miniutes before it began to slope downward. At every turn the stone walls pressed close on either side. Despite that Arthur held the torch high and continued to follow the tracks left by the thief. His tracking skill picked out the faint scuffs on the floor and the occasional handprint on the wall where the person had balanced themselves. The air grew colder and damper as he descended. After several minutes the corridor leveled out and then began to rise again while it twisted through several turns until it finally opened into a road behind the Red Keep.
Arthur emerged into the city just as the evening light had already begun to fade. The tracks grew harder to follow here while carts and foot traffic had churned the ground into mud, so in the end he relied on his [Shining] ability. The ability tugged at his awareness like a thread while he moved deeper into Flea Bottom.
By the time the sun had set completely he found himself getting close to a brothel tucked into a narrow street near the edge of the district. The building sat with a faded sign swinging above the door, he didn't know why but he had a feeling that the one responsible was in there.
Arthur knew he'd need to behave normally so he sheathed his sword and adjusted his tunic before he walked inside. Hopefully none of this would cause a commotion, though he doubted he was that lucky.
The door opened with a creak and the air that met him waas a heavy mix of sweat, cheap perfume and spilled ale. The main room stretched out in front of him while wooden tables filled most of the space and a long bar ran along one wall. Women moved between the tables while their dresses hung loose and their hair fell in tangled waves. Several of them turned toward the door as soon as Arthur stepped through and their eyes moved over his tall frame while he stood just inside the entrance.
One woman with dark hair and a scar across her cheek approached first while she swayed her hips with each step and stopped close enough that he could smell the wine on her breath. "Well now look at you tall and strong like that," she said while she reached out and ran one finger down the front of his tunic. "I have not seen a man like you in here for a long time. You can have me for a copper star if you want... I'll make sure you forget every other woman you ever knew. Come upstairs with me right now and I will show you what these hands can do."
"Thank you but I want to have a drink first before I decide anything. The night is still young and I am thirsty after a long day," Arrhur replied, trying to be polite while still declining her.
Another woman with red hair and freckles across her chest moved in from the side while she carried a tray of empty cups and set it down on the nearest table. "You do not need to pay full price for me either," she said as she leaned forward so that the neckline of her dress gaped open and revealed the curve of her breasts. "A copper star will get you an hour and I will let you do whatever you want. I can get on my knees right here if you like or we can go to the back room where no one will bother us. Just say the word and I am yours."
A third woman with a missing tooth and a loud laugh pushed past the redhead while she carried a pitcher of ale. "Both of you are too slow," she said while she poured a cup and slid it across the bar toward Arthur. "He looks like he could handle all three of us at once and still have energy left over. Come sit with me handsome. I will pour your drinks all night and then I'll ride you until the sun comes up. You won't need to lift a finger except to hold onto my hips. What do you say? One copper groat and I am all yours for the whole evening."
Arthur took the cup and nodded his thanks before ne moved to an empty table near the back wall. "I appreciate the offers," he said while he lifted the cup and took a sip. "But I really do want to have a drink first before I think about anything else. The walk here left me parched and I need a moment to catch my breath."
The women lingered around the table while they traded glances and then the dark-haired one leaned against the edge while she traced a pattern on the wood with a finger. "You're polite for a man who looks like he could ruin my tight little cunt," she said while she smiled and showed the gap between her teeth. "Most men who come in here grab the first girl they see and drag her upstairs without saying a word. You are a proper gentleman. Makes me want to work harder to change your mind. Tell me what kind of woman you like and I will make sure I am exactly that for you tonight."
The redhead pulled out the chair across from him and sat down while she rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward again. "He is probably the type who likes them quiet and sweet," she said while she looked straight at him. "I can be quiet if that is what you need. I can whisper in your ear the whole time and tell you how good you feel inside me. Or I can be loud and let the whole brothel hear how much I enjoy that fat snake you're hiding."
Arthur ignored them at first, instead be was kept moving his gaze around the room while using his Shining ability to try and narrow down the man who had stolen the eggs. However m struggled to do it at first as there were lots of people in such a small place.
Eventually he had to turn back to the girls, lest he be considered rude. "You are all very kind and I am flattered by the attention," he said. "But I came here for a quiet drink and to rest my feet for a while. Perhaps later if I still feel like company I will let you know."
The woman with the missing tooth laughed while she stood up and adjusted the strap of her dress. "You are making us work for it and that is fine by me," she said as she turned and walked toward another table but glanced back over her shoulder. "I will check on you in a little while in case you change your mind. Dont drink too much or you'll not be able to enjoy what I have planned for you."
The other two women lingered a moment longer while they exchanged a few more teasing words but eventually they moved away to attend to other customers. Arthur remained seated while he kept his Shining ability focused on a thread that led toward the back corner. Though when he focused on it he caught something in the corner of his eyes that made his eyes widen.
Sitting in the corner talking to a woman in what seemed to be a very heated discussion was a man he immediately recognised.
How couldn't he recognise the eldest son of King Aegon V Targaryen.
Prince Duncan Targaryen.
(AN: So three eggs have been stolen and Prince Duncan has appeared in Flea Bottom despite having supposedly left with the rest of the Royal Family for Harrenhal. Anyway hope you enjoyed.)
Support if ya want.
Patreon.com/captainalfie78works