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FOUR;
『 AN EYE FOR AN EYE 』

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ㅤ     THE JOURNEY IS QUICKER THAN EXPECTED. Vermax soars across the Narrow Sea, Storm's End, and the Sea of Dorne within two hours. By the time the two young nobles reach Sunspear, it is almost the afternoon. Cerilla squints her eyes as the blinding Dornish sun blinds her. Jacaerys pushed the green scaled dragon forward, lurching them towards the Dornish villages, just outside the great castle walls.

      From where they fly in the sky, it is difficult to see, but not difficult to differ the shining silver armor or King's Landing from the orange armor of Dorne. Even the weapons are different. Aegon's men primarily stick to swords and shields, while the men of Dorne typically use spears, small knives, and bows if they have enough coverage.

      Cerilla points over Jacaerys shoulder to a group of silver-armored men huddled in a circle, kicking and prodding at a group of lowborns wearing tattered clothes. They're in a sort of plaza, standing between buildings in an open space. Jacaerys lands the dragon onto the sandy ground with a thud.

      Once the sand settles, the men can clearly see the dragon in front of them. They stop and turn in their direction, forgetting completely about the men and women they had been hurting. The lowborns scurry off down an alleyway, leaving the knights of the Red Keep to the fate of the princess.

     "I am Princess Cerilla Martell of Sunspear," she says from atop the dragon. "And you are hurting my people." Her voice comes out as a threat. Jacaerys moves aside so that the armored men have a clear view of Cerilla. She sits up straight on the mount, her eyes shoot like arrows into the eyes of all seven men standing in front of her.

      One of the men at the front of the group attempt to lurch forward, sword drawn, pointed in the direction of the dragon. Vermax, without hesitation, snaps his head around and sinks his fangs into the man, through his steel armor and everything. The sword clatters to the ground. The look of pure fear crosses the faces of the other men.

     "Leave one alive." She whispers to Jacaerys. He nods then slides his hand along the green scales. The young dragon seems to purr at his touch.

     Jacaerys' hands grip around the mouth. "Dracarys!" He shouts. Suddenly, a pool of red-hot fire erupts from the dragons throat. He breathes out this fire to the men in front of him. One of the knights, towards the back, manages to just barely escape the flames by pinning himself against the furthest wall.

     The men melt before the prince and the princess at the hands of the dragon. They die screaming, engulfed in fire. The man that had been left cowers against the wall with a look of dread on his face. Cerilla throws her legs across the side of the dragon and slides down the side of him. She lands on the sandy ground and keeps her gaze dead locked on the armored man.

     She strides across the plaza to him. She has no weapon to defend herself, but she knows she will not need one. Fear has already paralyzed the man. She stands many inches taller than her, but he has never felt so small before. She stands inches away from him. His sword falls from his hand and drops dramatically to the ground.

      "Would you rather be burned alive or would you rather tell your King, Aegon, that all of his men in Dorne are dead, and that he will not hover long on the Iron Throne?" She asks with a simple tilt of her head. The man takes a big gulp of air, and even through his helmet, the princess can see the shivering that crosses his body.

      "I will return and take your word with me." He replies within a few moments. The princess steps aside with a nod. The man runs out of the plaza like their age hounds on his heels. Cerilla watches him until he disappears through the alley, then returns back to Jacaerys and Vermax.

     "How do you know he will not kill more Dornish?" The prince questions from atop his dragon. The princess mounts the back of the dragon, this time without help, then wraps her hands around his waist to harness herself to safety.

     "Because he is too terrified to do anything else." She replies simply. The prince looks over his shoulder at the princess as she smirks. He turns back around and grabs the mount then presses his hips forward, driving the dragon into flight.

      The next place they will go is Sunspear. Cerilla will need to find her Uncle and tell her what is happening at King's Landing. Her Uncle is her fathers brother. He is a kind and knowing man. He shares the same values and ideas as Cerilla. She will name him as acting Prince until she is able to return to Dorne without having to worry about the fate of Dragonstone and those on it. Her Uncle will understand, and take up the position in her absence, at least she can hope.

      Jacaerys lands Vermax just outside of the gates. Cerilla is greeted by the guards at the gate and she commands them to stay with the dragon, Vermax, until the two of them return. They are to watch over the dragon and ensure his safety while they speak to the princess' uncle. Of course, they dip their heads and take their places watching over the dragon.

      The two of them walk down the halls of colorful tile and marveling architecture. Jacaerys has seen Dragonstone and Driftmark and the Red Keep, but he has never seen Sunspear, the home of color and heat. There are no windows, but cutouts in the walls of the hallway to the outside, allowing a breeze to flow through the long halls.

      The two of them arrive in the council room, which at the current time just has her Uncle Domaran inside. He turns as the doors slide open. His eyes land on the stranger first, then his niece who wears an unfamiliar dress.

     "Uncle." She greets him with a smile and makes her way across the room. The man smiles back and the two of them exchange a brief hug. He runs his eyes over her for a few moments. It has been almost a year since the two have seen eachother. Domaran had been at the Tower of Joy for some time.

     "Welcome home, Cerilla." He says with a kind motion for her to sit. She pulls out one of the chairs at the table and takes a seat. Jacaerys sits beside her, and across from them, Domaran.

      "This is Jacaerys Velaryon, Prince of Dragonstone, son of Queen Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen." She introduces the brunette sitting next to her. Domaran's eyes stroll across his face, taking in the presence of his youth.

      "You see, Aegon Targaryen has taken the throne. Dorne has already sworn oath to Rhaenyra. Aegon sent those men in an attempt to scare us into paying alligance to him, though, you and I both know that a true ruler can be a Queen," Cerilla pauses and catches her breath. "I will travel to Dragonstone to help the Queen in strengthening her resources against Aegon, which means I need you, here, to protect our people and our home." Her words float across the open room.

      Domaran's eyes drift across from his niece to the stranger in the seat beside her. "Dorne has long sworn allegiance to the person on the Iron Throne, but if the person on the throne is not meant to be there, we will stand behind the individual that is meant to be there," his words are cryptic, he realizes, so he summarizes the meaning. "I will stay here and act as the ruler in your absence. We will stand behind Queen Rhaenyra in whatever way we can, and if that means I must reside here and protect our home, I will." He replies. Jacaerys releases a breath of relief.

      "Thank you Uncle, truly. It means a lot," She says, getting up from her chair. The two men also stand up in the wake of her action. "We will meet again soon, hopefully on better terms." This time, the princess instigates the hug with her uncle. The two exchange the comfort briefly.

     "The last of Aegon's men here in Dorne will be finished off by tonight," Domaran nods his head to the princess. "Go to Dragonstone and help take back the throne that belongs to the rightful ruler." His words warm her skin. She nods and departs from the room with Jacaerys at her heels. She feels like she can finally breathe again when the two of them make it into the hallway.

      "Do you trust him?" Jacaerys asks. He curses himself internally moments later for asking. Of course she trusts him. She wouldn't have named him as acting prince if she did not.

      "My father trusted him, he was his brother," she shivers on the word was. "So I too trust him." Her words clear any doubt in the prince's mind. The two of them make their way across the castle to the gates, where Vermax is.

      The men that had been standing around him, staring in amazement, suddenly turn and bow to the princess. She waves her hand and sends them off back to their posts. They swarm off quickly, leaving the prince and the princess alone in the small courtyard. She takes another glance at Sunspear, her glorious home. She will be back, she knows it. She just hopes it will be soon. She trusts her uncle, but she misses her home and her people. She hasn't gotten to act as ruler yet, she hasn't been able to send out orders or prepare knights. She has only been able to name her uncle as temporary ruler. She prays for a soon return, so that she can rule as her father had.

      The two younglings mount the back of the dragon and the prince rocks the beast into motion. The ascend into the sky and float above the clouds. It is late day. By the time they reach Dragonstone, dusk will begin.

-ˋˏ ༻☼༺ ˎˊ-

       THE SKY IS PAINTED IN GENTLE COLORS. Cerilla's grip hangs loosely around the prince's waist. She lays her head lazily on his shoulder. Her eyes are heavy from the long day of travel. She has been in a near shipwreck, washed up on a shore, and traveled halfway across the country on dragon back in less than a week. That would make anyone utterly exhausted.

      "What was it like, growing up with a dragon?" Cerilla asks followed by a long yawn. She would like the prince to talk her to sleep. Despite the fact that they are hundreds of feet above the dark sea, the princess finds herself being drifted in the direction of slumber, as impossible as it may seem.

      "Well," he begins. "I was bonded with Vermax young. His egg was in my cradle the moment I was born. He hatched when I was a toddler. It is peculiar, how bound you become to a dragon. He understands me in silent ways, I understand him in silent ways. He understands my emotions, I understand his. He will listen to me before I even give him a command. It is said that a dragon rider and his dragon share a soul." His words so easily pour a picture into Cerilla's head. The way he speaks is like someone telling a story. She can imagine it so well.

      "I wish I had a dragon." She says mostly out of exhaustion. She wants him to keep speaking so that she may drift off to sleep. 

      "The Martells of Sunspear have Valyrian blood in them. Valyrians are dragonriders. Perhaps you could have bonded with one, if you had an egg to do so." Suddenly her eyes open. She forgets all about the tiredness lurching at her eyes.

       "You're telling me I could have had a dragon?" Her words drift into his ear like a silk melody. A shiver goes down his spine.

      "Could have. Could. Though it is extremely difficult, dragon riders can still bond with dragons. Aemond bonded with Vhagar despite not having been cradled with him." He explains. The princess sits up, with her hands still wrapped around his waist, and stares down at the green dragon.

      "Are all the dragons not claimed already?" She asks in another wave of sudden interest. Jacaerys shakes his head.

      "There are is Vermithor, the largest dragon ever to fly over Westeros. He was ridden by King Jaeherys the first. There is also Grey Ghost, the youngest of the wild dragons. He is known to be timid towards all. There is also Sheepstealer. He is less timid, but perhaps more aggressive. Then there is Cannibal. He earned his name for eating smaller dragons as well as dragon eggs." Jacaerys explains like this is knowledge everyone knows. The princess is utterly surprised to learn that there are so many unclaimed dragons around.

      "And where do they all reside?" She asks, raising an eyebrow. The prince smirks at her interest in the topic. He is more than pleased to share his knowledge with her.

      "Vermithor is in the depths of Dragstone, though still hostile. Daemon has tried to settle the dragon, but he is still unsure. Grey Ghost is on Dragonstone as well, in the depths of the valleys, hidden away. Sheepstealer hides away somewhere in Dragonmomt. He goes from Driftmark and Wendwater, hunting from time to time. Cannibal is also on Dragonstone, but he has not been seen since attempting to steal Syrax's clutch of eggs, which included Vermax." He says. Cerilla ponders at the idea of the dragons. What they look like, how big their are, how their previous riders died.

      "How difficult is it to claim one?" She asks another prodding question.

      The prince snickers. "What is with this sudden interest?" He swivels his head slightly to look at the princess. "Do you plan on claiming a dragon to ride into this battle?" Cerilla rolls her eyes and pokes him in the stomach with her finger. He grimaces and turns back forward.

     "It is very difficult," the prince admits. "The dragons that have lost their riders find it very difficult to adjust to new riders. And those that are truly wild, are also very difficult to claim, because they have never known a human's command. They have lived wildly, without rules. Either way, claiming one takes a lot of time and patience. We don't have much time, and I'm not entirely sure if you'd have the patience to claim a dragon." Jacaerys admits. Cerilla pokes him in the stomach again with the hand wrapped around his waist. He clenches his jaw.

       "Will you help me to see them? Even one?" She asks with a large grin that can be heard through her words. Jacaerys exhales a long breath. Who is he to say no to an adventure, especially one suggested by a beautiful princess?

      "We will sleep the night. Then in the morning, I will take you across the valleys. If we do not find any dragons wandering about, then we will forget the idea of you stepping near a wild one. If we do, then I will consult my mother and father about seeing if perhaps you could try and claim one." He makes sure to add extra emphasis on perhaps and try. It is nothing of certainty.

      "You are the best prince I know." Cerilla says with a sheepish grin.

      "I am the only prince you truly know." He replies quickly. Despite his cocky response, Jacaerys grins at her words. Even the slightest compliment from her lips makes his heart stammer.

      As if on cue, the first shapes of the castle of Dragonstone comes into view. Cerilla could practically clap with cheer. Jacaerys lands Vermax in the area just before the main doors. Both the prince and the princess thank the green scales beauty with a few gentle strokes to the neck. As they walk towards the doors, the dragon flies up and swoops down into the valleys, disappearing from sight. Cerilla's heart thumps at the thought of being on the back of her very own. She tells herself multiple times not to get her hopes up, and yet she finds herself stuck on the idea the entire time they walk down the hall.

      Jacaerys and Cerilla make their way to the dining hall just in time for dinner. Rhaenyra, Daemon, Joffrey, little Aegon, and young Viserys all sit around the buzzing table. Jacaerys has not had a family dinner in months. He wonders what the occasion is. He leads Cerilla to her chair and pulls it out for her. She sits down, in between Joffrey and Jacaerys. Aegon and Viserys bicker about something. They are young and have just begun fiddling with the idea of words.

      "What is the occasion?" Jacaerys asks with a shocked tone. Rhaenyra shakes her head and pushes a cup of wine to him. He takes it and downs a few gulps. If Rhaenyra does not want to declare the meaning for the dinner, then he will not prod at it. The single motion of shaking her head is enough to tell the prince not to ask any more.

      Jacaerys and Cerilla speak briefly of their journey. The princess even demonstrates the horror on the men's faces when Jacaerys valiantly scorched them alive. Flushed with the slight boost of his ego, the prince blushes and shies away from the topic. He had just been doing what anyone on the back of that dragon would have done. He was defending Cerilla and her home, as he would do a million times.

      The dinner drawls to a close. Everyone is nurturing their full bellies as the warm food and wine digests down. Aegon and Viserys even stop talking as their bellies swell from the meal. Just before Jacaerys has a chance to excuse himself from the table to take Cerilla to her chambers, Daemon speaks the only words he has the entire dinner.

      "An eye for an eye," he fiddles with the dagger in his hand. "A son for a son." He grips the blade then gets up from his seat and storms out of the room. Every pair of eyes follow him.

       An eye for an eye, a son for a son. Cerilla repeats in her mind.

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