CHAPTER NINE.

THE STEPSTONES

( 1.03 )

115 AC

IT had been two years since Viserys Targaryen married the Lady Alicent Hightower. It had been two years since Viserys Targaryen had been trying to find a husband for his eldest daughter, Lady Visenya Targaryen. Since then he'd found three suitors, but unfortunately, all were dead. 

Visenya, both directly and indirectly had done all three. She wielded nothing better than her charm and a knife. 

The first died of some mysterious illness caused by the Tears of Lys. She'd cajoled the first's brother into poisoning her suitor under the guise that she wished to marry him instead. He was fool enough to do it and had been tried and hung for murder.

 The second of a stab to the heart, done of her own volition. It was rather messy on her part, but everything worked out well as a whore was blamed since her lip prints were all over his skin. 

The third died of a cut-throat. She had bribed a maid of her suitor's house to slay him in his sleep. She was quick about it and hadn't left a trace. Most thought it was probably one of the Faceless Men of Braavos as his house owed the Iron Bank quite a bit. 

It was incredible to her how much people could be swayed by the promise of sex and money. 

Unfortunately, she would not be able to kill all the men her father set for her. She would eventually have to marry and eventually made to pop-out children until it killed her. 

She was not the only one to have to get married. Viserys was also looking for a match for Rhaenyra. The girl was not as adamant about not marrying as Visenya seeing as she was to be the future Queen and needed an heir but she wasn't happy about it either. Both didn't see anyone fit enough to marry them.

Despite the fact that Rhaenyra was the heir, whispers about the succession lingered. Viserys and Alicent had a son two years prior and now it was expected that he was going to be crowned heir and eventually King. But Viserys seemed adamant that Rhaenyra was going to continue as the heir even though the Lords were pushing for the change. But for the Gods' sake, his boy was only turning two that day!

Viserys was attempting to use Aegon's second name day as a time to find the girls a husband and he was surveying the Lords' sons as he entertained them. Unfortunately, he could not see either of his daughters. 

The two girls were sitting under the weirwood tree, both reading as a man sang and played the lute. They were dressed in their riding leathers, as they had just come back from doing such. Visenya did not wish to see her father or Alicent or that screaming babe that kept her awake at night and she certainly did not want to celebrate his birth, so she read with Rhaenyra in the garden. 

As the man finished the song, Rhaenyra and Visenya commanded at the same time, "Again."

"Perhaps the Princesses might like to hear something else."

"They would not. Play it again," Rhaenyra responded.

He began to play again before he paused to stand, "Your Grace."

"Did we say to stop?" Visenya questioned, not looking up from the book that was in her lap. She had no intention of speaking with anyone by the name of 'Your Grace'.

"From the beginning," Rhaenyra added once the silence was the only answer Visenya got. He restarted with a small clear of his throat. 

"Rhaenyra? Visenya?"

"Yes, my Queen?" Rhaenyra responded sarcastically not looking up. 

"Your presence is required in the outer courtyard. The royal hunt readies to depart," Alicent stated, rubbing her swollen belly. She was once again with child and she looked as though she'd burst at any moment. 

"We've decided to remain here and read instead," Rhaenyra replied. 

Alicent then looked at the man, "You may go, Samwell."

"You are to stay by order of the Princess," Visenya snapped. 

"The Queen commands you to leave the Godswood at once," said Alicent. 

Samwell turned and bowed to the two, "Princesses." Visenya's jaw twitched, the only indication that she was annoyed as her face remained passive. It was an expression she'd learnt to keep around the Hightowers and her father, "Your Grace."

"The King wishes for you both to join us."

"The King could shove his wishes up his ass," Visenya responded evenly. 

"The King has much to celebrate. He does not need us," Rhaenyra added. 

Alicent spoke, "He wants us all to be together. Perhaps the hunt could be... fun."

Rhaenyra paused her reading and glanced at her sister who rolled her eyes in response and continued, "Is it the King's command?"

"Yes, but it—"

"Then at once, Your Grace." Rhaenyra closed the book and flung it onto the carpet to her right. Visenya sat up properly and closed her own book.

"But it needn't be. None of it needs be this way, in truth, Rhaenyra, Visenya." Rhaenyra walked off into the Keep and Alicent's body turned to watch her go. As she turned back she jumped at the close proximity of her and Visenya. 

The Targaryen Princess looked down at her swollen stomach, "You're quite the fertile little girl aren't you? What is this? The second?" She looked up at her with a dark look in her eyes and a smirk pulling at her full lips. Alicent shuddered. 

Visenya had grown into her features, ones that her twisting into a more womanly version of her younger self. Her cheekbones were more defined than ever and her face had slimmed. Her lips had become full and were often curled in a malicious smile or smirk. Her lavender eyes had darkened into a deep indigo and it gave her a sultry look.

She scared Alicent she had to admit. The girl knew what Visenya was capable of. "Listen Alicent. You are not my Queen and you never will be. You do not command me. And if you ever do, you might find yourself to have lost your head in your sleep," Visenya whispered it with a tone that seemed almost innocent yet entirely threatening. 

"That is treason, I could have you killed."

"What man would approach me when I ride The Cannibal?" Visenya smirked. She was well aware that no knight would dare harm her as long as Meranax was her mount. The two were freakishly bonded, more so than other dragons and riders. It was almost as if they had a psychic bond and were able to hear each other's thoughts. As if on cue a deep growl resonated through the city. Alicent swallowed thickly.

Visenya pushed past her and entered the Keep. She changed quickly and made her way to the courtyard where the party was ready to depart. Viserys smiled brightly at the sight of his daughter, "Ah Visenya, wonderful for you to join us."

"Like I had a choice," she responded coldly as she got into the litter. Rhaenyra, Alicent, three nurses and Aegon were already seated inside. Viserys got in and they began to pull off. On their way to the Kingswood, Visenya watched in disgust as Aegon put his toys in his mouth along with his hand and almost his foot at one point. 

"Well isn't this splendid. The whole of our family, off to celebration and adventure in the Kingswood." The Princesses forced a smile. They went over a bump in the road and Alicent held her stomach, Rhaenyra looked her up and down. 

"Should you be travelling in such a condition?" she asked. It was no secret that the love that once passed between them was now null and void. Rhaenyra only asked in hopes that Alicent would return to the Keep. 

"The Maester said that being to in nature would do me well."

"Well, you both will be with your own child sooner than late," Viserys said as he fed his son wine, "And make me a proud grandsire."

"I'd rather impale myself with Morghul," Visenya responded bluntly. 

"It's not so bad. The days are long, but Aegon came quickly and without fuss," Alicent smiled. 

The litter descended into a tense silence. Viserys looked at his eldest who was staring at her half-brother in disgust, "Hold him Visenya."

Visenya's head snapped toward him, "No."

"Yes, it'll be good for you to bond," Viserys said, taking the boy and passing him off to his daughter. Visenya held him away from her as he gurgled gently. 

"You may speak to him, Princess," said one of the nurses, "He can form some words."

"He should, he's two," said Visenya. Rhaenyra watched in amusement as Visenya spoke to the child, "Visenya. Say it."

"Your vanity's showing, Enya," Rhaenyra chuckled. 

The girl rolled her eyes and repeated her name to the child. In return, she was rewarded with, "Viss..."

"That was utterly disappointing," Visenya muttered as the nurses, Alicent and Viserys clapped, "I've had enough of the beast, take it Rhaenyra." She passed the child off to her sister and wiped her hands on the seat of the litter. 

Rhaenyra attempted the same thing and got, "Nyra," back in response and her hair was pulled by the boy's tiny hands. Once that was over and the child was back in his nurse's arms, the litter was silent once more until Viserys spoke, "You should ride out with me today. Join in the chase."

"We'd rather not," Rhaenyra stated, glancing at Visenya's face, "The boars scream like children when they're being slaughtered," Aegon made a noise as he played with his toy, "I find it discomforting."

"It's a hunt, girls. How would you like to participate?" Viserys asked. 

"I'm not sure why we must," Visenya replied bewildered. 

"Because you are my daughters... The Princesses. And you have duties."

"As we are ceaselessly reminded," Rhaenyra grumbled. The nurses looked awkward. 

"I'm sorry?"

"As we are ceaselessly reminded," Rhaenyra repeated loudly. 

"You wouldn't need to be reminded if you ever attended to them," Viserys replied with a small smile. 

Rhaenyra shook her head as Visenya leaned hers against the walls of the litter, already bored of the conversation, "No one's here for us."

Finally, they arrived at their site. Tents had been set up and the lords clapped as they entered. They stepped out of the litter and they clapped louder. One man spoke, "Hail, hail Aegon the Conqueror Babe, Second of His Name! Here's to His Grace on his second name day!" 

Both girls remained in the litter as the people cheered, "I despise this," Visenya stated. 

"As do I, sister," Rhaenyra responded. They waited until everyone had gone into the feasting tent to join them. 

They looked around the tent, where people spoke and ate with joy. The two walked arm in arm around the tent until they stopped where all the women were talking overhearing a conversation that interested them. 

"Lady Johanna was reported to have been abducted when one of Lord Swann's ships sailed through the Stepstones," said one Lady. 

"What will happen to Lady Johanna?" asked Alicent from opposite her. 

"She's to be sold to a pillow house in the Free Cities if you believe the rumours," she replied. 

A man approached them, one of Lord Strong's sons. Visenya was not aware of his name. He spoke, "I fear the gods did not make me for hunting. Might I sit with you, my ladies?" Visenya looked down at his foot which was clasped in a metal boot and turned unnaturally inward. 

"But of course. Please join us," said Alicent, "Larys Strong, the youngest son of our Master of Laws, Lord Lyonel."

"My Lord husband says that no King has ever been able to tame the Stepstones for long. It's an inhospitable place suited only for savages," stated the woman from before. 

The two girls moved to hear the conversation better and were spotted, "Perhaps the Princesses... can give us some insight."

Rhaenyra chuckled, "I'm not sure how we could. We've never been to the Stepstones."

"Your dear uncle is the great mind behind this war. Is he not?"

"I wouldn't know. I've not spoken to Daemon in years," Rhaenyra replied.

 Visenya responded at the same time, "Of course he is. He's enforcing the King's justice." 

The ladies looked between them at their different answers. Visenya often wrote letters to him about her time in Kings Landing and he told her about the war at the Stepstones. At the moment, it was becoming quite a hassle.

"Since you supplanted him as heir," said Lady Ceira.

"Daemon made his choices Lady Ceira," Alicent replied. Visenya's eyes narrowed at her. Clearly, she was suggesting that Daemon did this out of his own bloodthirstiness and not the good of the realm. If the Triarchy had come to Kings Landing, they'd be at war now and not having this conversation, "The Princess was more suited to the role."

"He's made a mess and the King must put an end to it. Send fleets and men and clear out the Triarchy for good," another lady said stroking her pup. This was the Lady Redwyne.

"But the Crown is not at war," Rhaenyra looked down at her. 

"The Crown... is at war, Princess. Though your father refuses to admit it, we've been dragged into it by your uncle and The Sea Snake. But it shall soon all be over."

"Pardon?" Visenya questioned. By her limited knowledge, the Crown was not attempting to enter the war at the Stepstones and the opposing forces were locked in a stalemate. 

"Daemon and the Sea Snake are losing. Their sellswords and mercenaries are pulling back and no one is going to save them now. Serves them right for disobeying the King," Lady Redwyne responded. 

"And how have you served the realm of late, Lady Redwyne?" Rhaenyra asked. 

"By eating cake?" Visenya continued as her head tilted to the side and she fixed the woman with a withering stare that made her flinch. The pup in her arms ate the last slice of said cake off her plate as the circle quietened. 

The two took their leave but went in different directions. Visenya walked toward her father in anger. She looked at the guards beside him, "Leave us."

"What is it Visenya?" 

"Your brother is fighting a war and you sit here with your army and your dragons and you do nothing?" Visenya cried in discontent. She could hardly believe her father. That was his blood, his brother no matter how much he was angry with him.

"Visenya there is nothing I can do," Viserys shook his head. 

"There is, you can help," Visneya stated. 

"I can't. I can't put the realm at risk," Viserys said. 

Visenya scoffed and exited the tent. She wished to scream. To throw something at someone. To kill something. Visenya made a quick decision and moved toward the horses. She evaded her guard, a man by the name of Waltyr Baelish. He was a nice man, fairly young with a bit of experience in battle but not much. He was the best Visenya could've gotten. 

She mounted a horse and rode off through the Kingswood toward the Red Keep. 

Night fell quickly and by the time Visenya made it to the Dragonpit, the moonlight shone overhead. She entered the caverns and walked toward where Meranax was kept. He purred gently at her, sensing her presence. His body was barely visible, only the jade-green eyes blinking at her told her where he was. 

It was too late to go anywhere now but she would take off at first light. She patted her dragon gently, "We're going to help Daemon, Meranax." He leaned into her touch, "You'll get to see Caraxes again. I know you like him, even though you pretend not to."

His gentle snarl almost said, "I do not like him."

She chuckled, "You do, my love. Come, we must rest. We'll leave at first light." 

Then, she mounted him and gave him the command to take to the skies. She knew where the Stepstones were, she knew the route she had to take from King's Landing. She banked left and Meranax's large wings flapped. By her estimation, they should arrive in a day's ride.

The ride was relaxing and it gave Visenya time to think about what she was to say to Daemon and Corlys as to why she was there. She would lie, she decided; tell them that her father had sent her.

The next evening, she arrived.  The sun had not gone down yet and light was still present. She assessed what was going on from the skies in between the clouds. She could see Caraxes flying below and ships being attacked as they wove through the islands of the Stepstones. The Blood Wrym landed on one of the islands and Visenya saw that it was housing a few hundred men, from what she could see Daemon was atop his mount. 

Her gaze was removed from the man as a crash echoed through the air. A firey ball was sent toward one of the ships. She frowned, noticing it was one of Corlys'. She ordered her dragon to dive down toward the attacker. He shot through the clouds with a loud screech. 

From the island, Daemon Targaryen watched as a very familiar dragon dipped from the clouds and dove toward where their attackers were launching fire barrels at their ships. His frown deepened as his suspicions were confirmed as the dragon breathed bright green fire, the telltale sign that it was the Cannibal. He was completely and utterly confused. He'd just received a letter from King's Landing saying that his brother was sending a fleet of ten ships so why was Visenya there? 

Then, the dragon turned toward the island and swooped low. It landed beside Caraxes and Daemon stared as the woman dismounted her dragon and strode toward him. She was completely different from the last time he'd seen her. Darker eyes, fuller lips and sharper cheekbones. Each time he saw her she seemed to get more beautiful and more like what he imagined the perfect Valyrians looked like. 

"Daemon," she greeted. 

"Visenya," he spoke calmly, despite the hammering of his heart. He'd beaten a man near half to death not even five minutes ago and here he was suddenly admiring the woman Visenya had become, "Why are you here?"

"I've come to help. It seems you need it," she motioned to the other island where the attackers were still burning with mixed green and orange flame. 

"We do, but why did you come? For me, I hope," Daemon asked, a smirk pulling at his lips. Visenya rolled her eyes, "Do you miss me that much?"

"I only wish you to live, Daemon, nothing else," she responded curtly as brushed past him and spoke to Corlys, "Myself and my dragon are at your service, Lord Corlys."

"Thank you for the relief, Princess," Corlys smiled gratefully. He did not know why she was there, but hopefully, with Meranax, Caraxes and Seasmoke, they could have the war done by the end of the day. Daemon turned and stood beside Visenya as Corlys informed her of their situation. 

He studied the way her eyes roamed over the battle board they had set up and how her jaw clenched as she realised how utterly trapped they were by the Triarchy. His gaze moved from her face and down her body. She was wearing her riding leathers, but strapped to the curve of her hip was the dagger he'd given her all those years ago. It made his lips twitch in a smile before Corlys filled him in on the plan they were discussing before his arrival. 

Eventually, when the plan was set —the people around the table confident it would work— Visenya pulled Daemon aside. 

"I wish you good fortune, Daemon. I shall be in the skies waiting for your command," she spoke softly, looking up at him. 

"I do not need good fortune, Senya. This war should be over in an hour, without my brother's help," Daemon responded. He was glad she would be staying in the air. No matter if she had experience with swords, he didn't want her in harm's way.

As a piece of hair fell from his braid, Visenya sighed, "Turn and sit." Daemon did as told without hesitation and she stood behind him. Her fingers weaved through his soft hair and undid the collapsing braid he had done in his hair. Daemon allowed his eyes to drop closed as her fingers gently tugged at his hair. Visenya wove it back carefully, putting the rubber band at the bottom, "All done, you now look all pretty," she teased.

"I feel we must have matching braids, Senya, to show the Triarchy our unity," Daemon replied as he stood. 

Visenya chuckled and turned. Daemon was taller than her so there was no need for her to sit like he did for her. His hands grazed her neck sending shivers down her spine. He tugged gently at her wavy strands, pulling them into a single braid expertly. Visenya smiled once he was done and he put it on her shoulder. 

He rested his hands there and they looked out onto the islands. 

"Be careful," Visenya said. 

"I shall be," Daemon replied before hesitantly kissing the crown of her head before walking toward the little rowboat that was prepared for him. She watched from the cliffs as he began to row out to the main battlefield island. 

Visenya was to take to the skies on Meranax and Caraxes was to follow since he listened to her. She was to watch from the large shroud of clouds gathering and wait for the signal. What the signal was, Visenya didn't know. She mounted Meranax and commanded, "Sōvētēs!" Meranax took a running start and his footsteps made a thundering noise before he flapped his large wings and rose into the sky. Caraxes followed. 

She watched as Daemon began to cut down men after waving a white banner. He was running toward where the leader of the Triarchy, the Crabfeeder, was standing at the entrance of some caves. Men poured out of them and toward Daemon, but Dark Sister swung violently through them all. 

Arrows were notched and flew toward the Targaryen man but he evaded them as he ran. Visenya became worried. He would not be able to evade them forever and she didn't exactly know what the signal was. Just as she was thinking such, Daemon was impaled by two arrows, one in the chest, the other in the leg. 

He crawled toward a small covering— the remnants of a ship hull— but it offered no protection as it was missing boards. Arrows continued to fly through it and Visenya was sure that Daemon must've been hit by now. 

Caraxes snarled, flapping his wings vigorously and attempted to help his rider, "Not yet Caraxes. Dohaerās."

However, he stood, Dark Sister gripped tightly in his hands as members of the Triarchy surrounded the ship's remains. She could see Corlys' army charging toward the Crabfeeder, but no one was helping Daemon. She frowned but as Daemon raised Dark Sister high into the air, she realised that was she signal, "Embrot!" 

The two dragons dove down toward the army surrounding Daemon and she gave the command, "Dracarys!" 

Orange and green fire mixed as it rained down upon the Triarchy army. From her side, she could see that the blast from the flames had knocked Daemon back and she chuckled. Behind her, she could see Laenor riding Seasmoke and breathing fire onto other Triarchy members. 

Caraxes landed beside his rider, but Daemon waved him off, telling him to continue on with Visenya and Meranax as the woman and her dragon all but decimated their opponents. Then Daemon followed the Crabfeeder into his cave. 

Visneya shouted, "Dracarys!" as she flew over the mountains. Triarchy archers were burned in her wake. Arrows from the other side simply bounced off Meranax's body and he turned toward them in anger. He swooped low and Visenya chuckled. It had been a while since he'd had a good feast, "Kisās!" At the command, Meranax opened his large jaws wide and devoured the men. 

As they circled back, Visenya saw Daemon exit the cave, dragging the body of the Crabfeeder— but only half. He was soaked in blood and his hair was red with it.

Visenya sighed as she entered the tent Corlys had set up for her. She was going to stay at the Stepstones for the night and then ride back to King's Landing on the morrow. She stopped short as she noticed Daemon sitting on her bed. He was all clean now, save for a few specks of blood in his hair. 

"You fought well, Enya," he commented as she walked further inside. 

"I did not do any actual fighting, I simply gave the command for my dragon to rain fire upon your enemies," Visenya shrugged. She was slightly disappointed she was not able to put her training to use, but she was glad that the war was over. 

"You fought well," he repeated as he shifted. He grimaced, pressing a hand to his stomach and Visenya shot him a look of worry. 

"You have not yet been patched?"

"I wanted to see you first," Daemon responded. Visenya shook her head. He had removed his bloody armour and he was now left in his leathers. Visenya stopped in front of him and gave him an expecting look. He stood and she helped him to where a few people were tending to the injured. 

Daemon was made to sit on a chair as the doctors pulled the arrowheads from his skin. He flinched as the last one was removed and the doctor wrapped his shoulder. 

"Do you feel better now?"

"I would feel better if my wounds were kissed better," he responded. 

Visenya laughed, "I'm sure your Lady wife would love to indulge you. Good night, Daemon. I do hope you don't die from your injuries." 

"Good night, Senya."