"Why have you come to my land, Prince Jacaerys Targaryen?" The God-Empress of Leng Nara Zhai spoke, her voice echoing out through the chamber. Just like her body, her voice was perfect in almost every way. Soft and melodic, but also quite stern as a leader should have.
It made Jace wonder if she truly was divine in some sort of way. He was used to the looks of awe and adoration when people looked at him; Targaryens with very few exceptions were always beautiful, more so than those descended from the andals and first men. While it wasn't a wide margin it was still noticeable, especially if you pit the most beautiful Targaryen against the most beautiful Lannister or Tyrell or Tully. The reason he thought about this was because looking at the God-Empress simply made him feel ugly. He felt how he imagined one of the small folk felt when seeing him.
Though those philosophical thoughts were quick to be disregarded as he continued to ogle her. She wore close to nothing and if he focused his eyesight he might be able to catch a glimpse of nipple. 'I wonder if they're golden as well?' He thought with a grin stretched across his face.
"The God-Empress has asked you a question!" The herald shouted, as he flared daggers at Jace. This had the effect of bringing him out of his leering and giving him a chance to compose himself.
"Apologises...*cough*... I was merely awestruck by your beauty, so radiant it is that it took my breath away," he was laying it on a bit thick but that's what these types liked—being made to seem much more important than they were. Though in the case of Nara he would definitely agree. Despite maintaining his composure he was still ogling her; not just her, also her handmaidens and pretty much every woman there. 'I love this place already...' he thought to himself.
"I shall repeat the question, though it will be the only time I do so," Nara stated sternly as her eyes narrowed on the Young Targaryen Prince. "Why have you come to my land?"
"Merely as an explorer your grace," Jace replied with a slight incline of his head. "I have always wanted to see every ocean in this world and set foot on every land that rises from them," he said. "As my grandsire did before me."
One of the attendants leaned to Nara's ear and spoke quietly. She listened without moving, then lifted her gaze back to him. "Your grandsire," Nara said. "Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake." She did not ask. "My mother greeted him in this hall and welcomed him to this island many years ago."
"I am glad to hear our houses have known good accord," Jace said, and he gave her a small smile that he hoped read as respectful and not as hungry as the thoughts he was trying to smother. But honestly it was hard to think of anything else apart from those thighs being wrapped around his head.
"He stole from us," Nara replied. "Rare spices. Costly to grow. Harder still to cure and keep."
Jace's smile died. Seven hells. 'That would have been a fine thing to note down in the tale old man.' He cleared his throat. "I offer apology for any slight done you then," he said, and he let out a short laugh that fooled no one. "It seems my grandsire was a bit of a fool back in his day."
Nara raised a hand and the murmur on the side benches hushed at once. "I am not so unjust as to hold you to account for another man's theft," she said.
"You are wise, Your Grace," Jace said quickly.
"But," she said, "I would be a fool to bid you roam my island unbound, when men in your place have much to gain by theft."
"I understand your care," Jace said. "Yet I seek no cargo and no measure of your harvest. I came to look, to learn, and to leave. Your people, your city, your temples, your court, there is beauty here, and I would know it. That is the whole of it."
Her eyes narrowed as fi she were attempting to read his thoughts. "Do not think us dull, Jacaerys Targaryen," she said. "Your name carries far, even across the Jade Sea."
He said nothing to that because protest only makes a charge feel truer, but she did not leave the matter there.
"You and that sellsword company of yours," Nara went on.
Jace lifted a hand. "If truth be told, our 'company' is hardly more than a couple of companions and some rough sailors. A few dozen blades at most, and half of those are drunk most go the time."
"Is that so?" she said with one of her perfectly trimmed brows tilting.
"It is," he said.
"That is a shame," Nara said without a blink. "For I am of a mind to hire a sellsword company."
Jace did not miss a beat. "Did I say a few dozen?" He spread his hands. "A few hundred is the more honest count, once our out-riders and ship-levies are gathered. I spoke small out of habit. We do not boast unless pressed." He saw the small corner of her mouth twitch before she hid it, and he filed that away with the other useful things he had learned about her in the last minute. Namely that she did in fact have golden tipped nipples; though they were a darker gold than her skin was.
"I see... that is good news," she commented.
"May I ask what service Your Grace seeks?" Jace said.
Nara paused and turned her head toward the dais to her right where ministers and counselors sat in their ordered ranks. A dozen faces looked back, all made sure not to look her in the eyes. She looked to him again. "My sister is missing," she said. "She rode inland with a small train to visit a ruined city there. She did not return on the appointed day. I would have you find her."
Chairs scraped behind her as two men rose at once and began to object, and one voice carried above the rest. "Your Radiance, this was not put to the council and ought—" began Minister Kaiv.
Nara did not even look at him. "I am not finished speaking," she sternly which had the effect of silencing everyone in the room. The minister and client his head before sitting down, and whispered an apology, though it was easy to say that he wasn't happy about it.
She faced Jace. "In return for your service I will pay in coin, spices, or gems as suits you, and not in paltry sums. I will load your holds to the beams if that is your wish. Only bring my sister back to me, or failing that bring me truth enough to grieve."
"Your Grace—" Kaiv tried again, seemingly summoning up the courage to directly contradict the God empress.
"Remove him from my court," Nara said.
Four guards moved from the base of the throne as if they had waited for the order all morning. They took Kaiv by the arms and walked him out while he sputtered about process and insult and the rights of ministers. No one else stood. Nor did anyone try and speak up for him.
Nara's attention did not waver. "What say you, Prince Jacaerys Targaryen? Do you accept?"
Jace rubbed his chin "Your offer would tempt any captain with breath in his body," he said. "Yet I have fellows to answer for, and men who look to me for coin and leadership both. I cannot pledge their lives or our ships on my word alone without hearing them. If it please Your Grace, grant me leave to speak with my captains, and I will return with an answer."
Nara considered him in silence long enough to make Jace worried that she was going to decline. Then she inclined her head once. "I will allow it," she said. "You will have two days. On the second day I will send for you again. If you accept, we will settle terms in private." She rose from the throne and in doing so gave Jace a full view of her behind even if it was covered in thin silk. "Until then, you are a guest, and you will act the part."
Jace did not trust his tongue more than he had to, so he bowed and kept his face angled down until she turned away. As a result of her sitting down her bum cheeks almost swallowed the fabric she wore across her hips; it gave Jace a perfect outline of her behind, and almost broke his diplomatic mask. 'Edryck is going to be pissed he didn't get to see this,' he thought to himself. A smile formed on his face as he considered letting Edryck stay in a cell till they left so he would never have the experience of being with a Lengii Woman.
'He might actually cry...' Jace thought having to stifle a small chuckle.
"The God-Empress has ended the audience," the herald announced. He jerked his chin at a pair of palace guards. "Escort the prince to the outer court, escort the other prisoners there as well."
Various guards around the room move immediately and headed towards Jace. They are a lot more courteous and gentle this time and merely escorted him outside by showing him the way. They took him into the outer court area where Jace let them know that he would be fine here. They seemed a little hesitant to let him go, but Jace told them he wanted to look around before he went to his chambers and that he wasn't in any danger nor would he be any trouble. This seemed enough to convince them and the guards left him which left Jace on his own in the outer court.
Jace stretched as he looked around. The palace here really looked like a paradise. It wasn't as grand or as impressive as the Red Keep; but it seemed to blend in more with the jungle around it making it seem natural. It also didn't smell like shit which was an added benefit. The entire palace itself was built on a large hill almost big enough to be considered a mountain; it overlooked the port city below and gave an amazing view of the Jade Sea. Jace walked to one of the walls in the courtyard, beyond the wall was a sheer drop into the jungle below. "That's quite the view..." he muttered to himself as he looked across the ocean.
'Helaena would've loved this...' he thought to himself. He found himself thinking about Helaena often these days. When he first left Westeros he tried to not think about her, he tried to think of what he was doing, that it was necessary, that there was no other way.
It didn't help.
Helaena and he were destined for each other and he couldn't deny that anymore than he could deny he was a Targaryen. He wished that she could've come with him, but both of them knew that it wouldn't work. In the end what hurt most was how understanding she was about it—about the reason he needed to leave. He didn't deserve her, nor any of the others who've shown him love and loyalty.
'What if she's married.'
'She has children.'
'She's happy you're gone.'
"Shut up,' Jace muttered to himself. He was too smart for such foolish thoughts, he knew Helaena wouldn't do that.
'Still foolish enough to leave her in the first place.'
Jace raised his brow. "You got me there," he sighed.
"I'm sorry?" A voice said behind him.
Jace turned around and was greeted with the vision of one of the men from the court. If he remembered correctly he was the man that had spoken out against the God-Empress when it came to the matter of hiring his company. He was like all Lengii, annoyingly attractive; though he had a slightly weathered face which betrayed his age. He wore an outfit similar to the ones he had seen in Yi-Ti which were robes that wrapped around each other and were held with a belt. Though his looked to be of a much higher quality than the ones he had seen.
"I apologise, I was just talking to my self," Jace said with a sheepish grin. "Helps me to organise my thoughts."
The man lifted his head an made an 'ah' sound. "I too have moments where I need to reflect on my thoughts, I am Minister Kaiv Zai Shar, but please call me Minister Kaiv." He inclined his head respectfully. "May I join you," he asked.
Jace smiled. "Of course," he said, gesturing with his hand. The man slid in beside him, taking in the view of the sun reflecting off of the ocean.
Jace leaned back against the wall and watched the man next to him, it was easy to tell that he wasn't really looking at the ocean; he just pretended to so he could make himself look better than he actually was. Jace had seen this technique used many times throughout the years. Which meant this was going to be either a warning or a threat, either way it would be amusing.
"Her Radiance was not exaggerating when she said she heard of your exploits across Essos," Minister Kaiv finally said as he looked back at Jace.
"I'm sure the tales are exaggerated, I try to keep myself out of most matters," Jace said with his arms folded.
Minister Kaiv raised an eyebrow. "So is it not true that you slew Khal Dulo the Mighty in single combat, a Dothraki with nearly 50,000 warriors in his horde?"
Jace chuckled. "He wasn't as good as the tales made him out to be."
"They say that you then killed all of his blood riders and took command of his horde as their new Khal," Kiav kept on.
"Blood riders are expected to follow their Khal into the Night Lands, they wanted to do so against me which I could respect," Jace said with a shrug, he almost wanted to roll his eyes at the infamy this story had gotten. The Khal was a good fighter, but Edryck could probably take him and the man's one foot in the grave already at his age.
"Still impressive by any margin," Kaiv said, his voice laced with respect—though Jace could recognise it was false.
Jace shrugged again. "See not an interesting tale I'm afraid, I was just in the right place at the right time. I know a dozen other warriors who could've killed the Khal in my place and they been there."
Kaiv nodded slowly, before a small smirk made its way onto his face. "Would they also murder nearly a hundred thousand men, women and children?"
Jace paused, the easy expression on his face melting away as he looked at Kaiv with a dead eyed expression. So intense was his expression that when he pushed off the wall the minister actually moved back a few steps. "Where did you hear that," Jace said in a blank tone, almost as if a ghost was talking.
The minister felt himself sweat at the intensity of the expression. "You are dangerous man Prince Jacaerys, I would not be doing my job if I didn't keep track of someone like you."
"Someone like me?" Jace said blankly.
"Yes, a man like you," he repeated. "Someone who is second in line to the Iron Throne, someone who has cheated, lied and stolen across all of Essos. Someone who has fought countless battles and not lost a single one, someone who has a fully grown adult dragon at his command. Someone who had the cunning to lead the Dothraki he took a command of back to Vaes Dothrak and burn it all to the ground."
Kaiv seemingly emboldened by his words stepped forward. "Yes Prince Jacaerys you are a dangerous man and if I had my way you would not set foot on Leng."
Jace looked at him for a while the same blank dead eyed stare on his face, to the point where the man was starting to sweat again. Suddenly, the expression disappeared and a smile formed in its stead. "You make me almost sound like a Dark God," he said with a chuckle. "I can assure you I'm not as dangerous as I seem. The whole ordeal with the Dothraki? I thought Essos would be a better place without those raiders, pillaging and raping. I couldn't kill all of them, but I managed to get a decent number."
Kaiv paused for a moment as he took in Jace's words. In the end he just smiled, the perfect smile, one Jace had seen a million times in Kings Landing. "I see that is good to hear and gives me a small amount of relief. But I digress it is not the reason I came to speak with you today."
Jace crossed his arms. "Oh? Then pray tell what is the reason?" He asked.
Kaiv pretended to look like he was struggling to broach his subject, Jace had to hold back a laugh at how obviously he was. "It is in regards to her Radiance," he replied.
"Do you believe her to be in the wrong for not punishing me for my grandsires crimes?" He asked purposely playing oblivious.
He shook his head. "No of course, I am of the same mind that children should not suffer the sins of their father." He replied.
"What I speak of is the offer she made to you, to hire your sellsword company to find her sister," he explained.
"A strange job for a sellsword company," Jace commented.
Kaiv laughed. "Indeed it is! Which is why I must ask you to decline her offer. Her radiance... has not been the same since her sister went missing a sennight ago. She is struck with grief and holds onto hope that simply does not exist, which is why I beg thee to decline her offer. Until she is able to move on from this tragic affair Leng will have a ruler unable to care for her people."
Jace hummed along as the man spoke, and occasionally nodded. "A sennight ago? I find it strange that the search for someone so important would be called off so quickly."
"Once you venture from the roads jungles inland are perilous, hooded apes and many tigers make their homes there," Kaiv replied with a grave expression on his face.
"Hooded apes you say?" Jace commented.
"Indeed, apes the size of giants, while very few in number these days they are still dangerous."
"I understand your objections, but I'm sure you can see how difficult a position I am in," Jace said with a wryly smile. "Our ships full to the brim of spice, and more gems than I've ever seen in my life? That is an offer that's hard to refuse."
Kaiv smiled in understanding. "Of course of course la Prince Jacaerys, and for your cooperation I am only willing to compensate you greatly for it, perhaps even more so than her Radiance." the grin on his face was stretched ear to ear.
"I'll still need to speak with my captains, I hope you can understand," Jace said.
"Of course, the burdens of leadership are indeed heavy," he said with a chuckle. "You may contact me at anytime when you reach your decision." He moved away from the wall and started to walk back to the inner palace.
Jace watched him walk away with a grin on his face. He then chuckled and moved away from the wall himself heading towards one of the servants; it had been a while now so Cregan and Edryck should be out. Sara was likely around somewhere and she had the Raven that would summon the rest of the company.
'Time to reunite with the gang.'
_____________________________________
*clack*
*clack*
*thud*
Luke once again fell to the ground as he was disarmed and tripped forwards. He didn't even need to hear the criticism that was no doubt about to come; he'd overextended his swing and unbalanced himself.
"You overextended again my Prince.
"You overextended again, my prince," Ser Erryk said.
"I know," Luke said. He stood. "Again."
Erryk raised his wooden sword. "Guard up."
Luke set his feet. He lifted his blade. Erryk closed the gap.
Erryk cut at Luke's right side. Luke turned his blade and caught it. He slid a step and poked at Erryk's ribs. Erryk beat it away and tapped Luke's shoulder. Luke reset.
Erryk stepped in. He feinted low. Luke bit. Erryk brought the cut high. Luke barely got wood on wood. Erryk shoved and pressed. Luke gave ground and slipped out to the left.
Luke came back fast. A straight cut. Erryk blocked. Luke turned the edge and went for the leg. Erryk took it on his guard and bumped Luke's blade off the line. He hooked Luke's wrist and twisted. Luke lost his grip and the sword dropped. He grabbed it before it hit the dust and backed out.
"Breathe," Erryk said. "Again."
Erryk advanced. A short cut to the forearm. Luke met it and slid inside. He went to bind. Erryk dipped a shoulder and broke contact. Luke swung across the belly. Erryk caught it and rapped Luke's knuckles. Luke hissed and held on.
Luke drove Erryk back with three quick blows. Right. Left. Right. Erryk took each one on his guard and waited. When Luke overreached on the last, Erryk stepped in on the inside line and shouldered him off. Luke stumbled. Erryk flicked at Luke's thigh. Touch.
Joffrey shouted from the rail. "That was good, Luke. Again."
Baela cupped her hands. "Keep your eyes up. He is baiting you."
Rhaena watched in silence.
Luke circled. Erryk changed leads. Luke lunged. Erryk slid back. Luke recovered and cut at the head. Erryk lifted his guard and let the wood glide off. He dropped the point and stabbed at Luke's gut. Luke parried late and felt the tip stamp his vest. He grunted and pivoted out.
"Eyes on my chest, not the blade," Erryk said. "Again."
Luke nodded and came on. He threw a low feint and rose for the neck. Erryk read it and met him mid swing. Wood cracked. They stayed in close. Luke tried to trap the guard. Erryk tore free and snapped at Luke's wrist. The sword flew from Luke's hand and skittered across the yard. Luke dropped to a knee, snatched it, and rolled up to his feet.
"Up," Erryk said, "You're holding your breath. Breathe with the stroke. Eyes on my body, not the sword."
"I am breathing," Luke said, dragging air into a tight chest. "Again."
Erryk shook his head once. "No. Not today. You're past the point where more does harm. You'll start teaching your body the wrong thing."
Luke's mouth opened for the argument, but they were interrupted by the Maester who slowly walked out into the courtyard, his rattling links announcing his arrival. "My prince," Maester Gerardys called, lifting a sealed letter, "a letter just arrived by raven from the capital."
Luke swallowed his answer and moved over to the rack, set the practice sword on it, and took the letter. "Some milk, honeyed please," he told a passing servant, then sat on the bench by the rail while he moved his thumb over the wax seal. Joffrey tore across the yard and nearly tripped in his hurry.
"You looked amazing!" Joff blurted. "You were much better than me and Baela."
"Better than you," Baela cut in with a huff, shouldering him aside. "Not better than me."
"I touched Ser Erryk once time," Joff snapped back.
"On the arm," Baela said. "By luck."
Luke let them bicker and allowed himself a small smile in spite of the dull ache running from his forearms to his shoulders. However heavy the day felt, this part never failed to make it lighter. This was why he let himself feel the weight of the world on a daily basis. He loved his brother, he loved his cousins, he wanted them all to be happy and to grow up without any political manoeuvring ruining their life. He didn't care about the iron throne, even if it looked like he was the unofficial heir—with Jace gone and his mother incapable. He'd give it to Aegon if he had the guarantee they could all live happily here on Dragonstone. But he didn't trust any of the Hightowers or their brood, and he knew they'd go back on their word. So for now he had to play the game.
"What does it say?" Rhaena asked, quiet as ever, taking the space at his side while the servant set a cup in his other hand.
"I am not sure," Luke said. He broke the seal and unfolded the page. He recognised the writing immediately and had to stifle the scowl that almost formed on his face.
_________________________________
Prince Lucerys Velaryon,
His Grace was pleased to receive your letter and has considered its contents with care. After due discussion with the Master of Coin and the Master of Ships, it is resolved that the principal yards and dry docks at King's Landing and at Oldtown best suit the construction, housing, and refit of the royal fleet. As trading harbors they may provision and repair with a speed and economy not to be matched elsewhere. The Crown thanks you for your continued service in keeping the Narrow Sea.
— Lord Otto Hightower,
Hand of the King
________________________________
Heat rose in Luke's face before he could stop it. The words were smooth as oil and just as slippery. It read like a decision already made before his raven left the tower. It was even possible the king had never seen his plea at all. The Hand had a way of turning "considered with care" into "done and dusted."
"Luke?" Rhaena said.
He did not answer at first, so consumed was he with his thoughts. The usual question he had on his mind came to the forefront; what can I do from here? Dragonstone gave him stone walls and a roof over the people he loved, most of all protection, but it provided no voice in the room where choices were made. The small council had long since been filled with the greens. He worked hours tirelessly trying to push back only for the ground under him to slide anyway; he had to do something different as this wasn't working. If he meant to push back, he would have to go where the pushing could be felt. King's Landing was a vipers nest and he would be walking into it alone. No allies at that table, no certain protection, and no guarantee he would walk back out again. Kill him and there would be no one to hold the line. Joffrey was brave but too young, he wouldn't be able to handle leading the family.
His grandfather was useless as well. Corlys answered fewer letters each year. Grief had hollowed him and Rhaenys both. His grand uncle Vaemond and his brood ran most of the fleet now and were glad of it. When Luke had asked Lord Vaemond to help, the reply had been empty courtesies and a big fat no. Despite him being the heir to Driftmark. Of course vaemond didn't recognise that as he believed the rumours that him and Joffrey were bastards.
'Rumors...' Luke thought, and let out a short laugh that had no humor in it. 'Aye. Rumors....' Jace was the trueborn of the lot, and the only one not here.
He set the letter down, stood, and found the place inside where the feelings went when there was work to do. "Ser Erryk," he said.
"My prince," Erryk answered, coming to him at once.
"Raise a party for King's Landing. I will be going there for the foreseeable future, send a raven to announce my arrival. I will fly ahead on Arrax."
"As you command," Erryk said, and left at a brisk pace.
"We're going to King's Landing?" Joff gasped, his eyes wide. Baela's chin lifted in the same instant.
"No," Luke said, and both faces fell at once.
"Why not?" Joff demanded. "I want to see the tourney grounds and the Dragonpit and the—"
"Because it is business," Luke said, choosing the lie that would worry them least. "It will be all work. If you came, you would be kept to the library with me, reading tall books until your eyes crossed."
Joff made a face. "That sounds awful."
"It does," Luke agreed. "Go on. See if the kitchens will spare you a tart before supper."
Joff shot away at once. Baela lingered half a breath longer with a look that said she disliked being handled and then turned and stalked after him. Rhaena stayed. She stood when he did and folded her hands.
"What is the real reason?" she asked.
He met her eyes. She did not look away. "Danger," he said. "There is none to speak for us there. If I bring you, I put a mark on you and give them a blade to hold to my throat."
"Then why go?" Her voice did not rise, but the hurt lay plain in the question.
"Because if I do not, they will keep stripping us piece by piece until there is nothing," he said. "I will be careful. Do not fret yourself sick over me."
She stepped in and hugged him hard. "You had better," she said into his shoulder. She let him go and tried for a small smile. "I will keep them busy. They will not burn the island down while you're gone."
"I know you will," Luke said. "Keep Baela from climbing the sea tower after dark. Keep Joff from fighting the squires, I hear they are getting annoyed at letting him win. Also make sure they both eat what is put in front of them and not just sweet things."
"I already do," she said.
He nodded, squeezed her hand once, and left the yard. He took a horse from the nearest post and crossed the causeway to the pit. The keepers had the outer doors open and a pair of boys with ash on their sleeves led him through the first arch without fuss. Arrax filled his usual bay like a ship in a harbor. He had grown to the length of a carriage and then some, with a chest wide enough to take a man's two arms to circle. He swung his head when Luke stepped in and blew a hot breath that smelled of old meat and smoke.
"Lykīri, Arrax," Luke said. (Calm, Arrax.) The dragon's neck lowered by a hand's span, and the muscles along his side eased under Luke's touch. Luke rubbed the warm scales in slow circles and rested his brow to the hide. "Sȳz bōsa," he murmured. (Good boy.) "Sȳz tolvys ñuha raqiros." (It is good to see you, my friend.) Arrax huffed again and shifted, letting Luke come along his shoulder to the place where the saddle waited, oiled and buckled.
"Skoros īlon gaomagon?" he asked softly. (Are you ready for a ride?) Arrax tilted his head. "We fly to the city," he said in the common tongue. He had to do this, he had to protect his family.
Even if it killed him.
(AN: For anyone worrying about Jace being away on his adventures for too long don't worry he won't be in leng for that long and when he leaves it'll be back to Westeros. Just let him bang his golden maidens first. Luke meanwhile is having s lot of trouble keeping the family safe and protecting them all. He's decided Kings landing is where he needs to start pushing back, perhaps he will run into a few familiar faces. Anyway hope you liked the chapter.)
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