THERE WERE EXACTLY THREE THINGS ASTRIS ENJOYED.

She loved to decorate herself with dresses fashioned from Pentoshi velvets. Jewelry that sparkled in the sun always drew her eye-- And when she found the time, her bed would often be warmed by the company of a comley woman.

Astris adjusted the serving maid's clothes to her body. The material was quite ill-fitting and scratchy. There surely were many other ways for her to go about this, however her lady commanded her to be inconspicuous.

Rhaella Targaryen could be quite dull, but only sometimes. Astris's pale cheeks flushed at the thought of her--Quite conniving, Lady Rhaella was, it was perhaps one of her favorite things about the Targaryen girl.

The gargles of a woman brought Astris out of her trance. She looked down to her feet, a sickly hand gripping the fabrics of her dress.

The real serving maid, one whom she had whisked away to one of the cellars was currently choking to death. Astris initially thought to use a dagger, but Rhaella had stressed the importance of not making a mess.

And while the blood would've been an inconvenience, witchery does not set in so quickly.

Especially ones regarding poison.

"It shouldn't go on for too much longer." Astris cheerily assured, crouching down to meet the woman's terrified eyes.

Astris was only met with gags, a rather poor attempt to form anything coherent.

"Hm?" Astris brought her ear closer. Her dark eyes widened slightly, as a thought occurred to her.

"Ah!" Astris exclaimed. "How could I forget!"

She piled her long dark hair to the top of her head, snatching the maid's cap and securing it over herself.

Satisfied, Astris looked to the now-dead woman. She nudged her body with the heel of her shoe for good measure.

One of the other maids had told her about a meeting that was to take place momentarily. Since she had assumed the role of serving girl,it was more than perfect timing.

Wandering into the halls, Astris took in the sight of the Red Keep. It was indeed impressive, but Pentos was far better.

"What do you think you're doing?" A shrill voice snapped in her direction. Astris turned to see the figure of another maid, an older woman looking rather bothered.

But before Astris found a care to respond, the woman shoved a pitcher of wine into her hands.

"Get on with it!" The woman ushered her again. "The King shall go mad without his wine!"

So she was to invade the council room? Astris found this far too easy, almost boring.

Astris entered the room, walking into a rather spirited exchange. There the supposed king was, or the drunken cunt as Lady Rhaella referred to him.

No man in the room so much spared her a glance, save for Lord Larys Strong. Rhaella had previously admitted she knew hardly anything about him. But the eerie glance he gave to Astris told her this man was nothing to be trifled with.

"Fuck you!" Aegon lashed out. He paced back and forth whilst everyone watched on.

Perhaps it was better to busy herself immediately. She filled the cup of Lord Jasper, who held a look of slight amusement towards Aegon's tantrum.

"Now Daemon, of all people, has taken Harrenhal." He continued.

Astris's gaze remained to the floor, moving between the chairs and playing the cupbearer.

"There are other worries we can attend to, your grace." Lord Larys speaks finally. His voice was flat, lined with false emotion. It was clear to Astris that he was very well the most dangerous man in the room.

"It's your fucking castle!" Aegon exclaimed. Astris found the whole thing rather funny. This was the cousin lady Rhaella had warned her about? He was more than unserious.

There was a pause in the room, no one had the mind to respond. Astris found the side of the Prince Aemond. There was an air of smugness surrounding him,as if he had expected this much.

Astris could recall how Lady Rhaella would speak of him when they were younger. Even now, there was a present softness when Rhaella found the courage to speak his name-- A sense of constant want that Astris dared not to point out.

But this man was not the dragonless, soft-spoken boy she had heard of.

No, rather he had grown into something terrible, causing her lady much turmoil.

Astris loathed him, but it was not so hard to see why her lady liked him. In a way, his current demeanor reminded her of the lady Rhaella.

As she went to fill his cup, his hand covered the top without so much acknowledging her.

"Harrenhal must wait." Aemond spoke. His eyes shifted towards the boarded map. Astris followed his gaze discreetly, falling over Rooks Rest.

Aegon looked at his brother in confusion, Aemond's implication had flown over his head.

"Criston Cole and his army is marching on Rook's Rest." Aemond continued, walking towards the map.

So Rhaella's theory had been correct. Astris doubted her lady would find any joy in the fact. If successful, the blacks would suffer a devastating blow.

"I gave no such orders." Aegon stuttered out. He wore the crown, but the control belonged to Aemond. Astris briefly wondered if Rhaella had expected this much.

She took her place to the side, in wait to be beckoned for more wine.

"Rook's Rest is weakly defended and close to Dragonstone." Aemond adds, sliding a piece over the castle.

Astris flinched. It was a shrewd plan, one that would force the queen's hand. She wished to send a letter to Rhaella at once.

Aegon seemed to resign, although his face held much contempt. Aemond had more or less dismissed him in front of the council. He averted his attention to Astris, beckoning her over.

"Rhaenyra has more dragons, have you accounted for that," Aegon said with a certain edge. His eyes tracked Astris's form predatorily as she poured wine into the cup.

Aemond hummed out, quiet for a moment. Astris, was more than ready to leave, however, her attempt was halted by Aegon's hand wandering up her hip.

Perhaps she would spare Rhaella the worry and kill him herself. With some semblance of control though, Astris's gave Aegon a dismissive curtsey.

Her first priority would be informing Lady Rhaella have the threat. Secondly, she wished to fill Aegon's bed with roaches.

"Wait a moment." Lord Larys called to her. Astris held back an annoyed sigh.

"My lord?" She did not care to conceal her accent, it was fairly obvious she was a foreigner.

"I do not think I have seen you before?" An accusation veiled by a question. Astris did not shrink, almost welcoming the challenge. Mysaria had taught her far better and as it stood, his threats meant little and less.

Lady Rhaella could not fault her for craving some excitement.

"It is my first day, I hope it wasn't such a fuss," Astris responded. Aemond turned to look at her,a blanketed look on his face.

"I am afraid I am ignorant of foreign lands." Lord Larys said. He was trapping her, however Astris hardly felt like a mouse.

"Please, what is your name?"

"Zahrina." Astris stated. It was the first name that came to her.

"A Mereneese." Lord Jasper mused.

Astris nodded, hands behind her back in nonchalance. "I was born there, my lord."

Lord Larys's hand clutched his walking cane. "That could be true." He pondered aloud.

He came slightly closer, but Astris did not buckle. Her black eyes bored into his apathetically.

"I must say, you look Pentoshi."

At the mention of the city, something twitched in Aemond's face. How much of her did Rhaella mention to him? Astris could only hope it was little.

Astris shrugged. "I couldn't know." Her eyes darted to Aemond. "I am of bastard birth."

Not a complete lie. Only the Gods knew who her mother was, but her father was Prince Reggio of Pentos. She was treated more like a maid than a daughter by him.

It was obvious to Astris that Lord Larys was not quite satisfied, but dismissed her nevertheless.

Astris went straight to the kitchens, intending to make and send her letter immediately.

"The Queen Helaena requested her meal be brought to her," A maid told her.

Astris fiddled with arranging the food in front of her. She knew her lady was fond of Helaena so she attempted her best, though she was a handmaid she never served food before.

"Did you hear about the prince?" Another maid's girlish voice pinged into Astris's ear, annoying her.

"Him and that brothel whore you mean?"

The maid hummed. "He visits her often, the madame Sylvie."

Astris perked up a little. Lady Mysaria had often sent for the madame's girls for employment. So Aemond had found himself company in the streets of silk?

Rhaella would be furious.

Picking up the tray, Astris found herself to Helaena's chamber.

"Uhm..your grace?" Astris said, without knocking.

There was Helaena, crouched in front of a table staring at her bugs. On the carpet was Jaehaera playing with her dolls in silence.

Setting the tray down, Astris decided it was best to leave—no point in bothering with her.

"Do not let her," Helaena spoke suddenly, catching Astris off guard. "She will be unable to control it."

"I'm sorry?" Astris turned back around. Helaena was standing up now,a deadly serious expression engraved onto her face.

"Rhaella," Helaena said. "It wants her to spill blood."

Astris looked around for a moment, wondering if it was smart to linger here any longer.

"I am not sure what you mean"

Helaena fiddled with her fingers for a moment, frantically looking around.

"I saw it, what she is going to do." She hissed out.

Admittedly, Helaena did seem much different from the rest of her family. Astris took a seat on one of the chairs, hungry in curiosity. The Princess could see beyond and Astris immediately wished to know more.

"Is the lady Rhaella in danger?" Astris questioned. Helaena blinked frantically.

"Her fire shall reach the starry sept, many will die."

Astris, with her own magic, was quite limited. Witches in Pentos who could see the future were quite rare, and she was not one of them.

She wondered if valyrian magic worked similarly.

"I see," Astris said. Just how accurate was the Targaryen princess's abilities, the girl's dark eyes glimmered at the prospect.

"Please." Helaena urged, grabbing onto Astris's sleeve. "For the sake of the living and the dead, let not her soul become corrupted."

Astris's lips quirked up into a slight smile. The warning was of no particular consequence, she decided.

For the Gods have chosen Rhaella Targaryen, so who was she to intervene?

----------

THE VOICES OF THE BLACK COUNCIL sounded more like aimless rumble to Rhaella's ears. She should've stayed in her chamber, underneath the pile of blankets that could shield her from everything.

But there she stood, face drawn a blank. Her hair was unbraided,strewn around her shoulders and down her back. Rhaella found slight comfort in one of her more simple black dresses.

Queen Rhaenyra had come up missing, alongside Ser Darklyn, much to Jacaerys' vexation. Even now, he looked particularly enraged.

Rhaella's mind wasn't in such disarray, she might've found it humorous.

"Ser Criston Cole and his host have been using the tree covers in order to hide his movements." Baela continued on. Rhaella realized she had missed most of her sister's words. She blinked slowly in an attempt to focus.

"And what is our heading?" Ser Alfred asked. Rhaella peered down to the painted table.

Rooks Rest. Of this, she was more than sure,but alas the men at the table hardly paid her any mind.

"Their army is moving.. northwest,I believe," Baela said unsurely.

"She believes." The resounding scoffs of Ser Massey pained the end of Baela's sentence.

Rhaella looked towards her grandmother who held the same unchanging face of contemplation. In truth, everyone was quite lost without the queen here.

"You should have burned them when you had the chance." Ser Alfred stated plainly.

"Perhaps you can, when you sight them on your own dragon." Baela is quick to retort, taking her place by Jace's side.

Such flippance would hardly help their standing. The men of the council weren't taking anything she said with much consideration.

"The only reason we know any of this is due to Baela's efforts," Jace said.

Rhaella felt that familiar presence, her eyes shifted up to the tops of the ledges inside the room.

There he was. Staring at her.

'Speak your mind'

"If she would've burned them, it certainly would've saved us some time." Rhaella found her voice, or rather it was pushed out of her.

"And yet, those were not my orders," Baela said.

The two sisters held contact for a moment, slightly tense. Rhaella was in no particular mood to back down though.

"The lady Rhaella speaks true, as of now we know little and less." Ser Bartimos agreed, causing Baela to scoff.

"We know that Cole's host is growing by the day." Rhaenys says finally voicing her opinion.

Criston Cole had been plundering his way through the Crownlands, capturing every castle on the way.

The Blacks were losing, and Rhaella found it particularly annoying. It was a win for Aegon and his pack of fools.

"Have you heard word, from your father?" Ser Gormand asked. The question was for Baela as she was the one who bothered to send letters to the man, keeping him informed of the shocking lack of progress they had made.

Rhaella,on the other hand had not so much picked up a pen in thought of her father. What was the point? If he hadn't answered Baela...

Baela sighed. She was tired, it was clear to Rhaella especially. Their father did that. It only made Rhaella's fury burn brighter.

"No." Baela said.

Rhaella hated him, more so now than before if it was at all possible. The council didn't need them. She for certain did not need him either.

And she was done holding her tongue.

"If only there was someone here to lead us." Ser Alfred mused. "This council is rudderless."

"I'm doing my best to steer it." Princess Rhaenys said sharply. Rhaella thought her grandmother could certainly do more, but for the sake of not embarrassing her, she did not voice it.

"Why should your voice be any louder than ours? , the queen did not name you hand."

The fucking gull of that man.

"Is there naught to be done but whine like a pack of children?" Rhaella snapped abruptly.

Rhaella pushed a piece towards the Twins, where House Frey resided.

"Let us turn our attention to matters we can accomplish," Rhaella stated, her voice calm albeit stern.

"What would that be?" Jace asked.

"House Frey has not yet declared for a side." Rhaella crossed her arms.

She gave a pointed look to Jace. "One of us, should go and ensure their allyship."

"We cannot move without the queen's command, Rhaella," Rhaenys adds however Rhaella disagreed.

"The Queen isn't here."

Silence fell upon the council, considering Rhaellas admittedly shrewd suggestion.

But they needed not to concede as Rhaella could practically see Jace considering, as she intended.

"Furthermore, something must be done in the Crownlands" Rhaella continued.

"Who are you to make such demands?" Ser Massey asked. "You are but a girl, one without a dragon."

"Mind your tongue." Jace defended, and Rhaella was thankful for it. They would be more inclined to give ear if the prince said it.

"There has always been more than one way to conduct a war, Ser Massey," Rhaella said.

Princess Rhaenys looked at her granddaughter with awe, Rhaella's mind was quite intimidating by all accounts. The Lords in the room found it hard to dispute her words.

"My lady, a letter has arrived for you." Elinda interrupted. She handed Rhaella a slip of parchment.

"Pardon me, my lords." Rhaella excused herself into the hallway. She ripped open the letter hastily. It was from Astris, she could tell by the delicate letters written.

She could hear the booming voice of her grandsire in the other room, but she couldn't worry about that now.

My Lady,

Criston Cole and his army is making for Rooks Rest, planning to sack the whole castle. He has already laid waste in Duskendale.

Aegon was half-drunk for the better part of the meeting and seemed to not be privy to this plan or any for that matter.

-It is more likely this was an idea of Aemond's making. I feel as though he shall have a hand in the assault as well.

I am not sure if it is of any note but Aemond has been seeing a madame in the Streets of Silk, perhaps she knows something?

As for Helaena, as you asked..she is looking well and her daughter is quiet,does not speak much.

I hope this served as some help to ease your mind?

--Astris

Whatever joy Rhaella might have felt for standing correct regarding her prediction had been tainted by Aemond.

She did not take him for one to find pleasures in such a grimy place. And what of this madame? She must be quite comely. The more Rhaella imagined it, disgusting jealousy filled her to the brim.

Fine then. Rhaella crumpled the letter angrily, marching back to the room.

"Was it something of note, granddaughter? " Lord Corlys asked upon her return.

Rhaella's face was scarily hardened, the typical apathetic expression she sported was long gone.

"Criston Cole and his army are currently marching on Rooks Rest, as I had previously stated to you all," Rhaella said. "Duskendale has already fallen, the lord was executed."

"And you know this, how?" Ser Alfred questioned. Rhaella sent him a hateful glare, one so harsh that he was forced to avert his eyes from her.

"I have just been informed by my handmaid, she has infiltrated the Red keep."

"Something must be done." Jace exhales. Baela shook her head, wanting to wait for the queen. Rhaella had grown particularly sick of waiting,it was something she had done for the better part of her life.

Watching. Waiting. Longing.

Dragon or not, she could no longer be still.

"We must trust that the queen is working her own plots." Rhaenys said.

But what kind of queen plots without her council members? Whether they were useful or not?

"We need to send a dragon." Jace urged. It was entirely lost on Rhaella that Jace was referring to himself-- If she had Aegarax by now, she could put a swift end to all this bother.

"To where?" The voice of Queen Rhaenyra graced the floor. Ser Darklyn by her side. She was clothed in septa fabrics, stands of hair out of place.

Rhaella and Baela looked at each other, expressions mirroring. It was glaringly obvious that Rhaenyra went to see Alicent.

"To support the war your vassels have been fighting in your absence." Jace spits out in hostiility.

"You went to see Alicent, I presume?" Rhaella spoke out. Rhaenyra blinked in confusion, serving as a further vexation to Rhaella. There was no more room for peace.

"I have inherited eighty years of peace," Rhaenyra said. "I wished to ensure that there was no other way forward."

And in the queen's wait, her enemies thought her weak as did her own council.

"You cannot just venture out on a whim!" Jace exclaimed. Rhaella's mouth twitched slightly. It was satisfying to see him act in such a way.

"Duskendale has been taken,Cole is marching on Rooks Rest." Princess Rhaenys informs the queen.

Rhaenyra's brow furrowed as she placed the septa cloak onto the table.

"Why Rooks Rest?"

Rhaella sighed out, loud enough for all to take notice.

"The castle is small and largely vulnerable, your grace," Rhaella spoke.

It was clear what was at play here and Rhaella felt helpless to stop it.

"As I see it, we are being dared." Rhaella placed a dragon piece on the map.

"Rooks Rest is not so far from Dragonstone, they will be expecting us."

The queen thought for a moment, assessing her situation. The lot of her members were itchy to act, as were the children. She wouldn't risk her own son, not after Luke. Moondancer was small and Rhaenyra preferred to use Baela for scouting.

Rhaella and the dragon she had been working towards...well

And yet, Rhaella had managed more information than the more experienced lords at the table. But the darkness painted within Rhaella's eyes caused the queen to remove her as an option.

"Then I shall take Syrax and go myself." Queen Rhaenyra decided.

A rather poor choice, but what other option did she have? She would not be seen as soft.

"If you die, all is lost!" Jace said. His knuckles had turned white by how tightly he gripped the head of his sword.

They were placed with little choice, in Rhaella's opinion.

"It must be me, your grace," Rhaenys said.

Rhaella felt a chill run down her back. Not her grandmother, the extension of her late mother. However, they were placed with little choice.

Desperation. Let it not be her, rather Rhaenyra. For what would Rhaella do without Rhaenys?

"It is a trap." Rhaella blurts out. "This is not a scheme of Aegon's making, it is plain to see."

"It will-" Rhaenys began but was swiftly cut off by Rhaella.

"Criston Cole is hand of the king, yes." Rhaella's hand twitched as she tried to hold them together. "But it is not Aegon he plots with."

"What are you implying?" Baela asked.

"Their host will not be without a dragon of their own," Rhaella said.

Rhaenys smiled slightly, as her mind had since been made up.

"I will meet Cole, and whatever he may bring."

Rhaella shook her head. "And what if you happen upon Sunfye? or Vhagar?"

Rhaenys's eyes fluttered at the mention of her daughter's dragon. But it did little to change her mind.

She would go. Rhaella had little sway in convincing her otherwise.

.........

Princess Rhaenys made herself ready in all of the armor necessary, valyrian steel crown atop her head. Rhaella had been glued to her side like a child, following her all the way to the dragonpit.

"Grandmother please." Rhaella urged. Meleys was saddled and ready for her rider. "You cannot do this alone."

"Meleys and myself are experienced in battle, more so than the others." Rhaenys adjusted the belt around her waist.

Rhaella approached the red she-dragon, delicately stroking her snout.

"Perhaps Aegarax has returned,I could try to  mount him and join you?" She suggested, Rhaenys chuckled.

"You don't have so much as a saddle, let alone any armor."

Rhaella sighed. It was a silly wish, she'd only get in the way.

Rhaenys took Rhaella's face into her hands, thumbs stroking her soft cheeks. Her wickedly strange girl, daughter of her daughter.

"Keep your head about you, understand me?" Rhaenys said. But Rhaella was far too consumed in her own worries to relish the warm touch of her grandmother.

"Baela will need you,so will Rhaena," Rhaella whispered.

"They have you, Rhaella" Rhaenys responded. She moved to mount her dragon,grabbing hold of the reins.

"Gaomagon zirȳla ȳgha" Rhaella said to Meleys. 'Keep her safe'

With a resounding roar, Rhaenys left the cave hollow. Despite her wishes to spill blood for her family, Rhaella did naught but stare into the empty space.

Unacting, once more.

---------

A/N: hi<3 I wanna thank all of you for reading thus far!! I deeply enjoy reading your comments, for those of you who do... it means like a lot to me!!🥸

Let's hear it for Astris of Pentos!!! She just as fucked up as Rhaella

All of yall patiently waiting for Rhaella to crash out.. you're really going to enjoy the next few chapters LOLOLOLOL.😼

anyways! tell me what you think,i love hearing it.