A/N: Faceclaims for Rhysaenya's parents are: Brenda Strong for Rhaelyn, who plays Queen Nia in The 100 and Matteo Martari for Karrhys, who plays Francesco de' Pazzi in Medici. The beginning of the next several chapters will include images of the characters as well as the family trees I've made, to allow a smoother understanding of this house's relationship to the Targaryens.

_

Plots within plots.

She wasn't unfamiliar with the term. This was the Red Keep, and the people here were known to be dangerous. Many a time, there had been whispers about how the members of the Small Council hatched their schemes and vied for power. Rhysaenya had not thought to see it firsthand.

She had learned long ago that her parents did everything for a reason. It was enough for her to see that some things, even still, were being omitted. She doubted her mother grew pregnant accidentally– it was likely planned. To have wanted Karrhys dead... for Rhysaenya, the subtext spoke aloud. Her mother had wanted a more direct path to the throne. She must have been furious when Daemon denied her, when Rhaenyra went on to marry Laenor and somehow produced heirs though none expected her to.

And yet, Rhysaenya wasn't entirely sure she could believe what she was hearing. "My father... is Prince Daemon... but... does he know?"

"No," said Rhaelyn. "At least, we doubt he does. If he does know, he clearly hasn't been interested in meeting you. It was a painful day in court when I came to tell King Viserys the truth of my parentage– the truth that I was his cousin– to assuage any rumors that might've been made about your appearance. But from there came our next gift– he agreed to take you to ward and be raised alongside his children. I insisted Princess Helaena would need another little girl to play with and you are that little girl. I even suggested you be given the chance to claim a dragon. The King accepted the terms."

"What about this is too difficult to understand?" asked Karrhys when he saw Rhysaenya blinking several times. "Yes, you are a bastard, same as your mother was, but finally you are given a unique advantage. You are growing up in this castle alongside the King's children. You will marry one of them and you will claim the only dragon born on our land– Skyfall. She rests here in the Dragonpit, her egg having lain in wait at the Phoenixfort for many years. To the court, you will be my child. Within, you are the perfect mixture of Ignividosi and Targaryen blood to seize what our family should have had from the first."

She still struggled to believe how they were alright with this. Pawning her off, being unfaithful to each other. It sounded as though her mother had forgiven her father by getting back at him, and he'd forgiven her for going to someone like Daemon because it had given them some advantage. That must have been why Moyric now lived in Driftmark, though he hadn't as a younger boy. When Rhaelyn brought her here to ward, there must have been some sort of agreement to get rid of Moyric. All their cards were thrown onto Rhysaenya.

"I understand," she said at last. "But... there are so many things that could happen. If Daemon were to make it known–"

"Daemon won't return here for many years," said Karrhys. "Besides, how would anyone believe him when I so fervently affirm you are my daughter? My pride and joy?"

She didn't think her father had ever been capable of 'joy.' "I've heard he's dangerous. Wouldn't he hurt us? Hurt me?"

Karrhys snorted, and began to unbutton his shirt, turning away. Once he'd removed it, Rhysaenya's stomach dropped at the sight of a great mass of circular burns on his back. All small, all signifying a kill. She couldn't find a patch of skin that wasn't covered in a burn– even his arms were marked. As he turned, some parts of his chest had circles, too.

"I don't have a dragon," admitted Karrhys as he fastened his shirt back on, "but I don't need one to kill Daemon Targaryen. Our line were warriors before the Targaryens were. Our people still drink animal blood for strength and at the Phoenixfort, I spend every second of my day making myself stronger while he fucks and drinks as he pleases. I am a phoenix, I cannot be killed. But dragons do die... we've seen it happen."

He came towards her, cupping her face. "One day, you will be Queen. And so, you must be disciplined. You must adhere to the simple task of behaving yourself around Alicent's sons. No more fighting with them, no matter how much they might frustrate you. That phoenixfire that burns within you, it is hard to contain, but you will contain it. Otherwise, Viserys's sons will not want to marry you."

"But... what if I don't want to marry them?" asked Rhysaenya in a small voice. "What if I don't want to be Queen? I thought his sons couldn't–"

His lips curled, and he squeezed her chin so hard, she yelped. "What makes you think you have a choice? If your family name matters at all to you, you will do this. We can make it happen regardless of what you do. But you won't like how we do it. For now, you are allowed to remain here... play with Princess Helaena, if you so wish. But if you do not begin working on befriending young Aegon and Aemond, then we will take you back to the Phoenixfort and we will betrothe you anyway. Only, you won't see your friend for a very long time."

"But I thought Rhaenyra was Viserys's heir!" said Rhysaenya, trying to swat her father's hand away. His grip was too strong. "I thought she was going to be Queen!"

"Not if we have our say in the matter," said Karrhys. "House Lannister, House Hightower, and House Baratheon are all close friends of ours. We knew Aegon was the rightful heir the moment he was born, and we hope it is him you will marry... but Aemond will be the next in line if something happens to that boy. Princess Rhaenyra has fathered two bastards already and she surely has another in her belly now. She has failed in her duty and she proved a long time ago she could be manipulated by Daemon. She would rule in name only, while he would make every decision. Neither deserves the crown."

He let go at last, kneeling in front of her. "You were born to be our rebirth from a cursed house built by bastards to a house that rules the Seven Kingdoms side-by-side with the Targaryens. They rule the skies and we rule the flame. Without fire, there would be nothing. House Ignividus could have killed them when they arrived and instead they aided them. House Ignividus rose to give their all in the conquest and we were given no major lands to hold— we ought to have been rewarded by a marriage between Aniiro and the Three Dragons. We are collecting our payment now, after all this time."

Karrhys pulled her to her feet as he stood. "Now, my girl, it is time for you to prove our gods have favored you, as we've believed. Today, you will claim Skyfall."

Rhysaenya could not believe what she was hearing. How long had this plan been growing, festering like a demon about to be set on millions? How many times had her parents come to see her and thought of telling her these things, only to wait a little longer? Her life was a lie, she was a lie, and she would be a liar if she went through with their plot. Yet, what choice did she have to deny them?

Her father's presence commanded attention– this was something she'd known for a very long time. Perhaps she'd never considered how great this pull was, the desire to behold a man as sinister and formidable as Karrhys– the man who had apparently not even sired her.

Every knight and servant in the castle turned their way as he walked Rhysaenya out to a carriage waiting in the yard. Rhysaenya could see the mixture of fear and admiration in their eyes– anyone with even a small bit of sense knew how strong the Ignividosi were, they knew how vicious they could be.

Ignividosi were another breed of human entirely, she remembered her father once saying. While most boys grew up wanting to be knights in the Kingsguard, there were many who aspired to be one thing and one thing only– a soldier for House Ignividus. For those from poor families, there were few options to rise high in the world. Serving in the Ignividosi ranks was preferable to isolation and vows of celibacy serving in the Night's Watch or at the Citadel, where family names were often forgotten.

To be a warrior of House Ignividosi meant physical freedom– they could go wherever they pleased with the strength to defend themselves. They were taught to become as skilled as the Kingsguard without having to swear off having families and siring children. House Ignividus had always believed in propagating the blood of those who were strong, and encouraged each of their soldiers to have sons and daughters who would one day pick up blades of their own.

It was not an easy thing to accomplish– men young and old left their homes and sailed for Tarth, but did not always pass the gruesome tests laid on them. A lack of success meant being shipped straight from Tarth to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea to serve the Night's Watch with whatever skills they'd managed to learn. As such, failure was not an option if one wanted to serve under lords as prestigious as Karrhys. All men were welcome save for rapers, who he threatened to flay like the Boltons if they ever set food on his island. Karrhys's reputation preceded him. He was legendary, a man who all wanted to learn from. He was quicker and more clever to act in resolving conflicts in the Stormlands– so much so the Baratheons need not stir for any small disputes.

House Targaryen had always allowed the practice of the Ignividosi gathering such a force because every Ignividosi man would fight for their house no matter the reason– it was a promise made long before. She wondered, now that she knew what this plan consisted of, why their house had never become so intertwined with the Targaryens. The combination would have been lethal.

One of his hands was against her shoulder as he guided her, the other over where his sword was clipped to his belt. It was the only Valyrian steel sword that House Ignividus possessed, with a hilt black as night extending into golden phoenixes coiled around the base of a dark blade they'd named Backbiter around the time of the Conquest. Rhysaenya had been afraid of the sword the first time she saw it, never having seen another like it.

Karrhys scooped her up and placed her in the carriage before climbing in, having to lean down quite a bit to avoid hitting the top with his head. "Skyfall was born around the time of your mother's birth," said Karrhys. "Not one of the oldest dragons, but a fierce one nevertheless. Some say the egg hatched because of Viserra's presence, others think it had something to do with the phoenix. At any rate, your mother never tried to claim her. She never wanted to– my lovely Rhaelyn feels most at home on the ground with a spear in her hand, not in the sky. We always thought this gift would be for you."

"What if I cannot?" asked Rhysaenya, staring out the small holes in the door of the carriage. She wanted to break free– this felt like a prison, this felt like a trap. The further they went from her rooms, the more she felt afraid. "What if she won't take me?"

"Then our faith in you will have been severely misplaced," said Karrhys, and it sounded as though failure was not an option in his eyes. It never was, for Ignividosi. "I have no doubts you will manage to claim Skyfall. Once you do, I will begin teaching you to use a sword properly, so you may cut away any who would take your place as Queen. Your mother will leave for you books to read, the sort of books Ignividosi share only with their blood. You'll learn about the magic we still practice so you might use it on those who would harm you."

She wondered how that worked, exactly, when it seemed her parents were the ones wanting to harm her. "I don't like any of this," she said, as sharply as she could.

"None of us like what we are meant to do to give power to future generations," said Karrhys. "Do you think I liked the fact your mother bedded Daemon and wanted him to take my head? She would have gotten him killed and caused quite a problem."

"Did you not bed another woman first?" accused Rhysaenya. "Why are you even taking me to the Dragonpit? You made it clear you are not my father."

His lips curled. "Wag that tongue at those who support the pretender and you will do well for yourself at court, daughter. I still share blood with you even if I did not sire you. You are still an Ignividus. Most importantly, you have the blood of the Rogue Prince. Perhaps this is why you are so aggressive with the boys."

"Aegon teases all the time," said Rhysaenya. "He never shuts up. He's mean to Aemond and Jace. I keep my distance but when I cannot, he goads me and I defend myself!"

"Has he ever hit you?"

"No."

"Then why do you hit him?"

"To make him quiet! He angers me!"

"He may become your husband. You will have to use that anger wisely. If he does something you do not like when he is King, you must use your force of will to guide him down the right path. With your words, mind you, not with your fists."

"I thought Ignividosi were supposed to be fighters," she retorted, crossing her arms.

Karrhys laughed darkly. "Yes. Fighters when a fight is needed. We know how to weigh each situation carefully. Do not let yourself lose control of your temper, or it will cause much harm later on. From now until the day you die, you must work to be the Queen that Westeros needs. Your firstborn son will sit the Iron Throne and only you can teach him the Ignividosi way."

Rhysaenya huffed, "I didn't ask for this."

"No one worthy of greatness asks for it. They receive it and they make do with it. You should be grateful."

"Grateful?" she said sharply. "I hardly know you and Mother. Every time you come, you only want to lecture me then leave. My only friend in the world is Helaena. You expect things of me yet you do not treat me as mothers and fathers should. Jacaerys Velaryon tells me such good things about Ser Laenor and Princess Rhaenyra."

"Then they are weak," said Karrhys. "As will be the sons of Rhaenyra. You will soon realize, my girl, how far House Targaryen has fallen from grace. You are made of better stock and will save the Realm from chaos. Now... let us prepare you to claim your dragon. Ivestragon nyke se imperat istia tepagon naejot maghagon Starfall naejot calx." (T: Tell me the commands you must give to bring Starfall to heel.)

Rhysaenya began to toy with the ends of her sleeves, pulling free strings and reciting, "Dohaerās. Demās. Iōrās. Kisās. Lykirī. Māzīs. Rȳbās. Umbās. Dokimarvose." (T: Serve. Sit. Stand. Eat. Calm. Come. Obey. Wait. Focus.)

"Gevī," said Karrhys quietly. "Iksā parat." (T: Good. You are ready.)

She wished she could have flown away, far enough that her parents' words could not reach her. This was not what families were supposed to be like. The Ignividosi held such different beliefs, practices she didn't understand. Black magic, drinking blood, burning themselves, killing everyone that bothered them. All she would be to them was a means to an end, a constant reminder of trickery and opportunity.

He saw the way she clung to the small holes in the panel, as though she wished to pry it off and fling herself out. She might have liked to. Feeling the burn of his stare, she asked the question pressing into his mind, "Why make me Queen?" she questioned. "How? It is one thing for me to marry..." Gods, the idea left a sour taste in her mouth, it was so odd, "Aegon. It is another thing to become Queen."

"Do you remember what you've learned of the Great Council?" He waited for her to nod. "Jaehaerys himself chose Prince Baelon as heir over Princess Rhaenys and her unborn child, when Prince Aemon died. It made complete sense for King Viserys to be chosen before Rhaenys. He knew the ways of the court while she had been living at Driftmark, he was taught and trained in a way she was not. His decision to name Rhaenyra was made in a period of mourning and with heavy dislike of Daemon, not because of wisdom. We will make him see the error of his ways... and we will start with supporting Aegon's claim."

The carriage rolled to a stop, and she felt her skin crawl as his lips curled into a wicked grin. "Now, make your first move to show them all that your future husband is worthy of the crown."

He waited in the carriage, holding a glare that seemed to say, 'Claim the dragon or die.' She was guided inside by the Dragonkeepers, repeating the words to herself– she'd practiced them many times when Helaena had claimed Dreamfyre, though she seldom took her mount. She'd learned High Valyrian quickly, though not as fast as Helaena.

Helaena never made her feel this upset. She would talk to Rhysaenya about the bugs she caught, and Rhysaenya would choose to catch more for her. She could listen to Helaena all day and not feel this uncomfortable. Helaena never forced her to do anything, she only expected Rhysaenya not to touch her and that was easy to do. Rhysaenya would fiddle with her own hands instead, and otherwise let Helaena braid her hair when she was bored.

Skyfall's cave was near the deepest and darkest part of the Dragonpit. Rhysaenya held her skirt up as she walked to a semicircular opening, leading into a place torches couldn't light. The Dragonkeepers urged her to keep her head up, to call out to the dragon.

This was the one bit of control she seemed to have. Even though it was forced by her parents, having a dragon meant having an escape. If she didn't want to do something, she could fly for hours and come back only when everyone had given up on pressuring her into anything. She knew she was strong, she knew she could probably claim the dragon. If she was going to do it, she'd do it for her own gain. Not that of her parents.

She heard a low rumble ahead, and from the darkness came two eyes glowing in the distant light of the Dragonkeepers' torches. Rhysaenya tilted her head up as the dragon's face came closer, blue scales shimmering and her horns twitching as she sniffed the girl, nostrils flaring.

"Dohaerās, Skyfall," urged one of the Dragonkeepers. "Rȳbās. Rāpirī." (T: Serve, Skyfall. Listen. Be calm.)

Skyfall crooned, slithering completely out of her pit and looming over Rhysaenya. The dragon tilted its head down until it hovered over hers, observing. The Dragonkeepers circled cautiously, worried it would incinerate the girl, who wasn't moving. She stared at the dragon in wonder, focusing on her breathing.

There was a loud thump as the dragon flattened herself on the ground, maintaining eye contact with the girl. Her serpentine eyes did not even blink, and it nudged at the air in front of her, the way a pup did when it wanted to play. Rhysaenya refrained from extending her hands, waiting for the Dragonkeepers to guide her toward it, yet somehow, Skyfall still purred and leaned forward until she'd pressed her nose to Rhysaenya's knuckles.

A Dragonkeeper whispered, "Ñuha riña... ziry iderēptan ao." (T: My lady... she has chosen you.)

Rhysaenya tilted her head curiously. "Rȳbās, Skyfall. Iōrās." (T: Serve, Skyfall. Stand.)

The dragon lifted itself immediately, though still kept close, rumbling and nudging her chin against Rhysaenya's hand. Finally, she extended both arms out, beginning to caress the scales around her mouth. "Iksā gevie, dōna riña." (T: You are beautiful, sweet girl.)

Skyfall purred, and Rhysaenya wondered how Karrhys could have been so sure this exact thing would happen. It was said Skyfall was nearly as friendly as Silverwing, only much more social, given she'd chosen to live with a multitude of other dragons in the Dragonpit rather than on Dragonstone.

As she returned to the carriage, she saw her father standing outside of it, speaking to Aegon, Aemond, Jacaerys, and Lucerys, who'd come to see their dragons. Soon, Rhysaenya imagined she'd be called to participate if she so wished, unless she'd rather go on the rare occasions Helaena wished to visit Dreamfyre.

It was strange to look at Aegon now. He was tall for a boy of thirteen, but how could it be that this same lanky youth was meant to become her husband? Meant to become King? She thought could be so immature, so ridiculous. Ten-year-old Aemond was more suited, for at least he was serious. Even the way she looked to Jacaerys and Lucerys, aged six and five, was different now that she knew she was a bastard, too. How could everything be so different, how could the world have changed so much in a single day?

"Which one of you knows how to use a sword properly?" asked Karrhys, all of them with some sort of weapon at their hip and examining Backbiter, which he'd unsheathed and spread across his hands. "Have you been training in the yard?"

"Yes, we have," said Jacaerys proudly, looking down at the Valyrian steel. "Luke and I work with Ser Harwin."

"Of course you do," said Aegon curtly. "Aemond and I are learning from Ser Criston."

Karrhys hummed, beckoning for Rhysaenya to join them. "I'll tell you all something. I hope to summon my son, Eilryd, here to teach Rhysaenya about swords. You may all learn from him if you so wish."

"Eilryd?" asked Aemond excitedly. "I've heard he can stand alone against twenty men!"

"He can," said Karrhys, smiling slyly. "What say you, Aegon? What odds do you think you can manage?"

Aegon didn't seem all that confident about saying any number. "Any odds I have to."

"I wish to stand against twenty men," piped up Aemond. "Like Eilryd."

"Yet, that is not Eilryd's goal," noted Karrhys. "He wishes to stand alone against thirty."

"But who can do that?" asked Jacaerys. "That sounds impossible."

"It isn't," said Karrhys. "I've done it."

"Will you teach Rhysaenya sword?" asked Aemond hopefully. "Will you stay here to teach her, Lord Karrhys?"

"Not for long," said Karrhys. "I must return to the Phoenixfort soon. But do not worry, young Prince, there will be time for a lesson with me, should you want it." He began to climb back into the carriage. "Come, Rhysaenya. You'll mount Skyfall next time, I'm sure."

"You claimed Skyfall?" asked Aemond, focus immediately disrupted.

"Yes," said Rhysaenya, which made both Jacaerys and Lucerys clap proudly. "She chose me, the Dragonkeepers said."

"Gods," said Aegon to Aemond, "you are so disliked by the dragons, they start choosing Ignividosi before they choose the likes of you."

Rhysaenya's irritation flared instantly, and she fumed, "Leave him alone, Aegon! All you do is tease him about not having a dragon, yet you're forcing yours to learn the Common Tongue because you don't want to practice your Valyrian."

It made the younger boys laugh, but Karrhys immediately reached out of the carriage to yank Rhysaenya toward it. He shut the door and sat her down, scolding, "What have I just told you about your temper?"

"Do you not hear him?" said Rhysaenya as the carriage began to move. "He angers me! And you– you expect me to–" She lowered her voice, "Marry him?"

"I do," said Karrhys. "You have begun your duties for your family and that is one of them. I advise you to hold your tongue or you will cost us our plan if Aegon finds you so harsh that he no longer sees beauty, only pain."

She leaned back in her seat, annoyed. "Well, I claimed Skyfall. You had better be happy about that."

"I am happy," said Karrhys, though he did not smile. "But I'll be happiest when one of you finally gives me a grandchild, preferably a grandchild that will sit the Iron Throne." He turned away, rubbing his chin. "Your brothers have accomplished little in that regard."

Her eldest brother, Eilryd, had been married for nine years and had yet to produce children with his wife, Lady Bea Tarth. A man of five-and-twenty, Rhysaenya knew few things about her brother, all summing up to his prowess in battle. "Arrwyth isn't married," muttered Rhysaenya, her second brother two-and-twenty. "He shouldn't be producing children or he'll be another Caytell."

Karrhys's lips thinned. "Your brothers have an arrangement with Lady Bea. Neither has helped her bear children."

She blinked. "An... arrangement?"

"Yes. Lady Bea is Arrwyth's age but we selected her to marry Eilryd. Both your brothers cared for her, and she cared for them. She is married in name to Eilryd but married in spirit to both. Do you understand what this means?"

Rhysaenya nodded slowly. "So then... she has not had children by either of her 'husbands'?"

"No." He tucked his hands together, jaw tight. "Apparently, it is too much to ask that House Ignividus lives to see the dawn of another age. Our survival falls on you, Rhysaenya. It is imperative you adhere to your task, or it may be that after this generation... we'll have no choice but to pass our seat to those of Caytell's line."

"What about Moyric?" she asked. "Why don't you claim him and see if he has children?"

"Your mother will only let me legitimize Moyric when you have proven yourself. And given she and I have been unsuccessful in giving you younger brothers... you are our last hope. Think of that when your selfish little mind drifts to anger each time you look upon the man you will marry."

Rhysaenya hated all these things that she was being made to think about. She hated that she wondered so much about her parents' side of it. She supposed it was terrible that her family's Valyrian blood had been thinned so much because they hadn't been respected. She supposed it was upsetting for both of her parents that the curse of their line continued and would not grant them more children or grandchildren. Despite how little she enjoyed spending time with her parents, it didn't seem fair that a lack of acknowledgment would lead to the extinction of a whole house.

But she had one final question, unsure when this pressure dam would finally burst. "When?" she asked, knowing he would understand what she wanted to know.

His eyes shone darkly, as though he wanted it much sooner than he actually said, "When you are old enough. We are willing to wait to ensure your health– I'll not have you be tormented the way Queen Aemma was. Do you know that I loathe the Queen Alysanne? A hypocrite, she was, snarling at Jaehaerys for marrying Princess Daella too young though she attempted to do the same to Viserra and accomplished it with Aemma? The reason your mother was conceived and the reason Viserra was killed was all because Alysanne was jealous of her, allowed her to be harmed. I won't let you share that fate, you are too precious to me."

Too precious for your plan, she thought. I don't matter to you.

She no longer felt she mattered to anyone. She was not a person anymore, she was a pawn.

_

A/N: To put into perspective the superior height/strength of House Ignividus, think about the elves in Lord of the Rings, how they are very skilled warriors relative to the other species in Middle Earth. So, for example, Daemon may be a very good fighter, but the way Karrhys would fight would be leaning more towards Thranduil in The Hobbit trilogy. Not to say Karrhys is as strong as an elf, but Ignividosi in general fight like Northerners with a greater edge because of their Valyrian and phoenix blood.