Her children brought further news.

Cliff had never been overly proud of himself the way some boys and men could be— the way Daemon had been. Still, there was an undeniable smugness shining in his eyes when he told his parents that he was a better sword than Aemond.

"I wasn't really trying," said Cliff modestly (at least, he meant it to sound modest, but Daenys and Rolf shared smirks) as he revealed that he'd dare to go up against Aemond in front of those gathered in the yard. Aemond had done splendid work of besting Ser Criston and his morningstar, but Cliff seemed to think it a poor show of his skill, saying they ought to go sword-on-sword. Aenar wasn't successful in talking him out of it, and both Jacaerys and Lucerys looked up to Cliff too much to tell him 'no.' "I only tried as hard as I usually do with Jace and the others, to not overwhelm them. He's good, definitely very good, but not better than me."

"Aemond's never been in real battle," reasoned Aenar. "We have— you especially. You've fought in the Riverlands and even that time in the Vale when Jeyne Arryn called for Rhaenyra's help."

Cliff leaned back in his chair, propping his legs up on the armrests and grinning. "Indeed. Aemond hasn't wet his blade. I have... many times over. He is Aemond One-Eye and I am Cliff Cutthroat. If need be, I will best him."

"Or Mother or Uncle Daemon," said Alyssa. "You're not the very best yet Cliff."

He spread his arms, still smiling. "I never said I was, Lys. I only meant, if we have to take measure of our foes... this one is easily handled. Aemond is calculating, but he grows angry. His rage blinds him, and Mother always taught us to bring it to heel as best as we can. He'll make a mistake on a battlefield, of that I am sure."

"Aemond is unlike to stand in one the way you do," said Bertram reasonably.

Cliff made a face. "And why's that, Rammy?"

Bertram rolled his eyes, "He's got a dragon far bigger than Goldhorn. In the end, he only needs to stay atop it."

"Alright," said Rolf, holding out his hands. "Let us settle a few things. Aemond has not seen battle because he's the King's son and not even the King has seen battle that way. He has a dragon, yes, but so does your mother, and it is more like she will face him either way than you. You cannot be overconfident like that, Cliff, it was a risk either way. You've incited Aemond's rage before."

"And he cannot do anything to me," said Cliff. "I proved that. It was only a test, Father, and he passed... but I did so with flying colors. Remember that old bloke that called me Cliff Cunt-Maker?"

Alyssa snickered, while Rolf rolled his eyes, "Well, you did happen to shove your blade up between that man's legs."

"He jumped at me! If anything, he fell on my sword. At any rate, Aemond isn't known for anything marvelous. I am. I got a measure of him and it's doable for me or Mother. Doesn't matter– Aemond, we can handle, if it comes to battle."

"Next time, think about hiding your own strengths," counseled Daenys. "You're giving Aemond knowledge of how to defeat you."

"Except, Mother, I wasn't really trying. He's not seen me going up against you or my uncle. I don't think he'd last as long against either of you. It's a good thing. Trust me." He winked as Alyssa ruffled his hair, his sister the only one who understood how proud of himself he was.

Daenys looked around at the others, noting an abnormal degree of quiet from Gemma, who sat and tugged at her fingertips, staring at the hearth. "Be ready for tomorrow," said Daenys to dismiss the others. "We've discussed it before, I will say it again– hold your tongues. You are there to watch the proceedings, you are not to speak at them unless called upon. Especially you two–" She eyed Alyssa and Cliff, who had seemingly been scheming some speech.

"Mother," complained Alyssa, "I've many beautiful things to say to Vaemond Velaryon. Really, they are very nice..."

"Nice," repeated Cliff. He mimicked Alyssa's voice, "'Vaemond, retract your statement or you'll have a new arsehole by noon.' But that's certainly nice relative to what I would say..."

Rolf seemed to want to laugh, but said sternly, "You know what we mean. We have to maintain our poise, or Rhaenyra's position will not be taken seriously. We have to remember that everything we say and do to our enemies will come back to bite us if we're not careful. However much we may want to be vicious upfront... there is a time and place for that. Your uncle and your mother already have a plan for Vaemond Velaryon, should anything slip from our control. The five of you must remember that."

Aenar and Bertram both nodded, assigning themselves to keep the other two contained. "Get some rest, now," urged Daenys. "Bertram, I'll be only a moment before we go and see your King Uncle. Wait for me in your room."

They nodded, dispersing. When Gemma started to rise, Daenys sat at her side, taking her hand. "My sweet girl," she said, caressing her arm. "What troubles you?"

Gemma pursed her lips several times as Rolf sat on the other side of her. "I did something bad."

Rolf raised a brow at Daenys. 'Bad' and 'Gemma' were never in the same sentence, certainly not from an admission of guilt. "My darling," said Rolf, "surely it's not so bad."

"I stole," admitted Gemma. "We're not supposed to steal but... I couldn't help it. I had to."

"What did you steal?" asked Daenys. "Surely it is something that can be returned."

She shook her head, then looked over her shoulder to make sure her siblings weren't there. "This has to stay between us. If Alyssa finds out..."

Daenys had never known her daughter to be afraid of her sister. Then again, Gemma didn't seem afraid of what she'd do to her, more like what Alyssa would do to someone else. That worried her– had someone hurt Gemma and made her feel it was her fault?

"No one will know," Rolf assured her. "Only us, little one."

She chewed on her lip, and at last she said, "I stole a girl. She's in my room right now. I won't let anyone in there until she's safe."

"A girl?" Daenys had not expected that. "What do you mean you stole... a person?"

"Oh, gods, I don't even want to say it," said Gemma solemnly. "It disgusts me, what happened, what it made me feel. I've never been so angry. I thought I could hurt someone... I almost did! So I resorted to stealing... it was less terrible... better for all involved." She cracked her knuckles, "There was this serving girl being escorted out. I was on my way back here from seeing Helaena, who had been telling me that the servant who usually dresses the children was gone and her mother wouldn't tell her why."

Daenys and Rolf shared a look– they had a feeling where this was going. It wasn't the first time they'd heard of disappearances happening with Helaena's household maids. "I saw her crying," said Gemma. "And I saw Talya leave her at the door... I've never liked Talya, she always stared at us when we came. So I went to the girl before one of those Gold Cloak fellows could escort her out. I told him not to say anything... he's that big one, the one that greeted us at the front, the one who said he was friends with you and Uncle Daemon."

"Blood, they call him," said Daenys. "He's one of the friends who helped Daemon the day I wet my sword. He suggested the name Bloodrain, actually."

Gemma nodded, "Yes, so I knew I could trust him to keep quiet. I brought the girl back to my room and I gave her food and water. I asked her why she was crying, she said she could not say. I did not pressure her, and told her that was alright. That she could stay as long as she needed. That if she felt unsafe, she only needed to let me know and I could fly her to Dragonstone tonight while everyone was sleeping. No one would hurt her there and Maester Gerardys could tend to her if she was sick.

"That was when she told me... about Aegon." She closed her eyes, which had grown watery. "She told me what an awfulthing he did, the same thing he probably wanted to do to Alyssa. How he pushed her down and— and—" She chose to not say it, "She said that she told Talya and Ser Erryk Cargyll and they went to fetch the Queen... but the Queen was cruelwith her. This girl... Dyana is her name... she said the Queen told her she believed her, but that she worried what others would think, that others would think Dyana had seduced Aegon. So she gave her a bag of coin and tansy tea and sent her on her way, and told her never to tell anyone else."

"Gods be good." Rolf looked as murderous as Alyssa surely would have if she were here. Even Daenys was finding it hard to remain seated there– she'd gladly toss Aegon out of the Tower of the Hand for that.

"I know," said Gemma mournfully. She sniffled, "So I promised her she'd be under my protection, but I know she's not supposed to be there. I don't know how long I can hide her. If she was meant to arrive somewhere after leaving... what if they realize I took her? What if Blood gets in trouble? What if Talya saw?"

"Blood won't tell a soul," swore Daenys. "It is unlikely Alicent meant to send her anywhere in particular. She thought coin would buy Dyana's silence, but she clearly did not care enough. To send her on her way meant leaving her to fend for herself out in the dangers of the city. In a sense, it is a defensive mechanism for Alicent. Something else could easily happen to Dyana out there. You did the right thing, my girl. Don't worry, I'll make sure she's not seen here. When we return to Dragonstone, we will take her with us. She'll be safe there."

"I don't want her to be a servant there," said Gemma. "I want her to be my friend. I will let her share my room and my dresses, I don't mind. I don't think she should ever be put in another position where she'll feel uncomfortable."

"You have a good heart, my darling," said Rolf, kissing the top of her head. "I am proud of you. I am glad you were there for Dyana. It disappoints me greatly that the Queen would have allowed her son to reach this level of cruelty. For her to brush it aside is to further encourage him."

"I would have killed him if he'd done it to Alyssa," said Gemma, face harder than Daenys had ever seen it. "I don't like feeling angry, I don't like thinking these evil thoughts, but in that moment, when she told me, I did. And when it happened to Alyssa before, I... I wanted to break his arm! If Alyssa finds out now, she'll turn Aegon into a eunuch."

"No one will know but us," said Daenys. "If anyone gives Dyana trouble, they'll have me to answer to." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Gods, I told Viserys no more children after Helaena and he kept at it. I don't know if Aemond is like Aegon in this sense, but I worry... he is just as capable. It seems the only good one was Daeron, for he was hardly raised here... and even so the influence of his great-uncle Hobert may be enough to sour him as well."

Gemma scoffed in agreement, "I don't understand how a person– a woman– could be alright with sons like that. The Queen's sons are both terrible. They don't respect Helaena, they don't respect their mother, they don't respect any woman the way my brothers do. I know that Aenar, Cliff, and Bert would never stand to see any woman harmed so. They would never tolerate disrespect to you or Rhaenyra or Baela or Rhaena or Visenya, when she is born. They'd geld any man who did it, they'd always think a woman equal. Aegon and Aemond... they see everyone as playthings for them. Aegon wants to stick his cock in them and Aemond his sword in them. I hate it here. I wish Bert married Helaena instead, then she could live with us."

Daenys knew that if Alyssa and Cliff heard that, it wouldn't be long before Aegon 'accidentally' slipped out of the window from wanking himself too hard– she remembered hearing that he used to do that when he started discovering what else his cock was for. Even Aenar would be ready to push Bertram to propose marriage to Helaena then.

"Not all mothers are as good as yours," said Rolf, smiling over at Daenys. "She taught your brothers to value all people– men and women alike. Unfortunately, not all boys care to learn it, and their own mothers fall into men's traps to keep that lesson from being learnt. It is up to those of us who know better to try and steer young boys in the right direction before it's too late."

"Both of you are good parents," said Gemma quietly. She kissed her father's cheek, then her mother's. "A father who always loved me and thought me capable of anything and a mother who showed me what I could choose to become, strong and protective of myself and others. I am glad to have you."

"You always will, my love," said Daenys, hugging her tight and stroking her hair.

When Gemma was calm enough to return to her room and see what Dyana needed, Daenys went to fetch Bertram, who'd selected a particularly heavy volume on Old Valyria to read to his uncle. They'd spent an hour there, Viserys enjoying Bertram's steady voice. When he'd at last drifted off, the pair of them exited, only to find Rhaenyra making her way there. They both offered her a smile, then returned to their family apartments.

Daenys put Bertram to bed and gave him a kiss on the forehead, then did her rounds with her other children, who were all at varying degrees of entertaining themselves for the night. Alyssa and Aenar were attempting to teach themselves the Dornish cyvasse, while Cliff was exercising on the carpet beside his bed. She urged them again to rest.

In Gemma's room, she found the two girls safe in the bed. Dyana had flinched at the sound of Daenys entering the room, but had calmed when she realized who she was. Daenys said nothing of the incident, only offered the girls some apple cake and bid them both goodnight.

_

It was Otto who stood before the throne the following morning, which brought bile rising in Daenys's throat. He was aged even further, and when their eyes met, she still saw sadness in them, a sadness he did not deserve to feel.

"Though it is the great hope of this court," he announced, "that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark. As Hand, I speak with the King's voice on this and all other matters." He sat on the Iron Throne, "The Crown will now hear the petitions."

Daenys wished to snarl out for all to hear that the succession had already been decided, and yet, she knew it was best to hold her tongue here. She saw Aegon, Aemond, and Helaena gathered beside Alicent, the group of them across from Rhaenyra, Daemon, Daenys, and their children.

"Ser Vaemond, of House Velaryon," called Otto. The man stepped forward proudly. He greeted Alicent, "My Queen. My Lord Hand."

Vaemond began, "The history of our noble houses extends beyond the Seven Kingdoms to the days of Old Valyria. For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies, House Velaryon has ruled the seas. When the Doom fell on Valyria, our houses became the last of their kind. Our forebearers came to this new land, knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end to their bloodlines and their name. I have spent my entire life on Driftmark defending my brother's seat. I am Lord Corlys's closest kin, his own blood. The true, unimpeachable blood of House Velaryon runs through my veins."

"As it does in my sons," said Rhaenyra curtly, "the offspring of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your house's blood, Ser Vaemond, you would not be so bold as to supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition–"

Alicent interrupted, "You will have a chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra. Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard."

This only seemed to feed his pride, especially when Rhaenyra pursed her lips and side-eyed Daenys, who'd been ready to ask why they were even discussing this decided matter in the first place. Vaemond asked, "What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess? I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn't recognize it. This is about the future and survival of my house, not yours."

He glared at Lucerys, who flushed intimidation, "My Queen, my Lord Hand. This is a matter of blood, not ambition. I place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brother's successor... the Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides."

"Thank you, Ser Vaemond," said Otto. "Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon."

Rhaenyra glanced at her aunt again, nodding once. Daenys took it as a signal to speak. "My Lord Hand." She stepped into the vacant spot left by Vaemond, and slowly turned in a circle. "My Queen... court. Let us not forget our histories. Ser Vaemond asks whether Princess Rhaenyra would recognize Velaryon blood. How could she not? Bertram, come here, please."

Her son shuffled forward, surprised. "A student of the histories will be a good person to ask these questions to," said Daenys. "Bertram, tell me, who was Valaena Velaryon?"

He straightened up. "Valaena Velaryon was the wife of Aerion Targaryen, mother to Visenya, Aegon, and Rhaenys."

"Good. And who were her parents?"

"The histories are not certain of names, but they do know that her father was a Velaryon and her mother a Targaryen. It is assumed her mother was a cousin of your namesake, Daenys the Dreamer, brought over with the family before the Doom fell."

"Excellent. Now, where else do we see Velaryons after that?"

He seemed to grow excited. "King Aegon and Queen Rhaenys's son Aenys married Alyssa Velaryon. Then, Alyssa and Rogar had Lord Boremund and Lady Jocelyn. Velaryon blood flowed in the veins of the Conquerors, in the veins of my great-grandsire King Jaehaerys and his siblings. The two branches joined when Prince Aemon married Lady Jocelyn... joined in their daughter, your cousin Princess Rhaenys."

Daenys smiled. "Thank you, my boy." She looked around at the court. "So, it would seem, Rhaenyra had Velaryon blood before she married Laenor. Rhaenys had Velaryon blood before she married Corlys. When Corlys and Rhaenys bore Laenor, his Velaryon blood was strong, and even so... was his Targaryen blood. I was there the day Lucerys was born. I saw Laenor hold him. Kiss his little head once the maester had cleaned it. I watched him name his boy, he wanted to call him Luke. The boy has a Velaryon name. Velaryon and Targaryen blood."

She saw the vein in Vaemond's forehead bulging with anger. He certainly hadn't expected her to take that train of thought. Daenys said to him directly, "Ser Vaemond, I am sure you are convinced that Velaryons all must look a certain way. And yet, you forget a key detail. Laenor and Rhaenyra each had a mother born to non-Valyrian house of the Realm."

She'd had that argument lined up for years, though she herself knew it was difficult to make sense of it. She was going to try, for Lucerys's sake. "Surely you all have heard the stories of my mother, Princess Alyssa," said Daenys. She looked at Alicent, then at Otto. "Bertram, remind me, what color was my mother's hair?"

"A dirty blonde, Mother," said Bertram. "She had one purple eye and one green, like Cliff."

"Yes. We see, then, that not all those who are of pure Valyrian descent look exactly alike. Now, my boy, remind me, what color hair and eyes do the Arryns have?"

"Brown, Mother. Princess Rhaenyra's mother was an Arryn as well as a Targaryen."

"That is so. Tell me, Bertram, what color hair and eyes do the Baratheons have?"

"Black hair and very dark brown eyes, Mother. Princess Rhaenys's mother was a Baratheon as well as a Velaryon."

"Yes." Daenys looked around once more. "Not a single one of you ever saw one of the children that my cousin birthed for the King. I did. Some of those children looked exactly like Lucerys did when he was born. As for Lucerys himself... he is Velaryon... Targaryen... Arryn... Baratheon. Half Valyrian, half Andal. Look at him. Any of you who knew Rhaenyra when she was five-and-ten will agree that they have the same face. Any of you who met Lady Jocelyn or Queen Aemma will see their features in him as well. I remember attending an audience at High Tide after Lucerys's birth, where Laenor introduced him to his father. Corlys held the boy and named him his heir right then and there... or will you deny that, Ser Vaemond?"

Vaemond's jaw was tight. How could he argue against that? "I will not deny that he did so," he muttered.

Daenys's lips curled. "Then, I ask you... do you admit that your brother had already decided the succession fifteen years ago?"

Once more, he looked ready to burst. "Yes. He decided it."

"Not once did he waver," said Daenys. "He confirmed as much to me, to Rhaenyra, to Daemon, to Rolf. Even my children were told of it. Bertram, what parting words did Lord Corlys say to you after we left the Lady Laena's funeral on Driftmark?"

Bertram grinned very wide. "He said he hoped to see us at Driftmark again. Whether he was still Lord of the Tides or whether it had passed to Lucerys by then, Driftmark could be our second home."

"Just so." Daenys smiled. "So you see, Ser Vaemond, you are worried so much about blood... even though blood does not always look the same. You are worried about decisions that have been made... though none here can admit that Lord Corlys ever said otherwise. You are worried about a boy becoming Lord of the Tides... yet who I see before me wearing your clothes is not even a man."

Whispers sounded as Daenys pulled Bertram back to stand with Rolf. Rhaenyra smiled at her, then took her place in the center. "This audience is a farce," said Rhaenyra. "And if I am to grace it with any sort of answer beyond the explanation you've heard, then I will start by reminding all present that nearly twenty years ago in this very–"

The doors opened. Daenys's breath hitched when she saw the Kingsguard escorting in her brother, clad in his finest robe and with a cane in Hand. He was announced, "King Viserys of House Targaryen, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar, and the First Men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm."

With what must have been great difficulty, Viserys limped towards the throne, struggling to hold his cane. He wheezed and heaved, moving right for Rhaenyra. He glanced sideways at Alicent, who looked so utterly embarrassed. Viserys looked up at Otto, "I will sit the throne today."

Flushed, Otto muttered, "Your Grace." He stepped aside, and Viserys struggled up the throne. Daenys and Daemon both rushed forward when they saw him about to topple over, but only his crown fell. Daemon scooped it up, Viserys muttering, "I said I'm fine." He was quiet when he realized who had come to him. They each took hold of his arms, pulling him up the rest of the way. Once he sat, Daemon placed the crown over his head.

Viserys called out, "I must... admit... my confusion. I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession. The only one present... who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys's wishes is the Princess Rhaenys."

"Indeed, Your Grace," replied her cousin. She glanced at Daenys, offered her a smile, then said, "It was ever my husband's will that Driftmark pass through Ser Laenor to his trueborn son... Lucerys Velaryon. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him. As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra and I have come to an agreement after an idea posed by my dear cousin Princess Daenys. Princes Jacaerys and Lucerys will wed Lord Corlys's granddaughters, Princesses Baela and Rhaena."

The looks on Otto and Alicent's faces were priceless. Daenys fought back a smirk, reaching out instead to squeeze Rolf's hand in amusement. "Well," said Viserys, "the matter is settled. Again. I hereby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood Throne, and the next Lord of the Tides."

Vaemond scoffed loudly, "You break law and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me who deserves to inherit the name Velaryon. No. I will not allow it."

Daenys sneered, "It is not for you to believe the King needs your leave to do anything, Vaemond. I am sure if your brother were here, he'd agree with me in calling it treason."

The vein in his forehead was ready to pop. He shouted and pointed a bony finger at Lucerys, "That is no true Velaryon, and certainly no nephew of mine."

Viserys spoke angrily, "Lucerys is my true-born grandson. And you... are no more than the second son of Driftmark."

Vaemond snapped, "You... may run your house as you see fit... but you will not decide the future of mine. My house survived the Doom and a thousand tribulations besides. And gods be damned, I will not see it ended on account of this–" He stopped himself, but Daemon whispered, "Say it." He dared him.

This pushed him to the edge. "Her children are bastards!" he yelled. "And she... is... a whore."

Viserys drew his dagger and spat, "I will have your tongue for that," as the cry of steel sounded, both Daemon and Daenys drawing their swords. Dark Sister swung out and cut Vaemond's head clean across, just moments before Daenys drove Bloodrain up Vaemond's chin. As the top of his head flew towards Alicent's feet, Daenys lifted her sword to reveal Vaemond's tongue pierced to the tip.

"DISARM THEM!" shouted Otto angrily.

"No need," said Daemon, stepping backwards and lowering his sword. Daenys did the same with hers, plucking the tongue off the tip and flinging it to the foot of the Iron Throne.