Her daughter was delighted to be given a mission.

"You've nothing to worry about, Mother," said Alyssa gladly once Rhaenyra had given her leave. "I have looked forward to being given these permissions since I was a little girl."

Daenys knew that if Alyssa were Daemon's daughter, she would have been allowed to burn men with Frostbite from the moment she first took flight. Finally, her daughter was being given explicit instructions to take Otto no matter the cost. She'd be allowed to burn the men who rode with him, let Frostbite eat their horses, and even beat into Otto with her own hands to subdue him and let Frostbite carry him back in his claws.

"Be smart about it," warned Daenys. "Remember what I said. He rides a chestnut mare, he'll likely not be in a carriage– he never used them unless his children were with him. He's one to sulk and take his time packing, so the furthest he could have gotten is the edge of the Kingswood. Stay high and out of sight. At the first sign of Vermithor, you abandon the mission altogether. Frostbite is faster and will get you away. Do not engage with Aemond or any other dragon you might encounter, not even if it's Helaena and Dreamfyre."

"I know, I know," said Alyssa. "I have it all planned in my head. Frostbite and I love to travel up high where it is coldest. Aemond has patrol of the main city, he'll never see me at such a height or distance, for he must stay low where he can see what is happening on the ground. I'll be back before you know it with Otto High-cunt in tow."

It made Daenys laugh, to hear her use the name Rolf had coined for Otto. "Don't let your curiosities get the best of you," said Daenys. "Do not speak with him at all if you can help it. Don't listen to him, either. Bind him, gag him, and bring him straight here, understood?"

"Yes." Alyssa kissed her mother's cheek, then Gemma's, then Bertram's. She skipped the rest of the way down the Dragonmount, Frostbite trilling and spreading her white wings and wiggling, the blue specks appearing to dance. "Come on, girl. Let's kidnap a man!"

Daenys rolled her eyes in amusement as Alyssa mounted, setting her satchel of supplies over her lap. With a whistle, she guided Frostbite up. Gemma heaved a sigh, "I bet five dragons that Otto's going to come sporting a black eye. She won't be able to help herself."

"I concur," said Bertram. He sighed, shaking out his arms. "Well, it's back to the library for me."

"The sun is about to set," said Gemma. "When are you ever going to sleep?"

"I don't feel like sleeping," said Bertram. "Not when there is knowledge to be found." He kissed both his sister and mother on the cheek and left them to watch Alyssa and Frostbite disappear into the clouds.

With a shrug, Gemma turned back up to Alyssa. They lingered only a while longer, until darkness and the clouds concealed Frostbite from view. Together, Daenys and Gemma made their way to the castle. In the darkness, they did their usual rounds of bidding the family goodnight. Aegon and Viserys were first, always put to sleep earliest. Then came Joffrey, then Rhaena, then Baela, then Jacaerys, until at last it was time for Daenys to escort Gemma to her room.

Once she'd seen her and Dyana– who still felt most comfortable sleeping beside Gemma– to sleep, she made her way back to her own apartments. Rhaenyra's door was already closed and Ser Erryk stood on guard; it was likely that her niece needed her sleep after such an eventful day.

She hoped her own instincts were right, that kidnapping Otto was going to help them. She hoped Alyssa would be safe out there. She knew her daughter was strong, but impulsivity could be blinding. She feared that if Alyssa saw Aemond and Vermithor in the distance, she'd sooner challenge him than flee.

She'd turned down the hall to her apartments when she saw Ser Erryk... again. He was moving in a rush back the way she'd come. "Princess," he said urgently. "Come with me."

With her hand on Bloodrain's hilt, she followed. "Ser Erryk, I only just saw you at Queen Rhaenyra's chambers–?"

"That wasn't me," he said, unsheathing his sword. "My brother is here."

Gods be good, Bertram was right. Panicked, Daenys unsheathed her sword as well. They reached Rhaenyra's door to find Ser Arryk was no longer standing there. Ser Erryk threw open the door, shouting, "BROTHER!"

Ser Arryk stood before Rhaenyra, who'd risen out of bed holding a knife. Gods, Daenys wished she'd spent more time teaching Rhaenyra to fight– their lessons together had been few and scarce since Rhaenyra had begun having children of her own. Ser Erryk advanced on his brother, who had his sword pointed at him, "Do not do this, I beg you."

"Elinda, get out," called Daenys, securing the door and letting the lady rush out. The twins advanced on each other, Arryk retorting, "You are the one who betrayed us, Erryk." In an instant, the twins lunged, steel clashing against steel. "Get help!" Daenys called after Elinda.

As the girl ran, Daenys swept around the edge of the room towards Rhaenyra, who was scrambling around trying to get away from the fighting. Erryk tried to draw them away from Rhaenyra while Arryk purposely pushed towards her, as if to see her hurt anyway. Ser Lorent arrived in the doorway, but even as he and Daenys both looked upon the twins, she'd lost track of who was who– it was impossible to track which of them was now defending Rhaenyra and which was trying to kill her.

"Come!" Daenys grabbed Rhaenyra's arm and pulled her away, Bloodrain raised to secure their escape.

"We were born together!" one twin cried in anguish.

"And you parted us!" replied the other. "But I still love, you brother."

They were both bleeding now, both without their swords. One crawled to his as they fell, he grasped it and stabbed into his brother. He hugged him, he cried, and then tossed the body aside. Only, Daenys could not tell who was the victor. It must have been Ser Erryk, for he looked to Rhaenyra mournfully and called, "Your Grace." Why would Ser Arryk cared about formalities at that point?

"Forgive me," said the man, turning the sword on himself. Rhaenyra gave a cry of protest, but he drove it through his own chest. Daenys closed her eyes as he fell.

"He had to," said Daenys quietly. "Whether he was truly Erryk or Arryk in disguise. He killed his own brother, his twin. Even as Erryk, we would have been scared to imagine he wasn't really... and to tell them apart, to know for certain... it was safer altogether to die."

Rhaenyra choked a sob into her hand. "Ser Lorent," demanded Daenys, "see that all the children are safe. Escort the Queen to my chambers, she will sleep there tonight. I will handle this."

It fell to her to see the bodies cleaned up. Both knights of the Kingsguard and Queensguard, she had Bertram inform House Cargyll of what had happened and honored them in with a side-by-side burial for their years of service, regardless of what side it fell on. Rhaenyra was in agreement, though Ser Lorent muttered that Arryk sullied the grave of his brother.

She learned in the morning that it was Mysaria who had warned the real Ser Erryk of what was about to happen. Rhaenyra had given her safe passage to Essos, but Mysaria had let the ship leave her behind in favor of saving Rhaenyra's life when she realized something was amiss. A great debt to be paid, no doubt. Daenys wondered if Mysaria used it as a way of getting more out of Rhaenyra or if she genuinely cared to see her prevail. It didn't matter; Rhaenyra could deal with Mysaria as much as she liked.

All the lords of the council were pressuring Rhaenyra to act, what with the Riverlands burning after the Blackwood-Bracken battle and Bertram's prediction coming true. Men were moving to Harrenhal, but Rhaenyra was hesitant to immediately attack King's Landing. They needed time to let their men gather, for it was important they focus on who was fighting for them and why as opposed to simply jumping ahead to the throne.

Still, Lord Bartimos Celtigar was of the opinion that Rhaenyra ought to join Rhaena, Joffrey, Aegon, and Viserys– who were being sent to the Eyrie to await confirmation from Daemon's old friends from Pentos as to whether they would house them or not– in leaving for her own safety. Daenys had scoffed loudly, and even Rhaenys looked annoyed that they would dare suggest it. Rhaenyra affirmed to them that she had no intention of leaving. That afternoon, she'd asked for another lesson with swords. She was still too weak from Visenya's birth, but remembered well enough the past lessons Daenys had given her.

Baela was the first to bring them news as they waited to see what Aegon would do next. "Ser Criston Cole," she announced, after returning from her patrol one day. "With some half-dozen other knights, I'm sure of it. Perhaps a scout party for a greater army."

"The ravens confirm it, Your Grace," said Bertram, holding a scroll offered by Maester Gerardys. "Lord Farring told us an hour past of a large force moving northeast towards Rosby."

Rhaenyra pursed her lips, asking Baela, "Could you be certain it was Cole from such a great height?"

Baela glanced at her sideways, "It was not such a great height, Your Grace." She admitted, bearing Rhaenyra's quizzical stare, "You said not to engage, so I didn't, exactly." Daenys smiled, by all the gods the girl was a younger version of herself and Daemon.

"Your Grace," said Lord Bartimos, "we commend Princess Baela for her sharp eyes but we can tarry no longer. The time for action is surely now."

"Your Grace," added Lord Staunton, "I must agree and request your permission to return to Rook's Rest and fortify my lands."

"I shouldn't fret, Lord Simon," replied Lord Gormon Massey. "They'll be making for Harrenhal."

"'Tis Prince Daemon who ought to worry," concurred Ser Alfred Broome.

"I would not be so sure until we see their movement ourselves," said Daenys. "My brother has his dragon and both my sons are only a short flight away from Harrenhal. Caraxes, Aegarax, and Goldhorn together would be sure to defeat Aemond and Vermithor, the only ones who could possibly be there in support of this army. Even so, Daemon and Cliff are both capable of besting Aemond on the ground. They'd be fools to bring the fight to Harrenhal without Vermithor and even greater fools to do so knowing I will mount Vhagar at the first confirmation we get that they are moving to Harrenhal. I do not think that is their target."

"You must act now, Your Grace," insisted Ser Alfred. "Loose the dragons, root Cole out and burn him before he reaches his destination, whatever it may be."

Rhaenyra did not like being told what to do; she never had. "I have heard your arguments. And will consider them."

As she left, Rhaenys came to stand by Daenys, waiting for the men to slip out of the Small Council chambers. "Men hungry for blood and war," said Rhaenys quietly. "She is the only one who has shown restraint. I am not sure the target is Harrenhal, either. We need only wait and see."

"I will patrol into the mainland," said Daenys. "Let Baela and Gemma keep closer to the island. I'll determine what way Cole's army is headed. We do not act until we know something certain." She half-smiled, "Rhaenyra reminds me of our grandsire. Always thinking before acting. Something most of us could scarcely do."

"That makes her worthy of bearing his crown," said Rhaenys. She stopped in front of Daenys, taking her hands. "I know I had my doubts... about Laenor, about the twins. But you were right to continue to have faith in her, cousin. You raised her well, prepared her in ways even her father did not. I will stop at nothing to see her on that throne, for what it would mean to her, to you, to me, to our daughters and granddaughters."

Daenys smiled, bringing her hands up and kissing Rhaenys's knuckles. "I am grateful to have you, cousin. Us girls, we might stand alone in this world if not for each other."

"Always," promised Rhaenys. "Always."

Daenys took her patrol early the following morning, keeping as high as she could muster. Ser Criston was moving at night, that she was sure of, for she'd spotted but few knights moving– no large armies. Still, she tracked their movements eastbound towards Rosby, Stokeworth, and Rook's Rest, not eastbound to Harrenhal.

She'd reported as much to the council. Bertram and Maester Gerardys had confirmed this when ravens reported that Rosby and Stokeworth had fallen without blood being spilt– they yielded out of fear for battle and raised Aegon's banner, adding their levies to Cole's host. Perhaps Harrenhal would be a target after Cole quadrupled the size of his army, for he'd already tripled it.

Rhaenyra, however, had not been there to receive the news. She'd disappeared suddenly, and only Mysaria seemed to know where she'd gone. Ser Steffon Darklyn was missing as well. Mysaria had assured her that Rhaenyra would come to no harm on a mission of her own choosing, but Daenys had half a mind to strangle the White Wyrm then and there. She'd need to start assigning herself the guard of Rhaenyra's room, to ensure no further escape or murder attempts were made.

Gemma's gentle words could do little to comfort Jacaerys at this point. The boy felt abandoned, and the men of the Council were not happy. Rhaenys had quietly admitted that it had been her that advised Rhaenyra that an end to this war might be found through Alicent. That worried Daenys. If Rhaenyra had gone to seek her out...

"There is still no word from Her Grace, the Queen," said Daenys, presiding over the council. "Nor have I seen Cole's great army with my own eyes. The few knights I've tracked in the daytime have been all that's given us a clue of where they are going next. We have reason to believe they have moved on Duskendale."

"And where are the dragons aiding Duskendale?" asked Lord Bartimos. "I happen to notice that while Her Grace is missing, so, too, is your daughter, Princess."

"My daughter has a mission of her own," said Daenys carefully. "One set to help us."

"Perhaps the Princess Baela should've burned Cole's host when she had a chance,"muttered Ser Alfred.

"Perhaps you can, Ser Alfred, when you next sight them on your dragon," retorted Baela. Jacaerys and Rhaenys both cracked a smile.

"My niece is right, Ser Alfred," said Daenys. "All of you are accomplishing nothing with your complaints. My Alyssa will bring us something we may need, something the Greens need, though its head might not wish to acknowledge it. Her Grace did not give us leave to send out dragons for more than patrols, and so I will not take it upon myself to do so. Meleys, Starbeam, and Moondancer are all that we have patrolling the Gullet and Dragonstone. I cannot hope to aid Duskendale alone with Aemond so close. I have already expressed my worries before that Vermithor will outfly Vhagar, though he will fall in the attempt. Surely the men of this council are not cheering for my death and that of our largest dragon?"

He was silent. Were it up to her, she'd have his tongue removed then and there for all this questioning that brought nothing useful to any of them.

Still, she understood their desperation. Duskendale was another bit of slaughter. Bertram had sadly handed her the letter stating that the defenders had been taken by surprise. The town was sacked, ships in the harbor set afire, and Lord Darklyn had been beheaded. His household knights and garrison were given the choice between swearing their swords to King Aegon or sharing their lord's fate– to no one's surprise, most chose the former.

She gave Lord Staunton leave to go to Rook's Rest, where he would close the gates and defy the attackers as long as he could. Daenys hoped that Rhaenyra and Alyssa would both be back by then, for they could not expect Lord Staunton to simply lie in wait. Eventually his stores would run out, Cole– Kingmaker, they were calling him now– would burn him out with or without a dragon.

If Alyssa returned and Rhaenyra gave her leave, Daenys would take Alyssa and perhaps Baela as well. The three of them and their dragons could take Aemond if he arrived. Daenys at least would survive it, though Vhagar was like to die alongside Aemond and Vermithor.

At last, word came that Cole's men had arrived at Rook's Rest. There was still no sign of Alyssa, nor had Rhaenyra made her return. It was left to the council to decide, and Daenys feared that she'd need to ask Rhaenys and Meleys to accompany her out to Rook's Rest.

Jacaerys took Rhaenyra's voice, as he'd been steadily doing in the days since her absence. "We've been left no choice. We need to send a dragon."

The doors opened, Rhaenyra entering with Ser Steffon Darklyn. "Where?" the Queen questioned.

"Your Grace," said Daenys in surprise, motioning for all to bow their heads. "I am pleased to see you've returned."

Jacaerys, however, didn't seem all that happy to see his mother. "To support the war that your vassals have been fighting in your absence... Your Grace."

Rhaenys explained, "Cole's host has grown since riding abroad. He raised the levies of both Rosby and Stokeworth and, with their combined strength, sacked Duskendale."

"Duskendale?" asked Ser Steffon wearily.

"Yes, I am afraid," said Daenys. "Your father was put to the sword, refusing to declare for Aegon."

Jacaerys did not give Ser Steffon a moment to grieve. He pressed on his mother, "Where have you been, these last days? You vanished without so much as a word."

Rhaenyra blinked. "Well, I apologize for my absence and the secrecy, but such was necessary. I went to King's Landing."

"To what possible end?" said Jacaerys, frustrated.

"To meet Queen Alicent and sue for peace," replied Rhaenyra.

"Gods be good," said Daenys. "I am glad you are unharmed." This was not the time to berate her. "It was a great risk, Your Grace."

"I inherited eighty years of peace from my father," explained Rhaenyra. "Years you experienced, peace carried over from a king that few here knew. Before I was to end it all, I needed to know that there was no other path. And now I do. Only one choice remains to me: either I win my claim or die."

Daenys nodded, glancing at Rhaenys, who seemed satisfied with this. "Well, then the matter of Rook's Rest remains to be decided."

"Why Rook's Rest, after Duskendale?" asked Rhaenyra. "It is but a small coastal keep."

"'Cause Lord Staunton is a member of this council," said Ser Alfred. "And because his castle is small and vulnerable and there for the taking. Cole knows we have no full army on the mainland."

"He is brazen," agreed Lord Bartimos.

"He is daring us to act," said Ser Alfred.

"Cole's host has grown because of the way he has taken these keeps," said Daenys. "The men would sooner declare for the Pretender than have their heads lopped off. Neither Daemon nor Cliff have confirmed how much of an army is gathered at Harrenhal– whatever they have now is not enough without dragons in play. Cole could retake Harrenhal, especially if Aemond and Vermithor emerge on their side. I believe Prince Jacaerys is right. We must now send a dragon."

Rhaenyra drew a deep breath, considering it. "There are those who have mistaken my caution for weakness. Let that be their undoing. I will go."

"Your Grace," said Daenys immediately. "No. Neither you nor the Prince can go–"

"I will not lose dragons to war whilst I hide here in my castle–"

"You must remain alive for your banners to still be held high. I will go." She tried to think on her feet, "I will send Gemma ahead to Harrenhal to have a dragon seated there. She can send me Daemon and Caraxes. My brother and I will be ready to burn Cole's army while supporting each other in the event Aemond and Vermithor are there."

"No." Rhaenys straightened up. "You must send me, Your Grace. Meleys is the second largest dragon you have here after Vhagar, and no stranger to battle."

"Then we go together," offered Daenys. "You and I, together like the old days."

But Rhaenys shook her head. "No. We must keep Vhagar defending Dragonstone and patrolling the Gullet in my absence. I am more afraid that Aemond and Vermithor will come to take us unawares while the fight rages at Rook's Rest. Cole has been pressing upon us to send a dragon out, why? I fear it likely that an attack may be set to happen here while battle at Rook's Rest carries out."

She was right, it was a possibility. But Daenys did not like it. "Rhaenys, and what if Aemond is there?"

"There have been no reports of dragons being used at Rosby, Stokeworth, or Duskendale," noted Baela. "Aemond and Vermithor are needed to patrol King's Landing, for they could think us ready to launch an attack on King's Landing otherwise."

Rhaenyra didn't look at all comfortable with how this was going. "But we don't know," said Daenys, trying not to shout at any of them. Her patience was running thin with worry. "Alyssa is still out there, she's not returned! Gemma and Baela have been working with you to patrol the Gullet, Rhaenys, you must all stay here where you have the numbers. I am... I am," She forced herself to say, "I am prepared to die to bring Aemond and Vermithor down with me. It is the safest risk to send me and old Vhagar out while we keep the younger dragons close by and still securing Dragonstone."

"You have your children here," said Rhaenys. "You need to stay with your daughters. They need you here." Knowing Alyssa was not there, Daenys was aware that Rhaenys was roping Rhaenyra in as one of those daughters. She knew what her cousin's point was– Starbeam and Moondancer were small, Vermax no longer allowed on patrol, and Rhaenyra had not ridden Syrax since she went to find pieces of Lucerys and Arrax.

The real brawn that'd been defending Dragonstone since everyone parted ways was Vhagar. The little dragons rallied behind Vhagar, especially Vhagar's hatchlings ridden by Daenys's children. To lose Vhagar was to lose their greatest asset. To lose Daenys... Rhaenys was warning her, she knew, that Gemma would not survive it.

Neither would Rhaenyra.