Daenys Targaryen, 12 years before the Doom

Fire.

Everywhere she looked, she saw fire.

Engulfing the walls, covering the walkways, snaking its way up the walls.

Hearing screeches from the hundreds of dragons that flew in the sky freely and for a moment she thought a fight had broken out between the beasts which wasn't an uncommon thing which was why everything was alight. Blinking a few times and walking back into the manse only to see it was on fire too. Black stone that usually glittered whenever the light hit it melting away as was the pristine white marble they had little of- only the higher Dragonlord families having the wealth to have a lot of it. Feeling a rush of heat which repelled even her, believing that like many of her kind were one with the fourteen Gods and therefore could not be harmed by fire.

It was getting closer to her now, frantically looking around for somewhere to escape. Panic seeping into her when she saw her father and his wives enter only to begin screaming as the flames immediately engulfed them. Watching in horrified fascination as they crept up and their long silver hair burning into nothing, to their incredibly pale skin turning black as they burned, to finally hearing their screams stop and a large popping noise which caused her to scream as she realised the popping noise was their eyes bursting from the immense heat.

"Mother! Father!"

Daenys tried her best to run over but no matter what she tried to do the heat repelled her back. Thinking if it was worth it to force herself through the red-hot flames only to be met with the charred corpses of Alyssa, Aenar, and Maeressa Targaryen. Like most Dragonlords, she believed in keeping the blood pure. If it was diluted in any way, one was no longer able to bond with a dragon and therefore nothing more than a peasant. Her father taking both of his sisters to wife when his younger brother Aelyx perished to keep Maeressa's honour as she was with babe at the time. That babe didn't survive long but was replaced two years later with her cousin Gaemon- or half-brother, depending on who was asked. Like their custom dictated, when both had turned five and ten, had wed one another. Four years had passed and their marriage had yet to fruit, but she hoped her womb would quicken soon.

She had to get out of here, that much was certain. The scent of burning corpses was beginning to become putrid and the tiles made from black stone that were inlaid with Myrish glass in an array of differing colours began to fall, a large opening forming in the room. Biting her lip and closing her eyes before pushing through the flames until she was outside the manse once more. Shock seeped in as she looked to the North, where the fourteen flames were. From how far south they were to them because as one of the lowest ranking Dragonlord families, they were not permitted to live close to heart of Valyria. That was how it had always been, and she liked it. Enjoyed having the sea at the base of their manse and dipping her toes into the water or catching a tadpole or two with Gaemon when they were nought but babes themselves.

Instead of seeing fourteen volcanoes which had lain dormant for thousands of years, she saw fourteen jets of fumes and molten rock spewing from their mouths. Dragons screaming in pain and flying closer to the shores to escape what was happening. How long she watched, she didn't know nor did she care. Completely forgetting the burning manse that belonged to House Targaryen. What had they done to anger the Gods such? Due to all being alight and angrily spilling their secrets, all must've been. Or was it simply His Almighty Baerax who was angry and the others were following as he was their God as much as they were their Gods? But why were they so mad?

They needed a sacrifice, and they needed one now. Running through the expansive courtyard that was practically unrecognisable with all the flames surrounding her, trusting her own gut that she was heading the correct direction of where they housed their slaves. Unlike other Dragonlord families, they didn't house them in dungeons and filth, but in small huts built from black stone and brick. Whilst only large enough to house basic necessities, it was better than deserved of a slave. Clicking open her knife and grabbing hold of the first one she came across. From the darkened skin, she could tell he was from the Summer Isles. An older man, much older than her father for certain. Screaming out in agony as the flames engulfed him too. Daenys wasting no time in slicing his throat and pressing the cut directly into the ground and praying that it would appease the Gods.

"Daenys!"

She snapped her head around to see Gaemon running towards her, standing up to pull her husband in as she broke down in tears.

"Why are they so angry with us Gaem?"

"I don't know, sweet sister. I don't know. But we need to get out of here, now. I doubt sacrifices are going to appease His Almighty."

He kissed her deeply at this, momentarily getting lost in the feeling of his lips but being broken from this when a loud scream of a dragon falling from above caused them to move right before the giant golden beast landed. Many of its scales were singed and smoking, and its legs looked like they had melted off. From there being no spikes, she knew which House this dragon belonged to.

"Run!"

She didn't even need to process the words before her legs were doing just that, cursing to herself as she had left her knife behind. Like a knife would help her right now. They had to get to the coast, and they had to get there now. The black stone walkways had turned molten and stuck to her shoes which slowed her down massively before moving to the grass that was still alight. Feeling the flames beginning to get to her. The tips of her silver hair beginning to singe and travel towards her scalp and using her top in vain to douse the flames. She had no choice, she had to use the walkways. Moving towards them once again and being aware there were a lot of footsteps nearby of people also running towards the water to escape the blazing inferno. Dragons dropping out of the sky in staggering amounts and wondering what could cause fire made flesh itself to burn?

But then, there was a loud cracking noise and the ground began shaking violently. Looking to her husband in fear to see he had a similar expression to herself but still they continued on. The shaking becoming more and more prominent with every step they took. Was it fire wyrms digging their way to the surface to bask in what to them was glorious heat? She'd only seen one of the beasts once in her life, and it was one she did not want to see again.

"Where are Aelithor and Maeryxon?"

"I have no idea, Dae. I haven't seen them in a few days but you know what dragons are like."

She did unfortunately, they were wild beasts that were only submissible to their rider and to no one else. She wore a token of when she had claimed Maeryxon herself with the bite wound on her leg as she claimed the navy and purple dragon. Gaemon had little trouble in claiming Aelithor who had been their grandfather Laenor's. Laenor Targaryen and Aelithor had been bonded since Aelithor was a hatchling, and the dragon had mourned his rider for weeks. Gaemon using the dragons weak state of mind to claim him. It was something their father disapproved of massively, but it got him the second largest dragon. Being surpassed by their fathers monstrous black and red mount Balerion. Her own and Gaemon's mother had the smallest of their five, but it didn't bother them. In the sky everything melted away. A large bang broke her from her thoughts as she realised she had stopped running. Turning to see if she could see what the bang was but she could not from the amount of people there was running to the shores.

Then an even louder rumble broke the ground, turning just enough to see the mouths of the fourteen flames open and molten rock to begin spewing from above and from the sides, moving quickly across their incredible city and destroying everything in its path. A large cloud of dark grey followed it, ash from the fires merging with the clouds only for it to begin raining rocks. People were screaming, crying, praying for the Gods to tell them what had made them so angry and how they could repent to stop this happening. The ground was rumbling even more now and that was when the largest bang echoed, causing her ears to pop and ring loudly as all other sound dissipated.

"Dae- "

Daenys turned to her husband only for her eyes to widen in utmost horror. The ground had cracked open, revealing molten rock beneath. Directly underneath Gaemon who had managed to grab a pillar and was hanging on for life. She had to make a choice, try and save him, or leave him. Her mind saying one and her heart saying the other. Eventually, the latter won the fight as she reached over and demanded he grab her arm so she could pull him up. Molten rock spitting up and to her shock, rising up at a terrifying speed. The heat surrounding her amplified further but she ignored it, watching as her husband desperately tried to free one of his hands and keep a solid grip so he would not fall.

"Come on Gaem!"

"I'm trying Dae!"

Trying wasn't the same as actually doing so though, keeping this thought to herself for the time being. The panic in his eyes was enough to tear her in pieces. He was the only child of Aenar and Maeressa Targaryen, herself the only child of Aenar and Alyssa Targaryen. He was her blood, her other half, her husband. She couldn't leave him behind. Finally, he managed to pull himself up so his chest was on the pillar to give him enough support to let go with one arm to grab her own. Using another pillar that had not fallen to the fiery hells that had come to greet them in earnest. It took a few attempts, but she was able to pull him up and they began running again. Noticing that the molten rock and large cloud of ash was gaining on them. If they didn't get to the water in a matter of minutes they would be dead.

The ground shook again but ignored it as she spotted the water only a couple of streets length from where they currently were. No more dragons fell from the sky, having to force herself not to cry as the realisation began to dawn on her she would not see Maeryxon again. If Gaemon was one half of her, Maeryxon was the other. It was known that a person is never the same once their mount perished and never survived much longer. The moment she felt water touch her feet, she sighed in relief. Wading deeper into it until only her head was above the water and spotting thousands of others doing the same. All waiting on the molten rock and ash to hit them, praying that the cold liquid would at least stall what was coming their way.

A final horrifying noise came from below, in the deepest parts of the sea they were currently seeking shelter in. A loud rumbling once again echoing loudly in everyone's ears but it wasn't coming from above or from below. Turning around and only managing to open her mouth to scream as the giant wave engulfed her whole. Daenys fought hard to get to the surface, feeling her lungs burning deep in desperate need for air. But the wave had brought a massive current with it and she felt herself being pulled further from the surface no matter how hard she fought. Kicking with all her might and moving her arms as much as she could to get out of the path of the current. But it was no use, feeling herself being pulled further towards the city they had been trying to escape. Only once she had been washed ashore alongside dozens of others did she notice Gaemon was not there. Panic beginning to seep in as she realised she was alone. A person with no family and no dragon was little more than a slave, and that was the greatest insult a Dragonlord could be named. They were one with the Gods, chosen thousands of years ago by the fourteen themselves to rule over the Freehold. To be named a slave was stripping oneself of being one with the Gods, there was nothing more shameful in the world.

Which was why when the second monstrous wave came barrelling herself and the others way, instead of fighting towards the surface, Daenys Targaryen welcomed it.

Her eyes widened in shock, folding over and beginning to cough as her lungs burned from the water that had entered them. The scent of smoke and burning lodged deep inside of her nostrils before running to the privy to empty the little contents she had in her stomach out. Taking a few deep breaths after she had done so and looking around, confusion settling in. A moment ago she was drowning, yet now she was in her own quarters inside the Targaryen manse? Reaching up to rub her eyes a few times as she rinsed the vile taste from her mouth and gripping the edges of the basin. It couldn't have been, could it? Usually her dreams were in short snippets but this one had not been so.

And it was so vivid.

From seeing her home burn down, seeing her father's, mother's, and aunt's eyes pop out of their sockets from the intense heat, losing Gaemon in the water, seeing dragons falling in terrifying numbers. And the fourteen flames all alight.

"Dae?!"

Daenys snapped her head around to the door where Gaemon was standing. Not bothering to put on a shirt and only now that her senses were coming back could feel the deep ache between her legs from his frantic love making the night prior.

"Bad dream, Gaem. I'm good- "

"No you aren't, sister. You look like you just met a fire wyrm in person again."

Her eyes narrowed at this, not wanting to be reminded of her single encounter with the beasts. She had begged for months to see the mines and finally Haelor Skraenyx allowed them entrance to the one beside his manse at the base of the fourteen flames. It was a massive honour for her own House, as House Skraenyx were the wealthiest, most influential, and they had the largest dragons in the Freehold. Even Balerion looked like a puppy in comparison which was saying something as her father's mount was far from little. Despite only having hatched a decade prior, he was already three times the size Aelithor was who was now nearing eighty. Still relatively young for a dragon as they could live for hundreds of years. Her father and herself travelled into the mines and she had gotten curious at a blocked off passage. Distracting her father and wandering down it only to be met face to face with the thing of horrors. If it weren't for Haelor casting a spell, it would've scorched her there and then. After this, her father had forbade her from doing anything of the such again. Not that Daenys could blame him, she was his only daughter.

"Terrible things, brother. Terrible things."

Gaemon opened his mouth to ask but she had already walked back into their bedroom to change out of her smallclothes. Looking out of the window towards where the fourteen flames were and seeing they were lying dormant as they had done for thousands of years. House Belaerys and House Skraenyx were gifted with more magic than other Dragonlord families as they exclusively kept it within the family, even if there was an odd number of boys and girls. Haelor's grandfather had taken his own daughter to wife when her own husband died in one of the many squabbles for power in the Freehold as she was with babe- much like her father had done with his youngest sister Maeressa. Whilst she believed in keeping the blood pure, to their House, the idea of laying with one's child was vile. Yet nobody could say anything because they would be wiped out in a matter of minutes.

Ringing the bell on the side of the bed and one of their slaves walked into the room, keeping their head low because to share eye contact with someone higher was a sin against the Gods. And any sin against the Gods was answered with death by dragon fire. A clean way to go, far too quick for insulting the fourteen, but she had no say in the matter.

"Prepare me a clean outfit."

The slave bowed their head and spoke;

"This one will do. Would her Holiness prefer a specific colour?"

"Blue preferably, if not then orange."

They bowed their head and left the room to carry out the order. Hearing Gaemon walk over and wrap his arms around her waist as she tilted her head up to kiss him deeply. For a moment forgetting her dream but suddenly it all came back, and he noticed it too.

"What was the dream about? You've dreamt numerous times and you've never reacted like this once you've awoken."

"The Gods being furious with us all and enacting their punishment. Fire everywhere, our mothers and father burning alive. Everyone running, dragons screeching in pain and falling from the sky. The ground cracking open and a massive wave overcoming everything."

He stared at her for a few seconds, waiting on her to say she was joking. Yet when he didn't find any hint of a jape in her tone or expression, his already pale face went even paler. The slave walking in again and laying down a pale blue dress. Stepping into it and tightening the laces at the back with practised ease as she knew Gaemon liked it when they were really tight- said it showed off her womanly figure more and that he liked to show others that she was taken.

"You need to tell father, Dae- "

"No I don't, I'm sure it was nothing Gaem- "

"Dae, all of your dreams have a semblance of truth in them. Father used to shrug it off like it was nothing but the more they occurred the less he could ignore it. Is it perhaps Their Holiness and His Almighty sending a warning of some kind?"

That was something she had not thought of. Thinking other dreams she'd had in her head and grumbling lowly as her husband was correct. All of them had some semblance of truth to them. The one that had wholly convinced her father of her gift was when she dreamt that her aunt would birth a babe half a dragon and half a babe. A curse according to the legends of Valyria. Where if someone done so the babe either wouldn't survive for long or would be severely deformed and it would be cruel to let the babe live. Laenor they were planning on calling the brother that never was in honour of their grandfather, and if it were to be a girl they were going to name her Rhaea.

"What part of it do you think could have a semblance of truth?"

She bit her lip as she replayed it all over in her mind, holding in the wretch as she saw her mothers, father, and aunts eyes explode from the heat. She knew it was from the heat, some of the slaves who were tasked to excavate the mines for valuables sometimes ventured too close to the molten rock in the deepest portions and had been recovered with their skulls exploded and blackened, bits of brain splattered where they had been stood when they had perished.

"I don't know, Dae. I honestly cannot say."

"You don't think the fourteen will erupt, do you? We are one with the Gods, Their Holiness and His Almighty wouldn't punish us such, would they?"

Gaemon was quiet at her question, walking side by side through their relatively small manse towards the dining quarters to meet with their father and mothers.

"Perhaps we should have father request a meeting with House Skraenyx or maybe House Belaerys or House Tarennis. They're the most influential. You and Alysanne are friends after all- "

"I wouldn't go as far as to say I'm friends with Alysanne Tarennis, Gaemon. One of the top three wouldn't willingly consider themselves as such with one of the lower five. I get along with her and she gets along with me, and she is also said to experience dreams like I do. After all, it was her own dream which showed Taeron Tarennis where the largest goldmine was situated which made them richer than House Caeniar."

Something which the latter had never gotten over. Numerous petty squabbles erupted between the pair but nothing was ever done about it. With House Tarennis becoming almost as rich as House Skraenyx in a matter of days, the latter were no longer one of the top three. Being one of the top three was the highest honour, as it meant they were permitted to move closer to the fourteen and thus closer to the Gods they were one with. They walked inside and were met with smoked salmon fresh from the sea near their manse, with an array of fruits, vegetables, and warmed bread loaded with spices. Her mother walking over to engulf her into a tight hug before giving Gaemon one too.

Alyssa Targaryen was said to be the most beautiful Valyrian in the city. Something many other Dragonlord families took great insult with as they believed a family as low as their own should not have been gifted by the Gods as such. Her face was strikingly thin and delicate, cheekbones sticking out which only made the thinness of her nose even more apparent. With her silver hair naturally having many waves in it which almost fell to her knees that was braided back regularly as it got in the way and eyes such a pale shade of purple they almost looked grey. Her aunt walking in not long after and repeating what her own mother had done. The sisters looked strikingly alike. The only difference being Maeressa had inherited her own fathers indigo eyes and did not have as sharp cheekbones as her own mother- instead having an incredibly pronounced jawline.

She heard laughter then, turning her head to see her father walk inside with Maeron Velaryon. The pair had been joined at the hip since they were boys. Not only were they cousins through Maeron's mother, they were known to get into a lot of trouble as babes themselves. They spoke fondly of those times often, the one that always made her laugh was when they had stuffed Jaenor Kirolyx's shoes with sheep dung and blamed it on Jaenor's twin sister Kaela. Her father patting Maeron on the back in joy with a large smile on his face.

"What's got you so pleased? You're normally dour husband."

Aenar glared at Maeressa at this, his second wife wearing a large grin as she enjoyed teasing her husband. Even when they had not been wed to one another they had acted like this, and it was wonderful to see them still get along just as well despite everything.

"Aerea is with babe again, and Rhaena gave birth to Raemon's babe through the night."

Joy filled Daenys at this. Rhaena was Maeron's eldest child to his wife Aerea Velaryon. Despite going on to have two more babes, the gap was too large between the siblings. Aerea suffered many miscarriages and lost just as many babes not long after they were out of the womb, something which had worried Maeron's father Rhaegar massively as without a male their House would die out. When Rhaena was nine, she was betrothed to Raemon Velraenos. Both of their fathers noticing they were close to one another and agreed it would be a suitable match considering Raemon had three brothers and one sister so they could not continue the tradition of wedding brother to sister with them all. Whilst a man could have many wives, a woman could only have one husband. Why this was the case, Daenys did not know, but the Gods willed it and she would not go against Their Holiness or His Almighty's ways.

"Congratulations Maeron, have they named the babe yet? Boy or girl?"

"A girl, they're currently arguing over names. Rhaena wants to name her Aemma and Raemon wants to name her Jelaesa. I think we all know who is winning the fight though."

Chuckles erupted with them all, knowing it would be Rhaena without a doubt. With her being five and ten years her younger siblings senior, Maeron had trained her in the arts of weapons in case it did happen she would be the last of their House. House Velaryon may be small, but they were mighty.

"How are Aemon and Laera? Throwing a tantrum that they aren't the youngest anymore?"

"Laera is, Aemon is already half in love with her. If Aerea and myself hadn't already agreed on betrothing our youngest two we might've even considered it a match."

Daenys agreed with this, because it would be a good match. Aemon was six and Laera was four, no marriage would happen until Laera had her first moonblood. No further words were spoken but none needed to be. If anything happened to Laera, Aemon would wed Aemma to keep their line pure so they could continue with their bond to dragons.

"I am guessing our own aunt is overjoyed at having a great-grandchild then?"

"She is, she practically tore her from Rhaena's arms to cuddle her."

That sounded like Haela Targaryen. Her great aunt was not someone to be messed with and even terrified her father at times which was saying something as precious little terrified Aenar Targaryen.

"Are you hoping for a boy or a girl, Maeron?"

"A boy. I don't think I could handle multiple women around me at all times."

Alyssa smacked him over the back of the head, immediately understanding the jape. It took Maeressa a little longer and Daenys even longer, but soon all three were glaring at the man. Something which was broken by Gaemon coughing loudly and burning red as she realised how awkward it had gotten. Reaching over for a lychee and peeling away the shell to reveal the white fruit, Gaemon instead taking it from her and feeding it to her. This embarrassed her more but there was no denying she enjoyed it when he submitted to her in such a way.

"Speaking of babes, is there anything to be made aware of?"

His eyebrows were raised towards her now.

"Not yet, but I pray to Their Holiness and His Almighty a seed takes root soon."

Herself and Gaemon had been wed for more than four years. Many families in that time bracket had multiple babes and it wasn't difficult to see her father worried their own family line would end with herself and Gaemon.

"I will pray for you both too, but I must be heading back to mine own manse before my wife and sister attempt to strangle me for staying longer than I stated."

Chuckled erupted around the table again as he left to the manse less than a ten minute walk from their own that was situated directly on the southern coast of Valyria. Slaves walking in and removing their mess once they had their fill and leaving them be for the day unless summoned. Wiping her fingers clean from the sticky juice from her favourite fruit and got up to leave.

"Tell them, dearest wife."

Gods be damned, Gaemon. She glared to her husband who simply quirked an eyebrow up towards her. Now being trapped and knowing there was no way out of this if she tried.

"Tell us what, daughter?"

"She dreamt again."

The silence that followed was ominous, which only made her more nervous as she looked to her parents and aunt. Imagining them with cracked skulls and with no eyes and almost retching on the spot.

"Daenys, what did you dream this time? It's been a long time since you last done so."

Their father walked over and pulled her in, Daenys finally letting go of the tears she only now realised she had been holding back, trembling lightly at the same time. She felt her father's hand cradle the back of her head and tuck her own head underneath his chin. Once she had calmed down enough she pulled away before turning to her worried mother and aunt as she had never reacted as such when she dreamt. So she told them. From start to finish. From the way their manse was aflame and how she had watched them all die. To dragons screaming in agony as they fell to the ground scorched from the intense heat. To the ground breaking apart and revealing molten rock beneath their feet, the fourteen alighting the sky with their contents. To the final wave in which she had woken up from feeling like she was burning from the inside from smoke inhalation.

"I'll bring it up during the next council meeting in a week- "

"Father, please don't- "

"Daughter, not one of your dreams has been false yet. This leads me to believe the current one is also not one that is false. I would have us prepare to be on the safe side."

She opened her mouth to retort but was silenced with a look from her mother and aunt. Confirming they agreed with both her father and Gaemon. Eventually relenting after a few minutes of her father staring directly at her.

"Bring it up, but if it is true then we must send a warning out to everyone in Valyria."

Daenys Targaryen, 12 years before the Doom, one week after alerting her father to her dream.

Gaemon gripped her hips tightly to keep her in place as he thrust hard into her. Throwing her head back as pleasure overcame her at feeling her husband within her. Ever since she had spoken of what she had dreamt, Gaemon had been even more frivolous in his love-making. Not that Daenys complained as a loud moan left her as he hit a particular spot deep inside her core. Hands moving to his back and beginning to dig her fingers into the soft flesh, not caring if she accidentally broke flesh because she knew he loved it when she did so.

"Gaem, please- "

"No, sweet sister, right now you are mine and mine only, and you will obey."

Him calling her sister only made her body clench tighter together as she desperately fought for some relief. Feeling the delicate bundle of nerves which his thumb was oh so close to touching swollen and aching for attention. Attempting to raise her hips so he would hit that one spot within that always had her head spinning. Moving his own legs to separate her own further so he could press a little deeper than he already was and feeling a deep ache as he got as far as he could. It was an ache Daenys adored about him, her brother always taking utmost care with her whenever they lay with one another. Which was why she was currently annoyed as right now he wasn't doing so. Removing one of her arms and reaching down intending to grant herself the relief her body was crying out for only for him to grab said arm and pin it above her head.

"What did I say, sweet sister?"

He ground his hips down which barely touched the area, making her body jolt in response. Stopping in his movements as he stared down at her awaiting a response. Her breath being caught in her throat as she felt him pulse within her walls.

"I am yours, dear brother. Please- "

"And you will obey. If you do you will be rewarded."

And then he leaned over to capture her lips with his own and slipping his tongue passed her lips as he began his frantic thrusts once again. It seemed to go on forever before he was finally satisfied and gave her the relief she craved so much, feeling his seed fill her and hoping one would take root in her womb. She was still shaking once they had finished, looking up at her husbands eyes as he pushed a silver strand that had stuck to her forehead. It didn't take long for them to freshen up and walk downstairs where their father and mothers were seated. All wearing their nicest clothing before leaving the manse towards where they kept their dragons. Every House had a building that housed their dragons, all nearing one hundred feet in height and carved from marble and black stone. All had an exposed roof so the dragons could fly freely as they pleased. Which is what Balerion was doing, the monstrous black and red dragon landing directly in front of her father as he reached out to pet his snout lovingly. This followed by a loud chirp of the others as they flew from their den to land in front of each of them.

Being atop Maeryxon was something Daenys would never get used to. Just the thought she had something that could destroy cities under her control and feeling the scorching heat of the scales as dragons were fire made flesh. Those who were not one with the Gods could not withstand the heat of the beasts they all rode, as some had found out the hard way from trying to claim one. All heading further north to where the fourteen were and landing on one of the many sky towers of the council hall where all Dragonlord families met up monthly to discuss options. Anyone over the age of three and ten were required to attend unless they were running errands elsewhere. Naerys Maeninarys ran over when she saw her and beginning to talk with her. The pair had been firm friends since they were babes themselves. They had attended classes together, had been together when they had each claimed a dragon, and had even attended one another's weddings.

"Where is your husband?"

Naerys shrugged a little at the question.

"Where Garaedon has gotten to I know nought, dear friend. But he is here as we arrived together."

Daenys nodded at this before numerous slaves began sending them in one by one, neither daring to look them in the eye. Inside, everyone was seated in order of power from highst to lowest. Something she hated but it was how the Gods willed it, and to disagree with the Gods was the biggest sin. Taking their positions in the large circular dome which was otherwise used as fighting pits. Her parents and aunt seated in the front as Lord Freeholder and Lady Freeholder's, herself and Gaemon directly behind them. Daeron and Maella Velaryon seated beside them- Maeron and Aerea's older siblings, but as they were not blessed with children their nieces and nephew were in line to inherit their titles. Her father had told them of her dream alongside House Velraenos and both were understandably worried by it, all knowing it was going to be brought up.

Slowly, the room filled up but a couple of spaces for each of the forty were empty. One had belonged to House Celtigar, but said family had been exiled more than a decade prior when Aeryn Celtigar ran off with Jaelerya Belaerys. Or if what whispers spoke was true, Jaelerya ran off with Aeryn to escape her brute of a brother she was betrothed to. Aelor Belaerys was much alike his father and even more, standing almost seven feet in height and with a physique to match his height. The man had an incredibly short temper and despised being talked back to. Lord Aeredon had tried to prevent it, but his attempts fell on deaf ears as two years later Jaelerya and Aeryn appeared and she was notably plump with babe. Once someone was with babe, they had to wed, something which infuriated Lord Jaenor- Aelor's father- so much the entire family were no longer permitted to set foot in Valyria again.

The second had belonged to House Mellarys. They were one of the top five and Rhaemon Skraenyx had seen an end to such a thing. If people thought Lord Haelor was prideful, his father made him look like a kitten. Rhaemon had wanted to expand on what was already theirs. Wanting to put an end to the Dothraki, create new cities in the Great Grass Sea. He had also envisioned expanding further east like they had done further west by adding Dragonstone to their realm. Kaelyn Mellarys had agreed about putting an end to the horse fuckers that resided further north in Essos with their Khalasar's and barbaric practises, but he did not agree on expanding into Yi-Ti. Something Lord Rhaemon took incredible insult over and refused to listen to reason on the matter. No one knew exactly what was said during that talk, she had heard precious little from Alysanne whose grandfather had stood witness and passed it down their family, but House Mellarys never came back to Valyria.

By now, every seat was filled. Every Lord and Lady Freeholder standing up and proceeding to make an incision on their palms to drop some blood into the circular brazier which separated them from the fourteen columns in the centre of the room which depicted each of their Gods. The brazier immediately coming to light and weaving down each narrow path until the centre of the room was glowing. Lord Haelor stepping down and proceeding to light the candle on each of the carved columns and sitting back down. Words spoken swearing not to lie or withhold information if one was asked. An oath was an oath, and theirs was a blood oath to the fourteen. If anyone was found to lie, at best they could expect exile and at worst their entire family being decimated.

Representatives of the Gods walked in then, each carving into the palms of their hands and dropping their blood on the base of the columns where depictions of their Gods were carved into. Chanting all the while in Old Valyrian, a language precious few knew. The one they had spoken before they had discovered the properties of their blood and specific families were granted the gift of being able to bond with a dragon. Back when they had simply been farmers and sheep herders. The chant was familiar to her as she had heard it dozens of times since this marked her sixth year of attending councils, but if she were to be asked what it meant in High Valyrian, she would not be able to answer. Once they had finished, the flames from the braziers dimmed until there was just a faint glow as only embers remained. Thus, the initiation was completed and everyone took their seats once more.

"On behalf of His Almighty Baerax, begin."

And they had. Maegor Maeninarys being the first to speak over how he had heard disturbing rumours of the Sarnori being challenged by the Dothraki and wondering if they should do anything about it. Working around in a circular fashion and every other Lord and Lady chiming in on what they thought on the matter. Trades were discussed, possible wars were discussed, position was discussed. Anything and everything. As all were under oath, there was no need to hide anything. Everyone was honest whilst in this room that was only permitted accessible to representatives and Dragonlord's. Daenys staring at all the statues of their Gods and taking note of how those facing one another were opposites. Valyrian's believed that there could never be all good without a little bad, and that there could never be something completely bad without a little good.

There was Balerion and Meraxes- the Gods of War and Peace. Caraxes and Syrax- the Gods of Death and Life. Aelaryx and Meleys- Gods of Fertility and Love. Vermithor and Arrax- Gods of Wealth and Less Fortunate. Vermax and Tessarion- Gods of Hate and Friendship. Vhagar and Tyraxes- Gods of Unity and Wisdom. And finally there was Baerax and Maeryx (whom she had named her own dragon after)- the Gods of the Gods and of Men themselves.

By now, they were at House Dallaeron. Commonly known as the family in charge of the eastern border. They had stood mighty for thousands of years and if it weren't for their scouts, they wouldn't have found out about the ambitions of the Ghiscari Empire. They had thirsted to take Valyria for themselves and to also become one with the Gods, but instead they ended up losing everything and now the entire area was a smoking ruin from the final war where they had finally brought the entire might of Valyria to their shores. Only three cities remained and all had sworn to forgo their beliefs and instead adopt Valyrian beliefs alongside their language. Meereen, Astapor, and Yunkai. Vaeniar Dallaeron speaking on how he had sailed to Astapor and bringing up a possible slave trade with the city.

Astapor were famous for their Unsullied soldiers. Trained from boys to men and were known never to show pain and to never disobey an order. Speaking on how it may be beneficial to buy some of them by sending some of their mining slaves to them to search for anything of value. Numerous objected to the idea, stating only Valyrian's were permitted to live in Valyria itself. But Vaeniar had expected this and instead mentioned potentially housing them in Oros, a city north of the fourteen but further south than Vaeniar's home of Elyria on the north eastern coast of the Valyrian Peninsula. Despite the debate now happening, it was obvious no fight was going to break out. No blood could be spilled in a violent manner in this room as it was an affront to the Gods of the highest order.

"Lord Freeholder Aenar, do you have anything to add?"

Daenys blinked a couple of times and she felt Gaemon grip her hand tighter than he was previously as nerves overcame her. Knowing people would not take kindly to this. Everyone in this room knew she was gifted alongside Alysanne Tarennis who must've noticed something was amiss when she cocked her head her way from across the room, something which she confirmed with a simple nod of the head. Did she have a panicked look on her face? Shaking her head as surely she had imagined such a thing.

"I have nothing to add in regard to war, position, or trade. But I do have something to speak on. It almost certainly is a false alarm but it is one I believe everyone should be made aware of. As we all know, my daughter Daenys was gifted with the sight. A gift that pops up in a babe born every other decade. To date, all dreams she has had have had some semblance of truth to them- "

"Get on with it Aenar the Low."

Now, Gaemon squeezed her hand again but it was out of anger and not out of calming her nerves. House Haelithox had always despised House Targaryen. Not believing how low life's such as them were chosen by the Gods and instead must've used foul magic to be granted. Something Lord Freeholder Laerion Haelithox also believed hence the nickname.

"She dreamt of the fourteen no longer lying dormant and of the city being destroyed, my fellow Lords and Ladies."

She expected silence as this was confirmed, but the silence that followed was so much worse than she had ever experienced. Some people opening their mouths to speak but realising they didn't know how to put what they were thinking to words and decided not to even attempt doing so. Eyes moving around them all to see if she could guess anyone's thoughts before landing on Alysanne who was now as white as the clouds. Surely not. Daenys cocked her head to the side and the other nodded ever so slightly. If she weren't looking for it, she wouldn't have noticed it. Fear balling within because with no words spoken, the other confirmed she had dreamt either the same or similar. One person it could perhaps be pushed as lies, but two? And one of them being in the top three?

"I am sure your daughter was simply dreaming as normal and not gifted dreams, Lord Aenar- "

"My daughter does not have normal dreams, Lord Laerion. Lord Haelor, have the slaves working in the mines at the base of the fourteen reported anything strange?"

"Unlike your House, we do not speak to our slaves. They are not one of us, therefore we do not treat them as one of ours."

Fourteen hells, this was beginning to get ugly. Her mother not taking the insult towards their House as she retorted back;

"Unlike your own House, we do not bed our own children."

Daenys' eyes widened at this, as did Gaemon's. Slowly turning their head towards her mother in disbelief she had just said what she did. Lord Haelor's face burning bright red at the insult towards his own parents as he stood up and began walking over towards them. The representatives having to block him from attacking them . The flames rising again from embers in the braziers and feeling the warmth of them hit her face.

"I am in the top three, my Lord. You are in the lower five. You should teach your wife her place."

"I will be having a firm word with my wife when we return to our manse, Lord Haelor."

It was obvious he wouldn't, her father having an amused look on his face at his wife's retort. Her aunt was incredibly uncomfortable with what had occurred and was looking to her lap where she had clasped her hands together tightly.

"How often does your daughter have gifted dreams?"

"Rarely, perhaps once a year at a push."

"You seriously aren't taking this seriously, are you? One of the lower five says they dream of the destruction of our glorious city by wrath of the Gods. We are one with them, chosen by them to rule this land and expand it to greatness. We carry out their wishes, it does not make sense they wish to punish us."

The talks went on for what felt like hours, but from the positioning of the sun in the sky through the windows this was not possible. But eventually it came to an end. Everyone filing out and mounting their dragons to head back to their manses or where they had been previously. Daenys' mind was filled with worry as she remembered the pale face of Alysanne, knowing it was something she would need to bring up to her father when they were home. Maeryxon landing outside the den not long after and all walking back to their manse. Once the door was closed, she spoke;

"Alysanne Tarennis dreamt it too."

Her father snapped his neck towards her with alarming speed, staring at her waiting for her to say it was a joke but when he realised she wasn't, he looked like he was about to be sick.

"What does this mean, Aenar?"

"It means my wife has dreamt of the end of Valyria, mother."

Daenys Targaryen, 12 years before the Doom, two weeks after the council meeting.

The door to their manse closed with a force so loud it sounded like it had been torn off the hinges and smacked against the wall. Turning to her husband and aunt warily before making their way into the main hallway to see what had caused it. Their father was spending the day with Maeron who had finally managed to take his eyes away from his grandchild. Like expected, Rhaena had won the fight and thus Aemma Velraenos was anointed in the ways of Their Holiness and His Almighty. Had they gotten into a fight? Not likely. Even when they were young she had never witnessed the pair fight. But when she spotted who it was that had done so, she paused in alarm.

"Alysanne? What are you doing here?"

The other lifted her head and only now did she spot her eyes were puffy and her cheeks were soaked with tears. What had happened? Daenys immediately running over to pull the other in tightly and spotting the giant claw of the others purple and white dragon. Clearly that is what broke the door which she noticed now had been removed from its hinges.

"My father- he- "

She began crying again, feeling her body shake and the noise must've gotten her father and Maeron's attention as they ran inside now, looking to the younger warily.

"What about your father? Has something happened?"

"They took him. My father spoke to Lord Haelor and confirmed I had dreamt the same as you did. He didn't take it how it was intended and instead took it as treason for agreeing with one of the lower five. We've been struck from the lower three and replaced with House Haelithox and my father is now in one of the sky towers- "

And then she was crying again.

"Your husband and younger brother?"

"My husband was taken alongside my father, I managed to run with my other brother and he is calming Gaelron down as he is not happy with what has occurred."

Not that she could blame the massive she dragon. With scales that looked like spun gold with specks of white and black all over its body, Daemon Tarennis' dragon was not to be messed with. And now said dragons rider was locked in a sky tower alongside his heir Taeron Tarennis.

"I am guessing they are setting a trial- "

"Worse, they are trialling my husband and executing my father on the morrow."

What happened over the next few hours was a massive blur. But it was agreed, they could not remain here. No words needed to be spoken but if two of the top three- or previous top three- were imprisoned for backing her claims, it meant others in the top would see it as them trying to rise House Targaryen which many would not take kindly to. Their House was in danger. Her mother tasked herself in saddling the dragons for a quick getaway, her aunt packing as many belongings as she could, Gaemon strapping weapons to him including Dark Sister as her father strapped Blackfyre to his own hip. The massive ruby on the hilt seemingly glowing against the black leather. Maeron ran to alert his siblings and children of what was about to occur as they readied themselves as well. Eventually, the Velaryon walked back in covered head to toe in Valyrian steel armour with their own Valyrian steel blade Aureum strapped to his hip, his pale blue dragon now remaining just outside their manse.

"They're in the highest sky tower, Daeron flew over to see where as his dragon blends in with the black stone terrifyingly well. If we do this Aenar, you know what the consequences if we fail are?"

"That I do, cousin mine. That I do. But if mine own House is either going to be executed for something those higher up believe to be the case, I would take the one chance of saving my family."

Maeressa walked in now with numerous boxes, pushing them with help from Gaemon to strap to the sides of their dragons. Looking around the manse she had lived in her whole life and feeling a tight feeling in her chest that this may be the last time she was here.

"Is the ship ready to transport our slaves?"

"Aye, it is docked and stocked with everything needed ready to leave. Give the order."

Her father done just that. Ringing the bell for their two dozen slaves to enter and being ordered to get to the shore as they were leaving Valyria now. All left towards their huts to gather the little belongings they had before heading towards the coast.

"Daenys and Gaemon, you are not to follow Maeron or myself, am I clear?"

"But father!"

"No Gaemon, I will not risk my heir dying and thus our House dying. If we survive, I want us to be a thorn in their back."

She was crying herself now as she walked over to pull her father in tight. Just the thought this might be the last time she saw him breaking her within. But she saw the sense in his words. Aenar kissed both of his wives deeply before mounting Balerion as Maeron mounted Arrexion and flying north.

"We need to leave now."

They all nodded at this, turning to Alysanne and Aegon who had finally calmed their fathers dragon. All mounting their own and flying towards the coast where the ship was situated. And then, all they could do was wait. Hundreds of dragons were flying over the city both claimed and unclaimed, but few had riders on their backs. Perhaps a scout or two for a House but nothing more. Day turned into night, and night turned into dawn. Biting down on her lip and awaiting on the agreed signal they would be able to see from so high up in the air that her father had either succeeded or failed so they could escape. And then it came, a burst of flames in the agreed pattern, a smile breaking out on her face.

"They succeeded. The Gods are on our side, after all."

It took a while for them to fly their way, noticing both Taeron and Daemon atop their own dragons. Alysanne letting out a short scream of joy as she flew towards her father and husband with her brother following. Their joy was short-lived though as the bells began to ring signalling an escaped prisoner. All eyeing one another and nodding before turning to Valyria for possibly the last time. It took them almost a sennight of constant flying before they finally reached their destination. The cold air not agreeing with their dragons blood as they spotted the black castle carved from black stone at the base of the Dragonmont. Daenys had never visited Dragonstone before, glancing over the villages and towns from above and even daring to look further west to see the coast of the Sunset Kingdom's which they had never expanded into. The Land which had numerous Kingdom's ruled by a single ruler. Their dragons landing on the many sky towers as they all dismounted and walking down the stairs inside the castle. Gaemon gripping her hand tightly as they walked through the corridors and tried to make sense of where the main hall was. A slave pointing them in the correct direction and meeting everyone else there.

"I would say welcome home, but this is far from welcome."