Chapter 25.5- The Seadragon's Roar

XXXXX- TWO WEEKS LATER

A week until the Triarchy would set sail. That was the only thing on my mind now. Bernard had finished with the last of the Ravens yesterday. They had all been sent out. The most trusted captains would have them on their ships and when the attack came, or when they spotted anything, they would release the raven. It would have been better if we could get them to scrawl a message on to it, and when I had suggested it, I had nearly been laughed out of the room.

“Laenor, I think you might be one of only four people in this room that can read” Borros had said between hearty laughs. The issue with that statement was that I doubted he included himself in that list. Laena was out on Vhagar. But Mother, Daemon, Vaemond, and I had been in the room. That was four. I’d suspected the Baratheon heir couldn’t read, but to have it confirmed was a blow in the gut. Especially when it came with the additional knowledge that the Sailor class I intended to build my empire on the backs of were functionally illiterate.

The training blade came for my chest, and I was knocked from my thoughts as I knocked it aside. “You’re supposed to be practicing with the dummy” I scolded .

“And you’re supposed to be paying attention to me while I do so, so I guess the two of us aren’t doing what we should” She said, and then came with her blade again.

Against all odds, Laena had actually turned out more than passable with the sword. While I didn’t think I had the same entrenched sexism as most of this world, I found that I had internalized some things against my will. I had expected her to give up after a few sessions once she realised it was not as fun as she thought it was. And then when that happened, I had expected her to give up once she hit the ceiling of her abilities. Maybe that would still happen, but the ceiling of her abilities was turning out to be much higher than I had ever expected.

I leaned into her next strike, stepping into her guard and forcing her backwards. My left foot lashed forward, intertwining with hers, and messing up her footwork. She went to the ground in a huff and my blade was at her throat. Of course, that didn’t mean much when she was still so much worse than I was.

“No fun” She said.

“You’re no fun” I heard her echo as I turned towards Ser Ben with the thought on my mind. He had been in the room as well.

“Can you read, Ser Ben?” I asked.

“Somewhat” He replied, looking confused at the question.

“What does that mean?”

“I can read the Seven Pointed Star, but nothing else”