Chapter 19.6- The Seadragon's Roar

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I waited outside, trying my best not to act like I was sulking even thought I was most definitely sulking. By my side, Laena was brimming with amusement. Mother, on the other hand, was the very picture of propriety. One would not even be able to tell that this woman had screamed at me a scarce few hours ago.

I’d tried to join them in heading into the cave, and mother had decided that she would be having it only over her dead body. Our wills had clashed, we had fought, and in case my presence here rather than inside with them didn’t make it clear, I had lost.

There was a yell from the front and the men began to troop out. Daemon was at the head, holding up a severed head with the manic smile of a man proud of his kill. He tossed it at Rhaenys’ feet. She lifted an eyebrow.

“And what about this particular head is meant to mean anything to me?”

“That is….” He turned to one of the men by his side, snapping his fingers

“Bloodbeard” the man said to him in a bare whisper.

“Bloodbeard. He’s one the fellows that thought to lay claim to Kingship of this island. He challenged me to single combat instead of having our armies fight. We fought, and I won” He said, and then came the line of prisoners. Borros led them with a smile on his face that failed to reach his eyes. The psycho was probably pissed at not having gotten to fight as much as he wanted.

“He also was kind enough to let slip that this lot have buried their treasure somewhere not far from here” Daemon continued.

“Indeed? A worthy kill then, cousin” Rhaenys praised before she stepped over the head like it was nothing. Where most women shied from blood and violence, Rhaenys Targaryen revelled in it, and she looked beautiful as she did so.

“I will address the captives” She said.

The pirates were lined up in single file. A quick headcount showed there were more than a couple hundred of them in total. And these were the ones who surrendered. To make it to the center, they’d probably had to fight through dozens of them.

“I need one of you who knows where your Captain buried the treasure.” She said. She did not shout, but her voice carried. One of the fools spat in her direction. It was just his luck that the spit landed on the floor, failing to connect. Behind her, Meleys stirred. Even Igneel and Vhagar were less than pleased at the gesture. Caraxes cracked open an eye, and I could see how the pirates realised the depths of their misfortune.

Borros walked over, fist clad in a steel gauntlet and punched the man in the face. His head snapped backwards, he fell too the floor, Borros followed him there. The field was silent as the only sound was that of steel hitting flesh. Over and over again. Borros did not stop until the man’s moans and groans had ceased, and then there as silence. He hit him once more for good measure before he stood up. The view….was not pretty.

Laena turned around, and I heard the sound of retching. Mother did not even react.

“Thank you, Cousin” She said to him before turning to the pirates again.

“Now one of you should volunteer before I get impatient.” It took a few more seconds before one of them stepped forward.

“I’ll show you where he buried it, milady” He said, voice shaking. He could not be much older than I was. I watched Mother’s stance soften.

“And what is your name?”

“Pate, Milady. Was the Captain’s servant”

“And you know where the treasure is buried”

“Better than me own name, milady.”

“Good. Please take him aside Cousin” She said, and Borros in an uncharacteristically obedient move ushered the boy to the side. She straightened, returning to being the Queen that never was.

“For the crime of piracy, I Rhaenys Targaryen sentence you to death” She spoke to the crowd. None of them could react before Meleys fully straightened.

“Dracarys”

A/N: And so we have a chapter. In case it’s not clear, Rhaenys has no interest in fucking around.