House of The Dragon-A God Amongst Men-Chapter 140: Lure

(Third Person POV)

"So there are Essosi ships attacking the Stormlands?!" Baelon exclaimed, "What timing....!!"

"Not only that." Aemon said, "Some Duskguard movement have been spotted near the Reach. It appears that they will be first to respond to it."

Septon Barth looked down at the table where they sat at, "Why, though?" He asked, "This seems rather strange....."

Jaehaerys placed his hand on his chin, "Is he suspecting something?" He asked, "There can't be...his spell on Alysanne was lifted long ago, I do not think he's eavesdropping anymore....."

"No." Alysanne said, "I believe this is him catching wind of the action. He has been rather bored as of late, craving violence. He has been to Essos many times, destroying villages and murdering hundreds of innocents to satiate his bloodlust. The fact that these Essosi have decided to attack could play right into what he wants; a War."

"War....." Jaehaerys said, "We can use this."

"How?" Aemon asked

"Call him along with Maegelle." Jaehaerys told Alysanne, "Tell him that this conflict will be beneficial for both of us. He will no doubt send his men to deal with it...."

"And you want him here?" Alysanne asked with a confused look

"Under the illusion that I wish to discuss terms for this conflict." Jaehaerys said, "That is what Corlys wants. After he gets here, Corlys will enact his plan."

"I am still skeptical of this...." Baelon said, "I do not think it would be this easy."

"Sometimes...." Barth said, "The Gods give us a clear path to success....we must take it."

"Agreed...." Jaehaerys said, "Alysanne, call for Maegelle....I have no doubt that she will convince him to come.....alone....the quicker, the better."

"What about Houses Martell and Dayne?" Aemon asked, "They are still here in the Red Keep. He should know about their intent to side back with us."

"I do not think he would care much about that." Jaehaerys said, "Let us proceed like this."

He stood up and walked out of the room, followed by the Queen and Septon Barth, leaving Aemon and Baelon alone.

"Brother....." Baelon said, "I do not trust any of this...."

"Neither do I." Aemon said, "But if Corlys is right.....if that sword has the power to kill him.....what do you think we should do?"

"I don't know...." Baelon said as he frowned, "After everything we have seen him do.....do you seriously think he can be killed?"

"Father saw a vision...." Aemon said, "I want to know what vision he saw.....he is very adamant about it....I do not know....I do not trust it...."

"Well....." Baelon said, "We have no choice but to go along with this...."

"Right...." Aemon said, "But on the off-chance that it does work...."

"Yea...." Baelon said, "This could be very good for us...."

"We can finally be free of Drakken..."

****************

[A Day Later....]

In the Stormlands, several Essosi forces have made landfall, prompting House Baratheon to rally his banners and defend his territory. There has been fierce fighting along the coast, catching the attention of the Duskguard.

The Duskguard then proceeded to mobilize towards said fighting, meeting with the Dornish forces that Drakken had predicted would move in. Because of a peace and truce enacted, the Duskguard marched towards the battlefields and within a few hours, they managed to reach House Baratheon's forces and push the Essosi back momentarily.

This, however, was not enough as the Essosi forces have taken over a few towns as bases of operations, forcing House Baratheon to focus on the issue permanently.

This was planned by Drakken, however, and he had the Duskguard place outposts throughout the Stormlands in order to survey the situation, allowing the Stormlanders to deal with most of the battles by themselves.

Currently, House Baratheon is preparing for another assault to push back the enemy from its territory, and they are aware that the Duskguard would be a great help.

But it is unknown if the initial aid was meant to happen since they have decided to step back, as if waiting for orders from Drakken.

Right now, in the Capital, Drakken had arrived with Maegelle, who received a letter from Queen Alysanne, claiming there was an urgent emergency.

Drakken was a bit annoyed at this but gave in to Maegelle's plea, telling him that she needed to see what was happening.

They had walked into the Throne Room of the Red Keep, seeing that nobody was there. Maegelle had a confused look on her face as Drakken stood behind her.

Drakken slowly looked around, "Where is your Mother?" He asked, "She is the one who called you. Why would she do that if she is not going to greet you?"

"I do not know, Lord Drakken." She said softly, "I.....she said it was urgent, regarding my Family...I hope my sisters are well....Daella....Viserra....Gael...."

Drakken placed his hands in his pockets and sighed, "This was a waste of my time....." He said with an annoyed tone, "There is a bit of a conflict in the Stormlands, I was quite intrigued by what was happening...."

"Ah...." King Jaehaerys's voice was heard, "That is what I wanted to speak to you about....well, aside from the urgent emergency."

Drakken looked to the side, seeing Jaehaerys walking out of the shadows, a neutral look on his face.

"Hm.....?" Drakken said as he looked at him

"Father...." Maegelle said, "What happened? Is everything well?"

Jaehaerys gave her a serious look, "Go to your Mother, she is in her chambers.....she will explain everything..."

Maegelle glanced at Drakken, who shrugged dismissively, "O-Oh, alright...."

Maegelle then quickly scurried away as Jaehaerys stood there, looking at Drakken.

"So....." Drakken said, "What did you wish to speak to me about?"

"Myr, Tyrosh, and Braavos, surprisingly, have sent forces to attack our lands...." The King said, "Do you know anything about that?"

"No." Drakken said, "Not particularly. Why?"

"Listen, this is an issue." Jaehaerys said, "I wish to continue a peaceful alliance between our Houses."

"Hm." Drakken tilted his head

"Help us out." Jaehaerys said, "If you can help us repel the Essosi.....I will see what I can do in giving you what you want...."

"And that is....?" Drakken asked

"Alysanne could not convince Maegelle to give you a child." He said, "I will try to do that myself."

"If her Mother could not make her, what makes you think you would?" Drakken asked with a slight smirk, "There was a message I intended to give Alysanne, but I suppose she has not received it. I don't care about that, not right now. I have two sons already, I can be content with them for the time being. When Maegelle finally makes her choice, I will take her."

"Hm....." Jaehaerys said, "For a cruel 'God', you seem quite reasonable in that regard. Someone like you has his limits and boundaries it seems....and they are majorly impacted by the kindness that Maegelle has rubbed off on you."

"Hmph." Drakken scowled, "She has made me soft. And I am no idiot, you fools intend to use that against me. But worry not.....I don't care."

"Enough of that." Jaehaerys said, "I do not intend to speak here....about the conflict. I do need your help."

"Is that so?" Drakken asked, "Why not speak here?"

"Over the past couple of months, there has been a breach." Jaehaerys said, "I have discovered nearly a dozen of Essosi spies in my castle. I kept it a secret but they keep appearing like rats...even now, I do not think I have gotten rid of them all....so let us speak somewhere more private....."

"Near the Blackwater....that is a good place...."

*******************

Walking towards a stone platform outside the Red Keep, on the coast of the Blackwater Gulf, Jaehaerys looked up to the sky.

"The waves hit the rocks loudly, I do not think anyone would hear us here." He said as he walked, "It is a perfect place to speak in secret."

"Hm....." Drakken said, "I could have casted a dome of silence."

"I have no need for your magic." Jaehaerys said as they reached the platform, "You see....there is an issue I have discovered...."

Drakken crossed his arms, "Issue?"

"Over the past few months, those spies have given me a piece of information that I find...unsettling...." Jaehaerys said with a serious look

"And what is that?" Drakken asked

"Corlys Velaryon." The King said

"What does he have to do with the Essosi?" Drakken asked

"I believe that because of him, the conflict arose." Jaehaerys said, "He has caused nothing but rampages in a fit of madness that has allegedly been placed on him by you....."

"False." Drakken said

"Well, regardless....." Jaehaerys said, "I think that he is the reason this has happened....and well, I humbly ask you for the Duskguard to repel these enemies....in the name of the peace you have promised."

"Hm....." Drakken said, "Fine....."

"Good." He said, "Now, to speak detail. Certain individuals are key to this Essosi invasion....apparently they have-"

"Cut the shit, Jaehaerys." Drakken tilted his head

"What?" Jaehaerys said

"You're making no sense." Drakken said, "I don't care about these Essosi fucks. Tell me, why am I truly here? There is something else, isn't there?"

"Hm...." Jaehaerys said, "It seems that Maegelle has gotten you soft...and she has dulled your paranoia and senses.....but not that much...."

Drakken narrowed his eyes, "What do you mean?"

"DRAKKEN!!!!!" a Bellowing voice was heard

Drakken looked over to the side, seeing several arrows flying towards him, "What?" He said as he flicked them away with his telekinesis, "What the fuck is this?"

Jaehaerys jumped away as several men swarmed the platform, throwing vials of a red liquid at Drakken. The vials broke, and Drakken was soaked in a flammable liquid that burned his skin.

"Shit...!!!" Drakken said while he widened his eyes, "What is this?!"

Then, a flaming arrow struck him in the shoulder, setting him ablaze.

As he stumbled back, he waved his hand, extinguishing the flames as the men swarmed him and continuously stabbed him with blades drenched in poison.

Drakken sent them flying away with his telekinesis, the right side of his face scorched, "What is the meaning of this, Jaehaerys?!" He bellowed with an angry tone, "Do you wish to fucking die?!"

Jaehaerys was panting, anxiety filling his body, "This is where you die!!!!!"

Suddenly, Corlys appeared with the Sword on his hand, the runes glowing brightly as he had a red mark on his arm, drawn by blood.

"DRAKKEN, MY VENGEANCE IS HERE!!!!" He shouted as his eyes were bloodshot, "MY BLOODLUST WILL BE SATIATED WITH YOUR DEATH!!!!"

Drakken narrowed his eyes, "Y-You...."

He was then stabbed in the leg by someone behind him and he immediately ripped their head apart. This caused a split-second opening that Corlys took.

"DIE!!!!" Corlys bellowed as he swung the sword at him

The sword cut Drakken in the arm, and he had managed to step to the side and raised his arm defensively out of instinct. The cut glowed brightly, emitting a blue light that burned Drakken's arm.

"Aghhhh!!!!!" Drakken shouted in pain, stumbling to the side, "W-What the fuck?!"

Corlys panted, "T-The power....!" He said, "I-It harmed you....!!!"

As the light died down, Corlys and Jaehaerys watched as Drakken began to bleed profusely from the cut on his arm, his wound steaming.

"Fucker!!" Drakken exclaimed as he stepped back, his legs trembling, "W-What is this?"

Corlys then thrust his sword at him, "I will kill you!!!!"

Drakken then disappeared, causing Corlys to miss wildly.

Jaehaerys widened his eyes, "H-He retreated....!!" He said, "It works!!"

"He ran!!"