Sun House

Rhaella threw her wine in the face, forgetting in her fury that it was fine Arbor Gold. She was so angry she even forget her manners.

"Are you a damn fool, Aerion? This is war, not some stupid game! Your marriage to this Greyjoy girl would help us to keep our friends. If Baelon has to go back and tell him you refused, he may sail his ships straight back home. You may not care about Velaryon's fleet but I do. This war has gone on so long - all our lives - and it's past time it ended. So if you are a true dragon, you will bloody well accept it and do your duty! If you do not, I will have you clapped in irons and you can rot in the dungeons to await a traitor's death while I fight our enemies."

But Rhaella shook her head.

"You think a maidenhead is worth the Arbor? I don't. The Arbor will need a new lord, but it will go to someone who proves their loyalty in battle and will be decided by the king and myself when the war is over. I will make no promises now. The Arbor is too rich a prize to give a way at this time."

"We shall. But you will cease making demands. You will wed the woman, and I shall speak to the king of your desire for lands and a keep in which to raise your family, but let that be an end to it. You can't marry the girl until the war is done, anyway."

She sat back down again and resumed eating as if nothing had happened.

"The Greyjoys will sweep down upon the Arbor fleet while our own vessels remain hidden here. Then, when the Redwyne fleet has engaged our allies, our own men will bear down upon them with the advantage of surprise." Or so she hoped.

Rhaella filled her glass and sipped.

"One ship shall be kept back. That one carries a most precious cargo which is to be delivered to Prince Aegon's army at Oldtown, for use in the battle. Before we set out I will send one of our riders to fly to meet my son to ask that he make appropriate arrangements for the cargo."

She took a few bites of food before she continued.

"When Lord Velaryon's men are fighting, I will lead our dragons in an assault upon the Arbor. We will take the castle and secure the island."

She leaned close and whispered "Wildfire." Then she smiled brightly at him and continued "I am sure you understand the danger."

"That is not for me to say," Rhaella answered. "We will use every tool in our arsenal to defeat the Faith Militant. It does not matter how they die, only that they die. Either way, they shall burn."

She looked around to see if Arenya or Orys had arrived yet.

Tanis swooped in fast from the right in a deliberate pass as Arenya spotted her kin. She laughed and landed Tanis close by and dismounted,"I see we are all in one piece. I take that back, Orys isn't here yet....." Then she paused and toke note of the annoyed expressions and tension.

"Okay, what sort of discussion have I walked into?" Arenya looked from her sister to Bae and then to Aerion. "Is there a problem?"

"It could be worse," Rhaella countered. "Could be one of the cannibals from Skagos." She looked to Baelon. "And you, dear brother, have not offered any opinion regarding my suggestion as to your own marriage."

"Lord Cuy's wife gave him only daughters," Rhaella explained. "The new lady of Sun House is a maid of eighteen years. Younger than our brother, of course, but that's all to the good. She is quite pretty, and her lands are well placed with Oldtown about to fall. She would be a good match for a bastard, I believe, Baelon would be close to Oldtown harbour and I should think the threat of the castle in Targaryen hands - and Seaskimmer too - would be enough to put off any thoughts of a future rebellion. I think the match would be most suitable."

She poured more wine and handed it round to her kin. It was very noticeable that Rhaella would never do this at court, but here, on the brink of war, she was willing to pour for herself.

"You're right, though. We need the Greyjoys. And, truly, I daresay the girl is not herself a reaver. With any luck she will be grateful to be let off the Iron Islands."

"Of course. I would expect nothing else. I'll be sure to introduce you before we leave," she said.

She looked up to Aerion. "Cousin, I don't know how many men Redwyne has. How could I, when I have never been to the Arbor. Unfortunately we won't be able to find that out without warning them of our presence that there are dragons present. However, I have been hoping one of you might be willing to fly to Aegon's camp and inform my son that we have brought his wildfire and that he may make suitable arrangements for it to be removed from my charge."

"Would you?" Rhaella smiled a little. "i'd be most grateful, sister. It's best we not use the wildfire ourselves, givne the danger to our own ships, so I'd hope Aegon can find a way to take ownership from us."