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Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 19, 2014 0:02:14 GMT -5
It has been a long time since I've seen my home city of King's Landing, Lorath is a much different place from this. It looks almost the same since I was sent away, almost. The view from above, atop the back of Vraxor, brings back memories.
Vraxor begins a lazy descent towards the Red Keep. The messenger he had sent in advance must have delivered the news of his arrival, otherwise there would be other dragonriders trying to take him down.
I am greeted by the King's Herald and official Dragon Handler. I tell the former of my request for an audience with the new king. He informs me that the arrangements have already been made, my messenger arrived safely. The Dragon Handler tells me that he will take Vraxor to a den. I inform him of Vraxor's taste for other dragons and to keep him in solitude if he wishes to avoid any unneeded issues. He tells me that he has heard of my dragon's reputation, he will be careful.
I Let the Herald lead me towards the Red Keep and hand over my weapons when asked, my spears, bow, and arrows. The dragonlance (sorry for the pun) is still attached to Vraxor's saddle.
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Post by The Gambler on Mar 19, 2014 0:38:48 GMT -5
Bertram, the long prodigal son of King's Landing, was ushered into the Throne Room to whispers of alarm and confusion by the gathered throngs of courtiers. Most were too young to recognize the young man that had been sent away so long ago, though a few of the older faces showed signs of recognition.
King Maegor II sat high upon the Iron Throne, peering down at his uncle with an impassive expression.
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Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 19, 2014 0:51:13 GMT -5
Bertram entered the throne room and opened his arms wide, "Maegor! My friend and neph-"
He cut himself short upon seeing the king's countenance. Bertram immediately lowered his arms and head, kneeling.
"I apologize my liege, I have been away from proper royalty for many years. I have come to pledge myself and Vraxor to you."
He then looked up into the new king's eyes, new king in his mind at least.
"I hope the kingdom has been treating you well, it is good to be back where we... I belong."
He silently scolded himself for saying we, few people have the kind of connection that he does with Vraxor. Hopefully the king would think Bertram was referring to when they were children.
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Maekar
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Post by Maekar on Mar 19, 2014 17:06:58 GMT -5
Maekar was in the throne room when his favorite uncle returned, and he did a double take in surprise, trying to remember how many years it had been since he had last seen the man. He winced, as he referred to the King by his given name in front of the entire court, but nodded as Prince Bertram corrected himself and made a proper presentation before the crown. Maekar waited until the King replied, before saying anything.
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Post by The Gambler on Mar 19, 2014 20:01:53 GMT -5
"We are happy to see you returned to the fold, uncle, as well as your dragon." Maegor replied, invoking the royal we as a pointed reminder of how he would be addressed in court. "You have missed a war, but perhaps you will enthrall us with tales of your time in the east."
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Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 19, 2014 22:53:34 GMT -5
Bertram heard his king's words and winced slightly at the not-so-gentle rebuke. Taking a moment a think of an answer, he took a quick glance around the assembly and noticed the not-so-young Maekar Dracaryn, the child who had not known a the touch of a woman nor a hair on his balls by the time Bertram left had grown into himself it seemed, the two were close before Bertram had been sent away and was one of the few people that he truly missed. Maekar's missing eye spoke volumes of what Bertram had missed. Bertram caught his nephew's eye and gave an imperceptible smile and wink before returning his gaze and a somber face to the figure before him.
"Your majesty, had I the ability to fight by your side, I would have. You know I have never been one to shy away from combat. I would be happy to share my stories, however they involve little of the intrigue that I'm sure would amuse those in attendance. However, it was very pleasant to be able to spend every day with Vraxor, he has become quite a beast."
Bertram took care not to mention his wife and child. Without knowing the status of the kingdom nor how he was currently perceived, he felt that it would be safest for his unknown family to remain a mystery for the time being.
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Post by The Gambler on Mar 20, 2014 3:14:04 GMT -5
Maegor seemed to consider Bertram's words for an eternity, weighing them with a critical glint in his violet eyes.
"We are in no position to turn down an additional dragon." he finally intoned. "We will have rooms made up for you in the Red Keep."
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Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 20, 2014 3:21:34 GMT -5
Bertram let loose a quiet sigh of relief, while not the homecoming he had hoped for, it was also more than he expected.
Standing up, he went to see his hopefully more amiable nephew, Maekar.
"You look big! And those wounds, you have become a real man, Maekar. I hope I may call you that? I do now know what official titles you hold now, and I assume Mikey just won't work anymore." Bertram opened his mouth in a large grin and hoped that his words would not get him killed. "You must share your stories of battle and glory with me sometime!"
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Maekar
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Post by Maekar on Mar 20, 2014 6:35:25 GMT -5
"Courtesy of the Dragonbane," Maekar replied, holding up his left arm that ended in a stump at the wrist. He ignored the usage of a nickname he had not heard in twenty years, though he frowned, indicating to his eye. "And this one was shrapnel, in the sky over Oldtown. The Militant had these exploding ballistae; they packed the bolts some fluid that the Maesters invented, its was… they found some way to control fire and make it a liquid. Not like Wildfire, that the Pyromancers create, but something different. It needed no flame to ignite it; the force of the bolts hitting their target was enough to set it off. After Oldtown fell, half of those chained bastards killed themselves, to keep us from discovering their secrets."
"I was made Lord of Darkheart Keep, for my actions on the field, though it was Prince Aegon himself who slew the Dragonbane," he added, frowning again at the use of his brother's name.
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Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 20, 2014 15:17:55 GMT -5
"I am glad that you survived, And with a proper lordship no less! I wish I had been here to help, nephew, I have been stagnant out there, the sounds of real battle all too distant from my memory. It would have been an honor to have you fighting by my side. I know not much of this Dragonbane, but news of his work has reached us in Lorath, it is a relief to hear he is dead. Yes, Aegon, where is the little ankle biter nowadays? Although I suppose he is not so little anymore either. I fear it will take me some time to adjust to being back amongst royalty. If you went up against the Dragonbane you must have a dragon now! Did you tame it yourself?"
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Maekar
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Post by Maekar on Mar 20, 2014 15:27:09 GMT -5
Maekar opened his mouth, and then closed it again. It had been a long time since he'd met someone who had not heard of his legendary taming of Meraxes at seventeen, and his disastrous campaign in Dorne that had cost the dragon its life five years later. "I bonded Cyrax last year; when he was terrorizing Dragonstone the King sent me to return with the dragon tamed, or not at all," he replied.
"His grace the Prince is currently on a diplomatic tour of the eastern cities, with one of his sisters, and the King's mother," he added stiffly.
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Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 20, 2014 21:44:15 GMT -5
Noticing the ice in Maekar's voice Bertram could tell that there was more to the stories of Cyrax and Aegon than was let on. That information could come later, he had no urge to press his nephew on clearly touchy subjects.
Hearing Maekar refer to his family as 'His grace the Prince' and 'the King's mother' reminded Bertram of the difficulty of royal life at King's Landing, this had not been easy on his family. Of course, things had never been easy for the Targaryens, but the harsh reminder stayed in Bertram's mind. He would have to find out more about what he had missed.
"Cyrax, I remember that one. Very impressive indeed! It must be quite a tale. We should go flying together sometime, it will allow us to catch up in a more comfortable atmosphere."
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Maekar
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Post by Maekar on Mar 21, 2014 14:07:28 GMT -5
"Indeed," Maekar replied. "You are, of course, welcome to enjoy the hospitality of Darkheart Keep. My lady wife is still in the capital for the nonce, but we will return there soon. It is not far, perhaps two hours flight from here, in the Kingswood."
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Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 21, 2014 14:36:07 GMT -5
"It would be my honor." Bertram smiled and grasped his nephew's hand, at least he had one friend.
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Maekar
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Post by Maekar on Mar 21, 2014 14:41:18 GMT -5
Maekar shook his uncle's hand firmly. "We will speak again soon, perhaps in a quieter place," he said quietly. "I imagine you've many questions about the Kingdom in your absence."
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Post by Bertram Targaryen on Mar 21, 2014 15:37:47 GMT -5
"Indeed I do, it would not do me any food to be looking at the wrong end of an executioner's blade. And considering my true title, I am not aiming to make enemies just yet." Bertram glanced around the throne room.
"The place has not changed much, but the faces have."
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all alone and also really bored 
Hopefully going to kickstart the festival too