Chapter 15
Several years later:
"They are bastards! And she is a whore!"
The throne room went silent at Vaemond Valyrian's words. Baelon looked to the green section where Aegon, Alicent, and Aemond were unable to hide their grins.
"Go to your chambers," began Rhaenyra, turning to her children when a small mass of brown curls rushed past Baelon.
"Incendio!"
Joffrey pulled his wand and aimed it at Corlys' younger brother. A red light flashed through the air and the man screamed as his tunic burst into flames.
Vaemond screamed as his chest was covered in flames, and ladies backed away in horror as he fell to the ground, rolling to put the flames out. Baelon stepped forward slowly, no one daring to stop him as he stood above the smoking man. His arms and chest burned and blistered.
"You should choose your words more carefully, for they are about to be your last."
"No! Stop!" yelled Otto Hightower as Baelon raised his hand to a terrified Vaemond.
"Bombarda!"
Vaemond's head exploded, showering Baelon in blood and meat. He turned to his father, who grinned. Turning to the terrified members of the court, Baelon stood tall.
"Seize him!" yelled Otto as he watched Baelon being surrounded by guards. Daemon pulled Joffrey to keep him from raising his wand and attacking the Kingsguard.
"Baelon can handle this himself," whispered Daemon in Joffrey's ear. Joffrey scowled, putting his wand away, and Daemon chuckled. Baelon had grown to love all of Rhaenyra's children as brothers. But Joffrey was his shadow, and the one he was closest to.
Baelon grinned at the Kingsguard surrounding him. He was dripping in blood, and his eyes met Criston Cole's.
"Ser Cole, you seem to have recovered since our last meeting." The knight's mouth formed a sneer, and Baelon laughed in his face. "I did not think you would be so eager to face me again."
"Honorless coward," spat Criston, "you would never dare face me without your wizard's tricks. Fight me as a man and not a craven, and I will defeat you."
Baelon laughed, his dark curls bouncing.
"Defeat, you say. I do wonder what that would feel like."
"Stop this in the name of your king!"
All eyes fell on Viserys, and Baelon turned to his uncle, who stared at him intensely.
"Your grace," said Otto, stepping forward, "you cannot let this go unpunished. He murdered Lord Vaemond without your permission; it is an act of rebellion."
"I murdered a traitor," said Baelon coldly. "I defended the Crown Princess's honor and your future queen," said Baelon, turning to Otto. "Unless, of course, you believe these lies?"
Otto gritted his teeth at Baelon's smirk. To say yes would be to sign his death sentence.
"Of course not," spat Otto begrudgingly.
"Why do you defend him, Lord Otto? You yourself acknowledge he spoke nothing but lies."
"You broke the king's peace," said Otto coldly. "It was up to the Crown to decide Lord Vaemond's punishment, not you."
Baelon shrugged as he turned to his uncle Viserys.
"Uncle, I will always defend my family. Is it not right that I protect the future queen?"
"Enough. The man is dead," said Viserys. "Let this be the end of it."
"Husband," Queen Alicent stepped forward. "You cannot let this go unpunished. These things he can do are evil, against the teachings of the Seven. You see even Prince Joffrey has been corrupted by his influence."
"Evil, you say?" Baelon turned to Aemond and Aegon, who stared at him in shock. "How unfortunate, I had hoped that you would allow me to test my cousins, to see if they might too be able to learn magic as Joffrey has."
"What?" Otto stepped forward, unable to hide the shock in his voice. If they had a sorcerer on their side, perhaps the future battles might be more easily won.
"We have magic in our blood as Targaryens," said Baelon. "I had hoped perhaps Aegon, Aemond, or Helena might want to learn. But since the queen believes my gifts are evil…" his voice trailed off, and Alicent went pale.
"Could you do it?" asked Aemond, stepping forward, unable to hide the hopeful tone in his voice. "Could you truly teach us magic?"
"Perhaps," said Baelon with a shrug. "But since her Grace's faith prohibits magic, I think it's best we leave things as they are. Now, if you'll excuse me…" he turned to leave and only stopped when Viserys spoke.
"What do you want, nephew? To teach my children what you taught prince Joffrey." Baelon turned, and a grin formed on his face.
"Your Grace, it's too late for that. I had hoped to ask for Runestone and a dragon of my own. But even after defending your daughter, your queen decided to insult me." Alicent's hands turned into fists, and the veins in her hands popped. He was going to blame his greed on her.
"I humbly apologize," said the queen, gritting her teeth, biting back an insult.
"And I humbly accept your apology, dear aunt," Alicent flinched at Baelon's mocking tone. "But I don't give second chances. Let this be a lesson to watch what we say." The threat was clear before he turned and walked out of the great hall, men and women parting to get out of his way. Alicent watched him go, and as the doors closed behind him, she heard his laughter.