Chapter 22
Viserys had a hard time believing he actually did that. True, he decided to dismiss Otto the night before, but the decision to name Daemon had come unexpectedly even for him. He just got so angry at all of them. All of them pretending to be there for the good of the realm, when they had hidden agendas over hidden agendas. They question his orders, they undermine his decisions, they had the audacity to ask for proof as if his word wasn't law. He could have taken Maenera from the steps of a brothel, it didn't matter, if he said Maenera was his sister then she was. He left them too much leeway. To contest his daughter's place in the chambers, like any of them had more right to be there than her, a princess of the blood. How dare they?
He had hope now. With Daemon as Hand and Maenera as...As what exactly? He needed to find a role for her, maybe mistress of whispers? Anyway he had hope now that he will receive sound council. He knows that now with daemon in a position of power they will think twice before opening their fucking mouths. The decision to name Daemon as Hand had been spontaneous, that's why since then both his siblings were hounding him with questions. As it is, it may have been spontaneous but he believed they he was right in his choice. Daemon helped Viserys get a crown, he was confident that Daemon will help him keep it.
"We should head out to the training grounds." His sister voice brought him out of his thoughts.
"Why would we do that?"
"She asked me yesterday to select a handful of Gold Cloaks for her to choose from." Responded Daemon.
"Choose what?"
"I want a sworn shield."
"Why in the world would you need a sworn shield? You can choose one of the kingsguards"
"Is not that simple Viserys. The kingsguards are here for the King, the rest of us are a bonus. If all our lives were in danger the kingsguards would save you first and foremost. I need someone who would save me first." His sister explained, and she was right. If there were ever some kind of danger he will be the one protected, maybe Rhaenyra as well as she is his daughter and only a child but his brother and sister? Not so much. He didn't really had to worry about Daemon, he was a master swordsman, but his sister was unprotected.
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
"No. I trust Daemon's judgement in this. If he says they are trustworthy they are, but I would like to see them personally to see which one is the best for me."
"The best for you? All of them would be good. They are trustworthy and could keep their mouth shut." Said his brother.
"I am not doubting that, but we can kill multiple birds with one strike. I asume some of them are low born?"
"Yes, three."
"That would not be a problem, but if we have the chance to make an alliance at the same time we would be stupid to miss it."
"True." Viserys responded.
"Plus I need someone that would not get queasy at me having visions. I cannot hide that from a sworn shield, not when he is with me most of the day."
"Very well. Let's see the men our brother had chosen."
***
The training grounds were fully occupied, now that the Gold Cloaks have come as well. Maenera was watching with interest the men her brother had pointed out. They were good fighters, that was obvious. She hadn't expected anything else when she asked her brother to find someone. She was trying to find the one for her but till now she wasn't amazed. Three of them had potential, one of them being a lowborn. The other two were the second and third sons from the Houses Marbrand and Connington respectively. They were all good fighters and from what she had observed their characters were good enough, their houses could potentially gain them an alliance. The only problem with all three of them? They didn't have a lick of magic in their blood. Those without magical blood had a hard time believing and understanding those that did.
"See anyone you would like?" Viserys asked.
"Three of them have potential, the black haired man over there, the Marbrand and the Connington."
"Then what is the problem?" Daemon asked.
"They are all andals. They do not have the old blood in them."
"Was that a fucking requirement? You didn't tell me that." Exclaimed Daemon and he looked like he was already sorting mentally through his men trying to determine those of non-andal origin. Viserys snorted, Maenera didn't understood what was so funny, she needed someone who understood magic. Someone who at least could respect her bond with Shrykos and the weird things happening around her.
"It's not really a requirement, it will be just easier."
"Marnera please choose someone before Daemon's brains catch on fire trying to find you a sworn shield." Viserys said.
She didn't bother responding, she started looking again around the court yard. And there! In the western part was Ser Harwin Strong, training with some of the Strong guards that came to the capitol with his father. He looked more massive than he looked in her visions. Tall, well built, strong arms, good fighting style and most of all he had the blood of the first men. He was a good alliance as well, as she had a tentative agreement with his father, his father keeping his end of the silent bargain so far. So did she actually, two of his daughters becoming ladies in waiting, one of them being chief lady to Princess Rhaenyra. He was the best option so far and if she could gain his loyalty she knew that she would have that loyalty untill he died, the same happened with Rhaenyra in her visions. The only difference is that she is not going to fuck him and give birth to his bastards.
"I want one." She said pointing at ser Strong.
"No." Both her brothers said at the same time when they saw at whom she was pointing.
"Yes! I want that one."
"He's not suitable." Tried Daemon to argue.
"Yes he is. He is a strong capable fighter. We have an alliance with his father that could be consolidated by this. He has the blood of the First Men plus he is a follower of the Old Gods. And he is a Gold Cloak meaning Daemon already vetted him." Viserys began laughing, she still didn't understand what was so funny. Daemon looked close to throwing a temper tantrum. What was that about?
"You make good points sister. Let's retire to our rooms and call up Ser Harwin. We will need to have a discussion with him about his responsibilities if he accepts." Viserys said.
***
Viserys couldn't breathe. He abstained his laughter as much as he could but to him at least it became obvious that Daemon didn't choose those men by their prowess in battle alone but by the physical appearance as well. They were not ugly by any means,no, but neither could they be considered handsome. It seemed that his brother wanted that particular temptation far away from their sister. It was hilarious, when he thought about it. Daemon combing through the ranks of the Gold Cloaks trying to find good fighters, good secret keepers that were not particularly handsome. Then here comes Maenera and throws another requirement out of the blue, and he had the opportunity to see his brother doing mental exercises trying to please her while at the same time finding someone not attractive enough to spark their sister interested now or later on.
It was a little bit pathetic. Daemon was clearly smitten and didn't want any kind of competition for their sister attention. To him it was amusing but he could see his brother trying to keep his possessiveness at bay. He couldn't really blame him. If Viserys was honest with himself he wanted his sister far away from temptation as well. He realized that she was still young, but the was three and ten already, and sooner or later she would discover the beauty of the opposite sex.
Ser Harwin Strong was an unexpected choice. His sister of course gave good arguments and he could see on her face that there was no lust that propelled her into that decision. Still Daemon was not pleased, he himself had doubts. Maybe she didn't see how attractive the man really was now, but latter would be another problem. He was tall and well buit, curly dark hair and dark eyes, well defined body and a good fighter. He also came from a good family and truly if his sister ever fixed her sights on him, Viserys woud have a hard time coming with contra arguments against the match. He didn't really thought that it will happen, after all her obsession with Daemon was all consuming, he knew, but his brother was awfully blind when it came to her attentions.
Daemon was a dragon and now that his sister had made her way into his heart, he added her at his mental hoarde. His brother was a possessive bastard, what was his was his and he didn't share. Viserys knew he was included in Daemons collection, the only reason his brother didn't pick up a fuss about Aemma was because she was part Targaryen as well. In his mind Aemma was an extension of Viserys, not a threat. The same couldn't be said about Otto. When him and Otto started becoming friends, Viserys was sure that Otto will be killed sooner or later by his brother. Possessive little shit.
They were in their rooms now waiting someone had already been sent to bring ser Harwin to them. Daemon during their walk back tried to convince his sister they he wasn't a good choice, his arguments falling on deaf ears. He was still trying even at this moment.
"Maenera please reconsider, if you truly want someone with old blood, give me this afternoon and by tomorrow morning you will have some more men to pick from."
"Daemon, enough! You are saying that he isn't a good choice but you are not giving me a reason why he isn't. Did you see something in him you didn't like? Does he beat women? Does he abuse children? Does he have six toes on his feet? What? What is wrong with him?" Marnera finally snapped. Daemon kept quiet through her rant. Marnera then looked more closely at Daemon and her expression softened.
"Do you have a bad feeling about him? Like something you cannot explain but is nagging you? If that is what it is? Tell me and I will choose somebody else." His sister asked. Viserys understood where this questions were coming from. Daemon was not a seer or a dreamer but that didn't mean that he wasn't a good soldier. If his instincts screamed at him that something was wrong they were usually right. His brother was intuitive like that
"No, nothing like that." Daemon responded quietly.
"Then what is wrong?" His sister asked puting her hand on Daemon's shoulder.
"Nothing, you are right, he is a good choice." Daemon finally agreed.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Daemon responded.
A knock was heard at the door and ser Erryk let ser Harwin in. The man in question bowed but Viserys could see the confusion on his face. Understandable. Ser Harwin didn't have any interactions with the royal family except with Daemon as his Lord Commander. He didn't uttered a word, just staying in his spot back straight waiting for orders.
"Ser Harwin, take a seat. You are not here to answer for any kind of offence." Viserys said and he saw the man in front of them relax. After he took a seat at the table, he let Maenera take the reins of the conversation.
"Ser Harwin I am sure that you observed that in the courtyard today were more Gold Cloaks than usual."
"Yes, your Grace. I just assumed that the Lord Commander wanted to show the King the improvement to the City Watch as the fighters today were some of the best in our ranks." He was very observant, a good quality.
"Not exactly. They were selected today because I am in need of a sworn shield."
"Do your Graces want my input on that?" Asked the man still confused about the reason he was here.
"No, I want you to become my sworn shield." His sister answered.
"Me?" He exclaimed. It seemed that the offer took him by surprise.
"Yes ser Harwin. As you probably know as his heir, We have a tentative alliance with your father and we thought after seeing you in train today that you will be a good choice to fill the role."
"My father did informed me of that, and all I can say is, thank you your Graces for what you did for my sisters. The high positions will help them in the future. May I be blunt for a moment, my King?" He asked and Viserys was intrigued.
"Go ahead."
"I do not want to sound ungrateful, but I am truly happy that your Grace did not choose one of my sisters as your Queen. I know that the position would be an honor bestowed on any of the women in the realm, but I know my sisters. They are young, but never did they have any wish to marry in the royal family. The pressure would be too much for them they said." He was right that was blunt, but he was honest a thing Viserys could appreciate." I have no doubt that if your Grace would have chosen one of them they would have done their best to fulfill their role, but they want a quiet life, not one where all the eyes of the Realm are upon them."
"Then why did your father offered them in the council?" Daemon asked and he was curious as well. A sour look took over ser Harwin's face.
"When I confronted him about it he said that it was expected of the members of the council to present their daughters as choices. And I do understand but it is not what my sisters would have liked."
"Not to worry, ser Harwin. If a quiet life they want that is what they will receive. I am sure that my sister and daughter will arrange good marriages for them when the time comes. And while you were quite blunt I understand your plight. I wouldn't want either for my sister to marry a man more than twice her age even if he is King." Ser Harwin's eyes widened.
"My King that is not what I meant, I..." He tried to explain himself but Viserys cut him off.
"I understand what you meant. People forget that I have a sister and a daughter and that I love them. I want good marriages for them, marriages where they could be happy. I am not going to punish you for wishing the same for your sisters. Your honesty is appreciated."
"Now that, that is settled my sister is still awaiting an answer." Daemon interjected.
"Of course, my Prince. If the Princess desires for me to be her sworn shield I will not refuse." Ser Harwin stood up, his sister as well. He kneeled at her feet and presented his sword.
"I offer my services to Princess Maenera Targaryen. I will shield your back and keep your counsel and give my life for yours if need be. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New."
"And I vow that you shall always have a place by my hearth, and meat and mead at my table. And I pledge to ask no service of you that might bring you dishonor. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New. Arise, ser Harwin."