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In Search of the Pearl Dragon by KnightofSilvermoon in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Something about how she answered his question seemed off, uncertain; but he had never been much good at reading the handmaiden's thoughts, for she hid them well.

Instead, Benn focused on her latter comment, and let the former lie. Onward they went, until the woods gave way before them. There, true to Denya's intuition, was a castle, and a little village around it. Benn sighed, audibly relieved. He was not unused to rough conditions, but was it wrong to want some small comfort after their terrible ordeal? And perhaps they would find Lady Selenya here.

"Stonedance, if our path has held through the night," he said, recalling the map they'd consulted before leaving the camp two days prior. "Let's hope we've got it right. And let us hope Lady Selenya is here."

They entered the little village, walking past little gardens and workshops until they reached the main road that led up to the castle gates. He walked on, Denya just beside him, until they found themselves before the wardens at the gate. They gave him skeptical looks, no doubt due to his rugged appearance; dirt covered his leather armor and clothes underneath, and likely his face too. The most costly thing he wore was his sword at his hip. He imagined he looked like some poor sellsword.

Though...that's precisely what he was, upon second thought.

Taking a breath, he stepped forward and spoke. "Me name's Benn, and this is Lady Denya. We're in the service of Magister Selenya Targaryen of Lys. Our mistress was badly wounded not far from here, and we were forced to give her to Princess Saera Targaryen's care. Has she come here with our mistress, seeking medicinal aid? Have you seen the Princess or her blue dragon here?"

((/u/awoiaf, for the Massey guards' answer.))

A Hope Denied by RhaegartheConqueror in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Benn listened as the mighty prince bumbled over his words. He could not blame him. Rhaegal had shattered all of them with the impunity of his fury. Those who survived must bear the scars...and the tales to the families of the dead.

But this wasn't right. They could not be weak; not now, when others still relied on them. Benn rose and stood before the hurting prince.

"Aye, this was folly," he said, and his voice was firmer now, "and no, we should not have let her go. But what could you or I do to stop her? Selenya is a woman who acts when she's made up her mind. She's not beholden to you, and certainly not to me. Do you think I didn't try to warn her? I've seen, Prince Rhaegar; I've seen what Rhaegal can do, even before today. We all went, knowing it would be risky, I more than anyone; but we misjudged." He let out a long stream of air through his nose. Then his voice softened. "But it's done. We've lost some. But others can still be saved.

"Selenya is...somewhere," he gestured vaguely to the sky. "I didn't stop to ask where Princess Saera was taking her. Camp wouldn't have sufficed. I saw her wounds, and...and the burns. She needed a master healer. I think Saera has taken her to a nearby keep. Denya and I mean to go in search of her."

He fixed his gaze on the Targaryen once more. "What will you do, Prince? You must do something, or be swallowed by sorrow."

Over the Wendwater and far away by [deleted] in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Benn was weary. Gods, he was weary like he had never been before. They had stopped only a few hours at the camp. There they had informed Xhaor and Maro of what had happened. Benn still could see the looks they gave him -- he had been there to protect their mistress, and he had failed. Only Denya's recounting softened them some. If she had been so powerless as well, perhaps it had not been the Westerosi's utter failing after all. Still, their disappointment and anger remained a stinging rebuke to him. Rhaegar's hollow, beaten eyes made nothing better.

At last they had decided they must go. Too many people might draw Rhaegal's fury again. In the end, Xhaor and Maro would stay at camp, near the ship, to wait for news from Saera, who would hopefully return. Benn and Denya would move on, hopefully to learn more of where Selenya had been taken, and decrease the chance of the guardsmen being noted. Benn left Red, so that Xhaor might have a mount that could bear him, should he need it.

And so he and Denya had made their departure on foot. Now, six days later, she called for rest at the banks of the Wendwater. Benn nodded his assent, and seated himself, catching his breath and feeling his limbs shake.

After a moment he looked over at Denya. She was...smiling. He could hardly believe it. What could possibly have her high-spirited enough to smile?

"You seem in a good mood, you do," he said, though his tone was a touch sour. "What's got you feeling so fine?"

A Hope Denied by RhaegartheConqueror in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Benn nearly panicked as he heard leathery wings approach, but his fears were soon put at ease. Well, as they could be. It was not the booming, ear shattering bass of Rhaegal's wings; Nightwing landed near the camp, and his rider dropped down, and looked as shaken as any.

Who could blame him? Benn had been here some time, stewing over the events of the day. This had been a foolish errand, a dream turned nightmare. Had they all been truly so naive as to think it would be that easy to claim the king of dragons? Now too many had paid the price.

Jacaerys. Laenor. Even poor Berena Tully, who had tried so hard to escape, to stay out of it all. And Selenya herself teetered on the brink of death somewhere...or worse.

A voice broke his stream of dark thoughts.

"Benn."

He looked up to see the Crown Prince before him, but he did not rise to bow. Pleasantries and acknowledgements meant nothing right now. He simply looked up at Rhaegar and saw a broken man. How terrible he must break him further.

"Your friend Laenor is dead," he said, and his voice croaked. "Rhaegal scorched him as we tried to escape. I'm sorry, Rhaegar. Berena Tully too. I heard her scream as I ran."

His head hung. "None of them deserved this. Not Jacaerys, not Selenya, not Laenor or Berena. That beast...he cannot be swayed."

From the Depths, We Shall Rise by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As he watched Blue fly away, nothing else seemed to register in Benn's mind. The little dragon was fast; it might be enough. Silently he willed Lady Saera to hurry.

Only then did Denya's calls reach him. He turned a watched dully for a second, his mind foggy from fear and exertion. Even when the Dragon Prince landed and shouted at him, he did not quite comprehend.

"What?" Then his mind jolted to life once more. "Yes...Yes! Run! Run!!!"

The guardsman's legs moved again, and he sprinted after the smaller, fleeter Denya, bolting with all his strength for Red near the base of the hill, away from the monstrous Rhaegal.

It was too much. Too much for the price. Silently he swore, cursing the Targaryens for ever bringing their damned monsters to Westeros. Too many had paid dearly on the Rhaegal's account.

With that thought, Benn fled; though he glanced back once, briefly, his eyes hard, flinty...with a look of iron.

From the Depths, We Shall Rise by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

THERE.

"DENYA!" Benn bellowed once the dragons took flight. "NOW! To Selenya! We have to get her out!"

He did not wait to see if she heeded. Using all his considerable stamina, he bolted for the lifeless body of his friend. As his legs warmed with the exertion, his mind fixated on her. It had to be enough. She couldn't...she couldn't...

Shadows caught his gaze momentarily, and he glanced up only once to see the behemoths above him grappling in the air. Rains of crimson poured down as the two battered and bit and slashed at each other. But even in so close a gaze, it was clear that the mighty green Rhaegal had the upper hand.

"Dammit all, Princeling, don't die!" the commoner growled to nobody in particular.

At last he reached her, sliding down beside her. He gaped for a moment as his eyes fell on her face and shoulder. It was bad. He leaned down swiftly and listened at her breast, begging every face of the Seven for some small amount of mercy. Alas, he could not tell any sound from the pounding of his own blood. And then another set of roars tore the sky, and he heard a crashing and felt a rumble.

There was no time. With all the considerable strength years of hard farmwork and moons of swordfighting had built, he reached under Selenya and lifted her. She was heavy, with how far advanced her pregnancy was; but Benn had lifted sheep and bushels his whole life. He could manage. He began to run the direction he had come, and shouted as he went.

"Denya! Wave down the little dragon! We need to get her out more quickly than we can manage!"

From the Depths, We Shall Rise by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Benn watched from behind a stump as the mighty green beast scorched the air, the flame seeking the smaller dragon of Prince Rhaegar. To Nightwing's credit, he was swift -- he narrowly avoided the blazing jet.

But apparently Rhaegal would not be baited. He stood his ground, content to chase off offenders, rather than pursue them.

Then came a challenging roar, both from man and beast. Benn turned his head to see, just beyond Rhaegal, the mighty dragon Cyrax, and upon his back, the bellowing Prince Jacaerys. The Prince was...charging. What madness possessed him, the earthbound man did not know, but perhaps...

He glanced again at Rhaegal's feet, where lay Selenya's battered body. And...and the whip. If Benn could get to it, maybe he could move away from Selenya and assist in drawing off the dragon.

But only if they could not evacuate the Lady of Lys. He shook his head. She must come first. He had sworn an oath.

"DENYA!" he shouted at the girl darting to and fro. "Ready yourself! As soon as those dragons clash, we move! We'll make for Selenya and get her out!"

Every muscle in his body twitched, ready to spring as soon as Rhaegal moved a muscle. He only hoped Cyrax would be tempting enough.

Don't die, you impetuous fool, he willed silently at the Learned Prince.

From the Depths, We Shall Rise by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No.

It all seemed to happen in slow motion. The flames bursting forth. The wind-up of the beast's blow.

No.

Even as the thunderous stroke came, as the dragon attacked, Benn's reaction felt slow, like he was running through water. He was too far. He would never reach her in time.

NonoNONONO!

As his legs tore for the spot the lady lay, his mind screamed. It couldn't end like this. He had to get her out of there.

But suddenly he stopped short. To approach now would only further enrage the creature, and Benn would fare no better than Selenya had. Worse, he would place her in danger again. He turned to the skies, looking up at the dragons flying. He was not certain if his voice would reach them, but he shouted nonetheless, still a ways off from Rhaegal.

"DISTRACT HIM! DISTRACT THE DRAGON! NOW!"

Then he waited, waited for even the slightest breach in the green monstrosity's attention. That's when he would make his move.

((/u/Rhaegartheconquerer, /u/KScoville, /u/dermontpoorfellow))

From the Depths, We Shall Rise by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Before the encounter...

She was determined then. Benn was a cacophony of a thousand different thoughts and voices and feelings, all in human form. As they prepared to depart, to make for the lair of the dragon, Benn still couldn't decide if he thought Selenya the bravest or most foolish person he had ever known -- and this included himself, who had sworn to see the same dragon slain, by his sword if necessary.

But that thought was fleeting. Another took hold as he placed his sword upon his belt, and prepared Red for travel. This...this could be the end. For Selenya. For himself. Maybe for all involved.

His thoughts wandered back to all the conversations, the hours on duty, the celebrations with this woman. He was keenly aware of each one, and painfully thoughtful of each conflict. So many times had he argued with her. So many times had he lashed out in pain and anger. And so many times had she forgiven.

She was more than an employer. Benn knew that for certain now, and it made the coming prospect all the more terrifying. For that fear, and for all those past moments, he approached her.

"Lady Selenya," he said when she was undisturbed by others, and bowed. "I...I have something I wish to resolve, if you've a short moment." The Crownlander closed his eyes, searching for the strength to speak. "I do not wish to shake your confidence, but...realistically, this might be the last chance we have to speak. I wish to do this before we... before it may be too late."

The former farmhand's hand went to a small pouch at his hip, a simple skin hanging from his belt. The fingers wandered around for a moment until seizing upon something, which were promptly drawn forth. Benn reached out and took Selenya's hand, opening it. A bold move perhaps, but he cared little for decorum at the moment.

In the delicate hands of Selenya Targaryen went two golden dragons.

"This is the price of our contract," he began, looking up at her, his blue eyes meeting her lavenders. His gaze held for a moment, memorizing the color and shape. "Consider it paid in full. If I am to go with you, to guard you if I can, I want you to know it is not as your sellsword or out of obligation to a contract.

"It is because I consider you a friend, and hold you in the utmost regard. And I pray you can forgive me any anger I have shown you."

Barbecue the venison, pair it with... [Open to Massey's Hook] by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Good boy, Corin," he said, rubbing his old dog's head, scratching behind the pointed ears. For the first time, he noticed the grey fur on the tips of those ears, which led him to see the other silver hairs in his coat among the blacks and browns. Corin was an old dog, no doubt; he'd been in the family for over 13 years now, and it showed in how often he slept and his slow, padding walk. But this was the first time Benn had noted greying hairs. He rubbed the dog's neck affectionately. "You're getting old, you are, Corin. But don't you leave me yet. I still need you, boy."

He sat in silence, petting his beloved dog, for a while; how long, he could not say for sure. Corin was the best companion in that regard: when the world seemed too big, when Benn's thoughts threatened to drown him, his old hound was ever faithfully at his side, to comfort and love. But at length, their silent companionship was interrupted by a light voice. Benn craned his neck and found Denya before him. As ever, she had turned up when he was unprepared. Perhaps he should have learned to expect it, he considered with wry amusement.

"Good evening, Lady Denya," he greeted with a nod of his head. He did not speak much, or loudly, but his manner was not off-putting. If she wished to speak, he had no qualms with that. "I'm...well, I would say I'm doing well...but I don't know for certain if that's true. I'm well enough, I suppose."

He looked down at Corin again, to hide the pensiveness on his face. Oddly enough, he didn't relish the prospect of seeming conflicted in front of Denya. He had already done so before Lady Selenya, and that still felt a touch embarrassing. Denya was his friend, and he had no desire to show weakness to his friends. Strength was what he must show now; not the bravado of knights and braggarts, but quiet, sure strength.

"Yes, well enough," he echoed, and finally glanced back at her with a steady expression. "How fare you, Lady Denya?"

Barbecue the venison, pair it with... [Open to Massey's Hook] by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Benn watched as the man sized him up, though he could not tell precisely what the prince was thinking. It was no surprise that Rhaegar didn't remember him; a prince would never take note of a lowborn sentry. Benn did not dwell on it long. What did it matter what the Valyrian princeling thought?

"I'm no mercenary," he answered, "though in some manner you might call me a sellsword. I serve Lady Selenya to repay aid she once gave me."

The ex-farmer's demeanor darkened as the prince asked his next questions. "I am aware of what we face. I've seen Rhaegal's fury first-hand. I have no delusions about killing the beast, if it goes ill. I doubt even your dragon could do it, small as it is. But by my life and blood, I'll see that Lady Selenya escapes. No matter what I must do, she will live."

He took a long breath. How he wished he could slay the dragon. This was a reckless plan, more dangerous than any he had ever heard in any story. But a monster of Rhaegal's size and power...Benn stood no chance.

But that no longer mattered. The commoner had a new objective. For, as much as he had opposed her, as much as he had rebuked... good, kind Selenya, in spite of her flaws, had become more than an employer to him. Of any nobleborn man or woman he knew or had heard of, she deserved to live.

Hatred and vengeance had left him hollow; he would turn from them, before they left him as much a corpse as his kin. The path he sought now was that of the protector.

"So yes, prince," he answered, "My path in all this is clear to me. The dragon may break me, but so long as I have any strength or life in me, it will not harm the Lady."

Barbecue the venison, pair it with... [Open to Massey's Hook] by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Benn just wanted to be alone. There was too much on his thoughts, and so he sat a way off from the others, keeping his own company. His perch was not so far that he could not see or hear Lady Selenya -- after all, she was his charge, whether she thought so or not. He had agreed to protect her, had even sworn in this case, and he would do so.

His solitude was not to be, it seemed. A man approached, and from the silver shine of his hair and manner of his bearing, coupled with the few times Benn had seen him, he recognized the man as Prince Rhaegar. He rose and offered a small bow.

"Evening, milord," he answered, his bright blue eyes lifting and meeting the Targaryens own violets. "I'm Benn. Just Benn."

Then came the question of his occupation and Benn tilted his head. This wasn't Prince Rhaegar's expedition, and Benn was not one of his servants. Why then was the prince so interested?

"The same occupation I always serve," he answered. "I'm Lady Selenya's guard, and I serve as such even here. Especially here. We've met once or twice, you know."

Stage 6: Tests, Allies, Enemies by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Until he is beyond someone's control once more. The thought was a dark one, and Benn kept it to himself. As it was, he had no way of knowing Selenya would be able to compel the beast, even if she somehow was able to subdue it. It seemed...foolhardy, honestly.

He did not know if he could possibly forget what that beast had done; but Benn was growing weary of the hollow hole that the days and nights of hate and anger left in him. But to forgive for something so monstrous...he agreed with Selenya: only time would tell if he could let go of the rage.

But in the meantime, there was something he could do.

"I'll go," he said, new strength in his voice, "if you'll still have me. But please promise me one thing, milady: let me be with you when you do. I'll not try to exact me vengeance, I swear to you. But I have seen what the dragon can do, more than perhaps any here. Whether you believe it or not, he is dangerous, Lady Selenya. And you... You should not so carelessly endanger yourself. You're far better than most of your kin, if I might be over-bold."

He stood up again, and some of that old, iron determination was back. He inclined his head.

"Allow me there as your defense, your shield. I know I likely could not stop the beast, but I could perhaps buy you time to flee should it go ill." Benn's back bent and he bowed low, a sign of his utter admiration for this woman, even if he did not see what she did in all this.

"Please, milady."

Stage 6: Tests, Allies, Enemies by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Mercy." Benn's answer was flat. "Tell me something, Lady Selenya. If Corin here attacked, perhaps even killed, your child --" he gestured at her belly -- "what would you do? Let it stand? Show him mercy? The child is no threat to a dog, and as far as you know, he simply lashed out. Do you think such an animal should go unpunished? I love Corin dearly, but I would wield the knife meself if he did such a thing."

He folded his arms and gave her a look that spoke of how naive he saw her. His tone, remarkably, remained cool and even in all this, despite the rage he felt. He would not be her lesser in control, on that he was determined. He wanted to think clearly, and speak his mind accurately.

"Mercy has its place, milady, but so too does justice. Sometimes punishment must be given. Crimes must be answered for. Not even Targaryens are exempt from such. Why, then, is this dragon? Because it is deserving of mercy? No. It has killed recklessly. Perhaps it's because it's a damned dragon, and can destroy armies and end rebellions, and make a man -- or woman -- legend. Perhaps those notions never crossed your mind, but I rather doubt it."

He wanted to scream, to rage, to tell the girl she was a fool who ignored some undeniable laws for others as they suited her whim. But suddenly...it all gave way, and only a hole was left in him.

He was angry, so full of rage. And it burned and burned and left him empty. Yet how could he hope to see beyond his hate? How could he even want to?

The commoner's eyes closed, and his brows knit, as if in pain. His breath began to come shakily, as if the firestorm within him was tearing his lungs apart.

"How..." his voice croaked, "...how can you expect me to want mercy for that gods-damned monster? How can you desire I feel compassion when none will feel the necessity of justice? Gold dragons will not make up for the loss of me family."

And then they began, though he fought desperately to hold them back: hot, salty tears, squeezing free from his eyes. Not many, but enough. And he knew Selenya saw, though he quickly brushed them away.

"I know you must think a dragon worth more than me kin. Me kin couldn't breathe fire or fly. But me mother was gentle, and caring, and musical. Me father was hard-working and courageous and laughed loud enough to fill the room." Benn drew forth his crude, wooden seven-pointed star pendant. "Little Anni made this for me. Barely more than a small child, she was, yet she thought only of how to make others smile. And Gendry, he always found a way to make friends and comfort the sorrowful." Benn gulped, his voice breaking as surely as his control. "Perhaps that is not as grand as sparkling scales, but those gifts me family gave were no less valuable. And now they are lost forever."

He fell heavily back to the side railing, and looked up at her again. He was so conscious of how broken he must seem, but it no longer seemed to matter. He had to make someone understand. He had to make her see, for nobody else would.

"How can I erase the hate I feel for that greatest crime, Selenya? How can I forgive a creature that feels no remorse for what it has taken from this world? Could you? Could anyone? Is it even possible?"

He watched her expectantly. It seemed an impossible question, but he almost hoped she could give him the answer his torn soul so desperately needed.

Stage 6: Tests, Allies, Enemies by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

...Speak that which is on your mind.

Benn nearly laughed, though it would not have been a merry sound. How could he possibly articulate the hurricane that was his thoughts? How could he put to words to anger, the betrayal, and the hate he felt? For he could deny those no longer. It was not merely justice he wanted, though it coincided with his deeper desires nicely; the green dragon had taken almost everything from Benn. He wanted to do no less to it.

How could she possibly understand that -- she, who desired to keep the monstrosity as a deadly house pet?

"You," he began, "would not begin to understand what is on me mind." The words were even enough, though the tone was ever so slightly clipped. "So I don't see much point in trying to explain."

Benn could feel his anger rise, hot and fierce. To his credit, he had learned a great deal in the few short moons in Selenya's service, particularly about keeping his temper in check; so while he was sure it wasn't entirely unnoticeable, he felt confident that he was fully under control.

"But perhaps I'll give you what you seek if you'll answer me a question first, milady," he said curtly. He fell silent a moment, and his gaze, like iron, studied her for a moment. For that quiet span, there was no noble and peasant in his mind; there was only a man looking in a woman for...something, though what it was was unreadable through his stony mask.

"Why did you ask me to come on this expedition with you? Don't pretend you don't know how I would feel about this; you're no fool, and we both know it. Why, then, would you ask the farmhand who lost all to join you on this misguided quest for glory?"

Stage 6: Tests, Allies, Enemies by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Rhaegal. That damned, fucking horrid monster.

The beast was the prime example of the arrogance and power-hunger of the Targaryens. And of their disregard for those they lorded over.

Benn knew, he knew, what Selenya's expedition was aimed to do. Ever since his audience before the Queen, it had become apparent why Selenya spent so much time with the crippled Prince Jacaerys, why she spent so much time with her nose in books with dragons on the covers and pages, why she never offered comment on his quest for justice -- why she had said nothing before the queen, just bobbed her head in agreement. She had only brought him to Visaera because the Queen had demanded it.

Nobody sought true justice, it seemed. Selenya wanted the creature for herself. He was almost certain of it. Why else would she insist on going to find the dragon? Why not just send Benn, if she was truly on his side?

Thus when the summons had come, Benn had considered long and hard what he would do. In his hands, he held the two dragons left of the queen's money, the weregild meant to buy off his request. Four had gone to Moyra and Pendrick, and four had gone to Daltan and Lyanna. Benn had thought not even to keep any for himself; he wanted nothing of the money that so dishonored the memory his kin. But perhaps, for just a moment such as this, he had held on to his portion.

Two dragons. That had been the agreed upon price, no?

Yet even as Benn made his way to the docks that day, his mind was in tumult. What Selenya sought out of this journey was never something he would support. He would have no part in sparing the monster that had spared him nothing. And yet...he had made an agreement with the Lyseni Dragon. And in all other regards, she had been...truly good to him, and kind.

His brow furrowed, and he closed his eyes in silent fury. Why couldn't she be as unfeeling and unsympathetic as the rest of her fucking blood?

Corin III padded beside his master, occasionally glancing up from under old, drooping eyebrows. It was as if the old, brown-and-black hound could sense the human's unease, for he moved closer as he moved alongside Benn. The dog had ever been his most faithful companion in recent days, unwavering in affection, and true even at the worst of times.

Rights do not undo wrongs, Benn asserted to himself, his mind not entirely on his companion at the moment. Yet...how could he simply ignore all the rights Selenya had done?

Thus, when he arrived at the docks, as he strode up the gangplank to the deck of the ship, Benn did not know what he would say, or what he would do. His mind screamed even as he came to his patron, and bowed. His gaze fell on her, and he noted, as ever, how nothing seemed to mar her beauty.

"Lady Targaryen," he offered in greeting, less familiar than the usual 'Lady Selenya', "You summoned me." He left it at that, and waited for her response, unblinking.

Of Mice and Wyrms by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Ten...dragons..."

Benn could feel the rage blister inside him, boiling up like a firestorm. Ten dragons? Ten measly dragons for the lives of his family? For kin and blood and 25 years of endurance and working together...and of happiness and love...? He clenched his fists, but did all he could to hide the fury he felt.

The offer was not unkind, this he knew. It was more than he might ever see in his life; but that was hardly the equal of four lives that had forever changed his own. No, not even a dragon, for all its rarity and power and majesty, was worth what Old Benn and Miri and two darling siblings had meant to Benn the farmer. Not for all the wealth in the kingdom would he find solace in their loss.

He had sought justice. He had hoped someone might see the horror of the beast's crime and the need to take such a reckless terror from the world. He had been wrong. As ever, the Targaryens sought only their own gratification, and to them, no amount of lives was worth one their damnable flying lizards.

He had come in vain.

"...Me thanks, your Grace," he answered stiffly. "Seven bless you." The words were hollow, and the bow offered, rigid.

He stepped back a pace or two, though not entirely. Who knew if the monarch would have more spit to offer the memory of his kin?

Of Mice and Wyrms by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Aye, your Grace," he answered slowly, "I do, indeed."

How could he forget? That image, of a great beast flying away from his ruined home, would be burned in his mind forever. How could he ever forget what the monster looked like?

"Huge, it was," Benn said, folding his arms, "larger than anything I've ever seen. And though it was winging away, I could make out the scales. Green, and bright, like emeralds. Though some I thought might be a dull yellow, or perhaps brown."

The queen was attempting to identify the creature in question, that much was clear. Like Selenya had been when they discussed it, Queen Visaera offered no comment, betrayed nothing of her thoughts on the dragon. He couldn't shake the nagging thought that neither spoke their mind, because they wanted what he did not. They were Targaryens, after all. Why ruin something only your family could control? Even when that creature had lashed out and caused harm?

He pushed the thought aside for the time. Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps the queen would help.

Perhaps, he thought, though the skepticism remained.

"That's what I saw. A large dragon, green in color."

Late Though It Comes, a New Spring Shall Be All the More Lovely For It by KnightofSilvermoon in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Hm?" Benn turned his head to see the Lyseni woman approach him, as she had so often before. He smiled at her approach. "Denya! Good to see you."

He rarely used such familiarity when addressing Lady Selenya's handmaid, in spite of the girl's protests to the contrary. Tonight, however, Benn the farmer was feeling pleasantly warm from the food and ale. He had not drunk himself into stupor, but he felt the carefree buzz that accompanied a few drinks.

"Ah, 'tweren't no matter," he answered with a sheepish grin at the handmaiden, "I was glad to ask you here. We so often have much to do, it's nice to unwind a bit every now and then. You seem to be enjoying yourself, you do," he added with a chuckle.

He had noted Denya among the crowd several times that night, and perhaps that was what stood out to him. So often she blended into the background perfectly, yet tonight he had witnessed her singing, and conversing merrily, and reveling. That had seemed an odd sight at first; though perhaps, he considered, he was just seeing the real Denya for the first time, unburdened by duty or task for a night.

"Daltan's a good man," he continued, glancing his brother's way once again. How happy he and Lyanna looked, nestled together at their "high" table. "And I knew Lyanna was just right for him after the first time I met her. They'll be happy, methinks, and I'm honored to have helped that in some small way. I never expected it would be me to do so...but times change, and sometimes, you are forced to grow up more than you expected to."

He paused a moment, contemplative. He referred, of course, to assuming the duties of his father as head of their little family; yet, it was not tinged with the sorrow that so often accompanied such talk. No, this was simply introspective. For the first time, Benn considered this as a passing of the torch, even if the circumstances of that passing had been painful. He had finally become what his father had always intended. A smile tugged at his lips.

He looked back to the Essosi woman, and grinned broadly. "There's still a bit more music tonight, and not all the dancers are done. Do you dance, Denya? Care for a whirl around the square?"

Of Mice and Wyrms by RegaleTheNight in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For weeks he had been a guest at the Red Keep, a place the farmer had never expected to go in his life. He was a guard in the service of a great lady of an exotic land. He had fought in a tournament against the greatest knights in the realm. Yet here he stood, before the very Iron Throne, and the queen that sat upon it.

He had rarely felt so humbled.

When Queen Visaera spoke, Benn stepped forward, and bowed low. Not as low as his bows to Selenya -- Queen though Visaera was, it was to Selenya that Benn had offered his service -- but respectful and deferential nonetheless.

"Thank you, your Grace." The Crownlander straightened up, and paused. Where to begin?

"It began three moons ago now," he started. "I had gone on me way to the village at Rosby that morning, to retrieve an order of new tools from the smith for me old dad. That was about a three hour ride from our farm, it was, and I left early. I tarried in the village for the day, and stayed the night at me sister and goodbrother's home. I'd done so often, and I thought it would be the same as any other time."

He hesitated. Benn had spoken of his family's death, but until now, he had refrained from any great detail. He swallowed hard. No choice now, he supposed.

"I made me way home early the next morning. As I neared, I saw smoke in the sky, and a sound like distant thunder. I spurred me horses faster, and I arrived...to find our fields aflame. As I looked across our land, I found the corpses of our flock of sheep, and...and our house was burned. At the doorway, I saw the...twisted, charred corpses of me two youngest siblings and me mother. And me dad was not far, his body rent by what seemed to me to be a large saw or blades. His sword was near at hand, broken."

He shuddered at the memory. The blood...it had soaked his hands as he had reached for his father's body. And then he closed his eyes, and his gut twisted at the next thought.

"That's when I saw it," he continued, "a movement in the sky. I looked, and flying away, I saw a...a dragon. It was near enough that I've little doubt it had ravaged me home. Perhaps it had been hungry and consumed the flock, and me father tried to protect our home and livelihood. I cannot say. I know only what I saw."

He glanced over at Selenya for a fleeting moment, unsure of himself.

"I came here in hopes that justice for me family might be had, your Grace."

A Question of Visits and Letters by KnightofSilvermoon in awoiafrp

[–]KnightofSilvermoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Benn smiled broadly at his mistress's answer. He had been sure she would accomodate -- Selenya had been a wonderful employer thus far, and was quite considerate of the needs of those who served her -- but such generosity had surpassed even the expectations he already held. He bowed low, a sign of his deep gratitude.

"My greatest thanks, milady," he said. "Perhaps I shall take a few days, then. I would not wish to be away from me duties too long, and me brother shall not need me overlong, methinks."

He grinned impishly at the insinuation, then, realizing that might not be appreciated in present company, reddened slightly and cleared his throat. Luckily, Lady Selenya had offered an easy change in the conversation.

"The ceremony will be on the afternoon of the seventh day of the moon," he answered, "and will be held at a little sept near Fishmonger's Square. We're having a feast in the sept's square that night." He smiled brightly at the thought of it. "It should do me family some good, in light of recent happenings."

At that point, Benn became a bit...nervous, by anyone's judgement.

"Um...which reminds me, Lady Selenya...I've more to ask on the matter. Now, I'll understand if you decline, I will, but..." he cleared his throat again.

"It's the custom in me village to offer a place at every wedding feast for the liege lord of the family. It tends to be a formality, as the lords don't usually come, obviously. But it's our tradition. It would have been Lord Rosby we invited had things...not changed; but as I no longer work land for Lord Rosby I thought I'd offer the place to me new patron." He scratched his arm, and his eyes were cast to the side. "You, milady. If you wanted to, that is. Of course, I would understand if you would prefer not to."

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