The Last Loyalists

[jacb547]

Lord Jon Connington, aboard the "Pentoshi Prince"



The Lord Connington inhaled the light morning bridge as the Pentoshi galley made it's way to Dragonstone harbour, located in a fishing village beneath the great Valyrian castle. These last few days at sea had not been so pleasant for him, or any of his men most of them unsuited to sea travel yet he could not compare it to what the royals must have suffered hiding in their barrels and crates Its all for their good, they are home now. Indeed if there was no doubt the castle belonged to the Targaryens, dragons dotted it everyone, towers shaped to look like dragons, great gargoyles in the shape of wyverns and dragons with the occasional hellhound and the Targaryen standard flying proud atop the Stone Drum. Jon Connington had not traveled oft to the Keep, although Rhaegar's seat the Prince made his abode at the Red Keep and barely visiting his lands leaving a castellan in charge of the garrison.

As the ship entered into harbour the smells and sounds of a small village were heard, so familiar to Connington's years and yet to different after the days at sea. He thanked the gods the sea was mostly calm and he vomited little, Jon was not accustomed to travelling by ship but he feared he might soon have to do it alot more. Where would they go from here? The usurper would surely send men to capture the Keep but they had nowhere to go. Nowhere except east, Jon Connington had never been to Essos nor did he know how to speak low-Valyrian but he decided not to concern himself with it for now and enjoy the brief respite they'd earned. Lord Velaryon still was at sea with the Royal Fleet and the Stormlanders had been smashed by Lady Redwyne at the straits of Tarth and he knew also Ironborn plagued the western coast so any attack would be late in coming.

The Lord hand was approached by the captain, Gariio Derestys, a more greedy man he had never seen. "Lord Connington! It seems we must now part! My men can arrange the unloading of your weapons." Jon nodded to Ser Tytos who commanded twenty stout men to begin unloading their royal cargo "No need, my men can do it. I thank you for the crossing." The fat seaman smiled "The storms have not stopped, should you need to go east I'll stay in the harbour for some time." The Stormlander Lord relished the idea of sailing again, specially with this captain, but he knew it might be necessary. With a nod to his company he made his way into the dock, his feet felt so glad touching dry land again and he made his way to an inn, located at the end of the pier sporting a twelve foot dragon gargoyle on it's entrance.

[Oznerol]

Rhaella was sick. She had vomited because the pregnancy and the storms alike. Her belly was even more prominent. Being in the ship's bowels was extremely uncomfortable. Travel hadn't been easy, as storms ravaged through the Narrow Sea, without mercy. She had also suffered by her maid and the children. Fatherless and motherless, their grandchildren only had her as their kin to care for them. Long time caressed Rhaella their hair, trying to bring relief to his little bodies. Same affection she shows to Viserys, yet the only fruit of her belly on the world.

Rhaella heard that they had at least reached Dragonstone. Her home, their home.

A dynasty that lasted three hundred years uprooted in merely a year, thanks to her husband's folly. She was half relieved and terrified. She still awakened at midnight, fearing he would come to visit her chambers. Then, only a wooden, salty roof above her head, and the calm respiration of her family.

She caressed her belly. How can it be that such evil can be done by a single man?

She cried bitterly. But when the time to land came she tried to compose herself.

[Lucius Malfoy]

A lone man came down from the castle, carrying a lantern upon a pole. Behind him were a group of soldiers leftover from the Crownland's mustering of soldiers. The person in question was the Castellan of Dragonstone, left by Rhaegar. A Crownlander named Ser Janos the Salt Knight. Janos approached the dock where Connington and the others were disembarking. He looks at them carefully and sighs.

Come, Lord Connington. Lets get you to the castle for a bit for some food and drink.

He gestures to them to follow the escort as they ascended the great isle towards Dragonstone with the storm raging around them.

[Alexandrine]

She had been terrified, for most of the journey, but when reaching the shores of Dragonstone it felt as if her heart would beat of her body. She was so happy, but the nerves came back too, all together. Deiyna Mooton had locked herself up in the cabin which was granted to her by the Lord Hand. A kindness she hoped one day to repay to him. For she had seen the glances the sailors and the especially the captain had given her. The stones of dragonstone had a strange look, and those dragons of stone looked like they could at any time, fly away. No. She said to herself. This was no time to be childish.

She rushed after lord Jon. Happy to be off the ship and on shore. "My lord. We have to be quick.." she whispered to him. "We cannot let the lady in there for long." she then walked silent beside him, towards the castle.

[jacb547]

Lord Jon Connington, Dragonstone



At first the Lord Hand had been afraid to go directly to the castle, fearing a treason as great as Rhaenyra had suffered at the hands of Ser Alfred Broome but Jon knew Ser Janos to be a man both good and true although not born as highly as others. Waving his men forth Ser Tytos commanded the escort, forty-one men with the Griffin sown on their breast conducted the carriage forward while Jon unfortunately had no horses left, they not fitting onto the ships and thus all had to either walk or ride in the carriage. Jon Connington strode forth to the Salt Knight and greeted him.
"Ser Janos, how fares the keep? I thank you for the hospitality, we are indeed weary, I cannot count myself as a man of the sea and the voyage was rough."
The Lord Hand beckoned forth the company and they started the walk to Dragonstone castle where he hoped to get some warmth and food, without looking at Lady Mooton he whispered back "She will be free of it when we reach the castle, for now it is a necessary precaution in case of rebel spies in Dragonstone."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lord Jon Connington, Dragonstone



At first the Lord Hand had been afraid to go directly to the castle, fearing a treason as great as Rhaenyra had suffered at the hands of Ser Alfred Broome but Jon knew Ser Janos to be a man both good and true although not born as highly as others. Waving his men forth Ser Tytos commanded the escort, forty-one men with the Griffin sown on their breast conducted the carriage forward while Jon unfortunately had no horses left, they not fitting onto the ships and thus all had to either walk or ride in the carriage. Jon Connington strode forth to the Salt Knight and greeted him.
"Ser Janos, how fares the keep? I thank you for the hospitality, we are indeed weary, I cannot count myself as a man of the sea and the voyage was rough."
The Lord Hand beckoned forth the company and they started the walk to Dragonstone castle where he hoped to get some warmth and food, without looking at Lady Mooton he whispered back "She will be free of it when we reach the castle, for now it is a necessary precaution in case of rebel spies in Dragonstone."

The Keep has been quiet, My Lord. Quiet as a tomb since news of Prince Rhaegar's death. We feared the worst when news of this happened, but seeing you with the Queen and the rest of the royal family gives us hope.

Ser Janos takes them up to the castle, escorting them inside so that they may be out of the weather. Servants were about, preparing food and housing for the guests. Janos removes his hood and cape, which was wet from the rain.

I would suggest you hold up here till the storms clear out. Then proceed from here to wherever your destination is.

[jacb547]

Lord Jon Connington, Dragonstone



The Lord hand was as glad as he had ever been to enter a dry, warm castle room in Dragonstone. The storm echoed loudly in the Stone Drum and the gargoyles loomed menacing but it was as good as any house under the sun in the reach, removing his wet cape and giving it to a servant Lord Jon proceeded to sit besides the hearth. The hand took off his boots in order to dry them and wipe the mud off as he set about some orders for the company. "Ser Tytos remove the Royal family from their hiding and get the children cleaned and warmed, then bring them here for supper. Lady Mooton, find the Queen and care for her if she feels like it she is invited to join us here." The Griffin Lord spoke with a wearied voice and listened just as weary to Ser Janos, Where was their destination? Pentos? He needed to plan later.
"I thank for your hospitality Ser, we shall not remain long for the Usurper will surely send someone to take the castle." Lord Jon looked the castellan in the eyes, he did not expect the man to throw his or his soldiers lives away in a foolish siege "You may surrender to spare the lives of your men if that is your wish, I give that permission as hand. But I ask that you delay any surrender as long as you can to give us time to get away from here."

[Lucius Malfoy]

I dare not betray the late prince, Rhaegar Targaryen. I would never give up this castle without a fight! And if necessary, I will delay them as long as necessary so that you can get away. The Prince Aegon, his sister and the Prince Viserys must live so that the Targaryens may live on...and return to get revenge upon the rebels for killing the most beloved prince, Rhaegar.

[jacb547]

Lord Jon Connington, Stone Drum



For the first time in a while a smile appeared on Connington's weary face, There are still men of true loyalty to the Prince "Do not throw away your life so foolishly Ser Janos, live and fight another day." Jon looks at the Royal children being taken to their rooms "Hopefully soon. I thank you for that, we should not linger however but with this storm abound we aren't going anywhere." ​Jon put his boots now not so soaked back on and settled himself on one of the table seats, calling for wine or water.

[Axis Sunsoar]

Ser Jonothor appeared in the main chamber of the Castle for the first time since they had landed there began, still looking quite pale, but obviously in better health than he had been at the beginning of their flight. Appearing slightly unsteady, he made his way toward Connington and raised a hand in greeting. A guardsman approached him and asked, "How have you been healing my Lord?"

Jonothor nodded his thanks at the question, and in confirmation of his improving health. "Indeed, I did not expect such fine work out of the ship's physician, but he did his job well indeed, and the castle's maester finished it, and it seems that my fever has broken for good. The cut still hurts more than I would ever have expected, seeing as I didn't even notice when I acquired it."

Assuming his conversation with the sailor finished, he continued on to Connington, "What is the current situation, Lord Connington? How far along our course are we now, and when shall we depart for it's completion?"

OOC: Assume that Darry has been unconscious, with a fever from an infected wound during the time that I was absent

[jacb547]

Lord Jon Connington, The Stone Dum



Lord Connington was glad to see Ser Jonothor enter the room, he had feared for the Knight's life afraid that an infected wound would take the finest sword at his disposition. Lord Jon beckoned the Kingsguard to a seat next to him:
"For now we can rest here in Dragonstone but it will not be safe for long, soon we must depart although I have no idea where to. East I suppose, I had though of hiding the royal children in a formal loyalist stronghold such as Sunspear but the Usurper has more spies on this side of the narrow then on the other. They will be safe there I hope." The hand had just made up this plan but he was too weary to think of anything but food and rest for the moment, except.... "Ser Jonothor have you any word on the whereabouts of The White Bull, Ser Oswell Whent and The Sword in the Morning? I know they were sent to guard Lady Lyanna but three more Kingsguard would serve us well in protecting the royal children." The lord of Griffin's Roost sighted he was torn by what he was to say She didn't deserve you Rhaegar but you loved her all the same "And the Lady Lyanna, I am sure the Prince would like to see her safe too."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Ser Janos had disappeared for a moment and a raven had arrived from King's Landing. He blinks at the message and rushes back to Lord Connington who was speaking with Ser Darry. He hands the paper to Lord Connington.

My Lord...King's Landing...its been sacked. Fallen into the hands of the Lannisters. The message doesn't say any word on the fate of...the rest of the royal family. But I suspect His Grace, Aerys II, is dead.

[Alexandrine]

Moodon nodded and follwed ser Tytos to the Royal Family. She was relieved to see them all still alive. They would put the little ones to bed, so they could rest from this horrible voyage. There was no time to waste. She took a cloth and water and began cleaning the queens face. "My Lady, the lord Hand asks for your company if you are well enough, of course."

[Oznerol]

Moodon nodded and follwed ser Tytos to the Royal Family. She was relieved to see them all still alive. They would put the little ones to bed, so they could rest from this horrible voyage. There was no time to waste. She took a cloth and water and began cleaning the queens face. "My Lady, the lord Hand asks for your company if you are well enough, of course."

The Queen was exhausted. But she was the Queen none less. And she was at home, at the home of his ancestors who carved those halls. She caressed a gargoyle on the wall.

"Yes, yes I'll join him. Help me walk there, Deiyna"

The Queen grabbed her hand

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I saved you life but in the process killed you in the eyes of your family. I swear some day you will see them again"

She puts her hand on the belly.

"This will be hard. A hard labor. The child pushes forward, alive and powerful, something fiery. I fear it may drain my energies"

[Alexandrine]

The Queen was exhausted. But she was the Queen none less. And she was at home, at the home of his ancestors who carved those halls. She caressed a gargoyle on the wall.

"Yes, yes I'll join him. Help me walk there, Deiyna"

The Queen grabbed her hand

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I saved you life but in the process killed you in the eyes of your family. I swear some day you will see them again"

She puts her hand on the belly.

"This will be hard. A hard labor. The child pushes forward, alive and powerful, something fiery. I fear it may drain my energies"

Deiyna put on a brave face. "The Crone will lead my way."

"A prince as strong as a dragon will come from your womb, m'lady. The Mother will guide you in the delivery, you have nothing to fear."

She helped the Queen up on her feet. "Lets see lord Hand."

[Oznerol]

Deiyna put on a brave face. "The Crone will lead my way."

"A prince as strong as a dragon will come from your womb, m'lady. The Mother will guide you in the delivery, you have nothing to fear."

She helped the Queen up on her feet. "Lets see lord Hand."

She walked with difficulty.

"Shall the mother bless us, Deiyna, and led us. We depart to Essos, a new world. We will probably be hunted, and be on the run for a long time, but I hope we will find some safe haven. Shall this child of mine avenge us, Deiyna"

[Pericles of Athens]

A man arrived on Dragonstone by way of a small fishing vessel, he made his way up and up and up toward the keep alone. He wore light clothen armor - the fabric red as blood, but it was stained by actual blood as well. At the mystery man's hip hung a dirk and from the other side a Dothraki arahk, in his hand he grasped a simple Dornish short spear. He approached the gates..

[Lucius Malfoy]

A man arrived on Dragonstone by way of a small fishing vessel, he made his way up and up and up toward the keep alone. He wore light clothen armor - the fabric red as blood, but it was stained by actual blood as well. At the mystery man's hip hung a dirk and from the other side a Dothraki arahk, in his hand he grasped a simple Dornish short spear. He approached the gates..

A couple guards on nightwatch duty grab hold of their spears and approach the stranger.

Who goes there?

[Pericles of Athens]

The man pulled back his hood revealing the face of a Dornishmen, no one of note at least not to the defenders of Dragonstone.

I do. He responded with a grin as the men approached him, A commander, one of the last to fly the dragon's banner in battle. Come to seek refuge and purpose - if there is any to be found here.

[Lucius Malfoy]

The guards look at each other and nod. One departs inside and would bring out Ser Janos, the castle's castellan. He approaches the Dornish male at the gates.

You are one of the late Prince's commanders? What brings you here?