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House of The Dragon-A God Amongst Men: Chapter 276: Handwriting
🕑 Added 2025-06-07 23:26:52 +0000 UTC(Third Person POV)
[Dragonstone]
"Daella...." Aemon walked into his wife's chambers, "What is this I hear about King's Landing? The Maester mentioned something odd."
Daella looked at him as she sat down in her chair, "Oh." She said, "Well, I am having trouble understanding it myself. From what the letter says, there is a bit of tension in the Red Keep between Father and Septon Barth."
Aemon frowned, "How so?"
"I don't know." She said, "Perhaps....it has to do with the Trinity?"
He sighed and walked over to her, "Don't tell me...." He said, "The Faith has reached a breaking point, hasn't it?"
"From what I was told, the City is completely filled with Trinity worshippers." Daella said, "Maybe Septon Barth has finally spoken up."
"For years, he's been watching Drakken torment our Family, the Realm...and everyone else...." Aemon sat down next to her, "Perhaps he's no longer tolerating anything regarding him. He is a high official in the Faith, being Hand of The King has its merits."
"Alyssa mentioned that Father could relieve him of his duties." Daella said, "What do you think that could cause. I fear something could happen."
"Don't worry about anything." Aemon said, "Drakken tried rousing the Faith to revolt all that time ago. I doubt anything dire would come out of this. Perhaps we should go back and see how things are."
Daella nodded, "If you think that is a good idea." She said, "There is something else....that was one letter coming from King's Landing. But another one came from Harrenhal..."
"House Drakkengard?" Aemon said, "Is it Maegelle? Saera?"
"It appears that it is someone writing on Maegelle's behalf." Daella had the letter in her hand, "But it does look like Jocelyn's handwriting."
Aemon scowled and took the letter from her hand, "What?" he said, "What is Drakken doing? Why is he so obsessed with this?"
He read the letter;
"My Dearest Sister,
It gladdens me to inform you that our Lord Sylas has hatched his own wyvern, a beautiful golden beast. I would like to offer an invitation to Harrenhal, to discuss the futures of our children. As you may have been told, Drakken had wanted to marry Aemon's daughter to his sons. Perhaps we can discuss that soon. Please, write back to me.
Your Sister,
Maegelle"
Aemon clutched the letter, a serious scowl on his face, "That fucking....." He said, "Does he intend to use my wife's handwriting to torment me?!"
"A-Aemon...." Daella said softly, "Late...wife...."
Aemon looked at her with surprise, "O-Oh..." He said as he dropped the letter, "I-I am sorry, Daella.....I didn't mean it like that."
Daella nodded, "I know.." She said, "W-What should we do? Should we respond?"
"No." Aemon said, "Let us not do anything."
"I see." She said, "I understand. I was just taken aback...."
Aemon sighed and stood up, "I am sorry." He said, "Drakken once offered to marry his sons with my daughters....to ensure a proper future between our Houses. I refused him then....and I will refuse him now. My daughters are promised to Baelon's boy, I will not go back on my word."
Daella looked down, "And Aemma to Aegon..."
"That's right." He said, "We're not changing out minds."
"I.....I don't want to make my sister sad...." She said, "She has a daughter. Maybe....no, nevermind."
"What?" Aemon looked at her, "What is it?"
"If we have a son....maybe we can marry him to her?" Daella asked, "To Vaella?"
"I..." Aemon started, "Listen....Vaella....she is a Drakkengard.....nothing good can come out of that."
"But..." She said softly, "She is our niece....she's a Targaryen too."
"No." Aemon said, "It won't happen, Daella."
"I am sorry."
**********************
[Harrenhal]
"Please...." Ceres said as she was on her knees, "Please.....mercy...."
Drakken stood over her, crossing his arms, "Hm?" he said, "Who undid your straps?"
They were in the sub-basement, where Drakken usually tortures her at a daily basis. For some reason, the Priestess was not on the rack and was rather prostrating on the ground while sobbing.
"I will...I will do anything...." She managed, her voice shaky, "I will.....do....anything...."
Drakken looked around, "No, seriously." He said, "Who released you?"
"Lord Drakken...." Jocelyn walked over, "I am sorry, I did that."
"Why?" Drakken raised his eyebrow
"Well, its quite difficult to properly clean her while she's strapped like that." Jocelyn crouched down and placed the bucket of water next to Ceres, "So I let her go so I can work better. It is fine, she is not dangerous. Even without the cuffs...."
"Help me...." Ceres cried as Jocelyn began to wipe some dried blood off her arm, "Please.....mercy.....I...I am so tired....."
Drakken tilted his head, "Hm."
Jocelyn looked at him, "She is docile." She said, "It appears her will is completely broken."
"I'll be the judge of that." Drakken said, "Hey, Ceres.....who is the one true god..."
"God....?" Ceres sniffed, "God.....?"
"That's right." Drakken said, "Who is it?"
"There is.....there is no god....." Ceres looked at Jocelyn, "I....have been abandoned....."
Jocelyn nodded as she moved her hair out of the way, "Right..." She said, "Stay still, I need to wash your face."
Drakken watched as Jocelyn began to wipe some of the tears and dried blood off her face, seeing that Jocelyn had a calm and neutral look to her face. There was a certain elegance that Drakken recognized from the times he would visit and torment the court back when she was with Aemon.
He stood there, quietly, and watched as Ceres would simply sob, as Jocelyn would wash her with the rag.
"I need to take your clothes off." Jocelyn said as she stood up, "Stand up."
Ceres did this, and Jocelyn pulled her rags off, revealing her badly bruised and battered body, courtesy of Drakken's torture. Drakken did not react to this, he just watched as Jocelyn worked on Ceres's body, as the broken woman merely leaned against Jocelyn, crying into her shoulder.
"Shhh..." Jocelyn said, "It is fine, don't worry."
"Hm." Drakken said as he placed his hands in his pockets, "Interesting."
Jocelyn was cleaning the crevices of her body, making sure she was spotless, all while the woman stood there, crying, feeling nothing but shame and terror.
"She is uneasy because of you." Jocelyn said
"Good." Drakken said as he took a step closer
Ceres flinched, "N-No...." She whimpered, "D-Don't hurt me...."
In a swift motion, Drakken clutched her throat, "Don't hurt you?" He glared at her, "After what you've done?! Do you have the luxury to ask for that?!"
".....I....." She whimpered, "Please.....anything....!"
"My Lord, Please...." Jocelyn said as she placed her hand on his arm, "Stop this....she cannot handle anything else today."
Drakken let go of Ceres and she collapsed to her knees, coughing violently and gasping for air.
"Kiss my feet, stupid bitch." Drakken spat, "Do it."
Ceres slowly reached for his boot, leaning in and kissing it gently, "Please...." She said, "Forgive me....it....it was him.....t-the false......absent.....god....."
"Hm..." Drakken said, "I ask again.....who is the True God?"
"Y-You....." Ceres said, "Please....forgive me.....please......I'll do anything....to stop the pain.....just....show me mercy...."
"You living is my mercy." Drakken said, "But you say you'll do anything?"
"I have something in mind."
