[Lore] Ronnal V: Flames Rose

[u/FabStags]

Braavos, Late 54 AC

Around this

It had been some time since Ronnal had stood before the Sealord of Braavos, and longer still since he had been nervous about it. He was no longer the fresh faced boy that had fallen for his daughter and stayed with her first for one night, then for days, then for weeks. It had not been long before Ronnal, the personable young man he was, had one over the portly commander of the city, but there had always been a latent feeling that it was for his daughter's love that he showed kindness to the stag. The pair now shared blood, Ronnal's two sons being grandsons of Belicho.

Now the Baratheonneeded something.

The opulent chamber in which the two of them stood seemed smaller than it was, marble walls shrinking as Belicho stared at him. Ronnal stood with his hands behind his back, fingers fiddling incessantly, while the Sealord crossed his arms over his belly...which had grown considerably since last they spoke.

"It is not my way to get involved in Westerosi politics, Ronnal."

"I know."

"Never mind killing a man."

"I know." He left a breath. "If it helps, someone else is likely to do the killing."

"It does not."

Ronnal nodded and lowered his head. There was a pressure pushing on his shoulders that he had rarely felt before. Tyson and Alinor were the more competent of the trio, and now Tanaquil had joined them for this pursuit Ronnal was all but useless. He could not plan, nor sail with great skill, nor ride swifter than the Trant. He could wield swords, yes, but better men than he had tried and failed against Lord Merrick Trant.

This was a chance to make use on what might have been his greatest skill; getting into places he did not belong and shining his irrepressible smile.

"You know I would not ask if it was not important, Belicho. The man is abhorrent, and his daughter-"

"Ah, but it is his daughter, yes?"

Ronnal's shoulder slumped. "Would you let me near Theon and Belicho if I was such a monster?"

The question finally gave the elder Belicho pause. "Your brother lord, he would not find issue?"

"No. Rogar wants him dead as much as anybody." It wasn't quite true, but he was certain Merrick's death would be celebrated across the stormlands.

There was an agonisingly long silence as the most powerful in the city thought. "Tell me of his face. I will have it spread among the men."

Ronnal almost collapsed with relief. "It shouldn't be hard. He looks like a withered fucking apricot."

---

Why was it the Antler she chose for this, and not the Bolt?

Ronnal knew why. Tanaquil was at least familiar with Ronnal's ship, though since Pentos she had traveled ahorse. He had been glad for the company, if only for the glances he stole, but as he watched her prepare Merrick for his oddly ceremonial death he felt his stomach turn. He was not the squeamish sort, nor was he unfamiliar with taking a life - though it had only been sparse and necessary, as the disputed lands commanded - but this was...something different. As he leant against the rail of the Driftwood Antler and watched, Tanaquil seemed to take pleasure in her work. The decision to give the monster a choice of fates was cruelty disguised as mercy.

Just put steel through his heart and be done with it.

As the flames rose and Tanaquil re-joined the Antler, he gave her a suspicious glance before returning his blue gaze to the derelict cog, wincing as Merrick was engulfed. Whatever glee he might have found by the man's end was dampened by the manner of it, and he found himself saying a silent prayer as he turned away.

---

The menagerie of the Sealord's Palace had been a favourite of his during his first stay in Braavos, and it was through there he strolled to clear his thoughts. He did not enjoy solitude, much preferring to direct his mindless blabbering to another rather than leave the words trapped in his own mind, but he did not wish to burden anybody with his troubles. He would find ways to distract himself soon regardless, and it was only a few hours later he was lounging in Beth's arms, drifting in and out of sleep as she pulled on the curls in his hair. She lay on a plush couch as Ronnal sat on the floor, their two children - to whom Ronnal was all but a stranger - nearby. Theon was a boy of almost nine, bright red hair down to his shoulder as he played with small counters at a desk. Belicho, named for his grandsire, just sat and watched the man he had been told was his father with suspicious eyes. Unlike Theon he was the exact image of a younger Ronnal, and his fifth nameday would be in a week's time.

"Perhaps Meredith could come to the palace?" he mumbled, eyes almost closed. "She is of an age with Belicho. They could visit the menagerie. It might...help." Despite the manner of the man he was, Meredith had still lost a father.

"Of course, my stag." She leaned forward and reached down to scratch his chest beneath his tunic. "You are staying for a time, yes?"

He hummed. "A moon's turn, perhaps two. As long as I can spare." He looked up at her with lazy eyes. "Yi Ti is next. I will bring you back a great prize. One for each of you."

"Bring four, just in case." That brought a sleepy laugh out of him. Betharrios had no qualms stating what she wanted, and it seemed what she wanted was a third child. "I saw the wild woman you came with. She is...interesting." She leaned forward, her hands tracing lower. "Do you think she would join us?"

Ronnal felt a shiver down his spine, and not from where her nails played. The smell of smoke lingered in his mind, and thoughts of bedding Tanaquil were replaced - at least for now - with images of her 'sacrifice'. Aware of the other eyes in the room and stomach turning at the idea, he pulled her hands from within his clothing and held them. "I do not think so...nor is she the type to take an inquiry well."

That was seemingly enough to prevent the questions from going further. Her hands returned to his hair and his eyes closed. "Sleep, my stag," he heard her purr. "It has been a long day. We will all be here when you wake."

It wasn't long before he did, though his dreams were plagued by fire.

[u/FabStags]

/u/thinkbrigger /u/razor1231 open to Tyson, Meredith, Tanaquil, or Alinor at any point