SWNOVELXO Chapter 38: Chapter 36
(Third Person POV)
Daemon Targaryen steered his horse around, seeing that he had dismounted a Hedge Knight who had participated, similar to Harwin Strong. He had a slight smirk on his face while doing this as everyone cheered for the Rogue Prince.
It was the final bout of the first round, with Daemon Targaryen being victorious and advancing to the second round. Everyone knew that the Rogue Prince would participate in the Tourney in order to celebrate the birth of his granddaughter, that and he was not one to ignore a good festivity.
Daemon laughed, "Is this all we have gathered?!" He asked, "How pathetic!!"
The Hedge Knight got up and drew his sword, "Another challenge, My Prince!"
Daemon tossed his lance to incoming squires, forcing them to catch it as it stumbled them back, "Oh, is that so?" He said as he dismounted from his horse, "Well, come on then."
The Hedge Knight approached Daemon as the crowd gasped, getting on the edge of their seats as Daemon drew Dark Sister and proceeded to clash against the knight.
The Hedge Knight swung his sword, missing as Daemon side-stepped, spinning around and swinging Dark Sister at him. Skillfully enough, the Hedge Knight ducked and avoided the swing and backed away, trying to compose himself. Daemon stepped forward, closing the distance as he thrust the blade at his chest, forcing him to parry it as he retreated.
Daemon then pivoted as the Hedge Knight swung as a counter and then swung his left fist as the open face of the Knight, hitting square on the nose, staggering him. He then kicked him on the shin, tripping him backwards and causing him to fall on the ground.
"Stupid little cunt, are you?" Daemon said as the Hedge Knight immediately rushed to his feet, "But you struggle well..."
The Hedge Knight swung his sword, but Daemon parried it, immediately spinning around and hitting him with an elbow in the face, staggering him yet again. This time, the knight's nose was broken, and blood spilled out.
The crowd gasped as he fell on his rear, leaving him open for Daemon to follow up with a kick to the chin, causing his helmet to fly out as he collapsed. The Knight's eyes turned white as he simply lay there, unconscious.
Daemon smirked as he raised his hands upwards, spinning around as the crowd cheered loudly for the Rogue Prince.
"Yea!" He shouted in triumph
From the participants' stalls, Aerion leaned on the railings, watching his father's antics.
"Hm." He said as his Mother stood next to him, "Is he always like this?"
"He's much more tame than usual." Rhea said, "He didn't cut the fool."
"Is that so?" Aerion asked, "Why draw your blade when no blood is to be shed? Should have just struck him to submission."
"Not everyone thinks like you." Rhea smiled, "Especially not your Father."
"Why did the fool of a Hedge Knight challenge him?" Aerion asked
"You should really pay attention to Jousting, Aerion." Rhea said as she patted his shoulder, "When a Knight is dismounted, he has the chance to have a rematch, by drawing his sword and challenging the victor."
"Hm." Aerion said, "It is stupid. And that's how they risk losing their lives for something as pointless as this."
"Jousts are just ways for men and warriors to let out some steam." Rhea told him, "You may need that."
"I doubt it." Aerion said as he looked over to the Royal Stands, seeing Rhaenyra smiling at Visenya as she held her in her arms, "But I need one thing..."
"And what is that?" Rhea asked
"To end this foolish thing." Aerion said seriously,
"So I can go back to my wife in peace."
**************
After the final bout of the first round was concluded, most of the participants that were still in the Tourney were in their tents for a half-hour resting period.
Aerion was in his own tent, drinking some wine, when the entrance opened and Daemon walked in.
"Ah, did you see that, Aerion?" He said with a chuckle, "A Hedge Knight really thought that he could challenge me, hehe..."
"He is but a fool." Aerion said
Daemon paced around the tent, a smirk on his face, "This is good." He said, "I have not had this much fun in such a long time."
"Hm." Aerion said as he placed his cup down and leaned forward on his seat, looking at the straps of his gauntlets, "Is that so?"
"If things go as I want them to...." Daemon continued, "I will face Breakbones in the Semi-Finals and I will put that fucker down on his back. I dare him to challenge me again...."
"Hm...." Aerion said, "That is in what, two rounds from now?"
"Yes." Daemon said, "I'm going against Alan Beesbury next, that stupid little shit. You?"
"Some Stormlander." Aerion shrugged, "If Gwayne advances, I am facing him."
"Oh, best plant him down as well." Daemon stopped and looked at him, "Send a message to his cunt of a father."
"And what message would that be, father?" Aerion asked with a raised eyebrow
"You know damn well." Daemon said
"Enlighten me." Aerion replied
"You have been rather ignorant of all this mess, Aerion." Daemon said seriously, "You never cared for the shit that has been happening around you. But now, you are married to Rhaenyra and have a child together.....you will have to pay attention to obvious details. She is the Heir and that cunt doesn't like it."
"That.....cunt will do nothing about the matter." Aerion said as he looked at him with a serious expression, "Because there is nothing he could do about it. I do not wish to speak about this matter, it is stupid and pointless."
"It is not." Daemon said, "But you are right, we should not speak about it. If it comes to it, we will face each other in the final match."
"Hm." Aerion said, "Fine."
"You best be at your best, son." Daemon chuckled, "Because I have more years of experience over you."
"Those years did not help you when you were being overwhelmed by the Triarchy in that cave." Aerion said as he looked back down at his gauntlet, "You needed me to come in and save you."
"And you said you wouldn't tell anyone of that." Daemon scowled, "I had three arrows in me."
"There's nobody but us here." Aerion said, "But do be confident in the fact that you might beat me. Because I know you won't."
"You think you're unbeatable because you're blessed with talents? What, did all of that get to your hea-" Daemon said before rolling his eyes, "Who am I kidding? Of course, you would think that."
"Are you naming Mother the Queen of Love and Beauty?" Aerion asked him
"Huh?" Daemon asked, "What makes you say that?"
"You wanting to repeat the same thing as the Tourney of Runestone." Aerion told him, "You want to win and try to better your relationship with her?"
Daemon stood there, looking at his son for a couple of seconds, "I've made some mistakes." He said out of nowhere, "And while I ignore my duties as a husband, I have been doing my best as a Father. But that does not mean I should just cast aside your Mother. She is your Mother, and I have realized that nobody will change the fact that she brought you into this world; that she gave me a son..."
"Hm." Aerion said, "Well, do your best."
"I won't let you win so easily."