Hugh Hammer (ASOIF/SI)

"What do you mean?"

 "It's a simple question lad, who are you? And don't give that guff

 about being a blacksmith. If I did not know better I would say you are

 a faceless man from The House of Black and White in Braavos, only

 that I know they and dragons don't exactly mix….."

 And if he was a Faceless man, well then Daemon was prepared to

 sell his life dearly, he had a hidden dagger upon his person, not

 exactly Dark Sister, but it would have to do, for the Sapphire banned

 all weaponry from their clients, or at least visible weaponry. Anyone

 foolish enough to draw a concealed weapon was barred for life from

 the establishment. Not that he cared, if Hugh was a faceless man he

 would die here and not have to worry about being barred from his

 favorite brothel.

 And even if Hugh was not a faceless man, he was a big young lad,

 strong and quick, likely to be evens on to take him if it came to that.

 "I'm just Hugh your Grace."

 "Don't give me that, you are smarter than that lad, and you know I'm

 on to you. Tell me who you really are…"

 Hugh seemed lost for words for a few seconds before he spoke "I, I

 am Hugh, a blacksmith from Dragonstone, but, but when I first

 touched Vermithor, something, something happened…"

 "Go on" prompted Daemon when Hugh looked like he might not

 continue, his voice tight. He watched Hugh closely, of experience

 born of many years, watching for any tell-tale signs that Hugh was

 preparing to fight, the little tells that always preceded the first action

 of a fight.

"It, it was like…..something, something unfolded itself in my head,

 memories that were not my own were suddenly alongside mine,

 skills and abilities I never had were there also, just below the surface

 of my skin, waiting for me to use them. And this, this presence,

 looming over everything, watching, I think, I think that's

 Vermithor….."

 "Interesting, I still don't believe you though" came his reply, suspicion

 laden in his words.

 "It's the truth I'm afraid, who can I be but who I say I am, I am not

 some spy or double agent, I'm just a blacksmith from Dragonstone

 who touched a dragon and got more than I bargained for…."

 "'More than you bargained for' eh? I'd say that - more of a neck also.

 I know of your dealings with Prince Jacaerys and Lord Corlys, how

 most of the supposed changes made to dragon handling and flying

 comes from your mind and not that of Prince Jacaerys. Of how you

 have been advising the Sea Snake on certain matters, matters

 pertaining to shipbuilding that you should not know!"

 "I worked in the forge at the shipyard on Dragonstone, I know a thing

 or two about ships."

 "Pah! Ships? The yard on Dragonstone builds boats and small

 fishing skiffs, no, don't try and pawn me off with that boy!"

 "As I said, touching Vermithor… changed me. Gave me, gave me

 knowledge that I did not have previously….."

 "And these supposed 'dragon dreams', I assume that these started

 after you laid hands upon Vermithor?"

 "Yes" Hugh replied, his voice soft and meek sounding.

 "How very convenient for you?"

The silence stretched out into minutes until Daemon broke it "Its only

 that I have not found out anything untoward about you, that you

 seem to be exactly what you are, that has kept you alive so far

 Hugh."

 The lad did not respond to that, instead holding eye contact with him

 for an impressive length of time, well he had stones did the lad.

 Actually, Daemon remembered that he had seen the lads very

 stones not a few moments earlier, and they were on the large size.

 "If I find out anything to the contrary, if I suspect you of even a whiff

 of treason Hugh, I'll end you in an instant!" hissed Daemon, hoping

 that the lad understood how precarious his situation was. Even with

 that offer of lands, titles and his daughter's hand, he would not

 hesitate to eliminate Hugh if he became any sort of an obstacle to

 him and his plans.

 "You are mine Ser Hugh, even before you drape your cloak around

 my daughters' shoulders, even before I will give you our name.

 Never forget that Hugh, you are mine!"

 Somewhat disappointedly Hugh did not respond to this, simply

 looking at him with what Daemon knew was suppressed rage, the

 suppressed rage of someone who knew he could do nothing about

 his situation.

 "Cheer up lad, as I said, you will be a Targaryen soon, and a 'Prince

 of the Blood' to boot, and you will soon have that pretty little

 daughter of mine on your cock, trust me there are worst things that

 could happen to someone who used to be a blacksmith!"

 With little more in the way of conversation from Hugh Daemon

 decided it was time to leave, the sullen and resentful looking

 dragonrider accompanying him as far as the Dragonpit, where Hugh

 entered to begin one of these so called 'alerts'. Again, an idea from

 that big head of his that had been passed off as coming from Prince

 Jacaerys, this Hugh fellow was certainly a valuable asset to have,

 but not an indispensable one it had to be acknowledged. Though for

the time being he was useful, but once this war ended? If Hugh

 became unmanageable, he could always be disposed of, and

 Rhaena married off again for his advantage.

 It would be preferable if he just settled down and did what he was

 told and supported Daemon in all the endeavors that he had planned

 after the war, of that Daemon was sure, but it never was a bad thing

 to be prepared in case things did not work out like one planned.

 Entering the Red Keep he made his way towards Maegor's Holdfast,

 a subtle arrangement of lit torches and candles telling him all he

 needed to know.

 He went straight to one of the storerooms under the Keep that he

 knew was secure and found Mysaria, or Lady Misery as she styled

 herself now, waiting for him.

 "Well?" he asked with no preamble.

 "The Queen has ordered that merchant Janas Barner taken and put

 to the question."

 "Shit!" he swore "she, she tries my patience, does our Queen!" he

 hissed.

 "Her Grace intends to get a confession from Janas and use it to

 prove that the dragonseed are disloyal. She will have them arrested

 and tried for treason. Actually, she is likely to dispense with a trial

 altogether…."

 "That dumb cunt….."

 "That you are fucking….." came the deadpan reply.

 "Among many, many other cunts" Daemon retorted, never one to let

 an insult go unavenged.

 "I assume that you will be dissuading her Grace of this course of

 action?"

"You assume correct, that Barner fellow should expire forthwith, with

 no confession of course."

 "I will see it done."