(POV: Gaemon)
It is a remarkable thing to be able to fly on a dragon. No airplane in the world can compare to being so in tune with another creature to the point where words were unneeded to direct it. That was the sort of bond the Cannibal and I shared. I did not need to speak for my orders to be conveyed. Nothing can beat the feeling of having wind in your hair as you swoop down, a booming roar announcing your entrance.
Besides being good for my mental health, this also kept the Cannibal limber and hale. I couldn't risk the main advantage of riding a wild dragon, that being that they hadn't been confined to the dragon pit during their youth, wasted. The Cannibal had lived most of his life free, and while he wasn't a massive beast that could dwarf Balerion, he was fast. It was thrilling flying on top of him. While the Cannibal avoided larger dragons, the small ones that he hunted that weren't hatchlings were fast, so it stood to reason that he would have to be just as fast to keep up with them.
Without a word, the Cannibal glided downwards until he came to a stop, just outside of Casterly Rock. I undid the chains holding me to him and slid off my saddle, nodding as a procession of guards, dressed in Lannister heraldry saluted me. I looked towards the one who seemed to be in charge judging by his ornate armor, "My dragon hungers. Send word to bring an Auroch for him. Live."
I took the reins of the horse waiting for me, its eyes filled with fright as it whinnied nervously at the Cannibal, it was scared, all of them were scared. Viserra's dragon did not inspire the same fear in the horses nor the guards, though that may have been because they had been exposed to the Cannibal first.
Stormfyre, my thoughts turned to my sister-wife's dragon. It was a beautiful beast, I would not deny her that. Yet when I sent her to the dragonpit with guards, I had prayed that maybe she would tame a bigger dragon, Dreamfyre perhaps, Balerion if I was lucky. If she failed, then I would take her to Dragonstone, Vhagar would be free soon and if I struck fast, I could have her tame it.
Yet I had failed in my schemes, when Viserra returned upon a dragon, it was not the black beast of the Conqueror, nor the blue she-dragon of Rhaena Targaryen. Instead, she returned upon a hatchling, one that was untested in battle, only good to be shown off to the lords. Stormfyre was no war dragon.
Yet my wife loved her. She may have seen Stormfyre as the replacement for the children we did not have. Our beddings were few when we were freshly married, I had abstained from my lusts to avoid having her die in childbirth, ala Aemma. It was simply the most logical thing to do. What was not logical of me was to acquiesce to my wife's desire to ride with me near daily. She was fond of boasting that our dragons were the next Vermithor and Silverwing.
I found it amusing considering the first time Stormfyre met the Cannibal, my dragon spared no thought to the energetic dragon, besides an idle hunger of times long past, when it was wild and fed upon any hatchling it came across. Still, I enjoyed those rides, though when I believed Viserra of age to finally bear me childrens, we stopped embracing after each ride. Mostly because one kiss would grow into two, and eventually we would be naked, fucking each other without care.
It took at least 3 maids coming across us after a flight for us to wait until we got to the bedroom before we began embracing. Father had been rather cross with us, though I was lucky he saw Viserra more as a second Alyssa than the second coming of Saera. This might be strange to admit, but I might have truly come to care about Viserra.
She was bold, strong, courageous and advised me in matters. With her, I did not need to speak to her interests for some goal, I simply was me, Gaemon. I was not King Gaemon or anything, I was just Gaemon.
Maybe I was simply growing sentimental, but if Daemon, if any of my usurping relatives thought to lay a hand on my beautiful wife and children, I would ensure they received a fate a thousand times worse. Just the thought had me clench my fists, before I relaxed them and let out a deep breath.
Still, flying around was not the only thing I did while I waited for my armies to gather. I trained in the courtyard with Blackfyre, facing multiple knights at once in order to be as prepared as I could be. Valyrian Steel truly was too impressive, no ordinary material could stop my blade from carving through it like butter.
Though, I did use other weapons, favoring a mace when I lacked my blade. In addition, I had stopped trimming my beard, gaining a more distinguished look now. Viserra claimed I looked like father, though she kissed me more often than she had ever kissed our father.
I also settled disputes between the various lords, though in this case, it was mostly the ironborn and the westermen. Some, like Lord Dagon Drumm and Lord Roger Reyne. That dispute was just the latest one. Yesterday, a fight broke out between Lord Tarbeck and Lord Maron Volmark. And the day before that another had broken out.
I had done my best to settle the matter fairly, soothing any ruffled feathers. Though the effort left me drained. I needed these lords though, so this effort was worth it. I grasped a golden cup from a nearby table, already filled with cool wine, staring at the green gems inlaid on the eyes of the lions that were engraved on the cup.
The Lannisters always needed to show their wealth, huh? That brought a wry smile to my face as I sipped my wine, deciding the best course of action. A direct attack on King's Landing would bring me nothing but unnecessary risk, it would be me and Viserra against Balerion and Caraxes. I ignored Syrax for the Cannibal could easily crush that over pampered, pathetic excuse of a dragon.
Dragonstone… A quick stomping of Rhaenys and I could negotiate a marriage alliance between me and the Baratheons for their support.. The Starks, I could offer them one too. But if Cregan Stark's father was just as rigid as his son then that would not be met with success. I tapped the rim of the cup as I mused.
I'd strike the Reach first, Viserys would be too occupied with Rhaenys to truly focus on me, I'd leave Viserra here. The threat of dragon fire would keep most other armies away. If I could move the majority of the lords there to support me, then I would have one of the biggest armies.
Still, the best choice in my opinion right now was to focus on small victories. Viserys and Rhaenys would be busy with each other, due to their closeness. By the end, I had come up with a decision, I'd accompany a large force of men, around ten thousand Westermen to attack the Riverlands while a second force comprised of five thousand men would make its way to link up with the Hightower army and to defeat and take control of the Reach lord's forces.
That left five thousand men still at Casterly Rock, in case any forces decided to try and strike Casterly Rock. I had told my small council my plan, Lord Jason would remain with the five thousand men here along with his brother. The Ironborn were given permission to raid along the coast of the North, though some like Lord Dagon had decided to come with my army.
With that plan set, I sent out a few ravens. Tomorrow I would lead my men in the Riverlands and ensure that there wouldn't be any deus ex machina respawning armies coming to save Viserys or Rhaenys