Chapter 9: Two Sides Of A Coin
…Chapter Start
.
.
.
.
(...Day's Later)
"You're getting better, Daemon, but you're using your shield for too much offense," Jamie said exasperatedly.
For the longest time, he had tried to instill the wisdom of using a shield in his son but for some reason, Daemon always preferred using the shield offensively. The boy himself would start to chuckle before replying,
"I'm ambidextrous, father; why not use it to my advantage," Demon replied with a smile on his face.
"Still, it's a bad habit, something you'll hopefully grow out of—now enough talking, come at me," Jamie said with a serious tone, hitting his shield with his bastard sword.
Daemon taking the initiative feinted a stab but he quickly pivoted to Jamie's right before swinging his sword in a horizontal arc that was met with the hardness of the Lannister's shield which the knight used to his advantage to move the shield away from his body and in turn Daemon's weapon before he riposte with his own sword.
THUMP! SCHING!
Daemon quickly intercepted the stab before stepping to Jamie's left and swinging diagonally with his sword, which Jamie met with his blade, interlocking them, making it a contest of strength which the more physical of the two, that being Jamie—winning causing Daemon to disengage.
"Good, nice movement." Jamie praised, "Hn, Father are you participating in Myrcella's tournament?" Daemon asked.
Upon hearing her name, Jamie paused, which he was quick to catch—swinging his sword in a low horizontal arc, causing Jamie to make a hurried interception with his shield, causing a sudden shift in momentum in favor of Daemon, who pressed his advantage with numerous precise swings with his sword.
But the knight wasn't a pushover and his skills were evident, meeting them with his sword instead of his shield—the two seemingly locked in a dance of steel and skill.
"Most likely I need to pay Ser Barristan back for that last tilt in the prior tourney." He replied remembering his joust with the 'Bold' that left him unseated in the eyes of many.
"Want to get put on your arse again, Father?" Daemon said with fake smugness while smirking. "Really now?" Jamie replied calmly.
The air, seemingly calm, now turned wild as the momentum was shifted.
Daemon swallowed the spit in his mouth as the force behind his father's blows was now packed with his strength causing him to hold on tightly to his blunted weapon and intercept with his shield—something he started to think was a bad idea as his forearm was feeling the blows.
"Trying to hurt your poor squire?" Daemon asked comically, causing Jamie to snort and reply, "My squire was acting like a smartass."
Daemon disengaged and started to pant in tiredness for trying to keep up with the speed and strength of his father with timely interventions and his innate skill.
"You know…I take back what I said—you're probably slightly better than me when I was your age." Jamie said, causing Daemon to inhale.
"Not a compliment but sure. When are you going to start your duty, father? With the queen, I mean—you are her sworn shield, after all." Daemon asked, causing Jamie to sigh.
The situation between the three Lannister siblings always estranged him to a degree as the relationship with Tyrion and the twins were polar opposites as only Jamie cared for him and Cersei showed open contempt for his uncle, and Jamie and Cersei had a better relationship than most, which could be related to the fact they are twins.
"No, I have time to spare so I can better prepare my favorite squire." Jamie said lightly, causing Daemon to raise an eye, "But I am your only squire." He said, staring at him with a deadpan expression, causing Jamie to start laughing.
"That's why you are my favorite. Now, enough talking. I see you were trying to catch your breath. Now raise your shield and sword." Jamie said playfully before slipping into his stance causing Daemon to groan.
.
.
.
.
(Sometime Later)
Daemon was seen sitting under one of the trees in the Red Keep, reading a book that he borrowed from the Grand Master about the great knights of Westeros and their achievements in their time.
"I wonder who would win in a duel between Ser Barristan and the Dragonknight?" He muttered to himself.
Daemon flipped a page and started to read more about the man who was called the dragon knight—Aemon Targaryen and was impressed by the documented feats of the once knight of the king's guard as he joined the white cloaks at age 17, was a pivotal piece in the conquest of Dorne and wielded the weapon 'Dark Sister' a Valyrian steel blade of the once House of Dragons.
'He was hailed as the greatest knight of his time, a knight of Honor and chivalry.' Daemon thought and flipped the page again this time widening his eyes at name.
"Daemon Blackfyre…The bastard son of King Aegon IV, The first Blackfyre." He muttered softly.
Daemon was aware of the Blackfyre family one that was a slight on the once dominant house of dragons but he was mostly aware of the most Infamous of them called Maelys Blackfyre the 'Monstrous probably since he looked up to Ser Barristan so he was aware of this Blackfyre but he wasn't particularly interested in the line in general—well until now at least.
"His mastery of arms rivaled that of Ser Aemon, The 'Dragonknight' and was said to be like the Warrior himself. He also wielded 'Blackfyre'. My namesake was truly an impressive knight—he even defeated a Kingsguard in a duel in battle." He said impressed with his achievements.
The more he started to read about Daemon Blackfyre, the more he could relate to him...and even though he shouldn't—he started to use him as an inspiration with his bastard lineage taken into account and could rise to such heights.
"Ironic that between all of the knights in Westeros, I find him more relatable in more ways than anyone else." He said, chuckling to himself.
"No better friend, No fiercer foe. Nice words." Daemon said softly.
'The day of the tournament is a moon away...I probably should get situated and buy the armor soon and a horse now. Who could I ask for some money?' Daemon thought while rubbing his chin.
.
.
.
.
"And why do you need 300 gold dragon's Daemon?" Tyrion asked before taking a swig of wine—Arbor Gold, to be specific, something Daemon wanted to take a drink off but kept his composure.
"To buy something…to be specific, some new armor," Daemon replied, causing Tyrion to raise an eye before commenting, "You already have a full set of armor. You don't need another one." upon hearing this Daemon groaned.
"Can't a knight have 2 sets of armor? Plus mine is dented. I need a new one." He said exasperatedly.
"One—you're not a knight—yet at least, and I'm pretty sure you can just go to the blacksmith to refurbish your armor, so again, why do you need new armor?" Tyrion said before taking another swig of his wine.
"...Fine, but don't tell anyone and swear an oath of secrecy," Daemon relented, causing Tyrion to smirk before replying, "Fine, I swear to it now. Tell me-" He was then cut off.
"I'm planning on joining the Melee in the upcoming tourney," Daemon said, almost causing Tyrion to spit out his wine, staring at him like he was mad. "Are you mad? You do know you'd be facing men twice your age and in strength and experience?" Hearing this Daemon sighed.
"I know—I know, uncle, but I can't just let this opportunity pass." Daemon said, causing Tyrion to rub his brow in annoyance, "I won't do it, I won't let Jamie's son participate in a tourney where he may die—and you're a squire for Seven's sake." Tyrion said, causing Daemon to groan.
"Uncle, I'll be fine, and I'll be using a shield, and if it gets bad, I will Yield. Plus, I would enter as a mystery knight, so the knights here would be oblivious." He tried to reassure his uncle, who stared at him, "Daemon…" but was cut off, "Uncle, you're always one of the ones to tell me to always reach for opportunities, and one is right here—just believe in me."
Tyrion stared long and hard and Daemon before pouring his own wine and refilling his own cup before downing it in one go before replying.
"You're stubborn, just like Jamie…fine I'll give you the 300 gold later. Just give me the time to process this in case something happens to you in the melee." Tyrion said, causing a smile to grace Daemon's features.
"This Is why you are my favorite uncle." He said, causing Tyrion to stare with a deadpan expression. "I am your only uncle." causing Daemon to reply with, "That's why you're my favorite. Now I'll leave you alone with your vices, uncle." Daemon said before leaving a Tyrion who was rubbing his temple with a smile on his face.
.
.
.
.
…Chapter Ends