105 AC - Stepstones- Third Person POV
The morning sun filtered through the high windows of a chamber in Bloodstone's castle, casting soft light on Aemma Arryn as she stirred. The bed beneath her was soft, draped in silks, a far cry from the Red Keep's bed. Her eyes fluttered open, and panic seized her as she realized she was not in King's Landing. Memories flooded back: the birthing chamber, Grand Maester Runciter's knife slicing her belly, Viserys's hollow "I love you" as she begged for her life. Her hand flew to her abdomen, expecting pain, but found only smooth skin, healed by Domonic's magic and Harry Potter potions.
Her breath quickened, and she remembered her child. "My baby," she whispered, her voice trembling. Scanning the room, her gaze landed on a cradle of carved oak, its edges adorned with dragon symbols. She rose, her body surprisingly strong, Domonic's healing having restored her fully. Moving to the cradle, she peered inside, finding a tiny girl swaddled in soft linens, her silver hair a mirror of Aemma's own. Tears welled as she lifted the infant, cradling her close, her sobs echoing as she recalled the betrayal that nearly ended them both.
As Aemma wept, the chamber door opened, and Domonic Augustus and Daenerys entered, their presence quiet but commanding. Aemma startled, gently placing Visenya back in the cradle, her hands trembling. She turned, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you…."
Domonic, in simple black leathers, his golden armor set aside, stepped forward. "Domonic Augustus," he said, his voice warm. "This is my wife, Daenerys Augustus."
Daenerys, her silver hair braided, her black-and-red gown regal, offered a gentle smile. "You're safe now, Lady Aemma."
Aemma's eyes brimmed with tears. "Thank you, Domonic Augustus, Daenerys, for saving my life and my daughter's. I thought… I thought we were lost."
Domonic nodded, his expression kind. "Has she a name yet?"
Aemma's smile was fragile but proud. "Rhaenyra always said a sister would come, and her name would be Visenya. So, Visenya it is." Her voice faltered, sadness creeping in. "But now… she'll have no last name."
Domonic's tone was reassuring, easing her fears. "We'll worry about that later. For now, enjoy the peace here. You're under our protection."
Aemma glanced around, the chamber's opulence unfamiliar. "Where are we?"
"Stepstones," Domonic replied.
Aemma's eyes widened, panic flaring. "The pirate-infested islands?"
Daenerys chuckled, her voice melodic. "No more. Domonic cleared them out. The Stepstones are ours now."
Aemma's gaze lingered on Daenerys, noting her Valyrian features. "Are you… related to House Targaryen?"
Daenerys's smile was enigmatic. "No, I'm of Valyrian descent, but not of House Targaryen."
Aemma nodded, processing the revelation. Domonic's voice cut through her thoughts. "Is there anyone you trust with your life?"
Aemma's face softened. "My best friend, Desmera Belmore."
Domonic frowned slightly. "I didn't see her at the Red Keep during the tourney."
"She stayed behind," Aemma said. "She's overseeing her family's keep."
Domonic nodded decisively. "Alright. I'll need to make preparations before I apparate you there."
Aemma's brow furrowed, the word "apparate" foreign. Daenerys, catching her confusion, shook her head with a smile. "Don't worry about it, Aemma. Domonic's methods are… unconventional but effective."
Domonic conjured a table from his inventory, piling it with food—roast pheasant, fresh bread, fruits from Yi Ti, and Arbor gold. Aemma gasped, her voice awed. "How…?"
"Magic," Domonic said simply, winking. "I'll leave you two to eat." He exited, his footsteps echoing.
Daenerys gestured to the table. "Come, let's eat."
Aemma, still marveling, followed, taking a seat. The food's aroma was intoxicating, a stark contrast to the Red Keep's fare. Daenerys's voice was gentle. "How are you feeling?"
Aemma's hands trembled as she took a plate. "Physically, I'm fine—better than I've ever been. But mentally… I'm exhausted. I thought I was dead when Viserys let Runciter cut me open. I begged him to stop, but he just said, 'I love you,' while sending me to the Stranger. The betrayal… I never expected it from him." Tears spilled, and she buried her face in her hands.
Daenerys moved to her side, her touch comforting. "You're safe now, Aemma. You never have to return to the Red Keep if you don't want to. We'll protect you and Visenya."
Aemma nodded, wiping her eyes. "Thank you. I… I don't know how to repay you."
Daenerys smiled, placing bread and fruit on Aemma's plate. "Live, Aemma. That's enough." They ate, the silence companionable, Visenya's soft coos from the cradle a reminder of hope.
Meanwhile, Domonic apparated to the Eyrie under Disillusionment, the Vale's winds howling around him. Bringing out Dragonite, he flew to Strongsong, the Belmore seat, his Pokémon's wings cutting through the clouds. By midday, he reached the castle, its stone walls perched on a rugged hill. Invisible, he scouted the grounds, and he apparated back to Bloodstone, rejoining Daenerys and Aemma in the chamber, where they played with Visenya, the baby's laughter filling the air.
Domonic cleared his throat. "Aemma, we'll go to Strongsong now. Daenerys will stay with Visenya."
Aemma's eyes widened. "Now?"
Domonic nodded, his tone matter-of-fact. "Now."
Daenerys smiled, cradling Visenya. "I'll keep her safe. Go, Aemma."
Aemma hesitated, then nodded. Domonic placed a hand on her shoulder, and with a *Pop*, they apparated to Strongsong's courtyard. Aemma clutched her stomach, her face green, resisting the urge to vomit. She glared at Domonic, her voice sharp. "Never do that again! I thought my breakfast would come up!"
Domonic chuckled, raising his hands. "Sorry, it's the fastest way to travel."
Aemma's glare softened, but she muttered, "Fastest doesn't mean pleasant."
Domonic cast Disillusionment on them both, rendering them invisible. "We're in Strongsong," he said.
Aemma's jaw dropped. "So fast? How?"
Domonic grinned, not explaining. "Let's find Desmera."
They moved through the castle, its halls bustling with servants and guards. Aemma's heart raced, the familiar stone of the Vale grounding her. After searching, they found Desmera Belmore in a solar, dismissing a group of servants. A noblewoman in her thirties, Desmera's auburn hair was pinned elegantly, her blue gown practical yet fine. As the last servant left the room.
Domonic cast a Notice-Me-Not charm and a soundproofing Muffliato spell, sealing the room. He dropped their Disillusionment, and they appeared. Desmera, sensing a presence, looked up, her eyes locking onto Aemma. She screamed, "Ghost!" and stumbled back, knocking over an inkpot.
Aemma rushed forward, her voice urgent. "Desmera, it's me! I'm alive!"
Desmera's face paled, her voice trembling. "Alive? But… the ravens said you died in childbirth! The whole Vale's mourning you!"
Domonic stepped forward, his presence calming. "She's alive, Lady Desmera. I saved her and her daughter, Visenya."
Desmera's gaze darted to him, her voice wary. "Who are you?"
"Domonic Augustus," he said. "A… traveler. I used magic to save Aemma from the Red Keep."
Desmera's eyes widened, but Aemma's hand on her arm steadied her. "It's true, Desmera. He healed me, delivered Visenya. I'd be dead without him."
Desmera sank into her chair, her voice shaky. "Gods, Aemma… what happened? The ravens said you bled out, the babe—a boy—died too."
Aemma's face darkened, her voice bitter. "Viserys, let Runciter cut me open to save the child. They chose a potential heir over my life. Domonic stopped them, saved us both."
Desmera's jaw dropped, her voice outraged. "Viserys? That craven? And Runciter? I'll gut them myself!"
Aemma's smile was sad. "I can't go back, Desmera. Not now. But Rhaenyra… she's still in King's Landing."
Domonic interjected, his voice calm. "Rhaenyra will be safe. I'll ensure she knows the truth and is protected. Aemma and Visenya are staying with us on Bloodstone."
Desmera frowned, her voice confused. "Bloodstone? The pirate islands?"
Aemma laughed softly, her voice lighter. "Not anymore. Domonic cleared the pirates. The Stepstones are… different now."
Desmera's eyes flicked to Domonic, her tone skeptical. "You cleared the Stepstones? Alone?"
Domonic grinned, his voice dry. "Yes. The islands are under my dominion, they are green and safe."
Desmera shook her head, her voice awed. "Magic, you say? I don't understand, but… Aemma's alive, so I believe you."
Domonic's tone turned practical. "Aemma needs ladies-in-waiting, handmaidens she trusts. That's why we're here. Can you help?"
Desmera nodded slowly, her mind racing. "I can arrange it. A few loyal women—my cousins, perhaps. But I'll need until tomorrow to gather them."
Domonic nodded, his voice reassuring. "Take your time. You two have a lot to catch up on. No one will enter or hear you—the room's sealed by magic. I'll return in an hour."
And with a pop, apparated back to Bloodstone. Desmera's jaw dropped, her voice a squeak. "How did he—?"
Aemma grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Magic."
Desmera laughed, pulling Aemma into a hug. "Gods, Aemma, you've stories to tell. Start from the beginning."
As they talked, tears and laughter mingling, Aemma recounted her ordeal, Domonic's rescue, and her hopes for Visenya.