Paint it Black- 𝕳𝖔𝖚𝖘𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕯𝖗𝖆𝖌𝖔𝖓

5] The Tourney

"Well maybe this marriage could be over before it's begun."  Ravenna heard, but she was the only one who heard it, she just smiled as she looked down at Mat through the barrier, she just shook her head, "What? Lysander's threatened to murder him already." 

"You are horrible." Ravenna thought, Mat was a special kind of Altaran, he didn't have to talk with his mouth, he had other ways of communicating with people, she knew Mat was brutally honest, it truly didn't surprise her anymore

Mat smiled, "One of us has to be."

One of us has to be. Words Ravenna would remember in the years to come. For one of them would have to be tough, one of them would have to be strong. 

The horses of the jousters ran down the shoot, the men's jousting poles clashing against one another's shields. Every hit, a loud boom erupted through the air.

"A mystery knight?" Rhaenyra asked

Alicent shook her head, "No, a Cole, of the Stormlands."

"I've never heard of House Cole." Rhaenyra said, she looked to Ravenna, "You've been places."

Raevnna agreed with her cousin, "Never heard of it."

"Princess Rhaenys Targaryen!" Lord Boremund Baratheon shouted from the ground, "I would humbly ask for the favour of 'The Queen Who Never Was." The Lord held up his pole, awaiting Rhaenys to let her favour tower down .

Ravenna scoffed lightly, "Lord Corlys and my Uncle could have his tongue for that."

"Maybe they should. But tongues won't change the succession, people will always talk." Ravenna nodded and Mat saw. And he was right. No matter how long Viserys had been on the throne there were still people that referred to Princess Rhaenys as the Queen Who Never Was.

And her mother as the Queen who should've been. It was just the way the world worked 

Rhaenys stood up from her chair and walked down to the edge of the seating area, "Good fortune to you, cousin." The Lord let the favour fall down

"I would gladly take it if I thought I needed it." The man proudly spoke, earning a small smile from the Princess

"Lord Stokeworth's daughter is promised to that young Tarly squire." Rhaenyra nodded to somebody in the crowd

"Lord Massey's son?" Ravenna asked

A hum came from Rhaenyra's direction, "They're to be married as soon as he wins his knighthood."

"Best get on with it." Alicent muttered, as the steed of Lord Boremund rose up on it's hind legs, "I heard that Lady Elinor is hiding a swollen belly beneath her dress."

The Lord's on the ground started to gallop. Laughter echoed around the stadium as Lord Boremund fell to the ground in pain.

Ravenna snorted when she saw the fall but quickly covered her mouth, "Ravenna Morrigan!" Haelys scolded from behind her

"Sorry mother." Ravenna said knowing that her father was smiling behind her. Ravenna looked over her shoulder, glancing at Rhaenys who sent her a small smile.

Very quickly Robb walked over to Ravenna and crouched down beside her, "What do you know of this Ser Criston Cole?"

"I'm told that Ser Criston is common-born, son of Lord Dondarrion's steward. But other than that, and the fact he's just unhorsed both of the Baratheon lads, I really couldn't say." Robb explained

Ravenna nodded, "What about Lysander and Raziel? Are they down there?"  

"They are indeed, Raz changed his mind last minute." Robb said as he stood up and departed from Ravenna's side

The banners around changed from the Baratheon Sigil to the Stark, "Five Dragons on Ser Criston." Laenor muttered 

The Princess shook her head, she wasn't about to bet against Cregan, "Talk to me when a Hightower's jousting, then we'll wager."

Prince Edric stood up from his chair, walked over to Raevnna and crouched down behind her chair just enough that she could see him, "At least tell me he's good."

She didn't want him dead, just yet. 

Edric nodded, "I wouldn't be watching if he wasn't." 

Cregan rode down the track on his white steed, stopping in front of the Royal box, "I would request the favour of Princess Ravenna Morrigan of Valere." 

Raevnna looked at Mat before standing up and walking to the edge, "I'm told you won't need luck."

"From you? I think I'll always need it." Cregan replied

Ravenna smiled slightly as she let her favour fall down towards the Prince of the North. When she sat back down she felt Laenor take her hand as Cregan and Criston started to ride towards each other.

Raevnna didn't love the Prince, but she liked him, part of her considered him a friend so something jumped in her when Criston almost knocked him off, shattering his lance, Cregan stayed on his horse though causing the crowd to cheer.

The second time around, Cregan had the upper hand, striking Ser Criston from his horse, leaving him tumbling to the ground. Ravanna looked back and saw Edric still crouching beside her, he had the same relieved look on his face that she assumed that she did.

Which Mat took notice of.

The crowd erupted in cheers. A teenage boy had just unhorsed a man who had beaten two Baratheons. No one expected it.

Maybe the Ravens luck was all Cregan Stark needed.

The rest of the challengers rode out into the middle of the track, awaiting the Master of Revels to announce the next challenge.

"Prince Daemon of House Targaryen, Prince of the City, will now choose his first opponent!" The Master of Revels announced throughout the crowd, as Daemon rode his black steed to choose his opponent.

Daemon was blinded by his amusement at his choice, Ravenna knew exactly who he was going to choose, "We can rule out Stark, Lannister and Baratheon, maybe even Frey...Hightower?" Edric guessed

The Princess nodded, "Hightower. No doubt."

Daemon rode down the line until he stopped at one challenger, the son of the Hand. Alicent's eldest brother. Gwayne Hightower.

Ravenna leaned over to Laenor, "Five on Daemon." Laenor held out his hand, "You're on, cousin." Ravenna smiled as she shook his hand.

"For his first challenge, Prince Daemon Targaryen chooses Ser Gwayne Hightower of Oldtown, eldest son of the Hand of the King!" Master of Revels shouted, pointing towards the Hightower.

Ravenna saw the nerves radiating from Alicent, Ravenna knew that Daemon chose Gwayne out of pure spite against Otto, the pair had never gotten along. Daemon missed his first strike. The pair were quick to ride again, Daemon achieved his second strike simply by playing dirty, striking the legs of the horse, causing Gwayne to fly off of his horse to the ground.

Daemon grinned in success, his horse trotting over to where the royals were sat. Swiftly, Rhaenyra and Alicent rushed towards the fence, "Nicely done, Uncle." Rhaenyra greeted

Daemon nodded, keeping his eyes strictly on his niece, "Thank you, Princess....Now, I'm fairly certain I can win these games, Lady Alicent. Having your favour would all but assure it."

Ravenna glanced at Otto who did not look happy. His face faltered even more when a Maester walked over to him and whispered in his ear. Ravenna could tell something was off when Viserys got up and quickly walked away.

Ravenna glanced down at Mat and moved her head, he knew what she meant as he nodded and stood up. Skulking away from his seat and back into the palace. 

The street rat was going to do what he did best, find out information 

Thank you for reading 

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