Brightdark

Chapter One

The nursery was a long, cozy room located in the residential wing of the Red Keep. Wide windows lined one side of the room, giving way to bright white light and warmth in the short days of winter and bracing breezes off of Blackwater Bay in the sweltering summers.

Stone walls stretched around them, the floor blanketed in intricately woven carpets and dotted with pillows and toys in varying stages of use. It was flanked by two large fireplaces at opposing ends that held generous fires. At one hearth, nursemaids sat mending britches and tunics, hands and backs aching with the tedious work.

At the other hearth, a gaggle of children all surrounded a woman dressed in ornate slate blue robes. Her long dark hair was peppered with gray strands, her face worn by age but hinting at a timeless beauty as she perched on a thick cushion.

"Mother! Tell us the story again!" A girl of seven fell excitedly onto a pillow, her raven locks confined into two braids that split down her back. A boy that shared her dark hair mirrored her movements as he watched the group lazily.

"No! I don't want to hear that one! I want to hear about Aegon the Conquerer!" Another one of the children-the oldest-cried. He pushed his white blonde locks away from his eyes as the girl rolled her eyes.

"Well I want to hear it." The only other young lady in the room, Princess Helaena, glanced up at them, her hands deftly guiding the multi-legged creature she had brought in from the damp and cold hours prior. The girl gave her a grateful smile and turned back to the woman who shook her head.

"I apologize, Prince Aegon, but it seems you are outnumbered. While this is a monarchy, I do allow democracy when it comes to telling tales," she said thoughtfully to Argon who slumped in annoyance.

"Well then it is a good thing you are not queen," Aegon pouted as he slunk to the nearest chaise. The two dark haired boys claimed his recently occupied pillows greedily.

"Now, if you all are ready: the hour of the wolf is near," she started as the children settled down and fixed their eyes upon her.

"It is said that deep in the northeast mountains of the Vale lies a stone castle so high on the mountainside, its parapets touch the sky." The raven-haired girl nodded excitedly, the second blonde boy who sat beside her giving her a look that suggested her nonverbal commentary was distracting.

"In this castle, there is a stone that was once touched by the very first strike of lightning in Westeros." As if one cue, a few quick flashes of lightning illuminated the dark sky just past the glass window. The girl gave a proud look from her mother to the other listeners as if she had conjured it herself.

Aegon snorted and crossed his arms, eyeing the girl who was within kicking distance if he so felt it.

"From that strike, came a rare and precious gemstone called Skyshard. The ruler of the castle recovered this gemstone and at the sight of them proclaimed his namesake-"

"Brightstone!" The girl cried triumphantly as her mother smiled at her. "That is correct, Sybil."

"So, Jon Brightstone became the ruler of the Brightstone Peaks and forged the skyshard into glimmering and powerful embellishment, but all was not well in the Fingers." At this comment, a wicked grin began to snake across Aegon's face. His younger brother, who also was within kicking reach, watched with weary eyes as the woman continued.

"For another believed himself to be King of the Fingers. A long and perilous conflict erupted and the dual kings recruited the Andals to assist in the takedown of one another." Sybil held her breath, knowing her least favorite part of the story was coming.

"Jon Brightstone solicited the ruler of the Andals to assist him in his conquest, but he was soon betrayed," the woman revealed. Aegon, who had been so adamant that the story should not be heard, suddenly leapt up. He delivered a punch to his brother's side and he shoved him off.

"He beheaded him and stabbed him just like this! You're dead, Aemond!" Aegon screeched as Sybil glared at the two and checked with the other listeners to see if they also felt the same way. She was pleased to find they did as the two brothers settled back into their seats.

"However Jon Brightstone met his end, it did not matter. The castle was soon abandoned and left to the elements. The Brightstone dynasty fell just as many in Westeros would fall to the Andals." Aegon nodded vigorously at this comment.

"And then Aegon the Conqueror rode in on his dragon and destroyed everyone! He murdered the children and took the women as concubine!" Aegon then began to flit around the room in excitement. The older woman shook her head.

"Thank you for that, visceral, retelling, Prince Aegon." Sybil looked at her mother, noting her dismayed expression. She felt a sudden urge to pounce on Aegon and stop his rambunctious antics.

"Alright children," nurse Erit said as she rose from her spot next to the opposite fireplace. She placed her mending down and nodded at her companion.

"The hour is late and Lady Osenmont has other things to tend to that do not involve reciting the histories," Erit said pointedly, her eyes flickering to Sybil's mother as she approached.

"I'm afraid nurse is right, but I will make a promise to you all," she said, shifting from her spot next to the fire on a large pillow down to her knees. She extended her hand and placed it on the worn rug.

"If you all give nurse no issues and do as you are told all day tomorrow," she gave a pointed look at Sybil, "I shall recount the real story of Aegon the Conqueror, tomorrow night."

At the promise, the boys glowed with excitement. Each brushed their hand over hers, a silent pact made between each. Even Aegon, who was going on ten years indulged, eager to correct her the moment she fell to misinformation. She then pushed herself to stand.

"I'll see that Sybil is put to bed. You have quite the task before you as it is," Lady Osenmont said, smiling as nurse Erit gave her a quick curtsy.

"As you wish, Lady Osenmont," she said before beginning to round up the children.

"Come Sybil."

⚡︎

"Are the Brightstone Peaks actually real?" Sybil asked as her mother ran the hairbrush through her hair. Her mother paused for only a moment before resuming as she said: "Of course they are. Though it has been long since you were in the Vale."

Sybil considered her words for a moment as she rubbed the soft quilt between her fingers.

"What happened to the castle? You said it was abandoned but why hasn't someone taken it over?" Sybil asked, recalling a game earlier in the day when Aegon was set on pillaging every single imaginary fort they had constructed in the godswood.

"It is very hard to reach, sitting so high up in the peaks. Even if one did gain access, it is said to be haunted." Sybil's eyes widened at the claim as she turned to look at her mother.

"By the ghost of Jon Brightstone?" she asked suspiciously. She had always believed in ghosts even if Aemond and Aegon teased her for being a milk-drinking ninny. Her mother pouted and shrugged.

"Who knows. The castle was built around the stone that produced skyshard, so it would have to be powerful, wouldn't you think?" her mother asked as Sybil opened her mouth to ask another question. Her mother cut her off and pulled the blanket down on her bed.

Sybil scurried under the blanket, her mother tucking her in and smoothing her hair. Sybil snuggled deeper into the bed and wished her mother didn't have to leave. Even then, she missed the feel of her fingers in her hair. She yawned, but not before asking yet another question.

"Did the king ever have a queen?" Another yawn cut her off mid-sentence. Her mother, who had been in the process of snuffing out the candle, paused and then looked at her.

"No, he did not," she finally answered as she extinguished the candle and stood. Her robes glinted in the low light of the fireplace like a smooth, thick liquid. Sybil stared dreamily at them.

"Then I suppose he didn't have a prince or princess then?" Sybil pushed as her lids grew heavy and another yawn overtook her.

Her mother didn't answer her. Instead, she placed a soft kiss on her head and left the room.