hotmtlnovel Chapter 44: The Spreading Fire
Chapter 44: The Spreading Fire
Chapter 44: The Spreading Fire
"Who are you?" Rhaenyra cried in shock, trying to pull away.
Erryk grabbed her hand, quickly wrapped her in a black cloak, and with a strong tug, led her through the back door.
"Who do you think you are, and where are you taking me?" Rhaenyra struggled vehemently, shooting an angry glare at Erryk even though she could not see his face.
Unable to hide his identity any longer, Erryk revealed his face and explained, "You were seen leaving the Red Keep with Prince Daemon, and Prince Rhaegar sent me to bring you back."
"Rhaegar sent you?" Rhaenyra sniffed, her demeanor softening slightly.
"The situation is urgent and it is imperative that your identity remain unknown," Erryk warned, urging her to keep quiet.
Rhaenyra nodded in agreement and complied, matching Erryk's brisk pace.
As they emerged from the back door, they encountered a beggar boy slumped against the wall, seemingly helpless.
Erryk quickly intervened, grabbing the boy by the hair and slamming him against the wall, knocking him unconscious.
Blood splattered as the boy crumpled to the ground.
"He's just a little beggar boy?" Rhaenyra remarked flatly.
"It is common knowledge that most beggars near brothels and casinos are merely bait," Erryk explained, turning back to Rhaenyra. "He's not dead, just unconscious."
Rhaenyra breathed a sigh of relief, her concern for the beggar boy dissipating.
"There's a fire! Put out the fire!"
"Fire in the backyard! Someone come!"
The distant cries echoed, barely audible, as Erryk and Rhaenyra hurried away from the commotion, seeking refuge in a narrow alley.
Meanwhile, Arryk threw a torch through a second-story window of the brothel, his actions shrouded in the darkness of night.
Arson was his secret mission, though it conflicted with the honor expected of a knight. Yet he obeyed his brother's command without hesitation and helped to bring Prince Rhaegar to safety.
For him, serving the young king's eldest son was a matter of duty and respect that far outweighed any loyalty to Prince Aegon, a mere pawn in the king's political schemes.
The winds of change were upon them...
...
Erryk quickly led Rhaenyra away from the scene, dodging a group of gold-cloaked men who rushed to put out the fire.
"Stay away from them," Erryk warned in a hushed tone, turning into another narrow alley.
Rhaegar had preemptively established an alibi for Rhaenyra, ensuring her innocence in the eyes of her father, Viserys, who would quickly silence any accusers without concrete evidence.
Crunch!
The entrance to the secret passage rotated, drawing Rhaegar's attention.
Erryk and Rhaenyra finally appeared before him.
"Rhaenyra, you're back," Rhaegar greeted with a relieved smile, a weight lifted from his chest.
He had feared that Rhaenyra would succumb to the demon's influence and decide not to return with Erryk.
But it seemed she had not disappointed him.
"Rhaegar, how did you know I was sneaking out?" Rhaenyra asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice as she shed her black robes.
Rhaegar glanced at Erryk who had closed the secret passage.
"There was no time to explain," Erryk muttered.
Rhaegar nodded and turned to Erryk. "Did the plan go well, Ser?"
"It went fairly well, but we ran into Harwin Strong on patrol and the princess's identity was revealed," Erryk confessed, a hint of regret in his tone.
Rhaegar frowned, wondering if Harwin would reveal their secret and if he needed to take precautions. As the eldest son of the Hand of the King Lyonel and heir to Harrenhal, Harwin's words could carry weight.
But given Lyonel's reputation and Harwin's own status, Rhaegar doubted the need to silence him.
Watching the cryptic exchange between the men, Rhaenyra interjected quietly, "Harwin is Lyonel's son and respects me, so he shouldn't betray our trust."
"That would be ideal," Rhaegar agreed, acknowledging Lyonel's reliability and assuming his son possessed similar qualities.
Approaching Rhaegar, Rhaenyra's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Who told you? Was it you who set the fire?"
Rhaenyra had pondered these questions during her return.
Erryk's timely arrival and the subsequent fire seemed too convenient to be mere coincidence.
Now, facing Rhaenyra in her chamber, Rhaegar understood her suspicions.
"I have plans for the informant, but I cannot reveal them yet," Rhaegar admitted, concealing Syrio's true identity. It was unwise to alarm him prematurely.
Then, with a serious expression, he continued, "As for the fire, that was my doing. I did it to protect you."