Blood of Dragons

The promise of royal favor brought roaring crowds and clashing lances to the tourney fields of King’s Landing, but also left murmurs and unease in its wake. Beneath the banners of House Targaryen, knights from across the realm contended fiercely, overseen by the Dragonbane’s daughters and the ever-watchful court.

This tourney, unlike most, bore a special twist—the favour of Princess Daena Targaryen herself would travel from knight to knight. Awarded first to Ser Othan Bracken, the honour was to pass to any knight who unseated its bearer. The man who held the favour at day’s end would be declared victor and claim the prize—and no small measure of fame.

Ser Luthor Rivers earned admiration for a string of strong showings, including an early victory over Bracken, the Hand’s brother and bearer of Daena’s favour. With a thunderous blow that shattered his lance and unseated Blackmane in a single pass, Rivers won the token and the crowd’s roaring approval. His victory over Ser Jon Roxton was equally impressive, fought over five fierce passes until Roxton at last fell. Rivers, ever honourable, saluted his foes and presented the favour with due reverence.

Ser Otho Royce, unrelenting and iron-hard, rode match after match, prevailing over Ser Orbert Farman and Roxton alike. But it was Ser Omrys Baratheon who would ultimately seize the day—and not without stirring contention.

After downing Harstyn Tully with such force the man had to be carried from the field, Omrys eventually faced Royce in the final match. Their tilt was brutal. Omrys’s lance struck Royce’s helm not once but twice—a dangerous and dishonourable breach in a sport where striking the head is frowned upon. Though Royce withstood the first, the second blow unhelmed and unhorsed him, delivering victory to Baratheon in a wave of stunned cries and applause.

His triumph was followed by wild display. Omrys cast aside helm and shield, slammed lance and shield into the ground, and bellowed “AND BLOOOOD!” to the high box. The Princesses—Daena foremost—looked on with sharp eyes. When Daena called for her favour’s return, it was understood as more than ceremony; in this tourney, the favour symbolized the crown’s esteem. Its return from Omrys marked the limit of that esteem.

When presented with the victor’s prize, Omrys offered one of the silver cuffs to Royce—“Here you go fellow… well Fellow!” he quipped, a show of camaraderie undercut by poor taste. Then, unsought, he crowned Princess Rhaena as Queen of Love and Beauty—not Elaena, in whose honour the day was partially held, and whose coming wedding had shaped the celebrations.

Rhaena accepted with distant grace. Daena, ever poised, met the gesture with a smirk and redirected the moment, raising the cheers not only for Rhaena but for Elaena as bride-to-be. If Omrys meant to make a moment, it was Princess Daena who controlled how it would end.

So the field cleared, not only of splinters and steeds, but with the knowledge that in the games of tourney—as in court—victory does not always mean favour.