Upon mother’s orders, you and your elder brother rode out from the Red Keep on horseback. It would do us some good, she had said, her tone carrying little conviction. You were skeptical—Aemond, more so. He viewed the command as an inconvenience at best, a dereliction of duty at worst. His mood remained sour as you trudged outback, riding as far as the open plains allowed.

“Mittys,” he hissed, the word bitten sharp, his gloved fingers strangling the reins.

“Lua?” you inquired, turning your gaze toward him.

“Henujagon indirarion muña issi,” he accused beneath his breath, glowering over his shoulder as if he could see the Red Keep over hill.

“Issa, se?” Your frown deepened, brows creasing together in thin lines.

‘Twas apparent, was it not? Mother had sent you forth for some hidden purpose, though that purpose she veiled well.

“We know our enemy,” Aemond snapped, his voice rising in frustration. “We should be at the Red Keep, planning our next move. Not here chasing the wind like fools.”

The sudden vehemence had startled the horses, their ears flicking backward as they whinnied nervously. Leaning forward, you reached to soothe your mount, your fingers brushing the mane tentatively.

“Brother, calm down—” you began, though Aemond’s gaze cut through your words much like that of a steel blade. ‘Twas a distraction. Much too small to warrant concern, or so you had thought.

Then, it happened.

It came swift; a sharp hiss cut through the stillness. You barely had a moment to register the coiled serpent slithering amongst the grass before you were both thrown from the saddle. The impact sent the breath from your lungs, the sound of galloping hooves receding in the distance. Aemond recovered first, he turned to give chase, but it was no use—they had bolted in a blind panic, disappearing over the crest of a hill.

“Are you fucking—” Aemond’s frustration spilled over as he spun on his heel to face you. You lay still sprawled upon the grass, dazed from the fall, your breath uneven.

“What in the name of the gods are you doing?” he barked, his voice cutting through your haze much like that of a whip. “Up, get up!”