(Drakken's POV)
[The Dark Shade, Some Time Later]
I was crouching down, pulling out some weeds from under the base of the golden tree that was in front of me. I could feel the power of the Shade radiate on me, the Foundation was slightly shifted but uncompromised.
Sweat rolled down my forehead as I forced my arm through the tree's roots, phasing through the magical construct, feeling the reverberations of Black Ether throughout my bones. I was clutching some nodes that I had planted inside the Tree, making sure that they were properly fueled with my personal Black Ether, power that would last a couple years at the very least.
I pulled my arm out, "Alright...." I said as I leaned back, wiping the sweat off my forehead, "There you go....for now...."
I looked up at the tree, the light of the golden bark was illuminating, the white leaves glowing brightly.
"I made this....." I said softly, "For you....."
I looked back down to the ground, seeing that the power of the Shade was seeping into the dirt itself. I stared at it for a couple of seconds, trying to see if there was anything abnormal about it.
There wasn't.
It appears that Thanatos, ever since the incident, has kept the Foundation and the integrity of the Shade in pristine condition. He was not joking when he said that purest form of Black Ether would be more than enough to fix the issue.
The issue that I overlooked.
Knowing that bastard, he would hold it over my head for years to come.
Thankfully, he is bound to the Shade and I can ignore his calls, that piece of shit.
I don't know why I am that mad at him; he is me. He is the manifestation of my Calamity, the manifestation of my own power. My power is his power, and his power is my power. He just happened to gain sentience and intelligence.
And a fucking attitude.
I sighed and looked at the tree's trunk, seeing how the light glistened and sparkled in the dark area of the Shade. There was something about the sight of the light, the sound of the sparkling, that it made me feel a bit more at ease, despite everything that had happened.
Maybe it was her.
"Lord Drakken." I heard a voice call out
I turned to see a Duskguard Knight standing a few meters away, "What is it?"
"We've received word from Harrenhal." He said, "The Princess has undergone her labors."
Saera is giving birth already.
Hm.
I nodded, "Alright." I said, "I'll be there shortly, give me a second."
He nodded as well, "Very well." He said before turning around and walking away into the darkness
I stood up and patted my knees, "Alright, my dear." I said as I looked at the tree, "I have to go."
I took a step forward and placed my hand on the trunk, feeling the warmth coming from it.
I sighed and closed my eyes, "I will come and visit you soon....." I said, "You just need time to....adjust to your new spot...."
I opened my eyes and looked at the spot where I was touching, seeing how the light was pulsating around my hand.
"You are important to me." I said seriously,
"I'll be back, I promise."
*********************************
"My Lord." Mya said as I approached the door, "Where were you?"
I looked at her, she was holding a few towels in her hand as I heard an unusual amount of silence.
"The Shade." I said, "Did something happen? Why don't I hear Saera yelling out in pain."
"The labors were quite quick." She said as she looked at the door, "It is done."
I raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?" I said, "Interesting. Seems my child did not want to waste time, wanting to come out as quickly as possible."
I opened the door and walked in, seeing that Maegelle was next to the bed, holding Saera's hand with one of hands and wiping sweat off her face with the other.
"You did well, little sister." Maegelle said softly, "It was nowhere near as long as mine...."
"Is...is he okay?" Saera was grimacing, "I fear.....I fear that something happened to my son...."
I stopped in front of the bed, "Are you alright, my Saera?" I asked, "Apologies for missing out on the important moment, I was busy."
Saera looked at me, "I-It is fine, My Love." She said, "Your son has quite the spunk, wanting to come out as quickly as possible."
I heard crying from the side of the room and I looked to see the maids were grouped up, cleaning the child as usual, making sure that the babe was alright.
"Son, hm?" I said with a raised eyebrow, "We'll see...."
"I....I promise you...." Saera said, "It is the boy I promised, the perfect warrior....that..."
The Head Maid looked at me as she held the child, wrapped in blankets, "I..." she said, "Uhh..."
"What is it?" Saera asked, "What is wrong with my son?"
The Maid slowly walked up to me and looked at Saera, "P-Princess...." She said softly, "It.....it is a girl..."
"A girl?" Maegelle said, "Another daughter....."
Saera's face went pale, her mouth opening slightly, anxiety filling her eyes as she looked directly at me.
"G-Girl....." She said softly, "A girl...n-no, that cannot be.....a daughter.....I....I promised him a son....."
I looked at the Maid, "Give her to me." I said as I offered my arms, "I want to see her."
She nodded and handed the girl to me, "Of course, Great One."
I took the baby in my arms, seeing that she was frowning with her eyes closed, rubbing her tiny hands against her cheek. I saw that she had white hair, like her mother's.
Those damn Targaryens and their white hair.
Well, can't be mad at that, I did say I wanted white-haired children.
"White hair...." I said as I patted her cheek, "Let me see those eyes, dear."
The girl opened her eyes, looking right at me.
Blood red.
Like mine.
Both of them.
I could feel a smile forming on my face, "White hair...." I said, "Red Eyes....."
I looked at Saera, she had a shocked look on her face, tears forming in her own purple eyes.
"I...." She said, "I am sorry..."
I frowned, "For what?"
"Sister, don't be sorry!" Maegelle said, "It is fine, you have a daughter of your own!"
"Red eyes?" Mya said as she walked up to me, "Oh my, they look like Riktor's....she's beautiful. Just like her Mother."
I looked at the girl, she was staring right at me, almost as if she was mesmerized by the sight of her father.
"No...." Saera said, "No, a daughter....I wanted to give him a son....n-no....this cannot be....."
"Saera...." Maegelle said, "Don't worry about it, a girl is nothing to be ashamed of. At least, Vaella won't be the only girl in the family."
"Riktor and Sylas have two sisters to take care of." Mya chuckled, "She is quite beautiful, My Lord. Princess, what would be her name?"
Saera was looking down, trembling slightly, "A....daughter..."
"Saera...." Maegelle said, "You need to name your daughter. You-"
"Astorias." I cut her off, "Her name is Astorias."
They all looked at me, a bit surprised by this.
"Astorias?" Mya asked me, "That's.....an interesting name...."
"Astorias Drakkengard." I said seriously as I looked at her, "That is her name. She is my daughter, Astorias."
"And I expect great things from her."