(Baelon's POV)
"It is The Night Murmur." Maester Geradys said as he held a soaked flower with some tongs, "An alchemical infused flower that is grown in the East."
After suddenly remembering what had happened all that time ago. I had the barrels of wine opened to see what they contained. They had these dark purple flowers in them thay gave off a sweet odor.
Maester Geradys had inspected the flower after treating me in my quarters, privately. I did not want to alert Helaena and Rhaenyra of what had happened until after we figure out what exactly is going on.
"Alchemically how?" Mother asked
"Alchemists use their arts to alter the soil and create a flower that will allow them to affect the body and mind of a man." Gerardys said as he placed the flower on a platter, "In the case of the Night Murmur, it tricks the mind into forgetting a certain memory. It was created for the use on men or women afflicted with hysteria. Using it to make them forget a specific memory that triggers their frenzy, leaving them in a daze and constantly murmuring at night before they fall asleep. Hence…..the name…."
"What?" I frowned, "But how can they choose to make them forget?"
"Westeros does not have this flower, only the knowledge of them." He told me, "It is said that due to the alchemical properties of the flower, exposure to its activated scent via incense can numb the body. The flower could then be grinded and turned into a concoction that could be drank by the afflicted. Then, at that point, I would assume they have the person think of the memory and then performing the 'trick'. But….other than that, it is unknown what the effects could be."
"So repeated exposure to the flower could suppress the chosen memory?" I asked, "And with wine, it is more potent?"
"Wine could very well help the effects. Being drunk already interferes with the mind and memory. So if adding the flower and its effects would do anything, it would further enhance the memory loss." He explained, "Uses of this flower have been forbidden with the Eastern Healers. The effects could be abused to take advantage of women by powerful men. Which is why it is rare. If you have been repeatedly exposed, My Prince, whomever made that happen did not want you to remember something in specific."
"Tell me about it…." I muttered
"How can you cleanse this?" Father asked him
"Not entirely sure, Your Grace." He said, "I believe Prince Baelon may have developed a tolerance. If he remembers the targeted memory, then the effects are no longer there."
Mother placed her hand on my shoulder, "So my son was targeted by someone who used this flower." She said, "And they wanted him to forget what happened….but why? They would have been able to poison him…was it their intent?"
"The flower is not poisonous by its altered nature." The Maester said, "It's purpose is to manipulate the mind, which is as bad or perhaps worse."
"Worse…." I said as I slowly pulled away from Mother, "Worse indeed…"
"Why did you have barrels of that wine?" Father asked me
"It was a gift from Lord Caswell." I said, "The question is if he has betrayed us or not."
"Maester Gerardys, send a raven to King's Landing." Father said sternly, "Inform Otto of this. This stays between us, however. Give him concise instructions to find out what happened."
"Of course, Your Grace." He said as he stood up and hurried away
"Baelon…." Mother said as the Maester left, "I….I am sorry, forgive me for overreacting."
I looked down, "It is fine."
"No, it is not." She said as she immediately hugged me, "It is not….I did not think this would happen. I was thinking of my daughter's dignity without thinking of yours….I am sorry, my beautiful boy."
It felt…..off….uncomfortable….feeling her touch.
"It is my fault." I said as I began to feel angry, "This is on me…."
"Do not say that." Father said, "We will get to the bottom of this. Whomever did this will pa-"
"Your cousins." I said seriously, "Or so they say."
"What?" Father said, "What do you mean?"
"They are clearly valyrian, of Targaryen descent." I continued as Mother pulled away, "The woman claimed to be Saera's daughter. She was young, possibly a bit younger than Rhaenyra."
I remembered her face clearly. Her name too; Gael.
The other one might have been her brother, Erys.
Either way, they were both Targaryen Bastards.
"Saera…." Father said, "I had not heard of my aunt since she had been exiled."
"Whatever the case, it appears she had plenty of children who are apparently angry at us." I said as I sighed, "But that is all I wish to discuss today. I am tired….all of this….I need to direct my anger somewhere…."
"I cannot believe this." He said, "How many do you think there are?"
"I don't know." I said as I rubbed my eye, exhaustion filling my body, "Besides the ones that I burned? Possibly three, including the woman…."
"B-Baelon….I am sorry, I have to ask…" Mother's voice was a bit shaky, "How many women were there?"
"I….." I started, "I do not know…."
"The minimum, do you know that?" She asked
"Including the daughter of Saera…." I slowly looked at her, "I think five."
"Gods be good…" Father said, "Baelon, it is clear what their intentions were."
"I know." I said
I knew what this meant. I did not want to think about it at all.
"To create a drift…." Mother said softly, "To possibly prove a point…Viserys….this is bigger than what Trevor attempted…this cannot go unpunished."
"We find out who they are." Father said, "And we crush them. Baelon, do you understand?"
I nodded, "I understand." I said as I clenched my fists, "Any of them that were involved….I will kill them."
"We need to approach this carefully, however. I do not want you to be lured again." He told me
"That…." I said, "Will not happen again. The next time we meet, Balerion will be with me."
"And the Gods will decide their Fate."