Gaera Vakerian I

Queen Gaera Vakerian was the third-born child of the claimed King Maegaron Vakerian and the claimed Queen Tirona Pecerean, and is their eldest daughter.

Gaera rode the dragon Vhaegon a great beast of black and red much like the Vakerian colors. She is the Princess and Heir to the throne if Maegaron were to win.

## Appearance and Character

Gaera was considered a handsome beauty, resembling her father by her stoic nature. She had long, silver hair, and flaring red eyes. She had a dark arm, black and cracked, obtained from the Priestess Ash.

In their youth, it was Gaera who flew in the face of caution, issuing dares and answering them herself without hesitation. At the age of eight, it was the princess who was the first to climb upon the back of her dragon, Vhaegon, and usher orders for him to take flight with her holding fast, racing the wind. Her sense of accomplishment and the victorious smile that shone bright enough to light up features were tarnished when instead of being praised by her uncle, she watched as her Uncle Raemor turned his back and forced Aeghar upon the back his own beast, bidding him to bring Jaexak to heel. That her father, Prince Maegaron, had regaled her as his very own Daenera when he learned of the news was a triumph that paled somehow by comparison.

As teenagers, Gaera and Daegar remained as close as ever, seeking comfort in the other’s company in lieu of expectations of affection from parents who seemed increasingly unable to express such emotions as the years went on - even to one another. The games of childhood were long forgotten, but not the thrill of contesting each other - and the competitive streak between them grew more fiercely with each passing year. By their five-and-tenth name day, Gaera was no longer taller than her brother, nor was she the sure bet when they sparred together in the yard, though her confidence would not be shaken. As such, she laughed when a new game proposed by her brother demanded a kiss for a prize.

In the wake of his victory, the simple caress satisfied neither of them. On the grassy floor of Vaegar’s Garden, she would give Daegar her maidenhead.

In the afterglow, a future that had always been assumed became far more real. Who better, after all, to be married to than her own brother? The boy she knew and loved best? Daydreams shattered like the looking-glass that fell to her feet when Gaera chanced to overhear one of her ladies boasting of time spent in the young prince’s arms. Walls sprang up overnight around a wounded heart to protect a bruised ego rendered foolish by a mind that knew better. Feelings were fettered while a certain coolness affected their interactions thereafter; kisses were refused and offered hands to hold ignored. gaera had never been accused of being a particularly pleasant sort of creature once the realization had dawned on the youth that there simply was no *pleasing* people like her mother, for instance. The princess had ever been defiant, willful, and quick to run afoul of, given an eager temper. Smiles became rare expressions even where her father and brother were concerned, for as years passed, time afforded them together seemed in short supply. Absence does not always make the heart grow fonder - even though separation was self-inflicted in some regards - but turns it colder. Darker.

The year began with the announcement of the Tournament of Duskval, where all the lords and ladies of the Realm on Vaenarr's side would compete against one another in a grand competition. For Gaera, it was a point of pride as the young woman had intended to enlist herself in the joust. Though her pride was thrown out the window by her mother, Gaera went through with the plan during the Tournament. Entering the lists as a Mystery Knight, Gaera went against Leyton Garin during a round of the Joust. The Prince struck her arm as their lances met, and Gaera was wounded significantly, losing the majority of the use of her right arm, which was also her sword arm.

The two moons that followed were a tumult of loathing for Gaera as she slowly began to overcome the maiming, though not fully. Hers was a struggle to regain that which she most ultimately desired -- the ability to wield a blade once again. Gaera returned to Vakar shortly after, in a thick cload and upon immediate arrival, sought out The Temple of Fire near the slums, and encouraged the priests there to heal her broken arm. She was introduced to Soot and Ash, the latter of which managed to heal her broken arm in a dark ritual in the following hours. She did not heal her arm in a traditional manner, however. Gaera drunk poison now dubbed the Black Princess' Demise that is allegedly strong enough to kill a large dragon. When Gaera emerged hours later, her arm was blackened and charred. Her skin was cracked and black, shining like obsidian. Between the cracks, her veins pulsed. Ash claimed it as a victory of the Master of Fire and Gaera insisted on giving her a reward, to which the Priestess only asked for safety.

Upon return and proof of supposed divine intervention she presented her new arm to Maegaron who named her his heir after Daegar had died