Winterfell 300 AC.
Ned.
Reading the raven from Wyman he struggled to understand, the only thing that was clear was that ships had arrived carrying food, grain, and supplies and that they bore the sails of the Lannisters. Finding out that a group of men were on their way to him being led by one of the Lannister's themselves was even more surprising, but Ned decided to allow them to come as he needed to see what it was they wished for.
It took a little over two weeks for the men to be spotted and while not lining up everyone, he still would ensure that the men received a proper northern welcome. So leaving Cat to organize the children, he, Ser Rodrik, and Jory along with a few of their men rode out to meet them on the road, soon finding them on the hills overlooking Winterfell.
"My lords." he said riding up to them and the man in front looked him in the eye before speaking.
"Lord Stark, my father Ser Stafford Lannister and I have come to speak to you on behalf of our liege." a young man said and Ned looked at the man who looked far more a warrior than the man he had just named his father.
"Well met Ser?" he asked.
"Ser Daven Lannister, Lord Stark, well met." the man said jovially.
"I'm sure you men would like to get in from the cold and a warm bath, warm meal, and warm cider awaits back at Winterfell." he said to welcome smiles from the men.
They rode slowly back, Ser Rodrik and Jory speaking to some of the men while Ned spoke to Ser Daven, Ser Stafford seeming more a quiet sort, or maybe it was just that he was colder than the others. Once they reached Winterfell itself he saw Ser Daven look around obviously impressed at what he saw, and once again found the man's father seeming to wish to be elsewhere.
"Ser Stafford, Ser Daven, my wife Lady Catelyn." he said when they'd dismounted, introducing the men to his family, with both Stafford and Ser Daven being most polite and respectful.
After they had accepted the bread and salt, he had them shown to their room and after baths, and they had changed, he met up with both the knights in his solar. Ser Stafford seeming to be in a far better mood than he had earlier.
"Forgive me Lord Stark if I seemed reticent when we met, the weather this far North has been a shock to me. As it is I find myself only able to function in the warmth." Ser Stafford said with a smile.
"I understand Ser, I find the same true when I travel south, the warmth not conducive to my moods." he said and both men chuckled, as did he.
"We received a raven from our Liege, my lord. Lord Tywin through his son Lord Tyrion asking us to come and offer these supplies as a thank you to the North, in recognition for what your nephew has done for Lord Tywin." Ser Daven said.
"Daemon?" he asked confused.
"Indeed my lord, it seems Prince Daemon's returned with a priceless heirloom that once belonged to House Lannister, Brightroar, and while he asked no boon, Lord Tywin knowing how he feels about the North saw fit to try and repay it somehow." Ser Daven said.
"To that end Lord Stark, I've been instructed to offer you this also." Ser Stafford said handing him a letter. Looking at both men and trying to figure out what was truly going on here, Ned opened the letter.
Lord Stark,
Your nephew has returned to my family something we have searched for generations for, something we had thought lost for eternity. Coin wise alone Brightroar's worth is incredible, for what it means to my father it is incalculable. While the prince asked for and accepts no boon, my family believes debts should be repaid and that the prince's return allows for something we've not had in all our time, a closer relationship with the North.
To that end please accept these supplies as a token of friendship, we would also like to offer you a trading agreement, one whose terms we believe to be more than favorable. My lord, Prince Daemon has shown that the North was unfairly treated, in both in word and deed he has made his feelings clear, and my family in repaying the debt owed to him have taken note of that.
We make this offer in good faith and while we understand that the South has not treated the North fairly in the past and that you may be wary, we request you send a man to negotiate and to see the truth in both our words and deeds. We look forward to a closer relationship between our two regions Lord Stark and hope you consider this offer in the good faith it's offered in.
Lord Tyrion Lannister.
He looked at the two men and wasn't quite sure what to say, he smiled though it was a practiced one and he saw them both relax as he stood up.
"Good Sers, I shall speak to my lords on this and have a reply in the morning, tonight you are our guests and so I ask you to join us in feasting the good faith you've shown." he said and both men nodded.
When they left he spoke to Cat, Luwin, Rodrik, Vayon, and Benjen, all of them agreeing that what was being offered was too good to turn down and that it should at least be looked at.
"I saw the sword Ned, Daemon had it on his back, he took it off that man." Cat said her voice shaky as she refused to say his name out loud.
"Aye Ned, given what Daemon did to the Iron Born and him returning that sword I can see the Lannister's both being wary of and keen to repay him, keen to be in his favor." Benjen said.
"That's what troubles me Ben, what if this is an effort to make Daemon feel beholden to them?" Ned said.
"I doubt the prince would feel beholden to them or anyone my lord." Luwin said.
"Why Maester?" he asked.
"The Prince has gone against his father's wishes already in helping us with the Iron Born, knowing that I then doubt he cares what Tywin or any other Lord wishes my lord." Luwin said and he found himself agreeing.
"We should send someone, a delegation, Lord Wyman, and the Greatjon along with a few others my lord." Vayon said and he found himself agreeing.
"Aye, we should, fine I'll organize it, we'll feast the men tonight." he said with a nod as they left.
After the men had been feasted they were keen to get back to their homes in the West as soon as possible. Ned allowed them to send a raven to Casterly Rock which they said would then be sent on to Lord Tywin and Lord Tyrion, and he bid them farewell a couple of days later. He also sent ravens to Wyman, the Greatjon, and to Howland knowing if they were to send a party to King's Landing then his old friend would wish to be a part of it.
The supplies they gave he had Wyman distribute as best he saw fit, making sure he made sure to see those most affected by the Iron Born raids were looked after first. If this deal proved true it would be a great boon and maybe even save them some coin, though he did worry that he was using Daemon somewhat. In his raven to Howland, he asked the man to speak to his nephew, to judge his mood on it as they owed him greatly as it was, and he'd not take advantage also.
A few weeks later he was riding back from the Stoney Shore, his Lords had only recently left to negotiate with Lord Tywin and he had gone back about his own duties. Spending his time making sure the rebuilding of the damaged villages was happening on schedule. As he arrived back to Winterfell he could tell something was off, the mood seeming to be far more downbeat than his returns usually had it.
"Winterfell is yours, my lord." Cat said when he walked to her and he could see even more clearly now that something was wrong, looking from her to his children and seeing they too were in a state of distress.
"Cat?" he asked worriedly.
"Oh, Ned. My love, we've received terrible news from King's Landing." his wife said and he saw to his shock that she was tearful.
Standing in front of the statue he and his brother both were finding it hard not to cry, not to scream and shout, to rage against the world and its cruelty. He placed the Winter Rose in Lyanna's hand and leaned forward. Upon noticing the others scattered around he realized that Benjen had come here each night since the raven arrived a few days earlier, he was about to say something when he heard the rattle of the Maester's chains.
"Forgive me my lord for the interruption, Ravens from King's Landing my lord, bearing the Hand's seal just like the last and another with the Three-headed Dragon, though I believe it to be the King's mother's seal" Luwin said and Ned almost tore it from his hand.
What else had they done he worried as he broke the seal, not content with the murder of his nephew, an act he wished to respond to the only way he knew how, he worried now on his men also. Yet it was the dragon sealed one he opened first and he almost fell to his knees upon reading it.
"Ned?" Benjen asked as he handed it to him.
"This can't be true?" Benjen said his voice full of shock.
"My lords?" Luwin asked and Benjen handed the scroll to him "Read it Maester"
"Lord Stark, I write to you with the most wonderful news, my grandson lives, he has returned. A letter shall arrive soon explaining it more, but Daemon is alive and well and breathes as I write this, Rhaella Targaryen." Luwin said, "How?"
But Ned was already reading the second scroll when the Maester spoke, seeing the words in Tywin's hand confirming what Rhaella just said.
"I don't know Maester, I don't understand, I know one thing though." he said.
"What Ned?" Benjen asked.
"I'm going to Kings Landing." he said firmly as he turned to walk from the crypts.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
The Fat One .
He sat with his highest Septons, the most important ones that he had here in King's Landing, and he cursed not having some of the more influential ones from the rest of the seven kingdoms with him. Not only was the boy an affront to their practices, a prince of the realm consorting with red priests, but now even more so he could feel his influence slip away.
Had it just been the prince's funeral that would have been bad enough, but not only had he somehow managed to rise from the dead, somehow performed some evil sorcery, and yet the people didn't seem to see it that way. But after leaving and after he had gone to thank the father for that, the prince staying in the city would have been too big an obstacle to them selling their version of the story, after the prince left though things had somehow got even worse.
If he hadn't seen the ship for himself he'd never have believed it possible, to see so many men and women wearing the red Robes of R'hllor in his city was an abomination. It had also become clear why they were here, what their purpose was and nothing he said to the Hand has seemed to work, the man incapable or unwilling to do what was needed.
" These heathens Lord Hand you cannot allow these heathens to come and preach their lies in this city, to spread tale of their false god." he said standing in front of the Hand's desk.
" While we may follow the seven, High Septon, we don't preclude those from following their own faiths, the Reavers have their Drowned God, the Northmen their Old Ones. As long as they break no laws or force no man, woman, or child to follow their god they are free to preach to who they wish."
" Squids and Savages and now Fire Worshippers, you would turn Kings Landing into a place where Heathens of all types are welcome." he shouted.
" Sit down High Septon and remember to who it is you speak, unlike the Griffin I'll not be cowed by the shouts of a man of your appetites." Tywin Lannister said and as he looked at the stare the man gave him he found himself sitting quickly.
" Surely my lord you cannot mean to allow them free rein?" he said softly changing tack.
" Not they, nor you will have it High Septon, the men and women of King's Landing will choose which faith to believe in, the crown will not interfere." Tywin said.
" If you do not then we will have to." he said assuredly glaring at the Hand.
" Listen and listen well High Septon. I've no interest in interfering in the workings of the faith, it would do well to ensure I keep to that." he said and then looked to him "People who've tested me in the past have found out to their cost what happens when they incur my wrath, so be thankful we are on friendly terms, for now." Tywin said basically dismissing him.
The threat had been clear but he had no other choice, not only had Daemon rose from the dead, not only was tale been spread of that, and also of his dragon and countless other deeds, the prince had done. Now those priests and priestesses would be out spreading even more, how R'hllor was the light of the world and that those who walked with him had nothing to fear from the dark.
"Brothers, I say we must reconvene the Faith Militant what do you say?" one of the Septons said.
"Aye, let the Warrior's Sons and the Poor Fellows be called upon to deal with these heathens." another said.
"What of the crown, where do they stand in this?" said yet another.
"Who cares, for far too long we've lived at the whim of dragons, we should have ended them when we had our chance." another voice said haughtily.
"Enough." he said loudly.
"High Septon?"
"Enough, I agree we need to reconvene the Faith Militant, but we alone aren't enough, send word brothers, send word to the faithful, but first we must deal with those already here. In time we may need to deal with the crown, let us deal with the heathens first." he said to broad approval.
He made his way to the brothel, the woman letting him in through the secret door and he smiled at Chataya. She brought him into the room and he looked at the girls all lined up and naked, the food was laid out in front of him and after picking the girl he'd bless tonight the rest left, and he was soon alone with her.
"What is your name child?" he asked the solemn girl.
"Marei my lord."
"Call me your eminence my child." he said feeling himself become aroused.
"Your eminence." the girl said softly.
"You look like the maiden reborn, have you been anointed in the holy seed?" he asked and the girl shook her head making him smile.
"No my lord."
"Come, my child, it's time for you to being your worship." he said as he began to undress.
Laying in the bed, later on, he ate his fill while the girl dressed. He had found himself ever more excited during his time with the girl, images of red priestesses being defrocked and ravished playing in his mind as he took her.
"Have you seen the heathens child?"
"The Heathens your eminence?" she asked confused.
"The Red Priests and Priestess." he said as he bit into a plum.
"Prince Daemon's priests." the girl said and had he been paying more attention he'd have seen the small smile on her face.
"You should take your fill of looking at them, for soon they will be no more." he said drinking some wine.
"Your eminence?" she asked looking at him curiously.
Why he told her he didn't know but he was glad to see the smile appear on her solemn face, to see another child brought into the light of the mother, and he felt far better walking back to the Sept than he had that morning.
Kings Landing 300 AC.
Melisandre.
Today would be the first day they went about their god's work, went out, and preached to those who would listen. They would start small, ten priests and priestess, she and Moqorro among them, going out into the streets of King's Landing, and from there they would expand. As they were breaking their fast, she saw one of the unsullied speak to Grey Worm and watched as he left the room.
Thinking nothing of it she continued to eat and speak to Moqorro, Alarixis, and Alanys, telling each of them where to go, where to set up for the day. She was just rising when Grey Worm arrived back in and walked over to her, he whispered in her ear that there was someone to see her, and so she followed him down the corridor to one of the smaller rooms.
"Who is this girl Torgo Nudho?" she asked as they walked.
"This one does not know, only that she says she has news for the prince's priestess." Grey Worm said and she smiled at that, having heard people in this city refer to her like that before.
Opening the door of the room, Grey Worm walked inside first, and then she followed. The girl inside was slim, blonde, and seemed nervous until she saw her.
"My lady forgive me for my visit." the girl said looking to her.
"There is nothing to forgive, Torgo Nudho says you have news you need to share with me?" she asked a smile on her face to try and put the girl at ease.
"I do my lady, I work for Chataya at the brothel and one of my customers is the High Septon my lady." the girl said.
"Your name child?" Melisandre asked.
"Forgive me my lady, Marei."
"Marei, please sit, you have eaten?" she asked and the girl shook her head and so Melisandre asked Grey Worm to bring some food for the girl which he did.
As the girl ate Melisandre could see her nerves slowly dissipate, almost with each bite she looked far more comfortable to be there. She waited until she was done before she asked her what had brought her to them, why she had felt the need to come and see her.
"The prince my lady, he rose, I..saw him, he was dead and he rose. I..only a true god could do that." the girl said.
"My God is true." Melisandre said with a smile.
"I know my lady. The High Septon he plans something, something with the priests who've arrived, I believe he means them harm." Marei said.
"What makes you say that child?"
Marei told her then of what the High Septon had said, how he'd said it, and Melisandre had to admit it seemed plausible. After offering the girl some coin which she refused and an escort back to the brothel which she also refused. Melisandre asked the girl what it was she wished for and was surprised when the girl asked if she could learn more of R'hllor.
"Of course my child, there will be priests and priestesses spreading the word soon and we'll soon be opening a temple, I'll see to it that you're among the first invited."
"Thank you, my lady, I look forward to the prince's return." Marei said smiling as she left.
Once she did Melisandre went to the flames and looked for the truth of the girl's words, finding them very soon. She called for Moqorro and Parla and had them also bring Saro the leader of the Fiery Hand's men that had come with them.
"Melisandre?" Moqorro said when he entered the room but she bid him wait for the others.
Once they were all there she explained and wasn't surprised that each of them went to the flames, not that they didn't believe her but to see if their path was changed or were they to follow Melisandre's. In the end, it was decided it was to be hers and so she organized the escort for each of the priests. There would be two of the Fiery Hand with each, with three unsullied whose job it would be to look to the crowds.
It was later that day that the first attack happened, the man running with a knife at Alyanys and being easily stopped by an unsullied before he got anywhere close. Another tried with Moqorro and it was the Black Flame who dealt with him, himself. The one who tried with her was stopped by men of the City Watch which surprised her, seeing him being taken away she shook her head.
She saw them then, in the crowd, looking to each other and to her. Septons and Septas and so she began to raise her voice, pointing them out to the crowd of people who came.
"My prince rose because our god willed it, R'hllor would not see his chosen fall, nor would he see his faithful know hunger or live in fear. Nor would he send men to attack those that wish to believe in other gods, look to those among you, those who serve different gods, those who preach of different gods." she said.
The crowd began to look and she was happy to see the Septons and Septas start to become nervous, to move and give away their position, the crowd noticing it at once.
"Why have you come here?" she asked pointing to one of the Septons who had no choice but to reveal himself now.
"You are heathens who have come to spread falsehoods about a false god, it was not your god who helped the prince rise, it was the seven, the one true faith." The Septon said loudly and while a small part of the crowd seemed ready to agree, a far larger part did not.
"My god does not take credit for other's work, something it is clear now that these priests do. My prince follows my god, he is his chosen and yet you wish us to believe it was yours who brought him back, yours who allowed a so-called heathen rise?" she said to loud murmurs.
"Lies, the prince is a true follower of the Seven." one of the Septas shouted and Melisandre tried not to laugh when she saw even those who had earlier agreed with them begin to shake their heads.
"Have you met the prince, any of you? Have you been by his side for the past eight years, have you walked with him, eaten with him, bled with him and cried with him?.
She watched as more and more of the crowd turned to look at her, as they moved closer to listen to her.
"I know my prince better than any here, a true follower of the Seven you say? Then why is it he has not visited your Sept or spoken to your High Septon? Why is it Thoros and I that he speaks with?"
"You've enraptured him with your beauty and lies." a Septa said to some chuckles and snorts.
"I think his betrothed would take issue were that true." Melisandre said to laughs "My prince stays at a house with men and women of R'hllor, priests, and priestesses, a true follower of the seven would have sought comfort in the Sept would he not?" Melisandre said loudly as the crowd agreed.
"Aye."
"Aye."
"A true follower of the seven would have sought to be blessed by the High Septon himself as he was sent to meet his god would he not?" the chants even louder this time.
"Aye."
"Aye."
"My god doesn't claim that which isn't true, he leaves that to others." she said to loud laughs "My god asks nothing from you, no coin that you cannot afford, no service that you are not willing to or seek to provide. I'm not here to tell you to follow my god, not here to tell you that you must." she said.
"Lies, charlatan, a whore of a false god." a Septon called out and the crowd jostled him making the man almost run to get away from them.
"Unlike others, my god has but one rule, that those who follow him do so willingly and by their choice, and to those who don't we seek not to harm, not to force to our god, but to live peacefully with. As you saw today for others that isn't true." she said as hisses and boos were aimed at the Septons and Septas.
By the time she made it back to the Manse the Septons and Septa's had run before the crowd turned on them, the crowd itself almost doubling in size. At dinner that night she spoke to Moqorro and the others who told her it was the same with them, and then she was pleased when Davos finally arrived back.
"Ser Davos, come join us." she said seeing the onion knight walk into the room.
"My lady." Davos said taking his seat.
He waited until they were alone before he told her of his day, he and Moqorro had never gotten along and she had never known the reason, only that they did not. It had never gone further than just not speaking friendly to each other and she had always felt it something the onion knight wished not to speak of.
"Your mission Ser Davos?" she asked.
"A success my lady, though gods can those roses be a fucking nightmare to deal with." he said chuckling.
"Did they seek advantage?" she asked wondering how much coin was spent.
"No, just a day filled with flowery words and probing questions." the knight said and she knew he had no time for either.
"But you've bought a regular supply?" she asked hopefully.
"I have, we can collect it from tomorrow."
"You will see it distributed?" she asked and he nodded.
She rested easy that night, today had been a good day, his word was spreading and would spread more and tomorrow they would begin to pass out food to those who needed it. Orphanages would be visited by some of her priestesses bearing gifts from their god, the poor would receive food and clothing from their god, and so his word would spread even more.
Closing her eyes she hoped that Daemon and Thoros were safe and well and that they would return soon, and before she slept she prayed to R'hllor to protect them.
Lys 300 AC.
Shiera.
The time was coming close and she would soon return to a place she had left so many years earlier, a place she had never expected to go back to. She, her guards, and the others had come here, they'd been based here while Daemon did what he did and while Melisandre and the others were based on the mainland. She found that she liked it, Lys was the birthplace of her mother, it was the home she had never known.
The manse she stayed in was owned by the Red Temple and given over to their chosen to be used for whatever purpose he saw fit. As it was now it was simply a base for her, her guards, and more of Daemon's men and women. Over a hundred in total, men and women he'd met over the years, men and women that R'hllor had sent to serve him, soldiers, warriors, learned men and healers. What purpose they had she knew not, only that they and she were to remain here until called.
For the last few days, she felt it though, felt the call was getting closer, the magic in her blood feeling it ever more strongly. The Red Priestess Darlis had asked her to look in the flames, her own visions having been of Westeros and of a ship sailing, but Shiera didn't see anything in the flames instead she felt it deep inside. So when she had dreamt the night before of the shadow over the bay she waited, and now as they looked to the sky she saw Lyanax come closer before she landed, the dragon not staying and taking off a moment later.
"Aunt it's good to see you." Daemon said smiling as he hugged her.
"You too nephew, Thoros." she said nodding to the Red Priest.
"Shiera." Thoros said simply.
"My prince, is it time? Darlis asked excitedly while looking at Daemon reverentially.
"It is Darlis, the ship will be here on the morrow." he said and the priestess nodded before rushing back inside.
She walked into the manse, her arm locked with Daemon's, and she was glad to hear him laughing and joking as they did so. Once inside he looked to Thoros who went to speak to the others while she and Daemon walked to her room to speak privately. Sitting on the bed she listened on in shock at what he told her, hardly able to believe that it was true and yet knowing he told no lies.
"How did they manage it?" she asked confused having assumed the magic would have kept them away.
"Through agents, it seems they've gotten cleverer." Daemon said "You know what happens should Aegon fall?."
"I know, but where have they taken him Daemon, cant your god show you this?" she asked and he shook his head.
"R'hllor hid me, just like your magic's hid you, but he's not the only one with the power to do so." he said and she nodded knowing of who he spoke.
"You're going after him aren't you?" she asked worriedly.
"I have no choice Aunt. If they're successful." he said and she shuddered.
"So finally it's time." she said looking to the ground, her eyes misting over.
"You are worried about going back?" he asked and she looked at him and smiled, now not the time to speak of her worries.
"No, I'm excited." she said and was glad that he accepted her word.
They ate well that night, drank even better and she laughed at some of Thoros's stories, the Red Priest had always been able to lighten the mood and she knew how much his absence had affected Daemon. She watched as Daemon spoke to some of the others, quickly clarifying the roles they would take once they went back, and ensuring that they too were ready.
By the time she rose the next morning the ship had already arrived, she like the others was already packed and after breaking her fast, all but the servants and a different Red Priestess sent by the temple to look after the manse were ready to leave. Daemon accompanied them to the docks and she bid him farewell, her nephew hugging her tightly and kissing her cheek. As she turned to walk to the ship she saw Lyanax fly back over the sea, ready to take him onto Essos.
"My lady, you should come inside, there is a chill in the air." Alexis said to her, her guard always worried about things he should not.
"I'm well Alexis, go eat and rest, we have a long journey ahead of us." she said smiling at him.
"My lady." he said with a nod as he left her there.
She looked east before turning and looking to the west, for more than half a century she had not set foot in Westeros, and the long-ago words still reverberated in her head, the message in the shadows still all too clear.
' The West, the West is where you fall Star of the Sea, in the East you are eternal, but in the West you shall fall.'
The Vale 300 AC.
Littlefinger.
With news confirmed from other sources that it was indeed true that Daemon was alive, Littlefinger felt nervous. At various times during the day and night he'd look to the sky and worry, he'd see a shadow flying in the distance and for the briefest moment feel the urge to run. Not that there was anywhere to run, Harrenhal had proved that, against a dragon, a castle was no real protection.
He had spoken to Lord Yohn, Ser Symond, and the others and had Maester Colemon present to offer his own advice. The topic was clear, how to protect themselves from the dragon should Daemon think of attacking them. Though he had to deal with the incessant noise of Yohn Royce continually asking why that would be the case.
"I do not expect an attack Lord Yohn, I fear one. Is that not the mark of a good military man, to be prepared for the worst of situations?" he said smugly.
"It is my lord, forgive me." Yohn said though his tone was belligerent.
"There is nothing to forgive my lord." he said though in truth he meant he forgave nothing and would remember all "Now Maester, scorpions?" he asked.
While not really any good, they were far better than most things, a possible way to take down a dragon, but not a certain one. So he had sent the letter to Illyrio asking for him to speak to the others and find out whether they had more success. The Dornish had killed Meraxes with a lucky shot and he'd rather not leave his fate in the hands of luck if he could help it.
With that done he tightened his grip even more on the Vale itself, flattering Lysa and speaking up their sexual encounters, ones she had no memory of and yet looked forward to. He made sure that Robin was as healthy as he allowed him to be, weak and pliable, but not likely to just keel over and die, not until the time was right at least. He tightened the noose around some of the other lords, bought more of Waynwood's deaths, though with Harry gone he knew the old witch would be less of a problem.
He was happy when the word came of Daemon's return to Essos, overjoyed even, as it proved him to be as big a fool as he had hoped. They may for some reason not have known of him before, but he was no secret to them now. Wherever he landed in Essos he would be in the sights of one of their number and he'd realize quickly that one man was no match for an army, not even one with a dragon.
"My lord." Colemon said walking into his solar.
"Maester?"
"A raven my lord, from the capital." the Maester said and he looked at it to see the seal of the Hand and wondered what the Griffin wished to speak to him on.
"Thank you Maester, should I need to respond I'll speak to you later." he said and the Maester left as he broke the seal and began to read the scroll.
Lord Baelish,
I write to you to ask you to come to King's Landing, as you are no doubt aware of the events and the tragic loss of life which occurred, things have now been irrevocably changed. As Lord Connington is no longer Hand, his policies no longer guide the realm and it's time for the Vale and it's lord to take its rightful place. Come to King's Landing my lord, come speak to me in person and together I'm sure we can come up with a suitable reward for the Vale's Lord. A seat on the council is yours should you wish, I look forward to your reply and to our meeting.
Lord Tywin Lannister.
Hand of the King.
He couldn't believe it, the Griffin was no more, why hadn't he heard of it? Had he not heard of it? Opening his desk he looked through the drawers and found the unopened scroll, breaking the seal and seeing it there written in front of him.
Lord Baelish,
I write to inform you that Lord Connington has been removed from his position and replaced by myself. As I settle into my new role I shall seek to undo some of the Lord's most unpopular decisions and seek to bring in those who've felt pushed aside. There will be changes coming soon my lord, on that you have my vow. I look forward to working with you in the future to help to see these changes occur.
Lord Tywin Lannister,
Hand of the King.
Getting up from his desk he shook his head, thinking it from the Griffin he'd just tossed the scroll aside, he knew the man cared not about the Vale and the Vale had no love for him. Connington having killed Denys Arryn at the Battle of the Bells was not someone the Vale thought highly of at all. But Tywin Lannister as Hand of the King, that changed things, he was actually capable.
Not only that but should he be that close to the crown then the Lords of the West could be called upon should the need arise. As it was the realm was disunited, the North, Vale, and most of the Riverlands, The Iron Islands, though not anymore he thought with a smirk, would have kept their fighting men out of any conflict. The West also with Tywin being in such disfavor, but if he was now Hand of the King they now may come when called.
He began to think, a place on the council, access to the inner workings, with Varys gone they now had no one in King's Landing, no one to inform on events in the Dragon's Den. Sitting down he began to think it over, going over the advantages and the disadvantages, formulating a plan in his head, everything was an opportunity and he wondered if this was too good a one to resist. He even saw a way where events could help him even more, an accident befalling Lysa while in King's Landing, would leave him in an even better position, would it not?.
"Chaos is a ladder." he said to himself when he left the solar that night, resisting the urge to whistle as he walked.
Pentos 300 AC.
Daemon.
They arrived late at night, the caves in the hills overlooking Pentos feeling like a good place for them and Lyanax to rest up. Thoros was soon setting up a fire and despite no game being around, they ate well. After seeing Shiera and the others off, Lyanax had arrived and they'd flown hard to Pentos, going inland once they were close to the city itself.
Now as Thoros rested, Daemon knew he needed to have the conversation he'd put off ever since he'd returned, the one he'd been dreading, it was time to speak to his dragon. He could feel her anger, her hurt, and her disappointment and he knew that she had almost taken them far from their destination rather than fly them here. Such was her worry that she had refused to speak to him, she'd even ignored him when he tried, not that he really had.
"I'm sorry." he said softly leaning against her scales "I didn't know I would fall, I never suspected I was truly in danger, and I know how that made you feel." he said to silence.
Reaching out he stroked her neck and moved to look into her eyes, Lyanax just looking back at him.
"I cannot promise I'll not be in danger, we both know that, I can promise I'll do whatever I can to ensure I return, I'm sorry." he said and felt her brush against him.
"You did not think of me." he heard her voice in his head "Of what happens to me should you fall." the voice continued "We are one Daemon, you are my rider, for me there is no other.".
"I know, but we also know there is a chance that we don't make it, a chance we will fall." he said.
"We." she said simply and he understood her better then.
"I'm sorry." he said again as she brushed up against him.
While not fully resolved it was enough for now, enough that she was back in his head, warning him, threatening those who would dare harm him and ready for what was to come. It allowed him to sleep far more easily and his dreams were far more pleasant than they had been, blond hair and green eyes filling his mind instead of Red, Blue, and White ones.
Thoros woke him early that morning and they broke their fast on the bread and dried meat they'd brought with them. It was far too dangerous to go into the city itself they both knew, Mopatis was far too powerful for them to just slip in unnoticed and should he know of them he'd hit them with all he had. While not a problem to them with the dragon, that they were in a city with countless innocents meant such a fight would be carnage.
Afar they'd eaten and with Lyanax drifting off to sleep, they made their way to the hills and the one which overlooked the Magister's Manse, soon finding a spot where they could see it all clearly below them.
"The man likes his comforts." Thoros said as they looked down at the luxurious estate beneath them.
"He does, which one you reckon is him?" he asked and Thoros quickly pointed to the fat man waddling out to sit in the shade.
They looked on at the girls that were standing and waving large feathered fans to keep the man cool, though given the sweat which fell from him they were not doing a good job. They both tried not to let their bellies rumble upon seeing the large dishes of food placed in front of the man and found their appetite was soon gone while watching him eat. Between them, he and Thoros counted more than a dozen unsullied, along with countless servants and other guards.
"It's not going to be easy to take him." Thoros said.
"When have we ever done what's easy." he said to a laugh from his friend.
"The shadows?" Thoros asked.
"No, I don't want the men dead." he said and Thoros nodded "You stay behind me, watch my back and I'll do the rest."
"Just like old times." Thoros said with a chuckle.
"No singing." he said laughing back.
"You take all the fun out of it." Thoros said both of them shaking their heads as they walked back to the cave and sat with Lyanax while they waited for the perfect time to attack.
They waited until it was dark, neither of them able to rest even though there was so little else to do. He looked into the flames to see nothing, no warnings, no danger, and hoped he was seeing the truth, though he knew his god wouldn't steer him wrong. Lyanax had flown when night fell, his dragon was hungry and there was prey nearby, she would be back when they attacked, his dragon would be flying overhead and watching just in case she was needed.
"You ready for this?" he said to Thoros.
"I'm ready my prince." Thoros said nodding.
Making their way to the wall, Thoros helped him up on it, before Daemon reached down and helped Thoros to climb it too, once inside the grounds they drew their weapons, and Daemon said the words.
Quick like a shadow from a fading sun
Fierce like a Dothraki charge
Sharp like a scorpions tail
Resolute like an unsullied spear.
He felt it as soon as he said it, the power resonating through the blades, and so at once he and Thoros began to move. Daemon's steps were almost completely silent while behind him Thoros's sounded like he was walking on broken glass. The first man he came to he took out with a blow to the back of his head, the second Thoros did likewise, though the fight was a bit longer.
Moving through the manse he lost count of the men that came at him, two of them he spun behind letting Flame and Spark's hilts do the work, two more he caught with the flat of the blades. Another with his helm to his forehead, by the time they came to the Magister's rooms there were just four left and surprise was no longer on their side. He maneuvered himself so he was facing three and let the other to Thoros, relieved when the unsullied spear had no effect against the Valyrian breastplate he wore.
These four must have been the best he thought as he dodged the spears and felt glad the fight was indoors. By the time the men had dropped them to reach for their short swords, the fight was over, Daemon having to kill one though as he readied to throw his spear at Thoros.
"You are unharmed my prince?" Thoros asked.
"I am, you?" he asked and Thoros nodded.
After sending Thoros to round up the slaves, to have them help him bind the guards, he entered the Magister's room. Inside it was even more luxury and as he moved to the bed he was almost disgusted to see the fat man's arms around two of the slaves, shaking his head, he placed Flame at the man's neck, nicking it slightly to wake him up.
"Huh, who, what, guards, guards, protect me." Illyrio shouted and the two girls beside him cried as they scurried naked along the floor.
"I'm not here to harm you, get dressed and go to the others. I promise you'll both be safe, it's him I've come for." he said and saw the instant relief on one girls face along with the satisfaction on the others.
"Who are you? What do you want gold, I can give you gold." Illyrio said his voice full of fear.
"I don't want your gold." he said.
"Then what do you want, anything, I'll give you anything, girls, you want the girls they're yours, boys, is it boys, I can get you boys, please, anything." the Magister pleaded.
"Answer's Magister, answers."
Pentos 300 AC.
Thoros.
The slaves were more than happy to help once they saw his robes, knowing he was a red priest soon had them far more sure of his intent than anything, other than when he had mentioned Daemon that was. Hearing that he and his prince had come for the Magister soon had them moving even faster, such was their eagerness to see Illyrio brought down.
Daemon abhorred slavery, it may have been a way of life in Essos, Volantis especially, but the prince had never accepted it and had offered slaves a way out. Having the dragon to back him up had helped of course, yet despite his wishes, Daemon had not gone fully into releasing them, not up to when Thoros had left at least. Instead, it had been a compromise with the Triarchs, should anyone ask the prince for sanctuary then it was allowed, much to their annoyance.
He, Kinvara, Benerro, and Melisandre had all expected wave upon wave, Kinvara was almost ecstatic at the prospect. But it had been a trickle rather than a flood, some, a small number and the men and women that they were had been strange to him. Learned men, healers, men of substance, women of knowledge, all had come and were now on their way to Westeros and he once again pondered on his god's plans.
"You got them all?" Daemon asked "Thoros, did you get them all?"
"What, sorry my prince, I got them all, they're in there." he said pointing to the room "The Magister?"
"Is a fat man tied to a bed, I think he'll hold for now." Daemon said.
"Naked?" he asked a smirk on his face.
"I'm certainly not dressing the man." Daemon said with a shake of his head and a disgusted look on his face, Thoros laughing as they entered the room.
Walking into the room he was once again surprised just how people looked at the prince, they had never been in Pentos, certainly had not seen any of these people and yet, slaves and soldiers alike looked to Daemon.
"You know who I am?" Daemon asked looking around the room.
"This one knows of you my prince." one of the unsullied said.
"We know you my prince." one of the girls said.
"Then you know that I mean you no harm, I had no choice but to kill one of your men." Daemon said to unsullied captain "I shall pray he finds comfort in R'hllor's embrace, his name?"
"Black Dog, my prince." the unsullied captain said.
"And yours?" Daemon asked.
"Red Ant."
"You have heard of your brethren Red Ant, those from Astapor? They are based now in Myr, should you wish it you and your brothers may join them?" Daemon said.
"This one wishes it very much, my prince." Red Ant said and Daemon nodded to one of the girls to free him and soon all the others were untied too.
"The Magister will pay a high price this night, but you have nothing to fear from me, should any of you wish it there is a place for you with Red Ant and the others in Myr, a place for you here at the temple or in Volantis. Should you wish it you can take the coin you should have been paid and go where you wish and live your lives free." Daemon said looking to each of them and Thoros felt his pride in his prince only increase even more.
Almost all wished to either follow Red Ant or to go to the temple and decide from there. Daemon directed them to take the Magister's coin, his jewelry and treasures, take what they were owed and use it how they wished. They could give it to the temple, or take it on with them and when they realized he was speaking true, Thoros saw it even more clearly, he had won these over, just like he had him all those years earlier.
"We should speak to the Magister, I think he'd wish to tell us what he knows now." Daemon whispered to him as they turned to leave the room.
He was still laying as Daemon had left him, naked, uncovered, and tied to the bed, a pool of water surrounding him, though whether it was sweat or piss he wasn't sure. Seeing Daemon he began to thrash in the bed, the gag stopping him from speaking, and Thoros was glad it was Daemon rather than he who removed it.
"Answers Illyrio, answers are all that will save you pain."
"You can't, I can't, my god will kill me if I speak." the fat magister said his panic clear.
"Your god's not here, you need to worry about me, about my god." Daemon said angrily.
"You cannot win, you cannot win." Illyrio said his tears falling.
"And yet I will, and yet I have. Varys laughed until he cried Magister, he threatened, cajoled, and do you want to know what he did at the end." Daemon said his voice low and threatening.
"Varys would never talk, you lie." Illyrio said.
"He begged Magister, he begged to die." Daemon said as he took his swords out.
"Please." Illyrio said.
"Your god is powerful Illyrio Mopatis, powerful enough to fool you into thinking you were untouchable, that you were protected, yet here you now lie. Tell me do you feel protected, are you untouched?." Daemon said smirking.
"No."
"Your god can do many things you say, But can your god do this?" Daemon said as he whispered and moved the swords so they were over Illyrio's body.
The flames burned bright and they burned warm, so warm that should Daemon move the swords even but an inch the Magister would burn beneath them. Instead, he just held them far enough away so the Magister didn't burn yet close enough so the heat would reach him. He looked on as Illyrio tried to move away, as the flames grew ever brighter, so much so that even Thoros needed to shield his eyes.
When he looked back the Magister no longer struggled, no longer tried to get away and could no longer see, his eyes useless now. He heard the man cry, heard him beg, and he could smell the man's waste that had come unbidden from his bowels. Daemon though just stood looking at the man, and when he began to speak Thoros heard the Magister's squeals.
"Answers, or that will be as good as it gets and l swear it'll never be that good again Magister." Daemon said.
"Qohor, they took him to Qohor." Illyrio said "My eyes, you took my eyes." he cried.
"You took my brother, I'll call it a fair exchange. How are they getting him to Qohor?"
"The Rhoyne, a boat, The Shy Maid." the Magister said quickly, his voice almost breaking.
"Who?"
"Naharais, Daario Naharis." the Magister said broken now.
"Who in Qohor?" Daemon asked impatiently.
"Hoat, Vargo Hoat." Illyrio said and Daemon looked to Thoros and shook his head.
"When?" Daemon asked and received no reply "When?" he asked more loudly.
"On the blood moon." Illyrio said.
"I thank you Magister, you've been most helpful, and you deserve a reward."
"Thank you, please, my eyes, give me my eyes." the Magister said and Daemon laughed a bitter twisted laugh that even Thoros gulped at.
"For why Magister, where you're going the last thing you'll want to do is see." Daemon moved so fast that were it not for the spray of blood from the Magister's throat, Thoros wouldn't have known what happened, the Magister' was dead instantly though. His suffering in this world over, though his suffering in the next had only just begun.
Walking to the kitchens, Daemon said nothing, one of the girls fixed a bag of food for them when he asked as they got there, and after saying their farewells they were back in the hills before the sun rose. Daemon was still quiet and it was only when they were ready to take off that he spoke.
"The Black Goat." Daemon said his voice soft and yet he could feel the rage beneath it.
"We knew they were against us my prince." he said.
"I may not hold love for my brother Thoros, but he's in the hands of monsters. The City of Sorcerers, I should have known." Daemon said shaking his head.
"We have time, Daemon." he said reassuringly.
"Do we? We can make it in time, but even with Lyanax we can't take Qohor, we can't unless…" Daemon said before smiling.
"Daemon?"
"Come Thoros it's time to visit an old friend." Daemon said as he quickly climbed up on the dragon's back.
They flew for days and stopped only to eat and so Lyanax could rest, he had thought they'd follow the Rhoyne, try to intercept the Shy Maid but Daemon said it was pointless, the time for that had long since past. Instead, they flew over lands he knew well, over an area he'd not been to in years, and he almost laughed when he saw where they were going.
They reached their destination early one morning, landing far enough away from the horses that they didn't scare them. Dismounting they didn't have far to walk before the riders were upon them, and Thoros found himself looking up at friends he'd not seen in years. He watched as the large man moved quickly before grabbing Daemon in a hug, the braid now back to where it had once been.
"It is good to see you brother." Daemon said.
"You too brother." Khal Drogo said a large smile on his face as he embraced Daemon once again.