One Positive Change at a Time (ASOIAF: Viserys SI) Dead.

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 27: Focusing Fire
Viserys Ashtar
​

Nearly the entirety of Volantis has joined the revolution and taken up arms with us, the perk of having half the city already members of the Faith I'm taking advantage of. As the noble families of the city are brought to the Red Plaza, I have people light a roaring bonfire.

"Do you really need to kill them all?" Margaery is kind enough to keep her voice only a whisper and I reassure her with a confident grin.

"I'd like to avoid killing anyone." Though the smell of burning flesh floating down from the other streets, reminds me the freed slaves may not be as forgiving of how they had been treated. "But I can't afford to leave anyone ambitious with a power base. I'll deal with everyone at the same time." With a nice big crowd to witness the change of power.

Alright that should be hot enough now. "Bring over the troughs!"

My shout has ten iron troughs brought over and placed over the fire. Each one is filled with water and starts to steam.

"I've taken your city…" Smirking at the three captured Triarchs, I approach them with confidence. "But I'm not a heartless man. I challenge each of you to outlast me, with any onlookers free to take part!"

I climb inside one trough of rapidly warming water to the gasps of the onlookers. "Anyone from a royal family who can outlast me, gets everything I own. My dragon, Valyrian steel, and Volantis itself."

The three Triarchs are quick to climb into ones closer to the edge, while six more ambitious nobles claim the other troughs. I can already see them all getting red and I add the final stipulation.

"Anyone who gets out before me…" My voice goes low as I growl out to the other challengers. "Gives their life to R'hllor. Either as a priest or a sacrifice." The faces I get are varied between shocked horror and enraged promises of vengeance.

"I didn't make anyone get in, I just said anyone who accepted my challenge would be exempt from becoming a war serf." It was explained to them all that was what I was replacing slavery with, only with the length of service being left out. "You all wanted what I have and right now it's a nice bath."

As the first one begins to sway from the heat, bubbles begin forming along the bottom of my own trough. Letting my smirk grow wider, I dunk my head under the still rather tepid water.

I wait for a count of five before reemerging to groans. "How refreshing."

As the water nears boiling, my competetors begin giving up one after another. When the scalded Tiger Triarch finally quits, his skin is blistered and peeling all over his body.

None of them are able to walk, let alone fight off the Red Priests who escort them inside the temple. Once I'm alone in troughs, I get up slowly and smile at the crowd.

"Anyone else want to try?" No one seems eager and I climb out carefully. "No? Are you all content with my rule?"

The now freed slaves begin clapping. Quietly at first but soon voacl cries of support fill the air. Their is some booing from the noble familes facing a few days of hard labor but I just soak it all in.t

"What are we supposed to call you?" The High Priest calls out so everyone can hear, silencing the cheers before they can drown him out. "Does Volantis now have a monarch?"

"I am only here to help stoke the fires among the faithful." Of course of a free world.

Both of my lives have a long family history of endorsing this kind of evil and I'm finding myself eagerly looking forward to this choice. But it's far easier to nudge a culture over the next few decades, than to try overturning everything in a single day.

Only letting serfs be criminals and prisoners of war with set terms of service, will unite the people against the coming horrors. Everyone I talked to in my first life, assumed Jon Snow's resurrection had to be for a reason. I really don't think I'm going to see dawn after the coming night.

If Rhaenys is happy here in Essos, I can leave her in charge of Volantis after my death. Since she's retaken the Targaryen name, the old blood will probably like her more than me.

I consider that for a moment and realize what I choose to call myself will really be important. Using a title that's already in use will only have expectations attatched to my rule. What I need is a new role that I can establish early on is not truly at the top.

"I serve R'hllor in his quest to defeat the Great Enemy." Benerro's face pales at how bluntly I speak. "He stirs already in secret and I will unite those I can under the warm light of R'hllor."

I might not fully believe my own words, but the fanatics will seek several someones out if I don't focus the fires of the Red Faith. "The Enemy has already managed to twist our Lord's words."

"What do you mean?" The High Priest is pompous, yet he does truly believe in his God. My words are going to make it sound like R'hllor is one of the Valyrian gods, since nearly all of them have been forgotten now. Hope he never finds out I'm lying, fanatics can't be reasoned with.

"You may have forgotten but I have returned to Valyria six times since R'hllor chose me." And I really haven't made it much safer, so I don't need to worry about my claims being double checked. "The Valyrian Gods did not enslave their own. They expanded outwards and conquered nearly all of Essos before the Enemy struck at their heart!"

One of my Naathian volunteers asked if I would be recovering those sold into slavery by Victarion. Mossador is young and his name tugs on something I used to remember. I haven't had a reason to think of the Essos sections in over a decade, I can't be expected to remember everything that got mentioned in the books and show.

Was he related to someone important? Or was he maybe one of the pit fighters that Dany freed? Either way, his request was soon copied by the others from Naath.

"I am the Vizier of R'hllor," If Caesar can name a whole title after himself, I can borrow one that sounds kind of like my own name. "Restored to life to guide as many as I can into the dawn!" And once it's all over, I'll have done my best to leave capable people in charge.

Stannis is hard enough to face the dead until I can finish my own recruiting and Renly is charming enough to keep Westeros united behind his brother. As long as they can manage to work together.

"My niece is in the Sorrows now, holding back the Dothraki hordes all on her own!" Gasps from the crowd let me know the Triarchs have indeed been keeping knowledge tightly guarded. "And who has the best record against them?"

I hear cries in support of the Unsullied legions, the Jhogos Nhai, and even one woman shouting about the Ifeqevron. But none of them speak the obvious until Moqorro shouts his answer, silencing the masses with his passion.

"It was the Dragons!" The crowd cheers again and I allow some of the excitement to soak into my face.

Knowing how loud it was going to get, a pair of pillows have been fashioned into earmuffs for Coppernicus. But even with the noise muffled, he still prefers his current place perched on the edge of the temple's slanted roof.

I step beside the dark skinned man and watch his tattoos flicker like red flames. "We will swell the faith by freeing Slaver's Bay of Ghiscari tyranny." Dany was able to steal the Unsullied for herself, I just need to hope I can replicate the feat.

"The longer the war takes, the longer my soldiers' families will have the use of captured serfs!" I'm banking on that proclamation enticing volunteers to flock to my army. If it makes my enemies surrender and convert faster to avoid such a fate… I won't complain.

Margaery was good with the hungry people in King's Landing. The realization nearly makes me smack myself. Why am I ignoring my very talented help in my service?

"What do you think I should do to stabilize Volantis?" The gorgeous Tyrell girl blinks in confusion before realizing, yes, I really am asking for a woman's opinion.

She recovers quickly and has an answer ready to go right away. "Keep them fed and they'll listen to a lot more nonsense than they will with empty bellies."

I'd like to do that but I still have nearly ten million people to lay claim to between Volantis and her three northern walled cities. The Triarchs have excellent records and have the population of each one as specific as the hundred.

Each one is slightly larger than King's Landing and yet are still only a third of Volantis' overall size. If I can keep casualties at less than ten percent while I take the Volantene territory, I'll have slightly more than twelve million people to keep fed. How in the hell am I going to manage that?

"I think I'm going to need some help from your family," I admit to a smirking Margaery, the midday sun shining of her honey blonde hair like a crown. "It's going to be at least four months before the Rhoyne can be farmed and free people expect to eat more than they did as slaves."

"How will you be paying for that?" It's not that Margaery doubts I can, but genuine curiosity in what I'll be willing to part with.

Well I saw the same Redwynne ships you did in the harbor," And I know the Mander still has more than enough food to trade. "Do you think your grandmother would prefer gold, or something more exotic?"

"You already know what she wants." The eye roll Margaery delivers could rival one of Cersei's best. "Just don't tell the captains the whole truth until they unload for the standard price."


…

Note: I'm going back to the smaller chapter sizes. 3K words is just too much to get out every day.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 28: Not Today
Aegon Ashtar
​

For two whole days and a third night, Arianne sleeps like the dead. By now her lips are dry and cracking, with everyone beginning to fear she isn't going to wake up again.

Mya has taken over the duties of ruling Storm's End and quite well I must add. Five years of Arianne being just as active a leader as Renly, has left Storm's End accepting of female rule. At least on a local level.

She has people searching for any sign of the missing and has sent word to Uncle Doran. I hope he makes it in time.

But my own duties have been filled forcing a damp cloth into my cousin's mouth every hour. It won't keep her alive forever but it will give her a few more days.

Five years ago I would have been helpless in this situation, but now I'm the one standing between death and Arianne Baratheon. Anyone can pick up a weapon and kill someone. But you need training and the right mindset to save people the world says will die.

"What do we say to the Stranger Arianne?" I take the rocking chair beside her bed and repeat the phrase I reinterpreted from someone in need of treatment early last year.

I don't get more than a light flickering of her eyelids in response to my voice and sigh. "That's right…." She hasn't had a convulsion in over a day now and I hope her twitching will get better soon. "Not today."

Her muscles tense suddenly and she thrashes under her sheets. I barely jerk back in time to avoid another smack in the nose and smile. "Took longer to get a response from ya this time, hope that's a good sign."

Balon lets out a laugh from his place guarding the door and I try to ignore the older Swann. He took Renly's disappearance hard and refuses to allow anyone he doesn't trust near my cousin. I'm just happy to hear him forget his failure for a moment.

"She's doing better?" Until she wakes up, we have no idea who was working with Pentos.

Shaking my head, I know better than to give someone false hope. "She's not doing any worse." Aside from still not waking up. "But I will need Brienne to get the maids to bathe Arianne, once her shift begins."

He gives me an embarrassed nod and pretends not to understand. Brienne is one of the only eight people allowed to have anything sharp or heavy near Arianne. Being the only woman with such trust, she's needed to oversee the cleanup of any accidents.

"She's supposed to be here within the hour so I can go eat." His explanation gets a nod of thanks from me and I begin massaging the tension from her right arm. "I'll send some maids up before I grab a bowl of crab stew."

He's as tired as I am of the meal, but we'll have be forced to make due until some of Summerhall's food can be delivered. The kitchen and most of the food stores fell into the sea along with the wizard's laboratory.

I sing one of the songs Tyrion wrote for my sister years ago, the one Mother used to sing me to sleep. It's no master piece and yet it's the only one I can remember all the words to. Arianne seems to like it and her face slightly relaxes from the grimace she's had for hours.

By the time I finish her arms, I've gone through the song six times. Balon's foot even begins tapping along as I finish my third repetition.

"Here comes the sun do, do, do." He said Viserys helped him write it at my Grandmother's wedding in the letter and I just wish I had met the man I'm so often compared to.

"What's going on?" Trumpets sound in the courtyard down below, interrupting me before I can start a seventh time.

When I go over to the window and peer down, I find everyone rushing to help the lone man shambling through the gates. "Is that Renly?"

Balon dashes over to me and shoves me aside, his eyes wide as saucers. "He's alive!"

"Keep Arianne safe," I roar over my shoulder as I race from the room.

I might only be halfway through Maester Norrick's lessons, but he's back at the Abbey. I'm the only who here who can do more than the basics, since the Maester here was in the Kitchens when the tower crumbled. Wonder how long it will take for the Citadel to send a replacement?

The halls blur past as I grab blankets from a washer maid, with the stop to steal a bowl of stew barely even being registered in my mind. By the time I reach the muddy courtyard, it's filled with cheers from a very excited crowd.

Stannis was respected when he ruled here, but Renly and Arianne are loved. His return is being seen as a miracle from the Seven and I'm finding myself at a loss for any other explanation. But why would they save him and not Shireen?

"Lord Renly." He doesn't seem to recognize me right away and it gives me time to take in his ragged appearance. "Are you alright?"

He's soaking wet, with skin pale and clammy like he spent the whole time in the sea. His hair is tangled and tinged green like seaweed, with damp sand clinging to his breeches.

His gaze is darting back and forth among the crowd and it's only when I repeat myself that he locks eyes on my own. I miss whatever his first sentence is, too shocked by the change in his eyes.

Gone are his sapphire blue eyes, now one is scarlet and the other a verdant green. "Ageon the Bleeding Heart. What are you doing here?" Renly finds something he said hilarious and snickers uncontrollably for a solid ten seconds.

"Looking after your wife," I let him know she's alive but he doesn't seem to care. "What happened to you?"

"I woke up on the beach with Patchface and Shireen." His words draw more cheers from the crowd and Mya is forced to silence them with a bellow.

She and Brienne force the crowd to part before them and clear some breathing room. "Where are they?" Mya is right, why did Renly leave his niece?

"Aegon said not to move anyone with a bleeding head, so I left them back on a cavern bed." His explanation makes sense but his twitching is getting worse. Renly must have spent to much time with the fool, because he's even starting to rhyme.

"Well what are we waiting for, let's ride!" Mya is quick to answer, her face covered with panic for Shireen.

"Which boat is the fastest?" Renly holds up a hand and changes the subject.

I answer with a frown even though he should know already. "The Summerhull. The one we take to visit Sunspear each year."

"Right…" With a jerky shrug he brushes it off and points to the docks. "I charge you and Brienne to bring them back safe. I don't think I'll survive another swim to Tarth, so go collect the waif."

"But what about Arianne?" I guess her condition is stable…

"I'll look after her so don't you worry," Renly is starting to sway from side to side. "She's my wife so get going in a hurry."

Even though I want to order him to bed under Balon's watch, I have to grit my teeth and nod. Something strange is going on and I'm worried the Pentoshi have him under some kind of spell.

We have wizards in Westeros now and rumors from Essos say they also have magic being shown in the streets. Taking control of the Master of War would be a great way to survive the invasion.

Is Shireen even going to be alive, or will we be sailing into a Pentos trap on Tarth? Even worse, has Tarth already been taken in secret?

"Bring only the best, this isn't just some test." Is the last thing Renly calls out to us before he finally decides to check on Arianne.

Mya gives Brienne and I and stern glare over the strange behavior just witnessed and gives us permission to bring a full complement of soldiers for protection. The Summerhull is only a speedy transport ship meant to collect sick nobles and spare them a long walk to the abbey. Which means Mya also demands we bring a pair of combat capable escorts.

While Brienne and I approach the waiting ship that is always ready to sail at a moment's notice, I find myself feeling ashamed by how much I secretly am enjoying the side effects. Even though lives are on the line, I can't help but relish all this extra time spent with her.

Growing up around Ellaria and then Cersei has left me blind to the bodies beauty. It's Brienne's unrelenting spirit that draws me to her. Her eyes may once again be glued to Renly, but I'll show her I don't need a weapon to be a man worthy of her.

​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 29: Volatile Volantis
Margaery Tyrell
​

Cheers from those in the crowd who had been slaves only yesterday greet Viserys when he reaches the dais. Those now taking their place as serfs wait among them. Tension over whether they will be freed or not is raw in many faces.

Beside me, Elyse's eyes scan the crowd for any sign of trouble. As one of Viserys' Fourteen Flames, she should have been keeping him safe last night. Not sharing a room in the temple with me. He's only named a handful of his most trusted so far, nearly all of them from his original crew.

I lean over and hiss at her in concern when another child waves at me. "Viserys did remember to explain things to the fleet, right?" I've been receiving for more reverence than my position as financial adviser merits.

Once I realized how bad he really is with money, his easy offering of priceless artifacts makes more sense. It's not the figures that are a problem, so much as Viserys just vastly overpaying for services.

He could have gotten at least two more men as good as whoever Ser Houndsworth is. A golden dragon that size is worth more than most landed knights would see in an entire lifetime. Offering me Valyrian steel for my silence, only showed his problem has gotten worse.

"If you don't want him…" Else gives me a confused look. "Why didn't you return home with yer brother?"

Garlan trusts Viserys and my own experience has shown him more willing to let me have freedom, than basically anyone back in Westeros. He really is quite Dornish in his views on women, so maybe I should be looking South when I get home.

"After my family has been on the losing side of two wars in a single decade, I'm not going to be marrying even a peer." No matter how hard Grandmother tries. "When I return, it's only going to be to a lit candle. I'd like to have at least one of those adventures you talked about, before I'm married off to my brother's squire or someone even worse." Samwell Tarly is a nice lad but not in the slightest what I seek from a man.

Viserys removes the collars from the members of the Triarchs' families himself. Following his lead, the temple's bonfire has powders thrown into it by the Red Priests. A pillar of thick purple smoke rises into the air, signaling the freedom of every Serf. I really hope this encourages faster surrenders going forward.

"Well you'll get plenty of adventure with us." Viserys told Garlan and I some pretty unbelievable things while drinking the first night, but Elyse seems ready to try topping the ones I remember. "Something in the Smoking Sea turned an entire Volantene fleet into rock."

"Was this before or after Viserys 'died'?" His revival sounds more like what the Ironborn go through and not some divine miracle.

She answers with a scowl on her face, her eyes tracing the swelling shadows in concern."Was the first trip, before the kraken took out the other crew." The tone of voice is so casual, I almost don't register the words before she changes the subject suddenly. "Are you seeing the same thing I am?"

My gaze follows her finger to the changes happening to the shadow Viserys casts against the wall behind him. It no longer looks like a man's silhouette on the buildings, now contorted by inhuman propotions and demon looking additions.

Claws the size of swords creep towards the dais, with Viserys unaware of his current danger. Elyse reacts before me and charges forward with her sharpened shield raised before her.

The horned figure slashes down at Viserys, only for the rippling grey steel to do it's job. The shield rings like a deep booming bell and Elyse is sent rolling down the stairs from the force of the blow.

The score of orange clad warriors between Viserys and the… thing, charge towards it. Only to be torn to shreds as if their armor was made of flower petals.

Screams of terror fill the plaza outside the temple and the crowd begins panicking to escape. When they try, the shadowy creature darts across the street in the blink of an eye, carving into the first to think they reached safety.

The way shadows flicker around a fire, this demonic entity dances across the buildings. The few people brave enough to swing at the monster are either sliced in half, or find weapons clanging uselessly onto stone.

Once the stampeding crowd is corralled back before the dais, the shadow reforms behind Viserys. No longer massive and somewhat see through, it is only slightly larger than Left or Right.

The darkness is so thick now, it's almost solid and seems to even ripple against the sweltering wind. It tilts it's head back and screeches out a bone chilling cry, before lunging towards a crimson robed Vizier.

Viserys is in my brother's league, both among the best knights I have ever seen. But this thing moves like a snake thrusting a clawed hand right into his chest.

My horror changes to relieved shock when Viserys doesn't fall over dead. The shadow's claw shatters into a black mist, taking several seconds to rejoin the rest of the demon's body. Valyrian steel can hurt it!

Realizing it at the same time as I do, Viserys drops his hands to each hip. Swinging up with both of his axes, very visible rends are left in the shadow demon.

If I thought the first shriek was painful, this one manages to make me dizzy. I don't even know how, only feel an overwhelming pressure slam into me painfully.

He doesn't stop with his assault with one good hit. Viserys swings again and again, tearing chunks right off the creature.

It's not defenseless and after recovering from the shocking pain, the shadow starts to slash once again at Viserys. With a cunning intelligence, I watch it twist it's shape into a monstrous version of Coppernicus.

Now larger than an elephant, the creature fights with phantom claw and club tail. At least it doesn't seem able to breath, or everyone would be dead in seconds. The high buildings and narrow streets would funnel the searing ash across the city, choking the life from tens of thousands.

Moqorro comes up with something else that actually works, flinging glowing red coals from the temple brazier at the shadow dragon. Each one burns a hole in the monster and soon more priests join him in the attack.

When it can no longer hold it's shape, it condenses itself back into a vaguely man shape. It has a pair of massive horns still on it's head and keeps the sword like claws from before.

Enraged by the barrage of coals, the demon slams into Viserys with a powerful tackle. He skids across the stone and I realize I'm the only one close enough to react in time.

As the shadow claw swings for Viserys' fallen form, I barely manage to have Thorn raised in time to block the arm shaking blow. The claws are cut in half where my blade meets the shadow, getting another roar of pain from whatever this thing really is.

I try to defend both of us but move far too slow to even keep myself free from thin red lines appearing all across my body. In only a few seconds my defense shatters, leaving the shadow free to slash downwards with it's remaining claw.

I'm not fast enough to stop his throat from being opened by the claw, only to slam my blade into the shadow's face in revenge. As soon as I do, it shrieks and fades away in the sunlight. Viserys!

Even though I was standing right beside him, Moqorro has already reached Viserys' body. The priest with flaming tattoos cradles Visery's head in his lap and utters words of prayer. It's going to be a riot!

The crowd is silent at first but soon dark mutterings fill the plaza, waiting for Moqorro to tell everyone the obvious. No one could have lived after losing so much blood.

My eyes go to the pool of crimson spreading out from beneath him and Moqorro, spilling down the stairs as the mutters become a single unified gasp.

"That really hurt." Rasps out a very much alive Viserys, with one hand holding his throat closed. "I'm going to need stitches. You know how to sew, don't you Margaery?"

Moqorro helps him back to his feet and turns to the stunned crowd. "Now do you truly believe his promises!" Yeah… I kind of am.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 30: Awkward Adoption
Tyrion Lannister
​

Chroyane is a dreary place based on looks alone. Only half the buildings are safe enough to enter, with just as many only a pile of rubble.

A thick layer of fog fills the valley, keeping the light at twilight through the entire day. The people here are fanatically loyal to Rhaenys, who leads Gerold and I through her city with individual words of support towards many of her citizens. No idea how she can even tell anyone apart.

When it's explained we came at the behest of her brother and he is indeed the one who cure everyone, pledges of support flood in. Her people love her and yet mine are terrified of me.

Taking over for my unusual silence, Gerold asks about how she came to be here. I notice her eyes flicker with grief before she buries it once more. But I also see how my betrothed's eyes have been trained on the Darkstar since she landed on my ship.

My 'friend' is smirking back at her with unabashed arrogance. His own eyes keep switching between the sword at her hip and her chest.

"This Daemon…" Mention of a Blackfyre is enough to snap me out of my funk. "He's also a dragon rider?" Am I already too late in finding her? Is she happy without me?

She nods but doesn't really give me anything to go with. "He helped me survive after Quentyn…" Her face goes pale and her voice goes flat. "Died."

"How did that happen?" Gerold interrupts with a smirk, drawing Rhaenys' attention once more. "Why'd they kill such a valuable hostage?"

"They didn't," Admits a bitter Rhaenys. "I did."

Gerold and I exchange shocked glances while she leaves us behind in her march towards the dragons. I recover first and dash after Rhaenys before she can vanish in the fog.

"What happened?" I keep any judgment from my voice, knowing I've ordered far worse.

"Daemon was helping us escape and Quentyn was stabbing into the carriage." She looks at me with watery eyes, begging for permission to let them fall. "But I decided the fire wasn't spreading fast enough."

We get to the to dragons resting inside the remains of a couple house. The black one lays it's head back down with only a single command from Rhaenys, but the pale one is far more agitated.

"I know what wildfire looks like. Viserys and I sat beside it for hours, you can't forgot the sight of it." I realize what she means and wince, hoping the death was fast for the Martell boy. "He's not the only person I've burned either." The Dothraki don't cross the Rhoyne for a reason.

"I've had horrible things done in my name," I may have gotten distracted trying to make up for some of them, but you never left my thoughts. "Just so I could find you. You're the most important person in the world to me and I don't care what you've done."

Rhaenys frowns at me as Gerold can be heard clomping up through the much behind us"… Did Viserys tell you to say that?"

"What are you talking about?" I'm not telling him what I've done unless I have no choice.

"Nothing." She sighs when Gerold arrives. "It's jus-"

The Dayne walks right past us, his eyes transfixed on the silver dragon now unnaturally calm. "Who is this handsome devil?"

"Aegorian." Whispers a very concerned Rhaenys. "Don't get any closer, he's aggresi-"

Once again Gerold doesn't allow her to finish and walks right up to the apparently untamed dragon. His hand goes up with no fear and maybe a bit of idiocy, slowly extending towards Aegorian.

"Who rides him?" He asks Rhaenys without breaking eye contact with the silver dragon.

"No one," Mutters the angry Targaryen maiden. "But you are a Dayne."

I'm confused and not afraid to let it show. "What does being a Dayne suddenly have to do with riding a dragon?"

"Arthur Dayne was one of the three lives lost when the eggs hatched." Oh. "I think only a Martell, Mopatis, or a Dayne, can ever bond one of these dragons."

"You're going to give him a dragon!" That's insane! Unless she intends to marry Gerold to keep him loyal of course. That realization stings even worse than losing her to a Blackfyre would have.

"Aegorian is about to leave on his own," Admits Rhaenys with a sad smile. "This keeps him from killing innocent people." You really don't know the Darkstar.

Gerold snorts at the words. "I still want my family sword back."

"Then go help Daemon in the North," She fires back with renewing vigor. "If you can bring him and Aegorian back alive, while scattering the Dothraki,…" Considering the offer for a moment, it looks like Rhaenys nearly takes the words back. "You can have Dawn back."

"Consider it done. And Aegorian here is mine?" The Dayne knight I'm not even sure I can call a friend anymore almost purrs.

"If he lets you ride him," Growls Rhaenys as she watches Gerold do just that. "Daemon has the Valyrian words we're using to train them, ask to borrow it once you arrive."

With a calculating grin, Gerold decides he needs to be special. "Do they only respond to Valyrian, or can I use the Rhoynar tongue?"

She considers it and eventually shrugs. "… As long as you use the same word, the intent is what really matters."

"Good. I'm not wasting my time learning another language, not when I can use that time riding a fucking dragon!" He roars a word in Rhoynish with glee and the silver dragon understands his intent just fine.

With a flurry of wing beats, Aegorian lifts the pair into and through the fog. They vanish like ghosts and race North along the river I can't believe I once compared to the Blackwater.

"That's going to be a problem one day." I growl to Rhaenys after my shock fades. "He's one ambitious bastard, isn't going to settle for just his sword now that he has a dragon." Of course the handsome one gets a dragon.

She nods with a concerned frown of her own before giving me a hopeful smile. "Did you really come looking just for me?"

"Of course I did, you make me want to be a better man." And I couldn't live with the one I was turning into in your absence. "But the Tyrells did beat me to it and found Viserys first. No one ever told him you got taken the whole five years." Explaining my own efforts to him and me learning he genuinely had no idea, is the only reason we're able to move forward as friends.

"Who died to hatch Viserys' egg?" She gives a command in Valyrian that I can recognize as 'come', which has the ebony dragon approach carefully.

"According to everyone I asked…" I don't really believe him but he's earned a few secrets. I won't pry into this. "It was him."

Rhaenys's eyes match her dragon's scales and she holds out a hand for me. "I can finally go save Ar Noy from the Dothraki. Would you like to come, or are you needed here with the fleet?"

"Arnold can handle things just fine," I blurt out immediately. I'm not going to let the chance to ride a 'flying' dragon pass.

"Good. I was…" Her voice is suddenly tense when she remembers that only one saddle is on her dragon. "I hope you don't mind having to ride like a maiden."

"I'll tie myself to her tail If I must." I'm not going to miss this chance.

With a genuine giggle carving a layer of tension away, Rhaenys helps me climb onto Riannex's back. I tense up at first when I my back presses against her. But I do relax slightly when I realize her chest is quite flat, giving not pushing awkwardly against my head like I was first concerned about.

"When you say we're going to save a city…" I'm not sure how to phrase the question after her earlier mood. "How are we going to do that exactly?"

"Burn the Dothraki until they flee, surrender, or all of the warriors are dead." And yet she still manages to be less cruel than myself. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"Challenge the leader to single combat and you can end this with a single death." Two if she counts the horse.

Rhaenys shifts behind me and snorts. "How do you know that?"

"I don't have much to do in the Stepstones except read of the places you might be." Any clue I got had me researching the region for local customs and common phrases. Only for the trail to be proven a dead end before I even manage to learn 'where is the crapper' properly.

"You mean Dragonstone?" She asks and I have to sigh even harder.

"King Stannis took it once Pentos said you died. He said the terms of the deal required I wed you." Oh. "Since that was thought impossible, he returned it to it's original role as his heir's seat."

Shifting beside me, she gives another command to her dragon. We rise above the fog and I can only see a dreary grey for miles.

Once the fog fades away in the Essosi sun, I get my first look at the Dothraki Sea. "Whoa…" It's breathtaking.

All the way to the horizon the wind ripples through every color of grass known. Greens, yellows, and reds are everywhere, but so to does bluegrass grow in patches visible from above. Even streaks of violet can be found hiding among the sea.

"You lost Dragonstone because I wouldn't come back?" I can hear the guilt in her voice.

"Well you seem to have made your own little Kingdom here," I keep my voice light in an attempt to ease the tension. "I could always just stay here with you once we get married."

Rhaenys freezes behind me for a good three seconds, filling me with seven different flavors of dread before she speaks again. "… You still want to marry me?"

I was only japing as a way to ease into the topic and give her a way out gracefully. But she actually sounds desperate for me to say yes, hope choking her voice with each word.

"Who else spent six years looking for you?" Well maybe some of the time was spent at the bottom of a bottle.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 31: Waste Not
Viserys Ashtar
​

Inside the temple, Margaery stitches my throat closed in the 'safety' of the room given to me by Benerro. I try not not to twitch under her fingers and find her touch thankfully gentle.

"Thanks for doing this." Her reflection grimaces at the scarlet staining her fingers but she swallow her complaint. "I was worried someone else would try taking my head home with them."

The High Priest glares at the families of the Triarchs, demanding they remain silent with only a fiery look. "None of the faithful would dare harm you after that display." His eyes go hard as he explains why he brought the people I freed back into the temple. "The Triarchs bodies have been found drained of blood. Each one carved with words of power."

The children whimper in fear of what I will order done to them, while the wives and mistresses attempt to keep themselves between us. Yesterday the tears would have broken me in seconds and yet after my second revival… I'm barely stirred beyond a mild irritation.

"What language?" I already have a few guesses but actual clues will save a lot of time.

Margaery isn't happy and grabs a firm hold on my chin. "Stop moving around so much! Unless you want to be tilting to the left forever."

"Sorry." grabbing a knee with each hand, I try once more to remain still.

"The shadowbinder could have only come from Asshai or Qarth." Explains Benerro with another stern glare at the terrified families to remain quiet.

"Well let's hope it was the Undying getting upset I'm stealing the whole not dying thing." Asshai means I need to send envoys to Yi Ti first.

Tying off the end of the thread, Margaery steps back to examine her work from a distance. "Does it look like he's about to look over his shoulder?"

The widow of the Tiger Triarch starts in shock at being called on personally. "It's not my place to advise any longer."

Before Margaery says anything, I cough loud enough to bring all eyes back to me. "You're free now and unless Benerro has something to add right now, we're all being protected from the same people."

They killed the Triarchs to strike at me today. You lot are just more arrows to be shot at me if I don't keep you safe.

"Really?" One of the Elephant Triarch's mistress snorts at my words, her eyes darting over to Creb and Herbert standing guard outside the room. "They'll protect us just as intensely as they will you and your mistress?"

Assigning one of my Fourteen Flames to share a room with Margaery, has done nothing to help quell the rumors. Pulling Elyse away now will only make Margaery look disgraced in the eyes of the city.

"As long as you cooperate with the change in regime and find new ways for your families to make their fortunes." Otherwise I'll just ship you off to Westeros and let Gerion keep an eye on you for me.

"Now that I've made sure Viserys won't lose his head," Margaery chimes back in with a far kinder tone than my own growl. "We can go have supper and you can all be escorted home when the Fiery Hand returns."

I freed them but had more than enough gold to pay them to stay in my service and without needing to use the temple's wealth. I need the army to be mine and not directly answering to the Red Priests. Don't want them ordering genocide in my name… the end of one culture will be more than enough for me.

The Ironborn are a hard people and they never really tried to adapt to modern times. But knowing the Iron Islands have been split between the Wester and Riverlands, used to be something I regretted.

I never spent any time among them myself, so who am I to say the world is better off without them. In only a couple generations the old way will only be a story told to children.

Without my interference, they eventually managed to adapt. But now my waves have sunk the entire culture. That's how I felt yesterday. Now, I'm only relieved that a possible threat is already dealt with before it can stab me in the back.

"Vizier?" The youngest son of the last dead Triarch keeps his eyes downcast and his voice respectful. "Will my father come back to life like you did?"

His hope actually manages to pierce my cooling heart and stokes some life back to my inner fire. It's not enough to feel normal again, just enough to know a difference exists.

Only one way to know for sure, so I turn to Benerro with curiosity. "Did the bodies receive the Last Kiss?"

"Along with everyone else who was killed by the shadow. None of them revived." He gives the bronze haired boy a blunt answer, not even trying to lighten the blow. Something else I should care about and yet I really don't.

"But you came back," The boy pleads pitifully and I know I'll find myself grateful for the emotional distance one day. "Why can't you ask R'hllor to bring Father back?"

"It doesn't work like that." The words slip out before I can craft a diplomatic answer.

While the families hopes drop, I have a stunning realization. No one else in living memory has come back to life.

It's the one question everybody wants an answer to, no matter how much they may claim indifference. What comes after?

"Supper is still a ways off…" I trail off with a smirk forming. "I have time to tell you what I saw. If that's something you're interested in of course?"

The excited cries from everyone are nothing compared to the deafening 'yes' that comes from Benerro. Blinking in a fair amount of shock, I hold up a hand to calm him down.

"Alright. But remember, this is only what I saw." That should be just enough plausible deniability, just in case someone else does get back up after dying. "Or should I saw experienced." That draws them in and everyone leans forward eager for more.

"I was in a completely cavern…" I hold in the smile at how easily they soak in my words. "I was being judged and it was between several destinations, each one at the end of a tunnel." Vague enough that I have wiggle room later.

"When Thoros performed the Last Kiss on me in Valyria, I had only a split second of fire to light the place. Saw a pretty long line behind and before me." That has Benerro almost bouncing on his toes in excitement, somehow managing to stop himself from interrupting me.

Reaching up to stroke the stitches absentmindedly, I draw my audience in with my 'forbidden' knowledge. "When it happened again today, I was brought to the front of the line. Still didn't see the one doing the judging… but what needs to be done was only made more clear to me."

I need to stay out of Stannis' way and get him as much help as Essos can offer. "When the Red Comet crosses the sky, that is R'hllor's signal that Night is falling. I only have a few years to gather as much fuel for the fire as I can." Calling people fuel is dark I admit, but not something I'm above doing to myself.

"How much of my blood did the priests manage to collect off the dais?" King's blood has power and I lost a whole lot of it today.

"More than enough to track down your killer," Benerro answers with a cocky grin of his own. "Shadows will be useless against the phoenix, no matter how large they make them."

Well now I'm the intrigued one. "Aren't those the fire birds that are reborn from their ashes?" I wasn't aware they existed, I could find no record of them in Valyria.

"They will keep reforming until they have found and incinerated the target. Even if it takes years to find them." Answers the smug First Flame.

That sounds terrifying, but not actually very useful. "Why would it take so long, are they tracking them like a normal bird?"

"Water in the River Rhoyne and the seas, seems to disorient their sense of direction." He admits with an embarrassed sigh. "Or that is what the texts say about them. We haven't performed a summing since the Century of Blood came to an end."

"I do need to talk to Marywn and teach my class," I'm going to have Margaery sit in with me and have her order for food sent to Asha. "I can see if the Maester's have any information, maybe even set up your own line of communication with them. I assume you have a glass candle?"

It isn't going to be enough food to stop the shortage that will be hitting in a few months time. But it will delay them.

"Why don't you share the compasses with the fishermen?" Margaery adds with a nose crinkled in thought. "They'd be able to fish out of sight of shore. It should at least triple the haul."

I showed people how to make them and kind of just forgot about the simple magnetic needles. But she's right, why haven't I been taking advantage of them?

"I'm not giving you back to Garlan." I lock eyes with her and wink. "He can do his own taxes."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 32: Campaigning For The Crown
Daenerys Tully
​

As soon as Viserion lands in the courtyard of Riverrun, I call out a greeting to my glowering Uncle Brynden. While Joffrey and I climb down as gracefully as we can manage, I realize almost the entire guard contingent is watching with terror filled eyes.

Almost thirty crossbowmen lower their arms with relief when they recognize me and Viserion relaxes. "It's alright everyone! Viserion won't hurt you as long as you give him his space."

"As happy as I am to see you Dany…" Uncle Brynden doesn't take his eyes off of my brother's namesake. "I'm going to need some answers."

"I know I said I wouldn't come South of the Neck with him," I acknowledge with what I refuse to admit was a whine. "But it's okay now. I'm with Prince Joffrey and his brother has a dragon of his own now."

The news only upsets him more, my Uncle's eyes hardening by the second as he holds open his arms. "So Lord Tywin's raven spoke true words?"

"That my sister is missing and Mother has decided to give the crown to a six year old?" Growls Joffrey while I'm held tight in Brynden's arms. "Yes and I hope I can count on your support in the days to come."

"We're at war with Pentos," Cautions my uncle as we break apart. "Not really a good time to start a civil war…" He stops and reconsiders his words. "Or maybe it is, if you don't care about the people you intend to rule."

That's not fair, Joffrey's being treated like he's his mother. "Joffrey wants to have a Great Council. So much has changed, not the least of which is having three kings die in just over a decade."

"We're going to Oldtown so we can get help tracking down Viserys." My brother is the one who made the succesion such a mess, he should help straighten it out once the war is over. "The Tyrell's know where he is and the Maester's can help us prepare for the council."

With a grateful smile, Joffrey follows us into the red stone castle."It's not like Pentos is going to be able to last long by themselves. That gives us time to find him before my mother can secure Orys illegitimate rule in the eyes of the realm."

"You've decided to support him?" Brynden gives me a look of consideration. "… Why?"

"Viserys and Aegon both gave up the crown, Rhaenys is dead, and even Jenn ran away from the responsibility." I'm the last legitimate Targaryen from Aerys' line who hasn't given up the crown personally.

Joffrey came looking for a bride and it would only make both our claims stronger at the Great Council. I had briefly considered making a play for the throne myself. But Viserys loved Joffrey, my fondness for him can grow into love one day.

"Joffrey and I have the strongest claims alone, together it should be a nearly unanimous vote." The prince stumbles behind me at the words.

"Do you really mean it?" Hope rings in his voice and I smile back over my shoulder at him.

"You're mother is taking the crown because Orys has a dragon," I smirk at Joffrey and think back to how long it will take a newly hatched dragon to be ride-able. "If we marry, don't we share everything?" About a full year before it's more than a quick up and down. "Because Viserion is already five years old and can easily fly us both. We can pretend he's listening to you sometimes."

It's not the talk of rebellion or a Great Council that makes my uncle sputter in concern. No, of course not. Only when I talk about marriage so easily does the Blackfish react.

"What are you talking about?" His eyes narrow on Joffrey who realizes how unprotected he is with Ser Vance back on Skagos. "Marriage?"

"It's why his mother sent him North in the first place, to choose between Jennelyn and myself." I try to distract Uncle Brynden, but his stare remains focused on the frightened prince. "It's why she and Duncan both ran away, after Jenn's dragon…"

"What happened Dany?" A warm hand on my shoulder pulls me in for another desperately needed hug. "Did someone get hurt?"

I can't bring myself to say the words and thankfully Joffrey saves me from having to try any longer. "Robb Stark died saving his sister Sansa, she was blinded by the flames."

The three of us stand frozen outside the great hall for what feels like an hour. My uncle's eyes dart back and forth between us with a wild frenzy.

"I need to send a raven to your sister…" He finally mumbles to himself and walks right past the door, heading for his newly finished study. "Just make sure you aren't letting your brother pressure you into this. Take it from me, it's not worth it."

"I haven't even asked her yet!" Blurts out Joffrey, both hands rising defensively between him and the scowling Blackfish. "This is all her idea, I swear!"

After a few more moments of stern evaluation my Uncle relents in his intimidation attempt, suddenly giving me a warm smile. "Well if that's what my princess wants. I guess we better talk about your plans for the Council before you two leave."

"The North should back me and I hope the Stormlands can be made to see reason." Joffrey offers with a desperate plea for help in his voice. "I hope to convince my Uncle Jaime this is what Viserys wanted. He still refuses to truly acknowledge anyone else as his King."

"I know Uncle Tyrion can barely stand Mother and the Tyrells have already rebelled once." He keeps going with an encouraging nod from my uncle. "I need to get them on my side before anyone else considers it."

"Eat and spend some time with your siblings. Jaenaera can finally show you her new hair, she's quite proud of the color." My uncle dismisses us with a grunt, his mind going back to the letter he must write. "We can talk once they go to bed and I can make a final decision on your great big plans."

Once he's gone, Joffrey takes a few deep breaths and turns to me. "Will you help me look for Shireen after we find Viserys?"

"Of course I will." I nod firmly and push the cedar doors open. "I'm sorry if Baelor bothers you, but he's going to ask you for stories about Viserys."

I wish I could myself and not seem like a desperate child. It's hard to remember what Viserys even looks like anymore.

"If you really mean what you said about marrying me, I'll spend the entire time we're here telling him every single story I can remember." Pure gratitude in in his eyes as we walk towards the head table.

Like expected Baelor is first out of his chair and racing to bet his twin to me. Jaenaera is only a few paces behind him, her beet purple hair done into ringlets and bouncing with each step.

"Dany!" She pushes her way past our brother. "Did you really bring your dragon? Will you finally take us flying on Viserion?"

"In the morning, he needs to rest right now." And I want a warm meal and a soft bed.

Huddling with Joffrey under the one blanket at least showed he can keep his hands to himself. In the end it was me who needed to pull his body closer. If I didn't, he would have gotten the shivers by morning. He's really not built for the cold at all.

"Who's this?" Baelor points a thumb at Joffrey and frowns. "I thought you said Duncan and Gendry both have black hair."

I can see Joffrey fume at the comparison to Gendry and step in to spare him any more. "Prince Joffrey Baratheon, my betrothed. He's going to help me find Viserys."

That last bit seems to do the trick, with both twins eyes going wide in awe. Baelor purses his lips after a few seconds and nods slowly.

"Alright. I guess I approve of him them." He's trying so hard to be lordly that I hide my smile behind a hand.

"But if Viserion has any eggs, we get ours first." My little sister chimes in with crossed arms and a fierce glare leveled at me. "You promised!"

​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 33: Something Fishy
Aegon Ashtar
​

The waters around the island of Tarth are as crystal blue as they say, with calm sapphire waves around it meeting the angry black water of Shipbreaker Bay. A nearly solid line separates the different parts of the sea, like a barrier created by the Storm God of old to keep his lands safe from trespassers.

"Viserys told your brother that the waters don't mix," Brienne jumps after I break the awkward silence we've endured for the last hour on the deck of the 'Summerhull'. "Because the water weighs different amounts?" That doesn't make any sense, water all weighs the same.... doesn't it?

"Your uncle said the black water was denser." The water is stupid? "So it goes under the lighter blue waves around Tarth."

"Oh... you mean like bread." My answer brings a smiling nod from Brienne.

Nodding at her words, I scan the shore for the cave Shireen is supposed to be waiting in. I really don't need to bother though, since Brienne has us sailing right for the only section of shoreline with any cliffs.

"Is that smoke?" Straining my eyes, I point out a thin column of smoke rising into the air. Between the water and the hills, a steady stream of thin grey marks our destination with a glow of orange at the base.

"Yes and the lookout spotted it a while ago," Snorts Brienne as she waves to the man up in the dragon's nest. "It's why the ship turned a bit ago." Now her expression turns teasing under her straw yellow hair. "And you would know that if you had been paying attention." I have been... just to you.

When we get close enough to shore that I can make out a lone figure, I perk up. Sitting on a log beside the beside the small campfire is a small person. Not big enough for a full grown person... but what's that beside her on the sand?

"That must be Shireen!" My excited call only gets another chuckle from my warrior friend.

Renly must have gathered her firewood... before he swam across the bay. It took several hours for us to sail here, How did the Lord of Storm's End manage such a feat?

Brienne and I climb into one of the rowboats with a pair of sailors to row and get lowered to the clear blue water by the rest of the crew. The girl on the beach is waving as we approach but doesn't leave the warmth her fire provides. She must be starving by now.

When the boat runs aground, I turn to the sailors with a grateful smile. "Can you three wait here? I need to find out what kind of sickness she has first." The pair of men agree quickly, remembering the Greyscale infection like it was yesterday.

"Lord Renly bade me protect Shireen." Of course Brienne isn't satisfied and brushes past me on her way towards the young princess. "I will join her if she must be isolated."

"That isn't Uncle Renly." The slightly taller than six foot blonde Brienne approaches the guilt ridden Shireen.

Trying not to let the hurt at being ignored show on my face, I examine the green tinge to my cousin's skin. "Shireen... are you feeling okay?"

"Oh. You noticed already." With a wince she reaches up to stroke a cheek. "It was part of the deal." Well that sounds ominous.

"What kind of deal?" And with who was it made?

"I can't go home yet." Shireen explains with firm words. "I need to go see Uncle Jaime."

Realizing what that means as soon as I do, Brienne tries to reason with the princess. "But he's in the Iron Islands. I can keep you safe if Pentos tries to get you again."

"Pentos?" The frown of confusion on Shireen's face makes me frown in understanding. "Why do you think they tried to hurt me?"

"Because that's what Queen Cersei said." Brienne's answer is delivered flat and with no longer concealed worry.

"She's lying." Answers Shireen and it shakes me. "My mother was going to kill me."

The words are hard to really comprehend and leave my voice shaken. "But Cersei is your mother, why would she want to hurt you?" She took Ellyssa with her to King's Landing!

"She wanted to hatch the dragon eggs and needed sacrifices." Explains the princess and I finally realize the green patches of skin are covered in fish like scales.

Her fingers are webbed too. What kind of deal did she make?

"I have to help Uncle Jaime do something," Continues Shireen, her voice nearly a whisper now. "Once I do... they'll give Uncle Renly back and leave us alone."

"Who will?" Brienne asks with her own voice as quiet as the princess'.

"I can't tell anyone." Shaking her head firmly, Shireen points behind her. "But I really need you to take Proudfin and I, to Uncle Jaime. Please."

How can I say no to a face like that? "Alright."

"Not you." Shireen argues again for some reason only she knows. "They won't like it if you come."

"I can look after her and keep the princess safe," Promises Brienne while my mouth goes dry at the sight of the sea dragon. "But Arianne is back with the imposter. No one in the castle knows."

Her reminder shakes me out of my stupor and I tear my eyes away from the indigo scaled stingray looking creature the size of a goat. "Qyle!"

Cersei left Renly and Arianne's youngest child behind... Both he and his mother will be helpless if 'Renly' tries anything!

"You want our help going across Westeros, right after you tell us your Mother is the one behind everything!" I shout back at her and agitate the dark blue creature resting among a pile of shed skin.

It slithers between me and the girls with a defensive hiss and rears up like a Dornish cobra. I will never admit which one of us let out a panicked shriek when it brings itself up to chest height, wrapping it's tail around Shireen's ankle.

"Calm down Aegon," Brienne warns me as she reaches for her sword's hilt at her waist. "And start walking backwards."

"Be nice to Aegon and Brienne Proudfin, they're my friends." Interrupts Shireen with stern words directed to the newly hatched sea dragon. "We don't hiss at our friends."

Blinking at her complete lack of fear towards the dragon, I finally notice it's underside is several shades lighter than it's back which is nearly as dark as the waters of Shipbreaker Bay. "Or bite them." Those fangs are thin but it has a mouth filled with dozens of those needles.

"Once I'm finished, Brienne can bring me home." Shireen explains with no doubt on her face leaving me filled with enough for all three of us.

"And I'm supposed to keep an eye on Not Renly?" I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to do anything. He looks exactly like the Lord Paramount.

I get a nod from a grim Shireen, even more of the green scales visible along each side of her neck. "Bring Arianne and Qyle to Summerhall and he'll leave you alone for a while."

"What happened to you?" My frown deepens as I see her toes are also webbed like her fingers. "Who did you make a deal with?"

Shaking her head guiltily from side to side, Shireen strokes 'Proudfin'. "I can't tell you. If I do, they won't give Uncle Renly back."

"What do they want you to do?" Brienne tries a different approach and kneels down in front of the girl. "And you aren't going alone. I'm going with you."

It takes a few moments for Shireen to consider the request but she eventually gives a careful nod. "They never said anything about you. I think it's okay if you come with me."

"It wasn't a question Princess." Counters Brienne with a firm look of her own.

"The dragon Orys has looks different." And a whole lot smaller. "What happened to this one?"

"Proudfin hatched like this." Shireen defends her companion with a glare directed at me. "Orys is the one with the weird looking dragon. My girl is perfect."

I'm not going to argue when she's the one with a dragon and I find I'm not actually bothered she hatched one of the eggs originally meant for me. A dragon would just take me even farther from the life I want... and it's already going to be a challenge getting Brienne to notice me.

"She is gorgeous..." I try to appease the hissing dragon to only moderate success. "Can she fly?"

"Not really." Admits my cousin with a giggle. "She can glide pretty far when she leaps out of the water though."




Notes: I got my computer and thought I had everything installed. Tried to write yesterday and spent 4 hours with my new computer constantly trying to make me download microsoft office instead. Spent another couple hours failing today before my fiance fixed it with three clicks. So I'm actually sorry this didn't come out yesterday.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 34: Build-a-Boat
Theon Greyjoy
​

By my second week in Hardhome, I've stopped expecting someone to call me out on being a member of the Watch. Once I saw how ramshackle the boats the wildlings managed to cobble together really are, it was clear I had an easy path to privilege once more.

Ygritte's tent that I now share with her, has been moved only a few down from the King beyond the Wall himself. Only the towering red head Tormund, the Weeper, and Rattleshirt, are between me and Mance Rayder. Well... and Jenn.

But she's sharing a tent with Mance's good sister for now, or whatever that blonde Val is actually called in relation to Mance up here. I took Ygritte like a salt wife but it's been recognized by everyone as all that matters. Does that make 'Long Spear' Ryk my good brother?

Proving my guidance can get new 'short' ships made in nearly half the time was all it took for myself and my woman to be seen as vital. With far more stability that the ones already making up the fleet, the next batch should actually avoid being an eyesore.

Coating the logs in boiled sap is the worst part of the whole process and I'm very happy I can order others to take care of the task. With a glance at the bronze cauldron stolen from the Thenns, I frown at how much we have left.

"We barely have enough pitch left to finish this one," Snarling at the pair stirring the amber substance, I whistle for the rest of the crew to listen. "Finish splitting the logs in half and coating them, I'm going to make sure Mance has people getting more." If he doesn't, we're pretty much shit out of luck on getting all these people across the sea in one trip.

Well I stomp off in search of the 'King', It's hard not to notice the yellow dragon in the middle of the town. Hardhome may not compare to even one of the settlements in the Riverlands. But the Iron Islands and Gift, they really are only a half step above how the wildlings live.

The giant Wun-Wun who was so excited to meet Ed, and who I've since learned is the last of the vegetarian ones that crossed the Frostfangs, is helping the princess apply more of Mother Mole's foul smelling paste to the torn wing. It smells worse than the fish guts and latrines combined and yet the bright yellow beast seems to love it. They spend more time reapplying what he licks off.

When I see a crowd heading towards them, I grumble and change direction. With a finger firmly holding my nose closed, I march towards the approaching Mance.

"Please tell me you already have people getting more pitch!" Before anyone else can distract me with whatever they think is more important, my voice echoes over the snow towards the only other person here who knows almost exactly what I'm going through. "And that you're going to find me less clumsy workers."

We've already wasted four cauldrons this week and I don't want to see the burns they can cause up close ever again. It melted right down to the bone and took hours to get the image from my mind.

"Do you and Ygritte ever actually talk?" Not missing a beat, Mance swaggers towards me with a cocky smile. Thankfully up wind of the paste.

Beside him with a grin, Tormund bellows out my prowess for everyone to hear. "Are you kidding" They're still in the grunt and moan stage." Now his grin shifts into a snarl directed at me specifically. "Keep me up every gods damned night."

Rolling his eyes at the byplay, Mance decides to interrupt before the Giantsbane really gets going. "She can still listen to you. So you need to either do your half better or multitask."

"She went out with a party this morning," Grunts Tormund with a belch. "To check the pine trees you had us stab. Still don't know how it'll be enough." He gives me a hard look and steps right into my face. "You best not be thinking you can make our boats sink. We're riding with you across the sea."

I wasn't... but that really would have been a good idea. "It will only be enough to do a few boats, but Mance doesn't want anyone raiding the Watch. We're supposed to be making them think we're nearly all wiped out."

"We can't leave unless we get more?" Chimes in Jennelyn with guilt filled blue eyes.

"Can't take everyone with the number of ships we have." Maybe one in ten will get away if we leave now. "And it's not just the pitch, we're going to need pretty much everything soon." Braavos is already having a hard time getting us supplies in secret, so we may need to start raiding Eastwatch.

"I can get us what we need. I just have to go home and ask my mother." The princess swallows her pride and looks Mance right in the eye. "She wanted to run away to Essos when she was my age. I'll just tell her I'm taking the Free Folk with me."

Mance shakes his head and laughs. "And let you tell her exactly where we all are? Are you that eager to take over?."

"The girl wants you dead Mance, she's never claimed she's going to steal my kingdom." Counters the hunched form of Mother Mole once she finishes getting the wing patched for today. "You may have gotten all of us here, but these two have proven they can do more than just gather us for harvest."

She's an old woman with a face weathered brown like leather from years of exposure to the harsh wind. For a woman as ancient as she is, I'm amazed at how many teeth Mother Mole still has.

Barely five foot tall, she slams her gnarled walking staff down hard on Tormund's foot. "You had your chance and we're all still here. Let the girl have her try."

Annoyed at how easily I've already been dismissed by Mance and his fellows, I join the Princesses defence with a snarl. "Either we start raiding Eastwatch, we ask the Lady of Skagos for help..." My sharp words cut through the griping and all eyes shift my way. "Or we leave nine out of ten people to their fates."

"Starks have never let us cross the Wall. Why would your Ma be any different?" Dalla asks carefully, doing her best to defuse the growing tension between Mance and Jenn.

"Because she's only living on that frozen rock to hide our dragons." Admits an awkwardly shrugging Jenn. "If she knows where I'm going, she can finally do what she wants. Her childhood friend Dacey keeps inviting her to visit Bear Island, now she can finally go."

"Bear island's really not very much warmer." Snorts the old woman who can still remember raiding both islands. "Has less wind off the sea, but Skagos has hot caves like we have here."

The sounds that echo from the smooth tunnels boring down into the earth are enough to get every single hair on my body to stand straight up. It sounds like a woman being torn apart each night, but no one has ever been reported missing in the morning.

"What makes the caves scream anyway? No one will tell me." I've heard the reports that the Watch collected on the horrors they found centuries ago. Bloated bodies filled the bay and ash rained down on the Wall for six months.

It's not even an exaggeration. I've seen the nearly half inch thick layer of grey ice, all of it buried under a few hundred years worth of icy buildup.

"Cause nobody is stupid enough to find out." Chuckles the towering redhead. "People who go in... they don't come back out again."

"The Crab People send the old inside when the winter winds start to blow." With a grave voice, Mother Mole corrects the idea of 'no one' ever going inside.

"And they don't expect to see them ever again, do they?" Asks Tormund, scowling his own father going off on a last hunt during a particularly harsh winter over a decade ago.

Undeterred, she smirks right back at him as she counters with the obvious. "Keeps the screams quiet until spring, doesn't it?"

"Shouldn't Jenn just bring you with her?" Realizing no one else has mentioned the obvious, I speak up with a frown creasing my brow. "Let the King and Princess handle the negotiations together." It would void the dragon having to carry messages back and forth before anything gets decided on.




Notes: No excuse, was just hard getting back into daily updates. Sorry.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 35: Back Where It Began
Duncan Selmy
​

When the sun starts to come up in the East, Meera finally realizes how high up we are and stiffens in the saddle barely big enough the two of us.

Really going to need a new one once we reach Starfall, or I don't think I'll be flying her back. Not unless she gets a lot more friendly that is.

It's been an awkward eleven nights of travel with her barely responding to anything I say. Although I haven't been very talkative either, so maybe I should try and calm down Bella's friend. I've only dared to fly from dawn to dusk, with us using the day to sleep.

Or should I say that I do. Meera has been getting enough sleep in the saddle, she manages to have something fresh to eat by the time I'm awake.

She's always managed to find meat for Rhella, but not always enough for us. Half the time we've had to make do with a tasty berry mash she mixes with some oats and honey.

Deciding to try and settle her nerves, I don't ask her why Bella never took her this high before. "Why are you so tense? Has Bella dropped someone before?" Doesn't mean I'm above teasing my fellow bastard.

"No!" She cringes and turns back to reveal her milk white face. "Have you?"

I could keep teasing her but know that would only be cruel at this point. "No and I promise not to start with you." Realizing we should land soon, I try to give her some control over the situation. "Do you see anywhere we can rest for the day?"

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Meera Reed carefully peers back down at the ground. She's silent and completely tense as she looks for anything that meets her high standard for approval.

"I can't see any green. Are we already in Dorne?" I can hear the frown in her voice and let a smile grow on my own face.

"We reached the Red Mountains about an hour ago." My words have her sag ever so slightly in relief. "Should only be another day or two before we arrive."

"And you're sure your parents will just accept you back with open arms?" She asks the same thing I've been dreading to really consider and I have nowhere to run while she keeps looking for a place to camp. "You did kind of bail on the whole family. What if they mad your brother the heir?"

"I hope they did," I admit with a guilt ridden sigh. "I don't really think I'll be staying around in Westeros for too long."

I get an elbow in the ribs when Meera tries to point at the spot she's chosen. "Jojen said our destiny was in the South. So what's below Dorne?"

"South of the Neck is still most of Essos." Groaning back at her, I use my knees to signal to Rhella.

My dragon's scarlet wings beat with exhaustion as we descend towards the cliffs of red sandstone. Holding in a yawn of my own, I jerk backwards in surprise when she opens up a little bit.

"I'm worried about Jojen." Her voice is shaking ever so slightly and I almost freeze up. "I know Bella and Berta will look after him, but I haven't left him alone since he got sick." That really hits close to home and unconsciously tighten my one armed grip on her. "What if something happens to him?"

"We can send a raven once we reach Starfall," My offer gets a quick fervent nod from Meera, bringing a half smile to my lips. "Though it will take almost a month to get a response all the way from Skagos." Unless Bella told them where I was going, then one might show up only a few days after we do.

The cliff we end up landing on is high enough above the mountain pass, that we should avoid any casual watchers. The shimmering over the sand has just begun, showing today will be a hot one.

Sliding down the crimson scales, Meera gives the dusty ground a very flirtatious look. "... Rhellagar is a lot better trained than Roberta." She finally admits with a wince at what must feel like taking my side over Bella's. "Why does she listen so much better?"

"Animals have always responded to how I feel." I give her a shrug as I fish out the water skin and hand it to her before taking my own drink. "I used to have a whole pack of coyotes following me and Sandor around the Riverlands."

I've tried not to think of that last day with them, but now the memory brushes against my mind furiously. "They saved us so many times... them and the Holy Hundred are the only reason we made it into the North."

She understands what I really mean and doesn't press for anymore details. Passing me back the water with a look of sympathy, Meera starts to help me get Rhella's saddle off so she can finally relax.

"You don't seem to be an idiot." Are the words Meera finally utters after watching me work. "So why does Jojen think I need to be down here with you? It can't just be to hunt for you and Rhella."

"Probably wanted to live his own life," I offer awkwardly. "It sounds like you've been looking after him nearly forever. I think Jojen just wants to find out who he can be without you."

The hard look she gives me nearly peels a layer of skin off with how acidic it is. "I believed you about the coyotes. So please believe me when I say my brother sees things that haven't happened yet."

Her voice is firm and I sense no attempt at deception in her green eyes. "If he says he saw me in the South..." "It's for a reason."

"Did Bella ever tell you who I really am?" Compared to having dragons, my parentage isn't really that big of a deal.

I can't blame Bella for letting slip that I was Rhaella's grandson. She was bitter about being King Robert's secret bastard. Why would she keep my heritage a secret?

Meera shakes he head and gives me a strange look I can't really place. "... She never really talked about you at all. I thought she travelled with Dundor and Sancon, glad you didn't end up having such a stupid name."

"My mother wanted to call me Rhark." Her eyes go wide in shock and her knotted hair shakes with her attempt to hold in laughter. "But Lady Ashara made sure to correct that... thankfully before I was presented publicly in Storm's End."

Once I admit that, the peel of laughter spills out of Meera, her light brown hair shaking in the sunlight that has finally reached us. "So who are you really the son of?"

"Promise you won't tell anyone?" For some reason I can't quite understand, I know I can trust her with the knowledge.

She's quick to swear herself to silence and I'm relieved to finally get this off my chest. "Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen are my birth parents." I'm very careful not to say real, because Lyanna has never become more than an aunt to me. "I could technically lay claim to five different bastard names, but my parents told me I never have give up the Selmy one." I'm their son.

Ashara and Barristan Selmy. They are the ones who have been my parents by choice since the day I was born. Rhaegar would have if he was given the chance, but fate had other plans in store.

"You know..." A flash of teasing is in Meera's eyes and I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up straight. "The bastard children of Rhaegar and Robert would make a pretty poetic pairing. You'd have a pretty strong claim for the throne, or at least demand a lordship of your own."

When I frown at her words, Meera just snorts at my doubt. "You would have two dragons and the blood of just as many different kings between you. Three if you count the Stark blood."

"I'd have to reveal my mother's shame to the Realm." I've considered it and come to the same conclusion every time. "I only ever wanted to know who I was and I found out." Not while she lives. "I'm happy being a Selmy now."

"Uh..." Her voice comes out in a worried gasp and I look up to find us surrounded by scores of yellow eyes. "You might want to wake the dragon back up."

Panic starts to set in for a full five seconds before I let out a teary laugh. "It's alright Meera, these are my friends." A ragged old coyote with a single white eye emerges from the shadows and I drop to my knees in relief. "This is White-Eyes." Better start dropping the S now.
​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 36: The Dragon Knight And The Darkstar
Daemon Blackfyre
​

Khal Drogo's entire force of forty thousand once assembled, has finally made it's push to cross the river. Each bridge acts as a funnel but one with far more going in than it was designed to handle.

I've been forced to recruit anyone willing to fight for our homes and shove a spear in their hand. We might slightly outnumber them now, but it will only buy us more time.

The Rhoyne is so wide, you can barely see the far side of the river. Already I've had the villages emptied and each wooden house turned into a boat.

It's a lot easier to move a city of boats. If the soldiers and I can manage to hold the Dothraki back long enough, we can all migrate south and join Rhaenys at Dagger Lake.

We dammed the entire Dothraki Sea and the horse lords are finally spilling over into the western side of Essos. Six hosts separate and charge the bridges in a swarm, with a rain of arrows almost making the defenders below me break and flee.

"Let's go Que." My words are surprisingly calm despite how much rests on us performing our part perfectly. "Middle bridge is falling back on schedule, let's light up the supports!"

My dark green dragon roars in excitement and drops out of the clouds like an arrow. It's not until our shadow covers the warriors on the wooden bridge that they look up. Three days of staying in the clouds finally paid off.

Jade fire spits from Queraxes' maw and ignites the very bridge being fought upon. We start on the East side and work our way across the bridge with a steady stream of flame. Forced to charge ahead of the flames or fall into the river, the Dothraki are soon surrounded once this group is alone on our side.

"Good job." Stroking the back of his neck with vigorous encouragement, I try to motivate him that little bit extra. "If you can do that four more times, I'll keep pretending I have no idea who's been eating all the sheep."

My dragon is smart enough to know he can only do so when at least one of his siblings is around. He also knows to actually leave bits of his kill near his sleeping siblings as some kind of treat... or maybe bait. Almost five years before he was caught being all sneaky by the shepherd's daughter.

Queraxes responds instantly and races toward the next bridge, his wing tips just skimming the surface of the murky brown water with each flap. Cheers from the archers I have waiting on each side of the bridges follow us in a cacophony.

My plan works three more times to perfection but the last bridge made of wood has nearly been overrun by the time we reach it. Only a few hundred paces from the shore, I'm unable to roast more than half of the Dothraki or risk friendly fire. I've seen enough of that to last me a lifetime.

When we arrive at the stone bridge, it's already to late to stop the horde from crossing. A third of the Khalasar charged the largest of the six, with my people on the far side already being slaughtered.

"Let's turn up the heat." My command is grim and I hope the tales of melting stone are not only a legend. "Dracarys!"

Emerald fire streaks out and crashes into the charging Dothraki, not even giving them time to scream in pain before death claims hundreds at a time. To my relief, by the third pass over the bridge, the stone foundation is beginning to glow orange.

Only a few drops at first fall into the Rhoyne with a screeching hiss the second the molten stone connects with the water. Clouds of scalding steam rise up and blanket the bridge, which isn't a fast enough killer to be silent.

With a roar of pain, Queraxes bucks when arrows begin to pierce his wings. It's not in organized volleys, but the panicked free for all of thousands of men about to die.

At least you're not focused on my people anymore. We start losing height with each wing beat and soon crash into the river now turning grey from all the ash.

The force of hitting the water throws me clear of Queraxes' saddle, sinking to the bottom far faster than I would like. Shouldn't have worn metal armour.

Kicking for the dimming light above me, I find it a whole lot easier once I manage to slip my boots off. By the time I manage to break the surface with a burning gasp, I find a few boats have gotten close enough to offer me an oar.

It takes three of them to lift me at such an odd angle, but soon I'm dropped on the deck coughing for air. My relief is short lived as I hear screeching coming from back in the water.

"Where's Que?" Desperately I scan the river and sag with relief at the sight of him dragging himself onto the muddy river bank with all the grace of a drowning cat.

The water on him is already starting to steam and I know he'll be whining about his 'bath' for days. "Get me over to him." My command is firm as the archers help me to my feet. "We need to deal with the Dothraki that managed to cross."

A familiar and very welcome roar rends the air and in moments I see a silver shape drop from the sky. Rhaenys is here!

I wait for the following shriek of Riannex, but am left confused when it never comes. Did Aegorian leave on his own and come looking for me?

"Who's riding him?" The words slip out as my eyes narrow on the distinctly male rider on the back of the silver dragon. "Because that's not Rhaenys."

She's far more ferocious in how she fights, not a single bit of defence in her entire style. This guy is a lot more cautious in his approach, preferring to do several fly overs and scatter the Dothraki that managed to cross the river.

When the horse lords realize how outmatched they really are, the assault on both sides of the river breaks. The half on the East bank manage to reunite and return to their grassy sea. But the ones trapped on the western half are forced to fight their way through my forces and flee towards the Narrow Sea.

"Get me to Queraxes, now!" I can't meet this new rider on foot. Rhaenys keeps telling me how much first impressions matter and I'm going to make sure this one leaves a big one.

It's a tense fifteen minutes as I'm ferried across the river, forced to watch Aegorian and his new rider finish scattering the few hundred Dothraki too stubborn to realize they've lost.

"Go make sure that they left braids behind." I growl as I hop down to the muck that can barely be called a beach. "I don't want to deal with another attack in the middle of the night."

When I get to Que and begin checking how bad his wings are, it's with relief that I find only a few puncture wounds. "You can fly just fine right? You just got surprised that something hurt even a bit and fell into the river."

The indignant hiss I get in response is all it takes to get a smile on my face. "Good boy. Now let's get back in the air and finish this." Can't let the new guy take all the credit.

"Do you want your brother to get all the best horse meat?" I fire back when Queraxes starts to play up his wounds. Because he will unless you get back in the sky."

That does the trick and he lowers himself enough that I can climb back on. You three are really just children trying to outdo each other for your parents.

"Let's go say hello." My words are followed my a powerful gust of wind and a jade dragon rising back into the air.

Our ascent is noticed and Aegorian races over to greet us. Shockingly, for the first time in years the nearly wild silver dragon seems to be behaving. He almost seems eager to please his new rider.

When we get close enough that I can make out the man's features, I notice how similar to Rhaenys he looks. Did she find Viserys?

The man I'm not afraid to call gorgeous has silver blonde hair and stunning violet eyes. His cheekbones are high and defined, with a jaw that looks strong enough to break bones.

He notices my stare and smirks cockily, instantly dropping his appeal by a few points. "You must be Daemon Blackfyre. Rhaenys said you needed a hand up here, but it looks like I only got here in time for clean up."

"And you're the legendary Viserys?" The fact that he doesn't try taking credit just throws my whole judgment of him out the window.

"Left him back in Volantis for his takeover." The now nameless man shakes his head. "I'm Gerold Dayne."

That name shakes me and I'm worried what a relative of Arthur will do for vengeance, only for him to dash those fears with a far more thankful smile. "You're a Dayne?"

"I hear I have you and Rhaenys to thank for keeping my family blade safe." He sidesteps the question and winks at me. "Since I helped you out, you think you can return the favour?"

I nod carefully as the two dragons interact with more ease than I can remember. "What do you need?"

"Just make sure she remembers to give me my sword after I finish hunting down the craven." He points to the cloud of dust in the West that signals the Dothraki who crossed the Rhoyne have reunited. "I'm still having too much fun to land. I'll deal with the runners and let you get your people looked after." Looked like at least eight thousand of them got away, should keep you busy for a while.

"You make sure they don't comeback to bother us again and I'll wrestle the sword from her myself if I have to." It may be a special blade, but even just having it on her hip fills her with guilt.

"That all?" He snorts at what seems like an easy task, without considering how hard it will be if they scatter. "I'll chase these savages all the way to Pentos if I have to."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 37: Get Over It
Rhaenys Targaryen
​

"Is every battle truly so simple for you?" The elated voice of Tyrion brings a small smile to my lips as we soar away from the relieved Ar Noy. "No need to unleash the worst of cruelties to break your foe's will?"

"Against so few?" Which means the rest all fell upon Daemon. "Yes." Dragon flames are quite the foe to face, leaving most foes begging for mercy when they hear the death wails of their comrades. "You're sure the fleet will be enough to relieve the city from the rest?"

He shrugs in front of me and chuckles bitterly. "If two dragons and a fleet of swan ships isn't enough to defeat some savages... I don't think a third dragon will make a difference."

"Would have been poetic though." My voice escapes as a heavy sigh. "Three dragons die defending the Rhoyne."

"I just found you," Tyrion squeaks out with more than a bit of worry. "Please don't tell me you have a death wish."

"No." But I still don't feel like I deserve a happy ending. "It's just... I need to tell Uncle Doran what happened to Quentyn."

"Do you want to go home and do it, or should we invite him to Volantis?" You've already put your life on hold for me.

Taking a deep breath, I commit myself to the right choice. "Mother would never forgive me if she missed the wedding."

"Father won't care how I do it as long as I come home with you." He fires back with another sardonic snort.

"We could just have one of Viserys' priests marry us first and keep it low pressure." And when we actually arrive in Dorne, send out ravens with the 'proper' invitations.

His voice takes on an intrigued tone as he continues my thought. "Since Dragonstone was taken away because of your disappearance, Father may insist King Stannis return it to us upon our return." Riannex should ensure that all on her own. "He's been surprisingly pleased with what I've accomplished all on my own."

"I hope my father isn't ashamed of me." If Viserys really died, maybe he got a chance to speak with his brother?

"He'd understand." Tyrion responds with complete conviction and I allow his confidence to spill into me. "He fought a war to keep you safe. Soldiers understand that sometimes the wind shifts an arrow."

Father believed in prophecy... The memory of my last conversation with him filters in with half remembered words.

He claimed of the world having plans for me and how tragedy would follow me as it does all the great ones. I was supposed to keep Aegon safe until he was ready to be King. But it seems Father was wrong about which brother was the special one.

"Father would just insist my protection move to Viserys." If his claims of caring about the Realm truly held any weight.

Nodding his agreement, Tyrion speaks again in a way that I can tell is leading me to an answer. "Well Viserys doesn't want to go back to Westeros yet... Why don't we go back and get things ready for his return?"

I consider it and frown when one unknown flashes a warning in my mind. "What about your friend Ser Gerold Dayne? Is he like Arthur or does he have some moral fibre in his bones?" Can I really leave Aegorian with him, or do Daemon and I need to reclaim him from a jackass first?

"... He's a bit intense but as long as you give him Dawn, he should point his arrogance elsewhere." Grumbles my betrothed with bitterness filling his voice once more. "Though I would like it if he didn't leer at you so much. I know how much better he looks."

"Like he spends three times as long as Arianne did on his appearance?" My blunt reply gets a warm chuckle out of Tyrion and brings another half smile to my face. "I remember how horrible my Grandfather looked at the end and I've seen the most handsome men decide to turn my life into a mess. You are the only on who actually came looking for me in all this time."

"Well Viserys helped." He pauses and I can perfectly picture the wince his lips have formed. "... And the Tyrells I guess."

"I've had years to get used to the idea of your appearance and your letters made it clear Viserys didn't make his choice from desperation alone." I admit finally when I realize how much he needs to hear the words. "What if we get one of Viserys' priests to do a quick wedding just for us. Viserys can be our witness."

"You don't want it done in a Sept?" The question just makes me smirk in amusement.

"Even if I believed in the Seven before..." And I really didn't, not a single prayer was answered after I went to Dorne. "Last prayer that I had answered, was when I was with Viserys in the sewers beneath King's Landing. You find him and a few weeks later me?" The more I think about it, the more it makes perfect sense to me.

"We can see about hatching those eggs Viserys left for everyone." Really secure my spot as the second favourite before my uncle can completely overshadow us all. "He must have learned how while he was in Volantis."

Lifting his far-eye up to scan the city for a safe spot to land, Tyrion lets out a series of light chuckles. "Well we can ask him soon. It looks like he's had three balconies cleared and marked."

"Where am I looking?" I try not to drop the valuable tool and peer at the split city of Volantis.

The poorer side of the city is easy to distinguish, with most of it's buildings made from brightly painted wood. Between the halves is a bridge longer and wider than all of the ones Daemon insisted we waste our time building. The homes and shops here are even lower quality and remind me of the poorer areas on King's Landing.

The rich side of the city has impressive walls made from fused black stone and the manses could easily be replaced by a hundred homes. Temples dot the streets and are easily identified by the gold, silver, and precious jewels adorning them.

By far the largest of them all, the Temple of R'hllor towers above it's neighbours. Like Tyrion said, three balconies are bedecked with different banners.

Each one is higher than the roofs of the nearest buildings and I steer us towards the balcony bedecked with the Martell Banner. The other two already prepared are decorated by Targaryen or Blackfyre banners and I make a note to have the red dragons replaced with the Dayne sigil.

Swallowing my anxiety at seeing Viserys again, I whistle for Riannex to descend towards her temporary roost. With nothing around to hamper her wings, my ebony dragon lands with more grace than she manages in the fog filled Sorrows.

"Rhaenys!" One of the people waiting screeches my name the second we slide off of Riannex's back.

He charges towards us with a strangely reserved set of facial expressions after his outburst. Even with his new look, the fact that Riannex doesn't even react to him is all the proof I need.

"Viserys!" My own reply has more than enough emotion for the both of us and I throw myself into his arms with a relieved sob. "I missed you so much."

"... Uh." Tyrion interupts with a shock filled voice. "What the hell happened to your neck?"

I push my now raven haired uncle away and examine his tanned skin. When He tilts upwards and reveals a line of stitches along throat, I nearly collapse with a gasp.

"Oh this?" Viserys reaches up and strokes the jagged red line with a frown. "I died again. But don't worry, Moqorro brought me back and Margaery made sure I didn't lose my head over the whole thing."

I know it's supposed to be a joke, but the casual ease he has at speaking of a second death drains the blood from my face. I want to insist he's lying and am shocked at the raw devotion in the red robed people behind him.

Only the pair dressed in an orange and bronze version of the white cloaks armour seem indifferent to the words. The only one who rolls her eyes at my uncles poor attempt at humour must be Margaery Tyrell based on the hair. And being the only one lacks of any kind of tan at all.

"I need to tell you what happened to Quentyn." Better lance the boil before it gets infected even more.

Viserys listens but doesn't change his rather bland expression for the duration. Not even when I start tearing up again does he visibly react. It's only because Tyrion grabs my hand and squeezes that I can even finish the explanation under the weight of my own guilt.

"You do remember me stabbing our grandfather?" Bluntly and with no care for our audience, Viserys reveals his biggest secret. "Or what about me ordering men drowned with high tide? You feel bad about what you did and I don't, so who's really the monster?"

"But he was going to burn the whole city!" I can't let him destroy his reputation like this and bellow my denial for all of the temple to hear. "You cured Greyscale!"

"And Illyrio started a war and he brought biological attacks to Westeros." His voice is firm and demands I listen. "Quentyn died keeping those monsters away from you. Do not insult his sacrifice by blaming yourself."

"... Thank you." I really needed to hear that.

Shaking his head to clear away to annoyance, Viserys has a smile again on his face. "Now I'm supposed to teach the Maesters some magic today, you two want to sit in on the lesson?" He ignores our stunned silence and carries on as if we agreed. "I'm running out of science I can pass of as magic, so I think I'm going to show them one of the things I picked up in Valyria."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 38: The Pursuit Of Knowledge Is a Pain In The Ass
Joffrey Baratheon
​

"Good luck," Dany scowls at the citadel behind me, making our host Asha Tyrell grunt in amusement.

"You're the one who doesn't trust us with your dragon." She pats the disguised Sand girl on the head and shrugs. "Probably for the best though, I don't think you can pull off acting like a boy well enough."

I wouldn't want her to. That thought surprises me when it worms out of the back of my mind.

"Boys don't really tend to have pink hair." Agrees the smirking 'boy'. "You can go fly around with Lady Asha and keep everyone in the city distracted for us. Prince Joffrey and I, will find out what these old men know about your brother."

I want to say Alleras thinks too highly of 'himself'. But truthfully, they've pulled off the deception for nearly a year now.

"I'll meet you back at the Hightower." With a reassuring smile I give Dany's hand a squeeze and force my own nerves down. "They may not let a woman inside, but they will not refuse the crown prince." Even if Mother's proclamation has been sent to Oldtown, my status will still be the same.

"I already told you Garlan and Margaery went to the Summer Islands." Grunts the rather plain looking Lady Asha. Though she's better looking than any other Ironborn I've ever seen. "Even offered you two a ship if you wanted one."

I need to make sure you aren't still secretly working with your uncle Victarion. "And I already told you, that we need to confirm this for ourselves first." Or even worse... that old thorn bush Olenna, Father always complained about.

"For all we know, you're going to sink the ship once it's to far for us to fly back." Dany points out with a barely concealed scowl that makes my lips quirk for a moment.

It didn't take long for her to realize how many people will be against us and our need to keep ourselves safe. We will need proper protection and fast.

I wonder if Duncan would agree to be the commander of our Kingsguard? The Selmy had some of the best teach him and now he has a dragon of his own. Having him giving his support would be a huge boon to our campaign.

If Jenn can be found, her and Bella will need to be spoken with. Can't let either of them get it in their heads to try for our throne.

"That's not a bad idea," Admits a grinning Asha, her short boyish brown hair shaking with her laughter. "You want to share anymore ideas for taking out a dragon?"

"How much is it worth to you?" I hold up my hand to silence a now fuming Dany.

"What do you want?" Eager eyes shine as Asha begins her bargaining.

"Three sure fire ways to kill a dragon, but you and your husband need to support us in the Great Council I'm going to call." Dany's rage barely softens a single degree and I know my words need to be perfect.

"Will you make the Iron Islands it's own Kingdom again?" She's actually not that horrible at this... for an Ironborn that is.

I nod firmly and hold out my hand, which Lady Tyrell shakes three times. "Starving anything works." I hold up one finger and watch realization appear in Dany's piercing eyes. "You can bury one alive."

Asha rolls her eyes and hisses in frustration when my second finger goes up. "And I don't know many things that can survive having it's head removed."

"So we can count on you support?" Daenerys asks the sputtering Asha as I'm lead inside the rather small Citadel.

"I expected something a lot... bigger." I admit to Alleras with a frown creasing my brow. "This is supposed to be the seat of Westerosi knowledge after all." It's not even a third of the size of the Red Keep and the other buildings in this city are all built on a far grander scale than the Targaryens had in their capital.

"You won't like how much is guess work, the farther back you go in 'history'." My guide explains as the doors creak shut behind us and my eyes take a moment to adjust to the dim light inside.

As interesting as that is, i only really care about the most recent knowledge these bookish men have acquired. "It's the wizards I'm interested in and I need to speak with the Archmaester of Magic."

He's the one who will be able to answer my questions. No matter how hard I have to ask him, Viserys will be found.

"Marywn is teaching a class right now, you can watch from the observatory if you would like." Offers a pudgy Maester with squinting brown eyes.

His companion realizes who I am and elbows his elder in the ribs. "Prince Joffrey, it is an honour for us to receive you in our halls." I like this one, maybe I should see about having him trained as Pycelle's replacement.

The fat one with only a few links less than Grandfather's puppet straightens in shock. "Prince Joffrey? Forgive me for my casual regard, I meant no insult my prince."

"It's fine, you gave me the information I needed." And had an appropriate level of apology once your error was realized. You followed the social rules and so will I.

"My guide Alleras will be able to show me the way." I don't have time for you to waddle after us or the one I actually like to suck up properly.

"I'm in a hurry and after some very vital information." My tone silences any argument but I don't want anyone spreading rumours of me being too harsh. "Once I'm on the throne, we're going to need to see about getting the Citadel brought up to the visual standard of it's neighbours. The throne has ignored knowledge for far too long."

Alleras leads me through a series of narrow corridors and shoulders the other novices out of 'his' way with great pleasure at using the power of my title. "You should consider opening a second branch, maybe one which allows women to study?"

It's not a bad idea. "The Faith has Septas and Septons, with both serving different needs." It would give me a source of learned people devoted entirely to Dany and myself.

One of the only things that Viserys and Father ever really argued about, was a woman's place. It took many nights of discussion but Father was eventually convinced everybody has different talents. Mother might not be a tactician, but she's far better at keeping the lords calm than Father was.

Viserys described it as different kinds of intelligence and even a brute could be physically smart. Sandor was all the proof I needed to see his words had truth.

"Is this the place?"We come to a stop outside an old wooden door, the white paint peeling and yellowed with age.

"This is just the stairs." Smirks Alleras with some hidden knowledge. "Just remember that the colours get lighter towards the entrance."

I'm lead up a winding staircase before being taken across a bridge only wide enough for use to walk single file. We're high above the waves crashing on the rocks below and I try not to feel frightened by the lack of walls. It was way higher on Viserion... why am I so scared now?

Still smug on how easily I handled Lady Tyrell, I manage to cross without any issue. I give my amused guide a scowl and curse whoever built this place.

"Why is this place such a maze?" It can't be convenient getting around.

"The pursuit of knowledge is never easy." With rolling eyes, Alleras gives me a very unsatisfying answer. "It's frustratingly confusing and filled with a bunch of dead ends."

When we finally do reach a dark yellow door that almost looks brown, Alleras gives a nod to the oddly muscular man in brown robes standing watch outside. "Prince Joffrey is here to speak with Maester Marwyn. He came all the way her on dragon back and is looking for information only the Archmaester can provide."

'He' gives me an apologetic smile as the burly maester blinks in shocked silence while he processes the words. "Sorry that I can't actually tell you myself, but we all got sworn to silence by our teacher." What are you talking about? "Since it only kept you from finding out for a few hours, I hope you don't blame me for not talking about it in front of Asha."

"That depends on what I'm about to find out." Or what you try and do to me if this is a trap.

"Let me check with the Archmaester first." Once he recovers from his shock, the man with arms as thick as both my legs combined knocks on the door.

It only takes a few seconds for someone to answer, but each one feels like a minute as I wait in awkward silence. "What is it?" A frazzled old man with a prominent link of Valyrian steel sticks his head between the crack he allows from the door. "Viserys doesn't have much time for the lesson this month and I'd really like to find out how this rock he found explodes when it touches water."

Ignoring the insanity of such a claim, I interrupt with a shocked calmness. "What are you talking about?" Has he been hiding here this entire time!

"Well this is awkward." The man I realize must be Marwyn sighs at the sight of me. "You're Prince Joffrey I assume?" He's a smart man, or at least an observant one I realize.

He notices the prominent display of both Baratheon and Lannister crests with a hawk like focus. I prefer yellow and red together anyway. Black is far to slimming on me when I really need to look more bulky and gold is just overdone.

"You assume correctly." I hiss back and barely stop myself from reaching for the sword at my hip. "Now you better have a good reason for having Viserys here."

He flinches back from my snarl and shakes his head in denial. "You misunderstand my prince. Viserys isn't here, he's just found a way to communicate with us from wherever he is."

"How can such a thing be possible?" Frowning at such foolishness, my eyes go wide when Marwyn finally opens the door completely.

Inside the room is what I recognize from my lessons as a glass candle and it's glowing a warm orange colour as it emits a similarly hued mist. It takes the shape of a head the size of a horse and for several seconds my frown only grows at the sight of a stranger.

When he notices my entrance though and speaks, all my doubt is washed away in a single moment of triumph. "Joffrey? Is that you?"

I nod in shock, finding my tongue far too heavy to speak with. That brings a strange smile to Viserys' face, one that doesn't quite reach his now Indigo eyes. I wonder if it's the magical communication making him look so odd.

"It's been a long time. Are you still following the rules?" He's very intent on my answer and I finally manage to move my mouth.

"Yes." Growling at how many others are standing in the way of fairness, I explain the situation to Viserys. "But Mother doesn't seem happy with me being King. So Dany and I came here to find you, we need help calling a Great Council."

Approval shines in his eyes and he turns away for a second, calling out in triumph to someone with him. After he finishes bragging about me and my cheeks get incredibly warm, Viserys looks back and the smile becomes one a little manic with it's intensity.

"Is that what you really want?" Viserys never wanted to be king and I hope he doesn't disapprove of Dany and I's ambition. "Because if so, I'm really proud of the way you're going about it."

That makes my entire body as warm as my cheeks and I know I must look red as my Lannister colours. "Daenerys and I both do."

When I explain our intent to marry and rule together, Viserys doesn't even flinch. Though his response shocks me right to the core.

"I was a child and I had very limited options when your grandfather got to King's Landing." He admits with a shrug. Though how I can tell without seeing his entire body is something I will puzzle out later.

"My own father had ruined the family name and my brother ensured we had no allies. Every choice I made was about making sure my family lived to adulthood and if Dany is deciding to get married... it seems I succeeded with at least one positive change."

"Garlan should be back in a few days with the Potassium I found in Volantis, tell him and Asha that you two have my full support." Viserys smiles at me and then winks when he remembers something. "And you darn well better tell me when the wedding is. I should have things here in Volantis wrapped up by then."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 39: Travel Plans
Jennelyn Baratheon
​

As we circle the keep and give every in Winterfell time to prepare somewhere for us to land, Mance tenses up more than he has the entire flight. "It's going to be fine, no one is going to do anything to you today." They'll be too happy you brought me back for my punishment.

"I'm more worried about the other dragons you mentioned." He admits with a grunt. "And very glad we didn't try sneaking past you if you truly have four of these creatures." Eddrigon can tell he's being spoken about and preens under the praise.

"Good call." We probably would have been forced to burn most of the boats if we saw you.

He chuckles back in response and turns the comment back on me with a sudden seriousness. "We're still in agreement on the plan?"

"I don't know why you think we'd care who you lay with." Grunts Mance with an audible smirk. "But if that's enough to keep you two around as protection..." He trails off and laughs once more. "I'm not going to question southern stupidity."

"I just have to be strong enough to keep what I want?" The change of rules is refreshing and after a few days of conversation with Mance, I'm eager to start acting like one of them upon our return to Hardhome.

"Exactly."

With that reward on the table, I swallow my worry and give Ed the command to descend. Looks like they already have a spot for a dragon to land cleared out. I wonder if Bella is still here?

Our stop at Skagos was delayed too long and by the time we arrived, Mother had already gone to the Stark family castle. Hope she hasn't already gone to Bear Island, I'd really like someone to be on my side for this conversation with Uncle Ned.

Ed's yellow body gleams in the sun as he comes to a careful rest behind the smithy. Everyone in the courtyard already lined up a safe distance away from the kicked up snow.

"It's about time you came home." Mother's voice cuts through the tense silence as I push Mance down first. "I was-"

"Where is Sansa?" Shrieks a voice I can barely remember. Aunt Catelyn... but what does she mean about Sansa?

"I..." The words throw me off and confusion flickers across me face. "What?"

"Sansa and Gendry vanished in the night, with only a note that they had gone North to find you in Sansa's room." My scowling mother explains and I finally understand the uncertainty in my families eyes. They don't know whether to hate me or demand I go look for my cousin.

My uncle stays focused though and his grey eyes narrow on Mance beside me. "Who is this?"

"This is Mance Rayder. He used to be the King beyond the Wall." Still is, but a little white lie should help convince the Northmen to help. "I stole the Free Folk and need help getting the all to Essos."

Shocked silence fills the yard as no one seems capable of forming a response. It takes my uncle a solid five seconds to recover and once he does, his tired eyes turn to me slowly.

"You... 'stole' the Wildlings?" His lips are pulled into a tight frown. "Would you care to explain that more clearly?"

"The Ironborn took almost all the warriors during the Insurrection and left the rest to die against horrors you can't even imagine." No point in being gentle, better to just dump all the knowledge at once.

"It's true," Mance speaks once I'm finished. "And the 'Queen' did what none of us had been able. She gave us hope when she slew one of them."

Mother chimes in now with a growl. "A child did what a grown man couldn't?"

My fear from my duel suddenly fills me and my pale face stops my mother before she can really get going. I hold up my left arm and start unwrapping the bandages, revealing the skin still left blackened by the frost.

"It was some kind of man and he seemed to be made of the very ice itself." My words echo in the silence. "He controlled the snow and even worse... the dead are like puppets to them."

"Grief can make a person see many things as they aren't." Uncle Ned tries to reason with me but I shake my head firmly.

"I was the one who had a weapon explode in my hands!" I roar at his placating face and demand he look at the dozens of still healing wounds on my arm. "I was the one who almost died!" Panting in rage, I watch the crowd flinch back from my fury.

"We came to warn you and ask for your help crossing the Narrow Sea." My growl is bitter with resignation as I level tired eyes on my family. "But it seems I must do it myself."

Mother tries to stop us from a quick escape on Ed with a grim voice. "You have a dragon. Who are we to doubt your claim without even checking first?" She scowls at everyone who murmurs embarrassed agreement.

"Since the Wall was first built, have we North men been plagued by Wildling raids." Agrees Uncle Ned with a look of pride being sent my way. "If all it takes to be rid of them forever is a little bit of help, I believe it would be best to send a Raven to Lord Manderly. He can have supplies and shipwrights sent to speed up this migration."

"It can't be this easy." Mance mutters and I'm forced to agree with his words with a confused nod. "You've been killing Free Folk for millennia."

"And Wildlings have been raiding us for just as long." Counters my stone faced uncle. "But since you took over, the Wall has been strangely silent."

Shrugging at the unspoken praise, Mance explains how the meeting with Victarion went all those years ago. He twists the truth as we already agreed and says the more aggressive clans are the ones who joined them in the attack on the North. Mance claims he tried to argue for escape to Essos but many had not the patience to wait for a fleet to be built.

"We help you and all the Wildlings will just... leave?" Mother's voice is filled with doubt and I speak up again.

"They can agree on the need to leave," I admit with a wince. "But Essos is big. The plan is for them to split off as we go East."

The Dothraki will be a problem but the Maesters say they leave the forest of Ifeqeveren alone. It's more than big enough for Ed and I to vanish inside, with whoever chooses to follow me that far.

If Lord Baelish's rumours are true, I could even make the time to go check out the claims of dragons along the Rhoyne. "Your help will only have you rid of us even faster."

"Already counting yourself among the savages?" Aunt Catelyn's face is still locked on my own, her eyes simmering with rage.

"Savages who will start looking for your daughter as soon as we return." Not willing to take such an insult, Mance crosses his arms with a stormy expression growing on his face. "Savages who want to live to see the next spring." Savages who don't care what kind of person you are, as long as you are strong enough to defend your beliefs.

"My apologies," I blink as my aunt takes a deep breath to steady herself. "I want to blame someone for the incident but know it's not you Jenn. My sister explained what happened and the blame is not on any of you children."

With that weight suddenly torn from my shoulders, I manage to meet my aunt's eyes with only a slight tremble to my lip. "I'm so sorry."

By the time I get the last word out, I'm crying along with the rest of my family. Even uncle Ned has a couple tears escaping in the chaos.

"Robb pushed them out of the way before I could do anything." He had enough time to throw himself aside if he wanted. "He saved them and I can never say thank you." But instead he saved as many people as he could.

"Starks don't need thanks for protecting family." Uncle Ned puts a hand on my shoulder and pulls us me into a hug.

"Neither do Tullys." Adds his wife and I know she's talking about her brother Edmure. "I'm filled with grief and rage about my children." She admits as she joins the hug, pinning me in from the other side. "But never doubt I've been worried about you as well."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 40: Rehearsal
Viserys Ashtar
​

"I only made a few proclamations when I was King of Westeros." My contented smile darts back and forth between Tyrion and my niece. "I made the offer when I was six, so this has been a long time coming."

"It's really such a simple ceremony?" Tyrion frowns at the brazier overlooking the filled plaza outside and turns back to me with doubt laden eyes. "We just walk out and you ask us a few questions?"

I'm thinking ahead for when I'll need to marry myself off to secure an alliance and I don't want anything drawn out. "Well and the Ceremony of Flames Unity." Both of them have already prepared their hands for the 'magic' and give me nervous nods.

"Stop worrying." Rolling my eyes at the pairs still present doubt, I cross my orange arms over my bonfire reminiscent robes in a huff. "Even if something goes wrong, I'll just have one of the priests bring you back to life and finish the ceremony."

Tyrion quickly tries to appease my annoyance. "I just expected something fancier. I'm quite pleased by what you came up with."

"It wasn't me remember." My reminder gets a snort from the observing Spitlick, who has yet to master the art of being a silent protecter. "I'm just acting on R'hllor's will and purging the improper practices from the Faith."

I also tripled the worshippers in a week. So as long as I don't go too far off the real R'hllor's plan, he shouldn't have too much to complain about. If he does, he can get to work fixing things once I'm ash in a few years.

"Just make sure you oil your hands up properly right before you come outside." My reminder comes with a pointed thumb towards an urn full of the flammable gel. "Otherwise the fire really will burn you both. And even if I can bring you back, it still hurts to die."

"I promise I'll look after Rhaenys for you now." Tyrion's words get a snort from his betrothed and we both turn to her amused eyes.

"I think you mean that we'll look after each other." She seems to be the eager one out of the pair and I wonder if her options in the Sorrows had really been so horrible. "We've both been making some pretty horrible choices on our own."

Sensing that the mood's about to shift for the worse again, I hold up a hand to get attention back on myself. Though how anyone can look at anything but this tricolour monstrosity they call robe, I have no idea.

"Who here ran into a castle known to be infected with Greyscale?" Nobody answers but I do see Spitlick and Elyse give me looks of respect from their position guarding the door. "How about going to the Doom of Valyria, who here has gone to that death trap?"

Again I get no answer which makes me smirk at the pair about to be wed. "Didn't think so." Glancing back at old crew members and letting out a chuckle, I bring out the big guns. "Guess I don't need to ask if either of them blew up a volcano or started a revolution with absolutely no planning."

The fact that all of those things worked isn't the point. Each and every one of them was a completely stupid idea.

"Now I'm going to walk out and get the crowd warmed up. You two only need to come out once I give the signal." I get to spend ten minutes giving a made up reason to my madness. "I need to explain things to everyone and get them to line up properly for you."

A few hundred carefully selected people are lining the stairs down, the front row of the crowd, and the stairs up to the door that leads to Riannex's balcony. Coppernicus stole the pigs wallow for himself behind the temple. But considering not many survived the victory feast when I took over, it's space going to a good use.

"You have the wick?" Stopping myself right behind the curtains I ask Rhaenys, who points at the string on her wrist that Tyrion tied on securely hours ago. "And you have the wax?"I almost smack myself for how close I was to forgetting but my short friend with the big ideas picks up his vase of melted wax.

"We have everything," Snorts Tyrion as he stage whispers to my blushing niece. "Now look who's trying to delay things. Do you think your uncle has a fear of public speaking?"

"Doesn't bother me at all." Honestly... the more people in a place, the easier it is for me to speak without getting nervous. "Unless of course someone else decides to send a giant shadow demon after me."

I doubt they would after such a public attempt failed, but we're doing this underneath a pair of dragons for a reason. Daemon and Margaery will be first and second in line with candles to receive some of R'hllor's fire.

Once this is over, the newly weds just need to go find Gerold and send him back to swear allegiance to me. After that, they can go have a 'proper' Westerosi wedding and then go have a vacation in my sandcastle.

Emerging from the curtains with a wave at the crowd below, I spend a solid five minutes explaining how love is like fire. "It keeps you warm when the world is trying to make you numb. Just like R'hllor's love for his children endures against the Other's cold touch!"

"First to share their love before the eyes of the Faithful Fire, my niece Rhaenys Targaryen and friend Tyrion Lannister will be joined in holy matrimony here before you all." As long we don't get a big gust of wind at the wrong time.

At that signal, the pair emerge in matching grey wool robes that I know will be left on the balcony drenched with sweat. Tyrion holds up his vase of red wax and lets Rhaenys dip the extremely thick knotted wick into it.

It only takes a few tries before a good enough candle is ready and I take the beautiful sunset as blessing to continue. I never considered myself faithful in any way or even a non believer. I was definitely agnostic in my first life but someone keeps bringing me back. Would be rude if I followed another religion after such a favour.

"Acting as witnesses, let us now see if R'hllor blesses this union!" My words boom in the plaza below and is echoed by the crowd.

Tyrion and Rhaenys clasp hands already coated in the evaporating oil over the lit candle in my own hands. If the fire goes out, the wedding is ended right then and their. But if it works like the tests confirmed, they will have almost twenty seconds to move the fire to the candle they made together.

With baited breath I watch and expect something horrible to happen. But t my great relief the clasped hands roar with green fire that becomes the normal orange once they pass it to their shabby looking crimson stick of wax.

"R'hllor approves!" My cheer roars through the people again and I finally relax when the green flame sputters out safely. "Now let them share his blessing of love with you all before they bring his light to Westeros." I really don't care if they do or not, I've got enough problems to deal with here in Essos already.

The two are nearly skipping down the black stone stairs and almost go right past Daemon in their bliss. When they notice him at the last moment, Rhaenys barely manages to reach back with the candle to light his.

Realizing they should have made it a whole lot thicker, the newly weds are forced to go fast or risk missing those at the end of the line. By the time the do reach the end, both of them have crimson hands and the stairs look like they're covered in blood once more.

"Next time let's use yellow or orange wax instead." My comment gets a chuckle from the surprsisingly relaxed Daemon Blackfyre, who I'm finding myself becoming fast friends with. "In hindsight, this wasn't my best choice."

Really should have just let Margaery handle it but no... I had to insist on proving I can plan a wedding as well as she can wield a sword. Though many men will be thanking me for how painless I just made that whole process. I'll allow myself to take pride in that going forward.​

 

[Flightless Man]

I keep trying to write more of this story, but I can't do it. I'm completly burned out and have spent at least 15 hours staring at a blank page. So this is my outline for the rest of the story.

Book 2:
Was going to go back and edit/retcon every mention of Robb dying, to his younger brother Jon dying instead.

Dale and Davos are on the Westerosi fleet blockading Braavos, Gerold Dayne arrives and burns a huge chunk of the fleet. Davos dies and Dale barely manages to swim to shore, getting captured.

Rhaenys and Tyrion arrive and get Gerold to swear himself to Viserys. Becomes ruler of Pentos. He starts putting pressure on Myr/Tyrosh/Lys during his rule.

Quaithe arrives in Volantis and starts talking to Margaery.

Sansa, Gendry, and Jojen, find Ygritte's group and get help going to Bloodraven (so unlike Bran, Sansa has limited contact with Hardhome.). Jojen is saved from death by Sansa and is sent with the Freefolk to Essos/Ifeqeveren(when they leave).

Loras becomes Dany/Joffrey's bodyguard and Garlan/Asha back them. Olenna finally sees her grandchildren have their own plans and she lets them take over her network.

Duncan and Meera finally arrive at Starfall and he's being watched by Bloodraven.

Arianne wakes up in Summerhall Abbey with Aegon and they make plans to sneak down to Dorne and get help from her dad.

Cersei tells Orys and Elyssa that their Father will be home soon and the can finally all be a family. She sends a raven to Jaime for help looking after Viserys' children.

Book 3:

Euron got infected with the fire maggot parasites, but found a way to stave it off with Deep One aid. He's in Mantarys and working with the shadowbinders who tried killing Viserys. Euron blames Viserys for everything and was the one warging one of the toungeless people (he was imprinting the sigils, so Victarion could get vengeance).

When Viserys and Margaery start bringing their army to Slaver's Bay, Euron uses a barrel of Valyrian Fire to blow up a pass/cause a landslide. Euron kills himself thinknig he's killing Viserys, only for Viserys to get revived and not recognize the pulped body. Euron never gets credit for his attack.

Viserys is now in the bargaining stage of death and will exchange his morals for results.

Dany, Joffrey, Duncan, Rhaenys, Tyrion, Bae/Jae and Brynded, Aegon, Arianne, the Starks and Bella are in Sunspear for the Rha/Tyr wedding. Joff and Dany look for support. Bella is convinced by Littlefinger and Roose, that going solo may be better for the North. Domeric is dead and Ramsey is pushed at Bella. The shoeless sparrow tries convinving Aegon to go for the throne when he returns to the Abbey.

Ellaria Sand wants revenge on Tyrion/Rhaenys. We get a suicidal wedding attack from the people Tyrion hurt in his takeover (people who infiltrated and are serving/performing at the wedding).

Sansa learns the Deep Ones are behind a lot of humanities devastation over the years. They caused Hardhome and the doome, by tunneling under the sea into volcanic areas and blowing them up. Asshai is learned to be the dragonstone of the Empire of the Dawn (a far off colony that barely suvived). It was the only coastal city in the empire and was finally infiltrated by the Deep Ones. The empire fell, the original Long Night was a magically nuclear winter.

SANSA LEARNS: Yi-Ti, the Thousand Isles, and Valyria are where the upper class survivors went and created a flame/ice/storm empire of equal greatness. All three warred for domincance (the middle class survivors found Ghiscar, the smallfolk become the other Essos cultures, the slaves become the First Men and flee as far west as possible.

Valyria beats Thousand Isles (with Deep One intel) and melts them, flooding the isles, arm of Dorne, and the Neck.Children take credit for the flooding. The survivors of the Thousand isles flee west, the nobles go to the land of always winter with the few ice dragons they saved, the rest flee to Iron Islands under guidance of Deep Ones (they make a pact with the Ironborn and say they wills ave them,b ut they can never advance beyond a certain point and have to raid anyone who does. The mutated people who remain on 1k islands are the descendents of the Deep Ones expermients on the slaves who couldn't flee.

Second Long Night occurs when the noble ice suvivors tranform into the Others and try freezing the oceans. Deep Ones create 700 foot wave of salt water to scour all life/death from the North/far North. Others freze it with help of children, giants rune magic (who are cursed by deep ones to become barely smarter than beasts) and humans.

Humans agree to man the wall and break it down to rubble, Children and Giants work on Horn of Winter to break the wall faster, but then the Knight's King goes rogue and the pact is broken. Now the Watch is guarding the wall from the workers left on the north side.

Horn was broken in skirmish and Others are pissed Humans are now building the wall higher. The decide to freeze the world again to kill the Deep Ones who have been growing more active in the last few centuries.
...


Theon brings Sansa, Jojen, Ygritte, and his Freefolk + Children of Forest to Ifeqeveren. They find an Ibbenese whaling ship and help it face a sea monster.

Mance goes to Lorath, Tormund goes to the Jhogwin with the giants, and Jenn brings hers to Saath. Jenn encounters the scattered Dotharki and unites them, thinking Viserys is some evil Targ warlord.

Jenn learns Viserys is trying to take over Slaver's Bay and rushes to help save them from a dragon riding warlord. She frees the unsullied and takes over while Viserys is busy in Mantarys with Euron/digging the rockslide clear.

A few skirmishes/one main battle and Jenn submits to Viserys (well really she submits to Margaery's arguement.) Margaaery spends most of book 3 learning she's not actually smarter than everyone and learning a lot about ruling (since everyone thinks she's my queen).

Braavos is leery of the new Freehold but approves of the anti slavery, so sends agents to investigate. The Faceless Men don't approve of someone claiming to be immune to death and go after Viserys. One kills him and his revival ends with the paraphrased line "I already told your god, not today." The Faceless Men get subverted by this and start working with Viserys. Viserys is now on the Anger stage of death and basically becomes the villain.

Daemon and Gerold come to conflict in Viserys absence. Gerold is winning until Rhaenys and Tyrion arrive, Gerold is killed when Tyrion leaps onto Gerold's dragon and drives Talon/Fang into gerold's back. Tyrion dies killing Gerold and saving Braavos from dragonfire. Rhaenys is pregnant.

Cersei learns of the Great Council being called and is furious, but Tywin convinces her to go. She's also mad Jaime never came (he's with shireen working with the Deep Ones to destroy the Citadel and perpetuate the cycle of destroying humanities advanced knowledge.).

Council happens and Joffrey/Dany are backed by the Mander, Dorne, A third of the Stormlands, and half the Riverlands.
Cersei +Orys/Elyssa have Crownlands, a third of the Stormlands, Westerlands, and it looks like the Iron Islands + Steppstones.
Bella and the North go for independence in the Chaos of Ned's assassination(Littlfinger's plot, but it looks like a Lannister one).
Duncan, Dorne, Aegon, and 1/3 of Stormlands are backing Arianne/Renly/Shireen/Qyle.
It looks like Viserys is a foreign invader working for/with Jenn to take Westeros.

Book 4:

War of the 5 kings/Dance of the Dragons between the different sides. Long Night 3 happens and Others, Deep Ones, and Viserys all invade Westeros at same time. Viserys kills Duncan (who ends up calling himself a Waters, because of Rhagaer being from the Crownlands). He kills Jaime who ishis next friend to try stopping him. He finally kills Margaery (she willinly does it because the ritual is apparently needed to win against the Deep Ones/Others) but this snaps him back to reality and he kisses her instead passing his spark on to Margaery and he uses himself as the sacrifice to burn the ice/evaporate the wave. Final stage of grief/death is acceptance.​