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

[Vanbers]

Tyrion's going to be very mad when he sees Viserys on a beach.

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Viserys: "So anyways, after I got tired of the weekly orgies and women throwing themselves at me, I mostly just relaxed on the beach and had scantily clad women feeding me grapes most days, and having my Dragon burn pirates when I got bored, while hanging out with Gerion. You know him, yeah? I think he said he's your favourite uncle or something.."

Tyrion: "..."

Viserys: "So, anyways man, enough about me, what's up with you? How's it been? Things are going great, right?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm loving the fact Westeros is falling apart at the seams, while Viserys is just relaxing and loving life.

I hope his sister finds him, though. She needs some family.

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 10: Made My Own Big Bad
Cersei Lannister
​

Watching the tower and wall crumble away into the sea fills me with a sense of relieved satisfaction, even as the returning Aegon is quick to take command of the situation. Once I gave word to Davos on this being Pentoshi sabotage, he was quick to raise the fleets sail.

I have Orys and his cousins climb inside Arianne's carriage and freeze right before I enter myself. The excited cries coming from the castle make me desperate to be away.

"She's not dead!" I never actually checked Arianne's body for life. The cold realization has my snap at Ser Vance angrily, getting him to snatch the reigns away from the startled driver. "Arianne's still breathing! She's just not responding, get the Maester!"

"Get us out of here." My hiss has Hugo nod stiffly, letting me slam the carriage door shut behind me.

The clomping of our escort surrounds us and I take comfort in the two score Lannister men I brought on my Father's request. Joffrey should have arrived on that frozen rock by now, so he'll have a few weeks to make his choice before my raven arrives to call him back to claim his throne.

Viserys' prophetic dreams have proven themselves true and I eagerly look forward to his return with Tyrion. You'll be so happy to see that I've cleared away the last Baratheons for you Viserys, no one will be able to stand between us now. I'm nearly at the end of the information your visions have provided and really hope you've been having more on your quest.

Letting the rhythmic splattering of mud lull me into a sensation of contentment, I think back to the day my true future was revealed. It was fate for me to be the only one in the castle to have had the fowl pox and give Viserys his bath that night.


…


"You're really starting to look like your brother, he was quite handsome himself." My words don't even seem to phase Viserys. He just shakes with each step as I bring him to the stool, carefully helping him sit down.

His skin is beet red and clammy to the touch, the fever so high I'm worried his brain will soon boil. "Come on, let's get you out of those clothes and into the cool bath. You'll feel a lot better." And I'll be able to satisfy my curiosity.

For only being a few months shy of four and ten, he's already taller than I am. Though Viserys is not quite as burly as the Baratheon beasts, he's slender and graceful like Rhaegar was.

When I reach down to help him remove his sweat drenched shirt, he grabs my wrist and locks suddenly wide eyes with my own. "If you're willing to live your whole life by some crazy woods witch's visions… how about I give you a second opinion."

His voice isn't croaking or weak like it has been all day, but he does still sound completely delirious. "Maggy might have said some pretty convincing things, they may have even gotten your friend killed when she heard them."

How does he know about that! Even Jaime doesn't know for sure that it was me.

Viserys smirks at me as his eyes roll back in his skull. "However us dragons have dreams of the future too ya know. I've seen two official versions of what could happen and a few dozen that are really just what ifs." What the in the Seven Hells is he talking about?

"It doesn't really matter if I change the names involved, the general events all seem to going according to some bastard's plan." He lets out a pitiful moan. "I may have saved my family but Edmure just died instead."

"If you really know the future, give me some real proof." Like the words of Maggy's prophecy for one thing.

"She said your kids would all have golden hair, but Shireen doesn't seem to match that description." He almost sounds smug as we finally get his boots unlaced. "Stannis doesn't have a single bastard, I know you've been looking. So it seems her numbers are also wrong."

Smirking at me, he kicks his boots away and slides backwards off the stool. Viserys land in the wash basin with a splash that sends suds across the floor, soaking my dress up to the knees.

"She was some crazy woman living alone in the woods. Don't you think she'd have used her 'gift' for herself, if it was more than just a way to get vengeance on the Lannisters?" He giggles to himself and splashes me further with the cool bath water. "Did you ever think she might have been the last Casterly trying to make your family tear itself apart?"

No… I hadn't actually considered that before. "She says you're going to have three kids and then the Valonqar will choke the life from you… sounds like having a fourth kid is what's going to be fatal."

"Uh…"

"Oh and don't worry, I won't tell anyone about Joffrey." Viserys grabs my hand and pulls me down to eye level, a look of earnestness in them. "My parents are siblings… I'm not going to judge you. Robert dies soon and you'll be Queen long after Stannis joins him in the ground."

"Stannis dies alone in a storm, his daughter sacrificed, and dragons hatch." He's lost to his ranting and most of his claims are nonsensical at the moment. "Joffrey's reign as King will be brief, his young brother left to deal with two foreign invaders from the East and rebels all across Westeros."

Tears are running down his cheeks as he presses on with his desperate sobbing. "Half the people I know end up slaughtered, your Lord Father will be slain on the shitter, and Euron intends to bring doom to the world."

I reach down and press a hand against his brow, relieved to find his temperature going down. His rambling is slowing down as well, more of absent minded muttering as he finally relaxes.

"But you know what… it doesn't even matter. The Others will kill us all in less than twenty years with an army of the dead." He's so casual about the last part, I don't think I heard him right. "Why do you all think I want out of here so badly… Westeros is cursed and nothing I do will be enough to save it from itself."

Viserys shakes his head and smirks at me with refocused eyes. "You're definitely the hottest woman alive in Westeros, at least until this younger and more beautiful Queen shows herself." He chuckles airily and scratches at his chin. "You ever consider that it's your own daughter?" Shireen will be the one to replace me?

"Since we're all dead anyway, I may as well have some fun." He mumbles something else under his breath that makes me raise an eyebrow in concern for his mental state. "Besides, Viserys is always in the back of my mind yelling at me to take over… I'll just blame this on him."

He leans closer to me for a hug and I decide to allow it, he's already ruined this dress anyway. Viserys goes past my arms and I feel a sharp slap on my backside, silence echoes in the room as I stare at Viserys.

"Oh I have so many things to teach you." He gasps when I kiss him firmly and push him down in the tub so I have room.

Shoving his babbling aside for now, I decide to ask him about it tomorrow when he has a clearer head. Tonight is about me finally getting my Prince Rhaegar… look alike.

Viserys keeps mentioning strange things like some person named Qyburn being able to create life from things thought long dead. Maybe that's who brings the dragons back? He mentions civil war threatening Joffrey's rule when Ned Stark is executed in the South, so I intend to never invite he dullard and his family South.

It's when he mentions my brother losing a hand one day and his own inescapable crown of gold that I see things unraveling how I desire finally. Jaime made clear his intent to serve Viserys' wishes... so I will make my own way forward with all this splendid knowledge.

Margaery Tyrell will never be good enough for either of my sons. I'm glad I have enough forewarning to outmaneuver that old hag Olenna. She really needs to be pruned, so the rest of the garden doesn't wither and die along with her.

He collapse by the end and I'm forced to dress him before calling for one of the servants to bring Viserys to bed. With so few able to keep working through the pox, I'll easily be able to explain hiring from farther away for a while.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Viserys: "So, anyways man, enough about me, what's up with you? How's it been? Things are going great, right?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm loving the fact Westeros is falling apart at the seams, while Viserys is just relaxing and loving life.

I hope his sister finds him, though. She needs some family.

Click to shrink...

"Hey Trion... you look kind of stressed. Want some grapes?"



Except now responsibility has found his beach. He may need to go straighten things out so he can run away again. Rhaenys is going to be his first goal once Tyrion finds him.

 

[karay]

So Viserys wanted some and Cersei gave.

 

[kanoon]

So, did Viserys actually get anything out of the Doom through the magic of destroying his Skeletor ancestor, who in your story caused said Doom and was powerful enough to bind either the souls or minds of thousands of creatures and multiple dragons? Or, did all the magic just go towards curing the disease all over the world? I know you talked about how magic radioactive blood mixing with his did something, but nothing was really said about it yet. Did he actually learn anything about the world or magic through his 5 years off or did he just get better at shooting a bow and taking an honestly deserved vacation?

I mean he heard this when he died ""You better try again and maybe choose someone a little bit more impressive this time." I can hear a gurgling sound that sounds uncomfortably like a drowning man's last gasp for air. "It's probably not a good idea if you stick them in a kid this time. You're running out of time to get people to work together.""

I feel knowing a ROB or god like monster being able to touch my soul and move it into others or wherever it wants would make almost anyone frantically terrified about learning how to stop that so you do not get eaten or can be free of soul slavery.

Otherwise I just wanted to say this is a really unique take on the world, and getting people to care about the characters and interactions they have with the world and its mysteries is great.

 

[Flightless Man]

So Viserys wanted some and Cersei gave.

Click to shrink...

Shireen's mom, has got it going on.

So, did Viserys actually get anything out of the Doom through the magic of destroying his Skeletor ancestor, who in your story caused said Doom and was powerful enough to bind either the souls or minds of thousands of creatures and multiple dragons? Or, did all the magic just go towards curing the disease all over the world? I know you talked about how magic radioactive blood mixing with his did something, but nothing was really said about it yet. Did he actually learn anything about the world or magic through his 5 years off or did he just get better at shooting a bow and taking an honestly deserved vacation?
.

Click to shrink...

Okay, yes Viserys did get something from the radioactive blood. It's something he hasn't discovered yet.

The Skeltor person, didn't cause the Doom, he was a descendent of Aurion who's army of 30k mutated along with any suvivvors in Valyria. The Deep Ones in the Smoking Sea, are behind it(Hardhome was the test because volcanoes in ASOIAF are really freaking rare as you go farther from valyria) and a few other things (anytime humans got too advanced really).

Him dying and coming back to life was the cure,

He's been heavily harrasing Victarion and making trips back into Valyria with Gerion. He knows how to make Valyrian steel (just doesn't have the industrial capability), lot's of fire/ice/ dragon/qilin lore and a few magical "cantrips".

I mean he heard this when he died ""You better try again and maybe choose someone a little bit more impressive this time." I can hear a gurgling sound that sounds uncomfortably like a drowning man's last gasp for air. "It's probably not a good idea if you stick them in a kid this time. You're running out of time to get people to work together.""
.

Click to shrink...

the Drowned God/R'hllor only watched to see witch one would revive me, since I had an Ironborn drowning and Red Priest kiss at same time. Neither is behind me being in Viserys.

I feel knowing a ROB or god like monster being able to touch my soul and move it into others or wherever it wants would make almost anyone frantically terrified about learning how to stop that so you do not get eaten or can be free of soul slavery.
.

Click to shrink...

Viserys is in denial and the second he learns how things have fallen apart (ironically all because he screwed Cersei), he'll be taking responsibility. He definitly had PTSD afer dying and needed some time for healing.

Otherwise I just wanted to say this is a really unique take on the world, and getting people to care about the characters and interactions they have with the world and its mysteries is great.

Click to shrink...

Thanks, I really like making less explored connections and he challenge of blending things into a setting. I need to know what characters care about or I have n idea what they'll do, it's my job to show it as well as I'm able.

 

[ATP]

Viserys is right - Westeros is fucked.Dunno why Cersei want crown,if she knew that either Euron or Others would end everybody/or,at least,it was message from Viserys.We do not knew what happen here/
Problem is - if Cersei knew that Viserys belive that everything is lost,why she is trying crown him? everybody die anyway,so why bother ?

Stannis is dead,Arianne alive,Shireen too,but with deep ones/or mermen?/
Only unknown are Renly and Quyburn.Well,if author need them alive,they would live.

P.S Aegon is here,Davos too,they quickly hear from Arianne what happened.What next? cyvil war? Tywin would not support Cersei now,Jaime too.I do not think,that she have any chances of winning support even one Lord.Baelish probably try remove her,when he undarstandt what happen.Joeffrey is not important.

And - it would be funny,if that was plot of evil Viserys who only pretended to be good guy,but in reality he choose to be evul overlord.

 

[Vanbers]

Viserys is right - Westeros is fucked.Dunno why Cersei want crown,if she knew that either Euron or Others would end everybody/or,at least,it was message from Viserys.We do not knew what happen here/
Problem is - if Cersei knew that Viserys belive that everything is lost,why she is trying crown him? everybody die anyway,so why bother ?

Click to shrink...

Viserys: *Outright states the plot, that Westeros is a doomed and cursed shithole, and he plans on doing everything in his power to leave*

Cersei: "Murder my children and family to summon dragons, so that I can marry you when you come back to claim the throne, got it. I understand perfectly, my love."

Cersei. Cersei no.

Like he outright states a bunch of things that are 100% true, you daft bint. Pay attention to the very important claim that is the only one not true yet. The Others are coming to murder everyone.

Why are you trying to kill everyone before they get here.

 

[Flightless Man]

Viserys is right - Westeros is fucked.Dunno why Cersei want crown,if she knew that either Euron or Others would end everybody/or,at least,it was message from Viserys.We do not knew what happen here/
Problem is - if Cersei knew that Viserys belive that everything is lost,why she is trying crown him? everybody die anyway,so why bother ?

Stannis is dead,Arianne alive,Shireen too,but with deep ones/or mermen?/
Only unknown are Renly and Quyburn.Well,if author need them alive,they would live.

P.S Aegon is here,Davos too,they quickly hear from Arianne what happened.What next? cyvil war? Tywin would not support Cersei now,Jaime too.I do not think,that she have any chances of winning support even one Lord.Baelish probably try remove her,when he undarstandt what happen.Joeffrey is not important.

And - it would be funny,if that was plot of evil Viserys who only pretended to be good guy,but in reality he choose to be evul overlord.

Click to shrink...

Cersei thinks she's getting dragons and will be Queen and Viserys can tell the future. She was crazy enough in canon to face the ddead alone, she at least has a chance here.

You're finally getting your mer girl. Well kind of but not to the degree I think you want. I need it to fit in the setting, sorry.

DAvos is on his way to Pentos and thinks they killed Stannis/Renly/Shireen/Arianne. Aegon will be looking after Arianne while she's in a coma for a while. When/if she wakes up... Dorne/Stormlands will be declaring war.

Baelish is on Skagos, He's likely going to see the 3 dragons and decide its the winning side he needs to get on board with. Hes really the only one who knows where Rhaenys is.

Well Viserys did say 2 foreign armies will be invading. MAybe Viserys will be in charge of one.

Viserys: *Outright states the plot, that Westeros is a doomed and cursed shithole, and he plans on doing everything in his power to leave*

Cersei: "Murder my children and family to summon dragons, so that I can marry you when you come back to claim the throne, got it. I understand perfectly, my love."

Cersei. Cersei no.

Like he outright states a bunch of things that are 100% true, you daft bint. Pay attention to the very important claim that is the only one not true yet. The Others are coming to murder everyone.

Why are you trying to kill everyone before they get here.

Click to shrink...

She thinks his claim of a golden crown means he'll come back to be king and not have molten gold poured on his head. That's really the only bit of future knowledge she can misinterpret.

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 11: What Are You Doing Here?
Viserys Ashtar
​

Jhala is easy to defend, only a single one of Victarion's landing parties have even reached the shore before I find them. Coppernicus' ash leaves the fleet of thirty ships drifting dead in the water, with the couple hundred being quickly overwhelmed by local defenses.

I don't let the cheers from behind the cities walls distract me and roar out the situation n the local tongue. "The slaving sack of shit Victarion, has finally grown stones big enough to face the heat of Summer!"

"Once we purge the pirates from our lands, I will follow them back where they came and show them smoke and screams in vengeance!" Roars of support come from the soldiers wielding golden heart bows and that sense of restlessness vanishes.

Vacation's over, time to get off my ass and finally deal with Victarion for good. No more simply harassing his ships… now it's time to make these seas safe for all to travel.

Besides, it's probably been long enough that I won't cause any problems between Arianne and Renly. She probably barely even remembers me anymore.

I leave the city to rally it's own defenses and gather it's fleet for retaliation, my mind racing as a sixth pillar of smoke rises on Omboru on the horizon. "How did that damned moron plan this attack out so perfectly?"

Getting to dark for me to really see anything. With a wince I scrap the back of my arm against Coppernicus' scales hard enough to draw blood. "Sylvie."

The High Valyrian word for wisdom makes me blood tingle as my senses are shared with my dragon. My suicidal bombing in Valyria jump started the waxing of the worlds magic by a few years. The few bits of ancient dragonlord magic I've found, have all started working for me as long as they use Coppernicus as the magical component.

The quick trips Gerion and I have been taking into Valyria the last five years have noticeably increased the Summer Isles wealth. I can only assume the temptation has finally grown to big to resist any longer. I'm going to show his fleet why only an idiot tries to steal from a dragon.

We bound across the island in a series of gliding leaps, Coppernicus crossing a mile or more at a time. Each time we crash down in the jungle he dashes forward and then throws him back into the air with powerful flaps.

He even manages to clear the entire four miles between the islands, the remnants of the afternoon's thermals giving him just enough lift to slam down on the white sandy beach. "Let's go boy, time to prove to everyone you're only scary to the bad guys!"

Howling his agreement, he charges towards the nearest settlement. The eight ships anchored off shore and the skeleton crews are easy targets, the shrieks of agony thankfully even briefer as Nicus' warm himself up.

We slam into the raiders at the city gates, his spiked tail sends them flying by the dozen as he thrashes wildly. Only a luck blow on one of his joints, his wing membrane, or his eyes, will be able to bring Coppernicus down with castle forged steel. After a few dozen skirmishes, I know most of the pirates are lucky to have serviceable iron.

"You want to live, you better be naked and face down in the sand before it's your turn!" My conditions of surrender actually make a few dozen comply, which leaves the rest suddenly far less sure of survival.


…


I'm drenched with sweat by the time the sun is coming up. An entire night's work and Walano is still smoking on the North shore.

"One more buddy and then you can sleep." He grumbles tiredly in response, his movements far more sluggish than when we began. "Oh don't give me that, you know I let you eat as much as you want from the days catch. You're the picky one who doesn't like tuna."

He belches out a cloud of sticky grey ash in retort, covering me in a gooey paste when it mixes with my perspiration. "Hey. What was that for Nicus?" I'm not the one who decided to attack.

When we arrive at the final town, it's shocking to find it no longer under attack. A dozen Reach ships flying Tyrell flags have trapped the Long-Cogs in the bay, the landing party rushing back to stop their escape from being taken.

"Well… I wasn't expecting that." Nicus whines his agreement, knowing full well we normally chase that kind of ship away from the islands. "Guess Olenna finally found me." Though I have no idea why Marywn kept this a secret… we had a deal.

Guess the vacation really is over. They have to have seen the forty foot dragon hopping around. So unless I want to flee to Sothoryos… time to say hi.

"Land us on the big one in the middle, we can wreck most of the other ships from it." I don't want to get the Tyrell forces thinking we're some wild animal, so we can leave the ones closest to them.

Climbing onto the town's sandstone walls, Nicus leaves deep gouges with each step forward. His weight cracks the wall down to the foundation, but it's just barely high enough for us to soar onto to Ironborn boat.

It rocks so hard it nearly capsizes, but Coppernicus shifts his weight before we flip. My eyes roam the deck and take in the shocked sailors in the midst of battle.

"Don't stop killing these lily livered cowards on my account!" Taking the chance to catch my breath, I grab an ax in each hand and ready myself for battle. "More than enough of them to go around."

I throw myself off off Nicus right as he swings his tail down into the neighboring ship. The wood splinters as if it was me snapping one of my kites and the force makes our boat rock back and forth again.
Rolling to my feet with practiced effort that I make look easy, I swing my twin weapons like a madman. Limbs fly through the air and warm blood splatters against the deck, leaving the wood slick with crimson as I hack mindlessly through the pirates.

None of them are more than decent with a weapon and that's just not good enough against as much Valyrian steel as I have on me. My axes carves right through any armor like it wasn't even being worn, while my chainmail and bullet shaped helm keep me safe from nearly every attempt to stop me.

I do feel a hot searing slash on my calf, but the dying man's last thrust got slowed down by my boot. It'll need stitching when I'm done, but the bleeding will stop soon. It's not even deep enough to reach the fat layer, I'll be fine.

"We got them all!" Someone yells at me as I whirl about for my next foe, only to find everyone hastily sheathing weapons. "… Or should I say you and your dragon did." I can kind of recognize the man's voice and I frown as a blond man approaches.

"… Willas?" I gasp in astonishment at seeing my friend for the first time since Edmure died. "Is that really you?"

He freezes mid-step and frowns. His green eyes narrow as they roam my face for anything recognizable. "Viserys?" Blinking a few times as he takes in my new hair and extremely tanned complexion, Garlan finally smiles in relief. "You look different."

"Killed some magically mutated people in Valyria and the blood wouldn't wash out." I shrug and slid my own axes back onto my belt. "What are you doing here?"

"We came to save you. Margaery thought Victarion was holding you prisoner here and the raid pretty much had me convinced." He frowns in realization and pushes me out of the brief hug. "Why are you here? Everyone thinks you're dead!"

"I died." My blunt response stops his rant in it's tracks. "Even having orgies almost every month didn't make me feel any better." I give him an honest look and don't hold any of my pain back. "I needed time before I could even think of going back to the shit hole called Westeros."

Disbelief is easy to see on Garlan's face and so I cut him off before he can start doubting. "Greyscale got cured around the world in a single day, didn't it?"

"… Yeah." His frown hasn't left completely, so I'm forced to explain what the cure actually was with an annoyed sigh.

"A dragon rider needed to give their life for the people sworn to them." I shrug as understanding finally seems to sink in. "Garen never thought a Valyrian would be able to do it and we've had a distinct lack of riders the last few centuries." I'll never forget your sacrifice Barney, but I'm not telling anyone about the wild dragons. Your babies deserve freedom from my family.

"Look, I'm going to war in a few days." I yawn and see his crew is nearly as tired. "How about you come stay with me and we can catch up."

Garlan starts to nod yes and then suddenly stops himself. "Wait. My sister Margaery is back on the 'White Rose'."

"I don't hate women or anything…" I smirk at my childhood friend. "She's more than welcome to come ashore with you."

"But you said…" The horror in his eyes almost makes me concerned. "Orgies."

It's hard not to laugh in his face but somehow I manage. "She may be as gorgeous as you with teats, but unless she strips down and shakes her ass…" I smile reassuringly at him. "She'll be left alone. We have lot's of beautiful and willing participants in the celebration."​

 

[R.A.G.]

Wonder if the "I died' will become a running gag.

"Viserys? But you're DEAD!" "Ye."

 

[Vanbers]

Wonder if the "I died' will become a running gag.

"Viserys? But you're DEAD!" "Ye."

Click to shrink...

Ah yes, the ol':

"Viserys? But weren't you killed?!"

"Sadly, yes."

"Then how-"

"But I lived!"

 

[Flightless Man]

Wonder if the "I died' will become a running gag.

"Viserys? But you're DEAD!" "Ye."

Click to shrink...

"Yeah and I've seen how you all like to follow my trends, so get ready for an army of the dead. It's only a matter of time before everyone wants to be like me and get back up. It's not like I'm special or anything."

Ah yes, the ol':

"Viserys? But weren't you killed?!"

"Sadly, yes."

"Then how-"

"But I lived!"

Click to shrink...

Dissect Thoros, he's the one who did it!

 

[ATP]

Garen was right - Valyrians would never did so.Firtunatelly for Westeros ,Viserys is genius saint human from Earth in valyrian body.

Victarion - it was extremally stupid.When Westeros start making movies,then those about him would be Death Wish and Death Wish 2.

What Viserys could do to not become King? Joeffrey and his brother are bastards.I knew - dump it on Aegon,Brienne would be great Queen.Or maybe Lyanna son?

 

[Flightless Man]

Garen was right - Valyrians would never did so.Firtunatelly for Westeros ,Viserys is genius saint human from Earth in valyrian body.

Victarion - it was extremally stupid.When Westeros start making movies,then those about him would be Death Wish and Death Wish 2.

What Viserys could do to not become King? Joeffrey and his brother are bastards.I knew - dump it on Aegon,Brienne would be great Queen.Or maybe Lyanna son?

Click to shrink...

Canon Viserys is the one who really died/spirit left my body, so I guess technically he cured Greyscale.

The clue was Barney's name. "I love you, you love me, we're one great big happy family." Viserys (both of us) saw the world as under our protection in that moment.


Well the ladies will have a Princess Bride version made. "Tales of my death have been greatly exaggerated."



Faking his death didn't work. Maybe he should just tank his reputation and make it seem like he's some depraved pervert when he returns.

"I need a wife from each kingdom, so we can finally stop arguing about this. The Lords paramount can vote on which child is my heir and they get the same deal going forward." Viserys looks around confused when no one is cheering/everyone is fine with it. "What's wrong with all of you, it's a great/terrible idea!"

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 12: Evening The Odds
Garlan Tyrell
​

My irritation at seeing Viserys so carefree was quickly washed away with his explanation for how he managed to cure Greyscale. If dying doesn't earn you a few years in the Summer Isles… nothing is good enough for the Seven.

With the early morning sun shining over the Singing Stones, I realize why he chose this cluster of islands as his home. Scores of kites line the beach on each side of the village, with some doing what looks to be elegant battle with each other.

"They got bored of just flying them," Viserys laughs when a black kite shaped like a falcon cuts the string on a parrot one. "So they added some razor wire and started fighting them for a real challenge."

"Something else you're amazing at I bet." My sister flutters her eyelashes at my long lost friend and I can't even blame her. He's some kind of exotic beauty with his skin tanned halfway to the local shade.

"Oh definitely not." The carefree smile on his face makes me relieved he's finally found some kind of peace. "Even the kids claim all my kites in battle now. I just teach the kids how to make them now and I may have accidentally introduced individual sigils to the islands in the process."

Even as children he had eyes that reminded me of Grandmother. He thought everything was going to fall on his shoulders and was just trying to prepare people. Still not sure what for exactly… he was vague about that part.

"I wasn't sure if it was the Lannisters or the Ironborn holding you captive here," Margaery giggles at how wrong she ended up being. "Which I'm very happy to have been wrong on both accounts… but the Westerosi ships being chased away still doesn't make any sense."

"Can't fight a war in my name if everyone thinks I'm dead." Smirks Viserys as he shakes his head with his own laughter, a long black ponytail swishing back and forth as he does. What was in that blood? His hair's not reflecting any light at all. "… Wait a second. How did you even know I was here?"

Returning her own smirk, Margaery holds up the engraved copper disc. "Stamping a dead man's sigil on things is a good way to make someone curious."

He grabs it and closely examines the copper, his dark purple eyes rolling in annoyance. "Well I didn't do that. Someone in the work crew has been taking artistic liberties."

Sunlight glints off of his earrings and I find the strange black barb dangling from one ear intriguing, while the three loops of Valyrian steel in his other make my eyes widen. He sent a lot back with Barristan the Bold, how much did he keep for himself?

"I was worried the Citadel told you where I was but I didn't think they'd want to give up the monopoly on my knowledge." His eyes shine with amusement and I realize even his armor is made from the rare metal. "How are the wizards they trained being accepted?"

He's the reason for the Maesters suddenly being fine with certain kinds of magic? "First year was filled with squabbling but they've proven themselves now. How in the Seven Hells did you teach them to predict the weather so accurately?"

"Valyrians had figured out how to read the winds to about a seventy percent accuracy." He shrugs as if this forgotten knowledge isn't miraculous. "When my glass candle lit up and Marywn started screaming like I was some demon, I figured I could still help you get ready. Just discreetly while I figured out who I really was."

"Ready for what?" Proving why she came, Margaery notices something I barely even acknowledged.

"Army of the dead is about a decade away from swarming the Wall." He's so casual in his delivery, it's not until we're off the boat that I have a response.

"Ha ha?" Viserys was always so dedicated in his training that I can't believe he'd just ignore something that big if it was true. He doesn't laugh and his cinnamon face changes into a grim frown. "You can't be serious."

Sighing heavily he checks around us to make sure my men are indeed breaking off to enjoy the festivities. I notice my sister's eyes are wide with an emotion I lack the skill to understand and try to keep my own on the road. Asha may be adventurous but she's incredibly possessive.

"I wish I was japing but the last war was only a warm up." Viserys shakes his head sadly and leads us out of the village, up a winding hill towards his keep. "The Citadel knows and has been sending aid to the Wall for me."

"Is that how they got two castles reopened?" I was wondering about that. It couldn't just have been the men sent up after the war, this was too recent.

He nods with nearly concealed pride. "Me and Gerion have been making trips back into the Doom every ten months about. We've been sending obsidian daggers and arrowheads up with each return."

"You hatched a dragon… even if it's not exactly like the stories described them." Margaery presses him for answers as we near the beige walls. "What other things did you learn in Valyria?"

"What do you want to know?" He glances over his shoulder with another carefree smile and waits for the blue wooden doors to creak open. "… No wait, let me guess. You want to know the same thing everyone does."

My sister frowns for only a moment and nods in understanding. "Valyrian steel?" It's what he seems to have a surplus of, makes sense to me.

"Of course you want to know." He leads us through the hallways with a casual gait. "Just because I know how to do it, doesn't mean we actually have the industrial capability to make it."

"What?" That doesn't make any sense. "How can you know how to make it but not be able to?"

Of course it's Margaery who answers, already several steps ahead of me. "You know how your clothing is made. Could you recreate it without all the tools?" She really does make me feel as smart as Father sometimes.

"Smarty pants." Snorts Viserys with a relieved grin. "Exactly. Thanks for making that easy, took Gerion days to get it."

"Well how do you make it?" I still want to know.

"Pressure forging, either deep sea or volcanic." Oh… that is tricky. "I haven't found a working forge yet, so it's still a lost art."

What has he found? That's nine or ten trips if my math is right. I'll have to double check with Margaery when Viserys goes to bed. I don't want him to think I'm an idiot, so just smile and nod while she asks the good questions.

"Second question is a tie between the cause of the Doom and the origin of dragons." He smirks as we enter what kind of resembles a solar. "So I'll answer both at once and let you get creative. Dragons are just modified wyverns, Empire of the Dawn was first to create them and a few different nations made variations."

"And the Doom?" Margaery takes the offered seat on one of the soft indigo cushions arrayed around a waist high table.

As he takes a seat across from her I notice the table looks like a six pointed star with different colored glass beads organized in triangles. "Deep Ones as far as I can tell. They dug under the sea until the could mess with a lava flow."

He points to a very detailed map of the North on the wall behind him. "Hardhome was a test run because finding active volcanoes is shockingly difficult. I only know of six other places it could have been done."

While I let that information sink in, I absentmindedly begin poking at the green beads in front of me. "What are all of these?" Hopefully his answer doesn't shake my understanding of the world.

"Yi Ti checkers, I have the Leng version somewhere but it's only for two players." Good a simple answer I can just nod back at.

Margaery can't and runs a finger along the rough textured floor that looks a lot like wet sand. "What did you make this place out of? It looks like a child's sandcastle."

"It pretty much is." The laughter from Viserys is good natured and makes me settle onto my own green emerald cushion more comfortably. "The locals have these trees with a really sticky pitch that they call rubber. They boil it and it becomes a white mud they can stick things together with, I mixed it with the sand and built Lowtide Keep."

"Is that Sothoryos?" I see one of the maps on his wall extends a lot farther South than any of the Citadel's. Several cities and smaller settlements are scattered along the shoreline with the interior mostly blank.

"Yeah…" He groans and dashes over to tear it down. "Can you pretend you didn't see that. Locals don't want anyone else knowing and I had to trade three swords for it."

Before I can assure him of our silence, Margaery speaks with confidence that makes me sigh. "What's in it for us? You seem accustomed to bribery after all."

"Want something Valyrian steel?" Viserys is more desperate than I had imaged a simple map could cause. "I have a few pieces left in the armory, or maybe you want the eggs I found last trip?" Dragon eggs? "No idea what will hatch out of those brown and white speckled things, but my guess is some kind of bird."

"Uh…" Margaery can sense Viserys' growing panic even better than me, his gaze boring into her with an intensity that is making me feel uncomfortable.

"They promised to keep them safe and Jaenaera never revealed what she found on her three year flight." Hes begging now and the awkwardness is nearly unbearable. "I can't be the reason the North lands find out about them!"

"I have a few chests of coins and one half filled with trinkets. I was going to go bury them on the beach for the kids to find but you can have them all." Finally Margaery manages to silence him by snarling in his face.

"We came looking for you because we thought you held captive!" The colored beads are sent rolling across the table as she slams her hands onto it forcefully. "I don't care about the damn South, you made it very clear we should only be worried about one direction."

Viserys lowers his gaze for a moment and looks back up with returning resolve. "I need to go East so I can go West and then we can worry about the North once we're home."

Didn't he invent the compass used by the Royal Fleet? Why is he taking such a long way back to Westeros?

"I should have gotten off my ass and dealt with Victarion years ago." Viserys claps his hands in decision and his eyes are filled with the seriousness I remember him having as a child. "Nice of him to come all the way to Naath for me, saves me nearly two whole years sailing their and back just to smoke a squid."​

 

[ThedudeManBro]

I'm truly glad his vacation/prep phase worked so well for our Boi. He's truly the king they deserve but not the king that would want it.

Spoiler: M

Better than a crippled possessed madman who "has alot of stories"

 

[ATP]

Cities in Sothorys - i hoped for monstergirls,but...since he do not want North knew about them,there must be people of Bran shipbuilder descendents.But - why they do not want North knew about them? Maybe they get local waifus and look strange? it would be not enough.
Must be something else.

P.S pity,i really hoped for monstergirls there.sniff,sniff...

 

[Flightless Man]

I'm truly glad his vacation/prep phase worked so well for our Boi. He's truly the king they deserve but not the king that would want it.

Spoiler: M

Better than a crippled possessed madman who "has alot of stories"

Click to shrink...

Got his issues mostly worked through and is ready for the madhouse again.

"I'm not trying to break the wheel, just throw it far enough away someone else has to roll it."

Cities in Sothorys - i hoped for monstergirls,but...since he do not want North knew about them,there must be people of Bran shipbuilder descendents.But - why they do not want North knew about them? Maybe they get local waifus and look strange? it would be not enough.
Must be something else.

P.S pity,i really hoped for monstergirls there.sniff,sniff...

Click to shrink...

Sothoryos was a little bit of over acting. Right now only they know about Sothoryos and he still has a final escape plan if Westeros loses.

in canon it's hinted that the Summer Islanders have mapped and will not share. So sorry, can't reveal why they're keeping it a secret. I had to spit shake on it for my muse to tell me.

You'll see a mer (ish) girl soon. Sothoryos is too much world building even farther away from Westeros.

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 13: Play Along
Margaery Tyrell
​

After a restful night in my own room decorated with a trio of exquisite tapestries. One depicts some strange city made of ice and I need to commission a piece from such an imaginative artist.

The second one above the bed has a dragon front and center on a rocky ocean shore. Though it's body is a lot flatter and more elongated in comparison to the copper darling sleeping in his cave on the beach.

It has four legs and reminds me of the painting of the lizard-lions native to the Neck, with great sweeping wings like a dragonflies. With scales of dark iron shading it looks to be mid exhale, a cloud of grey mist flowing from the jaws.

The final one shows the city melting under the flames of the fire breathing dragons. A cloud of steam and a colossal wave all that remains of the incredible city once the battle is over.

"You awake yet in here?" A woman's cheery voice calls from the other side of what passes for the door.

Instead of something I could actually close… or change behind for that matter, a few dozen hemp ropes with big wooden beads dangle in the doorway. At least I would have heard anyone trying to sneak in while I slept.

"Do I have to get up?" The bed was amazing and I wouldn't mind trying to sleep for another hour.

It's not like Viserys needs saving, so I may as well enjoy myself like Asha told me to. The town looked incredibly well off and not a single beggar was in sight while he lead us here. Even if he chose the path carefully, it's not a very big town. Not very many places he could have hid the poor on no notice.

"If you want the hot shower." I sit up and frown at the frizzy haired brunette waving at me from the other side of the beads. "Viserys only installed two tanks and we won't have time to wait for them to refill. The other Princes' ships have been sighted and will be here in less than two hours."

I end up following her, eager to have the grim of so long on a ship washed off. She leads me into a bare room sloping down to a drain on one wall and shows me where to put my clothes. The clothes I've brought will be unbearable under this sun and I'm very grateful for the green hemp dress provided for me.

It's astounding when hot water rains out of a tarnished copper disc filled with holes. "We have about twelve minutes before it goes dry, so hand me the soap would you." Elyse points to a series of glass bottles in an indent along the wall.

Each of the four bottles is filled with a different kind of colored oil and I frown. "Which one is soap?" None of them look like the tallow kind that the small folk use or even the fancier ones I'm used to.

"The pale green one is soap, it tingles like you wouldn't believe though." She warns me as I hand he the half filled bottle. "Whatever the locals mix into it pretty much eats the grime off you. The white creamy stuff is something I can't pronounce, but Viserys calls shampoo."

"Where is everyone?" Viserys didn't really have many servants but I haven't seen any of the mute people.

"Viserys has them loading up what he thinks is worth taking back to Westeros." She smirks at me when the tingling does indeed make me gasp. "Pretty much everything but the statues. Which is a shame really, some of them are really incredible."

He was pretty casual about trying to bribe me with Valyrian steel last night. Maybe he has enough that I could convince him to make good on that offer.

Asha made damn sure I could defend myself and I'm kind of annoyed that Garlan shot him down so fast. Viserys and I both knew it was a casual conversation where he was showing off his newfound wealth, my brother didn't need to take it so seriously. I guess he is a bore when Asha's not around though, shouldn't be surprised he's acting to form.

"You'll have to show me them before we leave." She nods and I think back to that sensation of complete dread I felt at the first sight of the dragon's roar.

Coppernicus' shadow was so large it covered the long ship Garlan had boarded and then all of a sudden… a dragon was nearly capsizing the boat. It made short work of the enemy ships with that massive bony club I think is called a tail.

It was awe inspiring to witness just how easily it destroyed it's foes and more than a little bit terrifying. But the moment Viserys called out that the battle was over, the dragon acted like a well trained dog.

It didn't require more than casual attention from the missing Ashtar and still seemed tame as Garlan's best horse. Once we reached the beach here, the overgrown lizard had already used his tongue to memorize my face. Hard to fear something that slobbers on you like that

Viserys wasn't what I expected after Garlan and Willas told me of a boy who had even less fun than them. But this just means I'm going to have to learn who he is the hard way, if I'm going to have any way of influencing what happens now that we found him that is. Do I even want to though?

Grandmother is the one who taught me to always make powerful men interested. But I think I'll get farther with Viserys just by being honest.

The water shuts off suddenly and Elyse laughs at the suds still in my hair. "Use the washbasin to get that out, Viserys and your brother should be waiting for us in the den by now." So that's what he calls his solar. "And if I'm lucky, Thoros is still passed out on the beach. Hate dealing with him after I get too drunk at one of those things."

"He's that bad?" Asha has admitted to a few drunken escapades before she was paired with my brother and I can only wince in sympathy for Elyse.

"He's just so damn clingy." Her growl surprises me with it's vehemence and I dress just a tiny bit faster. "He knows I don't want kids and since he does…"

"It's just not worth the hassle of putting up with his whining." Elyse shrugs once she slides on her own brown woven breeches and pulls on a butter yellow vest that does really nothing to conceal herself. "I've been clear with Thoros since day one and he just keeps trying to change my mind." Letting out a chuckle she winks at me. "Of course I keep letting him. So really, which one of us is more to blame?"

Isn't he a priest or something? "I'm pretty sure it's him." If Elyse really was clear of her intentions the first time, this Thoros should find someone else. And if he's a holy man, he should probably hand in his robes.

She leads me the long way around the keep and shows off the salvaged sculptures. Each one is made of either gemstone, precious metal, or polished rock, and all are animals almost lifelike with how well they had been crafted.

My personal favorites are the jade snake thing with seven heads and two broken stumps where a missing pair once completed it. Elyse calls it a Hydra and says they're from the Sothoryos marshlands.

The last one I see before we enter the den is a majestic silver griffon, a golden horse clutched in it's talons. Thought griffons would have been a little bit bigger though, it's only a little bit bigger than that moose I saw at Horn Hill.

We find them in the middle of a game of Leng Checkers, with Garlan only having four red discs left. "Alright, I give up. Margaery is finally done with her 'shower'." Oh you'll be begging for just a few more minutes when you have yours, so laugh it up now dear Brother. "You said you wanted to talk to the princes at the docks. Let's go."

"If I let them land, they'll want to have another celebration before we sail for Naath." Viserys scowls at the idea. "And if we wait to long, Victarion's fleet will have turned tail and ran back to the Basilisk Isles."

"Why do you want us to come?" I speak up once Viserys waves at me in greeting. "Shouldn't you be dealing with the other Princes yourself?"

He rolls his eyes and gives me a pleading look. "I need you two to play along until we get on my boat. Only one reason sixteen of my contemporaries are here and that will hamper your plan to bring me home." What's Viserys talking about?

"… Okay?" Garlan answers for us.

"Told you it would only be a few years before this happened." Snorts Elyse as we leave the keep, a core of sailors rushing in behind us to get another load of Viserys' treasures.

"Yeah you all did," Grumbles the ebony haired Prince. "But who ended up winning the pool?"

"Creb was closest I think." She considers it for a few seconds. "He said six years and you insisted on 'Price is Right' rules if you were going to pay the winner… which you still haven't explained either."

"Because they make sense to me." Viserys shrugs with a distinct tension growing in his steps. "Oh yeah, should probably call Coppernicus." He whistles sharp and loud.

Before long the ground shakes as the gorgeous dragon bounds towards us eagerly, it's tongue waving like a dog. When it reaches us it demands some scratches on the chin from all four of us before allowing us to continue.

"I still want a weapon." I remind Viserys who seems lost in his cloud of growing frustration. Maybe this can distract him for a while. "It sounds like you have more than you know what to do with and I seem to be going to war with you." This is going to be so exciting.

Considering my request for a moment, Viserys turns to me with a smirk. "If you can beat me with wooden swords I'll give you whichever one you want."

"But aren't you really-" My brother tries to raise protest only for Viserys to hush him with a hand over his mouth.

"Shush you. Margaery is a big girl and can make her own choice." His gaze is challenging and I find an intense desire to wipe the smirk from his face. Despite the fact that even Garlan seems cautious of his skill, I will win.

"You're on." No one would be insane enough to pass this chance up. Viserys offered no downsides to his bargain aside from a little humiliation.

"It'll be fun, but I need your help first." He slows down as I count sixteen men bedecked in luxurious clothing and jewelry. Each one has a young woman around my age with them. "So just go with whatever I say until we leave."

"Prince Viserys!" The lead Prince cries out in glee. "Our midnight savior and the one who will finally slay the pirate king."

Viserys greets Prince Jhaline Mo with a kiss on each cheek. "I only asked for your fleets to aid me. Why have such important men come to such a lowly foreigner's island?"

"If you are to represent us and face our invader. You should do so as his equal…" The dark skinned noble holds up a crown of carved ivory. "As our King."

"But I only let you make me a Prince, because only someone born here can be your King." Viserys argues with no real heat and I know his real plan is coming.

"If you take one of our daughters as your wife and our name, it will be enough to satisfy tradition." Prince Jhaline smiles and shoves his own blushing daughter forward. Her gown of red silk makes me feel like a peasant and I straighten my back instead of allowing the feeling to win.

Throwing an arm around me suddenly, Viserys pulls me firmly against his side. "Sorry Jhaline, but my betrothed has finally come from Westeros to bring me home. Once Victarion is dealt with, I shall not be returning with the fleet."

"I'm wha-" My words are cut off as Viserys lifts me with one arm and races towards his crouching dragon.

"Feel free to loot my keep once we leave," He calls over his shoulder and slides the both of us onto Coppernicus' back. "Meet you on the ship Garlan!" And with that final shout, the dragon leaps off the pier and glides towards the 'Celebration'.​

 

[ThedudeManBro]

Poor Vyseris. His counterpart wanted to be king and got done in by Aquaman(but horses... Horseman?) . Our Boi doesn't want any damn crown and they trip over eachother to give him one.

Poor poor Vyseris.

 

[Flightless Man]

Poor Vyseris. His counterpart wanted to be king and got done in by Aquaman(but horses... Horseman?) . Our Boi doesn't want any damn crown and they trip over eachother to give him one.

Poor poor Vyseris.

Click to shrink...

I was going to say Hippocampus man, but then realized Rhoynar/Dothraki hybrids who ride hippos in the Rhoynar would be amazing.

 

[ThedudeManBro]

I was going to say Hippocampus man, but then realized Rhoynar/Dothraki hybrids who ride hippos in the Rhoynar would be amazing.

Click to shrink...

Hippos are abominations on God's blue earth, and their hatred for all living things is only matched by the maelstrom of malice and spite that is the honey Badger.


If those mother fuckers are able to form a bond, or God forbid, TAME those ten ton behemoths of hatred they deserve Planetos and everyone else is a fuckin' squatter in their home.

 

[Flightless Man]

Hippos are abominations on God's blue earth, and their hatred for all living things is only matched by the maelstrom of malice and spite that is the honey Badger.


If those mother fuckers are able to form a bond, or God forbid, TAME those ten ton behemoths of hatred they deserve Planetos and everyone else is a fuckin' squatter in their home.

Click to shrink...

My profile pic is a hippoctopuss for a reason. Hippos win a freakish amount of match ups and kill 500+ a year in africa. REally onyl things like deer/kangaroos (car accidents,Between 2001 and 2005 New South Wales reported 6,423 kangaroo-related crashes. In 2018, the NRMA reported a 20 per cent increase on claims received from the previous year, with 14,500 claims), abused dogs and mosquitos are more deadly. Hippos do better against elephants than rhinos do(NSFW if you google it.) Denser body makes it harder to be flung around, but Rhinos have a better chance against hippos.

 

[ATP]

Hippos are abominations on God's blue earth, and their hatred for all living things is only matched by the maelstrom of malice and spite that is the honey Badger.


If those mother fuckers are able to form a bond, or God forbid, TAME those ten ton behemoths of hatred they deserve Planetos and everyone else is a fuckin' squatter in their home.

Click to shrink...

When Massay still hunted with spears,they could hunt every animal except hippo,becouse even they refuse that.
And,when they hunted lions to check if young warrior is good enough for them,they made it fair - form circle of schields around lion,and if it win,let it go.They never dare hunt hippos even with entire group.

 

[ThedudeManBro]

When Massay still hunted with spears,they could hunt every animal except hippo,becouse even they refuse that.
And,when they hunted lions to check if young warrior is good enough for them,they made it fair - form circle of schields around lion,and if it win,let it go.They never dare hunt hippos even with entire group.

Click to shrink...

Also as an acclaimed internet YouTuber once discovered using very faithful channels of content, Hippos are invincible in water.

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 14: Even More Misunderstandings
Tyrion Lannister
​

As the 'Sea Lion's Wrath' enters visual range of the first island, panicked murmuring breaks out among crew. Instead of the single ship we had been prepared to face, dozens of long ships separates us from the Summer Isles as the fog clears.

I almost call for arrows to be lit and only stop myself when I see no sign of movement on any of the ash white boats arrayed before us with Gerion's old far-eye. "Does anyone see sign of life?"

"Looks as still as a graveyard." Hisses Gerold, his voice tense over the grim situation on display. "What do you think happened?"

"Lord Baelish's reports say a dragon has definitely settled on the isles somewhere," My answer doesn't satisfy either of us because it looks more like hot ash rained down on the fleet instead of a torrent of fire. "I'm going to assume it's territorial."

He snorts at that and counters my words as the helmsman steers us between the ghost ships. "But it's fine with the locals?"

"Maybe it prefers white meat?" It kind of looks like when Dragonstone would rumble out smoke and coat the entire island.

"Or a volcano went off…" His eyes roam the Ironborn vessels with rapt attention until we finally clear the fleet. "I heard about the one in the Doom going off again a few years back. Maybe it's some kind of chain reaction?"

Shaking my head at that, I swivel my far-eye towards the shore. A single Westerosi ship is docked, with the crimson sails of the Lannisters on proud display. "A little late for it to be connected." Handing him the device with a scowl, I start to get ideas I hope will soon be proven wrong.

Gerion better not have just been relaxing on a beach this whole damned time. I've raised Joy for you as if she was my own… but it's not enough. I'm not enough.

How can I blame her for being terrified of me though? Fear may have gotten me respect from the sheep but the only Lion I still care about will barely even look at me. She's heard enough of what the Mountain did on my command and she's right.

I don't deserve Rhaenys even if she is still alive. But I'll become Cersei's sworn sword before I give up the search without a body. I may not have been able to use all of my resources on the single task… but I know something Baelish doesn't.

The dragons in the Sorrows have been seen with riders. A boy and a girl about the same age as the missing Martells.

"Looks like they want us to dock." Four Swan ships approach from one of the larger islands and steer us to the shoreline. "Let's not give them a reason to do the same thing they did to the long ships."

With none of my crew of fifty men willing to argue, Gerold and I are soon marching towards the people in charge. The locals have bows in hand and I know cooperation will be vital to our survival.

"I'm guessing they want another Lannister ship for the collection." My words only make the Darkstar groan beside me as we're lead to a local man wearing very lavish clothing in a dozen bright colors.

"Long time no see Nephew." The unmistakable Westerland drawl has my eyes lock onto a tense Gerion beside the man I assume to be the Prince. "How have things been for you back in Westeros? Is Joy doing alright?"

Before rage overwhelms me at his casualness, I decide to answer tersely. "I've made Joy my heir and her legitimization should have been gleefully approved by now. Cersei is quite happy to make sure my children will inherit nothing."

"You have children?" You don't need to sound so shocked Uncle. You are the one who told me looks aren't everything… gold makes up for a lot as I recall.

"Sadly no," I'll satisfy myself with whores until I know Rhaenys' fate. If she can forgive me… maybe the Seven will too. "My reputation precedes me." And if she's already dead or can't bring herself to do so, It's all the proof I need that I'm really the monster everyone claims.

"I warned you that was going to happen. Didn't I?" Gerion shakes his head sadly, his voices dripping with disappointment.

"You were also right about me being like Father." This is the hard part to admit, especially in public. "Neither of us are adept at listening to good advice."

He finally smiles and even chuckles a little bit at that. "It's a family trait. We let pride blind us to the bad decisions we make."

"Which ones did you make?" My uncle has always seemed pristine compared to the depths the rest of our family will sink.

"If I never left you alone in that shit hole or even if I came back once Viserys gave me Brightroar-" Whatever else he was going to say goes unheard, my sudden snarl interrupting Gerion.

"What!"

With a heavy sigh Gerion half draws the lion hilt sword on his hip, revealing rippling smoky grey steel. "Found Viserys and his crew sailing out of the Doom. We made a deal and I brought those ready to go home back to Westeros in exchange for it."

"Viserys is alive?" And he's just left his niece lost in Essos somewhere? What in the Seven Hells is wrong with him!

"Apparently that's all thanks to Thoros and his magic lips." What does that even mean? "If he's the reason you came… sorry to tell you but you're here eleven days to late."

"He died in the Ironborn attack?" I guess I can forgive him if he's been fighting Victarion for five long years.

Gerion snorts and the unnamed prince beside him lets out a full on belly laugh. "Even if he did, would have probably only been temporary."

"The Prince has taken the fleet to rescue the Island of Naath from the Piratte King." The fancy man finally speaks in perfect common. "His betrothed and her Lord brother came to retrive him."

"A few things are confusing me about that…" I frown at his words. "First. Aren't you the Prince?" This only makes him laugh even harder than before.

Gerion explains so his companion can recover. "Viserys let the locals loot his keep once he left, since he's not coming back after dealing with Victarion. Lurambo was our butler and really liked the curtains."

"What's a butler?" I can't hold myself back from asking.

My uncle just shrugs. "Something Viserys came up with. He wanted a personal servant who personally dealt with him regularly." Intriguing.

"Okay. Now what's this about a betrothed?" I know Renly's oldest kid is really Viserys' and I have my suspicions about Orys. But both mothers are married… who could it be?

"Viserys has apparently been making deals with the Tyrells about his return so secret I wasn't even told." Those wilted Roses got here first!

"Margaery and Garlan arrived during the attack and lent their aid in repelling the pirates. When the Princes tried to crown Viserys King, he said Margaery was his betrothed and glided away on Coppernicus." He's been talking to Garlan the whole time!

"Who?" I blink in confusion. "What?"

"The dragon's name is Coppernicus and he's not really very good at flying." Gerion doesn't add any more information. Like that's supposed to explain anything!

My mouth goes dry as I realize how close my childhood dream is to becoming a reality. I might be able to fly on a dragon before I die.

Something still doesn't quite add up. "Why are you here?" Shouldn't Gerion be off with his new favorite person?

"I was getting supplies for more of Viserys' magic and missed the attack." He growls angrily and I get even more jealous.

"Viserys has my Father's love, a dragon, and now he knows magic too?" I thought I was his friend. Why didn't he share any of this with me?

"I seem to recall almost everything you have came from some stranger giving a ridiculed little boy a shot." Gerion narrows his eyes at me once again. "So maybe don't be whining for more the first chance you get."

I may have turned the Stepstones into something resembling a Kingdom all on my own, but my Uncle is right. The only reason I'm not back at Casterly Rock right now, is because Viserys gave me Dragonstone in the first place.

"I only have one thing I need to ask when we catch up to him." Why the damned hell aren't you looking for Rhaenys!

She's been lost with only Quntyn the entire time you've been here relaxing with my uncle. You may have a dragon now but it's not going to stop me from screaming bloody murder at him.​

 

[Vanbers]

I kinda hope that Tyrion and Rhaenys end up together, at the end.

The rest is interesting, but dangit I want that pairing. My filthy inner shipper desires demand it.

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 15: Cold Iron
Theon Greyjoy
​

The freezing wind howls as the five of us ride northeast along the Bay of Seals in pursuit of some more wildling raiders. Cotter Pyke has finally gotten off his ass and sent at least a token force out to scout the migration East.

It's been five years and that bastard is still making me do all the grunt work. With my muttered curses being swallowed by the growing blizzard, I make sure to keep my eyes roaming the terrain for ambush.

Unless the wildlings are swimming for Essos, I have no idea where so many of them could have gone. All four villages we would normally have stopped to trade at had been ransacked and left with nothing of use. Nor any villagers to explain what in the hell is going on.

The tracks Endrew found last night are our only lead and we ride single file between the snowdrifts. The nephew of Lord Tarth is a bitter fat man a few years my senior, leading us cautiously towards a formation of three fallen rocks in the shape of a campfire.

"Is that steam or smoke?" My remark has the others argue with hushed whispers, while I focus on the faint pillar of white rising from the rocks.

Hot springs are thankfully far more more common above the Wall than I would have ever once imagined. With my fellow rangers relying on them for survival during the big storms and keeping record of any new ones found. But it also leaves a lot of places for wildlings to hide from our patrols.

"Doesn't matter," Endrew barks back at me with a firm expression of resolve that he only seems to have while ranging. "Tracks go straight towards it." No idea what got you sent up here but at least I know you have the skill to earn your attitude. Wouldn't trust the other three to be more than a meat shield if we get overwhelmed.

The howl of a wolf comes far too close for my comfort and seems to signal the storm is ready to be unleashed on the world. The wind almost instantly shrieks as it doubles in speed, the map in Earless Harden's being torn from his grip.

"Let's get a move on," I snarl at the others who seem frozen with indecision. "If I'm going to die I'd rather it be to a foe I can kill, not some measly bad weather."

"Go up the side and see if you can get a look in from the top." Growls the disgraced Tarth knight as he points to a section of cliff that's not too steep. "I may think you're a craven but you are damned good with a bow. I'd like to have some cover if it comes to a fight."

"Fine. Just make sure to leave me my cut." We don't get paid and I'd really like another visit to the Mole Town brothel.

He snarls back at me with a grim glare. "If we have as many inside as the tracks imply, we'll need to bury some loot for a second trip."

While they head towards the cave entrance, I lead my own grey steed around the side. Once I tie off his reigns to a spindly little pine tree, I find hand holds and begin to climb. Only got two dozen of those fancy new arrows, better make every shot count.

Hoarfrost Hill and the Long Barrow are both now staffed with two hundred brothers and I've heard rumors Deep Lake is next on the Lord Commander's list. I need to keep proving myself if I want to get away from Pyke and his need to treat me like shit.

If I'm the one who finds out where Mance is hiding, I might even be given command of the castle. That thought fills me with energy and I haul myself onto the ledge with a grunt.

Even closer than before, the wolf howls again. It cuts through the wind and I swear for a moment between the flakes, I could see an iron grey wolf in the snow… just watching me.

When I look closer though the animal is gone, leaving me with an eerie feeling that something is about to go horribly wrong. Drawing my bow with tense hands, I swiftly scramble over to the opening in the top of the rocks.

Peering inside reveals it's far to small for even a child to climb through and I nearly cough when I inhale the smoke. Inside is the smoldering remnants a single large campfire, a couple dozen bodies laying motionless on the rocks inside.

Did they freeze to death or is this an ambush? I'm not able to get a very good range of view, but I keep my arrow trained on the body nearest the entrance. Just in case.

"We're coming in." Endrew's voice echoes through the cave but none of the bodies even twitch. "I see a weapon in anyone's hand and things will get damned bloody!" Good mummers if this really is all a ruse.

The four of my black brothers enter and I let out a whistle to alert them I'm in position… only to immediately regret my choice. The bodies leap to their feet and I nearly scream when I see the dead woman's face.

She has no jaw and her tongue dangles uselessly in the air, one eye missing and what look like bite marks cover her body. Neither the wounds nor my arrows do anything to slow down the dead's assault and it's only Gladden Flowers who manages to escape.

He doesn't wait for me or even hesitate in leaving the others to die, instead fleeing with the horses as soon as he reaches them. Another howl draws my gaze West and I freeze in fright. The blizzard seems to swirl around a lone figure on the edge of the Haunted Forest.

The person looks to be made from the very ice and snow of the North itself and glares right at me with piercing sapphire eyes. I need to move, now!

The dead wildings below shriek and I can hear them charging out of the cave with only a single purpose. My death.

Fast way down it is. I don't hesitate and leap for the branches of the pine, snapping it in half as my momentum bends it too far.

I slash through the rope with my knife and fling myself onto the horse. A quick kick of my heels sends him racing away from the shrieking bodies. Only instead of bringing us South back to Eastwatch by the Sea, the panicking stallion flees the storm by going towards Hardhome.

The storm follows for hours and it's only when I've ridden through the entire night that it finally relents. When the first rays of sunlight shimmer across the sea, the storm abates almost at once.

Soon he shrieking fades to silence and I find myself alone on the shore. Going back will only lead me into the dead and so I press on for shelter.

The sight of a campfire's smoke fills me with a surge of strength and I make a careful approach through the thin cropping of trees. I see a lone man in furs keeping watch, while his companion sleeps beside the meager fire.

He notices my approach when I snap a twig under my foot and only my arrow in his throat stops him from waking his friend. His very pretty friend. I realize as I step over her and smile at her mop of fiery red hair.

With an arrow trained on her face, I kick some snow onto her face for a rather rude awakening. "What the fuck Yarg? I'm going to gut you for that!"

"Was that his name?" She gasps in realization and freezes at the sight of my glinting dragonglass arrow. "How about you tell me your name now?"

She spits up at me in rage but eventually mutters just loud enough for me to hear. "Ygritte." The defeat in her voice is reminiscent of how I felt when I first heard the news of my families defeat. "Going to kill me now Crow? Or you going to forsake those vows of yours and defile me first?"

Maybe later. "Where are you all going?" I need answers if I'm going back to the Wall and a good reason not to kill her.

"East." Her words confuse me and the smirk she grows shows she knows it. "You must have seen the dead by now and your Wall is only getting harder to cross."

"So what… you're swimming around it?" The Starks slaughtered them last time and now theirs no war keeping everyone else South.

"The craven liar Victarion 'left us' a few of his boats." Ygritte laughs at my expression of shock. "We're making as many more as we can and going to this place called Essos." Okay… that's a good reason.

"Strip Yarg for me. I need to change into something that won't get me killed." I lower my bow and wait for her to follow my orders before stripping out of my black clothing.

She growls when she sees me. "So you are defiling me."

"No. I need to burn a body wearing my clothes or the Watch will keep looking for me." I can defile you later. "And then you're bringing me to Mance. I'm an Ironborn and going to make sure your boats will make the trip."

"So you're stealing me?" Her gaze softens a bit and seems to be considering something. "Could do worse I guess. You're at least decent looking." What is she talking about?​

 

[Flightless Man]

I kinda hope that Tyrion and Rhaenys end up together, at the end.

The rest is interesting, but dangit I want that pairing. My filthy inner shipper desires demand it.

Click to shrink...

I'm a shipper but I avoid the conventional ones. I don't want a Ron/Hermione situation and see who has chemistry.

Rhaenys/Tyrion is pretty much the only unresolved thing from the intro novella, so I;m glad you still care.