The Six Laws of Magic
As enacted by His Grace
Aegon Targaryen
First of his name.
1# Never Combine the Magic of two or more branches as doing so could unleash untold horror
2# Never Participate in the Practice of Blood magic, the price is simply too much to pay.
3# Re-animation can only be performed during combat and once the fighting has ceased the re-animated shall be released from service.
4# Practitioners found to be using blood magic or using re-animated outside of combat shall be beheaded unless pardoned by the unanimous vote of the King and the seven Lord Paramount's of Westeros.
5# Mages born from commoners' blood shall be taken in as a ward by their respective Lord Paramount, where they will be treated fairly and encouraged to train in the proper use of their abilities.
6# Mages sired by lords and kings shall be allowed to keep their sigils and house. If the child is the heir, then they shall be discontinued from the line of succession and their next of kin shall take their place. If they are a child of a lord or lord paramount, then they shall be given the position of advisor on all things magical. if the child is the heir to the throne then they shall be stripped from the line of succession and given the position OF Arch-Mage of the seven kingdoms.
Signed Aegon Targaryen First of His Name.
The duties and powers of the Arch-mage are as follows.
The Arch-mage shall keep the powers and status of a Prince or princess of the seven kingdoms but will be referred to from then on as Arch-Mage. They must advise the King and shall safeguard, study, utilize his or her magic for the betterment of the Kingdom.
Mykel Baratheon Prince of the Seven Kingdoms and eldest son of Robert and Cersei Baratheon and fifth Arch-mage of Westeros constantly repeated that passage, it helped him pass the time as he made the slow travel to Winterfell. The old Maester had him memorise it from the day his Magic decided to show itself. Letting out a heavy sigh he looked over to his left and saw his Uncle Tyrion coping with the pace and biting cold much better than Mykel could.
His uncle must have felt Mykel looking in his direction "Why Nephew, are you bored? Is there no great magical event happening all the way out here in the north?" his Uncle grinned in his direction which easily got Mykel to chuckle.
"the only Magical event would be that damn carriage not breaking down the rest of the way to Winterfell." He replied smoothly making Tyrion chuckle and as if on cue the all to familiar cracking sound of the wheelhouse breaking filled the air around them, quickly accompanied by the grumbling of his father the king.
Before they could continue further a Kingsguard, Ser Arys came riding down from the front of the line "Arch-Mage Mykel" he bowed his head as he greeted "The king summons you" he said.
Mykel sighed and nodded again "All right" he turned to his favourite uncle "see you soon Uncle".
"You as well Nephew"
At that Mykel rode off to the front of the line with the Ser Arys Oakheart in tow.
On the way there they went passed the wheelhouse, which the men were still trying to fix, the wheel had come off and the wheelhouse had sunken into the ground. Seeing this Mykel easily swing off his house and approached, his mother and younger golden-haired siblings were waiting outside. Joffrey looked like the impatient little shit that he was, he didn't register Mykel's approach. Tommen and Myrcella spotted him and lit up with glee smiling at Mykel, a gesture he easily returned. His mother saw what Her youngest was looking at and approached Mykel with all the grace a queen would have before giving him a hug. "Mother" he greeted when she let him go. He turned his attention to one of the guards "What's the issue?" he asked.
The Guardsmen stiffened and stood up straighter "the Wheelhouse as sunken into the ground mi 'lord, w-we can't lift it up" his tone conveyed his nervousness at being in Mykel's presence.
Mykel sighed internally, it was a common thing for people to be on guard with him around. People were often unnerved by Magic and the people who used it. "Move over" he ordered, and the guard moved instantly to the side. He brought his arm out, palm facing upwards. Channelling his magic, he rose his hand and from the ground and wood sprouted upwards, lifting the carriage out of the ground. Another application of magic and the wood took shape into another wheel of the same make as the original. "There, fixed" Mykel stated bluntly. He turned to go back to his horse when Tommen and Myrcella ploughed into him with a hug saying thank you loudly.
When he finally got to his Father he found him on a hill overlooking the north. He turned when he Heard Mykel approaching "There he his! Finally! Took you long enough!" He bellowed with a grin on his place.
"Father, you wanted to speak with me?" he asked as he came alongside his Father.
"Aye boy now look" he pointed out into the north "What do you see?" he asked
The north was almost empty, the largest of the seven kingdoms and the coldest. What he was looking at could be considered barren, but a desert was barren. This had life, plants and soil. "The North." He told The King what he knew he wanted to hear.
"Yes, the north, the home of my brother Ned Stark. I intend to bind our houses in blood. He has a daughter I will have Joffrey marry her." Robert stated.
Poor girl was Mykel's thoughts, anyone who marries Joffrey has his sympathies. "The wheelhouse is fixed father, they should catch up soon."
His father sighed "That bloody thing, it breaks every minute it seems." He grumbled. "anyway, I thought to inform you of the match, what are your thoughts?" his father asked in a moment of seriousness.
"Can I speak freely father?"
"Aye" he agreed
"I pity the Girl. Unless Joffrey gets his head out of his ass he won't make a good husband" he answered truly not holding anything back.
His father seemed to already know this "there's still time to make him a good King. It should have been you, a Black-haired king like your father." He started rambling on before driving himself out of his depressed mood "Right enough of that let's go back, I want some wine." He said before urging his horse to head back in the direction of the column.
They travelled another day before finally arriving at Winterfell, the castle was impressive, several acres large and protected by two walls it made for quite an impressive complex. The column rode into Winterfell with Mykel being one of the last to enter. He saw that his father was already beckoning the Starks to stand when Mykel got off his horse and handed it off to a stable hand.
"Where's the imp" he heard the voice of a girl ask, he looked over and saw one of the oldest of the stark girls tell her to shut up. He then turned to the rest of the royal party and sure enough, Tyrion wasn't there. He gave a questioning glance to his other Uncle Ser Jamie, but he just shrugged his shoulders.
"He's the mage" the same excited voice spoke again.
She was quickly berated by her older sister "Will you shut up".
The queen strode up to her twin "where is our brother? Go find the little beast". She said, and Jaime left to find him.
"Ned Take me to your Crypt, I want to pay my respects". The king told Ned which quickly got the Attention of Mykel's mother.
My mother didn't like that one bit "We've been riding for a month my love, surely the dead can wait" she said but the king ignored her and moved on with lord stark right behind him.
Robb only needed one look at the crown prince to decide he didn't like him, he looked nothing like his father with his golden hair and emerald green eyes which were a complete contrast to his older brothers' Black hair and Stormy blue eyes. When the queen left her three youngest children left with her, but her oldest Mykel Baratheon approached Robbs mother and gave her the proper greeting, his attitude seemed to be completely different as well. "You must be Robb Stark, it's a pleasure" Mykel brought his hand out to shake and Robb shook it before Mykel moved on to his siblings.
Once he had finished greeting his family Robb approached him, Jon had followed as well only a few steps behind him.
"My prince" he greeted bowing his head.
"Please" the Prince replied, "I might have the status of the prince, but my title is Arch-mage, even then I would rather you call me Mykel when in private or on an informal occasion." Yep, Robb knew he liked Mykel much more than Joffrey.
"then you may call me Robb" he returned the gesture. Mykel nodded and turned his attention to Robbs half-brother Jon.
"You have Stark features, but I didn't see you with the rest of your family, might I know your name," Mykel asked Jon.
Robb was quick to reply on his half-brother's behalf. "This is my half-brother Jon Snow" Mykel's eyes lit up in recognition while Jon bowed his head, obviously not wanting to offend the prince.
"Truly? Well, it's a pleasure all the same Jon and call me Mykel as well." He brought his hand out to shake Jon's and with a bit of encouragement from Robb he did.
"would you like a tour of Winterfell Mykel?" Robb asked and when Mykel agreed he began to show him the castle. He was already enjoying Mykel's company much better than he would enjoy Joffrey's company.
The castle itself was amazing to see, and Robb was good company and liked to show off the castle as well as tell me about the history of the keep. While we were walking I couldn't help but feel the faintest wisps of magic like a small shock slowly moving through my body, it was old magic to from what I could feel.
Robb was a good man and would make a good lord when the time came, from first impressions he was good and honourable, the fact that he cared for his baseborn brother meant that he was fair as well. They were all good qualities for a Lord of the north to have.
Jon was shy, due to my presence I would assume, I doubt he was expecting my fairness towards him as most nobles wouldn't give him the time of day neither would they treat him fairly, but I have half-siblings of my own and I know they're just normal people and deserve respect same as Jon.
By the end of the tour I was happy to believe that the three of us could be good friends. I ended up walking through the keep towards where I would be staying to rest and get ready for the feast tonight. My room was good and as a guest I wouldn't dream of complaining, I got out of my thick furs and changed into something more suitable for staying in a lord's home. Black pants with Black boots and a black tunic with golden trim, the colours of my house. On my chest was my personal Sigil. Two crossed red lightning bolts behind a golden stag and on a black field. A small difference to the normal Baratheon Sigil but enough to stand out. I put my black and gold trim cloak back on and went to see if I could find the Library.
When I found the library, I also found the Maester. He was old like most Maester's who serve castles, he was small of stature and had almost no hair left, what hair he had was grey like his eyes. He wore the normal garb of the Maester along with the chains around his neck. I even spied a valerian steel chain link as well. He noticed my entry and stopped whatever he was doing to greet me "Arch-mage Mykel" he said as he nodded his head "I had suspected you would seek the library out. There hasn't been a mage in Winterfell for many generations." He said.
I agreed "true magic is rare these days. There hasn't been an Arch-mage since the time of Rhaenyra Targaryen over one hundred years ago, and even then, there has only been five and I' am the fifth." My Magical awakening had been quite the shock to everyone, when I turned the training ground to nothing but ice everyone was shocked and wary, only my Uncles, my mother and father would approach me. I remember standing there in shock for what felt like hours as people just stared in fear until my mother and father arrived to get me.
"True," he said as he went back to organising his books. "I tried to study the magic used by Advisors and studied by the Arch-mages, but that type of magic doesn't have much information within the Citadel. I remember only being able to find a book called the six Branches of Magic written by the first Arch-mage in 25AC which was made 272 years ago." He had moved to one of the shelves to stack books while I had moved through looking at the various titles.
"there are seven Branches but the seventh is forbidden" I stated making him give me a surprised look "that's why the seventh isn't in the book, it's forbidden. But the book itself is a good read for beginners, it gives one a good level of understanding and opens up the reader to a more in-depth study." By now he had finished stacking the books and sat down to go through something else.
"What is the seventh branch?" he asked "I know of the first six. Restoration, Evocation, Illusion, Alteration, Conjuration and Necromancy but what is the seventh?"
"Blood Magic" I answered, "it's a magic more akin to a tumour that requires a heavy price to fuel, which is why it's forbidden".
He nodded at the explanation and we continued in silence. I went through the library while he continued working. "what magic do you prefer Arch-mage?" his voice carried through the library.
"You're quite curious about these things Maester?" I called back in mock suspicion.
"I may have earned the valerian link for magic but doesn't mean I have to curb my curiosity." He replied easily.
I chuckled and answered him "Evocation, it's study is creating and controlling the elements, Fire, Water, Lightning, Earth and air as well as combining them to use new elements like Lava or Wood. It's the most destructive but the most versatile as well." It felt good to talk with someone who had some knowledge in Magic as well as a learned sort that might even give me questions or arguments regarding this field of study. So many people just take my word for fact when it comes to magic that it can get very boring at times, this is a refreshing change.
He nodded his head "I always found that branch to be blunter from the way it was described in the books." he expressed his opinion which made me chuckle.
"thin knives are more of illusions job but yes it's definitely showy." I sat down opposite to him with a book in my hands.
"From what I understand you're one of only two true mages of Westeros, is that true?" he asked again trying to make more conversation.
"Yes, with myself as Arch-mage and Willas Tyrell who is an adviser magic for the reach. He has quite the aptitude for illusion and he came to Kings landing to help me with my own magic for a time, but he left on my sixteenth name day which was two years ago." I'd been meaning to meet him lately, maybe when we return to Kings Landing.
"What of the other branches?" he was still asking about magic but that was fair, it's not every day you get to talk to a true mage and get his opinion, or the chance to share knowledge on the subject.
"In order of skill, it probably goes, Evocation, Necromancy, Restoration, Conjuration, Illusion and alteration," I answered truthfully, and our conversation spiralled out from there, we discussed many different things from history to taxes and different application of certain types of magic, it was very interesting for both of us.
Eventually, he began to tell me of his teaching of Bran Stark. "A good boy and quite adept at learning, during one of our lessons he had asked me about magic, he says he wants to learn it."
That got my attention "does he have any skill?" I asked, if another mage appeared that would make it three from noble birth. I was sure that there would be more people with an informal learning like the red priests, but they didn't bother me much, so I leave them alone.
"I do not know, if he does he hasn't shown it" he replied
"I could check on him and if he does I could start teaching him, if he does have magic then it would be better if I was around, I could lessen the damage caused if he awakens it." You always lose control when you first use your magic, it was scary enough for me and I didn't have anyone around to help me but if Bran can use magic then it would be good if I was there.
"I will have to ask Lord Stark but I'm sure he would agree." Maester Luwin replied.
"true," I said looking out of the window and noticing the time. "well I must be off Maester Luwin, I need to be ready for the feast, I hope to have another conversation like this again," I said as I put the book back and left after he too said his goodbyes.
There was cheer, singing and laughter from everyone in the Great hall of Winterfell. The fires lit the hall with a sombre glow that made Mykel feel content, the smell of well-cooked food and the happy tones people had only swelled that feeling in his heart. Being the oldest of the children and at the Kings own order he sat next to Sansa stark whereas he would have normally sat as were the second child would, but it seemed his father was showing him off to the crowd again. Joffrey had sat next to Arya Stark but like always he was being arrogant but still put on a charming mask which was most likely at the insistence of Mother, he was trying his best to talk to Arya while a couple of other ladies were talking to him.
Sansa Stark was talking with me and I could only describe her as Naïve, or too innocent. She put too much stock into the stories of heroes and valiant knights that it really made it difficult to see her as anything but a child which was sad as I'm sure one day she would be beautiful. Father had planned to betroth her to Joffrey and from meeting her she seemed like she fantasied about the idea, she would be torn apart at court simply because she has no mind for politics. Not to mention Joffrey's own disposition.
Speaking of my father, he was somewhere groping a woman and drinking to the point that I was starting to feel embarrassed on behalf of my family, Mother had clearly seen this and wasn't pleased in the slightest, but Lady Stark was doing her best to keep the queen's attention away from my Fathers antics.
I was never a social person, and neither was I comfortable in crowds so after a bit I excused myself to get some fresh northern air. Once I was outside I saw that my Uncle had dragged himself from his other pleasures and was talking with Jon Snow, I approached, and Tyrion was the first to see my arrival. "Aah Nephew had enough of the crowds I see," he said joyfully "But it seems now it's my turn to partake in this feast." He said as he made his way into the hall.
I turned to Jon. "you're not joining the feast?" I asked him as he went to the training dummy but stopped at the question.
He turned with his head lowered "Lady stark doesn't want to offend anyone with the presence of a bastard" he said mirthfully.
I snorted "Offended? Please Father won't notice you, Mother won't care and none of my siblings would notice either, the only one who would be offended would be Lady Stark". I said which made him look up to me in surprise.
That was when he turned and began putting his things back "I'm still a bastard" he said.
"that's not the worst thing to be you know," I said back quietly.
He turned quickly towards me "And what would you know" he said angrily before noticing his 'mistake' and bowing "apologies I didn't mean to".
I cut him off "it's alright and no I don't know what it's like to be a bastard, but being a mage has its own hardships when it comes to people." He rose an eyebrow, he was unconvinced. "Ok, I'll give you a taste" I pointed at the sword rack "go grab a sword," I said, and he did so, the blade was live steel. "good now walk into the hall with that drawn" when he registered those words he backed off.
He sputtered "What no why would I-I would never do that" he argued quite hurriedly.
"but I do" I said to him softly "I walk through life with a sword always drawn, my magic is a weapon that I cannot put away" I jerked my hand out and lightening rippled and cracked its way down my shoulder and out of my palm striking the practise dummy Jon was just using and in only a second, the dummy exploded all around the training field with a resounding crack. Jon had jumped back out of surprise and a hint of fear. "I don't need a weapon to be deadly, I don't need to be close to someone to hurt them, I can do things that people consider to be unnatural and even monstrous, and because of that people fear me, they stiffen as I approach, they speak with fear in their tone and they shy away from me. No, Jon, it's not the same but it's close enough that I know something of what you speak." He looked dumbfounded. He probably never thought of it that way, most people don't. "I have made peace with what I' am and I don't let the opinions of others sway my actions, I have embraced my abilities and use them to their fullest. Don't let the opinions of others stop you from doing the things you want to do. Did you know that Orys Baratheon, the founder of my house was rumoured to be a bastard, now look at his house, we're royalty" I gave him a lot to think about and left him there thinking while I went back inside before my absence was noticed.