Hey, Back once more with a new episode. Sorry for the delay, this was hard to type out considering that I have to work over ideas on how to make this more original and create a unique storyline. And after getting halfway through typing this chapter. I finalize my plan. So it pains me to say that after the second part of this chapter comes out. SOSAG will be over until I create Season two. So...the Finale is almost upon us
Like Always, I own noting but the mad ideas in my head and the wrench in my bed.
Episode X: To Catch a Murder Pt. I
Westros: Kings Landing: Sept of Bealor
Cast Iron bells rang out form the Sept of Bealor as people mourned the loss of their king. The Royal Family road down from the Red Keep, dressed in black. The City was in mourning. The Kingdom was in mourning. Walking the many steps to the Sept, The Royal family were the first to enter the place. Cersei, then Tommen, then Mrycella, Jamie, Tyrion and lastly Tywin. Soon after them was House Tyrell with now not queen Margery, her brother Ser Loras and Lady Odella. After them was House Martell, and so on and so on. Everyone was coming by to give their finish good bye to the late King Joffery of House Baratheon. Not a word was said aloud nor a whisper heard. People walked in, gave their good byes and made their way out.
What made everyone on edge about the event was the Naruto was already in the Sept, kneeling beside his nephew. Giving a silent prayer to the golden satin clothed body. No one was allowed to see the kings' body. His whole body. Not until it could be determined on how the blond shit stain had died. Naruto perked up a little, lifting his head up to look over his shoulder to see his sister run over to him. Throwing her arms around his neck as she cried into his chest. Naruto looked around a bit, to see everyone looking at him with a look of awe and shock. Scowling ever so deeply, Naruto spoke louder than any whisper.
"He was my nephew." He said; "I'm by all counts and right allowed to attend my nephews' funeral. Am I not?" Hush whisper went out around the room before people stopped staring at him.
Naruto gave Cersei a pat on the back and moved to separate himself from her long enough to walk away. Pulling his signature cowl over his head as he walked through the double doors into the open. Only to stop. Standing before him, pikes pointed out in defense, swords drawn and shield ready were the Gold Cloaks and members of the Kingsguard. Naruto reached behind his back, gripping the dragon bone hilt to his daggers and stopped. He knew better than to make a scene right now. It wouldn't get him anything other than more trouble than he was already in. Relaxing a little, he watched them all relax.
"Ser Naruto of House Targaryen." Spoke who Naruto presumed was the captain of the Gold Cloaks.
"Wasn't aware that I was knighted." Naruto said back with a smug smirk. "Last I checked, it was still Lord." The captain gave a nod and corrected himself.
"My apologies. Lord Naruto." He said; "I am accustom to dealing with knight for the past few weeks that it was a slip of the tongue."
"Accepted."
"But we are here to arrest you on acts of Avunculicide, False honor, and stolen glory." He said a members of the Kings Guard walked up the steps towards him. "Under the ruling of the Hand of the King, Lord Tywin Lannister. We are hereby to escort you to your parlor and hold you there until trail." Naruto raised a brow as the two King Guardsmen approached him. Letting his daggers fall back into place as he raised his hands.
"I'll come quietly…no need to make a scene in front of the royal family." Naruto said as the doors open and both Tommen and Mrycella witness their father being taken away…
Two Months Earlier…
The Bianca sailed into the Harbors of Meereen, Naruto stood on the edge of the ship, looking out into the once slave city to see the Targaryen flags blowing in the wind as it hung from off the wings of the Harpy. Naruto looked back to see Varric walked over, his crossbow in arm as he was busy cleaning it before they came into the harbor. Naruto was trying his best to forget about his trip back to the south and all the way to Dorne. While he was happy that he could convince Caitlyn that it was the best for her at the moment. She was still reluctant to go. It was by the grace of the Forgotten and Mrycella that convinced her to stay. To make matters worse. Word got out about what happened at the twins and how the entire castle as encased in ice. No one knew how it happened. Most were still trying their best to figure out how to defrost the ice or if the ice will ever melt for them to see who was trapped inside.
Naruto then had to deal with the fallout of explaining to Caitlyn how the last sixteen years, he was doing a contract to kill three people. A contract that cost the Kingdom the lives of Lord Eddard Stark, Lord Jon Arryn and King Robert Baratheon. It was a talk he was hoping to forget.
Flashback…
Naruto and Caitlyn had settle once more in a small inn a few hundred yards from the walls of Kings Landing. This time deciding to share the room and the bed. Much to Naruto's own displeasure. Naruto was already sitting on the bed shirtless, cleaning dried caked blood from his hidden blades as he waited for Caitlyn to wash up. He hummed a soft tune to himself as he looked over the blades. It was important that he cleaned them correctly as a single spot of dried blood could stop them from working correctly nor even releasing out at all. He turned his head in time to see Caitlyn walk out in the nights. Raising a brow as her long amber hair was still wet and strands of her hair stuck to the side of her face. She gave him a glance and shuffled off behind a screen to cover herself. Although she was clothed and this wasn't the first time she was in such a scandalous manor in front of our blond hero. She still had some dignity to hold onto and she wanted to keep her purity.
"We need to talk." Naruto said, switching the hidden blades to retreat back into this hidden sleeves. "It's about your husband." The Lannister said as Caitlyn did a double take back at him. She was curious as to what he wanted to say. Coming around form the screen she spoke.
"And what would that be?" She asked.
"I think this would be a better if you had a seat…away from anything sharp." Naruto said, moving his daggers and hidden blades away from her line of reach. Caitlyn obeyed, thinking it was odd of a request coming from Naruto.
"Okay, so tell me." She sat on the edge of the straw bed, doing her best to reveal herself in front of the blond male.
"It started with after Roberts Rebellion." Naruto started; "This will be kind of a story to explain how everything happened." Caitlyn gave a nod. "Once Robert assumed the Iron throne and started to rule the Seven Kingdoms, several smaller issues started up. Some were put done quickly, others took some time to deal with. I was in Essos, I just assumed my title as Dragon within the league and was on my way back to Westros to serve as the Assassin here. In route I got a message and a contract for a series of kills. Not thinking twice of it, set it aside and worried only about seeing my sister and family again. When I arrived, I was greeted by Jon Arryn. Welcoming me home persay before pulling me aside and tell me he would be watching me.
The worst part was, I knew he was always watching me. So to hide what I was doing, I requested the League to allow me to make and build an office in Kings Landing. Thus the Den was made and the first of many. Days slowly turned into weeks, weeks into months, months into years. I grew a reputation slowly. It was good to know I was feared, yet bad as it was hard to gain trust."
"Did Robert know?" Caitlyn asked.
"He did. Confronted me on it. I remember it like it was yesterday. Being dragged into the throne room by the Kingsguards, tossed down at his feet. He was still young. Strong. His war hammer was always at his side during those days. And to look up to see him standing with it resting on his shoulder. I feared for the first time in a long while of what was going to happen to me. And to my surprise, he just laughed. He laughed. Tell me that he knew I was the missing Targaryen boy and with all his hate he has for my family. He couldn't bring himself to kill me. So we in the moment of time, talked. What was simple grew into more and more of a friendly conversation. It was long before he started having me sit in on the small council meetings. Running errands for him. Hell he even walked in on me and Cersei before. He just laughed and closed the door. Tell me he would take that as a hint to head to the den."
"There was more to your relationship huh?"
"He said since Jon Arryn was growing frail. He wanted me to succeed the old man as Hand of the King. Jon Arryn didn't take kindly to that idea."
"I can tell." Caitlyn leaned back a little, trying her best to get comfortable on the bed.
"Skipping ahead a few years, Mrycella was born and Tommen. Yada yada. I return from running a courier mission north. Remember, I got into an argument with your husband over the slave trade he was having issues with." Caitlyn gave him a nod; "Well, coming back to my room in the Red Keep, I found Jon Arryn, flanked by four members of the king guard in my room. The old man was looking over some of the paperwork I had on the desk. Found the contract I was given years back. And confronted me on it. Two days later Jon Arryn came down with fever. He died a day later. The royal party went north in the weeks following." Caitlyn eyes went wide as she looked at Naruto, unsure on how to answer him. But before she could. Naruto went on. "Your husband came south to serve as Hand of the King, after taking the consideration from Lyse Arryn. King Robert, while on a hunt, was poisoned and stabbed by a wild boar. In his final hours, he gave me his own orders. Kill him, do it then while he was his death bed before he had to deal with the others. So I laced his milk of poppy. Your husband, was executed under my orders to my nephew, I told him to do it. Ordered him. Thus completing my contract and my job." Before Naruto could react, Caitlyn was up on her feet and her right hand made a sharp slap against his cheek. He took the hit like a man. Not showing shame for what his did.
"You? You monster!" Caitlyn barked, reaching down to grab on of Naruto's short sword. Only to feel his hand around her wrist. "Unhand me!"
"Caitlyn, I had no say." Naruto said to defend himself.
"Bullshit." She struggled to free herself; "You knew what you had to do and you could have not taken the job."
"And let some other assassin do it? Where is honor in that?" He asked her. "Have some random guy kill your husband and his friends. Or me? A man who you know and man who have since that day been trying to atone for his sins."
"Atone before the seven. Let them judge you!" She pulled herself back as Naruto pulled her closer. A bit too close as she came face to face with him.
Caitlyn looked into Naruto's bright blue eyes with her dull and soft brown ones. Neither looking away but before either could make a move. Their lips collided in a kiss. Naruto reaching down to cup Caitlyn's ass, pulling her up as he legs went around his waist. Naruto stumbled forward a little, hitting the bed for him to fall on top of her. Reaching down, he pulled the night dress she was wearing up. Caitlyn herself was reaching down to pull his trousers off. It wasn't long before Caitlyn let out a moan of bliss and pleasure into the night.
Flashback over…
Naruto snapped from his though as the cries of cheers echoed in his ears. He looked around to see a crowd growing at the docks, up to see the Targaryen sigil and banner hanging from the Harpy's claws of the Great Pyramid. He turned around and made way down the deck, towards Varric who was reading a book; yet shouting out orders. He gave the deck a tap with his foot and leaned against the main mast; crossing his arms as he looked down to see what his Pirate Assassin friend was reading. Varric on the other hand, snapped the book close and looked up back at Naruto. The two of them stared at each other before rolling their eyes and looking away. The Bianca crashed against the waves as she searched for a port to dock in. The crew moving around with haste to ready her, Varric on the other hand; while the captain. Only walked back to his cabin along with Naruto. The two of them were in need of talking before disembarking.
Gendry was out of breath. Huffing hard as he looked over his shoulder. Why? He was being chased by some small resistance fighters. He looked forward to see a wall coming up. Mentally disciplining himself for the stupid mistake. He looked back once more, seeing the group was starting to thin out a little and smiled. Slowing down a bit to catch his breath he turned around and waved. Watching as what was a group following and chasing him turned out to be no one now. With a sigh, he rubbed his temple and looked around once more. Taking it was time to head back to the Great Pyramid.
Daenarys was sitting on her stone throne, looking down at the people of Slavers Bay come to her for aid. She was holding court since early morning and it was well into the afternoon. Not foreseeing this problem before she started her conquest; she could only reap what she had sowed and prayed that this was not a day to day issue she was going to have to face. Looking over to her side, she noticed that Gendry was still missing. And she knew if he was gone, something shady was happening in the city around her. She snapped her head back around to see the next person walk into her throne room. With a wary sigh, she motioned for the man to approach and allowed him to address the room.
Naruto dropped down from the Bianca, kneeling over with his cowl covering his face and eyes. He stood up slowly, looking around with hawk like eyes. He was taking in the Slaver Capital of Meereen. While this wasn't the first time he was in the city, it was different from when he was last here. Cracking his neck a little he began to walk along the docks. Working pushing pass him to get their jobs down. He listened in on some of the conversation that was happening around him. A few were arguing over the closer of the fighting pits, others were talking about the sudden occupation of his sister. While he did not take well to hearing people insult her; he pushed the issue aside for a bit. Naruto came out from the docks into the main market area to see several of the Unsullied standing guard around. Few gave him a questioning looks, some even readied their spears at the sight of him. This caused Naruto to hold his breath a little as he came to walk in front of them.
"Sheesh…whats wrong with them." He muttered, pulling on his cowl a little to cover his eyes better. He moved through the crowds some more, pushing his way pass the people. He come to stop in the middle of a plaza; to his left was a fire priestess speaking the will of the lord of light, to his right was several masters being push around in chains. He lowered his head a little and listened for a bit before looking up and smirked.
"You know…tailing behind me isn't really the best idea in mind." He shouted, reaching behind his back; gripping the bone hilt to his daggers. "So you might want to come out from around the corner. Mormont." One cue, Jorah Mormont walked out from around a corner and looked at the blond assassin.
"You've returned." He said, not liking that the blond was back.
"Someone needs to watch my sister." Naruto said; "Other than you."
"I've done a good job at protecting her long before you showed up." Jorah stated back; Naruto released his hands from behind the hilts of his dagger, hearing them slide back into place as he turned back around to walk away. "Where do you plan on going now?" Jorah shouted, following behind the blond.
"Home, to see my sister." Naruto answered; "And to take my apprentice with me somewhere." Jorah slowed down to a stop and raised a brow. He wasn't too sure of Naruto intentions and still wasn't a fan of the male.
The Great Pyramid of Meereen, was a marvel to see up close and in person. Towering high then most of the building in the city and was the biggest of the three pyramid that dot Slavers Bay. Naruto walked towards it; with very little in mind other than to see his sister once more. Coming to the grand entrance to such a place; he was taken by surprise by the presence of Ser Barristan standing at the gate talking with one of the Lieutenants of the Unsullied army. They were talking over the change of gate guards when Naruto came over to approach him. Ser Barristan was taken by surprise to see Naruto walking over like nothing was wrong in the world; but then again, he always knew Naruto to walk like that. He held his hand up to stop the lieutenant from talking, both moved their head to watch Naruto walk between them and into the pyramid. Ser Barristan gave a nod to the Lieutenant and followed behind Naruto, keeping his eye on him as best possible.
Naruto walked along the stone floor, taking in the sight of the Great Pyramid as he could. He came to the city numerous times in the past, but the Great Pyramid was always a wonder to see. But sadly, many if not all of his contracts in the city never brought him within a foot of the temple. He shifted his arms around behind his back, fidgeting with his daggers to hide them from view. While he was sure no one was stupid enough to attack him to steal them; he wasn't to try and test that theory. He looked up, seeing a rather small line before him that lead into the throne room; making stop dead in his tracks. A groan left his lips as he shifted on the balls of his feet. Wondering on how he would be able to bypass the line. Taking he loses, he stood and waited his turn.
The line moved rather slowly for Naruto's taste, but it wasn't that long before he saw that it was his turn. He walked in, his footsteps echoing in the hall as he came to stand before the throne. He gave a bow, a smirk creeping across his lips as he looked up from under his hood. He let out a small laugh and stood up, pulling his cowl back rom off his head; his golden locks he calls hair falling free from their prison. Daenerys let out a gasp and covered her mouth with her hand. Her eyes settling down on her half-brother before she stood from her throne.
"You've came back?" She asked, her steps slow and steady as she came down the small steps.
"Of course, I did say I would." Naruto answered, opening his arms for her as she came running into them for a hug. They both shared he embrace for a short while before splitting apart.
"So tell me. How was your trip?" She asked, walking away from the throne room with Naruto in arm. The Unsullied guards took that as a hint that she was done for the day and slowly began to clear out anyone who was left,
"It was pretty good." Naruto said; "Traveled to Dorne, spent some time with my daughter and her soon to be husband."
"I have a niece?"
"Yes…from my half-sister." Naruto answered, not too sure on how Daenerys would that the last part.
"Oh…well that…would mean you practice what the Targar- our family ritual." Naruto nodded his head, watching as they walked into an open forum surrounded by Harpy statues and fountains.
"Sorta…happened…twice."
"Two Daughters?"
"Daughter and Son." Naruto replied.
"Oh…continue." Naruto gave her a small smile and went on.
"Stopped a kidnapping of my daughter which led me to a goose chase north. Attended a wedding as you already knew. The wedding was good though. Great food the Freys can make, sadly it ended rather bloody."
"A red wedding?" Daenerys asked with a raised brow; "The Dorthraki says that a wedding without at least three murders was a bad omen." Naruto chuckled and nodded, hearing that from a friend of his in the league.
"This one…massacred houses and families. At least a couple dozen hundreds." Naruto walked over to a fountain and ran his hand under the sporting water. "So I'd say it's a good omen under Dorthraki law." Daenerys giggled a little and looked out from one of the few windows. Naruto walked over towards her and followed her gaze out the window. "Something on your mind?"
"The League."
"Trouble?"
"No…there haven't been any sign of them since you left." Naruto nodded his head and mulled over it.
"The league does as it pleas. I hardly have any say on where their members go." Naruto took a seat on one of the window sills and looked out; "Gendry one the other hand…have you seen him?"
"Um…the forge under the pyramid. He said something about forging some armor or something you me…and me." Naruto nodded his head and stood up; "I have a meeting with my consul."
Westros: Kings Landing
Tommen sat under a tree in the court yard at the Red Keep; in his hand was a book. A real ancient tome that he had found in his father's office back at the Den. He turned the page and kept on reading; not even looking up as several members of the Lannistar family army walked pass him, along with a few members of the Kings Guards and Gold Cloaks. He was too busy reading some of the adventures and archival records of League members. Out of the many that was recorded in the tomes pages, only a few raised a brow on his head. An Edward Kenway* was one that had his interest. Edward was a member of the Greyjoy family back during the Dance of Dragons era. After his ascension to the title dragon; he cast off his Greyjoy surname and took up Kenway. Becoming one of the few Assassins to sail the Narrow seas and pillaged ships. Tommen turn another page and came to a stop on another assassin. Rhaelyra Valtalor*. A female Valyrian Assassin dating back before the Doom. She was a dragon rider and assassin. With a kill count that would put Naruto's to shame. She was rumored to be one of the few riders to survive the doom while in the league; along with her dragon Flemeth. She was also the creator of the phantom blade, the hidden projectile blade that became one of his father's favorite weapon. He let out a sigh and looked up, his eyes catching the tail wind of one of the guards walking around. With a sigh, he went back into his book. Andahr zo Zhao*, a Ghiscari assassin was the next assassin that caught the young princes eye. Andahr was a Grand Master Assassin, and sat on the Dragon Courts. He was also the master of the cave temple that soon became known as Nar Shaddaa and home to the league. He was also rumored to have gone missing around the time of the Doom. All of these former assassin held Tommens interest for as long as he could read the book. Some were impressive in terms of fighting; others were brutal like Rhaelyra who burned down an entire village to kill a single tribal leader. Then there were the pirate assassins that followed behind Edward who spent his time pillaging, drink, fucking and kill people while he sailed. It amazed Tommen on the long list of wives that Edwards had; which made Tommen think that Edward was the one who first create the 'Taking the Seven' coming of age ritual that most men in Westros preform. Andahr wasn't like the other two; he spent his time read and learning. He was a scholar first, an assassin second; and a men that rarely wanted to be crossed nor met on the battlefield. He snapped his book closed and looked up to the top of his eye lids to see his brother standing in front of him. With a raise brow, he sat up a bit more and looked at his brother.
"What?" Tommen asked.
"What are you reading?" Joffery asked; "Better yet, why are you reading? Let me." Joffery reached out to snatch the book from Tommens hand; only for Tommen to move the book behind his back.
"It's a book on the League." Tommen answered; "Something that would not be any interest of you."
"You are studying the enemy. Treason?" Tommen raised his brow once more and stood up from his seat. While was a complete head shorter than Joffery, he still glared up at the boy king.
"It's called "Know thy Enemy, Know Thy self" brother." Tommen pushed shoulders with his brother and made his way to the door.
"Then its treason dear brother. Like our pathetic uncle." Tommen stopped, and looked over his. "What? You cared for our pathetic unc-. "Joffrey was cut off by a hand grabbing his neck, his feet leaving the floor and finding himself on his back hard. He let out a gasp for air, his eyes open wide to find Tommen saddling his stomach, left hand around his neck and his right held back in a fist. The soft sound of metal sliding against each other made Joffery look up to Tommens right fist to see a hidden blade slide out.
"Don't you dare! Talk shit! About Naruto!" Tommen shouted aloud. He could hear the shuffling of boot of guards running towards them. "He was more of a man then you! And he more of a king then you will ever be!" Joffery couldn't say anything, fear rushed over him as his eyes never left he shining glint of steel that was poised to kill him at his younger brothers whim. "And unlike the fat fucker Robert; Naruto was my father!"
"Tommen!" Shouted a voice as several kings guards came running into the room. Pikes and swords drawn and pointed at Tommen. "Release the king!" Tommen let out a growl; fighting a metal war to kill or be killed. "Please Prince Tommen." The Guards plead. Tommen let out a sigh and moved from off his brother. The hidden blade sliding back up his sleeve. Tommen clenched his jaw and spit at Joffery before walking out of the room.
Tommen walked out of the Red Keep and down into the streets of Kings Landing. He was breathing hard, his heart pumping erratically as sweat began to drop from his brow. He was on edge since he left his brother laid out on the floor in that room. Tommen let out a sigh and looked up at sky. He was finally coming to terms with what was happening around him. He was going from a sweet innocent boy that only wanted to chase his cat; to man who was willing to kill his brother for bad mouthing his father. He made a turn down an alleyway and made his way towards the only safe place that he knew of. The Den. While it was still under League occupation; guarded by members of the league and entrance was very limited. He walked through the gate and up to the main house to the Den. Pushing open the door to see several of Lannister men in their birthday suits being lead around by some of the whores of the house. He let out a scoff and made his way to the stairs to head up to his father's office. He pushed open the door and come to a stop. Sitting on the desk inside of the office, wearing gold and emerald was Margaery Tyrell. Her brown curls wrapped around her neck and down over her shoulder as she was looking over a ledger. She looked up to see Tommen standing at the door. She gave him a kind, welcoming smile; to which Tommen gave her a raised brow.
"What brings you to a whore house?" Tommen asked; walking into the room and over to the desk to take a seat behind it. Margaery eyes followed him as he moved through the room to the seat.
"You." Tommen gave her a questionable look and leaned back in the seat.
"Why?" He asked back, opening his arms to emphasis his point. "Unless this is the part where you drop your cloths and offer to blow me?" He gave her a small smirk and let out a laugh. "We are in a whore house." Margaery scoffed and shake her head no.
"Not that. I'm here to talk about your brother." That made Tommen to lean in a bit more and raise a brow.
"Please…enlighten me."
"His removal from the picture." Margaery leaned in closer to Tommen as the two of them stared each other in the eye; "And your succession to the Iron Throne." To which Tommen gave her a smile.
Essos: Meereen
Naruto sat on the steps to the throne that lead up to Daenerys; his robe was off, leaving him shirtless as the mid-day sun baked down on him. Strapped to his forearms were his hidden blades with a half plate guard on the back of them. He decided to take post as a guard in the throne room; listening and watching his half-sister own the court with the people in her growing empire. He looked up, his right hand holding a small knife that he was using to carve into a piece of wood. Entering the court was a woman that he was sure he knew. She was taller than average, with long dark brown hair that looked to braided deep down to her feet. She wore very little cloths, mostly cloth and in the color tan; but what gave away from origin came in the form of twin carved blades at her hips, a set of smaller knives at her shins and a pair of bracers on her forearms. Naruto stood up from his seat and tossed the knife at her. She moved her head to the side, and watched it go pass her before looking back at Naruto with a small smirk.
"Huntress…what brings you here?" Naruto asked in the common tongue. The girl gave a smile and took a step forward; only to be stopped and blocked by the Unsullied guards in the room. "She's clean, let her in." The guards moved and the girl walked closer.
"Thief." She said; "A Dragons Court has been called."
"Full?" Naruto asked back, hearing Daenerys stand from her seat.
"All of us." She answered back. Naruto gave a nod and looked back.
"She's a member of the league. Ravi meet my sister Daenerys Stormborn of house Targaryen. Sister meet Ravi, of the Black Khalasar." Daenerys walked down from her step and approached the Dorthraki Khal.
"I've heard of you." She said; "You are the only female Khal to roam the Dorthraki Sea, and have…the second largest Khalasar." Ravi gave a nod and a smile.
"It's nice to find someone who knows of me and doesn't find me offensive." Ravi said in Dorthraki with a smirk.
"Khal Drogo admired you." Daenerys said back, Naruto looking between the two with a raised brow. "Found it quiet…annoying a little. He spoke of taming you too. Something along the lines of having you on your knees as he rides you like the horse god intended him to. Then passed you off to his bloodriders so that could have a ride before having his horse have at you." Ravi let out a laugh and held her stomach.
"Did he? Man…that would be an awesome meeting if it could happened." Ravi crossed her arms and leaned back a little; "You know…theirs a bounty on you." Ravi said in basic; "Dosh Khaleen…that's where you should be. Now…I could by all mean capture you and take you back kicking and screaming." With that said, Ser Mormont came from her corner with his sword drawn; making all of the Unsullied poise to attacked her. "But…out of respect of a fellow Dragon and his fucked up family. I won't. Months end Thief." Ravi turned and walked away as Naruto let out a sigh and a small laugh.
"Now…if only I could have got the two of you to kiss." Naruto said, walking over to the wall that his knife was embedded into. "But I have to go find my apprentice."
Naruto walked down the stone steps and went beneath the pyramid. Slowly pulling is white robe onto his shoulders. He looked around as the touches that lite the corridor that he was going down became more and less frequent. The corridor seem to darken with each passing moment and before long; there was only a low amber light at the end of the hall. Naruto walked into an open space, and quickly covered eyes with his forearm. In the middle of the room was a massive burning wood and coal forge. Along with a few anvils, a grindstone and a couple of cooling pools. Gendry was standing over the forge, pulling down on a chain the worked the fan blower beneath the forge.
"Please tell me you are not forging something again!" Naruto shouted, lowering his arm to see his apprentice.
"Fine." Gendry said; letting go of the chain; "I won't fix your stupid swords." Naruto chuckled and rolled his eyes. "I was working on a new set of armor for you. I read reports on you during the Battle of Blackwater." Naruto walked over and looked around; "I found this place to be honest…lots of iron and steel ore stored down here. And a really old book." Gendry pointed over to a desk with his hammer; showing Naruto the old book he mentioned. Naruto walked over and turned over the book. "I don't understand the language though." Naruto nodded and smiled.
"It's Valyrian." Naruto answered; "Of course you don't know the language." Naruto took the book and made his way to the stairs; "I'll work on the translations for you. In the meantime; prepare to travel."
"Travel where?" Gendry asked; walking behind the blond.
"Nar Shaddaa." Gendry came to a stop and let out a gasp.
"The League main hideout!" He shouted, running up behind his master. Naruto nodded, looking his shoulder at the boy. "You're going to take me there."
"Yes and if you are lucky enough I might put in a request to have you take your leap." Naruto came to a stop and turned to face Gendry; "But for now, prepare. The trip isn't the nicest." Gendry gave a nod and pushed by to make a run to the room he was using.
Essos: Unknown
The blistering sands of the desert blind all and any wary travelers that ventured into the sands. The winds picked up enough to start to howl, sand storming up lower enough to blister legs and shins. A shadowy figure began to form over a dune, moving slow and steady through the sand and winds. A groan echoed in the winds and one could swore that a slap was also heard too. Gendry was not having the time of his life in the desert. He was over clothed and dying from the heat. He was tugging on the scarf that went around his neck to cover his mouth. He looked over towards his master; Naruto who was riding his horse like there was no problem. Wearing his normal white robes, missing the sleeves along with both his half plate hidden blades. Naruto looked back at his apprentice and chuckled at how uncomfortable he was. Naruto spent the majority of his early training in the desert so he was used to the heat, sand and sudden wind change. It was more training for the Westros native in Naruto's opinion; but he knew the boy would overcome.
Coming over a sand dune, the two assassins came into view of a small trading post. Naruto knew what the post was and knew where they were. It was like he told everyone; Nar Shaddaa was lost unless you knew where to go. Gendry on the other hand knew where they were too. It was Home. He came through here with Varric on their way to Astaphor. Home was the small trading outpost that served as one of the guide points to the Assassin Stronghold and hideout. He let out a sigh of relief as it gave him a chance to cool off in one of the hidden spring under the post along with make some weapon changes. He looked over to Naruto and wondered what the male had going through his mind. Gendry knew that Naruto wasn't the most open guy in the world; and he also learned from staying in the assassin lords shadow for the long times that Naruto was planning something in his head. Riding into the trading outpost; Gendry was caught off guard by the amount of people that gathered around stalls and booths. The last time he was here; the place was like a ghost town, now it was teeming with people.
"Word got out that a Dragons Court was happening." Naruto said; looking back at his apprentice. "Which means changes in the way we conduct business. Most here are assassins; looking to catch a break in the league or clients looking to abuse the lack of attention to get some dirty contract made. Stay on your guard though."
"Yes lord." Gendry replied back, riding behind Naruto towards a Brothel. "Whats with you and brothels?"
"They serve as a good place to hide." Naruto chuckled, "And when you own the place. It makes for a good spot to rest your head." Gendry raised a brow before seeing the hanging from the building. The Kitsune. It was the same name that was often whispered in Flea Bottom when he was making his rounds to and from the blacksmith he worked and lived at.
Naruto pushed open the doors to the brothel and found it to be like it always was. Empty. Chuckling a bit; he walked on inside and made is way to the reception desk; Gendry following right behind him. He knocked on the wooden counter a few times before reaching over and pulled on a lever. The bookcase behind the counter shifted and creaked a bit; before slowly sliding to the left to reveal an opening.
"I present to you; The Virgins Tunnel." Naruto said with a smile; "Other words; our entrance into Nar Shaddaa."
"Wait…you mean."
"Yeah, rather than risk letting some shady people know where the actually entrance is at. We'll be taking a secret one that only a few know of." Naruto jumped over the counter and walked towards the opening; waving his hand for Gendry to follow behind him. To which Gendry complied. The two of them made their way down a steep set of stairs and into a darken tunnel. Gendry let out a gasp, seeing on how suddenly the tunnel illuminate with a soft azure blue colour.
"Its magic, don't ask me about it." Naruto said; answering the question that Gendry was going to ask him. "And trust me; if I knew what it was, I'd tell you." He turned and looked back at the Baratheon boy with a smile; "Best believe it."
Nar Shaddaa. The second Birth place to the League of Assassins. Home to several hundred assassin bred families and a few thousand more operatives. It was built and carved into the jagged mountain range of the Red Waste and buried completely underground. The only thing that kept the temple life city from behind destroyed by the mountains above it was that fact that the walled were reinforced by Valyrian magic. It was the same kind of magic that was used to create the many secret tunnels that connected the temple city to the outside world. Gendry let out a gasp at the first official sight of the temple; and let out another one when he walked out behind his master into once more another brothel that was this time; had girls working. He was completely out of placed; all of the rags he wore to cover his face and body from the harsh storm was now of no used. For a city temple buried in the rocks; it was a mixture of warm air and cold air that seem to circulate efficiently. He looked up to see a massive glowing orangish yellow orb in the sky. It seem to radiate air and warmth like an artificial sun. He looked off to the right of it to see a smaller, silver white orb that was moving slowly towards the yellow one. To which the yellow one was moving away.
"It's the sun and moon." Naruto said; making an offer to the matron of the place for the passage. "It helps keep track of the day in here. You can spend a day in here and it'll feel like a month."
"That bad?" Gendry asked back.
"Worse." The Matron answered; "You can live here and never see the sky; only know that whatever magic powers those orbs; is the only known light and sun you believe in. Hence why they are named after a pair of old forgotten gods." Naruto gave a nod and walked off from the counter; Gendry still trying his best to understand what he was witnessing.
The walk through Nar Shaddaa was rather peaceful to Gendry; who thought the city temple for the elite league of assassins would be hectic and covered in blood. From the balcony hung the Black Hand that symbolized the league. Along with old, torn and rugged tapestries that could only belong to some of the old Valyrian houses. He turned his attention to a massive fountain that was in the middle of the whole place. The thing was bigger then what he has ever seen. Water jetting out from the middle piece into the air as several dragons danced around the sides, spouting out more water. It was then that he saw it. The Citadel. He read about it in on of Naruto's books. It was the Leagues building. Inside there, boys and men walk in; and those who walk out are never the same. It was there that the Dragons Court sat; it was inside there that he would have to take his leap and pray to the Seven that he could walk out an Assassin.
The walk into the Citadel was simple enough in Gendry's opinion. You go through the doors and never see the light of day again. He laughed at the thought of that; but truly knew that it would only take a few moment to determine whether or not he could ever leave. He looked up at the arch way into the grand hall and raised a brow. He expected to find chains, people being tortured, and blood running down the stone floors. Instead; he walked into a library. Bookshelves ran the walls, people wearing grey colored robes walked along them. People were sitting, or standing and reading. A few were sitting around a map, making plans and such. This wasn't what Gendry had in mind when he first heard of the Citadel. He expected to find more…death. He turned his attention back to his master who was making his way to a set of stairs.
"Come Gendry. You'll be staying in my Seconds room for now." Naruto said; "Hanging on the rack will be a set of robes. Put them on along with the hidden blades. I'll meet you in your room when I'm done." Naruto came to a stop and opened a door for Gendry; "Well here you are. I'll explain later." Naruto took a few steps and walked into the room next door.
Essos: Nar Shaddaa: Citadel
Naruto stood outside his room, looking at Gendry's door. He robes were replaced with a cleaner set of whites; pulling decorative with the League mark on the back. His cowl was down around his neck; and burnt orange sash went around his waist along with a matching tassel that hung from his left shoulder. He was fixing the metal plate bracers, armbrace and gauntlets over his arms when Gendry's door opened. The young boy walked out wearing a slate grey long tunic under a white washed robe. He bore twin tassels off his left shoulder along with a single leather hidden blade. He looked up at Naruto and gave him a sheepish grin. Naruto gave him a look over, before approaching the boy and tugged on his robe a little; dusting off his shoulders and pulled his right arm around to tighten the hidden blade correctly. He looked back up at Gendry, straight into his eyes and spoke.
"A few rules to keep in mind." Naruto started; "You are my second. You have no voice in the Dragons chambers. Keep your personal life to yourself. And don't speak to anyone you see." Gendry gave a nod, confused a little but Naruto could already tell that. "You haven't been officially indoctrinated into the league…so everyone here will see you as an outsider. Once I get a moment with one of the Grand Masters. I'll ask if they can administer your leap for you."
"What is the leap?" Gendry asked; "I've read on it; but never actually seen it."
"It's a test…the test itself is different for each person. The last part or the crucial part is the 'Leap of Faith'. A moment where you have to choice between two things." Naruto gave him a pat on the shoulders; "Now, let's go. Before we are late and have to listen to the others complain." Gendry gave a nod and followed behind his master down the hall.
Naruto pushed open a set of massive steel and oak doors; coming into sight of a low candle light that enveloped the stone room. Hanging from the upper observatory level, were thirteen black and grey flags. In the middle was another flag that flanked a set of cast rolled iron, valyrian steel and magic inbound double doors. These ones held the image of a nine off set rings, each looked to be connecting magatamas. The middle of the room sank into the ground with a massive round table; which nine chairs sat around. Naruto pointed to the stairs on his right and gave Gendry a nod to climb them as he went into the sunken middle. He walked into view of the table and let out a sigh. Finding Varric sitting down with his legs propped on the table; his cowl over his eyes and the rather loud snores leaving his mouth. Naruto rolled his eyes and took a seat in an open chair, tossing a coin purse down onto the table.
"That better not be a bribe to make me stop snoring" Varric said, pushing his cowl up a little to look at Naruto with a scowl. "Because that's not going to happen."
"Nice to see you to asshole." Naruto said back, taking the coin purse back. "Where are the others?" Varric looked around a bit and shrugged; not really sure himself.
"No clue, guess we are the first ones here."
"Well that's a relief to hear." Said a female voice. Both assassins turned to see Ravi walking over with a sway of her hips. "Makes me being here not all that disappointing. Now where is our king?"
"Yusaf is going to be late." Naruto said; "Like always." Varric finished. Ravi let out a laugh and took the set next to Varric and propped her legs on the table as well.
"Well…threesome?" She asked with a raise brow and a smirk.
On the upper level, Gendry paced around a bit. Looking down at the table to see his mentor talking with other people. He was starting to feel lost until a set of hands grabbed at his crotch. He let out a yelp and turned around; only to feel a set of arms stopping him. He caught the sweet scent of huckleberry coming off his assailant and then a soft nibble to his ear. He was confused and oddly turned on about the attack that he didn't even notice his hidden blade was out at the attacker's leg.
"Easy tiger." Said a feminine voice; "I'm only joking." The lady backed away with her hands up in the air. Allowing Gendry to turn around.
"Sorry…it was-"
"Instinct. Naruto taught you to be able to attack at a moment's notice." Gendry gave a nod, finally able to see who was molesting him. She was a head shorter than him, dark skinned with honey colored eyes and a seductive smirk on her face. "Isabela. You?"
"Gendry." He answered back.
"Got a big one just so you know. Only known Naruto to be big." She walked off to lean over the edge; "Guess you are his Second. It's about time, I was starting to get lonely up here."
"What do you mean Second?" Gendry asked; walking over to her.
"You're his successor. If he was to die." She answered; "All Dragons have a Second. Yusaf has taken four since I've been around. Ravi declined saying it was too complex and I've been Varrics since he caught me in bed with his best friend. But for the past few years; I've been the only one."
"Is it lonely?" He asked.
"Terribly. Wanna fuck?" She asked; opening her robes before Gendry, making the poor boy blush red.
A few hours went by before Yusaf walked into the chamber followed behind by four other people. They all took a seat at the table and stared at each other before hearing the sound of the doors coming to a close and locking into place. It was then that the room grew quiet and all seriousness came about.
"I believe introductions are needed once more?" Yusaf said, breaking the silence as the sounds of moaning ceased to happen; "And your second is done taking advantage of whoever is on the upper level Varric." Varric gave a nod, sitting up correctly to fit the demeanor of the room.
"Grandmaster Ashella Lavellan of Skyhold." Said an older female assassin who in turned laid an old oak, hawthorn, ash, elder, valyrian steel made bow onto the table before her. "I bear the Mark of the Archer."
"Grandmaster Gerald." Said an older man; who aid a pair of knives on the table. "Mark of the Butcher."
"Grandmaster Durin." An old man said; setting a hammer down; "The Smith."
"Grandmaster Arno." Said the last old man; who set down a book; "Mark of the Preacher and Measter."
"Dragon Varric, the Bard." Varric pulled out and smalled one of his crossbow bolts into the table.
"Dragon Ravi, the Huntress." Ravi set an old baby dragon skull on the table.
"Dragon Naruto; the Thief." Naruto set down a locket.
"Dragon Yusaf; the King." Yusaf set a jeweled crown onto the table. "We are all here then." Everyone gave a nod; "We are here to decide on a new Dragon. Our sister Nariko was slain in the field by an unknown person. We have people looking into her death, but at this time; the Dragon Court is in need of a new Dragon. I will start with recommendations."
Up above, Isabela was fixing her robes while listening to the conversation below with Gendry. She let out a gasp when she heard the Nariko was killed. She was friends with the girl, and often gave her shelter on her ship during storming nights in Bravvos. Gendry on the other hand was trying to remember all of the people's names and title, all of which was growing to be confusing to him. He turned his head to look over at Isabela; and as if she already knew what was on his mind, she walked over to him. She draped her arm around his shoulder and let out a low sigh. She reached into one of the side pouches on her robe and pulled out a wine skin; offering some to Gendry before listening back on the group below.
"I don't see why we can make him a Dragon?" Argued Gerald; standing up from his seat; "He has enough contracts and kills under belt; hell more than the lot of you!"
"We declined the recommendation based on the fact that he has shown quiet vividly on how much he dislikes the Dragon Council." Varric said back, leaning back in his seat; "And that is warrant enough to bar him from joining. Even if makes Grandmaster status."
"Varric makes a point Grandmaster Gerald." Yusaf spoke softly; "We are looking for someone who has an interest in this court. He is not one of them."
"I propose Master Redcliff is out?" Grandmaster Arno asked; "He shows exceptional skills and is one of the youngest Master Assassins we have. Not to mention how well known he is with some of the Westros nobility."
"That makes him a Liability." Naruto said; "Westros nobility would abuse his power at first chance. Both me and Yusaf can attest for that."
"Then I don't suppose that's a bad thing. You two seem to fair okay in that environment."
"I hate my family and the royal court. Remember; I sat on the Iron throne at one point. It takes patients to be in the presence of the Nobility."
"I don't see why we can keep the recommendation in mind." Yusaf said; "He can be added onto the billet." Yusaf wrote down the man's name.
"Mistress Lavellan…you have to Master Assassins serving as your guards. Why not offer them the chance to be Dragons." Ravi asked, leaning a bit to speak.
"While that would be a good idea; I am imposed to keeping them. Master Trevelyan and Master Adaar are both skilled assassins but running Skyhold require the three of us and First Assassin Cadash to control." Ravi and the court all nodded.
Up above, Isabela was explaining who the people named were to Gendry when they both heard footsteps to see Master Adaar and Trevelyan walking over. They were both laughing to one another before stopping at the sight of the two Seconds.
"Why hello. You don't mind if we join you two?" Master Trevelyan asked; her voice soft and light. Gendry and Isabela both shook their head no.
"So Skyhold." Isabela said, looking back down at the court below; "Is a castle in The North of Westros. It's one of the Leagues strongholds and is under Mistress Lavellan controls. The land it is built on and the surround mountainside, land, and river all belong to the League and is free from the Stark Family control." Gendry nodded; "It is also the only place where there is an actual active army located at. A full twenty some odd thousand troops ready to be deployed at the Courts word."
"And Naruto never used them?" Gendry whispered; thinking back to the Battle of Blackwater. "Is there any other League Strong holds?"
"There three in total." Master Trevelyan said; walking over; "Naa Shaddaa, Skyhold and Dragonsreach. Naa Shaddaa was made the center capital of the league after The Blood Wars. Skyhold took over all military function in Westros and Dragonreach is…well complicated."
"So you two come from Skyhold?" Gendry asked.
"I'm from the south, The Reach." Master Trevelyan said with a small smile on her face; "I grew up serving House Tyrell until I was recruited by an assassin. Adaar grew up just outside Winterfell. House Adaar served alongside Eddard Stark and the Late King Robert Baratheon during the Rebellion." Master Adaar gave a nod and looked back down at the court below. Running a hand through his greying hair.
"The other one?"
"Cadash is blue blood. He grew up here." Master Adaar answered; "It's the reason why he holds the rank First Assassin. He's been training since he was able to walk and talk. Baptized in the flames of the League."
"What is a 'First Assassin'?" Isabela let out a sigh and rubbed her temple a little. "Sorry…I haven't been serving as an assassin for long honestly."
"No worries." Master Trevelyan answered; "Everyone starts off as an Initiate. After a training period of a year to five; you're eligible to take your leap. Passing your leap grants you the title 'Assassin'. From there is all classes. Tenth is the next level until Second. That can take a life time to accomplish or as short as twenty years; if you live that long. The rank after Second are split in two. Teaching or Specialty. Teaching leads to the Rank First Assassin; in which you teach what you know and learned in your years to the younger generation. Master is the Specialty Class. We each are a specialist in a different skill set. Grand Master follows behind both." Trevelyan let out a cough, covering her mouth a little; "As a Second, you are technically a Second Class Assassin without all the skills, years and training behind you."
"Ah…so that's why Naruto is in such a hurry to get me to take my leap." Everyone around his gave him a nod; "Figures…but really I'm just a blacksmith some so decent skills."
"You'll make a good Master Assassin if you ever leave his service. We rarely get a blacksmith." Master Adaar said with a laugh before pointing down at the court; "They're seem to be coming to a decision."
"Whose it this time?"
"Assassin Fourth Class Amon." Master Adaar answered; "Which would be shot down quickly."
"Why is that?" Isabela asked, leaning onto the stone to look down below.
"He's arrogant, smug and has an issue with anyone from and of Valyrian blood." Trevelyan said; "So…considering three of the members of the court have Valyrian blood running through the veins; he might cause an issue." Everyone gave a nod, looking down at the rather loud argument that was happening below.
Westros: Kings Landing: Red Keep
Tommen paced the halls of his home; his arms behind his back as he looked about. He gave a small smile to some of the passing maids, knights, and servants as they came into his view. A few exchanges of word; no big conversations before he once more vanished out of view. He made his way down into the throne room before letting out a sigh. Seeing as the room was empty; no one around except a few servants scrubbing the stone floor and laying down straw to absorb the soapy water. He walked around the room a bit, looking around with an ever so curious look upon his face. He came to a stop at the Iron Throne; looking it over with a careful eye. His soft blueish green eyes traveling along the length of the step to the top and fallen upon the seat. He stared with a curious eye, and had tem travel back down south to the base of the throne. He turned tail, the tail end of the tunic flying out behind him as he made his way out of the throne room.
He began the short climb up the stairs towards his grandfather's room and hall. He always was curious on what happened in the small council meetings; whose was saying what. What resources were being moved and such; who was planning what behind the others back? He came to the third floor in which his grandfather has made into his personal space. Well most of it was converted into the personal space. He looked around a bit; surprised to see more Lannister Men-at-Arms standing guard and post. He knew his grandfather had them in the castle; just never noticed how many there were. He moved by them without any trouble from them. He came to a stop at the wood door that was the small council chambers. He pressed his ear against the wood to hear some muttered and talking before he let out sigh and raised his right hand to give a knock on the door. Hearing the command to open it; he pressed on and walked inside.
"Prince Tommen?" Tywin said, sounding shock to see his grandson at his door. "What bring you here?"
"I believe that since I am the crown prince until such a time that King Joffery can produce an heir." Tommen started; "I should know the seven kingdom inside and out along with the talk of the small council." He looked around to see mother sitting on the right of his grandfather, his uncle on his left along with Maester Pycelle. The council gotten smaller since as of late.
"Logical. Rather a political way to viewing your position." Tywin leaned back in his seat and thought for a moment. "Come, have a seat." He waved his grandson over to have a seat; to which Tommen smiled and bowed. He walked over and took a seat beside his mother; pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill. Everyone raised a brow at him and he smiled in response.
"Notes." Was all that he said. Everyone exchanged looks before nodding as it was a good idea for him to do.
"Well, we were talking about the issue up north." Tywin said, reaching out to pour himself a chalice of wine; "Do you know what has happened at the Twins?" Tommen gave a no, he heard rumors but those were only rumors.
"I assume you heard rumors then nephew." Tyrion asked. Tommen gave a nod in exchange.
"Well most of them are true. The entire castle and bridge is frozen over in ice. The problem is; that the ice isn't melting like most ice does. And for it to appear in the size that it is and during the tail end of summer like this. We find it hard to believe that it is normal ice."
"Rumors are…that some of the peasants that were around the area swore they saw a dragon." Varys said, taking what his little spiders and birds can tell him.
"Dragon. That's a load of bullshit." Tywin shouted back; "There are no dragons in Westros, and I find it hard to believe there are three in Essos." He slammed his fist on the table.
"Father…you know for a fact that there is always the possibility that-"
"He wouldn't." Tywin interrupted his daughter; "I know my son hates the Freys…but I doubt he has the power to command ice like that." Everyone went quiet, thinking on how to answer the question of what happened at the Freys.
"Let's move onto a different topic? Yes?" Cerseai asked; getting a nod from everyone in the room.
Tommen learned a lot while sitting in the small council meeting with his mother and grandfather. He learned that there was a growing issue with the royal family debt that his 'father' and plunged them into along with the growing fear that a long winter was on its way. He also learned that there was a food shortage that was causing for issues in the city and the outer farms. Then there was the issue on how to go about with the Royal Wedding that Tommen himself was not all the enthused about. He took his parchment and was on his way heading back to the Den to review everything his learned. But before he could do much on the route to the place; he was taken aside by one Margaery Tyrell. Tommen let out a gasp and was about to punch her when he recognized who she was. He let out a sigh and dust himself off before looking at the soon to be queen. Awaiting for her to say something…hopefully. With his golden brow slowly raising to vanish into his hair, he watched her look around the corner of the hallway they were hiding in before looking back at him.
"Well?" Tommen asked, growing quiet impatient.
"Sorry, making sure we were alone." Margaery said; "I have an idea on how to remove your brother; but it will be tricky if we do not do it correctly." Tommen nodded his head.
"Go on."
"We have him looked like he was assassinated." She answered; "I read some of the Royal Invitations that were being sent out. One was to your Uncle Naruto, on the behalf of my grandmother. He would ma-."
"No." Tommen interrupted her as he began walking away; "Not happening that way."
"Why?" Margaery asked; "Why not use him? You're grandfather already hates him, it will only be the logical solution to our problem!"
"I will not have my father be a scapegoat for your plan." Tommen told her with a straight face; "I'll deal with removing my brother. You worry about keep your pretty little doe eye available and ready." Tommen turned around and walked away from her and out of the Red Keep.
Essos: Na Shaddaa
The dragon's court emptied out after a long seven hour session filled with arguing, demands, and accusations. The session started off as selection for a new Dragon to join rank; but as the time went on, it slowly turned into an argument over who was more qualified for the position and why they should have it. It took all of Naruto strength not to leave the room; and even more to keep Yusaf from killing everyone in the room. Naruto walked out with his head down low, his mind wondering the halls of his brain and his hands behind him back. He was pondering on the final two members in which they were thinking of selecting to be the new Dragon. He looked up to see Gendry walking over, flanked by both Master Adaar and Trevelyan. He scowled a little and held his head up high as his apprentice approached him. He opened his arms to fold them in front of him. Watching as his apprentice smiled and laugh with the two older masters. He honestly had never seen Gendry smile some much before, it was always a scowl, a frown or a confused look. Never truly a smile. It was this that made Naruto smile back, a sigh leaving his mouth before he walked off himself. Heading to his chambers to get some rest. He would deal with the Leap in the morning.
It was hard to tell what time it was being inside the cave lair for the assassins. Many who've came through often find it confusing and after a while. It drove visitors to develop insomnia. So for the first few nights that Gendry was in Na Shaddaa, he would always wake up late from sleeping and took him forever to fall asleep. After the third night; he grew to understand how living in Na Shaddaa worked and made progress in sleeping. So when the pitch black room that he woke up in didn't seem familiar to him; he panicked. He looked around, barely able to make out neither shape nor sound in the room. He went to move to find his left hand was chained to the floor beneath him; only giving him a good ten feet of clearance in all direction. He reached down with his right hand; finding himself without any arms nor gear. The panic was slowly beginning to become clearer to him as he looked around.
"Hello!?" He shouted into the room; seeing if this was some mistake and his master would come running in. "Anyone there?!" He shouted, repeating the process a few times before it became clear that he wasn't going to get a response back.
His eyes slowly began to adjust to the darkness he was in. He could make out a few shapes, like the room was circular. There was a table that was beyond his reach and he could make out what appeared to be a door. His mind began to work in overtime as he looked around some more before back down at the chains on his left wrist to the floor. He gave a soft tug; hearing the chains rattle a little. He tugged once more, feeling the resistance of the chain before letting out a sigh and looked around once more. He could now make out the entire room better in the dark. Shifting around a bit more; he let out a grunt, flexing his left arm to pull along the chains. Due to the lack of noise minus his grunting and chains rubbing against each other. The chains were stressing against each other and the audible snap was heard in time to watch the chains links fly into the air. Gendry rubbed his arm and looked around some more; walking over to the table and looked down at it. He saw a arrange of weapons, tools and other lethal equipment. It was then that he remember what Naruto told him a few days ago over a meal.
"You'd been accepted to take your leap. While I wish I could tell you when; it is tradition for you to just…appear in the middle of it. I can tell you that each leap is different for the other. The common thing is the table of gear and a photo of your target. The rest is up to you."
"And what am I to do?"
"That is your choice. Your target is determined by how you want to take them down. Death is always the option; but please remember submission is also needed of an assassin."
Gendry looked around the table a bit before seeing a rolled up piece of parchment. He reached out and unrolled it; giving it a look over and let out a groan.
Mister Gendry
You have been accepted to take your leap. Before you is an array of weapons you may choose from. You also have a sketch picture of your target. You must kill your target to pass; but due note. That you too is a target for someone. So remember to vigilant; this is kill or be killed. We rarely give a second chance at a leap.
Grand Master Ashella Levallan
Gendry let out a groan and looked around once more; wondering if it was possible for him to run away and leave this place for good. He looked at the table and grabbed a set of hidden blades, along with a set of throwing knives and a single edge short sword. He pulled off the long tunic he was wearing; leaving himself in a sleeveless under shirt and his trousers. He flexed a little; walking around a bit more to look at the other weapons. He was about to walk away when he noticed a long chain connected to a rather short dagger. He looked it over, before grabbing it. Slinging the chain around his shoulder and headed towards a tunnel. He looked down the tunnel, noticing a light began to appear as a smile grew on his face. He picked up his speed a pace, making a run to the exit to find himself walking into an open hallway. He looked around, taking in the new sight. Along the sides of the halls were touches to light the place; a few draperies hanged to the floor; tattered and weathered. There was very little furniture and everything seemed quiet to him. Too quiet.
Naruto sat on the edge of the balcony that looked down into the area in which Gendry was at. Beside were the other dragons along with several other members of the League. He looked over at Yusaf who was busy writing something down in a ledger; then over to Varric who was reading a book. He let out a sigh and rolled his eyes; making a silent prayer to the forgotten gods for guidance. He knew what this version of the leap was and it was making him feel uneasy about it. He witnessed this version before. It normally lead to only one walking out of the Leap alive…if barely.
Gendry was panting hard, he looked over shoulder for a quick second before having to roll to his left into a hall to avoid an arrow. He looked down at his feet, noticing the blood was still fresh on his soles. He closed his eyes, making several prayers to his gods for guidance. The old, the new, the lord of light, the drowned gods and even the forgotten ones. His mind was plagued with site of a female in a room. Stripped naked, hanging from her hands as blood dripped from her opened abdomen; her intestines', spleen and guts piled beneath her hanging from. Blood puddling beneath her feet that barely touched the floor. Gendry covered his mouth to stop himself for gagging up his stomach. He looked to his right to see if he was in the clear before moving out into the open to make his way down the hall. He reached for the daggers at his side and kept his eyes open for any dangers. A danger sense went off at the back of his head; moving his head to the side to avoid the soaring dagger that went by his ear. Hearing it whistle through the hair.
"Well shit!" Gendry panted, reaching for the rope dart at his side. "Who are you?" He asked.
"Name is none of your damn business." The voice said as it walked out into the low candlelight revealing to be a guy. "Just die so I can become an assassin." He shouted, running at Gendry with short swords drawn. Gendry leaned back avoiding a sword swipe from the man. His eyes leaving the man's face to focus on the sword. He moved in sync with the man, avoiding each of his attacks, just how Naruto had taught him.
"I'm Gendry of Westros." Gendry said, dropping down to his knees to slide around the man before getting back up to hold his sword at the man's back. "You?"
"None of your fucking business." The man shouted, turning around fast to clash steel with Gendry. "You are just my target, just like everyone else." He moved with wild fury. Gendry smiled and blocked each of his attacked before tossing his sword up to catch it in reverse grip. Giving a clean cut to the man's neck.
"Then rest in peace." Gendry said in broken Valyrian in a soft tone. Gendry dropped the sword, cleaning off his hand as the man dropped to his knees. Clenching at his neck to stop the bleeding. Blood pooling at his hands to drip onto the floor. His eyes moving to look at Gendry, gone was his dominance; replaced by fear as he tried to plea for mercy. But Gendry gave none.
Instead, he walked down the hall away from the man. Moving into another open area to see it littered with bodies. Blood staining the stone floor red and the stench of death ever strong. He covered his mouth to cough a few times before a latent danger sense went off once more. Moving his head to the side slightly; he saw an arrow soar by him. He turned around slowly, to see a female holding a hawthorn bow at the ready with another arrow. He flashed her a smile to which she returned. He rolled his shoulder and looked around coming to the conclusion that they were the only two left.
"Names Gendry." He said; "Yours?"
"Nymeria." She spoke, holding her arrow at the ready.
"Like the Rhoynar princess?"
"My father named me after her. A powerful warrior queen. Foresaw me as one too." Gendry gave a nod and reaching behind his back and grabbed a few knives. Readying himself for combat. They stared at each other, slowly walking to the left in a circle.
"You know…I am to become a Dragons second right?" Gendry asked, not too sure on what he wanted to do just yet.
"I've heard." She replied; "Lucky you, get to be second to a dragon. It's a high honor only second to serving one of the Grandmasters." Gendry gave a nod, agreeing with her. "So…where does this leave us? We are the last two and this is to the death."
"Submit." Gendry gave a simple answer. "Submission is an easier way to end this."
"We are assassins, our lives are life and death!" She shouted back; "Kill or be killed."
"Yet as assassins we are tasked with gaining information for the kill. Such information require queens, princess, ladies and women to submit." Gendry walked over to her slowly. "Information is vital to an assassin." Nymeria slowly started to blush; "But tell me this. Why the bow when you have a whip at your hip?"
"The whip is for more…intimate kills." She answered before Gendry was in her face; her bow down at her hip as a blush grew more over her face. Before she could make a move, her lips were taken by Gendry and the two of them fell to the stone floor.
Naruto, Varric, Yusaf and Grandmaster Lavellan all stood at the exit to the 'Leap' Chamber. Each held a bored look on their faces as they waited from the occupants to walk out. To their surprise to see only one had walked out but two. Naruto smirked at the sight of his apprentice walking out alongside with a girl he knew well of. Varric shrugged and mutter something along the lines of these being the obvious outcome. Yusaf on the other hand just let out a sigh and walked away. He had better things to tend to. Grandmaster Levallan on the other hand could only laugh before walking over to them.
"So…we have two newly made assassins." She said in a calm voice; "Well, this was an outcome that I did foresee but, did not chose to believe. Well, this way then. You must take your leap." She waved them to follow her. The two did just that, walking behind her with Naruto trailing not too far behind. They came to a cliff side, open to the elements and the air above. They were no longer in the cavern city but outside in Essos. Levallan stood on the edge and looked over it and let out a whistle.
"Come along." She said, making them stand on the edge; "The wisdom of our creed is revealed through these words. We work in the dark to serve the light. We are assassins. Nothing is true everything is permitted." She said loudly, below them was a lakebed and around the lake was every assassin in the city. "Our rules are absolute, our ways are a lifestyle, and we serve those before us and those that come after. Take your leap and join our ranks. Nymeria Sand of Dorne and Gendry Waters of the Crownlands." Both let out a gasp at their names. "Yes, we know all." Both Gendry and Nymeria exchanged a look before leaping over the edge into the water.
So there you have it. Leave review, leave flames. I no longer care which you send.