CHAPTER 14. THE LION OF THE EAST
Josselyn liked the sea as the merchant ship she sailed on plowed through the waters. Everyday bought her closer to revenge. She wanted to wait in Lannisport for her father but she didn't want to run the risk of someone recognizing her. Besides her father was very intelligent and he would figure out that she was still alive and follow her. At night Josselyn would stare into the fire, but all she saw was the white haired woman. Who seemed sadder now, she also sees a great wall, with a garden of bones, and a tower, there is a skinny man of magic and another man with dark skin of the summer isles. The two murder the council of the city.
Josselyn wonders if her vision of the White haired woman is happening now or will happen. She asks the captain for a map of Essos. "Of these cities which has the highest walls?"
"That would be Qarth…" He grunts, "They Qarth is the greatest city that ever was is or will be…I hate going there…"
"Why?"
"Because of the mages of the House of the Undying…" Josselyn looks at him questioningly. "The House of the Undying is there lair…No can enter without their permission…"
As Josselyn travels the wars in Westeros unfold and in one vision she sees Jon with Lightbringer. She also sees the battle of Blackwater. Finally Braavos comes into view and the statue the Titant of Braavos is there to greet all visitors. Upon leaving the ship Josselyn makes her way to the Iron Bank. After waiting a good while Tychos Nestoris and two others appear.
"And who are you supposed to be?"
"Josselyn Lannister…" She answers with a smile.
"Josselyn Lannister is dead…Killed herself in a fire at Casterly Rock…"
"If that were true then why are her dress businesses still open…and how did the dress makers she employ make new gowns…"
"We did receive a letter from our office in King's Landing, but how do we know you aren't one of the faceless men pretending to be Josselyn Lannister, hired by Tywin Lannister…to gain access to her wealth…"
Josselyn gets up and walks to the brazier by the wall, "Watch…I am Josselyn Lannister and I have the blood of the Targaryens…Could a servant of the House of Black and White do this?" She sticks her hand into the fire after rolling up her sleeve. She leaves her arm in the brazier for a good while before removing it. "Is that proof enough or do you wish me scar my face to prove it is my face…" She asks showing them her arm.
"What do you want…"
"An army…one that will remain loyal no matter what…"
"There is the Unsullied of Astapor and the Golden Company…The Golden Company is said to never break a contract…"
"Where can I find the Golden Company?"
"Currently the Golden Company is fighting in the disputed lands…Their contract with their current employer is almost up…"
"I need a ship to get to Lys…I would like to leave as soon as possible…Also I take it that you will maintain good faith with me and not tell anyone that I am alive…"
"Of course my Lady…Um will you be joining Daenarys Targaryen since you are the blood of the Targaryens…"
"Daenarys Targaryen?" She listens as they explain about Dany and her brother.
("So it is true…") She thinks to herself. "I may consider it…My father will be following me when he arrives please discreetly point him in my direction…"
"Of course…In the meantime we have arranged a suit for you in the palace of Justice…"
Josselyn is escorted to the palace by Bank guards. When she arrives Josselyn bathes and changes her clothes then she enjoys a meal in her room alone. Josselyn decides to explore the city the next day as the ship isn't ready yet. She visits the market and then the House of Black and White. As Josselyn exits a boat she is spotted by a Westerosi from Dorne.
"Father!" Tyene yells to Prince Oberyne of Dorne. When the Dornish learned of Daenarys' existence Prince Oberyn convinces his brother to support Daenars Targaryen. "I saw a Lion…I saw a Lannister here in Braavos…"
"Who?"
"Josselyn Lannister…" Prince Oberyn smiles.
As Josselyn is walking toward the palace a whip is caught around her neck. She is dragged by horse through the streets, if not for the chain mail she is wearing her back would be torn apart. She takes a dagger and cuts the whip. She slowly stands up gagging for air. "Josselyn Lannister…The word in Westeros is you are dead…That you died in a fire…"
Josselyn gets to her feet, "Prince Oberyn…" Nymeria and Obara join him, "And the Sand Shits or Snakes…I forget…"
"The golden bitch has jokes…Let's kill her father…"
Josselyn draws her sword, "So who dies first…"
Obara twirls her spear, "She has balls I give her that…"
Obara thrusts her spear, Josselyn blocks the spear head and spins into her, but Nymeria catches her arm with her whip. She rolls toward Nymeria and kicks her in the face. Both Tyene and Obara attack at the same. Josselyn blocks left and right fending off the two young ladies. Josselyn kicks Tyene in the throat as of the two Obara is the deadlier fighter. As they continue their melee Josselyn looses track of Prince Oberyne. Soon Nymeria joins her sisters with a bloody nose and mouth. "The legendary Sand Snakes…I am so disappointed…Can't one of you land at least a scratch on me?"
The start backing away as they smile, then Josselyn looks up. Prince Oberyn is on the roof holding a jar of liquid, he dumps it on Josselyn and then drops a torch on her. As Josselyn burns the Sand Snakes smile, but their smile quickly vanishes as Josselyn doesn't scream. They watch in amazement as she removes the meltling leather, britches, and boots.
When the fire dies down, Obara aims her spear, "Hold!" Prince Oberyn commands. "How in the name of the seven are you still alive…"
"I have the blood of the Targaryens that's how…I faked my death and came to Essos to build an army…and get my revenge on my Grandfather…"
Oberyn takes Josselyn to his home in Braavos. "Who taught you to fight?"
"My uncle Jaime Lannister…"
"Ah the Kingslayer…"
Josselyn takes a drink from her goblet, "What are you doing in Braavos?"
"We came to show support to Daenarys Targaryen…and help her take the Iron Throne from the Bastard King…All of Westeros is up in arms…"
"She is in Qarth…"
"We know this…A ship will take us to Qarth…"
"I'm on my way to Lys to contract with the Golden Army…"
"All Dornish know the legends of the Targaryens…Some had the ability as you have shown to resist the fire…But your father is Tyrion Lannister and your mother was a lowly born woman…"
"I believe my mother had Targaryen blood or she was born from one of the Blackfyre bastards or a granddaughter of one…I know not…"
"A mystery for later…"
"They say the Targaryens could gaze into the future by staring into the fire…Is this true…" Tyene asks.
"I have seen many things staring into braziers…lit candles…and torch lights…" Josselyn stands, "But I have lingered here enough and my ship should be ready by now…"
Obara jumps up, "Father may I accompany her…"
Oberyn looks at Obara, "Why?"
"Anyone who can hold their own against the three of us is worth traveling with…"
Prince Oberyn looks at Josselyn, "That would be up to the Lion's Dragon…"
Josselyn smiles, "If you want I guess…"
Obara takes a knee, "Then I swear myself as your vassel until you release me…Your enemies shall be my enemies…I shall keep your council and watch your back until you release me or death takes me…"
"I accept your vow Lady Obara…You shall always have a place at my table and a bed in my home…I will ask no service of you that will bring you dishonor…Arise as my Vassel…" With Obara trailing Josselyn makes her way to her ship dressed in new armor.
"I am Captain Ran…The Iron Bank has already paid for your passage the gold is on board and we are ready to depart…"
After many weeks aboard the ship Dream Chaser they arrive in Lys where the Golden Company is currently fighting. Josselyn is taken to see Jon Connington General in command. "General…Josselyn Lannister to see you…"
"Josselyn Lannister…You are a long way from home…"
"I am this is Obara Sand my Vassel and you are?"
"Jon Connington General of the Golden Company…"
"Jon Connington…" Josselyn says repeating his name as she remembers it from her studies, "The same Jon Connington who was exiled by the mad King…"
He bows, "At your service."
"I had heard you drunk yourself to death…" Obara says speaking up.
"Obvisously that was a lie…Comes sit let us eat and drink…" They feast on suckling pig, bread, fruit, cheese, corn on the cob, pea soup, and Arbor Wine. "So what brings the young Lioness to Lys?"
"I wish to hire your company…The last group of Sell swords betrayed me…"
"To what end?"
"On a permenant bases…I wish to unseat my Grandfather and take the west for myself…I will pay whatever you ask and give you and your captains titles of whatever holds in the west you wish…"
Jon sighs, "I don't know…I will have to speak with my captains first…In the meantime I will have a tent set up for the two of you…"
Josselyn stands up, "Before I go how many men do you have?"
"Ten Thousand as we have replenished our numbers after the last battle…" Josselyn has to wait two days before she sees Connington again. "I have spoken with my captains and they all agree…We accept your terms…"
Josselyn stands up, "Good…Ten thousand men will not be enough to break my grandfather's hold over the west but it will be a start…We shall sail to Astapor and buy Unsullied troops as well." Three days later Josselyn's army is on the move and sails from Lys. During those three days Josselyn creates new dress designs and sends them by messenger to her dress makers. As she stands on the deck of her ship Josselyn stares into the fire and sees Daenarys with three Dragons. She also sees a city on fire and an army in black marching out of the city. The slave masters lie dead in the streets as Dany marches out of the city with an army 12,000 strong.
"You see something?" Obara asks standing beside her.
"The Future!"