AN: So here is the next chapter, I hope you all enjoy the chapter. As with my other one, this chapter hasn't been betaed yet so there may be one or two mistakes that I missed in my proof read. That being said I am pretty happy with this chapter.
Would love it if you leave some reviews.
Hope you enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Game of Thrones.
(Last Time)
"Archers!" Ariadne called, the attractive, blonde haired Centaur taking command of the other Centaurs as they pulled the bows off their backs and knocked their arrows. The twelve of them shifting around, as they all turned their attention to the movement ahead, with some of them also checking the group's flanks and rear for a potential ambush.
"Hold!" Hagrid commanded, his dark eyes narrowed as he unslung his giant crossbow from his back and loaded a bolt. His beetle black eyes scanning his surroundings, before he turned his attention to the stationary golems, that hadn't reacted to any of the commotion. "You golems, form a shield wall in front of us!"
The armoured automatons automatically moved to obey, the constructs having been enchanted to obey simple instructions, like pieces on a Wizarding Chessboard, which incidentally was what the Weasley twins used as a base for their experiments.
Within a minute the armoured golems had moved to the front of the group, their shields raised and interlocking as they created a formidable wall of steal and stone in front of the group. The rest of the party making use of the shield wall as the Centaurs and Hagrid used their height to their advantage as they prepared to fire over the constructs. All of them waiting, as more potential enemies began to appear from the forest.
( - )
Chapter 21
( - )
(Beyond the Wall)
"Hold the line!" Hagrid roared out as he raised his crossbow, looking down the sight at the men and women charging towards him. The large group looking to be dressed in little more than thick fur coats, and wielding a motley assortment of bronze and iron weapons, with a few of them even having bows.
Narrowing his eyes as they closed in, Hagrid estimated their number to be around three score. All of them spread out, acting more like skirmishers than a unit of warriors. In fact there appeared to be no order in the way they attacked, as they instead swarmed forwards on mass, likely hoping to overwhelm Hagrid's group through sheer numbers and ferocity. Though that might also have been because they had both been spotted, and because of the shock his groups appearance must have caused.
Letting out a deep breath, Hagrid's finger hovered over the trigger of his ballistae like crossbow. His eyes narrowing as he felt a gust of cold wintery air striking him in the face, a few of the specks getting caught up in his thick bushy beard.
"Hagrid, they're closing in." Ariadne, the leader of the Centaurs with him, said. Her stern voice clearly audible to Hagrid, despite the roaring of the charging wildlings. The blonde haired Centaur shifting about, her hooves making a crunching sound on the frozen ground. Her blue eyes looking to Hagrid, despite the fact she had an arrow nocked and her longbow drawn and ready to fire.
"Volley fire!" Hagrid shouted as he saw the wildlings were still charging forward, their weapons bared. With that said he pulled the trigger of his crossbow and released a bolt into the attackers, a bolt that was longer than a full grown man's arm springing forward and scything through two wildlings.
The bolt having struck the first wildling plumb in the chest. The sheer power behind the steel tipped bolt driving it through the man's ribcage and out the other side. The bolt still maintaining enough momentum to strike another wildling, running a few metres behind the first, in the stomach. The bolt folding the man in two as it punctured his stomach and ruptured his spleen.
As this was happening the Centaurs also released their arrows. The first volley falling amidst the charging wildlings. Ten of the fur clad savages being brought down with the first volley, the arrows finding their marks in throats, heads, and chests. The meagre protection the fur clothing gave the wildlings, meaning little to the steel, bodkin headed arrows the Centaurs were using.
"Again!" Ariadne shouted as the she and her brethren fluidly knocked and drew their arrows, none of them worried about the band of wildlings charging forward. None of whom slowed down, despite twelve of their number, a fifth of them over all being brought down on the first volley, the losses having likely not sunk in yet. "Nock, draw, loose!"
The Centaurs fired yet another volley, with this one bringing nine of the wildlings down. Whilst two of the other arrows struck their target, but in a none fatal spot, allowing them to continue forward, fueled by sheer adrenaline. The final arrow missed though, striking the trunk of a tree instead.
In response a half dozen of the wildlings loosed their own arrows, some of them finding their marks in the wall of golems. The bronze arrow heads glancing off of the golems steel armour. Which although mass produced and nowhere near the quality of the Goblin forged armour a number of the other magicals wore, it was still on a par with the finest castle forged steel.
As this was happening Hagrid had reset his crossbow, using a one handed leaver to pull it back using his strength. After that he had pulled out another bolt and armed the crossbow, before bringing it to bare on the wildlings once more.
Without a sound he pulled the trigger, the bolt tearing through the fifteen metres that now separated the wildlings from their positon. The bolt angling slightly downwards now as it struck one of the wildlings in the chest, tearing through his body before slamming into the frozen ground. Making it so the now dead wildlings was held aloft like a macabre scarecrow.
"Ready hand weapons!" Hagrid shouted as he slung his crossbow over his back, his hand instead going to the giant Goblin forged mace he had hanging from his hip. The giant feeling the weight of the weapon in his grip as he wielded it with a single dinner plate sized hand.
The Centaurs meanwhile had reacted differently, with six of them retreating, heading for slightly higher ground their bows still in hand as they prepared to continue their onslaught of arrows. Trusting in the wall of golems to keep a distinct separation between their group and the wildlings.
The other six however pulled out a mixture of swords and axes, their weapons having a slightly elongated handle so as to allow them to wield them with either two hands, or in such a way that they could reach a fallen enemy.
Within moments the wildlings struck the wall of golems, the large hulking structure taking a single step forward on impact. Knocking the wildlings backwards, and giving the golems an opening to bring their giant swords to bare. The wet sound of tearing flesh and the screams of some of the wildlings signifying that at least half a dozen had been killed on the first charge.
That's not to say some of the wildlings didn't put up a fight as one of them managed to thrust an iron greatsword through a golems guard, the blade scrapping along the automaton's armpit, damaging the mail and leaving a faint white line on the stone beneath. Of course the very same golem killed the wildling a moment later, its large blade almost cleaving his head in two.
Seeing that, and realising they were now almost down to half their number, the wildlings seemed to wise up to how outmatched they were. As without a single order they turned and fled. The arrows of the six Centaurs crashing down amongst them, bringing a further five more down.
Watching them break, Hagrid looked over to the grinning Ariadne. Noticing as he did that she looked like she was raring to go, the battlefury having descended on the usually composed Centaur. "Ariadne, take your team and give chase. I want to take one of them as a prisoner."
The blonde haired Centaur nodded at that, a fierce smile on her face as she leapt forward, five of her fellows following after her as she wove around the golems and began the pursuit. Her equine body allowing her to rapidly catch up to the fleeing wildlings, her eyes narrowed as she lashed out with her blade. Cutting the fleeing men and women down from behind. Her falchion sheering through their fur armour like a hot knife through butter.
Around her the rest of her kin also engaged the enemy. With a few of the wildlings being trampled underfoot. Whilst other were cut down from behind. A few of the wildlings though did manage to turn and put up a fight, but the sheer momentum the Centaurs had as they charged in was too much for an unmounted man to handle, and they were quickly brought down.
A couple of the remaining wildling archers also managed to also loose arrows. Unfortunately though, due to the speed on the Centaurs and the growing sense of panic, only one of them managed to hit their mark. A red haired, pale skinned woman, who's arrow managed to glance off Ariadne's flank. Drawing a slight trickle of blood, and a snarl from the female Centaur as she dashed forward. Ignoring the other wildlings for now as she closed in on the ginger woman.
Within moments, just as the red haired wildling was pulling back her bow, aiming for Ariadne's head, the Centaur reached her. Her sword lashing out and striking the woman in the side of the head, with the flat of the blade. The blow sending the woman crashing to the floor, a slight trickle of blood pouring out of one of her ears.
"I've captured a prisoner! Finish off the rest. We can't allow them to report back our presence. Not yet at least!" Ariadne called out as she leant down and pulled the human from the ground. A look of amusement on her face at how this girl had managed to hit her, even if it had been little more than a graze.
Listening to their leaders order the rest of the Centaurs charged on ahead. Chasing the remaining wildlings through the trees, their speed allowing them to swiftly catch up to, and cut down the last of their enemies, even those who surrendered. It was brutal yes, but it was necessary. If word of the magicals presence got back to some of the bigger wildling clans. Then it was possible that Hardhome would be assaulted. Which although not that concerning considering the defences in place, would certainly impede the expeditions research.
Turning and riding back to Hagrid, the red haired woman slumped unarmed and unconscious across her back. Ariadne couldn't help but grin as she saw how effective they were as a unit, three score wildlings dead or defeated, with only a slight graze to show for it.
( - )
(On the Iron Islands, with Harry)
A slight laugh escaped Harry's mouth as a pair of small, delicate hands gripped his ears. The culprit being a small child in Harry's arms, a young boy with twinkling green eyes and dirty blond hair. A slightly mischievous grin on the young child's face as he gripped his father's ears. A giggle of amusement leaving his mouth.
"Ah you blighter, you've got me!" Harry called out overdramatically, a large smile on his face as held his child, James, aloft.
More laughter left the boy's mouth at that. Before he let go of his father's ears and clapped his hands together in front of him.
Pulling the boy to him, Harry placed a light kiss on his son's forehead as he twirled him around. Delighting in his son's squeal of excitement.
"Careful Harry." Daphne called out, her blue eyes softer than he had ever seen them before, a beautiful smile also present on her face as watched the duo. Her silky blond hair tied back in a simple ponytail, and her clothing consisting of just a comfortable, cotton dress. "James is only young."
"I know, I know." Harry laughed as he held his son close. His eyes almost completely green now, with only the slightest flecks of red visible. His hair wilder than ever as he neglected to use magic to tame it whilst he was on his pseudo holiday.
Likewise he was only dressed in a pair of trousers and a baggy shirt. No armour, chainmail or leather. Just simple clothes worn for comfort.
"I get to hold him next." Fleur called out, her soft melodic voice getting another giggle from baby James as she glided forward. With Fleur being dressed as casually as the others. Not that it made her any less radiant, a smile prominent on her face as she scooped James up out of his father's arms and gazed into his warm green eyes.
Letting out another giggle James tried to grab a hold of Fleur's silvery hair, only for the part Veela to sweep most of it over her shoulder. The smile on her face broadening as she proceeded to lay a few soft kiss on the now pouting child's head. Garnering another squeal of delight as she did so. "He's so cute and cuddly!"
Daphne laughed as she heard that, the smile not leaving her face as she sidled closer to Harry. Allowing him to wrap an arm around her shoulders, and lay a kiss on her cheek.
"Yeah, he's pretty great." Harry replied happily, delighting in the warmth of holding Daphne and the joy of just spending time with his little family. "Though I really do need to get him legitimized."
Daphne poked him in the ribs as she heard that. "You do, though considering the amount of pull we now have in the Capital that will be easy, we can get it sorted anytime we like."
Harry nodded at that. "True, I'm just a little worried about the stigma he might face."
Daphne sighed as she heard that, understanding where he was coming from. "I understand where you're coming from, but at the same time, marriage is a powerful political tool, and as the Lord of House Albion a marriage to you is a powerful bargaining chip."
Harry nodded as he heard that. "I know, but I'm still not too keen on the idea, even if it is to be a sham marriage."
"Man up." Daphne replied with a roll of her eyes another jab to Harry's ribs. "I'd rather you didn't marry some random woman, but we all have to make sacrifices. Either way both you and I know it won't change anything between us. We've gone through too much shi…, stuff, to allow a little thing like a sham marriage to get between us."
"And what about me?" Fleur asked in almost perfect English, with a tone of mock offence. An act that was somewhat ruined by the fact she had Daphne and Harry's infant son nuzzling into her neck.
"Well it's different with you." Daphne replied lamely.
Harry laughed as he heard that. It wasn't often Fleur managed to get one over on Daphne. Quickly though his lover fixed him with a sour look. "I mean Daphne's right, it's different with you. You're a part of the relationship, as oppose to an intruder."
"Oh you say the sweetest things." Fleur said dryly, a slight smirk on her face as she heard Harry's response. Before with a smile she looked down at James, "I just hope you don't take after him too much." She said to the child, a sweet smile on her face.
"Okay, that's a little harsh" Harry protested, as he heard Daphne snort with laughter and Fleur let out a soft chuckle. Even James let out a laugh of his own, though it was likely he didn't understand the joke.
"Hell, even the baby is against me," Harry protested.
Fleur let out another laugh at that, her smile not letting up as she looked down at the bundle of joy in her arms. Still smiling she then looked over to Harry, her smile turning slightly mischievous. "So when do I get one?"
Harry froze instantly when he heard that, a small trickle of sweat running down the back of his neck as he heard Daphne begin to laugh at his reaction.
( - )
(Within the Council Room on Pyke, sometime later)
"And so we are gathered once more." Harry intoned as he lounged back in his chair and survey the small group of magicals in the room. It had been a day or two since he had returned to the Iron Islands for his brief break, and in that time Tracey had done what he had asked and arranged for a full Council meeting.
A part of him wished he was back with Daphne, Fleur and James, just enjoying the day together. But another part of him also knew that this was necessary.
Currently all of them, like Harry, were sitting down in a circular ring of stone chairs. The chairs having been put in a circle to signify that officially, there was no single leader.
"You make it sound so serious." Daphne said dryly from where she was sat, a slight smile on her face as she looked around at all of her friends and comrades. The group containing a number of witches and wizards, as well as the leader of the Goblins and the leader of Centaurs. All of them were here, even Neville, Tracey, Hannah, Padma and Blaise, who had left their respective positons around the Seven Kingdoms and returned to the Pyke for the first full Council meeting in months.
"Yeah, still we don't do this as much as we should." Fred spoke up, a slight grin on his face as he looked around at the others.
"That's because most of us are busy." Padma replied, a faint smile on her face. Previously she had been in Dorne, enjoying the bright sunshine and the cool sea breezes of Sunstone, the Martel's seat of power. Despite that though she had come along after Tracey had sent out the request on behalf of Harry.
"Hey, we do things. I mean we've been mass producing those golems, and have gotten the portals and mirrors working." George protested.
"Yeah, and we've even been looking at some other cool stuff too." Fred tagged on.
"Yes, and your contributions are greatly appreciated." Tracey replied, rolling her eyes as she did so.
"Anyway," Harry spoke up, getting the attention of the rest of the room before it could descend into squabbling. "I've called this meeting so we can all get an update on what's been happening, and what our position is so far. As well as what we are looking to do in the future."
Everybody nodded as they heard that, most of them understanding that it would be useful to all be caught up on the detail. After all with so many projects going on, and with so many people having different responsibilities, often times everybody didn't have a clear view on what was happening. Which could lead to confusion, or unnecessary delays.
"Okay, so to begin with I want an update on what's happening in Dorne. Which due to its relative isolation is one of the few Kingdoms we don't have any real influence in yet." Harry began as he looked over to Padma Patil, who only recently had been posted to Dorne as an ambassador of sorts, with her having been sent with only a few golems and guardsmen.
"I've met with the leader of Dorne, Doran Martel, and have begun the negotiations for reduced taxation of our ships in Dornish ports, and a reduced tariff on the goods we trade there." Padma began, outlining what she had been doing so far. Not going into too much detail about purchasing a manse and setting up an embassy.
"Okay, and what do the Dornish want in return?" Harry asked.
"Reduced prices on the agricultural produce we sell in Dorne. Padma replied with a shrug. "I've already discussed it with the Herbology Guild and so far they are reporting a surplus of supply for the quarter. I mean they were planning on putting it on stasis to create a stockpile, but I thought using it to secure a trade agreement with Dorne would be more beneficial?"
"Try to haggle them down on the discount, but only put in a token effort. A trade agreement will be useful and it will set a strong foundation for further expansion into Dorne once we've cemented our positon in the Crownlands, the Vale, the North, the Riverlands and the Reach." Harry replied, his fingers drumming against the arm of his chair in thought.
"Also try and build our powerbase in Dorne. Court the attention of the other nobles and see whether there is any division we can work with. If you can find some dissatisfied nobles we can use that to further our influence." Daphne added on, meeting Padma's gaze as she did so.
"I'll look into it, but I'm not sure how much I'll find. After all the court in Dorne is nothing like King's Landing." Padma replied, a slight frown on her face as she thought about what she had learned of the generally relaxed and easy going Dornishmen and women she had met so far.
"Okay, what of Harrenhal Blaise? I know I only sent you there a few days ago but do you have anything to report?" Harry asked as he looked to Blaise.
Blaise clicked his tongue as he heard that. "The Goblins and the wizards that were already there have begun to rebuild the fortress. But with the sheer size of it and the damage done, it will likely take a month or so before it's complete."
With that said Blaise gave a nod of appreciation to Ragnar, the leader of the Goblins who tilted his own head slightly in acknowledgement.
"Other than that I've sent out my team and a few hundred of the Iron Islander to the settlements in our new lands. They've been making good progress in binding the populace to House Albion with the loyalty contracts." Blaise added on. "Though we'll need to setup a charm soon, similar to the one that used to cover Hogwarts. After all if someone not bound to us sees Harrenhal they may grow suspicious of how fast it is being rebuilt."
"We'll get on that as soon as we can, though I'm thinking instead of an illusion of a ruin we'll try and make it look like it's covered in scaffolding." George added in, a thoughtful look on his face as he considered how such a charm could be replicated.
"Whilst you're doing that I'll also make it so my girls and my spy network start to spread gossip on Harrenhal. You know telling people of the job prospects, the prosperity and the better life they could lead there. Hopefully it will soon cause an outward migration from King's Landing, easing up the stress on the Capital's infrastructure, reducing the growing sense of dissatisfaction and providing us with more resources at Harrenhal." Tracey added on, a slight smile on her face as she saw she had the rest of the room's attention.
"Okay that's good. But will you have time to sort that out. I was under the impression you were heading for the Vale in a few days?" Harry asked, a slight frown on his face.
"I am, I have Baelish arranging a ship to take us, and we'll probably leave the day after the tournament." Tracey replied easily, "Speaking of which with Baelish, a few of my girls and myself at the Vale for the foreseeable future, can Fleur take over my position and duties in King's Landing?"
"I can, though it I may need some help from Daphne." Fleur spoke up in slightly accented English, glancing over to Daphne as she did so, only to smile when she saw the blonde woman give her a nod.
"Good, and speaking of the Vale, have you managed to talk to Katie or Seamus about my proposition." Harry asked, before he glanced round the room and gave them a brief summary of what his proposition was. None of them batting an eye at the prospect of a sham marriage, and of the eventually replacement of the Arryn line with Seamus and Katie's bloodline.
"Yes, and although Katie is up for it, Seamus took a bit more convincing. Either way they are both onboard and will be coming with me to the Vale. Where Katie will be introduced as your cousin, and Seamus will be her guard." Tracey replied easily, having spent the last couple of days whilst Harry and Daphne were spending time with their son, sorting this out. "Of course I also had to tell Katie that she would need to use a spot of Transfiguration to appear younger than she was."
"And how did she take that?" Harry asked with a wince.
"With a surprising amount of grace, though she did nearly hex Seamus in the balls after he made a joke about it." Tracey replied a slight grin on her face now, a number of the other people in the room, Harry included, laughing at her comment.
Chuckling a bit, Harry then proceeded to clarify the timescale a bit. "When are you looking to arrange the marriage?"
"Well it'll take me about a month to get Lysa under control like Baelish, and probably another month to get the support of the other Lords of the Vale. So I'm hoping that by the third month I can announce the marriage, then it all depends on Seamus and Katie and when they become pregnant." Tracey answered with a shrug.
"Okay, I'll leave that to you then. Hopefully when the tournament finishes, you'll be able to take about a hundred golems with you." Harry said, giving Tracey a nod as he did so. "Also I'd suggest you set up a portal to the Iron Island in case you need reinforcements."
"Right, with that done, do you have an update on what's happening beyond the Wall, Neville?" Daphne spoke up once she had seen Harry had finished speak.
"Erm, yeah, a little." Neville replied a bit tiredly. "So far we've found the ambient magic beyond the wall is significantly stronger than it is here. Which of course makes it easier to grow magical plants. It also means that the wards we've setup don't need to be recharged as often. Other than that though we've not been able to find out much, Hagrid is out looking for some magical creatures at the moments, and after the meeting I'll be sending another team out to try and find some unique magical plants."
There was a couple of moments silence at that, as the different members of the inner circle considered this new information.
Soon enough though the silence was broken by Ragnar, the leader of the Goblins. Who with a slight sneer on his face turned to Neville, "So that's it? You've been out there for weeks and that's all you've found out."
Neville scowled as he heard that, looking more alert as he replied. "We've also set up a fortified base north of the Wall, and have found some iron ore deposits in the mountains around Hardhome"
"It seems to me like this whole expedition has been a waste of resources." Ragnar continued, the sneer on his face intensifying. "We should have held off on this foolish venture until we'd properly investigated the mountains around the Vale."
"This expedition is about more than finding mineral deposits. This is also about investigating the myths and legends surrounding the land beyond the Wall." Neville retort irritably, not pleased with having his accomplishments derided by a Goblin.
"And have you found any evidence of these myths and legends?" Ragnar growled, before forging on, not even waiting for a response. "Of course not, you're more interested in playing with plants."
"Ragnar enough!" Harry spoke up, his voice harsher than normal as he gave the Goblin a warning look. "What Neville has found out is damn useful. Now we can use the land at Hardhome to farm our magical plants far more easily than we can on the Iron Islands. Which in turn will allow us to more easily replenish our potion stock."
Ragnar scowled at that, but didn't answer.
"Moreover, once Tracey has secured our power in the Vale, you can then begin surveying the mountains ranges." Harry added on, giving the Goblin a little something to keep him happy.
Ragnar grunted at that, but eventually nodded his head.
"Good, now you said Hagrid is searching for magical creatures?" Harry asked, getting the topic back on the right track.
"Yeah he left a day ago. He was planning on going further than before, hoping to run into something. So far though I've not heard back from him." Neville replied, before he raised his hand and stifled a yawn.
"Keep me updated." Harry said in response, before a wry smile crossed his face. "By the way are you alright? You look a bit tired?"
"Yeah I'm fine, just a bit tired. I didn't get a goodnight's sleep last night." Neville replied, shifting uncomfortably in his chair as he did so.
Harry smirked a little at that, whilst a couple of the others laughed. "Oh, did Yara keep you up late?"
Neville smiled tiredly at that, "Yeah it's been great to see her. Unfortunately though she didn't keep me up in a good way, it was mostly her shouting at me for being gone so long whilst she's pregnant."
There was a bit more laughter at that.
"Well I can always reassign someone else to take over your duties north of the Wall. Then you can stay here with Yara full time?" Harry asked, a slight smile on his face as he saw Neville go wide eyed.
"No, no I'm good!" Neville shouted out, waving his hands in front of him as he did so. "I mean I see and speak to her through the mirror every day!"
"But you were just telling us it was great to see her, and that she wants you around more" Daphne tagged on, a smirk on her face as she saw Neville's reaction.
"Yes but when I told her I was coming to the meeting today, she threw and axe at me…" Neville said bluntly, getting more laughter from those around him. "I think the baby might have made her crazy, or at least crazier than usual."
"It's the hormones man, I mean when Daphne was pregnant, she tried to hex my balls off more than a few times." Harry replied a slight grin on his face, before he froze as he felt said woman's gaze boring into him.
"I only did that because you called me fat!" Daphne protested, much to the amusement of those around her.
"No, you asked me whether you look fat and I merely said you were pleasantly plump…" Harry laughed, a smile on his face as he remembered those chaotic and sometimes frightening times.
"That's just as bad!" Daphne shouted, as she heard a chorus of "Ooos" from some of the assembled magicals.
"If we can get back on track." Tracey called out, hoping to bring some semblance of order back to the meeting before it degenerated into chaos.
Stifling a wide smile at Daphne's still affronted look, Harry nodded his head. "Tracey's right. Hannah do you have anything to report from Winterfell?"
Smirking as she looked around the room, enjoying the interactions going on around her, Hannah nodded. "I mentioned bringing forward the wedding to Robb. He was fully onboard and wanted it to happen as soon as possible. His mother though was a bit of a harder nut to crack, she thought it might be unseemly if we go ahead with the wedding without either Harry or Eddard Stark there."
"But she agreed in the end?" Harry queried, as he leant forward in his chair.
"She has sent a raven to Ned Stark to get his blessing, and I've already told her you've given me yours. Hopefully Ned agrees and we can arrange the marriage for a month or two from now." Hannah replied with a smile, the young woman actually feeling quite excited to be getting married. Especially because she found herself genuinely loving Robb Stark.
"Good, if you send out some invitations I'm sure many people will want to come and support you?" Harry replied with a smile, seeing the happiness in Hannah's face as he did so.
"Speaking of things like marriage." Tracey spoke up, getting the attention back on her as she did so. "I received a letter from Olenna Tyrell the other day, courtesy of her granddaughter."
"Oh, and what does she want?" Daphne asked curiously, having met the woman before, she having found herself liking Olenna, even if she knew the old woman was as conniving and manipulative as they came.
"Most of it was just about the benefits an alliance between House Tyrell and House Albion brought the two of us. But there was also a not so subtle comment about how we need to keep up our end of the bargain." Tracey replied, her gaze moving from Daphne to Harry.
Harry scowled as he heard that. He had never met the old woman personally. But even so he didn't appreciate being hurried or her impatience. Still though Daphne and Fleur, when they had visited Highgarden, had hashed out a very beneficial alliance with House Tyrell, one which included certain promises from House Albion. Ones that Harry would live up to. As no matter what anyone said or thought, Harry was a man of his word.
"Well then, that just means I'll have to escalate my plans in King's Landing. Which may mean abandoning subtlety and manipulation and dealing with things personally." Harry said, a frown on his face at the thought. Personally he preferred to keep his hands clean as much as possible when it came to these sorts of things. Unfortunately though, needs must.
"Not necessarily," Tracey spoke up, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I will still be in King's Landing for another day or two. I may be able to send Baelish out to point Ned Stark in the right direction. The rest though, the rest will be up to you."
Harry nodded at that, his gaze shifting over to Daphne as he did so.
( - )
(A couple of days later in King's Landing)
Ned Stark let out another sigh of irritation as he strode up to the doors of the Small Council meeting and entered the room. Things were already stressful enough as it was, what with the tournament beginning later today, however in spite of this that he had been summoned to the Small Council Chambers.
King's Landing was heaving at the moment with visitors both taking part and watching the tournament. And yet, despite all of this Robert demanded that a meeting of the Small Council take place this morning. Robert, who during the seventeen years he had ruled, had probably ever only turned up to two or three Small Council meetings.
Suffice to say Ned was stressed and pissed off, despite that though he dutifully walked to the Small Council Chambers, mentally preparing himself for whatever this meeting was about as he did so.
As he entered the room he immediately noticed that he was the last of the Councilors to arrive, the rest of them all patiently waiting for the Hand to arrive before they began. Also noticeably in the room, sat in the middle of the table was Robert, a disgruntled expression on his face as he drummed his fat fingers on tabletop impatiently. As well as the King, Ser Barristan Selmy was also present, with the white haired man wearing his full Kingsguard armour and standing just behind Robert.
Giving a brief bow to his friend, and the other Lords. Ned then took his seat at the table, choosing to sit beside Harry Albion. The dark haired Master of Ships looking particularly grim, as he sat upright in his chair. Dressed in a black leather jerkin and breeches, a thick golden chain around his neck and his long blade sheathed at his right hip.
"My Lords," Ned said slowly as he took his seat and looked round, noting the tense atmosphere as he did so, "What is the reason behind this urgent meeting?"
"Trouble in Essos Ned, apparently the Targaryen brats are as mad as their father." The King said grimly in response, the anger plain to see on his face. "Apparently they've been consorting with Red Priests, and more than that they're somehow behind the massacre of an entire Dohtraki Khalasar! On top of which they're also apparently planning to build an army, using their connections to those bloody fire fanatics so they can invade the Seven Kingdoms! Just think about it Ned, if they can destroy an entire Khalasar, forty thousand strong, burning them alive the sick fucks, what do you think they'll do when they arrive on the shores of Westeros!?"
Ned's eyes widened as he heard that. Trying to comprehend how such a thing could be possible. "How?"
"Apparently they've hatched dragons." Varys answered him, the bald eunuch looking a bit out of sorts as he glanced over at Harry Albion for a moment before continuing. "Lord Albion brought us the news of the attack, though my little birds in Essos were able to get more information. Apparently the Targaryen's, Daenerys and Viserys have been consorting with a High Priestess of R'Hllor, the Lady Clementine, who used her sorcery to hatch three dragons from what were previously considered petrified eggs."
Ned blinked again at that, still trying to comprehend how things in Essos could go so bad so fast. "Why is this the first we are hearing of this?"
"We can only pass on what we are told, fortunately my agents in Essos were able to find out what the Targaryen's and their Red Priestess had done relatively quickly. As for the business with the dragons, I cannot say, I'm not even sure how big they are." Harry spoke up, his tone calm as he looked around the room.
The Northman's eyes then went to Harry as he heard that, before he looked over to Robert, "Something will need to be done."
"You're damn right it will!" Robert snarled, a bit of spittle spattering onto the table in front of him at his exclamation. "Both the Targaryen brats and their dragons must die!"
Ned bit his lip as he heard that. A part of him wanting to protest, after all the two Targaryen's were still so young. Probably around the age of Ned's own children. However he couldn't deny the danger of what he had heard. However distasteful and unpleasant it may seem, for the safety of the realm they would need to die. "Very well."
"Good." Robert grunted, thankful that Ned didn't kick up a fuss. "Varys see to it that they are tracked down and killed."
"As you say my King." Varys replied, giving a slight bow to Robert. "Though this does raise the question of the other worshippers of the Red God, and how they will react when the news of the Targaryen's leaks out."
"Other worshippers?!" Robert demanded, a foul look on his face.
"I believe Varys is talking of your brother Stannis, who from what I have heard has destroyed the Septs on Dragonstone and has taken up with a Red Priestess." Harry said calmly.
"He's what!" Robert demanded, his loud voice echoing round the chamber. "When in seven hells did this happen!?"
"Some time ago your majesty." Varys said, bowing low. "It's been the talk of the court for a while now, but many believed it was harmless."
"I want him brought here immediately. See to it Ned, see to it he is brought back to the Capital, in chains, if necessary!" Robert shouted, once again slamming his fist on the table.
"I will see to it your majesty." Ned replied with a nod.
( - )
(On the Narrow Sea)
Closing her eyes, a red haired woman took a few moments to enjoy the feeling of the sea breeze blowing against her face. Smiling slightly Melisandre then opened her eyes, her dark eyes now looking out over the distant waters of the Narrow Sea, staring at the horizon, trying to see if she could see the distant shore of Essos yet.
She couldn't, they had only been at sea for a few days now, and it would be quite a while before they reached their destination. Despite that though she smiled, her gaze moving from the horizon and instead scanning the four dozen ships that made up their little armada. Each of them crewed by soldiers and sailors who she had swayed into the service of the Lord of Light, or who were loyal to Stannis Baratheon.
Looking to the prow of the ship she was on, she could see the lean figure of Stannis Baratheon, stood beside his confidant, the older and bearded Davos Seaworthy. The two of them currently engaged in some kind of discussion.
It hadn't taken her long to persuade Stannis of the necessity of this voyage, her power and influence having been growing over the last year and a half. With this including the visions that she was able to see in the flames, they were clearer now, and it was because of those visions that she had convinced Stannis to assemble his army and travel across the Narrow Sea.
Her rival, Clementine, was dead. Killed by her own hubris. Thoguh this brought Melisandre no pleasure, as despite being her rival, Clementine had been a loyal and powerful servant of the Lord of Light. Her loss was blow to their work.
Despite that though all was not lost. Melisandre had seen in the flames that Daenerys Targaryen was alive, as were two of her dragons. More than that she had seen the potential the girl held, the power she could already wield despite her tender age.
At the moment though she was alone in the Red Wastes, near the city of Qarth and the blue lipped charlatans that dwelled there. If Melisandre had anything to say about it though, she would not be alone for long. Clementine had had a plan, and it seemed Deanery's was going to try and see it through.
She would not be alone in this though, Melisandre and Stannis would soon meet up with her, and with her help the Targaryen Princess and the Azor Ahai would unite, and an army devoted to the Light would be forged, and the enemy would be defeated.
Melisandre's smile faltered at that thought. The enemy, it appeared that just as the followers of the Lord of Light were growing stronger, so to were the servants of the Dark One. Already things beyond the Wall were moving far faster than she thought they would. More than that though, there was a new threat. One that seemed to dwell in the very heart of Westeros.
Frowning at that thought, Melisandre looked away from Stannis and his right hand man, her gaze instead once more looking out to the horizon, this time the other way, in the direction of the Seven Kingdoms.
( - )
AN: So what did you all think? There were several things covered in this chapter, but they were all necessary to set up what happens next… which you'll have to wait to find out.
Anyway I hope you like the chapter, there is some major deviation from canon and some very important things mentioned in this chapter. Hope you picked up on them all. Also there was little bit of fluff to, just because I fancied writing it.
Other than that I hope you leave a review.
Thanks for reading.
See you later.
Seagate.