Dragons and Thrones: Rising Tensions – Breaking of Bonds
Chapter 27 of my crossover story, enjoy.
Reviews
Boris Yeltsin: Oh she does, she's just arrogant enough to assume it won't happen.
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)
Marina Ka-Fai: Well, she does truly only care for herself and Joffrey, but yeah, she certainly does.
coronadomontes: Thanks.
Thewritter1996: Thanks.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks.
enuj1799: Well, we can only wait and see what happens, considering how things have gone for the Qunari in King's Landing so far, you can tell their patience is wearing. Well, I might try and slip some of that in, but do remember, they are on opposing sides, Vivienne with Cersei, Dorian with Tyrion.
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin. Dragon Age belongs to Bioware.
Alistair
Alistair let out a sigh as he emerged on deck; he had received word about them approaching their destination. As such, just as Anora had wished, he was now standing on the deck, clad in his father's old armor, the armor that his half-brother Cailan had worn before him.
He also had his father's famous sword and shield with him, but he knew he'd have to be cautious, he was in a foreign country with no means of knowing just what to expect. As his ship came to port and was soon being secured to the moorings, he could see the locals watching them with confusion and suspicion.
The dock hands gave no emotions away as they worked, but Alistair sensed their eyes on his ship.
'It's the Ferelden flag, they can tell from it we're foreigners, and not ones from that land of Essos either.' He mused to himself. 'Well, no time like the present.'
So, preparing himself he nodded to the crew and, despite some protests, gathered his belongings before disembarking. Despite carrying his belongings like a common workman, Alistair's armor and bearing, something Anora had refined over their years together, made it quite clear he was no commoner, rather a noble, perhaps even foreign royalty. He sighed, that seemed to be inescapable, despite his wishes to blend in at times.
Still he kept himself composed as he made his way across the docks, heading for the main city. As he did so however he paused when he spotted something, a section of the docks, walled off and barred by a gate, within and just at the gate he could see several familiar giants.
He narrowed his eyes, worried. 'Qunari, here, oh this is not good...Sten by himself was bad enough, but when a lot Qunari gather, it's a recipe for disaster for those who don't know how to communicate with them.'
Shaking his head he decided to try and avoid the Qunari while he was here and instead walked with the crowd into the city. As he walked he looked around, trying to get his bearings, aware he was sticking out like a sore thumb.
Finally with a sigh he stopped someone. "Excuse me, could you help direct me to an inn?"
The man quirked an eyebrow and looked Alistair up and down. "You'll be wanting one of those fancy inns, you nobles always frequent..."
Alistair narrowed his eyes at that, with that one statement he had been told just how class divided people here.
"No, I just seek a place that is warm and comfortable." He replied. "That's all that should be needed."
The man paused, eyes widening, clearly seeing Alistair in a new light. "Oh, um, well, follow me, good Ser, I happen to work at just such an establishment."
Alistair smiled and followed the man, soon reaching an inn that was just as the man described it.
Once he entered the inn, the man immediately went to work, while Alistair approached the innkeeper.
"Greetings traveler, I see you're not from here?" The man said.
Alistair nodded. "Yes, I am, from Thedas...I'm here on important business, there is, things I need to know but first, I'd like a room...I am afraid I only have Thedosian money, but..."
"Fear not." The innkeeper replied. "Just recently we finally resolved that problem, worked out something of an exchange rate...We do have a room available, I can show it to you...It'll cost...let's see...three sovereigns and...seventy silvers."
Alistair nodded and paid, the innkeeper surprised by him not even blinking at the price. He showed him up to the room and Alistair smiled, it suited his purposes perfectly. He set his belongings down, before turning to the innkeeper.
"A moment, friend." He said. "Truth be told, I am King Alistair Theirin of Ferelden in Thedas. I am here on an urgent matter and I must speak with those in charge here."
The innkeeper froze and suddenly bowed low. "Your Grace forgive me, I did not..."
"None of that now, rise, just, please, tell me who I should go and see." Alistair replied quickly.
The innkeeper still seemed shocked as he replied. "Go to the Red Keep, you can't miss it, in fact, you have a good view of it from the window here. You seek King Joffrey Baratheon, the first of his name...but please, be cautious, our King has, has a temper."
Alistair nodded, already forming an opinion of this Joffrey Baratheon. Thanking the innkeeper, he prepared himself before heading out, aiming for the Red Keep.
Approaching the gates of the Red Keep he spotted the guards there suddenly tensing, readying their weapons. While he wore his father's sword and shield he kept his hands well away from them.
"Halt!" One of the soldiers demanded; Alistair did so which seemed to calm him slightly. "State your business here."
Alistair spoke calmly. "I am King Alistair Theirin of Ferelden, from Thedas, I seek an audience with your King, Joffrey Baratheon, regarding a matter that occurred in Ferelden, involving one of his own people."
There was a glance shared between the guards before they straightened up.
"You better come with me, but no sudden moves."
Alistair nodded followed the guard through the Red Keep; he could help but admit he was impressed, both by the size and the architecture. The guard seemed to notice his interest and grew more relaxed by it, it turned out the guard was quite the history buff and eagerly told Alistair of the history of the many halls and such they walked through or passed.
Soon they reached a large set of double doors and the guard stopped him.
"Wait here, I need to speak with his Grace and the Hand of the King."
With that he entered, leaving Alistair to wait, he reflected on the things he had been told, as well as things he overheard, particularly rumors about Joffrey Baratheon. He didn't like what he heard and was suddenly worried this was a bad idea.
He also reflected on that odd title, Hand of the King. He supposed it was a post similar to the duties Eamon fulfilled for him back in Denerim.
Before long he was called into the throne room, he approached, surprise to see that the King was just a boy, a young man not even in his twenties yet. He was watching Alistair with a haughty expression, one that spoke volumes of his personality.
Alistair was more impressed by the older man standing next to the throne, this, he assumed, was the Hand of King.
"King Joffrey Baratheon." Alistair greeted, bowing politely. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, I am King Alistair Theirin of Ferelden."
Joffrey shook his head. "Yes, yes, so you say."
Alistair quirked an eyebrow. "I am sorry, I don't..."
"Of course you don't, only an idiot would declare himself King when he clearly isn't, the only King is me and anyone with a brain knows that." Joffrey shot back.
Alistair frowned at that, clearly his earlier opinion was spot on about Joffrey Baratheon, a spoiled tyrant child ruler.
Luckily before Joffrey could proclaim more arrogance, the Hand of the King, whom Alistair had overheard was Tywin Lannister, Joffrey's grandfather, spoke.
"What do you seek, King Alistair?"
Joffrey glowered at that title being used, but Alistair replied.
"I have come on an important mission, Some months ago, there was an assassination attempt against me by an agent of a group called the Venatori..." He explained.
Tywin nodded. "We have heard of this group, why have you come here?"
Alistair replied. "The assassin was from here, from Westeros."
Silence followed that and Alistair hoped his words had some effect.
As it turned out, they didn't.
Joffrey scoffed. "Please, you expect us to believe that. Grandfather, this man is wasting our time, either kill him or dismiss him, I will not have my time wasted by a pretender."
Tywin shook his head, but before he could speak Alistair made up his mind. Despite his frustrations, he proved himself the better man, by turning and leaving, ignoring Joffrey and Tywin as he left the throne room.
He kept his temper under control and was able to walk out, without any answers, but with his head held high.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
