Astapor 295 AC.
Jae.
He was glad to see that there was no one waiting on the docks for them when they arrived, not that he wasn't looking forward to seeing his family and friends again but simply because they'd arrive quicker at the pyramid on their own. Above him the dragons flew off towards the center of the city despite wanting to land so he could be with them, he had told them he'd spend time with them once he arrived at the pyramid and he knew they'd hold him to it. He, Arthur, Marten and Clarence disembarked while Kalors stayed on board until the guards came to relieve the ones still on the ship.
As they walked though the streets Jae couldn't help but notice how much happier people looked, they seemed content as they went about their daily routines, some even smiling at him as he walked by. Eventually they met the first group of unsullied who were patrolling, Jae was happy to see that the one in charge recognized him and it took him a moment to recall the man's name. When Dany had freed him he had been called Black Flea but he had taken the name Aswell after becoming friendly with Oz and misunderstanding the bat's jape.
"King Jaehaerys, this one is pleased to see you return."
"It is good to see you Aswell, my aunt and mother are well?"
"Queens Daenerys and Lyanna are holding court with Missandei of Naath."
"Then I should not disturb them." Jae said as they nodded and walked onward.
Coming to the large pyramid they found a mixture of unsullied and Company of the Dragon men guarding it, in the background they could hear the clashing of blades as men trained, a small man came forward asking who they were which got some laughs from the men. After explaining they entered and made their way up the pyramid bypassing the throne room were Dany and his mother were holding court. Jae instead headed for their private quarters while Marten and Clarence went looking for the other company commanders, Arthur made to follow him but Jae sent him to have the shave he'd been longing for.
Once in their rooms, he headed straight out onto the terrace where the dragons were already waiting, seeing them flying in the air hadn't done justice to just how large they'd grown. They chirped happily as he stroked their snouts one after the other, Brankardix the loudest of the three, though Rhaegon too was happy to see his father. He walked to each of them and leaned against their heads in turn, showing them where he'd been and receiving images of what they'd been doing while he was away. They had ranged for miles, eaten well and Rhaegon thanked him for allowing him to roam the sky.
"Zaldrīzes buzdari iksos daor" he said softly to Rhaegon who blew air out of his nose making him laugh at the dragon snorting.
"I missed you too." he said when he leaned against Brankardix who pushed his snout against him while he looked into the dragons eyes.
He alternated between them for the next few hours, speaking to Ellanys about the wall and to Rhaegon about Aemon before promising Brankardix he'd sleep on the terrace with him tonight. He was almost dozing off when his aunt and mother along with the Kingsguard finished their session holding court.
"Jae you're back." he heard his aunt say excitedly as she rushed to him.
"I am, I missed you Dany." he said hugging her.
"I missed you too Jae." she said before a moment later he was hugging his mother tightly.
"You are unhurt? All went well?" his mother asked.
"It did, there's much to talk about." Jae said.
"Arthur?"
"I sent him to shave, he really hated having a beard." Jae japed getting a laugh from his mother.
"Gerold, Oz." Jae said walking over to hug each man.
"It's good to see you back my king" Gerold said and Oz nodded in agreement.
"It's good to be back, how have things been here?"
"Her grace has handled things excellently my king." Gerold said proudly.
Jae turned to see Dany looking at him with the slightest bit of apprehension in her features, so he walked over to her and smiled.
"I never doubted she would, she was born to be a queen." Jae said and she smiled beamingly at him.
It was a few moments later they were joined by Arthur who looked years younger without the beard, he said his hello's to everyone and Jae noticed how he and his mother almost danced around their own greeting. Though he said nothing about it and instead walked with Dany and the Kingsguard towards their rooms. Upon hearing the disgruntled sounds coming from the dragons though he had to turn back to let them know he'd be back later to as he promised.
As they took their seats in the room, Missandei arrived with some people carrying food and juice along with wine and while Jae ate sparingly he did enjoy the food. He told them about Jon's mission and about the wall and meeting his uncles, Dany getting really excited about Aemon while his mother got annoyed about Benjen.
"How did my brother end up at the wall?" she said angrily.
"It was his own choice mother, he is well and happy to know you're alive and that you'll see him soon." Jae said calming her down just a little.
"How badly off was the wall my king?" Oz asked.
"It was terrible Oz, though we've helped some and will do more, but how the realm has let it decline so much is beyond me?" Jae said shaking his head.
"I understand that's concerning my king, but I'm more worried about your meeting with the northern lords, Manderly and Umber was it?" Gerold said.
"It was Gerold, I think we left a good impression on both, but Arthur spoke to Lord Umber and it seems news of the Company reached my uncle." Jae said.
"Why would that matter to Ned?" his mother asked.
"He doesn't know about you mother, about me, he thinks you died in the Tower of Joy, so he blames my father and by extension.." Jae said but his mother finished his sentence for him.
"The Kingsguard."
"Yes, which is why I asked uncle Benjen to keep the news from him." Jae said and his mother looked at him in annoyance.
"Why Jae? I understand you have your grievances with him, but he's still my brother if he knew I lived, if he knew about you." she sighed.
"Mother we can't take the risk, if he spoke to anyone about it we'd be risking everything. I promise we'll tell him as soon as we can." Jae said as his mother sighed but eventually nodded reluctantly.
They spent the rest of the day getting caught up on their trip before Dany explained what they'd been doing here since they were gone. They had established a council and begun working on the issues that Astapor would face once they left, trade and safety being the two largest. While it was primarily used for training unsullied, there were also a variety of things which they traded to the other slave cities.
Defensively though the city was in a poor shape and Dany had organized a full survey and with both the Company's men and the former slaves they had begun to build up the defenses, financially the city was in a much better condition. With the gold and the elaborate jewels and objects the former masters had now safely in the Iron Bank the city would be almost self sufficient, leaving food and water as the last things to sort out.
At the moment they needed to travel some miles for their food and water something which never bothered the masters obviously since they'd not be the ones doing so, but they had begun projects to fix this. Wells had been dug and in some of the open spaces and terraces on the pyramids, they'd planted food rather than the elaborate gardens that the masters had wiled their hours away in. There were still issues to solve but Dany had done an amazing job and when everyone left, Jae asked her to join him on the terrace.
"What you've done here Dany, it's incredible you should be proud of yourself. I'm very proud of you." Jae said.
"I, thank you Jae, I want to do more, these people, I feel a connection to them."
"You're their queen Dany."
"I never wanted to be a queen, all I wanted was to be a girl, a girl with a family." Dany said softly.
"You're that too." Jae smiled.
"I…Jae I think I want to stay here."
"Dany we can't, you know why we must go back."
"I know and I'm coming back with you. What we need to do if we don't then.."
Jae breathed a sigh of relief, he needed her with him not just because she would be a dragonrider, he needed her, he needed his family close.
"After though, I want to come back, here to Astapor, to Essos. There are more out there Jae, more slaves, I think we should free them."
"You should."
"I can't do it alone Jae."
"You won't be, the unsullied are yours Dany, they follow you, Missandei, these people here, you're their queen, the breaker of chains." Jae said and she smiled at him.
"You heard that."
"That and something else."
"What?" she asked.
"Mhysa."
Lyanna.
She waited almost an hour to ensure everyone had gone to sleep before she went to his room, knocking on the door she was not surprised when he opened it having known he wouldn't sleep just yet. He smiled at her and let her in and within moments they were in each others arms kissing, she felt his hands caress her softly and sighed as he led her to the bed, breaking the kiss they sat down facing each other.
"I missed you" they said at the same time before both laughed.
"What are we doing Arthur?"
"What we want to do, I want to be with you, it's all I know, is it still what you want?" Arthur asked.
"More than anything."
They began to kiss once more and this time it went further though Arthur stopped before they went too far, she didn't know whether to scream at him in frustration or hold him tighter for his strength in restraining them both. She could see his own frustration in his eyes which at least made her feel a little better, though it was a small comfort. They lay back on his bed her head resting on his chest and just the feel of his breathing made her feel more at peace than she had over the last few moons.
When she woke up it was still early and she kissed him softly on his forehead before sneaking back to her own room. She had replaced the Kingsguard with unsullied guards moons ago, the men were far easier to get around and never questioned her movements, something that Gerold ad Oswell could take a lead from. On her way back to her room she noticed Lakoes coming from Dany's and it was not for the first time, she wondered what Jae would say when he inevitably found out.
She had been shocked when Dany came to her to speak about her feelings for the girl, at the time she hadn't known what to say other than to be as supportive as she could given how nervous Dany was. In the end though she was perhaps not the best person to judge who a person should love or have feelings for and she told Dany that. She also told her that whatever she did was her business, Jae had already told her she'd not have to marry for an alliance. She was free to be with whoever she wished, even if that was another girl.
She entered her room and climbed into her own bed but found sleep something that eluded her, so instead she went looking for her son, she needed to speak with him more about Arthur anyway. Finding Jae wasn't a problem, she could hear him when she entered his rooms, though he was on the terrace and not in the rooms themselves, listening she walked out to join him.
"It's huge as high from the ground as we are now."
"Of course I'll bring you to see it, we'll fly over it."
"Yes I missed you."
"Yes both of you too."
"Really, I don't think you're ready yet, but soon we'll fly together soon I promise."
She laughed at the chirps coming from the dragons and the conversation her son was having with them, it reminded her of a conversation she had with Benjen just after she had visited the Vale. He had been annoyed she'd gone and when she got back he'd not talked to her for almost a day, until she promised she'd not leave him alone again. Sighing she walked to over to her son, it had been one of the many promises she'd not been able to keep.
"Morning mother."
"You slept out here?"
"They missed me, I missed them, so it seemed like the best solution." Jae said and Brankardix chirped loudly.
"I see, I wanted to speak to you, about me and Arthur."
"All right."
"Did you mean it when you gave us your blessing."
"Of course I did, I want you to be happy mother, it's more important to me than anything."
"So if we wished to marry?" she asked.
"The you would marry would you not." Jae said smiling.
"You really wouldn't have a problem with it?"
"Mother, I can think of no man I'd rather have as my father than Arthur, he's the father I chose. If he's the man you wish to be with, then I'm happy for both of you." Jae said hugging her.
Now all she needed to do was convince Arthur and have him convince Gerold and Oswell that he wasn't betraying both their brotherhood and more importantly Rhaegar's memory.
Astapor 295 AC.
Jae.
It had taken almost three more moons for Jon to arrive back, Dany had her name day celebrations and Jae had found himself almost at a loss for something to do in Astapor as his aunt and her council didn't need his help in running the city. So instead he had concentrated both on getting to know as many of the men in the company he could and strengthening his bond with Brankardix even more. He had also had a chance to speak to Ser Richard about Vargo Hoat and he had confirmed what Marten and Clarence had told him.
"The man is a monster my king, had I been a different man I'd have killed him personally whenever our paths crossed, instead I resolved should we find ourselves on opposite sides of a contract then no quarter would be given." Richard said.
"I'm of a mind not to wait for a contract Richard, but is it the right thing to do?" Jae asked.
"It is if you believe it my king, he killed our men, that alone should be enough and I know men in the company wish their revenge should you decide it."
"Very well Richard, take some men and Syrax, seek him out but don't attack, when we know where he is or where he'll be, we'll move on him."
"I thank you my king, for this opportunity."
"Richard, be careful, don't risk yourself, when we find him we go hard or not at all."
"Of course my king."
That had been a moon ago and he didn't expect to hear much for a few more moons at least, Essos was a far too big to find someone easily, even someone who took part in sellsword work. Other than that they had created a second court out of one of the other halls, this one with direct access to the terrace outside as Brankardix had been spending more time with him than without. Dany was in council today and over the last couple of moons they had spent less time together than he wished. Even now with Jon having been met at the docks and being brought to him, there would be two separate courts rather than a united one.
Jae was presently attended by Ser Gerold, Ser Oswell and Ser Arthur and Ser Kalors, his mother stood to one side of him and around the room were numerous men of the Company. Sharra, Shalla and Ariane the only women apart from his mother showed just how different his court was from Dany's. His aunt had made sure there were as many women advisors as men and while Jae wished for the same in his own, the fact was that not all of the people here would be coming to Westeros with them.
"Your grace, Jon Connington, Aurane Waters and Monford Velaryon." Ser Marten said leading in Jon and the two Velaryons.
Both Monford and Aurane looked far more Valyrian than he, though Dany did have them both beat, Aurane was tall and slim and wore what Jae thought was a rather ridiculous hat. Monford wore the colors of his house proudly and Jae was surprised when both men took a knee before him.
"Your grace, House Velaryon is proud to serve House Targaryen once more." Monford said.
"Arise Lord Velaryon, I'll not have my families lealest house on their knees." Jae said and watched the smile appear on Monford's face.
"Jon it's good to see you, you are well?" Jae said turning to Jon Connington.
"I am my king, it is good to be back." Jon said his smile broad and true.
"May I present my mother Queen Lyanna Targaryen." Jae said as his mother stepped forward.
"My queen." Monford said kissing his mothers offered hand.
"Lord Velaryon it is good to see you well."
"You too my queen, you too." Monford said a genuine smile on his face.
"My lords, I know you've traveled long and hard and no doubt would like some refreshments and rest before we discuss other matters, however there is something I'd like you to see, if you'd follow me." Jae said stepping down off the raised throne.
"Of course your grace."
He walked flanked by Arthur and Gerold while Oswell and Kalors flanked his mother, all four men wearing white cloaks and their new armor, though Arthur had declined to wear his Valyrian armor as Jae wasn't wearing his. Kalors had asked and been accepted into the Kingsguard almost as soon as Jae returned, Arthur had knighted the man even though Kalors had asked for Jae to do so.
Jae though not knowing whether it would be accepted without his crown as valid wanted no questions and Kalors had more than earned it, his work on the pirate vessel alone enough to garner a knighthood in Jae's opinion. Gerold had insisted upon only knights when Jae had brought up Kalors request and Jae had bowed to his Lord Commanders wishes, he was already changing much about the order, on this he could be flexible.
"Your journey was uneventful?" Jae asked Monford.
"It was your grace, though rather long."
"It is for the best my lord, news of what we're planning must stay away from the usurper lest he be prepared."
"Indeed your grace."
"Is that, that can't be." Aurane said as they stepped out on the terrace.
"The dragons have truly returned." Monford said as Brankardix took to the skies.
Jae watched on as the two Velaryons looked at the three dragons as they flew closer to the terrace, the wind from their wings knocking the silly hat from Aurane's head. He gave them the signal to rise higher and then looked at Monford's face when the dragonflames hit the sky. Even Jon looked awestruck at the size they'd grown too while he'd been away, after watching them for a few more moments Brankardix landed and Jae walked over to him.
"So my lords, do you think the Stags and the Lions will be expecting this." Jae said to laughter as he reached out and rubbed his hand over the dragons snout.
Dany 295 AC.
After finishing holding court Dany, Missandei and Grey Worm headed to their dining area, Jae had sent a note to say the Velaryon's had arrived and she was keen to see the family who had always stayed loyal to her own. Lucerys Velaryon had been her father's Master of Ships and had perished in the storm which had heralded her birth, his two sons deserved to be welcomed in a manner suiting the sacrifice their father had made.
She had wanted to postpone today's meetings, but Jae was right, she was a queen and she had duties of her own now. Still a part of her felt that she had let her family down in some way by not being there when the Velaryon's arrived, so she would resolve to be as gracious with them as possible from here on. Entering the room she smiled as the two men and her nephew rose to greet her, had she not known better then looking into the room she'd have thought it was one of these two rather than Jae who was her nephew.
Around them sat the rest of her family, Lyanna who was a mother to her in all but name, Arthur, Gerold and Oswell along with Jon Connington. Though Kingsguard and advisors these men were more than that to her, had it not been for Jon and Oz who knows what her fate would have been. Gerold had been a comfort when she was learning to rule and Arthur had told her more of her brother than she had ever dared to hope for.
"My lords, may I present my aunt, Queen Daenerys Stormborn, the breaker of chains and ruler of this fine city." Jae said with a flourish smiling at her and taking her from her thoughts.
"Your grace." the tall thin man said looking at her with interest.
"My queen, you are the very image of your dear mother, may the seven bless her." the other man said.
"I thank you my lords and beg your forgiveness for not being there to greet you on your arrival, unfortunately my courtly business took precedence."
"There is nothing to forgive my queen." the second man said.
Jae introduced both men to her, the first was Aurane Waters the bastard brother of the other man Monford Velaryon, both men had the typical Valyrian features though their eyes were much plainer. They had their meals brought to them and Dany made small talk with Aurane whose attempts at flirting and charming her fell flat much to his disappointment, while Monford seemed far more interested in talking to Jae.
Once dinner was finished they begun to discuss far more interesting subjects and Dany felt excited to be going over the actual plans to return to retake the throne. Though she had made it clear to Jae she saw her future in Essos rather than Westeros, she still wished to see those who brought her family down suffer for their treason. She also longed to walk through the halls of her birthplace, to see the Dragonmont and the painted table, to walk the cliffs and look over the bay and to see where her mother spent her final moments.
"My lord as Jon told you, we need a fleet to transport our men, but more than that we need loyal men to man that fleet." Jae said.
"Your grace if I may?" Monford asked and Jae nodded for him to continue "How many men exactly will you be bringing to Westeros?"
"Gerold?" Jae asked looking to the Lord Commander.
"All told one and twenty thousand my king, with almost ten thousand horses." Gerold said and Monford looked to Aurane who asked for some parchment and a quill which Missandei left to fetch for him.
Missandei returned a moment later and handed Aurane the parchment and they waited while the man began to scribble frantically, it was a few moments later when he finished and handed the paper to Monford.
"Your grace, we would need at least two hundred ships, which cannot be built in the time Jon mentioned." Monford said.
"I know that my lord, how many ships does House Velaryon currently have?"
"Five my lord, we've been reduced to insignificance by the stag king." Monford said bitterly.
"We have taken another five here my king." Gerold said.
"The Sealord will sell us some my king, possibly." Jon Connington said.
"My lords, we have the coin to purchase or build the required numbers do we not?" Jae asked looking at Monford and Aurane.
"We do your grace, is the timeline inflexible?"
"It is."
"Then I'd suggest we order the building of a quarter of the ships and set about purchasing the rest." Aurane said and Monford nodded.
"What about the men to crew the ships?" Dany asked.
"We have the men my queen, though some of your own could no doubt be trained to help." Monford said with a smile.
After that the rest of the night went more into talking about their families history and stories of her mother from Lord Monford which she was grateful for and which brought a smile to Jae's and the Kingsguard's faces. It was decided that Jon Connington and Aurane would handle the procuring of the ships while Monford would handle the recruiting of the men.
Though Jae did tell him to hold off on telling some of the other loyalist houses until they were closer to being ready, she then smiled as Jae sent Oswell to retrieve the gift. When he returned he placed the covered sword beside Jae and her nephew nodded to her to come join him. Jae motioned to the two brothers to come forward and bid them to kneel before he turned to them and spoke, his voice more regal than that he'd used for most of the night.
"Lord Monford Velaryon, I would name you Master of Ships and for your families continued and most valued loyalty I present you with this." Jae said removing the cover from the Valyrian steel sword.
"My king, you honor me." Monford said as he looked at the sword with amazement.
"Your family more than deserves the honor my lord."
"Aurane Velaryon, I name you admiral of the royal fleet." Jae said a moment later.
Dany looked on as Monford looked to his brother with tears in his eyes, Aurane who for most of the night had worn a jovial look now looked on in shock as Jae nodded at him.
"Arise my Lords of the Tide, for there is much which needs to be done." Jae said and both men stood.
She stayed for only a celebratory drink with the lords, Aurane still in a state of shock after being legitimized while Monford moved between being happy for his brother and proud both of his title and his new sword. After bidding them farewell she made her way to her room to find Lakoes already in her bed, she unhooked her dress and without even bothering to take down her hair joined her. Lakoes lips meeting her own made the stresses and tension of the day fade away and as she felt the girls hand caress her breast she moaned.
Astapor 296 AC.
Jae.
Work had begun in earnest of their fleet and already their ship numbers had increased, they now had five and twenty ships in their harbor which belonged to them, with more on the way. But it wasn't their fleet which had Jae excited for today, instead it was to the air he looked. The dragons had grown even larger over the last few moons, large enough that both Dany and himself felt it was time to take their first flight.
While his excitement was palpable and Dany's equally so, it was both their dragons who seemed the most eager for this stage of their development. Brankardix and Ellanys had almost been impatient for the last week, while Rhaegon had seemed more disinterested than upset which Jae wasn't sure how to take. But while the dragons and their riders were excited, others were much more nervous, his mother, Arthur, the Kingsguard and Missandei, Grey Worm and Lakoes all had expressed their doubts.
Lakoes had been the most passionate and if Jae hadn't known about her relationship with his aunt before, the girls impassioned pleas for Dany to be careful would have given the game away. Dany had been nervous when Jae had found them kissing, Lakoes almost challenging, yet for Jae he was just happy for them both.
"You're not upset?" Dany asked.
"Why would he be we're doing nothing wrong." Lakoes said looking at him.
"Dany, I only ever want you to be happy, whoever makes you so has my blessing." Jae said.
"You really mean that?" Dany looked at him with a small nervous smile.
"Of course I do, I told you, you decide your fate Aunt, no one else. You're a dragon, a queen, no one can tell you what's right for you, but you." Jae said and she ran to hug him.
He looked on as Dany gave Lakoes a soft kiss and as Arthur took his mother's hand in his, surprisingly they had decided to marry in Westeros, wanting more of their family to be with them. However they were together in all but name and Jae couldn't have wished for more than to see how much his mother smiled now. Gerold and Oswell had taken the news far better than either of them hoped, Gerold saying that after serving his grandfather and seeing what he did to his grandmother it was time their oaths were changed.
He heard the impatient roar as Brankardix looked at him as if to say come on already, smiling he walked toward the white dragon, it's scales almost sparkling in the bright sunlight. He looked to see Dany move to Ellanys and he nodded as both dragons lowered their wings for them to climb on. It was awkward going and he was lucky not to slip, Dany though bounced up the wing almost mockingly as she laughed happily. As he looked to the dragons back he saw a spot where three horns protruded almost making a saddle and a handle, he sat down between the two smaller ones and reached out grabbing the larger horn and closed his eyes.
"Sōvegon." he said and Brankardix moved quickly to the edge of the terrace and as he flapped his wings he took off into the sky.
The feeling of the wind hitting his face was like nothing he'd ever felt before, he could see Dany to his left and the smile on her face was no doubt matched by his own.
"Adhirikydho." he said and Brankardix went faster and before he knew it they were leaving the city behind and flying over the sea.
"Ilagon." he said and the dragon dropped down flying so close to the water that the wind from it's wings were making the waves move.
"Paez." the dragon slowed at his command.
Jae closed his eyes and entered Brankardix's mind, feeling his joy at having his rider with him, he looked through the dragons eyes and saw his aunt off in the distance, so decided to give chase.
"Ūndegon zirȳ Brankardix." he said and his dragon chirped happily as it went off to catch his sister.
It didn't take them long and when Jae looked at Dany she almost looked shocked to see him there before laughing loudly, both dragons seemed happy to be close to each other too. It was then Jae felt something in his mind, something different, a presence trying to come in, he heard a voice call him father and he smiled. Rhaegon had taken off not long before them and was now flying high above them, Jae gripped the horn tightly and closed his eyes and allowed his other son in.
"Thank you father, share with me?"
"Of course son." Jae said.
He saw Rhaegon travel great distances, further than Brankardix or Ellanys, he saw his dragon fly over Valyria, over Bravos, Pentos and Myr, he saw him hunt over the great grass sea and dive into waters near Lys. He felt his son's joy at being able to show his father these things, of being able to have him experience them with him. He expected to feel sadness or jealousy that he had no rider, but his dragon showed him an image of him accepting riders, an image of a young girl with a scarred face and another of a small slim girl who carried a sword.
"Who are they?" Jae asked.
"They are you father." Rhaegon said
He opened his eyes and found that Rhaegon was flying right beside him, his eyes looking directly into his, he looked to his left to see Dany looking on concerned but he just nodded he was fine and they turned to head back to the pyramid. The landing they made was far smoother than he'd have imagined and as he got off he looked to Rhaegon who landed too before he turned back to Brankardix.
"Thank you boy, you were amazing." he said softly stroking the dragons neck.
He walked over to Rhaegon and closed his eyes and was again immediately back in his son's mind, the dragon felt content, happier than he'd known him to be, he pushed against him and chirped.
"We can fly together father, but not the same."
"No my son not the same, but we will fly." Jae said and Rhaegon chirped even louder.
Pentos 297 AC.
Jae.
The Dragons Lament sailed into the Harbor and Jae stood on the deck, he was smiling as the next time he came this far north he'd be going to Westeros itself. But before then he had one final meeting with Varys to get the lay of the land before he could make his final plans. On deck he was joined by Arthur and Ser Richard, while Oswell readied things below, they would not be staying here long but still he had sent Syrax ahead to see if Hoat could be found.
Ser Richard had chased the man almost the entire length of Essos before Jae had called him back, while he wished to deal with the Brave Companions, he was wasting Richard on a fruitless search. There was far more important work the man could be doing and so he had met up with him and the men in Myr. They were almost ready to begin their moves and he needed all his men up to speed for the wars to come.
As they tied the ship off, Oswell came up to the deck carrying the gold for Varys, keeping a spy ring supplied was costly but the information was worth it and Varys's little birds were scattered all throughout the realm. He left the ship, Arthur, Oz, Ser Richard and a dozen more guards following, the ship had another three dozen on board, Gerold insisting that the closer it came to their return the more protected he needed to be.
"I hate this city." Oz said as they walked through the streets.
"You hate everything," Richard said smirking.
"Not everything, just why does it have to be so hot." Oz said getting a laugh from the others.
It didn't take them long to reach the tavern and Jae wasn't surprised when Arthur sent Oz and four of their guards in to check it out before allowing them to enter. Arthur too had become even more protective recently, even in their spars he had refused to go fully at Jae until he'd been ordered to. Even Jae pointing out that in holding back he was doing him a disservice hadn't been enough, he had actually had to command it of him.
Thankfully though it had worked and now when they sparred it was full on, making Jae an even better swordsman than he would have been without it. Bloodraven's lessons gave him different skills but it was Arthur's which made him the swordsman he was, he now took small victories from Arthur even if Arthur still took the day. When Oz came out and gave them the all clear they entered the tavern and a small girl took them up the stairs to the room where Varys awaited.
"My king it's good to see you well." Varys said when they entered.
"You too Lord Varys." Jae said as Oz placed the chest on the desk "For our work."
"I thank you my king, shall we begin." Varys said as Jae sat down.
"Tell me of the realms my lord."
"Dorne is as it was my king, even my little birds have little to report there. As for the North your uncle remains in the dark about you and your mother and still keeps himself as isolated as ever. In the Riverlands Lord Hoster has taken ill and may not be long for this world."
"Good riddance." Oz said getting a smirk from Jae.
"His son, Lord Varys?" Jae asked.
"Is a fool my king, but sometimes a fool can be useful."
"Or a liability." Jae said and Varys tittered.
"Indeed, the Vale my king could be a problem, Lady Arryn is not a sensible woman and I fear her compromised by the Master of Coin."
"This is this Littlefinger you spoke of before?" Jae asked.
"It is my king, a horrible fellow, one not to be trusted and perhaps one better to be rid of before you return."
"Would that I could Lord Varys, but it seems we all have roles to play and he has his, so for the moment we do nothing." Jae said and Varys nodded.
"For the moment only my king?" Varys asked looking at him directly.
"Yes, once we land he becomes an unnecessary risk, one we don't need." Jae said and Varys smiled.
"The Stormlands my king are divided, Lord Stannis believes they are his by right even though he's lord of Dragonstone, as for Lord Renly he actually has most of the lords on his side he's also very close to some in the Reach too." Varys said and Jae nodded.
"How do the brothers get on with each other?" Jae asked.
"They don't my king, Stannis believes Renly stole his rightful place, while Renly believes Stannis to be too rigid, too dutiful, too bound by his own sense of honor and justice."
"How can a man be too bound by justice?" Jae asked.
"During the siege of Storm's End my king, a smuggler managed to sneak supplies past the blockade. Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight, without his supplies the garrison would have starved to death. Stannis rewarded him by knighting him and giving him a small keep but not before he took four fingers to the knuckle off one of his hands as punishment for his smuggling."
"The man's a fool." Jae said.
"No my king, just rigid."
"But rigidity like that is foolish, maybe the next time he'll find that help won't be forthcoming if he rewards those who do in such a way." Jae said and Varys nodded "The Reach my lord?"
"The Tyrell's have one goal my king, to get their blood on the throne, who so ever offers them that gains their support. As I told you before they are vulnerable to their bannermen, some like the Florents and the Tarly's who'd love nothing more than to see them brought low."
"Randyll Tarly would go against them?" Gerold said shocked.
"For the right incentive, perhaps." Varys said.
"Stannis is married to a Florent is he not?" Jae said and Varys smiled before nodding "You said Lord Renly is close to some in the Reach, the Tyrells?"
"Yes my king, Ser Loras Tyrell is his former squire and the two men are involved." Varys said while Jae looked to Gerold for a moment.
"I assume the west is still the same?"
"It is my king."
"I thank you Lord Varys for your work, everything shall proceed in order, one year from today you shall see this ship in Kings Landing, we will meet at Chataya's as agreed."
"Excellent my king, I shall count the days. "
"Lord Varys, be careful until then, take no unnecessary risks. I would have you alive and well." Jae said and he saw the surprise momentarily appear on Varys's face.
"I shall do my best my king."
They left as soon as their conversation was over, Jae had no need to be in this city any longer than needed and they had a long journey back to Astapor ahead. When they reached the ship they set off quickly and were sailing almost within an hour of the meetings end. Jae took to his bed feeling more tired than normal and when he drifted off to sleep he was surprised to see himself back with Bloodraven at the tree. In the last couple of years he had seen Bloodraven only on occasion, it had been many moons since he'd seen him last. As he walked towards him the man smiled warmly at him catching him by surprise.
"Welcome young king."
"My lord." Jae said nodding.
"You've done well Jaehaerys, you've taken on your tasks better than I'd hoped, your connection with the dragons is most impressive."
"Thank you my lord, I've practiced as you taught me." Jae said which was true, with Brankardix it was almost as if they were as one and yet he had just as strong a bond with Rhaegon now too, though it was much different in nature.
"Your preparations at the wall have gone well too young king, they are following your instructions exactly."
"Then all is well?"
"It is, I'm here for your last lesson before you return."
"Very well."
Bloodraven reached out and Jae found himself standing on a hill of ice, below him as far as the eye could see where tents and around them, men, women and children moved freely and happily. Jae looked on as a large bellied white bearded man laughed while a beautiful blond argued with a redhead, in the corner a dark haired man played a lute. He watched in horror then as the camp was overrun by corpses with blue eyes, while men made of ice strolled through cutting down any in their way.
He saw the blond and redhead fall, the man with the white beard be enveloped by more men than he could count and saw the man with the lute lifted in the air before being impaled on a sword of ice. It was over in moments and he saw there was no living man left standing. Bloodraven tapped his shoulder and he saw a man wearing a crown of ice raise his hands and those who'd just fallen began to rise. He then found himself on top of the wall and looking down he saw an army that blocked out the land such was it's numbers.
"Look closer young king." Bloodraven said and Jae saw the army was filled with those men and women he'd just seen fall.
He found himself standing back by the tree with Bloodraven, could feel his breath coming in short gasps.
"What was that?" he asked.
"That was what happens to the free folk should you fail young king."
"Those, they were the free folk?"
"They were, only you can save them Jaehaerys, only the prince that can promised can avert their fate."
"But I must win first?"
"Indeed you must now look." Bloodraven said as he touched him on the forehead.
The visions flew forward, he saw a young girl swinging a wooden sword at a curly haired man who dodged away from her, saw ships on fire in a sea of green, saw a castle in the snow crumble from the waves which flowed from within. He saw ships with dragon sails make land at a white city and a dragon turn into a wolf and lay down in a garden full of roses. He saw a white lion cry out in pain before it roared happily and a stag stumble and fall, he saw a shadow move across the ground only for it to blinded in the light of the flames as a dragon roared loudly overhead.
"I shall not see you for some time young king, but we will intervene where we can, do not fear the blood for it means we are near." he heard Bloodraven speak softly as he faded away.
Waking up Jae felt the blood fall from his nose and so he jumped up and grabbed a cloth, it took some time for the flow to stop but when it did Jae felt fine, he felt better than fine, he felt like he'd been touched by a god.
Winterfell 298 AC.
Ned.
The last few years had gone very well, he looked over the books and they were in the best shape they'd been in for many a year, which considering summer would no doubt soon be ending was a good thing. Winter is coming was a warning all Starks needed to heed and preparing for it was the main duty of the lord of Winterfell. It had taken a long time and for some of the years Ned had not felt up to the job, the losses he'd suffered weighing heavily not just on his mind but his spirit also.
Finally though he felt content, his family was more than he could have ever hoped for and he and his wife loved each other with all their hearts. His children were growing up exactly how he wished them to be, happy and loved and given the boon they'd recently received it seemed they 'd been favored by his gods too. Direwolves hadn't been seen south of the wall in generations and now each of his children had one of their own.
After putting his books away Ned got up from his chair, a trip to the Godswood to thank his gods seemed called for and he walked to where he kept Ice and headed from the keep, almost tripping over Rickon and his wolf on the way. He smiled at Arya as she took her archery practice, he knew she wished to wield a sword and he'd have allowed it by now if not for his wife, so archery had been their compromise. He looked on as she and her wolf Nymeria walked to get the arrows, thankful that he'd listened to his heart regarding her those years before.
It had been Arya who convinced him to keep the Direwolves, despite her mother's protest he had given his daughter more freedom and leave to be herself and when news came of the deserter he had asked if she wished to come along. Unsurprisingly she had said yes and to this day he wondered if the old gods had influenced him somewhat as it was upon their return they'd come across the wolf's body.
"Father look." Arya said.
"Arya be careful." Ned said as his daughter jumped and ran to the beast.
"What's that a monster?" Theon said laughing.
"It's a wolf." Robb said.
"No it's a Direwolf." Arya said moving away from it.
"Arya, come back." Ned said and a moment later she did holding the pup in her hand.
"Look father, pups five of them." Arya said and Theon picked one up.
"We should put them, out of their misery Lord Stark." Theon said removing a knife from his belt.
"No, father please." Bran cried.
"Father there are five pups." Arya said.
"Aye." he looked at her questioningly.
"One for each of us, we're meant to have them." his daughter said looking at him pleadingly.
"You will take care of them yourselves, you will train them yourselves and if they die, you will bury them yourselves."
"They won't die." Robb said in a determined voice as he took one of the pups.
It had also been Arya who had found the albino pup as they left, the mute pup who no one claimed and who followed none of them, the same mute pup who had grown bigger than the others and had disappeared a number of days ago. He had sent out Jory with some hounds but they had found no trace of the wolf and Ned who had hoped the wolf was the foretelling of another child was coming to terms with the fact it was gone.
He walked to the Heart Tree and looked around for the cloth he kept to polish the Greatsword, which unlike normal steel never needed to sharpened. Finding it he sat down and prayed before he took his seat on the rock and began to rub the cloth up and down the sword, the motion always seeming to calm him and leave him at peace. Though today that peace was disturbed by the sound of footsteps and he looked to see his wife approach, her expression one of sadness.
"My love, I have terrible news, Jon Arryn has died." Cat said softly and Ned felt his heart break, his beloved foster father the man who basically raised him was gone.
"Your sister, the boy, they are all right?"
"Aye my love, but there's more, the king is coming to Winterfell."
"When?"
"He's already on his way, he'll be here within the moon."
Ned felt the sense of peace and calm he'd only just managed to find, fading away, if Robert was coming here there was only one ting he wanted and it was the last thing Ned wanted to do. But could he reject it? Could he turn down his friend? His brother by choice.
Astapor 298 AC.
Jae.
It was time, finally it was time, all the preparations had been made, the fleet had set off over a moon ago, Gerold even longer than that. He had said his goodbyes to Jon and Ser Richard and they and Dany had set off with their men for their own trip, his plans were set in stone now, this was how it would be. Ellanys and Rhaegon would travel with Dany and through Rhaegon he could keep connected and know if he was needed.
His bond with the black dragon had become almost second nature, he could tell just by closing his eyes what the dragon was feeling, how he was doing. Should he wish he could even direct his son to follow his orders and see through his eyes. Rhaegon may not have a rider, yet, but he never flew alone, much to his son's delight, Brankardix would be joining him though and despite his son's annoyance they wouldn't be flying, he could feel him overhead and feel how happy he was that they were leaving this place.
"Are you ready my king?" Kalors said as Jae looked out on the city for possibly the last time.
"I am."
Dany had left the council in charge of the city and promised to come back, they had trained up not just the remainder of the unsullied but also a large number of willing freemen and the city now had a standing force ready to defend it. It wouldn't survive a massive attack, but no sellswords other than the Golden Company would be able to take it, which left the other slave cities more willing to leave the city alone, or so they hoped.
Whatever they were about to face Jae had planned, counter planned and covered every possible contingency for, he had spent countless hours going over the plans with Jon and Dany, with Richard and Arthur. Gerold had signed off as had Oswell and despite not seeing the man in over a year he even believed Bloodraven would have given him his approval and soon it would all be put to its truest test.
They would be in Kings Landing within two moons but what he'd find there he had no idea, only that that once he arrived everything would start, Oswell would depart once they made it to Wyl and begin his own preparations. Jae turned and walked over to where his mother was standing with Oz and Arthur, smiling as he approached them.
"We're going home."
A/N: Thanks as always to all who've read and reviewed this story and to all of you I wish you a happy New Year. Up next the first war begins.
Biohazard: Thanks so much, really glad you liked it.
Lord Villareal: Ned is still too tied to Robert, he's not ready for Jae and Lyanna and should he have found out well as you rightly say Jae was right.
Princess: So glad you enjoyed it.
Godoftheseas: So happy you're enjoying it, hope you too had a merry christmas and that you have a happy new year.
Xanmerrick: Thank you my friend, so glad you like it.