Daenerys returned triumphantly to Dragonstone. She gathered her Queensguard in the war room, including Jon, Fafnir, and Davos.

Tyrion began the session. He shuffled his notes on the table and said, "Alright, everyone. Good to see you all here. Good to see you again, Ser Jorah, in good health." The room clapped politely, and Kanna planted a kiss on Jorah's cheek. "So, we have dealt the Lannisters a crushing blow with only one dragon and our Dothraki army. They have received but a taste of our power, and it was devastating." Tyrion beamed as he considered what his family members must be thinking. "And, we have received more good news. Jon, your sister Arya and your brother Bran are now safely returned to Winterfell." Jon already knew this, but it felt good to hear Tyrion announce it in a positive light. The table clapped. "Alright, so for our next move-"

"If I may," said Jon, "I thought long and hard about this last night. With Arya and Bran back at Winterfell, it is more obvious to me that I have lingered too long here. The army of the dead is advancing quickly on us, and Winterfell will be the first stronghold in their path if they pass the Wall. I must return to Winterfell."

Dany gasped. "But, Jon, if this army of the dead is as you say, then are you prepared to fight it?"

"No," said Jon. "That's why I came here in the first place. With your forces, and your dragons, the living have a much better chance."

"I'm sorry," said Jorah. "Army of the dead?"

"Don't," Tyrion said, waving it off.

Fafnir refused to wave it off. "It is a terrifying horde of wights and White Walkers, insatiable demons whom fire could not burn-"

"Enough, Fafnir," said Tyrion.

"The fine men of the Night's Watch have already lost members to their ranks. Wildlings have been plagued by them. They are coming for us all!" Fafnir pressed.

"Are you done?" Tyrion asked.

"No," said Fafnir. "I'm tired of everyone dismissing this! Queen Daenerys, if you are truly the just Queen you would have us believe, then you will postpone your attack on the Lannisters in the interest of the common good!"

"Even if you are speaking the truth, if I abandon my campaign for the Iron Throne, then Cersei wins! Cersei doesn't care about the army of the dead! In order to do good, we must ensure a good ruler on the Iron Throne," Dany said.

"Hold on," said Shouta. "I believe them."

Shouta was usually silent at these meetings, so the room fell silent when he spoke.

"Thank you," said Fafnir.

"You both claim to have seen these White Walkers," said Shouta.

"That's correct," said Jon.

"About how far away from this Wall are they?" Shouta asked.

"They can't be too far now," said Jon.

"So it wouldn't take long to meet them," said Shouta.

"Meet them?" Lucoa asked. "Shouta-baby, what are you suggesting?"

"I'm suggesting," said Shouta, "we harness this army for our cause."

Tyrion coughed in his surprise. "Harness them?"

"They're dead people, right? The wights. We don't know what the Walkers are, but it seems like a simple matter of Necromancy," said Shouta.

"Oh, I see where you're going," said Lucoa.

"Yeah, me too, and it is absolutely ludicrous," said Tyrion.

"I would have to study them first," said Shouta. "Figure out how they tick. How the magic works. Then, I take control of the army, and we march it straight to King's Landing. See how Cersei answers that."

The group nervously looked around at each other, trying to feel each other out. Finally, Dany said, "I'm not...entirely...against it."

Jon looked at Shouta. "Will you come with me, beyond the Wall?"

"Aye, aye, captain!" Shouta beamed.

Jon turned to Dany and Tyrion. "I want Fafnir with me," he said.

"Well, then, you'll have to ask Lady Shireen," said Tyrion.

Jorah cleared his throat. "Growing up on Bear Island, I was led to believe that the stories of the White Walkers were a myth. Jon, I do not know you, but I knew your father. He was an honorable man. I will accompany you, if you will have me."

"And where he goes, I go," said Kanna.

"Woah, hold on, you guys just got back safely," said Dany.

"I'm also not sure we want to send the A-team out on this errand," said Tyrion. "Although, I am imagining my sister staring down the face of a zombie, and it is quite satisfying."

"As one who has actually seen the Walkers, I think the situation definitely calls for the A-team," said Fafnir. "Lucoa, where do you stand?"

"With Shouta, of course," said Lucoa.

"I'll stay with Dany," said Tohru. "Between me and the three young dragons, and the Valkyries, our Queen and Lady Shireen will be safe."

"If anything happens to the Lady Shireen, I will have your head," said Fafnir.

Tohru extended her hand. "Deal!"


Jon's crew boarded their ship to return to Winterfell, along with the dragonglass. Fafnir wanted to fly, but Jon insisted they not attract unnecessary attention to themselves. After saying farewell to their companions in Dragonstone, they departed.

The day passed peacefully. Davos, who had also decided to come with Jon, was steering the ship in the dead of night, when a small rowboat caught his eye. There was a single man on board, with shaggy hair and a long beard. He looked entirely distraught, rowing as if his life depended on it.

"Hey!" Davos called to him. "What are you rowing from, man?"

"Sea witch!" the rower cried. "There's...there's a witch in the water...she won't let me stop...stop rowing..."

"Goodness, man," said Davos. "Come aboard. Your boat looks like it's about to fall apart! How long have you been rowing?"

"I...don't...know! I can't...can't stop...AHHHHH!" A scaly tail whipped out of the water and smashed the rowboat. Then, it wrapped around the rower and flung him onto Davos's ship. "Oh gods. Oh gods. Oh gods. Oh gods," the rower gasped.

Davos looked down at him. "Gendry?" he asked.

Gendry pushed himself up, and then, seeing a familiar and friendly face, flung himself into Davos's arms. Gendry began to sob. Davos looked at the water in fear.

Davos brought Gendry down to the living quarters and got him cleaned up. Gendry sat at their table before a bowl of soup and bread, eating greedily. Jon's crew stared at him in shock.

"He's a good, honest man," said Davos. "A blacksmith from King's Landing, and..."

"I'm one of Robert Baratheon's bastards," said Gendry.

"Oh," said Fafnir. "Then you're Shireen's cousin. How fortunate for you to have found us."

"It's not fortune," said Kanna. "It's calculated." They looked at Kanna strangely, and she paced the floorboards, distraught. "Gendry, this 'sea witch,' what did she look like?"

"Like a big sea dragon," Gendry said. "But sometimes she would appear to me in the form of a woman. She had short brown hair, and a horn in her head."

"Hold on," said Jon. "A dragon that takes the form of a woman? You can't possibly mean..."

"Elma," said Kanna. "She's a dragon of the Order Faction. I brought her here in a foolish, impulsive decision. She...she claims to not only know the future, but know..."

"How things are supposed to be," Jorah finished. "If she has forced you here, then that means her book must list you among our company."

"She did have a book, yeah," said Gendry. "She kept complaining about it getting messed up."

Fafnir groaned. "Ohhhh, joy! Azor Ahai, prophetic books, an army of the dead, what more can we add to this delightful list of mysteries?"

"Your world seems inexplicably wrapped up in ours," said Jon. "Ohhh, I have a headache."

"I'm so confused," said Gendry.

"Where should we begin?" Jorah laughed. "This is Kanna, she's my girlfriend, and she's also a dragon."

Gendry looked from Jorah to Kanna. "Niiiiiice!"


They arrived at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, the abandoned Night's Watch post. There, they were joined by Thoros of Myr, Sandor Clegane, and Beric Dondarrion who had come to aid Gendry.

It wasn't long before they came upon some wights. Sooner, actually, than Jon had expected.

"Holy shit," said Gendry. He swung his axe randomly at the creatures.

Fafnir pushed him aside. "Behind me, noob!" He opened his mouth and unleashed a jet of flame, causing the creatures to collapse.

"Shouta, hurry!" Jon cried. Shouta was carving complicated symbols in the snow. He hadn't been prepared to do this so soon. Wights poured at them from every angle. Lucoa transformed into her dragon form in order to protect Shouta.

"Holy shit," Gendry repeated. "That bitch better not have sent me here just to die!"

Shouta's etching began to glow. "NOW!" he cried.

Fafnir and Kanna were too busy trying to keep the wights off the people. "This is impossible," said Kanna. "We can't win like this." She transformed. "Jorah!"

Jorah jumped onto her back. "Jon, get on Fafnir. We'll lead a wight into the circle and get out!"

Fafnir transformed, but Jon fell through some ice. "Motherfuck!" Fafnir cried, diving down to retrieve him.

Kanna picked up a wight in her claws. It bit her, and she screamed as she dropped it into Shouta's trap. The wight stopped moving.

"NOW!" Shouta called. Beric, Sandor, and Thoros had been protecting a coffin. They yelled as they carried it onto the trap. Shouta cautiously approached the wight, and seeing it was frozen, pushed it into the box. "Thanks," he said. He had already etched the proper curses on the coffin. With a few incantations, the coffin was sealed. Shouta mounted Lucoa, and they pulled the coffin onto her with him. Lucoa and Shouta flew back to Eastwatch. As they departed, a wight dragged Thoros to the ground and bit his neck.

"RETREAT!" Fafnir cried, breathing a hefty amount of fire at the newest wave of wights. An ice javelin whizzed past him. Jon and Fafnir turned in the direction of the Night King and his White Walkers who were observing the spectacle from the mountains. "Those fuckers," Fafnir whispered.

"Retreat, Fafnir!" Jon ordered. The grounded humans were running away under Kanna's cover. Fafnir remained fixed on the Night King, who was readying another spear. Fafnir flew low behind Kanna, then turned back to look at the Night King one more time. He landed.

"Give me your sword," he snarled at Jon.

"Fafnir, no," said Jon.

Fafnir didn't take "no" for an answer. He grabbed Longclaw and raced off in the direction of the White Walkers.

"What the hell is he doing?" Jorah cried.

"FAFNIR!" Jon yelled, frozen in shock and fear. Fafnir continued on, barreling through the wights. Jorah yanked Jon off the ground onto Kanna. The wights had all gone after Fafnir, leaving the crew free to escape.

Fafnir came face to face with the Night King once again, but this time, he had a dragonglass sword. He waved it menacingly at the Walkers. The Night King's ice spear glowed the coldest blue.

"Who are you?" Fafnir declared. "What do you want with these people?" The Night King stared at Fafnir. He thrust his spear at him, and Fafnir flew up to avoid it. He swung Longclaw, knocking the head off a Walker. The Walkers all turned toward him with ice spears. "Come at me," Fafnir taunted.

Fafnir fought the Walkers, who recognized the danger of Longclaw and retreated in different directions. Fafnir managed to kill another, but it was not the Night King. Javelins hurled at him from all directions.

Then, the wights returned. Fafnir had no choice but to transform back into dragon form. He flew up and saw the Walkers retreating behind their horde. "Cowards," Fafnir growled. He pursued the Walkers deeper beyond the Wall, burning through the wights. Then, he heard a roar behind him.

"Fafnir!" called a young woman.

Fafnir turned around. Dany was pursuing him on Drogon, flanked by Rhaegal on Viserion.

"Queen!" Fafnir said, stopping in midair. "Queen Daenerys, what is the meaning of this?"

"Jon told me you were in trouble," said Dany.

"So you followed me?! Turn around, Daenerys. I will defeat the Walkers," said Fafnir.

"It is more important that you come back alive," said Dany. "Please, as your Queen I order-"

And at that moment, an ice spear pierced Viserion. The dragon fell into the ice and snow. Dany screamed. Another javelin whizzed past her and Drogon. "Retreat," Fafnir whispered. "RETREAT!" Drogon and Rhaegal obeyed Fafnir. Dany cried out in agony that they ought to return to Viserion. "It is most important that we come back alive," Fafnir said solemnly.


Back on the ship, they mourned the loss of Viserion.

"My Queen, I am sorry," said Fafnir, bowing before her. "It was my recklessness that began the events that lead to his death."

Dany shook her head and bade him get off his knees. "It is not your fault. You acted nobly."

"As did you," said Fafnir.

Dany looked at Jon. "You were right," she said. "Defeating the army of the dead is the most important thing. We will defeat the Night King."

"I'm sorry that you found out this way," said Jon.

Tyrion had brought Dany to Eastwatch with some Valkyries. Tohru remained with Lady Shireen in Dragonstone with the remainder of the Valkyries and all of the Dothraki to protect her.

"We decided that if Shouta was successful, that we wanted to waste no time in bringing it to Cersei," said Dany.

Jon knelt before Dany.

"Jon what are you doing?" Fafnir asked.

"Dany, you risked your life and your dragons to save Fafnir," said Jon.

"Fafnir did not need saving," said Fafnir.

"True, but I now have no doubt in my mind that you will be a just and noble Queen," said Jon. "For all of the Seven Kingdoms."

"What will the Northmen say?" asked Dany, suddenly concerned about Jon in ways that she hadn't been before.

"They will learn as I have, that you are different from the rest," said Jon. "I pledge my loyalty to you, my Queen."

Dany took his hand and pulled him off the ground. "I count myself lucky to have such an ally," she said. They embraced, and Fafnir nudged their bodies apart.

"Ahh, the magic of friendship!" Fafnir quipped, then he drew the both of them in for a hug before pushing them in opposite directions.


Shouta arrived at his cabin, and Ornela was waiting in his bed.

"Oh, hey," said Shouta. "You're here."

"I couldn't handle the thought of you with all of those nasty creatures!" Ornela cried. "Please, do not meddle with the..." Shouta dragged in the box that contained the wight. Ornela turned white. "What is that?"

Shouta grinned. "Wanna see?" he asked.

Ornela pulled the blankets around her. "Is it the..the...zombie?"

The box rattled. Ornela screamed. "Shh," Shouta said. "I'll protect you."

"Shouta, I cannot sleep with that thing in here," Ornela said.

"Then sleep somewhere else," said Shouta. He opened his luggage and produced his Necromancy book and a knife.

"Sleep somewhere else?" Ornela asked, hurt. "You would choose this thing over me?"

"I am doing this for Queen Dany, the same Queen that saved your ass back in Vaes Dothrak," said Shouta. He flipped through the pages until he found what he was looking for. Then, he opened his left palm and began to carve shapes on it.

"SHOUTA!" Ornela screamed, causing the knife to slip and cut him deeper. Shouta yelled in pain, then threw down the knife in frustration as blood poured out onto the bedsheets.

"Ornela," said Shouta, "this is what I must do. I'm a mage, Ornela. If you can't handle it, then you need to leave." He wrapped his hand in bandages. "I messed that one up, so I need to start again on my other hand. Do not ruin this for me again, Ornela."

Ornela burst into tears. "I don't understand," said Ornela. "You are a fantastic lover. How can you also do such terrible things?"

Shouta looked into her eyes. "Because I am terrible, Ornela," he said.

The look in his eyes sent shivers down her spine. She slowly slid off the bed and out of the cabin. Shouta shrugged, opened his right palm, and got to work.


They arrived at King's Landing. Tyrion, Davos, and Jorah entered to request a parley with Queen Cersei. The rest of their party waited patiently on the ship.

"Okay, I can't take this anymore," said Tormund Giantsbane. "Can we put it back in the box please?" He pointed at Shouta and the wight that was standing beside him and wearing a Targaryen tunic.

"Ser Wightsworth is dressed for his audience with the queen," Shouta declared. "We've been practicing our graces, haven't we?" He raised his right hand, where he had tattooed some grim spiral markings onto his palm, and said, "Bow to the queen." Ser Wightsworth bowed. "See? He's saying, pleasure to make your acquaintance," said Shouta.

"This is fascinating, Shouta, but a bit unsettling," said Dany.

"I'm not sure yet if I can control more than one," said Shouta. "But I'm pretty sure I've worked out how the reanimation works. It really is rudimentary necromancy."

"So you really are going to try to take the Night King's army from him?" Sandor asked.

"That's my goal," said Shouta.

"You're one crazy ass little shit," said Sandor. "I like you."

"Thanks," said Shouta.

Tyrion, Davos, and Jorah returned. "She will see us in the Dragonpit," said Tyrion. "Although, we must be on high alert. She fears a trick, and she will be ready to attack."

"That's fine," said Lucoa. "We've got this."

"I'm going to scare the pants off her," said Shouta. "Come, Ser Wightsworth."

Ser Wightsworth followed Shouta off the ship. Everyone gave them wide berth to pass.


The allies entered the Dragonpit. Dany looked around in awe at the structure built by her ancestors to house the first dragons that were brought to Westeros. She locked eyes with Cersei, who sat in the chair that ought to be hers and fumed within. But, as soon as Shouta and Ser Wightsworth entered, all of the Lannister eyes fell on him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Cersei cried, pointing at Ser Wightsworth with his Targaryen tunic.

"Stay," said Shouta to Ser Wightsworth. Ser Wightsworth remained standing dumbly on the steps. Shouta approached Cersei and bowed slightly. "Hello, my name is Shouta, and I represent Queen Daenerys Targaryen. I have come to demonstrate the terror that awaits you if you refuse our offer."

"Who is this man?" Jamie asked. "Why should we listen to him?"

"Allow me to demonstrate," said Shouta. He turned to Ser Wightsworth. "Forward," he said. The wight advanced, and the Lannisters recoiled.

Jon stepped forward. "This is but one of thousands of similar creatures that live beyond the Wall," said Jon, "and they are advancing steadily towards Westeros."

Ser Wightsworth bowed to Cersei. She looked uncomfortably from the wight, to Shouta, to Jon. "I should have you arrested for treason," said Cersei. "This is utter nonsense. It is a fool's errand to distract us from our war with Daenerys."

"Wait," said Jon. He looked at Shouta, and Shouta nodded. The mage raised his marked palm at Ser Wightsworth, and both men took some good steps backwards.

"Release," said Shouta.

Ser Wightsworth snapped out of Shouta's control. The creature reverted to its natural state, and it lunged at Cersei. The Lannisters screamed. Jon chopped off its hand with Longclaw before it could grab Cersei, and Shouta stopped the wight from attacking. Cersei looked at Shouta in disgust and fear. Shouta grinned.

Davos handed Jon a torch, and Jon burnt the hand. "When I and Fafnir were on the Wall with the Night's Watch, we learned how to deal with the wights. Fire destroys them," he explained. "Dragonglass, too, can stop them." He thrust Longclaw through Ser Wightsworth's chest, causing the creature to collapse. "They are controlled by more powerful creatures called White Walkers."

"Like him?" Jamie asked, pointing to Shouta.

"Umm, no, but Shouta has been studying the magic behind the wights and has learned to control them," said Jon.

"Alright," said Cersei, "here's the deal. I won't interfere with your war against these...things. As long as you, King in the North, remain neutral in my war with Daenerys."

The silence that followed was especially uncomfortable.

"Don't...be...stupid," Fafnir whispered, and Tyrion let out a chortle.

"Unfortunately, that won't be possible," said Jon. "I am no longer the King of the North. I am allied with Daenerys."

"Ohhhhhh shiiiiiiit," Fafnir muttered.

The Lannisters gasped, and Cersei stood up, trying to decide what to say. Her face was as red as her gown. "Well then, King of the North, our truce is over. You shall receive no help from me!" She stormed out, and her cronies followed.

Tyrion stood up and marched to Jon. "You couldn't have told just a little white lie?" he asked.

"Lying to each other will get us nowhere," said Jon.

"Except today, when it might have gotten us an extra army," said Fafnir.

Tyrion groaned, and he marched off after his family. Shouta, meanwhile, was attempting to reassemble the wight.

"What's that fucker doing?" Tormund asked.

Shouta muttered incantations over the bones, and then he stood up, raised his hands, and the wight reanimated. Tormund let out a small shriek. Shouta tested his handiwork on Ser Wightsworth by ordering the creature to perform various tricks. The Lannisters returned when Ser Wightsworth went into the chicken dance. Cersei was especially not amused.

"Okay," said Cersei. "I will help."

Dany's team sat in shock for a moment. Jamie said, "No, really, she's going to send you troops. You're welcome."

"Thank you," said Dany.

Cersei said nothing else, but gave her a curt nod before turning back to the castle. Jamie waved to them and said a more formal goodbye. The Lannisters departed.

"And we're just going to trust that they're going to hold up their bargain?" Fafnir asked.

"Yes," said Tyrion. "And if they do not, let all of Westeros see their character, compared to the character of our Queen."

Dany smiled. "Then we shouldn't waste any more time here. We have a world to save."