Sorry for taking a long time to update! I was busy, and since I am not in my home, I can't work properly.
Next update is going to be Overlord The Demon Empress! Then, Boku No Overlord!
See you guys later!
Happy New Year to everyone!
Chapter 25
At the great hall of Winterfell, the welcoming party of the king was going full swing. Laughter, wine, music, and more importantly women. Were all received with joy by the fat king. Whom seemed thrilled by the welcoming feast. But on the other side of the coin. There were a few people who seem anything but please with the king's attitude. Manly the Queen, who was sitting next to Catelyn and Ashara.
The Dornish woman with beautiful purple eyes had a big smirk on her face while watching the fat king grope one wench with big breasts. Ashara rejoiced by the humiliation the Queen Cercei was enduring. A minor victory for the Dornish beauty. Catelyn sighed, a part of her felt the divine justice coming for Cercei justify. But on the other hand, Catelyn felt pity for how the queen was being treated.
And while the ladies were having a silent war.
Eddard Stark's thoughts of what transpired recently flow through his mind. The deserter of the Night Watch, the Direwolves his children took. The strange dreams and nightmares and the feeling in the air of something more going on. Something far north where the sun never shines. It was a lot to think of.
"You at a feast. It's like a bear in a trap," Benjen, younger brother of Ned said.
"Benjen… I see you made it here. Sorry for taking you away from you wife. How it's Alysane?" Ned asked.
"She healthy and grumpy. She wanted to apologize for not being able to come," Benjen said while holding a smile of his own.
"She has nothing to apologize for. She is going to deliver you second born soon, traveling is dangerous for her," Ned said.
"She is Mormont. She wanted to come here. You know how Northener women are. Besides, staying away from her is the best. Last time she almost killed me because I couldn't give her a roasted chicken. I am telling you Ned I'm lucky to be alive," Benjen said, laughing.
"I know, Benjen. I have two wives, it's not funny. Ashara once kicked me out of my own room because, I was too cold, and she wanted to eat and cry alone," Ned said, smiling at the fond memories.
"Those are our wives," Benjen replied.
Ned saw his wives at the table. Such grace and beauty. He was a lucky man, without a doubt. But then he thought about something else. The worries he has been pushing aside for a long time.
"The boy I beheaded. It was a deserter from the Night Watch, he was talking… About White Walkers and more," Ned said, changing the tone of the conversation.
"Aye, I send the letter to Jeor Mormont. It wrote back not to long ago. He knew him, a true ranger. The other two are still missing," Benjen said.
"He also said that the Wildings are moving south, more and more of them are gathering not to far away from the wall. Perhaps they were unlucky," Benjen said.
"Wilding ambush?" Asked Ned.
"Doubt it. Perhaps if things were different. But now, the North is strong Ned. The Night Watch is not what it was before… Our… Alliance with the empire has brought riches to our land. The Watch has benefited from greatly, you know this," Benjen whispered.
"I know," Ned replied while looking at the guest. Ned wondered why they thought of the North now. After all, it has evolved abruptly. And for the better.
The North as a whole has changed from what it used to be. Ever since Dorne cut itself from the Iron Throne. The Six Kingdoms changed drastically. The balance of power and the authority of the crown has weakened in some parts. Especially the North. The rest of Westeros care little for what was happening in the North. Everyone ignored the land of the Wolf.
The Reach was playing the same game as always. Watch and wait. On the Stormlands, the king's younger brother. Renly Baratheon was waiting for his chance to strike. While the older brother, Stannis, hid on Dragon Stone away from everyone. Plotting and waiting patiently.
On the Vale, Lyza Arryn deluded herself into thinking everything was going according to plans. That she would finally get what she thought deserved. Following the steps of her lover. A mockingbird.
The Westerlands were, as always, obedient to the old lion. And in the Crownlands and Riverlands, a new faith has emerged. Slowly vanishing, The Faith of the Seven. And because of all that, the North could slowly grow.
After learning the truth and experiencing true divinity, Benjen instead of taking the black. Took the Moat Callin as his home. And with the help of the empire. The ancient stronghold became once more. The keeper of the Neck. A huge castle with over twenty-five towers. Huge metal gates and walls of dark stone. An intimidating sight for everyone to see. When king Roberth saw it for the first time. While traveling to the North, he called the Harrenhal of the North.
They also discovered roads made of white rock. Tiny villages flourish with farms and life. It was at that moment; they realize that the North was no longer the lifeless desolation they thought it was. There was a lot more for them to discover. But for the Lord of Winterfell, he felt at peace knowing they will never have the chance.
"Benjen, recently I have been having dreams lately. Nightmares and more… I don't know why, but I can't shake this feeling from me. Like there is something calling for me," Ned said, and Benjen immediately went stiff.
"So, I was not the only one," Benjen muttered.
"What do you mean? Are you having the same dreams?" Ned asked, intrigued, and worried.
"Yes, it started a few years back. I said nothing because… Well, never had the chance. But I know something is off, I can feel it in my veins. Winter is coming, Ned, and we need to be ready," Benjen declared.
"Winter is coming," Ned replied softly.
"Do you think… She is having the same dreams?" Benjen asked in a low tone.
"Perhaps… I think we should ask her soon enough," Ned said.
"Uncle Benjen!" The voice of Robb and Arthur broke the silence. Benjen smiled at his nephews and with a hug he greeted them.
On the other side of the hall, at the table where the Queen of Westeros was sitting. The lioness of Casterly Rock had a furious looked on her face. Not only because her beloved husband was publicly shaming her with a common whore. But he was doing it in front of two ladies Cercei hated. The Queen could see the smirk on Ashara's face, and she wanted to do nothing more than to smash the head of the Dornish whore on the table.
Catelyn was in the middle of it all and feeling the need to stop the intense and heavy tension. She made a small chat with the Queen.
"Is this your first time in the North, your grace?" Catelyn asked gently.
"Yes, lovely country," Cersei said dismissively.
"So different from what I heard before… It almost look civilize," Cercei replied with a snarky tone.
The response made Ashara snort while drinking her wine. Cersei ignored her and looked around her. The Queen saw the two Stark girls talking to each other. She sneered at them. They have always called Cersei the most beautiful woman in the Six Kingdoms. Cersei knew that better than anyone. It was something that made her proud. An achievement of sorts to her. But now, looking at those two girls. She could feel anger boiling up.
They were young and gorgeous. She could accept that as much as Cercei hated to admit it. She scoffed at the idea of one of them becoming a queen in the future. Cersei would never allow something like that to happen. Never. So, Cercei played the old game of Roses.
Cercei would manipulate one of them. It would be easy, nothing would stop her. And when she does, Cersei would destroy them.
At the table, Sansa was feeling tired and anxious. The eyes of the Queen on her were putting her on edge. If it wasn't for her older sister, Allyria. She would have crumbled under the pressure.
"Sansa, are you alright?" Allyria asked.
"I don't want to be here… I want to go to my room," Sansa said with a sobbing voice.
Allyria took Sansa's hand and squeeze gently. She could still feel the eyes of the prince on both of them. How much Allyria hated those green eyes. But she would not allow herself to look weak, especially next to Sansa.
"I know, but you need to be strong. You are a Stark remember. Don't let them see you down," Allyria whispered.
"Remember what mother told us. They will try to rip our family apart, we need to be strong and show them. Our pack will always be together," Sansa nodded at the words of her sister.
Allyria knew that her sister Sansa was more passive than the rest. She was smart, no doubt. Sansa liked books more than anything. And was quick with the numbers. But Allyria knew that if they pushed Sansa beyond her comfort zone, she would crumble.
Allyria sends some gestures to her brother Robb, who was talking with Theon and Arthur. And using a few words, she practically told them she was going to take Sansa back to her room after displaying themselves to the Queen.
The oldest Stark daughter could feel the eyes of the prince on her and Sansa. They were the same as the Queen, filled with malice and cruelty. Allyria would never allow them to hurt her family. Never. So deciding to take her sister out of that place, she took Sansa's hand and guide her before the Queen. The faster they present themselves, the faster Sansa could go back to the safety of her room.
"Let's go Sansa, just present yourself. Bow, and all. Like mother told us, then we can leave," Allyria said.
"Finally, wait what about Arya?" Sansa whispered.
"Arya is too small, and she is having playing with Brandon and our nephew, Ben," Allyria said.
As they reached the top table. Allyria and Sansa bowed deeply to the Queen.
"Your grace," both said.
"Aren't both of you, cuties. Two doves of the North, how old are you both?" Cercei asked.
"I'm Sixteen your grace, my sister, Sansa is thirteen," Allyria replied.
"And those gowns, aren't they beautiful? Did you make them?" Cercei asked again with that hidden sneer.
"I did them… I made them myself... your grace," Sansa replied nervously.
"You must make one for me too then," both Allyria and Sansa nodded respectfully.
"We will, your grace," they both answered.
"I see, have both of you bleed yet?" Cercei asked with malicious intent. Sansa was uncomfortable by the question, while Allyria was unfazed by it.
"I have, your grace. My sister has not," Allyria answered with a serious tone.
"I see… Good to know. You are now a lady," Cercei replied with a sneer.
Ashara and Catelyn gave those looks to the girls to leave. And they did, and happily so. It pleased Ashara to know her daughter could play the game. Sansa, however, was different. If they take her to King's Landing, they would eat her alive. And Catelyn knows that as well.
Still, the Queen's attitude infuriated the Tully wife. Catelyn would not fall into the lioness games. But deep inside the lady of Winterfell, she was praying for a bolt of lightning to strike the Queen. Multiple times, if it could.
"I hear we may actually share a grandchild someday," Cercei said, and both mothers of the North said nothing for a few seconds. Ashara was gripping a knife with all her strength.
"I heard the same," Catelyn replied, trying to calm down Ashara.
"Don't worry, both of your daughters would do well in the capital. Such beauties should not stay here hidden forever," Cercei said with an arrogant tone. The lioness was already scheming what to do with both girls. A nasty grin appeared on her face. Cercei would enjoy her retribution.
But for the Queen of Westeros, such an opportunity would never arrive.
While the feast kept going, outside of the warm halls of Winterfell. High in one tower of the ancient Stark fortress where the snow hit first. The wolf maid, Lupusregina, was counting the stars. Her boredom and the slow pace of the party were driving her nuts. Such a beautiful moment to create chaos. But the only thing she could do now was only to watch and wait.
"Ah, I am bored!~" Lupusregina exclaimed.
There was not much for her to do here. Lupusregina wanted to go back home, to her lady. She wanted to see her daughter too. And spend some time with her. Especially after hearing how close Nasha and princess Daenerys have grown. There were so many possibilities there.
Thankfully, she was going to go home soon enough.
"I wonder, what are the rest doing. Mm," Lupusregina whispered, thinking of her sisters. Then, something brought the attention of the maid.
A small person strolling while drinking wine. A dwarf with golden hair and a short nose. Lupusregina wanted to remember who that person was. She pulled out a small notebook, and with only a few seconds of reading her notes. She found who the small person was.
"Tyrion… Lannister, eh? The Lannister dwarf. Well, well, things are going to move faster now! Let's sneak out and see what else can I find," Lupusregina exclaimed.
And with that, the Pleiade maid jumped down. To search for her fun.
On the other side of the World. The empress of the Nazarick empire sat in her normal place in her office. Galadriel looked interested in what she was reading and hearing from Demiurge and Albedo.
"So, they could learn more of Tier magic… Interesting, very interesting," Galadriel said.
"It is my lady. For what I could experiment, although must humans could never achieve more than just a small fire in their hands if lucky. But there are those who can achieve Tier II magic. I theorize that, those who can it's because they posses magic in their blood," Demiurge said.
"It's seem that the descendents of Old Valyria can wake up their linage," Albedo said.
"I see… The records said that, The Valryians could do more than just fire tricks. It how they bond with those dragons. Blood magic. Our intervention brought some old magic back to this world. The Targaryen could become more useful for us too, and from what Lupusregina has sent us, the Starks are the same," Galadriel said.
Galadriel could now see the potential of those two families. Perhaps keeping them on her side was one of the best ideas she ever had. Now, she could see firsthand how the magic evolves here. And experiment with it as she pleases. Now was the time to investigate more.
"Demiurge, I want you to research more about the Starks and Targaryen magic. Perhaps there is something we are missing. And I want Mare to supervise the magic users from Mantarys. To keep me updated," Galadriel ordered.
"As you wish, my lady," Demiurge replied with a bow.
"Good, if they can learn Tier magic, I want to know the limits in their abilities," Galadriel said.
"My lady, could the humans become stronger because of this?" Albedo asked.
"Mm, perhaps with time. From what we know, the humans of the past are different from the ones in the present. The magic seemed to play a bigger role than we thought. We need to find out, for now let's focus on this," Galadriel said.
The idea of Tier magic being used in the world intrigue Galadriel. Could it be possible for her to create something new? A new type of magic? Galadriel needed to know.
"Good, now what about Shalltear and Bathory? Did the find the rest of the Dothraki?" Galadriel asked.
"Yes, they find them. I most admit my surprise, my lady. For a pack of riding worms, they move fast. They are near Vaes Diaf. Those insects were trying to surprise us by attacking Meeren, and the Khyzai pass. Then going trough Bhorash and then, trying to get to the peninsula. Those worms," Albedo sneered.
"It's seemed they wanted a fast attack. A bold and stupid strategy. Now they are in our grasp. We could exterminate those pests. Should I send some aid, to Shalltear and princess Bathory? To make sure we eradicate them?" Demiurge asked, but Galadriel dismissed him with a small smile.
"No need for that. We have surveillance for any surprise. Besides, this is a wonderful opportunity for Bathory. A pleasant experience for her in how to use her abilities. Besides, how many are there?" Galadriel said with a beam.
"Mm, it seems they have increased in numbers from before. This Khal Drogo brought the entire horde with him. Of what we left of the Dothraki. Around two hundred thousand," Albedo said with an unusually impressive tone.
"Those are big numbers… Mm, Demiurge,I don't want to waste resources. Tell Shalltear and Bathory to not kill every single one. I believe that Aura said something about, dragons liking meat," Galadriel said.
"Oh, I remember Aura telling me the same. She wanted more meat for her pets," Demiurge replied with a big smile.
"Perfect, Aura will be please to know we have more meat for her. There is also the whole business with Arwen and her tour on Westeros. Albedo told me that soon enough the next stage will begin, and with that, the Targaryen will lunch themselves to war," Galadriel said.
"Yes, my lady. I predict that as soon as Eddard Stark arrives at the capital. They will try to use him one way or another to create chaos in the continent," Demiurge said.
"Humans, never learn, do they?" Albedo replied with a nasty tone.
"My lady, there is something I want to recommend," Galadriel raise an eyebrow at that, she wondered what could he want.
"Oh, what could it be?" Demiurge smiled.
"There are two individuals who I believe could prove themselves useful to us. And would make things easier for princess Arwen. It would surely be on our best interest to sway them to our side," Demiurge said as his diamond eyes shine with the light of mischief and cruelty.
The garden rose would surely be surprised by the sudden visit of a demon.