The Keeper
Chapter 68 – Maidenpool Keeper
"Zaldrīzoti, māzigon naejot issa!" Brienne ordered.
The dragons, as usual, were enjoying the crisp sea breeze and the saltwater sprays flowing around them. Gallan was highest, up in the lookout post. Ardayn and Serdun were only a little below it, perched on the mast ropes. Only Catren and Allwyn were nearby, perched on the railing by the captain's wheel, near Griff. He was in conversation with the captain at the bow, watching the shoreline as they spoke.
The Sea Keeper had sailed in from the Bay of Crabs into the mouth of the Trident hours earlier. The air warmed considerably once they passed Drye Den, escaping the chilly winds of the Narrow Sea. Still, most of the men wore multiple layers to work on deck. They weren't used to the increasingly cold conditions as they sailed further north.
Brienne shivered but it wasn't the cold that bothered her. It was the amount of attention they attracted. The north side of the waterway was under the guardianship of the Vale. The land on the south side was part of the Riverlands. They had passed Wikenden only a short time earlier. The sight of men in heavy armor, bearing House Arryn's sigil of a sky-blue falcon on a white moon, guarding the minor port city had brought the Company men onto the deck.
Brienne had called the dragons to her then, too. They'd passed the town without incident but the sheer number of Valemen along the shore had unnerved them all. They had not expected to see the Knights of the Vale on shore, arrows pointed towards their ship. The dragons had stayed with her until the Company men on deck had relaxed. Then they'd eagerly returned to their perches, rejoining the men guarding their ship from unexpected aggression.
"The Valemen knew we were coming," Podrick noted, as he moved closer to her. "They were ready to attack us."
"Not necessarily," Serjeant disagreed. "The river is filled with Ironborn ships. That alone is enough to bring out armies to guard their shores." He looked up pointedly at Gallan. "Then there is the fact that we're traveling with dragons."
Brienne leaned past the railing to see down the Trident. Maidenpool's castle appeared in the distance, indicating they were nearing another, more densely populated area. Which meant even more people would come out to see the dragons. She knew the five were awe-inspiring. People could not control the compulsion to witness magic, fire made flesh, even as the sight of the dragons left them terror-stricken. Most would keep their distance. Some would not. More people meant more chances of attack against the vulnerable dragons.
"Zaldrīzoti, māzigon naejot issa!" Brienne ordered again. This time her voice was sharper.
The dragons responded to the anxiety in her voice. Gallan, Ardayn and Serdun left their perches to swoop down to the deck. Catren and Allwyn also left their vantage points to join her and the other dragons. Brienne put her hands on Allwyn and Gallan. She hadn't forgotten the terror of seeing crossbows aimed at her very young dragons. They weren't safe on high perches even if the Sea Keeper was out of the range of men armed with powerful weapons.
Around them, Podrick, Ned, Serjeant and the Company men watched the shores carefully. They were all armed and tense, ready to defend themselves and the dragons. Their ship was closer to the southern side, but warriors in House Arryn armor were still visible when seen through the powerful scopes of Myrish eyes. The lenses allowed users to follow people and events at far distances.
"Look, my Lady Ser." Podrick pointed to the closer shore. "Houses and farms are finished and I see men pulling in nets."
Brienne reluctantly turned to see the activity on the southern shore. Her focus had been on the Knights of the Vale, renowned for their fierce fight skills. Simple fishermen couldn't mount the unified attack the Valemen could. The fishermen had stopped their work to watch the ship pass by them. Some pointed to the blended Targaryen and Martell sigil while others began to gather up their nets and catch. The men moved closer together, as if for protection, as the Sea Keeper sailed past. Brienne saw a small child break from the men and run towards the walled city.
She covered her forehead with her hand as she squinted to gauge the progress, seeing the signs of rebuilding in the city that had been ravaged repeatedly during the War of the Five Kings. Along with new houses, old burned-out buildings had been torn down, the soil was freshly tilled and the walls had been repaired. Most visible were the signs of life: smoke from chimneys, clothes drying in the sunshine and docile, underfed animals waiting for attention.
"This is good," Brienne agreed. "Maidenpool was in terrible shape. It was sacked three times during the War of the Five Kings. Even so, I'm shocked to see Lord William actually made the effort to rebuild his city."
Ned, his hand on Starfall's hilt, also turned to observe the shore. "It was in shambles when I was last here. Most of the city had been burned and looted, by wolves, lions, and broken men. The people were hiding inside the castle walls for protection. No one attempted to stop the looters."
Brienne nodded in agreement. "Simple farmers and fishermen can't fight armies. It was the same when I was first here, my Lord. I was taking Ser Jaime down to King's Landing. I had heard that Lord William sat inside his castle while his men fought and the city burned. But I see it's turned back into a living city."
"House Mooton has great wealth, far more than House Tully," Ned explained. "Perhaps Lord William did right by waiting until the war ended."
"It wasn't him." Serjeant scowled at the tall castle soaring in the mountains above the city, barely visible at the horizon. "Cowardly, spineless excuse for a man. He hid in the shadows like a rat. Then, when the bastard king sent Randall Tarly to take command, Lord William allowed him to do whatever he wanted, including take his daughter, his only remaining heir."
Anger flushed through Brienne. "Lord William allowed Randall Tarly to assault his daughter? The man is more despicable than I imagined."
"Was," Serjeant corrected. "He's dead now. No, Randall didn't assault the daughter. He wanted a strong hold on an important port city. Randall married the girl to his own heir, Dickon, to take over House Mooton, along with Maidenpool."
"Which house did you say Lord Randall was from, Serjeant?" Ned also turned to look toward the horizon, as if he could see the occupants of the castle that was built above the city from this great distance.
Serjeant continued to watch the shoreline they passed. "Tarly, of Horn Hill in the Reach."
Ned turned to look back at Serjeant. "House Tarly is only one hundred leagues north of Starfall, as the crow flies. Of course, the Red Mountains lie between us."
"Tarly," Brienne repeated. "That name is familiar." She scowled as she reviewed her memories. "Now I remember. Jon Snow's closest friend from the Night's Watch is also a Tarly, Samwell Tarly. Are they related?"
"Aye," Serjeant confirmed. "Randall sent the older boy to the Wall, then made the younger son, Dickon, his heir."
Brienne stared at him. "Why would he disown his own son?"
Serjeant shrugged his shoulders. He looked past Brienne. She turned to see Griff leave the upper deck and come down to join them. Like the rest of the men, he wore multiple layers under his brown leathers to stay warm in the cooler temperature. His cheeks were flushed and the breeze had ruffled his silver-blond hair into spikes over his forehead. He tucked his spyglass into his sword belt.
"We should be at the dock within the hour," he informed them. He also looked to the shoreline. "It's good to see the city is coming back to life. The first reports I received were dire."
Brienne scowled at the shoreline, as if the hard-working residents deserved her ire. "No thanks to the spineless Lord William Mooton."
Griff frowned at her. "Did you have cause to dislike Lord William?"
"Men who don't protect their families and their people deserve more than just my dislike," she growled. "My father would never have abandoned the people of Tarth."
"Very few men are as good as Lord Selwyn, my Lady Ser." Podrick tugged on the hem of his Tarth-blue jerkin then turned to Griff. "Still, it's shameful that Lord William did nothing to protect his people or his daughter."
"Ah, Lady Eleanor Tarly." Griff studied Brienne's stiff posture. "It may have been a good match. From what Harry Strickland told me, Dickon Tarly was an honorable man."
"Was?" Brienne looked away from the shoreline to face her king. "He's no longer alive?"
"No. Neither Randall nor Dickon Tarly survived Drogon's attack on the Lannister rear guard," Serjeant explained.
"The Tarly's turned on House Tyrell but didn't survive to share in their ill-gotten gains," Griff noted. The cold satisfaction in his indigo eyes had nothing to do with the chill in the air.
Ned narrowed his eyes at his cousin. "Didn't all the Tyrell gold pay for Golden Company?"
"Yes, Lord Ned, it did." Serjeant made no effort to hide his grin. His lips pulled up in a tight, satisfied curve that was more savage than mirthful.
Serjeant deliberately raised his arm and pulled back the sleeve of his warm leather jacket. The cuff shifted, revealing the long row of gold arm rings shining brightly in the sunshine. Like all Company men, he wore his wealth on his arm, having not had a true home until he followed Aegon Martell Targaryen to Westeros.
Brienne suddenly felt the weight of the gold ring around her arm. It was covered by her Tarth blue leather jerkin but it was still there. She considered the blood that had been spilled for her to wear the gold. Queen Margaery's family had been slaughtered by the Lannister forces. Cersei had them killed because she'd thought the Golden Company would keep her in power, or at least alive. They had done neither, choosing to betray both Cersei and Daenerys for Griff, their true leader.
Beside her, Podrick ducked his head. She saw him put his hand to his other arm, over the gold band he also hid under his sleeve. He looked up at Brienne, his dark eyes wide and serious. She could almost see her own concern reflected in his eyes.
Neither of them had truly considered the cost of the accolades they'd received.
"Brienne," Griff called, his voice sharp. He looked between her and Podrick, his narrowed gaze missing nothing.
Brienne looked up at him and knew he saw the guilt she was trying to hide. He looked between her and Podrick's stricken expressions. Griff's mouth softened and he put his hand on her arm, squeezing comfortingly.
"You may wear gold from House Tyrell but you're not responsible for the death of anyone in that attack, Brienne," Griff reminded her. "The Lannisters and the Tyrells fought each other. They went to war. You lead the dragons to take the Iron Throne without bloodshed. You showed your loyalty to your king and the Golden Company. Your efforts protected the people of King's Landing, then. Now, we've come to aid the North, even while their armies point their weapons at us."
His words made her look around uneasily. At Griff's command, their archers had come on deck when they'd spotted the Knights of the Vale guarding the lands around Wikenden. The dragons were surrounded by men who would protect them with their lives. The Knights hadn't engaged them, but Griff had ordered her to take the dragons below deck. She and Podrick had kept the five hidden until they'd passed out of the range of Valemen's crossbows.
"Ironborn ships ahead," Olmar called down from his perch in the lookout tower.
They all shifted to the railing to look past their own ship. Brienne could make out the mass of the Iron Fleet filling the waterway. Oddly, it didn't appear that many of the ships were docked in port. Most of them had dropped anchor near the walled city but kept a distance.
Griff nodded but his focus was still on the ships they were fast-approaching. He pulled out the spyglass he'd been using earlier and trained it on the upcoming harbor. "The harbor is closed. There aren't any people working the port."
"Why not?" Ned leaned further over the railing to try to see better. "Harbor towns need trade in order to survive. Why is it closed?"
Serjeant snorted and crossed his arms. "The river is filled with Ironborn ships. They're known for reeving, raiding, roving, and raping in their king's name. What city, with any kind of harbor defense, would open their city to such a navy?"
"So that's why the Knights of the Vale are on guard and Maidenpool is closed. The people don't know the Ironborn now answer to a new queen," Brienne surmised. "Yara Greyjoy has vowed to join Jon and Daenerys. The Iron Fleet is only here to take the Casterly gold to Braavos, not to sack the cities along the Trident."
"Who would take the Ironborn, king or queen, at their word?" Serjeant demanded.
"We must." Griff put down the spyglass and looked back to them. "The Iron Fleet will bring back food, supplies and our men. Yara Greyjoy must understand the penalty for treachery will be severe."
"She's already sworn loyalty to Daenerys." Varys, wrapped up in a heavy wool cloak, came to join them. "Yara has seen the power of dragons, both great and small. They assisted in her rescue from her Uncle Euron. Plus, Lady Ser Brienne saved Theon Greyjoy from Ramsey Bolton, along with Sansa Stark."
Moqorro followed the Spider. His white hair and beard danced in the strong breeze. Unlike the rest of them, the Red Priest wasn't wearing a heavier cloak or layers to stay warm. He'd politely declined when he'd been offered a wool cloak. Even now, the priest was as quiet and solemn as always, apparently unaffected by the chill.
"Why is she called queen if she answers to Daenerys?" Ned asked.
"Yara agreed her men would renounce the old Ironborn ways and support Daenerys's claim. In return, Daenerys allowed Yara to call herself Queen of the Iron Islands," Varys explained.
"Do you think she'll betray us?" Serjeant demanded.
Varys was quiet for a moment, frowning as he thought. Serjeant and Griff exchanged grim looks. Finally, Varys looked down at the dragon then slowly shook his head.
"I don't believe so," Varys concluded. "The trips to Braavos are to bring food and men to support the North. Daenery is already marching her forces to open the Night's Watch's castles. The army of men needs all the trained fighters it can get. Betraying us would mean Yara betrays Daenerys, as well."
Griff's face flushed with color that had nothing to do with the chill. "Not only will Yara have to answer to Daenerys, she'll have to run from us. Yara doesn't know we've built our own navy. A large portion of the Company is already in Westeros or will come across in our ships. The dragons will find the Ironborn Queen, if she betrays us. They already have her scent. The Iron Fleet can match any ship on the seas but it cannot withstand dragon attack."
"What about ballistas?" Brienne shifted so she was closer to the five. "Drogon was injured by a ballista spear."
Serjeant snorted again. "That was a lucky strike, by a ballista on solid ground. Even then, the dragon wasn't badly wounded, only shocked by the injury. Only in children's stories can ballistas, mounted on rocking ships, maintain the accuracy needed to strike a dragon. Just the kickback from a shot strong enough to reach the dragon would be enough to capsize a longship."
"These five are not Drogon." Podrick knelt and laid his hand protectively on Gallan's back. "Their scales are still developing."
"Which is why we have them surrounded," Serjeant pointed out. "We're sailing in the center of the waterway, out of range of arrows."
"We won't be for much longer." Griff nodded to the fast-approaching Iron Fleet boats anchored in their path. "Soon, we'll be in the Ironborn's range."
"They won't fire on us," Varys insisted. "If they have any intention of betraying us, they'll wait until they have the Casterly gold to do it. Any attack before then would be both foolhardy and fruitless."
"Do you see the Silence?" Brienne demanded.
"Not from this distance." Griff also moved closer to the young dragons.
Catren and Allwyn, sensing the rising tension, hissed. Gallan, still beside Podrick, raised its head to sniff the air. Ardayn and Serdun didn't bother to try to identify the change in the atmosphere. They pressed themselves against Brienne's legs, as if to physically put themselves between her and any threat.
"Describe the ship again." Brienne looked at Moqorro as she knelt beside Ardayn and Serdun. "Are you sure the Dragonbinder is still hidden inside the figurehead?"
Moqorro nodded gravely. "The Silence has a dark red hull. Euron said the color hid bloodstains. The figurehead is a mouthless maiden of black iron with mother-of-pearl eyes. Dragonbinder is hidden by more than iron. I glamoured it."
"Glamoured it?" Podrick looked up from his position beside Gallan. "What does that mean?"
"The ability to glamor is a gift from the Lord of Light," Moqorro explained. "Those of us blessed with the gift can make objects appear differently than they really are. There was much blood and sacrifice onboard the Silence. I soaked a moonstone in the blood I found in Euron's cabin. That was where he kept Yara. Blood strengthens all magic. Yara is a trueborn queen, the daughter of a king. Her blood has great power in it. I replace one of the mother-of-pearl eyes with the moonstone. It anchored the glamour to the horn. No one can see the horn, even if they looked behind the figurehead."
Podrick's eyes widened. "That's why we couldn't find Dragonbinder. We moved the figurehead but we didn't try to take it down. It didn't occur to us that we just couldn't see the horn, even if it was in front of us."
"Can you see Dragonbinder, even though it's glamoured?" Brienne asked, straightening to look directly at Moqorro. "Can any follower of R'hllor see the true object when it's glamoured?"
Moqorro shook his head slowly. "Usually only the person who casts the glamour is aware of it. Rare, exceptionally powerful servants, such as Kinvara, can always see the truth. The Lord of Light keeps no secrets from his most devoted."
"We must find that ship," Brienne insisted, looking around, as if she could force the Silence to appear from sheer will alone. "No one else can have Dragonbinder."
"We'll find it, Brienne." Griff rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. "No one will take the dragons from us."
Brienne was about to reply but the Sea Keeper had come abreast of an Ironborn ship. The Iron Fleet men gathered on their deck as the Sea Keeper passed. Some pointed to the sigil of Aegon Martell Targaryen while others strained to see the dragons on deck.
Around them, the Company men and the lords gathered closer to the five. Their bigger bodies hid the dragons from possible attack, but the inquisitive dragons could be seen by the men on the other boats. The Ironborn, for their part, only watched them. Brienne didn't see any of them raise weapons, even while the Company archers focused their bows on them.
Suddenly Gallan cried out and flapped its wings. Everyone turned to look at the blue dragon, except the archers defending their ship. Gallan rose from the deck.
"Gallan, no!" Brienne cried. "It isn't safe."
Podrick reached for the dragon but Gallan eluded him. Catren and Allwyn flapped their wings but Brienne and Podrick caught them before they left the deck. Ardayn and Serdun choose to remain with them, but looked up. Brienne heard shouts from the other ships and even from the walled city. Gallan flew up to the lookout post and screeched at Olmar. The lookout frowned at the dragon crowding him in the small space.
"Gallan, māzigon naejot issa!" Brienne ordered.
It wasn't safe for the dragon to be so exposed, even half-hidden in the lookout basket. Gallan's magnificent blue wings were extended, announcing the dragon's presence. Gallan, always the adventurer, screeched again, attracting even more attention. Brienne looked to the shore where eager citizens appeared along the walls, pointing and shouting.
"Strong walls can hinder an attacking army or navy, but only if the people stay behind the walls," Serjeant observed, watching the people gathering in the harbor. "We could take this city with only a single ship's crew if they keep exposing themselves as they are."
"We're not attacking the city," Brienne hissed fiercely. "Nor will I let anyone harm the dragons. Serdun was brought down when a sword pierced its wing."
"No one has a sword that can reach Gallan," Griff tried to comfort her. Then he shouted up to the lookout tower. "Olmar, what do you see?"
"We're being hailed by one of the Ironborn ships docked at the harbor," Olmar reported. "The Black Wind."
"That's Yara Greyjoy's ship," Varys explained.
"Gallan was the first to greet Yara in King's Landing," Podrick recalled as he slowly released Allwyn. "Theon, her brother, introduced Yara to the dragons. Gallan must have picked up her scent."
"Good. We'll be sure to stress that to her when we meet her," Griff decided. He raised his voice. "Prepare to dock across from the hailing ship. We're going ashore."
"Why?" Brienne asked. "Isn't it safer to drop anchor once we're far past the Iron Fleet? I don't want the dragons to be so close to people we don't know."
"We'll only stay to meet with Yara Greyjoy," Griff assured her. "I want to take her measure. Plus, the dragons can sense intent. We may learn a great deal from the meeting."
Brienne had her misgivings but Griff was right. The dragons would sense if the Ironborn had ill intentions against them. She and Podrick ushered the dragons, minus Gallan, to the center of the ship. Archers gathered around them to keep the dragons protected. Catren and Allwyn turned their bodies to follow Griff's movements as he crossed the deck, calling out commands to his men. Fortunately, the dragons understood the archer's intentions and stayed with Brienne.
Above them, Gallan rose out of the lookout basket. Cries of awe and fear rang out from the people on the city walls. Some even clapped as they watched Gallan glide down to the deck. Brienne held her breath until the blue dragon came to join them. Ardayn and Serdun squawked, almost scoldingly, but Gallan was unruffled, its reptilian eyes bright and curious.
Moments later, the ship docked and their away party was ready. Griff, Ned, Brienne, Podrick and the dragons lined up on the dock. A dozen Company men stood behind them, swords at their hips but not in their hands. Behind them, the archers took ready stances, some of their arrows aimed towards the Black Wind. Other Company men were focused on the people on the walls and the other Iron Fleet ships, ready for an attack from any side.
Yara and Theon came down the gangplank to meet them, followed by their own guards. The Ironborn archers, gathered on the deck of the Black Wind and the surrounding ships, mimicked the Golden Company's defensive stance. The dragons landed in a straight line between the Sea Keeper crew and the Greyjoys. Fresh cries came from the Maidenpool citizens at the dragons' graceful landings. Yara and Theon watched them calmly, having met the dragons before. Their men, however, were as tightly strung as their bows, wary of the fire-breathing guards standing against them.
Yara looked down at the five impassively. Theon looked from her to the dragons then back to his sister. He waited for her to make the first move. Brienne looked over at Griff whose face was as impassive as Yara's. Finally, Griff stepped forward, beside the dragons, and nodded.
"Yara Greyjoy, Queen of the Iron Islands," Griff noted.
Yara matched his step forward. "Aegon Martell Targaryen, Prince of Dorne."
If Griff was annoyed that Yara didn't address him as the King of the Seven Kingdoms, he didn't show it. The dragons, uninterested in their formality, hissed and sniffed the air. Griff bent to put his hand on Gallan's head. Yara looked down again and her stiff expression broke into a small smile.
"Hello, Gallan," Yara greeted.
The blue dragon squawked and ruffled its feathers. The Ironborn guards looked between their queen and the dragons, unable to hide their shock at their easy exchange. Their hands hovered over their swords but they didn't reach for them. Clearly, the men wanted to protect their queen, but knew not to antagonize the dragons. Theon stepped forward to stand beside his sister.
"Welcome, zaldrīzoti," Theon greeted.
Catren and Allwyn squawked back, clearly pleased to be greeted. Ardayn and Serdun looked at Theon, their reptilian gazes moving from the Ironborn queen to her brother then back. Some of Brienne's anxiety eased. The dragons didn't sense any animosity or distrust from the Kraken Queen or her brother.
"Ardayn, Serdun." Yara's small smile widened to include Brienne's most devoted guards.
Ardayn and Serdun swished their tails, but didn't reply. They were too focused on their guard duty for idle conversation. The small recognition was enough for Yara. She nodded at the dragons then looked up at Brienne.
"Lady Ser Brienne." Yara held her arm out. "It's good to see you again. Surprising, but good."
"It's good to see you, as well, Queen Yara." Brienne grasped her arm in a warrior's greeting. "Why are you surprised to see me?"
"Last I saw you, you had pledged your loyalty to King Jon and shared pillow talk with Queen Daenerys." Yara's gaze slid from Brienne to Griff. "Now it appears your loyalty and your pillow belong to another."
Griff straightened from the dragons, his cool smile fading and dangerous fire lighting up his indigo eyes. The dragons hissed, sensitive to his mood, their reptilian eyes scanning the dock for threats. The guards, on both sides, stiffened. Ned, Theon and Podrick looked down at the dragons then at each other uneasily. Brienne released Yara's arm and spoke up quickly.
"My loyalty has always been to Aegon Martell Targaryen. He is my king and I'm his sworn sword," Brienne explained. She squared her shoulders and held Yara's gaze. "I've never lied about my loyalty and no one questioned it."
Yara released Brienne's arm. "You have more political cunning than I gave you credit for, Lady Ser Brienne. You seized the Iron Throne, allowed Daenerys to think she'd sit on it, then burned it away, both literally and figuratively. Be careful. Daenerys won't take this betrayal well."
"Brienne didn't betray anyone." Griff's voice was tight and he clenched his hands at his sides. He was fighting to hold onto his Martell temper. "Others saw what they wanted to see but she told no lies." He paused and gestured to the dragons. "It's dangerous to lie to dragons. They can sense intent and will do whatever is necessary to protect those they love."
Yara stiffened, clearly understanding Griff's threat. She looked from Griff to the guards behind him, then to the archers onboard the Sea Keeper. Behind her, Theon and the Ironborn guards shifted, unsure but ready to react. The dragons, already alert, sniffed the air to try to find the source of the anxiety flowing around them.
Brienne broke in to ease the tension. "Queen Yara, may I introduce Lord Ned Dayne of Starfall?"
"The noble house of Dawn." Yara nodded to Ned.
Yara stepped back and looked pointed at the sword of the stars hanging from Griff's belt. He wore Dawn on his left hip and Blackfyre on his right. Beside Griff, Ned nodded as Yara introduced him to Theon. Brienne used the moment to study the Greyjoy siblings. The time away from King's Landing had benefited them both. Their bruises had faded and both looked stronger, as if being on the high seas had replenished their spirits as their bodies healed.
"Queen Yara, where is the Silence?" Brenne asked. "I haven't seen it. Is it among the fleet here?"
A dark shadow crossed Yara's face but passed quickly. "The Silence was among the first ships to pull into Maidenpool. My uncle brought suffering and death everywhere he went. Just the sight of his ship caused the citizens to block the alleyways leading into the city. They wouldn't even accept our gift of oranges and dragon peppers until we moved the Silence out of our armada."
"Moved it?" Brienne gasped. "Where is it now?"
"On passage to White Harbor. A third of our fleet has gone north to deliver dragonglass and the food cargo before it rotted," Yara explained.
"Oranges and dragon peppers?" Ned questioned. His eyes narrowed. "Those come from Dorne."
Yara exchanged another cool glance with Griff. This time it was Griff whose mouth pulled into a small smile.
"The Iron Fleet stopped in Sunspear to gather food supplies for our Northern allies." The Prince of Dorne put careful emphasis in the word. "We are united in fighting the Great War. I had Ser Manfrey send word to Sunspear to prepare the supplies. He arrived in time to oversee the transfer himself."
"A half-dozen ships had to turn back to pick up the supplies," Yara added. "However, it was a welcome cargo. We were grateful to receive your raven."
Griff nodded, his expression still cool. Once again, Griff had thought ahead. He'd barely waited to be named Prince of Dorne before he'd begun to build ties with the northern kingdoms. Fresh fruit and spices were in short supply in the North and the Riverlands, both ravaged by war and hunger. The gesture not only gave comfort to the war-torn regions but also emphasized how Dorne had avoided the bloodshed. The Dornish had remained strong and unified while the other kingdoms had lost wars, armies, and hope.
Brienne looked between Griff and Yara. Their stiff posturing and cool regard didn't interest her. Her concern was about a horn that might enslave the dragons. Ignoring protocol, she interrupted their conversation.
"When will the Silence return?" Brienne demanded.
Yara turned to her. "It should arrive in a few days. Why are you so concerned about it?"
"We think Dragonbinder is still on the ship." Brienne could barely even hear her own words over the blood pounding in her ears.
Theon shook his head. "No, we searched for the horn. Podrick, the other men and I tore the Silence apart. We had to take it out of commission for a full day to repair their damage."
"We didn't know where to look," Podrick admitted. "Is the Silence in safe hands?"
"Safe enough," Theon said. "The captain is loyal to his queen."
There was a note of defiance in his tone. The pitiful creature she'd met in the Wolfswood and the broken, bruised man Brienne had seen at Dragonstone was gone. Theon was both physically and mentally fit; his back straighter, his eyes focused and his path forward clear. He even stood before the dragons with firm intent, supporting his sister in mind and spirit.
"Brienne, we cannot make the ship arrive any faster." Griff pointed out quietly. He put his hand on her arm to tug her back to his side. "It's best to focus on other matters until the Silence returns to us."
Brienne allowed him to pull her back. She looked down at the dragons seated before them. The five were quiet, looking around at the guards, alert but not alarmed. The dragons didn't realize how vulnerable they were. She couldn't think of any matters more important than finding Dragonbinder. Griff could. He nodded to her before turning back to Yara.
"When will Jon Snow arrive?" he asked.
"We expect him before nightfall tomorrow," Yara replied. "He'll deliver his cargo and we'll deliver his friends."
"Friends? What friends?" Griff asked.
Yara nodded to a small group huddled near the end of the gangplank, behind the line of Ironborn men. Admittedly, Brienne hadn't taken much notice of them. A dark-haired, round-faced man stood with a pale-faced, doe-eyed woman and a small, blond haired baby. The man clutched a leather pack to his chest while the woman held the young child to hers.
"Samwell Tarly, his wife Gilly and their son, Little Sam," Yara explained. "Jon Snow requested our ships pick them up in Oldtown."
"He's a strange one, that Samwell," Theon muttered. "He spends more time cradling his bag than his son."
A shiver went down Brienne's spine as she looked back at Samwell. She'd had a similar leather pack where she'd hidden the newly hatched dragons. She'd held her bag just as tightly and just as closely. The pack had protected her greatest secret and most noble duty, guardianship of the Gods' gifts. She doubted Samwell had anything as important as secret dragons in his pack.
Then the woman – Gilly – put the boy down on the deck. Little Sam took a few tentative steps before losing his balance. His mother was quick to catch him before he fell. Brienne's heart ached as she observed their interaction. Ela was learning to walk, too. She was probably older than this little boy. Ela had been deprived of food, care, and comfort, thus hadn't had the energy or support to learn to walk when Brienne had first found her. The dragons had been helping Ela in her youthful attempts before she'd been sent to Dorne. Ser Manfrey had sent a scroll to Tarth, assuring her Ela was thriving in Sunspear.
"How old is he?" Brienne asked quietly.
Griff's eyes softened at hearing the wistful quality in her voice. Podrick also looked at her with sympathy. Even Ned gave her a supportive smile. The dragons, sensing her sadness, shifted closer to her.
Theon, however, stared at her in brow-wrinkled confusion. He turned to look at the little family.
"Tarly said he joined the Night's Watch the same time Snow did," he said, turning back to her. "I guess they're about the same age."
Yara rolled her eyes and glared at her brother. "She meant Little Sam, you fool. Why would anyone care how old Big Sam is?"
"That's what I wondered," Theon muttered.
Yara turned back to Brienne. "I'm not sure, but the boy has cut his first teeth and can walk with help. How old is that?"
Brienne shook her head. "I don't know much about human babies. My children are dragons."
Yara looked down at the five and smirked. "I'd rather have dragons, too."
Brienne didn't bother to explain she hadn't had a choice - not that she would have chosen any differently. She was the Gods' warrior and the dragons' keeper. They were her gifts from the Gods. Instead she shifted her attention from Little Sam to his father.
"Samwell Tarly was the man Jon Snow sent to the Citadel to learn all he could about the Long Night," she recalled. "Has he found anything useful?"
Yara frowned. "We believe so, but he won't tell us what he learned. He says the information is only for King Jon."
Griff looked from Yara to Samwell. His eyes narrowed and he moved to the end of the Black Wind's plank. The Ironborn men fell back, allowing him free reign, probably because Catren and Allwyn flew at his side. Griff crooked his fingers to indicate for the small family to join them. Samwell's eyes widened and shifted his pack to his side. Then he and Gilly, with Little Sam in her arms, slowly edged forward. Griff, along with Catren and Allwyn, stepped back to rejoin Brienne, Ned and Podrick. Samwell was nearly white with fear but bravely stood in front of his wife. Gilly looked from Samwell to Griff, to the dragons then back to her little son.
"Samwell Tarly?" Griff asked, even though he already knew the man's identity.
The dragons landed in a straight line as Sam bobbed a quick, nervous bow. Gilly sunk into a half-curtsy, half-kneel as she held Little Sam close to her. The boy, too young to understand the threat of fire-breathing dragons, leaned forward eagerly. Gilly gasped and twisted away, rising from her curtsy so quickly, it could be taken as an insult to Griff.
Griff's gaze only flickered to Gilly before returning to Samwell. Brienne and Podrick quickly stepped in front of the dragons, knowing the woman was only trying to protect her young son. The five allowed it, watching Little Sam with calm eyes. The dragons understood intent and the innocent curiosity on the baby's face. The five knew these people were no threat to their family.
"Y…yes, I am," Samwell confirmed. "Please, call me Sam, your Grace."
Griff raised his eyebrows. "You know who I am?"
Sam nodded. "I recognized your standard, your Grace. The combined sigils of House Martell and House Targaryen." He swallowed visibly. "Plus, the dragons are rather impossible to miss."
Griff glanced back at the five, who were watching them with bright curiosity. The five squawked to let him know they were on duty. He turned back to Jon Snow's friend. Griff smiled his slow, cool Martell smile.
Brienne frowned at the paunchy man's nervous nature. She knew most people were terrified of the dragons when they first saw them. However, Samwell Tarly looked at Griff as if he was the greater threat. Sam shifted and the bag slipped off his shoulder. Brienne watched as it fell. A small book, bound in dark leather, fell out. A damp handprint was visible on the cover, as if stained by a sweaty hand.
Sam squeaked and fell to his knees to pick up the book. He hastily shoved it back in the pack, allowing them to see several other books also inside the bag. Griff frowned down at him.
"I see you brought several books with you from Oldtown." Griff nodded towards the pack as Samwell tried to fasten the buckle with shaking hands. "That one appeared to be a journal. I understand several languages. I can help you with your research if you cannot read the script."
Sam's eyes widened and sweat appeared on his brow, even in the chilly breeze. Gilly, beside him, drew her breath in an audible gasp. She tightened her grip on Little Sam until the boy cried out in protest. She gasped again but loosened her hold.
Brienne looked from husband to wife. She couldn't be sure, but it appeared they were horrified by Griff's overture. Why would Griff's generous offer upset them so much? Brienne looked over to Griff. He had narrowed his eyes and his jaw was stiff. He met her gaze, his indigo eyes darkening. Griff had picked up the couple's reaction, too. What were they hiding that had them so worried? Was there something in those books that they didn't want to share?
"His Grace is a very learned man," Brienne explained. "As he said, he reads and speaks many languages. He also has a vast collection of books and notes from Essos. He may be able to help you reference your own information."
Griff nodded at Brienne's explanation. "We need every piece of information we can to help us prepare for the Great War. Those books must have useful passages, if you brought them from the Citadel."
"No, no." Sam's hands trembled visibly as he finally fastened the buckle. "I wouldn't dream of asking you to help me with my research, your Grace. You have far more important duties than to strain your eyesight over dusty parchment."
Sam rose so quickly he almost lost his balance. Then he slipped the strap over his head so the bag hung crosswise across his body instead of over his shoulder. The strap pulled tightly at his tunic and must have been uncomfortable. Sam grunted as he adjusted the strap so the bag rested under his arm. He held it tightly to his side. He might as well have hung a sign around his neck announcing he had an item of great value.
What could it be and what was its value? Brienne had only seen books in the pack. Sam would have renounced his family wealth when he joined the Night's Watch. As such, he'd probably stolen the books. Stealing ancient tomes from the Citadel was a serious crime, punishable by cutting off the thief's hands. But Sam was far away from the Citadel and a close friend of the King in the North. No one in the northlands would punish him for stealing knowledge that might help them fight against the Army of the Dead.
"Knowledge is a power," Griff noted. "Your books may help us win the Great War."
"No, this information won't help you," Sam blurted out. Then he flushed bright red. "I mean, my loyalty is to my friend. I must give it to Jon Snow, the rightful king. I mean, my king, the King in the North. Jon is my rightful king."
Gilly gasped again and ducked her head into Little Sam's neck, hiding her face. Griff stiffened then exchanged glances with Ned. Brienne looked at Podrick, equally concerned. The dragons, who had been behind Brienne and Podrick, now moved in front of them. They had picked up on their parents' concern. Sam saw the dragons advance and stepped back. His flush drained so quickly that he almost swayed.
An icy chill of dread slid down Brienne's spine. It didn't take a learned man to know that Sam Tarly had information he didn't want to share. He looked at Griff with a mixture of shock, horror, and ill-suppressed fear. Something about Griff had upset him, even beyond the dragons at his side. What could be in Sam's books that would cause him to fear Griff? The Citadel housed the greatest collection of knowledge in Westeros, including the histories of the Targaryen kings, their families, and their dragons. Had Sam learned something about House Targaryen that might be a threat to Griff, to King Aegon the Sixth Targaryen?
"History is always written by the winning side, Podrick," Griff picked up the explanation. "The victor determines what is written in the history books and what is sung in the taverns."
She remembered Griff explaining that to them in her father's study at Evenfall Hall. The words written in books and journals, the songs sung in taverns and the stories told from generation to generation weren't always the complete truth. Sometimes secrets were hidden and events altered to protect a family's members or reputation. House Targaryen's past was darker than most, filled with insanity, incest, infighting and betrayals. The House of the Dragon was still divided, even after Griff had reconciled House Blackfyre with House Targaryen.
Daenerys Targaryen, Griff's aunt, and Rhaegar's only living sibling, had also made her claim to ruling the Seven Kingdoms. She had been named Princess of Dragonstone, the title traditionally given to the heir to the Iron Throne. Griff's claim was stronger than Daenerys's as he was Rhaegar's trueborn son, his direct heir. Historically, the son of the first son's claim had always been considered to be stronger than a daughter's. But Rhaegar had died a prince, not a king. He'd never had the chance to name his son as his direct heir. Did that alter Griff's claim?
Had Sam discovered something that could harm Griff or his right to kingship?
Author's Notes: Hmmm, I wonder what Sam could have learned that he could only share with his rightful king? Do you think it will influence their battle plans for the Great War?
Much thanks to my wonderful beta Live_It_Up124 for all her hard work and help.
