A Son of Ice and Fire
A/N: Recap for Fishlegs' last chapter (I know it's been a while, but there's a 3 month time gap between the end of is last chapter and the end of this one): They have just been attacked by White walkers, so Fish and Eret head to Essos in an attempt to get help and raise awareness about the threat that looms beyond the wall.
Guest: This is chapter 5 of Season 3. Season 2 ended with the Jorgenson assault on Dragon's edge (chapter 47). This season will probably be 20-30 chapters, just like the last 2.
Odinson: I've already got something planned for the name of the Jorgenson/Haddock brothers for the lore, but if I can fit these names in somewhere else I will do.
Guest: Yeah, the red wedding is in season 3, and unfortunately it looks like Hiccup is running straight towards it.
Guest: Stoick currently has the Haddock family sword, 'Skullcrusher,' and I don't see why it couldn't look like what you suggested. I'll get round to describing it when Stoick comes back into the fold later this season.
Guest: House Hofferson doesn't have any Valerian steel, yet…
Guest: This is season 3, what we're in now. Things that are happening during this season on Thrones: Dany's assault of Slaver's bay, Red wedding, Theon captured, Jon climbs wall with wildlings, mutiny at Craster's keep. Tyrion marries Sansa.
Chapter 52: Wonders of the East
Fishlegs
Months at sea with skimps of rations had left me as gaunt as I'd ever been. The meagre rations Eret had stored in his boat quickly withered quickly, and only the sheer luck of signalling a passing merchant vessel probably saved us from starvation. We hopped from boat to boat, stowing away when necessary, but eventually we stood exactly where we needed to be. The mighty Titan of Braavos stood proudly infront of us, as our boat bobbed towards it. Its size left me speechless, as its giant figure towered into the sky above us. I couldn't take my eyes off it, even as the fishing vessel trudged slowly threw the gap in the rocks. Finally, I looked back down, and the full scale of the free city came into view.
"Quite a sight, isn't it?" Eret exclaimed, as we moved from the front to the side the boat.
"You could say that," I responded breathlessly.
We dropped down from the main deck onto a small row boat, and Eret guided us in to port. The streets buzzed with life, and there wasn't a quite spot anywhere in view. Traders selling every possible good you could imagine lined the pathways, and traffic both on land and on the water was far greater than I'd ever seen anywhere before. The oars cut crisply, causing gentle ripples, as we hastily approached the bank. I threw the rope, hooking us to land, and pulling us until the wooden boat grazed the stone. Dropping my hands to my waist and clutching them together, Eret placed his foot on my palms to boost him enough to climb onto land. I passed up the bare amount of belongings we had, in a grubby brown sack, and then I clutched onto his outstretched hand as he leaned down towards the boat. Planting my foot firmly into a groove in the light grey rock, I held his arm firmly as our joint effort dragged me up over the top as well.
"I have missed solid land," I smiled, as I took a few steps and took in the surroundings.
"Don't get used to it," Eret shrugged, "I don't want to be here any longer than necessary." His shoulders were stiff, as he leaned over and tied the boat firmly to the makeshift peg, mooring it securely.
"Are you sure they will be okay with you just leaving after this? And are you sure they won't just kill me on site?" I asked timidly.
He offered a broad smile, standing back to full height and draping an arm across my shoulder. "I promise, nothing will happen to you," he said confidently, offering me a reassuring smile.
Still not totally convinced, but at least a little less nervous, I gave him a slight nod. We passed slickly through the market, dodging wave after wave on oncoming commerce. The end was just in sight, when something on one of the far stalls caught my eye. I need that. I tapped Eret on the shoulder and then gestured with my head which direction I wanted to go. I heard him sigh, but I had already wiggled past a dozen people to approach the stall. A tall, wide-shouldered man with dark brown hair greeted me warmly as I advanced. The wide selection of luxury furs and leathers had me hooked, but one specific piece almost had me salivating. A large light brown fur tunic, with a dark brown cloak around the neck and shoulders built in, was hung proudly, as if it was calling itself to me. Sleeveless, but with a thick pair of forearm-length sleeves to match, it was perfect. I purchased the set, as well as a pair of leather boots with fur tips and then I dropped them into the bag and slung It over my shoulder.
"Really?" Eret asked, eyebrow raised. "I thought you had no money."
"Secret stash," I admitted in a high pitched voice, opening the cloak to show the small bag at my waist. "I couldn't resist, it's just like the one I had when I was I younger. I just wanted something to remind me of home."
"Hey, I'm not judging," Eret grinned, hands up in the air.
I swivelled around the corner, and kept going until I found somewhere secluded where I could change. I carefully removed the night's watch cloak, replacing it with the tunic and then tying my belt around the outside. I looked down with a wide smile and I was practically bouncing. I skipped out, almost crashing into Eret who just let out a light chuckle before moving on. The rest of the walk to the destination was almost silent, and Eret's relaxed walk soon morphed into a tense march. His eyes fixed on the large double doors and he let out a deep, heavy sigh, "Here we go."
The House of black and white looked like an enormous temple, cloaked in secrecy. Thick stone pillars guarded the entrance to either side, and the doors themselves were double, or even triple my height. Eret slowly climbed the stairs, and he paused before he took the final step and knocked heavily on the white door. Minutes must have passed, and I was almost starting to believe all this had been a waste, but the creaking of the wood instantly drew me back to reality. The opened door revealed the shape of a frail elderly man, with skin as black as charcoal. He paced towards us, each step barely half a foot further than the last, as he hobbled slowly to meet us.
"What can I do for you?" He croaked out, reaching a weak, shaking hand out.
"Valar Morghulis," Eret responded firmly, taking the old man's hand and placing a single iron coin in his palm.
"Valar Dohaeris," the old man responded firmly, with a nod of the head all too sharp for someone of his age. The man receded back towards the doors, and Eret gave me a comforting smile. He followed the old man, who's light steps had turned into heavy paces as he retreated within the confines of the building. Eret calmly walked after the man, entering the temple without a look back. I trust him. This will be alright. I pursued them, taking strides towards the door, but as the tip of my boot was about to cross the line and enter the temple, a white hand reached out and blocked me.
"This is a holy place," the man said in a deep voice. It wasn't the man from before, and it wasn't Eret either, or at least it wasn't the same face. The face that I was staring at was someone in their mid-thirties with light ginger hair and pale skin. How do they do that? Wait. Is this Eret? Gods this is so weird. Just get me out of here as soon as possible. I physically shivered as the man's hand contorted into a shape like an eagle's talons and five fingers pressed against my chest. "You are not welcome here."
I stood there in silence, and without warning, the door slammed right infront of me. "Well, at least I'm not going in there to be sacrificed," I murmured quietly to myself, turning around and plonking myself on the top step. I reached into my pouch on my waist and pulled out a set of self-drawn cards. I happily flicked through them, and took time to read each one. The journey from the North had been long and boring, so I spent the time working on something I started at home, before everything went wrong. Each card was specific to a certain House. It noted the name, House words, and the name of the family castle, as well as a drawing of the House sigil. Underneath that was a list of key facts of the history of the House, such as its founder or if the House possessed Valyrian steel. Targaryen, Stark, Baratheon, Tyrell, Greyjoy, Tully, Arryn, Hofferson, Ingerman, Jorgenson. I really need to keep going…
Just as a reached the final one, the door burst open and Eret emerged. He smiled, but his eyes pricked with anger and his hands were curling into fists. "Is everything okay?" I asked gingerly.
He didn't stop at the top of the stairs, and just stormed straight passed me. He reached the bottom before he responded. "I'm fine. Come on. Let's go. We've got another long sail ahead of us."
I jumped up and scuttled down after him, "Hey, just tell me what's up. Don't you trust me?" I asked, and he just kept going.
"You're safe Fish, for now," he sighed. For now? FOR NOW? "They said there is nothing they can do. They are servants of death, and if death marches on the wall, it must at the many-faced God's will."
"That's a joke, right?" I asked, but he just shook his head.
"There's one place we can go that will help us. Then I must return here," he growled angrily.
I had to jog to keep up with him at this point, as his strides grew longer and longer. I reached for him, and pulled on his shoulder. "I thought you said you were out. I thought you had enough of the killing?"
"I HAVE!" he snapped. "But the many-faced God demanded a name, and if he isn't given yours, he must have someone else's. Once we return from the temple of R'hllor in Volantis, I have to serve the many-faced God one final time. Then I can return freely to help you."
"I believe you, Cousin. You must do what you have to do. Is there no way out?" I questioned.
He put his hand on my arm that was still on his shoulder, "Not if I want to keep you alive. Let's just see if these fire worshippers will help us?"
"You think going to the followers of the Lord of Light will help?"
"If not, then we are truly screwed…"
Nearly another month on the water wasn't easy to stomach, but the trip south-east from Braavos to Volantis through the narrow sea was at least a lot calmer than the previous voyage. Once on land, we headed across the famous long bridge that the city is famous for, and I couldn't help staring at the tattoos on the faces of most of the workers. Slaves is a more accurate term, but I'd rather not use that name. The ink wheel printed on one cheek showed that the person is a driver. The tiger stripes to show that they are a slave soldier. The teardrop under the eye for a prostitute. Having something like that for the rest of your life, I can't even describe how disgusting that is. I did my best to avoid staring for too long, but the uneasiness in my stomach failed to fade. Branded for life to do one job. How is that right? Yet despite that, standing and staring at the grand scale of the architecture of the city once again had me gaping in awe, just like I had been in the Braavos.
"Do you not get out much?" Eret chuckled, patting me on the back to break me from my trance.
"Not for a while, no," I admitted quietly. "When I was sixteen I was at a Tourney, and some men jumped me and I was nearly killed. I was saved, luckily, but after that, I was pretty much locked in the castle. I didn't even get a chance to say thank you to the boy who saved me. He came to protect me, and my first instinct was to run. I was a coward."
"Of all the things you are, Fish, a coward is not one of them. Timid, yes. Naïve at times, yes. But a coward, no. I've seen enough to know that," Eret said firmly.
"But it's not me. The running into danger, the stab first ask questions later, that isn't me," I argued.
"I think it is. You've run all your life, but when things are at their worst, you stayed to fight. You did that for Jon. You did that for me. I think the truth is, you've been running from Drago for longer than you've realised and its imprinted on you," he stated, shaking his head.
"You think that Drago tried to kill me before?" I exclaimed.
"it makes sense," he shrugged. "That first attempt on your life must have been just after my 'incident' with the Thorstons. Drago probably retaliated against you in anger. After that failure, he must have realised it was too clear, too risky. So he waited, and he planned, and then he took it all when you least expected it."
"That bastard," I growled, "I will make sure he dies for what he's done."
"You and me both," Eret agreed, before he flicked his eyes up to the huge building infront of us, "But there are more important things right now. Let's go."
The temple of R'hllor made the Baelor's sept look insignificant in comparison. Finely carved etchings ran along most of the outer walls, and four thick columns supported the eternal flame at the very peak of the temple. With every step closer, the warmth exerted from the palace washed over us. We climbed the mountain of steps to the entrance, where an attractive young woman stood staring at us. Dressed in a tight fitting blood-red robe, with a large ruby pendant around her neck, the petite lady greeted us with a bright smile and a curtsey. Her hair was clumped into two thick braids that clung to her cheeks, but its jet black colour was infused with bright flashes of red that made it glow in the right light.
"Lord Eret, Lord Fishlegs," she smiled, "This way, please." She held a tall wooden staff in one hand, and waved it for us to follow. It was decorated intricately, all along the main shaft, and at the top was a carved shape of a single flickering flame. I glanced over to Eret, who seemed equally as shocked, but both of us silently nodded and we followed her into the temple. My admiration for the place only increased once inside the walls, and it was a shame I couldn't stop to look around. Fires raged on pedestals throughout the temple, and it seemed every single room had at least two burning simultaneously, bringing me to a sweat. The woman led us to a back room, where there was finally a break from the sweltering heat. The chamber seemed no larger than my bedroom back home, and only had one bench and one fire pit. She gestured for us to take a seat, and as we sat down, she began to bring life into the dormant pile of lumber.
"Excuse me, how did you know who we are?" Eret asked bluntly. She looked up and tilted her head as she grinned. The fire pit exploded from nothing into a blazing inferno, blowing my hair back. She closed her eyes and held her hands over the fire, as she hummed into the flames.
"The Lord told me two guardians would be sent here. And here you are," she said softly.
"Guardians? Excuse me lady, we have no clue what you are on about," Eret replied brashly.
"Oh, do forgive my manners," she said in a calming tone, "my name is Lady Gothi. As you can see, I am a red priestess of the Lord of light. I am here for a purpose. As are you."
"So you know our purpose?" I asked tentatively, but she didn't reply. "We are here to warn you about the danger that lies beyond the Wall in Westeros. A danger we cannot hope to defeat without help."
"Unfortunately, I cannot see the threat as of yet," she admitted, "but that doesn't mean I don't know there is one. The Lord hasn't seen fit to show me what danger we are in, but I know who is needed to stop it."
"You do?" I asked slowly, scrunching my face slightly in disbelief.
"Have you heard of the prophecy of Azor Ahai?" She asked, and I nodded. I knew reading all those books when I was younger would pay off eventually. "The visions in the flames have given me an outline, but I need a clearer picture." She slowly moved her way towards me until she was stood over me. "The image of a dragon has repeated itself to me many times, do you happen to have something bearing the image of a dragon on your person. It is needed."
I hesitantly reached into my pouch, pulling out the card for house Targaryen. She held out her palm out, and I reluctantly passed it over. The slight flicker of her fingers against mine as the card passed across left my skin burning, as if her flesh was pure fire. With unrivalled grace, she swept back across towards the fire. Before I could even get to my feet, the pit had engulfed the card, as she leisurely dropped it into the centre of the flames. Damn it. That took me hours to complete. This better be for a good reason. Her eyes locked on the fire, she gazed deeply as the mixtures of red, orange and yellow spiralled around each other. Her eyes widened, and she spoke a silent prayer, before she turned back to us.
"Guardians. If you want to stop the unstoppable, there are three that must be protected at all costs. You…" she said, pointing a finger at me, "You have already met two of the Lord's chosen, but the third is in danger. All three must survive. The three Dragons. The King, the Queen and the Prince. The Dragon Queen now needs your help. Will you do what it takes to save the realms of men?" Her voice became deep, and her gaze clawed at my very soul.
"We Will!" I responded strongly, despite the doubts swirling in my mind.
"What? Fish are you serious? Some lady just throws stuff in a fire and then speaks about… prophecy… Now you want to just follow her blindly. Listen to yourself," Eret snapped.
"We've seen men come back from the dead, and beings made completely of ice try to kill us, but this is too far?" I asked him in a condescending tone. "If this is true, we have to try!"
"But?" Eret protested, shaking his head.
"We can't run from this. If this is our chance, we must take it. This is a fight neither of us can run from," I stated proudly. He sighed and bit his lip to stop himself from arguing further, but he reluctantly nodded.
"How do we find this Dragon Queen?" I asked the priestess.
"Head East. Astapor is your destination," she answered sharply.
"And then what?" Eret questioned crudely.
The woman offered one last fading glance at the fire, before the pit returned to its dormant state. "To find the Dragon, you must find the Bear," she answered cryptically. The death of the fire plunged the room back into darkness. She offered one last curtsey, before she reached the doorway of the chamber, "Good luck, my Lords," and then she was gone…
A/N: And there it is, the next Fishlegs chapter will have our first meeting with Daenerys in the story :)