"JON!" Arya hugged her brother as he turned to her, dressed in the attire of a house servant of the Velaryons. "Rane… I mean Lord Aurane told me that he brought you here from the Wall, that you were living here with…" the Lord of Keep choose that moment to appear. "Who is him?"

"Brother" Aurane said, signalling the girl. "May I present Lady Arya Stark of Winterfell. My Lady, this is my older brother, Lord Monford Velaryon of Driftmark."

"My Lord" the girl made a short and bad curtsy. "it´s… it´s a pleasure to be here" dammit, why couldn´t she pronounce a simple line without stuttering? Sansa could! "Thank you for employing my brother too and saving me."

"It´s been a pleasure to me, Lady Arya" the man nodded to her, taking a few minutes to measure the girl completely. She was a skinny child, but once she grew on her beauty, she will become Lyanna Stark come again. That should be more than enough for the Martells or Daynes to accept her. And he really wished he "I wish I could stay with you and show you all the castle myself, but I have an urgent meeting to attend. My wife, Lady Rhaena, will show you around instead."

"It´s no problem, my lord" Arya said, looking at Jon.

"Go, little sister" he encouraged her. "Lord Velaryon needs a servant who knows to read and write in this meeting, so I have to go with him. We will meet later tonight or tomorrow morning at latest."

The girl seemed unsure, but a smile from her brother finally convinced her. She went with Lady Velaryon, already dreading the talk about dresses and slippers and other lady things she hated so much. As soon as she disappeared from view, Jaehaerys nodded to the Lord and the both of them exited Driftmark to go to Dragonstone. But before that, he had to address the final, unexpected guest he had received that day. A guest he definitely couldn´t be seen with, so he had accepted to wait in the stables, hood on to keep his identity secret.

"Gods" the man let out when he saw him. "You look…" the old knight then sunk to his knees, his eyes never leaving him. "I apologise, your Grace, for my disrespect. I was surprised by how much you resembled your noble father."

"So Jon Connington said… Ser Barristan Selmy of the Usurper´s Kingsguard" he answered, his gaze never leaving the warrior his guardian deemed a traitor. The same man that, according to Jon, trained Rhaegar in the art of the sword and loved the prince as if he was his own. "Ser Aurane Velaryon told me that you came here sent by the Spider… not precisely the most trustworthy credentials."

"I can tell you, your Grace, I would never do something to harm you. I can swear whatever oath you ask me to protect you…"

"Many others have done that, Ser, and they still betrayed me. Only a select few really kept their words" he said while he walked towards a stall that was seemingly empty. His white wolf appeared then from the darkness, touching his outstretched hand with his snout. "My own uncle tried to lure me out when I was threating with the Martell in Dorne. With the bodies of my dead siblings."

"Lord Stark did something like that?" Barristan looked at him with barely concealed horror. "I always thought he was honourable…"

"Many of us did, Ser, many of us" he sighed, leaving the wolf alone. "Why are you here really? To spy on Stannis or probably to kill me? No, you wouldn´t have come like this if your mission was to get rid of the remaining Targaryen heir. Then why…"

"To offer my sword to the one true king, your Grace" the old man said, putting it on the floor, in front of Jaehearys. "Of Rhaegar´s son. For Rhaegar… and your siblings."

"And why should I believe in your words?" his glacial gaze never left the man. "You are not asking me to believe you just offering what comes out of your mouth, no?"

"Your Grace, as of now, I have only words. If they are not enough, then you are free to do whatever you see fit with me. I came here knowing that you or your allies could kill me in any moment and if so, then I accept my destiny without fear. My sword is still yours, be I the one to fight with it or not."

"Oh, and here I thought you only came here because the Usurper Joffrey Baratheon, who might not be a Baratheon at all, dismissed you from his Kingsguard."

"That was what made me decide to come to you, but not the whole reason" Ser Barristan now seemed ashamed. "The truth is, your Grace, that I have been ashamed for a long time. Ashamed of serving a dishonourable king, the murderer of Rhaegar, the one that would laugh at the bodies of murdered children… and when I think of all you had to live, alone or with the Starks, living the life of a bastard… it makes me even more ashamed of having no searched for you earlier. I could have done more" he sank, if that was possible, even lower in the floor. "I have failed Rhaegar and I don´t deny it, so, if you are going to execute me, you are entitled and free to do, because my life is yours."

"That… will not be needed" Jaehaerys finally decided, crossing his arms. "You, Ser, are still a famous and strong knight despite your age. And, while I can´t just trust you words like that, I want to believe they are true. That´s why you will have an opportunity to prove your loyalty."

"Your Grace…" Monford tried to intervene, but a raised hand stopped him.

"You will go search for my aunt, Princess Daenerys, in Essos, and inform her of me and me of her. Tell her… we have something to talk about regarding the comet that appear in the sky. The red one with a tail."

"Your Grace, is it safe for the princess…"

"My aunt has more than prove that she could take care of herself, don´t you think, Lord Velaryon?" Ser Barristan nodded at the order, recognizing the end of the conversation, sheated his sword and went away to board a ship, hoping to find Princess Daenerys with health. And not only for the king, but for sweet Queen Rhaella´s sake.

"Your Grace, is it really needed to put the princess into such a danger? And only to prove that such a dishonourable knight is telling the truth?"

"I can tell that he is telling the truth, Lord Velaryon, and more than that. I think… he will accomplish his mission. After that, if he survived, I might still have a use for him and receive him as he deserves so."

"And the princess? Are you planning on making her your wife?"

"No"

"Your Grace…"

"My marriage must be strategically planned and will come in due time, my lord. To a Lady of the Realm that could bring us the most benefices. For now, let´s focus on Dragonstone and the REMAINING Baratheons" a smirk appeared on his face, mocking the crumbling house. "There are some weaknesses in their game we could explode."

The two of them mounted and went to the ancient castle that once belonged to the Fallen Targaryen Dynasty. The young king shuddered when he put a foot on his ancestral castle practically for the first time. Time being inhabited by Baratheons hadn´t been able to chase away the memory of the ancient Targaryen. Everywhere, even in the servant quarters where Jon was forced to stay for the meeting, was filled to the brim with dragons that couldn´t be hidden. Not even by the golden and black, stag banners that were put on each wall hoping to hide the dragons engraved in the stone. In times like this, he found himself missing his dear Silverfyre, the newly hatched dragon that he left behind in the care of the Velaryon servants. He was the comfort he would need here, in this castle, where he couldn´t help but see ghosts of his siblings, of his guardians, even the parents he never knew. Rhaenys chasing her cat around, Aegon toddling on the corners under Ashara´s sweet care, Jon Connington rushing through the passages with the Hand of the King pin proudly on his chest… Rhaegar and Lyanna looking at each other lovingly on the yard. He couldn´t… couldn´t get rid of that… because he was the only one left…

"Jace?" Jaeherys inwardly cursed as he came to a stop, his perfect innocent façade remaining in place as Ser Davos approached him. If the low born knight got even one suspicion… "What are you doing here? I thought you worked on Driftmark."

"I do, but Lord Velaryon is here and he needed a household to attend to his necessities here" the boy answered, lightly raising a tray with a jar of water and a chalice. "I was bringing him the water he requested when you called, Ser. Do you need something?"

"No, but… I wanted to know how you were doing. After what happened in the port…" he shook his head, still worried. "I talked with Lord Stannis about the situation and he promised to do something about it. Tell me, did the guards caused more trouble among the population? Have you heard more complaining?"

"No, and I thank you, Ser, for your concern for us."

"No need, lad. We lowborn have to watch each other´s back."

"You are a Knight, Ser"

"That doesn´t mean I wasn´t born in Flea Bottom, lad" the man smiled, touching a pouch he had handing on his neck. "May we see each other in dinner tonight?"

"If Lord Velaryon orders me to serve Lord Stannis Table tonight"

With a final bow to the smuggler turned knight as a sign of respect (the old man had won his respect in the harbour, where he helped someone, no matter he was, against corrupt guards), he walked away towards the guests wing. In his way, he crossed another interesting inhabitant of the Keep. A lady dressed in all reds, a ruby in her neck and hair and eyes the same colour. The boy kept his eyes low, admiring the famous red priestess that converted both the Usurper´s brother and good sister to fanatics of her god without catching her attention. He had seen a few of them in Essos and didn´t really think much of them, but…

"Boy, you" she suddenly talked, spinning around to better look at him. "Who are you?"

"My name is Jace, milady" he answered, keeping his act of a servant up. "A servant in Lord Velaryon´s household. Is there something you need of me, milady? Perhaps I should deliver a message to milord?"

"No" Melissandre answered, her eyes never leaving him. Her hand flew to her necklace, which was pulsing with an energy that only her could feel. A signal from her god that arrived to her when this boy crossed her path. She must know why. "There is some fire in you, boy."

"I´m valyrian, milady, we all got fire in us."

"Do you perhaps know who are your parents?"

"My mother was a serving wench from Driftmark and I never knew my father. Only that he was a northern soldier that came with the Baratheon host" he answered. "Is there something the matter with that?"

"I don´t know, I could have swore…" she lowered her hand slowly, showing more her generous cleavage. "Would you like to accompany me to my chambers? I also need something to refresh myself after such a warm day."

"I have to bring water to milord."

"I can send another servant with his jar"

"Milord won´t open to other, he is too careful."

"A shame" the red woman said. "Pass through my chamber whenever you want anyway, I´m sure I can find plenty of things to keep you busy. And soon I´m also going to need plenty of help."

Jaehaerys didn´t like the sultry tone in her voice, but he nodded anyway. A servant could never insult the highborn, specially not the close advisors of a king. Anyway, he retired fast, wanting to be as far away from that woman as he could. Soon he arrived to Lord Monford´s chambers, where he calmed himself a bit before knocking the door. A curious piece that red priestess was, he thought to himself as he waited for the answer, still feeling the shivers Melissandre´s eyes on him caused him.

"Yes?"

"Your water, milord"

"Come in, boy" as soon as the door was closed again, they exchanged a worried look, but didn´t dare to drop the façade as they did in Driftmark. Not in the heart of enemy territory. "Leave it on the desk, where I can grab it."

"Of course, milord" he did and, as soon as he left, Monford grabbed the chalice and filled it, discreetly grabbing the note that was under it.

Get me work attending the tables in Stannis Great Hall tonight

He frowned at this. Why would the one true king want to serve the tables of the Usurper´s brother? Then he understood it. He needed to know all the key players and their followers, all the information he was going to need to win this game. Because Stannis was going to be the first king to fall to Jaehaerys.

That´s why, that night, when more servants were needed to attend the tables, he offered some of his own, including Jace. Then he paid attention to what the Stag´s supporters were doing until… oh, gods, the red witch was burning the statues of the Seven! How could she do something so disrespectful? Only the calm expression of his king as he watched the show calmed him down, even when the maester came down to scream about the burning. The same with Celtigar, Bar-Emmon… even poor Adrian Sunglass, who seemed to be about to shed tears. They all resisted. And watched. Because soon it was going to be the time to attack.

-Later-

Jaehaerys was enjoying this dinner. Not because he liked to serve the tables, because working with thousands of entitled and drunk knights demanding things, badmouthing the male servants and throwing things around. He repressed the impulse to roll his eyes like a thousand times as he watched the highborn acting like they were on the top of the world. By the tail of his eyes, he took a good look at Stannis Baratheon, the Usurper´s brother. He seemed as grim and stern as his fame described, but there was also something else that put him on guard. Fanatism. A new found fanatism to the red god.

"Give me more ale, boy!" Ser Axell Florent, the castle´s castellan, ordered him, nearly throwing an empty jar to him. Jace nodded and quickly went to get him the liquor, his calculating eyes never leaving the drunk knight. The Florent man was not graced with a gorgeous appearance, but had been more blessed by nature than his niece, the queen, by the simple fact that he was male and didn´t need beauty to find himself a wife.

And talking about Queen Selyse Baratheon, who Jaehaerys managed to see while serving her uncle more ale, she was the ugly little creature the histories made her out to be. The poor woman, he seldom had seen less beautiful ladies than her. For a second, he pitied Stannis for being married to that elephant eared woman. But that doesn´t mean he underestimate her or her influence, because he could see around himself the knights of House Florent, the only House of the Reach that answered the call of the second Stag brother. The rest were with Renly, who had linked himself to the Rose of House Tyrell…

The Golden Rose…

Lady Margaery Tyrell

The woman he had hoped to make his Queen. And that he still wanted as queen, because Renly and the rest of the Usurpers were not long for this world if he ever got his way. It was a great thing that he wasn´t a man that would care for the purity of a lady to become his wife… and even so, he recognized that beggars can´t be choosers and right now he was a beggar living out of his few loyal lords. He couldn´t exactly make a move bring House Tyrell to his side, not with the losing game he currently had, but soon he might. When Silverfyre was big enough, when he had gotten rid of both Stannis and Renly… right now, he needed the Reach more than they him, later, he might still need the Reach, but the Tyrells would be more eager to listen to him if he had a better game to show them.

His thoughts about his possible betrothed disappeared when the elderly maester from before appeared in the room, practically challenging the red priestess to a duel. He held a chalice full of wine, in where he had clearly dropped poison, and tried to get rid of her. Obviously, he feared her influence on the lord and lady of the Keep would led them to their ruin. Jaehaerys watched the exchange between them with interest, trying to determine which kind of piece the witch was. Probably something important to take into consideration, probably not… but the old man had sealed his fate. In a desperate attempt to save someone dear, he committed a mistake and paid for it with his life. Not that he particularly cared, he was trying to dethrone the man. And for nothing, as the priestess remained standing tall. Interesting.

"What have you seen?" Lord Velaryon asked him in secret when they were able to lock themselves up in the guest chambers, after that grim spectacle. "Your Grace…"

"Was that real, milord? Did that woman really survived a deathly poison?" Jae reminded him, looking around the room for possible spies. he wrote something and left it in the desk. Monford nodded lightly with the head. "I´m sorry, milord, you must be tired. I will retire for the night now. Good night, milord."

Once alone, the Lord of the Driftmark grabbed the paper and started reading. They were marching against Renly next, or so Stannis said, but he didn´t know what the orders his true king had for him were. Maybe he will make them revolt against Stannis… or maybe he will allow the brothers to kill each other for a throne that was never theirs. A fine punishment for Robert Baratheon in the Seven Hells.

"This might not be the Red Keep, but my ancestors were too smart not to put secret spy passages in their own keep before Maegor The Cruel. Be careful in every step.

As for the Usurper´s brothers, I will let them fight for now. Believe me when I say that it benefits us more to see them fighting. As long as no man loyal to our cause has to die, whatever they do to weaken each other is fine. Just keep the men watched, we are going to need all drops of valyrian blood to recover my rightful Throne and our rightful place."

Monford smiled, feeling calmer. He had really chosen a good king, one with gentleness as well as the brains for strategy. They wouldn´t have been able to do anything with a lack wit, like Viserys Targaryen and Renly Baratheon were rumoured to be, for a king.

Jaehaerys, for his part, returned to the servant´s quarters and the tiny room he was lent by the steward to sleep. Surprisingly for him, there was someone already in the room when he arrived. The Red Woman smiled sensually when he closed the door, staring at her with a serious expression. The Red Priestesses had a fame for their sensuality across Essos, but also as witches and shadowbinders, that their sensuality was a honey trap ready to catch unsuspecting men and bind them forever to their mistresses. It was tempting, he will give her that, especially since she had changed her silk dress for a nearly transparent red robe.

"I saw you looking at me during dinner, when the old man challenged me" she said with a hand on her belt, ready to untie it. "Do you want to ask me how I did it? How I survived drinking Tears of Lys?"

"Milady…" he stuttered a bit. It was not as if he was comely with women, but he had never been with one before and he wasn´t about to start with the woman that was most certainly Stannis mistress. "I don´t deserve this kind of attention, milady, please…"

"Oh, but you do" she answered, showing him her delicious body. "You intrigue me, Jace… that´s your name, no? Jace?" he nodded, red in the face. She advanced, putting a hand on his face. "For some reason, My Lord has his eyes on you, my boy. You have some great destiny ahead, by the hand of my chosen." She grabbed his hand, trying to put it on her breast. "What´s the matter? Never been with a woman before?"

"No, milady"

"I assure you, I will be gentle" he took a step back. "I don´t bite"

"Milady, it´s not appropriate for you to be here, less in those garbs" Jaehaerys turned the handle of the door, ready to leave the room and find other sleeping quarters. "I don´t know what Lord Stannis or Lord Monford would say if they were to know… please, I need the work. I have a little sister to support and…"

"Maybe not tonight, but eventually you will belong to me and I will be able to see why the Lord is so interested in you" Melissandre said, securing her robes. It was not like her to give up so easily, but… insisting won´t make a difference in this case. And there was always the march or the battle… "Until then"

The Targaryen watched her go, sighing in relief when she was no longer in view. He couldn´t help but to think he skipped a mortal wound… anyway, he learned one more thing that night. The Red Woman was dangerous. She was smart and seemed to have magic… and by the way she singed him out in a room full of people or just crossing their paths for the first time, he could tell that there was something more going on about her. He needed to be careful.

Hello! New chapter here, hope you enjoy it. Review!