Chapter 27; New futures, old friends
Characters of the chapter
Evyrys Blacfyre Lord of House Blackfyre, formerly known as Evyrys Watchman
Julius Argentus, Magister of the Tevinter Imperium, commander of the 1st expeditionary legion of Tevinter
Naelyria Blackfyre Daughter to Evyrys and Laerya Blackfyre
Tiraen Tasvius Magister of the Tevinter Imperium, ambassador to Meereen, commander of the 5th expeditionary legion of Tevinter, formerly apprentice to Magister Cato Argos.
"What… was that?" Tiraen asked, her eyes alive with astonishment and desire. She and Julius had returned to Meereen along with their legions, leaving behind only small detachments alongside the Meereenese to hunt down the few dothraki that might remain. The plan was to allow their legions to rest and replenish their strength here before deploying to the next conflict zone.
With their return to Meereen they had regained their privacy. As a result, this night, like almost every night since their return, they had shared a bed. And today Julius had decided he wanted to try something new.
"Just a spell I came across when I was younger and more foolish. It allows us to feel each other's sensations in addition to our own. You can feel what I feel, and I can feel what you feel. Almost guaranteed quality as I figured it when I came across this. Tonight seemed like a good day to test the supposition. Do you approve?" He said, stroking her hair as he did.
"Approve? I don't think I want to ever make love without that spell after tonight. Such a singular rapture." She said, grinning.
"Test it? You're saying you didn't try it out until now?" She asked then, mildly surprised.
"There was hardly any point without anyone to try it with." He explained.
"You… haven't been with anyone at all since you uncovered this spell?" She asked.
"No. I knew this was something to be saved for a special time. For when I was ready to commit to something more serious. By then I had already decided who I wanted to be with. And once I had made up my mind it didn't feel right to be with anyone else." He said.
Tiraen nodded in contemplation. That had been true of her as well. There had been a few others before Julius, when she had been younger. For practice. Her first had been some elven slave in her father's household. She had forgotten the name, and most everything else about him. He had been a good place to start, since a slave was in no position to refuse her bumbling advances. It was her understanding that a lot of Imperial youths started that way. Of course as a woman she had to be more careful than some. No one cared if a slave woman ended with child from such dalliances, so long as matters were handles discreetly and no one got away with positions or influence undue their place in society. But if it had happened to her the scandal could have been enough to bring down her whole house. Even at that age she known never to allow that to happen.
Those that had come before had ultimately meant little to her, there for the purposes of exploration and occasional enjoyment, nothing more. And she had understood her feelings for Julius she had not been with anyone else either, instead waiting for the day she would be brave enough to speak her mind. It had taken her many years from that initial realization to get there, but she had.
She smiled at Julius. "You were right to save this for us. I'm grateful that you did. It makes this thing between us all the more special."
"You know, now that were together at last it's getting harder and harder to understand why it took us this long to get to this point. It's obvious we both knew of our feelings years ago, and were already acting on them, saving ourselves for each other. I don't understand what held us back. What were we so scared of?"
"I don't know. Maybe we both saw what we wanted and were scared it was just a mirage or a prank. Maybe we knew it was a big step, a big change, and were afraid to take that final leap. Maybe some part of us was afraid of the change, even if it was going to be good for us. But I truly cannot say. I only know that whatever was stopping us then, we've overcome it. I'm infinitely glad that we had the courage to do that. Or, well, you did, and I just followed along."
"What prompted you to be so brave by the way? That first night… I don't think I've ever seen someone move with such intent before. Not even you. What caused it?" He asked then.
Tiraen hesitated before answering. "I just… realized I can't keep waiting to act forever. On a different subject Cato had told me earlier that if I wait too long to do something important, I might one day realize I had missed my one chance. I knew then I could not have this part of our lives be left unfinished because we tarried too long on the edge of what we both wanted. For all I knew that night was my last chance, so I had to take it. And if there is anything I've learned since joining the Venatori, it's that our dreams won't come true if we sit and wait for them to happen. We have to take action and make those dreams happen."
"…You're right. We must." He decided. "And we should have made ours happen years ago."
"I only wish it wasn't necessary for us to part ways again." He added. Tiraen knew already what he was talking about. Their new orders had already arrived. Soon enough the first legion would be called back to the western coast of Essos, to take on the Braavosi, later the Qunari. Meanwhile her fifth legion would be redeployed to Bellidarius to safeguard the orb. Here they were, enjoying the rapture of the early days of their love, and their duties were already conspiring to pull them apart again. Well, not without any resistance from her part, that was certain.
"You know, I have been thinking of that. The Fifth will remain at Bellidarius to protect the orb as commanded. I'm not about to contest that. But as long as that is done I'm not convinced I need to be personally present to safeguard it. So I've requested to go west with you when you leave, fight with the first legion for a time. Well, myself, Pet, perhaps a few other retainers. Plus since this is likely going to involve naval actions, the ships I control that can be spared from other tasks, the Huntress foremost among them." She told him.
"You have? And you think Cato will allow that?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I will know the answer to that before you have to leave. But I'm certain I will be able to convince him. For all its importance guarding the orb is a static garrison job, and I'd rather be proactive. I've already given my contributions to our plans to keep the weapon safe. We've got the entire fifth legion protecting the orb alongside the city's own garrison, the entirety of the Red Council and the entire network of other protections we designed to be placed around the orb. If my presence is still necessary after all that then we have serious issues with our troops." She said.
Julius chuckled. "Well, if Cato approves of this then by all means. The first legion will welcome you and all the support you can bring. And I'm personally more than glad if I get to spend more time with you, even though much of that will have to be on a battlefield. Better than we will have otherwise."
"Aye. It is that. That is the first of my solutions to allow us to stay together, the one for the short term. For the long term… there is something I've been meaning to ask you. Now seems like as good a time as any."
"And… what question might that be?" He asked.
As her reply she stood up from the bed. She remained in place for a moment letting his eyes move over her bare form.
"Julius Argentus, I love thee. I am willing to declare that to you. And I would do so in the eyes of the world as well." She said then, and took a knee. "I know it is not tradition for a woman to ask this… but would you marry me? Share this world's joys and hardships with me, from this day until our last day?"
Julius looked surprised, though in his eyes she could see some part of him had expected the question. He stood up as well and helped her to her feet.
"Once more you prove the braver of us." He said, his hands gently on her shoulders. "Are you sure you're not rushing into things? We haven't been together all that long, after all."
Tiraen chuckled at that. "I'm most certainly not rushing into anything. I have been considering asking this since we left this city to fight the Dothraki. Long enough I think. And like we noted only moments ago we have in truth been in love for years, even if we are only now acting on it. I know my choice. What is yours?"
Julius considered. "…Yes. I will marry you My Love. As soon as we can arrange that ceremony. It's what we both want. And it has been a long time coming."
Tiraen broke into a wide toothy smile and moved to kiss him again. Their lips still locked they fell back on the bed.
"Thank you. Thank you for saying yes." She said when their lips finally parted.
"When the day arrives… if you don't mind, I'd like to keep my family's name." She said then.
"I am the last of my family. The last of the Tasvius. I'd like to keep my House in the pages of history for a while longer, if possible." She explained.
"Of course. I can understand that. If that's what you wish, then so be it. And if we manage to get as far as children, I'm even willing to have our first carry your family name, so your line will continue for certain." He said.
"Generous of you. Thank you again." She said, then moved closer to him. "Do put your spell up again love. There is still time tonight. After that though we really must get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day. We're expecting guests after all." She whispered in his ear.
The next morning the two of them were at Meereen's harbor, looking at the ship bringing their allies as it was on its final approach. The news of House Blackfyre's sudden flight had reached them some time earlier. And quite a shocking piece of news had that been. She had been quite worried, of Naelyria in particular, until she had managed to get confirmation that they had managed to escape the Twin Kingdoms forces. Even a decent number of their troops had been successfully evacuated, though obviously they were a lot fewer now than they had been before this incident. Most of their soldiers were staying closer to the narrow sea and Westeros, but the actual family members of House Blackfyre had been sent here, to where the core of the imperial territories resided, where they would be safe.
As the passengers were disembarking, Tiraen stepped forth.
"My Lord. On behalf of the Tevinter Imperium I welcome you to the city of Meereen. We were glad to hear you survived our enemy's attack on you." She said to Evyrys.
"I thank you. It was a close call back in Dorne. Very close in fact. At the final part we came face to face with Jaime Lannister himself." Replied the Lord of House Blackfyre.
She gave an impressed whistle. "The Kingslayer himself? Oh my. Quite an encounter. Did you manage to get him, by any chance?"
"Sadly I don't think so, though I would have gladly snuffed him out. That might have been enough to lessen the sting of this defeat. Still, we can count ourselves fortunate to have gotten away from him and his troops. Our men performed admirably in allowing us to do so." He said.
"My Lord, do you know how many of your troops still live?" Julius asked.
"We had to send some two thousand troops to the Dragon Queen before this. At the time I thought that to refuse her outright would have risked our discovery, though now it seems that decision made no difference at all. I've no doubt all of those troops are now gone. A bunch of others escaped before the fighting started, probably because they didn't want to fight Twin Kingdoms forces. Of those that remained with us… about half were successfully evacuated. So I'd say the final number is around three thousand. Perhaps less. Regretfully your envoy and his bodyguards very likely number among the fallen." Evyrys replied.
"We thought that might be the case when we didn't get any messages from him. And we have probably lost more than a few of the spies operating from your other forts. It's a setback to be certain. But not something that we cannot bounce back from. Our efforts shall continue nevertheless." Julius said.
"One of our wealthier merchants in the city has graciously lent you their house and staff for the duration of your stay. Later this evening I will be hosting a dinner party with the city's dignitaries. You are all invited of course. And speaking of dignitaries, King Morzol zo Raqun sends his regards, and his regrets that he could not be here to greet you. Pressing matters of state he could not be distracted from. He looks forward to meeting you all at the party." Tiraen said then.
"If you would please follow us." She motioned toward the city.
They left deeper into the city, towards the local Imperial Enclave, Tevinter and Blackfyre guards protecting them along the way. As they walked Tiraen matched pace with Naelyria.
"My friend. It's good to see you again." She said to the woman only two years her younger.
"Likewise. It had been a long time since we were able to speak face to face. Not since we were able to return to Westeros, and that was several years ago." Naelyria said.
"If only the circumstances of our meeting were better." Tiraen said.
"Tell me about it. Father has been quite beside himself since that day. And for good reason I say." Naelyria said.
"Do you know how this happened? What went wrong?" Tiraen asked.
"No. Not a clue. One moment everything was fine, the next we hear of the Martells mobilizing against us and a Lannister army bearing down on us. I keep wondering if some of our troops we sent out betrayed us to the Dragon Queen. But very few of those soldiers were aware of our involvement with your Imperium. And those few that did were considered loyal. We have always been diligent in making absolutely sure of that." Naelyria said.
"Years spent in our homeland, preparing for our return to claim the throne as is our right. Only to then lose everything again." She added, sighing.
"You didn't lose everything. You escaped safely, as did a tolerable number of your troops. Julius had the right of this. This was a defeat, but we can come back from this. We will find whoever was the cause of this, and they will be punished. Severely. And permanently. And someday soon you will return to Westeros." Tiraen said.
"On that day you will not need to return in secret, or with only your own troops. Instead you shall have the full backing of our fleets and armies, and those of our other allies. And with us we shall have a weapon so potent we need fear nothing at all from our opposition." She continued. Naelyria looked a bit more hopeful at her words.
"Ah yes. That artifact you mentioned." The Blackfyre woman said in contemplation. "You know, when you mentioned that you had visited Valyria I was sure I had made a mistake in deciphering your letter, so unbelievable your claim seemed. You absolutely must tell me of the land of my ancestors in more detail. And the weapon you wrote about… that one I would like to see with my own eyes, if you permit it. An item that can do what you described it has done… one should gaze upon it, at least once in my life."
Tiraen's happy demeanor was reduced a fraction. "Well, I'd be delighted to regale you with the full story of my journey into Valyria. But as for the orb… I'm afraid that's out of my hands. It's not here at the moment. And unfortunately the security measures around it are rather strict, for understandable reasons. Magister Cato has decreed that unless it is to be used only those specifically assigned to protect it are allowed to come within sight of it. His authority far supersedes mine, so there is nothing I can do about it. I hope you understand."
"I suppose…" Naelyria said, though Tiraen could tell she was disappointed.
"But of course I will describe it to you as best I'm able and tell you all I know of it. And I can permit you to see the Valyrian blades that were recovered. My legion is still in the city, so I can instruct the soldiers I gave the blades to come to see you after the party today, with their weapons." Tiraen said.
"That would at least be something. Thank you." Naelyria said, a faint smile returning to her lips.
Then she lowered her voice. "Father was actually hoping you could be persuaded to part with one of those weapons. We are the blood of Valyria, after all, and the legitimate heirs to the Iron Throne. If anyone would have a claim to those weapons, it would be us. And it could greatly improve our prestige if we had a Valyrian steel sword in the family."
Tiraen felt a momentary pang of guilt that she had not thought to do this of her own accord. Naelyria was a friend, and she had a point. It would have made sense to grant her family a boon like this, if for no other reason than to tie them more closely to the Imperium. She should have remembered to do this, even if there was a lot happening and great distances between them.
"I can speak to my men about this. Some of them might be willing to part if their weapons, but it will be necessary for you to bargain with them, offer them something in return. Understand, these weapons were given to them as the signs of my favor, in recognition of their skill at arms. Because of that I cannot in good conscience order anyone to give their weapon back so you get one. It will their decision to make, of their own free will." Tiraen said.
"Though… if no one agrees to trade you their weapon, then I suppose I could have Pet give you the one he has." She added. At the mention of him Naelyria glanced behind them where Pet was walking, suppressed a shudder and quickly turned her eyes away. The two of them might be friends, but this creature Tiraen had fashioned was not to Naelyria's liking.
"The sword in question was once wielded by the Lannister Kings. I would think Valyrian steel that has graced the hands of any rulers would be most fitting for you." Tiraen continued.
Naelyria nodded. "You could be right. Father might even prefer a blade like that. Better than some random sword that belonged to a town guardsman. I'll have a word with him, see what he thinks of this."
"So, has anything else interesting been going on lately? Stuff that you would have left unmentioned in your letters. Now that we are in the same place I imagine we will have a lot of catching up to do." She asked then, apparently deciding to move on to lighter topics for now.
"New stuff? Let's see… well, Selia is to be freed and to then continue in my service as a steward. It took some doing, but I managed to convince a judge from home to come here to oversee it. With the documents written and the said judge on his way I expect this matter to be attended to in a week or two." Tiraen said. Then a mischievous smile appeared on her lips, and she leaned closer to Naelyria:
"Oh yes, then there is one more matter. A recent development you could say. I'm to be married."
"WHAT!?" Naelyria exclaimed, far too loudly to be appropriate, and Tiraen could not help herself. She burst out laughing, drawing puzzled looks to them form the other members of their entourage.