The Bringers of Dawn

by Zannerson

Once, a star fell near the island of the Torrentine river's, Empowering the house of Dayne with the Sword of the Morning. Now another one has come, and it will bring more than just Steel and Power. The line of Dayne will enter a world greater than they ever knew.

9. Chapter 9

CHAPTER 7

Tall and wide, both east and western river shores of Starfall and Hermitage is expecting greater days to come. Concrete and steel have become the norm in the infrastructure of the new world, less and less does the Smallfolks recall of old terms and habits as uncertain hardships falter and make way for new modern habits adopted.

Fewer is the teachings necessary for the Starfolks to depart to the other on their long stay, as many Westerosi has taken the lessons in drove and by years end acts of complexity turns to routine and in turn took to a custom. Supervising is no longer necessary, but every now and then, there comes a Starfolks or two, watching and vigilant for essential caution…

The Farming…

The Smithing…

All things Metallurgy and Alchemy…

Even ways of warfare and the use of their weapons… they have even donated many…

And in all such things the Westerosi came closer and closer to their Mastery.

Many things have been given, yet some minds wonder what could summon such kindness…

All sleep lightly during these times, the children can play with hearty and many marriages has been consummated, a sign of gentle times arising. Anxious heart swath away replaced in its place a joyful one, the clouds are blessed and none have remembered that the breezing wind could be so soothing. No one is hungry anymore…

Many old migrants who stayed before the fall of the Steel Star has settled themselves here in droves and made no interest to return to their old tidings.

Though not all of course harken towards such progress…

Man are man, and man are with flaws. Drunk and full of depravity, there are times man of low and highborn are demanding that are not within their rights. Recent are the act, and greater is the memory of the event. A group of knights' hedge and otherwise harassing the fairer-sex of Starfolks origin.

Many of their knightly compatriots and the Smallfolks tried to expel the depravity before they could do more harm, but regardless in the end, the news came forth to the proper masters and malicious end came to the perpetrators.

They were castrated before they were flogged, and they were Flogged before they were hanged with mutilated bodies. Some questioned the harshness of such punishment, ironically more so from the Starfolks themselves. "No justice shall be undone in my lands…" Lord Erick Dayne spoke "All evils will be apprehended accordingly, and greater is the punishments to those who follows the devil's path, Especially the ones bear the title KNIGHT!" He finished with fury.

Great is the irony that the highest command of the UNSC, Captain Gunner, opposed for a more lenient punishment. In Erick's eyes there is few greater shames in his lordly stature then biting the hands that feed, and many has been given and less so gift back. Large is the focus on the amicability between people of the Red Mountain with the Starfolks, the lord of Starfall bears no interest to falter such pacts.

Though all folks worry of the bloodletting Lord Erick Dayne have ensued… some even saw a small glint of a smile as he done the deed…

For Gedric, the sun shines a bit clearer each day. His control over his form has progressed well under the proper supervision of the learned man of the Steel Star, with the Old Starfall Maester accompanying him for caution. He has been given more leniency on his travels and often he goes to the lands of his people downwards.

On his 6th nameday he celebrated on the square of the town that is slowly turning into a great city, it was a joyous occasion, a time he spent with friends and family, he entertains his people as well, lifting giant boulders and leaping from high places, much to the dismay and faint of his mother, yet the people watch their young lord closely with reverence unearthly.

He found kinship with his other noble companion, Franklyn Fowler. They came back-to-back often enough like partners in blood, where people spot the Fowler if they lean their heads to the side, they would see the Dayne boy as well, and the same could be said otherwise.

In Training, wondering and at play, both boys spent it all together, even recently the Fowler Is often invited to dinner with the Daynes at their castle's hall. Leyna smile and at ease on their boyish interactions, finally in his young life her son finally found a friend to confide, not to mention Erick's ease for the establishment of friendship between two houses.

The eastern barracks have been making as much noise as they do in strength as well. There are now Hundreds of Dayne arms man that have been trained and practiced with the use of firearms, slug-throwers and explosive alike. In merriment of such events Lord Erick would permit them to the seas with the newly produced ships courtesy of the work of both Westerosi and Starfolks Engineers.

Though more so the latter for the practicality aspect, the former lean well on the art and shape of the vessels, cultural identity is quite well important for the man of the Sunset kingdoms after all. Bewildered are the minds of the natives to find the work of engines on their new form of swan ships and Galleys that are larger than their former version by thrice, with a strength of steel floating gracefully and equipped with fires and arms to disperse and waver an army.

And that is for one Swan ship in which they have more than two dozen of each of them and Galleys…

Ironborn have been spotted on the horizon south of Starfall, and most man cannot be said enough for their urgency to stifle their presumed misdeeds, more so are they eager to test the Steel Galleys with unrelenting excitement in their hearts to take such cause and chance. Even Gwendal calm and cool, fidget to partake in such event as well.

Even the bandits that has harassed the entirety of the Red Mountain East and West of the fold has been ceased and desist with remorseless liberty, Some Arms-man of Starfall also contribute in the cause, very much enthusiastic to put their teaching into practice for their new thunder weapons in hand.

It was a good day for both warriors of two worlds, great brotherhoods have often created by blood in war and battles, friendships have become greater that day and more for each they partake in the fracas of cutthroats and outlaws…

The Mountains are emptied, and in its place comes a fruition of plan. The lord of Starfall and the Steel captain led an expedition on the lands of the Red Mountain on both sides. With established advancement in metallurgy and mining more so, both wished to create an outpost perhaps even a settlement on the midst of the mountains.

There is also a cause for alarm as well, after all not all migrants came from the Dornish marshes and the roads that reached the Tarly's northwest, some also came through the treachery of the red waste above the Rocky Mountains, more so of the malicious ilk's. setting a proper perimeter on such lands would made for a constricted and content security.

Not to mention also the mining vision, for all intents and purposes the mountains are virgin in nature, no lords of higher bearings have managed to make proper structure due to treacherous environments, more so with the once bandits littered the place… a point that are no longer a fact. They are empty and the Dayne's and the UNSCs contemporaries have the technology provided for the cause.

Not much news has been heard from the other lords of the red mountains, Landon have been sighted travelling back and forth to Hermitage and the Caron lord have made confounding deals and trades that one many consider very odd, but it is of no attraction to the Baratheon paramount and the crown, little lords too low for them to interact as numerous have presume.

The Year is 248 AC more or less a year after the fall of the Steel ship….

XxxxxX

Somewhere on the Summer Sea

The wind blows with strength against the purple capes, yet perhaps it is precise to say that the speed the Galley burst through clashes too much with the gale. Gwendal never has sailed with a ship before; it is of a surreal moment to think that his very first would be with a vessel of great steel making with a power over water and fire.

He looked below to the hull on the side and see how the sturdy steel clash and fell apart the waters likened to a clean cut. The sea waves swirl looks beautiful with such speed, Gwendal caused himself to appreciate the view. All that he could see are ocean and no land, and sometimes a certain fish would leap up from the waters where both man and sea folk would wonder with one another.

Though the current wind has fatigued his eyes a bit and the waters are becoming dull by the second, fortunate is the time for the sergeant accompanying to make his presence…

"Sir Gwendal?" The UNSC Sergeant spoke. "Everything is well for further inspection; you say you like to oversee the internal?"

"That is right, Sergeant Dana. Please, lead on…" Gwendal Replied. They walk through the deck of the ship, where well trained men rummage around with discipline. One or three holds the color of the UNSC, the rest dozens wore Fully white overcoats that covers their armored ballistic garments within and a purple shoulder cape that bears the symbol of a white sword that fell to the knees.

"Always have to be ceremonious aren't we…" Gwendal thought. Such uniform should be unpleasant to be worn especially during sea-faring, yet Erick demanded it and so it is. Uniform to show unity and pledge, "One of the signs of man fighting for a greater purpose…" Erick stated once "A uniform grants believe and brotherhood, we'll see them fight with spirit I am sure".

Gwendal merely still himself on the declaration, it was common sense and the man was never wrong in the means of warfare, the sword of the morning knows who it chooses.

The Steel Galley provides better treatments for its crew after all, greater conditioning and accommodations worthy of high man. More so that these arms-man in compatriot with Gwendal are of the same kind of those who train at the eastern shore barracks, he participated in the exercise, it is not as difficult and extreme as the training he has done with Erick and his lord father, but it is worthy of elite.

Well-muscled, untiring and always moving, each of these men are focused and have no interest to be disturbed in their tasks. "Must be the uniforms…" Gwendal humored, though he spots a smile every now and then, they truly do believe they serve something greater, how could they not when a mountain of steel stare them back each time they awoke and went home every morning.

All white, blue and purple. The color is on a paradox of ease and confusion in the eyes at times "We need to work on that…" He thought, as he walks in suit with the Sergeant within the hull.

They arrived at a large room, spacious and shrilled with a whisper and hum of a machine on its northern part, giant as the dragon's head in Kings Landing. It truly sounds like it speaks with language absurd, but the vibration of its power is real and Gwendal felt a tad giddy looking at it.

"This is what powers the ship?" He asks.

"Yes… this is called a Hydrogen-injected internal combustion engine" The Sergeant answered "Hydrogen engine for short… it powered the ship propulsion and electrical needs with as its namesake suggest powered by Hydrogen…"

"Hydrogen is water, correct? As your engineer says?" Gwendal further enquired.

"We fueled this engine with water… which in itself consist of an abundance of Hydrogen, there are many other materials that also have the same composition in them, but you'll find water to have the greater amount of it by far" The sergeant replied, a proud smile on her face "it is quite an innovation of its time… back home on earth, we resolved a lot of power issues with it. A lot of money has been saved for other troubles and innovations; it really is a civilization life saver on its creation…"

Both looked to the engine for more than a mere moment of their time, the sergeant kept her eyes absorbed and in awe as if she looked upon a divine being on land upon her. Gwendal however stares in contemplation "By proxy… this engine provides unlimited power then" he adds.

"That is right, considering we are surrounded by water… metaphorically that is" Sergeant Dana answered "the oceans have limits but even then humanities extinction has a higher chance to occur than actually depleting the ocean even a percent quarter of it" Gwendal stared with a raised brow at her. "Uhh… I was joking" she said.

"Right" He rolls his eyes. And thus, he noticed his surroundings, the very same Arms-man of Dayne are on their works of the many machineries and system that surrounds the engine. Gwendal saw the eccentricity of such contraptions, Computers, AIs and other complexities. He learned the basics under the courtesy of commander Julian during his vigilance on the west city of Starfall.

"These are all lord Dayne's…" Gwendal noted.

"Yes? Of course? This is your ship after all…" Dana retorted "Or your families ship? Apologies I don't fully understand how ownership works here on Westeros…"

"It's quite alright…" Gwendal said "I am just surprised that you gave faith to my man to work on this vessel…"

"They are fully trained in a year within your cousins and Captain gunner's prerogative after all" She replied "it is part of the agreement of our stay here, make no mistake they are prepared!" It was an enthusiastic assertion, one unexpected for one not of the native land.

"You have… quite a faith for my people…" Gwendal stated.

"Sorry for the bother, it just." She exhaled "Before I was military, I was actually an archeologist and anthropologist both. It interests me of any interaction of different cultures…"

"I've read many of your books, I know of archeologist though I know not the latter?"

"Ah, it means a study of human societies in many sense" She answered with self-admiration, there was a twirl in her, one with spirit… "So, I hope you understand my eagerness".

"Is that so?" Gwendal queried "Why join the livery of warfare then? Seems a profession of the civil kind?"

"… I was needed" She answered with a quiver "Every man and woman are needed when we are attacked-" it was a sudden stop, a wrong move that came with a very assuming gesture as she stares fearful daggers onto Gwendal's eyes. Stunted and stuttered it is far too late for retractions.

"Attacked?" Gwendal raise his brow "By what?".

"I... I am" She gulped "I'm sorry I meant when a disaster hit us on our world… is what I meant to say. My uhh… my linguist skill is not very on form today" She chuckled with her back turned, feigning cleaning her uniform before she went back in place though not daring to look upon the Hermitage Heir, though she managed to speak.

"Please, let me show you the other rooms, there is much to be done" She managed to finish with certain tone, though a hiccup is daring to go. They left the room with tense pace as Gwendal stare at her puzzled. They walk in silence for more than a moment before the sergeant decided to decimate the awkwardness.

"Your lord cousin is quite the Fervorous man you know…" she spoke "Without his lead on the barracks to train your man they would not dare to participate, but after he went and declare his motives all the fears seem to begone from them…".

"He is the best of us…" Gwendal answered, eyes on the uninteresting floor though his spine straight "He has plans for the kingdom, he believes your help is quite necessary for it… forgive me for being stark but it is truly a wonder that all things move onward as peacefully as it does these times".

"I understand…" Dana said "I know well to learn that a clash of culture would usually start with animosity. But I am glad to say that for all first impressions at hand, it has gone extraordinarily well…".

"You have been generous on sharing your treasures and knowledge…" Gwendal breathed away as he prepares for the ensuing inquiry "Is it always like this for your people back home?".

"No…" She answered with a smile, her straight raven hair shines faintly by the sunlight as it reached her shoulders, a twinkle of her blue eyes met with Gwendal's purple over her berm "This is a special case…"

"How so?".

"I…" She whips her face back to front "I can't say".

Afterward, they spent their journey from quarters to quarters in contemplative silence. She shown the weapons room where swords and firearms are in place, the quarters where the man sleep and the cargo hold where all the rations, food and water are kept. She answered all questions with professional smile and zeal, all the aspects and traits extraordinary and otherwise that has been blessed towards the man of Starfall.

Their last destination is of the Captain Quarters, where Gwendal would stay as long as the journey is in tow. They entered the room to find a well-lit chamber that are decorated with various commodities and services.

"Water dispenser is right there, right by the desk. The middle table is for anything you need official or otherwise, council or to eat as such. The switch for the light is over here by the door and beside the bed, there is a brightness setting as well if you wish" She spoke "the bathroom is beside the bed over there, also there are other features as well, but nothing of note that you wouldn't know about… is it up to your standards?".

Gwendal walked towards the bed on the east side of the room, he touched it soft silver sheets with his calloused hand, it is no different than the bed he has at home, clean and contented. "This is…" Gwendal chuckled and Dana gulped anxiously "This is just too much…".

"P-Pardon?"

"By the seven… the time you need to make this luxury could've been made for a more pragmatic feature…" Still with a smile on his face, he centered himself within the room and absorbed his surroundings.

"Sir?" Dana called with anxiety.

"Apologies…" Gwendal said "worry not this is more than adequate, I believe you've exceeded expectations".

"Oh! Hahaha" She laughed "You had me worried there… I thought you're going to behead me for a second….".

"Not yet…"

"…"

"I was joking…"

They laughed heartily, ever slightly the anxiousness afore dispersed. "Well, if that is all Lord Gwendal, I would take my leave… if there is anything you need, I would be at the Control room with your First-mate" She bowed and leave…

But at the edge of the door, she stopped and turn her head slightly, Gwendal met her eyes again with the sergeant, tilting his head as he is bewildered. A little whisper of a "No" Escaped from the Sergeants lips, and with an instant she left with the door closed.

"Odd…" Gwendal Thought "A question for another day…". He sat on the bed as he closed his eyes, breathing in and out to plan his next move.

XxxxxxX

Starfall

There was chaos as a fair voice screamed on the upper-parts of the castle. Man of Blue and purple rush through the stairs with a sprint that tackles the wind. Erick Dayne was in the Palestone during the ensued voice, but still he heeds and recognize the voice of his wife, gargled it may be by the intensity of the shriek.

Rarely does he run so fast in his life, on his way to the castle, he past many sprinting droves with a breeze. All his body fixated on his arrival on the side of the lady of the house. He barged through the main door of the hall; the once fixed hinges now broke once again in his charge. He spotted the Castellan in his wake.

"Where is she!?" He demanded.

"Upper floor, my lord! I've sent man to-" Torbut words is unheeded, as the wind is outpaced by Erick.

He jumped four stairs at a time, if the way up is more narrowed than it is than he could've bashed through the many men that he exceeds. The scream became louder until he reached the source behind the door to his firstborn chambers. His body tensed with adrenaline, opened the pathway with a deathly grip that twisted the knob apart from the door.

Within he sees Leyna on her knees holding their son above the bleeding carpet. "Leyna! What-" below the tearful features of his wife, lies Gedric on her arms, blood spewing from eyes, ear and nose tainting the noble silk that he wore. There was no cut in his figure, no bruise at all, healthy is his skin yet his voice croaked in pain with no strength to say a word.

"You…" Erick pointed toward Spartan Fred-104 looming behind the door, whilst he is holding both his wife and son "FIND YOUR COMMANDER NOW!". There was no quarrel to be had, he disappeared like a shadow under his orders, other man came, The master-at-arms and the Maester.

"By the gods…" Maester Volkron leaned down to examine the boy "What has… I do not understand". To no avail he could not surmise "he is in great pain and the source seems comes from inward… Dreamwine, wasting potion and pepper juice should be the proper intake for this…" He whispered, departing to his office quickly as his old body could bear to move.

"Erick…" Leyna whispered; her eyes half-opened in despair as black tears fell away from her cheek to their firstborn's face. Everything is numb, from her arm to her toes "Save him… please" she said, spoken with a whisper of a mother on deaths door. She leans on her husband's body, very much weak from exhaustion.

"He is alright…" Erick Whispered softly "Believe me he is alright…".

"Erick… his choking" Leyna retorted between the sobs. Gedric's blood caked on her dress.

"Lay him down on the bed My lady…" Volkron spoke delicately, returning in haste. "Please I must insist, his body is in an intense stress, it is very much could kill a man on extreme circumstances and he is but a boy, we must make haste".

Erick took his son unto his arms, prying him from his mother's touch as she wailed and extend herself from her absent touch towards him. Erick stride calmly to not effect Gedric in pain as he let his hemorrhaging body unto the white sheets that is now blemished with children's blood. "Do what is necessary, Volkron…" He spoke, a cold shiver on his voice.

Volkron carefully approach the boy, swathing his hair from his bleeding face, and gave him the Dreamwine. Gedric uncertain of his circumstances, felt the tip of a bottle on the edge of his mouth and by instinct gulp a small intake before coughing some blood away from his throat.

"Dreamwine, eases the pain of the body. Varying in effectiveness, but it is less dangerous than the poppy… we cannot risk it to a boy with this severe case…" The Maester elaborated, Erick eyes bore sharply on his son's figure, Leyna on the bedside kissing Gedric's hand as she tries to will her son to health.

The Maester continues "Liquid absorb quickly for the body, as you can see the effect is very much in hand…". Gedric's breath is not as rugged as before and his chest contracted much less severely than before. There was a tad bit of whisper from Gedric by the minute, but it was of a mumble and incoherent. Seeing its function in hand the Maester examines much closely.

"Considering there was no wound externally… I must assume the source of this pain came internally… Hmm…" Maester Volkron is as still as a statue, attentive and unyielding on his mission, there was not so much as a blink.

"What are you waiting for!" Erick sternly said.

"This is a special case, my lord… if I use the wasting potion now without-".

"Good morning all of you" Spoke a voice, all person within turn their head to find a gargantuan speaking eyeball the glows blue that rivalled the suns ray of the window, it speaks with a sound of many voice clashing with one another. "I am Steadfast Aspirant – 655256, I am here to mend young Gedric worry not!".

Volkron immediately respond with apprehensiveness, unknown to who "What is this!? The circumstances are very delicate! You cannot-".

"Oh, I understand the plight here. Believe when I say that I am the most appropriate entity in this world that are capable to relief Gedric". It was a delayed revelation by all, to find the source of the voice, it was a mere silence from both the Maester and Erick as they saw it before it speaks once more.

"The empirical symptoms that you see right now came from the effect of the augmentation given to young Gedric here…" It says, flailing gracefully midair "If we want to speak of the specific, the enhancement given has consequences that came from extreme altera- uhmm… Extreme improvements in a very complex level…".

"The captain… he told me of such…" Erick spoke "It is a strengthening of the body and soul of sorts?".

"If you wish to be reductive and self-grandiose, then yes… that is one way to speak it" Steadfast moves right above the ill boy, and a thin light that goes upward and downward skimmed his body. "The cause of this bleeding is due to the body forcing itself to adapt in accordance to the Genetical information that has been augmented… the first early years the symptoms are light, slight nausea and hunger. This is due to his growing body easily accommodating to the changes…".

"Are you saying this is inevitable?!" Leyna roared "You've Cursed my son!"

"None of that, my lady" Steadfast continued "To ease your minds, Gedric is not dying as we speak. In layman, the body currently can hardly keep pace with the enhancements provided… though it is saved to say, this is normal, and in time he would recover…".

Erick and Leyna gave no quarter of trust towards the eye, death glare that wills it to die came to them towards the Steadfast Aspirant.

"That is to say… he'll fully recover properly if he is treated inside the Alexandria" It finished. Erick smirked with malice as he stood upon it and a milky blade unsheathe from his hip. Spartan-II Fred - 104 immediately tensed his stance, ready to leap on the moment.

"Please sir…" Fred spoke "Violence is unnecessary…".

"You say that now… as if I do not see the connotation of all this work before me!" He rewraps his grip tightly, intense strength coiled on his sword "You say that he can recover, and then you bandy word that he needed to be ward as if that is a simple convenience to all!".

"This would not end wall for all of us" The eye spoke, it backs away, a simple fear for a primitive end. Though still it tries for a tactful approach. "If you strike us down than any chance for your son to recover would be compromised… he is in this state due to our work on the ship, and we have the means to ease the pain necessarily".

Erick walks forward slowly with malice, Spartan Fred stands steadfast between them, tall and hulking against the lord of the house.

"He may recover here in such state, but great pain as you see here now would severely effect his mind…" It says, as soothing and professional "You are a man of war, yes? You recognize how intense pain can traumatize a man severely, much more if it's a boy".

"The eye is right, Lord Dayne". Another man entered, the captain of the Steel ship himself "I have the proper document regarding your son's state, the one you asked for when we last spoke of his status… I say nothing but the truth that the adjustment needed for him to be healed cannot be moved from the ship".

"You will not take him from me!" Leyna screamed "You've taken him once and now you intend to do so again! You spoke of humanity often! But I see none put into practice here! My son is suffering!".

"This conversation has occurred constantly…" The eye whispered to Captain Gunner "You won't achieve suitable result in arguing semantics. Find a leeway so we can expedite the extraction of the boy".

The captain hummed slowly as he moved forward to the Lord Dayne and put the advice in notion. "You've been inside the ship before… I believe it is time for another round-around…" He says "You may come with, on Gedric's recovery within Alexandria".

They stood for long as they stare at the wall and each other as both lord and lady of Starfall contemplate the idea. "Here is the paper on Gedric's state, I'm sure you'll find everything that has happened before and after will be written in there. We need to trust each other".

Erick grabbed the paper with doubt, his eyes set between it and the UNSCs envoys. Fred stood there seemingly nonchalant, face at the window. The eye however float with still, no sound other than an eerie dim hum. Every twosome instances a cough or two is sound, Gedric disgorged a minor sum of blood though fewer than before.

Leyna gripped her son hand still tight before smothering his forehead with pecks and kisses, intending to sooth him anyway she can. The Dayne boy mumbled each time she did, comforting her instead for every interaction she could get, to know that he is still alive and fighting. Erick glance every now and then for every movement everyone in the room makes.

Seconds turns to minutes, and every concurrent they hear the boy suffer. Leyna In her incapability to brave through her son's suffering breaks the silence. "Enough Erick…" She spoke "Enough… we will come with Gedric to the ship…".

Fred is the only individual in the room that cannot be read, everyone else exhales breath of relief, even the floating eye odd things considered. "I promise you this is a wise choice Ma'am…" Captain gunner said "You will know that we will give the best accommodation your son could ever have".

"Erick…" She whispered, as she is lifted to stand straight looking upon her husband's violet eyes.

"I need you to stay, I'll be going alone" He whispered, not even a blink she scoffed with disdain.

"Why would you ask me of this…" She asks. "He needs me!"

"He needs to heal yes… but I'll be with him" Erick spoke "You will stay, because we have another son you need to protect…". Outside of Gedric's room, a wail is sound. A child voice seeking answers as the paradigm around him goes uncertain.

"Gawain…" Leyna whispered. "Let him in!" She said, loud of voice. Then, a small patter of feet on the floor, and a short boy no taller than his mother's knee come crashing in a hug towards her. "Gawain" She called, carrying him "Why- when did you get here?".

"Scweam… scared…" He whimpered, frowning and pouting as he looked around. The eyes wander until it fell flat unto the steel giant monstrosity within the room and his eyes went wide, wider than the sea and glowing greater than the star. He froze on the sight and awed on the shine of Frederick's armor.

"Careful Fred, you got another fan in here…" Gunner said, mild-mannered and humor. Frederick merely sighs, head tilted to the side avoiding eye contact to anyone in the chamber. Though Gawain span of appeal wander once more to another bizarre entity in the room.

"Eye…" Gawain point with his finger, smiling and cooing as he jumps on his mother's arms.

Erick's purple sight clashed with Leyna's grey, grudging understanding came, and her lids shrouded with tears as she breaks away from the solemn stare. "Go…" Leyna spoke "And be quick about it…" There was no hint of acceptance on the tone, a tint of resentment perhaps, of that it is certain.

"Alright then?" Gunner queried; head lowered slightly as he awaits command. Erick did not meet his eyes but merely nods on the circumstances. "Fred…" One word and an unspoken order, Fred-104 pass the tense father and carried young Gedric lightly and as prudently on his metal arms, whatever comfort he could give on it.

"Lord Erick…" Gunner spoke "After you…".

XxxxxxxX

Somewhere on the Summer Sea

Bright is the day, as the sun cook all beneath it as it floats unfaltering on the blue sky. Cloud plastered all over, but it takes no heat for anyone to find respite underneath it, all of them soft and flowery as the ardor of its yellow steward's ray reflected on the windy waters.

For Jacken Myre, it would be a trouble he would trivially complain not but a while ago, when he all but plan to raid any ship passing for all the gold, steel and woman that would beckon as the Drowned God would give. It supposed to be an easy plunder. Right on the middle of the Summer Sea, where vessels of Essos and Westeros alike would pass for trade.

A dream of an Arbor ship, the soft woman of Naath and all the Gold and Slaves the free cities could bring, gone… crushed by a small fleet of floating steel of greater sire and size. All was slack jawed on their wake, uncertain and hesitate on their next act as one by one every longship is sinewed and crushed beneath the shrill cry of furious iron.

It was a quick thing, first they came with speed betraying its size. Then, steel rope shot out, dragging two or three longships unto their impervious hull as Man white and purple shining beneath the sun jumped down with swords and weapons otherworldly.

It was but a passing thing, but every second came like a year, as sword clash but a second until it reaches an Ironborn throat and the sounds of thunder crackling numbed his ears. They move with certainty; each bears a smile of greater purpose "POWER OF THE STAR!" They screamed, as each limb they use move bearing divine blessing.

So true to their cause… and steadfast in their stance.

It came and go with quickening, but it came without end, and it came constantly, the sound of thunder from their hands. Jacken saw it all, many things occurring in each second, but understanding it is the hard part, and more difficult it is to move, but that he did. He ran, as is what is sensible in such situation.

He ordered his man to stir his ship away, away from the carnage of white that blanketed with the red of his compatriots' corpses, he ran with whatever left of his crew before they could drag and board his ship like the others. And the white and purple cavaliers laugh… they point with their sword towards him and spoke, "Look upon the craven!" one of them speak "No plunders and all the blunders!".

He winced within him, spite and shame overwhelming. All the iron work on his blood screamed at him to die on the sea like his forebears before him. But then one part remembered he is human, and the mind came to plead to survive, to live another day. And so, on the helm he looked back, as dozens of longships swallowed by the waters with the corpses of Ironborn with it.

A shame and relief that suffers briefly, as dozens more of their steel ship came into view and went fast in multitudes towards him. "Lower the sails!" Jacken shouted with all his soul until it cracked, but no force of nature will avail him "They are gaining on us, you pricks!".

There can be no other end, sounds of a crack of wood of old capsized ships screamed it shrill, as the steel galleys breakthrough all the wooden corpses as man steeped on branches. Jacken saw their stone eyes and small smile, purple cape flowing as wings.

"There is no escape!" One of them spoke, a sound that are of reverberation "Wa- Wait! Robart! Don't-".

There was an object on their hand, shaped like a trumpet attached to a crossbow, when they speak to it, their voices amplified that sounded to the deep sea, they seem to wrangle for it. "Give- give it to me! Raymond, Give it!-" the tussle ended and another spoke again "This is Robart, Sergeant Arms man of house Dayne! Halt your ship or there will be consequences by force!".

The man that said so came from one of the Galleys, second of their largest and the others following not long behind him. "Slow and Halt I said! Do you not listen?" Robart warned once more, to no gain. Jacken ignored the words, assailed the voices, all that marred his mind is to flee. Now he floats on instinct as he aims for the horizon.

"You've made your choice!". The steel Galley quickened his pace, and the Arms man of Starfall stand upright on its deck became more visible by the microsecond. They did not move or stumble on the speed, one with the ship they seem to be, eyes and head only moves and stare towards their target.

Jacken screamed, as loud as he can, enough for any god to hear, loud enough for them to ignore also. No divine would give mercy to the wretched, And the drowned do not give strength to the craven, he stands powerless against unnatural powers wielded by silver blade and purple. Shaken, he looks back… to find the steel galley looming giant shadow upon him, towering his soul a thousand times over.

"We surrender!" One of Jacken's man shouted, towards the grey silver hue of the steel hull "Mercy! My lords! By all gods that exist please avail me!". Jacken roared with anger as he unsheathing his axe from his hips and sheathe it right back to the spineless, his talk of mercy fell as fast as his body.

But to Jacken, his act is one of hypocrisy. For he too felt the same terror, and as well the same desire for clemency. The thought came and go just as much as the craving for a good death, but uncertainty dwell him frequently, for is this how the Harlaw man should conduct before the sea? Before the watchful eye of the salted waters?

Two pair of feet stomped to the wooden deck, Jacken lift his head to find two men jumped down from the steel ship. Both wear of the same uniform of a white overcoat, he could see how broad it looks, for there is armor within, hidden behind ceremonious cape of purple.

On top he could see a similar crew of arms man aiming from the deck of the high steel vessel, with weapon that shaped oddly like an amalgamation of spear and crossbow, they are still and await command with discipline. "Where is the captain of this ship?" one of the two who boarded speaks.

The other inspects the area, looking to each and every shivering man until his vision fell down upon Jacken, raising one of his brows, until his attention fell to the axe the Ironborn captain holds. "Robart…" He said "That one… the one with the axe and the black coat".

"Aye that's the one… he is as lordly as an Ironborn could be, threaded and wretched with salted hide…" Both Dayne Arms man walk towards Jacken "What do you call yourself sir!?".

"He is Myre… Cadet of the Harlaw's" Came a voice from another ship, it is the largest one yet, it shadows came from the opposite end of their attention as it loomed so close to their heads. Another man fell down from it, landing softly with barely a thud. Golden-silver of hair and eyes of purple, as is the cape with the black connotation of his Lordly Uniform "I should know, all coastal lords should know which Ironborn nuisance that comes for barbarous practices…".

"Who are you?" Jacken manage to voice his question, dazed by the sun and stress of his inevitable doom. But still he thought of the rewards for the Iron price, if he manages to kill a key lord here and hijack one of these steel ships, he would be a king to the rest of the Iron islanders. it couldn't be help… such thoughts…

There was nothing to avail on his life… and much less if he deserves it…

"It doesn't matter" Gwendal said, eyes half opened lazy and uninterested "Sergeant Raymond… decapitate this man…".

Jacken held his breath as he felt his heart thump with piercing sensation, there was many strides with death in his life but none that would come so inevitably, much less one that would come with him incapable to fight back. There was one last call he could make, a last chance that preys on the weakness of glory.

"Trial by Combat!" Jacken shouted, already one knee prepared to stand "I demand a trial by combat!". Raymond stops with a tilt of his head, around them arms unclenched, brows are raised with features bewildered. "With the gods as my witness, I demand it!".

He hears a laugh came, a very young voice, one that came from gold and silver strands "You do not demand anything… you have no right, there is no case to beholden" He says, arms behind him with a judging look as he looks down upon the Ironborn Myre "And you do not believe in the gods that made such trials… you are the drowned one's minions are you not?".

"Nay!?... but you are! And if you found the seven's blessing to be wanting than you would not take such bargain!" Jacken answered, arrogant and spiteful in the end. Most man shakes and grunts in disbelief and doubt over the declaration, finding the demand to be discourteous "what say you all! You found safety on the deck of your gargantuan ship with your craven weapons! Afraid of blood up-close!?".

Gwendal look around to his subordinates, most grunted and nod at the Ironborn inevitable fate, as all believe this would end in his death regardless of the approach, this is a nuisance more than a thoughtful encounter… some only look indifferent. "Fine…" Gwendal gave the word "Stand up and grab your axe…".

As Jacken did and make his stance against his opponent, he noticed how paltry is his surroundings. There was no one of interest to watch the bout, no appeal or any kind of attraction to the awaiting glory. "Search the ship…" Gwendal spoke, lazily "See through everything, make sure there are no slaves or any kind of prisoners in the cargo…".

Some walk and inspected the deck, the other goes within the wooden pathetic ship, the sounds of Ironborn hiding within the hull screamed with plead unheard in all realms seen or unseen as their piercing cries goes silent by the sound of a slit and thunder. His hand shake, the grip on Jacken's axes faltering with his knees.

"What's wrong?" Gwendal Queried "Scared?". The Hermitage Dayne step forward with a smirk complete, begins with a toe before fully engulfed the floor with his sole each step he moves forward, lordly as the sun light his way "I did not gainsay your terms…" Gwendal Continued "appreciate the generosity of that".

The primal coward within him caved in, and he threw one of his axes towards the Dayne of Hermitage. "Insane buffoon!" Gwendal shouted in disbelief "You've a better chance to survive fighting me!".

Like a word spoken by divine intervention, another sound of thunder light the air, and Jacken fell face flat onto the merciless deck of his own ship. He felt his nose broken by the fall, blood pouring out in indignity. Jacken felt his left leg bleeding and in scorched, a worm wriggling beneath it feels like, desecrating and charring any skin inward.

"Well shot…" Gwendal spoke to the eagle-eyed soldier with a nod as a reply, he walks slowly to the Myre and kicked the axe away from his quivering hand "though I say… the chance of you winning against me is no slightly better than your daring pathetic escape…". Gwendal choke Jacken uniform and threw him with strength the Myre find uncertain toward the stairs on the deck.

He felt his spine shivered by the crash…

"Lord Gwendal…" Sergeant Dana spoke, revealing herself from the peeling rays of the sun "A report from the other ships, they found exotic cargos and… alarming signs of human trafficking on them" she spoke the last part with disdainful quiver.

"They retrieved and are saved, yes?" Gwendal asked.

"They have but…" Dana trembled before the last words spoken "Some of them showed signs of violation… and conception…". From those voiced, Gwendal smiled with severe contempt. Turning his attention back towards the other less than a dozen of Ironborn kneeling, he took a step toward them, on his way stomping on Jacken's hand with a crunch as the man screamed.

As he stood above them like the lords of yore, he spoke his enquiry "Did you partake?" a hint of growl roared out with subtle, all who are near it flinch on the implication. Short is the time for mercy as signs of inhumanity stack against them, with their fates heading downward to darkness and ruin. "Answer my question" Gwendal said "And I may consider… leniency" He finished with an heartful exhale.

They plead their life as pitifully as they could, bowing down as their head stomped the slaty wooden deck until some head started bleeding, most who does are young, and some of those decide to stare down in solemn, no words or even a quiver.

"Spare me, for I have no choice!" They speak, "The Ironborn will claim my life if not otherwise!" said another, "It is not what I believe my lord! It is what I know. And I know only this life my lord, please show me your ways" Come another. Each one to the next becoming more deprave and creative, Sergeant Dana swats her eyes away, another man of the UNSC however looked down and laugh at their plight.

Yet, the older ones, ones with beards that reached their chest and broad shoulders with ancient struggles, spit their vitriol with pride unearned and arrogant. "Piss on all of you!" One spoke "I care not for your steel vessels and arms of fire! You can all eat shit!".

Swollen are the pride of the Arms man of Dayne's as Gwendal saw more than some of the man with purple capes, shown their eyes narrowed and their hands on their blade and guns. "Not yet, friends" He spoke as amiable as possible "Their torment will come! But first…".

Gwendal looked back at Raymond and spoke "You there! Gather some man and take the Ironborn Captain and some of these young man to the other side of the deck!" is the order, Raymond did not bother with a gesture as four others follow suit behind him, dragging the amicable ones to indefinite fates.

"As for this spiteful lot…" Gwendal growled, followed by a backhand that spewed out a few teeth "Take these ones below the deck… and mutilate their limbs". The Dayne Arms man looked towards each other for a moment before they stride forward to achieve the order. Some man of the old spiteful Ironborn, shaken as they felt their words eaten back onto their mouth.

"Wa- wait! Ranson! Ransom!"

"I was a fool Please have mercy!

"You cunts! How dare you! Unhand-"

"Drowned god give me strength-"

"NO! NOO! NOOOOO!"

Some soiled themselves as they are dragged by the ropes into the shadows of the hull, voices muffled by the seconds as they went within the shallow hall of the longship. Sergeant Dana collecting her bearings, wrap her fingers around Gwendal's arm as she spoke to plead "Sir Gwendal, this is a very inhuman act, please reconsider! There are better ways-".

Gwendal slowly turning his figure without harming the sergeant spoke lightly against her circumstances "I understand where you are coming from, but the ways here are fixed and within reason as they deserved" He said, almost as low as a whisper "These Ironborn are lesser man than any animal inhuman as they are. Whatever speck of humanity these people have died when they see glory in others suffering".

Just as he spoke, a pater of feet small and large went up of the longship small hull, children and woman raised with bodies battered and thin. A few worst of them fell down as they feel the light of the sun, lips cracking and teeth so pronounced they look no different than skulls. Dayne's man came and raised them from their fall, carrying their body above their arms coated with the silver white and purple of the House they served.

"How can it be this bad?..." Dana asked, eyes wide and mouth half-agape. A sound of choking voice out for every dazed child that passes her. Gwendal ordered some of his men to take them to the cargo hold where all the food and other necessary services are to be provided, along with tables and spare beds.

The other dozens of steel galleys and swan ships circled around the wooden longship in which Gwendal and his retinue stand, vigilant and careful as they watch on with interest. All the prisoners of various comings and origins gawk on as they are surrounded with a sea of steel, the children that are still conscious and healthy as they could be smile and point curiously to the miniscule armada.

"Forgive me, My Lord!" Said an elder still in chains "But may I ask, what will befall us?". As his words are finished, he recoiled slightly and looked down in fear. Awaiting an unjust judgement from greater power that will come merciless. Gwendal sighed as he stands at the center and look on to the hostages and prisoners.

"Deploy the ramps!" He yelled, and a slightly vertical bridge came, making way for anyone allowed to enter the Steel Galley. "Enter the ship, go to the chambers provided to you and you will be returned to whence you came or wherever is safe within reason" Gwendal spoke sternly towards all. "Move with haste, I will not suffer tardiness from you folks!".

They went with a pace as quickened as they could, shivering legs and trembling knees carelessly stampede upwards to safety, to find anything to step to that is as farther away from any memory of their unfair mistreatment.

"It's not our old world, Dana…" A man spoke, upwards on the ship, blue and grey coat with an eagle on the heart side "Geneva Conventions of any kind won't settle here… besides, if I was them… I would've burned these fuckers alive….".

"Sir, I don't know… what would we tell the captain…" Dana questioned, hands on her hips in mental exhaustion.

"He knows, Dana…" the man said "this isn't the first time this has happened…". She returned her eyes towards the gathering of the victims, one girl no older than 6th of nameday with bruises on her left cheeks and eye bites her lower lip as she locked eyes with Dana. The Sergeant approaches her, wanting to caress her hair to softly spoke paramount safety upon her…

The girl recoiled on Dana's approach… a speck of fearful tears drops from her eyes, a sign of a body adapting with instinct "She's still afraid" Dana thought "She thinks I'm a threat? I never-" she sighs and walks away onto the control room of the ship, she glanced back to find the girl still staring at her while clenching the edge of her unfitting tunic.

Meanwhile, Gwendal stride towards the sergeant of the second largest Steel Galley with a task in mind. "Your name is Robart, yes?" Gwendal asked, the man stand upright immediately with a formal as neat and tidy as the Starfolks professional.

"Yes, my lord, that I am" Robart answered.

"tell your man to get the victims their food and accommodations. And make sure to find someone to list their names and place of origin…" Gwendal ordered "I expect the list to be as soon as possible, is that clear?"

"Yes, my lord, as you say"

"That is very good to hear"

Not a moment longer, the mutilated screams of the Ironborn could be heard. It vibrates and coiled in the air, a pack of sounds that gave the seven hells euphoria of the highest order as it came from within the longship. The pleading came, hopeless the plight may be.

Gwendal walk over and pass the stunned victims of the Ironborn towards the lord of the sunken fleet. "You've been silent lord Myre…" Gwendal taunted "Have you nothing to say? Will you not tell me your first name at least?".

"My- My name is-"

"It doesn't matter…" Gwendal interjected, backhanding Jacken Myre again, in front of everyone high and lowborn. "All of you" The Hermitage Heir pointed towards the young Ironborn who pleaded themselves before "Take the nearest rope you find, and tie a noose" He approach Jacken, right above his shoulder and ear "Tight enough for it to be inescapable… but loose enough for him to not choke…".

"What are you… doing?" Jacken asks.

"I remember that your banner is eight? Ten?... Ten nooses, correct" Gwendal retorted "this seems to be a work of providence…".

Before him, the Ironborn finished their ordered task. On their hands sturdy ropes on noose in vacancy for a fitting soul.

XxxxxxX

Light of Alexandria – Medical Unit

It was rare for a light to lit a room the deeper one could go in a huge abode, manors, palaces, castles more so. Erick remembered Kings Landing Red Keep when he was the Master of Law, huge and well decorated, and very much so exotic in its lighting. The darkness does make man appreciate the light on such occasion.

In said castles the chambers are huge, the Hall are more. Yet here within the confines of Alexandria, each Hall is as large as the abode itself, perhaps even more so. Each one for a purpose multitude or even more. He forgot the last of his stay here, the magics and science that surround him, how the floor moves and light came from unexpected places, no shadows are welcomed here.

They fly around, even more daring than they were above Starfall and the city below it. Drones and Automatons that lives only in chore and regulation, they always know where to go… perhaps it is the only way they know to go, it is all so complex yet in turn so basic. Erick could see how such contraptions could help many activities on Starfall.

"A merit of another time…" He whispered in thought, where he sat on a couch beside his son's white and clean bed. The room is silver white with a blue light, with features and prospect already known to Starfall, Bath room, dining room and even some recreational balcony. Though no joy could be found today as he now sees his son in a state of Eternal sleep, though no longer is there blood caked on him, it is still a dire view.

"I believe on a genetical subject you are familiar already?" Captain Gunner enquired, knocking and entering the room as politely as he could before.

"Yes, I am…" Erick sighed "Me and my Maester learned much from your biology documents, we found much correlation on it with lessons of Bloodline on our limited education" He humbled.

"So you understand how some miniscule parts of the body… the DNA amongst other things consist of information on what a body should become… essentially the information came from-".

"Their Progenitors and other factors involve…" Erick interjected "Yes Captain, I know my lessons well…".

"Alright… May I?" The captain asks, for another couch beside Erick. Internally scoffing, Erick nods his head. "So… Regarding the SPARTAN program...".

Erick leans forward, the subject in key coming in "Yes, what about it?".

"You recall our conversation before, on the state of Gedric and his… physical enhancements" Gunner queried, Erick only stared back "Notice that back then I spoke of such augmentation restrictively on the fact that it is surgical in nature… with no altercation on the complexities of the human body".

"You said that any changes regarding the informational structure of the body could potentially destroy the body itself yes…" Erick Sighed.

"That information has been outdated…" Gunner spoke "That was for a previous model of Spartans… due to innovations that came recently, we made a breakthrough for further intensity of alteration in the human body…"

Erick went still, listening on "You changed Gedric on a Genetical level…" He spoke, Stone face and words still toned.

"Yes…".

"You changed his genetics…"

"Again, yes we did…"

"You Changed his Bloodline…"

"Hold on…" The captain stand upright right after Erick does, hand held forward with open palm "I retract my words, the details is in the semantics…" He said, trying his best to calm the tension in the room and the furious Dayne Lord "There is no change in a literal sense, what has happened is an Improvement of sorts…".

"What did you CHANGE!?" Erick roared softly, a break of voice threatening for a clash.

"There is no Change!" The captain answered "You need to calm down…"

"You've said last year that the changes are minimal! and-"

"It is the advancement of what already exist…" another voice came, a multiple sound speaking as one. As both the Captain and the Lord turn their head above Gedric sleeping figure to find the very same steward in the shape of an eye. "The changes on Gedric body are purely an extension of what Gedric already has".

It does it scanning once more, a frequent act, one with purpose to know the state of the boy. "Everything that makes Gedric, Gedric is there… everything that makes him your son. In that, your worries are erroneous. The enhancement come of a different kind…".

The thin light came and vanish, and the eye turn to level with Lord Dayne "His raven hair, purple eyes and light tan skin. Everything that makes him your and your wife son is there on a genetical level… Everything".

"But the strength… the speed, how he moves and react faster than his masters".

"Ah! So, you saw the result on the empirical sense…" The eye spoke "How is this equal to your presumption of change? There is none, you son's strength came from you and your forefathers. What happened is that we merely… Add to it".

Erick approaches the bedside, cautious on the eye existence "How so?".

"Musculature density, Critical thinking and reaction time, natural inhibitors of the body, skeletal structure and strength, Hormonal balance and output… these are information consisted in your child's DNA that we augment on the project. Other than those we have done nothing, much less having the capability to do so…".

Gedric shuffled in his sleep, his closed eyes shivered and beneath the skin of his lips his teeth jittered and grind. Erick held Gedric's arm, and the quiver stop onto a mild strain. "And what of these outrageous symptoms… he was bleeding profusely".

"Every severe and essential growth of the human body started in the womb…" The eye elaborated "the arms, the head and the brain… all of it. you will see that the older a creature become, the harder it is for it to adapt to its surrounding. The augmentation we apply to your son are of the severe kind… what is happening to him right now is the body trying to accommodate to the outrageous amount of change…"

Erick shakes his head, cavalcade of thought swarming for him to try to understand.

"To put it short…" The captain interjected "Gedric's body put itself on hibernation… a state of rest that is, so it can focus to the change".

"He was fine for a year…" Erick stated "Why now?".

"Because on the first year, the body can still take the change…" the eye spoke "You notice it have you not? And all the people that surround him? They see the changes; it is quite difficult otherwise. But every change that you saw do far are of the rudimentary kind, now it tries to take in the problematic ones".

"Much more difficult than the strength he procured all this time?" Erick questioned

"Oh, of course…" the eye retorted "not only in complexity but also simply from the intensity of it, when he wakes from this, you'll find him considerably much more improved than before. I believe from my examination; the body currently is trying to adapt with the improvement of the skeletal structure, I wish luck for those who tries to break him".

Erick rested his hand on the edge of the bed, sighing "He is much too young for this…".

"On the contrary, he's in the perfect age!" The eye said, joyous and curious on further development "Young enough to be considered amiable to the modifications, old enough to take the agony. It is quite a steep cliff, but Gedric has no way to go but up. He will come through".

"-We have the facilities!" The captain interjected before the steward eye can downpour the circumstances with poorly chosen words "To ease the pain and alterations, even without those he'll be fine but we can give him more… something like this, you don't leave it up to chance".

"How long…" Erick asked.

"Uncertain…" The eye answered "But judging from the quick pace Gedric is taking all of it in, perhaps sooner than we think…"

XxxxxxX

Northwest of the Red Mountain – Edge of the Torrentine River

The prince's pass is not the only way for man to enter the Land of Dorne or otherwise, it is the easiest path with certainty, with safe passage and security by the Yronwood's and Skyreach. But on the Northwest of the Red Mountain, just on the tip of the west hold of the river, lies a path more daring than the typical.

Beyond the short way lies the wild trail to House Tarly of the Reach, it is much shorter in length than any path that one would dare to leave by piercing the Red Mountain and more so is a location where Bandits would lie in ambush, as there is more than a parade of dishonest characters that would rather brave through such tracks rather than risk encounter with those in power, whatever their delinquency may be.

Though the fact of the letter become more of the opposite, for this year both the work of House Dayne and the Starfolks have been made clear by their sweep of death through the mountains. No longer there are cutthroats roaming, though the path is not much less perilous, the Fauna and the terrible edges of the land would surely take them as much it would by the hands of man.

Though the Tarly's is still unknown of this fact, The Starfolks and The Dayne man have made outpost on the tip of the river, hidden by the height of the Red Mountain before them. It is a productive firebase, enough environment to make a settlement and much mining prospect in the untouched lands of the Northwest.

Though one other excuse came to being for such cause, as the clandestine nature of The Dayne's and the UNSC are in jeopardy for those with hardened heart willing to step and escape through such area. For the power that raises in Starfall and Alexandria there can be no leniency, and the secret may only be promulgated on appropriate time.

Repeatedly it has been spoken to all people that stayed on the Torrentine River that no man could leave on such times as decreed by the lord of the land, still some would persist on their journey and escape, regardless of the leniency and the gain that would be brought on their stay on both Hermitage and Starfall.

For that would be the reason why Carlton Manwoody now stood with Vigilant on the edges of the road on the Northwest River, behind him are groups of man with weapons unnatural, both UNSC and Dayne Arms man alike, a mix of purple, white and greyish-blue. Their cause is of security and confidentiality, for another retinue of man would dare themselves to escape.

Beyond the horizon, the sound of galloping Is heard, and by the second the blurry figures of a group of armored knights and Man-at-arms on horse become crystal and clearer. Carlton held and exhale his breath for each sign of them becoming closer, eyes watered and blood running wild for the conflict that is inevitable.

"Weapons ready…" said a man of the UNSC, just beside the Manwoody "Take your positions…". By his word, all man sprouts their guns and held it sternly on their arms. The Dayne man took the left short cliff as they prepare to rain down hellfire from above, the UNSC readied their ambush behind the bushes closes to the river shore.

"The man is ready; we'll wait on your signal Sir Manwoody" The UNSC man spoke.

"My thanks, Sergeant Ronald. I'll do my best for lack of bloodshed" Carlton said.

"Here's hoping" Sergeant Major Ronald replied, taking his stance and position with his other man.

The mountain edge still hides the body of the sun, a great shade of it came soothing on the breeze where Carlton stands on the middle of the path. The Gallop became louder, the sound of a pair of hooves become one and then became two then four and so on. The edge of the stampeding pack slowed down as he spotted the Manwoody barring his way, slowing down their charge until it reaches a halt.

They look to each other; one bewildered the other nervous with a clench. The one who led step forward with his horse, slowly approaching as he looks down towards Carlton. "Ser Manwoody" The knight speaks "I did not think to find you here…".

"I did not think that It would come to this as well…" Carlton replied, soft spoken eyes on the ground before he can find the courage to meet the knights stare once again. "It did not have to come to this Ser Gillen, you have been given so much…".

The Knight called Gillen narrowed his eyes, the orb within look to the left and right as unassuming as he could manage, his breathe hardened as his hand move closer to the hilt of his sword. "Is this what I think it is Carlton?" He asked "Are they here now? Preparing to ambush us as we speak?".

Carlton is silent, all that is managed are a sigh as he looked to the side to find the word he long to find. "Is that why you are here, Carlton?" Gillen added, a small smile twist beneath his armored helm "To apprehend us on our righteous escape?".

"Righteous? Is that what you think?" Carlton hissed "You have nowhere to go, Gillen. No family to go to, no one that awaits you. You have so much to do so here! Where the future of the new world awaits us! Where power of a different kind came to play!". Gillen chuckled smugly at the speech, shaking his head looking at the river shore.

"Why? Why have you gone this far?" Carlton adds a query "What is it that you found wanting, that you have a need to violate the decree of this land?".

"A decree… is that what you call it?" Gillen retorted "No man should bar another from travel and wander. Lord Dayne have no right to voice such Laws, I am no peasant to be controlled on such words… only the crown has that power, and he is far from that strength as any other who spite the iron throne".

"Is heeding such decree so noxious to you?" Carlton again spoke "When you wear hard and clean cloths and boots, sharp steel and full bellies? When you sleep in a bed so comfy you've forgotten the ails of the outside world… to find magics and power moving around you with mystic?" He steps forward with an upright stance.

"What gave you the notion to think that this is an excellent idea… when lesser and higher man than you have been eliminated on the edge of the Red Mountain with powers over fire that you have not yet comprehend… armored steel where swords waver, that is even if you have the chance to reach them…"

"No power can befall upon the strength of numbers… I have double-a-dozen knights here and half a hundred Man-at-Arms of my hiring behind them. Even magics have limit…"

"Aye, they do…" Carlton said "But not this one, Gillen. You have not reach it, nor will you ever have the power to be. Even the old powers of the Dance of Dragons will fall, you have no chance".

By the statement given, the knights behind Gillen Laughed, some scoffed and others silent with disdain of the notion given, Carlton closed his eyes over the shameful display of the unheeded. "They are good people, Gillen. They've done right by all of us…"

"Good…" Gillen exhaled with fumes "Did you not see it Carlton? When the Starfolks drag my brother and his compatriots to the gallows, when they beg for mercy and ransom and none are given? Did you see how Lord Dayne have cut off their limbs? As they beg for their lives on the process of being castrated!?"

"You defend him still!?" Carlton called "Your brother is depraved! And so are his ilk! They seek to assault the woman of the Starfolks, your brother almost manages to put one too! He made his choice! And Lord Dayne gave him the other half of the bargain!".

"He is My Brother!" Gillen shouted "I was to punish him myself as he deserved! He is not to be executed dishonorably in front of strangers and madness! More so he is a knight! He deserved better!"

"Your mind lives forever on the castle in the skies!" Carlton replied "persist in minding this in a childish form, and you will find your knightly position faulty!" He adds, the features of Gillen becoming ever more furious "He was a knight, Gillen! He would be judged as it is his station! He was expected to be just and look what he has done, he is a traitor by his vows".

"I will hear this no longer!" Gillen spoke, sword unsheathed "I will hear no more dishonor for my family!". As his declaration, the man that follow him stand ready behind him shine of steel on their arm and ferocity on their faces.

"There is none for you to defend…" Carlton avowed "For you are a protector of those who are wronged, regardless of what blood they have".

Carlton took a step backward, and gave the call "NO MERCY!".

The shadows became darker as the light above glint brighter. In a moment, heavy rain of fire barraged the river shores, fleeting and sparkling on the air, straight lines of lightning covered and slit the open skies. It was a rhythmic fall of death as horse and man alike fell onto the dry blood of the sands. Some screamed, others are fortunate to die so suddenly.

Gillen dropped his blade on the barrage of thunderous noises, the voices of his compatriots unheard of as they demand help and guidance. He put both his hands onto his hears, forgetting the helmet in which he wore, merely an act of illusion did he try to dampen the noises. A second felt like an eternity as all man who await their time to be taken watch on the bodies around them becoming mangled corpses.

"STOP!" Gillen cried, Body hunch over to the mane of his horse "STOP ENOUGH ENOUGHHH!". In his eyes and ears, it would be an hour… while truthfully it is merely just 28 seconds of bullet bout. He lifts his head to all the silent, to find the very man of arms that follow him to be just a wailing pathetic remains and shocked corpse.

Above him and the side he saw them, Dayne man in white and purple and the UNSC in their blue and gray. On their arms, weapon summoned from the seven hells in his eyes. "What have you done Carlton?..." He whispered with a shudder, his arms jitters as much as the blazing air. Even now some survived the onslaught, weeping for help.

"You've done this yourself…" Carlton replied "I've tried Gillen… I tried to convince you; you would not listen".

Gillen spied every man on the cliffs, Dayne man who are a year ago but a simple soldier "No man should have this much power, Carlton. This is wrong…".

Carlton shakes his head, his hands and arms opened and close to the side in frustration "Gillen… do you realize how many times in history such words has been spoken" He intend to meet the others eye, but the knight still look down on his hands in fear "First the Dragons, even before rhoynar and their water mages… Valyrian and their blood craft… what you've seen are but weapons of fire, no dark sorcery to be had… but you unheeded".

Carlton hand appeared after taking something from his hip, a smaller one than the other, a small hilt with a short protruding square barrel twice longer than the grip "If only you could see… what I've seen. If you could just fucking WAIT AND SEE!".

"Mercy, Carlton" Gillen pleaded "Please"

"I can't… they'll know…" Carlton answered.

And with an aim and a pull of a trigger, a boom came, and the knight called Gillen dropped from his horse. "Even your horse has more courage than you" Carlton said, caressing the still horse that once holds the knight, still and unbothered. Sergeant Major Ronald expose himself to Carlton, a small professional smile with no guilt whatsoever over the deaths.

"I believe our job here is done…" Ronald said, his hands behind him in a gesture of discipline "if there is anything else?...".

"No… just" Carlton takes his breathe "Can we arrange their burial…".

"…that would be appropriate, we'll sent for any spare trucks or Humvees we have to take their bodies…" Ronald answered, all casual like.

"Yes, thank you…" Carlton nods, he turns his eyes toward the dead eyes of Gillen again, wide and in shocked, he was not ready. He stares at it for more than a moment, how surreal it is to take a life of those he knew, not a bandit, not a ruffian, another knight that he drank with at a tavern for the last part of the year.

"Uhh…" Ronald stood waiting.

"Ah…" Carlton caught his bearings "That would be all, Sergeant Ronald. I would be staying here a while longer with my escort. Worry not, the Dayne man I am with also have the horseless carriages…".

"A Warthog?" Ronald half corrected and assumed "Alright then… sorry it came to be this way".

Manwoody gave no answer to that, his eyes still half-open and in daze looking at the corpse. Ronald walks away with a few glimpses towards Carlton, ensuring safety, until his engine roars and he return to his station on the northwest firebase. Even the scream of a machine did not wake him from the stupor.

"Sir?"

"Hmm?" Carlton twists his head to the source of the voice. A tall Dayne man, sharp and clean.

"The vehicle is ready for you…" He speaks.

"Alright then…" By long consideration, he stayed long enough on corpses of an old world. he walks back with his attendant to the stated horseless carriage.

"Northwest Firebase, Hermitage or Starfall sir?"

"Starfall…" Carlton said "And take your time…". And with a second, all his cursed thought slowly breezed away by the comforting winds of the mountains, drifting off to sleep.

XxxxxxX

High Hermitage – Eastern Cavern System

Galad walks slowly in following after the commander footsteps, around him glows of large and long lamps that leaves light unending shattering the darkness. It was all a hint and shade of dark blue, very much opposing the crimson color of the surface above it. it is of a recent thing this cave that has been unearth, just a short walk away from the castle of hermitage.

By the mere minutes he actually passed more than a few man-made structures the UNSC has created in their wake on carving their way in to the core deep in the Red Mountain, for every hundred meter an outpost came to being. "This is quite a long way lieutenant Michael…" Galad stated.

"You won't be disappointed sir, the core of this cave is practically an open field for many possibility …" Mike answered "It is larger for a city to be build, a lot of minerals to be mined… that means buildings and weapons unprecedented, before the year is over, they'll be thousand more weapons for you to wield".

"I did not expect for us to delve deep into this tunnel" Galad said.

"It's manmade" Mike spoke "we built this tunnel straight towards the part of the core with usable land to settle and produce, courtesy of our AI robots". As with a point to prove, multiple Automatons flew past them, equipped with tools of their respective task.

"How long does this one go!" Galad shouted, the strong current of wind clashed with his voice.

"Two Kilometer sir!' Michael answered "Or a one- or two-minute ride if we take our time… there's the opening! We're here!".

On the edge, therein he saw it. a glimpse of sky-blue light that shine as dim as the moon. As they drew close the light seems serene as they dance on the air, circling motion as they exchange places on their splendor. As they went pass the opening, the Hermitage lord sees all. A grand and huge cave where the ceiling unseen and the abyss are blanketed with darkness, the height unknown.

The walls edges are visible but they are far and few in between, the halls of it as wide as a large town, and on it are natural lights that came from the fragmented light of the sun which countered bit by bit as they shared the ray with each other. "It shines here… where is the light coming from?".

"We use the drones to Install as many lights to the walls as the safety measures entails. Turns out we don't need as much as we thought… the minerals you saw all over the walls seem to reflect all light to each other, putting a small group of lamps or bulb would literally light a huge section of the system… God's work I'll tell ya" Mike spoke, eyes on the road as they crossed an iron bridge.

On the tip of it lies a huge fort, Black and grey as is the trademark of the man of the stars. Windowed and walled, Galad could see the many men working within it and the fewer guarding outside it, some of them are of the same retinue with Hermitage, purple clad as they await their master's order. "My lord…" They spoke as etiquette demands.

The UNSC people came also for greeting, though as less formal as his man as usual, a simple sir and they move on to their tasks. "How long did it take you to build this, Sir Michael? I assume from the rumbling… three months?".

"A month for the Tunnel, two for the fort. Though the latter have layers in the construction, not only we have to find the proper strong point in this cave but also a stable structure. We don't want this to fall from an earthquake or other forces at work…".

"I'm sure it is not need to be said of your diligence on such fatal matters"

"Yeah, probably. I just think some info needs to be said, just for the sake of it" Julian clarified. Every interval a line of light they pass. "Though I gotta say… there is no need for you to go this far, I'm sure many intel you need to know can be passed through mail or letters…"

"Oh, I know, ser. Though I am one to see all planning directly you see" Galad spoke "Many things can be put to light from straight dealings, you understand. Many men under me are in your employ under these caves, I wish to see if they are well as well".

"I understand, thinning out all the subtext, right?" Julian humored "Often happen on my work too, delegating can only reach so far, and you lose sleep wondering if you make the right choice…"

"And you lose sleep over it yes?" Galad interject with a smile.

"My thought exactly…" Julian replied.

They ride in comfortable silence, passing through buildings of many forms and purposes. It is an exhausting thing, conversing against the strong winds, patience is a virtue one would take for respite in times, and both leader of man took it as the circumstances demand. They arrived to the main mining quarters and offices not a half minute later.

"Here it is" Julian said, with a harsh whisper as he steps out of the vehicle "As compact and precise as we can make it". It is as large as half a palace, siting gently above a platform with the rocky pillars and artificial steel as foundations, above and below it lies other structures as well, scattered around the open cave.

"Immaculate work, Commander" Galad spoke, on the doors and around, cavalcade of men in Dayne Colors and the UNSC amalgamate in a steady and cohesive work "It is well to know I awoke each day with a greater promise of the future".

"You exaggerate" Julian replied "I'm sure this is less than the work you have already seen".

"Yes, you are correct…" Galad said, and they stare to each other for more than an instant with the music of stony nature halted. Until Galad Guffawed a laugh with Julian chuckling as his eyes wander to the rock-strewn floor. "I am sure I'll found great innovation as I enter this odd abode".

"Well, lets found our way in. we could talk more on the office, but are you interested to look at the product we manage to mine on these short days?".

"Oh! Well… lead the way!".

They went and way, farther onto the core of the Starfolks base. On the journey, Galad met more than a few Dayne men as they greet each other with demanded respect. Julian peak more topic on their conversation along the way, trivial ones, of the state of family and wellness. Until it came the vital focus.

"So, I've heard Lord Landon of house Blackmont have made a decision on your accord" Julian stated "Will there be any effect to the projects we have organized as?". Galad sighed as he looks forward, eyes steady and in search of an answer. Julian, fidget slightly, unsure if he steps to far off in his position to enquire such topic.

"He has been made certain of his allegiance to us…" He answered "He have sworn by word to put us to secret, along with other acts to enhance his… disposition toward us". Galad nods as he speaks, struggling to convince himself as much as the other. Julian noticed the awkward act and speak it plainly

"You don't believe?".

"Words can only go so far… and Dorne is a place of many asps." Galad said "Except for us Dayne of course, though I am sure every house would say the same of theirs" He ends with a chuckle.

"The sergeant you've commanded onto the Blackmont… they are for precaution then?"

"You knew of that?"

"All personnel report to higher office before mission commencement and departure. Access to proper equipment needed permission from proper authorities after all…" Julian informed "as I have report to you for any situation that have occurred… though I did not issue their reports towards you, considering that you know about it already… I hope that is fine".

"I see… that is fine. As long as we are honest, yes?" Galad said, voiced without contact of sight, a sign of concealment and distrust. Julian cringed internally, it was words of a simple kind, but with the gesture, a warning is subtly clear.

"Of course, sir…" He answered mildly. They arrived on a part of the mining location with some entities of humans and automatons alike, collectively working with complexity as they mined and dig the minerals of all kinds regurgitated of their hands. But the true sight is of the massive pile on another platform, around it is carts filled to the brim and they both shine as waters shine by the light of the moon.

"We have more than we need to rebuild the facilities on Alexandria and the project around Starfall, I'm sure you can put the extra to good use…" Julian said, the glint of iron and other minerals of the likes shone on the shadows of the cave and crevices. "Act of good will after the other yeah?".

"Yes…" Galad said, eyes still bore around the wealth procured "So much of it in fact… one would consider it fairly unnatural…"

"The Goodwill or pile?" Julian asked, Galad stared at him, iris flinching its focus on their stare. He had said no words in reply, waiting for answers instead. "Honestly sir, how long are we going to keep this up… we have nowhere to go but up together. We have no means to fight against you nor do we have any interest…".

"Not that I know of…" Galad thought, "I apologize… it's just, all this seems too good to be true. You wouldn't fault me for being cautious, do you? Good deeds unending considered?".

"I… guess so" Julian replied "I as well, surrounding myself on uncertainty is not good for health. It might put me on edge more often than I like…"

"True, I am sure it has not been easy for you and your people… you are far from home after all, and you are on foreign grounds…" Galad said "What else do we need to discuss?"

Julian sighed as softly as he could, tis a topic of he is unwilling to tread but must be done in impression, honest words make an honest man and there can be nothing but trust in the cause to avoid conflict. "We have the exact numbers on my office… perhaps more info on these would help on distribution proper. Can you imagine all your soldiers from low to top bearing steel plate?".

"Now that is what I like to hear" Galad guffawed "Surely talks of armor and war would bridge more trust between us! It is the realm of man after all"

"Yes of course"

Logistic and Administration are what the discuss as they arrive, high words for something the likes of war. Plans are prepared, dreams becoming clearer by the clouds. All man beneath Hermitage speculates on the cunning of the lords of the Red Mountain. Weapons of all manner distributed; armors of iron defined immaculate worn by even the lowest of man, training came as well hard and critical in their practice.

They look around and to each other, all asked the same.

"War is coming…" They said "Yet, against who?"

For Julian, the complexity of the circumstances has been unique. He is trained in both warfare and modern logistics, but there are others factors involved needed accounting. Words spoken and they spread like religious fervor, he did not even bother counting the many times he need to convinced the Smallfolks that he is not sent by God or in the other spectrum that the steel wall won't curse their lives.

He finds solace in other excitement in mind, for by all intent and purposes, the planet they fell to is virgin and unrefined. There are mines and a modicum form of industry, mining, fishing and farming. But they are shallow in nature. What the Westerosi considered deep are just shallow waters for the UNSC. He looks down often to the abyss where walls of unrefined iron and minerals lays unbared and untouched.

"One day…" Julian whispered "One day we'll have another Starship fleets… enough to fight back… enough to take back…"

A dream the rest of the UNSC personnel shared…

-xxxxxx-

Medical Unit – Within Alexandria

First a sense of flash and then came the unnatural numbness, then came the sore and the pain, the grog and the cracks. Gedric stirred any limb that he could move, anything that he could feel, and as before the first one to move is his eyes, as the familiar walls of blue and dark grey covered his vision once more "I… I'm in the ship again!" He thought.

Next came the sounds, a soft grunt and moans of ache. He felt faint but strong, body felt like steel and as rugged as one too. Yet he dared to move anyway, he knows what he is and he knows he is indestructible. "Gedric!" Another voice came, a familiar one, one which wells up a thought of safety and comfort within him.

It stirred his spirit, and he shot his eyes wide as he searches for the source "Father?" He whispered, intended to shout but found wanting. "I am here!" both voices came, his and the other, he felt a touch of hand, right on his cheeks and forehead, in that moment the rugged feeling remains, but the vision became clear "Father! You're here!".

A reciprocation came from not a word but an act, a tight hug, Erick's breath heavily behind his son's ear as he exhausts himself from the relief, it was a long moment that is short and cut as he let go and lay his son to rest. Erick turned around and shakes his head "Your mother is worried… and-" He chuckled "What am I saying… you don't need me to tell you everyone is worried, you already know…".

He took a chair and lay it not far from the bed. "How do you feel?" Erick queried "I need to know…".

Gerick took a breath and sat on his bed "Like I always do when I woke up…" He answered "Lazy and stony".

"Do you know what is happening to you?" Erick asked "What do you remember?"

"I…" Gedric willed himself to recall, the days before, has it been a day? How long was he rested? He remembered the swordplay with Franklyn and the stories they tell near the shores, the jumping around on the village near Palestone, hide and seek with Spartan Fred… the fun history lessons with Gwendal.

he recalled his mother's voice, sweet and…. Screaming? He remembered a pain, the blood, how he cannot move and….

"I remember" Gedric whispered, panic sets in droves "Mother…" his whisper turning into a shout "MOTHER!".

"Compose yourself…" Erick interjected, his fingers wrapped tightly around his son's wrist "Remember your lessons, Panic only give you more pain". Gedric looked around, heads shaking left and right, trying to find someone who is not present. Shades of her figure only appeared in shadows on the edge of his eyes "Breathe… and still your face" Erick spoke "Your body will handle the rest from there".

Gedric laid onto the comforting pillow, eyes on the dead cold ceiling. "Mother is alright?".

"No" His father spoke "She is full of anger and greatly damning in such state". He shook his head and stroll around the room in deep thought, though not taking steps farther than several feet from his son. "It's hard to put to words what has happened to you… and I do not think it is of the necessary kind for you to know it in elaboration".

Gedric raised his body to a sit, searching around the room "Why is mother not here?"

"She was not allowed" The father spoke with a small whisper "I cannot let her; someone must be stationed in our castle".

The boy sighed as he listened, it is of the regular occurrence for his father to treat his kin as pieces of an army. He did not mean them as something lowly of course, merely only a semantic to ease the flow of speech. "We are allowed once more within the ship?" Gedric asked.

"It was necessary" Erick answered "We don't have the proper station to aid your ills". It is painful as he spoke as such, to have nothing to aid a close blood, especially to one such a lord. In such moments he didn't dare to look at his son's eye, feigning contemplation to hide the diffidence. Leyna would find the proper word for it to dissuade any sign of weakness with viper words, in that regard he is lacking.

Gedric however, deign not to notice any of the implication on his father's features. Instead, he looked up to the ceiling once more, made out of material cold and indifferent to any force that cannot dent it. he felt an anxious heat in his stomach, one he held when he is surrounded by the uncontrollable. Retaliating against such thought, the mouth quirks upward as he moves to exit his bed.

"Gedric?" Erick asked "What are you doing?".

"I want to explore the ship" The boy replied matter-of-factly. Standing within his blue medical outfit, arms and hands playing with each other. An unsung plead against his father to lay him away to do his ventures.

Erick sighed in exhaustion "Do you not see your own state?" He stood up gently with his hands resting beside him as they flailed lazily "You could still be with ill; it is faulty to move on recounts of uncertainty… now get back to your bed".

Gedric however eyed the magical doorway, with his feet slowly nudging itself toward it with squeaky sound as tip himself onward.

"Gedric, are you defying me?" Erick said, eyes wide open looking towards his son with scolding features.

"But… I feel fine!" Gedric squealed to answer "And it is dull within this chamber, I want out!".

"You're not here to have fun, son. You are here be healed then we will go home"

"But I would just explore for a little while!"

"No…"

"You never let me do anything!" Gedric stomped his, with him making a crack to the hard ceramic below him. "Oh no!" He whispered in worry.

"Look what you have done!" Erick finally came to scold "You're not holding a sword for a moon turn!".

"NO!" Gedric began to cry, and Erick started sighing and breathing exasperatedly on the occasion. As the weep became stronger as the boy clutch his blue shirt almost apart. Massaging the bridges of his nose, he let out a final breathe before speaking the words.

"Alright, ALRIGHT!" Erick spoke "I won't do so, but you have to be quiet!" he ended with finality. Gedric stood there, mouth pouting in a sense of an implosion waiting for its forces to come out, still he stands on the edge of weeping.

"Go back to bed… and I'll let you hold Dawn"

"WHAT… REALLY!" Gedric queried, how quickly giddy overcome the weep.

"Yes… here" He unsheathe the blade and put it on the bed "This is more than irresponsible… Leyna would murder me for this" with justification however, he already knows his firstborn would inherit the blade, there will be no disrespect given on his line. Even a month before now he has shown strength unrivalled by any man save the other Spartans, it has been quite a conundrum in blade practice considering the unnatural implication, but it is with no doubt that his warrior qualities would serve him the sword well.

On his exhaustion however, Gedric took the sword and held it upright in the middle of the room, fortunately a large enough chamber equal to a kingly one. In his joy, the boy run towards the center of the room with his eyes examining the blade carefully. Mouth hung open as his mind put much of its strength on watching the sword.

"I said on the bed Gedric…" Erick interjects exhaustively, and with hopelessness.

"I'm in my room!" The boy answered. A moment later he put Dawn into practice. And as he does, Erick enquired on many thoughts, on what Gedric know about the ship, about the Spartans, about the UNSC. Most of the questions he already knew the answer, some of those he merely intends to confirm, another reason is to kill the time as he watches his son flail enthusiastically with the blade.

Every answer came within that which he already knows, of course with some accessories and embellishment. It has been promulgated that Dayne Arms-man and the UNSCs have been coiling in their practice together, once in a while some easing Spartan would take part in the bout, relaying some sense of lesson more than once.

Gedric has always been an inch away from them whenever such things happened. A little puppy toiling on each interest, to much energy and questionable attention span. Under his father's eyes he is permitted to go labor with such forces, more so to the one called Frederick. Basic to intermediate forms of training relayed on extreme sensibility due to the boy's unique circumstances.

"It might be practical for him to work around Spartan personnel" Ser Fred spoke, deep voice underneath his light blue helmet, when he and Erick were watching over the Dianthus specimen "Decreasing chances of collateral consequences… with your permission that is… sir".

It was a wise choice, the growth that has been shown exist outside of the Dayne's norm much less the Westerosi. The bout always comes on close areas and surrounded by trusted eyes, in the Palestone tower, Erick always has the ability to watch over them. So, it was permitted, and Gedric have shown no taste of complaint, his old schedule of waking before the sun rises returned, with no further grievance from the Spartans.

Regardless of the hour though, a spartan were always on guard. Perhaps many have speculated that they do not even sleep. Their existence is of an exciting prospect for all men, even the UNSC. Insofar he has seen hundreds maybe thousands of men in the UNSC banner, but the Spartans can only be counted by one hand.

Erick implicates only a dire live style could accommodate such unnatural strength that they have shown, not to mention the process in which one is created that one must dare their lives on the line. It is not in wonderment he thought as such one of the proofs of them exist in the form of his son. With the daring odds of survivability their numbers must be fledging short.

Still… the possibility one could have with such skill…

'WHAT IS THIS?'

Erick jolted himself away from his contemplation, his sword hand by instinct reach to the hilt that is absent on his sheathe. In compose panic he stood upright and examine his surroundings, only in realization to recall where such familiar voice could be the source.

'THIS IS… IMPOSSIBLE' the voice spoke 'ALL THAT POWER, IN ONE BODY!'

"Gedric…" Erick said carefully "The sword, give it to me". The boy however, was in the moment of unconscious delight before his father wake him from the joyous stupor. Gedric stopped himself from the twirl and dance of warfare with the sword of Dawn in his hands, to see his father odd expression.

"Father?" Gedric asked confused "What's wrong?".

'NO!' It shouted, pleading voice with resentment 'LET ME STAY! LET HIM HAVE ME!'.

Erick approaches his son with cool demeanor that shows no fear or threat. He placed his hand on Gedric right shoulder and spoke "Did you hear that?".

"Uhhmm…" Gedric looked around for any source of sound, Ser Fred has taught him on his enhanced hearing, on how to focus the works and to concentrate on one point. It is a practice he was bored to have, but eager to finish to move on to more exciting ventures. Though at this current time he did not hear any unless…

"I do hear many men talking outside of the room…" The boy said "there are a lot of voices, I don't know what they're talking about though… other than that, well… the Air conditioner and the fridge are rather noisy".

'STOP HIM' The Voice shouts 'STOP YOUR FATHER! HE INTENDS TO WEAKEN YOU!'.

"Can you tell me what they are speaking about?" Erick requested "Anything at all… any specific words you can hear". His eyes bore towards his son's figure, but they are veiled with his lazy half-opened expression, Gedric did not think much about it nor did he know about such at all.

"They are talking about… a dispenser?" Gedric adds "some of them are speaking on a dead engine and a TV?" he shrugged "it is a dreary conversation honestly".

'ERICK…" it speaks once more 'I CAN HELP HIM! HE WONT BE IN DANGER IF HE WIELDS ME!".

"Are any of them talking about me?" The father queried "has my name been voiced? A word of danger? Weaken? Or a plead to stay?".

"Umm, no?" Gedric answered "They are laughing now… I think they're having fun".

"Alright…" Erick said "Give me the sword, you have your fun of it" He finished with no argument, arms and hand outstretched.

Gedric pouted "But…"

"After that we can explore the ship"

"YES ALRIGHT! HERE-…. Father?" The sword glows with its milky texture, an abhorrent copy of sunlight spouts forth from its steel. Warm and shining in rage of dissuasion. With a swift hand Erick snap it from Gedric's hand, and with a proficient twirl sheathe it back to his hip.

"What was that!?" Gedric asked. Eyes glowing with wonder.

"In due time…"

"But!"

"Gedric…"

"Alright… alright…" He nudges away, though his eyes still closely examining the hilt of the Dawn. "Can we go explore now!?"

"Yes, we can…" Erick said "Go on son lead on, there are no dangers here…" the man of the UNSC has sworn their allegiance to him, and Gedric's stable figure seems to be in consistency, as his rambunctious movement suggest. With those premises involved he hoped such travels would not arrive on ill end.

'HOW DARE YOU…. I WOULD HAVE LED HIM TO GREATNESS'

'He is not ready!' Erick spoke in his thought 'And you will OBEY!'.

"Can you tell me what just happened?" Gedric asked.

Erick sigh, another issue for him to be overwhelmed "I'll tell you when you are older…"

"WHAT! Not this too!" Gedric Grumbled "Why does this one has to wait?".

Just as it was with Frederick, the father merely nudges on for him to walk, with his unstoppable force of question barraging him and the invasion of thought in his mind, he believed a night sleep would be rather sweet in the coming hours, for now he however he must endure the woe.

"So why did you change your mind?" Gedric asked, finally dissuaded from the tetchy query of the sword.

"If you can practice with a sword for more than an hour than you can walk" his father merely answers. "Besides, me and the lord commander of this ship have a rather unique argument to make…"

Gedric look on forward with lower lip bitten "Is it about me?"

"Yes" He said "And more…"

-xxxxxx-

Starfall Port

"How did it go?" Captain Gunner asked, feet planted firmly on the port palisade, eyes focused on the horizon as the sea sway calmly beside the steel of Alexandria.

"Dana reports that it went abhorrently well…" Sergeant Ronald answered.

"Is there a reason she decided to be contradictory on her statement?" Gunner rolls his eyes "What does she mean Abhorrent? Did it go well or not?".

Ronald scrolled through his holographic tab and handed the image right towards his commanding officer "I think it's better for you to see it for yourself sir…". The captain did not move or flinch a bit as the floating light with a depiction graced itself right on his front. Square hologram that displays graphic images that clashes with the light's unnatural blue.

"What am I looking at?" Gunner said exasperated "Slaves? Ironborn? What is an Ironborn?".

"What you're looking at is the latter… Ironborn is supposedly a moniker for citizen of the Iron islands" Ronald answered, he expressed nonchalant state on the horrendous event "they encountered them midway on the journey, it was a one-sided fight of course… as if there can be any doubt…"

"So they've been… properly dealt with" Gunner scrunched his face; the frown turns his face crow "How did these Ironborn manage to go this far out south? Are they not stationed up the north?"

"They are practically pirates in all things but name, they reap and plunder all over the west side of the globe. I don't know how this one got this far though, could be trying to find ripe center of pickings? Maybe?" Ronald state his piece. "In fact, it's for the best this has occurred sir, all things considered".

"Yea…" Gunner said, reading through the floating holographical document "Slaves in another name… Thralls. It is said the east side of this planet slavery is still on the works…"

"That is right sir…" Ronald shakes his head disapprovingly "none of that clandestine galore, they did it on open field… half a guess that these rescued slaves are probably product for the triarchy or Volantis?"

"I thought the stepstones is only an over glorified whore island?"

"Not just that sir, they have slaves too…"

"God damnit all…" Gunner swipes his hand to disperse the blue hologram "well good riddance to them… I'll say that being castrated and mutilated is less than they deserve…" He rubs the bridge of his nose in exhaustion "Even without the brink of extinction, we always found a reason to be vile onto others. Put this on the list, when we restore everything, we'll make this right"

"Right…" Ronald spoke "that leaves Gedric Dayne and all its implications…"

And with the name spoken, the shadow of Alexandria became a beautiful silhouette as the sun peak itself from the cloud. "Yes… he does bring many implications does he not, and a lot of complications as well…"

"The Spartans are wondering when we would retrieve the kid. His capability is already on dangerous deliberation. He stays one more month and he might actually kill someone… with intent". Ronald spoke with stern; voice rise high and low to emphasize his point but there was no care in its stead.

"Walk…" Gunner simply said, and they both stride towards the ship with orderly steps. "This is our plan when we converse with Erick… we'll relay that…"

-XXX-

"…He is no longer save on Starfall…" The captain said, even baritone, balance like a perfect hilt "I'll say this with no intention to insult you or your family of any kind. But he is way beyond the limit of his stay here, his body is already adapting to the augmentation on a rate to fast for us to let him go with lenient supervision…"

He handed two pieces of paper with words clean and cut to a lean concision "Firstly, his growth in durability and strength is on a rapid acceleration that would compromise the safety of everyone around him. It is with guarantee that a casualty would occur due to the unreliable control that your son depicts on his current state."

Ronald pulled a large canvas towards the room with both Leyna and Erick watching on with odd interest. The sergeant spouted tools and oddities all in a neat position of the chamber, in line and aimed towards it, the camera spewed light that draws images coloring the canvas. "This is two months ago… when he was playing with Franklyn Fowler".

The images within the canvas, an entire world of its own captured within it textures. On it Gedric and Franklyn can be seen in an idyllic occasion of playful event, in a middle of the woods just west ward of Starfall.

Gedric was carrying a large corpse of a tree on both his hands, flinging it around as the Fowler boy cheering him on in goading. He threw the three upwards to the sky, about twenty feet to the air in which Franklyn join in on the bout and threw spears and javelin at it with the little Dayne's merriment.

They repeat their acts of fun until mid-day afternoon, Ronald fast forwarded the video to shorten the pace in consideration to the time, but it is coherent enough for it to be seen. They did not stop until there are barely any trees around them to play. After which both boys ran back towards the castle walls.

"This is what was happening on the other side of the field…". The sergeant switched the footage to another part of the land, filtered with old rooted trees laid down instead of jutting upwards, a result of Gedric's work.

The horrendous work however, came from the litter of blood the overshadowed by the blankets of bark. Animals cut in half and smashed to pieces by the momentous fall of the skyward trees, cows and sheep alike faltered under the velocity and weight of the fallen trunks.

A smidgen upward however, another victim melded onto the afterlife. A sobbing form of a mother, struggling to jot out the corpse of her husband and son from the weight of the tree. Shouting and screaming for help as the blood flow like a river course from the mangled unrecognizable body of her family.

"No…" Leyna whispered, tugging her hair as she withheld the anxious burn. She turns towards her husband, no expression but stone cold as he watches on with eyes half-open in laze. She nudged him to brought him back, but a small hum Is the only answer she has been given.

"This was during his 6th nameday…" Ronald stated. And the video cut itself to another image once again. A merry congregation, dancing and singing and eating. No one is downward on the state of despondency. On the middle edge of the festivities however, Gedric is on his precocious act once again.

Though in no fault of his own as the rest of the community cheer him on to do the deed. A carriage that is filled with heavy object that needed the hand of a dozen man to move is being moved as of the video suggest by the boy's hand. In the last moment of peak emotion and glory, Gedric does an explosive push that led it to fall downward on the stairs. Ended with a high note of crash that silenced the party.

It was a small moment of anxiety however, as both man of the UNSC and Dayne raise upward from the stairs and shout in merriment from the bombastic act, and the jollity continued on. Some tried to have a closer look on the disastrous result, but both very same man of Starfolks and Dayne Arms man, held them away for an excuse unknown.

The footage changes once again to the conclusion of the carriage, as it shown a blacksmiths workshop destroyed with its proprietor himself fell and pierced by his own weapon that fell from the carriage. UNSC and Dayne man, tried their best to dissuade everyone to see the catastrophic end.

"My man and yours, did our best to hid these… negligence from the common people" Gunner said "there are various more events like these, both more and less awful than the ones I showed. But I think the point is made…"

"Erick" Leyna spoke horrified "Why have I not heard of this…"

Erick shakes his head as he lightly squirms on his seat. He did not answer, but the lack of contact is more than enough of an answer.

"You knew…" Leyna sighed in frustration, shoulders lowered in dejection as her head tilt, eyes boring onto her husband's cheek "We could've… I could've scold him better… to put him in his place! Why did you not tell me!?"

"Precaution has been made…" Erick simply answered, eyes down and spine straight as a warrior, a contrarian expression "I don't think it was necessary to tell you-"

"He is my son! Of course, it is necessary!" She interjected.

He breathed loudly before answering "Not it was not. It has been handled in a manner uncompromising. No one important was hurt…"

"A blacksmith is dead! And a farmer's wife lost her family! There is now blood on our child's hand!" Leyna shouted.

"As I said…" Erick answered, a small shake on his voice "No one important, and he doesn't know"

Ronald and Gunner cringed at the statement; they look to each other in mindful disapproval. The latter closed his eyes as he hears the words, but the former clench his fist in fury though his face betrays no feature of anger.

"You…!" Leyna raised his voice "You've vowed to protect your people! You've loved them! Gave them food and steel walls from your Starry endeavors! And now some of them lost their lives, you instead disregard it!?"

"There are older laws!" Erick spoke sternly "I did my duty as lord to keep them safe, sated and happy. But our family comes first! If a word spread that our son has caused death all over his future holdings, it would be disastrous for our family name!"

"There are ways, Erick!" Leyna replied, face contorted in fury as she leans down to face her husband "We could've withheld him to his chambers only! If not the courtyard where proper man can watch over him! Why did you let him wander!?"

"…It was a detriment" Erick answered, face deigning in nonchalant "He was rotting his mind within his own chamber… it was too small for him. If we keep him there, he would just escape through the window or break the doors entirely. I thought it would be good for him to wonder…." He rests his palm on his face as he sits to contemplate the event "I was… to lenient I realize that now."

"How could this has fall so far? Wasn't ser Frederick on watch-"

Ronald spoke out of turn "These events happened under occasions when Gedric either escape his watch or the absent of Spartan Fre-"

"Wait…" Gunner interrupted "There's more…"

The footage shown more terrible imagery, but one this time of harm to self as Gedric is shown in a state of ill. On his chambers, the dining room, woodlands… they all shown of the same putrid occurrence. Blood seeping from any orifice from Gedric's body both known and unknown by the boy himself.

"W-what is this?" Leyna queried. Erick shown the same face of confusion at the occasion.

"This is the second part of my point… his body is being overwhelmed" Gunner answered. "Let me say in simple terms that the changes that are occurring is too fast and intense for him to endure without proper treatment. It was only a puke of blood once, now every orifice on his body is compromised, it won't be long until his nerve gave in…"

Erick listened on to hear every word, while Leyna kept starring onto him, seeing a stranger in his stead. Gunner disregarding the notion, persisted in his elaboration. "You already know the process that are occurring in your child's body. Changes on that level does not come without extreme costs, the only way for Gedric to fully recover from this issue is for him to stay within Alexandria where every utility needed for him are available on quick turn."

"No…"

"Leyna…"

"Their planning to steal our child you fool!" Leyna growled.

"I'll allow it" Erick said stern and short, glaring to his wife.

"Scum!" She shouted "You will Kill me first before they lay a hand on him!"

"Out!" Erick interjected, "All of you out!". Gunner and Ronald, nods on the order and leave. A sigh of relief and fatigue setting out as they went through the doorway. As the door closed, grey eyes challenged Ericks violets. the latter is dismissal on the former. "Why have you done that…" He hissed "You realized we cannot afford to look disunited!"

"You've killed innocents… what would your son think when he hears of this!?" She whimpered "And then you allow these strangers to take him away! Away from us! From ME!".

"You think everything is that simple Leyna!?" Erick spoke "You think I enjoy letting those corpses to be hidden and wasted!? You are insane if you think I would ever let our child knows of what he just did! We will take this secret to the grave or gods forbid my actions I drag yours with me!"

"And our son!" Leyna replied, the same fury beheld "You voice your wish to protect and yet he is being slowly drag away under your prerogative! These men cannot be trusted…" She ends the last words with a viper of a whisper, dim yet loud enough for her husband olive ears to hear.

"Don't treat me as if I gave them open arms from the days they land here!" Erick retorted, following in lead with the hazy voice "they have been kept watch, questioned and doubted from every action they took, and dare I say they have been patient for it! and every sense and notion of treachery has been silenced from our own people on this world and theirs!"

He tilts his head in mock afore continuing on "I ordered Manwoody to kill the knights from escaping… and when the rape came to the people of the UNSC, though I have justly punished the perpetrator they do not answer with vile. They have nothing but give more than we can do the same to them…"

"And you think paying with our son is adequate compensation!"

He gripped Leyna's cheek forcefully; they seem to squished underneath his calloused palms "You stupid bitch!" He scorned "Do you actually think I would let them stole my heir! Did you not hear and see what has happened to our son!? He needs the help."

She slapped him away before she made his point "Yes! Let's give him away to nothing but strange man and armored automatons to influence him… I'm sure he'll came back sprite and rightly with such positive surroundings!"

"We can compromise, Leyna! As is in all things!" He replied "I won't let him away without the capability for us to visit him! And he won't go without an escort!"

"How! Who will you send against them!?"

"Not against… with." He retorted "And I'll sent three… Gwendal included".

-XXXXX-

The edge of completion is the state of the western city of Starfall, towers and building that halfly rivalled the mountains, wide buildings equipped to house all the tools and artifacts of the Starfolks when they are of the unused or a need of maintenance. In recent days though the mystical nature of the UNSC has been on promulgation, it has not lessened it grandeur. All have come to learn.

The West city of Starfall is now open for visit and perhaps stay for Westerosi around the Red Mountain that has talent for the ways of advance. Children of teen and lower age alike stoke interest from the man of the stars, as more than some have shown much proficiency on learning their path of metallurgy and science.

By the supervision of Lord Dayne and Maester Volkron, they are permitted to be taken and learn of any they could have. The UNSC has been nothing less than accommodating with their presence, all Smallfolks delighted for their children to have greater future where there are only soiled and barren pasture when their parents have once grown.

The standing of the civil position and learning unbeknownst to the citadel, has been usurped by institution provided from the Starfolks, Volkron is nothing less than eager to be on the vanguard on such frontiers, lessened are the days he is outside of his office or his other kinsman of knowledge from the UNSC.

He taught the lessons of the Stars with the same ferocity as he teaches the ways of the seven kingdoms to curious ears of the Starfolks and especially to Gedric, as well as Franklyn and Marwyn who has by all intents and purposes, wards within the castle walls.

The boys are fierce in their heeding, unlike years before, ways of fire and steel has come in droves with their new partner of stay from the stars. The young boys have been nothing less than sponges as they listened on to all droll of wisdom, from the pelicans' ship to the history regarding Damascus Steel.

Controversies arrive on the return of Gwendal Dayne and Carlton Manwoody, the former celebrated with his clean sweep of rotten pillagers of the ocean, as the Ironborn lessened from the summer seas, the cheer sung higher as they toast on their mutilated corpses. Gwendal did not join the festivities, but he appreciated the gesture all the same.

Carlton however, went back with solemn crowd. Unknown to the people, Manwoody simply told them that he intent to return the knights for a peaceful pact on the land, only in the end to turncoat on such words to be an executioner of the note. He told them that they have been found… deceased. But most know the reason why. They dare not voice it, but Carlton goes unblamed. There is so much one could do against the forces that come, and they knew the penalties of fleeing the Red Mountain realm before the end of the border laws.

The man just finished the day with drinking in such times, voices of comfort and many pat on the back ease his guilt. Even the Dalt knight visit him on his despondent stupor, "I would have done the same thing" he said, unknown to him if such words succeeded in heartening the man.

The wealth of the Dayne bolstered due to the finding on the caves between High Hermitage and Starfall. Materials of iron and any kind of minerals have been discovered on the virgin depth of the Red Mountains. More than some has been sold to the eastern merchants and the summer islands to heap the coffers of Starfall. For each gold blinging and falling towards the hands of the Dayne's the Red Mountain shine all the brighter.

Though heaps after heaps have been collected and on storage, careful distribution has been applied. Hidden and in the shadows, Erick has no interest as of yet to spread the news of wealth of his family to the seven kingdoms. Many factors have been solidified, but not enough for the family to be confident of their strength.

Arms need to be accumulated and loyalty ascertained.

After the bout of steel ships on the summer seas, more man of the coming age and even children requested to apply to become an arms man of house Dayne. The eastern barracks swelled with new faces for future soldiers and warriors. The fame of the iron galleys and their venture has inspired young hearts enough to move their bodies to greatness.

Ser Deziel Dalt has become a part of this venture as well, much to the confound of Marwyn Blackmont, his squire. Though he found no complaint from his knight-master's absent, as he spends his time on the bizarre cases of Gedric Dayne and Franklyn Fowler. Their odd tidings often interest him so.

Unfortunate it is that their full year of playfulness have been cut short by unique circumstances. As Gedric would in a very short time, be warded towards the steel bowels of Alexandria, to complete his lesson... as a Spartan? Or a lord of house Dayne? It is unknown.

Though more than such issues are at hand for the household of the starry sword, as the eyes of house Cuy came in curiosity within the edge entrance of the Red Mountains…

And the blood of Oldtown came with them…

The First Born of Fowler and their mother is anxious of any news of their brother and son respectively, Franklin.

House Redwyne as well for their long-awaited daughter and grandson.

And within the halls of the Red Keep, worried whisper starts to spread.

-XxxxxxX-

LETTER FROM THE OLD TOWN CITADEL – A WEEK BEFORE THE STEEL FLEET DEPLOYMENT ON THE SUMMER SEA

To Maester Volkron

This is Archmaester Gloran, I'm writing this now in worriment of your state of affairs. I have heard news that a plague and earthquake has been felled on your station on Starfall. In consideration to such information, my friend, I speculate that you would seek aid from your compatriots here on the Citadel, yet I have heard no news.

You have also been absent on your report regarding the state and affairs of house Dayne, it is unlikely for you to be irresponsibly so in such respects. The other Archmaester have questioned me on your state as they as well have not heard your tidings on the house you are posted.

Please send news of your word, friend. Less the Citadel would send envoy to ensure your safety.

From your friend and brother-in-ink

Archmaester Gloran

-XXXXX-

SECTOR THREE OF THE OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

SUMMARY REGARDING THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE 3RD PHASE OF DIANTHUS AUGMENTATION

BY DR. ********

YEARS BEFORE THE FALL OF ALEXANDRIA

Unlike the previous model of Spartans, in order for the augmentation of Dianthus to be in its full effect or potential, it must be applied during the childhood stage, to be specific around five to nine years of age, a period when the body is balance to the extreme in the points of stability and development of its growth.

This is due to the fact that the project genetical procedure are in altering directly the genetical informational code that will be used by the development of the body from its infancy to adulthood. These processes are intense and severe even in the most mastery of medical institutions, that it would be considered to be abhorrent if not prepared with the greatest and elite of tools.

Which has been provided with the apparatuses and knowledge gathered from Requiem and High Charity.

With the aforementioned utilities, it is within our capability to navigate and alter our genetical code within the human anatomy using ancient humanity genes as a template for the new Dianthus project.

It is of the utmost importance to all medical practice of this subject, that any alteration done to the genetical code should be applied within reason listed, such as the Muscular and bone density enhancements, telomeres extension, metabolic and hormone enhancement and processes and lastly nerve and senses enhancements and more (in-depth explanation is provided on the document *********).

It needs to be said, that any alteration on the genetical code regarding the brain directly would be considered as ill-advice and tremendously irresponsible. Due to the massive amount of information and its outrageous complexity, any smallest change would make a disastrous result such as Parkinson, Autism, paralyzed and at worst death (In-Depth explanation is provided on the document **********).

Furthermore, it is mandatory for all participants to this project to be within close length with the medical unit of proper authorized personnel of the project for continual checkups of anesthetics. As there would be severe bouts of pain on the growth during the procedure.

As a point of comparison, two subjects in particular have participated with different due process, one with pain killers and the other without. Though both have resulted with the full physical capabilities as the genetical augmentation would demand, the latter has been diagnosed with feral mental stability that has been compromised due to psychological trauma arises from the pain during growth and development.

(Note: that both aforementioned Dianthus specimen are experimental form and are not considered to be an official Spartan Dianthus)

With the help of the stable Dianthus project and several Spartans, the feral subject has been put down as a result, though with several spartan casualties. The stable one has been deployed to aid Master Chief and the UNSC infinity on-ibosaebpoebnoneq3nh03htnB[

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-xxxxx-

Authors note:

I rarely write an AN, I believe that it would only clutter the word count and take the immersion out of the reader when it appeared. But this is a special case to address the reviews of the story.

You have been very kind most of you, I understand that my diction and grammar has been questionable in my journey. One of you rated it 7 out of 10 (Nancho) due to the concept of my story. I found this disheartening (In a good way) to find that yet stimulate me to enlighten my mistakes and correcting it. Diction is important here as it helps relay the atmosphere, I wanted it to have and I'll try hard to correct it in the future.

The reviews also asked for specific moment in the story (or what would happen). I'm sorry to say I cannot answer these questions, it is imperative for such information to be kept hidden until the time comes the story relay it itself, I cannot spoil it.

One thing I would spoil just a bit (I advise to skip this paragraph if you don't want to), is the review saying that there are to much tertiary characters banter. Apologize if I didn't suggest it properly in the story, but they are all important when they are named, we'll see in time their place in the world. though I'll try to make the banter much more interesting and stimulating next bit, I recognize that weakness of mine.

I apologize for the Hiatus as I (at concurrent times) struggled in the complex intrigue of the story and balancing it with the canon lore (Book) and real-life issues. I'll do my best to be of quicker pace in the next chapter. Also i actually have interest on another fanfiction i wish to write during the dance of the dragons. with the show existence and GRRM influence on it, i actually wondered if i should do a crossing between fire and blood (During the Dance) with a video game called Dragons Dogma: Dark Arisen, with the show as a template to make the story, i believe it would truly add more intrigue and disrupt the status quo with such entries, especially for one who knows the lore of the aforementioned video game.

feel free to tell me what you think of such prospect.

I would only do this AN only ones each three or five chapters less I took away the immersion. Other than the things I said, all I can say is thanks.