Lord Corlys marched to the guest chambers with purpose, for his wife had returned from her trip. Most worrying was that she had brought home a boy, and only told her servant about his existence who in turn told him.
Corlys let out a breath of relief as he laid eyes on his wife, she was in perfect condition, her pale skin glowed in the sunlight that filtered through the window, and her long black hair was tied back.
Her pink lips stretched into a warm smile as she embraced him, "Husband, it is good to see you," Corlys basked in her warm embrace, squeezing her tightly before letting go.
"It is good to see you as well Rhaenys, though I must admit the manner of your return did worry me for a while..." Corlys took his wife's hands, "Who have you brought into our home that requires such secrecy?"
Corlys' eyes moved to the bed and shot up in surprise, a boy lay there, most likely unconscious. He was alarmingly thin, his skin was a deep brown and his head was covered by wooly blood-red hair. His purple eyes silently commanded his wife to explain the situation.
She sighed as she sat down, "While sailing back we saw the boy drowning in the sea and brought him aboard, shortly thereafter we had the unfortunate pleasure of running into a pirate ship, their numbers were quite great, and they quickly overwhelmed the knights we had with us but..." Her eyes flickered to the boy, "He defended us Corlys, he, he, he used fire he summoned fire from his hands and burned the ship, and when the enemies tried to swim to our ship and uttered words in a language I know not and the water froze, trapping them, and ensured their death. He collapsed shortly after and has not yet woken,"
The sea snake starred at his wife before a laugh of disbelief escaped him, "Rhaenys, my dear that is-it is not possible, I-"
"I know what I saw Corlys," She rebutted softly, "I assure you I'm not insane, husband..."
"What I cannot understand is why have you brought him here?" The lord of the tides inquired.
Rhaenys' eyes flickered wildly across the room before answering, "He saved my life, it was the least I could do,"
"I know you well enough to know that when you refuse to meet my eyes you are lying dear, that is not the truth," He raised a brow as he waited for his wife to answer him.
She huffed, "Fine, you and I both know that the Queen has been scheming...sooner or later she is going to challenge Rhaenyra's claim to the throne and our son and his...children will be caught in the crossfire, I had hoped-"
Corlys' nostrils flared, and his pale cheeks swelled red as anger shot through him, "So you thought it best to bring an unknown person into our home!? Dear, I understand your fear for our son and grandchildren truly I do but what you have done is irresponsible!"
"I saved his life Corlys, I thought that maybe I could use that to persuade him to join our house! He is just a boy-" Rhaenys mouth clicked shut as her husband exploded,
"A boy who burnt down an entire ship, a boy according to you, who can freeze water Rhaenys! Does he not seem dangerous to you!?"
"I know that," She hissed, "But if there is a single chance we can turn him into an ally I will take it," She held up her hand to silence her husband, "Come we cannot discuss this here, I will have Ser Qarl watch over the boy,"
She rose from her seat and strode towards the door and Corlys followed her, casting a last look at the sickly boy sleeping in the bed, and went after his wife.
Maliphos groaned as he opened his eyes, his mind cleared a minute later and he shot up as he recalled the pirate ship, looking around confirmed his suspicion. He was no longer in the ship that rescued him he was no longer at sea.
Stupidly he called out, "Hello? Is anyone there?" He didn't wait for a reply as he crept out of bed, he took three steps before the door swung open and a tall man stood before him.
"Wait here boy, I have sent someone to inform the lord that you are awake, do you understand?" Maliphos nodded and the men seemed satisfied though his hand did not once leave his sheathed sword. He took time to study the handsome older men.
He had dark hair and equally dark eyes, his skin was a nice tan color and his lashes were long brushing against-
Maliphos cleared his throat dragging those thoughts into the darkest and deepest part of his mind. Instead, he admired the room which was nothing like the cold and dark place he grew up in.
The door opened for a second time and a young boy stood at the entrance, "Lord Corlys and his lady wife have requested for the guest to be brought to the dragon pit Ser Qarl,"
Ser Qarl nodded once and led him to the dragon pit. Maliphos took deep breaths as he prepared himself for what was to come, when he was reborn into this world his mother had sold him for gold, and the place he was sold into was not a kind one. He thought that maybe the gamer ability he was born with would help him gain power quickly but he was sadly mistaken, there were no dungeons to grind till he was powerful. He had to slowly learn how to use his magic, bidding his time as he used his inventory to steal grimoires and dark objects he could get his hands on.
He became somewhat of a fascination back home, because children did not live very long there, and when he recovered swiftly from the dark experimentations of his owner he had become a small-time celebrity-
"Were here," Ser Qarl announced, he took a bow and shuffled backward. The first thing Maliphos noticed was the dragon, it was a majestic red and its eyes followed him as he made his way toward the two people already waiting for him.
The man he assumed was lord Corlys had pale skin, purple eyes, and silver hair that was tied in a low ponytail. The woman beside him was a striking beauty, she also had pale skin, and purple eyes and her black hair cascaded down her back. Her pink lips were set in a firm line as her hard eyes assessed him.
"Welcome to drift mark boy, you might not remember me but I'm Rhaenys of House Targaryen. I was the one who saved you when you were drowning at sea,"
"Yes I do remember you, thank you for saving my life," The boy's heavily accented voice rang out, "Though I seem to recall paying back the favor by saving you from a certain doom my lady," Rhaents frowned she couldn't place the accent but judging from his appearance he must be from Essos, in her few travels there she had come across people who looked like him.
"What is your name and where are you from boy?" Corlys inquired.
"I'm called Maliphos Ennin sir," The boys' green eyes dimmed, "...Where I am from? I'm not sure you would know the place,"
Her husband folded his hands, "Try us,"
"I'm from a place called Asshai,"
Princess Rhaenys' confusion grew, "Asshai? I have never heard of such a place...?"
"I'm not surprised, not many know of its existence and it would be wise to keep it that way," Maliphos voiced out,
"Is Asshai where you learned you're wicked sorcery?" Corlys cut in.
"You would be correct sir, Asshai is a place of darkness and death, things you cannot imagine walk in the shadows of Asshai," Maliphos held their gaze, "From Asshai I learned the darkest of magics, magic that can be used to aid you..."
Rhaenys shared a concerned glance with her husband as the boy waved his hand,
"After witnessing the things I can do people usually try to kill me or flee so I assume you brought me here because you need me to do something for you, so I propose this, your family grants me protection while I'm still in this land and in turn, I will use my magic to aid you in whatever way I can,"