"You're pointed in da right direction," Vinny was saying. "Just keep headin' north. Ya won't be able to miss it."

Vinny had been with them for several days now. He had taken to dragon-riding much more readily than Brian had, not seeming to experience any discomfort at all.

"Dis is da only way to travel," he said. "Gettin' a boid's eye view of da world, feelin' da wind on your fur… there's nothin' like it!"

"Glad you enjoy it, Vinny," Brian smiled happily. Vinny's positive attitude was contagious.

"Oh!" Dany exclaimed suddenly. She pointed downward. "Look!"

Brian looked down… and saw a scene that was like a picture in a book of fairy tales.

Countless small trees grew in a broad pool of still, shallow water. Instead of the twisted, weed-choked trees that seemed to grow everywhere in the lands beyond the Wall, these trees were loaded with golden fruit. They were perfectly reflected in the water's mirror like surface, their graceful trunks rising, their broad green leaves spreading, their fruits glowing like tiny golden suns.

Dany brought Drogon down for a landing. The dragon landed in the pond with a great splash. Dany, Arya, Brian, and Vinny got off him and stepped into the water. It barely reached their ankles.

Brian sniffed one of the fruit trees. It was a glorious, rich, sweet scent. His mouth began to water.

Dany was smiling from ear to ear. "I've never smelled anything so sweet in all my life!"

Arya agreed. "Those fruits smell even better than the lemon cakes my sister loves so much."

"Have you seen these things before, Vinny?" Brian asked. "Are they okay to eat?"

Vinny nodded. "Dunno what dey're called, but dey taste delicious!"

Brian stretched out his hand and plucked one of the fruits. It was shaped a little like a pear, but much larger and heavier. In places its smooth golden skin was slightly flushed with pink. He lifted it to his nose and breathed in the delicious fragrance. Then he took a bite. A glorious taste filled his mouth. Sweet, golden juice ran down his chin.

The girls followed his example. Soon everyone was absorbed in the blissful enjoyment of a rare feast. Everyone except Vinny. He wasn't eating a bite, but the other three didn't notice this.

"I wonder if Tormund knows about this place," Brian said.

"Probably not," said Arya. "He said his people were having trouble finding food to eat."

Drogon uprooted a fruit tree with his jaws and swallowed it in a single gulp.

"We should tell the free folk about this grove!" said Brian. "Then they can come and gather the fruit."

"We could even take a few seeds back south with us, and grow our own trees at home," said Dany.

"Wonderful idea!" Brian exclaimed.

"Wonderful!" Arya repeated.

All three of them started laughing hysterically. Then they all fell down!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Brian opened his eyes, and realized with mild surprise that he was lying on his back in the water.

"How strange," he thought. But he smiled, and did not try to move. The water was warm.

Dany and Arya were lying on their backs too, on either side of him. Their hair floated like seaweed in the water. Their eyes were closed, their faces peaceful. Their chests were gently rising and falling. Not far away, Drogon lay sleeping on his side. But there was no sign of Vinny.

Then Brian heard the beating of wings. He lifted his eyes and saw something moving through the trees toward them. It was a giant bird, as tall as the trees, with a snowy white chest, neck, and head, and black wings.

Silently, unhurriedly, the bird stalked through the water on long orange legs, delicately lifting one foot then the other, barely stirring the mirror-like surface. Its fixed, glassy eyes looked as if they had been painted onto its head. Its neck was like a smooth white snake. Its orange beak was like a sword.

The bird walked over to Brian and plunged its beak into his eye!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Brian screamed. He tried to get up, but his limbs felt as if they were fixed in the mud of the lake bed.

When they heard Brian's shout, Dany and Arya snapped into wakefulness. But they were having trouble moving too. "What's happening?" Dany groaned.

"That fruit must have been poisonous!" said Arya. "And look, a bird's attacking Brian!" She struggled to move to a sitting position, but couldn't. It was as if strength was battling weakness in her veins.

"I am a queen, but I have not the power to move my arms!" Dany lamented.

The bird heard her voice and turned toward her. It stopped attacking Brian and headed for Dany. Frantically, Dany looked around for Drogon, but he was still sleeping.

"Drogon!" she tried to yell. "Dracarys!"

But she could not raise her voice above a groan. Drogon slept on.

The bird kept coming. Soon it was standing right over her. One downward jerk of its head, and the dripping, razor sharp point would plunge deep into Dany's heart.

Dany's life flashed before her eyes. She didn't know how she found it in her, but somehow, she managed to yell as she had never yelled before:

"DRACARYS!"