The silence was deafening as Kiana took her first step over the marble floor of the Great Hall, keeping her gaze on the back of her companion's head, not daring to look upon the nobles of the Court. She was glad to be following behind the other Red Priestess, who kept her pace steady and did not seem to share Kiana's nervousness. Kiana's skin itched uncomfortably, sensing the revulsion in the room as they were judged before they could even speak. It was no less than she had expected, knowing the Lord of Light had few followers in Westeros. His followers were seen as little more than dangerous fanatics, daring to speak out against the Old Gods and the New. Still, she kept her head held high, her jaw clenched tightly to hide any of the discomfort she felt. Kiana knew the task at hand would not be easy and was willing to do whatever it cost to comply with her Lord's will. The pair came to a halt not far from the Iron Throne, a little closer than any of the Kingsguard appeared to appreciate. Kiana curtseyed stiffly; a movement that had not been needed for many years. Her gaze lifted to the King a moment later, her eyes widening a fraction as she saw his red face and bulging stomach. It seemed the rumours of the once-great man had not been exaggerated.
"The Lady Alyssa, from the shores of Asshai" A member of the court announced, reading from the parchment in front of him.
"Your Grace" The black-haired Priestess greeted, a tight smile forming on her lips.
"And her companion, Lady…Kiana" He added, appearing to struggle with the pronunciation.
Sniggers could be heard from around the room, as Kiana refrained from rolling her eyes, unsurprised. She allowed her gaze to fall upon those sitting close to the King, quickly spotting who she assumed was Queen Cersei. Her beauty was truly undeniable, as Kiana felt herself want to shrink underneath the Queen's gaze, the disgust clear on her delicate features. Kiana turned her gaze to a group of men standing by the King's side, their eyes narrowed, appearing to inspect her every movement.
"Seven Hells. You're a damn sight more tempting than the last one your God sent" King Robert Baratheon leered, earning a few more laughs from the Hall.
Kiana could not stop the way her eye twitched at hearing the King's curse, who seemed to not care for how it could cause offence. Robert Baratheon's attention seemed to focus on Alyssa alone, more specifically her ample bosom which was displayed well by her low-cut robes. Kiana hoped the disgust she felt did not travel to her facial expressions.
Unbeknownst to the Red Priestess, sharp eyes had already caught her reaction, causing an amused smirk to twitch across their owner's lips. Jaime Lannister surveyed the two women in front of him with interest, finding the King had been true in his words. Lady Alyssa had hair as black as any he had ever seen, combined with her catlike green eyes, and high cheekbones, she had an almost regal beauty to her. Her skin was the colour of snow, completely unblemished and enticing. He noticed her red dress was the darker of the two, wine coloured with what appeared to be delicate flames adorned the sleeves. She wore a strange necklace, consisting of metal arranged in a hexagon pattern and red ruby placed in the middle. It seemed to be wrapped so tightly around her neck that it could almost cut her fragile skin. Her companion, Lady Kiana appeared to be a few years younger, with a similar complexion, and almost identical dress. Her robes were a few shades lighter, seeming closer to the colour of blood, which Jaime doubted was unintentional. Her hair was of a similar colour, bright red and cascading over her shoulders. He took note of the fact that her neck was bare, no jewellery in sight, having caught the way the young girl gulped under his sister's gaze. As he took a closer look, he realised her light blue eyes seemed to be mixed with another colour, appearing to brighten when caught by the light. He was startled somewhat when he realised the young girl's eyes were now boring into his, seeming to have noticed his interest in them. She tilted her head to the side, a slight smile growing on her lips, that had him quickly turning his head. There was something unnerving about her gaze. It seemed…familiar.
"You will be pleased to hear we have not travelled to the realm to convert you, Your Grace" Alyssa announced, bringing Jaime out of his confusing thoughts.
"What is the cause for your visit?" The Queen inquired, raising a delicate eyebrow.
"We are on a pilgrimage to the Wall" She responded, as whispering began, combined with a few looks of disbelief.
"And why exactly do you wish to travel to the arse end of the world?" Robert mocked, his face reddening with humour.
"Summer is surely fading, Your Grace. The Wall erodes further each day, as do the Night Watch with it…we wish to replenish their numbers" Alyssa explained, as the Queen couldn't help but scoff.
"I think it may take more than a pretty face to persuade men to journey to the Wall" Cersei exclaimed.
"The Lord's light will shine on all who are willing to listen. Times change, just as the seasons" Alyssa went on, as Kiana chose to remain silent.
She was merely there to assist her fellow Red Priestess, that had been made clear before they left Asshai. She was not there to question her orders. Only to follow.
"But faith is everlasting, my Lady. Pray tell, who are you to speak so frivolously of religion?" Maester Pycelle spoke up, giving the pair a distrustful look.
"A Red Priestess of the First Order. My companion, Kiana is—" Alyssa began, but was quickly cut off by the Queen.
"A mute? Perhaps you have taken up the practice of removing tongues now?" Cersei mocked.
"I know my place, Your Grace" Kiana retorted, quickly.
Her tone was somewhat huskier than Jaime had been expecting, her vocal cords sounding damaged. Her companions' lips grew into a sly smile a moment later, appearing to choose her next words wisely.
"Unlike so many others" Alyssa stated, in a poisonous tone.
Jaime's eyes flickered over to his sister's, watching as a murderous rage grew on her face, which appeared to do little more than amuse Lady Alyssa. Kiana, however, seemed shocked by the Red Priestess' sharp words, her forehead wrinkling.
"I was, of course, talking of our former Red Priest, Thoros. Why have you not greeted us accordingly?" Alyssa, questioned, twisting around to stare at Thoros of Myr, who had been all but hiding behind two noble lords.
Neither Red Priestess had seemed to look anywhere in the room apart from the throne, but somehow they had been able to pick out their former ally within the large crowd. From afar, Jaime could see how Thoros trembled under their gaze, stepping into the light, looking a few seconds from running out of the hall. In all his years, he had never seen the large man look so scared.
"…I…I did not think it right. I would not wish to offend—" Thoros stuttered, as Kiana was quick to cut him off.
"I fear it may be too late for that, brother" Kiana muttered, viciously.
She had heard stories of how Thoros had acted when he was still a Godly man, whoring his way through the Red Temple's, having little thought of his true duties. Thoros had been sent to convert Aerys Targaryen, but from what they had been told, decided to do little more than drink since he had arrived in King's Landing. As far as she knew, he was now one of the King's closest drinking partners. If he had done as the Lord of Light had commanded him, the world they lived in could have been a very different one.
Thoros was quick to clamp his mouth shut, averting his gaze to the marble floor, shoulders rigid as if expecting an attack. Alyssa took a step closer to the older man, her eyes slowly surveying his form, a mocking expression on her features.
"The years have not been kind to you, it seems" Alyssa tutted, taking in his ragged beard, and bulging belly with a look of disgust.
"Yet, they appear to have been almost too kind to you, My Lady" Thoros replied, gaze kept firmly on the ground, missing the way Alyssa's lips twitched into a slight smirk.
"Thoros is a friend of the Crown, and you should treat him with such respect, girl" Robert Baratheon interjected, as Alyssa kept her gaze on Thoros, refusing to turn back to the King.
With a tight smile, Alyssa nodded a moment later, as Thoros could be heard exhaling sharply, a look of relief falling on his face. Jaime couldn't help but wonder what had the old man so terrified of two young girls? Thoros wasn't shy when it came to discussing matters of his past, especially with a casket of wine in his belly, but Jaime supposed even he may have kept secrets. All men did.
"You would do well to remember yourselves. This is the Court of King's Landing, not the savage lands of Asshai" Cersei exclaimed, in a sharp tone.
"…Yes, Your Grace" Kiana replied, after her companion stayed silent, still glaring at Thoros.
"You will be permitted to stay in King's Landing, as long as you obey the traditions and teachings of this realm" Robert announced, after a few moments, much to Cersei's clear displeasure.
"Thank you, Your Grace. We will remember this kindness" Kiana nodded when once again, her companion appeared to have become the mute of the pair.
Alyssa's eyes bored into Thoros' form as if she could see into his very soul. Jaime supposed it was possible that she believed she could. He watched as Lady Kiana's hand shot out to touch the other's woman's arm, muttering something in her ear, as Alyssa finally pulled her gaze away from Thoros.
"Māzigon" Kiana insisted, speaking in a language that Jaime could only vaguely recognise.
He continued watching as the pair strode out of the room, the red train of their gowns swaying behind them as if leaving a trail of blood. It was then that Jaime realised what language the Red Priestess had spoken, feeling a shiver go down his spine. High Valyrian.
That evening, the two women were walking through the halls of the Red Keep, their shoulders rigid with tension. They had sent word to King's Landing weeks ago of their arrival, and while they were aware there was no Red Temple in the city, they had hoped the Lord of Light's followers would come out of the woodwork accordingly. To their immense disappointment, they had soon discovered only two noble houses in King's Landing believed in R'hllor and his teachings. Upon meeting these faithful families, they were informed they could only spare fifteen men to journey to the Wall with them. Alyssa appeared to be seething.
"What will we do, Sister?" Kiana spoke up, concern written over her features.
"We will find more men" Alyssa replied, simply.
"The men and women of this realm do not serve the Lord of Light. They have made that clear. Why would they follow us?" Kiana pointed out.
"That is your role, Kiana. To make them believe in the true God" Alyssa suggested, watching as fear slowly grew in the younger girl's eyes.
"If I reveal my...gifts…I will be branded a witch. People do not trust what they cannot understand" Kiana explained.
"There are other ways to bend men's will. I have a task for you. I wish for you to travel to an armourer on the outskirts of the Red Keep. Ask for them to forge you a weapon" Alyssa went on, confusing her companion further.
"Do you believe we are in danger?" Kiana frowned.
"No, young one. It is a ruse. They will believe you are simply there to aid our protection in this dangerous city when truly you will be there to speak to a boy. Gendry" Alyssa told her.
"A boy? Do you intend for him to travel with us to the Wall?" Kiana asked, receiving a small shake of her companion's head.
"You will befriend him. Learn what he knows of his parentage. He has a part to play in the Great War" Alyssa informed Kiana, who let out a small sigh.
"…I know the High Priestess spoke with you before we left Asshai. Did she task you with finding this boy?" Kiana queried.
She had only met the High Priestess, Kinvara, a handful of times in her short life, and did not wish to meet her again. There was something behind the woman's eyes that had the ability to unnerve the most faithful followers. Kiana had been forced to watch from a young age as the High Priestess burnt non-believers in front of the Red Temple of Asshai, whose satisfied smile never left her face. In truth, the woman was one of the few in the world that truly scared Kiana.
"It is not your place to ask such a thing" Alyssa retorted, sharply.
"My apologies, Sister. I…I will do as I have been tasked. Forgive me" Kiana mumbled, averting her gaze to the stone floor.
Just as Alyssa was opening her mouth to speak, a panicked cat sprinted past them, brushing past their robes, and disappearing behind a wall in the blink of an eye. A small body collided with Kiana a moment later and would have fallen onto their back if the Red Priestess had not grabbed their wrist at the last second. Kiana was quick to pull the young girl to her feet, surveying the dirty clothes she was wearing, her hair twisted into tight braids behind her face. The girl's eyes became incredibly wide when she saw who she had collided with, as Kiana could feel her tremble under her palm.
"Explain yourself, girl" Alyssa commanded, as the girl's eyes darted between the two women.
"I…I…" She stuttered, her bottom lip trembling.
"You, you? Speak up, and address your betters accordingly" Alyssa insisted, as something seemed to change in the girl.
"…I am Arya Stark of Winterfell, and you are not my betters!" The girl exclaimed, the words tumbling from her lips before she could stop herself.
"Noble ladies should know better than to be running through the halls at such a pace" Alyssa stated.
"Who were you running from?" Kiana frowned, not seeing anyone chasing the child.
"I was chasing a cat" Arya told them, as Kiana's lips twitched into a smile.
"You don't appear to be very good at it" Kiana responded, with amusement, releasing her grip on the girl's wrist.
"You got in my way" Arya pointed out, making Kiana laugh lightly.
"My sincerest apologies, My Lady" Kiana teased, giving a quick curtsey.
"I will bid you farewell, Sister. I must journey to the Great Sept with haste" Alyssa spoke up, as Kiana was quick to turn to her companion.
"Whatever would bring you to such a place?" Kiana frowned, as Alyssa gave her a look, raising an eyebrow.
"Will you require company—" Kiana began, but Alyssa instantly cut her off.
"It is no place for you, young one" Alyssa exclaimed, before walking down the nearby stone steps.
Letting out a long sigh, Kiana turned her attention back to the strange Stark girl, meeting the girl's eyes. There was something there, something that was begging to claw its way out. Kiana blinked rapidly as she lost herself in a trance for a few moments, wondering what appeared to be so different about the young girl.
"I don't think your sister likes me very much" Arya exclaimed.
"Ah, I fear I may have confused you, My Lady. Alyssa is not my sister by blood" Kiana explained, as Arya tilted her head.
"Then why do you call her sister?" Arya asked.
"All Red Priests and Priestesses are children of the Lord of Light. They are the only brothers and sisters I will ever know" Kiana went on.
"You're lucky. My sister is an idiot. A blubbering idiot" Arya muttered.
"Tears can be as useful a weapon as a sword" Kiana exclaimed, as Arya mulled over this for a moment.
"…Father says all followers of the Lord of Light are madmen. You don't seem mad" Arya told her, making Kiana snort lightly.
"Perhaps it is because I am a woman then" Kiana teased.
"My dance teacher, Syrio, is from Braavos. Is that where you're from?" Arya asked, with interest.
"Ah, I suppose because all foreigners must come from the same place?" Kiana questioned, making Arya blush with embarrassment.
"I didn't mean any offence—" Arya began, as Kiana was quick to stop her.
"Neither did I, My Lady. I have only visited Braavos in passing. Is it your dance teacher who has you chasing cats?" Kiana guessed, receiving a quick nod in return.
"I will provide some simple advice. If you wish to catch a cat with such keen senses, perhaps you should remove your shoes first" Kiana explained, as Arya looked down to her feet, instantly pulling the shoes off as if they burnt her.
"Have you chased cats before?" Arya inquired.
"No. But I know my fair share about being inconspicuous" Kiana grinned at the young Stark, who shared her expression.
"Is that so?" A voice boomed from behind Kiana, her eyes widening a fraction as she realised where she recognised it from.
She was slow to turn around and face Ser Jaime Lannister, in his great armour, a sardonic smirk on his lips. She allowed her gaze to fall upon his form, watching as the gold of his armour glinted in the light, taking a further interest in the metal scales which covered his breeches. They reminded her of dragon skin, not that she had ever seen such a creature in the flesh. It seemed a strange design considering what the man was best known for. His golden hair contrasted nicely against the tan of his skin, his bright eyes boring into hers, a mixture of green and blue. Kiana could imagine many a noble girl had lost themselves in his emerald gaze. She had wanted to meet the Knight for many years, and found in appearance alone, she was not disappointed in the slightest.
"I suppose I should not be surprised a fanatic of the Red God would often find herself hiding from the sights of men" Jaime continued, taking a step closer to the girl.
"I imagine you serve a different God, Ser Jaime?" Kiana asked, seeing he was slightly taken aback by the use of his full title.
The very idea of calling the man before her Kingslayer left a bitter taste in her mouth. Jaime Lannister may have done many terrible things in his life, but she knew better than most that killing the Mad King was not one of them.
"I serve my family and my family alone. I am not foolish enough to believe in anything else" Jaime retorted.
"That does not surprise me after all you have seen" Kiana nodded, as the older man's forehead wrinkled before he turned to Arya.
"Run along now, Stark. I doubt your Lord Father would be happy to know you breathed the same air as I" Jaime commanded, as the young girl gave a quick nod to Kiana, before sprinting off in the direction of her runaway cat.
"Do you truly believe you will be able to find men so witless they would travel to the Wall with you?" Jaime inquired.
"I have faith. Men will do much when receiving the right motivation" Kiana exclaimed, causing a sly smirk to play on his lips.
"Do you and your companion plan to spread your legs to sway men to your will? I believe you will be rather sore by journey's end" Jaime mocked.
He was taken aback when Kiana laughed loudly, the amusement reaching her bright eyes. She only seemed to giggle louder when she saw the confusion etched on his face.
"My apologies, Ser. I am truly thankful for your sincere concern for my wellbeing" Kiana grinned, once her laughter had died down.
"Tell me, are all Red Priestesses so…peculiar?" Jaime scoffed; his head tilted to the side.
"And now you flatter me, Ser. I fear I may swoon if you do not hold your tongue" Kiana went on, pleased when a snort of laughter left the other man's lips.
"Where is your bewitching companion? I believe our King was rather taken with her" Jaime exclaimed, as Kiana couldn't stop the grimace that grew on her face.
"I think the King would regret it if he attempted to turn the Lady Alyssa into one of his whores" Kiana stated.
"And why is that?" Jaime asked.
"He may find his…proclivities rather difficult if his cock was to be burnt off" Kiana replied, as Jaime's eyebrows shot up, but the amusement was clear on his face.
"Careful now, such a comment could be heard as treason" Jaime pointed out, as Kiana ducked her head.
"I am afraid I know little of the way of acting around Court, seeing as I come from such savage lands" Kiana stated with a sly expression, repeating Cersei's earlier words.
"Then permit me to offer some wisdom. Ladies of King's Landing wear their hair up in rather delicate braids, if you wish to remain inconspicuous you should…" Jaime trailed off, as he reached out to push the young girl's red hair behind her shoulder, finding the skin on the side of her neck was burnt in an unsightly way.
"You forget yourself, Ser" Kiana cried, flinching away from his hand, pulling her hair back into place.
Jaime now understood why the girl's voice was so hoarse. From this close angle, he could see the burns travelled down her neck and beneath her robes. He had seen the effects of flames and the smoke it created. The damage could last for the rest of a person's life. The scars on the Red Priestess were old, most likely being caused when she was just a child.
"You believe so faithfully in a God who would allow you to be injured in such a way?" Jaime challenged.
He had never understood people's reliance on God's, thinking them all rather foolish. The girl in front of him seemed different somehow.
"I am still alive, am I not? That in itself is a miracle" Kiana muttered.
"Spoken like a true fanatic" Jaime drawled, as Kiana's jaw clenched.
"Why do you believe I am choosing to travel north to the Wall?" Kiana asked, suddenly.
"Following orders?" Jaime suggested, hearing a huff leave the young girl's lips.
"Winter is coming. And with it, so do horrors that you could not begin to imagine" Kiana warned, as Jaime let out a sardonic laugh.
"I am afraid I don't believe in the ghosts and ghouls that are said to reside past the Wall" Jaime mocked.
"You would do well to burn away your doubts, Ser Jaime. Burn them all" Kiana snapped, watching the way the older man's mouth went slack, as he flinched as if he had been struck.
By the time words returned to Jaime, the Red Priestess was already walking away, leaving him dumbfounded. He had not heard such words in many years and had hoped he would never hear them again.
The feast in honour of the Tourney of the Hand was held the following evening, unneeded and unnecessary for everyone excluding the King. Robert Baratheon was never one to pass up on drinking and whoring. Too many noblemen and ladies found themselves crowded in the Hall, some not even having seats, but clearly just being thankful for the invitation. Kiana found that she did not share the sentiment and had been forced to go to the feast on Alyssa's orders. She was quick to find Arya's small face in the crowd, watching with amusement as the girl waved at her excitedly. Kiana nodded to her, a broad smile playing on her lips. In the next moment, she was realising that the girl might have been the first friend she had made since…
Truly, even Kiana had trouble remembering just how long she had been in the service of the Lord of Light. All her days were slowly morphing together until she felt as if she was in a never-ending battle. Her mood had been foul since she had journeyed to the armourer, only to find Gendry was not there, as he was delivering a helmet to a member of the court. She had been told to come back the following day, much to her own annoyance. She knew the difference a day could make.
"Who have you spoken to?" A familiar voice questioned, as Kiana tipped her head to the side to see Jaime Lannister approaching her, his hand on his sword.
"You may need to be more specific, Ser" Kiana replied.
"You know the meaning of the words you spoke early this morn. Who told you of their importance?" Jaime insisted, his jaw clenched so tightly he feared his teeth would crack.
"No one. I speak only of what I have seen" Kiana admitted, making Jaime frown.
"Enough riddles, girl. Tell me what you know. Now" Jaime cried, coming to loom over her, his hand never leaving his sword, the threat clear.
"The Lord of Light has shown me many things. I have a…gift. I look into the flames and he shows me what has been and what will come to be" Kiana confessed.
"Am I truly to believe you are a witch?" Jaime scoffed, in disbelief.
"It matters not what you believe. It is the truth. I saw the wildfire the Mad King planned to use on this city. I heard him command you to kill your Lord Father. I saw the look of madness in his eyes when you drove your sword through his back" Kiana explained, watching as the man stilled.
"…Impossible" Jaime snapped, when his words returned to him.
"I saw you weep, Ser Jaime. For what was forced upon you…for what you lost that day" Kiana went on, as Jaime's hand shot out to grab the collar of her dress, pulling her forward roughly.
"Enough. You are a liar" Jaime spat out, angrily.
"I never understood it. You saved this city, but you let them believe so little of you. Why?" Kiana asked, as Jaime's grip on her lessened.
"…I will find out the truth about you, girl" Jaime mumbled, taking a step back, deciding he could no longer bear to look into her strange eyes.
"I look forward to your endeavours" Kiana nodded, seeming more amused than fearful.
Jaime gave her a look of disbelief, the decision already made in his mind. He would find out all there was to know about the girl in front of him.
Kiana could see Alyssa coming into view from over Jaime's shoulder, and quickly bid farewell, before hurrying over to the Red Priestess. She could see how Alyssa's eyes narrowed when she spotted who Kiana had been speaking to.
"What were you doing with Jaime Lannister?" Alyssa frowned, grabbing the younger girl's arm and pulling her away from the crowds.
"Talking" Kiana replied, innocently.
"Your fascination with that man is dangerous, young one" Alyssa warned, as Kiana pursed her lips.
"The Lord of Light has shown me Jaime Lannister's face more than once in the flames. I believe that means something" Kiana explained, as Alyssa shook her head lightly.
"And what of the task I gave you? Have you spoken to the boy?" Alyssa pushed, as Kiana shook her head, and was about to open her mouth when Alyssa raised a finger to stop her.
"You will not allow yourself to become distracted from our mission. Is that clear?" Alyssa exclaimed.
"Yes, Sister" Kiana nodded, with a guilty expression.
"Now, what did you—" Alyssa was cut off by a piercing scream.
The pair whipped around to find the shout had come from a serving girl's lips. It was understandable, considering the way the man in front of her was bleeding from every orifice, and clutching onto her arms in a panic. Kiana's eyes widened as she realised the man in question was Maester Pycelle, who let out a gurgling sound as blood ran down his chin. He shook a few more times before he suddenly went still, and fell to the floor, a puddle of blood soon forming from under him. He was dead before he hit the floor. The Hall immediately erupted in chaos, as men and women fled to the doors in fear. Kiana had seen enough in her life to know poison, especially one that could make a man bleed out. It had been used several times by the followers of the Lord of Light. She turned to Alyssa with a frown and saw the smallest smile on the woman's face before it was quickly masked. Kiana inhaled sharply as her eyes met her companion's and had the answer to the question she feared to ask. A rare chill went down her spine, as she stumbled back a step in disbelief.
"And…so it begins" Alyssa exclaimed, watching Kiana's mouth go slack.
One resounding word echoed in Kiana's head in response, realising the danger Alyssa had put them in.
Fuck.
Author's Notes: I hope everyone enjoyed this first chapter! I've started rewatching Game of Thrones recently and realised how underused the Lord of Light was and all the storylines to do with his followers. I plan for this story to go through all the seasons but it will likely become AU after Season 4 for...reasons, haha. Season 8 will be completely different, that's for sure. If you'd like to see me continue, please leave a review:)