Chapter 21

Myr

Blackbourn was guarding the port while waiting for the incoming enemy ships. The commander put catapults and archers at their support, and now he could see them on the horizon. It was more or less 50 ships if he was not mistaken, and for now, they were out of range. But everyone of them was equipped. But Commander Aenar also put the few ships they had in a defensive position. With their catapults that were a little more primitive than the newly built ones. But what did Blackbourn know about that kind of weapons? He trained and commanded the spearmen, not the siege weapons.

As the enemy ships were approaching their city, Blackbourn saw that their ships began to launch fireballs, but so did the enemy as they approached, and they were in greater numbers.

When he saw that the ships were getting too close and that Myr's small fleet, that was defending the coasts of the city, was decreasing, Blackbourn gave the order to launch the fiery stones of their catapults, and that they hit some of the enemy ships, but that didn't stop them, because they continued to approach.

Turning to one of his men he said, " Go to the King and tell him that the ships are in the harbor, and they are too close to the city."

The soldier rode away, while Blackbourn continued the attack with the two catapults that he had at his disposition.

When some of his men's fireballs and theirs destroyed their catapults, Blackbourn ordered the retreat, "Fall back!" They were too exposed to the enemy.

If the commander has defeated the Khal he will soon have to come here with his dragon and burn the enemy ships.

Once the enemy ships were in the harbor and were stationary, Blackbourn saw the men of the ships, get into the boats and start rowing, while the ships continued to launch fireballs, which this time overtook their men but hit the city, reaching the military walls.

"Ready to fight!" Blackbourn shouted to his men as they made a shield wall in front of the city entrance from the port. This was the only part without a gate. He sent the archers on the walls, and they started to shoot arrows.

Aenar was on Caraxes when he felt explosion behind him, and turning around, he saw that Myr was attacked. Caraxes, feeling what he wanted to do, flew up, heading towards the city and the port, but while he was connected with Caraxes, Aenar saw through his eyes, on the ground of the walls... it's not possible.

He immediately landed there, and climbing down from the dragon, he runs to the walls.

"Dany, my love," he said kneeling, next to her, with tears in his eyes. Her head was bleeding, and she didn't respond, "Oh Gods, don't take her away from me," he immediately took her in his arms, and climbing on Caraxes, Aenar flew towards the palace, landing at the entrance.

Aenar immediately carried her to his room while Rhaella and Ashara were running in panic behind him when they saw them.

"What happened?" asked Rhaella, with tears in her eyes as she shook Daenerys' hand. But Aenar ignored her saying, " Someone fucking finds Gregory!" and he saw Arya running away. Aenar didn't even saw when she came there. He didn't want her to see Dany in this state or even the aftermath of the battle.

As he stood on the bed next to Dany, stroking her head with his hands in blood. After some time he saw Gregory enter, and say, "Get out of the room. Now!"

Everyone left the room even though they didn't want, and one outside Rhaella began to ask him questions about what had happened, Ashara did the same, and then there was still that little girl from Arya who asked him how the battle was going, if he won, and if she could go and see, until he was tired and shouted angrily, "Enough!" looking at them with fury, he added "Shut the fuck up." Aenar feels the anger taking over him, the breath began to fast and his body was shaking. Storming out the palace, Aenar climbed on Caraxes and headed for the harbour. It was time to put an end to this battle and to show Essos and Westeros, what the words of House Targaryen mean.

Aenar flew above the harbour for some time. He saw the enemy attacking his men, and the fleet attacking the city.

The first thing to do was to prevent their escape, so Aenar and Caraxes went toward the ships from the back, raining a trail of fire over them, and in that way, blocking the other ships inside, between the wrecks and the harbor. Then he set fire to those that were still attacking his men despite the destruction, and Aenar heard the cheers of the members of the Golden Company.

Aenar flew above the harbour for some time. He saw the enemy attacking his men, and the fleet attacking the city.

The first thing to do was to prevent their escape, so Aenar and Caraxes went toward the ships from the back, raining a trail of fire over them, and that way blocking the other ships inside, between the wrecks and the harbor. Then he set fire to those that were still attacking his men despite the destruction, and Aenar heard the cheers of the members of the Golden Company.

After this, the enemy ships stopped attacking and all raised the white flags.

Aenar landed with Caraxes on one of the ships, mainly the larger one, the commander-ship, and he saw a man step forward and say, "We want to discuss our surrender," and as he said, Caraxes' head approached the man, and began to open his mouth, showing the near release of fire, and the man fell to his knees for the fear.

"Your fleet is mine now!" said Aenar. "You can choose to stay under my commands and my rules, or you can go back from where you came across the lands of Essos, by foot. You have one minute to decide."

The captain nodded, and Aenar rose up in the air, creating a whirlpool of water.

Rhaella was patching outside the room, anxious, worried about the conditions of Daenerys. She hoped that her daughter would be fine. After a while, Rhaella saw Gregory leaving the room, and she immediately approached him.

"How's my daughter?" asked Rhaella with a worried voice. She didn't know if she could bear the loose of her daughter. Her precious jewel.

"The girl is fine. She just lost consciousness when she fell down, hitting her head. But I'd like to talk to you about something else. Come!" And they both entered the room, closing the door behind them. Her eyes landed immediately on Daenerys who was laying on the bed, with her eyes closed and her head wrapped.

"What did you want to talk about, Master Gregory?" Rhaella asked, not taking her eyes off Daenerys.

"The girl is pregnant of almost four weeks," Gregory said, and when the words left his mouth, she immediately turned to him.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Do you want me to tell young Jon, or will you do it?"

"No, I'll do it at the right moment. But first I have to tell it to Daenerys," Rhaella replied, looking back at Daenerys. "Thank you, Master Gregory, now if you could leave me with my daughter, I'd appreciate it."

"I am not a Master."

When Gregory left the room, Rhaella took a chair and put it next to the bed, and then sits on it. She took Daenerys' hand and kissed her, while the other one caressed her face, and Rhaella feel s the tears coming. Why did you have to go out there, my little Dany, knowing the danger that was there? Then she carried her hand on Daenerys belly, caressing it.

There was a little dragon in there, thought Rhaella smiling. A grandchild or stepchild of hers. But she will love him as much as she loves Daenerys and Aenar, or even more.

Thinking of Aenar, Rhaella was a little worried. He was furious before, in the hallway, surely shocked by what happened to Daenerys, and Rhaella would not want him to do something stupid because he wasn't focused. And then there were those eyes. There's something wrong with that. When he was furious his eyes changed color, from that beautiful dark gray to that fiery red.

After a few hours, Daenerys saw Aenar enter, without armor and cleaned. But he had a scar over his left eye, that she didn't even notice before, and asked, "How is she?"

Rhaella sighed, responded "She's fine according to Gregory. She only needs rests, but she didn' woke up yet." He came up and sat on the bed, while Rhaella was sitting on the chair. Aenar began to caress Daenerys' face, putting her hair behind her ear, saying with his gaze fixed on Daenerys, "She's so beautiful."

"Yes, she is," Rhaella responded looking at her daughter. The jewel of the House. The most beautiful princess in the known world.

"We almost lost her today," he said, leaning down and kissing Daenerys on the lips. "Why didn't you stop her?" he asked, turning towards her.

"What?"

"You knew there was a battle outside. And you know how battles are. Why didn't you stop her? She's not ready for that yet. She doesn't have an armour, she doesn't have a sword, she doesn't have a dragon. Why didn't you stop her?" screamed Aenar.

"I tried!" responded Rhaella yelling, and standing up, and letting the tears fall, "I called her, and I tried to stop her. But you know how stubborn she is, and she was very nervous for you. She was worried about you, Aenar."

She sobbed, putting her hands on her face. She was feeling guilty of not being able to stop Daenerys from leaving the Great Hall.

But after a while, Rhaella felt Aenar hugging her, and she, immediately wrapped her arms around Aenar's waist sobbing into his chest.

Aenar began to stroke her hair, and kiss her head, whispering sweet words and asking for her forgiveness for his harsh words, and for blaming her.

She looked up, in his eyes ... dark gray, while he wiped the tears from her face with his thumbs.

"Forgive me... it's that seeing her in that state and that I could lose her, I no longer reasoned," he said, and then lowered himself and kissed her on the lips, and she could taste her and his salt tears on their lips. As they kissed, Rhaella said, "I forgive you, if you forgive me for this mistake."

"Of course I do, my love," he said, giving her one last kiss. "Now I must go to my men." And taking one last look at Daenerys Aenar left the room while she sat down again next to Daenerys.

After inspecting the destruction of the walls, the harbor, and the siege weapons, to which, Torrhen made some repairs, Aenar with Arthur, headed to the house of healing, where there were the wounded.

"When they will see you, the men will be happy despite being injured and in pain. It's a great honor when the king comes to visit and cares about their condition," said Arthur, while they were in front of the great door, and then added, "This will make the soldiers even more loyal. And especially after you celebrate the victory, they will be thrilled for the future conquests."

Aenar nodded and entered the room. The room was large and inside there were a lot more wounded than Aenar could count, and he saw how Gregory and other healers looked after them. Aenar will go to all of them, but first, he had to go to one of his captains. The one who saved Daenerys from the fiery balls.

"Gregory, where is Balaq?" asked Aenar, and Gregory accompanied him, to a second room, entering he saw him on the bandaged bed, but alive, and Aenar was very happy.

"How is he?

"A few broken ribs, a fractured arm, a hit to the head, and a few burns along the body due to the fireballs. But nothing that a few weeks or months can not heal."

"Thank you, Gregory." And the old man retired.

As he approached the bed, Aenar saw that Balaq was waking up, and heard him say, "Oh, your grace, I would bow, but apparently I'm a bit out of use."

Aenar chuckled, sitting in the chair next to the bed, and Arthur behind him.

"I owe you a lot, Balaq. You saved one of the most important people in my life."

Balaq nodded and although sore, he jokingly said, "I did it for that pretty face." And Aenar chuckled too. "Heal. I'll need your help against Lys and Tyrosh. But first I'll go to Volantis, and Old Valyria."

"By then I'll be as fresh as a rose," replied Balaq, laughing, and then coughing at the pain while holding on to his chest.

"Rest now," Aenar said, and then leave the room, and after visiting every wounded, they left the House of Healing.

"Are the Dotrackis in the city?" asked Jon and Arthur nodded, and they headed for the place. Myr was a great city, and when Jon conquered it he gave the order to expand it, with wooden walls easy to build, and inside many houses. Because despite many of the citizens, by their free choice left the city, the houses were not enough for all his 30,000 men and elephants. And now there was the addition of the Dothraki, whose number Aenar did not know yet.

When he arrived at their area, located in the new part of the city, Jon saw a lot of horses, more than he could count them, and when their eyes turned towards him they all began to scream, in their own way, as if to greet him.

As he walked among them, Aenar saw that there were many women, and children, and he could not believe that Khal Drogo had been stupid enough to take them with him.

Then he saw a Dotracki approaching him, and say, "You killed the Great Khal of Khals, Drogo, and all of Essos sang your victory over Khal Moro, the main rival of Khal Drogo." (In Dothraki.)

"Yes, I did. What's your name?" (In Dothraki.)

"Qohon, my Khal," replied the man. (In Dothraki.)

"Then you will be a lieutenant of my army and the second in command of the Dotrackys." (In Dothraki.)

He nodded, and said, "Who do you want as Bloodriders?" (In Dothraki.)

"All Khalassasr." and Qohon nodded. (In Dothraki.)

As they crossed the camp, Aenar said, "Why are there women and children here?" (In Dothraki.)

"Khal Drogo wanted to intimidate you with a large number." (In Dothraki.)

Aenar nodded. After spending some time with the Dotrackys, Aenar returned to the palace, and saw on the stairs, sitting, Arya, her face buried in her knees, almost as if she was crying. Aenar, signaling to Arthur to enter, sat down next to her, and after some silence, she threw herself at him, clenching her arms around his neck and crying.

"I was curious to see the aftermath of the battle, but when I saw them, the dead, the bodies the destruction, was shocked," she said between sobs. Aenar didn't want her to see that scene, because she was still a child, and stroking her back he said, "I know, but this is what war is, Arya. You will not have adventures here, only death. I will fight many battles, and every one of them will be worst."

"I know. It's just..." she tried to answer but couldn't find the words.

Breaking the hug and looking toward her, Aenar said, "I think there's a way for you to temporarily forget these terrible scenes, and have some fun." And taking her by the hand, Aenar and Arya headed for the place where Caraxes rested to make her try her first flight.

Daenerys began to open her eyes, with a strong headache. She didn't remember much about what happened before she passed out, except that Balaq saved her from a fireball.

Feeling that something was wrapped around her head Daenerys put her hand on it, and when she did that she heard a woman's voice say, "Oh, you're awake."

And looking around the room in front of her, she saw that there was Lady Ashara, the woman who raised Aenar.

"What happened?" asked Daenerys, trying to get up and get into a sitting position, but she still felt headaches, and her body was hurting too.

"Don't tire yourself out, Daenerys. Now I'm going to call your mother. I'm sure she'll be very happy to know you're awake. She was with you for a long time, but I convinced her to go and rest."

Daenerys nodded, but as Ashara was about to leave, Daenerys, asked, "Where is Aenar?"

"With the men. But he will come and see you later." And she left the room. Daenerys had a strange feeling. Something was wrong with her body, and she could not understand what. After a while, Daenerys saw her mother, Rhaella in the room while outside the door there was Ser Barristan, who was guarding it, with the new armour on him.

"Dany," her mother said hugging her, "you scared me so much, my little one."

"I'm sorry, mother. I know I shouldn't have left the room, but I was too worried and anxious. I don't know why. I'd never felt that way before," Daenerys said, recalling the moment, though not very well, as the headache didn't make things better.

"What happened out there, mother?" Daenerys asked, looking up at her.

"You hit your head a little when Balaq saved you from the fireballs of Lys and Tyrosh's ships," her mother replied, and Daenerys began to remember a bit more about what happened.

"But there's another good news I have to tell you," Rhaella said, and Daenerys looked at her confused.

"Be strong for what I'm going to tell you, and don't get nervous because you know everything's fine."

"Mother, you are scaring me if you speak that way," said Daenerys, feeling her heart beating fast, and her breath-stopping.

"You're expecting a child, Dany. You're pregnant," said her mother with a big smile on her lips, and Daenerys though she felt bad. She was immediately struck by thousands of emotions. Joy, worries, anxiety, desire, and many others. She immediately put both hands on her belly trying to figure out if she felt something, but nothing. It was as if he wasn't inside.

Her mother chuckled when she saw what she was doing, and said, "Not yet, my sweet. It will be a long time before you can feel something moving inside of you."

Daenerys nodded, even though she didn't take her hands off there.

Daenerys nodded, even though she didn't take her hands off there. But she smiled. Inside her, there was a part of Jo-Aenar, that was growing. A son or a daughter of theirs and immediately her mind began to think about how he or she will look like if he will be more like Aenar or more like her.

"Now I'll tell the servants to bring you something good and warm to put in your stomach," said her mother, giving her a kiss on her forehead and leaving the room while she was lying in bed. This was really good news, but Daenerys decided to keep Jo-Aenar in the dark about it. According to her mother, she had to wait at least three months before telling him about it, as she could lose the baby, and she didn't want to disappoint Aenar about that.

After she ate Daenerys saw Aenar enter, and she smiled despite still having a little headache.

He immediately rushed to her and kissed her all over the face as he got on the bed, but with caution. And Daenerys giggled at his behavior.

He was now almost over her, with one hand at the side of her head and the other on her stomach, looking in her eyes. Daenerys bite her lower lips knowing that where he placed the hand, was growing their child. The fruit of their love.

"You scared me a lot, you know?" he said leaning down, kissing her lips, and then rubbing his nose against hers. "When I saw you on the ground, from the air, my heart almost stopped thinking I'd lost you."

Daenerys' heart was heartbreaking in hearing those words, and placing her hand on his face, and caressing him, she said, "I'm sorry for leaving, and that my behavior had worried you."

He did not answer and as she moved her eyes between his lips and his eyes, she added, as she caressed his lower lips with her thumb, "I saw you riding Caraxes and you were magnificent. The strength and kingship you showed there was almost enviable."

He kissed her thumb that caressed his lips and said, "Don't be. Because soon you will have one," and then get up, and come back with a chest. Opening it Daenerys was speechless. There were three eggs of the dragon. One Black with red markings, one Green with bronze markings and one Cream with gold markings. But she felt a strange pull and connection with the black one.

"In two weeks, we will leave for Volantis and you and Rhaella can hatch your eggs. Then, from there we will go to Old Valyria, the birthplace of the dragons, where you will be able to increase the bond with your dragon, in the presence of the gods of Valyria."

When she said that she looked straight at him, with a widen smile. Soon she will also have a dragon, and she will be able to fly, in the sky, and savor the wind in her hair.

But as she was about to answer he continued, "I discovered how to create the Valyrian Steel, Dany, and one of the main materials that serve is located in the depths of the Old Valyria mines. Even though I saw some piece when I walked through the destroyed city."

"Is it dangerous there, Aenar? I read bad things about that place, and once Viserys told me that Balerion the Black Dread was seriously injured there."

Sighing and looking down, Aenar said, "I don't deny it, there's evil there. And as the legends say in the depths of the mines there are the Fire Wyrms, ancestors of dragons. But don't worry, they shouldn't be bigger than a child," but taking a breath, he added, "Although there are sailors who tell that there' s one very big in there. The biggest one that has ever existed. That must have been over a thousand years, but don't worry, Dany. Those are only legends, to keep the raiders away from that land. On the other hand, there are Stone men, and they are very Dangerous. But they aren't near the temple. Anyway, we will still keep an eye open on them, and we will be wearing complet armours."

Daenerys nodded even though she didn't feel comfortable. Recently she read a book called 'Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History,' where it says that they hated men, and that worried her a lot.

"Dany, don't worry. The Fire Wyrms have been extinct for a long time, and that's just children's stories there."

"So were the White Walkers, Aenar. And the direwolves, and here they are. I just say that we should be careful and not take anything for granted not to venture too far."

"Relax, Dany. We have Caraxes, who will put down anything," replied Aenar laughing.

"Yes, a young dragon of less than a year old against a thousand-year-old beast. You rely too much on Caraxes, Aenar. He is still just a puppy despite his size. And as you said yourself, you don't know his full power."

"Relax, Dany, he's stronger than he looks. And stop with the Fire Wyrms. That beast does not exist."

Then Aenar got up to go and change for the night, while Daenerys saw her mother enter.

"How are you, honey?" Rhaella asked, advancing.

"Apart from the headache, good."

As he returned changed, Aenar said, "Good evening, dear grandmother," hugging her from behind and giving her a kiss on the cheek. Daenerys giggled when Aenar did, and he then lay down next to her, while Ghost, who had never left her alone, jumped on him.

"What's up, buddy. You want some cuddling too," said Aenar as he stroked him. Daenerys laughed again, but she put then the hand on her head.

"Down with you," said Aenar, then turning to the side, he wrapped a hand around her belly, and Daenerys smiled.

Then, after having extinguished the candles, her mother, too, laid down next to her and giving her a kiss on the forehead she put her hand on her belly where there was also that of Aenar.

Daenerys smiled to herself before falling asleep too.

King's Landing

Tywin was in his study reading the answer that that whore Arryn sent him. Apparently she is refusing to appear at court before the king, with her son to answer for the accusations that have been made against her. Not that Tywin was surprised. He always knew that she was a crazy woman, and surely that was caused by the continuous miscarriages and being married to the Old Arryn, not that he cared. Only the future of his house, and that his blood rules over the Seven Kingdoms.

He heard a knock on the door. "Come in!" And Tywin saw his daughter Cersei enter, and he was already preparing himself for what she wanted to say.

Cersei sat in the chair in front of him as he read Hoster Tully's reply that he was coming to the capital.

"What do you want?" Tywin asked, putting the scroll on the table and looking towards her.

"I want to know the future plans now that the Tyrells have been destroyed."

"Not all of them. Willas Tyrell is still alive," Tywin replied, recalling that Margery Tyrell sent a letter to her brother to inform him of what had happened, and that made things a little more complicated about The Reach. He will surely go to meet the real Targaryen to demand revenge, and the truth will come out.

"What are you going to do about that?" asked his daughter.

"You'll find out soon," Tywin replied as he stood up to get some wine, and offering it to his daughter too.

Sitting back on the chair Tywin asked, "Where is he?"

"Who?" asked Cersei with a confused expression, but he knew that she understood of whom he was asking.

"Joffrey. He never made it to the harbour where he was supposed to be, and neither did he join the company that was heading for Castle Black," replied Tywin. He received news of the attack, but he was sure it had been Cersei. She thinks she's smarter than everyone else, but she's wrong.

"You'll never find him," she replied, sipping from her cup, and then putting it on the table.

"What game are you playing?" Tywin asked.

"No one. I'm just protecting my children."

"Do you know it's your fault that he's what he is?" Tywin asked, but she didn't respond instead she said, "Why do you trust my brothers so much and not me?"

"What?" asked Tywin confused by what she was saying since it had no connection with what they've been talking about so far.

"You trust and confide in them, but did it ever occur to you that I might be the one who deserves your confidence and your trust, not your sons? Not Jaime or Tyrion, but me?"

"I don't see the relevance of this in what we were discussing now," replied Tywin, putting his goblet on the table, and leaning against the chair back.

"Years and years of lectures on family and legacy, the same lecture, really, just with tiny, tedious variations, did it ever occur to you that your daughter might be the only one listening to them? Living by them? That she might have the most to contribute to your legacy that you love so much more than your actual children?"

"All right. Contribuiet."

"The Targaryen are our enemies, and we must destroy them before they land in Westeros."

"Yes."

"We must send the killers."

"Already done."

After some silence, in which they looked at each other, his daughter said, "The Starks are our enemies. They have to pay for what they did to Joffrey," and although Tywin was bursting out laughing inside himself for what his daughter was saying, he remained impassive and serious, without answering, waiting for what other nonsense could come out of her mouth. "We must wipe out that family, and appoint Roose Bolton as protector of the North." But he still didn't answer, because all that came out of his daughter's mouth was nonsense. The Boltons may well be their allies in the future, but as long as the North is united without war, it was better not to wake the Wolf. Patience was not a great virtue of Cersei, nor was it a great virtue of Jaime, and if he had to be sincere, the only one who had patience was that monster of his son, Tyrion.

"I sent assassins to kill the members of the family of Winterfell, and the one of Moat Cailin."

"What have you done?" Tywin asked raising his voice angry because his daughter did this behind his back.

"If you thought I'd forget and forgive the way they humiliated Joffrey, father, you're wrong. They humiliated my son and now they're gonna pay for it with their lives."

"Have gone mad. What if they discover the connection with the crown or with House Lannister? Have you ever thought about that?"

"They are assassins, they are..."

"Silence!" shouted Tywin, "You asked me why I put trust in Jaime or in that dwarf of your brother. Now I'll tell you. I don't distrust you because you're a woman. I distrust you because you're not as smart as you think you are. And what you just did prove my point."

When he said that, his daughter furrowed her eyebrow, and he could clearly see that she was very angry for his response, which was the truth. "And the same goes for what you did with Joffrey."

As she got up she began to head toward the door, but he stopped her by saying, "I'm not done yet," and she returned to his table. "In two months from now, Jaime and Rosline Frey will be married in Castely Rock, and you, me and the king, will be attending the wedding, while Orys will rule the city in our name."

"I won't." She responded raising her tone.

"You will," said Tywin, "and you will also attend the bed ceremony when Jaime consumes the wedding."

"I won't!" she shouted, while she was with her hands resting on the table, and she was very angry.

"Yes, you will, even if I have to drag you there myself. For if you don't do it, the Lannisters' reputation will be stained and I won't allow that."

But Cersei didn't listen to him anymore and left the room furiously, and slamming the door.

Tywin sighed, leaning against the back chair. It had gone better than he expected, and he resumed his work as Hand of the King.

Braavos

Willas had just left the iron bank and was heading towards the inn where they were staying. He was sent by his grandmother Ollena to make a secret deal with the Bank, but he has failed, and now he will have to inform his grandmother about it.

When he arrived at the tavern as he entered, Willas saw his companions sitting at a table. They were not dressed with the emblems of his house because his grandmother didn't want the Lannisters to find out about his mission, and very few accompanied him. There were only six of them. His best friends and the best swordsmen of the Reach. Of course after his brothers.

But when he approached the table, Willas saw that their faces were gloomy, sad, and he did not know why. The negotiations with the bank had not been successful, but it certainly wasn't something to be sad about.

Sitting with them, Willas asked, chuckling, "So what are those unhappy faces?"

They didn't answer, however, one of them, Owen, gave him a letter. And Willas was confused.

My dear Willas,

It is with great sorrow that I write to you, to inform you of the death of our brothers, our parents and our grandmother, as well as the complete destruction of Highgarden, at the hands of the Targaryen. The local witnesses of the peasants who witnessed the horrific scene said that a great shadow came down from the skies and burned down our castle.

The Targaryen are in Myr, but I ask you not to do anything stupid while you are in Essos.

I've already lost too many beloved ones, I couldn't bear to lose you too.

Your beloved sister Lady Margery of House Tyrell and Baratheon, Future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

Willas was angry, furious. The Targaryen destroyed his family, destroyed their house after they had always been loyal to them.

Drinking the mug of beer that the tavern offered, Willas, said, "We leave for Myr at dawn."

"But my Lord?"

Willas didn't say anything else. Getting up, he headed for his room, and once inside, after closing the door, Willas leaned down against it with difficulty and began to cry. That night Willas swore to himself that those who murdered his family and destroyed his house would pay dearly. He was not a great warrior, not after that damned tournament that made him crippled by crushing his rising talent, but that won't stop him from demanding his revenge. He heard something beating at the window of his room and opening it, he saw that it was one of his hawks to be precise Garth, who apparently escaped in time from Highgarden.

"My friend. You witnessed the destruction of our house, eh?" he asked the hawk, as he was stroking and then looked at the city. It was beautiful at night, especially the Great Titan of Bravos.

After putting the hawk next to him Willas laid on the bed with his hands under the head planing his vengeance, but the most important thing was to think who would benefit the most from this tragedy?

But after a few minutes, he drifted to sleep, tired from the day.

Winterfell

Ned was in his study thinking about the latest events that happened. His wife is angry and in denial about the evidence of the truth about his brother Brandon, and his father. Bran and Howland have reached the Wall and are ready to go beyond the Wall. Robb has taken his cousin's virginity knowing that there might be a chance that she gets pregnant, and leaving her in Essos, with Aenar. He was very disappointed in him. And for the Old Gods, Arya, his little girl, remained in Essos thinking she would have adventures, poor girl. She thinks that wars are games or adventures, and he dreads for when she will find the truth. And it's all his fault that she' become like this. He encouraged her to learn the use of the sword and the bow, because it reminded him of Lyanna when she was a kid. Thinking of his sister, tears came to his eyes. She was so young when she died. And such a long life to live. He just hoped that Arya wouldn't make the same mistake as Lyanna, and had the same fate.

A lot of innocents died in that bloody war. People that didn't deserve, just because two men wanted the same woman, and because a Mad King sat on the Iron Throne.

He remembers every night the lifeless bodies of the last members of House Targaryen in front of the Iron Throne, as a gift and sign of loyalty from Tywin Lannister. Elia Martell and her children were innocent, victims of that damned war. And all for power. And Robb was right about honor and that the world does not work according to his rules, and according to honor. And it took him sixteen years to learn, and the loose of a lot of beloveds, even if not completely. Ned, however, still had hope that the world of men could change. But now it was time to start planning the defense of the North against its enemy. And especially considering that the army of wildlings was marching against them. Ned wanted to call the banners, to march on the Wall, before Robb returned, but after what he told him, Ned decided to change his approach. And as he got up, he headed towards Master Luwin's study.

When he entered the Master's study, Ned saw him standing up to greet him, but Ned indicated him to remain seated.

"My Lord."

"Master Luwin, I want you to send ravens to all the lords of the North, and they will arrive within a month."

"Yes, my lord," said Luwin. And Ned left the study to return to his own. As he walked through the hallway, Ned saw Catelyn approaching him and stopping in front of him. They looked into each other's eyes for a while, not knowing what to say. Since Robb's departure until now they've been fighting, and he felt a bit guilty about that too. And because of the constant quarrels, he didn't even sleep with her anymore.

"Ned, can we talk for a moment?" she said with pleading eyes as she looked at him. Ned didn't really want to argue with her now, as he knew it would turn into another argument, but seeing the pleading look she had, Ned sighed and nodded, and they both headed to their room.

Once inside, Ned saw how agitated his wife was, how her breathing quickly increased, and he said, "What do you have to tell me, Cat? I have a lot of things to do to prepare the North for the upcoming Winter."

Pacing, she said, "I can't take any more of these arguments, Ned. I want things to be the way they were before."

"You think I want it. But you keep denying the evidence and defending those who don't deserve it," replied Ned, rather angry, and passing a hand over his face, "And you even called my sister a whore."

"I know, Ned. And I' m sorry. But it's very hard for me to think that my father has plotted against the crown, with other Great Lords, and that Brandon has a...a...bast... bastard." Ned could see how difficult that word was coming out of Cat's mouth, especially if it was connected to Brandon, someone of whom she made her own idea. A wrong idea, Ned thought.

"These are the truths whether you like it or not." She nodded and said, "What are you going to do with Robb and the marriage proposals?"

"We'll wait to see if Alyssa is pregnant or not," replied Ned.

And if she is, will you let Robb marry a bastard with no land?"

"Yes, Cat!" snapped Ned, angry. "If there is a child, yes!"

Catelyn nodded and began to approach him, to caress him, and to give kisses on his chin, on the corners of his mouth, and then on his lips.

Ned tried to resist with all his strength, but his body did not want to resist. He took her in his arms, and brought her to the bed and then continued to kiss her as they took off their clothes.

Robb and Theon were training in the yard with their training swords, and Robb was ready to kick his ass, using the new moves that his cousin taught him, and even Ser Arthur, the Sword of the morning. Robb couldn't believe he trained with the Legendary Ser Artur Dayne, one of the most famous and respected knights of the Seven Kingdoms. Of course, he was not as good as Aenar but certainly better than Theon.

While they were training, Robb could beat him even faster now, and it was even more humiliating for Theon, especially in front of everyone.

"Who taught you how to fight like this?"

" No one."

"Lair." Said Theon chuckling, and Robb gave him a look.

Putting the training swords back, Robb asked, "Were you there when Joffrey Baratheon attacked my sister?"

"Yes. But Prince Orys gave him a black eye, and carried Sansa away from Godswood."

"That damn guy," Robb said holding his fist. "If he were here, I'd rip his heart out with my own hands."

"Relax, nothing happened. And that little shit had apologies to all the North. You should have seen the face of the Queen she was furious and that made her look even more beautiful," said Theon and Robb looked again at him with a dead look, who only chuckled. "Anyway, you have to tell me what you went to do in Essos," said Theon.

" Another time. Now I have to go talk to my father, and solve some of the problems I've done."

"Problems and Robb Stark are two words that don't fit together."

But Robb, ignoring him, headed for his father's study.

Knocking he noticed that there was no one in there, so he went inside and started looking around, and then looked at the map of Westeros. Beyond the Wall was very big, and who knows how many people have died in those lands in the last 8 thousand years. That was a problem. The North, for now, had a total of 40,000 men, maybe less, and was besieged on both sides.

After a while, he saw his father entering smiling, "Robb. I didn't know I'd find you here. What is it?"

"I'm sorry for my behavior, father," Robb said.

"It doesn't matter now. What's done is done. We'd wait a year to see if there'd be any news from Alyssa about the birth of a child. If there isn't, then we'll look to find you a wife." Robb sighed and nodded, even though he didn't like her. But he had no choice but wait. He just hoped that the future wife wasn't a Wilding, otherwise, he'd be fucked.

"Changing the subject, I summoned the Lords of the North," his father said as he sat down, "We'll discuss the Wildings matter with them before we march to the Wall."

Robb nodded and sit in front of him. "We must make an alliance with them at any cost father."

"I know. And that is why when we go to deal with the Wildlings, your cousin will have to be there too."

"I'll write to him." His father's nodded

Robb and his father spent the day with him telling his father the stories of Essos, and they laughed and drank, as father and son, before the great storm that was approaching.

Castely Rock

Joffrey and the Sellswords arrived at Castely Rock, and entering through the hidden passages, they arrived at the main corridor, which connected the Great Hall with the Lord's study.

Once at the door, the sellsword, Bronn, knocked on the door, and it was his uncle, Jaime, who opened it, "Bronn. Already back?" he said with a smile. And Joffrey's gaze rested on the female figure that was in there.

His uncle returned to her, and after whispering something to her and kissing her hand, he dismissed her, and she timidly left the room.

She was really a beautiful small girl, with very white skin, a pretty face with a small chin, delicate nose, and big brown eyes and her hair were brown. Joffrey could make a try with her while he was here, torture her, and fuck her, to get half revenge on that Stark bitch who humiliated him.

As he stepped inside, Bronn said, " Nice little piece of ass you got." But Joffrey headed for the wine pitcher, and he filled himself with a glass.

"Isn't she a bit too young for you, Uncle?" Joffrey asked, drinking from his glass, and savoring the good taste of that wine. He was not a great lover of the wine, but after drinking only water he needed a new taste. " When you' re done with her, can I fuck her?"

"Watch your tongue about my future wife, boy," Jaime said, and he almost choked on his wine. Coughing he said, "Is that your future wife?"

"Yes, and if you want to stay here and be on good terms with me, I suggest you stay very far away from her and don't dare to touch her."

"Is that a threat, Uncle?" asked Joffrey as she approached her uncle. He didn't like it when someone was threatening him.

"Yes, it is. You've never seen me angry, but if anything happens to her, you'll be the first to suffer my wrath. Bronn, your reward." And Joffrey saw his uncle give him two big bags full of gold.

"When you need me, you know where to find me," Bronn said and walked out of the room.

As he approached him, his uncle said, "You'll be here for an unlimited time, but don't think that I'll help you with your sick plans. Now go to the room that has been prepared for you and never leave it. The guard there will accompany you."

"You don't expect..."

" Have a good day, Joffrey," said his uncle, dismissing him.

Joffrey was angry by his uncle's behavior and came out of the room escorted, furiously. When he arrived at the room that had been assigned to him, he was disgusted, because it wasn't worthy of the true king of the Seven Kingdoms. It was simple, a single bed in a corner. A window and a table with a chair. Then there was a small wardrobe.

Joffrey decided not to argue today, because after the long nights he slept outside, he needed rest and a bath.

After bathing in a bathtub, where the water was almost cold, he lay down on the bed asleep with his dream of the Iron Throne.