Mace Tyrell

The Lord of Highgarden smiled as he read the parchment. It seemed his gambit was going to work after all. Loras confirmed that the King's children are indeed not his, but the spawn of in chest between the Kingslayer and his sister; Renly had told him so after he talked with Lord Arryn. Mace could already imagine Margery with a wedding gown, ascending the steps of the Sept of Baelor to claim her rightful place as queen. House Tyrell shall become royalty, and the Lannister lion stricken down from the summit.

Mace threw the parchment in the fireplace. People would kill for that information, he then opened the last dispatch, and his face contorted in anger. Another raid in the strait of the Arbour, four ships disappeared without a trace; one was found without anything aboard, sailing into the nothingness. Mace hypothesised the Tyroshi might be involved, they tend to raid even beyond the Wall if they're desperate. Perhaps it could be some ambitious pirate of the Stepstones trying his luck west.

Mace added the parchment to the pile and left the solar, he will think of a solution later. He passed by the gardens, house Tyrell managed to maintain power in the Reach with a thin margin, but there were pretenders everywhere with a stronger claim than his family; having a member of House Tyrell on the throne would cement their position as Wardens of the South.

Mace observed fondly the work he did in this section of the gardens: roses, orchids, peonies, daffodils, lavenders... all beautiful flowers adorned this allotment. Mace once had read that the Gardener kings' grounds held thousands of different species of exotic plants, some of which were never found elsewhere. He wondered how all of this diversity was lost, perhaps the Field of Fire had destroyed some hidden knowledge only known by them?

Mace reached the library. He had to find a copy of the book that incriminated the twins, the "The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms"; it wouldn't hurt to be sure. The library of Highgarden boasted a collection only second to the Citadel, it was primarily composed of gardening manuals and botanic encyclopaedias, but contained a fair amount of legislative and historical works.

Mace strode by one of the many corridors, but a sudden thump interrupted his walk. He turned his gaze and approached the fallen object, "A book?" He murmured to himself. Its title was "The Magics of the Greenhand". The cover had a green open hand emblazoned, and there was no signature of the writer.

Mace concluded that it may have fallen from the higher levels of the library, where most of the unused books are; however, this one piqued his curiosity, so he decided to bring it over to his solar alongside the text of lineages.

While walking back, he crossed paths with Willas and Mother. The two greeted him, and his mother spoke, "I see you took some books from the library. Let me see... The Lineages of the Seven Kingdoms? A boorish read. And what's that?" She looked closer at the green tome, "The Magics of the Greenhand? What do you hope to do, summon lemon cakes from thin air?" She quipped, "Nay, Mother, I am solely curious of its content. It fell from the higher levels of the library, perhaps it could be of interest to Maester Penwise."

Willas somehow seemed interested in it, "Father, may I come? I must say its possible contents may have woken my spirit of inquiry." Mace nodded and shot a glare to his mother. She sighed and said, "Well then, Willas, entertain yourself with tales of snarks and grumpkins. However, do tell me if you find a way to summon lemon cakes."

Mace and Willas entered the solar, seated near the great oak desk and started browsing the book. The rituals described involve the "blessing" of seeds: according to the writer, the plants of the Gardeners managed to grow faster and more robust than those that blossomed normally. They decided to follow the one for marigolds, so they took some seeds from the glass gardens, wine, and a knife. Mace poured the wine into a golden chalice, took the knife and stabbed his finger. Blood was one of the ingredients necessary for the ritual, and the giver must be related to the Greenhand for it to work. Willas mixed the compound and said some of the words described in the text; he then threw in the seeds and continued chanting. Then he finished the ritual, "Well, that was a waste of time." Mace muttered. Willas nodded and said, "At least let's plant the seeds. It brings misfortune to waste such good ones."

So they filled a pot and watered the seeds, then they left it by the window. As Mace re-entered the solar the next day, he was astonished. The Dandelions had already grown in one day, and they were enormous.

"WILLAS! WILLAS!" He bellowed by the corridors, "Mace, what is the meaning of this? Do you want me to become even deafer?" His mother said as she entered his view, "Willas is here by the dining room. What happened?"

"Mother, this is something you and Willas have to see with your own eyes to believe it." He said. Willas slowly crept towards them, "Father, what happened?" He said, "Willas, to my solar, now."

So they entered the room, and as Willas' gaze fell on the window, he started babbling, "I-I-It is not p-possible! It has only been a day!" Mother at first was confused, but then she connected the dots. And then she started laughing.

"HAH! It seems we have discovered a way to make more lemon cakes!"

Daenerys

Daenerys finished eating her dinner and left for her quarters. Despite this, she still felt a pit in her stomach: Viserys still hadn't left his room after three days; he was mumbling about a dream or something similar. Daenerys didn't want to lose Viserys. She wouldn't bear being completely alone...

Daenerys followed the corridor and turned left. As she was about to enter the room, a voice reached her ears. "I know Illyrio. This is most troubling. If the fools are going north, our plans will have a setback. My little birds chirp of a possible conflict between Ibben and the Dothraki. If it truly happens, then it will last for years."

"We still have your boy! We don't need the Dothraki. The Golden Company alongside other mercenaries will be enough!" Yes, this was undoubtedly the Magister. I can recognise his voice.

"Perhaps you are right, but I must destabilise the Seven Kingdoms further. I let the schemers run free in King's Landing, yet many things are changing there... Illyrio, I believe we are losing control of the situation, the Hand suspects my movements, and Littlefinger is risking everything. I know not what he desires, but he's attracting unwanted attention to himself. If he is discovered, my head will be next to his' on a spike."

"Then tread carefully, old friend. I can't risk losing you too." Daenerys didn't hear anything else, so she entered her chambers. She felt somewhat relieved that her marriage was on hiatus; no one would be enthusiastic in marrying a barbaric horselord. Perhaps she will marry her brother, as the Targaryens did for generations. She took the dragon eggs Magister Illyrio gifted her a day ago and slid them under the bed sheets. Daenerys felt somehow relieved and slept.

Then the dream started.

A great city on fire, people ran for their lives, but it was useless. Toxic fumes infested the streets, massive rocks crushed entire buildings... fourteen great volcanoes brought death to all that lived.

She was in Valyria

Daenerys started panicking and ran for the nearest palace. She slowly ascended the steps; if she was high enough perhaps the fumes might not reach her.

She reached the last floor, and the sight of what was there made her vomit: dozens of bodies were scattered around a great hall, most had stab wounds, and others had entire limbs chopped off. At the far end, a man sat on a steel throne. He had short white hair, red eyes and sported a well-trimmed beard. He wore a black plate armour, scaled in the likeness of a dragon.

"Who are you?" Daenerys asked. The man sardonically laughed and said, "I am Meraxes, Deity of Dragonfire. Behold, the glorious Gods of Valyria!" He then broke out in a full guffaw, and tears started rolling down his eyes, "And what glory, our great city is in flames for such eminence."

The Gods of Valyria? Is he insane?

"What do you mean? What is going on!?" She shouted. The self-proclaimed God snapped his fingers, and suddenly she was on his lap. "I mean what I've said! Are you slow?" He uttered, "This is our legacy, a burned city and a crumbling empire. Now, I believe you are asking yourself why am I being so negative. Look around, the FOOLS killed each other! All for a rift caused by who is responsible for this doom. I never before thought we were so petty, since none of us was responsible for this! Can you imagine? It was what our faithful have done that caused everything!"

The God was now laughing hysterically. Daenerys collected her courage and asked, "What... do you mean by that?" Meraxes' expression was now eerily neutral, and he spoke, "Well, they erased entire cultures, committed great atrocities and abused the power of their dragons to install their order. Still, we built great cities and created a complex law system that was used as a basis everywhere. We reached greatness, but at what cost?" He then spat three words:

"Fire and Blood."

"The Law of Predestination. Reap what you sow. The Valyrians did not understand this simple concept." He paused and then continued, "We tore down the Ghiscari, and they swore vengeance. We destroyed the Rhoynar, and Garin the Great cursed us. It was a matter of time before the earth itself rejected our existence."

He then looked dead set in her eyes. "You are the last hope for all Valyrians. Change your house's ways, forge a new destiny. You have the power to change things... my goodness, if much must change. Represent Valyria in the great struggles to come." Daenerys quivered. What challenges she needed to face? She only wants to go back home...

Strangely enough, Meraxes looked at her fondly, "Do not worry. You will return home. Urragon shall take care of things, even if he is a hot-headed cunt." He softly chuckled, "Damn it all, I needed to vent. I am sorry if I scared you before. Being stuck here is not healthy for the mind." He continued, "All these years I have been blind—all this violence, death. We forged a great empire, but now look at it. All is in shambles. Please, Daenerys, create a new identity for our people."

Daenerys put on a thin smile. "Thank you, I will. I hope you leave this wretched place one day." Meraxes nodded, but his expression became grim, "I wanted to warn you of something before you go."

"When you wake up, you shall face the first of your challenges. Be strong, don't lose yourself. Cherish the times of your youth, as they won't ever come back."

Daenerys bolted up from his bed; a maid was shaking her awake. "My Princess! I am truly sorry, but your brother... Viserys has passed away."

Daenerys wept, as she felt a strange tickling sensation on her legs.

Well, the Daenerys chapter came up more quickly than expected. As always, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter, have a great day!