Chapter 8 - Starfall

Before leaving the Tower of Joy, Hanko had to gather the servants together at the same time and complete a Memory Erasing Seal. He blocked out their memories of Elia, Rhaenys, and Lyanna Stark and their original appearances. Hanko did this so he could set up the new disguises of the two women and girl.

Through a combination of a fuinjutsu array, and Hanko being able to start up the ladies' incredibly small chakra pool, they were able to set up the array to create an illusion overtop of their normal facial appearance. This only changed their facial structures to outside viewers so she looked like a slightly different random woman of their kingdom. Elia still looked Dornish, but not as beautiful as she once was. Only a slightly-pretty instead, and not all the Martell features. Lyanna also looked slightly less pretty in her disguise. Both of their disguises were small enough that they could work off of the women's feeble chakra pool without needing any chakra input from himself.

Rhaenys did not have a illusion on her, but her hair was deliberately cut shorter by her mother to look like a boy, and changed color by bleach which Hanko had in his storage. He still activated her chakra pool however as she was close to the right age to start in the academy in the Naruto-verse. He was pleasantly surprised when he noticed not only was her chakra pool slightly bigger than her mother's. This opened up a new world of ideas for things he wanted to try. It took the combination of Elia and himself to sit Rhaenys down and ask her to try to memorize the feeling of her chakra pool and try to mimic a few hand signs he showed her. Currently she didn't show any signs of using an actual jutsu, but he knew it was too early to tell so he asked her to practice it.

Their caravan was sparse to say the least. They only had one wagon and two beasts of burden tied to the wagon that had the supplies they could take. Rhaenys was sitting on the back of the wagon with her legs swinging back and forth as she looked on with her Focus and was motioning through the air while following along with the gamified curriculum.

"If I didn't know any better, I would swear you cast a spell on my child to turn her into a mindless minion." Elia remarked.

Hanko chuckled. "You sound like every parent from my generation. 'Those damn kids and their video games!'"

"Video games?"

"Think of them as a play, but you the player control the actions of the main character as you navigate through a whole 'nother world different from your own."

Elia seemed to ponder that with wonder. "And people could make these 'video games' where you are from?"

"Yes."

"That sounds almost fantastical. Creation of new worlds and characters, then being able to control the actions of said characters. It almost sounds like the ability of the gods."

Hanko reviewed the statement and then came to a similar conclusion. "In a way you are right. I never thought of it like that before."

"To think that your people would have the power to easily accomplish such feats. It makes me wonder what other things your people have thought of."

Hanko frowned in thought. "There is so much more than you could fathom I'm sure. In time I'm looking to work with the Lords and Lords Paramount, exchanging such information for future favors and requests. I don't think we will get anywhere near video games, but everyone could use much better of … everything around the seven kingdoms."

Elia now looked sad. "So I guess I can't have that information because I'm a Martell, and you plan on working with Doran and Obern."

"It's not that I don't trust you. After all, you now technically know the hand signs of a technique that I can use as a ninja. You currently have knowledge that no one in this world knows besides myself," Hanko pointed out. Elia had to nod in agreement as he continued. "That isn't even the information I'd be looking to share to the Lord's. At this moment however I'm actually limited with what I can give anyway. I have started getting some things ready in this world, but I haven't set up actual servers yet to start the web here."

"Servers, the web? What are you, the master of whispers?"

Hanko cringed. "NO! I like my private parts, thank you." Elia almost blushed at the improper mention. "To sum it up, servers are physical boxes that house many different parts that both store, manage, and maintain vast amounts of information. 'The web' is the protocol setup for different servers to talk to each other over vast distances; think of seven servers being in each of the seven kingdoms. Now imagine that those individual boxes, no bigger than a person can distribute information between each other in milliseconds."

"milliseconds?"

"Extremely faster than a single second of time."

Elia's eyes went wide with shock. Lyanna looked over with the same wide-eyes. "Do you know what that would mean if information can be passed in seconds instead of days or weeks by raven?"

"Yes, I do know," Hanko smirked. Lyanna scowled and Elia giggled.

"I know you mentioned 'vast amounts of information'."

"Think about the size of the Citadel and all their tomes and you can multiply that by at least 100 and you wouldn't come close to what a single server could hold in regards to information."

Now Elia was shocked and Lyanna was giggling, accidentally jostling her newborn Aegon on a shoulder strap facing her, having the baby now awake and cooing. Some looks came from the other servants and the former Kingsguard in the caravan, but they looked away after a short while not understanding what was being discussed in the first place.

"Rhanya," Hanko spoke out towards the wagon. Rhaenys didn't respond to her new name for her disguise.

Elia spoke to get her attention, "my sweet?"

Rhanya turned her attention to the sound of her mother and her 'pet-name'. She grinned after a few seconds when she recognized her 'mother in disguise'. "Yes mama?"

"Hanko wanted to speak to you."

Rhanya turned her attention to Hanko when he spoke up. "I'm sending you a list of files." Hanko already had his hands in the air as he quickly navigated through his Focus UI. You can start on the first one and let me know when you want the next one."

Rhanya cheered in glee "hooray!"

The whole caravan's mood lightened up at the cheer of a child. Hanko sent the first of the files, a Disney animated movie: The Little Mermaid. It took a few minutes to send over before she opened the file and her stare went out unfocused into space.

"I gave her a movie list; that should keep her busy for a while." Hanko confirmed to Elia. Elia nodded in understanding as she already found out what a movie, and TV show were during their month-long stay at the Tower.

Their travel to Starfall was uneventful. Hanko figured out why in due time.

I took care of some bandit groups that were on the way to Starfall.

So I have you to thank again for our timely and easygoing travel.

Yep, though don't be surprised if Starfall greets you with hostility.

...Why?

Well I basically took on all the bandits, by myself, with my scythe. I then tortured the last one for their base of operations in front of the group before telling them to go on ahead and I would catch up. I then proceeded to make my way to their base and knocked out the remaining bandits, sealed them in another prisoner scroll, and then looted all the valuables there before making my way back to the group completely unharmed. They seemed pretty afraid of me after that, and as we both know the fear of unknown strength can cause animosity. Before I left to tag the rest of Dorne in Hirashin Markers, I'd been put in the proverbial dunce corner of Starfall by the Lord Dayne.

*Sigh* Okay, I will see what they think when I get there. Though, why did you take prisoners in the first place?

Well you did have plans for the Night's Watch did you not? I figured the more bodies on The Wall the better.

Hanko smiled. Then I must thank you for your restraint. What can I ever do to repay you?

Consider the bandit loot as payment of your debt to me. I'm sure I'll find something to spend it on.

Where are you anyway? I noticed you didn't return to the mindscape after this past month.

Well after tagging the rest of Dorne, I decided to relax at Sunspear. I also might have pre-empted any divergence of your plans from Doran and Oberyn.

...NO I DON'T WANT TO-

So I was able to get an audience with them after I announced I had news for their ears only and disabled the guards I was speaking to. I went under armed escort to the Princes of Dorne. I spoke a phrase that only Elia and her brothers would know to confirm I was talking on her behalf. In summation I told them of Elia's location, that I'm working with a group that is looking out for her and her daughter's safety while you will make your way over to them. I believe your letters in advance seemed to help my claims. I informed them of Aegon's death. Oberyn was of course livid and wanted to go after the Lannisters, however I was able to placate them by using our shared storage to fish out Gregor Clegane's prisoner scroll and unsealed him right in front of them. You should have seen the look on their faces. After they gathered a group of soldiers that chained and dragged The Mountain away, I offered them our condolences and unsealed the body of their nephew. Oberyn covered the body before calling another guard in to escort me to quality guest chambers and we reconvened another time. Over the last few weeks I have even had to deny the sexy Prince Oberyn his attempts to bed me. That was of course after the spars we had where I don't know if he was more upset or aroused at how easily I beat him.

Hanko thought about it. Did you use your scythe on him?

NO, I didn't want to kill the man! I just used a bow-staff. It's not my favorite weapon but I did pick up on some of your lessons with the Sarutobi clan. Combined with my speed he didn't stand a chance.

Hanko just shook his head with a smirk as he continued walking in his present surroundings.

The trip continued without incident. It took just shy of a week for the group to arrive at Starfall. They didn't have any horses to ride ahead so they weren't greeted with much fanfare. The local garrison however seemed to notice Arthur and led the group to the castle without incident. The servants had local help unloading the belongings from the cart. Anything of utmost importance to Hanko, Elia, Lyanna and Rhaenys they already had Hanko store in seal-storage.

They were informed by another servant that the Lord Dayne had been notified by their arrival and is expecting them in the main hall. Arthur acknowledged and Hanko's group, and the Kingsguard made their way to the hall.

As soon as Hanko laid eyes on Lord Dayne, he knew something was immediately wrong. The man looked deathly pale and haggard. Though his hair didn't look too strewn about and his nails weren't overgrown like the Mad King supposedly looked like, his failing health was still highly noticeable. He was the only one in the room other than the guards at the corners of the room.

"Brother, I have returned home." Arthur announced.

The man smiled towards Arthur. "My dear brother, I thank the gods that you have safely returned to us." He turned to the others in the room. "And I see you have brought guests to us."

"Yes, I have brought a friend of mine, Hanko, who has saved my life, and his apprentices in the healing arts. Lydia and Elane" Arthur motioned to Hanko and the ladies beside him.

"You have my thanks Ser Hanko for saving my brother's life. I know that if his life needed saving it was because of something I cannot fathom as he is renowned as the deadliest knight in Westeros. I also noticed your apprentices are with children. Have you decided to start a polygamist family with your apprentices?" Lord Dayne chuckled at his own jape.

Hanko took it in stride as he corrected Lord Dayne's statement. "I apologise, Lord Dayne, however I must correct the statement by informing you I have only recently taken up both apprentices within the last two months. As the children and their ages do not reflect within the timeframe I took them as apprentices...the children are not mine.. Also, I am no Ser. Just Hanko is fine."

Lord Dayne seemed to ponder the information before brushing it off. "I thank you for the clarification my good Ser. I understand taking on women as apprentices of the healing arts, though I am surprised that someone who has capabilities as yourself would want to take two unmarried women with children as apprentices. I would have to assume, since you saved my brother Arthur's life, that you have many capabilities after all."

"Where I come from, the status of a woman's home-life or family situation does not prevent them from seeking higher learning. Since they seemed to show untapped potential in these arts when finding them, I figured I would not let their familial status stop them from learning further."

Lord Dayne nodded expressionless before changing the subject. "Mister Hanko, would you happen to be related to a Shi Uzumaki?"

"Indeed Lord Dayne, I am her brother," Hanko responded. "I hope she didn't cause too many problems while here. I requested she join the convoy with Lady Ashara Dayne for the Lady's protection at that time."

"Your sister was...enlightening. I'm sorry to say that some events occurred that had your sister not very welcome by the rest of the household before she left. If I were to pass a message along to her through you I would want to thank her for her protection of my dear sister and men-at-arms; and also include further thanks for the plots she was able to bring my attention to in our very home."

"Brother, what do you mean there were plots here?" Arthur chimed in now with worry.

"Lady Shi was able to bring to my attention the plot of our very own Maester in the castle to remove our line from the annals of history. She didn't outright say it as both my guards and the Maester in question was included in our audiences when she spoke to me. However key items came up in those conversations as well as her actions of insisting a outside healer come in to investigate the health of our household. It made me ponder about the efficacy of our Maester's care and if he was truly interested in keeping our house healthy."

Lord Dayne paused with a sigh and then continued his story. "On the third night she came to my solar without my knowledge, any announcement, or warning. She was like a ghost as she just appeared before me. She inquired if I would like to utilize her services to investigate the Maester and bring any proof she finds to me. Considering how she came to be in my presence and the rumors I heard about her martial prowess against the bandits; I figured, 'let her'. What I did not expect was the detailed letters between my Maester and the Arch Maesters at the Citadel about their plans to end my house." Lord Dayne's tone turned bitter at that time. "I ended up furious and took out my frustrations on the wrong person, I shouted blame at her to the point where my guards came and escorted your sister away. For that, I am sorry." Lord Dayne looked humbled at that admission. "I was only told she was given a distant guest room away from the rest. Couple of days later, after the trial and summary execution of the Maester, I came to my senses and sent for an audience for her to thank her. However I was told she was nowhere to be found, and the corresponding search for her told us she had already left." Lord Dayne looked sorrowful as he pleaded to Hanko. "Please, if you can get any message to her, please let her know that I am sorry for the way she was treated and that I owe her at least three life debts at this point."

"Three?"

"Yes, the Maester's plans seemed to include Ashara and her unborn child."

Arthur now looked furious. "Where is Ashara, is she okay?"

"She is fine and being looked after by the healer Lady Shi was able to find for us in town. Yet another debt…" Lord Dayne murmured at the end.

Please let him know in some way that I would understand and forgive him.

Well look at you being all forgiving.

Shut up you, remember we are bonded forever, you irk me and we can spend each others days in misery :P

"I'm sure that my sister would accept your apology," Hanko offered to the Lord Dayne. "I will make sure to pass on your message all the same."

"Thank you Mister Hanko."

"As for the business we have here, we received word from my sister about Lady Ashara's impending birth and were asked to make haste and be here in case further healing services were needed. I would ask to see the Lady Ashara so we can get to work."

That seemed to make Lord Dayne pale further in sorrow, thoughts going to how much he still owed Lady Shi.

You just had to dig that dagger in further didn't you?

What? I have a plan.

Lord Dayne finally answered. "I thank you for making the special trip to our keep. I will have a guard accompany you who also knows the way to Ashara's quarters. If you need anything, and I mean anything you have my complete backing and for the extent of your stay and services your requests will be treated in the same level as my demands."

Hanko smiled. "I thank you for your kind words. Though I understand you mean well, I will not overburden your household without reason."

Lord Dayne nodded and he motioned for the guards to escort the group to Ashara's rooms. They weren't far and when they were called in to enter by Ashara, the group saw her laying on the bed.

Arthur smiled as the siblings made eye contact. "Sister."

"Arthur!" Ashara exclaimed. She made to get up from the bed but Arthur quickly went to her side to placate her and give her a hug so she didn't need to get up.

"Please sister, you know you shouldn't move about quickly; especially with how far along you are."

"True, It should be any day now according to the healer," Ashara turned to look at Hanko, "which I must thank Lady Shi for providing as I also found out about the recent plots of the Citadel."

Speaking of the healer, a woman coughed from the open entrance and walked in. She then looked to the group already inside. "Hello Hanko, took you long enough."

This made Hanko chuckle, especially looking at the disgruntled faces around them at the 'healers disrespect' towards a honored guest. "I should have known. You had to leave a clone here too huh?"

"What, I couldn't trust anyone else around here,"

Tiger

With a puff of steam the woman's appearance changed to that of Shi. Everyone but Elane and Rhanya looked surprised at the reveal.

"What is this…" Arthur exclaimed. His hands were on the hilts of his swords as he now looked wary of the newcomer.

"Arthur, if you remember, I used genjutsu on you and the other Kingsguard when we first met. The 'illusion magic' if you will. Both Lady Shi and I can use other skills as well that are more realistic instead of mere illusions. This person we see in front of us is actually a clone planted by Lady Shi."

"But, she changed entire appearances faster than a faceless man...by the gods." Arthur's mind was reeling now at the implications of how deadly such a skillset could be to them all.

"Fear not Arthur, we will be fine, you can stand down now." Hanko placated him.

Arthur took his hands off the swords, but still seemed to be lost in his thoughts as to what he just witnessed.

"Gods, I thought the healing was impressive," Lydia chimed in. Now realizing the focus in the room was now here, she slapped her one hand to her mouth that was not already holding Aegon.

"I was curious as to who our other guests are here with you Arthur and Lord Hanko," Ashara seemed to take in the two ladies with their respective children now.

Hanko quickly informed her of their true identities and that they still planned on keeping those identities a secret. He knew that Ashara was a good person enough to be 'in-the-know'. Ashara was intrigued and happy that she could see her princess and closest friend once again. Elane went to her side and they shared a hug, smiles all around that they were reunited once again.

After a while Hanko brought the room back to business. "I hate to interrupt the moment, but I was asked to request if you had this child out of wedlock or not." Ashara and the ladies in the room gave Hanko a dark look but he put his hands up in surrender. "Contrary to what the rest of the realm believes, I know that you didn't share intimate relations with Eddard Stark, so there were some questions from the current Lord Paramount of the North as to who the father was. I think he needs to confirm the line-of-succession if I'm not mistaken."

Lydia now looked intrigued as she was also under the impression that Ned and Ashara were in love.

Ashara paled for a moment but then frowned into sadness. "I didn't think about that before. Though Ned was a true gentleman to me, I did not love him." Ashara turned to Lydia as she next spoke. "I was married in a secret ceremony to Brandon Stark before we consummated the marriage. This would be Brandon's child."

Now Lydia was surprised. "Damn, I knew Brandon was a wild one, but...gods."

Ashara blushed now. "Brandon was definitely a wild one. At first when he approached me I thought he wanted me to be just another on his list of conquests. Then as he was attentive only to me at Harrenhall; and continued to send me gifts and correspond to me through Ravens, it didn't take long to fall for his wiles. We both knew he was betrothed to Cathlyn Tully, but when Lord Rickard sent him to be with his betrothed and learn more about her and her house, he spat on that and instead slipped away from his retinue with only a few good men and came to meet me here instead. My brother, Lord Dayne, was not happy. Not until Brandon offered the marriage himself." Ashara's eyes glazed over as her thoughts went back into memory. "Even though the ceremony was so small, it still ended up so beautiful."

"After our honeymoon had lasted a few days, we heard about the news of the supposed kidnapping of Lyanna. Brandon was furious as we all know, he took the health and safety of his family seriously. I begged him not to go to King's Landing, selfish of me I know, but he gave me his cheeky grin with sadness in his eyes and said that he had no choice. And then the rest is history."

Lydia looked to Ashara with tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Lady Ashara." She sat in a chair facing her. "I'm so sorry that my naivety, my foolishness, has cost you so much." She started crying now in her hands.

Ashara now with tears in her eyes shook her head. Elane went over to Lydia to comfort her now as Ashara could not get up. "At first I will admit I was upset. Then I learned more of your own story; your own betrothal and how you also tried to let everyone know many times to no avail. I knew that I could not begrudge you that as my own husband had made the same choice; love. Then when I found out about you being in the tower, how you were and came to be pregnant, I could not find further fault in you as it seemed you had already suffered enough. Though I had lost my love, I at the very least was able to enjoy the time that we had together, and I will be able to remember him, through my unborn child." Ashara said as she stroked her swollen stomach with a somber expression.

Lydia's crying had died down to low whimpers and Shi took Aegon off her hands and left Ashara, Lydia, and Elane together in the room.

"So what's next brother?" Shi asked with a sad smile to her face; using her jutsu to switch back to her healer persona.

"Now that we have the resources of Lord Dayne, we can get to work."