The Blue Wolf

by choejhulkp9

What if? What if events before Robert's Rebellion and the end of the Targaryen line occurred differently? What if Lyanna Stark did have some feelings for Robert and it led to them laying together before she met Rhaegar? What if she was pregnant when they went to the Tower of Joy in Dorne? These small changes have large repercussions. The Blue Wolf is born and he will Howl with Fury

8. A brush with death gives him new life

Here is Chapter 8 of the Blue Wolf. Will won the battle against the Golden company and defeated Jon Connington in combat. But he didn't leave the battle unscathed as the poison arrow the Triarch gifted to Myles Toyne was doing its job. Will must battle on death's door to stay alive but in doing so, his touch with death gives him clarity and answers. One chapter of his journey is over. The next part begins now. Enjoy!

A brush with death gives him new life

295 AC: Yunkai

The battle against the Golden Company resulted in the death of its leaders, the slaughter of their fabled war elephants and the company started years ago by offspring of House Targaryen was defeated by the son of the man who ended the Targaryen dynasty. Poetic in a sense. Of the ten thousand men and knights that made up its membership, only two thousand were left alive after they surrendered when their camp was overrun and they were surrounded. It was a brilliant strategic plan by the Prince.

It wasn't without its costs as some Dothraki, Unsullied and others were killed in the attack but their losses were minimal at most with the element of surprise on their side. The two thousand Golden Company soldiers that surrendered were watched and detained in a small prison encampment outside the city under the watchful eye of Grey Worm's best lieutenant, five thousand Unsullied and the Dothraki who would slaughter them if they tried to escape. All weapons, armor, coins, gold, and items of note were taken from their camp including their siege weapons but at the moment, those tasks were secondary to the primary concern. Will was stabbed with a poisoned arrow and was suffering from its effects. When he collapsed, he was taken back Yunkai under the guard of Arthur, Hercules and his group and safeguarded in his quarters in the pyramid. Cedric tended to him along with the aid of the city's best healers to figure out what happened.

Inside the prince's chamber, Will was laid on the bed with a blanket covering his pants. His shirt was removed as his body was sweating profusely from the effects of the poison. Missandei wiped his body with a clean rag before wetting it in cold water to try and help his fever. After the prince fell unconscious at the battle he hadn't awoke and that was yesterday. In the room with Missandei were Cedric who was working with the city's best healers to try and help the Prince. Arthur, Hundred Eyes, Hercules, and the others watching over him with Edric, Gendry, Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr. Several Unsullied were standing guard outside the prince's room when they knocked on the door and an Unsullied escorted Prince Oberyn in.

"How is he?" Oberyn wondered, seeing the state the prince was in and it wasn't good.

"He hasn't woken up. His heart is rapid and his fever is high." Cedric told him before holding up the arrow Will was stabbed with. "Oberyn, you are a master of poisons. Can you figure out what this it? We haven't had any luck."

Oberyn took the arrow and looked at the arrowhead to see the remnants of whatever poison mixture was on it along with dried blood. The blood masked some of the potent smell from the poison but Oberyn knew a few more tests to figure out what it was. He took a small splotch of cloth from the table and used the tip of a knife to scrap off a small sample of the poison before checking through the various containers of liquids and solutions the healers brought to help. After finding what he needed, he mixed two clear liquids with some ground up white powder to make a sort of paste. He then scooped up a bit of the paste onto the piece of cloth and rubbed it in before dropping the small sample of the poison on it. He rubbed it together with the paste on the piece of cloth and within a few seconds, the white paste began to turn a dark green and that told him exactly what it was.

"It's manticore venom." Oberyn told them.

"Are you sure?" Cedric asked, walking over as Oberyn handed him the cloth he used for the test.

"I am. There's an old Dornish trick for testing for Manticore venom. You mix together a special paste of herbs and vinegar and when the poison comes into contact, it turns into a dark green color. It's Manticore venom but none like I've ever seen." Oberyn told him. "If the prince was hit by an arrow of Manticore venom then he wouldn't still be breathing."

"Forgive me, Prince Oberyn but I've always known and heard that Manticore venom, while highly poisonous is incredibly lethal. It should kill its victim the second it reaches the heart. It's been a day since the prince was stabbed and yet he is still alive." Missandei looked at Will and saw his breathing was labored and she held his hand in comfort.

"You're right, Missandei. The poison should have reached his heart by now." Oberyn agreed with her.

"He's a tough son of a bitch. As tough as Hercules and that's no small feat." Autolycus pointed out.

"Toughness has nothing to do with it. Something's been done to the Manticore venom. It's among one of the deadliest and most lethal poisons there is in the world but its potency fades the longer it leaves the stinger." Oberyn told him as he showed them the arrow and the paste it had on it that contained the venom. "I've heard tales of chemists and such trying various elixirs to keep the venom potent to make the victim die slower but the results have been mixed."

Ser Arthur looked at his former squire, student, and a boy he thought of as a son laying there in the bed asleep and in pain. Even though the man who landed the blow is dead, there were still those who needed to pay and they needed information. "Autolycus, Smalljon…take some of the men and make sure that the prisoners are not going anywhere. Find out if they knew anything about this and if they did…get me all the information you can."

"We'll get answers and they'll be the truth. Trust me." Autolycus promised as he left the room to handle his task and he would make sure to get the right answers they needed.

"Oberyn…can you help him?" Ser Arthur asked and Oberyn glanced at his fellow Dornishmen with an unsure look.

"Manticore venom isn't like nightshade, sweetsleep or Wolfsbane. I doubt there is a cure but I'll do what I can." Oberyn promised and that was good enough for the fabled knight of House Dayne.

"The rest of us will watch over the Prince and keep Yunkai safe." Arthur told them and they all reluctantly nodded.

"I don't like this." Gendry said out loud.

"Neither do I, Gendry but there's nothing the rest of us can do." Arthur stated as Edric pat his brother on the shoulder. "As much as I hate to say it, nothing the rest of us can do will help William. He's in the best of hands with Cedric, Oberyn, and the city healers and Missandei is smarter than all of us. All we can do is keep him safe and make sure that everything he's done doesn't collapse when he wakes up."

"What do we tell the people of the city? They're starting to ask questions." Beric Dondarrion asked.

"Nothing new for now. We just tell them the prince is healing after leading the battle against the Golden Company." Arthur answered. "The less people know the better. For the rest of us, we continue as normal and assure the people of Yunkai that nothing will change with us here. That is what he would want."

"You heard him. Let's go." Thoros said as everyone began to file out before he walked over to Ser Dayne. "And what do we do when people wonder why they can't see him or he doesn't leave?"

"We keep the peace and make sure that William's faith in us wasn't for nothing." Arthur replied and Thoros nodded. "I'll coordinate the guard duty and patrols around his room. No one goes in without my approval."

"I commend your efforts, Ser Arthur. I know you care about the boy as much as I do." Cedric said to him. "What should we tell his father?"

"Just tell him that William was injured and we're looking after him." Arthur said. "This is my fault. I should be never let him stray from my side. I should have taken that arrow, not him."

"Arguing the past will not change the future." Hundred Eyes told him. "There was nothing you could do and blaming yourself now helps no one. You need to be strong for him as his enemies will use this opportunity to strike."

"Not so long as I'm alive." Arthur swore. He summoned Grey Worm and told him to get his best men stationed all around the pyramid they were staying in as well as double patrols and guard duty on the floor and around the prince's room. No one would get in without being seen or detained and no one could enter Will's room unless they were approved to by Ser Arthur Dayne. Grey Worm took his new orders without question as did his men. They would protect the Prince if it cost them their lives.

Throughout the rest of the city, the Unsullied presence had ramped up and many of the citizens had noticed this but just attributed it to the aftermath of the battle with the Golden Company. Keeping the city safe from the small camp of prisoners just outside the city walls. The two thousand members of the Golden Company who had surrendered after their captains and leaders were killed were grouped together into a makeshift prison camp about three hundred yards outside the city near the surrounding rocky terrain. They were watched constantly by rotating shifts of Unsullied guards, Dothraki, and any Westerosi men. They were given food and water but their weapons and goods were taken along with being outnumbered. Plus, the Prince was injured so any idea or even whisper of escape would end in swift death but at the moment that was the least of their concerns.

At the moment, all of what remained of the Golden Company were corralled together when Hercules, Autolycus, and Smalljon arrived at their little prison camp to get information. Hercules asked first if any of them had any information they wanted to share and he did so in a rather polite tone only for one of the sellswords to tell him to fuck off. And how did that end? Hercules picked him up by the neck with one hand and hurled him into a rock which cracked his skull open like an egg. It was quick, brutal, and scared the other sellswords into submission along with the army of Unsullied and Dothraki who were ready to strike them down. Autolycus walked over to the dead man with his brains spilling out of his cracked head like an egg.

"Well, so now you fellas know that we're serious here let me make one thing very clear. The only reason any of you are still alive is because we've been busy. But now you have our undivided attention and we want some answers." Autolycus told them, taking out his Valyrian steel dagger from his coat. He froze for a moment when he looked at it before he glanced over at the Golden Company. "Now, believe me boys…I know what it's like. I've been a sellsword too. Just recently did I start to actually like taking orders from someone I swore an oath to. He's a prince and the gold is good but here's the thing…I'm actually starting to like him and your bastards tried to kill him. So, if any of you want to live another day or even have hopes that you might live and be set free…then you better start talking or we start cutting you boys below the waist. We have some Unsullied here who can show you what it's like to become one of them."

That threat of violence made everyone a little more receptive. Being killed was one thing but getting a knife to your manhood was something that no one wanted. "You heard him, you bastards. Any of you have anything to say?" Smalljon unsheathed his sword and was ready to use it. "Let's start things off with who knew about your leaders little meeting in Volantis."

Several hours later…

The sun gave way for the moon and the night that crept over Essos like a blanket. The only light in that darkness was what the moon shined down on and the torches and fires that lit the city like candles in a room. Yunkai had remained safe and its people continued about their business. Children went to school and then played, parents went about their jobs, traders sold goods, and the brothels were as popular as ever but now under a better control and management system thanks to the changes William and the council made. That plus the influx of goods that came from Astapor and their small port that was still under construction did much to sway the Breaker of Chain's strongest detractors. Like in Astapor, there was enough good fortune to go around but many wondered what had become of the prince. He had not been seen all day and even the council wondered when they would see him.

Inside the prince's room, Missandei and Cedric tended to him as best they could. Oberyn's wealth of knowledge on poisons was a welcome addition but it showed little signs of improving William's condition. He and Cedric made a small solution of spices, fruit juices, and powders which fed to the prince every now and then to keep his stomach and heart strong as it fought off the poison. That along making a similar paste to put on the wound in his leg and telling them to keep him cool and hydrated was all he was really able to offer. Manticore venom was fatal and there was no cure. It should have killed the prince had the masters not altered the poison so they were in uncharted territory here. Missandei cleaned Will's body of sweat and kept him cool with some cold water along with giving him small amounts of it to drink in order to keep him alive. Cedric checked the prince's breathing and his heartbeat and while it was still as labored as before, it wasn't getting any worse which could be taken as a good sign since Manticore venom was supposed to make the heart stop so the fact that it was still beating was a good sign. Unfortunately, the prince still hadn't woken up yet.

Edric and Gendry were in the room with them along with Hundred Eyes to keep watch over Will when the door opened and in walked Ser Arthur Dayne who returned from a small meeting with the Unsullied outside. "No movement or any unusual activity to report." Arthur told them as he looked at William laying down on the bed. "How is he?"

"About the same as before. This is going to be his toughest battle yet." Cedric told Arthur as the old man looked down at the prince he saw as a pseudo-son. Before anyone could say anything else, there was a knock on the door. Arthur opened it and one of the Unsullied walked up and said something in Low Valyrian but he could have sworn he heard the name Lannister.

Missandei walked over and the Unsullied repeated himself so she could translate. "They say that Tyrion Lannister wishes to come in for a word."

"Lannister? What the hell does he want?" Gendry asked, not liking the idea of the Lannister guards walking in and neither did Arthur.

"Missandei, ask him if Tyrion is alone?" Arthur asked her and she translated. She and the Unsullied guard spoke for a bit before she had her answer.

"He is. He's alone. His house guard aren't with him." She told Arthur. He thought it over for a bit before he made his decision.

"Missandei, can you go with them and tell Tyrion that he's going to be searched before he's allowed to enter? That's the only way I'll let him in."

She nodded and left with the Unsullied guard to translate Arthur's orders. How he reacted would say a lot about what his intentions were. "You don't think Tyrion would actually try anything, do you? He's been an…interesting companion but I do believe he likes William." Cedric pointed out.

"You may be right and I'll admit that I've grown to like Tyrion since he's joined us. It's the nine house guards he's brought with him that concern me. And I'm not taking any chances." Arthur stated and Cedric admitted that he made a good point. They waited a little longer before Missandei and the Unsullied guard returned with Tyrion. He was dressed in his regular Lannister clothing and looked a little tussled but that was probably due to the searching at the hands of the Unsullied. "Lord Tyrion."

"Ser Dayne." Tyrion greeted him back as he looked at William on the bed. Missandei walked back and wet another towel to put on his head. "How is he?"

"Why are you here, Tyrion?" Arthur asked him, completely ignoring his question.

"I came to see how William was doing. With the increased Unsullied presence, I wanted to make sure he was ok but it would appear he's not doing so well." Tyrion said, walking over to get closer but Arthur cut him off. "I come in peace. I was already searched by the Unsullied before I even came in here."

"I'm sorry, Tyrion but I'm not taking any chances with the prince's health at risk." Arthur told him.

"Would you be saying this to everyone or do I get special treatment since I'm a Lannister?" Tyrion wondered as he noticed that everyone in the room seemed a tiny bit on edge with him here. "I'd like to think that all of us have become good friends during my time with this group. I've proven to be quite helpful and I'd like to think an excellent conversationalist and drinking companion."

"It's true, Tyrion. I'll admit that we've all grown quite fond of you but I'm not taking any chances with the prince's safety." Ser Arthur told him and despite the sort of harsh treatment Tyrion was receiving he understood that.

"And I think you're right given what's happened but I mean the prince no harm." Tyrion assured him. "I know my word might not carry much weight at the moment but I'd like to think that the prince and I are on good terms. I would not harm him. He's my friend and one of the few people who looks at me as a person rather than the half-man or the imp. I can assure you, Ser Arthur Dayne…I wouldn't dream of hurting him despite what anyone in my family would want. My guards on the other hand…them you should keep an eye on. I wouldn't put it past my sister having bribed one of them to try and kill the prince."

"Your sister yet not your father?" Cedric wondered.

"I'm still unsure on how he feels about young William. True that he has come to respect the young lad but having his own grandson as the crowned prince must be appealing in some manner of form." Tyrion pointed out.

"Robert may not be as smart as his son but if Tywin actually thinks that Robert wouldn't put it together if your father tried something then he's not as smart as I give him credit for." Arthur suggested. "Robert may be a drunken whoremonger and has gotten…lethargic with peace, if there's one thing I know is that he would wreak havoc on who killed his son until he found who was responsible."

"And I agree." Tyrion told him. "Is he getting better?"

"It's hard to tell." Cedric admitted. "He's still breathing which is a good sign but he's in a deep sleep. Going forward…we need to keep an eye on him. He's not out of this yet."

Missandei sat at Will's side and dabbed some cold water on his head while holding his hand. Everyone was concerned for his wellbeing and they just hoped that he would show signs of improvement soon. Whether or not his body made a recovery was still to be determined but what concerned Cedric was his mind as well. His body could recover from the poison but going into a deep sleep and being ravaged by Manticore venom could send even the strongest men down a spiral towards insanity or madness.

"Stay strong, William. Stay strong." Cedric urged him.

Line Break xxxxx

Darkness was all Will could see as he stuck to the shadows. His hood pulled over his head and his mask over his mouth and nose as he and his group made their way through the local terrain in order to sneak up on the Golden Company's camp. He watched as guard walked the perimeter of the camp so he needed to be dealt with or their sneak attack wouldn't work. He picked up a pebble and tossed it to the side where it clattered against some large rocks. The guard slowly walked over when he heard the clatter and checked for anything out of the ordinary but didn't see anything until it was too late.

Will slowly crouched through the foliage until he was behind the guard where he grabbed and threw him over his hip onto the ground. He then ended the guard with a hidden blade to the neck where a copious amount of blood began to flow out of the large wound and the guard gasped for breath but that's when things got strange. He began seeing double of the guard and the last few moments seemed to replay themselves back but they happened differently with him just stealthily walking up behind the guard and killing him with a hidden blade to the back of the head. He shook his head to refocus before he pulled the guard into the shrubbery and pulled out his bow and three special colored arrows. He loaded them on his bow string and pulled back as Ser Arthur used some flint to light the oil-soaked wicks and the second they were lit, Will fired them over the camp. That's when another strange double vision happened. He saw the arrows he fired over the camp seemed to vanish before going high into the air and exploding in an array of colored lights and loud booms.

"What in Seven Hells?" He whispered out loud when a volley of fifty smoke arrows were launched into the camp and exploded. They released a thick cloud of dark smoke that obscured everyone's sight on the eastern part of the camp. Another volley of smoke arrows was fired, this time further into the camp before they fired a bundle of explosive arrows that destroyed tents, killed men, and generally created chaos because they didn't know where they were coming from. "Did I give that order?"

"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! SOUND THE ALARM!"

The men of the Golden Company scrambled to get ready as horns were blown and they tried to get into whatever armor they could in a short amount of time.

"Wait, something doesn't feel right." William said when another volley of explosive arrows was fired into the camp and caused more chaos and death.

"You, too." Hercules left with his group of four hundred to head further up.

"Hercules, wait!" Will shouted as he watched Hercules and his group leave rather abruptly. Then another volley of arrows was launched into the camp and they exploded into a whitish/yellowish gas that made the air peppery and hard to breath causing men to cough relentlessly with the feeling of shortness of breath or choking and cry tears from irritation and burning vision. For some reason, all of this seemed very familiar but Will quite couldn't place it.

That's when he heard the loud thunderous rumble of his Dothraki calvary as all three thousand horses and their riders galloped into the camp of the Golden Company slaughtering or trampling anyone who got in their way. Grown men were stepped on like bugs, blood sprayed on tents from swords slicing into chests and heads were taken off by Dothraki arakhs moving at horse speed. It was honestly the prime example of why the Dothraki were feared.

That's his vision began to blur and then everything around him warped until he found himself in the middle of the Golden Company camp holding his two swords with blood splattered on his hands and face. A man with an axe charged at him so he acted on instinct. He spun around his attacker and stabbed him through the back with Wolf's Fang before quickly slashing another man to his left before blocking an overhead swing and parrying it. He then stuck the man in the face with his pommel and slashed him across the leg with Wolf's Fang and then took off his head with one swing from Storm's Wrath. One glance at his swords and he noticed the blood that stained them kept changing. One moment there was more blood and then the next there was less like when he fight first started

That's when he saw Ser Arthur cutting through his opponents with his two swords being the greatest knight in the Seven Kingdoms that he was. He had no problem cutting through three armed men with ease and he did it with style. Thoros lit his sword aflame and impaled one man through the gut before parrying and blocking another sword, then spinning and slashing him in the back. Beric parried a spear with his shield before breaking it with his sword and then stabbing his man in the chest. Oberyn spun his spear with speed and precision and slashed or stabbed through men with ease as his household guard watched his back. Hercules and his group had attacked from the north catching the Golden Company off guard. He bashed many of them with his club and threw one into a tent before blocking a sword and bashing him in the shoulder and then caving in his chest with one swing. Tydeus charged forward tackling two men and taking them down with his axes before parrying a sword to the back and slashing his man in the gut. Amphiaraus extended the blades from his spear and sliced through man after man while maintaining a circle of protection and death around him. The Dothraki continued their charge through the camp and were now fighting on horseback with their arakhs or bows. Autolycus parried a sword with his dagger before slicing the man in the neck and then throwing three knifes from his coat, killing three men with blades lodged in their throats. Atalanta fired arrow after arrow and used her bow to parry or takedown anyone who got close. She kept moving and quickly ducked to avoid getting hit by an arrow fired from Black Balaq. He loaded another one but quickly moved back and killed a charging Dothraki with it before reloading only to get an arrow to the groin. His shouts of pain were drowned out by the battle but soon got another arrow to the chest, one to the shoulder and then a final one through the head curtesy of Atalanta.

The Unsullied move in formation and took down the Golden Company with quick efficiency and brutality. They covered their flanks and using their spears and shields as only they could and took down dozens if not hundreds of the Golden Company all around the camps. More and more Unsullied marched into the camp behind the Dothraki charge and it was a slaughter at that point.

Will watched everything in the battle play out and it all seemed so familiar to him yet he couldn't place it. His mind was a maze and that's when his vision began to blur again and things around him started to slow down. He wasn't sure what was happening but it's like he kept seeing glimpses of the battle speed up and then slow down in an erratic manner. He rolled forward and slashed a man's leg off in slow motion before it sped up and he finished the man off with a hidden blade to the neck. Parry a sword and slice off a right leg at slow speed and then block a sword from behind and stab him through the gut at fast speed. Strike a shield which splintered in slow motion and then things froze before it sped up and he cut of a man's head. Block a series of lunges and quick strikes before spinning to a knee and taking off someone's legs and then stabbed him through the back. Then kicked a shield before cutting off his arm and then removing his head with both swords like a pair of scissors.

Will quickly blocked and parried a series of slashes, strokes, and lunges from a sword before getting hit by a shield bash and falling on his back. He rolled to the side to avoid getting stabbed and managed to get to his knees, blocking an attack from the front and behind before spinning and slashing to his back and blocking his front. He killed his attacker from behind before parrying his attacker from the front yet again and then stabbing him through the heart. Will stood up and saw his new attacker was Jon Connington, using his bastard sword and shield.

"I should have known the bastard son of Robert would resort to sneak attacks to win his fights. Have you no honor?!" Connington advanced, striking with his sword as Will blocked and parried his attacks while pushing with his own. Ser Arthur saw William in trouble so rushed over when four men got in his way. Hundred Eyes came to his help as he helped cut through his attackers.

Connington blocked all of Will's slashes with his shield when a powerful overhead slash sliced it in two. Connington parried Will's second slash and rolled out of the way, discarding his shield, and picking up a small hand axe off the ground. Will pushed the advantage with his swords as Connington's years of experience made sure he stayed alive. He parried Will's sword with his axe only to get push kicked back for distance. Will then slashed another man in the neck before spinning and nearly bisecting another at the waist.

"Honor like the Mad King who you served?! Who burned my uncle and grandfather alive?! Or like your so-called Silver Prince who left his own wife in King's Landing and took my mother when she was pregnant with me?!" Will charged with several lunges and slashes that Connington blocked before he pushed back.

"Rhaegar was a true prince, he was good man!" Connington shouted, slashing at Will's head only for him to duck and move out of the way as the two squared up with one another.

"Your good man left his wife and children and killed my mother!" Will shouted, charging with an intense anger and hatred as if he were fighting with Rhaegar himself.

"Your mother was a whore! I remember they were your father's favorite!" Connington shouted.

"FUCK YOU!" Will headbutted him in the face and then dropkicked him onto his back.

Will pressed the advantage while Connington blocked and parried as best he could. Will managed to pommel strike him in the face before Connington's hand axe snagged Wolf's Fang and both weapons were yanked out of their owner's hand. Will backed up to avoid a slash to the face and then again to avoid a slash to the stomach before punching Connington across the face and quickly spinning around and spinning Storm's Wrath into a reverse grip. As Connington brought his sword down to cleave Will in two, he got a sword through the gut. "My father sends his regards as does my mother!" Will yanked out his sword and Connington fell to the ground on his back.

Will quickly parried another sword attack and slashed the man across the neck while Connington pulled out an arrow from his back. An arrow with a leather cover over the tip. The same arrow the Triarch gave to Will and the second Connington heard that, he wanted to use it. When they returned from the defeat at Yunkai, he snuck into Toyne's tent and took it. He removed the leather cover as Will parried an attack from the side and slashed off his attacker's sword arm. With what little strength he had left, he stabbed the arrow in Will's left leg with enough force that he broke the shaft.

"AAHHHH!"

Will felt to his knees in pain as he stabbed his sword into the ground to try and catch his fall. That's when his vision began to change again and everything around him began to distort. The only things that stayed constant were his appearance and the arrow in his left leg which Will yanked out. That's when he noticed the next odd thing in the growing list of odd things…his leg didn't hurt anymore. He ran his hand over his wound and it didn't hurt despite him taking an arrow but that's when he noticed the green liquid dripping down from the arrowhead. It dropped to the ground but instead of flowing out like it normally would it seemed to pool together and change shape like it had a mind of its own. Before he could do anything else the arrow was knocked out of his hand.

"What the…" Will saw that Orys was the one who knocked the arrow out his hand. The Golden Crown Eagle looked at him and let out two loud screeches that Will knew Orys wanted him to follow. He was confused but when he saw the arrow on the ground and the green liquid on the arrow tip begin to get larger and move, he decided to ask questions later. Orys flew away and Will followed as fast as he could.

They escaped whatever was going on but the liquid dripping down from arrowhead didn't stop and what started out as a small puddle soon turned into a larger one. It began to bubble and steam like it was boiling before a large stinger sprouted out. It was an arched barbed tail with an unsettling human-like face on the stinger which acted as a distraction before it attacked. A large jewel-like carapace body appeared followed by eight legs and its head with the pincers that clicked about. All the liquid from the arrowhead was gone as it turned into a large green manticore. How large? Most manticore were about the size of a small mouse if not smaller but this was easily the size of a king stag which made it even more intimidating and terrifying. The giant manticore clacked the pincers on its mouth together before it moved about, turning left and right as it seemed to look at its surroundings. It then began scampering in the same direction Will and Orys went. Whatever the Manticore was or wanted…it wanted him.

[Caw]

Orys let out a loud and urgent cry as he kept flying and Will kept following him. He wasn't sure how long he had been running but it felt like hours. He wasn't able to tell where he was because all he could see in his surroundings was a blur like there was nothing around him and for some reason, he couldn't figure out what was happening. Orys kept flying until he stopped and perched himself on the branch of a large tree. It was just one lone tree in the middle of this blurred landscape. Will took a moment as he leaned against the tree to catch his breath. The only thing running through his mind was trying to figure out what was going on and why couldn't he remember.

"What is happening to me?" He asked out loud again but there was no one to give him an answer.

[Caws] Orys flapped his wings and took off flying again before he disappeared into the blurred void which began to change again. Will walked forward and saw the blurred void show images from the battle with the Golden Company he was just in but in a more complete view. He watched his fight against the men of the company and against Connington where he delivered the fatal blow to the stomach that killed him but then showed him getting stabbed in the leg by the arrow. Seeing it again and then remembering the green liquid that dripped down from the arrow when he pulled it out helped him make sense of what was going on.

"I was poisoned…" He muttered before he heard some clattering getting closer and closer and saw a large shadow appear behind him. He quickly dove to the side and rolled back to his feet to see a giant stinger pierce the ground he once stood. Attached to said stinger was a giant Manticore the size of a King Stag and judging by the clacking of its pincers and how it turned at him, he was its target. He wasn't sure if his mind was playing tricks on him or what but his gut was telling him to not let it kill him. The Manticore had the stink of death radiating from its very core and it was here to kill him.

"I don't know if you're real or if this is all in my head but I'm not planning on dying anytime soon." He pulled up his hood and mask before unsheathing both swords and held them at the ready while the Manticore pulled its giant stinger free and was poised to attack. "You picked with the wrong Baratheon to fuck with! Winter has come and you shall know my fury!"

He unleashed a battle cry and charged at the Manticore and it charged at him as this battle was what would either allow Will to survive or forever sleep into the cold hands of the Stranger.

Line Break xxxxx

Winterfell, The North, Westeros

The North was a harsh part of the continent and its harshness had an effect on the people who called it home. Its people were descendants of the First Men who first lived there and its location and harshness often isolated them from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. They stuck to the Old Gods when the Andals made landfall and didn't take to the new gods. It was affected by long winters, even in the summer and its small population has made the northmen a hardy, tough breed of people. But the Northern part of the continent wasn't as developed as the other six and aside from the various castles and strongholds that belonged to the Northern houses and the accompanying towns, a lot of the region wasn't developed due to the weather and lack of funds.

That was hopefully going to change.

When Gawen Glover and his men returned from accompanying the prince to the Summer Isles and Slaver's Bay, he came back with a small fortune from his journey along with good experience in battle and some interesting stories. But most important of all were the chests of gold and gems that he delivered to Eddard Stark along with a small booklet. In a letter to his uncle, William told Ned of his adventures and the spoils he's accumulated. Everything he sent over to Winterfell was from his own personal part of the treasure and wealth they've accumulated and that he set aside since the start of their journey. It was to fund the projects that he would have his uncle undertake in the north.

Will had well thought out designs, blueprints, and notes about what his uncle could do with the north and how it could be improved. He had some help from Cedric and the others. The biggest one would be the restoration of Moat Caillin. It was the North's oldest castle and fortress and it was in a sorry state. For years dating back to the First Men and the Andal Invasion, Moat Caillin was the first line of defense for the North. Many invaders have been beaten back to the south because of the fortress but it was now in disrepair with only three of once twenty towers left standing and it wasn't well manned or upkept. William attached the plans and ideas for Moat Caillin and one of the chests he sent had enough gold to fund its repair and rearmament. It would also bring a lot of work for the smallfolk and peasants which was good for everyone.

Rebuilding Moat Caillin was probably William's biggest request and it would take years before it was complete but Eddard had already started when he received his nephew's letter and the funds. Many smallfolk from the various towns and castles in the North flocked to the south for good work and even some from the south went north when they heard. Ned entrusted the supervision of the reconstruction to Lord Howland Reed. He was someone he trusted and given that Greywater Watch and the Neck was closest to Moat Callin, it was easier for him to watch over everything. At the moment, all they've been able to do is clear some of the wreckage and clean up the Moat but more and more people flocked there for work and even a small town was beginning to form outside the grounds for trade and to capitalize on the growing people there. The increase in people also enabled them to start tending to the surrounding land and cultivate it for farming.

That was another of the prince's projects for his uncle to help expand the North's farming and food cultivation. Because of the harsh weather, most of the farming was relegated to the south near the neck and the border which was just as fertile as the Riverlands to the south but lacked the manpower to farm it. It was slow in the beginning but once word had spread about steady work, more and more people began moving north to farm and build. Not to mention that William also sent some trade ships to White Harbor that had goods and foods to plant which were better suited for the cold weather. Seeds for foods like cabbages, turnips, carrots, leeks, and other root vegetables which would grow in the cold weather. And he even met some traders from the far east that had similar climates to the north that were able to grow special grains so he sent them as well along with the instructions on how to turn some of those grains into alcohol that weren't available in Westeros. Drinks called vodka and whiskey which were already becoming popular among Williams party so he sent over instructions and what to do with them. He had a funny feeling they would catch along quickly. All of that was going to require many carts and wagons traveling back and forth throughout the region.

Which also lead to the prince's other project which was developing the roads in the north for easier travel by laying down solid brick roads. Again, seemed simple but the North just lacked resources to start such an undertaking. Along with increasing the north's navy assets, cultivating fishing and maritime trades for lands close to the water, increase in raising livestock and cattle, and the expansion of the costal cities to bring trade, Eddard was kept busy.

The other lords of the North were a little dubious and hesitant with all the changes going on but they had Eddard's trust and loyalty. And the Karstark and Umber heirs wrote back to their fathers about their journey and their experience with the prince. It gave him two more allies in the north and the stories, tales, and songs sung by bards in taverns all over Westeros about the Conqueror made him someone who seemed to do the impossible. Time would tell if these ventures would be a worthwhile addition that would improve the strength and stability of the north or just a waste of money for the crown prince.

King's Landing, Crowlands, Westeros

The capital of Westeros and seat of power for the Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms was bustling with activity and purpose. Caravans of wagons flowed in and out of the various gates into the city where goods were traded or supplies were carried to their destinations while ships entered and left Blackwater Bay. Within the past two years, more foreign ships had arrived in Westeros and offloaded exclusive trade goods and resources that were once seldom seen on the continent. Swan ships from the Summer Isles, swift ships from Yi Ti and the far east and trade ships from Slaver's Bay alongside their war galleys as protection. The war galleys were interesting as they were flying two unique flags. One was the flag of their home city like Astapor or Yunkai so they were old Ghiscari harpies but with broken chains in their talons and a small seven pointed star behind a weirwood tree in the corner. The other flag was the personal flag of William the Conqueror which was a split sigil of the houses of his parents. Half Stag and Half Wolf. These ships frequented the bay more in the past year and the goods they brought helped foster great trade and profit for the king and the city.

It's people were doing better as well. Despite William being gone from his home country for the past two years, Hand of the King Jon Arryn kept up the prince's projects and the upkeep of the Seven Kingdoms. The influx of trade in the city did a lot to help their taxes and the sewage lines and clean water system that they were working on years ago was finally complete so the city was cleaner than before. Waste and filth were drained out of the city, even in the poorest section such as Flea Bottom had pipes and pathways for their sewage into Blackwater Bay while clean water was able to flow it. The smell of piss and shit was faint and the hope was in time that as long as the waste managed to find a way out then the smell would be a thing of the past. With the reconstruction of the destroyed buildings on the outskirts of the city along with developing and refurbishing the other areas kept him busy and gave many people good work and wages.

Jon Arryn wasn't the only one kept busy the past two years as Master of Ships and his uncle Stannis Baratheon kept a close eye on the city, the council along with the prince's large and kept him informed of his intricate collection of trade and work guilds throughout the Seven Kingdoms. His guilds were essentially his spy network and despite how rigid and set in stone Stannis was, he was willing to help family and ever since he had been made Lord Paramount of the Stormlands he was always indebted to his nephew. Ser Davos helped as well as the veteran sailor was more eloquent and better able to conduct himself with the business that needed to be done. And Ser Davos was always happy to help the prince since their adventure to the Summer Isles allowed him to give his son everything he never had. The prince's guilds were going about with business as usual and profitable which helped his ever-growing account with the Iron Bank of Braavos and the information they gathered had helped the prince in his endeavors.

Stannis kept a close eye on Cersei Lannister, Petyr Baelish, and Varys as per Will's request. After Baelish's failed attempt to take control of the gem and diamond mind in Astapor and the prince's warning, the Master of Coin had refocused his actions to Westeros and King's Landing. He expanded his control of the city's brothels and brothels all over the continent and by proxy, his information of trade and blackmail on the country's powerful and elite. He was doing what all snakes did, biding his time until it was his moment to strike. While he couldn't take what he could from crown like before, Littlefinger being Littlefinger just got creative with his stealing. Sure, the crown was making a profit due to the influx of trade and taxes but Littlefinger was able to adjust the books in a manner so that they received a profit…not just the whole profit. Littlefinger had to be more careful and creative with his money gathering and even began looking into outside methods for gathering his wealth and power since he was being watched but he was clever and patient.

Cersei, well she was less subtle. She badmouthed the prince to court, saying he was not a suitable crowned prince for the kingdom since he left for Essos to engage in a debaucherously self-aggrandizing selfish journey to kill and fuck anything he wanted. It was an absolute piece of fiction and she told everyone and anyone who was near to try and sway those to her side. Very few would listen and those that did either did so because of her father's wealth, her family's influence or not wanting to upset the Queen. It worked on some and those the Lannisters could buy and force were on her side which in the Red Keep was growing more and more every year. One downside of the prince's journey was that he couldn't disparage these rumors or stop Cersei's grab for power.

Granted, Robert, Stannis, and Jon did their part to dissuade those stories and most of the sensible people in court didn't believe them. Granted they never openly admitted it since they didn't want to risk Cersei's wrath. There was even a rumor that Tywin was possibly on the prince's side but given how small talk among the smallfolk start, it's hard to know if it's true. But the prince did have his support in court and across the country, mainly those in the Stormlands, the North, and slowly the Reach. His past actions during the Greyjoy Rebellion showed he was a prince who was willing to fight for his country alongside its people. His fair attitude and the stories minstrels told about him growing up did a lot to sway those that didn't personally know him. Even with the prince gone, his shipments back home of goods and letters of well wishes to the fathers, wives, and families of the men he was with at the moment gave real weight to the stories.

The letters and opportunities Highgarden and the Reach was receiving after Garlan went to join the prince on his adventure began to improve his reputation in the region with Mace Tyrell boasting how his son was helping slaughter the slavery devils, free people and so on. Of course, it was Olena who was spreading the truth about Garlan and the prince as well. Garlan wrote back often to assure his family that he was fine. He and the prince were friends and he was grateful to finally earn his moniker of Garlan the Gallant by actually fighting for those in need. Olena was happy that Garlan was well and everything he wrote back gave her more insight in the conquering prince. The more she learned the more intrigued she was and hoping for the day the two could meet in person.

In the Red Keep, the king's council was in another meeting to go over the general upkeep, issues, and updates with the country. Jon Arryn sat at the head of the table as Hand of the King with Stannis sitting next to him as Master of Ships. Then there was Renly who was Master of Laws, Baelish of course as Master of Coin, Varys the Master of Whispers, and Grand Maester Pycelle. Other then the continued ravens from Walder Frey over his taxation from Hoster Tully and suggestions for William to marry one of his daughters along with settling a few trade and ground disputes, nothing new of note came up in the meeting. Some news from the North's development but that was normal after William's letter to his uncle and funding. That's when Ser Davos walked into the room.

"Apologies my lord for the interruption." Davos bowed his head as he walked over to Stannis and handed him a letter before whispering in his ear. Stannis opened the letter and was able to read the contents with no display of emotion on his face before he whispered over to Jon, making sure no one else could hear him.

"Well, I believe all the matters this council needed to conduct are over. We'll convene again tomorrow." Jon told them as Stannis helped him out of his chair. Lord Baelish closed his book and walked out with Varys not far behind him. Grand Maester Pycelle slowly shuffled along out of the room while Renly stayed behind a bit, noticing that Stannis and Jon walk out together.

"Is everything all right, Stannis?" Renly asked.

"Everything's fine, brother." Stannis told him as he, Jon Arryn, and Davos walked out of the small council room together. Renly felt like he was being left out of something important and the fact that his older brother Stannis was involved stung even harder. The three Baratheon brothers were never close and it would seem that the gap with the youngest was growing more every year.

Jon, Stannis, and Davos walked through the Red Keep until they reached the King's chambers where Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Jaime Lannister were standing guard. "Lord Hand." Barristan and Jaime bowed.

"We need to see, Robert." Jon told them when the door opened and out walked a young woman who looked a little disheveled as she fixed her clothes. She kept her head down and left.

"It would seem he was recently made available." Jaime joked and Ser Barristan sent him a side glance.

"Ser Jaime, you're no longer needed here at this post. That'll be all." Stannis told him but Jaime didn't really care. When Jon looked at Ser Barristan, it would seem that Jaime really wasn't needed.

"That'll be all, Jaime. Get something to eat." Barristan told him and Jaime nodded, walking away but spared a glance back at why he was sent away. After a few knocks on the door, Ser Barristan opened it. "Lord Jon Arryn and Lord Stannis Baratheon, your grace."

"Send them in!" Robert shouted.

The two walked in while Ser Davos waited outside with Ser Barristan Selmy. "Something going on?" Barristan wondered.

"An urgent message from the Sword of the Morning." Davos told him. Normally, Davos would have kept his mouth shut but Ser Barristan was one of the people Will trusted. Davos was told such and he was also one of the few people Cersei couldn't threaten or Tywin could buy. He probably respected him too much for that but he was someone who could be trusted to have the Prince's trust and wellbeing in mind.

Jon Arryn and Stannis walked in to see Robert off to the side putting on his robe to cover up his growing wine belly. The bed was messy and the room stunk of sex which the air would soon wash away. Robert walked over and poured himself a cup of wine which he downed in a few gulps. Normally, Stannis and Jon would chastise him for his behavior but now wasn't the time. Robert ate a grape when he noticed the look Jon and Stannis had on their faces. "What is it, Jon? Walder Frey making trouble again? Tell that old shit that I'm not marrying William to one of his ugly daughters. I wouldn't even bed the prettiest one."

"It's not that, Robert." Jon held up the letter. "From Ser Arthur Dayne in Yunkai."

"What happened?" Robert walked over and took the letter.

"William and his army fought off the Golden Company. They killed their war elephants, broke their men, and killed their leaders including Jon Connington but…something happened." Jon told him with a pain in his voice.

Robert read over the letter and when he got a certain part his fingers tightened in anger before he crushed the goblet of wine he had in the other hand. "RAHH!" Robert grabbed a nearby table and threw it into a wall, displaying some of his old strength as it shattered into pieces.

"Robert!" Stannis rushed over and held him close in a hug. A rare moment of emotional connection between the two brothers as Stannis calmed down and comforted his older brother. "He's alive. He's alive. He has to be."

"Those fucking shits!" Robert shouted. "I should have been there with him!"

"That's in the past, Robert. William is a strong lad like you once were. He'll be fine." Jon assured him.

"How do you know? All we know is what Dayne told us and it could be old news by now." Robert pointed out before he looked at Stannis. "Stannis, get your fastest ship and go to Yunkai. Find my son and make sure he is ok."

"We'll be gone before the end of the day." Stannis promised as he quickly walked out the door. "Davos."

Stannis and Davos walked down the hall together in a hurried pace. "What are we doing?" Davos asked.

"We're sailing for Yunkai." Stannis told him.

Robert's adrenaline gave out as he sat down and in a moment of real emotion, he held his head in sorrow and began to tear up. "I cannot lose him…I cannot lose him like I lost her."

Jon walked over to him and pat him on the back as the two had an emotional moment that they hadn't had since Robert trained under Lord Arryn years ago. "He'll be fine, Robert. Don't ask me how I know but I believe he will be."

Yunkai, Essos

A fortnight had passed since the battle with the Golden Company and Yunkai was well on its way to joining Astapor as a marvel of what a newly freed city could do with the right guidance. The council was kept busy with the day to day running and operations of the city including communicating with Astapor in regard to trading and alliance matters, reviewing the city's infrastructure and its growing budget and taxes along with speaking with the city's guilds and factions. In general, the city was in a good mood which was what they had hoped for when the Masters were killed. Sure, there were a few complaints and disputes they had to resolve and the occasional drunken fight or argument that nearly went too far but the Unsullied kept peace while the Yunkai City Watch was being trained. That along with the continued construction of the nearby docking yards, the farmland to the south near the birchwood forests and the ongoing construction of the freshwater canal to the city meant that a lot of people had jobs and were given wages.

The markets were filled with life and goods, taverns were occupied by people enjoying good drinks, conversation, and games while the city's brothel guild oversaw the already popular pleasure houses. Its girls kept travelers and locals satisfied and the protection guild made sure there were no incidents of any kind. And since there had been no outbreak of venereal diseases of any kind throughout the city then things were looking up. There was even talks of doing another few days of competition and games that was held in Astapor months ago so many were excited to watch and even enter. The finer details were still being planned out. All in all, the city couldn't seem better.

Of course, that was just on the surface that a common traveler or citizen would know. If one were to look deeper then they would notice how the Conqueror and Breaker of Chains had not been seen since the battle with the Golden Company. Rumors inevitably spread that he was killed and that's why they haven't seen him. All anyone was told was that he was injured in the battle against the Golden Company and he was resting. Given how the Unsullied ramped up security and patrols in the pyramid he was residing in it made sense and if he were dead, the thought was that his compatriots would have just left. Still, at taverns and inns where drinks flowed rumors and stories flowed as well so no one really knew the truth but something was not right and no matter what Ser Arthur Dayne and the others did, they couldn't vanquish rumors as easily as men.

Missandei walked through the halls of the pyramid with a bucket of cold water. She passed the Unsullied who were stationed at their posts and they were placed around so there wasn't a blind spot in the hallways and they had line of sight of each other to avoid any kind of intruder or mishap. Ser Arthur Dayne planned very meticulously and strategically since he had been protecting royalty for years and familiarized himself with the pyramid when they arrived in the city. She walked through the halls until she arrived at the prince's room where after a quick knock, Ser Arthur Dayne let her in.

William was still in bed in a deep sleep and it has been over 18 days since he was stabbed in the leg with the poison arrow. Missandei walked over and sat down at Will's side, dabbing a rag in the cold water and putting it on his head. He wasn't sweating profusely anymore which was a good sign but keeping him cool would be good for his recovery and besides, Essos was hot. Cedric used a tool to listen to the prince's heartbeat before going down to his leg and undoing the bandage they put on the arrow wound. The bandage had a green stain from the mixture they put on the prince's wound along with a small red splotch from his blood. The wound looked better than before as it was healing and there seemed to be no discoloration of the veins or surrounding tissue which meant it wasn't infected. They were lucky to have Oberyn who had a wealth of knowledge on poisons and remedies for them. Cedric put on another coating of the remedy mixture and tied another bandage around his leg.

While the prince seemed to be physically recovering, the fact that he hadn't awoken yet was disconcerting. They met with the city's best healers and they could all agree that there wasn't much else that they could do for him. Whatever put him into a deep sleep…it would ultimately be up to the prince to awaken. All they could do is make sure he's comfortable and nothing bad happens. With the prince indisposed, Ser Arthur Dayne took up leadership of the group and had everyone go about their regular business and what they were doing before. Those that trained the City Watch did so, those that helped patrol did so, and those that would watch over the prince did so like before. They all hoped for the prince's recovery and prayed for him whether it be the Seven, the Old Gods, or whatever gods that would listen.

Another knock on the door and Arthur checked to see it was Hercules who came back from a patrol. "How is he?"

"His breathing is better, his fever is gone, and the wound on his leg shows no sign of infection." Cedric told Hercules.

"But he hasn't awoken." Arthur added.

"Amphiaraus says he will." Hercules told him. "I know his fortunes and such may not carry much weight but he's rarely been wrong. And he's confident that the prince still has a destiny to fulfill."

"I've never put much faith in destiny but here's hoping Amphiaraus is right." Cedric said.

"The men are set to their duties and keeping their ears out and eyes open for anything out of the ordinary but nothing so far." Hercules told Ser Arthur. "Unfortunately, more and more rumors about the prince's wellbeing are starting to circulate throughout the city. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that his enemies know that he's vulnerable. And considering what Autolycus learned and it was Triarchs Malaqua Maegyr and Nyessor Vhassar who hired the Golden Company and gave Toyne the poisoned arrow, it won't be long before they try something else."

"Your right which is why it's more important than ever for all of us to be on alert. When the word spreads that he hasn't been seen, they'll try to take him out." Ser Arthur told them and they all agreed when there was another knock on the door. Hercules and Ser Arthur grabbed their weapons in response before one of them opened it and saw it was Thoros.

"Forgive the interruption gentlemen. Just wanted to see how the prince was doing." Thoros said and got his answer when he saw him laying there on the bed. "Many in the city wish his well return to form and I've even gotten word that those in the Church wish the Conqueror to be well."

"Did your religion ever mention your prophesized Prince that was Promised being struck down by Manticore venom?" Hercules wondered.

"No, but if it was ever in a book or sermon then it was quickly forgotten. A religion with a prophesied hero who gets struck down doesn't solicit the best confidence." Thoros chuckled, finding the humor in the joke. "But I think the prince will make it. Do you mind if I pray for him?"

"William never forsake anyone for who they called their god so long as no one was hurt. Go ahead." Arthur told him. Thoros nodded and walked over, placing his sword on the ground, and taking a knee before bowing his head.

"Lord, cast your light upon this man, your servant. Bring him back from the internal sleep and darkness. His flame flickers, empower it. For the night is dark and full of terrors." Thoros prayed, holding his hand toward William's body.

"Do you think he'll wake up?" Hercules asked Arthur, wanting a no bullshit answer.

"He will…he has to." Arthur replied.

Line Break xxxxx

It was night in Yunkai with a new moon shining high in the sky and bathing the city in moonlight while torches lit the rest of the city. Another fortnight had passed and William had been asleep for a grand total of just about 37 days. He wasn't getting any worse but his condition hadn't improved either and he was still in a deep sleep. Many of the city's healers were unsure what to do and just said that the prince's recovery was out of their hands. It was going to be up to him if he woke up which is not exactly something you want to hear.

The city was quiet in the dead of night with the moon and the torches that lit the alleyways, windows, and rooftops being the only source of light for visibility. The Unsullied had recently changed shifts so the nighttime patrols were fully rested and alert for anything going on. As skilled as the Unsullied were, they didn't pick up the faint pitter-patter and quick moving shadows of six stealthy figures that made their way through the city. They quickly and quietly made their way across rooftops before dropping to the ground when they neared the pyramids as the Unsullied had rooftop lookouts. Whoever these six people were, they were fast, quiet, and highly trained.

Orys, who was perched on the balcony of the prince's chamber seemed to sense something and let out a cry before he took off flying in the air. He wasn't the only one as Roach sensed it as well. The horse neighed and bellowed, sensing something bad about to happen and soon some of the other animals sensed it as well. Many of the city's dogs began barking and the horses in the stable with Roach began to neigh and whine like him.

Hundred Eyes was walking through the practice courtyard at night to clear his head and get some fresh air when he heard the horses and dogs. While many were quick to pass off the animals agitation as nothing, he wasn't one of them and knew something was wrong. He walked to the pyramid and the four Unsullied guards at the door stood at attention but knew Hundred Eyes was a member of the Prince's party so he was fine. That's when Hundred Eyes heard the clatter of something metal and the swish of a rope.

Before he could do anything, an Unsullied patrol rushed past them and the door to the south because a small fire had started near one of the gates. The faint light of the fire and smoke could be seen from the pyramid and many Unsullied were heading there to prevent the fire from spreading. Hundred Eyes had a gut feeling about what was going to happen so he needed to act quickly. "The prince is danger. Two of you, with me!" He told them and two of the Unsullied followed him inside the pyramid while the other two stayed by the door.

Inside the pyramid, the sudden shouting and deployment by the Unsullied woke up many including Hercules, Autolycus, Gendry, Edric, Tyrion, Oberyn, Smalljon, Thoros, and Beric Dondarrion. Ser Arthur Dayne, Missandei, and Cedric were still in the prince's room and hearing the commotion outside was a concern. Ser Arthur walked to the balcony and saw the small fire in the distance and the Unsullied who were already on their way to put it out. With the commotion, many Unsullied joined Ser Arthur in the room to look after the prince as a precaution which was actually warranted with what came next. No one saw who threw it but a small clay pot with a burning rag was thrown into the room from the balcony and created a small fire that began to spread.

"Put it out!" Arthur shouted as he and the Unsullied grabbed towels to try and snuff the fire. Missandei took the bucket of water near the prince's bed and extinguished the fire which caused a huge plume of smoke to fill the room. Unfortunately, that was a mistake as two men jumped in and landed on the balcony. They were wearing scarves around their heads and over their mouths so only their eyes could be seen and were wearing black colored clothing akin to robes. They had metal claws on their hands but had different weapons on their backs. One threw a throwing knife at Will on the bed but an Unsullied got in the way and blocked it with his shield. The assassin pulled out a dagger and charged only for Ser Arthur to tackle him from the side then throw him onto the ground.

"The prince is under attack!" One of the Unsullied shouted as he opened the door only to get a throwing knife in the back. The Unsullied fought against the other assassin as Ser Arthur grabbed Will off the bed and put him over his shoulder.

"Let's go!" Arthur shouted as he carried the prince out of the room with Cedric and Missandei following behind. The assassin Arthur slammed to the ground rolled out of the way of a spear and leg swept an Unsullied to the ground before pulling out a metal chain with a spear tip attached to the tip, flinging it forward and wrapped it around the neck of an Unsullied who he then pushed into the others. The other assassin pulled out a Chakram which was a metal ring with sharp blades on the outside and a handle in the middle. He blocked and parried the Unsullied spears, managing to slice one in the leg and kick another in the face which knocked him back into the others. Both assassins were highly skilled as they fought against six Unsullied together but the assassin wielding the chain got a spear impaled through his body by a throw from Grey Worm. While the other assassin blocked and parried with his Chakram, Orys flew in through the balcony and attacked him. He pecked and clawed at his head which opened him up to spear thrusts from the others and he was quickly killed.

The Unsullied in the halls escorted Ser Arthur and the others down the hall to another room when Hercules and Autolycus joined them. "What's going on?" Hercules asked.

"Two assassins entered the prince's room through the balcony. We need to get him to the lower levels!" Arthur told them, knowing the lower levels had more Unsullied and would be closer to an exit should the worse come to pass. They turned down the hall to the stairs when they saw two more black robed assassins fighting against some Unsullied. One was using a sword while another used a spear.

"Go, take him away!" Hercules told him as he and Autolycus joined in on the fight while Arthur and the others went the opposite way.

One of the assassins parried a spear and spun around an Unsullied, slicing him in the back of the leg but before he could land a killing blow Autolycus threw a knife that the assassin had to block. Autolycus pulled out two long daggers and push kicked the assassin back before blocking his sword. The other assassin turned and thrust his spear at Autolycus's back only for Hercules to use his club and break it in half. He then grabbed the assassin by the throat and threw him up into the ceiling where his head broke like an egg, staining the brick with blood and brain matter. Autolycus ducked under a sword swing to the head and slashed the assassin in the leg and then stabbed him in the side but got hit with an elbow to the face. He managed to block the assassin's downward slash and stab him in the gut with his dagger. The assassin was done for so Autolycus got up and then slashed him across the neck.

Arthur continued to carry William and lead the others away, taking the north corridors since the south was unknown to be safe. "We'll take him down the north passage to the stables." Arthur told them and they hurried, unaware that there was going to be a surprise waiting for them there.

After a lot of running and climbing downstairs, they managed to arrive in the stables attached to the north side of the pyramid. The thinking was that they could put Arthur and Will on Roach and ride away if the assassin's weren't killed but that hope was dashed when Cedric saw Roach was neighing and rearing like he was trying to warn them.

The stable doors were kicked open and in walked two more black clad assassins. One wielding a similar whip chain and the other metal claws and they attacked the Unsullied. Ser Arthur placed William down by some hay and unsheathed his sword as the Unsullied fought off against the attackers. The one assassin with the claws managed to slip through all the soldiers and charge at the sleeping Prince only for Ser Arthur to fight him off. The assassin was skilled but Ser Arthur was ready for anything and fought him off, pushing him back and throwing him to the ground. The assassin slashed an Unsullied in the leg as he parried Ser Arthur's sword strikes. Missandei and Cedric stayed closed to the prince when they saw the assassin with the whip chain disarm and throw another Unsullied to the ground. He spun his chain and threw the spear tip but Hundred Eyes grabbed it and tossed it aside. He kicked the assassin back, parried his punches and kicks before kicking him back and landing a jumping spinning hook kick that knocked him down. The assassin pulled out a dagger and lunged but Hundred Eyes just grabbed his wrist and plunged the dagger into the assassin's heart before going to help Arthur.

Missandei and Cedric saw two men sneak into the stables during the commotion. Missandei recognized them as two of the Lannister guard and judging by the daggers they had and where they were looking, they weren't here to help. Cedric, despite being an old man picked up a broom hit one of the Lannister men who backhanded him in the face while the other pushed Missandei to the ground. She landed near Roach's pen and quickly unlocked the door and undid the rope holding him in place which let him go free. Roach galloped out of his pen and barreled into the first Lannister guard, sending him crashing into a pile of hay before he turned around and kicked the second guard in the face. The Lannister guard hit the ground hard with his nose and face broken but before he could do anything, Roach let out a loud neigh and stomped on the man's face with his front hooves. The brown Arabian Stallion did some serious damage as he pounded the man's face until his head was turned into mush. The first Lannister guard managed to get back to his feet after getting the wind knocked out of him. He grabbed his dagger off the ground and rushed over to kill the prince but instead got his left leg chopped off with an axe. Missandei and Cedric saw the person who swung the axe was Tyrion and he was with Gendry and Edric.

Arthur parried and blocked the sharp metal claws of the last assassin before kicking him onto his back. The assassin made one last attempt with a slash but Arthur just cut off right hand. "ARGH!"

Arthur was tempted to kill him then and there but they needed information so he cut off his other hand. "Your life is in my hands, now." Arthur told him as he looked around and saw four dead Unsullied, the rest injured, Cedric had a bleeding lip but William was alive. That's when he noticed Roach finished stopping a man's head into goo and one of the Lannister guards with his leg cut off by Tyrion of all people.

"You fucking IMP!" The guard shouted only for Edric to pick up an Unsullied spear from the ground and whack him in the head with it, knocking him out.

"His name is Tyrion." Edric said and Tyrion actually smiled at that.

Footsteps were heard and more Unsullied join them, including Grey Worm, Hercules, and Autolycus. "The two assassins in the hall are dead." Hercules told him.

"The two in the prince's chambers are dead as well." Grey Worm said and Missandei translated.

"And one dead by my hands." Hundred Eyes added.

"Leaving just you." Arthur pointed his sword at the last assassin who had both hands cut off. "Take him away. We'll question him later."

"Take him." Grey Worm ordered and his men quickly grabbed the man and carried him away to the dungeons.

"Another dead one curtesy of Roach." Tyrion remarked, handing Gendry his axe back. "And another for questioning."

Arthur signaled the Unsullied to take the injured Lannister away and they did before the Sword of the Morning sheathed his sword and checked on William. There were no physical injuries on his body, his heart was still beating and he was still breathing. "He's all right." Cedric assured him, wiping his lip of blood. Roach finished stopping the dead Lannister and slowly walked over to Will, nudging him in his head and licking his hand.

Arthur stood up and looked at Tyrion and many though that he would have him taken into custody as well but instead just held his hand out. "Thank you, Tyrion."

"Like I said, he's my friend." Tyrion told him. "But the other seven house guards I came with weren't in their chambers. I found Gendry and Edric after I saw they were missing."

"Lock down the city gates. Find them!" Arthur shouted.

"No need." They heard as Oberyn, Thoros, Smalljon and Beric Dondarrion walked into the stables with the seven Lannister guards tied up and gagged. With them were more men-at-arms and soldiers bearing Stormlands sigils, more Unsullied and surprisingly Stannis Baratheon and Davos Seaworth.

"Davos what are you doing here?" Gendry asked.

"We sailed here after we received Ser Arthur Dayne's letter. The King wanted us to report on the prince's condition with our own eyes. We sailed up the bay and docked at the coast where we saw these men trying to escape on boats with these." Stannis explained, holding a small bag of gold. "We captured them after they tried to flee and when we came to the city, Lord Dondarrion was by the gate and we explained what happened."

"Seems like we've got an explanation. Take them to the dungeons. We'll question them later." Arthur told the Unsullied and they dragged the men away. "Let's get the prince to a room."

The entire pyramid was searched twice with every room, closet and even cupboard was checked but no other intruders were found. The remaining assassin and the Lannister guards were taken to the dungeons where they were chained and gagged until they were to be questions. The fire in the city was put out and no one there was injured as it was just a distraction. 12 Unsullied were killed and about 9 were injured but the prince was kept safe and now they needed to figure out who ordered the hit. Everyone gathered in the prince's new chambers which was backup room William and Arthur had left empty in case something happened that required him to change rooms. Cedric and Missandei tended to him in bed and got him comfortable.

Everyone gathered in the room was of importance. Cedric, Missandei, Arthur, Edric and Gendry, Hercules and Autolycus, Oberyn, Thoros, Beric Dondarrion, Garlan Tyrell, Smalljon Umber, Harion Karstark, Tyrion Lannister, and now Stannis Baratheon and Davos Seaworth.

"If the Lannisters tried to kill the prince then why is the half-man still here?" Harion Karstark wondered.

"He's here because he's a friend. And he saved our brother's life from one of his own guard." Gendry told him.

"They're right, Harion. Tyrion is a friend and someone we can trust." Arthur assured him. "Tyrion, tell us everything again from when you first awoke."

"Beside the buzzing headache from the wine, the commotion awoke me so I got dressed and checked on my family guards in the next room but they're beds were empty. That's when Gendry and Edric found me and they said someone tried to kill the prince. We heard commotion so we followed which led us to the stables by the pyramid's north entrance. And well, you know how that ended." Tyrion explained.

"The Lannisters are one thing but how the hell did six men get through city walls, patrolled streets and this pyramid to find the prince?!" Arthur shouted in frustration which was felt and shared by everyone.

"You have faced a man such as these before, Ser Arthur in Astapor yet it was one lone assassin that time. And one more skilled then these six. I recognize their training and their skill. They were either assassins of the order or trained in their ways but now are nothing more than common mercenaries." Hundred Eyes told him.

"The assassin that tried to kill Will in Astapor was wearing a white cloak and used a hidden blade. These men just wore black and didn't have any kind of weapons like that." Edric pointed out.

"Trained in theirs ways but not part of the order, most likely. And not as skilled. Probably why there were so many. And they were aided by inside information from the men we hold prisoner in the dungeons." Hundred Eyes theorized.

"That actually makes sense." Oberyn remarked. "The Lannister might not have been near the prince's chamber but they have been here long enough to know enough information to aid these men in their infiltration. Most likely, they were set to leave in the middle of the night whether the prince was killed or not as suspicion would likely fall on them."

"I want the truth and I want who hired them. Oberyn…I imagine getting the information from the men down in the dungeons must seem intriguing?" Arthur asked and the Red Viper smirked.

"Very much so. The Lannisters shall meow like kittens when I'm done with them." Oberyn promised.

"And as for the assassin, if he's not as skilled as the one in Astapor then maybe he'll talk after we cut off some more body parts." Smalljon suggested.

"Go." Arthur told them and they left to get some answers.

The room began to empty until it was just Missandei, Cedric, Arthur, Hercules, Stannis, and Davos. Stannis did give Tyrion a look as he left, not trusting the half-man at all. "You really believe that Tyrion had nothing to do with this? I don't trust him."

"He's proven to be a friend, Stannis." Arthur assured him. Despite the assurances, Stannis didn't trust Tyrion whether it was out of possibility of his involvement or the fact that he had no love for the Lannisters. It was hard to say.

"What happened to the prince?" Davos asked.

"We pushed back the Golden Company's attack on Yunkai so the prince planned a surprise ambush at night to finish them which we did. We took some losses but the leaders are dead, Jon Connington by the prince's own hand. But two of the Triarchs of Volantis had a special request. It was a Manticore venom arrow and Connington stabbed the prince in the leg before he passed on." Arthur explained.

"The prince collapsed shortly after the battle where we rushed him here and did everything we could. Prince Oberyn helped and we've stabilized him but he remains in a deep sleep." Cedric added.

"How is the prince alive? I've heard stories of Manticore venom and none have ever survived its affects." Davos said.

"The Triarchs mixed the poison with something to try and prolong its potency for the trip. Whatever they did put the prince into a deep sleep and he hasn't awoken. His fever is gone and his breathing is steady but he has shown no signs of improvement other than that." Cedric answered. "Missandei and I tend to him every day. The prince is strong."

"Robert won't like this and neither do I." Stannis stated. "He belongs back home with his people, not here of all places doing something he has no business in."

"He made it his business, Lord Stannis. You know the prince as well as the rest of us. He's not someone who changes his mind. Stubbornness is a family trait he's inherited." Arthur Dayne reminded him. "It should be me who is lying their half dead instead of him."

"Don't blame yourself, Ser Arthur. We all know what the prince was like and it's a battlefield. We all know a lot can happen." Davos assured him. "So, what can we do?"

"Keep him safe and hope that the prince awakens soon. And find out who tried to have him killed yet again." Arthur answered.

Line Break xxxxx

The next morning was filled with confusion and many questions since many of the city's inhabitants awoke to see the charred wreckage from the fire set late last night. No one was killed and other than some burns no one was seriously injured. The charred warehouse was being surveyed before it could be rebuilt but many were wondering what happened. The council was informed of the attempted assassination and they then told the public about the intruders and the fire they set. They kept tightlipped about the assassination attempt until Ser Arthur could get some answers but considering everything that was going on, it wouldn't be long before more rumors started to flow.

Beneath the pyramid in the dungeons, the last remaining assassin was tied to a chair in his cell. His arms and legs were bound to the chair and he had bandages wrapped tightly around the stumps where his hands used to be. The eight Lannister guards were chained up in another cell and looking less like the golden lion emblazoned on their armor and more like sad kittens.

Oberyn Martell, Hercules, Autolycus, and Smalljon walked into the cell of the assassin. He spared them a quick glance before diverting his eyes. "Feel like talking yet and sparing yourself even more pain?" Autolycus wondered only for the assassin to stay silent.

"We know you came from Volantis. We found one of your bags on the roof a building where you climbed the side of the pyramid and it had Volantene coins along with more gold. I'd like to call the job finished there but that could have just been your form of payment to cover your tracks. Give us the name of the person or people who hired you." Hercules told him but the assassin kept his mouth shut.

"Then I guess we do this the hard way." Autolycus muttered.

"What are you thinking? Personally, I think we can take Hercules club and start smashing fingers but since he has none…how about we start breaking toes and work our way up?" Smalljon suggested.

"Bruce force and aggression can be effective but the Dornish prefer a much more subtle approach." Oberyn unsheathed a small dagger and sliced the assassin across the cheek. He grits his teeth in pain and anger but kept quiet.

"That's your plan? Small cuts from a dagger?" Smalljon asked only for Oberyn to hold up the dagger with a smirk on his face.

"It's what the dagger was coated with that will get us our answer. Basilisk blood is a rather unique poison. It will give meat a savory scent but induces a wild madness in both man and beast. A small mouse will even attack a large lion. Not particularly useful at the moment except I mixed it with the pollen of certain mushrooms and flowers. What once would make a man wild with anger and madness…now will eat away at your inside and your mind. You shall know pain unlike anything you've ever experienced before yet it will not kill you." Oberyn then held up a small blue vial in his hand, similar to the one that Tyene wore around her neck. "Your only hope of salvation is this? Which I will be happy to give you should you give us the answers we're looking for. Now, if you'll excuse my compatriots and I…we have some lions to talk to."

Obery walked out of the cell as the others looked at him and then at the assassin who tried to escape his bindings in vain. "Guess subtle works too." Hercules remarked, following the prince of Dorne out of the cell. Autolycus and Smalljon joined him and closed the cell when they left which is when the effects of the poison started to kick in.

"Hmpff…GEH…GAHHH!"

The assassin's cry of pain and anguish was chilling to the bone and made the Lannister guards jump in shock. That's when they saw Oberyn, Smalljon, Hercules, and Autolycus walk into view. "Gentlemen…perhaps there is something any of you would like to say?" Oberyn wondered.

"You can't do this to us! Tywin Lannister will have your head and so will the Queen!" One of them shouted only for Hercules to heft his club up onto his shoulder.

"We're not in Westeros and cry all you want…we're not leaving until we get answers." Hercules warned them. "Whether you're alive or not at the end is up to you."

Suffice to say that anyone who ventured near the dungeons heard screams of pain and cries of mercy. The Unsullied stationed at the doors didn't flinch at all and were steadfast at their posts.

Several hours later…

"The Triarchs hired the assassins?" Arthur was not expecting that answer and neither did Stannis or Davos, much less everyone else gathered in the prince's room.

"Are you sure about that?" Tyrion asked. "Are you sure my sister wasn't involved somehow?"

"She wasn't named. Neither was your father or anyone else with the Lannister name or golden hair." Hercules told him. "Triarchs Maegyr and Vhassar hired the assassins when word reached them of the Golden Company's defeat and the prince's survival."

"Yet it was the Lannister guards who helped them get into the city? So, did the Triarch seek them out?" Garlan Tyrell asked.

"If our assassin and the Lannister guards in the dungeons are to be believed, the spies for the Triarchs sought out allies that would turn against the prince. No one in his inner circle would turn traitor neither would men from his houses regions which left the Lannister guards as the only option." Autolycus held out a small scroll that Arthur read over. "We found that hidden in the hilt of one of the sword's the assassins used."

"The pack of lions in the pyramid provide answers and flee before the sun has risen on a bloody morning." Arthur read out loud.

"Not very poetic but they were right about the bloody morning bit. Just didn't know it would be them." Edric commented.

"In exchange for their help, the Lannisters were given plenty of gold and more when they arrived in Volantis. The assassins arrived disguised as dockhands on one of the ships that docked yesterday." Smalljon explained. The explanation did make sense and given how much grief the prince has given the Triarch over his actions in Slaver's Bay, them hiring assassins after the Golden Company's defeat adds up but them working with the Lannisters…something just didn't seem right.

"Are you sure they were telling the truth?" Davos wondered.

"Trust me, Onion knight…they weren't lying." Oberyn promised.

Many of the people in the room who have been with William the longest knew something felt off about this revelation and resolution. It all seemed too…perfect yet incomplete. There was something they were missing and while they all had an idea on who might have helped the Triarchs with this plan, they had no evidence.

"We went over all of their belongings three times and found no other evidence that pointed to anyone other than the Triarchs." Hercules said. Arthur nodded, handing the small scroll over to Cedric for safe keeping.

"Well done, Hercules. Well done all of you." Arthur said and they all bowed their heads.

"What of the men?" Stannis asked.

"They're in a sorry state but still alive for the moment except for one of the Lannisters. He cursed Oberyn one time too many and got a dagger through the stomach." Smalljon remarked only for Oberyn to shrug his shoulders.

"He didn't know anything that the others didn't." Oberyn pointed out. "What about the rest of them?"

"Hang them. Best to get rid of them." Stannis stated and many agreed.

"It's too quick and easy for them. We'll discuss that another day so for now just keep them alive but barely." Arthur ordered. "Besides, I think someone else would want a word before they die. If that's all you can return to your duties."

Everyone in the room began to file out leaving just Arthur Dayne, Missandei, Cedric, Gendry, Edric, Stannis, and Davos. That's when they saw that one person had stuck around a little longer and it was Thoros. "Something we can help you with, Thoros?" Cedric wondered.

"Apologies Master Angar, I know you and Missandei have been working non-stop on helping the prince but the Lady Kinvara came to see me this morning." Thoros told them.

"Who is Kinvara?" Stannis asked.

"She's a high priestess for the Red Temple in Volantis. She arrived in camp before we arrived at Yunkai." Arthur explained. "She said she was here to help the prince but she hasn't been that helpful."

"She did warn the prince about the dangers Hercules would face in the Yellow City. I believe it's how he was well prepared for M'Baku and the fight inside the pyramid." Thoros told him. "She came to me…saying that she might be able to help the prince awaken from his deep sleep."

"Help him?" Stannis asked. "Did she manage to say how?"

"No, she wasn't clear on that. She said she would only divulge that information if she was granted an audience." Thoros replied.

"How convenient." Davos commented.

"Arthur…I know this has been hard. Watching the prince laying there on the bed. You've been by his side longer than anyone here. And I know you don't have such a high opinion of the Lord of Light or her but I do believe she can help." Thoros pleaded in genuine concern. He may be a drunk, disgraced priest for the Lord of Light but he cared for William and he believed that he could be saved.

"Bring her here to me and I'll see if she can actually help him." Arthur told him. Thoros nodded and left to go get her.

"Arthur, you don't really believe that she can help, do you?" Cedric asked.

"I'm not sure, Cedric but every day we wait could mean another day another assassin tries again or the prince doesn't breathe when the sun rises." Arthur said. "I'm not going to let him die no matter what."

"But what can this priestess possibly do for the prince that no one else can?" Davos wondered.

"I don't know…but I just hope that this works." Arthur muttered.

"And if it doesn't?" Stannis asked. "Robert will have you killed should the prince never awaken."

"If he never awakens then he won't have to." Arthur promised.

Thoros returned with Kinvara who was wearing her red priestess dress and her signature jeweled necklace. This was Stannis and Davos first time seeing her and while she seemed unassuming and just another beautiful woman in a red dress, there was something about her that made them both uneasy. Not in the malicious way but more in the unnerving way.

"My lady." They bowed their heads.

"I am no lady so there is no need for that. I'm glad that Thoros was able to convince you that I am here to help, Sword of the Morning." Kinvara said to Arthur.

"That remains to be seen." He replied. "Thoros said you could help the prince. The city's best healers and an expert on poison have done everything they could yet he still sleeps. What can the Lord of Light do that we can't?"

"Where the prince is, nothing you can do can help him." She said, looking at William on the bed. "The prince's fire is trapped in a battle against the darkness. No earthly means can reach him. He is very strong to have survived this long. He is the Prince that was Promised."

"You call him that yet he lies here in a bed unable to move like he has already passed. How can you claim he is your champion and hold him in such reverence yet he suffers?" Arthur asked her in anger as Thoros walked up and calmed him down a bit.

"Everyone is what they are and where they are for a reason. Terrible things happen for a reason." Kinvara said, looking at Arthur Dayne. "You've seen terrible things, Sword of the Morning, haven't you? A distinguished knight and a swordsman of legend known throughout the Seven Kingdoms yet you were tasked to guard a Mad King and watch the horrors he inflicted on his subjects. Protect the Silver Prince who let his country fall to a bloody war. Horrors and actions that will forever haunt you yet it led you to where you are now, protecting the true prince."

Kinvara's words seem to have an effect on Arthur and it could be felt in the room. Before she could say anything else, Gendry asked the pressing question. "So, how can you help our brother?"

"A ritual."

"A ritual?" Stannis asked.

"An offering to the Lord of Light to rejuvenate and empower the prince's flame." Kinvara answered.

"No. The prince would never condone someone dying to save his life." Cedric told her.

"No one needs to die, Master Cedric. The offering required for the ritual are two objects. One is an item of immense power of life while the other is one that brings death." She explained.

"Sounds rather simple. All that leaves is where to find two such objects." Davos remarked when Gendry and Edric realized what could work. Gendry walked over to his brother's trunk and went through it looking for something while Edric walked over and picked up his brother's two swords.

"Objects that bring death. He's killed plenty of people with these." Edric remarked.

"And the object of immense power of life?" Missandei asked as Gendry pulled out the fossilized blue dragon egg from the trunk.

"By the seven…is that what I think it is?" Davos asked.

"It is." Gendry assured him. Stannis walked over and grabbed the dragon egg. Despite how stoic and stone faced he normally was, this moment managed to solicit a genuine look of shock and awe.

"The prince got both items in Old Valyria." Arthur said, remembering the trip. "We found the ancestral sword of House Lannister and the egg in the same room."

"Dragons were creatures of fire which is life itself." Thoros added.

"An object of immense power of life. I think this qualifies." Gendry said, taking the egg from Stannis and walking over to Kinvara. "Can this really bring our brother back?"

"It will. I can begin the ritual tonight when the moon is high in the sky. What say you, Sword of the Morning?" Kinvara asked as everyone looked at him. There was a palpable tension in the room as it still seemed farfetched and ridiculous yet the prince having the two objects necessary for the ritual was a little unnerving as well like it was destined to happen.

"Tonight, we do it." Arthur said and Kinvara bowed her head.

"I shall prepare." Kinvara turned to leave when Arthur walked up and stopped her for a moment.

"I pray that this works my lady but if it doesn't…if this is all a trick then I make this promise to all the gods. Your life will end." Arthur warned her.

"This is no trick and I make you this one promise, Sword of the Morning…the prince shall be reborn anew." Kinvara departed soon after that.

"Thoros…watch her." Arthur ordered and Thoros nodded, escorting her out.

"Are we sure this is such a good idea?" Davos asked the question everyone was thinking in their heads.

"We'll see how things work out tonight." Cedric replied.

Several hours later…

Night had fallen on Yunkai and there was a palpable tension in the air felt only to a few. A regiment of the Unsullied were stationed outside the city walls of Yunkai providing protection for a special group. Ser Arthur Dayne, Cedric Angar, Missandei, Gendry, Edric, Hundred Eyes, Grey Worm, Stannis Baratheon, Davos Seaworth, Hercules and his group, Smalljon Umber, Harion Karstark, Thoros of Myr, Beric Dondarrion, Tyrion Lannister, Garlan Tyrell, and Orys who was perched on Gendry's shoulder. They had torches in their hands for light. The reason they were outside the city walls is because of Kinvara's statement that she could help the prince awaken from his deep sleep and for what she had in mind, doing it outside the city without prying eyes was a better idea than in the pyramid.

Thoros and Beric finished placing a small pyre of sticks together, barely enough for a campfire as Edric unsheathed his brother's Valyrian steel swords. He placed them so that the blades were on the pyre but the handles weren't which is how Kinvara said to place them. And they were crossed together to form an X. Gendry took the dragon egg and placed it in the middle of the pyre near the swords. When they were both done, they joined the others as Kinvara walked over and poured some oil on the pyre of sticks along with some kind of powder.

"This doesn't feel right." Smalljon said out loud.

"No, it doesn't." Garlan Tyrell agreed with him.

"How do we know that her doing this is actually going to work?" Harion asked out loud. "And if she does what is gonna happen to the Prince? He's the Prince of the Seven Kingdoms with the blood of the First Men. This is wrong."

"And I agree with all of you." Arthur told them, holding William in his arms. "But I swore an oath to his mother than I would look after the boy with my dying breath and keep him safe no matter what. If I wasn't willing to do whatever it took to save him then I have failed."

"And what if in the process he gets worse?" Stannis asked.

"Then I'll join my brothers in arms with the stranger and Robert finally can kill me." Arthur replied, walking over, and placing William down on the ground about five yards from the pyre. He placed Williams hands over his chest before walking over to the others. "I pray to the Seven and the Old Gods that this works."

"It will, Ser Arthur. It has to." Thoros said as Kinvara turned to face them.

"Lord of Light…cast your light upon us. Come to us in our hour of need. Bring back your champion from the darkness. His light flickers and wanes so we offer you offerings to empower it. Objects of power that take life…and an ancient power of life and rebirth. Take these offerings and bring back Azor Ahai from the eternal darkness! For the night is dark and full of terrors!" Kinvara prayed.

"For the night is dark and full of terrors…" Thoros repeated as he walked over and handed her a torch. She ignited the pyre which quickly began to burn with the distinct crackle of a wood fire but instead of the traditional red/orange flame color it had a blue tinge to it. The reason for the unique color tinge was most likely because of the powder she poured on the pyre before igniting it.

Everyone waited for something to happen but nothing seemed to change. Eventually the blue tinge of the fire burned away back to its regular color and other than the crackling of the pyre, nothing happened. Everyone looked around for some kind of sign but there was nothing except for them and the dessert landscape that surrounded Yunkai.

"Looks like it didn't work." Atalanta remarked when Orys let out a loud caw and flew away in a hurry.

"Orys?!" Gendry called out but the eagle kept flying away. That's when the pyre suddenly erupted into a blazing inferno with the sudden wind causing the fire to blow towards William.

"NO!" Arthur rushed over to save him when the wind changed direction and it blew in his face, keeping him back. Hercules held him back from getting burned when the wind changed yet again and the fire was blown over to William, engulfing his body and the egg rolled over to him. Everyone covered their heads and eyes from the sudden surge of strange wind that made the fire blow over Will's body and kicked sand in the air. It also made the egg roll over until it was at his side. "WILL!"

Unbeknownst to the others the second the egg touched his body Will's chest heaved as he took a sudden gasp of air and his eyes opened before they glazed over white.

Line Break xxxxx

In the blurred landscape occupied by a single tree that Will found himself in, he continued his fight against the giant Manticore insect and it was taking its toll. He had been fighting for what felt like days and he was tired. He ducked and spun to the side before rolling away and quickly getting back to his feet where he parried a giant leg with Storm's Wrath and slashed with Wolf's Fang. He blocked a large stinger with both swords before he was knocked back by a giant leg and hit the ground on his back. The stinger came down to impale him only for a roll to the side at the last second to spare him a grim fate but his jacket was torn. He kept rolling to the side before rolling backwards to his feet and using Storm's Wrath for a lunge at the Manticore's mouth only for its pincer to grab the sword. It wrestled and tussled with him a bit before it pulled the sword out of his hand and threw it to the side. Will slashed it across the face with Wolf's Fang and then cut off the second leg on its right side before it leapt on him.

He braced the flat side of the sword with his free hand and pushed against the Manticore as it tried to bite and chomp on his face, dripping slobber and drool on him as it tried to bite through the steel with no luck. This moment of near death was terrifying as he struggled to get the Manticore off of him or else he'd be eaten but the thing was huge and strong, inching its way closer and closer to his face which is where he likely wanted the first bite. His strength couldn't keep up forever and he could see his reflection in the cold, green eyes of the Manticore and it was like looking at death itself. That's when he felt something deep inside him and a sudden breath of life fill his lungs as his eyes rolled up and glazed over white.

Orys then flew in from the blurred void and attacked the Manticore, digging his talons into the stinger and pulling which caused the insect to hiss and retreated a bit. Roach then galloped through the blurred void as well and charged at the Manticore before rearing on his back legs and using his front hooves to crush two of its legs on the left side. The sudden intervention was exactly what Will needed as his eyes returned to normal and he saw the Manticore pull back, occupied by Orys and Roach. He activated one of his hidden blades and stabbed the Manticore right in the face where it hissed and screeched in pain before pulling away, staining Will's hand in green blood. It managed to pull its stinger free from Orys who flapped away and brought it down to kill him when something jumped out from the blurred void and pounced on it before it could strike.

Will saw the thing that intervened as some kind of wolf but it was huge, much bigger than a regular wolf and easily the same size as Roach. The odd part was that it was blurred so he could only see the outline. Orys flew around, swooping down low and grabbing Storm's Wrath with its talons and flying up while Will got back to his feet just as Roach galloped over. He climbed on and Roach galloped away with Orys flying right next to him. Will held out his hand and Orys dropped Storm's Wrath in it as he held it and Wolf's Fang up and was ready to end this.

"Come on, Roach!" Will ushered him faster and the horse took off with intense speed, heading straight at the Manticore which was still being attacked by the wolf. He grabbed the saddle and slowly stood up as Roach neared the insect and the second he was close enough he jumped off and brought his swords up high to deliver the killing blow. "RAHH!"

He landed on top of the Manticore and drove both swords through its body, which made it let out a blood curdling screech and buck around. Will was forced to hold on to his swords buried deep in the beast as it thrashed about like a bucking horse or ox. He kept Storm's Wrath buried in the Manticore while he pulled out Wolf's Fang before driving it back down over and over again a total of six times. On the final stab the Manticore let out a whimper and screech before it collapsed to the ground. He pulled out his swords coated in the Manticore's green blood and jumped off the creature, taking several deep breaths as Roach walked over and nuzzled against him while Orys flew down and perched himself on the Manticore's dead body.

"I don't know how you two came to help me but I couldn't be happier." Will told them both, petting Roach on the head as Orys flapped his wings and took off flying to the tree. Roach turned around a bit so the saddle was right in Will's face and let out a huff. "I don't even know what's going on anymore."

He climbed on and before he could even hold the reins, Roach began leading him in the same direction Orys was going which was to the tree. As they were leaving, a shadow flew over them followed by a deafening roar and gust of wind that hit him from behind but when he turned all he saw was the Manticore's dead body on fire. Before he could ask any questions, Roach kept him moving to the tree where the blurred surroundings that he had fought in for who knows how long had changed into a snow-covered landscape. There were hills and mountains in the distance along with large trees but what drew his attention most was where Orys landed and Roach was leading him. It was the biggest tree in the area with bone white colored bark and blood-red leaves on the branches. He didn't need to see much more to know it was a weirwood tree. He heard plenty of stories about them growing up but he had never actually seen one. When Roach was close enough, Will was able to see the human face carved on the front and the blood red sap dripping down like it was crying tears of blood.

Orys flew down from the sky and landed on a branch, letting out a happy cry and caw as Roach stopped at the base of the tree. That's when Will was able to see that the base of the tree seemed to bleed and dig into the ground it was on with roots going all over the place. Roach neighed and seeing how he wasn't moving, Will got off and looked in awe at the weirwood tree. He had been to the Godswood at the Red Keep in King's Landing but that tree was a great oak and not a weirwood. Roach nudged Will from behind and Orys let out another caw as the two seemed to want Will to do something. He wasn't sure but Roach nudged him in the direction of a small opening at the base of the tree that seemed to go into a cave built in the hill.

"From one confusing adventure to another…" He muttered to himself before taking a deep breath and entering the cave. It was a bit of a squeeze to get through but he managed to crawl into the cave beneath the great weirwood tree before getting to his feet. All around him were roots, likely hundreds of roots from the large weirwood tree up above and ran all over the top, sides, and ground of the cave he was in and likely went out further. A part of him was tempted to grab his dagger but he didn't feel in danger at all. He kept walking when he arrived at a large cluster of roots that circled and intertwined a large tree trunk but what drew his attention was the old man. His hair was white and he was wearing a black cloak and seemed to be not trapped but encompassed and in harmony with the roots.

"Hello, William Baratheon." The old man greeted him.

"You know who I am?" Will asked and the old man nodded.

"I know everything about you." The old man said to him. "Your destiny is unfolding before you but in order to do that…you must be reborn. And your first step is harnessing something that has been in your blood long before you were ever born. What is it that makes you so special, William?"

"I don't know. I'd like to think that there is no one else like me out there but that's not true. There are other good people who are willing to do the right thing and help others. I was just lucky and my father chose to not claim as a bastard." He admitted, thinking about his half-brother Jon up North who is disguised as his uncle's bastard or even Gendry and Edric who were bastards as well. If the stroke of faith altered things just a little bit, one of them could have been the crowned prince. He was only lucky that his father was so in love with his mother and went to war over what happened with the Targaryens. Otherwise, he would be no different than them. "Luck and chance are what let me be special."

"Greatness isn't determined by luck but forged in our hands. You are the crowned prince yet it wasn't luck that fostered you into the young man you are now. A young man who fought alongside others during a rebellion when he was but a boy. Or that took in your brothers or compelled you to free others in a land when you could have stayed behind in a lap of luxury. It isn't luck that drives you to be who you are and be better. Whether it was destiny or chance, you will always be special because you changed your destiny." The old man told him as his eyes went white. Will wasn't sure what was going on before his did the same and he was soon flooded with images and events that were too fast to make sense of. Eventually they stopped and his eyes returned to normal except he now had a headache. "The first step in your rebirth is complete. Your gift has been awakened but it will be up to you to control it."

"What gift? And what is my destiny?" Will asked when everything around him began to warp again. "Who are you?!"

"You shall see me again." The old man said before the cave and snow-covered forest was replaced with the sun, desert, and mountains.

Will did a quick double-take and realized he was in a desert landscape yet it wasn't Slaver's Bay. He was still dressed the same and had his swords, daggers, and bow but all the manticore blood he was stained with was gone. The only other thing of note in the area was a large stone tower built on a rocky cliff. Orys was gone as was Roach so it was just him and all he had were more questions and no answers. That's when he looked at the tower again and noticed the window at the top and recognized it.

"I…I remember this place." He muttered.

"You should…its where you were born." A female voice said to him. He turned around and saw a woman with long flowing brown hair, long face, and grey eyes with a slim frame. She was a beautiful woman and the crown of winter roses on her head gave Will pause as he recognized her.

"Mother?"

Lyanna smiled as she walked over until she was right in front of him. She raised her hand up and touched his face and the moment he felt her, he closed his eyes and leaned his head into her hand. "My beautiful boy. I thought I would never see you again."

"This has to be a dream." He said as she smiled and reached up to kiss him on the forehead.

"If it is…then let it linger a while longer." She prayed as Will wrapped his arms around her and hugged her like he would never see her again. Tears of joy slid down his face as he could not describe the pain, sadness, and joy of seeing his mother again. "I've missed you…my beautiful boy. How big you've grown."

"I never forgot you mother. I've been told that the first thing that many forget about somebody they've lost is their voice. The way they look and they way move but you can never remember how they sound. I never forgot your voice, mother or your last words." He told her.

"Stay strong for me. I'll be watching over you so be strong for me. Promise me." She wiped her tears before wiping his away and smiled at her son. Long gone was the young boy as he turned into a growing, handsome, and strong young man. "You have kept that promise and I could not be prouder. I do not know what this is but I would not trade this moment for anything."

"Perhaps there will be more of it soon enough." A man said to them and they turned to see who it was.

Dressed in night-black plate armor with a flowing black and red cape. He had a long sword strapped to his waist, a shield on his back, and a helm with gold, orange, and red silken streamers resembling flames. What drew his attention though was the sigil on his chest. It was a red three-headed dragon of House Targaryen decorated in rubies. That and the locks of silver hair he saw under the helm gave him the answer of who it was. The man removed his helm to reveal the purple colored eyes and face of Rhaegar Targaryen, the Silver Prince.

"You've grown, boy." Rhaegar said to him.

"Do not call me that." Will warned him.

"William, easy." Lyanna put her hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

"Ah, there is the Baratheon anger and rage I was expecting." Rhaegar remarked with a smirk on his face. "Just like your father."

"Considering who your father was and who you were I'll take it as the best of compliments but I'm not the same man he was." Will stated. "What are you doing here?"

"I was going to ask you the same question. If I believe what this place to be…it would appear that you've joined us in death." Rhaegar suggested. Part of Will had a suspicion he was right but there was something else at play.

"No…you're wrong. Whatever this is, whether it's my minds playing tricks on me or the Stranger is pulling me closer to death I am not dead yet and I'm not leaving the world without a fight." Will swore.

"Fight, fight, and destroy. That's what Baratheons do which is what made your ancestor such a valuable ally to mine. But perhaps it's for the better. What is fated to happen would be better facilitated without your involvement." Rhaegar pointed out. "There is a destiny that House Targaryen must fulfilled. I have seen it and my son shall see it through."

"You don't even know Jon yet you claim he has such a big destiny ahead of him?" Will asked only for Rhaegar to sneer when he heard the name Jon.

"His name is Aegon Targaryen, the last of his name now thanks to your father and his rebellion."

"A rebellion your father brought upon himself that you started!" Will shouted, shutting down Rhaegar's self-righteous sense of assurance that people have fed him even in death.

"William, stop!" Lyanna begged.

"I'm sorry, mother but I know the truth. Ser Arthur told me everything and I remembered." He told her and Lyanna had a look of shame on her face. "I won't judge you for your actions. Father is no better which is why I'm trying to be and prove that I'm more than just the Usurper's son. To try and change what it meant for my future to end up like my father or mother who started a war that nearly tore the continent apart. It was Ser Arthur who reminded me that even great people have faults and I'm going to learn from all of yours to be better. Do you know something funny, Rhaegar?"

"What is it?"

"Time makes a convert of men. Ser Arthur Dayne remembers you as a good person for who you used to be before everything changed. You were the Silver Prince but your actions prove otherwise." Will told him.

"My actions? I wasn't the one who started a rebellion and brought the country to war." Rhaegar pointed out.

"No, you were just who ran away with my mother to Dorne while you let the kingdom fall apart. You were the so-called Silver Prince who had the love of the people yet you did nothing to stop the Mad King. Your travel to Dorne started the rebellion after my uncle and grandfather came south for my mother's safe return and answers but, where were you? Hiding away in the south while your father burned my grandfather alive and made my uncle watch. The Mad King forced a son to watch his own father die and he strangled himself in order to try and save him." Will told Rhaegar off. "A rebellion was on its way to happen but you brought it to life and all those deaths are on your hands."

Lyanna felt all the emotions about her father and brother's dead come back and she began to weep tears while Rhaegar remained as stone faced as possible. "You speak of death but what do you know of it, boy. I've seen death and destiny came to me in a vision of the prophecy of Azor Ahai who would come again and the darkness shall flee before him. So, I dedicated my life to the prophecy and the prince that was promised but the dragon has three heads and Elia couldn't birth a third child."

"And that's what brought you to my mother. The song of ice and fire." Will remarked. "I've heard Thoros speak of the prophecy and you're mad like your father if you believe it to be true and if you really believe that everything you've done justifies your actions. There is always another way and you could have done something to prevent a war that killed thousands. How could you have been so sure that it would have worked? Vague prophecy just sounds like an excuse for you wanting to do whatever was in your best interests. You're not a silver prince just a selfish one."

"How dare you speak to me that way, boy!" Rhaegar shouted.

"I'll speak to you that way because that is what you are!" Will shouted. "You were so focused on the prophecy that you ignored everything else about the kingdom, the complicated political situation, your problems, your life and what your actions caused. Whether you actually loved my mother is another matter entirely but nothing you have done proves that you're a savior. You let your kingdom burn for a prophecy that may not come to pass. You are no better than the Mad King."

Lyanna seemed moved by Will's words but Rhaegar was less so. "You have no idea what you're talking about, boy."

"About your prophecy no, but I do make this one promise. When I return to Westeros, I will care for my brother better than you ever could and together we will make our own fate. And to destiny and your so-called prophecy I say this…fuck…off." Will finished.

"Destiny cannot be fought or changed." Rhaegar unsheathed his sword and lunged at Will nearly slashing his face had he not backed up just in time. Rhaegar lunged again but Will sidestepped the blade, grabbed his arm, and threw him to the ground.

"Rhaegar, stop! You promised William would live. You swore Ser Arthur Dayne to protect him!" Lyanna reminded him as Rhaegar got back to his feet.

"I did as he was just a young boy. His fate seemed inconsequential but now…he threatens the destiny of our son, Aegon." Rhaegar told her. "Everything we did was for Aegon. He is our son."

"And William is mine as well." Lyanna told him.

"Then he'll join you shortly." Rhaegar promised.

Lyanna went up to plead with him when Will stopped her. "It's all right, mother. This is something I have to do." He removed his bow/quiver before he unsheathed Storm's Wrath and Wolf's Fang. "Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Barristan Selmy trained me to fight since I was a boy."

"They've trained me as well." Rhaegar put his helm back on before removing his shield from his back. He secured it on his left arm before spinning his sword in his right hand. "There will be no shame in this defeat. You cannot fight destiny."

"My destiny is mine to make." Will stated, spinning his swords around a bit before he attacked.

A quick lunge with Storm's Wrath that Rhaegar blocked with his shield. Rhaegar slashed with his sword that Will blocked with Wolf's Fang before pushing the blade away and slashing at his head. Rhaegar ducked and then backed away to avoid a slash to the stomach before throwing out a cut to the leg that was blocked. He then pushed Will back with his shield and did a sword thrust that was parried before he sidestepped a quick slash to the stomach and blocked another thrust. Rhaegar pushed the offensive and threw out several quick slashes and cuts that Will blocked before spinning around and throwing out the shield to try and hit him in the face but Will leaned backed to avoid it. He leaned back to do a back handspring away as Rhaegar moved forward only to get a back kick to the chest that pushed him back and then a spin kick to the face and sent him staggering to the side.

"I've also had other teachers. The warrior monk Hundred Eyes." Will said as he spun his swords and attacked with several slashes and cuts that Rhaegar blocked before he threw out another push kick. Rhaegar blocked with the shield as Will spun and swung with both blades. Rhaegar's shield protected him but the impact knocked him back a bit. Rhaegar attacked with quick strikes to the torso and leg which was a deadly combination but Will deflected all his attacks, parried the sword up and spun on his knee where he kicked out Rhaegar's legs with a leg sweep. Rhaegar raised his shield to block Will's thrust as the Valyrian steel pierced the shield but didn't hit him. Rhaegar rolled back to avoid another thrust and slashed with his sword forcing Will to block. "That I picked up from an assassin who attacked me in Astapor."

Rhaegar regained his center as Will charged again with quick strikes and slashes before going on the defensive to parry and defend. Rhaegar lunged with his sword but Will sidestepped it, grabbed his arm, and tossed him over his shoulder so he hit the ground before he attacked with a leaping lunge. Rhaegar raised his shield in time and like before the sword pierced the shield so the two were locked together. Will pulled the shield out of Rhaegar's arm only for the Targaryen prince to shoulder tackle him in the gut which caused him to drop Storm's Wrath. He quickly recovered and headbutted Rhaegar in the face which was a bad idea before he jumped and drop kicked him in the chest.

Will did a kip-up back to his feet as Rhaegar tossed his helm aside and took a few breaths before getting back to his feet. Now it was one sword to one sword with Rhaegar's blade and Will's Valyrian steel sword Wolf's Fang. "You're skilled, I'll give you that. But you can't fight destiny, boy."

"I'm not stopping now." Will told him, blocking and parrying Rhaegar's slash before attacking with a slash to the head, thrust to the leg, and then swipe to the shoulder.

The fight continues on with neither opponent giving the other any advantage. Will blocked all of Rhaegar's downward slashes and cuts before parrying a side slash to the shoulder and then ducking under another one to the head before spinning around him in his gap and hitting him in the side with the pommel of his sword. He attacked with two strikes to the head, one to the legs and then two to the torso but Rhaegar blocked them all before he elbowed Will in the face. Rhaegar followed that up by pulling out a dagger and slashing him across the left arm, causing his arm to recoil in pain and let go of its grip on Wolf's Fang. The Silver prince was able to capitalize on this by forcing the attack with several quick slashes and cuts that Will blocked before his sword was knocked out of his hand.

Rhaegar lunged with a final sword thrust to kill Will but he leaned his body to the side and raised his arms, using his armored vambraces to deflect the sword away. That gave Will his chance and he activated the hidden blade in his left vambrace and stabbed Rhaegar under his right arm where the plate armor was weakest. Rhaegar gasped in pain and froze, dropping his sword as Will activated the other hidden blade and stabbed him in the neck so he was choking on his own blood. He slowly lowered Rhaegar's body to the ground and looked at the Silver Prince dying by his hand.

"Whatever prophecy you had envisioned…died with you at the Ruby Ford." Will told him as he retracted the blades. "Jon will live and I will treat him as I do my other brothers…and I will one day tell him the truth. But you were so misguided in your prophecy that you left Elia Martell and your other two children to die. I just hope they can find peace."

Rhaegar's body soon turned to dust was blown away by the wind. Whether that was really Rhaegar or just happening in his head is something he still wasn't sure about. Things around him began to blur again when Lyanna walked over with hit swords and bow. "It looks like our time is up." Lyanna told him.

"I wish we had more time." He said to her. "I love you mother."

"And I love you, my beautiful boy." Lyanna said to him before giving him a final kiss on the forehead. "Tell your uncle…and your father that I'm sorry. You're the best of all of us, William…and you will do wonders."

Lyanna cried tears of joy and sadness before she soon vanished as well and one by one more things around William began to vanish. Then they were all consumed by fire and from that fire could be seen a shadow with large wings followed by a terrifying roar.

Yunkai

The sudden fire eruption and freak wind that came out of nowhere during the ritual died a few moments after it started with the fire quickly snuffing out and producing nothing but smoke. Seeing the fire was dead was a relief but then they heard gasps for air and coughing. Arthur rushed over followed by Gendry, Edric, and the others. While the smoke obscured their vision, Arthur knew where Will's body was place and to his shock and relief, he saw him lying down on the sand. His eyes were open and he was awake with some soot and ash, covering his body and face along with the sand from the desert.

"Will…" Arthur knelt to his side followed by Gendry, Edric, Missandei and Cedric who began to check on him. "Are you all right?"

"I…I think so." He replied, managing to move his head around to see he was outside and looking at the others.

"How do you feel?" Thoros asked with Cedric checking his heart.

"Tired…" Will replied, trying to sit up but his body was weak and he didn't have a lot of strength. "Help me sit up."

Gendry and Edric slowly helped Will sit up on the ground as Missandei handed him a water pouch to give him some. He recoiled at first and spit some out but even just a small mouthful of water felt amazing. Kinvara knelt down to check on him, amazed at his recovery. "What did you see?" She asked.

"I…I don't know. I don't know if what I saw was real or not." Will replied.

"Uh, everyone?" Iolaus called out. "Not to ruin a wonderful moment but was that comet in the sky before?"

Everyone looked up and saw a red comet appear at the edge of the horizon and it wasn't there before. That was the first shock as Will felt something crawl on his back and that's when Davos saw what it was.

"Oh…fuck me…" He muttered and everyone looked at what caused his reaction. Will turned his head a bit and he could not believe what he was seeing. A tiny blue scaled dragon with green eyes had crawled up on his shoulder.

"It's not possible…" Tyrion muttered, seeing an actual dragon on the prince's shoulder.

"But it is. Azor Ahai is reborn." Thoros said with a smile as he bowed his head and knelt down in reverence. Soon everyone began to kneel one by one either in reverence or sheer shock.

Will tried to stand up and Arthur helped support him as he got him back to his feet. The tiny dragon had climbed up and was now perched up on his shoulder like Orys would. "How is this possible?" He asked Arthur.

"I don't know but…you've always been known to achieve the impossible." Arthur smiled before he joined the others and got down on one knee with his head bowed.

Everyone was kneeling while Will stood up with a baby dragon perched on his right shoulder. He heard a caw and Orys flew down and landed on his left shoulder, flapping his wings a bit, and letting out another proud caw. Orys was happy that his owner was alive. That's when the baby dragon sprouted its wings let out a baby screech of its own, copying Orys in a sort of way.

William Baratheon was reborn anew and with him was a new companion. One who would inspire and frighten and it would be up to William to find the line.

End of Chapter 8

And thus ends chapter 8. I hope you guys like it. Granted, not too much has happened except for another assassination attempt on the prince which is kind of par for the course at this point. For those that think the assassination was too easily solved, well you know how the characters feel and that was on purpose. We've gotten to see how the others do in his absence and what's going on in Westeros while he's gone but the ending is what's important.

Next chapter, Will's awakening from his deep sleep has started the next chapter of his life. He's still unsure of what's going on but he has a new companion and a rare ability linked to blood of the First Men of his mother. And he'll need both as he makes plans for Meereen to finish his campaign in Slaver's Bay before he turns his eye to the Triarchs. They shall know his fury. Until next time.

I hoped you guys like where the chapter went. Obviously Will wasn't going to stay down forever but a whole chapter felt right. And we saw what was going on in his head as he was put in a deep sleep and literally facing off against his looming death to try and stay alive. Shows how strong-willed he is. His experience in limbo or whatever the Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire equivalent is to limbo is going to affect him going forward and will help make him better going forward. Of course, that kind of experience leaves its scars which he'll have to deal with.

One scene I knew I wanted to write was Will meeting his mother again and meeting Rhaegar. I'm really proud with how that scene turned out and I had rewritten it a few times until it got to where it is now. I know in the show we know that Rhaegar and Lyanna fell in love and fled to Dorne but my story is a little different. Lyanna did care about Robert in the beginning before things happened and Rhaegar entered the picture. I'm drawing more inspiration from the book series as in the books there's more subtext and blatant text that Rhaegar was motivated by prophecy and destiny with Azor Ahai, Prince that was Promised and the Dragons has three heads which led him to taking Lyanna for his prince that was promised would be born out of a song of ice and fire. For those that are aware of how the finale of the show went, which is the general outline for how the books will sort of end…that doesn't really matter in the end but I wanted to involve this part of Rhaegar's motivation in the story since I think it brings up a lot of interesting questions, ideas, and gives us a better picture about Rhaegar in general. Was he really a good person because if he was, would a good person really let his kingdom descend to madness all for a prophecy that for all others knew might not even be what it says it is. Being the audience, we know this but the characters don't.

There are dozens of Youtube videos about the subject of Rhaegar and prophecy and whether or not he was really a good prince and ruler. One of the videos I used is called Rhaegar: was Jon's father the true hero of Game of Thrones? By channel Alt Shift X. Check it out.

Anyway, hoped you guys like the update. I'll try and get Riverdale up in June as well but if not, it'll be early July with July 4th as the latest. Other updates for July will be another Multiverse chapter, Mandalorian Maverick and Spider-man. Happy early 4th of July.

William Baratheon: Son of Robert Baratheon and Lynna Stark, Prince of the Seven Kingdoms, the Blue Wolf, Slayer of the Iron Born, The Wolf of Storms, Breaker of Chains, Wolf of Justice, Stag of Righteousness, William the Conqueror, Khal of Tonitrua (Thunder)

Appearance: Young Stephen Amell

Birthdate: 279AC: 16 years old

Regular Clothing/appearance: Boots, long black or grey trousers, light white tunic/shirt, dark blue/black leather jacket with hood and facemask. Gloves. Vambraces with hidden blades, Valyrian daggers holstered in boots, and Storm's Wrath slung over his left hip

Armor:

Steel plated combat gloves

Steel plated vambraces/forearm guards with Valyrian steel forearm spikes and attached hidden blades.

Light metal leg greaves

Iron plated Samurai Dō (Chest armor) colored black with flecks of dark blue and white with sigil of House Baratheon and Stark. Attached leather shoulder pauldrons with light metal covering.

Weapons:

Black/Blue Goldenheart tree Composite Recurve Bow and Arrows usually kept in saddle holster

Small throwing knives looped in belt

Valyrian Steel stiletto dagger & Valyrian Steel Dragonbone dagger holstered in boots

Valyrian steel bastard sword Storm's Wrath holstered around left hip

Valyrian steel bastard sword Wolf's Fang holstered over left shoulder or in saddle holster when riding

Hidden blades taken from assassin and secured on forearm bracers

Pouch of small smoke or gas bombs

Swan Ships: The Jackdaw, The Aquilla, The Black Pearl, The Flying Dutchman

Notable Talents: Expert archer/trained in the Summer isles speed archery, knife thrower with expert aim and marksmanship. Ambidextrous and trained in sword combat by Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Barristan Selmy. Close combat training by Hundred Eyes. Agile and quick moving, self-trained in parkour, Free running, and urban exploration. Smart and quick thinking on the battlefield. Knowledge of battle tactics, poison, wildlife, history, politics, and economics. Fluent in Low Valyrian, High Valyrian, Summer Tongue, and Dothraki.

Personality: Smart, attentive, wise, honorable up to a point, caring, generous, humble and cares about others. Hates backstabbers, deceivers, people who violate his trust or think they are superior to others. Doesn't like to be treated like a child or an idiot. Unrelenting against his enemies or those who harm innocents or his family. Prone to carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders or self-doubt in certain situations.

Army: 11,000 Unsullied soldiers, 3,000 Dothraki Calvary

Allies:

Cedric Angar: personal tutor and once trained to be Maester, trusted friend

Ser Arthur Dayne: Sworn Sword, protector, and trainer

The Stark Family of Winterfell: Family

Robert Baratheon: Father

Stannis Baratheon: Uncle and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands

Ser Davos Seaworth: advisor of Stannis Baratheon and trusted friend

Ser Barristan Selmy: Commander of the Kingsguard, sworn to protect him

Hundred Eyes: Kung Fu trainer and friend

Gendry: squire, friend, and younger half-brother-age 13

Edric: friend and younger half-brother-age 12

Hercules: Leader of band of mercenaries, incredible strength, and skilled fighter

Autolycus: Second in Command, expert knife thrower, thief, and spy

Amphiaraus: Expert spear fighter, supposed seer and prophet

Tydeus: Feral warrior, relentless and highly dangerous in combat

Atalanta: Excellent combatant, tracker, and Amazon Archer

Iolaus: Persuasive, excellent negotiator, storyteller, and orator

Joshamee Mr. Gibbs: Commodore and captain of the Prince's Swan Ships, expert sailor and naval combat operator

Adewale: Second in command of the Prince's Swan Ships, expert sailor and naval combat operator

Orys: Golden Crown Eagle

Missandei: Personal handmaiden, translator, advisor, confidante, and friend.

Grey Worm: Unsullied soldier and commander of Unsullied Legion

Roach: Personal horse, fast, brave, a bit of a jester

Disclaimer: I don't own Game of Thrones or any mentioned properties, all rights belong to their respective owners. I'm just a big fan.