Jon wondered if women who gained power were just more impressive than men in general? Because between his sister, Cersei despite how monstrous she was, and now Daenerys, he was seeing a pattern. And he couldn't blame this Dragon Queen's loyal followers, she was compelling. "I think we can both agree we don't want war between our two peoples, and certainly not while Cersei lives."
"And I should agree to this, why?" But she was listening to him. A light in her eye that if she was anything like Sansa meant she was pleased.
He didn't give way in the face of her authority and didn't defer. "Because you want Cersei dead and you want the throne she's sitting on. Better one war at a time."
"Not peace until the dead are defeated?" Daenerys tested.
Jon knew his mouth had twitched slightly at that. "If you don't believe in the Dead, you'd be a fool to agree to it. And we all know Cersei is a monster."
"Very well, Prince Stark." There was an emphasis on his title as she spoke. "You may have your peace, so long as your Queen agrees."
Jon looked over at Daisy. "Would you mind flying an agreement to Sansa so she can sign it?"
"Sure." Daisy agreed easily, as she always did. Something that made Jon resolve to stare at the pigeon he'd caught for longer tonight. Warg abilities maybe worked like that? He should have asked more questions when he'd been able.
Daenerys looked to Tyrion. "I assume you have something prepared already?"
"Oh course, your Grace. Perhaps over a midday meal, to mark the occasion?" Tyrion suggested, and he looked less like he was forcing his cheer today.
Jon cleared his throat. "Your Grace, I was hoping to see your dragons, if you would permit it?" And Daisy would have to come with because she'd never let him near a dragon without her there.
"You wish to see my children?" Daenerys was definitely pleased, her amused air suited her.
He refused to show any unease at the thought of getting any closer to the massive dragons than he already had. "We all grew up on tales of dragons, your Grace."
"Very well, you shall meet my children then." She rose from her seat, two Dothraki guards and her ever loyal Missandei falling into step behind her as she approached.
Jon turned to his own party. "See that the agreement with Lord Tyrion is fair. I'll be safe with Daisy." He ignored the suddenly curious if excited expression on Daisy's face.
He noted the look on Marlon's face…he was going to have to ask about that when he returned. Turning his attention back to Daenerys he politely fell into step behind her. "Thank you."
"You can thank me afterward if you wish." Her eyes were full of laughter.
Jon realized she was expecting him to be frightened. Which was wonderful, he was already terrified. He remained silent as he followed a half step behind Daenerys as they headed out towards the cliffs.
He could have laughed as he realized the Dothraki guards and Daisy were busy trying to communicate without a shred of language in common. But it was clear they liked each other. Which…it didn't surprise him as much as it probably should. He winced slightly as the doors opened, the wind cutting in its sharpness. "Does the wind ever stop here?"
"Not in the time I've been here." Daenerys replied, her face turned into the wind. "Tell me, is it as cold in the North as they say?"
Jon felt a rush of warmth in his chest at the thought of home. "Aye, and colder still. At the Wall, even with a fire in the hearth and furs over you it sometimes felt as if I'd never be warm again. Like my bones were ice inside me." He looked at the land around them, it was beautiful in its own way. "I remember the last winter, even if I was a small boy when it came."
"You were at Winterfell then?" Daenerys asked, genuine curiosity on her features.
Jon nodded. "My father was a good man, he raised me with my siblings. There was only Robb, Sansa and me when winter last was here. It was so cold, the inside of your nose would freeze and crackle when you first breathed in. The snow would glint like diamonds in what little sunlight there was."
"Beautiful and terrible." Daenerys continued to lead them along the stone path.
He looked at the lines of her face, there was an almost unnaturalness to her beauty. "Bit like dragons."
Her lips curled faintly. "Then perhaps we're not so different." She pointedly looked at the…whatever was going on between the Dothraki guards and Daisy. "Should I be concerned by that?"
"I don't believe so?" Jon huffed in amusement. "She punched them so hard they went and stopped thinking of her as a woman and just got excited about how hard she can punch. I think it happens with every warrior she runs into."
Daenerys eyes lingered on the interaction before finally dragging away, and up to the sky. She smiled as one of the dragons cried out in joy at the presence of its mother. The massive red one and still terrifyingly large, though not quite as huge white one, came crashing down upon the cliff's edge. The very ground shook from the weight of them. All thick muscle under heavy scales and rolling power.
Clearly, Daenerys didn't feel the rightful terror and awe the creatures should have inspired. She strode fearlessly towards them. One hand trailed along the edge of the white dragon's snout before coming to a stop before the red one. Her hands reached up as she embraced the snout of the massive red one. It was a monster, its teeth the size of her entire forearm. And he understood why men near worshiped her.
Jon nearly startled as he felt a hand on his shoulder. His head snapped to the side, and then he laughed at the excitement on Daisy's face.
She raised a brow as she looked at him, amused. "Thank you."
"Don't know what you're talking about." He looked away, but he felt warm. It was friendship but also… It felt like forgiveness. "You're going to try and pet one aren't you?"
Daisy just grinned. "Yup!" And stepped forward. Though she didn't just march up to the damn things, which...was honestly rather surprising. Instead, she walked slowly towards the white one. Her eyes locked onto the dragons.
She paused just before and held out her hand like it was a dog, not a dragon.
"His name is Viserion." Daenerys introduced, pride in her children.
Daisy grinned. "He's beautiful."
Jon did not understand women. Scary, awe-inspiring, powerful, but beautiful? And it didn't look like Missandei particularly disagreed from what he could see. Of course, he rather felt a draw to the beasts. If he'd been a boy still he'd have been trembling and yet still have tried to approach them despite it. Now he waited.
Viserion, the white one's neck stretched out, as it breathed in, scenting Daisy. And then it screeched, rearing back, tripping over its own hind legs as it tried to move away from the woman. Its weight crashed, tail swiping towards the god.
Jon let out a yelp and moved to..what? He wasn't sure, tackle Daisy out of the way maybe? He didn't reach her in time. Neither did the tail.
The dragon's tail slammed into an invisible wall near a yard before Daisy. Her hand reached up, palm facing it.
"DAISY!" Jon skidded to her side, grabbing onto her around the waist to try and pull her back.
Viserion screeched again, the sound sharp and painful just to hear.
And then Daenerys did something mad. She ran to Viserion, words on her lips that Jon didn't properly hear. He didn't hear them because the behemoth red one clearly caught Daisy's scent.
The deep guttural sound in its chest shook the air, as it opened its mouth, a bright glow in the back of its throat, and then Jon was reminded of how terrifying Daisy was.
Her eyes widened and then her hand grabbed him and dragged him behind her like a ragdoll. Her other hand snapped upwards and then the world was a riot of reds, yellows, and oranges as they were encased in flames. He looked up at the fire and it was beautiful.
As the flames died out he could see the horrified expressions turning to disbelief. And then he looked up at Daisy.
"Daisy!" He straightened and started slapping at her hair to put out where sparks had landed from her lowering whatever power had shielded them a few seconds too soon.
The giant red one backed up, clearly confounded at its fire not working. And then it lunged, all teeth for them.
Jon barely had time to feel his fear jolt back through him. And then Daisy straightened her arm and the dragon crashed into an invisible wall. Only from here, he could feel it in his teeth, the power circling Daisy.
Viserion screeched again before throwing itself off of the cliff and into the air, crying out its distress. The red one cried out as it hit the ground, it moved back, all snarls, but remained between Daenerys and them.
"So, the dragons def can tell I'm not human then." Daisy stated.
/
Lyarra Karstark stared at her betrothed. She was…she liked his wolf? His wolf was very nice even if Shaggydog was a stupid name for a direwolf. "You don't wish to sit with your sister in court?"
"Er…it gets kinda…boring after a while?" Rickon scratched at the back of his ear.
She sighed. "If I could learn from her Grace, I would never do anything else." Lyarra frowned slightly. "Well, maybe ride."
Rickon always looked stiff or squirming. Today he was somehow worse. "Fitz's lessons make more sense. Sansa's make my head feel all tangled up." His nose scrunched.
"What do your lessons with him involve?" Lyarra forced herself to ask…she rather wanted to kick her betrothed in the shin.
But, Rickon actually lit up at that. "I'll show you!" He grabbed her hand and started dragging her there."
She scowled at him. But her mother's threats kept her from yanking her hand out of his. Urgh, why couldn't he be more like his sister? She cast a longing look at Shaggydog. Petting the wolf sounded better than having to be near the mad god touched lunatic.
Fortunately, he wasn't looking, so she was free to roll her eyes as she half stumbled after him. And she didn't appreciate the amused look on the royal guard's face. Still, they did finally come careening into the workshop.
"Fitz!" Rickon eagerly greeted.
The curly haired mad man looked up from his work, confusion on his face. "I thought you had prince duties?"
"I do." Rickon's cheeks flushed as he seemed to finally realize he was holding hands, stupid boys. "This is my betrothed, Lyarra Karstark."
She stared at the expression on Fitz's face. Why was she the only competent one?
Lyarra guiltily stepped into the Queen's solar. She felt like she was going to cry, but was valiantly trying to blink back tears. She dropped into a deep curtsy. The carpet blurred from the wetness of her eyes.
"You may rise." Sansa's perfectly lovely voice said.
She sniffled but straightened. Her eyes didn't rise any further than the front of the Queen's desk.
Sansa hummed. "So you dumped a bucket of cow manure over my brother's head then?"
Her shoulders slumped more. "I also called him a rude boy and kicked him in the shins, your Grace." Lyarra admitted.
"He left that part out." Sansa's voice had a certain strain to it. And then it softened all at once. "Oh sweetling, you're not in trouble."
There was a rustle of skirts, and then gentle arms wrapped around her. The Queen made soft soothing sounds, her hand gently rubbing circles against her back.
Lyarra burst into tears and promptly sobbed into the shoulder of the Queen's dress. "I'm sorry! I don't wanna get my head cut off! But he's such a boy and I don't wanna be his wife! An-" she choked on her own words and just sobbed harder.
"You're safe." The Queen held her.
Finally, as her sobs petered out, Sansa gently adjusted her so that she could wipe her tears away. "Why don't we sit down, alright?"
Lyarra nodded before wincing at the mess she'd made of the Queen's beautiful gown. "Your dress."
"Is a dress and can be washed." Sansa replied without a flicker of discomfort, just gently shepherding her to a chair by the fireplace. "Do you want some hot tea?"
She bit at her lower lip but nodded. "Thank you."
"Good." Sansa handed her a handkerchief before walking to the door and asking a servant to bring up some tea. She returned and sat across from her.
Lyarra's eyes flicked down. The Queen really had the most lovely hands. "I'm sorry. I know I should be grateful, an' I am! But… it's hard."
The Queen's face was incredibly sad. "I promise you that you are safe here. You're under my protection. There will be no cutting off of heads." A light trace of humor flickered across her face. "So what did my brother do to deserve having a bucket of manure dumped over his head and to be kicked in the shins?"
She knew her cheeks were burning, not that they weren't already splotchy and red. "I didn't understand his numbers and then Fitz kept sighing, and it smelled bad and I just…"
"Got so angry you snapped?" Sansa smiled softly.
Lyarra's fingers twisted in the material of the handkerchief. "I don't want to marry him."
"You have four years yet before I'd even consider allowing you two to marry. And Rickon is my heir, in order for us to survive this winter it's very likely your betrothal will have to be broken." Sansa looked at her, and she was so perfect and pretty. "Right now you're both children, and you're right, he can be a silly boy." Sansa smiled gently.
Lyarra sighed. "Why can't he be more like you? Or even princess Arya?"
"He's his own person." Sansa's face was unfairly kind. "Have you tried just being his friend? It would serve you well whether you two are ever married or not."
She rubbed her nose with her handkerchief. "I don't like fighting or his weird math. What would we talk about?"
"He's a warg, have you considered he likes horses almost as much as you do?" Sansa pointed out gently.
Lyarra blushed more. Oh…that was rather obvious. "I'll do better."
"I'm sure you both will." Sansa replied.
Lyarra really wished Rickon was more like Sansa, even if he did like horses.
/
Missandei slowed as she saw the foreign god, for clearly, that was what she was, leaning against the wall ahead of her. The being was dressed more like her titles, her jacket was pure white, and it was embroidered with red leaves and silver stitches that made her impossible to mistake for anything save important. Unlike the more simple though fine clothing she'd been wearing earlier. She gave the appropriate dip of the head for one of higher status. "Your Holiness."
"I was hoping to see you." The god pushed off the wall, stepping towards her, though she remained a respectful distance from her.
She kept her unease hidden at the presence of a being this powerful "Did you require something, Holiness?"
"I was hoping to speak with your Queen, after this afternoon it's probably necessary." It was not lost on her how the woman wasn't pressing, or attempting to intimidate, despite the fact she so easily could.
Missandei spoke carefully, her voice gentle. "Lord Tyrion or Lord Varys could arrange a meeting for you if you wish."
"I could ask them, but you would understand more easily why I'm less of a threat to her than either of her other advisors would." Daisy reached up and pulled her hair away from her neck, showing a scar that looked like a part of her skin had been cut off with a knife. "After all you could say I'm a fan of her whole 'Breaker of Chains' thing."
Her breath caught in the back of her throat, her eyes widening. That was…her eyes snapped up to the woman's face.
"If it puts you in a difficult position, I get it. I can go find Tyrion." And Daisy took a step back. Her head tilted to the side. "But I think we have some things to talk about, don't you?"
Missandei stood behind Dany's shoulder, curious and nervous about what the god wanted to speak to Dany about. She was reassured slightly by the Dothraki guards, standing at their posts.
"Tell me, why ask to speak to me away from your Northern followers?" Daenerys's voice was wary. Which was wise considering how the dragons had reacted to her.
Daisy took the seat across from Dany without invitation, though who could stop her? "If you think they're my followers you're missing just how much they don't want to follow anyone. And I don't want followers, I'd have made a run for it if a whole ass country tried to follow me. Which, you really shouldn't take it personally, I don't think the North is capable of not being contrary on like the principle of the thing. I have had to punch so many Northerners in the face."
"And yet you call yourself a god." Daenerys replied, the faint twitch of her fingers gave way that she was not as calm as she was attempting to seem, however.
Daisy sighed, leaning back in the seat. "I'm Inhuman, and from what I've read, you and Missandei are uniquely qualified to actually understand what that means. Gods aren't any better or worse than people. And they fight wars like people."
"I care about what exactly you are, why exactly?" Daenerys was listening though.
And Missandei, if the being's scars were what was indicated...it was perhaps possible she was more alike to Unsullied. So she spoke. "I believe she is saying that she is alike to the Unsullied, your Grace."
"Gods have the same vices as humans. Enslaving each other for wars being one of them. I killed the assholes who tried to do it to me. But you could say I'm inclined to like you. Whole 'Breaker of Chains' thing holds weight."
Daenerys' face did something then. "Why tell me this?"
Daisy tipped her head towards Daenerys. "I'm not your enemy."
Daenerys' voice wasn't cold any longer. "But not my ally either?"
"No, but I could be." Daisy brushed her chunk of hair that was now shorter than the rest behind one ear. "And sorry for scaring your dragons. I didn't know they'd react like that. I mean the direwolves took a bit to warm up to me, but nothing dramatic."
Daenerys raised a brow. "You consider what happened earlier just dramatic?"
"I mean, the only casualty was like a bit of hair." Daisy joked like it was nothing.
Missandei wondered what type of being this Daisy was, because she'd been near many powerful people over the years. Many. As a slave, any freeborn was more powerful than her. And as interpreter, she had been beside her master for hundreds of meetings with the most powerful men of the Free Cities. The more powerful, often the more cruel. The truth of a man came out with time. She doubted a god was any different than a man in that.