A/N: I hope you all are continuing to stay safe.
Here is the next chapter. We're almost there, to an important point in the story.
Jon nervously held the cup out with both hands, as Joon moved to pour tea in it. He kept his eyes on Joon's, who looked at him with such sharpness that they threatened to bore through his own. However, as was the custom in the empire, the younger should accept whenever an elder gave an invitation for tea.
What Jon did not expect was Joon continuing to pour even as the cup overflowed with hot tea. The precious water spilled onto the wooden floor, the low table, and the cushions, and any other person would have recoiled and their skin turning red. But Jon was not any other person because to his slight surprise, his skin did not turn red nor did it sting enough for him to pull away. Is this my unburnt trait kicking in?
Joon noticed this and stopped pouring before giving tea to Benjen and Sam setting down the cheongja teapot. After Joon sat down and drank from his cup, the three followed. In the empire, one never drank before the elder or if one was a guest, both of which applied.
Joon placed the cup on the table gently before eyeing Jon's hands again. "So you have fire in your blood, don't you, Lord Snow?"
Jon put the cup down. "That's one way of putting it, my lord."
Unexpectedly, Joon slammed his hand down, causing jolts from Jon, Benjen, and Sam as they moved back slightly. Jon had never been anxious of Lord Joon before this moment, as while he didn't give any outward sign of anger, he had come to know when their host would become infuriated. And the intimidating thing about Lord Joon was that he never raised his voice.
"I fed you all, gave you shelter, paid you all sufficient stipends, and entrusted you with important tasks to stop you becoming idle, and this is how you repay me? By not telling me the truth and trying to avoid answering my questions?" Joon's jaws clenched.
"And we are grateful for—" Benjen began, before Joon narrowed his eyes at him and thus prompting his silence.
"If you wanted to keep a secret from me, Lord Snow or whatever your name is, you should've been more discreet. I knew you were hiding something from the moment I saw you and what just happened tonight confirmed my suspicions, although I must admit that I did not expect you to have the blood of the dragon," Joon was calmer that time.
Jon was still cursing himself for revealing his true heritage, but he wanted to make sure that his aunt knew that there was another. Hopefully, she was able to get my last words.
"So, your name," Joon was not going to waste time. "What is your real name, Jon Snow or whatever your name is?"
Jon looked at Benjen for guidance, who had gulped at their secret being revealed.
"Do not look at your uncle," Joon ordered. "I am asking the question. Who are you?"
Jon inhaled and exhaled, preparing himself for what he was going to say next. "Lord Joon, my name was kept a secret from you because we didn't know if we could trust you. You have provided us with food and shelter, yes, but we don't know if you have connections to anyone back in Westeros. Your knowledge of our lands and your ability to speak the common tongue well only increased our concerns."
"Because you're a Targaryen?" From Jon's skin not burning in the fire and from the hot tea and Jon saying he's the blood of the dragon, it didn't take long for Joon to put it together.
Jon bit his lips before nodding. "Yes, I'm a Targaryen."
Joon sighed. "I can understand your concerns. There are only two Targaryens that managed to escape during what you people call Robert's Rebellion and the madness of the last Targaryen king making the whole of House Targaryen very undesirable in current political situations. But you should know that you are far away from any place where your name would have any meaning. Besides, it's been centuries since the Golden Empire had any dealings with dragonlords, so the memory of your kind is faded from ours."
Jon should've not been surprised at Joon's bluntness, but to hear him describe his family so coldly was… another thing entirely. People back home always talked about the Targaryens with fear, reverence, disgust, or a combination of the three, but all treated the Targaryens with importance. Being here taught Jon that he had to go thousands of miles before no one gave a damn about where he came from.
"But I am still confused. While I have no doubts about you being a Targaryen, who sired you? It can't have been Aerys, since I've heard that his wife Rhaella died giving birth to Daenerys Targaryen just shortly after the Rebellion. Also, his son Viserys was too young to have children while Rhaegar was already married by the time the Rebellion took place. Unless…" Joon thought aloud before giving Jon a more piercing look.
Jon sighed, deciding that it was better to not delay further. "Yes, I am the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark."
"A bastard then," Joon concluded.
"No," Benjen shook his head. "He's not a bastard, my lord. He's—"
"Quiet, Lord Stark, I am speaking with your nephew, if what he says is true," Joon reprimanded. "Continue."
"I am no bastard, Lord Joon," Jon began as he explained his heritage, the reasons that could've prevented the Rebellion, and the fact that Rhaegar's first wife Elia knew all along.
Joon found himself pouring another cup of tea as Jon finished illuminating the Lord of Kushiro. Finishing his cup, he looked at the three with less indifference and less anger, but was in deep thought in regards to the new knowledge.
"What am I supposed to do with this?" Joon finally asked after what seemed like a long pause.
"My lord?" Jon questioned.
"I brought in three guests under my roof, one of whom is in fact the scion of a dethroned dynasty, but I don't know what to do with this information. As I said, your name and your heritage have no weight here. I can't say anything about this to anyone, not because of the danger you'll be placed in, but because no one cares about you on this side of the world. You're just another descendant of a line bereft of leadership."
Jon had to admit that Joon was much more cutting in saying the truth than Ned Stark ever was. All of what he said made sense, making Jon think on how important the Targaryens really were in the larger order of things.
"And you say that you had to leave Westeros because of your Lord Commander of the Night's Watch found something north of your Wall that concerned him? What is it?" Joon pressed.
"Even if we told you, you'd never believe us," Jon responded.
"I saw you have your skin remain unaffected by heat and you talking via incense. Tell me, what more should I need to see in order to become convinced of the fantastical elements of the world?" Joon countered.
"I'm afraid I will defer to my uncle Benjen for that. He has more experience with what's going on than I do," Jon gestured to Benjen.
Joon looked at him expectedly. "Well?"
Benjen took a moment to gather his thoughts before he told him of the Long Night, the wights that had attacked Lord Mormont, and the reason behind the wildlings advancing on the Wall. Jon knew that the truth was out now and that they now had to face the consequences of their actions.
Joon remained indifferent, but concern briefly flashed across his face. "If I hadn't seen what Jon had or what he did, I would've thought you all insane. But experience also told me that you shouldn't discount experiences because of own prejudices. In the army, we have a basic principle in regards to gathering intelligence: ask enough questions and a man who is lying will eventually change his story. But the man who tells the truth cannot change his, however unlikely his story sounds."
"So you believe us, my lord?" Sam asked hopefully.
"I'm only saying that what you all have revealed to me is a strong possibility. Even with your possession of Dark Sister and the dragon egg, I still don't have enough proof of your heritage. Even if I did, it'll be useless to me and at the same time, such facts cannot be hidden forever," Joon outlined.
"So what are you suggesting, Lord Joon?" Jon inquired.
Joon sighed. "It would've been better if you had your own answers, but then again, you're young and you have little experience regarding the important affairs of life. The fact that you come from royalty only compounds to the difficulty of my situation, since you have dragonblood in your veins but you still don't know how to fully come to terms with it."
"I beg your pardon?" Jon's eyebrow rose.
"You lived as a bastard throughout your whole life and it was recently that you discovered who you really were. But that knowledge is nothing if you don't have what it takes to be a true dragon and royal. You're a boy and you don't know how to command armies, maneuver through court plots, and be comfortable with yourself. You reveal this to anyone without having all of those skills, and it's a quick trip to the grave. You'll be but a breath exhaled among many."
Jon couldn't deny what he said, so he decided to take a chance. "Then I ask you, Lord Joon, not as Jon but as Daeron Targaryen, to teach me in those areas. Help me become the ruler that I must be so that I can return home prepared to retake my family's throne and face the threat that's coming."
"And what can I possibly teach you?" Joon was in disbelief. "Yes, I am Governor of the Northwest Province and I know how to command an army, but what you're asking goes beyond what I can give. You will have more luck getting what you seek in the capital than here."
"If I may, Lord Joon," Benjen cut in. Joon gave his assent. "You're right to be worried about this new knowledge you have and you're right in everything you said. I don't know how well you profess your beliefs in whichever gods you follow, but I know that everything has a purpose. We were meant to be shipwrecked in Yi-Ti. We were meant to be found by you. We were meant to live under your roof for these past moons. The reason I know this to be true was because we met you, my lord. Any other man, and we would have struggled much more. The Old Gods wanted us to be here at this moment, so that must be considered."
Jon became even more grateful for his uncle coming with him, as he was wiser than Jon ever was at this point and he knew that he would be lost in this land without him. He was confirmed in his gratefulness to his uncle with Joon listening very intently to Benjen's words and offering him another cup of tea, which Benjen accepted.
"I do believe that there is a higher purpose at work, Lord Stark. But regarding my decision on whether or not to help your nephew, that's a decision that I cannot make on my own," Joon said.
"What do you mean?" Benjen put the teacup down.
"I'll let my family be aware of this new information when the time is right, but before that, I must seek guidance from someone who would know what to do."
"And who would that be, my lord?" Sam inquired.
Joon thought about it some more before standing up from his cushions. "Do you prefer Jon or Daeron?" he addressed Jon.
"I respond to both, Lord Joon," Jon answered.
"No, you choose one or the other. Make a decision and live with it, as that's the one of the first things you must be do if you want to become a ruler," Joon stressed.
Jon had lived with his name for all of his life up till that point. His was a name that Ned Stark gave to protect, and one that he used to protect him in this new land. However, now that his secret was out, he had to make a choice to embrace his heritage. Swallowing, he looked up at Joon.
"If you must choose, Lord Joon, then you can call me… Daeron."
Benjen and Sam looked at him with wide eyes, surprised at how quickly Jon decided to accept his Targaryen origins. But he didn't want things to change between them.
"But 'Jon' will be reserved only to my friends and family. That is a name that they became close with and that name will be how I choose who I become close with in the future," Jon declared.
Joon nodded with satisfaction. "As you wish… Daeron. Pack some essentials. We're going on an excursion."
Jon became surprised. "Where are we going?"
"I know someone who might help with our debacle in regards to your heritage. At the edge of the eastern provinces lies a mountain range called the Mountains of the Morn. There's a shrine there where I did my studies for my examinations before I joined the army and the abbot, Cao, told me to go there whenever I needed help," Joon explained.
"All right," Jon nodded. "But what about my trainings?"
"This takes precedent over your trainings, wouldn't you say?" Joon asked pointedly. "My son Seong will take over running Kushiro in my absence while your friend and your uncle will continue their present duties. We leave in the morning," and with that, Joon left the room.
Jon let out a breath he didn't know he had. He expected Lord Joon to react more badly to the revelation, but he took it rather well. It made Jon all the more thankful that they had come across Joon Kitara during their time in Yi-Ti.
"I just hope that nothing will bad will happen to you during your excursion with Lord Joon," Sam said. "He's really turning out well for us, wouldn't you agree?"
"Aye," Benjen exhaled in relief. "He spoke nothing but the truth, which tells much about his character. But I've heard tell of who resides in the Mountains of the Morn. They say that men with leather wings are able to fly there along with corpses so pale that the life has been sucked out of them. It's a part of the world that no man of Westeros has seen, ever."
"Well, better be prepared for my entrance into the eagle's nest then," Jon quipped.
Benjen clasped Jon's shoulders. "Who knows what might come, but I hope you and Lord Joon get the answers you're searching for. Let's help you pack."
Jon said his goodbyes to Benjen and Sam, sad to be separated from them but knowing fore sure that they would be reunited soon. Along with his swords and silk shirts, Joon took five other men with him, men who could ride fast along the roads of the empire. They were all equipped with a dao, daggers, and axes, but they were all urged not to wear uniforms, as that would draw the wrong type of attention during their journey. Instead, they, like Joon and Jon, carried paper certificates signed with his own personal seal that verified their identities if asked.
But before Jon rode out of the gate, Chanhee walked up to him.
"I hear from servants that you go east," Chanhee said in guanhua.
"Yes, I am," Jon nodded.
Chanhee stared into his grey eyes. "It going to be empty around here, without you."
Jon smiled. "Do not worry. I be back soon."
"Good. You better," Chanhee smiled back. "We should finish conversation on family when you return."
"Yes, we shall," promised Jon. But to his surprise, Chanhee pulled him into a big, tight hug. After a moment of getting over his astonishment, Jon wrapped his arms around her to return the embrace. Now that she had time to properly clean herself and become accustomed to the etiquettes around Kushiro, she smelt like the blossoms in Kushiro's courtyard and her hair felt like the smoothest silk. Jon also noticed how her white skin shined without the dirt he had seen the first time he saw her and how her eyes and smile brought warmth to his heart.
"Lord Snow," Joon kept up the pretense in front of his men. "Enough with the hugging. We must go."
Jon pulled away from the hug, but both he and Chanhee remained smiling while Jon mounted his horse.
"You ready for a journey, boy?" Ghost grinned, happy to leave the confines of the castle to finally run free in the open space. "Good, let's go."
Riding hard through the gate, Jon, Joon, the five men, and the white direwolf traveled on the stone roads of the empire eastward towards the Mountains of the Morn.
As they traveled further, Jon noted how similar the northern provinces of the Golden Empire were to the North. Both were rather flat, had grasslands, and were largely ignored by the machinations further south, especially around Yin. However, unlike the North, the northern provinces were much warmer, more fertile, and had a system of roads where one could expect to be from one side to the other in reasonable time, most likely around two or three weeks. The only road of any note back in the North was the kingsroad, but traveling throughout the North was a taxing process. It made Jon all the more impressed with how developed Yi-Ti was in compared to all of Westeros. How did these people become so advanced while Westeros remains stagnant?
The riding party stopped by various taverns along the way, which Jon noted were similar to stops made by travelers or merchants passing through. He wondered how the roads remained safe for all to move before he saw the same guard posts that lined the road between Kushiro and Joon's headquarters. Security on the road was treated as a serious matter, as safety led to prosperity since people could count on their roads being safe and protected.
The party was treated to very simple meals at each tavern: a bowl of rice, steamed buns with meat fillings, and warm soup of various kinds. Jon was confused as to why a lord like Joon would even contemplate going near such a place where people of various origins mingled with each other.
"I could go live at another lord's residence, but I would have to let them know ahead of time of my arrival. But more than that, if a lord is treated as a guest in another lord's house, then there would be other lordly matters that would be discussed and then feasts and so on. All of them take time, which is something that I don't want to spend on unnecessary pleasantries," Joon clarified.
"I understand, my lord." Jon and Joon were speaking in the common tongue, which no one in the taverns they went could even understand.
"But first, I will take care of some business when we come near the Five Forts," Joon added. "I know the Guardian well."
Jon had heard tell of the Five Forts in Kushiro. The forts supposedly had walls that were more slabs of fused black stone almost a thousand feet high. Each fort could house ten thousand men and currently guard the Golden Empire from raiders out of the Grey Waste. While each fort had a governor in command, all five governors answered to the Guardian, appointed by the emperor himself and responsible for ensuring that the Five Forts protected the empire well. Appointments to the Five Forts were considered a great honor and the position of Guardian held a considerable amount of prestige among imperial military circles. Forts that can hold ten thousand men… I have to see this.
"I look forward to seeing the Five Forts with you, Lord Joon," Jon eagerly stated.
"Good. It is quite a sight," Joon smiled.
As Jon went outside of the tavern after his meal was done, he went to pet Ghost's fur while avoiding the strange looks on the others who passed by. He had already gone further than anyone in his family, both Stark and Targaryen, had gone and not even an explorer as famed Corlys Velaryon could boast about seeing the Five Forts. All of this because I found out who I was.
But as Joon pointed out, Jon still had a long way to go before he could fully embrace his Targaryen heritage. Hopefully, the shrine in the Mountains of the Morn has the answers Lord Joon, and maybe myself, needs. He was curious as to why Lord Joon brought the red dragon egg and Dark Sister with him, but decided to trust Lord Joon's reasoning.
Eventually, they came to a tavern nearby a fork in the road, but Jon looked in the distance and saw towering mountains not far off. The mountains cast a cooling shadow over the rolling pastures and fearsome mountainside and if one looked further up, one could see the snow and ice upon their summits, both of them as white as the ones he saw at the Wall. It was easily the tallest mountain range he had seen.
"What are those mountains, my lord?" Jon asked Joon.
"Those, Lord Snow, are the Mountains of the Morn," Joon answered.
So that's where the shrine is. Very imposing indeed, Jon thought in wonder.
"We must part ways for now, so wait there at that tavern. I'll be back before the day has ended," Joon pointed to the tavern next to the fork.
"Where are you going?" Jon asked.
"This road leads to the headquarters of the Five Forts. I can't take you with me, or it'll cause too much suspicion. Don't worry, I'll only be discussing inconsequential matters with the Guardian," Joon explained.
"My lord, I… don't know if I can handle myself well in a tavern without your help," Jon tried to reason with him.
"So learn. I'll leave Hengeng, Pansoo, and Taelong with you while I take Binlu with me. Behave yourselves," Joon warned them all before galloping down the divergent road.
Jon looked at the three nervously before leading them to the tavern. Walking inside, he was surprised to find it empty before an elderly Yi-Tish woman gestured them to a table. While his hold of guanhua improved, he still had to nod and just follow the hand gestures.
Jon ordered the same bowl of rice, steamed buns, and warm soup that they had for the past few weeks. He had also became more used to the hashi and dug into his food as soon as it arrived at their table. He noticed that the food was different in this region, as the rice was less sticky but the meat fillings felt richer in taste. That's strange, Jon noted, as they were in a relatively desolate area of the empire.
But Jon noticed the three members of Kushiro's guards staring at him as they ate their food. They were thin, clean shaven, and had their hair tied up in a bun, but all eyed him with suspicion. And Jon knew from their disposition that they were veteran soldiers, men who knew how to wield weapons and how to kill a man in various ways.
Jon set down his hashi. "What you looking at?" Jon asked in guanhua.
"Lord Joon is taking us on this excursion because he needs protection when we do enter the Mountains, but why does he need you?" one of them asked.
"I am sorry. What your name again?" Jon asked.
"Hengeng."
"I told him something, something that he says that he requires guidance on, and he said that I must accompany him," Jon answered.
"No need for us to know, Hengeng. It's Lord Joon's business and we have no right knowing," the other man told him.
"What is your name again?"
"Pansoo," the other man replied.
"Pansoo, how long you be in Lord Joon's service?" Now that they had some time, Jon wanted to know more about his host's retainers.
"Approaching ten years, followed by twenty in the infantry," Pansoo said.
"I was with Lord Joon for twelve years, followed by twenty in the cavalry," Hengeng added.
"For me, eleven years followed by twenty in the flying columns," the one who Jon presumed was Taelong stated.
Jon looked at all three retainers, who were in Lord Joon's service for a long time. However, he also noticed that they all served twenty years in the army. What's special about twenty years?
"May I ask what is significance behind you all serving twenty years in the army?" Jon inquired.
"Twenty years is the amount of time you must serve before you receive the maximum reward from the empire," Hengeng continued to eat. "While people can volunteer for the army, it's a hard existence for those who weren't born with land or titles. At least with the army, you get steady wages and temporary tax exemptions. But if you extended your enlistment past eight years and serve for twenty, the empire will give us some land, a final pay of a thousand taels, and a certificate saying that we completed our twenty years with honor. A lot of doors could open with that certificate."
Jon took this in. Lords back in Westeros called their banners and whoever was not a knight or a highborn were expected to answer and return to their farms when the fighting has concluded. But Yi-Ti had a different set of rules and Jon remained struck at how… forward this land was. At the same time, he remained wary, as the problems that afflicted his home would no doubt affect this land also. How is it that people everywhere are becoming more similar the more I see them?
"If you have that certificate, why did you choose to serve Lord Joon?" Jon asked.
"We served under the general during our final five years in the army," Taelong said. "And we served under his father before that. Both treated their soldiers with decency and respect, which is unfortunately not the case with the other governors and captain-generals in the empire. We know because we were loaned to the Governor of the Southwest Province during a riot in Asabhad. Biggest cunt we've seen. That fucker didn't know how to lead troops and it was only because of our commanding officer there were we able to salvage that shit."
Jon smirked, amused at the soldiers cursing a senior official.
"It doesn't get better than Lord Joon," Pansoo added. "Sure, we might find more opportunities in the south, maybe make a fortune in the capital given our qualifications. But we'd rather stick with a man who actually gives a damn to the people who serve him. And that's why we're here."
Jon knew that Joon was a man who could be trusted with governance, but here he saw evidence of his ability to instill loyalty in the men who followed him. Ned Stark was like that, but no matter how much it pained Jon to realize it, his abilities were limited given that he was not good at sensing threats and maneuvering through people. Joon was a grizzled warrior and leader, but if pushed, he could become a nightmare. Jon almost got a taste of it when he revealed his true identity to the Lord of Kushiro. Need to be more careful in how I tell my lies to him, or better, try not to if necessary.
"Tell us about yourself, Lord Snow," Pansoo decided to ask that.
"Me?" Jon was surprised.
"A comely young man like you, currently training with Captain Ti and has a large white wolf and a Chogo lady to call his own. There has to be a good story behind that," Pansoo noted.
Jon slightly flushed. "I don't know if you can call Chanhee my lady."
"Come now," Taelong chuckled. "A pretty woman like her? Unless you're dead between the legs, a handsome boy like yourself would be foolish as to not make a move. I would."
Jon nervous laughed, uncomfortable at both notions. "I don't know where to start," he decided to indulge them to pass the time.
"Wherever you feel like, Lord Snow," Hengeng put his hashi and leaned forward on the table to listen.
Jon was careful to leave out his Targaryen heritage, as it was still a secret except to Joon, but he was sure that his stories in the Free Cities would be enough. Several times, the men interrupted to ask questions, such as the ale in Braavos and especially the women in Lys.
"I never saw the appeal in that," Pansoo shook his head. "Who'd want to bed an old lady?"
Jon blinked. "Old?"
"I get that people are attracted to so-called Valyrian beauties, but no normal person would want to have white hair, unless they've aged considerably and thus taking away the appeal," Pansoo outlined.
This surprised Jon, as these were the first men who weren't attracted to Valyrian beauty. Maybe because they haven't actually met any. That could change if they did.
"So, Lord Snow. You have a woman back home?" Taelong asked.
Jon wasn't as bothered by that question as before, but whether it was because he answered so many times or because he knew the truth about himself was still unknown to him. "No, I don't. No one wants to be with a bastard, unless you're a whore."
"You see, I never understood that," Hengeng said. "Just because your parents weren't married doesn't give people the right to give that child a hellish treatment. If anything, it's the father's fault because he couldn't keep it to himself."
"Thank you for being so enlightened," Jon said with sarcasm. If only I heard that earlier…
"No, I'm serious. I knew a child like that back in my village. No one wanted him, so the local monastery took him in. They fed him, educated him, and did other things that his real parents should've done for him. However, he didn't want to be a monk and had asked the head abbot for help in taking the military examinations. Naturally, the head abbot was unsure of his ability to teach the boy," Hengeng explained.
"Naturally," Jon became very interested in his story.
"However, the abbot finally relented. When the time came for him to take the examinations, he passed with first ranks and became an infantry officer. He rose up through the ranks and became a lieutenant-general of the infantry after reaching the age of one and thirty. The last time I heard of him, he was in the capital as a vice minister of war."
Jon knew that position was a huge progression from being a bastard. "And may I ask why you're telling me this?"
"People ignore bastards at their own peril," Hengeng shrugged. "I should know because I used to be one of those who ignored them. Now, my village prides itself in producing a general when decades before, they tormented him. Shows just what happens when you underestimate people, especially bastards."
To hear Hengeng's words on bastardy was very… refreshing for Jon. If Jon had managed what that child accomplished, Catelyn Tully would say, "See, that's what a bastard does. He seeks to supplant our family." He scoffed at that memory, knowing that his bastard stain was false but it still gave him some satisfaction knowing that at least one person knew better than to make assumptions.
"Thank you, Hengeng," Jon smiled.
"You're welcome, Lord Snow," Hengeng said before continuing his meal.
Jon and the three men continued to eat in silence before the old lady came to their table and asked if they wanted some strong spirits. Deciding to be a host, Jon asked for two bottles and paid both for that and their meals. The men thanked Jon and the old lady collected their dishes before bringing two bottles of arakju, which Jon noticed had no smell.
Remembering what he learned from the morning tutor, Jon poured each man a cup full of arakju since he was providing. After he poured himself a cup, Jon raised it. "Gunbae," Jon nodded.
"Gunbae," the men cheered before drinking. Jon shook his head, noting how strong the taste was.
"More, please," Pansoo held out his cup, as did Hengeng and Taelong. Jon happily obliged and they enjoyed several more rounds.
The hours passed by as the drink took hold and the men became more loose, telling bawdy jokes to each other and exchanging stories from a time long past. As for Jon, he was careful in not getting too drunk since that could lead to loose lips, which was why he drank very slowly. This is some strong stuff. I might drink this more often.
This arakju, made from rice and distilled with strong heat, was certainly stronger than all of the ale and wine Jon had drunk. It was largely odorless and clear, but when inside one's mouth, it gave a burn that increased the heat in the body and it had to be drunk in small amounts since enough of it would cause a numbing sensation. It had no obvious taste, but it didn't need to.
Seeing that Lord Joon had still not returned from the Five Forts and knowing that they would have to spend the night there, Jon paid for all of their rooms and helped each man to his. It was hard to drag drunken man up the stairs and put them in the sheets, but this was his doing as he paid for the arakju. Maybe I shouldn't pay for their drinks the next time around.
As Jon was about to go to his room and wash up, he felt someone tapping his shoulder. Turning around, he jolted at the sight of Lord Joon behind him. "You surprised me, my lord."
"Where are the men?"
"I tucked them in their rooms. You were still gone by them," Jon explained.
Joon sniffed him. "Were you drinking?"
Jon nodded. "The old lady asked if we wanted some drinks and I paid for them."
Joon looked astounded. "As in… you engaged in conversation with the men?"
"Yes. We got to talking and I was able to discover some interesting things about them, mainly that they served under your father and then you, which is why they are in your personal service."
"Did you tell them about yourself?"
"Only what I haven't told you prior to your discovery a few weeks ago."
Joon sighed before nodding approvingly. "So you're learning now."
"My lord?" Jon expected a scolding or another long conversation on how to be more prudent in his words.
"As it is the case all over the world, the common way to develop companionship is over a cup. You did exactly that and the men have a better opinion of you. So, you did good," Joon gave Jon a small smile.
"Thank you, my lord," Jon dipped his head in appreciation to Joon's praise.
"You still have a long way to go, but it's a good start. Now, get some rest. We'll be at the shrine tomorrow."
"Yes, my lord."
But instead of going to his room, Jon went outside and sat next to Ghost, who was always eager for his companion's attention. Looking up at the clear night sky and the many stars that lined it, Jon felt that something was going right for him in this land. Joon's praise seemed to confirm it.
In another life, I would've spent the rest of my life here.
With their horses moving along the winding dirt paths deep in the Mountains of the Morn, they were moving at a slow and steady pace. Jon also saw that Joon and the men had the hands read to draw their swords if necessary. Looking around at the mountainside and seeing many boulders on it, he realized that they were in a risky area and Jon also was on alert.
Jon had read that the Vale of Arryn had imposing mountains, but looking up at their impressive heights, he knew for sure that the Vale had nothing on the Mountains of the Morn. Joon explained that many of the empire's rivers originated from these mountains and only the hardiest people could scratch a living in this place. Seeing how massive these mountains were and how tiny Jon and others were in comparison, it really hit home for Jon that people were quite small in the larger scheme of things. They said that dragons neither answered to gods or men, but is that really true given what I had just seen?
It had also become quite cold as they moved further up the mountains, prompting Joon and the others to wear thick fur cloaks. Jon had to appreciate more irony, as he was in the cold and dressed like a northerner again. But I'm not in the north, so I have to stay alert.
After what seemed like hours, Joon smiled. "There it is. The monastery where I studied for my examinations."
Jon looked over and saw a truly impressive sight. From what he could see, this monastery consisted of four main temples and living quarters shelters formed by adapting to the rock ledges, the caves that were unseen, and the rocky terrain. Out of the eight caves Jon could make out, four seemed comparatively easy to access. All the buildings looked interconnected through steps and stairways carved into the rock. There were a few rickety wooden bridges along the paths and stairways also to cross over. Each building had a balcony, which provides lovely views of the scenic views of the mountainside.
"Is that where you studied, my lord?" Jon asked with wonder.
"Yes, I just hope Abbot Cao is still alive. Been decades since I've last seen him."
"What is that place called?"
"That… they call Dragon's Cradle."
Jon was struck by that name. Now he knew for certain that coming here was no accident. It was if the whole world was now impressing upon his true heritage. I wonder what I'll find here.
Walking through the caverns and up more slopes, the riding party soon found themselves in the monastery's courtyard. Jon found the place much bigger than it looked from the outside and like in headquarters, each man was focused on the task at hand whether it be tending to flowers or watering and not paying their guests any mind.
Dismounting, the group tied their horses and waited.
"Ah, Joon Kitara!" Jon heard someone exclaim in goryeomal. Looking up the stairs that led to one of the higher buildings, Jon saw an elderly man dressed in overflowing white robes and his head shaven like Lord Joon's. But behind his white beard and his wrinkles, Jon saw that this man was wise, wiser than most men he met so far.
"Abbot Cao," Joon Kitara stepped forward and bowed in respect. "It's been too long, teacher."
"I'm glad to see you and that my teachings have allowed you to rise very far in the empire," Abbot Cao greeted warmly before turning to Jon. "And who is this?"
"Teacher, if you don't mind, I would like to discuss this behind closed doors. He's the reason why I'm here," Joon said.
"Of course," Abbot Cao nodded. "I'll see that your men are taken care of. Let us have some tea, old student."
"Very good, teacher," Joon smiled while gesturing Jon to follow them up the stairs.
Walking through more hallways with open access to the outside and a bridge, which Jon was careful to walk over, he noticed a woman standing outside on top of a stone path, which took the shape of a bear. Jon was about to call out to her to try to get her back inside, but he noticed that the woman was in… a trance of some sort. Looking further, he saw the woman was in front of a snake. A snake? Jon saw that the woman was not in any danger, but she was performing various stances and movements with such grace even though she was just a few inches from falling to her death. She looked… calm and she was staring at the snake with such focus since her eyes were widened.
And then, the most expected thing happened. When she moved with her left hand slightly outstretched and palm facing the sky, the snake flinched. When she moved her hand from left to right, the snake moved along. It was as if the snake had been snatched by the woman and was now being made to follow her movements. It was unlike anything Jon had seen before. How is this possible?
"Jon, let's go," Joon called out and Jon caught up with them. "Amazing, isn't it?"
"Yes, Lord Joon," Jon responded, the sight still in his mind.
"That's what happens when you allow the world to leave your mind and focus on serenity. It's an occurrence that can only come about with much care," Joon explained.
Maybe if we have time, I can ask the woman how she did that exactly.
Coming to the abbot's personal quarters, Joon and Jon accepted tea. This tea was stronger than the one in Kushiro, but the scents and taste were at the same time relaxing.
"It's jasmine tea," the abbot explained to Jon in goryeomal. "I hope it's to your liking."
"Yes, it is. Thank you, abbot," Jon set the cup down.
"Now, Joon. What is it you want to talk to me about that you cannot say outside?"
Joon turned to Jon. "Go on. Tell him."
Jon told the abbot, with some hesitation, about his true origins and how he ended up in Yi-Ti. The abbot listened intently and while Jon explained, Joon pulled out the red dragon egg and Dark Sister. But what Jon felt after telling his story a second time was more… certainty. He was less insecure about telling about his origins and as he spoke further, the anxiety slowly disappeared. Maybe I should talk about my origins more, Jon silently quipped.
"And you don't know what to do with his new knowledge?" the abbot addressed Joon.
"No. As I said, I don't know what to do with this, considering that the Targaryens don't matter in this part of the world," Joon pointed out.
The abbot sighed. "Dragons have long become a faded memory in the empire, but those who know better understand the power that they had and that the magic in the world is still around. People merely forgot where to look for it."
"What should I do, teacher?"
The abbot picked up the red dragon egg and examined it. "There is one way we can use that can prove young Daeron's story and thus his connection to the dragons. He must enter the cave."
Joon gulped. "You mean… the cave?"
"Yes. Once we have proof that he indeed does have the blood of the dragon, then we can plot our next move from there."
"Would that be a good idea, teacher?"
"If his blood speaks true, then it shouldn't difficult for him to reveal himself."
"I sorry," Jon mustered in his best goryeomal. "What cave? Who we talking about?"
The abbot set the dragon egg down. "There's a cave further up the mountain and covered in trees. It is said that one of the gods came down to the earth and assumed the form of a dragon to watch over these mountains. That's why this place is called Dragon's Cradle."
Jon was stunned. " A… dragon?"
"Not in the traditional sense, mind you," the abbot said. "Here, the dragons are manifestations of the gods themselves, not fire-breathing beasts. But your blood, if you have it, should be enough to initiate contact."
"Because I have dragon blood?"
"Exactly."
Jon ran his hand through his raven hair. "I don't know about this."
"It's the only way to get proof," the abbot answered before standing up. "Follow me."
Jon and Joon followed the abbot out of his quarters, back into the larger monastery, and walked upon two longer bridges before they came upon an imposing set of stone stairs. Jon's legs burned from how steep they were while Ghost had an easier time, but as he moved up, he noticed the trees gave off a different feeling from how they looked and the wood seemed alive. What is this?
Jon then noticed a tiny white figure standing near a tree trunk, with a large head, mismatched eyes, and a baby-like body. Startled, Jon jerked back, as did Ghost.
"Ah, you see them," the abbot noted.
"What is that?" Jon looked to the abbot.
"That is called a kodama, a spirit that lives among the trees. If you see a kodama in forests, it means that the forest is healthy and thus preserving the balance in nature," the abbot explained.
Kodama… Jon kept staring at the white tree spirit before looking around and noticing more. Although struck by how many there were, it was still an unusual sight for him and he followed the two up the stairs quickly.
They finally arrived at a cave opening with trees on both sides. The abbot and Joon walked up to the entrance before stopping. "I'm afraid… we cannot accompany you, Daeron Targaryen."
Jon looked at Joon and the abbot with confusion. "Why?"
"In there, you must seek for yourself," the abbot answered cryptically before Joon handed Jon the red dragon egg and Dark Sister.
"Hope these two serve you well in there," Joon spoke to him. "We'll be waiting. And I'll keep an eye on Ghost while you're gone. He can't come with you there."
Jon dipped his head in respect to Joon and the abbot. "I shall return."
"I know you will," the abbot replied.
Jon knelt to Ghost. "Be good, boy. I'll be back." Ghost licked his hand before sitting on the ground.
Jon braced himself before walking into the deep cavern, not bothered by its pitch blackness and the water dripping inside.
A/N: I was listening to Joe Hisaishi's "Path of the Wind" while I was writing the monastery and stair scene. Seemed fitting.
For this story, I wanted to include Japanese/Asian mythology since that would add some spiritual elements. Also, as a follower of the Old Gods, Jon believing in the Yi-Tish spirits doesn't necessarily conflict with his own beliefs since pantheism allowed for belief in several deities like in Greece, Egypt, and Rome. Also, dragons have a different meaning in Asian culture, so I hoped I got that right.
Plus, we see Jon slowly learning but also knowing that he still has a long way to go. We're almost there guys, to a major point. Stay tuned!
