A/N: This chapter took some more thought to put in, as there is also a lot happening. But please bear with me, as this is one several climaxes in the Yi-Ti arc before Jon inevitably starts his back to Westeros.

Also, stay safe and stay sane during this time of quarantine.

Sam slid another piece cattle leg underneath the door of the stable, moving away quickly as Meleys burned it and the heat would have been too much for him to handle even with the door closed. After seeing the fires dissipate, he cautiously moved back towards the stable and peeked through the opening, seeing the red dragon devouring its meal with such attention.

Having gotten past his awe of actually seeing the first dragon born in over a century, he was in awe of how quickly the dragon named after the Red Queen was growing. Having been fed regular meals for the past three moons, the previous kennel started to become a little tight for the dragon, as it grew past the size of a large dog. So, Sam had the dragon moved to the more spacious stable, but actually getting the dragon to move was not an easy task in itself. Jon, why did you have to go with army? Sam reflected on that difficulty.

Reading through more of the texts that Lord Joon provided to find a solution, whose comprehension was made more difficult since there were certain characters of guanhua that Sam still didn't understand, he was able to come up with a solution. Opening the door of the kennel, he allowed Meleys to fly out and thus startling the good people of Kushiro. Fortunately, she didn't burn them and Sam opened the stable to reveal a pile of raw pig and cattle ribs, prompting her to fly in and torch them while the rest closed the table. She wasn't bothered, as she was too focused on her meal.

He didn't know exactly how fast a dragon was supposed to grow, despite the knowledge he did have from his earlier studies at Horn Hill. But he figured that should dragons be fed on a daily basis, they would increase in size like any other animal.

On the other hand, he noticed that Meleys was not mindless. She was quite calm while confined to the stable and didn't hurt just anyone. Sensing that it would be good for the dragon to fly at least once a day, Sam let her out of the stable and saw her fly around the walls of Kushiro, racing through the air at a remarkable speed even for a hatchling. However, she didn't go burning who she saw as complete strangers, as conventional wisdom said that dragons were very unfriendly with those not carrying the blood of the dragon. In addition, she didn't just go hunting other people's livestock for food but only took what was given to her. When she was finished with flying, she returned to the stable and rested.

Meleys makes choices, she thinks before she takes action, and she tolerates the presence of others. On top of that, she flies very fast through the air. Given more time, she'll be just like her namesake, Sam observed. It shouldn't have been surprising since even the first Targaryen dragons were recorded as not randomly attacking non-riders, but it was still something to witness personally rather than reading from books.

"Lord Tarly," he turned around and saw Lady Myung come towards him while speaking guanhua. "Amazing, isn't it? The dragon."

Sam nodded in agreement. "Yes, my lady. The dragons have been gone for over a century and I never thought I would see one again."

"I've read about them," Lady Myung looked at the stable. "Many can't get over the fact that there are people who can bond with these creatures, since it defies all logic and grants those kinds of people with a certain power. However, not many things in the world make sense and we would be foolish to think that we can bend the fabric of nature to our whims."

"From those words alone, you seem open to the fact that a Targaryen and his dragon are in your home, despite the risks they both carry," Sam noted.

"I've had six moons to know Jon, or Daeron, and he's a good boy," Myung assessed. "But he's still very unsure of himself and where he belongs in the world, even though that is becoming less of a problem with the revelation of who he really is."

"He spent most of his life believing that he was a bastard," Sam responded. "And now, he's the scion of the family that ruled the lands where I grew up. He's going to need more time to get used to that."

"I agree," Myung looked at Sam straight in the eye. "But what about you?"

"What about me?"

"I did some reading on what your family is known for. Having married a member of a family known for producing well-accomplished generals and imperial officials, I can understand the effects of a legacy on one's mind. It certainly affected Joon for some years until he learned to cope with it and dug down. Now, he's one of the ablest administrators and soldiers that the empire currently has," Myung summarized.

"With respect, Lady Myung, I am aware of Lord Joon's accomplishments. May I ask what your point is?"

"You come from a family of fighters, men who held a sword called Heartsbane against all enemies for gods know how many centuries. And from what I can observed of you, you are also a fighter. Just not the type to wield weapons," Myung finally said.

"I'm not following," Sam wanted more clarification.

"You think that war is the only place where conflicts between men exists? I've been to court at Yin and they're just as savage as any warrior. Steel may not be drawn, but the results from the many schemes there are just as lethal. And you seem like a smart boy. Maybe you can start to convert your knowledge of books into knowledge of people," Myung suggested.

"Oh, believe me, my lady. I've had quite the education from dealing with Quartermaster Shin and Adjutant Dae during my time at headquarters," Sam stated.

"But they're only army officers, which provides a limited exposure to politics," Myung countered. "Then again, we're not in a place where you can get exposed to the inner workings of court. Perhaps, you can talk to my son and ask him if he can give you something that will give you what you need."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, my lady," Sam expressed his skepticism. "I have current duties that involve ensuring that Kushiro obtains maximum income levels and collecting taxes for Lord Seong."

"As the Lord of Kushiro until my husband returns, he has connections to a number of officials in the province. Minor lords, magistrates, customs agents, and other types of which escapes my mind. My son might think that it's time you expand your exposure to the province besides collecting coin for our family and for the emperor," Myung outlined the various options.

"May I ask why you're telling me this? Why the sudden interest in my education?" Sam wanted to know.

"Because I can understand to some level what you've been through, Lord Tarly."

"How?" Sam asked with some disbelief.

"You think you're the only one who's had it very difficult growing up because you didn't meet expectations?" Myung asked pointedly.

"And what would you know of it?" Sam's memories of his father belittling him made his voice turn bitter.

"Perhaps we can continue our discussion under more private settings. And it's almost time for supper, so we can discuss it over some food," Myung offered.

Almost immediately, Sam's thoughts turned to what he would eat that evening. "That's a great idea, my lady." Lady Myung smiled and gestured him to follow to the dining area, where Seong, Komo, and Karasa were already seated.

Supper consisted of boiled pork, baechi, boiled pieces of cabbage, bowls of rice, and misoshiru. Thanking Lady Myung for the meal, they then dug in. It took a while for Sam to get used to the food in Yi-Ti, as much of it was fermented, but once he did, he began discover flavors and scents that could never be replicated at Horn Hill. It added a certain… aspect to food that Sam never thought existed. Different ways of thinking leads to different ways of cooking food, he thought happily as he swallowed each piece of boiled pork, cabbage, and rice.

"To answer your question, Lord Tarly," Myung continued as they ate. "I was the daughter of a silk merchant in Leng Yi, which is one of the most important cities in the empire for that. The men in my family were expected to run the business while the women would be responsible for threading the fabrics. I, for one, did not want to relegate myself to that life and for that, my family disowned me."

Sam was surprised at how open she was at what must've been a traumatic experience, and additionally at her family's reaction to her wishes. "That seems a bit too far, my lady."

"To you Westerosi, it might be. But the idea of family is taken much more seriously in these lands, since the stability of a family equals harmony with nature and society. One member who doesn't follow is considered disrupting that harmony and thus must either be reeducated or removed. Guess what my family thought of me?" Myung asked rhetorically.

"I'm sorry that happened to you," Sam offered sincerely.

Lady Myung waved it off. "It's in the past. I had an uncle at court in Yin who took me in, and he invited me to attend court sessions. Learned much over there and that's where I met my husband."

"It seemed as if everything turned out for the better," Sam remarked.

"Eventually. So, I do know what you felt. The point I'm trying to make is that, don't let others control what you can do. At the same time, find other ways to utilize what your family can do. For me, I found out that weaving together silk cloths was in some way similar to organizing a household and being a second mind to a lord."

"Why tell me this?"

"Because… I wish I had someone telling me these words when I was younger and this is me trying to be that person," Myung admitted.

Sam pursed his lips and nodded his head. "Thank you, my lady."

"You're welcome," Myung then turned to Seong. "My son, I believe it's time to have Lord Tarly have more responsibilities beyond collecting coin."

"What do you suggest, mother?" Seong drank from the bowl of misoshiru.

"Maybe he could handle the dealings your father currently has with the various village officials before he marched off to war. He could meet with the soldiers recalled to active duty, oversee some aspects of local administration, and ensure that the roads are maintained among other affairs."

"Hmmm…" Seong thought aloud before he turned to Sam. "Will you able to handle them, Lord Sam?"

"I'll probably have some struggles at first, but given time, I might get used to them," Sam answered tentatively.

"That's not an answer," Seong shook his head. "It's a simple yes or no question. Can you can handle them, my lord?"

He immediately recognized that Seong was testing his confidence, causing him to curse to himself silently. Right. They only want straight answers here, which they think is connected to competence. Changing his thought process, Sam found the proper answer. "Yes, I can."

"Better," Seong put some rice in his mouth. "My father taught me many things, and usually, people who give such long answers usually try to mask their uncertainty in themselves, which makes them useless. My father also taught me persistence, which is quite important amongst educated fools and so-called 'talented individuals.'"

"I didn't know that there was such a thing as an educated fool," Sam chewed on his rice and pork.

"Within a few years, I will study for the examinations. Given my family, it has to be one that allows me to take a commission in the army," Seong said. "But I learned many practical things from my father, who had me run many of Kushiro's affairs in his place. I also learned the importance of cooperation, since my sisters," he gestured to Komo and Karasa. "Were also given responsibilities since they will have to know how to run an estate. What I found was that my acquaintances, those whose families have titles, assumed that their pedigrees and education will be enough to pass the examinations and get good postings in the army, fleet, or at court. But books can only say so much before you have to interact with the world's realities."

Sam started to accept that notion. "And because you had responsibilities, you know certain things that your acquaintances don't, which will be an advantage when the times for your examinations," he finished for him.

"Exactly. And I kind of have to, because Kushiro will come under my control once my father passes on and all it takes is a single moment of incapacity to undue over a thousand years of the Kitara family," Seong explained.

Despite the heir to Kushiro being slightly younger than Sam, he admired Lord Seong with how mature he sounded and his already strong sense of duty to his family. At the same time, his father had that same devotion to family and duty and he mistreated Sam for supposedly not having those qualities. If only he could have seen past my reluctance to hold a sword.

"So, how about you come into my quarters and we can discuss specifically what you can do besides collecting coin? Is that agreeable to you?" Seong asked him.

"Of course, my lord," Sam replied with respect.

"Lord Tarly," Komo joined in. "Can I ask… how you know Jon Snow, or Daeron Targaryen?"

Sam laughed in amusement. "Why do you wish to know, Lady Komo?"

"He has a large white wolf and a red dragon that is growing very quickly," she answered. "There has to be an interesting story behind that and how you met him."

"I thought that Lord Joon explained who the Targaryens are and what Jon's relationship with them is," Sam drank the misoshiru, allowing its warm broth to slide down his throat and release such comfort to his insides.

"Father told us," Komo nodded. "But he didn't say how you and Jon or Daeron became friends."

"Hmmm," Sam set down his hashi. "It's a long story and I need to include all of the details."

"We've got time," Karasa was also interested, as were Seong and Lady Myung.

Sam then described what House Tarly was and the type of man that was his father. He hesitated before revealing how his father made him go to the Wall, particularly his threat of causing "a hunting accident." Unsurprisingly, all of them reacted with disgust to Randyll Tarly.

"Some father he is," Seong said with disdain. "I would never do such a thing to my son if he was in the same position."

For some reason, it felt… good to Sam to talk about these things to others, especially those who didn't judge him or put him down. It certainly helped that Lady Myung and Lord Seong had treated him with decency. It was as if the dark stain that was his past was slowly being washed away, allowing him to begin moving forward.

He then continued to when he was actually at the Wall, recounting all of the hardships he faced for being unable to fight before Jon came in and defended him. Komo and Karasa had dreamy looks in their eyes, as the mere thought of Jon defending the weak increased their fascination for him. He pressed onward and talked about Aemon Targaryen, the revelations of Jon's true heritage, and then Othor being a wight. That last one caused some skepticism from the family.

"Dead men can't be brought back to life," Seong was sure of it.

"You don't have to believe me for what I say on the matter," Sam answered back. "But the wights coming back is what motivated Lord Commander Mormont to release Benjen from his vows and brought us all the way here. He told us to come back with help."

"And how do you think you will get help from here?" Seong asked. "Even though your friend has dragonblood, he has no position of importance in the empire and has no merits to his name. He can't just go around the provinces and ask people to join his army as an unknown."

"That's what we're still trying to figure out, my lord," Sam admitted. "But with all of us taking responsibilities around the castle and with Lord Benjen in the army, I believe we took small but important steps. Eventually, we will have to return to Westeros to meet the threat."

"Why not go to his aunt, this… Daenerys Targaryen? Surely, two with dragonblood working together is better than one working independently of each other," Seong posed.

"That won't work very well," Sam quickly said. "At this point, Daenerys Targaryen has no army or any important assets to use should she consider returning to Westeros, just like with Jon. Even if they do work together, they'll be facing much hardships without power of their own. It'll be better if they became partners from positions of strength and thus actually being of some to use to each other."

"In that case, who will have claim to this Iron Throne?" Myung asked. "From what I heard, she was a khaleesi of the Dothraki and would have had a taste of power. Despite Jon or Daeron having the senior claim, you really think she's going to step aside after seeing what having authority can do?"

"I just hope that when should they meet, their competing claims would not result in another Dance of the Dragons," Sam was legitimately worried that might happen.

Myung nodded in understanding, having read about what the Dance did to Westeros. "Well… pray that their common ancestry would prevent such a catastrophe."

Sam nodded, having read about the bloodshed that the Targaryens had committed against each other and knowing that such an outcome would be disastrous for the last two Targaryens in the world. If all goes well, those two can return to Westeros and take back the throne together. But how will they do it?

As they continued to eat and before Seong Kitara took Sam into his private quarters, they heard shouting from the courtyard. Curious as to what the ruckus was about, all of them went outside of the main keep and saw most of the household near the stables, specifically the one with Meleys in it. There was pounding against the doors and screeches being heard from inside.

"What's going on?" Seong asked one of the stable keepers.

"I don't know, my lord. The dragon was not causing any trouble one moment, and then it started to go crazy and is now trying to break down the door," the servant explained frantically.

"Dragons are not crazy," Sam corrected him. "Meleys must be feeling something."

"How do you know?" Seong inquired.

"I've had some time know this dragon. It's not a mindless beast like some would think and it has a very strong bond with Jon," he explained. "Open the stable."

"And let it burn us all?" the stable keeper cried out in disbelief. "No, I'm not doing that."

"Then, I'll do it," Sam offered. "If you don't trust me that much, then I'll show you."

Seong nodded to the stable keeper, who sighed and shook his head before letting Sam pass him. Removing the chain on the stable doors, he pulled open the doors and out came Meleys, who immediately flew out of it and away from Kushiro.

Everyone in the castle looked at the direction it flew, northwards, with surprise. "Why did it fly north?"

"Something's happened," Sam could only conclude.

"Well, at least that dragon's gone for the time being," the stable keeper was relieved. "No more screeching and fires going out of its mouth."

"Could it be flying to Jon or Daeron?" Seong asked Sam while ignoring the stable keeper's comments.

"Maybe," Sam answered. "But why fly now?"

"Let's wait and see what happens. Everyone else, back to your duties," Seong addressed the household. "Come on, Lord Tarly. We'll discuss what responsibilities you'll have."

Sam followed Seong back inside the main keep, but his thoughts remained on where Meleys was going and thus where Jon was. I hope he's not in any danger, he hoped.


Night fell as Jon, Chanhee, and Ghost hid in the tall grasses of the plains as they stepped closer to the northern shore of the biggest lake in the Shrinking Sea. They had to drop to the ground constantly since the shores around that lake were crawling with Jogos Nhai on zorseback, all of them armed with a mixture of wide rectangular bronze swords and recurve bows. It was easier to hide in the dark of the plains, even if Ghost's white fur would have been easily spotted had their enemies actually look closely. They're not expecting us. That's why they're so slack, Jon thought.

Ghost led them both to the place where he saw Sumeng Bu, Crown Prince of the Empire. It was a low hill on the outskirts of their camp which nevertheless offered them a commanding view. Scanning through the various tents, their eyes fell upon the largest one, meaning that their jhat lived in that particular one and likely contained the prince.

So far, as it was near the hour of the wolf or whatever time they used in these lands, many were asleep and the fires were dying. This is probably the only time we can get him.

"Okay," Jon finished looking. "So, I count at least three thousand men inside the camp, not including the women and children. All we have to do is move carefully through the tents towards that big one, get the prince, and get out quickly and quietly."

"I'm surprised that the Jogos Nhai have remained in this place for this long," Chanhee said. "They usually break up camp by the next day. Why have they stayed here if they want to move further south?"

"We can think about that later," he brought her back on track. "What do you think is the best way to that tent?"

"I just thought something. Are we really doing this?" Chanhee couldn't believe what was happening. "My people have been at war with these lot longer than I could remember and I have to be fucking insane to think I will get out of this alive."

"You are insane," Jon cracked. "You'd have to be, or you wouldn't have a Goi bastard going after you because you struck him. Now, any way you see us getting in and getting out quickly?"

"You're mad," she jested before looking through the camp and pointing at a certain pathway. "To avoid getting spotted, we'll have to take a course that is not touched by fires. If we're in the light of their fires, our chances of being discovered goes up."

"So, go between the rear of their tents and work our way from there?" Jon saw what she was pointing out.

"Remember, Jon. Slow is fast, and fast is slow. We have to get out quickly, but if we try to rush it, we will make mistakes." She turned to Ghost. "And I hate to say this, but we can't bring Ghost in."

The direwolf looked at Chanhee in apprehension, as did Jon. "Why can't we bring him?"

"A large direwolf with white fur… they'd have to be blind to not spot him," Chanhee made her point clear. "Plus, he might scare their zorses, whose noises will alert the rest of them. Any noise we make, and we'll never get out of that camp alive."

"But where could he go?"

"He could be outside. Once we get the prince, then Ghost will reunite with us and our horses and we can gallop out of here."

"But where to? The only place closest to here is Trader Town, but that will probably be their first thought once they see their prize missing."

"Right," Chanhee nodded. Then she remember something. "You heard from Lord Joon and other generals that this isn't all of the Jogos Nhai, but merely those acting because they don't like the treaty with the empire. Is that right?" Jon nodded. "Then that means that there are some jhats who have remained neutral."

"Maybe," Jon acceded.

"Our other option then, besides Trader Town, is to head to lands controlled by these jhats. They might offer us protection, but the more I think about it, the more stupid it sounds," Chanhee scratched her head in frustration.

Jon and Chanhee could have just went into the camp and grabbed the prince, but without a destination for afterwards, they would get caught and killed, if not worse. Trader Town was their best and most obvious solution, which carried the greatest risk. If not by the Jogos Nhai, the imperial garrison might arrest them both and probably execute them should he be aware of what they did. Trying to remember what he saw from the maps, he remembered that there was a road that goes through that town.

"Chanhee, how about we go to the Steel Road?"

"The Steel Road?"

"Yes, you know that road between Trader Town and Kayakayanaya?" Jon had a hard time saying that last name aloud.

"Ah, that place I do know," Chanhee recognized. "Did some business over there many years back."

"Well, the Steel Road is between Trader Town and the Jogos Nhai that are supposedly neutral in the war against the empire," Jon started. "If we could make it to that road, then either the men aligned with the non-fighting jhats or soldiers from the imperial garrison can pick us up. That's the best that I come up."

Chanhee thought about it and then swayed her head to and fro. "Not the best plan, but I got nothing better. When we get to camp, stay behind me, because I know how these types of camps are arranged. Also, unless we really have to, don't run. We have to go in and out quietly."

"Of course," Jon affirmed. Then, Chanhee pecked his lips.

"You're a mad fucker, Jon," she jested.

"You're insane," he cracked back before turning to Ghost. "Okay, boy. Just stay here and wait for us. We'll be back," he assured him before the direwolf licked his face. "You be careful too."

The two walked slowly and carefully into the camp, making sure to step of the ropes and pegs of each tent while avoiding the entrances. Chanhee had her dao unsheathed while Jon had Longclaw strapped to his back and Dark Sister drawn. He began to appreciate how much speed the blade of Visenya Targaryen granted him, which was only fitting since he was a Targaryen himself. And considering that much of the Jogos Nhai used bronze weapons, he was confident that Valyrian steel would cut through each of their weapons easily. But since they were surrounded by thousands of men who rode on zorseback, he decided not to take any chances.

As they passed by one of the tents, both could hear intense moaning through the fabric. In addition to the shuffling of furs and the sounds of skin slapping on one another, they both didn't need more to know what was going on. And they looked at each other with embarrassment before moving on. Had she not stopped herself, we could've done that, but Jon was not going to force it on Chanhee like he repeatedly told her and himself.

They passed by each of the fires, which were dying as the night dragged on, but some were sleeping on the outside and their arms covering their eyes. Jon felt his heart move up his throat, startled to see the Jogos Nhai so up close, and saw Chanhee with a finger over her mouth. Getting the message, he tiptoed around the sleeping men and moved as carefully as possible before catching up with her.

But that was not the end of their problems. They reached the big tent after moving more than cautiously, which had a large amount of open space surrounding it and two guards sleeping by the entrance. There was no way that they could enter the tent without setting off the alarm.

"Any suggestions?" Jon mouthed to Chanhee, not uttering a sound.

Chanhee bit her lip in frustration before she pointed to the tent, specifically its sides. She put her hand, as if to show to Jon the tent side, before getting her other hand to move underneath it. She wants to go underneath the side.

"We have to move fast," Jon mouthed. "We can't spend too much time trying to get in and get out." Chanhee nodded, understanding.

They both tiptoed to the tent, careful not to alert anyone of the sleeping Jogos Nhai in the surrounding tents or the guards at the entrance. Nodding to each other, they pulled up the side flaps and moved into the tent, making sure that there were no objects or other people where they entered.

Quietly, they stood up inside the large tent, which was decorated with furs, decorations, even a wooden chair, before both heard loud snores. Looking to her right and looking to his left, they both saw a large Jogos Nhai in a deep sleep, with what appeared to be a young woman at his side, also asleep. Brushing off their initial surprise, they both looked over the tent again before they saw that they were looking for.

There was a young man tied to one of the tent poles, with his eyes closed in slumber, with his hair untied from its bun, dirtied black and gold silks, his thick boots missing, and dirtied overall.

"Is that the prince?" Chanhee mouthed to Jon. Seeing his nod, she moved slowly and carefully through the furs and behind the prince. She took out her knife and began cutting his bonds. However, the prince shifted as he felt the ropes being undone. Jon's eyes widened as the prince opened his and saw them both. Before he could say a word, he placed his hand on his mouth and put his finger on his lips, telling him to be quiet.

"You Prince Sumeng Bu?" Jon mustered his best guanhua. The young man nodded. "We're here to rescue you. Don't say a word and you'll be out of here." Chanhee finished cutting his bonds before both helped him up. Thankfully, he remained quiet while they gestured him to follow.

To their shock, the woman yawned and awoke, shrieking at the two strangers in the tent. The large Jogos Nhai also awoke, but before he could grab his weapons, Jon grabbed the man by his shoulder while sticking Dark Sister against his throat. Meanwhile, Chanhee got control of the woman.

"Make a sound, you will die," Jon warned him. Unfortunately, he didn't understand guanhua and pushed him off. Seeing no choice, he swung the Valyrian steel sword down and cut across his chest, making him fall back on the bed while bleeding out.

Before the woman could scream, Chanhee put her hand tightly over her mouth while warning her in the tongue of the Jogos Nhai to keep quiet. Seeing a war club, Jon picked it up and gave it to Sumeng Bu. "Can you handle a weapon?"

"Of course I can," Sumeng grabbed it from him. "And your guanhua is terrible."

"You can correct me anytime, but only after we get out of here," Jon shot back. "Can you be quiet while we sneak past these tents?"

"You sure you can get far enough away from these barbarians before they try to find us?"

"Leave it to us," Jon nodded to Chanhee, who then got the woman in a chokehold to cut off her air flow. A few moments before the woman closed her eyes and fell to the ground, unconscious. She's full of surprises, he thought to himself. "Let's go."

Going back out the tent the way they came, they continued to sneak past the tents and away from the fires until Chanhee stopped them. "Wait. We need mounts."

"We've got horses back further down the lake," Jon reminded her.

"Sun will come up in a few hours and we'll never make it to the Steel Road if we go back to our horses on foot. Plus, he needs one," she pointed to Sumeng.

Jon knew instantly that she was talking about stealing zorses. He wasn't going to protest, as there was simply no time. "Can you ride a zorse?" The prince shook his head. "That's alright. I can't either."

"That's comforting, from a white devil," Sumeng responded.

Jon grabbed his robe and pulled him closer. "Save your insults for after we get out, or we'll never. You follow our leads if you want to go home, you got that?"

"Is this how you speak to a prince?" Sumeng asked with surprise at his lack of decorum.

"Long story, which I will tell once we get out of here," Jon pulled on his robe and dragged him along as Chanhee finally found three zorses all tied to a post. Untying them all, she mounted one while Jon helped Sumeng up before getting his own.

They then spurred the zorses forward, crashing past a few tents before finally going back into the empty plains. Along the way, Ghost met up with them, startling the prince and almost causing him to fall off. Jon helped him recover and they continued westwards.


As dawn approached, the three riders and the white direwolf were still not within sight of the Steel Road. Their sense of urgency had grown after they all saw dozens of Jogos Nhai chasing after them. We'd made too much noise when we tried to leave camp, Jon cursed himself.

They had all stopped by a pond to water the zorses, guessing that they were a good distance away from their camp and they needed to get their bearings. But, they heard gallops and knew that the big-headed zorsemen were on their trail. Ghost might have been able to take them on in a fight, but time was of the essence. If they could reach the Steel Road, they would be safe as either rival Jogos Nhai or imperial patrols would spot them.

All rode hard towards safety, but not fast enough since they were in land their foes knew well. Turning his head around, Jon's eyes widened in fear as he counted one hundred riders chasing after them.

"Looks like we've really pissed them off," Sumeng noticed as he also turned his around.

"You think?!" Chanhee shouted. "You better be worth the trouble of getting you out."

"I don't know who you think you are, woman of the steppes. And I don't know how you got yourself with a white devil, but I promise you both: if we get back to safety, both of you shall be rewarded beyond your wildest imaginations," Sumeng swore.

"We'll keep your word on that," Jon answered. Then, an arrow flew past him and narrowly missed his ear. It was so close that he could hear it whistling. Turning his head around again, there were Jogos Nhai pulling out their bows.

Seeing what they were doing, Chanhee pulled out her own bow, as her mount had a quiver and bow tied to it, turned around, and released an arrow, taking one down. So this woman is friendly with Ghost, can fight with a sword, can knock out a person without killing them, and can now shoot a bow from horseback? Where has she been all this time? Jon thought in amazement before quickly being brought back to the present situation.

Even though Chanhee proved to be a good shot with the bow, killing one Jogos Nhai rider with each arrow, there was just simply too many of them to get them to stop the chase. Plus, their riders were closing the distance and it was only a matter of time before they caught up with them.

That's when Jon decided to put Chanhee's words on him being a "mad fucker" to heart. Pulling out Longclaw while putting Dark Sister in his left hand, he guided the zorse around with his stirrups and turned to face the riders. Ghost, being the loyal direwolf, followed behind despite seeing how insane his bond companion was about to be.

Chanhee saw what Jon was doing and yelled out, "Jon! Get back here!"

Unfortunately, he didn't hear as the rush started to fill his head. He had never fought on horseback before, nor did he think of using too swords at the same time. However, they were not going to last if they continued to run and he needed to buy time. I'm sorry, Chanhee. I'll let you thump me if I get out of this alive.

With Ghost running forward to meet the riders, Jon kept his head low as he held the reins tightly and had his swords sticking out. The Jogos Nhai were momentarily surprised at the white devil daring to challenge them, but they brushed it off and their gallops turned into a charge, yelling out their war cries as their swords were raised and their spears lowered.

Once very near, Jon swung Longclaw backwards before bringing it forward, slashing through a Jogos Nhai's ribs and making a cut so deep that it severed his main blood vessels and forced him from his zorse. The same happened with Dark Sister, with the same result. Being a lone rider with two swords charging against a group of riders provided plenty of targets for him, as he kept a low profile and avoided counterstrikes.

Valyrian steel cut through the furs and leather like a hot knife to butter, with each swing of the sword resulting in a fallen rider.

As for Ghost, he had jumped onto a Jogos Nhai and crushed his head with his jaws before moving onto the next. Despite the zorsemen's speed, they were no match for a direwolf that could run faster than them and had more power behind his bite. Several zorses were startled by the direwolf, just like what Chanhee said, and their riders fell to the ground. Ghost didn't waste time and killed each of them before they were able to get their weapons out. He used his paws to slash across one's throat while biting down another's. But before he got separated from his bond companion, he ran to rejoin him.

Jon narrowly missed a spear aimed at his head, having to move to the right side of his horse before switching to the other side to avoid a sword swing. While he got many kills from zorseback, he realized that he couldn't keep up this charge through the enemy forever. Such realization was emphasized when he had to lean backwards to avoid an arrow, and ducking again to protect against another spear.

Fortunately, he passed through the Jogos Nhai group and was right behind them. He survived the damage he caused and was stunned at how it actually worked. He counted ten to fifteen riders dead, with ten more dead because of Ghost, and the rest just shocked at their audacity. Chanhee was providing as much support as she could with the bow, but that got their attention and some charged towards her. Meanwhile, the prince was just sitting on his zorse and watched the whole thing. Damn it! A prince that doesn't do anything. I didn't trade one Joffrey for another.

Seeing the enemy regroup and being to charge towards them, Jon somehow knew that his previous tactic wouldn't work. Clutching sword tightly, he prepared himself to fight while surrounded. He looked up to the sky and closed his eyes. Father, mother, any gods that can hear me, I need help. Please… protect us. I don't know if we can get out of this alive. He was obviously afraid of the prospect of death, but he wasn't going to let these zorsemen take him without a serious fight. The same with Ghost, who bared his fangs out.

Suddenly, a shriek pierced through the morning sky, not belonging to any person at all. Looking up and scanning the skies for what it was, Jon saw a small shape in the distance. It grew larger at a rapid pace and he could see wings flapping. Upon seeing the red scales, he could only say, "Meleys?"

The Jogos Nhai also heard the shriek, but didn't see what was coming until Meleys swooped down and unleased her stream of dragonfire. Granted, it wasn't as powerful as say Balerion the Black Dread or Sunfyre from what he read, but it was enough to set one of the riders and their mount on fire. Living up to her namesake, she flew quite fast for a hatchling and soon, a string of Jogos Nhai and their zorses were incinerated by the dragon's already potent breath.

Jon looked on in wonder, as man and beast alike had once again agonized under the power of the dragons. Is this what the Field of Fire was like?

Seeing their brothers and mounts on fire by a creature they had never seen before and realizing that it would've been more costly to go after their prize, the rest of the Jogos Nhai fell back eastwards. As for Jon and Ghost, they went to Chanhee and Sumeng, both of them terrified at what they had just witnessed. Never in their wildest dreams did they see a dragon burning alive corpses as if they were nothing. Well, Meleys still has a long way to go before she becomes a creature without equal.

Jon dismounted his zorse and rubbed Ghost's head in thanks. But before he could move towards Chanhee and Sumeng, Meleys flew down and landed next to him. Straightening her head for her bond companion, Jon slowly reached out his hand before he rubbed her had.

Did I do good? he heard her ask.

You've no idea, Jon said while he continued to Chanhee, with both Ghost and Meleys following him.

Dismounting also, Chanhee walked up to Jon. Just about he was about to hug her, she punched his lower jaw, hard. Jon rubbed his face where she hit while Meleys hissed at her, causing him to put out his hand. It's okay. I deserved that. Gods, I knew she packed a punch, but that was something else.

But just as quickly, she brought him into a tight embrace. "You pull a stunt like that again, I will cave your face in with the biggest rock I can find. I don't care if you have Ghost or a dragon with you," she warned.

"I'll keep that in mind," Jon acknowledged before she brought him into a sloppy kiss. That lasted for some moments, with the kiss becoming deeper and deeper before they had to separate for lack of breath and resting their foreheads on each other's.

"I don't mean to interrupt your private moment," Sumeng spoke up. "But who the hell are you?"

"You talking to me?" Jon asked with some annoyance.

"Yeah, that's right."

But he was wrong to think that his princely status would protect him, as Jon pulled him down from the zorse and pushed him against the ground. "I'm risking my life here, and so is Chanhee. I expect you to at least show some concern for your survival too and that means fighting alongside us. And you will show us both with respect. You got that?"

Sumeng nodded as Jon pulled him up again. "Why do you have a dragon?" he eyed Meleys.

"It's in my blood," Jon replied tersely.

"As I promised, I will see that you two are rewarded. But I must know your names first before I can. And you were right to remind me to be more concerned with my life and to fight alongside you both, white devil. I'm a prince and I must act better," Sumeng offered in apology.

Jon nodded, accepting. As for Chanhee, she stepped forward. "Well, Prince Sumeng, I am Chanhee of the Chogo tribe."

Jon kept his swords in view as he also stepped forward. "And I am Daeron, son of Rhaegar of House Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone, and Lyanna of House Stark, daughter of Rickard, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. I am the blood of the dragon and we are not dead."

Defying Lord Joon's expectations, Sumeng immediately recognized those names and looked at the dragon, who shrieked in approval of Jon introducing himself by his real name.

"Well, I am glad to make your acquaintance… Your Highness," Sumeng dipped his head in respect, causing Jon to do the same.

"Your Highness?" In Westeros, royalty were addressed as "Your Grace."

"I'm a prince and that is how people address me. My father has the special one, being 'His Augustness.' But switching topics, where are you taking me?"

"First to Steel Road, and then hoping that some imperial patrols from Trader Town would pick us up," Jon chose not to tell him of their other option of being found by neutral jhats.

"Well, let's get there then," Sumeng mounted his zorse. "I'll speak with the garrison commander and he'll let us in. Guaranteed."

Jon and Chanhee mounted their zorses, with Ghost trailing in the front and Meleys flying about above them.

"So, a scion of House Targaryen? We much to discuss, don't we, Your Highness?"

Jon was not used to how Sumeng was addressing him, but at least he had the respect to do so despite his earlier moment of cravenness. Knowing how important courtesy was in these lands, he gave a small smile. "Yes, we do, Your Highness."

"But first, we can start by improving your guanhua. Good for a white devil, but not good enough for these lands."

"As you say so," Jon answered as they continued onto the Steel Road, hoping that help would find them. He then looked up to Meleys. Stay close, Meleys. Just as you protected me, I will protect you.

I know you will, he heard her say.

A/N: If any of you have doubts about Meleys being large enough to fly a great distance to make that "Big Damn Heroes" moment, understand that Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal were born in the Dothraki Sea and their growth was temporarily stumped by the irregular food supply prior to Qarth. Meleys, on the other hand, was regularly fed and was allowed to fly outside the castle, which accelerated her growth. At the same time, I tried to do it within reason by rewatching the Drogon putting to Astapor to flames, back when the show was still very good.

Jon's single charge against the Jogos Nhai was inspired by the epic battle shown in Mongol (2008), a great movie that showed the rise of Genghis Khan before he became the absolute ruler of the Mongols. I really recommend you all to watch it. And it was quite enjoyable to write that exchange between Chanhee and Jon, calling each other mad and insane. Here, Jon's using his dragon blood to good use and everyone involved is a witness.

We also meet Sumeng Bu, Crown Prince of Yi-Ti. He has shades of Joffrey here, but as of now, he's a just a bit more competent and knows how to be grateful, something that our dear blond prince could never understand. Sumeng will be important to the arc from this moment on.

As for Sam, he's now finding people who made him think of life from a different angle, and realizes that strength doesn't have to be from holding a sword or Heartsbane.

All of our main characters so far are taking big steps now.