A/N: Hope you guys are still safe and healthy. A lot of threads happening, so please bear with me. I am also going to be busy with a lot of stuff, so I don't think I can update as constantly as I did before. However, I will try to write as much as I can when I can.

Arya struggled to keep her balance on the pillars, all of which were quite narrow, and one slip would send her into the sewage water down below. She still had to get used to the stench, even though she smelled similar scents as she tried to escape Joffrey's men after her father died.

On Khiara's recommendation, Arya was sent to receive specialized training at an unmarked compound twenty miles east of Yin, inside the jungles. She would return every evening to the capital and spend most of the day there, where the master of the compound was a former shinobi, the term for assassins in Yi-Ti.

The shinobi were the bane of every lord and other powerful person in the empire, but it took the deaths of three emperors in different dynasties for the empire to really see the need for countering the assassin trade. The master of the compound killed at least a dozen lords in his heyday, so he knew what he was doing. Arya also heard that he cut a deal with the emperor and snitched on a lord trying to kill one of his ministers in exchange for protection and immunity for his crimes. He certainly seems to be an unsavory type, Arya thought.

However, Arya couldn't complain, as the master did his job well in training her. Within a matter of weeks, she was able to obtain the basics of several evasion and escape techniques, all of which would have been useful when she was in hiding and named for fire, earth, water, and wood.

The first set of methods that she learned was called hitsuke, which was the practice of distracting guards by starting a fire away from her planned point of entry. What's more, she had to do it on an actual castle, where the master would sneak in and burgle the lord after she set the fire. Once that was done, part of how the master made his coin was to inform the lord that he was robbed and to advise him on how to better protect his home. What a devious man, Arya had to admire how sneaky he was.

The second set of methods was called tanuki-gakure, which was the practice of climbing a tree and camouflaging oneself within the leaves. That involved stuffing her robes with them and painting her face to match the colors, and her first task was to rob unsuspecting travelers by jumping from the trees. Her first one was a married couple, in which she pushed the woman away and kicking the man in the groin before stealing his money. After she brought the money to the master, he would then emerge from hiding and return the coin plus compensate them. He's got some interesting morals.

The third set was called ukigusa-gakure, which was the practice of throwing duckweed over water in order to conceal underwater movement. Now this was the trickiest for Arya, who never considered herself a water person. To master the practice, she had to learn how to swim and Arya treaded water during the first lesson. The master decided to hold that off until she was more comfortable in the water.

The last set was called uzura-gakure, which was the practice of curling into a ball and remaining motionless in order to appear like a stone. The entire concept seemed counterintuitive to Arya, as she didn't think it would even work. But the master demonstrated by scaring some fishermen in the dark of night by acting like a boulder and stealing their fish, but he left behind some silver taels so that they could buy some at the market.

At the moment, Arya was learning how to fight while under strained circumstances, as the master told her that she would not enjoy favorable ground all the time. He added more motivation to maintain her balance by having her be above sewage water.

Arya was sounded by three men, all of whom were armed with bamboo sticks. She wasn't supposed to fight back, only avoid falling in. Of course, that was easier said than done, as they always struck at her legs. The master told her, "You must have good roots, for your legs and your joints will always be your most vulnerable areas."

As two of them struck at Arya's arms and she waved them off, another hit her legs. Only her fast instincts, honed by Gong-Er, allowed her to grab onto the tops of the other pillars prevent her from falling.

"This is so annoying," Arya grumbled as she stood back up. Taking a deep breath, she blocked the first two bamboo sticks with her forearms while kicking away the third. This repeated about eleven more times, by which her feet and her arms were really starting to feel sore. However, one of them accidentally struck her face, stunning her and making her lose balance. Only the timely response of another, accomplished by him jumping over the pillars and grabbing her torso, was she able to avoid falling and come back to the platform.

"Be very careful, Lady Stark," the master reminded her. "Always expect the unexpected and be alert."

"I know that," Arya answered.

"You do understand why you are learning this?"

"I must understand how an assassin fights so that I can protect Her Highness from assassination."

"Exactly. And they're not going to exhibit restraint because you're a woman. Give them even a small opening, they will exploit that and you will be killed. Same thing with other people."

Arya sighed, as all of this could have maybe saved her family a lot of pain.

"From now on, I want you to go home by running back today."

"What?" Arya was surprised.

"You heard me. I want you to run once every week, to and from here," the master told her.

"Do you know how long that's going to take?"

"I know. Running is good for your heart and your endurance. And it's the ultimate journey against all the forces that want to tear you down. Each week needs a good reminder of that, so that's what I want you to do."

Arya took a few deep breaths before she began a steady pace back to Jon's palace in Yin. What made it easier for her was that there was a road and she passed by other travelers, so she wasn't alone. However, she quickly felt her lungs become strained and her breathing heavier, as she never ran this far before in a single day.

And what made it crazier was that even though she was going at an easy pace, each hour that passed broke down her patience and made her want to go faster. However, the more effort she put in, the more heat she collected and the more she sweat. Considering that she carried no water, she slowed down. Still, by the time she came back, her skin was red from the head and she needed several buckets of cold water to be brought to her. And then she napped during the afternoon.

However, by the end of it, she felt lighter and stronger, and Arya resolved her to running more often.


Benjen completed his most recent meeting with his officers, going through the particular details of his investigation into the "disappeared brigades." However, he was looking forward to spending more time with Mingyu, who was still at headquarters despite her contract with the army already expired. He enjoyed her company and how she made him feel like that he wasn't alone. It was a feeling that he hadn't felt ever since he went to the Wall and took on his chastity vows. It might have felt improper for a Stark to have a woman in the same place he lived, especially with a woman he wasn't married to. But he didn't want her to leave his company.

Remembering that she invited him to her quarters at the headquarters for another game, he made his way there and saw her shadow through the screen walls. Benjen knocked on her set of screen doors, which she opened and led into her quarters.

He took in her room, which still had her instruments. However, he smelled a pleasant scent and saw steam coming out from where her bath would be. He kept looking as she emerged, obviously just coming out from washing herself and dressing. She was still drying her hair and looking at Benjen.

Benjen didn't know what it was, but there was something pure about her face without all of the linings and powder that she put on. Her face seemed pure and possessing a certain natural beauty that only a few women in the world could hope to have.

"Are you just going to keep staring at me like that?" she asked him.

Benjen cleared his throat. "I really like our conversations. I've been... regretting that my duties got in the way and that didn't continue... our conversations during the day."

Mingyu chuckled. "Well, you are here now. I'm glad you want to see me." She put down her rag and sat down in her chair. "It's nice to see you. I enjoyed talking with you. I enjoyed having tea with you, very much, but I don't really talk to people. I especially don't see people in my quarters that much."

Finding a washbowl, Benjen soaked his face and sat across Mingyu. He looked around the quarters once more. "If this is inappropriate... I can leave," the Stark honor in him was screaming at him to not do this.

"No," Mingyu shook her head. "It's not inappropriate. You're a general, not someone trying to steal from a cupboard and certainly not a eunuch."

"When will you be moving out from headquarters?"

"At the most, three weeks. I'm still waiting for General Lin to finalize my payment, which is taking some time," Mingyu answered.

Benjen noticed a canvas, which had a woman drawn in yellow robes and a little girl half her height. "Both of them are very pretty."

"That's someone I held very dear in my heart," Mingyu was vague. "But no, it's not my mother."

"Who is she?" Benjen asked.

"I'll tell you later," Mingyu smiled before he set the canvas. "Would you like a cup of tea?" she held up her teapot and passed him a cup.

Benjen nodded. "Yes, I would. Thank you."

Mingyu poured him a cup before she made her own. Clinking them, Benjen felt the warm essence of jasmine tea. His eyes then turned to a handful of books stacked near her bed.

"I read in my own free time, about certain things like family."

"Really?" Benjen was surprised, as he didn't assume her to be married and thus had a family of her own.

"Yeah. Might be useful when I do have one myself."

That's a relief, Benjen didn't want to be pursuing a married woman.

"What was your family like, Lord Stark? I can see that you have a rare closeness with them that I haven't seen in others."

Benjen swallowed before he decided to talk about someone he never talked about in a while. "How well did you know your mother?"

"Not well," Mingyu answered.

"My own mother was dead when I was still a child, but I remember her very well. She was a woman of strength, of integrity, and she gave me the most attention besides her only daughter, my sister. Maybe had she lived longer, the conflicts that my family had been through would not have started," Benjen revealed.

"How so?" Mingyu put down her cup.

Benjen talked about Lyanna, her betrothal to Robert Baratheon, her running away with Rhaegar, the Rebellion, and he had to cover for her so that she could be with the one she loved. For some reason, revealing his thoughts to a stranger felt very… cathartic to him, since he didn't know Mingyu very well and thus would have no opinion.

After Benjen finished explaining, he saw Mingyu's eyes soften in sympathy. "Your sister sounds like a very fierce woman. I would have loved to meet her."

"Thank you," Benjen smiled.

"I must say that your vulnerability is something that I haven't seen in any man, since everyone wants to feel strong but it's refreshing for a man to reveal what's in his heart," Mingyu put her hand on his.

Benjen squeezed it. "Aye, it does. I'm just glad that you listened."

Mingyu put his hand to her lips and kissed it softly, surprising him. She then stood up and kissed her way up his arm. Her face got very close to his and they just stared into each other's eyes. Feeling the intensity of the moment, Benjen leaned forward and kissed her.

The kiss became deeper while Mingyu jumped on his lap. He felt his hands untie her rob, reach inside, and push it away from her body. His eyes widened at how slim her body was and how round her breasts were. As if seeing his delight, Mingyu pulled up her skirt, exposing her intimate areas to him. Her fingers undid his trousers and pulled them down while they were still in his chair.

"You never been with a woman, haven't you?" she whispered. Benjen was silent, remaining breathless as he looked upon the beauty that was fully exposed just for him. "Let me show what a beautiful woman could do." She guided his cock to her entrance, and Benjen felt something so potent that all restrictive thoughts went away. As she had him thrust into her while tightening her arms around him, he looked up at the ceiling and could only allow the pleasure to rule him. Why did I not feel this before?


Ardroon made his way into the monastery in the Mountains of the Morn, the one that the locals referred to as the Dragon's Cradle. After paying his respects to Abbot Cao, he journeyed up the mountain and the steps towards the cave. As he passed by the forest that lined his path, he caught a glimpse of the forest spirits called kodama. If they were present, it meant that the forest and the land was healthy.

But there were fewer kodama than he would have expected, which could only mean that the supposed health of the forest was in worse shape than it looked. Everything that had happened in the past few years, from that red comet he saw in the sky to the Jogos Nhai attempting to force their way south to avoid the harsh winter that the stormsingers predicted, all pointed to a great evil that was emerging from the earth. Nothing since the great battle for the dawn has there been many omens, he thought.

Finding his way into the cave, he found a monkey-like spirit following him and making such strange sounds, but it only beckoned him to journey further. The further he went, the stronger the stench was. I have to do this.

Eventually, he came upon a subterranean part of the cave, which had a lake of some sort in front of him. Having read from what was to be done, he laid out a tray, set up an incense stick in a pot, and lit it. The strong scent hit his nose hard, but Ardroon knew what he had to do and bowed before the incense.

Ardroon then heard the surface of the lake ripple and something emerge from it. However, he kept his head down and averted his gaze while the golden and red dragon circled around him. I must not look at him.

He kept still as that dragon, a spirit from an ancient time, sniffed him. "Who are you?" it asked.

"No one," Ardroon answered with reverence.

"Why do you not look at me?"

"I fear that I will incur your wrath if a low person like myself were to gaze upon your magnificence," Ardroon said.

The dragon spirit sighed. "Well, certainly better than the last one I've met."

"You are referring to the dragon prince?" Ardroon asked.

"How would you know that, low person?" the dragon spirit inquired.

"I've seen it in the flames, or at least a glimpse of it," Ardroon stated.

"Oh… You must be one of those worshippers of the flames, the one who believes that the struggle between you and the Great Other will end with the coming of Azor Ahai," the dragon spirit assessed.

"Yes, Your Reverence, but I cannot call myself red faith follower, for I believe in all beliefs that tell of the Lightbringer," the shadow man nodded while keeping his eyes to the ground.

"I knew the man you call Azor Ahai thousands of years ago. The first time that I saw him, I didn't believe that he was going to do much with his life. But alas, fate has a funny way to defy expectations."

Ardroon felt his breath hitch, as he was speaking with the one who had met the Lightbringer. "It does indeed."

"And strangely enough, I've met someone only recently who reminds me so much of the Lightbringer. I was the one that hatched his dragon for him," the dragon spirit noted.

"You are referring to Daeron Targaryen, Third of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm?"

"How pretentious," the dragon spirit noted. "Didn't know that grand titles had to be so long. Is he claiming himself to be a king now?"

"No, Your Magnificence. But he knows that he has to soon."

"Being king doesn't solve everything. I've seen kings and emperors come and go like breaths exhaled from the earth, and they all believe that they did something great for their lands and peoples, but many a time do their names disappear from history, just like the Lightbringer."

"Not this one," Ardroon shook his head. "He has the power and the will to finally defeat the great evil and bring the light back to the world, but he must understand his part."

"Tell me, common man. What do you know of your part in the grand scheme of things?" the dragon spirit asked. "Your kind, many of them, go through their life without knowing their purpose. To one's place in the order of things is a great blessing."

At the beginning of his life, Ardroon didn't consider himself a man with a strong belief in the supernatural. He was content with his life as a berserker in the Shadow Lands and raiding along the coasts of Jinqi. However, there was one who showed him a better way to live than to simply take from others because he could, and he hadn't seen her for decades.

Ardroon couldn't say that he loved Melisandre, for that would be a common response for those who helped others see their purpose. And the shadow man knew that Melisandre was set on a path that he couldn't follow, so he watched her journey westwards and onto the path of Stannis Baratheon. The only way he could contact her, if they needed to, was by the glass candle. Only recently was he reminded of his purpose by Kinvara.

"I have lived an aimless existence, and it was only with the intervention of someone dear to me that I was able to discover my purpose."

"And what is it?" The dragon spirit wanted to know.

"The one who helped me said that our flesh was a mere vessel, to be used for the purpose of carrying souls. And I believe that my ultimate use in this life is to carry a soul in my body, for the cause against the great evil demands it," Ardroon answered.

"I've heard this so many times. One last struggle against evil and so on. Why should this be any different?"

"You said yourself that you saw a part of the Lightbringer in Daeron Targaryen. However, for him to fulfill that purpose, to really carry the light in him, he must undergo a great trial, one that he cannot hope to complete without help. And he's going to need myself and you."

The dragon spirit balked at that. "And why would I help man continue their struggles against an evil that will always return? Why should I help them, when all they do is squabble against each other over scraps? None of them have any ambition for the future, and no aspiration for the true divine. I'll be wasting my time and my energy being involved."

"Please indulge me. What did you see in Daeron Targaryen that reminded you of the Lightbringer?"

The dragon spirit exhaled. "I sensed him as loyal to a fault, honest, brave, and committed to honor. Moreover, I saw that he was willing to apply himself to a cause that went beyond his personal self. It's rare to find those like that in any period and in any time."

"But why do you hesitate, if I might ask?"

"I asked him if he was able to live with the consequences of his actions, and he might have said yes. But he's still young and inexperienced with the hardships of the world. That served to the detriment of the Lightbringer, who hesitated in killing his wife. One more moment wasted and the world would have ended, but luckily, his wife knew what needed to be done and urged him on."

"You don't think Daeron Targaryen is capable of doing that?"

"He values his family, which is a nice thing to have, but sometimes, one has to make sacrifices for the greater good. Sometimes, a triumph is indifferent towards individual feelings and actions."

"And he will understand that eventually, but he won't learn by himself. He needs the presence of the both of us for that to happen," Ardroon explained.

"If I do agree to help you and Daeron Targaryen, what exactly would you have me do?"

"I would perform a ritual known only in Mossovy, where a divine entity would enter my mind and take control. You will then come down with me to the south and into Yin, where we will encounter Daeron Targaryen. Our presence there will help us help him with his incoming trial," Ardroon answered.

"You seem very sure about me helping you. Give me one good reason that I should," the dragon spirit posed.

Ardroon took some time to formulate his answer. "You say all of those things about men, that we're petty, selfish, blind. I agree with all of them and that's what I only believed for half of my life. But I saw that we are more than what you've just said, that there are those who really care about others and are willing to put themselves on the line for a greater purpose. The reason why we remember the Lightbringer was because he did what was needed, putting aside his desires, and the world enjoyed the dawn. But Daeron Targaryen must finish what his predecessor had started, and he must be able to focus on something truly above himself if he is to bring that. He must first truly be free of life's restraints and fully embrace the nature of all of his ancestors. Daeron Targaryen can bring about the everlasting dawn for generations after and the foul evil will be over, and many more will thank him."

The dragon spirit listened closely. "Pretty good speech you concocted there."

"And I don't know what it's like to be a deity, but aren't you tired of living like this? Seeing many come and go but unable to really influence their existences? Surely, whoever created you didn't intend for you to be so idle," Ardroon take another step, but he didn't see how uncomfortable that made the dragon spirit feel.

The dragon spirit sighed. "Well, I have to tell you this. You came more prepared than the dragon prince."

"Thank you, Your Reverence."

"And I've been meaning to get out of his mountain for eons, but I haven't had a good reason. Do your ritual, then." Remembering what he learned about the shapechanging rituals unique to Mossovy, he lit another incense stick and began the first of many incantations in an ancient tongue long lost to the speaking world. Other parts of the ritual involved him whirling and twirling around his arms, getting his arms and legs onto the ground in various forms of violent prostrations, and chanting more incantations to the spirit. The effects of these chants were to provide protection against spear and fire and all forms of outside attack, among other things.

Suddenly, a wind blew from through the cave, extinguishing the smoke rising from the incense stick. Ardroon stopped moving around as he felt a powerful presence enter his body. It was excruciatingly painful, as he fell back on the ground and rolled around in pain. The monkey spirit looked on with nervousness, as the dragon spirit's form had disappeared into air.

Eventually, Ardroon stopped struggling and he got back up. But in his mind, he felt someone else controlling his arms, legs, and breathing. Looking down at his limbs, he noticed something strange about them. They were paler than before, all of his scars and cuts had been wiped away, and he felt some disgust about their fragility.

"When the task you want done is done, I will return your body to you," the dragon spirit told him on the inside. "Just don't make me regret wasting my time by your persuasions."

Ardroon didn't have to say anything, for the dragon spirit could read all of his inner thoughts. Walking through the Dragon's Cradle without a word, the body of Ardroon began the journey back south, towards Yin, towards the fulfilling of Ardroon's purpose in the world.


Arianne sat in the hall of Sunspear as she awaited her father to enter. Long had she been privy to the inner workings of the Dornish court and her father's dealings with them, but with the onset of his gout and his rare appearances in public, she started to have a lesser opinion of her father than before. But whatever I think, he is still my father.

Sunspear had sent a raven to King's Landing in response to her uncle Oberyn's informing them that Tywin Lannister was willing to pay most of the costs it would take to send Dornish spears to the stormlands and fight against Stannis. She found it… embarrassing to the say the least that House Martell was consorting with the ones who were responsible for her dead aunt's death and wanted to avenge them as much as any other, especially her aunt Ellaria and her cousins the Sand Snakes. And her father's reasoning in defense of his actions did not do much to convince him that he shared the same goal.

However, it seemed as if her uncle in King's Landing and her father were trying to bleed the Lannisters dry by having them cover much of the costs for their armies to be sent against Stannis Baratheon, as the crown was in deep debt. Maybe my father and uncle are onto something there, she thought.

But her father wouldn't summon her and Trystane to a private conversation just to discuss financial matters, especially since he didn't invite Myrcella and Quentyn. What's going on here?

Trystane came first. "Dear sister," he smiled to her.

"Trys," she grinned back.

"Why did father want us here? And where's Quentyn?"

"I don't know. I didn't see him when we were breaking our fast," Arianne answered him.

"I have to admit. Life can be very boring without our illustrious cousins and with our brother gone," Trystane said with sadness.

"I too agree," Arianne put her hand on his. "If only this war would end, then we can all be a family again. And after the ones who murdered Elia are punished."

Before Trystane could respond, they saw their father enter on his wheelchair, escorted by Ateo Hotah. "My children," Doran Martell greeted them happily.

"Father," Arianne kissed his cheek while Trystane squeezed his hand.

"Sit down," Doran gestured to them. "I am sure that you have heard that I have decided to send ten thousand Dornish spears to the stormlands, with their first goal being to seize the Dornish Marches over there. The crown has agreed to cover over three quarters of our expenses."

"Is that a wise course of action, father?" Trystane was concerned. "Dorne might not take too kindly that you have involved our people in someone else's war, especially with those who have desecrated Aunt Elia."

"It's all part of the larger plan, son," Doran answered. "While I take gold from the Lannisters, I will help them eliminate one more claimant to the Iron Throne, thus paving the way for our revenge and our final goal."

"Which goal do you speak of, father?" Trystane asked.

"Where did you send Quentyn?" Arianne had to know.

"You've asked the first important question. Where did I send your brother?" Doran smiled with pride. "He's currently on a ship to Slaver's Bay, to Tollos exactly."

"Why's he going over there?" Trystane asked.

"Because that is where the Golden Company will be, as well as their client," Doran answered.

"Why would our brother want to know the Golden Company's client?"

Arianne figured it out. "I've heard rumors from across the narrow sea, that Elia's son by Rhaegar Targaryen, little Aegon, is in fact alive under the alias 'Young Griff' and is gathering men and coin to press his claim on the throne."

Doran nodded. "Exactly. And it is no farce, for I have proof that not only Aegon is alive, but Rhaenys too."

Trystane's and Arianne's mouths dropped. "What?"

"Here is a letter from Varys confirming their survival and the plans to press their claim on the Iron Throne," Doran pulled out a folded paper from his robes and read it aloud.

"To Prince Doran Martell,

I am pleased to inform you that your tribulations will not be in vain. Your nephew and niece from Elia's womb, Aegon and Rhaenys, have in fact survived and had been in hiding in Essos for these past twenty years. For their own safety, I had to separate them to make it more difficult for the stag usurpers to find them, but they are the true heirs of House Targaryen.

Your nephew Aegon has been under the care of Jon Connington all this time and had to assume another name. But despite his silver hair being dyed blue, he is of good Valyrian stock and is now currently in Volantis to accompany the forces of Malaquo Maegyr and the tigers in their upcoming war against Daenerys Targaryen, who is still missing as of this letter.

Your niece Rhaenys is every inch of the beauty your sister had, except for her purple eyes, and she has been trained rigorously with the Dornish spear and scimitar. And she is not naïve to the ways of the world and her maidenhead is intact despite being made to hide in a Lysene pillow house. She is currently with me in Tollos.

I invite one of your blood to sail to me in Tollos, where we can initiate a plan to bring the Targaryens of Martell blood onto the throne. When the time is right, I will arrange for Aegon to marry a Dornish lady or marry his sister in true dragon custom. Once all pretenders are dealt with, which are Daenerys and Daeron Targaryen at this moment, we shall sail westwards with our combined armies and begin the campaign. You may not worry about how I deal with the supposed bastard of Stark blood, for I have a plan in place.

May the dragons return to rule and the Martells to stand besides them.

Signed,

Varys."

Arianne could feel nothing but shock that her Targaryen cousins were in fact alive. It felt like the Seven had deemed fit to smile on them and grant them a blessing in the midst of a bleak world.

"This is great news, as you all should feel," Doran smiled, as did Trystane. "With Aegon and Rhaenys on our side, your cousins, we will be in a position to finally take vengeance on those that wronged us."

"And our part is to eliminate Stannis and thus make way for them?" Arianne asked.

"As I said, it's all part of the plan and we must do our part. Quentyn will make sure that Varys will keep his end of the bargain, especially when it comes to Daeron Targaryen."

Arianne had heard of this Daeron Targaryen, named after the Young Dragon and the supposed son of Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark. But to hear Varys talk about him meant that Daeron's existence was no mummery. And the name itself was distasteful in all Dornish mouths, as it reminded them of the humiliation their ancestors felt at his conquest.

"What do you wish for us to do, father?" Trystane inquired.

"Son, it's time that you lead troops into battle. Go to Wyl and oversee the preparations on my behalf," Doran directed him.

"And myself?" Arianne wanted to know her role.

"I need you here to ensure that everyone is reminded of their part, including your uncle's. You are to be my heir, but you must learn how to operate yourself in my role. Learn it."

However, Arianne knew that her father much preferred Quentyn to succeed him, which was why he was given such an important role to sail to Tollos. At the same time, she was going to prove him wrong.

"I won't let you down, father," she answered.

"Excellent. Today begins the quest in which we take what is owed to us," Doran declared.


Robb came upon the place where the man who hired the Company of the Rose lived, whose name was Jaenyra Vhassar, niece of Nyessos Vhassar, one of the Volantene triarchs and of the elephant party. Although the elephants preferred trade to war, the Vhassar's wealth was reliant on the slave trade and thus had much to lose if Daenerys Targaryen succeeded in eradicating slavery in Slaver's Bay.

The more he heard of Daenerys, the more Robb became more ambivalent of the daughter of the Mad King, the murderer of his grandfather and uncle Brandon, whose name he adopted. She might have been a dragon, but he had to admit that she was doing good things for many people, as no one should live in bondage. He certainly had heard of Targaryens who did good for the realm and for many peoples, but he also learned about the Targaryen madness. I cannot judge Daenerys Targaryen so quickly, but I can't think well of her either just yet.

Robb introduced himself to the servant guarding Jaenyra's house. He had to turn in Ice, but he insisted on Grey Wind coming with him. The servant then told him that he could enter.

There was something simplistic about this house, as it was not within the Black Walls, and that already said much about this Jaenyra. However, Robb was going to reserve judgment until much later. He then arrived at her hall, where a young woman was sitting on her couch.

If Robb had to compare Jaenyra with Talisa, the former would have been considered much plainer. Still, there would be men who would lust over her and want to enter her bed. But not again. Not after last time. Not for a while, he promised himself, as his honorable instincts and attraction to his wife got her killed and him into self-imposed exile.

"I know who you are, Robb Stark, so let's skip the pleasantries. Why have you come here?"

Finally. Someone who can cut through the bullshit, Robb thought with relief. "I seek to hire the Company of the Rose from your hands."

Jaenyra crossed her arms. "And why would I do that? I already paid for their service."

"And I am willing to buy their contract from your hands, my lady."

"What's your purpose of hiring them, if I even agree?"

"I am looking for men to take with me back to Westeros to avenge my family, but I need sellswords who also had a bond with my land," Robb answered.

"Right. The old tradition of Westerosi lordlings, or former kings in your instance, hiring sellswords out of desperation," Jaenyra said to herself, which struck Robb. She's sharp. "I need the men for protection, because I don't trust my uncle to leave me alone because I chose not to be involved in his war."

"Why do you go against your uncle, if I may ask? Won't slavery's end be the end of your fortunes?"

"I am against the idea of slavery, even though I still enjoy the fruits of their imposed labor," Jaenyra admitted. "However, I can understand my own hypocrisy in not doing much and there's nothing much I can do."

Robb nodded in understanding. "Westeros has no slaves, but I wanted a better life for my family and my people because I didn't want to be practically slaves to a murderous child. And I am not done fighting. That's why I need the Company of the Rose, for they understand well that to leave is better than to submit."

Jaenyra blinked. "Who's going to protect me then?"

"I will not leave Volantis so prematurely once I hired them. As long as they are here, they will continue their original contract. I am willing to make a partial payment to you, and you'll receive the rest when we leave the city," Robb offered.

Jaenyra thought it through before nodding. "Sounds acceptable. But let's see what Captain Moss has to say about that." She ordered the servants to bring in the Captain-General of the Company of the Rose, which Robb had only heard of until now.

In came a man who was clearly Westerosi, but his skin was tanned, and he had a black beard and an eyepatch over his eye. He must've seen some serious battles in his prime, Robb noted.

"Who is this?" Moss spoke in the common tongue, which was obviously not of a northern brogue.

"This is Robb Stark, son of Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North," Jaenyra introduced him.

Moss scoffed. "A Stark all the way, and an exiled king at that? What does he want?"

"He wants to hire you to help him fight in his war," Jaenyra answered.

"And what is he going to offer us? Land? Money? No thanks," Moss turned to leave, but Robb grabbed his shoulder.

"At least hear me out, good ser," Robb pleaded, but Captain Moss shook his hand off.

"Piss off. My ancestors left you when Torrhen Stark bent the knee to the dragon and I will not tolerate your presence any longer. Even though you didn't bend the knee, you might as well, considering how you've performed."

Robb cleared his throat. "You're right. Torrhen Stark did bend the knee and it's not like I acted any differently with the mistakes that I made. But here's one thing that you're not understanding. Hardships can teach us much about ourselves and I am still young, so I still have much time to learn about what kind of man I am."

"Spare me the sentimentalities, Stark. What's your point?"

"Don't you want to go home, the home that calls to you, the land that gives you a sense of identity?" Robb asked, which made Moss freeze. "You might have lived in Essos your entire life, but don't you have that feeling that you never belonged here? I want my home back and I know that I can't live here even if I tried. Forget land and coin. I am offering you a chance to go back to where your ancestors had originated from, a chance to not wander anymore."

Moss turned around, and Robb could see that his gaze had softened considerably. I got to him.

"Where are you staying, Stark?"

"I can go back to my ship."

"My lady," Moss turned to Jaenyra. "Can you please spare Stark some chambers? I need to speak to my lieutenants and get their opinion on what he's offering."

"Of course," Jaenyra nodded, as Moss left. "Is your gold on the ship, I reckon?"

"Yes."

"I'll have someone collect it and bring it here. Cayn Moss is an honest man, which I find a very valuable commodity," Jaenyra stated.

"Thank you, for your hospitality," Robb said to her.

"Just be careful," Jaenyra warned him.

As Robb looked out on the balcony of Jaenyra's house, he noticed a few men watching him from below. Probably Malaquo's creatures, he thought scornfully.

But he didn't see the red priest and priestess in disguise, who were also eyeing the men watching Robb in Jaenyra's house.

"Shouldn't we do something? They're going to harm him if he tries anything," the priest said aloud.

"Not yet. Malaquo's fleets and armies must depart for our plan to succeed, and the Golden Company with Jon Connington and the Young Griff must also leave Volantis," the priestess outlined. "Once they're all gone, that's when strike and protect Robb while ensuring he leaves with what he needs."

"But when can we act?"

"Kinvara has a plan, the fires tell us what it is, but we must be patient. If we act too early or late, it'll all unfold. It must be done at the right moment," the priestess responded.

"How will we know?"

The priestess looked at Robb, who had no idea of his role in the coming struggles ahead. "The Lord of Light will show us when."


Jon sat at his new desk in the capital garrison headquarters. Quartermaster Choi told him that due to his good work in his previous post, he was going to be assigned as the overseer of information, making him the intermediary between Lord Buko, the quartermaster, and everyone else who gave tips in exchange for coin. His job was to cross-reference all of the tips against known sources of information and if there was strong corroboration between them, he will send it up the chain of command.

Although this was a promotion since he would no longer be an assistant, Jon suspected that his investigation into the "disappeared brigades" made too many people nervous. But because they couldn't harm him, they simply had him sent to another post where he wouldn't be able to pursue his investigation with the same zeal that he had. Moreover, whenever there's a change in post, he had to turn over all of his papers to his commanding officer, which Jon instantly figured out that they would try to bury the issue.

However, Jon had anticipated that someone would try to block him and had thus made copies, all of which he kept under lock and key at his palace. As the decision was final, he wasn't going to try to fight it, but instead found his reassignment as a blessing in disguise, as he now had direct access to the sources of information and could influence which to send up to the commanders. Meanwhile, he would continue his investigation however he could, although he would now have to be very careful since someone was definitely watching him now.

One of the informants that he met was a farrier for a prominent merchant down at the docks. He told Jon that there was increased activity among the gangs there and that their leader, only known by the name "Wah," was tightening up on everyone's discipline.

"Why did you approach me? Why not inform the constabulary or even the Central Column?" Jon asked him.

"I don't trust those men. Wah has every local constable down at the docks in his pocket and no one snitches on him or his gang without suffering the consequences," the farrier answered.

Jon sighed, as the whole theme about corruption in the ranks was getting so boring. "All right. I'll inform the constables then. Whether or not they choose to act on it, I cannot tell. Take you coin," he gave him ten silver taels for his troubles.

Finishing his meetings and submitting his report to Lord Buko's adjutant, Jon arrived at the training compound, where he would see the final phase of Gendry's testing.

After passing through the basic training, he had Gendry study rigorously for the exam, with only the evenings allowing him to rest and recuperate. Besides learning the tongues well, he had to have knowledge of tactics, strategy, and organization if he wanted to pass and receive his commission. Jon also tested Gendry on his knowledge of the passages from the general's text, the one all commanders had to know by heart. Once Gendry got an endorsement from both Jon and Lord Joon, he received a place on which to test his knowledge and receive his commission after he passed.

The military version of the examinations consisted of three parts, held over three days. The first part was horseback archery. Gendry was given nine arrows and he had to hit at least three targets on the course in three laps or less. Jon had to rigorously train Gendry how to ride a horse well and to use the bow and arrow. He struggled with the last part since archery was not among his strengths, but Jon told him that it was necessary if he wanted to pass. He then heard that Gendry was able to land four arrows on the target.

The second part was divided into two sections. The first dealt with archery from a stationary position, which was essentially testing how accurate Gendry was, and he barely passed that one. But the second part tested his strength and had three parts to it: bow drawing, sword waving, and stone lifting. Gendry had to draw back the bow at three different positions, the last one being how far he could take it back without breaking it. Gendry had to then wave three different types of swords, each weighing in successively heavier weights, and slash against a straw dummy. As for the stones, they weighed at eighty, one hundred and twenty, and one hundred and eighty pounds, and he had to carry all of them over a half a mile. Gendry performed that test better than the other parts.

The third part of the exams was the written test, which really challenged Gendry since he didn't even know how to read and write from an early age and didn't really consider himself a learned man. He had to make comments on the usage of strategy and tactical formations while he had to be aware of areas such as astronomy, topography, and the art of the black powder, all of which really pushed his mind to the limit. Unlike in Westeros, knowledge from books was highly valued and someone told him, "We don't need dumb brutes in our army and government."

Speaking of which, after Jon was satisfied with how much progress the Hound made in his recover from his opium addiction, he asked Lord Joon to find him a place where his fighting skills could be put to good use. He told him that the demon hunters in Mossovy and the men at the Five Forts could use someone of his skills, although Jon suspected that Lord Joon didn't take a liking to the Hound and wanted him far away as possible.

When he told the Hound this, Sandor merely shrugged. "Lord Joon told me that the Guardian of the Five Forts is willing to pay a handsome fee for every raider and demon you kill."

"I don't want his money," Sandor shook his head.

"Maybe I should spell this out for you," Jon leaned forward on the table. "I might have given you shelter, but the others in the capital do not welcome you. And I told you that you couldn't just sit around and do nothing. You're not a commander, you're no scholar, and you don't really have anything to offer besides your ability to kill. Do you understand now?"

"I don't want to leave the capital so soon," Sandor answered.

"Is there a reason why?"

"I…" The Hound scratched his head. "There is someone that I don't want to leave here all alone. If I go to the Five Forts, I might not see her again."

"Who are you talking about?" Jon asked, although it didn't take him long to figure out who, considering it was the only other woman Sandor interacted with in Yi-Ti. "It's the physician, isn't she?"

"Yes," the Hound nodded. "I asked for tea since I'm not her patient anymore and she agreed to see me."

I see where this is going, Jon was amazed that the Hound was even capable of feeling fondness towards anyone. "All right. But understand that you cannot live for free in my palace forever. Keep that in mind."

"Understood," the Hound replied gratefully.

Going back to the training ground, Jon had to wait outside since the test was still in progress. A few minutes later, someone came out and approached him. "Your Highness," he addressed Jon.

"How did he do?" he referred to Gendry.

"He wasn't outstanding, but he passed, Your Highness. He'll be commissioned tonight."

Jon sighed in relief that his efforts had paid off. He told Arya the good news, who could only smile at his accomplishment. She, himself, and Sam all showed up at the ceremony, which would be overseen by Prince Kaijin himself.

Although a small audience, it had all of the official trappings and someone sent from the Grand Secretary was present, as Gendry would be the first white devil in centuries to even complete the imperial examination.

Gendry dressed in his best armor and robes, approached Prince Kaijin, and bowed. "Gendry of King's Landing in Westeros, reporting for duty."

"Stand easy," Kaijin said. As a prince, he held the rank of lieutenant-general in the army and reported directly to the Emperor's Master of the Foot. The ceremony included Kaijin listing out what Gendry achieved and commanding him to serve the emperor to the best of his abilities and so on. The ceremony ended with him getting an officer's sword and stripes. "In the name of the emperor, I hereby appoint you to the rank of lieutenant and hereby welcome you into the army. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Gendry answered. After the ceremony ended, he was congratulated by Arya, Sam, and then Jon.

"Well done, lieutenant. How does it feel?" he asked him.

"I don't know if I am ready for this, Your Highness," Gendry replied.

"I know what you mean," Jon patted his shoulder. "But enjoy it now. You've just taken a step into a whole new world."

As they were going back to his palace to celebrate, they were approached by one of Khiara's servants. "Your Highness," she addressed Jon.

"What can I do for you?"

"Her Highness wants to congratulate your cousin on obtaining his officer's commission and has invited you all to celebrate at her palace. There will be food, music, drinks, and more waiting for you."

Jon, Gendry, Arya, and Sam looked at each other nervously, as it was obvious that she didn't care about Gendry at all and only used it as an excuse to get close to Jon. However, they couldn't just refuse, so they followed the servant back to their palace.

As she said, there was a feast awaiting them and Khiara was happy to play the host.

Gendry was initially reluctant to loosen up, as this was the first time that he was in the presence of a ruling family member who wasn't out to kill him. However, after drinking the arakju and realizing how good the food was, he smiled and enjoyed himself. His still broken guanhua made many laugh, but Gendry did his best to just smile.

Arya was with her friends in the Jade Order as they played music for the party eventually, but she eyed Gendry and was quite amused that he was doing very well to ingratiate himself. My sister falling for a young officer… why does that sound familiar?

Sam, as always, was showing himself as a great person to have in a Yi-Tish feast, as he charmed many with his mastery of guanhua and his wit. By the gods, Sam, you've come very far from when I first met you.

"Enjoying yourself, Prince Daeron?" Khiara poured him a drink.

"Quite," Jon smiled as he took his cup and drank.

"Your cousin seems to be enjoying himself," Khiara observed.

"Indeed," Jon agreed.

"Let's hope he won't be like this father, if what I heard about him was true," Khiara chuckled.

Jon grinned. "I hope so also. He's turning out much better already, though."

"A young lieutenant… he's going to be facing all sorts of trouble now."

"What do you mean by that?" Jon put his cup down.

"Gendry is the first white devil in centuries to pass the examinations and he's the first one to become a commissioned officer through the regular channels. I'm not going to say that Yi-Ti is highly against outsiders, but there are such things called turfs. Gendry passing the examinations despite all expectations will really make many uncomfortable," Khiara explained.

Jon groaned. "Gods, this is so boring."

"And I agree. It's time that the empire received some new blood, as your inclusion into the political workings has shown that many things have to change if the Golden Empire wishes to survive."

Jon had to appreciate Khiara's forward thinking, but he also knew that whatever she wanted to do was going to face stiff resistance from the more traditionally minded individuals at court.

"As we're on the topic of the empire, I believe it's time that you chose sides," Khiara stated.

Jon blinked in surprise. "What do you mean by that?"

"Do you understand how much danger you are in, especially since your investigation began?"

"I know that I am under watch, and that whoever is benefitting from what I am still investigating somehow got me reassigned because they didn't want me to get closer to the truth," Jon answered.

"That's not the most important parts," Khiara revealed. "The Central Column and all constables working out of uniform are watching you and your family and friends in case you seriously threaten them. I have people in the Ministry of Justice and they got me the list, which has your name on it."

Jon's eyes widened. "What?"

"Not only that, I hear that someone wants to do harm on you and your uncle, because your morality is threatening their livelihood," she added.

"I'm doing what's right and I am prepared for the consequences," Jon responded.

"Are you?" Khiara asked. "I am sorry to say this, but even though you have a direwolf and a dragon, you don't have a lot of power by yourself. You are vulnerable and part of the reason why you lasted this long was because of me."

"I didn't ask you to protect me," Jon pointed out.

"But you wouldn't have survived without me," Khiara shot back.

"What is your point?"

"I sense a great conflict coming between myself, the Prime Minister, and all others who want to usurp my family. At the moment, I can hold them back, but they will make the first move and I don't have the strength to fight them forever. The balance that you observed in this capital will not last forever," Khiara told him.

Jon turned his face more towards her. "Princess Khiara, are you suggesting a partnership between us?"

"Call it an alliance. I have the power and you have the dragon and direwolf. Together, we'll be able to stave off our attackers and be ready to fight when the moment comes. You cannot be on your own side, Prince Daeron, and you need as much help as you can get to protect the ones you care about. With our bond, our chances of staying alive will increase dramatically," Khiara offered.

Jon was not stupid in seeing the benefits of an open alliance with Khiara, but like all things, it didn't come for free.

"In return?" Jon asked for her terms.

Unexpectedly, Khiara put her hands on his own. "You know what it was like to be with a woman. I want you to show me what you learned, when you come to my chambers tonight."

Jon tried to slide his hands away from hers, immediately growing uncomfortable at her proposition, but she kept a firm hold on them. Arya and Sam began to notice with worry.

"Why do you recoil? Am I so evil to you?"

"No," Jon shook his head. "You are beautiful, and you have much to offer me as much I to you. However, what you are suggesting is improper, for my heart belongs to another."

"Surely not that Chogo woman. Your feelings for her, I can tell, were pure, but you have to move on from the dead," Khiara said.

"No," Jon refuted. "I don't believe that you have met her, but there's only one type of person that can match a dragonwolf and sadly, you are not one of them."

However, he was wrong to think that Khiara would be discouraged. If there was one thing that he still had to understand, she wouldn't have gotten very far if she cowered at every challenge.

"It's Daenerys Targaryen, isn't it?"

Once again, Jon marveled at how her mind worked.

"I'm not going to ask how you know her, because there are many things that I don't understand yet and have no intention of exerting myself unnecessarily on matters that don't really concern me, but if that's the case, then do you really think that you can please a woman who has been seriously touched by power, someone who knows how to navigate through the corridors of influence and authority and thus develop nerves of steel?"

Jon gulped, but he remained unshaken. "Are you not referring to yourself? You seem very committed in me joining you in your bed."

"Trust me, if I wanted to, I would have wrapped my finger around you already, but I knew that you would never join me if I forced you. However, I am stating the facts and you need me if you and your family and friends to survive. Personally, I don't care about Daenerys Targaryen because she is too far away. And everything is about timing. Had I tried to approach you earlier, my efforts would have failed," Khiara kept looking in his eyes.

Everything in Jon's mind was screaming at him to not do what she was asking him to do, but at the same time, he couldn't ignore the truth in her words.

"Even if I do join you, it will not be intimate. You have something from me, and I get something from you," Jon stated.

"Intimacy is useless, but what happens in the chambers is always used for advantage. There's more to gain from our trysts than if we continue to be separate, and encounters happen all the time. If you want to be a king, that's one of the simple facts that you have to understand."

Jon exhaled. There was no walking away from Khiara either way he went, and he had to admit that he couldn't take on the likes of those like the Prime Minister all by himself. Khiara knew how to fight him and she would keep his family safe, but the price was his body. And he thought about what Daenerys would say when they eventually meet. If I do this, I cannot hide this from her.

Also, Jon had the good sense to realize that Khiara only made such offers and she would not make them again. Praying silently to the old gods and saying to himself, "Forgive me, Daenerys," he nodded. "First, pour me a drink."

Khiara chuckled before complying. "Now you understand."

After the feast was over, with Gendry slightly drunk and sleepy, Jon was about to separate himself from Arya and Sam before she ran up to him. "What are you doing?"

"Something that will protect us all," Jon told her, but she grabbed his arm.

"I know what you're going to do. And I am begging you, don't do it," Arya pleaded.

"Arya, something is happening, and we need as many allies as we can get," Jon responded.

"That's all right," Arya shook her head. "I don't need many allies. We don't."

"My lady," Sam walked up to them. "I am not going to claim that I have more wisdom than you because I don't, but Jon would never do something unless it was really important. I don't like what he is about to do either, but I know it's necessary."

"You say that as his friend?" Arya was getting more desperate.

"Arya, we are all meant for happiness and we all will end up where we should be," Jon knelt down to her. "But for that to happen, we have to do things that we might not like to do, but it must be done. You trust me, right?"

Arya remembered her promise to trust Jon, but it still took her more than a few moments for her to accept it. Finally, she bobbed her head and Jon kissed her forehead. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Be safe, Jon," Arya implored. Jon smiled at her while he clasped his arms with Sam's. Ghost tried to go with him, but Arya held him back and whispered into his ear that he couldn't come.

Turning back to Khiara's palace, he made his way in through the screen doors. Candles lit the way to what he assumed were her chambers, which were also lined with her servants.

Making his way to a circular frame, where Khiara and few more of her maids were waiting for him, he took a deep breath. "All right. Let's get this over with."

Khiara dismissed her servants, who then closed the screen doors behind him. She gestured him to follow deeper in her chambers, where she sat on her bed.

"The first time you bedded a woman, it was in a yurt, wasn't it?" Khiara asked. Jon nodded. "I might not be a woman from the steppes, but I yearn for something different. Show to me how you made love to your Chogo lady."

"If you wish," Jon said.

Khiara stood back up. "Disrobe yourself, Prince Daeron."

He set down Longclaw and Dark Sister against a chair first. As Jon undid his robes, exposing more of his body to her searching eyes, she did the same with hers, with each of theirs. Eventually, they were made bare for each other, not one of them saying a word as they discarded every article of their clothing.

Jon knew that had a well-defined form, which Khiara examined closely. But being half-Lengii, Khiara was a head taller than himself and he didn't need to look down or up to see her bosom, which were quite round and large. She didn't look too muscular, but she was very thin and curvy, and her skin was very pale. Her collarbones were also shown, as she got closer to him.

"It's not too late. We don't have to do this," Jon tried to walk away, but Khiara wasn't going to be denied.

"No," she shook her head while grabbing his hands and pulling him softly to the bed. "And besides, this is not my first time, so you don't have to worry about hurting me."

Jon looked into her brown eyes, which were a lighter shade than Chanhee's, and he leaned down slowly to her face. Taking in each other's breaths, their lips finally touched, and their kiss became deeper.

Remembering what he learned, he put Khiara on her back while not breaking the kiss. Eventually, he moved down her neck and ran his tongue on her breasts. She moaned heavily and loudly as he did so.

"You're safe here with me," she whispered. "No one will harm you."

Jon looked into her eyes again as she ran her hands all over his back. They knew what this was, but there was a certain… magnetism that could be felt when they looked deeply in each other.

Feeling his member harden, he guided it into her entrance and thrusted it in. She gasped, feeling his manhood inside her grow, before he pushed at an increasingly fast tempo. She moaned and exhaled as he showed what he did to Chanhee to her.

"You are shorter than me, but your strength makes up for it," she breathed. "Push harder, Daeron."

Jon complied, straining his muscles and causing him to lose his breath. Finally, he and Khiara felt the climax come, with Jon falling to her side.

"And you've just shown me how a dragon loves its mate," Khiara smiled. "People who really love each other don't have secrets, and now we've seen each other's."

Jon sighed. "This is not love, Your Highness. This can be felt with anyone who joins you here."

"I know. But can't hurt to hope for that."

Jon was left to brood, as he bedded a woman who he couldn't love but felt something fond grow with her. But Khiara started to see her bedmate in a new light and promised to herself to protect him, for she did not want him to leave her side.


Daenerys wandered off into the plains of the east, but she didn't know how far east she had come. She told Drogon to fly back to Meereen after barely escaping the Harpy uprising, but he kept flying east and over the Bone Mountains. She had never such high peaks in her life, and she never felt the joy of flying so high in the air like her ancestors of old.

Wherever she was, she was definitely nowhere near the Great Grass Sea, as the grass itself was different. And the climate contrasted sharply to the ones she was used to, as it was much colder here than in the lands of the Dothraki and in Meereen. She had to constantly rub her shoulders to keep warm. Is that winter coming already? she thought.

She ventured and looked for food, but the plains were much more desolate than she had anticipated.

Daenerys searched her mind as she tried to figure out where exactly she was, which was very difficult given that she had no reference points that were familiar to her. However, being east of the Bone Mountains meant that she was either in the northern areas of Yi-Ti or in the Plains of the Jogos Nhai, the latter being more likely because she couldn't see any castles or even the paved roads.

"Come on," she kicked some grass away in frustration. She could only think of what her supporters were going through as they tried to control the Harpy uprising, and she feared the results once the Volantene tigers came with their full strength. Also, her other two children were left at Meereen and she needed to go back. They need their Queen, and the enemy ahead of them needs a strong leader to fight them.

However, if there was one thing that she realized, it was that her dragon wouldn't have gone this far without good reason. And if she was indeed in or near Yi-Ti, it could only mean that she was closer to Daeron Targaryen. The more she thought about him, the more she began to accept that her situation. She had longed to meet him in person, and she was nearer to him than before. I so want to meet you, Daeron. I want to see how your feelings for me have grown, she thought with happiness.

At that moment, she heard hooves in the distance. Turning around and trying to locate the source of the noise, she saw riders approaching her. Squinting her eyes, she saw that the mounts were zorses and that the riders were Jogos Nhai from their overly large heads. She remembered seeing the zorsemen in Vaes Dothrak, in Qarth, and in Meereen, but she didn't really interact them.

Before they could circle her, Drogon flew down from the sky and roared at them. Their zorse mounts were immediately frightened, but Daenerys was confused that instead of fear, they were merely shocked at seeing a dragon. What's going on here?

The riders looked at each other, speaking in their tongue that she couldn't understand. One of them approached her and used his hands while gesturing with his head. From what she could gather, he was telling her to follow him.

Intrigued, Daenerys got back on Drogon and flew above the group, who didn't display fear as they guided her back to their camp. Landing in the middle of it, Daenerys saw that the entire camp was not looking at her with aversion, but they were merely curious at her. It's like they have seen a dragon and its rider before, but how?

Inside what was presumed to be the chieftain's tent, she was surprised that a woman awaited, and no man. From her pierced breasts and her ruby-studded cheeks, she surmised that this was one of the warrior maids of Hyrkoon. She was going to ask herself how did a Hyrkoon women become leader of a group of Jogos Nhai, but that would be questioning her abilities and would also extend to how she got control of a Dothraki khalasar.

The man that led to the camp and the Hyrkoon woman conversed to each other, with the female jhat eyeing her with great interest. She pointed at herself and said, "Sela."

Daenerys figured out that the woman gave her name, so she did the same thing. "Daenerys Targaryen," she answered.

Sela had someone bring her some paper, as she started drawing something. When she finished, Daenerys saw a great white wolf on it. Eyes widening, she looked back at Sela, who drew another picture. This one had a red dragon on it. "Meleys," she whispered out.

Sela's eyes also widened, as Daenerys named the red dragon correctly. She then gave her another drawing, which was a woman that she saw in a dream. "Chanhee."

Sela quickly drew another drawing, and Daenerys could definitely recognize the beard, the face, the muscular form of the man of her dreams. "Daeron."

Sela blinked rapidly as she told the man she talked with in a quick manner. She told Daenerys to follow her as they road southwards, and she rode above on Drogon's back. They then came upon what Daenerys assumed was the Steel Road from her scant knowledge of the geography east of the Bone Mountains, and that would lead straight to Trader Town. However, Sela shook her head at Trader Town, which confused her. Sela instead told her to fly to a certain location due southeast, to a castle that she didn't know of until the Hyrkoon spoke of it. However, considering that she knew what Daeron, Meleys, and Chanhee looked like and that Sela didn't harm her, she decided to trust her word. But before Daenerys flew off, Sela handed her a scroll, which was written in whatever tongue of Yi-Ti. They smiled at each other as Daenerys nodded her thanks.

Flying for a few hours, she came across a white castle in the middle of a grasslands, which was right where Sela told her to go.

Landing outside of the castle, the guards and household were shuffling about in alarm. They then aimed their weapons at her, causing her to freeze. But the gates of the castle opened and out came a boy that still hadn't seen fifteen years. He looked at Daenerys up and down before crossing his arm.

"Why do you have a dragon?" he asked in the common tongue with a heavy accent.

Oh, good. Finally. "My name is Daenerys Targaryen. You seem to know something about dragons, it seems," she said.

"I knew a dragon and his companion once, also a Targaryen. But his name was Daeron," the boy answered.

"Wait a moment. Daeron Targaryen was here?"

"For six moons," the boy answered. "My father sheltered him, his uncle, and his friend."

"And who is your father?" Daenerys asked.

"Joon Kitara, currently Master of the Horse for the Emperor and Governor of the Northwest Province. I am his son, Seong," he stated.

"Nice to meet you," she addressed.

"What do you want?"

"I'm here to find Daeron Targaryen, my nephew. I was told to come here by a Hyrkoon named Sela."

Seong recognized that name. "How about you stay here for the moment? I'll contact my father and try to get some advice on what to do with you. However, I have a feeling that things will get very complicated with you here."

"Why is that?"

"I'll let you know in the castle," he eyed Drogon. "And don't worry. This isn't the first time we saw a dragon, so we know how to handle ourselves."

"I would imagine."

"Daenerys Targaryen," Seong spoke in the common tongue with a heavy accent. "Welcome to Kushiro."

As she was shown in by his mother Myung and his sisters, who eyed her with curiosity, all Daenerys could think of was thanking whoever allowed her to be with the same people who protected her family. It could only mean that she was one step closer to reuniting with her blood, and the one she grew to love. Just you wait, Daeron. I'm coming, she thought happily.

A/N: This was my most ambitious chapter yet. With so many threads, but also bringing them closer to a resolution.

Arya is training, Benjen doesn't know the woman he's bedding is trying to kill him, Ardroon meeting that dragon god and allowing him entry into his body (for what purpose?), our first Arianne POV and revelation that Doran is working with Varys to have Faegon kick Dany off, Robb taking his first step towards getting his own army, Jon bedding Khiara for political purposes, and now, Dany in Yi-Ti and a step closer to meeting Jon (I didn't actually plan that, but after reviewing how she was wasted in S6, I decided that it would be a better use of her character and they could get the Dothraki horde later).

As for Arianne, Adria Arjona would be a good fit IMO.

Hope you enjoyed.