A/N: Hi there! I'm adjusting to a new update schedule to accommodate the things going on with me at the moment. Have to get some certification and whatnot.

But I will update regularly. That's a promise!

Arya walked out of the War Ministry, specifically from Minister Zong's quarters, after demanding to know who was the last man that talked with Jon. Surprisingly, the minister was very cooperative and told her what she needed to know after Princess Khiara told him to assist her in any way he could. I didn't know that she was even capable of caring about Jon.

Constables by the port saw the fire that burned down the warehouse and Meleys guarding over Jon, or what appeared to be his corpse. It didn't take for the provosts to arrive, as Jon worked in the War Ministry and therefore was under the control of the army. After relentless interrogation of the many of the port workers, they all pointed to the gang leader "Wah" as the one responsible for Jon's death, so a warrant was issued for his arrest. However, he had since gone into hiding and the Central Column had to be called in.

Arya and Sam cried over Jon's corpse, as they were the only ones in the capital who had any close connections to Jon himself. His skin was pale, he was no longer breathing, his dead heart pierced by a sword, and his eyes closed as his soul had entered into the realm of the dead. She pounded his chest and begged him, "Please wake up, Jon. Please, wake up. We need you."

Sam struggled to write the letter to Benjen, as he needed to be in the capital to look after Jon's body. But Arya refused to bury her brother, as she didn't want to think that this was the end for Jon.

Gendry arrived and patted her back in sympathy, while Sandor looked on and sighed. Arya cried into Gendry's shoulder, bawling her eyes out as the pain of losing more of her family was more than she could bear. To his credit, Gendry said nothing as he returned the hug.

Then, Khiara arrived and looked at Jon's body with sad eyes. Angered that she was here after everything that happened, Arya glared at the princess. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to pay my respects to Prince Daeron," Khiara answered. But Arya lunged forward and pushed her against the wall. Her hands could only reach up to her chest, and Khiara didn't resist.

"You dare show yourself here? You didn't care about Jon," Arya said through gritted teeth.

"I did enjoy a connection with Prince Daeron and therefore, I have a right to be here. I'm not blood, but it would be unbecoming of me to ignore the departed Prince of Dragonstone," Khiara said softly.

But Arya was not buying it. "No. You are just worried that the dragon and direwolf are loose and you want to see if there is some way you can get some control over the situation."

"Everyone seen what that dragon could do," Khiara put Arya's hands off of her. "I'm not here to control anything. I want to know how I can salvage this."

"You cannot salvage something when a man died," Sam told her straight. "There are things that you have no power over, Your Highness."

"But perhaps, we can take revenge on those who had a hand in Jon's death," Khiara offered.

Arya crooked her head at Khiara. "What are you talking about?"

"That man they're looking for, Wah. He is connected to very powerful people in the empire and we need to find him before the others do."

"Who is connected to?"

"Come with me," Arya followed her outside. "It's undeniable that Daeron made some very potent enemies with his investigations and it is within reason that he died because of that. If he had managed to get to the bottom of the truth, many officials would be endangered."

"You mean those with the Prime Minister?" Arya instantly knew where this was going.

"I know that Wah is connected to Yuejo Chin, who in turn is connected to Hudam Shu," Khiara answered. "I just need proof before I can move on him. So, let's make a deal."

Arya crossed her arm. "Which would be?"

"You help me find the proof to take down the Prime Minister and everyone connected to Daeron's death. And I, in turn, will give what you need to do to do what you must."

"That's not enough."

"I wasn't finished," Khiara said. "You've been training hard under the former shinobi. It's time that you put all of that to the test."

Arya scoffed. "You want me to be your personal killer? Is that it?"

"You still don't know the ways of the world," Khiara sighed in disappointment. "But for once, your desire to avenge your brother aligns with my need to see my enemies destroyed. You do not like me, but I personally don't care about your feelings. What would you choose at this moment: working with me, or not because of your emotions?"

Arya tightened her jaw at Khiara's reasonings, but she had no quarrel with the princess at the moment. "Where do you suggest I start?" she decided to prioritize her need to avenge her brother over her dislike of the princess.

"Maybe start with the last person that talked with Daeron, then work your way from there. You will have full access to my resources, so use them well."

Arya learned that the informant met Jon at a noodle house near the port, so that's where she was. Studying the hand-drawn picture, she looked through each of the patrons before finding the one that closely matched the description. She stood by and waked near the table, all the while the informant was getting very nervous at a white girl staring at him.

After Arya passed by him one more time before making her approach, the informant stood up and ran. She instinctively followed him, surprising many of the customers. He had grabbed a wine ceramic casing and tried to throw it at her, who narrowly missed. "Hey!" she shouted as they continued running down the streets.

The informant pushed past many of the people in the docks, while Arya was struggling to catch up. It was in the dead of night, but life in the capital was as vibrant as ever. Many were confused as to why a grown man was running away from a white girl, but they minded their business.

As they turned a corner in the street and towards an alley, Arya tried to reason with him. "I'm not after you. I just want to talk!"

The alley turned out to be a dead end, and the informant was trapped. However, they ran for quite some time and they stopped to catch their breath. But the informant tried to use this opportunity to run past her, and Arya acted quickly. She charged, jumped, and kicked in the chest, forcing him to go backwards. Getting back up, she forced him onto the ground, twisted his arm, and put his neck in a chokehold.

"You stupid idiot! I just wanted to talk," Arya was tired, but she got who she came for.

Arya later found a roof and tied the informant near the ledge, with only one push away from falling to his death.

"I swear on my dead mother, I don't know anything!" the informant begged.

Arya didn't buy it. "Don't bullshit me! I want to know why you led my brother to that warehouse!"

"Please. I was just doing what was expected of me. Please let me go."

But Arya tapped his back, inching him further to the edge. "You're not leaving until I get what I want."

"I don't know, you cunt!" the informant shouted.

Sighing and greatly annoyed, Arya rubbed her face. "All right, you can go."

"Thank you," the informant was grateful.

But Arya pushed him more to the edge. "You can go, onto your next life."

The informant was trying very hard to resist. "Please, please. Not there!"

"I'm letting you go. What's wrong?" Arya gave him a stronger push.

"Please, please. Don't kill me."

"What's the matter?"

"Okay, okay. I'll fucking tell you," the informant finally relented.

Arya slapped the back of his head. "Don't you use those words with me, you fucking shithead! Talk!"

The informant exhaled to calm himself. "I gave information to Prince Daeron about the warehouse, but not because I wanted to help him."

"You didn't want to help him?" Arya asked.

"Someone told me to sabotage Wah, because they want to take his place."

"Who?"

The informant sighed incredulously, causing Arya to tap his back once more. "Please don't push me. I'm scared! Fucking hells!"

"Talk properly from the beginning, you got it?!" Arya commanded him. "Who?"

"It was Vinh, his opium man."

That was a name Arya recognized. "Why does Vinh want to sabotage Wah?"

"Vinh was a constable in the vice department, and they seized any opium they could find. But instead of burning them, Vinh stole them and he now has a supply of pure opium that Wah doesn't know about."

"What's the purpose of that?"

"By bankrupting Wah, Vinh could move in and take control of all of the gangs under his control. He has more powerful connections with the constables and Wah would be destroyed."

"How much are we talking about?" The informant breathed out in fear, only for Arya to remind him again that she held his life in her hands.

"At least three million silver taels worth, all of them snatched from the lockup."

My gods… Arya was stunned. "Where is Vinh now?"

"He's off in the jungle somewhere. I don't know where is."

Before Arya could let him go, she had one more question. "Did Vinh tell you to have Jon know where to find the warehouse because he knew that Wah would kill him?" The informant looked at her with hesitation. "Answer me!"

"It was the only way to sabotage Wah, as he now messed up and got too much attention on himself."

Arya's fist tightened. "And how much did Vinh promise you?"

"One tael for every nine earned."

Having no sympathy for the informant, to hear him admit that he had a part in Jon's death was all she needed. Untying him, she kicked him in the back and down he fell towards the streets. Women screamed and men gasped at the corpse that fell from above, but Arya made her escape.

She now knew that besides Wah, she needed to find Vinh, for both were responsible for Jon's death. However, she needed to work with Khiara to find them both, as there was only so much that she could do in this land. And in her mind, Khiara empowering Jon was part of why her brother was dead. Once everyone else is dealt with, I'll come after her.

As she made her way to Jon's palace, one of the servants ran up to her. "My lady, we need help."

"What's wrong?"

"It's Yujin. He has just assaulted Lord Sam and his lady companion Lady Meiying Yoon."

Not needing to hear more, Arya followed her. Immediately, she felt terrified at what Jon's death led to. With the dragon rider gone, every one of us is in danger. Oh, no!

Immediately, upon entering one of the hallways, Arya saw Yujin kicking Sam while two of his guards were holding Meiying back.

"Your dragon boy is dead," Yujin sneered at Sam while he remained on the ground. "You have no one to protect you from me." He then turned to Meiying. "It's been a while, my lady. I still haven't forgotten that your father turned down my offer for your hand even though I am a prince, since he called him a 'son of a lowly dancer.'"

"I will never marry you, even if you have all of the riches and power in the world," Meiying spit at him.

"If that's the way you want to go about it," Yujin turned to his guards. "Hold her back. I'll show her how a real prince expresses love to a lady."

As soon as he started to unbuckle his pants and Meiying started to scream, Arya ran towards them and drew her blades. "Unhand her, you son of a bitch!"

Yujin groaned in annoyance. "You again. Step back, if you know what's best for you."

"You heard her," Sam managed while spitting blood out of his mouth. "Get your hands off of her."

"And what are you going to do to us, fat man?" one of the guards mocked him.

But Sam, determined to save his lady, bit hard on his leg, causing him to scream in pain. Seeing her opening, Arya ran towards and ran through the guard with her sword while Yujin kicked her. As Yujin charged her, the other guard tried to help, only for Sam to grab his ankle and trip him. He then heaved himself on him and bit hard on his head.

Arya managed to hold her own against Yujin, as she parried many of his punches and kicks. But when she attempted to swipe at his legs, Yujin jumped kicked her hard in the face. Lying on her back, the prince walked over to her while unsheathing his sword.

"Stupid girl," Yujin scoffed. "Say hello to your brother in the afterlife." However, Ghost appeared before he could make the killing blow, growling at him in warning. Yujin merely groaned. "Great. The white pet. I wonder how well you'll look as my coat."

"Will an iron ball look good on you?" Gendry made himself known, as he aimed a tanegashima at his head.

"Ridiculous. A captain daring to shoot a prince?"

But Gendry proved he was serious by shooting at the wall near his head, causing wood pieces to hit his face while drawing a handheld one. "You want to try me more? Get off of Arya."

Knowing that there was no way that he could do what he wanted without really getting hurt, he pulled up the guard that was still alive. "I'll be seeing you all again!" he shouted as they ran away.

While Meiying tended to Sam, Gendry helped Arya back up, who was still dazed from the kick. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah. Thanks," Arya smiled and kissed his cheek in thanks, causing Gendry to blush. She then turned to Ghost, scratching his head. "Thanks, boy." She went towards Sam. "You all right?"

"All things considered," Sam rubbed his head while Meiying wiped away the blood. "I didn't know that he was trying to obtain your hand."

"One of the few things that I appreciate my father for not doing," she answered him. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."

As they all limped back to the palace, Arya could only think of what they could do protect themselves. Jon, why did you have to leave us here all alone? Everyone wants to kill us now.


Benjen walked through the hallways of the War Ministry, angry and shaking with grief at the news of his nephew's death. Everyone dipped their heads in respect to him, as he was now a captain-general and was due for another appointment under Minister Zong. But all of that meant nothing with his nephew a corpse.

Barging into Minister Zong's quarters, where he also found Lord Joon with him, Benjen walked up to them. "You have something to say to me, Captain-General Benjen Stark?" Minister Zong asked rhetorically.

"My nephew was murdered. You expect me to walk calmly in here after my family was harmed?"

"Lord Stark, please sit down," Lord Joon gestured to him.

"I don't want to," Benjen shook his head.

But Lord Joon stood up. "I am ordering you to sit down. I am sorry for Prince Daeron's death, but the situation has become more complicated with that happening. I am here to discuss what options are available, so your input would be very valuable."

Already, they're busy, Benjen thought. Sitting down, he turned to Lord Joon. "You with Minister Zong?"

"No," Lord Joon shook his head. "But for now, his interests and mine are the same. Prince Daeron might have shaken things up at court, but with him gone, there's now a gap that cannot be filled. What's more, many are nervous at the dragon that is now without a rider."

Of course. "And what have you come up with?"

"After doing some investigation into the matter, this situation is much bigger than anyone has anticipated," Minister Zong divulged, who then explained that Wah was connected to Yuejo Chin, the merchant contact for the Prime Minister.

"Well, let's arrest him," Benjen suggested.

"And provoke the Prime Minister?" Joon's eyes widened. "If we try to move in on Yuejo Chin, the Prime Minister will not stand by idly. He'll react with force and the merchants will bring terror upon the empire."

"So we just sit by and do nothing?" Benjen was angered at that notion.

"No," the minister answered. "It's all about timing and we have this knowledge. Now, we have to wait until the right moment to strike."

"And when would be this right moment?" Benjen was losing his patience.

"It is a known fact that Prince Yujin had connections with the underworld controlled by Wah," the minister explained. "We have to find some way to exploit this, or rather, the Princess will find a way."

Benjen scoffed at the mention of Yujin. "I am so fucking tired of all this roundaboutness."

"Lord Stark, mind your words," Lord Joon scolded him. "And the world was never simple. You are just witnessing how the things that really affect the lives of millions are done. But I too am curious as to how the Princess will drag Prince Yujin into this."

"The emperor and Prince Kaijin were very disheartened by Prince Daeron's death. And the fact that Yujin was connected with the people who killed him, coupled with his strained relationship with the imperial family, should make things very complicated. If we could drag both Yujin and the Prime Minister into this, all our problems will be solved."

Benjen rubbed his forehead at the minister's stratagem, or rather the Princess'. Why, Jon? Why did you get involved with her?

"For the moment, Lord Stark, stand aside and wait for our commands. Your nephew will be avenged," Minister Zong promised.

Frustrated at everything that happened and saddened by Jon's death, he allowed himself to be bedded by Mingyu, who he brought with him to Yin. As they lay together and she rode him hard, Benjen could only pray to the heavens and beg Lyanna, Forgive me, sister. I failed you.

Although the burden was on Ned in the beginning, Benjen assumed it when he came with Jon to the east. And now… the last of his sister was gone and he wasn't there to protect him. The old gods damn me! he cursed himself. He lost his mother, his father, his two brothers, and now both his sister and what was left of her. He truly was the last of the old brood of the direwolves.

The despair he felt couldn't be drowned by how good the sex was with Mingyu, who could tell that he was distracted. After they were exhausted, Mingyu whispered in his ear, "What troubles you? I know you're better at this."

"It's my nephew," Mingyu was surprised. "He's dead, and I couldn't protect him."

She wiped away the tears in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, and I don't know what I have to say next will be better for you, but I understand your pain."

"What would you know?" Benjen asked bitterly.

Mingyu put her head on his shoulder. "Years ago, I saw something that I shouldn't have seen and I realized that if I had revealed what I witnessed to others, not only would I have died, but the ones I cared about would suffer too. So, I kept my mouth shut."

Benjen was stunned that she opened up to him. "What happened?"

"One of my friends, who was like a sister to me, I told her what I saw. But then, someone tried to kill us both and I was able to escape. But my friend didn't."

Benjen was sympathetic to her past. "I'm so sorry, Mingyu."

"It's all right. And that's when I realized that the truth would not be enough and truth by itself did not save my friend from death. Against powerful people, it's useless."

Benjen became very curious. "And who was this powerful person that you shouldn't have seen."

Mingyu laid her head back down and started to drift to sleep. "Someone who holds ultimate power in the empire."

Benjen was frustrated that she gave such a cryptic answer before falling into sleep. But that by itself was frightening, as the woman who laid beside him was practically a fugitive, meaning that his situation had become even more difficult.

He could not sleep that night, not with everything that had happened. Lyanna, if you are up there, please, tell me what to do. Why did this happen?


Daenerys moved on horseback with Seong Kitara at the front and Hoon Ti next to her. Behind them were twenty men from Kushiro's personal guard and above them was Drogon, who Daenerys told to remain flying and not come down until she told him to.

Is that wise? Drogon was skeptical of her choice.

I don't know what kind of countermeasures that they might have, but everything I've seen so far indicates that we're in the middle of an advanced civilization, the likes of which were not seen since the Doom. There are too many unknown factors and therefore many risks. I'd rather not put you in harm's way, Daenerys answered.

Understood. Should anything go wrong, I'll fly down to you.

I'll count on that.

Daenerys felt as if her heart was ripped out when she sensed Daeron's death. She screamed into the night and Seong and Hoon were at a loss on why she was doing so in the first place.

"Daeron's dead," Daenerys sobbed. "I felt it."

"How?" Seong asked.

"You wouldn't understand, since I've seen him through the flames."

Seong and Hoon glanced at each other, shocked about her words and worried about the implications of Daeron's death.

"I'll send a letter to my father to confirm what you just said. If your words are true, then we can decide what to do."

A few days, Lord Joon responded and indeed said that Daeron was dead, stabbed in the heart by a leader in the criminal underworld. He learned from Arya Stark, Daeron's adoptive sister, that he was lured into a trap and was merely as a tool in a power play among different gang leaders. However, all of the capital was in an uproar, as each faction blamed each other for killing the dragon rider. And fear was high, as no one knew what to do about Meleys as she simply rested atop the roof of his palace.

As for Daenerys, all she could think about was getting retribution for Daeron's killers. They took my heart out and they took away my one chance at being happy. I'm going to kill every last one who gained something from his death, she swore to herself.

"I am going to fly south to the capital," Daenerys then tried to walk to Drogon and mount him. But Seong and Hoon blocked her.

"I can't allow you to do that," Seong shook his head.

"Step aside. You don't want to get in the way of the dragon," Daenerys threatened.

"If you show up in the capital, they will try to kill you," Hoon said.

Daenerys blinked. "What do you mean?"

Seong cleared his throat. "We got reports that fifty Yi-Tish merchanters were burned by your armies in the Slaver's Bay, your troops acting on rumors that they were supplying weapons and that you sunk them without provocation."

Daenerys gasped. "What?"

"Regardless of what actually happened, you will not be welcomed in court," Hoon told her. "If you show up, they will arrest you."

Hesitant for a moment, Daenerys shook off their concerns. "What can they do against a dragon? I will burn anyone who tries to put me in chains."

"I know you can, but that will only make things worse," Seong made clear. "Plus, Daeron has his own people in Yin and they will suffer for being associated with Targaryens. You will disregard their safety for your need for revenge?"

Daenerys had no answer to that. "Then what do you suggest? I'm not going to let whoever benefitted from Daeron's death roam free."

"And neither will we and my father," Seong answered. "But let's do this clandestinely. We'll travel southwards using the roads, first to Asabhad and then to Yin. From there, we'll meet up with my father and we'll strategize."

"Lord Joon knows his way around the court, so he'll know what to do," Hoon added. "Please, trust us."

Daenerys looked at the young Kitara and her blind teacher, who already taught her much regarding the art of unarmed combat. They both treated her with decency, even though the latter was quite harsh. And given what she had heard about Lord Joon, this was someone that she really needed at the moment.

"When can we leave?"

"Give me a few days and the arrangements will be made," Seong said.

The party ventured for the next few weeks southwards towards the main road that connected Qarth and Asabhad, with Daenerys realizing that this was the closest she had been in years to the city where the full power of her dragons was just being realized. The place where I really felt hope again.

But Asabhad was very different from Qarth, Meereen, Yunkai, and Pentos in many different areas. Different, but not better. The westernmost port city of the Golden Empire was truly a city of commerce, as she recognized many different types of accents and peoples from all over the world congregated in this one packed space. Traders from the Free Cities, Westeros, and the Bone Mountains. However, they had to be cautious if what happened in the Slaver's Bay was true. So, Daenerys wore a hood over her hair and face.

They all arrived at a tavern Hoon was familiar with, where they would spend the night before moving onto the road that led to Yin. It was here that Dany got her first real taste of Yi-Tish food, a bowl of noodles and steamed meat buns. She was not familiar with the hashi, so Seong told her to just eat the buns. They were quite filling, with grounded beef and pork, and they warmed her insides.

"Forgive me asking this, Your Majesty," Seong swallowed some noodles. "But what was it like to begin freeing the slaves?"

Daenerys was brought back to when she met Missandei and burned Yunkai while obtaining the Unsullied. "It was… I can't really describe it, since the feeling you get from allowing many a chance to carve their own path through life is something that words will fall short of. But when I remember my own moments where I had no freedom, to see others have the freedom that I didn't have brought me much satisfaction, since I could somehow see myself in the slaves that I freed."

"But do be careful about letting your achievements cloud your judgement," Hoon warned her. "Too many times has there be many rulers who achieved much and then got complacent because of the weight of their deeds. The greatest thing that you can have is someone or something to always challenge you, as they will continually make sure that you always strive for excellence. The only way that you truly have rest is when you're dead, and until then, you have work to do."

Daenerys just listened to what Hoon Ti said, since he saw more of the world than she did and was a blind man who survived countless times. If a blind man can be where he is, nothing is impossible.

They all retired for the night, with Daenerys falling asleep in the crammed room. But considering that they wouldn't stay there for long, she didn't mind.

As she fell asleep, her mind drifted to a place she had long imagined: the Red Keep. Targaryen banners were fluttering in the wind and everyone cheered as she moved through the streets of the city laid down by her ancestors. Upon entering the yard of the Red Keep, she saw Daeron waiting for her there. But Daeron looked slightly older, beard trimmed and hair loose, and around his head was the crown of Aegon the Conqueror. He was wielding Valyrian steel bastard sword with a white wolf's head, which combined made him into the most handsome and deadliest man she had seen.

But next to Daeron was the Dornishwoman that she saw in her dreams, the one who said that she was of the blood of the dragon. She was wearing dragon-scaled armor that was tight around her slim frame, the simple gold band crown of Aegon the Third of His Name and Viserys the Second of His Name, and held a Dornish spear in her hand.

She looked at herself and saw that she was also armored, also with dragon scales, but her eyes widened as she saw Dark Sister tied to her waist, the legendary sword of Visenya Targaryen.

She didn't know if this reflected her desires, but she couldn't deny that Daeron and the Dornishwoman never looked more attractive than they did now.

"My love, our love, our queen," Daeron said to her.

"Welcome home," the Dornishwoman smiled at her.

"My love, my king," Daenerys grinned at Daeron before looking at the Dornishwoman. "Are you Rhaenys? Is that who you are?"

"I thought you knew," Rhaenys nodded.

"But I thought you were dead. How?" Daenerys asked the both of them.

"I am but a survivor thanks to someone who took my place," Rhaenys answered.

"And I don't know where I am now. It seems as if my soul is stuck in the middle," Daeron told her.

But before she got more answers, she felt the dream collapsing. "Please come back, Daeron!"

She wakened, her breathing heavy, as the door knocked frantically. "Who is it?"

"Your Majesty, trouble!" Seong yelled through the door. "We're surrounded."

Daenerys jumped out of bed, opened the door, and found Hoon Ti and Seong peeking through the open windows. Also looking through, she saw hundreds of soldiers surrounding their tavern.

"This is Captain Chen of the Southwest Imperial Army!" someone shouted at them in the common tongue. "We have you surrounded, and we know that Daenerys Targaryen is in there. Surrender her and yourselves, and you will not be harmed."

"From what I can count, that's an entire battalion out there," Seong was very scared. "How did they know were were here?"

"The tavern owner is gone," Hoon noted. "He must've sold us out and informed the captain-general."

"There's no way that we could fight our way through this, unless your dragon comes and burns them."

Daenerys shook her head. "Absolutely not! I might kill them all, but they're too close to the other houses. Others will be harmed."

"So what do you suggest we do?"

Daenerys should've known that going south to Daeron was never going to be easy, but she also knew that fighting her way through would only cause more problems and she didn't need more of that. There was only one option she could take.

"Should we surrender?"

"What? Are you crazy?" Seong was aghast.

"It's not as crazy as you think. If there is a justice system here, they'll just chain me up and put me in prison. Since I am blamed for killing Yi-Tish merchants and considering my status as a queen, they're not just going to try me in any trial. They'll have to take me to the capital and thus close to whoever can help us."

"She's right. There's no way out but fighting, and that will not end well for us," Hoon agreed.

Seong was still not convinced. "I assure you, Lord Seong. My dragon will not let any of us die. Let's use the system in place here to our advantage."

Seong sighed but he nodded in agreement. He took out a white flag and said, "Stay behind me." They all walked outside, where bows and sticks of metal and wood were aimed at them. "I am Seong Kitara, son of Lord Joon Kitara. I demand to be treated as befitting of someone from a lordly family."

An older man, presumably Captain Chen, walked up to them with a few of his officers. "Is that Daenerys Targaryen behind you?" he asked in the common tongue.

"I am," she affirmed.

Captain Chen gestured to his soldiers to put them all in chains. "What are you doing? I am the son of Lord Joon Kitara," Seong struggled against the chains being put on his wrists while Hoon gave no resistance.

"Seong Kitara and Hoon Ti, you're both under arrest for aiding and abetting an enemy of the empire. You will be taken to the capital to be tried for treason. Take them away!" The soldiers complied while Captain Chen walked nearer to Daenerys. "Greetings, Your Majesty. It is my most solemn duty to place you under arrest for murder and violating neutrality. Please don't resist, for you will also be taken to the capital."

"I won't," Daenerys promised as she was led away, surrounded by armed men.

Will you be all right? Drogon asked her.

Yes, I will be. Trust me. The prospect of going to the capital filled with nothing but pleasure, for she will take revenge on those that killed Daeron. You will be avenged, and nothing in this world will stop me until everyone that killed you is dead.


Sandor sat across his attending physician, who agreed to meet him at an open-air teahouse. This would be the last of her checkups, as she was largely satisfied with how he progressed from his addict phase and thus no longer needed to be treated like a patient.

But the hard thing about Sandor when it came to this woman was that she was digging into his mind. She told him, "Part of ensuring that you don't fall back on old habits is to examine the root of the problem. Whether it be drink or yapian, many become involved in vices because they don't know any other way to deal with whatever problem they have in their life. And addiction is merely a symptom of a much larger problem."

Sandor was naturally hesitant about sharing his personal struggles with someone he barely knew, but little by little and due to her encouragement, he revealed all of the difficulties in his life.

After paying for their tea, which she said could be listed on her expense report to the palace, she went straight to it. "If you saw your brother again, would you kill him?"

Sandor sighed. "I would, yes. It's because of that fuck that I got scarred in the first place."

"All right. But the damage has been done to your face. What other purpose would killing your brother serve?"

Sandor swallowed. "I get my vengeance."

"But what happens afterwards?"

Sandor didn't think that far. "I… might live out my days just wandering about."

"And won't that be a waste then?" she asked. "You getting your revenge and having no purpose in your life?"

"I don't know anything else but fighting and killing, so I don't know how much more useful I can be," Sandor pointed out.

"But instead of killing for killing's sake, have you ever thought about using your experience for a purpose larger than yourself?"

Sandor scoffed. "Lots of horrible shit in this world gets done for something larger than ourselves."

"And you're looking at it from only one side, which is understandable considering that you never experienced love from your own father."

Sandor froze. "Don't mention him."

"There are truly good people in this world, and good things happen all the time," she continued. "You just haven't opened your eyes to the many other possibilities that can happen."

Sandor exhaled heavily. "Before he died, Daeron Targaryen told me that I could find a place among the demon hunters in Mossovy far up north. He also told me that the Guardian of the Five Forts will pay me handsomely for every demon I kill."

"Well, that's a start," she smiled. "The world would be the better with less monsters in it. Your killing skills would be put to great use killing actual demons, and the gods know how useful that can be."

Sandor sipped his tea before the question he had to ask came to him. "May I write you?"

She was surprised. "Write me?"

"I'm no longer your patient and this won't violate any ethics that you have. As I will be going north, I won't be able to see you very often. I really enjoyed our conversations and I don't wish for them to end."

She thought about it, making Sandor feel nervous about a woman for the first time. Brienne of fucking Tarth doesn't count, since she kicked me off the edge. "All right. Just send your letters to my building and I will reply as soon as I get them." But Sandor was expecting her to say no, as he expected her to be repulsed. "Ah, not the kind of response you thought in your mind?"

Sandor was surprised. She's sharp. "Yes."

"I personally like how frank you were with me, and you never asked me any questions about myself. You've got a dark past and only those who experienced that can understand."

Sandor blinked. "What do you mean you have a dark past?"

"Let's just say that I don't flaunt myself because if I do, someone might come after me," she revealed.

Sandor had the good sense not to ask further, but he was glad nonetheless that she accepted his request. "I will see you again, right?"

"Of course," she answered before they clinked their cups.

Later, Sandor was on the road again. But instead of running without a purpose, he was moving towards another chapter in his life.


Theon struggled to hide amongst the trees of the wolfswood, even though he spent much of his youth hunting and travelling in the woods of House Stark. That was what they would always be to him, despite his treachery against the North and the change in ownership to House Bolton.

"Are you all right?" Jeyne Poole, alternately Arya Stark, asked with concern as he rested his hand on a tree bark and caught his breath.

"Just give me one moment," Theon told her. His tribulations caused by the monster Ramsay had taken a toll on his physical health and he was not the same man that he was before. Gone was the one who could pride himself in pleasing many women in Winter Town's brothel and who could boast about being a good archer. He was now a man who would forever carry the scars of a sadist and would now have to spend the rest of his life figuring out who he was beyond the son of Balon Greyjoy, the hostage of Winterfell, and the slave of Ramsay.

"Do you want me to change the bandage?" Jeyne offered.

"Please," Theon knew that they needed to continue moving, but his head was feeling an itch and he needed to change the wrappings that wrapped around where his eye was.

After Myranda and Violet set themselves on Theon, Ramsay came in and took out his right eye, saying, "You've got eyes that can fool you. Let's see how well you can be deceived without one of them." Theon had to wear an eyepatch, which had greatly affected him since he imagined the women who he once tumbled with rejecting him for how disgusting he looked. To add more insult to the injury, he had to offer "Arya" to Ramsay and watched as he roughly bedded her.

However, fortune had come to both Theon and Jeyne, as northern houses such as the Mormonts, the Manderlys, the Reeds, the Flints of Widow's Watch, the Hornwoods, the Cerwyns, and the northern mountain clans had either declared neutrality or actively resisted the Bolton rule, making their administration very difficult. It only got worse once the wildlings breached the Wall, with both Last Hearth and then Karhold falling to them. Roose Bolton had his own personal bannermen, the Umbers, the Karstarks, the Glovers, and the Dustins to rely on, but they were geographically surrounded and with the war against Stannis still raging, Tywin Lannister could not send an adequate army to march north. And even if he could, the crannogmen were strongly against the Boltons and history warned against those who tried to force their way through the Neck.

Tensions had never been higher inside Winterfell, as Roose Bolton and Ramsay openly quarreled with each other over who was to blame for their predicament, and Lords Umber and Karstark were very displeased at the apparent lack of willpower in both regarding efforts to retake their castles. Everyone was in fear of what might happen next, as their supposed Wardens were clearly not up to the task and many of the household were beginning to look at the days of Eddard and Catelyn Stark with melancholy.

With the tensions and the deteriorating situation, Theon decided that he couldn't wait any longer. Everyone could see that the ship is sinking, so I have to get off before I drown with it. But even though he knew that Jeyne wasn't Arya, he wasn't about to leave Sansa's friend to more suffering.

Finding his courage again, Theon asked one of the farriers to strike Ramsay in the face so that he and Jeyne could have an opening. The farrier believed that Jeyne was Arya and having grown to resent Ramsay's abuses, he put aside his hatred for Theon and did what was asked of him. As the gate was still closed due to the threat from the outside, Theon and Jeyne had no choice but to jump from the battlements.

"Stay close to me. Don't leave me," Jeyne pleaded even though she was very scared at the thought of leaping from the wall into the snow below.

Thinking upon his betrayal of House Stark and how he failed them when they needed him, Theon could only say, "Always."

Miraculously, they survived the jump, although both got a limp from how harder the snow was. While the farrier struck Ramsay and thus distracted the guards, the coming of night also worked to their advantage and they disappeared into the wolfswood.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, Theon began to think of what they could do. They could try to venture through the forest, but they would have to avoid Deepwood Motte, as the Glovers hated the wildlings and would thus turn them back to Winterfell if they were caught. And they couldn't go east, as everything up to the Dreadfort was a Bolton stronghold. South was out of the question, as they would easily be caught since the Boltons would expect that.

And so, their only hope was to find some way to reach either the western shore at the Sea Dragon Point and sail towards Bear Island or move further north towards the domain of the northern mountain clans, both of which would accept a Stark, even a disguised one.

"The lands of the mountain clans are too dangerous, especially with the wildlings south of the wall," Jeyne said.

"But the Mormonts will definitely kill me, both for being a traitor and for being an ironborn," Theon reasoned. "Plus, I don't know if we can find a boat that will take us to Bear Island."

"But Bear Island is an island and if we can get there, we'll be out of the Boltons' reach," Jeyne countered. "Plus, you're an ironborn. You should know how to make a boat."

"It's not as simple as finding a log, making it hollow, and saying it could float. We'll have to steal one, and even that in itself is risky," Theon responded.

"But if we try to make for the northern mountain clans, we'll have to pass by Deepwood Motte and they'll just hand us back to the Boltons," Jeyne was really afraid of that, after all that Ramsay had done to her. "If that happens, I will cut my wrists before I let that monster have his way with me again."

"And I will hold the knife," Theon offered. "But let's hope that it doesn't come to that."

They couldn't risk preparing a fire, as the Bolton trackers would spot them. Theon remembered what he learned from hunting but because they didn't have any weapons on them, they couldn't risk going after the big game. So, Theon and Jeyne were forced to subsist on raw rabbits, and they puked most of the time. When they did, they made sure to bury them so as to not create signs for the Bolton hunters.

However, weeks went by as they received little fresh food. The snow was their only source of water, but they had to wait for it to be melted down before drinking it, and even that wasn't enough. Both Theon and Jeyne gradually became weaker and more sluggish as they ventured deeper into the woods.

Finally, they reached a point where the both of them couldn't tell where they were going. They were at a loss of where they even were, as the trees looked the same as the last. Especially for Theon, the vision in his remaining good eye was getting cloudier, as he became more disoriented. He then tripped on a stone, but he couldn't get up since he didn't have the strength left in his arms to pick himself up. He looked over to his side and saw Jeyne also on the ground, her breathing turning into wheezing as she too was becoming weaker.

Theon stared up at the sky, looking up at the last piece of blue he would see before he would die of starvation and thirst. Before his mind slipped into what would be the waiting arms of death, he prayed to the skies above for the Drowned God and then the Old Gods, "Please forgive me. I would take it all back, if I could."

In the darkness, he remembered all of the memories that he had, the ones from when life was still good. Swimming with his then-alive brothers, seeing the ships burn outside of Pyke during the Rebellion, hunting with Robb and Jon Snow in the wolfswood, the many times he bedded Ros, and finally knowing what it meant to lead on his own, even though that got him captured in the first place. He didn't know where the rest of the Starks were, but he would die with the knowledge that he betrayed them and that he did nothing while Robb died.

He also remembered the moments he had with Asha, the only family that he wanted to keep in his life, as the rest abandoned him or scorned him for spending too many years on the greenlands for a rebellion that they themselves were responsible for. And he didn't see his father in his memories, for he had denied his bond with him and decided that he was no longer his son. If there is one thing that I regret, I wasn't a brother to anyone, not to Asha and not to Robb.

But the darkness turned into light, as the cold turned into warmth. He started to experience feeling in his fingers, then his hands, his arms, and his legs. His left eye started to roll before he opened it. Finding himself in what appeared to be a tent, he looked around and saw that he was covered in furs. Looking inside, he was shocked to see that his clothes were removed and the furs being the only cover for his bare body. Where am I? This has to be the afterlife, for it's so warm here.

"Oh, good. You're awake," came a female voice. Turning his head to find the source, Theon saw what was obviously a wildling woman sitting next to him. She had a round face, crooked white teeth, small hands, and a pug nose, but she had pretty blue-grey eyes and curly bright red hair. From what Theon could make out from her leggings, this woman had legs that were skinny but well-built.

The woman wore layers of fur and wool and leather, a doeskin shirt and a sewn sheepskin helm. Stuffed against her were an axe and bone dagger, while a short curved bow of horn and weirwood lay next to her on the ground, with a quiver filled with arrows with pale grey goose feathers.

If Theon could stand up, he could see that he would tower over her, but considering that she was a wildling, it wouldn't have mattered very much.

"Where am I?" Theon asked.

"You're in our camp," the red-haired woman told him. "You've been asleep for three days."

Theon's thoughts turned to Jeyne. "There was a woman with me-"

"She's all right. She's resting at another tent," the red-haired wildling said. "What's your name?"

Theon gulped, but considering that he was still alive and this woman had a part in it, his name was the least he could offer. "Theon… Greyjoy," he rasped.

"Ygritte," she smiled at him.

Interesting name, Theon thought. But then, with his bare body concealed only with furs, his eyes turned to them.

"I saw everything, so you have nothing to hide from me," Ygritte jabbed at Theon. He couldn't be ashamed, as he showed his body to many other women before. "Although I am interested in how you only have one eye."

Theon winced at the bad memory. "Someone pulled it out."

"And yet, you could still see. Quite something if you ask me," Ygritte then stood up before putting a hand on his cheek. "If you are able, I have some furs that you can wear. Mance Rayder might be interested in what you have to see." And with that, she left the tent, but gave him one last smile.

Theon had seen such smiles before, in Myranda and Violet when they set upon him. Because of them, he would never look at another women's lusty gaze the same way again. Must be careful.

Theon drank the water and dried meat set out for him in the tent and dressed himself in the furs prepared. Exiting the tent, he was disoriented in seeing tens of thousands of wildlings camped out somewhere in the North.

"Finally. I was wondering when you would show," Ygritte surprised him. "Follow me."

As Theon ventured further into the camp, the wildlings glanced at him before going about their business. What was most shocking to him was seeing at least a dozen giants congregated together while helping with setting up more tents.

"Surprised?" Ygritte noticed his reaction to the giants.

"I thought they were extinct," Theon said in amazement.

"Not all, and not yet," Ygritte answered before urging him to continue following her.

Eventually, they came upon a large tent, where Theon saw a large man with red hair, two beautiful women with blonde hair, an old man in a Night's Watch cloak, and a middle-aged man in furs. They were in deep discussion over what seemed to be their continuing advance southwards. Upon Ygritte's entry with Theon, all took notice.

"How is our guest, Ygritte?" the middle-aged man asked.

"Doing very well, considering what he's just been through," Ygritte answered. But upon seeing the Greyjoy, the Night's Watchman tried to charge him, only to be stopped by the red-haired man and Ygritte.

"You treacherous bastard!" the old man spat.

"Jeor," the middle-aged man grabbed his shoulders. "There will be no fighting amongst us right now. We have more important matters to discuss." He then walked to Theon. "I've heard much about what the ironborn were, but I never seen a sadder excuse of a squid than right now."

The others laughed at Theon's expense, which he ignored. "And who might you be?"

"I am Mance Rayder, King Beyond the Wall," Mance introduced himself. "You already met Ygritte and Lord Commander Jeor Mormont." Theon's eyes widened at the leader of the Night's Watch being among the wildlings. "And this is Tormund Giantsbane, my wife Dalla and her sister Val."

"What's the Night's Watch doing helping the wildlings?" Theon asked Jeor.

"Nothing that you won't understand at the moment," Jeor scoffed.

"Now, now, Jeor. We're all fighting the same enemy here, but for now, I believe that Theon has some information for us," Mance stated.

"What information?" Theon was afraid.

"It's obvious that you just came from the south. Ygritte's group found you in the wolfswood, which would mean that you know something about the defenses of Deepwood Motte and Winterfell. Tell us what we need to know, and you'll have a permanent place with us."

Theon was tempted to help the wildlings destroy the Boltons, but he was also very apprehensive. "And why would I do that?"

"I talked with your woman companion," Mance said. "She told me what happened to you and what the Boltons made you endure. Revenge is something that I can understand, and this is your best chance to do so. But of course, if you refuse, I have no problem having you starve. Everyone must earn their keep and you're no exception."

Theon sighed before nodding. There wasn't much he could tell besides the garrison numbers and the condition of the Boltons' defenses, both of which Mance had a good idea of, but it gave him some satisfaction in knowing that he would have a part in hurting his tormentors.

"We'll talk more tomorrow," Mance squeezed his shoulders before Tormund gave him a nod, Jeor a death glance, and Dalla and Val giving him a look of curiosity. Val seemed very interested in Theon, as her look was similar to the one Ygritte gave. Strangely, Ygritte didn't mind and instead seemed to welcome the competition.

"I hear that you were a great archer," Ygritte stated as they left the tent. "Perhaps we have a wager on who's the better shot?"

For the first time in a long time, Theon felt the familiar urge to accept a challenge. However, he needed to be careful. "As you wish."


Robb drew Ice from its wolf skin sheath before turning around and readying himself for the melee against one of Cayn Moss' lieutenants.

"Valyrian steel," he noted as he looked upon the ancestral sword of House Stark. "Let's see if a failed king deserves such a fine blade."

Normally, Robb would say something in response. But he was no longer a boy anymore and he wished to get this duel over with as quickly as possible. I don't have time for this.

As promised, Cayn Moss allowed Robb to meet with the other lieutenants of the Company of the Rose. Jaenyra insisted on watching over their meeting, as she wanted to know more about the men protecting her and the one trying to buy them off of her.

"I know it's been many generations since your families have seen the North," Robb began. "And I am aware that I might not have the standing required to lead you all back there to fight for me. However, someone told me that how I deal with hardships will define who I am as a man and right now, I haven't given up."

"Why are you saying this to us?" a lieutenant asked him.

"I am willing to pay for your service, but gold is only a small portion of the rewards that will await you should you agree to fight for me," Robb offered.

"And what else do you have to offer us?" another lieutenant by the name of Umber narrowed his eyes at Robb. "Land? Our own castles?"

"More than that," Robb answered. "All of you can finally return to where your families were from. It's a hard thing to leave what was once home, and I know what it feels like to not be near the place where I grew up. I can't go back to Winterfell because the enemy holds it, but I will not allow my home to be occupied by those who betrayed my family. I want to go home and even though it's been centuries since you were in the North, I'm sure that you want to go home too. That's the choice I am offering."

"And what do you hope to gain from hiring us? Surely, you don't mean to get your crown back, as you couldn't accomplish that with your own bannermen," Cayn Moss said.

Now that they were asking the question, Robb hadn't thought that far ahead. He didn't intend to become King in the North again, as the war had made it clear that it was not a realistic goal. The northmen had fought well, but they were outnumbered and would be slowly diminished from attrition. And he realized after thinking more on it that the north couldn't survive all on its own. The Seven Kingdoms simply couldn't be undone after three centuries of rule under the Targaryens and Robert Baratheon and every kingdom was dependent on one another. However, he was at a loss on who he could back with the forces that were almost available to him. It took him the entire length of his hiding at Lord Royce's hunting lodge to realize that.

Seeing his confusion, Jaenyra stepped in. "Forgive me for saying this and I am not that familiar with Westeros' politics, but perhaps it's time to consider backing the family that rode dragons."

Cayn Moss and his lieutenants were not very pleased with what she was implying, and so was Robb. "The northmen will never accept a Targaryen as a king. Torrhen Stark's bending the knee and the Mad King's murder of my grandfather and uncle are just a few of the reasons why that will never happen," Robb stated.

"And Torrhen is the reason why we left," Cayn Moss added. "A northmen will never serve a dragon."

"But you will all have to, for the night is dark and full of terrors," an unknown voice was heard. All were surprised when a red priestess and priest strode into their meeting place, the woman being of Yi-Tish origin. Robb remembered seeing her preach to a group of slaves to support Daenerys, but he was still surprised as to why she was there. "History is full of bad blood between men, but all of that is irrelevant against the great evil that's coming."

"The fuck is this?" Cayn Moss exclaimed. "What in gods' names are you talking about?"

"I saw in the flames three heads of the dragon, one head born of sand, one head born from the storm, and one head born from ice," the Yi-Tish red priestess declared. "They all combined together to create a force powerful enough to fight against the great evil that is coming, but they cannot hope to accomplish that alone. They need everyone they can get, and everyone in this room has a part to play."

Cayn and his lieutenants grumbled at the red faith trying to dictate their purpose, while Robb was more skeptical.

"I see that you are still not understanding, but that's all right," she turned her head to Robb. "You, a man who thinks he lost everything, still have much time to fulfill your role in this world and truly be a man born from the ice. Frost that is still collecting is weak, but after a while, it becomes frozen and it takes more than a man's strength to break it. You have past the first stage, and you must enter the second."

Robb's head was hurting from the riddle. "I have no patience for words that are not clear to me, witch." He was about to leave in a huff.

"You've seen the dragon head born from ice before. You grew up with him, and your father kept who he really was hidden from your very gaze," the priestess said. "You know him as your half-brother, but he is the son born from your aunt."

Robb stopped in his tracks, as he realized just who he was talking about. "Jon?"

"That is not his birthname. His name is Daeron Targaryen, named after the Young Dragon."

"Lies!" Robb yelled. "Jon is no Targaryen! He is a Stark!"

"He has both ice and fire in his veins, and he needs both to fight the great evil," the priestess answered.

"And what is this great evil that you so talk about?" Cayn Moss was losing his patience.

"Your ancestors fought against it, as did mine," the priestess replied. "And for many generations did we live in a world of night before the Lightbringer came."

Robb scoffed, instantly knowing exactly what she was saying but he was not believing it. "The White Walkers don't exist anymore."

"I can go on forever to refute that, but that is not the point of why I am here. If you're looking for a ruler to back, I would suggest backing Daenerys Targaryen. She's going to need your help back in the Slaver's Bay."

"Where the tigers are currently fighting her forces."

"Which is why she needs to win there before she can move forward."

"And if Daenerys Targaryen is in the Slaver's Bay…" Robb thought aloud as he tried to remember what the priestess said about the three heads of the dragon.

"She'll be with your cousin, Robb Stark."

Robb had to sit down, as he realized how long he was lied to. No matter what his mother and Sansa did, he always saw Jon as his brother. And he smiled when Jon got Ghost, far from the "runt of the litter" as Theon described him. And to wrestle with the knowledge that his father hid the truth… why did you do that, father?

But he put those thoughts aside, as he realized that if what the priestess was saying was true, and he was a son of Lyanna Stark, that meant that Rhaegar was his father. "Did Rhaegar Targaryen rape Lyanna?"

"I've heard about her, and who she was. Do you really believe that she would not have gone willingly with the dragon prince?" the Yi-Tish red priestess asked rhetorically.

Robb had seen everyone say that Arya was just like his aunt and if that was the case… How did our family become more complicated?

"If what you say is true, then you want us to fight for Daenerys Targaryen?" Cayn Moss asked.

"Yes," the red priestess answered. "And everything that Robb Stark offered to you all will come to pass, and more."

"But before we even consider working for him, a direct descendant of Torrhen Stark, let's see if he'll be worth following," another lieutenant stood up and went near Robb. "I hereby challenge you to melee combat."

"I second that," Cayn Moss also wished to see Robb Stark fight. "Let's see if he is worth the investment. Just like the Company of the Rose doesn't break contracts, our clients must uphold certain standards. We don't need another wimp to take orders from."

Robb couldn't turn down the challenge, as he needed to behave like his own people if he wanted to return home again. And he couldn't be soft, as that was part of the reason why he lost the war. And so, without hesitation, he drew Ice.

Immediately, Cayn Moss and the lieutenants started to wager who would win as Robb and Hallis circled each other. He unsheathed a longsword, made of regular steel, but Hallis was an experienced fighter and thus would not be easy to take down. Without warning, Hallis charged at Robb.

Fortunately, Ice's greater reach allowed Robb to have an initial advantage. They were both northmen by blood and possessed great endurance in matches of strength, but Robb was not about to waste his time when he had little to none of it on his side. Hallis acted like a bull would against another, trying to strike against the former King in the North by using his sword as a hammer. But each time Hallis swung at Robb, he dodged it and allowed the lieutenant to become slowly exhausted, made evident by how he was losing his breath and sweating profusely.

From Robb was seeing, Lieutenant Hallis did not expect a man much younger than himself to put up a good fight, especially one who tried to play king, and thus expected an easy fight. But Robb realized the error in his previous thinking and was not about to repeat them. All of the lessons he learned from Ser Rodrik Cassel were coming back to him, but he was not about to play fairly, as the man before him had years of experience and he was not going to take any unnecessary risks.

Pushing Ice against Hallis' sword, he brought its hilt up and also struck him in the forehead while kneeing him hard in the gut, causing him to fall down and catch his breath. By instinct, Robb dropped Ice, kicked Hallis onto his side, and struck him hard in the face.

Before Robb could lay down more blows, Cayn Moss got between them. "That'll do," he nodded to the former King in the North before helping Hallis back up.

Jaenyra clapped her hands at the spectacle. "Very good, Robb Stark. It seems that you were not crowned king for no reason. But let's hope that you continue to be this good, when you do sail to the Slaver's Bay."

Robb was surprised. "So… you'll help me?"

"As I said, I am against slavery even though I live off of my family's wealth, which came from slaves. And Daenerys Targaryen is a woman in power, so it would be a shame if she lost to men with small egos."

Robb blinked in confusion. "You have a very interesting way of thinking."

"You're not a woman, so you can't imagine how pleased I was to see a woman making small-minded men tremble," Jaenyra then took her leave before inviting them all to dine with her.

Robb turned back to Hallis. "Are you all right?"

"Nice strike there," Hallis rubbed his forehead. "Was wondering when you would start cheating."

"Cheating is a term for boys who think that men will always be honorable," Robb revealed with some bitterness.

"Well said," Cayn Moss grinned. "We'll talk more over dinner, regarding the terms you have for us."

"I look forward to it," Robb answered as the Captain-General of the Company of the Rose and the lieutenants took their leave as well. He then saw the red priestess still watching him. "I would like to know more about what you seen in your flames about my brother. I will accept that he is not my father's son, but that doesn't change my bond with him."

"If only more men thought like you," the red priestess said approvingly. "Perhaps if have time after your dinner and while you are still here in Volantis, you can come by our temple and meet our head priestess, Kinvara. She'll have much to say to you."

"I look forward to it." Even though Robb followed the old gods and was familiar with the Seven, he wanted to know more about the people who were helping him. There are still so many things that I don't know about this world. I guess nothing is so simple after all.

Scratching Grey Wind's head, who licked his hand at his companion's victory, Robb began to ponder the irony of his situation, a Stark about to support a Targaryen. If only my mother knew what he really was, he thought of Jon. But where is Jon, since he can't be at the Wall if what the Red Priestess said was true?


Oberyn opened the letter from Sunspear, which was written in Doran's own hand. Of course, given the times that they were in, Doran written in a certain code that only those of Martell blood would understand, and only those who knew how to decipher it would be able to discern the message. It was particularly useful against Grandmaester Pycelle and especially the worm Qyburn, both of whom had access to ravens and could open each of the messages.

To the normal eye, Doran sent a message that talked about the budding marriage between Trystane and Myrcella, which was distasteful to Oberyn considering that a girl of Lannister and Baratheon blood was near their home. Doran always wanted to be near the throne and Oberyn couldn't blame him for having such ambitions, but he was negotiating with the very people that killed Elia and the ones who humiliated their family.

Underlining each of the words that stood out, Oberyn was able to piece together the message:

"Dearest brother,

As of this letter, twenty thousand Dornish spears will pass through the Boneway and into the stormlands to fight against Stannis Baratheon. Every one of them will be paid with Lannister gold and we shall eliminate one obstacle against the advancement of our house.

But this is all a smokescreen, as I intend to bleed the Lannisters dry and the Dornish spears I've sent will not be used solely against Stannis. Once they're in position, they will form the core of our force that will march on King's Landing in support of our nephew, Aegon the Sixth of His Name.

Yes, brother. I have received word that our dear nephew and niece from Elia's womb are in fact alive and they shall be our next king and queen. Together, they will form the bulwark against the pretender Daenerys Targaryen and the bastard Jon Snow, who claims himself as Daeron Targaryen, the Third of His Name.

At the moment, please keep me updated on the happenings of the Red Keep. We must be vigilant, for the survival and elevation of our house depends on it.

Doran."

Setting down the letter, Oberyn looked up to the ceiling and sighed. He very much wanted to tell the truth to everyone, but he had the good sense to understand that it wouldn't do much good at this point. Will it?

He felt a pair of hands slide down his chest and a kiss on his ear. "What's the matter, my love?" Oberyn heard Ellaria whisper.

He smiled at her touch and concern. "Got a letter from Doran. You're not going to believe this," he handed her the full message, which Ellaria read quickly.

She gasped. "Is it true?"

"I don't know," Oberyn admitted. "And that's what's frightening. But I know that he's wrong about this Daeron."

Oberyn told her what really happened during the Rebellion, a truth that had to remain hidden, so she knew what he was talking about. "But my love, you can't just take this to your grave. Someday, you'll have to tell someone."

"And I will, but the timing is not right at the moment," Oberyn answered. "And I don't want to say any details in here, especially since Qyburn and Pycelle certainly have their rats scampering about."

Ellaria nodded in understanding. "I sometimes wish I was back in Hellholt, where life was simpler there. But simplicity means boring, and that wasn't why I decided to be with you and give birth to your daughters."

Oberyn laughed as he kissed her again, and they would have bedded each other again had it not been a sudden thought that came to his mind. "That reminds me. When are we to move out and meet Lord Yronwood?" As the member for Dorne on the small council, he made to make sure that the Dornish spears were in good order as they marched on Blackhaven.

"We can leave in a week. I honestly am glad to be leaving this city, as I have to look over my shoulder every time I tumble with the whores in Flea's Bottom," Ellaria clearly enjoyed that, but she was very annoyed that someone dared to watch her.

"There will probably be more whores to enjoy as we move south. And while there, I might have to make a visit to Doran, see what his plan is."

"No rush," Ellara kissed him again before grabbing the letter and burning it. The paramour of the Red Viper knew exactly how to conduct herself in the snake pit that was the Red Keep, and it made Oberyn feel blessed at having this woman in his life. I don't have to tell her what to do and she doesn't need me to lean on, but she wants to be with me.

Oberyn passed by the training yard of the Red Keep, where his daughters Obarra, Nymeria, Tyene, and Elia, the Sand Snakes who knew how to fight were training. Many of the guards and knights were scandalized at seeing women fighting with weapons, but Oberyn and his family knew that they looked down on them at their own peril. As much as he wanted to hug them all, he had more important business to discuss that morning. What am I doing? Why am I acting more like Doran every day?

Coming to where Margaery Tyrell and Olenna had sat in the gardens of the Red Keep, he cleared his throat. Both turned around and he kissed their hands in greeting. "Thank you very much for meeting us, Prince Oberyn," Margaery smiled.

"No problem. It's not every day that one gets a private meeting with the true rose of Highgarden," Oberyn said courteously while also giving her a suggestive grin.

But Olenna was not patient with his antics. "Oh, stop that, Prince Oberyn. We didn't invite you here so that you could eye-fuck my granddaughter." The thorn of Highgarden gestured them all to sit down. "What's your brother's goal, Prince Oberyn?"

"I'm… not quite sure what you are referring to," Oberyn was cautious.

"We have received word that Prince Quentyn is in Tollos, with the ones they are calling Aegon and Rhaenys Targaryen along with Lord Jon Connington and the Golden Company," Margaery revealed. "We also have word on the Volantene movements against Daenerys Targaryen in the Slaver's Bay."

Oberyn crossed his arms. "Why do you ask me? My brother does many things that I am not privy to."

"We know that Prince Doran could've funded the Dornish spears marching against Stannis by himself, but why ask Tywin to fund them?" Olenna thought aloud. "Is it because he wants to bleed the Lannisters dry and weaken Stannis at the same time while also allowing the path to be cleared for Aegon to come?"

Oberyn had to be reminded that Olenna Tyrell wasn't called a thorn for nothing. "That's a pretty far-fetched conclusion that you have, my lady."

"But not exactly far-fetched, considering that Elia was raped and murdered by the Mountain, who still lives, and that the situation is becoming more tenuous with Daenerys and the one called Daeron running about. I'm guessing that they want to eliminate Daenerys first before moving onto Westeros, but I'm not sure how they might deal with the one they named after the Young Dragon," Margaery added.

"Your Grace, you're assuming that I know my brother's plans, when in fact, he keeps a distance from me because of my impulsive tendencies. I haven't properly settled down and the only reason why he agreed to me being here was because he felt burdened by my presence in Sunspear. You're assuming a close relationship between us when that is far from the truth," Oberyn had to keep up a façade, but he wasn't completely lying.

"My, my. Didn't know that you'll be worked up by us talking about him," Olenna was surprised. "Which reminds me. When we mentioned Daeron the first time, you were quite calm. Considering that Rhaegar abandoned your sister for the Stark girl, I would have assumed you having more of an explosive reaction to the whole situation."

Oberyn sighed, fighting the temptation to reveal the truth. "What happened to my sister was something that should have never happened, but I wish to move on from it. Would you be asking those questions if you knew what it was like to have your family be so brutalized?"

Margaery and Olenna glanced at each other. "Thank you for your time, Prince Oberyn."

Oberyn moved out of the gardens, but he failed to see the able women of House Tyrell eyeing him with more suspicion than ever. As he walked away, he began to remember the time Elia went northwards in secret, contrary to what he said about trying to move on.

"Are you crazy? Do you know what this would do?" Oberyn was shocked that Elia would do such a thing.

"In the time that I met Lyanna, I realized how happy she made Rhaegar. And because he was happy, he became a better lover to me and a better father to both Rhae and Egg," Elia revealed to him.

But Oberyn sensed more. "You feel something for this Stark girl, don't you?" Elia blushed, causing him to laugh in amusement. "If only I knew earlier… I can't say I blame you, since the ones I tumble with are men also. But if you do this, Robert Baratheon and the Mad King will not let this go."

"I am in love with Rhaegar again, and Lyanna is making my life worth living. I am not going to let the best thing that has happened to the both of us just slip away."

Oberyn nodded, not going to deny his sister the chance at renewed happiness. "What do you want me to do?"

"Lie to Doran and say that I had to see someone I met from the tourney. He's not going to ask many questions since he's all the way in Sunspear."

"All right," Oberyn granted her request, causing Elia to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you, brother. We'll see each other again."

Oberyn knew that Elia was in love with Lyanna as much as she was in love with Rhaegar again, and it was he who suggested that they spend some time enjoying their new marriage at the tower of joy while making sure that everything was under wraps while also watching over Rhaenys, who visiting her father and mothers.

But one thing led to another and the Rebellion saw Rhaegar die on the Trident and both Elia and Lyanna dying. Oberyn knew that Lyanna was pregnant, but there was a limit to how much he could lie to Doran and thus turned a blind eye when Ned led his party to the tower of joy. It pained him to have Lyanna's child be left to the mercy of the elements, but Doran would see right through him and to say nothing was better than to deceive.

But Oberyn knew that he was going to be damned to the Seven Hells because he didn't do enough. I could've got them all out, but I was too afraid of Doran to do anything. And that was the burden that he would have to carry.

But the prospect of Rhaenys alive and Daeron being the child of Lyanna brought hope for his redemption, and Oberyn wasn't going to hesitate when the chance offered itself. Please, Elia. Let me make this right. Please speak to my heart when the time comes, he tried to reach out to his sister.


Jon found himself in the midst of a forest of weirwoods. He said to himself, "Is this what the afterlife looks like?" But through the forest, he could see a lake at the other side. Curious, he ran through the weirwoods, each of their faces staring at him like the one at Winterfell.

Upon reaching the shore of the lake, he saw a man sitting upon a boulder, enjoying the calmness of the lake in front of him. Walking closer to him, he recognized the unmistakable form of Ned Stark. Sensing his presence, the one who was a father to him turned around and saw Jon. "Hello, Jon."

Without hesitation, Jon ran up to the man who raised him and hugged him tightly. "Is it really you?" he was near crying.

"Aye, it's me," Ned held back his own tears.

They spent a few moments in each other's embrace, Jon in grief that the last moment he saw Ned was when he promised to tell him about his mother before he went off to the Wall. He couldn't hold back anymore, and Jon was now letting his tears flow. Being the older man, Ned also struggled to not sob.

"I should have protected you. I should have gone with you," Jon said against his chest.

"No, no. You wouldn't have done any good if you came with me," Ned shook his head. "Everything happens for a reason, and I long accepted that my death would be the one thing that will propel you all to where you need to be. You came east and you've learned how to live on your own amongst those that wish to do you harm. I should have learned how to do that before I condemned my children to miser."

"But that still wasn't enough," Jon answered bitterly. "I still died."

"Yes, but you are not done yet," Ned shook his head.

"What do you mean?"

"It means that you are not meant to be here for many more years," Jon heard a woman's voice call to him. Turning around, Jon blinked as if to check if his eyes were deceiving.

Before him stood a woman that he had only seen the likeness of in the crypts of Winterfell. The one they called that they called the wolf maid, the one that was crowned the queen of love and beauty at Harrenhal. She had the classic northern beauty. Wild and fierce, passionate and loving, the physical manifestation of the North. Wearing a dark blue dress, she reminded Jon of what Arya would be like in a decade or two.

But next to her hands, clasped together in a show of affection, was a silver-haired man. The man was tall, hair cropped to above his shoulders, where were broad, and taller than the woman by a head. Clad in a knight's tunic and breeches, he also looked like a man whose smile would make any maiden blush and who commanded an air of intelligence and culture about him.

When both were paired together, Jon was reminded of when he saw Robert and Cersei together, and the Baratheon king and queen paled in comparison to the power he saw in the pair in front of him.

In his heart, Jon knew who they were. "M…" He knew what he wanted to say, but could barely form the word. It was just so surreal. "Mother?" He turned to the man next to her. "Father?"

"If only we were alive to see you become the man before us now," Rhaegar Targaryen showed his pride in Jon. Instinctively, Jon moved away from Ned and ran up to his dead parents. He didn't care how hard he collided with them, for this was the first time he met the people who sired him.

Jon cried between the shoulders of his mother and father, as Lyanna kissed the top of his head and he could feel her tears while his father, disciplined as ever and needing to show what a strong father should be, patted his back.

"I'm glad to finally meet you," Lyanna choked. "Even though you're not supposed to be here for many more years."

Jon's heart wrenched. "I… don't know where to start. There are so many things that I want to say to you."

"And there are many things that we want to say to you," Rhaegar smiled at him. "My, my. You've gone into a fine young man. You don't have the silver hair and purple eyes of the dragons, but you are a dragon all the same."

"And a wolf," Lyanna pinched Jon's cheek. "I only held you once before I made Ned promise to protect you. And he did," Ned modestly accepted her look of thanks. "However, you're not done yet. You still have work to do."

"But what about us?" Jon was frantic, as he didn't want to leave his parents after seeing them for the first time. "I want to stay here with you, with my father, with my uncle. There are so many things that I never got to share with you."

"And you will share them in due time," Rhaegar put his hand on Jon's shoulder. "Come. Walk with us."

They walked along the shores of the lake, enjoying the warm sum and the breeze that set it. "So, you've gone to the east? To Yi-Ti?"

"Yes, father," Jon answered.

"Then you've gone further than anyone of us could ever dream of," Rhaegar sighed. "You've already experienced things that only a few of us could ever hope to see, but all of your lessons will have to be put to good use, for you must prepare yourself for the great evil that is coming."

"I know. I only wish that I had more time," Jon said with regret. "I let myself be a fool and I got trapped and killed."

"And you're not done. Your journey is far from over, for if you made it this far, you can go further," Lyanna told him.

"But how? I'm dead."

"Who said that death is the end?" Jon froze, for he heard that voice before. Looking to the lake, the four of them saw the surface of the water ripple before the dragon spirt flew out and emerged. "I should know."

"You… what are you doing here?" Jon was confused.

"Oh, you've met it," Rhaegar noted. "I was surprised too."

"You know it?" Jon asked his father in surprise.

"Yeah, yeah, we can go over who knows me all day long, if the day even applies here," the dragon spirit was clearly impatient. "But most importantly, you will be come back to life."

"How do you think that will happen?" Jon inquired.

"Someone will come to your palace, someone who knows how to fear a deity like myself, and he'll perform the necessary rituals for you to come back. It appears that you truly do have a purpose for the fight against the Long Night after all, a central one."

"You mean… I'm the Lightbringer, the prince who was promised?" Jon was stunned.

"But without two more at your side, your role will not be fulfilled," the dragon spirit revealed.

"Two more?"

"It's talking about Daenerys, your aunt, and your sister, Rhaenys."

Jon felt as if the words stopped in his throat. "Sister?"

"Rhaenys is alive, my daughter and the other joy of Lyanna," Rhaegar said in sadness. "But she had to live a hard life due to who she was. She had nobody and she has become bitter."

"But how? How did my sister survive the Mountain?"

"It wasn't her at all, but a double put there by someone I thought I could trust," Rhaegar answered.

"And now, she is with a false dragon and she knows that she's alone amongst those who would kill her if it suited their purposes," Lyanna was worried.

"By two more, you mean to say…" Jon knew what the ending of his inquiry was, but all of it seemed so unreal for him.

"Don't tell me that you are bothered by the fact that they are related to you," Rhaegar rubbed Jon's hair.

"Of course not," Jon denied. "I just can't believe that Rhaenys is alive. I know Daenerys will open her arms to me, but Rhaenys will be bitter as you said. What if she's thinking, 'Daeron, why did you leave me here?'"

"She won't," Lyanna clasped her hands with Jon's. "You were just born, so you couldn't do anything. But if she wants to be with her true family again, she has to accept you. In time, you might also care for her and love her as you do with Daenerys."

"Your family prides itself in being the three-headed dragon," the dragon spirit rejoined them. "But without one or the other, it's incomplete. Only with you three together can the true power of the dragon be unleashed."

Jon nodded in acceptance. "Okay, but you still haven't answered one very important question. How am I going to come back to life?"

The dragon spirit clicked his tongue. "Looks like it's time. Say your goodbyes to your parents and uncle, for by the time I breath fire on you, you will reenter the world of the living."

In desperation, Jon hugged and squeezed all three. "Please don't leave me."

"We'll always be with you, son," Rhaegar assured him. "But now, you must go."

Lyanna kissed his forehead and cheek while clearly saddened. "You were not meant to die so early. But we will see each other again."

Ned clasped his shoulder. "Don't make the same mistakes that I did. You are a wolf, a Stark, and a man of honor. But you are also a dragon. Be a dragon."

Jon bobbed his head as the three stepped back. Jon faced the dragon spirit as it opened its mouth. "All right. I'm ready."

"We'll meet again. Very soon," the dragon spirit then poured white fire on Jon, consuming in white light as it blinded him. Covering his eyes, he groaned in pain from how strong it was.

When he opened his eyes again, Jon breathed in and out. He found himself lying on a wooden slab, dressed in fresh clothes and surrounded by Arya, Sam, Benjen, Gendry, and Ghost. All were startled at Jon's reappearance, while all four of them slowly began to process that he was alive.

"Jon!" Arya ran up to him and hugged him. "How?"

"I honestly don't know," Jon answered while Benjen and Sam also join in on the hug. All cried tears of relief at him being brought back to life, the pain healing and them reassured that he was truly alive.

Ghost licked his hands and Jon scratched his face while Meleys roared in delight. But then, he looked upon the shadow man that he had met, who he did not expect to see there.

But there was something about his eyes, as they were brown the last time he saw them and were now bright red.

"I asked you once if you could live with the consequences of your actions," Ardroon asked.

But Jon was beyond shocked, as there was only one being who asked him that. "You?"

A/N: Long chapter and much to cover. Arya embracing more of her dark side, Benjen learning something from Mingyu, the Hound establishing a relationship and becoming a demon hunter, Daenerys getting arrested while one step closer to Jon, our first Theon POV where he meets Ygritte, Mance, and the other wildlings, Robb getting the Company of the Rose, Oberyn in KL while we see the truth that he hid, and Jon coming back to life.

I never intended for Jon to stay dead for long, but Ned telling him to be a dragon will lead to him doing things that he would have hesitated in doing. And for those who were skeptical on how I handled him dying, I hope this is satisfactory. Also, how he died plays into the theme of Game of Thrones, as you can't really trust anybody besides family. Just like with politicians, criminals cannot be seen as trustworthy people.

Hope you enjoyed it. See you next time!