A/N: Hi, there. Hope you are all still doing well.

Been busy with other stuff as usual, but I also released another story called "Black Reign," an alternate take on the Dance of the Dragons. Please check it out.

Without further ado, here is the next chapter.

Sansa walked alongside Harrold Hardyng in the halls of the Eyrie, getting to know the current heir of the Vale a little better. Although she liked his company, she knew that she had to keep a distance from him, applying Littlefinger's advice to make Harrold put more effort in pursuing her and also because she was slowly getting bored of his personality. At least he's not cruel. I can handle arrogance, nothing I am not familiar with.

Sansa had witnessed the tourney for the future members of the Brotherhood of the Winged Knights. Although he wasn't wearing her favor, Harrold Hardyng kept looking at Sansa and she merely smiled back in response. And as expected, Harrold Hardyng became the champion of the tourney, thus guaranteeing him a place in the new guard for her cousin Robert. I'm very afraid of how he would respond to Ser Harrold winning, especially since Robin doesn't really like him.

The other members of the order who placed very highly in the tourney and melee matches were Ser Andrew Tollett, Ser Lucas Corbray, Ser Lymond Lynderly, Ser Ben Coldwater, Ser Ossifer Lipps, Ser Edmund Breakstone, and Ser Artys Arryn from Gulltown. Everyone was surprised at the sudden involvement of the Arryns from Gulltown, since they all knew that they were largely ignored from the rest of the Vale affairs. However, Robin welcomed Artys' presence and declared that he would be the first to be appointed by his sword, much to Lord Baelish's consternation. He doesn't want another Arryn, someone who could challenge Robin's place in the Eyrie, no matter how distant they are from the main line, she thought.

As promised, Ser Artys Arryn was the first to be appointed to the Brotherhood of the Winged Knights, with Sers Andrew Tollet, Lucas Corbray, Lymond Lynderly, Ben Coldwater, Ossifer Lipps, Edmund Breakstone, and Harrold Hardyng following in that order. Everyone that by appointing Ser Harrold last, he was showing to all that he was the least favored member of the new brotherhood. At the same time, everyone could slowly understand how feeble Robin was in actually ruling the Vale, which would allow an opening for the Lords Declarant and also damage Robin's position.

As a further show of favor for his distant Arryn relative, Robin wanted to make Artys Arryn the Lord Commander despite him only receiving his spurs a few years ago. Naturally, Lord Baelish talked him out of that despite Robin's growing obstinance. Even Sansa had to shake her head at her cousin's rashness, which made her more relieved when he returned to Runestone. One more idea from him and we would see chaos emerge in the Vale.

And Sansa could see that besides Artys Arryn, the knights that made up the new Brotherhood was also part of a strategy formed by Littlefinger. He couldn't touch any members of houses such as the Redforts, the Hunters, the Waynwoods, and the Royces for they were the prime members of the Lords Declarant. By having the houses each member represented on the Brotherhood, it was his way of getting new loyalties and also keeping those houses in line. Keeping his friends close and any potential adversaries closer, she saw.

The feast for the new members happened, the last night before Robin would be carted back to Runestone, and Sansa was drinking her wine and eating her lemon cakes before deciding to take a nice walk through the quiet halls of the Eyrie. Ser Harrold politely asked her if he could accompany her and she nodded yes.

"You've done well, Ser Harrold," Sansa started. "I have to say that it's been a long time since I watched a tourney with such excitement."

"Thank you, Lady Alayne," Harrold answered. "You've been to many tourneys, I trust?"

"A few, but all of them made me see that tourneys are a great escape from all of the tensions going on around us." Sansa had to play the game.

"You have no idea how right you are," Harrold exhaled. "With Lady Lysa, the Seven rest her soul, not allowing us to fight for either side, we watched as a war was concluded without our involvement. We train for battle and the one chance that we had to put our training into practice on the field of battle was wasted."

The same war that killed my parents, my brother, and left the others to be scattered, Sansa criticized his self-centeredness. But he didn't know who she was, and she had to keep it that way.

"I'm sure that with Robert Arryn as the lord, you'll have plenty of opportunities to test your mettle against those who would wish him harm."

"Oh, gods. Lord Robert, all due respect to him, I don't worry about. It's the people around him that worries me."

"In what way?" Sansa had to know more.

"The only thing that is keeping the Vale at peace is him at the top. He is from Jon Arryn's loins and it'll be more beneficial to use his minority to gain what you want, just like what your father is doing."

"My father had a close relationship with Lady Lysa and Lord Robert sees him as a good caretaker."

"Respectfully, you would say that, and why wouldn't you? He is your father after all."

Sansa nodded in admittance, even though it was part of her cover. "How do you feel about our upcoming betrothal?" With the tourney over, it was only a matter of time and everyone in attendance knew it.

"Even though I didn't wear your favor, I hope to be a good husband and a loyal man in your life," Harrold declared. "And I am sorry again for insulting you."

Sansa smiled. "It's quite all right, Ser Harrold. With you bound to the daughter of the Lord Protector, I am sure that the Vale will be behind us and do their part in keeping this kingdom peaceful."

Harrold was impressed. "Never had I met a young girl like yourself with such a strong commitment to duty. Now, I am sure that we will get along very well, for I shall cease my dalliances in order to become a proper heir to the Vale. That is, should Lord Robert fail to find a proper wife."

In another time of her life, she would have defended her cousin and stated that because he was young, he had time to correct whatever deficiencies he had. But after what she had seen, she realized that proper instruction had to instilled from childhood and a lack of that would doom the child to an unfavorable direction, the one that her cousin was taking. Jon Arryn, why were you so neglectful of your only son?

"And respectfully, Lord Robert appointing Ser Artys to the Brotherhood? Good thing he wasn't made the Lord Commander, or everyone would have been in an uproar," Harrold complained.

"Well, good thing that didn't happen," Sansa agreed.

"I mean, they might be Arryns, but I am closer to the lord paramountcy than they will ever be," Harrold continued. "If you think about it, already having the Arryn name doesn't actually matter in the grand scheme of things. Should Robert die without an heir, I will have a choice between choosing to retain my Hardyng name or assuming the Arryn one. That's too far in the future, I know, but I have that choice, whereas those uncouth slime from Gulltown don't."

Sansa held back a heavy exhale. "I wonder if Lord Robert would be more active in taking measures in ensuring the survival of House Arryn."

"And I will do that job for him, if we follow through with the betrothal and consummate it."

Don't be so presumptuous, Sansa silently groaned.

"In any way, I am glad that the betrothal will happen. And I hope that we can be happy," Harrold finished with.

"Likewise. I must retire for the night, so I shall see you in the morning, good ser."

"Have a good night," Harrold bowed before heading back to the feast.

As Sansa was about to enter her chambers, she found Littlefinger waiting for her with that smile of his. "Never have I been prouder of you than now."

Sansa blinked. "How? Why?"

"You reeled Ser Harrold in like a fish and now you have declaring that he will make you happy. Things have never been better right now," Petyr Baelish showed his pride. "You've done well."

"Only doing what you taught me," Sansa simply answered.

"And with Ser Harrold in your grasp, in our grasp, the time has come to plan the next step."

"And what would that be?" Sansa wanted Baelish to say it out aloud.

"Why, retaking your birthright. Winterfell. The North. What else are we talking about?" Baelish showed his slight disappointment at Sansa seemingly forgetting her goals.

"No, I haven't forgotten. But are you sure that the Vale will rally to me just because of a simple betrothal?" Sansa was skeptical.

"Come now, Sansa," Baelish put his hands on her shoulders. "Everyone could see that Sweetrobin is not fit to rule the Vale, and I am the only one making sure that there is a Vale for him to rule over. We have to make sure that someone abler, but still responsive to our will, take over this kingdom and Harrold is our best chance. And once the betrothal has been announced. It's only a matter of time before each of the Vale houses come to fight for us."

"What about the Lords Declarant? They're certainly not going to fight for us with you behind me," Sansa argued for the opposing side.

"I shall deal with Lord Royce, Lady Waynwood, and the others soon, but if they won't commit their troops for me, they will surely do so if it's your wish. And I shall persuade Sweetrobin to support you, which will make the Valemen obligated to follow you to the North."

Sansa bobbed her head, since Littlefinger did come up with a plan that had a chance of success. More importantly, she missed home and she was willing to do what it took to get back there. "What about the Boltons and the wildlings? I'm sure the both of them will not just let us march in there without a fight."

"Roose Bolton's time will come, ever since he failed to hold the wildlings," Littlefinger stated. "And Mance Rayder can only go so far before he meets stronger resistance. With the Boltons bungling their rule of the north, there will be those who wish for the Starks to return, one of them being the Manderlys."

"You sure?" Sansa jumped at the mention of their name.

"Lord Manderly has not only refused to help Roose Bolton, he's outright resisting him. As the only powerful house in the North that has not been affected by the wildlings, it'll be in our benefit to approach him and make an alliance with White Harbour. With his four thousand men, we'll have the starting advantage. We can also send ravens to other houses such as the Mormonts, the Flints, the Pooles, the Cerwyns, and even the Reeds. Meanwhile, I shall see if I can persuade the Karstarks and Umbers to defect to our cause, for they will be very angry at Lord Roose for not protecting their homes."

Sansa hid her expressions, but it was clear that she was very pleased with the situation. Nodding her consent for Lord Baelish to do what he did best, Sansa could feel home just inches from her grasp and could see herself inside the halls of Winterfell already. She was going to go home, and there was nothing that anyone or anything could do to stop her. I'll avenge you Robb, father, mother, Arya, Brandon, and Rickon. I shall go to Winterfell myself and kill the traitors. And I will make sure that our house will never be weak again, she promised herself.


Jon walked around the hallways of his palace, feeling strange despite being brought back to life. And it didn't help that his servants and other members of his household were outright afraid of him, perceiving him as a ghost sent to punish those who killed him and expressing their fear by avoiding him however possible.

Ghost strode closely by his side, never again to leave him in order to avoid a repeat. And Meleys purred in delight when she saw her rider alive and well, with Jon responding by placing his forehead on her snout. It's okay, girl. I am here, he assured her.

Feeling drowsy at the moment, Jon decided to talk to his resting area in his palace, prepare a rag drenched with warm water, and place it over his face. It was a common relaxation technique practiced throughout the empire, so he decided to give it a try. Immediately, he felt calmer and decided to use what respite he could get from such a trying time. But as he relaxed, his thoughts turned back to when he was immediately resurrected.

As soon as he breathed and snapped his eyes open, Arya was on him while Benjen pulled him into a tight hug, both of them crying tears of relief for his return. Jon hugged them back, happy to see his family still alive and well. He kissed the top of Arya's head while tightening his hold on his uncle.

"Jon, I'm so happy that you're alive," Arya cried out. Jon couldn't say anything, for even he wasn't completely understanding how this happened, and so did his uncle Benjen. As for Sam and Gendry, they simply smiled at him coming back to life and allowed the family space in which to comfort each other. Ghost licked his hands while Jon could sense the joy in Meleys.

However, he then spotted the shadow man who he met at Jinqi, but once he told him that statement about consequences, he sensed that there was something else inside of his body. And there was one who said that to him.

"You?" Jon was shocked.

"Yes, yes," the dragon spirit inside of Ardroon was immediately bored. "It's been a while, Daeron Targaryen. And it's quite something for you to be able to have such thoughts after being brought back to live. Although I have to admit that it is difficult to even think encased in this rotting piece of meat." The dragon spirit had the body pull out a knife and start cutting his hand, alarming everyone in the room besides Jon. As he squeezed his fist, the blood dripped out. "The stink of it filling every breath, a suffocating cloud you can't escape." The dragon spirit scoffed. "Disgusting. How pathetically fragile it is. Nothing this weak is meant to survive."

Jon blinked. "Then why are you in it?"

"Because this vessel is the only thing that is comprehensible to you people," the dragon spirit stared at everyone. "Life goes on, but there's always a regression with each generation. The first men that I encountered were great people, but now… it's telling of a species when they become so weak after becoming complacent, when they no longer have to fight for their food as much as before."

Arya took offense. "I don't know who you are, but that's not true. I had to survive for days without eating."

"But you still had food to steal from, fields that were plowed, grain that was harvested, animals to be slaughtered. The first people that walked on this world had none of that, and those who survived were able to reproduce. Although, I must say if their efforts to stay alive were worth it."

Arya tightened her fist while Benjen was very offended. "Now, hold on a moment. You don't get to—"

"Quiet, you child," the dragon spirit hissed. "You know nothing of what I speak of."

"Child?" Benjen took a step forward towards Ardroon before it snapped his fingers and Benjen was frozen in place. Everyone was surprised when he couldn't move, and he strained in vain. "What did you do to me?"

"I have no patience for needless violence, which I find to be very ungrateful after what I did to save your nephew." The dragon spirit snapped his fingers again and Benjen collapsed to the ground, with Arya helping him out.

"May I ask how you brought me back to life?" Jon had to know.

"An ancient practice long lost to the world. I had to light a fire from these hands and exhale smoke into your nose. And to explain it will take too long, for I believe you have other matters to attend to."

Jon gulped, only realizing just what true power looked like. If he could bring back the dead, there's really nothing that I understand, he thought.

But as the dragon spirit correctly pointed out, he didn't have to time to convalesce. He had to get back to work and so, he made his way to Princess Khiara's palace, as he needed to ensure that their alliance was still in effect.

As it was in his palace, everyone in her household was afraid of him, but he didn't pay them any mind. Approaching her door, he told her guard, "Announce my presence." The guard obeyed and he was therefore allowed entry. He saw Khiara sitting at her small table, going through a scroll of what appeared to be an official correspondence, before she looked up and set it down.

"Thank the gods that you are all right," Khiara stood up, seeming to be genuinely happy that he was alive.

Be careful, he warned himself. "I am still confused as to why I am still alive," Jon answered.

"Well, let's not dwell on that for long," Khiara invited him to sit down with her. "Things have been very busy while you were dead."

"I can imagine."

"Of huge significance, your aunt Daenerys Targaryen appeared in the empire," Khiara revealed.

To say that he was shocked would have been an understatement. "What are you talking about?"

"Apparently, Daenerys Targaryen appeared in the Northwest Province three moons ago, Seong Kitara was hiding her in the Northwest Province for that period of time, and they were arrested by a battalion of soldiers in Asabhad."

Jon was very worried now. "What do you mean arrested?"

"Oh, right. You don't know yet. Apparently, she has been accused of ordering the deaths of merchants from our empire because her forces thought that they were supplying weapons to the slave masters. She's now facing charges of murder and violating neutrality while Seong Kitara and Hoon Ti will go to trial for aiding and abetting an enemy of the empire."

Jon's mind became overwhelmed with how much was going through it. The woman that he had only seen through his dreams, the woman that he had grown to love even without seeing her, the woman who let him know that he was not alone, the woman who was a dragon like himself… she's here.

"Where is she?"

"In an army prison. As she was taken into custody by a battalion of combat troops, they have authority."

"But combat troops arresting her? Shouldn't that had been handled by local constables?"

"To put it simply, the Prime Minister arrested her using the most messed up logic even for me. And no, you cannot see her. Her only appearance will be for her trial, because the Prime Minister knows that you'll try to do something to save her since she's family."

Jon was taken aback at how prepared the Prime Minister was. "But she's a queen. Why put her in an army prison?"

"It's a scare tactic," Khiara answered. "By surrounding her with hardened soldiers and placing her in squalid conditions, the Prime Minister is trying to intimidate her and maybe break her down. That way, she's cooperative during the trial and preluding interrogations." Jon didn't need to hear more, for he turned around and began to walk out of her palace. "I wouldn't go to her if I were you."

"Why not?"

"As I told you before, I am not privy to what bonds you have with her. But if you really want to save her life, we have to be smart about this. You try to interfere with a trial with my father as the judge—"

"Wait," Jon stopped her. "The emperor himself is the judge?"

"And that's why you need to listen to me," Khiara emphasized. "There's a lot of pressure in court to have Daenerys punished and even though you came back to life, you are still a Targaryen and they will only see you trying to help her as a sign that you cannot be trusted. You will endanger not only yourself, but everyone connected to you."

Jon sighed in frustration, but he couldn't deny her logic. "So now what?"

"We let the trials go forward, but the one advantage we have is that the emperor will not pass sentence until he's heard all of the evidence. That gives two weeks at the minimum to plan our next move. Don't worry, I will not allow a dragon rider to be killed."

Another question popped into Jon's mind. "Why are you helping her?"

"The Prime Minister might think that he will secure his power by destroying the Targaryens, both you and her, and that's an opportunity I must take. He spent too long at the top of the power hierarchy and thinks that nothing can touch him, but I intend to prove him wrong. And what's more, he has been a thorn on my side long enough. He must be eliminated."

Nothing's changed, Jon thought.

"Which reminds me. Daenerys Targaryen is a dragon rider, so where is her dragon?"

"That… I don't know," he said truthfully

Khiara was not convinced, but she left it at that. "Prepare yourself, Prince Daeron. The trial will happen, but also know that we have work to do."

Walking back to his palace, he felt the scar over his chest and winced. Still fresh, he groaned. But the conflicts have escalated and he needed to get ready, for he sensed that they were all reaching a point of no return. Either we die or the enemy does. No matter what, whoever did this to me and whoever had the gall to mistreat my aunt will know what real power is.

But sensing something above, he went out into the courtyard, squinted his eyes, and saw a tiny black shape flying in the sky. Its wings flapped like Meleys, but he could feel a powerful bond with this one. That's when he knew. Drogon?

Good to finally meet you, he heard the black dragon say to him.

Aye, you too. And Meleys gave a roar to the sky, also seeing Drogon, but they all knew that now wasn't the time yet.

Meanwhile, Jon could sense something else between Meleys and Drogon. It was similar to what he had with Daenerys. If that's the case, better be more dragon eggs then, he mused.


Joon hotfooted to the Ministry of Justice, angered at the letter he received from one of his acquaintances in Asabhad. Others might have assumed that he was going to protect his career or to safeguard his holdings around Kushiro, but all that was occupying his mind was the safety of his son and captain of his guards. I swear to the gods that the minister will not be spared from what I have to say to him!

His acquaintance, the provost-general of the Southwest Imperial Army, informed that his son Seong and Hoon Ti were arrested for aiding and abetting the enemy. Joon was initially as to what enemy he was referring to, but the letter said that they were helping Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of Meereen and responsible for the deaths of their merchants in Slavers Bay. He crumpled in anger, both at his son's carelessness and the fact that another Targaryen was in the empire. Seong, I taught you to be better than this. What happened?

All of court had heard of forces loyal to Queen Daenerys sinking their merchant ships on suspicion of them carrying weapons, prompting the emperor and the prime minister to add her name on the list of enemies to the empire. And inevitably, her alleged actions had caused some damage to Daeron's reputation in the capital, as both of them were Targaryens. However, Daeron's death and resurrection had managed to distract the officials from any weak association he had with Daenerys, with many praising the event as a sign from the gods. The situation is getting more and more complicated, Joon groaned.

But for now, he had to make sure that his son and captain were released from military custody immediately. Besides his protecting his son, he had a legal basis for doing so. After consulting the matter with the inspector-general of the entire imperial army, he realized that using army troops to arrest someone like Daenerys was a violation of the jurisdiction, as the army was solely focused on defense and war while the arrest of the three of them in Asabhad should have been handled by the local constables. Joon made sure to have the inspector-general inform Minister Zong of this, as he had the power to punish the Captain-General of Southwest Imperial Army for this breach and put more pressure on whoever had the gall to go after Seong.

Ignoring the guards and various assistants protesting Joon as he pushed his way towards the Minister of Justice's quarters, he barged in and saw the minister having a drink with a few of his subordinates. All of them were surprised and angered at his appearance.

"What do you want, Lord Joon?" the minister was indignant.

"Release my son at once!" He had no more patience.

Seeing that the situation had already escalated, the minister dismissed his subordinates and them close the door. "Please sit down, my lord."

"No," Joon snapped.

The minister sat behind his desk. "There is nothing that I can do, my lord. Your son and Captain Ti have been arraigned and they are both expected to appear before a judge for their crimes."

"You're doing this without a proper investigation?" Joon was aware of how the proceedings were like, and the minister was bypassing several steps.

"This is an unprecedented situation, my lord," the minister leaned backwards against the screen wall. "Daenerys Targaryen is in our lands and given that she was declared an enemy to the empire, anyone who helped her must be punished."

Joon knew that the minister didn't care about that. "Who put you up to this? Was it the prime minister?"

"Careful, my lord," the minister warned. "As your son is of the nobility, I have him comfortably quartered. But if you try to go against me, I can make his situation very difficult."

That only made Joon angrier. "So, it was the prime minister that ordered you to rush this. Did he have the Southwest Army involved also?"

"Arresting a dragon rider such as Daenerys Targaryen is beyond the capabilities of local constables," the minister answered. "After consulting the matter with the Captain-General, he recommended sending in a battalion to arrest them all."

Joon now realized how ridiculous this was sounding. "If he sent in a battalion of provosts, I would have understood. But combat troops? Not only did you facilitate a breach in jurisdiction, you basically showed everyone with eyes to see and a mind to think that you were willing to have soldiers policing the population. No one is going to stand still for this."

"What's your point, my lord?"

Joon pulled out a slip and slammed it on his table. "This is a letter from the army inspector-general, also having the seals of Minister Zong and Prince Kaijin. They're ordering you to release my son and Captain Ti immediately, as your collusion with the Southwest Army is a clear violation of authority. And they will investigate the Captain-General for misconduct."

The minister scoffed. "They can't order me to do anything. This is the Ministry of Justice, which is beyond their jurisdiction, as you so imply."

"Get them released, or you will see what I can do for my family. You have no idea who I can call on for help and just how difficult I can make your life."

The minister grabbed the slip, stared back at Lord Joon, and then duly ripped it. "Do your worst, Lord Joon. Unless you are willing to commit violent acts against me, your son and captain will remain where they are. See your way out."

But Joon would have the final say, as he grabbed another table and flipped it in anger. "All right, then. If that's the way you want it, if you want to continue sucking from the prime minister."

His attempt to free his son and captain failed, he stormed over to the prison, where he was granted special access by Lord Buko. He went over to his son's cell, where they reached through the wooden bars.

"Father!" Seong cried out in relief.

"My son," Joon held back his tears of joy. "I'm so glad you are alive."

"I'm doing all right, father," Seong answered.

Joon turned around and saw Hoon seated with his legs crossed, calm as ever. "How are you, captain?"

"One of the benefits of a lack of sight is that I don't see where I am. I am still in my mind," Hoon replied.

Joon nodded in response. "I see. I tried getting the both of you out of here the right way."

"What happened?" Seong asked.

"It's the Minister of Justice. He's not going to release the both of you, despite the fact that he did so by violating the process."

Seong paled. "What will happen now?"

"I don't know," Joon answered honestly. "I'm still trying to get you both out before you sit before a judge. And given the prime minister's reach, he might have already tainted whatever trial you will appear in."

"Why he's doing this?" Seong didn't quite understand how things were yet.

"We might have helped Daeron Targaryen, but he made so many powerful enemies, especially those that are under the prime minister," Joon stated. "He's trying to get back at him and with him dead, he sees an opening to go after anyone who helped him."

"But father, I heard that he's been resurrected. Is this true?" Joon nodded slowly. "How is that even possible?"

"I don't understand the situation myself," Joon admitted. "But regardless, his death and now resurrection has really shaken things up. Everyone at court are eyeing each other with suspicion, asking themselves who was involved. And now, there are rumors spreading that the gang leader Wah, who actually did the deed, was connected with someone very high up at court. And it's not just one person."

Seong gulped at the implications. "What's the plan now, father?"

"I'm still working on it," Joon squeezed his son's arm. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, both of you," he turned around to Hoon, who smiled. "You trust me?" Seong bobbed his head. "All right. I'll be back soon. Until then, don't cause conflicts or anything of that nature. Just sit tight."

"I'll make sure he won't do anything rash, my lord," Hoon Ti promised.

Joon then found himself in Lord Buko's quarters, as he was the one responsible for everything in the capital garrison, including the army prison. "You're frustrated. You're angry. I understand that," Lord Buko began with.

"I don't have time for your politics or for whatever ideas you have," Joon brushed off. "Tell me why you wanted to see me."

"You want to help your son, like any other father. But you can't do anything, not alone and not while you face powerful people like the Minister of Justice and the Prime Minister himself."

"What are you proposing?"

"Everyone could see that tensions are at an all-time high here, and all it takes is someone doing something rash for everything to explode. We can't control how big the explosion will be, but we can take measures in ensuring that we do not get injured from the blast."

"We?" Joon crossed his arms.

"I have made an alliance with Princess Khiara, who shares my distrust of the Prime Minister and his ilk. But even between the both of us, we don't have enough to overcome them. Whereas you…"

At another time, Joon would have outright refused. However, given that he had few options left, he listened. "You want me on your side?"

"You are a man of influence in the northern provinces, Lord Joon, an area that has not been tainted by the Prime Minister. If you join us, the northern armies will follow and that's what we need to fight the Prime Minister should it come to that."

"You're willing to risk a civil war just to fight him?" Joon had to hide how horrified he was.

"The rot has been growing for decades and we are long overdue for measures that can eliminate it," Lord Buko stated. "And the situation has never been more precarious, especially with Prince Sumeng under the Prime Minister's thumb and everyone slowly understanding just who this Wah character was connected with."

Joon shook his head, but he had to save his son. "What does the Princess want me to do, if I do agree?"

"If you do agree, ride back to your headquarters in the Northwest Province. Make sure that the northern generals will follow your orders and that all of their troops will obey your commands. Eliminate anyone who would challenge us."

"And what about Lord Stark?" Joon knew that Jon's uncle will do anything to safeguard his family, just like he was.

"We'll talk to him soon, but it won't be hard to persuade him. As the commander of the closest and largest army near the capital, he would be instrumental in our plans."

"And what exactly are the plans concocted by Her Highness?" Joon asked.

"I cannot tell you that, unless you join us."

Joon sighed in frustration, but as he had little choice and his son's life was at stake, he swallowed his doubt and distrust of the princess. "Tell Her Highness if that she can save my son, I will support her."

After walking out of Lord Buko's headquarters, Joon was in shock, but he had to appreciate the ingenuity of what Princess Khiara had in mind. At the same time, he sensed that Lord Buko was a convenience for her, an alliance made to eliminate their common enemy, and would thus be discarded once he served his purpose. That better be the case, or Lord Buko will become a threat against our empire, Joon thought. He might have disliked the Prime Minister, but he was strongly against Lord Buko's idea of an empire ruled by the generals. For now, he would tolerate him, for he had to save his son. Please, let this work.


Benjen took Mingyu to a place in the capital that served the best pork broth that he had. It was a place frequented by many officials and army and navy officers, with the owner himself an army man before he used the final pay gained from his twenty years of service to open one of the most successful businesses in Yin. And because Benjen was a general, he was placed on a special list and accorded a table on the second floor, which afforded more privacy than on the first.

Benjen was more than happy that his nephew was alive, and he could rejoice for his late sister's sake. However, like everyone else in the capital, he was disturbed by how he came back to life, even more so when it wasn't just a regular shadow man involved. The way he talked, the way he moved, and how he resurrected Jon was bordering the supernatural, as if he had lived a long time and had seen everything.

But then, that shadow man, Ardroon, then talked to him about Brandon the Builder, his ancestor. "How do you know him?" Benjen narrowed his eyes.

"I knew him very well," Ardroon replied, or whatever was inside of him. "A white man who helped end the Long Night, giving the one who was promised what was needed to end the Long Night. You'll soon understand that the Long Night is not something that is limited to just your lands. It is a phenomenon that had occurred across the world and only by their skin of their teeth did man push the evil back."

Benjen was stunned. What's more, he couldn't disbelieve it, not after what he had seen. "But Brandon the Builder lived thousands of years ago."

"And I was there long before he came to this world," Ardoon answered, or whatever was inside of him. "For all of his talents and prowess, he was still a man and therefore could not live forever. Although, I must admit that his line certainly outlasted many others that I have seen from the beginning of time."

Benjen was getting more confused. "Why are you talking like you lived longer than my ancestor? You some spirit or something like that?"

"I was one of the agents of creation when the world first came into being," Ardroon revealed. "I wasn't a supreme deity, but I occupied the middle part between those who controlled everything and you mere mortals. Whatever the gods commanded, I had to obey. I was also part of their first line of defense when the Long Night occurred, which really was a cosmic struggle beyond your comprehension. You believe that you've seen death, evil, the darkest incarnations? Oh, no. No mortal can understand just how… serious the conflicts in the divine world was."

Benjen expressed his disinterest. "And I don't intend to understand, for I don't concern myself with matters that do not directly involve me."

"I thought so," Ardroon smirked.

"But if you think us as lowly beings, why did you save my nephew?" Benjen asked.

"I can tell that much has changed since the end of the Long Night," Ardroon said. "I remember when this capital was really just a swamp dotted with small fishing villages, only to grow into a great city. And people have long dismissed the Long Night as a myth, which was expected. But then… the red comet came and that's when I knew that something was growing in the frozen parts of this world. And the one whose body I now occupy made a strong case for your nephew."

"You think that he's the one to end the Long Night?"

Ardroon, or the spirit, laughed derisively. "You've got to be jesting with me. Since when do the heroes of any story have to be men? Why not both?"

Benjen was surprised. "There are others?"

"It'll be too much to say for this moment, so I will leave it at that. But just know that we all have our parts to play, so you should be careful to not jeopardize what you can do."

"Is something the matter?" Mingyu asked, seeing Benjen in deep thought.

"Oh, no," Benjen shook off and put on a smile. "Just glad that my nephew is alive."

"It's quite something, as no one comes back from the dead like that," Mingyu answered. "How did he come back to life?"

"I am not sure if you'll believe me," Benjen told her.

"I have seen many things," Mingyu drank her tea. "Believe me, if there is one who is able to believe in the most outrageous events imaginable, that's me."

Benjen told her about the power the spirit residing in Ardroon had, which involved fire and smoke as well as closing his eyes and running his fingers over Jon's head. To her credit, Mingyu didn't look afraid and instead listened intently.

"If only others knew that such power still existed in this world," Mingyu noted. "I guess we are insignificant in the larger scheme of things."

"Oh, you're not the first person to tell me that. Whoever is inside that shadow man lived for thousands of years, so of course that spirit would think of us as nothing compared to what he had seen."

"Makes me wonder if living for too long can be a curse as well as having a short life," Mingyu said. "Granted, that spirit is not of this world and therefore has no reason to care for us, but why did he stay if he doesn't like us? Unless of course, he had no choice in the matter and thus had to stay here because something was preventing him from leaving."

A deity who cannot leave this world… how interesting. But Benjen was not going to concern himself with the spiritual despite believing in the Old Gods and thus decided to spend the rest of his time enjoying a nice steaming pot of pork broth with Mingyu.

By this point, their bond had grown past physical desire and became something deeper. After she shared that she was on the run from someone, Benjen instinctively decided to protect her, as he didn't want to lose the one woman who he had grown fond of. He didn't know if it was love he felt for Mingyu, but what he felt to her… he didn't feel with anyone else before.

They spent the next hour talking enjoying their dinner, talking and laughing with each other over nonsensical stuff, things that Benjen never imagined himself talking about. He was a hardened man especially after his mother and Lyanna died, but Mingyu brought back the sides of his character that he didn't know were still there. He could still laugh at small talk and he could simply enjoy the time he had with his woman. My woman… Benjen liked that thought. If father or Ned saw me now, they would have thrown a fit, he mused.

But as Benjen poured Mingyu another cup of tea, he noticed her expression had suddenly turned serious. One moment, they were grinning and chuckling with each other, but it was that look that alarmed him. He wore that look himself many times when he ranged beyond the Wall, and that was when he sensed danger.

"You all right?" Benjen tried to ask.

"Get down!" Mingyu grabbed Benjen and shoved them under their table, just as crossbow bolts pierced the wood. Those nearby were alarmed at arrows appearing where they ate and thus ran and screamed.

"What's happening?" Benjen was shocked at how quick it happened. But any answers he sought would have to wait, as he saw through the open railings half a dozen man wearing straw hats and armed with swords.

"Stay here. I'll take care of them," Mingyu was about to leave him, but Benjen grabbed her.

"What do you mean take care of them? What's going on here?"

Mingyu pulled him in for a kiss. "Don't let yourself be hurt. I'll be right back," she said before jumping above the railings and landing on the floor below. The six assassins, which Benjen could clearly see from how they carried themselves, surrounded Mingyu. Why did I leave my sword and my tanegashima back at Jon's palace? Benjen cursed himself for not preparing for every eventuality, as he had grown complacent.

"What are you doing?" he heard one of the assassins ask Mingyu. "Why are you protecting him?"

"I was going to take care of him my own way, but you're ruining it," she answered.

What? Shocked was inadequate to describe his thoughts at the moment.

"Our clients gave you plenty of time to take care of him, but you wasted it. And now, situation has changed for the worst and we can see that you've grown soft."

What is going on here?

"The clients have paid us triple our rate to kill you also for trying their patience," another assassin spoke up. "Not that we needed it, since you have become a liability after all we've done for you."

"Don't be ridiculous," Mingyu shot back. "You were only a means to an end, and I was able to survive. But now I see that despite your claims on family, it's all a lie."

Another assassin sighed in regret. "I'm sorry it had to be this way, Mingyu. We truly are."

How did they know her name?

"I'm sorry too," Mingyu stated before he heard her cracking something in her hands and white dust released from them as she spun around.

In an instant, the ground floor was blanketed with thick white dust, obscuring Benjen's vision. But he could hear the metal clanging, the grunts of pain, and the flesh cutting. Without thinking, he ran down the stairs and into the dust, which he discovered to be painful to his eyes.

Struggling to see, he stumbled upon the corpse of an assassin and picked up his sword. He soon found Mingyu fighting off four other assassins, using only what looked like a necklace. But upon closer look, he saw that she was using her necklace to parry the sword strikes and even disarm one assassin by grabbing his blade, twisting it so that it touched his neck, and pulling so that it cut it. She then used both of her hands to grab the necklace, swirling the necklace around another's neck and then snapping it, releasing a sickening sound. She then kicked the other two assassins to the ground by jumping and pushing against their chest.

Another assassin saw Benjen and attacked, with him barely parrying his strikes from the speed. Knowing that this man probably had more endurance than he did, Benjen found an opening after he parried the man's sword again and headbutting him. Seeing that he was stunned, he grabbed his legs and slammed him against the floor. Reaching for a teapot, he tried to smash it against his face, but the assassin grabbed his hand and kneed him in the balls. Screaming in pain, he was forced on his back and struggled as the assassin pulled out a knife tried to stab him in the heart.

"Die!" he shouted. Seeing Benjen was stronger than he looked, the assassin pushed against the tip of the dagger, causing it to pierce the skin and him to grunt. But before the assassin could kill him, Mingyu's necklace wrapped around his neck as she pulled him off of Benjen. Seeing his opening, he grabbed the sword and ran him through while Mingyu snapped his neck.

Surveying the carnage around them, both of them knew that Mingyu had to answer for what was happening, as it was clear that she lied to Benjen. Many feelings of betrayal and shock flashed through his mind and struck at his heart, since the assassins clearly knew Mingyu and that they were targeting the both of them.

"I thought you were just a singer," Benjen could only say.

"I am a singer. It's just one of the things I'm good at."

Benjen stomped over to her, stopping just inches away. "What else have you been hiding from me?"

Mingyu sighed, shaking her head at herself. "I had to do what I did to survive. And that meant killing people for money."

"But that's not all," Benjen wasn't convinced. "Did you pursue me as an act of cruelty, to string me along before you killed me like a pig to slaughter?"

"Please, listen to me," Mingyu tried to hold Benjen, but he stepped back. He had to hold back his tears at the truth of who the woman he had grown fond of really was, a killer who was preparing him to be killed in the cruelest manner possible. The feelings of pain that he felt when Lyanna died was nothing compared to betrayal, and he didn't know if he could stand up again and trust anyone outside of family. "If I really wanted to kill you, I would have let you die. At least give me that."

Seeing that she had a point, he grabbed her hand hard. "When we come back to our house, tell me everything. No more secrets."


Robb was escorted to the Red Temple in Volantis by the Yi-Tish priestess, where he would meet Kinvara. If he had to be honest with himself, he was nervous about meeting the highest-ranked member of the red faith, especially after seeing how persuasive the red priestesses and priests were regarding the enslaved population. They're either great liars, or something else is driving them forwards, Robb thought.

The former King in the North was busy with the Company of the Rose and working with Jaenyra Vhassar. Besides signing a contract to gain their services, Robb had to find the Wolf Pack, who happened to be operating in Qohor. Sending a message to gain their services, the captain-general of the Wolf Pack replied that he would accept his offer, but he would have to wait until he could transport his men down the Qhoyne and into the Rhoyne, a journey that would take several weeks. Waiting more weeks… no problem, Robb thought dryly.

The Vhassar lady proved to be very helpful to them all, as she was very connected with influential people in Volantis who were also looking to elevate themselves at the expense of the "Old Blood." These included people who had their opportunities blocked because those of the "Old Blood" refused to allow them a say in governance and also to benefit from trade. "If you make people feel that they cannot do anything with the current situation, they'll do everything they can to either exploit it or overturn it," Jaenyra said.

That made Robb think of his own situation while in the North. House Stark ruling established a balance of power that ensure that peace existed in the northern kingdom, while no other houses attempted to challenge them. However, he stopped himself when that line of thought inevitably led to a sympathetic view of House Bolton's actions. It's not like Lord Roose was enslaved or didn't have the opportunity to make something of himself. He was a very powerful man under me, and then he exploited my moment of weakness to supplant me.

Still, Robb was learning much about himself and also how to better navigate the ever-treacherous world occupied by those with power. He also realized that loyalty and strength might have been useful to a point, but he had to be shrewd and very careful whenever he dealt with his subordinates. He had to act like Cregan Stark, who was able to make a good mark on the Seven Kingdoms in less than an hour and was able to positively influence the immediate outcome of the Dance of the Dragons. And he was not that much older than me. If he could do it, I can too.

Robb was aware that he was being followed by those affiliated with Malaquo, but the reason that they didn't close in was because any attack on a red faith messenger would result in dire consequences from the enslaved. As much as they thought they were in control, the slave owners were also rightfully afraid of the slaves, since they did tasks that not even freedmen would do and were subjected to brutal methods. And someone in chains could only tolerate so much before they snapped. After seeing everything about slavery so far, Robb decided that he would not help a slave-master if he or she was begging to be saved from a throng of slaves who broke their chains. They should have thought better if or when it comes to that.

They finally arrived at the red temple, with Robb and Grey Wind bathed in the dimness of the holy place, which was broken only by the flames that were inside. "This way," the Yi-Tish priestess urged them to follow. Glancing at his direwolf, who sensed Robb's apprehension, both still pressed onward.

Finally, they arrived at a sanctum, where Robb saw who he assumed was Kinvara, who was looking intently at a flame. She looked quite young for someone who possessed a high position in the red faith and judging from her necklace, Robb assumed that she was from Asshai, based on what Maester Luwin had instructed. A shadow woman… what spells does she know?

"Good to make your acquaintance, Robb Stark," Kinvara addressed him while not turning around. "And I can feel that strong bond between you and your wolf creature."

"I presume you are Kinvara?"

"You are speaking to the High Priestess of the Red Temple of Volantis, the Flame of Truth, the Light of Wisdom, and the First Servant of the Lord of Light. You will address her accordingly," the Yi-Tish priestess scolded.

"There, there," Kinvara finally turned around to see Robb. "He does not practice our faith, so he will be excused from any deviation of decorum."

"I thank you… Your Holiness," Robb came up with.

Kinvara chuckled in amusement. "I am not your High Septon. We do have authority over other priestesses, but we do not emphasize a hierarchy here. We worship like you do to your Old Gods, in a way. But enough of religious discussions. I invited you here because I believe it's time you know your role in the coming struggle."

"Let me guess. The Long Night?" Robb was still skeptical but considering what he had heard and seen so far, he was not ready to completely deny it.

"It's a threat that the entire world will have to face, not just a race of ice men conjuring up the dead. It's a struggle that has been in the making for thousands of years and your White Walkers are merely manifestations of the greater conflict."

Robb was not understanding. "How could the white walkers be as insignificant as you claim?"

"I didn't say insignificant," Kinvara corrected him. "Something lurks on the top of this world, with the ice masking what has been brewing ever since the Lightbringer forced them back. Your wall of ice is not the only barrier to protect against this great evil, for in the east, there is a wall made by forts of black stone built for the same purpose. And no one was able to know where the evil grew, for no one ever thought to think of checking the top."

Robb had to admit that was true from all of his lessons regarding landscape. "Are you saying that the Lands of Always Winter are somehow connected to this continent?"

"We all live in the same world, Robb Stark. And while we have different versions of the great evil, we all speak of the same thing, just not with the same details."

"And what is my purpose in this struggle?"

"I saw in the flames the final form of the ones who were promised. The reason why it was never clear on whether it was a man or a woman was because the word never meant to separate the two. Only together could the Lightbringer be completed and drive back the evil once and for all. Daenerys Targaryen is part of that final form, but she cannot fulfill her role without your help."

"My help?" Robb was surprised.

"You already have resources at your disposal. A powerful supporter, men to fight for you, and money among others. And the one place that needs all of that is where Daenerys truly began her reign as a powerful leader."

"Meereen," Robb concluded.

"You must find a way to reach Meereen and help her supporters there from succumbing to the pressure that they face from both the grandmasters and the tigers. Meereen could hold out compared to Yunkai and Astapor, but they will not last forever. With you helping them, they'll have a chance," Kinvara explained.

Robb felt there was more. "That's it? I have to help Daenerys Targaryen hold Meereen?"

"And once you see her again, along with the other parts of the Lightbringer, you will be at the forefront of the struggle against the great evil," Kinvara continued. "You will help command the armies that will put the dragons back to their rightful place and then help them against the ultimate enemy, the form of true evil. Ice must temper fire, and you shall greatly assist in that."

Robb was still not understanding, but he nodded. "I see…"

"I can tell that you are still very hesitant, so let me say this. Your brother's name was Jon, right? The oldest of them?" Robb nodded, still remembering that was what he really was despite everything and thankful that Kinvara made sure to point that out. "You and your brother built a great mountain of snow above a gate when you were boys. Now, I'm not going to comment what boys did, but that showed you two were very close."

"We still are," Robb reminded her.

"Anyways," Kinvara moved on. "Both of you were spotted by a brother of your Night's Watch, the one they call Mance Rayder and is now the King Beyond the Wall." Robb vaguely remembered that man, although he had long forgotten his name. "Both he and the one before the current Lord Commander of your Night's Watch had visited Winterfell to discuss business with your late father. When Mance saw what you to had done, he promised not to tell on you two, for he knew that you were boys." Robb was getting uncomfortable with how much she knew. "I don't know exactly what happened, whether it was by mistake or you two were getting bored, but the both of you dumped the snow on the slowest of Eddard Stark's guards, the one they call Fat Tom, and he chased you around the yard without caring who you were because you greatly annoyed him."

Robb smiled at that memory, for it was the start of when he became really close with Jon. "Only a few people outside of Winterfell know that story."

"The Lord of Light revealed much to me in the hopes that you will go forward towards your true purpose."

Robb sighed before nodding, his doubts largely wiped away. "All right. I am still not believing what you believe, but you went through such lengths to show your trustworthiness. It's only right that I respond by giving you my trust."

"Excellent," Kinvara smiled. "And worry not. While you move towards Meereen with your sellswords, we shall protect Jaenyra Vhassar and begin planning for the inevitable uprising against the Old Blood, both the tigers and the elephants. It's time that the chains are broken and the enslaved take the freedom that is their right."

Robb dipped his head before being escorted out by the Yi-Tish priestess. "How do you intend to move from here to Meereen? It's going to be difficult to reach the city with the situation there."

"I might have to consider taking the demon road or going by ship," Robb thought aloud. "However, going by land would take too long and put within striking range of the Dothraki horse lords while it'll be hard to punch through the blockade there."

"I should point out that while Yunkai and Astapor have fallen, it'll take some time for them to march on Meereen. After all, the tigers, the grandmasters, and even the Golden Company need to consolidate their forces before moving on the prize."

Robb had heard tell of the Golden Company, led by someone claiming to be Aegon, son of Rhaegar and Elia, and his sister Rhaenys. However, he wasn't going to waste his time with rumors yet, since he had to reach Meereen.

"As soon as the Wolf Pack agrees to work for me, I will set for the city. The more I think about it, the more the demon road might not be an attractive option, especially with cities like Mantarys and Tollos connected to it."

"Wise decision. And it'll take over a moon to reach Meereen by land, and it might be too late then."

As they returned to Jaenyra's manse, Robb laid back on the bed, with Grey Wind joining him there. Scratching his back and keeping Ice close, he slowly drifted into sleep, but he now had a clearer idea on what he was to do. Father, mother, please help me get through this. So many things might happen, but I am applying the lessons that I should have learned earlier. I hope that I don't mess up again, Robb thought.


Margaery was not above the feeling that came with humiliation. No matter how much she tried to remove her emotions from the snake pit that was the Red Keep, she seriously started to think that being a queen wasn't worth it, especially when her marriage to Joffrey was nonexistent in all but name. That was what went through her mind when she saw another whore exit Joffrey's chambers, which she hadn't occupied since the first night of their wedding.

Glaring at the whore, who was wise to run away upon seeing the queen, she stormed into Joffrey's chambers, ignoring the fact that he was naked and sipping a goblet of wine. It certainly helped her that the blonde shit was becoming just like his father, his skinny form slowly being replaced with a large belly and his arms and legs started to have an excess of fat. Now I have absolutely no reason to bed him and bear his heirs, Margaery thought as her actions were now being vindicated.

"What do you want, wife?" Joffrey pulled a leg from the cold chicken plate next to his bed and started to chew on it.

Margaery sighed. "At the very least, be quiet about when you fuck with your whores, or if that's too much, show up at the small council meetings."

Joffrey threw the goblet at her, but she narrowly missed it as it smashed against the wall. "You do not tell me what to do, you bitch!" he barked.

But the rose of Highgarden was not impressed. "Bitch? Well then, I might as well call you a pig. Oh wait, I should call you the second coming of Aegon the Unworthy, given how he couldn't keep his cock in his pants like yourself."

Joffrey shot up from the bed, intending to strike her for that insult. But he forgot that he left a cold and rotten piece of auroch steak on the floor next to him, causing him to slip and his growing body to jingle from the fall. Margaery didn't even try to stop giggling, for it added to how pathetic the blonde shit was.

"Oh, my goodness. All your talk of 'I am the king' never held any weight, and now I have clear evidence on why that is. At least Aegon the Unworthy was a handsome and well-built man in his youth, whereas you were none of that right now. But the only reason why you are still on a throne is because Tommen is dead and you dying would only cause more problems." Seeing another jug of wine near her, she grabbed the handle and walked over to Joffrey. "Have a drink, Your Grace, and enjoy it," she said before pouring all of its content. The only he could do is groan as he couldn't even bring himself up.

"Joffrey!" Margaery turned around and saw Cersei run past her, push her away, and help him up. "My king, are you all right?" she grabbed a rag and wiped the wine from his face as best as he could. Seeing Joffrey glare at Margaery, it didn't take long for Cersei to become angry at her. "What did you do?"

"You hated Robert Baratheon so much, and now your son is just like his father. Shouldn't you be grateful that he takes after one of his parents?"

Cersei shot up from the floor, very pissed. "You better watch your tongue. That is your king you're talking about."

"And you are speaking to the actual queen of these Seven Kingdoms," Margaery was going to pull rank since Cersei did it first. "Mind how you direct your threats, Queen Mother."

"You will get your comeuppance for this. I swear to you, just as I swear to kill my Imp brother for killing Tommen," Cersei hissed.

Margaery just turned around and walked away, not in the mood to enter a pointless exchange of words with the fanatically devoted mother of the blonde shit. The only reason why she's still here in the first place is because of Lord Tywin, but even he's not going to live forever. Once he passes away, no one can protect her, she thought.

Making her way to her grandmother, who was still walking through the gardens of the Red Keep, she grasped her arm. "Your hands smell of wine," the thorn of House Tyrell noted.

"Let's just say that I had to give our king something that he needed at the moment," Margaery said dryly.

"Didn't know that you were developing a sense of humor," Olenna replied back, amused. "Reminds of myself in my earlier years."

"I do what I can, grandmother. But nowadays, the crown on my head is not worth the price we paid for now," Margaery didn't care anymore about her status.

"I can understand that," Olenna answered empathetically. "But the thing about power, one of its benefits, is the time that it allows us. No one can live forever, but we can have enough time to make our mark on the world around us. And while we wanted someone of Tyrell blood to be on the throne, it also brought us time, as our chances of fighting a three-way war against the Lannisters and the Starks wouldn't have been very good, and our position would have been precarious. Now, we had plenty of time to plan, strengthen our position in the Seven Kingdoms, and seek alternate options."

"And what are these alternate options you speak of?" Margaery asked inquisitively.

Olenna glanced around, careful that no one was close enough to listen. "I have received reports that Robb Stark is alive and well."

Margaery's eyes widened. "What?"

"My first reaction as well," Olenna replied. "I don't know how he survived the Red Wedding, but someone confirmed to me his survival and that he is now in Volantis gathering an army of sellswords."

"To take back the North?" Margaery was not convinced of the viability of the plan, if that was the case.

"The person who I am friendly with, a Volantene trader who doesn't like slavery, told me that Robb Stark has no aim to return to Westeros anytime soon."

"How much does this trader know?"

"Enough to be able to run goods between the neutral factions in Volantis and those currently engaged in the Slaver's Bay against Daenerys Targaryen. That trader told Willas, who in turn told me about him and what he knew."

"So that's how you knew that Prince Quentyn was currently with the ones called Aegon and Rhaenys Targaryen?"

"He's invisible enough," Olenna answered. "But Robb's survival might work in our favor. We could reveal his survival to the Lannisters, who in turn will retaliate against both the Freys and Roose Bolton for their failure. We can also hide this and make our plans to influence events for the North while also obtaining leverage. After all, the northmen might rally around Robb Stark again after what the Boltons have done and their inability to hold back the wildlings."

Margaery nodded, going through everything. "And what about these Targaryens? Daenerys Targaryen is nowhere to be found, Daeron Targaryen is beyond our reach, and we don't about the other two."

"Unless we have the second incarnation of the Dance of the Dragons, I am sure that the Targaryen problem will sort itself out. After all, if they do return, we can easily use our history of fighting with the Mad King to claim our continuing loyalty to them," Olenna shrugged.

Margaery then heard the guards shouting and running about, all going towards the courtyard. Glancing at her grandmother, she walked with her and followed the guards out of the gate and onto the causeway. There, they found a huge crowd shouting all sorts of obscenities at the Red Keep, mostly against Joffrey. "What's happening here?"

"You see the men with the Star on their heads?" Olenna pointed them out to Margaery. "They belong to the Sparrows, those affiliated with the one they call the High Sparrow. Never had I seen a more fanatical bunch before them."

"Why are they here?"

"Because I selectively revealed to them Joffrey's dalliances through intermediaries, and how it was his fault that this bloody war against Stannis has not ended after so long."

Margaery blinked, surprised that she took that risk. "The people might be starving, but using fanatics poses a risk. There's no telling what they can do."

"True," Olenna admitted. "But we should put our own pressure on the Lannisters, making Lord Tywin more pliable. Even he knows that he cannot hope to rule with an angry mob threatening him."

Margaery was not sure about that strategy, but she trusted her grandmother. "What happens when Lord Tywin finds out that you were behind this?"

"Either he has to cooperate with us on a more equal footing, or we will have to put more pressure, starting with Cersei. But that's only in extreme cases."

"You do remember that Tywin wiped out the Tarbecks and Reynes for what they did?"

"And that's why we have alternate plans," Olenna said pointedly. "Should Tywin decide to pull the same thing he did at Castamere on us, we will respond in kind. But he needs us very much at the moment, so he has to answer our demands."

Margaery stared at the crowd, all of them crazed and the goldcloaks and guards being the only ones to stop them from charging towards the Red Keep. Joffrey and the Lannisters were only delaying the inevitable and the realm were suffering under his rule, even though his grandfather was barely keeping it together. As she thought of Robb Stark's survival and the Targaryens, she became more apprehensive of what the future lay in store for herself and her family. So much insanity… why did we even bother in the first place?


Daenerys shuddered in the dark and damp cell of the prison. She was still in her thin robes and the stone was cold while she could the screams of the insane and broken in the other cells near her.

Her companions Lord Seong Kitara and Hoon Ti were taken to another prison, as whoever was in charge was afraid that they would plot something if they incarcerated together. The governor of her prison told her that she was an enemy of the empire and so, she was not accorded the honor and privileges of a ruler.

Why are they doing this? She couldn't wrap her mind around why they were treating her like this. Unless they had a purpose behind throwing in a dark cell, which might have been to throw her off mentally and make more susceptible to whatever games they wanted to play with her. There's no other reason why whoever's doing this would throw away such courtesy.

But Daenerys had to prepare herself, for she had to stand tall for her trial and be ready to face whoever wanted to harm her and her nephew with eyes of steel.

And that was what got her through her present predicament, the chance to finally see her nephew face-to-face. I told you that we will meet, she reached out to Daeron.

Suddenly, the doors to her cell opened and she was dragged out by the guards, with the prison governor himself escorting her. "Your Majesty, you will now be taken to the Phoenix Palace, where you will be tried before the court for the charges of murder and violation of neutrality." She said nothing as she was finally taken out of the prison and into the city outside.

Crowds lined the streets where she walked, all of them silent but she could see the mixture of indifference and loathing amongst them. She learned long ago to not care for what others thought, but this was a sharp difference from when she ruled over populations of freedmen. All she wished at the moment was for steel cuffs to be removed from her wrists and hands. One would think that someone like myself would deserve to look proper and not like a common criminal.

Eventually, they came upon what appeared to be the Phoenix Palace, which was not as tall as the Great Pyramid in Meereen but looked more spread out than her seat of power in the Slaver's Bay. And all of the guards were heavily armed and dressed in ceremonial attire from what she can guess. Must be a great day today, she thought with some dryness.

They then reached the main pavilion, which housed the court. Entering through the screen doors, she was surprised to see dozens of who appeared to be court officials looking at her as they stood straight. All of them wore robes like hers and had black hats over their heads. But she then looked straight at a golden throne with a phoenix outstretched on the back, which sat a plump man with tanned skin. From the way he sat, she knew that he was the ruler of this empire. The emperor himself. She also saw three younger men seated below the emperor, with the youngest of them higher than the other two, and a woman not much older than she was.

Looking to her side, she saw who she was looking for: Daeron, alive and well and still handsome as she saw him the last time. Many feelings of joy rushed through her, as she wanted to run to him and hug him, telling him that she was here and that she would never let anything happen to him. And she could see that he was just as happy, with a tear dropping from his eye, which she reciprocated. Daeron…

But alas, they couldn't be do that yet, for she was still in chains and on trial for her life. Hearing more chains behind her, she saw Seong Kitara and Hoon Ti brought it before being forced on their knees. Looking near Daeron, she saw an older man wanting to go to Seong but couldn't. Joon Kitara, she recognized.

The herald shouted something that caused everyone to snap straighter at attention. The woman stood up and came forward, someone high ranked in court from the looks of her and how she carried herself. She was also the tallest woman she had seen, which was matched by how gorgeous she looked. "Greetings, Your Majesty," she spoke in the common tongue. "I am Princess Khiara Bu, daughter of His Augustness the Emperor, and I shall be interpreting for you. I have also studied High Valyrian and am familiar with the Volantene and Tyroshi variants. Which are you most comfortable with?"

"The common tongue is fine," Daenerys answered.

"Very well," Khiara nodded.

"Although I don't know how to address you, Princess."

"Your Highness will suffice, Your Majesty," Khiara then shared a look with Daeron, who shifted uncomfortably. Immediately, Daenerys sensed that something was going on between them. Did he bed her?

"The charges laid against Seong Kitara, son of Joon Kitara, and Hoon Ti, captain of the Kushiro guards, are aiding and abetting the enemy," Khiara translated for the Grand Secretary. "As for Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of Meereen, the charges against her are murder and violation of neutrality. The facts that have accompanied this case have been investigated and there is no doubt regarding the culpability of these criminals."

The court officials murmured to each other, while Daenerys was shocked at how quick they were to judge.

"However, as these are extreme circumstances, with one ruler facing another, the emperor himself might grant mercy to the accused on one condition," Khiara translated, leaving Daenerys worried. "Where is your dragon?"

She gulped. "I don't know, Your Highness."

"This court has received reports that your black dragon was seen at Kushiro and therefore, like Prince Daeron here," Khiara pointed to him. "You are a dragon rider and thus a great security risk. One dragon is enough, but two?"

Daenerys gritted her teeth. "I am not going to tell you where my dragon is, because I don't know what your empire is capable of and I am not going to risk my child."

"Maybe you don't understand, Your Majesty," Khiara stated. "The charges against you, if found guilty, carry the death sentence. And since the emperor is sitting as judge, he has the power to immediately put you to death. But he also understands that the moment he does, your dragon will kill everyone here. However, he has no compunction against executing Seong Kitara and Hoon Ti, as they don't have dragons." Daenerys looked behind her, staring into both of their eyes. I can't condemn them to die, but I can't risk Drogon.

"However, the emperor has decided to grant you some time to consider your situation and to review more evidence. Therefore, he will not reach a judgement today."

Daenerys sighed in relief, but she knew that it was only a delay from her sanctioned death. As she, Seong, and Hoon were led away, she looked back at Daeron, who she knew wanted to run to her but he couldn't do that without risking himself and the others with him.

"I understand," Daenerys mouthed to him. "Please be safe. We'll see each other soon."

Daeron nodded. "I know. Just sit tight. Soon, we'll be able to be the family we couldn't be," he mouthed back.

With that, Daenerys was returned to her cell, but she had newfound purpose and she saw her nephew. Now, how to get out of his cell without endangering others? she pondered.

A/N: I hope I delivered on all sections. Sansa is now about to move towards the North, adding more chaos to her home (who would benefit really?), Jon is going through the moments of being brought back to life, Joon is now forced to ally with Khiara, Robb getting more troops and guidance, and Margaery in King's Landing.

Now, onto the important parts: Jon and Daenerys finally meeting and Benjen discovering that his love is an assassin. The latter was bound to happen and thus cause a hit in their relationship, while the former was long-overdue but they still can't fully embrace, not while she is facing those charges. Nevertheless, Jon and Daenerys have finally seen each other in person and now their relationship can really get started.

Also, anyone noticed the connection between Meleys and Drogon? ;)

See you next time!