Chapter 7: Fourteen Flames
Her eyes open, wide and bright. She stretches and rolls in her bed reviewing the images and prophecies she saw in her night travels. For how busy her nights have been she feels refreshed and recalls the singing of her blood when she found the islands. The room is bright and a gentle breeze is blowing in, the day is warm so she goes to join her family in the dining hall. She hears them before she sees them, a cacophony of laughs and squeals and she smiles as she sees the scenes unfolding and the chaos her servants try to bring under control. Kissing the children on the head she makes her way to her husband and kisses him long on the mouth.
They pull back and he smiles, "You're in a good mood this morning, sleep well?"
"Not particularly. It was a busy night"
"Well come on. Something has you in a good mood" he grins at her cheekily.
She returns his grin knowing what he means and gives him a playful shove
"I think I've found it"
"So soon?" He replies quietly between mouthfuls.
She nods and looks around before she leans in and says quietly, "The sigil of the Velaryons was there"
A servant walks past them and smiles filling up their glasses with water.
Her husband continues in silence eating and finishes his meal. It appeared he hadn't heard her.
"Well I have a busy day, need to meet the other Lords and plan the funding for some building expansions and check on the production in the mines"
He kisses her cheek and squeezes her shoulder and leaves the hall. She finishes eating.
The children climb over her lap and wrap their arms around her neck and they laugh and make silly faces while the servants start cleaning up the mess they made.
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Later she is dressed in light robes for her magic work and heads to her workspace to clear her head and make a firm plan of action.
'There are some many pieces to this, I need to execute this perfectly otherwise it could be a disaster' she thinks to herself.
She is mulling over the finer details of her plans when she enters and locks the door behind her. The room is dark but she can make out his form waiting for her.
"I wanted you to be discreet, you know we have ears and eyes all around us" he says softly, she can hear the worry in his voice. "This isn't a game you know"
She glides over to the shelving and starts arranging her space for her practices and ignores his comment.
He comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her, "Tell me what you saw Alaerya. I need to know what the possibilties for us are"
He turns her to face him hands on her hips.
She stares up at him, "It's out there, the perfect place. Large enough, more than large enough for what we need"
"And what exactly do we need?"
She smiles and looks down running her hands over his torso
"Valyria"
He picks up the scrolls, "Is that what you're planning?"
She shrugs, "If all this is doomed to die why should we let everything that's great about here die with it?"
He laughs, "I'm looking forward to seeing how you pull this off"
"I think we have time to make it work"
"And how long do we have exactly?"
She sighs and the orb is released from it's resting place to float between them.
"It's in there" she says quietly.
The orb floats between them for a time, he stares intently into her eyes before stepping back and directing the orb to open. The vision fills the room and Alaerya's encounter with Kinvara comes to life...
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"What do you know about the destruction of Valyria?" Alaerya directs the question at Kinvara while searching her mind for lies.
"Nothing specific about the how more about the events leading up to it and who might be causing it" replies the priestess casually.
"That actually is specific. It doesn't matter how it happens we have seen how if unfolds. What do you mean about events leading up to it?"
The priestess smiles and looks down at her hands and begins circling around Alaerya.
"First come the earthquakes, there will be two. Nobody will think anything of them. But people will die. Then the volcano will awaken and that will cause more people to die." she speaks without emotion or care for the countless deaths that are imminent.
She walks close by Alaerya and stares her down, "And when your daughter walks the dream roads you will know it is time to leave. Do not waste your time before then" her voice is a clear warning free of all lightness. There is danger to her voice, filled with persuasiveness directed to weak minded people. Alaerya mentally notes how she uses her voice to influence people.
Alaerya is quiet, she knows her children have power but she doesn't know if this priestess can be trusted.
"And if we don't leave..." She starts
"You're too smart and powerful for that my Lady"
Kinvara stands in the dark and yet she is radiant, her inner fire is shining and she looks inhuman.
"Tell me Priestess, how long until this comes to pass?"
Kinvara smirks, "I cannot predict specific times..."
Alaerya scoffs, "So you give me this information from the generosity of your heart and 'cant' tell me how long we have?"
She laughs and starts to walk away.
"Wait my Lady"
She looks back impatiently, "don't be cryptic with me I'm not one to play games"
As she says this her hands build with powerful magic and Kinvara watches with interest.
"Tell me...how long" Alaerya mimics the priestesses use of voice magic to return the influence she's using.
"My estimate is around 15 years or less"
The orb fades and contracts back into its sphere. Aeyrelis looks thoughtful.
"How long ago did the Targaryens leave?"
"Around a year ago"
"So we have 14 years?"
The orb retreats back to its place, Alaerya summons her paperwork and shakes her head.
"I've gone through this comment over and over again, she doesn't know. She was trying to convince me and guessed."
He rubs his chin while he watches her setting up her magic practices.
"So how are you going to take Valyria there, you can't just pick it up and take it there"
She chuckles, "I know that"
"And the children? She mentioned our daughter walking the dream roads. When will you start their education?"
Alaerya sighed, "I was hoping they could just enjoy being kids first...before everything that is to come"
"I know..." he replied quietly, "but we can't waste our time as she put it"
He walks by her bookshelves reading the book titles to himself and takes out a book on high magic.
"This needs to be organised"
She glances over at him reading her books
"Are you calling me messy?!"
"Hhm no...the information. The structure and foundation...of Valyria. It needs to be in one...place. Nothing is really documented"
He points to the orbs, "Even they're not perfect. They can change with age and if the original owner dies it harder to use them. Unless they're you of course" he grins with pride at his wife.
He replaces the book and kisses her on the neck as she finishes setting up, "I need to go now I have some meetings and I'm training today."
"You need to start retraining in magic again Aeyrelis" she replies not looking up from setting up her materials.
He stops at the door as it opens for him, "I know you need me to, I will. Maybe I can include Aeyrelion?"
She smiles at the thought of their eldest child, their son, "That might be a wise idea. He seems to enjoy learning about warfare"
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She smiles as she feels the tingling of his kiss on her neck. She can still feel him there with her and she feels whole having him in her life. Today she focuses on manipulating energy with her mind. She finds the book she needs to review some higher knowledge and practices with building small statues.
She reads from her book, "Novices learning this craft will mostly be satisfied mastering this technique with the use of hand movements and incantations. This practice, while inferior, is still useful and can produce sound structures. However, In situations of pressure or physical stress of any kind these crude methods of performing the magic will fail and the result will be flawed and unstable. True wielders of Valyrian magic do not speak or move any part of their physical body while performing this. The resulting structures are flawless and faultless, sturdy and reliable. The energy being drawn in to build them is free of emotional impulses and desires of the wielder and is stronger, and purer. This is the ultimate goal of using Valyrian magic and energy to build statues and structures."
She makes a note to explore the planning and building of the city of Valyria to solidify her knowledge and understanding of Valyrian structures. Next she decides it's time for some practice.
Looking around she doesn't see a space big enough to build what's on her mind. She moves things around her space and clears items away and when satisfied she goes to work. Closing her eyes and steadying her breath she feels her heart beating from the exertion of moving things around. She feels the thud of her heart against her chest and becomes the movement losing herself to the sensation, feeling nothing else. Silently the purple fire leaps onto her outstretched hands and sinks into her hands and arms spreading upwards slowly. The sensation stings her slightly but it's gone as soon she feels it like electrifying goosebumps. Drawing in the magic latent in the air happens faster with the flame magic in her arms, the power concentrates in her hands and she begins building. It takes some time to get it right but in the end and with the help of her orb she recreates the islands with incredible accuracy.
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Once she's satisfied she on impulse reaches for a book on the top shelf and wipes the dust off it.
She smiles to herself ruefully, 'never thought I'd have use of this book ever again' she thinks as she remembers hating this book as a child.
She sees herself forced to use it for her lessons in Valyrian history which she found interesting until she had to study the other Valyrian families.
She sighs to herself for not paying more attention to this information which is so valuable to what she intends to do now.
She flicks through the old pages and starts making notes. The highest noble families of Valyria and their specific use of magic and various talents. Which if she'd paid attention before would be instantly available to her.
She continues through the lesser lords of Valyria taking less notes as they're not as much of an interest to her.
'If they spent less time squabbling for more power and more time trying to increase their actual talents they'd be much more useful' she shook her head at some of the names and sigils. Many of them were not in her favour. She paused on one page and read intently taking notes before continuing on to find any others similar to this particular minor house. She found one other house similar but they were not suitable as no one was actively using this particular skill which was rare in Valyria. Partly because everyone focuses so much on fire magic and dragons they neglect anything to do with much else. Except this house, she recognised that sigil. The House of the Seahorse.
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Valaer received the messenger with surprise. He knew this family but how did they know him? The messenger bowed only slightly due to his status and handed him a scroll.
"From the Lady Alaerya" the messenger curtly says unsure why his Lady wants to talk to a man of this status. The messenger remembers getting handed the scroll and was unable to hide his surprise she wanted to talk to this particular lesser Lord. 'I trust you with this message to keep it to yourself, take the message forget you were there. I will reward you' he nods and takes the scroll from her feeling proud she trusts him with whatever this is.
Valaer takes the scroll and with a deep breath begins to unfurl it, 'gods what is this' he thinks.
As he reads the scroll he slowly walks the room which is uniquely designed in the colours of his House. Watery murals adorn the walls and sea serpents and mermaids follow him around the room. He reads the scroll twice not understanding.
"I'm to come to Valreon House?" He says quietly to the messenger
"At once sir, and I was instructed to tell you no one is to be told this"
Valaer remembering he is still a Lord gathers himself together and follows the messenger to one of the most powerful Houses in Valyria. A pit of dread is in his stomach.
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He arrives at Valreon House and is immediately intimidated. The house dwarfs his own and the power and influence of these people is such that he could never walk out and he'd never be found. Their reputation was interesting to say the least but he'd never actually met these people, only heard the stories from the other lesser lords. And they were known for their jealousy and inaccuracy anyway. He tried not to stare but the house was something else and everywhere they went something else amazing was waiting. Some of the murals on the ceiling of dragons were moving, the paintwork on the walls looked like beautiful golden clouds and the murals were extremely life like. A testament to the power in their magic.
The messenger brings him into a room with a large ornate desk and bright orange fire blazing to one side of the room. He is confused for a moment as he was summoned by Lady Alaerya but this is clearly the Master of the House meeting room. She is standing by the flames gazing into them and doesn't hear them enter.
"My Lady I present to you Lord Velaryon, keeper of Sea Magic" he bows and leaves the room quietly
Valaer is stunned to be referred to in that manner and is even more confused.
He looks at her and she is gazing steadily at him, her face unreadable and passive. He hears a sound and looks to the desk and sees Aeyrelis Valreon sitting there staring fiercely at him. He immediately feels weak under their gazes and incredibly nervous.
"We have never met Lord Velaryon" she says quietly but with power behind her voice
She beckons to him to sit and she joins him, Aeyrelis watches and stays silent.
"N...no I don't believe we ever have" he replies trying his best to remain composed while his mind is racing.
"You are worried about the reason I sent for you"
'She is direct' he thought to himself
He smiles a small smile, "I am intrigued why someone from one of the highest Valyrian bloodlines wants to speak with me. Yes I'm curious"
She places an open book between them, he has seen it before and knows it well like every noble Valyrian would.
"Why are you showing me my own House?"
"Because you are the only family in Valyria with this particular skill. Nobody focuses on water, they overlook it. It's everywhere, it's magic is not valuable to our people. But fire, and dragons, are what makes us special along with those who wield magic." She glances at him and continues, "I want you to help us using your skills" she says simply arriving at the point.
"Forgive me my Lady why do you need me? You have ships, you have people and you have dragons. Why do you want help from a lesser lord like me?"
Aeyrelis shifts forward in his seat and Valaer shifts uncomfortably. Alaerya raises her hand and Valaer's mouth grapes open slightly as a perfect to scale model of a group of islands settles on the desk between them.
He swallows ucomfortably, "what is this?"
She sits back in her chair and eyes him sternly, "I know you helped the Targaryens find their new home."
His heart sinks as he gets the feeling he's incurred the anger of the high Lords.
"I-" he starts
She holds up her hand, "Quiet this is not about that, I want you to find these islands for me"
He looks closer at them and they are truly magnificent, he looks up from the islands and at both of them.
"Can I ask why?"
She smiles easily, "For the same reason as you sought lands outside Valyria. But we know what this will bring us. We are looking to mine materials for crafting artifacts"
She uses her magic to shield her lies even though she knows he doesn't possess the power to look back into her true motivations.
"We are prepared to reward you for this, and for your silence." Aeyrelis finally speaks with authority and not attempting to hide the warning.
Alaerya places a bag of gold on the table, "For now this is what we will give you. You will get more when you return from my trip with you after you discover what we are looking for"
"And if your talent comes through for us we will offer you a change in ranking and all that comes with it" says Aeyrelis.
Valaer looks at Aeyrelis in shock but he feels emboldened realising his life isn't in danger, "why would you offer me that?"
"Because you are the only family in Valyria with this magic and our people prize the rare and exotic. Magical talents especially." Alaerya answers instead.
He looks at Alaerya sensing warmth in her voice although her face doesn't reveal any changes.
Realising he doesn't really have a choice anyway he nods, "I will do this"
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Alaerya sits on his desk and looks at him seductively. He reaches over and strokes her legs which are crossed and she is posing as if to entice him.
"I enjoy watching you be powerful" he says to her smirking.
She laughs and leans forward, "I couldn't be too friendly with a lesser Lord he needs to be driven by ambition and fear at the same time. If I'm too friendly, People might talk"
He sits back in his chair and looks up at her amused, "Even in here?" He indicates his office.
"If you don't think there are eyes everywhere you're always unprepared fo be blind sided. You know the game amongst the families here. Climb to the top at all costs".
"You play those same games my dear" he looks at her amused
She turns back to look at him, "The game has changed...my dear"
He laughs and scoops her up, "I have to say I don't mind playing the imposing high Lord every now and then"
She wraps her arms around his neck as he carries her out of the room, "And I don't mind watching. Now, enough business let's go be with the children"
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A few days pass and she decides to revise her fire gazing. She remembered a sequence of events from Aeyrelis' office as Lord Velaryon entered she wanted to see again.
She settled in her sacred space and conjures the regular orange fire of the physical realm before her. With her eyes open she emptied her mind of all thoughts and merged her mind and energy with the flames. She felt the flames, she was the flames and her blood felt on fire. But it was a nice sensation to her. Then they showed her what she didn't see in entirety.
Faces she knows, some of them well, gathering and training. Learning a new magic, or relearning a very old powerful fire magic that was forgotten until now. She sees them wielding this power which is impressive. But she sees into the hearts of a small number of this group and feels the coldness of malice, hate and desire.
She recognises then just from their feelings and intentions. Time speeds up and as their power grows she sees this small group of people getting reckless using their power for unsavoury means. They become unstable and gather under the great Fire of Valyria one night for a particularly gruesome display of magic involving young slave children. The magic they raise turns on them and they turn to ash before they can react. The children scatter but it'll be no use, she realises what is coming...the magic detonates the largest Valyrian fire and the volcano which is the seat of its power. And thus begins the Valyrian destruction. She slowly returns to her body and separates from the flames. Knowing who she needs to visit next.
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The most respected temple in Valyria is the Fourteen Flames Temple. Seated in the bowels of the largest and most powerful Volcano in Valyria it is entrenched in magical power. Only the highest elites are allowed to enter here. If any Lesser Nobles or slaves not owned by the temple enter it is because they're never leaving. And for this reason it also has the most fearsome reputation.
Alaerya knows the council of flames. The women and men who dedicate their lives to the flame magic of Valyria, she has two of her family members on this council. If she chose it she could join them as the members of the council all have families and lives outside of the Temple.
The Flames of Valyria are the highest mystery to learn and one which Alaerya is still practicing. These flames are different flames to fire of the physical world, they are magic capable of being conjured out of thin air and can create mass destruction due to their volatility. It takes patience and time to master this type of flame and she is due for her tests of power soon.
'You need to practice more' she sighs, aware of the fact she has seen more value in time with her children of late.
'If I didn't believe in our doom I would be spending more time here' she thinks to herself as she walks through the temple.
It appears as if it's on fire and to get to the priestesses you have to be able to master the flame magic to make it to them alive and unharmed. She smiles as the flames part for her easily with no effort or movement on her part.
There are fourteen chambers for each of the flames and she moves towards the one of her long time mentor. She passes through a curtain of unearthly green flame designed to keep out unwanted visitors who might have made it this far.
"You're late" comes the gravelly voice of her aunt on her mothers side.
"Or am I here just at the right time?" she smiles in return.
The chamber explodes in violent green flame in response to her comment and her mentor is sitting cross legged in the middle of the room bathing in green fire. Her eyes shining brightly with the colour of the flames.
"I know you didn't come here to practice today so why have you come?"
Alaerya approaches her and lowers her voice,"For two things, to seek your counsel and your approval."
"I like that you get straight to the point my dear. Sit" she motions her to sit next to her in the flames
Alaerya was amused, she should've known her aunt who's her mentor would find a way to make her practice the last mystery she needed to master.
She nodded and closed her eyes, the power of the room was intense and it beat down upon her wearing her own energy thin.
Calming the breath and the body she relaxed and felt more evenly balanced and only when she was sure she was ready stepped into the emerald green flame.
Passing through this veil she entered another room that was made for the flames shielding them both from the temple around them.
"I knew I needed to use shielding magic today and that is what I will be teaching you. It seems to me you will need it for whatever is coming for you."
Her mentor looked at her with deep eyes of knowing.
"Do you know what it is I plan to do?"
"I know of several paths which lay in front of you, some end well, others do not"
"Which path would you take?"
"The one you seem to be following already seems to be the best."
"Anything else I should know?"
"You need to tread carefully in a short time my dear. Change is coming and it puts you in danger. Green eyes will turn upon you and all your plans can come undone before they've had a chance to bear fruit"
She nodded quietly understanding the words of warning
"Can you tell me what will put me in danger at least?"
The priestess shakes her head, "I will not spoil the thread of time. What is coming must happen and you cannot know of it. You will not see it if you seek it," she says with a warning look at her student, "it will be the birth of you, the death of you and it will bring greatness if you're ready to take it. But it will not be easy"
Trying to absorb this information she remembers why she came here in the first place.
"So this warning is tied to what I needed your counsel on?"
The priestess closes her eyes and doesn't respond. Alaerya knows the answer without needing one.
"Aunty..."
The priestess snaps her eyes open
"Tell me about the Flame Cult"
The priestess closes her eyes and winces, she stays silent for a long time. The flames around them calm but the space remains strong.
"Why do you want to know this?"
"Please don't treat me like a child, I'm asking someone from my family. Not a priestess, or a mentor, family. Tell me what they're doing"
"An ancient power is being awakened, it will heighten our magic immensely. All who wield magic now will be instantly more powerful. Those who have traces of magic will grow their power also. And those with no magic will be even more powerless to those who control them. I do not agree totally with this power being awoken. I believe we are doing great things without it. But what would an old woman know" she ends with bitterness.
"Have you seen what this would lead to? You must have because I've seen it in the flames myself. Surely it's not a secret"
The woman looks at her student and nods, "I've seen it but it's also not a path that is guaranteed"
Alaerya laughs, "That is ridiculous and you know it. We know what's in their hearts and minds they won't stop until the power is theirs. Just promise me something Aunty"
The old woman looks up at her.
"Let me save you if it's meant to be" her heart lurches with feelings of worry for this woman, who she has loved her whole life and has been so important to her.
"Only if it's meant to be child. If it's not leave me be. Do not mess with the threads of time"
She nods in agreement and begins to practice castIng shielding spells for her impromptu lesson.
