Chapter 9: The Edge of the World

He unrolled the map and the dimness of the room with the firelight playing across the desk kept some of the contents in shadows. Alaerya conjured a light orb to sit above them and uncover the secrets of the scroll.

Valaer carefully flattened the map and began talking, " at first when you asked me to find these islands I didn't even know where to look. But lucky for you we can work the sea and the model you showed me was a great help. We narrowed our search down to an area just between this land mass and these islands. They're called the Summer Islands, beautiful place but very tribal people there we were unable to establish communications with them. Off the coast between these two expanses of land this ring of islands was created a few years ago when the earthquake which damaged our city caused some underwater movement of earth which shifted some land above sea level. And these islands were born. It seems only a portion of the land was raised which is why the land that was created isn't bigger. As far as I can tell no one has discovered this place yet so it's completely untouched."

Alaerya's fingers traced over the map where the islands were marked, "Have you been there yet?" She said quietly not looking up at him, she seemed entranced with tracing the sketch.

Valaer nodded, "We returned yesterday. The journey took us 4 weeks in total. 3 weeks to find the islands and 1 week to sail back. We had fair winds" he smiled widely.

"Did you land and do any explorations?" she questioned him.

Valaer pointed to the first island, "we landed here and did some inspections on the island. Naturally you'll want to see it yourself but it looks as you saw in the vision"

"May I have this?" Asks Alaerya holding the scroll.

He swipes his hand open towards the scroll, "it's yours, I made other copies. I had a feeling you would want one".

"When can we go and view these islands for ourselves?" interjected Aeyrelis.

"I need to tend to some affairs here, but we can sail out of Port next week"

"Make your preparations and tell us when" said Alaerya, "Now excuse me gentlemen I must be leaving I'm late for a meeting"

Aeyrelis looked surprised but recognised his wife's request to be alone, she swept from the room the scrolls under her arm.

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She sat in front of the council of flames, dressed lightly, her hair tied back from her face. She emptied her mind and floated in the darkness. She found this incredibly rejuvenating, floating in the darkness of her mind free of thoughts and worries. She had worked hard to get where she was, in the process of becoming a master of all Valyrian Mysteries. A feat no Valyrian had ever achieved before. This time she sat in her own skin and her own face unlike when she mastered the previous mysteries. That was how she concealed her abilities and strengths, by being someone else. She never really enjoyed being another though, her own skin was much more satisfying.

In the darkness of her mind a flame was burning off in the darkness, she walked towards it and there was someone standing next to the flames watching her approach.

She joined him and he looked at her, his hands over the flames as they jumped and licked at his fingers. She copied him and at her touch the flames slid up and through her fingers caressing her skin and surrounding her hands with warmth. He remained expressionless and dissolved into the blackness.

She instinctively stepped back as the flames soared high above her head and a priestess appeared standing in the flames. Smiling at her, tempting her to enter. She smiled in return and entered the flames feeling the sensation of flames surrounding her whole body. Her mind wandered for a split second and she felt the flames bite at her in anger slightly but she regained her focus and they calmed around her. They stood in the fire for a short while before the priestess was burned to ash and disappeared. The flames burned low and guttered out at her feet, nestled in the pile of ashes was a golden dragons egg. She bent down and picked up the egg and sat cross legged with it in her hands. She felt the warmth of the egg and conjured flame energy out of her hands feeding the egg. The egg glowed white hot but didn't crack, she was puzzled as she thought her innate fire was the requirement she needed to pass this test. She removed her hands from the egg and conjured a flame to grow in front of her she fashioned it to become a white hot knife, and she slashed a cut across her hand and watched as her blood dripped over the egg. She sent flames through her hands again and cradled the egg steadily controlling the rate of Fire energy. The egg shone white hot again and kept growing brighter and brighter. The egg exploded and fire energy swirled out of the egg all around her. It formed the shape of a dragon encircling her running faster and faster and growing in height as it did so. She stood up and chased alongside the dragon and powered up her legs to jump up onto the back of the fire dragon. She straddled the flames beneath her and held onto a spike of fire between her hands. She rode astride the fire dragon through the dark depths of her mind until she saw a thin veil of energy in front of her. The dragon burst through the veil and she was immediately thrown back into her physical body in the Fourteen Flames temple. Her eyes snap open and she breathes deeply still exhilarated from being on the back of a dragon made of fire.

The Council of Flames is sitting in front of her with unnerving stern looks on their faces. She calms her beating heart and relaxes her body. A priestess approaches her and places a red cloak over her body, she looks up at the lriestsss and smiles. It is her mentor and Aunt, her face doesn't move but her eyes sparkle and she knows she has done well.

"Alaerya of House Valreon please rise"

She slowly gets to her feet, pulling the red cloak over her shoulder, she's aware she worked great magic because she is shivering slightly. Which can sometimes happen when large amounts of magic is expended from the body.

"You did great work today child of the flames, very nearly you lost your way and very nearly you failed. The flames retaliated at your loss of concentration but you managed to regain yourself. Very few are able to do this as the bite of fire hurts not just the physical body but the ego as well. We need to rise above the ego when we work with the flames because the ego is a selfish desire and the flame is generous giving heat and life and only taking one thing from us in return. It only requires one thing to work with it, and to master it. A free mind that can wander the darkness of our minds free of the thoughts which cloud us from the moment we open our eyes.

Be proud child, I believe you are now the first Valyrian ever to master more than just the flames. Be careful though dear one because power can bring the wrath of the eyes which are green"

She bows to the Priest who bestows blessings of the temple over her head and shoulders.

Her journey is complete, she has studied and mastered the Valyrian mysteries and she could now slow her incessant pace of learning to bring everything she knows together.

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Inside she feels complete and realises she is closing the door on a major part of her life. The part of her which grew up and received an education in Valyria. She was now entering the phase of building something outside of her home and she was excited about how it was developing. There was also a lot of uncertainty about it. But for today she resigned to forget about the dark prophecies haunting her mind and be present in the moment with her loved ones.

Her home was filled with family, friends and close colleagues. It was a place of extravagance and opulence, banquet tables overflowing with food and trays of delicacies floating around waiting for people to take from them. Trays of drinks floated around the room replenishing instantly as they were emptied. Light reflecting off the enormous chandelier was the centre piece of the ceiling. The swirling pastel and gold patterns on the wall glistening and shining. People of high society in Valyria had taken to using their magic on their appearance so hair styles were creative and women looked ethereal with their make up and hair styled. The ceiling had been enchanted to have cloud cover and dragons made of golden light diving and rolling around one another in a ceaseless game of chase and hide. It was nice to return into some social pace after all the years of hard work she had undergone to get where she was today.

Everyone wanted to talk to her not just to congratulate her but to exchange their amazement about how she presented herself at the council meeting. Parents were eager for their children to reach the same magical abilities as her own. There was plenty of talk about the possibilities of Valyria now that magic was being standardised and how that will impact on future conquests. And their desire for conquest had been reignited.

It had been months since she had seen her mother and siblings

"Alaerya," scolded her mother, "how could you keep such secrets from me? From us?"

She looked genuinely upset she hadn't been informed of her ambitions, her sisters looked amused but not concerned.

"Mother, stop just be happy for her!" her closest sister interrupted.

Someone pulled her away from her family, it was Aeyrelis, "Apologies ladies, my wife is popular today I'll return her shortly"

They smiled at him but her mother looked displeased

"Thank you" she whispered, "I know they're my family but I'm getting sick of talking about myself"

Her husband laughed as he guided her through the crowd, "Always humble..."

She dug her nails into his arm like claws, "Ah ow!" He grimaced and laughed at her.

She stopped to talk with Aeyrelis' family, her mother in law hugged her and whispered, "I know you're tired of the conversation but we are proud of you. Well done dear"

She squeezed her hand Alaerya looked down and smiled. This woman had been a large part of her life for a long time and she was so happy they were family.

"Thank you I really appreciate your support Aerilla it means a lot"

"Anything you need come anytime"

"I know and thank you you're always so generous"

"I count you as my daughter..."

Alaerya smiles in return as another person interjects wanting time speak with her.

Later she sees some of the high ranking priests gathering and talking amongst themselves. She brings a glass of Valyrian wine and joins them.

"Wise men of Valyria, thank you for gracing me with your presence at this celebration"

They turned to look at her, "We are thankful

For the invitation my Lady" says one cordially, she remembers his face was contorted with disbelief in her abilities in her very house discussing the decree a few weeks earlier.

"You are quite an intriguing figure in our society now it is nice to get an insight into your life" says another.

"Yes I know I have done things rather...unconventionally."

They all look at her in various states of amusement or disbelief.

The one on her right leans closer to her and says, "What magic is it you use to change your face?"

She looks at him and knows they've all heard his question. "I-I can't really explain it..." she begins, "I read it was possible somewhere after seeing it while dreamwalking and I tried it and it worked. But it's more than just swapping a face, you actually become that person in many aspects. For that reason I find it particularly dangerous because it's always tempting to become someone we are not. "

The men nod thoughtfully at her words and smile as she is beckoned to come and say a speech for her guests.

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The best aspect of revealing herself to her people was the freedom she had now. She could attend any meeting for the running of the city and not be questioned. People just assumed it was right that she should be there. Even the members of rival families didn't appear to bristle at the fact she was present. She used this to attend as many meetings as she could in various areas of managing the city. This was her new drive to learn how to run and build a city. Because essentially that's what she wanted to do if these islands turned out to be what she had seen in her visions. Her main interests lay in how to structure the city and how Valyrian buildings were made. She listened to the meeting of the planning and took note that these buildings were the ones seen in the Targaryen girls prophecy.

At the end of the meeting she approached the men involved in town planning and building.

They slightly bowed their heads out of respect.

"Lady Valreon, a pleasure to see you in our meetings. We have never stirred the interest of wielders of the Valyrian mysteries before."

"Well sir now that I have mastered Valyrian magic I want to know all about how our great civilisation has risen and how we can continue to rise"

He smiled at her, "How much do you know of Valyrian architecture?"

"Not a lot, I'm aware of the use of sacred geometry and the concept of energy flowing through the buildings. Which correct me if I'm wrong is to ensure the people living in them are in harmony with and able to connect more strongly to their talents. This is why the high families in Valyria usually hire the best Valyrian architects and builders to continue strengthening their use of and connection with their magic."

He laughed at her detailed explanation, "This is true madame, we are truly invested in helping those who are strongest in our society remain that way."

"Can a poorly designed and built premises truly impact on the magic one can conjure there?"

He rifled through his scrolls and found a design of a building, "See this design?"

He showed her a very square looking palace with lots of edges and different levels.

She looked over it with interest, "I've seen something like this before..." she murmurs trying to remember when she saw it

He shook his head, "I don't think you have, this hasn't been built in Valyria my Lady. The structure is too angular with not enough rounded edges to help direct the flowing nature of elemental magic. Magic that we know and use is constantly flowing around us in currents if you will. When we maximise our space and help it to flow better then we can use it quicker and more effectively"

She looks over the design again, "So what was the point of designing this one?"

He sighed, "I owed a favour to someone and designed something different, it was for a family not really strong in wielding magic so the need for optimal energy flow wasn't a main priority. It was more about the location and the terrain it was located in"

Alaerya looked seriously at him, "Are you currently in the employ of any major families or government projects sir?"

He indicated to the designs in front of him, "These designs we are beginning to build in Valyria now will be completed within the week. We are in the final stages of approvals and once we get started the magic we use to build will have these buildings ready to inhabit not long after"

She nodded thoughtfully, "And are cities built according to helping the flow of energy and maximising it?"

"Oh yes, you'll see here," he unrolled a large scroll, "this is our majestic city. Effectively it's a large circle. See?" He shows her the outer edges of the city. "Building in a circle helps capture the magic energy and keep it in a never ending circle of running through the city. When a city is built in a square the energy we found runs in different directions causing discordant energy and unpredictable magic"

"Sir how would you like to teach me more about city planning and builders magic? We are collating Valyrian knowledge to be used in education of Valyrian children after all. It seems to me we have found another aspect of our culture we should be preserving and teaching"

He looked surprised and shocked, "Lady Valreon it would be an honour"

She shook his hand, "come to my estate when you're ready and please bring as much as you can. We will develop a curriculum together and I will learn as we go."

He bowed his head, "Thank you for this my Lady it's quite unexpected"

"It would be a shame to not have this knowledge. Apologies where are my manners I have been so busy questioning you I didn't ask your name?"

"Do not apologise Lady Valreon. My name is Jaehserys"

"Thank you for your time sir. Actually do you mind if I take some of these to look over in the meantime?"

She pointed to some scrolls of buildings and the layout of Valyria

"Please take what you need I have plenty of copies stored in my office at the Guild of Builders"

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Her work on the Education Decree was consuming to say the least. Every day she had multiple meetings to organise curriculum and discuss specifics with leaders in the areas of education. Yet after a few weeks of intense outlay she had in her hands an almost complete curriculum to begin teaching all the children. She sat in her barely used office looking at the stack of paperwork in awe. She had managed to bring together the highest ordained magical figures in Valyria to not only co operate but actually write down their knowledge. She heard a knock at the door, the High Governor has come to visit her this time

"Please come in sir, how you managed to get past my people and enter without an appointment is beyond me" she says with mock sarcasm and a laugh.

He walked in and looked at her pleased

"I hear your work is almost complete"

She indicates the paper work in front of her, "Its been intense but we are almost finished High Governor."

"Almost?"

She nods and looks excited, "I decided to add in a couple of more subjects"

He sits down and looks at her curiously, "More subjects?"

"Yes I have been working closely with a very knowledgeable builder from the Guild who has been helping me grow a curriculum on Valyrian structures and planning. Which is relevant seeing as some of the highest families have gifts in this area"

He takes and looks through the curriculum and looks seriously at Alaerya, "This is highly detailed and precious information. How do you plan on keeping this secure when it's not in use"

She smiles and looks at him holding the entire curriculum in his hands. As she looks at him she reinstated the wards and protections she places on them.

He yells and drops the paperwork which floats back to Alaerya's side.

He's looking at his hands as if they were burning, but there's no marks on him.

He looks at her in horror which changes to respect and happiness.

"I was stupid to ask it seems"

"I have security in place but it's always wise to ask sir. Don't assume, assuming closes you to other ways people can blind side you"

He leans forward, "Have you documented everything that you yourself can do my dear?"

She looks at him sternly, "Some things I have kept out of these documents"

"Like the ability to change faces? I have many friends in the temples you know. I heard about how you managed to get every single temple to follow your lead without complaint. I wondered how you made it happen"

"Are you angry or proud?"

He was silent for a short while, "A bit of both. I guess now I know how you've been getting past my people to come and see me"

She looks down and smiles, "That's not how I do it"

He looks at her evenly, "Oh my dear you're full of secrets"

She looks up at him suddenly and grins. As she does she slowly starts to fade away until she's no longer sitting in front of him.

He gapes his mouth open and leans forward looking at her empty seat. He sits back down on the lounge with shock and jumps in fright as he sees her sitting next to him

"Gods Alaerya. How long have you been doing that?"

"Not long. And it's not something I want to teach to just anyone. In the wrong hands this skill could be disastrous"

"You're right about that. I forbid you to write it down for now, that knowledge could cause havoc among the warring families"

"Yes I know, exactly why I haven't included it or really shown anyone"

"Does Aeyrelis know of this?"

She looks out the crystalline window, "Not yet" she looks back at her old teacher, "but he will".

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Before their departure she had plenty of preparation to do. Ensuring the children were happy and looked after. Discussing the next few weeks of developments with the curriculum developers and drafting class timetables for commencing when she returned. Sending out notification to all the children who would be eligible to attend classes notifying them of their enrolment in the new system. Lastly she prepared 4 scrolls and handed them to her most trusted servant.

She handed the scrolls to him, "These are for their eyes only. I trust you and will reward you as I have in the past. In 2 weeks and not a day less you are to hand deliver these to the Master of these houses. Tell no one where you're going and be back before they notice you're gone. If you succeed in being undetected I'll double the reward. Can you do this?"

He solemnly takes the scrolls and hides them in his robes, "It will be a pleasure to do this for you my Lady"

She nods in approval, "Ok I will see you when we return. Keep well and watch my children for me. Ensure no harm comes to them, I am a target now after all"

He bows and leaves the room.

Shortly after Aeyrelis enters, takes her hand and she stands.

"Ready for an adventure my love?"

"Lead me to the docks good sir"

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Valaer was nervous to have these particular guests on his ship. They weren't just another high born family, they were the top magical family now. Fantastically knocking their rivals from the top with a series of power manoveurs which had all of Valyria talking. He saw them approaching, dressed in black and silver armour. Their hair braided and jewelled, they looked like royalty and they walked with confidence that all parted out of their way to let them pass. He swallowed nervously as they mounted his ship and looked at him with interest.

"Thank you for inviting us on your ship Lord Velaryon" said Aeyrelis his hand outstretched.

Valaer shook his hand, which was strong and firm. He began to ease as he saw Alaerya looking around at the ship

"You have a fine vessel here my Lord"

He couldn't believe his ears, where were the stern and foreboding people he met months ago.

"Thank you my Lady only the finest for the best family in Valyria"

Aeyrelis laughed loudly, "We aren't the best family. There are others who contribute more"

He bowed his head, "No disrespect, I merely mention what the people are saying"

Alaerya Aeyrelis glance at one another, Valaer doesn't understand what's happening so he signals for the ships to leave port.

They sail away from the Freehold, and as they do Alaerya turns back to Valyria and stares for the longest time. Valaer wonders what she's looking at and why, he turns his head to see something approaching them from air in the distance. And as it approaches he looks up in wonder, Alaerya's dragon Vaella was following them. He couldn't believe it, she was twice as large as the dragon Balerion who was on Dragonstone with his cousin.

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Every day Valaer rises with the sun, and heads onto the deck to begin his morning rituals. As a keeper of Sea Magic he takes it very seriously to keep alive as he had recently learned he was the only one doing so in Valyria. He stands facing the sun and feels the rays of light penetrating his skin and entering his body. He breathes the salty sea air and feels the breath of the waves enter his body. He feels the current of air on his skin and uses his magic to make the winds blow fair. Enhancing their journey and speeding up their progress. There are no clouds in the sky so today he doesn't need to move anything using the sea air. If a storm threatens his fleet he simply clears a corridor of cloud so they can slip through unharmed. Interfering greatly in the natural flow of the elements can lead to disaster so he minimises his impact on storms, by just creating safe passage. Their journey is pleasant and everyone on board the ship is marvelling at Valaer's magic.

Every evening he searches out for any approaching storms and weather systems that can impair their journey through the night and guides their fleet through them avoiding any unpleasant surprises at night.

One morning during his rituals he feels her eyes on him and turns to look but no one is there. He sighs, sure he felt a presence and returns to his practices. When he's finished he turns back to look again and she's standing watching him. He gets startled and she glides towards him, looking regal in the sunlight as she approaches.

"Apologies it wasn't my intention to frighten you"

"You were there the whole time" he says to her watching her expression.

"Yes I was here"

"Where though? I turned around and you certainly weren't where you are now?"

"I was wanting to observe you without being seen. I didn't want to disturb you"

'She effectively side stepped that question', thought Valaer

"No", she said firmly, "I chose not to answer your question sir."

"Of course you can read thoughts" laughed Valer

She looked out across the sea, "Benefit of being highly trained in magic"

"How did you manage to do that undetected if I might ask? It seems not one person in Valyria except you and Aeyrelis were aware of the extent of your training"

"I like bold Valaer, you're much more interesting when you act with confidence. And yes, I'm side stepping the question because I will not answer it. Just know I have ways which are foreign even to me so I can't talk about how I do certain things until I'm certain of how it occurs"

They stood silently watching the ocean and the birds soaring around their ship for a while.

"Valaer, will you add your knowledge of sea magic to the Education Decree?"

"I don't really know how I do it, shouldn't I wait until I'm certain of how?"

She smiles at his smart remark, "There's bold Valaer again. I only ask as we need to document and preserve it. I would be sad to see your magic fade away because we didn't try to save it"

He nods and bows, "I will do what I can to help my Lady"

They look up as they hear a shout from the crew, "Land approaching!"

They peer out into the distance and can very vaguely make out the shadow shape of land in the distance.

Vaella swoops around the ship, and Alaerya boosts her magic into her legs and vaults high in the air onto dragon back. Soaring closer to inspect the islands coming clearer as she gets closer

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Aeyrelis comes onto the deck after hearing shouts of land, he sees Vaella flying ahead in the distance. He comes alongside Valaer.

Valaer looks at Aeyrelis astonished

"Is she always so..."

"Fearsome, unpredictable and determined. Yes Lord Velaryon she is"

He smiles at the shocked look on Valer's face.

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Vaella swoops and soars around the islands as they came into focus. They were exactly as she had seen, they swooped low and circled each of the islands. As she rounded the fourth island she looked down and saw into the depths of the volcano, 'This one is active, let's go have a look'

Dragon and rider circle down onto the beach taking note of how the islands are connected by perfect rock bridges between them. She lands and as soon as her feet touch the ground, her blood sings.

She looks around and sees the fleet anchoring off the coast and preparing to lower a vessel into the water. She bends down and places her hand on the sand, the energy that shoots up her arm is the strongest she has touched. Raw, pure, untouched energy. It swirls through her body heightening and activating innate parts of her. She looks up at the volcano in front of her, "There is magic here"

Her eyes are glowing brilliant white.

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Valaer, Aeyrelis and several members of the builders guild come ashore. Alaerya is waiting for them.

"You must be pleased my Lady it is exactly as you saw" says Valaer

She looks around, "This is exactly what we are looking for my Lord"

"Do you think there will be materials here for your artifacts"

"I have no doubt, Aeyrelis and I will inspect the island that it fits our purpose. Please wait here for us. It will be quicker by dragon back"

Vaella is sitting behind Alaerya huge and ominous, she allows the Valreons to mount her and they begin to inspect the island.

"I want to see the volcano first, if there is any wealth on the island it will be there. And the source of the islands magic is there too"

Aeyrelis looks to the volcano, "Let's go my love"

Valaer watches them from the beach hoping they find what they're looking for.

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They soar towards the volcano and land at the foot of it and head towards a wide open cave. Alaerya casts out her mind and her searching energy for a safe path into the volcano. She takes Aeyrelis hand and conjures lights to lead the way. They climb into the caves and silently head in the direction her magic leads them. The floor evens out and opens into a large cave, she raises her magic high into the roof of the cave. It takes several minutes to reach the top and when it does it illuminates a huge shimmering cave. They both gasp at the beauty of the cave, golden veins swirl around the cave and light reflects off the shimmering stones encased in the wall.

"It looks like we are inside a beautiful dragons egg" Alaerya says in wonder as she places her hand on the wall.

Instantly she falls to her knees as the power of the stones enhances her magic. Her eyes roll back and go milky white. She is thrown into flashing images that whirl by her so fast she doesn't have time to process them. Her hand releases and she sits on her knees panting on the ground for a few moments.

"Are you ok my love?" Says Aeyrelis concerned he doesn't dare place his hand on her in case the energy causes a similar reaction to come into him.

She slowly stands, "The power here is stronger than home. Look at the concentration of stone and gold. This place is incredible."

"I think I'm in danger here of being replaced by you as Master of our House" smiles Aeyrelis, "you keep finding ways to make us stronger and wealthier. That's supposed to be my job"

She laughs and draws herself to him, "We are in this together"

They kiss passionately in the shimmering light of the gold and gemstone cave.

They excited the volcano after exploring more and finding other places of power and caves of gold and gems.

Mounting Vaella they in turn inspected each island on the surface and in the caves underneath.

When they finished it had been days since they arrived, Vaella dropped them onto the deck of the boat and went to hunt in the sea.

They found Valaer in his cabin, and knocked before being permitted to enter.

He looked up from his scrolls, messages he received from home by sea bird.

"Find what you wanted I hope Lord and Lady?"

Alaerya placed a bag of gold on his desk, he looked at it surprised.

"The agreement was on return I would give you this. We decided to give you one now and one when we return. This is to thank you for bringing us here."

"The one when we return is for your silence" Aeyrelis said seriously, "if people find out what we found all our lives are in danger. We cannot put our children at risk."

Valaer nodded he also had children to be concerned about.

"You have my silence" he bowed his head, "when would you like to return to Valyria?"

"We will leave tomorrow Lord Velaryon"

"I will instruct the ships," he responded

"Not all of them are returning" said Alaerya simply, looking back at him as she turned to leave.

He looked confused at them both

"We are leaving people here"

"May I ask why? There is nowhere to live or food to eat"

"There will be both very soon. Excuse me Lord Velaryon I have arrangements to make"

He nodded once acutely aware that the gold was not only for his silence but to reduce the amount of questions he asks as well.

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A knock sounded on his cabin door.

"Come in" he was sitting working on his plans and designs. His ideas came to him in flashes of inspiration that wouldn't stop whirling around his mind until he put them onto paper.

Alaerya entered Jaehserys cabin and observed him wildly drawing and designing buildings. She picked up one of them and noticed it was a design for the entire island, the cabin was full of scrolls and plans.

"The energy here is strong," he said not looking up at her, "as soon as we arrived I haven't been able to sleep restfully. The power here sends the images to me much stronger than back at home. Unless I get these out of my mind I can't stop or think for myself"

She noted how exhausted he looked.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise you used intuitive magic in your designs."

He looks up briefly and smiles, "Everything from Valyria comes from magic. We are just the conduits for it to come to life."

She watches him quietly

"I'm staying here" he states, not looking up.

"That was what I came to ask you"

"It wasn't going to be asking though my Lady, let's not mistake that"

She smiles subtly, "You are insightful"

"This island brings out our power more. I can see and feel stronger than before. I knew you were coming here after meeting with Lord Velaryon"

"Tell me what it is I'm planning here then Jaehserys", she sits across from him.

"You're going to save Valyria. And later on you'll build an empire that will put ours to shame." He glances up, "I want to be part of it. I knew we had been brought together for a reason"

She sat across from him, "Do you need anything from me?"

He shrugged, "I have my most trusted men, I have enough. We will find the rest. This island doesn't want us to fail. Can you feel it?"

She gave a wide and happy smile, "I can feel it"

"I knew you would, someone with your power already could be unstoppable here"

"I'm not trying to achieve that"

"I know my Lady, that's why you've been chosen to do this".

Internally she was amazed by how heightened his powers of perception were, she had felt the change within herself and was amazed it was happening to others too.

"You seem to have a grasp of everything, I'll not disturb your work any further."

She begins to rise from her chair, and he touches her hand

"My Lady" he says gently looking deep into her eyes, "I'll be building the most magificent home for you to return to on your next visit"

She smiles feeling the power in his touch, "I can't wait to see it".