A/N: thanks for the new likes! Appreciate the love!
Donny Donuts thanks for the constructive comments from Chapter 1, taken your suggestions on board and had already begun cleaning up and separating out the chapters as you suggested.
Want to have a shoutout to a story I'm reading slowly (I have no time with writing this story and chasing after my little ones!) by librarysquatter, it's called Reunion of the Pack. I'm really enjoying it check it out if you wonder what happened to Arya after she goes on her adventures...
The next few chapters deals with the beginning of the Valyrian evacuation and the lead up to the Valyrian Doom. The Doom is coming...
Chapter 17: Mistress of Mysteries
The two young children packed their belongings and look sadly back at their room. Their parents quietly guide them to the waiting dragons in their dome. They're young but old enough to know something is wrong. Their grandfather waits for them and smiles when he sees them.
"Father, is this the right thing?" the son questions his older father.
"It is Child. First the children need to be safe and then we make other arrangements"
His son nodds and let the children mount his fathers dragon. They are the only grandchildren in their family. His brother is married but they have no children of their own and is estranged from their family. Twisted by desire and dark magic.
The young children look back at their parents bags trailing behind them.
"Will we see you again?" Says the oldest, a boy.
"Yes Tanaer we will see you again" smiles his mother through tears. She feels unsure if what she's said is true.
Her daughter starts to cry because she felt her mothers uncertainty
"Come children we will go to the Port now..." says their Grandfather gently.
"Promise us grandpa we will see them again" says Tanaer with unveiled defiance in his tone.
He sighs, "I can't make any promises..."
"We aren't going unless you promise they come too!" He shouted at the elder of his family.
His grandfather looked down and looked into his eyes, "There will be another chance at evacuation and I will ensure your mother is on that voyage"
Tanaer stared defiantly into his grandfathers eyes two generations looking at each other. The boy understood he would be made to leave regardless so he turned back facing forward and held onto his sister.
The dragon left the dome and flew out of sight, their mother crumpled with grief at letting her children leave.
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The dragon flies to House Valreon to land and Alaerya is waiting for him. His heart is heavy as he feels his daughter by law's grief. He dismounts his dragon and helps his grandchildren down. She smiles at them fondly. They are in the younger years of her school but she doesn't know them well.
They look at her scared, "Lady Alaerya is going to have you taken somewhere safe"
"We want both our parents to come, when will they come" says Tanaer.
Alaerya and the High Governor exchange a look, Tanaer notices.
"If they're not both coming we aren't leaving"
The little girl whimpers at his side as her brother bristles up.
Alaerya bends down, "I'm planning another way to bring adults with us but for now we need to start taking the first people away from here. It can't be done all at once, it'll cause many problems, especially for your grandfather"
"Just tell me will both my parents be given a chance to leave, don't lie to me"
She liked this boy's courage, and she saw his impulsive uncle in him also.
"I will personally give your mother a chance to follow you, I make that promise"
Tanaer put out his hand, "I was taught that words mean nothing unless it's shaken on"
His grandfather felt proud and had a tear in his eye, Alaerya shakes the young boys hand.
"You have my word" says Alaerya seriously.
"When do we leave?"
"You're leaving on a ship today with members of other high nobility. Once there you'll be staying with my Husbands family, they will look after you. Until both your parents come"
"And then what happens to us?"
"You will be given a home to live in, a school to attend and life will be peaceful"
"I hope what you say is true"
She chuckled, "I enjoy your honesty young Tanaer I see a lot of your uncle in you, fiery and confident."
Tanaer puffs out his chest, "He's taught me how to be a man. When will Uncle Varyn be coming?"
"I'm not sure Tanaer, your father Bryon is coming with you today to accompany you both"
Tanaer looked confused why his father was coming and not his mother and uncle, his grandfather stepped forward.
"That's enough now son Lady Alaerya has many preparations to make. We need to let her go"
The young boy wanted to speak more but held his tongue, he would ask his father instead.
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The High Governor sat in Alaerya's teaching office with her, she was organising paperwork and the entire schooling curriculum to leave on the ship today. She placed it in a magical bag and warded it, it shrunk to the size of a small purse and was placed on her desk.
"You're doing well with this child. I'm proud of how this is unfolding" remarked the High Governor.
She continued preparing things for shipping, "It seems the closer we get to evacuating everyone the more hard decisions I have to make. It's wearing me down, I can't go into the classroom anymore sir. The sight of those children...leaving them behind is...hard"
She looks down at her desk and composes herself, she sighs "It weighs heavily on me".
He watches her and scrutinises her, "You will give their families a chance to choose. The right ones will take the offer"
She looked up at him, "How will I do that? They haven't listened to anything so far. There has been repeated warnings and now I feel responsible for those children out there..." her voice starts rising in anger.
He raises his hands and motions for her to calm.
Alaerya takes a deep, shaky breath.
"Sir I feel like just taking them all...going on a school trip on the ship and creating a storm for us to be lost in"
"You know they will never rest until they know what happened to their children. Don't make plans based on emotional reactions, you will save some of them. But you need to accept the fact not all of them will be saved my dear"
She sobbed a little on hearing this, she knew he was right but it wasn't easy for a woman who's a mother herself to choose who lives or dies.
"You just have to show them Alaerya, and give them the choice. You can't choose for them if you want to create something different. Because that's how things are done here, those in power keep it and make the others fall in line. You're actually trying to balance things out with the alliance."
"How do I show them and make them listen? They didn't respond to the orbs they've seen in the meetings"
"Show them another way"
"They don't all have the ability to dream walk."
"Well make them, I'm sure there is some kind of magic you can conjure to enter all their minds at once" he paused for a moment, "I heard what happened with that woman you sent to the Flame Temple"
Alaerya looked up at him for a while, "Yes I thought you might have heard about that"
"You have dangerous skills my dear, in the wrong hands what you can do could destroy and bend all to your will. But you choose not to, there is strength in that. Keep walking that path and you will succeed, find a way to enter their minds and make them feel what will happen. Unless they see it and feel it with their own eyes it just becomes something they can easily detach from."
Alaerya listened to him thoughtfully, and was disrupted by a knock at the door. Her mother in law entered, ready to leave on the ship.
"Apologies I didn't meant to interrupt" her voice was calm.
The High Governor stood and greeted her. They were cousins after all.
"Aeyra it's been too long"
"Vaeris, I wasn't expecting you"
They hugged, "Ready for your journey?"
"Yes I'm ready. Never been a fan of going on water but my son assures me the winds will be fair and swift."
"When will the dragons be accompanying you all?"
"Dragons will follow their families by moonlight, we can't have a mass flight leaving Valyria in the day" said Alaerya quietly.
"What is wrong child?" Says Aeyra coming to hug her daughter by law.
"The weight of her decisions are on her shoulders" spoke Vaeris seriously.
Vaeris the High Governor came to join her, Aeyra looks at Alaerya seriously in the eyes.
"My dear life is one hard decision after another, walk through life doing what you can but don't carry what you have no control over. Otherwise it'll dull your power and that power of yours is what we need to save us. Come here"
She hugs her daughter by law and looks at Vaeris over her shoulder, "When will you join us cousin?"
He looks uncomfortable, Aeyra closes her eyes in understanding.
"If you change your mind..."
"I've already been given the word from our young lady here, she has given me time to choose, however I believe it's my place to stay here"
"And your other children?"
"The grandchildren will be on the ship today, and we will get my daughter by law to evacuate when Alaerya begins evacuating others. She will go as she's devastated at the children and my son leaving"
Aeyra smiled in agreement, "I hope to see you there, we are family after all"
"Have you got all your family going too?"
"Most of them are willing to follow the strength in our family," she said looking to Alaerya "but some have chosen to stay hoping their absence will give them a chance to seize power"
The High Governor looked troubled, "There will be some interesting times ahead when the families begin leaving. The birds of prey will come to feast"
"Let them pick at the bones, no one will leave anything except empty power of a falling city. Let them fight over it until the volcano explodes. It's their attitude that's getting most of them left behind" she finished fiercely
Vaeris smiled, "Even more reason why I need to remain here. There might be a full revolt before this destruction comes to pass"
"We will see what comes, we are hoping to put some magic in place to make it look like we never left" said Alaerya.
They looked at her in shock, "How are you going to conjure hundreds of people and dragons with magic?"
"I don't know but I'm working on it"
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Alaerya and Aeyrelis personally saw this ship leave the dock, at the last moment Alaerya's family had decided to leave. They were planning on leaving but wanted to make the trip with Aeyrelis family. Alaerya's aunt, Vhaerya came to the docks and said goodbye to her family.
"Please sister," said Alaerya's mother, "come if you are given the chance"
"I need to stay, this is goodbye" she replied, tears in her eyes.
Alaerya's mother was strong but she didn't want to lose her sister, she pulled her tight. They had become priestesses together and been together so many years.
"Whatever it is you must do, make them pay for their actions" she whispered fiercely into her sisters ear.
"Don't worry sister. I will"
The sisters looked into each other's eyes again, hugged and parted ways. That was their last time seeing each other. The ship pulled away from the shore and the three figures watched it leave. When it disappeared Alaerya and Aeyrelis looked at Vhaerya.
"Children I'm fine, this is how it's supposed to be" she spoke defiantly before turning and stalking away.
They watched her leave, Aeyrelis whispered to Alaerya, "She will never stop calling us children will she?"
Alaerya smiles as she watches her aunt leave remembering she needs to visit her
"No we will always be children to her, and I don't mind it. Sometimes I wish we really were children again".
Aeyrelis locks his arm through hers, "I think that sometimes as well"
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Tonight Alaerya is preparing Aeyrelis to walk the dream road with her. He had been asking her more frequently to revisit the bleeding tree and the boy who has been wanting her to invade this continent. Aeyrelis was not making these kinds of plans without seeing it for himself.
She rubbed his body with special oils to help open his senses.
"Can't you just reach in and open my mind with your magic my Love?" he asks impatiently.
She runs her hands down his back, "Yes I can, but I wanted to make it more interesting"
He smirks with his eyes closed as she rubs his forehead with a strong smelling oil and sits across from him.
The purple flames leap up out of her arms and form a smokeless fire in front of them that floats off the ground slightly.
"Clear your mind Aeyrelis and I'll pull you into the dream walking. Don't resist me"
Aeyrelis closes his eyes, and clears his mind smelling the powerful oils around him. After a few breaths he looks around in his mind and feels her pull him through a veil of energy that feels like a shimmering curtain. He shivers as he is pulled through it and they're standing in a garden. She points to behind him and they're in front of an old white tree with red leaves and a bleeding face. He looks at this tree in awe and steps forward, touching it he feels the power throbbing into his hands and goes to touch the sap trickling from its face.
"Nice to see you again and I see you brought someone with you to meet me" comes a voice from behind them.
They turn to see Bran in his chair watching them, a girl stands behind him looking around uneasily trying to see them.
"Can she see us?" Asks Alaerya.
"No she can't see you but she is expecting the person I'm meeting to arrive physically and not like this. You came at an interesting time of the day"
They look around and it's day time, the garden looks very different during the day time
"What is this place?" Asks Aeyrelis
"This is Winterfell" returns Bran not offering any further information
"And you're the boy who wants my wife and our people to invade this...Winterfell" counters Aeyrelis looking around them.
"Winterfell sits in the north of a large continent called Westeros. It will be open very soon to a new age, and you'll be the ones to take us into it."
"How? We are hundreds of years apart" retorts Aeyrelis.
"You have magic, and you know how to use it"
"What you're asking is a huge risk to us. We haven't even begun to leave Valyria yet..."
"The time to come for leaving is fast approaching you. And you're Valyrians you won't be content with peace forever. Your people enjoy taking power, your allies will want to expand and for their descendants to do something with their lives. They won't want to sit and hide on those islands forever"
"How do you know all of this?" questions Aeyrelis suspiciously.
"I have power just like your wife, except we are hundreds of years apart in timelines. But time doesn't matter when you have the kind of magic we do"
"What resistance will we have when we come there?" said Alaerya.
"You will come here before you invade but to conquer this place you'll need to kill the Night King. He is the most destructive and evil force in the world in my time and will go on to enslave the whole world in his dead army. The only people who can stop him are your people, he doesn't know about you so he won't see you coming"
"I guess I'm right in assuming he has power also" interjected Aeyrelis.
"He does, but he lost all humanity and feeling long ago so his green sight only relates to what is most important to him. And that is victory. He hasn't bothered to search through time for any threats to his power because he doesn't or can't see himself being weak enough to worry about other threats. He believes victory is his. That's how I came to find you, I'm still human. I've lost a lot of my human emotions but love and hope still remain. That's all I needed to travel time and find our best chance of survival.".
"How do we kill this evil King?"
"I'll tell you his weakness and I'll leave it to you to make the weapon. You do specialise in magical artifacts dont you?"
Aeyrelis looked at him seriously, "yes, I have skill in this area".
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The High Governor found his wife in the sitting room of their chambers looking towards to port. She sat with her back to him, " I hope you're right" she said softly.
"I am dear, these fanatics will undo us all"
She didn't respond but he saw her wipe her eyes.
"I don't want to die here, I want to see them again"
He crossed the room and knelt in front of her, grasping her hands in his. He saw her eyes were bloodshot.
"There will be another chance to leave. I'll make sure you get safely away from here"
She nodded, "Our son made it on there also?"
"If you're talking about who I think you mean yes he did"
Their family had an irreversible rift between father and son, and between brothers. His first born son had grown to be exceedingly cruel and harsh. His wife's family began dabbling in dark magic and the lure of that kind of power had twisted him. A terrible fight had unfolded in this home and their first born hadn't been spoken to in over ten years. Now he was leading the charge to unleash the most powerful and destructive force in Valyria.
"When will the next people leave?" asked his wife softly.
"I'm unsure am waiting on a sign from Alaerya. It will be soon and you will be given the chance to evacuate with Vyrelle"
His wife sniffed, "The poor girl is devastated about the children. Why couldn't she leave with them today?"
"The deal was the grandchildren and one of our sons. I've been assured we will be given priority my dear".
He embraced her and they sat in silence.
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Alaerya knew her aunt wanted to see her she had been appearing her thoughts frequently of late. She entered the Flame Temple and found her aunt had company. She entered her chambers to find the room full of Valyrian officials, her Aunt sitting in the centre of the room. Alaerya excused herself and pushed through the crowd. She heard them talking and could smell the scent of exotic perfume on them. When she reached her aunts side she looked around at all these people.
"Why are these people visiting you Aunty?"
Her Aunt looked at her with glowing eyes, "Nobody is visiting me"
Alaerya looked again and as she did the people in the room all stopped and stared at her before disintegrating into flames.
"We have some new magic to learn today that you will need" spoke Vhaerya's gravelly voice.
Astonished she sunk to the ground still looking at the room that had just been full of what seemed like, living breathing bodies.
"Fire is the element in conjunction with spirit that fires up and powers our physical form. When you wield the flame and spirit together you can create the most life like illusions"
Her Aunt smiled, " You felt them all didn't you?"
"With numerous senses yes" replied Alaerya.
"Very good, when you're learning this is important but as time goes on you'll know how to wield this power and create illusions with ease."
She taught her student how to use flame and spirit together and started making illusions of small animals to begin with. Cats and birds were easiest, birds flew all around them and the cats snuggled on her lap for sleep. Everything about them was real except when she was done they disintegrated into fire and returned to the palm of her hand.
Her aunt could feel the amount of magic she had exerted and noticed she was getting tired.
"Right, enough for today my child, you did well. Practice with your flames at home and next time I want to see you and be unsure if it's really you or a flame Child coming to see me" spoke her Aunt sternly.
Alaerya nodded and stood, stretching her body and began some fluid fighting movements which always grounded her after strenuous magic practice.
"You come to me with questions in your mind today my dear" stated her Aunt as she directed items to pack themselves away.
"I do" replied Alaerya as she somersaulted in the air and did a sweeping kick motion. Calming her breath and steadying her mind. When she felt grounded again she sat and looked at her aunt.
"I know what happened to the Qaehrar family when they disappeared. My question is why has no one ever been able to find them before?"
"We are not the only ones with powerful magic it seems child, does that surprise you?"
She had her answer and in her mind she saw the dark haired woman in the white gown.
"Yes those ones, moonsingers they're called. The Governors wanted to execute all magic wielders who were taken to Valyria as slaves. Valyrians though were so sure their magic couldn't be beaten by some savages that they argued to let them live. Now I question if their magic was behind that impassioned plea or just Valyrian arrogance. It doesn't matter now"
The woman's image faded and she saw the temple with two doors, her Aunt looked at her.
"This place will be easy to find and hard to leave child, be careful there. Do not go to this place empty handed. They will never let you leave". She traced her finger along Alaerya's jaw line, "This face is valuable to these people tread lightly"
Alaerya felt troubled, "Now I'm unsure I want to go there, tell me more please"
Her aunt was quiet for a few moments, "You will go there to discover the basis for your most brilliant talent. You must offer them something in return for their knowledge otherwise you will be added to their hall of faces."
Alaerya didnt know what that was and didn't want to know, "What can I offer them?"
"To know what they want you need to know who they are. What drives them and what is their purpose. The answer is in that"
Knowing she wouldn't get anymore from her she approached her last question.
"After the Valyrian destruction there will only be two Valyrian territories that possess magic"
Before she got to her question her aunt interrupted, "No there will only be one, yours"
"But-"
"Aenar Targaryen cannot grow his magic," she conjured flames.
They were in the Targaryen castle and Aenar was there with his children, trying to teach them magic. They saw multiple occasions he tried to teach them and as they watched his magic was less and less effective.
"Why is this happening Aunt?"
"He never had the right teacher. And magic isn't strong in his line, it's there, oh yes the magic flows in their veins. He never was taught to master the nuances of basic magic which are building blocks for magic to grow on. If he was never taught these things he cannot pass on what he knows to his children. He doesn't know how to activate their power, they may not be the strongest family but there is some power there. It's a shame really"
"After the destruction i was going to establish contact and open up trade to the Targaryens. They seem likely to become allies and-"
"Don't bother with them you were never meant to join forces this way. I see two rivers parting for a long time, there's a possibility for them to rejoin but the future is unclear."
The flames changed and she saw through the Targaryen line, they use their dragons to conquer a continent, they build cities, she recognised them, a red castle in a large city, she sees men kneeling before a dragon rider, she sees as their line dwindles into madness and in fighting with two dragon riders battling and dying near a familiar castle over a lake. She finally sees two women, one dark hair, one fair hair, they die in childbirth in the same timeline. And the babies are the last of the Targaryen line, one grows to be...Alaerya feels the flames bite her in shock as she realises the boy she saw with Bran is this baby. Now she understands what she felt in him. And the second baby, a girl will be ferried away from some unknown threat in the dark of night"
The flames die to embers and the women stare at one another, "Your concentration broke, watch your emotions in the flames child"
"I apologise"
"You've seen this child before" stated Vhaerya.
"Yes and I didn't realise the Targaryens were conquerers of this world also"
"How do you mean 'also' dear?"
Alaerya explains the dream walking and meeting Bran, the bleeding tree and the visions she has seen of the same places and images.
"Seems you have an even bigger purpose than I imagined my dear"
"So you believe this is a path I should take?"
Her aunt looked at her seriously, "It's the Path you're already on"
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After meeting with her aunt she retreats to her workspace for some alone time after she sends servants to notify her family she will join them late for dinner.
She blends into the purple flame and sits there floating in nothing for the longest time. She enjoys the sensation of the flames licking and jumping around her. The darkness is cleansing to her and helps rejuvenate her mind after a heavy day. After a long while in the flames she can feel herself being pulled towards a deep trance state. She relaxes and allows it to happen, as she does so she finds herself standing at the Temple with the black and white door. She stares at it for the longest time and takes in the surroundings of this place, she notices underneath the fog is a numerous amount of islands some connected forming the city. And this island is a short distance away from the others but she can feel people stay away from this place.
"You have returned Lady Alaerya" says an unfamiliar voice behind her.
A young handsome man with long dark hair stands behind her looking at her with interest.
"It is amazing how this city came to be. We looked and searched everywhere and never found a trace of life. All it took was some water and air magic and you've thrived here"
The man approached and stood next to her, "You're right and what you've seen is true, you're the first Valyrian to step foot inside the city of Braavos."
"And will I be the first to leave sir?" she replies as she turns to stare into his mind.
He smirks and looks out towards the city, "That depends on what you're offering"
She takes in the details of his face and smiles, "I know one thing about this place and that's all I've been able to find. You don't want to be seen, especially not the real you that lives under the mask. You want to slip in and slip out completely undetected, your missions complete when no one suspects foul play. Clean and simple"
"You know enough about us then Lady Alaerya, how did you find this much information?"
"I've been watching you, and looking for any trace of this before your city of Braavos was formed"
"You didn't mention what you were offering us in return for trading of secrets?"
"I didn't mention I wanted to trade"
He turned slowly, "We also have the ability to watch you, we know who you are Mistress of Mysteries"
The name intrigued her, it made sense she was the only one who had as much skill in magic as she did.
"This is my offer, I'll teach you how to be completely unseen if you share with me and let me record changing faces"
"Record?"
"I want to write it down, for a special level of training and education my people might need"
"We can't allow anything to be recorded"
"I can't show you how to disappear then"
"What do you mean when you say disappear?"
She smiled and slowly faded away, she moved around him and watched the slightest flicker of approval cross his face.
She stood behind him and reappeared, "Theres two ways to do it, I just showed you the first." He turned to look at her hiding his being startled, "And there is this way."
She dissolved into the air as visible particles of light that could be seen like an out of ordinary wind. Both were impressive, and useful to these assasins. She swirled around him and he watched intently, she swirled up high into the air and looked out to see the depth of Braavos.
'They have been busy' she thought.
She looked down and he was watching her disappear into the fog covering the city. She felt herself as each speck of existence floating back to her own body until she was whole again and in her work space. The flames were still all around her and she opened her eyes, purple and glowing bright.
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After her encounter in this place called Braavos she felt an urge to record down all the Mysteries she had accomplished. Traditionally the highest Valyrian magic was a verbal tradition with what is in books only written very simply hidden amongst advanced works to guide those who know what to look for. It was wise to hide their most advanced work but it was also foolish. The exclusivity of the mysteries was also both wise and foolish as it closed out talented Valyrians who could use the magic and it also protected against it being wielded by the wrong people. With the changes in schooling the children and recording down the curriculum for basic and advanced magic the mysteries hadn't been collated yet. It would be a big task but it would give her something to focus her mind on aside from Valreos and the Valyrian destruction. It took her hours to get the information together and days to organise it into a structured form. She spent much time in meditation recalling her training at the various temples over the years with a different face and voice. She felt a pang of guilt for some of the close bonds she formed with her teachers while wearing a disguise.
Aeyrelis came to check on her, "Youve been in here for days, come outside see the sun my Love"
She held up the book she had made, he looked confused.
"I wrote this" she said with pride.
He looked impressed and took it, he sat next to her after conjuring a stool to sit on and spent some time reading through it.
He looked up at her, "This is powerful magic how will you protect this?"
She laughed a little and stretched her tired body, "Dont ask that question, the High Governor asked me that about the basic curriculum for the children and his hands nearly burned off when I showed him the protections"
Aeyrelis gingerly placed the book down and pulled her to him, "What will you do when we settle on Valreos and there is not much work to do? I fear you're going to get bored"
"There will be much to do still my Love"
"Of course you could find some work to do on an island paradise"
"We still have to set up our new society, get industry underway, mine the caves we are allowed to from the volcano, set up trade for an economy, set up the dragon hatchery..."
"Right I think we can agree then we won't be resting for a very long time"
"No I'll have just as much planning to do there as I do here, I will need to investigate and plan this Westeros invasion also"
"We don't need to worry about that for a long time..."
"Planning something like this takes a long time"
"How long do you plan on living?"
"I don't know my dear..."
He looked confused, "We have a choice?"
She smiled and kissed him, "Yes we do absolutely"
"How is that possible?"
"We possess the strongest magic of our people, you are strengthened by me, we feed off each other. If you were taught you could learn as much as me. There is magic which can be transferred into artifacts you wear. They can extend your life for hundreds of years maybe more..."
"I'm not sure I want to live that long," he said seriously, "I don't want to watch my friends, family and children die"
"You don't want to see your family invade the largest settled continent in our known world? And establish themselves as rulers of a vast empire and have unlimited wealth?"
He hugged her, "I would love that to happen in my lifetime, but I'm not sure about living hundreds of years for that..."
"Well it's a long way off for these plans anyway, I didn't know you felt the way you do"
"This conversation got too morbid for me", he said lightly with a mock chill, "I'm proud of what you've achieved here. You really should be proud getting this information together is no small feat."
He kisses her forehead, "Now can you come spend some time with me and the children and later I want to practice some fighting with you. Don't forget to train with your blades"
"I will be done here soon just going to go over some practices and I'll give it a rest".
He smiled down at her and stroked the back of her neck, then he left her to her practices.
She watched him go and as the wall reformed behind him she burst into flames and became flame energy swirling around the room, after a while she became the shape of a fire dragon and soared around her space. Next Alaerya conjured her form from the flames and watched as her flame self came to stand and face her. She dissipated into her flame shape and worked with the elements of air and water in turn, becoming swirling masses of water and havoc with destructive tornadoes. She felt her body getting tired so to finish she burst into the shape of a flock of birds and flew around around her room, her consciousness in each bird. As she flew her room blossomed into a garden, grass and vines slowly overtaking her room. Deciding it was enough for today it all dissipated and she formed into her human form in the middle of the room.
'Feels good to reconnect with the basics' she thinks to herself, because even though they were considered great acts of magic she could do better. However she didn't want to exert herself and make herself sick, she decided to practice more every day to remain strong.
Alaerya continued her daily practices working more and more intricate acts of magic and at the end of each day she felt the magic making her blood sing. She enjoyed reconnecting with the magic she had learned over the years and how it strengthened other aspects of her skills.
One day Alaerya decided to sit in the flames and try face changing without using her hands. In Valyria working magic was considered advanced when hand movements and incantations weren't needed. She felt the shift of her energy as she thought about becoming someone else, she felt her mind adapt to becoming them. Really knowing who they are and what makes them unique, the good and the bad of them. She sat in the energy of each person as their face slipped back into hers and she became herself again. She became ten or more people of various levels of society from high nobility to slaves from the family mines. She tried on many faces and felt the thoughts of these people enter and leave her mind effortlessly. She knew better than to hold onto these energies, let them slide by so she retains her own sense of self. It's important not to lose yourself in the Game of Faces, she smiled as she remembered that was the opposite of what they wanted in the Temple at Braavos. She refused to let go of herself, she was a mother, a wife, a teacher, a saviour of Valyria, and their Leader.
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Aeyrelis noticed the change in Alaerya, whenever he saw her he felt the energy pulsing out of her. She had done something to increase her power and it made him want her even more, his passion for her increased ten fold as he felt his own power growing. She was right they were evolving together because of the power she was wielding and he was only too happy to follow her along this path. When he was with her he felt the intense burning love he had for her and when he wasn't with her he knew where she was at all times. Their connection had intensified in such a short amount of time, he enjoyed that after all these years together what they had was still exciting.
"Aeyrelis, we are waiting" Kaeryons voice snapped him back into the meeting.
His allies eyes were all on him expectantly, waiting for an answer.
"Remind me again where we are"
Kaeryon looked slightly annoyed but amused also, "Evacuation of our Houses is complete. Thanks to the chests and bags your wife had enchanted we moved all our possessions without incident. The entire seat of our wealth and possessions are all on Valreos. Now we just await the go ahead to begin evacuating the families, what are your thoughts? Any updates?"
"Nothing has developed yet, Alaerya has made it clear to the girls to come to her as soon as one of them develops the skill we await. They understand the importance and what it means for all of us"
"Do you think it wise we begin a slow evacuation now though? We can slowly filter out unnoticed, we don't know when this gift will develop or how much time it leaves us afterward. They might start dreamwalking the day before the destruction for all we know"
Aeyrelis concedes they had a point, "True we have been given no indication how much time is left after then just that we need to leave. One family a week should begin evacuation then. Thoughts?"
"It's a good plan but I believe it would be ideal if each wave of evacuation we have members of House Valreon with us. Yourself and Alaerya should come last, to minimise suspicion and ensure all are evacuated safely" Aeryon suggested, "Maybe first we bring Aeyrelion and Krysaella with us, set them up in House Valreon so you have members of your house there to oversee progress"
Aeyrelis looked at Aeryon and used his magic to comb through him for any ill wishes or intent, he just wanted to ensure his daughter was safe and in a position of power. Not surprising to find, all the allies felt the same for their children.
"Alaerya and I will discuss this, and decide together. In the mean time begin preparing your families to begin evacuation"
Vyselis spoke next, "How will we avoid detection? Our Houses will be empty, anyone who comes by will see our dragons and possessions are gone"
"Apparently Alaerya is working on a solution for that. She hasn't told me what but apparently she can make it look like your Houses are still inhabited"
They all looked a little awe struck, "Yes I read your minds there seems to be nothing she can't do or learn"
He rolled up the scrolls to end their meeting, "Let's begin relocating my friends"
They all shake hands and depart to make preparations.
Aeyrelis searches his wife out where he knows she will be, the dragon hatchery. He enters and she is cradling a baby dragon gazing at its young form while it's still sleeping. The room is full of dragon eggs and hatchlings in various stages of development.
"We will be moving our young dragons and the eggs on the next shipment"
She whispers softly not looking up.
He looks around the sacred space of their hatchery and wonders how this will take place.
"I will do this myself," she answers his thoughts verbally, "to ensure there is no thievery"
He walked towards her and looked at the baby in her arms, "Youve seen something, tell me"
"One of our servants is planning to steal and try to hatch a dragon. I've had them removed from the house and their hands cut off. They won't be stealing anything again"
"What have they stolen from us already?" He asked knowing thieves don't just steal once
"Some jewellery of mine, and some other small artifacts of no real power. The plan was to escape and buy passage with these"
"Buy passage where? There's no where really to go"
She looked up at him, "The hidden city of Braavos, apparently people have secretly returned from there and have been whispering to the slaves. There is plans to revolt very soon. You and the allies have begun the evacuation haven't you?"
He smiled, of course she knew, "Yes we have. They had a good point we don't know when this dream walking will occur and how much time it gives us. We are weeks away from the time the High Governor gave us of when this group of fanatics will rise. We don't want to leave it too late"
"They're right, we can't wait now. The slaves are planning something also, what I don't know. I can't see everything in the flames because it's not meant to be shown to me but starting now is wise. Leaving it too late would mean we would die anyway while trying to escape"
"Aery wants Aeyrelion and Krysaella to go with them on today's ship and evacuate our other children along with the allied families. Thoughts?"
"It is wise, they only have the same intention as us. Protecting their children and their future as rulers. There is nothing there we need to worry about from them. They know they're better off with us, no one is planning to cross us."
He let out a breath of relief and sat on the floor by some eggs looking at them
"That's a relief I was getting concerned-"
"Don't be worried, the contracts they've signed have powerful magic in them. If they move against us terrible magic is unleashed upon them and they know it"
"How do they know?"
"Because," she smiled dreamily at the dragon,"I entered their dreams and showed them"
"You're actually terrifying" he laughed.
"Only to those who cross me I am"
Aeyrelis stood, "If we are increasing the evacuation I best be heading to begin plans for this House, are you planning on saving others?"
"Yes I am and I have a plan of when that will happen. It will be happening shortly and there is still time for people to safely leave."
"Will there be time?"
"Yes," she nods, "I've seen it. It'll be close but they will make it if they choose to leave"
"Where are you planning on moving the hatchery to on Valreos?"
He loved that their new home was named for his family, it had strength to it.
"The only place I feel is right for such a powerful animal is the cave in the volcano that reminded us of being inside a dragon egg. The power there could only be used for that, and I don't believe the volcano would allow us to mine that cave. Apparently Jaehserys couldn't even enter those caves his men were ejected by the volcano"
He looked surprised, "He said that?!"
"Yes, the conditions were unbearable and the walls began shaking. We have been the only ones allowed in there and we have only taken in the allied Masters. I doubt they could enter without us."
"Well it's settled then we move the hatchery there, but you will need to go with them and set this up. No one will be able to manage this"
He looked around at the huge space they were in, it was in one of the Valyrian volcanos and family mines. The hatchery was guarded by magic but apparently that hadn't deterred someone plotting to steal from them. And if these people who set up a new city had magic also this concerned Aeyrelis.
"Secure the hatchery today, there is a ship leaving in a few hours with Aeyrelion and Krysaella on it. Space will be made for the hatchery on board."
"I will fly out tonight and meet them when they arrive to unpack and set up the hatchery. The eggs and hatchlings will be fine without me for a short period of time, our breeding dragons will come with me to watch over them"
Aeyrelis bent down and stroked the baby dragons nose gently, "Please come see me before you go, I feel like we haven't had much time alone of late"
She looked up at him with understanding and a small smile, "I will make sure I give you a proper goodbye tonight my Love"
She was brimming with the energy of the room, dragons always made her feel so much stronger. Dragon magic was one of her favourite mysteries, she had the knowledge to hatch and breed dragons from any egg, she could connect with and use their magic to amplify her own and she could become a dragon. Something she hadn't shown anyone yet but she would practice tonight, 'Vaella won't be impressed but she can fly alongside me' she thought to herself after Aeyrelis had left the hatchery.
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A few nights later Alaerya decided to depart to meet the ship carrying her son and his betrothed's family when they docked in the morning. The night was dark and cooling on Alaerya's skin, she still felt the loving energy from her time with her husband. She could still feel his touch on her skin and the passion of their kisses and the love they made. Vaella and the dozens of breeding dragons they have were waiting on the top of the dragon dome, all looking down at her with a knowing look in their eyes. She was watching them and they were watching her. Her remaining children and wards came to say goodbye and wish her a safe flight, she hugged them all.
"I'll be back very soon, keep up your lessons and when i return your private lessons will continue".
"How long will you be mother?" Asks Allaria sounding worried
"Within a week my beautiful child do not worry. I decided to stay back a little before departing so I meet the ship when they dock in the morning. This will cut my time away significantly"
She looked deep into her eyes, "If anything happens with you or your sister tell your Father. He will communicate to me"
Her daughter looked to Aeyrelis approaching, "Yes mother"
Aeyrelis was beaming, the love for her was clear and he hugged her whispering in her ear, "Come back to me soon, I already miss my wife"
"I won't be long this is why I delayed leaving I don't want to be away from here for long with so many plans unfolding at once from this end. You will continue with the other plans?"
"Yes the House is being emptied of possessions daily, the children have all packed their belongings ready for departure and the other houses have begun evacuating. They are almost all on Valreos waiting for us, and the ships you requested for other survivors is docked waiting for your next move."
She calmed her nerves and breathed. She was going to work some new magic tonight and she was nervous, he held her shoulders, "Are you ready?"
"This is new to me wielding the fire in this way, and it'll be a long flight so hopefully I'm strong enough to not fall sick on the other side."
He looked at her confidently, "I know you'll do this with ease"
He stepped away from her to give her space motioning for all the children to follow him. She breathed and looked up at the dragons who were rustling their wings eager to fly. She connected with the energy in each of their eyes and felt their emotions wash arojnd her. Working with dragon magic was intense it was fire in its highest form made into life. She breathed the energy into her and felt the change take place. As she did she heard the gasps of those watching her, she felt excitement and blood lust run through her. She heard a slap sound and saw Aeyrelis had thrown a large piece of meat in front of her dragon form. She roasted it with fire and consumed it revelling in it and reviled by it at the same time as her dragon form and human form battled internally. The meat gave her a surge of physical energy and she thanked Aeyrelis for this with clicking and screeching sounds. He smiled and waved to her as she lifted her large and powerful form up out of the dragon dome and flew into the night. Vaella and her breeding dragons streaming out behind her, the moonlight reflecting off her white and gold scales as she soared towards Valreos.
