A/N: this chapter is the longest I've written so far! Probably could've made it into two chapters but it concludes the events of what happens on Valreos after the fall of Valyria. And there are a couple of nice twists in there too. Hope you all enjoy this one :)

I also decided to upload this today instead of my usual Monday upload. Getting to the end of my uni semester and various other things happening I'm getting overwhelmed through the week! Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Chapter 24: Many Faces

A light breeze rippled across the bay of Valreos, causing the calm ocean to ripple and the plants to sway mesmerisingly. The sun warmed the day and the sky was bright and blue, Alaerya stood looking out over Valreos from her terrace. Her long silver hair swaying in the breeze and the warmth of the sun shining on her skin. Breathing in the sights and smells of Valreos, pride washed over her as she recalled how far the civilisation had come in a short time. Valreos, named for her family and all the power that comes with it. Society had begun adjusting to the new terrain and ruling council, with minor issues they had grown in strength since Valyria fell. In the chambers behind Alaerya, servants scurried about to enact her orders, the life she had made with Aeyrelis in those rooms had ended. Alaerya felt it was time to move aside and allow Aeyrelion the chance to take control of the family. With Krysaella he would rule their family and partly rule their lands, it was time for the younger generation to step forward.The time had come for Alaerya to expand her horizons. She can hear the sounds of belongings being packed away and the footsteps of the workers enacting her orders. Alaerya realised as she looks out, the lands of their namesake are in good hands, and will continue to run fine without her. Watching the islands proudly from the terrace memories wash through Alaerya as if to be on the breeze. Reminiscing quietly with a slight smile on her face, but not completely consumed by memories, she felt and heard their approach. Footsteps echoing on the terrace behind her she instantly recognised Krysaella and Aeyrelion. Her son was dressed in opulent Valyrian battle armour, his forehead slick with sweat from his training. Krysaella dressed in one of her summer gowns which had been altered to accomodate her growing stomach. In her arms she held Aeyrelix, Alaerya's youngest child with Aeyrelis. He lit up at seeing his mother, smiling and reaching for her. Smiling widely at the sight of him she gently took him from Krysaella's arms and made faces at him making him laugh. The sound of his innocent giggles stabbed Alaerya with guilt as she remembered the need to leave him for a time. Krysaella noticed the slight change in Alaerya's expression and put her hand on her arm and smiled.

"We will remind him about you when you're gone" said Krysaella softly knowing how much this must pain Alaerya.

"Thank you Krysaella, I wouldn't be going anywhere if you weren't here," she replied thickly, holding back tears, "I trust you completely, you've married my eldest son and will help raise my youngest. I'm grateful to you". Despite how pained she felt inside she hugged Krysaella with her free arm to show her gratitude.

"Just come back to us, that's all we want" said Krysaella glancing at Aeyrelion who was tensely looking out over the city. The women had grown to care greatly for one another and Alaerya was impressed at the leader Krysaella had become.

Alaerya reached over and squeezed her sons arm, she felt the muscle underneath. He was no longer a little boy playing with his dragon, he was a man. Married, about to become a father and one of the rulers of Valreos.

"I'm coming back son" spoke Alaerya with certainty.

He glanced at her and said tightly, "That's what father thought too. Don't endanger yourself, you're more than a mother to us. You know you always have been more than that. You're the real leader here, everybody knows it. Without you none of this would've happened and without you we don't have a way forward."

Alaerya stepped up to her son who was now taller than her and put her face close to his, staring him intensely in the eyes, "Never admit your weakness or your uncertainty..."

"They're always watching, I remember my lessons. What do I do while you're gone? I'm going to miss your counsel" he replied after rolling his eyes at her reminder

Alaerya turned and they all looked out over their lands, the busy ports, the production factories, the dragons flying over head rolling and playing amongst the domes.

"Keep everything running smoothly son, you'll know what to do. You've watched me for long enough. Keep building up the armies, train as much as possible, train dragon riders, forge weapons and artifacts, keep yourself physically and magically strong. Be ready to supply for our trade agreements."

She paused and looked at Krysaella, "But most of all be a good husband and father. I'll be gone a while but when I return, it will be to stay and begin planning what is to come next. I need you all to be ready for that, and your children too"

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The gardens behind House Valreon were crowded with well wishers, mostly the children, their partners and the allies. Vaella waited impatiently, the desire to fly and adventure making her impatient flicking her tail in irritation. The goodbyes were long and sometimes tearful, after Aeyrelis death the people of these lands were reluctant for Alaerya to leave them. The allies were stoic and supportive but she felt the undercurrent of worry she might not return. Saying goodbye to her children was the hardest, especially Aeyrelix who didn't understand what was going on and cried in anguish as she mounted Vaella. Inside Alaerya's heart shattered at the sound but resolutely she steeled herself. This was an important part of moving forward and only she was capable of this. As Vaella twisted away from the garden up into the clouds Aeyrelix's cries haunted her. The urge to run back to him was crushing, the grief of leaving him burned her deeply.

Before leaving, Vaella flew around the perimeter of the islands so Alaerya could magically place the artifacts to protect and hide Valreos in her absence. The ships that would be making the trade routes had them installed on the ships. And wielders of their magic had been trained, Alaerya felt confident in their abilities and hoped the darker aspects of their training didn't need to be put to use.

The pair flew for hours on an unplanned venture, somewhere that had been gnawing at Alaerya to return to. First they flew to Valyria, she wanted to face whatever was waiting there that had killed her husband and nearly all her allies. Vaella surged forward eager to return home, Alaerya warned the dragon telepathically 'its not the same, you will be disappointed'

Vaella returned a scornful screech and swooped and rolled in response. Alaerya held on with an iron grip and clenched her knees tight understanding the defiance Vaella showed. She didn't want to believe it was real either. After hours of flying she began to feel sore, it had been too long since she had flown this far. Just as her legs began to cramp, land came into view, and smoke could be seen from a long distance away. She felt apprehension in her stomach replaced by fury as she intended to figure out what was responsible for Aeyrelis death. Alaerya had spent much time with the allied families since he passed, drinking with the group who went back to Valyria and hearing everything they had to say. She questioned them wanting to hear every detail until they could tell her no more. As she got closer she gasped in shock, it was one thing to see the devastation in a vision but in real life it was much worse.

Valyria was unrecognisable, the huge city was gone replaced with piles of rubble, destroyed buildings and ominous smoke. The volcano that once stood proudly over the city was a smouldering stump, everything around it smothered in rubble and melted beyond recognition. The ground was broken, flooded and inaccessible. Major parts of the once great city lay under water, forever lost. Inside her heart ached at the loss of life she knew had happened here, despite not liking the remaining families it was still a tragedy. Vaella was quietly observing as they flew and Alaerya felt the sadness from her and knew what Vaella was thinking.

'No dragon escaped this Vaella'

Suddenly the visions of dragons falling dead from the sky barraged their consciousness and Vaella let out a mournful cry. When dragons mourn it sounds like a deafening cry, some had even been known to form tears after a particularly devastating event. One huge tear fell from Vaellas eye as Alaerya rubbed her hand along her neck consoling her.

'We have preserved many Vaella, you are part of that'

Vaella didn't respond but Alaerya knew she had understood her, their bond was powerful. After some time flying Alaerya pointed to the place where Aeyrelis had last been alive and Vaella dropped down instantly. The wind rushing along her face, everything a blur, Vaella pulled up at the last second landing crashing over the rubble of the lost city. Alaerya jumped from her back and landed crouching on the unstable ground.

'Leave Vaella this smoke is not good for dragons'

Without hesitation the dragon screeched and exited the smoke, Alaerya watched her disappear into the mist.The place they once called home really was just a crumpled mess now. Picking her way through and around what was on the surface, she stopped periodically to dig magically trying to find anything. She encountered nothing worth taking, anything she did find had been melted and mangled beyond repair. After a time she stopped and felt out around her looking for signs of life. She felt flashes of energy but nothing she could identify, she definitely felt she was being watched. The power remaining here was unmistakeable though, the ground throbbed with potent energy. It felt similar to Valreos when she first arrived there and the energy was raw, wild and free. The energy in Valyria though felt wild, unstable and reckless, she noted how different it felt. Coming across an opening in the rubble and looking inside, she then looked back out and around at her surroundings. She felt this would be a particular house if her bearings were right, remembering her Aunt's words about dealing with unhinged forces she cast protections and summoned the fire in her to come forth. Inside the ruined building it was stifling hot and dark, the heat grew as she carefully picked her way inside. There were some remnants of Valyrian artwork scattered here and there that hadn't been destroyed by lava and flames. Continuing further, the natural light faded and she used magic to make her way into the ruined house. Alaerya knew this House, it was a House of a family who had relocated to Valreos which made sense why the House had no wrecked furniture in it. The heat became more unbearable until the light coming in up ahead grew visible. As Alaerya slowly drew closer she heard angry rumbling and periodic explosions. Lower she went until a huge cave filled with boiling and spurting lava appeared, angry and hot. Edging around it warily, Alaerya was feeling intensely in danger and like she was being watched. She heard a hiss and looked back to the lava to see it had risen up into a huge wave of an angry shape like snakes of lava and fire. Standing firm, Alaerya countered the impending attack with her own fire magic. The attack washed around her and she felt the sting of it on her skin, she raised her hands and purple flames rose high above her like a tidal wave. It smothered the volcanic lava and figures rose from her flames and figures rose from the lava. Battling each other in flame to subdue and control, as they fought she was repeatedly attacked by black hissing figures of fire running at her and slashing at her shields. She attacked with fire and rose in the air soaring above them, the lava rose to meet her and formed the shape of a demonic black figure of fire who ceaselessly chased and made to grab at her. It's aim seemed to be to drag her into the lava and claim her power as it's own. The shields only worked for so long before she had to reinstate them and in that moment she was grabbed and dragged toward the lava her skin searing under the touch of this fire demon. Alaerya screamed and sent purple green and blue flames soaring out of her skin and the demon was vanquished. Blood magic, she realised, remembering what her aunt had mentioned about needing powerful willing sacrifices. She ran toward the rolling lava and pulled in as much energy from the flames in the cave as she could muster, the fighting figures disintegrated as she pulled them back to her. The energy in the room sucked in so strongly the opposing side were drawn into her power and vortex of light as she glowed and became a spinning whirl of lava herself. She threw herself into the lava and sent her magic shooting out in its greatest force she had ever used as she did so. As she jumped into the lava it parted for her and succumbed to her control, she landed on a pillar of stone standing high in a bottomless cavern as lava and flame energy swirled around her. Her eyes glowed an ominous red and she worked the magic energy into submitting to her will. She knew this was only possible because of the blood sacrifice of her aunt and her group of associates. She felt the dark flame energy fighting her though despite her show of strength and she poured purple and blue flames in over it. Drowning out it's power, overcoming it. Finally she held up her hand and used flame to slice her arm and sent drops of her blood swirling into the flames. Her blood detonated the flames and the lava exploding deafeningly, the ground shook and she lost her footing as the energy was too much and Valyria exploded again all around her. Instinctively she used magic to propel her back to the surface, the flames and lava swirling and whirling around her the whole way. She was a potent fireball of light and dark flame energy, she had tamed a wild beast of the flame, she hadn't only mastered it but she had dominated it. Her mastery of it combined with her blood magic had stabilised and emulsified her energy into it. The ruins would remain volatile, but the attacks should subside and exploration a possibility. Alaerya felt and welcomed the coolness of the fresh air whirling around her as she soared in the air above Valyria surrounded by the fire. She remained there for a time controlling and moulding it to her will. As the anger of the energy subsided she slowly returned to the ground. And as the lava rolled away into the water steam rose up into the air forming a thick cloud, making Valyria look even more ominous. Alaerya touched the ground beneath her hands, it felt solid, real and cool. Welcome sensations after working with such a reckless destructive energy, and sobering also. This was the flame that killed her home, her aunt and her husband. She felt satisfied she had won a victory against it for a change. Vaella had been close by fretting for her rider, Alaerya was exhausted but ready to leave. She had seen enough and she had done enough, there was nothing more to do here. Vaella dived down and landed beside her, she slowly climbed onto her back. And noted to herself she was either exhausted or getting old as she usually vaulted from the ground.

'You know where to take me now' she thought to Vaella as she slipped into an exhausted dream, her eyes flashing milky white as she collapsed on Vaella's back.

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Vaella knew Alaerya was weakened after such a forceful display, she searched her rider for her intentions. What were her plans? Vaella saw many threads in Alaerya's hands, many paths to take and much ground to cover. Yet one stood out as an unlikely choice for now but the best one for Alaeryas recovery. The dragon trilled in delight as she soared away from the smoking ruins for the last time. It took a few hours and some working of magic by reading Alaerya's dream states but Vaella was able to find it. Even through the thick magical fog, she knew where she was going. She clicked to herself in amusement, humans would never be able to conjure stronger magic than a dragon. And these tiny humans called moon singers were no different. She circled over the clouds to make sure she was in the right place and when she saw the gigantic bronze statue she circled around it in delight. She flew underneath it knowing it's battlements were empty of defenders, her gigantic wing span skimming over the water. Vaella's wing tips so vast she almost could touch the shore on either side. She soared up and over the top of the statue pausing slightly to take in all of the details and commit it to her memory. She saw where all of the defence slits were, archers positions and noted the weaknesses of the design. Useful, she thought, in case we ever attack this place.

The dragon knew where to go, and she knew she would be the first dragon to ever set foot on these lands. Her huge form landed loudly in front of the temple. Her weight crushing the steps leading up to its doors, doors of one black and one white door. She circled around crushing and crumbling more of the ground and screeched up at the sky with fury. Flames shooting from Vaella's mouth, dispersing some of the magically enhanced fog. When she looked down several members of the temple had run out brandishing weapons, she smelled the poison on the tip. Dragonbane, 'predictable' she thought.

One aimed the spear at her head and threw it, Vaella heard the rustle of the spear leaving his hand and turned her head sharply. As she turned she threw out magic and the spear returned to the sender, impaling him against the wall. Webs of sickening poison spreading rapidly throughout his body as he stared lifelessly into the foggy sky. One priest shouted to the others and signalled to lay down their weapons. He edged closer and Vaella growled, fire growing in her throat. He made a motion with his hands and looked up, instant recognition and the emotion of surprise broke across his face.

'He remembers' thought Vaella, slightly relieved but ready to roast them all. He kept a hand out as he edged closer and gently pulled Alaerya down. He carried her into the temple and the remaining priests stared at Vaella, she growled and unleashed fiery fury up over them and up into the sky. They ducked falling to the ground in fear for their lives scrambling to find somewhere safe, exactly as Vaella wanted them to. Knowing this was enough of a warning, Vaella darted up into the sky out of sight and range of their pathetic spears. She encouraged the clouds to cover her in her wake, and she disappeared from sight behind the swirling, misty clouds.

The priest hurried inside with Alaerya in his arms, her form limp breathing erratically, the dark cool temple pressing in all around him. He travelled down dark corridors lit only by torchlight and quickly, soundlessly travelled deeper down into the recesses of the temple. He entered a vast chamber, its walls covered in faces. Their eyes eerily following his every step, some of them looked on with contempt. He laid Alaerya down at the feet of the Temple Master who turned and appeared unsurprised at her drastic arrival. The hooded Temple Master looked over Alaerya closely, studying her face, checking her pulse and smoothing her hair out of her face.

"This ones face holds power" spoke the young priest reverently as his Master looked over her.

"This ones face is not ours to take" returned the Master as he smoothed back her hair, pausing to look at her face again.

"We could achieve so much more..." pleaded the priest starting forward enthusiastically.

"But we will get more if we keep this ones heart beating. Go, tend to her. Let me know when she wakes" he turned dismissively as the disappointed young man bowed and scooped up Alaerya's limp form once more.

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Alaerya drifted in and out of fitful dreams, working that much fire energy had succeeded but cost her some of her life energy. Her body needed time to recover it and rebuild. She saw the rise and fall of the Targaryens, she saw the cities of Myr, Lys, Tyrosh, Qarth and the people she needed to visit there. Asshai burned into her vision and despite her dislike of that priestess knew she had important business there. Then she returned to Westeros and saw a sprawling sea side town, built from white stone with a tall spyre and extensive ports. At the centre of the city was a huge estate of buildings and she saw into their library, it seemed to be some sort of school. Another place to visit. Lastly she saw a huge black castle being built, it was truly magnificent by this worlds standards, and across from it was a large lake with an island. An island entirely made of bleeding face trees, intriguing she thought. She spent days in a feverish dream state. Periodically she returned to her body in panic, casting out she felt coolness of stone and darkness. She was underground, dead? No she knew she was alive, she felt the erratic beat of her weakened heart. She heard a scrape nearby and someone thrusting a cool potion which tasted strongly of herbs to her mouth. Exhausted from using just a little magic she would fall back into her deep trance. Weeks passed by, she would come and go from consciousness but the strength of her body was returning. She was too powerful to succumb to death at this time, her spirit wouldn't allow it. She saw visions of her death, it seemed she had multiple choices. The one she liked the least was withering away elderly and frail in her bed, unable to walk or care for herself. After all the things she had seen and done in her life this unnerved her the most. Even those haunting blue eyes of her ultimate enemy hadn't managed to taunt her as much as the image of her frail elderly form. Clutching to life wasn't her style, she resolutely dropped that thread from her hand in the dream state and it shattered all around her. But it remained in her heart a source of trouble.

Months had passed before she slowly opened her eyes and saw with clarity of mind the dark room she was in. The door was open, she relaxed, 'I'm not a prisoner' were her first thoughts. The bed of stone was hard underneath her but the blanket covering her was soft and warm, she had been cared for. The torch in the wall opposite burned dimly barely illuminating the room, sitting up slowly her head split painfully. Refusing to return to laying she pushed through the pain and sat up, slowly the events before she collapsed on Vaella returned to her. How long had she been here? Where has Vaella taken her? She breathed in the air and felt the coolness rushing in to her lungs. Yes, she thought, I'm definitely underground but where? She heard footsteps approaching and she laid back down pretending to be asleep. They entered her room and paused next to her, "You have woken Lady Alaerya" spoke a calm voice of a man, a man who seemed familiar with her.

She slowly opened her eyes again and her vision focused on the face above her. He was younger than her, with wavy shoulder length hair and white streak through one piece of hair. He looked at her knowingly, and she recognised his magic. Even though he looked young he was actually older than her, this greatly intrigued her about face changing.

"How did I get here?" She asked quietly.

"Your dragon brought you here and caused quite a lot of damage to the front of the temple. And killed one of our priests"

"Vaella doesn't kill unless attacked, did you sanction an attack on her?"

"The City is Braavos was created to hide from Valyria and their dragons, she was not a welcome sight. All citizens here have been taught to kill dragons on sight for fear our secret city will be subjugated once more"

"You don't have to fear Valyria any longer, I'm sure you're aware it's gone" smiled Alaerya in response.

"Yes we know, but not all the Valyrians are gone" he said looking intently at her.

"If you know Valyria is gone you'll also know of my activities, I freed many slaves on Valreos. Many are living happy lives as our people and some continued to serve as paid staff. I ended the cruelty and mistreatment"

"A fair and just ruler you are, now tell me why are you here?" He spoke evenly with almost a bored tone to his voice, yet he struggled to hide his intrigue at her appearance.

"I intended to return but not so soon and not close to death either"

"Well you are here nonetheless, what do you want?"

"You know what I want" she said as she slowly rose herself up to sitting, a priest alongside him moved forward and helped Alaerya sit. He gave her some herbal potions and placed a tray of food next to her.

"We will want something in return. You are lucky you still have your face my dear. There is power and promise in you"

"You know I'm more useful to you alive than hanging as a trophy on your wall. And you know your only chance to kill me has gone, I'm not easy to kill"

He smiled slightly, "No you are not easy to kill. And yes you hold more value with a beating heart. Recover, we begin exchanging information in two days time"

"I have no light in here when will I know it's two days time?"

"When we allow you to leave your room My Lady" he said with a mock bow and a smirk, "You'll need your strength to show us how to disappear"

"So will you and your most trusted, skilled students. This is not magic for everyone"

"Nor is ours" was his curt reply as they exited her room not looking back. The tray next to Alaerya was laden with food, her stomach grumbles painfully as she couldn't remember the last meal she had. Hungrily she ate before collapsing into a deep sleep.

Over the next two days she slowly felt her strength regaining, she began training every time she woke. Practicing punching, kicking and defending drills she had learned in her basic training. Acutely aware she was being watched, she kept her technique simple and focused, not giving away her true fighting strength. She knew when they were coming for her, she felt their intentions, heard their thoughts and soon, heard their approach. A small group crowded her doorway led by the priest she was familiar with. She realised she didn't know his name and wondered how many names he had taken during his time as a Faceless man.

"Come" he said simply.

Invigorated from her fighting practice she leapt up from her bed and followed them. Walking aside the man she had been conversing with and flanked by his followers. A mixture of men and women, who looked at her with various energies of intrigue and contempt. She noted one woman, or girl as she was so small and child like gave off a particularly negative energy to her.

And it was this feeling that made Alaerya realise what it was she disliked about this person and the red priestess. She hated fanatics, and after what had transpired in Valyria knew to tread carefully and watch closely. They led her to the largest and deepest part of the temple, a place reserved only for the highest trained elite followers of the Temple. She looked around her impressed at its size and structure, the ceiling was shrouded in darkness and the walls decorated with innumerable faces of the dead. Watching them all enter and walk through their midst she caught some of their eyes as she walked by and their recognition was unnerving to say the least. She had only ever known death as a one way destination, and this Temple challenged her long held beliefs. They walked as a group into the centre of the room and they all turned and looked at her. Eyes boring into her expectantly, she couldn't help but return their stare and flick her eyes around the room. She felt every pair of eyes watching her, she chose not to speak. She closed her eyes, felt the beat of her heart and disappeared from their vision. Most of them exclaimed out loud and she knew this group of wielders of magic weren't complete fanatics. Some in their midst maintained their unpleased demeanour. She whirled around them and felt their minds, learning much about their real lives behind the mask. They could see the whirling air spinning and circling around the room. She enjoyed the freedom of the air element just floating in a cloud of particles on the breeze. When she decided it was enough she materialised behind them, she could see them looking for her confused.

"You will all need to learn how to wield the element of air, what element do you use in your magic?"

Some of them jumped in surprise at her words. The Leader spoke, "When you speak of the elements and using them what do you mean?"

"Valyrians use the energy and magic in the elements. Earth, air, fire, water, spirit..."

The thin young woman snorted in disgust, "I thought you were teaching us advanced Magic when after all Valyrians were just wielders of crude inferior magic"

Alaerya looked at this woman with interest and barraged this her young mind with visions of her past and to be cruel she twisted those visions into nightmares. She fell to her knees with the force of the impact and held her hands to her ears silently enduring the pain of what Alaerya inflicted on her. When it finished the woman stood and her face hardened. Alaerya burst into flames and sent the flames whirling around the room. Touching them all and singeing their robes, some of them frantically were trying to extinguish the flames. And lastly she conjured a wind so strong it became a vortex of energy all around her, she stood in the centre face up swirling with light. As the group watched they didn't see the stones crumbling from the walls. Alaerya looked at them suddenly eyes furious and burning bright, unleashing the wind on them. They struggled against it shielding their faces and protecting their eyes. The stones pummeled into their bodies and hands, projectiles that brought them all to their knees. The thin woman got the worst of it, and when the wind died down she lay there panting in anger and embarrassment. Alaerya could feel the rage and shame emanating from her. The leader of the group stood and did not look impressed, "You attacked us in our most sacred place..."

"You are a group of assasins I'm sure you'll learn from this lesson. And not provoke someone stronger than you in your most sacred place again"

He could not respond as he knew she was right, "Now tell me how do you do your magic? Without knowing this I can't show you how to be nowhere"

"We can't share this with outsiders" hissed the woman, the Leader raised his hand to silence her.

"What are you going to do with this knowledge my Lady? And remember where you are, you might not be allowed to leave"

"I know where I am and I know who I am. I want to understand this talent of mine, and I want to be able to guide others if they show signs of this skill. Nothing else"

"And how are you planning on using your skill outside of this Temple?"

"Setting up trade for my lands to create an economy. And to explore other lands unnoticed"

"Where"

"That doesn't concern you"

"It does if our interests align" he spoke with a coolness while staring into her eyes.

"We will talk about that later, first tell me about your magic otherwise I'll call my dragon and be on my way. You need this more than I do"

She proceeded to walk through them to leave.

"Our first Faceless Man was of Valyrian birth-" He called after her as she began to leave.

Alaerya spun back around instantly in shock.

"He was on the voyage that founded our great city of Braavos, he contained magic of his own and learnt the magic of the moon singers. He fell in love with one, however it wasn't to be and she died giving birth. As she lay dying she transferred her power to him and the first Faceless Man was born" he continued as Alaerya's mind spun.

Alaerya heard footsteps behind her as he spoke and felt a familiar presence, she glanced behind her and saw him. The long lost son of the Qhaerar family, slaughtered as they transported slaves from Valyria to Sothoryos and considered dead. Before her stood her Husband's lost friend, Qaeryo his face familiar under the hood of his robes.

Dressed in the long robes of the Temple he looked at her with an amused smile and removed the hood, she hesitated and stepped forward.

"Qaeryo...is it really true?" shocked and happy at the same time she moved towards him.

"Welcome to Braavos Alaerya, seems we have both been on interesting paths"

"I have so many questions..." she spoke in awe to the man she had thought dead.

"And we will only answer those which benefit both of us and you can be on your way. We have similar goals we are working towards but different endings for both of us. Seems we will cross paths again one day."

She knew the Qaeryo she once knew was long gone, shaped by trauma, change and power.

"Tell me how the magic you all wield works, only once I understand the how can I share how mine works. Without it the results can be devastating"

"What happens?" said the thin woman.

"Death, instantly. You are working with the energy that holds you in physical form. If you can't wield the energies properly, you won't be able to return to physical form."

The thin woman smirked and gestured around the room, "We are the bringers of death, we are not afraid to die. Valaer morghulis" her words were arrogant, fearless, fanatical.

Alaerya purposely did not return the usual response to this line, as she refused to submit any kind of servitude to this woman. Alaerya turned away from the woman and repeated herself, "Show me or I will leave, I don't need to know this. I'm accomplished in much more"

Qaeryo bowed his head slightly and walked towards her, as did the man leading the group. She watched them shift and change, faces flying from the shelves and their forms changing. She detected some fire, some spirit and some water magic being used.

Qaeryo returned to his form, "When my wife died she transferred to me her power to use moving forward. Moon Singers worship and follow the moon, moon energy is spirit and water. When mixed with blood magic, fire is incorporated from the internal fire of our spirits. Water is changeable, water can shift, water sustains life and water can drain life away. After my wife died I struggled with my new abilities, and I felt lost. I'd lost everything when her and my son died together. I wanted to be anyone but myself, I hated how powerless I felt and I hated how I looked. One day during a powerful practice session I took on the form of another, and I was born as no one. Qaeryo who you used to know is no more, I have no name, I have no future. I just am...I am who I am today. I am who I am tomorrow. I serve the many faced God of Death and so do my followers"

"How were you able to transfer the face changing powers to them? This is magic that is difficult to teach. I've been unable to even note down how I do this"

He showed her his hands, outstretched, palms up. They were covered in angry scars, some fresh and some old. They looked painful and red.

"I mix my blood with theirs and we work over time to change forms. I show them how I change and when they think of being another eventually they're able to change too."

"Blood magic..." she murmured touching the scars on his palms. He was right, she couldn't sense any of the Qaeryo she knew in him any longer. He had certainly travelled a hard road since his departure on the family ships many years ago.

She looked up at him, "Weren't you angered your family were slaughtered?"

"Yes I was angry back then, I loved my family. But now it was a necessary sacrifice for who I am today. Their blood strengthened my own, so they became unknowing blood sacrifices to protect me. Strengthening my powers for what was to come, and who I would eventually change to be"

"They died protecting you, so the attack wasn't as easy as it appeared in my vision"

"I was the only child of my family, yes they died trying to save me from being harmed. Their love and desperate yet fruitless attempts to protect me made me very powerful. The assailants couldn't attack me, I was protected. The priestesses on the boat forbid them to harm me, that I am an important piece to the new lands. And we have risen to become one of the most profitable temples in Braavos. Everyone wants a Faceless Man and we have a high price"

Alaerya processed this information and felt numb, it was a lot to take in. The arrival of a long lost Valyrian who had become a powerful and dangerous assassin initiating other assassins using blood magic. That was a lot to accept after he was gone for so long.

"Now you came here for a purpose Alaerya, so fulfill that and be on your way. You have many roads to cross before you can return home."

He walked over and joined the others cutting off their conversation. She turned to face them, "You need to learn to use the element of air too, water will help you but air is important. I'll start with the basics and we will learn the advanced practices when you show signs you're ready to move on."

She took them all through the basics testing how easily they can work with air, floating objects, sending objects as a projectile, creating vortexes of air that can be used as protections. Everyone except the waif like girl was able to master and control air, they weren't masters of the basics but they had an understanding and showed promise. She walked to the girl and looked at her, feeling the hatred rising as she approached.

"What is wrong? Why can't you even lift a piece of dust?" she asked directly and harshly, she knew niceties weren't appreciated by this person.

The woman responded by glaring in defiance, Alaerya was fed up with the attitude. She swept into her mind and sought out what was blocking her air abilities, she saw a brutal beating as a child. This fractured her sensitive soul and filled her with hate.

"Let me undo the trauma that beating gave you" she said as she gazed into her eyes steadily. There was no sympathy or empathy in her words.

The woman hesitated, her gaze suddenly fixed on the floor her cheeks flushed with anger and frustration. She knew Alaerya had found her weakness.

Alaerya swept healing energy through her and walked on, watching others using air to defend and attack. This was taught to Valyrian children so they could protect themselves if their families were ever attacked. By the end of their first lesson she was pleased with their progress, she noticed them starting to tire from expending magical energy.

"Enough for today" she commanded, and she extinguished the air swirling around the room, she overpowered them all into submission ceasing their activities.

"Practice on your own for short times only, you don't need long to work with this magic. Just small amounts is enough for now."

"How long until we move forward?" asked Qaeryo.

"By the end of the week we should be able to begin talking about connecting to the particles of air. Which is the only thing I've been able to use to explain this ability. Once we can master that we move onto invisibility, I'll be done with you in a few weeks"

They thanked her by bowing silently and left the Hall as one group, she lingered behind them staring around her at the ominous faces whose gazes followed her from the room.

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Alaerya practiced with the Faceless Men daily, also joining in on their training practices and sparring. They used different weapons to her so it was refreshing for Alaerya to learn some new technique and weaponry. Her adult students had grasped and practiced the concepts well. She was genuinely surprised by how fast they advanced through the basics of the air element.

"I feel as if becoming invisible you manipulate the air particles to dissolve into them and become part of the invisible air which surround us. We can't see the air but we know that it's there otherwise we couldn't breathe. I find tuning in to my heartbeat and feeling my body and the tingling sensations in my body helps me connect with the air energy. Then I simply allow myself to dissolve outward into invisible particles. But I maintain my consciousness, if you lose your consciousness you can be lost all together. You can also do this process faster by dissolving into larger particles and being seen, like this"

She disintegrated from her physical form into a whirl of golden particles that swished and swirled around them like a vortex of dust. Then she reformed, "I think you're all ready to begin practicing your connection and dissolving. Feel the air on your skin, feel it enter your lungs, feel it tingle on your skin. Then send your intention out to expand into it and allow yourself to melt outwards into the air. "

She watched as one managed to fade significantly, another remained unchanged and others were dissolving into clouds of particles. She let them practice re forming and dissolving again before stopping the practice so they don't get sickened from too much magic wielding.

The group began to file out but one remained, he watched them go.

"You are a good teacher" he commented, watching as his priests filed out obediently back to their roles in the Temple.

"Thank you, I was teaching children in Valyria how to master the basics of our magic. It's important to know these when working with advanced concepts like this"

"I'm intrigued to hear more about what else you mastered. Instead of eating alone would you join me?"

"Before I dine with you I need a name. I can't talk to nobody all day long."

His mouth quirked into a discreet smile, "Jaqen"

"Thank you Jaqen, I was going to make up my own names for you all. It makes teaching much easier when you have names to work with."

She followed him out and they sat in his quarters and ate their meal. She explained how she used face changing to master the Valyrian mysteries of every Temple that offered that level of training.

"How many Temples were in Valyria?" he questioned with interest.

"Around 100 types of worship were present, people were free to worship as they pleased. Many paid homage to more than one, it was normal to study and learn multiple aspects from Temples."

"But not normal for the higher levels of magic"

"No, advanced magic requires you to dedicate time to the Temple. After completing your studies in the mysteries you need to contribute. I was too impatient for that, but now I see the value in it"

He stirred his food silently, "Yes, we have some learning our magic who have been contributing for years. Then there are others who accelerate fast and become able to contribute in different ways"

"Do all of the faces come from assassinations?"

"No many of them do not. We offer people who need it a way to leave. Some people are sick or grieving who can't handle being in this life anymore. Some are too old to function, or too old to eat. They all have a place here"

"The Many Faced God, takes us all and uses our faces for other means" spoke Alaerya clearly and ominously.

He nodded slowly, "You speak as if you have mastered our Temple and beliefs Lady Alaerya"

She smiled slightly, "After years of studying I take in information rapidly"

He chewed his dinner thoughtfully at her words, "After our next lesson here you will no longer be needed to teach us. We will master this and it will come very much to good use. And we can now command higher prices, we are in debt to you. And it will be repaid"

"How will you repay me?"

"Certain deeds will be done to benefit you" was his simple response which betrayed none of his intentions.

"Will I know of these deeds or will they happen without my knowledge or approval?"

"You will come to know of them shortly after they're enacted. And they will all serve you well"

"How far ahead in time can you see?"

"Far enough to know that we will cross paths again, many times and we support your future expansion"

"I'm glad I have your support especially now I've taught your disciples to become invisible. I have enough enemies that I can see with my eyes I don't need unseen ones too"

"The only enemy you need to be concerned with is the one with those blue eyes"

She felt dread pour over her like a heavy cloud. "He will be taken care of Jaqen"

"Yes he will and we will help to make sure of his defeat"

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Jaqen was correct, the next time Alaerya met with her students they all mastered the ability to become invisible. She even detected a small sense of gratitude from the tiny woman with big emotions. Satisfied she bowed and thanked them for being diligent students, they bowed in return and dispersed back into the darkness of the Temple.

Qaeryo and Jaqen provided Alaerya with some gold and scrolls that was warded heavily outlining their magical practices and face changing skills. She was trusted with their deepest and most valuable secrets, she took it very seriously she was entrusted with this information. She had succeeded in getting her students to learn invisibility and after numerous time's they could all become invisible. She knew she had just made one of the most dangerous groups in the known world even more dangerous. But she had also made a valuable alliance for what was to come. She felt justified in what she had taught them.

Her time here had come to an end, the purpose was fulfilled and both parties got what they wanted. After spending much longer than she wanted in Braavos it was time to enact the next part of her mission. Exiting the Temple for the first time in months was the first time she had been outside. The sun was blinding to her and the clouds were heavy and thick today. It took her eyes long minutes to adjust, and when they did she saw Vaella waiting for her. Unharmed and she thought bigger than when she first arrived. She looked back once to the Temple with the black and white door before vaulting powerfully onto Vaellas back and twisting away up into the clouds.

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Alaerya flew Vaella to the former Valyrian provinces which survived the doom. They had all become their own territories in their own right and all had suffered violent uprisings after the Doom occurred. Anyone from Valyria who had escaped there had been slaughtered, human and dragon alike. She listened to the whispers in the taverns in the face of a different merchant each night. And every city said the same, the Valyrians who declare themselves all met their end. This validated her choice to remain cut off from the world and to protect Valreos from attack. When the time comes, she thought, we will return here and pay back those deaths. She was always quiet and always unnoticed, she could hear words as well as thoughts and came to learn much about who and what controlled each city. Armed with this knowledge and in the face of powerful men she made trade deals in Myr, Lys, Tyrosh and Qarth. She had much to trade, weapons, gems, jewellery, fabrics, and she made powerful friends and lucrative deals with them all. Managing to effectively infiltrate the social elite in each city with her charm and generosity. She used magic to sway those who were unsure and she covered her tracks to avoid detection. In Qarth she made deals with some of the temples for magical artifacts and satisfied she decided to travel to the last place on her list, Asshai. As Vaella flew towards the fabled city she noticed the reports were true, the darkness engulfing the city and its surrounds was real. People walked in groups and covered their faces, some had eerily shining eyes and others just emanated darkness. She vaulted off Vaella and landed on the outskirts of the city, wearing the face of a fearsome warrior. His long dark hair was braided and his face covered with scars of battle. His eyes were sharp and could make anyone feel uncomfortable. She entered the city as this man and searched out places where the residents gather. The buildings were made of a dark oily stone that emanated shadows and every few steps Alaerya felt she was being flanked by shadows flying either side of her. Internally she felt the danger here, the magic was palpable in the air but her instincts were telling her to run. She found an inn and entered, it was just as dark inside and very quiet. There were people drinking but conversing in barely audible tones, she really had to strain to hear any snippets of information. She didn't hear anything very helpful but continued to listen anyway, marvelling at how different this place was to everywhere else she had visited. She would be glad to leave this city and never return again. The door opened but she didn't take notice as she was listening to the murmurs around her. A woman in a red skirt and dark hair entered, her hood covering her face but the sneer on her face was unmistakeable. She approached Alaerya recognising her despite her disguise and stood next to her.

"I'm offended our Temple wasn't your first stop, My Lady" she said silkily, dropping her voice poignantly on the last two words.

The man sipped his foul tasting drink and ignored her, she smiled and swept around to stare her in the eyes. The priestess gaze raked over the man's form and could see no sign of the woman she had met in Valyria. But her energy was unmistakeable, her power was unmistakeable.

"I knew I would see you again, here, just not like this" spoke the priestess with a terrible smile painted across her face.

"So you don't claim to know everything then" spoke the man, gruff and fierce.

"No, I never claim to know everything. Unless of course my Lord tells me it's true, then I follow it wherever it leads me"

The man snorted and took a long sip of the drink, choosing not to speak.

"You come here to trade and you didn't think we would have something to offer you?"

"I came here to trade yes, but not just with Temples. I have many things to sell"

"We have many things we want to buy. Consider us your first customer in this great city"

"Great city? Half of it can't be seen, how does that make it great?"

"We have the most fearsome reputation, many wouldn't dare to tread on our lands and yet here you are. Fearless and ignoring all instincts to leave"

"That's the magic of the city, not my instincts. I know the difference after being here for a time."

The priestess smiled and stood making her way to the door, "Come with me we have a deal to make"

Reluctantly he finished his drink and shouldered his way through the dark crowd to the door. The Temple of R'hllor was on the other side of the city, a huge building surrounded by urns of flames. It was quite formidable but nowhere near as formidable as the Temple of Flames from Valyria. They walked up the stairs and into the temple together, and came to stop before the flaming altar. Kinvara reached into the flames and spoke some words looking fervently at the man the flames reflecting in her eyes. The flame jumped to her hand and she cradled it. She gazed for a time into the flames and when satisfied, nodded and the flames returned to the altar.

"It seems you have many things of interest to our Lord, we will take everything and request some specific items to be made in return. Name your price for these and we will pay it, as they can only be crafted by Valyrian hand and the magic we need seems to need to come from you also."

She handed Alaerya's disguised form scrolls with designs, she looked through them all. There were designs for jewellery, chokers, masks and rings all with a specific symbol in laid in them. They all heavily featured rubies some combined with emerald and others with diamond. Some required sapphire only.

"I believe we can assist with these requests" said the man gruffly, "this symbol..."

"Everything is explained in the scrolls, but this symbol is used to enhance our magic. All magic cast whilst wearing this symbol greatly magnifies our powers. Many use glamour spells so they do not need to pour their own energy continually into the magic. Others use it for extracting valuable information from the minds of others. And some...use it to extinguish life flames in their enemies"

The man looked sharply up at her, his fierce face thundering, "And for what purpose will you be using this for?"

"Will it make you feel better if we agree that what you create for us will never be used against you or your people?"

After a long moment the man spoke, "I agree"

"Now the issue of your dragon eggs. No one else in this city has seen or traded dragons eggs for some time. The last dragons who lived here escaped the shadows that overtook these lands. Originally dragons were from this place but the people wielding magic destroyed their lands by unleashing a powerful force which was the end of them. I'm sure this sounds familiar to you" she said snidely, "It might interest you to know those dragons migrated and settled in lands very close to their original home. A network of volcanos which would be discovered by a new race of people hundreds of years later. Little did they know these people would also fall prey to the lure of power and lust which unleashed a similar fury and terrible fate for all who remained there"

"Will you arrive at the point you're trying to make Kinvara" responded the man getting bored by the priestess presence.

"We will trade the dragons eggs, they can command a high price and we will spread our followers across the known world spreading the word that dragons have always and always will come from Asshai. We will take 3 eggs now and notify you when we want more."

"Jewellery and dragons eggs, I haven't mentioned their prices yet..."

"We won't be paying the high price you have in mind, trying to price us out of being interested wont work either. The Lord wants to make a deal with you, you are important for the future."

"I will require payment in..."

"Gold, we know. The currency of Asshai does not have a value on Valreos. And you've abolished slavery...so gold it is"

She swept her hand to the side and indicated several chests of gold waiting for the deal to be made.

"We only ask to trade exclusively with you. We do not want the other Temples in Asshai possessing the magical artifacts you will create for us."

"I'm not allowed to trade freely here?"

"Nor would you want to. This place is not known for their friendly demeanour. Take the gold back to your ships and leave Asshai..."

"I'd be happy to never set foot here again" replid the fierce man, turning to look over the chests.

"And you won't need to my Lady" said Kinvara with scorn.

The man turned back and stepped aggressively forward, the flames on the altar leapt to Kinvaras defence and Alaerya projected her own flames in response. Suppressing and subduing the altar, Kinvara's expression changed from one of gloating to one of fear. No one had overpowered her Lord before, she stepped back as the man lunged towards her. His strong large hands encircling her throat and lifting her from the ground.

"Do not disrespect me for I can end you. Now you know it" his rough voice snarling in her face, she smelled the foul liquor from the bar on his breath.

Kinvara struggled to breathe under the grip of the man who was really a woman, she begged her Lord to help her internally. The flames lashed and hissed but were contained by the purple flames burning above them, the man smiled menacingly.

"You don't own me and you never will. I can trade elsewhere"

The hand on her throat squeezed tighter and she began to lose consciousness, her life slipping away. Just at the last moment the hand released her and she fell to the ground. The chests of gold disappeared at the mans touch and Kinvara was gasping for air on the floor. When she looked up, eyes bloodshot and teary the man and the gold were gone. The purple flames dissipated and the fury of the flames roared. Flames shot out of every opening of the temple burning furiously and menacingly.

The man reappeared on his waiting ships in the port of Asshai, the gold stored in a locked room warded by magic. The captain ran up to him alarmed by his sudden and unfamiliar appearance. In a second his form changed to Alaerya and recognition came across his face, instinctively he bowed for her.

"We need to leave, now" she said sternly.

"All crew are aboard we can leave as you wish"

"You'll return to Valreos, and you'll give these to my son, no one else. Tell him to commission work on these pieces right away and have them sent on the next shipment. We want to keep this customer on our side and I've just let my emotions get the better of me. Hence why you need to leave" she handed him the scrolls as the ship set sail and warded them with magic to keep their secrets hidden.

She could see the light from the raging temple in the distance and didn't want to be attacked as they left. She knew attacking Kinvara in the Temple was unwise, but she had a deep hatred for fanatics and her emotions had caused her to act rashly.

"You're not returning to Valreos my Lady?" questioned the Captain after he stored the scrolls safely.

"No Captain, I have one more stop to make before I return home".

The ship sailed away into the ink black Asshai harbour, leaving the shadow city behind them. As Alaerya looked back to the docks one last time she saw a red figure watching her leave, glaring and ominous.

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Once away from the shadow city Alaerya could breathe again, the magic of Asshai was powerful and heavy. Even though she was powerful to resist it the pressure on her lungs had made breathing laboured there. The freshness of the sea and the breezes were a welcome change, as was the sun which shone brightly once Asshai was left behind. She reached out to Vaella and waited for the dragon to come, as she swooped down by the boat Alaerya leapt onto her back and they soared away from the ship heading to Valreos loaded with their first shipment of currency from Asshai. They flew for hours stopping once on an island close to the Valyrian ruins to eat and rest before continuing on. As she neared closer to her destination she placed powerful shield magic over them so none could see her flying through the sky. Which was important as Vaella was huge from the magic on Valreos and the increased food supply there. When back over land Alaerya keenly looked at the terrain, one day this would be theirs according to Brandon Stark. She flew over Westeros with many questions in her mind and wanting to visit multiple places, the wolf banners from Winterfell coming to mind first. She was acutely aware however she needed to keep this visit for important purposes only.

Shortly after, she spotted the large city coming into view in the distance, unmistakeable with its white houses and huge towering white tower. She circled the city looking over it, noting where the palace was, the school which was her target and other areas of interest. The huge walls around the entire perimeter of the city made it look unbreachable. Vaella landed in a large clearing north of the city and looked at her, she breathed out a long heavy breath.

"I won't be long Vaella, and don't worry about me. There is very little magic in these lands, I can overpower these people"

The dragon snorted in response and Alaerya chuckled, "I know, I won't be so arrogant then. I promise to keep safe"

Vaella didn't respond she just launched into the air and disappeared under Alaerya's concealments. Alaerya made her way out to the road and assumed the face of a foreigner merchant. Using her magic she conjured herself a horse, a horse made of flames which took on the appearance of a flesh horse. She rode at gallop towards the city gates, arriving there she followed the crowd into and through the gates. Looking around at the fine white marble city as she entered, it was different to Valyrian style but with its own beauty also. The smell of the town wasn't pleasant for the first while, she travelled with a scarf over her face to shield from the worst of it. As she got deeper into the parts of the city closer to the palace and the school she noticed an improvement in the odour. The school seemed to be a whole precinct of buildings joined together by bridges and situated on different islands on the banks of the river. She patiently followed the roads to take her there, and she noticed a large amount of men wearing the same robes making their way towards and into the school. She dismounted her ride in a side alley and, glancing around her to ensure she was alone, the horse form dissipated and the flames returned to burying under her skin. The merchant strode out onto the street and in between two enormous sphinxes at the gate and into the great courtyard. Many figures were bustling around on their business, some carrying scrolls, others in huddled groups talking in low voices. The merchant man continued through walking confidently as though he knew where to go despite the complete opposite being the case. Walking through the enormous marble hallways with carved statues of naked men holding open books eventually a man seated at a desk came into view. The man approached and waited to be consulted, the robed man at the desk glanced up and continued writing for some time. The scratching of quill on parchment breaking the silence and echoing around the immense hall. The merchant waited patiently remembering snippets of conversations heard on his way through the expansive complex.

The robed man finished writing on a scroll and rolled it up, eyeing the merchant suspiciously.

"What business do you have here?" he said looking at his list of appointments

"I come here seeking some of your Maesters to provide education and to serve my family." replied the merchant smiling.

"If you are from Westeros and part of a noble family one would have been provided to you. Where are you from?"

"I'm from the city of Braavos"

The Maester glanced at his map of the world.

"You won't find it on there. My home is yet to be discovered by your world"

"Why do you really want a Maester?"

The merchant could feel this interaction wouldn't go as planned so began to pour some magic of persuasion into the conversation.

"I want to introduce some of the knowledge of Westeros to my House" he replied, words thick with magic.

The maester blinked and took a moment to respond, "The Archmaester handles new recruitments. Come this way"

He was ushered through an office piled high with scrolls into the inner sanctum of the citadel. The merchant had learned a lot on their path through to the desk. This place was not a school it was the Citadel of Oldtown, the ruling family were the Hightowers and the students were training to be Maesters. Amazing what some enhanced skills of listening and magic could do for gaining valuable information. The Maester scurried through hallways by rooms and through to a vast library. The centre had a magnificent fixture of glass bulbs and spinning concentric circles. The merchant recognised this glass and would recognise it from anywhere, it was Valyrian glass.

"The Archmaesters assistant will find you, even though you don't have an appointment and I haven't asked your name" the man was clearly confused and resisting the Magic impressed upon him.

The merchant smiled, "You must have forgotten dear man. I introduced myself to you when we spoke just now"

More magic was impressed upon him and he stared at the merchant blinking blankly.

The merchant smiled, "Teniros is my name, remember?"

The Maester smiled but remained uncertain, "Of course I remember now, my apologies"

He bowed and scurried away, confusion and uncertainty clear in his form.

Chuckling internally at the mans response to the magic the merchant turned and took in the sights of the Citadel, noting only men were present. Not a completely foreign concept, some of the Temples in Valyria were men only. A situation Alaerya managed to navigate around with ease. The walls were lined with books and was several levels in height. She noted the grandeur of their collection far surpassed her own. She perused the titles waiting for some one and found a collection of books on the subject of Valyria. She read them with interest noting that around half of the information was false. She snapped it shut as a young dark haired man approached her, "Excuse me sir, Archmaester Quillon will see you now"

Carefully replacing the book on the shelf Teniros followed the man through mazes of coridoors. Committing the whole place to memory as they walked, the young man remained silent which suited Teniros perfectly. Memorising is much more accurate without distractions. They reached a tower in the massive precinct of buildings and began to climb the stairs. Teniros stopped momentarily to look out the windows here and there which slowed their progress down. His young guide waited patiently but gave off slight annoyance. Eventually they came to a simple room, piled high with scrolls and a large shelving system of vials behind a large desk. At which was seated a portly middle aged man with thinning hair and flushed cheeks. He was reading and making copies of the scrolls and glanced up as they entered the room.

"This is your unexpected guest sir. Teniran from uh-"

The merchant swept past the boy and extended his hand, "Teniros is my name Archmaester, and please forgive my unexpected intrusion. I did not mean to trouble you by interrupting your schedule"

The Archmaester reluctantly shook the mans hand looking into his friendly hazel eyes and smiling face. As they shook hands, the magic begun and Alaerya in her disguise knew everything she needed to know of Archmaester Quillon.

The young man bowed and dismissed himself and Teniros sat sprawling in the nearest chair, looking very comfortable. He looked at the Archmaester with a smile, "I wish to discuss taking some of your Maesters into my employ sir"

Quillon put down his scrolls and indicated the maps to his side, "Where did you say you're from? Teniros is it?" he said tentatively unsure of the pronounciation of his name.

"Correct you got it first time! Most in this land struggle with my name a few times before they get it right" he says warmly, "I come from the lands of Braavos, you won't find them on your maps because to this land we don't exist yet."

"Why do you want Maesters? You must have your own arrangements in your cities?"

"Yes you're right, I'm caught. We do have our own system where I'm from, however I'm a merchant of many wares. And I'm looking to trade on the shores of Westeros you see, so naturally I want to understand your customs, know which families trade in what and who is at war with one another. I cannot look to do business in lands and not know the terrain I'm trading in. It's bad investing to go into a new venture blindly, and of course I think to the future when my sons will take control of what I've built. I want them to have sound advisors by their side and your men are very well learned."

The words heavy with magic washed over the man and he considered Teniros for a short while.

"Usually one Maester is dispatched per noble family..."

"I was hoping for more than one good man" said Teniros examining his fingernails non chalantly as he spoke, "If I'm correct in my observations your Maesters specialise in different areas?"

"Your observations are quite accurate they can specialise in an area of their choosing yet they all receive the same training. Was there something you wanted specifically?"

"Who specialises in Valyria from your Maesters?"

The Archmaester looked surprised he had been taken aback by this not expecting Teniros to speak of Valyria.

"We have several dedicated to unravelling the mysteries of Valyria, although our sources are understandably limited due to the destruction that occurred there"

"You must have had some interaction with the Valyrians, you have their glass in your atrium"

Archmaester Quillons gaze sharpened, "Why do I get the feeling you know things you aren't telling me?"

"I'll tell you something you don't know, most of your sources on Valyria are incorrect. I asked for specialists in Valyria as I contain some documents that might be of interest to them..."

"We are always looking to purchase credible sources of information..." replied the Archmaester placing his glasses on his desk and leaning forward.

"I'm not looking to sell, I'm sure you can understand from a business perspective to sell something so valuable now might mean I lose a larger sum of money down the line for the same piece of work. Of which I have quite a few, yet I'm willing to let your Maesters study them while providing service to my family on Braavos"

Perplexed at the idea of not securing those Valyrian works the Maester absent mindedly tapped his quill on his desk. Scrutinising Teniros with his gaze the whole time.

"I'll allow you two of my most dedicated Maesters who study Valyria, but you will allow them to compile summaries of the documents you possess"

"They will be permitted access to them however they cannot make full copies, they are too valuable for that. And I will be making sure there is no double crossing of me, I do not forgive betrayals"

"We are honest, serving men who wish to preserve the knowledge of the world and enhance the knowledge of those we serve. You will not be betrayed" spoke Quillon defensively.

Teniros nodded decisively and stood, hand outstretched again, "We have a deal, my ship sails tomorrow. It is at the dock waiting for their arrival. The black ship with a ruby sigil on the sail"

Archmaester Quillon shook his hand and more magic was impressed upon him, he felt very tired after a busy morning and plenty of meetings. Alaerya's magic would send him into a restful sleep for the afternoon rendering some of their interaction difficult to recall. Teniros smiled warmly and swept from the room, "It was a pleasure to meet you Archmaester" he called over his shoulder.

He left the Archmaester behind him rubbing his eyes and marvelling in his mind how tired he had suddenly become.

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Alaerya exited the city on her horse and sped towards the clearing in the forest, having called Vaella she knew she was waiting for her. As she galloped through the forest the trees a blur alongside her she longed to be back on dragon back. And she longed to be back home with her family, she had been gone too long as it was.

'One more stop' she thought to herself, and this stop she didn't need any concealments.

As she entered the clearing her huge dragon was waiting and happy at her arrival. She leapt from the horses back which dissipated into flames as she flew through the air to land on Vaella's back. The flames swirled towards her and settled back inside her as Vaella launched and twisted up into the sky. Again being on dragon back Alaerya committed the lay of the land to her memory, these lands weren't as populated as she had seen in her visions and she knew she was many years early coming here. Her time was in the future and she needed to be patient and careful about how her people executed this plan. She passed over an immense beautiful White Castle and lush fertile lands, there was vast plantations and crops. Continuing on she saw mountains and settlements dotted over the landscape. Vaella knew where she wanted to go and when she found the place she circled over the top of it numerous times taking in the scenery, this was a place of importance and she wanted to remember it.

The lake was large and ink black, it's surface appeared to be similar to dragon glass. The shores were lush and dotted with vegetation, in the middle of the lake was an island heavily populated with white trees and waving red leaves. From above she looked down and the scene she viewed looked much like an eye, ominous and all seeing.

Vaella dived sharply down at breakneck speed as she hurtled towards the water, at the last moment she flicked out her wings and flew along the surface of the water. Her claws bathing in the water and catching several fish as she flew. She circled around and approached the island, and flew as close as she could to allow Alaerya to vault off and land on the island. Vaella screeched and flew to land on the bank of the shore and eat her catch. Alaerya watched her go placing concealments and shields over her to protect her while she was away. Alaerya turned to look at the island, it was densely covered in trees with faces. They looked at her blankly, some were bleeding, some were angry, some were blank. She felt uncomfortable and knew the magic here was not pleased with her presence. There was no bird song, and the air was still, she received the message clearly. She was intruding in this sacred space, knowing she had something important to do here she breathed deeply and pressed into the forest. The air was thick with magic and she clambered over the huge roots, touching the magical trees as she went. Their magic intensified her own and she fought the urge to dive into intense dream walking, hearing voices and seeing snippets of visions as she went. She knew though that at the heart of this island was what she was looking for. The island itself rose up to a hill in the centre, the entire terrain filled with congested trees and roots of these white trees. Periodically she heard rustling and whispers which she knew wasn't the wind. And in her periphery she saw small figures she recognised darting from tree to tree. It was cool under the trees and she enjoyed the feeling of the island once she became accustomed to it. After a time of venturing towards the centre the trees cleared slightly and there it stood in the centre. The biggest white tree of them all, it's trunk was as thick as one of Vaellas upper legs, and it's root system gnarled and twisting spread out all around it. It's height required one to crane their neck back and cover their eyes to block out the glare from above. Nestled in amongst its roots and staring at her expectantly were hundreds of Children of the Forest.

She did not know their customs and so approached slowly and respectfully, her head bowed and her hands out to the side, palms open. She was armed but she wanted to convey coming in peace, she slowly sunk down to the ground and waited for them to speak.

"It is brave of you to seek us out Lady Alaerya, we don't usually allow visitors past our first line of trees and especially not to view our sacred Heart Tree."

"Thank you for allowing me passage" Alaerya replies respectfully.

"We know why you come" said another, "which is why we allowed you to enter. We have the same enemy, and you have been tasked to destroy this enemy to save the known world"

"I want to know why we can't destroy this enemy now, I have a strong army, many dragons..."

"You are wise enough to know things must occur exactly as they have been seen, otherwise we move in unknown territory and failure is a large possibility"

Alaerya still looking down at the roots between her hands, looked up at them and stood as she spoke, "We could save so many lives"

"It has to be the way we have seen, Bran Stark must fall and Westeros must fall also. Otherwise the same mistakes will be made, these people don't learn quickly they only learn the hard way. Remain on the same path, and your success will be guaranteed." spoke the one who seemed to be their leader.

"And when I succeed what would your race be asking for?"

"What we have always wanted, safety and peace. We are tired of fighting, we are diminishing in numbers and we are dying out slowly. We will be completely eradicated if you fail..."

"Won't you all die anyway? If Westeros falls..."

"His magic can't penetrate here easily, we made him but he doesn't possess all of our magic. He will try but he will fail"

She looked over them all solemnly, her form towering over theirs, her silvery blonde braided hair stark in comparison to their squat green forms.

"I will do as you advise and wait until the right time, which will be when?"

"Some survivors will find you, do not turn them away. They are the key to succeeding and rebuilding here"

"Will there be others? Or just one group of survivors? This wide land will need numbers if it's to survive"

The eldest spoke, "Bran Stark will make the right arrangements, there will be more survivors"

Knowing she wouldn't get a full account of how things would unfold she bowed to him respectfully.

"If there is nothing else I'm returning home now. I've been away too long"

Alaerya began to turn and leave, one of the children followed her.

"Wait we have something for you Lady Alaerya"

The female child of the Forest apprehensively approached her holding something in her hands. Alaerya bent down to face her and held out her hands, the child placed several red leaves in her hands. She looked down blankly at them and back at the child.

"These leaves contain seeds for you to plant in your gardens, one for each island will be planted. And a guardian for each tree will be born also."

Alaerya traced the patterns on the leaves with her fingers, she had never seen leaves look so intricate and beautiful.

"I will plant these when I return home. Is there a certain way to do it?"

"Just bury the leaves and with the magic of the island they will grow"

"You can finally put your husband somewhere to rest my dear" spoke the eldest child of the Forest.

Alaerya's heart dropped at the reminder of her deceased love, and she knew he would want to be buried alongside a living being of immense power.

She nodded resolutely, "I will see you all again"

As she left the clearing they stared after her, she stored the leaves in her cloak and made her way to the shore of the island to find Vaella waiting for her to fly home.

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Aeyrelion stood out on the terrace overlooking their home, as he did every morning. He looked out at what his parents had created, the legacy of their family and he worried for his mother. His face was dark and tense with worry, even though he knew wherever she was she had succeeded in setting up trade routes. Their ships had been making many voyages successfully, transporting goods and returning laden with gold in payment. The ruling families were all pleased with the trade agreements and it had been healthy for all levels of society. People had work, the islands were making money and society was ticking on, 'just as mother had wanted', thought Aeyrelion.

The council was getting restless though and he knew it, they wanted to invade these lands his mother had spoken of and couldn't accept her advice to wait. He knew the war councils which had been bored were meeting and planning invasion strategies. He allowed it to happen in case his mother returned home with a change in plans.

Krysaella remained sleeping in their bed, she slowly opened her eyes and saw her husband's side was ruffled and empty. Slowly she rose carefully, mid way through her second pregnancy, Aeyrelion hadn't wasted any time getting her with child again. Wrapping herself in her elaborate robe, knew where she could find her husband. She conjured her tea which Aeyrelion had waiting for her on the terrace and wrapped her arm around him from behind.

"Any sign of her yet my Love?" she whispered as she looked out to the horizon.

He sighed in frustration, "None yet Krys, I'm not sure she is coming back"

"She wouldn't leave us and especially not Aeyrelix. Have faith, she has already secured much in her ventures"

They stood in silence together watching the cities, "You have a busy day dear, meetings and inspections of shipments. Let's go and get ready for what we have to do"

He tore his gaze away from the horizon and followed his wife inside, sitting on the edge of his bed with exasperation. Head in his hands.

"Aeyrelion you never dealt with the loss of your father and I can see it's taking it's toll on you now your mother has gone" spoke Krysaella with her back to him and she selected her dress for the day.

"How do I deal with that? They've been coming and going our whole lives. I get they're busy but it doesn't get easy watching them go. She's been gone for the longest time now, years. I always knew the day would come one wouldn't return and it's hurt more than I could handle-"

Krysaella knelt behind him and put her arms around him lovingly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't have that experience so I don't know what to say. But you know I'm here to help make your life easier, to make ruling easier"

"You do a good job Krys, I don't know what I'd do without you" he smiled at her and cupped her face, kissing her gently.

They shared a moment with one another and then he stood, dressing and getting ready for the day.

"I'm ready for whatever today has to bring" he said after a time, sounding more like his usual strong, influential self.

Krysaella smiled proudly and stood next to him as they began to leave their chambers.

They were both startled by a loud dragon screech and the sound of huge beating wings, Aeyrelion stormed out to the terrace to see who had dared fly so close to their home. He stopped in astonishment and stared, Krysaella followed him out with concern. She stopped in her tracks and smiled widely as she saw the familiar dragon.

"Vaella is huge, how is it possible she keeps growing?" she mused as she slipped her arm around her husband. Aeyrelion watched the dragon fly around Valreos dumbfounded.

"See husband, I told you she would return" boasted Krysaella.

As they watched, Vaella soared over the city, screeching and rolling, Alaerya's form could be seen on her back. People on the streets stopped to stare and many were cheering and clapping. Alaerya was dearly loved by their society and rightly so, she had saved all of their lives.

Vaella was too big to land in front of Valreon House so Alaerya guided her to land in the large gardens at the back of the estate. Her blood was singing with recognition, she felt euphoric setting foot back on her lands. As she glided from dragon back her children who were at the House already and grandchildren ran to meet her. She held them all tightly and smiled into their faces as she heard how they were doing.

"I've missed you all so much, I can't wait to hear how everyone has been in my absence"

Aeyrelion had strode out sternly, Krysaella had followed slowly behind with their eldest a son who was learning to walk on his own. Krysaella'a stomach was noticeably swollen and Alaerya exclaimed in surprise.

Krysaella hugged her, "There are many surprises for you to learn Alaerya, so good to see you home"

"And I have some of my own" smiled Alaerya.

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The ship with the ruby sails arrived a week later, this ship was trading in Westeros among various ports. The Maesters on the ships had no idea where they were going, Archmaester Quillon had only mentioned they were going to guide a powerful merchant to understand Westeros customs and nobility. And they had been instructed to send in return summaries of the Valyrian sources this merchant claimed to have. They heard the cry for land and came onto the deck to view these unknown lands for the first time. They could see the lands in the distance and whisps of dark shapes above land. They looked closer and as recognition dawned over their faces they looked astonished.

Quintus was the elder of the two, he approached the captain at the helm.

"Sir, you never mentioned where your Lord is from?"

The Captain looked at them and smiled a wide smile, "Welcome to Valreos men. The Lady of Valreos is waiting to see you"

"Lady? We were told we would be serving the master of the House" said the younger Maester, by the name Manteo.

"All of your questions will be answered soon" he responded enigmatically.

The men looked up as the ship approached a beautiful port and dragons were swooping and playing over head. They looked out across the islands and stared at the sights in astonishment. This was a Valyrian civilisation.

Waiting for them on the Ports was a tall, silver haired serious looking young man. As they disembarked the ship he awaited their arrival and they approached him looking confused.

"Welcome to Valreos men of Westeros, we are grateful to the Citadel granting you into our service. I'm sure you will find much here to expand your current knowledge."

He extended his hand and formally shook their hands.

"We have many questions for you, I'm sorry what is your name?" asked Quintus still shocked.

"Forgive me, my name is Aeyrelion Valreon. I'm a member of the ruling council, my family founded these islands. You'll be taken to meet my mother now. She wishes to speak to you most urgently"

Their heads swam with confusion and their instincts raged as the dragons played overhead. Aeyrelion did not seem affected by their presence.

"Before we go anywhere you must tell us something. This is all very..." spoke Quintus looking nervously up at the dragons.

"Overwhelming, yes I can appreciate you must be feeling that way. Men you are standing on a Valyrian civilisation, the only one to survive Valyrias destruction. Come let my mother answer the remainder of your questions and show you to the Valreon Citadel"

"Citadel?" said Quintus curiously.

"Yes," smiled Aeyrelion, "we have built a citadel here for you so you can continue your knowledge and train others if they choose to learn"

The men simply nodded, they had complete information overload. They marvelled at the city as they travelled, especially considering the carriage they were drawn in was drawn by magic.

Entering through the grand gates to Valreon Estate they googled their eyes at the sights inside the extravagant grounds, plants they had never seen before grew in magically manicured gardens. Marble water fountains and fountains of fire decorated the space, all through the grounds was the sigil of the House. A dragon flying upward to a shining star with a V underneath. Entering the massive hall inside, the impressive sights continued, murals welcomed them and startled them as they moved as if alive. Dragons flying on the walls alongside them, the white marble architecture stunning and shimmering with rainbow iridescence. As they entered the large hall they immediately saw a woman who was clearly in charge. She sat with people around her dressed extravagantly, her hair braided and strewn with diamonds. When she saw them arrive she stood and glided towards them, shaking their hands they felt their hands tingle with energy. Shocked they looked at her speechless.

"Men you must have many questions, please sit and eat. All will become clear" spoke the woman kindly.

They sat and as they ate she explained everything to them, they stared at her in disbelief.

"What is your intention my Lady?" enquired Quintus.

"We will be conquering Westeros in the future" she returned.

The Maesters looked troubled, "We cannot support invasion of our lands" continued Quintus.

"We won't be invading by force we will enter when it is weak and we will rebuild the lands"

"It would take a great disaster for the whole continent to be weakened" said Manteo in disbelief.

"A great disaster is coming, but you will hear all about that when you attend the war council with me. Im aware I'm asking a lot of you to take all of this in, but you will be happy here and we are relatively peaceful people."

"Relatively?" smiled Quintus.

"Valyrians are known for being hot blooded, we do have some of that fire and passion still. You can see that in the stadiums where we race dragons and the fighting pits where the best warriors fight for glory"

"We never knew Valyrians had fighting pits" exclaimed Manteo excitedly

Alaerya smiled warmly, "You'll understand now why I asked for specialists in Valyria to come here"

They looked confused, Alaerya flushed and looked down to the ground. When she looked back up, she was Teniros the merchant.

The men were visibly shaken, Manteo stood in shock at her show of magic.

"As you can see my good men. We have much to show you and you have much to learn here. Now, come we have some important things for you to see" smiled Teniros warmly at the shocked men.

The men accompanied Alaerya to the largest garden in the rear of the Valreon estate, the great mountain of the island rising in front of them. Alaerya's children and their partners are all present with their children. And also present are the allied families, called to witness some working of magic. Everyone was dressed in black and Aeyrelion held an egg of blackness, his fathers ashes. They had been stored in the great cave in the last island by Alaerya until she had seen fit to give them their final resting place. Everyone gathered around her and the Maesters looked around in disbelief at all the Valyrian people. Alaerya stepped forward and the crowd quietened to allow her to speak.

"Thank you for coming everyone, recently I was given a gift from a race of beings living in Westeros. They gave me these" she showed them the red leaves, "to plant on our lands and learn their magic. They will come in use in the future when we expand our territories, and the tree planted on this island will be my husbands final resting place."

She turned and solemnly looked at the patch of earth, it began to shift and move as a hole was created in the ground. The Maesters mouths gaped open at more magic workings, and they watched as Aeyrelions ashes disintegrated from the seemingly solid egg into dust by magic into the ground. Alaerya held up the largest leaf in her hand and it wafted from her hand curling around on the breeze to rest in the ground. The earth shifted and buried the ashes and the leaf, Alaerya bent down and touched the earth feeling the power in the ground looking at the spot her husband rested.

"I miss you" she whispered with tears streaming down her face, the tears fell to the ground where the leaf and the ashes lay. They absorbed into the ground and combined with her powerful touch the ground trembled. After a time a red shoot shot out of the ground, and the tree grew at an accelerated pace. Before their eyes it grew into a magnificent thick, tall white tree with lush red foliage. It sent its roots out along the ground beneath their feet and people had to step out of their way as it rapidly grew. The tree slowly ceased growing when it towered over them, Alaerya looked at the tree as the face forming in the tree she recognised to resemble her husbands face.

She knelt close to the face and put hers close to it, tears streaming again as she looked into her husbands face in the tree. The breeze rustled all around them and in amongst the rustle of the leaves Alaerya was sure she heard, "I miss you too".

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300AC Kings Landing...Tower of the Hand

Tywin Lannister was many things, yet he was ruthless in all his dealings. He had a strong sense of where he was going and often he had to make choices to bring his children kicking and screaming along with him. This situation was no different, but he was tired. The conflict between his feelings for Tyrion and his sense of duty was growing old. Deep deep down, he knew Tyrion wasn't really to blame for Joanna. Except the layers of fury at her death that laid over the top of those feelings over rode all else. Tywin stared across Kings Landing, silently calculating how to get his family out of this mess. His daughter was a paranoid drunk, his son a Kingsguard useless to continue the family line and his youngest, a dwarf, was to be executed on the morrow. Sinking back his drink he poured another and swirled it in his hand, a knock at the door made him glance warily. It was late and he was in no mood for visitors, he opened the door and in front of him stood the whore his son had fallen in love with.

"Evening Lord Lannister" she purred as she entered the room like she owned it.

"What do you want?" he replied coldly, he did not want this woman, especially not a whore, in his room.

"I came to make peace my Lord and offer you anything you want..." her words were seductive and Tywin knew in this moment Tyrion had no chance to fight her charm.

Shae's dark eyes blinked seductively as she sprawled across a chair, the right parts of her visible. To anyone else this would be tempting, to Tywin he immediately knew her weakness.

"I'm not interested in making a deal with you, now leave" his words full of fury he didn't try to hide as he battled internally to not throw her from the window.

Shae rose from her chair and silkily walked towards him, dress swishing to begin tracing her fingers up his chest.

"Surely the great Lion has some needs...I can make you feel things you've never felt before"

He gripped her wrist pushing it away and strode back towards his drink, "I don't think you can Shae. You might've been able to fool my son but I'm not so foolish. Pretty eyes and dresses haven't been able to dazzle me for a long time. Get to the point of why you're really here"

Shae's face hardened and her pleasant demeanour shifted, "Pay me and I will leave, never to be heard of again"

Tywin stared at her coldly unblinking, his gaze making Shae uncomfortable, "Didn't my son offer this to you already yet you returned to testify against him"

Shae shrugged, "I figured I could get a higher price from the Lord of Casterly Rock"

"For a foreign whore you seem to know quite a lot about Westeros" returned Tywin in contempt.

"Smart women learn who the rich men are around them"

"Smart women don't come to my chambers late at night" countered Tywin sternly, "I'll grant you some gold to leave tonight, only this time if you return I'll put your head on a spike. Now leave" he thundered, angered at being forced to pay this woman more money to leave.

Tywin turned his back and poured another drink, hearing the door close behind him as she departed. He sipped thoughtfully for a moment returning to gaze across the city, before heading to the privy. He sat and breathed out heavily, the only place he could get any kind of peace and silence. Moments later Tywin heard scraping of muffled footsteps and looked up just in time as something was shot toward him. Feeling the sharp sting of an arrow or dart, he had moments to realise he was being attacked before everything went black. Tywin drifted in and out of dreams, aware of the sounds and smells of being on the sea. Numerous times he was forced to drink foul tasting drinks which would cause him to slip back into dreamless sleep. The rocking motion of ship and the dizziness of the concoctions he was forced to drink became a repetitive nightmare. After an unknown amount of time Tywin became aware of being still, shouts of people stirred him and the sound of cargo being unloaded. Tywin's head spun and felt incredibly heavy, the surroundings were blurry around his body, his eyes unable to focus. When they came for him he weakly tried to resist but it was no use, they placed a cover over his head and lifted him to his feet.

"Come now," said a voice of warning, "you are too weak to fight us old man. The journey is almost at an end"

The voice was calm, strong and dangerous, Tywin knew better than to fight during such weakness. He was loaded up on a cart and driven on, his weak mind raced with possibilities. Was this the work of one of his children? They had all expressed deep hatred of him, numerous times. This wouldn't surprise Tywin but it would hurt, although he'd never show it openly. Weakness shown is the battle lost.

Unyielding as ever, Tywin rolled on in the cart to an unknown destination with an unknown fate. A short time later, his captors unloaded him and half walked half carried him into a building. Tywin noted the change of temperature from a breezy warmth to a sudden coolness. All the while straining his hearing to grasp anything that might help locate where he was. Had the North taken him? The iron born? He'd made enemies all over Westeros so his mind raced with possibilities of who would be brash enough to kidnap him. At last he was thrown onto the ground, his face still covered and arms bound.

"Great leaders of Valreos, we bring you a gift" spoke the voice of his captor.

'Valreos?' Thought Tywin, 'that sounds Valyrian'

"For what purpose do you bring an unidentified foreign prisoner to our lands?" spoke a strong sounding man.

"We owe a great deal to your great great grandmother the Lady Alaerya, we came to bring a gift"

"Would you like to give it directly to her? For I have no idea what this deal between you is, and who this man is" spoke the man again.

"The Lady still lives?" responded Tywin's captor unable to hide the surprise or happiness at the news.

The young man chuckled, "She is the cheater of death, yes she lives"

Tywin is reeling on the ground, extremely confused why he's been brought to unknown lands. There are whispers and scuffling sounds, then a woman speaks.

"Who are you to be bringing prisoners to the land of my people?" speaks this woman's voice, strong, warm but powerful.

"Lady Alaerya" begins the man wonder in his voice, "great stories have been told of you in our sacred Temple from Braavos"

Tywins blood freezes, he should've known only a Faceless man could penetrate his tower and get him out of the city without raising the alarm.

There was a pause, "Thank you for your words, now tell me who is this and why is he here"

The man strides forward and removes Tywins hood, the light blinds Tywin as he cowers momentarily on the ground.

"We told you many years ago we owed great debts to you, and we have begun to repay them. This is Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Hand to the King of Westeros, and one of the finest battle commanders that land has seen. He has been brought here to assist you take and rebuild Westeros"

Tywins vision adjusted, the Hall was grandly built from white iridescent marble. The ceiling was high and intricately carved, painted and the pictures moved as if alive. In front of him sat an old woman draped in long strands of brilliant diamonds dressed in an exotic gown and intricate braids in her hair. Prominent on her throat was a large ruby choker, shaped in a symbol he had seen elsewhere. Her eyes were kind but stern, she rose to tower over him. Dragon sigils were strewn throughout the room and he knew without a doubt these were Valyrians. How they'd survived he didn't know, in his mind he questioned if he was really dead.

"You are not dead yet Lord Lannister," as she spoke her ruby glowed, and the lines on her face disappeared. She stood before him a young woman, his face remained unchanged although she clearly was aged before and he was taken back by the magic.

"You will help us take Westeros" spoke the woman sternly.

"I'll do no such thing" he replied simply.

The woman smiled, "You don't seem to have much of a choice at the moment"

Tywin felt air rush around his body lifting him high into the air powerless to escape he could no nothing but stare defiantly down.

"Your daughter will sit the throne soon. She will bring about the destruction of your lands, help us and your legacy will live on"

Tywin burned inside, that did sound like something Cersei would do. Steal power for herself and not be able to hold onto it.

Knowing this was the only option available to keep him alive, Tywin blinked and sighed.

Slowly he was released from his floating prison, and he stood before the woman, refusing to kneel.

"If I help you-" he started.

"You'll agree not to plot and scheme against me or my people. I know how you work Tywin, I'll be one step ahead of your treachery and believe me when I say you don't want to see the consequences of crossing us"

Tywin breathed deeply again looking into her eyes he knew he was beaten. He couldn't escape and he couldn't tell false truths to save himself, it was commit to what was presented to him or die. It was abundantly clear magic was present here and his tricks would be useless.

"Tell me who you are and why you want Westeros" he said commandingly in response.