Chapter 53; Now we forge a new alliance;
Characters of the chapter
Brandon Stark, also known as the Three Eyed Raven, mage advisor to the court of King Jon
Daenerys Targaryen, The Mother of Dragons, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, the Breaker of Chains, Queen of the of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men of the South, Queen of the South Kingdom of the Twin kingdoms and Protector of the Realm
Iledia Agent of the Inquisition
Jon Snow, also known as Aegon Targaryen and Jon Stark, King of the North Kingdom of the Twin Kingdoms
Kieran, Agent of the Inquisition, mage advisor to the court of King Jon
Rydeon Cadash Lord Inquisitor of the Inquisition, Lord of Skyhold
At sunset, after the peace talks were concluded, Daenerys and Jon sought Rydeon out, to converse with him in private.
"I must thank you on behalf of us both, for assisting us with these negotiations." Daenerys said as the three were talking in a secluded corner of the fort.
"We were happy to do that. After all, one of the purposes of the Inquisition is to promote the cause of peace." Rydeon said.
"And yet you possess an army? A very powerful one at that." Jon commented.
"Well, sometimes peace requires us to have military power at our side. That is not a preferred tool of the Inquisition, but at times it is the only one. And peace is only one half of our mandate. The other one is to keep this world safe from things that would destroy it." The Inquisitor said.
"The fact that you have an army may prove to be fortuitous." Daenerys said. "Because of your ties to the Empire you were unable to assist us directly. We respect that, even if we consider those circumstances very unfortunate. But now our Kingdoms will have to face new opponents, ones that to my knowledge you would have no such issues with. We were hoping we could convince you to lend us aid against them."
"I can see why that might be. Qunari are not an enemy any nation would wish to face on their own." Rydeon said in contemplation.
"The Inquisition does not count the Qunari as our friends at this time. I believe we can have our forces join your efforts." Rydeon decided.
"As it happens, this is a happy coincidence. I know we haven't always seen eye to eye on all matters, particularly in how we established ourselves in Westeros without permission from either of you. But for some time I have been hoping we could put those differences behind us and build a more cooperative relationship between the Inquisition and your Kingdoms." He added.
Jon and Daenerys shot surprised glances at each other. They had been hoping to convince the Inquisitor to help them, only to realize they barely needed to. This had been far easier than they had expected. Too easy. There had to be some kind of catch.
"And why is that?" Jon asked.
"Beyond adding more to the list of the Inquisition's allies and expanding our influence in general? There are some mutual enemies that I believe will require our joint efforts if they are to be defeated." Rydeon explained.
"You mean Tevinter, don't you?" Daenerys asked, while giving Jon a look of *I told you so*.
"Them and more than them." Rydeon commented. "What do you know of a group called the Venatori?" He asked.
To Daenerys's surprise it was Jon who answered. "A cult of Tevinter supremacists I believe. Extremists that you fought during the Breach War, one of the several groups working for the creature called Corypheus."
"I'm impressed. You've been reading about Thedosian history I see." Daenerys commented.
"With so many new foreigners getting involved with Westeros it felt necessary to learn more about them." Jon said with a shrug. "See? I do know some things." He added in jest, making her chuckle.
Rydeon felt this was an inside joke he had no hope of understanding, so he just moved on. "I see you have some knowledge of them, but perhaps I should still tell you of their more recent history. After we defeated them during the Breach War, they retreated back to Tevinter and there fractured into two rival groups that soon started fighting each other: One was the Reformers, who wanted to rebuild Tevinter to a better, more just foundation, while rejecting concepts like worshipping Corypheus as a god. Second faction, the Loyalists, continue with the original thinking of the group, modifying the more religious aspects of their ideology to suit the developments that befell them during the Breach War. Sadly for all of us it was the Loyalists who emerged victorious from the Venatori civil war, becoming the dominant group. Since then they have been pursuing their goal of restoring Tevinter to its former glory, at any cost. The depravities going on in Essos… it has the Loyalist handprints all over it. I'm certain that they are pulling the strings behind the scenes there. But that continent does not mark the end of their ambitions. The Venatori will always be aiming for more than they have, and your Kingdoms are the next logical target."
"So you believe that the Imperium and this group… that they are a threat to us?" Jon asked.
"Without the shadow of a doubt." Rydeon said. "Not to say all Tevinters are bad mind you. Indeed I count some as my friends. But their nation as a whole is dangerous. Very dangerous. If you ever need to know why, I suggest you take a look at a map of Thedas. First locate Seheron to the north. It's the largest island in Thedas so finding it should not be too difficult. Next turn your attention to southern Ferelden and locate the ruined fortress of Ostagar. Then consider the fact that aside from some barbarian peoples Tevinter at one time ruled just about everything between those two points. And before the first blight and Andraste's Exalted March there were none who could truly challenge their rule. If they are left unchecked, they will become that again, except this time they will have more world to rule, and this time there might be no Andraste to free us from their yoke. And the Venatori Loyalists are the worst of the bunch. They will resort to any and all tactics that will get them what they want."
"But if this is what they intend then why haven't they struck us already? What is the Imperium waiting for?" Jon said, still sounding somewhat skeptical.
"I believe there was a general of Yi-Ti I once read about. A great war leader of whom it was said that he never lost a single battle in his life. Of his military knowledge he wrote a book of quotes. One of those quotes went something like this: *Defeated warriors go to war and then seek to win. Victorious warriors win first and then go to war." Rydeon said as his answer.
"I believe that to be the game the Imperium is playing. They want to ensure that by the time they engage you they have already won and all they have to do is to complete their triumph. Furthermore they don't just want to defeat you and seize your lands. They want to crush you with ease, so the whole world knows they have returned to power and that there is no point in resisting them." He then explained.
"So what needs to be done to avoid that?" Daenerys asked.
"The dragon is a powerful weapon in the arsenal of your Kingdoms, there's no doubt about that. If not for him you would have likely lost this war with Orlais. That is also one more reason why Tevinter hesitates, particularly when they hear what has transpired here. But you cannot rely on the Dragon alone. You have already seen attempts to counteract him. Those attempts failed, but if another of your enemies were to succeed and you not have a backup plan to fall back on… your gods protect you then. You need a broader basis of support. I can help you with that. As my first act in helping you, I would like to send a magical advisor to you, Queen Daenerys, since you do not yet have one."
"A magical advisor? A mage?" She said. Rydeon was surprised to hear some reluctance in her voice.
"Yes. You will need someone who has an understanding of magic and who can use it to your benefit. Furthermore you need someone who understands the enemy you have in the Imperium and the Venatori. The mage I would send to you can offer both. Furthermore she has a network of contacts which you will find most valuable.
"Dany, this could be a real boon for you. Kieran has been working for me some time now. His efforts basically saved Winterfell when we were under siege. And the mage healers Sansa and Davos recruited saved many lives, including that of Sansa herself, if you recall. If have seen enough of Thedosian magic, both as a victim and someone who benefitted to know it would be very good for you to have someone like that at your side." Jon told her in a low voice.
Daenerys nodded slowly. "Very well. Send this mage to me. I will talk with her and decide after if I want to have her services."
"It shall be done, Your Grace." Rydeon said with a nod. "And I will begin coordinating Inquisition support to you as soon as I am able."
"Excellent. Then there is only one more matter to discuss." She said.
"Oh?" Rydeon said.
Daenerys nodded. "You agents have been sneaking around all over Westeros, seemingly clashing in clandestine battles with elves of all things. And you have been doing your damnedest to hide the evidence of you having done so. Previously the only answers we have received from you or the Divine have been nothing except deflection. But if we are to be working together, I do believe honesty to be very important. So care to explain what is going with that?"
Rydeon considered for a moment, then sighed heavily. "I suppose you are right, though I did have my reasons to keep silent. Several reasons. But very well. You might as well hear it now. But I must insist you discuss what I'm about to tell you with no one else."
Rydeon only resumed speaking after he had received a nod of agreement from both of them.
"You see, the elves the Inquisition has been battling are agents of a friend I made during the Breach War, another elf by the name of Solas. Also known by his title: The Dread Wolf." He said.
"A former friend, then?" Jon asked.
"No, I still consider him a friend in many ways. But after the Breach War I discovered he was working on some terrifying plans, plans I hope to turn him away from. But until and unless I manage to do so I cannot afford not to act against his efforts. None of us do." Rydeon said.
"What plans could he possibly have that would lead you to raise a hand against a friend? So much so that you would kill his people?" Jon asked, even more perplexed.
Rydeon paused again, unsure if he should tell them. If he told them what his friend intended to do, would they refuse to believe it and brand him a madman? Or would they react too strongly at the news, bringing disastrous consequences? But in the end it was as the Queen had said. Trust was important in their future partnership and if he withheld this information from them they would only get more suspicious. Now that he had started talking about this, he might as well go in all the way.
"He wishes to restore and older state of the world, a time when the elves ruled supreme. Unfortunately were he to succeed it would mean the end of our world as we know it. The Breach and the resulting war happened because of meddling on his part that went terribly wrong. Had he succeeded though, he would have used the instrument that created the breach to tear down the veil between our world and the fade and burned it all clean. So you can be sure he had the will to accomplish his ends. The means to do so were denied to him, so now he seeks an alternative, which I intend to keep him from finding, hence the operations you have noted." He explained.
Jon and Daenerys looked at each other, less than certain what to make of this. This seemed a wild tale. Impossible. Insane. Yet he had told it with such conviction. And he had referenced the Breach, which they knew had been a real event, well recorded in the recent histories of Thedas.
"If this is true, why weren't we informed? I would think the potential end of the world is a subject that ought to concern us." Daenerys demanded.
"Because there is a very clear distinction between the elves that fight for Solas and the elves in general. As far as I know he isn't doing this for the benefit of the elves of today, but rather for the elves of ancient times that have somehow endured throughout the ages. Even if I am wrong about that there are elves who have no involvement with him and so are blameless in his actions. I did not know you, so I was not certain that you could make the distinction; that you would not simply choose to purge all elves to be on the safe side. Even if you bothered to differentiate between groups of elves, would your nobility? Would the commoners that live in you lands? Elves have as much right to live as any of us and I will not subject them to genocide because of what some intend." He said.
"Furthermore, were you to act against him on your own I have my doubts you would accomplish much. I'm sure you're able leaders in many ways, but the methods he employs are such that you are ill prepared to counter them. He would not show himself openly to you as an enemy. Instead he acts in the shadows unseen and unnoticed. If you did not even know he exists before I told you, how are you meant to fight him?" He added.
"And I suppose you believe yourself the only one capable of doing so?" She asked, her doubts plain in her tone.
"The Inquisition is better suited to opposing him, certainly, and I have the advantage of knowing at least something about him. But even we will find stopping his plans difficult on our own I'd wager. He is one of the smartest people I've ever met. One may think to be winning against him, only for him to then reveal the nature of the game was different than was believed and that victory was his all along. And unfortunately he knows the Inquisition and our methods. Which is why I have been seeking new allies, people he does not know. Now that I have told you of him perhaps you might be counted among those allies as well?" He said.
"That depends Your Worship. You spin a very strange tale. I don't know if I believe it yet." Jon said.
"My thoughts exactly." Daenerys echoed.
"I know. It does sound outlandish, does it not? But you asked me to explain the Inquisition's activities in Westeros and I have. But you needn't concern yourself overmuch about this for the moment. For sure you will be busy with more immediate threats to your Kingdoms. For now all I ask is that if you hear something new related to Solas, either under that name or the title I mentioned, you would inform us. We will take it from there. And later on, in return for my help against your current enemies, should I need something more of you, you will provide it." Rydeon said.
"Does that sound fair to both of you?" He asked.
The two rulers considered, then gave their approval.
As the conversation between the royals and the Inquisitor was ongoing, Iledia looked on from above, standing close to where Eastwatch's guard tower had once been.
"Kieran." She greeted as the other mage joined her. "It's been a long time. I think the last time was that time the Inquisitor sent you on that job in Carastes, right?"
"I remember. We made a surprisingly good team. Good times. With this new assignment the Inquisitor has sent you on we are sure to get new opportunities to work together." Kieran replied.
"I take it the Inquisitor has already filled you in?" She asked.
"He has, though I actually had some prior information as well. Don't worry, you'll know the how fairly soon." He said.
"Observing the Queen?" He asked, having taken note what the other mage was looking at so keenly.
"Mm-hmm." She hummed in affirmation. "I want to know her better, to learn what she is like. I'm good at that you know. Watching people from afar and gauging their nature."
"So? What do your eyes tell you?" He asked.
"Hmm. Undoubtedly she is a very strong person. She carries herself with pride and self-confidence, though she is weighed down by her many concerns. I would also say she is very driven in reaching her goals, to the point of being obsessed over them." She said in contemplation.
"That actually sounds a lot like you." Kieran said with a smile.
Iledia paused, giving Kieran a strange look.
"She also apparently has quite the temper, based on that little scene she had with the Emperor. It seems to me it would be unwise to make her angry. Being on the receiving end of that would be unpleasant. And like with all of us, anger will compromise her otherwise highly strategic mindset." She said then.
"So, do you have anything to add to my observations?" She asked.
"Not when it comes to the Queen. I have not had many dealings with her. But the King is a good man, and the two are obviously in love. That must mean she is a good person as well." He said.
"Not necessarily true Kieran. Good people fall in love with terrible individuals all the time. But I'll grant you it's an encouraging sign. But enough of that. I'm sure you did not seek me out just to have a chat with me." She said.
"In this case that is true, though I do enjoy our talks." He said. "Lord Brandon sends his regards. He wishes to converse with you. Tonight."
Iledia looked surprised. "He came all this way for me? A crippled man?"
"Not quite. Anyway, he will be in contact with you soon. It was good to see you again. Farewell and, uh, sleep well?" He said, then left without another word.
"Sleep…well? What?" She said, utterly puzzled.
That night she stirred, finding herself standing on an open, featureless plain. Around her rocks were floating in the air, accompanied by many other strange sights everywhere. Looking upwards she saw that the skies were of a greenish hue.
"Greetings." She heard a voice from behind her. Turning she saw a young man walking towards her with unhurried steps, his arms crossed behind his back.
"Who… who are you?" She asked, cautiously.
"Some call me Brandon Stark, though that has not been entirely accurate for some time. To others I am known as the Three Eyed Raven. Kieran told you to expect a visit from me did he not?" He replied, briefly making Iledia wonder what he had meant by his name not being an accurate descriptor of him.
"He… he did. Though I did not realize he meant here. Uh, by the way, where is here exactly?" She said, looking around herself.
Bran smiled. "As a mage of Thedas you ought to know. Think about it."
Iledia frowned, concentrating. Then the truth dawned on her. She turned and saw far in the distance a large, dark outline of a city. She had seen it before many times, as had everyone in the world with the ability to dream, although most days only mages had a chance of remembering what they had seen. But with that sight she knew where she was.
"This… this is the Fade?" She asked. Instantly she considered the possibility that the person before her was not the real Brandon Stark but rather a spirit impersonating him. But her instincts told her that was not the case. This was the real thing. But that made this even stranger. Never had she heard of someone being able to contact another in the Fade like this. Common wisdom suggested that such a thing was not possible due to the nature of the fade. Yet this one had somehow managed to do so.
"Yes. Your physical body is asleep at this time. I hope my method of contacting you is agreeable. This is far more convenient for me, given my injuries." He said.
"You and the Inquisitor have made a wise choice in hiding your identity from Jon and Daenerys. They would not have understood. For now that secret is better kept from them. But do not wait overlong to reveal the truth to them. Taking too long to do so will only do harm. I of course know the truth of you." He said then.
"How do you know of that? Did Kieran tell you?" She asked, astonished that Kieran might have been so bold as to reveal that information to another.
"He did not have to. I saw you make those decisions. And once I knew you were going to be coming here I made sure to study you with great care. I have seen the story of your life. But you need not be concerned. Your secrets are safe with me until you choose to reveal them." He said.
"You saw it?" She asked, becoming more puzzled by the minute.
"I see many things. Things that were. Things that are. Even some things that have not yet come to pass." He explained.
Iledia considered what he was claiming to be capable of. The first two points were believable. Mages seeking knowledge often sought it in memories preserved in the fade. And in the same vein the Fade could be used to view events happening over great distances, a method employed for scouting and spying. As for the third claim Lord Brandon had made…
"Precognition you say? That is in an exceedingly rare talent, but I have heard of some people possessing this power. Flemeth, the Witch of the Wilds is said to have had this ability. Then there is Eleni Zinovia…"
"… advisor and consort to Archon Valerius. Yes. I believe I have met her." Bran finished for her.
"You... what?" She stammered.
"The fade is a very strange place." He said as his explanation. "But perhaps we might move on to the reason why I came to see you?"
"Yes. Why did you ask to see me?" She asked.
"Since you are to be working with Jon and Daenerys I thought to introduce myself. I too wish to have you as an ally, like Kieran is to me." He explained. "It is good that you are here. Jon and Daenerys are going to need you. Sorely. Against the Qunari…"
"And my own…?" She asked.
Briefly Bran went silent. "I know you are reluctant. And I know your reasons for hesitating. Your love for your people is fierce, all consuming. The very thought of opposing your people as they are on the cusp of victory fills you with revulsion. Your heart weeps at the thought of harming them. At one time the Imperium's triumph would fill you with joy. With a Tevinter more aligned with your vision it still would. But I also know what drove you to choose the unthinkable. You have seen a nightmarish possibility of the future in the mind of the Inquisitor. The knowledge of that future was what drove you to join him."
Iledia did not bother to ask how Lord Brandon could have knowledge of these things, but the fact that he did made her feel uncomfortable. With him there was obviously no keeping secrets.
"That future could very well still happen if the Loyalist Venatori are not stopped. Or something near enough that it makes no difference. We must strive together now, you and Kieran and I, to guide Westeros and its leaders to victory over the Imperium, if that future is to be prevented. Otherwise all will fail in sadness, and the world will fall before their armies." He continued.
It was Iledia that went silent in turn then. "…To prevent the future you speak of I am willing to work with the King and Queen. If you strive to prevent that future I may be willing to include you in that statement as well. But there is a price I demand for my cooperation. The same price I asked of the Inquisitor when I joined forces with him: The survival of my people. Failure in the coming war risks to undo them. I will not allow that. I may need to fight them, to prevent some possibilities from happening. But I will not be the one to destroy them, or the one to stand by and watch as others do it. As you said I love my people, too much to permit that. There was an Imperium before this, and there will be an Imperium after this. Promise me that, and I will join with you. Help me help my people survive, through this and after, and I in turn will help you stop their conquest of Westeros. Otherwise I have nothing more to say." She finally said.
"Agreed. The survival of your people in exchange of the survival of the peoples of Westeros. I will strive for it with all the means open to me." Bran said.
Iledia could not help but scoff. "Should not be too difficult for you, if you told it true. You claimed to be able to see the future. Simply choose the paths that will allow us to save both peoples."
"I'm afraid it is not quite as easy as that. If it were the First Men would have never defeated the Children of the Forest." Bran replied. "For one seeing the future and changing it to suit you are two different things. And prophecy is not a certain thing either. If I am permitted to use an analogy, history is a book being written and the future is the chapters that are yet unfinished. One can read earlier chapters and come to a reasonable conclusion about what future chapters will contain. Some events are fixed points. I know of at least one such moment with certainty. Something that had to happen because paradoxically it already had, so only timelines that contained the event were possible for us. But much else remains in flux, and I only see the possibilities that are likely from the current point of you. And of late seeing the future has been exceptionally hard. It is as if someone or something wishes me not to know the future and seeks to blur my vision. I do not know the exact nature of it. Something hidden, but powerful enough to hinder even my sight. Power of that magnitude is cause for concern in its own right."
"Could this be the Dread Wolf's doing? Since you know of the rest, then doubtless you know of him as well." She offered.
Bran paused. "I have considered this possibility. He too is our enemy. And he knows we are his. He may be trying to stop me from seeing to keep me from acting against him, failing to see how he endangers his work as well in so doing. If we fail because I cannot see enough he too might fall to Tevinter. Certainly it would not be the first time he has made a disastrous mistake like that. But perhaps he calculates that he will succeed before the Imperium can crush him as well."
"Will he? What will happen with him?" She asked.
"I do not know this yet. The conflict with him is yet to come, and it shall be the task of others to stand against him then and save the world in turn. Our work will be to ensure these others can have their chance."
"Which others are these?" She asked eager to know who were needed. Who had to survive.
"Sadly also unknown. That has been especially difficult to see. You could well be among them, since your homeland is likely to be at the heart of the conflict. But I cannot say for certain that you will be, or what part you might play." He said.
"So how often can you actually predict the future? When things work as they should I mean?" She asked, frustrated at his cryptic answers.
"Often. But even one that sees as clearly as I can sometimes err. I once thought likely a future where King's Landing burned, where the Dragon Queen died and I was named King, a future where my small council managed the affairs of the realm, while I provided them with guidance and lent them the authority bestowed upon me. But fate chose differently, and here we are. But your real question was if I am useful enough to you to justify our alliance." He said.
She nodded, and said nothing.
"I will do all I can to guide you on a path that will allow you to protect the world and your people both, but that is the best I can do." He said.
"Then I hope the best you can do is enough to get the required results. But very well. We have an agreement for now." She said.
"I am glad. Then as the first action of our joint efforts I would like to ask you to bring word to Queen Daenerys when you meet with her. I have had a vision concerning her.
"You have?" She said.
Bran nodded. "The vision takes places in King's Landing during the night. I cannot say how far from now this happens, but I have reason to believe this is a future event. From her attire it seems the Queen has been sleeping recently, but in the vision she is awake. She walks to a mirror in her room, and from the mirror it can be seen that her eyes burn with red light. She looks at her visage in awe, as if she is unused to seeing it. She brings a hand across her face, feeling her features, as if for the first time. Then she grins and says: "It is done. We succeeded." When she speaks her voice, though coming from her throat, has a note that is unfamiliar. But that was when the vision ended. I saw no more."
Iledia was perplexed. "This vision… what does it mean?"
"I am not certain. Unfortunately it lacks context. I have no knowledge what events led to this outcome, nor whether this is in an inevitable outcome or merely a potential one. But since it involves the Queen she ought to be told of this. You are going to meet with her, and you are unlikely to dismiss this conversation as a strange dream. You are as good as any to deliver this information."
She laughed dryly. "I don't know about that. A stranger she has never met before, a mage, telling her of a vision that quite frankly sounds like it was lifted out of some horror story. One where she is the main character no less. I wouldn't even know how to begin explaining this to her. And what is she even to do with this information, were I to tell her? You said there was no context. She won't know how any of this relates to anything."
"Tell her the truth. Tell her it came from me. She knows of my powers. If you name me as the source, she will accept your explanation. What she does with this information is a choice she gets to make herself. We are merely to deliver it." He said.
"I see. I suppose I can tell her this, though I don't know what good it will do. I believe our conversation is concluded for the time being." She said.
"Wait. There is one more matter." He said calmly.
"What?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Tiraen. She is in Essos." He said.
She looked mildly surprised at first, then bowed her head, turning her back on him. "I know." She said quietly.
"You will not turn her." He said.
She turned back to him sharply. "You don't know that!" She snapped.
Bran just smiled sadly. "She is lost to the darkness in her heart. Your old friend will never come back to you."
"I was just as lost to that darkness as she was. Yet I woke up. I saw the truth, and turned back from that path. If I can, so could she. I know she could." She retorted.
"The time to change her mind was many years ago, before even you were ready to do so. Now it is far too late. The price required to accomplish that is one you will not pay, as you shall discover." He said.
"I must try at least. If you were in my position what you would do?" She said.
"If I had lived your life? Had had your experiences? I suppose I would try. And if you had lived my life you would tell me the exact same thing I just told you. Try it then, if you must. But make sure you are ready to act should you fail." He said.
"I will do what I must, when I must. But when that will be is when I choose." She said.
"So be it. We will converse again at another time. For now you should… wake up!" He said.
No sooner had he said that that she snapped awake in the quarters provided to her at Eastwatch, sitting up on the bed.