So many angry eyes were trained upon me. I felt like I'd asked to slay one the queen's dragon. All I wanted was to follow my heart.
"You're asking me to let you go after you begged to join me," Daenerys said, nostrils flaring in annoyance. I rolled my silver eyes and crossed my arms.
"Yes. I am not leaving forever. I am simply going to scout out the realm you're trying to take. You know that I would never betray you or Lydia," I explained, confidently.
Lydia scowled from the queen's side and wouldn't look at me. We hadn't been apart for long since birth and I hated to leave her. However, I have to follow my gut. I have to seek out the remaining Starks and warn them of the wights. If they don't know already.
Dany thought for a while before giving me a soft look. It was almost motherly. Filled with concern and weariness. I had to look away to keep from feeling bad. I hated having her concerned about me. She was already so overwhelmed with taking over Westeros.
"I will allow you to leave, but once I cross the narrow sea and take Dragonstone you must rejoin me," she said, sitting straighter in her throne.
I smiled a bit and bowed before her in acquiescence. Lydia didn't look pleased at all but I couldn't help that. As long as she is safe and with Dany then she will be fine. At least I hope so.
"You can take one of my ships. I expect a raven once you step foot on dry land," Danerys said, adamantly. I grinned a bit and adjusted Soulsnare on my back.
"Do not do anything stupid, Ori. If you get hurt I'll kill you," Lydia said, walking towards me. I lowered my head as she came in front of me. I felt horrible for leaving her. "Promise me."
I looked at her sadly and nodded.
"I promise."
She slowly wrapped her arms around me. I sighed into her thick hair. I really did not want to leave but we don't all get what we want. I wrapped my big arms around her and picked her up. She growled at me like an animal before laughing. Dany smiled at us discreetly.
"Well, I'll be on my way. Expect those ravens," I said, putting my sister down. She nodded and turned around only to look back at me somberly.
"Remember, in blood and fear, Ori," she whispered. My face went stony and I nodded once. I understood what she meant completely. All of my foes would know as well.
With that I walked out the doors carrying a heavy burden upon my back.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
The ride back to Westeros was amazingly boring. My ass and back ached from laying down and sitting around. I basically had a permanent hangover due to my excessive drinking. It helped to pass the time while stranded out at sea.
It did help me in some ways though. I pondered my job for a long time. I have to gain insights on Cersei and her army. I have to find the Starks and let them know about my house and what happened to it. After all, we are still myths to the northern houses. Even worse with only two of us left.
Once I stepped foot on dry ground it took awhile for me to adjust to being stable. My head throbbed for days as I road one of the Dothraki horses to the North. I missed the cold winds and the biting snow. Being a Skuldafn, it never bothered us at all. Winter welcomes us with opened arms as white as snow.
I made my way closer to the north slowly. On the way, I ran into bandits and taverns that threatened to slow me down. It did not stop me but it did make me very frustrated. Seeing the horrible people in the world and the lust that encompasses many of us. I decided to stop for a while in the ever frosting forest for camp.
I sat in front of my fire on a log. My mind wandered to Lydia and Daenerys. I wonder what's going on with them? Maybe Lydia has finally gotten into the queen's expensive undergarments?
Now I regret not feelings something for Dany. I'm sure she would have been very delicious in bed.
I startled and snapped my head to the side as my horse reared up in alarm. I stood up and ripped Soulsnare from my back, readying myself. The slight crunching of leaves irritated my sensitive ears. Small feet, I surmised. A woman approaches. Possibly a young assassin.
I gripped my massive greatsword in one hand and listened to the movement of the feet coming forward. My hackles rose up like a wolf and the need to roar in annoyance overwhelmed me. My Thu'um, dragon tongue, itched to say the ancient words that I somehow instinctively know.
"If you come out now I won't rip you apart," I growled, crouching into a fighting position.
The footfalls stopped somehow closer to me than I expected. So close that I jumped into a barrel roll, narrowly escaping the plunge of a sword. I got up quickly and gripped my sword in both hands. My muscles tensed as I flushed the anger from my body to fight smarter.
A girl stands before me in a black cloak. Her hair is dark, short and choppy. Her eyes are grey and harsh as she glares at me. She wildly beautiful. Something in my mind screams dangerous. Even though she would only reach my shoulder if we stood side by side.
"Who are you and why are you here," the girl said, calmly. I kept my expression blank and lowered my weapon. The girl's accent indicated the north was her home.
"I am a traveler and I am looking for the Starks," I said, holding my sword behind my back casually. The girls face twitched with barely hidden outrage.
"What do you want with the Starks, traveler," she said, stepping forward. I stood my ground without fear. The girl seemed miffed by this.
I decided that maybe I should give her a bit more truth so that she may be more comfortable with me. I sheathed my sword slowly and crossed my arms. The girl looked at me incredulously. I guess she thought that I was underestimating her.
"I haven't been truthful. My name is Oerion Dragonborn of House Skuldafn. I am seeking out the Starks because the north is in danger. I don't know if they know it yet but I am here to help save the north."
The girl stared at me with a gobsmacked expression. For a moment I thought she would scoff at me. She is obviously a northern girl and she seems to know about the myths. I ponder if she'll try to kill me if she doesn't believe my revelation.
"You're a Skuldafn? A dragon from beyond the wall?"
Her voice was not as disbelieving as I thought she would. The girl stepped forward even more so that she was only two feet away. I didn't dare back up. Though I am not underestimating her, I won't show my apprehensiveness blatantly.
"Yes, I am. I also have a twin sister called Lydia. She is in Essos," I said, uncrossing my arms. The wild girl nodded but examined my face for any deceit. "May I ask your name?"
The girl scoffed and sheathed her skinny sword with ease. I raised my brows as sat down on my log and enjoyed my fire like it was hers. I took her lowered guard as a sign of her believing my statements. I also felt irritated with her lack of response.
I walked over to the log and sat on the far end as to not alarm her. I kept my eyes on the fire while she looked me over from her side. She looked like she was trying to piece together a puzzle of some kind. My chest tightened unexpectedly and I took a deep breath to steady myself.
"I can take you to Winterfell on one condition, dragon," the girl said, standing. I turned toward her with a forced calm expression and stood as well. I nodded for her to continue. "If I see any deception I will kill you."
She didn't wait for me to answer or react. The girl disappeared into the trees without making a sound. I felt a bit of intrigue blossom as I mounted my steed. How could a girl, possibly two years younger than me, be so expert in stealth? I wondered what hardships this wild woman had experienced to make her this dangerous.
The sound of hooves hitting the ground caught my attention. The woman sat upon a white horse with her hood over her head. Those gray eyes shined in moonlight almost like mine but not as silver. The short woman rode up beside me.
"My name is Arya Stark of Winterfell. Follow me."
