Dorne, The Water Gardens…

Moon of the Eagle, 281 After Aegon's Conquest…

"So you are Harry of House Potter?" Doran Martell, the Prince of Dorne and Lord of Sunspear, said from his throne overlooking the great hall of the Water Gardens. "But I do not know which of you might be Benjamin Agonstark… Brothers, perhaps?"

"Aye," I said, stepping forward. "I am Benjamin Agonstark and this is my brother, Ryan Seastark."

"You do not share a name?" Doran asked, wincing as he leaned forward, but obviously curious all the same as Elia and another swarthy man stood at his side.

"Once, but no longer – at our own request. We were once Starks in name but decided it would be easier to differentiate between us and the main house by taking new names. We also have different seats."

"Ah, yes, your letter did say you were the Lord of Moat Cailin. Interestingly, you also claimed to be the Lord-Marshall of the Northern Armies in your… other letter?"

"I am indeed, as appointed by Lord Rickard Stark."

"Hm, I see. I had not known the North had an army. Last I heard, they too were raising levies in times of war. Tell me, is your army like that of the West or is it like that of the Reach?"

"Neither." I smirked as Doran nodded, steepling his fingers under his chin as he looked down at us.

"Hm, very well. I thank you, Lord Agonstark, for sating my curiosity and stoking it all the same. The realm has been quite… Interesting since your arrival. But your letter also said that Rhaegar had…" He frowned deeply, staring at me for a few moments in silence before he spoke again. "Are these charges true?"

"What charges?" Elia asked, frowning as she looked to her brother.

"Yes, brother, what is our good prince accused of doing?" The second man chuckled.

"Be silent on that which you do not know, Oberyn!" Doran snapped. 'Ah, so that's the infamous Red Viper…' I thought as the said man took a step back in surprise.

"My, my, brother. It must be serious indeed." Oberyn said, attempting to regain his composure.

"I am afraid they are not allegations, Prince Doran, I witnessed it myself."

"As did I," Harry said, his face dark as I clenched my fist.

"Ah, Northerners," Oberyn huffed, "always so serious."

"If it was your sister abducted, restrained by men of the Kingsguard, and brutalized for hours before you found her, Prince Oberyn, would you not be serious as well?" I snapped at the man. His eyes widened as he looked between Doran and Elia.

"I apologize-"

"Oh, I'm not done," I bit off as the Red Viper snapped his jaw shut. "I have a sister, yes, but it was Lyanna Stark the Prince took."

"Liar!" Elia snapped, glaring down at me from her place beside her brother. "Rhaegar would never do such a thing! He is a kind, gentle man! He-"

"Is a lover of babies and singer to the poor?" I snorted as the Princess worked her jaw, nodding furiously. "He admitted it himself." I said, pulling parchment from my cloak. "These are his words, as scribed by me."

"Then how could we trust you?"

"Because Rhaegar's signature and seal are attached." I said as the three Martells' eyes were riveted on the scroll. Oberyn looked to his brother and sister before turning to me, descending the stairs, and snatched the letter from my hand. He broke the seal (my seal), and his eyes shot to the bottom of the paper.

"It's true…"

"Bring it here! I know Rhaegar's hand better than anyone here!" Elia snapped but Oberyn stood still, reading through the scroll – transfixed by its contents.

"This is madness…"

"And the realm is at War." Oberyn's eyes snapped up from the letter, looking at me with wide eyes as he shook his head. "Aerys called his banners against the North. His men are still gathering but it won't be long before they march for King's Landing and begin the trek North. My men are already marching south in force."

"How many?"

"Thirty-five thousand strong."

"You would leave your home undefended?" Doran asked. I shook my head.

"No. Thirty-five thousand professional, well trained soldiers are marching south. The North has no use for levies nor men at arms. The men who we used to call on in time of war remain in the North to defend the North. My men march for Lord Harroway's town and Riverrun to join with the Riverland's and Vale forces. Aye, the Vale and Riverlands in their entirety ride for the North."

"What of the Stormlands?"

"They are an unknown factor at the present time. Even with Lord Baratheon having pledged his men to Eddard Stark."

"Not to lord Rickard. That is passing strange."

"No, Prince Doran. You see, Eddard and Lord Robert are-"

"Closer than some brothers, I am aware." Doran said, frowning. "Who else?"

"Lord Hightower has pledged that Oldtown will not send forces to join the fighting if they are not allied to the Northern cause."

"If they are not Rebels, you mean?"

"Aye, Rebels… Yes, indeed, you could call us rebels," I nodded, "and I would be proud to be labeled that. The first country to rebel against the mad king? The first to rebel against the Targaryens in a long, long time? Aye, label me a rebel, my Prince."

"What of my sister? She is a Targaryen."

"In my eyes, she's a Martell. As she is to Lord Stark."

"And her daughter?"

"A Martell."

"And should the babe prove to be a boy?"

"That brings me to my next point, Prince Doran." I smirked as I waved Ryan forward. "I think we both know that Rhaegar is not long for this world, yes?"

"On that we agree."

"Would you agree to arrange a new marriage?"

"To who!?" Elia snapped, glaring at me. "My husband is not dead!"

"Oh but he is. His heart beats, he breathes, he thinks, and he dreams but he was dead the moment he laid a hand against Lyanna Stark."

"He is not buried!"

"That is fair, princess. Prince Doran?"

"I would not be opposed. What do you offer?"

"Doran!?"

"Silence, Elia. Let us hear what the North offers Dorne." He growled, turning to his sister before she nodded and curtseyed.

"As my Prince commands." Doran sighed, shaking his head before he turned back to me.

"My apologies, Lord Agonstark."

"They are not needed but I accept them nonetheless."

"Thank you, my Lord," he said, dipping his chin slightly. "What do you offer?"

"Exclusive rights for House Martell to harbor without dock payments, tariffs, or tax at the newly made Sea Dragon Harbor. There is only one condition to this, as laid out by Lord Stark."

"And that would be?"

"That this arrangement will only remain in effect as long as Elia, or her issue, are family."

"Even if they are not blood?"

"Her firstborn son, if he is of Stark blood or not, will likely have to marry a suitor selected by the Lord Stark in Winterfell."

"You did not answer, Lord Agonstark. What if the boy is Rhaegar's?"

"Then the sins of the father do not wash to the son."

"He will be his own man?"

"Aye."

"I see… This… Sea Dragon Harbor is a good start, my Lord, but I am afraid by itself it is not enough to secure my sister's hand. You say she is to be your kin, but are you not already married, my Lord?"

"I am. It is my brother who offers his hand."

"Truly?" Doran asked, turning to Ryan - who nodded.

"It is."

"Very well. Elia? What are your thoughts on the matter?"

"I shall do as you command, my Prince." Doran sighed but nodded.

"That is all I could hope for, dear sister. Very well. In light of this generous offer, I ask for– Yes, Lord Agonstark?"

"I believe I can help Dorne itself much more than anything I can offer you personally, Prince Doran. What do you know of the Northern Road Crews?"

"Precious little, I fear. I know they exist but nothing other than that."

"I see. Prince Doran, the North has been under construction for the past three years. Roads, baths, water redirection and collection systems – aye, I will get back to that – but those are mostly there so the snows don't make the North completely impassible when the snows are fifty feet deep."

"Your magic?"

"Indeed," I nodded. "But less of it than you would think. Correct me if I am wrong but in Dorne, even the darkest winters rarely see snow?"

"Aye, that is the truth of it. I've only seen snow once, least that I can recall. Though, if I remember correctly, it fell and disappeared. Oberyn and Elia, though? They are both too young to remember it. I myself was but a boy of eleven."

"I see, my Prince. But snow is not your enemy here, is it? No, the lack of water is your enemy. What are the main rivers of Dorne?"

"The Greenblood, the Vaith, and the Scourge. There are also lakes in the mountains, not many but they are there."

"Excellent! When we find them we can build aqueducts, and we could also dig wells that pump themselves to send water along the length and breadth of your entire county."

"Lord Agonstark, if you could do this…"

"I can, but it will not be a quick process."

"Hm, not that I expected it to be," Doran chuckled lightly, his eyes darting from me to Harry and then to Ryan, "but if you could do this, as you say you can, you would be a hero of Dorne."

"That's not why I'll do it," I said, shaking my head, "and I won't be able to spare all of my men for the project. But, my men can train yours."

"My men?"

"Aye, it will not be a cheap endeavor, my Prince. The North is able to produce our own lime, limestone, cement, and paving stones. Perhaps you could use sand instead of lime and clay in place of cement but the rest is still going to be difficult to find here, in Dorne, in suitable amounts."

"And what then do you propose I do?"

"I'm willing to ship those items here."

"The expense would be enormous on you, my Lord, and likewise tremendous on myself."

"Ah, but perhaps not as badly as you think." I grinned, twisting on my heel to appear at the side wall, already leaning against it. Doran's head snapped around, his eyes wide as dinner plates, as I stepped forward from my place at the wall, returning to Ryan's side. "Now imagine that little demonstration but with tens of thousands of pounds of rock, lime, limestone, or anything you could possibly need, being dropped precisely where you need it, when you need it."

"Gods…"

"Just men," I said, shrugging. "But that's the thing about Portkeys; Princess Elia is familiar with them, yes?"

"I am."

"What are they?"

"It is what Master Potter," I said, gesturing at Harry, "used to send Elia here. That very letter she gave you was how she arrived. A portkey can be anything and can be activated by any method the maker decides."

"How so?"

"Some need magic pumped through them, others activate at a certain time. Some note changes in consciousness, or it could be any word. Hell, I knew one particularly sly bastard who made one to activate on the full moon."

"This is… most impressive, Lord Agonstark… What would you ask of me?"

"Firstly? Ninety-five percent of the market price for the materials based on the northern market – which is currently in high supply of everything, my Prince." Doran nodded.

"You would not ask me to fight?"

"Not in this war. I only ask you remain neutral."

"Aerys holds our uncle."

"He is Kingsguard, and he was appointed under the last good Targaryen King, Aegon V. One of the two or three decent Lords of the Seven Kingdoms." I sniffed. "He was Kingsguard and he has been Kingsguard most his life, aye?"

"Indeed…"

"Then he knows the risks. He is no longer of House Martell – he is Kingsguard. Sworn to obey any and every order his king gives."

"But he is my uncle still."

"I understand, Prince Doran, but he has served his kings well. Aerys is the mad bastard who has instigated all this. I do not know if we can get him out of King's Landing anyhow."

"Why?"

"He is the last Kingsguard in the city. He will be forced to work day and night at the side of the mad king."

"Why not kill the mad king and be done with it? Your man was able to retrieve Ser Arthur and Elia easily, he could have assassinated Aerys with equal ease."

"Aye, but killing Aerys would cause more problems than it would solve. If he died with Rhaegar in the North's custody, then the seven kingdoms would irreparably shatter." I grunted, not liking it but having accepted that fact already. "Robert Baratheon is kin to the Targaryens, yes, but many will not swear to him. There will be war no matter what we do. The Mad King, though, is predictable. At least he is right right now. With him in King's Landing, we can strategize against him, then take the city, and force him to surrender. If he does, then he can be tried, removed from the throne – or likely executed, and a grand council could then be called-"

"And Robert Baratheon will, most likely, become king… But it will not look to be a war for the Iron Throne."

"It will appear as it is: the North marching for vengeance against a King who has wronged them. And if Robert so happens to join his foster brother?"

"He will look all the better for it… My Lord Agonstark, you have given this much thought."

"I've had to," I growled. "I do not claim to want to put Robert Baratheon on the throne - as spelled out in the second letter you have, the one labeled for the King. You know we offered to let Rhaegar live if Aerys stepped down and passed the throne to Viserys - I admit, that letter was written before we knew of Elia's condition. Should she bear a son, the North will recognize the boy's claim." Doran's eyes widened with Elia's and Oberyn's. "You also know that we offered terms so that Rhaegar could have inherited Dragonstone, and the North would have had a greater say in how the realm is run."

"But Aerys raised his banners."

"Aye, the Mad King's raised his banners," I sighed, shaking my head. "I and Lord Stark were under the assumption he would but were holding out hope that just once King Scab would have bowed to reason."

"Now the North marches on the South, the Vale marches for the Riverlands, and the Riverlands march for Riverrun… The Riverlands are loyal to the Tullys, save the Brackens and Blackwoods. They're loyal to whoever the other's fighting. And then there're the Freys… Tell me, my Lord, how do you plan to deal with Lord Walder? You will need to cross his bridge to make for Riverrun swiftly, yes?"

"My armies aren't just made of professional soldiers, most of them started as road crews. As such, they needed to make bridges in more than a few places."

"You plan to build bridges of your own?"

"Oh yes, I don't trust Lord Walder not to ask for a truly outrageous toll to use his monstrosity."

"Wise… Very well. I am sure you are weary from your journey. I offer you bread, salt, and a bath before we dine this evening, I will have clothes appropriate for a feast awaiting you in your rooms. We will not announce the marriage proposal to the public, not yet. When this war is won, then – and only then – shall we do so. Until such time, you and yours are welcome in the Water Gardens and in Sunspear whenever you wish, Lords Agonstark, Seastark, and Master Potter." He said as four servants walked into the hall – one for each of us and one for Doran himself. Doran took the bread from the tray and dipped it in the salt as I did the same. Harry and Ryan simply took a pinch of each. "To new friendships." Doran said, bringing the salted bread to his lips and biting into it.

"Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken." I grinned, taking a mouthful of the hard, chewy bread myself. Doran simply quirked an eyebrow while Oberyn burst out laughing.

"That was you!?" Oberyn howled in laughter as he slammed down his goblet on the table. "The Pentoshi were scratching their heads and their arses, all the while shaking in their boots for months wondering what Unsullied Legion managed to escape Astapor unnoticed."

"And you'd know that how, Prince Oberyn?"

"Just Oberyn, please." The Red Viper all but leered (or maybe he did leer?) as he said that. "And I would know as I've just recently returned from a tour of the free cities. I've been in Essos since I was but six and ten. It was a long eight years but I had my fun. And now? I have returned. Though the drama here has been… It has been much more intriguing as of late, yes?"

"Yes. Indeed it has." I growled, sipping my wine absently as Oberyn flushed slightly.

"Ah, of course, my apologies."

"S'all right." I grunted, tearing into the meat in front of me. 'Merlin, actual spice!' Shot through my head as I chewed on the pork. "What do the cooks put on this?"

"Ah ah, Lord Agonstark." Oberyn grinned, picking up a pepper. "That is a secret of Dorne."

"Hm, like how you lot make this piss?" I smirked, swirling the wine in my cup as Oberyn huffed.

"The finest Dornish sour and you call it piss?" He moaned, throwing his head back dramatically. "Don't tell me you prefer Arbor Gold, my Lord? I thought we were friends."

"Oh no," I chuckled, glancing around as I pulled a flask from my waistband and passed it to him. "Fuck sweet wine. This is what the North makes now." Oberyn looked down at the bronze flask curiously but brought it to his lips and sipped from it all the same. The Prince's eyes widened as he took a longer drag from the flask – guzzling down the malt whisky like it was water.

"Seven hells!" He gasped, finally pulling the flask away as he wiped his chin with his sleeve. "Where did you find that!?"

"Find it? I made it." I smirked as he gaped at me.

"Perhaps we need to renegotiate our new treaty…" The Prince said, passing me back the flask but he obviously didn't want to. I shook my head, pressing it into his hand.

"Keep it. Think of it as a gift from Moat Cailin to Sunspear."

"That I shall… I will keep this until we meet again." Oberyn smirked, cocking an eyebrow at me jauntily. "Or perhaps I could convince you to join me in a drink tonight?"

"Hah!" I barked, shaking my head at the man. "I'm afraid men aren't to my taste, Oberyn, and besides that? My wife would have your head and then my bullocks on pikes if I did take you up on the offer."

"But a man must try," Oberyn sighed, smirking all the while. "But your woman… Ah, yes, she sounds like a woman I simply must meet."

"Tell him about the time she learned you getting married, Stark!" Harry laughed, looking over at me while waggling his eyebrows.

"It's still Agonstark, professor." I chuckled as Oberyn looked even more curious now.

"No, no, do not change the subject now I that am intrigued," Oberyn grinned. "What happened?"

"Well…" I sighed, chuckling as I thought about that day. "She yelled at me as I was right about to go inside Lord Stark's solar – with Lord Stark himself right there and nearly bowled over Benjen and Brandon to get to me. Then she yelled, and I quote, 'if you think our first time speaking will be at our wedding, I'll have your bullocks!' It was something I'll never, in my life, forget, Prince Oberyn." I chuckled as Oberyn howled laughing.

"Oh, yes, I will need to meet this wife of yours!" Oberyn said once he managed to calm himself slightly. "Can she fight?"

"Better than me," I winced, rubbing the back of my head in embarrassment.

"She's not the one who beat the shit out of the White Bull." Ryan cut in as Oberyn's eyes widened comically.

"Is that so?" Doran, who had been silent thus far, asked with his black eyes slits.

"Not quite, I didn't beat the shit out of him." I sighed, shaking my head.

"You killed him!"

"And he should have killed me three times over, Ryan. I'm lucky enough to have a really good sword, a suit of armor to match, and to have surprised him."

"You defeated Ser Gerold of the Kingsguard? The White Bull of the Hightower?"

"Yeah, one on one."

"Seven hells…" Oberyn muttered, his eyes blazing. "We must spar while you are here. I do not know if I could beat the White Bull…"

"Few have, and less still can," Doran said, his eyes thoughtful. "When did this happen?"

"Before we arrived here." Ryan and Harry nodded along with me. "He was one of the two who held down Lyanna."

"He demanded a trial by combat, Ben volunteered to fight him. Walked away without even a scratch," Ryan said.

"Because of my armor."

"You cut through his sword!"

"So? It's not the first time I've cut a sword in half." I shrugged as Doran and Oberyn looked at me strangely.

"You cut through a sword? Many times before?"

"Aye."

"I only know of one blade claimed to be capable of that," Oberyn said, frowning thoughtfully.

"And it is here in this very keep," Doran added.

"Dawn…" I muttered, placing my hand on Winter's pommel still hanging at my hip. It typically was bad form to wear a blade at dinner but Oberyn said it was okay and Doran gave his blessing as well.

"Yes." Doran said, nodding to my hip. "Is that the sword that did it?"

"It is," I said, standing with my hand on Winter's Bane's hilt. "May I?"

"Of course. I wish to see this blade." I nodded at Prince Doran's request, drawing Winter's Bane and holding it up for all to see.

"Hm… It is not the same as Dawn. The blade is too dark, for one – Dawn is as pale as Milkglass. Yours looks to be more…"

"It looks like ice, Oberyn." Doran grunted, his eyes raking over the blade. "Not the Stark's blade, but the ice atop a mountain. Grey, treacherous…"

"And deadly." Oberyn said.

"Indeed… And from what you have said, Lord Agonstark, I do not doubt the blade is as deadly as you claim. If you were to cross swords with the Sword of the Morning or a Valyrian blade, that would be a match for the songs."

"Then I hope I never have to face Ser Arthur in true combat," I said, resheathing Winter's as I looked between the brothers. "Where is he, anyway? I would like to speak to him before I leave."

"Why?"

"Of all the brothers of the Kingsguard, he is the only one that is safe from the coming war by being completely uninvolved. Even if it's because he's locked in a Dornish dungeon. Ser Oswell is in my custody, locked in a Northern dungeon. My Northern dungeon. Ser Jonothor… Ser Jonothor is dead. Killed by his King. Ser Gerold is also dead, killed by me. Ser Barristan and Ser Jaime hunt Elia even now while Ser Lewyn is a prisoner forced to play the part of a guard…" I grunted, shaking my head as I sat back down. "I've heard that Ser Arthur is a true Knight. I'd like to see what kind of man earns that title."

"Oberyn can lead you to him on the morrow. Tonight is not for such things."

"Aye, Prince Doran." I nodded as the Prince nodded in return, wincing as he readjusted in his seat. "Are you alright?"

"I will live."

"That's not what I asked." Doran glowered at me but nodded stiffly.

"I am afflicted with the gout, my sister with weakness. Oberyn is the only one of us whole and hale."

"I know someone who may be able to help – you and Elia both, that is. I think Andromeda will want to take a look at Elia anyway just to make sure the pregnancy is on track."

"And what does that mean?"

"Please, calm yourself, Prince Doran." I said, holding up my hand gently. "I meant no offense. Andromeda looked over my own wife while she carried our children. She made sure they were developing properly, that they were healthy, and that everything would be okay once they were born. She also saw to it that Dacey would be okay during the birth."

"I see… She's a healer?"

"The best I've ever met."

"Will I have to go to the North to see her?"

"Oh, I believe I could convince her to come south… If she could enjoy the sun and Water Gardens for a few days." Oberyn laughed while Doran smirked.

"I believe that could be arranged."

"Very well, I'll bring her here in the morning. She can examine you and Elia while I speak with Ser Arthur."

"Indeed… Though perhaps there is another lady I would ask her to see."

"Oh? Who would that be?"

"Lady Ashara Dayne." Doran frowned as I knit my eyebrows in confusion. "She came to be here not long ago. She is travelling back to Starfall but her health has been quite… Fragile. She is one of Elia's ladies in waiting but Elia allowed her a leave of absence after Harrenhal due to her health declining."

"Symptoms?"

"She does not eat, she does not sleep at times, complains of headaches, and she… ahem…" Doran said, tilting his head to the side.

"Beg your pardon?"

"She sicks up more mornings than not."

"Ah… I see… I'll ask Andy to take a look at her as well."

"My thanks, but what was this I heard about our arrangement needing to be tweaked?" I just sighed.

"Oberyn, it seems, has already developed a taste for my whisky while I quite enjoy the seasonings you have here. It could be a personal arrangement between myself and Oberyn or it could become an arrangement between Moat Cailin and Sunspear. Perhaps the Water Gardens?"

"Hm… I warn you, our spices do not come cheap."

"Neither does my whisky." I smirked as Doran furrowed his brows. "I charge ten dragons per gallon. Individually, I sell fifths of a gallon for two dragons and five moons."

"Seven Hells…"

"Aye, the standard for transport is by the barrel – which each cost two hundred dragons."

"That's highway robbery!"

"I'm the sole supplier and demand is high." I shrugged. "But, I do cut friends and family deals." I smirked as Oberyn's dejected expression instantly turned hopeful. "We can iron out those details later." I said as the last of the dinner course was taken from the table, replaced with a fragrant dessert.

"Very well. I look forward to those negotiations, Lord Agonstark."

"As do I, Prince Doran, as do I."

"You were the one who sent the snatcher in the night?"

"I was," I said, folding my arms over my chest as the Sword of the Morning lay still on his cot – his brown hair splayed beneath him as he lay on his back, eyes closed. It had been a busy morning already, especially seeing as I had already been to Winterfell and brought Andromeda back with me as I had promised Doran. She was currently examining both Elia and Doran while I spoke with Ser Arthur.

"Why?"

"I did not want the Princess or the little Princess harmed in the fighting that is to come."

"And for that you have my thanks, Ser."

"I am no knight."

"Then who are you?"

"Benjamin Agonstark."

"Lord of Moat Cailin. The very one not important enough to see the King himself?"

"Rhaegar told you about me."

"Aye, he did. Did he truly do what the guards claim?"

"Yes. I witnessed it myself."

"Then I apologize for my prince's actions… Though words are not enough to make up for such an atrocity."

"I thank you all the same, Ser." I sighed, sliding down the wall to sit down on the stones below. "You understand why I ordered what I did then?"

"I do. Not only do I understand, but I thank you for doing it. I am Kingsguard. If I were to be freed, I'd have to return to my king. But here? Here I am only a man in a cage. But this cage is not the Red Keep, nor is Aerys holding my leash here. Here? I am back in Dorne. I am home. Well, it may not be Starfall but I spent many a year of my youth here. I am fed whatever I wish, and watered with the finest Dornish wines to slake my throat."

"You are the Sword of the Morning. People respect that."

"Indeed, they do."

"They'd follow you too. Sword of the Morning, lead them true." I sighed, shaking my head as Ser Arthur's head rolled and his purple eyes opened – fixing themselves to mine.

"The Sword that shall bring the day…" He whispered as I stared at him with wide eyes. "Where did you hear that?"

"In the Citadel nearly three years ago." I said as his frown deepened, but he closed his eyes and rolled his head around straight again.

"I heard it too – it came to me in a dream the night of the Ninth day of the Moon." He said as a chill went down my neck. "Hm… Ridiculous that we have a moon of the Moon, eh? But I take it that was the day you were in Oldtown? Passing strange that I remember you had a meeting scheduled with Lord Tywin that day."

"I'm a wizard." I said as Ser Arthur nodded.

"Magic. I should have known. Your man was good. I thought he was a Faceless Man of the House of Black and White come to kill me. When I awoke here, I could not tell you of my relief. And when I learned I was in Dorne and free from the Mad King's clutches? Aye, 'twas a good day indeed… Then the rumors started. Whispers, aye, but servants and guards are always better informed than one might expect." Arthur sighed. "But, aye, magic… It makes sense. Your man stole my voice."

"He silenced you entirely. It wouldn't have been good if you hit the floor in full armor just to alert everyone else in the castle."

"I see… Is it to be war?"

"Aerys has already called his banners against the North."

"It is war, then?"

"Aye."

"Then I wish you good fortune. Forgive me, I cannot tell you of my King's secrets, no matter how much I may wish to. My oaths bind me."

"There is nothing to forgive, Ser Arthur. Ser Oswell has told me what he knows."

"Disappointing but Ser Oswell is new to the Kingsguard. Not as new as Ser Jonothor nor Ser Jaime but he is a new member."

"Damn… Has anyone told you?"

"Told me what?"

"Aerys burned Ser Jonothor, with Wildfire. Dipped him in it and lit it off, apparently." I sighed as Ser Arthur's breathing hitched. "Even his armor burned."

"Wildfire… Damn, may the Mother keep him… The King is obsessed with the Substance."

"We know." I said as Ser Arthur turned to face me.

"No, I do not think you do… But it is not my place," he said, his eyes pleading as he looked at me. I cocked my head to the side as I brought my knees to my chest.

"He's going to send it with his armies? That's what we expect him to do."

"I do not know." Ser Arthur said, shaking his head as he closed his eyes – honestly, the knight looked defeated but I didn't know why that would be.

"Ser?"

"I cannot say… Only do not expect the Mad King to do as you expect him to."

"Damn." I sighed, pressing my palm against my forehead lightly as I tried to work through that. "I need to know what he's planning, Ser Arthur."

"I am a Knight of the Kingsguard, honor and oathbound to serve His Grace the King. To keep his secrets. I cannot tell you what you wish to know, my Lord."

"Huh, a Kingsguard with honor? That's rare."

"Ser Barristan is an honorable man as well."

"He is."

"Ser Jaime… The lad is arrogant."

"He's Tywin's."

"Aye, he is." Arthur snorted. "But he has a code of his own. He would not betray his oaths either even if he was only made Kingsguard as a slight against Tywin."

"Everyone knows why he was made a Kingsguard."

"Fair." Arthur said, waving his hand absently before resting it on his chest once again. "But he has taken to his new duty quite well. Though he and his sister were always markably close."

"How so?"

"They are twins, they have always been close. But mark my words, servants are always remarkably well informed. In the Red Keep, they have a tendency to be loose lipped in the White Sword tower. Tywin's people made a few comments about how the duo were always close. There was even a rumor Lady Joanna found them together when they were young."

"Interesting…" I muttered, frowning.

"Found together, in her bedchamber, naked, Lord Agonstark."

"No…"

"If the servants are to be believed," Ser Arthur said absently. "He is of the Kingsguard and Tywin returned to the Rock with his daughter in tow. They are seperated."

"What are the odds that after we topple Aerys–" I stopped for a beat as I watched Arthur twitch, "sorry, Ser, but it will happen."

"Of that I have no doubt, yet be careful with your words. If I am made free, I will have to return to his Grace with a full report of what I know."

"Made to be free?"

"That door could be wide open and yet here I would remain." Ser Arthur said as I nodded.

"Very well. But what are the odds that Tywin will demand his daughter marry the new king?"

"It depends on how much Tywin loves his son."

"Jaime is not in King's Landing. He is currently hunting Princess Elia with Ser Barristan."

"Will they find the Princesses?"

"No, ser."

"Good. He may live yet."

"Hm, maybe. In fact, Ser Jaime and Ser Barristan may be riding North. When they make it to the Moat, and I have no doubts the two of them would ride straight for Winterfell, I'll hold them at the Moat for their own safety. I doubt Tywin will like it very much, it will be neccesary… You see, I left Aerys a letter. It's how he, or the Spider, rather, knew to send them North."

"Did you?"

"I did. I demanded he renounce Rhaegar as heir to the Iron Throne before abdicating himself and handing the crown to Viserys."

"It would have done the realm good."

"Aye, it would."

"He refused."

"Of course he did."

"And he called the banners?"

"He will march to Moat Cailin."

"It is but a ruin."

"Not anymore."

"The Spider will know."

"No, he won't."

"You can control the ravens too?"

"I'm no warg, but I can guide them to rest at the Moat and leave a tray of corn outside the rookery. They land for food and water. It's while they sleep that my people check their messages."

"Impressive."

"Indeed."

"You said you were no warg, they still exist?"

"In the Neck." I nodded as Ser Arthur did too. "Maybe beyond the Wall too, but I don't know. I've never been beyond it."

"I had never thought magic had gone from this world… Even with the fall of the dragons. Of course, there are those that claim to be magicians but are not but tricksters and thieves. Real magic though… Of it I have not heard much, but Lord Varys has a rather horrific tale to tell of it…"

"He does?"

"Indeed, he was made a eunuch by a Red Priest who offered his manhood – root and stem – to the Red God."

"The fire fucker?"

"Hah, the very one," Arthur chuckled.

"Nasty way to lose them…" I shuddered as Arthur sobered and nodded sagely.

"Aye, and he was awake through it all. He felt the cut of the blade and watched as they burned."

"Shit…"

"Indeed. Apparently, the Red Priest was granted a vision because of the sacrifice he gave," Arthur rumbled as I narrowed my eyes. Prophecy, again. "If Varys becomes aware of what you can do, he will stop at nothing to impede you at every turn."

"Great," I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I'll really have to monitor those ravens now… And start checking ships at White Harbor."

"A wise precaution, my Lord."

"Eh, I should have been doing it already."

"Perhaps, but now you will."

"Aye, now I will."

"If that is all, my Lord?"

"Not quite, Ser." I said, resting my head on the stone. "I regret to inform you that, along with Ser Jonothor, Ser Gerold is dead."

"How?"

"In single combat."

"I see… A trial?"

"Yes. Lord Leyton attempted to try him but he demanded a trial by combat."

"Who was his opponent?"

"Me."

"Then you are a far better warrior than I had assumed."

"Probably not," I shrugged. "I'm just a smith who had a master that made me practice with every weapon I made until I was proficient with them all. My armor, though? That was my saving grace. Ser Gerold couldn't find a single gap."

"Truly? That is what he excels… Excelled at. Finding gaps. That or simply smashing his way through chain and plate with brute strength."

"Aye, he hits like a Bull."

"And thus his name."

"Ah."

"Did he die well?"

"He did. I ran him through and then took his head. It was a quick fight."

"Most are."

"Aye, that is true."

"What was his crime?"

"He held down Lyanna."

"I see… At the Prince's order?"

"He could have said no."

"We are Kingsguard, we do as we are bid – no matter how distasteful the order. I remember the day Aerys got a taste for burning men in Wildfire… Ser Jaime and I were guarding his chambers that night… Gods forgive me, until the day I die I shall remember Queen Rhaella's screams. Later, Ser Jaime demanded of me why we did not help the Queen, Ser Gerold overheard. He told him we serve the King."

"I see… It will please you to know that Viserys and Rhaella are safely in the North now."

"Then the gods are good." Arthur said. "But I know not whether it is yours or mine who protected the Queen and Prince."

"I don't know either, Ser."

"What will you do in this war?"

"If you get free, you'd inform Aerys."

"That is true… What will you do to Rhaegar?"

"Have you heard of Harlan Bolton?"

"The last Flayer?"

"Aye."

"Gods be good… It will not be clean."

"It is not meant to be."

"No… I daresay it is not. Will you do it?"

"No. Lord Rickard has passed the sentence, he will be the one to carry it out."

"I understand. For the sake of the man my friend used to be, I only ask you make it quick."

"I will ask Lord Rickard… I may be able to slip him a potion for the pain. He wouldn't feel much after that but Lord Rickard would get his vengeance, the gods' their sacrifice, and the North the blood they are owed."

"And you?"

"I get to see Lyanna avenged. That's all this is about for me."

"You don't care for the throne?"

"No. I don't care about sitting on a chair of stolen swords or wearing a crown while doing it. I don't even want to be Lord of the North. I have a wife, I have three beautiful children, and I have a home, Ser. I want their lives to be the best they can be. But as much as I want that? I need to see to it that the North survives the coming Winter. I want to see the people not die by the thousands to the ice and snow and famine. And if war is how we do that? So be it. Moat Cailin can stand against any armies the Iron Throne can throw against her walls."

"So be it… I wish you good fortune in the wars to come." [1]

"Thank you, Ser Arthur. I fear I will need it."

[1] - Ser Arthur Dayne at the Tower of Joy, HBO series.