NO ONE
JACQEN H'GHAR
The Faceless Men was founded by a rich nobleman of Volayria. He fled the continent before its destruction and fell in love with a slave. The slave was part of a group of slaves that founded the city of Braavos. The Nobleman carried the secret of stealing faces from the Targaryens of old with him and thus was born the Faceless Men.
When the Faceless Men heard of the Prophecy of the Prince that was Promised they started searching for the Prince once every one hundred years. They would send acolytes far and wide to seek him out and protect him from his enemies. There was once a boy who lived with his father, mother, and little sister. Then one day the father profaned the Lord of Light. His words were heard by a Priest, who took the boy's father and mother and burned them at the stake as penance. The boy and his sister were sold as slaves, but the boy escaped and made his way to Braavos where slavery is forbidden.
For many moons he lived on the streets, then one day a woman took pity on him on bought the boy to the House of Black and White. The boy became no one, a Faceless Man, but he never forgot the cruelty of the Red Priest. Then one day he was sent to find a Red Priest by the Elders of the House of Black White. The boy now a man was happy because the Priest he was to kill was the very man who burned his father and mother. The Priest died very painfully and slowly.
THE HOUSE OF BLACK AND WHITE
A few months before the battle of Blackwater A man of red hair and eight names is summoned by the Third Elder. "You wished to see this one Third Elder?"
The Elders keep their faces covered with hoods and dark masks. The masks are thin enough to see through so there are no holes for the eyes, nose or mouth. "Yes my son…By what name do you go by this year?" The woman asks.
"Jacqen H'Ghar…My Lady…"
"Once every one hundred years the order sends out acolytes to search far and wide for the Prince that was Promised…This one has chosen you…To Westeros Jaqen H'Ghar must go and seek the Prince…"
"Jacqen H'Ghar will leave at once…" He leaves along with several others who head in different directions in search of the Prince. Jacqen boards a ship with two others of his order and sail west. One stops in Gulltown, Jacqen stops at Dragonstone and the last disembarks the ship in Old Town. When war breaks out Jacqen is disguised as a soldier fighting for Stannis. To his horror a Priestess known as the Red Woman serves Stannis. He is tempted to kill her, but he cannot. The laws of the Faceless state that death can be only given to those who ask or pay for it.
When Stannis sends some of his troops to Rosby Jacqen is among them and instead of joining them he slips into Rosby and begins his quest for the Prince. After Stannis is defeated Jacqen as a merchant makes his way to King's Landing.
KING'S LANDING
Jacqen knows the city well as he visited King's Landing five years ago to fulfill a contract on a noble. The city is locked down to keep refugees from entering the city so Jacqen scales the walls and walks the streets as a commoner. He spends many days listening to rumors and gossip to discover the identity of the Prince. On the fifth day he enters a tavern, orders a drink, and sits so that he can see everyone in the tavern.
As a Faceless Man Jacqen is trained to listen to and hear multiple conversations at once. He is also trained to read lips. He slowly tends his drink as watches and listens. When he finishes he orders another drink. As the maid brings him another pint a man enters the tavern. "Valor Morghulis!" He shouts in Old Valyrian. Everyone in the Tavern turns and looks at him.
Very few people know how to contact the Faceless Men. Those that do know that those words mean that someone wishes to offer the gift of death. Jacqen pays his tab and leaves the tavern discreetly. He intercepts the man who was obviously trained as a spy for an information broker. Jacqen intercepts the man in an alleyway. "Valor Dohearis…" Jacqen says offering the man a bow. "How may this man serve?"
"Not me…I serve Lady Vastell she is an information broker…Former Master of Whispers…I can take you to her if you wish?" Jacqen turns without saying a word and vanishes before the man can catch up to him. "Wait!"
He makes his way to the Red Keep disguised as a gold cloak. When he enters he disguises himself as a servant. After several hours Jacqen finds Lady Vastell's quarters. He picks the lock and enters the room. He goes through her things and reads a few messages from her agents. When he hears the lock Jacqen hides as the door opens. She is alone so he walks up behind her, "A woman is known as Lady Vastell?"
She jumps, "You startled me? Who are you?"
"A man is called Jacqen H'Ghar…Jacqen H'Ghar serves the Faceless Men…Do you wish to give the gift of death?"
"Not me…Lord Tyrion Lannister…I was to put him in contact with the faceless men…"
He raises his hand, "Jacqen H'Ghar will seek the little Lion out…"
"Wait I can take you to him…"
He ignores her and leaves by the balcony. Three days later Jacqen is in Tyrion's room. He had been following him for the past three days to learn a few things before approaching him. Jacqen is looking at all the books Tyrion possesses. Books on art, war, Dragons, literature, sex, famous inventions, poetry, chemistry, and math. Most of the books are on Dragons and sex. A door opens behind Jacqen and three men enter. One is the Little Lion, the second a Sell sword and the last, a young boy born of nobility, but from the feint food and oil smells a Squire to the Little Lion.
"Are you the man I was told to expect by Lady Vastell…Jacqen H'Ghar?"
"A man is known by that name…Tell your sell sword to remove his hand from his dagger…"
"Bloody hell…" Bronn says.
He turns to face him, "The Lannister Lord Tyrion wishes to give the gift of death yes?"
"Yes…"
"Name the person…"
"She is known as Melisandre…They call her the Red Woman…She serves Stannis Baratheon…" Jacqen loves killing Priests of the lord of light, but he keeps his emotions in check as he was trained.
"A man knows of whom you speak…"
"Yes we sent five hundred ships to attack Dragonstone…All five hundred ships were destroyed by some mysterious fire attack…Our agents say it was magic…"
"Terms of the contract…the Lannister Lord must pay 100,000 gold Dragons now and 400,000 when the job is complete…"
"Dam I need to become a Faceless Man…" Bronn says. "How much of that do you get to keep…"
Jacqen answers by smiling, "Do we have a contract…"
Tyrion sighs, "I have been saving gold up for…" He hesitates and when he does Jacqen can see a great pain in his eyes, "…a long time. I have this gold with the Iron Bank…About six hundred and fifty thousand…Can the payment be taken from my account?"
He nods, "That will suffice…" Jacqen takes paper and quill, then he sits down and writes a letter. "Sign this please…" Tyrion walks over to the table and signs the letter. When it is dry Jacqen fold it up and leaves.
"Will I see you again?" Tyrion asks as he walks toward the balcony.
"No…A man will send you a message when the deed is done…" That very day Jacqen leaves the city by scaling the wall and travels by horse to Rook's Rest, then he buys a small boat and sails to Dragonstone.
STANNIS
Stannis the Stern, that is what many people called him, because of his strict unyielding beliefs towards life and the law. He had earned his reputation on the battlefield. Stannis had lost battles before, like he led an attack against Mace Tyrell when the Tyrell army lay siege on Storm's End. He was forced back into his family's castle. He held out for many weeks, his men were at the point of eating rat and horse meat.
Then Ser Davos Seaworth arrived smuggling food supplies into the castle. This earned him the nickname the Onion Knight as Stannis Knighted him, but only after punishing Davos for smuggling. The siege was relieved by Lord Eddard Stark. Yes Stannis had known defeat, but the defeat at Blackwater Bay was too much. Outsmarted by the Dwarf Tyrion Lannister.
Upon returning to Dragonstone Stannis shut himself and wished to see no one. He would not even speak with Lady Melisandre. Nor would he speak with his wife. Sometimes he would allow his daughter to see him. Many days passed like this, then one day while sitting in the map room Melisandre entered the rom. She had been given entrance by two guards she converted to the lord of light. The sound of her voice sent Stannis into a blind rage.
"You said I would have a great victory at Blackwater…My men were burned alive…" He grabs her by the throat, "And where was your god when I needed him most…"
"You! You are my god…" She barely replies.
He releases her, "I am no god! I am no prince…"
She places a hand on his shoulder, "Oh but you are…"
He allows her to lead him to the brazier and she shows him great visions in the fire. Stannis dedicates himself to the lord of light and anyone serving him who does not convert is burned at the stake. Many people are burned alive and a few of the Storm Lords return to their homes and bend the knee to King Tommen. When the Lannister fleet arrives Melisandre destroys the ships with fire from her hands.
A week after that Ser Davos turns up alive. When he speaks out against Melisandre she has him arrested. "Prepare to be cleansed non believer…" Melisandre
"No!" Stannis protests, "Take him to the dungeons…"
"But my King he is a non-neliever…"
"I have given my command and I will not repeat myself…" Even though Ser Davos did not believe Stannis considers him to be his friend and of all people he could not stand to see Ser Davos die in such a manner. The man was humble, but he had greatness in him.
A few days later Stannis is preparing for bed. There is a knock, "Enter…"
It is his cup bearer Sheila. She is of fourteen name days old a commoner, but very bright and intelligent. She and Stannis daughter Shireen are very good friends. "Your lemon water My Lord…"
Stannis did not drink wine or ale, he hated the taste, so he drank lemon water with his meals and before bed. "Do you require anything else Your Grace?"
He rarely slept with his wife, their marriage was a cold arranged affair. The only reason he stays with Sylese is because of his daughter and the vows he made to her before the seven. He was not one to break vows, "Thank you Sheila that will be all…" He replies taking a sip from the goblet. He fails to notice that Sheila is still in his room even though the door opened and closed. Suddenly Stannis is overwhelmed by fatigue and stumbles to the bed. As his eyes close he sees Sheila become a man and then feels strong hands help him into bed.
JACQEN
The next morning Stannis exits his room after eating and looks at the guards who relieve the men who were on duty all night. "Tell the servants to stay out of my room…I do not require the sheets changed…"
"Yes Your Grace…"
He makes his way to the dungeons, "How are you Ser Davos?"
He stands up, "I've been better…"
"I am sorry about your son Devan…"
He sighs, "Thank you your grace…"
"Have they allowed you to see your other sons?"
"Yes they have…"
"If I let you out will you respect the Lady Melisandre?"
"Your Grace…You know me as a man who speaks his mind…Burning people who do not follow your new god is wrong!"
He nods, "And a poor reward to people who follow me…I will end the practice today…" Stannis looks at the goaler, "Release him…"
"You let him out!" Melisandre yells entering the map room. Stannis is in a meeting with those still loyal to him.
"Leave us…" He commands and locks the door after they depart, "Davos is loyal…If I am the Prince who was promised I must win the hearts of the people…They must be willing to follow our lord of their own free will…"
"I thought we agreed that this was best…House Stark is in rebellion to you…Houses Romyn and Martell support a Targaryen return to the Iron Throne…" she walks up to him, "Only you can stop the Long…" She pauses as she stares into his eyes. "Who are you?" That is when Stannis reaches out snatching the choke collar necklace from around her neck. "NO!" She screams as he throws the jeweled choke collar on the floor, but it does not break.
"My King is everything alright!" One of the guards at the door screams.
"Help me there is an imposter trying to kill me!" Melisandre screams.
Stannis raises his foot to crush the jewel, but Melisandre tackles him. A blade sprouts from beneath his sleeve as they wrestle, he stabs her in the chest. There is banging on the door as Stannis raises his foot and stomps on the jewel breaking it. Melisandre's beauty is like snow melting away from a statue, but instead of a statue there is an old crone.
Her hair in very thin, her skin pale a blotchy, and her nails like claws. Stannis slashes his arm blade again catching on the throat. As she stumbles to the floor the guards burst in. The imposter runs to the opening in the map room and leaps over the side. As Stannis leaps be becomes Jacqen H'Ghar.
STANNIS
Stannis dreams about the things he saw in the fire. The things Melisandre showed him. He dreams of the sons he could have had, his brothers, one of whom is still prisoner in King's Landing. "My King! My King!" He hears the voice of his wife Selyse.
Then he hears the voice of Maester Garfell who replaced Maester Cressen who was burned at the stake. "Stand aside this will awaken him…"
When Stannis finally awakens, he looks a Maester Garfell, then his wife, and finally his daughter who leaps into his arms on the bed. "Get down child!" Selyse commands.
"How do you feel my King…"
"Groggy…Sheila!"
"I am here my King…"
He looks at her, "You…You drugged me…"
"It was not her Your Grace…Maester Garfell says, "It was an assassin…The most deadly and infamous kind…One who can look like anyone…"
"Why?"
"The bastard killed the Lady Melisandre…"
"What!" He tries to get up, but the drug has him to groggy, "This is why I do not drink wine or ale…" When he is feeling better Stannis is taken to see her body. "This old woman is not Melisandre…"
"I am afraid it is Your Grace…The choke collar jewel she wore must have been the source of her power, youth, and beauty…There are documents in the archives of Old Town that say as much…"
They prepare her body and place it on a funeral pyre. Stannis and Selyse each hold a torch and set it on fire. "I am sorry Your Grace…" Ser Davos says standing beside Stannis.
He looks at him, "If anyone else had said that I would have called them a liar…Thank you Ser Davos…And I apologize for imprisoning you…"
"No need your Grace…You did what you thought was right…A King's…I forget the word…"
"Prerogative…"
"That's the one…"
"Look!" Selyse yells.
The body does not burn, instead it transforms into a young beautiful woman with short black hair. When the fire dies out the young woman stands up and smiles at them. The soldiers point their spears at her. "Who are you?"
"I am Kinvara…High Priestess of the lord of light…"
"What do you want?"
"I seek the Prince that was Promised…"
Stannis steps forward, "I am the Prince that was Promised…"
She smiles, "I am sorry Lord Stannis…You are not the Prince…Neither are you the King destined to sit the Iron Throne…"
"How dare you!" Selyse says, "The Lady Melisandre told us…"
"What she believed was the truth…" She steps down from the funeral pyre.
"Was she lying about King Stannis?" Ser Davos asks.
"Not in her mind…Melisandre was of a radical sect of our order…More traditional followers of our order do not force our beliefs on others…Lady Melisandre and those who believe as she does…Believe the lord of light is the only god because of all the gods…The new ones anyway he intervenes the most in mortal affairs…"
"Why did she believe I was the Prince that Promised?"
Kinvara sighs, "Because…Orys Baratheon the founder of your House was a bastard and half-brother of Aegon the Conqueror…Also your grandmother was a Targaryen, but your House is not the House the Prince is supposed to be descended from…"
"Then who?" Stannis demands.
"He is born of from two ancient and powerful houses…Born of smoke and salt…Born of Fire and Ice…The child of Prince Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark…"
"Prince Rhaegar raped Lyanna Stark and she did not…" Stannis stops speaking as he remembers who started the rumors of Lyanna's abduction, "He did not kidnap or rape her did he?"
"Correct on both accounts…"
"Why? Why come here now?"
"Because Melisandre is dead…I was watching and hoping that she would discover this on her own…Had I come earlier it would have led to a fight…And believe me you do not want two people as powerful she and I fighting on this Island…" She walks up to Shireen and places her hand on her face. Shireen screams in pain and after Kinvara removes her hand the scars on Shireen's face are gone.
The truth was hard to hear for Stannis, but eventually he agrees to help Kinvara find the Prince and aid him. "May I speak with you?" Selyse asks.
"What is it?"
"Are you truly going to bend the knee to this Targaryen pretender?"
"No!"
Meanwhile Kinvara confronts Jacqen before he can leave and convinces him to allow her to aid him in his quest to find the Prince. He agrees, but only because she healed Shireen and because she explains the traditional beliefs of her order.