Chapter 4

West to Revelations

There were many things that Anabella and Elwin could not agree upon. How the children should best spend their time every day, which nobles should be pandered to during bad harvests, which guards should be assigned and where. But there was one thing that they both agreed on. They did not much care for Byron's theatrics and drama.

It had been a few years now. The year was 859. The treaty with the Northern Territories was going well. No raids, no skirmishes. Peace. True peace, even if it came at the price of a hostage girl. Anabella did not outright hate the girl, far from it. It was nice to have a Lady in the castle again, to have someone who wasn't thinking about politics or keeping up with his training in the yard. Of course, that too was a problem. Jill Warrick was a young girl of eleven years now. Soon to be a woman grown in some respects. And her eyes were wandering.

Anabella was pulled form her inner thoughts by the sound of a mug of ale being placed rather forcefully on the table. She and Elwin were in Byron's study, the mounted head of a minotaur hanging on the wall over his desk. Seated on a couch together, the royal couple faced the ever-boastful uncle of their children.

"Ah, that's just what I needed," Byron sighs "Are you sure that you would not want a drink? I believe Rutherford should have some 755 from Sanbreque available."

"No, brother, we are here on business after all," Elwin dissuades him "Important business."

"Right…that business." Byron gives his attendant, Rutherford, a nod "You should be warned, not everything I have learned will bring you much relief. Nor will it make this decision of yours any better in hindsight."

Rutherford returns with a rolled-up piece of parchment and a few small books. Setting them down on the table he gently unrolls the parchment revealing a large map of lands far beyond any of their knowledge or experience.

"This is…" Anabella covers her mouth as her eyes take in the shapes and the names of the places displayed on the parchment.

"Westeros." Byron finishes for her "I have confirmed its authenticity with more trades through our man. The books here also back up his claims. It is far too much, too intricate to have been written by him to fulfill the request we gave him. Not for all the gil in the world could it be fabricated."

"You are sure of this?"

"As sure as I am that that boy is my nephew, blood be damned."

Elwin leans forward, going over the map carefully "Where did he come by this?"

Byron points at the southern tip of Westeros that juts out to the east. "Here. The Kingdom of Dorne. From the books we acquired they are one of Seven Kingdoms, all seven are led by the King who sits the Iron Throne in Kings Landing."

"Robert Baratheon." Elwin felt his brow furrow in thought "What do you know of him?"

"Well, I know that he spends more money than the Dhalmekian Republic could ever make in a year." Byron chuckles "The Dornish are not as kind towards him as they were to us. They all hate him in fact."

"Why do they hate him?" Anabella questioned "He is their king, is he not?"

"Aye, that is true, but the Dornish have a very good reason to hate him."

Elwin reached for one of the books "What's the reason?"

"Murder and rebellion dear rother, murder and rebellion." Byron certainly had their attention now "The previous king was called the Mad King, some fellow named Targaryen. Aerys, I think? Story goes that his son; Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, kidnapped the daughter of one of the Seven Lords. She also was the betrothed of the then Heir Robert Baratheon."

"And this led to a war?" Elwin questioned "I don't see how he could get the support needed on just that reason alone."

"Because it wasn't the only one." Byron frowned as he thought about the history that he had been told, that he had read up on over the past few years "That Lord? Rickard Stark, and his eldest son and heir Brandon Stark, rode south to Kings Landing to demand the prince return the girl to them. The king had them both killed just because I suppose…it didn't sit right with the rest of the kingdoms, soon it devolved into open war amongst them. Rebellion, Robert's Rebellion to be precise."

"You said the lord and heir that were killed were Starks?" Byron gave the Duchess a nod "Then that would mean that they were…"

"Clive's family, aye," Byron gives Elwin a sympathetic look "It wasn't pretty what happened during this time…none of it was."

"Please, tell me, tell us the rest."

Byron leans back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before finding where to continue "The rebellion was over almost as quick as it started. Rhaegar fell in the Battle of the Trident. Robert marched his army to Kings Landing while Eddard Stark took a few good men and rode south to the Tower of Joy to find his sister. Of course, what they found were three of the kingsguard waiting for them there. This is where it gets complicated as no witnesses exist of these events bar two."

"No witnesses? How is that even possible?"

"Because dear brother only two of the men present walked away with their lives," Byron was grinning. Elwin and Anabella both rolling their eyes as his love for dramatics began to shine through "According to the Dornish, as well as the history books from outside of Dorne, among the three kingsguard was Arthur Dayne, dubbed the Sword of the Morning, one of the greatest if not the greatest swordsmen in Westeros. And somehow Eddard Stark and Howland Reed managed to survive and win against them."

"And no one else survived?" Anabella looked thoughtful, finger tapping at her chin "I find that a little hard to believe Byron."

"Oh aye, those two alone returned north with the body of Lord Starks sister and his young son…Jon."

Elwin gave his wife a curious look. She was piecing something together. He had seen that same pensive look on her face when they were children, many, many times. "What is it my love?"

"Something…I'm not quite sure what but there is something missing here."

"Not much to tell sadly," Byron takes up his mug "Eddard Stark returned to the capital, and the rebellion was over."

"Byron."

Byron sighs "Can't we let it rest Elwin?"

"Not when it could have an effect on us, on Clive."

"Oh very well," Byron takes a long sip from his mug "After Rhaegar was killed at the Trident, Robert and his army arrived to find it burning. Tywin Lannister had sacked the city; his son Jaime Lannister was a kingsguard…he killed the Mad King though no one can agree as to the why. Tywin however did not stop there. He set his two attack dogs on the royal family…Princess Elia Martell and her two children were killed by these men. Gregor Clegane, they call him the Mountain that Rides, he raped the princess before splitting her in half with his sword, then slammed the young prince Aegon against the wall. Armory Lorch stabbed the young princess Rhaenys numerous times…when Robert saw the bodies it is said that he just laughed at them."

Anabella felt cold. No headaches came, no twisted thoughts…just dread. Elwin was little better than her. His gloves were the only reason he hadn't broken the skin of his hands with how tightly he made his fists in his own anger.

"Why!?"

Byron gave his brother a pitying look "I see no children before me, only Dragon spawn."

"But…to take joy in the deaths of innocent children…a little girl and a babe no less…" Anabella was in shock "The very idea that he would go to such lengths…it's…it's unthinkable."

"That isn't all."

The two royals before him gave Byron a sharp look, as if challenging him to defy their expectations, their standards of what was and was not already horrible enough.

"Shortly after Eddard Stark's arrival it is claimed that he voiced his displeasure with the kings actions. He demanded the men responsible be put to the sword…but it never happened, he left for his kingdom in the North and that was that." Byron frowns "But then it is reported that Stannis, the younger brother of Robert Baratheon, was taking the fleet to hunt down the last of the royals…unfortunately, the Dornish were not so eager to share history on the results of that endeavor, nor were any traders form up north willing to discuss it either. My best guess is that our man was being blocked by both the losing side and the winning one."

"What do you mean?"

"It is my theory that the Dornish wish to protect survivors of the royal blood, and therefore do not give out what they know of any who yet live. Likewise, the supporters of Robert and his rule do not share details of his failing to kill the rest of them."

Elwin looked resigned. His shoulders slumped as he sat back and took in all that he had been told. Anabella however was smiling, no…she was smirking. Like the coeurl that caught the chocobo. Byron watched them both, gauging their reactions before narrowing his eyes on his cousin. Elwin might be blind now, but he was not, not to her.

"You know something…out with-it Anabella, I would hear your thoughts on this now before my brother runs off to do something foolish." Elwin looked insulted "Oh for Phoenix sake Elwin, you were always the good boy but you were also the more emotion driven."

"I believe it was both Rosfield boys who were quite foolish," Anabella chimes in, smirking at them both as they shot her looks of betrayal "As for what I am thinking…Byron, would you say that Lord Stark is much like your brother here?"

"Hmm…from what I was told he is the most honorable man in Westeros…a decent fighter…a just and honest Lord who works for his people's betterment."

"And do you think that he could ever father a bastard?"

Elwin looked ready to protest. Years of working to get it out of Clive's head that he was a bastard and therefore lesser than any other man finally rearing its ugly head. Were it not for his wife grasping his hand gently he just might have snapped with his usual response.

"I cannot say that he would…it does not seem like him if I am honest."

Anabella nods her head, smiling all the same "And remind me…just who came back from the tower?"

"Uh…Lord Stark, Lord Reed, Jon and the body of Eddard Starks sister."

Elwin's eyes were sharp. Silently Anabella thanked the crystals that her husband was beginning to figure out what she already had suspicions about. "Now…do you both not find it odd that the kingsguard was divided amongst the prince, his father, and a woman all the realms claim was his hostage?"

"Why should that matter?" Elwin asks, "Strategically if Rhaegar wanted to protect a vital hostage, he would see the best protection for them."

"Ah, but you forget, he left one guard for his father and there for the hostage." Anabella points out "One of which was the best swordsman in the land. It would not do for the crown prince to be without his best protectors, especially if they were in a battle…so why do you think he left his best with someone else?"

Byron hummed in thought, foot tapping "Three kingsguard protecting a hostage and not their prince…why would they even agree to something like that unless…unless…"

"They were protecting their prince." The look on Elwin's face said it all. Byron's mirroring his brothers soon after as the two shared a look.

"Because it was not the hostage that they were protecting but the future prince she carried." Anabella gave them both some time to understand what she had discovered from the history lesson. It did surprise her at first when the thought entered her head but after piecing it together…it all made sense "Eddard Stark is a noble man, but he is also loyal to his family first and foremost."

"He took the boy north, dead mother in tow, and willingly took the dishonor of a bastard child all to protect his own nephew!" Byron broke out into a laugh "That man single handedly has preserved the rightful bloodline for his homeland!"

"No!" Elwin slams his fist on the table, nearly knocking over his brothers mug in the process "That…that coward! That man…he could have raised the boy as his own son, treated him with a kindness and instead chose to leave him in the tender hands of those who would treat him as a bastard! He may have saved his life from a fate no child should ever receive but he only cursed him with a life not meant for him in the first place. A bastard…he is a prince! A king in the making!"

"Elwin!" The Archduke flinches, anger subsiding "No one is saying that Lord Stark is right in what he did, we do not even know what his full plans would have been for Jon Snow. But Jon Snow no longer exists, does he? Clive Rosfield does, and Clive is not a little boy expecting punishment for the circumstances of his birth. We've seen to that. He is a good boy, a good soldier as you keep reminding me when you can."

Elwin looks away, his face heating up some as he may have boasted a few times too many about his boys like any proud father would.

"So…if all of this is true…then that would mean that Rhaegar did not kidnap the girl but ran off with her," Byron's eyes light up "Which means...there should be a record of the marriage!"

"Why are you so excited by this brother?"

Byron waves him off "Oh please. How many men can claim to be the uncle to not only the Phoenix and First shield of Rosaria, but a royal prince as well?"

"I am more interested in this record you speak of. Would they not already have it?"

"Well…that's the odd thing. In my research through the books, it says that a place called the Citadel would hold official records within, but getting entry is nigh impossible for us being unrecognized nobles from a faraway land. The scholars that Westeros employs…Maesters they call them…I cannot make heads or tails about them."

"What do you mean?"

Byron looked uneasy as he spoke "A group of men, all educated and knowledgeable about topics that many of the nobility of the land are not taught, and all with eyes and ears throughout the land. Some even whispering into the ears of their liege lords…does it not strike you as odd? Even in Valisthea we have places of education in Kanver, the Dominion even! Harpocrates himself is a wise old man, tutor to the crown prince of the empire no less. But none of the scholars here have that kind of a hold on knowledge itself. It just doesn't seem right."

"And their citadel is where the documents of the land are likely stored." Anabella frowns "We cannot risk Clive learning of any of this right now."

"Agreed," Elwin's face grew serious "He cannot know until he comes of age, and certainly not before we have returned from Westeros. That boy would be too curious at his age now, he'd get into even more trouble."

"I could always take him in for a proper knighting, when he is of age of course," Byron quickly supplied upon seeing the hard looks of both royals "You have my word, both of you, I would see him properly trained and groomed for the role of a knight. He'll be knighted, come of age, and be told but not before the first two happen."

Anabella sighs, the slight twinge of a headache beginning to build "Betrothals will be coming in as well…Joshua already has a few from the over eager nobility but I do not think I am ready to plan that for a few more years."

"Clive has more than a few," Elwin chuckles "But they will never be more than fleeting thoughts. His heart has already chosen even if neither party will admit it."

"Your ward, yes? The Warrick girl?" Byron rubs his chin "Well…if half of what you write to me is true then they both will be a good match…assuming they can stop ignoring what everyone else around them can see."

"When that happens, I only pray that I am not an old maid by then," Anabella sighs, shaking her head with her lips pulled upward into a fond smile "There is not much time until Clive is of age."

"Two years…and much still to do. Elwin gazed at the map, his eyes narrowed on Kings Landing "And far too many foes on the horizon."

There was a metal clang as two combatants clashed in the training yard. Byron Rosfield's estate, private as it was, was more than adequate for what Rex had planned for Clive. Cody only agreed to it because he would need to shadow the Archduke and Duchess for the day. As he broke off his attack, readjusting his grip on his axes, Rex couldn't help but grin beneath his helmet. The kid had improved considerably over the years. Nearly ten had gone by and he was shaping up to be a proper knight, better than most others they had trained these days.

"That's enough Clive," he calls out, holstering his axes "You can rest kid."

Clive was panting, his body ached as he sheathed his weapon "Thank you…Rex."

It had taken some time, but the boy had earned the respect of the older knight. Enough to forgo the formalities but not enough to push that limit. Clive still had a ways to go but he would be knighted soon, Rex and Cody both would see to that if need be.

"Don't worry, we can get plenty of training on the voyage. Just try not to forget your sword here when we depart."

"Are you joking? Like I would forget my weapon," Clive laughs "Like you and Sir Cody keep reminding me, this weapon is my life. So, I should treat it as such."

"We also told you that you did not have to call us sir." Try as they might, some of Elwin's traits had been passed on to the boy. Traits that they themselves wish he had not picked up. "So…you nervous?"

"Nervous?"

"About the trip. It may have been almost ten years but Cody and I both remember the boy who came to our shores and killed a raider without any care for his own life."

"Back then Jon Snow did not care if he lived or died, he only wanted to protect an innocent girl." Clive smiles, a melancholic look crosses his face as he remembers that day. The feeling of the knife in his hand, the adrenaline rush he had as he plunged it into Blacktyde's leg and set the stage for his first kill "Clive Rosfield, however, is not that same boy Rex. I promise you that much, I won't go running off to die so easily."

Rex claps him on the back "Good, I doubt any would be happy if you ran off like a bloody hero to your death. At least try to be the hero when there is a young maiden around?" Rex tilts his head towards the estate "Such as that one, perhaps?"

Clive follows his gaze, head turning slowly, stopping only when his eyes spy a peculiar trio. A red dusting to his cheeks, the boy gulps as he takes them in. There at the front, smiling with all the joy and excitement that a little boy of nine could muster, was Joshua; behind him, a little bundle of grey fur in her arms known as Torgal, was Jill. The girl was only eleven and although she had lived with them for a few years now, and Joshua had taken her as an older sister of sorts, Clive could not bring himself to see her that way. He shadowed her as practice for when he would be expected to do so for Joshua…much to his embarrassment word spread amongst the younger shields who wasted no time in teasing the boy. But something just drew him to her. He couldn't explain this feeling, not really, but he just felt…warmer, around her.

"So…when's the wedding?"

Clive lightly shoves the older man "Out of the question!"

"That a fact?" Rex laughs "Oh my dear young Lord Marquess…you will be of age in two years, she in five, and the betrothals will be coming in full force. If you want my advice, don't wait till then to start courting someone."

"Noted. And ignored until a later date."

Clive ducked under the swipe form Rex. Even in most of his gear he was still not someone to anger, though Clive would push that limit again and again just for fun. He needed to rest. A bath. A walk. Something, anything, besides being out here with them. With her. He waved at his brother and Jill, heading off for the barracks to change out of the little armor he had donned for this lesson. Just a few more years, and he would be the best shield in Rosaria.

That was if he could get past this next challenge. Clive sat himself down on a wooden bench. Could he do this? Being a knight was one thing, an easy thing now that he thought of it. All he really needed was training and he would be one within a few years. But going back to Westeros? To that life. Even if he was no longer Jon Snow could he do it? Could he accept it?

"Are you alright?"

Clive nearly jumped at the sudden voice. He turned sharply, breathing a sigh of relief, heart pounding in his chest "Jill…I'm alright…just a little tired is all."

"Sir Rex didn't hurt you too badly this time, did he?"

"Not at all…he actually was going easy on me because of the voyage."

The grey-haired girl approached him slowly. Clive felt that heat within him building slowly with her every step. "A voyage to a far-off land no one has ever been to…it sounds like a dream to me."

"Dream or not, it will be a dangerous journey," he warns her "We do not know what awaits us or how long it will take to get there. And when we arrive…who knows just what will greet us."

"Then I suppose I shall require a brave knight to defend me."

Clive blinks, eyes swiveling to her as she looks expectantly at him "Me?" he receives a nod in confirmation "I am hardly even a squire. No one has knighted me yet, someone like Sir Cody or Sir Rex would be best."

"They will be too busy protecting the Archduke and Duchess," she frowns slightly but Clive catches how the corner of her lips twitch upward into a smile "Or perhaps I could ask Sir Thorn for his protection. I'm sure that he would be more than happy to be my guard on this trip."

Clive felt himself bristle at her words. Thorn was…a rival of sorts. He was a noble and just knight, only older than Clive by a single year. But he was…complicated. Clive couldn't explain it but ever since he had been knighted Thorn had just found ways to appear where Clive did not want him to. All those places being close by Jill and Joshua.

"I seem to recall that I will be training with Sir Rex during the voyage…but if milady wishes it then who am I to turn down her request to be her guard?" How he hoped that he did not sound so eager as his heart made him feel. That heat he felt, fortunate that he already looked the part of an exhausted youth, would not let up. Not even as Jill smiled up at him. One of the few advantages of his age, he was not at risk of looking Joshua in the eye still. The disadvantage, however, was quite clear: He had no control over his heartbeat as he always seemed to have Jill's attention.

"Then I shall be looking forward to it, sir knight." She curtsies, giggling to herself as she spies the perplexed look on Clive's face.

He watches her walk back into the estate proper. Not quite sure what has just happened, and yet he knows his mother would double his studies if she caught wind of what had happened here. "Least that heat is gone…funny, it almost feels wrong to not feel warm."

AN: I'm cruel, I know. Cut it short before the big trip. Cannot tell you how much reading I had to do to figure out every detail that would be important. Not to mention, doing Byron over again. So, first things first, this version of Byron is not the least bit like canon yet, this is Byron Rosfield before the Night of Flames, and many years in his youth prior to our meeting him in game. So, he's mostly a dramatic, thrill seeking lunatic with a mind for military strategy by sea. My interpretation I think, haven't seen anything to say otherwise within the lore. And we finally have a Jill and Clive moment…if a brief one. Don't worry, they wont always be like this. Just didn't want them talking forever like the grownups had been for most of this chapter. Seriously, that was half of it all, but it's needed for what is to come to make sense. And no, we are not conquering Westeros with one single ship worth of supplies and manpower. Future me will deal with you lot when that time comes. Now for the reviews…

Furvustocs: …well, I wouldn't say it's a POV change, really the POV will change for characters obviously but places? That wont happen. Location changes though were not covered in your review so I will exploit that loophole with prejudice. Side-quests were planned to happen, at least ones that I felt would add something to the story whether it's a history or an item or such. I also sadly have not played the new game+ much. Started it to show a friend the opening act and…yeah. Haven't been back since…think I stopped just before the first real mission.

RedAlpha22: …going to need that one explained to me. You have a problem with Jon taking the blame for Clive? I think I read that right…not sure what blame he is taking. No one is blaming him, well…not to his face or within earshot of any other living souls. But if you have a complaint, who am I to tell you that you don't? Hopefully the rest of this will change your mind on that bit, or at the very least not deter you from reading further.

HoJ Roxas: Ah, been waiting for one of these. I would have a response that explains it, 'it' being this idea in my head that has not let me sleep like a normal person, but then that might give away too much. All I can say is if it becomes too much for you to tolerate, then I am sorry but if you remain curious then be patient. All will be revealed and answered by the end of it…unless I die, in which case…oops.

Guest: Seriously need all Guests to just name themselves, because I already cannot tell if you are the same guest or a different one. So, for now, you are Sam…unless you were Bob…did I name the last one? I don't remember. Anyway, Frederick…you do realize that if I did that it would be the same as taking a level 100 pokemon, a Charizard, and deciding to battle a forest full of level 1 Caterpie…right? That would be inherently broken. I won't do it sorry to say…but…that is not to say that something like it wont happen.

ww1990ww: Personally I'm not a fan of the 'character one replaces character two' trope, but there are some ideas where that works. Granted there are a lot where that does not work. Your review though; you are right that this decision does lead to a lot of other repercussions. Different values, different events, even different personalities at times. So for you, and more so those who decide to read this part, do not expect anyone to act like their canon counterpart...just so if they do have a major change to how they act, you wont be shocked.