Chapter 16
Of Winter Wolves and a Black Rose Dragon
Winterfell 312 AC/874
"What are you thinking of doing about this my lord?"
Ned Stark was not the young man he had once been. Ever since Jon, ever since the Rosfield's had come to Winterfell and his perception of the world had changed…he had felt the years creeping up on him. Slowly at first but with the arrival of each subsequent child of his own, the absence of one child grew ever more prominent. Now here he was, forty-nine years old, he was at a crossroads. The letter sitting on his desk was from Robert. Jon Arryn was dead and now the King and his party were coming to Winterfell.
"My lord?"
"Apologies, Maester…it seems my mind had wandered off without me," Ned gives the letter one final look "We'll need to prepare for the Kings arrival, send word to the kitchens, and to Jory, we'll need to gather more supplies for when he gets here."
Maester Luwin had served the House of Stark for many years, he had grown accustomed to the varying looks that Lord Stark would display from time to time "Still thinking of Jon Snow?"
"He would be a man grown same as Robb this year. Luwin, am I doing right by my children, do you think?"
"I can't really say that I know the right or wrong way to raise children my lord, but from what I have seen they have been some of the happiest to grace these halls." Luwin offers a reassuring smile "Robb has the makings of a fine Warden of the North, that boy has grown into a fine young man, I can say that with the upmost confidence. Lady Sansa has taken to her mother's lessons quite well, and I am sure that her betrothed, young Lord Bolton, will make a fine husband for her in kind. Your youngest however can wait a little while yet, I am sure?"
"Aye…Bran remains south of the Neck with Brynden as his squire the last I had heard, and Arya is quite happy being with the She-bears on their island." Ned chuckles, thinking back to another young Stark woman with that same fierceness to her "So much like her and yet all her own too. And Rickon…Cat still tries to talk him out of it. Honorable as the Night's Watch is…I do not think my lady-wife will be too pleased when he finally does leave for it. Willing or not."
"And what of the other matter my lord?"
Ned frowned, brow furrowing as he pondered the second letter he had received. Upon reading the contents he enacted what he and Elwin had agreed upon and destroyed it thoroughly. "If the Rosfield's are coming here then we will have our work cut out for us keeping Robert entertained and out of their affairs. If it's not too much trouble, can you let Jory know of the situation we will be in?"
"Of course, my lord, with your leave I shall relay your orders."
"You have it Luwin, always." Ned sighs as the old maester leaves his solar. Judging by the letters, each party would arrive within the coming days. News of Jon Arryn's death had been sent out across the land, but Robert never was quick when writing his letters. The poor bird no doubt arrived as quick as it could but only succeeding in giving Winterfell a matter of days before the Kings arrival. "Arya will be happy she missed all of this, girl could use the peace and quiet on her nameday."
The years in Winterfell had been long and tiring. Raising five children while missing a child you never could replace left a void in Ned Stark. Catelyn was more than happy to raise her five children and never worry about the bastard of Winterfell gracing her home again. But even she had to admit that the change in her husband was not what she had anticipated. And perhaps Anabella was right all these years later, perhaps the bastard was not as bad as she had claimed him to be.
"Not like I can take it all back now," she sighs as she gathers the children. It was the sixteenth day of the fourth month in the year. With two of her children not present, but two extra mouths to feed than she would normally have liked Catelyn Stark found herself busy with making everything and everyone presentable. She joined Ned, standing by his right side with Robb beside her. Today would be just the first hurdle in this long moment of their lives.
The sentry atop the walls gave them fair warning as the Rosfield's approached. Ned idly wondered just what brought Elwin and his family this far north without warning, his thoughts however swiftly changed to confusion as a group of people he did not fully recognize entered the gate. Their horses, loaned from Wyman Manderly, had no doubt been pushed as much as was possible for the journey. Why they did not take chocobo's instead was another mystery that Ned wanted to solve.
"Welcome to Winterfell," he greets as the party stops just before him. A dark-haired man dismounts first, taking the forward position ahead of the others in his party "You have me at a disadvantage, I was expecting Elwin and Anabella Rosfield to be amongst the group here…tell me, where is the Archduke and Duchess?"
"I regret to inform you Lord Stark, but my father Elwin fell in battle thirteen years ago," it was the young man on the horse, dressed in black and red, and looking more like he was a Lannister than a Rosfield who spoke "You might not remember us, but we remember you. I am Joshua Rosfield, soon to be Archduke of Rosaria if my brother there has his way."
Recognition flickers behind Ned's eyes as he catches the faintest smirk from Clive. A smirk he swore he had not seen in many, many years. "Joshua Rosfield? The same little boy who once boasted for all to hear about how skilled his brother was? By the gods you've grown lad…you as well, Clive…and am I to presume that the knights I see accompanying you are the same bunch that roughed up my guards in the yard?"
Rex and Colt laughed while Thorn seemed to puff up his chest. Cody sighed, taking position beside Clive "We meant no disrespect my lord, but the boys tend to get a bit…overeager after long trips. I'll keep them in line, don't worry."
Ned turned his attention to Joshua, a serious look on his face "You have my condolences for your father, your grace…but perhaps we should save the explanations for when we are indoors? You must be tired from your long journey, my men can see to your horses, you have my word that they will be well taken care of."
Clive allowed one of the guards, a man he did not remember from his last trip to Winterfell, take his horse away. The others were peaceful enough…though for how long he did not know. Being here now, with what he knew of his origins, just had him feeling on edge. The presence of the wolves House Stark now had did not ease his concerns in the slightest. They were as large as Torgal, though they did not look nearly as fierce with how they sat dutifully by their masters. Clive recognized Robb Stark, stood beside his mother and with a smoke grey wolf with yellow eyes staring intently back at him resting at his feet, Sansa too had a wolf at her feet in golden grey fur and looking just as regal as the eldest daughter of House Stark. The one that surprised Clive the most was Rickon Stark, no longer the wild looking boy he was at three years, now he looked more like a budding knight as he stood straight and kept his composure. The great black wolf with its eerie green eyes was certainly a strange companion for the boy who once was nothing more than a toddling about babe without a care in the world. Oh, how the times had changed them all.
As their large group entered the sacred halls of Winterfell Clive felt strangely at home. At peace, rather, with his surroundings as the once familiar castle sheltered them from the elements. Joshua and Jill stuck close to each other, acting the part of true nobles as Jote tagged along shadowing Joshua. Goetz and Cid stuck together as well, more so with Cid acting as Goetz protection. Cody got the others sorted away quick enough, each of them taking up their own position to defend their charges. Rex and Cody flanking Joshua, Colt with Cid, which left Thorn and Clive to protect Jill...not that she needed it.
"I cannot say that this is entirely a bad thing," Ned says as he takes his seat at the head table "Just what is it that has brought you all here? Winterfell is a considerable distance from Rosalith."
"In truth Lord Stark, just a bit of travel before my coronation," Joshua says, dipping his head in respect to Lord Stark "I am young still…thirteen years I have spent learning all that I could in preparation to lead my people in times of war and peace…but I am still not yet the wise ruler my people need. I had hoped that travelling might help me to experience more of what life has to offer, help me grow into the ruler my kingdom needs."
Jill had a small smile on her face as Joshua spoke. While it may have been for the most part rehearsed it was a far cry from the poor attempt Clive had made on their trip. His pride had taken quite a blow from the revelation that he could in fact not lie as well as he had thought. Despite numerous people telling him that fact, he absolutely refused until he tried.
"An admirable trait, to acknowledge your own faults and seek to improve upon them," Joshua felt a bit of pride welling up in his chest as Lord Stark said those words in a tone not unlike one his father once used when praising he and Clive in their youth "I do not mean to rush any of you, but some things have come up and you sadly will not be the only guests housed here in the coming days. I do not wish to force you to leave, but if accommodations must be made…"
"It's alright Lord Stark," Clive felt a headache coming as Cid spoke up in his casual manner "Our trader, Goetz here, has plenty of tents should we require them. Though from what I understand Clive can sleep outside. Seems to be used to the cold."
Clive felt heat building up within, a growl bubbling in his throat as his eyes narrowed on the old man "Cid is the same way, could sleep through a thunderstorm if you let him."
"Oh? That a bit of heat I'm sensing?"
"Boys!" Jill was calm and composed, but stern with the pair "Forgive them, Lord Stark, Cid and Clive are…an odd pair when together. We usually must separate them for our own sanity."
Ned shakes his head "Nothing to forgive my lady…however I find myself a bit lost, tell me, who are all of you? Sir's Cody, Rex, Colt, Thorn, Clive and of course his grace Joshua we all know quite well. It is the rest of you that I wish to know now."
"You actually know me Lord Stark, I was but a little girl of twelve summers when we last met," Jill smiles as she sees the recognition and joy in Sansa's eyes, Lady Stark seemingly brightening now that she knows who she is.
"Jill Warrick…apologies, Lady Warrick now, yes?" Ned's smile softens "You were but a girl then…a ward, not unlike Theon here."
"Time will do that my lord," she bows her head "As for the rest of our number you have met Cid our most problematic knight."
"Only when Clive and Rex aren't causing trouble," he remarks with a smirk.
"I haven't done that since I was a boy."
"I believe what happened back in the Greatwood would count as trouble, Clive."
Jill cuts Clive off with a stern look, his mouth firmly shutting. "The man beside Cid is our Trader Goetz."
Goetz gave a polite bow of his head, shuffling under the scrutiny of the westerosi noble family "Begging your pardon for Cid, your lordship…he's not normally allowed around nobility, Nan says its because he's a bit of a ruffian."
"She did not say that…did she?" Cid shrugs "Well, not like old Charon is the most pleasant of people to be around, so I'll take it."
"If I may continue…the young lady beside Joshua is his attendant, Jote."
Clive almost wanted to pray to R'hllor a thanks for having a cult. Jote was the only one to give a respectful bow and not nearly cause a scene with words alone. Compared to Cid, she was a saint…even if she couldn't stop herself now from offering her deepest apologies daily to him. Almost made Clive miss their first interaction.
At the head table Robb had to fight the urge not to chuckle as he saw the interaction between Cid and Clive. Something about how Clive frowned and had a rebuttal just waiting to be spoken reminded Robb of someone from long ago, but he couldn't quite place it. As the Lady Jill took charge and introduced them all…for once he could not argue with Theon as the older man sent him a look. They both were thinking the same thing though to different degrees as his thoughts were much more…noble.
The strangest reaction of anyone came from an unlikely source. Torgal's head snapped to attention as he gave a bark. Clive and Jill frowned as their shared puppy turned trusted hound seemed to get almost familiar with a white wolf that neither had noticed come up to them. Silent as the night this great beast and Torgal were practically friends on the spot. A sight that Ned Stark found quite strange as the white wolf had never taken to anyone or anything before now. Always just watching them from the background in silence.
"Seems he has taken a fondness for your hound," he says slowly, a smile tugging at his lips "I assume that hound is in fact your old puppy, Torgal?"
"Oh, he is a sharp one," Cid mutters from the side.
"Indeed…" Clive frowns "Lord Stark there are some matters I need to discuss with you, in private please…if we could just go to your solar?"
"Very well…Robb, this would be a good opportunity for you, come."
Ned frowned as he eyed the young man before him. Robb stood just to the side; arms folded across his chest as he studied Clive intently. Both of the Stark men were curious of what he had wished to discuss, and both were in the dark as to why he seemed so familiar to them. Clive for his part studied the solar, not a single thing seemed out of place from his memory as a smile tugged at his lips.
"You wanted to discuss something of importance with us?" Ned broke the ice first "Speak, what is so important it could not be shared in the hall?"
"Have you ever wondered, Lord Stark, just what it would be like if you got a second chance to do things right?" he asks, "Do them…properly?"
Ned's eyes narrow dangerously "If you are asking for second chances you won't find them here. What happened to your father was a tragedy, but that is life and no amount of asking will change that."
"Is that how you see it?" Robb felt a heat permeate the air as Clive spoke "Do you see what happened as set in stone? As something not to miss? To regret!?"
"You are speaking to a Lord, Clive…you would do well to remember that."
Clive laughs "Oh I remember, Lord Stark…but it seems that you have forgotten."
Ned leans forward, elbows resting on his desk as he studies the man before him "Watch your tongue boy."
"Is that what you told her when faced with the truth you could not follow?"
There was a beat of silence "What was that?"
Robb felt uneasy, gently tugging at his furs as the heat kept growing. There shouldn't have been this much heat in here, the room had a few lit candles sure, but this was like standing before a great fire. "Clive…be at peace, whatever is causing you to be so upset is not something we have done, I assure you."
"Not you Robb…just him," Clive settles his glare on Ned "You were told, weren't you, that she didn't wish to marry that fat oaf you call brother…and you did what, I wonder? Help her? Talk your father out of the betrothal? No…you condemned her to marriage to a man who would rather whore his way through every maiden in the kingdoms!"
"What does Robert have to do with this?"
Clive growled, the flames within briefly flickering to life around his shoulders "Robert!? Not Lyanna? Not one word about her…just him!?"
Ned frowns, eyes flicking to the flames as they threaten to erupt from the boy "Clive…your father told me about the flames…about the Phoenix, partially at least as he did not wish for information to be found by any curious parties. Now…take a deep breath, calm down, and let's talk about this."
Clive hesitates, the flames licking at his neck as he slows his breathing "You chose that man over your own family, didn't you Lord Stark? You did everything in your power to help your sister…you sacrificed your honor for her…yet you still don't condemn that man for what he is, do you…uncle?"
Robb felt the air leave his chest; eyes wide as he stared at Clive for having the audacity to let his mouth lead his actions. He expected his father to snap, to summon the guards, to have Clive lose his head for this declaration. Ned Stark did not do any of that. He simply sat there and studied Clive closely. That hair…those eyes…his nose…the chin… "No…"
"See me now Uncle?" he asks, sneering at the man "Thirteen years since last I was here, and it never crossed your mind, did it?"
"Elwin…he…he stole you?"
Clive throws his head back and laughs "Stole me? Hardly! Father took me in when I was found in Rosaria. The Ironborn are the ones responsible for this, a raider called Preytan Blacktyde, and his crew, kidnapped me and the other bastard sons of the lords visiting Seagard for a festival. I killed the man who tormented us when we reached Valisthea, stabbed him in his leg and watched him bleed out before he could rape a young woman."
Ned's eyes widen in realization. Something Cat had told him years ago after the Rosfield's departed their halls, of how Anabella claimed a bastard did something heroic and they rewarded him accordingly. "You were the boy…they rewarded you…"
"They offered me a place in their home, in their family…and all I would have to know is that I would never be Archduke." Clive smiles "A small price to pay for the love denied me at a young age."
"Jon…"
"Jon!?" the outburst came from Robb; he looked like he had been struck as he stared at Clive in a new light "That…he…what!?"
"Always were a little slow Robb," Clive chuckles "May have been a long time but you were never the brightest of kids when we were young."
"You…no…no, no…we…I…we mourned you! Father still does some nights…how are you…you can't be him…you can't be my brother!"
"Technically, I am your cousin, not your brother." Clive gives a small grin to the man he once considered his brother "And if we could stay on the subject at hand? I know the truth, Uncle, all of it."
"How? I've told no one and Howland is much the same," Ned's eyes narrow dangerously "Who has told you that you are not my son?"
"For one, my parents, the former Archduke and Duchess of Rosaria…for another, my Uncle Byron, who was present when my mother figured out what you tried so hard to hide from the world."
"How?"
"Simple, she was very observant of the story told of the rebellion," Clive smirks "It didn't make any sense to her, and it certainly doesn't make sense to me that the most noble man in Westeros would father a bastard child while his pregnant newly wed wife is back in Winterfell. You never returned north until the rebellion was over, so how could you possibly father a child with some random woman and have a newborn Robb back home roughly the same age as me? Add in the fact that you and Howland Reed both returned with just myself and my mother's body…a sixteen-year-old girl…you truly did not think this plan through well. If at all."
Robb turned his questioning gaze to his father. Eddard Stark felt the years catch up to him in the worst way yet. He felt nearly as old as his soul felt at that moment. Clive…Jon…whoever he was, was right. He had let his sister down, failed his nephew, and kept Robert on a throne he was ill suited for. "But Robert is the king by right."
"Is he?" Clive questions "That right…did he take it from the ruling family himself or was it gained by others who then gave it to him just for some political power?"
"But even so, he sits the throne, he is the king."
"I won't seek to start a war for the crown if that's what concerns you, Lord Stark," Clive's voice took on a dark edge, a guttural growl building up in his throat "But if I had a choice between leaving the people of my mother's homeland to suffer under his rule…I will stand up for them."
Ned sighs, eyes focusing on his desk. The boy…the man before him, he was not going to back down. He need not look Clive in the eye to know that Lyanna's glare would be focused on him. The man bore more resemblance to his mother, to her, but he still had something that was entirely his own and not either of his parents. "Alright then…I suppose that you wish to have my support should events unfold that push you to pursue your birthright?"
"Uncle…I would never ask you to choose between your friend and your family, I am not that cruel…but I will ask you to stand down should we come to blows." Clive smiles "I promise I will not kill him, but no matter what happens you must not interfere."
Robb watched the two have a mild stare down. One of them would have to give, but he didn't know who would. After a while his father bowed his head and chuckled "Just like Lya," he says "Very well, Clive, you have my word. But you do remember the words of our house?"
"The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives. Aye, Uncle, I remember."
"Welcome back to the pack, nephew."
Robb smiles, clapping Clive on the back "Well, now that that is over…you and I have some catching up to do Jon."
"Robb, my name is Clive, not Jon, not anymore."
"Whatever you say Jon Clive."
Eddard smirks as he hears his nephew lament Robb finding out about his origins. The boy would see no help from him on this, after all, he had the nerve to stand up to a lord in his own keep. While that alone showed he was not the same timid boy he had once been…Ned still had to be seen as the Lord of Winterfell and be shown respect…even if he did deserve the dressing down her received. "It's like having Lya back in these halls…gods help me."
Castle Dazbog, Dhalmekina Republic 874/312AC
"So, let me see if I have this right…you went off to Caer Norvent to capture the Dominant of Fire, fought and bested Cidolfus Telamon, and then lost to a random Branded? Benedikta, do you really think me so easily fooled?"
Benedikta smiles, making the man before her feel heat bubbling within him "Please, I know you are not a fool; you are as you said you are, a lion…my lion. Or am I mistaken Hugo?"
Hugo Kupka was a large man, larger than any other in Valisthea. He sat back in his chair, eyeing the beautiful woman across from him "Lucky for you, I know that you never lie about your battles. Still…what do you require from me that Barnabas cannot provide?"
"A reasonable excuse and assistance," she says casual "My liege has given me a mission to complete…but as luck would have it I have not the resources required for such a venture. I am currently lacking a ship of my own, as well as the proper help in completing this daunting task."
"Daunting? What could be so challenging about tracking down one Branded?"
"That's just it, Hugo, he isn't just a Branded."
Hugo leans forward, recognizing the hungry look in her eye "Go on."
"Clive Rosfield lives, and if my sources are correct then he has also left for parts yet unknown to us, but not to Rosaria."
"Rosfield? So, the lord marquess still lives…and as a Branded no less." Hugo chuckles "Very well Benedikta, you wish for me to lend you the use of one of my own ships, as well as the men to support whatever you require? What exactly would require you to have need for a vessel?"
"A very eager informant in Port Isolde tells me that there are trade deals arranged between Rosaria and a kingdom far to the north in a distant land called Westeros…as soon as Gerulf returns with the navigation charts we require, we will be setting sail for this Westeros to investigate just what it is they are up to."
"What makes you so sure they will be there? Westeros surely is far across the seas; I can't imagine one Rosarian Royal would set sail for a foreign land on a whim."
"My dear Hugo, is that doubt I hear in your voice?" Benedikta's smile turned predatory as she approached the large man "I have it on good authority that he is traveling with Cidolfus, and as my informant told me…the Rosarian Royal Family took a trip to Westeros thirteen years ago. If he wants any form of support for Rosaria that is precisely where he will go."
"Then we have no time to waste here," Hugo slowly rises, grinning as he glances over at his men "Prep my ship but be discreet. I shall have a message written for the ministers, a potential trade opportunity has come up, they won't refuse my leave for that."
The two guards made a hasty exit. They had rarely seen their commander so eager to depart. Titan was ready to move, and if Benedikta was correct then this Westeros may just bear the fruit he had been seeking for so long. "I knew I could count on you, Hugo." Benedikta laughs "Oh we will enjoy this little trip, one battle at a time."
Winterfell 312 AC/874
Clive was nervous as he stood just behind the welcoming party of the Stark household. Jill squeezed his hand, calming him somewhat but that fire burning inside would not be subdued so easily. This was the day he had been dreading first amongst all the others in his future. The flames were roaring in his ears, burning as bright as they did at Phoenix Gate all those years ago. In fact, the only memory that could do anything to keep the heat within him from burning away at his restraint was Phoenix Gate. He saw the Eikon, Ifrit, standing over the Phoenix. It's molten body flaring to life with fire before igniting in an earth trembling explosion.
Jill watched Clive zone out, not the first time he had done this but as the Kings party arrived and pleasantries were exchanged, she wondered just what he was thinking. Lord Stark introduced them all in kind but when the king saw Clive…something changed in them both. Clive came back to reality, eyes locking on the king as he seemed to get a measure of him. Robert Baratheon was not what she had come to expect. He wasn't the mighty warrior who hefted a Warhammer in battle, nor was he a great and powerful looking king who commanded respect. As he tried to subtly eye her up, Jill felt nothing except revulsion fill her…this man was no more than a fat lecher in royal dressings hoping no one would notice.
"Why so serious lad?" Robert's booming voice grated on Clive's will to refrain from violence "Ned said you were a guard for the Lady Warrick here, from the way he tells it you are a fine soldier…we always need men like you, real fighters who know what it's like on the battlefield. Far too many knights are green and think it all just a show at tourneys."
"I've seen my fair share of battles your grace…I could show you what I can do if you would like, though I doubt you will like me so much when I send your knights back on stretchers." Jill felt her blood freeze as Clive gave this dangerous smirk of his, something new…something sharper than what he used to give.
Robert threw his head back and laughed "Oh I like you boy! When we return south, you must compete in the tourney. I won't accept a refusal; the king demands it!"
As he walked away and dragged Lord Stark off for the crypts Jill released a sigh, she didn't realize she was holding back. The entire time Clive was glaring at the king's head, no one would begrudge his hatred for the man, but they needed to keep him on a tight leash from here on out.
AN: Before I get to the actual story explanations and avoid an angry mob of flame reviews…we do have a timeline, one painstakingly developed by fans of the series who apparently read the books enough times to make this, as well as create the travel distance charts by land, sea, raven etc. It's not 100% perfect but it sure does help me with figuring out when things happened in Westeros. Also yes, that chapter title is in fact a yu-gi-oh reference and no there is no yu-gi-oh crossover here, sorry but tried that when I was younger and that did not exactly turn out well…writing card game duels is hard to make entertaining.
First on the list…coming back to Winterfell. So, as you can see, things have certainly changed significantly back home. Bran is a squire for Brynden the Blackfish, Arya is fostering with the she-bears of Bear Island…Flames help anyone who gets in her way now…Sansa is betrothed to Domeric Bolton who is NOT dead like he is in canon, and Rickon is not sure what to be. Direwolves were also acquired as was Ghost reunited with Jon/Clive…and no, Torgal is not being replaced. Think of this more as a proper way to go seeing as Torgal is described in the games as being more Jill's dog than Clive's after his transformation.
Second on the list…the confrontation. I will admit, when I first started writing this it felt odd to have Clive snap, but every iteration I went through in my head and on paper didn't feel right if it was calm. So how could I make it make sense? This I do not mind spoiling as y'all have been getting close to it but that heat that builds up within Clive? It's Ifrit. Not a full-blown sentient Eikon, or even a mindless Eikon, but just enough of his power to provide some benefits and some changes to Clive until he gets a handle on it. Which means…? Clive is in his Symbiote Suit phase…kind of. No he isn't getting a symbiote or spider-powers, but he basically is having his personality changed but only when angry, he isn't going to be a rage monster all the time but for the moment it will be coming out…which also plays into the future chapters in a big way.
Thirdly is our next little 'catching up' scene and introduction of one Hugo Kupka…whose online nicknames referring to the plot will not be happening here…well…one of them won't be. Not sure about the others but one big plot point in game canon is not happening so minds out of the gutter. You are probably wondering to yourself why I am introducing so many Dominants now, one after the other, right? There's a reason…and a plan…so just be patient. At this point you all are either sick of me saying that or just waiting till the stories done so you can actually form that angry mob.
Fourth on the list…that ending…I am NOT sorry. But at least you know the next few will be interesting.
Fifth…guideline is not finished, but it goes about as far as chapter 31…it was 30 but then I added in a new chapter 18 because ideas were forming…and I promptly forgot what was going there so we'll see what happens. I will say this though, while it wont be split into 'parts' when it comes to naming them, most likely when we hit chapter 27 expect a big delay before I post chapters 28,29, and 30 as those three are a BIG story point…not telling you what happens, who lives, dies, shows up and what plot points/questions are resolved/answered. But now you know when the next major shift happens...unless I combine all three into one…am I that evil? Possibly.
Update: After having done chapter 15's authors note…not sure how much of this you guys and gals can actually ignore…apologies for doing this twice in any case.
Now, to the reviews!
furvustocs: Ah. So, it's the surprise cuts to the next scene and opening with dialogue. I can't promise that will never happen again, nor that I will give detail before it because sometimes the dialogue sounds better with the context, really fits the scene; and sometimes the sudden surprise of who it is being introduced is too good a moment to pass up. I am cruel, I know, but hopefully not so cruel as to turn you away from this.
Jebest4781: Thank you. After reading over his details…I'm not going to go back and change things to fit his style or change the future to suit his inclusion…whether he is included or not remains to be seen as for where the guideline is at, he is not involved. …yet.
RedAlpha22: Glad you enjoyed it. Just wait till Cid is in Westeros and meets anyone and everyone. Fully intend for him to be a menace that makes Clive wish he was having a Headache, not a regular headache hehe.
The True Skull: So, I don't think that I ever said I wasn't, nor did I say that I was…if I ever did, disregard what I said because as of right this very moment I have not written anything with Leviathan. Does that mean it won't show up? No. It just means Leviathan is yet to be written, assuming that I include it. I'm being vague mostly for the sake of not spoiling anything but also, so I don't give any hope as, again, I have not written ANYTHING with Leviathan in the story. It could happen, or it could not. We'll see, because that is Future Me's work, not Present Me.
Mxm124: Glad you are loving what's coming. Things will probably slow down somewhat but once the war starts…ooohhh boy is it going to pick up. I won't spoil what I definitely will be doing or what you asked about but be patient if you can. Or give it a year or two and come back to binge the whole thing in a few sittings.
