A Game of Thrones: In the Land of Monsters!

First Arc-Episode Four

Act One

SHE WOKE WITH a gasp and found her-self laying in the grass; Lyarra Snow found her-self laying in a meadow near a beach the color of gold. The gold sand and the rolling waves of the ocean seemed to shimmer together under the Sun, and it was mesmerizing to see.

Lya was entranced until she felt a wet nose kiss her cheek; startled a bit she looked into the warm gold eyes of Timber. The direwolves had survived the storm with her and played between the meadow, beach and surf.

It was Ice who approached Lyarra and dropped two items in the girl's lap; a long dagger and a flintstone. Unsheathing the blade carefully; Snow noticed distinctive rippled patterns, she remembered how she would stare at her Father's sword that had the same pattern as the dagger.

"Valyrian Steel;" she whispered in awe as she sheathed the blade.

Lya carefully stood up; the dress she wore was covered with dirt, sand and grass stains, and it clung to her body. But it didn't bother her nor being barefooted; she was curious to know what land she has found her-self in.

The meadow also led to a forest; Lyarra had no choice but to go into the forest and hope to find help. Soon Timber, Sky, Frostfyre and Ice went with Snow, and she felt safer with the wolves.

She carried the dagger slung over her shoulders; the belt was too cumbersome to try putting around her hips. Sunlight filtered through the trees in rays givingsome light and everywhere else was dark; the four wolves were on alert and Lyarra Snow stayed in the circle they formed.

They stopped to rest; Lya cleared an area and Ice dug a hole, the young girl framed the hole with stones and gathered wood to make a fire. She remembered her brief lessons in making a fire when her Father took her hunting in the Wolfwoods once; she unsheathed her dagger and held the blade to the wood.

Striking the flintstone against the blade created sparks that lit the wood and Lyarra had a small fire going. Frostfyre brought a dead rabbit; the girl cut off the legs and did her best to skin them.

She tore strips of cloth from the dress skirt around her legs and tied the rabbit legs to sticks, and did her best to cook the legs; Snow burnt the meat but she didn't care as she was hungry. Lyarra ate the legs though they were still a bit rare; she hadn't eaten for most of the day since being washed ashore onto new land.

She rested by the fire; Sky curled up around her and Lya fell asleep as exhaustion took its toll on her. She dreamed of the Snow Maiden again only this time she took another form; an impassive apparition of icy hauteur wearing an ornate crown and hooked, surred armor of opaque and light blue ice.

The apparition beckoned the girl to follow as she flew through the trees and covering them in frost, and ice. Lya realized she was dreaming of the Godswood when she came upon the Weirwood tree with its carved scowling face and the Snow Maiden standing before it.

The tree wasn't affected by the cold that swirled around the Snow Maiden; in fact the Weirwood stood in defiance of the freezing cold.

"I have heard your wishes and prayers, and brought you to the land of Thaczil;" said the Snow Maiden solemnly. "I am not a kind Goddess...I am acruel Goddess but I see potential within you and you will serve me one day.

Until then you will find what you most desire and learn many things; when you are ready I will claim you. I don't expect you to lose your heart but I expect you to serve me well and I will reward you well!"


Act Two

Lyarra Snow woke with a gasp and found her-self laying in a bed; she carefully sat up, feeling confused and wondering where she was. There was a fireplace that was keeping the room warm; yet the young girl still felt tired and slightly weak.

Her throat was dry and sore, her stomach was hurting and her mouth was parched; Lya took note she was dresses in a simple nightgown that was a bit big but kept her warm. The sound of the door opening startled her a bit as a woman came in and took note of the young girl awake.

"You're awake, child, your wolves were worried when they brought you to me;" said the woman kindly. "You've been sick for three weeks and looked to be at death's door!"

"I only closed my eyes to rest for a moment after washing ashore;" said Lya a bit raspy in voice, "I must've gotten sick from my poor cooking considering how hungry I was. What land am I in?"

"You are in the Bloodmoon Vale; one of twelve kingdoms that make up the land of Thaczil;" explained the woman matter of fact. "I'm, Moana, a widow who lives alone in this small farm!"

"Lyarra Snow;" the Snow girl said and she stiffened for the scorning but none came.

Lya was breaking her fast with Widow Moana in the widow's kitchen; a bowl of porridge with honey and diced apples. She was still recovering from her sudden sickness, the dream forgotten, as she drank a cup of freshly made orange juice.

They were soon outside; the widow was tending to her garden and Lyarra was sitting on the back porch. The four direwolves; Ice, Timber, Frostfyre and Sky came out of the woods, and the young girl greeted the wolves with an embrace.

It was peaceful at the farm; once Lya was strong enough she helped Widow Moana around the house and farm. She managed to knit a few scarfs and accompanied the widow to sell the scarfs, and other items at market in a small town.

It was Lya's first time seeing how large the world was when she saw her first Elf, Dwarf, Minotaur, etc. But it was seeing a visibly gaunt humanoid white tiger with ghost-white coat of light fur; he (and clearly a male) stood at 6ft, garbed in shroud-like red robes with long nail claws that looked sharp and his hands were backwards.

But it was his eyes that sent shivers down the girl's spine; they were a cold green. As Snow helped the widow set up shop; she asked curiously nodding to the male: "Who is that, Widow Moana?"

"That is Master Jahmod, he's an Ak'chazar;" answered Moana as she pulled Lyarra into the shadow of the stall. "He's a Rakshasa Necromancer; very dangerous, cunning and wicked!"

The widow kept an eye on the Ak'chazar; she kept the young girl of seven hidden until the Rakshasa Necromancer was out of sight.

"You mustn't catch the eye of Ak'chazar, Lya;" spoke Widow Moana cautiously, "Master Jahmod likes to collect pretty girls like you and "plays" with them to sate whatever carnal appetites he has as if they were dolls. Master Jahmod's living dolls end up broken mentally and emotionally until he gets tired; then he hunts the girls for sport or gives them to his undead servants for his amusement.

Countess von Bloodmoon who rules the Bloodmoon Vale has been trying to find a way to get rid of him but he has been useful when needed. Whatever happens avoid him at any cost!"

The widow even gave Lya her Valyrian dagger back as precaution as business began!


Act Three

Lyarra Snow got to explore the market; she wore a simple dress with a shawl that once belong to one of Moana's daughters. The widow saved every dress her daughters wore as children, kept them clean and intact; the dress was slightly big but it fitted her well.

The market was crowded and Lya wove her way through the crowd until she bumped into someone and would've fallen if a strong grip saved her. But she winced at the pricking of nails nearly piercing her and her eyes came into contact with the cold green gaze of the Ak'chazar.

"My, my;" purred Jahmod with a grin, "I caught a pretty bird!"

Fear kept her silent but it only amused the Rakshasa Necromancer who pricked one of Lya's hands and drew a little blood. He silently vanished into the crowd and Lyarra managed to find a water pump, and not only washed her hands but also splashed water on her face.

Unbeknownst; the Ak'chazar watched the girl from the alley and licked the blood drop off his claw. His eyes closed for a moment and a shudder ran through his body; a rumbling purr emitted from his body as his cold green eyes glowed red upon opening.

"The girl is of ancient royal blood and holds a power that is untapped;" said Jahmod in thought, "that girl will be very useful to me and I can use her as a weapon!"

He followed the girl back to Widow Moana as the woman was selling the last of her items; Jahmod hid him-self well as widow and girl did their own shopping. It was around sunset when market day was closing and everyone was heading home.

"It's time I did some hunting;" said the necromancer as he stalked away from town, "my Gravehounds haven't hunted for awhile and I am eager for a good chase!"

The direwolves had guarded the farm well by the time Widow Moana and Lyarra Snow returned. The widow had the girl dress for bed as she prepared supper; Timber brought a couple of rabbits and the woman made stew.

It was a quiet night as the older woman and young girl settled down to relax while the stew cooked. Lya worked on embroidering; she was sewing a white direwolf running on a grey field chasing a falling star, the grey cloth was a gift from the widow and the young girl wanted to sew something.

They just sat down at the table with bowls of rabbit stew, slices of bread with blueberries and honey, and, tea with milk and honey. They just started eating when an eerie howl was heard outside and it startled them.

Moana and Lyarra went to the windows; outside night had fallen and from the darkness came dozen of glowing red flames. Snarls and rattling of bones could be heard; the widow lit a few torches and threw them out the front as well as back doors.

Into the torchlight stepped a couple of wolves with patches of fur missing and showing exposed muscles, bones and sinew. Their teeth were broken but still looked sharp and made clacking noises as the jaws clicked together; it was the brightly glowing red flames in the exposed eye sockets that revealed they were dead.

"Gravehounds;" gasped Widow Moana in horror as she set to closing and locking the window shutters.

Doors and window shutters were soon bolted shut; the widow made sure the fireplaces in every room was lit and the fires fed. Lya kept her dagger on her person and she also held a small axe; Moana was similarly armed as they kept the fireplaces burning.

But they were running out of wood; the widow and young girl knew they were trapped as they heard the Gravehounds prowl around the house, and managing to climb onto the roof. Widow Moana lit a lantern as she moved a rug from before the fireplace revealing a trapdoor; Lyarra had helped stock the woman's cellar for the coming winter but this trapdoor led to an underground tunnel.

"This tunnel leads into the woods;" explained the widow handing the lantern to the girl, "once you are in the woods you run. Do not wait for me, run and don't look back!"

"What about you?" Lya asked as she climbed into the tunnel and Moana answered: "I will buy you enough time!"


Act Four

Moana lifted the ladder out of the tunnel once Lyarra Snow was making her way; they had no time to change or put boots on or even gather provisions. The widow locked and hid the trapdoor as she destroyed the ladder, and fed the pieces to the fireplaces.

She knew the Ak'chazar had caught a glimpse of the girl and took an interest in her; it was the same with her own daughters. Moana once had a husband named Joseph and they had three daughters named after flowers; Petunia, Daisy and Lily.

Each grew into beauties as they became women and each caught the eye of Master Jahmod; it was the same throughout the town. Beautiful daughters disappeared every seven years and every seven years their bodies were found; mutilated, torn apart, missing organs, half eaten, etc.

It was the Rakshasa Necromancer who had been stealing daughters; but he was very selective in his victims and only took one. The three daughters of Joseph and Moana were each taken by age seventeen; the widow's husband tried to save Lily but he was killed.

Now the necromancer wants the young girl whom Moana had taken in; it was clear Lya was a beauty and she'll grow into that beauty when she blossoms into a woman especially with her unique eyes. But the widow refused to let Snow suffer the same fate as the daughters before her!

The Gravehounds broke into the house through the attic and Widow Moana was ready for them; she maybe old but she was a retired Ranger. The first dead wolf that came charging down the stairs and into the room; the woman cleaved her axe into its skull, killing it and tossed it into the fireplace.

The body began burning as more Gravehounds came pouring in and Moana began wielding her axes in a deadly dervish dance. Soon the doors and windows were broken, and the Gravehounds flooded in.

The widow was backed into a corner but she kept fighting despite the wounds inflicted upon her. Yet it wasn't long until Widow Moana lost her footing and the Gravehounds tore her apart before she could utter a sound.

Outside the necromancer sat astride an undead horse with his servants around him; Jahmod knew the child had managed to escape. He sent one of his servants, a Nighthaunt, within once his Gravehounds had finished.

Master; the Nighthaunt spoke telepathically to Jahmod,The girl has fled through a secret tunnel!

Take a pack of ten Gravehounds with you; the Ak'chazar responded,I want the girl found and brought to mealive. Her blood and untapped powers will be useful to me!

As the Master commands so I obey; telepathically spoke the Nighthaunt.


Act Five

Lyarra Snow climbed out of the tunnel and into the forest; she dropped the lantern back into the tunnel and ran once the tunnel was lit on fire. She didn't know where she was running only that she didn't want to be caught by the Rakshasa Necromancer.

The four direwolves found Lya; the wolves sensed danger to the child and spirited her away. She mounted Timber and rode for most of the night; until a large hollowed out tree was found.

Frostfyre and Ice curled around Lyarra as the girl fell asleep within the tree; Sky and Timber hid the opening and took turns in keeping watch. She slept most of the morning away and was up at noon; Lyarra and the wolves kept moving for the rest of the day.

They walked in the rivers they find to hide their scents; Lya rode the direwolves by nightfall until another hiding place was found. Sometimes the child slept on the wolves or didn't sleep but kept moving.

Lyarra would take quick baths in the cold rivers and drank mostly water; she was lucky to find wild strawberries and blackberries to eat, and other times she went hungry. Her bare feet got scrapes and minor cuts, the nightgown she wore had become dirtied and slightly torn, and, she still carried her dagger and axe.

She was cold, hungry and very tired from lack of sleep; even the wolves were worried for her health. But she can still sense the danger and could not relax not even for a moment; days passed with sleepless nights and Lya was on constant alert for any pursuit.

Until her luck ran out during a Full Moon...