Update March 18th, 2024: Before we get started a bit of warning. This is a last minute update but today my mother was hospitalized, I am sharing this with you all for the sole purpose of letting you know why the next few chapters might be delayed as the future is never set in stone much as some might wish it were. AN at the bottom was typed up well before this, save for the review responses. So without further ado, have at it ladies and gents.

Chapter 30

Gathering Storm

Sunspear, Dorne

"And what news do you bring to me, Prince Oberyn?"

Hugo's deep voice reached the Prince of Dorne as he approached, flanked by two of the larger man's own personal guard "I don't know how you do it Lord Kupka, but your instincts…impeccable as always." Oberyn smiles "A raven from the Vale…it seems the knights are of one mind, as you said."

"Doubtless, they'll move soon upon the land." Hugo rises from his seat. "And what of our special guests?"

"Rumor and drunken sightings I'm afraid. What you told me of these Eikons…how am I to believe reports that claim there are more?"

Hugo slowly begins to pace about the room. His little study buried within the home of House Martell was a quaint place. Quiet, large enough for him, but lacking in any personal items. To call it bare would be the same as calling it a palace. Far too flattering. "Oberyn, you have known the company of many different people have you not?"

"I have, proudly as you well know Kupka."

"Then trust that the source I have for my information is one you do not cross even at the best of times," Hugos stoney gaze locks on the Red Viper of Dorne "You would do well to remember that if you should meet her."

"Then she shall be happy to know that by all accounts there have been sightings of seven Eikons. A woman and dog of ice, a flaming bird, another large bird that was not on fire, an old man, a sea serpent, and a monster in the clouds or some such." Oberyn waves his hand dismissively "Reports on the last two are little more than hysterics after an Ironborn raid. The others however were sighted and confirmed by Lannister men as well as the smallfolk in the Riverlands. But what interest are they to you?"

"Titan is known for his strength in Dhalmekia. An Eikon of unrivaled size and strength, the Archaean…and yet he alone does not make me invincible." Hugo chuckles "Do you know what does?"

"Can't say that I could."

"I know when to act, and how. A coward would run when I would stand my ground and turn the tide of battle in our favor. A fool would press on when I would know the day was lost. My mind is my sharpest weapon, Titan but a tool at my disposal."

"A man smart enough to know when to fight and when to run away?" Oberyn cups his chin "Funny, I always thought you were a brute when it came to fighting, given your…"

"Size of body does not mean much in the battlefield if you can die just as easily as any other man. I'll be sure to teach that lesson to this so called 'Mountain that rides' when I meet him."

Oberyn smirks. That was the one thing keeping the Red Viper from speaking his mind in full. That and the promise that he would not only see Gregor Clegane before his death but also have a hand in it. "If you can do even half of what you promised, Dorne will forever tell stories of the mighty Lord of Dhalmekia known as Hugo Kupka. But only if you can deliver on your promise."

"A toppled mountain and the ruination of the Usurper King's legacy." Hugo chuckles, a stony grin upon his face "It will be done, one way or another."

Harrenhal, one week after Ifrit's awakening

"So let me see if I have this correct, and I do not in fact have a concussion still," Cid groans, sitting with his back against the wall with a bottle of ale in his right hand "We get our collective arses handed to us by your evil twin, you gained control of the beast within, and now you want to prepare for an assault on the capital while most of our fighting strength is still in need of bed rest?"

"That would be one way of looking at it I suppose." Clive winces as Jill lightly smacks his arm. Out of everyone he was the most shocked by her quick recovery after the battle. Even after a week, Cid was still in bed for the most part though Clive had a feeling it was by choice and coercion on the older man's part, Joshua was only allowed to walk about but not to spar thanks in no small part to a very stern Jote. "Right now, there are too many Eikons running about the lands, if we remain idle who knows what else could crop up to fight us?"

"Which is exactly why we should remain where we are," Cid counters "We have four Eikons at our disposal right now in the Riverlands. King Robert, to our knowledge, has none and now there is a second Ifrit running around. To say nothing of the other three Eikons we know of somewhere out here in Westeros."

"And Leviathan," Joshua chimes in.

"And Leviathan…frankly, I think the boy could help us."

"No."

Joshua frowns, eyes locked on Clive. His arms crossed; face set in a scowl…even Jill looked disapproving of his old grudges. "You know you could try to get to know Theon a bit better," Cid suggests carefully "Lad is…well, he was in shock when I left. For all I know Colt could have set him straight and he could be eager to repent."

"Repent?" Clive scoffs "What would an Ironborn know of repenting? He'll smile in our faces and stab us in the back the very moment he has access to a ship and a chance to raid the coastline."

"Clive!" Jills icy tone made the man wince, the gentle hand on his arm slowly freezing him up "Cid has a good point. While the actions of the Ironborn cannot be ignored, we would be no better than our enemies if we punished one for the actions of another. Theon Greyjoy has never reaved the coasts, never partaken in their barbaric traditions. He was a boy when he became a hostage, and he is now a man who has only known the North. Give him a chance."

Clive sighs. His stubborn will relenting at her words. "Very well…but if he steps out of line, even a hair out of place I'll…"

"Cut him down and incinerate his corpse?" The look on Clive's face had Joshua smirking "Well it is not like you haven't made it abundantly clear how much you disdain the Ironborn brother."

"Better to be safe in the knowledge he cannot betray us than left to wonder when it will happen," he grumbles. No one could fault him for his disdain for the raiders. They just didn't say anything more on the matter normally. "Fine. But he is under your care Cid, I doubt my uncle and cousin would agree with my more…extreme resolutions should he betray us anyway."

"On that we are all agreed, still…I do not think Lord Stark will appreciate my commandeering his ward." Cid chuckles, shaking his bottle of ale gently "Now what are we to do about this plan of yours? We don't exactly have the troops to defend the region and besiege the capital."

"Not without reinforcements from one of the other kingdoms or a stroke of luck," Joshua sighs "We may have to cut the head of the Lion before we can topple the Stag."

"But without the troops needed for such an assault…we cannot risk attacking Casterly Rock." Jill looked thoughtful, something that had Clive tensing up as he studied her "What are you thinking?"

"We might not need to look very far for reinforcements," she levels a stern look on Clive, that sinking suspicion he had slowly getting worse "But it will require Theon Greyjoy's cooperation."

Cid barks out a laugh seeing the look on Clive's face, clearly the Lady of Frost would leave no room for an argument.

"And Cid is going to go along with him."

The smirk Clive sent his way made Cid grumble as the tables were turned on him now. "Of all the bloody luck."

Casterly Rock

To say that the war was not going well for the Lannister's was an understatement. Recent losses in small skirmishes, not to mention the raids by the Ironborn had brought nothing but endless irritation to the Old Lion of the Rock. Tywin Lannister had made his plans, seen members of his house captured or killed and lost his heir to the northern savages and their ilk. It burned within him a fire he dares not admit to having lest he be compared unfavorably to a Targaryen. Now he found himself in desperate need of a solution. Both to the war itself and to the legacy he would leave behind when his time finally ran out.

"If you are done prattling on about your pathetic attempts at finding glory on the fields of battle, perhaps we could hear from someone who speaks with more sense?" his words cut across the latest rant by one of his lords. Tywin looked the portly man in the eye, one of those fat fools who took to feasting more than fighting, a man he did not deem worthy enough to remember outside of the soldiers he could provide. "Tyrion…you've been listening to the reports same as I, what do you see our enemies next moves being?"

Tyrion for his part could only grimace as he mulled over his words carefully. Being the Imp of the Rock had always been a title carried with scorn and disdain, an insult that he wore like armor just to spite those who would use it against him. Now with he eyes of many of the lords of the land on him, Tyrion wished he was still the overlooked Imp they had always claimed him to be. "If I were them, I wouldn't risk an invasion."

"Not risk it?" one of the lords scoffed "Why on earth not? Our enemies have us by the throat, we cannot invade the Riverlands without risking Ser Jaime's life and they know it, nor can we attack King Robert and his forces without leaving ourselves vulnerable to attack from another force. They will invade, Lord Tywin we must shore up our defenses!"

"Quiet, Lord Falwell," Tywin shifts his steely gaze to the man, a thin sort that looked more like a beggar in armor than anything. He carried himself with the same grace of a court jester much like the very sigil his family had on their banners "Let Tyrion speak his piece before you start to act like a royal fool."

The other lords chuckle as Lord Falwell sits resigned in his seat. Tywin motions for Tyrion to continue, one of the few moments the Old Lion would show his son any respect in his life. Truly these were odd times they were living in. "Right…well…with what our reports have indicated it seems that Stannis and Robert are preparing for a larger conflict than we originally anticipated. Scouts have reported a substantial stockpile of supplies in the capital, along with the Storm Lords setting sail. If I were to venture a guess, I would say that Stannis wishes to invade by sea and catch his dear older brother by surprise."

"And what of the Starks and their northern armies?"

Tyrion felt like tugging at his collar. Under his father's piercing gaze, a bad report was most certainly more fatal than a lost battle on the field. "Sightings of those creatures around Harrenhal…if they fared the same as the people of Oldtown then the castle will be undermanned. Personally, I would move troops from other settlements to Harrenhal to make up for this, thus leaving other parts of my territory weakened but still safe behind my front line."

"Then it is as expected. Very well then," Tywin stands, eyeing each of his lords "It appears our path forward is clear then."

"And what path is that my lord?"

Tywin smiles, a look that would send chills down the spines of weaker men. Unfortunately for all but Tyrion, they were weak. Tywin motions to his guards, a single bow and they were off out the door. "As you all have been informed, we have received aid from our own allies across the seas. But why should I speak for them, when they can tell you themselves."

Tyrion turns, a frown marring his face as he watches the guards return escorting two men. One an older man, clearly a lord from how he carries himself, hair a touch of gray showing his age. The man beside him had the bearings of a soldier; silver armor adorned his body hiding the barest hints of white clothes beneath, a silver halberd in his right hand that was as tall as he was shined even in the dimly lit chambers of their council. If Tyrion didn't think him a foreigner the blond hair atop the man's head would have him second guessing his lineage as that of a Lannister.

"My lords, may I introduce you to our allies from the Empire of Sanbreque, Lord Gerald Cole and Prince Dion Lesage," Tyrion felt something within him as his father seemed almost too pleased by their appearance "The answer to our problems."

"I would not be so sure of that, Lord Tywin," Gerald says calmly "We have spent enough time going over the reports you sent to us, and I find it hard to believe that they are true in the slightest."

"And what do you find so difficult to believe?" Tywin returns evenly, eyes narrowing on the foreign lord before him "By all means Lord Gerald, enlighten us."

Gerald gives a nod to Dion, allowing the crown prince to step forward. "What your reports described could only be the Eikons once native to our own lands in Valisthea."

"Eikons?" a lord speaks up, the word sounding foreign to all "What is an Eikon?"

"An Eikon is a blessing of the Mothercrystals native to our lands." Dion explains "We know not if they are Gods made manifest or something else, but they are powerful, dangerous even…were an Eikon to appear, an army would fall. The lands would be reshaped, and entire settlements wiped from the earth."

"And just why is their presence here so troubling to you?"

"Because the reports we have had for years were that one of those Eikons described, the Phoenix, was long since slain at Phoenix Gate."

Tywin's eyes widen a fraction, he casts a glance at Tyrion who too looked like he understood what was being said. Suddenly stories told by the Rosarians so long ago made more sense as did their mannerisms "The Phoenix…it would not happen to be connected to Rosaria and the Grand Duchy would it?"

Gerald frowns "How do you know about that?"

"Because it just so happens that there is a party in these lands hailing from Rosaria…a young Archduke and his sworn shields of which his older brother is one." Tyrion grabs his glass of wine "A Joshua and Clive Rosfield I believe."

"Impossible!" Gerald snarls "The boy…the boy was deemed lost at Phoenix Gate thirteen years ago! And his brother…no…that bastard!"

There was a murmur in the room. Tywin silences his lords with a look. None dared speak up now with their liege lord's attention on them. "Prince Dion, continue, please."

Dion gives a curt nod of his head "If it is true that they both live then the Phoenix is indeed back…the others mentioned that I can identify would be Shiva and Ramuh. Ramuh's Dominant is known to be a man once employed by the Kingdom of Waloed as its Lord Commander, Cidolphus Telamon. He is a tricky one to corner, I nearly had him some time ago when he infiltrated our capital but alas, he got away during our battle."

"Shiva…Ramuh…Dominants…what are they exactly?"

Dion and Gerald share a look. Gerald cutting away as his mind wanders to the one blemish on his family legacy. Dion sighs, addressing Tyrion "Dominants are those capable of becoming Eikons. Cidolphus is Ramuh's Dominant, as Joshua is the Dominant for the Phoenix. Now as for the rest mentioned…I cannot identify any of them."

"And why is that?"

"Because Lord Tywin, in Valisthea there are only seven Eikons and seven Dominants. Your reports mentioned a three-headed dog made of ice, a giant bird, some sort of monster controlling lightning, a sea serpent, and a flaming abomination." Dion sighs "Shiva is the Eikon of Ice, Ramuh for Lightning, Phoenix is the only bird and represents Fire…so the dog, monster and abomination must be something else that your men witnessed or a story they spun for gold. I cannot say that the sea serpent isn't one of ours however…but it is impossible that it even exists."

"Did you lose a…Eikon, was it?" Tyrion for his part found the story interesting enough but he couldn't see how his father was going to fall for what amounted to little more than a tale told in a pub by a poor bard of ill repute.

"Leviathan the Lost. It was said to have existed centuries ago, but it and its Dominant have not been seen since. We thought it a lost Eikon for good reason."

"Eikons…" Tywin mutters under his breath, mind racing with plots and plans "Should we be concerned of their involvement?"

"No, my lord, if your enemies are smart, they will keep the Eikons spread out at key points." Dion's confidence, Tyrion would admit, was inspiring as he spoke "Even if they keep two together, Bahamut will make swift work of them, I assure you."

"Bahamut…with how you speak the word one would think it a real god." Tyrion chuckles "And what is Bahamut exactly?"

"A Dragon."

Tyrion nearly dropped his goblet in shock. A dragon? An Eikon and a Dragon at that…one that, if the young Prince was being honest about, he could become at will. "Well…I don't suppose that Robert Baratheon will enjoy that sight."

Tywin's smile turned predatory at those words "And what of the aid you can provide us with?"

"An entire legion of Imperial Dragoons," Gerald speaks up, drawing up his own conclusions as to what to do in Westeros "Prince Dion can leave posthaste, arrive at Harrenhal and begin to push into he Riverlands. No need to have Lannister banners be raised for this, he'll see to it personally."

Dion's face gave an almost unnoticed twitch before he composes himself and agrees "I understand that your son Ser Jaime is a prisoner…I assure you, no one will know that we are allied in this fight Lord Tywin, your son wont come to harm when I attack."

"Prince Dion," some of the lords flinch at Tywin's tone "If my son is returned to me in one piece, whole and hearty, I will personally see to it that the Empire and his Holiness are welcomed in these lands with open arms. Should harm befall him however, because of your own arrogance or incompetence…you will learn why and how a Lannister pays their debts."

Tyrion takes a slow sip of his wine. Oh yes, his father was back to being the Old Lion of the Rock, but now there was a Dragon amongst the Lions. Much as he had dreamed of seeing a Dragon in the flesh, Tyrion hoped it was all talk…for how could the West survive against one with the sorry state of their own forces now?

Dragonstone

Stannis scowls as he oversees the preparations. Only a week had passed since the ritual, and still his beast had not come to him. He trusted Melisandre, he trusted R'hllor, but he did not trust beasts. Not this one. Not yet. All around him men were transferring supplies from the ships that brought them in to port up into the keep out of the storm that had been brewing all morning. If the beast were to arrive before they were to cast off, then their target would be King's Landing and a swift end to this damnable conflict.

Should the beast not arrive…Stannis had heard concerning reports of wildlings marching south with a large army, far greater than the North could muster in time to counterattack while this war was still going on. Even with the beast he was uncertain if victory was possible.

"Still no sign of it?" Davos, ever the blunt one of the two, asks as he joins Stannis overlooking the preparations "The men aren't concerned if that is what troubles you."

"Every day we spend here, hiding away behind these walls and our fleet, is another day my brother has to prepare for our inevitable battle." Stannis scowl deepens "I would have this war end swiftly Ser Davos. Instead, it draws on longer than the bloody horizon."

"Aye…but just…" Davos shivers "You feel that?"

All around there was a muttering amongst the men. Even Melisandre came out to see what had changed as the air around them slowly began to heat up. The rain had stopped, a mist settling over the port as Stannis and Davos made their descent down the stony steps. Melisandre smiled as her eyes pierced the veil and spied the shadow on its approach to port.

"He is here," she says, her words making Davos and Stannis move swiftly to greet the newcomer.

A lone boat slowly drifts towards the dock. A single sail unfurled and a lone sailor aboard watching from the bow as he approaches his destination. A few of Stannis' men looked uneasy as the boat came to a sudden stop. They offered their hands and assistance to the sailor in disembarking, a gesture that proved futile as the sailor leaps over their heads and lands behind them.

"Halt!" Davos shouts, hand reaching for his sword "You are in the presence of Lord Stannis Baratheon, the rightful king of Westeros. State your name and business here."

Melisandre would have rolled her eyes as she admired the man before her. Davos, while only recently devout to her lord, was still far too entrenched in his former habits and etiquette. "There will be no need of that Ser Davos," she placates him, slowly approaching the newcomer "This…this is our gift from my lord. A beast of fire made flesh and blood."

Something in Stannis' eyes came to life as he now eyed the newcomer with interest. Somewhat wet clothes from the mist and rain, a tattered brown cloak and hood shrouding his face, but nothing could hide that look of him. A body that was light, lean, but honed for combat. He could see the muscle, what little there was compared to his own men, and he could see the blade holstered on his back.

"You there," he says "I would have you remove that hood of yours. Be you a friend, you'll find no need for it here. Be you a foe…you won't have your head for much longer."

The sailor's head turns to Melisandre. She speaks only a few words in the ancient tongue of her lords most devout before the sailor turns and bows to Stannis. "Apologies your grace," his voice is refined…not unlike nobility in its tone "Forgive me, it has been a long journey."

"Aye…your hood," Stannis holds out a hand, motioning for the man to do as commanded.

The men watch, craning their necks to get a glimpse of this newcomer's face. Black hair kept short comes into view as the hood is pushed off his head. Blue eyes stare unblinking at Stannis, a face bearing highborn features for all to see with a resemblance that stirs up memories in some but none they can place. This young lad before them…many had seen him before…they swore it, but they knew not how.

"Your name lad?"

"Apologies your grace…but I was not given a name like any of you." He says politely "I was created by R'hllor to be his Eikon of Fire, Ifrit."

"Eikon?"

"Great beasts that those blessed by the gods can become. Dominants, we are called."

"And you are Ifrit?"

"I become Ifrit…but if a name is what you require of me…there is one that comes to mind."

Stannis felt something curl up inside him. That face…something about the way it set when serious struck him as familiar. And how it relaxed into a look of a bored highborn noble when quizzical… "What name would that be?"

"Snow." The lad responds, "Jon Snow."

AN: ….so…I know you all must have questions. That or a strong desire to hit me over the head with a book for this one. Can't say this is the most uneventful intermission chapter though. Hugo and Oberyn are making plans and gathering the army to march in Dorne. Old Tywin's new friends have finally arrived, and they ride in on the proverbial wings of the Dragon Prince Dion Lesage. Oh…and Gerald is back…ok so maybe I don't have a good enough reason for you all not to kill me for that one making a return. Would it help if I said this is all according to plan or would that just incite a rebellion? …I'll be in the writer's bunker until the next one then. Also, House Falwell…I did not make that up nor did I do any real digging for them. I just looked for the Houses of the Westerlands and they were the literal first one I checked…I needed a foolish lord, who better than a lord of the house with a fool on their banners?

Jebest4781: Well…Stannis has some ideas forming, but we be a long way off from them seeing the trouble they have just caused. As of writing this, dlc has not gone live but as of posting this…maybe it has? We shall see.

Drakon45: Last I checked I was very much alive. Just been holding off on doing anything with this story until the dlc dropped and I had a chance to see if anything at all needed to be reworked besides the obvious Leviathan in the room…but anything else, that would be spoiling the show.

Guest (Fred): In what way? Not angry enough? Not as touching int he heartstrings? Or should I have pulled a Joshua and had somebody punch somebody? Granted, that last one is completely out of left field right now, feels like something I would do but also feels like it wouldnt have worked. But that's life, so you didnt like it...that's your own feelings on the subject and no one can please every reader. But hey, maybe there's something you like that keeps you coming back or maybe you stopped after that. Either way, you enjoyed what you read enough to keep reading for a time.