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Hadrian watched as the procession of the Iron Bank departed. "She seemed upset." He muttered as his wives joined him on the floor.

"You were supposed to be out until the evening. What happened?" Missandei questioned as she hugged his side.

"A small insurgent group was found near the greenhouses." Hadrian started explaining.

Earlier that morning

Hadrian stepped out onto the cool morning air. The guards had informed him recently of a suspicious group that had been near the border for days. Of course Hadrian's wards alerted the Unsullied and guard leaders of any attempts on damaging the city. Normally they would be enough to find the people, detain them for information, then if the plan was bad enough kill them and end the threat. They would never normally get their lord involved unless it was something of magic, needed the help from the dragons, or another army looking to attack their home.

"What is going on?" Hadrian asked as he hopped off Samira, meeting his commander.

"Sir, we had a ward disturbance in this sector not but an hour ago. Upon entering the area, we noticed the alarm being set off for a high magical disturbance." The commander by the name of White Talon told him. "We successfully cleared the area and subdued the instigators but before we could uncover what was happening, they all started bursting into magical flames."

"Hmm, have the gate guards tighten security for the six months. Have them inspect any person coming into the city with any kind of bag." Hadrian commanded.

"It will be done, my lord." White Talon slammed his fist to his chest.

"Good, now let's see what sort of magic these people were trying to bring down onto my city." Hadrian said, pulling out his dagger.

Pricking his finger, Hadrian allowed his blood to drop to the ground. "Revela mihi abscondita tua." He muttered as his blood soaked into the ground.

A deep red light seemed to appear as small circles began to form on the ground. Each section seemed riddled with runes of an unknown language outline the circles. Hadrian's eyes curiously watched as new lines seemed to take form as they were trying to connect together. 'Sacrificial summoning.' Hadrian thought as he had seen similar circles in Valyria. 'But what were they trying to summon?'

Hadrian continued to watch as his blood danced along the lines. His own magic and curiosity powering the runes as he continued to ponder what it was they were hoping to accomplish. His magic continued to pull from the leylines as the circle was slowly completing. More runes seemed to pop up as his blood crept closer to completing the lines. Ancient Valyrian runes started to appear as the inner circle was started. They spoke in chant to an ancient flame, a God of Light and fire. Hadrian then cut off his magic. He knew what these people were here for. They wanted him.

Present

"And I know exactly where they want me to go." Hadrian said, explaining his findings.

"There are only a few places in the entirety of Essos that allow the practice of R'hllor." Missandei said, thinking about the cities.

"We can knock out the Western cities as they would not wish to incur your wrath like the Slaver's Bay cities have. So we need to look to the East." Daenerys said remembering the last reports from their spy network in the major cities.

"So that leaves us with Volantis and Asshai." Hadrian said as he looked out. "I will need a guide. Maybe our new friends could be of assistance."

Westeros Highgarden

Willas walked through the gardens with a smile on his face. Many days and nights have passed since his injury as a young man. Now that he finally got his health back, well he was not going to lose it again. His father had been a mixed bag of jealousy as they arrived into Old Town. The three weeks of travel had allowed plenty of time for decisions to be made by Lord Stark and his father. The talks had gone on so long that his grandmother had gotten involved. He still remembered the verbal beat down his father had received when they had arrived in Highgarden.

Flashback one week prior

He walked toward the center of the throne room with his sister, grandmother, and the two Stark girls. He already knew that his father was in a bad mood from the spilt wine on his shirt and the flinching the servants were doing. "Those blasted Starks... if only Loras did not stay in King's Landing." His father muttered as he did not notice them approaching. "Get me Garlen. We need to sort this mess out before they get back."

"Before who gets back?" Olenna questioned. "What did you do?"

"Well... I..." Willas watched his father's features grow increasingly pale as his grandmother approached.

"What you, you, you what? Come now spit it out." Olenna's stare bore into his poor father.

"Well... I... have been working on the betrothal agreement." Mace replied. "It seems like the Starks are demanding too much. So I was hoping to change some things."

"Oh, and what exactly did you wish for?" Olenna asked.

"Well, I was hoping to have a higher revenue from taxes and reduction on the goods being delivered from Avalon." Mace sputtered out, causing Margaery's ears to perk up at the mention of the fabled city.

"You stupid fool!" Willas heard his grandmother yell. "Do you have any idea on what it took to get this alliance and trade deals complete? No, of course not. That would require you to have anything going on up in that head of yours."

"But mother... we.." Mace tried to argue.

"I had spent the last month working on getting in with Avalon. That city is a literal gold mine." Olenna said, poking her son in the chest. "You will send the offers back out as I have requested, or so help me Mace we will be looking for a new lord of Highgarden. The man literally healed your son, your heir, and protected the other protected your daughter's virtue."

"But mother! They demand too much." Mace complained. "A deduction of our grain prices in the coming winter months. The access to our ships for protection from the Iron Islands and pirates. Military support against bandits and other kingdoms. Finally free access to our cities. Honestly mother, it is too much for a simple bride price."

"And in doing so we get access to the North with all their game furs and clothes for winter. Direct access to Avalon's docks for any of our ships with our crest. Excuse access to direct imports from the city. An alliance with three of the other Kingdoms and a city that has the Iron Bank as a backer." Olenna ripped apart every last one of her son's terrible excuses.

"We are on the knife's edge and it is not getting any better. War will soon be upon us. And I for one would rather have the support of an entire bank than to deal with it alone." Olenna said finishing off her son. "Now get those betrothal contracts signed and sealed, before Willas will be doing it for me instead."

"Yes mother." Mace said fearing anymore. "Willas I am in need of one of your falcons."

Flashback ended

It had felt good to see the smiling face of his grandmother when it came back with it signed and sealed by her brother as acting Lord of Winterfell. As much as he hated to say it, but Joffrey's mistake has become a huge blessing for him. He just hoped that war held off for a little while longer.

Mace paced his room as he looked out the window. 'Damn you mother.' He thought as the letter from Tywin laid on his desk. 'If you would only have not made the foolish decision to help the cripple of a son, we would have been fine.'

He had sent the letters to the respected people just a couple of hours passed. 'Of course the contracts had been made and accepted already.' He thought as took a gulp of wine. 'He was just a puppet for his mother. He will never do anything without her.' He mocked the whispers even in his own castle.

Looking at the letter again, Mace smiled. He quickly grabbed a piece of paper and his seal. 'I will prove I can make better decisions than my mother.' Mace thought as he started writing.

King's Landing

Cersei smiled as her son ascended the throne. Her father was on his way to the city. The Seven Kingdoms were hers and her families. The foolish husband had pushed away any help he could have had. Lord Stark rode to his frozen land, his own brothers ran from his anger, and the remaining Kingdoms were weak and fragile to help him. It had been a plan long in the process, but she had done it. First thing was to rid the city of her late husband's spawn then with the assassins on their way to kill the men who almost ruined it all, well all the better.

Flashback Two weeks

Cersei watched as wolves of the north fled from the capital. It did not matter to her as she had already made plans for such a circumstance. "Ser Meryn, can you have this sent out to my associates in the Crownlands. It seems like some filthy beasts are attacking our farms and need to be killed." Cersei called out.

"Of course your grace." The man said with a smile while he nodded to his fellow Kingsguard.

'That should take care of that.' She thought as set down her quill.

Her orders were for her husband to be happy. The fool even took her cousin out with him. 'It was like he was practically asking to die.'

"Your grace." Pycelle said as he came into the room. "You requested me?"

"Yes, I need the last small council's conversations." Cersei said.

"Of course, your grace." Pycelle said, bowing. "It seems that your husband's brother, Renly, is his new hand of the king."

"Of no importance. What of the assassination? Did they get the Faceless Men to do the job?" Cersei took a mental note to make sure that Renly was either taken care of soon or in chains.

"Unfortunately, your grace, we were unable to acquire them. It seems the very attempt was met with severe backlash from them as they stated their god wishes to leave the man alone." Pycelle said looking uncomfortable about the very topic.

"Of course, the gods." Cersei mocked. "What about the others? Has there been any responses from my father?"

"He has sent multiple letters out to his grace as well as Highgarden and Sunspear requesting marriage agreements." Pycelle replied with a shaky voice.

'That asshole.' She thought of her father. 'He is planning on selling off my children. Well we will have to see about that.'

"I have a copy of his letters right here." Pycelle said, pulling them out for her.

"Leave them on my table and go." She commanded as she got up to fetch more wine from her stash.

Few hours later

Cersei tore apart the letters her father had sent. He dared sell her sons to those whores. No she would not allow that. She needed them close to ensure that she had the proper control over this situation. "Ser Meryn. I need your assistance." Cersei called out as she started her letters.

"Your grace." Meryn called out, opening the door. "You called?"

"Yes, I need your discretion." Cersei said, pulling up letters. "I need help getting rid of certain pests that my father wishes to bring into this castle."

"Who is it that you wish for your grace?" Meryn asked, his loyalty proven.

"You see, my father wishes to have my sons be wed to questionable women." Cersei said. "I wish to ensure that they do not ever get a chance."

"Give me the names, and it will be done." Meryn said.

"Excellent. Here are the letters. I expect this to be done quietly." Cersei said.

"Of course, your grace." Meryn slammed his fist to his chest.

A week later

Cersei did what she was meant to and played the good wife. She rushed to her husband's side when he returned injured. Seeing the wounds she knew he was done. No one could survive the wound as his guts were barely being held in. She was already told he had a few moments before he passed. "Robert..." Cersei whispered out, touching his face. "Please leave us. I wish to be with him until the end."

"Cersei..." Robert coughed out, his eyes no longer in the drunk cloud that it was normally under. "I should not gone on the hunt..."

"Save your strength." She replied, frowning.

"No... I need to say this..." He wheezed out. "I am sorry for not being the husband you deserved... I did not do my duty to you..."

"No, you didn't but we dealt with it." She smiled.

"Joffrey will need council... He will need someone strong by his side..." Robert wheezed out, blood pooling on his lips. "My son will need someone to challenge him as you did me... I agree... with your father on the marriage arrangements..."

Cersei stopped and stared at the man. He truly believed that everything would be fine. She watched as blood seemed to start pouring into his mouth as his eyes started to cloud. "I will let you in on a secret before you die." She said, smiling sweetly. "Your children were never yours."

She watched in sadistic glee as anger flared in Robert's eyes. "You think, after all the times you touched those whores, called out that dead bitch's name, that I would allow you to ever touch me." She said, twisting the knife further. "After our first son's death, I blamed you. He came from you. Died because of you. Now, that you are gone. No one will touch me again without my permission."

Robert tried to move in his anger only for his strength to fail him as the light slowly dimmed in his eyes. "Goodbye Robert. You are a worthless excuse of a husband." She said a final time as she watched the man she hated die.

Cersei made sure he was dead before she walked out the group around the door. She played the part, as fake tears rolled down her face and being held by her brother for comfort. Inside she smiled as she would put her son on the throne. Then she would help change this world and destroy all who opposed her.

King's Road before Robert's death

Ned rode hard with his men as they started the trek back to Winterfell. "My lord, I believe we need to get more distance from this city." Jory said as the half of the day's travel had them still in the Crownlands.

"Aye, unfortunately we are with people who aren't going to endure the pace." Ned replied.

"We need to get to the Riverlands before tomorrow or else I fear the worst." Jory stated, the feeling of dread was on all of them.

"We will do what we can. Hopefully we can get a good distance from King's Landing at that time." Ned said as the sun began to set. "We need to make camp soon."

"Men, find us a good place to rest. We need to set up for the night." Jory called out. "I want a perimeter with 5 guards in rotation every 4 hours. Get to it."

Ned smiled as he saw his men heading to the campsite they had found on their trip to King's Landing. They had traveled hard putting a lot of ground between them and potential followers. He knew however with night they were going to be the most vulnerable to attack. He was not foolish to believe that Cersei would let him leave after knowing the truth about her children. He had attempted to talk to Robert but he had left for a hunt after dismissing him.

"Lord Stark," Jory called out, bringing him out of his melancholy. "We have received word that your son is bringing the armies of the north down to meet us. Once we reach the Riverlands we will have a safer time."

"Good. Sooner we escape these lands the better." Ned replied as he entered his tent.

That night Ned tossed and turned. Sleep had not come easy to him since his daughter's assault. He had started seeing hidden blades at every corner in the castle. Every citizen was an assassin waiting to cut his throat. Even on the road he still did not sleep. Feeling parched, Ned stepped out into the warm night air. His senses picked up on a scent he was familiar with in his youth. "Blood." He murmured before commanding. "Everyone awake, we are under attack!"

Ned listened as his men rushed to grab their weapons. The battle cries rang out into the night causing the sound to be thunderous in Ned's ears. Gripping Ice, he saw the first man rushing him. Ned dodged the rusted blade as he pulled the greatsword up and through the man's stomach. The Valyrian steel sang as it cleanly cut through the man. Ned turned to the next man as his men fought against the attackers. He brought down Ice into the neck of another man attacking his own. "Jory!" Ned called out as he killed a man after he lost his blade killing his own. "Where in the Seven Hells did these men come from?"

"I do not know my lord." Jory said as he parried a blade aimed for Ned. "I was unable to get to the lookouts location."

"We need to find out why this happened." Ned said as Ice cleaved a man in half.

Ned smiled as he saw his daughters' dire wolves joining in as they dragged two men away from his own. Ned was never more glad for them being here than he was now as he saw them weaving through the men attacking the non-northern men with hit and run tactics.

The battle lasted for several minutes as the Northern men began to fight in unison, cutting down any that were told in their way. By the end, Ned's strength had finally failed him as he used Ice as a crutch. Jory looked at his lord as they had both received many cuts but none were life threatening. "How many did we lose?" Ned asked as the remaining raider had a spear plunged into his heart.

"We lost fifteen men." Jory said, looking at the bodies. "The bystanders are the real victims... we lost most of our people."

"Are any of these butchers alive?" Ned asked, coming across Septa Mordane.

"One sir, however we will not be able to get any information from him." Jory said, pulling a dead man up revealing a cutoff tongue. "Whoever sent them was thorough."

"Damn it all to hells." Ned whispered as he came across Thorin kneeling next to his mother. "Lad, are you ok?"

"Do I look OK?" Thorin yelled as tears poured down his cheeks. "My mother is dead! And there was nothing I could do."

"These men were hired by someone." Ned said, kneeling next to the lad. "Whoever did this knew where we would be. There is only a small group who would know that and those people contain a huge amount of power behind them."

"So I am just supposed to do nothing?!" Thorin yelled the anger Ned saw from Robert.

"I am not saying anything." Ned said, pulling the young man up. "I am saying you need to train. You will need to become stronger to get your vengeance."

"Fine." Thorin muttered, giving his mother one last look. "Please can we bury her where she will be remembered. We didn't have much but she was my mum."

"We will have her buried in the Royal Catacombs of Winterfell. There we will symbolize her as a lass who defended the Lord of Winterfell and her son." Ned replied.

"Thank you." Thorin muttered as he watched the men preparing burial rites and moving the dead spots to bury them.

The next week had been hard on Ned as they rode almost day and night until they hit the Riverlands. They had reached a small inn where he saw his wife for the first time in weeks, and Tyrion Lannisters being held at sword point. "Cat?"

Moments prior

Catelyn was sitting with Sir Rodrik in the far corner. They had rode far this week considering the route they were taking. Still she wished that they could stay in safer locations. The inn hardly had what many would consider great accommodations. She sat in the far corner hoping to not be seen.

Tyrion was on his way to Casterly Rock. The trip from the North had not ruined his spirits. "A round for everyone here." He called out as he walked into the room.

Catelyn held onto the dagger for all it is worth. It was the same dagger that had tried to kill her son. Thankfully he was gone from the room at the time. She just wished the imp would just ignore her and not see her. Of course the gods seemed to test her this day as she heard, "Lady Stark. I was not expecting you in such an establishment." Tyrion called out as he walked towards her.

"Lord Tyrion, how good to see you again." She smiled, dagger still in her hand.

"My, it must have been quite the journey." Tyrion replied. "I had been at Winterfell not but a week ago. I must have missed you."

"Yes, I went to visit my father before heading south to see my husband." Catelyn's eyes darted to Rodrik.

"Ah, good. Well, I will let you get back to your dinner." He said, before his smile disappeared into a frown. "My lady, that dagger. Where did you procure it?"

"This," Catelyn frowned.

"Yes, it seems to be my missing blade. I had lent it to Little Finger.." He started to say before he felt a blade to his chest.

"What in Seven Hells is going on?" Catelyn turned to see her husband a little worse for wear.

"Ned..." Cat muttered out.

"Lord Stark, I was just trying to let your wife know that the blade currently at my chest happened to belong to me. The same blade that I had won off of Little Finger but then allowed him to borrow for a set amount of money as it is a fine blade." Tyrion said out loud. "I was hoping to get it back as soon as I reached King's Landing."

"Ned, this blade was on an assassin that attempted to kill Bran in hopes to keep him quiet." Catelyn accused.

"And which sane man gives an assassin his own blade? My lord, please talk some sense into your wife." Tyrion countered. "The very same son I just offered multiple things to help in his recovery. Tell me why I would do any of that."

"Take Lord Tyrion to my tent. I would like to talk to him." Ned commanded, the tiredness from him seemed to overwhelm him. "Cat, what are you doing here?"

"We received word of Sansa's assault. I will not sit by when my own daughter needs me." She argued with him as the men moved to take Tyrion out of the Inn.

"Still, attacking another Lord. You know that old Lion will not take this lying down." Ned said, rubbing his eyes.

"What would you have me do? He just said it was his own blade." Cat argued.

"I will discuss this later. I need to see to our guest." Ned ended the back and forth.

Ned walked back out with Cat behind him. She looked at the men he had with him. All of them seemed tired and sore from a long hard ride. She followed suit as Ned stepped into the tent. "I am sorry for the inconvenience my Lord. My wife has been on edge with everything that has happened. Now, how did your blade end up in the hands of an assassin?"

Tyrion sat on a small chair next to a small table that Ned had. "Well, as I was telling you earlier, I had given it out on a loan to Little Finger before I had traveled North. The man said he had need of it to threaten people that did not pay. He paid me five hundred crowns as a payment to use the blade." Tyrion said, pulling the contract from his satchel.

Ned read the contract going over everything. "It seems that House Stark owes you an apology." Ned said, putting his hand up to silence his wife.

"No harm done. After all, I would have done the same thing for my family. Well the children and my brother anyways." Tyrion said, a smile gracing his lips. "What news have you heard?"

Ned sighed. He started to relay the recent events that had taken place in the South. He spoke of recent events up till he departed for the North. "My word." Tyrion muttered as he gauged the information. "Are you certain that is all?"

"Aye, I was hoping to get an update." Ned said as he scratched his beard.

"Then you might want to sit down. I heard through the common folk that King's Landing is currently in mourning at the loss of the King." Tyrion said as he allowed Ned to take the seat.

"Dear gods," Ned muttered as his eyes became wet with grief.

"Yes, apparently Joffrey is to take his place on the throne." Tyrion said, pouring himself and Ned a glass of fire whiskey.

"Robert took him out of succession." Ned angered as he downed the glass. "That bastard is lucky his head didn't roll."

"Yes, well it seems my dear sister had different plans." Tyrion replied as he poured another drink for Ned.

"War will be declared soon. The lands will be torn between the factions at this." Ned replied.

"It gets worse." Tyrion said, pulling out a letter he received at the last town. "It seems like my father is already on the move. With me here, I believe he is on his way to the Iron Throne as both of Robert's brothers are making moves for the throne. The Ironborn are acting up again as well."

"Of course those damn bastards could not pick a worse time for this." Ned replied, sighing. "What are your plans?"

"Well, I had planned on traveling to a new location. Though with how everything is shaping out, I will have to turn to my father." Tyrion said, the frown on his face was the indicator of how much he enjoyed the decision.

"Let your father know that we will not be hostile to him." Ned said as he finished his drink. "However, shall he bring this war to my family. The North will join the fray."

"I fear it may already be too late for that, my lord." Tyrion said. "I believe my father has made plays to ensure he undermines the very things you are trying to build. I just pray that you allow the children to be sent away from all of this."

"If you can get them away, then I will make sure they are not harmed." Ned replied as both men shook on it.