A/N: EDIT: Well, that's not a lot of feedback. T_T
And here I thought folks would enjoy this being updated twice in one month...with massive chapters at that.
Suppose its getting pushed back in the update rota now...
First off, a WARNING! This chapter's intense!
Second, its a long one; meant to cover a LOT of ground.
Third... really not doing well at the moment. Made this chapter proper hard to write. Throw in a nasty cough and breathing problems besides?
Yeah, not having a good time over here. Hopefully the chapter turned out alright...
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws ever nearer, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. The recent earthquake in Turkey/Syria serves as a terrible example. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning folks don't like this, it won't be continued. If the story itself ain't popular/well-received...well, I won't be able to continue it. I'm working two jobs, holidays are here too, meaning I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Now for your questions, comments, and concerns. There's a lot of them after last chapter!
Q: Update schedule?
A: Playing it by ear for once this month. Tell me what you want.
Q: Who in the f**k sent those goons after Alicent? Who could possibly benefit from that attack?!
A: You'll have to read and see.
In hindsight, I think its rather obvious. But many have already realized Daemon has nothing to do with it. That's not his style. If he wants you dead...well. He's very efficient about it.
Q: What's the pairing?
A: Can't say just yet; only that it will be a different beast than the one in "Foxfire". After all, as stated in the title, its not a question of "if" the Dance of Dragons will happen in this story, oh no...
...'tis a matter of when.
Q: When/where will you upgrade this story to M?
A: Depends on when the fans want it. But we're getting real close to that point...
Q: Naruto better not be whipped in this story! He's a bloody prince, damnit! He shouldn't be bowing to anyone!
A: Um...? He's done no such thing? Targaryens are a power unto themselves and our boy ain't no kneeler.
Alright, I've kept you long enough. Here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
Once more, I own no quotes, references, or memes. Not a wit or a one. NOT! A! THING!
They're all tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me. Now then..
Yer again, warnings for language and the like.
This is Game of Thrones after all...
"I took my last life for granted. I lived a long one, sure, but I didn't really live. By the time I truly understood what living was, everyone was gone.
I won't make that mistake again. This time its different. I'm going to have it all.
I am. Going to. Live."
~?
Dark Words
"An attack in my own home?! Who would do such a thing?!"
Viserys and the Small Council were furious. Rightly so! Naruto would've been furious with them if they weren't. Anger was to be expected after such a brazen attack, horror, only natural. But the outrage he glimpsed on the faces assembled before him only cemented his own. He'd brought himself and a bloody Alicent before them with evidence in hand. The rest, as they say, was history.
Now it fell to them to puzzle out the culprit.
That said, he'd never seen his uncle quite so angry before. Righteous anger was a good look for Viserys; it made him look like a king; indeed, he seemed all of an instant from drawing his sword, stalking down to the black cells, and having a word with the surviving prisoner himself. The man would suffer come morning. Naruto almost pitied them. Almost.
"Do you see now?" Lord Velaryon's face was darker than thunder. "The triarchy has grown too bold. They strike at us from the Stepstones. Here!" his fist thumped down on the table. In the very heart of Kings Landing! We must double-no, triple the guard for the tourney. Should the lords of Westeros learn of this...
Viserys heaved a sigh.
"They will not."
"Bloody Essos!" Otto spat the word like a curse. "They've grown bold. Too bold, if they think they can strike at us here.."
"Agreed." Daemon leaned back in his chair "Say the word brother, and I'll bring fire to the Stepstones.
Naruto quirked a brow. Miracle of miracles were they actually agreeing on something?!
And then Otto ruined everything by turning a pointed glower Father's way.
"Oh?" Daemon slouched in his seat. "You think I had a hand in this? Of course you'd accuse me, you miserable fool. You blame me for everything. Always. My son was there. MY SON saved your daughter." a lopsided smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I daresay you owe him some gratitude. Perhaps you should be kissing his boots...?"
Viserys turned to look his way. "You fought them off? Alone?"
This time, he didn't bother to conceal his smile. "I was well taught."
Daemon preened in his chair.
Lyonel Strong granted him a grave nod. "I would expect no less."
The King granted him a careworn smile. "Well done, nephew of mine...
The Hand of the King took the insult with good grace and looked to him instead. "Do you recall anything they said, anything at all?"
Naruto grimaced. Yes, he did. He dearly wished he hadn't. "They said she would fetch a high price."
Alicent whimpered and tucked herself tighter against his side, all but burying her head in his shoulder. She hadn't let go of his hand since he'd first ferried her out the tower. Not once. He couldn't even blame her. Poor girl was shaken by her brush with death. Anyone in their right mind would be. An absent hand stroked the back of her head as the lords of Westeros denigrated back into baseless bickering. As they did, a small cynical part of him began to wonder who might best stand to benefit from such an attack.
Viserys? No, his uncle was a good man, a kind man...and sadly, a weak man. He would never sanction such a thing.
Daemon might seem the logical conclusion due to his dislike of Otto, but again, there was a flaw there, too. If Daemon knew he and Alicent were growing...fond of one another, he'd laugh himself silly. He likely already suspected it at that. Everyone would after today's display. Who, would want her kidnapped, then?
Grand Maester Mellos? Unlikely. He had nothing to gain from any of this. He looked positively ashen; indeed, he hadn't said a word.
Master of Coin, Lyman Beesbury? The man was old, but he was a firm adherent to the rule of law.
Master of Laws, Lyonel Strong? Honorable. Decent. An ally of Viserys. Another good man.
Master of Ships, Corlys Velaryon. Now there was a chance. The man was ambitious and he undoubtedly stood to benefit now that the Crown's anger was focused firmly on the Stepstones. Driftmark would prosper once the Triarchy was burned out of of there. But was he bold -or desperate- enough to risk such a gambit solely for the sake of his ambition?
By that very logic, Was Otto? Would he really endanger his own daughter to further his own aims? If he hadn't been there...they would have taken her. There could be no doubt about that. Only everything else. The guards had been gone but he'd seen blood on the attacker's swords. Had they fought their way into the keep or been let in, killing those who weren't complicit?
Questions upon questions, riddles upon riddles. It was enough to make his head ache. He wanted to sleep. But there would be none of that today.
"Enough!" Viserys brought a fist crashing down on the table in a rare show of force, responding to something he hadn't heard. "Lord Corlys, we shall tend to the Stepstones after the tourney tomorrow. You have my word." still speaking, he craned his neck to the left. "Daemon."
The Prince of the City sat a bit straighter in his chair, eyes alight. "Brother?"
"How many men can you muster on such short notice?"
A grin. "Ten thousand should suffice...
Lord Velaryon rallied alongside him. "I can rally at least half that much."
"Then let it be done." He rose from his chair and the others followed with a bow. "All of you, be on your guard." his keen gaze raked over each of them in turn. "Watch over your children. We cannot allow this to happen again."
On that, they were in agreement.
Maybe he should check in on his other cousins. If someone was bold enough to strike at Otto's own daughter, Rhaenyra and Laena might be marks as well. He suppressed a shiver at the thought. Neither would be able to defend themselves. Attacking the daughter of the Hand of the King was one thing, but if they went further...he shuddered to think of the consequences. Viserys was a weak man, a good man, but woe to the fool who tried to lay hand on his family...it was then that "weak" men were at their strongest.
A shadow fell over him as the other lords filtered out. Distracted as he was, he didn't realize who until Alicent hugged him fiercely.
"Leave us, my daughter." Otto Hightower loomed over him, blocking his path. "You've more than earned your rest." the implications were left unspoken.
She faltered. "Father, please-
"I merely wish to speak with him."
Her eyes flitted between them. Naruto wondered if she'd stick up for herself...
.
..
...she found her resolve at the last second, bowed her head, and...kissed is cheek. His eyes widened in surprise but she was already gone, scampering out the open doors. A lone Kingsguard peeled off to escort her on her way. Even then, Otto didn't speak until she rounded the bend. "I would you stay away from my daughter. Your presence endangers her."
"Alicent can spend her free time however she wishes." Naruto lifted his chin to scowl up at him. "She isn't your slave...whatever you might think."
"She is no slave of mine. Our hearts are as one. Nothing more."
He quirked a blond brow. "Is that all you have to say to me? If I hadn't been there, she would've been on a barge to Slaver's bay by now."
Otto's jaw clenched as he looked on, muscles working wordlessly as he tried to master himself. He wondered if the man was about to have a stroke.
"You have...my thanks. He bit the words out at last. "For my daughter's safe return."
Oooh he was going to milk this. "Aaaaaand?"
"You love her." It wasn't a question.
Well, damn. He hadn't seen that one coming. Naruto reeled back on his heels a little, unprepared for the sudden statement. Did he? It had been so long since he'd thought of such things. He wasn't sure he knew what love was anymore. Not after his first life. He felt like he could learn to, in time. But love? It was much too soon for that. For now he enjoyed her company.
"I'm fond of her." He retorted at length.
"Will you protect her?
"With my life."
Her father wore a grim smile. "Good."
Wait, good? Why did he feel like he'd just walked into a trap? He shook his head. No, enough. He'd given Otto more ground than he intended. Time to go.
...this has certainly been a stimulating conversation, but I think I've had enough for one day-
"Naruto. What do you want, exactly?
"What do I want?" He paused to look over his shoulder. "How about peace. How does peace sound, Lord Hand?"
A furrow writ Otto's face. "You jest."
"I don't." he pivoted back to face him. "I simply want peace."
"But on your terms." The older man countered.
He shrugged. "My terms are good terms."
His part said, he walked away.
"So long as your father remains Heir, there will be no peace."
The words caught at him. He paused. Blew a quick breath out, and willed his anger to go with it. "Its such a sad thing, isn't?
"What is?"
How little you trust people." he rubbed two fingers together, tutting softly. "You claim to serve the realm but so often you choose to see the worst in people. Not the best. Is it any wonder you're so paranoid? You won't live long with an attitude like that."
He kept walking. This time Otto didn't call out. Ha. Checkmate.
He'd been like that toward the end of his last life. Old. Tired. Paranoid. In his last go around he'd lived too long. A long life, memorable perhaps, yet still lacking all the same. He'd outlived his people, his culture, his very civilization, watched his friends and family fade away. No more. This time it would all be his. It was almost funny, really. Once upon the time he would've found the very idea of two lives absurd. He'd used that forbidden jutsu once and he didn't think he'd ever be able to again. But now he was happy here. So he had to win. Win it all.
No matter what.
Daemon caught him before he could complete his escape. Or rather his hand did.
He was first made aware of his presence by the hand on his shoulder as he left the council chambes, steering him away from the door. He sighed at it.
"You're still going to compete tomorrow, I trust?
He set his mouth in a firm line. "I intend to."
"Good." his "father" squeezed his shoulder. "Make me proud." A pause, followed as some indiscernible emotion flashed across his face . "I am...glad you are unharmed." he drew him into a bruising embrace and squeezed him fiercely. Naruto found himself returning it. That was as much affection as he could expect, given what had happened. "I taught you well boy. If anyone comes for you...
"I'll leave one alive to question." His brow furrowed. What's going to be done with the prisoner.
"Oh, I suspect they'll be quiet talkative once we're through with them."
Naruto blinked. "We?"
Daemon patted him on the back. "Nothing you need concern yourself with...
(.0.0.0.)
"I don't know!"
A man's wail split the black cells.
Interrogation by fire was a terrible thing to behold.
Daemon found a certain poetic justice in the flames. One had to be careful with them. Hot enough to burn, but not powerful enough to consume, banked at just the right temperature to torment without taking the victim's ability to speak. It was a fine art, one you could only perfect through practice. Given enough work, fire could inflict horrors that would have bloody Boltons quaking in their boots.
He had years of it.
And right now he was to terribly angry.
His boy. His heir. His SON. Nearly slain, snatched away, never to be heard from again.
Why, just thinking of it threatened to send his temper pitching over the edge. Which made him more than a bit...aggressive at the moment.
"Who sent you?" he extinguished a burning brand and laid it down on the table, considering the scorched man strapped to it. "Answer truthfully, now, or you will die. Screaming."
"I DON'T KNOW!" his victim thrashed against the table, straining in their shackles. "I swear by all the seven! By all the old gods and the new! A masked man gave us a bag of coin and told us where to go! That's all!"
A knife slammed into his thigh.
"Not good enough. Perhaps we should use wildfire?" he twisted the blade in their flesh, grating it against bone to draw forth a keening cry. "Or would you prefer to feed Caraxes?" wordless gibbering answered him. No, no, no. That wouldn't do. "You see, you didn't just anger me, oh no, you angered quite a few lords with your stunt. One in particular...
He turned to face a shadowy corner.
"What say you. He doesn't seem keen on talking. Perhaps you'd care to try your luck?"
Otto Hightower stepped out the gloom and drew his belt-knife. "This is your last chance. Tell us what we need to know, or the burning continues."
The man warbled. "I don't know!"
"Unfortunately, I don't believe you."
A fresh scream pervaded the black cells, piquing higher and higher...until it broke.
(.0.0.0.)
Under the cover of darkness, two hooded figures met in Flea Bottom.
"Your men failed." The first's remark proved damning.
"Of course they failed." the second smiled. "They were meant to."
"Hmm. Did they know that, I wonder?"
The silence proved most telling.
"One was taken prisoner."
The taller of the two tutted. "As we knew he would be."
"And if he talks?"
"What of it? The fool never saw our faces. He knows nothing-no, less than nothing. Likewise the king remains in the dark."
The first turned away with a scowl. "The prince should not have been there.
"I warned you he might be. You were the one who chose to act. But the boy might make a suitable alternative to Daemon, given the right...leverage.
"How so?"
The first told the second.
...I see." the second sighed. "Then it continues?"
"Aye, the plan continues still."
They parted in silence.
(.0.0.0.)
"Cousin!"
Say what you would about little Laena Velaryon, but she was an energetic child; scarce had Naruto crossed the threshold into her room than she was upon him with a cry, leaping in a swirl of silk and dark skin. He caught her in his arms with a grunt spun, her around once, and set her down on her feet.
It didn't stop her from fretting over him.
Anxious eyes flitted across his face and arms, searching for any sign of injury. "You're alright...?"
"Of course I am." he laughed, batting her hands away. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Father told me bad men tried to kill you."
"They did." he granted her a grave nod. "They failed."
She tilted her head, reminding him of a curious dragon he'd once seen. "Because you killed them first?"
"Because I killed them first." He tussled her pale hair and flung himself into a nearby chair, opting to spare her the grisly details. Poor girl was only twelve. Let her stay pure a little while longer. "Where's your brother?"
"You mean Laenor?" she plonked down beside him. "He's in the gardens with Father. He wants to send him back to Driftmark on the next tide." little hands wrung together, clenching fretfully. "Said it wasn't safe for him here."
A muscle jumped in his jaw. And yet he'd leave Laena behind. That seemed cruel, even for him. Laenor was his heir. The dragonrider. Next to inherit Driftmark. By contrast Laena was simply the spare. No dragonrider she, not yet, and no special talents to speak of beyond an odd propensity for dreams. She was simply a replacement should things go awry. It hurt him to see her diminished to such.
Laena tugged at his sleeve. "I've been dreaming again."
"Have you, now?" he planted one elbow on the table and rest his cheek against it. "What of?"
His little cousin smiled. "Vhagar. I saw her on a sandy beach far, far from here. She was sleeping there; I think she's waiting for me."
Vhagar eh? Now there was a dragon he'd like to meet. She must be ancient now. Massive. Far too large for the dragon pit, . But there was only one dragon for him. Balerion was out there somewhere, like an itch scratching the back of his head, growing stronger every year. They would meet again in the next decade, if not sooner. He knew it. What would transpire during said meeting...well, that was anyone's guess. Who could say, really?
For now there were other things to worry about. Whether the queen would deliver a boy or a girl for one. She'd survived so many births before this, even if most of her children hadn't, yet the king still craved a son...
.
..
...no, best not to think of that for now. He turned back to Laena and flicked her forehad.
She rubbed at it with a whine. "What was that for?!"
"For luck. I'm sure you'll find her someday."
He'd pay to see the look on Lord Corly's face when his daughter turned up with a giant dragon in tow. Speaking of dragons, he really ought to check in on-
"Rhaenyra was looking for you by the way."
Of course she was. "Did she say what she wanted?"
"Mmhmm." Little Laena nodded. "She said something about finding a book you were looking for? On dragon sightings?
Aha!
His eyes lit up. "Best cousin ever, love you, bye!
He kissed her cheek and shot out the door like an arrow.
(.0.0.0.)
He was late.
Why in the seven hells was Naruto always late? Really, it wasn't fair.
He was always running around doing something with someone. Must be a boy thing.
Someone knocked on her door, cutting her thoughts short. Once. Thrice. Once again. Her eyes lit up. She knew that knock.
"Enter~!"
The door swung open, revealing his smiling face. Rhaenyra flung a pillow at it.
"You're late." She chastised him in High Valyrian.
"I am never late." he caught it and laughed using the same language. "I always arrive precisely when I mean to."
"That's your excuse? Last time you said you were helping a blind cat cross the street.
"Was protecting a different kind of kitten this time."
She rounded on him. "Who?
His lips thinned. "Alicent. "You might wanna visit her after this."
Her smile faded as the argument on her lips withered and died. Ah. So it wasn't a lie then. She'd heard a few rumors whispered by the servants but she hadn't wanted to believe them. An attack, here in Red keep. Small wonder she hadn't seen Alicent today. Poor girl must be a nervous wreck.
"I shall." she granted him a nod.
"Good." he strode past her. "Do you have it?"
"I do." Rhaenyra tugged on his arm. "This way. Sit."
Naruto sighed. "Such an impatient little cousin I have...
"Hush." She brought him to her bed, reached beneath the blankets and withdrew a heavy tome bearing a blood red cover. "I found it hidden away in Father's cupboard." An impish grin touched her lips. "I've seen him writing in it more than once."
"Finally!" Naruto nearly hissed in triumph as he set it down on the bed and all but roe it open. His bright eyes were already glued to the contents within. "If he's mentioned Balerion anywhere, its in here."
This again? Confusion tugged at her heart. "Why are you so interest in Balerion? No one has seen him in at least a decade. He's surely dead by now."
Her cousin winked her way. "Is he?"
Naruto always said that. As if he knew. His fervor for finding dragons frightened her sometimes. At others...well. Best not to speak of that. Father likely wouldn't approve of such a match. Desperate to distract herself, she steered the conversation to safer waters. "I understand you're competing in the joust tomorrow."
"Not competing," he hummed, turning another page. "Winning. There's a difference."
Aha! There it was, the heart of the matter. For all his claims of humility and kindness, he could be could proud at times.
She tilted her head to regard him and blew a strand of pale hair out her right eye. "Which one?"
"All three. Archery, the joust, and the melee. I've got a statement to make."
Reality broke like a thunderclap. So that was his game. This would be his first real tournament, the first time the lords and ladies of Westeros saw what he could truly do on the field of battle. A pleasant little thrill coursed through her, warming her face. She stamped it down with a scowl.
"Ambitious of you...and unlikely. There will be many seasoned knights there."
For some reason that only seemed to amuse him. His shoulders shook in silent mirth.
"I certainly hope so." He leafed to another page. "Wouldn't be any fun if they went down without a fight...
Gods above he could be such a boy sometimes! "Stay there."
He listened halfheartedly, eyes still glued to the book.
Rhaenyra left him to it, darted to her ribbon box and fiddled around inside it for a bit. Soon enough she found what she sought. A strip of deep black cloth, laced with threads of red. She drew it forth, shut the box and ran back to him. He paid her no mind...until she began to tie it around his wrist. It fit, just as she knew it would.
Bright eyes flicked up to consider her and the little bauble she'd just given him. "What's this?"
"My favor." she preened. "I expect you to wear it under your armor tomorrow."
"I don't have any say in the matter now, do I?"
"You do not~!"
"Alright...and thank you." He kissed her forehead. "I'll wear it well. Help me read this passage here...
Together, they went back to reading.
(.0.0.0.)
The tourney began with the trumpets.
Viserys certainly loved his spectacles. Naruto couldn't even bring himself to blame his uncle for them; he was the dragon, likewise, he was also the crown and it was the crown's job -duty!- to project strength at all times. But this was...hmm. What was the word?
Excessive. Yes, that was the one.
His uncle had organized three contests of skill in honor of his heirs soon-to-be birth. Archery, joust, and a test of arms.
He was looking forward to the latter. Not so much the former.
Drums emblazoned with dragons beat out a tempo as men and women waved dragon banners from the stands bove. Even the "announcer" of this festivities had dragons stitched into his clohtes. Dragons. Everywhere he looked, dragons. Red and black, black and red, red and black. Even his own armor today was a rich, bloody scarlet, a contrast to his father's own black. He hated armor. It slowed him down...a little. The ridiculous dragon-winged helmet left his face open at that, which he found even more ridiculous.
'Well, I did ask for the challenge...
His eyes swept over the arena once more. The stands were packed with noble lords and ladies whose names he couldn't be bothered to remember. The knights...now those were a different matter; if only because he saw a great many banners he knew by heart. Stark. Lannister. Baratheon. Great names for great houses. He also saw Bolton and of course, Hightower among them.
There was another challenger tearing his way through the lists, one Criston Cole of the Stormlands. The son of a steward, if word was to believed.
"Naruto, son of our beloved prince Daemon, will select his first opponent in a test of arms!"
Ah, that was his cue. Showtime.
Bright eyes raked over the knights assembled. He could have chosen Otto's son, but that seemed in poor taste at the moment. Alicent would never forgive him if he brutalized her brother. Not the Starks either, they were a dour lot, but he didn't have anything against them. The Lannisters might be fun to smack around, but not too much...
Eventually his gaze settled on Ser Criston Cole himself.
He'd unhorsed both of the Baratheon lads already in the joust. Doubtless he'd give Daemon trouble...
.
..
...hmm. Best to nip that in the bud early.
"You." he drew his sword and pointed at the hedge knight. "You'll do."
Credit where it was due, the knight bowed and hefted his weapon. A flail by the look of it. Hmm. He couldn't remember the last time he'd fought against a flail.
"Begin!"
Metal hurtled in at his face. He grinned.
Criston Cole was skilled. Very skilled. He wielded that flail of his like he'd been born with it; more than that, he was cautious. No arrogance, no wasted moves, no preening or posturing like some proud peacock. It almost reminded him of...oh.
Was that it?
He pivoted and to his great delight, Ser Criston matched him move for move, ringing the side of his helmet like a gong. Gasps went up from the crowd as his ears rang. He grit his teeth in a laugh and lashed out, only to find himself rebuffed. Time and time again that stoic shield interposed itself between him and certain defeat. Who was he really under that helmet? He wanted to know; no, he needed to now. Faster and faster the tempo went until all he could hear was the blood rushing in his ears, the hammering of his own heart. How long had it been since he'd hard a proper fight?
Long. Too long. Far too long.
He let Cole's flail curl around his blade and yanked backward, tearing it out of his grasp. Pivoting on one heel, he whirled and hurtled it well out of reach. No more of that annoying weapon.
The son of the steward froze, unarmed at the last.
Naruto tore his spare blade free from his belt and flung it at his feet. "Pick it up."
The knight hesitated.
"Pick. It. Up." he all but growled the last word.
Cole knelt slowly, never once taking his eyes off him.
Just how much longer was he going to take!? "C'mon, pick it up!"
Criston could eye him all he liked. He had no intention of ruining this moment. Not when he had finally found some semblance of a challenge. He was going to savor this moment...and the promise it offered.
At length Ser Criston stood, borrowed blade in hand.
"Well met." he saluted him with his sword. "You are a man of honor, just as I'd heard."
...I'm really not." mirroring his stance, he stepped in. "Just a man."
Now for the moment of truth. Their blades clashed, flashed, and sprang apart.
Naruto saw his opening and swung high, knocking his helmet askew and raking a bloody line across his cheek.
Dark hair framed a tanned face from which startled eyes shone. Dornish. The man was Dornish...and an utter stranger to him. It only further inflamed his confusion. He himself looked different as a Targaryen. This could be anyone. He'd known more than a few swordsmen in his day. Was he just that good...? Or perhaps...?
The announcer boomed his approval. "First blood to the prince!"
Cole closed with him. They collided in a storm of swords and all the world fell away to dull grey. Clash! Clang! Block! Riposte! Thrust! Parry! Ser Criston gave as good as he got, he'd give him that. Time and time again their blades collided in a dance of death, and time and again the dornishman surprised him with his skill. His shield was useless here; he cast it aside and braved his blade with both hands, the better to put more strength into his swings.
Finally he saw his opening. Cole's sword swept and landed a heavy strike on an arm. Steel skittered off steel as the vambrace shattered; even as it did his eyes sparked with triumph. Gotcha. Grinning from ear to ear, he ignored the pain that spiked down his arm and followed through to sweep his legs.
Ser Criston Cole crashed down on his back in a heap. Dazed eyes blinked up at him. "What was that...?
"That was me," Naruto growled, looming over him, "knocking your arse to the dirt." when the older man drew a knife he stamped down on his wrist, planted a boot on is chest and touched the sword to his throat. "Now yield. Don't make me destroy you."
...then I yield." The knight did so with a laugh. "Well fought my lord."
Naruto squinted down at him. "Who are you, really?
A baffled blink. "Just a hedge knight, my lord."
Was he? He glared at Ser Criston, searching for something. A sign of chakra. Recognition in his eyes. Something. Anything. He found nothing. Not a spark, not an ember, nothing at all. You couldn't hide chakra. You were born with it, just as he'd been reborn with his, or born without it. And from Ser Criston Cole he sensed...nothing. Not a drop of it.
No. He was normal. Completely, utterly, normal.
Distantly he heard the crowd cheer his name as he let Ser Criston up. The latter grabbed his arm and held it high, pumping his fist into the air. It did him little good. A swell of bitter disappointment drowned Naruto's hopes and choked his good mood. For a moment there he'd almost hoped, nearly dared to believe someone might've followed him into this reincarnation...but now. Even now he was alone. The thought tore a bitter laugh from him. He needed a drink. Something strong. Maybe a whore or two to take the edge off.
He left the field, tears stinging in his eyes.
Always alone.
Always.
(.0.0.0.)
There would be no peace while he slept.
Only a few short hours later, the realm shattered.
And so it finally began. The first steps. Leading to the Dance.
(.0.0.0.)
Disaster struck the next morning.
Naruto woke to a fierce pounding on his door; one to match the din beating in his head.
"Go awaaaay," he groaned into his pillow. "M'tired...
He vaguely recalled stumbling around the Red Keep, bottle in hand until he ran into...someone. He'd slumped against them, they'd wrapped an arm around his waist and helped him back to hos room. Memory went fuzzy after that. An arm flailed around and failed to find anyone nearby. Mercifully, his bed was empty. Well thank heaven for small mercies.
The pounding ceased as the hhe door swung open. Crashed, really.
"Alicent...?" He blinked blearily.
Her face went redder than her hair as she saw his bare chest. Her lips moved, almost numbly. "She's dead."
"Who is?" he pushed himself upright.
Her face went redder still. "Are you drunk?
"Hungover." Naruto palmed his face. "Don't wanna talk about it. Who died...?
Alicent took a deep breath. Then she told him. "The queen."
And the world changed.
(.0.0.0.)
Targaryen funerals were a grim affair.
Naruto had been to his fair share before in the past, but never quite one like this. Two bodies lay upon the pyre before them. One large, the other small. Two lives lost in so short a time, two smiling faces he'd never see again. Dozens of people had gathered near the capital to send them off here, on a hill some miles outside the Red Keep, just shy of the sea. He found some lovely irony in that.
Aunt Aemma had always loved the sea.
He hadn't known her all that well. He'd made an effort in the past but now he found himself wishing he'd tried that much harder. Could he have done something? Could he have saved her? He didn't know. The uncertainty of it gnawed at him like an old dog with a bone. If he'd been awake, aware, not drunk off his arse wallowing in self pity...
.
..
...would they still be alive?
There was no way of knowing. And not knowing
Syrax loomed in the distance, crouched and awaiting orders. Caraxes wheeled down to join her. For once, neither dragon snapped at one another. Even they understood the solemnity of all this. The King's family had been destroyed. Nothing would be the same. No amount of fire and blood could bring back the dead. Even now he could feel Alicent staring at his back, wanting to comfort him. No just him, but Rhaenyra, Daemon, even poor Viserys himself. Too kind, that girl. Too kind by half.
He heard Daemon whisper something to Rhaenyra over his shoulder. "They're waiting for you."
Naruto looked to his cousin. She looked even worse than he felt. Her eyes red, wet with unshed tears she refused to let fall. Stubborn little cousin. Even now at her lowest point she was a fierce dragon; wounded perhaps by loss but refusing to
Viserys, meanwhile, looked like a broken man. No, that was too kind. Hollow eyes gazed upon the pyre as though he were contemplating flinging himself upon to burn with his wife and infant son. He didn't know what had transpired in that birthing chamber to break him so. He didn't want to know; if only because he knew he wouldn't like it.
"I wonder," Rhaenyra spoke, softly -suddenly!- her voice a low, agonized rasp, "During those few hours my brother lived, if my father finally found happiness."
Daemon nudged her. "Your father needs you now more than he ever has."
She looked away. "I will never be a son."
"No. You won't." Naruto sighed over the pained noise she made, cutting her off before she could fly into a rage. "You must be better than one." He reached over to squeeze her hand. "And you will be."
Rhaenyra latched on tight and squeezed back. She squeezed so hard he felt her nails bite into his skin.
"I don't want to say goodbye." her words were a whisper.
"Then don't. Remember your mother for who she was, for how she lived, not how she died.
She rallied a little. Tried to speak, faltered at first. Rallied when he nudged her.
He looked to her. She looked to him. They looked back to the pyre.
And then. Together. "...Dracarys."
Syrax and Caraxes exhaled.
The bodies burned.
A/N: The first domino falls.
And there we go. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Well? Should this be continue? What say you? Yay or nay! Really need to hear back from you all, here.
As ever, the Embers rule Remains; sad as that may sound, its the truth. If folks don't like this story...well, it won't be continued. Most likely, I'll leave the first chapter up and consign the rest to the void it comes to that. I haven't the time to write something folks don't like. Two jobs keep me terribly busy as such that I have barely any time to write.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Now, then...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly!
And as ever, Le warning!
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Granted, some are pretty far in the future, but still.
(PREVIEW)
"MY WIFE AND SON ARE DEAD! I will not suffer crows that come to feast upon their corpses!
"DID YOU SAY IT?!"
"I have decided to name a new heir.
Daemon bridled. "I'm your heir."
"Not anymore."
"I'm sorry to lay this burden upon you, nephew...
Her eyes flashed. There was a spark of...something there.
Naruto wanted to act on it. So very badly.
Somehow, he restrained himself.
He caught the crossbow bolt in his hand.
"Always loved crossbows." he grinned. "Never used 'em myself. They take too long to reload. I, on the other hand...
He whirled and flung it back, skewering them in the face. Their corpse pitched back. The others balked
"My turn."
"Go ahead. Run for it. More fun for me."
The Iron Throne.
Naruto had never seen such an uglier chair in all his life. Ugly perhaps, but powerful all the same. The greatest seat in all the realm, the throne of the king, highest of all, bringing seven kingdoms to heel. Pity his uncle was so weak. King Viserys was a good man to be sure, the realm had never seen better since the reign of Jaehaerys himself, but he lacked the strength of his predecessor.
He ran an idle hand over it with a sigh. "How could anyone want this...? And why do I...?
It was time.
For the first time in decades.
Here and now, Balerion spread his wings and took flight.
A shadow blotted out the sun. Peasants screamed. Lords and ladies cowered in fear.
Damon smiled throughout it all. "That's my boy...
Hope you enjoyed~! =D