Hi guys! Guess who? It's me!

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Huge thanks to old man of the mountain and KingofIreland for helping me with the chapter.

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This chapter is dedicated to my dearest grandmother - artist, queen, and inspiration, who died on this day, 24/02/2024

On Angel's Wings, She Flew from Suffering

RIP

Ecclesia II

"Ecclesia, could you calm down for a moment? You're going to wear down the floor."

The blonde saint stopped her pacing and looked at him with a frown. "Sorry, but I can't help it! You saw what that man did!"

Albaz grimaced as he flashed back to the…spar. The defeat was bad enough, but the man had nearly stabbed him through his heart!

He sighed. "Yeah, I'm not happy about it either. He said it was a spar, why did he act like that?"

Ecclesia crossed her arms and frowned. "I don't know…maybe he was just mean. Some people are like that." She approached him and looked at his chest, slowly reaching for the faint mark near his heart. "Are you okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I've taken worse."

"You don't need bandages? Medicine? I know a few healing spells that could help."

"I'm fine, honest. It's just a few scratches and bruises."

The girl's face scrunched up as she looked over the wounds. True, there was no lasting damage - and she knew that Albaz had taken far more punishment in the past - but she couldn't help the frustration boiling in her gut.

"Um, Ecclesia, what are you -" The boy was cut off as she pressed a palm to his chest and closed her eyes.

"Θεραπεύω"

He froze, and a trickling sensation crawled up his spine. A soft yellow light emanated from his friend's palm and washed over his chest. A few seconds later, the light faded and she stepped back. "There, all clean."

He looked down at his chest; sure enough, all the bruises were gone. Glancing at his arms, he saw that the wounds there had also vanished.

"You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to."

He could have sworn there was a hint of smugness on her stern face. Still, he sighed and gave her a fang-filled smile. "Thank you."

She replied with a smile of her own, and for a moment he thought the room had lit up. But it then quickly faded as she gripped her chin. "What's wrong?"

"I really don't like this…why did that man - Daemon - attack us like that? It wasn't a challenge for a spar, he wanted to attack you."

Seeing how troubled his friend was, Albaz scratched his arm.

"I don't know…I can't think of anything. I saw him a few times, looking at us, and that time we went to find Corlys he was talking to him so…" He shook his head. Nothing came to mind.

Ecclesia sighed, the frustration still on her face. "...I don't like him. He reminds me a bit of Ashiyan, but a lot less subtle."

"Ashiyan…the guy with the mask and claws?"

She nodded and the dragon boy grimaced. That bastard burned Ecclesia after she tried to protect him from her people and cast her out. To hear anyone being compared to him…

"...did Laena say anything about it?"

The girl nodded, albeit half-heartedly. "She apologized a few times, saying her husband had been eager for a fight for a while now, but she didn't expect him to go this far. She promised it won't happen again though." The look on her face however betrayed her doubt of the statement. Albaz also agreed; despite his ignorance of Daemon's language, he didn't need Ecclesia or Laena to tell him what kind of things the man had said.

"What should we do then?" His friend blinked at him, taken by surprise at the question. She made to answer, only for silence to leave her mouth. After a few seconds, she sighed again and sat down beside him, patting her dress.

"I don't know" she admitted, a hand rubbing her forearm, before her face tightened in determination. "But if he tries that again, I'll let Rocky go full Spriggan on him, and not just that tap I gave him at the yard."

Albaz smiled as she pumped her fist, glancing at the dragon-skull hammer perched against a nearby pillar. His grin grew wider as he caught a flash of yellow from within the skull's eye-holes.

"...Full Springan on him? Isn't that a little much? He's way weaker than you."

The blonde paused for a moment as she contemplated the thought, fiddling with her golden locks.

"Hmmm…no."

He chuckled at her enthusiasm, and then his gaze moved to the sword beside his feet. He carefully picked it up and examined it, eyeing the smoky patterns on the blade and the intricate carvings on the pommel. Idly turning it around, he sent out a pulse from his hand into the blade and saw it starting to glow red. He slowly felt heat gather around the weapon and the smell of ash began to tinge the air.

A shuffling of cloth drew his attention, so he turned and saw Ecclesia leaning forward and staring at the sword, their shoulders touching. "Is something wrong?"

"The metal…it isn't as sharp as some of the weapons back in Dogmatika, but it channels magic really well," she muttered. She then glanced at his hands, "You might want to stop before it catches on fire again."

Albaz blinked before letting out a yelp and loosening his grip on the sword. The blade immediately dimmed and the scent of ash dissipated. Fighting down a blush at Ecclesia's giggle, he flashed back to the fight. And what happened…

"Can you teach me?"

"Eh?"

He turned and met her confused stare with his draconic eye. "Can you teach me to fight? Or how to use a sword for real?"

Ecclesia was taken aback, and for a moment she wanted to ask him why. Then she saw the look on his face: it was similar to the one she had seen when he lost against Daemon. Also…it was similar to the one she saw in the pool, back when they had to flee her homeland.

To be helpless like that…for seemingly the whole world to watch you fail…nothing could describe how crushing it could feel. Then she realized that for Albaz, it must have felt even worse; in the few fights he was in, most of the time he lost. The only consolation then was that his opponents were far out of his league, ones that even she couldn't beat, but after he saw what she did to Daemon?

"You don't have to ask," she said, holding his shoulder. "I'll do my best. Fleur taught me how to use a sword before my hammer, but I'm not anywhere near her level."

He briefly winced before smiling at her and lightly bowing. "I'll be in your care then." She smiled back at him, despite the heat blooming in her cheeks. He looks like a puppy when he does that…

"So, when should we start?"

She snapped out of her thoughts and pondered the question. The stars were out, and Albaz needed rest. He could still fight, he'd come out of far worse, but it was best not to exhaust him. "Maybe tomorrow. I think we've had enough excitement for today." He moved to say something but she raised a hand and wagged her finger at his face. "Besides, you need a good night's sleep to help the bruises fully heal, mister! You can't rely on magic for everything!"

Albaz looked down bashfully, his face morphing into what was definitely not a pout, which only grew as the former saint giggled. Tugging on his cloak, he muttered a quick goodnight as he headed to his bed and buried himself under the soft sheets. Ecclesia's giggling didn't cease; she couldn't help it, he looked adorable - er, easy to tease!

A few minutes later, she noticed that he had stopped trying to burrow into the bed. She headed over and lifted the sheets, only to smile as she saw him breathing gently, his healthy eye closed.

"He was that tired?" she muttered to herself. Doing her best not to wake him, she carefully held the sheet up and removed his already loose cloak. She pulled back and maintained her gaze, the cloak rubbing roughly against her delicate hands. The moon had risen and was bathing the room through the expensive-looking curtains in an almost fae-like glow. It was as opulent as the rest of the palace, and when they had first been shown the room, she thought it was more akin to the small prayer chambers in the Grand Dogmatika Cathedral.

The only thing that soured the moment was Laena's discomfort when she was told they frequently shared each other's rooms. It had garnered a strange look from her, but Ecclesia wouldn't budge. They had stuck together for all this time and nothing and no one was going to change that. Laena eventually conceded after leaving to discuss it with Corlys, but the servants whom she sometimes saw gave them strange looks when they left together.

She shook her head. She didn't care - Albaz was with her, and that was what was important.

So she placed the cloak on a nearby chair and prepared for bed. Maybe tomorrow would take the edge off…

-x-

Morning came, and the call of seagulls awoke the former saint. She yawned and stretched her arms, shaking her head to brush away stray locks. After rubbing her eyes, she saw Albaz awake, munching on some fruit from a bowl on the table.

"Oh, g'morning," he said between bites.

"Good…good morning," she replied. The sun was already a good height up, meaning she must have slept in. She went over to the dressing table Laena had procured and took an ivory comb with blue linings. Rubbing her eyes again and wiping the mirror, she slowly brushed her long hair.

Minutes later, just as she was finishing untangling the last of her knots, a knock came from the door along with a muffled question.

"It's me, Laena. May I come in?"

She looked at Albaz who nodded, then put down her brush and headed for the door. Once she opened it, however, she saw not just Laena, but Corlys as well, dressed in a tunic similar to the one he wore yesterday.

"Good morning, Lady Ecclesia," he greeted, his use of her native tongue - 'Volantene', they called it - marked with an accent. "Forgive my daughter for not telling you, but I owe you an…" he drifted off, his face scrunched up in concentration.

"Explanation, father," said Laena.

"Explanation, yes," He flashed a smile at his daughter before resuming. "For Daemon's actions." He strode into the room and the two looked at him expectantly, with Albaz quickly chewing the last bit of fruit. "Daemon is…I am sorry, but Laena, please?"

Laena quickly nodded and began translating as he talked in his native tongue. "Apologies, today the translator from Volantis will come and we will endeavor to hold direct conversations. Dameon is a Prince of the Seven Kingdoms, brother to King Viserys. Barring the royal family, none can order him around, not even me even in my own keep, I am ashamed to say." His lips twisted in obvious frustration at his words. "He had assured me that he would conduct himself honorably and would do nothing to shame you; I was mistaken."

His eyes flickered towards Ecclesia's hammer. "Though I must admit, you have shown your disapproval very clearly."

Ecclesia tensed, to which he took notice and raised a hand. "There is nothing to fear; Daemon accepted your challenge and he lost. He has no grounds to stand on if he complains. I doubt he will apologize, but he won't be as brazen a second time."

Albaz sent his friend a glance, to which Ecclesia slowly nodded. She had a feeling it would be like this. "...thank you, Lord Corlys." Laena translated the words, to which the silver-haired man gave a curt nod. Her stance lost its tension and she thought of last night's conversation. Well, if he was already here, and with Laena…

"Will we be able to use the arena again?"

When Laena relayed the question, Corlys blinked, seemingly taken aback. His mouth opened and closed silently, trying to find the proper words. Laena seemed less surprised, though Ecclesia spotted concern beginning to bloom on her features. Eventually, he took a deep breath and steadied himself.

"...as you are my guests, you have the right to use the yard, that is true. But be warned that after your little…performance…visitors will be keeping an eye on the castle and no doubt the yard. They shall bring you no harm, that I swear, but many of them are a superstitious and inquisitive lot, and will no doubt pester you."

"We're willing to take the risk. We need this."

Corlys met her iron gaze head-on, staring long and hard as though trying to solve a curious puzzle. Eventually, he sighed and nodded. "Very well, if that is what you wish. Though I will ask that two guards accompany you whenever you wish to use the yard."

She didn't stop the grateful smile from growing on her face. "Thank you, Lord Corlys," she said, lightly curtseying. The lord returned the gesture, then sat himself on one of the chairs. Laena went to stand beside him and nibbled on a pear.

"I must say, Lady Ecclesia," the silver-haired lady remarked. "I have never seen such a peculiar hammer. I think even some of the strongest knights in Westeros would not be able to lift such a weapon, and yet you did it with ease. How did you come by it?"

"It's actually quite the story," replied Ecclesia, sitting beside Albaz on his bed. "It was some time after Albaz and I met. We were wandering the desert when a group of…adventurers crossed our paths. One of them, Kitt, was the sister of someone I knew who had saved our lives." She smiled at the memory of her enthusiastic friend. "They offered us to join them, and we accepted. We had to pass some tests, and when we did, we each got a portion of the loot we found in the desert, and I chose the skull that somehow landed in the pile. Kitt helped me make it into a hammer after that."

Laena quickly translated the story to Corlys, who was sitting upright and listening intently to every word. "What a strange name, Kitt," said Laena, "And you said 'she'? Warrior women are common in your lands?"

"Hmm? Yes, why?"

"I'm afraid that Westeros does not look kindly upon women who do such things, except for maybe in the North. Other than that, any tales we hear of such women come from Essos, like the warrior ladies of Hyrkoon." The last name was unfamiliar to Ecclesia, but she didn't get a chance to ask when Laena kept asking. "Did you learn how to use a hammer in your kingdom, what was it called, Dogmatika? My husband has trained hard to master the sword, so I cannot imagine what it would take to learn the hammer."

Ecclesia nodded and for a moment she was standing before the doors of an older disciple, away from Fleur's lessons for the day, determined and with a goal.

"You want to learn the hammer? I don't know kiddo, it's a little too…much for a girlie like yourself. Besides, isn't Fleur teaching you the sword?"

She hesitated. She didn't want to go behind her sister's back…

"...A sword is her weapon, not mine. I don't feel like my best when using it. I saw you in the training field with that hammer…I need to try and use it."

He scratched his messy hair as he leaned against the wall. "The dual gauntlets are my main boys, the hammer is a backup. Still, I'm not sure -"

"Please! I want to fight alongside you all! I don't care that I'm a saint, I…I just want to stand proudly by your side."

He looked at her for a moment, his eyes hardening like iron. Then, Theo the Iron Punch chuckled and tousled her golden hair.

"Well, after all that, how can I say no? Alright, I'll train ya, but brace yourself, not even full paladins can wield it properly. It'll take drive and guts, so I hope ya have enough to spare." Her comrade looked to the side and muttered, just low enough for her to hear. "I hope Fleur doesn't kill me for this…"

"...yes, it was difficult at first, but I had a very good teacher. When I was done, he said that I was even better than him."

Laena's look of fascination grew with every word, and so did the older Velaryon's, although he was more composed. He then spoke again, with Laena quickly interpreting.

"I am rather curious about your lands, Lady Ecclesia. I was an adventurer myself in my youth and have sailed the breadth of the known world. Yet I have never heard of a kingdom that matches your descriptions. Pray tell, who was your king?"

Ecclesia shifted in place. "Ah, our king? We had no king?"

Corlys tilted his head. "No king? A Magister then? Or some other high noble?"

"No, none of those. Our leader is…Maximus," the name soured her tongue, and judging by Albaz's grimace, he shared her distaste, despite never seeing him before. He had heard enough from her, Fleur, and all of their friends, about the damage he had done. "He's the αρχιερέα of Dogmatika, and none are higher there than him."

Corlys frowned along with Laena. "I am afraid I did not understand that word, Lady Ecclesia," she said. "What is an αρχιερέα?"

Now it was the former saint's turn to look confused. "What do you mean? I saw you have lots of ιερεύς here. The ones with the star pendants?"

"Ah, you mean septons. They are the clergy of our religion, the Seven-Pointed Star."

Kind of like back home, only a lot weaker, she thought. None of them look like they can fight. "Do they have a leader?"

"Yes, he is called the High Septon, and he resides in the Starry Sept at Oldtown." As Laenma finished relaying the translation to Corlys, his eyes widened and he quickly muttered something to his daughter, and a similar look of shock began to appear on her face.

"Lady Ecclesia…" began Corlys. "Do you mean to say that this…Maximus…was both the ruler and the High Septon of your kingdom?"

Unease began to pool in Ecclesia's stomach. Why were they so surprised? Yes, Dogmatika was strange in that regard, this much she knew from her studies - most places had priests separately - but did they not have those here? "Um…is something wrong, Laena?"

The two were snapped out of their stupor and Laena adopted a reassuring smile. "No no, my lady. It is just that…it is natural for men of faith to hold authority, but not to the extent of actually ruling lands."

Ecclesia nodded, though she was still confused at their apprehension. Then Laena turned to her white-haired friend. "And you, Albaz? Lady Ecclesia said that you did not hail from Dogmatika. If true, then where?"

Albaz looked down and Ecclesia saw his face growing somber. "I…don't want to talk about it." Ecclesia understood; his past - or rather, lack thereof - bothered him deeply. She had never asked much about it during their travels, always preferring to focus on their current situation.

Corlys didn't seem too pleased, though Laena did look somewhat sheepish. "I apologize; I did not intend to bring up bad memories."

The white-haired boy blinked and shook his head. "It's fine, just a bad subject. Um…can I ask something?" The two Velaryons nodded. "I've seen dragons fly around here sometimes, the red and silver ones. Where do they stay?"

"Ah, Meleys and Seasmoke. Sometimes they roost on the secluded beaches not far from here, other times in the underground caves."

He nodded. "Can I see them sometime?"

Ecclesia balked at the request and so did Laena. "Albaz, are you sure?"

He turned to her. "Yeah, we haven't seen another dragon up close. You told me some things about the dragons back home, and I want to see if they're any different."

That was…okay, now that he said it, she was curious too. Albaz was not the first dragon she had seen; her first encounters were spawned from the Holes. She saw the red dragon…Meleys…a few times, flying above the castle, and there was something off about it. It didn't feel as dangerous as some of the monsters she fought against, not to mention the Great Sand Serpent of Golgonda. Maybe it was - no, not important now. Why did he want this?

"Please?" he asked, leaning forward. That one ruby-red eye stared into her own two, and she fought down a rising heat. Saints, how could he one moment look like a terrifying dragon and the next like this? She glanced at their two hosts, and while Laena sported an uneasy look, Corlys was stroking his trimmed beard and…she did not like the gleam in his eye.

He tapped Laena on the arm and he began to speak. "I understand your curiosity Albaz. Dragons are fascinating creatures. Whoever rides one commands the sky and the earth, and my family is blessed to bond with such magnificent beings. I see no reason to deny you a visit to Meleys, Seasmoke, or even Vhagar, the largest dragon alive and ridden by my daughter." Ecclesia shivered at the memory of that behemoth - only the Sand Serpent seemed bigger, but it thankfully stayed away from them during their time in Pentos.

Fleur could still take it down.

"Though I wish to do it in a more ordered fashion than a simple jaunt. This ties into another reason why I came to greet you: I would like to record the tales of your lands in my journals. They have greatly piqued my curiosity and it would be a shame not to learn about them. I might even find it on one of my maps."

Ecclesia smiled, despite the earlier gut feeling. The way he talked about it reminded her of Adin a bit, scurrying about the Cathedral's library. "We'd be happy to." Though she wouldn't bet on finding their home. From what she could tell, the hole had led them somewhere far away indeed.

"Excellent!" The older man clapped and rose from the chair. "Now, let us -"

A loud gurgling sound cut him off. The room paused and moved to stare…at poor Ecclesia, who suddenly wanted nothing more than to burrow into the bed nearby, as Albaz had done the evening prior. The two Velaryons smiled in mild amusement, while Albaz at least had the decency to look sheepish, scratching the back of his head.

"Eat father, you meant eat," Laena remarked. "You haven't broken your fast yet, have you? I'll go and tell the cooks to prepare us a good meal." She turned to Corlys. "Would you like to eat in your solar?"

Corlys bent and kissed her cheek. "A splendid idea daughter. We shall have a light feast while uncovering new mysteries. Do you need to prepare further, Lady Ecclesia?"

"Ah, just a bit. I need to change my dress."

"Oh, of course. We will wait outside." The two then went and exited the room.

"Um, Albaz?"

"Yes?"

She nervously gestured to the door. "Can you please…?"

He blinked, then blushed, coloring his dark skin. "Oh, sorry." He headed out the door and she sighed. That boy…

She quickly changed, this time into her normal outfit with the overalls and goggles. Like Albaz's coat, Laena made sure it was spotless and sewn back. The dresses were nice and pretty, but nothing could compare to this. After she put on her horned headdress, she moved to the door only to stop as a small chirping came from under her bed.

Her eyes widened and she dashed and crouched, pulling her bag from under it and reaching inside. A heavy metallic object landed in her palm and she pulled it out, anxiety creeping into her voice.

"Mercourier! Oh saints, I am so sorry!"

The tiny metallic bird shook its head and looked up at her. She raised a finger and gently stroked its head. "I'm so sorry I kept you there. I just didn't want anyone else to see you," she whispered.

Mercourier chirped, tilting its head and leaning into her touch.

"I just don't know if showing you to them is the right thing, it's just that the way everyone looks at us and the yard and -" she stopped and exhaled. Everything was fine, Mercourier and Rocky were fine. Still, she didn't feel good about telling the Velaryons about the two machines, especially after the Daemon incident. Her gut was screaming at her again.

But she felt bad about keeping him in the bag so…"Mercourier, can you scout the island? I want to know better where we are."

The bird's eyes flashed and it nodded, prompting her to nod as well. She went to the window and cradled him in her palms. "Come back at night and make sure no one sees you, okay? We don't know how these people will react to you."

Mercourier chirped again and leaped from her palms, flying into the morning sky. Once Ecclesia could no longer see him, she sighed in relief. That could've been a disaster; what if a maid was cleaning and had heard him?

"Lady Ecclesia?"

She blinked and rushed to the door. She hadn't taken that long, had she?

"Ah, good. Shall we be off?" asked Corlys, looking her up and down. The former saint nodded, as did Albaz, and off they went down the hallway.

"Um, Lord Corlys?"

He turned to her. "Yes?"

"Can we also visit the town below? Laena told me about it, how it has lots of traders and food."

He chuckled. "Yes, Spicetown is the…what is the word?" he thumped his chest and continued, without asking Laena to translate, "Blood of Driftmark. I can arrange a visit later today or tomorrow. I might come as well."

Ecclesia thanked him and he waved her off, resuming their trek. She stuck close to her friend's side as they approached the main courtyard, where a few nobles were hanging around. They all turned and bowed at the sight of Corlys, but Ecclesia could still feel their curious stares as they passed by.

From a nearby archway, a guard clad in armor and a sea-blue cloak suddenly rushed up to the silver-haired lord. He bowed and said something rapidly, to which Corlys beamed and patted the man on the shoulder. She was about to ask him what was going on when Laena turned to her.

"The translator has arrived and is waiting outside Father's solar."

Ah, he did say that he asked for one to come, didn't he?

The older man turned to them and beamed as he spoke. "Now you'll be able to learn our tongue and we can write down your histories better."

"Um…thank you," Ecclesia replied as she bowed, Albaz doing the same. The four then headed quickly through the halls, and Ecclesia idly rubbed her bare arm. Things were going to move faster here, that's for sure.

Hi guys, it's me! Back with another chapter!

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