A/N: Got my power back, but this was all I had saved. Forgive me...
Can anyone see this chapter? Notifications are still down. Do let me know via review!
I'm thinking of updating this every Sunday now. Thoughts? Really need to here back from folks with the site acting up.
In other news I lost power and didn't get it back until super late, so I had to jury-rig this chapter from a friends computer, but it worked out for the best.
I now have a -tentative!- update schedule set, barring life kicking me in the teeth. Sundays for Foxfire/Game of Thrones, Mondays for Elden Ring, Tuesdays are still a blank slot, Wednesday is usually my day off, but that might swapped around given when I'm actually OFF from work, while Thursday-and-or Friday will be Take the Girl and Saturday will be the surprise day.
Do let me know what you want to see and when!
In conclusion! I'm usually updating six out of seven days a week. That takes a lot out of me. Why do I do it, you ask? Because entertaining people keeps me sane, ironically.
In other news, I have a vehicle again...I just owe a lot of money on said vehicle after the repairs. Now I need the bloody brakes fixed and the AC besides. I can live without the latter, though it'll be hot and uncomfortable. The former...not so much. Truly, the world runs on money these days, and this is what I get for having the same car for so long. Still taking care of my sister until mid-July, so that's eating into my time as well. But once that's done, I'll finally have more time to write...
...I hope. If not, I just might shatter like the Elden Ring.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
Brace yourself. This IS Game of Thrones, after all...
"I do so love being underestimated...
~?
I Hereby Announce
Lord Corlys Velaryon was most cross the next meeting of the Small Council.
Downright livid, even.
Spectacularly so.
In hindsight Naruto had known the Sea Snake would be cross, and he was, but not at all for the reasons he thought.
"You would focus on this foolish frippery over the Stepstones?!" the man swept a hand across the table, scattering his wine goblet with a harsh clatter. "While we sit here and twiddle our thumbs over pointless matters, the Crabfeeder pillages and sack our fleets with impunity! We must tear them out of their den, root and stem!"
To his credit, Viserys took the rebuke with good grace. "And how do you propose we do that?"
"Send your fleets!" his fist slammed down, rattling the table. "Your armies! Show the Stepstones what it means to feel fear!"
Otto Hightower heaved a sigh. "We cannot simply attack without sparking a war-
"Then let there be war!"
Naruto leaned back in his chair, listening with half an ear as everything dissolved into an argument once more. It was all more of the same just as always; more politicking, endless dickering about, empty promises with nothing meaningful accomplished. Why did Viserys want him and Rhaenyra here today, anyway? It was just so...dull, and difficult to keep his eyes open.
Idly, he hearkened back to an earlier memory with the man himself.
"You may know these Lords, but you do not know what makes them as they are. It is of vital importance that you do. You will need to know them in the days to come."
He still couldn't fathom why the King wanted him to know these people, but for his sake -and that of Kurama nudging him- he would put his best foot forwad.
Forcing himself to focus, he allowed his gaze to settle upon the instigator of it all.
"Lord Velaryon is an ambitious man; one who does not take slights lightly as Master of Ships. He has built and captained the most famous ship in the our fleet, also named the Sea Snake, for which has taken the same moniker. As its captain, he has sailed on nine voyages across the known world, gathering wealth and artifacts. There is no more capable sailor this side of Westerors, but like any sailor, his temper often runs hot.
That much was clear; the man looked like he wanted to slug Otto right about now; he was half tempted to let him!
Stifling that treacherous impulse, he looked towards the rest of the Council, idly reviewing what he'd both been taught and told of them.
"By contrast, Lord Lionel Strong is more predisposed toward my house. As Master of Laws, he acts not with haste, but ever for what believes to best of the realm. A more impartial and judicious man you shall not find. You would do well to make him your ally."
The stoic man certainly seemed trustworthy enough; he didn't sense an iota of ill intent from him. Hands clasped atop the table, he nodded his way once.
On he went, moving to the next Lord down the table.
"Then we have Lord Lyman Beesbury. Old and a bit doddering perhaps, but a man of principle and one who keeps his oaths. There is no man better suited to be Master of Coin. He will back you if you but treat him with the respect he is due."
Alas, that was where his line of potential allies ended. When he glanced askance, he found Maester Mellos scowling at him.
Mustn't smirk at him, don't smirk at him, whatever you do, do NOT smirk at him...
.
..
...damnit. He couldn't help himself. He just didn't like this guy.
Viserys' voice came back to him again from memory, slightly chagrined:
"As for Grand Maester Mellos...well. I suppose the best way to describe him is a traditionalist. A staunch defender of the current system; he is loathe toward all things magic and not terribly fond of dragons. Nevertheless, while his skills are second to none among his peers, and we cannot afford to alienate him at this time, you must be wary of him. The man's never quite forgiven you for saving Aemma and Visenya where he could not. You humiliated him and his order on that dark day. He bears a grudge. Keep an eye on him."
He would certainly do so. This man held a burning dislike of him; he could sense that much. And so he wouldn't trust him.
And of course you know Otto...
He did and he wished he didn't; from the moment he'd met him, he knew he and the Hand of the King would never get along. Whatever he might think of Alicent, whatever he may or may not feel for her, he and her old man were simply too different, and those differences irreconcilable to ever coexist with one another. The man was even now shaking his fist at Lord Velaryon over some slight or another, saying he must act for the good of the realm or somesuch.
The good of the realm, he said. Pah! Good for him and his house, more like. He didn't give a flying fig for anyone but himself.
Naruto knew his kind, he had his number, and he'd not forget it.
Otto was the most dangerous of them all; not out of any grand incompetence or willful malevolence mind you, but because he genuinely believed that what was best for the Hightowers -and by definition him- was also the best for the Realm. He wore duty like a cloak, hiding the knife within the shadows of his promises, ready to strike. At what, he knew not, but strike he would.
Orochimaru could've learned a thing or two from this slimey snake...he'd take him down the first chance he got.
Really, it would be safer just to kill him outright, but Alicent would never forgive him for it.
Times like these made him wish he wasn't so damn nice.
"One last piece of advice. I can command the Court in a pinch, but it will be up to you and Rhaenyra to convince them. Alicent, too, if you intend on wrangling her into this grand scheme of yours. That is a task I cannot help you with, though I wish it were otherwise. Many a noble dislikes you for your proximity to me and my family; more still will hate you simply because they can; others doubly so because they believe there is opportunity to be made in tearing down a newcomer to the court. Do not concern yourself with them. Keep your friends, close, and your enemies closer, and you will win the day.
"Wait," he'd asked at the time, "Why would we need to convince them?"
Viserys had merely smiled in that fatherly way of his, leaving him grasping in the dark.
The game was afoot once again, the problem being that he didn't know what today's game was.
Rhaenyra's hand touched his leg beneath the table suddenly, breaking his train of thought and jolting him back to reality. Moreso when her palm settled upon his thigh. His gaze strayed to hers and though she didn't turn her head, her gaze slid his way and he caught the faintest hint of a smile on her lips from where she sat beside him.
He flicked a baffled glance her way. What she was up to?
She scooted herself closer to him ever so subtly.
He shifted imperceptibly as well, angling close.
Kurama coughed in his head and withdrew with a bemused chuckle. "I'll just leave the two of you alone then, shall I?"
Naruto laid a palm on Rhaenyra's and she squeezed his hand, granting him comfort as the lords droned on and on. Two could play that game! Her fingers danced over his before interlocking over his own. He gave her a quick squeeze, taking some small comfort in a brief moment of shared solidarity.
And then she surprised him, as she so often did these days.
Still holding his hand, the princess guided his fingers deftly between her legs and settled them there. His eyes bulged; he experienced a fleeting flicker of confusion before he realized what she intended.
Wicked woman! Did she really want to do that here?! With all these people about?! Had she gone mad?!
Rhaenyra bumped him with her hip, prodding him on. Greedy girl...
.
..
...he'd never been one to back down from a challenge.
Now, he wasn't hardly about to bend her over the table and rail her with everyonehere, but he wasn't without his means. Instead, he shifted his fingers and pressed against her, tracing slow, small circles against her inner thigh through her dress. Her eyes widened but he didn't give her the chance to protest. Tempting her, teasing her, tormenting her, he traced intricate lines against her until she was squirming within her seat, brought her to the brink...then drew his hand away.
Rhaenyra absolutely hissed under her breath; her glare promised retribution. He smirked softly. Worth!
"Ahem...?"
Naruto looked up, momentarily nonplussed to find Viserys watching him with a bemused smile. The other lords of the Small Council...decidedly less so.
"Sorry," he feigned a wince. "I've got a bit of a headache. What was the question?"
"I asked if you were opposed to the measure." the king said.
Out the corner of his eye, he saw Rhaenyra grant him the most subtle of nods. Likewise, he felt Lord Corlys watching him intently. Didn't take a genius to see what they were chatting about.
"I don't see why not." he chose his words carefully. "Maybe send a dragon or two? Just to be certain?"
Otto and Maester Mellos gave him a black look, but he wasn't blind to the approving looks from Lord Beesbury and Lionel. No love lost with the former, but it appeared he'd scored some points with the latter.
"You see?!" The Master of Ships grinned and shouted in triumph as he thumped the table with his fist. "The boy speaks sense! Surely the sight of Your Grace on Vermithor would give those raiders pause. Perhaps even Daemon on Caraxes, once he's recovered.
A spike of sullen discontent from Otto directed toward both nearly had Naruto bursting to his feet. 'I knew you had something to do with that!'
"Calm down. If you attack him here, you'll make yourself the villain."
Buts its him! Damnit, I know it was him!'
"We shall attend to the details on the morrow." Viserys temporized with a raised hand before he could leap over the table and throttle Alicent's father. "Lords of the small council. I am your king, am I not?"
Rhaenyra's hand seized his again beneath the table for an entirely different reaon. He knew that tone. What was Rhaenyra's father up to now...?
"You are," Otto allowed.
"And you are sworn to serve me, are you not?"
"And the realm, your grace." Lord Lionel reminded him gently.
Viserys smiled savagely, all teeth. "Well said, my lord. Have I not been a fair and just ruler to this realm?"
Lord Beesbury coughed once, then took a long draught of his wine. "Indeed you have!"
With that, Viserys let the other shoe drop.
"Which is precisely why it brings me great joy to usher in further peace and security to this realm with this, my latest and perhaps greatest proclamation." he rose from his seat to tower over them all. "I hereby announce the betrothal of my daughter, Rhaenyra...
His beloved sucked in a sharp breath as her father finished.
Oh, shit. Surely he wasn't going to.
He was gonna.
...to lord Naruto."
Waitjustabloodyminute!
Naruto had time enough to blink. "Lord?"
And the Small Council absolutely erupted.
A/N: Aaaand scene.
Next chapter title for SURE this time: Gone Crabbing. Gee, I wonder what that means...
Weeeell? What did you think? Should this remain a story? Would you like weekly updates for that matter? Yay or nay? Really need to hear from you, here.
As stated, this has a high chance of being upgraded to M later down the line, but I need to know if folks want to see that. 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.
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So in the Immortal Words of Atlas…
...Review...Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the Previews!
As ever:
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Read at your own risk!
As ever, these are from the far flung future...or are they~?!
Previews are mostly the same, wouldn't want to spoil things now.
(Previews!)
"Is the safety and security of the realm not worth one life?"
"You'll never stop at one!" he righted himself with a grunt, turned his head, and spat out a bloody tooth. "I'll take you all on!"
Ser Criston cornered Rhaenyra soon thereafter.
Your grace, please. This is folly.
She hadn't thought him fool enough to confront her; evidently she'd been wrong.
Whirling, she faced him in a swirl of silk. "It matters naught to you!
He's not even a lord! Not really!
The man adopted a mulish expression.
Where is he now?"
Otto's heart sank into the pit of his stomach. "This...complicates matters."
"You think this hurts? Compared to what I went through, being forced to watch you hurt innocent people, and even my own blood! This is NOTHING! Well? How does it feel? To be utterly hopeless and not being able to do a damn thing about it? Fools! How do you think they felt when you ganged up on them in the rain and they had no way out? Well now it's your turn. I hope you enjoy it. Do you feel defenseless? Scared? Good, now you know how they felt before you killed them!
EDIT: Possible scene. Take this with a grain of salt.
Naruto stared at the massive ebony beast before him, eyes narrowed as he waited for it to make its own move.
The people of Flea Bottom had already fled, the Gold Cloaks having done their duty to safeguard the people. The Dragonpit was locked up tighter than a ticks ass when the announcement had came, the emotions of hunger and rage swept over him long before them. And then, it happened, a roar sounded through the air as the Black Dragon charged, Naruto's own challenge was given as the blond Uzumaki rushed forth as well. He rolled under the snapping jaws, and he pushed his feet down, and jumped.
Senjutsu chakra channeled through his veins as he crushed the earth and filled the air with his vastly smaller body and slammed into the massive drake and tackled him not only away from the Mud Gate, but off the cliff and down to the beach, the snarl of the Cannibal filling the air as the sound of crashing rocks did. Crashing upon the sand, Naruto grabbed the massive horns and flexed, all of his Sage Chakra filling his muscles and straining them to their limits, and then he slammed the dragon upon its back, the earth shaking from the beasts crash, water spraying as its mass landed across the sand and water.
Flame filled the beasts maw, and Naruto acted before the Cannibal, smashing a powerful uppercut to the jaws of the beast causing it to miss, the flames blasting the cliff and burning away a majority of the walls of the city in which they sat. However, this didn't stop the Cannibal in the slightest, as he continued to roar, his fire burning down across the stone, ripping everything apart as it turned the roar that had been blocked upon the whelp of a human. Now clad in his golden shroud, he felt the insatiable hunger rise. He needed to FEED! NOW!
Naruto didn't hesitate, seeing the rage and fury-the hunger-of the dragon. He swiped his hand through the air, dispersing the flames,
"No more!" he called out, "This is the last time, I told you that if we met a third time, you were to be my friend..." he stated. With a leap, he stood upon the back of the startled beasts head, placing a hand to the scales beneath his flesh, and pushed chakra into the creature... wait... was that... HOLY SHIT, there was a reason for the mindless settlement upon the creature, the endless hunger and constant rage!
He'd been cursed by a former master, to never stop, to always feast upon those who could not defeat him...
A choice lay before him. Kill or save. He had mere moments to choose.
But could he save one so mad with hunger?
"If you do this you will make enemies. There will be nowhere left for you to run!
"Run?" he tilted his head to look back at them. "Who's running?" Blue eyes bled into red, snapping into furious scarlet slits. "Where?" Golden radiance flashed around him. "And why?!"
The world burst into light.
Visenya whooped, leaned back in the saddle, and flung up her arms. "Dracarys~!"
Her dragon answered in a rush of fire. The girl grinned.
Riding on dragonback was the best!
Pressing the hilt of the spear down on the back of his head, the attacker sneered at him, "Kneel..."
With a swipe of his hand, he knocked the spear of, and taking a trick from his nephew-in-law leapt up and struck out with a round house, "Not today!" Oh that felt good! And then, shock settled in, and turned to rage, "YOU!"
Naruto crashed into the wall a second later, ripping the blade out with his left hand while smashing his fist into the man's face, "That's for Daemon!" he roared as he spun around and slammed the hilt of his blade into the mans face-ripping the wall of the castle apart.
"Faster, papa! Faster!"
His daughter bounced on his back, grinning from ear to ear as she tugged at his hair.
Naruto smiled despite himself. "Feisty as your mother, I swear..."
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed! Have a great day!
Warm regards,
~Nz.
R&R~!