Gulltown: 283 AC: 2 Days Later:

Barristan had searched everywhere for the ship that Varys had pointed him to. He looked all over the docks and asked every worker who liked they knew their way around, where this mysterious ship might be. Perhaps Varys was playing him for a fool all along and he was in league with Jon Arryn. He rubbed his temples thinking that he should have been smarter than to trust The Spider. Barristan decided to head to an inn to think his options through. As he entered and sat down, he raked his mind for a plan or decision. He had come so far and was too close now to fail. He couldn't go back to Kings Landing as he feared Jon Arryn will have him killed before he could even reach the Red Keep. He couldn't stay in Gulltown as he felt more assassins will catch up to him eventually. Barristan sighed and rubbed his eyes as a man bearing a bright yellow cloak approached him.

"Something the matter, Ser?" The brown haired man smiled.

Barristan's hairs stood on the back of his neck as he wondered whether this was another on the Falcons hired killers . "No...no just tired is all."

"I see. I can buy you some refreshments, Ser. If you'd like?"

Barristan's eyes narrowed at the mans face. His long brown hair and beard bearing the resemblance of someone he knew before the Rebellion. "If you're offering."

The man ordered the man behind the counter to bring himself and his new friend some food and drink. The man watched as Barristan drank and ate greedily, almost as if he hasn't ate in almost a day. "When was the last time you ate?" He asked Barristan.

"Not since yesterday. I did not plan on being here this long so I did not bring much coin with me."

"Where did you plan on being?"

"Dragonstone." Barristan attested.

The mans brown eyes widened. "Dragonstone? Now what would a former Kingsguard of Aerys want to do on Dragonstone?"

Barristan's hand gripped the hilt of his sword subtly. "You know of me?"

"The whole town knows of you. I'm saddened you don't recognize me, Ser Barristan. I was there at Harrenhal, when I squired for the Prince."

Barristan focused his eyes closer on the man, attempting to make his features out underneath his brown beard and long hair. "Ser Richard Lonmouth? It couldn't possibly be you."

"I am afraid it is, Ser Barristan. I had thought you dead on the Trident with Rhaegar." Richard said, his eyes saddening.

"That honor was not granted to me." Barristan sighed. "The Usurper spared me, in light of my prowess."

"Careful where you speak that word. There are men everywhere who'd happily turn you in for speaking it."

"Did you not fight for him? You are leal to him, no?"

"My bonds of friendship come before my words of loyalty, Ser. So tell me. What do you wish to do on Dragonstone."

"I have a friend to see there."

Richard smiled at the knight though he did not fully trust his motives. "You bent the knee to Robert, did you not?"

"I did. He sent his personal Maester to tend to my injuries at the Trident. Once I was healthy, he demanded I go after the Sword of the Morning for what he did to Eddard Stark."

"So is that what you're going to Dragonstone for? To kill him." Richard asked, his face scowling.

"No. I have a higher purpose than to act as some hired killer."

Richards face turned from a scowl to one of surprise. "You are? That is most fortuitous indeed."

"How so?"

"I can get you there if you so wish. I have a ship that I've been using to ferry supplies to the island."

Barristan could not believe his luck, that the man who ran the ship he had been looking for has come straight to him. "Of course! When can we leave?"

"Come to the eastern most dock at the hour of ghosts. There will be a ship with black sails docked there, that is mine."

After making more small talk between themselves and reminiscing of better times before the rebellion, they said there goodbyes. Richard watched as the old knight left the inn. He wasn't so sure where his loyalties truly lay but seeing as he had been so forthcoming with what he said, he couldn't help but believe him. Barristan was too honorable to lie after all. Richard left the inn himself after a while and found himself making his way down to his ship in order to see to its departure. Walking through Gulltown, he could see the repairs already taking place on the walls from the damage they sustained during the taking of Gulltown. If only they could have held out longer or if the royal host was quicker, they could have crushed the rebellion before it even started. It was speculation in Richards mind though. He doubted the Targaryens even knew of the battle taking place before it was too late. Eventually he found his way to his ship, its black sails casting a dark shadow over the deck.

His men hailed him as he boarded and although he hadn't known them long, he trusted them all with his life. Especially with what they have been through together as they dodged the patrols of dock wardens and paid off officials who would turn them in otherwise. Richard surveyed the supplies on the ship and made sure they had enough to give to Dragonstone. Once finished, he lay down on his bed and closed his eyes. His dreams full of new opportunities to come. With what must have only been a few hours, his sleep was interrupted by a knock on the door. Getting up with a sigh and opening it, he saw one of his sailors there before him, his light blue eyes showing his concern.

"There is someone here for you, Richard. An old fella by the looks of him."

"Get the men ready, in case something goes wrong, Jonlen." Richard smiled assuredly.

"You expecting trouble?"

"No but it never hurts to be prepared, does it?" Richard questioned, before he grabbed his sword from the side of the door and walked out of the room. Arriving on the deck he saw Barristan stood on the dock in front of him. His black armor and brown cloak making him almost a shadow. "Ser Barristan! Please come aboard quickly." Richard exclaimed as Barristan did as he was bid. Behind Barristan however, there was a group of men who moved with a cat like grace. Their black cloaks billowing in the wind.

"Barristan!" Richard yelled as he drew his sword.

Barristan barley had time to unsheathe his blade before the first man was on him. He parried his desperate swing and slashed his neck with ease, the blood gushing down his clothes as he collapsed to the ground. Barristan backed away and attempted to make his way onto the plank as crossbow bolts struck the two sailors who attempted to come to his aid, killing them both instantly. On the deck, Richard could hardly see what was happening as the darkness was suffocating. All he saw was the men next to him drop to the floor with crossbow bolts stuck in their necks, faces and chests. He tried to make his way to Barristan who was now fighting two men at once, but he made it look easy as he cut one man across his chest and buried his sword deep into the others stomach.

"Richard! We have to depart!" Barristan commanded, his breathing heavy.

Richard nodded at the knight who carried on fighting another man who came at him. "Men! Get this fucking ship moving!" Richard yelled as he scrambled towards one of the masts and lowered the heavy black sails. "Jonlen! Get the anchor up!"

Richard watched as Jonlen frantically rushed to the wheel that held the anchor in place and he began to push on it with all his strength. The wheel moved slowly due to the wight and Richard ordered more men to help Jonlen. The longer they stay here the more men he would lose. Richard then rushed to the aid of Barristan who was engaged with another man who was sat on top of him, trying to push a dagger into the old knights throat. Richard rushed to his aid and plunged his sword through the back of the man on top of him, the blade piercing him as if he was a straw target. Barristan shoved the body off of him with a heavy grunt, his face covered in the mans blood and stood up. He ran on board the ship as crossbow bolts were still flying over his head.

"The anchor is up, Richard!" Jonlen exclaimed, as he ducked low to avoid the crossbow fire.

"Richard, we have to go!" Barristan screamed at Richard, who was rushing past him and to the ships wheel.

"I am working on it, Barristan." He growled, as he started to turn the wheel.

Barristan stood on the edge of the ships plank and held off anyone else who would dare to follow him. One tried to but Barristan quickly dealt with him by cutting him from the leg and driving his sword through his chest. He then kicked the plank into the water as the ship finally pulled out of the docks. The men who attacked them were not finished though and the crossbow bolts carried on coming at them until they were fully out of docks proper. Barristan sighed and wiped the blood from his sword using the cloth under his armor. Sheathing his sword he walked to Richard who was hastily turning the wheel.

"Have the men accounted for, Jonlen. I want to know how many we lost." Richard breathed to the man beside him.

"Right away, Richard." Jonlen confirmed, who turned and walked down to the decks.

Richards brown eyes turned to Barristan, the frustration clear in his face. "You did not know you were followed?"

"I had no idea, Richard." Barristan defended, the regret clear in his eyes.

The sigh from Richard was as heavy as the guilt Barristan felt. "I lost a lot of good men there, good and loyal men. Gods know how many of those we have left."

"I can only apologize, Richard. If I can make it up to you, I will."

Before their argument could continue, Jonlen interjected. "There are six dead, Richard. Four wounded."

"Very well. Toss the bodies in the water. Go and get some rest, Jonlen. We can say prayers for them on Dragonstone." Richard lamented as the man nodded and walked away.

Barristan watched Jonlen walk away before turning his attention back to Richard, the silence between them was deafening. "Do you know who sent them?" Richard asked, eventually.

"Jon Arryn. I had two of them attack me on the ship from Maidenpool. I had them confess to me who had sent them before they died, though I wrongly assumed he only sent those two."

"Barristan. You're one of the greatest knights the realm has ever seen. You think that Jon Arryn is stupid enough to only send two men after you?"

"I do not know, Richard. Again, I am sorry." Barristan protested, his frustration showing on his mature features in the dimly lit darkness.

"Never mind, Ser. What's done is done. Go. Get some rest. It'll be a few days before we reach Dragonstone." Richard sighed.

Barristan headed to his given quarters and removed his cloak and what armor he could so he could finally get some comfortable rest. He then washed his hands and face in some water, the blood turning the color of it a sickly red. He eventually slept and found his dreams again full of the wars and people he has fought.

Kings Landing: 283 AC: 2 Days Earlier:

Jon Arryn stood in the office in the Tower of the Hand. Drinking some wine and looking out the window, he could see the city below. The evening sun cast a satisfying orange light over everything and made the city look much grander than it actually was. To Jon Arryn it was still a far cry from the Vale and the smell left something to be desired, but this was everything he had worked for. To finally be in power where he belonged. Of course, being Lord of the Vale was one thing but to now being acting Hand of the King was another. He sipped his wine and as the thoughts brought a small smirk to his face. The knock on the door startled him and he turned around to face the guard who stood at the doorway.

"Lord Gerold Grafton is here to see you, my Lord."

"Good, send him in." Jon replied as he poured another glass of wine and placed it on the table.

Gerold strolled in. His features marked him as a young man of no more than twenty name days old. However, his body was wide and his shoulders were broad which may mark him for a fine warrior one day, Jon thought. The killing of his relative, Marq Grafton, at the hands of Robert Baratheon under the walls of Gulltown did not help Jon's conversion of him to his cause. He came around eventually albeit unwillingly.

"Lord Grafton, it is good to see you." Jon smiled at the young man. "Please have a seat and help yourself to the wine."

Gerold did as he was bid and only sipped the wine once before putting it down in front of him. "I am wondering why you have asked of me here, my Lord."

"Straight to it. That's what I like about you, Gerold." Jon laughed. "I have need of your services in Gulltown."

"What could you possibly want? You've already raised our taxes for our part in the war."

"It is nothing like that. It's more personal, should we say."

"Then say it." Gerold boomed, his irritation becoming clearer as he had no intent on being in the presence of the old Falcon longer than he needed to be.

"My spies have told me there is a knight by the name of Barristan Selmy on his way to Gulltown as we speak."

"Why would Barristan Selmy concern me, my Lord?"

"He concerns you because he harbors illicit feelings towards the Crown and is a traitor to Robert."

Gerold shrugged his shoulders slightly. He had no care for the knight or who he was loyal to. "Very well. Kill him and be done with it, if you know where he is."

"It will be done, Lord Grafton. I have some of my men on the way to Gulltown at this moment. What I need from you is to make sure my men are not accosted by your own, should there be blood."

"Is that all? You could have just sent a raven."

"No. I have also brought you here to ensure your silence."

"What do you mean?" Gerold questioned, his concern growing.

Jon's eyes narrowed at the man before him. "If I hadn't had brought you here personally and you found one of the most legendary knights dead on your doorstep, I am sure you would have gone bleating about it to Robert and I cannot have that."

"You're working against the Roberts interests?"

"I am eliminating the remnants of those loyal to the Targaryen cause. I will ensure that it is done so."

Gerold felt the fear rise up his back at the man in front of him. He went from being an old man to being something much more predatory in an instant. "If he dies at my door, I will ensure it does not make its way back here."

"Good, Gerold. I knew we would get along. Now go and make your way back to Gulltown."

Gerold quickly stood up and left the room with haste. Jon was satisfied with the outcome of his small meeting and the assurances he got from the Lord of Gulltown. Jon knew he was undermining Robert but he didn't care much as he felt that the only way to secure their rule was to wipe out the last remnants of loyalty to House Targaryen. He often wondered how great men such as Arthur Dayne and Barristan Selmy could be loyal to them. How they could so easily put aside their so called honor when Aerys was burning Lords and his son was kidnapping women. It mattered not to Jon though. In fact he was almost thankful for Aerys' madness and Rhaegar's stupidity in starting the war. As it now allowed him to rise higher than he had ever had before. Once, Robert was crowned and him appointed as his hand, he felt that he would be easy to control. Although, Robert wanted Barristan dead only if he turned out to be a traitor, Jon knew in his heart that Barristan still held love for the dragons. He couldn't take the risk of both Barristan and Arthur being together and one of them being alive was bad enough.

Robert would be furious if he found out that Barristan had been killed before his treason had been proven true but by that time Jon can spin the lie that he did always hold love for the dragons and he couldn't take the risk of him living. Jon knew that Roberts anger clouded his judgement and although he was a great warrior, Jon felt he would not be a great King. Something that Jon already felt was proven true with how drunk Robert was becoming each day to cope with the grief of losing his best friend and betrothed. However, Jon would always be there for him to guide him on the right path and the right way. No. His path and his way.

A/N: Thanks for all the favorites and reviews. Means a lot to know people are reading. Up next, Arthur meets with an old friend and is gifted a welcome surprise, there are also troubles in Kings Landing so stay tuned. Again thanks for reading.