Scott

Once, during one of the many dinners that the Sealord held, a visiting merchant had walked up to Hank and said, with the shake of his head, "This manse contains some of the most exotic and marvelous beings in all of Essos! How is it then that the fiery and beautiful Jeen, ward of your Sealord, could choose one such as that plank of wood The Summer Knight as her husband? Forced too, I might understand, but…"

The merchant had had no idea that Scott was nearby, listening. And even when he had noticed he had recovered rather quickly, smiling and acting as if nothing were the matter. Of course it had helped that Scott had shown no anger over the man's words. He hadn't ranted or raved or demanded the man's apology. Hadn't walked over to Jeen either and given her some passionate kiss that would show all that he had a fire in his belly too and that lightning ran through his veins. No… he had merely stood there, staring at the man who had laughed and told him it was a wonderful feast.

Scott knew his reputation. He was the steady one. While all the others were able to cut loose and have fun he was the one always thinking about what came next. Where others were able to relax he was always thinking about what would happen and what could be done about it. He found enjoyment in that. Oh, he had his pastimes. There were several games he enjoyed, including Rakkem, which was all about angles and lining up one's shots. Though, admittedly, he was the only one that played the game as even Jeen refused to face him as he could run the table with ease, to the point that the game was more about challenging himself with what shots he could make.

But where Hank could move away from his experiments and draw people to him with his many funny anecdotes… Scott preferred to stay quiet and listen. Where Ororo could lounge in the gardens of the Sealord's palace, soaking in the sun, Scott liked to pace. Where Warren laughed and joked with others Scott remained by himself, thinking about what might happen for good or ill in the next few days and how he and the other members of the Sealord's house would deal with it.

That was just who he was.

Dependable.

And while others might have not understood it the fact remained… dependable won out the day.

The moment Sabertooth leapt at the man he had called 'Runt' all Hell had broken loose. Daenerys' sworn swords had seen it as an attack on them and drawn their steel and in response Magneto had held out his hand and ripped the swords from their grasp. But the Unsullied did not only train with swords and spears and at once they grabbed the wooden training weapons that lay about and Magneto was forced to claim the very weapons he had taken to try and defend himself. There was a flash by Daenerys and when Scott turned he saw that she had bathed herself in flames, rising in the air to meet Magneto who had done the same. Lady Deathstrike extended her bladed fingers only for the man that could only be the known mercenary Wade Wilson to smirk (even with his mask on Scott knew he was smirking) and make his presence known by throwing a chalk bag right in her face.

Sabertooth and the Runt were violently going at it. Anthony, his wife, and his sworn sword were looking about wildly, trying to decide just who to attack. The Unsullied were moving to bracket them all and pin them down.

Scott… did what he did best.

"ENOUGH!" he bellowed, projecting his voice, and that caused nearly all to stop. Everyone did in fact stop once he reached up and touched his visor, unleashing the concussive power that was forever held within his eyes and only contained by either his own eyelids or the special ruby lenses the Sealord had commissioned for him. The blast struck Sabertooth right in the side, throwing him from The Runt and sending him crashing along the training yard. But if there had been hope that The Runt would take that as a warning to end the fight Scott was sadly disappointed as the clawed man snarled and moved to attack Sabertooth, forcing Scott to fire upon him, sending him back.

And that caused the Runt to focus in on HIM.

"Scott…" Jeen said.

"Logan!" Ser Barristan shouted, naming the Runt.

But Logan merely snarled with a berserker's rage and leapt at Scott. He was clearly prepared for the Summer Knight to shoot him again so Scott decided to show him he was more than a single trick. He fired but not at Logan but rather the ground, sending up a cloud of dust that blinded the feral man and also served to move Scott out of the way by a few feet. He then lashed out with his fist, striking Logan in the side and confirmed that the rumors about the man having a skeleton made of metal was true for there was no give in his ribs. That would make things tricky… but Scott could handle it. He opened fire, this time right at Logan's feet, and caused the man to stumble so that Scott could grab his arm-

Logan sheathed his blades only to pop them again, nearly skewering Scott right in the arm.

'He's not brainless,' Scott thought to himself as he let go of Logan. 'He acts like he is but he is paying attention to the entire fight.' He whipped around and glared at Magento, not that the man could tell with the visor. "Keep Creed from interfering!"

"You do not-"

"Just do it!" Scott snapped and Magneto, probably just as much to his own surprise as everyone else's, did as Scott commanded. "Your grace, is there a way to get this one to stop trying to kill everyone?" he asked, realizing that if Logan served Daenerys then she knew his ways.

Unfortunately that's when Wade decided to insert himself once more into the fight.

"Hey Peanut," Wade said, moving to stand in front of Logan. "Need you to take a breath and calm down, okay? Don't want to be hurting our new friends here… I hear this one is friends with a blue hedgehog."

Scott frowned at that; Hank had been called many things but never a 'hedgehog'.

"So… why don't you slide those claws back into your wrists or your arms or whatever and we can have a long conversation about how it should be physically impossible for you to move your wrists when those blades are retracted."

Logan snarled. "Get out of my fucking way, Wade. This one is gonna get what's coming to him for interfering in my fight and then I'm gonna finish what I started with that hairy bitch over there."

So… not a berserker's rage. He just wanted to take out Scott. Wonderful.

"Come on now, we know ya like'em hairy!" Sabertooth called out, slowly getting back to his feet. "How is Maege, by the way?"

Logan took another step forward and Wade thrust his hand out at him while the other was held in Sabertooth's direction. "That's enough, Blue!" Wade declared. "You too Delta. I don't know which of the rest of you is Charlie and Echo but that is enough! We need to take a deep breath and be calm and you know how fucked up it is for me to be preaching calm?" He tilted his head. "In fact why am I stopping this anyway. You two have fun."

And with that Wade stepped aside and made a sweeping motion with his hand in Sabertooth's direction.

Logan nodded, storming forward… but taking the time to slam his claws into Wade's throat. Pepper let out a cry of shock at that but oddly enough Daenerys and her sworn swords just rolled their eyes even as Wade began to roll along the ground, clutching at his neck. But Logan didn't head towards Sabertooth but instead turned his head in Scott's direction and glowered.

"Stay out of this, bub… me and that bastard have some things to settle up."

"Yeah, stay out of this Scottie!" Sabertooth said with a laugh… just before Scott fired a blast at Sabertooth's left shoulder that sent the man spinning about before he crashed to the ground, snarling and cursing over the shattering of his shoulder blade.

"We are here to meet with your Queen," Scott snapped off. "We are not here to fight."

"Ya have a funny way of showing it," Logan growled.

But Magneto spoke up at that point. "You attacked my man."

"That ain't no man," Logan snapped back. "I don't know what's wrong with 'im, but I can smell it."

That made Sabertooth smirk. "Oh, you know what you are smelling on me, runt." But when Logan merely growled at that Viktor paused, considering him for a long moment before throwing back his head and letting out a thunderous laugh. "You don't remember me! You don't remember any of it!" He howled his amusement and Logan moved to tackle him only for Daenerys to wave her hand and call for several Unsullied to restrain him. Logan growled and snapped at them to let him go but they refused, even as he nicked them with his claws, causing the men's arms and legs to bleed. "I thought that blow to the head had scrambled your brains up pretty good but I didn't realize it had ripped everything you had out! Ya just lose your memories or you also forget how to shit and piss properly?"

Daenerys stepped forward, stilling burning with the flames, but Scott could tell she was glowering at Sabertooth. "You know him."

"Yeah, I know him. Jaime and I go WAY back." Sabertooth smirked. "Ol pals, me and him."

Logan took just a single step forward before he was yanked back. "We aren't nothin', ya creep!"

Sabertooth pressed a hand to his chest. "See how he is to his old pal? I was going to help you out, tell you everything that you didn't know, but now you've gone and hurt my feelings! I'll need time to recover…"

"Enough," Daenerys said, her voice just as frosty as her flames were burning hot. The air rippled around her and the ground baked, what water might have been left in it dissipating in the face of her heat. "You come here seeking to speak with me and I allowed you an audience against my better judgement. Then you," she pointed at Magneto, "insult me, demand me to stand down from my birthright so you can continue the Blackfyre tradition of attempted theft and usurpation, and then allow your man to attack my sworn sword?"

"Your man lunged at mine-"

"And yours continues even now to try and get him to fight."

After a moment Magneto nodded. "Sabertooth. Enough."

It took several seconds and Scott actually wondered for a brief moment if Sabertooth would refuse. But he finally calmed himself and nodded, moving back to stand behind Magneto. Scott knew that wouldn't be the end of it though for any of them. 'When Sabertooth gets it in his head that there is easy prey he refuses to back down. He'll want to try and find a way to get to Logan again… their attempt at a fight here was just a warm up, I can tell.' He glanced subtly at Magneto and while the man had his features schooled in a look of banal warmth Scott knew there was more his thoughts than that. 'He and Sabertooth will have it out and it won't be pretty,' Scott thought. 'Magneto won't kill him… he's of too much use. But he is going to make clear that he isn't happy with what happened.'

Magneto, with either a boldness or a calmness that far few possessed, stepped forward once more and dipped his head. Not in a sign of submission… no, this was him showing Daenerys a touch of respect. A touch… that was it.

"I come to you, cousin, out of respect. Our family has become far too fractured and there are so few of us left with the Blood of the Dragon. Would it not be better for us to settle our disagreement so that we might reclaim the Iron Throne? We are more powerful together, you must see that. And there is a place for you-"

"Yes," Daenerys said, cutting him off. "There is a place for me: upon the Iron Throne. It is my birthright." Her brow crept down. "I know what you are seeking, Blackfyre. You wish for me to bend the knee and submit to you so that you might legitimize your claim. So long as I live no one will take your claim seriously."

Scott didn't know about that. Yes, there would be questions about Magneto and his claim to the Iron Throne… but there would be plenty that took it seriously and consider him worthy to rule the Seven Kingdoms. 'She's either trying to downplay him or she's underestimating him… for her sake I hope that it's the former and not the latter. People don't do well when they underestimate Magneto.'

"Do you believe you are the first to tell me to give up? That I am dreaming an impossible dream? I was supposed to be Viserys' forgotten sister. Khal Drogo's meek exotic brood mare. The foolish Khaalesi who died in the desert. The prisoner of the Undying. The bleeding-heart ruler crushed under the might of the Three Sisters. And yet now I sit as a queen, ruling over all of Dragon's Bay. Time and again I have shown that when I put my mind to gaining something it becomes mine. And the Iron Throne will become mine. I will claim it, and the Seven Kingdoms, and I will restore my family's honor and birthright. And you, Erik Blackfyre, will stay out of my way or I will crush you as I have all others."

Lady Deathstrike took a step forward but Magneto held up a hand and at once she stopped. "You will find, Daenerys Targaryen, that it is easy to claim things when you have the weak and the feeble as your only foes. You think claiming the Sisters was difficult? I could have conquered them in a single day and with far less than you ever did. You have lived your life surrounded by those that have deferred to you so long as you never pushed too hard in the wrong direction. I warn you now... standing in my way will be a direction you will regret turning towards." He flashed a kind soft smile. "Has there not been enough bloodshed?

"You must see to reality. What you have done has been impressive… to most. But not to me. And what you seek now… perhaps you can do it. Perhaps you can claim the Iron Throne. But you will never actually keep it. Westeros will never accept a woman as a ruler and a barren one at that?" Scott wondered where THAT little bit of information had come from but the way Daenerys leaned back Scott knew at once that it was true, "Well, you are seen as forever broken. The Line of the Dragon would die with you, Daenerys."

"I can not have children, I am told," she said simply… before lifting up her hand, watching the flames dance along her fingers. The message was clear: women weren't supposed to master flames either. Daenerys had proven that the impossible happen.

Magneto let out a patient little sigh at that. One Scott had heard from many old men when dealing with wild and energetic children that refused to listen and thought they knew best. From the way Daenerys was glowering at him it was clear that she recognized the sigh too.

"I see we are at an impasse and I have found in such situations that the best course of action is to step back and allow hot tempers to cool down into more rational thought." He smiled once more and dipped his head; once again just shallow enough to be clear that he was not submitting. "We will seek out an audience with you again."

"I will decide if I will allow it."

But as Magneto turned Charlus spoke up, and it wasn't missed to Scott that the Sealord could have stopped all of this with a thought. "Erik." The Sealord's friend turned to stare at him. "While you came here to play your little games I came here to discuss my brother. I am not finished."

"You are welcome to have your conversations, Charlus, but I don't believe I am needed for them." And with that Magneto strolled away, Lady Deathstrike right behind. But Sabertooth took one last chance to look at Logan, smirking in such a way to show off his sharp canine teeth, before finally turning and following after the leader of the Brotherhood.

If Magneto or the rest of his group noticed that Tony wasn't following after him they didn't say a word.

"I am sorry for Erik's behavior," Charlus stated as Jeen pushed him towards Daenerys. "I wish I could make excuses for it but I rather get the sense that he was looking for this exact kind of confrontation when he arrived him."

"I got that sense as well," Daenerys muttered.

"Let us do this properly," Charlus stated. "I am Charlus Xavier, Sealord of Braavos. These are my wards Jeen Rivers and Scott the Summer Knight." Jeen flashed a gentle smile and Scott did as well, adding a small nod as well. "We have come to discuss Cain Marko."

"The Juggernaut," Daenerys stated.

"Yes," Charlus stated. "And… I believe that we have other things to discuss. Nothing concerning the Iron Throne… that is of no concern of mine."

"You won't support your friend?" Daenerys pressed.

Charlus shook his head at that. "Erik and I agree on many thing and disagree on just as many. I have never thought the Iron Throne should be something he try and claim. It has spilt too much blood… it simply isn't worth it."

"Would you suggest the same to me?" Daenerys pressed.

"I do not know enough about you to make such a statement," Charlus commented and Scott decided that was the perfect response to the situation they found themselves in. It was clear that the Iron Throne was a sore spot for Daenerys but Charlus also didn't want to fully turn against Magneto. As he had done many times the Sealord chose caution, refusing to rush into any situation and instead slowly sifting through it into the proper answer was found. "And I am not here to advise you on that. My brother is my mine concern."

"We have kept him alive because he is your brother," Daenerys stated. "But I do fear his release. He proved himself to be very dangerous when we fought the last time."

"All of us are dangerous," Charlus stated. "You are dangerous… were you to wish to harm the people of this city I dare say you would be able to burn them all alive before anyone could stop you. Scott is dangerous. Your sworn sword Logan is dangerous. I am dangerous." The younger of the two knights that stood behind Daenerys frowned at that and Charlus, with a smirk, suddenly projected into all their minds, 'You believe you are the only ones with gifts?'

Daenerys started at that before narrowing her eyes. "You can speak in other people's minds?"

"And read their thoughts, yes," Charlus stated, "though it isn't something I do unless given no other option. It is a dangerous power, after all, and I refuse to become lax when it comes to its use." He paused at that. "Your power is dangerous… tell me, who trained you to use it?"

"I trained myself," Daenerys stated. "I have learned how to control the flames on my own."

"Impressive," Jeen said.

Charlus nodded in agreement. "It most certainly is. But I must warn you that there is a danger in being complacent. Do not believe that because you have learned to do what you can do now that you have full mastery of your powers. There might be still far more you could do… and far more you might do without meaning too."

"What are you suggesting?" Daenerys pressed.

"I have made it my life's work to teach those with gifts. We must remain here until an answer to what to do with the Juggernaut is found. But that doesn't mean that we must remain idle. Allow me to help you master your powers, Daenerys Firestar."

"She has a mastery of them already," the younger of the two nights declared. "I've seen her burn down the House of the Undying, wipe out the Kind Masters."

"Fair Masters," the dark skinned woman who had been silent for much of the confrontation stated. "I think."

Wade gurgled something; Scott still found it odd that no one seemed to mind him laying on the ground with his throat stabbed.

"Listen here, Chuck," Logan said and at once Scott bristled. "We don't need your help. We're handling things more than fine on our own."

"Oh, is that what you call randomly attacking people?" Scott muttered under his breath.

"Yeah, when they stink of death, Pretty Boy." Scott started at that and Logan smirked, flicking one of his earlobes. "You have to be very quiet if you get something past me."

Scott felt his cheeks heat up at that but he squared his shoulders and refused to be cowed by the savage man before him. "You have no discipline. You could have talked to Sabertooth to try and figure out who he was. You could have told your Queen you didn't trust him and let her decide. Instead you decided to just attack without a thought. If your training is like how you handle situations like that then we're lucky that Meereen isn't in flames."

Logan took a step forward. "You get off a cheap shot and think you can talk down to me?"

"It wasn't a cheap shot," Scott said, moving to meet Logan. "If you hadn't been going off without a care you would have been able to dodge it. Don't blame me for you being sloppy."

"The only thing sloppy here, bub, is you and your pals makin' demands of us. Daenerys is Queen… Chuck over there is just some Sealord, whatever that is."

'Can't get too close… normally I'd be willing to try and engage in some hand to hand but those claws of his are far too sharp. And they looked like Valyrian Steel.'

He hadn't seen much of the metal in Braavos; Gambit had often bemoaned the fact that he had once had a single plate of Valyrian Steel that he was able to throw like one of his playing cards but wouldn't be destroyed when he used his charges, making it a handy weapon. He had wanted to find someone that could make the plate into something else but had ended up losing it… somehow. The story always changed. But those that had been trying to sell Valyrian Steel in Braavos always turned out to be frauds; Jeen could sense their delight in pulling off another con without truly needing to focus on their thoughts.

But he had heard the tales. The ripple of the metal. How it seemed to hold the flames that forged it forever in its surface. The edge that was always razor sharp. The brief moments he'd seen those claws out he'd realized that it was very likely that Logan had Valyarian Steel claws.

'He has no way to fight at a distance,' he thought to himself. 'He'll probably claim that makes me a coward, not getting in close and attacking him… but that is my best option when dealing with someone like him. I need to take him out-'

'And then what, Scott?' the Sealord said in his head. 'Will you attack everyone else?'

'Sealord,' Scott said; he'd always been respectful of the man when addressing him, despite him basically being his father in all but blood.

'We are guests here… what Logan did was wrong but Sabertooth only made the matter worse. We have been given a chance to connect with Daenerys… to prove we aren't the Brotherhood.'

'If I stand down she'll think I'm weak.'

'…yes, I sense you are correct.' The Conversation was happening lightning quick, so fast that no one realized it was going on. 'But we can't just act recklessly.'

'I have an idea,' Scott said and he knew that at once the Sealord agreed, for Scott's mind was open to him and the moment he had had the idea it had appeared in Charlus' mind as well. Out loud he stated, "I suppose you would want to settle this in a fight… no surprise attacks or the like?"

"Ain't gonna surprise me again," Logan replied.

"Meereen once was known for its fighting pits. Why not a showcase for the Queen? You and I in an official battle."

"I don't-" Logan began but Daenerys suddenly spoke up.

"That would be more than fair," she stated. "I do not wish to bring back the slave fights… they were horrific and barbaric and vile. BUT… I would consent to fights being done by warriors who agree to my terms and with the proper safety measures in place." She narrowed her eyes though. "This, though, isn't the time to discuss such things."

Scott nodded and backed off first, Logan doing the same. He could tell that the short man thought he had won some victory but Scott was fine with him having that; he knew the truth.

'Most likely get a stern talking to back at the camp though…' he thought.

"As for your offer, Sealord, while it is appreciated I do not know if it is proper," Daenerys stated. "You want to influence me in determining what happens with the Juggernaut. I have agreed to hear out all with claims to him. But if I gave you, or even those under your care, private time with myself or those of my court it would show the others that I am already leaning towards you, even if that weren't the case."

"I assure you-"

Daenerys though held up her hand. "My decision is made. I will not work with you on this until after I have decided what to do with the Juggernaut."

'And see if the offer still stands if she goes against us,' Scott thought. 'Clever.'

"Yeah yeah, this is all well and sweet and kind and all that," Tony said, reminding them all that he was still there. "But, uh, none of this really matters? The Iron Throne isn't going to save humanity when an eternal winter is brought against us."

"You mentioned that before, Lord Stark," the older of the knights stated. "You claimed that the Others had returned."

"Claim nothing. I have it on good authority. That's why I'm here to get The Queen of Dragons or Slaves or whatever she's calling herself to get a move on."

"'She' is right here," Daenerys stated, her tone making it clear that she wasn't pleased with Tony being so flippant with her. "And 'she' would like to know why I would ever listen to a Stark."

"…okay, admittedly our families have some bad blood between us," Tony stated. "I mean-"

'Scott,' Jeen said telepathically to him, 'you must be ready in case Tony reveals a dangerous truth. It could result in Daenerys becoming enraged.'

'What are you speaking of?' he thought back. 'Did you get something from Tony's mind?'

'Not Tony,' Jeen informed him. 'Lady Pepper. Her terror is making her thoughts like screams in the middle of the night.'

'What is it?' Scott asked.

'Tony has an heir… Jon Stark. In Westeros he is known as the Bastard of Winterfell, the only time that Eddard Stark forgot his honor.'

'He is the one that we heard is now the Hand of the King?' Scott asked.

He could sense her worry as if it were his own. 'He is. But it is a lie, Scott! Jon Stark is not Ned Stark's bastard… he is the legitimate son of Lyanna Stark… and Rhaegar Targaryen.'

Scott had to force himself not to react to that. Tony was still blustering and blithering on, Daenerys clearly growing more and more peeved by what she viewed as a waste of her time. Scott was honestly glad for once that the man wouldn't shut his mouth is it gave him time to process just what Jeen was telling him. Because she had been, if anything, underselling it.

Though everything he remembered, his earliest memories, were of Essos, Scott knew he was most likely a Westerosi. He didn't know which part of the Seven Kingdoms he came from though he was reasonably sure he could rule out Dorne. But the other Six were all possibilities and as such the Sealord had made sure that he knew all about his homelands. It helped that Jeen was the bastard daughter of the Riverlands (though she did not know who; her only memory of her father, according to the Sealord, was a muddled thing involving a river and a dark trout, most likely from when she was an infant) and just as interested in her homelands. As such Scott was more than well versed in the conditions and events in Westeros.

'Jon Stark is said to have been very close with his brother Robb. That will bring the North to him, even if Eddard Stark wouldn't side with him. While Catelyn Stark is said to not hold any love for him her father is dying and her brother is weak… he would quickly seek to make an alliance with Jon out of a desire to strengthen his standing. If Tony were to bring Renly back to Westeros he could hold the Stormlands easily, as Renly was already acting as Lord Paramount of those lands while Robert was on the throne. The Vale is tricky… they remember that Eddard was like a son to Jon Arryn but Lysa Tully is said to be half mad. Jon is married to Natasha Martel… Doran and Oberyn perhaps may blame him for their sister's death but if they know the truth then they have set that aside in the name of having their blood sit the throne.'

He looked at Daenerys who continued to glower at Tony as he continued to prattle on about her titles and about Others and about other mad things. Scott only caught bits and pieces of it but the fact he was claiming that Tywin Lannister's dead brother was the one that had told him all he did was… concerning.

'Jeen… Jon Stark need only close his hand and he could claim Westeros.'

'Yes. It wouldn't be bloodless but he would be able to do it. And that would cause Daenerys to move against her nephew.'

'And with her dragons…' He swallowed. 'Does Charlus know?'

'No,' Jeen said. 'I have placed one of my most subtle shields around Pepper's mind… she won't accidently reveal it as she did to me.' While the Sealord had more power than Jeen she was better at picking up such stray thoughts, for the Sealord had to worry about so much more. Thus it wasn't surprising that she had sensed what she had before he did. 'I want to believe that he would do the right thing…'

'But he and Magneto once dreamed of the Iron Throne,' Scott thought to her. Despite what he had told Daenerys once Charlus HAD hoped of helping Magneto claim Westeros. It was only with age he had put that dream away. Not that Daenerys would accept that. 'No… you're right. We can't let him know about this. Or Daenerys.'

"And then there is the whole Night's Queen taking over Sansa's body… I mentioned Sansa-"

"Enough," Daenerys said. She didn't snap or snarl the words but her tone made it clear to all that the conversation needed to end that instant. "I grow tired of this. You claim that some ancient enemy, ones you admitted only moments early are seen as only myth even in the North, are moving to invade Westeros?" She took a step towards Tony, eyes flashing brightly before she finally let her fires retreat away from her face; the rest of her form burned however. "Even if these didn't sound like the delusions of a madman then what you are claiming is only more proof that I must act to claim my throne."

"Act, yes," Tony said. "But see, I am thinking-"

"I said we were done," Daenerys said coldly, eyes narrowed in frustration.

"Technically you said 'Enough' and 'I am tired of this' and then a whole bunch of-" Pepper grabbed Tony's bicep and squeezed. "Ow. Why are you doing that?"

Daenerys continued to glower at him. "The only reason I am allowing you to leave this place is because I do not wish to deal with any claims that I mistreated a guest. But I will not waste a moment's more time with Tywin Lannister's lapdog."

"Your grace," Pepper said, "I am sorry but-"

"You heard the khaalesi" the younger of the knights stated.

But Pepper pressed, though not in Daenerys' direction. "Ser Jorah… you are of the North. You know the tales and stories well. The Others HAVE returned. They march on the Wall with an army of the dead." She took a step forward, Rhodey moving to grab Tony and keep him from ruining things with his overactive mouth. "The stories never spoke of them being destroyed. Only defeated. You know that an enemy that retreats is not an enemy that has been dealt with. Only when they are broken completely can one rest easy. Despite what Tony said we aren't saying you shouldn't act as you wish in terms of the throne. But you must be aware of what you will face. Please…"

Ser Jorah considered her for a long moment and Scott could tell that he wanted to say something… but his loyalty to his queen and khaalesi silenced his tongue.

"There will be no more talk of their fanciful fairy tales."

"They are the stories of your homelands," Rhodey pointed out. "The one you claim to desire to rule? I am sure that will bring the people to you… mocking their culture."

Daenerys did her best to hide her flinch at that and Scott knew he was right. The Westerosi would see Daenerys as basically Essosi… and she had just proven them right. "I have far better things to do than to entertain this madness. All of you, go."

Scott wanted to point out that they weren't done yet; there was still much to discuss when it came to the Juggernaut, after all. The Sealord wished to see his brother and attempt to reason with him. But Daenerys' dismissal was clear and after a moment Jeen turned Charlus' wheelchair and began to push him out. Tony and his group followed right behind them and despite the blacksmith's blathering Scott refused to engage him. Jeen was also utterly quiet, which was a bad sign as she could be friendly with anyone and everyone. For she to go silent was a sign of just how frustrated she was… and being on Jeen's badside was NOT a good idea.

It was only when they were out of the city proper that Scott finally spoke.

"Well, if you were looking to make her angry you did a wonderful job."

"Thanks, I thought so too!" Tony said with a grin.

"You WANTED her mad at you?" Jeen pressed, startled.

Tony turned to him and smirked. "Anyone can have a good time with a king or a queen. Simply pay them some compliments, tell them how they are the greatest that ever ruled, give them a few gifts, and they will be pleased as wine to aid you. But you only understand a ruler when you have angered them. When their frustrations have reached a point of action. That is when you learn their measure. Daenerys is the daughter of the Mad King… there was never a chance I was going to align with her without making sure she wouldn't burn me alive or toss me in a pit to starve or any of the other ways that Aerys tortured his enemies so his little Blackfyre could get erect." Tony shook his head. "No… I needed to see her mad at me… and I got that. And I am rather pleased with what I saw."

Charlus slowly nodded at that. "It is an… interesting course to take," he commented. "But now you have made it rather difficult on you to deal with her. She won't soon forget this."

Tony though waved his hand. "I have charmed worse. I'll get myself back in her good graces, you just watch!"

Scott wasn't entirely sure about that. 'You might think you understand power, Tony… but you don't understand ego very well. You have bruised Daenerys', making her feel as if you were talking down to her. All her life, I suspect, she has felt like that. And now you are going to have a very tall mountain to climb to make her forget that.'