Hi, normally and throughout the rest of this story, you won't see much of any notes in the beginning like this. However, due to both the intensity of emotions currently at home and in the areas around the US , I decided to have this chapter be quite a bit longer than normal. Regardless of whom you voted for during the election, I do hope that this helps ease the burden of any negative feelings that may have surfaced in the aftermath of the election.
Trimmed with gold, and with massive sails depicting the dragonlords in battle, it was a sight to be reckoned with.
Apparating onto the weather deck, a ventus duo assured strong winds to propel her vessel froward past Tyria and towards Oros at a steadying pace.
If you would ask her, being in the ruins of valyria for the last couple of days was more than enough for her and she was eager to see what type of cities and societies made up the free cities of Essos. The idea that Valyrians owned slaves was daunting, and hopefully with the destruction of the empire that would negate the need to have them. Journeying to Oros would soon tell.
Settling down below the deck in the sleeping quarters she readied for the beginning of an incredibly long journey to Pentos.
Hermione woke in a panic, in a daze she grappled for her wand. Danger, her magic seemed to scream, protect the eggs, get to the top deck. Rushing through the door, she calmed as she neared the steps leading to the top of the main deck.
Crossing through the doors, she breathed in the heavy air of the smoking sea. The still smoke bringing about a sense of unease as she looked around the ship. Vaguely she heard a thump, spinning, she looked at the source of the noise.
"Is that? A statue?" gripping her wand in hand she made a few steps towards the statue. Gasping as it then moved towards her.
"Are you going to talk or not?" she demanded. "Bombarda!" She watched with a grim satisfaction as the being flew towards the cliff side edge with a bang nearly blasting him apart.
Ahead were multiple statues leading through the pass, gargoyles by the looks of them. Resembling dragons, albeit with missing wings and some without mouths. There was a heavy weight in the air, the aeons of their watchful gaze felt almost palpable.
Eventually the thin pathway spread wider and with another ventus aim towards the sails. Reaching into her bag she glanced at the maps once more. Given the state of the sea, likely the surrounding isles as well were in just as bad of a shape. Well, no matter, it would just mean more travel by boat but that's not something that she'd be against with how tired she was.
Walking back towards the helm, she cast a few charms ensuring as straight of a course to the city of Volantis. In an added effort she placed a few anti-muggle wards to escape the eye of any pirates on the seas as well as the eye of anybody that might see her when she makes port.
With a weary sigh she made her way back down below and prepared for at least a couple days of sleeping until she made port.
When she awoke, she must have already arrived in Volantis. No jarring movements from the vessel showed that she was at a standstill. Making her way back up the stairs and to the main deck she grimaced at what she saw standing there.
Standing on the dock below, there were guards of some sort standing and looking around the dock that she had made harbor in. Peering over the edge, it looked like there were a few guards and behind them people dressed in thin and loose linen colored in differing shades of tan, brown and a burnt mustard.
Well, she thought, in order to make a good first impression, one must first stand out in the crowd.
Standing back from the bow of the ship she waved her wand from the top of her head, plaiting her head in an elegant twist and transfiguring some gold into a golden winged halo to be worn atop it.
Swishing her wand further down her body she watched as her clothes nigh on melted away, revealing a lovely black corset with a large dip down towards her belly button. Cinched at the waist and flowing out into a soft tulled bottom with a large slit coming up past her upper thigh. Slight gold and red accents accompanied the tule wrapped around her waist appearing similar to both a belt and dragon scales.
No better time than the present to see how good of an actress she was after her time on the run. Adjusting her wards, so that it seemed to the muggles that it had been there for at least a day or so, she rushed to the gangplank, making sure that her beaded bag was sealed shut and disillusioned.
Crashing against the entryway to the ship, she gasped out "Please, I need some assistance!" before promptly appearing to pass out.
Well, honestly, as far as reception goes, it wasn't as bad as it could've been. Being lifted and placed on a moving platform wasn't so horrible. Taken to someplace further in the city, beyond the black walls that surrounded it she felt as if she was jostled once again and placed on a small cot. Taking peeks beyond her bed, she spied more people with olive tanned skin, dressed in loose linen draped with collars wrapped around their throats bustling about.
Speaking only a few words that she could recognize, "woman", "Valyria", "Wealthy", she could assume that they were likely speaking about her. Deciding to wait a while longer, she made herself more comfortable on the cot, practically see the people in the room stop and take a deep breath as she moved. Well they could certainly wait a while, build up a bit of suspense.
Eventually, she awoke, having sometime in her wait falling asleep. Rising in the cot, she spied two women dressed in deep burgundy dresses, strange octagonal necklaces and a rich wine red head of luscious curls. A bit of jealousy shot through her as she spied how casually they were sitting and how beautiful they were doing even just that.
"Who are you? What are your names?" Hermione asked.
"I believe we should be asking that of you, Milady. You came upon the shores of Volantis speaking a dialect that hasn't been spoken of in centuries. Where have you come from and where do you plan to go? You've sent the nobles and the triarchs into quite the frenzy upon your arrival here in Volantis. Your ship down at the docks is quite a beautiful vessel."
"The journey here was quite unexpected. I lost most of the crew that had boarded my ship. Upon our crossing of the smoking sea we were caught unawares of the stone men lurking there. I don't remember much but I do know that I am searching for someone. In the city of Pentos I believe."
"Truly?" the woman asked. " Who might you be looking for? The Red Temple knows a great many people, and a great number of patrons who attend services."
"Well, my name is Hermione Misagaenys. I've been told that I have family still left in Pentos. I thought I was the last of my name. I can trace my name back to Daenys Misagaenys, first of her name, of the city of Valyria. I've come to find them. This is Volantis is it not?"
"Yes, tis indeed the great city of Volantis. Humour me, milady, how are you going to find your family?" both of the women then leaned forward, as if the world waited on tenterhooks for her answer.
"By foot, for the most part. I'll likely replenish food and water and i'll follow the river Rhoyne. I know I'll likely travel due northeast, eventually making my way to the city."
"You have no men, no guard and no sellswords. The road ahead is dark, and the night full of terrors. You'll be as likely to be sold into slavery than actually making it to Pentos. Would you allow one of us to accompany you? It seems like the only language that you know is incredibly outdated. You would be lucky to find even one person who would be able to assist you on your journey beyond these walls."
"I don't even know your names. Why should I let you help me, what would you gain from such a thing?" She had demanded.
"My name is Kinvara, milady. High priestess of the Red Temple. Servant to R'hllor. My companion is Melisandre. Do you know what it is that we do, milady?"
"Even if I didn't, I'd assume that you'd tell me anyway? I'm beginning to see that this conversation is a little one sided."
"I suppose it would seem that way, but what better to acquire knowledge. It is known that knowledge begets power. However, power is not one that we seek. We seek signs of our savior Azor Ahai and in doing so, we beseech guidance from our God, R'hllor. He guides us from the very flames that light this room. How Azor Ahai will be reborn again in smoke and in flame. To defeat the great Other. The very anti-being and the worst that this world has seen in aeons. The great Other seeks one goal. To throw the world into an always winter, the end of mankind. Imagine my surprise when, upon glancing into the flames, praying, that it showed me your face. You, upon the outermost reaches of Valyria. A place where none dare to travel, and those that do, have suffered the most horrifying deaths."
Staring at hermione she continued, "Yet, here you are. Hermione Granger, reborn from smoke and flame, taking the Valyrian name as you have would open many doors for you. Twas a smart decision to take, it would serve you well. Surely, we too, could serve you just as well?"
"Pyromancy? You divine the future from the flames? You of all people should know exactly how divination works. To divine only brings about your own doom. You're literally writing your own fate. If you want to help me, then help me get to the city of Pentos. There's someone there with my name that I have to find. I wasn't the only one who came to the city of Valyria and escaped unscathed. They have answers to questions that I have."
"Melisandre will help you. I am needed yet in Essos. The longer you stay, the less likely you'd be able to leave. To the Triarchs here in the city, you are a representation of all that they wish they could be. To have you and to keep you here would only heighten their strength and hold over the city. They have goals to mayhaps take over the stepstones like their forefathers before them, though fleeting as it would be."
Taking out her wand, Hermione stared hard at the two women. Standing up from the bed, she moved her wand over her slippered feet and transfigured them into leather boots, straps moving up and buckling until they were just under her knees. The tooled underlining of the dress billowed out into dark pants tucked into the boots, with the bodice resembling something of an oriental wrap around her midsection. The top half of her corset was transformed into an open faced hood, tucking through the back of her wrap and billowing behind her in a cape like fashion.
Taking a glance at her sleeves, she transfigured them into billowing sleeves that were tight around her upper biceps and billowed out around her wrists, with a couple of dragon motif tasses at the end. Taking her headdress and turning them into bracers to be placed on her wrists to better store her wand and to be placed upon the top of her sleeves to prevent them from slipping.
Turning back to the two women, she could only raise an eyebrow at the gobsmacked look that the two carried.
"Have you never seen any actual magic done before now, then?"
"You must understand, milady, that the magic that we have seen, what we can do, cannot do anything like what we've just witnessed."
Rushing towards Hermione, Melisandre was the one who spoke then.
"This must not be known to any others. The magistrates would hunt you and kill you for nothing more than having a Valyrian name. But to act as you just did? You would be the catalyst for wars. For the burning of men." Placing her hand upon Hermione's wrist she pleaded again.
"No one must know."
Taken aback by the ardent action of the other woman, Hermione could do nothing but nod back in agreement.
"I need a bag, and I need a few coins of each currency that you have. I have this room placed under a notice me not spell, and a few others to ward out intruders. I'm not too sure how you both came in here without tripping any of the wires that I've placed, but if you can, others might try the same. Melisandre and I leave now. Really, no better time than the present." Hermione snapped back, "unfortunately, I might have to use my magic regardless since I refuse to be in the desert for as long as necessary. I also need to stock up on food and supplies as well."
Both women grabbed a few of their excess pouches, watching in slight awe as a slight touch of Hermione's fingers altered the state of their colouring: Black, green and red.
"To store things properly, naturally. I'm a bit fond of colour coordinating such things to allow for an easier memory of where they're stored and to keep stock of what items I have, and what we might need in the future. We leave now then stock up on supplies and stop by the dock since I'll need to grab my boat, and we'll start our journey together. Melisandre, you'll have to lead me to the markets, and I'll follow behind disguised. You won't be able to spot me, so don't bother looking until we've made it outside the gates. We'll talk more freely there."
Nodding, Melisandre dipped in the slightest mockery of a curtsey and made her way to the door. Tapping her own head with her wand, Hermione heard Kinvara let out a breath of air as she slowly disappeared from view.
"Let's go, Melisandre" she whispered as she followed the older woman out of the door to the healing halls.
"We are currently in the Necropolis," Melisandre whispered. " Within the healing halls for someone of your stature. We'll journey far, to walk to the North market and even farther to the docks where your ship is located."
Nothing more was said as they walked through the halls of healing. Large square windows showing the tightly spaced and highly stacked buildings outside. Smoke rose from many of the chimneys outside the window, and if this was what it looked like within the richest part of the city, Hermione was very nervous to see what it looked like beyond the walls.
Coasting down the stairs, she looked towards the wide streets, staring at all the people milling about the front of the halls. In one area stood another woman in red, preaching to a bunch of slaves that lingered around her, wanting to hear more. Another had a couple, finely dressed in silks of blue and white, children running about their ankles.
Making her way further out of the sector, buildings became simpler, but no less finely made. Massive stone archways, low roofs and pillars holding up the buildings looked particularly Grecian. Plenty of space for gardens, flowing water through the cities in semi built canals and small stone bridges made the picturesque city look almost welcoming for its Highborn natives.
However, in stark contrast to the interior of its beloved city stood the Black Walls. A massively horrid thing so large that you could see nothing of what lays beyond. Following Melisandre, she felt a massive drop in realizing just how massive the city of Volantis was.
Buildings tightly packed into each other, these ones with slight terracotta shingles, resembling eastern Asian architects. If it looked densely packed in the Necropolis, then it was even worse outside its gates. Too many people and slaves roamed the smaller streets, shouldering past each other. Most giving Melisandre a wide berth as she waded through the crowds.
Luckily the life of a red priestess wasn't as dramatic as the name and religion suggested. Travelling through most of the lower districts unscathed they made it through Bridgerton and towards the Market bridge.
"This is the bridge that the dragon lords of Valyria built to better access its cities from the ground. Many of those who came to the Necropolis had no dragons to lay claim to, and thus now many travel by way of a litter. It is considered most improper to travel on foot as one does. However it is that you remain out of sight, tis good that you remain so. It would besmirch your good name Hermione. "
Stepping onto the bridge, people bustled back and forth, shouting louder to be heard over each other. Words like "no!" and "more!" were heard coming from both sides of the bridge. Following Melisandre as she walked back and forth between the vendors, reaching from behind her and casting shrinking and preservation charms on the baskets of dried fruits, hard cheese and cured meats.
Sneaking past a view of the booths she snagged a few whickers of what looked like barley, rye, a few with rice and potatoes and spices.
Spying Melisandre animatedly talking with one of the vendors further down the road she made her way to her, stepping close and tapping her shoulder thrice to signal to move on.
Finally crossing the bridge and entering into the Northern district, Hermione could only sigh in relief that marked they were slightly more than halfway through their trek.
Stepping into the North Market, she watched as Melisandre stepped to another priestess within the city, a small exchange passing though most people over looked it. Forward they went through the parts of Old Towne before finally spying the large bay she had sailed in days previous. The docks not to far off, picking up pace the closer they got, the more soldiers she could see. Some on large elephants and with massive bows. A few that were brave enough to try and step towards her ship likely found themselves with something very important that they had to get to. Seeing their frustration as the guards were unable to board.
Casting a nonverbal confoundus charm on the group, she called out, "There's trouble in the South District! Quick now, protect the Necropolis."
Watching as they stood there confounded, Hermione turned to Melisandre, "can you help me with that?"
Witnessing as she spoke for the first time in that weird garbled tongue, the only word she was able to make out was the Necropolis and even that felt wrong to hear it.
"What language is that Melisandre?" Hermione questioned as she stepped towards the ships, widening the wards that repelled the muggles from the area, shrinking the ship down until she could store it safely away in one of the pouches.
"Tis Bastard Valyrian, Milady. When the fires first came from Valyria, most of it's knowledge was wiped out, not just the freehold. With no one to learn, least of all, to teach the language was left to die. You are one of the few here, who could actually understand the tongue of their mothers let alone speak it. You will find even less on the road as you make your way to Pentos. For the night is long and full of terrors."
"Okay well, take my hand. I'll figure that part out later. Now I had seen a vague outpost that looked semi abandoned outside the gates of Volantis upon my arrival. I'll get us there and from there we'll travel due north."
Releasing the disillusionment charm, Hermione reached for Melisandre's hand, gabbing it and with a twist of her feet, disappeared with a soft crack!
Appearing at the smaller fort of Sarhoy, Hermione looked further down the river Rhoyne and spun again landing south of Volon Therys. Taking a moment to gather her breath as she noticed Melisandre bend low, dry heaving and gasping for breath.
"My lor-Lady! Please tell me we won't have to do too much of whatever that was."
Grimacing in sympathy hermione could only shrug her shoulders.
"We'll get a bit of a break once we get closer to the Sorrows, as we'll walk further around it, towards Myr and the Flatlands, but since I haven't seen much of Essos beyond the walls of Volantis, apparating is still our quickest form of travel through to Pentos. It should pass quickly Melisandre."
Taking some of the coins that Melisandre had given her, Hermione cast gemino on the copper, silver and gold coins until she had a small handful of each and placed them within her green pouch.
Seeing that Melisandre was about as recovered as one could be for aparrating for the first time, she reached out once more, grabbed spun again, this time appearing south of Sar Mell, another jump had her outside of Valysar and her last jump for the day had her out of breath and outside Selhorys.
Gasping for breath, hands on her knees Hermione stood straight towards Melisandre.
"Okay, now we walk towards Myr, there should be a small lake and we'll travel north from there."
It was a long walk east past the river and an even longer walk once they reached the area of the Disputed Lands. Finding a caravan in the distance Hermione stopped Melisandre. Placing her wand at the top of her head, she watched as the older woman shivered, while slowly she shimmered out of sight. Doing the same to herself, she moved forward and towards the caravan.
"Can you tell who they are Melisandre? What they're doing?" she asked, eyeing the large encampment.
"It's possible that they're slave traders hoping to sell their wares in either Myr or Volantis. The northern cities do not agree with the Valyrian traditions of slaves but many of the southern cities still hold true to this day."
"Well, it's a shame that they ran into me then, isn't it? Why don't we stop and pay a visit to our dear friends from the south?"
Grabbing the arm of Melisandre, Hermione twisted and with a sharp pop appeared behind one of the carriages holding the soon to be slaves. Sneaking behind one of the guards she cast out,
"Petrificus totalus!" watching with a bit of glee as the men in the surrounding area collapsed.
Marching towards the large tent near the back of the encampment she did the same to all the men she came across.
Crossing over the threshold, she gasped upon seeing what was held inside the tent, a gryphon. A creature which she didn't even realize that this country could have and something so reminiscent of home a slight pang shot through her at the thought of what the men here would have done to the poor thing.
Removing the disillusionment charm from herself, she moved slowly towards the beast. Casting a quick alohamora towards the door as the creature burst free from its shackles. Hermione dropped into a formal bow as the creature stalked towards her, snuffing her hair, she could feel it's breath at the back of her neck. Anxiously closing her eyes, she raised out her hand far enough away from her body, relaxing only when she felt the hard skin of its beak upon her palm.
Standing straight and slowly backing out of the tent, Hermione kept her gaze towards the gryphon. Spinning on her heel once the flaps closed, she turned to eye Melisandre's progress with the slaves trapped in the caravan.
What are your thoughts so far? What are some interesting pieces that you would like to see elaborated on? Unfortunately, I'm not too strong at building descriptive scenes showcasing any forms of violence. But I do hope you look forward to Saturdays update! I've also been taking a peek at the online traffic stats as well, so tell me a little bit about your region! Write me a few words if English isn't your first language. I find myself terribly fascinated by it all and incredibly honored by just how many people have come to view my story.