As I emerged from the hidden chamber, I traversed a dimly-lit corridor where several maids bustled about their chores. Their attention remained fixated on their duties and occasionally stealing glances at me, paying no heed to Vaylara's ghostly presence floating alongside me.
Lost in my thoughts, I contemplated my next move, realizing that my time here had come to an end.
It was clear that my focus now should be on returning to my forest and finally getting to work on my dragon. Now that I would have Vaylara's assistance, I needed to modify my approach to this task, as she possessed greater knowledge of dragons than I did.
Having made this decision, I resolved to depart this place without further delay.
So I made my way to Shireen's room, where I could conduct one final inspection before informing Stannis of my intentions to leave.
As I entered the room, I saw Shireen's mother tenderly feeding her some food. They noticed my presence and greeted me warmly, once again expressing their gratitude for my services.
"It was my pleasure."
I approached Shireen and performed a final check-up to ensure that everything was in order.
"You appear to be in perfect health now, my lady," I informed her. "However, I would still advise against engaging in any strenuous activity for the next few days and recommend that you eat twice as much as usual until your appetite returns to normal."
"Thank you, Ser Healer," Shireen replied gratefully.
"Since my work here is complete, I shall bid you farewell for now. Perhaps we shall meet again someday," I said, preparing to depart.
"So soon?" Shireen's mother exclaimed, clearly disappointed.
"Unfortunately, my lady, I have pressing matters that require my attention back home," I explained.
"Very well, then. Thank you again for all that you have done," she replied, offering a parting smile.
I got up to leave before pausing.
"Excuse me," I asked, turning back to Shireen's mother. "Might you happen to know where I could find Lord Stannis so that I can bid him farewell before I depart?"
"He's likely at the harbor," she replied.
"Thank you kindly for your help," I said with a nod, before turning to leave the room.
As I made my way down the hallway, Vaylara's ethereal voice suddenly broke the silence. "I couldn't help but notice, you didn't use any magic to heal the girl," she remarked.
"You're right. I didn't," I responded matter-of-factly.
"That was the other power you spoke of - the one you were born with," she said in amazement.
"In all my years, I've never seen anything like it."
"I suppose but I didn't need to use much of my powers this time," I remarked, acknowledging Vaylara's observation. "But, how do you know that my abilities match with what I told you?"
"I scanned the girl as well, and my findings confirm your exceptional abilities," Vaylara replied.
"To achieve such a feat is truly impressive."
I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at those words.
However, her comment seemed like a good opportunity to get some information, and I couldn't help but quip, "Well, you must be quite old to claim knowledge of all types of magic."
"El, have you no manners?" Vaylara chided me. "Did your mother never tell you that it's impolite to ask a lady her age?"
I rolled my eyes at her teasing, knowing that she would eventually tell me her full story. For now, my thoughts returned to my journey home, and I hastened my pace towards the harbor to bid Lord Stannis farewell.
----------
The carriage ride was not as smooth as he had hoped it would be, and a significant bump snapped him out of his thoughts.
He had been sent on a journey north on an important task that his grandmother had assigned him. While anyone who asked would be told that he was on his way to visit the white mage of Winterfell to have his leg healed, and from what he had heard, it would be a small matter for the healer to fix his knee.
He was genuinely looking forward to the visit, but he also had other important tasks assigned to him. While he had completed some tasks in the Reach as the healer of Highgarden, this was going to be the most important one yet.
The completion of this task held great significance for him, as it was his chance to demonstrate his worth to his family. As they rode past, he glanced at his beloved younger sister, seated opposite him, reveling in the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Although they were still a week away from Winterfell, a chilling breeze hinted at the wintry atmosphere that awaited them. Memories of his grandmother's words from a few days prior, just before their departure, flooded his mind.
----
"Grandmother, you called for me?"
"Yes, Willas. Come, sit. I have something important to discuss with you."
He took a seat, curious as to what his grandmother had in store for him.
"You will be going on a journey to Winterfell," she announced.
He was taken aback at the suddenness of her statement but not entirely surprised.
He had heard the rumors circulating in the Seven Kingdoms and had an inkling of what his grandmother would ask of him.
"May I ask why?" he inquired.
"I hope that the White Mage will be able to heal your leg and provide insight into what's happening in Winterfell," she explained.
He nodded in understanding. "If even a tenth of the rumors about the White Mage's abilities are true, then my leg getting healed is not a doubt, but a certainty. Negotiating a fair price for the healing is the simplest part of the task. What do you want me to do after that?" he asked, sensing that there was more to the journey.
"That will be the hard part. I would have handled the matter myself as it is very important, but that isn't going to happen considering the journey. So, as the next heir to Highgarden and someone with a somewhat competent brain between your ears, unlike your father, you will have to do it."
"The North has always been a significant buyer of our crops, but now that they have figured out how to make glass, what do you think has happened?"
He took a moment to connect the dots and replied, "They have started to make glass gardens for cheap, so they are producing more crops in the winter."
"Correct. Even though the effects are negligible at the moment, they are growing at an alarming rate, and eventually, they will not be buying a single grain from the South."
"What I want you to do is negotiate with Ned Stark and make sure that the North continues to buy from us at least for the crops they cannot grow."
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. The North's increasing self-sufficiency in crop production could have far-reaching consequences for the economy of Highgarden and the livelihood of our people.
"I will do my best, Grandmother," I replied, my voice filled with determination. "I understand the importance of maintaining our trade relations with the North. I shall negotiate with Ned Stark and find a way to ensure that they continue to purchase our crops."
She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I have faith in you, young one. Your wit and intelligence will serve you well in this endeavor. Remember, it is not just about the negotiations but also building a lasting relationship based on trust and mutual benefit."
Negotiating with Ned Stark, a man known for his shrewdness and honor, would be no easy feat, especially since they had been selling their excess grain for alarmingly high prices due to the North's desperation and lack of options.
"That is going to be one of your main tasks. The other one will be to get close to the Mage, find out what kind of person he is, and what his plans are. Someone with as much power as him will not be content with just sitting in that clinic of his, healing people for a few silvers."
"Margery will be going with you. I have already explained what her duties are going to be, and she will help you in this matter."
"Winterfell has become a pivotal center of events, and we need to understand the true nature of what is happening there."
"Rest assured, Grandmother, I will accomplish this task to the best of my abilities."
----------
Standing on the balcony, he surveyed the sprawling scenery that stretched out before him. A voice from behind interrupted his thoughts, prompting him to turn around.
"You summoned me, brother?" the voice inquired.
"Yes, I received a letter from Tyrion today," he replied, his tone tinged with intrigue. "He shared some intriguing news."
"Has the Mage been successful in healing him?" the voice asked, brimming with curiosity.
"It appears so. Not entirely, but he is expected to make a full recovery within a month," he answered, relaying the information.
"Are you certain?" came the follow-up question.
"Yes, the men I dispatched with him have confirmed the same," he assured.
"That's indeed wonderful news," the voice acknowledged warmly.
"Yes... wonderful, but it alters the situation," he muttered, his voice tinged with contemplation.
"You're still adamant about not making him the heir, aren't you?" the voice challenged, filled with concern.
"I haven't made up my mind yet," he admitted, his tone reflecting the conflict within him.
"You knew this was always a possibility when you sent him to Winterfell." the voice reminded, its words laced with a sense of inevitability.
"Yes, but I had been hoping to find a way to make Jaime see reason and relinquish his white cloak to take his rightful place," he replied, a mix of determination and uncertainty in his voice.
"Very well. I doubt I will be able to change your mind after all these years. Has he been able to find any other information about the changes occurring in Winterfell?"
"Regrettably, not much beyond what we already knew. But he seems to have established a favorable rapport with the Mage, so his time there hasn't been entirely fruitless," he responded, a tinge of disappointment lacing his words.
"Things have been changing too fast in the past few years. What are you going to do?" the voice inquired, eager to understand his plans.
"I am going to wait for Tyrion to return before I make my final decision," he stated, his voice resolute.