(Location: She-Bear)
(Time: Morning)
Daeron felt his eyes start to open as he awoke from his slumber, it had been hard sailing these past few weeks but today they should finally have made it to Old Town. Unfortunately, Daeron's lack of foresight meant that they didn't have enough coin to give the captain of the She-Bear to take them to Starfall. They had enough to take them to Old Town since that was the captain's next destination. They'd have to find a way to acquire some funds here or they'd be forced to walk and hunt as they went.
Daeron felt a weight on his chest as he awoke, rubbing his eyes and looking down he saw the pale ethereal body of Adara "Adara, stop sleeping in my bed" Daeron said with a sigh, she'd do this when they were alone which gladly wasn't very often.
Adara wakes up her eyes fluttering and she gives a small yawn then looks at Daeron "No..." she simply says before lying back down. Daeron pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration. It seemed that the further along he was in his transformation into a wight the more he could understand her, at first she sounded like ice cracking and shifting, but sometimes he could make out her words.
Daeron couldn't stay in bed any longer so he got up lifting Adara as he did, sitting up in his cot he looked down at the pouting form of Adara, it does make him laugh a bit seeing such an ancient being with a face like that. Adara turns into a cold fog and disappeared through the bottom of the door.
"I need to stop meeting strange women," Daeron says to himself with a sigh as he starts to get dressed. He had his suspicions about Adara, Daeron thought she might have been another fragment of the Great Other. But if that's the case does it mean that some of the fragments aren't evil, Adara was indifferent to other life forms, her main goal was to search for a companion, and while she had triggered Daerons change into a wight it wasn't out of ill intent.
If the fragments each have their individuality then perhaps not all are evil, but it does bring up the question of where is the original fragment, there must be one with the original persona of the Great Other.
Daeron shook his head 'It's best not to dwell on things we don't know to can not control' he thinks to himself as he puts a white tunic on tucking it into his breeches.
Daeron emerges from his cabin and heads up to the main deck, he covers his eyes as the sun shines down on him. Once his eyes adjust he sees that Sansa and Arya have already gotten up and were looking out across the ocean, Daeron could see Old Town in the distance, it was a place Daeron always wanted to visit as even if he wasn't the most studious when he was younger in recent years he'd gotten an appreciation for knowledge.
Daeron wanted to see if there was any information on Sothoryos, he doubted there was but he wanted to know what he could, he knew he would have to return one day. He couldn't in good conscience allow the Bloodstone Emperor to plot and try to regain his freedom, though he planned to go alone, he didn't want to risk his friend's life for something that is his responsibility. Right now however he would focus on getting back to Rhaenys and making her his wife.
"Do you think we'll be able to get back before she gives birth?" Sansa asks as she looks at Daeron who had just walked up next to her.
"If we manage to get enough coin to pay for passage then we will, but if we have to travel by foot then I'm not sure" Daeron says with a frown.
"Ya know there be a tournament at Ol' Town in around a moon, if ya got the skills could always enter the melee" The Captain of the ship suggested as he heard our conversation.
"No Arya, you can't join the melee" Daeron says immediately shutting down her thoughts without even looking at her. He smiles when he hears her huff.
"It wouldn't be a bad idea for you to join? I can't imagine there being a swordsman there who could beat you" Sansa says encouragingly.
Daeron considers it for a minute before shaking his head "It could bring unwanted attention, we are already on the run" he replies to Sansa, though it seems their conversation has reminded him of something important as his eyes widen "I forgot to tell you sooner but we need to choose new names for when we are in public, just for the duration of our stay, your names while not uncommon if they are heard together at the same time, it will make it obvious who you are" he says to them getting a nod of understanding back.
"Nymeria" Arya simply says, Daeron chuckles at this, she was her favourite hero growing up, a warrior queen.
Sansa takes a bit longer to come up with one "Lyarra" it was their grandmother's name someone they only had distant memories of.
"I'll go by Lucerys Waters, it would be easier for them to assume me a dragon seed or a Valeryon bastard with the way I look" Daeron states getting a nod from both of them.
As Daeron, Arya, and Sansa disembarked at Old Town, they were immediately struck by the grandeur and magnitude of the city. Old Town, a bustling hub of trade and learning, sprawled before them with its winding streets and bustling markets. The sight of the city's architectural marvels left them in awe.
Arya, whose experiences had been confined to the rugged landscapes and castles of the North, found herself mesmerized by the sight of the Hightower. Its sheer size and height surpassed anything she had ever encountered even the wall which she had recently seen and even thought to be the tallest thing in the world didn't compare, The tower rose majestically, piercing the sky like a colossal sentinel.
While Daeron and Sansa were no strangers to colossal structures, the Hightower still left a lasting impression on them. Though Jon saw the black stone foundation and couldn't help but frown, while he knew it was used in structures by the Valyrian freehold, he wasn't sure this was created by them. If not who did it and what would they be hiding?
As the ship was docking they grabbed their meagre belongings in their bags and headed towards the ramp that was just slid down. The first thing they'd have to do was find an Inn to stay at though it would have to be cheap as they had to wait at least a month till the melee, luckily Daeron still had a few gold dragons left.
'We are going to find a place to stay, make sure you don't get into any trouble' Daeron says to Shiera who was somewhere hunting over the Sunset Sea.
'When do I ever get into trouble...' she replies.
'Volantis... also no perching on the Hightower, you're too big and people will see you' Daeron says before heading out the harbour and into the city of Old Town.
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(Kings Landing)
Varys always considered himself a calm and composed man, he never found himself getting angry because he was usually the one in control, one does not get angry at the puppets at the end of your strings. But in recent weeks he's found himself getting less and less composed as rage bubbles from inside of him.
Peter Baelish, is a detestable man full of delusions of grandeur. He'd only in recent years solidified his power in Kings Landing through embezzling thousands of dragons and reinvesting them in his businesses, while knowledge is a power on its own, having coin and being a peddler of flesh gave Littlefinger a considerable amount of power as well as his spy network. Beautiful women will often loosen the lips of even the most wound-up men.
It seems the person who wrote the letter was being truthful, in recent weeks Varys had found his little birds disappearing, looking into this he found them at different brothels throughout Kings Landing, though these Brothels weren't the usual type for the common man, but those with peculiar tastes that wanted a place that never asked questions and were not afraid of losing a worker or two.
Most of the little birds he had who disappeared were broken beyond repair, it was clear Littlefinger had made his move against Varys, only he would go to such depraved lengths to deprive him of his spy network.
Varys was knocked out of his thoughts when one of his new replacement birds walked into his solar. He was a petite boy having a frail and thin figure, his clothes were ragged and his skin marked with filth, he had a feminine face with golden hair and green eyes, if he washed the grime off his face he'd no doubt be an attractive boy.
This was how Varys first discovered him, running from some young degenerates who couldn't afford to pay for a whore so they wanted the next best thing.
"I've found the warehouse milord" Marley the little bird in service to Varys states in a low tone while looking at the floor fidgeting.
This brought a smile to Vary's face, he knew where Littlefingers warehouse was but he seems to have moved his gold and products to different ones right before he made his move against him, with the drop in little birds he had available it took him longer than it should've to locate them.
"Excellent" Varys simply says as he hands the boy a silver stag.
"Milord, I think it coulds be a trap, there be lots and lots of guards there" Marley states in his rough flea bottom accent.
Varys contemplates this for a minute "Very well, thank you Marley you can go now" he says with a smile patting him on the back.
The boy leaves Varys who's contemplating the best plan of attack, Littlefinger wasn't like Varys, he relied on his gold for his power, and if he took that away then he would be nothing. And Varys planned to drain every single copper from him before he dies.
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"It worked just as planned milord," a boy says with a smile as he walks up to Petyr Baelish who was seated on a chair overlooking two whores fucking.
"I saw the boy who was spying on the warehouse, I followed him until he went into the Red Keep" he continued drawing a smile from the seated man.
"Good work Cyrell, I had my doubts about your talents but it seems you're worth the coin," Baelish says to the boy now known as Cyrell getting a short bow in return.
Cyrell was a short frail boy with black hair and green eyes, he used to be covered in muck and grime but ever since entering Lord Baelishs service, he had cleaned himself up.
Petyr knew Varys would target his gold which was why he moved it before he started targeting his little birds, while Varys thinks he's found it what he's found is no more than a trap, several barrels of wildfire taken from under the city primed to explode when he sends his people inside.
While Varys was distracted by the warehouse Petyr would hit him with his masterstroke, he planned to occupy the secret tunnels built by Maegor with his men, he'd cut off Varys from using these tunnels whether for himself or his little birds. He'd outdone himself with his plan, at first, he struggled with how to truly damage Varys, he started attacking his little birds and putting them in his brothels, it was Cyrell who got him to think bigger when he asked how Vary's little birds move around. So he'd started moving his gold slowly to an old unoccupied part of the tunnel, it would be the last place Varys would look. Once he occupied the tunnels with his men it would be the safest place in Kings Landing.
With a smile on his face Petyr hands Cyrell a few gold dragons before waving him off, with a bow he leaves the building walking out onto the streets of Kings Landing.
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(Red Keep)
Ella was almost late, she hurried down the corridors of the Red Keep heading for the kitchen, she was hastily putting on an outfit that seemed a bit too large for her, tying it back behind her she made it fit as she went through the doors of the kitchen.
"Bloody ell' who're you then" an old kitchen wench shouts out as she stirs a pot of food.
"Ella, I'm Sara's little sister, she is ill so I'm covering for her," she says in a polite voice.
The older woman stares for a few seconds before shrugging "Didin know Sara had a younger sister, doesn' matter go get this tray to the Lord Hand, he's expectin his lunch" she says handing the tray to Ella and pushing her out of the kitchen.
Ella walks down the corridors of the Red Keep her dark hair falling over her shoulders and down her back, she's a thin and frail girl with dark hair and green eyes and a pretty face. She makes her way up the stairs of the Tower of the Hand, heading towards the Lord Hands solar.
Jon Arryn had been stressed and overworked, ever since they heard about the two sons of Rhaegar, Robert had shown to every small council meeting wanting to know what they were doing to make sure they were dead. The harsh reality was they could only focus on Aegon, he was the bigger threat at the moment, the Golden Company was renowned throughout Westeros and Essos for its prowess in battle. If Aegon had the support of them and most likely Dorne then they'd be in trouble, if they secured the Reach through marriage then they may very well lose the war.
The letter they received was concerning... it spoke of Aegon Targaryen and it also spoke of supporters he had in Kings Landing, it named Varys and Littlefinger as being supporters of the Targaryen dynasty. Robert wanted to smash open both their heads immediately but Jon managed to calm him down and make him think rationally.
Baelish is Jon's vassal and he had known him for years before he was given his post in Kings Landing. And Varys had given the crown information on the Targaryen trio who fled Westeros.
Nevertheless, they wouldn't trust the small council with the letter, they agreed to burn it after memorising its contents. They'd watch the small council carefully for now.
Jon is snapped out of his thoughts by a knock at the door "Enter!" He says firmly and is greeted at the sight of a young girl with dark hair and green eyes, though her hair covers half her face and he can't her a good look at her.
"Lunch milord," She says to him placing the tray onto his desk and then giving him a small bow before going to leave.
"Wait," Jon asks as he finds something on his tray.
Holding up what seems to be a letter he shows it to the girl "Do you know where this came from" he asks her, and the girl turns around and shakes her head.
"It was on the tray before I took it from the kitchen milord, thought it was your private letters so I didn't look" she says to Jon while looking at the floor.
With a nod of his head, he gestures for her to leave before getting his small letter opener and opening the latter. For what seemed like the hundredth time today Jon's face morphed into a frown.
*Targaryen supporters will be meeting Lords from the Vale and Crownlands in a warehouse located near Rhaenys Hill. The Lord's identities are not known but they do have the warehouse guarded so no one intrudes on their meeting which will be taking place after nightfall*
From a Friend
Jon couldn't tell Robert about this, he'd go down there Warhammer in hand to kill everyone there no questions asked. He'd have to deal with it himself, he couldn't trust the City Watch with this, he'd need to take his household guard and go himself, he knew every Lord in the Vale so he'd recognise any traitors.
He'd capture all of those Targaryen supporters and find out their plans.
———————————————————-
(Old Town)
Daeron was walking around the markets with Sansa, while they couldn't afford to buy anything it was nice to spend time together, Arya was off looking at the blacksmith's district looking to see if she could find an unwanted blade.
Sansa had her arm looped into Daerons as they walked together, she wanted to feel him inside her again, if they had gotten separate rooms she would've let him take her maidenhood right there and let him fill her with seed. But with Arya sharing their bed it would've been inappropriate and very embarrassing, she felt embarrassed when Rhaenys and Joy would be intimate with Daeron while she slept next to them so she wouldn't want to do the same to Arya.
"Do you think we'll get a home in Essos together" Sansa whispered as she leaned her head on his shoulder, walking arm-in-arm together.
Daeron looks down at her and smiles "Is that what you want, all of us living in a keep with you raising little red-haired dragons" he whispered to her causing her to bless and put her face deeper into his shoulder.
Sansa after getting over her embarrassment looks up at Daeron her big blue eyes meeting his own "I know you are going to marry Rhaenys... but I was hoping that"
"Yes Sansa, I'll marry you as well you'll be my second wife in the eyes of the seven and the old gods" Daeron says to her with a smile causing her eyes to water as she hugs him tightly.
They keep walking and realise they've come to the end of the market and have entered the outside of the Arena, they hosted tournaments here often so the Hightowers built a permanent structure to host them. At the front was a stand where it looked like people were signing their names down, most likely a sign-up for the melee.
Daeron and Sansa stop as they hear the loud steps of what sounds to be a large man. They see a man who has to be 8ft tall pushing all the people in line out of the way making his way to the front. Some people look as if they are about to retaliate but then they look at the man who pushed them.
8ft tall thickly muscled, in full black plate armour with a sword as large as a man. This was one of the most famous warriors in Westeros, The Mountain that Rides.
Daeron looked at him before a smile made its way onto his face before he starts laughing.
Sansa looks at him with concern "What is it Daeron" she whispers to him.
Daeron looks back at her with a wide smile "I've found the perfect wedding present for Rhaenys"
(AN: shit be popping yo! ... Anyway we've started the mini-arc that'll take place in Old Town, there will be a few other antagonists apart from the mountain, for all those avid readers they'll know who I mean from the interlude chapter I think? I'm not an avid reader so I'm not sure. Anyway hope you enjoyed it let me know what ya think)
Also might start a new fic, I've always wanted to right about Roberts's rebellion, but I haven't found many fics that go over that period in detail, most just gloss over it. Though I might start from the ninepenny kings and lead into the rebellion. Still thinking of an MC though.