Harry read through the report in his hand from the Sea Dragon's Academy of Magic. The number of students recruited into the academy for its first year was modest, but it was expected to be this way. The first batch of the academy only consisted of fourteen students. It was a smaller number than he expected, but it was manageable. He had yet to attract a substantial number of learned men into the academy.
Since he was not keen on ceding any academic ground to the Maesters in his lands, he couldn't hire anyone from the Citadel to teach in the academy. This left him with the option of depending on his Valkyrie guards, as they were students of magic, and then tackling the non-magical subjects using acolytes from the Citadel. He also had a couple of good teachers from Essos under his employ, mainly in art, carpentry, dye making, pottery and many other handicraft skills.
"How is Kyla doing with the academy?" Harry asked, staring curiously at Alaenera, who returned from the academy to deliver the reports.
"Mostly busy teaching the children and keeping the families together to build the settlement near the academy." Alaenera shrugged, playing with a quill in her hand. "As you wished, rudimentary runes classes along with numbers and letters have started for the batch of students."
"I see." Harry nodded thoughtfully, "How fares the settlement?"
"The people there have taken to fishing and hunting, mostly hunting. They're clansmen from the mountains, after all."
"Hmm. Anything else?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The women serve in the castle's upkeep as cooks, sweepers, gardeners and maids."
"So, Kyla has it handled."
"I believe so." Alaenera smiled brightly.
"How're you handling the lightning bow? Any troubles?"
"Nothing so far. Kyla has trained me well."
"Good. You'll soon get the opportunity to test your skills with the bow on a battlefield." said Harry.
"Huh?" Alaenera coked her head to the side, looking at him in shock.
"My father has given permission to rout the pirates and teach a lesson the Sistermen won't soon forget."
"Truly?" Alenera's eyes widened upon hearing that, "If you don't mind me asking, what changed?"
"A lot." Harry said with a chuckle.
But before he could explain further, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
It was none other than Maester Marwyn on the other side of the door.
"Apologies for disturbing you, my lord."
"We'll speak more on the morrow. You must be exhausted from your travels. You may rest today, but you will start training with Elsera tomorrow. I have arranged with her to train you in magical combat. You'll need it before it is time to set sail to the Three Sisters."
Alaenera was understandably gobsmacked, but she reserved her opinions for later when they were not in the company of one another. So, she bowed and moved out of his office.
"You were saying, Maester." Harry nodded at the older man, curious to hear what the maester had to say.
"A raven came from Riverrun, my lord. Lord Edmure and Lady Alysanne have welcomed a healthy girl into their home."
"Uncle Edmure must be delighted." Harry said, a smile stretching across his face, "I shall write a congratulatory note right away."
"Then I'll have it sent promptly, my lord."
"Is there any word from Winterfell? Surely, this calls for a visit to Riverrun. I'm sure my mother would prefer to see her niece as soon as possible."
"I shall check with Winterfell, my lord. They might be a day away from the castle. But are you sure a visit is due at this time?"
"Why not?" Harry asked with a raised brow.
"My lord, war looms on the horizon. Your absence might adversely affect our efforts against the Sistermen."
"Hmm." Harry leaned back in his seat, knowing the veracity of that statement.
His fleet was still in the process of smashing away all the natural defences protecting the Three Sisters. Once that was done, the bulk of his fleet would move in to hunt down all pirates based out of the islands. If need be, a land invasion was planned to decisively defeat the Sistermen for good.
He had thought deeply and hard about holding on to the islands, and it was his conclusion that it was bound to be a waste of resources. The resources he spent to crush the Ironborn and keep them confined to their islands had taught him the need for local support. It was for this reason he was hoping to purchase the cooperation of some of the lords of the Three Sisters to keep the peace. It was tempting to take the three islands by storm and impose the North's dominion through force.
But he would be all for it if he could achieve the same without throwing away too many lives and gold in a pointless war. After all, the ultimate goal was to secure the Bite from hostile foes out to disrupt trade in the region. Taking possession of the islands would only embroil them in a long costly war.
"I guess we should finish the war with the Sistermen quickly, then." Harry thought aloud, turning his attention to the map pinned on the table to the side where his war plans were laid on the table with position marked.
"Send for Jon. I think it is time that we gather our fleet at White Harbour and Oldcastle."
Harry stood up and moved closer to the table, pinning his eyes on the island closest to the North, the Longsister.
*****
Daenerys stared in horror at the gigantic wolf towering over her. Its mane was pitch black, with its head touching the dark clouds hovering in the sky. Its eyes were golden yellow, burning like twin suns. In its eyes, she could only see an animalistic rage that threatened to devour her or tear her apart with its sharp canines.
She let out a terrified scream and ran as far away from the terrifying wolf as possible.
But her escape was cut off when the wolf jumped over her and placed itself across from her with a low growl. She fell on her back, terrified out of her mind. Her entire body felt cold, and her limbs locked up in fright as the wolf towered over her.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, three dragons came to her rescue and began battling with the terrifying wolf. Dany scooted backwards, her heart racing while keeping an eye on the fight. But dashing all her hopes, the wolf let out a horrifying cry that made the earth tremble. This was followed by a deft swing of its massive paw, which smacked the three dragons out of the sky.
Mountains crumbled around her, making Daenerys scream in fright. A shower of rocks upturned the ground around her. Great gales of wind uprooted ancient trees from their abodes. When the dust settled, she saw three dragons cowering in fright on the ground while the massive black wolf stood victorious over them with eerily glowing yellow eyes.
Before her wide, terrifying eyes, the wolf suddenly grew wings and breathed fire into the sky. But instead of feeling the heat of the flames, she found the sky started to snow. The three dragons lay prone on the ground, whimpering in pain with their wings and limbs twisted at odd angles. The wolf suddenly glared at her, and in the next moment, she woke up with a gasp.
Daenerys found herself breathing heavily as she stared at the ceiling in her room. Small rays of sunlight were slipping into her room from in between the drapes covering her window.
She closed her eyes and calmed her racing heart down.
'Again, the same dream.' she thought as she wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand.
Daenerys slipped out of her bed and decided to take a bath to escape the effects of the dream somehow. Ever since she saw Myr burn, she had dreams about dragons and wolves. She knew why it was so. The Starks had seared the fear of gods into her soul, and she couldn't help but see those terrifying stormy grey eyes most nights. The frightening power the Starks displayed was unimaginable. She had only heard stories of Valyrian sorcerers capable of changing the landscape on a whim with their magic.
But those were just stories. The power shown by the Stark brothers was very much real and terrifying. So, it made it all the more difficult for her to sleep peacefully when her brother was planning to invade Westeros.
She had often considered her brother sweet and loving in his own way. Her earliest memories showed how much her brother loved her and was always there to care for her. No matter how terrible, she could depend on her brother. It was the loss of their mother's crown that pushed her brother to the edge of madness and cruelty. Ever since her brother was forced to sell their mother's crown in Braavos, her sweet brother was never the same again.
But, his cruelty was never as pervasive as now with the purchase of a thousand Unsullied soldiers. She couldn't help but fear what her brother would do once he landed in Westeros, commanding an army of Unsullied and sellswords.
The Unsullied were famed for their discipline and skill, bred to be the perfect soldiers. Daenerys had heard stories of their unwavering loyalty and relentless efficiency, but those tales carried a chilling weight when tied to Viserys's insatiable thirst for power. The thought of him wielding such a force sent a shiver down her spine. He had always been a man driven by his desire for the Iron Throne, but the prospect of him gaining an army that could enforce his will was a nightmare she could not shake.
She came to fear her brother leading a highly disciplined army like the Unsullied because he had seen her brother use the soldiers to kill and beat up the servants of Magister Illyrio's manse.
Daenerys rolled out of her bed and stood on the balcony of her room. The early light of morning smothered her skin with warmth. She took a deep breath and looked at the peaceful city. The manse had expansive grounds, but she could hear the sound of the sea, and if she looked hard enough, she could see the top portion of the masts of ships in the harbour.
Pentos was a beautiful city, and she could imagine herself living here. In Myr, the city was filled with fumes from glass foundries aplenty littered across the streets. Not just glass but also different aromas of dyes filled the morning air of the fallen Free City.
Pentos, on the other hand, was the city of spices, pine, grapes and apples. The wealthiest magisters of Pentos held plots of lands far larger than some of the high lords of Westeros. She had seen pineapple plantations and grapes stretching for miles, covering hills and valleys north of Pentos. It was a peaceful city if one ignored the people churning under the yoke of slavery. Though Pentos claimed they had no slaves, she had seen enough to know the people here were slaves and treated them as such no matter what Pentos claimed.
Despite that, Daenerys felt like Pentos could become a safe home for her and Viserys. But her brother still harboured notions of reclaiming the Iron Throne.
She recalled the way Viserys spoke of his plans and the fire in his eyes when he talked about reclaiming what was rightfully his. The throne was not just a seat of power for him. It was an obsession, a fixation that had twisted his love for their heritage into something dark and dangerous.
She'd have gone along with her brother's thought if not for her encounter with the Stark brothers. They had shown a power that even dragons couldn't compete. To destroy a mighty Free City like Myr in a single night was not a feat even the Conqueror could claim. But Harrion Stark and his two brothers did so with ease. The fact that the Starks burned down the entire city for the actions of Magister Aelux terrified her.
She couldn't help but wonder why Viserys didn't fear their foes in the North. The very breath they were taking now was a charity from the Stark brothers. If the Starks had desired it, they could've easily killed them that day. Yet, they spared her and Viserys.
She knew why the Starks spared them. It was because the Stark brothers didn't consider her or her brother a threat. But that could change if her brother invaded Westeros with an army of Unsullied and sellswords to claim the Iron Throne. It was inevitable that her brother would come to blows with the Starks, and she feared what would happen, considering the dreams haunting her every night.
The door behind her opened suddenly, startling her.
"Dany."
"Viserys. I…"
"Why aren't you ready for the day yet?" Viserys asked, his amethyst eyes gaining a gleam that set her on edge.
"I was just… I'm not feeling well." Daenerys said, keeping her eyes down, seeing the displeasure becoming profound on her brother's face.
Viserys stepped closer, his expression settling on indignation.
"You must understand, Dany, this is our chance to reclaim our birthright. Today the sellswords Magister Illyrio promised will arrive. I want you at your best, sister." Viserys said.
"Why? What good will that do?" she asked meekly.
"When these sellswords arrive, I want them to see they're fighting for. They'll not be fighting for some no-name Essosi. They'll be fighting under the banner of the Dragon. They need to see the blood of Old Valyria remains strong in our veins." Viserys said with an excited gleam in his eyes.
Daenerys swallowed a sigh of disappointment that threatened to escape from her mouth. She had seen this very same enthusiasm, obsession and grandeur in their heritage in her brother when he tried to court the officers of the Golden Company. Her brother had thrown a lavish feast for the sellswords and regaled them with stories of their vaunted ancestors. The sellswords had listened, dined and then laughed at their faces before taking their leave.
"These sellswords – they're ruthlessly cruel, aren't they?" Daenerys asked meekly.
"Who told you that sister?" Viserys asked with a frown.
"The servants talk of them, brother. They speak in hushed whispers of the Brave Companions." Daenerys said slowly, hoping that her brother wouldn't take any offence.
"Good. Then Magister Illyrio was not lying when he said these sellswords would be unforgiving to my enemies." Viserys grinned wickedly with a crazed look in his eyes, "These sellswords will bring death, pain and misery for our enemies before I claim the Iron Throne."
"You know we cannot trust these sellswords. They're as likely to turn their swords on us and join our enemies." Daenerys tried to war, but her brother would hear none of it.
Viserys' face darkened, and the flicker of anger in his eyes turned into something more sinister.
"That's why we have the Unsullied, sister. They obey my commands as if I am their god. We only need the service of these sellswords to capture Dragonstone. Once we reclaim our family's seat, we'll have the lords of Westeros flocking to our banner."
"I think this is folly," Daenerys muttered.
"Do you want us to be known as the cowards who let our family's legacy slip away?" Viserys thundered.
Daenerys flinched at the shrill tone of her brother.
"I don't! If we don't act now, we are finished. Our name will be nothing more than a whisper in the wind." Viserys hissed and smashed his hand against the dressing table in her room, making her jump in fright.
"There has never been a greater opportunity to reclaim our birthright. King's Landing is being torn apart by rebellious elements within the Faith of the Seven. The Usurper's allies have forsaken him, and Dorne stands ready to support us once we land." Viserys smirked, thinking of the bloodbath he'd unleash once his army touched the shores of Westeros.
Daenerys wanted to argue further and turn her brother away from making a mistake, but a servant came to their side carrying terrible news. The Brave Companions had arrived at the gates of the city!
"Dress yourself in the finest of silks, sister. I will not have these sellswords think they're fighting for silly men of Essos and their silly causes." Viserys ordered her, but he only left when she nodded demurely.
Daenerys took a deep breath and did as her brother wished. She dressed in the finest fabric in her wardrobe and made herself presentable by her brother's side before the sellswords arrived. In the comfort of a blue dress gifted by her brother on her fourteenth namesday, she stood by his side waiting for the sellswords to arrive.
She didn't have to wait long as she saw a small contingent of men arriving on their horses. She looked further ahead to see the supposed thousand-strong army of the Brave Companions, but only four men were seen riding in the company of Magister Illyrio's servant.
"Magisted, where is my promised sellsword army? There are only four men." Viserys said with a displeased frown.
"It is caution on my part, your grace. We have yet to strike a contract with the Brave Companions. Until we know the Brave Companions will fight under your banner, we must be cautious not to welcome the sellswords within the city walls." Illyrio explained with a twittering smile.
Daenerys suspected the man to hold some ulterior motives for hosting them. But she couldn't deny the Magister had more sense than her brother in matters like these. It was another reason for Daenerys to fear what would come after Viserys gained his army. Her brother was not known for his patience. She feared he'd march his army and attack recklessly without any forethought.
"Captain Vargo Hoat. Your reputation precedes you. Welcome to Pentos." Magister Illyrio greeted jovially, hugging a tall, gaunt man with a long goatee.
Daenerys felt like she wanted to hide behind a room, preferably with a steel door, as the sellsword captain's pitch-black eyes fell on her. She felt like his eyes lingered on her for far too long to be appropriate. Thankfully, the sellsword shifted his attention to her brother and then back to Magister Illyrio.
"Well met, Magister Illyrio. Your messenger promised me a most intriguing offer."
"Of course, Captain Hoat. I believe you'll not be disappointed at all." Magister Illyrio said with a flourish, leading the sellsword captain towards Daenerys and Viserys. "Let me introduce you to Prince Viserys Targaryen, the rightful king of the Seven Kingdoms."
"Well met. I have heard of your reputation, and I hope we can work together most amicably." said Viserys.
Captain Hoat just nodded while keeping his silence.
"This is Prince Viserys' sister, Princess Daenerys Targaryen." Illyrio introduced her.
"Captain." Daenerys curtsied.
"Let's discuss the nature of this contract inside with fine wine and food. Please come."
Daenerys followed her brother closely, and she took care to place her brother between herself and the sellswords.
Soon, Dany was sitting by her brother's side with the sellswords sitting across from tasting wines graciously provided by Magister Illyrio.
Viserys leaned forward, looking intently at the sellswords.
"Let's get straight to business. I have no interest in idle chatter."
"Very well." Captain Hoat smiled, the corners of his mouth twitching, "You seek an army, and we are in the business of providing one. The Brave Companions have fought for many princes and Free Cities. But first, I need to understand what you offer in return for our services in Westeros."
Viserys leaned forward, his voice low with a serious look. "I offer gold, power, and the promise of a long, fruitful contract with the rightful king of the Seven Kingdoms. The Iron Throne is rightfully mine, and I intend to reclaim it with your help."
The sellswords exchanged glances, weighing his words.
"Gold is a fine start, but what you offer in power is less tangible." Captain Hoat said with a raised eyebrow, "What power could you possibly give me?"
"Lands in Westeros and noble title. I have many enemies in the Seven Kingdoms, and I intend to remove them for good. Serve me well on the battlefield, and I offer you lands with a steady income, a castle, a noble title and maybe even a noble wife." said Viserys.
Daenerys was struck with utter surprise at the offer put forth by her brother.
"These lands are not yours to give away. You have yet to possess them." Captain Hoat pointed out.
"The Targaryens are resilient, and our claim on the throne is strong. I have allies in Dorne and the Reach. I also have a thousand Unsullied, and soon, I'll possess a fleet of my own. We will march to victory with the Brave Companions at my side." Viserys immediately responded with his pride threatened by the insinuation from the sellsword captain.
"And what of the cost?" Captain Hoat asked, his gaze piercing. "An army does not come cheaply, Prince Viserys."
Viserys took a deep breath, searching his mind for a figure to satisfy the sellswords without financially breaking him. "I can provide you with a substantial sum upfront—twenty thousand gold dragons—and a promise of more upon our landing at Dragonstone. You will be richly rewarded for your loyalty and service."
"That's a tempting offer." Captain Hoat nodded with his hand rubbing his long goatee. "However, I would require more than just words and gold. I need guarantees that you will follow through."
"What do you propose?" Viserys asked while frowning at the sellswords.
"An oath. A formal contract detailing our agreement. We need to know that you won't abandon us once the throne is within reach."
Daenerys looked at her brother, hearing the bold demand made by the sellsword.
"Very well." Viserys said with gritted teeth, "I will draft an agreement outlining our terms. You will have your gold, and I will have your swords."
Captain Hoat and his companions nodded, a satisfied smile spreading across their faces.
"And should we succeed, I expect a prominent place at your side and a fair share of the spoils."
"Agreed," Viserys replied, his tone firm. "You will be rewarded for your service, but you must remember, failure is not an option."
"A fair warning, Prince Viserys. The Brave Companions do not fight in battles to lose." Captain Hoat's eyes glinted dangerously as a smirk spread across his face, "The Brave Companions is no stranger to danger. We thrive on it."
Daenerys only felt a sinking feeling in her heart as she watched her brother shake hands with the sellsword captain. She could watch helplessly as her brother tied their fates to the sellswords of the Brave Companions and the war that'd surely follow.