[Edric's POV]
Not too surprisingly, Garth was working on something. I had left him with an interesting… homework assignment, curious to see if he could complete what his older self didn't have the time to. I was personally able to work and even create these artificial warriors in my own way, but I intentionally left the original one for him.
Funnily enough, it was still superior in quality to the ones I had made. Sturdy as all hell… albeit very likely to be notably inferior offensively.
"Working hard, hm?"
"Whoever made this stone warrior really was a genius at engineering…" Garth remarked, imbuing it with his own.
Well, talk about unintended self-praise…
To be fair, it was quite warranted. Even at maxed Engineering, he might have been superior to me. Which is to say that the System isn't the be-all and end-all… I can improve myself with or without it. Problem was, I wasn't well-suited to such things naturally.
I could likely bridge the gap and move past it if I dedicated myself wholly to it for several years. Then again, Garth was seventeen…
"The notes are simple, but complicated. The magic that made this stone is a lot like mine. Who... made it?"
Garth's curious blue eyes looked to me. I smiled.
"Someone truly extraordinary."
"... Well, I want to be like them someday."
"How much progress have you made, if any?" I stroked my chin.
"About that..."
He opened his palm and tapped the chest of the stone warrior, activating it. Its eyes flashed golden as the golem came to life.
"Oh... what a surprise," I nodded approvingly.
"That's not all, show him your new weapon!"
The golem raised its hand and out came the mini crossbow, loaded and ready. I had left the blueprint and actual design to him, although I didn't expect him to implement it... this soon, especially. I was impressed. My Garth may turn out even more brilliant.
'Surprise, surprise, a supporting and encouraging father leads to better development...'
I should be in the running for Father of the Year. Most Valuable Father... MVF.
"Most impressive, Garth," I patted his head. "You've outdone yourself."
"I don't know what to do next... do I improve the current one or try to make my own?"
"I believe making improvements would be more insightful for now. When you know the ins and outs, making your own, improved golem will be all the easier."
"You're right, father. I should do that."
"I might know a thing or two as well... I'll show you later."
...
Arthur had been a little bit busier than I in recent years. He had sired Artoria Rivers, Daemon Rivers and Helaena Rivers through Rhaerra, along with Edwyn Tudbury and Lynara Tudbury through Sansa Stark. I had a 3-0 start, but polyamory and a sudden and drastic drop in my own fertility had led to us being matched.
I was meant to have my sixth two years ago, but nature wasn't so kind. Only a scaled, frozen, monstrosity had come out… dead even before arrival. I had never felt so helpless.
Since then, no number of attempts has led to anything. The fault clearly was my own… and mayhaps it was for the better. I'd rather be sterile than witness another corpse of my child.
The important thing was to value what I did have.
"Quite the sight, eh?" Arthur leaned back on the bench as we watched the little ones play.
"Our family's getting a little too big," I chuckled. "Your half in particular."
"Well… they've been keeping me busy."
"I can see that," I laughed.
William 'Rhaenor' was the life of the party from the moment he came out the womb. Full of life, easy-going, confident, compassionate, charismatic… everything gravitated to him. He led the children around his age like a mini-king, albeit without pride or arrogance. He didn't think of himself as inherently greater than anyone.
The court adored him and, well… I couldn't blame them. He was a lovely son, Daenerys' very favourite for a reason. Not to mention that he had also hatched his own dragon, 'Seafyre', and could wield Hydro all too easily. His eye colour was a mix of blue and green, matching his dragon. Unsurprisingly, he was black of hair. My genetics refused to lose… much.
He and Artoria seemed especially close, following each other everywhere. They shared their secrets and food, held hands more often than not and simply adored each other. It was a sweet, child-like innocent crush.
"I know now how my father felt and why he was so adamant about me marrying Arya…" I remarked.
As I experienced more things that he did, my perspective of him… improved. I felt closer to him, in a strange way. I could accept that he was my father and call him that without hesitation.
It was unfortunate that I couldn't ever make up for being a terrible son.
"… I never really thought about it, but seeing how close those two are, mayhaps a betrothal will be in order."
"As much as I'd love that, it's far too early."
"Of course… and, well… it wouldn't be all that fitting regardless."
"Why do you say that?"
"Politics, of course. The heir marrying a bastard isn't ideal…"
"Hahahaha…" I laughed. "If my children couldn't marry who they loved, I'd have failed as an Emperor and father. They'll all have the freedom to choose whatever without any marriages being forced down their throats."
"Just like you would've wanted," Arthur smiled slightly.
"To pursue whatever they want to pursue in every regard, true freedom… if I can't give them the life that I would've wanted, then what has all of this really been for?"
"What if that freedom leads to something you're not fond of?" Arthur questioned.
"I prefer not to think of that," I smiled, shaking my head. "Every parent likes to think the best of their children, but they do eventually break through their pure and innocent shells… I can only guide them in the right direction and hope for the best."
'Gay son or thot daughter?'
Neither. Although the former is definitely better than the latter.
"Daddy, daddy, look what I painted!"
Little Elizabeth 'Rhaenys' approached me. She was the only one of my children along with Alysanne not to be black of hair, possessing a vibrant silver instead. She also had bright lilac eyes… Daenerys had been all too pleased that at least one child looked like her.
"Let's have a look."
It was definitely messy, and the entire family had been turned into stick figures. Daenerys and I had big crowns, whereas William and Elizabeth had smaller ones. Garth and Alysanne were included, with the latter holding a flower. Victoria was the most sinister of them all, with a big red smile and sprawling black hair.
"What was the inspiration for drawing your big sister that way, hm?"
"Well… she was very mean to me," Elizabeth pouted. "She wouldn't paint with me."
That's all?
"A grievous sin, indeed," Arthur chuckled.
"It's not funny," Elizabeth refuted.
"Your big sister loves you, she's just bad at showing it," I smiled, shaking my head "But, other than that, the painting is… masterful. A clear improvement from last time."
"Can it be put up in the throne room?"
My version of 'can we put it on the fridge'...
I chuckled.
"If you don't draw Victoria like a monster, sure."
"Okay… I'll do it now."
"Children take everything so seriously," Arthur remarked as she ran off.
"Let me guess what Victoria was doing instead… eating, beating some poor kid up or training?"
"Reading, apparently."
"Interesting."
I decided to have a little look around Highgarden myself. My little adventure led me to meet the only Tyrell from the main family that I hadn't met before. He was easy to distinguish, given the bad leg... and the hawk in his hand made it no harder.
"Ah, Your Grace... I was hoping to meet you for quite some time," Willas Tyrell smiled, bowing his head slightly. He carried himself courteously. "I didn't have the same luxury as my more martially capable brothers in regards to fighting alongside you."
"They're both exceptional warriors," I nodded. "But, there's far more to a person than their ability to fight."
"Worry not, that has not concerned me for many years. I am glad most of all to welcome you to the home of House Tyrell."
"The pleasure is all mine. It's truly a wonderful place, even at this season..."
"You should have seen it in the summer, when all was in full bloom."
"There's always next summer," I smiled.
"Yes, there will be... I heard you once had a dashing white falcon?"
"Mhm. Losing it was devastating."
"Could I interest you in one of my hawks?"
"Well, I wouldn't mind another bird..."
He was milder than either of his brothers, that was for certain... but I found him slightly intriguing. We had a good time as I checked out his hawks, horses and hounds. They did live up to the reputation as some of the Realm's finest.
"You should see the horse I took from Vaes Dothrak... it's one of a kind, I tell you."
"Any mount worthy of your praise most certainly has to be," Willas Tyrell remarked. "Anything ordinary would not survive long."
"That's one sophisticated way to call me heavy," I laughed.
"It is only an observation; I meant no harm by it."
"None taken... what about this one?"
I picked out a hawk.
"Why am I not surprised you'd choose the whitest one?"
'Someone's racist, mate...'
It was among the largest and fastest in that group. More importantly, decent camouflage in the snow.
"I miss my falcon dearly, as you can see," I smiled. "If you would give it to me, of course. I wouldn't force your hand."
"I have no quarrel, Your Grace. I was the one to suggest you take one regardless. I am not the kind of man to turn back on my word..."
"Thank you for the gift."
I opened up the cage, and the falcon immediately went into my hand.
"A natural with animals, I see," Willas noted.
"If I can tame dragons, hawks can't be all that much harder..."
It was an understatement, of course. Birds were child's play for me.
"Clearly not."
"Faaaather, there you are!"
I was jumped by an eager Victoria, who gave me a big hug. I had the hawk fly off for a bit before picking her up and holding her to the side. Despite being nearly six years old and most definitely quite large for her age, I was able to do so rather easily.
"Have you been looking for me?"
"Of course, I wanted to go hunting..."
"Does Highgarden not have any hunts?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Not any with Edric Stormfyre in them," Willas Tyrell remarked.
"To be the best, I should learn from the best," Victoria grinned slightly.
"Oh, the flattery," I chuckled. "I'm not cheap, little princess."
"I'll pay with ten hugs."
"Tempting offer... but it is rather late. Shouldn't you be sleeping instead?"
"I'm not tired at all."
"... Alright, let's get that energy down," I smiled, shaking my head. "I'll see you around, Willas."
"You don't have to fret about me going anywhere."
...
There was not all that much to hunt, so after a brief session, I worked out while coaching Victoria. She loved to eat… meat especially. Meat made her into a glutton. Unsurprisingly, she was quite chunky and tall - larger than any child who was remotely close in age. My genetics weren't helping with that.
But she had an equally great taste for martial pursuits. What I imagined a daughter between myself and Arya… well, she was just that. Her heroes were not the typical Nymeria and Visenya, although she very much did idolise them... it was Daenerys and me. Especially me, for that matter. She copied everything I did - or at least tried to as best as she could.
Even the overly energetic Victoria couldn't withstand an overly long sprint, eventually falling over from fatigue into a heap of snow.
"Are you alright?" I questioned, looking back.
"Yeah..." She rose forcefully.
"That will be enough for today."
"I'm very tired..."
"Oh, now you are? That is very much the point," I chuckled. "I'll carry you if you can't walk on your own."
She nodded.
After I picked her up and got going, she asked me an intriguing question.
"Why do boys always come first in succession?"
"Saved that question just for me, hm?"
"I want to know what you think."
"Well, physical ability has been crucial to the survival of people. It was men, for thousands upon thousands of years, who would take the lead of their tribes. These tribes grew, expanding into kingdoms over millennia. It became a tradition as men were more capable in the things that mattered, such as farming, hunting, fighting and the like. Also, when a woman became pregnant, it would take away from her ability to do many things... while men were unaffected."
"Ours is a world that worships strength and power. Men are simply better at that majority of the time... except for dragonriders. It's why, very typically, the dragonlords of old would marry the eldest daughter to the eldest son. Not only to keep their bloodline pure and keep their strength, but also to avoid infighting over succession. House Targaryen eventually took more to Westerosi tradition over the generations, however... and the only queen who ruled in her own right would do so rather terribly, setting an unfavourable precedent that no one wanted to see happen again."
"That isn't really fair..." Victoria remarked.
"Nothing is fair in this world," I looked up at the sky. "Is it fair that you get to stuff your face as much as you want, while other children are starving to death in the cold streets? Is it fair that Alysanne and Garth were born bastards, and so would always come after you and your full-blooded siblings?"
"... No."
"Precisely," I smiled. "It wasn't fair that I was a bastard while Joffrey, another bastard, got to parade around as your grandfather's son and heir when he wasn't remotely related to him. You could accept the unfairness and settle for it... or you could seize your own destiny, creating your own 'fairness' instead. If I did nothing - I would most certainly not be Emperor today."
"Hm..."
"Don't think of fighting your own brother, however," I shook my head. "You're so focused on what you don't have that you don't see what you do have..."
"William and Elizabeth both have their dragons, and they can use magic. Garth and Alysanne can too. Alysanne especially... while all I've done is... eaten my dragon," Victoria sighed. "I grew little antlers, and everyone looked at me like a monster."
You heard that right - she was a wild baby, temporarily breaking my little barrier and draining the poor hatchling dry. As for the antlers - that was news to me.
"Antlers?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes... these ones..." They grew out of her head as she focused.
"Aww..." I smiled warmly. "They're adorable."
"... You think so?" Victoria blinked.
"Don't let judging eyes make you suppress your gifts. People are always afraid of what they do not understand; you can't ever truly help that. It doesn't matter what they think... also, you do have your own gifts of magic which compare with Alysanne's. I've only kept it sealed."
"... Why?" She questioned, confused.
"You gave me this wonderful right eye," I spoke the truth that had been kept secret. "It was dangerous for a baby to carry the power to wound me... one could only imagine what you could have done to someone else."
"I'm sorry... I..."
"It's not your fault," I replied, pinching her sad-looking face. "You didn't know any better. Besides, the draconic eye has been useful to me. Speaking of... I don't hide it at all, do I? Is father a monster too?"
"No," Victoria chuckled.
"See, there's no shame in it."
"But... can I use my magic? I promise I won't hurt anyone."
"It's true that continuing this way would only stunt your future growth... use it with caution, alright? I'll be watching you."
"Mhm, mhm..."
She seemed overly eager. Although, to be fair, it was one of the only things she ever wanted. All of her siblings were capable of their own magic... so it was not easy to see herself fall behind.
I removed the seal.
"It feels... so much better. I feel like I'm really breathing for the first time."
"I know full well," I nodded. "Don't do anything with it for now. I'll test you on the morrow."
"Alright!"
~
Once I put Victoria to sleep, I laid down and entered the Plane of Euthymia. I checked on my network of birds, mainly crows and ravens, beyond the Wall, who served as constant surveillance of Other and wight activity. The forces that had stayed behind the same zone for years... had begun to march.
I took a deep breath, switching from one pair of eyes to the next until I saw him.
The Night King.
He saw me as well, and we shared our connection between the Plane of Euthymia and the frozen waste that he rode upon.
"So, it's the beginning of the end."