"Breathe in. Breathe out," The dark-skinned Grand Maester Orwyle asked of me, which I followed as he nodded and lifted his head from my chest before he softly pushed a hand against the bandages on my chest.
"The flesh is firm and not as tender as it was before. Some light inflammation is still present, but there is no new bleeding. You are healing well, Lord Torrhen, though I would advise you to keep applying new bandages until it is no longer needed."
"So, I am healed now?"
"I would not say that, my lord. You may walk small distances without fear of the wound tearing open again, but a few days or perhaps a week of rest and you should be able to walk around the Red Keep as you please. However, no swordplay, training or any form of physical exercise is allowed."
"Oh, I will definitely keep it in mind. Thank you for tending to me, Grand Maester," I spoke with a smile and a bow from where I was sitting upright on my bed, to which the man smiled and nodded.
"King Viserys made it quite clear that your recovery is to be given priority. In any case, I will send a tonic later in the late midday to ease your pain for the night."
"Is it going to be one of your own herbal blends, Grand Maester? I quite enjoy the unique combinations you come up with."
"Hahaha~ Well, I must say that you are the only one in the castle who believes in them, Lord Torrhen," Orwyle answered with a chuckle, straightening his robes. "Most think me a fool, but perhaps that is why my remedies work. The fewer that trust them, the more powerful they are."
"Then I shall take pride in being a fool for your miracle tonics," I spoke with a small laugh, Orwyle smiling knowingly as I winced when my laughter irritated the wound.
"Remember, no sudden movements and no excitement. I shall return before nightfall to check the bandages and administer the tonic."
"Of course. Once again, thank you, Grand Maester," I spoke with a smile, the man nodding as he left the room and left me alone with my thoughts and my own uneven breathing.
Two weeks. It's been two weeks since I nearly got killed by Jacaerys and two weeks since Aemond got Vhagar and so far, the past two weeks have been chaotic.
Thanks to my warging, I was not left bored as I was able the secrets of the Red Keep from my room, watching the still rising tension between the Greens and the Blacks as well as every whispered word made by every spy and their master.
Rhaenyra and her children have not shown up in King's Landing after the incident, preferring to stay in Dragonstone and that was a decision both Viserys and Alicent agreed with.
Well, Viserys agreed with it because it kept the children apart and let tensions between them die down while Alicent agreed because it kept Rhaenyra and her children away.
Another reason that Alicent agreed was because with the absence of the Blacks in King's Landing, the Greens now took over, more of their spies and bribed guards taking up points while the allies of the Blacks were pushed further and further away from the centre.
On top of that, I also heard rumoured whispers of letters being sent to Winterfell, asking of my father and my family to come to King's Landing in regards to my well-being.
Yet, as I continued to stay within this one room, it felt as if I had this sense of control. Every agenda and small cracks in their armour was made visible to my eyes, their subtle manipulations shouted into my ears and soon, I found myself weaving an intricate web of politics and survival.
'And as I continue to grow, I realize one small thing. The insight I gained was far deadlier than any blade they wielded,' I thought with a smirk before looking over as the door opened, but I was surprised as it was not Alicent, Viserys, Aemond or Helaena like I was expecting.
Instead, I found myself staring at the tall visage of Aegon opening the door, a slight frown on his face as he opened the door.
"I hope I am not interrupting?"
"O-Of course not, Prince Aegon. How can I help?", I asked, sitting up straighter and wincing at the stabbing pain in my chest as Aegon sat on one of the chairs beside the bed.
"I thought I'd come see the hero of the hour, especially considering that Father keeps telling me to come and 'ask' for your forgiveness in regards to the incident. Although, I don't entirely see why I should feel guilty for something I had no hand in."
"That is correct, Prince Aegon, and no offence taken. No one could have predicted the events of that night two weeks ago so there was no need to hold you responsible."
"I suppose, though I have to admit that I do feel bad that you got caught in the middle of this. That and I do feel thankful that you saved Aemond's life."
'He…actually means that?', The Aegon I remember from the House of the Dragon show was an arrogant and hedonistic kid that did as he wanted and cared little for the rules, but as I stared at him, I could see the thankful look in his eyes as well as the sincerity in his voice.
Huh, I guess that shows that this is no longer just a fictional universe.
"I appreciate your words, my prince. It is rare to find someone in the Red Keep willing to speak truthfully."
"Father wants me to be more responsible ever since the incident and I suppose I am trying. It's just difficult to get rid of how I was before the incident."
"I have fate in you, Prince Aegon," I spoke with a smile and he looked at me before nodding with a smile.
"Well, at least someone believes in me. Perhaps, this could be the beginning of a mutual understanding between our two families. You know, other than your future marriage with my younger sister?"
"I would be delighted," I spoke with a smile, shaking his outstretched hand before he nodded and stood up, nodding with a final smile as he left the room.
"…That was nice," I muttered with a slight smile, sinking back into the pillows and letting out a soft sigh. I didn't expect Aegon to actually have character development and come speak to me on his own.
I guess my influence here really made it to where the royal family was more competent than before and piece by piece, I was cementing myself as a member of the most dangerous family in Westeros.
'Let them make their plans. Let them thin they're superiors because they'll wake up when it's too late and when they do, my roots and vines will have wrapped around the entire court.'
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"What did he say?"
"Nothing. He just said that he wanted to start a mutual understanding with me and that he didn't want my apology because there's nothing to apologize for. Mother, I think he actually wants to be a member of the family."
"I see," Alicent murmured, looking at Aegon before narrowing her eyes as she saw the conflicted look in his eyes.
"Do you have something to say, Aegon?"
"I…I can't help but feel slightly bad for trying to manipulate him, mother. He's but a second son that's trying to make something of himself and he seems to actually trust me."
"You say that, Aegon, but the boy has a way with his words that I cannot help but think of the one person that it reminded me of."
"Who?"
"Your Grandfather and the Lord Hand, Otto Hightower," Alicent spoke, not surprised at Aegon's shocked look as she herself was just as surprised after the few discussions she had with the boy.
"He may look and act young, but he had this way of turning a conversation and steering your words back on you while keeping his own intentions hidden. A skill that your grandfather had mastered at his time in court."
"So…you believe he's dangerous?", Aegon asked, taking a slow sip from his win as Alicent nodded.
"I did, but now, I'm uncertain of what he seeks with this betrothal. It has always been said that a Stark wears their heart at their sleeve, but this one…this one knows what it means to survive at court, a skill you and your siblings have yet to master."
"Still, if he had not moved, Aemond would have been injured or worse and our family would be tearing each apart because of kinslaying. If anything, he almost sacrificed himself despite the fact that he had potential plans ready."
"That is exactly why we should be cautious, Aegon. I am not saying that he is not trustworthy as I can see the adoration he and your sister have for each other, but someone that young that is willing to enter danger for another without hesitation is someone that will command loyalty and influence. It may start small, but soon, both the court and the smallfolk will see him as he grows and they will be attracted to his presence."
"So, I must be aware around him?"
"Yes, he is not an enemy, but he is most definitely not a harmful boy. For now, keep him close as a friend."
"And what if we do come to care for him?", Aegon asked, watching as his mother paused before she answered.
"Then that is more than fine. However, do not let sentiment dull your instincts around me. He is a Stark, Aegon, and as they all like to say, 'The North Remembers'."
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THURISAZ: The Elder Futhark rune to represent a thorn. Depending on its design and the position of the thorn, it could mean Reaction, Defense, Conflict, Catharsis and Regeneration.
Having the thorn at the very top makes it Conflict as the rune now looks like an axe ready to be swung. Catharsis has the thorn halfway between the top and the centre Defense has the thorn in the centre, Reaction has the thorn halfway between the centre and the bottom and finally, Regeneration has the thorn at the very bottom.
However, like many of the other runes, it's not just a matter of simply carving the rune and then expecting there to be results.
No, mere ink does not equal power. A reaction can only be triggered by combining the rune design you had in mind with the correct sequence like words in a sentence.
THURISAZ on its own means 'Thorn' in five different ways, but combining it with URUZ and GEBO, which you could write as Strength and Exchange respectively, it now forms a protective ward.
URUZ THURISAZ GEBO or a thorn that reacts when a gift is given across the boundaries in other words.
'In other words, if I use my threat to draw on the Aether of the world and fuel it into the rune, it will react if someone tries to break through,' I thought with a hum, reading the small journal that I had hidden away in the missing roof tiles of the Red Keep after warging into a bird.
While I do know that not any person could read the knowledge of the books thanks to the fact that I had Cregan try and fail to even see the words, this was also the remaining remnants of Bran the Builder himself and I'd be damned if I let anyone take it away.
With a thought, my eyes rolled back as I took control of one of the doves outside, flapping my wings and flying through the open window.
Grabbing the books from my relaxed hands, I flew back out and onto the rooftop, slipping the book back into its hiding spot before flying away and disconnecting myself from the dove.
'That is as fun and as trippy as always. Anyway, perhaps if I combine the runic sequence with a sturdy wood like ironwood or a mystical wood like heartwood, I could make a defence perimeter powerful enough to match the spells of the Children of the Forest. Hell, I could perhaps even link the runework to my own consciousness by warging into it when I sleep,' I thought, a frown on my face as I leaned back in my chair and looked up at the ceiling.
Was that even possible? If it was, I could be awake as the ward while also letting my body rest, allowing me to sense any assassins that may come after me.
'Look at me. Everyone else is playing at deceits and marriage alliances and here I am, playing with the foundations of the world under their noses.'
"Hah, I wonder when they'll arrive," I murmured, looking out the window and to the North since it's only been three weeks since the letter was sent out and a week since I spoke to Aegon.
Afterwards, he had come and gone from my room, only staying for a while to either make me play cyvasse with him or talk about how Aemond was too busy riding with Vhagar to come and talk to me.
The last part stung a bit considering I did save the kid's life, but at the same time, he was now the partner of the biggest dragon in the world so I expect it to be a long while before his joy finally begins to die down.
'In that time, I could-', I stopped my thought process as I heard a faint knock on the door, smiling at the familiar thread that slithered through the top of the door.
"You may enter, Princess," I answered, watching as the door opened and Helaena walked in with an amused look in her eyes.
"The thread?"
"The thread," I nodded, to which she hummed while I noticed the simple silk lavender dress she was wearing as well as the object she carried that was wrapped in cloth.
"Am I disturbing you?"
"Of course not. How may I help?"
"Am I not allowed to simply visit my betrothed who had been injured protecting my brother?"
"Right, I do have a reminder of that night," I murmured, rubbing the scar that was slightly visible under my tunic before blinking as she placed the cloth-covered object on my desk.
"May I?", She asked, to which I nodded as she slowly pulled my tunic open just slightly to look at the full scar.
It was on the left side just slightly to the right of my heart, the scar still pink as the wound was still healing and slight tearing at the top and bottom parts of the flesh.
"It is angered now, but that anger will soon fade into a white line, like a thread."
"Hmm, I suppose a scar is just a thread the body chooses to leave behind as a reminder that pain can stitch us into what we must become. The only thing we can do is hope that the gods intend to knit us into something worthwhile," I responded, a faint smile on my face as she let out a rare huff of amusement before unwrapping the object she had brought with.
My eyes widened slightly at the carved direwolf figure made out of weirwood, painted with swirls of red and black with a single braided, sea-green thread around its neck that had a large bead at its neck
"I had it made for you, to watch over you until you are strong again."
"Is…that not the bead and thread that Lady Laena gave to you?", I asked, surprised as she smiled and nodded.
" 'Things find you when you need them or when they need you'. You have found me when I needed you and now, you need it when it needs you."
'Huh, that's the first cryptic message that I could not understand.'
"Even so, Princess, I cannot accept something so precious."
"We are to be betrothed. It is okay if you call me by my name."
"Very well, Helaena," I spoke with a smile, chuckling as she looked pleased before tucking a strand of hair behind her air.
"Please, you must or its thread will become sad."
"Sad?"
"Yes. They still have hearts, smaller than ours but beating. If a gift waits too long to be given, its heart breaks. You would not want that, would you?"
'Ah, so that's her way of saying she'll be saddened if I do not take it.'
"I suppose it would be rude of me to reject it," I spoke with a soft chuckle and she nodded before watching as I placed it down in front of me.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it."
"Good, the wolf will guard you and the thread will aid you."
"In what?"
"Deciding on which thorn to pick for our protection," She answered cryptically, hiding my shock as I saw the knowing look in her eyes as she continued.
"If I may offer some advice?"
"Of course," I answered, forcing myself to stay calm as she continued.
"When you plant the heart of the tree, make sure the roots can breathe and that the stone listens. If silver and bronze and ice and fire are to share the same halls, the land itself must agree."
'More and more, I find myself fascinated by her capacity to see the world for what it is.'
"I will most definitely take your advice into consideration. It has not led me astray yet."
"I would disagree," She said as she looked at my scar, to which I followed her gaze before shaking my head.
"Like I said, Helaena, it has not led me astray."
"…If you say so. I must go before Mother begins to wonder where I've wandered off to. Good night, Torrhen."
"Good night, Helaena. Sleep well," I spoke, watching as she turned and left as quietly as she arrived.
As she did, I turned to the wolf, watching as the faint thread of Aether of the bead danced around its form before slowly wrapping around my hand.
'A guardian, huh?', I thought with a smirk, sitting it to the side before pulling my own personal journal closer, getting my quill and ink ready with my smirk widening.
'Silver and bronze and ice and fire. Silver are the Targaryens, Bronze might be a reference to the First Men and ice and fire are self explanatory, that being the North and the dragons. If they are to live together, the land must agree with the heart of the tree. A heart tree or weirwood tree. So, I should carve the runes into a weirwood, then,' I thought with a hum, beginning to draw the sequences that I had in mind.
It appears that I might not be alone in this magical struggle like I thought.
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Standing to the right of the royal children while Viserys and Alicent sat on their thrones, the throne hall was not as packed as before as we all awaited the arrival of the Stark envoy.
Their presence had been reported to be just outside of King's Landing and that was almost half an hour ago. Considering that it only takes about fifteen minutes at most to get from any of the gates to the Red Keep itself, I assumed that they were all kept in waiting outside until everything was ready.
'And Cregan was said to be with the group. Man, I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees me,' Some may call me childish, but I am most definitely a childish magician and I do love lording the fact that I'm smarter than him over his head.
The sound of the doors opening pulled me from the many one-liners I was preparing, but as the door opened, I was a bit confused as only Uncle Bennard and Cregan walked through the doors with solemn and stoic looks on their faces.
"Announcing the arrival of the acting Lord Regent Bennard Stark, Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell, and the heir to Winterfell and son of the late Lord Rickon Stark, Lord Cregan Stark!"
'…What the hell happened?'
A/N: Cliffhanger~! I am beginning to master the art of the cliffhanger.
Anyway, another quick yet calm chapter and in the next one…all shit hits the fan.
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories & even some that haven't been released out to this site yet. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
Anyway, as always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one…
Ba-Bye~!