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Chapter Text

Everyone was just going about their regular days when they suddenly appeared in a large, strange room. It was filled with chairs and on the wall in front of them was a giant glass pane, though it was no window. Everyone was panicking, after all, they didn't know what was going on and were worried that they might have been kidnapped.

"Where in the gods are we," Robert shouted, then he noticed a certain silver-haired girl," Dragonspawn!"

Daenerys flinched in fear as she saw and heard the shouts of the man who had killed her brother who she never knew, but also why she could never really return to her real home.

"Your grace, it is no time for this, she is just a girl," Jon Arryn reasoned," we need to figure out what is this place and why we are here."

Robert eventually relented, "Alright Jon but this is not over."

"Father what is this place," little Bran Stark said as he looked at his father.

"I don't know son, but I think we are going to find out soon," Ned said as he looked around at everyone here.

Everyone managed to calm down and they looked over who everyone was. A lot of them were highborn though some were not like Bronn the sellsword and Tormund who was a wildling. Already many in the room, mostly the northern lords were wary of his presence. Then they heard a voice, they couldn't see where it was coming from but they could perfectly understand it.

"Hello people of Westeros, you are here to see the future because there are threats to your world that have been long ignored," the disembodied voice said.

"Threats what threats and your going to show us the future," Cersei said, not very convinced by this voice.

"Yes, what threats exactly are you speaking of?" Stannis asked though he had some idea of some of these threats, the bastardry of Robert's children perhaps and the Great Other the Red Woman mentioned before.

"It shall be answered when I show you what is to come, there will be few threats, from the east, from the west, from the far north, especially the latter two."

"The north and the west, but there isn't anything to the west of Westeros, and what could be so dangerous about the wild men," Jamie said as Tormund stared at the blonde knight.

"Oh it's not us that's the real danger," the Giantsbane replied.

"Ah yes the Grumpkins and Snarks north of the wall," Tyrion joked.

"You shall learn of these threats and as for the one in the west, we shall start with the Kingdom of Thaczil, the land west of Westeros," the voice said," now take your seats and enjoy."

Everyone then took their seats on the soft chairs, there was even some food and drink that they could enjoy as they watched.

The screen then started to play as they were first met with a title card, A Game of Thrones: In the Land of Monsters.

"Land of Monsters," Robb questioned," is that whats in the west."

"Wow, it sounds like a place of adventure," Ayra excitedly said.

"Arya, compose yourself and besides I am sure it's an exaggeration of sorts," Catelyn Stark told his daughter, though she had a feeling that there might be some truth to the title if there was a danger to the west.

"If there are monsters in the west that can cross into our lands then we must make sure to prepare for it," Tywin said, he knew if there was some kind of dangerous force coming from that direction then that meant that the Westerlands would be a prime target. The old lion would not let whatever was going on out there tear down his family legacy, though he did not believe that there were any real monsters out there, most likely just foreign savages.

The title then faded and the scene switched to a certain northern bastard. It was Jon Snow he was in a fine bedroom and wearing some fine clothing, that would befit a major southern lord. This Jon Snow was notably older, around eight-ten of years compared to the four-ten.

Many people were very confused about why they were seeing a mere bastard son of Ned Stark.

"Hey look it's Jon, what is he doing there?" Arya asked.

Jon looked on, interested in what his future held. Interestingly enough he expected to be shown if ever, to be a member of the Night's Watch yet it seems he never joined.

' Indeed why are we seeing Jon,' Ned thought to himself, he doesn't seem to be in Winterfell and we were told we were going to be shown this Kingdom of Thaczil. 'Does that mean that Ashara's son, my son ended up in this supposed land of monsters?'

"Why are we seeing some northern bastard that sullied my family's name," Lysa spat.

"Lysa enough, perhaps if you watch we will find out," The Blackfish told his niece as he rolled his eyes.

"I do wonder what his importance is to this," Oberyn said as he looked on.

Then suddenly the door to the room opened up as a woman in an elegant red and black gown entered the room. She was beautiful, with smooth skin that was noticeably pale similar to that of the Targaryen, along with deep red eyes, and dark red hair. This mysterious woman, who seems to be in her late twenties approached Jon Snow, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Hmmm, you are looking great this evening, they are waiting for us," She said in a strong foreign accent that the audience had not heard before.

"They are waiting for you, the beautiful Countess Lucinda of Castle Bloodmoon, esteemed member of the Crimson Council," Jon Snow said with a smile.

"Yes a member of his majesty's council and long-standing friend of the Ash King himself," She jested

"You know he prefers being known as the Dawn King," Jon said as he got up.

"Oh, I know, but it doesn't really fit that much Jon, now I am sure you will be fine," Lucinda told him," I will be with you and King Vaulni already likes you, no its the other council members you need to impress since they haven't met you yet."

Everyone in the room was quite surprised at what was happening to say the least.

"Well Jon I never expected you to be one who beds older women, and a highborn lady at that, can't blame you though," Theon teased with a smirk on his face as Jon shrugged off his comment.

"I am good with accents and I have not heard any accent like that before," Obyren Martell commented.

"Well look at that Ned, your bastard found himself a lovely highborn woman in that strange land, and the damn voice said there would be monsters," Robert said with a small laugh.

" And she seems to be a part of this Crimson Council and a friend of this foreign king," Stannis said as he watched on.

"Perhaps it is similar to our Small Council, if so then it seems Jon Snow has managed to gain influence in this mysterious kingdom," Varys stated, though he felt a little uneasy about this possible new player on the game of thrones that he knew nothing about," perhaps he can use that influence to prevent whatever danger this nation poses."

" Or he is the reason they are a danger in the first place," Catelyn commented as he looked at the bastard, she suspects that he must have gone to this land and seduced this highborn lady in order to gain enough power to steal her children's birthright.

"That's not fair mother, Jon would never do anything like that," Ayra said," he is a good brother."

"Hush now the both of you," Ned said as he finally weighed in, not sure entirely what his son had gotten into.

They all continued to watch the scene, very interested in the events and more about the new land in that Jon Snow somehow found himself in.

Jon and Lucinda then left the room and made their way to the grand hall of Castle Bloodmoon, the hall was filled with various guests, just like any feast within the Seven Kingdoms. However, these were no noble lords and ladies that were enjoying the revelry, they were monsters and demons of all shapes and sizes. Tall, hairy, and stocky man-like creatures that had some bearlike features, large wolfmen that feasted upon the various portions of meat on the tables, large bipedal bulls that were enjoying the wine being served, purple deformed giants walked around wearing fine garments that did not fit their horrid appearance and many many more.

The Westerosi were horrified by the sight, to say the least. They have never encountered such creatures before, reserved only for that of nightmares. Those in the room then began to worry, if these creatures were to attack Westeros then thousands would die and the nation would burn. After all, they did not know how to properly defeat such creatures as they do regular men. They did not know their weaknesses or the composition of their armies, and as such fighting them would be a risk due to the many unknown factors that would be at play. Many of the lords, seasoned in war and tactics understood this and it worried them.

" By the gods, demons do exist," Jaime exclaimed, surprised by the sudden realization that perhaps all of these myths and whatnot might not be entirely far-fetched.

"Who knew such things existed, not even in my wildest dreams," Robb exclaimed.

"Well nice knowing all of you, but it seems we're fucked," Bronn said," you could offer me all the gold in the world and I still wouldn't fight one of those ugly giants they have."

"If it truly is a kingdom of monsters, one that can cross the sea and threaten us, well I am afraid the realm will bleed," Varys said solemnly.

"Nonsense, these savage monsters are no match for our armies," Cersei responded as she hid her own worry.

"Hopefully it won't come to that, the fact that Jon isn't dead and this Countess Lucinda is a close friend of their king means they don't hate the race of men, that they can perhaps be reasoned with," Ned reasoned as he looked at the others.

"You know I agree, this hasn't happened yet, we have time to make friendly relations with them or do something, anything," Davos said as he weighed in the matter himself.

"Well let us hope that Jon Snow puts a good word in for us," Lord Baelish otherwise known as Littlefinger said as he thought of some ways to take advantage of these new players.

"How do we even know that this Lady Lucinda is even human-like us," Tyrion questioned," if this is a land of monsters then surely their king is a monster, and so would his inner circle."

"A monster in the form of a woman," Ser Barristen said as he looked at Lucinda," something with those eyes, they looked hungry like she is going to eat Jon."

"Eat me?" Jon said as he turned to the famed knight, a little worried for his own future in such a land.

"You sure know how to pick'em snow, maybe she just wants to get on her knees to eat a certain part of you, lots of women are into it," Theon joked as Jon snapped out of his thoughts and glared at the ironborn.

"If it does lead to war, we will send them back to the hell they crawled out from," Robert proclaimed," besides our men need a good war to harden them.

Many of the lords' spirits were uplifted a bit, Robert was right if all of the Seven Kingdoms were banned together surely they could push out this possible monster threat. Though Ned was still not sure, if war broke out, it would endanger Jon the most. The monsters would either kill him or he would be forced to fight for them. Forcing Ned to choose between protecting the kingdom or possibly killing Jon. He did not want that, he would not go back on his word to Ashara, and he would do what he must to keep not just Jon but his entire family safe.

Then a short humanoid creature with yellow skin came and cleared his throat," Presenting the host of today's festivities, Grand Countess of Castle Bloodmoon, Baronness of the Crimson Valley, Lucinda Von Bloodmoon," the short creature said," and escorting her is the mighty Champion of the Crimson Valley, Jon Snow." The monsters in attendance started to clap their hands at the appearance of the grand countess and then started to make their way through the party.

"A little warning, don't make any enemies within the Crimson Council, if you do there is only so much I can do to protect you," Lucinda said as she whispered in his ear. Then they were approached by two more creatures out of a nightmare. The first one was a tall blue-skinned creature in elegant clothing, he had eyes and long hair as black as the night, long and sharp claws along with a large sword at his hip. Right next to him was an even more terrifying and strange, a large floating purple ball creature with various eye stocks attached to it, along with a row of sharp teeth. This aberration stared straight at Jon Snow with his single large center eye and a dark glee on his face.

"Ahhh, so you are the countess's pet, you don't seem like all of the other humans," the creature said in a deep alien voice.

"Ahem, it is quite rude of you to approach without introducing yourself don't you think Count Sarax," Lucinda told the eye creature.

"Aye yes, I am Count Sarax, the Eye Tyrant of Watcher's Keep and Councilor of Law," the eye creature said," by the way you look, you have not encountered a beholder before."

"Good, remember good count that this is my home and you will show respect," Lucinda stated as she gave Sarax a cold hard stare," Jon here is not from here, he is Westerosi."

"Ahh that is why he seems so different from all the others," Count Sarax said, Jon Snow had now piqued his interest even more," though if I knew we were bringing pets I would have brought my own."

The countess scoffs, "I suggest you act respectfully when in my domain, now if you would excuse me I have more guests to meet with."

She then left, but not before telling Jon Snow that she would be back and to behave himself.

"Hmmmm, you must be quite an interesting specimen if you caught the good countess's eye," the beholder stated softly," you are not the first human she has pampered, to catch her eye, so be careful, though perhaps I shall take you for myself instead."

He tries to remain calm as he responds," I do not think the countess would appreciate that very much, my lord."

"He is right you know," the tall blue man intervened as he then turned to Jon," I am Othis, a humble oni, Count of Pale Horn Hall, and Councilor of Secrets, let's just say it's my job to know things."

"What the fuck," was the reaction of many in the audience to the appearance of this beholder creature.

Jon was quite embarrassed to hear that in the future he ended up as the pet of some foreign noblewoman, though it seems that his future self did not mind too much.

"Mother, how can Jon end up as that woman's pet, he isn't a dog?" Bran asked as he turned to his mother.

"I am not sure Bran, but it's not natural, none of this is," Catelyn replied

"Damn monster," Robert said as he looked at the beholder, he was quite uneasy as he looked at the abomination on the screen, thinking that he is a powerful lord in that strange nation.

Ned did not know what to think, he feared greatly for his son as he heard that Jon was seen as this Lucinda's pet and that this beholder creature was interested in his son as well. All he hoped for was that his son would be safe, especially since this beholder creature was a powerful lord and councilor that not even Countless Lucinda could fully protect Jon from the looks of it.

"Well Jon Snow if you were going to be someone's pet, that person might as well be someone good-looking," Tyrion joked

"Well I most certainly can't deny her looks, she might be one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen," Jaime said as Cersei gave him a furious look.

Though many of the men present had to agree that Countess Lucinda was very beautiful. Many of the women, especially Cersei and Lysa were furious not just at Lucinda's beauty but at the fact that a bastard like Jon Snow seems to be her lover even if he was referred to as a mere pet by the beholder.

Meanwhile more politically astute members of the audience such as Tywin, Olenna, Varys, and Petyr were all taking in the information. Such as how this Count Sarax and Count Othis were seemingly both members of their king's council with these powerful positions they held. They were all drawing up plans in their minds for potential encounters whether it be through making alliances with these monsters or fighting them.

" Well Sarax we should be going now, we have others to attend to," Othis said as he turned to the beholder.

"Fine then but this is not over Jon Snow, the three of us shall meet again soon," Sarax said as they then turned to leave.

"Oh Jon," a voice can be heard behind him, it was Countless Lucinda once again," I do hope that things went well with you and the counts."

"It is fine Lucinda, you need not worry," Jon explained to her in order to ease her worry.

"Good, Sarax may come out belligerent and strange but he is a close friend, the same with Othis, "Lucinda told him," all of us members of the Crimson Council are good friends since even before the founding of our great nation, we built this kingdom together you see."

"I understand my countess, I wouldn't want you to have to choose between me and your friends?"

"Thanks for the assurance, though I am a bit cold," Lucinda said with a smirk," would you mind if I had a drink?"

"Not at all my countess," Jon said as he closed his eyes.

Lucinda closed her eyes as well as she wrapped her arms around him and started to kiss his neck passionately. Everyone in the audience was at first confused about what she meant by drink, but then she did something that would shock the entire audience. The countess then opened her mouth revealing long and sharp fangs which then bit into Jon's neck as he groaned softly. They then noticed something even more horrifying, they noticed that she was draining Jon's very own blood from his neck.

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"By the gods, Ned, she is a damn cannibal," Robert shouted in shock at the scene.

Tormound cringed at the mention of cannibals and at that woman draining the boy's blood. It reminded him of the Thenns and he hated the damn Thenns.

"I guess she really is a monster after all," Olenna Tyrell stated in disgust at what was happening.

"That is terrible, why would you let her do that to you," Daenerys said as she turned to the young northerner

Jon at that point was not sure what to think he was not very comfortable seeing his future self being not just this foreign woman's pet, but also having his blood sucked from his neck by her as well.

Everyone was at least a little revolted by Jon Snow getting his blood drunk straight from the neck by Countless Lucinda.

Meanwhile, Catelyn was even more disgusted at the bastard, about how he was courting a ravenous and lustful beast of a woman. She saw Jon Snow as even more of a threat to her children, one who consorts with demons and mayhaps even lays with them in order to take what was not his. She very much feared for the lives of her children, Robb, Sansa, Bran, Arya, and Rickon, all of them. Who knows what that woman would do to them with the help of the bastard?

"That woman is a demon, a demon from the seven hells," Catelyn spat as she glared at Jon.

"You know that Othis creature mentioned that he was the Councilor of Secrets," Peytr Baelish said as he turned to Varys," he must be a spymaster like you based on a title like that."

"Yes, I suppose so, though I wonder what he uses as his own little birds," Varys replies.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he uses real birds honestly," Tyrion jabbed as he butt into the conversation," then there is also the fact that he is larger than even Ser Gregor, he must be a giant."

"I mean everyone would be a giant to a short fella like you," Tormund joked as he turned to Tryion," though you are right, he is around as large as the giants North of The Wall."

"There are giants north of the wall," Arya exclaimed excitedly, the other young members of the audience were interested in that as well.

"What, but that is ridiculous giants aren't real, they are just old stories and myths," Cersei spat at the mention of giants.

"Yet we just saw one on screen, this Count Othis, though I doubt the ones that live North of the Wall are blue," Tyrion responded.

"Well, I think the important question here is how do we fight these things," The Blackfish said," we have no idea how strong some of these things are and how many."

"Aye, many of our men wouldn't probably shit themselves if they had to fight that Count Sarax and whatever abominations he brought with him," Robert stated

"A lot of those things look like they can rip a man apart in seconds," Gendry the bastard of Robert mentioned.

"Your grace perhaps it would be wise to try and build a peaceful relationship with them first, just in case things go badly we should raise defenses all over the western coasts of the kingdom as soon as we get out of here, "Tywin Lannister suggested, he was not shy to fight but he did not want to risk an open war that might lead to the Lannister legacy to become damaged in any way.

"That is quite prudent advice my king," Grand Maester Pyrcelle said after snapping out from his own shock at what he saw on the screen," we should try and avoid conflict if possible."

"I must agree as well Robert," Ned said, though he hated to admit it, Lord Tywin was right we should avoid a possibly dangerous fight," but if it comes to a fight we must all work together to stop this threat."

The other great lords nodded and agreed, it seemed for once they were all united to fight against a potential common foe.

"We should continue watching, perhaps we can learn more about this Kingdom of Thaczil, its culture, its people, and a possible estimation of their military force," Doran suggested as well.

On the black screen, a title card appeared, it read Dragon's Tyranny, before fading.

Lucinda continued to drain the blood from Jon before pulling her fangs out of his neck and looking straight at his grey eyes.

" That felt good Jon, there must be something special with your blood," Lucinda said with a chuckle.

"I am glad you enjoyed it," Jon responded to her but then suddenly the short yellow-skinned announcer from before came.

Lucinda squatted down in order to listen to what he had to say.

"Oh, he is here," Lucinda spoke," his majesty has finally arrived at the party, why don't we greet him."

Jon then nodded as he took her by the hand and escorted the countess to just outside the castle's gate. The audience got a good look at the outside of Castle Bloodmoon, it was large and great, similar to Winterfell in size and beauty. On the walls and towers of the castle stood stone gargoyles, these statutes however seemed off. Something about them made people think that they were more than just decoration. The two then waited just outside of the castle gates, with a company of guards, they were strange seven-foot tall wild dog-like creatures carrying spears and clad in chain shirts. These guards were gnolls.

"Well looks like we are going to finally see this Ash King of theirs," Varys comments.

"I don't understand what's so special about Jon's blood that makes her want to drink it?" Bran asked as he turned to his father Ned.

"Jon has Stark blood, the blood of the builder, all of our family," Ned explained," perhaps our blood has some special property."

"What in the gods' names are those things," Olenna said as she looked at the monstrous guards.

"I have no idea, but I wouldn't want to meet one, they rival Ser Gregor in height and I feel like they might eat dwarves like me," Tryion said

"I wonder what kind of monster this King Vaulni is," Jon Arryn stated hoping that if they were to speak with this king a possible conflict might be avoided.

Then a carriage came into sight, it was elegant and made from high-quality wood. It was a carriage fit for a great lord. It was being pulled by horses, but these were not ordinary horses, they were quite large with wild manes, bone plates grew out from the sides of their head, and their hooves were jagged and sharp, if one had to describe them they would be called dire horses. Guarding the carriage were unnaturally tall and thin man-like creatures with green skin and messy hair. Their faces were ugly and fierce. They were clad in plate, like knights, armed with mighty greatswords and axes, along with overside bows and arrows on their backs. Two of them held banners, one had a strange purple misshapen skull with holes where the mouth should be on with a black background. The other was that of a horned red dragon skull facing forward, it was on a grey-colored shield behind a golden background.

"Hmmm it seems Grand Count Zulux has arrived with his grace," Lucinda said as she recognized his banner. Then the carriage stopped right in front of them and the door opened, what came out was a humanoid creature with rubbery purple flesh and a fine flowing black robe. However, the most noticeable thing about this creature was the squid or octopus-like face/head.

"Ahhh Countess Lucinda it has been a while since we last met," The squid creature said as he went to embrace Lucinda. He then turned to the nearby human Jon Snow." Oh, and who is this, you look quite familiar, have we met before?"

"I don't think so my count," Jon responded as he shook his head," I am Jon Snow, escort to Grand Countess Bloodmoon."

"Ahhh her new human," he said," oh where are my manners, I am Grand Count Zulux of Deep Hold and Councilor of the Treasury, I am an illithid or mind flayer in your common tongue, it will be nice knowing you."

"If you don't mind my count, why are your people called mind flayers?" Jon asked him.

The illithid looked Jon straight in the eye and started to talk to him through his mind," We are creatures of the mind, we can speak through our minds, we can read your thoughts, wolf-blooded one."

"By the gods what else is in that accursed land," Robert said as he looked at the newly introduced monsters, even the horses looked monstrous.

"I don't like the look of those tall armored things," Jaime Lannister said, he knew he was a skilled swordsman but he still wouldn't want to meet those things armed with massive swords.

"Well fuck me, the deep ones are real," Yara Greyjoy said as he looked at the so-called mind flayer, it reminded her and the other ironborn in the audience of the deep ones, half men half sea creature.

"He already looks scary but he can read minds as well," Tyrion said not even sure how much could even be possible," I can only shudder at what else is in store."

"Councilor of the Treasury," Varys stated as he then turned to the Baelish," must be their equivalent to you Baelish."

"I suppose so, you're a blue giant and I'm a mind-reading squid," Littlefinger said," makes sense, I am of the belief that knowledge is power, and what a better way to gather knowledge then through people's own minds."

Many in the audience were quite put off by the mind-reading squid-faced creature, especially considering the ramifications of such abilities.

"Hmmm that sigil, the one depicting the red dragon head," Renly said," reminds me of the Targaryen's own sigil."

"Ahhh, dragonspawn," Robert muttered angrily as he glared at a scared Daenerys, whenever he thought of dragons he thought of the Targaryens. When he thought about them, he thought about everything they did and took from him.

Ned took notice and tried to calm Robert," Robert she is just a girl no threat to you," Eddard said as he tried to calm his friend.

Robert just grumbled and went back to watching the screen.

"Zulux, what did I say about reading minds," Lucinda said to the mind flayer," now where is King Vaulni, I was under the impression that he had arrived."

"Oh his grace is just about to arrive," Zulux said as he turned to the sky. The winds changed as a large dark figure loomed in the skies, flying through the air like something they had seen before. The nearby branches of the trees rustled as a massive winged creature from above started to land, flapping its wings, winds flowing. It was a sight that many Westerosi dreaded, a huge creature that was supposed to be long dead, a dragon. Covered in crimson red scales with massive spanning wings, two horns produced from its head, and razor-sharp teeth in its massive mouth that could devour men whole. But what surprised them most was that it spoke, something they thought to be impossible.

"Countess it has been a while, I must admit," the great red dragon said in a deep voice that befits his dragon form.

Jon, Luicnda, and Zulux then bowed before the old red dragon," Your grace it is always nice to have you here, may I say you have grown bigger my old friend," Lucinda said with a smile as she raised her head.

"You need not be formal with me, we are friends, we have been through it all," the old dragon said," thick and thin, life and death."

The dragon king then turned his head towards the human Jon Snow, standing right next to Lucinda," Ahhh Jon Snow, how has Lucinda been treating you of late?"

"She has treated me well your grace, she has been nothing but kind to me King Vaulni," Jon stated

"Good, now I believe we have a business to attend to, but first," Vaulni said as he began to shape change. His form started to shift, he became small, more human-like until he finished changing into a humanoid form. It was that of a tiefling, his skin was light red, and he had horns atop his head along with light black hair. He wore flowing red and gold-colored robes. Looking at him you would think of him as some kind of demon from the seven hells, even with his handsome face. 

"Now let us proceed," he said as the other then led him into the castle.

It was quite safe to say that the audience was not expecting what they had just seen. It was at that moment they understood the title, Dragon's Tyranny. 

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The audience was in shock and awe after witnessing the ancient dragon known as Vaulni, a creature that should most certainly not exist in their eyes. To the Westerosi this Vaulni was some sort of demon straight from the seven hells. And the appearance he transformed into most certainly did not help to dissuade such a thought.

"By the gods a dragon a real living dragon," Tyrion said, gawking at the mighty beast.

"Well, now I have seen it all, a dragon that can talk," Olenna Tyrell said completely flabbergasted at what she had seen.

"Don't forget that it transforms, a talking dragon is one thing but one that transforms as well," Jaime commented as his eyes were wide open.

The younger members of the audience were quite elated and a little scared by the sight of the real-life dragon, a gargantuan beast of fire. 

"Are all dragons able to shape change?" Bran questioned 

"Well there are legends of shapechangers, magic users capable of transforming into animals, but never had I heard one turning into a dragon," Ned stated to his son.

"Didn't Old Nan say all shapechangers are evil," Arya said a little worried now about it.

"Well this King Vaulni seems reasonable, if he really is evil then honesty we are fucked," Davos bluntly said.

"I have to agree with Ser Davos," Jaime said," we would indeed be very fucked if we had to fight a shape-changing dragon."

"There must be some way to kill these things, they are clearing a threat to us," Cersei spoke.

"The dragons of House Targaryen and those of Old Valryia were all killed, surely this one can as well," Tywin reasoned," though this one will likely be the most difficult to kill out of them all."  

Meanwhile, Daenerys Targaryen was in awe at seeing a real dragon, just like the one she heard her family once rode a top and conquered the seven kingdoms. She was even more fascinated by the fact that this dragon was intelligent, one who could talk and who needed no rider. A dragon that had built a kingdom of his own, just like her ancestors long ago. She wondered if she would ever meet a dragon such as Vaulni, though she was still a little afraid of the mere existence of such a creature. 

"I wonder, why we have never heard about intelligent dragons like Vaulni before," Daenerys wondered as she looked on.  

"Whatever the case let's continue watching and find out more about this dragon, to see if war is really the only option," Ned told everyone as the next episode was about to start.

The title card appeared which read, The Crimson Council.

"Well looks like we will be learning more about this Crimson Council," Renly said, quite interested to learn more.

"Yes we already know of a few members, all of whom are counts which I guess is their equivalent of lord or lady," Varys reasoned, "grand count or countess is supposed to be like a lord paramount or is in some other way above a mere count." 

"Quite the observation Varys," Littlefinger commented.

"Well I would be a poor spymaster if I wasn't observant," He responded. 

"I still don't trust any of them, especially that floating eye with the grin," Edmure Tully chimed in.

Jon and Lucinda, along with their two new guests, the mind flayer Grand Count Zulux and the dragon in the form of some human-like demon, King Vaulni. A short reptilian-like creature with red scales announced the new arrivals. "Presenting Vaulni the Dawn King of Thaczil, Grand Count of Red Forge, Master of Monsters, and Ruler of Crimson," the kobold said before making his next announcement," presenting as well Grand Count Zulux of Deep Hold, Baron of the Dusk Hills and Preyton's Roost," the short kobold said.

They then all entered the party, Vaulni walked alongside Lucinda and Jon while Zulux went his own way.

"Quite the party my friend, shame none of my children could come, they were all busy with one thing or another," Vaulni said

"All eight of them?" Lucinda questioned.

"Yes, I am afraid so, now if you would excuse me I must see to the others before we have our talk together," Vaulni said as he left

"You know I must ask Lucinda, what is the purpose of this party," Jon Snow asked," surely not just to introduce me to all of your friends and his majesty just mentioned you would have a talk together."

"What, am I not allowed to throw parties and enjoy a lovely evening with you," Lucinda pouted as she looked into his unconvinced eyes, "hmmm fine, though it will take some explaining of Thaczilian politics since I have yet to do so before." 

"Well, then where shall we start?" Jon asked as the two then took a seat at a nearby table. 

"Well, you see the kingdom is split between King Vaulni and the other members of the Crimson Council," Lucinda explained," each of us leads a clique composed of the various monsters we gathered to our sides."

"So it is like, in Westeros, you and the others are the lord paramounts while these warlords are your bannermen," Jon commented.

"Yes something like that Jon, before the kingdom was formed the land was split between violent warlords and tribes," Lucinda said," we each took it upon ourselves to unite them into a common cause."

"And that common cause was forming this kingdom," he responded.

"Yes and it has been working, the warlords that used to kill each other are now kept in line and united against our enemies, though some disagreements do happen between cliques and within them," Lucinda said," I have my Bloodmoon Clique, Zulux has his Deep Hive Clique, Sarax with the Underlords Clique, all of whom compete for lands and influence in the council."

"I thought you were all friends?" Jon questioned why these supposed friends were going against each other.

"Just cause we are friends doesn't mean we won't look after our own interests, it's how managed to become a grand countess," Lucinda said," we each want something."  She then turned her head and narrowed her gaze to a specific figure. The figure was a beautiful woman, however, she had pale scaly skin, and her hair was not hair but instead a swarm of snakes, she also wore an elegant green dress that fit her look as a noble lady.

Jon also turned and saw who she was looking at," Who is she?"

"That is Countess Zunthea of Gorgon's Keep, Councilor of Foreign Affairs, deals with our stance on foreign nations, along with being the foremost ranger and skilled beast trainer in the kingdom," Lucinda explained," If a warlord requires war beasts, they go to her, giving her and the Stoneborn Clique plenty of influence and wealth." 

"Furthermore," Lucinda continued," she is the reason we are all here, she wanted to use my party as an excuse to bring us together in order to discuss a particular foreign nation east of here." 

"That Countess Zunthea looks dangerous," Ser Barristan commented, he was a seasoned warrior and he could tell that that woman was dangerous, especially with those snakes she had for hair.

"I'm still not sure how any of these things can even exist," Loras stated as he looked on

"You know I guess I shouldn't be surprised at what other monsters are out there, first a floating eye creature, then a shapechanging dragon, and now a woman with snakes for hair," Tyrion commented. 

"What more abominations are out there," Robert grumbled," and what do they want with us." 

Many in the audience were now worried, this nation of monsters was turning their eyes toward Westeros.

"Surely if these monsters invade we can find a way to stop them," Catelyn commented

Brynden Tully then turned to his niece," Well even if we do, much blood is going to be spilled."

"Once we get out of here and see what is in store for us, we should take every precaution to ensure we are ready," Ned stated as the other lords nodded.

"Westeros, they want to talk about Westeros," Jon said in realization, clearly worried.  

"Yes Zunthea wants to push the issue, the cliques are like hounds," Lucinda said," they have caught a whiff of new prey and they are hungry, the warlords and councilors hunger for what lies east." 

"And you're helping her do so?" Jon asked her.

"Yes, we can no longer ignore the Seven Kingdoms, everyone is restless," She explained," what we should do with Westeros was going to come up eventually, but don't worry there is no guarantee of war, our two nations can live in peace if the council decides."

"And if it is war?" Jon asked.

"Well, then I can only hope that you stand by my side, besides this is your home now," Lucinda said.

"I know but it's just that the North, Westeros, it was my home, I was raised there?" Jon asked her.

Lucinda then leaned closer to him," Why do you care for them so much, for the Westerosi, they see you as just a bastard looking to steal from your brothers and sisters," she stated as she got even closer, placing her hand on his own," here that doesn't matter, you don't have to be a bastard anymore, you can be with me, as a Bloodmoon."

"You want me to marry you, that would be," then before he could finish, Lucinda went to kiss him.

"By the gods, Snow, you must be more charming than we thought," Theon japed. 

"You're not seriously going to marry her are you," Sansa meekly said as she turned to her half-brother, though she was jealous of Lucinda's beauty, she was also fearful of the countess due to her habit of drinking blood.

"Well, I have no idea what my future self is thinking," Jon responded, he would like no longer to be a bastard, for any children, he has to not be called Snow. Marrying Lady Bloodmoon would do that, but it might force him against his family, something he would never wish for. He was also a little embarrassed that everyone was watching his future self being kissed by Lucinda. 

Ned wasn't sure what to think, on one hand, Jon would no longer be a bastard, but on the other hand, he would be married to such a dangerous woman in a land of many unfathomable monsters. Then there was the fact that those in that kingdom seek to invade, possibly forcing Ned against his own son. Lord Stark was truly in between a rock and a hard place. 

"I would be happy for your bastard Ned, but I don't trust this bloodsucker," Robert grumbled.

"Neither do I, she is clearly going to use him to get to us, against our children," Catelyn spat, not keen on Jon Snow becoming Jon Bloodmoon.

"Now perhaps this could be of benefit to us," Varys stated," if Jon Snow were to marry Lady Bloodmoon, perhaps he can use that influence to prevent war, after all, he seems to have misgivings about it and has not forgotten where he was from." 

"Better yet your grace, since this hasn't happened yet perhaps we should make moves to contact this nation," Tywin said," in order to ensure peace we should propose a marriage pact with one of our heirs, someone we can trust with our interests, to this Lucinda Bloodmoon instead of leaving it to a mere bastard." 

"And who would you suggest exactly Lord Tywin," Stannis asked, very skeptical about the idea.

"Well I would suggest my son Jaime if you were to discharge him from the Kingsguard," Tywin said," furthermore marrying Prince Joffery or Tommen to any daughters that this King Vaulni might have would also be quite beneficial." Tywin understood that this Kingdom of Thaczil would be a game changer. If he could make connections with these creatures, at least one of these cliques, it would help avoid an unnecessary war and if a war does come, he could use these monsters against any who would oppose Joffery and the Lannister legacy. 

Jaime and in fact, everyone in the room were quite shocked by the proposal," Father you can't be serious about this," Jaime responded," you want me to get my blood drained by her."

"No, absolutely not," Cersei spat as she turned to the old lion, she wasn't going to let some lamprey that beds bastards take away her only true love and son," why not Tyrion, I'm sure he will fit in with the rest of the freaks there and Joffery should have a Westerosi bride, not some abominable beast. 

Stannis and Jon Arryn looked at Queen Cersei, knowing full well the real reason why she did not want Jaime to marry Lucinda. Jaime and Cersei were not just brother and sister, but also lovers. Her three children are just bastards she had with the Kingslayer, none of Robert's children are his children. They both thought about saying something, but not now, if these visions of the future won't show it, then they would bring it up.

"Enough, we will discuss this when it's over," Robert shouted," though I admit, the Kingslayer with that Countess Lucinda would be interesting." He found the idea of Jaime marrying Countess Lucinda quite funny, to say the least, the Kingslayer marrying a foreign cannibal woman. 

The countess then pulled away her passionate kiss with Jon," Think about it, Count Jon Von Bloodmoon, my crimson champion," Lucinda told him as she placed her cold hand on his warm cheek.

"Isn't that all you ever wanted, to no longer be known as a bastard?" she told," what do you say, will you devote yourself to me?"

Jon looked at her, lost in thought, clearly pondering the idea, after all, it was more than he could ever hope for. He then stared deeply into the dark red eyes of Lucinda, clearly enamored with the countess." I do," he answered her, what else could he say, he wanted her and she wanted him. 

"Good," she whispered into his ear as she then went to kiss him once again. 

But then they were suddenly interrupted by none other than Count Sarax, the beholder."Sorry to intrude on your passionate exchange, but I'm afraid a council meeting has been called, it's about time we all had a talk." 

"I see, well then I shouldn't be keeping everyone waiting then," Lucinda told the beholder as they made their way out of the party to the entrance of a room in the back. Guarding the doors were two tall and bulky warriors clad in plate mail, their open helmets showing off their grey skin and pig-like faces. These mighty orogs carried great axes that could split a man in two, they allowed Sarax and Lucinda in the room, however, they stopped Jon.

"Only members of the Crimson Council are allowed, you must wait outside," Sarax stated to Jon.

"Be sure to behave yourself, my love," Lucinda said as the doors closed.

The room was fairly spacious with a large long table in the center. The other members of the council already took their places. There were some familiar faces, such as Grand Count Zulux, King Vaulni, Count Othis, and Countess Zunthea. However there were some new faces as well, one was a bipedal tiger that wore some expensive-looking clothing made from fine silks that befit that of a highborn lord. One interesting thing was that his hands were weirdly backward. Another was an unnaturally large snake with a vaguely human face, the snake had dark scales with red stripes, and dark eyes that stared directly at Lucinda. These various monsters each took up a section of the table, with the exception of one which was taken up by a crystal ball on the table for some odd reason. 

"At last, we are all here," Vaulni said, sitting at the end of the table. The shape-changing dragon, a charming demon, looked at the other council members," Now let us get started."

"So these are the other members of the Crimson Council," Samwell Tarly said as he looked at each of them, all different creatures, all very evil-looking if you asked him, especially that tiger man. He recalled reading about legends and myths of Yi Ti and one of them was of the Tiger Men. 

"It would seem so," Tyrion said," is it just me or does that snake thing have a human-looking face?"

"It's not just you," Bronn said," since I'm not drunk then that means that thing really does exist."

"They must all be together to finally talk about good old Westeros," Jaime commented," let's hope they don't fuck us."

Cersei meanwhile was just rolling her eyes at her lover."They don't look that terrifying, they are flesh and blood so surely they can be killed."

"Perhaps, but their magic and powers are unknown to us," Jon Arryn stated," if we are to survive this we must learn all we can."

"I'm honestly kind of terrified about what they have planned for us," Robb stated.

"Hopefully we can avoid or at the very least prepare for whatever plans they may have," Ned said in order to reassure his friends and family. 

"Surely they can't be that dangerous if a mere bastard is able to rise in their ranks so easily," Lysa spat as Jon Arryn rolled his eyes. 

"So what is this about exactly?" Count Sarax asked as he turned to Countess Zunthea.

The medusa then spoke," This is about the lands to the east, Westeros as it is called."

"I have heard of that land being mentioned a few times, Lucinda's pet is from there," the beholder stated.

"Yes, Jon Snow I believe his name is," Zunthea said," now we are here to discuss what we shall do with this continent."

"Why don't we ask Lucinda," said the oni known as Othis," she has known about it for a couple of thousand years now." 

"Wait you have," Sarax said as he turned to the most human-looking one in the room," and you haven't told us."

"Yes, I have known about it, since before the founding of our nation," Lucinda responded with a blank expression on her face.

"Wait who here has known about this the whole time?" the tiger man asked as he finally spoke up.

"I obviously knew," Othis stated nonchalantly.

"I was there with Lucinda when we first found out about it," Zulux responded while Vaulni just nodded.   

"Why haven't the rest of us been informed about this before?" Count Sarax asked.

"It was not necessary at the time," Lucinda stated. 

"So they have known about us for a long time it seems, I wonder how long they have been alive," Varys said, growing even more worried.

"I'm worried about how long some of them have been planning this," Tyrion stated," though it seems not all of them have been informed until now."

"Hmmm, it seems they might not entirely trust each other," Tywin commented.

"Well, that's a good thing," Olenna Tyrell stated," it might give us a better chance at surviving."

Meanwhile, Jon Snow was just lost in thoughts, he was worried about the future he was seeing. He didn't want to be known as the bastard of Winterfell, but with what this Crimson Council is planning he worries about coming into conflict with his family. He may not be a Stark, but he cares for them deeply. He had no idea what his future self was thinking pledging himself to these living nightmares. He can already feel Lady Stark's disgust, thinking he was going to steal Winterfell with a horde of demons.

"Are you alright?" Robb asked as he turned to his half-brother.

"It's nothing, just thinking about what my future self is doing," Jon responded.

"Don't worry, this hasn't happened yet, you can still change your fate," Robb told him.

"Your our brother, we trust you, Jon," Ayra said as well.

"Alright, alright but what are you exactly proposing?" the tiger man said

"Well you see Count Ravana," the medusa said,' I am proposing an invasion of Westeros and splitting it up amongst ourselves, just as we have with this land."

"Hmmm, interesting proposal," Othis said," from what I have heard, Westeros is fairly large and wealthy."

"Mmmm, sounds risky, should we really be trying to invade?" Zulux asked.

"We don't need to invade, perhaps we should first make contact with the Seven Kingdoms and examine them," Lucinda softly stated," then we can decide if it is necessary." 

"Hmm, I agree," Sarax said," but who shall be going to Westeros as our emissary?" 

"I shall go," Lucinda said," and I shall of course bring Jon with me, being from Westeros himself, his insight will be vital for us." 

"I do wonder why you are so interested in Westeros and in this Jon Snow of yours," Ravana said.

"Can we even trust this human?" the large snake asked in an unexpectedly feminine voice.

"Oh we can, he is a bastard of House Stark, an important family in Westeros," Lucinda explained," bastards are not exactly well-liked and I have provided him something he has denied himself time and time again because of it, his most inner desires."

"And what is this something?" Ravana asked as his interest was now piqued.

"He has long denied himself the love and warmth of a woman, he saw himself as a stain on his father's name, but I have changed that," Lucinda Bloodmoon explained," he is now a paladin, my paladin of conquest."

"Oh a paladin," Zunthea said, impressed that what she thought to be a mere human, was a little more than he seemed," and one who has taken the oath of conquest at that."

"When I first saw him, I never expected he would be a knight tyrant," Sarax stated in surprise," so all he ever desired was some love and freedom to enjoy the pleasures you offered."

"Desire is such a beautiful thing," King Vaulni commented in agreement," especially when it is fulfilled."

"Quite the temptress you are," Ravana told her with a sinister grin," I am now more interested in your corrupted knight now, or perhaps why you took the time to turn him into one in the first place."  

"Oh I have my reasons," Lucinda said with a smile," though isn't wanting to embrace some sin good enough, my good count."

The tigerman then chuckled a bit," Perhaps so Lucinda, perhaps so."

Chapter Text

The Westerosi watching was quite surprised at the very least. The Crimson Council will be sending Lucinda as their emissary. Those with more political minds were thinking up plans for meeting her after they get back to Westeros. Others were surprised to hear that Jon was now apparently some kind of knight, or paladin of conquest as he was referred to, non more so than Jon himself.  

"A paladin of conquest," Varys commented," I don't like the sound of that."

"I wonder what this Oath of Conquest even is," Jaime said, he was not the best when it came to oaths, but he had to agree it does not sound the most honorable.

"Perhaps he took an oath to conquer something," Obyren stated.

Catelyn was more distrustful of the bastard Jon Snow, who had become some false knight dedicated to demons, one who took an oath to conquer. She knew exactly what the bastard wanted to conquer, Winterfell. She believe that he would try to take her children's birthright, after all, why else would he make such an oath to those demons?  

"I wonder what is so special about it?" Tyrion asked.

"Well, by the reactions of these creatures, it seems to be something impressive," Barristan answered.

Cersei was rolling her eyes, "What is so special about taking some useless oath, how can saying a few words be so impressive to these monsters," Cersei spat. 

"You think that, but oaths are not something to be taken lightly," Ned stated coldly at the queen. 

"That Lucinda woman, she said she has known about Westeros for at least a couple thousand years, how old is she?" Daenerys asked.

"Furthermore how is she able to stay so young and beautiful," Tryion commented.

The Westerosi were quite shocked when they heard that Lucinda was at least two thousand years old despite looking to be only around her late twenties.

"Well we can most certainly assume that she is not human," Stannis reasoned, when he looks at Lucinda, he gets a bad feeling about the countess. There was most certainly something dark about her, could she have some kind of connection to the darkness that the Red Woman would speak of? 

"Wait what does it mean when she said that Jon denied himself warmth and love?' Bran asked.

"Well, Bran what she is saying is that Jon-," Theon was then stopped by Robb as he had an idea of what the Greyjoy was gonna say next. 

"I'm a snow, never even met my mother, if I ever was with a woman and she got pregnant then the child would be a snow just like me," Jon said as he looked down," that's not something I would want for my child."

Ned felt terrible, his son's bastard status harmed him so much that he refused to even lay with a woman. He wished that Jon had not been born a bastard, but unfortunate circumstances had prevented that, he can't even tell Jon about his mother lest it angers some of the Tullys

Then the screen turns on once again and the title appeared, it read, Night's Passion.

The Crimson Council was still having their council meeting, continuing to discuss Westeros.

"You mentioned that your human was a member of this House Stark," Count Sarax stated," that name, Stark, sounds familiar."

"I feel like I heard you mention someone with a name like that," Zunthea said as she turned to Lucinda.

"Maybe Count Goreloth has something to say about it, after all, it is he who rules the Sunset Sea," Ravana suggested with a grin.

"A story for another time," Lucinda said," now I believe we are in agreement that I shall be going to Westeros as the emissary."

The others were silent and only nodded their head in agreement.

"Good," Lucinda told them," After tonight's festivities I shall depart to Wolf's Port."

"In the meantime, we shall be makings preparations and settling any other affairs, right?" King Vaulni stated as he looked at the others, who nodded in agreement once again.

"If we really are invading, we should discuss who will be contributing what," Othis said.

"Yes, I think we should," Zulux agreed.

"Well alright, I shall contribute 5,000 skilled gnoll mercenaries," Ravana told everyone, quite a small price for his level of wealth though the audience did not know this.

Count Sarax chuckles a bit," Surely you can provide more than just 5,000 mercenaries."

"Basilisks, gorgons, carrion crawlers, hydras, I have all the beasts that we could ever need," Zunthea stated proudly. She was an expert in taming even the most brutal and wild beasts of Thazcil, it was something she prided herself on.

"What about you Vaulni, you have the largest army out of all of us, what shall you contribute?"Lucinda asked the dragon.

"I'll send General Nethess and 25,000 of my troops, including many of my war trolls and ogre skullcrushers, " Vaulni stated. 

"General Nethess, quite the vicious battle commander," Count Sarax said," now with all of our armies combined she should be able to win quite easily.

"Yes, but we shouldn't send too many on this venture, after all, we still need troops to keep order within our lands," Zulux said," we should rely on mercenaries to help fight this battle.

"Sellswords, no honor," Stannis scoffed as he did not really have much respect for mercenaries. After all, they were unreliable and prone to disloyalty.

"Maybe we can pay off their mercenaries," Mace Tyrell suggests.

"I doubt it would work, the monsters they field will be more likely to eat us than take any bribes we offer," Olenna responded.

"Well, at least we don't have to worry about them attacking full force," Samwell Tarly said.

"Even then, it seems they can still field a good many monsters, whether they are sellswords or not," Jon Arryn stated as he grows worried about the future.

"They can send as many as they want, we won't give up," Robert said, thinking of the odds that they managed to get out of a war with those demons alive. 

"I'm worried about whatever those war trolls and ogre skullcrushers are," Jaime mentioned.

"Whatever they send, perhaps we could overwhelm with our numbers, all of Westeros together can field many men," Cersei said.

"True, but the logistics would be difficult to maintain, though I assume that their army shall suffer worse logistical issues as they have to cross the sea to get to us," Tywin reasoned, he understood however that even if the enemy forces are limited they can still pose a major threat, especially if led by their king or his councilors.

"We also don't know where they are going to strike as well," Ned Stark stated.

"Well, I'm guessing that is one of the things we are supposed to see," Tryion Lannister said," we find out where they are going to strike and catch them by surprise with our combined forces."

"That could work well, though how will our soldiers fair against the demons and monstrosities to the west," Barristan said, even one of the boldest knights felt some fear, especially for those green boys that may have to face off against the many beasts Thaczil can muster. 

"Well we should continue discussing this later and head back to the party," King Vaulni said as he got up with the rest doing the same," come let's go back to the party and enjoy." 

The meeting was over and the various council members left the room. Just outside Jon was waiting as the orog guards would not let him in. He was staring at some of the fine paintings that littered the walls. They showed various scenes, some were battles while others were mythical scenes. However, Jon has fixated on one specific painting. It was Countess Lucinda in a more simplistic dress and with her was a red dragon, it was King Vaulni. However, the Vaulni in the painting seemed different from how he looked now. In the painting, he was much smaller and less demonic-looking. It must be depicting the two when they were younger. 

Lucinda then left the room, whispering to Grand Count Zulux about something before she approached Jon and took him by the hand.

"How did it go my countess?" Jon asked her with a smile on his face.

"It went well, I shall be going to Westeros as Vaulni's emissary, and you shall be coming with me," Lucinda said as she also smiled.

"Really now, let me guess it's because I'm from Westeros," Jon said.

"Well, of course, they want someone with the knowledge, your knowledge," Lucinda told him.

He just chuckles a bit," My knowledge is related mostly to the North, can't tell you very much about the other regions."

"It matters not, your general understanding is also what I need," Lucinda said as they re-entered the party.

"Why don't the two of us have a dance?" the countess asked Jon.

"A dance, we've never really danced with so many people around before," Jon said, a little nervous.

"Oh you'll be fine, I'll help you along," Lucinda told him as she then went to some of the nearby musicians playing music at the party."

Meanwhile, Zulux made his way through the halls, his fine black robe flowing as he did. He then reached a bedroom, Lucinda's bedroom. He then went to the bookshelf to the side of the room." She said it should be somewhere here," Zulux spoke quietly to himself as he comb through the various tomes stored within the bookshelf," ah, there it is." He then grabbed a certain book, the tome had a black cover and a gilded skull on the front. After taking the book, the mind flayer then left.

"I wonder why he wants that book," Jaime said, feeling a little uneasy.

"Must have something to do with magic perhaps," Tryion said," though yes I do wonder what he plans on doing with it."

"Whatever it is, I doubt it's anything good," Davos commented.

"Well let's hope we find out sooner or later," Littlefinger told the others. 

Varys was quite uneasy, he has a distaste for magic and for sorcerers after what happened to him. If he had to guess why they were being shown the mind flayer taking the book is because he was planning something. But the question is what exactly is he planning, it could be any number of things, after all, magic can be quite fickle from what he knows of it. 

The scene then went back to the party as Jon and Lucinda got ready to dance. As the various strange and monstrous musicians started to play a lovely melody.  The two then started to dance with passion and elegance, surprising the audience a bit.

"Ahhh that's lovely," Sansa said with a smile, she thought that their dance was romantic and wished that she would be able to dance the same way with Prince Joffery one day. Meanwhile, Arya was just rolling her eyes, she was not the kind of girl who was into dancing like some southern lady.

Theon was just chuckling a bit," Who would have thought you were a dancer," Theon said as he turned to Jon

"I wouldn't have thought that either, but you seem good at it, at least in the future Snow," Robb joked to his brother.

"Well Stark, maybe I can teach you in the future," Jon joked as the three just laughed a bit with each other. 

Those in the audience had to admit, that their dance was quite lovely, it was nothing special though. It was a common sight at a great many noble parties. But then Countess Lucinda started to sing.

"I ache for the touch of your lips dear, but much for the touch of your whips dear. You can raise welts, like nobody else as we dance to the Masochism Tango," Lucinda sang, her voice soft and beautiful, making some of the noble ladies in the audience a little jealous. 

"Let our love be a flame, not an ember. Say it's me you want to dismember. Blacken my eye, set fire to my tie, as we dance to the Masochism Tango."

Ravana was at a nearby table watching Jon and Lucinda dance as the Countess would sing. He chuckled a bit as he smoked out of his well-crated pipe, blowing a puff of some towards the unlikely couple as he looked on. Lucinda continued to sing as the paladin and his mistress were both completely fixated on each other. 

"Bash in my brain and make me scream with pain. Then kick me once again and say we'll never part. I know too well, I'm underneath your spell, so darling if you smell something burning, it's my heart."

"Take your cigarette from its holder and burn your initials in my shoulder. Fracture my spine and swear that you're mine, as we dance to the Maso-chism Tango."

The monsters watching them at the party started to clap and cheer at their little performance.

"It seems that Lucinda really has taken a liking to that human," Zunthea said as she turned to oni lord beside her, Othis. 

"Yes, she really has," Othis responded.

Meanwhile, Westerosi was quite surprised by the contents of the song.

"What the fuck," Robert stated plainly," Not even sure what to say."

"Father I don't understand the sing, why would she want all of those things to happen to her?' Bran questioned.

"Well, Bran I'm not entirely sure," Ned said, not sure what to make of Lucinda's song.

"Let us just say that the song is about enjoying such things," Oberyrn Martell commented, he knew at least a few people back in Dorne who were into such things.

To Catelyn it was clearly a song expressing strange lusts, she wasn't very surprised, after all, she believe this Luincda to be some kind of demon. To her, it makes sense that a demon like Lucinda would be so attracted to a bastard born of sin and lies. 

Peytr Baleish was not very surprised, as a brothel owner, he often has to accommodate such peculiarities.    

"It's strange," Loras said," though it at least sounded nice."

"Well I think I can guess why this one is called Night's Passion," Tyrion said as he remembers back to the title. 

Jon meanwhile was isn't sure what to say, it was a strange feeling watching your future self dance with a beautiful yet most certainly inhuman woman who was singing of love and pain. 

"Hmmm that felt great," Lucinda said as she was held in Jon's arms.

"You were great," Jon said as the two then started to kiss.

Then Vaulni came with a small smile coming from his red mouth," Sorry to interrupt, but I must say that you two are lovely together," Vaulni said.

"Well, it is nice knowing you think that my King," Lucinda told the dragon.

"You mind if I have a talk with Jon, it's nothing much?" Vaulni asked her.

"Not at all my friend, I shall leave you to it," the countess said as Jon and Vaulni went to a nearby table to sit down and talk.

"I can see that Lucinda likes you very much," Vaulni said to him," I feel like you are the best thing to happen to her in a while."

"Hmmm, what do you mean your grace?" Jon asked him, a little confused.

"Before you came, she had been hold up in her castle," Vaulni explained," she has not met in person with the rest of the council in years, it has all been from afar."

"I wonder why that is your grace," Jon told him.

"I wonder as well, she was my chancellor, think of her as like the Hand of the King from where you are from," Vaulni said," but above all, she was the one I loved." 

"She was your grace, I had no idea," Jon said as he was caught by surprise, he did not expect to hear of their past relationship.

"Yes, we did a great many things, I have had the honor to work with her to build this kingdom, uniting the petty warlords, and sharing a bed with her," Vaulni said as he reminisced more about the past," but it just didn't work out."

"Be sure to keep her happy, she deserves it for all the work she has done at the very least," the dragon told him.

"I will your grace, rest assured, I will," Jon vowed.

"Good, now go on and enjoy, you have a long day tomorrow," Vaulni said as Jon got up and went back to Lucinda.

"Hmmm, so how did your talk go with Vaulni?" the countess asked him.

"It went well my lady," Jon told her," how close were you to his grace if you don't mind me asking."

"I see," Lucinda said as she looked into Jon's gray eyes," we have been through a great many things, together, including the rest of the council."

"We have all been through life, death, and rebirth, it's quite a long story really," Lucinda explained," though out of all of the others, I think Vaulni would be my closest friend, does that answer satisfy you, my dear?"

"Yes, it does my countess," Jon told her as the screen then faded to black. 

Chapter Text

"Huh, who would I have thought that Lucinda and Vaulni used to be together," Tyrion said," it was a pretty strange pairing if you asked him a shapeshifting dragon king and a seemingly immortal woman who drinks blood."

Those in the audience were quite surprised at the new information they had heard, that Vaulni and Lucinda had quite a personal relationship, one they did not expect.

"Hmmm, so it also seems that Lucinda used to serve as Vaulni's Hand," Varys stated.

Cersei was at least a little jealous that a woman like Lucinda was able to reach such a position, it seems that women in that other continent are able to rule in their own names. Though she suspected that she also got that position through the seduction of that dragon they called a king.

"Ok so one of the threats we have to deal with is a kingdom of vicious monsters looking to invade us," Jaime said," how exactly are we supposed to get out of that alive, they are led by a dragon."

"We have time to think of something, after all, we wouldn't have been brought here to stop them if it was impossible," Tywin Lannister reasoned as he started to draw up his own plans.

"Lord Tywin is right, they seem powerful, but surely if it was impossible to stop them, then there would be no point being here," Jon Arryn said

"And they aren't the only threat, there are more out there," Tormund Giantsbane told everyone.

"You mean the Others, don't you," Ayra said.

"Hush now, Arya, the Others don't exist," Catelyn told her daughter.

Tormund just scoffed, he lived long enough beyond the wall to know that the others were not just merely legends.

"With what we just saw, I think we should start believing in the legends," Robb said as he got increasingly worried.

"Well perhaps we will be shown if the White Walkers really exist or not," Tyrion said as he took a sip of some of the wine that he got from a nearby table," hmm you know this is some really good wine."

"Aye let me try some," Robert said as he got up to get a drink.

"I do wonder what shall happen next," Obryen said as he contemplated the situation.

"If I had to guess we would be shown more of Thazcil or perhaps what they will do when they reach Westeros," Olenna guessed.

 Then the voice that brought them to watch these future events came back," You have been introduced to the Thazcil and its rulers, along with the fate of Jon Snow, now you shall be shown some of your own futures as well."

The screen turned on once again, with the title screen: Lanius.

The screen then showed something they did not expect, it was Ned Stark and his household at King's Landing, reaching the Red Keep. Ayra and Sansa were there riding on a wagon alongside Septa Mordane.

"Wow we go to King's Landing in the future," Arya exclaimed, she always wanted to travel and see more of Westeros.

Sansa was also a little excited at her future, going to King's Landing where she will surely wed Prince Joffery and eventually become queen. 

"Well, it seems you have finally come to visit Ned and you brought your girls with you," Robert told his brother in all but blood.

"It appears so," Ned said as he thinks about why he would go to King's Landing, surely he would not have traveled such a long way just to visit Robert, even if Robert was his greatest friend.

Catelyn however was a little saddened, it appears that she had stayed at Winterfell, leaving her daughters with their father to go to King's Landing. She at least hoped that she would be able to see them again further in the future. 

"Well, I'm sure you will love it there in King's Landing," Jaime sarcastically said as he turned to the northerner who just shrugs.

Ned then dismounts from his horse and is approached by a servant," Welcome Lord Stark, Grand Maester Pycelle has called a meeting of the Small Council, the honor of your presence is requested."

Ned then turns to the septa," Get the girls settled in, I'll be back in time for supper, and Jory go with them," he commanded as he turned back to the servant, who asked if he would like to change to something more appropriate. 

"Huh, why would Pycelle invite Lord Stark to a Small Council meeting?" Cersei questioned.

"If I had to guess, Lord Stark must have been given a seat at the council," the old maester guessed.

"Well I wonder which one of us lost our seat," Renly said as he looked at the others as they continued to watch.

Ned then entered the throne room,  at the steps of the Iron Throne was Ser Jaime Lannister, clad in his Kingsguard armor." Thank the gods your here Stark, about time we had some stern northern leadership," Jaime said in a bit of a mocking tone. 

"Glad to see you are protecting the throne," Ned told Jaime calmly.

"Stury old thing, I wonder how many kings' asses have polished it, now whats the line?" the snarky Jaime said," the King shits and the Hand wipes."

"Smug as ever I see," Littlefinger commented to the golden hair knight.

"I do try my best," Jaime said with a small smile.

"Father, why do you and Ser Jaime not like each other?" Sansa asked her father

"A tale for another time, but he has done something I do not approve of," Ned told her

"I know. People have been swinging at me for years, but they always seem to miss," Jaime told Ned.

"You've chosen your opponents wisely then," he responded.

"I have a knack for it."

"It must be strange for you, coming into this room. I was standing right here when it happened. He was very brave, your brother. Your father too. They didn't deserve to die like that. Nobody deserves to die like that."

"But you just stood there and watched," Ned coldly told him.

"500 men just stood there and watched. All the great knights of the Seven Kingdoms, you think anyone said a word, lifted a finger? No, Lord Stark. 500 men, and this room was silent as a crypt, except for the screams, of course, and the Mad King laughing. And later....when I watched the Mad King die, I remembered him laughing as your father burned. It felt like justice," Jaime explained.

"Is that what you tell yourself at night? You're a servant of justice? That you were avenging my father when you shoved your sword in Aerys Targaryen's back?"

"Tell me....if I'd stabbed the Mad King in the belly instead of the back, would you admire me more?"

"You served him well, when serving was safe."

Members of the audience who were not as familiar with the story were horrified.

"Grandfather was burned alive," Arya said as Catelyn and Ned nodded with frowns on their face.

"Dragonspawn," Robert muttered due to the remainder of the mad king along with what he and Rhaegar had done in the past.

Daenerys meanwhile was horrified by what she heard, that her father was a mad man who murdered, Lord Stark's father and brother, Viserys never told her any of that.

Tyrion meanwhile felt a little bad for his brother, after all, he knew the real reason did what he did. Jaime only did was he believed was right, even if it meant breaking his oath and killing his king.

Ned then left the room and the scene switched to him entering the Small Council chamber as he met with all of the other members of the small council. They all exchanged some interesting words with each other as they did their greetings. However, the audience was quite surprised when Grand Maester Pycelle gave Ned the Hand of the King pin, saying that it belonged to him now.

"What why is Ned now hand, what happened to Jon," Robert exclaimed, he loved Ned like a brother and would want him as a hand, but something must have happened to Jon Arryn.

"Ned Stark as Hand of the King," Jaime said," how did that happen."

"Wait if Father is now the Hand, what happened to Lord Arryn,"  Robb Stark questioned.

"I do wonder that myself," Tryion said as his interest piqued.

"It seems my age has finally gotten to me, either I resigned, or I died," Lord Arryn said, accepting that he was one day going to die, probably soon due to his age. 

Ned was a little surprised that he had become the Hand of the King and sorrowful at the possible death of his foster father, all happening while threats were coming from within and without the realm.

"Well if I had to choose a new Hand, I shall always choose you, Ned," Robert said as he turned to his long-time friend.

"Wow father as hand of the King," Arya said a little happy for her father, same with the rest of the Stark children.

"You should have appointed my father as Hand, he would have been a better choice," Cersei told her husband, preferring that a northern savage like Eddard Stark not be in such a high position. 

"Should we begin?" The Grand Maester asked.

"Without the king?" Ned questioned.

"Winter may be coming, but I'm afraid the same cannot be said for my brother," Renly explained.

"His grace has many cares," Varys told Ned," he entrusts some matters to us, that we might lighten the load." 

"We are the lord of small matters here," Littlefinger said as Ned took a seat and was given some parchment by Renly which he soon reads.

"My brother instructs us to stage a tournament in honor of Lord Stark's appointment as Hand of the King."

"How much?" Lord Baelish asked as Ned then started to list the amount of money for the tourney's winning prizes. 

"Can the treasury bear such an expense?"

"I'll have to borrow it, the Lannister will accommodate, I expect," Lord Baelish said," we already owe Lord Tywin three million gold, what is another eighty thousand?"

"Are you telling me that the crown is three million in debt?" Ned asked, completely flabbergasted at the amount of debt the kingdom had. 

"I'm telling you we are six million in debt."

Ned is completely shocked that such a thing has happened, Littlefinger explains that he just finds the money while Jon and Robert spend it. While Maester Pycelle explains that Robert doesn't always follow Jon's advice.

"Well fuck, I didn't think it was that bad," Tryion said as he heard how much money the crown owed.

"How in the name of the gods did the realm end up in such debt?" Lady Catelyn questioned, shocked at the amount.

"Lots of wine, women, and tourneys I'm afraid," Peytr Baelish said knowing full well the state of the realm's finances.

"Aye, unfortunately, the spending would get out of hand sometimes," Robert said as he started to realize how bad it was currently.

Ned just sighed, how could it all have gone so wrong, luckily there is still time to fix it. After all, they were all there to see the future and prevent anything horrible from happening.  

"I'll speak to him tomorrow," Ned told them," this tournament is an extravagance we cannot afford."

"As you will, but still we'd best make our plans," Peter Baelish chimed in.

"There will be no plans until I speak to Robert," Ned said as he raised his voice, whilst the others became silent," forgive me, my lords, OI had a long ride."

"You are the King's Hand, Lord Stark, we serve at your pleasure," Varys told him," however there is something very important that came up."

"And what is this important thing?" Lord Stark asked the Eunuch.

"I had gotten word that a foreign noblewoman, claiming to be from the West is coming as an emissary of this kingdom named Thaczil," he explained.

"Only claims of course, I have never heard of this Kingdom of Thaczil,"  the Grand Maester said.

"Even so we should greet this foreign dignitary and see what she wants," Renly suggested.

"Alright then, when will she arrive?" Eddard asked Varys.

"She will be arriving in around a couple of hours so we best make preparations," Varys told them

The scene then changed, it overlooked a fairly large port city, rivaling even Lannisport in size. Then to the side, was a title: Wolf's Port.

The scene then changed once again, showing a closer look at the city. Its fine stone streets were bustling with various monsters of all shapes and sizes. It was baffling how such an array of monsters could all seemingly live together peacefully. Orcs and goblins walked the streets, large intelligent wolves converse with red-skinned hobgoblins, while duergar, drow, and many other creatures manned the market stalls that sold exotic wares. Two-headed giants known as ettins pulled carts being driven by kobolds. Flying through the skies were harpies, bird-like women, and living stone gargoyles that could somehow fly. There were even some human and human-like people who lived seemingly peaceful lives within Wolf's Port. 

Then the scene switched to the keep the overlooked city of monsters. Count Ravana, the tigerman from before, was watching the city from the balcony as he drank a cup of wine. Then suddenly, the large dark scaled snake that was present at the meeting before approached from behind."Ravana, you seem to be enjoying the sights," the snake said in a feminine voice.

Ravana just chuckled and turned to the large and mighty snake," Well of course Countess Semonia, to think this was just a small fishing town founded by humans," Ravana told her.

"Well I am sure that Lucinda and Zulux were proud of the Mapolos Brothers for their fine work, turning this place into a sizable trade hub," Semonia responded with a serpentine smile," too bad the two of them had to go so early."

"The tournament has yet to start and her vassals, from all over her region, are arriving in droves to show their valor."

"Yes, I assume the other branches of the Von Bloodmoon Family are wanting to take advantage of Lucinda's absence to try and secure more power for themselves," Ravana said with a sigh," after all, at least a few of them are still jealous that Lucinda is the head of the family and not themselves."

"The Mapolos Brothers, the knightly orders she sponsors, her loyal family members, and any vassal with a shred of gratefulness will ensure that she still has a region to rule," Semonia explained," they won't be able to overthrow her anytime soon."

"And King Vaulni would incinerate anyone who tried, quite easy to enforce order when you are an ancient dragon," Ravana said as a took another sip of his wine. 

"In all of my years, I have never seen or even thought that such a city of monsters could exist, let alone an entire kingdom," Brynden Tully, also called Blackfish commented. 

"Such terrible creatures, how could such monsters be able to build such a kingdom," Lysa commented, unable to comprehend that such abominations could form a real kingdom.

Both the young and the old in the audience had a mixture of awe and fear at such a scene, of such inhumane creatures amazingly living together in a city.

"So her name is Semonia," Oberyn said as he remembered the giant snake from before.

"Yes, and I do wonder who these Mapolos Brothers they spoke of are," Tyrion said, wanting to know more.

"Most likely even more freaks of nature," Cersei spat.

"Hmmm, so there are other Von Bloodmoons, some who dislike Lucinda's rule," Petyr said," we could use that."

"If Lucinda won't cooperate with us, well we can perhaps back her enemies at home," Tywin Lannister said as he thought about how he can perhaps get in contact with these rivals of hers.

"I do wonder how they were able to build such a kingdom, with all of those monsters they have?" Varys said as he wondered, he would be lying if he wasn't at least impressed with how they were able to unite all of these monsters together, living in peace.

"Dragon fire, my family used the power of dragons to conquer the Seven Kingdoms and keep it together," Daenerys commented.

"Yes, however when they failed to keep their own family together and didn't learn how to rule without the dragons, their reign decayed from within," Doran told the silver-haired princess," remember that raw power can only keep the peace for so long."

"So I heard that many knights from all over Bloodmoon Vale are coming to the tourney, Lucinda's lands are crawling with them," The great naga told Ravana.

"Yes, the Order of the Blood Chalice, the Brotherhood of the Black Bat, the Deadwood Order, Templars of the Dark Tower, and of course Lucinda's favorite dogs, the Knights of the Black Wolf," Ravana stated as he listed off at least a few of the major vampiric knight orders that reside in Lucinda's region," I hear that particular order was formed long ago in honor of some forgotten human, perhaps the Order of the War Wolves' last grandmaster."

"Yes, I, unfortunately, lack any prestigious knightly orders back in the Gulf of Sseth," Semonia explained," anyway how is your region, Yellow Prairie."

"Quite beautiful as ever, especially in the morning," Ravana told her with a smile, but then they were interrupted by a kobold," Countess Semonia and Count Ravana, King Vaulni requests you presents."

"Well tell him we shall come to him right away," the Raksasha said as he then went to finish his wine. 

Then the scene changed to Lady Catelyn and Ser Rodrick entering King's Landing atop horses

"Fewer eyes back here my lady, but still too many," the old master at arms said.

"It's been nine years since I stepped foot on the capital and no one knew who I was when I came either," Lady Catelyn said as they were then approached by two gold cloaks who came to greet them. The two gold cloaks recognized Catelyn and claimed that they were instructed to escort Catelyn through the city before one of the gold cloaks handed her a letter.

Catelyn was confused as to what she was doing going to King's Landing, if she and Ned were there, then who was going to take care of her sweet Bran and Rickon? 

"What is Mother doing in King's Landing, did she follow us?" Arya asked.

"It seemed so Arya, it must be very important," Ned responded, now quite concerned as to what Catelyn was going to that pit of vipers.

"Whatever it is, it seems that someone knew that she would be arriving," Tyrion stated and it must be someone powerful with gold cloaks on their payroll. 

Then the scene changed to the goldcloak taking her to a brothel of all places, escorting her upstairs, followed by Ser Rodrick. They were then brought to no other than Petyr Baelish, Littlefinger himself, who sent out two of his whores after seeing Catelyn arrive. "You little worm," Catelyn spat with venom in her words as she threw the letter at Petyr who managed to avoid it," You take me for some back-alley Sally you can drag into a!"

"I meant no disrespect to you of all people," Petyr explained to her, seemingly hoping for her to calm down.

"How dare you bring me here of all places," Catelyn spat once again," have you lost your mind and gone mad?"

"No one will come looking for you here, just as you wanted," Littlefinger told her," though I am sorry about the locale."

"You brought my wife to a brothel," Ned groaned, very upset at the master of coin's chosen rendezvous spot. 

"Well Lord Stark, as I have explained on the screen, no one will come looking for your wife at my brothel," Baelish said," after all, it seems she has come to King's Landing because of something important." 

"Although I am upset at his choice of venue, I do agree it would be a good place to hide from prying eyes," Catelyn responded to calm her husband a bit," though why I came is still a mystery to me." 

"How did you know I was coming to King's Landing?" Lady Stark questioned, to which Littlefinger only responded by saying," A dear friend told me."

Then the spymaster Varys entered the room," Lady Stark," the spider said as he bowed his head. "Lord Varys,"  Catelyn said back.

"I never knew you and Varys were friends, since how long has this been going on?" Renly asked as he turned to them. 

"Well, it seems to be quite recent devolvement Lord Renly, one I never expect either," Petyr said," the Eunuch and the Littlefinger."

"This is also something I have not foreseen, though I assume what is going to be discussed is going to be of the utmost importance," Varys responded.

"To see you again after so many years is a blessing. Your poor hands," the spymaster said as Lady Stark asked him how he knew she was coming.

"Knowledge is my trade, my Lady. Did you bring the dagger with you, by any chance? My little birds are everywhere. Even in the north. They whisper to me the strangest stories. Valyrian steel," Varys explained to her.

Catelyn then took out the elegant Valyrian steel dagger," Do you know whose dagger this is, who gave this to a catspaw to try and murder my sweet Bran?" she asked

Everyone in the audience was shocked at the revelation, someone tried to kill young Bran with a Valyrian steel dagger of all things. 

"Why would someone want to do that?" Bran asked as he felt a little scared.

"I don't know Bran, but I will not let anything happen to you," Catelyn told her son, barely able to process the possibility of someone trying to kill her sweet son. 

"We won't let any kind of harm befall, understand," Ned told him as the rest of the Stark family nodded in agreement. 

"I feel like I have seen that dagger before, but where did I see it," Robert said as he tried to remember," I think I was in my cups at the time."

"I believe that dagger is one of yours, you won it from Lord Baleish I believe," Jon Arryn said as he grew a little worried.

"Wait then how in the seven hells did my dagger end up being used to try and kill a boy of ten," Robert shouted

"Perhaps someone had stolen it," Robb Stark said as he pondered about it a bit about it.

"Why would someone steal a valyrian steel dagger just to kill our brother," Jon said, not sure what to make of it.

Interestingly enough Varys did not know who owned the dagger, but then Petyr spoke up, "Well well, this is a historic day. Something you don't know that I do. There's only one dagger like this in all of the Seven Kingdoms. It's mine."

"Yours," Lady Stark asked in confusion at his statement as he then continued.

"At least it was, until the tournament on Prince Joffrey's last name. I bet on Ser Jaime in the jousting, as any sane man would. When the Knight of the Flowers unseated him, I lost this dagger."

Catelyn then asked who he lost it to.

"Tyrion Lannister. the Imp," Petyr accused.

"Me!" the Lannister Dwarf exclaimed.

Catelyn looked at him with rage," You tried to kill my son!" she shouted as she got up from her seat Robb and Jon nearly did the same before Ned stopped all of them from doing something drastic.

"Lady Stark I would never harm your son, besides it doesn't make sense, I would never bet against my brother," Tyrion explained," also what kind of idiot would arm an assassin with his own dagger."

"You accuse my brother Baelish, not a good move," Jaime said," especially since you lost that dagger to Robert, not my brother."

"My son did not try to kill your son, I would never let him even think about doing something so foolish," Tywin spoke up and explained to Catelyn.

"Wait so that means your lying Lord Baelish, I wonder why," Renly said as others in the audience turned their attention to Littlefinger who stayed calm. They all started to grow a little suspicious of the master of coin.

"I do not know why my future self would accuse Tyrion of such, perhaps I am misremembering events," Littlefinger stated.

"Enough of this," Robert said with a loud voice," we'll figure it out after we are finished watching the rest of this."

The scene then changed back to the Wolf's Port, it was nighttime at the tourney grounds. Various knights and monsters were scattered around as they got ready for the tourney. Counts Othis and Sarax were watching the various knights in red and black armor move through the camp, some riding atop horses. 

"Things seem to be going well," Othis said as he turned to the beholder lord," this land of vampires has so much to offer in terms of strong warriors."

"Well regular vampires are already strong, give one skill in magic or weapons and they will rip apart those that stand against them," Sarax responded," take Lucinda as an example, she is the most powerful vampire currently alive, especially due to the sorcery she wields."

"So she and creatures like her are called vampires," Samwell said as he grew more interested in what he was being said.

"And it seems she is a sorceress as well," Varys stated with a bit of worry," and a powerful one if what they are saying is any indication."

"Perhaps we should start researching into sorcery of our own, perhaps we can learn more about her possible powers and of these vampires if possible," Tywin suggested.

"Sorcery is long dead, though I am sure there are some tomes that detail it in the Red Keep," Grand Maester Pycelle interjects. 

Then they saw a knight clad in dark grey armor, coming towards them. Draped over his grey chest plate was a blood-red surcoat that displayed his sigil, a sitting black wolf looking up and howling. He had an open-faced helmet that showed his pale fairly handsome face, his devil-red eyes, and his grin which showed his sharp fangs.

"Well if it isn't Grandmaster Konrad Von Bloodmoon of the Knights of the Black Wolf, the Mad Knight himself,"  Sarax said as he looked at the knight.

"Yes, I came here because I heard my beloved sister, Lucinda the Soul of Darkness, is leaving to go east," Konrad said with a deep accent similar to Lucinda's.

"You missed her, she already left," Othis explained to him," say what of your brother, Gustavus."

"Gustavus left yesterday by boat," the blood knight told him.

"Interesting, he came all this way just to leave, I wonder why?" Sarax said

"Not even I am privy to that information," Konrad told him," though I have heard that my sister has with her a new plaything, some human she made her champion, most likely on a whim."

"Yes Jon Snow, she will grow tired and bored of the human soon enough, just as she did with all of the humans she has pampered," Sarax said," just like with Godfrey the Heaven Blade."

"Time will tell what happens next," Othis said. 

"So it seems that Lucinda has at least two brothers," Tyrion said," with this Konrad being one of them."

"He is called the Mad Knight, but he doesn't look Mad," Yara Greyjoy responded.

"Perhaps he is good at hiding it," Theon suggested

"Well if he is good at hiding his madness, then he wouldn't be called the Mad Knight," Robb countered.

"Who would make a madman a knight?" Sansa asked, still believing in the songs of heroic knights saving maidens. 

"I can think of a few men who would employ such individuals," Obyren said as he looked to Tywin Lannister.  

"Perhaps he is like the smiling knight," Jamie interjected, recalling the robber knight that terrorized the Kingswood.

"Ahhh, madness, if it anything like the Mad King's," Robert growled as Daenerys looks down, being reminded of all she had heard about her father.

"I wonder who Godfrey is," Bran said," and what happened to him."

"Certainly nothing good," the wildling Tormund said as he then turned to Jon Snow," I suggest you try and stay away from her in the future.

Jon Snow just nodded, he wasn't the only one that was taken in by Lucinda. He doesn't know her at this point, so he doesn't know what happens to those people that she grows bored of. It started to worry Jon even more about his own future.

The scene then changed to the docks of King's Landing. Ned Stark flanked by some of his household guards and goldcloaks were waiting to greet the new envoy that reached their city. 

Lucinda then arrived and disembarked from the ship, she wore a regal red dress, however, she else wore a black hooded cloak and a white and gold, elegantly decorated mask that covered her entire face. To her right was a knight, clad in well-crafted midnight black armor. The knight wore a great helm with a pair of short decorative bat wings and atop his helmet, he had a small crest in the shape of a bat. He wore a blood-red cloak and black surcoat, the surcoat displaying a sigil that of a red monstrous-looking bat clutching a scythe. Lastly to her left was a six-foot-tall figure covered entirely by black and purple colored robes fit for a noble lord. This individual carried a wooden staff, well crafted and decorated with strange carvings. The figure also wore a mask, a silver smiling mask. 

"We welcome you to King's Landing," Ned said as the three figures got off the ship and approached him," I am Eddard Stark Warden of the North and Hand of his grace, King Robert Baratheon."

Lucinda and the knight beside her turn to each other before turning back to Ned. The knight's dark grey eyes intently stare at Lord Stark. 

"I am Lucinda Von Bloodmoon, Grand Countess of Castle Bloodmoon and all of Bloodmoon Vale, Baroness of the Crimson Valley, and envoy of his majesty King Vaulni of Thaczil," the Countess told him, "Of my companions, Grand Count Zulux of Deep Hold, along with my champion Ser Lanius of the Crimson Valley."

"So they have finally arrived it seems, I wonder why Lucinda is wearing a mask and cloak," Tyrion said," I understand Zulux but why her."

"Wait where is Jon, I thought she was with her," Arya said.

Bran and some of the other young ones in the audience were awed by the armor of Ser Lanius.

"Ser Lanius of the Crimson Valley," Barristan muttered as he looked at the knight in intimidating armor.

"So we don't just have to worry about Lucinda, but of Zulux as well," Varys said as he remembered the mind flayer's ability to read and talk to people through their thoughts," it seems that the game has changed now."

"Hmmm what is this place," said a voice from the back as the audience then turned and saw a face that they never expected to see outside of the screen. It was Lucinda Von Bloodmoon of all people," why have I been brought here?" the dumbfounded vampire queen said. 

Chapter Text

Countess Lucinda Von Bloodmoon was a vampire who has lived for a few thousand years, yet there were still things that surprised her. One of these things is mysteriously being sent to some movie theater and being told that in a few years, she was going to supposedly fall in love with a young human, Jon Snow was his name." I am not surprised that I would have another human champion, but to think that boy would grow to become one is surprising," The vampiric redhead said as she turned from the others to Jon Snow who seemed to be as surprised as she was.  

"Well trust us when we say that we were surprised by it as well," Ned told the countess, feeling uneasy by the distinct blood-red eyes of the woman. 

"Say I never caught your name?" Lucinda asked him with interest, feeling a strange sense of deja vu. 

"My name is Eddard Stark, Lord Paramount of the North in Westeros," Ned told her.

Lucinda's eyes narrowed as he stared at Ned's face," Hmm Stark you say, and of the North," she said to him," well alright then, why have I been brought here?

"You have been brought here by me in order to witness your futures," a disembodied voice said.

"I see, I am guessing you are some sort of god or powerful outer entity?" the vampire questioned.

"Yes and today you will be watching some Histories and Lore of your world," the voice told them," take your seats and enjoy the show.

Everyone then went to take their seats, others in the audience stared at the Countess, a powerful blood-sucking monster in the form of a beautiful and seductive woman, who seemed so inhumanly alluring to many men in the audience. One that made many in the audience worried, knowing about the possible invasion she may bring to their homes. Certain others were not too focused on that and were instead thinking about other things. Specifically about pulling up her dress and spreading her legs in spite of knowing her peculiarities (Looking at you Theon).

"I wonder what history we are going to be learning?" Tyrion asked.

"Well it must be important to what is happening," Samwell Tarly responded as stared at the screen.

The title card then appeared on the screen. Histories and Lore: The Von Bloodmoon Dynasty by Konrad and Lucinda Von Bloodmoon. 

"When one thinks of the Von Bloodmoons they think of blood and darkness," Lucinda narrated as illustrations of Castle Bloodmoon are shown.    

"Our family has been around for thousands of years, founded by a legendary vampire lord known only as the King of Bats," Konrad said as more illustrations were shown, depicting a large monstrous humanoid bat creature crushing armored knights with ease. 

The audience was surprised by the fact that it was Lucinda and her brother Konrad that was narrating, though they were also quite interested in hearing more about the Bloodmoons as well.

 "I don't remember giving anyone a history lesson with Konrad," Lucinda questioned.

"Perhaps it happens in the future," Bran suggested.

"Maybe so," Jon answers as he continued to watch, wanting to know more about the Von Bloodmoons since he was going to be spending so much time with them in the future.

"King of Bats, so your family came from a giant bat monster," Jaime said as he glance towards Lucinda who just shrugged it off. 

"The King of Bats wanted to become king of all the creatures of the night and so he did what all true vampires would do, create more vampires," Lucinda explained.

"By granting the blood kiss, he turned various humans into fellow vampires," Konrad said as illustrations of the King of Bats biting down on the neck of a human noble were shown on screen.

"By granting worthy humans eternal life as vampires, he created the first generation of Von Bloodmoons,"  Lucinda explained," only those who prove themselves to be skilled or a useful addition to our brood can be turned into a true vampire like us."

Illustrations of people becoming vampires were shown, eyes being turned blood red, and sharp fangs grew in their mouths.

"Unless of course, you are Lucinda's champion, then you are stuck a fucking human," Konrad said with a chuckle.

Lucinda sighs and clears her throat," As I was saying only those who are deemed worthy are allowed to take on the Von Bloodmoon name, even if they were already deemed worthy of becoming a vampire," she said with a more annoyed tone. More illustrations were showing depicting various vampires at a dining hall feasting on blood from the source. 

"My siblings and I became vampires thousands of years ago and joined the Von Bloodmoons after proving ourselves to be worthy to our sire, Lord Louis Von Bloodmoon," Lucinda explained.

"Too bad he was a pathetic imitation of our legendary forefathers, so we did what we had to do," Konrad said," the three of us ripped the whelp apart." Next, the screen showed Lord Louis getting brutally murdered by the three siblings Lucinda, Konrad, and Gustavus.

"Our sire left us little choice, he had grown too weak and soon the other branches would try to take everything for themselves, killing each other in the process," Lucinda explained as the screen showed vampire warriors clad in plate, doing battle," so we killed him and filled the void before any of the others could attempt the same."

The audience was taken aback by all they had witnessed. 

From what Ned was hearing, he couldn't help but worry even more for his son Jon. He recalled how Lucinda offered Jon to become a Von Bloodmoon, realizing that in doing so he would turn into a blood-sucking monster in the process. 

Tywin couldn't help but remember his own father Tytos Lannister and how his weakness nearly brought ruin to their great house. It seemed that Lord Louis was much the same, though the mention of eternal life as a vampire did intrigue him as much as it surprised him. These Von Bloodmoons were very dangerous indeed. 

"Your thousands of years old?" Arya shouted as others turned to Lucinda herself. Lucinda being ancient yet still looking like a woman in her late twenties was a massive revelation, that she was possibly alive since the Age of Heroes. Furthermore was the fact that they can turn others into vampires as well, though the process did not seem like the most appealing.

Cersei meanwhile was jealous as to why Lucinda and presumably other such vampires were allowed to live forever, even able to keep their beauty. Perhaps she could find a way to get what Lucinda has, somehow. 

"Yes, I am very old," Lucinda responded as she shrugged it off

"You killed your own sire?" Jon said as he was shocked by her brutal actions.

"I had to, we needed to avoid too much infighting," she stated, seeming to care very little for the subject.

"Wait we saw beforehand that you bit my brother in the neck and drank his blood, does that mean you had turned Jon into one of you in the future?" Robb questioned, not keen on having Jon who was like a twin to him, turning into some undying monster.

"It is a specific process, biting down on someone's neck alone will not turn him into a vampire," Lucinda explained to the young wolf.

Everyone then continued to watch the rest of the presentation before them.

"Speaking of the branches, there are many of them within Bloodmoon Vale, though only a few of them are of any real note," Konrad spoke as he began to speak of the first branch," the Von Bloodmoons of the Dark Tower."

The illustrations then showed a tall vampire clad in heavy plate armor, with a crowned helmet resembling the top of a tower, in the background was a tall black tower surrounded by walls.  

"The Von Bloodmoons of the Dark Tower are fierce warriors with a tradition of knighthood," Konrad explained," they are famed due to their elite order of knights known as the Templars of the Dark Tower.

"The Lord of the Dark Tower and of the branch family must also be the Grandmaster of these Templars, and vice versa."

"Then there are the Von Bloodmoons of Shadow's Hold," Lucinda stated," known for their cunning and their use of magics, especially necromancy." They were then shown a group of robed vampires practicing dark sorceries.

"They often gain powerful magic through making pacts with otherworldly entities, usually with a demon lord known as Orcus," she explained as they saw an illustration of Von Bloodmoon vampires colluding with strange creatures.

"The Von Bloodmoons of Ravenhold and of Red River Keep, the Von Drakuls of Blood Wyrm Castle, and many more," Konrad listed," our branches span across all of Thaczil, a collection of many different lordships that make up our ever-enduring dynasty." 

"With our branch, the Von Bloodmoons of Castle Bloodmoon at the head of it all," Lucinda spoke softly," together our family has stood the test of time despite the greed of certain members."

It then showed an illustration of Lucinda sitting at the end of her castle's feasting hall, holding a cup of red liquid as those in her court feasted. 

"Though they understand that if we all want to continue enjoying our undying lives in decadence and indulgence, they better keep listening to me and my brothers because we are the only ones keeping them together."

Chapter Text

The screen turned black as what they were shown was finished. Many among the audience were processing what they had just watched. The lords and ladies of Westeros found the new information useful, they now have a better understanding of the Von Bloodmoons though there were still the other leading figures of Thaczil.

Then someone spoke up among them," I have a question for whatever brought us here," Jaime Lannister said as he got up from his seat," why did you bring the vampire here?"

It was a question many in the audience had, after all, wasn't Lucinda and all of the other monsters she brings one of the threats to Westeros? If she was to go back with as much information of the future as they, then that may cancel out their edge.

Then the voice spoke," Trust me when you say you will need her help if Westeros is to survive."

"But what reason would I have to do that," Lucinda responded," wouldn't that go against the interests of Thaczil."

"You will understand in time that putting too much focus on conquering outward, instead of finishing what needs to be done inward, may lead to your undoing," the voice cryptically stated.

"But enough of that, the next look into the future will be shown later, for now, relax and converse with each other until then."

Then a table filled with some food and drinks appeared for them to enjoy. There was even a flask of red liquid and it was most certainly not wine.

Lucinda then poured herself a cup and drank it. Most of the Westerosi tried to avoid her, they were wary of her more monstrous nature in spite of her beauty.

But then Jon Snow of all people approached her. Jon did fear her to an extent, especially after watching the history of her family, but she still took him in. It was in the future, but she still does it and even made him her champion. 

"In the future, you chose me to become your champion, why me of all people?" Jon Snow asked her with strong intent.

"Hmmmmm, I sense something within you, my future self must have sensed it," Lucinda told him," something familiar." 

To Jon it wasn't much of an answer, she sensed something within himself yet what was it? It raised more questions than it answered, what was familiar about him to her. 

"Perhaps we shall truly find out my own future reasoning as we see more of it," She said as she placed her hand on his shoulder, Jon could see that her nails were long and sharp like claws. 

Tywin meanwhile was with his family as he tries to figure out what they should do take advantage of their newly found knowledge. 

"Well, Father if you are looking to back her rivals we will need to figure out which ones resent her," Tyrion said as he stated the obvious.

"Perhaps they all resent her in the end, I'm sure all of them wanted to take the lands she claimed," Cersei said as she turned to Tywin. 

"We will back her rivals only after she shows herself to be uncooperative," Tywin said as he then turned to Jaime," why don't you go have a talk with Lady Lucinda?"

In an instant, all of the Lannister siblings knew why Tywin said that. He had already suggested having Jaime marry Lucinda and now he was going to try and carry through with it.

"But father, I'm in the Kingsguard," Jaime protested," I am not allowed to take a wife."

"You can be dismissed from that position, I will make sure of it," Tywin coldly stated as Cersei seethed with rage. She would not have her Jaime be wed to some horrid leech of a woman infatuated with a northern bastard. 

"Father please," Jaime tried to plead with him before being cut off.

"You are a Lannister, my son, you have played bodyguard long enough," Tywin said as he raised his voice, "things are changing and if we are to survive the coming storm of monsters, my rightful heir needs to take his proper place and find a beneficial bride such as the Countess." 

"Father if I may speak, I doubt Lucinda would take Jaime," Tyrion reasoned," she seems to want Jon Snow as her husband and champion."

"Jaime is more than a better match for Lady Lucinda than a trumped-up northern bastard," Tywin responded," after all, it would be far more beneficial for her, what can this Jon Snow provide for her that Jaime can't surpass."

"If not her then one of her available relatives," Tywin stated," Besides she wants some kind of foothold in Westeros either way, better we take advantage of it instead of the Starks."

"Next you will want me to take an oath of conquest to impress her and her friends, just like Jon Snow," Jaime retorted," the first Lannister to become a paladin of conquest." 

Tywin understood that a marriage between Jaime and Lucinda would have numerous problems, but he needed to find a way to get this Countess at his side. Then he turned to Tyrion, perhaps there is something his good-for-nothing son could do to benefit the family. 

Jon Arryn meanwhile felt he was getting older and closer to the grave minute by minute as he began to realize how great the threat was. What's worse is that he apparently dies the in future, meaning he isn't able to guide Robert through these dire times, at least Robert had Ned by his side. But will it be enough, especially with his suspicion of the Queen's children not being the King's? He turned to Stannis, they both looked at each other and knew that they would need to act fast.

Robert did not have a good feeling about Lucinda and her monstrous people, he was not even sure he could win a fight against them. But he knew that he had to try, perhaps he may be able to take a few of them down before he gets killed. He would not go down without a fight, that was for sure.

Doran turned to his brother Obyern who stared at Tywin Lannister, the old lion that had done so much to his family. Having his mad dog butcher those he loved and cared for, Oberyn vowed that Elia and her children would be avenged.

"He plans on using Thazcil to his advantage," Doran said as Obyern turned back to him.

"Of course he is, perhaps we should try to do the same, we don't have the power to bring down the Lannister yet," Oberyn stated," those monsters might be able to."

"Those Councilors want to take over Westeros, but they seem to be reasonable enough to talk to," Doran said," perhaps a deal can be struck." The rulers of Thazcil look unsettling, but at least they seem like they can be talked to. Doran was open to making a deal with them, though he knew he had to be careful, they still did not know the extent of their power and intentions.

Then suddenly the voice came again," I hope you enjoyed your break, now onto what I shall show you next, this will show how Jon Snow and Lucinda Von Bloodmoon first met.

The audience then took their seats, interested in how exactly Jon Snow of all people ended up meeting with the Countess. 

The screen lit up as the title appeared, The Wolf and the Bat Part One 

The screen then showed a dark room, lit up by only a few candles. They then saw Jon Snow, tied up in a chair with some bruises on his face. This Jon Snow was between the Jon Snow in the audience and the one they saw before in age. Perhaps around six-ten in age. There were three individuals seemingly interrogating Jon. One is a tall monster, covered in grey hair and clad in red padded armor. Another was more humanlike in shape, wearing strange black clothing, but had red skin and the head of a horned demon. The last one was a large and bulky grey skin man wearing a red hooded cloak.

"Ahhh humans, making me work," the tall hairy one said in frustration as he turned to the grey-skinned man," can you believe this Nob."

"Uhhh, maybe-maybe go easy on him Zan, so he talks," Nob said sounding a little simple-minded.

The one that looked like a horned demon turned to the tied-up Jon," Look boy if you don't tell us anything we might have to feed you to Countess Lucinda," he said

The audience was quite shocked at what they saw, they did not go into this expecting Jon Snow to be sharply questioned, though it seems that they weren't doing much under than bruising him a little. 

Ned meanwhile was quite upset at the treatment that Jon had or would receive from Lucinda's monsters," Is that how you and your household would treat my son," Ned said coldly as he turned to Lucinda who kept a calm and collected demeanor. 

"Forgive my sicarios they tend to jump to interrogation when capturing possible spies, before informing me," Lucinda explained with a sigh. 

Footsteps were then heard as someone seemed to be walking downstairs, the three then turned and saw Lucinda in a black dress enter the room," What is this," she said in her thick accent.

"Ohh my Countess, we caught this intruder in the nearby woods," Zan said as they stood at attention," he was armed and armored."

"Why hadn't you informed me directly early before beginning the interrogation, I don't remember ordering you to do this of our own accord did I?" she said to Zan he started to grow noticeably nervous. 

"No my Countess it will not happen again," he told her as Lucinda then turned and approached Jon.

"Tell me who are you and who do you serve?" Lucinda asked though she got no response.

Lucinda then got closer to him and something seemed to have caught her scent," Your blood has an interesting scent to it," she said as she then began to try and get something out of Jon.

"Hmmm, listen to me, listen to my voice," she said as his voice seemingly changed, though no one could exactly to their finger on how. She had a dark grin on her face as she looked deep into Jon's grey eyes. He was seemingly trying to resist her, trying to struggle out of his binds to no avail.

"Don't bother resisting my charms, most are unable to break my control," she said to him," now tell me what your name is and who you serve."

"I-I, my name is Jon Snow and I use to be the squire of Ser Baldwin of Ashfall," he told her.

Lucinda's eyes flashed bright and widened as she recognized the name," You squired under Ser Baldwin, why didn't you say so earlier."

"Wait you know Ser Baldwin, was he truly such a famed knight?" Jon asked.

"Yes, he was a very renowned Knight of Tiamat who served under King Vaulni, last I heard he left and became a hermit living in an abandoned tower good ways south of here," she said as she then turned to her three servants, ordering them to let Jon out of his binds.

"He was one of the few humans that King Vaulni respected, he served the crown well in his prime," she explained as Jon stood up, no longer tied up.

"I never knew, he told me little about his past and much of the outside world other than was directly around the tower," Jon said," he took me in when I first found my way in this land and made me his squire, taught me how to fight like a paladin, told me of the goddess Tiamat." 

"This Ser Baldwin must be a great knight if King Vaulni respected him," Bran said," he must be like Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Arthur Dayne to them."

"He must indeed be a great knight, I will always be thankful that he took Jon in," Ned said, glad that his son at least had help when he first somehow got to Thazcil.

While the children were interested in learning more about this supposed knight and took Jon in, Cersei was not impressed."I bet Jamie could easily defeat this Baldwin of Ashfall," she said.

"I am not so sure about that considering everything that we have seen so far," Tyrion responded. 

"Wait then what are you doing here?" Lucinda asked, now very interested.

"He was killed, by an Orc Warchief named Brakk the Red Axe, he was one of your vassals," Jon stated coldly, anger in his voice.

"Of course, it was that cur, but why would he pick a fight with Baldwin I have doubt that he could win a duel against the knight," she said to him.

"Baldwin got into a fight with some orc poachers, one of them was Brakk's brother who he killed," Jon explained," so Brakk came with an entire band of warriors, Baldwin killed many of them, but his old age got to him and he lost his head to Brakk."

" I see, I always known that Brakk was unruly, but to go this far," she said," I shall punish him rest assured, but for now you shall be my guest."

She then turned to Zan, " Bring Jon here to one of the guest chambers, understood," Lucinda told Zan who just nodded, she then left with the other two as Zan started to escort Jon through the castle.

As Jon walked through, they reached a hall that had some paintings on display on the walls. They were portraits of individuals, many holding weapons, usually swords. He turned and saw a portrait of a young beautiful woman, wearing grey breeches, a white dress shirt, and an unbuttoned redcoat wielding a slender sword similar to the one Bravossi water dancers wielded. 

What was interesting about her was her looks, she had long brown hair and striking gray eyes, and she had a boyish yet also ladylike demeanor to her in the painting. She looked just like Lyanna Stark, Ned's sister, those that had seen her couldn't help but mistake this woman in the painting as Lyanna. 

"Who is she?" Jon asked, tranced by the portrait, the one that looked just like how his father described his long-dead aunt Lyanna.

"That is Lady Joan Bourbon of Wolf's Port, master duelist and lovely bard that caught the Good Countess's eye, and made her into her last champion so far, "Zan explained," I met her a few years back when I was younger and inexperienced, the Countess loved her skill with the sword and her charisma."

"In fact, this hallway has the portraits of all of her previous champions," Zan said," though I only personally knew Joan." 

They then continued to walk through the hallway," That one right there," Zan said as he pointed toward a portrait of a dark-skinned man wearing grey desert robes and a red cloth around his head like a dornishman," He is Amrek of Yellow Praire, a wandering bladesinger from the southern deserts that made his way north into the service of the Countess, it is said that he was as good at magic as he was with a blade and he was a deadly swordsman. "

"What about him?" Jon asked as he pointed to the portrait man with strange grey and white robes, that reminded many in the audience of the clothes that Count Othis wore when he was introduced, he had a strange straw hat, cloth covering much of his face, including his right eye.

"Oh him, he was known as Masamune the Fierce a samurai hailing from the Pale Horn Isles, " Zan explained to Jon as if recalling a myth."You see he was a retainer of the Spirit Tusk Clan, " he continued, "which was headed by Count Othis the ruling oni overlord, known as the Shogun of Secrets for it is Othis and his clan that established the Shogunate, the ruling order of the isles."

"I see, well why did he leave his life as a retainer for such a powerful clan?" Jon asked curiously.

"I do not know, it was rumored that he fell out of favor with the Shogun or that he grew bored of the constant clan politics, either way, he left and came here," Zan said as they continued to make their way through the castle.

Chapter Text

Silence, all there was silence as the scene ended.

That silence was broken after Robert muttered the name," Lyanna."

"S-she looked just like Lyanna Ned, she looked just like Lyanna," Robert exclaimed, seeing a painting of one of Lucinda's former champions that looked just like Lyanna, which was completely unexpected. 

"I-I just can't believe it, to think that across the Sunset Sea is Lyanna in everything but name."

Everyone was surprised, especially those who had seen Lyanna Stark when she was alive. This Joan woman somehow had a striking resemblance to the Stark girl. Even Ned was completely baffled by it, he had no idea what to say.  Some even turned to Lucinda for some kind of answer.

Lucinda turned to Ned Stark," Many years ago before even the founding of the kingdom, ships came from the east crossing what your people named the Sunset Sea, bearing the sigil of a wolf, they landed on what would be called Wolf's Port," the vampire explained," they were led by a man, a man known as Brandon Stark the Shipwright."

"You met my ancestor," Ned said as he processed the shocking information, turning to the rest of his family," our forefather."

"You met Brandon the Shipwright!" Arya and Bran exclaimed.

"Ayra, Bran, calm yourselves," Catelyn told them, as she could hardly believe what she was hearing.

"He did cross the Sunset Sea and he found Thaczil," Robb muttered at the revelation. 

"Yes it is why my people call the water that separates us the Sunset Sea, the same name your people gave it, "Lucinda stated," we got it from him." 

The rest of the audience muttered and talked to each other about this new information. Brandon Stark had success at crossing the Sunset Sea and seemingly managed to establish the Starks on Thaczil.

"I wonder if Elissa Farmen ever managed to reach Thaczil," Samwell said as he recalled her attempt to sail west.

"Well if Corlys Velaryon is to be believed, her ship the Sun Chaser managed to make it to Asshai," Tyrion stated.

"So that was why you were so interested in Jon," Ned muttered to himself," what happened to him to Brandon the Shipwright?"

Lucinda paused for a bit before continuing," He died of course, but not before establishing the Bourbons," she told her.

"So we are distantly related to the Bourbons of Wolf's Port," Jon said," are they still around?"

"No they died out a decade or two ago," she told Jon," now the Mapolos Brothers rule Wolf's Port now."

Some of the Starks felt a little bad that their distant kin from another land died out already.  

Some were a little jealous that it was the Starks that first made a connection with Thazcil, which meant they had a headstart, even in spite of their branch becoming extinct. 

"I still have quite a hard time believing all of this, even after seeing it," Jaime said.

"The world is still full of surprises," Oberyn responded 

"I have a question of my own," Doran said as he entered the conversation," I remember that Count Zulux mentioning that he was there when you found out about Westeros, what does he know?"

"He was with me when the Shipwright arrived, he even helped build Wolf's Port," Lucinda explained. 

The voice then began to speak," Now we shall continue with your future."

The screen then lit up and the title screen appeared.

The title was: Love Is Always Undone

"Interesting name," Tyrion noted.

"I wonder whose love will become undone," Varys said.

The screen then went to where they last left off, Ned Stark greeting Countess Lucinda and her retinue. 

"We are honored by your reception of our coming, we hope to forge a strong relationship with Westeros," Countess Lucinda told Ned through her eerie mask.

"Well we are honored to receive you, if you will allow us my lady we shall escort you and your party to the Red Keep," Ned responded to her.

Lucinda nodded as they were escorted through the city and to the Red Keep.

"So this is the capital of Westeros," Lucinda said as she turned to Lanius," it is disappointing, to say the least."

"After seeing Wolf's Port, I must agree that King's Landing isn't exactly the cleanest city," Lanius said in a deep muffled voice.  As they walked, some of Lucinda's men were carrying what looked like an intricately carved wooden coffin. The men carrying it wore red brigandine armor, they had black cloaks covering them, and cloth masks covering the bottom half of their faces. 

"Is that a coffin, why would you need to bring that?" Bran questioned," Is someone going to die?"

"No, nobody is going to die if I can help it," Lucinda answered," that coffin is a personal belonging of mine."

Many among the audience were not very convinced knowing what they knew about Lucinda.

The scene changed again.

This time they were back at Wolf's Port, Countess Zunthea the medusa was walking with Count Othis the oni through the beach of Wolf's Port, and many ships could be seen sailing away or arriving at the nearby docks. 

"You know I don't know whether I prefer you now as the scheming spymaster or what you were before, the violent warlord," Zunthea joked to Othis who just chuckled a bit.

"Yes yes I have changed quite a bit, I am well aware," the oni said with a long smile.

She then signaled to him to bend down a bit, which he did as he reached her level. She then gave him a quick kiss on his forehead.

"Either way you are still the oni I met all those years ago," she told him.

"Hehe, you haven't changed a bit, have you?"

"No, though I do have a question I must ask if you don't mind," Zunthea told him.

"Hmmm and what exactly concerns you?" Othis asked, interested in what she wanted to know.

"Do you think Vaulni knows more about Westeros than he lets on?"

"I would not be surprised," he said," I heard him mention something once, yesterday he said that he kept his promise to the star finders, whatever that might mean."

"Kept his promise to the star finders, that makes no sense," Jaime said.

"Well, it has something to do with Westeros," Petyr said," the question is what."

"You don't think," Oybern said as he thought about it a bit, being reminded of one house he knew. 

"Are they-?" Tyrion was questioning as Lucinda then answered.

"Yes they used to be quite friendly with each other, not as much these days," Lucinda stated," but there is still something there."

"I'm not even sure what to think anymore," Robert said, to him everything so far has been absurd and who can blame him?

A scaled woman with snakes for hair possibly fucking a weird horned blue giant wasn't exactly a normal relationship to the people of Westeros.

The scene changes to the throne room of the Red Keep, Grand Maester Pycelle had called Ned and was coming to give him a letter before leaving.

"Good news," Petyr said as he entered the room," perhaps you would like to share it with your wife

"My wife is in Winterfell," Ned responded.

"Is she," he said as a smirk grew on his face before he walked off as Ned looked on.

The scene then changed to Ned Stark pinning Littlefinger to the wall of one of his brothels, he was enraged as he was choking Lord Baelish.

"You're a funny man huh," Ned said as he continued to choke," a very funny man."

The Stark children among others were shocked as they had never seen Eddard Stark act this way before.

"By the gods Ned, your gonna fucking murder him," Robert said to his friend.

"Well he did take my wife to a brothel of all places," Eddard said.

"I wouldn't blame you, Lord Stark, I would have done the same," Edmure said, also not exactly excited about how Baelish took his sister to a brothel.

"I have to agree with my nephew here," Brynden Tully also chimed in.

"To be fair he did it for my protection," Catelyn told her husband.  

"I suppose so," Ned said as he turned to Baelish," even though it hasn't happened yet, I apologize for my actions."

Littlefinger just smirks," No need Lord Stark, your reaction wasn't exactly abnormal considering everything," he responded.

Then Catelyn came up from the balcony," Ned," she called out as Eddard turned to her and entered the brothel. 

"The mere suggestion that Lord Tyrion tried to kill your boy would be considered treason," Littlefinger said

"We have proof we have the blade," Catelyn responded. 

"Which Lord Tyrion will say it was stolen from him, the only man that can say otherwise has no throat thanks to your boy's wolf."

"Again with this, why me," Tyrion exclaimed, a little tired of hearing how he plotted the murder of a little boy.

"I still wonder why Lord Baelish intends to paint my son as the culprit," Lord Tywin said coldly, not amused at the farce. 

"As I have said, I have no idea why I have made such accusations in the future," Littlefinger responded.

"Wait did he just say I have a wolf," Bran said a little confused.

Then the bodiless voice began speaking," Yeah I should have mentioned this, in the future you and your other siblings get direwolves."

"We get direwolves!" Arya exclaimed at the prospect.

Everyone was also very much surprised by this new bit of information.

"And here I thought dire wolves were gone," Gendry said.

"I thought so as well, though it is possible that there are still some beyond the wall," Samwell stated.

Catelyn and Ned meanwhile were unsure what to think, though they decided to discuss it at a later date. At least the supposed dire wolf saved their son's life.

"Petyr has promised to help us find the truth," Lady Stark said," he is like a little brother to me Ned, he would never betray my trust."

"I'll try to keep you alive for her sake, a fool's task admittedly but I've never been able to refuse your wife anything."

Catelyn then turned to him," I won't forget this, you're a true friend."

"Don't tell anyone, I have a reputation to maintain."

"Now if you must excuse me I have someone else I must speak to," Littlefinger said.

The scene changed once again.

Countess Lucinda was getting settled into her new room as two of her men set down a full-body mirror on the wall.

Lanius was in the room as well as her two men then left.

"I must say your homeland is not much so far, but I'm sure things will get more interesting," the Countess said as she sat down on the bed.

"We will just have to see my Countess," Lanius said as he took off his helm, revealing him to be none other than Jon Snow.

"So you were Lanius the whole time," Robb said as he turned to his brother.

"I wonder why the need to change my name and hide my face," Jon said.

"Perhaps Lady Lucinda wants to keep your existence unknown until the right time," Varys speculates 

"I have to wonder what does Lanius even mean?" Jaime asked the Countess.

"Butcher good ser, it means butcher," Lucinda said, her voice cold as ice.

"Well I for one am interested if your bastard is gonna live up to his new name Ned," Robert joked to Eddard. 

"Why don't you go out with Captain Raivis, get a feel for this castle," Lucinda said," oh and don't forget to report back to me later, I will be requiring your . . . services." Lucinda's blood-red lips formed a smirk as her blood-red eyes filled with desire for her wolf and his warmth. 

Jon meanwhile was feeling quite embarrassed about his future self as Theon was trying his hardest not to laugh.

Lucinda just continued to watch her future self play with her new champion, her new pet.

Lanius or Jon then left the room, waiting for him was a large and burly individual around the height of the Hound. He wore the same red brigandine and black cloaks, as all the other guards Lucinda had. He has a bushy dark brown beard, along with dark red eyes and very pale skin, indicating that he is a vampire just like Lucinda. He is Lucinda's most loyal warrior and captain of her guard, Raivis. 

"Well, Jon it looks like you are stuck with me for now," Raivis said to him in an accent similar to Lucinda's.

"You seem to be in a good mood."

"Well I'm finally out of the sun, it irritates me, but now we are in the shade."

The two then started to walk around together," So this was your home," Raivis said.

"Not really, I have never been to King's Landing until today, my home had always been in the North, in Winterfell," Jon responded. 

"But now Bloodmoon Vale and Castle Bloodmoon is your home, am I right?"

Jon paused a bit, there seemed to be some hesitation as he began to speak again," Yes my home is out west now."

"It is good to remember where you come from, but it is also important to understand that you have a new home now," the vampire told Jon."

"You speak as if you have experience."

"I do, let me tell you a story young Jon."

Jon just nodded as they continued to walk, listening to what he had to say. 

"Countess Lucinda was not always a Von Bloodmoon, once before she was the young Lady Hellriegel," Raivis explained," back in those days I served her father, Count Matthias Hellriegal of Hellriegal's Keep."

"How long ago was this?" 

"Very long ago, I don't remember exactly how many years," he told him," but as I was saying, I was saying I was once a Rabenite, we were strong and hardy nomads known for our skill at riding horses." Raivis reminisced of his past, of men he was but a human. "Count Matthias was once a mighty Rabenite lord who had married a beautiful Farkaslander noblewoman, Lucinda's mother," the old vampire explained," but those days were over, both the Rabenites and Farkaslanders are under the rule of the Von Bloodmoons that Lucinda embraced, and so I followed along, the last order Count Hellriegal gave me was to stay loyal to his daughter till the end, and so for many long years I have kept that order."

"The Countess is lucky to have such a devoted captain of her guard," Jon said as he thought about what Raivis had just told him.

"I remember my roots as a Rabenite hussar, but I am a vampire spawn now, Hellriegal's Keep is no longer my home, Castle Bloodmoon is my home now and forever."

Lucinda sighed, thinking back to her past, so many wounds, so many scars. She just watched in silence.

Others in the audience grew more curious about Lucinda's past, wanting to learn more about their possible adversary. 

"That Raivis of yours," Ned said as he turned to the Countess," a loyal man he is, fulfilling your father's order after all these years," he said as he thought about those he had lost.

Lucinda just sat there in silence.

The scene then changed once again to Robert in his chambers 

Robert was with Ser Barristan discussing their first kills. 

"Quick one," Robert said as he began to describe in detail his experience with getting his first kill. Mentioning how his first kill was a Tarly, one whose breastplate he caved in.

Samwell listened to how Robert killed someone he was related to, most certainly a more distant relative he didn't know about. He also remembered how his father prided himself in the fact that he was the only one to win a victory against Robert during the rebellion. 

"Wine!" Robert demanded his cupbearer, Lancel Lannister to pour wine. Robert then started to insult Lancel's name as Lancel stopped pouring. Lancel would then tell Robert that the flagon was empty and so Robert just stared into his soul, telling the poor boy to get more.

"You're very hard on him Robert, your basically torturing the boy," Eddard told his friend.

"Ahhh he'll get over it, what can that little shit do," Robert responded.

Jaime Lannister then entered the room. Robert would continue to show his general dislike for the Lannisters, about how all he could see was their blonde hair and smug faces. Along with asking Jaime if guarding him wounded his pride at all. "We're telling war stories. Who was your first kill, not counting old men?" Robert said, putting in a jab at Jaime.

Jaime then responded," One of the outlaws in the Brotherhood."

Barristan then chimed in," I was there that day, You were only a squire, 16 years old."

"You killed Simon Toyne with a counter riposte," Jaime complemented," Best move I ever saw."

Barristan would then state that Toyne was a good fighter but lacked stamina.

Robert then asked Jaime if his outlaw had any last words, which Jaime just said no as he beheaded the outlaw.

The conversation then shifted to Aerys Targaryen, the Mad King.

"What about Aerys Targaryen? What did the Mad King say when you stabbed him in the back? I never asked. Did he call you a traitor? Did he plead for a reprieve?"

Jaime then looked uncomfortably at Robert when he asked and then gave his answer, that Aerys had just said Burn them all. The two just stared at each other.

Daenerys watched as she learned more about her mad father, that his last words were to burn people alive. She swears to herself that she will never become like him.

The others just watched, reminded of the bloody rebellion and all the deaths caused, along with the brutality of the previous king.

Zulux was walking alongside Jon Snow through a hall.

"You have been quite the favored human pet for the Countess," the Mind flayer told him," she has quite the appetite for a few things, be sure to sate them."

Jon sighs a little," I will be sure to do that Count Zulux."

"Good but a word of advice my friend, be careful with her," Zulux told him in a more serious tone," she is much more fickle than you think, take it from someone who has known her the longest."

"I understand my Count, but as her champion, I will stay loyal to her until the end."

"Oh I know you will, I just need you to understand that love is always undone," Zulux said as they reached the front door to Lucinda's room," her desires are strong, but they can always fade, human."

"Now go on, she is expecting you, and make sure to keep her happy, she might forgive you but others might not do the same."

Lucinda's eyes narrowed as he looked at Zulux on the screen, she was suspicious of what Zulux was saying. Was he trying to turn Jon against her subtlety, just what was he planning? Out of all the Crimson Councilors, he was one of the most dangerous ones. His cunning combined with his incredible skills as a wizard, was capable of harnessing more raw magic power than Lucinda herself. 

Ned and his other children grew more worried about Jon and Zulux's words. Eddard was worried that Lucinda might dispose of Jon after he stopped being useful to her, as much as he didn't like the idea of it, he hoped that there might be some real love between them. It might just save Jon's life if she truly cared for him in some way. 

Jon then knocked on the door as Zulux left them," It's me."

"Come in," Lucinda said through the door with a sultry voice. 

Jon opened the door and walked into the room, Lucinda was sitting on the bed waiting for him. 

"Hmmm, are you ready now my dear champion?"

"I am my Countess," he said as he placed his helmet and blade at a nearby table before going towards Lucinda. he wrapped his arms around her waist and started to kiss her passionately. Lucinda giggled as he did so.  

"Very eager are we," Lucinda said with a smile as she was pushed more onto the bed.

Jon was now even more embarrassed as everyone was watching him with Lucinda.

"You really know how to get them Snow," Theon joked to him

"Arya, Bran look away," Catelyn ordered her youngest children, now wanting them to see the bastard have his fun with the beast of a woman. 

Oberyn and Tyrion meanwhile had to admit that Jon was a lucky man, Lucinda was very inhuman and drank blood, but she was still very beautiful.

Then the scene changed to Arya going to her new dancing lessons as they see her walk slowly and quietly towards a man with two wooden swords.

"You are late boy," this man said," tomorrow you will be here at midday.

"Who are you?" Ayra asked him.

"Your dancing master, Syrio Forel," the man told him.

"Oh a Bravosi and a water dancer at that," Davos said realizing that he was gonna teach her a different type of dance. He had met some Bravois during his time as a smuggler and had even seen how they fought a couple of times.

"I hear they are skilled with swords, but Bravos are not particularly useful in open battle," Stannis stated.

"No, they aren't," Robert said as he preferred more brutal head-to-head combat instead of the more elegant dueling type of the water dancers. 

Syrio then tosses Ayra the wooden sword which she ultimately fails to catch it.

Ayra earned a few laughs from the audience due to this failure. This causes her to grumble to herself a bit as she crosses her arms," It's not that funny."

"Ahh come on Arya it was a little funny," Theon joked 

"You have to admit Arya it is," Robb said as he laughed with Jon.

"Tomorrow you will catch it, Now pick it up," Syrio told Arya as he held his own wooden sword.

Arya then went to pick up the sword with two hands like it was a great sword.

"That is not the way, boy," the Bravosi said," This is not a great sword that needs two hands to swing it."

"It's too heavy," she complains.

"It is heavy as it needs to be to make you strong," he said as he tossed the sword up and caught it," Just so. One had is all that is needed."

"Now you are standing all wrong, turn your body side-face," he said as Ayra did what she was told.

Syrio then poked and prodded Ayra a bit with his wooden sword in order to fix her posture. 

"You are skinny, that is good, the target is smaller," the water dancer told her," Now grip, let me see, the grip must be delicate."

Then Arya asked a question," What if I drop it."

"The steel must be part of your arm. Can you drop part of your arm? No. Nine years Syrio Forel was first sword to the Sealord of Braavos. He knows these things. You must listen to me, boy."

"First sword, huh," Jaime said," I'm sure he isn't that impressive."

"I wouldn't be so sure Ser Jaime," Davos said," the First Sword is like the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in Braavos charged with defending the elected Sealord of Bravos."

"They elect the Sealord?" Jon questioned, and so did the other nobles in the audience.

"Yes in Braavos they don't inherit the title, instead the Sealord is chosen," Davos explained," similar to how the Night's Watch would elect their Lord Commanders."

"Or how the Ironborn would elect their kings in a Kingsmoot," Yara mentioned.

"And that of course," Davos said.

"We in Thaczil also elect our king, Vaulni became our ruler because the Crimson Council chose him," Lucinda explained," and he has been king ever since."

"I'm a girl," Ayra corrected.

"Boy, girl... You are a sword, that is all. That is the grip. You are not holding a battle-axe," he told her.

"Now we will begin the dance. Remember, child, this is not the dance of the Westeros we are learning... The knight's dance, hacking and hammering," he said as he began.

"This is the Bravo's dance... The water dance. It is swift and sudden," he said as he showed off the water dance, "All men are made of water, do you know this? If you pierce them, the water leaks out and they die. Now you will try to strike me"

His movements were elegant and perfect like that of an actual dance as Arya would try and fail to take on Syrio.

Lucinda just smiled, she was reminded of her younger brother, Gustavus, he was a skilled duelist who preferred speed and finesse over Konrad's more straightforward brute force. 

Ned would then enter, stopping at the doorway and smiling. 

"Up, dead, dead, very dead," he would taunt as he would point his sword at every opening she would have," come, again, faster."

But then Ned's smile slowly twisted into a frown. As the two continued to train with the wooden swords. Ned could hear fighting the clashing of swords and shouts of violence as he watched, reminded of the past.

Some in the audience are worried for Ned as they see him become filled with despair in the scene.

"Father," Bran muttered as he turned to his father. His other children and Catelyn would do the same, worried for Ned.

"Ned, it's alright," Robert said as he tried to comfort his brother in all but blood.

Those experienced warriors could guess and understand what Ned was going through. The sight of Ayra training must have ignited memories, memories of the bloody Rebellion no doubt. The loss of his sister and all those men who died. But most of all, his loss of Ashara Dayne, the woman he loved and lost during the Rebellion. One that would haunt him for the rest of his days, leaving him only with their child together.

Chapter Text

Ned was lost until the calls from his family woke him up. 

Ned then turned to his wife Catelyn and his children," It's fine, I'm fine," Ned told his worried family.

"Memories of the Rebellion, Ned?" Robert asked.

"Yes, nothing more."

Lucinda meanwhile was now interested in Jon's younger sister, Arya. She didn't just look like a younger Joan but also acted like her as well. She would remember watching Joan and Gustavus in the training yard sparing, it was just like how Syrio was training Arya. 

Meanwhile, some of the lords of Westeros were discussing the future presence of Zulux and Lucinda in King's Landing. Some of them were worried about what they might do and how they might undermind Westeros. After all, Thaczil was a very new and unknown factor in the Game of Thrones. Even if they don't invade, their presence and their future actions in King's Landing will have a profound effect.

"I have quite a bad feeling about this, with everything we know so far, would it be wise to allow Countess Lucinda and Count Zulux into our city?" Varys questioned," They might try to destabilize Westeros from within."

"Well if we were to turn them away, it might lead to Thaczil becoming hostile towards us," Tywin stated.

"Then there is also the fact that Lucinda is here with us and is watching the same events as us," Olenna pointed out," perhaps with her help we can avoid any madness that might ensue in the future."

"Well she was brought here for a reason," Renly said," surely we can make some sort of arrangement with the monsters to the west."

The Westerosi were having a difficult time figuring out what to do with Lucinda, they knew a decent few things about her but there was still more. They still don't know enough about vampires yet to know if any feasible connections could be made. Could vampires have children with humans, would they be able to make political marriages to gain power in Thaczil? These vampires seem to be immortal or at least very long live so claiming their lands through any possible children would be difficult. It was quite a difficult problem indeed. 

"Still I don't particularly trust that Count Zulux creature," Stannis sternly stated," he is very unsettling."

Meanwhile, Theon was teasing Jon a little about how he was fucking Lucinda.

"To think you were one to bed thousand-year-old women that sucks blood," Theon would joke.

"That's enough Theon, at the very least he doesn't have to pay for it like you," Robb would counter.

Cersei meanwhile was thinking about how she could take advantage of Lucinda and Zulux, King's Landing is where she was most powerful, perhaps she can use that power to gain leverage on them when they arrive. Maybe threaten Lucinda's bastard lover, after all, if she could not attack Lucinda directly, then using the Stark bastard might work. Keep him, hostage, as soon as those beasts reach King's Landing and then make Lucinda do whatever she desires. Cersei smiled as she thought of her plans, she would ensure Joffery would rule as king and that she would be with Jaime forever. 

Others however were not sure what their part in everything was, Gendry wondered why he was so important that he was brought to see the future. He was just a bastard blacksmith.

Bronn didn't know much about the politics of the high lords, he was just a sellsword, yet here he is confused as to what was so important to his future.

Tormund meanwhile was focused on the Others, he knew they were out there in the far north. Though they have yet to be shown, perhaps all of this nonsense involving the kneelers will eventually lead to the great threat up north. 

The various other less important lords that were randomly selected from both the north and south were also discussing things among themselves and with their liege lords. Though for the most part, they stayed quiet and watched on. 

The screen then started to light up once again.

The title screen then came: The Bloodstar Company

Lucinda's interest was piqued, she knew what the Bloodstar Company was and was interested to see what their part in this was.

They saw a raven fly into the courtyard, passing Bran as he practiced with his bow, it then perched onto a wagon. Bran looked at the raven as he dropped his arrow and started to move toward it.

"It's me," Bran exclaimed as he was finally seeing himself, though it did feel kinda strange.

"Oh Bran," Catelyn said with a sigh of relief as it seemed that he was doing fine. But then it occurred to all of them, why was Winterfell so empty? 

"Where is everyone, Winterfell is usually bustling with people?" Robb questioned as he walked.

Ned was skeptical about what exactly was going on as well, what they were seeing was suspicious, to say the least. 

The raven flies to the entrance of the Winterfell crypts, perching on a stone wolf statue as Bran follows. The raven then quickly enters the crypts with Bran following it in as he perched on another statue. Bran keeps walking towards it, staring at the raven as it seems to be pointing towards the wall to the right side with its beak. Bran then turns to the wall the raven was pointing at and sees a strange symbol painted on the side. It was that of five dragon heads each of a different color, red, green, black, blue, and white, all in the position of a wheel or star. Bran then turns back to the raven which then reveals that it has a third eye on its forehead. 

Then the scene changed to Bran opening his eyes, it seemed that it was just a dream.

Everyone was caught by surprise when they saw the strange symbol and when they saw the raven with a third eye. 

"By the gods," Tyrion exclaimed. 

"A three-eyed raven?" Jaime questioned, a little confused as to what happened. 

"That symbol, the one with the dragon heads, I have never seen anything like it," Daenerys said as she began to ponder what she saw.

"Neither have I," Obryen responded," I doubt it is a Targaryen sigil."

"Yes it most certainly doesn't resemble any Targaryen sigil I know, so what does it mean?" Doran questioned.

"The Dragon Queen," Lucinda muttered in a cold tone," Tiamat the Goddess of Dragons."

"Tiamat, you mentioned that name before," Barristan Selmy said," back when we watched how you first met Jon, your future self mentioned Tiamat."

"Yes I did," Lucinda responded," Tiamat is the Goddess of Dragons, a goddess Ser Baldwin of Ashfall worshiped."

"So you're telling me Jon had been squired to some dragon-worshiping knight?" Robert questioned.  

"Yes, he fought not just for King Vaulni, but also for the Church of Tiamat and the Cult of the Dragon."

"Is this Dragon Queen a popular goddess worshiped by your people?" Daenerys asked curiously.

"By my people not so much, those that live under King Vaulni in his region, Ashheart, on the other hand, is where her worship is strongest," she said," Vaulni is a dragon after all."

Robert just scoffs, not liking the mentions of dragons as it reminds them of the Targaryans and how he hated them.

As Bran woke he looked toward his direwolf named Summer. 

"The little lord's been dreaming again," Bran heard as he turned to see Old Nan knitting.

Then the door opened as Theon Greyjoy entered the room and Summer growled at him.

"We have visitors," the young Ironborn stated.

"I don't want to see anyone," Bran responded to him. 

"Really?" Theon questioned," If I was cooped up all day with no one but this old bat for company, I'd go mad. Anyway, you don't have a choice. Robb's waiting."

"I don't want to go," Bran said as he continued to refuse.

"Neither do I. But Robb's Lord of Winterfell, which means I do what he says and you do what I say," he said before calling for Hodor.

Hodor then entered the room and turned to Theon.

"Hodor," the large lackwit said.

"Help Bran down the hall," Theon ordered as he responded with another Hodor. He then went over to Bran's bed and picked him up.

"Wait why do I need Hodor to carry me, I can walk perfectly myself, right?" Bran asked.

The others were as confused as Bran was, some even waiting to see if the voice would come to explain things.

"Just wait and watch," the voice responded," you'll see soon enough."

Everyone then focused on the screen and continued to watch.

The scene was now at Winterfell's great hall, where Robb was with Maester Luwin as they received Tyrion Lannister and Yoren, a man of the Night's Watch. Grey Wind, Robb Stark's direwolf was sitting just in front of the table where Robb and Luwin were sitting. 

"I must say I received a slightly warmer welcome on my last visit," Tyrion said 

"Any man of the Night's Watch is welcome at Winterfell," Robb responded

"Any man of the Night's watch but not I, eh, boy."

"I'm not your boy Lannister, I am Lord of Winterfell while my father is away."

"Then you might learn a lord's courtesy," Tyrion would retort.

"Hmmm I wonder what I am doing at Winterfell of all places," Tyrion asked.

"Perhaps to give your regards for whatever happened to Bran," Jaime stated," since some people have the idea you had something to do with it."

Meanwhile, Ned had to admit that Lord Tyrion is right, Robb shouldn't be so hostile to a highborn guest at Winterfell. 

It was safe to say that things were a little tense and hostile between the wolf and the lion.

But then suddenly they heard a door open with both Robb and Tyrion turning to see Hodor enter carrying Bran.

"So it's true," The Imp would say," Hello Bran."

Hodor and Bran would then turn to look and the dwarf.

"Do you remember anything about what happened?"

"He has no memory of that day," Luwin said

Robb then asked why Tyrion was at Winterfell.

Tyrion ignored his question as he then asked Bran to have Hodor kneel for a bit to which Bran ordered Hodor to do just that.

"Do you like to ride Bran?"

"Yes, well I mean I did like to."

"The boy has lost the use of his legs," Luwin explained.

The Starks were saddened to hear that Bran was now a cripple, that he could no longer walk anymore. They held out hope that they could do something to prevent it.

"I swear Bran on the gods old and new we won't let you become crippled," Catelyn told her son as he just nodded.

"We will always be there for your little brother," Robb said.

"It's sad to see what happened to your son Ned, even if it hasn't happened yet," Jon Arryn told his former ward.

"Aye and I'll make sure that whoever is responsible will be punished harshly," Robert vowed.

Ned just nodded," Thank you for your words."

"What of it, with the right horse and saddle even a cripple can ride," Tyrion would say.

"I am not a cripple," Bran would deny.

"Then I am not a dwarf, my father will rejoice to hear it," Tyrion would say in a joking manner," I have a gift for you."

He then gave him his gift, a scroll.

"Give that to your saddler. He'll provide the rest," Tyrion said as Bran opened it and started to look at the scroll with the new saddle concept, "You must shape the horse to the rider. Start with a yearling and teach it to respond to the reins and to the boy's voice."

"Will I really be able to ride?" Bran would ask.

"You will, on horseback, you will be as tall as any of them."

Robb was a little skeptical," Is this some kind of trick? Why do you want to help him?"

"I have a tender spot for cripples, bastards, and broken things," he explained as Bran smiled at him.

"You have done my brother a kindness, the hospitality of Winterfell is yours."

"Spare me your false courtesies, Lord Stark. There's a brothel outside your walls. There I'll find a bed and both of us can sleep easier," Tyrion would respond.

Tywin rolled his eyes at Tyrion's insistence to drink and whore, at the very least Tyrion was attempting to foster some positive relations with the Starks. 

"Thank you Lord Tyrion for your kindness," Eddard thanked the dwarf, he was now convinced that at least Tyrion had nothing to do with any harm that befell his son. 

Catelyn also felt similar about Tyrion helping Bran find a way to ride a horse again.

"It is no problem Lord Stark, as I had said, I had a tender spot for those who are unfortunate," Tyrion would respond.

The scene then changed to Lucinda and Jon in their room together after a night of enjoyment for the both of them. Lucinda's naked body was covered by the sheets, all the way up to her full voluptuous breasts. In her hand was a strange item, it was shaped like a curved flute and smoke bellowed out from it. It was a tobacco pipe she held. Lucinda sat up, holding the sheets to her chest as she blew out some smoke. "That was very enjoyable," Lucinda said with a devilish smile as she turned to Jon who sat at the side of the bed after getting his pants back on.

"Well I very much have to agree," Jon said as he turned back to her with his smile.

"I have to admit you have quite the stamina, being able to last so long in such an intense activity with a monster like me."

"Well, I am a paladin after all, my training affords me the stamina I need to please you," he said with a chuckle.

"To think a monstrous vampire like me is so lucky as to have such a human to have fun with," Lucinda would say as she blew out some more smoke before continuing. 

"I must say there are few things better than being in the warm embrace of a lover, couldn't you agree."

"Well, I can't exactly argue with something so sensible."

"You want some?" she asked as she stretched out her arm, offering the tobacco pipe.

"I must decline my countess, I don't feel like smoking right now," Jon said with a sigh. 

"Hmm is something wrong Jon?"

"It's just that being in Westeros and seeing my father again, brings back many memories, especially my status as a bastard."

"Again with this," she would say as she moved closer to him," that doesn't matter anymore."

"I know it's just that deep down I always wanted this one thing," he explained to her," I have always wanted to be Lord of Winterfell, but I know I can never have it."

"I always had some envy for my brother Robb, I wonder what has been going on with him since I was gone, mostly serving as the acting Lord of Winterfell while father is here in King's Landing."

"Well if you desire it so badly why don't I help you get it," Lucinda said, entertaining the idea.

"You know I can't do that, I'm still a bastard," Jon would tell her," and bastards can't inherit, we are born of sin they say."

"Sin isn't always bad Jon," Lucinda would explain to him," we are creatures of sin, embrace it, let it free you."

"You are a knight of Tiamat, a paladin of conquest, embrace your ambitions and sins."

"But what it might cost, would it truly be worth I might lose," Jon would tell her.

"Allow yourself to give into your desires, indulge in it my Black Knight of Bloodmoon Vale, just as I had."

Robb turned to his half-brother," I-I never knew you felt that way."

Jon didn't respond, he didn't know how exactly to respond.

Ned was also surprised as well, he never truly knew how Jon felt when it came to being a bastard or that he had any desire of being the Lord of Winterfell.

Catelyn meanwhile was not happy, it was as if her worst fears were coming true. There was a real possibility that the bastard might want to take her children's birthright with the help of that demon woman, who seemed to be encouraging him. Encouraging him to sin and to take what was not his.

She would turn to her lord husband," Ned don't you see how she encourages him to commit further crimes against the gods, can you truly accept that?"

"None of this has happened yet Cat, Jon will never betray his brothers and sister, at least wait to see how things turn out first," he would tell her

Daenerys could somewhat relate to what Jon was feeling, he wanted to become Lord of Winterfell, while she wanted to be able to return home. Both were very unlikely scenarios that they desired yet knew they would most likely never be able to attain.

"Has there been anything like that you truly desired?" Jon would ask.

"Yes, at one point I had desired an eternal love, someone I wanted by my side forever," she would tell him as she laid her head on his shoulder," I had thought it was King Vaulni."

"I heard you and his grace had quite a close relationship, but you wanted to be with him forever?"

"Yes I think I first realized it during the the warring states period of Thaczil, the time before our mighty kingdom and council was established," she explained," at the time we all ruled over our independent kingdoms, we considered each other friends, but we still prioritized our interests in the end."

"We would sometimes even war with each other over territory and resources, never to the point where it would surely endanger our kingdoms of course."

"I remember a brief war I had with Vaulni, how his ogres and trolls would crash into my Farkasland levies, my vampire spawn would be cut down by his horde of orcs and goblins," she would describe to Jon," it was when he took me prisoner and told me his plans, that I truly fell for him."

Westerosi took note of the interesting detail, that despite their supposed friendship they would war with one another, could it be something they could exploit? 

Sansa, like many amongst the Westerosi, would find Lucinda's choice of lovers to be strange. Who in their right mind would sleep with some demonic dragon, especially one that took her prisoner, even if said that would take on the form of a handsome man? 

"His plans, was it perhaps the unification of Thaczil?" he asked her.

"Yes, he wanted to bring all of us together, the Mindflayers of Count Zulux, the Yuan ti of Countess Semonia, the Oni of Count Othis, all of us united as one," she told him," he had ambitions that befit a dragon such as he, seeking to create a new dawn through ash and magic."

"He wanted to build something, create a kingdom where monsters like me can rule forever."

"So you fell in love with him, because of his vision, because he could bring about a new era for all of you," Jon stated as he continued to ponder her words.

"Yes that is one reason, after telling me all of these things, he ended it by saying that he wanted me by his side when he did so. That night I felt what it was like with him in bed," she would say with a smile as she put the pipe in her mouth to continue smoking, taking it out to blow a puff of smoke," I'll admit the way he talked to me about his desires and the power he displayed got me aroused."

Some among the audience such as Tyrion, Theon, and Robert would laugh at that statement for obvious reasons. 

"You sure know how to pick them Snow, or is it Ser Lanius now," Theon would joke.

Cersei meanwhile was just rolling her eyes," What a lecherous woman this Lucinda is," she said in a clear act of projection. 

Jon's eyes would widen a little at what she was saying, she would laugh a little when she noticed.

"Are you perhaps jealous now?"

"No, my Countess, just surprised to say the least."

She would then continue to explain her relationship with Vaulni.

"Together we were unstoppable, we convinced the others to join us and conquer the rivals that surrounded us," Lucinda's expression changed and she started to frown," Vaulni I loved the dragon, but it just would not work between us, not anymore."

Jon raised an eyebrow," What do you mean by that my Countess?"

"Vaulni would slowly become more and more concerned with empire building than he was with me," she would tell him," he would fill his inner court with specialists and advisers of all kinds, some of which would push Vaulni to disregard my advice."

"I think that is what he regrets most about our time together, that he chose the sins of greed and violence over his love for me," Lucinda would say in a sad tone," I understood we are creatures of sin yet it brought me pain, so much so I broke it off with him."

"That, that is kinda sad," Arya said, feeling bad for Lucinda a bit.

"He chose the kingdom he was building over you?" Jon would ask Lucinda, who did not respond, just staring at the screen. It seemed that all her memories were flooding back to her at once. 

Some among the audience could tell how much it affected Lucinda, how it seemed like she truly did love the dragon, yet Vaulni could not give the same amount of love back to her. 

"But that doesn't matter anymore, because I have realized that it isn't him I want to spend eternity with, it's you."

"Do you truly mean that, is that what you want?" he would ask her.

"Yes I do Jon," she would say as there was a knock on the door.

"It's me, Nob," a simple-sounding individual said in a gruff voice.

"You make come in Nob," Lucinda would say as the door opened and what stepped in was Nob, the grey-skinned orc that served Countess Lucinda. The same orc that was present during Jon's interrogation. 

"Isn't he the one of the creatures that captured Jon?" Jaime pointed out.

"Yes Nob, one of my sicarios, he is not the smartest, but that doesn't make him any less loyal or deadly," she would state. 

"Count Zulux tell me to tell you to get ready for an audience with the human king later," Nob told her.

"I see, tell him I shall prepare," she told him," oh and get a flask of blood for me, I require some sustenance."

Nob nodded before leaving, closing the door behind him.

"Well, we should probably get ready for the day," Lucinda would say," I hear there is gonna be a tourney, you should join, I know of a few lines you can say as you are introduced."

"Now, you have ideas for things I should say during the tourney?" he would chuckle a bit.

"Yes theatrics are an important part of tourneys, it makes it more enjoyable."

"Well I can't say she is wrong, theatrics do make tourneys more enjoyable," Renly would say.

"Well if anyone knew anything about theatrics it would be you," Jaime told the young Lord of Storm's End. 

"Well Ned, your bastard in a tourney, that is something I would like to see," Robert said to him.

"I suppose so," Eddard would respond.

Everyone was processing Lucinda's conversation with Jon, from how she wanted Jon to possibly take Winterfell for himself to her strange relationship with Vaulni. 

The more they learned the more strange things seemed to get, what importance did Jon truly have to Lucinda? Was she just using him to gain more power in Westeros, as just a pet? Did she truly love him or did she just care about his Stark blood that reminded her so much of the Bourbons? 

The scene then changed to a khalasar of Dothraki, atop their horses as they followed a road. They were crossing in between two horse statutes that made an arch and were making their way towards a city, it was Vaes Dothrak.

"Wait those are Dothraki," Samwell would realize as he looked at the horsemen," I read about them in a few books."

"I have as well," Tyrion mentioned," but the question is why are we seeing this?"

"Dothraki?" Lucinda questioned.

"Horse-riding nomads from Essos, they are known for their savagery and fearlessness," Samwell told her.

"I see," Lucinda would say, she was reminded of her people, the Rabenites. They were nomads horsemen, famed for their strength. Many settled down and built towns and castles, though many would also keep the horse riding culture and some even continued to live as nomads. 

They were then shown Daenerys, who was strangely dressed like a Dothraki woman, and Viserys Targaryen riding atop horses alongside Jorah Mormont of all people with the Dothraki column.

"Jorah Mormont," Eddard exclaimed as he saw the exiled Lord of Bear Island.

"Wasn't he the Mormont Lord you that fled into exile for selling slaves," Jon Arryn said.

"Yes, he sold poachers into slavery and before I could get to Bear Island to punish him, he fled to Essos."

Tormund Giantsbane grumbled a bit at the mention of the Mormons, reminded by the current leader of the Night's Watch, Jeor Mormont. 

"Aye and it seems he had thrown his lot in with the Dragonspawn," Robert growled.

"I do wonder why the Targaryens are with the Dothraki?" Tyrion questioned.

"My brother told me that he would have me wed to a Dothraki khal so that they would win back the Iron Throne," Daenerys explained.

Everyone looked and murmured to each other at this new bit of information. That the Targaryens were now aligning themselves with Dothraki savages. 

"First monsters to the west and now Dothraki to the east," Jaime said to himself. 

"Vaes Dothrak, The City of the Horse Lords," Jorah would state,

"A pile of mud, mud shit, and twigs," Viserys said, insulting the Dothraki city," Best these savages can do?

"These are my people now. You shouldn't call them savages" Daenerys would tell her brother.

"I'll call them what I like because they're my people," Viserys would spit back," This is my army. Khal Drogo is marching the wrong way with my army."

Viserys then rode towards the city. With everyone else slowly following behind.

"If my brother was given an army of Dothraki, could you conquer the Seven Kingdoms?" Daenerys would ask Jorah.

"The Dothraki have never crossed the Narrow Sea. They fear any water their horses can't drink," Jorah would explain.

"But if they did?"

"King Robert is fool enough to meet them in open battle, but the men advising him are different."

"And you know these men?"

"I fought beside them once," Jorah said before he turned to Daenerys," long ago, now Ned Stark wants my head, he drove me from my land."

"You sold slaves," she told him.

"Aye," Jorah responded.

She then asked him why he did it.

Jorah then answered her," I had no money and an expensive wife."

"And where is she now?"

"In another place, with another man."

"Is Viserys fool enough to think that his Dothraki could invade Westeros," Jon Arryn said.

"It seems so, though he will have plenty of difficulties, such as the Dothraki not following his orders," Ned said.

"And even if they did, he would need ships, which the Dothraki don't have," Tywin commented.

"The realm would also unite against a horde of foreign savages," Edmure would mention.

"Plenty of the realm would, Targaryen loyalist on the other hand," Blackfish said.

Some of the lords then turned their gazes towards the Dornish with some suspicion. They knew that the Martells would be likely to back a Targaryen restoration.

"Father I don't understand, why would Jorah Mormont sell slaves because of his wife?" Bran asked.

"Well, Ser Jorah married a woman named Lynesse Hightower, I was told she wanted the expensive things they had in the south which Jorah couldn't afford," Ned said," so he sold slaves and when he was caught, he was forced to flee."  

Daenerys meanwhile was not very confident that should would be able to go home, even with the Dothraki's help. The lords of Westeros don't seem very keen on allowing her or her brother to even get close. 

The scene then changed once again, this time to a group of strange individuals traveling by road. Among them was a short, stocky, and seemingly grey-skinned old man with a white beard. He was clad in scale mail and a black hood, carrying around a mace. Alongside him was an over six-foot tall, bulky figure similar to Nob,  clad in plate armor, and wielding a heavy crossbow along with a longsword at his hip. Next was a slender woman who wore a dark green cloak and cloth that covered the bottom half of her face. She had fairly long dirty blonde hair and striking eyes like that of a snake.

There was a mysterious yet alluring-looking woman with jet-black skin and red eyes, who wore a simple grey gown and a light purple hooded cloak, on her belt was a sheathed slender sword similar to that of a Braavosi blade. She carried a cittern. There was a large burly man with long dark brown hair and a thick beard, similar to many northmen. He wore a chain shirt along with fur and hide as well as wielding a mighty two-handed steel maul.  At the head of the band was a knight clad head to toe in dull grey plate armor, showing no skin. The face was covered in an enclosed great helm and a bright blue hooded cloak on top of it all, the knight also wore a blue surcoat that displayed what seemed to be a house sigil. The sigil was a small snow-white, wolf-like animal with tall pointed ears as opposed to a wolf's round ears. This mystery knight carried around a well-crafted greatsword as well.

Most interestingly, the last member of the group was a certain young fat reachman, it was Samwell Tarly of all people who traveled with these presumed Thaczillians.

"Ever since we left from Seagard, there have been no good fights," the large burly man complained," perhaps we should have followed Countess Lucinda and gone to this King's Landing."

"There most likely wouldn't have been any good fights there either Harald, unless you mean to break the law and fight the guards," The short grey man would tell him. 

"How about you two shut it, I'm trying to think of a new song," the dark-skinned woman with the cittern said in a calm and soft voice.

"Sacré bleu, why did I agree to all of this," The mystery knight in a deep and muffled voice. 

"Because of the potential rewards, of course," the blonde woman in green would say in an accent similar to both Semonia and the mysterious knight," isn't that right Sam."

Samwell was surprised, to say the least, to see that he was with a group of strange individuals from Thaczil, some might even be monsters in disguise. He was also interested to know how that came about in the first place.

"Who are they and why is the heir of Horn Hill with them," Tyrion questioned as he watched the scene.

"Yes why is young Samwell with them," Jon Arryn said.

"The Bloodstar Company," Lucinda stated.

"And what is this Bloodstar Company?" Stannis asked the vampire.

"They are a group of adventurers and mercenaries, they must have been hired to explore your lands," she would respond.

"So your people are also sending sellswords into our lands as well," Tywin would say to Lucinda, not comfortable with that idea.

Tywin and others were thinking about this new information, such as how a group of sellswords from Thaczil were traveling with the son of a powerful lord of the Reach. 

"Yeah, I suppose so," Samwell said as he sighed.

"See even the newbie agrees with me," the blonde said.

The other heavily armored individual turned to the mystery knight," Was it wise to separate from the Count and Countess to dock at Seagard instead?" He asked.

"Yes Rogvod, our job is to explore the lands, our presence with the rest of the host would be unnecessary," the knight said.

"I suppose so then."

"Besides we wouldn't have been able to save Sam here from those bandits if we had stayed with the others," the blonde would say. 

"I guess you're right Natsa," Rogvod would tell the blond.

"Say Sam, you never did tell us why you, the heir of a noble house, were traveling so far away with so few guards," the short grey-skinned one said.

Sam looked down, he most certainly did not enjoy being reminded of it, "My father wanted to send me to the Night's Watch, said I wasn't worthy to be his heir and if I didn't then I would have a hunting accident." 

"Wow, your father is a cunt you know that," Nasta said to Sam," should have just killed him."

Sam was taken back by what she said," I'm not a killer, I'm too craven to kill someone, it's why my father didn't want me as his heir," he told her," and I can't kill him of all people, its kinslaying."

"Like that stopped most people," Natsa joked.

Samwell was completely shocked, he didn't know what to say. He knew his father hated him, but he did not expect he was hated so much to the point that his father would kill him if he didn't join the Night's Watch. 

Many others in the audience were also shocked by Lord Tarly's seeming cruelty to his son.

"Your father is willing to do that to you?" Jon asked Samwell who just nodded.

"That's terrible," Loras said in disbelief 

"I always knew Randyll was a terrible father," Olenna commented. 

Mace had to agree with his mother, he personally had no love for the man despite his skills.

"What kind of man would do that to his son," Eddard stated.

"Ahhh that fucker," Robert said, he didn't like Lord Tarly, especially since his only defeat in the Rebellion was due to him.

The scene was now changed to the Sansa and Septa Mordane in the empty throne room of the Red Keep as they walked towards the Iron Throne.

"Someday your husband will sit there and you will sit by his side. And one day, before too long, you will present your son to the court." the septa said," All the lords of Westeros will gather here to see the little prince."

"What if I had a girl?" Sansa asked her septa.

"Gods be good, you'll have boys and girls, and plenty of them," the septa responded.

"What if I only have girls?"

"I wouldn't worry about that."

"Jeyne Poole's mother had five children, all of them girls," Sansa told her.

"Yes, but it is highly unlikely," Mordane would tell her.

"But what if?"

"If you only had girls, I suppose the throne would pass to Prince Joffrey's little brother," the septa would explain to her

"Hold on is Sansa betrothed to Prince Joffery?" Catelyn questioned as she began to realize what they were talking about.

"I'm betrothed to the prince!" Sansa exclaimed, excited at that prospect as Arya rolled her eyes.

"Well if I was gonna marry my daughter to someone, it would be your daughter, Ned," Robert would tell him.

"Well, I am honored by it," Ned would say, but he wasn't entirely sold on the idea, especially with all that they have seen. 

Cersei would look at Sansa, the girl that Robert seemingly will betroth to her son. She looked pretty, but so far she didn't seem very impressive to her.

"And everyone would hate me," Sansa said 

"Nobody could ever hate you."

"Joffery does," Sansa said as he quickly turned to her.

"Nonsense. Why would you say such a thing?" 

Sansa would give the septa. look that would tell her everything.

"That business with the wolves? Sansa, I've told you a hundred times, a direwolf is not."

"Please shut up about it," she would say back to Mordane as she then went to walk away.

But then the septa asked Sansa if she remembered her lessons, which caused her to stop and look back at her. Asked about who built the Iron Throne and who built the Red Keep. To which Sansa answered that it was Aegon the Conqueror and Maegor the Cruel respectively. 

"And how many years did it take to build."

"My grandfather and uncle were murdered here, weren't they?" Sansa interrupted.

Mordane paused for a bit before responding," They were killed on the orders of King Aerys yes."

"The Mad King," she would respond.

"Commonly known as the Mad King," Mordane told her.

Sansa then asked why they were killed, to which Septa Mordane told her that she should speak to her father about it.

"I don't want to speak to my father, Ever," Sansa said with some seemingly built-up emotion. 

"Sansa, you will find it in your heart to forgive your father."

"No, I won't," she said with a bitter voice. 

The Starks were very much surprised by Sansa's attitude, something must have happened between Sansa and Eddard.

"Sansa," Catelyn said softly to her daughter.

"What did I do?" Ned questioned," And why do you think Joffery hates you, Sansa?"

" Yeah, why do you seem so angry at Father," Robb asked his sister.

"I have no idea," Sansa would tell them.

"Maybe the voice will tell us, Septa Mordane mentioned a dire wolf, does it have to do with one of our dire wolves?" Bran asked as he looked up.

"Yes it does, it wasn't shown but your father had to kill Sansa's pet direwolf after an incident involving Prince Joffery," the voice said. 

"You-you killed my dire wolf," Sansa said, she never actually met the dire wolf yet, but it seemed to have hurt her very much in the future.

"Well, whatever happens, I won't let that come to pass in the future."

The scene then changes to Count Zulux sitting in a bathtub in his room, bathing in the water. Cleaning his purple rubbery skin, surprisingly he seemed to be fairly muscular with his lean build. Sitting on a chair right next to Zulux's bathtub was Countess Lucinda in her elegant dress. 

"I'll be honest with you Lucy, I am not impressed with this place," Zulux said," it is nothing like Red Forge's Greyford City or Wolf's Port."

"Well of course, we had a few thousand years to build such mighty cities," Lucinda told him," we built Wolf's Port together after all."

"We did, me, you, Brandon," Zulux said to her as she sighed," a shame what happened to the Bourbons, but now the Mapolos Brothers rule."

"Yes, I am sure you are proud of their hard work, bringing prosperity back to that city," Lucinda said to him softly.

"I am Lucy, they were not just my apprentices, they were the closest thing I had to children of my own," Zulux told her.

"I am sure they see you as the closest thing to a father."

Zulux then lifted a hand, cupping her cheek, his land four fingers pressed on her skin," to think of what we had become, how much of us had changed, everything we have been through."

"Oh Zulux, you will always have a place in my heart," Lucinda told him with a smile," and to think, things are just getting started."

"Though we can't be together, you know this, my love belongs to another," the vampire stated.

"Yes I understand Lucy, I should probably finish up, we still have to meet this King Robert Baratheon of theirs."

"Oh gods don't tell me you fucked him as well," Jaime joked to which Lucinda just scoffs as she glared at the Kingslayer, still staying silent. 

"What is with all of these strange romances," Renly commented.

"It's kind of endearing in a strange way, no matter what you are you can still find love," Loras would say.

"Nicely put Ser Loras," Oberyn told the knight.

Jon meanwhile was not sure what to think of Lucinda's relationships with other people, though it seemed that her heart did belong to him. Or at least it seems that way.

"So you and Zulux helped Brandon the Shipwright build Wolf's Port?" Ned asked Lucinda.

"Yes, we did when, he asked for our assistance in building a settlement, it was Zulux who provided many laborers to help in its construction."

"I see," Ned said as he pondered on it for a bit.

"Wolf's Port was built as a testament to peace between our peoples, it was a shame that the Bourbons had to die out the way they did," Lucinda said as she started to feel a little sorrowful from that reminder.

The scene then changed to the throne room, where King Robert sat on his throne, surrounded by members of his Small Council and his Kingsguard. There were also various members of the nobility present at court to see for themselves these supposed emissaries.

"You are now in the presence of King Robert Baratheon the First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm of Westeros," Maester Pycelle said aloud. 

As Lucinda and her retinue arrived, which included Jon/Lanius stood to her right clad in his armor, while Zulux was still covered in his robes and mask.

She then took a bow," Your grace, I am Grand Countess Lucinda Von Bloodmoon of Bloodmoon Vale and Castle Bloodmoon," she said," and with me is Grand Count Zulux of the Shadowmoors and Deep Den."

Robert turned to Ned before he turned back to these foreigners," And what brings you to my Kingdom, Lady Lucinda?" Robert would ask her.

"I come on behalf of King Vaulni, King of Thaczil, Grand Count of Ashheart and Red Forge," Lucinda told him," we traveled here to open up peaceful relations with you and your people."

"I see, well you and your retinue are welcome in King's Landing," King Robert said," we will be having a tourney very soon, you are all welcome to come if you want."

"We accept your offer, your grace," Lucinda said with a smile," we do hope to come back to King Vaulni with adequate news about your kingdom, speaking of such we have a gift from our king to you."

The vampire then signaled one of her servants to go forward, this servant brought forth a bottle of dark red wine.

"This is a bottle of Red Drake Wine, made in the best wineries in Ashheart," Lucinda said as one of Robert's servants took the bottle.

"We thank you for this gift Lady Lucinda," Eddard Stark would state as the vampire nodded. 

"Well it seems it has begun," Varys said.

"What has eunuch?" Robert asked his spymaster.

"These new players have officially entered the Game of Thrones," Varys told him darkly.

"And they are going to the tourney as well, interested to see how that turns out," Tyrion said.

"Well at least they brought wine," Robert said as he looked at the bright side. 

"Well hopefully your grace, we will be able to make it out of this," Ser Davos said.

"Yes hopefully we do," Eddard said with some worry in his voice, still worried for his son, Jon.

"Let us hope that this does not end in more suffering for Westeros," Doran would comment.

"Well let us see if it is truly in Thaczil's interest to be at peace or to be at war," Lucinda muttered. 

The scene then changes to Wolf's Port, Konrad is at Wolf's Port tourney grounds walking alongside two monstrous creatures. Since it was day, Konrad had to wear a hooded cloak to protect him from the sun. As for the other two, both were large humanoid bulls covered in dark brown fur. They were larger than even Gregor Clegane, though both wore drastically different clothing. One was clad in well-crafted plate armor, with a bright yellow surcoat that displayed a red ox.  He carried a mighty axe appropriate for his size. The other was instead clad in expensive-looking yellow silk robes, for such a monstrous-looking beast he had a certain air to him, like that of a wealthy merchant or magister.

"So I heard you are gonna fight in the tourney Ser Rasna," Konrad said to the armored bullman. 

"Yes, I am going up against a troll named Drek," Rasna told him, his voice deep and brutish, befitting his form.

"Ah Drek, he is a cave troll gladiator from the fighting pits of Bronze Star in Yellow Prairie," Konrad told him.

"Oh is he not a war troll?" 

"No, he is just a cave troll given some pieces of armor and a big sword, lacks the skill or intelligence to be a war troll."

"I see so it shall be an easy battle then?" Ransa said sounding a little disappointed.

"I wouldn't say easy, a troll is still a troll at the end of the day," he explained.

"That is good at least, you know I enjoy it when my prey puts up a good fight."

"Speaking of Yellow Prairie, I have recently received a new shipment of spices from Lady Nysesis's lands," The robed bullman told them in a voice similar to the other one..

"Really now Teefen, plenty coin to be made in spices these days," Konrad said.

"Yes there is a great demand for spices from Yellow Prairie."

"I have been there a few times before, it is a beautiful place, the only problem I have is their scorching sun," Konrad said.

"I am perhaps the only of here who has yet to visit Yellow Prairie, do you mind telling me more about it?" Ser Rasna asked.

"Well Yellow Prairie varies in landscapes, its northern half is primarily prairies or steppes," Konrad told the bull knight.

"While the south is mainly arid deserts with a few rivers and oases," Teefen added," while tropical rainforests were common along the coasts."

"Yes yes, sounds like an interesting place."

"Well, what I find interesting is the rumor that has going around recently," Teefen said as he turned to Konrad.

"Hmm, which rumor exactly Teefen?" Konrad asked.

"I was at the party that Grand Countess Lucinda hosted recently and heard that they were discussing a land to the east known as Westeros," The bullman said to him.

"I see, I wasn't present at the party or the meeting, I had other matters to attend to," Konrad told the bullman," though what I know is that there is a continent of humans to the east and my sister seeks to make contact with them."

"Hmmmm, sounds like a possible new venture, surely these humans would be interested in Thaczillian spices, wines, and other such things," Teefen said with a monstrous grin.

"Perhaps, only time will tell."

The audiences were still quite unsettled by how strangely civilized these monsters were, they still seemed to be quite savage, but they also seemed to be capable of acting like civilized humans. Buildings cities and trading in valuable goods. 

"What in the name of the Seven are those things," Edmure said as he looked at those man-like bulls.

"Those creatures that look like a cross between men and bulls are called minotaurs," Lucinda stated," known for their ferocious warriors."

"And that minotaur in the armor is a knight?" Barristan questioned.

"Yes, Ser Ransa is a knight banneret in service of the Mapolos Brothers."

"A knight banneret?" Jaime asked,

"Yes, they are knights who are in command of a personal retinue of soldiers under their banner," Lucinda explained.

"And what of the merchant, he seems to be quite interested in doing business in Westeros," Tywin said, thinking that he could perhaps make use of that desire. Perhaps he can direct their merchants to Lannisport. 

"Teefen, one of the wealthy merchants based in Wolf's Port, specializes in selling goods imported from Yellow Prairie," she stated," before that, he used to serve under me as a man-at-arms."

Doran and Oberyn meanwhile were more interested in this Yellow Prairie of theirs, the way it was described reminded them of Dorne with its deserts. 

The scene then went to Ned, who did not seem particularly happy, at the Small Council meeting.

"It's the Hand's tournament that's causing all this trouble, my Lords," Janos Slynt said.

"The King's tournament," Eddard corrected," I assure you the Hand wants no part of it."

Call it what you will, Lord Stark Ser, the city is packed with people and more flooding in every day. Last night we had a tavern riot, a brothel fire, three stabbings, and a drunken horse race down the Street of Sisters," Janos explained, showing how hectic things have gotten in King's Landing.

"Dreadful," Varys commented.

"If you can't keep the King's peace, perhaps the City Watch should be commanded by someone who can," Renly told the commander.

"I need more men," Janos said to them.

"You'll get fifty," Ned said," Lord Baelish will see it paid for."

"I will?"

"You found money for a champion's purse, you can find money to keep the peace," Ned told Baelish as he turned to him, before turning back to Janos," I'll also give you 20 of my household guards till the crowds have left."

Janos then thanked Lord Stark and told them they would be put to good use, before bowing and leaving.

"The sooner this is over, the better," Ned said as he took a drink.

"The realm prospers from such events, my Lord. They give the great a chance at glory, and the lowly a respite from their woes," Varys explained to Ned.

"And every inn in the city is full and the whores are walking bow-legged," Baelish commented.

"I'm sure the tourney puts coins in many a pocket. Now... If there's nothing else, my Lords?" 

The council of dismissed and everyone started to leave.

"Well Lord Baelish we both know whose whores are going to be walking bow-legged don't we," Renly jested.

"A riot, a fire, three stabbings, and a drunken horse race," Robb said in disbelief, "does that happen often at these tourneys?"

"I am afraid so," Varys stated.

"Perhaps it isn't a good idea to have a tourney for Ned," Jon Arryn said to Robert.

"Ahh come now Jon, we can't not have a tourney to honor him," Robert countered," we need a show for the realm and these foreigners."

Eddard then stopped Grand Maester Pycelle.

"This heat. On days like this, I envy you northerners your summer snows. Until tomorrow my Lord," Pycelle said.

"I've been hoping to talk to you about Jon Arryn," Ned said.

"Lord Arryn?" He said as he paused briefly," his death was a great sadness to all of us. I took personal charge of his care, but I could not save him. His sickness struck him very hard and very fast. I saw him in my chambers just the night before he passed. Lord Jon often came to me for counsel."

"Why?"

"I have been Grand Maester for many years, Kings and Hands have come to me for advice since.." 

"What did Jon want the night before he died?" Ned questioned.

"He came inquiring about a book," Pycelle said.

"A book? What book?" 

"I fear it would be of little interest to you, my Lord. A ponderous tome."

"No, I'd like to read it."

The scene then changed to Ned in Pycelle's room.

"The lineages and histories of the great houses of the Seven Kingdoms, with descriptions of many high lords and noble ladies and their children," The maester said as he placed the book on a table before going to sit down.

Ned then opened up the book and began to read through it," Harkon Umber, first of his name, born to lord Hother Umber and lady Amaryllis Umber in the 183rd year after Aegon's landing, at the last hearth. Blue of eye, brown of hair and fair complected, died in his 14th year of a wound sustained in a bear hunt."

"As I said, my Lord, a ponderous read."

"Did Jon Arryn tell you what he wanted with it?"

"He did not, my Lord. And I did not presume to ask," Pycelle told him.

"Jon's death"

"Such a tragedy."

"Did he say anything to you during his final hours?" Eddard asked 

"Nothing of import, my Lord," Pycelle told him," There was one phrase he kept repeating: The seed is strong, I think it was."

"The seed is strong? What does that mean?" Eddard asked him.

"The dying mind is a demented mind, Lord Stark. For all the weight they're given, last words are usually as significant as first words," Pycelle explained to Ned.

"And you're quite certain he died of a natural illness?"

"What else could it be?"

"Poison," Ned stated.

"A disturbing thought. I don't think it likely. The Hand was loved by all. What sort of man would dare..."

"I've heard it said that poison is a woman's weapon."

"Yes. Women, cravens... and eunuchs. Did you know that Lord Varys is a eunuch?"  Pycelle asked as if he was implying something.

"Everyone knows that," Ned said.

"Yes yes, of course, how that sort of person found himself on the King's Council, I will never."

"I've taken enough of your time."

"No trouble at all, my Lord. It's a great honor..."

"Thank you. I'll find my own way out," he said as he took the book and began to leave.

"Why were you looking into that book and what did you mean when you said the seed was strong?" Ned asked Lord Arryn.

Many others in the audience were also interested as well at what exactly he was looking into, some were even worried about it.

Jon Arryn and Stannis looked at each other, they both knew that it was not the right time to reveal what they knew, especially since they still lacked concrete proof. But perhaps they won't have to wait too long to get the proof they need if what they were being shown was any indication.

"I'm sorry, but I would prefer not to say until I feel the time is right," Jon Arryn stated.

"What do you mean Jon, why can't you tell us now?" Robert asked.

"Well, I suspect that we will be shown what I was looking into and why later on, it must be one of the reasons we were brought here," Jon Arryn stated.

They then heard the bodiless voice chuckle a little," Yes you are quite right Lord Arryn, the truth shall be revealed in time."

Cersei and Jaime both became worried as they knew their secret was going to be revealed soon, though they tried their best to hide it.

"I do wonder why Pycelle is so keen on implying that Varys has something to do with Lord Arryn's death," Tyrion said.

"I am guessing you do not like eunuchs like me very much," Varys said.

Pycelle just shrugs a little and does not answer. 

"I wouldn't say women, cravens, and eunuchs are the only ones who use poison," Oberyn, the most venomous man in the room, joked.

"I swear whoever poisoned Jon in the future is gonna pay," King Robert threatened.

Ned was walking back from Pycelle's room when he ran into Arya trying to balance on one foot in front of a staircase.

"Syrio says a water dancer can stand on one toe for hours," Arya told him.

"It's a hard fall down these steps," Ned said to her.

"Syrio says everyone hurt is a lesson and every lesson makes you better."

She then stopped trying to balance on one foot," Tomorrow, I'm going to be chasing cats."

"Cats? Syrio says."

"He says every swordsman should study cats, they're quiet as shadows and as light as feathers. You have to be quick to catch them," Arya explained.

"He is right about that."

But then when Ned turned and was about to leave, Arya asked a question," Now that Bran's awake will he come live with us?"

He had turned around and walked a few steps towards her as he paused a bit before answering," Well, he needs to get his strength back first."

"He wants to be a knight of the King’s Guard. He can't be one now, can he?" Arya said.

"No," Ned states as Arya goes to sit on the stairs, with her father going to join her as he continues.

"No. But someday he could be Lord of a holdfast or sit on the King's Council. Or he might raise castles like Brandon the Builder," Ned explained.

"Can I be lord of a holdfast?" Arya asked as Ned chuckled and kissed his daughter on the head.

"You will marry a high Lord and rule his castle. And your sons shall be knights and princes and lords." 

"No, that's not me," Arya said as she got up and went back to continuing her training. 

"You are determined aren't you," Oberyn said to the young Stark," just like Princess Nymeria."

Arya smiled at the compliment, she always wanted to be a warrior like Nymeria.

"You know Arya, this reminds me of this one time Lady Joan tried to duel half a dozen hobgoblins blindfolded," Lucinda said as she chuckled a bit," and she won I tell you."

Catelyn meanwhile was still not completely on board with the idea of Arya being trained in using a sword, she wanted her daughter to marry a gallant southern heir.

The scene then changes to Lucinda Von Bloodmoon and Cersei Lannister sitting at a table in the Queen's solar as they enjoy some wine. 

"So you are a Grand Countess from where you are from?" Cersei asked Lucinda.

"Yes, think of it as something similar to titles like a warden or lord paramount," Lucinda explained," I rule over all of Bloodmoon Vale."

"I see, I am guessing you rule as regent for your son after the death of your husband."

"No, I have no sons and I have never been married, I rule in my name," she said," ruling despite having two younger brothers." 

"I have two younger brothers as well, one a dashing knight and the other a mockery of my family," Cersei responded," it must feel good to be able to rule, is it common where you are from?"

"Yes it is common for women to rule in Thaczil, they usually rule because they have proven themselves in one way or another," Lucinda," my brothers follow me not just because I am the eldest, but because they believe in my abilities."

"And what abilities are those?" 

"Well I understand how to lead and what it truly means to do so, I also know the importance of having allies," Lucinda said as she gently stretched out her hand and placed it on top of Cersei's hand. She started to give the queen a devilish smile as she did so. Cersei was caught off guard by this move and froze a bit before pulling her hand away from Lucinda's.

"I-I," Cersei stuttered for a bit before regaining her composure," I see that you are very wise my lady."

Just as Cersei was caught off guard by what happened, many others were caught by surprise as well. They were surprised to see Lucinda attempt to seduce Cersei and it seemingly worked to an extent. 

Cersei herself didn't know what to think about the situation, and Lucinda seemingly took an interest in her despite having bed a dragon and bastard that reminded her of others she had known from long ago.

Tywin meanwhile was worried that Lucinda could use Cersei against him in some way, not too keen on having her daughter get seduced by a monster in the form of a woman. 

"Well Cersei, I see you two are becoming quite friendly with each other," Tyrion joked.

Jaime meanwhile was a little shocked to see Lucinda take an interest in his sister and try to seduce her.

Robert was also not sure what to think, he did not like his wife, but he wasn't exactly open to getting cuckolded by some ancient vampire woman.

Lucinda just chuckled to herself at her actions, it was most certainly something she would do.

Jon Snow then turned to Lucinda," Did you and Joan ever, you know?"

"Yes, I enjoyed her company a lot," Lucinda said to him.

Eddard and Peytr were having a walk through King's Landing Gardens. 

"I hear you're reading a boring book," Littlefinger told him.

"Pycelle talks too much," Ned said.

"Oh he never stops," Littlefinger responded," Do you know Ser Hugh of the Vale?"

Ned didn't say anything, not knowing who Ser Hugh was.

"Not surprising. Until recently, he was only a squire... Jon Arryn's squire. He was knighted almost immediately after his master's untimely death."

"Knighted for what? Why are you telling me this?"

"I promised Cat that I'd help you," Littlefinger told Ned.

"Where is Ser Hugh? I'll speak to him."

"A singularly bad idea," Baelish said Do you see that boy there?" Ned then turned and saw a boy sitting at a tree with another boy.

"One of Varys's little birds," he whispered," The Spider has taken a great interest in your comings and goings."

"Now look there," Baelish said as they were looking at one of the gardeners," Now look there. That one belongs to the Queen."

"And do you see that Septa pretending to read her book?" Ned then turned to see the mentioned septa. 

"Varys or the Queen?" he asked

"No. She's one of mine. Is there someone in your service whom you trust completely?"

"Yes," Ned stated.

"The wiser answer was no, my Lord. Get a message to this paragon of yours... Discreetly. Send him to question Ser Hugh. After that, you might want him to visit a certain armorer in the city. He lives in a large house at the top of the Street of Steel," Baelish said.

"Why?"

"I have my observers, as I said, and it's possible that they saw Lord Arryn visit this armorer several times in the weeks before his death."

"And what about these newcomers, the ones supposedly from this kingdom called Thaczil?" Eddard asked.

Littlefinger just sighed a bit," I'm afraid even my knowledge has limits, they are unknown for the most part, though I did talk with one of the emissaries."

"Which one would that be?" he asked.

"Grand Count Zulux, the one who wore the silver mask," Baelish stated," we didn't talk about anything interesting, he merely inquired about you."

"Me?" 

"Yes you, it seems that you had caught his interest, he merely wanted to know what kind of person you are," he said," no doubt he wants to know if he can manipulate or bribe you somehow, though interestingly he also wanted to know more about your lineage."

"Lord Baelish, perhaps I was wrong to distrust you," Ned said.

"Distrusting me was the wisest thing you've done since you climbed off your horse," Littlefinger said before walking off.

"Lord Baelish surely you aren't trying to say that my squire killed and did so just so he could obtain knighthood," Jon Arryn said, though Hugh was not perfect, he knew he wouldn't try and kill him. 

"I never stated he did, I had merely stated an interesting observation," he responded.

"It does seem somewhat suspicious given the circumstance," Tyrion stated.

Ser Hugh was at the tourney, pacing out steps for the joust when Jory approached him.

"Ser Hugh," Jory said though Hugh waved him off," Ser Hugh."

The knight then turned back to Jory," As you can see I'm busy." He then went to continue.

"I'm here on behalf of Lord Eddard Stark, the Hand of the king," Jory responded which caused Ser Hugh to turn back once again," I'm the captain of his guard." 

"I'm sorry I didn't catch your name Ser..."

"No ser. I'm not a knight."

"I see. Well, it just so happens that I am," Hugh said arrogantly.

"Well it seems knighthood has caused Hugh to grow a massive set of balls," Jaime joked.

Jon Arryn meanwhile rolled his eyes, a little disappointed at how his squire or former squire was acting.

"He shouldn't be rude to Jory like that," Robb stated.

"No he shouldn't, but it's not uncommon among southern knights," Eddard said. 

"Yeah he is an ass," Ayra said.

"Ayra don't say things like that, especially in front of everyone," Catelyn scolded.

Jon was walking through the street of steel in King's Landing in full armor, walking next to him was a young man. He seemed to be about six-ten, he had short light brown hair and blue-grey eyes. He was wearing blue padded armor and on the right side of it was a small patch that displayed a familiar sigil. A white wolf-like creature with long pointed ears. 

"So how has the city been treating Charles," Jon said as he turned to the young man.

"It has treated just fine Ser Lanius," Charles responded with a flowery accent.

"Remember not to get into any fights when you go to visit that brothel again," Jon joked.

Charles chuckles," I went there by accident and you know it, but don't worry I won't get killed if that is what you mean, I your humble squire Charles Allard swear it."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Jon said.

"You know I do wonder what tourneys are like here."

"They are similar to the ones in Thaczil, though perhaps less exciting." 

'I guess so, seeing two human men fight is far less interesting than seeing a cyclopskin going into a melee against a bugbear," Charles responded.   

"So he is my squire in the future," Jon said as he looked at him.

"Yes, Charles of House Allard," Lucinda stated.

"That sigil is familiar, didn't that knight with the Bloodstar Company have a sigil just like that," Samwell said as he remembered back to that scene. 

"Yeah he did, I wonder how they are related," Varys said.

"I am guessing this House Allard is a fairly important house where you are from?" Tywin asked Lucinda.

"Thaczil as a whole not really, Allards are the most respected of those who are sworn to the rulers of Wolf's Port," Lucinda explained.

"I see," Eddard as he continued to look on.

Jon and Charles then passed by two individuals riding on horseback, Jory and Eddard. Jon noticed them though seemingly opted to not do anything and just walked past them.

"He said he'd be glad to talk to the Hand himself. He's a knight, you see," Jory had told Eddard.

"A knight. They strut around like roosters down here. Even the ones who've never seen an arrow coming their way," Ned said as they looked at some knights.

"You shouldn't be out here, my Lord. There's no telling who has eyes where," Jory cautioned.

"Let them look." Ned then got down from his horse. 

The scene then changes to Tobho Mott at his shop.

"The former Hand did call on me, my Lord, several times. I regret to say he did not honor me with his patronage," the armorer said.

"What did Lord Arryn want?"

"He always came to see the boy."

"I'd like to see him as well," Eddard said.

"As you wish, my Lord," Tobho said before calling the boy over," Gendry!"

Gendry then put down his hammer and went to them.

" Here he is. Strong for his age. He works hard. Show the Hand the helmet you made, lad."

Gendry then went to get his helmet, handing it over to Ned.

"This is fine work," Ned complimented.

"It's not for sale," Gendry said.

Tobho went to scold him a bit "Boy, this is the King's Hand! If his lordship wants the helmet..." 

"I made it for me."

"Forgive him, my lord."

"There's nothing to forgive. When Lord Arryn came to visit you, what would you talk about?" Ned asked

" He just asked me questions is all, my Lord," Gendry told him.

"What kind of questions?"

"About my work at first, if I was being treated well if I liked it here. But then he started asking me about my mother." 

"Your mother."

"Who she was, what she looked like."

"What did you tell him?" Eddard asked

"She died when I was little," Gendry then paused before continuing, not even looking at Ned," She had yellow hair. She'd sing to me sometimes."

"Look at me," Eddard said as Gendry then started to look straight at Ned," Get back to work, lad. If the day ever comes when that boy'd rather wield a sword than forge one, you send him to me."

Ned then went back to Jory.

"Find anything?" Jory asked

"King Robert's bastard son," He states plainly.

"You're, you're my father," Gendry said in surprise as he turned toward the King who looked at back at him.

"Well he does look a lot like you when you were younger," Stannis told his brother.

"Aye, getting a good look at you now lad, you are my bastard."

Jon meanwhile could relate to Gendry a bit they were both bastard sons of highborn men. Though at the very least Gendry knew what his mother looked like. 

Cersei meanwhile was very much not pleased with the presence of the newly unveiled bastard of her husband. She suspects that Eddard might try and use the bastard against her and her children. 

Twyin was also not pleased as well, he did not particularly like the fact that Robert had some bastards around that might jeopardize the Lannister legacy. He was thinking about what he could do about it.

"Jon, why were you looking into one of my bastards?" Robert asked.

"I suspect you will be shown soon Robert," Jon Arryn said.

Jaime was outside of Robert's chambers, standing guard. Robert can be heard with multiple women inside.

Jory then approached Jaime. 

"This is for the King from Lord Stark," Jory said to the Kingslayer with a letter in his hand.

"Should I leave?" he asked before Jaime hushed him.

"Listen. Do you hear them? How many do you think are in there with him? Guess."

"Three? Four?"

Jaime just shook his head, "He likes to do this when I'm on duty... He makes me listen as he insults my sister." 

Then the door opens as one whore comes out and goes to leave.

"Forgive me, my lord," Jory told him.

"Why do I have to forgive you? Have you wronged me?"Jaime asked.

Jory paused for a bit," We've met before, you know."

"Have we? Strange, I've forgotten."

"The siege of Pyke. We fought side by side one afternoon," Jory explained.

"That's where you got your scar?" Jaime asked as he started to realize.

"Aye. One of the Greyjoys nearly took my eye."

"Vicious sons of whores," Jaime said.

"They like their bloodshed."

"They stopped liking it at the end," Jaime told him," That was a proper battle. D'you remember Thoros of Myr charging through the breach?"

"With his burning sword? I'll remember that till the day I die." 

"I saw the youngest of the Greyjoy lads at Winterfell. It was like seeing a shark on a mountaintop."

"Theon? He's a good lad."

"I doubt it."

The door opened as two more whores came out and they heard Robert talking," I'll bet you smell of blackberry jam! Let me smell it. Come here." Jaime then went and closed the door.

"Can I leave this with you? The message from Lord Stark," Jory asked Jaime.

To which Jaime just responded by saying," I don't serve Lord Stark."

Jory then turned around and walked away.

Cersei was of course upset by Robert's rampant whoring, rolling her eyes.

"Well I must admit your grace, you do know how to live," Oberyn would joke, he personally didn't like Robert very much, but he had to admit that Robert knew how to enjoy life.

"Robert," Jon Arryn sighed.

"Ahh I know Jon, I know," Robert told him.

"Robert you can't keep doing this," Ned said.

"Come now I'm king, no problem with having a bit of fun."

"That is fair, hedonism and debauchery are quite common in Thaczil, some even believe that it is the proper goal for living things to achieve," Lucinda comments. 

"See Ned, even the damn foreign monsters agree."

"What do you know Kingslayer," Theon japed.

"Probably more than you and your entire family," Jaime countered," your family's rebellion shows that."

Yara and Theon just glared at the Lannister.

"Who would have thought, Jory and Ser Jaime fighting together," Bran said.

"Wait who is Thoros of Myr?" Arya questioned.

"Thoros of Myr was a Red Priest that tried to convert King Aerys to the Lord of Light," Ser Barristan stated.

"Aye, known for his using a flaming sword in battle," Davos said, reminded of a certain red priestess.

Back at the Dothraki camp, Viserys was dragging a woman by her to Daenerys' tent.

"You send this whore to give me commands? I should have sent you back her head!" Viserys shouts as he throws her onto the ground.

"Forgive me, Khaleesi. I did as you asked," the woman said as she cried.

"Hush now. It's all right. Irri, take her and leave us," Daenerys said.

"Yes, Khaleesi," Irri said as she went and took the woman away.

"Why did you hit her?!" she asked him.

"How many times do I have to tell you? You do not command me," he said aggressively.

"I wasn't commanding you. I just wanted to invite you to supper," she explained.

"What's this," he said as he turned and took a piece of clothing from a table.

"It's a gift. I had it made for you."

"Dothraki rags? Are you going to dress me now?"

"Please," Daenerys pleaded.

"This stinks of manure," he complained as he threw it at her, "All of it."

"Stop - stop it," she continued to tell him.

"You would turn me into one of them, wouldn't you? Next, you'll want to braid my hair," Viserys said.

"You've no right to a braid. You've won no victories yet," Daenerys spat.

"You do not talk back to me!"

He then went and slapped her on the face, causing her to go down as Viserys started to grab her.

"You are a horselord's slut. And now you've woken the dragon..."

Then Daenerys grabbed a chain and hit him with it, causing him to go down. She then started to get up, Viserys turned to her beaten, a cut on his face.

"I am a Khaleesi of the Dothraki! I am the wife of the great Khal and I carry his son inside me. The next time you raise a hand to me will be the last time you have hands."

Everyone was shocked by the treatment Daenerys faced at the hands of Viserys, her brother.

"That is terrible, what kind of brother does that to his sister," Sansa said as he was a little horrified by Visery's attack on Daenerys.

"Does he do that often?" Robb asked her.

"He has a temper sometimes," Daenerys said equally shocked by how terrible her brother became. 

"Honestly I would shove an axe up his ass for that," Tormund commented. 

"He will never sit on the Iron Throne, that is for sure," Robert growled as many others agreed.

Oberyn and Doran Martell were very much opposed to trying to support Viserys. They were disgusted by his treatment of Daenerys and realized he would be a terrible match for Arianne.

Barristan meanwhile was disappointed in how Viserys turned out, the last Targaryen prince.

"We might have to kill him," Renly stated.

"No please, I know he has done wrong, but he wasn't always like this way," Daenerys explained," he used to take care of me when I was little."

The scene then changed to the Hand's Tourney with Robert drinking from his horn as he sat alongside his family.

Joffery looks at Sansa who is sitting in the stands, she smiles at him but then he begins to look away.

Littlefinger then came to join Sansa and Arya at the stands," Lover's quarrel?"

"I'm sorry. Do I...?"

Stepa Mordane interrupted "Sansa dear, this is Lord Baelish. He's known..."

"An old friend of the family. I've known your mother a long long time," he explained as he sat down.

"Why do they call you Littlefinger?" Arya asked.

"Arya!" Sansa exclaimed.

"Don't be rude," Mordane told her.

"No, it's quite all right. When I was a child I was very small and I come from a little spit of land called The Fingers, so you see, it's an exceedingly clever nickname," Baelish explained.

King Robert then got up, clearly just a little drunk," We've been sitting here for days! Start the damn joust before I piss myself!"

As Robert sat back down, Cersei got up and went to leave.

Then the competitors of the joust came atop their horses.

"Gods, who is that?" Sansa said as she was shocked by the appearance of a tall and brutal-looking knight.

"Ser Gregor Clegane. They call him the Mountain. The Hound's older brother," Petyr explained.

"And his opponent?"

"Ser Hugh of the Vale. He was Jon Arryn's squire. Look how far he's come."

"Fucking hell he is fucking big," Theon exclaimed.

"Aye not as big as a real giant, but he is a big man," Tormund said.

"Well with everything we have seen, he is not nearly as intimidating," Jon Snow stated.

"Yes, yes. Enough of the bloody pomp. Have at it!" Robert ordered the two knights.

The joust began as the two started to ride, for their first pass there was no contact. However, on their second pass, Gregor strikes Hugh in the neck. Everyone was shocked and there were screams as they witnessed Ser Hugh down on the ground. Wood from the lance in his neck as he started to choke on his blood. Sansa and Arya had looked on, shocked by the brutality.

Oberyn glared at the Mountain as he gripped his seat, he knew what Gregor did to his sister and vowed that he would kill him, along with his master who ordered it.

"Hugh," Jon Arryn muttered as he saw the brutal death of his squire at the hands of Clegane.

"Very convenient that it so happens that Gregor kills the one man you wanted to talk to about Jon Arryn, isn't Lord Stark," Baelish said.

"Yes it very much is," Ned said.

"And what exactly are you implying Lord Baelish," Cersei spoke up.

"Nothing my queen, merely that what happened was quite convenient for any potential suspects," Baelish responded.  

"Quite the violent one isn't he," Lucinda commented.

"Not what you were expecting? Has anyone ever told you the story of the Mountain and the Hound? Lovely little tale of brotherly love," Petyr said to her, as he began to tell her the story. The story of how Gregor caught his brother playing with his toy and how he forced Sandor's face into the fire, burning him. 

"I won't tell anyone, I promise."

"No, please don't. If the Hound so much as heard you mention it, I'm afraid all the knights in King's Landing would not be able to save you." 

Everyone in the audience who didn't know was shocked at the story, at what Gregor did to his brother. Many felt bad about what happened to him and pitted him. 

"He burned his own brother's face, that is monstrous," Loras commented.

Others looked to Twyin, after all, Gregor was Tywin's personal attack dog.

Tywin meanwhile just shrugged and ignored it. 

Eddard was in his quarters when Cersei entered.

"My Lord, Her Grace the Queen," Jory said as he let her in.

"Your Grace," Ned said to her.

"You're missing your tournament," she said

"Putting my name on it doesn't make it mine."

"I thought we might put what happened on the Kingsroad behind us – the ugliness with the wolves. And forcing you to kill the beast was extreme," Cersei said," Though sometimes we go to extremes where our children are concerned. How is Sansa?"

"She likes it here."

"The only Stark who does. Favors her mother, not much of the north in her."

"What are you doing here?" Ned asked her

"I might ask the same of you. What is it you hope to accomplish?" she asked in return.

"The King called on me to serve him and the realm, and that's what I'll do until he tells me otherwise."

"You can't change him. You can't help him," she explained," He'll do what he wants, which is all he's ever done. You'll try your best to pick up the pieces."

"If that's my job, then so be it," he states.

"You're just a soldier, aren't you? You take your orders and you carry on. I suppose it makes sense," she said," Your older brother was trained to lead and you were trained to follow."

"I was also trained to kill my enemies, Your Grace," Ned responded.

"As was I," Cersei responded in turn. 

"Well you two seem to be getting along quite fine," Tyrion said sarcastically as Cersei rolled her eyes.

"Wait so does that mean it was you who had that direwolf killed, why?" Robert said as he turned to her.

"Well I have no idea, perhaps I thought they endangered our children," she said.

"You have always been loyal and honorable Ned," Jon Arryn told his former ward.

"Thank you," he said.

The scene then changed to Jon and Charles walking through the streets of King's Landing once again when they entered an alley. But as they did, four hooded individuals were waiting for them, wearing black cloaks. 

One of them stepped forward and pulled down his hood, he had grey skin, silver hair, and red eyes.

"Raven is that you," Jon said as he realized who it was.

"Yes my friend, I am," he said," I brought a few friends."

Two others pulled down their hoods, revealing them to be the bugbear named Zan and the other being the hobgoblin Iron Shadow, who still had his demonic head."

"Why are you all here, shouldn't you all still be at Castle Bloodmoon?" Jon asked, confused by their presence.

"We are here under orders," Zan told Jon.

"I brought them here," said the last individual with a soft voice, an accent similar to Lucinda's.

He then stepped forward, this man wore a blood-red coat, his face obscured by a black hood. He pulled down his hood revealing it. He had pale skin and red eyes like Lucinda. He had short hair, the same dark red color as Lucinda, and had a mustache as well. At his hip was a sword of similar design to the ones used by the Bravossi water dancers, just like the sword Joan Bourbon had.

"So you are Jon Snow, I am Gustavus Von Bloodmoon, youngest of the Von Bloomoon siblings," He stated," it is nice to finally meet you champion."

"That's your brother Gustavus?" Jon asked," what he is doing in King's Landing of all places."

"And he brought your sicarios with him," Robb stated.

"What does he want with my son?" Ned asked a little worried now.

"I'm afraid I don't know," Lucinda said," though if you fear that Jon is in danger, he shouldn't be."

"That sword looks a lot like Joan's sword," Arya said as she remembered the painting.

"Yes very interesting," Jaime said.

Others were now even more worried about what exactly the monsters had planned, first Lucinda and Zulux, now Gustavus.

The scene then changes to an inn at the crossroads.

"Seven blessings to you, goodfolk," Marillion the minstrel said as he sat down near Catelyn and Rodrick.

"And to you," Catelyn responded.

"Boy! Bread, meat, and beer, quickly," Rodrick called out.

"Good idea, grandfather. I'm starving. A song while we wait or?" The minstrel asked.

"I'd rather throw myself down a well," Rodrick responded. 

"Now now, Grandfather, may be your last chance if you're heading north. The only music the northerners know is the howling of wolves!" the minstrel joked.

The door opened as Tyrion Lannister alongside two guards and a man of the Night's Watch, Yoren.

Catelyn and Rodrick meanwhile tried to hide from Tyrion, hoping that he would ignore them.

"I'm sorry, my Lord, we're full up. Every room," the innkeeper stated.

"My men can sleep in the stable. As for myself, I don't require a large room," Tyrion tells her.

"Truly, my lord, we have nothing."

"Is there nothing I can do... to remedy this?" Tyrion said as he took out a coin and tapped it on a table.

"You can have my room," Bronn said.

"There's a clever man," Tyrion states as he tosses him the coin before turning to the innkeeper," You can manage food, I trust?" 

"Yoren, dine with me," he told the Night's Watchman.

"Aye my lord," Yoren said.

"I feel like something is gonna happen," Edmure said, remembering how Catelyn was led to believe that Tyrion tried to kill her son.

"Huh well there you are Bronn, perhaps that is the reason why you are here," Tyrion said.

Bronn chuckled a bit, "Who would have thought my contribution to the future is giving you my room at an inn."

"My Lord of Lannister! Might I entertain you while you eat? I can sing of your father's victory at King's Landing!" The minstrel said as he got up and faced him.

"Nothing would more likely ruin my supper," Tyrion said as he then turned and noticed Catelyn.

"Lady Stark," he said as Catelyn turned to face him," Lady Stark! What an unexpected pleasure. I was sorry to have missed you at Winterfell."

"Lady Stark," the innkeeper said as she took a bow.

Then the room started to become tense as Catelyn got up from her seat.

"I was still Catelyn Tully the last time I stayed here," Catelyn said," you Ser, is that the black bat of Harrenhal I see embroidered on your coat?

She approached the knight as he got up," It is my lady."

"And is Lady Whent a true and honest friend to my father... Lord Hoster Tully of Riverrun?"

"She is," the knight said.

"The red stallion was always a welcome sight at Riverrun. My father counts Jonas Bracken amongst his oldest and most loyal bannermen," Catelyn said as the Bracken knight got up from his seat as well.

"Our lord is honored by his trust."

"I envy your father, all his fine friends, but I don't quite see the purpose of this," Tyrion said, clearly confused about what she was trying to do.

"Oh by the gods please Catelyn, don't," the Blackfish sighs as he suspects what she plans to do.

The others were also beginning to suspect what disastrous action she was going to take.

She then turns to a knight of House Frey, "I know your sigil as well. The Twin Towers of Frey. How fares your lord, Ser?”

"Lord Walder is well, my Lady. He has asked your father for the honor of his presence on his 90th name day. He plans to take another wife," the knight told her.

"Huh," Tyrion seemed to find that little piece of information amusing.

She then turns back to the Lannister dwarf and approaches him, pointing at him." This man... Came into my house as a guest and there conspired to murder my son, a boy of ten," she pauses for a bit before continuing as Bronn and the knights watch on, Tyrion seemingly getting worried about what was gonna happen," In the name of King Robert and the good Lords you serve, I call upon you to seize him and help me return him to Winterfell to await the king's justice."

The knights then all draw their swords and pointed them towards Tyrion, following Catelyn's command as the scene fades to black.