Geek's Guide to Thriving in a Low End Fantasy World ( Robert Baratheon OC SI AU)

[Samael61]

Good morning / afternoon / evening to you all.

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I know that no matter where you are in the world, these last years weren't easy for anyone. Corona, war, scares of nuclear armageddon, the economic hardships, and scandals that shook us all.

I can't do much, except to give you all a couple of minutes away from the troubles of the world with my words, and wish that these trying times be nothing more than bad memories in the near future.

Thank you all for your support, with your likes, comments and suggestions.

Once again, happy new year and merry Christmas.

 

[Samael61]

Hello there,

If you enjoy my stories you can read advanced chapters in my patreon page

Her Eternal Excellency, a Genshin Impact and ASOIAF crossover, Raiden Ei Reborn as Argella Durrandon, is 15 chapters ahead

DCU:Blacklist, a Raymond Reddington inspired OC SI using his knowledge for his own advantage, as well as the rest of the world, is 15 chapters ahead,

Geek's Guide to Thriving in a Low End Fantasy World, a Robert Baratheon OC SI in an AU, is 14 chapters ahead,

Commander Shepard, The Greatest to Ever Live, a Mass Effect story where Shepard is greater than ever, is 14 chapters ahead,

and the first chapter of Loki: The God of Magic has been released on my patreon.

By supporting me, you can read advanced and special chapters, as well as vote on how you want the fanfiction to proceed.



Note: Apple store payments will be refunded, because of the company's 75 day hold policy.

—​

Asgard

Robert took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring wide open to get as much air as he could before exhaling slowly.

"What the fuck happened to my dragon?" He asked through gritted teeth. Three weeks of marching, buying supplies, and showing up to Rhaegar—that was fun as always—and they had finally reached home.

When he entered the city with his host of races once thought to be myths and legends, the lord of Asgard did not expect to be greeted with overwhelming cheer by the citizens.

However, finding everyone so unsettled that they did not pay much attention to the giants and the Children of the Forest meant that something was wrong.

Silent as graves, Tyrion and Davos took him to the docks while Sandor stayed with the small host, saying it was better if he saw what had happened.

Ra was moved to a storage house after his heroic defense of Asgard, and while he could walk and did not seem to be in pain, the golden dragon could not move his wings without moaning in pain.

He could swear that the red and black lines on the dragon's wings were moving.

"It was the Ironborn; they attempted to raid Asgard, but Ra stopped them. We believe they used a dragonbinder and grounded him before he could destroy the fleet. Just as we thought that the Ironborn would succeed in their attack, Slifer reached us with your message and burned most of the fleet."

Robert narrowed his eyes, fists clenched as an ugly red shade took over his face. "Most?"

Tyrion pointed at the crimson dragon sitting next to his golden brother. "He returned to Ra's side rather than chase the broken fleet."

Robert took a deep breath, frustration washing over him. He hadn't even had time to visit his newborn sister, and now he had just learned that the Ironborn had injured one of his dragons.

"Well, I am going to pull Euron's heart out of his ass." He swore. That bastard, and the Ironborn in general, had just signed their death warrant.

"We gathered three thousand men across eighty ships. However, the Stormlords sent ravens promising their support." Davos wasn't surprised by the offers. Not only were they highly loyal to Lord Robert, but his father was also the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. Their support in this war was as sure as the rising of the sun.

Robert snorted. "Only Tarth and Estermont have ships, and not enough to make it worth waiting. When will we be ready to sail?" For all their historical dominance over the continent, neither the Storm Kings nor the Stormlords of old had seen it fit to build a proper navy, and the ones they had were not meant for long voyages.

One more thing for Robert to fix.

"A week at the most, my lord." Supplies for a sea voyage would take longer to bring together due to the need for food that lasts and does not spoil. Merchants from King's Landing and towns close to Asgard were already making deliveries, and a significant amount of it was ready.

"Good. Housing for the giants and the Children of the Forest?" Thinking about it made Robert further furious, since he would be at war.

"The children are easy; giants, however, will have to wait. We prepared large tents, but building houses for their size will take time." The workers and the foremen were baffled to hear that they would be building houses for giants, but they had started working nonetheless since Robert Baratheon paid most fairly.

"You go to war?" Wun Weg Wun, who had just trailed Robert to see the big village, asked. If the chief was going to war, the giants would follow.

"Yeah, there are some squids that need to be squashed to death, permanently." Unlike in the canon timeline, where the Ironborn had repeated their actions, not learning a single thing.

"We come." Wun Weg declared, slamming his wooden club on the ground, unintentionally irritating the dragons.

Robert patted the giant on the arm, appreciating the loyalty. "Big guy, I don't have time to arm all of you with steel weapons, maybe just one." He wasn't even sure of that, to be honest, but money had a way of making things happen.

"Then I come."

"You know what, fine." It would be fun, having a giant, armored to the teeth, crushing the damn squids to a paste. "Where is Master Tobho Mott?" If Ra was here, then it meant their work in Valyria was over.

"In the smithy prepared for him, my lord." Tyrion was surprised to find the man willing to start smithing at once upon return, too entranced by the amount of Valyrian steel he had to rework.

"Continue the preparations; I'll have this guy outfitted with Valyrian steel and return to Valhalla."

"As you say, my lord." A giant in nigh indestructible armor was a terrifying thought, but as he was on their side, Tyrion just smiled.

—​

"My lord, welcome, welcome. How may this humble blacksmith be of service to you?" Tobho Mott, who was practicing his craft behind closed doors, had come out once called.

"You see him?" Robert pointed at the giant, and Tobho nodded as his eyes finally got used to the light.

"O-oh, indeed, my lord." He had heard that the giants would be coming to reside in Asgard but did not really care enough to see them.

He had more Valyrian steel to work on than what existed in the Free Cities; this was something Tobho Mott would never give up.

Especially not to all the blacksmiths that came to steal his chance.

"I need you to outfit him with Valyrian steel plate and chain mail, and a club for his size, in seven days. Coin, as always, is not an issue." Robert ordered. With his natural strength, if Wun Weg Wun was armored with the best steel they had and a metal club large enough for him to carry without it being too heavy, the giant could be a force of destruction on the battlefield.

Unlike in the show, when they had sent his son, Wun Wun, to his death.

Tobho's mouth opened like a fish at the order. "I have never worked with a giant, my lord."

Robert grasped the master blacksmith on the shoulder, gently. "Then you will be the first blacksmith to ever do so."

"As you command."

Robert left after instructing Wun Weg Wun to listen to the blacksmith.

—​

Valhalla

Robert, Tyrion, Davos, and Sandor took their usual places, while Leaf and Mag the Mighty joined the table. Thankfully, the corridors of the castle were wide enough to allow the giant to easily move.

"People are in unrest over our new citizens." They were Tyrion's first words on Asgard's state, and Robert rolled his eyes while Leaf acted as translator.

"Anyone who doesn't like the idea can leave the city; I am not holding them here by force." The lord of Asgard or not, he couldn't, and wouldn't, force the people to interact with the giants if they did not wish to but would not allow the people to harass or try to drive them out either.

Davos looked at the figure twice their already tall lord's size and the much smaller female next to him, still in a state of disbelief that they were actually here. "Aye, my lord. Are you sure about not waiting for support?"

"The Ironborn will either surrender, or I'll burn every single keep and building to the ground." There would be no mercy for the damn pirates, and this would be the final time they ever raided anywhere or tried to.

"What if they surrender?" The Iron Islands, by the estimates of the Citadel, had between sixty to seventy thousand nobles, which included captains, landed warriors and and small houses, less with a great part of their fighting force at the bottom of the Narrow Sea, and Tyrion didn't know what to do if they did not want to fight.

Robert considered just going to hell with it and killing them all, but his conscience would not let him. "Simple, all the males considered men by their laws will either take the black or the block, and the ones that are not, the Faith or the Citadel."

"The females are to be confined to the island and not allowed to have any children, though any under the age of eighteen may go to Faith." Fortunately, there were other ways of destroying the enemy entirely.

"If they somehow have children, the child goes straight to the furthest sept, or the Citadel, and I'll burn down one random keep." Random targeting would seed dissent among the Ironborn.

"My lord, you intend to erase the Ironborn completely?" That was tens of thousands to send to the Wall, the Faith, or the Citadel, or to execute, and Davos did not think it could be possible.

"They made their choices; they'll live and die with it."

"Far be it from me to oppose, but no kingdom had ever considered a punishment so drastic against another kingdom. There may be voices for the fear it would create a precedent." A lord destroying an entire kingdom by erasing its people would worry the nobles and the crown.

It had never been done before, and setting a precedent could give dangerous people ideas.

"I am not them. I want my problems solved permanently. They will not come back in a decade or two to attack my lands again." Mag, who was listening as Leaf translated, roared out his approval for the destruction of the enemies.

"And if they become more than voices, I'll rip their tongues out." Tyrion and Davos shared a look.

They would have to find a way to make sure Robert's plan succeeds.

Tyrion sighed, knowing this would definitely be something giving him more work to do. "If that is your plan, it will not be simple to carry out." Executing thousands was a problem, but not one as great as sending thousands of people to the Wall, the Faith, or the Citadel at once. Neither had the resources nor the manpower for it, unless Robert was willing to supply the coin for a long time.

Which would be expensive.

"If the Ironborn oppose it, they die. If they drag their feet, they die. If they try to fight, they die." Robert slammed his hunting knife on the map, right where the Iron Islands lay. "If this, for some reason, does not work, the Ironborn die. It is in their best interest for this plan to work unless they want the agony of dragonfire."

Davos swallowed the bile in his throat. This war would be ugly, far more than any in recent history. "Aye, my lord. I believe there is another matter of importance, the White Walker. We already have someone on hand to study her, as you wished."

"Yeah, that. Leaf, tell them to bring her in." The small female nodded, telling Mag to bring the White Walker, while Robert pointed at Tyrion. "And you call that man in."

Tyrion called out for the guards, and two men brought in a balding man with a square face, feet, and hands chained together. "Marwyn the Mage?" Robert asked, barely recognizing the man from a picture that came to mind.

"You know me, my lord?" The man did not expect to be recognized by the lord of Asgard, especially when he had been caught as a criminal.

Robert let out a sharp laugh. "How fascinating for the only man who lit up a Valyrian glass candle to be here."

Mentioning the Valyrian glass caught Marwyn off guard, and he stumbled. Leaf was suddenly interested in the human, while Davos and Tyrion were more wary now.

"We captured him trying to take parts from the demon's corpse." Tyrion reported, and Robert suddenly wasn't very cheerful anymore.

"Is that so?" The lord of Asgard narrowed his eyes at the so-called mage, wondering if the man would be more trouble than he was worth.

"I merely wanted to study it, my lord." Marwyn made to bow, but the chains stopped him. The great lord already looked displeased, and Marwyn didn't think he was above being sent to the executioner's block.

The Mage could prove to be useful, and Robert would stay his hand for now. "Marwyn, here is the deal. I'll allow you to study the White Walker and any other hostile magical creature I may capture, as well as tools like glass candles, but if you go outside what I give you, it will be the gallows." At least Marwyn was a known entity, and he would not have to seek out another scholar. Even if the Archmaester's magical abilities were nothing worthy of Robert's attention, his skills as a scholar in arcane arts were.

"I accept your generous offer, my lord. What of the demon?" Marwyn became weak at the knees as he was spared and accepted the offer with all the grace his age allowed.

He was thrown into the dungeons for trying to harvest flesh from the demon, and it would be unlikely for Robert Baratheon's mind to change. Still, the scholar in him wanted to be sure.

"That thing, at full strength, would have destroyed this world. Now, I am perfectly sure you can't make a mistake that would resurrect Naduin, but there is no reason to look for trouble. As such, you won't touch it. Understood?"

"Aye." The Archmaester bowed his head again.

Robert watched the old man for any sign of duplicity before gesturing to the guards to unchain him.

A giant, whose name Robert did not know, dragged the sled to the room, its arrival announced by the wood scraping on the stone. Davos took a step back, while Tyrion hid behind Robert, the safest place in the room.

Marwyn looked to be salivating at the mouth and took quick steps to approach the White Walker. With Robert's permission, the branches peeled back, a clear sign of magic, yet it wasn't important enough to be commented on.

The pale face of the Other was revealed, and Davos prayed for safety.

Archmaester Marwyn seemed ready to harvest parts from the White Walker then and there. "Here is your first study then. You, along with Leaf, will construct a place to imprison the White Walker and find out what other weaknesses her kind has." Not that he didn't have plenty of firepower to sublimate the Night King and his army, but it was best to know as much about their enemy as possible.

"You wish for me to help him?" Leaf did not seem happy with the prospect of taking orders from a man other than Robert, but it was nothing to be concerned about.

Robert shook his head. "Seeing as you are the one with the most knowledge of the Others, he will be helping you."

"Any issues?" He asked the Maester, not that the man had a choice.

"None, my lord." This was an opportunity of a lifetime, to study a creature of legends like a White Walker, to see their magic,

"As you order." Leaf agreed. She appreciated that Robert was keeping his word and treating them as equals to humans.

"Excellent. Rest for today and tomorrow, then start working."

—​

In the next chapter:

Balon, as the head of his house and the ruler of the Iron Islands, saw escape as the only way to survive. Plans were made to load their fortunes, men, and supplies onto what ships they had left and sail far away to Essos, to a place where Robert Baratheon would not chase them.

Discretion was the key; otherwise, their bannermen would tear them apart before the Father of Dragons had the chance.

Unknown to all, Euron had one last trick up his sleeve.



Curious about the next chapter? Please consider supporting me in Patreon.

 

[Samael61]

Hello there,

If you enjoy my stories you can read advanced chapters in my patreon page

Her Eternal Excellency, a Genshin Impact and ASOIAF crossover, Raiden Ei Reborn as Argella Durrandon, is 15 chapters ahead

DCU:Blacklist, a Raymond Reddington inspired OC SI using his knowledge for his own advantage, as well as the rest of the world, is 15 chapters ahead,

Geek's Guide to Thriving in a Low End Fantasy World, a Robert Baratheon OC SI in an AU, is 15 chapters ahead,

Commander Shepard, The Greatest to Ever Live, a Mass Effect story where Shepard is greater than ever, is 15 chapters ahead,

Loki: The God of Magic , an OC-SI into Loki who is not aware of the MCU, is 3 chapters ahead.

By supporting me, you can read advanced and special chapters, as well as vote on how you want the fanfiction to proceed.


Note: Apple store payments will be refunded, because of the company's 75 day hold policy.

—​

Asgard

Robert whistled.

Wun Weg Wun, having cleaned up and donned his new Valyrian steel armor, looked imposing. Twelve feet of muscle encased in armor indestructible by the current metallurgy of this world, with an eight-foot-long club and a tower shield if necessary, the giant was a walking tank.

"I hope it is to your liking, my lord. I have considered embellishing the armor, but time was short." Tobho's exhaustion was clear.

Robert didn't mind how plain the armor looked. Sure, some skulls or sigils here and there would make Wun Weg Wun appear even more terrifying, but there would be time for it later. "No, no, this is great. Well done, Master Tobho."

Tobho bowed deeply. "It is my pleasure, Lord Robert, to work with so much Valyrian steel." Stepping foot on Valyria and taking the steel of the dragonlords was an experience no one else could have offered.

"Wun Weg, how is it? Good?"

The giant grinned, rolling his shoulders and swinging the club around to get a feeling. "Good." He nodded, putting on his helmet for show.

"The Ironborn won't know what hit them." Now if only he could have armed more giants.

—​

Some religious nutcases tried to burn down the houses allocated to the children, but the guards posted by Robert for that exact reason caught them.

Their corpses dangled outside the city gates.

Friction between humans and the newest additions to Asgard was inevitable, and Robert decided to address it before things became too problematic to handle.

"People of Asgard." His voice carried over to the thousands gathered in front of Valhalla to hear their lord.

Two of the dragons, Obelisk and Slifer, sat on either side of Robert, as if they were enormous guard dogs.

"Now, I am aware that having the Children of the Forest and the giants here is unsettling to you." There were grumblings of agreement, but the dissidents quickly shut up when Robert's eyes narrowed.

Robert pointed towards the gates of the city. "But, I am not holding any of you here by force. If you wish to leave, leave. I'll even help you pack up so I can give those houses to the thousands waiting."

Losing their free houses, especially since they were so well built, discouraged many people from listening to the septon's words anymore.

"I can't force you to talk and befriend the giants or the children. However, they are citizens of Asgard like you, and the law applies to everyone. If either side starts something, I'll finish it." Robert warned. It may look like he was defending the newcomers against his already established people, but Robert was only treating everyone equally.

He pointed towards the Demon's Hill this time. "I am off to war now, to put those squids down permanently, but if I hear any trouble when I return, you'll see why that demon's corpse hangs there, and not the other way around."

"And of course, the part you are all curious about." Robert nodded to Sandor, and his guard pushed the Valyrian steel cage imprisoning the White Walker, quickly pulling the rug covering the creature.

The crowd gasped collectively, shying away from the White Walker, waiting as if she would strike them down with her magic any second. Several smallfolk fainted, while even more left the square.

"There is nothing to fear; she is a prisoner right now and not a danger." The rest of the speech was spent calming the people down.

—​

"My lord, since you are insistent on not waiting for the Stormlords, we can sail tomorrow." Davos, with no small help from Lord Tyrion, had prepared the fleets as best as he could. Sailing for war wasn't his forte, but there were many seasoned captains in Asgard who had been put to work.

"Excellent. Tyrion, you are in charge. While Ra can't fly, he still can use his flames, but do call my grandmother if something happens." Even if he was swarmed on the ground, Ra, in his evolved form, was more than a match for an army.

His dragons were not so weak as to be killed by an armed mob.

"Aye, my lord." The dwarf knew the work would be left to him, though he definitely intended to call Stannis Baratheon. The second son of House Baratheon was a lot of help during his time in Asgard, and it was better than tiring Rhaelle Baratheon.

"Leaf, Tyrion's orders are my orders. He will treat you fairly, as I have. Tell the giants they are to listen to him as well." Robert ordered. Leaving so soon after such a drastic change in the city was not wise, but war did not wait for anyone.

"As you command."

"My lord, I would like to offer some advice." At Robert's nod, Tyrion continued, "The giants are idle, and I believe it would be best to have them work. They can earn their livelihood and be among the people."

Robert wanted this to work, and Tyrion would do his best to see his lord's will was done.

"Good idea. Have one of the children act as an interpreter. In fact, since it is their houses being built, they can start with construction first. As they don't have coin beyond the Wall, pay them with food, clothing, and whatever else they need by comparing how much work they do compared to a human worker." The giants would need to learn how to use coin and other intricacies of life beyond the Wall eventually, but this was a transitional frame, and it was best to give them what they were familiar with.

"I shall start on it immediately."

Mag, after hearing from Leaf, nodded. His people were not freeloaders and would pull their own weight.

—​

The Next Day

"I wish you the best, my lord." Tyrion stood at the front as the people of Asgard bid farewell to their soldiers and lord.

"It'll be fine. Send letters to Stormlords; tell them I have set sail and not to send soldiers." The Stormlords were late, so no glory for them.

"They won't like that."

"I don't care."

Clapping his hands to get the giant's attention, Robert ordered the giant to follow the next commander in line. "Wun Weg, you go with Sandor; listen to him."

The giant nodded, taking his time to say farewell to his mate and son before boarding the ship with Sandor.

"I'll follow the fleet on dragonback all along the coastline. Good sailing and fair winds." War plans had already been drafted and approved, so there was nothing else to talk about anymore.

Asgard's eighty ships set sail to the Iron Islands while the realm watched with bated breath.

—​

Storm's End

It would take the small fleet three weeks to sail to the Iron Islands, barring any complications, so he had the time to make a short visit to Storm's End and see his sister.

There were a lot of living individuals that should have been dead by now: his parents, most of House Targaryen, Rickard Stark and his son, Brandon, and Elbert along with Denys, to name a few.

In addition, there were people that were dead but should not have been, such as Gregor Clegane, Amory Lorch, and Bloodraven, all by his hand.

Yet his sister, Tali'Zorah Baratheon, a name he had thrown in for the heck of it as an homage to one of his favorite games in his old life, should not have existed at all.

It was rare for a woman of his mother's age to give birth, but fate had surprises in store for everyone.

Landing in the courtyard now that it was empty, Robert took the bag with Bloodraven's head. It was covered in some sort of clear resin and still looked as ugly as the day he decapitated the bastard Targaryen.

"Grandson." His grandmother, who was taking some fresh air in the courtyard, greeted him upon arrival.

"Grandmother, are you all healed up yet?" She seemed well enough, but you could never be sure with the current state of medicine in this world.

"I am. Have you found him?"

Robert pulled out the head, holding it up by the chains.

Rhaelle spat on it, "May you rot in hell," before cursing Brynden Rivers.

"Since that's out of the way, take me to my sister. I want to see her before returning to the fleet." Robert requested while handing the head over to a guard so it could be hanged.

"Are you already sailing? What of the Stormlords? They all offered their support." Not all of them did so out of loyalty, but there were enough.

"I don't have the luxury to wait; who knows what that cunt Euron would do with more time in his hands?" The dragonbinder was one thing, but that bastard wouldn't stop there, especially with his plan foiled.

"Do as you wish; I have faith in you. Come, I am sure your mother will be delighted to see you."

—​

"Doctor, you have done well. Anything you need or want, name it." Robert grasped Korryn's arm, knowing that without him, his sister would not have survived.

"Perhaps later, my lord? I am too tired to think of anything." The doctor looked ready to fall over and sleep in the hallway.

"Whenever you want. Thank you." Sending the spent-up doctor to rest, Robert went into the room to finally see his mother and sister.

His mother was sitting on the chair, drinking a steaming mug of tea, and he crouched to her sight.

"Mother, how are you?" Robert held her hand, searching for any signs of illness.

Cassana grasped her eldest son's face before her hand reached and pulled his ear. "Forget about me; I am not the one who fought a White Walker with his bare hands."

"I broke her like a twig; nothing to worry about." Robert excused himself, which did not reassure his mother.

Shaking her head, Cassana rolled the crib, where her daughter was looking at her with sleepy eyes.

"Hello there. I am your greatest brother, Robert." He removed his gauntlet and held out a finger for Tali, and a feeling of protectiveness welled up inside Robert in an instant.

"Great, now I'll have to chase boys away constantly." As soon as Moonveil laid eggs, he would give Tali a dragon for protection.

"Do not fret; no one will be brave or foolish enough to approach the sole sister of Robert Baratheon."

"Hopefully."

Gently pulling his finger away, Robert scrunched up his face. "I have to go now; Euron has a meeting with the Stranger, and I need to be with the fleet."

"Go well, my son; we'll be here." Cassana bid her farewells, knowing that her son would be victorious.

—​

His father and Stannis were insistent that Robert wait for the Stormlords, but citing the lack of ships, the Father of Dragons left while his family watched.

—​

King's Landing

Red Keep

Unrest prevailed in the largest city of the Seven Kingdoms. The existence of the Night King and the White Walkers eventually reached the city, and while many treated it as rumors at first, it changed when more than one merchant returned from Asgard.

Robert Baratheon had revealed the White Walker to his people, and while there was chaos at first, it had quickly settled down.

If their lord could beat the White Walker with his fists, they had nothing to worry about.

Most of the realm did not enjoy that protection, because Robert was an enemy of the Crown, the North, the Riverlands, the Reach, and the Westerlands.

That there was an army of the dead gathered beyond the Wall, ready to assail the realm, was a sobering thought, one that forced the king and four of the seven great lords to think.

Robert and his dragons were essential for the coming of the Long Night, yet if he decided to be petty and refuse to help until the army of the dead was at his door, then they all faced a grim future.

—​

Asgard

Contrary to King's Landing, life in Asgard had quickly returned to normal, for what passed as normal in the city anyway.

Worries over the Ironborn and the White Walkers had died out because of one simple reason.

Robert Baratheon, their lord, was the greater danger compared to these creatures.

Their greatest hurdle right now was the giants, who were proving to be valuable workers in building. Able to lift weights that three men barely could and work for much longer as long as they were fed, the trepidation of having creatures of legend twice the size of a man had given way to wonder.

How fast could they build now?

Sure, a giant did the work of three men and was paid as such, so they did not save coin, but something more valuable.

Time.

Building the same house for the same coin, but say, in half the time, meant they could earn twice the amount in the same time.

It was a grand idea, but something that would take time due to the issues plaguing the idea. The giants did not know the common tongue, Wun Weg Wun being an exception, and they needed a middleman that could speak both tongues.

Which is where the Children of the Forest came in.

They spoke both tongues and did not need coin, merely following Lord Robert's orders, though their look disturbed the workers.

The giants could be thought of as stockier and larger humans; it wasn't that easy with the Children of the Forest.

Alas, they had their orders, and none thought it was an issue worth inviting Lord Robert's ire.

—​

The Iron Islands

Chaos was reigning in the home of the Ironborn. Their fleet had been reduced to less than a third of its strength, thousands of their warriors were dead, and Euron Greyjoy, the one who had convinced the reavers to raid Asgard, was nowhere to be seen.

Most of the lords thought of surrender, but for fear of appearing as cowards, none would voice it.

Which left them no choice but to resist.

Of course, only until Pyke fell to dragon fire. After that, no one would dare speak against surrendering.

Unaware that their bannermen weren't quite as willing to fight to the bitter end, House Greyjoy was making plans of its own, mainly, running away.

Dragonfire had forged seven petty kingdoms into one, and there was no reason for Robert Baratheon to show mercy when it was well known that the Ironborn did not show any.

Balon, as the head of his house and the ruler of the Iron Islands, saw escape as the only way to survive. Plans were made to load their fortunes, men, and supplies onto what ships they had left and sail far away to Essos, to a place where Robert Baratheon would not chase them.

Discretion was the key; otherwise, their bannermen would tear them apart before the Father of Dragons had the chance.

Unknown to all, Euron had one last trick up his sleeve.

—​

In the next chapter:

Guilds existed everywhere, but Asgard, under Robert Baratheon's orders, turned them into something more. Each guild had a head that reported to the Master of Guilds in Valhalla, speaking of their woes and successes.

Rules on the quality and the price of their produce were detailed very carefully, and if any member of a guild sold a faulty item, whether it be a loaf of bread or a sword, the Master of Guilds, or someone of his designation, would step in to judge the situation.

If the artisan was found guilty, there would be hefty fines, both on the person and the guild as a whole for not keeping to the determined expectation.

The apprentice system was overhauled as well, and if the guilds took orphans with talents as apprentices, rather than just their sons and daughters, they were rewarded for it.



Curious about the next chapter? Please consider supporting me in Patreon.

 

[Samael61]

Hello there,

If you enjoy my stories you can read advanced chapters in my patreon page

Her Eternal Excellency, a Genshin Impact and ASOIAF crossover, Raiden Ei Reborn as Argella Durrandon, is 15 chapters ahead

DCU:Blacklist, a Raymond Reddington inspired OC SI using his knowledge for his own advantage, as well as the rest of the world, is 15 chapters ahead,

Geek's Guide to Thriving in a Low End Fantasy World, a Robert Baratheon OC SI in an AU, is 15 chapters ahead,

Commander Shepard, The Greatest to Ever Live, a Mass Effect story where Shepard is greater than ever, is 15 chapters ahead,

Loki: The God of Magic , an OC-SI into Loki who is not aware of the MCU, is 4 chapters ahead.

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—
​

Stepstones

Robert groaned.

He hated how long this journey was taking. They barely made it to the Stepstones, and he was at his wit's end.

A canal was definitely necessary, especially for trade, since the Ironborn wouldn't be around for much longer.

Even the usually pirate-infested islands were clear, and he didn't have a place to vent his boredom.

Still, Robert at least had his flight suit.

Unhooking himself from the saddle, Robert rolled his shoulders before he ran up Obelisk's head and jumped. Feeling the wind in his face, he quickly pulled the straps, gliding next to his dragons. They had slowed down to match his speed and were on both sides of Robert, still not used to the idea their father could fly.

It felt refreshing.

Having nothing else to do, he flew over the ships, waving at his men.

—
​

"Ser Davos, ship ahead. It's Dornish; they are hailing us."

"Slow us down; let's hear what they want."

"Ahoy there. I am Captain Orren, in service to Prince Doran Martell, Lord of Sunspear and Prince of Dorne."

"Hail, Captain Orren. I am Ser Davos, Captain of Lord Robert's fleets."

"Prince Doran thought Lord Robert might cross these waters and invited him to Sunspear should he be seen."

—
​

Wondering what the Dornish ship wanted, Robert dived at the Pioneer, safely landing on the deck to the men's sounds of awe.

"Davos, what is it?"

"Prince Doran invites you to Sunspear, my lord."

"Doran, eh? Guess there is no harm in seeing him."

—
​

Next Day

Sunspear

As they crossed into the Dornish waters, Robert sent Slifer with the fleet, taking Obelisk to Sunspear for a brief visit.

He first toured over the keep, giving them time to prepare, before hovering over the shaded courtyard beneath the Tower of the Sun. Obelisk could not land without breaking something, so Robert jumped, landing on the wall before making his way down.

"Lord Robert, I see that my ship sent word to you." Doran Martell was still bound to a wheelchair, but he looked healthier compared to his show counterpart.

The benefits of having a sister with medical knowledge that is centuries ahead of what is available in Westeros.

"We were passing through the Stepstones when your captain hailed my small fleet." He replied, taking the offered bread and salt.

"Welcome to Sunspear; please, take a seat while refreshments are brought."

"Much obliged, Prince Doran."

"If it isn't the Father of Dragons." The voice of a certain desert snake came from the doorway as Oberyn walked into the courtyard with his paramour, Ellaria, though she stayed back.

"The Red Viper himself. Here I thought you would be too busy sleeping with someone you should not have to be here." Robert winked. That was why Oberyn had been sent to Essos in the first place.

Oberyn laughed, not insulted at all.

"I can't stay for long, so I'll get to the point. Why did you want to meet?" Because he didn't think Doran was the type of person to intercept Robert's fleet on the Stepstones, only to invite him to a tea party.

Or wine in this case.

"In part, to get a measure of you myself, and Dorne as a whole enjoys trade, while Asgard brings new opportunities." Ah, so it was a courtesy call mixed with business.

"Ah, on that we can agree."

—
​

Time was too short to reach a proper agreement, but both Doran and Robert agreed that further talks would be necessary and profitable. Enjoying some Dornish wine in the meanwhile, Robert left as the blazing sun began to set, once more flying over his fleet.

—
​

Asgard

"Lord Stannis, thank you for coming." The dwarf greeted him at the docks, looking relieved.

"Lord Tyrion. You said Asgard needed more hands?" Stannis wasn't sure about having a Lannister, a house that his brother had more enemies than friends in, under his employ, but wouldn't question his brother's choices.

"Indeed, my lord. With Lord Robert off to war and Ser Davos with him, more learned hands are necessary to manage the work he has left."

"Very well, I shall do my utmost."

—
​

The first time Stannis sighted a giant, he hesitated. Mag the Mighty, as this particular giant was called, leaned close to Stannis, looking at him strangely before turning to the Children of the Forest next to him, saying something in his guttural tongue.

"I am Leaf. Mag the Mighty wishes to know your relation to Lord Robert." The small effeminate creature said, acting as an interpreter for the giant.

"I am his younger brother, Stannis." Mag laughed once the words were relayed to him, pleased to see a family of Robert.

"He asks if you are a warrior as great as him."

Stannis shook his head, and the giant must have picked it up, because he suddenly did not look so interested. "I am afraid not; Robert is one of a kind."

"Good day to you, Stannis Baratheon." Leaf bid him farewell and left with Mag the Mighty.

Stannis sniffed, feeling insulted, but at the same time, not.

There were stories of men who had defeated giants in combat, and Stannis did not care if he was not held in the same esteem as Robert by Mag the Mighty or anyone else.

—
​

His wife, who had insisted on coming with him to visit Asgard again, was helping in managing Valhalla itself, ensuring that her good-brother's pantries were well stocked.

She had also thought it would be a good idea to meet with the project manager—Stannis did not know what that exactly meant—a Braavosi woman named Thyrene, to add gardens to Valhalla.

He did not see any reason to deny it. She was from the Reach and knew gardens better than anyone else in Storm's End.

As he was busy signing papers in Robert's name, Stannis realized something. Asgard was growing too fast but did not reap enough crops to make up for it.

His brother had to find more farmland to feed his people, or he would have to buy it, and even Asgard's coffers weren't endless.

—
​

"A garden, my lady?" There wasn't one in Casterly Rock, owing to the fact that it was a keep built into a mountain, but Tyrion thought it might actually liven up the keep.

"Indeed. Valhalla is a grand keep, but it could certainly use a woman's touch."

Tyrion could not disagree with that. Lord Robert did not have a wife, nor any other female relative present in the castle to take responsibility for tasks usually left to the lady of the keep. "I shall allocate the necessary coin to you if you can make a list of what you need. I am sure Lady Thyrene can assist you with everything else."

"I have already spoken to her. She agreed as long as the coin was supplied." Busy as she was, Lady Thyrene was willing to spend time to assist her, if only to have an outdoor place to rest.

"Then we leave the matter of the garden in your care."

—
​

"May we try some?" Leaf, having finished her daily task of acting as the middleman between the giants and the men, was returning to her new home to rest among the weirwood saplings when an earthly smell caught her attention.

She had found human females crushing brown beans to a paste, mixing it with other substances.

"Uhhh, here." She hesitantly handed her a piece. Leaf looked at it, smelling the sweet brown, before taking a tentative lick.

Her eyes widened, and Leaf threw the piece in her mouth, chewing as pleasure flooded her whole body. It was nothing like anything she had eaten before, and Leaf felt more alive than she had ever been.

"What is this?" She asked, her tongue scraping for the pieces stuck in her mouth.

"Chocolate. It's made with cocoa beans brought from the Summer Isles."

She did not know of the Summer Isles, but it must be a great place if they had these cocoa beans. "It is delicious. How do we get more?"

"Ask the lord. It's his business." Tysha did not know what in the name of the Seven was happening and decided to leave it to her husband, Lord Robert's regent.

—
​

"You want chocolate?" Tyrion looked at the overeager child of the forest.

Her eyes shone at the thought of having more of the brown goodness. "Yes, I can feel it invigorating me. It is nothing like we have ever consumed before."

"It might be the sugar." Lord Robert had warned that overconsumption of chocolate was not good for the human body, though Tyrion didn't know if the same applied to a different race.

"It's not the sweetness, but the earthy flavor of it." She had eaten sweet things before, as had all her sisters, yet none had given them life such as the chocolate.

If all they wanted was chocolate, Lord Robert would not deny it. "The supply is limited, but I'll have some set aside for you."

"We are grateful."

"Since you are here, there is another matter I wished to ask. How does teaching the common tongue to the giants go?" There were a dozen children of the forest and over five hundred giants. They simply could not be everywhere at once, and work that required able, strong bodies had quickly hired the giants.

"Slow. They don't wish to speak the tongue of the men." They had been chased beyond the Wall thousands of years ago by men, and the giants did not forget it.

Neither did the Children of the Forest.

Tyrion's hand combed through his hair, feeling the weight of his station. "Do remind them it is Chief Robert's orders."

"I do not believe mere words will sway them. He must intervene in person."

"We'll have to wait until he returns then."

—
​

"How is our prisoner?" It might have been dragons that Tyrion had desired to see so long ago, but having a White Walker as a prisoner made something evident.

Accepting Lord Robert's offer had been the best decision of his life.

"Shackled, and not going anywhere, my lord. Studies have revealed so much already." Marwyn said, putting down two pages on the desk.

Tyrion put them in the drawer to read later. "I am sure Lord Robert will be very interested in them. Anything of importance?"

"Besides fire, they are also weak to sound too low for human ears. It causes great pain to them." He had been trying to find out why steel quaked when it met the touch of a White Walker.

Using the previous studies on dogs, where it was believed there were noises that human ears could not hear, but hounds could, Marwyn had done the same to the White Walker.

The silent noise had cracked the Other's skin as if it was glass, causing it great pain, not just in flesh, but in her ears too.

"Splendid news."

"I came here for another request, my lord."

"If it's in my power." Marwyn wouldn't be foolish enough to insist on taking parts from the demon, at least Tyrion hoped so.

"Glass candles. I have, after great toil, managed to light a glass candle once, but the Citadel forbade any further work. If you can give me a glass candle, I may be able to use one and talk to Lord Robert from here." Of course, Marwyn wanted it for the sake of succeeding in something not done for centuries, but the idea of talking to Lord Robert would be what convinced Lord Tyrion.

"Won't that take time from your work on the White Walker?"

"We can't push her too much, lest the one specimen we have die." It was frustrating, making sure not to overtax the White Walker.

"Very well, seeing as how valuable this could be, I'll give you exactly one candle, but you will keep me abreast of how it goes." Tyrion was sure the mage's request wasn't out of a genuine desire to talk to Lord Robert, but if he could actually succeed, then Asgard would have something that put them way ahead of any kingdom.

"That goes without saying, my lord. Thank you."

—
​

There was one growing business in Asgard that no outsider, or many of the city's citizens, would expect.

Silk.

With Robert's lead, several weavers had been brought into the workshop, sworn into secrecy, and paid handsomely—a place heavily guarded at all times—to make use of the mulberry silkmoth cocoons to produce silk.

A lot of trial and error later, they had produced a single piece of fabric from the remaining cocoons, one that was fit to use as a handkerchief.

It was sent to Lord Robert's room.

The fabric was rough and dull compared to the silk bought from Essos, but now that they knew how to make silk, the weavers could perfect it.

After the silkmoths left behind new cocoons, of course. Not to stay idle, they planted new mulberry trees to increase the yield.

—
​

Guilds existed everywhere, but Asgard, under Robert Baratheon's orders, turned them into something more. Each guild had a head that reported to the Master of Guilds in Valhalla, speaking of their woes and successes.

Rules on the quality and the price of their produce were detailed very carefully, and if any member of a guild sold a faulty item, whether it be a loaf of bread or a sword, the Master of Guilds, or someone of his designation, would step in to judge the situation.

If the artisan was found guilty, there would be hefty fines, both on the person and the guild as a whole for not keeping to the determined expectation.

The apprentice system was overhauled as well, and if the guilds took orphans with talents as apprentices, rather than just their sons and daughters, they were rewarded for it.

In that same vein, the station of the Master of Workers had been created to find people work, especially widows, orphans, and other destitute smallfolk that arrived in Asgard.

Guesthouses were built to give them a place to sleep until they could rise to their feet.

When questioned why Robert would spend so much coin on smallfolk of no value, his response was that each person deserved the right to live with their heads held high, not looking to anyone for their basic needs.

Most believed it to be the fancies of a noble but changed their mind as the idea actually gave fruit. Not used to the lifeline offered to them—not merely food and clothing given by their lord to survive, but the chance to live their lives—these destitute people did not let this opportunity pass.

That is why Asgard did not have beggars, except for the odd one or two who preferred it to working, and whorehouses actually had trouble finding girls to work since orphans and such chose to be apprentices rather than sell their bodies.

The city was proving to be a true home, rather than just a place to live.

—
​

In the next chapter:


After three weeks, the Iron Islands were finally in sight. With their fleet and manpower reduced to a shadow of their full strength, the reavers had already lost this war, and any resistance would be pure mummery so they could claim to have fought to the end.

That was the plan, at least.

"I have never seen a storm like that before." His voyages had taken Davos through several storms, but this one was definitely out of the norm. Gathered over Pyke, there was a single, swirling dark cloud, climbing to the stars as if it was a gate leading to a realm outside human reach.


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[Samael61]

Hello there,

If you enjoy my stories you can read advanced chapters in my patreon page

Her Eternal Excellency, a Genshin Impact and ASOIAF crossover, Raiden Ei Reborn as Argella Durrandon, is 15 chapters ahead

DCU:Blacklist, a Raymond Reddington inspired OC SI using his knowledge for his own advantage, as well as the rest of the world, is 15 chapters ahead,

Geek's Guide to Thriving in a Low End Fantasy World, a Robert Baratheon OC SI in an AU, is 15 chapters ahead,

Commander Shepard, The Greatest to Ever Live, a Mass Effect story where Shepard is greater than ever, is 15 chapters ahead,

Loki: The God of Magic , an OC-SI into Loki who is not aware of the MCU, is 5 chapters ahead.

By supporting me, you can read advanced and special chapters, as well as vote on how you want the fanfiction to proceed.


Note: Apple store payments will be refunded, because of the company's 75 day hold policy.

—
​

Iron Islands

After three weeks, the Iron Islands were finally in sight. With their fleet and manpower reduced to a shadow of their full strength, the reavers had already lost this war, and any resistance would be pure mummery so they could claim to have fought to the end.

That was the plan, at least.

"I have never seen a storm like that before." His voyages had taken Davos through several storms, but this one was definitely out of the norm. Gathered over Pyke, there was a single, swirling dark cloud, climbing to the stars as if it was a gate leading to a realm outside human reach.

The closer they were to the islands, the fiercer the winds became, and the air itself was growing more and more unsettling.

"My lord, what are your orders?" Davos knew something was wrong and took refuge in the fact that their lord was with them.

"Keep the fleet back; I'll go first. I don't know what the fuck the Ironborn are doing, but it won't stop me." Robert shouted to be heard, pushing his dragons further, lying flat to protect himself from the winds.

This was Euron's doing; he knew it in his heart but not his purpose.

Due to his advantage of flying, Robert saw the Ironborn fleet, barely a hundred ships in total perhaps, sailing out to die.

Or they had a plan.

—
​

The storm became fiercer, lightning striking the sea and the islands, and it was only his instincts that saved Obelisk from getting swatted like a fly by the tentacle that just came out of the water.

Shit.

"Turn back, turn back now!" He screamed to the fleet, who were already trying to do so before Robert ordered it, but that was when things got worse.

Whatever Euron had summoned, it was gigantic, far greater in size than any dragon recorded, and it was creating a maelstrom between two enemy fleets.

An abyss of teeth and tentacles quickly pulled down the surface of the water, and ships, both Asgardian and Ironborn, were being drawn in it, the sails and oars barely slowing them down.

"Ignis." Robert screamed, wondering if it would even do anything to the creature, and his dragons unleashed a twin inferno on the maelstrom.

—
​

Aboard the Pioneer

"Get this ship out of here, you bastards, or we are all going to die." Sandor swore at the sailors, who were barely able to do their jobs as the ship was drawn into the mouth of a watery hell.

Curse the Ironborn for whatever abomination they had summoned. The rear half of the fleet had managed to turn back, but at least forty ships were caught, and not all of them were as resilient as the Pioneer.

The Ironborn fleet did not fare any better, as the creature did not seem to distinguish friend from foe.

Their only hope of survival, Lord Robert's dragons, lit up the darkening skies with dragonfire, but Davos didn't know if they could do anything to this monster while it was in water.

"Maelstrom is slowing down." A sailor screamed out.

"Then we can…" Davos moved his lips to order the sailor but bit his tongue when a giant, slimy tentacle surged out of the water, slamming down on two ships at once that disappeared beneath its immense size, and splashing water to Pioneer, which almost threw Davos off the ship.

"Seven save us." All over the maelstrom, more tentacles came out, smashing both Ironborn and Asgardian ships to splinters, and one headed straight for the Pioneer.

Davos thought this was the end of him, but he was never more grateful for heat prickling his skin than he was now, as both dragons had turned their flames, far stronger than what any other dragon in history could boast to have, to the tentacles, burning through them as the smell of burnt fish wafted through the air.

It must have hurt the creature, because the maelstrom died out like a flickering candlelight, slowly, then gone at once.

Davos quickly ordered the remaining ships to turn back with all haste, but their ordeal was not over yet.

The sea rose as if the invisible hand of the gods was lifting it. When the water fell away, what remained was a creature of nightmares. A rectangular maw large enough to swallow twenty dragons the size of Obelisk at once, it had two massive horns growing out, with two red glowing eyes under each horn.

It roared, tentacles lashing out wildly, breaking the air and unintentionally pushing the Asgardian ships away, though the crews felt their ears pop.

Rather than chase either fleet, it had a different target in mind, one that had just caused it great agony.

This was Lord Robert's fight now, because gods forgive him, Davos knew there was nothing anyone could do to help.

—
​

Obelisk and Slifer beat their wings with all the might their bodies had, swerving wildly to dodge the tentacles that tried to kill them.

One hit, and Robert knew they were dead.

Fortunately, it was obviously difficult for the kraken—at least he assumed it was a kraken—to move its tentacles outside the water.

It gave them just enough time to be out of the range, and the dragons illuminated the sky once again, burning the tentacles.

Seeing that it could not reach them, the kraken dived again, and Robert could see the massive shape swim to the Ironborn fleet, to the island of Pyke.

Apparently, Euron did not have any control over the creature, because it started attacking the Ironborn ships.

It would have been so easy to let this thing destroy the fucking squids for him—and poetic too—but the kraken's next meal would be Asgard's fleet, and after that, it would terrorize the seas, provided it did not go back to whatever hellhole it crawled out of in the first place.

Not something to be left to chance.

While it was snacking on the Ironborn fleet, Robert ordered his dragons to let loose, targeting the tentacles since the head was beneath the water.

Turns out, the kraken was smarter than Robert gave it credit for, because it rose out of the water and began to wrap its tentacles around the ships, throwing them at the dragons as massive projectiles, sending wood and Ironborn flying through the air.

One of them even came close enough for Robert to hear his pleas for help.

Dodging the ships would have been easier if they did not throw several at once, but even through the whipping wind, the damn rain, and the deafening thunder, his dragons were the masters of the skies.

Angry at its lack of success, the kraken must have finally made the connection between Robert and his fleet, because it dove once again, this time heading in the opposite direction.

"Son of a bitch."

Robert had no choice but to lower the altitude of his dragons to keep the kraken interested in him and not in the defenseless fleet.

The flames drew its attention, and the dragons were once again dodging tentacles.

It became a deadly game, where if the dragons were flying low enough for the kraken to attack, it would rise out of the water but dive down again if it couldn't catch the dragons.

It would either take down the dragons, who in all honesty looked like ants compared to it, or the remains of his fleet.

Robert grinned.

This was going to be fun.

—
​

Aboard the Pioneer

Davos was watching the battle between the dragons and the Ironborn monster. It did not seem to be in their favor.

And now the creature of the depths was growing bigger each time it left the protection of the sea to attack the dragons.

The damn thing was coming at the fleet, and they could not move any faster.

"By the seven." Davos muttered, terrified as he fell on his knees.

Sandor pulled the captain of the fleet to his feet, demanding answers. "What? What the fuck happened?"

"He jumped."

Letting Davos go, Sandor had one word in his mind.

"Shit."

—
​

Seeing their father jump, the dragons at first tried to stop him, but once ordered not to, they decided to make the creature pay.

From their chests, lines the color of fresh blood began to spread, covering their entire body like a twisted spider web, and two blue lances, lightning made light, struck the sea.

The sound was so loud and great, it felt as if the sky was being torn apart, and the air was pushed away due to the power of it. A rolling plume of steam rose to the air near instantaneously, and columns of water shot up to the sky.

Seconds after the dragons struck the sea, everything as far as their eyes could see was covered in mist.

—
​

Through the mist, they could see shadows and hear groans of the creature. Long, thin shadows sought something in the sky, only to meet more fire.

The fleet sailed away, trying to make it out of the scalding mist, all the while praying that their lord would succeed.

Davos and Sandor kept it secret that Lord Robert had jumped into the beast's maw. The wait was almost as bad as the prospect of the creature catching up.

—
​

Asgard

"Grandmother, you should not have come." Stannis helped Rhaelle get down from Ormund, and her response was to pinch his cheek.

"I am not about to ask you for permission, my boy."

Stannis huffed. "I did not mean that. You are still healing."

"The doctor said that taking walks helps me heal faster." Rhaelle held out her arm for her grandson to escort her inside, and the young man did so, giving up any pretense of complaining.

"Do as you wish."

"Now that you are done, take me to see the giants." She demanded, much to her grandson's annoyance.

"You came all the way here for that?"

"Aye, and to see how the city is doing after the Ironborn. The stormlords are complaining to your father about Robert's refusal to wait." That was one of the reasons why she had left Storm's End in her condition.

"So? My brother will do as he wishes; there is nothing they can do." Robert's unamenable deeds were not something he approved of, but Stannis did not make noise about it either.

If it worked, there's no need to complain.

"Except bother Steffon." Rhaelle grumbled to herself, and soon enough Stannis took her to where the leader of the giants was situated.

"This is Mag the Mighty, the strongest and most respected among the giants. He acts as their speaker." Stannis took it on himself to introduce the giant, who leaned down to look at the strange woman.

Stannis would have been unnerved to have the giant so close to his face, but his grandmother did not seem to mind. "She is Rhaelle Baratheon, mine and Robert's grandmother."

"Another dragon rider? I am Leaf; I speak for the children." The Child of the Forest was respectful, both due to the familial ties and the new dragon outside.

"Fascinating that I would see the day our kind would walk among each other." Rhaelle was truly living in an age where the world was changing too fast.

"Your grandchild is convincing."

"That he is."

The giant spoke, and Rhaelle noticed how foreign it sounded, while Leaf interpreted the words. "Mag the Mighty says you are strong in spirit."

"Hah. Oh, Rhaegar must be losing his mind over this." She chuckled. That prophecy-obsessed fool of a king must have been shaken deeply by all that his grandson had done beyond the Wall.

"What of the White Walker?" It wouldn't do, not seeing that creature after coming all the way here.

"She is kept in a cage, deep beneath Valhalla. Please don't tell me you wish to see her." Stannis pleaded, knowing she would definitely do that.

Rhaelle just patted her grandson on the arm, trying not to smile.

—
​

After walking down and down, they finally arrived in the area allocated to Marwyn for his studies on the White Walker.

"Lord Stannis, you honor me with your presence." Marwyn greeted them, putting down his book and quill.

"Away with the pleasantries, mage; my grandmother wishes to see the White Walker." Stannis did not like how Robert had let the man go unpunished after his brazen crime and made it known to the Archmaester.

"Of course, of course, this way." Marwyn didn't let the hostility bother him.

He had more important things to do.

Rhaelle shuddered, feeling cold even though they were deep underground. "Her mere presence severely cools the air and smothers flames, so we need to keep the heart well kindled all the time." Marwyn gestured to the men constantly feeding the flames.

There were several fur coats in the entrance, and Stannis took one for himself, handing another to Rhaelle.

"What happened to her leg?" The creature, bound to the cage as it was, had one leg missing.

"Robert's work smashed it to a pulp, and it had to be cut." Most people would find less fatal ways of entertainment, but not his brother.

"Dragonrider." Her voice was like the cold that cut through the skin, and her hatred was palpable.

"I can smell it. You carry his accursed blood."

Rhaelle smiled. This creature of myth and legend, said to bend the ice to her will and raise the dead, prophesied to bring an end to all life, was rendered powerless like a newborn. "Accursed? Because he broke you like a twig?"

That silenced the White Walker, and she closed her eyes.

"We try to discover what other weaknesses the Others have. The results have been promising so far." This was the kind of scholarly work Marwyn had been searching for all his life, and he had found it far from the Citadel.

"I shall leave you to your work then; the cold is making my knees ache." Rhaelle had seen enough.

—
​

"Lady Rhaelle." Delena curtsied to the elder of House Baratheon, who waved her away.

"Either call me Grandmother or just Rhaelle. We are family now, and I won't have it when we are alone." There was only Stannis, his wife, and her in the room right now, and she preferred to keep all the courtly manners when not alone.

Delena agreed, knowing better than to argue against her. "As you wish, grandmother."

"I did not want to ask with Marwyn present, but is he truly a sorcerer?"

Having a sorcerer would not be the weirdest thing in Asgard.

"Robert says he lit up a Valyrian glass candle, but the maesters did not let him do more. If he can actually do it, we might be able to see how the fleet is doing." All the Seven's teachings about sorcery forgot to mention how convenient it would be to speak and see things over such long distances.

Stannis would once again not make a noise about it.

"He certainly collects the most interesting of people." Rhaelle chuckled.

The dwarf of Casterly Rock, a smuggler turned knight, brother of the man he killed in a trial by combat, a man called the Mage, the giants, and the Children of the Forest.

What else was next? She could not wait to see.

—
​

In the next chapter:

The sky over Pyke was dreary; barely any sunlight pierced through the thick, smoky clouds, and the soldiers of Asgard were tired.

"You think it's dead?" Ser Davos asked, poking the kraken with the tip of his sword.

Sandor grunted. "I fucking hope so."



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