The Warg King

[LazyWizard]

AI has been used in this, and while I did try to edit it as much as I could, there are just too many chapters and words for me to do it cleanly, so forgive me if it doesn't feel too smooth to read and if there are points in between when the infamous Hallucinations happen.

Chapter 1: Rebirth at the Tower of Joy

The story begins with the death of the protagonist, John, a man from 21st-century Earth who succumbs to COVID-19 in a hospital, regretting not having read the final book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. He is immediately reborn into the body of the newborn son of Lyanna Stark at the Tower of Joy in 283 AC. Lyanna dies shortly after giving birth amid the sounds of battle, entrusting her son to the Dornish midwife, Wylla. The child is taken by Eddard Stark (Ned) and Howland Reed. Ned resolves to claim the baby as his own bastard, Jon Snow, to protect him. Jon realises he has been reincarnated into the world of Westeros. Ned separates from the party to go to King's Landing, while Jon, Wylla, and Howland begin the journey north by ship from a port near Starfall.

Chapter 2: Journey to Winterfell and Mental Training

The party stops briefly near Starfall, where Ned's grim mood hints at the tragic death of Ashara Dayne. They continue to Seagard by ship, then travel across the Neck with an escort of Howland Reed's Crannogmen. At Moat Cailin, they meet Benjen Stark, who takes Jon for the final leg to Winterfell. Once in Winterfell, the Dornish wet nurse, Wylla, is replaced by a local one. Jon, suffering from "internet withdrawal," begins practising mental exercises to alleviate his boredom and increase his mind's potential, focusing on complicated mental math and "Image Training" to stabilise mental images. Benjen visits, sharing heartfelt memories of Lyanna, and reveals his decision to join the Night's Watch. The chapter ends as Ned, his wife Catelyn, and their son Robb arrive at Winterfell.

Chapter 3: The Bastard and the Septa

Jon is brought out to greet the arrivals but avoids meeting Catelyn by deliberately soiling himself, forcing the wet nurse to take him away (a self-proclaimed "SHIT MISSILE"). Catelyn is shocked to learn of his existence, asking Ned, "Who's Jon?" Later, after a time jump (the boys are now older), Jon and Robb sneak out to the Godswood. Septa Mordane attempts to turn Robb against Jon by claiming bastards are "creatures born out of sin and lust". Robb defends Jon by arguing that King Robert Baratheon is descended from a Targaryen bastard, effectively silencing the Septa.+4

Chapter 4: Frost the Snow Eagle

The family is preparing for the birth of a new child (Sansa). Ned takes Jon and Robb on a hunt, a Stark tradition he missed with his first two children. During the hunt, Jon discovers a baby snow eagle that has fallen from its nest. Feeling an instant connection, Jon convinces Ned to let him keep the bird, promising to care for it himself, and names it Frost.

Chapter 5: The Warg's Path

Jon begins learning the Old Tongue with Old Nan and spends time researching in the Winterfell library. He finds a section of books written in the Old Tongue that detail the lost magic of the First Men, including warging. The texts outline three key training steps for warging: daily mind-emptying exercises, nightly meditation/review for memory and emotional control, and the essential step of forming a strong bond with the animal from a young age. Jon begins rigorously following this regimen, determined to warn his new companion, Frost.

Chapter 6: Hunting Lessons and Old Mark

Now older (around six), Jon realises he needs practical skills for his new life. He seeks out an old, skilled local hunter, Old Mark, and persuades him to teach him hunting and survival. In exchange, Jon teaches Old Mark's six-year-old granddaughter, Emilia (Emy), how to read and write. The chapter focuses on Jon's demanding hunting lessons with Old Mark, where he is forced to learn practical skills.

Chapter 7: The Mind Sense Channel

Jon continues his mental exercises, now calling his mental space his 'consciousness' or 'mind sphere'. His diligent practice results in his mind sphere growing large enough to make contact with a "pin-sized needle" outside of it. This contact opens a mental communication channel, allowing him to issue basic commands to Frost with his mind and sense her location. Benjen Stark returns to Winterfell for a visit, finding Jon in the Godswood with his younger siblings.

Chapter 8: The Struggle of Dual-Wielding

Jon and Robb are training with wooden swords in the castle yard under the supervision of Ser Rodrik Cassel. Jon is attempting to master dual-wielding, but he struggles because his right arm is subconsciously dominant. Ser Rodrik decides Jon must spar only with his non-dominant hand until he can achieve true ambidexterity. Ned encourages Jon by telling him the only other dual-wielder he met was a fearsome "monster" (implying Ser Arthur Dayne).

Chapter 9: First War and Archery

Jon begins experiencing warg-dreams, flying and hunting with Frost in the Wolfswood, leaving him sleep-deprived. He is also learning the Valyrian language from Maester Luwin. Jon is late for his hunting lesson, where Old Mark gives him his first proper bow and arrows and makes him practice until he is accurate. That night, Jon achieves his first full warg into Frost, soaring high above the ground and feeling the exhilarating freedom of flight. He consciously and quickly exits the warg before the animal's mind can overpower his own consciousness.

Chapter 10: The Stark Siblings and Mind Sense Mastery

The four oldest Stark children (Robb, Jon, Sansa, and Arya) conspire to interrupt Ned's meeting with the Steward, successfully using a distraction and Sansa's quick action to remind Ned of his promise to buy them horses from a breeder. Jon continues to practice his "Mind Sense" (using his mind's consciousness to perceive others) on the castle staff to refine the skill. He learns that all Starks have a large, sphere-shaped consciousness, suggesting a genetic predisposition for warging, while non-Starks have irregular shapes. Jon successfully completes his first major solo hunt, bagging a large stag, which he sells for 15 stags and shares a portion of the meat with his teacher, Old Mark

Chapter 11: The First Companion

The chapter opens with Jon training his two students, Emily and Becca, in Warging techniques. Emily is excelling at Mental Arithmetics but struggles with Image Training, while Becca has a very active imagination, causing her visualisations to constantly move. Their session is interrupted when Jon feels an intense surge of anger from his companion, Frost (an Ice Eagle). Jon wargs into Frost and helps her strategically defeat an older, more experienced snow eagle that had been stealing from her nest. After the fight, Jon spots the fallen eagle's baby chick in a nest. He has Frost retrieve it, and he gives the chick to Emily as her companion, which she happily accepts. Jon promises Becca they will find a companion for her soon.

Chapter 12: The StarkHorse and LittleTom

Jon travels to Wintertown to meet Bryan, a part-time blacksmith, about a secret project he is funding: the StarkHorse. Bryan unveils a successful prototype—a three-wheeled contraption with paddles (a bicycle/tricycle prototype). Jon plans to have Bryan make three sizes. On his way out, Jon meets a young, very tall novice blacksmith named LittleTom, who ran away from his family near the Last Hearth to find work but has been unsuccessful. Jon, recognising LittleTom's potential to become a warg, offers him an apprenticeship with the castle's blacksmith, Mikken, and a place to stay, which LittleTom eagerly accepts. The focus shifts to Eddard Stark (Ned), who is overseeing preparations for war due to increased Ironborn activity. Robb finds Ned and leads him to the courtyard, where Jon dramatically unveils the StarkHorse. Arya immediately starts riding the three-wheeled version, while LittleTom brings out two two-wheeled versions for Robb and Sansa.

Chapter 13: An Enemy's Surprise

Jon and Robb are practising archery by shooting dull arrows at Frost, who easily dodges them in the air, demonstrating her speed and manoeuvrability. The practice is interrupted by Emily and Sansa, who playfully "rescue" Frost. The conversation shifts to the Ironborn threat, and the chapter cuts to Ned and the Northern lords riding out. Later, news of a coastal village being destroyed by reavers reaches Jon. Jon, realising the urgency, goes to the Maester's solar where Ned and Robb are. To propose an effective solution, Jon is forced to reveal his secret to his father: he is a warg, and the warging stories are true. He suggests using Frost's superior scouting ability to eliminate the Ironborn's most potent weapon: the element of surprise.

Chapter 14: Scouting and Warning

Jon wargs into Frost and flies to the sea. Using Frost's enhanced vision (which can "zoom 100's of times"), Jon spots three Ironborn ships with the sigil of House Codd and estimates the number of pirates to be about 150. He returns to his body and, with Robb's help, convinces Maester Luwin that Frost communicated the exact location and number of ships by pecking a map and using berries. The Maester sends a raven with the alert to Ser Rodrik Cassel, who is in the area with 80 men. Ser Rodrik, despite his initial scepticism about Jon's eagle, trusts his gut and his Lord's son, and immediately prepares his highly mobile company to "crush some squids".

Chapter 15: The Ambush

The perspective shifts to the Ironborn reavers, who are chasing a small fishing boat and excitedly approaching the Northern coast and a nearby village. Unbeknownst to them, Ser Rodrik's men have set up a clever ambush. When the Ironborn land, they are met by hidden villagers who fire arrows. Their landing zone is revealed to be full of mud traps, snaring many of the pirates. The remaining Ironborn are then attacked by the Northern cavalry, which effectively breaks their formation and morale. The Ironborn are completely routed and flee back toward their ships in a chaotic stampede.

Chapter 16: Becca's Companion

Jon goes on a solo hunting trip to find Shadowcats for their valuable pelts. Frost helps him locate a cave with two of the cats, a male and an injured female. Jon observes a vicious fight break out between them. He realises the female is desperately protecting a small pup hidden inside the cave from the larger male. Jon intervenes by shooting and killing the male Shadowcat with an arrow, saving the pup and the injured female. He takes the pup back to Winterfell and gives it to Becca as her promised companion. Becca names her new companion 'Skitter' and is ecstatic, completing Jon's goal of giving all his younger family and students an animal companion.

Chapter 17: Business and Worry

This chapter shifts back to Wintertown, focusing on the common folk. Danny, Rogar's wife, expresses her dissatisfaction with her life and Rogar's wages. Her father-in-law, Sam (who is working for Jon), leaves for work early. Later, Rogar meets with Sam and a merchant, who are negotiating the purchase of the three Ironborn ships captured in the recent battle. Rogar voices concern for his friends who were crew members on those ships, now left jobless, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.

Chapter 18: StarkHorse Success

The story moves forward, demonstrating the success of the StarkHorse business. Jon and LittleTom are selling the contraptions to the people of Wintertown. LittleTom has become a charismatic salesman, successfully promoting the StarkHorse by emphasising its superiority over a real horse—it requires no feed, cannot get sick or break a leg, and, most importantly, "It doesn't Shit!". The sales are booming, and Jon's enterprise is proving to be immensely profitable.

Chapter 19: Matters of the Family

Jon returns to his family, who are all happily using their StarkHorses. He observes the three captured Ironborn ships docked in the port, confirming that Rogar successfully purchased them. Jon finds Ned training with Robb. Ned expresses his continued worry about the Ironborn, viewing the recent attack as merely a test of their defences. Ned also reveals a personal family matter: Jon's mother, Catelyn, is pregnant, though she is still recovering emotionally from a recent miscarriage.

Chapter 20: The Grand Proposal

Ned, still concerned about the Ironborn's ability to launch surprise attacks, calls Jon to his solar. Robb is also present. Jon reiterates his point that the element of surprise is the Ironborn's greatest weapon. He proposes a plan for permanent, long-distance scouting to eliminate this advantage, a strategy which he can execute using his Warging ability with Frost. Jon explains that removing the surprise factor will turn the Ironborn into "just another band of pirates". After a very long discussion, Ned finally accepts the truth of Jon's warging and his strategy. A few days later, Ned and Jon depart for the Bear Islands with a new plan to deal with the Ironborn.

Chapter 21

Lord Eddard Stark and Lord Galbart Glover's parties meet while travelling through the Wolfswood. Jon Snow wins a bet against Lord Glover by proving his superior hunting skill, receiving a valuable Weirwood longbow as his prize. The party then travels to Deepwood Motte for a night.

Upon arriving at Bear Island, Lady Maege Mormont informs Lord Stark that her son, Ser Jorah, has fled the island with his wife after incurring massive debts to the Iron Bank and selling poachers as slaves to Tyroshi merchants. To help House Mormont regain its honour, Lord Stark proposes building a large, defensible trading port on Bear Island.

To address the threat of Ironborn raiders, Jon Snow reveals his ability to Warg (skinchange). He explains that by Warging into his eagle, Frost, he can provide early warning for any approaching ships, solving the defence problem. Maege accepts the plan.

Later, Dacey Mormont, Maege's daughter, takes Jon on a boat trip and introduces him to her "dolphin friend" named Cory, which Jon immediately recognises as a baby Orca. Jon senses a preliminary bond and confirms that Dacey can also Warg into Cory. It is decided that Jon will remain on Bear Island as a ward for two years, and the work on the new port begins.

Chapter 22

A few years later, Jon leads a covert night raid on an Ironborn ship in the Sunset Sea. Using his Warging connection with his eagle, Frost, Jon is able to see the ship's deck and uses his Weirwood bow to silently kill the three lookouts. With the help of his new mouse companion, Gan, Jon and his Northern crew, including Dacey, board the ship and slaughter the remaining 25 sleeping Ironborn.

In the Captain's quarters, Jon reads a logbook confirming the crew had recently raided the Reach, losing two ships and many men in a counter-attack. Dacey reports that they found captives below deck. Jon is shocked to learn one of the captives is a young noble girl from the Reach—a Tyrell.

Chapter 23

Dacey leads Jon down to the dank prison deck where the Ironborn kept their thralls. They find a maid, Tara, and a young girl. Tara reveals the girl is Alla (Alys Tyrell), cousin to Lady Margaery Tyrell and a Lady-in-Waiting in training. Alla and Tara were captured while travelling to Lannisport to buy a product called a "Starkhorse". Jon expresses keen interest in the "Starkhorse".

Chapter 24

Jon and Dacey return to Mormont Castle to find Maege Mormont, her Master-at-arms, and Captain of the Guards arguing in the Lord's Solar. A letter has arrived reporting a sighting of about fifty Wildlings heading towards Bear Island. Dacey insists on joining the fight and leading the counter-attack.

Meanwhile, a Wildling named Val is part of the invading party. She worries about her leader, Greybeard, who is feuding with Mance Rayder, and who previously failed to claim her sister, Dalla.

Chapter 25

A fleet of Wildling rafts and boats approaches the Bear Island coast. Their leader, Greybeard, ignores warnings from Mance Rayder, believing the port is still a weak fishing village ripe for plunder.

The Wildlings land, and a small force of Bear Islanders and villagers springs a well-planned ambush, though the villagers' arrows eventually run out. As the Wildlings begin to take captives, Jon Snow leaps into the fray on horseback, shooting arrows with impossible skill. He kills roughly half the raiding party with his bow before switching to a spear. Val, realising her escape route is cut off, shoots an arrow at Jon, which he dodges with a slight tilt of his head.

Chapter 26

Following the Wildling attack, the smallfolk are gossiping about the beautiful, blonde woman (Val) Jon brought back, noting she speaks the Old Tongue. Jon has persuaded Val to remain on Bear Island with an oath that if she can defeat him or Dacey in a single combat, he will take her safely back over the Wall to her sister. Maege teases Jon about his interest in Val.

Chapter 27

Jon reflects on how Lord Stark revealed his true parentage to him some time ago, judging him mature enough to handle the secret. Jon receives a letter from Robb updating him on the factory at Winterfell, his own training, and his warging lessons with Emily. Sansa, Arya, and Emily have also sent letters.

Chapter 28

Jon is performing the difficult feat of Warging into three minds simultaneously: his own, his eagle Frost's, and an unfamiliar raven's. Through the raven, which is hidden in Highgarden, Jon eavesdrops on a conversation between Olenna Tyrell, Lady Alerie, and young Margaery Tyrell. Margaery is crying, feeling responsible for her cousin Alla's capture because she wanted a 'Starkhorse'. Olenna dismisses her guilt. A maester informs them that the 'Starkhorse' merchant (Jon) is expected to arrive in about three weeks.

Chapter 29

Jon is sailing south with his fleet for the Reach. Val, still angry, claims Jon 'stole' her. Tara, the rescued maid, is amazed at Jon's navigating skill, noting he avoids all storms and must have "eyes in heaven" (unaware of his Warging). Jon enlists Tara's help to meet the port master at the Mander, using her as a familiar face to ensure his fleet is not seen as hostile.

At the port, Jon is greeted by Willas Tyrell. Margaery arrives and is overjoyed to be reunited with her cousin Alla, as is Willas with the maid Tara. Jon successfully sells his Starkhorses to merchants after a competitive bidding process, and Willas compliments Jon's use of a merchant as an "insider". Jon and Dacey discuss plans to buy a decent trade vessel from House Redwyne for around 5,000 dragons before Dacey collapses from exhaustion and falls asleep.

Chapter 30

The Tyrell family, including Olenna, Mace, and Willas, watch from a viewing area as Dacey drags Loras Tyrell to the training yard for an impromptu duel. Jon is formally introduced to Olenna and Mace Tyrell. Mace attempts to boast about his military history, but Olenna, annoyed, quickly has him called away by a guard on the pretence of an urgent letter.+3

Jon and Olenna discuss his business, and she agrees to a future partnership/trade deal for his Starkhorses in exchange for ships.

The duel between Dacey, wielding a Morningstar, and Loras, with a training sword, begins. Loras launches a frantic offensive, but Dacey calmly evades and parries every blow. As Dacey corners Loras, the scene concludes, but the narrative reveals that Jon and Dacey must leave immediately because the Wildling, Val, has slipped past the guards and is now loose in Highgarden

Chapter 31: Val's Introduction to the South

Val, having slipped away from the ship, is overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and customs of a Southern market, particularly the use of money and the apparent lack of violence. She enters a tavern, eats a massive meal, and then attempts to leave without paying, believing the food was free. A noble, Hobber Redwyne, pays her bill, assuming she is a noble, and then tries to court her. When she reveals she is not a noble, Hobber attempts to force her to repay him. Val leads him into an alleyway and, when Jon and Dacey find her, she is sitting on Hobber, trying to cut off his finger to pay the "just price" for attempting to "steal" her. Jon intervenes and, after Hobber orders his guards to attack, Jon effortlessly disables the two guards and then knocks out Hobber with a powerful kick to the face.

Chapter 32: Samwell Tarly and a New Alliance

Jon sends Dacey ahead to the ships to oversee the incoming large shipment of crops from the Tyrells. As Jon and Val walk back, they encounter Hobber Redwyne's twin brother viciously bullying a round-faced boy in an alley. The bully, who is similar in appearance to Hobber, is mocking the boy for being "a fat coward" and the prospect of marrying his sister. Jon quickly knocks out the bully and introduces himself to the victim, who is revealed to be Samwell Tarly.

Chapter 33: The Queen of Thorns' Assessment

The narrative shifts to Highgarden, where Olenna Tyrell and her grandson, Willas, discuss their recent meeting with Jon Snow. Olenna is impressed by Jon's fierce intelligence, noble upbringing, and charisma, noting that he does not exhibit the typical resentment of a bastard. She also recognises the unusual power he wields, evidenced by a noble (Dacey) obeying him and his authority to negotiate a major trade deal, concluding that he must have the Lord Paramount's absolute trust. She instructs Willas to contact Oberyn Martell in Dorne to investigate Jon's past.

Chapter 34: Mance Rayder's Discovery

The scene moves north to a tavern in Barrowtown, where a wandering singer (who is secretly Mance Rayder, the King-Beyond-The-Wall) is gathering information. Local fishermen praise "the boy," Jon Snow, for bringing prosperity to the region and ending the Ironborn and Wildling raids, noting he is currently sailing South. Mance leaves the tavern and finds his companion, Ygritte, captured, bound, and gagged in a cave by a man named Lawrence and a mute girl. Lawrence reveals that they were sent by Jon Snow.

Chapter 35: A Deal with the King-Beyond-The-Wall

Lawrence explains to Mance Rayder that Jon Snow remembers him from a trip to Winterfell, where Mance, then a man of the Night's Watch, covered for Jon and Robb Stark after they played a prank on Catelyn Stark. Jon, through Lawrence, offers Mance a trade opportunity with the Free Folk, provided Mance can deliver a stable supply of goods.

Chapter 36: Oldtown and the Viper

In Oldtown, Jon finishes giving Dacey final instructions for her voyage North with the Tyrell crops. He emphasises specific trade rules, including a price ceiling to ensure fair distribution in the North. Jon and Sam then visit the Citadel library, where Jon researches the elusive "Fortune Bird" (a hummingbird-like creature). While leaving, Jon overhears an argument and realises he is standing outside a room with Oberyn Martell. Oberyn confronts Jon for eavesdropping, but Jon is unfazed and proposes a mutual bargain: they will keep each other's presence/actions in Oldtown a secret from the Citadel, and they part ways.

Chapter 37: Ironborn Vows and the Journey North

The focus briefly shifts to the Iron Islands, where Balon Greyjoy refuses to act yet, but a fierce Ironborn named Alyn vows to avenge the Northmen's disrespect. The chapter then follows Dacey, now Captaining the fleet back North, as she struggles with the responsibilities of navigation and command, especially without Jon's warging help, and deals with the crowded ships carrying extra crew for the new galleons.

Chapter 38: The Impending Ambush

Dacey finally docks and is immediately greeted by the "Fortune Bird," which leads her to a secluded dock where Jon is waiting on two enormous, pristine galleons acquired from the Tyrells. Jon informs Dacey about an imminent Ironborn attack on the coast of the Reach. Dacey is highly concerned about the odds, arguing that their fleet, even combined with merchant ships, is severely outnumbered by the 30-ship Ironborn warband and would lead to a Pyrrhic victory. Jon dismisses her fears, expressing high confidence in his plan to ambush the Ironborn, suggesting their chances are excellent.

Chapter 39: The Raid

Jon successfully convinces the merchant captains (including Tyrand from the Westerlands) to join his plan for vengeance against the Ironborn. The ambush begins under the cover of night, with Jon's forces (composed of wargs and Northmen) launching a surprise attack on the anchored Ironborn fleet. The fight quickly turns into a chaotic and brutal all-out battle.

Chapter 40: The Warg Lord's Arsenal

The battle culminates with Jon's secret tactic: he is revealed to be standing on the water, using his Orca warg-link (Cory) as his stable platform, to rain arrows down on the Ironborn. He manages to kill the last Ironborn raider, an Ironborn noble named Orkwood, who, in his final moments, witnesses Jon standing on the water and whispers, "As if a... GOD...". Jon finishes the battle and reflects on the mystery of the deep sea, which remains an invisible, inaccessible boundary to his wargs.

Chapter 41: Trade Expansion, Island Discovery, and the Iron Bank Problem

The chapter establishes the success of Jon Snow's Northern businesses, confirming he has added new trading galleons and is planning a second port with Lord Glover. Jon tasks his powerful dragon, Frost, with a months-long "carpet search" of the far western sea to find a large, unknown island. The intent is to create a secure, secret backup haven for the Free Folk (Wildlings) in the event that the Northern Lords refuse to settle them and the White Walkers become too powerful. Frost eventually succeeds, discovering a cluster of five islands, one of which is large enough to be a suitable haven.

Simultaneously, Jon's eastern operations face a serious financial threat in Braavos. The Iron Bank is systematically increasing the import tax on Starkhorses, slowly strangling the business. Merchant Sam fails to reason with the Iron Bank's representative, learning that the tax is due to a greedy banker's attempt to boost his own revenue for an upcoming internal election. With no other option, Sam resolves to call on "The Boss of your Boss"—Jon Snow—to solve the problem.

Chapter 42: The Wildling Ambush and the Warg's End

Jon sets sail for the Bay of Ice near the True North to proceed with the planned trade with the Wildlings, ignoring warnings from Val about the minimal protection on his five ships. Jon's confidence is rooted in his warging ability.

A wildling warband, led by The Weeper and assisted by the powerful warg Varamyr, attempts an ambush on Jon's fleet. Jon detects Varamyr warging into an eagle and instantly retaliates by sending his own warging influence (a "blue shadow") to strike the bird, breaking Varamyr's concentration. As the ambush is about to commence, Jon seizes total warg-control of Varamyr's own animals (three wolves and a Shadowcat), making them turn on and feast on the wildling ambushers. In a horrifying climax, Varamyr's final animal, a massive snow bear, turns its hatred on its former master and smashes Varamyr's head, giving the warg a true death and ensuring the failure of the ambush.

Chapter 43: The Trade, Reunion, and Display of Terror

Jon arrives at the Frozen Shore where Mance Rayder awaits with a large, anxious gathering of Free Folk, including sceptical leaders like Rattleshirt. Jon arrives in a small boat with only Val, leading to Mance's concern that his promise of a mighty Southern army has been exposed as a lie. Dalla, Mance's partner, immediately recognises and is joyously reunited with her lost sister, Val.

Rattleshirt attempts to incite the wildlings to kill Jon and steal the ships. Jon accepts Rattleshirt's challenge to a duel, but Rattleshirt cheats by summoning fifteen men to fight alongside him. To immediately secure the trade route and terrifyingly subdue the Wildling leaders, Jon abruptly summons a massive, towering, shadowy tentacle from the sea. The creature appears out of nowhere, establishing a chilling dominance over the entire host.

Chapter 44: The Wolfswood Escape

After returning to Winterfell, Arya Stark is desperate to see Jon. She escapes her mother, Catelyn Stark's, supervision by riding Jon's powerful horse, Peggy, into the Wolfswood. Arya's horse is shown to be protective, later joined by Jon's Shadowcat, Tiger. Jon soon arrives and, after giving Arya gifts, insists she return home quickly to avoid facing her mother's full wrath against him.

Chapter 45: The Stark Family's Concerns

Jon meets with Robb and Lord Eddard Stark to discuss his trade strategies. Catelyn, still annoyed with Jon for his perceived influence on her daughters, attempts to assert herself by suggesting Jon send aid to the ill-supplied Night's Watch. Jon counters her suggestion by revealing that he has already arranged for a successful, long-term shipping route from Bear Island to the Wall, thus negating Catelyn's unsolicited advice and frustrating her.

Chapter 46: The Shift to Global Finance

Jon begins preparing for his next phase of business, which involves his trip to Braavos to deal with the Iron Bank. He is shown studying a rare book, The Origins of the Iron Bank and Braavos, to understand the institution's key power structures. The chapter notes that Jon is considering taking Little Tom, an apprentice who is now much healthier due to his training, on the voyage as a valuable assistant for future plans that require literacy and basic education.

Chapter 47: The Manderly Deal

Jon and his companions arrive in the city, where Big Sam (a Merchant) informs Jon that Lord Manderly is throwing a feast out of sheer excitement for their meeting. Big Sam asks Jon about solving the "Braavosi problem." Jon reveals his plan: he will sell all the rights to sell Starkhorses on the East coast of Westeros to Lord Manderly for a hefty price. This strategy allows Jon to utilise Manderly's extensive trade connections, boost the business beyond its current limits, and offload the complex logistics and risks associated with East Coast sales.

Chapter 48: The Banker's Unexpected Visitor

The scene shifts to a meeting with a banker named Darrio. Jon Snow enters the banker's room unannounced and without permission. When Darrio instinctively reaches to call for the guards, Jon throws a knife that sticks in the table just inches from Darrio's hand. This act immediately establishes Jon's dominance and forces the banker to listen.

Chapter 49: Intimidation and Acquisition of Warships

Jon, after threatening Darrio, begins to reveal his "secrets" and attempts to explain why following him would be in the banker's best interest. He questions Darrio on his belief in magic, sorcery, and the powers of the Faceless Men, subtly implying his own supernatural capabilities. It is later revealed that Jon coerced Darrio by using a small bird named Tweety to deliver poison to Darrio's drink before the meeting, giving Jon full control by holding the antidote. Jon successfully secures information about acquiring warships from the now-compliant banker.

Chapter 50: Pirates and the Stepstones

The scene introduces a pirate Captain and his Advisor who are discussing Jon Snow. The Advisor explains that Jon's success is due to a secret navigation method that allows him to sail straight across the open sea, drastically cutting travel time and making his fleet a highly profitable and desirable target. The pirates formulate a plan to capture Jon near the Stepstones.

Jon's fleet sails silently through the treacherous Stepstones at night. Jon uses his shadowy tentacle to eliminate a scouting boat anchored in a narrow pass, causing the boat to flip, the torch to be extinguished, and the sentries to vanish. Jon believes he has successfully sneaked past the pirates. However, a lone pirate sentry observes the torch going out as predicted and alerts the Advisor, who exclaims, "We got him!"—confirming the pirates have a solid lead on Jon's whereabouts and are now in pursuit.

Chapter 51

Captain Jack, a pirate, and his crew are waiting in ambush between Pentos and Myr for a promised fleet of merchant ships. After three days with no sign of the prey, Jack is furious at his scout, Frank, and threatens to kill him and sell his nephew into slavery. The "Advisor," a mysterious, clean-shaven man sent by Jack's father, intervenes and sends Frank back to find the fleet, intending to sell the nephew if Frank fails.

Meanwhile, Jon's Westerosi fleet, Northern Wolf Shipping, has completed a successful round trip to Volantis in less than three weeks, bypassing the ambush and the pirate-infested Stepstones with ease. This phenomenal speed shocks the people of Bravoos and brings a flood of new customers.

Frank returns with news of the fleet's impossible speed, which Jack dismisses as a lie. The Advisor investigates and confirms the ship's speed. He theorises that Jon uses an "Ancient Westerosi navigation method" to sail directly across the open sea, drastically shortening the route. The Advisor tells Jack that capturing Jon alive to learn this secret is priceless, as it would make them "completely invincible at sea". Captain Jack, seeking glory, refuses to involve his father and has the Advisor devise a plan, which starts with releasing Frank and his nephew for a "perfect job".

Chapter 52

Merchant Sam and three guards, including the young Northerner Gill, are in Volantis to conduct business. The Northerners are deeply disturbed by the rampant, open slavery in the city. Gill is particularly affected when a merchant lashes a slave woman in front of them. Sam orders the guards not to intervene, knowing they would be killed. Sam reflects that Jon, the 'boss', never leaves the ship in slaver cities after his first trip resulted in five cruel slavers dying mysteriously.

Back at sea, Sam reports the successful trip to Jon. Jon then cryptically muses that while a man may not abolish slavery, "maybe a woman could," one with "three very powerful friends," suggesting he is searching for Daenerys Targaryen.

Five days later, as the fleet approaches the Stepstones, Jon abruptly senses danger and orders the sails lowered. Using his warg connection to his bird, Frost, Jon scouts the area and discovers that the passages between the islands are blocked by small boats acting as scouts, ready to raise an alarm. He realises someone has figured out his tactics and is waiting to catch them.

Chapter 53

Jon, exhausted from warging for a prolonged period, manages to evade the main pirate fleet. He informs Sam that they successfully passed through the Stepstones ambush, revealing he used Frost to attack the scout boats by warging a kraken/sea monster near them. A lone pirate sentry, however, noticed the signal from the resulting overturned boat was snuffed out and alerted the Advisor, who is delighted that his trap plan confirmed their method of travel.

Soon after, Jon's fleet is ambushed by three fast pirate ships (Captain Jack's fleet) and an escort of two warships from Pentos. The Magister's son, Nyrio, who commanded the warships, had arrogantly left the main merchant group, leaving Jon's fleet with inadequate protection. Jon quickly realises one pirate ship is acting as a messenger to bring the rest of the pirate fleet for a massive attack. Jon then uses his abilities (implied warging/kraken attack) to damage the messenger ship and two other ships, forcing the pirates to slow down and retreat. Jon's fleet easily slips away.

Chapter 54

The Advisor is furious that Jon's fleet escaped again, but Captain Jack angrily refuses the Advisor's suggestion to bring in his father.

Back in Bravoos, Jon and Sam plan to expand their company, Northern Wolf Shipping, by buying new ships to meet the skyrocketing demand. Jon instructs Sam to return to White Harbour not for trade goods, but for as many trained sailors as possible. Jon also tells Sam that Robb has sent two "very special people" to White Harbour, whom he needs to pick up, referring to them as "helpers" for the increasing workload. Sam finds the boy who does the reading for Jon and informs him that Frost will be too busy for a while because they are going on a new, dangerous trip: "To the Disputed Lands".

Chapter 55

The chapter opens in King's Landing during a hot summer, contrasting the early, hard-working smallfolk with the nobles of the Small Council who begin their meeting at noon. Lord Jon Arryn and Lord Stannis are the first to arrive. The scene then shifts to Pentos, where Magister Nyrio (whose son is involved in the Chapter 53 ambush) is trying to maintain his prestige and fortune. Nyrio, bored with the low speeds of the merchant fleet he is escorting, decides to split his forces and take only half his warships to escort a few specific merchants, dismissing the servant's protests about the unnecessary risk.

Chapter 56

Jon and Sam are travelling through the flatlands of Essos, heading toward the Disputed Lands. They stop to set up camp for the night. Jon uses his warg connection to his bird, Frost, to hunt, and Frost quickly brings back a fat rabbit. Sam prepares the rabbit stew for their dinner.

Chapter 57

While eating, Jon and Sam encounter three sellswords torturing a teenage boy. Jon easily insults the sellswords, prompting a fight. Before the combat, Jon asks the captive his name, and the boy replies, "Bran!". Jon warg-scouts the boy and is shocked by what he finds. Sam is forced to kill one of the sellswords with his axe, leaving him in deep shock over taking a human life. Jon reassures him, calling it a cruel world.

After taking care of the bodies, Jon and Sam hear Bran's story. Bran is from the Company of the Rose, a sellsword company, and his sister, Lea, is near death. Bran's uncle wants to use slavery to raise money for her cure, but his father, Gared, refuses. Desperate, Bran heard about a thousand-gold bounty for a lion cub for a Magister's son and set out alone, only to be captured by sellswords from a rival company, the Gallant Men. Jon, suspicious of the convenience of the capture, agrees to bring Bran back to the Company of the Rose, as they share the same destination.

Chapter 58

Jon, Sam, and Bran arrive at the camp of the Company of the Rose. Inside the commander's tent, Bran's father, Commander Gared, is arguing fiercely with his second-in-command, Rickard. Rickard is pressuring Gared to resort to slavery to save his daughter, Lea, and the company, but Gared vehemently refuses, declaring the "blood of the North still runs in my veins".

The argument is broken by the announcement that Bran is back. Gared is overjoyed and rushes out to give his son a crushing hug. The sellswords are highly curious about the two newcomers, especially Jon, who wears a wolf insignia and is quickly identified as a Northerner and a warrior.

Chapter 59

Bran immediately takes Jon and Sam to see his sister, Lea, who is gravely ill and near death. Gared asks about Jon and Sam, and Jon confidently introduces Sam as a healer whose knowledge rivals most Maesters, especially concerning Essosi diseases.

Sam examines Lea and finds that her symptoms do not match any known diseases. He eventually realises he has read the exact same symptoms in a book about poisons. This shocking revelation immediately gives Gared and Bran new hope. Sam quickly works to create an antidote, and within days, Lea's condition rapidly improves. Bran is immensely grateful to Sam. Gared is enraged at their company's own healer, who had dismissed any new medicine and is now suspiciously absent.

Chapter 60

Gared calls a meeting to find out who poisoned his daughter. Jon conducts a methodical interrogation of the company's command structure and other suspicious members.

Jon exposes three sellswords who were profiting from betraying the Company of the Rose:

Ros: A sellsword who possessed 200 gold and confessed to selling information about the company's plans, including an unprovoked attack on the Gallant Men, to a rival. Ros is immediately executed.

Daryn (The Sleeping Piggy): The man in charge of salaries, whose letters to his successful merchant son in Pentos reveal he was selling valuable company information, which his son then sold for profit. Daryn is dragged away to be dealt with.

Finally, Jon turns to the second-in-command, Commander Rickard, who had been pressuring Gared to resort to slavery. Jon gives Rickard a meaningful smile and asks, "Am I right, Commander Rickard...so should I call you Rattlesnake!"

Chapter 61

The chapter delves into the backstory of Rickard, Gared's second-in-command, revealing his bitterness, his identity as the son of a slaver and a slave, and his deep-seated belief that the strong prey on the weak. His ambition to command the Company of the Rose led him to plot against Gared by trying to associate him with slavery and by hiring others to kidnap Gared's son, Bran. The plotting is exposed when Jon publicly accuses Rickard, calling him "Rattlesnake" and producing letters as proof. Jon then introduces the final, devastating witnesses: the two hired kidnappers and the missing healer whom Rickard had tried to murder for silence. When Gared confronts him, Rickard loses control and confesses his contempt for Gared's leadership.

Chapter 62

The chapter opens with Rickard's furious screams echoing across the training grounds. Jon immediately directs Bran to dismiss the crowd to protect Gared's image. After the confrontation, Rickard is knocked unconscious by Gared. Two days later, all the traitors and spies, including Rickard, are executed by Gared himself. Jon later finds Gared drinking and convinces him to break his five-month contract with Myr early by achieving its primary objective: conquering the contested Disputed Lands from the rival sellsword company. The scene shifts to the camp of the enemy, the Company of the Cat, where Oberyn Martell (under an assumed name) and his daughter, Obara, are serving as sellswords. Oberyn samples the company's food and realises it has been poisoned.+4

Chapter 63

This chapter continues the sequence of events following the poisoning. Oberyn, realising the entire Company of the Cat is compromised, orders Obara to immediately pack the essentials and meet him at the stables, stressing that they must leave now. To secure their escape, Oberyn ruthlessly kills a stable hand with a spear after the man refuses to let them leave with horses without the commander's permission. They gallop away from the camp, with Obara knowing "something was very wrong here".

Chapter 64

Oberyn and Obara are riding through a narrow gorge when they are ambushed by Jon and Sam. Jon reveals he was waiting for them and that the Cat camp's poisoning was his doing. Obara recklessly charges Jon but is thrown from her horse (implied to be caused by Jon's warging) and captured. Jon is forced to resort to desperate measures to subdue a raging Oberyn, scratching him with a poisoned spear to force him to stop fighting. Meanwhile, the main attack by Gared's Company of the Rose and the Windblown (led by the Tattered Prince) begins at the Cat camp, capitalising on the chaos of the poison and a diversionary fire.

Chapter 65

This chapter details the negotiations and aftermath of the battle. Jon holds Oberyn as a "noble guest" and explains his reasons for capturing him. Jon reveals his overarching goal is to return to Westeros to hunt Gregor Clegane (The Mountain). To win the Prince of Dorne over, Jon promises that if Oberyn stays with his company for a year and is not impressed by Jon's leadership, he will pay him and let him leave. Obara, meanwhile, is released after agreeing to a challenge to train against Sam twenty times. Following the decisive victory over the Company of the Cat, Jon immediately receives an urgent raven summoning him to Braavos.

Chapter 66

This chapter transitions the action to Braavos. Jon arrives in Braavos to find his friend, the merchant Gill, has been kidnapped by a notorious pirate leader named Ravager. During Gill's rescue, Jon experiences a surge of uncontrollable, violent strength that worries him. Jon agrees to help Gill track down the pirates. Meanwhile, the pirate Captain Ravager is introduced, an ambitious man who wants his name to "resound across all the continents". Ravager tasks his Advisor with researching Jon's identity and abilities, as they suspect he is a legendary Skinchanger.

Chapter 67

This chapter focuses on the research into Jon's unique abilities. Jon uses his shadow cat, Tiger, to communicate with his brother Robb back in the Godswood of Winterfell, asking him to look into the legends of "Wolf's blood". Simultaneously, Ravager's Advisor, who is highly intelligent and believes magic is real, delves into old Westerosi and Northern legends to find a way to defeat Jon, whom he correctly identifies as "much more than a man".

Chapter 68

Jon's fleet sets sail from Braavos, carrying Gared's men and Oberyn. The ships make an "absurd" journey from Braavos to Tyrosh in just six days due to their unprecedented speed. Jon reveals his initial plan was a hit-and-run, but it changed because he gained a "secret weapon" three nights ago. This weapon is the captured Pirate Advisor, who, when apprehended during a scouting mission, offered to betray Captain Ravager and provide all the military information in exchange for Jon saving his son.

Chapter 69

This chapter describes the commencement of the pirate island assault. The target is the pirate stronghold on the island of Grey Gallows. The invasion begins with Gared and Oberyn leading their forces (Phase 1) to eliminate the smaller, independent pirate groups scattered along the island's edges, who make up roughly half of the island's three-thousand-man force.

Chapter 70

Oberyn and Gared successfully complete their first objective, eliminating all seven pirate camps on their side of the island. They are unconcerned when Oberyn reports that a man escaped to warn the main castle, with Gared saying, "it doesn't matter too much... we were almost done with here anyway" and that the warning just makes the next part "a bit more interesting". The leaders consolidate their forces and prepare to move toward the centre of the island and the main fortress for the next part of the operation, which Oberyn calls "Phase 2".

Chapter 71: The Ambush

The chapter opens with the pirate Rake waking up violently hungover, following a night of heavy partying organised by The Advisor. He is alerted that a nearby pirate camp was attacked by "invaders". Rake dismisses the threat as minor local trouble and sends 50 men under a pirate named Lark to pursue them. He ignores advice to alert the castle to avoid disturbing the Pirate King, Ravager. When a pirate lights a large campfire, the resulting illumination allows Jon Snow's hidden sellsword army to strike with pinpoint accuracy. The pirates panic and are decimated by an initial volley of arrows. Lark's force is quickly overwhelmed by the main sellsword army in the trees. The remaining pirates are caught in a "hammer and anvil" manoeuvre, crushed between a shield wall in front and a second force led by Gared and Oberyn from the rear. The pirate settlement is annihilated, with only a few dozen survivors escaping by ship. Jon's forces lose five men and sustain ten injuries.

Chapter 72: Ravager's Strategy

Pirate King Ravager is woken up and gathers his commanders, who confirm that the eastern camp was destroyed, and the scout ships are gone. The Advisor arrives and reveals that his own scouts reported that all camps in the North, East, and West have been wiped out, with only the western settlement remaining. The Advisor argues against fleeing, insisting the enemy is trying to lure Ravager out of the castle to kill him for the bounty. He estimates the enemy force is small (500–600 fighters) and advises Ravager to stay safe inside the castle until morning, when daylight will remove the enemy's advantage and force them to make a move. Meanwhile, Oberyn and Bran, scouting near the castle, observe the last 750 pirates from the western settlement racing into the castle for safety. Oberyn surmises that Jon is avoiding a direct battle to minimise casualties, suggesting a different plan is in motion.

Chapter 73: The Attack

Captain Ravager prepares for a counter-attack but is searching for The Advisor, who is rumoured to be ill from the previous night's drinking. Ravager's second-in-command, Blackheart, voices a suspicion that a high-level spy must be involved. When the disciplined sellsword army approaches, Ravager sees his opportunity to fight. However, he discovers that The Advisor is missing. At that moment, pirates on the wall begin vomiting, seizing, and falling to their deaths. Ravager realises The Advisor was the spy, and the "porridge" he suggested was the poison. Ravager lies about having an antidote and flees into the castle, abandoning his men. Oberyn confirms the poison, prepared by Sam, is working. Jon Snow shoots Blackheart with an arrow, eliminating the last organised defence. Gared's sellswords charge the gate and quickly massacre the remaining pirates.

Chapter 74: The Advisor and Ravager's End

Jon, Oberyn, and Gared search the castle. They meet Obara, who has hit a "snag" at a heavily reinforced storage door. Jon simply asks for the door to be opened, and it swings open, revealing The Advisor, whom Jon greets, confirming that he was Jon's spy. Jon reveals he only made the Advisor spy by promising the safety of his enslaved son, Rostch, who was hidden in the dungeons. The Advisor leads them to the treasury, which is surprisingly disappointing. Jon dismisses the gold but claims a copy of Gerion Lannister's diary is the "most important treasure". The Advisor insists the diary only contained mundane accounts of Gerion's doomed voyage, but Jon counters that the disappearance of Euron Greyjoy after reading the diary implies it holds secrets to Valyria's location. The Advisor reveals a secret escape route. They follow it to a cave where Ravager is attempting to flee with a final locked chest. Jon kills Ravager's final two guards with arrows. Ravager is enraged, questioning if Jon destroyed his fleet just for one man's (Sam's) torture. Ravager flees into the sea but is caught and brutally crushed by the massive tentacles of a Kraken (implied to be summoned by Jon), ensuring his gruesome death.

Chapter 75 (Inferred): The North and Farewells

The chapter shifts to Winterfell, where Robb Stark reads a letter from Lord Manderly to Lord Eddard Stark, confirming the shocking news that Jon killed a Pirate King. Jon (warging into his shadowcat, Frost) flies across the Wall, noting the improved state of the Night's Watch due to his prior actions. Frost lands in the Wildling camp and retrieves parchments from Mance Rayder. The perspective returns to Jon in the Stepstones, where Oberyn Martell warns him that his public display of power means he can no longer operate "under the radar" from players like Varys. Oberyn and Obara prepare to sneak away to return to Dorne. Before leaving, Jon gives Oberyn a written "cure" for his brother Doran's gout, which is a dietary and lifestyle remedy he recalled from a medical webnovel in his previous life.

Chapter 76 (Inferred): A Princess to Save

A follower of R'hllor in Braavos (implied to be Melisandre) sees Jon, and upon hearing his name, she is struck as if by lightning, recognising him as "The Prince that was...". Jon receives a letter from King's Landing, giving him six months to attend a royal tourney. Jon is annoyed, as this forces him to accelerate his plans. The narrator introduces Jon's new mission: a "side quest" to save a princess from the "cruel claws of..."

Chapter 77: Daenerys's History Lesson

Jon begins his mission by warging into a rat named Gan in Illyrio Mopatis's mansion in Pentos to communicate with Daenerys Targaryen. Daenerys discusses a book Jon gave her on the Dance of the Dragons. Reading the true history of the civil war and its death toll has shattered her brother Viserys's narrative that the Targaryen family was perfect and adored by the realm. Jon makes her promise to keep an open mind for the next book, one on "more recent history"

Chapter 78: Confronting the Past

The next time Jon (as Gan) meets Daenerys, she is red-eyed and angry, having read the book on recent history (implied to be Robert's Rebellion and the reign of Aerys II). She furiously demands to know who wrote such "lies," assuming the Maester was paid by the Usurpers (Starks and Lannisters). She expresses disbelief at the book's contents, showing her attachment to the romanticised version of her family's history provided by Viserys.+2

Chapter 79: Viserys's Cruelty

Daenerys ignores Jon's attempts to explain the book's truth and confronts her brother, Viserys, about their father. Viserys is immediately cruel. When she asks if their father, Aerys II, loved their mother, Viserys avoids the question, simply saying their mother "did her duty by her husband". Enraged by his sister's questioning, Viserys violently slaps her and leaves. Jon (as Gan) watches and is forced to comfort Daenerys.

Chapter 80: The Decision

Jon (as Gan) decides to be fully honest with Daenerys, explaining that Aerys II was broken by events and a weak will, succumbing to a "deep darkness" carried by those of "dragon blood". Daenerys asks if her brother, Viserys, is on the same path, and Jon confirms that "if he continues as he has, then eventually... yes, your brother, too, would become like your father". After a long period of contemplation, Daenerys interrupts Jon and, with a determined look, accepts his previous offer: "I want to leave the mansion". Jon (as the rat) is thrilled.

Chapter 81

Oberyn Martell returns to Sunspear after dealing with bandits. He meets with Doran and quickly notices that his brother is acting unusually serious and secretive. It becomes clear that Doran is planning something dangerous, and Oberyn is being quietly pulled into it.

Daenerys waits in Illyrio's mansion, speaking to Jon through Gan the rat. Jon explains the truth about Aerys and gently confirms what Dany already fears—Viserys is heading down the same path. After reflecting on her family and her situation, Daenerys finally decides she wants to leave the mansion and escape Pentos.

Chapter 82

Oberyn, Nymeria, and Sarella arrive at a deserted coast before dawn to meet Jon. Despite the girls' doubts, Oberyn commits fully by sending their horses away, cutting off any easy retreat. Jon appears and begins leading them into the forest, but suddenly stops when something goes wrong on his other warg connection.

Chapter 83

Daenerys sneaks through Illyrio's treasury with Gan and retrieves her mother's crown. The escape is tense but successful. She leaves the mansion and meets Samwell Tarly, who will help her flee the city. Though exhausted and frightened, she keeps going, knowing there's no turning back.

Chapter 84

Jon and Daenerys talk about Aerys, madness, and the dangers of Targaryen blood. Jon doesn't excuse Aerys but explains how he fell apart over time. When Dany asks about Viserys, Jon answers honestly. This conversation pushes Daenerys to fully commit to leaving and trusting Jon.

Chapter 85

Sansa and Arya travel by ship with Dacey toward Essos. Dacey avoids stopping at Westerosi ports to keep them hidden. The girls are excited about the journey and eager to meet Jon, unaware that he is currently heading back toward Westeros, narrowly missing them.

Chapter 86

Daenerys dyes her hair black to avoid being recognised. She travels through Pentos in a carriage with Sam and Merchant Sam. They manage to slip past several guards, but just as they are about to leave the city, a suspicious guard notices Daenerys and calls them back.

Chapter 87

The escape turns into a chase. Guards pursue them through the crowded docks, even threatening civilians. Sam and Merchant Sam force their way through the crowd while dragging Daenerys along. They reach their ship just in time and successfully escape Pentos. Daenerys realises she is finally free.

Chapter 88

Jon travels through the forest in the Westerlands with Oberyn, Nymeria, and Sarella. The girls question Jon's confidence and methods, but his experience becomes obvious as they move forward. Earlier tension about the danger of the mission lingers, making it clear they are heading toward something deadly.

Chapter 89

Jon discovers that Gregor Clegane has unexpectedly abandoned his keep. After gathering information, he learns that the Mountain suffered one of his violent episodes and left for King's Landing during the night. This puts Jon at a disadvantage, but he steadies himself and prepares to adapt his plan.

Chapter 90

The chapter opens with Ser Gregor Clegane (The Mountain) and his men making camp by the Kingsroad at sunset. The men, including Amory Lorch, Chiswyck, and Polliver, are cruel, abusing their elderly servants and casually discussing plans to rape the wife and daughter at an inn on their route.

Meanwhile, the Dornish party (Oberyn Martell, Jon, Nymeria, and Sarella) are lying in ambush. A small, fast bird, seemingly warged, drops a vial of poison into the men's soup pot while the servants are away.

The ambush is triggered when Polliver, Gregor's thin squire, reacts quickly to the poison due to his low body weight, alarming the men by convulsing and managing to shout, "Poison!".+1

As the men scramble for their weapons, Jon's arrows kill two of Gregor's best fighters. The Mountain, enraged, immediately kills one of his own servants, believing he was the poisoner. Oberyn Martell then steps out of the shadows, confronting Gregor and declaring, "You are mine"

Chapter 91

The chapter focuses on the battle. Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper, engages The Mountain in a duel. Oberyn fights with speed and precision, using his spear to dance around Gregor's brute-force greatsword and constantly target the weaker joints of his heavy armour.

In the surrounding skirmish, Jon continues to shoot arrows, injuring Amory Lorch and eliminating more of Gregor's men. Nymeria easily fights and kills one of her two opponents.

After a prolonged, tiring fight, the poison finally affects Gregor, causing dizziness. Oberyn capitalises on this moment, slamming his spear butt into the back of Gregor's knee, forcing the giant knight to the ground.

In a desperate final act, the injured Amory Lorch throws a knife at Nymeria's face. Nymeria avoids the knife but loses her balance. Her surviving opponent seizes the opportunity and stabs her in the chest. Jon quickly shoots an arrow, striking the attacker's neck and saving Nymeria from a fatal blow. However, the noise and Sarella's scream distract Oberyn for a crucial second. Gregor uses this opening to swing his greatsword, hitting Oberyn's chest and sending him crashing into a rock, severely injuring him.

Chapter 92

With Oberyn down, Jon enters the melee against the Mountain. During a moment where Jon is distracted by attempting to use his warg ability, Gregor seizes the opportunity for a lethal strike.

In a life-or-death moment, Jon's mind achieves a state of "enlightenment" or flow, pulling back all his dispersed spiritual energy. This new state allows him to perceive the fight in slow motion, perfectly dodge and deflect Gregor's swing, and then counter-attack with flawless precision, repeatedly striking the Mountain's head.

Oberyn, fueled by rage, manages to get back up, and he and Jon launch a coordinated, relentless final assault. The two men simultaneously strike the Mountain's head, cracking his skull and finally killing the beast. Oberyn weeps with relief and vengeance.

Chapter 93

The chapter deals with the aftermath of the battle. Jon and Nymeria must go to each fallen enemy and ensure they are dead, as the poison was not instantly lethal. Sarella administers a new, stronger dose of sedative to two prisoners they captured. They then burn the bodies of the dead.

Sarella questions Jon about his sudden, incredible fighting skill, which he attributes to a "sudden enlightenment" that allowed all his past training to converge in a moment of crisis.

Jon arranges a carriage to transport the exhausted girls and the two boxed prisoners. As they prepare to leave, Jon feels like he is "forgetting something important". Unbeknownst to them, the second old servant, whom Jon's arrow saved from Gregor's sword, managed to flee into the forest during the battle and is running away.

Chapter 94

Jon and Nymeria arrive at a secluded cliff overlooking a waterfall to set up camp. Nymeria subtly suggests they only need one tent. She then calls Jon out of the tent, wearing only a thin, revealing shirt, and asks him to apply medicine to a minor wound on her back. Jon, a virgin, is internally mortified by his reaction to her beauty and attempts to maintain professionalism. Nymeria escalates the teasing, pointing to shallow bruises by her navel and chest. Jon, overwhelmed, asks about her intentions. She clarifies that she is not proposing marriage (which Northerners would expect) but is propositioning him for "just... sex," stating she likes him. Jon nods, dazed. Nymeria kisses him. Jon then embraces his "inner wolf" and reverses their position, pinning her beneath him, ready to "show her what he can do."

Chapter 95

Oberyn, Sarella, and "The Advisor" are aboard a ship, waiting. Jon and Nymeria arrive late, with Jon sending a message claiming they "overslept." The Advisor's son reports that "the Big One" (one of the prisoners) is starting to wake up, prompting a discussion to increase the sedative. Jon informs Oberyn that he is bringing half of his company's ships to King's Landing, justifying the large show of force: "You don't go into a snake's pit without at least bringing a stick along for protection." Oberyn, amused, regrets that his injury will prevent him from joining the "excitement."

The Characters:

Hunter Mark: A Hunter who lives in Wintertown and was the one to teach Jon archery from a young age, and he was also the one to teach him how to hunt in the Wolfswood.

Emilia: Hunter Mark's daughter and Jon's childhood friend. He discovers her ability to warg and teaches her to read and write, among other things. She also has an eagle as her war pet.

The Starks: All the characters from books with mostly the same personalities, just a bit more open and loving towards Jon, and yes, that includes even Catelyn.

Uncle Sam: A merchant living in Wintertown whom Jon had cultivated over the years as his right-hand man, and is the one who mostly handles his Shipping Company's situation in Essos. He also has a daughter named Becca, who is a good friend of Jon and has grown up with him and Emilia, who is her cousin.

Samwell Tarly: Jon was on a trip in Reach when he came across him, and seeing how sad he was, he decided to take him with him, to the North and then to Essos. He is now not only a formidable warrior after training under Jon, but he is also learning to Maester on the side by using the books that Jon steals for him from the Citadel.

Val: Jon meets during a wildling raid and decides to keep her with him for a while, and after seeing that she was teachable, he takes her under his wing, and she becomes the one responsible for the trade between wildlings and the rest of Westeros.

Mance Rayder: The king of Free folks whom Jon meets during his trip beyond the Wall, they discuss various things among which are the White Walkers, and the King seeing that Jon believed in him and was willing to help him, decides to have the Wildlings work for Jon by procuring valuable resources such a fur, trees, and even rough silver, in exchange for food.

Dacey Mormont: Jon meets her during his trip to the Bear Island, where he was fostered during his childhood. She also possesses the talent of warging and has an Orca as her pet, and this Orca is also part of a pod of her family and can command them. She is also the captain of Jon's fleet of ships that travel between the cities on the West side of Westeros, such as Lannisport, Oldtown and others. She had established trade like never before by bypassing the Ironborn pirate ships using her warg, bringing prosperity by trading cheap grains from the Reach.

Little Tom: He is a young man with the body of a half-giant who hailed from Last Hearth and is suspected to be a bastard of an Umber. He was wandering in Wintertown looking for work when Jon stumbled upon him. He was impressed with the boy's skill as a Blacksmith and recruited him. Most importantly, the boy also possessed the talent of warg, so after Jon taught him, he was able to quickly acquire for himself a bird pet, and using that pet, he was able to have eyes across all of Westeros and sneakily learn all kinds of forging secrets from the best smiths in Westeros.

Gared: He is the commander of the Company of the Rose, a sellsword company in Essos that has roots in the North. He and the soldiers under him are the main fighting force that he has under his command. He has equipped them with the best armour and weapons that Little Tom and his big smithy in Wintertown can produce.

The Advisor: He is a Volantene noble who had been captured by the Pirate King. When Jon killed the pirate, he rescued him along with his son, because of which he was very grateful and decided to join his company. He has a very profound knowledge of naval warfare not only because of his deep education as a noble, but also because of the battle experience he had accumulated over the decade that he was the Advisor for the Pirate King.

The Wargs and their names:

Frost: A mystical Ice Eagle who was a legendary creature from beyond the wall. Has many mystical skills, including a sonic attack and an invincible speed capable of flying across Westeros in a matter of hours.

Inky: A young but giant female kraken capable of destroying a fleet of ships with barely any effort on her part.

Gan: A clever rat that Jon mostly uses for communication and stealing books from the Citadel.

Tweety: A quick colouful hummingbird that can fly so fast that she'll zoom right in front of your eyes, and won't even notice her. She is mighty helpful whenever Jon sneakily wanted to add a little bit of spice to his enemy's soup.

Tiger: A young shadow cat that primarily stays in Winterfell and the woods surrounding the castle. He is quick, stealthy and has a nose sharper than a dog, and is your best companion during a hunt.

///

 

[LazyWizard]

It was a warm summer afternoon.

The kind with a lot of white fluffy clouds floating in the sky, moving unhurriedly in a single direction.

The sun hanging straight above in the sky was also just warm enough not to be scorching, making it the perfect day for an outing with the family.

Down below lay the wide, meandering Rose Road, a major highway that started from the distant capital in Kings Landing, bridged twice over the river Mander, passed the castle of Highgarden and went all the way to Oldtown.

This road was not only the biggest unbroken road in Westeros, right after the King's road, but was also the most comfortable one to traverse, with lots and lots of inns, hotels and towns along the way, offering cheap rooms and food, so that no one walking on this road ever felt the need to sleep outside.

And considering that Reach was called the breadbasket of Westeros, there was no shortage of large, beautiful fields filled with golden swaying wheat stalks that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Just walking amidst these blossoming farmsteads gave one a sense of peace as if they were in a paradise...

But on this day, this calm peace of the countryside was abruptly broken by a long line of human convoy coming down the road in an orderly manner.

Nobles, Knights, Soldiers, Merchants and all kinds of Smallfolks could be seen in this convoy moving slowly but steadily as if they were a colony of ants mingling among each other peacefully.

Abruptly, one after another, small and big heads began emerging from fields on both sides of the road, staring at the convoy down the road with shock, awe, and trepidation in their eyes.

Some of the older smallfolks took one look and immediately grabbed their tools and began running away towards their homes, wanting nothing to do with whatever this was, while other younger folks, who hadn't seen much of life yet, were far less afraid and came closer to see this rare sighting with a sense of excitement and curiosity.

A few minutes later, one of the sharp-eyed onlookers caught sight of a fluttering flag and abruptly exclaimed while raising a trembling finger, "I-I know that flag! T-That's the Tarly house symbol!!"

"What?! The House Tarly of Hornhill?!"

"Yes. A-And isn't the one behind that the flag of Oldtown, of the house of um...tower something,"

"The Hightowers?"

"Exactly."

"And wait, not only that, there's the rose of High Garden on that big one. House Tyrell's flag."

"W-What are all these big nobles up to? Where are they going?" one of the older middle-aged men asked with surprise and awe on his face, "Is there a war somewhere?"

"What?" "A war?!"

A hush immediately fell onto the crowd at those words, as the faces of the older smallfolks paled and their eyes widened in horror, as if they were reminiscing about something from more than half a lifetime ago.

"D-Don't be absurd, we would have been conscripted, and our harvest would have been snatched long ago, if there was to be a war." Thankfully, one of the smarter ones in the crowd, who was the brother of a merchant, clarified before the panic could spread among the farmers.

"He is right. If they were marching for war, they wouldn't be bringing so many slow carriages along with them, would they?"

"Then where else could they be going in such great numbers?"

That stumped most of the innocent smallfolks present there, as there were very few occasions other than a war where these stuck-up nobles would willingly bother to tolerate each other in such close proximity while travelling.

"I know! I know!!" One of the younger lads, not even wearing any shirt on his chest, suddenly jumped out and exclaimed excitedly, "T-They all must be going to attend that Tourney!!"

"What tourney, boy?! Don't talk nonsense!" The boy's mother snapped as she hurriedly pulled her naughty brat back to her side.

"I am not making it up," The boy continued determinedly, despite his mother's best effort to silence him, "My friend, Koby, has a brother who is a squire in the nearby fort, and h-he said that there is going to be a big trouney in the capital. And everyone who is a knight is going there to participate."

"The boy makes sense," The Middle-aged man from earlier said while stroking his beard, as the boy was abruptly forced to disappear by his mother, "I have also heard about this so-called Tourney from my brother when he went into town. It's supposed to be quite a big gathering, where most of the great nobles from the Seven Kingdoms are said to be attending."

"A tourney bringing so many nobles out of their castles..." an old man murmured with a somewhat worried look on his face, as he remembered quite clearly the war that followed the last time a Tourney gathered this much attention.

...

From the outside, this large convoy looked just like it was one giant gathering, but only when one came closer would they realise how much distance and distinctiveness there was between each different group belonging to the various noble families.

It was as if they were all afraid of being lumped together with a family with standing lower than theirs.

The smaller noble families only brought, or rather, were allowed to bring just one or at most two simple carriages, and a limit of ten to fifteen men as their guards, while the bigger ones, such as the Houses Redwyne, Florents, and Tarly, had at least five carriages, and about fifty men in their group which didn't even include the cooks, soldiers, maids, stable hands, squire, and all other kinds of servants.

And this wasn't even the limit, as that crown went to the family leading the pack from the middle, who brought almost thrice as much of everything as the next noble family, including hundreds of soldiers, more than a dozen knights, and not to mention the sheer amount of carriages in their cliques.

Carriages that came in all sorts of sizes, from small to large, carrying all kinds of close and distant relatives who all came under the Tyrell umbrella, but the largest and most extravagant carriage stood out from all, with its intricate decoration of gold, gems, and made wholly out of wood the colour of rose, and was being pulled by about half dozen white horses.

It was the very epitome of wealth.

And only House Tyrell, with its immense resources and with its innate need to let the world know that they were the rightful Lord Paramounts of the Reach, that they were the second richest family in Westeros, would go to such lengths to show off.

Perhaps even the Westerlands might not be able to pull up such a grand parade as not to mention the disgust that Lord Tywin would feel in putting on this kind of show for those he considered his lesser; he would also never allow his vessels to put on such a display of power in front of the commoners.

At this moment, inside the grand carriage, a lively discussion was underway between half a dozen noble women, each wearing dresses so expensive that they could feed a village with them for a year.

But just as someone was explaining(bragging) about the intricate details on the latest dress that her husband had brought for her from an Essosi merchant who 'exclusively' sold to them, a sharp voice abruptly cut through her words.

"Enough of you chattering." Every noblewoman sitting there flinched and turned to the old women sitting at the very end, looking at them with irritation in her eyes, "You have given me a headache with all your constant squawking," she snorted before waving her hand dismissively, "Go on. Get out of my sight. Go help your good-for-nothing husbands look good or something,"

The noble women were all stunned for a few moments before someone sitting at the other end took the lead, and they all began to slowly exit the carriage one by one, all while muttering under their breaths that she was being very unreasonable and not acting like a noble by kicking them out so abruptly.

But they only dared to voice their displeasure in low, inaudible voices as they knew very well the temper of the Tyrell Matriarch, who wouldn't care too much about their standing and would reprimand them openly in front of everyone if they dared to offend her.

"You are the one who asked mother to call for them, Grandmother," a pleasant voice said as the carriage emptied except for the two of them, "So is it not wrong now to kick them out so rudely?"

"What's so rude about it?" Olenna replied with a scoff, as she picked up a piece of cheese from the plate in front of her, "I called them in because I was hoping to glean some useful information out of their loose mouths, not to listen to their incessant chatter. Their naggings about whose dress was more expensive and whose family had more connections were tiring on the ears. So why would I bother listening to them for any longer than necessary?"

Margery helplessly shook her head at that, as the girl knew that it would be easier to make a Maester renounce his vows and marry than to force her grandmother to be polite with anyone.

"But you are wrong about them being completely useless, Grandmother," Margery said with an small smile on her face, "After all, we didn't know before this meeting that there had been a fight between the King and the Queen, and that Queen Cersei has already rejected Robin Arryn and Robb Stark for her daughter, after Robert Baratheon suggested this match to her."

Of course, the woman who was the source of this information had only mentioned this in passing, saying it was a small anecdote that her cousin, whose family lived in Stormlands and who served as a Baratheon guard, had written to her in a letter.

"And that piece of news was the only reason I tolerated the lot for so long. Otherwise, I would have kicked them out long ago," Olenna shook her head with a dismissive expression on her face, "But this news doesn't matter much to us, because our focus on this trip is neither the Baratheons nor the Lannisters. You remember that right?" she asked while looking meaningfully at her grandaughter, whose beauty had completely blossomed over the past two years and now looked so mesmerising that everyone who saw her compared her with the Queen.

"I remember Grandmother." The girl nodded calmly, "The task is not a difficult one for me. After all, I was already very fond of him when we met him during the time he saved cousin Tara from the Ironborn. So it should be easy to reestablish our connection when we meet and go from there."

"Good." The old woman said as she leaned back, looking a little relieved, "You, girl, are the only one in our family that I can rely on without worry, because if it were left to your father, then our family would have already—"

"But Grandmother, I still don't understand," The girl interrupted before her Grandmother could go on a tangent while complaining about her father, "Why him? Why Jon Snow?"

It's not that the girl was averse to the idea of Jon Snow; in fact, it was the opposite, as the young maiden even held a faint anticipation in her heart towards the boy, as he was not only handsome and a great warrior, but was also capable enough that he had established a massive shipping company at such a young age.

And all these qualities brought him straight to the top of her list of potential suitors, not to mention that his cunning was more than a match for her, someone who had learned at her grandmother's lap from a young age.

And most importantly, he was actually not afraid of her intelligence, and she hadn't even needed to pretend to be a demure little girl in front of him in the short few interactions they shared during his visit.

His feats were so absurd for his age that it even forced the King and his people to overlook his parentage and reward him with a knighthood with such fanfare.

So all in all, even if one were to nitpick, they would be hard-pressed to say something bad about him.

But even then, none of these achievements should have been enough for her grandmother to even think about forging a connection between him and her family, using her.

Not to mention the fact that her Grandmother was essentially telling her to sacrifice this rare chance for her to interact with the Royal progeny, and focus on Jon instead, basically letting go of her ambition to marry their family into the royal family.

And while her grandmother hadn't told her outright to seduce him yet, the girl could read between the lines and understood that the old Matriarch was telling her to set a foundation between the two of them, so that it could be used in the future when the time came.

And all this confused the girl very much, so she finally decided to ask her directly, but...

"You will understand everything later," Olenna answered evasively, while patting the back of her granddaughter's hand, with a somewhat distant look in her eyes, as if she was looking at something far away, "Just trust in your Grandmother girl, and know that she wouldn't let you be wronged."

Ever since the Old Tyrell Matriarch had heard from her eldest about his speculations on Jon's parentage through the exchange of letters between Oberyn and him, Olenna hadn't been able to get a good night's sleep.

She had spent days and weeks ruminating about this secret, considering all the pros and cons of how this could benefit her family the most.

And finally, after much thought, she decided to change the whole strategy that her family had been working towards for the past half a decade.

In the end, the choice had been simple for her when she had clearly listed the two options placed before her family.

One choice would lead the Kingdom to continue to be run by that fat, drunkard who was working himself hard to head towards an early grave, not to mention that there was already a great house married in who had a tight grip on every aspect of power, leaving little meat for them to nibble on, even if they forced themselves in.

While the second choice brought in a youthful, fresh face who had intelligence, composure, and experience of a man thrice his age, and in addition to that, he had already been tested in the cruel battlefield of Essos, where he not only survived but thrived.

And on this side, there are very few backers except for the boy's Uncle and his family, so they would have the advantage of being early investors, making it very much worth their while, even if there was a massive risk involved.

Plus, she had also heard that the boy was very close to Oberyn during his Essosi trip, so the risk in the end may not even be as much as she was thinking at the moment, if all the pieces fell into their places at just the right time.

"I... understand, Grandmother," Margery replied with a helpless look on her face as she realised that this was the only answer she would get from her at the moment.

But it didn't matter too much, as she had always been ready to be sacrificed for the greater good of her family, and this choice was indeed much better than the other one, regarding whom she had already heard plenty of bad rumours.

"Grandmother!" A deep voice called from outside the carriage, interrupting their private conversation, and Margery immediately stood up to open the door to the carriage and peeked out, only to find that the sun had gone down to almost the horizon while they were deep in discussion, and standing out there was her brother, Loras Tyrell.

"Grandmother! Margery!" he said, nodding to both of them with a small smile, "Mother told me to call both of you. The food is almost ready."

"I understand," Margery slowly nodded while looking at her brother with a somewhat lamentable look on her face.

If someone who had not seen her brother over the last year were to see him at this moment, then 7 times out of 10, they would surely not be able to recognise him, so drastic was the change in him.

The young Tyrell had not only grown a beard, but his flamboyant hair that he always kept so meticulously groomed and well maintained, had now been tamed into a sombre cut that made him look like a proper warrior that even the strictest Knight would approve of.

And the surprising reason behind this huge change was a girl...

A girl from the North.

Ever since that fated day when her brother had lost so thoroughly in his fight with Dacey Mormont, the boy had been like a completely different person.

He had lost most of his arrogance and became almost obsessed with training, spending nearly all his day inside the grounds, working himself hard so that he could eventually defeat that bear lady fairly and regain his honour.

But the girl he had made his goal was not an idle woman but a fierce warrior who rarely stayed in one place at a time.

She was a captain who was in almost complete control of a large fleet of ships that was constantly on the move between North and most of the port cities located on this side of Westeros, and she did not have, as she put it, 'Time to indulge a pretty boy every few weeks when it fancied him.'

But Loras was very stubborn about it and decided that since she wouldn't come to Reach, then he would go to her in the North and join her ship as a warrior.

Of course, his Father and Mother were horrified at the very thought of their precious boy travelling on a ship, and going to that dangerous frozen wasteland of the North, and immediately forbade him.

But unfortunately for them, someone higher up the food chain decided that Loras's idea was brilliant and decided to override their decision with a wave of her hand, giving him permission to fulfil his wish.

Olenna had always been a bit dissatisfied with her Grandson's flowery ways, so she was more than happy to see him be so interested in a girl, even if it was for her martial skill, and be willing to brave the cold to travel to the North, so she very much encouraged his wish, hoping that the Frozen water in the North would toughen up her Grandson and give him some of the wisdom that Jon Snow had acquired.

And in the end, her gamble worked even better than she had assumed, as the North, and more importantly, Dacey's fleet, gave the talented young Tyrell the one thing that he was desperately in need of...

Life and Death battles.

While working for the fleet, he fought against all kinds of savages, Iron Born pirates, and even the occasional slavers from Essos, and this changed something fundamental in the boy, as he finally learned what it meant to take a life, what those skills that he had trained so religiously for his whole life were useful for.

And while all this made him more serious, responsible, and worldwise, it also took the innocent pride and smile that the boy always used to carry on his face, and sometimes Margery missed her previous dazzling brother who while a little arrogant, was far less jaded person who expressed himself fully, unlike this rugged version of him that looked less like a princely knight and more like a deadly fighter.

Alas, this new version of him brought him far more respect from the soldiers and other older knights in their family's employ, so she couldn't complain too much.

Most importantly, her Grandmother was very much impressed with this change and even praised him in front of the whole family more than once, which the woman hadn't even done for her eldest son in more than a decade.

"Ah, finally," Olenna groaned as she stood up and exited the carriage with her grandson's help, "I had almost assumed that those lazy cooks were taking a break today. Come, girl, let's see what abomination your mother has decided to feed me today."

Margery rolled her eyes but didn't want to encourage her Grandmother by defending her mother, so she turned to Loras and asked, "How long until we reach King's Landing, brother?"

"I think about two more weeks," Loras answered with a thoughtful look on his face, "That is if we keep moving at this slow pace," he muttered while glancing at his Grandmother's carriage, which was the most responsible for their convoy's less-than-desired speed.

"Don't you dare look at it like that," Olenna snapped as her eyes narrowed in displeasure, "You don't know how much these old bones would have suffered if not for the comfort of this carriage. You would have been better off bringing my ashes along if you wanted to gallop all the way on your fast horses..."

Her Grandmother started complaining as usual, acting out the part of a scatter-brained old woman, which she sometimes did when it struck her fancy, but the two grandchildren had gotten used to it over the years, so they just exchanged weak smiles with each other and silently listened to her thousand grievances.

....

"Welcome, Father," Jaime Lannister greeted with a smile as he watched the Old Lion dismount his horse outside the Lion Gate, where most of the smallfolks had already been cleared by the Gold Cloaks beforehand in anticipation of the arrival of the Lannister patriarch.

Tywin simply nodded his head at his son's greeting, his eyes roving over the idiotic white armour his eldest wore so proudly with naked distaste that the Kingsguard effortlessly ignored with the experience of a veteran.

"Jaime! My dear brother!!" a jovial voice shouted as he looked past his father to see his little brother stumbling out of a carriage, and then slowly made his way over with his arms wide open and a wide smile on his face, "It is good to finally see you after so long,"

"If you can call the few months since you were here last 'long'," Jaime replied sarcastically, but the warmth on his face as he lowered himself to hug him gave away his delight at seeing his second favourite sibling.

"Ah! You wouldn't understand, brother. Time moves a lot slower for us little people, so for me it has indeed been very long." Tyrion shook his head sadly as if disappointed in his brother's lack of thought, "Speaking of slow. How come our dear sister didn't come here to welcome Father," he asked with a curious tilt of his tilt before letting out a dramatic gasp, "Don't tell me, is the Queen too busy with affairs of the kingdom to meet her old Father," he whispered loudly, as if talking about something scandalous.

"You jest brother," Jaime rolled his eyes at his brother's acting, before explaining for the sake of his Father who was now looking at him with a raised eyebrow, "Cersei was bringing Tommen and Myrcella along in a carriage right behind me, but Kingslanding is so overpopluated at the moment, because of this stupid Tourney," he said with a curl of his lips, "That they got stuck mid-way, so it will probably take them another hour before they reach here,"

"Oh, poor Cersei, so unfortunate for a queen like her to suffer because of some hideous commoners," Tyrion said with a lamenting look on his face, but the dwarf couldn't stop his lips from quirkking up, showing that he was more amused by the situation than anything, "But if we are to wait for them, then I should we get some jerkys, and a jug of ale becuase—"

"We won't wait." Tywin announced succinctly, and then, without waiting for their input, he turned around to order, "Bring back my horse."

Tyrion scowled, but didn't have much of a choice in front of his Father, so he turned and asked his retainer to bring him his pony, and then helped himself up on it, knowing well that the sight of him would bring quite the amusement to children along the way.

So the three of them, along with a dozen Lannister guards, took off into the Capital on their horses, leaving the rest of their party along with their carriages and their luggage in the capable hands of Kevan Lannister.

"You were not jesting about the crowd, brother," Tyrion mused a few minutes later as his different coloured eyes moved over the congested crowd, taking in the various Smallfolks, Merchants, and Labourers walking down the street, wearing all kinds of thin and thick clothes, and speaking in accents from all over the Seven kingdoms, bar perhaps the Iron Islands.

From rich Merchants wearing silk clothes to poor homeless children begging on the sides, everyone seemed to have enthusiasm and a kind of vibrancy in their eyes that Tyrion had never seen before in the Capital, "I don't think I have ever seen this many people in the Capital, even during the coronation of the King."

"They are all just stupid sheep following after the crowd, trying to make a few pennies from the excitement, with most of them probably not even knowing what the Tourney is being held for," Jaime murmured with a scoff, disdain dripping in his voice, "But what confuses me is why you felt the need to attend, Father?"

Jaime hadn't initially believed when he learned that his Father, who wouldn't move from his seat of power unless it was for something very important, was also slated to attend, "Don't tell me, you are also here tp see that Northerner brat?" he asked with a derisive chuckle.

Tywin turned around at that and silently looked at his son with a somewhat curious look on his face, as if trying to read his mind, making the Kingsguard feel very uncomfortable as if he was a boy once again.

"Oh, my! Is that perhaps jealousy I hear in your voice, brother?" Tyrion's amazed voice suddenly interrupting their silent conversation, and asked the very question that Tywin had been trying to find the answer to from his son's face, "Are you perhaps of the mind that the boy is undeserving of this Tourney?" The dwarf asked with a teasing look in his eyes, as if delighted by the uneasiness on his brother's face.

"Ah, but that makes sense," Tyrion continued with a nod, as he answered his own question, "After all, the boy is about to break your famous record of being the youngest knight in the last century, and that too by accomplishing a feat that was even grander than yours."

"Don't be absurd," Jaime finally replied with a scoff as he looked away, "Why would I be jealous of a little brat whose only achievement is having a father who is the friend of the King."

"Oh..." Tyrion looked taken aback for a few moments, "I don't know what your source of information is, brother, but as far as I know, King Robert had no hand in helping him with anything in Essos."

"I am not saying about that, I am just saying that he wouldn't be getting knighted with so much fanfare if his father wasn't Eddard Stark,"

Tyrion simply shrugged at that, unable to deny that there was some truth to it, as the only reason King Robert even knew the boy's name was probably because of his father.

But that didn't mean that all his achievements were because of his parentage, as in the dwarf's opinion, his birth must have hindered him as much as helped him, being a bastard.

"And even if he did all this without anyone's help, as everyone keeps on harping about," he said with a faint sneer, "That doesn't mean he is anything more than an above average fighter who has some good men under his command, becuase please don't tell me you really believe all this horse shit about him commanding a handful of ships filled with some random mercenaries, and then defeating a Pirate king with decade long reign in Essos in his first battle as a green boy?"

"Even if I didn't, which I mostly do, everyone else already seems to have believed it to be the truth," Tyrion replied with a shrug.

"Everyone who?"

"Everyone who is attending, The Tyrells, The Dornish, King Robert," Tyrion counted off on his fingers one by one, "And of course, our own father Lord Tywin Lannister," he said the last one with a amused smile on his face, and didn't flinch at all when his father turned back to stare him with scorn in his ice-cold eyes.

"The only reason I bothered to come here was to keep an eye on the families you just mentioned, some who hadn't been seen around these parts in a decade, so that they don't form an alliance that can become a hindrance to the Lannisters," he explained in a no-nonsense tone, "After all, I can't very well leave the family in the hands of the two of you— a drunken leecher and a glorified guard." he finished his piece and then after sending another imperious glare at the two, he took off on his horse from their side, as if getting tired of their chattering.

"You really can't stop yourself from poking at our father, can you?" Jaime said with a sigh, as the two of them somehow ended up trailing at the very end of their group, "Now, because of your brother, he is cross with me too."

"Oh, don't worry too much, brother. I know my limits." Tyrion said with a dismissive look on his face, "Besides, this way he will leave us alone to our devices for a few days to have fun," he said with a sneaky smile in his eyes, "So take me to the brothels, and let us see if the Merchants of the Seven kingdoms have only brought their goods to sell or if they have brought their whores along too,"

///

Now that you are here, in Part 2, you'd better not forget to subscribe, add to library, favourite, or whatever it is that this site lets you do, so that you can get updates on time and not be waiting.

PS:— You know where to go to read ahead, right?

 

[oscar e Sampedro Lopez]

Thanks for the chapter Great story as always

 

[ATP]

Thanks for chapter Margery for Jon - Olenna must knew who his father was.Or,at least,suspect.Well,it would be good for both of them.