'Was it too much for a simple trip?!' I shouted in my mind as I crouched low against the deck, guards and sailors running around as a fleet slowly approached us.
I could hear the excited shouts of the pirates and narrowed my eyes as I saw that their number of ships were twice the number of ours.
"Lord Hand! Lord Stark! Please, enter the ship for safety!" One of House Hightower's guards shouted and I frowned as I watched the ships beginning to take formation.
The ship that took the front had a hull darkened with rot, its wooden split in places where barnacles grew thick enough to meld planks together. Its sails were nothing but rags and yet, they still billowed as if winds were pushing them forward.
The men aboard were nothing but sagging forms with grey skin, their mouths fixed in grotesque grins that left their blackened teeth exposed and seawater poured from their every orifice.
However, it was their eyes that disturbed me the most, milky white with sickly green pupils that all focused on me the moment I stood up.
"The Drowned One does not want you and the Mother to meet," The raven spoke from my shoulder and I nodded, raising a hand to catch Otto's attention.
"Your men are not going to be enough, Lord Hand. Take a closer look at our foes!" I shouted to all the sailors, who all paused and looked at the ships.
"By the gods..."
"What hell are we fighting against?"
"Seven save us..."
"What...are those?" Otto asked, a disturbed look on his face as the rotten pirates' cheers echoed like wailing spirits across the seas.
"Those were made by Dalton Greyjoy, if I had to guess. Necromancy was definitely involved," I murmured, glancing at the raven as she nodded.
If that's the case, then regular weapons won't work against them. Sure, they could and I might be overestimating our foes, but what if they didn't?
Our foes could defeat our sailors one by one and drag them underwater, which could result in more enemies being created from our own allies.
No, if we were going to fight, then it had to be through magic.
Flipping my cloak back, I pulled my wand out with my right hand, clenching it tightly as the raven took to the skies.
"Caring Aether of the winds, heed my call," I began my chant, the wind around me beginning to pick up as I watched the pirates all turn to me.
It was subtle at first, a simple tug against the wind as if the world held its breath. The waves began to churn as the ships drew closer, the guards and sailors getting ready for combat.
"Mother of gentle skies, shape your breath into a shield," I continued, swinging my wand above my head in a wide circle and the winds followed.
It started small, a gathering of air currents above my head that turned into a small tornado. However, the longer I moved, the larger it grew, every rotation that finished, pushing the wind further and further outwards.
"Call the gale, wolfborn! The sea probes so answer with the storm!"
"Currents, dance and sweep over the sea! Summon Wind Elemental!" Both the raven and I chanted in unison, our Aether threads latching onto the large vortex that encircled our fleet.
The next moment, the winds gathered and took the shape of a banshee, her windswept hair flowing behind her and where her eyes were supposed to were nothing but the pale blue of the clear sky.
I didn't say anything as I raised my wand to the air, the banshee responding by sucking in a gargantuan amount of wind to the point that her chest swelled up.
Then, I swung my hand down and the banshee responded in kind.
A deafening shriek escaped her lips and impacted the undead fleet, our own ships trembling from the shockwaves as the wind pushed them underwater.
The banshee didn't stop as we sailed past, only subsiding her cries when she was but a small speck in the distance.
'F-Fuck, that...is a lot more exhausting than I expected,' I thought with a hidden grimace, every part of my head aching as the raven landed on my shoulder.
Yet, my exhaustion was nothing to the pride I felt as the sailors stared at me, simply letting out a soft sigh before turning to the stunned Otto.
"You just wiped out an entire fleet."
"I did, Lord Hand. I'm also quite tired so I will be returning to my room for the rest of the trip," I replied with a smile, walking past the crowd of sailors and walking into the room assigned to me that was right next to the captain's cabin.
The moment I was alone, I let myself sag to the ground, the raven hopping down to the ground and transforming into her child-like form.
There was a look of approval in her eyes as she helped me stand. I strained my body to move over to the bed, falling onto it on my side with a groan as she pulled a chair closer.
"I have only seen one human younger than you that has called a Greater Elemental Spirit into existence."
"Who?"
"Your ancestor, Bran the Builder. It was on his fourteenth nameday," she replied, making me chuckle as I rolled onto my back with a sigh.
"Think that was enough of a warning to show to the Drowned One?"
"He will not try again as that was a test to see your limitation. Now, He knows that you are stronger than most. Therefore, he will most likely ask Dalton to take care of you through mortal ways."
"In combat, you mean?" I asked, the Child nodding with a smirk. "It's a good thing I've been doing those rituals to strengthen my body then."
"Indeed it is," she murmured, silence hanging in the air as I felt the Aether of the world soothing my body. "Ilrwyannpqo"
"Pardon?"
"That is my name. Ilrwyannpqo."
"...May I call you Anne? It's short, sweet and it doesn't make me sound like I'm trying to swallow my own tongue."
"Hmm, I approve. Anne it is," she nodded, making me chuckle before I rolled my eyes at Vermithor's irritation through our tether link.
"Those were just undead. Once we face the champion of the Drowned God, you can help should he try anything," I replied, chuckling as I felt the excitement from the dragon at getting to fight a god's chosen.
Honestly, he can be excited for the both of us. I'm just going to take a breather and rest off this exhaustion.
"Do it. I shall keep watch for you," Ilrwyannpqo/ Anne spoke up and I gave a thankful smile before letting my exhaustion take me away.
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My eyes fluttered open as a heavy knock came from my door, turning my head as it opened and a knight from House Hightower entered hesitantly.
"Lord Stark? The Lord Hand asks for your presence at breakfast," I fought through the haze of sleep, a faint ache pulsing behind my eyes as I smiled.
"I'll be there shortly," I replied, sitting up with a grunt. The Knight bowed and stepped out, shutting the door behind him. Anne was perched on the windowsill in her raven form, an amused thrill leaving her throat.
"Most of your body has recovered and it only took two days for you to recover."
"T-Two days?" I asked, wanting to make sure. She just gave what was the raven version of a laugh before taking off.
Now left alone in the room, I sighed before standing up with a grunt. I did stumble a bit thanks to the two days of sleep, but it only took me a while to steady myself.
Rolling my shoulders, a few stiff pops were my reward as I lifted an arm before reeling back at the smell.
Okay, firstly, I need to take a shower, a dump and a piss. Then, I'll meet Otto for whatever it is he wants.
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"Lord Stark, it brings my heart joy to see that my granddaughter's husband did not pass during the trip," Otto greeted with a polite smile, which I returned as I joined him under the shade of the small makeshift gazebo.
'Otto Hightower is treating me well? Nah, he doesn't do that unless he needs something,' I thought, sitting down in front of him. I wasn't going to show my suspicions, but I wasn't gonna ignore them either.
"I am as well. Helaena would drag me back from the Seven Hells just to send me back there because I died without her consent."
"Hahahaha~It appears you have finally learned of the troubles and tribulations that us men must endure under our Lady wives," He spoke with a laugh, making me blink at the rather happy persona the man had towards me.
Before, I would have had to sacrifice an entire kingdom just to get a smile from the guy, but now, he looked all too eager to be on my good side. Yeah, I'm very on guard.
"It was not too long ago that you eradicated an entire fleet on your own. Understand it from his perspective," Anne helpfully provided and I blinked before giving a feeling of thanks through our links.
Right, if I had to decide how to act towards the guy that could erase a fleet twice the size of the one I was on in the blink of an eye, I'd be the biggest bitch in the history of bitches.
"So, how has things been since I passed out? All good, I hope?"
"It has been nothing but blessed and smooth sailing."
"No other...undead fleets, I hope?" I asked, relieved as the man shook his head.
"No, just a few regular human fleets that our own took care of," he replied and I nodded, picking up a cup of wine and feeling nothing but ecstasy as its sweet warmth helped soothe my headache.
Nothing like alcohol to make a headache go away.
"How close are we to Dorne?"
"We have passed Tarth just a day ago. If the winds keep being in our favour, we should reach Dorne by tomorrow."
"By tomorrow, huh?" I murmured, glancing to the front of the ship where I could feel eyes watching me.
That was most likely the Drowned One waiting for his opportunity, but like Anne had said, he only gazed at me for a few more seconds before I felt his 'eyes' vanish.
'Okay, so he was just testing the waters. If that's the case, I need to rest more because he might try something as we sail through the Stepstones,' I thought, turning back to Otto as he cleared his throat.
"If possible, Lord Stark, would you mind answering a few of my questions pertaining to how Helaena is?" his question threw me for a loop and I gave a slow blink before nodding.
"Of course, Lord Hand. Ask away."
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Surprisingly, the rest of the trip was chill. Sure, there were the one or two pirate fleets that thought they could rob us, but once Vermithor finally got a chance for action, it didn't take long before they decided to avoid us at all costs.
It was a bit of a bummer though as the dragon wanted more time and fun, but I guess there's only so much grilling a dragon can do before the entire Narrow Sea decides to avoid us.
On a more mystical note, the Drowned One did not attack either. He leered and he watched, but there was no attack and I was both glad and wary of that.
The happiness was because I could rest myself fully, but the wariness came from the fact that He most definitely had something planned for when we arrived at Sunspear.
Speaking of Sunspear, the place was a stark contrast from both Winterfell and King's Landing.
The air hit me first, dry and hot with the fragrances of hundreds of spices carried on its back. The sun blazed above and yet, the Dornish moved as if it was but a dim light.
Their skin glowed and their clothing was loose and vibrant, their stares only glancing at us for a brief moment before they went about their day.
"Sunspear is...something," I murmured, Otto hearing my words and nodding with a smile as we disembarked.
"It is a city that belongs to a land that remembers slights against it for centuries, but never forgets neither guest nor enemy," He replied, my gaze focusing on the group that waited for us at the end of the gangplank.
"Lord Hand, Lord Stark. I am Prince Qyle Nymeros-Martell, the second child and only son to my Lord Father, Prince Qoren Nymeros-Martell," the young guy about a few years older than me greeted with a smile and I raised an eyebrow as he almost looked like a younger Oberyn from the original series.
Wonder if he's as much of a serpent like he would be.
Right beside the prince were numerous guards, all of whom looked tense as Vermithor drifted overhead.
"My father sends his regards and apologies that he could not personally greet you himself, but due to an unwanted guest, his attention was demanded elsewhere. However, he eagerly awaits your presence."
"We understand, young prince Qyle," Otto responded, but I raised an eyebrow as the way he said 'prince' was with not so much respect as he would if he was talking to 'Aemond'.
'Hmm, I suppose he wouldn't see them as princes given that his grandchildren are actual princes and princesses.'
"I thank you for your understanding, Lord Hand. Now then, the palace has prepared a feast in your honour, only the best in Dorne. Shall we?"
"But of course. The Dornish cuisine is always an excellent treat to experience," Otto replied with a smile, the two of us following after Qyle as our guards and his formed a circle around us.
There were those that followed our forms as we walked away, but most just bowed and moved out of the way.
My gaze, however, was more focused on the beautiful sandstone towers and tiled murals that were everywhere. There were vendors that shouted out their sales and the scent of spicy food made my mouth water before I forced myself to calm down.
'You'll get a chance to enjoy chillies once again, stomach. Just prepare yourself for when we get the shits,' I thought, rubbing my stomach while we made our way to the castle in the distance.
"Lord Stark, it is said that you are similar to my younger sister. Is that true?"
"In what way are we referring to here?"
"There are tales that you are the voice of the Old Gods and that you are capable of controlling the forests as we know it."
"In a sense, yes," I replied, turning my gaze back to Prince Qyle. "I am the voice of the Old Ones, yes, but I do not control them. I merely ask and they reply."
"A subtle distinction that makes the world's difference. Most men who wield any power immediately assume ownership of it," he replied with an intrigued look.
"That is also why most men die screaming when the world reminds them otherwise," I replied, drawing a chuckle from him as Otto gave a nod.
Good, we're softening him up.
"My sister said the same when we asked her of her capabilities."
"It escaped my mind to ask. Is she also a chosen?"
"You will have to wait and see," Qyle replied and I smiled in turn. Well, I guess it's only fair to wait and see.
As we walked, I narrowed my eyes as I felt the Drowned God and the Mother Rhoyne both gazing upon me. My eyes then widened as my own Aether thread twisted to form the visage of the red-eyed Weirtree.
"The Old Ones Asks For Entrance."
"Granted," Mother Rhoyne's voice echoed and their three spectral forms vanished, leaving me staring at thin air before I smirked.
'Well, this just got interesting.'
A/N: And we end it off here~! A lot more build-up than need be and a bit of magical showcase to show off Torrhen's strength, but next chapter, we start off strong with the trials in question.
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories & even some that haven't been released out to this site yet. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next chapter...
Ba-Bye~!