One Positive Change at a Time (ASOIAF: Viserys SI) Dead.

Chapter 6: Risk
Joffrey Baratheon
​

With Father handling the final preparations for the Pentos invasion, I’ve been left to entertain my cousins. I thought Elyssa would find Viserys’ game boring just like my sister but she surprised me.

For my fourth nameday Viserys had several maps painted onto wooden panels. One is all of Westeros and it’s divided into how the Kingdoms looked before… he died.

It was hard growing up under Father’s demanding gaze but Viserys always took the time to play with me. He’s the only reason I think about how others will perceive my actions. It’s a lot easier to make friends now that I follow the rules he laid out. No idea which House Lord Dexter was from though… but maybe that’s the reason he told me the story.

Having it rubbed in my face that neither myself or my mother knew a single servant’s name was a harsh reality. Everyone is faceless and that means anyone could be the one I push too far.

Father follows the rules to the letter and is respected… if not beloved like my Uncle Robert was. Grandfather and Tyrion are feared but no one wants them around… how was Viserys able to balance those three parts of himself?

I heard how he broke the ones to bring Greyscale to Storm’s End and yet he’s celebrated for what amounts to the same crimes the Lannisters commit. The only difference is the scale and targets chosen. Viserys kept his victims restricted to hose hated by everyone and his punishment a step below the crime.

Restraint is the key. I can be cruel to my enemies and make hem suffer but easily turned cowards I should use like the sheep they are. Reward those who support me loyally and I’ll have my very own Barristan one day.

Lord Selmy returned with eleven unclaimed Valyrian steel weapons, the seven survivors each keeping one for themselves. Rightly so… they each earned their Lordships for honoring Viserys’ last words.

They could have bought a Kingdom each with those priceless weapons, but they delivered them all to their intended recipient without a single issue. A splendid long sword for the Lannister family, got this Yenneck fellow the lands once held by the Cleganes.

The antlered rabbit that is his sigil would have been nonsense… except the ones brought back from Valyria are delicious. I don’t know if they lack genders or if both can lay eggs but it’s made the Easters rich in only five years.

Father received a smith’s hammer and wears it with pride on his hip. But the one for me is more of a thin rapier the Braavosi are fond of using. Mother wont let me have it for a few more years but it’s only made me train harder each night in anticipation.

Viserys spent at least an hour each night training by himself and I make sure to do he same. Having Syrio Forel to each my the Water Dance is a fine substitute for my cousins morning lessons with Ser Barristan. And actually a style I seem to be suited for., no years of fumbling like Viserys had to endure.

A spear for the Martells, a short sword for the Arryns, and a massive two handed ax for Uncle Renly, are all exceptional gifts I can understand. The bastard sword the Tullys received makes sense as does the great and short ones sent to Skagos for Duncan and Sandor.

Aegon had a second short sword delivered to him with some reluctance from him to accept. All of these gifts are fine. It’s how he had a long sword given to he Tyrells I still find hard to accept.

“Stop stalling Joff,” Elyssa hisses at me from across the painted map of Dorne, the Stormlands, and Reach. “It’s your turn.”

Her green cavalry are clustered together and cutting right through my yellow defenses. Closing my eyes and praying to the Warrior for luck, I roll the dice.

“How are you always so lucky?” She groans when the clattering ends and I peek at the pair of fives which definitely beats her three.

“Luck is just skill performing anonymously.” My smirk only makes her groan again as she removes three of her ‘Reach’ pieces from the board.

Orys whines for his turn and I relent after reinforcing the Boneway. “Okay I have all of Dorne. That means I get fifteen spear men!” His red pieces go onto the board all clustered at Starfall. “Now since you’re both fighting in the Marches...” My six year old brother sneaks his forces right into Horn Hill. “I’m going right to Highgarden this turn. Roll Elyssa, I’m attacking you with everything.”

“Wait!” Something’s not right. I scan the board and realize Orys put to many pieces out again. “Stop cheating Orys or you can’t play anymore.”

“But I was helping you win!” He whines to no effect.

“It doesn’t matter. Viserys made the rules to this game and you will follow them.” He didn’t give all his maps to anyone but me, we have to play it the right way.

Relenting under my firm gaze, Orys apologizes to our cousin who has the same indigo eyes. But everything else about her is Martell.

If Orys is going to make it unfair for her, I need to balance the game. While Elyssa pulls out of the Stormlands to defend her Kingdom’s core, I use my turn to strike at the Yronwood territory.

“What are you doing Joffrey, we’re brothers!”

“And Elyssa is our cousin, we need to work together.” My smile gets her to return one of her own. “It’s in our best interests to be kind to family.” Viserys was very clear that mistreated family are the ones in the best position to take everything from you.

“Wise words my son.” Father’s Small Council meeting is finally over and he stands just inside the doorway. “It is family we can rely on more than anyone else.”

Grandfather enters next with his eyes focusing on our game. “What is this?”

“A game Viserys made for him years ago,” Explains Mother with a bored yawn as she and Aunt Arianne enter next.

Renly is only a few steps behind and his eyes light up. “I haven’t played in years, what do you say Tywin… want to see where my legend began?”

“This… game, is how you achieved your military mind?” Drawls Grandfather with a raised eyebrow. “I find that hard to believe. No game can account for all the complexities of war.”

“Oh it doesn’t and it’s nothing more than an introduction to thinking tactically. But it made me want to study more and motivated me to learn better tactics than ‘charge’.” Uncle Renly is quick to admit before turning to me with a grin. “Do you still have the Stepstones map? I’m sure your Grandfather wouldn’t mind showing you how his legend began.”

“And you’ll be the Blackfyres?” I’m shocked that it’s not instant refusal and instead intrigue in his voice.

I’m not going to let them just take over the whole game like this. “I have lots of armies. We can team up against him and Elyssa.”

“It seems your son is growing up…” Grandfather gives me an evaluating gaze. “Have you considered his prospects?”

“Only Daenerys or Jennelyn would be acceptable for him.” Insists Mother firmly.

This just seems to annoy my aunt though. “So Robert’s kid is good enough but mine isn’t?”

“Her and Orys are closer in age.” With a roll of her eyes, Mother reveals the rest of her designs. “I was going to speak with you about that once the men went off to punish Pentos.”

“Which one is the prettiest?” A Queen needs to be beautiful if she is to rule beside me.

“We can have Lyanna bring them down so you can decide yourself.” Mother assures me with a smirk I still can’t quite pull off.

This doesn’t sit will with Father and he firmly decides against it. “Not until the war is over. King’s Landing has been captured three times since Robert first rebelled… I want you and the children safely away from this deathtrap.”

“Casterly Rock-” Grandfather is cut of before he can finish, bringing a glare to his eyes for a moment.

“Has also fallen in the last decade.” The reminder from Father must sting, even with Uncle Jaime’s legendary retaking of the castle. “Storm’s End is where they will go, Renly’s preparations will keep them safe.”

I can work around those conditions. “Winterfell hasn’t fallen. What if I go North for the duration of the war and see both girls they will show more of who they really are?”

“Benjen is still on Skagos…” He’s considering it! “I suppose you could go to Skagos with Lord Baelish.” Father purses his thin lips in careful consideration. “You will need to bring proper protection though. Which means Ser Hugo Vance will accompany you and his orders will be followed when it comes to your safety.”​

 

Chapter 7: Healing A Name (Aegon)
Aegon
​

Once the walls are finished, the Abbey will contain fourteen acres of orchard. And another six of sod hut covered fields. The walls will be thirty feet high once finished and made from the bold sandstone of the Red Mountains nearby.

The Sparrow from the Riverlands came with scores of refugees, survivors of the devastation in the Riverlands. With those cured of Greyscale seemingly immune to any natural disease, it became clear what I needed to do.

Instead of just turning Summerhall into another fancy Sept, I was able to speak to King Stannis about using the land as a center of healing. And for those who are crippled or dying of sickness, we can make as long as they have left… easier.

Thirty six Ironborn form the base of the Abbey’s permanent staff but the family members of those receiving care are the ones working the orchards. Right now it’s only some smallfolk who would be left as beggars and a blind daughter of the Beesbury family, though I expect the numbers to rise by the time I am forced to decide my own fate.

Two more years and I have to choose between becoming Abbot Aegon Ashtar or going back to Dorne as a Martell. It seems like like this Sparrow would be a good Abbot, he doesn’t care about wealth at all.

He only has white woolen robes made from the Stabbit wool. A trio had been donated on the condition we not sell any Stabbit byproduct. With the Mander tree donations, Summerhall Abbey can remain self sufficient with up to six hundred people in need of care… nearly thrice that once the construction is finished.

“Have you come any closer to making your decision?” The Sparrow smiles warmly at me, his thin and greying hair leaving a crown of bare skin atop his head.

I chance a sideways glance at the girl who has been occupying my every spare thought. “… I have been conflicted as of late.”

My cousin Mya Baratheon notices my stare and slaps Brienne of Tarth on the back. “Aegon has just started noticing girls.”

“You are still allowed to marry, you know the terms as well as I.” My temporary Abbot grins knowingly at the new half step between being a Septon and a Lord. “It is the land and title that will no longer pass on. But the children can always join the Faith as well or seek shelter with family.”

Brienne gives me a look of apology as she turns away awkwardly. I know you think I’m just a kid, but we only have a year and a half between us. We can make it work, Arianne is two years older than Renly.

“But who would allow me to marry their daughter when I will have nothing to pass on?” I know it’s not just my age but likely words from her Lord Father to reject my advances. Better start being more realistic in my choices… I’ll be lucky to land a bastard.

Ser Balon Swann, the seven and ten year old knight is in charge of escort and he finds something in my words hilarious. He may have been here when everything first began but was a few years shy of being able to join in Renly’s song worthy defense.

“You assure her family ‘Talon’ isn’t going to the Faith and you’ll do alright Aegon.” He means my Valyrian steel short sword and flush pink. I always forget how much the ivory carved hilt and smoky dark metal is really worth.

“Wish one of my uncles cared that much about me,” Grunts Mya as a flash of lightning streaks across the sky.

Sharing a look of amusement with Ser Balon, I allow him to stick his foot in his mouth. “Didn’t they give you a name and a castle?” Griffin’s Roost will be hers once she marries someone the Baratheon brothers approve of. “Seems like they gave you a lot more than your brother up on Skagos.”

“Gendry has no imagination, his letters have only been about one thing since he moved from Winterfell.” Her lips twist into a snarl as she growls angrily. “Lord Stark says the Night’s Watch is an honorable calling. Lord Stark says I could even become the Lord Commander one day.”

Clenching her fists in frustration, Mya slams one of them into a sod house nearing completion. “Well Lord Stark can kiss my ass!” We all pretend to ignore the tears, knowing full well what will happen if they’re called anything but rain. “My brother should have been legitimized and betrothed to one of the Stark Girls. Seven knows they have a whole herd of them on offer.”

“Or at least the Tyrell girl if the King wanted to insult the Gardeners.” Even Balon finds the forcing of Gendry to the far corner of Westeros odd.

“I just hope the war with Pentos goes well.” Brienne has worry on her face as she considers her brother and father both in the fleet leaving in a few days. “Prince Renly is a genius but what if something unexpected happens?”

“Lord Baelish and Braavos both agree waiting any longer will only lead to Myr, Tyrosh, and Lys, all fighting against us.” Agrees Mya with concern for the uncles she was just complaining about.

Well… I may as well add my own bad news. “It may even bring the new Kingdom growing along the Northern Rhoyne into the fray. They’ve managed to stop any Dothraki from crossing North of the Sorrows in three years and no one from Braavos or Pentos has been allowed East.”

It’s a real bottle neck of information and I’ve heard Renly cursing about the dead zone in his intelligence as he’s planned the invasion. I wonder if Norvos or Qohor have managed to find anything out?

“Is that why the invasion is happening now?” Balon has understanding in his eyes and I nod back in confirmation. “So Pentos can’t use the Dothraki as a defense?”

“Exactly.”

Renly is going to land the Dornish, Stepstone, and Stormland forces in the Flatlands just South of Pentos and stop any reinforcements from coming to the cities aid. I know Lord Tyrion and Lord Eddard have offered to take in refugees, but I expect Braavos to retain control of the majority of people and the land itself.

The storm picks up with freezing rain turning into hail the size of my fists. As everyone races inside for shelter, I see one of the Riverland veterans collapse. His leg was severed at the knee and his crutches not enough to get him out of the torrential downpour.

“Give me your shield!” I roar at Balon but don’t give him time to respond before I start yanking it from his back. “He needs help!”

I notice a few more have fallen and force every bit of energy into my legs, the rectangle of metal held above me. When I reach the fallen man I check for a pulse and sigh with relief when the red head groans.

“Come on, I got you.” He’s delirious from the head wound with a thick coating of crimson pouring down his brow. But he does understand I’m here to help, letting me slide his arm over my shoulder.

It’s only when I’m about to stand that I realize I don’t have enough hands to hold the dented shield above us. “Huddle close to me, we’re going to have to wait this out Mister...” I don’t know his name and hope he’ll offer it.

“… Alliser.” Is his single word response. Or at least I assumed it was all the grim faced man was going to say. “Why did you save me…” His voice is thick with confusion and guilt that I have no time for right now.

“Lot’s of people got confused and made bad choices but the Seven says all are deserving of forgiveness. So I forgive you.” I scowl up at his shock and we both flinch when lightning strikes the tree above us with a thunderous boom.

The wave of heat sends us both rolling along the balls of melting ice and it’s only a pair of metal legs that prevent us from going any farther. “What kind of plan was that Aegon!”

Brienne’s voice is irritated and just a little bit impressed when I stand with Alliser secured in my grip. “I’ll hold the shield, you just make sure not to stop.” She grunts as her shield rings with impacts and we slowly make our way towards the nearest sod home.

“Is every storm here this severe?” The amputee roars over the howling wind as my eyes narrow. A mass of black clouds are swirling right over Storm’s End.

“This is rare even for us, we normally just get the rain and lightning!” Answers Brienne as we finally reach safety.

Bolts of forked light arc downwards one after the other and even miles away I can hear the sound of each impact. A dozen in as many seconds strike the place I have called home for the last five years.

Dread fills my stomach when the storm clears as suddenly as it formed. A light drizzle rains down for a few more minutes before the sky shows only clear blue. “Saddle the horses. we need to get back to Storm’s End and we aren’t stopping for the night!” I don’t know what just happened but that was not a natural storm.​

 

Chapter 8: Taking Control
Arianne Baratheon
​

After the midday meal, Cersei has something she urgently needs to discuss in private. I’m not really sure what it could be since she’s bringing Shireen with us to go speak to that wizard of hers, Qyburn.

She found him before we left King’s Landing and he claims to be able to hatch Renly’s dragon eggs. But as of yet… he’s done nothing except make this corner of the castle smell horrible.

Several large golden rods have been brought in and make a strange sight jutting out the window. The one I got a good look was covered in what looked like letters of some kind. Probably from Yi Ti based on the rug Mother had when I was a little girl.

The honorary eighth member of the kingsguard follows, Lucian’s cocky grin makes me want to slap if off like every damn time I see it. Cersei gives me a smirk as the door to Qyburn’s lab creaks open and gestures for me to enter.

“We have something important to discuss, I finally have a solution to the problem facing us both.” Her green eyes shimmer with no longer concealed hatred.

“And that would be?” I’m not going to just give you the ammunition to ruin my family, you better have some damn proof.

When the door slams shut behind us, Shireen lets out a gasp I manage to contain. “Why the fathers of our children of course.” Cerseri smirks at me darkly as Lucian slams a metal fist into my gut.

While I lay gasping for breath on the floor, he drags be over to the collection of golden rods. They’ve been secured on the ground and are bound intricately with copper wires. Despite my struggles he quickly binds me with chains of silver to the contraption, while Malegorn is far more gentle in restraining my niece beside me.

“Mother!” Her fear hurts but I don’t have the air the draw breath and comfort Shireen. “What’s happening?” I want to know too.

“I finally learned what the pieces needed to hatch Viserys’ are.” Cersei pats the struggling girl on her head of thick black hair. “Qyburn has come up with a way to see it done. Your brothers will just need your help to see it done Darling.”

The hunched figured in brown robes interrupts with a wheezing chuckle. “Preparations are nearly complete. We just need the guests of honor, so let me call the storm.”

His arrogance is even thicker than the smell of rotten eggs filling the room but Cersei agrees with a cruel smile. “Go get my husband Redpool. If we wait any longer, my brilliant little Joffrey may not let me help him.”

The man gives me an apologetic look and leaves the room silently. Cersei of course can’t resist bragging and removes the gag Lucian had applied.

“I got to him first but he still chose you?” She hisses so close to me, her warm breath tickles my cheek. “But don’t worry. Once you’re gone… I’ll take good care of the children for you.”

“What are you talking about?” I gasp out as soon as I’m able.

My answer is a hard slap across my face and then several more as she wears herself out. “As much as I want to stay here and enjoy this. It’s better if I’m gone before the show begins.”

She has a scowling Lucian reapply my gag and they leave us with the smirking Qyburn. He points to the two eggs I’ve seen many times, one of deep indigo and the other a soft lavender shade.

“Don’t worry Princesses, you’ll live on as a dragon.” His cackle makes Shireen start to shake with sobs. “I’m quite curious to see which breed you become. I see no reason to replicate an ancient ritual and have designed my very own.”

When his speech is finished, he removes a glass candle from his robes. To my shock it begins glowing the moment he places it in a copper harness attached to the rune covered rods.

A howling wind picks up almost instantly and is soon joined by the drizzle of rain. Cracks of thunder make Shireen jerk in fright and I manage to link hands with her.

“Tywin’s agent took a while but we finally got all the information we need.” He leans in and mocks me, hiss foul breath washing over my face. “We found Viserys and Cersei has sent her brother to bring him home. Joffrey can become Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, while our returning King can finally raise his children openly.”

Viserys is alive! The thought gives me conflicting emotions. On one hand I’m elated he survived his volcanic demise… but I also want to flay him for making me think he’s been dead this whole time.

“Shocked I bet.” Taunts the man who is no longer hiding the cruelty inside him. “Queen Cersei was so happy knowing he didn’t really care about you… it’s the only reason she let you live this long.”

Banging on the door has the wizard shuffle away, the sound of hail crashing against the roof suddenly joining the cacophony. The door slams open and Lord Commander Estermont is first in the room, followed by a rage filled Stannis.

It’s when Malegorn enters behind them with a raised sword, that I try to warn them any way I can. Lomas gasps in shock when Malegorn thrusts his sword into his spine and collapses limp on the floor.

“Don’t even think about it Stannis. We both know I’m far better than you, even with your fancy new sword.” Lucian warns a stunned Stannis, his sword held up to the King’s throat with rage filling his eyes. “You’ve been allowed to raise my son his whole life and finally I’ll at least be allowed to tell him the truth.

“I may be forced to rule as Castellan for Joffrey publicly.” The tip of Lucian’s blade creates a dot of red on Stannis’ throat. “But as long as he knows, it will be enough.”

“We need him alive you simpleton!” Snarls Malegorn in firm reminder. “Just disarm him and tie him up with the girls. Storms nearly at it’s peak so we need to get out of here.”

Lucian spares a second to glance at his ally and smirks. “Disarm him you say? I can do that.”

He slashes downwards and follows it up with a reverse swing back up into Stannis other wrist. Both hands land on the floor with a spray of scarlet blood, his howl of pain barely covered up by the crescendo of thunder.

“It’ll be finished before he bleeds out, don’t look at me like that.” The growl he gives Malegorn doesn’t get rid of the glare but it does make him tie Stannis himself. “Hand me the chain, I don’t want to be in here any longer than we need to be.”

Once they finish and leave the three of us restrained in the room alone, Shireen tries to talk to her father with desperation in her voice. “Father? Are you alright?”

“They just cut me pretty deep Darling, don’t worry about me.” He assures his daughter who’s faced away from the door and missed seeing anything. “Are you hurt Shireen? What about you Arianne?”

“I’m okay… but Lucian really hurt Aunt Arianne.” Shireen answers for me with rage filling her young voice. Better than terror I guess. “He punched her so hard I thought she was going to die.”

Since he’s seen my condition and knows she’s exaggerating he instead focuses on the situation. “What’s going on? Did they say why they’re doing all of this?”

“Mother wants to hatch the dragon eggs. She said she finally knows how and we need to help.” I can here uncertainty and I squeeze her hand for comfort. “Why did Lucian say that mean stuff. Is Joffrey really his son?”

Would explain the hair being golden. Even Viserys’ kids have dark grey locks and indigo eyes.

“Of course not Shireen, he’s just doing what bad people love to do.” His voice doesn’t sound certain but Stannis is unwilling to upset his little girl anymore. “Say anything to hurt the people they dislike.”

“Are we going to die?” A series of lightning strikes dance across the castle’s roof and I can hear a strange humming fill the room.

“You will live a long and happy life Shireen. I promise you this will not be the end.” Stannis hasn’t given up and managed to slide both wrists out of his chain. “I just need to get you unchained and this will all just be an exciting story you tell your friends.”




Note: People jumped to saying Jaime couldn’t be the father because of timing and I explained that it was possible and how it would have hypothetically occurred. Here’s the Occum’s Razor answer.​

 

Chapter 9: Clever Fool
Renly Baratheon
​

With the sound of the storm picking up my nerves are shoot off wildly. Later I’ll think it was trying to scream a warning to me but us Baratheons have always been a little thick headed. The door to my solar creaks open to reveal one of the man servants Cersei brought with her from King’s Landing.

Cersei finally did something right. Because Arianne and I have both considered keeping him once she leaves. The Dragonseed is pretty in the same effeminate way that I treasured in Viserys and he doesn’t seem uncomfortable by my examination of his body. He is very anxious though, so I beckon for him to speak.

“Her Grace is worried,” The servant blurts out once he has permission. “Your wife said she was going to bring Princess Shireen to her lessons. But now the laboratory doors are sealed!”

Shireen normally has her lessons with Qyburn and I’ve never liked that smarmy ass. “He’s only got the one entrance in?” I can tell this isn’t just a locked door and grab my battleaxe of the wall. “Qyburn hasn’t tried knocking any more holes in the walls?”

“Not since you yelled at him the first night.”

“Good.” He follows a few paces behind me and my sense of danger rises as we approach the northeast tower. “Who ever is responsible will be trapped inside.”

We reach the hallway as the hail begins pounding down on the roof, sounding like a cavalry charge with it’s intensity. Cersei is already waiting, her entire body tense with concern, while Lucian and Malegorn try to hack down the down with only swords.

“Get the Queen out of here, we have no idea what’s going on inside!” I roar at Qyburn who is clutching his bleeding nose. “And alert the rest of my guard, this can’t be everyone involved.”

He and the handsome servant force a protesting Cersei out of the already cramped hallway. Malegorn and Lucian stand behind me and give me room to swing my ax. As I lift it above my head, an annoyingly familiar voice calls out a warning from behind all three of us.

“The fawn was needed for her Hart, while the sun will fall if you don’t give it your all!” His words are filled with more intensity than I can ever remember and it makes me glance over my shoulder in time. “And now the handsome fool has proven himself to be nothing more than those traitors’ tool.” The red and green faced fool is charging towards us with a rolling pin and kitchen knife in his hands.

Lucian and Malegorn’s swords are still raised and coming straight for my back, barely giving me enough warning to twist out of the way of the thrusts. Patchface throws himself onto Malegorn with a howl of rage and brings the rolling pin down on Redpool’s head over a dozen times.

My own foe lets go of his sword and draws his dagger, slashing for my face with a wicked snarl. “The fool is the one who found us out!” A line of pain flashes on my cheek just below my left eye.

Using my ax haft as a spear, I drive the dragonbone into Lucian’s throat. It crushes his wind pipe and leaves him gurgling for air at my feet. Or maybe he’s asking for mercy… too bad this storm’s only getting started.

“Choke on it all the way to the Seven Hells.” Snarling at the dying man, I cleave my way through the door on my fourth swing.

The sight of Arianne and Shireen chained to a collection of rune covered gold rods is rage inducing. The glowing rock that seems to be drawing the storm is what draws my gaze. If I get rid of that, then we should have all the time we need to get the girls untied.

I’m not unaware of all the blood under Stannis but I’m forced to delay dealing with what looks to be a fatal wound. The lightning has started striking the roof above us and I know we’re running out of time before… whatever is going to happen, does.

“Help my brother!” I roar at Patchface who for once in my life doesn’t respond with nonsense.

“Shireen will be safe even if I must face her fate!” A lifetime of annoyance will have been worth it if those words prove true today.

Surges of lightning are visible dancing along the copper basket holding the shining rock. I’m only going to be able to swing once, Stannis was very descriptive when he described seeing that woodcutter get struck by lightning. My entire body is going to seize up the second I make contact, my momentum will need to be enough.

“Brace yourselves!” With no more hesitation, I roar with all the fury in my body. With more power than I think Robert used against Rhaegar, my smoky grey ax cleaves through the device.

And explosion of light and pain fills my entire body, as the entire world crumbles around me. The floor shatters into splinters of wood and more than a few pieces find themselves embedded inside me. Nothing too deep though, I think I’ll be okay. As long as I can climb back up of course.

In my desperation, somehow I’ve manage to grab onto to the collapsing ledge. The brick is already loose and I know can’t hold my weight for long. Right as I’m about to call out to Patchface, he let’s out some more nonsensical rambling.

“Danger hasn’t passed and this way is to dangerous for two without scales!” Shireen lets out a gasp of fright and Stannis snarls in rage, but the fool leaps from the tower with my struggling niece held tight in his grip.

He winks at me as he falls past me, my horrified gaze following them all the way down to the waves below. My shock and fury pulsate inside me even as I can hear more voices in the room.

“It’s alive!” The cackle of Qyburn fills the room and drowns out the sounds of my brother’s anguished wails. I don’t even notice the storm dying around me and focus on the man who will face my wrath.

“Only one of them hatched you imbecile!” Cersei howls at him. “You promised this would work.” She’s in on this betrayal!

I know Arianne hinted at her being less than desirable for my brother. But I thought they’d gotten over that since Elyssa’s birth.

“Oh Stannis, don’t try and speak.” She mocks my brother with a false tone of comfort. “I’ll look after my children and Elyssa… even Arianne’s whelp will be cared for.” Arianne and the kids! “I don’t even have to waste time convincing Renly this was all a Pentoshi plot. He ran right into the explosion and now Lord Baelish will have no one to interfere in the ‘truth’ I wish for him to share with the Realm.”

Her mad wizard speaks up with a relieved hiss. “This egg is still cold. It must have petrified already.”

“Toss it into the sea, we can’t have anything to tie us to this.” Commands the bitch and I realize I may be able to do one last thing for my family.

I see Qyburn’s black robes fluttering in the wind above me, exposing his pale knobby ankles. In his hands he holds the indigo egg outstretched and ready to be released, only for his eyes to widen when I grab his ankle.

“Let’s go for a swim!” I snarl at him and brace my feet against the crumbling stone, pushing off with every fiber of strength in my body.

He tries to get away but only manages to grip the edge of the wooden floor, my entire body weight being supported by a single foot. “Your Grace. Help!”

His shriek does bring the smug woman over to the edge and she laughs at the sight. “Oh this is precious. I can get rid of a loose end and watch both Baratheon brothers die.” She smirks as Qyburn realizes her intent, her heel grinding against his hands with the audible breaking of bones.

“But I hatched your damn egg!” He wails at her but this only makes her eyes narrow in grim promise.

“You promised me one for each of my boys and yet now I have to reveal my favorite child. That’s every parent’s sixth worst fear and you’re the reason I’m forced to do so.” Qyburn howls as her finally has no more strength in him and we tumble backwards towards the sea.

My back crashes into the waves and the dark blue egg slams into my head only a few inches below the surface. It stuns me and leaves my vision swirling as we begin sinking. Cersei said she was going to look after the kids… that’s all that matters now.​