Chapter 60 - Sacrifice
Samael61
Not too sore, are you?
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Hello there,
If you enjoy my stories, you can read advanced chapters on my patreon page
Her Eternal Excellency, a Genshin Impact and ASOIAF crossover, Raiden Ei Reborn as Argella Durrandon, is 15 chapters ahead
DCU:Blacklist, a Raymond Reddington-inspired OC SI using his knowledge for his own advantage, as well as the rest of the world, is 15 chapters ahead,
Geek's Guide to Thriving in a Low-End Fantasy World, a Robert Baratheon OC SI in an AU, is 15 chapters ahead,
Commander Shepard, The Greatest to Ever Live, a Mass Effect story where Shepard is greater than ever, is 15 chapters ahead,
Loki: The God of Magic , an OC-SI into Loki who is not aware of the MCU, is 8 chapters ahead.
If you enjoy sci-fi, action, politics, romance with an overpowered protagonist, you can check Arrival, my original story on my Patreon or my pages on the fanfiction sites. I intend to make this a long term project, if you wish to be with me in this journey from the very start, now is the time. Your review and likes are appreciated to keep up with the algorithm.
By supporting me, you can read advanced and special chapters, as well as vote on how you want the fanfiction to proceed.
Note: Apple store payments will be refunded because of the company's 75-day hold policy.
—
The Iron Islands
After the verdict had been given and heads rolled, Aeron Greyjoy had been caught and brought before him in chains.
"This bastard won't fucking die." Sandor spat, kicking the bound pirate in the head.
"Explain?"
"I stabbed him in the heart; he fell into water and woke up not long after."
Robert hummed, considering the situation. Something was keeping Aeron alive then. "Then there is a need for extreme violence."
He was just about to crush Aeron's head and have the corpse burned for good measure when the roar of a dragon from the distance stopped him. Since Obelisk and Ra were lounging around, it meant destroying the dragonbinder had freed his golden dragon.
Ra landed like a freight train out of control, barreling towards the kneeling Greyjoy, perhaps confusing him with Euron. Robert raised his hand, and the dragon stopped, leaving skid marks as he sat down on his hind legs.
The golden dragon leaned down, smelling the prisoner, and let out a roar.
"Enough." The dragon stopped once more, choosing to nuzzle Robert while he rubbed the dragon's head.
"That's not the one who tried to use you, buuut, he is going to die anyway, so have at him."
Ra snarled and, as if a child frustrated by a toy, picked Aeron Greyjoy up and slammed him to the ground over and over again, leaving a mess behind, before dropping the mangled human and burning the corpse.
Snarling at the ashes, Ra went to his expectant brothers.
"Let's see if he can come back from that."
—
Once the last adult Greyjoy was dealt with, Robert gathered the smallfolk to explain his plans, which concerned their future.
Dragons stood on all three sides of the crowd, with Robert at the front, and it was dead silent before he spoke.
"People of the Iron Islands, I have struck down your oppressors. They no longer rule these islands and are bound for either the Wall, the Faith, or the Citadel. And now, I shall bring you prosperity and turn these barren islands fertile."
"We do not sow!" An old commoner from the crowd shouted in defiance. Robert lowered his hand, smile gone, and took Sandor's helmet since his own was missing, nailing the bastard that had spoken out in the head.
Pointing for the helmet to be handed back, since it was way too valuable, Robert glared at the smallfolk. "Anyone else?"
Feet shuffled, people looked left and right, but no one dared to speak. That old man was a fool anyway.
"If you maggots don't like my kind words, I can be very fucking harsh. Do you want that?" Robert surveyed the crowd, seeking any signs of further defiance.
"Thought so."
Taking a deep breath to calm down, he continued. "Now, I shall make these islands fertile, so you can grow crops for yourselves and not starve to death. Of course, I will be taking six of every ten crops, fruit, and everything else you grow."
The smallfolk faltered in disbelief.
That was actually less than what their overlords took.
"Henceforth, you are under my protection, and as such, will obey my rules. No more reaving and raiding, no more iron price, and the worship of the Drowned God is forbidden." He didn't care who they worshipped, as long as it wasn't the Drowned God or the fucking R'hllor.
A man, who looked like he could play Rasputin in a mummer's show, raised his fist, screaming. "You cannot do this."
"Right, I forgot about you guys," Robert groaned, turning to Sandor. "Gather the men, kill all the priests, and burn down their temples." Sandor nodded, unsheathing his sword, and chased the escaping priests with soldiers right behind him.
The crowd panicked, but Obelisk put them straight with a screech. Waiting for the smallfolk to listen again, Robert continued.
"Anyone who worships the Drowned God will have all their crops, catch, and livestock confiscated. Think of it like the price of going against me."
Henceforth that day, Robert's price would be known as the cost of a person's folly.
—
Davos watched the man behead the priest in the distance. "Killing the priests, my lord? That might cause the smallfolk to revolt." Any other holy person, he would be outraged, but they were the priests of the Drowned God, and in his opinion, a good worshipper of that foul god was a dead one.
Robert considered it for a second, shrugging in apathy. "Then I kill them all, and we go home."
Ah well, this was for the best. "I must say, turning the Ironborn smallfolk to farmers must be the greatest insult to their way of life. Not only are they going to sow, but they'll also have to give you a tithe." The Ironborn, who always claimed to be paying the Iron Price, would now be paying the price of attacking Asgard.
Forever, if Lord Robert had anything to say about it.
"And we solve Asgard's food problem for the foreseeable future."
"Indeed."
Robert laid down on his specially made beach chair, arranging the large umbrella for perfect shade in this sun. "I am going to take a nap; you are in charge."
"Aye, my lord."
—
Harlaw was not the only island, and Robert would have to repeat his speech several times. There were murmurs and objections, of course, but they were swiftly put down, permanently.
Robert was pleased with the progress.
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
King's Landing
Red Keep
"Lord Varys, if it is about him, I don't wish to hear it." Just the implication of Robert gave him a headache these days.
"As you command, Your Grace." Varys bowed, only rising when King Rhaegar left the council room.
Tywin, however, was not willing to ignore the word the spider had brought. "Speak, Lord Varys."
"What of the king, my lord Hand?" He did not care either way and was just acting as the concerned Master of Whispers.
"I will speak to his grace later."
"There are rumors in Asgard that Euron Greyjoy summoned a kraken to fight Robert Baratheon's host, a creature of the sea massive enough to swallow an entire fleet by itself." Varys hoped it wasn't actually true, because at the rate Robert was claiming feats, he would have to stop the attempts to kill him for fear that the Lord of Asgard might come after him.
Screams of denial, that it was just the lies of Asgard to prop up their lords, but deep in their hearts, they knew better.
The Dowager Queen raised her hands in prayer. "Seven protect us. How?" Dragons were one thing, but first demons, and now a kraken, a creature that should have been nothing more than a legend?
How in the name of all that was good did Euron Greyjoy summon a kraken to do his bidding?
"None knows, except that it is dead now and lies on Harlaw's shore."
"Let me guess, Robert did it?"
"Indeed, by leaping into the creature's mouth, fighting through an army of monsters that were living inside the kraken, and carving its heart."
"He gets exiled to Essos and comes back with dragons. He goes to Valyria, comes back with the corpse of a demon and the entire wealth of the ancient dragonlords. He flies beyond the Wall and returns with giants and the Children of the Forest under his command, not to mention the fucking White Walker. And now, this." Daeron was about to lose his sanity.
Melisandre's offer became more and more enticing each day.
"What does he intend to do with the Ironborn?" Tywin asked, weary. He was getting truly and utterly tired with Robert Baratheon.
Could they not conduct a single Small Council meeting without his name passing around?
It burned his insides, swallowing the bitterness of the fact that they had to let Robert do as he wished, or face certain death.
Varys smiled. He knew Tywin would be interested in knowing the fate of the Ironborn. "The men are to be sent to Wall, and the boys either to the Citadel or the Faith. The women are to be kept in the islands, living their days imprisoned to their keeps." Robert's plans regarding the Ironborn were simple to learn, solely because the Asgardians were celebrating it.
"Lord Varys, are you telling us he is destroying the nobleborn of the Iron Islands?" Mace tried to hold his smile in.
The Ironborn targeted the North and Westerlands more than the Reach, but they plagued his lands too. Hearing that the Ironborn were to be history? That pleased him, just as it did the rest of the court.
They all agreed that the Ironborn were useless, and if Robert wished to eradicate them, no one was going to raise their voices.
Prince Aegon, silent until now, raised a point they were all missing. "How did word reach you so quickly?"
If Robert reached the Iron Islands in the expected time, it would have been mere days ago, not nearly long enough for Varys to know the happenings in the isles.
"Due to something that is just as impressive as the existence of the kraken, my prince. An archmaester named Marwyn, called Mage by his fellows in the Citadel, has lit up a Valyrian glass candle and spoken to Robert Baratheon all the way from Asgard." It was definitely worse for Varys, because you could not track the glass candles like you might do to a letter, and it gave Robert a leverage unmatched by anyone.
He could command men across the battlefield instantly and learn what was happening across the Seven Kingdoms and Essos in the blink of an eye. Just knowing how the markets moved would make him a fortune.
"Could this get any worse?" Daeron broke through the shocked silence.
Too bad for the Targaryen prince; he wasn't aware of Murphy's law.
—
Iron Islands
Harlaw
Weeks after Marwyn had contacted them first, Robert and his army were busy asserting their control over the islands and destroying the worshippers of the Drowned God. With several days between, Marwyn had used the candles three times, and Asgard had learned of what had transpired in the Iron Islands and Robert's plan to punish the Ironborn.
Right now, however, they were sitting around the campfire, eating luncheon.
"Then, he took one of the priests and began to beat the rest of them to death with him. That grown man screamed like a little girl the entire time before he fainted." Sandor regaled him with the tale of the attack on the last temple, where the priests had dumped scalding water on the giant to deter him from attacking.
Good thing he had a tower shield.
Robert's laughter was a booming roar, slapping his knee as the giant grinned in satisfaction.
"Well done." Robert praised the giant. It was so funny watching him slap the unruly Ironborn around like toys.
A soldier ran up to him, kneeling. "My lord."
"What is it?"
"Two ships, my lord, carrying the trading company's sigil." Goddamnit, he should definitely get a sigil for himself one of these days.
The trade company's logo wouldn't do.
"Must be Leaf and the others. Bring them here once they land."
—
Leaf and the children, once they landed, made a beeline for the kraken, ignoring Robert and the others. They first watched the kraken's still form, speaking in their mother tongue, and Leaf eventually moved.
She touched the corpse, eyes closed in concentration, before shuddering and letting go.
"This one is old, as old as the seas. How did you slay it?" Leaf's words made Robert feel bad.
He just killed a living relic, one that deserved to be in a museum.
Hmmmmm.
If it was that old, could there be more out there? Maybe he could keep one as a pet?
Shrugging, Robert pointed at the hole he had carved to leave the kraken's insides. "I jumped in its mouth and went for the heart."
Leaf bent her head, considering. "I suppose that would do it." She understood that it was vital to not think too much about Robert's way of doing things, lest they go mad.
"Can you use it to make these islands into farmland?" Otherwise, he was just going to burn the corpse and take the bones to Asgard.
Somehow.
"Not us, but this can." She brought out a seed, carefully wrapped in a piece of cloth.
Robert scratched his head, looking at the white seed. "Weirwood tree?" Didn't they grow with saplings?
Leaf shook her head. "Nay. This is something older, its name lost to time, but we can feel the life in it. If this seed blooms, then so will the Iron Islands." The seed was a leftoverfrom their ancestors, and all its knowledge, except how to bloom it, was lost to them when the men began to slaughter the Children of the Forest.
And now, it was the act of a man who would allow the seed to bloom.
"My lord, perhaps this could be used elsewhere?" Davos cautioned. The distance between the Iron Islands and Asgard was not short, and something this valuable would make the islands a target.
"Any idea how to move the kraken?" Robert asked the captain because he did not have any idea.
Davos looked at the corpse. "None."
That was that. "Then we are doing it here."
"We must prepare first." Leaf said, and Robert left them to it.
—
Watching the children prepare for whatever it was they were about to do was an educating affair. They first requested that one of the tentacles be moved inland as far as possible so the seed could bloom away from the sea.
It was tough, but doable. Securing one tentacle with ropes and chains, men, dragons, and a single giant pulled it inland, Robert leading them by pulling a rope at the front.
Then, they carved some sort of ritual circle on the flesh of the kraken, using an obsidian knife with runes on it, and finally, put the seed in the middle, with each Child of the Forest cutting their finger, allowing a single drop of blood to drop on the seed.
The men, disturbed by the sight, were glad to pull back once Robert ordered them so, standing at the front to watch the children in wonder.
They knelt before the circle, singing a song that set the air alight with life.
The seed began to glow with a kaleidoscope of colors, eventually settling on white, and it shot up to the sky.
—
Across Westeros, the godswood began to experience a sudden growth, with weirwood trees affected the most, sprouting new, glowing branches that eventually died down, scaring the daylight out of the poor sods who witnessed it.
Brandon Stark, who was just trying to get away from his father's demands for a while, was wounded on the head when a new tree shot out of the ground like a spear, throwing him away.
Beyond the Wall, in the Land of Always Winter, the sound of the howling winds was drowned out by the scream of outrage.
—
In the next chapter:
The glowing seed began to suck the kraken up like a really long and thick noodle, leaving behind only the horns and rows of teeth.
The eerie white glow intensified, and the seed burrowed itself into the ground, guided by the magic it was exhibiting, no doubt, and the ground shook.
As the whole crowd jiggled on their feet, trying not to fall down, the earth split open, and a tree taller than Wun Weg grew up in an instant.
Its shimmering green bark and golden leaves definitely gave it a magical appearance.
"Good show, jolly good show." Robert praised, awed, and clapped at the sight of magic.
Curious about the next chapter? Please consider supporting me on Patreon.
If you enjoy my stories, you can read advanced chapters on my patreon page
Her Eternal Excellency, a Genshin Impact and ASOIAF crossover, Raiden Ei Reborn as Argella Durrandon, is 15 chapters ahead
DCU:Blacklist, a Raymond Reddington-inspired OC SI using his knowledge for his own advantage, as well as the rest of the world, is 15 chapters ahead,
Geek's Guide to Thriving in a Low-End Fantasy World, a Robert Baratheon OC SI in an AU, is 15 chapters ahead,
Commander Shepard, The Greatest to Ever Live, a Mass Effect story where Shepard is greater than ever, is 15 chapters ahead,
Loki: The God of Magic , an OC-SI into Loki who is not aware of the MCU, is 8 chapters ahead.
If you enjoy sci-fi, action, politics, romance with an overpowered protagonist, you can check Arrival, my original story on my Patreon or my pages on the fanfiction sites. I intend to make this a long term project, if you wish to be with me in this journey from the very start, now is the time. Your review and likes are appreciated to keep up with the algorithm.
By supporting me, you can read advanced and special chapters, as well as vote on how you want the fanfiction to proceed.
Note: Apple store payments will be refunded because of the company's 75-day hold policy.
—
The Iron Islands
After the verdict had been given and heads rolled, Aeron Greyjoy had been caught and brought before him in chains.
"This bastard won't fucking die." Sandor spat, kicking the bound pirate in the head.
"Explain?"
"I stabbed him in the heart; he fell into water and woke up not long after."
Robert hummed, considering the situation. Something was keeping Aeron alive then. "Then there is a need for extreme violence."
He was just about to crush Aeron's head and have the corpse burned for good measure when the roar of a dragon from the distance stopped him. Since Obelisk and Ra were lounging around, it meant destroying the dragonbinder had freed his golden dragon.
Ra landed like a freight train out of control, barreling towards the kneeling Greyjoy, perhaps confusing him with Euron. Robert raised his hand, and the dragon stopped, leaving skid marks as he sat down on his hind legs.
The golden dragon leaned down, smelling the prisoner, and let out a roar.
"Enough." The dragon stopped once more, choosing to nuzzle Robert while he rubbed the dragon's head.
"That's not the one who tried to use you, buuut, he is going to die anyway, so have at him."
Ra snarled and, as if a child frustrated by a toy, picked Aeron Greyjoy up and slammed him to the ground over and over again, leaving a mess behind, before dropping the mangled human and burning the corpse.
Snarling at the ashes, Ra went to his expectant brothers.
"Let's see if he can come back from that."
—
Once the last adult Greyjoy was dealt with, Robert gathered the smallfolk to explain his plans, which concerned their future.
Dragons stood on all three sides of the crowd, with Robert at the front, and it was dead silent before he spoke.
"People of the Iron Islands, I have struck down your oppressors. They no longer rule these islands and are bound for either the Wall, the Faith, or the Citadel. And now, I shall bring you prosperity and turn these barren islands fertile."
"We do not sow!" An old commoner from the crowd shouted in defiance. Robert lowered his hand, smile gone, and took Sandor's helmet since his own was missing, nailing the bastard that had spoken out in the head.
Pointing for the helmet to be handed back, since it was way too valuable, Robert glared at the smallfolk. "Anyone else?"
Feet shuffled, people looked left and right, but no one dared to speak. That old man was a fool anyway.
"If you maggots don't like my kind words, I can be very fucking harsh. Do you want that?" Robert surveyed the crowd, seeking any signs of further defiance.
"Thought so."
Taking a deep breath to calm down, he continued. "Now, I shall make these islands fertile, so you can grow crops for yourselves and not starve to death. Of course, I will be taking six of every ten crops, fruit, and everything else you grow."
The smallfolk faltered in disbelief.
That was actually less than what their overlords took.
"Henceforth, you are under my protection, and as such, will obey my rules. No more reaving and raiding, no more iron price, and the worship of the Drowned God is forbidden." He didn't care who they worshipped, as long as it wasn't the Drowned God or the fucking R'hllor.
A man, who looked like he could play Rasputin in a mummer's show, raised his fist, screaming. "You cannot do this."
"Right, I forgot about you guys," Robert groaned, turning to Sandor. "Gather the men, kill all the priests, and burn down their temples." Sandor nodded, unsheathing his sword, and chased the escaping priests with soldiers right behind him.
The crowd panicked, but Obelisk put them straight with a screech. Waiting for the smallfolk to listen again, Robert continued.
"Anyone who worships the Drowned God will have all their crops, catch, and livestock confiscated. Think of it like the price of going against me."
Henceforth that day, Robert's price would be known as the cost of a person's folly.
—
Davos watched the man behead the priest in the distance. "Killing the priests, my lord? That might cause the smallfolk to revolt." Any other holy person, he would be outraged, but they were the priests of the Drowned God, and in his opinion, a good worshipper of that foul god was a dead one.
Robert considered it for a second, shrugging in apathy. "Then I kill them all, and we go home."
Ah well, this was for the best. "I must say, turning the Ironborn smallfolk to farmers must be the greatest insult to their way of life. Not only are they going to sow, but they'll also have to give you a tithe." The Ironborn, who always claimed to be paying the Iron Price, would now be paying the price of attacking Asgard.
Forever, if Lord Robert had anything to say about it.
"And we solve Asgard's food problem for the foreseeable future."
"Indeed."
Robert laid down on his specially made beach chair, arranging the large umbrella for perfect shade in this sun. "I am going to take a nap; you are in charge."
"Aye, my lord."
—
Harlaw was not the only island, and Robert would have to repeat his speech several times. There were murmurs and objections, of course, but they were swiftly put down, permanently.
Robert was pleased with the progress.
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
King's Landing
Red Keep
"Lord Varys, if it is about him, I don't wish to hear it." Just the implication of Robert gave him a headache these days.
"As you command, Your Grace." Varys bowed, only rising when King Rhaegar left the council room.
Tywin, however, was not willing to ignore the word the spider had brought. "Speak, Lord Varys."
"What of the king, my lord Hand?" He did not care either way and was just acting as the concerned Master of Whispers.
"I will speak to his grace later."
"There are rumors in Asgard that Euron Greyjoy summoned a kraken to fight Robert Baratheon's host, a creature of the sea massive enough to swallow an entire fleet by itself." Varys hoped it wasn't actually true, because at the rate Robert was claiming feats, he would have to stop the attempts to kill him for fear that the Lord of Asgard might come after him.
Screams of denial, that it was just the lies of Asgard to prop up their lords, but deep in their hearts, they knew better.
The Dowager Queen raised her hands in prayer. "Seven protect us. How?" Dragons were one thing, but first demons, and now a kraken, a creature that should have been nothing more than a legend?
How in the name of all that was good did Euron Greyjoy summon a kraken to do his bidding?
"None knows, except that it is dead now and lies on Harlaw's shore."
"Let me guess, Robert did it?"
"Indeed, by leaping into the creature's mouth, fighting through an army of monsters that were living inside the kraken, and carving its heart."
"He gets exiled to Essos and comes back with dragons. He goes to Valyria, comes back with the corpse of a demon and the entire wealth of the ancient dragonlords. He flies beyond the Wall and returns with giants and the Children of the Forest under his command, not to mention the fucking White Walker. And now, this." Daeron was about to lose his sanity.
Melisandre's offer became more and more enticing each day.
"What does he intend to do with the Ironborn?" Tywin asked, weary. He was getting truly and utterly tired with Robert Baratheon.
Could they not conduct a single Small Council meeting without his name passing around?
It burned his insides, swallowing the bitterness of the fact that they had to let Robert do as he wished, or face certain death.
Varys smiled. He knew Tywin would be interested in knowing the fate of the Ironborn. "The men are to be sent to Wall, and the boys either to the Citadel or the Faith. The women are to be kept in the islands, living their days imprisoned to their keeps." Robert's plans regarding the Ironborn were simple to learn, solely because the Asgardians were celebrating it.
"Lord Varys, are you telling us he is destroying the nobleborn of the Iron Islands?" Mace tried to hold his smile in.
The Ironborn targeted the North and Westerlands more than the Reach, but they plagued his lands too. Hearing that the Ironborn were to be history? That pleased him, just as it did the rest of the court.
They all agreed that the Ironborn were useless, and if Robert wished to eradicate them, no one was going to raise their voices.
Prince Aegon, silent until now, raised a point they were all missing. "How did word reach you so quickly?"
If Robert reached the Iron Islands in the expected time, it would have been mere days ago, not nearly long enough for Varys to know the happenings in the isles.
"Due to something that is just as impressive as the existence of the kraken, my prince. An archmaester named Marwyn, called Mage by his fellows in the Citadel, has lit up a Valyrian glass candle and spoken to Robert Baratheon all the way from Asgard." It was definitely worse for Varys, because you could not track the glass candles like you might do to a letter, and it gave Robert a leverage unmatched by anyone.
He could command men across the battlefield instantly and learn what was happening across the Seven Kingdoms and Essos in the blink of an eye. Just knowing how the markets moved would make him a fortune.
"Could this get any worse?" Daeron broke through the shocked silence.
Too bad for the Targaryen prince; he wasn't aware of Murphy's law.
—
Iron Islands
Harlaw
Weeks after Marwyn had contacted them first, Robert and his army were busy asserting their control over the islands and destroying the worshippers of the Drowned God. With several days between, Marwyn had used the candles three times, and Asgard had learned of what had transpired in the Iron Islands and Robert's plan to punish the Ironborn.
Right now, however, they were sitting around the campfire, eating luncheon.
"Then, he took one of the priests and began to beat the rest of them to death with him. That grown man screamed like a little girl the entire time before he fainted." Sandor regaled him with the tale of the attack on the last temple, where the priests had dumped scalding water on the giant to deter him from attacking.
Good thing he had a tower shield.
Robert's laughter was a booming roar, slapping his knee as the giant grinned in satisfaction.
"Well done." Robert praised the giant. It was so funny watching him slap the unruly Ironborn around like toys.
A soldier ran up to him, kneeling. "My lord."
"What is it?"
"Two ships, my lord, carrying the trading company's sigil." Goddamnit, he should definitely get a sigil for himself one of these days.
The trade company's logo wouldn't do.
"Must be Leaf and the others. Bring them here once they land."
—
Leaf and the children, once they landed, made a beeline for the kraken, ignoring Robert and the others. They first watched the kraken's still form, speaking in their mother tongue, and Leaf eventually moved.
She touched the corpse, eyes closed in concentration, before shuddering and letting go.
"This one is old, as old as the seas. How did you slay it?" Leaf's words made Robert feel bad.
He just killed a living relic, one that deserved to be in a museum.
Hmmmmm.
If it was that old, could there be more out there? Maybe he could keep one as a pet?
Shrugging, Robert pointed at the hole he had carved to leave the kraken's insides. "I jumped in its mouth and went for the heart."
Leaf bent her head, considering. "I suppose that would do it." She understood that it was vital to not think too much about Robert's way of doing things, lest they go mad.
"Can you use it to make these islands into farmland?" Otherwise, he was just going to burn the corpse and take the bones to Asgard.
Somehow.
"Not us, but this can." She brought out a seed, carefully wrapped in a piece of cloth.
Robert scratched his head, looking at the white seed. "Weirwood tree?" Didn't they grow with saplings?
Leaf shook her head. "Nay. This is something older, its name lost to time, but we can feel the life in it. If this seed blooms, then so will the Iron Islands." The seed was a leftoverfrom their ancestors, and all its knowledge, except how to bloom it, was lost to them when the men began to slaughter the Children of the Forest.
And now, it was the act of a man who would allow the seed to bloom.
"My lord, perhaps this could be used elsewhere?" Davos cautioned. The distance between the Iron Islands and Asgard was not short, and something this valuable would make the islands a target.
"Any idea how to move the kraken?" Robert asked the captain because he did not have any idea.
Davos looked at the corpse. "None."
That was that. "Then we are doing it here."
"We must prepare first." Leaf said, and Robert left them to it.
—
Watching the children prepare for whatever it was they were about to do was an educating affair. They first requested that one of the tentacles be moved inland as far as possible so the seed could bloom away from the sea.
It was tough, but doable. Securing one tentacle with ropes and chains, men, dragons, and a single giant pulled it inland, Robert leading them by pulling a rope at the front.
Then, they carved some sort of ritual circle on the flesh of the kraken, using an obsidian knife with runes on it, and finally, put the seed in the middle, with each Child of the Forest cutting their finger, allowing a single drop of blood to drop on the seed.
The men, disturbed by the sight, were glad to pull back once Robert ordered them so, standing at the front to watch the children in wonder.
They knelt before the circle, singing a song that set the air alight with life.
The seed began to glow with a kaleidoscope of colors, eventually settling on white, and it shot up to the sky.
—
Across Westeros, the godswood began to experience a sudden growth, with weirwood trees affected the most, sprouting new, glowing branches that eventually died down, scaring the daylight out of the poor sods who witnessed it.
Brandon Stark, who was just trying to get away from his father's demands for a while, was wounded on the head when a new tree shot out of the ground like a spear, throwing him away.
Beyond the Wall, in the Land of Always Winter, the sound of the howling winds was drowned out by the scream of outrage.
—
In the next chapter:
The glowing seed began to suck the kraken up like a really long and thick noodle, leaving behind only the horns and rows of teeth.
The eerie white glow intensified, and the seed burrowed itself into the ground, guided by the magic it was exhibiting, no doubt, and the ground shook.
As the whole crowd jiggled on their feet, trying not to fall down, the earth split open, and a tree taller than Wun Weg grew up in an instant.
Its shimmering green bark and golden leaves definitely gave it a magical appearance.
"Good show, jolly good show." Robert praised, awed, and clapped at the sight of magic.
Curious about the next chapter? Please consider supporting me on Patreon.