Blood Ties

Mount Snake, Age 296 AC:

The beginning of another year has donned onto the lands, with it the North filled with worry. Garth Dragen sits reading the latest letter with a report from his son. He wasn't disappointed in his son wanting to follow his heart but he was distressed by what he was to say to Lord Stark. His wife came in with some food as she knew her husband would be up late reading reports and sorting everything. "One of the men under Alexios wishes to see you, should I send him away?"

Garth thought about it but decided to get it over with. "I'll go to them and speak, I just hope it's important." As Garth made his way to Alexios's soldier, he found him waiting with a few others. At their feet were a several chests. "Lord Dragen, I bring tax from Alexios as commanded by him." Garth was confused as he never once said anything about this.

"Alexios wishes to ease the burden by presenting some of the spoils that we achieved overseas. He Hope's you may improve the land we have and possibly expand it." With that he opened the several chests filled with gold dragons. Garth was speechless than shook his head. "I cannot accept this, this is his gold that he earned."

"My lord, you misunderstand, he knows he is away learning still, and yet he still wishes to help here so that his home is prosperous. With this you can improve roads, inns and taverns, patrols for bandits and wildlings, defensive structures to secure the land." Garth thought a little then reluctantly agreed with the logic. With all the gold he would be able to move along many projects he had planned.

As he was about to dismiss them, the soldier cleared his throat again. "Should we bring the rest inside or a designated area?" Garth's brow twitch as he heard that. He found out their were twenty more chests right outside with Alexios's soldiers guarding it. Little did he know his son was in a storm that would last almost two weeks and keep him at sea till then.

-

Highgarden in the Reach, Age 297 AC:

An experienced wizened woman on the balcony sipped some wine before closing her eyes. The opening to the balcony opened as a younger teenage woman came onto the balcony taking a seat across from the older woman. "I heard you called for me grandmother?" The older woman opened her eyes and looked at the lush greenery out past the balcony before inhaling the fresh air. "Soon we will have guests, one of which that will change the game that all those old fools have been playing for years."

With a sigh the old woman looked across the table and pointed on a map that was on the table. "Here in the North is called Snake Mount. The house Dragen is the lord and protector of the house. The current lord, Garth Dragen is a good man for the most part, had only one bastard and been good to his people. Lately he has been spending money as if he came upon several gold mines at once; why do you think that is Margery?"

Margery looked at the map and thought back to her studies but couldn't think of anything solid to say. "It's because his eldest son the bastard made a fortune in Essos and brought it here. Now that very bastard though legitimized is on his way here on the behest of me." Margery looked confused as she was trying to piece why this was important and why a low noble house. "The boy's name is Alexios Dragen, he is known as somewhat of a giant who is a skilled fighter, also knows how to use his brain and has so much gold he has an army of over 10,000."

Margery's eyes went wide when she heard the amount of soldiers Alexios had. "He still wouldn't be a threat to any of the seven realms though. Unless you're saying he is as rich as the Lannister's?" "Foolish girl, he is far richer then the Lannister's, his entire guard is equipped with valyrian steel weapons. Wherever he goes, he pays lavishly and yet he still ended up giving money to his father which if my sources are correct on what's happening there. Has to be at least a couple million gold."

Margery wasn't sure what to say about it so she just simply asked a question. "Why did you invite him here? Do you hope to gain trade or some way to gain his gold?" The old woman looked past the balcony again and thought of her words. "I brought him here to see about his character and if he's as interesting as I've heard to make a marriage happen.

Margery put two and two together and stood up. "I will not be given away to some low born noble just because he caught your interest grandmother!" The woman looked at Margery and shook her head. "Alexios beat the Red Viper in a duel with no effort, he spits gold, he has companions who are skilled in different areas. I'm thinking of a marriage not because of any of this though…"

Margery then took out another paper and let Margery read it. "Lady Daena Blackfyre, bastard daughter of Aemon Blackfyre. Last seen traveling in the North of Westeros. This can't be true…" Margery couldn't wrap her head around this preposterous claim.

"Alexios Dragen is Daemon Blackfyre's great grandson. While very little, he has a claim to all of Westeros being the last known Blackfyre alive." Margery couldn't take it and sat back down to collect her thoughts. "You're speaking of a rebellion, a bloody one if it's true." The old woman looked away and smiled at her grand daughters theatrics.

"He could have our support, Dorne, and possibly the North which in turn might get the Riverlands. Pushed on both sides, it would be a war that is bloody but quick." Margery looked at her grandmother in horror before thinking then shaking her head in defeat. "Can I at least decline if I do not approve after I meet him?" "Of course, but you must meet him first, I already suspect he is gathering support by those he wants; the fact he is coming here by my request shows he's willing to consider our offer."

-

Dunstonbury in the Reach, Age 297 AC:

Alexios came down the ramp and stretched his legs as the rest of the group followed suit. "I see the tavern from here, I'm so hungry I could eat a whole horse! Oof!" Toros's stomach growled as he practically drooled while Obara elbowed him in the gut shortly afterwards. The group made its way to the tavern and for once ordered the food first. Though shortly after they ordered ale and wine in large quantities.

Beside Alexios on his right sat Reana and his left was Tyene who kept her head down. He looked out the side of his eye at her to see nothing suspicious. He gave her this chance, he was only hoping it was worth it. "I'll be back in a little, save me some! Haha!" He walked away to relieve himself of the raging current of fluid about to burst if he didn't find a place to relieve himself.

-Flashback of two weeks earlier-

Alexios stared down Tyene who meekly kneeled as his pressure was suffocating. Alexios sighed and put his greatsword away. He slit his palm and grabbed the mug that had ale before dumping it and dripping his blood into the now empty mug. Tyene looked at him in confusion for what he was doing. She was in shock as he held the mug out to her with a simple word, "Drink."

Her hands unsteady and shaking as she lifted the mug to her lips as Alexios watched her. She looked at him then back at the blood, closed her eyes and continued. The warm blood lit a fire inside her as she felt warm and bursting with energy, as if she was becoming something more. Her last sight was of Alexios grinning at her. "Welcome to the Blood Guard; you are of my blood and therefore if you plot against me, you plot against yourself. We are bonded for life."

Alexios's companions all looked in the direction of Alexios's cabin as they thought the same thing. Another of us was born to protect Alexios. Their attention was directed towards other matters shortly afterwards unlike inside the cabin. Tyene awoke after a while to see Alexios sitting in front of her smiling.

"Did you sleep well?" His voice sounded melodious to Tyene as she never knew he looked so alluring before. "What happened to me? I feel...different…in a way?" He chuckled and looked into her eyes. "You are of my blood and those that have done the same as you. Welcome to the Dragen family!"

-Flashback ends-

Ever since Alexios hasn't had to worry since his blood bond would alert him of any treacherous thoughts. The only thing that worried him was her new interest. In training she always wanted to be as close as possible. Whenever not training she wanted to be by my side. It was starting to get to the point he thought she was trying to get something across to him.

It was just weird because she always spoke her mind before but now she was quiet as if she expected him to read her thoughts. He was thinking of having a talk with her soon about it so he can clear the air. He shook and got presentable to go back inside.

As he entered he saw that everyone was stuffing their faces and he gladly joined them. The night continued with songs, storytelling, games, and even contests. Overall the night was joyous and a barrel of laughs. The morning that followed everyone awoke except Toros to which Alexios went to check on him. He kicked the door open like he used to, to wake Toros up only to see Obara atop straddling him and Toros looking red faced at Alexios.