Chapter 5: One Month Later

Jon's Pov

For a month now, a thick blood-red comet has flown across the sky, resembling a large roaring dragon's head. It appeared the moment my girls were born. The only other time that the comet appeared was when Joffrey became king. Many claimed it as a blessing, but if the rumors are true, maybe that was three years ago when her dragons were born, the Silver Queen's. Aemon tells me more about her than he does about the dragons. He claims that he taught me all that I would need to know, but I think that he knows something he isn't telling me.

Tyraxes screeched happily, shaking me out of my thoughts. As I looked up, I could tell that she had grown in size, a little larger than a dog, her wings beating against the winter winds as she did loops. The cool winter sun hit her scales each time she started to black flip, causing her crimson scales to reflect red onto the dirt. I smiled gently at her as Tesarion plunged into the gray clouds.

Her screeches were the only thing I could hear as she hid above the clouds. Once in a while, I caught a glimpse of her silver wings or pure white tail shimmering in the wind. Finally, there was Meleys; she was busy attacking a dummy off in the training yard, her ocean-blue eyes dangerous and filled with concentration.

Her spiked tail whipped and curled around the dummy's throat as the claws on her feet sliced open the burlap cloth of the dummy, with straw spilling out in place of blood and guts.

I could see my brothers and the king's men watching as the three dragons played happily, while I worked on my sword skills, slashing and parrying as I kept one eye on the girls. However, after about a month, the men seemed to warm up to them.

"Lord Commander, Slynt is here." The stone-cold tone of Sam's voice rumbled low in the air as I pivoted on my heels. Slynt's bald head, with only a few wisps of silver hair, stared back at me. Well, that and the murderous glare that filled his beady eyes.

His eyes burned with hate and doubt as he looked casually over my shoulder like he was studying something. With good reason, Ghost stalked behind me as he made his way to my side, dropping down on his hind legs as his own ruby-red eyes studied Slynt.

"Sir Slynt, I heard something interesting, that two ravens were sent off to Tywin Lannister and the other to Queen Cersei Lannister. The sworn brothers of the Night's Watch take no sides in a war, so unless you were asking for knights to join up, I can't understand why you would call for them."

My voice grew cold, but I hid my rage, though not well, because Meleys jumped from her dummy, her wings, and legs working in concert as she crawled over to him from behind. Smoke spilled from her nose as she grew more serious. Her sisters weren't any better. Tessarion, who loved to fly, loomed just overhead of me, her wings flapping at my back, as Tyraxes screeched while perched upon my shoulder.

Soon she would be too big to do that. Even now, I could feel her claws breaking through my boiled leather and armor, threatening to break the skin but not quite doing it. I couldn't help but smile as I noticed the predatory look in her ruby eyes, as her tail swished dangerously before still as if she was getting ready to pounce.

Honestly, this is all a show. I know exactly why he sent those letters—my dragons. But no one, and I mean no one, is taking them from me. "I was doing just that, asking them for men. After all the wildling attacks, I thought it would be helpful to get more experienced men."

His tone was cool, but I could see the way his right brow twitched and the thick vein in his neck bulged.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Edd giving me this cautious look as if to say, "Don't start burning people." Trust me, there is a part of me in the back of my mind that screams for all my enemies to burn. But instead, I put a grateful smile on my face and nodded along with his lies. "Well then, I owe you my thanks, Lord Slynt."

Even as I said the words, they tasted like bile in my mouth, bitter and pungent as if vomit would begin to fill my lungs at any moment. Even as I had my rage, Meleys still prowled closer, and the hackles on Ghost began to rise. Way to ruin the act, guys. With a sad shake of my head, I spoke in a cool, almost chipper tone. I would hide my amusement as I watched his outraged face begin to redden.

"We are going to need those men because starting now, the other castles must be managed properly for the war to come. That being said, and since you are such a go-getter thinking ahead, I am putting you in command of 30 men. I expect you to be out of here by first light tomorrow. Edd shall give you the details."

My tone was final and curt, colder than the icy wind whipping at my back that helped quench the flames in my heart. Ghost reached, and Meleys sat on her legs, staring up at me with her head cocked to the side.

Love filled my heart, but still, I needed a break from training, and my aching muscles would do me some good. The girls and Wolves alike would like to hunt, no doubt. Smiling gently, I turned to Sam, who had been stationed off to the right of the training yard. Quickly lowering his gaze, he noticed the dragons watching him with bright cunning eyes.

"Sam, I'm heading out for a ride south of the Wall. It's not safe for the girls to hunt on their own just yet. Won't you join me?" I looked over to Sam. I could see the cold, terrified shivers ripping through him as he glumly nodded his head. I understood he feared them, and for good reason. That being said, if he stays away, they will never like him.

Walking quickly to the horse stalls, Tyraxes and the rest of the girls were just about the size of a grown dog, and still, she thought that she could sit on my shoulder as if she were still a hatchling. Though they had been growing faster than Maester Aemon predicted, he claimed that the lands of the north were rich with magic. He called them ley lines, like magical roads that connect the whole north.

So even though the dragons thrive best in hot, arid climates like Old Valyria, the ley lines are what is feeding them. The ley lines connect all the heart trees and the magic in the Wall. But if the heart trees and the old tree gods give it power, I wonder what would happen if I took them to the Isle of Faces, where there are more heart trees than I have time to pray.

The thought forced a smile to grow on my face as I looked up to see Meleys and Tessarion flying overhead. Tyraxes loves to fly along with the winter winds. Meleys played happily in the snow, and Tessarion loved to catch the snow as it fell from the sky. So the North seemed to agree with them more than it did with some of the people here.

The smell of wet hay and barn animals filled my nose, along with the scent of moist earth. The soft neigh and stomping of the horses told me that I was in the stalls, the dimly lit stalls making me think of a time long ago when Grenn, Pyp, Sam, and I were still fresh lads, and they had to drag me back here.

A sense of melancholy washed over me, and now there is only me and Sam left. "Lord Commander, your horse." With a polite tone, the horse master handed me my black Mustang, his lean muscles hidden beneath a thin layer of skin and a shaggy black mane. Its cool chocolate brown eyes no longer widened with fear when he saw my girls.

Though my daughters are a sight of beauty, they are still dangerous to many people. Thanks to all my time training them, they have yet to attack without command. I'm just glad they haven't flown to Mole's Town and harmed any children.

Dark and humorless, I knew that somehow it seemed like a likely possibility. Quickly, I mounted my horse. With a bob of his head and his shining black hooves tearing into the dirt, we were off. With a happy cry, Tyraxes flew over the wall into the forest as her sister followed after her.

Tyraxes is the most daring and fastest, but Tessarion is the one who loves flying. I think the only time she isn't soaring in the sky is when she is sleeping. But today, she stayed low, hovering a few feet above us as she watched me.

Tessarion wasn't just intelligent; she was diligent, watching over me and everyone else in Castle Black. Instead of making Sam feel safe, I knew he was doing his best not to whimper as his wide brown eyes looked like the eyes of a frightened deer.

I resisted the urge to laugh when amusement bubbled in my chest. He has braved White Walkers, and it's my girls that he fears. Though I do get it, Gilly tried to be around her once, and she damn near took a handoff. The girls don't have a problem with men; with women, they can't stand. When I think of that, I can't help but laugh. They are as much the watchers on the walls as we are, with an attitude like that.

"Go on, Tessarion," I spoke gently. Without thought, she darted upwards in a spiral of silver and white as the scent of winter pines and freshly fallen snow filled my nose. The soft crunch of snow beneath my horse's hooves helped soothe my tension-riddled body. Ghost darted out ahead, blending in with the snow as he faded into a forest of green and brown.

I knew that the woods were dangerous, not because of people; you would find none in the lands surrounding the Gift. But it's the hidden snakes and thick rocks that trip a horse and kill the rider. So I slowed down my horse and had Sam do the same. Cool winds whipped his cloak around him, shaggy black fur covered his face, and he looked pale white.

I asked Sam on this ride not just for the warm conversation but for his knowledge of Stannis. Tension was high, and when I tried my dragons to avoid any projectiles that may come their way, I could feel his cold, hungry stare burrowing into my back, watching every move I was going to make. It's hard enough to lead the men, get ready for war, and train myself and the dragons, while at night learning more about dragons.

I don't have time to deal with Stannis, and I know for a fact that he has been making a lot of trips to Aenom, and there are only three reasons why he would do that. "So, Stannis, I know that he has been speaking a lot with Aenom behind closed doors, with only you in the room, not even the Red Woman is allowed. Though that is understandable since the girls came into my life, she has been following me around with moony eyes."

My voice grew low as the very mention of that woman forced heat to flush into the air and fire to blaze in my heart. As if she or her lord knew that I was talking about her, but I mean, she followed me around, and the girls hated her.

Sam seemed to visibly shrink as he looked away, staring at the soft twinkling white crystals in the snow. All the while, I could hear victorious screeching and snarls, along with the snapping of powerful jaws. Panic gripped Sam tightly as I noticed how stiff he got. His wide brown eyes filled to the brim with fear and uncertainty, but that only confirmed it for me. He knew exactly what was going on with Stannis but would he tell me or leave me in the dark and hope I don't find out?

The winter winds filled my ears, drowning out any sound as I simply sat there, my horse moving even slower than before as strong mighty oaks and pine needle trees swirled around me. A sense of ease and bemusement filled me; this is my ancestors' land, and in it, I brought to life the world's only dragons, as far as I know. Those very dragons are going to be the salvation not only of the North but the world.

That alone brought a sense of pride to my heart, but a fatherly pride burned in my chest for the amazing creatures I know my daughters will become. Just thinking about that chased away the rage and doubt that had been bubbling in my chest since Stannis started his nonsense. Even a proud half-smirk began to form on my face as Sam exhaled a shaky breath, shaking me from my thoughts.

The air grew ominous, and tension began to build, choking the joy and pride that had once warmed my body, leaving only the chilly sense of dread as Sam spoke in a cautious whisper while his eyes searched the trees.

"The king wants your dragons, and he is growing more impatient as the days pass. Every time he sees them learn a new tactic that you teach them, or when they start to spew fire of silver, red, and blue, he craves the power that your dragons can give. He is wilder than before, and if you don't bend the knee soon, he is going to take your dragons."

His voice was low, and his gaze avoided mine, but a roaring wave of rage washed over me, blinding me in a haze of red. My mind filled with murderous, gut-wrenching thoughts as my shoulders shook with unspoken rage. My bones ached, and my knuckles dug into the leather of my glove. My body burned hot, chasing away the cold.

I wanted nothing more than to put spurs to the horse and answer this demand with fire and blood; I wanted to rip him apart. No one is or ever will take me from my children, and when I'm long dead, they will still be free-flying over oceans and lands. No fool will ever touch them. I sucked in a shaky breath.

My heart hammered in my ears, and I knew that if I didn't get my temper under control, the dragons would be back, bristling with a vengeance all their own. The cool, frosted air hit my lungs, cooling my chest and throat as I took in steady, deep breaths. After a few calming breaths, my heart ceased to sound like a war drum, and I felt in control.

Sam, on the other hand, had a new kind of worry in his eyes, as well as terror, and I knew that it wasn't the dragons that made him feel this way, but me in my rage. I'm more beast than man, slashing and hacking at anyone who threatens me. But that is no way to lead; I needed to keep calm to think properly.

"Stannis has worn out his welcome; he is a hindrance to everything, and I don't need him here when the Lannisters hear. Slynt already brought them down on me. It's about 3 months thanks to the snow-covered roads, but between the bandits and the outlaws that plagued the Riverlands, it could be 4. They could take a boat, but with their fall storms up south, they would be dead in the water. I plan to have him gone by then, and I'm sure that they had to figure that into their plans."

At that moment, I grew weary and no longer wished to be in the forest, but I sucked it up and waited until Ghost and the girls were back before taking off. Once back at the Wall, the wooden gate began to open, revealing none other than Stannis. His sterling blue eyes stared at me, his gaunt cheeks pale and glistening with sweat. His limp black hair frayed, and his hairline receded.

To his right stood his queen, her brown hair and pale milky white skin looking almost sickly, and finally, there was their daughter. Her eyes widened as she stared at my daughter, her bright blue eyes filling with joy.

Stannis watched them fly overhead, circling him. Only I could see his jaw clenching and unclenching as he gripped his fist tightly. Pale and meaty, his hands stared back at me as I began to speak. I swallowed my rage as I did so, but I never finished my sentence; he bellowed with rage, cutting me off.

"Your grace…." "You dare take my dragons without my permission!!!"

His voice boomed against the silent halls of the castle. People slowly emerged from doors and cellars, forges, and horse stalls. My men, I could see, were leaning around the walls, staring coldly at me. Each one of them had a hand on the pommel of his sword. I knew that I could give in to my rage and attack, but that would solve nothing.

With a cool, steady breath, I spoke in a cold, commanding tone, "You are expected to leave at first light for Winterfell. Take the castle or don't; either way, I don't care. But you will get no help from me, and you will not take my children. They are not your tools to use as you please. Slynt leaves at first light; have your men ready to leave at the same time. Take only what you brought and no more. If even a single grain is gone, you will not live to regret it."

Slowly, I descended from my horse. My booming tone shook the trees as the winds began to rise with my anger, while the wall wept, tears of water slipping from the bright blue icy walls. I gripped tightly to the leather reins of my horse, pulling him along as I tried to brush past Stannis.

Only for him to grip tightly to my arm, his pale fist growing paler as the skin on his knuckles grew tighter and thinner as pain shot through my arm. He gripped me tighter until I couldn't move. I tried to yank my arm back, only for him to knock my legs out from under me just as he let go. All the while, those cold blue eyes studied me with rage and hate burning brighter than the fires in the mess hall hearth.

"They are my dragons, and this is my castle."

His voice boomed, strong and sure, but it almost seemed desperate, like he had to have the dragons but would be nothing but a pretender. Rage scorched my nerves, whipping away any pain that I might have felt for this shell of a man. Ghost rose to my right, his hackles raised, his thick lips curled over bright pink gums as his bloodstained teeth made an appearance.

Tessarion let out her first roar, not ferocious, more like a screech, but her wings beat roughly against the wind, whipping up white snow flurries. Tyraxes roared with rage as she snarled at Stannis to his right, while Meleys crept to the left, her head dipped low, and her tail swaying as the spikes slammed into piles of snow.

A sense of pride filled me as I began to pick myself up off the ground. The mud slipped down my cloak, and the snow seeped into my boot, but still, I managed a triumphant smile. "These are my dragons, and I let you leave with your life. Be thankful. Now get out. I no longer want to have to look at you, even for another moment longer. You have 2 hours to gather your men and leave. You're not welcome at the Night's Watch anymore. Our debt to you has been paid." With those cold-hearted words, I took off to my room with my dragons and Ghost at my side.

The Next Morning

The soft snores of Tessarion filled my ears. Her body felt close, and my head lolled to the side to see her curled up to my right. Silver and white wings hid her face as her tail curled protectively around her body.

Then there was Tyraxes. I could feel her on me, and as I slowly began to move my head, I met lazy ruby eyes staring intently. Her wings spread across her back, her small head rested on my heart, while her tail lay unfurled down my chest. But the moment she noticed me looking at her, her tail swished happily, and her eyes lit up with excitement as if it were time to play.

A light chuckle left my lips as I noticed Meleys. Her growing blocky head seemed to thin, and she grew more elegant. She rested her scaly arm on my arm, warmth radiated from her. Her blue lids closed as she snored gently. A small puff of smoke left her nose as she exhaled.

I have to admit that I half-expected the scales to aggravate my skin, but even with their thickening scales and smooth, scaly skin, it felt right, almost natural, like I had known those feelings for a long time.

Slowly, the door began to open as Sam stuck his head in timidly, looking around the room until his eyes landed on me and the girls. Speaking in a cool and prevailing tone. "Lord Commander, Stannis left last night as per your order, taking all his men with him. However, Lord Slynt won't leave. He hasn't even saddled his horse yet." Timid and almost anxious, a sad smile began to pull at my lips as I looked to see Ghost resting at my feet, his breath hammering the soles of my feet. "Very well, I can assume that he is in the mess hall."

I didn't even bother to fashion it into a question. I knew that he meant to stay and spy on me for the Lannisters in the hopes that he would be relieved of his vows and given his land and titles back. But nothing short of death is going to allow for that to happen, and if he keeps refusing my orders, that is where he will be: dead. The Old Bear died because of a mountain; I would rather die the same way.

Quickly, I rose from the bed, although Tyraxes gave me an angry huff as she flew just above the bed. The other two, along with Ghost, were still curled up on my bed, and that was where they stayed. Once I got dressed, Tyraxes dropped onto my shoulder, while her tail curled around my throat.

The gleaming morning sun forced me to stumble as it breached my tired eyes. I stumbled down a few stairs before safely making it to the ground. The squishing sound of mud and snow mixing beneath my boots filled my ears. The scent of fresh air cleared my senses, waking me up easily as I started to stalk toward the mess.

The darkened room revealed two men laughing and joking as they ate their morning blood sausage and eggs. Thorne gave me a cold glare, his blue eyes filled with hate and venom. I would have thought making him the First Ranger would have made him happy, but he only seemed to hate me more, only now he doesn't voice it.

Then there is Slynt. He laughs and jokes, pretending like I didn't exist, and to be honest, it annoyed me. I leered coldly at him, as did Tyraxes, as I spoke through a clenched jaw. "Lord Slynt, I told you that you were to leave at once to rule the castles along the wall, and yet here you sit. Your horse and your men are not even ready. Why is that?"

I gave him the coldest glare as he spoke, his voice dripping with hate and venom, which might have made a lesser man shrink away. "I will not go, bastard, and your dragons and wolves can't make me. I'm not the false king, I won't go."

Just looking at his smug, fat face made me burn with rage. He is the reason I have no father; he stabbed him in the back. We all know it. I'm giving him more than he deserves, but I will ask him once more before I say fuck it.

"That wasn't a polite suggestion; it was an order. You are to leave at once. This is the last time that I will tell you." My tone grew cold and menacing as a growl rumbled in my chest, but all I got was a sideways glance and a few looks from the brothers at my back. I could feel their eyes piercing through me, trying to figure out if I would make good on my threats. "Shove your order where the sun doesn't shine, bastard."

Fine, it's not like I'm going to lose sleep, not over this kill. I turned back to see Edd awaiting orders; unlike Slynt, he knew how to follow them. "Get some brothers to grab him." I turned back to see Slynt staring at me, his expression bored, like this wasn't his life we were talking about. Instead, he ranted and raved that he had friends in the capital and that I was no Lord Commander but a traitor's bastard.

That didn't help my rage, and as the men moved closer, Thorne jumped up to his feet, his gaze cold as his hand drifted to the pommel of his sword. His eyes scanned the men surrounding him, and finally, he moved out of the way.

Even as he started to be dragged through the darkness, fading as the door opened to relieve the blinding light from the sun, he ranted and raved that I couldn't kill him, that I couldn't scare him. But I had no intent to scare him. It wasn't until he noticed the thick, golden block of wood that his head would rest on in its final moments, only then did he have the nerve to beg for his life. But his pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears, just like with my father.

A low, guttural growl left my lips as I spoke in a cold tone, not an ounce of pity filled my voice. "If you have any last words..." Those seemed to be the magic words; tears slipped from his cold eyes as his fat cheeks began to stain his face. But only pitiful pleas came out, and now it was too late.

Gripping tightly to the leather grip with both hands, I brought my arms down in a killing arc. The sound of crunching bone filled my ears as my sword sliced cleanly through his skin. The scent of copper blood filled my nose as the sloths of blood pooled beneath me, and his head began to roll. Now, his watch had ended.