The Lost Returned

The sun shone ever so brightly, the clouds parting as low golden rays of light, cast a brilliant mix of light and shadows. The wind kicked as it blew the green leaves from trees, they danced and fell, mixing with the disgusting brown mud of the ground. It seemed the world was in perfect contrast, the sky trying to paint a beautiful picture over the horrors on the ground.

"W-wa-wait.. ahhh!" The only thing that disturbed this strange, and yet beautiful moment, was the yells of a man. His throat or what was left of it, gurgled blood as a sickening crack rang out.

"And here I thought I was rather clean, guess you had a mind to think otherwise." I couldn't help but comment, looking down at the man who had yelled, the top part of his skull missing as his jaw and broken throat spit out blood. My face was covered in blood, and my long white hair seemed to be caked in it, wiping off brain matter as my hand fell to my side.

The shine of the sun danced across the earth, and the mud seemed to reach out, rolling over the far distance, like a never-ending sea of shit and piss. The light reflected off of a silver mace, it's head cruel as it was caked in mud and gore.

"looks like the job is done.. it was more of a waste of time than I thought it would be.. well, who am I to complain." I spoke, swinging my mace as I flung the mud and blood off, looking at the sea of mud and bodies left in my wake.

"What do you think, huh Fortassax?" I couldn't help but call out, watching the ground grow darker, the shape of the shadows changed, turning sharp and unnatural. "Are you growing tired? just like me?" My body moved, feeling something larger than life push against my side.

My eyes looked to the side, watching the massive beast rub her head into me, Her head was far larger than my body, her skin hanging low around her neck, her horns lining each side her jaw, as the bone like small horns on top suck out the most. Her bluish-green scales moved, as the muscle under her scales, around her mouth shifted, her mouth opened as she let out a long breath. Her mouth moved as if frowning as a purr of some kind came from her throat, her rows and rows of messy sharp teeth showing only for a moment, from the scars across her face, it was easy to see she was a veteran when it came to battle. She soon turned her head to look out at the battlefield with me.

"Even men like this don't deserve to lay among the mud.. 'ignis'. " I said, turning around to walk away, feeling the heat on my back, my neck sweating a little as Fortassax's mouth glowed with fire, roaring as the land was set in a blaze of whitish-red hell.

"Lord Maliketh.." Walking away from the burning man party, a voice rang in my ear, my head turned to see men in black armor, without markings or house flags. Their faces were covered, their bodies caked in blood and scars from our battle, in their hands, they carried, claymores, maces, and other weapons of war.

"How many times have I told you, Keth will be enough, commander va'ko?" I said, shaking my head at my stupid name I had wanted coming to this world, only to regret it now. "What is it you need, was there a problem," I questioned, watching Fortassax lower her wing-like arm so I could climb up and rest on the seat at her back.

"No my lord, the pirates at sea and on land have all been killed. The ships that remain have wheat, meat, gold, and other assortments of things they have stolen.. what would you like to do with those ships?" Va'ko asked, his voice respectful as he bowed his head lightly, looking at the ground as he waited for my answer.

"Take the gold and valuable materials, and place them on our ships, as for the wheat and whatever other foods.. leave it, and burn the rest of the ships. The sea can have it." I said, smirking lightly as I looked down, watching va'ko smirk as well.

"It will be done, my lord.." Va'ko said, nodding to the rest of the men, they needed no overly explained orders, they moved as one to get the task done.

"Take it all back to Driftmark, inform the lord that I have done what others ignored, but this won't be the end, small groups of pirates have been weeded out but that seems like more of a test. It would seem the stepstones may actually become a problem, and what's better... having the great house Velaryon, owing this waste of a killer prince a favor. Don't you think va'ko, I wonder what my cousin would say.." With each word, my face became more twisted, the smirk lingering for a while as I looked out to the sea far away, my hand pushing back my blood-covered hair, while I give a sidelong look at Va'ko.

"I'm sure it will be to die for my lord, violence doesn't need a politic, but a man who can act without regard, even if others may see it as horrific." Va'ko said, turning to look at the battlefield, the burned bodies, smelling the air as the fine smell of wood came from the ships burning out at sea. Their halls fell in on themselves as they burned, the embers flowed high into the air dancing with the wind like the leaves.

"But my lord, will you not be joining us, I'm sure lady Rhaenys will question why you sent us and did not show your face." Va'ko questioned, he said what both of us knew but it didn't really matter all that much to me.

"She will not care, tell her that you all will stay in Driftmark for the time being, she will be able to move you as she wishes. As for me, I think it's time to see my older and twin brother don't you think." The words left my mouth, falling like a rock in the heavy mud. Va'ko as if knowing there was nothing left, took a step back as the massive dragon ran forward for a moment before taking off into the sky.

"I wonder what they would say, as well as all those would be lords for the throne." Watching the water and clouds blur, feeling the wind flow through my hair, the salt lingering in my nose as I leaned back slightly. My head looked up at the clouds as I spoke to Fortassax. "Take your time girl, we can enjoy this.. well before my brother and niece make a mess of everything. Only after Viserys turns it to shit, force-feeding it to everyone first.." With a laugh, I watched the cloud be broken threw, looking at the sun as I let myself feel free once more.