Arthur Valhalla (11) Corlys Velaryon (5): the tides head north. the black dragon prepares.

AN: this will be the build up to the face to face between our two mc, Rhaena and Arthur.

Corlys informs the queen he and Rhaena will go to treat with the Valhalla to try and finalize the contract.

However with the triarchy making preparing to make its move, they need to move fast.

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the narrow sea, 4th moon of 130 AC

CORLYS POV

Getting the queen to part with some of our stock was hard at first. I was at my wits end by the time I finally dropped the Valhalla lads name. I hadn't wanted to tell her where I was going. I wanted it make this trip alone. For if the things I've read about where I'm going happen to Be true I don't want any of my family suffering for my foolish curiosities.

However, imagine my surprise when the queen readily agreed to such a thing. Even suggesting I take Rhaena with me.

She would not give me an answer as to why. But I'm no fool. I've been around every known place in this world. Hell, I mapped 10% of it myself. And even a fool could see what the queen was tryin to do.

I decided to not ask questions. Rhaena had a dragon big enough to protect her from everything except a bigger dragon. Which if my wife's words were to be true lord Valhalla certainly has.

Morning is quite a bit larger than her sister. But nowhere near the estimated vermithor size of the obsidian dragon lord Valhalla rides.

I just hope our arrival is as welcomed as I welcome the journey.

Although that was nothing compared to the little dragon that is my youngest granddaughter when she heard the news. She was told to remain quiet about it. To not inform baela or jace.

She didn't even hesitate. That alone shows me how much these dragon dreams have been affecting her. And I feel terrible because I didn't even know. Didn't even try to. Since my children had died my entire focus has been on the treacherous hightowers.

As I look out onto the wide expanse of the narrow sea heading north, my thoughts are a whirlwind.

'The lord I'm going to meet could have very well seen the doom at its highest point. Such a thing is insane to me. Maybe he knows how he survived for 200 years.'

Sighing and taking one last look at the shadow that is morning in the sky, I make my way back to the cabin and fall into my bed praying to any god that will listen that to us trip will be worth it. For i Need to be back in the south as soon as possible the triarch are gathering their numbers. Getting ready for aemond to make good on the promises aegon made.

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Sparta, the bay of seals, 4th moon of 130 AC

ARTHUR POV

Things in Sparta are truly going great. I even found the spot where my keep is going to go.

In the middle of the mountain bowl, there's a huge waterfall similar to Niagara from my old world. This all filters into the red river that the nymphs have planted.

This alone has helped my island out immensely. With so many weirwoods In the soil, the ambient magic in the air has almost quadrupled. The air of the island even has a wintergreen mint smell to it.

Truly the start of what I imagined. The keep I'm building will be atop the plateau of the waterfall. This leads further into the place my city will be built.

Image of castle

Image of city

Further down the red river is the giants village I plan to build. One of great size to give my friends all the comfort they'll need. Admittedly I've told them this will take the longest.

They seem fine with the weather though. If they get hot it's temperate enough to take a dip in the river.

Giants village:

And finally at the end of the red river is the childrens home. Although they themselves live in the weirwoods, i believe it only right to honor them in the only way I know how. By giving them a keep of their own.

It will be them who builds it themselves. As I'm sure whatever they come up with will be far better than what I can do.

(Childrens keep)

As for how I got the builders capable enough to take my designs and make them reality? Let's just say the name Valhalla still goes a long way. My good girl Artemis went halfway across the world to deliver a message to a man in qarth . A man nobody else knew but I knew his family name. Gehry. The people who helped build Valyria into what became to be. Although nobody will tell you that.

Honestly my time In Valyria showed me just how much the show and books left out. How many people were important just like the dragon lords. The velaryons for instance have a gift of navigation. And some had the ability to empower their boats to move at faster speeds than should be possible with sails.

Speaking of velaryons...….

Flashback

Waking up in the morning I'm about to start my regular hygiene routine when an owl sound startled me. This I knew to be denlens bonded. Seeing the message tied to the birds leg I frown. Denlen would never contact me unless it was serious. I'm far too busy to keep regular messages up halfway across a contenient when I'm trying to build a kingdom.

He himself understood this too. Which is why this letter must contain vital information.

To the lord of ice and fire,

A pink dragon and a silver seahorse make way for the north. I know not why they come. But I assure you I will be in white harbor by the time the arrive there.

I hope to discern their goals for sailing north there. However, I believe being prepared for such a meeting is smart. Though I need not tell you this I must cover all bases.

Your friend,

Denlen Reed.

Throwing the message into the fire I sit and ponder what I should do about this. I know they're coming north for me. I knew Corlys would find me as soon as he heard my story and looks from his wife.

There are many over confident and stupid lords in this realm, but the sea snake is not one of them. He's one of the few people I respect south of the neck. That and his family legacy that he probably doesn't know about waiting to be unlocked.

I decide that if Corlys is amiable to me, I will divulge my information about his family lineage. Maybe I'll even gift him with a compass. Old seahorse would probably kiss me. Ha! Time to get to work.

Flashback end

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That was almost a moon ago. That I received word from Denlen. I decided to at least make my island presentable. Getting my men trained very loosely with spears and shields. As I believe this to be the easiest method of attack.

Block and poke. Don't run. Don't let the guy to your left die. Just like the one to the left of you won't allow you to die. Trust is implicit in this kind of fighting.

I simply wish to make them as effective as possible in the shortest amount of time. I've been teaching them to box since I arrived. Not a fast process by any means.

But I don't need them to be. I need them to be mean, Rabid dogs. Men who will go for anything; your groin, your eyes, your ears, your neck, or nose. Anything that can be used against you will be used by these men.

I won't name them savages, but others might:))

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Breaking myself out of my thoughts I receive another letter from Denlen.

Lord Arthur,

Im currently aboard the seahorse with the sea snake and his granddaughter along with her dragon. We make to Sparta. Be ready. A fortnight.

Your friend Denlen

Sighing I decide it's time to start.

First, a Valyrian blade for lord Corlys.

(Image)

And the next will he an outfit in my Style for the princess who comes to my island. Quickly making my way down to Miranda my head seamstress an governess of the house and give her the ideas I have.

(Image)

Next is time to make my people aware of what's about to happen. Getting slim to go announce it while I dress I wonder what the meeting between dragons will hold.

(Image)

AN: next chapter we see the face to face. Be prepared. Will be up soon.