∞༺༻✧

Meanwhile, Rickon was training… in other areas, aside from swordsmanship or archery.  Learning how to write in three other ways, other than the Westerosi alphabet was a tedious task, but there was one thing the Kamakura nobles noticed, it was how the little pup was learning and growing fast.

Rickon had started to lose his Northern accent, and had gotten better at using his chopsticks. In that place, he was known as Yoshirō, for safety reasons. If he wanted to write to friends in Westeros, he would use that alias.

He was concentrating on his brush strokes; one wrong move could ruin the entire message of that letter. He could have looked into the sakura tree again, but he would rather practice his calligraphy. After getting scolded by Kyōko about his tree-surfing one too many times, the boy had stopped doing that altogether.

“雷龍があなたを導きますように… " (May the Thunder Dragon guide you…), he wrote. It was supposed to be a correspondence with a certain exiled emperor, whom he prayed was safe and sound.

It was such a misfortune that someone had to interrupt his work, a hooded fight, who did not look too friendly. He seemed to be intelligent enough to recognise the youngest Stark, even if his hair had been dyed brown.

“Well, well, well… if it isn't the missing pup. The Queen will have a field day with this one. " he muttered.

“その通りです。… あなたは死んだオオカミを探しています " (That's right… you are looking for a dead wolf), replied Rickon, who choose to speak the language of his newfound family.

“Ha! Quit the act, Rickon Stark; I know you understand me. "

"“彼は行ってしまった。 菅原義郎です." (He's gone. I am Yoshirō Suguwara now.)

The assassin was not having it.  Pulling out his dagger, he lunged forward, attempting to take the child's life. Rickon immediately dodged, utilising the space in his room to flee. He was young and still learning how to properly use his weapon, so he had no chance of ever fighting a trained assassin.

Running across the hallways woke some of the residents. It had been a surprise how there were no guards near the boy's room, not even one. Rickon… or rather, Yoshirō ran for his life, hiding behind pillars as his pursuer tried and failed to navigate the large palace.

Screaming for help would be a foolish choice, especially when there was a nearby balcony which the pup could use. The assassin smirked to himself, thinking that he had cornered the lad.

Taking the chance, Rickon used a trap that a guard had set there, tripping the criminal, disarming him, and giving the man the scare a lifetime. As the grey eyes of a wild wolf gazed into his blue ones, the young boy smirked.

“心配しないで、私たちも借金を返します。" (Don't worry, we pay our debts too. )

The stranger felt himself lose his footing, as the breeze suddenly became unbearably cold. He couldn't tear his own voice, as the vision of those eyes, and the high balcony grew distant, ever shrinking as he fell…

*SPLAT! *

Yoshirō stared at the corpse, then at his hands. It had been so quick, he had not thought much about it, until the man fell to his doom. Was this how Father felt when he  killed for the first time?

One thing was for dyfs; he would have serious explaining to do in the morning.

                   ༺❘✦━.·:*✦*:·.━✦❘༻

Bran gasped, woken by his strange dream… no, nightmare. He could not believe that his littlest brother could be that ruthless. Then again, the child was defending himself. At least someone's gonna be a Knight, even if it's not me.

“What's wrong, did you seesomething? " asked a worried Osha.

“My brother, he… he's got blood on the balcony. "

“What's that? "

Oh right… they don't have balconies beyond the wall.

“Rickon killed someone."

“And? " Osha pondered. She was used to taking the lives of other people.

“He's so young… " Bran lamented.

" Anyone is capable of spilling blood, even a youngling like yourself. One day you may find yourself in a situation where you will have to spill a little blood to survive. It's the way of life, little wolf, "she said.

" I don't want to be a murderer, " Bran rambled out.

" Killing is a part of life and everyone around you has spilled blood before  even your lord father was " Osha commented.

" He wasn't a murderer, he was an honorable man " the little wolf defended.

" Yes, he was but it doesn't mean he wasn't a killer…. All men are killers even women sometimes "

" He only killed enemies, not innocent people, " Bran said.

" Really, what about that night watch deserter? your father beheaded him for breaking his oath " the wildling exclaimed.

" My father didn't have a choice, it was the King's decree " He mumbled.

" Still, he still killed a man that was just telling the truth about what he's seen "

" White walkers don't exist, they're just an old folk tale Old Nan would tell to me and my siblings before we went to bed every night " Bran replied.

" The world is a mysterious place, little one, nothing is what it seems to be " Osha commented.

The young wolf nodded knowing the wilding had some point, if magic existed in the world whose to say white walkers don't.

" Have you ever seen one beyond the wall? " Bran asked, staring at the wildling curiously.

" No, I just heard tales of the men of night watch seeing some of them, " Osha lied, not reading to tell her full story just yet.

The wildling could sense the nervous and scared look on the young wolf's face and felt guilty for scaring the young lad.

" But don't worry about it,  little one I am probably wrong, perhaps they are just folk tales after all, " Osha said, trying to push the boy's fears away.

" You don't have to lie to me Osha, you can tell me I can handle it…. I've seen my sister Lyarra and her friend Samara display their magic up close "

" So the rumors were true, your late sister Lady Lyarra was an ice witch  " Osha hummed.

" Yeah, she was, " Bran smiled sadly remembering how his eldest sister used to create snowflakes for him every morning.

" Magic does run in the Stark family after all "The wildling thought.

                    _________

In the ruins of Harrenhal, The old lion Tywin Lannister was currently staring at his map in front of which showed the entire continent. He was not impressed with a green wolf outsmarting him at every turn. Then again, wolves were known to rule the forests of the North, much like how stags once ruled the Kingswood. His mind was all over the place. Apart from the match Myrcella made for herself, everything else had fallen apart.

“Lord Tywin, the youngest of the Starks has been confirmed to be staying at Kamakura. However, the Queen sent an assassin, not a diplomat to… retrieve him. " informed a messenger.

Tywin was furious. How was he supposed to destroy the Suguwaras, when all his daughter did was cause disaster after disaster? Tywin with tits? How dare she use his name in such a vulgar manner.

“I shall see to it that she is… disciplined. I will be taking Tommen to Casterly Rock once this is over. I need a strong boy, not a coddled cat. "

The messenger exited the ruins, leaving the old lion to his thoughts.

      
             ༺❘✦━.·:*✦*:·.━✦❘༻

The young ice dragon opened her eyes and let out a gasp, " Am, I dead " she wondered.

She stood up from the ground and looked at her surroundings, snow surrounded all around her.

" Elaena, "  a voice said behind her.

Lyarra turned her head and saw a young beautiful silver haired woman standing in front of her.

Within an instant she knew exactly who the woman was, " Mother " Lyarra said her eyes began to tear up.

The two embraced one another for a tight hug,  " I don't understand…. What are you doing here Ned promised me he would protect you? "  Shaena exclaimed, pulling away from her daughter.

" He did or tired to but he's dead " Lyarra mumbled.

The young dragon princess eyes widened in shock at the news.

" That gold shit of a bastard killed him " Lyarra hissed.

" Who? " Shaena questioned, her eyes glancing at her daughter's in confusion.

" After the rebellion, Robert Baratheon took the iron throne and married Cersei Lannister together they had three kids well assumed to have three kids, but in truth Jaime Lannister is the father of her children making them bastards of incest " Lyarra rambled out.

" My father found out the truth about it and Joffrey beheaded him because of it " She added.

" And to think I almost was to be his wife " Shaena signed.

" Wait, you and Jaime were engaged " Lyarra exclaimed, her eyes widened in shock and disgust.

" For a time being, your grandfather arranged the match though it was really Lord Tywin who badly wanted to marry Cersei off to your uncle Rhaegar but he didn't agree to it claiming your uncle needed a Valyrian bride so he proposed a match between me and Ser Jaime  " Shaena responded.

" But it ended rather quickly when Ser Jaime pledged himself to knighthood and I was married off to your father…..  A lion could never tame a dragon but a wolf did, " Shaena added with a smile.

" You're right about that " Lyarra smirked thinking back when Jaime tried to control her or force her to do these his way but in the end she was the one who tamed him often in public throughout mostly in the bedroom.

" You've grown so beautiful, " Shanea said tearfully, staring at her daughter in front of her.

"Thank you… one more thing; you have a little sister, Daenerys. I once saw her in a dream." Lyarra explained, excitement in her face. Oh, how she would love to see her aunt face to face!

“Hmmm… I've always loved that name. Every time Mother was pregnant, I always prayed that it would be a sister, whom I could call 'Daenerys'." Shaena explained.

Lyarra laughed to herself, realising the irony of it all.

“I'm technically a Lannister now. The fat oaf of a king forced my father to sell me off to the Kingslayer, and I just gave birth to my children with him."

" You're a mother, " Shaena smiled.

" Yeah "

" You must wake up then, your little ones need you " the young dragon princess exclaimed.

" I would like to but it seems I died giving birth to them " Lyarra signed out sadly.

" You aren't dead, sweetie….. you're journey isn't over yet and it won't for a long long time " Shaena said, grabbing her daughter's hand with hers.

" If I go back, will I ever see you again " Lyarra asked not wanting this to be the end.

" Not for a very long time " Shanea responded tearfully.

The daughter and mother duo embraced for one more hug.

" I love you Elaena "

" I love you too, mother "

Lyarra slowly opened her eyes and let out a groan still feeling quite sore from the ordeal that was 'childbirth'. The first face she encountered, upon waking up was a relieved Samara. She looks more tired than ever. So much has changed since then…

The mage from Asshari could almost cry from joy; this had been the second time Lyarra was composed. The first had been when she tried to wake Bran. Time flies so fast, huh?

“S-Samara…? " Lyarra rasped.

“Thank the Lord of Light, you had us worried!"

“My children, where are my hatchlings? " Lyarra inquired.

“They are sa—"

Fuyutsuki had to interrupt, in light of the most recent situation. Samara paled, debating whether she should tell the truth.

“Are you two at it again?" Lyarra wondered, suspecting that something had come up.

“Someone tried to take your son's life… but your daughter protected him. Lya, she has powers just like you." Fuyutsuki spilled.

“Powers? N-no, impossible, how? " Lyarra blubbered, confused and surprised.

“Do you recall how I cast a spell to hide your pregnancy at the Red Keep? The babies must have absorbed them while developing. " Fuyutsuki explained.

“Magic runs in your family as well, little dragon. You are the princess of ice and fire, and your children have inherited your special bloodline." Samara added.

“Who tried to kill my son? " Lyarra asked, her expression darkening.

No comment.

" Please, I can't take any more lies…. I know you guys are just trying to protect me, which I appreciate, but I can handle myself and now I'm a mother that has to protect my children and my family, just tell me the truth " Lyarra pleaded staring at them..

" Lady Rhaenys " Fuyutsuki blurted out.

" Rhaenys, what I don't understand….. that makes no sense why would she? " Lyarra rambled out her eyes widened in confusion trying to make sense of what she was hearing.

" She's not really a handmaiden, she's a spy sent by someone from Westeros to kill you and your children " Samara replied.

" But that doesn't make sense…. She's worked for llypio for years, she was born  in Essos " Lyarra pointed out.

" We are still trying to connect the dots onto what Rhaenys ties are with Westeros  but she is not who she says she is, that wine merchant is a living proof of that. " warned Fuyutsuki.

Naerella, who had entered the chambers moments ago. could recall Sharkan, that annoyingly persuasive man who nearly got her friend killed. Had it not been for Arya and Hayate, he would have succeeded.

" Your grace, you're awake " Naerella smiled, stepping towards the princess.

The handmaiden was quite worried the last days over the young princess, Rhaneys claimed she wouldn't make it but she had hoped  the young ice dragon would and her prayers had been finally answered.

" How many times must I tell you to call me Lya? " The young ice dragon said.

The handmaiden nodded agreeing to her requests but was still hesitant, " How are you feeling? "

" I'm feeling fine, just a bit sore, " Lyarra mumbled.

" Do you know where your friend Rhaenys is? " Samara asked directly, having no time for chit-chat.

" No, I haven't seen her these  last few days " Naerella responded.

" Did she tell you where she was going?" Fuyutsuki questioned.

" She said she had some business to attend to, though when I spoke to her last, Rhaneys had this worried scared look on her face as if she's seen a ghost. " Naerella answered.

" She must have fled, that cowardly bitch  " Lyarra hissed.

" What's going on, why do you guys want to know where  Rhaenys is….. did she say something to you or offended you? " The handmaiden questioned.

" She's not who she seems…. your friend is a hired spy/assassin sent by someone from Westeros to kill Lyarra and her unborn children which she nearly succeeded in killing one of them " Samara snarled.

The handmaid's eyes widened in shock at what she was hearing and shook her head not believing the sorceress's claim.

" No, that's not possible….. Rhaenys is a sweet gentle person who would never hurt a soul let alone an innocent baby " Naerella defended.

" You must be mistaken, " she added.

" We are never wrong, Lady Naerella. Us mages have ways of uncovering the truth" Fuyutsuki responded.

" Your friend has been fooling everyone from the beginning, " the socuresss commented.

" I don't believe you…. Rhaenys is not like that at all. "

" How can you be so sure? " Lyarra asked , glancing at Naerella in pity, knowing how it felt to find out someone you cared about wasn't who they seemed to be.

" I've known her for years. Lya, Rhaenys is a good and pure soul that has been mistreated by the cruelty of this world…. her husband was murdered and was roaming the streets of Pentos until llyrio took her in as a guest " Naerella exclaimed.

"  You're still defending her, perhaps you are involved as well in the plot " Samara accused glaring at the handmaiden suspiciously.

" We don't know that yet, "   Fuyutyski said.

" Are you Naerella? " Lyarra questioned, staring at her friend/handmaiden suspiciously.

At the moment, the young ice dragon trusted no one but her family and would be cautious of everyone around her until they proved to be trustworthy.

" How could you even ask me such a thing…. I've been nothing but kind to you, your sisters and your company, I would never harm your children let alone innocent babies! " Naerella exclaimed.

" I have two younger siblings myself and if anything has happened to them yet, I wouldn't be able to live with myself, " She added.

There was a certain purity about her that the mages could not find in Rhaenys. Fuyutsuki contemplated the maiden's words, and an idea came to him.

“Lady is known to be a gentle wolf. Have you tried caring for her?"

“Yes. She never bit me. In fact, the pure soul enjoys my company. Why did you ask?"  questioned Naerella.

“Both Lady and Sansa are especially observant.  Try asking that red wolf, Samara. I shall escort Lady Naerella to that direwolf. " Fuyutsuki advised, and led the handmaiden out of the room.

             ༺❘✦━.·:*✦*:·.━✦❘༻

Lady, who had not been so active since boring Raenys, was quite delighted to see two good souls coming her way. For such a large creature, she was quick. Poor Naerella tripped and fell on her back, as the direwolf licked her face.

“Whoa, that tickles, hahahahahaha~! L-Lady! "

The direwolf, seemingly understanding the maiden's plight, got off of her as Naerella finally stood up. Fuyutsuki chuckled, having gotten his answer.

“See, I'm innocent."

" I still don't trust it, " Samara mumbled eyeing the handmaiden in suspicion still.

" Lady has good judgment " Lyarra defended, glancing at the she-direwolf before glancing at the handmaiden.

" I'm sorry I accused you, " She added.

" It's okay, I understand you're a mother now and you are just being cautious," Naerella said.

The young ice dragon pushed the covers off over her and began to get out of bed much to the protests of her friends, " Lya, you mustn't get up you're still not well enough " Samara exclaimed.

" I don't care, I wish to see my children… I've been away from them for too long "

"  We'll bring them to you " Fuyutsuki said sternly.

As much as Lyarra wanted to get her chance to hold them, her body was screaming for relief She let the mages exit the room, while Naerella kept watch.

“Raenys… she's always been the quieter of our duo , but there really is something off about her, ever since Lady's incident. "

Lyarra gave it some thought. If someone was truly planning to betray her, the Dragon's wrath would be swift as the wind, and harsh as a blizzard.

They. Will. Pay