The year is 286 AC. King Jaehaerys II has just passed, leaving the throne without a rightful ruler. While his three children fight for the crown, Winter creeps closer, and unimaginable darkness looms.
Not all alliances will be so typical this time. In fact, many people have a crucial effect on the way this story is told. As for the ending, we only hope there are enough people left alive to tell it after its passed.
Events
Join us for our first event, the wake of recently deceased King Jaehaerys II.
Updates
AUG. 19: So we are now officially open to the public. We have a mini-event flashback thread going on, and our main event just began. Feel free to make a second canon if you can keep both of them active enough.
Don't hesitate in pestering staff with questions; it's what we're here for! Let's raise a glass and make a cheer toward a successful launch of Winds of Winter.
Post by SERA BARATHEON on Sept 9, 2017 8:46:01 GMT
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His words were delicate, soothing her along with the drum of his heartbeat that echoed in her ears. She didn't cry, her frustration only causing her to tense up and quiver like a frightened dog. It was strange to see an Ironborn coddle a girl, displaying an amount of patience and understanding that most in even the other seven kingdoms couldn't muster.
Hazel eyes lifted to rest on his and the touch of his forehead against hers was comforting. She understood what he was trying to say to her, and whether or not he believed it himself, she did. She had seen beauty in the world even before this day. The sight of the sun peaking over the hills in the early damp mornings, when the world is so still that even the birds did not yet sing. The sound of children laughing as they chased each other in the grassy fields outside the castle. Also the smile of a girl who was given that small token of affection from her passing knight.
While all small and miniscule in comparison, they all represented what good there was in the world, --which she desired more than anything.
He was right, they had a chance to make things anew, with the same deeds they performed today. They only had to survive first.
What could she do to help? She was only a stupid little girl; she couldn't weild a sword, or command an army. She didn't have followers that would lay down her life to protect who she ordered them to, and most certainly there were no words she could say that could prevent the upcoming fighting. Were they to run this whole time? To hide away across the narrow sea? No, Dalton was an Ironborn. He was far from a coward, and it was certain that he would have to face the dangers that followed them sooner or later.
She pushed past the lump that grew in the back of her throat, her voice soft and shaky as she spoke. She had no right to ask him of this, considering the amount of trouble she already caused for him, but her desire to do what she could overpowered any sense of cowardice she showed.
"D-dalton? 'Morrow.... I'd like you to teach me how to hold a sword."
She was nineteen years of age, quite too old to pick up swordsmanship, but she figured that if she started there, she could help him, even if she just had to die for him. She had the willpower to hold a weapon, as she had held knives many times after a hunting trip with her siblings. She had gutted many animals the men brought to the table, pulled out their bellies and washed off the hides. It was expected as the oldest, she had to learn things that normally most girls wouldn't have, --but she never learned to kill a man, and never had the want to, until today.
Post by Dalton Greyjoy on Sept 9, 2017 12:42:28 GMT
Time. That was what she needed right now. Time to think things over in peace. So, he gave her just that. Keeping the position they were having, Dalton remained silent and let her come to the conclusions that she would come to. Though, to be perfectly honest, just being like this gave him peace of mind as well. With things being as hectic as they had been, in addition to the issues they would have to face later on, he had been a bit restless as well. Neither his men nor Ashe could alleviate that at the moment, but Sera could. As such, he was going to continue this as long as it was necessary.
Her ultimate response did surprise him though. A smile snuck up his face as he was quite apprehensive of the suggestion. Even if, in the end, it was not the greatest idea. “I can teach you that,” he began, while leaning back against the wall again, taking her with him. “But I will also teach you how to hold a bow. Fighting with a sword is likely not something that you will be able to pick up anytime soon, especially with your frame.” Swiftly, he took her dominant hand into his and lifted both, in order to show the differences in lengths regarding their arms.
“In a proper swordfight, you would simply lack reach. The only kind of swordplay that you could really feasibly do would be water dancing, I think, and that is something you could only properly learn in Essos.” He himself had trained with a dancer for a few weeks, but it simply was not something that fit him well. Usually, people tended to contrast big, strong fighters with water dancers. There was some truth to that, given that fluid motions simply took longer when you were bigger. Plus there were more openings.
Yet, that was not the only reason. “You would also need to be in top physical condition. Otherwise, almost every Ironborn on deck here could just send you flying with a backhand. But a bow, that could work. You’d have less range than male archers, yes, but I reckon you don’t want to engage in any large scale conflicts anyway. But no matter what we do, you need to be rested for it. And I might expect a kiss as payment~.” He was not going to steal any of those from her, after all. The next time, he definitely wanted her to kiss him, not the other way around.
Post by SERA BARATHEON on Sept 9, 2017 13:08:02 GMT
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Silently she let him give his answer, giving a different suggestion entirely, and explaining why. At least he didn't refuse her, probably having an understanding of where her request came from. Her eyes were fixed on his and her lips pursed in a small pout. She wasn't unhappy with his answer, just taking in the consideration.
Once he finished, Sera slowly pulled herself away from him, sliding back and standing on her feet. She turned her body to face him and looked down with determination in her eyes and her hands on her hips. Wearing his large shirt, she probably looked a tad immature, but that couldn't be helped, --she was in fact, rather petite in comparison to most girls.
"That was the most classy way to tell a girl she is unfit."
Though it was not what she expected, she knew he was right, and though she had not considered the bow, perhaps she could master the arts after a few years of practice. Even though she understood, that the heart to kill a man didn't come from being able to hit a target over and over.
With a soft chuckle she smiled, "Alright. I will work really hard, every day, and yes..." she started before she stepped closer, her eyes narrowing onto his as she leaned down. Her barefeet positioned themselves on the outsides of his thighs and she lowered herself into his lap. Her chest faced his, and her lips were a mere inch away from his own when she spoke softly, "that is a fair trade..."
So she closed her eyes and leaned forward to let her lips touch his softly.
She wanted this. In the maelstrom of emotions she passed through, this was the only one she wanted to cling on to. She was scared, angry, exhausted, and in the midst of all that, she felt some happiness. He washed away all of that burden and pressure, with just a simple touch.
Post by Dalton Greyjoy on Sept 9, 2017 14:10:47 GMT
Now he really wondered whether she was just oblivious to things, or wanted to tease him deliberately. Standing in front of him like that, clad only in an ill-fitting shirt, that was kind of exciting. It would be to any man, really. Plus, she was showing more of her strength and her bite, which satisfied the Ironborn in him. Yes, her body was weak and she could be pretty stupid, but she had something to her that elevated her from all possible damsels.+
However, none of that compared to her not only agreeing to his terms, but doing so in the best way possible. Almost straddling him, she came down just moments after Dalton stopped missing the by now somewhat familiar weight on his lap. Now though, she was back there, sitting in the most enticing way, and simply demanded a kiss for herself. The Ironborn gladly gave her one, arms on her waist now to hold onto her. This time, he challenged her some more, urged her to explore and find the way of kissing that most pleasured her. He still remembered that she was new to all of this, but he also realized that Sera was more than eager to learn.
Thus, he would allow the kiss to continue for as long as she wanted – even though all of this combined meant that his breeches could no longer fully hide his enthusiasm. He had done an admirable job so far, but this was borderline arousing, so it could not be helped. Once the kiss ended, he would likely be a bit hasty with his breathing as well. “Screw it. If you truly want to learn, you will have to stick with me for more than a few weeks. It could take months, maybe years to turn you into someone more….fit…” It was unfair of him to suggest that, of course. But desire hardly ever was fair, now wasn’t it?
Post by SERA BARATHEON on Sept 9, 2017 14:52:58 GMT
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Skin grew warmer, and breath grew shorter with each moment she spent in the kiss. It was awkward at first, the fact that she had no experience was more than apparent, yet she was unafraid as her lips lingered on his. Her eyes closed, she took in her surroundings; scent, taste, and the sensation it gave her. Her stomach twisted into knots, and cheeks glowed a bright red, all new feelings that she had yet to experience in her life. It was exciting.
Lack of breath caused her to pull away, leaving her forehead pressed to his as her eyelids lifted so she could gaze at him. She never saw a more attractive sight, and thought it was a shameful waste not to continue. But not here, not now. Not with the world coming down around them, and a sick woman she cared for in the bed next to them, --it was not the right time.
Sera bit on her bottom lip and exhaled, lifting her hand between their bodies to softly let her fingers graze against his jawline. The youthful years he spent on the seas chipped away at the normally smooth childlike skin, and the harsh texture of cut facial hair pulled at her own fingertips. There was nothing more real; it was not some dream, or fantasy she conjured in her head. She liked him, and didn't want to leave him.
"I don't care how long it takes."
That was the answer she quietly gave before leaning forward and resting her head against his collar, just underneath his chin. She took in the smell of his skin, and the linen shirt he wore, finding a nostalgic comfort in it. If allowed to stay like that, it wouldn't be long before she would be asleep. The day had really worn on her after all.
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