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.
Whilst lords and ladies and princes and princesses clumped together in a room throwing bladed words here and there and whilst the broken ships of a fallen prince sunk and burned over a red sea, life simply continued in the slums.
A gentle voice hung in the air, slipping through the daily hustle and bustle of the streets. Whilst men and women trudged along familiar paths and called to attention others to their wares. Where hammers danced upon red blades and horses clopped along cobbled steps.
Widened eyes and childish wonder stared at scarlet locks and emerald eyes as rose colored lips beckoned the winds to carry her song. A song of a love lost, found, and lost again.
It might have been a tad too complicated for children to understand just yet, but it sounded beautiful even to their young ears as words and melody danced into a tale that inspired a vision of the sea in their young minds. Romanticized it may be, but they had the right to live in that bliss.
Upon her lap, Aria held a book. One she'd received from one of the tavern goers. It held a story of a princess whose song could heal, bring back youth, of tragedy, of love. It was nothing more but a fantasized love story Aria could enjoy in her quiet times. Especially now as she'd learned her mother's illness had worsened.
Long since Aria had suspected the never ending coughs to be more than simply coughs. Long had she suspected the drops of blood from the woman's spittle weren't not related to these coughs. Long had she suspected the woman had nary more than a few months to live as the color left from her face, and her eyes sunk and her skin sagged.
Her mother wasn't old. In fact she was fairly young. But she was weathered and broken. Her heart had shattered in more ways than one, and only her spirit endured, and so did her love for her only daughter.
Aria wanted to cry at the thought, but to shed a tear in front of these children who sat around her to listen to her songs. It wasn't something she wished to do onto them.
Post by DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 11, 2017 21:58:32 GMT
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
Ethereal words blessed his ears with the song of the lowborn. Beneath him upon the streets was the little red that sang to the children of King's Landing. Drawn to her soft voice just like Daemon was, peering from a window above her head. Watching Aria with an amused smile. The seven fated the two together.
Upon the songs end the young man was ready to retreat into the inn but his blade had other plans. Knocking the latch free from the window with his sudden movement the heavy wooden frames flung the boy forward. Being thrown out, his cape and cowl caught by the window.
A loud thud befell the small entrance of the inn where the children and woman sat. Dirt kicking up dust as his knees bent, a shock surging through his entire body as his expression was muddled with confusion and embarrassment as he looked upon little red riding hood. Purple eyes wide, starring back at Aria. Oops.
Laughter and claps disrupted as wood hit flesh and shut itself tight. The window held it's prize triumphantly whilst beneath it was a sight you'd not imagine could happen in this world. Rose red lips, cracked into a smile as the scarlet beauty fought to keep her laughter. The children however let loose a roar of chuckles which soon after caused Aria to laugh.
Passing men and women could only look as children pounced on the fallen prince with eagerness, unaware of his position, whilst the older of them could only try and stop the tiny horde with little success. Aria herself took a moment before standing up and approaching her silver knight and offering a hand for him to take.
"There are many ways for a man to catch a woman's attention. Some simple, some outright unnecessary. Though often times a simple hi would suffice. But if you were searching for a spectacle for a children... then you've gone and outdid yourself my prince." Aria teased, waiting for him to take her hand and helping him out of the mass of children trying to hug him.
Post by DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 11, 2017 22:31:08 GMT
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
Wings blessed the dragon, his flight short and quick. Abruptly his world would come crashing down as delighted children began to chase the dragon. Jumping upon his knees and heels, wondering if he had been apart of the enchantress act. The dragon quickly being swallowed in a sea of youth as a golden light showed itself through the hand lent by Aria.
" It appears I've made a new enemy."
Casting a glance up to his captured outfit. Daemon would have to return to the room to undo the accident that sent him before the crimson maiden. Returning his stare to the lowborn, Daemon extended a hand and grasped onto her. Pulling himself free of the demons before bowing before her.
Blessing her flesh with a kiss from the pale lips that adorned his cheeks. Before resting his free hand upon the pommel of his blade. Though he couldn't admit it he was delighted to be in the company of this stranger again. Without any thugs he imagined their encounter would be far different. Coming closer to her with a soft smile.
" It is a pleasure to see you Aria."
However this time the dragon wasnt at nimble. With his body in shock from the fall and the weight of the little bastards at his heels the young prince was forced forward. Knocking into Aria softly as more children pushed her forward. In that instant the two would share a kiss. The children gagging or in awe from the accident. How stranger this lowborn was so - sweet. Breathless.
Children casted saddened glances as their prey was swept away from them, the older ones, taking hold of every child they could though not all of them as some continued to tug on the prince's arms and tunic in playful cheer. Even poor Aria couldn't ask them to stop as some would simply move to her and hug her or tug on her clothes instead, demanding more songs for her to share.
It was only by her persistence that the children finally calmed down, though a couple of boys continued to cling to the dragon as though they owned him. With a sigh, Aria glanced towards the window before bringing her eyes back on the man who'd saved her prior from her own captors. It was a shame she couldn't save him from his. "That's a daunting enemy you faced. Are you sure you'd like to fight it a second time?" With how he looked and with the children clinging to him... Well, she couldn't help but keep teasing him. It was hard to believe he wasn't a commoner really, if only for that brief moment.
A smile crept upon her lips, as she heard her name upon his. She couldn't imagine him remembering it, after all, she was a lowly commoner and he was a prince. "I-" But before she could even express her feelings over such a simple act as remembering her name- the gods had once more blessed her with a gift that she hadn't thought to ask of.
Children's lips were formed into audible o's as dragon and rose locked lips. Eyes of emerald grew wide in shock, horror, embarrassment and more as she stared into the beautiful purple of the dragon's. The world spun, her head light. The warmth of his lips remained upon hers as it spread outward towards her cheeks, ears reddened, world brightened.
Aria took one step back, lost her balance, and fell back onto the soft patch of grass her mind still trying to process what had just transpired.
Post by DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 12, 2017 1:12:02 GMT
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
Teasing the dragon would have brought forth flames had it been a peer or an opponent but he let the lady wound him with her words. Just how clever did she believe herself to be. Dealing with these little hell spawns as they made it to each other alas. Tumbling into their lips embrace between the two.
Before either could say anything the beauty stumbled backwards and tripped over her heels. With a quick scowl the dragon displayed the sheen of his blade. Sending the children screaming from the dragon as he returned his focus to the injured beauty. Kneeling down to pick her up and hold her against his breast. Looking upon her injured ankle.
" I've hurt you Aria. Let me have it looked at in the Red Keep."
Daemon would not take no for an answer, guilt filled his chest as he looked upon her dirtied outfit. Though her bottom had been padded he had been the reason she had gotten hurt. Concern and sadness marred his eyes. What had he done to the little rose. Had he damaged her beautiful petals.
The scarlet beauty was far too distracted by the proximity between their bodies to have noticed the pain creeping along her ankle, up until the screams of children pierced her ears. Ah it was nice while it lasted. To think that her first kiss would go to that of a prince. What sort of fairy tale story was this?
She glanced over her ankle, tinge of blue and black spreading- swollen. Though more than the pain she was more preoccupied with the dragon who held her in his claws. Just what was she to do?
Aria sought for the words to say. She didn't want to inconvenience him but the look in his eyes made it clear. He was not about to take no for an answer. She could only sigh, a dainty palm rested against her chest and curled into a fist. "If... if it's not a bother for you then... then I humbly accept my lord..." She simply gave him a small nod, her eyes moving away from his, her happiness clear upon her face.
Post by DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 12, 2017 16:08:39 GMT
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
Little fingers found his breast, clutching the fabric as her fingers sought to anchor themselves upon him. Sharing that the little rose did not desire to be a bother for the young Blackfyre. Though this man was no lord, his firstborn brother held that tile. Daemon was nothing more then a prince, secondborn son of his house.
" It is not any trouble to make sure you are alright Lady Aria."
Hands firmly wrapped around her legs and shoulders to keep her upon his chest as they began their adventure back to the Red Keep that housed him. With each step closer then the next, the districts began to change from commoner to higher castes until they reached the guards that secured the entrance.
Eyes narrowed from the royal guards upon the lowborn. Hands tightened and brought her closer, he did not like how they looked upon her. Hiding her from their sight the best he could as they climbed the staircase into the massive halls that defined the Red Keep. Targaryen banners marking each passage they went down.
They would reach the quarters of the alchemist and doctor. The bond between the old charming chemist and the prince evident with their conversation. Taking a closer look at the beauty he discrened it was not a sprain but just a small bruise. A simple salve and linen would solve the ache brought upon little red.
Though they doctor had run out of linen, asking Daemon to tend to her as he fetched more. The blackfyre prince softly placing the beauty upon bedding for patients as he fetched herbs and a grinder to make the remedy needed for his partner. Alcohol and herbs would form the salve as he brought it to Aria.
" This may string, forgive me."
Smearing the substance upon his hand and softly brushing it upon his wounded companion. Such coarse hands felt gentle with the motion of spreading the curative upon Aria. Never did he show a moment of embarrassment or falter with taking care of her. All of his focus was upon little red, just how was she handling it.
Lady Aria. She wanted to protest. It was a title commonly said in jest by thrashed knights and sellswords who come through the tavern's doors. Not by any highborn clad in costly silks and crowns of silver. Secondborn or no, at least he had the right to the title. Unlike her. A nobody.
The trek to the Red Keep was... embarrassing. Hanging upon the prince's neck like a bastard's whore drunk in lust and cow piss. Though she quietly enjoyed where she was right now, even deeper still inside her, she felt it wrong to be so close to a noble regardless of intentions as it gave the wrong ideas to many others who knew nothing. After all, smallfolk and swordsmen were just as fond of spreading falsehoods as the highborn were.
Fingers tightened upon the noble's cloak as Aria's gaze avoided the royal guards. Their judging eyes felt like pinpricks on her back, and she refused to move her face from his chest even as he continued on, content to have the sway of his steps to be her eyes until he spoke, this time with familiarity, causing Aria to raise her head in curiosity.
Through the whole ordeal, from the walk to the talk to the check up all the way to her awaiting the sting of the cream, Aria had remained silent. There was after all, little for her to say, even as she flinched, the sting of the medicine bit into her bruise and slowly gave way to cold.
"A swordsman and a healer." She watched with eagerness as Daemon did his work. "Once again... you've helped me my lord... Thank you..." She was close to saying something a little wittier, but a thank you was best in this situation was it not? As she watched him, she began to think of her mother, wondered if... maybe... Maybe she could also learn... this.
Post by DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 12, 2017 20:46:15 GMT
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
Within his grasp the little rose kept herself locked away. Hoping that these eyes upon them did not embarrass her so. They made it to the tower where they could mend her wounds. Putting up no fight in it all as he began to apply the ointment. Thumbs rounding her ankle in a soothing motion as he stroked her injured flesh. Guilt stirring in the pit of his stomach.
" I only know what I have read. I have spent plenty of time in these chambers because of the prior."
Daemon retorted to his company, having been trained in the barracks here the young prince had managed to get himself hurt more then once. These walls served as his room for many moons. Though her compliment would no pass unnoticed. Thanking him for such trivial matters when he was at fault. Such an innocent soul compared to those of the Red Keep.
" Once you can walk I can bring you around the Red Keep if you desire. Though no sooner until your ankle is better. Unless you want to be carried"
Teasing little red as the the Alchemist returned with bandages. Taking the linen straps and bringing them around her leg until a small round was bound to her ankle. Suggesting she only walk lightly and use the prince for balance. With little left to do he asked the lowborn if she needed anything else of him kindly. Daemon simply stood next to her, a dragon protecting his treasure from the thieves of the keep.
The comfort of the linen about her bruise was most welcome as she moved the hurt foot in circles, gently to get a feel of it. It felt cleaner compared to whatever remedy given to her by anyone who wasn't her mother. Though it may nothing more than plain old placebo that the pain was so quick to go away at the touch of the prince.
At his suggestion, little red immediately declined- more out of embarrassment than actual disinterest. It was far too much to have him carry her into the Red Keep and now, show her around as though she was his guest. Let alone be carried some more! She pouted her lips at the teasing but was quickly distracted by the shelves of books and medicine that lined the room, the scent of herbs lingering in the air.
It reminded her of her grandmother really, back when she was alive. A distant memory from when she was but a mere child.
Thanking the alchemist, she turned to her savior once more, with a suggestion far better than tainting the halls of the red keep with her presence. "Instead of carrying me around, why not tell me more about those herbs you used? I'd like to know more about them."
Post by DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 13, 2017 0:31:10 GMT
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
Curiosity conquered the lowborn beauty. Inquiring about the herbs that he used to mend her wounds. Turning his head to the tomes that decorated the collection the chemist had Daemon found a tome of botany. Taking the book and taking a seat beside the little rose.
" Its a remedy made from Culumalda, Mallorn and Niphredil."
Sharing the name and the page about the herbs. Explaining in detail about each as they sat together. Resting upon her shoulder unknowingly as he read to little red riding hood. Upon revealing the final herb the young prince turned to the lowborn a question saved for her.
" If you are interested, Morsan is in dire need of an assistant alchemist. That and he would be a far better teacher then myself."
Morsan explained they needed a chemist with a gentle hand to maintain the garden and harvest the herbs without having the plants perish. It was a job from the Red Keep, she would be given access to all of King's Landing and be paid golden dragons for her service.
OH! How close was little red to her silver knight that it brought a drumming in her ears. With pursed lips she tilted her head, her eyes fighting to rest upon the pages of the book rather than his face which laid close to hers- closer with each line read, up until his head came to rest on her shoulder.
Aria grew still, as still as she could be. A part of her feared that the slightest movement would cause him to move away. Another part still felt she shouldn't be so close to someone who smelt of rich spices unlike the bitter steel and iron which filled her own home.
And so she listened.
Her head slowly coming to rest against his, like two friends sharing a story of knights and princesses and dragons and towers.
She moved away as he rose to look at her, returning his gaze with slight eagerness for more. What came to her ears was far more than what she'd expected and so rose-red lips broke into a grin, scarlet crown bent into a nod. "I- I'd be honored! I would love to be your assistant!" She turned to the Alchemist, bright eyes brimming with happiness.
She had her fair share of caring for plants, of knowing which herbs were which, her grandmother had made sure to part some knowledge with her before her passing, as did her mother, though the woman who now lay in bed and resting was far less knowledgeable than the elder. It was clear with the way Aria spoke and asked questions of the alchemist that there was more than simple interest behind her wish to work as his assistant...
Post by DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 13, 2017 2:26:26 GMT
Reach out your hands Don't turn your back Don't walk away How in the world Can I wish for this? Never to be torn apart Close to you 'Til the last beat Of my heart
Tales of plants would bless the ears of the little rose. Knowledge acquired through the tomes shared between the two. Passing on the novice tome onto his partner upon his ascent. Offering her a position with his old friend. Accepting his terms to join the alchemist guild as an assistant of the Red Keeps botanist.
Morsan shared just what the beauty would need for her first adventure in the Red Keep. A wool coat of white, soft gloves and nothing she wasn't afraid to wear in King's Landing beneath. Daemon removed a small collection of golden dragons and passed them into the hands of the rose. A small donation for Aria.
" I could bring you to the garden if your ankle is feeling better."
Daemon asked glancing at the bandages. Hoping that it was soothing her leg. Imagining such a beautiful flower in agony was not a thought he desired. Though the smile that blessed her face made him happy. It was something she truly desired.
Who would have thought that a day with the children would lead to a day in the gardens as the new assistant to the keep's resident alchemist? New cloth and glove rested on her regular clothes as she did a quick turn that would not hurt her ankle any more than necessary. Glancing at Daemon and accepting the dragons in her hands. It felt surreal.
She wanted to thank him, but before she could, his offer came and she accepted. "My ankle's fine. It doesn't hurt as much as it did earlier."
Both Mother and Maiden had blessed this day as Aria allowed the prince to bring her to the garden. The familiar scent of herbs from her grandmother's room immediately caught her attention, and so quickly was she drawn to it, though she tried not to stray far from the dragon's side. Soon after... more scents came rushing through the air. Sweet, bitter, minty... It was a literal breath of fresh air for the girl.
"It almost feels like all of the worlds plants are here..."
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