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 DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 15, 2017 18:35:44 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 red shared that the medicine upon her ankle had begun to soothe the ache. Claiming she could walk upon again as she tested her toes upon the floor. Flat footing without her stumbling forward proof enough to Blackfyre of her constitution.
Bringing her beyond the tower to the royal gardens. Feeling her step becoming lighter, eager to explore the Red Keep. Around them plants from around the realm planted in the fertile soil. Blossoming in the summer heat.
" From the wall to the reach, even a few from across the sea."
Daemon explained as he halted his march around the garden. Kneeling down to investigate the growth of the plants. Knowing many of them by name. Though his hands were not suitable for tending to herbs, they were coarse and begged for the steel of his reforged valyrian blade.
"What has you so interested in medicine and herbs?"
Vibrant greens and blues and vivid browns and reds. The smell of moss upon damp earth and the spice of healing herbs wafted in the air. The garden was a world all of it's own where exotic mingled with the norm, and within it's heart was the dragon and it's rose.
One knee bent to the ground as Aria knelt with Daemon. The plants were filled with life, treasured and cared for, though none of it seemed to hold her attention as her eyes wandered to the prince. Beneath the filtered light of the midday sun, his crown of silver shone in ethereal glow. Calloused hands who knew the blade almost looked soft and welcoming as voice whispered for her to reach out for it- though she did no such thing. She wondered really, why he was so kind to her. Was he like this with everyone?
She fought to bring her attention back upon the plants. Their names. Their place of origin. Their use. His face. The methods to prepare them. His voice. Proper storage- his lips.
Red rose upon red. Cheeks burning with fire. A memory from but a moment ago resurfaced. And her heart began to drum like a madman.
What has you so interested in medicine and herbs?
Safe. Her body stiffened as her head snapped up, her gaze resting on him. Her cheeks still held the soft glow of embarrassment as she sought to reorder her thoughts. Memory and purpose falling through the cracks of emotion and fairy tale levels of romance as long lashes fell over brilliant green eyes.
Her mother still lay sick in her bed.
Possibly up and about like the stubborn woman that she is. A sorrowful look overtook her features, a sigh rising to her lips. "When I was but a child. My grandmother had a garden. Nothing grand like this, but a tiny garden nonetheless, about an arm's length filled with earth and herbs. She'd teach me how to care for them, and how to pick the leaves to grind and boil. Sometimes, she'd tell me of trees with heart red leaves and silver wood. And fronds to tend to cuts and chase the rot. She knew so much, but could only teach me so little before she passed." She was young when her grandmother had left this world. Too young to know that a cock was more than just a rooster. Yet she held the memory of her grandmother dear, and the pain of her departure still lingered in her chest.
"And now I wish she'd taught me more. I wish... I wish I could have learned more." She continued as she fought the sadness with a pained smile. "My mother... They said she barely even has a moon left to live. She's managed to hold on though... but for how long?" Her fingers curled about the cloth of her coat, fabric crumpling beneath her grasp. "I do not wish to see her go..."
Post by DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 17, 2017 4:50:38 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
Explanation of the herbs had come first to the prince, catching a glimpse of her feelings came second. Violet orbs blinking upon the sight of the crimson that dressed her cheeks. Just what did this woman have to be embarrassed about in this garden.
Being told the tale of her ailing mother and Aria beloved grandmother. Cherishing her bonds with her family. It had been apart of her from the very start. It was no wonder she had shown such interest with the subject.
Though learning of her mothers illness made his heart drop. Knowing just how it was to watch family perish. What had taken his father had forever marked him. Hearing her honest and noble intentions the Blackfyre could hardly stand. It made him feel like a pretender with his motives and the Targaryens.
" She trusted her knowledge within a brilliant student."
Blackfyre explained with a confident smile upon the lowborn. With that much devotion to medicine she was sure to find a cute to what ailed her mother. Resting a hand upon that of the assistant alchemist beside him. Offering her something to grasp.
"I believe you will find a cure for your mother. She will hold on for you. I think the seven will protect her until you've found it."
His words were a surprise to her. His confident gaze a beacon of hope for a future which felt bleak. Aria had little faith she could find a cure for her mother, but wished for a day when a cure for her illness could be conceived to aid others. It was something she knew her mother would have wanted.
Small hands found themselves around the other's, fingers spun together in a warm grasp. A reassuring squeeze brought the two together. If only for that one small moment, she felt like anything could be possible. She felt like she could spend more time with her mother again. See the smile that brought color to what could have been a bleak life.
"Thank you..." The words left her lips, spoken by her heart. She truly meant it though she didn't mean for the prince to hear it, feeling far too embarrassed to continually express her gratitude for all the good he'd sent her way.
"I'm truly.. at a loss for words. The seven have been far too kind to a girl like me to give me the chance to even meet you... especially through the... um.. circumstance in which it happened. You've been a real blessing my prince." A shy, and grateful curve of the lips. To think that good people still roamed the world.
Post by DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 20, 2017 22:12:18 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
Kindness expressed from her heart reached his ears with her firm grasp upon his hands. Thanking him for the change of fate, the future ever changing with the princes presence around the little rose. Blackfyre shook his head, just another piece upon the board for him to make his move against the crown. Hatred for the Targaryens never ceasing.
" I promise you I am nothing special, there are plenty deserving of praise."
The seven had blessed his brother, and many other brave souls through Westeros. Daemon was but a second born son in King's Landing, he did not control Gold Company nor have a grand gift. Yet this little woman thanked him. Though she was correct with their meeting, humorous as it was for others to witness the dragon.
" You are the blessing, your hands will mend wounds and cure souls."
Sharing what he believed of the assistant alchemist, grasping at a small bundle of green. Plucking several leaves and placing them on his tongue. A fresh scent rolling from his breathe as the dragon felt he could breathe ice. An alluring aroma of mint coming from the princes lips.
" If you so desire I can escort you to and from your home. I doubt any father would have their daughter travel alone each morning and night."
"Maybe, but those people weren't the ones who went out of their way to aid a lowly girl are they?" She shook her head, wishing only that he would take what little she could give- and in this case, it was her gratitude.
"Only time with tell. With the good chemist's help, I hope I won't disappoint." The road to becoming a healer would be long and tiring, with no guarantee she'd glean enough knowledge to save her mother's life, or anyone else's, but dammit she will try, if only to save even one life... maybe even his.
But that's a tale for the future.
The scent of mint rose from the freshly broken leaves, bringing a refreshing new aroma in the air, though not as strongly as the mint from his lips- a factor which she tried to ignore. His offer was one she could not bring herself to accept. Who was she to trouble him with a task? Lest he meant to send hired help in place of his "I". Regardless, what caught her attention was the words that followed after his offer, something Aria felt she needed to correct.
"Maybe, but I have no father who would. I've only known my mother, my grandparents and her brother. All of them are used to me staying out late when the tavern is busy with patrons. They wouldn't mind me traveling to and fro the keep and home."
Post by DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 21, 2017 0:54:14 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
Emeralds focused on the dragon, to her the world around the beast ceased to be. Nothing was more important then the heart behind the ivory scales. Daemon would thank her one day for this. Supplying her with a nod and a smile. It had been awhile since the secondborn was desired for more than his heritage.
Enjoying the gleam of the maidens smile. Learning soon after his remark that she did not have the comfort of a father. Knowing he would have traded anything for the remaining time spent with his. Loyal to fathers ideals to his dying breathe. Having been instilled in him since he was but a child.
Blackfyre clutched her hand with a unique tightness. Not to bring her pain but comfort as he guided them from their knees to standing before one another. With Blackfyre at his hip he was equal to any knight or member of golden company. Nearing her he expressed his concerns.
" They might not, but I worry. Let me bring you to and from to rest my mind in the days to come Lady Aria."
Patrolling the streets and learning what he could from Kings Landing was common of the prince, guiding her along was simple and gave an albiet to his actions during the morning and night of the Seven Kingdoms.
" Let me serve you, so you can serve me beautiful rose."
"If it brings comfort to you my lord then I shall humbly accept your offer." With a bow of her head, Aria entrusted her safety to the silver prince. Her heart was a flutter but her ego was conflicted. Unwilling to impose, yet unable to turn down his wishes, either to avoid becoming a bother- or for want of his presence by her side.
"Is... is this how you'd normally speak to anyone?" She finally asked as his latest words brought color to her cheeks. Much of his language had been far too flattering, when most she'd heard of lowborn and highborn a like were none too tasteful. True that some had a flair for flowery speech, and one too many well clothed men had come at her with the same silvery approach. But none of them had saved her from behind an alley, or offered her a position within the keep. As far as she'd known, she'd done nothing to deserve this chance, and of the prince, she knew very little of, even none.
Why she didn't turn tail at his first offer to bring her here, was in no small part to a petty wish to see more of the dragon prince. And of course, the promise of seeking a cure for her ailing mother.
"And... if I may be so bold my lord. You don't need to walk with me personally. I really don't want to pull you away from your duties. I'd be happy enough with anyone you'd send, or better yet, I'm sure one of my cousins can walk with me to and from the keep."
Post by DAEMON BLACKFYRE on Sept 23, 2017 5:06:11 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
" It will, I don't want to see you hurt."
Daemon Blackfyre shared with the little rose. Truth igniting a soft shade of crimson across his cheek. Though it was easily defeated with his valiant heart. Focus brought upon the little alchemist beside him. Asking just how the noble spoke amongst lords and ladies.
" Most my words are reserved just for you Lady Aria."
Explaining upon the thought, such noveltly and romanced terms such as rose not often used by the Blackfyre. Its just that her beautiful tresses reminded him of a rose. Though the alchemist assistant was adamant about refusing the dragons personal attention. Guarding her could be done by family of the rose.
" I don't think iron can compare to valyrian steel."
Dragonhart melted down from Blackfyre was an impressive valyrian blade. With it the young prince had bested many knights and men and made a name for himself as a prince much like his brother. Blackfyre polietly tucked away her red tresses.
It was far to bold for her to assume his intentions were more than what she was willing to believe as his words stirred her dainty heart into a thrum. A hand lifted to cover the lips he'd marked by accident earlier that day, a voice within her wishing it was no mere coincidence.
He was a prince far above her. It was nothing but folly for her to assume he'd find interest in a girl like her. Maybe he was simply amused. Or maybe he was like most other men, who simply fancied the brilliant red of her hair that could put even a Tully to shame.
"No! Of course not! I just didn't want to bother you with the task. I mean, you've done so much. And I fear I might enjoy your presence a little too much..." A finger raised to scratch at her cheek, a slip of her honesty revealed. It took a moment for the girl to realize what she'd just said as the color on her face began to match her head. She sought the words to take it back- raising hands in a panicked flail. Nothing came and all she could feel was the scorching embarrassment that filled her cheeks and doused her confidence in fire.
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