Solomon. Old Valyria.
I was on top of an extinct volcano, one of the Fourteen Fires. It was their eruption that had destroyed Valyria, burying all the inhabitants and dragons beneath flaming rocks, black clouds of smoke that managed to cover the sky, and waves of flesh-and-blood searing heat.
I slowly closed my eyes and stomped my foot gently and began releasing a thin stream of mana in all directions, trying to explore the land around me and look for any clues.
According to surviving sources, all fourteen of the volcanoes, although there were actually more, but smaller, volcanoes that had become active at the same time. The reasons for this could have been many and varied, and while magic was on the list, it was not at the top of the list.
Such an event could happen because of the movement of lithospheric plates, on which Valyria was located, and the eruption of volcanoes - a logical consequence due to the degassing of magma and explosion of hot gases. And if we take into account the existence of Valyria for five thousand years and without particularly powerful documented cataclysms, everything came together almost perfectly.
Except I felt like I was missing something. After all, Daenys the Dreamer had been present at the event and had predicted the disaster. And based on that fact, I had a theory.
It was based on the world and its desire to survive by using the extremely ancient creatures, the Valyrians, against the White Walkers. They were a rather arrogant nation in their own right, and to get them moving, something powerful like, say, the Doom of Valyria was needed. And, so that not everyone would die, the world gave Daenys a vision, which apparently not everyone heeded.
Not many survived, but it didn't matter, for the dragons also survived. These creatures possessed immense power and magic, even if a more weakened version of my world. The power of their flames had truly destructive power, and since fire and heat are the antithesis of ice and cold, everything fell into place.
The world wanted to use the flames of the dragons against the White Walkers, the ones that went against the natural order, except it didn't go the way it wanted.
Human nature won out, and the dragons died out, leaving only a few fossilized eggs in their place. There was no roar, no flapping of wings, and most importantly, no flame to resist the White Walkers.
And it was for this reason, I believe, that I appeared here, as a powerful figure formerly subject to Alaya, Humanity's Unconscious Will to Survive.
Solomon saved the world twice, if you don't count his service to Alaia as the Great Servant. The first time was when he did not interfere in humanity's affairs as the average person would have expected, allowing history to go as it needed to and hastening the breakdown of the bond between humanity and the gods. The second time was his sacrifice and use of the last Noble Phantasm against Goetia, Beast I.
'Last' he was called for a reason, otherwise crossing here would have been nearly impossible due to Root's lack of influence on this world. As-is, Root, the metaphysical black hole that holds the knowledge and events of every microsecond of every world under its influence, still had limits.
I opened my eyes and stopped releasing mana, then sighed tiredly and teleported back to Old Valyria, where our group had settled. And upon arriving, I found myself in front of a small mansion, similar in size to Kirana's home.
The palace seemed excessive and too empty for the three of us, and so a mansion almost on the outskirts of the city was chosen. It apparently belonged to a man of decent wealth, had been completely restored by me, and had a back with a small garden, now with blooming greenery and trees. In short, a perfect temporary residence given our goals. And of course, waiting for me patiently and obediently at the entrance of the mansion was Kinvara with a smile on her face.
- "You don't need to greet me every time, Kinvara," I let out a chuckle.
- "It is my duty. And serving you brings me joy, my king. I simply cannot refuse something like that," she shook her head, "Have you had any success?"
- "Unfortunately, no. This is the fifth volcano, but I still haven't managed to find anything," I said, and we went to the living room after entering the mansion, "Any news?"
- "A couple interesting ones, the rest are insignificant," Kinvara replied, handing me a glass of wine as we reached the room and I took the soft couch, "Over the course of our journey and the few days we've been here, there has apparently been some movement in the world."
- "Hmm... interesting," I rumbled thoughtfully, "And Lavena?"
- "She still won't leave her room or let go of her egg, but the food I leave at her door has now been eaten. After your conversation with Lavena, I mean."
I nod briefly.
Lavena didn't wake up until the next day, and then she began to give all of herself to caring for the egg. Sometimes she even skipped meals, so I had to talk to her, warning her that there was more harm than good that way.
Interestingly enough, Lavena, instead of her usual attitude towards me, didn't argue and calmly accepted my words. Even though her eagerness was understandable and commendable, she was still overreacting.
- "I understand," I said and took a sip of wine, "If you ever need anything, or start running low, let me know. And I'd like to hear an update."
- "Of course," Kinvara smiled, and then stood behind me and began to massage me, "I'll start with Braavos. Lina reports that the Sea Lord has passed away and Tarmo Fregar has taken his place. And he's already begun to fulfill his promises and is preparing an address to the Seven Kingdoms with official documents."
Well, I suppose that's a nice change from the politicians I know of today. Tarmo has done as he promised at that reception, and now the Seven Kingdoms will be under pressure. But how will the King react to this?
Given his lifestyle, I doubt he'd be foolish enough to go to war against the Free Cities. However, I plan to speak with him later, but that is if he lives to see the day.
- "I know what you're thinking," Kinvara continued, "Kirana was thinking the same thing, and that's why she plans to change her residence, keeping her business to a minimum. And she will most likely choose Pentos for reasons we know."
Expected from an intelligent woman. She is still unaware of the Servants' powers, and so she has opted for the safer route. Of course, I could have let Semiramis build her own Gardens, but... Kinvara's suggestion still echoed in my mind.
Valyria was far away from all conflicts, and so it was just about the safest place in this world. And if I decided to rebuild it and build a country of my own, it wouldn't be safe.
There will be people in any case, because as Kinvara said, there were always enough people in need, no matter what the era. As for the economy and administration? It will take some effort, but they are quite solvable, especially with a little intervention of magic and knowledge of the modern world.
- "Next, Pentos. Halon decided to tentatively open the sale of his goods to Westeros, but only through an intermediary. That middleman was not the Starks, but the Martells."
- "Oh, interesting. And how did he justify that choice?"
- "First, the logistics costs and greater security. Second, it could certainly point to an indirect alliance between the Starks and the Martells, but that's too obvious and impossible at the same time. They are too different in their approaches, and so such a connection would be written off as mere coincidence and business."
- "I see."
- "Besides, this way our men can move towards the capital from the South of Westeros, thus gaining a wider influence, even considering the supremacy of the Seven faith. There's no movement in King's Landing yet."
I wondered.
So, it all sounded rather interesting. Halon, given the new Sea Lord's ambitions, had decided to take a detour, for the people of Dorne were from Essos and had values to match, so it was fair to expect some indulgence for them. Goods from the North could also be bypassed by Pentos through the Red Men, that is, without the increased duty.
He also took into account the fact that Ned was the Hand, meaning that the King would take such a relationship between the North and Pentos expectantly negatively. Yes, the North was still supplying raw materials, glass and paper, but that could be cited to the connection between me and Ned. For that reason, if supplies dwindled, they were unlikely to stop for good.
Well, Oberyn and Erin were right. Halon is indeed an extremely capable manager.
And a possible alliance? Only Arya is close to the Martells through the Sand Snakes and Oberyn. Ned and Sansa, while not categorically, are definitely against the connection, and they don't try to hide it. Something like that is more than enough to ward off the gazes of those around them.
- "As for Winterfell and Daenerys?"
- "Robb's already finished building the shipyard because of concerns from the pirates and the Ironborn, the Greyjoys. And according to word from our priests on the Iron Islands, this effort may pay off, for there is a rumor that they are indeed preparing for something, given the imminent arrival of Euron Greyjoy and his fleet."
- "I doubt there will be an attack on the North anytime soon," I said thoughtfully, "Most likely he is returning home for some personal reason."
- "So does the Lord of the Iron Islands, Balon Greyjoy, along with the Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet, Victarion Greyjoy," Kinvara nodded, "If you wish, I can order our men to act."
- "No, we'll wait. We'll start in a month, and we'll make plans from there," I shook my head.
- "There is no word on Princess Targaryen. All I can tell you is that Fina says she's on her way to Vaes Dothrak, and only when she arrives will I be able to give you an answer. I apologize for that," Kinvara bowed her head.
- "It's all right, it was expected," I brushed it off, "Is that everyone?"
- "The only one left is Nefis, who..." she began as I stopped her with a raised hand, "My king?"
- "Someone has crossed my enclosed fields and is coming toward us," I said, looking out the window of the room, "And there are many of them."
- "Are we under attack?" Kinvara immediately became serious.
- "Maybe, but we need to make sure," I answered and stood up, headed for the exit, and Kinvara followed me, "I feel empty aggression with a dose of curiosity and misunderstanding. I guess my discovery of the skies over Valyria created some questions for some."
Stepping out of the house and stopping, I began to wait for the guests to arrive. And, after a while, a thick fog began to form around us, which hid everything, even the mansion not far away. But, the best part was that I could feel the mana, a strong gray-colored mana that this mysterious fog contained.
A minute passed and the fog partially dissipated, revealing a vast, almost endless array of motionless people, both women and men, forming a perfect circle around us. Moreover, the city still remained hidden. And I was glad I'd put a protective closed field around the mansion when I'd first rebuilt it just in case.
The first thing that stood out to me was the condition of their bodies. Their skin was dead gray and textured like rough stone, and the pupils of their eyes were white, indicating blindness.
They were dressed in ragged rags only remotely resembling the clothes the latter had once been. Faded, torn, and dirty rags barely covered their bodies, and almost everyone who approached us was dressed in them. The rest were simply naked and not the least bit bothered by it.
- "Stone Men. People afflicted by the Gray Pestilence and exiled here to live out their last days," Kinvara said as she looked at the arrivals.
- "So the Gray Sickness affects the brain over time?" I wondered, "It's a terrible disease."
The Gray Sickness was considered one of the most, if not the most, terrible disease for the inhabitants of this world. If someone contracted the disease, they were known to be dead, and treated accordingly. Hence the rather dismissive attitude towards Shireen when she was sick. After all, one could get infected through mere touch.
After a little more time, they suddenly stopped before reaching us ten meters away and, those who could, began to just stare at us, and more specifically at me. It was as if Kinvara didn't exist for them.
Then a woman with long, black, broken hair came out of the crowd, whose skin was also gray, but she had no stone-like growths. She silently advanced to the center of the circle toward us and stood a few meters away, never taking her gray eyes off me.
- "Prince of Sorrows..." Kinvara whispered.
- "I'm sorry?" I didn't understand.
- "The Prince of Sorrows, or Lord-in-Savannah. A mystical being who rules the Woes, one of the ruined Rhoynar cities, and the Stone Men. "Prince" in High Valyrian can be interpreted as both male and female, that is, without being tied to a specific gender, but..." she began, "But what is the Prince of Sorrows doing here in Old Valyria?"
- "I guess we're about to find out," I smiled and stepped closer to the woman, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince of Woes. I am Solomon. May I ask why you are here?"
The woman didn't answer, still glaring at me, and then suddenly reached up and kissed me, to which both Kinvara and I widened our eyes in surprise.
Her lips were cold, just like ice, lips, but what happened next genuinely surprised me.
Suddenly, the woman's body dissolved into a gray mist and entered my body, merging with my soul at the same time. And it didn't feel like an intrusion or an attempted violent takeover, but as if something was returning to its source, as if it had been one before.
A moment passed, and, without my command, the mana I normally held back burst out of me. A stream of pure golden light pierced the heavens and formed my magic circle, which immediately expanded to cover all of Old Valyria.
In it I felt not only my mana, but also something else, strikingly familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Something accepting, calm and patient, like a mother's embrace, or...
…Death…
The Grey Sickness patients, who were now covered in a golden glow, suddenly began to glow, and thin gray threads began to emerge from their bodies, which then flowed toward my circle. The stone-like growths began to slowly disappear along with the threads, and the gray skin began to return to a healthy beige color.
And now, when the last gray thread was absorbed into the golden magic circle with a six-pointed star floating in the sky, and my magic returned to my body, it was no longer people standing in front of me who were suffering and tormented by disease.
They were healthy men and women whose eyes first ran over the now clean and undamaged skin and then quickly filled with realization and tears of relief mixed with immense joy and happiness. A few seconds later, they all knelt down and bowed to me.
I could clearly feel the feeling that filled every millimeter around me. It was so strong and dense that you could feel it with your hands, as if it had been given physical form. Countless eyes from absolutely everywhere were staring at my figure, with just one particular feeling, an emotion coming straight from the hearts of their possessors...
... obedience...
I slowly closed my eyes and took a deep breath, then when I opened them, I smiled awkwardly at Kinvara behind me, still in a state of shock.
- "I guess I don't have a choice now, do I, Kinvara?"
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