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A Game of Thrones: Fury and Flame by JMIII

Avatar: Last Airbender & A Song of Ice and Fire Xover Rated: M, English, Fantasy & Drama, Mai, Azula, Stannis B., Eddard S./Ned, Words: 253k+, Favs: 822, Follows: 776, Published: Sep 2, 2016 Updated: Dec 17, 2020

455Chapter 2: (Dragonstone) Lady Stork I

(Dragonstone: 9/1/290 AC) Lady Stork I

'That ship is enormous!' she thought in amazement, as the midday sun struck the golden trim at the bow of the monstrous ship. 'The Black Betha,' the small sail ship she was aboard, sailed past the imposing vessel. 'The Ozai,' as she later found out it was called, was docked near a large imposing structure. The construction, made of steel and iron, held several large plates of metal shielding, protecting the insides from the elements. What the little bits of sunlight, penetrating the interior of the metallic maw, revealed were steel skeletal-like pillars supporting the canopy and what appeared to be walkways complete with, what she later found out were, Flameguard and Firenation troopers, surrounding the smaller, though no less impressive ship, 'the Storm's Fury.' However, as striking as the building appeared, even she, a mummer from Braavos, could tell that a minimal amount of materials went into its construction. 'Almost as if it had been constructed in haste?' she thought. While she observed the 'steel castle' several sail ships, bearing golden Kraken sails, were seen being escorted by a larger number of royal ships. The small fleet of ships had disappeared around the metal structure, coming to dock somewhere along the southern part of the island, while 'the Black Betha' had been sailing towards the island's northern end.

"She is quite the beauty, isn't she?" spoke the captain of 'the Black Betha,' a man by the name of Davos Seaworth. He had come up behind her while she had been mesmerized by the metallic leviathan and its seaside cave. Together they stood from the bow of the slowly rocking ship, as he reclined himself on the railing. Davos, she had been told, had been a smuggler who had fallen under the Lady of Dragonstone's patronage following the events of King Robert's Rebellion.

She took a nip of wine from her small flask. "She is, she really is…" she uttered in response, the smuggler nodded his head in agreement. As the ship rounded the rocky outcropping, both saw the ship and building fade from view.

"It took quite some time to find you, milady," the smuggler said, still reclining on the railing.

"It is fortunate that you did find me. Your Lady Azula was most gracious with her coin," she said, twirling a Westrosi gold dragon between the fingers of her left hand, while firmly grasping the nearly empty flask in the other. "Any inkling as to why she sought me out?" The cool wind buffeted her long hair and simple clothing.

"Begging your pardon, milady, but it is not my place to detail milady Firelord's plans. She ordered me to find you, and find you I did," he said while staring out at the coastline of Dragonstone. 'Black Betha' began to slow as it neared its apparent destination, just off the coast. The only hint anything had been there, against the rocky cliff face, was a dull gray metal door with a large three-pronged golden flame emblazoned at its center. A pair of Firenation soldiers stood guard, the white faceplates focusing on the small ship. The smuggler captain touched her arm and urged her to go to the small landing craft roped to the side of his ship. "Time to go milady."

"It's about time, I do not think the sea to be a close friend of mine," she joked, as she and the captain strode across the deck towards the small awaiting craft.

"Nor was it mine, for a time, milady," he responded, with a chuckle, before he assisted her into the vessel. After she settled herself in, he joined her, along with four oarsmen, dressed in haggard clothing. "Lower us down, men! Wait for them," he respectfully nodded his head towards the oarsmen, "to return, before you dock at the island's harbor. I will be back at the docks, before night."

"Aye!" the crewmen answered, before readying the rope attached to the landing craft. The small boat started to lower, and the salty sea air began stimulating her nose and the gently crashing waves soothed her uncertain mind.

Izembaro, 'the King of the Mummers' as he liked to call himself, was the head of the Braavosi traveling troupe Lady Stork had been part of. He had been less than pleased when she had been approached with the Lady Azula's offer. The 'offer' being a tremendous amount of gold that she had not been able to dismiss. 'All the trouble this 'Lady Azula' had gone through to track her down was flattering,' she thought, 'and all to work as a glorified mummer,' a slight chuckle escaping her lips.

"Something amusing, milady?" asked the smuggler captain, as the small vessel kicked off from 'the Black Betha.' It began to slowly move towards the metal door, the waves gently nudging against the humble little boat.

"No, Davos, just reliving a memory," she smiled, as he murmured a response. He pointed towards the shore, and the dull metal door, which began to open. Emerging from the gloom was a small Yi-tish looking woman, clad in a red and black uniform, trimmed in gold. A golden flame headpiece was fixed into her tight hair bun, glimmering in the sun. An old, slightly balding, man wearing a black maester-like robe stood to the woman's left side. To the woman's right stood a striking young Volantene woman in a form-fitting red dress. A blood-red cape draped across her body, nearly covering her entirely, billowing slightly in the breeze. The red woman had a head of flowing blonde, near white, hair and what appeared to be a ruby encrusted choker. All had been mirroring the Yi-tish woman's enigmatic smile, as they waited for the boat to close the distance between them. The Yi-tish woman stood there, her hands clasped at her back, while the old man and beautiful woman stood with arms hidden under their robes and cape. The door clanged shut behind the small group.

As the ship grew nearer, the small Yi-tish woman began to bare her teeth in the most unnerving smile Lady Stork had ever seen. A dark glint crossed her eyes, 'As a predator awaiting its prey,' she thought. She felt the small ship slow to a stop, the water lapping up the sides before the smuggler captain offered his hand to assist her in exiting the craft.

"Milady?" he said, holding his hand out.

She stepped out into the shallow waters and lifted her dress so as to not get it saturated in the sloshing seawater. As her feet touched the rocky shore, she walked towards the woman and her small following. The smuggler waved the oarsmen away, and they shoved back out to sea towards the 'Black Betha.'

"Welcome to Dragonstone, Lady Stork!" she heard a silky smooth voice shout out in false welcome.

Lady Stork began to trudge towards the woman who remained inhumanly still. The only movement to come from the five figures in front of the metal door was that of their heads as they followed her and the smuggler trek across the stony beach. As she stood before the woman, she bowed her head, knowing this to be the custom when presented before a noble lord or lady. The smuggler to her left, Davos, followed her example and bowed his head in turn. "You may raise your heads, and look upon me," she commanded, her left arm motioning them to rise, whilst her right remained hidden behind her back.

"Milady Firelord, by your command I have brought you the mummer," spoke the smuggler.

The woman's feral smile fell from her face, a modest smirk overtaking it. "You have done well, Davos, and your loyalty is appreciated," she beamed, as Davos nodded his head, acknowledging the praise set before him. The woman then turned her attentions towards, her, the simple mummer from Braavos. "And you, Lady Stork, I imagine you have a multitude of questions as to how I found out about you, and why I have brought you here?"

"Yes, my lady, it is a question that has plagued my mind during my journey here," came her response as she nodded her head. The strange blonde woman, with the red dress, whispered something into the Yi-tish woman's ear. The Lady Azula tilted her head, to listen, before withdrawing. Afterward, the red woman returned to her peaceful pose and mysterious smile.

"Come with me," she gestured towards the two, Davos and Stork, before turning her back and leading them towards the metal door with the three-pronged flame. One of the guards reached for the handle and pulled the entry door open, a low metallic groan accompanied the opening door. The Yi-tish woman looked back, and uttered, "We have much to discuss."

As the group entered the darkness, it took time for Lady Stork's eyes to adjust from the bright light of the sun to the dull light of torches within. The two Firenation guards had remained outside, shutting the entrance behind the group. Five individuals had entered and all but herself were prepared for what the dark hall, of stone and steel, held. The torches of dull red flame suddenly burst to life in a brilliant blue as the Yi-tish woman passed them, leading them all down the intimidating corridor. The only sound accompanying the footsteps of the five were those of drops of water, or what she hoped was water, echoing throughout the halls. Several paths split from the main hall the five had been walking, some leading into brightly lit rooms, doors slightly ajar, and others down into even darker passages. She straggled behind, peering into one of these murkier halls, drawn to movement just past the reach of the calming blue light. Her eyes adjusted and caught sight of what appeared to be a pale white, naked, man. Patches of gray and black covered his arms, legs, and torso, 'the way armor would,' she thought, 'but these patches appeared to part of him?' As she struggled to make sense of the man, his milky white eyes turned towards her, and he opened his mouth in a silent scream. A loud 'clang!' startled Lady Stork, nearly causing her heart to explode out of its chest. As Lady Stork jerked her head back towards the main path, further down the hall, she noticed the bright blue flames dimming, reverting back to their dull red hue.

"Lady Stork?" echoed the menacingly sweet voice of the Yi-tish woman. "It's unwise to get lost down here."

Before jolting down the main path to join the rest of the group, she cast one last glance down the dark hall and saw nothing. The pale man had vanished back into the abyss. Faster than lightning, she moved to rejoin the group further down the ever darkening hall, the sounds of numerous heavy feet following her every step of the way. Refusing to look back, and nearly at the edge of panic, she finally caught a glimpse of the safety of blue torchlight and heard the heavy footfalls recede back into the darkness. She rounded the corner, breathing heavily, having caught up with the group just outside a large black door. The others held slight grins on their faces, barring the smuggler, who seemed to be blissfully unaware of the monsters in the dark.

"Glad to have you back with us," spoke the Lady of Dragonstone, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

Lady Stork had wanted to scream, at her, and demand that she be allowed to leave. However, the look in the Yi-tish woman's golden eyes told her all she needed to know. 'Go ahead and try.'

The Lady of Dragonstone reached to open the black door revealing a respectably sized study with several bits of the rocky cliff jutting out of the higher areas. The walls had been covered with stone to smooth out the surface, she saw. 'Likely to make the area more accommodating?' she thought, trying to distract herself from remembering the naked man in the dark hall. Several dangerous looking men and woman, clad in uniforms similar to the Lady of Dragonstone, occupied the study. Amongst them were a smattering of normal looking men and women. All of whom were dressed in various forms of loose red clothing, wearing chains and chokers encrusted with rubies. The rubies seemed to have held a soft glow in the dimness before the torches in the study flared blue. All those within rose to their feet and bowed their heads, with the ones in uniform holding out their hands, and somehow causing a fire to form within them.

Lady Stork jumped back in surprise as the fire erupted from the hands of those who shared the Yi-tish woman's style of dress and look of features. They continued walking towards the back of the study, before approaching a small bronze door emblazoned with a five-pronged flame. At the center of the flame was a fist-sized opening.

"You, specifically, were brought here because Qyburn recommended you," said the woman as she positioned her feet apart, coming into some form of combat stance.

The others stepped away from the woman and Lady Stork followed their lead. She felt her hair begin to stand on end as strands of crackling blue energy began to form at the tips of the Yi-tish woman's fingers. She twisted and arched her arms in a fluid motion, before releasing the built-up energy directly into the small opening at the center of the five-pronged flame that adorned the small bronze door. Flashes of blue emanated from within the opening. As the energy began to dissipate, Lady Stork held her breath, utterly dumbfounded at the woman's display of power. 'What gods have I angered? That would condemn me to a hell of monsters in the shadows and sorceress that control the very power of fire and lightning?' She heard a series of clicks and snaps before the door opened. The woman stretched her arms, causing several cracks and pops to emerge from her joints.

She turned her head towards her and spoke, "Recently being with child didn't lend itself well to satisfying levels of practice."

'Children?! She has children?!' she thought, incredulously, of the small woman before her. The group passed through the door and entered a small room that held an ornate black desk, two chairs, a bookshelf, two torch stands, and tapestries. A red cloth trimmed in gold, and sporting a black three-pronged flame, draped along the center of the table. As the torches sprang in life, a blue glow illuminated the room and Lady Stork saw several books lining the small bookshelf behind the desk. A single chair stood before the desk, and Lady Stork felt that that was where she was to sit. Along the walls were small tapestries holding remarkably lifelike illustrations of people who shared the woman's features. The most prominent, amongst the tapestries, featured a portrait of a family, or what she assumed was a family, of four; all clad in red robes and clothing trimmed in gold. The mother, had her hands clasped and hidden beneath her robes, while the father's right hand rested on his knee, and his other on the right shoulder of his son. Both, the mother and father, sat upon two ornate chairs. Two children, a boy, and a girl, remained on their knees, at the foot of their parents. Their hands were resting, respectfully, between their legs. The four beheld Lady Stork, with stern gazes, barring the boy. There seemed to have been a bit of warmth beneath his eyes.

"From what he tells me, during his time with that sellsword company…" the woman began, causing her to snap her head back towards the woman. The woman paused, looking towards Qyburn, "what did they call themselves again?"

"The Brave Companions, Firelord," the old man answered.

"Ah yes, the Brave Companions," she said, rounding the desk to sit on the chair behind it. "During his time with them, he tells me you were quite the actress, or mummer, as you people call it," she continued. "Not too long ago, I was taught a lesson in humility that I do not seek to learn again. The cost had been too high…" she said the last harshly as the blue flames began rising higher, causing the small room to grow hotter. Noticing the shift, the Yi-tish woman let out a calming breath, before looking towards the small group who had entered the room with her. "Qyburn, you may continue with your work. Thus far, you have employed the knowledge within the scrolls, I gifted you, well. But, remember, I want more of them ready before the year is out. If needs be, use the captured spies, I'm sure the spider, and whatever other players seek to dislodge me, will not miss them. They have already given me the information I need."

"As you command, Firelord," the old man said, a serene smile lining his face, awaiting the nod of his liege's head, before retreating back into the study.

The woman turned next towards the Lady in red, "Cyvia, continue to keep an eye on your red-haired friend. I don't need her and her band of fools gathering enough clout in the red temples to cause any of them to waver in their support of me. Not at this critical stage. Keep her muzzled. Also, see what you can find out about the rumors of the silver-haired girl. It may be a false lead, but if there is a chance that she is who I think she might be, then she would serve quite a unique purpose in my plans."

"She denies the truth, Firelord. If she moves to threaten you openly, the red temples will deal with her. They have continued to ignore her pleas that you are false, and so she remains a feeble whisper in the dark. As for the girl, I will contact my fellow worshippers and uncover what I can, Firelord," she bowed her head, and the woman waved her off. She seemed to glide out of the room with a nary a sound.

"Davos, return to your men, and inform them that they will be allowed to remain in port for a week, but no more. I have further tasks in need of you and your knowledge of the seas. Spend time with your family, see your sons in the academy, and do whatever you wish, but ensure that you and your men are present here by weeks end for your new assignment. Dismissed, and remember to close the door on your way out."

"Yes, milady Firelord," he bowed his head and replied, before walking out of the room and closing the door behind him. This left her and the Lady of Dragonstone alone in the small chamber.

She gestured to the opposite chair, "You may sit." Behind the woman's steepled hands, were her intense golden eyes, which remained fixed on her, as she sat down. While she was maneuvering herself into a comfortable position, the Lady of Dragonstone continued. "As I was saying, I learned a terrible lesson, and for some time I thought of ways to not suffer learning it again. Then the woman in red, Cyvia, came to me with an answer. She spoke of 'glamours.' Magic, from what I could tell, despite how primitive and distasteful the word sounds spilling from my mouth. These glamours allow individuals to gain the appearance of others, but not their mannerisms. When Qyburn first spoke of you, I hesitated, for you were from Braavos and I did not look too kindly upon that place. However, he said you were quite capable, at what you do, and I needed an answer to my problem, now. So I had the red priests loyal to me, keep an eye on you, as you traveled with that mummer's troupe. Once the information, relayed to me, had been corroborated by the others within my employ, I sent Davos to retrieve you." The woman locked eyes with her, a smile formed on her lips. "You are a smart one, aren't you?"

Lady Stork nodded her head in response, slightly off-put by the look in the woman's eyes.

"Good. Then I trust all the words I have been speaking are understood?"

"Yes," she responded, "You need me to impersonate someone?"

The Lady of Dragonstone leaned back into her luxurious chair, hands still steepled before her, the smile growing wider. She crossed her legs, and spoke, "Yes. I need you, to impersonate me…"

Chapter 950 - 2