The Legacy

Part 42

"When was the last you you were here?" Oberyn's arms were wrapped her waist in attempts to comfort and warm himself. This journey only proved her Targaryen linage to him, as she always was warm to touch even in the bitter winds of the sea. The two watched as the men prepared a small boat for shore.

It was as she remembered it. Small, beautiful, and remote. Tall pine trees elevated the island and the gnarled oaks made it seem heavy. Heavy like how she was feeling at this moment.

"Not since Aldric" her words devoid of any emotion. After Aldric's death she had banished herself from the island in shame. She could never look into his mother's or sister's eyes again without feeling guilt enveloping her. The men alerted the boat was ready as she looked away.

"I will go with you" Oberyn offered again.

"No" Viserra looked at him with determination. "I have to do this alone. For my own reasons other than you were denied entry" as she spoke the words Jovan appeared. "Don't you start either" Viserra pointed to her guard.

"I came to advise-" Jovan started.

"Shut it" Viserra eyed the two of them. "Stay here, watch over Doran and do as you're told" Viserra started to walk away and the two Dornish men followed closely behind.

"And if this is a trap?" Jovan asked looking at Oberyn.

"It's not" Viserra paused at the railing where the ladder waited for her. "but if I do die just know, that is a risk anyone takes when arriving on the island and not an act of aggression. They'll return my body eventually" she said nonchalantly. Viserra smirked at the look of displeasure and anger on both of their faces.

"Serra" Oberyn grabbed her hand pulling her back. His cold hand held her warm face. She could see the words that he tried to say, tried to offer in comfort. He know what this place meant her, how it haunted her.

"I know" she said saving him from saying anything else. She knew what he meant or what he tried to say without saying anything. Viserra turned and descended the rope ladder to the ship. Taking both oars in hand she didn't hesitate to begin her journey to the island. It had been so long since she had to row her own boat and she welcomed the physical stress that came with it. Viserra was certain if she had not focused on rowing she would spewing her breakfast over the edge from how twisted her stomach was becoming. Even now it felt like her insides had knotted themselves into one giant mess. Sweat dripped down her face as the cold Northern air blew. She nearly collapsed as she fell on to the dock when she reached the shore. Her heart beating so hard against its bone cage she was sure it would burst. Her breaths ragged as she inhaled the familiar frozen air. The biting air bringing forth that familiar sting down her throat. This was Northern air, the same as her childhood, but nothing compared to how it would feel once she was back in Winterfell.

Back home.

"Get up" A gruff voice said from the end of the dock. Viserra immediately popped up to see a large man in bear skin and an axe resting on his shoulder. "She's waiting" he said walking away. Viserra followed a small distance behind him. She only focused on the man's back and his axe. She willed herself to only look ahead. She knew she couldn't risk looking around the familiar woods that surrounded her. The woods that held so many painful but beautiful memories. Memories that tested her will at this very moment.

It didn't take long for the sounds of Mormont hall to alert her of their closeness. She had hoped that it would be empty and she could talk to Alysane alone. That certainly wasn't the case when the man announced their arrival and those from the hall began to come outside following the short, muscular woman. The same woman who wasted no time in rushing toward Viserra with sword in hand.