Bringing the Dawn

LXXII.

Jaeron Targaryen

King's Landing, 301 AC

Once again, the sun was beating down on him. Yet unlike the last time, this time it was pleasant. Looking around to see where he was and surprisingly recognising the corridor. One that was located on the second level of Maegor's Holdfast, the level below from where he had taken up residence himself. How many times had he walked through said corridor? A dozen times? A few dozen times? A hundred times?

But that was where the familiarity ended as he took in more of what was surrounding him.

Where was the tapestry of the white stag directly in front of the window overlooking the outer courtyard? Where were the gold prongs that held the torches? Where was the statue that he knew in the centre of the courtyard and was visible from most windows in Maegor's? Walking over to the window to look down into the courtyard and frowning more. What was happening here? People walking around, people he did not recognise yet clearly they were here for something. People of golden skin, people of fair skin, people of skin so dark they could only have come from the Summer Isles or beyond. Clothing that was not the fashion of Kings Landing- or Westeros now he thought on it.

He could taste salt in the air too. Not an uncommon thing considering the Red Keep was at the mouth of the Blackwater. Yet it was stronger than it usually was. Only then did he notice there was not a guard, and he knew Arthur would not leave him without a guard. Whilst as of right now he only had two Kingsguard's since Ser Brynden had yet to reappear after the Lannister's had attacked Robb's party leaving Riverrun.

"Open your eyes, young dragon."

That voice was familiar. Stopping and pausing his breathing as he waited on something. Once again, there was nothing, nor was there anyone nearby. Continuing to look around before spotting a raven perched on one of the windows. As if sensing his gaze, its head turned to directly look his way. Ravens were smart birds, that was common knowledge. It was why they were used to carry letters all around Westeros. Easy to train, easy to manage, and easy to shoot down to prevent information getting out. Its gaze did not move, two beady black eyes staring into his own purple eyes and neither daring to back down even if it seemed stupid.

No, this was no ordinary raven. Whether it was because he too was a warg or that he had spent so much time with Howland and Jojen whilst in Greywater Watch, he knew this was a raven in body only. Someone was the raven. But who? He blinked for a second and a loud squawk came from the raven before it flew right by him.

"Open your eyes, young dragon."

Open them for what? Jaeron wanted to yell towards it, for he knew now it was whoever was in the raven's voice he was hearing. It couldn't be anything or anyone else for there was no one else within the corridor. Turning a corner to the right wing of Maegor's Holdfast to see vines climbing up the wall which was always there. Yet once again, it was different. Instead of vines alone though there was roses. Blue roses. Reaching out to touch one of them yet the second his fingers made contact the petals turned as black as the night sky before turning to dust and falling to the ground. Pausing in alarm as he heard footsteps. Straightening and waiting for who it was that was about to come into view before frowning in confusion.

Who was this?

A woman with dark skin yet not as dark as those he had seen in the courtyard. Black hair falling to the centre of her waist and wearing a gown of a burnt orange. She looked familiar, but how? He was positively sure he had never seen this woman before so how could he recognise someone he'd never met? He long knew that this wasn't actually happening and he was dreaming but that didn't explain how the raven saw him and how whoever was in it was speaking to him.