Winter's Fire → Game of Thrones

x. War of Wills

I stood in the stables, brushing the mane of one of the horses. For some reason, I was not allowed to go for a ride through the city today, although no one has told me why yet. Perhaps there is something happening, or it could be to do with the fact that Viserys and I are at odds again. It is safe to say that Illyrio is not happy about that.

There was the slight sounds of cheering coming from the streets, and that just intrigued me even more. I locked the stable gates and then walked as close to the gates as I could get without the guards coming and stopping me. From what I could see - which was not much - there was some kind of celebration or possibly even a fight.

Listening in, I tried to further figure out what was happening, but I just heard someone behind me instead. As quietly as I could, I spun on my heel, but it was only Viserys behind me. He glanced at me before moving slightly in front of me, probably thinking he would get a better look. The thing is, if the guards see Viserys, they will take us both back into the manse and we will not get to leave for the day.

Viserys clearly was not pleased with his lack of view of whatever the hell was going on, but before he could move out from behind the trees, I grabbed his arm. There was anger in Viserys' lovely purple eyes when he turned around, but I raised a finger to my lips and dragged him back a bit. We may have a way of getting out of here with the permission of Illyrio.

"What do you want?" Viserys asked, angrily.

"Oh, calm down," I said. "I am guessing that you want to know what is out there just as badly as I do. So ask. Ask Illyrio if we can go and see, and claim that you want to try and make things better between us. I already tried to get out there, otherwise I would do it myself."

Instead of actually agreeing, Viserys just scoffed and walked off. I shifted my weight onto one leg and scowled at him as he walked off, deciding to follow after him just to find out what he was going to do. He did not manage to leave the garden without making noise, so a few guards were looking at me when I left soon after.

Cautiously, I followed Viserys and tried not to be noticed by him. Once he reached Illyrio's study, I stopped and stood by the doorway to try and listen in. Of course, Viserys was instead telling Illyrio that it was me who wanted to leave, and that I was trying to convince him to go with me. I almost walked into the room, but then I decided to just walk away.

Seeing how Viserys most likely just got me into a lot of trouble, I walked away quietly and slowly at first before almost running outside. I ran down to the sea and sat by it, hoping that Illyrio would believe that I was here the whole time. I took deep breaths to slow my breathing, concerned by the fact that I was so tired after such a short run compared to some of the other times I have run.

The waves crashed against the rocks a short way away from me, and the salt spray from it hit my face. I did not mind, and instead just watched the waves. They are so powerful and destructive, but they are also beautiful and necessary in a way. Without waves, the water would be still and although beautiful, it would be quite boring.

Someone was watching me from the top of the stairs, but I did not want to turn around. Instead they will have to come to me, which gives me at least a small degree of power in this situation. I very rarely have any power, and when I have an opportunity to seize it then I do. It is important to me to have at least slight power sometimes.

Whoever was watching me came down the stairs now, and I knew that because I could hear their feet on the carved, smoothed stone. The footsteps were too light to be Illyrio, but it could be one of his Unsullied guards. The others are all weighed down by heavy armour and are not the brightest of men, so they would just yell at me.

To my surprise, and partial anger, it was Viserys who sat down next to me. I looked away from him, even though it meant that I could not properly look at the sea. The direction I was looking at faced The North. I was looking in the direction of the home that I hope to one day return to. The same home where my family live, happy and well without me.