Game of Thrones: Vendetta

Alt. Title - Pride Comes Before the Fall: Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones Fanfiction

By Snafu the Great

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to HBO. George Martin still hates fanfiction. Lucian Maegyr, Tarik Maegyr, and Alrik Maegyr are my OC's. As I was the one who issued the Volantene Vengeance Challenge, I will kick things off with a revenge-driven fanfic on par with my Ranma fanfic Pride Comes Before The Fall. The fic is another alternate universe, this time, Talisa's father arrives in Westeros with his sons and his personal army to avenge not only her death, but those of Robb and Catelyn Stark, as they are family. Aside from the idea of Talisa having family who arrive in Westeros to raise hell over the Red Wedding, I was inspired by a picture of Daenerys clad in combat armor standing with Drogon (the picture is by Mario Teodosio.

There are several changes in this story which deviates from official canon, the major one is that Viserys has died in the aftermath of the Uprising. The subplot follows Aegon Targaryen, who serves under Lucian Maegyr, as well as Rhaenys and Daenerys, both women members of the Valyrian Order of the Dragon, as well as their race to the Iron Throne. This is the third revision of the story that I decided to post (first version did not have the Targaryens, second one had Aegon and Dany married).

For Lucian Maegyr, I am modeling him after the actor John Doman (William Rawls from The Wire, Rodrigo Borgia/Pope Alexander in Borgia, of which his appearance in this fic is modeled after), Tarik Maegyr after the actor Dominic West (General Virilus from Centurion, of which his appearance is modeled after, Detective McNulty from The Wire), Alrik Maegyr after Chris Pratt (Andy Dwyer from Parks and Recreation, Justin from Zero Dark Thirty, Starlord from Guardians of the Galaxy) Aegon Targaryen after the actor Liam McIntyre (Spartacus from Spartacus: Blood and Sand), and Rhaenys Targaryen after Adelaide Kane (Queen Mary from Reign).

Oh, and there is a Man on Fire reference in the chapter.

Part One

"I fear that all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill it with a terrible resolve."

- Marshal Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

"The son of the Bard Prince is the Prince that is Promised. He will take back what was stolen from his House with the aid of his sister and the mother of dragons. The Dragon shall rule once again, with the wolf at his side, no longer kissed by the madness which cost them the Iron Throne. In time, the Freehold shall be reformed and Valyria will rise from the ashes."

- Prophecy given to Aegon Targaryen

"It doesn't matter if you are a king or a baker. In the end, everyone dances with The Stranger."

- Lucian Maegyr

Targaryen Manse, Volantis

The Targaryen manse was a secluded home near the free city of Volantis.

The manse was the same one in which The Conqueror and his sister-wives once resided before moving on to Dragonstone. The Targaryens had left in in the care of House Maegyr, a Volantene family with Valyrian origins. Now, after nearly three hundred years, the manse was once again populated with members of House Targaryen. Three of them, in fact.

That and three near-grown dragons which resided in a impromptu dragonpit underneath the manse, tended and cared for by the Order of the Dragon.

Thought to have been extinct for over a hundred years, dragons lived once again. And it was Daenerys Targaryen her niece and nephew – the children of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Nymeros Martell – who had hatched them.

It began when Aegon had returned from an expedition into the ruins of Old Valyria six years earlier with Jorah Mormont and a squad of Black Tiger sellswords. Not only did he return with the secret of how to make Valyrian steel, but also several Valyrian weapons, including the ancestral sword of House Lannister, Brightroar, pilfered from the remains of Tommen II, the King of the Rock, but also twelve fossilized dragon eggs. Nine he had placed in the care of the Valyrian Order of the Dragon, while the other three he kept for both him, Rhaenys, and Daenerys.

Following an assassination attempt on Daenerys which claimed the life of Aegon's longtime bodyguard Jon Connington, Aegon, Rhaenys, and Dany hatched three of the eggs on a funeral pyre, using the lifeforce of two of the assassins who survived the Targaryen's wrath, with Lucian Maegyr, Jorah Mormont and several high-ranking members of the Order as witnesses.

That was four years ago.

Since then, the dragons had grown, as did Daenerys and the siblings' standing with both the Black Tigers and the Order of the Dragon. On his seventeenth nameday, Aegon was knighted, thus becoming Ser Aegon Targaryen, Lord of the Dragons. Oberyn Martell, a former member of the Black Tigers and the uncle to Rhaenys and Aegon, attended the event, along with his niece, Rhaenys Martell Targaryen – who had just begun her advanced training with the Order of the Dragon as a warrior – and Oberyn's four eldest daughters – Obara, Nymeria, Tyene and Sarella – the Sand Snakes.

The Order had presented Rhaenys with two relics belonging to the founders of the Order - items once belonged to the sister-wives of the Conqueror, Visenya and Rhaenys Targaryen. The first was part of Visenya's battle armor, consisting of a cuirass which covered her breasts, the right shoulder plate was crafted into a dragon's head, gauntlets and boots. A tattered red cape completed what remained of the outfit. The second, was the signature weapon of her namesake ancestor, the Valyrian steel sword known as Dark Sister, once thought lost to the ages, but in truth, under the care of the Order of the Dragon.

The three dragons were named after the infamous dragon in which Aegon's namesake had ridden during the War of Conquest, Aegon's father and Dany's brother. Balerion, Rhaegal and Viserion. Each dragon was large enough to ride upon, Balerion being the largest of the trio, Viserion and Rhaegal being smaller, but still large enough. Aegon, Rhaenys, and Daenerys had planned to wait until the three hundredth anniversary of Aegon the Conqueror's arrival in Westeros to return and take back their birthright by fire and blood.

The death of Talisa Maegyr, however, put a change to their plans.

They were at it again, Daenerys Targaryen realized as she heard the unmistakable sounds of wood clashing against wood.

Her niece and nephew were once again fighting it out in the courtyard of the manse. Unlike her niece and nephew, who had been trained to become warriors, Dany instead sought knowledge. She was not a fighter, but had trained in self-defense with the Order of the Dragon, with archery as her hobby.

Closing her book on the History of Old Valyria, Dany exited the solar and followed the sounds of the fight. There, under the watchful eyes of Jorah Mormont and their most recent addition to the Dragon, Barristan Selmy, Aegon and Rhaenys fought.

It would be silly to try and chastise her niece and nephew. After all, she was only two years younger than Aegon, and three years Rhaenys' junior. So she resigned herself to watch as the battle between siblings unfold.

A broadly-grinning Aegon Targaryen deflected his younger sister's wooden spear with his own wooden sword.

As Rhaenys had spent most of her life in Dorne, it was no surprise that she would learn how to fight with a spear. As Oberyn would later find out while training her, Rhaenys was a prodigy in the art of combat. She also adopted some of her infamous uncle's underhanded tactics, such as applying various poisons to her weapons, thus earning herself the nickname 'The Viper Princess of Dorne.'

Rhaenys was the best-kept secret in Dorne. To anyone living outside of Dorne, she was one of Oberyn's bastards, rather than the daughter of Elia Martell and Rhaegar Targaryen. Hiding in plain sight.

Aegon was also a prodigy, but his expertise was in swordfighting. Having squired under the Tiger of Volantis, Aegon had learned from the best within the Black Tigers. Traditional Westerosi swordplay, the Braavosi Water Dance, even the Volantene style of fencing, Aegon took to the training like a sponge to water. Even Barristan himself had to admit that he had trouble keeping up with Aegon, only winning by expertise alone.

To anyone who knew the Bard Prince back when the Targaryens were running the Seven Kingdoms, it was as if Aegon was Rhaegar reborn. Warrior. Philosopher. A natural-born leader who commanded the respect of his men. As he spent his entire life in Volantis, it was not surprising. Twenty years old and he has made a name for himself as the 'Lord of the Dragons.' Those who followed the Red God called him 'The One Who Crosses Within The Flames.' His primary weapon was the legendary sword of the Targaryens, Blackfyre.

Rhaenys, however, took after her mother, as she had Dornish features – her exotic skin and dark hair. Her lilac eyes, she had gotten from her father. Thought to have been killed during the Sacking of King's Landing, Rhaenys had indeed survived, thanks to the Black Tigers who had smuggled both her and Aegon out of the city.

Nineteen years old, she had been trained in both political intrigue, weapons combat, and tactics by her uncles and cousin Nymeria. She was also a skilled combatant, having been trained by Oberyn to wield the bow, sword, and spear, her skills second only to her brother. To anyone outside of Dorne, Rhaenys was one of Oberyn's bastard daughters. But Rhaenys knew the truth. She knew that she – along with her brother, half-brother, and aunt – were the last of the Targaryens. Like Daenerys, she too was a member of the Order of the Dragon. Aside from the spear, she fought with the Targaryen family heirloom, one thought to have been lost, the Valyrian sword Dark Sister.

The match continued until a runner from the Black Tigers entered the courtyard, having been escorted there by one of the servants. "Excuse me. A messenger from Lord-General Maegyr."

This caused the two combatants to stop their spar. Even Dany was interested in what Lucian wanted.

"What is it?" Aegon asked.

"Lord-General Maegyr requests not only your presence, Ser," the courier replied, "but also that of Lady Rhaenys and Lady Daenerys. He says it's urgent."

Aegon and Rhaenys both exchanged glances. Dany also looked concerned.

Maegyr Estate, Volantis.

Just as how Aegon Targaryen valued his privacy, so did the House of Maegyr. The Maegyr Estate sat in a secluded cove near Volantis. The House of Maegyr was the most wealthiest of the great houses in all of the Free Cities. Valyrian in origin, the family has had a long history in Volantis. Malaquo Maegyr served as one of its triarchs for many years until his death, the position not being held by his daughter-in-law, his son's wife.

Aside from being the owner of a powerful mercantile guild with locations in Essos and several outposts in Dorne, importing and exporting goods. But the House of Maegyr's muscle came from its private sellsword company, the Black Tiger.

The Black Tiger Mercenary Force was the largest of the sellsword organizations in Essos, seventy-five thousand strong, usurping the position from the Golden Company a decade earlier. Its present commander was the Patriarch of House Maegyr, the Tiger of Volantis, Lord General Lucian Maegyr.

At the moment, the Maegyr patriarch stood in the courtyard, firing off arrow after arrow from his bow. Each arrow he fired landed near the center of the target. Watching from the sidelines, was Dany and the Targaryen siblings, having just arrived from their home. Aside from the Order and the Black Tigers camps, this was the one place where both Aegon and Dany spent most of their childhood together. So much so that they knew whenever Lucian Maegyr, the Tiger of Volantis, was angry, he would practice his archery.

It was during one of those times that he taught Dany how to use a bow, which helped calmed him down. Dany was a natural at it, being able to fire off four arrows in four seconds.

Having been fostered with Lucian since he was a child, Aegon knew that Lucian was mad. Far past mad, he was irate.

"Aegon. Rhaenys. Dany."

Aegon, Rhaenys, and Dany did not turn around, but knew who stood behind them. Tarik Maegyr. The eldest of Lucian's sons. Aegon had a feeling that Alrik, the younger of the pair, was not too far behind.

Lucian did not have no favorites when it came to his children. He loved them equally and played to their strengths, thus making them more effective as people.

Tarik was a mountain of a man, standing six-feet-seven, with dark hair and a beard to match. He was the heir to the Maegyr family. A boisterous man who loved his family as much as he loved fighting, he was a man to be feared amongst the Tiger's enemies. He was known to wield a greatsword in battle, his strength so immense that he could wield it with one hand. Both him and Dany had been seen together walking around Volantis. It was obvious that Dany was smitten by the older man, and Tarik was enchanted by the daughter of the Mad King.

Alrik was the younger of the pair by three years. He was the bookworm of the pair, but that did not make him any less deadly. He was a skilled combat strategist, with his expertise being that of the bow and arrow. Unlike Tarik, he was not married.

"How long has the old man been going at this?" Alrik asked, watching as Lucian nocked another arrow and let it fly.

"Judging from the number of arrows," replied Dany, looking at the number of arrows embedded in the targets, "a while."

Whatever it is," added Rhaenys, "he looks pissed, judging from the groupings."

Lucian reached for another arrow, only to find the quiver empty. He was still angry as he tossed the bow to a servant who was standing nearby, turned and faced the three men and two women who stood behind him. Lucian was tall, but not as tall as Tarik. Sixty-three years old and he was just as strong as he was when he was thirty. His once dark hair was gray, reaching to his shoulders, eyes showed intelligence and cunning.

"You came. Good. Come with me." With that, Lucian turned on his heels and walked back inside the estate. Aegon and the others followed him.

Lucian was silent as he led his sons and former wards to the solar. Only when the door was closed behind them, did he faced the others.

"Father?" Alrik began. "What is it?"

Lucian looked down at the communique which was delivered to him earlier that morning. That communique was the reason as to why his sons and the Targaryens were here now.

"I received word in regards to your sister," began Lucian as he slowly turned around. For the past year, Lucian has been keeping tabs on his youngest daughter. What he was about to tell them had all but confirmed his greatest fears. "Talisa is dead."

Tarik and Alrik went rigid. "What?" the former croaked out.

Even Aegon, Rhaenys and Dany looked shocked. Growing up in Volantis, Aegon saw Talisa as an elder sister of sorts. But for Daenerys and Rhaenys, it was more personal, as both girls and Talisa came up together in the Order of the Dragon. While Rhaenys was learning the art of combat, and Dany sought knowledge, Talisa was learning how to heal.

"No...not Talisa," Alrik lamented.

"My daughter...my beloved daughter...murdered," Lucian deadpanned, the fire in his eyes clear. "She was working as a healer during the war when she met her husband. The King of the North, Robb Stark."

The Targaryen exiles recognized the family name. Robb's father, Eddard Stark, had joined forces with the Usurper in his rebellion. Dany, her niece and nephew had debated and argued over what was to be done with the Stark patriarch once they returned to Westeros. Dany believed that Ned Stark should be stripped of his titles and sent to The Wall for his role in the Rebellion. Aegon and Rhaenys, on the other hand, believed that Ned should be pardoned, but stripped of his position as Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell. After all, most of the blame fell on not only their wayward father, but also on their grandfather and Dany's father, the Mad King himself. Aegon and Rhaenys both accepted that fact.

The unexpected demise of Eddard Stark had made the arguments moot.

"What happened, Father?" demanded Tarik.

"Her husband was promised to marry another. But did the honorable thing and married her once he found out that she was with child. My grandchild. Robb Stark was betrayed by his allies." Lucian choked back a sob. "Talisa was stabbed to death. Her husband and mother-in-law killed along with three thousand of his loyal bannermen."

"Do we know who is responsible?" asked Alrik.

"Tywin Lannister. Head of House Lannister. Father to Cersei Lannister, the Queen Regent, and grandfather to Joffrey Baratheon, the current King of Westeros. He could not best the young wolf in the field of battle, so he had House Frey and House Bolton to do his dirty work."

Aegon nodded. "I know of him. He served as Hand to my grandfather, the Mad King. He betrayed my family and tried to have both Rhaenys and myself killed. What he had done...this is a gross violation of the guest right."

"The excuse that House Frey has given is that Robb Stark turned into a wolf during the wedding of his uncle, Edmure Tully," explained Lucian. "The Freys and the Boltons had no other choice but to attack in retaliation. They are calling this incident the Red Wedding."

"Mother will be crushed once she hears the news," Tarik said.

"I already told her," Lucian confirmed. "She has been locked away inside the sept, praying not only for Talisa, but also her husband and mother-in-law. She has also given me her blessings to head West."

Aegon knew what was coming. He looked at Lucian. "Vendetta?" was all he said.

Lucian nodded. "Vendetta."

The term 'vendetta' was High Valyrian in origin. It meant in the Common Tongue, a blood feud. The House of Maegyr had rarely declared a vendetta during Lucian's tenure as head of the Maegyr, but may the Old Gods and the New help whoever pissed the Tiger off. It was around the same time as Tywin Lannister had wiped out Tarbeck and Reyne when Lucian, then a Captain under his father, Malaquo Maegyr, had Yunkai burned to the ground and its inhabitants – men, women children, even slaves – put to the sword, in retaliation for the Wise Masters harboring the Stormcrows, who had raped and killed several of his relatives. Yunkai was nothing but ruins now, a silent reminder of what happened should one cross the House of Maegyr.

The destruction of Yunkai had earned Lucian the nicknames 'The Lord of Death,' and as he was a follower of the Seven, 'The Stranger's Harbinger.' The official motto of House Maegyr was 'Honor, Strength, and Courage.' But just as the Lannisters had their unofficial motto - 'A Lannister always pays his debts' - so did the Tiger of Volantis: 'Offend the House of Maegyr, Court Death.' That motto alone was a virtual death sentence to those who crossed the Tiger of Volantis the wrong way.

That motto along with the threat of Lucian declaring a vendetta proved to be more effective than 'The Rains of Castamere.' Which is why the Faceless Men gave the House of Maegyr a wide berth. A Dothraki horse tribe was wiped out when it had assaulted one of the Maegyr's merchant outposts by his father. The followers of the Red God were also smart enough not to screw with them. They were on friendly terms with the Iron Bank of Braavos, as they helped invested in the mercantile guild.

Now, Aegon, his sister and aunt were going back to Westeros. Despite the fact that their dragons were nearly grown, it was still early. They planned on returning on the 300th anniversary of the Conqueror's Landing, which was two years away. But they knew better than to argue with the Tiger of Volantis. Especially after finding out that his only daughter had been butchered.

Lucian reached into his back and unsheathed his hunting knife. As he ran the blade across his open palm, drawing blood, he spoke in High Valyrian. "Flesh of my flesh. Blood of my blood. I declare vendetta upon the House of Lannister. I declare vendetta upon Tywin Lannister, his children and his grandchildren for the lives of my daughter, my grandchild, her husband and mother-in-law. By the Old Gods and the New, do I, Lucian, patriarch of the House of Maegyr, do solemnly vow with my own blood."

Lucian then handed his knife to Tarik, who also cut a narrow gash in his palm, drawing blood. "I Tarik, of House Maegyr, also declare vendetta upon the House of Lannister, for the deaths of Talisa, her unborn child, her husband and mother-in-law. I will not rest until the Lion is destroyed. So I vow with my own blood."

Tarik handed his brother the knife. Alrik did the same as his brother and father did before him. "I, Alrik, of House Maegyr, also swear vendetta upon House Lannister for the lives they had taken. This I vow with my own blood."

Aegon then received the knife, stained with the blood of his mentor and his two sons. Aegon did not hesitate. He ran the blade across his hand, drawing blood. "I, Aegon of House Nymeros Martell and of House Targaryen, the Sixth of that Name, swear vendetta on House Lannister. I swear vendetta upon House Lannister not only for the crimes against House Maegyr, but also for crimes against House Targaryen and House Nymeros Martell. I swear vendetta upon the Lion for the murder of my grandfather and my mother. I swear vendetta upon the Lion for the murder of my cousin, Robb Stark, his wife, Talisa Maegyr, their unborn child, and my aunt, Catelyn Stark. By the Old Gods and the New, I swear to avenge not only the House of Stark, but also the House of Targaryen with fire and blood. This I vow."

Aegon handed the knife to Dany. She also slit a narrow gash on her palm. "I, Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, the Second of that Name, declare vendetta upon House Lannister. By the Order of the Dragon...by the Old Gods and the New...the Lion shall pay for its crimes against the Dragon. They will pay with Fire and Blood. This I vow, with my own blood."

Rhaenys accepted the knife, and was soon bleeding from a gash in her hand. "I, Rhaenys of House Nymeros Martell and House Targaryen, the Second of that Name, declare vendetta upon House Lannister and her allies. The time for vengeance has come. I too, swear to avenge the House of Stark. I swear with my own blood."

Dany handed the knife back to Lucian, who nodded. "Tarik. Alrik. Summon the men. We head out in three days."

The sons of the Maegyr Patriarch rushed off to obey. "As for the three of you," the Tiger of Volantis drawled, "go to Dorne and speak with Oberyn Martell. As he is both family and a former member of the Black Tigers, I believe he will have no problem in convincing his elder brother in granting my request to set up shop in Dorne. After all, he too, has issues with the Lannisters." He placed his hands on the shoulders of both Aegon and Rhaenys. "I know this cuts into your plans in returning to Westeros earlier than expected..."

Dany silenced him. "We know, Lucian. The House of Maegyr allowed our ancestors to stay when they left Valyria, and you sheltered us when we fled Westeros. We owe you a great deal, and Talisa was like a sister to us. Not only that, but she was also a member of the Order. So I am honor-bound to help avenge Talisa."

Rhaenys nodded, agreeing with her aunt.

"Thank you. Now off you go. I want you en route to Sunspear by nightfall."

Back at the Targaryen Manse...

Barristan and Jorah found the last three Targaryens inside the dragonpit underneath the manse. Servants from the Order of the Dragon were preparing the three dragons for their journey to Dorne. Saddles were placed along their backs and secured to make sure that their riders would not fall by accident.

"What is going on?" Jorah asked Dany as she and her nephew and niece made their final preparations.

"Change in plans," Dany replied. "We are to head for Dorne."

"Why? What happened?" Barristan asked.

"Long story short," replied Aegon, "Talisa married Robb Stark. Tywin Lannister had Robb Stark killed at his uncle Edmure's wedding alongside Talisa and his mother, and has declared vendetta on the Lannisters and their conspirators, Houses Frey and Bolton."

"Vendetta?" Barristan repeated.

"A blood feud," Jorah replied. "Tywin Lannister has just signed his death warrant for not only himself, but his entire house."

"We're on our way to Dorne to see Uncle Doran and Uncle Oberyn," Rhaenys said. "You two will sail with Lord Maegyr and the rest of the Black Tigers in three days."

Jorah nodded. Even he knew better than to argue with the Tiger of Volantis. "We're going home," he told Barristan. "The Dragon is going to take back the Iron Throne...and the Tiger will pave the way."

The Red Keep, King's Landing – one week later

It was midnight inside the Red Keep. Aside from the Lannister House Guards and the Gold Cloaks patrolling the Red Keep, all was quiet as the castle settled in for the night.

For Aegon, Rhaenys, and Daenerys Targaryen, backed by a squad of Black Tigers, two of them being Faceless Men on the Black Tigers' payroll, it was a perfect time for an infiltration mission into the Red Keep.

The pair had arrived in King's Landing earlier in the day, and were holed up inside a safehouse near the harbor, going over the plans for the infiltration of the Red Keep. Lucian owned the building, as it was a warehouse used to store goods. As midnight approached, they made their move. The second Targaryen King, Maegor I, had secret passages and tunnels installed within the Red Keep to allow a quick escape in the event his enemies had him surrounded.

The Black Tigers used one to sneak Aegon and Rhaenys out of the Red Keep shortly before King's Landing had fallen. Arya Stark used another to escape the Red Keep when her father was arrested. And Aegon himself used another to sneak back inside the Red Keep, disguised as Lannister soldiers, while the Faceless Men were disguised as servants.

One such passage led to the chambers of the Spider, Varys. Another was inside the chambers of Sansa Stark. An escape route, one which led to Flea Bottom.

Inside the chambers of the Master of Whisperers, Varys did not bat an eye at the man seated at the table, flanked by several men disguised as Lannister soldiers upon entering his room. "You are the spitting image of your father, Your Grace," Varys said as he took a seat at the table. "The Bard Prince reborn."

Aegon took a sip of the lemon water. "I'm glad you think so, Lord Varys."

"I wasn't expecting you, nor your sister and aunt not for another two years," the Spider said. "But if you are here, then that means the Tiger of Volantis knows what has happened to his daughter."

"He does," confirmed Aegon. "And he is not very happy with his only daughter being butchered alongside her husband and his mother."

"Yes...the Red Wedding," Varys said. "Terrible business. Lord Tywin could not best Robb Stark in the battlefield, so he had Walder Frey and Roose Bolton do the deed for him. His reasoning was that killing twelve men at the dinner table was no different than twelve thousand on the battlefield."

"Then again, it's Tywin Lannister, so I'm not surprised."

"You risk everything in coming here, Your Grace," Varys said. "Why are you here?"

"Even though the Iron Throne is mine by right, I am still under orders from Lord-General Maegyr. He has sent me here on a retrieval mission. Is Sansa Stark alive?"

"She is, Your Grace."

"And the greatsword Ice?"

"In the possession of the King's Justice."

Aegon nodded. He turned to the disguised Black Tigers. "Retrieve the greatsword. Kill the old man."

The men nodded and departed from the room.

"My guess is that you are not here to take back the Iron Throne." It was a statement rather than a question.

"No. Lord Maegyr ordered me to retrieve both Ice and Sansa Stark. She is to be placed under the protection of the Martells while Lucian enacts his vengeance."

"Vendetta?"

Aegon nodded. "Vendetta. Lord-General Maegyr plans on destroying everything the Lion holds dear before coming to King's Landing - Casterly Rock, Jamie Lannister, everything."

"And what of the Freys and Boltons?"

"For their part in the Red Wedding and the murder of Robb and Catelyn Stark: extermination."

Varys almost felt sorry for the Lannisters and their conspirators. Almost.

"I trust that you know your part, Lord Varys?" Aegon asked as he rose from his chair.

"Of course, Your Grace. And what are you going to do?"

"Free a bird from her gilded cage." With that, Aegon Targaryen exited the chambers.

Inside the chambers of Ser Ilyn Payne, the King's Justice sat in a chair, polishing Ice. The same greatsword used to execute Ned Stark. He was preparing it for Tywin Lannister, who would come and take possession of the weapon come the following morning.

There was a knock on his door. Puzzled as to who could it be this time of night, he gently placed Ice to the side and stood up. When he was halfway to the chamber's door, it was forcibly kicked open. Three Black Tigers swarmed in, armed with crossbows. As the old executioner found out, his bedclothes did little to protect him from crossbow bolts. The first bolt caught him in the shoulder. The second penetrated a lung, causing him to collapse onto the floor.

The final bolt landed in his neck, causing him to bleed out, the last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was the men taking Ice and placing it back inside its scabbard before leaving him to die, closing the door behind them as they left.

Outside the chambers of Sansa Stark, Ser Meryn Trant and Ser Amory Lorch sat in front of the door, dozing off when two of the Lannister House Guard approached them. At Tywin's orders, did he have Amory Lorch to stand guard at Sansa's door alongside Meryn.

Meryn was nearly asleep when the two Faceless Men approached from behind. He almost didn't feel a thing when the first Faceless Man slit his throat. For Amory, he died almost instantly when the second Faceless Man's dagger found its way into his heart.

"Valar morghulis," the first Faceless Man whispered as Meryn died, his blood spilling onto the floor.

"Valar dohaeris," his comrade replied as he watched Lorch die.

Aegon Targaryen appeared moments later. Without missing a beat, he stepped over the bodies of the guards and quickly entered the room. There, getting ready for bed following crying her eyes out yet again, was the most valuable hostage in King's Landing, Sansa Stark.

Before she could scream, Sansa found herself pinned to the wall, one hand covering her mouth. Behind him, the Faceless Men closed the door to the chambers, watching their every move.

"I'm not here to hurt you in any way," Aegon said calmly, violet eyes staring into the blue Tully orbs of the eldest daughter of Ned Stark. "Are you Sansa Stark? If you are, then nod your head."

Sansa complied.

"I'm going to take my hand away from your mouth, so please don't scream. You do, then I'll have to knock you out and gag you...and it won't be in that order. Understand?" When Sansa nodded again, Aegon slowly removed his hand and backed away several steps. He then removed the helmet, giving Sansa a clear look of his face.

"You're a Targaryen," Sansa said, eyes wide.

Aegon nodded. "I'm a Targaryen," he confirmed. "Aegon Targaryen, Sixth of that Name, son of Prince Rhaegar and Elia Martell, and the true heir to the Iron Throne."

"But...they said that you died in the Rebellion. Your entire line was wiped out."

"Keep your voice down. Reports of the Dragon's demise were exaggerated. Long story short, my mother, Princess Elia, had both Rhaenys and myself smuggled out of the Red Keep days before King's Landing fell. You can say that my mother did not fully trust the Lannisters, and for good reason. Your father was wise not to as well, but that cost him his life."

Sansa looked down to the floor, trying to fight back the tears.

"Look...your father was no traitor. He sided with the Usurper in the Rebellion, but his actions were honorable." Off Sansa's shocked look, Aegon continued. "Those loyal to the Dragon has kept my sister, Aunt Dany and myself informed over events here. Your father was not executed for being a traitor. He was murdered by another Usurper to the Throne. Cersei had him dishonored because your father had discovered a secret in regards to her children. All three of them are bastards, with Jamie Lannister being the father."

Sansa snapped her head back up, eyes wide. "What?"

Aegon nodded. "The Usurper's bastards look like him with his dark hair and blue eyes. Rhaenys take after our mother with her Dornish features, but she has the eyes of a Targaryen. Cersei's intentions was to have your father sent to The Wall in exchange for your safety."

'And we know how that turned out,' Sansa thought as she remembered that dreadful day in front of the Sept of Baelor. She remembered Joffrey ordering Ilyn Payne to take her father's head.

'Ser Ilyn...bring me his head!'

Sansa rushed over to her dresser and pulled out a piece of parchment. She scribbled down a message, addressing it to Cersei herself and after packing a small knapsack, one of the items being the doll her father had given her, followed Aegon down the hidden passage, the wall closing behind them. The Faceless Men then exited the room, and took on the faces of the servants within the Red Keep.

The infiltration mission lasted for only thirty minutes. The end result was that the Faceless Men had successfully integrated themselves as members of the Red Keep's servants, Meryn Trant and Amory Lorch had been killed alongside Ilyn Payne, Sansa Stark had been rescued and Ice was now in the possession of the Black Tigers.

Aegon and Rhaenys had reunited with the Black Tigers inside their safehouse. From there, they boarded a ship and were out to sea.

The Red Keep was in an uproar. The reason being? Sansa Stark was missing, along with the Stark greatsword, Ice.

It had started at dinner the previous night. As always, Sansa was forced to attend on Joffrey's demands. During dinner, both Joffrey and Cersei had insulted her family, gloating as to how the Freys and Boltons had butchered her brother and mother in what was now known as the Red Wedding.

As Sansa sat next to Tywin Lannister, the Hand of the King noticed Sansa's hand enclosing around her steak knife, and he knew that she was wondering if she could get away with killing both the Queen Regent and her son before being cut down by the Kingsguard. Tywin calmly deflated the situation by dismissing Sansa from the dining hall, sending her back to her room, with Meryn Trant and Amory Lorch as her guards. Both Sansa and Tyrion slept in separate chambers, as per to his request, but unlike his chambers, he did not have a guard outside his door.

The next morning, Sansa was found to be missing. Meryn Trant was found slain, his throat slit from ear to ear, the wound so deep that it was a near decapitation, along with Meryn Trant, found dead, the knife still in his back. Loras Tyrell discovered the body and Sansa missing and raised the alarm. While searching for the missing Stark girl, it was discovered that Ilyn Payne, the King's Justice, was also slain, his body riddled with crossbow bolts, the greatsword Ice, which was used to decapitate Ned Stark, was also missing.

It was Tywin who had discovered the dead King's Justice when he came to his chambers to retrieve Ice. He had plans for the weapon, as he would melt it down and create his own swords for House Lannister. One he would present to his grandson, the other, to Jamie once he returned from Riverrun.

At the same time Tywin discovered Illyn's corpse, the alarm was raised, the Red Keep locked down. Janos Slynt found Tywin exiting Illyn's chambers.

"What the hell is going on?" Tywin demanded.

"The Stark girl! She's gone!" Janos replied.

"Impossible. She was escorted out of the dining hall by Meryn Trant and Amory Lorch. Where are they?"

"Dead, Lord Hand. Ser Meryn's throat was slit. Someone stabbed Ser Amory in the back. Ser Loras found the bodies and raised the alarm."

"Ilyn Payne is dead," reported Tywin. "And the Stark greatsword is gone. I don't know how she done it and I don't care. I want the both of them found. Now. She can't get far."

Janos nodded and rushed off to obey.

In the chambers of Tyrion Lannister, the Master of Coin was sleeping off a hangover when there was a banging on the door. "Go away," he muttered, burying his head deeper into the pillow.

"Tyrion, it's Bronn," the voice said from the outside. "We got a problem. The Stark girl is missing."

With a groan, the Imp rose from the bed, still dressed from the night before, and made it to the chamber's door. Opening it, Bronn stood outside. Behind him, Lannister house guards and the Goldcloaks assigned to the Red Keep ran past them.

"The Stark girl is gone," Bronn reported. "Her guards are dead. The Red Keep is on lockdown, and your father and sister are demanding your presence."

Tyrion groaned. This was not the start of a good day.

Minutes later, Tyrion, now wearing a clean set of clothes, waddled into the Small Council Chambers. The Queen Regent, Cersei Lannister, was present, in her chair, looking absolutely furious. The king, Joffrey Baratheon, was pacing behind his mother. Varys, the Master of Whisperers, sat calmly in his chair, as did the Grand Maester, Pycelle.

"Where is she?" Joffrey demanded as Tyrion took his seat. "Where is your wife?"

"Gone, from the look of it," Tyrion replied, taking Sansa's disappearance with a grain of salt. "In my opinion, all the best for her, as both you and your mother had done nothing but make her life hell following Robert's death."

"Her father was a confessed traitor..." began Joffrey.

Tyrion cut him off. "Shut up. No one believes that Eddard Stark was a traitor. No one believes that Ned Stark wanted the Iron Throne for himself."

"Be careful how you speak to my son, Imp," threatened Cersei. "He is the King."

"And if memory serves, Father said 'anyone who calls himself King is not truly a king,'" rebuked Tyrion, recalling what Tywin had said following the Red Wedding when Joffrey had said the same thing. "Ever since you and Joffrey took power, your reign has been nothing short of disastrous. Dismissing Barristan Selmy, murdering Ned Stark...no wonder we're not well-liked with the smallfolk, and the other Major Houses are looking at us with disdain. Everyone knows that Ned Stark was no traitor and that there was treachery involved with his son and mother. Continue down this path and we will go the way of the Targaryens. Keep that in mind, sweet sister."

"As much as I hate to admit," admitted Tywin, "Tyrion is right. But back to the matter at hand. Sansa Stark has disappeared. Meryn Trant and Amory Lorch is dead. There is no way that she could have escaped with Ice. She had help somehow."

"But who?" asked Cersei. "Her traitor brother and mother are dead, her bastard brother is missing following Lord Bolton's failed attempt to have him killed beyond the Wall. Edmure Tully is still being held at The Twins and the Blackfish is under siege."

"She has no one to help her," Tywin said. "She can't get far."

Cersei turned to Loras Tyrell. "I want the Stark girl found. Have the City Watch comb the city for her! No one cannot miss a redheaded girl carrying an enormous sword. Search Flea Bottom. Search Littlefinger's brothels, I don't care! I want her found now! After all I've done for her and this is how she repays my mercy?"

Tyrion snorted as Loras rushed off to obey. "If you call both you and Joffrey gloating over how her parents and brother died and the abuse she's suffered mercy, then I don't know what is. In regards to Ser Meryn, over what he had done to the girl, I won't shed no tears over his death. As for Sansa, she is better off away from here. Personally, I hope she is never found. And gods forbid if she makes it to the North and convinces the other houses to rise against Lord Bolton."

His piece said, Tyrion left the room. Tywin then dismissed the meeting and the others left, leaving Cersei in the room, still seething in her chair.

At that moment, she then remembered the folded parchment which was found in Sansa's room. Loras had retrieved it and handed it to her, but did not had the chance to read it before the meeting began. The Queen Regent retrieved it and unfolded it. Sure enough, it was in Sansa's handwriting, and addressed to her.

Your Grace.

I would thank you for the hospitality you had shown me, but then, I would be lying. I know the truth. I know your secret. The one your bastard son killed my father over. Your father killed my brother, his wife and my mother. Lannisters may never forget their debts, but the North does not forget. Winter is coming for the Lion, and soon.

Cersei's eyes widened. 'How does she know?!' Then her eyes narrowed as she tore up the parchment and threw it away.

Deep down, Cersei had hoped that Sansa was bluffing. But the feeling of fear, the same she had felt when Stannis Baratheon had invaded King's Landing, was starting to return.

In the back of her mind, she hoped that Sansa Stark did not return.

The Water Gardens, Dorne - several days later.

The Water Gardens. Built by Prince Maron Martell as a gift to his wife, of which Daenerys was named after, it served as the private residence of the rulers of Dorne.

At the moment, it also served as a safehouse for three of the five missing Stark children, Arya, Sansa and Jon.

In the weeks following Lucian's arrival in Westeros, it seemed as if the Seven had shined their light upon him and his cause. Through dumb luck, did the Black Tigers came across Arya Stark and her 'guardian,' Sandor Cleagne. In the ensuing fight, Sandor managed to slay three Black Tigers before being cut down himself, and Arya herself was taken to Dorne.

Most surprising, however was the arrival of Jon Snow.

Betrayed by the Night's Watch following Roose Bolton's appointment as Warden of the North, Jon and Ghost narrowly escaped their doom, having been pursued by both Bolton and Frey bannermen to the coast. Jon would have been killed had it not been for the Brotherhood Without Banners, who came to his aid. The Brotherhood had joined forces with the Black Tigers, acting as scouts...and occasionally killing any Lannister and Frey they found.

At the moment, Jon was still in bed, recovering from his ordeal, Ghost and Arya never leaving his side. Sansa, on the other hand, was out on the terrace, watching the children play in the pools and fountains.

Sansa had a lot to think about. From her time in King's Landing to the newest revelation about her supposed bastard half-brother. The truth being that Jon was no bastard, but the legitimate son of her late aunt and the Bard Prince himself. Fire and Ice. Her father, honorable to the end, claimed him as his bastard son to protect him from Robert's wrath.

Playing by the rules had gotten not only her father killed, but also her brother, his wife and her mother. Sometimes, Sansa wondered if she and her family were better off in Winterfell, if her father had refused Robert's offer to become Hand to the King.

"I trust everything is to your liking?"

Sansa turned to the source of the voice. The woman in question was Prince Oberyn's paramour, Ellaria Sand. A bastard born to Harmen Uller, she was the mother to Prince Oberyn's four youngest children. To Sansa, she was not beautiful like Cersei or Margaery, but there was something about her which drew her to the Red Viper of Dorne.

"Yes," Sansa replied. She looked down at the children playing. "I've never seen anything like this here."

"No one outside of Dorne has," Ellaria replied. "Aside from Prince Rhaegar. I love it here." She pointed to the old man in the chair, watching the children play with a smile on his face. "Prince Doran, Oberyn's elder brother and patriarch of House Nymeros Martell. You're not the only one who has suffered at the hands of the Lannisters. Doran and Oberyn both lost their sister, Aegon and Rhaenys lost their mother. And now this..."

Sansa nodded. Even now, it still hurt to try and speak about what had happened to her family.

"Doran has been planning his revenge ever since word reached him about Elia's rape and murder," Ellaria continued. "Oberyn was very close to his sister, and he took her death the hardest. Seventeen years he had been planning vengeance for his sister."

Sansa had heard the stories surrounding the Sacking of King's Landing. Of how Tywin's forces had entered the city under a guise of friendship and put it to the sword. Of how Gregor Cleagne had raped and murdered Elia Martell. It was funny to Sansa that the one person she could talk to was Ellaria Sand.

Even more surprising was that she struck up a friendship between Rhaenys and Daenerys Targaryen. The trio of women had bonded over the fact that the Lannisters had taken nearly everything they held dear. Arya, on the other hand, was learning the Water Dance from Aegon, much to Ellaria's amusement.

"Anyway," Ellaria said, "I'm to escort you, Arya and Jon to the solar. Oberyn and Lucian wants to have a word with all of you."

Sansa nodded. "I'll get Arya and Jon."

Inside the solar, Lucian Maegyr was looking over a map of Westeros along with his sons, as well as Aegon, Rhaenys, and Daenerys Targaryen. For the past three weeks, he had been making plans, sending scouts disguised as merchants to gauge the strengths weaknesses of the major houses. Anything that can be used to his advantage. His sons Tarik and Alrik were present along with the Dornish representatives, Prince Oberyn Martell, and his second eldest daughter, Nymeria Sand.

Doran and Oberyn were surprised to see Aegon, Rhaenys, and Dany arrive in Sunspear via the dragons. But Oberyn knew why Aegon was here. After all, he and the others have found out about the Red Wedding.

When news of not only the Red Wedding, but also of the murder of Talisa Stark alongside her husband and mother-in-law, Oberyn laughed. The Red Viper laughed a low, knowing laugh. When asked what was funny by Ellaria, Oberyn replied that Tywin Lannister had signed not only his death warrant, but that of his entire family. As Oberyn was a former captain in the Black Tigers, he knew Lucian very well.

"A Lannister always pays their debts," Oberyn had said, "but the House of Maegyr invented vendetta."

"What do you mean?" Ellaria had asked.

"A man can be an artist," Oberyn had said to his paramour and his children when they asked about Lucian Maegyr. "Be it food, painting, whatever suits his fancy. It all depends on how good he is at it. Lucian Maegyr's art is death. And he is about to paint his masterpiece with Lannister blood."

There was a reason as to why that the Tiger of Volantis was known as the 'Lord of Death' and the 'Stranger's Harbinger.' Once he found out that his daughter was butchered, Lucian would come to Westeros and as he told his brother and daughters, the unofficial motto of House Lannister - 'A Lannister always pays his debts' - will soon take on a new and deadly meaning.

Seeing as how Talisa had married into House Stark, Lucian's vengeance would also extend to cover the deaths of not only Robb Stark, but also his parents. And seeing as how Aegon and Rhaenys were related to the Starks through their half-brother, he would help.

"Following the Red Wedding, Tywin has made Roose Bolton Warden of the North," Oberyn explained. "He has his own bannermen supporting him, both in Winterfell and the Dreadfort. Two thousand Frey bannermen are backing him, but his hold in the North is shaky at best. Houses Manderly, Mormont and even Karstark are threatening rebellion. House Bolton are outnumbered three to one."

"I've heard that Walder Frey has Edmure Tully, the Greatjon Umber and his son as hostages," Lucian said. "Probably to keep the rest of the North in line."

Nymeria pointed out to Riverrun. "Brynden Tully managed to escape from the Twins and retreat back to Riverrun. Robb Stark was smart enough to keep the Tully bannermen out of the Twins and had them stationed at the Tully ancestral castle. Right now, Jamie Lannister is preparing to lay siege to the Tully stronghold there, backed by five thousand Lannister bannermen and three thousand Frey bannermen. He has set up at a village near the castle itself and has cut off supplies to the Blackfish. The rest are stationed at Harrenhal."

Lucian nodded. "That much I know." One finger tapped at the Twins. "House Frey is the weakest of the Lannister allies, so they will be the first. Then we liberate Riverrun."

"Harrenhal will be very difficult to take," Rhaenys said. "Despite it being nothing but ruins, it can withstand a siege. Varys has reported that Walder Rivers is in command of the forces there."

"We will deal with Harrenhal soon enough," Lucian said. "But focus on The Twins."

"What of Littlefinger?" Rhaenys asked in regards to the former Master of Coin. "He was always a sneaky little shit."

"Indeed," agreed Oberyn. "Betraying Ned Stark all because he still loved Catelyn Tully...he fled King's Landing following Stannis' failed invasion. Rumor has it that he is trying to reach The Vale."

"We can't have that, can't we?" Lucian said. "The Brotherhood Without Banners have proven to be very useful to the Tiger. I gave Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr orders to kill Littlefinger on sight and to bring me his head. All of which has befallen Westeros is his fault."

As Volantis was home to a Fire Temple, Lucian knew Thoros of Myr, the Red Priest of the Lord of Light. Whilst planning in Dorne, his scouts came across both Thoros and Beric Dondarrion, the chieftain of the Brotherhood Without Banners. The Tiger of Volantis invited them for a sitdown in Dorne, where both Beric and Thoros threw their support not only for the House of Maegyr, but also House Targaryen. The Brotherhood were now scouts as well as spies for the Black Tigers.

"There's still the matter of Kevan Lannister," Oberyn said, tapping one finger at Casterly Rock. "If you attack Jamie Lannister at Riverrun, then Tywin can call on the host under Kevan's command as support. You would be sandwiched between the two. A two-front war is the one thing that can destroy you"

"I know," Lucian replied. "However, Kevan Lannister is no longer an issue."

Nymeria cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? How so"

"As you know, while Robb Stark was away fighting in the war, the Ironborn who were invading the North withdrew from the region," explained Lucian. "So far, they've settled for hit-and-run raids all along the West, striking at Lannister lands. Kevan won't be able to send support to his nephew or his brother, as he is now dealing with the threat of a full-scale invasion from the Ironborn."

"How you manage to pull that off?" the Red Viper asked. "You got the Ironborn in your pocket?"

"No. It seems that poor Balon Greyjoy has endured the loss of not only his two brothers, but his daughter as well. That, and over a thousand of his men were burned alive on their ships. To the Ironborn, the Lannisters were responsible for the deaths of Yara, Victarion and Aeron, their heads placed on pikes and left to rot on the beach." Lucian smiled meanly. "If memory serves, Yara Greyjoy was raped repeatedly before being killed. Tywin Lannister is not the only one with a vicious streak."

Nymeria immediately caught on as to what Lucian was implying. "Your men killed the Ironborn raiders and framed the Lannisters, forcing Kevan to use the host he summoned in the Westerlands to defend against the Ironborn invasion."

Oberyn chuckled. "Most impressive, Lord Lucian."

"I thank you for the compliment," replied the Tiger of Volantis. "The Ironborn are a means to an end. I've also had issues with the Ironborn as they raided several outposts belonging to the mercantile guild. The war between the Lion and the Kraken will cripple both houses either way, and if Kevan Lannister dies in the battle, all the better."

"The Ironborn is still a credible threat," added Aegon. "Once their usefulness has expired, I will exterminate their House using the dragons."

"And what of House Baratheon?" Oberyn asked of his liege lords.

"It is because of the Stag that my House has lost the Iron Throne, aside from the Lion. The Wolf did what any one of us would have done," replied the Targaryen prince. "And I admit that Grandfather Aerys brought most of the blame down on us for murdering Rickard Stark and his son. But there is no excuse for House Baratheon. The Usurper killed my father. But I was robbed of avenging my father's death. Despite Joffrey's attempts to exterminate the Usurper's bastards, some of them are still alive. I will have Stannis Baratheon executed, and will strip all honors from their house."

"If you're going after the Lannisters, then I have one request," Oberyn said. "I want to take the Mountain's head for what he had done to my sister."

"Done," Lucian agreed. He turned to Aegon. "Aegon. Rhaenys. Dany. The both of you will go to Riverrun once we deal with the Freys. Lift the siege, rescue Brynden Tully and take Jamie Lannister's head. I think he will be most grateful for the rescue."

Aegon nodded. "Will do, Lord Maegyr."

"What about Harrenhal?" asked Rhaenys?"

It was Dany who came with the solution. "We have the dragons. Leave them to me."

Lucian than turned to his sons. "Tarik. Alrik. Once the Freys are dealt with, you both will march North and deal with Roose Bolton and his son. As the Northern houses are up in arms, we can use that to our advantage. Once Roose Bolton and his son are dealt with, return to Riverrun."

"Yes, Father," Alrik nodded.

"What about the Tyrells?" asked Oberyn. "According to Varys, Margaery Tyrell is betrothed to that inbred bastard. Aside from Margaery being engaged to Joffrey, her brother is also a member of the Kingsguard," concluded Oberyn. "We make a move against the Tyrells, then they will attack."

"Mace Tyrell will not be a problem," Lucian replied. "The true power behind the Tyrells lies with Olenna Redwyne. Once it becomes clear that the Lannisters are finished, she will have Mace back both myself and the Targaryens, not only because they were staunch supporters of the Dragon during the Usurper's Rebellion, but also in an act of self-preservation."

A knock on the door, and Lucian ordered whoever it was to enter. Ellaria entered. "Lord-General. Jon Stark, Sansa Stark and Arya Stark."

Lucian nodded and seconds later, Jon – still recovering from his injuries – and his cousins entered the solar, accompanied by Ghost. The door closed behind them. Oberyn frowned slightly, as did Rhaenys. Standing in the room was the reminder of what Rhaenys and her uncle had lost. Despite the fact that Elia was dead, her children were still alive.

But even Oberyn had to admit that trying to kill off Rhaegar and Lyanna's son was going too far, even for Roose Bolton, even if he was backed by Tywin and Cersei Lannister. As Jon was the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, he had a claim to the Iron Throne, and therefore was a threat.

Arya had dealings with Tywin Lannister in the past back in Harrenhal. But this guy was the diametric opposite of the Lion of Casterly Rock. To Arya, Lucian had that natural charisma about him, in contrast to the forceful personality of Tywin Lannister. Lucian had the gentleness which reminded them of Ned Stark, but underlying that was the ruthlessness of a seasoned warlord. The Stark children also noticed the family greatsword, Ice, resting nearby, the Black Tigers having pilfered it when they rescued Sansa from King's Landing.

"I wish we could have met under more pleasant circumstances," the old man said. "You are among friends. More than friends, actually. In a way, I am family, as Robb Stark married my daughter. I am Lucian Maegyr, Patriarch of House Maegyr of Volantis, and Lord-General of the sellsword organization, the Black Tigers." He then introduced his sons. "My eldest son Tarik..."

Tarik nodded in greeting.

"...and my youngest son, Alrik."

Alrik followed suit.

"And our hosts," concluded Lucian. "Prince Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper of Dorne and former Captain of the Black Tigers..."

Oberyn gave the three Stark children a lazy wave.

"You already know his sister-in-law, Lady Daenerys Targaryen..."

Dany nodded in greeting.

"...his nephew, Ser Aegon Targaryen..."

Aegon smiled.

"...and his niece, Lady Rhaenys Martell Targaryen."

Rhaenys smiled as well.

"Wait..." interjected Arya. "I thought that the royal family was killed when King's Landing fell."

"Hardly," replied Rhaenys, looking at her cousin. "We were smuggled out of King's Landing before it fell. Aegon was fostered in Volantis under Lord Maegyr, while I remained here in Dorne. As you can see, House Martell is not the only one with secrets."

"So you know...?" Jon began.

"...that you're our half-brother?" finished Aegon. "That we share the same father in Rhaegar Targaryen and that your mother was Lyanna Stark? Of course. Ned Stark knew, as well."

"I know. Maester Aemon told me," confessed Jon. "He knew that Robert would do any and everything to wipe out the Targaryen line, and Ned decided to raise me as his own son. I'm still trying to accept this."

"An honorable man, was Lord Stark," Oberyn said. "Sad to say that it did him no good when Robert asked him to be his Hand."

"First off, I wish to extend my sympathies in regards to your parents and your brother...I mean, cousin," the Tiger of Volantis said. "From what I was told of them, they were good and honorable people. A rarity in this day and age. I wish I could have met them personally."

"Thank you," replied Sansa. "It was you, wasn't it? You got me out of that hellhole."

Lucian nodded. "Not to mention that I've retrieved little Arya just as she was going to head east. As to the reason why I'm here...I know of the Red Wedding, as I had my daughter shadowed for her safety. Tywin Lannister could not defeat your brother in the field of battle, so he had not only him butchered along with your mother, but also my daughter...and unborn grandchild. My intentions are simple. By the time I am finished, the House of Lannister will be nothing more than a memory. It will have never existed. This is not a war, but an extermination. The same goes for House Frey and House Bolton."

"We all know that Tywin Lannister is a man not to be underestimated," Aegon continued. "Like Lord Maegyr, Rhaenys, the Martells and myself all have issues with Tywin Lannister. Reasons that you know very well. Our father was not perfect, that we can admit. Contrary to popular belief, Lyanna Stark was not kidnapped by our father. She came willingly. Most of the blame falls upon our grandfather, for what he had done to your grandfather and uncle."

"You hope that by retaking the Iron Throne that you can redeem the Dragon," Jon guessed.

Aegon nodded. "That is the second reason as to why I have returned. Rhaenys, Aunt Dany and myself had originally planned to return on the 300th anniversary of my namesake's landing on Westeros, but that changed with Talisa's death. Lord Varys has been keeping Rhaenys and myself informed of events in King's Landing. He has sent word in regards to Uncle Ned's downfall and murder at the hands of Cersei and the false king. Cersei had him dishonored all because he stumbled upon a secret in regards to her children."

"Turns out that Cersei and Jamie are a lot like the Targaryens when it comes to dynastic incest," concluded Oberyn.

"Seven Hells," Arya muttered. "Robert was not the father of Cersei's children. Jamie Lannister is the father."

Lucian nodded. "Smart girl. You are correct. Your father discovered the truth, but Cersei had him silenced and the bastard king had him murdered. Not executed. Murdered. You three have your own roles to play. While we deal with the Lion and his whores, you three will remain here in Dorne as guests of House Martell."

A side glance to Alrik and his youngest son produced a sheet of paper. Lucian took it and handed it to Jon, who began to look it over with Sansa and Arya. "I've had this worked on on the trip here across the sea," explained the Tiger of Volantis. "A Declaration, denouncing Cersei Lannister, and her bastard son, and the circumstances surrounding the death of your father. It also details the events of the Red Wedding, of that Tywin Lannister is the mastermind, and calls on the Northern bannermen to rise up against the pretender Warden of the North, and to kill any Frey they come across. All it needs is your signatures. Once I deal with Walder Frey and his brood, I will have it sent to the other houses."

Without looking up, Jon said, "You plan on undermining the Lannister's support before taking them down once and for all."

"Words work just as well as gold, silver and swords," Aegon replied. "Not only am I helping Lucian, my help does come with a price. As House Stark is the true leaders of the North, I ask but one of two things: the North's allegiance once Roose Bolton and his House is destroyed..." Ht then turned to Sansa. "...and your hand in marriage. There is plenty of bad blood between the Wolf and the Dragon. This is the best step in trying to heal those wounds."

Sansa took a moment to consider the offer. Marriage to Aegon Targaryen?

Aegon then sealed the deal. "As a wedding gift, I will bring to you the heads of the Bastard King and his mother."

Sansa nodded. "I accept your terms...under one condition."

"Name it."

"Tyrion Lannister is to be spared. Aside from his father, he has shown me kindness."

Aegon nodded. "You have my word. The Imp will be spared. But he will not return to the Rock."

Before Sansa could offer her thanks, a commotion was heard from outside. Second later, the door to the solar was opened and in stepped Beric Dondariron and Thoros of Myr. Both men were hauling a bound man, face concealed by a burlap sack.

"Our apologies for disturbing you, Lord-General," Beric began, "but we found this little bastard in the Crownlands."

Thoros then yanked the sack off the man's head, revealing himself to be a disheveled and bloodied Petyr Baelish.

"We know that you have a standing order for Littlefinger here to be executed," Thoros continued, "but Beric and I both thought that it would be better to bring him to Dorne for justice."

Before Lucian could reply, Jon was upon him. Ignoring the pain in his body, Jon slugged Petyr in the face. Hard. Littlefinger keeled over in pain. But Jon wasn't finished. He began to kick Littlefinger in the torso. Once. Twice. Three times, each time, causing Littlefinger to double over in pain.

"You betrayed a man whom I called father," grounded out Jon. "All of what has happened to my family...is your fault!" he snarled as he landed another kick in Littlefinger's ribs. "Why?! Lord Stark trusted you!"

"I did it all for Cat," groaned Littlefinger.

"Cat? Our mother?" Sansa asked, her own anger rising.

"I loved her," wheezed out Littlefinger. "Not even her sister could match her. But she loved your father more. I did it all for her. But Walder Frey took her from me."

"What?" both Jon and Sansa said in unison.

"She was not supposed to die at the Twins. Walder Frey and I made an agreement. Her life would be spared, but Robb was expendable. But he did not honor his end of the bargain. First Brandon Stark, then Ned Stark, and now Walder Frey has robbed me of the woman I ever loved."

Jon, in the meantime, has heard enough. Within moments, Ice was in his hands, unsheathed. "Take him outside," he ordered. As Beric and Thoros hauled him away, Jon turned to Lucian and the others. "You are going to get a lesson in how the North deals with traitors. He who passes the sentence also wields the sword."

Jon stormed out of the room, Sansa and Arya following him.

"The boy's got spirit," admitted Lucian.

"That he does," added Oberyn as he and the others exited the solar to watch the execution. "He's definitely a Targaryen."

Littlefinger was dragged outside of the Gardens, where several other members of the Black Tigers and Brotherhood Without Banners were watching as Beric and Thoros dragged a whimpering Littlefinger to the center of the courtyard, where they forced him to kneel and bent his head forward.

It was as if Sansa watched her father die once again on the steps of the Great Sept. Only this time, Jon was Ilyn Payne and Littlefinger had taken her father's place.

Jon stood before the whimpering Littlefinger, his grip on Ice tightening. "For the crimes of betraying House Stark, I, Jon, of House Stark, sentence you, Petry Baelish, to death."

Littlefinger's screams were cut off as Jon raised Ice over his head and brought it down, decapitating the backstabbing Master of Coin.

Lucian was standing behind Sansa and Arya, watching the impromptu execution. "Object lesson. It doesn't matter who you are or what your standing is in this life. All are the same in the eyes of the Stranger. He is the Great Equalizer. It doesn't matter if you are a king or a baker. In the end, everyone dances with the Stranger. Joffrey thinks that he is protected because of his mother and grandfather, because he is King. Strip him of his power and prestige, and in the face of death, he will cower, he will beg. Despite being King of Westeros, Joffrey Baratheon is above all else, a coward. And when his time comes for him to answer for his crimes, he will ask for mercy when he himself has granted none to those he tormented."

Jon, in the meantime, had cleaned the blood off of Ice. Holding the sword in his hands, he walked over to Tarik. "Take this with you."

Tarik accepted the blade. His immense strength allowed him to hold it one-handed, like Gregor Cleagne. "Valyrian Steel. A fine weapon indeed."

"That sword has been in our family for many generations. The blade is called Ice. It was a gift to the last King of the North when he bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror nearly three hundred years ago," explained Jon. Even now, he saw himself as Ned Stark's son, rather than Rhaegar Targaryen's blood. "My father used this very blade in Robert's Rebellion and it served him well."

"Joffrey had my father murdered with that very sword," continued Sansa. "I want you to stain its blade with the blood of those who tried to destroy our family. Give them our regards when you do."

"Milady," Tarik replied, "it will be my pleasure."