#emphyria cassel

[andthenthenothingcame]

Sundas, 24th of Evening Star, Year 1

With the baby out of immediate danger, seemingly healthy with a strong set of lungs, the group decides to celebrate, inviting members of the nearby villages to join in what will become The Day of the First Birth. Vaella tried to call it something fancy in High Valyrian, but it was a mouthful and those not from the Seven Kingdoms could not pronounce it properly.

Timidly, Naeva offered the suggestion of Koyn Day and it sticks.

[andthenthenothingcame]

Fall, Year 1

Calmly she approaches the unofficial gathering room upstairs. For those that aren't present it's a quick thing to have Gylbert and Margaery run and fetch them.

"What's that then?" Branelle has no patience for waiting. It makes Vaella smile.

"It is from Daerahien. Apparently, they plan on a day of marriages - a way to settle this land, but to also ensure the future. And they've invited us to join them." Thoren looks a little green, so Vaella clarifies. "Volunteers only, of course. And only those of age."

Soft-eyed Daella speaks up, looking pensive. "What do you think, my Lady?"

"I think they're right." Her eyes wander to Celaena, and she's not the only one. "We need to think about the future we're building. Our choices now will reflect in the children of tomorrow. We need to make the best choices we can, for their sake."

[andthenthenothingcame]

A caravan moves through the woods, a silent procession. No speaking, no laughter.

Ahead of the line a silver-haired girl trembles with emotion. There's fourteen of them total, just fourteen, yet the responsibility she feels for them weighs so heavily upon her. She tries not to think about.

Every now and then, they pick something up, almost like a trail of breadcrumbs.

A wagon and horses when the children begin to tire, a sack of bread and cheese when their stomachs growl.

Simple things, each taken with trepidation.

[andthenthenothingcame]

Somewhere out there, I think my father is dying. I cannot see it, I cannot feel it, I cannot even hear it, but I know it is true. He rode to war with a thousand of the best warriors throughout all of the seven kingdoms nearly a week ago now - a general leading an army of the ages.

And he's going to die.

They're all going to die.

Maybe not this hour, but soon.

I knew it, the people cheering them as they marched southward knew it, and worse still… they knew it. You could see it in their eyes, the tight way some of them held their reins or forced their mouths into a smile. It was the world's worst tragedy that the best and bravest of us could not solve.

I could see it out there, just on the horizon, cresting closer. The Nothing.

[andthenthenothingcame]

Apologies for disappearing for a bit there - had a lot more issues moving than anticipated (isn't that always the way?) but I'm hoping the story will return November 1st. In the meantime, here's some bonus shots from the Targaryen ASOIAF group!

[andthenthenothingcame]

Part 2 of the ASOIAF crew!

Alerie Bole, 15 years old. A true Northerner through and through, Alerie is a skilled fighter despite her tender age and was chosen by her father to travel alone to King's Landing and report on The Nothing to the king - hopefully securing assistance for their fight. She immediately bonded with Vaella, finding in the quiet princess a kindred spirit. She was awaiting the outcome of the battle when the story begins.

Daella Bracken, 19 years old. A Blackwood and Bracken by-product, Daella has always known she was the result of another failed effort for peace between the warring families. She struggled with her identity, being neither and yet both, and was glad to be living in King's Landing away from the chaos of her home life. A little vain she has a fondness for jewels and fine clothing, but her heart is loyal and her nature generally kind. She is serving as a lady-in-waiting to Vaella when the story begins.

Daenaera Allyrion, 22 years old. The Lady of Godsgrace Daenaera was attacked by a sandcat when she was 16 and badly injured - she nearly didn't survive. The incident left her scarred but unbroken, her proud nature stronger than vanity. She's Targaryen-blooded through her grandmother, who was a princess from the main line. She is serving as a lady-in-waiting to Vaella when the story begins.

Emphyria Cassel, 15 years old. Another Northern girl, Emphyria was raised in King's Landing as a proper lady by her ambitious father, hoping to secure a western lord for her. She's a bit impish, enjoying pranks and teasing, and house-Proud. She pretends to turn her nose up at Alerie's roughness, but her envy is obvious.

Gaemon Fossoway, 13 years old. Apprenticed to an old knight, with the intention of Gaemon becoming a knight of himself, he hated every minute of it. His eldest brother became a maester, the next a septon, so Gaemon was stuck with the role of a fighter even if it isn't in his nature. He's a red-apple Fossoway, same as his older sister Naerys, and a non-heir.

Thoren Egen, 13 years old. Brought to King's Landing as a companion to Gylbert Arryn, turth be told Thoren was more of a babysitter though he never minded the role; as the second son of a second son, he couldn't expect any better and frankly knew he could have ended up much worse. He's going through an awkward phase in life - voice breaking, face flushing red when he's mooning over a girl - but remains a sweet boy.

[andthenthenothingcame]

A heavy knock against my chamber doors rattles several people, nerves betrayed by the sudden sound before the doors opened to reveal my diminutive great-grandmother Aerea. She was a legend in her own right, the last dragonrider alive, and she had stayed behind as a last defense, donning her old armor and managing to not look frail.

Though the world outside is consumed by chaos, fear, and the creeping, vast blackness she seems utterly calm and certain of herself. Vainly I can't help but wish to have some of her poise.

She approaches without hurrying, smiling at the others, admiring Aelyx Baratheon's new armor and generally giving words of comfort. I'm ashamed to admit that I cannot fill that role, even if it is my duty to be brave. But it's so hard to be brave when I'm so afraid.

"Nana Aerea." I give her a smile, the biggest and best one I have at my disposal. Every since I was a little thing dandled on her knee she'd told me to just call her Nana, and we'd always been particularly close. I studied her serene, almost ageless face now, knowing how little time we had left. I wanted her to be the last thing I thought of before the end of it all.

Yet my great grandmother did not bring ill tidings, apparently. Pitching her voice low, she reached out and brushed a hand against my cheek. "I've found a way out, dear girl."

It takes everything in my not to gasp, though I am sure my surprise is clear to her, the woman who knew me better than any other. "But how-"

[andthenthenothingcame]

Once they have reached the chasm, her belly is full of terrified hope. Just because though she had heard the calls like thunder in her ears Vaella never dared to dream it was true. Surely this was just Targaryen madness creeping up upon her after so much loss.

Yet there they are.

Dragon eggs. Hundreds of them. And among them hatchlings, hissing and snapping at one another. Some even taking a few tentative leaps in mock flight. It makes her heart ache. 'Oh grandmother, how you would have loved to see this.'

She almost cannot bear it. She had loved her grandmother Aerea more than anything, but for Aerea to choose her for this, above all others… it makes her want to scream until she can never speak again.

Instead she stares cross the chasm, painfully aware of what lies beyond. It's a dangerous crossing. An impossible dare. Come across, dear girl, at your peril. Do you want it badly enough?

Vaella's eyes drift back towards the group, knowing none of them understand, not really. They don't have the blood of the dragon in their veins - not like her.

Yet Aelyx's arguments from moments before come back: they need her. She is their queen now and it's too dangerous to risk her.

But she led them to this place without hesitation, risked them all because something in her heart told her if they're to live they will need magic.

That was the key. With magic they would live, rebuild what was lost. And they would protect it this time. Watch it grow.