[voice/video] I put my trust in you, a stranger (un: whitewolf)

[northerndragon]

1. Voice

[A man's deep voice, colored with some urgency.]

My name is Jon Snow. I need the aid of two or three strong fighters, outside the city -- now. One of the Beastmaster's creatures is on me. He isn't alone.

2. Video

[Later, it's a young man, looking hesitant and unsure of where to begin. A curl of his dark hair is falling into his bearded face, and there are fine vertical scars above and below his eyes, as if someone once tried to claw them out. He has just been shown to his rooms after a long, hard journey, and he looks like it.

When he speaks, it's with the same deep voice from earlier in the day, now earnest and weary. The more he speaks, the more sure of himself he sounds, until in the end, it may become clear that he's used to addressing groups of people.]

I am sorry for my hasty messages earlier. The creatures are dead -- they won't trouble you or any of the people of this city.

I'm Jon Snow. I come from the Merchant -- I've been riding in and out of these canyons for most of a fortnight. Never seen anything like Taravast, but it is good to be in numbers again.

I don't expect that it will mean anything to any of you, but I am from the North. One of the Seven Kingdoms, it was.

I need to meet with Wrath and Wen Qing, as soon as either of you can. I am in the Palace of the Doxe.

For the rest -- tell me what I can do here in the city. Tell me what I can do to help our cause.

Comments

voice.

[inferus]

( Strange. How would someone who is new to the group know his name to the extent that he needs to meet with him? It's important enough that Wrath does not waste any time commenting on anything else. It's clear the man before him is a warrior, a soldier if he was able to defeat the beasts he spoke about before. Wrath had missed the post from earlier or he might have joined in the battle himself. )

I am Wrath.

Where in the palace are you?

video; un: stormborn

[song_of_fire]

Where did you say you hale from?

1. Un; sprite bulb- voice

[bearshermark]

I'm coming to help you.

un: absterge

[downswing]

( A kindness: he speaks for rare compassion, that the man might not spare the heartbeats to read. )

The beasts' master returns with his creature?

[northerndragon]

[He looks relieved, at this.]

Don Bonaccorso’s wing. We can meet here, or somewhere outside of it. The Merchant thought you would have need of what I carry.

[northerndragon]

[That name… hmm.]

Westeros. Some call it the Seven Kingdoms.

[song_of_fire]

I know it well.

[She's searching her mind for the details she learned from various sources. "Snow" was a bastard name, no different from "Fyre" or "Sand". Beyond that, there's little for her to guess his identity and which part of the North he comes from.

Only to ask.]

Which House do you serve? Mormont? Umber? Karstark?

[northerndragon]

You have my thanks.

[A video message follows, showing this creature in the distance, accompanied by a few smaller creatures that only appear a little less threatening.]

I’m just to the east of the city.

[northerndragon]

No. Passed them along ago. These followed me from the back of the train.

[A moment later, there’s video showing the creatures.]

[northerndragon]

I don’t serve any house. My father was Lord Stark.

[From what little hair she has, she has the look of a Lysene, but…]

[song_of_fire]

[There's a sharp look on her face before being overtaken by warring emotions.

The Starks had been loyal to the Usurper, but her brother had loved a Stark. Eddard Stark was executed by the Lannisters, apparently. Where in all of this should her feelings land? She knew some of the bad of her father and was waiting to hear the rest. Not all men were wholly good or bad, but for such an honorable man, Eddard Stark broke his oath to his king.

Was he any different than Ser Jorah had been?

What's more, if he was a bastard of Eddard Stark, how honorable could that man be? It was complicated and more difficult to navigate than on a simple communication device. Luckily for her, Drogon couldn't be seen, so her identity might remain a secret.]

What part of the palace are you in?

[What part did she have to avoid?]

[northerndragon]

[He doesn’t miss the look on her face, either.]

I’ve been given a place in don Bonaccorso’s wing.

You know our houses — which do you serve, my lady?

[song_of_fire]

[Good. They were far enough apart for now, but she'd have to see Drogon didn't wander.]

None. [Which isn't technically a lie. She is House Targaryen and she only serves the people.] I don't reside in the Seven Kingdoms.

[Not yet, maybe not ever, but she hopes to.]

[northerndragon]

No?

[He shifts position and frowns, then decides to hazard a guess.]

Not on Dragonstone?

[song_of_fire]

I thought Dragonstone was in the hands of [don'tsayusurperdon'tsayusurper] House Baratheon?

[She flashes an innocent smile, one she reserved for the Second Sons and the Yunkish Envoy.]

Or did I mishear such events? Word travels slowly to Essos.

[northerndragon]

No. Stannis Baratheon has been dead for close on a year. Daenerys Targaryen holds Dragonstone now.

Before I found myself here, I was on my way to treat with her.

[song_of_fire]

Strange. It's said in Essos that the Mother of Dragons is in Meereen.

Why should House Stark wish to treat with her? I thought they were enemies to the Targaryens?

[northerndragon]

She was in Meereen. Now she’s not.

I am no enemy to Daenerys Targaryen. [And he’s not a Stark.] I seek an alliance.

[song_of_fire]

[She didn't push the matter. It may tell him more than she wants him to know.]

I'm only a young girl and know nothing of such matters. What would House Stark offer though? Alliance, if I'm not mistaken, means something equally given.

You must be very important to act as an envoy.

[northerndragon]

I’m not an envoy, my lady. I’m King in the North.

But what I would offer Daenerys Targaryen, or what I look for from her — that’s for her ears alone. Though I think anyone would be touched at a young girl’s concern for her affairs.

[That last bit is mildly reproachful: he doesn’t like games, and he’s beginning to recognize this as one.]

[song_of_fire]

A young girl with a passing fancy for such things.

[She's not ready to surrender it yet, especially with his claim to be King in the North.]

Daenerys Targaryen is said to be concerned for her people. Naturally, her concerns are our concerns.

[Another smile.]

[northerndragon]

Naturally.

[As agreements go, this one still seems remarkably skeptical.]

Never heard that the Meereenese have the look of Lys. Never thought they’d know much about some of our lesser houses in the North, either.

My lady, I don’t know what you think you know of me, but —

[song_of_fire]

I think that you are an unknown man claiming to be king, whose House broke faith with the Targaryens not so long ago. After so many attempts to her life, would Daenerys Targaryen trust such a man if she were far from home and without an army?

[Fine, let him have his way. She'll lower her pretense, but not completely.]

From what I heard, the last Westerosi to approach her for an alliance offered marriage and an army. The Dornish, however, were as insulted by the war as the Targaryens.

[northerndragon]

Aye, well, when a prince steals away a lady, and his father the king burns her father alive and kills his heir, and calls for the head of his second son, for no reason that I’ve ever heard — that could be said to be breaking faith, too. That could be said to have started the matter.

[He is mildly annoyed, but when he speaks again, he’s a little calmer.]

You have the Dornish for your allies. House Tyrell, too.

[song_of_fire]

[Her tone is calm, light even in the face of their conversation. It's been awhile since she had the chance to spar verbally with an envoy. A part of her has missed the challenge.]

Was she stolen? Did she say as much?

It's true that King Aerys was mad, but was no better served by the advisors around him. From what I understand, the Usurper was no better a king. Prince Rhaegar, however, was honorable and well respected by the people and the lords. Strange that a man with such a reputation would suddenly become a lecher. It's hardly fitting for the stories and songs.

But I am only a young girl and know nothing of such matters.

[Her look of bewilderment is genuine.]

If such things were decided, it was done by others and not the Queen. Dorne approached, but because she was pledged to another and meant to keep the peace of her realm, she turned the young prince away.