5 Shadow Magic And Moving (Prologue V)

~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 12 Years)~~~

~~~(Location: Mazzi Mero's House, The City of Asshai)~~~

~~~(Date: 296 AC)~~~

I've been living with Mazzi for the past 3 months, and she's been a great host to Rhaenys and me. She's helped me learn the world's languages and has been paying for all my expenses. I asked her why, but she never answered me.

Mazzi doesn't answer most of my questions. But she teaches me everything she can. She's even shown me Shadow Magic. It's hard to control, but I'm getting the hang of it.

"Rah!"

Rhaenys gets my attention, and I can see that she's looking for some more food. I open the bowl next to me and toss her some meat.

She's gotten bigger, and she's able to flap around the house on her own. But she tires easily. I take her out of Asshai and let her fly often. Mazzi has taught me a lot about dragons, and how to care for them and raise them.

One of the most important things I learned is dragons can't be tamed. They can only be imprinted and bonded with. I share a bond with Rhaenys, and I've started to use High Valyrian to help us communicate.

Well, more like helping her understand me. Mazzi said that all dragons should be taught certain commands from a young age using High Valyrian.

"Māzigon kesīr."

Rhaenys hears me and immediately comes to me. Taking a seat on my lap and eating the food that I tossed her. She's about half the size of a cat now.

Mazzi said Rhaenys will grow much faster than any dragons in recorded history. But never said why.

"Ao'll choke lo ao ipradagon naejot adere."

All I get is a snort from Rhaenys, and I can't help a chuckle from coming out.

Mazzi doesn't talk to me often or comment on any progress I make with magic. She helps me only when I'm truly stuck somewhere. Other than that, she leaves me to my own devices.

My knowledge of the world has grown in tandem with my knowledge of magic. Mazzi doesn't have any books about House Targaryen. What's worse, she never answers any questions I have about my house.

"Child, I have news for you."

Mazzi suddenly enters the study and makes her way over to me. Grabbing the book from my hands and places it on the table. Rhaenys lightly growls but stays calm otherwise.

"What is it? You never seek me out for anything."

Which is completely true. Mazzi has given me a place to stay and a place to learn. But she's limited the relationship to that.

"I've arranged for your own house here in Asshai. One with a large roof and access to it. With Rhaenys growing bigger, she'll need somewhere that can let her come and go freely."

I raise my eyebrow in confusion. I've grown used to Mazzi, and I feel a little blindsided by this. But my lack of answer causes her to take a seat next to me. She looks down at me and stares into my eyes.

"You've got to the point you no longer need me, child. This new house will suit you well. Far more books than what I can offer you."

I feel like I'm being dumped off somewhere. Like I'm not wanted here anymore.

"Did I do something that offended you? I'm sorry for bothering you with so many questions. If you want, I can stop."

Being around another human has made me experience what it means to talk and learn. If I'm alone, I'll lose the first, and won't do the second one as well as I could here. I'll always have Rhaenys, and I love her. But the conversations aren't nearly as engaging.

"That's the way it is here, child. When one no longer needs another, they move on. But that doesn't mean you're not welcomed here anymore. But you must be on your own. Little Dragon."

The Whispering Voice said I'd never know loneliness again... But it seems that I might end up with that life anyway.

Rhaenys brings her head into my hand, and I look down at her. Her violet eyes looking back at me, and her black form coiling closer. I won't be alone. Not when I have this little girl.

"īlon'll sagon sȳz, nyke kivio... Rhaenys..."

There is a slight purr that comes from her, and I look back at Mazzi. She's not done talking. She would leave if she were.

"When your pet is old and big enough, you must leave Asshai. Where you go is up to you. I'll supply your house with enough food for a year. Including for your pet. But after that, you must find out how to feed yourself and Rhaenys."

That's easy. I know how to hunt and kill with no problem at all. One of my best qualities is my fighting capabilities. For what I lack in strength, I make up for in speed and agility. When I get older, my strength will naturally follow.

"Mazzi... Thank you for taking me in. I've never known another human other than you. You've been kind since the very beginning and have only done your best for me. You're the closest thing I've had to a mother..."

Since I probably won't get another chance to say this to her, I might as well tell her. Growing up in isolation like I did should've made me insane, but I'm not. I don't know why, either.

"You're special, child. You learn as I've never seen before. You'll only grow stronger as you get older. But remember, the world isn't a good place. There won't be people like me in your life. They'll have agendas."

She takes my hand in hers and stands me up. Rhaenys crawls up my body as we walk and she sits on my shoulder. Looks like she's taking me to the new house immediately.

~~~(POV: Tywin Lannister)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 54 years)~~~

~~~(Location: Kings Landing, The Red Keep, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Date: 296 AC)~~~

"Varys... To what do I owe this unpleasant surprise."

The Spider has decided to drop by for an unannounced visit. The eunuch has many talents, both for plotting and for spying. But for both of those, he pushes the boundaries of his betters just the right amount.

I, for one, don't like having my boundaries tested, especially by a eunuch.

"Robert Baratheon has summoned a small council meeting. And he's asking for your presence at the meeting. For what, I don't know."

The small council. A bunch of nobles with their own agendas. Ned Stark is the only one on that council who'll do anything remotely better for The Seven Kingdoms. But his honor blinds him to the point of foolishness.

"Tell me, Varys. Why would Robert Baratheon send another council member instead of a knight or squire?"

Varys is someone that knows more than he should, and the most dangerous part about him is he knows how to use what he knows.

He backs away from me and shuts the door that's behind him. Leaving us alone for a private conversation. The Spider isn't someone I like or trust, but I'll always listen to what he has to say. There is always valuable information from him. More than I like to admit.

"My birds in Essos have been chirping. The Targaryen siblings are moving from their current home in Volantis and are likely heading for Myr. King Robert wants to have them assassinated. But we have no one nearby that can help in that."

This small council meeting isn't to solve a problem. It's so Robert can get angry and yell at the people that are really running The Seven Kingdoms. Baratheon thinks I have assassins in Essos. Too bad for him.

Besides, the Targaryens aren't a threat. And if they ever become one, we'll handle them.

"Tell that fat man if he wants to kill the last of the Targaryens, he can cross The Narrow Sea and do it himself. I've no men in Essos that can help."

He turns to leave, but I have one more thing to say.

"If he tries to summon me again, tell him I'm no longer in The Red Keep and that I'm heading back to Casterly Rock."

Varys lowers his head with the same knowing smile he always does.

As he leaves the room, I turn to my window and look out to Kings Landing.

"The Usurper... He'd have nothing if not for my family."

My bitterness toward Robert runs deep. But he's a better King than Aerys II. There is a peace here, but one that is teetering on the edge. Many haven't conformed to the new rule, and that's Robert's fault.

"There are also the problems that my son and daughter have created..."

Just when you think the Targaryens and their ways are gone. My son and daughter go and make abominations.

Robert doesn't even know he's being cuckolded. If only he took his mind off wine, women, and hunting, he might see all the things wrong going on around him. But that's what I like about Robert. He's blind to the real problems in his life. And I can use those.