The penitence of the Wolf - Cutting the wings (Patreon)

Ser Brynden Tully, Beyond the Wall

"So, you're a Warrior, aren't you?" Yrma asked curiously, looking at Bryden with interest

The King's Guard nodded gently, still surprised by the turn his life had taken

If someone had told him a year ago that he would be on an expedition to the Lands Beyond the Wall, escorting the monarch of Westeros, he would have laughed in his face

And yet, here he stood, escorting the Dragon King, to an unknown destination, exterminating entire clans of cannibals

A service to the whole kingdom in his opinion

Also, his perspective on the "savages" had changed considerably since Yrma and the rest of the Spear wives had been assimilated into the group

For example, the term "savage" was quite offensive, considering themselves as free people and that much of the bad reputation of their people was thanks to the clans that the king was exterminating with impunity

Brynden expected trouble between the soldiers and the women, however, none of that happened, quite the opposite

The little ones were easily welcomed, none were really useless and all were used to helping, collecting roots, berries, branches or stones, always under supervision, by order of the king

The Spear wives were even more competent than many southern men, to his amusement, and apparently, they had no qualms about taking what they wanted, in less than a week, half of the women had already been "stolen" by one of the soldiers, especially the strongest and most skilled ones, at night it was common to hear the moans and screams of carnal pleasure,  Brynden knew that the chance of these women returning with them to the south was quite high

And then there was Yrma, the leader of the Spear wives and the self-styled “woman” of Chief Aerys, as she called the monarch

 "Yes, I am a knight of the Order of King's Guard," Brynden said proudly

Yrma nodded and replied

"The chief told me about that order one night after fucking me so hard that I didn't feel my legs for a long time, an order of warrior men who swear before their Gods not to take wives, or father children, something stupid, in my opinion" said the woman with total sincerity

Brynden looked at the woman completely offended, at the same time that some of the warriors in the King's service whispered curiously

Without giving him time to respond, Yrma continued

“I mean, if they are skilled warriors, it would be intelligent for them to reproduce with as many women as they want, continuing the caste of strong warriors, what good is a warrior if he has no one to impart his skill and knowledge to? Besides, giving up a tight and hot cunt in exchange for six men who don't touch a woman either sounds stupid, that or they're sword-swallowers, I don't know what's worse” said the redhead naturally

At those words, Brynden was completely speechless, some of the soldiers in the king's service laughing under their breath, at the hilarious situation

Brynden opened and closed his mouth, completely dumbfounded, speechless at the absurd but cold and coherent logic of the redhead

Suddenly, two squawks shook the calm of the camp, at the same time that Arwen and Lorcan landed on the shoulders of the King, who quickly gave them seeds and meat to eat, while he continued to work on a scroll, apparently mapping in alarming detail the next area where the expedition would go

"I have never seen someone have so much control, it is really incredible, our children will be powerful and terrifying warriors" said Yrma with satisfaction, looking at the monarch

Brynden wanted to respond harshly to that statement, that the monarch would not have children with her, however, something in the woman's words caught her attention

“Control? what do you mean?” he asks with obvious curiosity

Yrma looked at him as if he were a fool and rolling her eyes replied

"Control over his crows, my chief must be a powerful Warg and the bond too close for them to obey him without dominating their minds"

Brynden, hearing a word he did not know, asked

"Warg?" What is a Warg?” Curiosity evident in your voice

Yrma, with utter indifference and sharpening the new spear which the king had given her, made of good steel, replied

“A Warg, is sorcerer capable of forming bonds with animals, they are able to see, smell and feel what the same as the animal companion, a useful ability, but feared in these Lands”

Brynden shook his head quickly and replied

"That's impossible, they're just myths," Brynden said with determination.

Yrma rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders

"You name it, I just know that those crows are huge, strong and terrifyingly intelligent, they are always close to the chief and always squawk when there is danger, the link is evident"

Brynden was silent, his treacherous mind questioning the woman's words

Yrma frowned, watching Ygritte run towards Aerys, as fast as her small legs would allow

"If you'll excuse me," said the woman, standing up and walking towards where the monarch was

Brynden watched the situation with amusement, even more so as he saw how the insolent girl made her way between the monarch's legs to see what her "father" was doing, at the same time that Yrma ran towards the King

Brynden stood up and followed the woman, observing the camp, the little ones played quietly and protectively in the center of all the tents, while the women were attending to some knight or soldier, but none of them were alone

He supposed it was inevitable, Yrma's words were true, in these wild lands, survival was paramount 

The white fish stifled a sigh, the return to the south would be quite interesting, no doubt

When he reached the table where the monarch was still working, while calmly explaining something to the small and mischievous red-haired girl

"We will go around this forest, to avoid the Thenn, if we are lucky, we will find the tribe of giants and we can trade with them,” said the monarch to the small child

The little girl nodded, really not understanding the king's words, but evidently finding comfort in them

Yrma watched everything alertly, waiting to notice any discomfort of the monarch to push the little girl away, although it was evident that the presence of the curious girl did not bother the king

"The giants do not speak the common language, they only answer through the ancient language and none of my warriors know how to speak it," said Yrma, evidently with shame in her voice as she was of no use to the king

However, to Brynden's surprise, the monarch only looked up and calmly spoke

In an unknown, ancient, guttural and wild language, which, just listening to it, made the forests tremble for some reason

"Don't worry about that, I don't need a translator," said the king, although Brynden wasn't able to understand shit of what he had said

"I see that you refuse to change your skins," said the king in a casual tone

Brynden watched with amusement as the vivacious and strong woman from before just disappeared, completely submissive to the amethyst eyes of the dragon king, with lowered eyes she replied

"I am attached to these skins, I hunted them with my mother and we tanned them together, before a cruel winter took her away, I do not want to get rid of them," said the woman

Brynden felt sympathy, understanding the woman's posture, and apparently the king did as well

"I understand, the family is important, you don't have to throw them away, you can keep them and I will have some tailor transform them into a better-quality tunic, as soon as we return to the South," offered the monarch

Yrma looked down again, however, before answering, the monarch stood up, looking west, fully alert

Without warning, Lorcan and Arwen began to fly, heading towards where the king was looking

"Brynden, prepare a small escort, we will leave at once," said the monarch, at the same time that he took the half-finished map and began to walk towards his tent, being followed by little Ygritte and by Yrma, who looked at him curiously

The King's Guard did not question their king, they simply obeyed, if Aerys Targaryen gave an order, it was for a good reason

And Brynden was not wrong

Aerys Targaryen, Haunted Forest

The monarch screamed furiously, as he slain the shadow cat with a stab to the heart, a pity that such a majestic beast died for the abomination's ambition

Around them, soldiers did the same, wolves, bears, even elk and deer, animals that naturally shouldn't be together, attacking like a herd, a desperate attempt

Sign of the terror the abomination was feeling

"Those were all of them" said Yrma inhaling hard, apparently, that wolf had been a real challenge

Aerys nodded, his blood roaring, fighting always made him as hot as a dragon and he looked at Yrma, as he remembered, there was a hot spring nearby, where he could discharge his energy with the fiery woman

Alas, that would have to wait, the abomination was becoming aggressive, as they approached its lair

And now it was time

“Brynden, Gerold, with me, we will ride, our mission cannot wait, that the rest of the soldiers stay processing the meat and skins of the animals” ordered the king, while riding his horse

The knights began to shout orders, at the same time that their horses were brought to them, they were quite a few animals, so they would take a long time, enough for Aerys to go to fulfill his mission

"I'll go with you," said Yrma, as she prepared her spear, it was an affirmation, not a question

For an instant, Aerys thought about refusing, but if the mother was as stubborn as her daughter, he wouldn't gain anything, so he simply nodded

"All set, your grace," said Ser Gerold, at the same time that the rest of the soldiers began to skin the beasts

Aerys nodded and said

“Come on, we have work to do”

And without waiting for an answer, the three steeds began to run, both King's guards following the monarch through the forest, heading east, towards the abomination's lair

Rivers had used too much energy in that attack, an act of desperation, which gave the monarch a unique opportunity, a limited window of time in which the abomination would find itself defenseless, a mistake on the part of his enemy, and another sign that, no matter how much he professed divinity, Rivers was still a simple man

Twisted and broken, but man, after all

The ride was uncomfortable and long, two hours non-stop to the point of almost killing the horses, however, time was running out and the elimination of his family's greatest enemy was a priority

Without the raven, the reins of the world's future would be free, no more plans, no more manipulations, no more chains

"We have arrived," cried the king heavily.

And both Brynden and Gerold were dumbfounded by what their eyes saw

“That... It's the biggest heart tree I've ever seen," said the white fish with surprise on his face

"We usually avoid this area, wild animals seem to concentrate here, for some reason," Yrma said with some suspicion

"Gerold, Brynden, from now on, everything you see, is absolute secrecy, you are forbidden to talk about it with anyone, punishable by execution," warned the king, completely serious

Both gentlemen looked at each other in surprise, but nodded softly

"Prepare your weapons," ordered the monarch, drawing his sword and walking with a firm step towards the huge rock

"What are you looking for in here?" asked Yrma preparing her spear and covering the king's back, while Gerold and Brynden did the same with the flanks

"I am here, to break the invisible chains that keep us bound, I am here, to give humanity back the reins of its future, I am here, to light the way in the darkness that is coming," replied the king, focusing his gaze on the entrance of the cave

"I can feel you, show your face" ordered the dragon king

His companions looked at him with surprise and some suspicion, being unable to understand the meaning of such words

At least, until, from the cave, yellow and tabby eyes were present, and a tiny, but evidently wise being came out of the darkness

He was small, about the size of a ten-year-old child, with brown skin and yellow eyes, his body seemed to be covered with leaves and he was looking directly at the monarch

"I felt your presence, your blood, your inner fire, it strengthens my spirit, it allows me to fight against the yoke of the crow," said the strange being

“Is... is... is...” Gerold stammered, overwhelmed by the situation

"A child of the forest" said Yrma reverently

Aerys stepped forward and said

"You are not my enemy, the Raven must die," warned the monarch

Gerold, Yrma, and Brynden looked at the king, what raven was he talking about?

The little being nodded

"Yes, he must die, corrupted by the sap of the tree and hungry for power, he is as great a threat as that which I swear to destroy, yet I come to beg you, Dragon King, mercy for my brothers and sisters, many of whom are still consumed by the yoke of the raven."

Aerys looked at the small being in silence, while waiting anxiously for the monarch's answer

“What do you have in mind?” asked the king

And the little being, with relief evident on his face, sighed and smiled

"This is the plan," said the magical being, as he began to speak

And for the first time in thousands of years, a child of the forest and a human teamed up, with a common goal

To put an end to the abomination that had brought so much suffering to the world

Brynden Rivers, minutes later

No, no, no, no, NO, NO, NO, he thought with fury and despair, as the cave shook again

"Disgusting traitor," Rivers cursed, at the same time as he felt how the connection with another of his servants was cut

It was evident that the weapons of the children of the forest would be no match for the Dragon King and his knights, they were designed for the Undead, after all

Every cut, every step, Bryden felt it all, at the same time that despair flooded him,

And suddenly, it happened, the last connection with the Children of the Forest was broken, leaving him completely helpless, and the Dragon King's heavy footsteps began to approach

Until, like an executioner, ready to send him to the seven hells, wearing black armor and a red cape, Aerys Targaryen appeared

Looking at Brynden with utter contempt on his face

His time had come, he thought in utter terror

He tried to send his consciousness to some animal, but he was still quite weak since his failed attack and worse, some unknown magic was keeping him locked in his own body

Surely the work of the whore Leaf, he thought furiously

“What are you? How did you hide from my sight for so long? HOW DID I FAIL!!” roared the terrified raven, while the monarch, little by little, walked towards his defenseless body and from his waist, he took out a familiar weapon

A Dagger, the Targaryen dagger, the one that, in his plans, was destined to eliminate the abomination

“YOU HAD TO GO MAD!! YOU HAD TO BECOME THE MAD KING, YOU HAD TO DIE, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE?” Brynden roared, at the same time that Aerys knelt in front of his body and, in total calm, began to cut the roots

At the first cut, Brynden felt a pain like before, agony was a word that fell short of what he was feeling

"You know nothing, Brynden Rivers," said the monarch with a look of cruel satisfaction, at the same time as he cut off another branch, causing another cry

Terrified and at death's door, Rivers looked at the monarch, unable to comprehend what was happening

And then, with pleasure, Aerys walked over, away from the ears of his knights and the wild slut he was fucking

"My name is Aegon Targaryen, sixth of his name, son of Rhaegar Targaryen the last dragon and Lyanna Stark, the Wolf maiden, in your plan you will know me by another name, Jon Snow," Aerys said watching as the eye of the abomination opened in terror

“NO, NO, NO, I must rule, it is my destiny, IT IS MY DESTINY!” screamed the putrid being

And just then, Aerys buried the blade in Brynden's abdomen, who only gasped in pain

"This is my father, Ned Stark," Aerys snapped, as he drew out the dagger and repeated the process

“This is for Robb”

“This is for Bran”

“This is for Rickon”

Aerys stabbed the body as many times as his strength would allow to end with a final thrust into the neck of the living corpse

"And this is for each and every one of the lives that you have ruined, filthy mongrel"

With fury and hatred, Aerys grabbed Rivers' skull with both hands and with titanic force, ripped it from the roots of the tree, decapitating the Three-Eyed Raven, and ending one of the greatest threats to his family

The monarch took the skull and looked at it with triumph

The abomination was dead and could not hurt anyone ever again

However, the monarch's concentration was interrupted when a metallic and dry noise was present in the cave

Focusing his gaze on the remains of the body, which was rapidly crumbling, Aerys saw something familiar

Something that belonged to his family by right and the damn bastard had stolen

Made of Valyrian steel, with a black blade and red and gold trim, as beautiful and perfect as the pictures described it, lost and found

Dark Sister, one of the two Targaryen swords, a legacy of his family

Aerys turned around with sword in hand, only to find Gerold and Brynden kneeling before their king, while Yrma looked at him with obvious desire on her face

"Stand up," ordered the monarch and both knights obeyed

“Your grace, what happened? What was that thing? Why did he have such an important sword in his possession?” asked Ser Gerold

However, the monarch did not answer, even looking at the sword carefully, at the same time that a great relief was manifested in his soul

Rivers was dead, his putrid presence would not corrupt the world again, the future of House Targaryen was completely in his hands

Aerys wielded the sword with determination

"That, was the greatest enemy of House Targaryen, an abomination to life, I will say no more about the matter, he is dead, thank the Gods," said the king with a final

Both knights nodded, although it was evident that they were not satisfied

"Things will change," said the monarch, the Raven's script was gone, the destiny was a mystery

And though the greatest threat to the house of the dragon was gone, humanity's greatest threat was still there, in the frigid lands of eternal winter, waiting and growing stronger

And Aerys would swear he'd be ready