>>FROM:@STORMBORN | >>TO:@ALL

[dorzalta]

I ask that you use caution if encountering Yhych in the courts. Or at least carry with you an anti-toxin.

[ dot dot dot . . . ]

Is anyone a weapon-maker here?



>>FROM:@STORMBORN
>>TO:@BURGERKING, @PONYTAIL, @MODERATUS, @POINTANDKICK, @DIEDHARD, @BOARING, @AEGONNER, @PERSONALSTAFF

Ignore my next message until you are alone or are able to control your reaction.

[ There will be a pause, one which seems to tick away as an eternity for her. And then: ]

I'm told Kebechet is here.

Comments

[dorzalta]

[ Weak, weak, weak. ]

When Kebechet took me, you continued the mission.
When I was poisoned, you didn't run off to murder the Aranean who caused me to grow ill.

[ Now, she's being intentionally obtuse, overlooking his meaning (which does bring her a mix of joy and worry), because she dislikes being associated with the term weak. ]

You're the one who bolsters my strength. You calm me.
And if they take you from me, Araneans, Regency, the mad queen, or some future opponent, their lives will turn to ash around them.

cw: GROSS FEELS AND HEART EYES

[northerndragon]

I would have run off to kill her if you'd died. Or I would have died trying. Even for your pain, I want to see her suffer, but what stops me from trying is our greater goal.

I didn't say that you don't also make me strong.

ditto

[dorzalta]

I know. I just don't think all of that makes me your weakness. It makes me your reason to fight all the harder.

[ Well, that's what she thinks of him. Because the result of losing him would be--no, no, there's no considering it. ]

That doesn't help our world or the children we fight to protect.

[northerndragon]

All right, then you're my reason to fight harder. But it doesn't mean I can stand the thought of seeing you hurt.

[But that doesn't matter, does it? He'll still encourage her to get on Drogon's back and fight against the White Walkers.]

[dorzalta]

Better. And I know. It's like how watching every wound you receive in the arena feels like I take the blow myself. What you warn me of

[ She means beyond the Wall. But before she can continue, she needs to stop and regather herself. ]

The separation and leaving you with them, alone. It makes me sick.

[northerndragon]

Unless something happens to change it, my uncle will come to my aid. I will reach you in time. I will survive it.

Don't feel like my wounds are your wounds if you can help it. They hurt, but wounds are just wounds. They'll heal.

[Not advice he'd be able to take if she were the one being wounded. And if she's feeling a pain because of his wounds, he doesn't want her to know things like how much he screamed all those years ago when they took the arrows out of him, and he doesn't want her to think about things like the deep scarring across his chest and why it's slow and reluctant to heal.]

[dorzalta]

[ What if the Regency manages to change that? The what ifs offer no use, so she forces the thoughts aside. ]

So long as you heal, is where my concern lies.

[northerndragon]

You know I can't promise that. But you know that I would if I could.

Trust me to do what I can.

[dorzalta]

I don't mean physically.

[ Though that was important as well. ]

[northerndragon]

[...]

You give me good healing.

[dorzalta]

Enough?

[ She's worried about u boi. ]

[northerndragon]

Enough that I don't want any other.

And you?

[dorzalta]

You've always been enough.

[northerndragon]

Then we're all right. Better than most.

[dorzalta]

Luckier than most.

Luckier than a younger version of myself.

[northerndragon]

[She can't see him chuckling.]

Luckier than two of me when I was seventeen. But I wasn't as unlucky as I thought I was then. Wish I had known that things would change the way they have now. It didn't seem possible.

What are we going to do about our problem, love? Talk to the Commander about it?

[dorzalta]

Best not to expect these things to fall into our laps.

Which part of the problem? Her presence, Mordred's foolishness, or how we'll have vengeance?

[northerndragon]

I don't think you fell into my lap.

Which part — Any of it, none of it.

[dorzalta]

Regardless, I do enjoy your lap.

I don't know. You think it wise to inform her of this?

[northerndragon]

As I like yours.

I think she might be angry if you don't. But she may also be reading this now.

[dorzalta]

Spying on lovers.

We've already stated we will not risk the mission. Kebechet is not hers to handle.

[northerndragon]

I went to clear out some traitors once, and I got permission for it from the man acting as Lord Commander at the time. He didn't want to give it to me. Probably wound up wishing he hadn't, but I thought it was better to ask.

Anyone who spies on lovers deserves it if they don't like what they see.]

[dorzalta]

[ A long, lingering silence. We don't need permission, Jon, is what she wishes to tell him. He is a king, and she is a queen. But then his words cause her to recall the last time they pursued what they thought best, and against the Commander's wishes. Failure.

Even the most careful of actions could result in them ruining their chances here, and then what? Their children might be erased. Destroyed. Murdred, like Rhaego. ]

Very well, I will contact her.

[northerndragon]

[They don't, but if they've agreed to serve COST, they've agreed to respect the chain of command... and they've been offered the opportunity to simply leave if they don't wish to serve anymore.

There might be a terrible price to leaving, much as there's a terrible price for failure.

And Kebechet? If they can clear her out, it's likely someone else will take her place. Could be someone worse... or it could be someone with less innate talent.]

Might be that she can give us more resources, or some suggestions about how to proceed. She knows all of this better than we do.

[dorzalta]

[ She's listened to you, Jon. It's a miracle. ]

She may. For all our sake, she will.

I'm no closer to discovering how to save her, like I'd promised.