Game of Thrones: Power of Magic

The journey from the massive ports of Qarth to the ancient city of Astapor was a long one. There were only a few ports where one could make safe harbor, the sea was unforgiving and the winds changed by the hour. There was little to see on the ocean and even less to do unless you were a seaman.

Having nothing more to do than pass time with stories and myths, it was no wonder that those who sailed the seas often grew superstitious and had beliefs that many a learned person might find foolish. However, aboard a certain galley with painted red sails with a front of a carved naked woman holding a lamp in her outstretched hand, stories and myths had come to life. The ship, 'Maiden's light' had sailed from Qarth with a cargo both so precious and strange that none would dare believe it… for dragons sailed on this ship.

*Screech*

A black shadow soared above the ship before landing upon the ship's helm where a pale headed girl stroked its head, with a touch of a loving mother.

"The old sailor Jak told me it's bad luck to have women aboard, said it summons the kraken it does." a dirt faced young boy spoke to his fellow seamen as he tightened another rope.

"I'm more worried about the dragon, what was captain thinking? Gone mad he has!" groaned an older man as he inspected the knots of the younger man before turning to another, seated on a water barrel, eating an apple with a knife that was at least 3 times bigger than the apple, "What was he thinking? You ought to know right? He would've told his first mate!" as inquired.

The man with a rough white beard and short cut matching hair took another crunchy bite before looking at the expectant faces of the men around him before grinning mysteriously, "He's not paying double so ya lot can stand around and gossip like little cunts." he words caused a embarrassed murmur as they avoided his gaze but instead of stoping, the man continued, "But aint the girl or the baby dragons that I'm worry bout." he paused for effect, holding the attention of the men around him before continuing, "You ever sailed this sea without so much as a cloud in the sky?"

His words caused many shakes of many heads and his grin deepend, "I say its im we gotta look out for." he gestured towards the bow. There stood a man with scarlet hair and robes dyed with the color of blood.

"They say he killed them warlock in Qarth, slaughtered the lot of em!" spoke the earlier young sailor.

"I heard he drank blood from their skulls!" informed another.

"They say he kills virgin girls and damns their souls to serve him!" another chimed in.

The white haired sailor raised his finger to his lips as he glanced at the Red man before looking at the men before them, the lot following his gaze before quieting, "You lot better be quiet, lest you catch his eye! Whatever you do, don't look into his eyes! I've heard he can read your mind and make you his servant with but a glance! Don't speak of it but…" his voice dropped to whisper as the men drew closer, "...the captain has been odd since he met with that sorcerer." his knowing gaze caused them to shiver at the thought of their captain having been bewitched.

His words drew fearful awes from the men around him as the young man exclaimed "You mean the captain's been-" before the young man could finish his words, his mouth had been held shut, "Do you wish to be cursed boy! Be quiet!" grumbled the old sailor.

The first mate quickly dispersed this band of fools, he didn't want anyone to speak what they shouldn't and get him into trouble. Soon the seamen had their fill of gossip and went back to work, careful to avoid the bow where the Blood Magus stood with his demon bird.

At the bow, Jafaar was looking at the endless sea before him, the salty air ruffling up his red locks, 'Such nice weather, I almost wish to buy that Shapeshifting Magic and fly freely as a bird.' He enjoyed the cool sea breeze before turning around and heading to the helm where Dany and Jorah were just finishing up an argument about the purchase of Unsullied slave soldiers.

"Lord Magus, thank you for your generosity for purchasing this galley. You have my gratitude." Dany welcomed him with thanks as Drogon turned to look at him in curiosity.

Jafaar walked up next to them and smiled amicably, "There is no need. You did say back in Qarth that you would return the favor 3 times over once you take the iron throne, I will hold you to your words, dragon mother." he raised his hand, slowly inching towards the dragon, now the size of a small dog.

"Ofcourse, a queen's word is her bond, and you have mine." Dany replied, not stopping him from approaching her dragon, many had tried to touch the dragon and many had injured their hands.

A small smile bloomed on her face as she saw Drogon snap at his hand from a distance, 'They are dragons, not eagles that can be tamed into pets.' she mused with satisfied thought. But her triumphant smile froze as she saw the dragon slowly move closer towards the red head and lean into the Magus' hand as the latter started to pet it.

"H-How is this possible?" wide eyed and open mouthed, she watched as Drogon climbed up to the man's shoulders before flying away.

"I told you, in a sense, we are kin… Dragons and I. Besides, I probably know more about dragons than most alive." he combed away the red locks that had fallen on his face from Dragon's flight.

Dany fell into thought and after a spell she looked at him with conviction in her eyes, 'Perhaps he might enlighten my visions in the House of the Undying.' She started to recount her visions to the magus.

Jafaar sighed, "Take them with a spoonful of salt Khaleesi. The Shade of the Evening that you drank before entering the House of the Undying dulls your senses, makes it easier to ensnare you. A cheap trick, nothing more."

"But Ser Jorah agreed that whom I saw was indeed my brother Rhaegar, playing his silver harp. How could it be a lie if it is true?" Dany was unconvinced.

"The mind is a strange thing Khaleesi, we hold all our memories within it, even those that we have forgotten. Can you be sure that no one talked about Rhaegar playing a silver harp when you were a child? Or perhaps you had heard it in passing but paid it no heed?" Jafaar reasoned with her.

"But what of the prophecy? I was betrayed by the maegi, I lit a fire that gave life to my dragons." She tried to convince him again.

"Every warlock, maegi and priestess claims to have been given a prophecy. The world would be far more chaotic if all their prophecies came true. Take the prophecy Azor Ahai for example, a prophecy that has lasted for five thousand years and yet it remains unfulfilled." Jafaar chuckled while shaking his head at her foolish thoughts.

"Lord Magus is right Khaleesi, what you saw were mere tricks played on a drunk mind. Pay them no more heed." Jorah advised.

Looking at the disheartened girl, Jafaar decided it was time to sow the seeds, "It is as Ser Jorah said, tricks played on a drunk mind. But the greatest of lies are bred of truth. It is possible that there is some hidden truth in this." he pinched his chin between his forefinger and thumb as he spoke in contemplation, "Prophecies are tricky to decipher, at times they are straightforward and at times, impossible to understand until they have already come to pass…" He muttered in thought as Dany and Jorah looked at him.

"You mentioned a song of Ice and Fire… I don't know any such songs and I have heard bards sing in a dozen tongues. But something similar does come to mind… the Pact of Ice and Fire, do you know it?" The two shook their heads and Jafar continued, "It is old, nearly two centuries old. A Targeryen Princess was to wed a Stark son in return for supporting Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen to keep the iron throne. The pact was never fulfilled however, even after the help was received and her son was made king." he explained.

"The Starks are my enemies, they helped the usurper take my father's throne!" She grew firey at the thought of marriage between the Targaryens and the traitorous Starks. She had heard rumours of the war between the Lanisters, the Bratheons and the Starks. The thought of her fathers killers tearing eachother apart was a soothing one.

Jafaar ignored her outburst and continued, "There is another thing… Three has a special place in sorcery, the constant mention of threes is certainly something to be mindful about."

Dany perked up at his words, Jorah had dismissed them but she could not do so easily, they seemed to repeat in her thoughts every night in bed, "Can you make something of this?"

"Don't give them too much thought. If the prophecy is true, you cannot prevent it. If it is false, there is nothing to worry about." Jafaar squashed her hopes. "Like I said, prophecies are often just riddles born of bored minds, or priests and sorcerers to seed your hearts with fear."

"For now, look to what is ahead, not behind." he smiled as he pointed to the distant shoreline, where a majestic city rose from the earth.