#citadels of the sixth house

[nerevar-quote-and-star]

In English, we say, "Hubris."

In TES, we say, "What a fool you are. I'm a god. How can you kill a god? What a grand and intoxicating innocence. How could you be so naive? There is no escape. No Recall or Intervention can work in this place. Come. Lay down your weapons. It is not too late for my mercy."

[swftpoet]

THE CURSED DRAGON CHP 1.

warnings: ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE, I apologize for any errors that appear in grammar or writing. + violence typical of the canon

WC: 889

❝𝐌𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐠𝐞

𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐬, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬❞

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐬

prologue

She looked a lot like her mother.

It was the first thing King Viserys said upon seeing the baby his eldest daughter had brought into the world on the sixth day of the eighth moon in the year 112 AD. That comparison was always the first thing Alysanne heard, and even though she loved and admired her mother excessively, at the age of 12 that comparison became excessive and caused her anger; So when her mother and brothers flew to Dragonstone away from Alicent's lies, the eldest princess remained for another year in Kingsland. Alicent tried to seduce the princess with sweet promises and poison her against her family, but the young Targaryen was very clever and soon moved away from the queen consort, maintaining a good relationship only with her aunt, Helaena, which many did not understand, after all if If they saw them they would see nothing more than two girls embroidering or reading, their silent relationship was a mystery, but it ensured that Alicent had no reason to push the two away. That year, Viserys promised her a beautiful crown and a great husband, the mention of the jewel made the princess's eyes, large orbs with the most violet irises in the seven kingdoms, shine but, the mention of a husband had made her grimace. in disgust. Whether or not it was her desire, from that year onwards every man who expressed a desire to marry Alysanne perished, which, fermented by Alicent, was called 'the curse of the little dragon'.

In Dragonstone, things became familiar, there were many Targaryens and dragons on the island and this made the children there become fearless, but none came close to Alysanne, she was the one who flew to Driftmark and discovered that the lady Laena was in labor, taking the opposite route to bring the news to her mother and father; Ser Leanor arrived at his home headquarters first but was unable to see his sister's situation; Rhaenyra flew away a few hours later, leaving her eldest daughter and eldest son Jacaerys in charge of the castle. It was the first glimpse of real power in the girl's hands, and it filled her ego. It was also on this occasion that Alysanne chose her champion, her most faithful guard, Harren Strong, the third son of the Strong house, who before being sent to the Citadel, became a knight of the white cloak, very similar to his older brother, Sor. Harwin who had been the captain of the gold cloaks.

When Rhaenyra learned of her stepmother's venomous words against her daughter, she ordered the princess to go to Dragonstone, not a mother's request, but the order of the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, and so Alysanne did, but not before return Alicent's lies with glory.

The tongue of one of the queen's maids was sent to her at her breakfast, at the same time that Vermithor and Alysanne were flying to dragonstone, the maid whose tongue had been ripped out was never found, no one ever looked into the intestines of the great dragon. bronze that Alysanne had bravely claimed at the age of six; Alicent remained silent for a while, she would never admit that she was afraid of what the girl could do to her, but she had understood the message.

The days that passed after Rhaenyra and Laenor's departure were enough to make many nobles believe that Jacaerys and Alysanne would marry and rule the seven kingdoms in union, which caused a certain relief, none would dare say, but there was a certain fear among The nobles in Rhaenyra named their daughter as heir, at thirteen she had already proven herself brutal, and even if Viserys turned a blind eye, it could not be denied that her blood burned like dragonfire. Often being cited as someone incapable of making rational decisions.

That's what they said, however, regardless of Rhaenyra's choice about her succession, her three eldest sons were taking classes that prepared them to take over the kingdom. That made Alicent angry; how audacious the princess was being in placing "those wild children" as pretenders to the throne.

Despite all the disagreements between Rhaenyra and Alicent, Alicent and Alysanne, Helaena and Aly's friendship remained strong, they would meet sometimes and fly over Blackwater Bay, or on the beaches of Driftmark, not even Alicent's daughter would leave a stone behind. of the dragon, not even Rhaenyra's daughter went to King's Landing anymore, even though it took her away from her beloved grandfather, King Viserys, when his illness worsened, Alysanne begged her mother to let her visit him, but Rhaenyra went irreducible, forbidding his daughter for fear of the Greens' plots; especially given the king's fragile health, knowing that his daughter would be exposed to a very great risk and without adequate protection, even if she took her most faithful squire and protector.

[darkelfguy]

Morrowind Mod Showcase - Dagoth Ur 2024 (Fleshed Out Dagoth Ur)

At the beating heart of Red Mountain, within the swirling eddies of blight, the final fortress of the Sixth House can be found, the lair of Dagoth Ur, where perils reside and destiny awaits!

Only in the vanilla game, this final boss battle dungeon was a dull, boring, virtually copy&pasted set of empty Dwemer rooms with nary a sign of the Sixth House, a pathetic display for what's supposed to be the culmination of the Morrowind main quest.

But no longer, for today's Mod of the Day transforms the facilities of Dagoth Ur into the epic dungeon-delving finale it always should have been, and today we're showcasing Dagoth Ur Fleshed Out by Orion.

Both expanding and overhauling the dungeons of Dagoth Ur, this Dwemer ruin now looks the part of a major citadel of the Sixth House, with banners of the House Unmourned, countless Sixth House ash statues, and devilish pulsating red lighting to set the mood of creeping horror that pervades in Sixth House locations.

Where once you could waltz in and see Dagoth Ur in just a handful of minutes, you'll now find these facilities are crawling with enemies for you to face, a rolling battle that'll take you from the entrance of this vile lair all the way to the final doors where Dagoth Ur awaits.

While not a massive dungeon overhaul, only modestly expanding the dungeon with plenty of gorgeous atmospheric detailing, there is no question that Dagoth Ur Fleshed Out is by far and away the best Dagoth Ur experience for Morrowind in 2024, and it is absolutely one I recommend!

[thesoftboiledegg]

Starting from the first episode, Rick and Morty's sixth season mirrors, references and counters season three. Season six references other seasons, especially the second, but the writers really want you to focus on season three and how much has changed.

Season three starts with The Rickshank Rickdemption, which I think is the best episode in the series, but it also shows Rick at his worst: a horrifying monster who destroys everything in his path on a rampage that culminates in a full-on mental break as he yells incoherently at a terrified Morty in the garage.

The Rickshank Rickdemption shows Rick's "fake" backstory, features a return to Morty's original dimension and involves the whole family in a zany adventure. Unfortunately, this also kickstarts Rick's spiral into nearly irredeemable madness.

Solaricks goes to similar places: Rick's backstory, Morty's original dimension, the family's complicated dynamic. By now, season five has revealed that Rick's "fake" backstory wasn't fake after all. Instead of mocking the audience with a "Fuck you, you can't have what you want!" sneer, the episode shows us Rick's quiet sadness.

Meanwhile, Morty ends up in his original dimension yet again. But he doesn't find the goofy Mad Max-esque characters from season three. His father, who's become a more realistic deception of an apocalypse survivor, tears into him and tells him--and the audience--that he, Beth and Summer were real people, not plot devices.

The episode abandons the cold and mocking earlier version of the Cronenberg Smiths. Jerry abandons Morty, too, leaving Morty to wander away crying. No brutal destruction and bloody corpses on the citadel. Just a sad, lonely teenager in an empty landscape.

Rick comes back for him without claiming that he doesn't care about Morty. He doesn't yell at him, insult him, subject him to horrifying violence or bait him into trying to kill him. Morty's not angry at him, either. After everything that's happened, after all the fucked-up shit that Rick's pulled, after all the screaming and fighting and abuse, Morty runs to him with a smile on his face and his arms outstretched like a young child.

Nothing could make Rick abandon his revenge-fueled atrocities in The Rickshank Rickdemption. In Solaricks, he abandons his chance to kill Prime when Morty calls him "Grandpa."

Likewise, Final DeSmithation is the second Rick and Jerry episode that we've been hoping for since The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy. The first episode battered viewers with Rick and Jerry's hatred for each other. Rick unleashes rage-fueled tirades while Jerry focuses on his desire to get back at Rick, to hurt him and even kill him.

In Final DeSmithation, Rick isn't the one terrorizing Jerry. In fact, he actually gets annoyed at the Smiths for making fun of him (while doing household chores, which is another first for Rick.)

He has no reason to help Jerry. If anything, he has a chance to endlessly mock him. But he gives Jerry a half-assed explanation that he "just didn't want to see someone get bullied into going to a zoo," which would still be nice if it were true. Rick doesn't even bother making up a mean one, such as "I'm only doing this so that my daughter doesn't kick me out of the house for not saving your stupid ass."

Final DeSmithation also had a fandom staple: Rick in a suit and tie. The series full of fakeouts suddenly pivoted to giving fans what they want.

Rick's mean to Jerry throughout the episode, but you can tell that he's getting tired of the act. He's a little more patient, and his remarks are less incisive. At the end, Rick tries to take it back by slapping Jerry, but the episode doesn't end there. He immediately looks guilty and accepts Jerry's offer of friendship afterward.

I also loved when Rick said that he's "dead center on the alignment chart." Earlier seasons, including season three, glorified the idea of Rick being close to evil.

Analyze Piss is the most direct callback: a sequel to Pickle Rick. However, Rick's not concocting ridiculous plots to get out of therapy. He willingly attends therapy. He paces around and fights against it, but ultimately, he seeks help.

He respects Dr. Wong, who knows how to talk to him on his level. He puts her ideas into practice even when the family pushes back because Rick's not doing what they want him to do. Rick still struggles and falls apart, but he tried this time.

He has chances to manipulate the Smiths, but he doesn't take them. Instead, he looks at them sadly. His ego is slowly eroding.

Finally, Ricktional Mortpoon's Rickmas Mortcation mirrors The Rickchurian Mortydate. Both episodes are season finales, and both involve Rick and the President bickering with Morty caught in the middle and getting increasingly sick of Rick's bullshit.

Still, this episode is a little nicer. Rick relapses, but he doesn't entirely backslide and turn into the murderous lunatic that he was in The Rickchurian Mortydate. He's just crabby.

The episode ends with an exciting cliffhanger instead of a dark moment when the Smiths (rightfully) get tired of Rick's bullshit. Rick even says in his usual crazy rant that he'll try to be healthier in season seven as he hunts Prime Rick.

We finally get a fakeout, but this one is gentler than the others. It's disappointing that Rickbot wasn't the real Rick, but the writers don't want us to leave thinking that Rickbot existed only to fool us. Rickbot tells Morty that Rick technically committed those kind, loving acts. It's a surprise twist that doesn't negate the entire season.

Season six countered infamous scenes from other seasons, but the season three parallels stood out to me because they contrast Rick at his worst with Rick at (maybe) his best. He can't change the past, but when he ends up in the same situation again, he can make different choices.

[astarab1aze]

Nations & Their Cities (3)

Manj Figi - west of askarra, south of myrrdin, east of nuradan, north of the tenibressa

Capital: Sunja

Cities: Apenina, Triste, Neppali, Verona, Venita, Levin, Epaulette, Deville, Orlea, Élisabette, Empuso, Merveilleux, L'hsare

Sights: Villa Pterydon (folk hero's historic home), Pommelette (tavern), Garden of Eyes, Terrasse du Destin (terraces around Sunja), Chateau Cielle (quarters for royal guests), the Summer Palace (twin to Miraglas' Winter Palace), the Aurélie (bordel), Nuit Sacrée (Sanguinarian church), the Novella (library & publishing house), Emírí Sal Dans (dance theater), Kay Lou (packhouse), Oseyan Pointe (lighthouse), Bête Silva (beast's forest), Rovinare Fosse (where they threw plague-ridden bodies), Mandira Mangeur (face-eater temple)

Kavasta - directly north of myrrdin, chimeria to the east, strigane southwest, viostra northwest, with miraglas to the north)

Capital: Kavastok

Cities: Nishka, Sacha, Vigga, Bushka, Karstag, Savarog, Tosk, Novgorod, Derben, Norlisk, Ivana, Penstka, Sever, Kisarov, Korda

Sights: Dragon's Spine Mountains (runs the length of Kavasta), Hinge of the Dragon's Maw (part of the dragon's spine cutting through Viostra into Miraglas), Daggerwoods (pine forest), Tsatsi Pass (a series of narrow mountain passages), Bushki's Grave (folk hero's tomb ( and his lixni)), Fishmonger's Port (big big fishing town attached to Kavastok), Hargraven's Hunt (sanctified hunting grounds in Nishka Valley), Drakgora Highway (connects Kavastok with Nishka), Drakgoran Aqueducts (cut through the mountains near Kavastok), Tsaristasia (tomb for all their royalty), Zelen Dom (healing house), Dolina Palace (royal palace hidden in the mountains near Kavastok)

Kírât - hidden oasis in the dustveil, north of the diremark, northeast of vago & chimeria, south of the dife frèt

Districts: Vapari (mercantile), Kisana (field & farm), Basahi (royal), Sarya (tavern & inn), Yodai (guard/soldier), Nirmani (industry), Kali (arts & theater), Lapriya (arbory & temple)

Walls: Oasi Gate (outermost wall, around Kisana), Ganizon Gate (second & third walls between Yodai & Kisana, garrison), The Funnelweb (spiraling half-walls between Nirmani & Vapari), Lespri Gate (sixth wall & seventh walls, between Sarya & Kali), Dènye (eigth & ninth final walls sequestering & cutting between Basahi & Lapriya) 

Sights: Dragon's Breath Fields, Reformation of Goldleaf & Petta (temple to ancient Sunjatti lovers, followers of the Sightless Eye), Khuthd's Rest (tavern named for the dragon, run by Fuad), Dynna's Bakery, Dhulo Parda Kavo (catacombs beneath the citadel), Pujari Roz (temple gardens), Samjvadi Ductway (aqueducts through every district that once extended beyond Oasi Wall), Undercity Gaol, Aha Kusah (sewers & plumbing throughout the city), Farfade Arenyen (elven inn), Widowspun Center (street market in Vapari), Utsava Square, Cara Devata (temple of the four (shifter) gods), Mhavvair Asshara (temple to the elfhen father god), Nyikaam Arena, Shukaar Vole (bordel), Dasan Monument (statue dedicated to slaves of the 2nd era)

[silversiren1101]

I love the current state of the Hellknight Orders because they are all just one bad Council of Lictors meeting from tearing each other’s throats out. Yeah they’re all technically Hellknights but some of the Orders have such adversarial goals that it’s only a matter of time before they just start eating each other like feral beasts.

The Pyre is dedicated to exterminating harmful cults and working against the aims of demon lords and religions that are a threat of ‘orderly society’ but their Lictor is a staunch atheist that believes ALL religions need to be eliminated because fervent belief in individual gods breeds chaotic tribalism, even that of lawful gods!

The Godclaw is the Crusader arm of the Hellknights but is all about the Godclaw pantheon and advancing lawfulness under the united front of those gods but UH OH the current Lictor thinks there’s a sixth god that should be added and it’s fucking ZON-KUTHON?! He hasn’t told anyone yet and just has this secret shrine to Zonny boy in his Citadel and privately worships him in his “six pronged claw” and it’s a huge secret but MAN wait when that shit drops?!

The Pyre and Godclaw are going to take everyone else out in their war, but that’s not even getting into the beef the other Orders will find with each other?! 

The Scourge is actively investigating House Thrune and is firm about its independence from Thrune and Egorian’s dottari... and then you get The Rack which are basically Thrune lapdogs that happily round up all the old history books with “wrong” history and dissenters and purge them on behalf of the Infernal Majestrix. Abrogail II literally has a hit out on the Scourge with the Red Mantis Assassins (holy shit) which Jakalyn publicly announced and so THE SCOURGE KNOWS?! Like they KNOW House Thrune has a hit on their knights in Egorian!

When is THIS shit going to go down?! It’s pretty much the Rack’s fault why Hellknights have such a bad reputation as being Thrune lackeys because they love to lick those dottari and Thrune boots! Meanwhile the Scourge is being hunted down in Egorian’s streets by former Gray Maidens (lmao!) for daring to investigate the crimes of Egorian’s elite and House Thrune!

What will the Nail do? They’re the largest of the orders and there’s so much disagreement in their own ranks on what they believe is savagery and what really needs their attention! Maybe we should stop brutally colonizing the Shoanti? There’s like, actual banditry out there and actual monsters to slay? Maybe their Lictor can have his wasting curse mysteriously fully progress and their lawful good centaur Master of Blades can become Lictor instead, yeah?

Meanwhile the Chain just got the biggest PR boost from Cheliax rolling out their “I can’t believe it’s not slavery!” in the Firebrands book but are they even going to agree that this new infernal-backed indentured servitude is lawful? They care more about real criminals than runaways (and more often than not imprisoned abusive ‘Masters’ for breaking their side of the ‘contract’ too). I guess it’ll come down to how profitable it is, huh Lictor Adom? His pockets need to be frisked. He needs a full audit.

Anyway I think they should fight. I think it’d be really fun to see what comes out of it. I think it’d be awesome if the Rack just stop existing because they are undoubtedly the worst.

[severalowls]

Finally finished the Morrowind main quest after 20 years on and off and always skipping ahead to tribunal/bloodmoon as a kid... Using some enhancement and rebalance mods made the fight up the mountain feel pretty great and atmospheric - MUSE Sixth House Music and Heartthrum especially for audio, the latter makes the heart of lorkhan beat (like drums) louder and louder as you approach the peak and chamber. Its faintly audible in Ald'ruhn and practically deafening in the chamber itself. The modder who came up w that has a gigantic brain.

A couple of mods made the (first) fight with Dagoth Ur genuinely very fun and challenging and I had to retreat to go and find + enchant a second spear with debuffs to even stand a chance and was leaping back and forth across the room jousting the bastard, I like to imagine pole vaulting back and forth alternating Weakening and Damaging spears.

The ending itself is charmingly underwhelming and I suspect it hasn't had the same gorgeous graphical and script-heavy overhauls as the earlier game dungeons because people aren't as likely to get this far regularly, but the citadels of the sixth house being a couple of dinky unadorned dwemer ruins was very funny when earlier places were hand crafted masterpieces, and even most standard dwemer ruins have been overhauled to a modern standard. Then Azura gives you a little speech, turns your gamma settings up by 10% and sends you on your way.

[aurora-light-blog]

Yi Ti alliance with Valyria

          by Shella Longclaw

 “As Emperor Chai Duq married a Valyrian noblewoman with a dragon, his granddaughter Princess Priti Chai married a Valyrian nobleman without a dragon.”

Valyria made two alliances forged in marriage. One was with the Kingdom of Sarnor, and the other was with Yi Ti. I should say more precisely that Valyria made several little marriage alliances with Sarnor. Since the Kingdom of Sarnor was composed of city-states, Valyria gave low-ranking daughters to the various kings. Yi Ti was a united kingdom under one emperor, so the yellow emperor Chai Zhu had the power to negotiate for a dragonlord’s daughter. Valyria needed the aid of Yi Tish navy for the third and fourth Ghiscari wars, so the bargain was stroke.

This marriage was the first of its kind. Never before had a dragonlord or dragonlady been wedded to someone who wasn’t Valyrian. It had been rumored that most Valyrian didn’t believe the union between Prince Chai Duq and Lady Valaena Belaerys would spire any dragonriders offspring. They were wrong. All three royal children were dragonriders. Nearly all of Dragon Emperor Chai Zi’s children were dragonriders as well. While he wanted a stronger alliance with Valyria, rich House Savyon desired to gain dragons. According to Princess Priti Chai’s letters, Valyrian houses without dragons commonly gave their daughters to dragonlords. Rarely, a dragonlord would give their daughters to such a low-ranking house.

House Savyon gained their dragons, but sadly, Yi Ti never gained a strong alliance with Valyria. The two kingdoms supposedly continued to be on good terms with each other after the alliance ended. It was similar with the Kingdom of Sarnor. Once the war ended, all ties except for trade were broken between the kingdoms. Regardless, of no more marriages into Valyria, Yi Ti maintained their dragons for about two thousand years.

A novice maester had inquired of an archmaester about the reason for Valyria never conquering Yi Ti. The archmaester gave the explanation of the far distance between the two kingdoms and the issue of extending the freehold too big, which I agree with. Though I like to believe that most Valyrians wanted to keep their word of being allies and not enemies of both Yi Ti and Sarnor. Many Yi Tish priests believe otherwise. They say the Valyrian feared the strong Blood of the Dragons in Yi Ti and wouldn’t risk losing all their dragons to the golden kingdom. We may not know the precise reason for Valyria not trying to conquer Yi TI. It is known that Yi Ti almost attacked Valyria.

The sixth yellow emperor was reportedly so livid with Valyria over their slavery practice and the death of his sister that he craved war. Only the entire royal court was able to prevent it and keep the peace. Though official reports stated that both sides were on good terms, actual records show that both kingdoms looked down on each other. It’s surprising during the indigo emperor dynasty that Valyria tolerated Yi Tish pirates attacking their ships and didn’t confront the indigo emperors about it. Yi Tish scholars think that the official decree of the pirates not being supported by the empire was the reason. Because of the Doom of Valyria, little is known about this once great kingdom.

Thankfully, Yi Ti does provide more information about this kingdom. I will soon be writing up my translations of old scrolls and books into the Common Tongue. It is my hope that the Citadel will allow my writing to be shared, so with more people involved that we might gain greater understanding.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

4th October >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Saint Francis of Assisi 

on

Wednesday, Twenty Sixth Week in Ordinary Time.

Wednesday, Twenty Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the feria (Wednesday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Wednesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Nehemiah 2:1-8 'Give me leave to go to the city of my ancestors and rebuild it'.

In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, the wine being my concern, I took up the wine and offered it to the king. Now I had never been downcast before. So the king said, ‘Why is your face so sad? You are not sick, surely? This must be a sadness of the heart.’ A great fear came over me and I said to the king, ‘May the king live for ever! How could my face be other than sad when the city where the tombs of my ancestors are lies in ruins, and its gates have been burnt down?’ ‘What’ the king asked ‘is your request?’ I called on the God of heaven and made this reply to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, and if you are satisfied with your servant, give me leave to go to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ tombs, and rebuild it.’ The king, with the queen sitting there beside him, said, ‘How long will your journey take, and when will you return?’ So I named a date that seemed acceptable to the king and he gave me leave to go. I spoke to the king once more, ‘If it please the king, could letters be given me for the governors of Transeuphrates to allow me to pass through to Judah? And also a letter for Asaph, keeper of the king’s park, to supply me with timber for the gates of the citadel of the Temple, for the city walls and for the house I am to occupy?’ This the king granted me, for the kindly favour of my God was with me.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 136(137):1-6

R/ O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

By the rivers of Babylon there we sat and wept, remembering Zion; on the poplars that grew there we hung up our harps.

R/ O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

For it was there that they asked us, our captors, for songs, our oppressors, for joy. ‘Sing to us,’ they said, ‘one of Zion’s songs.’

R/ O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

O how could we sing the song of the Lord on alien soil? If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand wither!

R/ O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not, if I prize not Jerusalem above all my joys!

R/ O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 118:105

Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is a lamp for my steps and a light for my path. Alleluia!

Or: Philippians 3:8-9

Alleluia, alleluia! I have accepted the loss of everything and I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ and be given a place in him. Alleluia!

Gospel Luke 9:57-62 'I will follow you wherever you go'.

As Jesus and his disciples travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus answered, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’

Another to whom he said, ‘Follow me’, replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first.’ But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

--------------------------------

Saint Francis of Assisi 

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Wednesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Galatians 6:14-18 The marks on my body are those of Jesus.

The only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. It does not matter if a person is circumcised or not; what matters is for him to become an altogether new creature. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, who form the Israel of God.

I want no more trouble from anybody after this; the marks on my body are those of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my brothers. Amen.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-8,11

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.’ O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness for ever.

R/ You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 11:25

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 My yoke is easy and my burden light.

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[lordgodjehovahsway]

1 Kings 16: God Gives Jehu A Message To Deliver To Baasha About His Evil Ways

1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu son of Hanani concerning Baasha: 

2 “I lifted you up from the dust and appointed you ruler over my people Israel, but you followed the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to arouse my anger by their sins. 

3 So I am about to wipe out Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat. 

4 Dogs will eat those belonging to Baasha who die in the city, and birds will feed on those who die in the country.”

5 As for the other events of Baasha’s reign, what he did and his achievements, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? 

6 Baasha rested with his ancestors and was buried in Tirzah. And Elah his son succeeded him as king.

7 Moreover, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani to Baasha and his house, because of all the evil he had done in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger by the things he did, becoming like the house of Jeroboam—and also because he destroyed it.

Elah King of Israel

8 In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.

9 Zimri, one of his officials, who had command of half his chariots, plotted against him. Elah was in Tirzah at the time, getting drunk in the home of Arza, the palace administrator at Tirzah. 

10 Zimri came in, struck him down and killed him in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah. Then he succeeded him as king.

11 As soon as he began to reign and was seated on the throne, he killed off Baasha’s whole family. He did not spare a single male, whether relative or friend. 

12 So Zimri destroyed the whole family of Baasha, in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken against Baasha through the prophet Jehu— 

13 because of all the sins Baasha and his son Elah had committed and had caused Israel to commit, so that they aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, by their worthless idols.

14 As for the other events of Elah’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?

Zimri King of Israel

15 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned in Tirzah seven days. The army was encamped near Gibbethon, a Philistine town. 

16 When the Israelites in the camp heard that Zimri had plotted against the king and murdered him, they proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that very day there in the camp. 

17 Then Omri and all the Israelites with him withdrew from Gibbethon and laid siege to Tirzah. 

18 When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and set the palace on fire around him. So he died, 

19 because of the sins he had committed, doing evil in the eyes of the Lord and following the ways of Jeroboam and committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.

20 As for the other events of Zimri’s reign, and the rebellion he carried out, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?

Omri King of Israel

21 Then the people of Israel were split into two factions; half supported Tibni son of Ginath for king, and the other half supported Omri. 

22 But Omri’s followers proved stronger than those of Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri became king.

23 In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned twelve years, six of them in Tirzah. 

24 He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city on the hill, calling it Samaria, after Shemer, the name of the former owner of the hill.

25 But Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him. 

26 He followed completely the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit, so that they aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, by their worthless idols.

27 As for the other events of Omri’s reign, what he did and the things he achieved, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? 

28 Omri rested with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria. And Ahab his son succeeded him as king.

Ahab Becomes King of Israel

29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. 

30 Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. 

31 He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. 

32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. 

33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.

34 In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken by Joshua son of Nun.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 2.17 (before 1950)

1370 – Northern Crusades: Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Teutonic Knights meet in the Battle of Rudau. 1411 – Following the successful campaigns during the Ottoman Interregnum, Musa Çelebi, one of the sons of Bayezid I, becomes Sultan of the Ottoman Empire with the support of Mircea I of Wallachia. 1500 – Duke Friedrich and Duke Johann attempt to subdue the peasantry of Dithmarschen, Denmark, in the Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 – On his way to be burned at the stake for heresy, at Campo de' Fiori in Rome, the philosopher Giordano Bruno has a wooden vise put on his tongue to prevent him continuing to speak. 1616 – Nurhaci proclaims himself Khan of the Later Jin, precursor to the Qing Dynasty. 1621 – Myles Standish is appointed as first military commander of the English Plymouth Colony in North America. 1674 – An earthquake strikes the Indonesian island of Ambon. It triggers a 100 m (330 ft) megatsunami which drowns over 2,300 people. 1676 – Sixteen men of Pascual de Iriate's expedition are lost at Evangelistas Islets at the western end of the Strait of Magellan. 1739 – The Battle of Vasai commences as the Marathas move to invade Portuguese-occupied territory. 1753 – In Sweden February 17 is followed by March 1 as the country moves from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. 1801 – United States presidential election: A tie in the Electoral College between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr is resolved when Jefferson is elected President of the United States and Burr Vice President by the United States House of Representatives. 1814 – War of the Sixth Coalition: The Battle of Mormant. 1819 – The United States House of Representatives passes the Missouri Compromise for the first time. 1838 – Weenen massacre: Hundreds of Voortrekkers along the Blaukraans River, Natal are killed by Zulus. 1854 – The United Kingdom recognizes the independence of the Orange Free State. 1859 – Cochinchina Campaign: The French Navy captures the Citadel of Saigon, a fortress manned by 1,000 Nguyễn dynasty soldiers, en route to conquering Saigon and other regions of southern Viet Nam. 1863 – A group of citizens of Geneva found an International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, which later became known as the International Committee of the Red Cross. 1864 – American Civil War: The H. L. Hunley becomes the first submarine to engage and sink a warship, the USS Housatonic. 1865 – American Civil War: Columbia, South Carolina, is burned as Confederate forces flee from advancing Union forces. 1905 – Russian Revolution of 1905: Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia is assassinated in the Moscow Kremlin by Socialist Revolutionary Ivan Kalyayev. 1913 – The Armory Show opens in New York City, displaying works of artists who are to become some of the most influential painters of the early 20th century. 1919 – The Ukrainian People's Republic asks the Entente and the United States for help fighting the Bolsheviks. 1944 – World War II: The Battle of Eniwetok begins. The battle ends in an American victory on February 22. 1944 – World War II: Operation Hailstone begins: U.S. naval air, surface, and submarine attack against Truk Lagoon, Japan's main base in the central Pacific, in support of the Eniwetok invasion. 1948 – The Alwaziri coup briefly ousts the ruling Hamidaddin dynasty of Yemen; Imam Yahya Muhammad Hamid ed-Din is killed. 1949 – Chaim Weizmann begins his term as the first President of Israel.

[nerevar-quote-and-star]

The Nerevarine, looking at Dagoth Ur: Obviously I can't fix it.

The Nerevarine: But I can screw him. Maybe that will calm him down.

[catolinewsdailyreadings]

Wednesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Reading 1

NEH 2:1-8

In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when the wine was in my charge, I took some and offered it to the king. As I had never before been sad in his presence, the king asked me, “Why do you look sad? If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart.” Though I was seized with great fear, I answered the king: “May the king live forever! How could I not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been eaten out by fire?” The king asked me, “What is it, then, that you wish?” I prayed to the God of heaven and then answered the king: “If it please the king, and if your servant is deserving of your favor, send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, to rebuild it.” Then the king, and the queen seated beside him, asked me how long my journey would take and when I would return. I set a date that was acceptable to him, and the king agreed that I might go.

I asked the king further: “If it please the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of West-of-Euphrates, that they may afford me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah; also a letter for Asaph, the keeper of the royal park, that he may give me wood for timbering the gates of the temple-citadel and for the city wall and the house that I shall occupy.” The king granted my requests, for the favoring hand of my God was upon me.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

R./ Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!

By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. On the aspens of that land we hung up our harps. R./ Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you! Though there our captors asked of us the lyrics of our songs, And our despoilers urged us to be joyous: “Sing for us the songs of Zion!” R./ Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you! How could we sing a song of the LORD in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand be forgotten! R./ Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you! May my tongue cleave to my palate if I remember you not, If I place not Jerusalem ahead of my joy. R./ Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!

Gospel

MT 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

[thegenealogy]

1 Chronicles 25: 8-31. "Shubael: When It's Time to Turn Things Around."

9 The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph,his sons and relatives.

Asaph=To gather the people

Joseph=may he add many bricks to the Numbers.

The second to Gedaliah,him and his relatives and sons.

Gedaliah= And become grown up, become great.

גדל

The verb גדל (gadel) means to become strong or great, particularly by combining many ordinary elements into a big strong strand or collection of some sort.

The noun מגדל (migdal) or מגדול (migdol) literally describes a place or agent for greatness. It's the word for tower, and a tower is not only a big strong thing consisting of many bricks, it also formed the center of a community around which all houses and all activity unfolded. From their tower people kept lookout over the community's territories, and launched offensives when the community was attacked. A tower could carry a fire and from it folks trumpeted signals. Towers drew its people from wherever they might roam. Over time they developed into central storage houses, banks and seats of government. Towers are buildings around which the greatness of a people forms and in which it becomes manifested.

Participle or adjective גדל (gadel) means a becoming great or growing up. 

10 the third to Zakkur, his sons and relatives.

Zakkur=Remeber the Instructions.

11 the fourth to Izri,[d]his sons and relatives.

Incline towards the right words. [right speech, which is often saying nothing at al].

12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and relatives.

And bestowing the powers of the Energies on the situation.

13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and relatives.

This empties the bottles and fills the bottles.

14 the seventh to Jesarelah,[e]his sons and relatives.

by assigning the right and level musical duties to the bottles.

15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and relatives.

God exists.

16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and relatives.

He is the source of all talent that is innate and graduates outward into the world causing situations to become dyanmic, to change.

17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and relatives.

There must be words the people will obey. That which is caused to be heard.

18 the eleventh to Azarel,[f] [Ezra] his sons and relatives.

Those that point to Yah.

19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and relatives.

That pinpoint His Thoughts.

20 the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons and relatives.

Especially those that highlight a return to sanity after a state of disorder. The ones inside that tell us it's time to turn things around.

21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah, his sons and relatives.

The gifts that transform what is visible to the senses.

22 the fifteenth to Jerimoth, his sons and relatives.

Without flattering the ego.

23 the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and relatives.

Using grace gratis instead.

24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and relatives.

Hammer on the truth.

25 the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and relatives.

God has freely chosen to grace this place.

26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and relatives.

His heart has overflowed, His words have emphasized the stages, from their natural origin until they overflow into outside facilities.

27 the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and relatives.

This brings God near, closes the relationship.

28 the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and relatives.

It makes a dividend, leaves something worthwhile after the carnage.

29 the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and relatives.

What is left is excellent and is to be collected and spun together.

30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and relatives.

Look forward and make an instrument; be in front of history.

31 the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and relatives.

Exceed Citadels that fell to poltiical rot in every way.

These are the ways all the residual blessings of heaven, the earth and the subtle planes in between are spun together again after life has been sacked by man. Every step forward leaves one behind, till there are as the Tanakh says, "many bricks" in the road. The first is the realization it is time to sacrifice.

In other words, get the fuckers.

[formlesschromatic]

"You say it so casually," Panoramia says. "I'm familiar with slitting throats like you are with helping plants grow. In almost every situation, it's the best way I can contribute." "Do you ever wish-" Panoramia cuts herself off. But it's a fair question. "I wasn't born a Dame. If I didn't have magic, I'd be in a thatch hut on a tiny farm, probably on my fifth or sixth child right now, unless a plague or a famine or some roaming terror from Sylvania had carried me off." That's the easy part of the question, but it's not what she was asking. What if you weren't of the Grey? "I love Ulgu, but I probably would have loved any other Wind if I'd ended up elsewhere. The duties of the Grey Order are possibly the heaviest - except maybe Shyish." A nod of accord from all. Nobody envied the Amethyst Order. "I'd probably be happy amongst the Gold," you say, nodding at Maximilian. "Just before my Magister examination, I realized I could be happy if all I focused on was learning all I could - as long as I had someone else write my papers for me." You nod to Esbern and Seija. "And the Amber... I've spent a lot of days on the back of my Shadowhorse, and I've found the wild can be addictive. If I had thinking company instead of magic in the shape of a horse, I might want to spend my entire life there." Finally, to Panoramia again. "As for Jade... I visited your College, once. It was beautiful. It would be nice if the products of my work was the same." You pause as your mind flits through the other options. Bright Order Mathilde? Likely even more at home on a battlefield than you are already. Celestial and Light Order, though... no thanks. But you know better not to say those parts out loud. "But look." You wave a hand at bulk of Karag Nar, stretching high above you. "Karag Nar. In the past thousand years, the only humans to ever know that name would have been a handful of Dwarven history obsessives at the University of Altdorf. Now it's looking like humans are going to be living in it. Karak Eight Peaks won't be a historical footnote, it will be a home for Dwarves and for Halflings and for men. The throats I slit yesterday were ugly, but the better tomorrow they've bought is beautiful." Your mind goes back seven years, to the first time your actions had resulted in blood. "We deal death to the corrupt to prevent the suffering of the innocent."

seeing characters justify being who they are is always a fun way peek into them

Three thousand years ago the ancestors of the Empire had barely migrated, but every wrong done to Karak Eight Peaks had been recorded in exhausting detail, as demonstrated by the series of mighty tomes hauled over by the Dwarven attendants. The most venerable of the Longbeards begins to leaf through at the High King's instruction, who then turns his attention to King Belegar. "If you can keep the fight going until a Throng gets there, we may be able to double the harvest of avenged Grudges. How long can your foothold last?" "How long can yours?" King Belegar responds, and you fight to keep your expression neutral. The moment stretches as the two stare obstinately at each other. "The East Gate is taken and fortified. Karag Nar is completely cleared, Karag Lhune has only a colony of spiders that are deciding whether to starve or be shot until it is the same, and both are fortified against any intruders from below. The Citadel is taken, and the caldera has been burned clear and by the time I return there will be enough artillery mounted that anything foolish enough to show itself will die. Kvinn-Wyr is infested by feral trolls, as much an obstacle to our enemies as it is to us, and that flank too is being fortified. Karak Azul's Throng has reached us and King Kazador has sworn to me that each one will die before he lets his people be cut off again. Karak Norn is selling us war machines on credit. Karak Izor sent colonizers three months ago. Barak Varr is already counting their profits. There are manlings building houses. There are Halflings building houses. As far as I can see, Karak Eight Peaks has a brighter future than any Hold east of Black Fire Pass." He points at the Book, which stopped having its pages flipped as the Elder turned to watch. "That Karak is three thousand years dead. If the one that exists today holds no interest to you, I have no business here."

so glad that a civil war never happened, and that the tensions were eventually defused. a small part of me did kinda want to watch one happen tho, it would be pretty dang dramatic

okay starting another Divided loyalties readthrough. going to post stray thoughts and comments here reacting to it.

Better clean the… whatever that was… off you, because it's time for the ceremony. Thankfully your normal grey robes count as formal dress, because otherwise you wouldn't have a thing to wear.

there are many benefits to being a wizard

[themotherofhorses]

- last of her house no more: I

Series Summary: She was born to Daenerys Stormborn and Khal Drogo on the Dothraki Sea, the youngest of their dragon brood. Known as the Seven Kingdom’s Delight, she trains with swords and arakhs, studies philosophy and history, and takes immense pride in the woman she is becoming. But her life is forever changed when she comes face-to-face with her long-deceased Green ancestors, including the man the maesters refer to as the one-eyed kinslayer. Now, this princess faces a future not even her mother could foresee in her dreams

pairing: aemond targaryen x targaryen!reader

warnings: none.

main masterlist | series masterlist | series playlist

Chapter One:

Targaryens

It was nearing the early afternoon sun when the young princess parted Winterfell for King's Landing.

Waving goodbye to the Starks, she held tightly to Drogon's scales as he took to the sky, massive wings stirring up the surrounding snow and dirt of the land. Throwing one final look over her shoulder, she spied a look of awe on Arya's face and smiled. She greatly enjoyed the second youngest Stark's company and would be counting down the days until their next gathering.

It would be some time before she arrived home. Dragons were faster than horses and ships, but still, a great deal of the day would be stolen during the journey. Drogon was a fast flyer and smooth like the summer winds. He also despised the cold and would be sure to put enough distance between them and the North as quickly as possible. From that hour onward, she allowed herself to get comfortable, stretching her arms and legs and laying her head down close to him. It was her favorite thing to do while on dragon-back. This way, she could hear her eldest brother's heavy breaths as he glided across snow-capped mountains, farms, and riverlands, and then the bluest waters.

Small fish, of hundreds of colors, leaped out, maybe to greet them, and a few fishermen paused to watch them sail overhead.

These were the reasons why she enjoyed flying, this young Targaryen princess.

It was exhilarating and peaceful, unlike no other thing in the world. The old maesters in the Citadel would never be able to truly record it in their scrolls. Her mother was the first dragon rider in over a century, and she became the second on her sixth name day, when Drogon grew large enough to be ridden and allowed her to climb on his back. As a gift, he took her to see the nearby lands, where great elk and bears and direwolves, as well as other creatures, wandered in the woodlands. When they returned, Ser Jorah said she reminded him of Rhaenys Targaryen, the sister-wife of Aegon the Conqueror, and how she rode her she-dragon Meraxes. But her ancestors used saddles and ropes and horns for holding onto, and the princess had no such thing.

Her mother would not allow it. Zaldrizes buzdari iksos daor, Daenerys Stormborn would remind her every time they mounted the dragons. A dragon is not a slave.

"Drogon, do you feel different?"

She had suddenly felt a tug in her chest, not but a second before. It was strong, with some pain. It lengthened over her ribs and up to her heart, almost choking out a breath within her throat. Drogon chirped but made no other noise. The tug felt weird. As if it was trying to tell her something. But as soon as it arrived, it left her body, and she was left feeling fine but confused. "Something felt wrong, but only for a second. Maybe it is the cold? We are not used to it, after all," she decided.

But it was no longer cold around them. The snow clouds fell apart for blue skies long ago, and the sun god followed the two closely. She rested her head against his blackened frame and closed her eyes. She thought about the previous conversation she had with Sansa and Arya Stark.

Would you ever take a husband? They asked her over hot tea and baked delights. There are plenty fine Northern men; perhaps a marriage between one and our Targaryen princess would strengthen our alliance. Sansa leant closer, and said, After all, the North remembers, with a wink.

The sun god was closer to the land, and farther from his woman wife the moon goddess, when King's Landing appeared below them. The smallfolk were bustling in the streets as the two broke from the clouds and flew overhead. Some stopped to watch, craning their heads to catch the slightest glimpse of their Delight, while others cried out, tossing their hands up towards her. A few laughing children raced after the dragon's shadow, trying to touch it.

Adjacent to the Red Keep was the private courtyard, large enough to fit three dragons. It had been around since the years of King Viserys I's reign, almost two centuries before the princess's birth, and was used for their own dragons. Several nearby kingsguards stepped back as Drogon landed on the cliff overlooking the yard. Ever the largest of the dragon brood, Drogon favored making an entrance wherever he went. He screamed a piercing screech that rattled the close walls and chariots and left some of the knights clutching their ears before descending downwards. The princess held on tightly, jerking forward to meet his movements. Off in the distance, two similar roars rang. Rhaegal and Viserion. And to the side, Ser Jorah and Ser Barristan stood watching them, and to her front, her queen mother entered the courtyard with Missandei and Tyrion rearing behind. She failed to take notice of the strangers hanging back towards the Red Keep's doors.  

Drogon touched his shoulder towards the ground, and she slid off with great ease.

"Welcome back, princess. I trust your journey was both safe and pleasant?" Ser Barristan asked.

She smiled as she ran a gentle hand up Drogon's neck to his face, receiving a purr in return. "Peaceful as usual," she said, slipping her gloves off with her teeth. "One day, you ought to join me in the sky. I believe Rhaegal or Viserion wouldn't mind treating you to such magnificence." He laughed, shaking his head, "Thank you, princess, but I am quite content in staying on the ground."

"And you, Ser Jorah?"

Ser Jorah smiled as well, "I leave the sky to you Targaryens."

Both men were uncles to her, having watched her mature from a small babe following her mother's conquest for the Iron Throne to the proclaimed heir of the lands. And she loved them dearly for that, though they never took her invitation to ride. "But I believe your mother is nearing, princess. It seems as though she has come baring us some news."

She turned as Daenerys came upon her, dressed in a long black gown. Their house sigil was embroidered with scarlet stitching on her chest, and her long silver locks were held together with multiple, elaborate braids and a three-headed dragon pin. "Hello, mother!" she called out, moving to greet her with a hug. She smelled of rich spices and the pretty perfumes the merchants sometimes sold by the docks. Despite being gone for no more than two mornings, she missed her. "House Stark sends their regards and best wishes."

"And how is Lady Sansa?" Tyrion asked, coming to stand next to them with Missandei.

"She is well! In fact, she was the one that received me when I arrived, next to Arya. Showed me how her people are faring; I am afraid they are prepping for yet another harsh winter, but that is nothing new for the North. Perhaps we can visit them before the season ends?" She looked at her mom, who smiled and nodded. "That would be wonderful."

"Maybe we should send her next time to broker with the Baratheons and Lannisters?"

She glanced at Missandei, who had said that. "I have just returned home, my dear aunt. Please allow me some time to rest and prepare myself to be fed to the lions."

They shared a laugh, and Tyrion shook his head with the shadow of a grin. "Has anything changed while I was gone? Ser Jorah said you come bearing news?" Her mother seemed hesitant, a worrisome glint in her lilac eyes. And it was then that she noticed the Red Priestess standing only a few feet away. Such was an unusual sight; it made her remember the feeling she felt while returning home. Something has happened, she thought. I fear something is indeed different. "Red Priestess Kinvara," she bowed her head.

"Hello, princess," Kinvara smiled. "It is a lovely sight to see you again. I take it you have been well?"

"Yes, Priestess. The Gods continue to bless me with good health and fortune, and for that, I am thankful."

Beside her, Daenerys shifted and took her daughter's hand in hers. "I am happy you have returned today, daughter, and in good spirits and health as well. Kinvara, in her graciousness, has brought several…guests for us to entertain, my dearest love."

"Guests? Oh, if I had known, I would have been home sooner. My apologies.”

Kinvara angled her body towards the Red Keep's door. “Do not fret, princess. You had no way of knowing. I believe no one did. Consider these guests a gift from the Lord of Light.”

The princess followed her gaze to a family settled at the steps, clustered around each other as if cattle. From the light of the setting sun, she saw that three of them were silver-haired, like her and her mother. The other two wore green and were stiffed in their posture, and had features that marked them not of her noble house.

“I do not understand,” she said, confused, looking at her mother. It made her remember the times Tyrion would join her at the table whilst she studied history. The two quickly discovered they were quite fond of the war between Aegon II Targaryen and his half-sister, Rhaenyra. Many days they sat over scrolls and notes regarding Aegon the Usurper, his sister and queen consort Helaena and their mother, Alicent Hightower. And of their damned brother Aemond One-Eye, the Kinslayer. Long deceased before this time.

She did not understand.

Standing before her were her ancestors, the ones belonging to the days of the Dance of the Dragons.

notes: everyone say thank you to my dear sweet lovebug @dothrckis, who is helping me with this series and is quite literally the backbone.

tag list: @dothrckis @dudfahsn @xcharlottemikaelsonx @animusxy @nsainmoonchild @rosaryos @xceafh @winxschester @trshngyn @aemcndtargaryen @hightidelowmood @theroyaldixon @hotleaf-juice @sustisama @filmelunar @brezzybfan @khaleesihavilliard @averagethottie @babyblue-chaos @nomugglesallowed @letsloveimagines @queenofterrasen418 @persephonesportal

(if you would like to be added or removed from the tag list, please let me know. if ur name is crossed out, i was unable to find you to tag! message me so we can fix it :)) reblogs and comments are greatly appreciated <3)