leave."
"What?" Jon said in disbelief.
"That is out of the question." Serana spoke up.
"Please, my lady," Gilly said in desperation. "I can still run if I have to."
"We are going to be heading farther north, where danger is more likely to strike. A pregnant girl is a liability we cannot afford," Serana explained.
"I'm going to have a baby and if it's a boy..." Gilly started, but she suddenly stopped and looked like she had said too much.
"... Go on." Serana prompted in curiosity. Gilly however, remained silent.
"You want us to risk our lives for you, and you won't even tell us why?" Jon asked.
A hurt look appeared on Gilly's face before she turned and hurried away.
"You two didn't have to be so cruel," Sam insisted. "We could take her with us. Grandmaster Isran doesn't like Craster, so he wouldn't object."
"It's as Serana said, Sam. We can't bring a pregnant girl with us. Even if we did, who's going to deliver a baby? You?"
"The Dawnguard healer, Florentius, could. He knows a lot about medicine and such," Sam insisted. "Granted, he's a little... odd. But he knows his craft."
"I'm sorry, Sam. We can't help her," Jon said.
Sam stared at him for a moment before slowly turning away. Jon watched him go with a sigh.
"I'm tempted to allow her to come with us," Serana suddenly remarked. Jon stared up at her in shock and confusion. "You can't deny your curiosity, Jon. You want to know what Craster does with the boys as much as I do."
"That doesn't change anything," Jon replied. "It's like you said, we can't afford to take her with us."
"Hmm," Serana mused before turning back towards Jon with a smirk. "So, getting back to our earlier discussion..."
"There is nothing to discuss!" Jon said in anger. "If you excuse me, I'm going to go see if Isran needs me to do anything."
Jon turned and stormed off. He barely made a few feet before Serana called out to him.
"You're so much fun to tease, Jon Snow."
Qarth
Daenerys observed the walls of the city of Qarth, which were large and foreboding. She could not see into the city itself, but she had been told that it was quite wealthy.
A group of soldiers exited the city and formed a line in front of Daenerys' small group of chosen warriors she had to protect her.
"Do they really consider us a threat?" Daenerys questioned, referring to the soldiers of Qarth.
"If you saw a Dothraki horde approaching your city, you would do the same," Jorah explained.
"Horde? My Khalasar barely has two thousand people, of which only about four to five hundred could be considered warriors," Daenerys said in exasperation.
A group of finely dressed men began to exit Qarth and approach Daenerys and her guards.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Farengar noted out loud.
"What do you mean?" Daenerys asked.
"Those men are the Thirteen," Farengar explained. "They are nobles and wealthy merchants who rule over Qarth. It's strange that all Thirteen would greet you, when they shouldn't know who you are."
One of the Thirteen came closer and Daenerys tilted her head to try and be polite.
"My name is Daenerys-"
"Daenerys Stormborn, of House Targaryen," the man cut her off. She was shocked to realize the man knew her identity.
"... You know me, my lord?" Daenerys asked in confusion. How could they know who I am? I did not send a rider to announce my arrival.
Farengar's eyes narrowed. He, too, knew that the Thirteen should not have knowledge of Daenerys coming towards their city. Unless... there was someone in the Khalasar who had somehow informed them.
"Only by reputation, Khaleesi, and I am no lord," the man answered Daenerys. "I am merely a humble merchant. They call you... the Mother of Dragons."
That concerned Daenerys. Somehow, they knew about her dragons. If someone in her Khalasar had betrayed her, she would find out who.
"What should I call you?" Daenerys asked to buy some time to think.
"Oh, my name is quite long and impossible for foreigners to pronounce. I am simply a trader of spices," The man answered before gesturing to the other council members. "But we are..."
"The Thirteen," Daenerys interrupted, successfully throwing the Spice King off.
"Yes. We govern over Qarth, the greatest city that ever was or will be."
Humble huh? Daenerys thought. Not even close.
"I was wondering, Khaleesi, if we might see the dragons?" the Spice King asked.
Daenerys stared at him for a moment.
"My people have travelled far. We need time to rest and-"
"Forgive me, Khaleesi, but no one has ever seen a living dragon. Some of my more skeptical friends refuse to believe the claim," the Spice King stated.
"Who claimed that I have dragons, merchant of spice?" Daenerys asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, the name slips my mind, but it does not really matter."
"I believe it does," Daenerys interrupted again. "But, if your friends are skeptical, then that's alright. I have come to Qarth only to seek some ships to carry my people."
"I see... unfortunately, Qarth did not become the greatest city that ever was or ever will be by letting Dothraki through its gates. I'm afraid we cannot help you."
Daenerys glared as the Spice King turned back towards the city.
"I am not saying that all of my Khalasar needs to enter your city. If you turn us away like this, then I promise that you will one day regret it."
"You are a Targaryen, indeed," the Spice King replied before smirking. "But I see no reason to fear a young girl whose Khalasar will die in the Red Waste. You do not have the numbers to threaten the greatest city that ever was or ever will be."
The Spice King was cut off as another member of the Thirteen stepped forward.
"Retreating into our walls and ignoring a potential friend is unbecoming of the greatest city that ever was or ever will be. I believe we should embrace any potential friends to further the greatness of Qarth."
"The discussion is over, Xaro Xhoan Daxos. The Thirteen have spoken."
"I am a member of the Thirteen, and I am still speaking," Xaro refuted before turning towards Daenerys. "I have heard of the Khaleesi's ability to breathe fire herself. I say, we should make friends rather than enemies."
"Our decision is final," The Spice King insisted.
"Very well," Xaro replied before he pulled out a short sword and held it before him. "I invoke sumai. I will vouch for her, her people, and her dragons in accordance with the law."
"Be it on your head," the Spice King said in annoyance.
Xaro then turned to Daenerys and gestured towards the gates.
"Welcome to Qarth, my lady."
Daenerys stared through the gates for a moment, before turning towards one of her Bloodriders.
"Make sure the camp is set up. I will return every day."
The Bloodrider nodded, and Daenerys turned and strode forward through the gates of Qarth with a group of her Khalasar following.
Unknown Location
Viserys entered a dining area where Mankar and his children were already eating. As he sat down, Mankar looked at all of them.
"I have received some interesting information," he spoke. "Daenerys is alive, and has just arrived to the city of Qarth."
Viserys nearly choked on his first bite at hearing that. Ruma stared at her father in disbelief.
"But... that's impossible! There is no way she could have survived my spell!" she shouted in denial.
"It appears that Farengar is more resourceful than we anticipated. At least, her unborn child is dead," Mankar explained. "But, there is something even more concerning. Daenerys' dragon eggs have hatched. She now has three dragons."
"Dragons? Dany has dragons?!" Viserys growled before he shoved his plate of the table. "Those dragons should be mine! She is not the heir to the throne, I am! If any Targaryen should have dragons, it should be me!"
"There's more," Mankar interrupted Viserys' tirade. "The Black Prince is heading south to negotiate with his uncle and the Tyrell family. If he makes an alliance with them, then the war will be essentially over, and our plans to seize the Elder Scroll and open the Oblivion Gates will be all for naught."
"Why not drop another Oblivion Gate on the Black Prince?" Viserys asked.
Mankar shook his head.
"My power is still recovering from the strain of activating an Oblivion Gate. Opening another Gate is out of the question at this time. I do not even trust myself to try and eliminate Farengar Secret-Fire at this time."
"Let me deal with Secret-Fire, Father," Raven insisted.
"You are not strong enough to deal with Secret-Fire on your own," Mankar replied.
"Then I will not face him on equal grounds," Raven insisted to his father. "We have 'allies' in Qarth who can help."
Mankar looked thoughtful for a moment before slowly nodding.
"Very well, but you must not underestimate Secret-Fire. He will be dangerous. Do not hesitate and show no mercy. Do what you can to have Daenerys eliminated as well."
"What of the Black Prince, father?" Ruma questioned. "We cannot allow any alliance to be made."
"That will require a more direct approach as well. Start gathering members of the Mythic Dawn to prepare, my dear. Thankfully, we have another ally who could help with that problem as well. The Black Prince, and both of his uncles, need to be eliminated."
King's Landing
Tyrion was enjoying some wine as Bronn sat down next to him and poured himself a glass. Of course, not everyone was enjoying the evening.
"I have friends at court!" the former commander of the City Watch, Janos Slynt, yelled as he was dragged out by several Gold Cloaks. "The king himself made me a lord!"
The Gold Cloaks ignored his ramblings as they left, leaving Tyrion and Bronn alone.
"To the new commander," Tyrion said in toast to Bronn.
"Aye, that's one less problem to deal with," Bronn replied. "How many of this council do you think you'll have to remove?"
"I imagine that I'll have to remove all of them, sooner or later. All of them are potential threats to Will in some way," Tyrion answered. "The former Lord Commander was the easiest to get rid of. With the Gold Cloaks' recent actions, no one will find fault with my decision... well, except Cersei."
"I don't see why you should wait," Bronn remarked. "With all the information our new 'friends' have given you, couldn't you just have them all arrested?"
"Ah, I wish it were that simple. Sadly, my friend, this is politics. It's not as straightforward as what you usually deal with. I need more legitimate reasons to remove the other members of the Small Council," Tyrion explained.
"Fine, whatever. Who do you plan to remove next?"
"Hmm, I have a few ideas, but I'm in no rush. Sooner or later, the answers will reveal themselves," Tyrion answered while plotting his next move.
Ironborn Isles
Theon stepped off the ship and let out a breath. He was home. The place where he was born before he was taken to live with the Starks. He may have lived in Winterfell for more than half of his life, but he had always enjoyed the smell of the sea.
The moment passed and he glanced around the dock before he frowned. Other than a few sailors, there was no one to greet him. He let out a sigh. He knew better than to expect some sort of entourage to greet him, but he thought that his father would at least sent a few guardsmen to escort him to Pyke.
"What is she carrying?" an old fisherman nearby Theon spoke up.
"Myrish oranges, wine from the Arbor..." Theon answered before smirking a little, "and the heir to Pyke and the Iron Islands."
The fisherman's expression didn't change at Theon revealing his identity. Theon mentally kicked himself in the head. These are the Iron Islands, he reminded himself, and things are done differently here.
"I need to get to Pyke," Theon informed the fisherman, who merely glanced at him. Theon held out some gold coins to the fisherman who then nodded.
"I'll find yah a horse," he said before walking off.
"I'm heading that way." a woman's voice said behind Theon. "I could take you there."
Theon observed the girl. She was about his age, and he could not deny that she was very fine looking.
"I bet you can," Theon remarked, making no effort on being subtle. "You know who I am?"
Theon thought he saw a hint of disappointment in the girl's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
"You think I offer free rides to every man in jewelry... Lord Greyjoy?"
Theon grinned before handing another coin to the fisherman, who had walked up with a horse.
"Have my things sent up to the castle."
A few moments later, Theon and the girl were approaching Castle Pyke.
"I have a proposal for my father from the Black Prince," Theon was saying. "One that will make him king again."
"Seems that everyone talks about the Black Prince these days," the girl remarked. "You know him well?"
"He's a good friend. The proposal was my idea," Theon boasted. "Soon, the Greyjoys will regain our independence, and I'll be king someday. It will be like the days of old."
"Oh, I'm sure it will," The girl replied with a hint of mockery in her voice, though Theon just took it as teasing.
Castle Pyke
Theon entered his home for the first time in years. He saw a man sitting in a chair by the fire.
"Father," Theon greeted.
"…Nine years, is it?" Balon Greyjoy mused out loud. "They took a frightened boy... what have they given back?"
"A grown man. Your blood and your heir," Theon answered.
"We shall see," Balon stated without even looking at Theon. "Stark had you longer than I did."
"Lord Stark is gone."
Balon slowly turned towards Theon with a piercing gaze.
"And how do you feel about that?"
Theon hesitated before he answered.
"What's done is done. There's no point in dwelling on it. I brought you a proposal from the Black-"
"Who gave you those clothes?" Balon interrupted as he stood up from his chair. "Was it Ned Stark's pleasure to make you his daughter?"
Theon stared back for a moment in confusion before it was replaced by a hint of annoyance.
"I had thought that since this was the first time I've been home in years and seen my own father, that I would wear something a little more formal. But, if these clothes offend you, then I will change them."
"You will," Balon retorted. "These are the Iron Isles, men don't dress like girls... and that bauble, did you pay the iron price for it, or gold?"
Theon glanced down at the clasp for his cape. He was annoyed that his father kept speaking to him like he was some lady dressing up for a wedding.
"I asked you a question," Balon spoke again as he stood before Theon.
"And I chose not to answer," Theon defiantly replied. "Things are done differently on the mainland. Paying the Iron price would result in me being thrown in jail."
"And that's why the men on the mainland are weak," Balon stated before he reached up and jerked the clasp off. He turned and walked back towards the fireplace. "I won't have my son dressed as a whore. My fears have come true. The Starks have made you theirs."
"I am a Greyjoy. My blood is salt and iron," Theon insisted in anger.
"And yet this Black Prince, the son of that so-called king Robert, sent you to me like some trained raven," Balon mocked.
"His offer is one that I proposed."
"He heeds your counsel?" Balon asked with genuine surprise.
"I've earn a place on his war council. He listens to my advice," Theon explained. "We grew up together, fought at each other's side, and he considers me a brother."
"No, not here, not in my hearing, you will not name him brother," Balon growled in anger. "This is the son of one of the two men who assaulted our island. Those men, Baratheon and Stark, who put your true brothers to the sword, or have you forgotten your own blood?"
"I have not forgotten my brothers. I remember when my father was a king," Theon stated.
Balon stared at him for a moment before taking the letter that contained William's proposal. He opened it and read over it.
"I see," Balon mused. "I destroy William Baratheon's enemies for him and he will make me king of the Iron Islands once again."
"We would only have to attack the Westerlands from the sea. Will is not asking you to do more than that," Theon corrected. Why does Father have to argue every point? Why doesn't he just put aside his grudge against the Baratheons and the Starks and seize this chance? "I'll gladly lead the attack myself."
"Oh, you will?" Balon mockingly asked.
"I've lead troops in battle. Besides, I am your son. Unless you mean to send uncle Victarion, who else would you send?" Theon asked.
They were interrupted by the door opening and Theon looked on in confusion as the girl he met at the dock entered the room.
"What are you doing here? How did you get past the guard?" Theon asked in confusion.
"Anything with a cock is easy to fool," The girl remarked before she stood next to Balon.
"My dear," Balon said as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
Theon stared for a second before realization hit him.
"Yara?" Theon said in shock. It was his sister! This whole time it was his sister, and she didn't even tell him. Theon also felt the urge to vomit. He had none too subtly made advances on his own sister.
"So good to see you, brother," Yara said with a smirk.
"You're going to have her lead the attack?" Theon asked.
"And why not?" Balon returned. "She took command of your eldest brother's ship after he was killed by your new family. She has killed men, she has commanded ships, and she knows who she is."
Balon walked over to the fire and placed William's letter in to be burned. Theon stared in surprise as he realized that Will was right. His father would never aid Will. His hatred ran too deep.
"No one, especially this boy, this so-called Black Prince, gives me a crown," Balon continued to speak. "I pay the Iron Price. I take my crown, for that is who I am. That is who we've always been."
Balon then began to exit the room with Yara following him. Theon could not believe that his father would so casually dismiss Will's offer, when he would have to do so little to gain the Iron Isles their independence.
"You won't stand a chance against the Lannisters on your own," Theon desperately called out after his father.
"Who said anything about the Lannisters?" Balon replied cryptically. Theon could not help but feel a mixture of confusion and a hint of fear at what his father meant.
Dragonstone
William was walking along the beach with Davos, his son Matthos, and a pirate lord by the name of Salladhor Saan, who they were attempting to hire.
"There will be no plundering of King's Landing," William was saying. "We will be liberating the capital, not sacking it."
"And who is this young boy who speaks as though he has authority?" Salladhor asked, not knowing who William was.
Matthos grew angry at Salladhor's disrespect.
"Mind your tongue, this is-"
"I represent the Black Prince in this discussion," William cut off Matthos, who stared in surprise.
"The Black Prince chooses a boy to represent him?" Salladhor questioned.
"Apparently, I am quite clever. At least, that's what I've been told," William answered with a small smirk.
"You will receive a large payment in pure silver when we take King's Landing," Davos continued to speak.
"I hear that this Black Prince is a young man," Salladhor commented, turning back to Davos. "Why should I place my bet on some boy?"
"Because you're a smart gambler," Davos answered back. "The Black Prince may be young, but he is smart and has not lost a battle yet. He's winning this war. He keeps his promises."
"And yet, I apparently cannot plunder and won't receive as much as I would hope in this venture," Salladhor pointed.
"You will receive a bonus payment to compensate for the plunder you would have had," William revealed. "And, you will receive fifty percent of that bonus up front."
"You will also receive more than money, you'll receive glory as well. I'm offering you something hard. Help me take the greatest city in Westeros. You will be the richest and most famous man in Lys. They will sing songs about you as long as men have voices to sing."
Salladhor raised an eyebrow with satisfaction.
"Salladhor Saan is a good name for songs."
"It is."
"One thing: I want the Queen," Salladhor suddenly requested.
Matthos' eyes widened in shock before he glanced over in fear at William, who just raised an eye.
"The Queen?"
"Cersei, I want her," Salladhor said with a smirk. "I'll sail with your fleet, all thirty of my ships, and I will fuck this blond queen and I will fuck her well."
"We are not attacking King's Landing just you can rape the Queen!" Matthos exclaimed, worried at how William would react. But William just gave Salladhor a blank stare.
"I'm not going to rape her," Salladhor clarified, "I'm going to fuck her."
"As if she would just let you!" Matthos yelled again.
"You don't know just how persuasive I am," Salladhor declared in certainty.
"You don't know what the queen could be like," William finally spoke up. I highly doubt my mother would even consider talking to this pirate... but it would be amusing to see. "I would pay gold to see whether you would succeed or not."
"I can promise you heaps of silver and the glory. I cannot promise you the queen," Davos said.
"You believe this Black Prince can win?" Salladhor asked after a moment.
"I've never met a young man like him before. I believe he will win," Davos answered.
"I'll sail with you, Davos Seaworth," Salladhor finally declared before turning towards William a knowing smirk. "And you too, Black Prince."
William smiled in return.
"Glad to hear it."
As they began to walk back the direction they came, Salladhor spoke up again.
"Why call yourself the Black Prince? Your skin is not dark like mine at all."
"I wear black clothing and armor... and some people are superstitious," William answered. Of course, I suppose there is good reason for that superstition.
Dragonstone Castle, later that day
As William walked down a hall, he paused just before he reached a corner. He smiled before slowly moving up to the corner, and then he darted his hand around. A shriek sounded out, followed by a giggle as William lifted the smaller figure up in his arms.
"What have we here? Why, it's my little cousin, Shireen!" William grinned.
"Hi, Will!" Shireen said in happiness as she hugged her cousin.
"How are you feeling? Let me see," William said as he examined the side of Shireen's face.
When she was a baby, Shireen had suffered from a disease called Greyscale. Although she had survived the disease, the left side of her face was disfigured with scale-like patterns. William had first met his cousin several years ago, and did not care about her disfigurement, beyond the grief it caused her. So,he had Colette look at the greyscale, to see if she could help somehow. Sadly, Colette could not remove the remains of the greyscale completely, but she was able to reduce the greyscale to only a small patch on Shireen's left cheek.
"I am doing fine," Shireen answered before tilting her head. "I heard you were getting married, cousin. Is it true?"
"It is. Her name is Arya. She's a little older than you are," William answered with a smile.
"You like her," Shireen noted. "I can tell by the way you say her name."
"Yes, I love her," William said with another smile. "I think you would get along with her well."
"Ahh, Young Warrior. I was hoping to meet with you again."
Shireen's smile faded as Melisandre walked up. She partially slipped behind William, which did not go unnoticed by him. Does she have some fear of Melisandre?
"I see Lord Stannis' daughter is out and about," Melisandre noted. "Your mother and I were talking about you not too long ago."
William knew that his aunt, Lady Selyse, followed the Red God, and had tried to convince Stannis and Shireen to convert as well. While Stannis converted to show his support for William, Shireen generally believed in the Nine Divines. William knew that this had strained Shireen's relationship with her mother.
"Perhaps you should run along for now, Shireen," William said before giving Shireen an encouraging smile. "I have some new books to give you."
Shireen brighten at hearing that.
"Will you read them to me sometime tonight?"
"Of course I will," William said as he gave his cousin another hug. After Shireen left, William turned back to Melisandre. "Is there something you wish to talk about?"
Melisandre smirked a little as she walked closer to William.
"I have heard stories being told about the great power that the Lord of Light has granted you. I was wondering if this humble servant would be witness to the Red God's power."
William knew exactly what kind of game Melisandre was playing.
"I have been given nothing by the Red God."
Melisandre's smirk merely deepened.
"They say your voice speaks with powers beyond mortal men. The power that is known as the Thu'um. The power of Dragons, creatures born of fire. Who else could bestow such power, other than the Red God? I see much in my flames and they have shown me you."
William tilted his head in confusion.
"The dragon Thu'um is not mentioned in any of the writings or books concerning your religion."
"You have read the writings of R'hllor?" Melisandre asked in surprise, with an eager glint appearing in her eyes.
"No," William answered with a grin to Melisandre's surprise. "But thank you for confirming that the Thu'um does not appear in those writings for me."
Thrown off by this, Melisandre attempted to speak again.
"My Prince, there is a misunderstanding. I only meant-"
"The Dragon Thu'um is only mentioned in writings concerning the Nine Divines," William cut off Melisandre. "Whether I do or do not have his power doesn't matter. I would not use it for displays like you would. I have seen things which your flames could never show me."
Not giving Melisandre a chance to reply, William turned and strode off to find his cousin and enjoy reading a book to her.
Craster's Keep
It was late into the night, and Jon was keeping watch at the edge of the Dawnguard's camp next to Craster's Keep. Jon was thinking about Serana. In truth, she was right. He had been watching her more as of late. He did not know why, he just couldn't help it.
I'm not falling for her, am I? he thought before he shook his head. She was a vampire who had lived for hundreds of years. She was beautiful, skilled, and dangerous to any potential enemies. Why would she be interested in him? Besides, he was part of the Dawnguard. Their duty was to hunt down and kill vampires and Jon knew that any relationship between them wouldn't work out.
Jon's musings were cut off when he heard a sound coming from towards the building. He saw Craster carrying something that Jon realized was a baby as he slipped into the trees.
Jon quickly stood, slung his crossbow over his back and kept a grip on his sword as he silently followed after Craster.
Moving carefully through the trees, Jon could barely see Craster as he walked. Jon then froze when he heard a strange sound in the air. It sounded like cracking wood mixed with breaking ice.
Jon then saw a figure moving towards him and he hid behind a tree. After a moment, Craster walked past him, without the bundle in his hands. Jon glanced after him for a second... before the unnatural sound appeared again along with a baby's cry.
Jon immediately started to run forward, desperate to try and help the infant against whatever was in the trees. Craster paused and turned around, having known that Jon was following him. He pulled out an axe and made to follow Jon, but was suddenly knocked out from behind.
As Jon ran, the unearthly sound seemed to be all around him. His eyes kept glancing around, trying to see anything in the trees. He suddenly stopped as his eyes landed on the baby laying in a blanket on the ground.
But it wasn't alone.
A huge figure bent down and lifted up the baby. Jon couldn't make it out very well but he knew that it wasn't human. As the creature began to walk deeper into the trees, it turned its head and its ghostly blue eyes glanced into Jon's.
Jon glared after the creature and readied himself to try and save the child.
"Dawnguard," Came a voice from behind him.
Jon had no time to react before a foot slammed into him from behind, sending him sprawling to the ground and his sword flying. He rolled over, only for a second figure to step up and plant its foot on his chest to pin him down.
"Well, well," the second figure said, this one a female. "What a surprise this is."
Jon glanced up at the two and his blood froze. Both the man and the woman had bat-shaped faces with long canine teeth being revealed as they grinned down at him.
Vampires, Jon realized.
"Such a pleasure to have a chance to kill those dammed Dawnguard," the male vampire spoke.
"Maybe I'll keep him," The female slyly remarked. "He's quite handsome, and I bet his blood tastes delicious."
Jon still had his crossbow, which was loaded, but any movement could be his last.
"He's a Dawnguard. Best to just kill him now," the male vampire insisted.
"Oh, all right," the female said, sighing. "Such a pity-AAARGH!"
The female vampire was cut off as a lightning bolt fired out from the trees and slammed into her. Jon used the distraction to grab his crossbow and lifted it up at the male vampire, who had jerked his head towards his companion's attacker.
The crossbow bolt caught him square in the chest. Jon quickly moved forward, grabbing his sword from the ground as he ran, and jabbed it into the stomach of the vampire.
The female vampire struggled to her knees and looked up in time for Serana to impale a knife into her throat. Serana then twisted the blade and almost decapitated the vampire.
The male vampire stared at the blade in his stomach before grabbing it and pulled it deeper as he snarled at Jon. Jon glared back and jerked the blade free and swung it around. The vampire's head went flying before both it, and the vampire's body, turned into ash.
"Congratulations, Jon," Serana said as she jerked the knife out of the other vampire and it too turned into ash. "You've killed your first vampire."
Jon didn't acknowledge the accomplishment and just turned to where the infant was. "The baby! I think it was taken by a White Walker! We need to save it!"
He made to chase after the White Walker, but was stopped by Serana's hand grabbing his shoulder.
"There's nothing we can do! It's too late!"
"It's not too late, Serana!" Jon argued as he turned to face her, "We can still..."
Jon stopped speaking when his eyes met Serana's. He saw something that he never thought he'd see in her eyes. Fear.
"As powerful as I may be, Jon," Serana said as she nervously glanced around at the trees, "there are things in this world that I would have a hard time matching. Things which I could never hope to beat."
Jon stared at her for another moment before, he too, glanced around at the seemingly empty woods