POV: Jon Snow
After leaving the restaurant with the three catalysts safely stored in my pouch, I made my way through the late afternoon crowds of Braavos. The encounter with Marwyn had been productive; he has practical knowledge of the magic of this world that I need.
But, I wouldn't tell him something that could be used against me; instead, just basic information about medical biology, like the Germ theory. So he can help others in need.
However, I had other business to attend to first.
I headed toward the markets near the docks, where merchants sold exotic goods from across the known world. What I needed wasn't exotic, just specific, a bird that could speak. Ravens can speak but in broken words.
The shop was easy to find, squeezed between a spice merchant and a silk trader. Cages lined the walls, filled with birds of every color and size. Parrots squawked, songbirds chirped, and in the back corner, I found what I was looking for.
A blue and gold parrot, larger than most, with intelligent eyes that tracked my movement as I approached.
"That one speaks?" I asked the shopkeeper, a Tyroshi with a forked blue beard.
"Speaks better than some men," he replied. "Knows thirty words."
"I'll take it."
The transaction was quick. The shopkeeper seemed pleased to be rid of the bird; apparently, it had been speaking some words that it shouldn't.
But when I extended my arm, the parrot hopped onto my shoulder without hesitation. I reached out and warged inside it for a fraction of a second and formed a bond.
The parrot could serve as a communication relay. If I needed to send messages quickly and securely, I could warg into the bird, speak through it, even see through its eyes from a distance.
With the bird perched on my shoulder, I turned toward my next destination: the House of Black and White.
….
The temple of the Many-Faced God stood on a small island in the lagoon, accessible by a weathered stone bridge. Its black and white door was stark against the water, half ebony wood, half white weirwood.
The heavy doors opened silently as I approached.
A man emerged from the shadows. Tall and lean.
Jaqen H'ghar. We'd met briefly.
"Does a man come to offer the Many-Faced God his service?" Jaqen said, his voice soft and measured
I nodded. "In a manner of speaking."
His expression didn't change, but I sensed interest.
"I want to hire the Faceless Men," I said directly. "Specifically, I want to ensure that if anyone offers my name to the Many-Faced God, if anyone tries to hire you to kill me or anyone connected to me, the contract is refused. And the person making the offer is eliminated instead."
Jaqen was silent for a long moment. The parrot on my shoulder shifted, its talons gripping my leather jerkin.
"A man asks for unusual service," Jaqen finally said. "The Many-Faced God accepts all names. To refuse a name is to deny Him."
"I'm not asking you to deny Him," I said. "I'm asking you to redirect the gift. Someone wants me dead badly enough to hire Faceless Men? That someone has clearly been marked for death themselves."
A faint smile touched Jaqen's lips.
"It can be done." He gestured toward one of the alcoves. "But the price would be high. Very high. A man protects not just one life, but many. This is a great gift to ask of the Many-Faced God."
"I can pay," I said. "In advance, if necessary."
Jaqen tilted his head. "There are few among us who could make use of a man's skills."
"Also, I'm researching certain substances. Catalysts that facilitate magical transformation. Do the Faceless Men use anything similar? For the face-changing, perhaps?"
"A man asks dangerous questions," Jaqen said, but his tone was more amused than threatening. "The faces are not made with alchemy. They are taken from the dead, preserved through sacred rites. No magic beyond death itself."
He turned and walked toward the dark pool at the temple's center. I followed, the parrot bobbing on my shoulder.
Jaqen gestured to the pool. "This is the only thing in the House of Black and White that might resemble what a man seeks."
"The water contains many gifts, with it many-faced God grants His mercy to those who seek Him."
I approached the pool carefully. The water was dark, almost black, with an oily sheen on its surface.
The parrot on my shoulder suddenly squawked loudly. "Stay away! Stay away! Death!"
"Quiet," I murmured, reaching up to stroke its feathers. To Jaqen, I said, "May I examine it? Just a sample."
Jaqen regarded me thoughtfully. "A man is either very brave or very foolish." He said, but nodded and gave me permission.
I carefully extended my hand toward the pool, stopping just short of the surface. I reached out with my biokinesis, sending my awareness into the water itself.
The sensation was immediate and overwhelming.
There was a catalyst, but it was different, not naturally formed but created by humans.
….
Back at my mansion outside Braavos, I carried the parrot to my make-shift leb. Ghost followed me.
"Quiet now," I told it, setting it on a perch I'd hastily constructed. "You're about to get some brothers and sisters."
The parrot tilted its head, watching as I gathered biomass.
I placed my hands on the pile and reached inward with my power and started cloning a parrot, I also made a few females.
But I didn't stop at mere copies.
As I built each bird, I incorporated the same magical node system I'd developed for my ravens. By creating a cluster of specialized cells at the heart's center in each one.
These parrots would be able to channel magic to enhance their physical capabilities—strength, speed, and endurance. They'd be faster than any natural bird, more resilient, and able to fly long distances without tiring.
'One more thing,' These birds would be traveling to different parts of the world, including the North. Winterfell's climate was harsh, it would kill tropical birds like parrots within days.
I made modifications. Thicker layers of insulating down are beneath their colorful outer feathers. Enhanced metabolism that could maintain body temperature even in freezing conditions. Modified respiratory systems that could handle cold air without damage.
Essentially, I was creating parrots that could survive in environments no parrot should be able to tolerate.
The work took hours. One by one, the new birds took shape on my worktable.
Five sets of eyes opened simultaneously. Five beaks opened in soft chirps.
The original parrot squawked from its perch. "Brothers! Sisters…. No not sister, she is too prity, she will…."
I ignored the bird and established warging like with new birds. Because of the magic node, they even send their thoughts to me.
Now came the important part—establishing bonds with all of them.
Each bird's mind was distinct, eager, curious, and intelligent.
"Rest tonight," I told all six birds. "Tomorrow, some of you begin a long journey."
....
•(A/N) I will upload an extra chapter according to the power stone received.