The Isle of Faces

[Marie]

"What visitor would that be?" Rhaenys enquired.

[The Smith]

"Another man. He did not give his name." The hermit spoke softly, "I would not ask it if I were you. He seemed dangerous." He studied her face, "You resemble Saella very, very much."

[Marie]

Rhaenys shivered under the man's scrutiny.

"Who are you, ser? How is it that you knew my mother?"

[The Smith]

"I knew her as a child. Her parents were very kind." The man replied, and smiled slightly, "Do you know me?"

[Marie]

"No. Should I? I lived most of my life in exile. I've lived in Westeros only a few years. Your face is unknown to me. Perhaps you might tell me your name?" Rhaenys suggested hopefully.

[The Smith]

"My name would mean nothing to you." He replied, "I gave it up when I came to live here. You are my kin though, and I did not want this opportunity to pass."

[Marie]

My kin....But who? The question intrigued Rhaenys. She was eager to know more about her self-proclaimed kinsman when so many of those who should have valued her kinship to them had turned against her.

"Please tell me your name, ser," she said. "I would like to know who you are evne if we never meet again."

[The Smith]

"I was born Yohn to the parents of your mother. I was born to live here though, and I walked away from the cage that was the Eyrie." He smiled, "I watched though, and I saw her blood light aflame. I saw her lay eggs. I saw her give her life. I felt proud that we are of the same flesh."

[Marie]

"I was proud of her too. It breaks my heart that I can never live up to her expectations for me. Do you never leave here at all?"

[The Smith]

"I have left before. I will again." Yohn replied, "I carry pride of you in my heart. My flesh is my sisters flesh. She is proud as well."

[Marie]

Rhaenys doubted that. She was sure her mother woudl be much dismayed if she could see the realm ow.

"Mother is dead," she ansqered. "She is beyond pride now, uncle and I an unworthy successor to her name. I would not be here if I had my mother's abilities. The realm falls apart and there is nothing I can do to heal it."

[The Smith]

"We must follow our own fate. I was born Heir to the Handless Hand. That was not my path." He said quietly, "I had to walk away from my duties to find my path. It was the right thing to do."

[Marie]

"Well...my fate is not here. I must needs get to Harrenhal, to my sister and her husband. They need to know that we are all in dire peril now. Do you have a boat that I could borrow? I don't know if Ela - my dragon - will have the strength to carry me for a while."

[The Smith]

"There is a boat, and your fate does not lie here. It lies on another path." Yohn said, and scratched at his beard. "Walk North, and along the coast is a boat."

[Marie]

Rhaenys nodded.

"Thank you. I don't suppose you could care for Elannyria until she feels ready to fly again?"