Artys Arryn POV
Fifteen minutes later.
I'd made up my mind. "I've decided what my three wishes would be," I said, staring down the celestial prick by my bed.
"Go on," he said, smirking like he knew something I didn't.
Better not fuck this up.
"First, I want knowledge from my old world. Every damn trick I can use to get ahead in this shithole like how to make paper, wine, vodka, rum, all that crap Westeros hasn't figured out. Everything I need to build a trading empire."
The celestial raised an eyebrow. "That's... specific."
"What, too much for you?" I snapped. For fuck's sake, I'm not asking for your mom's number.
"Watch it, mortal," he growled. "Mention my mother again, and I'll make you beg for death. Believe me, you have no idea what we do to mortal souls like you in hell."
Shit, forgot he can read thoughts.
"Yes sir, sorry sir," I muttered, biting back a grin.
"What you plan to do with this? You are an heir to a great house, and that too of a kingdom which is almost impossible to attack."
Yes, you are right, but not from the air and in a few years a girl with three flying nukes will come after Westeros, and the Vale is part of it.
But money is power on its own. That is something I learned from my past life.
"Don't tell me you're planning to do what you did in your previous life?" The celestial had an amused look.
"I was a hedge fund manager in my previous life. I am confident that I could dominate these people when it comes to business."
"Granted, but you won't get knowledge which would make this world too advanced. Like, you would know how to make better ships or other stuff, but not something too advanced like a steam engine."
Well, that would work as long as I know how to do stuff better than the rest.
"You shall also possess knowledge of this world's materials and their purposes, as well as cures for diseases currently unknown to its people."
"Thanks, but why are you putting such limits?" I looked into his eyes, trying to figure out why he was being so nice.
"You see, there are many worlds in existence, some with magic and some without. The ones without lean towards science, just like your former world did. But there is one different category, where both exist, and because of that they don't make progress in either. If they try, they usually fail. Maybe you should ask the Valyrians what happened when a bunch of shepherds with our gifts thought of themselves as equals to us," he said arrogantly.
"So that's why their Doom happened… never mind, let's focus on my second wish," I said. "I want the ability to talk to animals and control them."
He looked annoyed. "That seems to be an interesting wish. Besides, there seems no harm in granting you this wish. Done. So what's the third?"
"Before I ask for my third wish, I would like to ask you something." I leaned forward. "Are there hidden mines in the Vale? Gold, silver, iron or copper?"
Please say yes. Mines would be a fucking goldmine—iron for weapons, gold as a safety net, and to fund my hobbies.
"Is that your third wish?" he asked, cocking his head.
"Nah, just curious. Third wish... I want the ability to hatch and bond with a dragon."
Dragons are real game-changers. Whether it's the War of the Five Kings or the Night King's dead army, dragons could tip the scales in my favor. On top of that, with a dragon, I could claim Targaryen descent and press my claim to the Iron Throne.
I already have the looks of a Targaryen, and a dragon would be of great help to convince others. But then, with a dragon, I don't think many lords would choose to stand against me.
A dragon, the Vale's army, and the wealth I would have in the future would be enough for me to gain the support of the other lords.
The Night King is a danger to everyone, sure, but against any other forces, as long as the dragons are large, no one could challenge me.
He laughed, low and sharp. "Why wish for something you already have?"
What the fuck?
"I'm an Arryn, not a Targaryen. How the hell can I bond with dragons?"
"You've got Targaryen blood, boy. I admit when I sent you into this world I didn't give you any gifts, but I made a few arrangements to help you in your new life," he said. "When I reincarnated you, I made a few changes in this world. Notice your looks? Platinum hair, one blue eye and one purple. The blue one is to keep the lords from questioning your Arryn blood."
Hold on. My father's Jon Arryn... so the Targaryen blood can only come from my mother. The Arryns did marry into House Targaryen centuries ago, but that blood's all but gone or diluted to a point where it's not strong enough to bond with dragons.
Which means Rowena Arryn must've been a Targaryen. Or at least closely tied to them.
But my mother's mother was from Essos, so the Valyrian features came from them—the Essosi merchant family my grandmother belonged to. That's why I've got this platinum hair and mismatched eyes.
That drunken fool Robert hates me because I remind him of the dragonspawn who stole his love.
Can't touch me, though not with the Vale and my father, his Hand, backing me.
"Your mother was a descendant of Maegor Targaryen," the celestial said, his voice low and steady. "Not the one they called the Cruel, this Maegor was the son of Aerion Brightflame. You know, the lunatic prince who drank wildfire thinking it would turn him into a dragon."
I blinked. That was some deep family tree nonsense.
"When King Maekar died," he continued, "Aerion was already gone, and his only son, little Maegor, was still an infant. The Great Council of 233 AC didn't want another unstable Targaryen on the throne especially not the child of a man as mad as Aerion Brightflame. Prince Aemon gave up his claim and took the black, so the crown passed to his younger brother, Aegon the Fifth. From him came Jaehaerys, and later, Aerys, the Mad King."
He paused, letting that sink in before continuing.
"Aerion's son, Maegor, was raised in Essos. He married into a wealthy merchant family there. Years later, your mother's father a distant Arryn, born in a branch of the family — followed a similar path. No one expected him to inherit anything, so he turned to trade. That's where he met your grandmother. She was from the same Essosi family Maegor had joined through marriage. She had the silver hair and violet eyes of old Valyria. And that blood still flows in your veins."
"Does anyone know?" I asked, heart pounding. Last thing I need is Robert swinging his warhammer at my head.
"Nah, relax," he said, waving a hand. "They think it's Essosi blood. Valyrian features are common enough in Essos. No one suspects you're dragonkin."
Thank the gods.
"That's one hell of a coincidence. Or maybe just your version of 'good planning,' hmm?"
"Yes."
"Alright, now my third wish is I want immunity from poison, and no assassination attempts or any magical attack should work on me."
I'm a kid, my father's an old fool, Littlefinger and that brother-fucking whore Cersei want me dead maybe even Hoster Tully would love to see me dead, so his grandson Robin could become heir.
Their only shot is assassinating me. No one could afford to kill me openly unless they want the armies of the Vale coming for them. Plus, it wouldn't look good and could make the entire realm unstable.
"Done," the celestial said. "Your wishes are reasonable, unlike other idiots who beg for godlike power. For that, I'll throw in a gift."
About damn time I got the hero treatment. "What is it?"
"Two maps and a Valyrian sword," he said. "Go to Blackwater Rush after I leave. Look for smugglers with a white bird on their ship's bow. They've got the sword. Though you are very good when it comes to swordsmanship, I also give you the boon to be the greatest archer. Even with a blindfold you won't miss the target. Of course, you must aim in the right direction. You can't aim north and hope the arrow hits a target in the east, so keep that in mind."
"What are those maps about?" I asked, confused. I mean, what will I do with a map? Do they lead to treasure or a place full of beauties for me to enjoy?
"One map is of the Vale, which contains details of everything that exists in the Vale like mines, and also the hill tribes' locations. The other leads to treasures of Valyria," the celestial being explained nonchalantly as he got up from the chair.
"So the Vale does have gold mines like those in the Westerlands. I'm gonna be rich," I said happily. Finally, some good news. I won't have to worry about money with those mines, I could relax and mine gold rather than do business and become a merchant.
"No, the Vale doesn't have gold mines," the celestial being said with a smirk. "There are a few silver veins, but other resources are in plenty. You'll have to earn money yourself. I don't think it would be a problem, not with the gifts I bestowed upon you."
He leaned forward, the light from above catching his strange, shifting features.
"Use your first wish wisely. And one more thing: magic won't work on you, except in one-on-one combat, especially against something like the Night King. Then, and only then, will magic work on you. As for assassination attempts? You'll get a dream two days beforehand so you can prepare. Oh, and poison won't work even if you drink it yourself."
The celestial being began to fade slowly, light curling off his form like mist.
"And another thing," he added just before vanishing. "I tweaked your mother's merchant family—they're dead. But their most loyal servants are already on their way to King's Landing to find you. A little more help for you to use your first gift properly."
"Wait!" I called out as he almost disappeared. "Just one last question."
"I deleted your search history," he said, smirking. "No one needs to see that filth."
Thank the gods. I should've used incognito mode.
"You're a pervert," he added in disgust.
"Why help me so much, I mean you are a Celestial being why care about a mortal." I asked. I mean, why give me so much help.
"For entertainment," he said with a smirk, watching himself thin into fog as he disappeared. "We get bored, so we reincarnate a few people or simply give some fools a gift and watch them struggle. It's our sport. Though I enjoy that, the truest pleasure is still playing with mortal souls in hell."
Wait what? Playing with souls in hell? Fuck. Did I make a deal with the devil?
And with that, he was gone, leaving me alone with two maps on the table, beside the chair where the celestial being had been sitting.