Dark clouds gathered over Braavos as Aryan sharpened his blade, the metallic ring echoing in the cramped room they now called home. The pace of his new life had quickened beyond anything his prior life had prepared him for. The luxury of slow plotting was gone—the game demanded action. The Seven Kingdoms were poised for upheaval, and Aryan knew his window to shape history was shrinking fast.
A Growing Threat
Rumors streamed in like the tides: Robert Baratheon was consolidating power in Westeros, and war was stirring. The lords of the Seven Kingdoms whispered and prepared, unaware their destinies were tangled with a silver-haired exile now awakening in Essos. Aryan's knowledge from his past life pressed on him—the timeline was near.
Braavos, for all its masks and mysteries, offered a precarious sanctuary. Aryan and Daenerys had honed their skills and gathered resources, but every day the shadow of Illyrio's allegiance to others loomed larger. The merchant's patience thinned, suspicion sharpening like a blade.
Accelerated Training and Alliances
Aryan threw himself into training with Ser Willem and Daenerys, pushing past past limits. He taught Daenerys to fight with newfound urgency and began mastering the Braavosi art of water dancing—quick, precise, deadly. The Andersene lessons, once a slow luxury, now came with the weight of necessity.
At the same time, he intensified searches for supporters. The coded letters and whispered messages bore fruit. A coalition of minor lords and mercenaries in the Free Cities grew curious, offering cautious promises. Time was short, and Aryan moved to secure these alliances before others corrupted loyalty with gold or terror.
Plans for Return
Aryan laid out a bold plan:
Gather the Blackfyre remnants: Old loyalists scattered across Essos whispered of the Golden Company, a mercenary force loyal to the Targaryen cause.
Raise a disciplined army: He would blend ancient battlefield wisdom with lessons from his world—training sellswords to fight with unity rather than brute force.
Forge naval support: Understanding the importance of the Narrow Sea, he sought ships and seafarers willing to risk everything.
Daenerys was no longer a frightened sister but a partner in strategy, her resolve hardening with every passing day.
A Dire Message
One evening, a rider brought news that cut through their plans like a blade: Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, was dead, and Robert was riding to Winterfell. The fragile peace in the Seven Kingdoms was shattering, and rebellion was percolating everywhere. Aryan's time to act was almost upon him.
He gathered his circle. "The game accelerates," he said. "We no longer have the luxury of waiting for others to make mistakes. We will build our strength and sail for Westeros before the snare tightens."
The decision was unanimous. Preparations moved with feverish speed, caravans arranged, gold pooled, weapons stocked.
Departure from Braavos
Under cover of darkness, Aryan, Daenerys, Ser Willem, Marei, and a small, trusted retinue slipped onto the ships promised by their new allies. The wailing gulls above the port concealed the flutter of their sails as they headed into the thickening night.
As the Narrow Sea opened beneath them, Aryan's heart beat not with fear but fierce determination. The years of careful plotting and training had led to this moment—the first step toward reclaiming the Iron Throne.
It was no longer a game. It was a war.
End of Chapter 11