Volantis, 290 AC
— POV: High Priest Benerro —
"High Priest, you have a visitor from the walls."
I heard Magoras's voice behind me as I knelt before the First Flame, praying for the Lord of Light's guidance to understand the new visions that had plagued me for the past few days.
"Is he the one from the vision, Brother Magoras?" I asked without turning to look at him. My voice was steady, though my heart quickened.
"He is! He matches your description exactly—tall, as you said, and with one eye damaged like the frozen flames in your vision." Magoras spoke excitedly. "He asks for an audience on a matter of great importance."
I rose from my knees and motioned for him to lead the way.
As we walked toward the meeting room, I saw Kinvara approaching us with haste. We stopped as she reached us. Magoras greeted her and respectfully stepped back to give us privacy.
"I have seen a vision," she said at once. "The skies were raining fire."
My eyes widened in surprise . Kinvara noticed and continued.
"You have seen it too, haven't you?"
"I have," I replied. as She began to describe her vision. "I saw the sky rain fire upon a great army. In the aftermath, there was a banner made of bells and the skin of a man."
I shared mine in return. "A giant horse was charging toward Volantis to destroy everything we stand for. It was slain—burned and pierced by a thousand swords of fire."
Kinvara's eyes widened in shock. I motioned for her to follow me so we could meet the man from my visions
— POV: Viserys Targaryen —
Shit. I should have stayed quiet and let them choose their own representative at the Red Temple.
Instead, I had told them to write each other's names on scraps of paper and cast them into the flames. Whoever's name did not burn would go.
And, of course, my fucking name hadn't burned.
I hadn't even written my own name down, I thought bitterly.
The door opened, and the High Priest and Priestess entered.
"Ah, good. High Priest Benerro, you've arrived—and High Priestess Kinvara as well. What an unexpected surprise. Please, take a seat. I won't take too much of your time," I said as they moved to their chairs and sat.
"You have my apologies for the delay," Benerro began. "I was praying before the First Flame for guidance regarding a vision granted to me by the Lord of Light. High Priestess Kinvara has seen a vision of the same meaning. She believes this meeting may clarify its purpose."
He motioned to Kinvara, who gave me a small bow.
"I saw a great army approaching," she said, "and the sky raining fire upon them, burning them all. The High Priest saw a different version of the same event: a giant horse attacking Volantis, killed by a thousand swords made of fire."
I kept my face carefully blank, though inside I was stunned. How the fuck are they doing that?
I cleared my throat. "Cough— It seems I was right to trust you both with the information I am about to share. Your faith is strong indeed if the Lord of Light has shown you the host of barbarians advancing toward us and their coming destruction. That eases my heart."
"A khalasar of a hundred thousand is marching on our city as we speak. We estimate they will be outside our walls in four moons."
Both Benerro and Kinvara looked visibly concerned about the damage such a horde could inflict. as he spoke
"How many soldiers can you muster?" Benerro asked, rising from his chair and gazing toward the city. "And who is backing this attack? Surely you do not believe they are simply barbarians acting on their own. They are not that stupid. Who, and why?."
"We can muster up to fifty thousand, possibly more if we press every able body. As for who is backing them… I imagine you know him well. He was here only a few moons ago."
Benerro's eyes sharpened. "Pentos?."
I nodded.
He sighed, glanced at Kinvara, and returned to his seat. "And I imagine your colleagues are not pleased and are blaming us for it."
"Nonsense. It was my fault for not killing him when I had the chance. You did exactly as you were supposed to. My colleagues understand this and hold none of you accountable."
Benerro nodded in visible relief. "And your reason for being here?."
"My colleagues and I are deeply concerned about the damage this attack could cause our city. I have come to ask for your help—and that of your fellow priests—in restoring order once the threat is dealt with. We are also grateful for the opportunity this presents us."
I continued before he could reply. "After we destroy the barbarian army, we intend to attack Pentos. I am here to ask for your support—and your institution to back us—in the taking of the city."
Benerro's eyes widened in shock. Kinvara spoke in his stead.
"And what is in it for us? Surely you offer something in return."
I smiled. "Once I take Pentos, you will be free to recruit as many followers as you wish. No one will be able to stop you—except for me and my colleagues."
Kinvara's eyes narrowed slightly. "You are planning to sack the city, aren't you?."
"No, I won't be the one doing the sacking. That will be left to my colleagues." I said with a smile
Benerro spoke after recovering from his shock. "We will support you. However, we would like a representative inside the walls. I know you and your colleagues will not stop at Pentos, so we wish to be part of this conquest. I nominate Sister of the Flame Kinvara for the role."
I frowned at his cleverness but nodded. "That is… agreeable. However, some of my colleagues will oppose it. Here are my terms: Lady Kinvara must not preach her religion to anyone inside the walls. If she is seen doing so, she will be killed. She may bring no guards, servants, or attendants inside. She must swear herself to secrecy regarding all matters of the walls. When she dies, her body will be buried inside the walls. The same rules will apply to any replacements."
They both nodded. And started to whisper to each and after a moment she stood up and spoke
"For the night is dark and full of terrors," Kinvara intoned to Benerro.
He murmured something in reply, and she left the room and I stood up from my seat and spoke
"It's was pleasure doing business with you high priest may this day repeat itself for years to come." I said as I walked out the door
"Now the preparations for the attack ." I said to myself as walked out of the temple
(So I used some tools for the grammar how is the quality of this chapter if you like it I am planning to rewrite the entire fanfic with it and if you don't like it I won't )