293 AC – Dragonstone – The Hidden Cave
The mist seemed to thicken the moment the words left the man's mouth.
Lyonel's eyes widened, his hand trembling on Red Rain's hilt as he took an involuntary step back.
"Y-You…" Lyonel's voice cracked, barely a whisper. "You're the one I bumped into back in King's Landing."
The man's smile sharpened
"Yes," the man said, voice flat and calm, "it is me."
Lyonel's grip tightened on the sword. "Who are you?"
The man tilted his head slightly, as though the question itself was amusing.
"I am no one."
A shudder ran down Lyonel's spine as he stared at him for a long heartbeat.
"What does a Faceless Man want with me?"
The figure regarded him with calm, predatory detachment.
"Smart boy," he said softly. "But why does the boy think a man wants something from him?"
Lyonel raised an eyebrow, confusion warring with suspicion. "It's what you're here for, isn't it? Someone must have paid you to get rid of me."
He began to unsheathe Red Rain slowly and carefully mind already racing trying to think of a way to get out of here alive. The Faceless Man only smirked, amused at the tension in Lyonel's body, the readiness to fight for his life.
"A man is not here to kill the boy," he said simply.
Lyonel froze, blade half-drawn, the cave-light glinting off Valyrian steel. "Then why are you here?"
The man took calmy stepped closer "A man is here for the prince."
Lyonel's eyes widened. "Me? Why? What do Faceless Men want with me?"
The man stared straight into Lyonel's eyes.
"The Kindly Man received a vision from the Many-Faced God before the prince's birth. The Many-Faced God told him that a king would be born from the Stag and the Lioness. A king the Faceless Men will follow as their liege, for he is worthy. He will unite the realm against a darkness that threatens all."
Lyonel's hand slowly let Red Rain slide back into its sheath. He stared at the man, stunned.
So the Many-Faced God knew of my birth… even before I was born?
The thought made his stomach lurch.
Wait… didn't he technically just call me Azor Ahai? Isn't Azor Ahai supposed to be Jon, or Daenerys… or even Uncle Stannis?
The Faceless Man continued, voice never changing tone.
"We have been preparing for the last nine years, as the Many-Faced God commanded. We waited for the prince. That is also why the man met the prince that day in King's Landing. The Kindly Man had a vision of the prince getting lost in that part of the city. So the man went there."
Lyonel took a deep breath. Thoughts spun wildly in his head, but he forced himself to calm.
"So you're not here to kill me."
The man shook his head once.
Lyonel studied him for a long moment, then spoke again with serious voice, sounding every inch the king he was meant to become.
"You're telling me the Faceless Men are going to obey my orders without question? That you'll follow a Westerosi prince even if there's a chance I won't grow up to be the king your god showed you?"
The man nodded calmly.
Lyonel exhaled, then slowly sat on a nearby stone ledge, hugging Red Rain across his knees. He looked up at the Faceless Man.
"Tell me what preparations you made in those nine years."
The man leaned against the damp cave wall.
"Men were sent to every great house to gather information. Some sit in high positions maesters, stewards, captains of the guard. Others are common soldiers, faithful knights in name only. The wealth of the House of Black and White is at the prince's disposal."
Lyonel stared at him.
He almost laughed disbelieving at how absurdly fortunate this was in a world so harsh.
Then he stood again, facing the Faceless Man squarely.
"I want more men in every house. I want to know what the lords whisper in their halls. I want to know if any plot treason.
He paused and his gaze hardened.
"In about a year I will be going north to ward for Lord Stark. I still need to ask my father, but I'm sure he'll agree and send me there. So I want two men to go with me. One of them has to be you."
Lyonel smirked faintly. "You were right. I think our paths are meant to cross."
The man's head tilted curiously. "But why does the prince need the man when going north?"
Lyonel answered calmly. "Because after my wardship is done, we won't be coming back to King's Landing. We're going to Essos. I won't say more for now, you'll find out on your own when the time comes."
Lyonel slowly walked past him. At the mouth of the tunnel he paused and looked back.
"Let us meet again when I'm set to leave for the North. Until then… take care of yourself. Though I know you'll probably watch over me in the meantime too."
The Faceless Man did not reply.
He simply watched silently as Lyonel walked away until the mist swallowed him.
One Week Later – Dragonstone – The Docks
Lyonel stood at the rail of the ship, wind whipping his cloak as the black sails of Dragonstone grew smaller behind them.
Shireen had hugged him fiercely before he left small arms tight around his waist, scarred cheek pressed to his chest.
"Will you come back, cousin?" she had asked, voice small.
Lyonel had knelt and kissed her forehead. "I will or your father could take you with him to King's Landing when you're older."
She had laughed brightly and waved until the ship vanished from her view.
Now the deck rolled gently beneath his feet. Stannis stood at the helm, face set toward King's Landing. Jaime and Sandor Clegane were with Lyonel at the rail, conversing.
As Clegane moved further from Jaime and Lyonel, the prince moved closer to his uncle and whispered "Uncle when we get back I want you to have that talk with Ser Barristan and you can't prolong this anymore"
He let out a quiet breath through his nose.
"I know," Jaime said softly. "I've been putting it off... telling myself there would be time later, that it wasn't the right moment, that Ser Barristan would never believe me anyway."
Jaime's fingers drummed once, lightly, on the wood.
"I'll speak to him as soon as we're back in the Red Keep.
Lyonel nodded "Good then I will arrange it myself for you to have a private conversation with Lord Commander.
Jaime smiled "I leave it to you then nephew" and ruffled his hair
Thank you all for the feedback I recived with helping me choose the path we should take and it was decided that it'll be Faceless men. I'm truly grateful <3