Chapter 12

As I sifted through Melahnie's mind I found a few interesting things. Basically, there were five influential factions in white harbor. They were the sept, the religious order. Next is the ruling family which is house Manderly. Next is the merchants. Then the prostitution rings, and lastly the traders.

Most of the information I gleaned from her revolved around the sept though. She didn't seem to know much about the other big players. She truly was a nice old lady that cared for others and fully believed in her faith, how rare.

Not finding anything else worth noting, I implanted some new memories in her mind. Finishing it off with strong feelings of devotion and love, the type of love for a special person mind you. Once I was done I decided to quickly transfer her knowledge on the faith to Katyia.

I sat back and watched her as she awoke. Once her eyes were fully opened she looked confused for a moment. But as her eyes landed on me, her face broke out in a smile of pure adoration. She immediately dropped to her knees at my feet and prostrated herself, even going so far as to lay her trembling hands on my feet.

"That is not necessary my dear, raise your head and look at me." I said to her. She hesitated for a moment before looking up.

"Oh, forgive me for not recognizing you sooner, herald of the seven." She said in a shaky voice.

"There is nothing to be forgiven, now please take your seat." I replied and she rose back up to sit in her seat.

"We must tell everyone of such a miracle, the seven have blessed you, the seven kingdoms must know." She said.

"In time my dear, in time, I must remain hidden for now." I replied.

"But why? You are the chosen of the seven, the world must know of this." She exclaimed.

"The world is not yet ready for my presence. Before I can expose myself I need to deepen my understanding of the human interpretation of the teachings of the seven." I said sagely.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"My knowledge comes directly from the seven, humanity has twisted the teachings that they had originally intended for us. May it be through corruption or just plain ignorance, in some cases the knowledge has simply been forgotten. To know my enemy, I must first understand my enemy." I finished.

"Enemy?" She asked worriedly.

"Do not fret my dear, it is simply a metaphor." I explained.

"I see, then I will help you to the best of my ability." She said while lowering her head.

"I thank you, we have much to do." I said.

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A week has passed since that day and life has been uneventful. After my talk with septa Melahnie, I had her set us up with lodging in the snowy sept. I ordered her to act the same as before, but subtly spread the word of the coming of a miracle. She was more than happy to do as I said.

I continued my studies with Katyia in the shadows while occasionally making trips to check in on the twins and Lucan. I managed to pass them some money in the form of golden dragons and silver stags. The latter being the newly minted coin to represent the symbol of the house Baratheon.

The seven kingdoms were ruled by house Targaryen for hundreds of years. Their house created a dynasty that united the fractious continent of Westeros. Their latest monarch however, King Aerys II Targaryen, became the last of the Targaryen dynasty. Through his incompetence and insanity he lost the throne, his line nearly wiped out.

The man who deposed him is Robert Baratheon, the new king of the seven kingdoms. Is he a better monarch? Well, at least he isn't crazy.

Anyway, I now stand in the bowels of the snowy sept. This is where the dead are processed by the silent sisters. An order of women who have sworn themselves to the service of the stranger.

The stranger is the aspect of the seven associated with death. He, or she, leads the newly deceased to the other world.

I'm in a room lit by candles casting ominous shadows. To my side is Septa Melahnie and of course Katyia on the other, she never leaves my side. I asked Septa Melahnie to introduce me to the silent sisters, as they deal with the dead I figured I could use this to my advantage.

After a few minutes the door to the room was opened and five figures walked in. They wore gray robes and their faces were cowled, the only thing visible were their eyes. And despite their attire I knew they were all women. The woman in the center, no doubt the leader of the group stepped forward and eyed Septa Melahnie, completely ignoring Katyia and I.

"Sister Kiara, it is good to meet you as always." Septa Melahnie greeted the woman. Kiara simply nodded her head and made some hand gestures that Septa Melahnie understood.

"Yes, the reason I asked you to meet me here is to meet this man." Septa Melahnie continued.

Kiara turned to look at me, she seemed to examine me, at least that's what I think she's doing. I may not be able to see her face or tell much of what her body looked like, but her eyes. Her eyes are the most emotionless pair of eyes I have ever seen. I felt like I was staring into the eyes of a corpse, no light to speak of in her dark orbs.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, sister Kiara. Please, have a seat so we can talk, I feel this conversation will change your life." I said.

Kiara stood for a moment longer before taking the offered seat. She moved with a fluidity that reminded me of some jungle cat. I wonder how old she is, I can't tell from just her eyes alone, but I'd guess she is in her late thirties.

"My name is Victor Frankenstein, and I have been given a divine task. For you see, I have been blessed by the seven." I said and I could see the four other sisters tense slightly at my proclamation.

I waited a moment before continuing. "I know you find this hard to believe, that I'm some fool spouting nonsense about being chosen by the gods. Ha, the gods know there have been many, but I'm different. Then again, words mean nothing when they come from the lips of men. Only action holds truth, are you willing to see, to believe?"

I held out my hand to sister Kiara, I only needed to make contact and she would be mine. Kiara stared at me for what felt like an eternity. The tension was thick and during that time she never once looked at my hand, only my eyes.

I too wore a mask and only my eyes were visible and it felt as though she was tearing everything from me, like my very being was being laid bare to her. Must have been my imagination.

Eventually, she reached her hand out and placed it in mine. The instant we made contact I used my power, but to my shock, there was a bit of resistance. Her body tensed up immediately and her eyes became soulless pits of death. It didn't last longer than a moment, but I felt it, I felt like death itself was staring at me. The feeling passed swiftly and I focused on freezing her. Once that was done I delved into her mind in search of the cause of the resistance.

What I found made me take in a sharp breath. After a moment's pause I smiled, I seemed to have found a diamond hiding in the dirt. I looked into Kiara's, no, I looked into its eyes and spoke. "It is a pleasure to meet you, no one."