Interpretations in Red

A/N: A few things I would like to mention before you go on with the chapter. First of all, by popular demand, we are finally getting more information about what Daenerys has been doing on her side of the world no that we have reached a point of divergence with her own storyline. Her first actual POV chapter will still have to wait until we get to the upcoming interlude between Arcs 7 and 8 but there is not much left to cover before that point. Until then I hope you enjoy this little status update, along with its important implications.

Second, while I was originally planning to match my epigraph's final lines with the last chapter of Story Arc 7, it ultimately couldn't happen because between the delays and realizing later on that it would be a wasted opportunity not to add certain additional scenes, I simply ran out of room for it, so to speak. So yes, you will see the final section here and it will reveal will have huge significance to the plot in due time. And if you manage to understand the reference then kudos to you :D

Finally, hope you enjoy the first truly private conversation between Arya and Sansa since they reunited as I had fun writing it.

Anyway, hope you enjoy and as always, please review with your thoughts and questions if you have anything to say. Let's go!

I truly hope this letter reached the confines of your prison and that we can reach an understanding..for our world's future may change considerably depending on what we ultimately decide.

Sincerely,

The Storm God the Ironborn and their thrice damned Drowned God grew to fear, but better known to you as the Elemental Lord of Air native to Planetos.

__

Great Pyramid of Meeren: Slaver's Bay

After voicing out their fears, the highest Red Priests from their respective genders to hail from Volantis went over Kinvara's recent visions one more time, trying to see if they could interpret them better with a new attempt. They were slow and meticulous as they tried to approach the mysterious signs from different angles, seeking to unravel the symbolic guidance they received in the flames. However, they weren't making too much progress. Kinvara shook her head, and wondered. "That large fleet appeared more than a few times in their visions, and on the surface, it seems that they will help carry much of Daenerys Targaryen's army to Westeros for the Great War to come. However, I am still not sure what to make of the fact that their sails wore such a sigil and in black no less, before shifting to its more notorious coloring," She recognized.

Benerro's glowing red eyes stared at her through the fiery construct they used to communicate. "Are you absolutely sure it was Lannister sigil?"

Kinvara nodded, her mind drifting back to the oddly colored sails.

"The Lannisters are one of the most well-known Westerosi families in our region of Essos and I have spent some time with Tyrion Lannister lately. Yes, I am sure," She responded.

"Hmph," The High priest grunted. "As you know many notorious pirates and corsair kings have favored the use of black sails. And pirates are not usually known for being trustworthy. If this sign was especially symbolic in nature, it could mean that these sailors may become valuable to the Dragon Queen's cause for a time but may also prove to be treacherous in the end."

The servant of R'hllor frowned. "I suppose the Lannisters regime in King's Landing could pay them off to turn on her majesty before she arrives at Westeros but I feel like we are missing something. Besides, those were MANY ships, even if they varied a lot in size," She stressed. "If that part of the visions was literal, then those were more vessels than the military fleets from any lone Free City, except for Braavos. And I can't think of a single Corsair King with access to so many ships, especially one with ties to the Lannisters."

"An omen to watch out for indeed," Her peer replied from over a thousand miles away. "Perhaps you could ask the Dragon Queen's new Lannister advisor."

"He is actually her new Hand now," Kinvara informed him. "But yes, I suppose I could ask him during the next meeting at the top of the Great Pyramid. He has been eager to prove himself worthy of her grace's council ever since she entrusted him with the administration of the city for the second time, a few days ago."

Benerro frowned, the action barely noticeable with all that smoke. "Daenerys Targaryen is not on Meereen?"

Kinvara shook her head. "After defeating the alliance of slavers that tried and failed to sack Meereen and realizing she didn't have enough ships to set sail for Westeros despite the capture of much of their enemy's fleet, she decided to rally her new Dothraki army and ride to Yunkai. There, she intends to retake the city, establish a new ruling council with a larger garrison than the last time to ensure her will is enforced, and to make it abundantly clear she will not tolerate the renewal of slavery yet again, before turning back to Astapor and doing the same. Hopefully, the remaining masters will think twice before reinstating the practice but if not, their stain will be cleansed by dragonfire.

The male high priest tilted his head. "So it's true then? The Dothraki from Vaes Dothrak truly acknowledged Daenerys Targaryen as their prophesied Stallion that Mounts the World?"

Kinvara shrugged slightly. She really didn't like the details of that particular prophecy but it wouldn't be the first time a well-known prophetic interpretation was inaccurate, at least to a point. She need only look at the fact her predecessors had always assumed that Azor Ahai reborn would be male, even though the language used to record the original prophecy had allowed for the possibility that it could have been about a Princess Who Was Promised instead of a prince.

And besides, her grace's new status as a revered champion of the nomadic horse lords could make it easier for the Red Priests to find common ground with the Dothraki as more followers of R'hlor come to join the Dragon Queen's cause. That would certainly improve their chances of converting more of them to the true Lord's light.

"They have," She ended up saying. "And I must say, they were quite excited to learn that their awaited Khal of Khals is a dragonrider. From what I have heard from my priests that work across Meereen, they actually can't wait to follow Daenerys Targaryen across the poisoned water and fight throughout a whole new continent. It seems she has certainly inspired them, given their deep aversion to the sea."

"So I see," The fiery figure responded, his voice sounding slow and thoughtful. "I suppose that would explain the interesting piece of news that came to Volantis this morning."

The acknowledged Light of Wisdom from the Red Temple tilted her head and waited for him to elaborate. The fire of his mystical form grew a bit brighter in its tones of red before her eyes.

"Khal Zekko and Khal Motho were invited by their much more powerful rival, Khal Pono, to a meeting near the Selhoru river, urging them to come to him just north of Volantis," He informed her. "And somehow, the bloodrider bearing Pono's message convinced them to arrive. We do not know exactly what was said between the horse lords as they talked and argued long into the night but, despite their previous enmity, Khal Pono convinced them to make an alliance between their Khalasars. More, before we could start worrying if they were going to amass their forces to attack Volantis or perhaps head north to Qohor as Khal Zekko likes to do at least once every few years, our spies spotted their united horde riding east instead. That baffled many even if it came as a relief, especially when one of the spies insisted that he had heard one of the elderly bloodriders to Khal Motho cheer loudly that the prophesied Khal of Khals they have been waiting for had finally shown itself."

Benerro paused. "After that, it occurred to me that perhaps the Dosh Khaleen interpreted parts of their original vision wrong, and that they should have been looking a for Khaleesi of Khaleesis. It appears I was right."

"Indeed," Kinvara remarked with an amused smile. "And our Dragon Queen will be most pleased to hear that most of the northern Khalasars have set aside their differences and are coming to join her cause as well. Do you have any idea of the size of this united host?"

"Khal Pono had at least 30,000 riders all by himself, according to our reports," He explained. "Between Khals Zekko and Motho, we estimate some 18,000 more, with the latter having the smallest army amongst the three."

The High priestess' eyes widened as her mind quickly made some calculations. "That would make Daenerys' Targaryen united Dothraki army by far the biggest alliance of Khalasars in history, with nearly 155,000 riders at her command. And that's without counting her Unsullied warriors or the Second Sons sellswords that joined her. A truly grand army."

"An army big enough to change the world considerably," Her peer mused, his thoughts clearly focused on the possibilities. "We must make sure Azor Ahai reborn is well guarded against any plots the great enemy of our god may be scheming. But regardless, you should stay close to her," Benerro insisted. "Even though neither of us has had the opportunity to become R'hllor's instrument of resurrection to bring back the fallen, we know it is possible when the Lord of Light deems it important enough. And if the unexpected happens and Daenerys Targaryen is betrayed before her Queensguard can bring her to safety, one of us must be near her to act, for who could have a better chance of being returned to the living than the Princess Who Was Promised?"

Kinvara was about to voice her agreement but then she frowned, something about the high priest's latest words giving her pause. She thought back on what he said for a moment, her mind wandering. And then First Servant of the Lord of Light let out an involuntary gasp, her face surely an uncharacteristic mask of shock.

That did not go noticed by her peer. "What is it?" He asked quickly.

She couldn't bring herself to answer immediately, her thoughts centering on the very first part of her visions that she had seen.

The armored warrior...the symbolism of the wings...the glow of light that cascaded off of him...the hidden message in his coat of arms...was it possible?

Shaking her head to clear it, Kinvara realized it was and the mere fact made her feel awed and privileged and...loved. Loved and honored by her Lord in an even deeper way.

"This must have been why the visions came to me specifically," She realized silently. "To take advantage of the signs and use the sudden flood of light I can now feel in my very bones before it recedes in time. Our champion may come to great danger before she can fulfill her destiny...which means she will need her own champion."

And now, she knew exactly where to look.

She stared at the high priest with urgency in her gaze. "I think I figured out a crucial part of the visions. But somehow, I feel that our window of opportunity is closing fast. We will speak more soon. But you were right my old friend, there HAS been an awakening" Kinavara said with conviction dripping from her tone. "And now I feel it in more ways than one."

With that, she stopped sustaining the fire magicks she has learned to wield as a gift of her Lord. Benerro said nothing in response but stared at her intently, right until the fiery form crumbled into ash. And so she turned around and headed towards the door, feeling more anticipation than she had in years.

In time, she reached the stairways that led to the throne room of the Great Pyramid. And then she headed up, a grin of delight growing on her face.

Ironrath: The North

Once Sansa Stark had washed up and cleansed herself of the stench of the battlefield, entered the chambers that had been offered to her over a week earlier by House Forrester. A new bed had been prepared for her sister and the redhead had told Arya that she could wash up first, since she had had a lot more blood spilled on herself than Sansa had.

Which was why she found her sister already sitting on her bed and looking at the door as she entered, clearly waiting for her. Her expression was impassive as she opened her mouth.

"So, Jon is an **** God now," She said as calmly as if she was talking about the weather.

But then she smirked widely, her eyes taking an overly excited look. "Oh, and I heard that you want to fuck Margaery Tyrell. Having seen her in White Harbor, I can't say I can complain about your taste in women since she is quite the beauty. Just do me a favor and don't be making too much noise at night when we return to Winterfell, will you? Our chambers were next to each other and I have grown rather fond of sleep when I feel safe enough."

Sansa stared at her blunt, grinning sister for a few seconds with a scandalized expression, before her emotional intensity throughout the entire day clashed with the absurd implications of what had caught her attention most, and she started to howl in laughter. Her annoying little sister gave her an innocent smile for a few seconds but by the time the redhead started panting for breath, Arya joined her; cackling with glee.

The two of them laughed and giggled to their heart's content, feeling the tension starting to melt from their bodies. And before long, Sansa sat down next to her sister and gave her a look.

"In case it wasn't clear, we are trying to keep that quiet for now," Sansa stressed. "But yes, you heard correctly."

"Which part?" Arya asked with a raised eyebrow.

The elder sibling suppressed an urge to smack her. "Really? You want to focus on THAT part of the conversation right now?"

Her sister chuckled as she waved her hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, our brother is a god now and above simple morality when it comes to ****. Now tell me, when did you realize that you wanted to learn what that rose tastes like?"

Sansa could feel herself blushing at that. "Arya! What kind of company did you use to keep since we got separated? You are talking like a crude sailor."

"Well, I talked with quite a few sailors when I ended up needing to use a ship to get to Braavos," She replied with a thoughtful tone and the barest hint of a smile. "And guess what, I managed to impress the captain enough into giving me a cabin despite not having enough silver. But you hadn't answered my question yet."

The redhead groaned. "You are not going to stop pestering me and discuss more serious matters until I give in, are you?"

Arya gave her a smirk that reminded her mildly of a direwolf that knew she had her prey cornered. "Do you want to find out the hard way?"

She huffed and waved her hands in the air. "Fine. Lady Margaery was the one bright spot I had in my life while I was a prisoner in that nest of vipers, at least since the Battle of Blackwater Bay. She was there to be a friend to me in the open when no one else dared and a part of me will always love her for that. As for when it was that I realized my feelings for her had grown more...physical," She said slowly, shaking her head at the fact that she was sharing this with Arya of all people, "that would have been about a few months after we met, when I...when I..." She struggled to get the words out, blushing at the memory.

Her annoying little sister grinned at her discomfort. "You...what?" She asked curiously.

"When I shared a hot bath with her and her handmaidens at Red Keep, alright?" She said, rolling her eyes. "There, are you happy?"

"That I am," She said chuckling but her tone was actually earnest and it matched her expression. "Sorry for insisting so much but I really wanted to hear it from you, given all the times you used to talk about the love stories of brave princes from the songs. And besides, I needed something to pass the time on the long flight from Braavos and it occurred to me that this topic would make for a more fun reunion. But all things considered, I guess we are more alike than we once thought."

Sansa raised an eyebrow. "Well, I know better now. But yes, I suppose we are, since Jon already told me about you and this Bellegere Otherys," She remarked, omitting the fact that she had also become familiar with how her sister's female lover looked without clothing when her beloved brother shared the memory with her.

And she remembered it being a magnificent sight...

She swallowed a bit harder than usual, hoping that her sibling wouldn't notice. She didn't seem to, as her eyes took on a fond look, clearly losing herself in thought.

"I wasn't planning on that happening,"' She admitted. "But it did and while we hadn't been together long, I am really glad the Braavosi sent her as a diplomatic representative to the North. If I am honest with myself, I would like to get to know her better. Hopefully, she will arrive at Winterfell soon after we do."

Sansa tilted her head, a bit surprised to see her sister was truly thinking about courting this woman. Then again, from what she remembered, most of Arya's distaste towards marriage had usually focused on the idea of being relegated to the role of a proper lady that was meant to give her husband children. And that wouldn't be a problem with Bellegere as a lover.

Still, while she was glad that her sister was happy, it did raise the question of whether or not she will ever consider joining Jon's harem of wives that share his blood so that he can eventually overcome the blocks around some of his powers...

"Well, it has been a very long day for us both so, let's just go to sleep," She announced yawning.

Sansa stared at her in disbelief. "Wait are we really not going to talk about more important things?"

"Like what? That Jon is a god now? You know that, I know that and we know that we both know that, so what's there to talk about that is more urgent than sleep?" Arya asked as she stretched on her bed. "Besides, while I may now be comfortable talking to you about the women we find attractive, I am still not sure I want to imagine you naked while fucking our brother, and let's face it, that's going to happen if we discuss this," She said shrugging as the blush returned the elder sister's cheeks. "We can talk about that some other time, when our minds are rested. Until then, goodnight, sister. It's truly good to see you again."

And with that, her head hit the pillow and she closed her eyes on the spot.

Sansa opened her mouth to say something, then thought better of it and closed her jaw before shaking her head at Arya. Then she turned around and headed for her own bed to get her well-earned after a hard and victorious day. And as her eyelids closed, her tired mind couldn't help but wonder which dream would bring her being more satisfaction: a violent dream of Ramsay finally getting what he deserved now that they had captured him or a dream full of love, pleasure, and hope for the future with her beloved brother and those they both accept into their future marriage.

Her lips curled into a thin smile and before exhaustion claimed her, she realized in her heart that she had her answer.

A/N: Well, I hope you are all enjoying my faster update pace lately. Shorter chapters perhaps but I really want to avoid month-long breaks in between chapters for the foreseeable future if I can help it so this is helping get that done for now given my current schedule.

Anyway, I hope the Daenery fans in my audience got interested in the status updates from Meereen and the implications from there. And for those that are wondering, those Khals I mentioned are from the books. It is there that there we get more details from their Khalasars, like with Zekko who is known to threaten the Free city of Qohor every few years but backs off if they pay him off.

Regardless, for those that are wondering what exactly am I trying to set up with these new visions in the flames, you will get your first concrete answer and the pay-off therein in the next chapter. Hope you enjoy the twist then! And as always, please review.