315 AC - Stepstones - Third Person POV
The dimensional gate shimmered in Edinburgh Castle's courtyard, spitting out the family, their riding leathers dusty from Jurassic Island's forests. Julius, fourteen, stretched, his voice bold. "Home's nice, but T. rex chases were better!" Hazel, thirteen, grinned, her curls bouncing. "I miss my triceratops." Alexander, fifteen, his violet eyes calm, adjusted his reins. "The lake was peaceful."
Dominic, his black doublet pristine, clapped his hands, his voice warm. "Rest, then back to duties. Uruk doesn't run itself." Daenerys, her red gown glowing, teased, "Nor does Paradis, love." Missandei, her vines curling, smiled, her voice melodic. "The earth missed us." Aemma, her blue robe soft, sighed, her voice relieved. "I'm for a bath."
Daily life resumed smoothly—Dominic oversaw trade in the Stepstones, Daenerys managed Uruk's fleets, Missandei nurtured Paradis's groves, and Aemma taught Visenya etiquette. The children trained, Julius sparring with time magic, Alexander drilling his Hetairoi, Hazel practicing her wolf form, and Visenya honing her runes.
A raven arrived from Driftmark, its scroll bearing House Velaryon's seal. Dominic unrolled it in his solar, his family gathered. His voice was steady, reading aloud. "Daemon Targaryen, widowed by Rhea Royce's death, has wed Laena Velaryon. They reside at Driftmark, strengthening House Velaryon's ties." Daenerys's voice was thoughtful. "Daemon's ambitious, but Laena's steady." Missandei's voice was calm. "A strong match." Aemma's voice was wary. "Will it stir trouble for Rhaenyra?" Dominic's voice was firm. "He can try, but he can't do anything."
Julius piped up, his voice curious. "Is Daemon cool?" Hazel's voice was cheeky. "Bet he's grumpy." Visenya's voice was proud. "He's a dragonrider, like Rhaenyra!" Alexander's voice was soft. "Family's complicated." Dominic's smile was cryptic, his voice light. "You'll meet him someday."
That night, under a *Disillusionment Charm*, Dominic apparated to Rhaenyra's chambers in the Red Keep. The room was dim, lit by candles, Perseus Velaryon cooing in his cradle. Rhaenyra, her silver hair loose, her violet eyes warm, smiled as Dominic appeared, her voice soft. "You're late, Dom. Perseus missed you."
Dominic knelt by the cradle, his voice tender, tickling Perseus's chin. "Growing fast, little dragon." The boy gurgled, grabbing his finger, and Dominic's smile softened. He sat beside Rhaenyra, his voice low. "We're back from our journey. Jurassic Island—dinosaurs, wild and free. You'd love it."
Rhaenyra's voice was wistful. "Take me next time." Dominic's voice was gentle. "When Perseus is older, we'll go as family." She nodded, her voice warm. "I'll hold you to that."
Dominic's tone grew serious, producing a glowing parchment. "Rhaenyra, a soul contract—your oath not to betray me, as I'll never harm you." She took it, her voice steady, signing without pause. "I trust you, Dom. Always." He nodded, his voice warm, tucking it away.
He offered a vial of *Super-Soldier Serum*, its liquid shimmering. "This will make you stronger, faster, beyond mortal limits." She drank it, her eyes widening as warmth surged." Next, he presented a *Magma Fruit*, its surface molten. "Eat it." She grimaced at the bitter taste, her voice strained. "Gods, it's vile!" Dominic's voice was firm. "Swallow." She did, and he placed a *Weakness Removal Card*, light flashing to negate the drowning curse. Her voice was relieved. "No sea weakness?" He nodded, his voice steady. "You're free."
He handed her a *Lily Potter Template Card*, its glow soft. "You gain Lily Potter's magic—protective spells, wand mastery, and love-driven power. The Magma Fruit lets you summon and control molten rock, shape it, burn through steel. You're a force, Rhaenyra." Her eyes gleamed, her voice eager. "I can protect Perseus… and more."
Finally, he gave her a wand of ebony, its core pulsing. "Practice spells at night, I'll guide you." She flicked it, a spark flaring, her voice thrilled. "It's alive!" They talked late, Dominic teaching her *Lumos*, Rhaenyra laughing as light danced. He left with a soft, "Keep practicing," apparating back, his heart light.
The next morning, Edinburgh Castle's courtyard buzzed with magical training. Dominic, Daenerys, and Missandei coached the children—Julius, Alexander, Hazel, and Visenya—under a bright sun. Julius waved his wand, attempting *Wingardium Leviosa* on a boulder, his voice focused. "Up you go!" The boulder wobbled, then shot skyward, earning Daenerys's voice, warm, "Control, Julius!" Alexander practiced *Accio*, summoning his carved dragon, his voice calm. "Nice and steady." Hazel tried *Aguamenti*, a jet of water splashing Visenya, her voice cheeky. "Oops!" Visenya, soaked, traced a rune, her voice fierce. "You're dead, Hazel!"
When Julius, eager to impress, decided to combine his time magic with a spell. "Watch this, Father!" he called, aiming his wand at a practice dummy. "*Incendio* and chronostasis!" His intent was to freeze a fireball mid-air, but his focus slipped. The fireball erupted, slowed briefly, then sped up, veering wildly toward Hazel, who yelped, "Jules, you idiot!" She shifted into her wolf form, dodging, but the fireball hit a nearby barrel of apples, exploding it into a shower of fruit.
Apples rained down, one smacking Julius's head, his voice indignant. "Ow!" Hazel, back in human form, laughed, her voice mocking. "Nice aim, genius!" Visenya, dodging an apple, hurled Gáe Bolg at the dummy, her voice smug. "That's how you hit!".
Dominic's voice was stern, but his eyes twinkled. "Julius, spells don't mix with time magic unless you're precise. Try again." Daenerys's voice was teasing, her flames catching stray apples. "At least we have pie now." Missandei's vines gathered the fruit, her voice amused. "Focus, children." Julius, red-faced, muttered, "Sorry," and cast *Reparo*, fixing the barrel, his voice sheepish. "Won't happen again."
Hazel lobbed an apple at him, her voice cheeky. "Better not, or I'll freeze you!" The courtyard erupted in laughter, the mishap a light moment in their rigorous training.
Edinburgh Castle's great hall glowed with torchlight, a table laden with roast boar, fish, salad, and bread. Dominic sat at the head, Daenerys and Missandei at his sides, Aemma chatting with Visenya. Julius, Hazel, and Alexander, dug in, their voices loud.
Hazel waved her fork. "My triceratops ride was epic, Jules!"
Julius smirked. "Climbing a brachiosaurus was better."
Visenya grinned. "I the baby dino are better!"
Alexander shrugged. "Stygimoloch liked me."
Aemma laughed. "You're all wild!"
Daenerys teased. "Our wild, Aemma."
Missandei passed bread. "Eat, Julius."
Julius grabbed it. "When's our next adventure, Father?"
Dominic sipped wine. "Another world, in a week."
Hazel's eyes lit up. "Where?"
Dominic smiled. "Surprise. But I've got things to sort first."
Visenya pouted. "Tell us!"
Alexander asked, "Another island?"
Julius leaned in. "With bigger dinosaurs?"
Dominic chuckled. "Patience, kids. It'll be worth it."
Daenerys winked. "Trust him, he's got plans."
Missandei nodded. "Big ones."
Aemma sighed. "No T. rexes, I hope."
Hazel grinned. "I'd freeze one!"
Julius laughed. "I'd outrun it!"
Visenya smirked. "I'd spear it."
Alexander shook his head. "Let's not."
Dominic raised his goblet. "To family, and what's next."
They clinked, voices echoing. "To family!"