On the Throne of Roses

The Iron Throne "Game of Thrones"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 "The White Queen" Henry Tudor

 

 

 

The White Queen" Elizabeth of York

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**Spoiler Alert** all Game of Thrones non-readers!!

As a bona fide addict of “A Song of Ice and Fire,” as the theories pour out, sometimes I get a good laugh, sometimes I get new insight into this very long, sophisticated story, and sometimes I feel like my brain will explode over some of the over-the-top, but interesting conclusions.  Most theories are based on religion, whether or not Jon Snow is the R’hllor messiah Azor Ahai, or political, who marries who, who survives Winter, and what the map will look like at the end of the story.  Most of we fans of the cable series and books agree that the characters will die, George R. R. Martin style. 

I went back to thinking about the history that inspired the fictional War of Five Kings, the Wars of the Roses in English history.  Author Phillipa Gregory shined light on this history profiling the women, and though not “pure” history; The White Queen series brought to life a fascinating time.  So I asked myself the question of a history-based theory.

In brief, and I’m not a historian (hard science background here), popular York King Edward IV married commoner Elizabeth Woodville, though not his first marriage, she was his “Queen of choice,” and she gave him ten children.  The oldest was Princess Elizabeth, and the murder mystery of the “Boys in the Tower” is from this royal family.  Edward died young unexpectedly, so his controversial brother Richard III bastardized the children and made himself King of England.  Meanwhile, Lancastrian distant heir Henry Tudor grew up in exile, and waited for a time to strike to claim the throne thought to be his birthright.  At Bosworth, the old score between the Yorks and Lancasters was settled by the death of King Richard III and when Henry Tudor married the former Princess Elizabeth of York to merge the houses and end the wars.  The Tudor dynasty began.

So out of the ASOIAF theories, how would this work in the story?  Answer:  Looking at Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York, they weren’t players in the historic “Game of Thrones” until they married. Question:  Why did this work in ending the War of the Roses?  Answer:  Though Henry Tudor wasn’t an instant sell; the people had mixed feelings over Richard III.  The people needed a King and Queen that a powerful family didn’t have a major bone to pick with.

So, amongst the massive list of fictional characters in ASOIAF, who could end the story if the Wars of the Roses were used as an inspiration for the end game?  Answer:  Amongst many, the obvious are Danerys Targaryen and Jon Snow, two lead characters with “magical” backgrounds and the first like them to be born ever, or in thousands of years.  My issue with a Jon/Dany marriage isn’t “Disney” but I don’t see it ending the political problems in Westeros, which will probably survive Winter, if the people don’t.  (Grudges work that way).  I think these two power-characters will have a role, but healing the War of Five Kings sore spots, I’m not so sure.  BTW, if you don’t know R+L=J, read the books again.  Jon Snow’s parents are the biggest unanswered question to me.  What I believe is these two will be involved in the fate of the Iron Throne itself.

Alternatives:  House Targaryen and House Martell are in a position to take the Iron Throne by conquest by not being a part of the War of Five Kings, should Stannis Baratheon fail.  The third Targaryen in ASOIAF is a young man now, named Aegon VI.  IF he is who the books say he is (why would Varys lie to a dying man?), then he is a “non-magical” Targaryen.  The two Houses that weren’t in the devastating War of Five Kings were Tagaryen and Martell in Dorne.  If Aegon weds Arianne Martell, that would be (another) merging of the Houses but in a different situation.  After Winter, after the dragons, after everything else, the Houses post-war will lose the most.  Aegon and Arianne could form a new House without the Iron Throne, which is the statement of everything wrong with Westeros.  It means no more incest marriages, no more Iron Throne; Westeros would be a new kingdom.  The North may/may not be independent, certainly other characters could be plugged into Aegon and Arianne’s place, but the idea of a marriage and a new House based on the end of the Wars of the Roses makes sense to me.  

I don’t theorize too often, but when I think about history, I like to see it come to life in fiction.  This hardly scratches the surfaces of the fates of the many characters, but another fan, another theory.  We’ll see more next year.  Quoting Tyler Durden “I may be wrong.”  Ah, well.  It happens.

His Grace Seeks Wisdom

Stannis Baratheon and Melissandre, "Game of Thrones"

The lead character of the Gastar novellas meets King Stannis Baratheon and his trusted companions.

Shevata leaned back in her chair inside her underworld office, frowning at the demon as he delivered the message.  “Stannis?  Really?  Send them in.”

A well built, stern-faced man in armor walked in, followed by a woman wearing a long red dress, with a gray bearded man wearing a black cloak bringing up the rear.  “Your Grace.”  Shevata stood, with a brief curtsy.  Stannis nodded to her. 

She turned to the woman in the red dress.  “You’re the woman that sees the future in the fire.”  The woman nodded.  She handed her a scroll she removed from a desk drawer.  “In hell, we see the future on paper scrolls.  Have a look.”  The woman read the scroll, then scowled with anger.  “Take her to Zermon,” ordered Shevata, as a pair of demons gagged and dragged her away.

Shevata turned to the bearded man.  “You’re a good man, I hear.”  The man nodded, “I try to be.” 

“Take him to the fire pits.”  Another pair of demons dragged him away. 

Stannis removed his sword.  “Girl, I’ll cleave you in half if anything happens to them.” 

Shevata smiled and sat in her chair, motioning Stannis to do the same.  “Your Grace, I preferred to see you alone.  Your companions are safe.  Davos’s soul is of powerful strength that it can’t burn in the fire here.  The priestess, well, Zermon has other plans for her when she arrives on her own.  He won’t harm her now, but he will burn her one thousand times for every person she burned while serving the false god of light.  Only if he is satisfied after will he burns her soul in the pit and make her his wife.  It was my recommendation.”

Stannis sat across from her.  “The woman has power, that’s why I need her.”

“You have power, you don’t need her.”

“So if you were in Westeros, would you fight for me?”

“After I assassinated that woman, yes.  I’d be the personal guard for you or Davos.”

“It’s not that simple.  Aegon conquered Westeros with dragons.”

“You have no dragons.  Why do you need dragons?”

“I know, girl.  Magical power is what works.”

Shevata leaned back.  And if you had one hundred dragons, what would you do?”

Stannis smirked.  “What game are you playing?”

“You’re the one playing the game of thrones.  I’m telling you power will not get you what you want.  Leaders inspire the people.  It’s not all about fear.  Ask around here in Hell.  The demons hate Zermon.  If he’s away too long, they’ll overthrow him.”

“What are you suggesting I do?”

“I’m agreeing with what you’re doing now.  When you went to war, you reached for the wrong ally in the priestess.  But now you’re reaching to the North.  You need the Starks.  They have magic.  And they are loved, and you are not.  If you stay with this woman, you’ll be hated, and you’ll face her fate down here.”

“You’re trying to threaten me?”

“You know better, Your Grace.  You have admirable strength.  Use it.”

Davos and the priestess returned to the office.  “How were the tours?”  Shevata smiled.  Davos shrugged as if nothing happened.  The woman looked away.  “Cheer up, Melissandre,” Shevata smiled.  “If you cast your god down, I’ll remove your sentence here.  She turned to Stannis.  “Your Grace, I wish you the best.  But the best, I fear, isn’t in your future.  We will meet again.”

Jon Snow’s Search

Jon Snow with Ygritte "Game of Thrones"

A bit of fun with Game of Thrones character Jon Snow meeting the lead character of the Gastar series Shevata.

Shevata sat at her desk in her comfortable apartment in hell, the one place she could find solace and a getaway from Zermon’s bombastic speeches, his obnoxious demonic servants, and the screams from the firepits of lost souls.  She sat back at her desk thinking about her existence; her mistakes in the Underworld and her triumphs in her home world, realizing over time everything just becomes a memory.

A handsome young man appeared in her doorway.  “My lady, I was told I could find you here.”  His voice shook a little and he seemed shy.  Shevata found him striking in appearance with black curly hair waving around his face..

“I’m no lady, but have a seat.”  She nodded to a chair across from her desk.  He sat looking down at the floor.

“There’s no reason to be afraid.  The demons told me you are Jon Snow, and asked permission to come here for another.  Who?” 

“I lost someone I love and I want to save her.” 

Shevata raised an eyebrow.  “You can’t save her.”

He looked up at her.  “How do you know who I’m asking about?”

She shrugged.  “Nobody can be saved from the fires of hell.”

“Please.”  Tears welled up in his eyes.  “I loved her.”

Shevata stood and walked past him toward the door.  “Come.”

They walked toward Zermon’s main fire pit.  Jon looked at the demons in horror as they shackled and dismembered a screaming man.  “Hi, Tywin,” said Shevata as she passed by.  A menacing rack stood in their way, as they passed, she ordered, “Move the Bolton Bastard’s toy until he’s down here.”  Jon followed her to the side of a large obsidian chair.  A female demon sat in it beckoning Jon to sit beside her.  He stepped back and grimaced at her facial features rearranged with her eyes at the bottom and her mouth at the top.  Shevata lashed her across the face with a thorn whip.  “Get out Shae.”  A pair of demons threw her into the firepit as she screamed.  Jon winced.  “She was the woman who betrayed Tyrion Lannister.”  Shevata handed the whip to one of the demons, giving a nod to continue to whip her in the bottom of the pit.  She turned to Jon.  “You know Tyrion?”  He nodded.  “Zermon promised Shae if she jumped into the fire without resistance, he would change her into a succubus, a beautiful female demon.”  Jon frowned.  “He lied.”  Shevata smiled as the young man gasped.  “It was my idea.”  She sat on the throne.  “Bring Ygritte.”

“You do know her!”  Jon glared at Shevata as he stood beside the obsidian throne. 

“Watch.”  She motioned the demons to bring before her a comely red haired woman, dressed in rags, covered in cuts and bruises from many obvious fights. 

“Ygritte of the Wildlings?”  Shevata read the scroll.  “You’re banished to Hell for the murder of women and children before the attack on the Ice Wall.  Have you anything to offer for redemption of your soul?”

“Unchain me and I’ll have your heart out you little wimp girl.”  Ygritte spat at Shevata. 

Shevata laughed along with the demons.  Shevata heard a smirk from Jon.  “She can’t see you because you’re a pure soul.  Don’t push my patience.”  Jon became silent.

“Is there nothing you’d give up of yourself, nothing of value that you’d give to anyone deserving better than your fate?  Anyone you may have loved?”  Shevata’s eyes glanced down at the scroll.

“Jon Snow chose duty over his woman.  If there is any justice, he should be beside me right now.”  Her eyes glowed with ferocity. 

Jon leaned over to Shevata.  “Please, don’t burn her in the fire.  Isn’t there something else?”

Shevata reached in her pocket.  “There are no good options, Jon Snow.”  She loaded a tiny crossbow.  “What will it be?”  Jon hesitated.  Shevata nodded to the demons to throw her into the firepit.  “Nooo!”  He shouted.  Ygritte disappeared in a bright flash of light. 

Jon stood still in shock.  “You destroyed her soul?”

Shevata nodded to the demons to seize him.  “I told you there were no good options.  They will take you out of Hell.  You know nothing, Jon Snow.”

On the Imperfect Daenerys

Daenerys Targaryen "Game of Thrones"

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As a fan of George R. R. Martin’s books “A Song of Ice and Fire” and the cable series “Game of Thrones” I follow other fans in cyberspace, with spoiler Facebook pages for we readers (don’t worry, not in this blog), and the numerous fun fan pages with hilarious memes.  Like it or hate it, Game of Thrones to me, as a series doesn’t take itself so seriously that they cannot have fun.

Most fans I know, which agree with a fan video that pointed out the four most popular characters:  Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Arya Stark, and Daenerys Targaryen.  When asked who do we want to see on the Iron Throne?  Many, like me, are #TeamDaenerys. 

To be brief for the Daenerys fans, why do we like this character?  Answer: We’ve seen her grow from a naïve, fragile girl to the wife then widow of a Dothraki savage, hatch three dragon eggs, and accumulate followers and armies as she marches her way across Essos to decide the fate of any place she lands by the power of her followers and her growing dragons.  To quote ASOIAF Tyrion described her as “Aegon the Conqueror with teats.”  She’s anti-slavery, anti-rape, anti-cruelty, with the disclaimer unless you’re her enemy.  However, if her brother Visterys had hatched the eggs instead, he’d likely be doing more and worse as far as atrocities go.

A favorite Facebook fan page is “Stannis Baratheon, the new Chuck Norris.”  I like Stannis, to me the most underrated character in the series.  Some posts come from the page Daenerys Targaryen is Overrated” FB page.  The non-team Daenerys fans find her to have a sense of entitlement, thinking everything should belong to her; that all people must bend the knee to the “Queen of (so many names I forget)", I can see how people get frustrated.  She’s also thought by some to be protected by the author, though I’ll say living a Dothraki lifestyle by eating a raw horse heart isn’t particularly protective. 

Martin’s writing does bring us a bit of pain in the Mereen chapters.  Daenerys takes many baths, has her eye on Daario, and is pampered by her servants everywhere.  She makes the decision to stop in Mereen and rule.  Is that wise?  Answer:  Tywin Lannister gave us the answer in the most recent HBO episode, when he pointed out Robert Baratheon thought winning the Iron Throne and ruling were the same.  Daenerys is trying to figure this out.  As far as her dragons, no she doesn’t have the book “How to Train Your Dragon” as noted in the memes.  She is still young, and will make mistakes. 

To me, “A Song of Ice and Fire” is a story about imperfect characters.  Very few are not without their faults, mistakes, or dark places in their histories.  Daenerys Targaryen is a child from a longstanding dynasty, so yes; she feels every bit as entitled as fifteenth century England where some of this series is inspired by (War of the Roses).  Fans, pick your heroes and go for it.  Just because Daenerys is a favorite doesn’t mean other characters aren’t great also.  Great stories have great characters.

Catelyn’s Cause

Catelyn Stark "Game of Thrones"

Catelyn Stark meets with the lead character of the Gastar novellas.

A tall wingless demon stood outside of Shevata’s hideout in Hell; a comfortable apartment with gilded velvet furniture.  A desk stood in the middle for some bookkeeping and the few rejections Zermon had her review before exiling souls from eternal doom.  “She’s waiting inside.”  Shevata rolled her eyes.  “Stay outside.”

A lovely woman with long auburn hair sat at her desk, and stood when Shevata entered.  “I am Lady Catelyn Stark.”

Shevata sat across from her at the desk.  “Please sit, Catelyn.  We’re not highborn or baseborn here.  I am Shevata.”  The woman nodded respectfully and sat.  “You have no business here.  Anyone making a mad journey to Hell risks his or her soul.  What do you want of me?”

“I lost my whole family.  Why can’t I seek revenge?”

Shevata sat back.  “I know what happened.  Your husband, Eddard, was a good man as was your son Robb.  One underestimated the Lannisters, and the other was betrayed by his bannermen.  How can I help?”

“You have the power to kill.  I want those that destroyed my family to be destroyed.”

“In Hell, we get them all.  Believe me, the fire pits of Hell destroy like nothing else.”

“That isn’t enough!  I want them to feel the pain!  I want them to feel loss!  I want them to know what I lost!”  Tears welled up in her eyes. 

“If Zermon and I went to Westeros to put to torture and death every person that wronged another, we might as well allow what he wanted in my home city and create an extension of Hell itself.”

“You know a great wrong has been committed against my family!”

Shevata nodded.  “Yes, I know but I can’t give you what you want.”

“You’re an assassin!”

“Yes, an assassin.  Meaning, I kill individuals for specific reasons.  As tempting as it is, I’m sorry, I cannot take up your cause.”

Catelyn did not back down.  “Why not?  I can give you the names so why can’t you kill them like you do in your world?”

“I can’t spare your world from Zermon.  If I’m involved, he’s involved.  There’s enough Hell in Westeros already.  I won’t let him make it worse.”

She calmed herself in disappointment.  “You’re just like the rest of them, just as uncaring, and without honor!”

“Honor?  Of course there’s no honor here.  We’re not noble families with houses and sigils.  We’re below what you would call ‘baseborn.’”  I was born not just a slave but also a slave soldier.  Don’t tell me about honor.”

Catelyn nodded with respect.  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

Shevata leaned towards her.  “If you want revenge for your family then you must take it on your terms, not in Hell. This is not a war zone for feuding families.”

“What would you do then?”

Shevata thought for a moment.  “Go back.  Think backwards carefully.  Don’t stop.”

Afterlife of the Viking

Ragnar "Vikings"

Ragnar of “Vikings” faces judgment in the Underworld before Gastar characters Shevata and Zermon.

Shevata leaned back on the armrest of the obsidian throne.  “Zermon, no more savages!”

“I’ll remind you that you released the last one?”  Zermon rolled his eyes looking over a short man brought before them in chains. 

“If you want to drop this one in the pit, then do it.” Shevata attempted to jump down to leave, but Zermon held her back. 

“No, little devil.  Let’s meet this man.”  He handed her the scroll.  She glanced a scowl as she unrolled it and read aloud.  “Ragnar.  You’re a savage.  Throw him in.”  The demons lifted him.

“Wait!” Said Ragnar.  “How can you call me a savage considering what you do here?”

Zermon leaned back.  “Keep him up a minute.”

Shevata looked over Ragnar.  “You are an idiot for saying that.  This is hell.”

Zermon looked at the scroll at roared in laughter.  “He expected to go to Valhalla!”  Shevata snatched it back from him. 
“There’s no Vahalla Ragnar.”  She looked over the page.  “But you’ve been a great warrior, traveled far, and led your men to great victories in battle.”  She smiled.  “But it’s always the details, isn’t it?”  She continued to read.  “You led you men to Northumbria, captured the King’s brother, and killed him when you said you wouldn’t.  Nice.  Let’s see.”  She looked further down the page.  “ You abandoned your family for your own gain, took and impregnated another woman, causing your wife to leave you for another man and later separating her from her son she bore for you.”

Ragnar stood with pride.  “Anything else?”

Shevata looked over the page again.  “No Ragnar.  Nothing else.”

“So why should I be condemned?  I needed another wife to bear me more sons.  As for Northumbria, we never met them before.  It was war.”

Shevata looked back at Zermon and he nodded.  She slid off the armrest of the throne and walked toward him.  “So perhaps we have it all wrong down here in the Underworld, is that right, Ragnar?  That you’re just a good man, misunderstood?”

“I’m a man that lived in a violent world.” 

“You’re a man that committed treachery, murder, infidelity that lead to the death of one of your children.”  Shevata withdrew her dagger.

“My child died of illness!”

Shevata motioned to the demons to pin him down on his back.  With the dagger she cut down his breastbone from top to bottom.  She stood up and looked down at him.  “Now Zermon will take over.  This is the custom of your people that treachery bears this punishment.  Only a savage would think of something like this to do to another!”  She kicked him hard in the groin and walked away. 

She heard a scream in the distance and Zermon say “Oh, I guess that’s why they call it the Blood Eagle.”

On High in Infidelity

"Vikings"

Regardless of the story, is it historical romance, sci-fi, Dark Fantasy, or documentary, somewhere in a marriage if there is infidelity, there will be controversy.  Even in the most accepted of cultures of arranged marriages and multiple wives, one wife “trumps” another wife usually over when they married and how many sons were born, depending on the culture.

So when I see historic series on television, it’s interesting to me how human feelings transcend the centuries; because not matter what, if a man chooses another woman, the first wife will not be happy about it in most cases.  Why should she?  After marriage and supporting her man, giving him children, and taking care of things while he’s away, he brings home another woman?  What gratitude!

But am I being too hard on men?  I’ll point out the Victorian period and a Churchill biography I read where a woman told him if he didn’t take a lover then he was “selfish.”  Really?  Wow, that’s an interesting take on things.  However, the upper classes had their own agenda, certainly not to exclude Winston’s mother, known for her lovers. 

I’ve had a few men (very few) give me the argument that a single man is really needed to “provide” for many women for breeding children.  OK, I get that.  But for most societies, the population is generally 50% of each gender.  I’ll take the high road for that discussion and leave it for the sociologists.

What does infidelity have to do with the writer?  Answer:  If you’re writing about marriage, everything.  One has so many possibilities in character development and taking in a culture to consider the risks and consequences of the behavior.  Generally it’s thought women don’t have the upper hand and depending on the time in history, they didn’t.  But I don’t believe it made things easy for men with integrity.  Men needed wives to raise their children, and most of us understand the importance of a parent’s relationship to a child, and when the father is away, the mother is paramount. 

It’d be convenient to say there should be marriages that are completely open without jealousy and if so, that’s great.  But so often, marriage vows are considered sacred, and breaking them breaks more than just a ceremonial promise.  It breaks hearts, breaks families, breaks relationships, and sometimes forms opportunities. 

The Prince in the Underworld

Tom Kane "Boss"

It’s time for the ultra-Machiavellian character Tom Kane of the Starz series “Boss” meet the lead Gastar character after living his philosophy to the end of his life and now faces judgment of his eternal soul.

Shevata sat at her desk in her hideout in Hell, finding a bit of time to escape Zermon’s hideous job of sending souls to eternal doom.  She closed a book she’d finished reading entitled “The Prince” Zermon sent with a scroll about a visitor she will be meeting soon.  “Send him in.”  She nodded toward the tall demon standing at the entrance of her office. 

Shevata felt underwhelmed by one of the most unassuming men she had ever seen.  The tall, balding man strolled in with quiet confidence, wearing a button down shirt and trousers, with no weapons.  Other than taking directions from the demon that led him inside, he seemed completely unafraid.  He motioned to the chair in front of her desk.  “May I?”  She nodded and he sat, crossing his legs. 

He smiled as if he were to calm her down.  “Look, I realize the awkwardness of it all.  Tell me, what can I do for you?”  He placed his hands open on his lap.  Shevata rolled his scroll to the side of her desk. 

“Zermon wanted me to meet you to teach me some kind of lesson, as if I need to learn anything from the likes of you, Mr. Kane.” 

“If I may say, Lady, the world I know is a place of deals.  There’s no reason it be different here.”

Shevata feigned amazement.  “Really?  What can you offer me Mr. Kane?”

“Well, the..” he motioned toward the demon in the doorway, “those guys talk about you a lot.  It seems that you’re here against your will.  So am I.  Maybe I can get us both out.”

“You will not be the first to try to talk me into overthrowing Zermon, so save you story for the fire pits.”

He chuckled and shook his head.  “You’re just like the others that serve, always thinking small.”  Shevata raised an eyebrow.  He leaned toward her.  “You can put me in Zermon’s place, I can give you freedom, any leftover humans freedom, and will work with you once you establish yourself back in your own world.

Shevata leaned back in her seat.  “So from now on, with Zermon out of the way, all of my problems will be over?”  He nodded. 

“Don’t you agree?”  He said.   

Shevata reached back and hurled a chain at him, binding him tightly to the chair.  “I agree with Zermon that all Machiavellians think they’re the smartest in the room and find their own way to the fire pits.  You, Mr. Kane, are no different.  Take him away.”  After the demon carried him away, she picked up “The Prince” and resumed her reading.

On the Love of Intrigue

"House of Cards

So many aspects of stories reel in the readers of books or viewers of films or shows, be it action, fantasy, drama, horror, but on the short list of it all is the lure of intrigue, when we must know what happens next and a few hours sleep or loads of laundry won’t stop us.  Many daytime television dramas I recall watching as a kid not missing them so much when school started, but during summer I hated missing what would happen the “next episode,” far before my mature days of speculation.

Being an unapologetic fan of gangster films like “Goodfellas” and “Casino” I’ll admit intrigue glues me to the screen and served as migraine headache companions many years ago.  Other films like the Dutch film “Black Book” kept me on the end of my seat, and as shown, political intrigue, when done well, reels me in when the Machiavellian lead character sticks to the rules of the Prince and takes his (or her) hits but manages to come out on top in the long run, by any means possible.

Intrigue, I believe is what makes series so popular, even if the story isn’t the cloak-and-dagger secrets waiting to come out.  We just want to know what happens next, which is part of intrigue.  During the Harry Potter mania, I remembered exactly when I started reading the final book, stopping only for short bathroom breaks until finished.  When “The White Queen” series came out, my poor kindle was on almost non-stop the weekend I ate all three novels the show was based upon.  I consider myself a very impatient reader, so once I start a book, I consider myself already finished it; everything in between are words keeping me from finishing it.  If I miss something, it’s time for a re-read.

For books to be intriguing I don’t believe they require being a series, being gangster or political stories, or Machiavellian lead characters.  What I like is for the story to make me turn the page.  Usually writers will achieve that with their strengths; some write great action, others write great character development, others write great non-fiction, and we all know some are great at it all.  I say, go for it, and tell us about it.  The readers decide.

The Judgment of The Khal

"Game of Thrones" Khal Drogo

Khal Drogo now stands before Shevata, the lead character of the Gastar novellas, awaiting judgment for eternal doom in the fire pits of Hell.

Shevata’s face froze as she read the length scroll.  One of the higher demons sat a stone table beside the obsidian throne where she sat and placed an elaborate goblet of gold and filled it with a green liquid from a silver pitcher.  She shook her head at the demon.  “Only Zermon can make this happen.  Only he can create a higher demon.”

The demon completed his task, making certain the mug was completely filled.  “You killed Kuvern.  Now he must be replaced.”  He walked away.

A pair of huge winged demons, larger than Zermon, brought in a large, muscular, powerful man, with dark skin, scant clothing, and a long braid down his back.  She read down the scroll.  “Khal Drogo of the Dothraki, is that right?”  He mumbled something and one of the demons twisted his arm backwards.  He did not show pain. 

“Khal Drogo, we all speak the same language here.  Just look at me and speak clearly and I will understand you.” 

He glared at her.  “All of you can fuck yourselves.”

Shevata raised an eyebrow.  “Well, I’m afraid you’re past the battles of insults, battles for gold, battles for blood.  You’re in a dark place, Khal.  In Hell, Zermon decided all savages that go through lands mindlessly killing women, children, and other innocents will see their afterlife here.  Now you, only you, have a chance for redemption.  So you can either tell me to fuck off, or offer something for the lives you’ve taken.”

“It is known they are ours to take!”  Shouted the Khal.  A demon hit him hard in the mouth.

“It is not known here.  Don’t prove us right by being stupid.  You will either offer something of worth back to those you killed or you will become one of those that hold you now.”  She motioned to the goblet.  The Khal relaxed.  “The moon of my life.  Daenerys.  I give everything.  To her.”

Shevata leaned back and read through the scroll again.  “She has dragons.  She lost your son.  I’m sorry.”

“If anything left of me, I give to her.”  He said again. 

Shevata handed him her golden-jeweled dagger.  “Killing yourself here won’t help her.”

He took the dagger and cut off his braid to his scalp and threw it into the fire pit.  He reached down with it and cut his Achilles tendon then handed the blade back to her.  “No more Khal.  No more battle.”

Shevata felt her mouth drop open with awe.  She reached into her pocket and handed him a clear gem, glittering in multiple colors, like a prism.  “Take this and it will guide you out of Hell.  Your soul will go to your Khaleesi.  Rest well, Khal Drogo.”

Gastar and the Captain

"BlackSails" Captain Flint

I’m having a little fan fiction fun with the lead character of Black Sails, Captain Flint, meet the lead character of the Gastar novellas in the Underworld.  Let’s see how well they get along:

Shevata leaned back on Zermon’s huge obsidian throne.  “No, I don’t want to see anyone else!  Find Zermon and tell him I said to come do his own job.”

A demon handed her a scroll.  “He almost declined this one so he wants you to meet him.”

Shevata unrolled and read the paper.  “A pirate captain?  They are thieves and murderers, destined for the fire pits.  Why does this one get special consideration in Hell?”

The demon motioned with his hand and a tall muscular man stood before her.  He was bleeding from several wounds and the manacles cut through his skin.  “I take it you’ve been fighting them, uh,” Shevata glanced over the paper, “Captain Flint.”

“Yes, I was.” He stood unwavering. 

“This is your chance to tell me your case and maybe find redemption.  Tell me about your life.  The part that sent you down here.”

He looked at her with hatred.  “I left my country with my love and had no good choices to make a life for us.  Therefore, I became a pirate, so I lead crews of men that chased down ships to kill the crew and steal the cargo.  Over time, the men needed a leader, so I created the role for them by being their king.”

Shevata sat back, holding back a laugh.  “A pirate king? Go on.”

The man gave her a glance that would kill her if he could.  “I had to make decisions I couldn’t share with the crew.  They wouldn’t understand.  We needed treasure and a lot of it to make a home on land.  I wanted to make a home with the woman I loved.  I lost men trying to do that.  Should that condemn me to Hell?”

Shevata unrolled the scroll again.  “Your honorable intentions don’t change your actions of thievery and murder.  Educate me, Captain.  Why should I spare you?”

“Because it’s right!”

She handed him the scroll.  “What have you sacrificed?”

He read it as the blood ran down his arms from the wounds, ignoring them.  “This basically says I’m nothing but a brigand, a scourge, an outlaw scum.”

“Pirates usually are.”  Shevata took back the blood-stained scroll and set it aside. 

“So what will it be?” 

“I’ll send you to the upper levels to atone for the murders, and loss of the lives of your men.  You will live humble and accept your position of being of service to Zermon.  Sometimes he releases people from the upper levels and you’ll find redemption.”

“I serve no one.”

“Then your soul will burn and you will no longer exist.”  He turned and jumped into the fire pit without hesitation.  “What is it with Kings?”  Shevata threw the blood scroll down and walked away.

On All Those Details

"Game of Thrones"

As I read great books by famous bestselling authors, one consistency that I often see is the huge detail these writers put into their stories.  I don’t find these details always additive; and sometimes I’m remembering who ate what when I’d prefer to know a side story about an ancient war.  I’ll admit details and side stories are not places I like getting bogged down in; often I’ll skim and move on to the main plot in many books.

My first example is the 1970s hit novel “Jaws” by Peter Benchley.  I read an excerpt in a magazine before the film came out.  My brother was interested so he purchased the paperback from a consignment store, so naturally I read it after he did.  As a preteen I recognized though I couldn’t process the vulgar language or adult scenes.  But when I put the book down asked my Mom, “Why did Hooper have an affair with the cop’s wife?  Is that going to be in the move?”  Not a Kodak family moment.

Another example is “Freedom” by Jonathan Franzen, which I reviewed on this blog, and compared it to “Revolutionary Road,” masterpiece by Richard Yates.  While the media hype of “Freedom” and the author ensured me he stood out as a writer because he is one of the writers that “knows how to write” (wow!).  The part about a guy reaching into a recently used toilet to find an engagement ring to give to his true love didn’t make me swoon for my Prince Charming.  I know, some would say look what he was willing to do, I get it, but why couldn’t the writer have him climb a skyscraper or something?  I’ll agree with Franzen, he can write, he succeeded at nauseating me.

If any series of books contains over-the-top details, I’d say George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” (books “Game of Thrones” series is based on) takes all of the lemon cakes.  We’re sure of Sansa’s favorite dessert, we know about Cersei’s wonderful stuffed swan dinner, several times how sucking pigs are a delicacy, and Illyrio in Pentos having dinner picking up a mushrooms swirling in butter then licking his fingers.  Other details include Lancel’s pumping, Cersei’s finger licking (It’s not food, read the books if you’re curious), her gowns more elaborate than in the series, often white and studded with emeralds, and each change description every day. (I liked her wardrobe). 

So this brings me back to the point:  How much in the way of “little details” are required in a story?  Answer:  I won’t touch that.  I know details add depth to create the world for the reader, to actually experience the world instead of words on paper.  But is there such thing as too many details?  Answer:  The readers always decide.