The morning sky above King's Landing was painted in soft shades of gold and pale blue as the sun slowly climbed over the waters of Blackwater Bay.
At the royal docks, a small but elegant ship prepared to depart.
Sailors moved across the deck, tightening ropes and adjusting sails while the sea breeze carried the scent of salt and distant waves.
Standing on the wooden pier were three figures.
Jon Arryn.
Lysa Arryn.
Michel Arryn.
Lysa held Michel tightly in her arms.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"You're too young," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Why must you go alone?"
Michel gently placed his hands on her shoulders and stepped back, offering her a calm smile.
"Mother," he said softly, "I'm not alone."
He gestured toward the men standing nearby.
Several Vale knights and guards waited beside the ship, their armor shining faintly in the morning light.
"My bodyguards are coming with me."
Lysa shook her head stubbornly.
"But why must you go now?"
Michel's voice grew steady and serious.
"Because one day I will become Lord of the Vale."
He looked toward the distant sea.
"I must learn how our people live."
"I must understand the problems they face."
"And I must meet the bannermen who will one day follow me."
Lysa's eyes filled with fresh tears.
"I will come with you," she said suddenly. "I will make the arrangements. We will travel together."
Michel sighed gently.
"Mother…"
He placed a hand softly over hers.
"You cannot come."
Lysa looked confused.
"Why not?"
Michel spoke quietly but firmly.
"You are pregnant."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"The journey will be long. I will travel across the Vale, meeting lords and visiting towns."
"That would not be good for your health."
"Or for the baby."
For a moment Lysa was silent.
Then she slowly nodded, though the sadness remained in her eyes.
Michel turned toward his father.
Jon Arryn stood calmly beside them, his grey hair moving slightly in the morning wind.
Michel bowed his head slightly.
"Father."
Jon studied his son carefully.
In just three years the boy had grown into someone remarkable.
Strong.
Wise.
Fearless.
But the world was still dangerous.
Jon placed a firm hand on Michel's shoulder.
"You must be careful."
"There are many who would harm the heir of the Vale."
Assassins.
Political enemies.
Ambitious lords.
Michel met his father's eyes calmly.
"Do not worry, Father."
A small confident smile appeared on his face.
"There is no one who can harm me."
Jon allowed himself a faint smile.
The boy had already proven that more than once.
Michel turned back to his mother.
He hugged her again gently.
"Goodbye, Mother."
"Take care of yourself."
"And take care of the baby."
Lysa held him tightly for a moment before finally letting go.
"Write to me," she whispered.
"I will."
Michel stepped onto the wooden ramp leading to the ship.
The sailors began preparing to cast off.
He turned once more to look at his parents standing together on the dock.
Jon Arryn stood tall and proud.
Lysa Arryn wiped the last of her tears.
Michel raised his hand in farewell.
Then the ship slowly pulled away from the pier.
The sails caught the morning wind, and the vessel began gliding across the waters of Blackwater Bay.
Their destination was Gulltown, the great harbor city of the Vale.
The journey would take twelve days by sea.
Michel stood at the front of the ship, the wind blowing through his dark hair as King's Landing slowly faded into the distance.
The towering walls of the Red Keep grew smaller and smaller until they vanished behind the morning mist.
For the next twelve days, Michel followed a strict routine.
He woke with the sunrise.
Trained with his sword on the deck.
Practiced his footwork and balance while the ship swayed beneath him.
Studied maps of the Vale.
And spent long hours thinking.
Planning.
The sailors whispered among themselves as they watched him train.
The stories were true.
The heir of the Vale was something unusual.
A boy with the discipline of a knight.
The strength of a warrior.
And the calm eyes of a seasoned lord.
At night Michel would stand alone at the ship's bow, staring across the endless sea.
Somewhere beyond those waters lay the Vale of Arryn.
His homeland.
His future.
Soon he would arrive in Gulltown.
Soon he would ascend the mountain roads to the legendary fortress of the Eyrie.
And when he arrived…
The true work would begin.
Michel Arryn clenched his fist slightly as the sea wind rushed past him.
The Vale will become stronger.
Stronger than any kingdom expects.
And the Demon Falcon would begin building his power.