19.8

ACT 963161069-26889.24.(M1.D09)(8697 B.C. Morning Star (January) Quarter Moon( First Week) Mardon(Monday) )-Eve-Smith-Silver Prime

Eve sat in a luxurious library in the House of Black and White. Silver dust crawled through all the assembled books transferring the information to the Eternal Memory. It was standard practice now in any library that Eve inhabited. The influx of information served to allow Nota to combat boredom. For the same reason, all communication ran through Crystal Core. It kept her abreast of the vast information network she’d created using the Faceless.

A thousand years was enough time to reveal the underpinnings of several parts of the world. The book in her hands denoted a travel log of a half-mad sailor who claimed to have met the alleged Drowned God. Eve took particular interest in the description of the creature.

It was a sapient Kraken.

More than that, it was the most massive Kraken ever recorded, even in myth. At least, that was the account Eve read. Such a creature could devour fleets, not just mere ships. The question was why it didn’t set up shop near known lands.

The answer was in another book that appeared as Eve sent the first one back to its proper shelf in the library with a spatial push. The Pact covered more than merely an agreement between the First Men and the Children of the Forest.

It covered all supernatural entities in this world.

Much like the Fae Accords that dealt with extraplanar entities, Outsiders like Eve, the Pact dealt with homegrown superpowered supernaturals. The Divines of this place were many and varied. Their arguments fueled the world’s wars.

Eve knew from reading that the three continents that made up the known world were merely a fraction of the whole. Westeros, Essos, and Sothoryos were simply the tip of the iceberg. Ulthos was entirely theoretical, Norvos wasn’t even theorized, and Sargos was lost to the myths of antiquity. Maps were considered military-level secrets and hoarded like treasure.

The soft step of the First Face resounded in the library as Eve’s musings were cut short.

“Strange Lady.” The First Face says, bowing slightly to Eve. She accepts the title as attempts to change it have failed. The centuries that passed since she had arrived bore multiple fruitless attempts to change the form of address.

“You know, you can call me Eve. E-V-E, you can do it, Number One!” Eve said with a tone of endless hope.

“Thank you, Strange Lady.” The First Face, Number One, says with a calm smile. Eve sighs as she looks over her oldest priest. The years have been kind using Kudzu’s potions and healing enchantments. A robust and healthy body that would make most noble women’s eyes light up, along with a suave voice. With the ability to shift faces with a touch, I'm sure he’s an excellent Casanova.

“The daily report?” Eve asks, setting her book aside on the nearby table. It isn’t for nothing she built the Faceless organization. All supernatural entities are constrained from most forms of action by the Pact.

Only ‘mortal’ agents are allowed to act with few restrictions.

This binding is both from the Pact and the Fae Accords. Eve wouldn’t have known that absorbing Eldon Blackwater’s seed had many favorable properties. Gaining access to the Blackwater Library was probably the most significant one. I originally went looking for information on Dragons. Color me surprised when I found so much more.

Eve’s grasp of the arcane rules in the world was second to none. Eldon’s library had a complete copy of the Fae Accords and one of the newly minted Pact too. She suspected they were gifts to bind her promise to the Silver Throne more tightly. As an artifact that defended the continent, it was under constant surveillance by contesting forces. I even added a few enchantments to the artifact Eldon forged. No reason not to tip the scales further for my nefarious purposes.

“The daily report, Strange Lady.” Number One said as he handed over a thick sheaf of papers. Eve hadn’t wasted her time sleeping like other superpowers. A thousand years was plenty of time to introduce things like hygiene, paper, fertilizer, and crop rotation. At least some of the fundamental inequalities and dangers of the world were not beyond simple solutions.

Eve’s eyes scanned the daily reports, her mind instantly copying and sorting the data with Crystal Core.

In the early years of this period, the continent was inhabited mainly by the enigmatic Children of the Forest and various beasts and creatures. The First Men arrived around 10,000 B.C. according to the Borderman calendar that Eve had spread. They came through crossing the Arm of Dorne, a land bridge that connected Westeros to Essos. Eve had looked at the potential for another invasion and promptly shattered the bridge. The Fae Accords didn’t punish her because the Children of the Forest had requested it. Granted, they had requested help from the Old Gods of the Forest. However, I didn’t see those greenies having a problem with someone else doing the work for them.

Eve had even been kind enough to use her mastery of space manipulation to prevent catastrophic loss of life.

The minor issue was that the ‘invasion’ was relatively reduced in numbers due to her intervention. On the other hand, the First Men brought with them the tools, weapons, and customs that would eventually establish the first true kingdoms of the First Men. Eve had allowed it because civilization was an intricate piece of her plans. The Children of the Forest were challenging to deal with as a coherent entity. The First Men were far more pliable tools.

The First Men initially clashed with the Children of the Forest, leading to the Wars of the First Men and the Children. During these wars, the great sorcerer Eldon Blackwater emerged as an influential figure. History called many of his exploits legendary, not the least of which was forming the Pact. Granted, he probably saw a close enough shape of mass extinction for both parties to intervene. Eldon was kind, but he wasn’t a selfless hero.

Eve knew from her Faceless Men that with his vast magical powers, Eldon Blackwater played a crucial role in ending the wars and forging the Pact between the First Men and the Children of the Forest. With the formation of such a binding agreement, of course, a focal point was needed. Eve thought as she scanned more documents to her Crystal Core. Thus the Silver Throne was created as a focus and artifact.

After the signing of the Pact, a long era of peace ensued, allowing the First Men to spread throughout Westeros and establish their kingdoms. During this time, several mysterious and secretive organizations arose. Among them were the Faceless, a group of elite assassins who could change their appearance at will. They were known to worship the Many-Faced Goddess and were believed to have originated in the Free City of Braavos, across the Narrow Sea. Running a massive organization isn’t cheap, so letting them take requests is an easy way to offset things. As long as they use the spell for calculating Balance, the cost is always in our favor.

Eve had given the Faceless the ability to calculate a ‘gift’ to the exact amount of chaos it would cause. She also ensured that attempting to provide the ‘gift’ to those with magical bloodlines was expensive. There was no reason to allow the purchase of death for those with sorcery in their veins. The Silver Bank would not underwrite such a sum without plenty of collateral. Oh? Another three percent gain for this year from the Bank. No wonder banking is considered legalized theft!

“How are things proceeding in Westeros after the Pact?” Eve asked as her eyes twitched when another massive sheaf of papers appeared on her desk.

“As the decades have passed, the First Men developed their own unique customs, beliefs, and traditions, shaping Westeros's diverse and rich culture. They began to build castles, forts, and cities, and the great houses of the First Men emerged, each governing its territory and people.” Number One said without amusement coloring his tone. “Our operatives are in every location with a population above twenty. That is why the increase in reports.”

Eve sighed and said, “We will need to start a bureaucracy for this, won't we?”

“It would be an opportune method of retiring agents that don’t desire to send gifts anymore.” Number One said with a nod.

“Get a proposal done and send it to me. No matter the peace and prosperity the First Men enjoy, it won’t last.” Eve cast her eyes to the North. “As time continues to wear on, dark omens and ancient prophecies will begin to surface. Those aligned opposite the current world powers will act.”

Number One stroked his goatee and said, “Are you speaking of a terrible event known as the Long Night? The prophecies regarding it say that during this time, darkness would descend upon the land, lasting a generation, and bringing with it the White Walkers – mysterious, ice-encased beings of incredible power and malevolence.”

“The White Walkers are real. Contrary to what might be recorded later, they are no mere puppets of the Children of the Forest.” Eve said, her eyes shadowed.

“The Children of the Forest are attempting to copy them?” Number One said, catching on quickly. “That’s why reports of a secret group dedicated to the new magic of green necromancy have been sent recently!”

“Exactly.” Eve nodded before sighing. “Parties on both ends of the Pact do not enjoy the current peace.”

“The First Men will be ill-prepared for the arrival of the Long Night. Westeros would be plunged into darkness and chaos. The once-great kingdoms of the First Men would find themselves locked in a desperate struggle for survival against the White Walkers and their undead minions. An army that grows with every battle is a terrifying creature.” Number One said without inflection.

“The Pact will allow for action. Such a threat crossing outside their normal borders will spark the first true World War. The Long Night will mark a turning point in the history of Westeros, leading to the eventual rise of a group of defenders known by something like the Night's Watch or another title along the same lines. I suspect it will also spur construction of a Wall to protect the realms of men from the horrors that lurked in the cold, dark lands beyond.” Eve said as she finished the first set of reports.

“The ancient kingdoms of the First Men would never be the same again, their legacy forever intertwined with magic. It would only be such a force that could beat back those who are ‘Other,’ correct?” Number One said with bright eyes.

“Why would I allow the Long Night to happen, you wonder? After all, I could crush the White Walkers with the Silver Throne.” Eve said, glancing at the First Face.

“Magic. You will allow the invasion to occur to drive home the concept that magic is integral to the defense of Westeros. The lords of the land would not allow such a grievous breach of defense to stand. They will search far and wide for a method to protect themselves.” Number One said with a calm tone.

“Yes,” Eve said as if she hadn’t just condemned countless innocent souls to frozen terror.

“How chilling, only to be expected of our Strange Lady.” Number One said with a gallant bow.

Eve sighed before flicking her hand, causing all the papers to float around her. A short twirl of power later and the contents of every sheet were stored in Eternal Memory.

With a frown, Eve said, “I’m taking a trip out. You have command, Number One.”

As the First Face bowed, Eve flickered out of existence crossing countless miles in a single step.

In the boundless oceans, where the waves roared, and the sea raged, the tempests rose and fell like the breaths of a sleeping giant. The vast expanse of water stretched far beyond the human imagination, yet it was governed by a being whose power was unrivaled and unparalleled—the Drowned God. Within the vast seas, he held dominion over all aquatic beings and commanded the tides and currents, wielding an authority that could shake the heavens.

In these dark, turbulent waters existed a single islet, a speck amidst the vastness. It was an old place where the winds whispered secrets of times long past, and the waves lapped against the shore, singing the tales of the world.

Upon this islet, Eve stood as a figure clad in a hooded silver robe, her lustrous hair immune to the wind like the crest of a frozen moonlit wave. Any member of the Fae Accords would know her visage as the Silver Witch, an enigmatic and powerful sorceress who traversed the world, seeking the ancient and hidden knowledge that would advance her agenda of ‘magic.’

As she gazed upon the roiling sea, her eyes shimmered with the light of a thousand stars, reflecting the mysteries of the heavens. She had come to this desolate place, braving the tumultuous seas, for a single purpose—to meet the Drowned God and negotiate for the world's waters.

Winter was coming, and she couldn’t allow unstable factors.

Eve raised her slender arms to the sky, her voice resounding like the ringing of a thousand celestial bells, summoning the ancient power that coursed within her veins. A silver light danced around her body, spiraling like a whirlwind, and in the next moment, she vanished, plunging into the ocean's depths with Spatial Steps. Her power knifed through the wards raised to defend against such intrusions.

Under the sea, the darkness was immense and crushing, yet Eve's heart was undeterred. Her silvery radiance pierced through the abyss, illuminating the world beneath the waves. As she ventured deeper, she encountered enormous sea creatures that would have instilled terror into the hearts of lesser mortals, but she was no ordinary mortal. Eve’s vast power commanded their respect with a mere flick of her wrist, and they bowed to her, parting the way deeper. No one challenged one of the world's superpowers without threat to their own lives.

Eventually, she reached the bottom of the ocean, where the pressure was so great that it could shatter the mightiest creatures' bones. Here, she found a vast palace constructed of coral and pearl, a domain fit for the deity of the seas. A myriad of strange aquatic beings surrounded the palace, their forms twisting and writhing, their eyes glowing with the light of bioluminescence.

Eve glanced over the eldritch creatures before saying, “Ingredients.” It was enough to send all but the palace entrance guardians fleeing.

Two colossal sea serpents protected the grand entrance to the palace, their scales shimmering like liquid metal under her silver light. Eve approached them without fear, her eyes shining with determination.

“Favor,” Eve said, and with a single word, the serpents let her pass. They recognized the root of the word’s authority and slithered aside, revealing the entrance to the palace of the Drowned God.

Inside the palace, Eve was greeted by a chorus of eerie voices murmuring the ancient lore of the sea. The walls were adorned with the bones of countless sea creatures, each a testament to the Drowned God's power. Deeper within, the air was thick with an otherworldly presence, a force that could only belong to the deity she sought.

As she approached the throne room, the voices grew louder, their whispers becoming unsettling. With a wave of her hand, Eve silenced them, commanding them to heed her presence. The doors to the throne room swung open, revealing the Drowned God in all his terrible majesty.

Eve looked him over with a critical eye and said, “Tacky.”

The Drowned God was a being of unfathomable size, his body a conglomeration of marine life, with tentacles that stretched into the shadows, disappearing into the depths of the ocean. His current form’s eyes were like black voids, empty yet infinitely deep, as though they held the very secrets of existence. The Drowned God's voice was like the rumble of thunder, the crash of waves, and the howl of a storm all melded into one.

"You dare to enter my domain, Stranger? What temerity brings you to my realm? I’ve made my payments on time without missing a single one!" His voice echoed throughout the throne room, a testament to his power.

Eve stood before him, her silver robes billowing around her like a tempest, her eyes alight with determination. She responded with a voice that was calm yet resolute, "Calm. I am not here to collect my tribute. I have come to negotiate for temporary command of the world's seas, Dave. I seek the power to bend the waters to my will, to command the tides and currents as you do. The Long Night approaches, and I desire to prevent the enemy from escaping where they cannot be defeated."

A rumble of contemplation resounded from the Drowned God, shaking the very foundations of his palace. "You have courage, Strange Lady, but your ambition is folly. The power of the seas is not something to be trifled with. What could you possibly offer me in exchange?"

Eve's gaze remained unwavering, her voice steady and clear. "I offer you knowledge which you have never seen. Secrets are hidden away in the depths of time, mysteries buried since the dawn of creation."

The Drowned God regarded her with an inscrutable expression, his eyes narrowing as he contemplated her words. "There is nothing I cannot find given time. No, there is that…."

Eve raised her hands, summoning a book from the air around her. The tome was ancient and worn, bound in the hide of a sea monster, its pages inscribed with the language of the gods. "Within this book, you will find the secrets I have gathered throughout my travels. Secrets that could grant you the power to rival even the Fourteen Fires."

The Drowned God extended a tentacle, wanting to take the tome from Eve and perusing its contents.

“No free samples,” Eve said without fear.

Eventually, they hammered out an agreement. Eve said at the end with exasperation, “I never expected you to bargain like a fishmonger midwife, Dave.”

The ancient sea power gestured with his tentacles ignoring the comment. Eve handed over the tome, letting it float to him. The Drowned God’s eyes widened as he read, the depths of his gaze seeming to shimmer with newfound understanding. "Excellent. No deal with you is ever a loss."

Eve inclined her head, a silent agreement passing between them. "I’ll leave you to the reading, Drowned God, Dave Jones."

"Make sure that the oceans remain free from the taint of mankind's corruption. If they start polluting my waters, the Accords will not protect them." The Drowned One replied.

Eve shrugged; she was not one to shy away from a challenge. "If I need to, I will introduce the concept of eating the Sun to those in my care."

With a nod, the Drowned God imparted his power over the coasts into Eve, the energy of the oceans surging through her veins like a tidal wave. At that moment, she became one with the seas. She was temporarily linked to the tides and currents of the coastal world. The deep seas were beyond the agreement, being the foundation of the Drowned God’s power.

Eve casually emerged from the depths, her newfound power granting her the ability to shape the waters as she saw fit near land masses. With the Drowned God's borrowed power, it was effortless to manipulate water. I might have lied just a teensy bit when writing this agreement.

Eve flexed her power, freezing the ocean near the tiny island. With another twist of power, the ice shattered into floating powder. “If you aren’t cheating, you aren’t trying, right brother?” Eve said with a bottomless flash in her eyes.

Spatial Steps brought Eve back to the House of Black and White. Her powers kept water from touching her form, even before the boost from the Drowned God.

Number One was no longer in the library, but Number Two stood waiting with a new stack of papers.

“I’ll need to get a set of clerks going now,” Eve grumbled.