The waters of the Blackwater Bay were calm. The ship swayed from side to side. The sailors reluctantly fussed on the decks, doing menial work. Driftmark was already looming attractively on the horizon. At last, Aegon would be able to escape from his mother and grandfather and take refuge in the nooks and crannies of the fortress, preferably with a bottle of wine, or ride his dragon Sunfire.

Aegon leaned boredly on the railing, looking at the black water overboard. A golden glass of red wine rested in his hand, half-empty, the liquid sloshing gently with the ship's movement.

There was a creaking of planks behind him, and Aegon reluctantly turned around, expecting to see his mother or grandfather angry at his drinking, but it was someone else. His sister, who is shunned even by their own mother. A snow-white crow in a white family. A small albino, nicknamed either the curse or the blessing of Old Valyria.

"Sister."