Free Web NovelChapter 10: Chapter 10 : Friends and Holy wars
Helios (POV) :
I rode out on the new horse that I had purchased, it was a good ride. Had to purchase a few chests and unnecessary commoditioes, a rich merchant can’t just walk around alone in these parts and not draw suspicion. Intresting thing here was the fact that I wore purple. Only nobles could were purple.
That is good and all. But there was nobody around here who was willing to sell a ship. Some were, but those were the one’s who were going to build the ship. And that would take time, something that I could not waste knowing the fucking gods of this world wanted me dead.
With that I was half certain of the fact that I probably would be attacked again, most likely at the sea. I still recalled the words of those priests.
They had spoken about sea monters following them here and singing to them. The next attack would be at sea probably. But if a god could not do shit to me, sea monsters are not a threat.
Even though all of this is very spooky, it is my first time doing all this. I had to get a ship quickly but that was not possible now, so perhaps I have to suck it up and look for an armourer instead.
Walking through this city was a positive experience all things considered. The architecture was old. That came with being the oldest city in the continent.
There ware also far too many key locations than a city beside the capital should have. The centre of knowledge and faith were both located here. The Citadel and the Starry Sept. It was a cobblestone labyrinth, I eneterd a dense, structured maze of narrowstreets.
Not the best idea for nobles to wander of alone.But misfortune shall strike the man who engages with me. Anywho, my super senses, that I had grown to tolerate would warn me ahead of time for incoming trouble.
The narrow streets were bustling with public markets, all paved in clean stone. The smell was distinctly pleasant.
"This is what King’s Landing should have been"
Many sellers had tried to get my attention towars their shops, seeing me in a noble attire. But I was there to buy something else.
The whole city was divided in two by a river. I did not even know where to look. So I look for the best place to get information. An inn.
Riding for a short while longer, I finally found one. I gave my horse to the stable boy, tossing him a gold dragon in the process.
The boys eyes widened at the realisation he was holding a gold coin, gathering his senses quickly he rushed to take my horse, gently holding it like a father holding a new born.
Throwing gold away like that is not the best idea but since gold is all I have that’s all there is to it. Besides a God does not fear consequnces of his actions. Anyone who would dare try something would just end up seeing the sun up close.
As I make my way to the inn, opening the door slowly in my traditional creepy way. All eyes turned to look and for one moment they all fell silent.
My cloak, deep blue embroided with silver thread caught the fire light. I stepped in, my polished leather shoes untouched by the mud.
’I am so fucking cool’ was the only thought that went in my mind as all the men having casual fun a heartbeat prior seem to straighten up. I looked at the inn keeper whose eyes brightened at my presence. This was a local inn and I, to them, was a big shot.
The inn keeper rushed towards me as I spoke loud and clear "ALL DRINKS ON ME" she gasped and soon the entire place erupted in cheers.’Just a moment prior some of them were staring daggers at me’ They thought I had not noticed but I had. And I remebered.
I made my way, not to the lone table the inn keeper was pointing me to but to the place were an old man was seated, he looked to be at least mid-fifties. The clothes and the castle forged steel with him telling me that the man was a night.
Too well dressed for a commoner and to un dressed for a lordling.
He seemed taken aback my casual way of patting his back and taking the seat right infront of his.
"You lost my lord?" There it was. He said my lord not m’lord. he was of high birth and a knight. Therefore probably trustworthy. Well I had to shoot my shot. I was lonely as hell in this place. Traveling across a continent at all was entirely new to me besides a poor man grows ambitious when given more and a rich man is rich after stepping on people to get there. A middle class folk remains middle class. Being old also tends to crush ambitions.
"No, just lonely" I spoke with a calm casual manner that most use when talking to a friend "You mind if I join you, you look lonely too, I will pay" That made him relaxed. As he took another gulp of the local ale.
I ordered the best stuff they had for the both of us. That got a smirk on the old man. "What would be your name, man?" He asked.
"Lord Helios of Troy, and yours ?" I answered. I could still hardly believe my own bullshit at this point but it was still fun.
"Luthor, a knight of the Reach" He answered. He was old but decently built, atleast for this world. I had noticed the average man here was like 5’5 to 5’7’. The average joe atleast. This man infront of me was 5’10, benefits of being well fed I suppose. He had a wrinkled face and old soft voice.
"I have not heard of a Troy before my lord, and you don’t look to be a foreigner ?" He answered. Time for random bullshit go.
"I had not heart of a seven kingdoms either, before travelling to Volantis atleast. I come from a land east of ashai, a glorious city Troy is I will tell you" I spoke looking as if I was reminiscing of home.
The inn keeper had brought arbor red and roasted bacon and a well done beef. We quitely began muncing down on hour meals.
The was was still bland to my american senses but tolerable.The wine was good however.
"Are you in someone’s service then Luthor?" I asked curious. This man looked trustworthy. Could also fight, I should keep him.
"No my lord, currently I am a hedge knight" That suprised me, a hedge knight. A knight but sadder. This was marvellous. He looked more well dressed than most but most were peasants. But I could not be too obvious so I maintained my composure,
"Served Lord Hightower for a while and Lord Asford before" He straightened slightly, almost imperceptible. ’Oh he is a loyal one’ I thought, there was no hostility in his voice toward them but a slight pride. Even though he probably was removed from service. That is a sign of honour.
"I served them for a while before I was given gold and send on the way, was never really good with a sword or lance, middling" He answered sensing the question before it came.
"I suppose you are looking for a new lord to serve then friend" He looked at me now, really looked at me. His heart became slightly faster.
"Yes my lord" He spoke after some time ’He is eager too!’ I had him.
"See, I am not exactly an a traditional lord but I need men whom I can trust" Words were genuine. I was lonely here "If you’re plate is not full then join me, I have great plans and adventures ahead and gold to pay you"
He contemplated what to do. I could see the conflict in his eyes I was not a proper lord and a foreigner. But he had no work. Eventually after few minutes he finally agreed.
’Good he was honourable, a decent find. Eventually when he sees what I am he will become fully devoted’
"Let me tell you someting Ser Luthor" I spoke " What you might see on out journey, will be...different let’s just say, It will be beyond your understanding of things even but if you still continue to serve me you would see the bigger picture. What lies ahead would be trrifying for you. So I ask you again, do you accept ?"
My words were clear, not a shred of doubt in them. Luthor seemed to be taken aback by my words but he had the mind not to question it. He stood up and then bend a knee.
"I accept my lord"
This was perfect for me.
"Rise ser, as for you’re first task. Tell me where to find the best blacksmith in the city"
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King’s Landing :
The environment was grim, not like the usual grim is was used to, the regular crimes, the gold cloaks harassing bystanders but a much more personal one.
The enitre city was quiet and silent. The bustling overpopulated streets were empty, people were scared and unwilling to leave their homes. The only place that felt safe, was supposed to feel safe but had done little to comfort anyone.
It was the news of an explanation of the recent events outside the Great Sept of Baelor that made people come out. Looking for any explanation.
As the crowd gathered outside the great Sept and eventually The king himself had stepped forward, looking at the massive crowd.
King Robert Baratheon, for the first time in a long time had a fire in his eyes. He was sober. He was quiet. He looked more serious than he had ever been.
Stepping forward he spoke
"Last night, this great city was attacked." H elet the words settle in " The blast yesterday killed over a thousand inocent people when they were sleeping in their beds, in the safety of their homes.
Nobody could have expected that, there was no way to expect that. But we know who it was that dared enter our city and killed out people" Robert spoke his voice stable and clear, like a commander stating orders.
"It was the red priest from ashai" The crowd gasped, it was the high septons turn to speak now.He stepped forward. Anger and fear easily seen on his fat face
"These witches had shown up in our city just a few hours before the blast. They had done this to sacrifice lived to their evil god"
The crowd was now in just a full blown panic mode.
"That is what those Lord of Light worshippers do, they had burned people who whorshipped god’s of other faith’s. The witches had used Dark magic to explode the docks in the dead of night" Many weeped from fear. The women covered their mouths.
"But they are still here! Hiding! They have not been caught. They are hiding and waitingmto repeat this attrocity again. They have declared war on all the people of Westeros, all the people of the faith. This is a Holy War!"
’Overdramatic’ Renly sighed. The truth is they knew not who had done this. The red priests were just highly likely. But the people needed to know someting. The city was in a panic never seen before.
Some were even claiming that the gods had struck them down as punishment and that they end of the world was near !
Some excuse had to be made, a reason had to be given. Renlt noticed Baelish looking particularly grim. He had lost his usual raspy and slippery voice entirely. Renly did not care.
There was not even one red priest in Westeros except Thoros of Myr. He was in the black cells for being guilty by association.
