Last Day of 284 AC, Lys…
"You gave a good speech Raenar. Even I felt your spirit when you were talking."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Holiness but still, it was not better than yours."
Gerold and Raenar were currently in the new palace. They were sitting in Raenar's solar. People were still celebrating in the streets. Gerold's decree was a shock to them but nevertheless, his speech became something like God's words for them.
Gerold was sipping from his tea when Raenar spoke, "Your Holiness, the ship and guards are ready. We put additional provisions so you should not worry about a long voyage."
Gerold put down his cup and looked at Raenar. He pricked his brows and smiled, "Raenar, if I didn't know you, I would have thought you want me to go?"
Raenar grew pale and hurriedly said, "Your… Your Holiness, I would not dare to think something like that! You are my benefactor. What sort of man I would be if I had such thoughts?"
Gerold chuckled and said, "Relax, don't forget that I can see your thoughts. Even if you have such thoughts I would be the first person to know. By the way, did you sent word about my journey to other temples?"
Raenar relaxed a little but he was still tensed up. He sipped his tea and said, "Of course, Your Holiness, every temple knows that you shall visit them. However, they do not know in which order…"
Gerold raised his hand and cut his words, "No one shall know that. Where is the surprise if they know? If they know when will I come, they will dress their temple and bring their most loyal believers and cast others aside, right? This will be a test for the heads of the temple and I shall witness their progress in person."
Raenar's eyes twinkled, "You're wise Your Holiness. Do you have any order before going?"
Gerold thought a bit then answered, "Continue to the education of Targaryen siblings. They will be good assets in converting Westeros. Teach both of them how to rule and command. If one of them falls, the other one shall rule."
Gerold tried to sip from his tea but there was nothing left. He turned towards one of the maids and beckoned with his hand. The maid came forward with a teapot in his hands poured tea for Gerold.
Gerold continued to talk, "You should also start to build an army and navy. Spreading God's word can work only for some people. The others want to witness our power to see God's greatness. There will also be people who will try to use violence to suppress us. Nevertheless, we shall prevail but minimizing our losses should be the priority."
Raenar hesitated a bit but asked, "Your Holiness, currently, we don't have enough money for building an army and navy. Although if you can give us ten years, we can overcome this obstacle. However, I don't think this will satisfy you."
"You're right but no need to worry. I will send new blueprints and I'm sure they will be enough for you. Also, is Aemar ready to sail?" asked Gerold.
Raenar put down his cup and beckoned his hand to the maid. The maid came again and poured tea for Raenar while he was talking, "Of course, he is. He is eager to sail. He never left the Lys so he wants to see new places. If not for your powers, his world would have been limited only with Lys." Raenar bowed his head, "My eternal gratitude is with you for your mercy."
Gerold waved his hand and said, "No need, no need. As a faithful servant to God, he deserved to be healed. Even if I did not meet him, I would have healed him when I meet in your manor. He was not able to see the world as it is, his vision was blocked by a mist, his mind was bent because of sickness. Seeing the light of God was his right."
"Now, if there is nothing you want to say I will go to see Aegon and Rhaenys. They won't be able to see me for years so I need to say goodbye to them." Gerold stood up and looked at Raenar.
"There is nothing left to talk, Your Holiness," said Raenar while bowing his head.
"Okay then, I will see you in the port." Gerold left the room and went towards the training yard.
Soon, he reached the training yard. The training yard was huge. Three hundred men were able to train at the same time. There were men practising their sword skills and archery. Most of them were young men but each of them was skilled with their mastery. Only skilled people were able to work for the prince.
Gerold looked around and saw Rhaenys practising with a middle-aged man while her little brother watching her from the side. He went towards them. While he was passing, others saw him and started to bow their head. They were very respectful towards Gerold. They saw him as their saviour because each of them was taken from poverty or slavery. None of them was someone with a rich family. It was Gerold's work which allowed them to rise and afford three times meal a day.
When Rhaenys and Aegon saw Gerold coming towards them, they smiled and ran to hug him. Gerold took Aegon to his arms and patted Rhaenys's head.
"Father Gerold, did you come to play with us?" asked Aegon. Despite being only three years old, he was able to read books, even though he was quickly getting bored with them. He was literally a little genius, someone worthy of a throne.
"No, I came to say goodbye. I will be going to other cities for a few years. So, both of you need to listen to Uncle Raenar's words. He will be the one who will be responsible for you." said Gerold.
Both of them looked at Gerold with surprised faces. Rhaenys gritted her teeth and asked, "Can we come with you? Pleaseee…" After escaping from King's Landing, Gerold had become their only support so they were a little bit clingy towards him. They saw him as a hero who saved them from evil people.
"That's absolutely impossible. The journey will be full of danger and you're still small to protect yourselves. Besides, both of you have things to learn from your teachers." said Gerold with a stern face.
Rhaenys looked at Gerold with puppy eyes but seeing him remaining motionless, she gave up, "Okay, then when are you going?"
"As I said, I came to say goodbye. I will be going to the port, right now. Everything is ready and waiting for me." Gerold relaxed his face and looked at them.
"Can we come with you to the port?" asked Aegon.
"Of course, you can," said Gerold.
After talking with their instructor, Gerold held them from their hands and left the palace.
************
Port of Lys…
The biggest ship in the known world was anchored at the port. It was the ship of the Prophet. People were gasping at the sight of it. It was a Ship of the Line. It was rigged with three masts and its sails were painted with a golden cross. There were thirty arrow launchers and twenty ballistas on the three decks. It had 1000 men of the crew and only 250 of them were sailors, the rest was the guards assigned for the protection of the Prophet. All of them wore pure-white armour and their head was shaved. Being the guard of the Prophet was the highest honour for a Lyseni. Each of them was skilled and were trained by the best. They were also blessed, personally, by the Prophet. They held a helmet in one hand and their other hand rested on the hilt of their swords.
At the moment, these guards were waiting for their Prophet in the port. When they saw Gerold coming, all of them wore their helmet and knelt on the ground and put theirs on their chest.
This was going to become the starting point for Gerold. This moment was recorded in history as the Journey of the Prophet...