285 AC, Tyrosh…
Gerold's first stop was going to be Tyrosh. His voyage towards Tyrosh went without a problem, of course, there were some pirates who tried to attack them in Stepstones but they were dealt with swiftly by ballistas and arrow launchers.
Gerold was planning to stay in Tyrosh for only half a year. Then, he was going to sail towards other cities. His visit to each temple was necessary because someone was needed as a political force for dealing with the authorities of the cities. For example, in Lys, there was not so much opposition because their trade was mainly in the pleasures of the flesh. They were not a military force to be recognized. With Gerold's conversion of slaves and most of the merchants, there wasn't anything to oppose Gerold. However, it was different in Tyrosh.
Tyrosh was a harbour city It was sitting on an island to the north of the Stepstones, just off the coast of the Disputed Lands. It was protected by high walls and its inner walls were fused black dragonstone. Like in old Lys, many gods were worshipped here. Like Trios, R'hllor and Patternmaker. The ruler of the city was a man chosen from among the members of a conclave of the wealthiest and noblest of the city.
As the Tyrosh began as a military outpost of the Valyrian Freehold, it was still seeing its effects from the past. Although Tyroshi people mainly known for their torture devices and dyes, their slaves are known to be especially aggressive. They even sail beyond the Wall, in search of wildlings to enslave. They also have a large fleet because they frequently compete for disputed lands with other two daughters.
At the moment, Gerold was in the harbour with his guards walking towards the temple. When the ship neared the city, people gasped at its sight. They never ever saw such a big ship so it was a new thing for every one of them.
Apart from the guards accompanying Gerold, there was also Aemar, some white-robed man with the head of the temple and some magisters from the conclave with him. Only one of these magisters were sent by Archon of the city, the rest were the believers of God. All of them were sent when they saw a big ship coming towards the city. The ship was known in the Free Cities as the vessel of the Prophet.
"Your Holiness, this one is named Innar Iranyl and I am the head of the temple in Tyrosh. When I came to Lys for pilgrimage, it was Your Holiness who bestowed me this responsibility. I am eternally grateful for your gift." said an old man, he was fifty-four this year. If not for the gift of the Prophet, he would have died by now. Before coming to Lys, he tried every possible method to cure his sickness but it was to no avail. Only after attending one of the meetings in the Tyrosh, he learned about the Prophet. At first, he didn't believe and thought this as quackery but after witnessing one of the heads of the temples performing a miracle, he started to believe. He sold everything he had and went to Lys. There, he met the Prophet and witnessed his graciousness personally.
Gerold smiled kindly and said, "Yes, I remember you. You were the one who prayed in the temple for three days and nights. And for this, I cured you of your sickness."
"Again, I am thankful for your greatness, Your Holiness. People were looking forward to your coming. All of the believers are in the temple and waiting for you." said Innar with glittering eyes.
One of the magisters looked at the man walking beside him. People were calling him "Your Holiness", "The Prophet" and many other things but he himself was a godless man. He did not believe in superstitious things but he began to doubt himself after seeing the so-called prophet. There was something different about this man he didn't know. He was sent here to invite this man to a meeting with Archon. They were nearing the temple so he needed to talk or else his chance was going to fly like a bird.
"Your Holiness, I am one of the magisters in this city. My name is Nakodos Paenolis. Our city's Archon invites you to his palace for a meeting. He also prepared a banquet for welcoming you." said the magister.
Innar frowned and shouted with an angry face, "Blasphemy! If the Archon wants to see His Holiness then he should have come himself to greet him. How dare he call His Holiness to his feet. If he wants to meet the Prophet, he should come to the temple!"
Nakodos was speechless, he didn't know what to say, "I… I… Archon…"
Gerold stopped and turned his head to look at Nakodos, "Nakodos, right? Tell the Archon, I'm inviting him for a simple dinner. Besides, there is no need for a banquet. If he wants to spend his money, he should dole them to the poor. I saw many people begging for food and money in the streets. If he is chosen as the Archon then he should look after his people."
"Yes, Your Holiness. I will convey your words to the Archon," said Nakados and turned around quickly went towards the palace.
White-robed men from the temple were looking at Gerold with respect. Before joining the temple, they were all beggars in the streets. They were eating rats and sea snails. However, the soup houses became their favourite place after the establishment of the temple.
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Meanwhile in the palace of Tyrosh…
A green bearded man was sitting in his study room. His name was Tychano Ormel. He was Archon of the Tyrosh. He was a middle-aged kind man. Though he was strict in his business, he was lovely-father to his daughter.
At the moment, he was dealing with the accounts of his house's dealing with Lys. There was a lot of work these days. Lys's advancement and House Eragor's rise became an obstacle for his plans. Even in Disputed Lands, he was losing the upper hand. When he was reported that a big ship was coming to the harbour, he thought of the so-called Prophet. That was the owner of the biggest ship in the known world. So, he sent one of the magisters as a show of respect towards him. He himself would have gone if not for the documents he needed to finish.
Just he was finished with the documents the door opened and Nakados, his old friend came in. He was surprised when he saw a frown in his old friend's face, "Nakados, what happened? Did he declined the invitation?"
Nakados looked at his old friend and sighed. He went to sit at one of the chairs and sighed, "Not only he refused to come, but he also invited you to dinner. He said that there is no need for a banquet. If you want to spend your money, you should dole them to the poor. According to him, If you are chosen as the Archon then you should look after your people." Nakados looked at his friends with a serious face and said, "If I didn't meet him then I could have said that you should refuse his invitation but there is something different about this man. I don't think we should anger him so you should accept his invitation."
Tychano pricked his brows and said, "Hm, interesting. I should have personally gone to welcome him. After all, the man commands hundreds of thousands of people in the Free Cities. He is too strong to be ignored. Tell him, I accept his invitation. Convey my words with one of the free people. I heard he doesn't like people in shackles."