285 AC, Lys...
Gerold arrived at the Lys by night. Though the streets were deserted, many people were waiting for the arrival of Gerold on the port; Raenar Rogare, Elaese Rogare, the head of the temple of Lys, Sargoso and finally, Rhaenys Targaryen.
Rhaenys was dozing off in the arms of Elaese who rested on a big crate while the others were waiting afoot.
The ship neared the wooden port and the crew dropped anchor. Four of the crew jumped onto the port and caught the ropes that the crew on ship threw and tied them to their places. Then, a wooden plank with railings dropped from the ship and Gerold descended from it.
The people who were waiting for him welcomed him with warm smiles. Rhaenys woke up and went to hug him while another man who looked like a giant came out of the ship. All the onlookers on the port were stupefied by man's height as they never saw someone that long before.
After the giant, Aemar came out of the ship and looked around to see if his father and sister were there and seeing them he went forward to hug them.
And of course, behind them descended the holy guards in a strict order. Gerold didn't wait or talk with any of them and only nodded his head towards Raenar and went to the long and wide streets of Lys.
…
The Temple of Lys…
Gerold didn't have any time to sleep or rest. He needed to prepare for the coming challenge that awaited him. Currently, he was in the meeting room of the temple with Raenar, Sargoso and Trios. The others went to rest as it was midnight and they needed to rest.
Sargoso and Raenar were still looking at Trios with wonder in their eyes as they wanted to know the identity of this man while Trios was not concerned with their gazes and was looking with great interest at the engravings on the walls.
On the other hand, Gerold was filling himself a cup of wine as his head was aching because of all the problems he was facing.
Raenar saw no one talking so he coughed into his hand and said, "Your Holiness, before starting the meeting, may we learn the identity of this man?"
Gerold sipped from his wine and sat on the head chair, "He is a friend of mine, you can trust him…" Gerold stopped there for a while then said, "for now…"
Gerold placed his glass to the table and looked around the table to see the faces of the man he was having a meeting with. After being satisfied with their seriousness, except Trios, he began talking, "You probably heard about what happened in Volantis. Now, tell me the reaction of people in Lys."
"People were in outrage as the news reached by our merchants. They even burned the abandoned red temple in the new red-light district." As Sargoso was the Voice of the Prophet and the head of the Temple of Lys, he was the one to speak.
Gerold nodded his head in satisfaction and said, "Good, the angrier they get the more support we will get when the time comes. However, this damned had to happen just when I was visiting the cities. Because of those cursed people I had to come back to Lys. However, their influence in Tyrosh is removed and believers are the majority so it won't be much of a problem. Also, I gave orders for our plans regarding Westeros, we will expect the results by next year." Gerold turned his head towards Raenar and said, "Raenar, you have two years to train at least 40,000 men in two years. They need to be at least at the level of those Westerosi knights. They should be fully armoured and ready to battle at any time. Choose from those people in slums but be careful, though it is unlikely, there may be spies amongst them."
"Of course, Your Holiness but there is a little problem," Raenar scratched his head and averted his eyes, "From what I understand, there will be a battle after these two years and at that time, there will be famine and plague in Westeros. However, Westeros is our main food suppliers so if we want enough food to feed the masses we may need the Disputed Lands in our hands. Of course, Lys is willing to bear this responsibility and…"
Gerold raised his hand and cut him short. He looked at Raenar's eyes, this man was still too ambitious for his own good, "I will write a letter to the Archon of Tyrosh, next morning. Cooperate with him to occupy the Disputed Lands.but only use sellswords. The lands will be administered by two people selected by Tyrosh and Lys, respectively.
Raenar nodded his head with great shame as his plans were seen throughout in seconds.
Gerold turned his head to Sargoso and said, "Increase the numbers of holy guards in all temples and send word to the bishops to bring at least four guards with them to everywhere they go. There already skirmishes in most of the cities so they probably will try to kill bishops to destroy the unity of the temple."
Sargoso nodded his head and waited for a while before saying, "About weekly prayers, should we continue to hold them or stop it completely?"
Gerold thought for some time and then scoffed, "There shall be no interruption for worshipping. Tell the priests to preach that people who die while fighting physically and spiritually against these heathens shall be rewarded a place in heaven regardless of their sins."
Sargoso nodded his head with reverence while Trios sniggered to his words.
"If that is all then I will go to rest as it was a tiring journey," said Gerold while standing up.
Trios, Raenar and Sargoso all nodded their heads and went to rest same as Gerold.
…
Gerold woke up to the yellings by his doors in the morning. He opened his eyes and looked around and he realized he was in his room in the Temple of Lys. Yellings continued while he was wearing his clothes. He owed his temples and went to open the door. He saw a small figure yelling to two holy guards when he opened the door.
"Aegon, why are you disturbing the guards?" Gerold looked at Aegon with a berating face, "Didn't I told you, no yelling or running in the temple!"
While Gerold was berating Aegon, Elaese came running from the other end of the corridor with a read face and out of breath, "Aegon, you promised me to never leave my side, what if the red demons took you away!?"
Aegon bowed his little head with a sad face and teary eyes and seeing this, Gerold patted his head and took him to his arms, "Okay, okay… Aegon is a good boy, he was just coming to see me, right?"
Aegon beamed at Gerold's words and nodded his little head in Gerold's arms.
Gerold looked at Elaese and said, "Elaese, come with me." Gerold turned around and went back to the room, "I will write your father a note and I need you to give it to him, immediately."
Elaese followed Gerold and went in. Gerold dropped Aegon to the bed and sat onto the table. He took out a quill and ink from the drawer and began to write.
After he finished it, Gerold gave the note to Elaese and called one of the guards standing by the door.
"Go and call the barber, the one that works down the blacksmith on the white street." Gerold waved his head and sent the holy guard out.