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Ping!
You have rested near a weirwood, all injuries and ailments have been healed and cured!
I peeled myself off of the floor, although something stuck to the back of my clothes. I turned around with a frown and looked down, curious as to what was grabbing me.
Why am I on the floor? Surrounded by my own blood?
Memories of the night before hit me. The screams of my people, and flames that were almost alive flashed before my eyes. Countless charred bodies lined the streets, and even more bodies had shovels in their hands digging and moving dirt to stop the flames.
I was so busy I never stopped to ponder why everything burned so quickly.
Another memory, one of shadow and pain, made me lift my left arm and roll it. Realistically, the game had already told me that I was in perfect health, but I couldn't help the relief that flooded my body when I realized I could move my arm again. My hands went to my ruined shirt, and I pulled it over my head.
Right where my shoulder and my chest met there was a thin scar in the shape of a small blade. It was a perfect line that explained why blood was pooled all around me on the floor.
I reached over and grabbed Heartsbane from where it had fallen from my hands. It still had chips of wood and soot covering the perfect blade. I was a bit numb, and still trying to process everything when I picked up my discarded shirt and began cleaning the Valyrian Steel Sword.
I had no doubt in my mind that I would have died last night if I hadn't had Heartsbane in my hand when the shadow demon attacked me. Now I knew how serious the Fire Priest had been. Perhaps he had always planned on assassinating me. Or maybe my brash reaction to his demand was to blame. Either way, the end would be the same and it would not end in his favor.
I stood up off of the ground as I started to put the pieces of last night together. Throughout the week that we had been announcing the Bill of Rights, there had been protests. That was expected, and even welcomed.
But the crowds were small, much smaller than we had anticipated. And as the week had progressed, the crowds had gotten even smaller. It made sense to me, once I truly thought about it. Two-thirds of the population had been celebrating the past week. The very district that had burned down the night before, had been full of former slaves dancing and celebrating. Now there were at least four hundred dead, and even more out of their homes from the fire.
So why had the city begun burning, when all signs pointed to the protests dying down and the city going on about their life?
Was it a coincidence that it was a fire that wrecked my city the same night a shadow demon tried to assassinate me?
I looked down to my desk, to where my small weirwood tree sat in its pot. I was willing to put the entire city down on a bet that the Red Priests were responsible for everything last night. But I wouldn't leave that to chance. I would have proof of my attacker. I would have proof of the arson.
My hand reached out to the weirwood, and my eyes turned white.
I had never perused the halls of the Red Temple of Myr, but as I stood there in front of it, I couldn't help but admire the architecture.
I was at the base of a massive staircase. It was at least fifty feet wide, and rose at least that high into the air before the doors of the temple. On either side of the staircase, two twenty foot, blood red, Obelisk's flanked the entrance to the temple. The cobblestones that made up the staircase were also dyed a deep red. About every ten feet, bowls of fire were placed along the railings of the staircase.
The sun had yet to rise over the horizon, but the sky was beginning to become bathed in orange, signaling the start of a new day. It was hard to tell, with all the smoke that still rose into the sky above Myr.
My hand reached out in front of me and I twisted it, much like Doctor Strange did when he wielded the power of the Time Stone.
Time began to move backwards with my will. The sky darkened, and smoke billowed back down from the sky. People poured around me and even through me from the flames back towards the temple. Eventually, an orange glow could be seen in the distance, and I knew that I was watching Myr burn in reversed time.
Soon though, the orange flame disappeared, and the sun began to rise in the west.
That's when I saw him, Donyllo the High Priest. He was standing at the top of the cobblestones, watching a couple of plainly dressed men walk away from him. I rewound time a couple of minutes and flew up to the top of the stairs.
The two men were kneeled in front of Donyllo with their heads bowed. They were still in plain clothes, but I could see from the look in their eyes and their clean bodies that they hadn't worked a hard job in a long time. They were priests, or at the very least, acolytes far down the ladder in the hierarchy.
"You have your orders, go forth and do the Lord of Light's bidding." Donyllo said as he reached down and touched both men's foreheads.
They stood up in sync and turned around before climbing down the staircase and began heading towards where I knew the fire would start. I took to the air and sped up time a bit, following them as they travelled through the streets of Myr. Eventually I saw them approach the slave district.
What I did not expect them to do is walk straight through the crowds, into a building and pull out a knife before plunging it into their hearts. As soon as they did, people began screaming, but it was drowned out by the massive flames that exploded out of their bodies.
The flames touched the first two buildings, causing it to go up in flames, spreading faster than anyone could ever react. Then it spread to two more buildings and so on.
I turned and with a flex of my will, I was standing back at the top of the staircase that led into the fire temple next to Donyllo. The two men I had just witnessed stab themselves and explode into fire were walking away from us.
Donyllo turned, and I followed him. As we passed through two massive double doors, ornately carved to depict something I couldn't decipher, two priests closed the doors behind us. I would have admired the massive room I found myself in if Donyllo didn't pause and immediately began walking through the Temple.
Statues of fire and women were everywhere in the room, although I did manage to admire the ornate dragon statue that sat in the center of the first room in the Temple. It's wings were unfurled and it was spewing flames from its mouth. I would make a note to find the sculptor for such a piece of work. Odds are, he or she was dead, but I would check all the same.
Eventually I found myself in a hallway, and went down another staircase into the heart of the temple. All along the walls, was a massive mural of carved wars that seemed to date back to the beginning of recorded history. I found one of the Doom of Valyria which was short and all encompassing. The most impressive was the fall of the Rhoynish and the splitting of the Arm of Dorne. I would have loved to stay and dissect the meaning and history of the impressive murals, but I was not able with the pace that Donyllo was setting.
For what seemed like an eternity, Donyllo descended into the depths of the temple. I knew that it was much farther than ground level and after close to fifteen minutes I was convinced that we were a mile underground.
That was when the runes began appearing on the walls.
The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I felt something emanate from the runes on the walls. Donyllo passed them, and all of a sudden, he disappeared from my sight. Then when my eyes tried to track him, I looked away against my will.
What the fuck?!
I was immediately put on edge and I prepared myself to travel back into my real body and out of the astral plane. I moved ever so slowly down the staircase, my eyes staring at the rune of the wall. Two more feet, and it lit up, covered in flame.
I opened my eyes, and I was back in my solar with my hand on my tiny weirwood.
My mind was full of questions. Obviously, I had just encountered a bit of anti-scrying Magic from the Red Priests. But I had all the proof I needed to move against them. They had sent the two men to start the fire the night before, and they would pay for it.
I warned them what would happen if they moved against me.
I took in a deep breath of fresh air, one of the first that I had in a while. The smell of smoke clung to everything on me, but on the back of my dragon, this high in the air, and this far from the city, the air was untouched by the fire started by the Red Priests.
I enjoyed the moment, and continued to take in the fresh air with my arms out wide. The cold wind bit against my skin and even that, I tried to enjoy. That lasted for a couple more minutes before I let my hands fall to the saddle beneath me.
And with a thought, we banked and began descending.
Soon we were above my city, and my eyes locked on to my target. It was a red blood stain on Myr and it was easy to spot. From my position, I could see a massive crowd beginning to form at the base of the stairs. Men in armor wielding spears and shields were in a line, keeping the crowd from climbing the stairs.
Weirña dove with a mental command, and let out a bellowing roar that caused the crowd beneath us to look up. She circled a couple of times while descending and I was already reaching to the straps that kept me in place on my saddle. With practiced ease, they came undone.
Park it on the roof.
Weirña did just that, with a couple of flaps of her wings, and extended legs, she latched onto the roof of the temple, causing it to rumble, shake, and sending clay shingles falling onto the ground beneath us.
Weirña extended a wing, and due to her massive size, it reached all the way to the ground. I lifted a leg over and jumped, sliding down the thin, but strong, membrane that made up her wing until my feet finally hit cobblestone.
I was dressed in my Royal attire that entailed clothing of the highest quality with my new house symbol of a white weirwood on a black field on the front of it, and my crown above my head. Heartsbane was belted to my side, as I was now convinced I would wear it absolutely everywhere I went.
The crowd was already hushed from my dramatic entrance, and I walked forward.
There, Ben stood with his helmet in his hands and in full plate. Beside him was a headsman's block and further away from us, five guards surrounded Donyllo the High Priest, not allowing him to move in any direction. His face was set in a frown, and shock was written over his face when he took in my appearance. Then his eyes widened as he realized what was happening.
Expected me to be dead, didn't you bitch.
"People of Myr!" I started with a yell, getting the attention of the massive crowd in front of me.
"Yesterday, there was a tragedy when there should have been a celebration! A fire, of which Myr has never seen before, ran rampant amongst our fellow citizens. Over five hundred FREED MEN died from this fire. I was there, as was Commander Ben, and countless other brave men and women. I watched as men, women, and children burned to death, and had their homes disappear before their very eyes!"
I paused, and paced around for a moment as the crowd processed the words.
"The fire was not an accident! The fire was not because of the recent freeing of Myr's slaves as the rumors have been saying! This was not the work of the masters but it was just as big of a betrayal as theirs! Donyllo the High Priest of Myr…" I said while pointing to the man in the middle of the five guards.
"…decided to cause strife and unrest in our city. He does not like that you made me your king! He took it upon himself to cause the fire that he hoped would lead to a Civil War! He even sent an assassin in the night to kill me and my family!"
Yells of disbelief and shock rang out in the crowd beneath me. I allowed the roars to be heard and the word to be spread to those who could not hear me. Eventually I rose my hand, and the crowd quieted once again.
"Let it be known, that nobody is above the law in Myr! Not even the High Priest of the Red Temple! Donyllo, for the murder of countless citizens, and damage to our city that may never be repaired…!"
I paused for dramatic effect.
"I sentence you to death. By beheading!"
The guards seized Donyllo and began dragging him over to the headsman's block. He struggled against them and screamed for them to let him go. The crowd roared, as loud as they did the day we pushed back the Golden Company.
I drew Heartsbane, and walked over to the block. Within a couple of moments, Donyllo was face down and tied up to the block.
"No! No! The Lord of Light…"
My sword separated his head from his body, on the very stairs that served as his place of power. His blood seeped into the blood red cobblestones, and was lost in the cracks.
Weirña roared with the rest of the city.
POV Belar Bahin
"People of Myr!
I know that we have had an eventful few months, but that is to be expected with so much change in our city. I would not like to forget the events that have drawn us closer as a city. The Betrayal may have weakened us, but only for a time. We are much stronger now, than we were. Trade is flowing into Myr again, and the other cities can see our prosperity.
The Great Fire of Myr was our worst tragedy, by far. None of us could expect a betrayal from one we considered holy, and we have yet to heal from it. As some of you may know, I have been walking the streets to see my people. To see how we are adapting, and overcoming our newest struggles. I am proud to be king of such sturdy people.
So that we may never forget our struggles, or our triumphs, I have approved construction of a monument to be built at the epicenter of the Great Fire. A monolith, with the names of those fallen in the fire will begin construction in the near future. We are still collecting the names from the families, and we will not miss a single soul.
This is my gift to you, the people of Myr. I hope to inspire generosity in our people, instead of hate. I only ask that you pass this generosity to your neighbors. Previous slave owners should not be discriminated against, just as former slaves should not be. We are all one people of Myr.
Work will come from the construction of new buildings to replace the housing that was burned down, so make sure to visit the town hall to apply. Also, Advisor Foler has begun construction of a new road that will span from here to the newest fort east of the city. You are encouraged to seek work there as well.
Commander Ben would like to extend invitations to the City Guard. We are still short staffed because of the betrayal. Newly freed men are especially welcome. This is your city too, and we would be honored if you defended it with us.
King Petyr Baelish."
Petyr Baelish
Title: Greenseer King - Increased reputation with those in the North and beyond the wall. Increased reputation with the Children of the Forest. When equipped, a 15% experience buff is applied to the skill: Greenseeing. Nature accepts you, and welcomes you into its arms, leading to bountiful harvests and increase in wildlife population. Healing increased by 50% while sleeping in the vicinity of a Weirwood. During your rule, Weirwood will grow naturally in the wild.
Infant mortality reduced by 25%. .01% chance that newborn children will inherit the ability of Warging. 1% chance that a warg will develop the ability of Greensight.
100% chance of children sired by you to become a warg. 50% chance of children sired by you to become a Greenseer.
Secondary Title: Breaker of Chains!
Breaker of Chains: All former slaves are 50% more likely to adore you as their king. Public speaking bonuses will increase by 100% to former slaves. Infant mortality will decrease by 45% for the offspring of all former slaves. Any former slaves that pick up arms for you as their king, will have 50% experience bonus to all martial skills for their first year of service.
Slaves that dream of freedom from accross the Free Cities will flock to your lands, in search of a better life!
I stared at the titles, in awe of just how broken they were as a king. So many thoughts were rushing through my head at what this could mean for the former slaves of Myr. I had achieved the secondary title during the announcements of the Bill of Rights, yet the strife at the time had distracted me from reading and understanding the scope of the title.
"Are we ready to begin?" Davos asked, interrupting me from my thoughts on my new titles.
"Absolutely." I answered as I saw that everyone was here and attentive. "Arton, would you mind briefing me on your progress?" I asked, starting the meeting off with the usual method.
"The road is suffering some delays. We have more than enough workers, but our kiln's are struggling to keep up with demands. I have already started the construction of five more kilns that should be operational by the moon's turn." Arton answered with a pause.
"How is that possible? We had surplus before the Great Fire." I asked, interrupting him.
He gestured to Ser Davos, who used that as his queue to answer. "More and more Braavosi traders are arriving in port, buying only cement. This has led to our own merchants purchasing in bulk to travel to Braavos and sell it." Davos answered quickly.
"How are the ports financially performing?" I asked as I turned to Lena.
Her finger ran down the page until she found her answer. "Up 150% over the last moon." She answered, causing my eyes to widen. "By far our most profitable venture at the moment." She added on at the end with a nod towards Ser Davos.
I leaned back in my chair surprised. "That is good news. Good work Davos." I complimented him.
"I haven't done a damned thing, My King." He answered, in his very blunt way of speaking.
"His books have been perfect as of late, your grace. He is downplaying himself." Lena told me, before I could respond to Davos.
I smiled at the man. It was good to see that he was finally coming around and adapting to his situation. Such growth, compared to what his first few council meetings had been like, was great to see.
"What about the Bank, Lena. Did the freedmen take us up on the personal loan offers?" I asked, inquiring about another business venture that I was sure to net us a lot of profit in the near future.
"Yes. Though much smaller loan amounts, we secured nearly a thousand loans. All at one percent." She answered quickly as she was looking down on her paper. "Although we will have to see if the freedmen have the honor to pay us back."
"I'll make a note to address it to the public in the coming months." I told her, already seeing a way to manipulate my population by public speaking. "They'll pay us back."
"Wow." I said with a pleased look on my face, directing it towards my council. "Any other good news?" I asked as I looked towards Ben and Ashara.
Ben was the first answer. "Yes actually." He said, drawing all of our eyes to him. "I've had to stop recruitment into the City Guard after 500 freedmen joined in the last week. They are a welcome addition, considering the events of the last few months."
Thank goodness. I thought as I realized we would finally be boosting our martial numbers. That would see us get closer to full capacity, after the Betrayal and the Great Fire.
And my bonus will take effect because of the Breaker of Chains title.
"Only 500?" Ashara asked curiously.
"It's hard to train that many at one time." Ben answered her, knowing what she was getting at. "Especially for a city guard. Once this wave is done, we'll begin hiring more."
There was a pause in our meeting, so I took the opportunity. "What of our food stores?" I asked. I was prepared for some bad news on that front, and there was no point avoiding it any more.
"Nearly gone, but we expected that." Ashara answered. "Braavos is aware and ships should be on their way. After we upheld our end of the deal, they seemed almost eager to help."
"Thank you my love. At least we didn't have people starving in the streets." I told her with a smile. I had been trying to mend our marriage as best as I could. She was also trying, but after our last argument before the Great Fire, our marriage had become strained. I was quick to blame her pregnancy on her mood swings, but I wasn't sure that I was correct.
"Yes well, I'm not sure how we have managed to avoid completed destruction at the hands of the Red Priests. They are calling for redemption from their followers, but it falls on deaf ears, at the moment." Ashara said. She had taken a preference to paying attention to the social state of the people, and she was doing it well.
"Your idea of public messages are to thank for that, I believe." I told her, complimenting her once again.
"If that is all, your grace?" Davos asked, being the only one with the balls to interrupt my meager attempts at groveling before my wife's feet. I smiled, knowing that this was not the place for it.
"I believe so." I told Davos and turned to the rest of them.
"Keep up the good work and be diligent. We have made many enemies."
A/N: Boom!
So the Great Fire wasn't an accident after all! The Red Priest waited for his opportunity, and could have restored Myr back to it's previous state if the Assassin had succeeded. But Petyr isn't a world renowned fighter for no reason.
And that led to his head falling from his shoulders.
Did anyone like the rune magic of the Fire Priests? I'm thinking that magic users of old must have had a way to prevent Greenseers from scrying them in the past. This will come up in future chapters as well, but I won't ruin that. What did we think of it?
The city is healing and trade has finally picked back up. In a way, The Great Fire was a good thing for the people of the city and Petyr. It distracted them from the reality that the slaves were freed. It was a tragedy that anyone would feel bad about. And everyone got justice in the form of the beheading. I personally think Petyr played it as well as he could.
Do you guys think something like that could bring people together?
Let's talk about it in the reviews!